SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE IZRAELI HEBREW PRESS

 

1. NETANYAHU RECRUITING CABINET MAJORITY FOR MILITARY ACTION AGAINST NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS IN IRAN

Government estimates that IAEA report on Iran, which will be submitted next week, will have decisive effect on decision-making in Israel.

 

2. NETANYAHU PUNISHES PA WITH CONSTRUCTION OF 2,000 RESIDENTIAL UNITS

 

3. EDUCATION MINISTRY CLOSES YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL IN YITZHAR

 

1. Member of the forum of eight and Minister for Intelligence Affairs:

MERIDOR: TALK ON ATTACKING IRAN IS WORSE THAN ANAT KAM LEAKS

Public discussion of Iranian issue worries Deputy PM Dan Meridor. „They’ve gone off the rails here. Such a discussion could not be held on camera.”

 

2. BARAK: „STEINITZ IS MISTAKEN ABOUT ECONOMICS. AT THE FINANCE MINISTRY, THEY SPOUT SLOGANS”

Battle over the defense budget.

 

1. Israel formulates sanctions against the Palestinians.

THE PUNISHMENT: CONSTRUCTION

PA received statehood status in UNESCO, and Israel responded aggressively. Accelerated construction: 2.000 apartments to be built over the Green Line. Freezing the money: $100 million will not be transferred to PA.

 

2. THE TAG AND THE PUNISHMENT

In response to „price tag”: Education Ministry halts financing of two yeshivas in Yitzhar settlement.

 

1. Sharp reaction to Palestinian acceptance into UNESCO.

THE PUNISHMENT: CONSTRUCTION AND FREEZING FUNDS

Forum of eight ministers decided last night to hasten construction of 2,000 residential units in Jerusalem and the Etzion Bloc, and to delay the transfer if $100 million in tax funds to the PA. Canada also halts UNESCO funding.

 

1. BEGIN ATTACKS: „LEAKS ON IRAN – IRRESPONSIBLE AND IDIOTIC”

Minister Benny Begin criticizes public discussion on issue of Israeli attack on Iran. „Reprehensible action.” According to assessments, PM Netanyahu will try to recruit majority in forum of eight for attack.

 

2. ACCELERATED CONSTRUCTION: PALESTINIANS OUTRAGED, YESHA WELCOMES

As soon as forum of eight ministers approved plan to accelerate construction of 2,000 residential units in settlement blocs, sharp criticism voiced in Israel and PA. „Israel accelerating destruction of the peace process.”

 

1. NETANYAHU’S ANSWER TO THE PALESTINIANS: ACCELERATED CONSTRUCTION IN JERUSALEM AND ETZION BLOC

 

2. OPPOSITION: „EN ROUTE TO DANGEROUS DEADLOCK”

Netanyahu’s decision to build additional 2,000 residential units in Jerusalem, Etzion Bloc and Maaleh Adumim leads to sharp opposition criticism.

 

3. YESHIVA IN YITZHAR TO BE CLOSED OVER VIOLENCE AGAINST PALESTINIANS

 

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Yediot Ahronot calls the current situation in Jordan, in light of the ongoing regional upheavals, „delicate and dangerous.” The author asserts that, „Israel’s immediate responsibility is to support the kingdom, support the King, and convince the US to cancel its millions in dept, to speak with the Jordanians, to call the King and to create numerous connections, as did, for example, Yitzhak Rabin.” The author adds that, „Jordan today separates between the Iranians and Israel. The Iranians will stop on the border of the desert if they know that the Jordanians are willing to fight them, and if they know that behind them, ready to do battle, is the power of Israel.”

 

Ma’ariv says that, „They say that the spark has died, that they was no excitement in the air, that Rabin Square has seen greater crowds and that more people attended previous protests. All true. But something real happened here, and therefore the social revolution has already succeeded even though most of demands have not been met. It awakened Israel from its apathy. The public became more critical of the political system; volunteers now follow Knesset committee debates – a celebration of democracy.”

 

Yisrael Hayom argues that, „The ‘public debate’ surrounding an attack on Iran is irresponsible and dangerous to the country’s security. There is no doubt that if the Iranians have a bomb, and if, God forbid, would use it against us – even then, from amongst the rubble, will rise the same know-it-all, no-barriers journalists, they will shake the dust and plaster from their cloths and will commence a piercing blame campaign: ‘Why didn’t the Government do anything?’, ‘Failure!'”