(Israel Government Press Office)

Ma'ariv discusses recent events in Syria and/or Lebanon and declares: "Whether the reports are true or not, official Israel must show restraint and not be dragged into bombastic declarations that are liable to entangle it." Regarding a possible Syrian response, the author says: "Israel must pay attention that Assad does not try to unify the ranks against the common enemy of all the factions fighting in Syria," and cautions that "Assad is liable to be tempted to think that it is possible to break the siege on him by action against Israel that would lead to a limited war." The paper urges Israel to be prepared for such an eventuality, especially if Iran tries to push Damascus in that direction.

Yediot Aharonot recalls Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid's recent remark that he sees himself as a candidate for prime minister in the next elections and asserts that the ministerial portfolio he opts for now could greatly affect his chances to win the premiership. The author reminds his readers that "The only politician who was elected Prime Minister from the post as Finance Minister was Levy Eshkol in the 1960's," and points out that "Netanyahu, who served as Finance minister in Sharon's government, lost to Olmert in the 2006 elections." The paper says that if Lapid is serious about his future intentions, he should opt for the Foreign Ministry, "to which Lapid's qualities are better suited."

Yisrael Hayom notes that, "Benjamin Netanyahu has received 28 days to form the next government," and adds that President Shimon Peres may give him an additional 14 days if need be. The author is aware of Prime Minister Netanyahu's desire "to form such a wide government that even if Yesh Atid quits, the administration will not be undermined and elections will not be brought forward," and adds that "While it is possible to understand this, the chances are slim…It would be a pity to waste time on such arithmetic." The paper urges the Prime Minister to finish the coalition negotiations as quickly as possible."

The Jerusalem Post comments on Israel’s decision not to appear before the “noxiously anti-Israel” UN Human Rights Council for its Universal Periodic Review last Tuesday, and states: “Not showing up was hardly ideal, but better this than more spectacles of the sort staged invariably by the UNHRC.”

Haaretz discusses Israel’s indifferent reaction to the report issued by the United Nations Human Rights Council’ investigative fact-finding mission, which determined that “Israel’s settlement policy is a violation of the Geneva Convention,” and asserts that Israel would do well “to treat the report as a summary of the international consensus on its policy in the territories, and acknowledge that this policy is not only destructive to Israel, but has also isolated it in the world and rendered it vulnerable.”

[Dr. Chilo Rosenberg, Baruch Leshem and Dan Margalit wrote today’s articles in Ma'ariv, Yediot Aharonot and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]