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Summary of editorials from the Hebrew press
Today’s issues: Second to none, Netanyahu and his trusty deputy against the Jews, #MeToo likely to end up like Breaking the Silence, and Hotovely exposed only part of the problem.
The Jerusalem Post comments on the escalation in the ongoing crisis in relations between Israel and American Jewry as a result of Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely’s disparaging remarks, which “aroused immediate outrage and widespread calls for her dismissal,” and states: “With statements like Hotovely’s, Israel is not sending a message of equality to Diaspora Jews. If it wants to do that, condemning Hotovely will not be enough.”
Haaretz contends that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strong condemnation of Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely’s disparaging comments about American Jews, like his threat to fire her, is tainted by hypocrisy, and argues: “Hotovely& rsquo;s remarks faithfully reflect the Netanyahu government’s stance, and that’s precisely why they’re such a problem.” The editor adds: “Hotovely’s statements trod a path that’s already well trodden by the right in general and Hotovely in particular – the path of smearing Israelis and Diaspora Jews who criticize the occupation or Israel’s retreat from liberal values,” and asserts: “Hotovely loyally represents the Netanyahu government. Her dismissal would be pure hypocrisy unless the prime minister resigned along with her.”
Yediot Aharonot discusses the reasons for the tremendous success of the #MeToo project, in which women accuse influential men of harassing them, and asserts: “Instead of improving the situation, the campaign seeking to impose a gender-egalitarian culture may evoke a counter reaction. Women’s credibility will be questioned, and just like other campaigns waged by the American Left, it will eventually lose its impact.”
Israel Hayom feels that while Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely’s remarks on American Jews alleged disconnect with Israelis were indeed callous, she did not go far enough in depicting the current state of affairs across the Atlantic. The author opines that “The elite in U.S. Jewry alienated itself from Israel during Barack Obama’s presidency,” and adds: “Perhaps Hotovely became a liability for Israel’s government, but her potential departure is not going to solve the severe crisis affecting U.S. Jews. Israel would be better served if it focuses on fostering its ties with the American Jews that have remained loyal to it rather than pick up fights with the Jews of The New York Times.”
[Nahum Barnea and Amnon Lord wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot and Israel Hayom, respectively. |
