HEADLINES FROM THE IZRAELI HEBREW PRESSBreuerPress
HA’ARETZ
1. [ATTORNEY GENERAL] WEINSTEIN PRESSED – LAPID SOFTENED CONDITIONS FOR VAT EXEMPTION
Finance Minister’s plan for VAT exemption for those buying flats will not be conditional on military or national service as threshold condition. Attorney General made it clear that without changes, he would not support the law.
2. After years of humiliating checks
NEW SECURITY CHECK PROCEDURES AT BGI AIRPORT REDUCING HUMILIATING TREATMENT OF ARABS
3. MINISTER SILVAN SHALOM QUESTIONED UNDER CAUTION; CLAIMS THAT HE DOES NOT KNOW COMPLAINANT
Investigation will not lead to indictment given statute of limitations.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Friend brought a friend: Nine youths suspected of raping 13-year-old girl.
EDUCATION MINISTER: WE ARE ALL TO BLAME
(…)
2. ASSESSMENT: FILE AGAINST SHALOM WILL BE CLOSED
Yesterday: Minister gave his version to the police. Investigation to be closed if no new complaints are filed.
3. DISGRACE IN PERU
Dozens of Israeli backpackers arrested near Cuzco on suspicion of vandalizing Inca archaeological site during trance party. Police: They sprayed graffiti, stole antiquities and held orgies. Israelis: There were only drugs and alcohol.
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. (…)
ADDITIONAL SUSPICION: OLMERT OBSTRUCTED
(…)
2. KERRY IN LAST EFFORT TO PERSUADE ABU MAZEN TO CONTIONUE NEGOTIATIONS
PA Chairman gave aggressive speech to Arab League leadership. Accused: „Israel disavowing prisoner release.” Today: Will meet US Secy. of State in Amman.
3. FILE AGAINST SILVAN SHALOM DUE TO BE CLOSED
Minister denies under questioning: „I do not remember the complainant or the situation.” In absence of additional complaints, file will be closed. Statute of limitations applies to current complaint.
WALLA!
1. „IDF KILLED EGYPT-TO-GAZA SMUGGLERS IN BOATS”
Last night: Navy identified two fast boats that violated maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip. Unofficial sources say that smugglers in boats were shot and killed.
2. ARAB LEAGUE: WE WILL REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE ISRAEL AS A JEWISH STATE
NANA10
1. IDF FORCE HITS BOATS EN ROUTE FROM SINAI TO THE GAZA STRIP
2. REPORT: ARAB LEAGUE WILL NOT INCLUDE PHRASE „NO TO A JEWISH STATE” IN ITS COMMUNIQUE
[Headlines from Walla! and Nana10 are from their websites as of 10:35. There was no print edition of Ma’ariv today.]
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SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Yediot Ahronot reminds its readers that, „Throughout almost the entire Cold War, the Security Council was paralyzed, and also today it is helpless in the face of violations by one of the five permanent members, which have veto rights.” The author believes that, „Obama’s weakness has allowed Putin to act like a thug. Putin openly and crudely broke the rules of the global order, and put Russia’s neighbors and the entire West in a threatening reality that could deteriorate into global war.”
Yisrael Hayom says that, „From Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen’s speech to the Arab League summit in Kuwait yesterday one could conclude that reconciliation with Hamas is much more important to the Palestinian leader than peace with Israel,” and adds that in his, „especially combative,” remarks, Abu Mazen reiterated that the Palestinians, „would never recognize Israel as a Jewish state.” The author asserts, „On the basis of his Kuwait speech, Abu Mazen is still not a partner for peace.”
