The Jerusalem Post believes the expected expansion of the coalition will impact issues regarding religion and state, and contends: “Expanding the coalition offers opportunities: to end religious discrimination against non-Orthodox streams of Judaism; to break Orthodoxy’s monopoly of religious services.”
Haaretz asserts that Sunday’s vicious beating of an Arab supermarket worker in Tel Aviv by policemen “reflects the violent public attitude toward Arabs in Israel, but more importantly it illustrates the violent and dangerous policies promoted by the government, among other ways through its law enforcement agencies.” The editor argues that although the policemen who beat the worker were not wearing uniforms, they represent the government nonetheless, and asserts that the beating “ought to shock every Israeli citizen. It’s a symptom of the disaster toward which the government is leading us.”
Yediot Aharonot declares: “While it’s legitimate for Lieberman to join the government, it’s not legitimate to do so without explaining to his voters why Bibi, the ‘coward,’ ‘liar’ and ‘national disaster’ has now become a friend and a partner, almost overnight,” and adds: “Lieberman’s appointment to defense minister poses quite a conundrum. Not because of his Russian descent or his lack of experience, but because of the things said about him during different legal battles and because of the things he said on security and defense.”
Israel Hayom feels that Lieberman’s appointment should be judged “on the image he has created for himself in the Arab world and on Israel’s chances of maintaining warm relationships (some of them secret) with Arab countries, particularly with Egypt, or of advancing policy initiatives in the region,” and adds: “Hamas is not resting on its laurels, the West Bank is in the process of radicalizing and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is desperate. The war in Syria is ongoing, and Hezbollah is now the biggest threat to Israel. When this barrel of gun powder explodes, we will find out if Lieberman will choose to take on the national responsibility of his new role, or if he will use the same bold tactics he employed as foreign minister and as an opposition member.”
Globes cautions Israel to treat its newfound friends carefully, and states: “Cooperation with Sunni Arab countries against Iran is welcome, but it does not yet look reliable.” The author notes that “As of now, cooperation and rapprochement with Israel is skin-deep,” and adds: “By all means continue to engage in and encourage collaboration at all levels, but do not assume that the new attitudes and policies are necessarily destined to continue.”
[Nahum Barnea, Yehuda Balanga and Norman Bailey wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Israel Hayom and Globes, respectively.
