Summary of editorials from the Izraeli Hebrew press
BreuerPress
Ma’ariv discusses the resumption of the major powers’ talks with Iran regarding its nuclear project. The author suggests that Tehran has little incentive to conclude a final agreement and says: „The current situation is good for the Islamic Republic of Iran. The conservative faction is receiving what it wants. Iran is standing on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s red line and the centrifuges are continuing to turn. When the Iranians decide, they will have nuclear weapons. The reformist faction and the Iranian people are also satisfied with the improvement in the economy and Iran’s entry into the international community.” The paper believes that „So long as there is a diplomatic process, Israel is hamstrung and cannot attack Iran,” and adds: „If there is no attack, there is no pressure.” The author dismisses the six-month deadline for concluding a final agreement and hints that it will be extended.
Yediot Aharonot refers to the upcoming election for president and notes that the president is meant to represent Israel in the world and serve as a unifying element and moral voice at home. The author doubts whether the Knesset, which elects the president, will select an outsider such as former Supreme Court Judge Dalia Dorner or Nobel laureate Prof. Dan Shechtman and says: „This summer, in secret political deals, another president will be chosen for the State of Israel.” The author concludes: „Moshe Katsav is an example of how MKs elect a president. Shimon Peres is an example of how MKs elect a president when they have no choice. Since the chance that MKs will pass a law giving the public the right to elect the president is lower than the chance that Prof. Shechtman will be elected, all that is left to do is hope that the next president will be elected without a choice. At least this way there is a better chance that the co untry will get a worthy president.”
Yisrael Hayom discusses the peace process and assets that „We must deal with the fact that co-existence and genuine peace with a sovereign Arab state in the Land of Israel is a recipe for conflict, war and disaster.” The author, who served as Prime Minister’s Office Director General under the late Yitzhak Shamir, reminds his readers that Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Rabin were prepared to accept only „a self-ruled autonomy under an Israeli umbrella,” and urges that the current Palestinian Authority be made permanent while „leaving an opening for improvement if and when there is an increase in trust, quiet and security.”
The Jerusalem Post calls to put an end to Hadassah Medical Organization’s ongoing crisis, and states that “Ultimately, some sort of modus vivendi will be reached which will facilitate a return to normalcy at Hadassah.” The editor asserts that “our medical system is in need of far-reaching reforms,” but adds: “in the meantime, all obstacles preventing Hadassah from returning to business as usual must be cleared as quickly as possible.”
Haaretz contends that Education Minister Shay Piron wishes to restrict the freedom of speech in Israeli schools, and asserts: “the government’s interference in sensitive issues of freedom of speech and the freedom to educate, bodes no good.” The editor reminds his readers that Piron’s activism is connected to the affair of high school teacher Adam Verete and his dismissal hearing by the ORT school network, and states: “the lesson that should be learned from this affair is not that new boundaries and restrictions must be set, but rather that the authorities should have confidence in classroom teachers and they should be backed up when necessary.”
