1. STATE COMPTROLLER TO PROBE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES' FUNDS TO HOSPITALS.

 

2. SUPREME COURT DOUBLES TO 30 MONTHS SENTENCE OF POLICEMAN WHO KILLED CAR THIEF.

 

1. WE ABANDONED HIM.

Yesterday, three Supreme Court judges, led by President Dorit Beinish, set a new list of priorities: First of all, the right of a thief to flee the scene of the crime in peace and afterwards the right of citizens and police to defend themselves.  Deterioration in condition of policeman who was stabbed by a car thief.

 

1. No alcohol [sales] from 23:00-06:00.

DRY LAW.

 

2. "HOW WILL WE DEFEND CITIZENS NOW?"

Outrage in the police over stiffening of Det. Shahar Mizrahi's sentence for killing a thief.

 

1. POLICE DILEMMA.

Police in distress after Supreme Court's decision to double the sentence of Det. Shahar Mizrahi, who was convicted of killing a car thief.   Police Inspector-General: We respect the decision and defend the detective.  Deterioration in condition of officer Shlomi Asoulin, who did not shoot – and was stabbed.

 

2. "ISRAEL HAS 254 ATOMIC BOMBS."

MK Ahmed Tibi interviewed in Al Hura.  Explains: It was a joke, they did not understand my sense of humor.  MK Akounis: He is harming security; I will appeal to the Attorney General.

 

1. IDF FORCE KILLS PALESTINIAN WHO INFILTRATED BARKAN.

From ambush carried out by force near fence following previous attempts to infiltrate the Samarian community, several Palestinians were identified attempting to infiltrate.  One who was identified as being armed opened fire, the second fled.  Preliminary investigation shows that background of incident was criminal.

 

2. EGYPTIAN NEWSPAPER ACCUSES: ISRAEL DISSEMINATING RUMORS ABOUT MUBARAK.

Al-Jumhuriyah: Not logical for us to listen to reports originating in Israel.

 

3. "SUBMIT CONVERSION LAW TO THE KNESSET AT ANY PRICE."

Minister Yishai: There are people trying to frighten Netanyahu.

 

4. "ISRAEL IS TALKING PEACE BUT TRYING TO ENFORCE A SETTLEMENT."

Palestinian UN representative attacked Israel in Security Council discussion and claimed that it was carrying out an "illegal plan" in attempt to enforce settlement before start of negotiations.

 

1. Infiltration on criminal background.

IDF KILLS PALESTINIAN WHO INFILTRATED BARKAN.

IDF force in ambush killed Palestinian as he attempted to infiltrate Barkan settlement, near Kalkilya; his cohort fled.  Soldiers reported that he was armed but no weapon found at the scene.  IDF opens investigation.  Many break-ins have occurred in area recently and event was likely criminal, not security-related.  Yesterday: Two Palestinians killed and five wounded by IDF fire in Gaza.

 

2. "VOTE ON CONVERSION LAW WITH OR WITHOUT AGREEMENT."

Against background of PM's opposition to conversion law, Shas Chairman Eli Yishai calls for Knesset vote on law immediately upon opening of winter session in three months.  "Shas will not compromise on conversion law."

 

3. AHARONOVITCH SUPPORTS PARDON FOR POLICEMAN WHO SHOT THIEF.

Public Security Minister criticizes Supreme Court decision to double sentence of Det. Shahar Mizrahi, who shot and killed car thief.

 

4. RECOMMENDATION: DON'T EXPEL FOREIGNERS' CHILDREN AFTER FIVE YEARS IN ISRAEL.

Special committee that considered issue of children of foreign workers in Israel recommends not expelling children who have been in Israel at least five years, speak Hebrew and study in state schools.  Government to discuss recommendations on Sunday.

 

5. LABOR PARTY ACTIVISTS: ISRAEL IS CRUMBLING, LEAVE THE GOVERNMENT.

Today: Labor party activists to begin campaign to persuade ministers and MKs to quit the coalition.   They are distributing tape on which PM is heard promising Yesha Council that construction in settlements will resume upon expiry of freeze.

 

6. LEBANON COMPLAINS TO UN: ISRAEL SPYING ON OUR TERRITORY.

Lebanese Cabinet to complain to UN Security Council regarding "Israel's espionage activities" in the Land of the Cedars.  Lebanon claims dozens of spies operated on its territory; three sentenced to death.

 

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Yediot Ahronot discusses the decision by "the Jerusalem District Court to convict of rape Sabar Kashur who, according to the prosecution, posed as an unmarried Jew, when in reality he is a married Arab – and while under this facade had sexual relations with a Jewish woman."  The author believes that, "Not every deception in relations between her and him, wicked, despicable and ugly as it may be, is reason for a serious accusation such as rape, and not every imbroglio is fit to come before the courts."  The author opines that, ”This affair...is a rape of the word rape.  It smacks of racism."

 

Ma'ariv contends that the newly proposed "dry law", which bans the sale of alcohol at kiosks, supermarkets and gasoline station convenient stores between 23:00-06:00, is just another law, "which will not be implemented."  The author suggests that MKs should, "accompany police undercover units which deal with youth and patrol entertainment venues, and then perhaps they will understand that they have no idea what goes on while they are asleep."

 

Yisrael Hayom warns, "Don't travel to Turkey."  The author contends that, "We have enough reasons, political and moral, to disassociate ourselves with Turkey and stop supporting their tourist regions.  It is the least that Israelis can do in response."

Haaretz comments that if PM Benjamin Netanyahu and FM Avigdor Liberman are serious about fighting the delegitimization of Israel, they must transcend their power struggles and personal rivalry and quickly appoint a suitable ambassador to the UN. "Israel needs an ambassador who will present its positions at the UN podium in a clear voice, debate adversaries and facilitate cooperation with friends."

The Jerusalem Post writes in favor of the implementation of negative income tax in Israel, concluding that "as a Jewish state that promotes Jewish values, Israel must not lose touch with its obligation to care for those less fortunate. Implementing Friedman’s NIT is one way of achieving this goal while avoiding some of the pitfalls of socialism."

[Ariela Ringle Hoffman, Natan Zahavi and Hezi Sternlicht wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronot, Ma'ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]