HEADLINES FROM THE IZRAELI HEBREW PRESS
BreuerPress
HA’ARETZ
1. Olmert sentenced to six years imprisonment.
„THOSE WHO TAKE BRIBES BETRAY THE TRUST THAT HAS BEEN VESTED IN THEM”
For the first time in the history of the state, a former prime minister will be sent to prison (…)
2. LAPID FOILS NETANYAHU’S MOVE: „I WILL OPPOSE ANY INITIATIVE TO POSTPONE THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION”
3. IDF PLANNING TO EVACUATE STRUCTURES IN OUTPOSTS
MA’ARIV
1. (…)
GOING TO JAIL
(…)
2. INITIATIVE FOILED: YAIR LAPID ANNOUNCES THAT YESH ATID WILL OPPOSE BENJAMIN NETANYAHU’S DEMAND TO POSTPONE THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. (…)
SIX YEARS
(…)
2. END TO NETANYAHU’S INITIATIVE
Lapid and Livni oppose postponing presidential election.
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. (…)
SIX YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT
(…)
WALLA!
1. THEY WILL LEAVE VOLUNTARILY? STATE READY TO EVACUATE THREE WEST BANK OUTPOSTS
Date set by Supreme Court to evacuate 28 outposts built by settlers on private Palestinian land to expire on Sunday. In several outposts, residents planning struggle, but IDF hopes that evacuation will not be required.
2. LARGE IDF FORCES AT MAALEH RECHAVAM OUTPOST
3. REPORT: ABU MAZEN WILL NOT HEAD NEW UNITY GOVERNMENT
NANA10
1. RACE FOR THE PRESIDENCY: NEEMAN LIKELY TO BE A CANDIDATE
PM checking possibility that former Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman will be his candidate in race for the presidency. Silvan Shalom likely to quit race.
2. SECURITY FORCES DUE TO DEMOLISH FIVE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN MAALEH RECHAVAM
[Headlines from Walla! and Nana10 are from their websites as of 11:20.]
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SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Ma’ariv discusses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reported desire to reconsider the institution of the presidency and alleges that it stems from his strong aversion to Likud MK Reuven Rivlin’s candidacy. The author also suggests that, „He [the Prime Minister] fears that no president – whoever is elected – will charge him with forming a new government after the next elections because no party other than the Likud will recommend him for the job.” The paper declares: „Let it be said again: It is completely legitimate and even desirable to hold a discussion on whether or not Israel needs a symbolic-representative president at all, or whether it should move to a presidential system. It is no less legitimate and desirable to discuss the powers of the president, if the office will continue to exist in its current format. But it is neither legitimate nor logical to discuss the issue when the race for the presidency is nearing the finish line, and to do a deal, via lightning legislation, to postpone the election of a president by several months during which the future of the presidency is to be discussed. Such a move is hasty, disingenuous and illogical, and does a disservice to this high office.”
Yediot Ahronot refers to the continuing debate over the defense budget. The author accuses the defense establishment, „of having no interest in Israeli society’s other needs, including those in education, social welfare and infrastructure,” reminds his readers that, „Every year the military receives more and every year it is not satisfied with the budgetary increase and demands – and receives – a giant supplement over and beyond its budget, without any real discussion.” The paper complains that every year the defense establishment, „howls and warned of an apocalypse if its demands are not met at once, and every year the little civilians concede in a panic.”
Yisrael Hayom refers to yesterday’s sentencing of former Prime Minister and Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert to six years’ imprisonment and notes that Judge David Rozen likened bribery and corruption to treason. The author asserts that, „Judge Rozen’s sentence is a welcomed revolution. It will reverberate for many years.”
