HA’ARETZ
1. ISA DIRECTOR: ROCKETS CAN REACH ASHDOD.
Diskin estimates that Hamas has acquired long-range rockets; no progress in contacts for calm in south.
2. DESPITE CONCERNS: ECONOMY CONTINUES TO GROW.
First quarter growth statistics beat forecasts – despite weak Dollar, exports and standard-of-living improved.
MA’ARIV
1. MOST KADIMA MINISTERS AGAINST GOLAN WITHDRAWAL.
Problems at home: At least six ministers from Olmert's party will vote against returning Golan Heights.
2. TIGHTENING SECURITY AROUND DIVISION COMMANDERS.
Not only generals: Circle of threatened officers widens. In wake of Mughniyeh elimination and concern for Hezbollah revenge, IDF decides to guard officers from rank of brigadier general.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Despite all gloomy forecasts: Economy galloping.
RECESSION? NOT IN ISRAEL.
Israeli economy bloomed in first quarter. Growth rate highest in West: Producing more, exporting more and consuming more.
2. TALANSKY: OLMERT NOT ALONE.
During questioning Olmert affair key witness said that, "All the politicians received money, Rabin also received from me". Dalia Rabin's bureau: Story fabricated and unfounded.
[MAKOR RISHON-HATZOFEHwas unavailable today.]
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SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Ma'ariv declares that, "One need not accept the nonsense that they are trying to feed us in order to know what Damascus's intentions are," and adds that, "It is enough to listen to Bashar Assad himself when he says – no normalization, no disengaging from [Syria's] allies." The editors remind their readers that, "Just one week ago, Assad said that 'We will not agree to include in any agreement the baseless demand to sever ties with Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah."
Yediot Ahronot discusses former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's policy vis-ŕ-vis Syria and claims that the Sharon government "spared no diplomatic effort to encourage Syria's isolation." The editors assert that, "Sharon interpreted Assad's 'intentions for peace' as a transparent attempt to escape the jaws of the US, given that Syria's guiding assumption – and there is logic to it – was that America would find it difficult to fight against an Arab leader who talks peace with Israel," and add that, "Sharon did not trust Assad, did not believe Assad and doubted the sincerity of his intentions." The paper believes that any Syrian-Israeli peace will necessarily be based on a withdrawal from the Golan Heights but argues that this must be given, "serious consideration only if it results in Syria severing its links with Iran and distancing itself from waging local and regional terrorism," and adds that, "Syria will do so only if Iran's 'patronage' is replaced by American-European recognition, support and sponsorship." However, the editors state that given US animosity towards Syria due to the latter's, "murderous involvement," in Iraq, the Sharon government saw this as highly unlikely. The paper avers that the Sharon government thus concluded that talking with Damascus would merely give Assad a veneer of respectability, especially in Europe, and make things difficult for the Americans, "without whom there will be no settlement."
[Amos Gilboa and Dov Weisglass wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronotand Ma'ariv, respectively. Makor Rishon-Hatzofehwas unavailable today.]
