HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
HA’ARETZ:1. PUTIN TO VISIT ISRAEL AFTER HE IS SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT
Visit, at Moscow’s initiative, to be held this June and will be one of Putin’s first outside Russia after returning to the presidency.
2. TODAY: DECISION IN BATTLE FOR KADIMA LEADERSHIP
MA’ARIV:1. FATHER AND FIVE CHILDREN BURNED TO DEATH IN FIRE
2. KADIMA VOTES
Tzipi Livni or Shaul Mofaz? Today: 95,000 members to elect party chairman.
YEDIOT AHRONOT:1. Tragedy in Rehovot: Six killed in fire.
FATHER TRIED TO SAVE HIS FIVE CHILDREN AND DIED WITH THEM (…).
2. LIVNI OR MOFAZ
Today: Kadima members to decide who will lead the movement
– Tzipi Livni or Shaul Mofaz.
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. Tragedy in Rehovot: Whole family wiped out in deadly fire.
FIVE CHILDREN BURNED TO DEATH IN THEIR BEDS (…).
2. MOMENT OF TRUTH FOR KADIMA
Polls to open this morning at 10:00
long years of rivalry between Tzipi Livni and Shaul Mofaz reaches decisive point. Preliminary results expected after midnight.
WALLA!
1. LIVNI THIS MORNING: „ROUTE TO PREMIERSHIP PASSES THROUGH KADIMA”
95,000 members can vote, for the first time, for the Kadima leadership at 200 polling places around the country. (…).
2. AFTER THE ELECTIONS: PRESIDENT PUTIN TO VISIT ISRAEL SOON
Diplomatic source confirms that Foreign Ministry has been contacted about Russian president-elect’s intention to visit Israel. However, it is being noted in Jerusalem that until Putin assumes office, visit will not be officially declared.
3. ISRAEL REPRIMANDS AMBASSADORS THAT SUPPORTED UN INVESTIGATION AGAINST IT
Austrian and Belgian ambassadors summoned for reprimand over their support for UN Human Rights Council decision to investigate construction in settlements. Foreign Ministry source: „Their actions heightened tension between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
NANA10
1. LIVNI OR MOFAZ? KADIMA MEMBERS ELECTING A CHAIRMAN
From 10:00, 95,000 party members will go to 197 polling places and choose between Shaul Mofaz and current leader Tzipi Livni.
2. REPRIMAND FOR AUSTRIAN AND BELGIAN AMBASSADORS OVER THEIR POSITION IN UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
[Headlines for Walla! and Nana10 are from their websites as of 10:10.] ______________________________
SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Yediot Ahronot contends that since 1943, when American Jewish leader Rabbi Stephen Weiss made his famous remark at the height of World War II that, „‘American Jews are first and foremost Americans…’, the total identification of U.S. Jews with America has only strengthened.” The author argues that, „The chasm that separates the new generation of U.S. Jews and Israeli public opinion is not over the question of orthodox conversion, the immigration of Falashmura or support of an attack on Iran. The most controversial subject is the settlement enterprise. At a time when Israelis, from the Left as well, have become accustomed to the settlements, and view them as part of our everyday existence, something like high taxes on automobiles, young American Jews view the settlements as a black moral stain on Israel’s conscience.”
Ma’ariv believes that, „It is impossible to contain a nuclear Iran which will provide a defensive umbrella to all its satellites. It is impossible to wait for Obama and American elections. The time has come to make a decision.”
Yisrael Hayom opines that, „It seems that the political awareness of those behind the ‘Iranians, we love you’ campaign derives from the routines of the ‘Eretz Nehederet’ comedy show, perhaps because the show’s ratings are higher than the news.” The author continues, „I could not find any other nation demonstrating feelings of love towards the Iranians. Even Iran’s big supporters, Hezbollah and the Syrian regime are not overflowing with love on Facebook.”
