The Jerusalem Post comments on the recapture of the Syrian city of Palmyra by pro-Assad forces, but warns that gains made by Assad as a result of Russian intervention should not be exaggerated. Nevertheless, the editor leaves room for cautious optimism, and points out that “ISIS has suffered a number of setbacks in recent days, while the battle against ISIS has created new opportunities for cooperation between Israel and more moderate Sunni states in the region. In addition, a number of Israel’s enemies – Syria and the Hezbollah – have been seriously weakened.”
Haaretz attacks the racist philosophy of Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, “who gives his tongue free rein and expresses his benighted world view without considering the fact that he is a public office holder,” and asserts: “For the past several months Israel has been in state of total chaos due to the miserable performance of the Netanyahu government in the face of the terror wave and the zenith of a dangerous wave of racism. Figures like Yosef, who are supposed to represent the humane side of Judaism, are instead accelerating the decline of the state – not only in the face of Palestinian terror but in the internal war over Israel’s image. Yosef is unworthy of his position.”
Yediot Aharonot favors the early release of former president Moshe Katzav, “Not because of sympathy, not because of compassion. Simply because it seems to me that the man paid his debt by any measure,” and adds: “If there were any meaning to another year and a half in prison, if that time would pressure him into remorse, if there were any added value to his continuing to sit in prison, it would be a cause worth fighting for. None of this will happen.”
Israel Hayom notes that “Christian communities in the Middle East are rapidly dwindling due to incessant attacks, harassment and policies of discrimination,” and reminds readers that Israel is the only country in the region where the Christian community has grown. The author points out that that hasn’t stopped Christian leaders in the international community from taking an anti-Israel stance, and comments that the Christian West, aside from voicing the occasional heartfelt condemnation, “has not taken any practical steps to save its brethren living under the yoke of Islam.” The author concludes: “It’s good that Israel wouldn’t be so foolish as to expect any help from the West, even as its enemies try desperately to destroy it.”
Globes distinguishes between Israel’s public diplomacy, defined by the country’s national public relations, which has been a dismal failure, and diplomacy as such, which is carried out by many ministries and agencies of the government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but also by several other ministries, including the IDF and the security and intelligence agencies. The author congratulates the Israeli government and its permanent bureaucracy for the excellent results they have achieved, and notes: “Many countries now look to Israel for agricultural, water management, health and medical assistance, as well as defense, security and intelligence cooperation. In boxing above its weight, Israel is unparalleled in the world. Those responsible are among the true heroes of the present.”
Sima Kadmon, Ephraim Herrera and Norman Bailey wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Israel Hayom and Globes, respectively.
