Summary of editorials from the Izraeli Hebrew press
BreuerPress
Three papers comment on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to the UN General Assembly and/or the Iranian threat:
Ma’ariv says: „Imagine how the world would have been amazed and would have jumped for joy if it had heard other things,” from the Prime Minister. The author believes that it is a pity that Prime Minister Netanyahu did not either invite Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Jerusalem or offer to meet with him elsewhere and remarks: „This is not the age of courageous leadership as in the time of Begin and Sadat, this is the age of clever, sophisticated, hesitant and stuttering leadership. It is not important how good one’s English is or how frightening one’s Persian is – the content does not matter and will not cause anyone on any side to go home in peace in five years.”
Yediot Aharonot asserts: „Alongside the nuclear issue, the heart of the matter must be dealt with – an Iranian declaration cancelling the policy which calls for the destruction of Israel. Only such a declaration can provide the necessary credibility for a nuclear agreement and will show that Iran belongs to the family of nations and is not a deviant requiring special treatment.” The author adds: „Such a statement could come in a larger framework, to be joined by the larger Arab countries (especially Saudi Arabia, alongside Egypt). But such a step would require Israel’s going toward the Palestinians. This is unavoidable if we really want to see America enforcing its will on Iran on the nuclear issue.”
Yisrael Hayom analyzes Iran’s reaction to the Prime Minister’s speech and suggests: „The Iranian chuckling hides its concern that Netanyahu’s speech points to a rapprochement between the US and Israel in defining the red line of the Iranian nuclear project. The potential cooperation between Jerusalem and Washington increases the threat against Rouhani.”
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The Jerusalem Post comments on the newly released Pew Research Center survey on the US Jewish community, and contends that “It provides a fascinating overview of the wide spectrum that make up US Jewry in this century.” The editor notes the similarity in results to those of the previous 2001 survey, and asserts: “The Pew research provides an important snapshot of the Jewish community, but it should not be concluded that it reveals major shifts, because it does not.”
Haaretz criticizes Finance Minister Yair Lapid for berating Israelis who have decided to leave the country for economic reasons, and reminds him of his election campaign promises to create a better financial future in Israel. The editor asserts: “The finance minister must advance economic reforms that reduce the cost of living, while never forgetting that advancing the peace process is critical to Israel’s security and economic survival,” and concludes: “Instead of denouncing Israelis for leaving the country, the government should instead be striving to create a state based on justice and equality; one whose people will want – and even be proud – to live in.”
