1. SYRIA, IN RESPONSE TO LIBERMAN: ISRAEL'S REMARKS ABOUT PEACE ARE EMPTY VERBIAGE.
In attempt to calm war nerves with Damascus, Netanyahu to declare at this morning's Cabinet meeting: Israel wants peace, not war. Report in Beirut: Hezbollah heightens alert over Israeli attack.
2. Parents' claim: Area was not fenced. IDF: There was proper marking.
TWO CHILDREN INJURED WHEN THEY PLAYED IN SNOWY MINEFIELD ON GOLAN HEIGHTS.
MA’ARIV
1. BLOOD ON THE SNOW.
Yuval family's Shabbat hike on snow-covered Golan Heights ends in nightmare. Daniel, 11, stepped on mine and was severely injured in the legs from a strong explosion. His sister took shrapnel in the face. Witnesses: Signs at site were not clear enough. IDF: "Minefield was properly fenced and marked."
2. HAMAS PRESENTS: THE APOLOGY AND THE RETREAT.
Hamas government denies that it expressed regret over attacks on Israeli citizens during Operation Cast Lead. Full report presented to UN, and which has reached Ma'ariv, proves otherwise.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Parents of children who were injured: There was no fence. IDF: The area was fenced and marked.
MINE SNAFU.
2. CHIEF-OF-STAFF: "I AM ASHAMED OF THE SCHOOL IN WHICH I STUDIED."
Following Herzliya Gymnasium's refusal to allow officers to visit.
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. Family: There was no warning of mines; IDF: There was.
SNOW HIKE DISASTER.
2. POLL AMONG KADIMA MEMBERS: TIE BETWEEN LIVNI AND MOFAZ.
Additional result: Tzachi Hanegbi strengthening.
3. SENATOR LIEBERMAN'S IRANIAN OPTION: SANCTIONS OR ATTACK.
Secy. of State Clinton: Nuclear Iran – direct threat to the US. Russia supports aggressive line; China has reservations.
WALLA!
1. Iran vs. the great powers.
"I HAVE ORDERED AN INCREASE IN URANIUM ENRICHMENT."
Pulling away from nuclear agreement with the West? Iranian President orders scientists to begin enriching uranium at rate of 20%, in order to activate nuclear research reactor in Tehran.
2. NETANYAHU: OPEN TO RESUMPTION OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH SYRIA.
This morning, against background of exchange of aggressive statements between Jerusalem and Damascus, PM transmits calming message at start of Cabinet meeting: "Israel aspires to complete peace agreements with its neighbors."
3. DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER SHAKES HANDS WITH SAUDI PRINCE.
Deputy Foreign Minister creates rapprochement with Saudi Arabia. Deputy Minister thought that Saudi representative did not want to sit with him at international conference panel in Germany but at that stage, prince went up on stage and shook hands with Ayalon.
NANA10
1. PM: HOPES FOR RESUMPTION OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH PALESTINIANS AND CONTACTS WITH SYRIANS.
Netanyahu refers to verbal tension between Jerusalem and Damascus; he says: "Israel aspires towards peace with its neighbors." Minister Landau says that there is no room for weakness in the Middle East: "Whoever acts weak, invites terrorism."
[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 comments about Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman's, remarks from last week, that in a war with Syria, the Assad family would lose power. The author jibes that, "We will beat the Syrians in a big way, and so what? Exactly as Defense Minister Ehud Barak said last week: We will return to discuss the Golan Heights, exactly as we did with the Sinai, which we returned down to the last grain of sand."
Ma'ariv remarks about Israel's reactions to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's remark last week in which he compared the situation in Gaza to the Holocaust: "The country dropped its mouth in amazement: Isn't that the same guy who two days before said that Goldstone is trying to incriminate the State of Israel? What's going on here?" The author professes, "When Israel glorifies in diplomatic tomfoolery alongside a leader who chases smiles, women, money and power, it is no wonder that he compares Gaza deaths to Holocaust casualties."
Yisrael Hayom observes that, "Three serious research institutes from Harvard University, Tel Aviv University and the Brookings Institute have all concluded lately that, in simulated war games, a policy of sanctions will not succeed. Israel will remain alone in the struggle against the Iranian threat."
The Jerusalem Post notes that "There’s an undeniable element of self-flagellation in the Israeli psyche," but finds that this is unfounded, at least with regard to organ transplants, as newly released statistics for 2009 rank Israel in the very forefront of the most progressive of scientifically advanced and forward-thinking western states. The editor compares Israel to our more numerous and far wealthier neighbors in this region, and concludes: "Our core values, openmindedness and embrace of innovative ideas are our strengths. The change of thinking on organ transplants is a case in point."
Haaretz comments that both Prime Minister Netanyahu and Secretary of State Clinton have stated that talks with the Palestinians will resume shortly, and states that Netanyahu's grace period is nearing an end. The editor adds: "Instead of senselessly courting the right, he should take a courageous stand and state clearly to his political partners that a withdrawal from the territories and the evacuation of the settlements are what is needed."
[Eitan Haber, Muhammad Vated and Eldad Pardo wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronot, Ma'ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]
