(Israel Government Press Office)

Ma'ariv urges its readers "not to forget for a minute: The alliance between Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett was – beyond the sincere friendship that has developed between them – an alliance of interests," and says that since Prime Minister Netanyahu "did not want Bennett in the government," and "Lapid, for his part, did not want [Shas leader Aryeh] Deri in the government," the "only way in which both Yesh Atid [led by Lapid] and Jewish Home [led by Bennett] could both be in the coalition was via an impressive iron-clad alliance…that compelled the Prime Minister to accept both of them." The author believes that their mutual interests are still intact, Lapid's recent statements about the peace process notwithstanding: "Lapid knows that there is no diplomatic breakthrough, nor will there be, but today it is convenient for him to present himself as a pursuer of peace." The paper concludes that despite the fact that "These are two parties with nothing in common…interests trump everything. At this moment, their mutual interest is to stay in the government and not leave the coalition, and thus it will apparently remain."

Yediot Aharonot contends that "There is no reason to start either celebrating or demonstrating in the streets: Bennett is not quitting, Lapid is not pressing and nothing of substance is really happening. Apparently, many months will pass before anyone has any sort of reason to leave the government."

The Jerusalem Post states that “Although it is still too soon after Nelson Mandela’s death to define his legacy, it is clear that he will be remembered in the annals of the history of South Africa and the world as a great man,” and adds that, despite Mandela’s ambivalent attitude toward Israel, exemplified by detesting its ties with apartheid South Africa and what he called its occupation of Arab territories, “The warm statements issued by Israeli and Jewish leaders following Mandela’s death nicely reflect their respect for and appreciation of the man and his legacy.”

Haaretz comments on the new amendment to the Prevention of Infiltration Law, and states that “At issue is an attempt to circumvent the High Court of Justice, which in September struck down the original amendment to the law, allowing for the incarceration of African migrants without trial for up to three years.” The editor opines that “The new amendment does a serious injustice to the African migrants and casts a pall over Israel as a democracy and proponent of human rights,” and asserts: “A country that seeks to imprison people without trial cannot boast that it is just and humane.”