HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS HA’ARETZ 1. EGYPT LIFTS BLOCKADE ON GAZA; RAFIAH TERMINAL FOR RESIDENTS’ CROSSING Egyptian move, which is being interpreted as gesture to Hamas, expresses tightening of relations between Cairo and Gaza. Israel estimates that it will not cause significant security damage. 2. NETANYAHU ENLISTS CANADA AND FOILS G-8 SUPPORT FOR NEGOTIATIONS ON BASIS OF 1967 LINES MA’ARIV 1. New revelations on link between President and PA Chairman. The secret: President and PA Chairman have been exchanging secret messages for some time in order to reach formula to prevent September move. The plan: During his visit to Washington, Netanyahu was to have made far-reaching statement that would facilitate wording of formula. The explosion: Peres and Abu Mazen had already set additional meeting but Netanyahu changed his mind at the last minute. ADVANCED CONTACTS, WITH NETANYAHU’S KNOWLEDGE YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. No cigarette sales via vending machines. No reduced-price cigarette sales at duty-free. No smoking at bus stops or on train platforms. DRYING UP THE SMOKERS War on smoking reaches peak: Today – Deputy Health Minister to present Cabinet with new plan to make life difficult for smokers. YISRAEL HAYOM 1. Israel satisfied at remarks by UN General Assembly President Joseph Diess: „VETO WILL PREVENT PALESTINIANS FROM BEING ACCEPTED AS UN MEMBER” Arab League decides: Abu Mazen to stake all on UN recognition of Palestinian state. But route is via Security Council – where Obama has promised to cast veto. 2. „EGYPT LEGITIMIZING HAMAS” After almost four years: Rafiah border opened, for people only, in the meantime, not goods. Senior diplomatic source in Jerusalem: Concern over Egypt’s new moves. WALLA! 1. ARAB LEAGUE: PALESTINIANS MUST TURN TO UN FOR RECOGNITION Arab League representatives in Qatar discuss developments following Netanyahu’s and Obama’s speeches and express support for PA turning to UN in order to receive recognition of Palestinian state. Abu Mazen: „No basis for negotiations with Israel.” NANA10 1. ARAB LEAGUE: SUPPORTS TURNING TO UN PA Chairman tells Arab League meeting that outline presented by Netanyahu sets additional obstacles for peace process. [Headlines for Walla! and Nana10 are from their websites as of 10:40.] ______________________________ SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Yediot Ahronot contends that, „Netanyahu is a strange blend of eras. On one side a modern PR firm, and on the other side a walking anachronism – Wall Street suits, while his feet are stuck in the old cement of settlements.” Ma’ariv suggests that, „The chances for the situation in Rafiah to revert to its former status are zero. The next president of Egypt will have to navigate between the demands of the army and those of the Muslim Brotherhood, which is expected to populate the Egyptian parliament en masse. Yet Israel still has an important card: The threat to export the Gaza mine field to Egypt. More than once Israel has warned that if Cairo allows a freeway for smugglers on its border with the Gaza Strip, Israel will close its Gaza crossings. Now the time has come to examine that option. There is no reason to maintain open crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip, while Egypt allows free movement from Rafiah. If the fate of Gaza is so important to Cairo, the Egyptians will be respected and the full responsibility will be theirs.” BREUERPRESS
