Editorials 13 Nov 2013

Summary of editorials from the Hebrew press

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    ​(Israel Government Press Office)
    Ma'ariv says: "Even if the major powers' agreement with Iran includes some restrictions on, and some delays in, the Iranian nuclear program, one should check what this agreement does not have: No restrictions on [Iran] arming itself with long-range missiles. No halt to the political subversion of Sunni regimes in the Middle East, no halt to support for terrorist organizations, especially Hezbollah, no halt to the exporting of the Khomeini-ist revolution to [other] Islamic countries, no easing of the brutal internal repression of the Iranian people and national minorities (Azeris, Kurds, Baluchis and Arabs)." The author asserts that progress in the peace process will give impetus to a de facto alliance between Israel and those Arab countries that oppose and fear Iran's aspirations for regional hegemony.
    Yediot Aharonot refers to ongoing controversies over prayer arrangements at the Western Wall. The author, the Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Sites, reminds his readers that "The Western Wall belongs both to those who are stringent and to those who are lenient, and to men and to women," and adds: "Therefore, please do not come on behalf of your rights and demand to impinge on others so that you will be able to do as you like."
    Yisrael Hayom comments on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to countermand Construction and Housing Minister Uri Ariel's announcement regarding preliminary planning for 24,000 residential units in Judea and Samaria and declares that Minister Ariel's move "plays into the hands of Israel's foes and enemies." The author says: "Ministers are autonomous in their ministries, but not to the point where they contradict the Prime Minister's policies," and adds: "The Jewish Home hopes that the negotiations with the Palestinians will fail and that there will not be an agreement. That's fine. But its ministers are obligated to allow Netanyahu to try and reach a draft that will be decided upon in a referendum. As long as they sit in the government, they do not have the option of proposing the planning of 24,000 flats in Judea and Samaria without the Prime Minister's advance approval."
    Haaretz declares that Housing and Construction Minister Uri Ariel is not interested in the core issues of his ministry, but instead, “most of his energy is invested in his unofficial job: minister of settlements.” The editor states: “Israel’s prime minister is enabling an extremist representative of the settlers to hold a job that involves enormous diplomatic sensitivity,” and adds: “if Netanyahu is truly serious about holding negotiations with the Palestinians, he must transfer Ariel from the post of housing and construction minister and replace him with a minister whose goals are professional rather than political.”
    The Jerusalem Post comments on this week’s GA meeting in Jerusalem, which emphasized the recent Pew Research Center report on the high intermarriage rate of American Jews, and declares: “Israel and American Jewry have a shared destiny and a symbiotic relationship.” The editor states: “We can and must provide support to one another,” and concludes: “Both of our futures depend on it.”
    [Dr. Ephraim Sneh, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz and Dan Margalit wrote today’s articles in Ma'ariv, Yediot Aharonot and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]
     
     
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