(Israel Government Press Office)
Two papers discuss the controversy regarding planned dismissals at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in light of the substantial grants and tax breaks it has received over the years:
Ma'ariv suggests that while business decisions are Teva's to make, it should set a personal example by cutting bonuses, expenses and salaries for senior managers and look to enact other cost-cutting and efficiency measures before dismissing workers. The author calls on the government "to tell Teva and other companies that they are firing workers only because they have no choice, not because of the bottom line or concern over future revenues."
Yisrael Hayom calls for doing away with "the excessive benefits for anyone willing to invest here," because "Israel, as it becomes more established, more stable and is considered to pose a lower security risk, will continue to attract investors." The author concludes with the hope that "In the future, we must wean investors away from the unnecessary dowries; they will come without it."
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Yediot Aharonot asserts that the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (which occurred on the 12th of the Hebrew month of Chesvan, today on the civil calendar this year) "seared into Israeli society the awareness of the cost that internal debates threaten to claim," and also "taught us that there is no substitute for conducting and deciding controversies in the framework of the law and without violence." The author opposes both "the waves of attempts to exploit the murder," as well as "the waves of attempts to deny its severity."
The Jerusalem Post comments on the alleged brain drain, and remarks that “The problem, if it can be called one, is that Israel, a tiny country, produces the most scientists and engineers per capita of any nation. There are simply not enough positions to go around for all these talented and well-trained people.” The editor adds: “wandering seems to be in Jews’ DNA,” and concludes: “No government policy will change this.”
Haaretz criticizes the state’s request for yet another postponement of the demolition of the Amona outpost on the West Bank, “16 years after the first demolition order was issued,” and asserts: “Amona is not just an outpost built through deception on privately owned Palestinian land; it is a symbol of a state that mortgages the future of its citizens to a messianic, anti-Zionist dream dictated by an aggressive, violent gang that has taken over the political and institutional centers of power.” The editor concludes: “The fact that even the prosecution is collaborating with these lawbreakers, and that Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein is backing this illegal takeover of private land, ought to worry every Israeli who desires to live in a sane country.”
[Dorit Parchik, Yossi Beilin and Rabbi Yuval Cherlo wrote today’s articles in Ma'ariv, Yisrael Hayom and Yediot Aharonot, respectively.]