1. ASSAD: "ISRAEL PUSHING TOWARDS WAR"; NETANYAHU: "I SIMPLY DON'T UNDERSTAND HIM, I DON'T KNOW WHAT ASSAD WANTS"
In meeting with the Spanish Foreign Minister, Prime Minister remarked: "I understood Assad senior well. To my chagrin, I simply cannot understand hi son." DM and IDF leadership united in opinion that peace agreement with Syria, even at the price of returning the Golan Heights, is positive and is likely to weaken Iran's strength in the area.
2. UNDER PRESSURE FROM SETTLERS: IDF RE-ESTABLISHING POSITION.
In April 2006, IDF evacuated "Shedma" camp. This week, after obdurate campaign by "Committee for a Jewish Shedma", work has begun on guard tower.
MA’ARIV
1. ASSAD: ISRAEL PUSHING REGION TOWARDS WAR
Barak's warning of all-out war if no accord is reached is interpreted by Damascus as a threat. Syrian Foreign Minister: "Best not to test out fortitude; war would also reach your cities."
2. THUS LAWYER SMUGGLED CELL PHONE TO HAMAS
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Syria escalating tension.
ASSAD: ISRAEL LEADING TOWARDS WAR
Yesterday: Syrian President hinted that his remarks are based on facts. Last night: Israel sent Syria a reassuring message. Netanyahu and Barak: We want peace.
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. CONCERN OVER BARREL BOMBS ALONG COUNTRY'S BEACHES
After the barrels in the south – another barrel discovered at Palmahim. Barrel floatation belt found in Netanya. IDF assesses: There are more. Police to public: Don't go to beaches.
2. ASSAD: ISRAEL PUSHING TOWARDS WAR
Syria intensifies threats. "If Israel attacks, we will destroy its cities." Israel: Syria raising difficulties.
3. NETANYAHU: "HERITAGE SPEECH"
Prime Minister addresses Herzliya Conference on resumption of negotiations – but centered on new initiative: National heritage education.
WALLA!
1. PRIME MINISTER'S BUREAU: "SYRIA IS THE ONE DELAYING PEACE"
Netanyahu's Bureau dismisses Assad's remarks, according to which Israel is pushing the Middle East towards war. "Reality is totally opposite. The PM is willing to go anywhere in the world in order in open peace talks."
2. BARKAT CAPITULATES: JERUSALEM MUNICIPALITY TO SEAL BEIT YEHONATAN
Jerusalem Mayor informed State Prosecutor that he will carry out order to seal house in city's Silwan neighborhood. Last week Lador had reprimanded Barkat for his refusal to enforce court order.
NANA10
1. NETANYAHU'S BUREAU: SYRIA RAISING DIFFICULTIES AND PREVENTING NEGOTIATIONS
Today: Prime Minister's confidants deny Syrian assertions, according to which Israel is dragging the Middle East towards war and is uninterested in peace. "Netanyahu often proclaims that he is ready at anytime to open peace talks with Syria."
[Headlines for Walla! and Nana10 are from their websites as of 09:35.]
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SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Yediot Ahronot avers that, "The reassuring messages that Israel has sent repeatedly to Syria are falling on deaf ears," and suggests that the reason why may be seen in US National Security Adviser James Jones recent statement that, "In response to sanctions, it is possible that Iran might encourage its regional minions – Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas – to attack Israel and set the entire region ablaze." The author believes that the northern border could heat up as a possible decision on new sanctions against Tehran approaches and notes that the US has recently deployed anti-missile batteries in the Persian Gulf area. The paper reminds its readers that GOC Northern Command Maj.-Gen. Gadi Eizenkot recently described the tension in the north as, "virtual tension," but warns that, "In our region, virtual tension – unless it is properly dealt with – is liable to become reality in an instant."
Ma'ariv says that, "Our politicians gave Berlusconi imperial honors and did everything for him but throw rose petals at his feet, but what a disappointment: As soon as the Italian Prime Minister crossed the Green Line yesterday, he lined up alongside the Palestinians and then some, with his comparison between Gaza and the Holocaust." The author asserts that, "In recent years, Berlusconi has won few accolades around the world," and suggests that most other western European leaders distrust him as, "A billionaire who controls much of the Italian electronic media, a politician suspected of serious offenses and a populist during whose tenure legitimacy has been given to the rise of right-wing forces that draw their worldview from the Fascist period." The paper ventures that, "Perhaps our politicians love him for one simple reason – they want to imitate him… The world really cannot stand him and the results of his economic policies are mediocre at best, but the people love him. Our politicians see Berlusconi and are envious; Silvio is their example."
Yisrael Hayom suggests that, "More than a few Israelis rejoiced over the election of a Republican Senator in the US even though we all find it difficult to properly pronounce the name of the state in which he was elected," and ventures that this partly because they believe that, "A weakened President is better for Israel." However, the author questions the latter point given the need for strong US leadership against Iran and in the global war against terrorism. The paper speculates that, "Even President Obama has understood the danger of his image as weak; both the deployment of missiles to the Persian Gulf and the decision to approve the sale of weapons to Taiwan, should be seen in this light."
The Jerusalem Post discusses the issue of imposed gender-segregation on certain public transportation lines, and notes that "A free society cannot countenance what amounts to a potential injustice to women. The rights of those who are liable to be wronged must override the rights of others to cause that wrong." The editor ventures that "Our society’s pluralism doesn’t mean a license for some to humiliate women (not necessarily of their own communities). The live-and-let-live forbearance, which haredim demand, must work both ways."
Haaretz warns that "Shalit negotiations stalled because both sides entrenched themselves in hard-line positions over a very small number of specific Palestinian prisoners." The editor claims that the entrenchment is motivated by a sense of honor, and declares that "Shalit must not be allowed to disappear into a mist of empty verbiage. This soldier, who has already been in captivity for three and a half years, cannot serve as a living monument to Israel's national pride."
[Alex Fishman, Nadav Eyal and Yaakov Amidror wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronot, Ma'ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]
