1. JERUSALEM MUNICIPALITY HAS PLANS TO BUILD AN ADDITIONAL 50,000 RESIDENTIAL UNITS IN EASTERN PART OF THE CITY.
All plans in city's massive construction plan are over the green Line. US Vice President Biden: "Construction undermines peace efforts." Netanyahu: "Severe fault in timing but construction will continue." Arab League calls against resumption of Israel-Palestinian negotiations.
2. POLL: OVER 50% OF YOUNG PEOPLE SUPPORT RESTRICTIONS ON RIGHTS OF ARAB CITIZENS.
Approximately 50% of Jews believe that Israeli Arabs do not need to receive equal rights with Jews and 56% believe that they should not be allowed to be elected to Knesset. 48% would refuse order to evacuate settlements.
MA’ARIV
1. ISRAEL TO US: NAVAL BLOCKADE OF IRAN.
In shadow of construction crisis: Jerusalem not satisfied with sanctions and is trying to convince Washington to increase pressure.
2.FACEBOOK PAGE FOR EVERY MK.
Soon you will be able to "propose friendship" with your favorite legislator.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. US Vice President boils over at Israel:
"YOU ARE ENDANGERING AMERICAN SOLDIERS' LIVES."
Joe Biden: Continued construction over the Green Line liable to ignite the region and hurt security of US forces in Iraq.
2. Exclusive.
UNDER IRAN'S NOSE.
In secret operation conducted in past two years, dozens of ex-ISA agents and elite reconnaissance unit veterans have taught Gulf emirates' forces how to defend their oil installations.
3. 43% OF YOUTH IN ISRAEL: WE WOULD REFUSE ORDERS.
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. US: We believe that Netanyahu didn't know but he is the Prime Minister.
NETANYAHU TO MINISTERS: I WANT NO MORE SURPRISES.
In wake of Biden affair and "bad timing": Cabinet Secretary to formulate procedure on "decisions with diplomatic consequences." Arab League: Consider cancelling proximity talks.
WALLA!
1. Abu Mazen to Biden:
"I AM STUCK IN CRISIS BECAUSE OF ISRAEL."
According to Saeb Erekat, PA Chairman told US VP that, "In choice between peace and settlements, Israel has chosen settlements." Arab League: Indirect talks will not begin with Netanyahu.
2. INSPECTORS DEMOLISH ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN ETZION BLOC.
Several months ago, foundation was poured for synagogue in Efrat, in Etzion Bloc, in protest against construction freeze orders. Last night, Civil Administration inspectors demolished foundations and five additional structures in the area.
3. BARAKEH IN SAKHNIN: WE WILL CONTINUE STRUGGLING AGAINST THE OCCUPATION.
Against background of opening of MK Mohammad Barakeh's trial, hundreds attended gathering in support of Hadash Party Chairman. "My friends are vanguard in just struggle in Sheikh Jarrah and against settler gangs."
4. "PA WILL NOT HOLD NEGOTIATIONS WITH ISRAEL."
Israeli decision to approve 1,600 apartments in eastern Jerusalem continues to draw sharp reactions. Arab League Secy.-Gen. announced that, "Abu Mazen told me that he does not intend to conduct negotiations with Israel, either directly or indirectly."
NANA10
1. ARAB LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVES: HALT TALKS WITH ISRAEL DUE TO CONSTRUCTION.
"PA Chairman has decided that he is uninterested in negotiations with Israel under present circumstances," said Arab League Secy.-Gen. Amr Moussa. At Cairo conference, it was decided that if efforts to thwart construction fail, talks will be irrelevant.
2. PALESTINIANS: WE WILL NOT NAME SQUARE AFTER WOMAN TERRORIST.
PA gives up on intention to name Ramallah square after woman terrorist who participated in bloody 1978 attack on coastal highway bus.
[Headlines for Walla! and Nana10 are from their websites as of 10:20]
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SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Yediot Ahronot says regarding the thousands of housing units being planned for eastern Jerusalem and towards Maale Adumim: "It is not a housing solution; this is a political-diplomatic statement with only one meaning; it is an unmistakable declaration of intentions." The author quotes National Union MK Yaakov Katz, shortly after Prime Minister Ariel Sharon carried out the disengagement, "'In Judea and Samaria, what Arik built, not even Sharon can move.'" The Americans understand this, and so do Netanyahu and Eli Yishai. And there isn't anything here about bad manners. This is a clear statement that Netanyahu cannot disregard and claim 'I did not know'. This statement…is a picture to the entire world, which is liable to explode in our faces."
Ma'ariv argues that, "In Israel, many view a boycott as a demonic threat, but in reality it preaches non-violent opposition and was created as an alternative to years of terror."
Yisrael Hayom purports that a Palestinian might say: "And here is our new square. We named it after the most praised hero in the history of our people, the legendary freedom fighter who opposed the occupation and was killed while carrying out her duty, the holy martyr Dalal Mughrabi, may God have mercy. What did she do? Oh, she kidnapped a bus together with her comrades and murdered 37 Israelis, and 70 more were wounded. Children? Women? Of course. They are all soldiers in the army of occupation; they were all children of death. They were always like that. And what about the peace talks? Don't worry, the Jews are dying to speak with us, it doesn't matter what we do. What do they do there? Speak. We complain about the Israelis, request more easing of restrictions and more funds, and then we issue a statement to the press that the Israelis are obdurate and not willing to compromise. A lot of those in the media think that. Those Jews, they have an ancient custom: To blame themselves no matter what.'" The author then quotes a Palestinian director who once produced a play in which Dalal Mughrabi was the central figure, "'Dalal is a symbol of Palestine. We see Dalal as belonging to the Palestinian conscience.' Penetrating words. That is the Palestinian conscience, and any nonsense on peace talks and agreements and cooperation and the rest of the political spittle are just foam on the surface of our bloody history."
The Jerusalem Post argues that the current government is dysfunctional, and notes that while "Israel could not have asked for a more positive beginning to US Vice President Joe Biden’s visit this week," Netanyahu's statement that he had not been aware that the announcement to build 16,000 housing units in east Jerusalem was going to be made makes the government look completely incompetent. The editor adds that "It seems fair to assume that, in the long run, the truly deep and significant bonds between our two countries will endure. The shared values and interests, many of them encapsulated in the commitment to freedom and democracy, plainly outweigh even significant missteps like this one," but nevertheless feels that "Now Israel must set about rebuilding that trust."
Haaretz declares that "The government once again made a foolhardy, unnecessary and damaging mistake, with the announcement that the Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee has given the go-ahead to build 1,600 new housing units in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood, which sits beyond the Green Line, on the same day that U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrived in the capital for a visit," and states: "Rather than making conciliatory gestures toward the Palestinians and promoting an end to the conflict, the prime minister is sabotaging any chance of an agreement on the issue of Jerusalem."
[Ariela Ringle Hoffman, Einat Weizman and Dror Eidar wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronot, Ma'ariv, and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]
