The Jerusalem Post examines the reasons behind Western (and Israeli) leaders’ effusive condolences upon the passing of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah on January 23, and wonders: “Can it be that Obama and too many other Western leaders are not fully convinced that ideals such as freedom of speech, women’s rights, and freedom of expression should be applied universally regardless of cultural differences?” The editor notes that “Too often there is an unwillingness on the part of Westerners to tell members of non-Western nations that aspects of their cultures need to be revamped because they are destructive and bad,” and asserts: “The time has come for this kind of cultural relativism to end, and for leaders of worth to speak out against Saudi injustices.”

Haaretz comments on the call by senior Likud officials to investigate alleged circumvention of Israel’s election campaign finance laws by the Zionist Camp, headed by Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni, and states that “The accusations by Netanyahu’s supporters are a case of the pot calling the kettle black.” The editor asserts that the free daily paper Israel Hayom, which is financed by money from abroad, “has worked since the day it first appeared to perpetuate Netanyahu’s rule, and it frequently aligns with his immediate political interests.” The editor believes that “The state comptroller’s lame conclusion in the past – that it’s a legitimate paper with an agenda – is unconvincing,” and concludes: “Strict enforcement of the limits on campaign finance and campaign advertising must be applied equally, to parties on both sides of the political map.”

Yediot Aharonot believes that, with the problems now facing Hezbollah, the last thing it needs right now “is a conflict with Israel,” and adds: “The definers of the Middle East have changed, and they are no longer Arabs against Israel, but Sunnis against Shiites.” The author opines that “we should have a channel of dialogue with Hezbollah in order to convey calming messages,” and adds that “We must make it clear to all sides that we have no interest in the world wars between them – after all, we are neither Sunnis nor Shiites – and that if they want to kill one another, it is none of Israel's business and it will not intervene in favor of any of them.”

Yisrael Hayom discusses last weeks’ Hezbollah terror attack in the north and asserts: “gone are the days of quiet to which Israel has become accustomed along the northern border these past nine years.” The author believes that no one neither in Israel nor in Lebanon - wants a conflict to develop, but opines: “Nasrallah's willingness to take risks against Israel, the likes of which he has not dared take in nine years, could lead to a conflagration earlier than expected.”