HEADLINES FROM THE IZRAELI HEBREW PRESSBreuerPress
HA’ARETZ
1. NETANYAHU TO CONVENE SPECIAL DISCUSSION ON EUROPEAN BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL
Government to discuss increase in sanctions against settlements for the first time. PM responds to Bennett controversy: „Most of the public does not want a binational state – nor do I.”
2. BARKAT PUSHING RABBI WHO BARRED RENTING FLATS TO ARABS AS JERUSALEM CHIEF RABBI
MA’ARIV
1. NETANYAHU’S CONFIDANTS: PM WILL NOT CREATE NINE-MEMBER MINISTERIAL FORUM DUE TO BENNETT’S LEAKS
Tension between PM and Economy Minister reaches peak. Sources close to Netanyahu claiming that one of the previous government’s most important forums has not been established due to the lack of confidence in Bennett. „Everything leaks out of private meetings with him.” Bennett’s office: Minister will continue to serve the public responsibly.
2. TODAY: PM TO CONVENE EMERGENCY DISCUSSION ON WAYS TO STOP SPREAD OF EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS BOYCOTT
(…)
3. UNDER HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE ORDER: ISRAEL BEGINS RETURNING TERRORISTS’ BODIES TO THE PA
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Israel 2014
GAP HAS NOT CLOSED: ASHKENAZI JEWS EARN MORE
Adva Center report: Ashkenazi Jews earn 42% more than the average wage while Sephardi Jews earn only 9% more. Gap has not changed much over the past 12 years.
2. RECORD NUMBER OF RELIGIOUS WOMEN IN THE IDF
Despite rabbis’ opposition: Number of religious women enlistees has almost doubled over the past three years.
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. Jerusalem awaiting Kerry’s return – with a document this time. Netanyahu: „We do not have to agree with the US.” Bennett continues to attack the PM in the meantime.
PM’S CONFIDANTS: GOVERNMENT COULD CONTINUE WITHOUT BENNETT
(…) Bennett: „Palestinians will kill Jews under their sovereignty; if there is no sovereignty, there is no Zionism.” Netanyahu: „Soon we will know if it is possible to continue with the negotiations; most of the public does not want a binational state.”
WALLA!
1. NETANYAHU IN SHARP MESSAGE TO BENNETT: APOLOGIZE – OR BE DISMISSED
Sources in Netanyahu’s office tell Walla! that Economy Minister „received a message: Apologize; otherwise there will be a price. His gall will not be ignored.” Bennett attacks again last night: „Those who divide the country will not be forgiven.”
NANA10
1. NETANYAHU MAKES IT CLEAR TO BENNETT: „YOUR BEHAVIOR IS BRAZEN. IF YOU DON’T APOLOGIZE – YOU WILL BE DISMISSED”
Tension between Netanyahu and Jewish Home Chairman increases. (…)
[Headlines from Walla! are from its website as of 10:50.]
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SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE IZRAELI HEBREW PRESS
Ma’ariv refers to a recent government survey which indicates that while, „66% of European Jews see anti-Semitism as a problem that affects their lives,” and, „76% of them believe that it has worsened in recent years,” „Only 20% said that they are considering emigrating from countries. Emigrate, and not specifically to Israel.” The author believes, „This takes the wind out of the sails of those who try to see the ‘positive’ side of the growing anti-Semitism and expect waves of immigration in its wake.”
Yediot Ahronot recalls that former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin told the Knesset in 1995 that, „The security border for defending the State of Israel will be situated in the Jordan Valley [www.jordanvalley.org.il/?categoryId=38842], in the broadest sense of the term.” The author, a former GOC Ground Forces, says that, „The idea that the Jordan Valley needs to remain Israel’s security border in any agreement with the Palestinians is one that has been held by all Israeli governments over the last 20 years – from Rabin to Sharon to Netanyahu.” The paper asserts, „It is possible to state unequivocally: Israeli security control of the Jordan Valley and the mountainous spine of Judea and Samaria is crucial to maintaining the security of the State of Israel,” and adds, „This is a security perspective, not necessarily an ideological one.” The author suggests that a contiguous border between the Palestinian Authority and Jordan, „the majority of whose population is Palestinian,” will not only endanger Israel but, „is liable to undermine the stability of King Abdullah’s regime, a moderate regime the continued existence of which is an Israeli interest of the highest order.” The paper concludes: „There is no creative solution that could be a substitute for controlling the Jordan Valley.”
Yisrael Hayom discusses the continuing controversy over Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Hebrew remark in Davos that he would not evacuate any Israeli from his home, later remarks attributed to an official in the Prime Minister’s office to the effect that settlers who decline to be evacuated could live in a future Palestinian state, and Jewish Home Chairman Naftali Bennett’s criticism of the Prime Minister. The author says that, „Those in the know regarding the position paper being prepared by John Kerry claim that the controversy in the coalition is over an egg that has not been laid yet,” and adds, „There is a long way to go before the issue of leaving behind Jewish communities in the framework of Palestinian sovereignty comes up.”
