HEADLINES FROM THE IZRAELI HEBREW PRESS
HA’ARETZ:1. NETANYAHU IN EFFORT TO PREVENT KADIMA PEOPLE FROM BOLTING.
2. [HIGHER EDUCATION COUNCIL] PLANNING AND BUDGET COMMIITTEE DECIDES NOT TO TURN ARIEL CENTER INTO UNIVERSITY.
(…).
MA’ARIV
1. MOFAZ’S ULTIMATUM.
„I will not allow committee’s conclusion to be swept under the rug,” Kadima Chairman attacked; gave Netanyahu a few days to reach agreement on drafting the ultra-orthodox. Negotiations on finding compromise expected to begin today.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Mofaz: We will bolt unless Netanyahu adopts Plesner principles.”
„WE’VE HAD IT.”
At peak of political crisis over drafting the ultra-orthodox: Reservists are also joining the struggle and are demanding a more just division of the burden.
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. Netanyahu: Ultra-orthodox and Arabs must be integrated; evaders will receive less than those who serve.
LOOKING FOR A FORMULA, WARILY.
After Plesner report, PM and Mofaz are due to meet. Mofaz demanding adoption of conclusions, and is threatening to bolt. Netanyahu: „Conclusions
– basis for new law.”
2, OUTRAGE IN ARIEL: „DELIBERATE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST US.”
Right boiling over Higher Education Council Planning and Budget Committee for deciding not to recognize Ariel University Center as a university. „University heads working out of political considerations.”
3. PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY: WE WILL ALLOW EXHUMATION OF ARAFAT.
Objective: Take samples from Palestinian leader’s bones in order to test if he died by poisoning.
WALLA!
1. FORMER CIA DIRECTOR: „PRETEND POLLARD IS NOT JEWISH
–
AND RELEASE HIM.”
In letter-to-the-editor in The Wall Street Journal, R. James Woolsey calls for American Jewish spy to be released and gave examples of spies who received shorter sentences. „Pretend he’s a Greek or Korean.”
NANA10
1. FORMER CIA DIRECTOR: PRETEND POLLARD IS NOT JEWISH
–
AND RELEASE HIM.”
In letter-to-the-editor in The Wall Street Journal, R. James Woolsey writes that Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard should receive clemency. He „has many times expressed remorse for what he did” adds Woolsey, who previously opposed his release.
[Headlines for Walla! and Nana10 are from their websites as of 11:05.] ______________________________
SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Yediot Ahronot reminds its readers, „Yesterday, the Finance Ministry issued data on the implementation of the budget in the first half of the year. This year’s deficit is not only double what it was last year, it is bigger than what Netanyahu has planned for next year
–
after having doubled the budgetary deficit target just last week.” The author asserts, „The Government is spending money in astounding quantities, with no relation between expenditures and revenue.” The paper says that there is plenty of room to tweak and amend the tax code and regrets that the Finance Ministry seems to be discussing hiking VAT and income tax rates only instead of other, more rational changes.
Ma’ariv discusses the controversy over the possible exhumation of Yasser Arafat’s remains in order to test them for polonium after traces of the radioactive element were reportedly found on his hospital clothes. The author asks, „What caused his widow, who is embroiled in financial difficulties with the Palestinian Authority and several Arab countries, to wait eight years until withdrawing Arafat’s clothes from her lawyer’s safe and delivering them to Al-Jazeera for testing?” and reminds his readers that, „It was Suha Arafat who strongly opposed an autopsy” eight years ago. The paper believes that finding polonium would, for many Palestinians, jibe with various conspiracy theories to the effect that not only did Israel have a hand in his demise but that it was actively aided by members of Yasser Arafat’s inner circle. The author says that this could create complications for the Palestinian Authority.
Yisrael Hayom comments on the current controversy over whether or not to require all citizens to perform either military or civilian service in light of yesterday’s publication of the Plesner report. The author suggests that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could make considerable political capital by formulating, „a real solution
– and not just words –
on the issue of [sharing] the burden.” The paper believes that sanctions on military/civilian service evaders should be non-monetary (i.e. „denial of National Insurance, driver’s licenses, studying at institutions of higher learning and being accepted for employment in Government ministries and companies”) and asserts that Israeli Arabs must be included as well.
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