Summary of Editorials from the Izraeli Hebrew Press
Three papers discuss various issues regarding today’s US elections:
Yediot Aharonot suggests that, as President, Mitt Romney would not diverge from the traditional US line, „which does not accept Israel’s hold on the territories and does not recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital,” regardless of what he said during the campaign. If President Obama is re-elected, the author cautions, „In his second term, he will not be obligated to anyone.”
Ma’ariv says that the outcome of the US election will affect Israel’s January 22 vote. The author asserts that „Ehud Olmert, Tzipi Livni, and perhaps other elements, are waiting on the results,” and adds, „Obama’s re-election would increase the chances that another centrist party might compete. This forecast stems from the assessment that part of the Israeli public wants a prime minister who will succeed in having good relations with the leader of the greatest power.”
Yisrael Hayom reminds its readers that Americans are also electing the entire 435-member House of Representatives and 1/3 of the Senate and hopes that Israel will continue to cultivate close relations with both houses of Congress.
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Haaretz writes: „In a survey that examined the number of women in various parliaments throughout the world, Israel ranked 68th out of 144 countries. Among the 33 members of the OECD, Israel came in 24th place. There are at least two parties – Shas and United Torah Judaism – which unreservedly exclude women from their lists of candidates. Among some Arab parties too women are not represented at all. And among some of the other parties, including purely secular ones, female representation is very low. This is a sorry state of affairs, even if two women – Shelly Yacimovich and Zahava Gal-On – do now head parties.
Recently, there have been increasing demands not to put up with the sub-representation of women in Israeli politics. The women’s empowerment organization Ken-Koach Nashim is considering a move to petition the High Court of Justice if parties do not take immediate action to represent women equally on their lists. The fact that organizations need to petition the High Court of Justice over this issue is a disgrace. The Knesset must follow in the footsteps of advanced countries and pass legislation that will not permit parties without appropriate female representation to participate in elections.”
The Jerusalem Post comments on effort by the Jerusalemite Movement social action organization to break the Chief Rabbinate’s monopoly over official kosher certification: „The introduction of competition will provide them with the much needed incentive to strive for excellence. We hope the resulting improvement in kashrut supervision will give the organized Jewish religion a better name.”
