1. LARGEST DEMONSTRATION IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY

(…). Almost 500,000 people marched around the country yesterday in largest-ever show of social strength. Approximately 300,000 demonstrated in Tel Aviv and demanded that Government change economic priorities. 60,000 demonstrators set record in Jerusalem.

 

2. CRISIS WITH TURKEY AT ITS PEAK: ISRAEL AMBASSADOR EXPELLED, NAVAL VESSELS TO ESCORT TRANSPORT OF AID TO GAZA

Leak of flotilla report and its publication by The New York Times last Thursday foiled American attempt at compromise.

 

1. 450,000 DEMONSTRATORS

(…). 300,000 in Tel Aviv, 50,000 in Jerusalem, 40,000 in Haifa and tens of thousands throughout the country went into the streets to demand „social justice.”

 

1. 430,000 in Israel’s largest-ever demonstration.

STATE SQUARE

(…).

 

2. CRISIS WITH TURKEY – ISRAEL – TURKS HAVE GONE CRAZY

 

1. Over 400,000 citizens demonstrated throughout the country last night, 300,000 in Tel Aviv.

LARGEST PROTEST EVER

(…). Last night: Demonstrations held from Kiryat Shemona to Eilat. Government: We get the message. Tent encampments expected to be dismantled soon, to be replaced by discussions.

 

2. TURKEY: WE WILL USE NAVY TO BLOCK ISRAELI AGRESSION; ISRAEL: WE WILL NOT APOLOGIZE

Turkey disavows Palmer Report and threatens – We will turn to International Court in the Hague and demand lifting of naval blockade on Gaza. Israeli Ambassador in Ankara, Gabi Levy, told to return home by Wednesday. Relations with Israel downgraded to level of second secretary; military – but not civilian – agreements frozen. Foreign Ministry sources: Turks are not interested in working out relations with Israel and are bent on confrontation.

 

1. After the giant demonstration:

NETANYAHU: „GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO CORRECTING SOCIAL DISTORTIONS”

(…).

 

2. CRISIS WITH TURKEY: „ISRAEL HAS NOTHING TO APOLOGIZE FOR”

Jerusalem interested in resolving crisis with Turkey over publication of Palmer Report that investigated events surrounding Gaza flotilla. PM expresses regret over loss of life, but makes it clear that Israel will not apologize for killing IHH activists.

 

1. NETANYAHU ON FLOTILLA REPORT: „NO NEED TO APOLOGIZE”

 

2. STEINITZ: WORLD IS A BRIDGE, WHOEVER MISSTEPS FALLS

After protest, Finance Minister calls for maintaining budget framework in light of reduction in cost-of-living. Netanyahu: „Correct the distortions.”

 

3. EGYPT BEGINS PROCESS OF DEMOLISHING SMUGGLING TUNNELS TO GAZA

 

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Two papers comment on various issues regarding last night’s protests in particular and the social justice protest movement in general:

 

Yediot Ahronot says that, „With the end of the grandiose productions, the protest can choose one of two paths: Establish itself or dissolve away. In order to establish itself, it needs a political anchor, i.e. a political party. Not a new party; Labor and Kadima, whoever heads them, are the natural home for most of the protestors.” The author adds that, „In order to dissolve away, the protest does not have to do anything. The Bibi-Barak government will drown it in a flood of proposals, recommendations and reports, and will help it disappear from the scene.”

 

Ma’ariv believes that, „Most of last night’s demonstrators, and those at previous demonstrations, want change, not anarchy,” but insists that, „Some of the protest leaders want confusion and are thus like the old-style communists – the worse things are, the better; worse for the nation, better for the revolutionary core.” The author suggests that many in the media, „are supporting [protest leader] Daphne Lief not in spite of the fact that she did not serve in the IDF, but because she did not serve in the IDF,” and asserts that groups such as, „The Israeli Forum for the Promotion of an Equal Share in the Burden have been distanced from the protest. See, it is a little difficult to demand equality in sharing the burden from someone who believes that Israel is a criminal entity.”

__________

 

Yisrael Hayom discusses Israeli-Turkish relations following the publication of the Palmer Report and contends that, „Ankara is outraged. Certainly at Israel, but more so at Palmer.” The author avers that, „The sense of rejection by Europe became a force that moved Erdogan to turn eastward,” and adds that, „The Arab Spring has created an Arab leadership vacuum. Erdogan, who seeks to enter the picture, well understands the masses’ common denominator: Muscle-flexing towards Israel.” The paper defends Israel’s refusal to apologize and says that such an apology would have played into Erdogan’s hands since, „Contemporary Turkey is not looking to reconcile, it is looking to humiliate.”