Editorials 25 March 2015

Summary of editorials from the Hebrew press

  • 3/25/2015
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    Today’s issues: Elections in France, Netanyahu’s apology to Arab citizens, a national unity government as the best option for Israel and Obama's campaign of retribution against Netanyahu
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    ​The Jerusalem Post comments on the elections in France, and notes that “Sunday’s first round of voting in nationwide local elections gave [French Jews] little reason to be optimistic.” The editor believes that “A combination of economic stagnation, radical and ineffectual politics and, of course, anti-Jewish violence are forcing more and more French Jews to reconsider their future,” and adds: “Here in Israel, we should probably be brushing up on our French.”

    Haaretz     wonders whether “the regret expressed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over comments he made on Election Day that ‘Arabs are voting in droves, left-wing NGOs are bringing them in busloads?’” can be taken seriously, and states: “The answer appears to lie in the same well-known tactic that Netanyahu has raised to an art form: Ignite a dangerous and divisive blaze to garner electoral gains, then extinguish the flames to enable his continued control without undue disturbance.” The editor believes that the prime minister must do more than simply pay lip service, and asserts: “If Netanyahu does mean what he says, he must nip in the bud the anti-democratic legislation, including the nation-state bill and the NGO bill. He will be judged only on this.”

    Yediot Aharonot     dismisses the rhetoric that claims there is an abyss between the left and right wing camps, and states: “Granted, there is an abyss – between the extremes, not between the camps.” In light of this, the author claims that the best option for Israel is a national unity government, and opines: “A state is not a guinea pig. A unity government, with all its problems, is the preferable option. That's what past experience shows. It's true that at the moment there seems to be no chance for such a government. That doesn’t mean that we have to give up the option.”

     

    Yisrael Hayom believes that the report in The Wall Street Journal, “claiming that Israel spied on the nuclear talks between world powers and Iran, was part of U.S. President Barack Obama's campaign of retribution against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,” and goes to demonstrate Obama’s desire “to cast blame on Netanyahu, and no one else, for the spoiled relations between his administration and the Israeli government.” The author reveals that the other countries involved in the talks are providing Israel with information, and says: “Obama needs to understand that in this story Israel is not alone. There is also France, other Arab states and the Republicans. Netanyahu is not alone. And after last week's elections, Mr. President, I'm sorry to inform you -- Netanyahu is Israel.” 

    [Ben-Dror Yemini and Boaz Bismuth wrote today's articles in Yediot Aharonot and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]