(Israel Government Press Office)

Ma'ariv warns against the trend in which many voters who support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be inclined to vote for the Jewish Home, and not the Likud, on the two-fold assumption that it will be Benjamin Netanyahu who will certainly form the next government and that he needs a strong anchor on the right, i.e the Jewish Home. The author cautions that "Strengthening the right that is to the right of the Likud will not strengthen the State of Israel; it will only fragment the public support that Benjamin Netanyahu will need," and adds: "Another myth views a purely right-wing government as a source of national strength. But the weaker the Likud is – for example, from 35 seats to 30 seats or less – the greater its dependence on the right-wing blocking majority," some members of which may be too extreme for comfort. The paper suggests that "National responsibility requires a government based on a large Likud, with at least 40 seats, to the right of which is the Jewish Home and to the left of which is a centrist party – preferably Yair Lapid or Labor." The author warns that a solely right-wing government with a relatively smaller Likud will be "weak and unstable," and predicts: "A government with a factional composition such as the extreme right-wing would like to see will break up within two years, and its lack of stability will both harm deterrence and invite attack. It will also cause many voters to reach the necessary conclusion – The Right is neither capable of governing nor knows how to do so."

Yediot Aharonot comments on the January 23 elections in Jordan and notes that as luck – for the palace – would have it, the opposition is not only divided, but the Islamists are boycotting the vote.

Yisrael Hayom takes issue with some of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's recent criticisms of the current government. Regarding Olmert's accusation that the government wasted billions of shekels on a possible military strike against Iran, the author says that these funds were invested in strengthening the IDF and adds: "Without these investments, nobody in the world would have imposed painful sanctions on the Iranian economy." Regarding Olmert's criticism of the handling of Operation Pillar of Defense, the author claims that "Operation Pillar of Defense was handled more cautiously and wisely [than Operation Cast Lead, during Olmert's tenure] and led to the same results with fewer killed and without deadly international criticism." The author also flatly dismisses Olmert's claim that he could have delivered a peace agreement with the Palestinians and cites Abu Mazen's rejection of his offer at Annapolis.

The Jerusalem Post comments on the forthcoming elections, and urges “every eligible voter to exercise his or her right as an Israeli citizen and participate in the process.” The editor concludes: “It’s not only a right, it’s a responsibility.”

Haaretz declares that “Israel must not interfere in U.S. domestic decisions,” and states: “[Israel] must not be seen as wanting Obama to fail, or as instigating an American-Iranian war.” The editor notes that “The damage caused by such interference in the presidential election is already palpable,” and concludes: “If Israel continues to stick its nose into American business, it will only increase.”

[Amnon Lord, Semadar Peri and Dan Margalit wrote today’s articles in Ma'ariv, Yediot Aharonot and Yisrael Hayom respectively.]