SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

    HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

1. TURKEY EXPELS ISRAEL’S SENIOR DIPLOMATIC STAFF

Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer warns against damage to trade with Ankara; serious repercussions will ve severe.

 

1. Senior Cabinet source:

„TURKEY HAS MADE STRATEGIC DECISION TO DISENGAGE FROM ISRAEL”

Also said at diplomatic-security forum: „Ankara has decided to transform itself into an Islamic power at our expense.” Forty Israelis detained at Istanbul airport. Expulsion of diplomats continues.

 

2. RAMALLAH DOES NOT BELIEVE IN STATEHOOD DECLARATION

 

3. GOC HOME FRONT WARNS: INCREASED RISK OF GENERAL WAR

 

4. EVACUATIONS AT MIGRON OUTPOST, SETTLERS SET SAMARIA MOSQUE ABLAZE

 

1. New information on Istanbul investigation:

TURKS WERE LOOKING FOR COMBAT SOLDIERS

Israelis who landed in Istanbul were told to strip to their underwear, roughly handled, and young passengers were asked if they severed in a commando unit. In Turkey: It was a directive from above in wake of humiliating checks of Turks at Ben-Gurion International Airport. Israel: They were only looking for an excuse.

 

2. „HEIGHTENED RISK OF GENERAL WAR”

GOC Home Front Maj.-Gen. Eyal Eisenberg warns: Islamic radicalization and crisis with Turkey liable to lead in long term to regional war. Reveals: Israel discovered new dangerous weapon in Gaza.

 

1. Turkey: Humiliations to passengers from and to Israel; expulsions of Israeli diplomats – including military attaché.

HUMILIATION EXPRESS

Crisis hits the ground: 40 Israelis who landed in Istanbul detained for questioning and passed intensive security checks. Turks: Our citizens have undergone similar checks at Ben-Gurion International Airport. Israeli source: If Turkey wants a confrontation – it will also be hurt; concern for harm to military exports and trade relations.

 

2. „INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF GENERAL WAR, EVEN WITH WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION”

GOC Home Front Maj.-Gen. Eyal Eisenberg’s remarks anger senior figures: „No such assessment exists, ill-considered statement.”

 

1. BARAK: „MEND RELATIONS WITH TURKEY FOR SAKE OF REGIONAL STABILITY

 

2. TWO KASSAM ROCKETS FIRED INTO ISRAEL FROM GAZA EXPLODE IN SHAAR HANEGEV REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA

 

3. US AMBASSADOR: OUR SUPPORT FOR IRON DOME CRITICAL

 

1. DM: „BEST FOR ALL TO MEND ISRAEL-TURKEY RELATIONS”

 

2. ISRAEL AIR FORCE HITS GAZA WEAPONS FACTORY IN RETALIATION FOR KASSAM FIRE ON ISRAEL

 

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Yediot Ahronot comments on reports regarding the treatment of Jewish Israeli travelers at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport and notes that one such traveler said that the treatment that she and others received, „took me back to my grandmother’s stories.” The paper suggests that, „Perhaps this is the opportunity to remind Israelis that at Ben-Gurion International Airport, Israeli Arabs – Muslim and Christian – receive especially onerous treatment and a hostile, humiliating attitude. At BGI, this is the daily routine.” The author says that, „One week ago, a civil servant told me about her sister, a successful scientist with a doctorate from the Technion, who works in the US. Her being an Israeli is reflected in her successful articles. But at BGI she is a fly on the wall. She underwent a very humiliating experience: All her luggage was opened and inspected. She was delayed for 1.5 hours. Every single item was x-rayed. She was subjected to a body scan. She was escorted to passport control,” and adds that, „She was crudely treated as a ‘potential terrorist’.” The paper reminds its readers that, „Complaints over the harsh and humiliating treatment of Arabs are frequently heard.” The author concludes that, „It seems that we are especially sensitive when it comes to us. We Jews are thin-skinned; we immediately recall ‘my grandmother’s stories’. We don’t care so much when others are hurt. You see, they are thick-skinned. Thus, we advise them to ‘Tell it to your grandmother.'”

 

Ma’ariv urges the Trajtenberg committee and all those concerned about social justice in Israel to not only not neglect environmental concerns, but to realize that they are an integral part of the pursuit of social justice.

 

Yisrael Hayom suggests that an Israeli apology regarding the Mavi Marmara would not have made any difference because, „Turkey is not interested in reconciliation, it wants to humiliate.” The author reminds his readers that upon taking office in 2004, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, „I see no difference between Israel and a terrorist organization’,” and adds that, „Erdogan certainly knows a thing or two about terrorism. He knows so much that he can differentiate between the PKK, which must be hit, and Hamas, which must be defended.” The paper contends that Erdogan longs for the days of Ottoman regional hegemony and says, „What a pity that Erdogan has chosen to go forward while looking backward. What a pity also that when Europe is closing the door to Turkey, it is Israel that must pay the price.”