(Israel Government Press Office)

Ma'ariv analyzes the P5+1 talks with Iran on the latter's nuclear program. The author asserts that "The sad truth is that agreed-upon criteria have never been determined for declaring a bad agreement, or the failure of the negotiations with Tehran," and adds: "The existing definitions are flexible and liquid; they change in relation to what seems possible to achieve." The paper suggests that "The major powers are determined to reach an agreement because they do not want to deal with the consequences of declaring the process a failure," and is concerned that the powers may fudge on several key issues such as the possible military dimensions of Iran's civilian nuclear program and the reactor in Arak. The author predicts that in the agreement that will ultimately be reached, "Iran will maintain its ability to break through quickly to a bomb and we will be left to console ourselves that this was the best agreement that could be reached. Really?"

Yediot Aharonot discusses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reported desire to reconsider the institution of the presidency. The author notes that while Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, was determined to, "minimize, as much as possible, the power of his rival [and Israel's first president, Chaim Weizmann,"  three of the former's aides, who later became president, "Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, Yitzhak Navon and Shimon Peres saw fit to turn the presidency into an active, influential, respected and loved institution." The paper says that the presidency could be done away with without damaging Israel's democracy but "not in the way chosen by Netanyahu. Netanyahu's colleagues in the Likud leadership explain that the possibility of MK Ruby Rivlin winning the election [for president] horrifies him. He is 'obsessed.' Since he cannot prevent Rivlin from submitting his candidacy, he is pushing for the cancellation of the office." The author commends Rivlin as "a worthy candidate," and declares: "If Netanyahu thinks otherwise, it is his right to cast his secret ballot in the Knesset in favor of somebody else," but adds that the Prime Minister cannot change norms due to his aversion to a specific candidate or because he feels like it.

Yisrael Hayom commends a recent initiative to amend the law so as to bar the president from pardoning murderers who have been sentenced to life imprisonment without parole and avers: "A terrorist planning an attack needs to know that in the best case he will be sentenced to death and that in a less good case he will be sentenced to rot in prison until the end of his days and will see us continuing to exist and build our future."

The Jerusalem Post expresses concern about freedom of religious expression at the building on Mount Zion that houses the Room of the Last Supper, David’s Tomb and an Ottoman-era mosque, in light of increased tension surrounding the sight in anticipation of Pope Francis’s forthcoming visit. The editor states: “Mount Zion gives Israel a unique opportunity to ensure freedom of religious expression for Christians, Muslims and Jews,” and calls on Israeli officials to “take a more a proactive role in maintaining law and order.” The editor concludes: “Police presence must be increased and clear rules for prayer times must be enforced. No religious group should be allowed to intimidate another.”

Haaretz calls on the government Israel to “stop harassing asylum seekers,” and asserts: “The country’s 'voluntary departure’ program puts people’s lives at risk.” The editor notes that “Israel is well aware of the risks facing asylum seekers in their countries of origin,” and is hopeful that “the High Court of Justice, which is about to decide on a petition against the Prevention of Infiltration Law, will stop the harassment of asylum seekers.”