HA’ARETZ
1. GAZA ELIMINATIONS TO BE STEPPED UP, ALSO AGAINST HAMAS.
2. Mazuz backs Social Welfare Ministry policy.
HOMOSEXUAL AND LESBIAN COUPLES NOW ABLE TO ADOPT CHILDREN.
3. JEWISH LEADERS IN HEBRON MEET WITH CLAN LEADERS.
Jewish representatives requested meeting to thank Sheik El Jabari, who prevented destruction of synagogue tent.
MAKOR RISHON-HATZOFEH
1. Mazuz: Same-sex [couples] are parents in every respect. Religious:
„FATAL BLOW TO FOUNDATIONS OF JEWISH STATE.”
Urgent debate on Mazuz decision in [Knesset] Social Welfare and Labor Committee. Welfare Minister Herzog: Important decision. Shas Chairman Eli Yishai: Nauseating initiative which contradicts coalition agreements.
MA’ARIV
1. Residents of the city of Kassams embark on fight for their lives.
SDEROT PROTEST.
Tel-Aviv: Blocking Ayalon highway and demonstration opposite Barak’s office. Negev: Solidarity strike. Jerusalem: Protest tent opposite PMO and rally near Knesset. Sderot residents implore public: „Don’t stand on the sidelines.”
2. OLMERT TO MEET SHALIT DEAL MEDIATOR IN GERMANY.
Prime Minister landed last night on state visit.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. IDF to intensify eliminations.
HAMAS CHIEF-OF-STAFF GOES UNDERGROUND.
Mahmud Jabari determines when Kassams are launched. Barak to IDF: Expedite preparations for escalation. Sderot residents: Today, we block Tel-Aviv highways.
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SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
All papers comment on various issues regarding the continuing Kassam assault on Sderot and the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip:
Yediot Ahronot avers that, „A government that exposes its citizens to this kind of war of attrition over time is not worthy of continuing in office.” The editors venture that any military operation in Gaza would have to both halt the Kassam fire and block the smuggling at Rafiah and wonder if these can be achieved. The paper suggests that, „Perhaps we are fated to both fight Hamas and talk to it and the question is merely one of the right order.”
Ma’ariv cautions that, „Continued Kassam fire will lead to a new Nakhba for the residents of the Gaza Strip,” and adds that, „Unlike 60 years ago, the Palestinians’ modus operandi offers neither the chance to achieve anything nor any logic. By their steps, the Palestinians are inviting an escalation and are leading toward an all-out clash in the Gaza Strip with Israel and the IDF.” The editors assert that, „They have already made this mistake in the past and brought disaster on themselves.”
Makor Rishon-Hatzofeh declares that, „Olmert’s policy is not getting us closer to future peace. The result is the opposite.” The editors remind their readers that while over 40 Kassam rockets were fired at Israel over the weekend, „The Prime Minister continues to glory in blocking the heavy pressure being exerted on him to embark on a large-scale military operation,” in Gaza. The paper warns that, „The Prime Minister’s moderate policy is leading to further withdrawals.”
