HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
HA’ARETZ
1. Central Bureau of Statistics researchers check achievements of 500,000 pupils over more than a decade.
MATRICULATION EXAM RESULTS JUMP, ABILITIES AND KNOWLEDGE REMAIN THE SAME
2. STEINITZ DEMANDING TWO DIRECTOR GENERALS – ONE FOR INTELLIGENCE AND ONE FOR STRATEGIC AFFAIRS
3. WOMEN OF THE WALL COMPROMISE: ENGINEERING INITIATIVE TO ALTER THE SITE
Jewish Agency Chairman [Natan Sharansky] proposes building elevated non-orthodox prayer plaza alongside the Western Wall, but it is not clear if it can be implemented.
4. JEWISH TERRORIST JACK TEITEL SENTENCED TO TWO LIFE TERMS
MA’ARIV
1. US Secy. of State Kerry leaves without results. Defense Secretary Hagel to arrive on first visit to Israel next month.
SECURITY ESTABLISHMENT RECOMMENDS RELEASING TERRORISTS ON PRISONER DAY.
Kerry pressed Netanyahu to release 123 terrorists as a gesture to the Palestinians, but PM’s Bureau denies that agreement was achieved on the issue. Jerusalem agrees to advance economic initiatives in Area C. Turkey vetoes Israeli participation in NATO conference.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Liberman and Lapid to voters: Let us be an example to the public.
MKS’ TEST: 10% SALARY CUT
Apparent Knesset majority in favor of the cut. If approved, initiative will cost MKs’ NIS 4,000 before taxes.
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. (…).
UNDER WAR CLOUDS: SEOUL FULL OF LIFE
(…).
WALLA!
1. INITIATIVE BEING FORMULATED TO ENABLE EGALITARIAN PRAYER AT THE WESTERN WALL
NANA10
1. NETANYAHU READY TO RELEASE „VETERAN” PRISONERS
At meeting with US Secy. of State Kerry, PM Netanyahu expressed willingness to release Palestinian prisoners who have been imprisoned since before the Oslo accords. Palestinian enterprises to be established in Area C.
[Headlines for Walla! and Nana10 are from their websites as of 11:15.]
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SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Ma’ariv says that US Secretary of State John Kerry, „is looking for solutions for the Palestinians as if some global crisis was at hand,” and suggests that, „He should devote more time to events in Iran, Syria and North Korea,” and other more threatening issues. The author calls on the Government to make no concessions and hopes that, „Kerry will understand how much he is wasting his time and begins to deal with the true global problems on his agenda.”
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Two papers discuss various issues regarding deliberations over the 2013 state budget:
Yediot Ahronot believes that, „A settlement with the Palestinians is a long-range existential need for Israel. While integrating the ultra-orthodox into the workforce is a vital long-term interest, getting started will also serve us in the short term. Combining the two will make it easier for the economy; coordinating with the Americans on the Iranian issue, alongside their involvement in the diplomatic process with the Palestinians, will give momentum to our international relations and encourage the economy – and the defense budget will stay in its current framework.”
Yisrael Hayom asserts that, „Every Israeli knows that there is a need to cover the NIS 39 billion deficit in order to put distance between Israel and Cyprus,” but adds that everyone seems to be determined that the cuts be at someone else’s expense. The author calls on the Finance Ministry, „to announce in advance that it will neither confirm nor deny any report, correct or erroneous. The struggle will be held behind closed doors, but the Government will not take a position until a decision is reached.”
