HA'ARETZ

1. IMMIGRANT ABSORPTION MINISTRY CENSORED STUDY THAT FOUND FAILURES IN DEALING WITH MURDERS OF ETHIOPIAN WOMEN

Ministry invited comprehensive study on violence in the Ethiopian community, but buried its findings.

2. Against background of tension with Turkey:

NETANYAHU TO VISIT CYPRUS TO DISCUSS SECURITY OF NATURAL GAS WELLS

3. BANK OF ISRAEL DETERMINES: PRICES OF GOODS IN ISRAEL ARE HIGHER THAN IN WESTERN COUNTRIES

Report: While prices in Israel are higher than in the OECD, income is lower.

MA’ARIV

1. AMOS YEDLIN: "IRAN HAS ALL THE COMPONENTS FOR A NUCLEAR BOMB"

In first interview, former GOC Intelligence: "Military option must be on the table." "My view is different from Meir Dagan's." US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to arrive in Israel today. US: Sanctions are working, don't attack.

YEDIOT AHRONOT

1. Major battle in Kadima.

DROPPING THE GLOVES

YISRAEL HAYOM

1. KNIVES OUT IN KADIMA

Against background of drop in the polls and pressure from within the party: Tzipi Livni gave in and declared party leadership primary on March 27. Mofaz, who will compete against her: "Today, Livni has finished her tenure as chairperson." Assessment: After internal elections – split.

2. HOW CAN AN ISRAELI MK PRAISE THE VALUE OF MARTYRDOM?

Outrage over MK Ahmed Tibi's remark that "Martyrs etch in their blood the path to liberation."

3. SHAME OF RACISM

As thousands demonstrated against racism opposite the Knesset, tape revealed in which bus driver told Ethiopian pupils: "I can deal with Israelis, but not you. You smell, you have a disgusting odor."

4. Now it is official:

ISRAEL IS EXPENSIVE

In comparison to OECD countries, Israelis pay 44% more for milk and eggs and 42% more for electrical goods.

WALLA!

1. NEWSPAPER EDITOR: "NETANYAHU SAID – HA'ARETZ IS ISRAEL'S ENEMY"

Jerusalem Post editor Steve Linde says that PM spoke with him about his concerns over Ha'aretz and The New York Times, that, "They set the agenda for an anti-Israel campaign." Ha'aretz not responding. Netanyahu, who is in the Netherlands, denies: True enemy? Iran.

2. OVERNIGHT: HARSH CONFRONTATIONS AND INJURIES IN EVACUATION OF TWO OUTPOSTS

Three policemen and six settlers wounded in evacuation of Isa Bracha outpost near Jericho. Police: Dozens of people threw stones at us. Settlers: Police used harsh violence. Outpost in Binyamin area also evacuated.

3. TENSION IN ISRAEL AHEAD OF AMERICAN CHIEF-OF-STAFF'S VISIT

Security establishment preparing for discussions with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey, who arrives in Israel today and will seek to clarify US's red lines over possible attack on Iran.

NANA10

1. JERUSALEM POST EDITOR: "NETANYAHU SAID THAT HA'ARETZ IS ISRAEL'S GREATEST ENEMY"

JTA reporting that newspaper's editor, Steve Linde, claimed that PM sharply attacked Ha'aretz and The New York Times in conversation with him. Netanyahu denying the remarks.

2. HARSH CONFRONTATIONS AT OUTPOST NEAR MITZPE JERICHO

Civil Administration personnel and police arrived at two outposts. Clashes broke out at Isa Bracha; four policemen and six settlers injured.

[Headlines for Walla! and Nana10 are from their websites as of 12:10.]

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SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

Yediot Ahronot writes that, "Ethiopian Jews came to this country after maintaining their Judaism zealously for thousands of years, and after great sacrifice in order to fulfill their dream of immigrating to Israel. Each wave of immigration in Israel's history has experienced its own type of absorption pains, but eventually integrated fully. In contrast, the Ethiopian immigrants, who began arriving some 30 years ago, are still at the outset of their absorption process, and that is because the Israeli public has yet to decide to accept them as an indivisible part of Israeli society." The author exclaims, "Now is the time to yell: Enough! The Ethiopian community is an inseparable part of the Jewish People and the Israeli society, and we are here to stay."

Ma'ariv argues that, "It is not clear how Israeli citizens who fulfill their obligation and serve in the IDF agree to absorb, without protest, a law that allows thousands of ultra-orthodox youth dodge army service." The author opines that, "The Prime Minister, Ministers and Knesset Members are beset by constant fear when it comes to dealing with the injustice of the discriminatory benefits given to the ultra-orthodox."

Yisrael Hayom contends that, "Current European statements must make it clear: Israel is not the problem. In the face of the Iranian nuclear program and Iran's support for terrorism, more than ever, there is a need for cooperation with Europe alongside that which already exists with the US. Those in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dealing with diplomatic relations with Europe are convinced that a clear message must be broadcast: The European contribution must be directed toward the return to direct negotiations and not to assisting the Palestinians to take the unilateral route to the UN."

Haaretz comments on Justice Minister Neeman' recommendation to grant a pardon to policeman Shahar Mizrahi, convicted of killing Mahmoud Ganaim of Baka al-Garbiyeh during a confrontation after Ganaim was caught breaking into a car in Pardes Hanna: "A policeman who shoots a civilian unnecessarily should be severely punished especially because he is a policeman. Granting a pardon to Mizrahi will convey the wrong message to police and civilians - that killing an Arab is not a serious thing. Now the task is in the hands of President Shimon Peres, who must decide on the minister's recommendation. Stop this unsound process and do not approve the policeman's pardon."

The Jerusalem Post comments on the ongoing investigation of Foreign Minister Liberman: "We certainly have no way of judging whether Liberman is guilty or innocent, and we have no intention of weighing in on this issue one way or the other. Yet what should be of interest to every citizen is the spectacle of what is incontrovertibly a police project of exceptionally excessive duration, directed doggedly at a given individual, but with mutating accusations against him. No matter how Liberman’s particular saga eventually evolves, it should lead to clear legal curtailments on the length of time in which our law-enforcers can pursue a given suspect or case."

[Amir Gathon, Yael Paz-Melamed and Sami Ravel wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronot, Ma'ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]