Summary of editorials from the Hebrew press
Today’s issues: Today’s issues: The demise of IBA English-language news, Jerusalem’s Rudy Giuliani, Israel needs new Hamas policy, a call to deport the inciters, and Turkey on the brink of chaos.
The Jerusalem Post mourns the demise of the Israel Broadcasting Services English-language news program, but notes that “the demise of the IBA English News was brought on not as a result of a conscious decision by the political or managerial echelon, but due to general indifference and a lack of appreciation for the potential of producing homegrown TV news coverage for foreign consumption.” The editor believes that it is still possible to reverse course, and contends: “Instead of closing down IBA English News for good, this government – and Netanyahu in particular, who knows a thing or two about the importance of making the case for Israel articulately and in English – should revamp it altogether and launch a new and improved version with better coverage,” and adds: “In the present media cli mate, and especially in these trying times, IBA English News has the potential for providing an invaluable service – news coverage that gives viewers the broader context, the background information, and the details that are so often missing or distorted in foreign news outlets.”
Haaretz ridicules Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat’s suggestion that the state should consider closing off East Jerusalem neighborhoods, which the editor believes is anyway impossible to do, due to the hundreds of pathways, streets and roads linking the two parts of the city. The editor suggests that his demand “was meant for public relations, more to position him as ‘Jerusalem’s Rudy Giuliani’ than to prevent the next terror attack,” and calls on the government to refrain from throwing out idiotic ideas and concentrate on “trying to calm the atmosphere by means of dialogue with and confidence-building measures toward the Palestinians.”
Yediot Aharonot contends that Israel has failed in its dealings with Hamas, and notes that “while Hamas is maneuvering and changing tactics and strategies, Israel is sticking to its traditional conduct between one operation and another.” The author believes that it is necessary to establish significant and routine, even hidden, contact with the organization on the governmental level, and states: If the government doesn’t want or can’t come up with a new, winning strategy in the battlefield, it must try the diplomatic channel. Ten years of more of the same prove that the old way has failed.”
Israel Hayom calls on the authorities to spare no time in carrying out deportations, and declares: Those who are behind terrorism and help terrorists perpetrate their attacks, including those who knew about Tuesday’s plot but did not prevent it, should be deported to PA-held areas.”
Globes speculates that Turkey is in danger of becoming another Middle Eastern failed state, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Libya, but asserts that “At the point that chaos threatens, the army will step in and take over.” The author points out that should this occur it would signify a highly positive development for Israel, and adds: “The substantial commerce with Turkey would be protected, and the new government could be expected to renew diplomatic ties and end support for Hamas and Islamic Jihad. From a new focus of anarchy Turkey would be converted into an element of stability, both for the region in general and for Israel in particular.”
[Efraim Halevy, Avi Dichter and Norman Bailey wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Israel Hayom and Globes, respectively.]
