1. The frustration and the hope: Abu Mazen talks about everything.
THE RAIS'S VERSION.
On Netanyahu: "We haven't received even one sign from him that would attest to progress in the talks." On the negotiations: "We have no objection to the presence of an international force in the Palestinian territories." On the situation in the West Bank: "Your security services admit that the security situation here is excellent." On the PA: "Sometimes I find myself isolated but even so, I carry on with the negotiations."
2. BURST OF ENERGY.
Rod Stewart arrived at the Nokia Arena and even though the sound system crashed (again), he energized thousands in the audience with an elegant and happy performance.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. LIBERMAN: YOU BYPASSED ME.
Foreign Minister reveals that Netanyahu dispatched – behind his back – Minister Ben-Eliezer to reconciliation contacts with the Turks and raged at PM: You have severely damaged trust.
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. LIBERMAN OUTRAGED: CONFIDENCE WITH PM DAMAGED.
Foreign Minister issues sharp statement in wake of Minister Ben-Eliezer's meeting with Turkish FM. PM's Bureau: He was not updated for "technical reasons." Senior ministers: Netanyahu and Barak "settling matters" between them without co-opting us.
HA'ARETZ
1. "WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF QUITTING THE COALITION."
Foreign Minister comments on crisis between him and PM over Ben-Eliezer's meeting with Davutoglu and says: I don't need a work contract with the PM but proper administration is necessary.
2. REPORT: IRAN GAVE SYRIA ADVANCED RADAR.
Wall Street Journal reports that Israeli sources have confirmed transfer of radar, which is likely to hurt Israel's advantage and its ability to attack Iran.
NANA10
1. DENIALS IN LABOR: "BARAK DID NOT LEAK, MAYBE LIBERMAN'S CONFIDANTS DID."
Political establishment firing barbs in Liberman affair. Likud accuses Barak of "trapping Netanyahu." Labor rejects accusation of political stunt. Turkish newspaper reports that despite statement from PM's Bureau, Ben-Eliezer's meeting was determined under pressure from Obama.
2. ASSAD: "ISRAEL IS PROUD OF ITS THREATENING NUCLEAR ARSENAL."
Syrian President criticizes Israel's nuclear ability.
3. IN RESPONSE TO KASSAM: IDF ATTACKS GAZA STRIP TARGETS.
IDF reports that forces returned safely to base.
WALLA!
1. Staying in the Government.
"WE WILL NOT QUIT – DESPITE PM'S CONDUCT."
Unprecedented tension between PM and FM after it became known that Liberman was not updated on reconciliation meeting between Ben-Eliezer and Turkish FM. Netanyahu's Bureau sought to clear the air; Liberman refused for "technical reason," but made it clear: "We will not quit the coalition."
2. CLAIMED IN TURKEY: BEN-ELIEZER'S MEETING – UNDER PRESSURE FROM OBAMA.
Hurriyet reports that secret meeting between Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer and Turkish FM happened because of American pressure on Turkish PM Erdogan.
3. REPORT: IRAN GAVE SYRIA ADVANCED RADAR.
Wall Street Journal: Iran gave Syria sophisticated radar that will restrict IDF's operational strength. System will help Hezbollah in defending itself against the IDF and improve organization's ability to attack.
4. IDF ATTACKS TARGETS IN GAZA FOLLOWING KASSAM FIRE.
Air Force bombed ordnance production site in northern Gaza Strip, smuggling tunnel and additional site in southern Gaza Strip. IDF reports that attack was carried out against background of Kassam fire at southern communities.
[Headlines for Ha'aretz, Nana10 and Walla! are from their websites as of 11:30.]
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SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Yediot Ahronot says that whatever the relationship between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman, "No pretext can justify Netanyahu's incivility towards Liberman in not informing him about [Industry, Trade and Labor] Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer's meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister." The author warns that, "Netanyahu will learn, maybe not immediately, that when you hurt Liberman, he retaliates in force."
Ma'ariv refers to the seven Israeli Arabs who were recently charged with forming an Al-Qaeda cell and – inter alia – murdering taxi driver Yafim Weinstein in November 2009. The author believes that, "When seven Arab youths enter a Nazareth courtroom and spout Bin-Laden, the time has come for the Israeli Arab public to start providing answers." The paper adds that, "A public that demands the establishment of commissions of inquiry into every event in, or operation by, the State of Israel, must also be more critical of its own."
Yisrael Hayom suggests that, "It appears that [US President Barack] Obama has internalized and adopted Abu Mazen's proposal," to be forthcoming on security concerns if Prime Minister Netanyahu accepts the Green Line – with certain minor adjustments and an exchange of territory – as the border between Israel and a Palestinian state. The author cautions that, "If the borders for dividing the Land are agreed upon in advance, what bargaining cards would Israel retain on two other main issues – the Palestinian renunciation of the refugees' 'right of return' and the commitment to view the agreement as an end to the conflict between the two peoples? It would come to the table with empty hands." The paper adds, "And all of this is before dealing with the immediate conflagration, namely the American demand to extend the settlement construction freeze." The author predicts, "A hot diplomatic summer."
The Jerusalem Post criticizes the excessive fees charged by Israeli banks, due mainly to the fact that competition between the banks is negligible. The editor feels that their behavior is of the sort that can only be expected of cartels, and declares: "Free enterprise isn’t synonymous with laissez-faire. If those who wield inordinate clout don’t control themselves, they will find themselves controlled externally. Excessive control may be unhealthy, but so are monopolies. In the end, they sap initiative and obstruct the market’s life-blood."
Haaretz wonders if Israel's Gaza flotilla probe is not simply a waste of time, and declares that "[Head of the independent public commission of inquiry, Retired Supreme Court justice Jacob] Turkel must demand not only investigative powers, but also the power to determine factual findings, draw conclusions and make recommendations about both the conduct of the government and the preparations of the military establishment."
[Shimon Shiffer, Muhammad Wated and Dan Margalit wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronot, Ma'ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]
