Summary of Editorials from the Izraeli Hebrew Press

Two papers comment on Iran’s nuclear program, including yesterday’s elimination of another prominent Iranian nuclear scientist:

Yediot Aharonot says, „There is no doubt that there are more than a few advantages to being a scientist in a prestigious nuclear project financed to the hilt by the state: A fat salary, status, advancement and research budgets. On the other hand, when a scientist – who is not a trained soldier or one who is accustomed to risking his life, and he has a wife and children – sees his colleagues dying one after the other, he will certainly start to fear that a motorcyclist may tap on his window one of these days.” The author believes that „There is a limit to the ability to force a scientist to work on a project that does not interest him,” and contends, „More than a few scientists on the Iranian nuclear project have asked to return to academia.”

Yisrael Hayom reminds its readers that „Iran announced that it is beginning to enrich uranium at a site near Qom, that is supposedly more attack-proof,” but adds, „Iran’s nuclear scientists would – if they could – say that the number of attack-proof places in Iran is fast dwindling, especially if one is in one’s car.”
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Haaretz writes: „Just as with previous efforts to advance negotiations on a final-status agreement, the Jordanian attempt to breath new life into the diplomatic process has gotten hung up on PM Netanyahu’s policy of dragging his feet, when Israeli envoy Isaac Molho refused to present Israel’s positions on borders and security. This is not the first time that Netanyahu has avoided discussing core issues. But without discussing these issues, his Bar-Ilan University speech, in which he expressed willingness to advance a two-state solution, is meaningless. This systematic foot-dragging, like his encouragement of settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, stems from an irresponsible policy that ignores the changes happening in our region and increases Israel’s isolation.”

The Jerusalem Post comments on the the issue of defendant rights: „Prosecution and the police can arbitrarily destroy reputations. The very idea that both policemen and prosecutors wield the authority to determine that someone might be guilty, but that not enough corroboration could be dug up to underpin suspicion, means that our law-enforcers possess the power to keep dark clouds hanging over the head of anyone they target. Moreover, the Israel Police is empowered to recommend to prosecutors whether or not to prosecute. This shouldn’t altogether be a police prerogative. The results of police investigations ought to be passed on to the prosecution, which, we hope, is capable of drawing its own learned conclusions. A person who isn’t indicted deserves the presumption of innocence no matter what the private hunches of investigators/prosecutors.”

Ma’ariv refers to Yair Lapid and other journalists who have, over the years, entered politics. The author says that „In light of the meager actions of most MKs, it is difficult to understand why those who wield the pen are streaming towards the Knesset. In the press, they can have much greater influence.”

BreuerPress-info