Monday

HA’ARETZ

1. PERETZ: DESPITE POLLS, I WILL CONTINUE WITH SOCIAL AGENDA.

Labor Party to present series of campaigns that will portray PM Sharon as responsible for poverty.

2. LIKUD CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING TODAY.

Assessments: Netanyahu to announce resignation of Likud ministers from Government soon.

HATZOFEH

1. Israel prepared to allow voting by eastern Jerusalem residents – at polling stations in Abu Dis.

US TO ISRAEL: ALLOW PALESTINIAN POLLING STATIONS IN JERUSALEM.

Head of observer team, former US President Carter, in letter to Sharon: Voting must be allowed as it was in 1996.  Diplomatic source: Israel and US clashing on issue.

2. UPSURGE IN KASSAMS: AERIAL SIEGE ON GAZA STRIP BORDER AND CONTINUATION OF ELIMINATIONS.

Additional steps decided on by Cabinet: Expansion of artillery fire at sources of Kassam fire, which up until now had been carried out at open areas – in order to prevent Palestinians from reaching Kassam launch areas.

3. SELECTION OF LIKUD KNESSET SLATE POSTPONED AGAIN.

Landau makes it clear: No tension between Netanyahu and I.  Uzi Dayan presents his "Tafnit" party: "Sharon – father of corruption."

4. REPORT: EVERY THIRD ISRAELI CHILD – POOR.

5. TEL KATIFA EVACUEES TO MOVE TO TEMPORARY HOUSING SITE AT MOSHAV SHEKEF.

MA’ARIV

1. Sharon to promise to set Israel's permanent borders.

KADIMA'S DIPLOMATIC PLATFORM.

"Two states on basis of demographic reality."  "Israel will keep security areas, settlement blocs and united Jerusalem."

2. "SHARON TO RECEIVE STENT SOON."

Today: PM's medical file to be issued.

YEDIOT AHRONOT

1. Today: Sharon's medical file to be made public today.

GETTING INTO HIS VEINS.

Today: PM's personal doctors to issue his medical data and explain their significance.  Netanyahu and Peretz also agree to make public their medical files – but are waiting for now.

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SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

Yediot Ahronot suggests that, "In his previous election campaigns, Ariel Sharon excelled in putting the public to sleep," and believes that, "The dislike for Ehud Barak (2001) and the feeling of despair and helplessness (2003) worked to his benefit, and Sharon – who succeeded in not being seen as being responsible when he was Prime Minister – ran a campaign on nothing and won big."  In this election campaign, the editors complain that, "A nation that doesn't care is – with unprecedented numbers – willingly putting its fate in the hands of someone who has presented no diplomatic, social or any other kind of vision."

Hatzofeh urges Israelis to pay no heed to opinion polls and calls on the NRP and the National Union to agree on a joint list.

[Ofer Shelah wrote today’s editorial in Yediot Ahronot.]