1. SIX AIRMEN MISSING IN HELICOPTER CRASH IN ROMANIA

IAF CH-53 helicopter taking part in joint exercise with Romanian military crashed into mountainside yesterday afternoon 120 kilometers north of Bucharest.  IDF informed the families of the crewmembers, four pilots and two technicians, last night of the incident.  Direction of investigation: Human error due to weather conditions or technical error.

 

2. BOI GOVERNOR STANLEY FISHER SURPRISES BY RAISING INTEREST RATES: "HOUSING PRICES RISING QUICKLY"

 

1. Deep concern for lives of six IAF crewmembers

CRASH IN ROMANIA

CH-53 helicopter crashed into mountainside while participating in joint exercise in impaired conditions.  Four pilots and two technicians are listed as missing.  Romanian media reported last night: Four bodies found at the location.

 

1. Concern: Six IAF crewmembers killed in exercise in Romania.

CRASH

In stormy weather conditions, in a remote mountainous region of Romanian, IAF CH-53 helicopter crashes in joint exercise between the two militaries.  On board four pilots, two technicians and a Romanian officer.  Last night, after receiving the terrible news, families of the missing crewmembers gathered at Tel-Nof Air Force base.  Contradicting reports in Romania on whether or not  bodies have been found in the area.

 

1. CH-53 Helicopter crashes into mountainside during exercise in Romania

CONCERN FOR LIVES OF SIX AIR FORCE PERSONNEL

Tragedy: An Israeli helicopter, on a joint exercise with Romania, crashed in a mountainous region north of Bucharest.  Crew included four IAF veterans, two technicians and a Romanian observer.  Romanian media reported last night: Seven bodies found; IDF: Checking.

 

1. SEARCH IN ROMANIA RESUMES, IDF MISSION ARRIVES AT SITE

A Hercules helicopter, carrying both IAF and Home Front Command crewmembers, departed this morning for the crash area – to help in efforts to find the six missing soldiers, but the terrain is mountainous, forested and under heavy fog.  Israeli Ambassador: We are working in cooperation with the Romanians.

 

2. REPORT: OBAMA THREATENED – IF THERE ARE NO DIRECT TALKS, US WILL QUIT MEDIATION

Palestinian sources are claiming that the US President sent ultimatum to Abu Mazen via envoy George Mitchell.  They said that Obama said that if the Palestinians continue to refuse direct negotiations with Israel, Washington with withdraw its support for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

 

1. INITIAL INVESTIGATION: CH-53 DID NOT SEND OUT DISTRESS CALL

IAF Chief-of-Staff Brig.-Gen. Nimrod Shafer said the morning after the CH-53 crash that the helicopter's crew did not send out a distress signal and did not report any technical problem before contact was lost.  Today: Search efforts to continue for the six missing helicopter crewmembers.

 

2. REPORT: PRESSURE GROWING ON ABU MAZEN TO OPEN NEGOTIATIONS

Al-Hayat reports that US President sent clear message to the Palestinian Authority Chairman, according to which construction in the settlements will be resumed and he will remain without US support unless direct negotiations with Israel are begun.

 

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Yediot Ahronot criticizes the proposal that Arabs, mainly Palestinians, who marry Israeli Arabs and become naturalized Israeli citizens, be required to declare their loyalty to Israel, "as a Jewish and democratic state," and avers that the change, "is completely unnecessary and will only inflame Jewish-Arab relations in the State of Israel."  The author says that those with malicious intent will not hesitate to lie and adds that, "Those who question the State of Israel's legitimacy as the national state of the Jewish People will not change their opinions due to the addition of several words to the loyalty declaration."  The paper believes that, "If the loyalty declaration must be changed, it would suffice to include in it loyalty to what is written in the declaration of the establishment of the state.

 

Ma'ariv says that, "If the Government does not start implementing the decisions on reducing the number of foreign workers in Israel, in several years the phenomenon will have grown to proportions that are out of control."  The author also calls on the Government to promote both training courses for industrial and construction workers and increased mechanization in agriculture.

 

Yisrael Hayom calls on the Government to have nothing to do with the commission of inquiry – as it is currently constituted – into the Mavi Marmara incident that has been appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, but suggests that Israel cooperate with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's proposal for an inquiry to be led by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer.

The Jerusalem Post discusses the latest act of brutality in the family, in this case the murder of three young children by their father, Itai Ben-Dror, who had recently been released from a psychiatric institution. The editor calls on the authorities to ensure that Ben-Dror is not allowed to hide behind the claim of 'insanity,' and states that "if the man was fit enough to be allowed full visitation rights, he should be fit enough to be held responsible for his actions." The editor concludes: "He is a cold-blooded killer who should be locked away forever, and his former wife granted the minuscule consolation that justice was dealt."

 

Haaretz thinks that "It is time to thank the critics for forcing the IDF to examine itself and amend its procedures," and declares that the army has been forced to "open investigations it would not have conducted had it not been for the Goldstone report, human rights groups' reports and coverage in the Israeli and international media." The editor opines that "It is better to display openness and cooperate with international committees than to boycott them and then accept some of their demands under pressure."