Editorials 18 March 2015

Summary of editorials from the Hebrew press

  • 3/18/2015
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    All five newspapers discuss the outcome of yesterday’s elections
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    All five newspapers discuss the outcome of yesterday’s elections:
    The Jerusalem Post observes that after his win in the elections, “the real work begins for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a new coalition,” and notes that while it was a rancorous campaign, “Now is the time to talk about internal consensus rather than conflict.” The editors states: “Israel has much to gain from our two major parties joining together – and everything to lose from deepening the divisions in our society,” and concludes: “Therefore, perhaps the best way to heal these divisions and move forward would be with a government of national unity, including both the Likud and the Zionist Union.” 
    Haaretz believes the outcome of the elections places Moshe Kahlon, the leader of the Kulanu party, in a unique position: “He is the person who will determine the nature of Israel’s next government,” and calls on him to “thwart the establishment of an extreme right-wing government, which would cause inestimable damage to Israel’s international standing, its democratic system of governance and relations between its Jewish majority and its Arab minority.” 
    Yediot Aharonot believes that the new government brings with it new possibilities, and asserts: “The current geopolitical trends demand that Israel's new government functions in the regional and international arenas with a sophisticated combination of its economic, military and moral fortitude.” The author adds: “We need to promote a new political initiative in the Middle East, to preserve our traditional strategic alliances with the United States and Europe, to foster security and economic cooperation in Asia and elsewhere, and to stress our domestic and international commitment to democracy and human rights.” 
    Yisrael Hayom comments that “The election has served to amplify the stark contrast between Israel's democratic, pluralistic, vibrant, progressive society and its neighboring societies.” The author cautions that “some of Israel’s neighbors may misinterpret the essence of our democracy, our society and the State of Israel in general,” and adds: “Such misperceptions could prompt organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas, or states such as Iran, to reach problematic conclusions and engage in ever more problematic actions, on the assumption that Israel is internally weak and internationally isolated.” 
    Globes calls on the new government to give “top priority to making a decision about the ownership structure of Israel's gas fields,” and warns that any additional delay in its implementation will cost money, both to the national economy and to the companies themselves. The author comments on the storm currently raging on global gas markets and the plummeting price of liquid gas, and points out that this “can provide support winds for the government, if it knows how to put up the sails in the right direction.” 
    [Yossi Shain, Kobi Michael and Amiram Barkat wrote today's articles in Yediot Aharonot, Yisrael Hayom and Globes, respectively.]