(Israel Government Press Office)

Three papers discuss various issues regarding the upcoming elections (22 January) for the 19th Knesset:

Ma'ariv refers to Aryeh Deri's return to politics and says: "In order to know if Deri is fit to return to leadership, even though he was convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, we should ask ourselves how we would explain his return to our grandchildren and whether or not we would want them to view him as a role model."

Yediot Aharonot urges all Israelis, especially first-time voters and young people, not to be discouraged and to come out and vote. The author asserts: "Choosing our MKs reflects our approach to the choices in life: Do we choose to be active, to take responsibility for our lives, or to let others be responsible for our fate?"

Yisrael Hayom notes that it is very likely that "The 19th Knesset will contain no kibbutz members," and suggests that this is more due "to what has happened within the kibbutz movement and not to Israeli society's turning its back." The author attributes the change mainly to privatization, which "blurred the image of the kibbutz movement as an exemplar, reduced its presence at political events, reduced its share in party financing and made it easier for members to vote for various parties." The paper believes that while kibbutzim may still exert their influence in local politics, "They will have to hire lobbyists," in order to protect their economic interests on a national level.

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Haaretz comments on the Council for Higher Education’s recent recognition of the Shalem Center in Jerusalem as an academic institution. The editor notes that this recognition comes shortly after last month’s upgrade of Ariel University Center to full university status, and states that “It marks another phase in the right's battle against Israel's established universities, which it sees as overly critical and aligned with the country's old elites.”

The Jerusalem Post discusses the completion of the 230-km. border fence with Egypt, and states that “It illustrates Israel’s ability to accomplish major tasks relatively quickly when there is the political will.”  The editor adds: “Now, with elections looming, politicians should put forward their plans for the next step in dealing with terrorism from Sinai and with the undocumented migrants in Israel.”

[Oded Tira, Yael Gvirtz and Yossi Beilin wrote today’s articles in Ma'ariv, Yediot Aharonot and Yisrael Hayom respectively.]