1. PROGRESS IN RESOLVING SETTLEMENT CONTROVERSY BETWEEN ISRAEL AND US.
In joint statement released after meeting between Mitchell and Barak in New York, it was said that, Arab states must "take steps towards normalization with Israel." Netanyahu and Mitchell to meet in approximately two weeks in order to achieve final compromise agreement.
2. UN MIDDLE EAST ENVOY: SETTLEMENT FREEZE WILL LEAD TO NORMALIZATION
3. After months of waiting
BARAK AND ASHKENAZI EXPECTED TO DECIDE THIS WEEK ON NEXT ROUND OF IDF APPOINTMENTS
MA’ARIV
1. From today: Fine on water waste. From today: VAT rises by 1%.
BLOW TO THE POCKET
2. BARAK TO MITCHELL: DURING MY TERM WE WENT THE FARTHEST TOWARD PEACE WITHOUT HALTING CONSTRUCTION IN THE TERRITORIES
Israel and US nearing compromise. Barak did not propose temporary freeze. Mitchell and Netanyahu to meet in approximately two weeks.
3. NOAM SHALIT TO TESTIFY IN HAGUE COURT.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. As of today: Drought tax. VAT rises to 16.5%.
IT COSTS US MORE
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. BARAK IN EFFORT TO "LOWER THE FLAME" WITH THE AMERICANS
In joint statement, released after meeting with envoy Mitchell, US did not repeat its demand for freeze on construction in settlements. Comprehensive peace process discussed. Netanyahu in wake of Sarkozy statements: Totally supports Liberman.
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SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Yediot Ahronot speculates that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu realizes that he must tack to the center regarding the peace process, much like his predecessors, from Begin to Rabin. The author adds that to do so effectively, the Prime Minister also knows that he will have to remake his coalition.
Ma'ariv defends the opening of Jerusalem's Carta Parking Lot on the Sabbath as, "an inseparable part of the capital's fabric of life," and believes that, "For those who do not wish to see Jerusalem become a branch of Bnei Brak, it is very important."
Yisrael Hayom suggests that, "The almost compulsive preoccupation with the issue of the communities beyond the Green Line," has not borne fruit for the Obama administration and believes that, "The denial of the understandings that were achieved between the Bush and Sharon administrations has hurt the current administration's credibility." The author asserts that, "In the [Obama] administration as well, they are looking for a way to climb down from the high tree vis-ŕ-vis construction in the settlements and on the 'natural growth' issue, because – inter alia – they have understood that the moderate Arabs are more concerned about Iran than Israel."
The Jerusalem Post supports the heavy sentence handed down to Bernard Madoff, despite his attorney's plea for leniency based on the argument that "Vengeance is not the goal of punishment." The editor, citing several biblical sources, tells the attorney that "Vengeance is indeed an acceptable goal of punishment, certainly in such a case. You might more credibly have appealed for mercy . . . But even mercy has its limits."
Haaretz feels that French President Nicolas Sarkozy's request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he replace Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman exposes a sad truth: At present Israel does not have a functioning foreign minister. Remarking on the fact that he seems unpopular in many countries around the world because of his anti-Arab remarks and agenda, the editor states that "In light of Israel's complex international situation on the eve of the renewal of negotiations with the Palestinians and perhaps with Syria too, it needs all the support it can enlist from the international community. It is imperative to replace Lieberman with another foreign minister, who will benefit from an open door in the world's capitals."
[Eitan Haber, Nadav Haetzni and Zalman Shoval wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronot, Ma'ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]
(Courtesy of Israel GPO)
