(Israel Government Press Office)
Two papers discuss various issues regarding yesterday's local elections:
Ma'ariv analyzes the situation in Jerusalem and suggests: "Regardless of the results, it is clear that there were three important phenomena in the Jerusalem elections, beyond the shameful general apathy: First, ethnic politics reigns in the capital city and played an important role in these elections. Second, the disappointment over [re-elected incumbent Nir] Barkat is greater than was previously thought and he will have to do a serious rethink in how he runs his city. Three, the ultra-orthodox sector is undergoing a major upheaval that was only discovered in these elections. There is no master of the house."
Yisrael Hayom says that whether the final national turnout proves to be higher or lower than it was in the last elections in 2008, "it will still be too low," and adds: "The public reacted with apathy." The author suggests that "The major defection from the ballot box expresses the public's widespread lack of confidence in the democratic system on the municipal level."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Yediot Aharonot comments on the upcoming 19th anniversary of the signing of the Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty. The author recalls: "We loved the peace treaty with Jordan, apparently much more than our Jordanian neighbors," and says that many Israelis seem to have forgotten that "The Palestinians in Jordan would regard us, the Israelis, almost the same as their brothers in Nablus, Gaza and Hebron would." The paper asserts: "The peace with Jordan is of incomparable strategic importance," to both countries.
The Jerusalem Post advises readers that it will hold its Second Annual Diplomatic Conference at the Daniel Herzliya hotel on Thursday. The editor notes: “Since its founding 81 years ago, the Post has targeted the international community, from its significant readership abroad to the many foreign diplomats stationed in Israel,” and adds: “This year’s conference reflects that international emphasis and promises to be an exciting, news-making event.”
Haaretz is incensed by the government’s intent to circumvent the high Court of Justice rulings regarding African refugees attempting to find a safe haven in Israel, and asserts: “It's time they internalize the most basic fact – the ‘infiltrators’ are first and foremost human beings, who want to live normal lives,” and adds: “The combination of inflammatory rhetoric and oppressive laws against the weak is a characteristic of undemocratic states.”
[Shalom Yerushalmi, Dan Margalit and Eitan Haber wrote today’s articles in Ma'ariv, Yisrael Hayom and Yediot Aharonot, respectively.]