HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
HA’ARETZ
1. Foreign Minister’s trial opens today; will deny accusations against him.
AYALON: LIBERMAN PRESSURED ME TO ADVANCE UNFIT FOREIGN MINISTRY APPOINTMENTS
2. ISRAEL HAS REARRESTED 14 OF THOSE RELEASED IN SHALIT DEAL
MA’ARIV
1. (…).
TODAY: AVIGDOR LIBERMAN IN THE DOCK
At 14:00 today, former Foreign Minister will appear in Jerusalem Magistrates Court on charges of fraud and breach of trust in affair regarding appointment of ambassador to Latvia. (…).
2. ALLIANCE BETWEEN LAPID AND BENNETT STRENGTHENS DESPITE NETANYAHU’S EFFORTS TO CRUMBLE IT: YESH ATID AND JEWISH HOME INFORM LIKUD-BEYTENU – WE WILL ONLY ENTER THE GOVERNMENT TOGETHER
3. Fighting approaches the border.
CONCERN IN SECURITY ESTABLISHMENT: WAVE OF SYRIAN REFUGEES WILL TRY TO ENTER ISRAEL
4. REPORT: BEN ZYGIER’S FAMILY RECEIVED NIS 1 MILLION IN COMPENSATION FROM THE STATE
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. IN X’S NEIGHBORHOOD
Weekend after eruption of Ben Zygier affair, Jewish residents of his city speak of their concerns: „This is Australia’s Pollard affair. Now whoever supports Israel will be suspected of double loyalty.” Judge who investigated circumstances of Prisoner X’s death will issue her report.
2. „OBAMA COMING TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO ISRAELIS”
Deputy National Security Adviser speaks about preparations for presidential visit.
3. IN THE DOCK
Today: Trial of former Foreign Minister, MK Avigdor Liberman, to start. Confidants: „He is certain of his innocence.”
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. SYRIAN CIVIL WAR REACHES ISRAEL: SEVEN WOUNDED EVACUATED FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT IN ISRAEL
IDF sources: „No change in policy.” Nasrallah: „If we launch missiles at Israeli power plants, it will be covered in darkness.” Iran: „Israel will pay the price for eliminating senior Revolutionary Guards commander.”
WALLA!
1. NETANYAHU ON „PRISONER X”: „OVER-EXPOSURE LIABLE TO HARM SECURITY”
In first comment on affair regarding the arrest and suicide of Ben Zygier, PM tells ministers that „We are an exemplary democracy, uphold individual and detainees’ rights no less than any other country.” Hanegbi: „Mishap; Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee did not know about Zygier.”
2. RAIN IN THE NORTH AND THE CENTER, KINNERET ROSE BY 5 CENTIMETERS OVER THE WEEKEND
(…). Kinneret 1.56 meters away from being full.
NANA10
1. NETANYAHU: „WE ARE AN EXEMPLARY DEMOCRACY, WE UPHOLD DETAINEES’ RIGHTS”
In his first comment on Ben Zygier’s death in prison, PM says that law and security authorities acted properly: „Through a combination of upholding security and upholding the law, we will also maintain freedom of expression,” he claimed.
[Headlines for Walla! and Nana10 are from their websites as of 11:20.]
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SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Two papers comment on various aspects of the so-called „Prisoner X” affair:
Ma’ariv asks, „Was the Secret Services Sub-Committee of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in the picture? This is a cardinal question regarding public oversight of the security and intelligence services. The public deserves an answer. If it becomes clear that the sub-committee was in the picture, it is possible to relax. If the answer is no, then there was a very serious breach here. All elements involved in the affair, and its revelations, must be undergo a thorough examination.” The author says that many people and committees have warned of faults and miscues in Israel’s decision-making on national security issues and suggests, „Those sounding the warnings are not the enemies of Israel’s national security establishment.”
Yisrael Hayom believes, „It is permitted to hold a prisoner under a false identity if his family knows about the detention and he is receiving fair legal representation, even behind closed doors.” The author suggests, „MK Gal-On, who rushes to defend the judicial system from right-wing criticism, needs to be especially cautious before accusing it of infringing on civil and human rights lest she be suspected of touting the supremacy of the law only when the judges wear two left shoes.”
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Yediot Ahronot urges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud-Beytenu not to make light of demands for substantive changes – for example, in sharing the burden, the budget and in the number of ministers – being voiced by other parties and which have the support of an absolute majority of MKs and the public, if he wants to stay in office.
BreuerPress
