HA’ARETZ
1. PM TO AMERICANS: IMPOSE NAVAL BLOCKADE ON IRAN.
White House denies reports that Bush will attack Iran before the end of his term. Israel impressed that military option "is on the table."
2. OLMERT'S ATTORNEYS RECEIVE INVESTIGATION MATERIAL.
MA’ARIV
1. Exclusive: Testimony that contradicts PM's version.
TALANSKY TESTIFIES: "I GAVE MONEY THAT WASN'T USED FOR ELECTIONS."
New revelations in Olmert affair: Despite PM's emphatic statement that he received money from Talansky only for elections, main testimony in hands of State Prosecutor's Office presents opposite picture. Supreme Court allows deposition. Olmert to be investigated again on Friday.
2. SYRIAN CHANNEL: PM'S ADVISER IN SECRET ANKARA MEETING.
Exchange of messages with Damascus: Shalom Turgeman received updated report from the Turks.
3. MOFAZ: "WHAT HAS LIVNI DONE? SPOKEN WITH A FEW FOREIGN MINISTERS?"
Kadima succession battle underway – and Transportation Minister opens his mouth.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Syria preventing international inspection at two suspect sites.
WHAT IS ASSAD HIDING FROM THE NUCLEAR INSPECTORS?
After extensive camouflaging, Syria allowed inspectors to visit bombed nuclear site. But when they sought to check other sites that are apparently related to the nuclear project, Assad announced: The visit is over.
2. "CONSIDERING POSTPONING TALANSKY'S DEPOSITION."
Source in State Prosecutor's Office: A few days.
[MAKOR RISHON-HATZOFEHwas unavailable today.]
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SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Ma'ariv sharply condemns an incident in Or Yehuda yesterday in which Shas activists burned copies of the New Testament, which they allege had been distributed by Christian missionaries. The editors declare that, "The burning of copies of the New Testament by a Shas member raises memories of the burning of books during the Inquisition and the Third Reich," and are disturbed that leading rabbis have not condemned the incident.
The Jerusalem Post reports on what it terms "Fisher's Dilemma", and states that maintaining the delicate economic equilibrium isn't merely like walking a tightrope, it's like walking an invisible one. The editor calls on the public to assist Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer in reducing inflationary pressures by simply not purchasing over-priced products.
Haaretz reflects on the role of the state comptroller in Israeli politics, and suggests that while he submits too many reports a year, it is hard to claim that he is ineffective. "All indications are that the comptroller's report has become a lever for change, and those being audited are more afraid of it now than in the past".
Yediot Ahronot suggests that Egypt and Israel both fear a strengthened Hamas and have common interests in reaching some sort of calm in the Gaza Strip, and avers that Egypt is also concerned that a major IDF operation in Gaza could cause an influx of refugees into Sinai. The editors believe that, "If the deal to release Gilad Shalit finally takes off, Prime Minister Olmert will reap the fruit. Mubarak will wait for Olmert in Egypt to sign the deal, Olmert will achieve a time-out, [and] Mubarak will win points in the White House.
[Smadar Peri and Chaim Be'er wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronotand Ma'ariv, respectively. Makor Rishon-Hatzofehwas unavailable today.]
