Thursday

HA’ARETZ

1. ISRAEL CAPITULATES: WILL OPERATE GAZA-WEST BANK CONVOYS NEXT WEEK.

2. POLL: KADIMA DROPS TO 35 SEATS; LARGE LIKUD MAJORITY FOR NETANYAHU.

3. BARGHOUTI, DAHLAN AND RAJOUB REGISTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIST IN PA ELECTIONS.

HATZOFEH

1. IDF eliminates four Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza Strip.

ELIMINATED WERE EN ROUTE TO ATTACK AT KARNI.

Failed attempt to eliminate Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza Strip.  Reaction to elimination – two Kassams fired at Sderot.

2. ISRAEL-US CONFRONTATION OVER PASSAGE FOR ARAB RESIDENTS OF JUDEA AND SAMARIA TO GAZA STRIP.

Sharon and Mofaz capitulate: Agree to operate convoys from Gaza Strip to Judea even though security problems haven't been resolved.  Israel wants only Gaza Strip residents on convoys – US adopts Palestinian position.

3. POLL: NETANYAHU WINS LIKUD IN FIRST ROUND.

Kadima without Sharon would receive only 13 seats, less than Likud (16) or Labor (18).

4. KNESSET APPROVES MOTOR SPORTS IN ISRAEL.

MA’ARIV

1. LONG ARM OF THE UNDERWORLD.

YEDIOT AHRONOT

1. Four days before Likud primaries, Silvan Shalom's supporters threatening:

"IF NETANYAHU WINS, WE WILL VOTE FOR SHARON."

At rally with Shalom present, his supporters declared: "Bibi hurt Sephardim."  Netanyahu: I will get country out of poverty.

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SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

Yediot Ahronot says that, "Kadima is Ariel Sharon," and laments Kadima's lack of institutions and a platform.  The editors call on Israeli voters to re-familiarize themselves with Prime Minister Sharon's past before deciding to vote for him.

Hatzofeh refers to remarks that have been attributed to one of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's pollsters to the effect that the former would be prepared to divide Jerusalem and see the establishment of a Palestinian state on 90% of Judea and Samaria.  The editors mock the right-wing slogan, "With love we will win."

[Yaron London wrote today’s editorial for Yediot Ahronot.]