Haaretz calls on the chain Steimatzky to continue with its intention to distribute the magazine as originally planned, despite the warning “by the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee, which denounced what it called a provocative step that hurt the feelings of Muslims and their faith, and increased the hatred and tension between peoples.” The editor believes that “We must not take religious feelings lightly,” but adds: “it is impossible to accept a situation in which individuals or groups make use of their hurt feelings as justification for actions to silence others.”

Yisrael Hayom opines that “Radical Islamists feel fundamentally entitled, believing they are entitled to force the enlightened world to forfeit freedom of opinion, speech and expression, and asserts that  the war currently being waged in Europe and around the world “is not between religions, nor is it between the radicals on either side. It is a fight for freedom, equality, and liberty.” The author states: “Circumstances mandate more than just rejecting radical Islamists' demands, they practically bar any compromise,” and adds: “In that respect Israeli bookstore chain Steimatzky's decision to refrain from carrying the latest issue of Charlie Hebdo, whose cover featured a cartoon of a tearful Muhammad, failed to meet the expectations of democracy.” The editor notes that “The police should have protected Steimatzky, and the public should have volunteered to stand guard in its stores until the very last issue of the satirical magazine would have been sold,” and concludes: “Coercion and terrorism must be met with an iron wall, not with capitulation.”

====================================

The Jerusalem Post criticizes international leaders for their laudatory praise of the character and leadership of deceased King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. The editor emphasizes that the only lasting impact the king left was one of “bloodstained streets and scarred backs,” and asserts: “Saudi Arabia is an aberration, an anachronism that should be viewed as a pariah.” The editor believes that by lavishly praising the monarch, “Western leaders have betrayed the values of not only Muslims, but their own countries,” and states: “It is time to wake from the slumber of hypocrisy and moral relativism. Saudi Arabia is not a role model, and leaders who laud it as one deserve to be called onto the carpet.”

Yediot Aharonot notes that despite his conciliatory attitude towards Iran, US President Barak Obama “is still Israel's most important friend in the world.” Criticizing PM Netanyahu’s intention to address Congress on the Iranian issue, the author notes that Netanyahu has managed to break the unified support of the Republicans and the Democrats, and states: “He is creating enemies, he isn't adding friends.” Wondering whether Netanyahu will be able “to act responsibility and back out of this unnecessary move,” the author asserts: “Netanyahu is causing damage to Israel on the diplomatic level. He is also causing damage to himself on the political level.”

Globes comments on the quantitative easing program announced last week by European Central Bank president Mario Draghi and its effect on the local market. The author notes that in an uncertain world, “the Bank of Israel can do nothing but cross its fingers for the European Central Bank president,” and adds: “If it succeeds, the ECB president's quantitative easing initiative could save the Bank of Israel's blushes as it runs out of monetary tools.”