Summary of editorials from the Hebrew press
Today’s issues: Palestinian education, towards a Knesset with no Arabs, academia vs. the minister, and Iran’s regional ruses.
The Jerusalem Post is concerned by the constant incitement in the Palestinian school system, and notes that “the EU and other international bodies that provide funding to the PA and its education system have not done enough to persuade its leadership to revamp school textbooks and stop incitement.” The editor states that rather than reinforcing intransigence and hatred, “Palestinian leaders could have spent the decades since Oslo preparing their people for coexistence with Israelis,” and declares: “There will be no resolution to the conflict until this changes.”
Haaretz contends that “Suspension Law” that the Knesset Constitution Committee gave preliminary approval to on Monday, brings the Knesset closer to its apparent goal of “A Knesset without Arabs.” The editor argues that “A democratic system of government doesn’t collapse overnight. It is eroded from within by a series of steps that destroy its fundamental principles, until a critical mass has accumulated,” and adds: “The ‘Suspension Law’ constitutes a direct blow to these principles. The Israeli legislature must refrain from taking such a destructive step.”
Yediot Aharonot discusses the dilemma of many Israelis, who are undecided as to whether to resign public posts in protest of government actions that are opposed to their conscience and worldview, or remain and try to minimize the damage. Referring specifically to the recent mass resignation of members of the Council for Higher Education in protest against personnel changes initiated by the minister of education, the author states: “Ever since the rumor spread among the religious-nationalist sector that it is the new elite, the vanguard, the cutting edge of Israeli society, there is no limit to their expectations. Instead of demanding their fair share, some expect to receive everything and right away.”
Israel Hayom explains the strategy behind the Iranian pledge to pay large amounts of money to Palestinians for terrorist activities against Jews, despite the fact that they are “butchering Sunnis across the Middle East,” and asserts that Iranian willingness to help the Sunni Palestinians is derived from the desire to divide and weaken the PA while bolstering Hamas as a means to “establish Iran’s foothold in the area, and, incidentally, exploit the problem of Palestine, Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa to expand the sphere of support for Shia Islam.”
Nahum Barnea and Reuven Berko wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot and Israel Hayom, respectively. |
