SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE IZRAELI HEBREW PRESS

HA’ARETZ
1. OBAMA TO SEEK CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL FOR ATTACK ON SYRIA
(…)

2. ISRAEL’S UNDERSTANDING WITH UGANDA ON ABSORPTION OF MIGRANTS – ORAL ONLY
Contrary to Saar’s statements, it is doubtful if deportation of Africans will get underway any time soon.

MA’ARIV
1. (…)
ATTACK TO BE POSTPONED BY APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS AFTER OBAMA DECIDES TO WAIT FOR CONGRESS
(…) Assessment in Israel: Obama wants to gain time in order to try to find diplomatic solutions that will prevent an attack. (…)

YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. I HAVE DECIDED TO ATTACK…BUT WITH CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL
(…)

YISRAEL HAYOM
1. (…)
OBAMA PUTS ON THE BRAKES
(…)

WALLA!
1. ALLOWED FOR PUBLICATION: FIVE ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF PLANNING TERRORIST ATTACK IN JERUSALEM
Communications satellite manufactured by IAI at cost of $365 million launched from Kazakhstan cosmodrome. It is expected to facilitate advanced communications services for India, Russia and the Middle East

NANA10

1. NETANYAHU CONTINUES HIS AGGRESSIVE LINE: OUR ENEMIES HAVE GOOD REASONS NOT TO TEST OUR STRENGTH

2. NO INFILTRATORS ENTER ISRAEL FROM EGYPT DURING AUGUST

[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

All three papers discuss the implications of a US attack on Syria – or a delay in such an attack – in the wake of the Assad regime’s recent chemical weapons attack on rebels near Damascus:

Ma’ariv discounts the possibility that Syria might attack Israel in response to an American assault. The author asserts, „Assad’s regime is not in immediate danger, certainly not a greater danger than prevails at present. One may ask why Assad would risk himself by opening another front against Israel which really could wreck his regime? Assad knows very well that if Israel is attacked with non-conventional weapons or weapons that cause large-scale destruction, it will use all means at its disposal to punish Syria. The Israeli blow, from Assad’s point-of-view, could be decisive and, therefore, he has no interest in attacking Israel. Assad is capable of emerging from the American-European attack still in power; thus, the panic in Israel is unnecessary.”

Yediot Ahronot says, „The Obama administration has done its utmost not to intervene in the civil war in Syria. Its conscience was quiet during the long two years in which 100,000 people have been slaughtered. Large countries do not like small wars; they want influence without cost. Obama became entangled when he opened his mouth. He drew a red line and Assad crossed it.” The author believes, „Until the American Congress approves the attack (if it approves it), the chemical weapons depots will be moved. The headquarters will be replaced. The targets that have been chosen will become empty buildings. The achievements of the possible attack will shrink, the bloodbath will remain.” The paper concludes, „From Israel’s point-of-view, it is hard to ignore the lessons. The international helplessness is also significant for those who are looking for commitments vis-à-vis the Iranian issue. Netanyahu was right when he sought to act independently. No one else will do the work. Israel needs to ask itself what it wants, not what America will do. Red lines are a matter of national pride; the international community has only flexible lines.”

Yisrael Hayom asks, „If the proven use of chemical weapons (for the 14th time in less than six months) does not rouse the world to action, what will? And if Obama needs to plead for Congressional approval for a small-scale attack, what will happen if he seeks to attack – let us assume – Iran’s nuclear installations? And the most painful question: If – Heaven forbid – we are attacked with chemical weapons by Syria or another enemy, could we really be certain that the US would line up alongside us, or Jordan, or Saudi Arabia, to whom the Americans have also sworn eternal loyalty?”