(Israel Government Press Office)
Two papers discuss the reports regarding the elimination-by-drone of a Jihadist cell in Sinai:
Ma'ariv reminds its readers that "Israel, Egypt and the US are coordinating among themselves, in the framework of the peace agreements, regarding the Egyptian military's effort to restore its control over the peninsula," and points out, in this context, that Cairo "has increased the stranglehold on the Egyptian side of Rafiah in order to block – as much as possible – the tunnels leading to the Palestinian side of the city. The Egyptian interest is absolutely clear: Prevent the passage of Jihadists who come from Gaza in order to reinforce those fighting the Egyptian military in Sinai." As to the incident over the weekend, the author suggests that "More than a few elements in Egypt are interested in claiming that Israel carried out the attack in order to embarrass the Egyptian military. For the opposite reason, the Egyptian military had an interest in issuing an official statement yesterday, according to which an Egyptian Apache helicopter carried out the attack, not Israel." The paper concludes: "In any case, the major tension in the south will remain at least until the end of the summer."
Yisrael Hayom discusses the situation in Cairo and ventures that "No one there will shed any tears over the terrorists that were eliminated, but it is reasonable to assume that the chief concern among the provisional leadership is the attack's possible effect on the fragile situation in Egypt." The author commends official Israel's refusal to comment on the matter, much as it refuses to comment on any alleged Israeli military activity in an Arab country, and applauds Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon for "praising the Egyptians and their actions in Sinai." The paper concludes that Israel "would do well to now act (quietly) in order to ensure that the two countries' joint strategic interest is maintained, despite the threats, as it has been over the past 40 years."
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Yediot Aharonot strongly criticizes reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's preferred candidate for the post of Governor of the Bank of Israel is former head of the Argentine central bank, Prof. Mario Blejer and asserts that Blejer "served as head of the Argentine central bank for six months [in 2002], without success, during a period of severe crisis in the country." The author says: "He lives in Argentina, writes in its newspapers, and defines himself as an Argentine in every respect," and adds: "Senior Israeli economist Prof. Eitan Sheshinski has called the intention to appoint Prof. Blejer Governor of the Bank of Israel as the 'act of a banana republic'." The paper reminds its readers that among the names that the Prime Minister has passed on to the Turkel Committee, in addition to Blejer's, is that of Finance Ministry Accountant General Michal Abadi-Boiangiu. The author notes that however qualified she may be in her field, she has no central banking experience, "and does not see herself as a candidate to head the bank at this time," and contends: "She is on the 'list of candidates' merely to show the public that Bibi does not oppose women candidates per se. He opposes one woman in particular – Bank of Israel Deputy Governor Dr. Karnit Flug, the woman who can be governor. What a transparent public relations exercise." The paper concludes: "Netanyahu has already turned the selection of a Governor for the Bank of Israel into a farce; he can still restore luster to the crown by turning to Israeli economists who are rooted in the country and live its troubles. There is no lack of these, and they are excellent."
The Jerusalem Post praises the mayors of Herzliya, Ramat Hasharon and Hod Hasharon for their fight against Israel Lands Authority plans to construct 23,000 housing units within their municipal boundaries on land that has for decades been a major manufacturing complex for Israel Military Industries and on what is doubtless Israel’s most toxic soil, and is hopeful that the municipalities will remain adamant “in their opposition to this ill-conceived development project even after the October 22 elections and that they do not eventually acquiesce to a compromise.”
Haaretz believes that “the settlements will continue to determine Israel's future,” and asserts: “The government will do anything it can to sabotage the talks with the Palestinians. There is no other way to interpret the Civil Administration’s endorsement of plans to build 878 new housing units in secluded West Bank settlements.”
[Amir Rappaport, Yoav Limor and Sever Plocker wrote today’s articles in Ma'ariv, Yisrael Hayom and Yediot Aharonot, respectively.]