SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE IZRAELI HEBREW PRESS

 

1. IDF SHELVED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EQUALITY BETWEEN WOMEN AND MEN

Lobby of rabbis and officers torpedoed implementation of report findings that called for opening all army positions to women.

 

2. DAGAN: ATTACK ON IRAN WILL LEAD TO REGIONAL DISASTER

 

3. ISRAEL AT THE BOTTOM IN WEST FOR NUMBER OF NURSES

 

4. NETANYAHU CHANGING LIKUD CONSTITUTION IN ORDER TO WEAKEN SETTLERS

PM aspires to increase strength of city residents in movement central committee.

 

1. YADLIN: ISRAEL DOES NOT HAVE TO LEAD THE BATTLE AGAINST IRAN

Former GOC Intelligence: „Whoever put Israel at the forefront erred.” (…).

 

2. BARAK: FINANCE MINISTRY CAUSING TREMENDOUS DAMAGE TO THE COUNTRY

Defense Minister against Steinitz’s [budget] cut plan. Finance Ministry: „Defense Ministry breaking the law.”

 

1. Social justice can wait.

TRIMMING THE TRAJTENBERG REPORT

Finance Ministry sources: Due to the European crisis and defense needs, we will postpone implementation of some findings and we will even consider cancelling certain clauses.

 

1. Sharp clash between Barak and Steinitz on anticipated cut.

BATTLE OVER SECURITY BUDGET

Defense Ministry taking off the gloves and demanding supplement: „Finance does not understand the reality and is throwing sand in the public’s face.” Minister Steinitz: „Supervision and transparency will save NIS 2 billion a year.”

 

1. MERIDOR ATTACKS DAGAN: „HIS STATEMENTS ARE CAUSING DAMAGE.”

Former Mossad Director’s unequivocal warning, according to which an attack on Iran would plunge the Middle East into a regional war, angers senior government ministers.

 

2. NETANYAHU IN EILAT: „BORDER FENCE WILL BE BUILT WITHIN A YEAR”

„The fence will significantly lower number of infiltrators,” Netanyahu declared.

 

1. CONDEMNATION BY US, UN OF KATYUSHA ROCKET FIRE: „PROVOCATIVE ACT”

Washington announced that rocket fire on the Western Galilee undermines stability in Lebanon and calls on its government to cooperate with UNIFIL force investigating the incident. UN Secy.-Gen. condemned the firing as well and requested that all concerned parties display restraint.

 

2. [MINISTER] MERIDOR: TALK OF POSSIBLE MILITARY STRIKE ON IRAN MUST STOP

 

3. CLAIMS IN LEBANON: ASSAD BEHIND KATYUSHA ROCKET FIRE ON ISRAEL

 

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Yediot Ahronot asserts that, „A normal country does not shoot itself in the foot,” and adds that, „Freezing the funds for the Palestinian Authority is, over time, this kind of shooting – if not in the head, then at least in the foot.” The author believes that, „Israel has an in interest in the Palestinian Authority using its police powers and in fostering security cooperation,” and adds that, „If there is no money, there are no salaries and no policing.” The paper contends that, „The money that Israel transfers, which is Palestinian money, buys quiet and security cooperation for the time being, and saves the IDF from having to dispatch considerable forces to the West Bank to maintain law and order there. Even from the settlers’ and right-wingers’ point-of-view, the current situation, with a functioning PA, is preferable to chaos and anarchy.”

 

Ma’ariv comments on the debate over the security budget: „Is it possible to cut the security budget? Certainly. In the budget, 55% of which is for salary expenditures, it is possible to find more than a small amount of fat. It must go on a diet. This is not necessarily just bringing forward the retirement age for career personnel. Religion Officers, for instance – how many such career officers must an IDF brigade employ? This is just one example; there are countess others that indicate an absence – and lack – of efficiency.”

 

Yisrael Hayom reminds its readers that Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych will pay a state visit to Israel this week and says that, „Despite Ukrainian Jews’ chilly past, today relations between the two countries are warming up.” The author adds that, „In the diplomatic sphere, it is worth pointing out that Ukraine has lined up alongside Israel in international forums, including on the Goldstone Report.”