Summary of editorials from the Hebrew pressAz izraeli lapok vezércikkeiből angolul
Today’s issues: A wolf in wolf’s clothing, Trump’s nuclear bear hug, Israel should accept the Palestinian reconciliation deal, and an unclear future.
The Jerusalem Post comments on the latest attempt at Hamas-Fatah reconciliation, and argues that the resultant deal will allow Hamas to be like Hezbollah in Lebanon: “an armed militia in a land run by a seemingly moderate government.” The editor does not expect Hamas to take responsibility for its failure to manage the Gaza Strip and stop stockpiling weapons and digging tunnels for the next round of fighting with Israel, and states: “Israel’s challenge will be in keeping the world focused on the Middle East Quartet’s original conditions for engagement with Hamas – recognition of Israel’s right to exist, recognition of previous agreements signed by Israel and the PA, and a full cessation of terrorism and violence.”
Haaretz comments on US President Trump’s announcement that he would not certify Iran’s nuclear agreement because of several violations, and warns: “The American embrace that makes Netanyahu and his government so happy could turn out to be a bear hug. When Trump drags Israel into the foxhole with it, it endangers Israel too. Israel’s greatest achievement was its contribution to the formation of an international coalition against Iran, which attained the agreement. Now Israel is perceived as breaking up that coalition, and it could find itself facing a harsh reality and once again needing the assistance of the international community.”
Yediot Aharonot believes that while there are a thousand and one reasons to reject out of hand the reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas, nevertheless Israel should not be seen as one wishing to sabotage the reconciliation agreement. The author argues that “a smart response to the Palestinian unity agreement—which includes a generous proposal concerning the Gaza Strip—will put Israel in a position from which it would only stand to benefit,” and states: “If the Palestinians reject the proposal, Israel could say Hamas was and remains part of global jihad, that it has no interest in reaching a compromise with Israel, and that it has taken the Palestinian Authority hostage. If the Palestinians say yes, it would be an historic turning point that would decrease the chances of another conflict in the south. And that is a lot to gain.”
Israel Hayom remarks on Israel’s relative restraint with regard to Thursday’s reconciliation announcement between rival Palestinian facti ons Fatah and Hamas, and declares: “While news of a Fatah-Hamas rapprochement may spell relative peace and quiet for Israel, the deal has many hurdles to overcome.”
[Ben-Dror Yemini and Yoav Limor wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot and Israel Hayom, respectively.]
