Summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press
Yediot Aharonot declares that „The ‘agreement’ that Iran signed with Turkey and Brazil is another exercise in deception by Tehran designed to torpedo the American plan,” and believes that the tripartite agreement has forced the US and its UN Security Council partners to expedite their own plan, which would impose stiffer sanctions on Iran. The author says that Tehran had hoped that the agreement with Brazil and Turkey would delay a new sanctions resolution but adds that „The Iranian effort is so transparent and so crude that apart from those who brokered it and supporters of Iran around the world, nobody is buying it.”
Ma’ariv addresses musician Elvis Costello over his decision to cancel two scheduled appearances in Israel, ostensibly over Israeli military actions against the Palestinians. The author writes: „You certainly know, Mr. Costello, that many ‘enlightened’ countries such as the US and UK are involved without respite in fighting in faraway countries, such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan…You would never cancel an appearance in New York or London, while condemning the government policies for sending soldiers. You would have too much to lose by such a step. But a concert in Israel is a different story…In Israel, there is a great public of humanist people, who desire peace, yearn for a normal life, are willing to make painful concession and who are also cultural enthusiasts. Look at how fast your concert tickets were snapped up. Over the years, this public has fought bitterly to advance its positions and its dreams. It fights against extremists at home and against Muslim extremists, who are destroying any chance for peace. Your miserable decision directly weakens this public. You have given it another reason to despair, to be frustrated and to understand that the chance for sanity is slipping away. ‘Music is not mere noise,’ you wrote in your cancellation letter. But you have proved the exact opposite. Sometimes a musician would do well to concentrate on music, which, at least, he understands.”
Yisrael Hayom discusses the Palestinian Authority’s decision to promote a boycott of Israeli products made over the Green Line. The author suggests that given the failure of the armed struggle, the PA „is looking for a different way to build a popular collective consciousness,” and adds that „Boycotting Israel is out of the question since the PA breathes through Israel but boycotting products made in settlements wins broad support.” The paper notes that „Thousands of Palestinians earn their livelihoods in settlements,” but asks: „When have the Palestinians hesitated to shoot themselves in the foot just to hurt Israel?” The author speculates that by promoting the boycott, PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad is building himself up as a possible successor to PA President Mahmoud Abbas.”
The Jerusalem Post discusses the case of convicted murderer Moshe Ben-Ivgi, who fled Israel some six years ago during a furlough from prison and was arrested earlier this week in Buenos Aires by the Argentinean police, and states that „Israeli law defines furloughs as a perk, not a right. Bitter experience ought to teach our law-enforcers that it’s better to err on the side of caution than treat given prisoners with the benevolent indulgence they palpably do not deserve.” According to the editor, „It’s high time our judiciary’s scale of values was ruefully reassessed – in the light of the enduring Jewish adage which emphasizes that ‘he who is merciful to the cruel will eventually be cruel to the merciful.’”
BreuerPress-info
