The Jerusalem Post comments on the escalation in Islamist terrorist violence emanating from Hebron and the vicinity, and asserts: “Our leadership has allowed Hebron’s terrorist cancer to fester for too long.” The editor contends that Israel, like Turkey, the EU, America and other countries around the world, is fighting a long war with a distorted and toxic form of Islam and states: “it can and must be contained and gradually overcome, not through declarations but through a decisive and prolonged battle.”
Haaretz endorses PM Netanyahu’s trip to four African countries, which, the editor believes, will undoubtedly enhance diplomatic and economic contacts, but nevertheless finds it hard to shake off the impression that the entire trip would not be taking place were it not for Netanyahu’s desire to take advantage of his official position in order to conduct a ceremony in the old Entebbe airport to mark the 40th anniversary of the Israel Defense Forces’ Operation Thunderbolt, in which his brother Yoni fell. The editor declares: “The problem with Netanyahu’s conduct, in this matter as in others, is his tendency to ignore the dividing line between the private and the public spheres. His pain over his brother is understandable, but he must behave like a prime minister,” and asserts: “Netanyahu’s test today in Entebbe is whether he will be able to rise to the occasion, to grant the proper respect to the commanders and planners of the operation, rather than focus only on his brother, and to refrain from making political capital from his family connection to the operation.”
Yediot Aharonot asserts: “Abu Mazen, Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Authority President in the West Bank and president of the entity in the ‘Occupied Territories’ – whatever title makes you happy: Go home. Enough. Your time has passed.” The author adds: “Mahmoud Abbas has held the keys to the Palestinian leadership for too long, and has done nothing with them. Not only has he done nothing productive regarding the peace process, he has done nothing for his own people either. It’s time for him to go.”
Israel Hayom asserts: “It’s time for settlement,” and declares: “The best response to murderous Palestinian terrorism is to deepen our hold on the lands of our ancestors and build, holding a dagger in one hand and a spade in the other.”
Smadar Perry and Dror Eydar wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot and Israel Hayom, respectively.
