Summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press
 |
Three papers discuss various issues regarding the controversy over the draft 2013 budget:
Ma’ariv believes that Finance Minister Yair Lapid „is the new turbo-charged engine that is providing the power for the same free market economics, reforms and privatization, the same monopoly-busting measures that Netanyahu initiated a decade ago,” and adds: „Without Lapid, Netanyahu would not be able to move forward on the budget cuts.” The author notes the absence – so far – of Naftali Bennett in this ongoing controversy and suggests that the Jewish Home has been diverted by the politics of choosing the next chief rabbis.
Yediot Aharonot notes that revoking the almost 30-year-old VAT exemption in Eilat would save NIS 600-700 million per annum and adds that the move has broad support in most of the country – except for Eilat.
Yisrael Hayom says that „The order of priorities must be changed – an ultra-orthodox man who does not show up at the draft board will not receive any support payments; housing points will be given according to the effort to earn a living, not the size of the family.” The author ventures that the public will support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Yair Lapid „on the condition that they not give preference to those with means,” and „on condition that their harsh measures not be devoid of compassion and commitment to the rule of law, and – above all – that their leadership serve as an example of modesty and austerity.”
==============================
Haaretz is angered by the Knesset’s decision to extend the 2003 emergency order denying residency in Israel to spouses who hail from the West Bank, Gaza or enemy states. The editor asserts that “Preventing a citizen from living in his country with his or her chosen spouse is a severe infringement of a basic civil right, whose protection is one of the reasons for maintaining a democracy,” and adds: “An order directed exclusively against the Arabs strengthens the argument that Israel is a discriminatory apartheid state.”
The Jerusalem Post lauds the decision by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni to lift the veil of secrecy from the proceedings of the extremely powerful and basically unknown Ministerial Committee on Legislation, and states: “Transparent deliberations and votes mean that decisions are open to critical review, significantly reducing the potential for foul play and abuse of the system.” The editor believes that “When public affairs are conduced behind closed doors, the citizenry’s power to impose its will and influence political moves between elections is diminished,” and points out that “Freedom of information is a vital building block of a liberal democracy.”
