Israeli Press Review of 04.01.2013

 

A decade-old investigation into former prime minister Ariel Sharon has been closed by Israel’s State Prosecutor, Haaretz reported.

The decision was issued in response to a petition filed by Sharon’s son Gilad Sharon in November. The petition included a demand on the authorities to reach a decision in the case.

The affair first made headlines in 2001, after then Prime Minister Sharon stated his intention to return $1.5 million to American donors, after the state comptroller declared that a donation of that amount was illegal.

Click here to read the full article in Haaretz

 

• Netanyahu inspects new Egypt border fence

A new poll in the Jerusalem Post shows Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s Likud-Beteinu list at a new low of only 32 seats, down from 34 from the paper’s previous poll.

Support for the principal opposition party, Labour, is also falling, down to 17 seats from an October high of 22.

The surge though continues for the nationalist right grouping, Jewish Home, closing in on Labour in second place with 16 seats. Support for other parties is largely constant.

The election takes place on January 22.

Click here to read the full article in Jerusalem Post

 

• Netanyahu: Iran yet to cross red line

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Iran remains Israel’s biggest threat but it has yet to cross the red line for its nuclear programme, Yediot Aharonot reported.

In his address to Israel’s ambassadors, Netanyahu also warned that hamas could take over control of the Palestinian Authority “any day”, making the need for concrete security arrangements to be in place in the event of any peace agreement.

Click here to read the full article in Yediot Aharonot

 

Friday, January 04, 2013.