(Israel Government Press Office)

Yediot Aharonot says that with good behavior, Olmert will serve only four years and dismisses the $1 million fine as "peanuts," for him. The author suggests that the verdict of the city of Jerusalem itself is much harsher: "Jerusalem was once a splendid city, among the most beautiful in the world. For decades the late Teddy Kollek kept the famous 'status quo' and then Olmert came and handed the city over to the ultra-orthodox, the extremists and the corrupt contractors…Young people left in anger for Tel Aviv and left a racist, embittered, poorer and dirtier 'Zion'."

Yisrael Hayom doubts whether "the heavy punishment that was imposed on Olmert will prevent the next file on corruption among our leaders." The author asserts: "We do not expect our leaders to be geniuses (because they are not), but at least they should have integrity and not be crooks," and suggests that Israel vet candidates for high office much more thoroughly.

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Ma'ariv analyzes the peace process. The author believes that "The Israelis and the Palestinians, as well as the Arab states, are not children that do not understand, they are political actors capable of weighing the various alternatives and choosing the least bad among them. They are not in conflict because they lack an enthusiastic and fair mediator or someone to press them enough. They are in conflict because their aspirations are contradictory and in the present situation they believe that the alternative of stalemate is preferable to making decisions that are liable to tear apart their peoples." The paper surmises: "It could be that the day will come when geopolitical, political, historical, cultural and economic conditions will create a situation in which the sides will find the way to a full peace agreement that settles the remaining issues," and concludes: "It would be good to take actions that allow – as much as possible – each side to live its life and maintain the chances for a future agreement, but it would be sufficient if, in the meantime, the sides manage at least not to kill each other."

The Jerusalem Post comments on the furor generated by the exposé by Newsweek magazine of alleged Israeli espionage against the United States, and asserts: “Newsweek’s story is hokum.” The editor is disturbed by the thought that the magazine may be “being exploited in a non-too-subtle attempt to besmirch Israel,” and adds: “Neither the FBI nor the CIA lack senior officials with axes to grind against Israel. We can only hope that such antagonism does not extend higher in Washington’s hierarchy.”

Haaretz notes that “The defense establishment has intensified its struggle to increase its budget and is threatening to stop Israel Defense Forces drills,” and asserts: “The defense minister and chief of staff are acting like union bosses, putting narrow financial interests above the public good.” The editor calls on PM Netanyahu to “break his habit of granting the defense establishment’s demands and insist it streamline itself,” and asserts: “Netanyahu must condition the next chief of staff’s appointment on his agreement to make a far-reaching change in the defense expenses.” The editor concludes: “If Netanyahu gives in once again to threats from the Defense Ministry and IDF chiefs, he will be responsible for the future failures.” 
 
[Yonatan Yavin, Judge (ret.) Amnon Straschnov and Dr. Einat Wilf wrote today's articles in Yediot Aharonot, Yisrael Hayom and Ma'ariv, respectively.]