Summary of editorials from the Hebrew press
Today’s issues: Plunge freedom, leave marijuana smokers alone, collapsing foreign policy, and time to call a spade a spade.
The Jerusalem Post comments on the battle being waged by Chief Rabbinate rabbis who are intent on preventing Jews belonging to the Reform or Conservative movements from using state-owned mikvaot [ritual baths] to perform conversion ceremonies, and argues that “The State of Israel should be a place where all forms of Jewish expression are encouraged and given the freedom to grow and flourish.” The editor argues: “If state funds are allocated at all for religious services, they should be allocated in a way that encourages all forms of Jewish religious expressions, not just a narrowly Orthodox form,” and adds: “Religious diversity flourishes when allowed to develop organically and in an open atmosphere of free expression. Where else should this happen but in the world’s only Jewish state?”
Haaretz criticizes Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan for holding up a bill proposed by Likud MK Sharren Haskel’s to decriminalize marijuana, and asserts that “Erdan is contributing to the absurd status quo whereby the Israel Police tirelessly persecute grass smokers instead of devoting themselves to dealing with more urgent issues.” The editor believes that the current Dangerous Drugs Ordinance is a prime example of ignorance and rigidity, and declares: “Smoking grass should not be a crime. Treating it as such is archaic and inefficient.”
Yediot Aharonot discusses the general and systemic breakdown of Israel’s foreign policy, and declares: “The main challenges facing Israel, including those related to security, are diplomatic at their core. Israel’s conduct, however, is mostly based on improvisation and fire-dowsing. A long-term, planned foreign policy isn’t seen as an essential component of the country’s national security policy.”
Israel Hayom examines the rationale behind US President Obama’s decision to wait for the investigation to determine the motives of the perpetrator of the Orlando attack, despite the evidence of ISIS involvement, and asserts that the reason for this hesitation on the part of the president is likely “the substantial economic interests the West has in Muslim countries, and the Muslim vote, traditionally given to left-wing parties in Europe and the Democratic Party in the U.S.” The author adds: “As long as the West refuses to call a spade a spade there is only a slim chance it will do what needs to be done,” and adds: “If there is nothing wrong in Islamic teachings, the mosques will continue to preach hatred of Jews and Christians, jihad and the obligation to impose Islam on the world.”
Ronen Hoffman and Ephraim Herrera wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot and Israel Hayom, respectively. |
