June 2, Headlines
Monday
HA’ARETZ
1. ISRAEL: WE WERE SURPRISED BY TRANSFER OF BODY PARTS.
However, according to assessments, it is possible that this was a confidence-building measure by Hezbollah ahead of captives deal that will include return of captive soldiers.
2. OLMERT ANSWERS BARAK: NOBODY WILL DICTATE TIMETABLE TO KADIMA.
3. JOSEPH (TOMMY) LAPID, 1931-2008.
MA’ARIV
1. MOST OF THE CABINET AGAINST CALM AGREEMENT.
Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Vice Premier Ramon, ISA and other senior ministers – all oppose Egyptian proposal for calm with Hamas, without return of Gilad Shalit. Almost the only defender of the idea: DM Barak. Decision: Upon Olmert's return from the US.
2. MOFAZ: OLMERT SUPPORTS ME.
Transport Minister planning for primaries. "Olmert's staff will come over to me," he made clear at elections conference with Likud activists, "We have the greatest chances of winning."
3. TAKING LEAVE OF TOMMY.
Tommy Lapid, 1931-2008.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Security sources: Nasrallah under pressure to close deal.
FATHER'S DOG-TAGS RETURN HOME.
Effort to identify body parts transferred by Hezbollah.
2. TAKING LEAVE OF TOMMY.
Joseph Lapid's friends, led by Olmert, to accompany him today on final journey.
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SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Yediot Ahronot says that yesterday's exchange of Nassim Nasser, a Lebanese spy held in Israel, for body parts of IDF soldiers held by Hezbollah, is to be seen, "ahead of the closing of a deal in which Samir Kuntar will be exchanged for Eldad Regev and Udi Goldwasser," and suggests that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is seeking to bolster his status in the Lebanese political arena by – inter alia – procuring the release of Kuntar, a Druze.
The Jerusalem Post rejoices in the 41st annual anniversary of the unification of Jerusalem, and prays that now that Jerusalem is again in our hands, Israelis will make it a true city of peace.
Haaretz criticizes PM Olmert's visit to the US, and adds that his visit to the AIPAC conference will be an embarrassing spectacle that will last several days and add to Israel's disgrace.
Ma'ariv discounts the Government's claim that Nasser's release was purely a unilateral move, unconnected to any wider context. The editors believe that negotiations on a deal involving Samir Kuntar and other captives held in Israel, and Udi Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, "could go on for months," declarations to the contrary and yesterday's developments notwithstanding.
[Ronen Bergmanand Amir Rapoport wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronotand Ma'ariv, respectively.]
(Courtesy of the GPO)
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