Summary of Editorials from the Izraeli Hebrew Press
Ma’ariv discusses Israel’s ongoing socio-economic protests, the most recent of which focused on the relatively high price of a Strauss-Elite ‘Time Out’ chocolate bar in Israel, as compared to the same product sold in the US. The author points out that gasoline is twice as expensive in Israel as it in the US and suggests that the protests „be directed towards our Government which is responsible for the gasoline fiasco. The Finance Ministry has grown accustomed to well behaved drivers. Income from taxes on gasoline has jumped in January 2012 by 3.6% compared to 2011.”Yediot Aharonot asserts that „Without an effective alternative system in Libya the weapons’ bunkers of the previous regime have been emptied, including of ordnance that is considered non-conventional. There is concern that at least some of the materials have found their way to terrorist elements in the Middle East. And that is only the tentative list of damage.”
Yisrael Hayom notes that „When the US escalated its military involvement in Vietnam in 1966, British philosopher Bernard Russell initiated the creation of an international tribunal to judge the actions of the American troops based on the assumption that the violation of international treaties could be considered a punishable crime.” The author asks: „But where is the ‘Russell Tribunal’ that is supposed to be the conscience of a world which lost its conscience? The silence in the wake of the slaughter by Assad in Syria is testimony that the world’s conscience has long been dead.” The author concludes by reminding his readers that „It was only three years ago, in 2009, that a respectable tribunal was quick to damn Israel for building the separation barrier, and now facing the slaughter in Syria there is no tribunal and no Russell.”
The Jerusalem Post discusses the legacy of Menachem Begin on the 20th anniversary of his death, and notes: “Perhaps the most significant aspect of Begin’s political leadership was his unique ability to bridge the gap between ideological purity and political realism.” The editor maintains that “While Begin exercised political sagacity, he continued to hold to strong ideological principles, such as keeping the whole Land of Israel,” and adds that: “Begin’s unique combination of political pragmatism and moderation are an important legacy. We can only hope that our contemporary politicians learn from his example.”
Haaretz deplores bureaucratic attempts by the Ministerial Committee on Legislation and others to block new candidates to the Knesset, and declares that “The ministers and MKs want their terms to go on forever, to pass laws that prevent the renewal of the political ranks, and block the road as much as possible to new candidates from outside the political world.” Relating specifically to aspiring newcomers such as TV personality Yair Lapid and former Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, the editor contends that “New breezes should air out Israeli politics, which is not known for being overly open, diversified or teeming with true alternatives,” and states: “A handful of political wheeler dealers must not be allowed to legislate obstacles to block their path to politics.”
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