SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE IZRAELI HEBREW PRESS

 

1. ISRAEL INTENSIFIES PRESSURE FOR SANCTIONS ON IRAN: „TIME RUNNING OUT”

Netanyahu: Iran is threatening the world. Livni opposes attack: „Listen to the security establishment,” she told the Prime Minister.

 

2. Defense Minister will commit to evacuation.

AHEAD OF CLASH WITH THE RIGHT: AMONA WILL BE RAZED BEFORE MIGRON

 

3. PEACE NOW CURRENTLY FIGHTING IN THE US AGAINST LISTING JERUSALEM AS ISRAEL’S CAPITAL

 

1. LIBERMAN CALLS FOR URGENT CABINET DISCUSSION ON OPERATION IN GAZA

After three days and 40 rockets, Yisrael Beytenu Cabinet ministers intend to call on Netanyahu to convene urgent meeting. Foreign Minister: „We must topple Hamas regime.” Also today, no school in the south.

 

1. Netanyahu: „A nuclear Iran is an immediate and grave threat to us.” Livni: „Netanyahu, listen to the security establishment.” Yishai: „It’s hard for me to sleep at night when I know what is going on.” Yachimovich: „I warn against a megalomaniacal adventure in Iran.”

THE IRANIAN QUESTION

Iran attack dilemma, discussed behind closed doors until now, caused storm in Knesset yesterday.

 

2. THIRD DAY WITHOUT SCHOOL IN SOUTHERN COMMUNITIES

Iron Dome intercepts GRAD rockets over Beersheba.

 

1. After the Palestinians were accepted – Israel considers its steps.

US FREEZES UNESCO FUNDING

Despite warnings, UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization decides to accept Palestinian Authority as full member. Result: Washington acted according to US law and halted aid. Israel: Palestinians violating commitments.

 

2. ANOTHER DAY WITHOUT SCHOOL IN THE SOUTH

Rocket fire at Israel continued yesterday. Tens of thousands of children, mostly from Be’er Sheva, Ashdod, Gan Yavne and Ashkelon, will remain at home today as well. Iron Dome stationed close to Rehovot. Liberman: „Topple Hamas regime in Gaza.”

 

3. „STOP BLABBERING ABOUT AN ATTACK ON IRAN”

Minister Saar: „National interest demands that there be no chattering.” Barak: „No option should be ruled out.” Senior diplomatic source: „The debate – danger to country’s security.”

 

1. REPORT: UN DISCOVERED NEW URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY IN SYRIA

 

2. REPORT IN EGYPT: ISRAEL TO STOP FIRING AT GAZA FOR 24 HOURS EFFECTIVE AT MIDNIGHT [TUESDAY]

 

3. RICHARD GOLDSTONE: „IN ISRAEL, THERE IS NO APARTHEID”

 

1. NETANYAHU TO CONVENE FORUM OF EIGHT TO DISCUSS REACTION TO ACCEPTANCE OF PALESTINIANS TO UNESCO

 

2. REPORT: GERMANY CONFIRMS THREATS TO DELAY SALE OF SUBMARINE TO ISRAEL

 

3. CLINTON: „TURKEY MUST IMPROVE ITS RELATIONS WITH ITS NEIGHBORS – INCLUDING ISRAEL.

 

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Yediot Ahronot reminds its readers that the Knesset winter session began yesterday and comments on the public image of Israel’s parliament: „The Knesset is not at its best. It is no longer the national discussion forum, it finds it difficult to oversee the Government and the 83 active Knesset members (those who are not members of the Government) are worn out by running to and fro between countless committees and spend much of their time dealing with excessive legislation – approximately 1,200 private bills per annum, most of which will not be passed. Between nationalist legislation and vocal but useless legislation, democracy is being eroded and its values damaged.” The author urges MKs to act to revive the public’s faith and hope in the Knesset.

 

Ma’ariv discusses the situation and the south. The paper says that, „Let there be no misunderstanding: The last thing Israel needs right now is a military confrontation in the south. A noisy military front in Gaza, too close to the Egyptian border, during a delicate period in bilateral relations, is not an adventure that Israel should rush into. However, the fact that almost 1/4 of Israel’s residents are under missile threat, and are given to the emotional terror of warning sirens and a routine of running into shelters, is intolerable.” The author asserts that, „The Government is responding with great moderation and is continuing to avoid making a decision, the only thing it excels at. Whatever path it chooses, a military response or a diplomatic initiative, the passivity with which it is dealing with the new reality that was forced on the communities of the south last week should worry Israelis very much.” The paper declares that, „The time has come for the Government of Israel to state unequivocally: Striking at any community in Israel and a hit by any shell or missile in its territory is ‘crossing a red line’. The message from Israel’s biting its lip as a result of the assault on the south is twofold: The first part is a message of hesitation and forbearance toward Hamas; and the second is an internal Israeli message, that Tel Aviv and its environs are sacred to the Government from a strategic standpoint and only a strike there is cause for a vigorous response.”

 

Yisrael Hayom comments on yesterday’s decision by UNESCO to admit ‘Palestine’ as a member and notes that the US has moved to cut off its funding of the organization. The author cautions that, „The US of after last November’s mid-term elections is not an America that the Palestinians can play around with,” and says that, „Yesterday, Republicans and Democrats alike, as well as the American media, were outraged at the Palestinians.”