(Israel Government Press Office)

Ma'ariv claims that "The Defense Minister has become the quiet eliminator of the diplomatic process," and adds that "He stopped believing in it after the Oslo accords." The author asserts that the remarks in question "caused Israel serious diplomatic damage at a time when the government is feeling the momentum in light of the Palestinians' hardline positions and the latest terrorist actions." The paper speculates that Yaalon is a potential leader of right-wing opposition within the Likud, and beyond it, should Prime Minister Netanyahu "decide to take a historic step and announce that he accepts the principle of dividing the land," and is calculating his steps accordingly.

Yediot Aharonot reminds its readers that Defense Minister Yaalon is said to have described US Secretary of State John Kerry as "obsessive and Messianic," and suggests: "There is something refreshing and much more important than niceties in these remarks – straight talk directly with Israel's citizens."  The author believes that "It seems that American Secretary of State John Kerry has almost completely adopted the Palestinian position," and adds: "This is the background to Yaalon's sharp remarks in closed talks with American elements. The draft agreement they are proffering is liable to end in a security disaster for Israel, but if we insist on our vital interests they will blame us for the failure of the talks. And if this is the case, it is no wonder that the Defense Minister is outraged." The paper asserts that "The Defense Minister is claiming that, in effect, there are no negotiations right now because Abu Mazen is refusing to recognize Israel as the national state of the Jewish people, is refusing to give up on the right of return and is refusing to sign an agreement that would lead to the end of all claims. Maybe this truth hurts, but somebody has to say it – and this is what Yaalon did."

Yisrael Hayom notes that "Defense Minister Yaalon apologized," and adds: "He had to." However the author avers that "The great majority of Israelis think that Yaalon – before the apology – spoke the truth," and declares: "After the dust settles, it should be made clear to the Americans – Most of us are with Yaalon, the man not only said what he thinks, but expressed how most of us feel." The paper says: "Most Israelis agree that the Americans do not understand the Middle East and that the current administration took advantage of the 'Arab Spring' to show that it has no clue whatsoever," and asserts: "The Palestinians, led by Abu Mazen, recently put on a great show of refusal. In effect, they tossed the Kerry initiative, stepped on it, twisted their shoes and ruined it. Abu Mazen made it clear that he is not prepared to compromise on anything." The author concludes: "So what if Yaalon put these feelings on the table? All recent polls show that the great majority of Israelis do not believe in the negotiations. This is our 'wisdom of the masses.' We do not believe Abu Mazen and do not think that we are on the verge of peace."

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The Jerusalem Post comments on the ongoing fight for democracy in Egypt, and states: “While the Arab Spring set in motion important changes, the creation of truly democratic institutions in Egypt and elsewhere in the region will take time.” The editor believes that the current government’s crackdown on the Brotherhood and its plans for a similar move against Hamas in the Gaza Strip “are necessary steps toward the tediously slow process of reform and state-building that we hope will eventually lead to truly democratic rule in Egypt and in Gaza.” The editor concludes: “Such positive transformations would, of course, be tremendously advantageous to Israel as well.”

Haaretz believes that the order issued by the commander of the Central Command prohibiting Palestinians from appealing military court decisions to confiscate their property, “embodies the essence of the story of the occupation and exemplifies the different legal systems that apply to Israeli citizens, on the one hand, and to Palestinian residents of the occupied territories, on the other.” The editor says that the existence of two different legal systems in a given geographic are in contradiction to justice, and asserts: “This is a situation of apartheid that is bad in any case, but Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein must prevent its worsening. He must order the Defense Minister to cancel the order.”