14. Nov. 2011. Israeli press: Haaretz, Jerusalem Post, Yediot Aharanot, Ma’ariv, Globes, Hazofeh, Yisrael Hayom
Three articles focus on recent draft legislation regarding Israel’s legal system and foreign support of non-profit associations:
Yediot Aharonot maintains that, „Whoever sees the forest and not just the trees, whoever sees the process, not each law by itself, understands that a trend with far-reaching consequences is taking place here. We are not talking about a change of the elite or correcting distortions. The Ne’emans, the Elkins and the Libermans have thrown the liberals, democrats and westerners out of the game. Now they are rising to destroy them.”
Ma’ariv presents two opposing opinions regarding the draft law on foreign contributions to non-profit associations. Attorney Shiri Karbas contends that, „Strangling left-wing organizations is not the desired action by a democracy defending itself, but rather of a right-wing government acting to stifle the minority.” Erez Tadmor contends that, „Organizations have the right to advance radical stances. But it is not legitimate that these organizations slander Israel while being paid and in the service of foreign countries.”
Yisrael Hayom argues that, „In many cases, (almost) all of the media participates in the propaganda against what it is calling ‘the law to dry-up leftist non-profit associations’ despite the fact that it relates to all non-profit associations, right-wing and left-wing. But the media knows what it is covering-up: Foreign governments are working to influence the Israeli voter by channeling money into controversial non-profit associations, especially those which are at the center of the political debate in Israel.”
The Jerusalem Post comments on former president Katsav’s reported intention to request a pardon from his successor, President Shimon Peres, following the High Court’s upholding of the district court verdict of rape and sexual harassment: „To this day, Katsav has denied having sexual relations with any of the women he was convicted of raping and harassing. Pardoning Katsav would undermine the principle of equality before the law by providing special treatment to men in positions of power. A presidential pardon would be a setback to Israeli society’s move towards gender egalitarianism. What’s more, Katsav might still represent a danger to society. As long as Katsav refuses to admit that he is a rapist and express remorse for his actions, he cannot begin the process of rehabilitation.”
Haaretz comments on the petition by Palestinian farmers for the return of land taken by force: „Late last week, another mark of disgrace was stamped on the foreheads of Israel’s decision-makers and law enforcement authorities. The response that the state submitted to a High Court of Justice petition filed by Palestinian farmers demanding the return of their land, on which the settlement of Amona was built, is still more evidence of an incredibly serious phenomenon – the government and prosecution’s collaboration with thieves and lawbreakers. Rather than protecting these landowners, whose land the state has already admitted to the High Court was taken by force, the state attorneys are continuing their foot-dragging. This time, they asked the High Court to delay the razing of the structures for no less than 14 months. The government’s behavior with regard to the outposts, particularly those erected on privately owned land, demonstrates that a small group of criminals can terrorize Israel’s elected public officials. When the political echelons give refuge to lawbreakers and ridicule High Court rulings, it is incumbent on Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to put a stop to it.”
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