The Jerusalem Post reflects that Israel’s non-representative system of electoral governance is not only outdated but is “responsible for a rapid turnover of fragile coalition governments.” The editor asserts: “The only solution to this impasse is to elect Knesset members directly by their personal constituencies, not as another losing lineup picked by party hacks,” and declares: “It is time for a nationwide grassroots campaign to raise public consciousness of the importance of electoral reform and to formulate and submit a petition for it, in the hope of spurring our politicians to act.”
Haaretz discusses the incendiary aspects of the Jewish settlement in Hebron, and states that “Jewish settlement in Hebron, including home invasions, has constituted a decisive contribution to terrorism.”
Yediot Aharonot notes that despite his frustration and disappointment after ten years of tenure, Mahmoud Abbas is still committed to “following his policy towards a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, alongside the State of Israel, on 22 percent of the territory of Mandatory Palestine.” The author contends that Abbas is not ready to give up on Palestinian national accomplishments, and states: “In his view, the establishment of a Palestinian state is a question of time, meaning he therefore needs to hold on to his position and strengthen what is already in place.”
Israel Hayom commends the swift decision by Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon to evict settlers from two buildings in Hebron which they had invaded in blatant violation of the law, thus demonstrating, on the backdrop of criticism by the US ambassador, that Israel does not employ different sets of rules for the two population groups in Judea and Samaria. The author asserts that the resulting harsh criticism from some coalition members “will not be this government’s downfall, and if Netanyahu and Ya’alon continue to make the right decisions, hostile international allegations suggesting that the Israeli government is fostering illegal policies can be easily dismissed.”
Globes notes that while the recent trend of regional and international actors in the Middle East to take advantage of the power vacuum created by the US and Europe to expand their military presence has potentially dangerous implications, “On balance, the military realignments in the region are likely to be of benefit to Israel.”
Ronni Shaked, Dan Margalit and Norman Bailey wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Israel Hayom and Globes, respectively.
