HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
HA’ARETZ
1. President Peres criticizes Netanyahu and Liberman. Likud Beytenu reacts sharply.
PERES: WE MUST REACH A DIPLOMATIC AGREEMENT WITH ABU MAZEN; SENIOR LIKUD OFFICIALS: PRESIDENT INTERFERING IN POLITICS
2. SUPREME COURT DECIDES UNANIMOUSLY: ZOABI CAN RUN IN ELECTIONS
3. POLLS: MOST LIKUD-BEYTENU VOTERS SUPPORT TWO-STATE SOLUTION
4. LIVNI ADMITS POSSIBILITY OF JOINING NETANYAHU GOVERNMENT, FOR THE FIRST TIME
MA’ARIV
1. Likud: President expressed personal political opinion that is detached from the public’s view.
PERES: THERE IS A CLEAR MAJORITY FOR AN AGREEMENT WITH ABU MAZEN
At meeting with ambassadors, President said that only solution is two states for two peoples, and caused political storm.
2. Not letting up.
MK HANIN ZOABI AGAINST ENLISTMENT OF ARAB CHRISTIANS IN THE IDF
3. Will he continue in his post?
CONCERN IN LIKUD: NETANYAHU WILL KEEP BARAK AT DEFENSE
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Government’s new national map of priority areas:
ASHDOD AND ASHKELON OUT; MOST SETTLEMENTS IN
87 settlements on new list of periphery communities the residents of which will receive state benefits. No place found for cities hit hard by missiles. Ashkelon Mayor: Scandalous decision that attests to obtuseness.
2. NEW FRONT: THE LIKUD AGAINST PERES
After Bennett and Shas, Likud also attacks President over his call not to miss opportunity for peace agreement with Abu Mazen: „Peres’ position is detached from the people.”
3. EMBARRASSMENT FOR NETANYAHU AT ELECTION RALLY IN UPPER NAZARETH
Empty chairs: Tens of thousands of shekels invested in event with the PM but large hall was half-empty. Likud: Rally was successful.
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. Three weeks before elections, Peres calls for resumption of negotiations: „It is possible to reach an agreement with Abu Mazen”; Minister Yaalon attacked:
„THE PRESIDENT DOES NOT NEED TO ENTER INTO POLITICAL MATTERS”
Storm following Peres’ remarks. Likud Beytenu: „He is detached from the position of the public regarding Abu Mazen as one who refuses peace.” The Movement: „He spoke the truth.” Netanyahu: We respect the President.
2. SUPREME COURT DECIDES: ZOABI CAN RUN
Court unanimously overturns Central Elections Committee decision. Right outraged: „We will amend the law.” Zoabi praises: „Personal witch-hunt.”
WALLA!
1. COURT: ANAT KAM’S SENTENCE TO BE SHORTENED BY ONE YEAR
NANA10
1. ANAT KAM’S SENTENCE SHORTENED, LIKELY TO BE RELEASED IN ANOTHER YEAR
[Headlines for Walla! and Nana10 are from their websites as of 10:30.]
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SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE IZRAELI HEBREW PRESS
Yediot Ahronot asserts that, „The direct election law died in 2003, but is alive and well and very present in the current election campaign. The assumption by the vast majority of voters is that Netanyahu will receive a mandate to form the next government. Therefore, they permit themselves to vote for parties that will receive three-to-ten seats.”
Ma’ariv argues that, „The disqualification of [MK Hanin] Zoabi from the Knesset was liable to have caused fatal harm to democracy, and that is a heavier price than the presence of an insolent, anti-Semitic MK.” The author maintains that, „The verdict by the High Court of Justice was expected, and, for a change, just. As much as this woman’s conduct on the Marmara was aggravating and disgusting, in any case she must not be disqualified from competing for a place in the Knesset. The right to vote and to stand for election is basic and more profound than all other rights.”
Yisrael Hayom opines that, „2012, like the year before it, was symbolized by the Arab Spring, and there are those who would say the Islamic Winter, which has taken control of our region. For a long time it has been clear that this is not just some pinpoint event, but rather an historic process, the starting point of which was the Tunisian revolution back in December 2010, and the end of which is yet unknown.”
BreuerPress-info
