Wednesday, November 30, 2005

HA’ARETZ

1. Yachimovich moves from TV to Labor, Reichman from Shinui to Kadima, Peres will apparently announce today.

SHARON SUPPORTERS TRYING TO PREVENT ELECTION OF NETANYAHU.

Shalom: "In 1999, we crashed with Bibi, do we want to crash again?"  Sharon told mayors last night – "Not to worry, Peres will be with us."  Political parties law: MKs accusing – Amendment approved yesterday will help Omri Sharon in his trial.

HATZOFEH

1. After parade of artists who joined Peretz, Shelly Yachimovich also crossed lines and joined; Peres, Itzik, Reichman and Tirosh going with Sharon.

PARTIES' STAR SEARCH.

Kadima's and Labor's procurement campaigns continue, with each one playing a joker: Peres announced that only Sharon can bring peace and that he won't run for Knesset; expected to be appointed development minister.  Sharon and Reichman agree on education portfolio with Tirosh as deputy.  Seventy-two mayors make pilgrimage to Sharon's residence last night.  Peretz presents Yachimovich.  Likud leaders attacking each other and competitors: New star every day.  Religious parties in difficult unity negotiations.

2. BETHLEHEM: PALESTINIAN POLICE MISTAKENLY SHOOT AT UNDERCOVER UNITS.

3. ABU MAZEN FREEZES PA ELECTIONS DUE TO FRAUD.

MA’ARIV

1. Courting at its peak: Parties signing up players who will strengthen teams.

STAR WARS.

Today: Shimon Peres to officially announce -- I support Sharon.  Prof. Uriel Reichman and at least seven local council heads – four from Labor and one from Likud – join Kadima.  Journalist Shelly Yachimovich joins Labor.

2. NEW LABOR COMPETITOR – SOCIALIST MILLIONAIRE.

3. OFFICER TO HOMOSEXUAL SOLDIER: "YOU SHOULD BE STONED."

YEDIOT AHRONOT

1. SENIOR SHARON PARTY OFFICIALS: LIST IS TOO LEFT-WING.

Claiming: Sharon's "stars" from left will be burden, not asset, it's enough already.  Sharon's people: It's balanced.

2. Yediot Ahronot and Mina Tzemach/Dahaf poll:

LIKUD CRASHING.

If elections were held today: Likud would receive 10 seats and become fourth largest party, after Shas, with 11.  Kadima – 34 and Labor – 27, strengthen slightly.

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SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

Yediot Ahronot analyzes the current state of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and cautions that its continued growth may be disproportionate to economic reality.

Hatzofeh draws attention to the plight of former residents of Gush Katif, some of whom began a strike opposite the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem yesterday.

Haaretz comments: "The illegal outposts, which the government has refrained from dismantling, are home to lawbreakers who, in addition to seizing lands that do not belong to them, are in the habit of assaulting their Palestinian neighbors, and the Palestinians' property and plantings, on the assumption that the arm of the law is too short to reach them... In the village of Salem alone, some 180 olive trees were torched in May, while 250 trees were chopped down in July and another 200 in October... The destruction of olive trees is not just a mortal blow to the livelihood of rural Palestinians; it is primarily an evil act that reflects a desire to assail one of the most prominent symbols of the Palestinians' hold on the land and an attempt to prove that the settlers indeed intend to inherit these lands and expel their inhabitants. But the destruction of these trees also symbolizes the apathy, not to say cruelty, of the Israeli occupation and the law enforcement agencies' criminal disregard for the settlers' actions... The Shin Bet security service, which is capable of capturing a wanted man hiding in the heart of a populous Palestinian city, would surely have no difficulty locating a few dozen Israelis who chop down 200 olive trees in broad daylight, with no interference, and then pack up their tools and go back to their illegal houses in an illegal outpost."

The Jerusalem Post writes: "Media celebrity Shelly Yehimovic made news herself yesterday when she announced her departure from Channel 2 and her political debut at Amir Peretz's side in Labor. That resulted both in fawning coverage on the airwaves and a flurry of demands that a cooling-off period be imposed on journalists-turned-politicians. We find both reactions objectionable. Yehimovic's move must be viewed dispassionately. Journalists have as much right as anyone to run for office, but uncritical accolades from like-minded colleagues on the one hand and hysterical denunciations from political rivals on the other both miss the mark."

[Sever Plocker wrote today’s editorial in Yediot Ahronot.]