1. SAUDI ARABIA AND US PRESSING ASSAD TO RENOUNCE SOVEREIGNTY OVER SHABA FARMS.
Two requested that Syria re-demarcate its border with Lebanon in order to try and advance Israeli withdrawal from Shaba Farms and disarming of Hezbollah. In framework of thaw in relations, Assad commended Obama on US Independence Day and invited him to visit Damascus.
2. OBAMA TO MOROCCAN KING: END ISOLATION OF ISRAEL.
3. BEREAVED PARENTS THREATENING TO BOYCOTT MEMORIAL FOR SECOND LEBANON WAR.
This in protest over decision by PM, President and Chief-of-Staff not to attend official memorial ceremony.
MA’ARIV
1. Battle over "Gilad Shalit Law."
DENYING VISITS TO HAMAS PRISONERS: MOST MINISTERS IN FAVOR.
Law to prevent Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails from receiving visitors as long as Gilad Shalit is similarly denied, due to be discussed today by Ministerial Committee on Legislation. From Ma'ariv check last night, it arises that 11 out of 19 ministers will vote in favor.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. THE MK, THE SENIOR BASKETBALL STARS AND THE SHARES WORTH MILLIONS.
2. FROM ASHKELON TO GENEVA.
Dr. Mirela Sidrar to testify before UN committee investigating Operation Cast Lead: "Thus a GRAD fell on us."
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. Sunday Times: Mossad Director met with senior Saudi officials.
"SAUDI ARABIA TO ALLOW ISRAELI JETS TO ATTACK IRAN."
London newspaper quotes Meir Dagan, who promised PM that Saudis would close their eyes to Air Force jets using their airspace to attack Iranian nuclear sites.
2. BARAK: NETANYAHU EN ROUTE TO SIGNIFICANT MOVES.
Told his confidants: "We back each other." "Relations between us are among the best between any PM and DM." Leaving to meet with Mitchell.
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SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Yediot Ahronot suggests that Bank of Israel Governor Prof. Stanley Fisher can be satisfied with most clauses in the new draft Bank of Israel Law. The author avers that, "One may say that the law depends – to a great deal – on the wisdom and cunning of the Governor," and adds that, "Luckily for Fisher, he has more than a little of both."
Ma'ariv strongly endorses the so-called, "Gilad Shalit Law," which is due to be discussed today by the Ministerial Committee on Legislation but says that it is insufficient: "It is not enough to deny Hamas prisoners visits (except for attorneys and a Red Cross representative once every three months)." The author assert that, "They must be denied all of the exaggerated and insane benefits that the State of Israel – in its stupidity – grants to them," and refers to – inter alia – cable television, unlimited canteens, newspapers and magazines, and university studies. The paper declares that, "Hamas prisoners must go back to being prisoners," and calls on the Government to make it clear that the benefits, "will be restored 30 seconds after Gilad Shalit receives [them]."
Yisrael Hayom believes that Defense Minister Ehud Barak's upcoming London meeting with George Mitchell, "is to prepare for Mitchell's meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, which is due to reach agreement on considerably limiting construction in the settlements," and adds that this would be, "in the context of coordination with Israel ahead of negotiations on Obama's regional peace plan."
The Jerusalem Post discusses the economic situation, and calls the newly imposed VAT rise a "rotten idea." The editor believes that raising VAT makes no economic sense, and can only add to increased inflationary pressures. He concludes by stating that "The repercussions are bad not only for worried individuals but also for our entire economic outlook."
Haaretz feels that PM Netanyahu, who was elected on an economic reform platform based on tax cuts intended to free funds to increase consumption, states that "The prime minister certainly understands that the public will have to pay more for goods and basic services, and the poor will especially feel the crunch. Such denial of his basic positions and election promises - only to survive in power - defrauds the public."
[Amnon Atad, Ben Caspit and Dan Margalit wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronot, Ma'ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]
(Courtesy of Israel GPO)
