Summary of Editorials from the Izraeli Hebrew Press
| our papers discuss what the re-election of US President Barack Obama means for Izrael: |
Yediot Aharonot criticizes the Government’s past conduct toward the Obama administration, but says that „Nobody disputes that America’s commitment to Israel’s security and continued existence will not change,” and adds: „The US will not hold Israel hostage to Netanyahu’s actions as far as the existence of Israel is concerned.” However, the author cautions, „But beyond that – there will be a cold shoulder.”
Ma’ariv suggests that „The true test of leadership is measured when a people are divided – to find the golden mean with which it will be possible to reunite with most people, and not take revenge on the losing side. Both Obama and Romney said nice things in their speeches: The election campaign is over and now is the time to do what is right for all and to set aside the disagreements. While we all know that this is easier said than done, even knowing to say it is something. Would that we could have even that.” The author notes that „With us, the rift is not between liberals and conservatives but is much sharper: Right and left, ultra-orthodox and secular, Arab and Jew, rich and poor.” The paper concludes: „While we are all asking ourselves how relations between Obama and Netanyahu will affect relations between the two peoples, perhaps we should be asking ourselves another question that starts here. Will whoever we elect in ! another two-and-a-half months remember the fact that we are all Israelis?”
Yisrael Hayom says, „Netanyahu erred with an unnecessary public spat with the Obama administration over red lines during the height of the presidential election campaign but saw fit to quiet things down. The concern that Obama will take revenge on him, and hurt Israel, over this is childish. The network of diplomatic interests is much more significant than this or that anger. While it is likely there will be disagreements between the two countries, the friendship and the brave alliance will remain in place.”
Haaretz states that “Now that Obama has been re-elected, he must face two issues directly relating to Israel: the Iranian nuclear issue and the diplomatic process vis a vis the Palestinians.” The editor is hopeful that “the freedom of his final term will give Obama the confidence he needs to concretely intervene is what’s happening in our region and to restart the diplomatic process,” and adds that “He must press this issue, even if the Israeli elections result once again in government led by peace refuseniks.”
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The Jerusalem Post criticizes what it terms “the shocking situation” at the Israel Electric Company, which has managed to “mysteriously lose NIS 1.4 billion down its administrative labyrinth,” and intends to make up for this by increasing the burden on already overburdened consumers or by demanding more outlays from the Treasury, thereby indirectly putting the bite once again on hapless taxpayers. The editor declares that “Something is very wrong in the IEC’s management and this extends far deeper than objective difficulties which nobody disputes,” and asserts: “Among the must-have remedies is more competition for the IEC. Only if more electricity producers emerge, will there be incentive for the IEC to improve its act.”
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