1. SECURITY ESTABLISHMENT ASSESSMENTS: HEZBOLLAH WILL SOON TRY TO ATTACK ISRAELIS IN EUROPE
Organization's plan is reason behind heightened tensions on northern border in recent weeks. Deputy Foreign Minister: "If one hair on the head of an Israeli representative or tourist is harmed, Hezbollah pay the consequences." Senior Hezbollah source: We are preparing for any confrontation.
2. Before fourth birthday in captivity
PALESTINIAN REPORT: PROGRESS IN NEGOTIATIONS FOR SHALIT DEAL
3. REPORT: ISRAELI TEXTILE FACTORY IN JORDAN EMPLOYING WORKERS IN SLAVE CONDITIONS.
In "Musa Wear" factory, which produces clothing for four Israeli fashion companies, Asian employees work 13 hours a day, seven days a week.
MA’ARIV
1. Shas requests from Peres: Pardon for Benizri
ETHNIC DEMON RETURNS
2. PALESTINIAN REPORT: SHALIT DEAL – BY END OF SEPTEMBER.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Palestinian report: Israel has become more flexible.
"SHALIT DEAL NEARING END
Islamic Jihad news site: "In discussion convened by Netanyahu, it was agreed to release almost all of the prisoners. Israeli goal: Release Shalit by end of September and clear the way for dealing with Hezbollah."
2. ULTRA-ORTHODOX ATTACK JERUSALEM MAYOR IN HIS CAR
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. "PROGRESS IN NEGOTIATIONS ON SHALIT RELEASE"
Reported on Gaza-based Palestinian site. "Netanyahu has made strategic decision to end the affair." "Hamas delegation in Cairo to discuss the matter." PM's Bureau refuses to comment.
2. "AS AN A JEW OF EASTERN DECENT, I REQUEST PARDON FOR BENIZRI"
In exceptional move, Minister Eli Yishai appeals in letter to President Peres.
______________________________
SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Yediot Ahronot notes that the number of Palestinians working legally in Israel has jumped 100% in the past years. While the editors claim that the economic benefits for the Palestinian economy are clear, they also believe that the benefits for Israel are similarly clear. The author reminds his readers that unlike European, African or Asian workers, "The Palestinian worker goes home at the end of the working day and he has no concomitant social problems. He and his family do not constitute a burden on Israel's education, housing and healthcare systems." The paper cites a private study and ISA data which shows that – personal and criminal disputes aside – since the start of the second intifada, no legal Palestinian worker has perpetrated a terrorist attack. Thus the author concludes: "We can and must make crossing procedures and obtaining permits more efficient, improve security coordination and prevent phenomena of expensive middlemen and blackmail. The Israeli approach must be that Palestinians working in Israel is worthwhile for both sides."
Ma'ariv discusses the controversy over Israel Consul-General in Boston Nadav Tamir's leaked internal letter in which he blames the current Government for the state of relations with the US. The author asserts: "The basic flaw in the claims of Boston Consul Nadav Tamir, the diplomat who was summoned for "clarifications" are to be seen in the opening of the analytical document that he dispatched. 'In the past 16 years,' he writes, 'the Israeli approach has been correctly characterized by emphasizing the common values and interests between the two countries.' The claim is correct and contains the explanation for the change – the last 16 years were those of the Bush and Clinton administrations. Now there is a different president in Washington, Barack Obama, whose approach is different." However, the paper says that Tamir's remarks, "are reasoned and worthy of discussion, not an administrative clarification, if one takes into account that these are his views and that there are also other views." The author declares that, "Nadav Tamir should not be reprimanded for sending on an accurate report. This is what a diplomat is supposed to do. His superiors can accept his recommendations or not."
Yisrael Hayom says that, "True, life in the Arab cities and villages in Judea and Samaria is better, more pleasant and safer than it has been in a long time," but claims that, "this achievement belongs mainly to the IDF." The author avers that, "Without the IDF, Abu Mazen's regime would last between three months and a year," Fatah's efforts to learn from what happened in Gaza notwithstanding. The paper believes that, "Cooperation," between the IDF and the Palestinian Authority forces, "is effective as long as the IDF is free to act, according to its own decisions." The author cautions that, "Without the IDF, Hamas would do close to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv what it has done – and is doing – in Gaza."
The Jerusalem Post discusses the Fatah General Assembly, which began on August 4 in Bethlehem, and declares that " the assembly generated enough prevarication and dissimulation to perpetuate the pose that Fatah is a genuinely 'moderate' alternative to Hamas." The editor adds that "At times like this, it seems 'helping Abu Mazen' has become an end in itself."
Haaretz assesses the current shortage of doctors in Israel in light of the Ministry of Health's intention of bringing doctors from Georgia to ease the situation, and states that "The solutions are apparent, and essential, despite the cost: expanding and reorganizing the existing medical schools, easing admissions criteria, encouraging young doctors to enter the less popular medical fields, subsidizing doctors in outlying areas, and ending the unfairness toward immigrant doctors and Arab medical students."
[Danny Rubinstein, Shmuel Rosner and Yaakov Amidror wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronot, Ma'ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]
(Courtesy of Israel GPO)
