HEADLINES FROM THE IZRAELI HEBREW PRESS
HA’ARETZ
1. CRACKS IN THE COALITION: GOVERNMENT APPROVES PRISONER RELEASE AFTER SHARP CONFRONTATION
Jewish Home tries to torpedo move that was already approved by the government via law to impose sweeping ban on releasing prisoners.
2. GOVERNMENT’S SOLUTION TO HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE RULING: OPEN FACILITY NEAR NITZANA FOR THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS
Opposition in nearby communities. Prison Service: We have no experience in managing open facilities
MA’ARIV
1. MINISTERS APPROVE RELEASE OF 26 PRISONERS WHO SERVED AT LEAST 19 YEARS
Jewish Home’s law to ban releasing prisoners torpedoed and Cabinet meeting turned into attack by Likud and Movement ministers against the religious Zionist party. (…)
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Families outraged at release of those who murdered their loved ones:
„NETANYAHU HAS BROKEN US”
(…)
2. DAD WILL ALSO HAVE LEAVE
New law: Fathers of newborns to be eligible for eight days paid leave.
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. List of murderers: List of 26 terrorists who will be released published. (…)
APPROVAL WITH A HEAVY HEART
Among those to be released: Terrorist who murdered Holocaust survivor Isaac Rothberg with an axe. Timetable: Release due to be carried out within 48 hours of publication; Almagor organization preparing to appeal to the High Court of Justice (…)
2. MINISTERS APPROVED: LEAVE FOR NEW FATHERS
Ministerial committee approves MK Zandberg’s proposal for eight days leave for fathers
WALLA!
1. IN RESPONSE TO FIRING AT THE SOUTH: IDF ATTACKS ROCKET LAUNCHERS IN GAZA
Air Force planes attack targets in northern Gaza Strip after four rockets were fired at Israeli territory in the early morning, and caused neither casualties nor damage. IDF Spokesperson: „Precise hits were identified.”
NANA10
1. IN RESPONSE TO ROCKET FIRE: IDF ATTACKS IN GAZA STRIP
Air Force fires missiles at two rocket launchers in northern Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian reports, there were no casualties. IDF attack in response to firing of two rockets at Ashkelon last night, one of which was intercepted by Iron Dome.
[Headlines for Walla! and Nana10 are from their websites as of 11:50.]
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SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Ma’ariv asserts that many of the major powers’ intelligence services now realize that, „Iran’s strategic goal is not the destruction of Israel with nuclear weapons, but taking over the oil-producing states – Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the Persian Gulf states.” The author says, „The determined Iranian campaign to reach the status of a nuclear power by exploiting the political weakness of the Obama administration, which is trying with all its might to avoid a conflict with the country of the ayatollahs, has created a very interesting phenomenon from Israel’s point-of-view,” and adds, „At a time when a rift is starting to be revealed between the US and its historic allies in the Middle East regarding concerns over a nuclear Iran, common interests of a sort are developing among those threatened by the Iranian nuclear project, including the State of Israel.” The paper speculates that, „Perhaps even now, secretly and far behind the scenes, a new basis is beginning to develop for a beautiful friendship between Israel and all the Islamic states in the Middle East that are being compelled to exist under the threat of an Iranian takeover.”
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Two papers discuss last night’s decision to approve the release of an additional 26 Palestinian terrorist prisoners<www.pmo.gov.il/English/MediaCenter/Spokesman/Pages/spokeprison271013.aspx >:
Yediot Ahronot says, „There is an understanding between all sides that in order for Netanyahu to be able to get the government to approve the release of Palestinian terrorists, he will announce the approval of plans for the construction of thousands of apartments in the major blocs in the territories. This is supposed to be the baksheesh<en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baksheesh > by the Palestinian side in exchange for releasing the prisoners.” The author reassures his readers that the Jewish Home, despite its strong opposition to releasing terrorists, will not be quitting the government any time soon, especially when, „There are additional candidates waiting outside the door who are prepared to pay almost any baksheesh to enter.”
Yisrael Hayom believes that, „Benjamin Netanyahu is now paying the price for the public’s lack of confidence in disproportionate gestures to the Palestinians,” and adds, „Payment for what, the public asks. In the end, will the Palestinians agree to accept Netanyahu’s list of reservations and sign a permanent agreement? Will they recognize a Jewish state? Will they agree to the defensible borders that he presented? Will they concede Jerusalem and the refugees’ right of return? Netanyahu is now receiving credit for the attempt to reach an agreement even if few believe that it is possible.” The author scorns the Jewish Home, „as trying to enjoy the best of both worlds,” by voting against the releases yet remaining in the coalition.
