(Israel Government Press Office)

Yediot Aharonot says: "After 20 years of talks the time has come to internalize [the fact] that Abu Mazen does not want a peace agreement," and adds: 'He is incapable of taking this step, and it does not matter if the reason is political or psychological." The author reminds his readers: "Whoever blames Netanyahu for the failure of the talks forgets that Olmert and Barak failed before him. It is possible to accuse Netanyahu of being hesitant and of being unable to make decisions, but he cannot be blamed because Abu Mazen remains Abu Mazen." The paper declares: "Contrary to Secretary of State John Kerry's threats, Israel will not become an apartheid state because there is no peace just like the US did not become a failed democracy because it failed to spread democracy around the world. Sometimes an ideal runs into an iron wall; it may be unpleasant, but it is reality."

Yisrael Hayom asserts that the only real differences between Fatah and Hamas, vis-à-vis Israel, are over tactics, and claims that: "The Palestinian Authority recognizes that it will make progress by using diplomacy, as opposed to terrorism, as a means to destroy Israel. To this end, Abbas talks out of both sides of his mouth: To the world, he condemns terrorism and commits himself to the negotiations, but at home he stands behind violent incitement, and praises and economically supports those who have murdered women and children." The author notes that "Murderous Hamas, on the other hand, glories in its Islamic fundamentalism." The paper dismisses any possibility that the organization will accept the Quartet's conditions for acceptance as a peace partner.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Haaretz says: “The uniqueness of the Holocaust as the worst crime ever doesn’t mean Israel must ignore crimes committed against other nations,” and calls on the government to recognize the Palestinian Nakba (the Palestinian term for the “catastrophe” they suffered upon Israel’s founding.) The editor notes that “The dispute over the degree of Israel’s responsibility for the emigration, expulsion and displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the War of Independence is a matter for historians,” and calls on the government to “make the history of the Palestinians an integral part of every school curriculum.”

The Jerusalem Post comments on religious legislation as a causal factor in high food prices in Israel. The editor asserts “The Chief Rabbinate’s monopoly over kashrut supervision must be dismantled,” and adds: “Taking away the Chief Rabbinate’s monopoly would open up both the local and international markets to free competition among numerous kashrut supervision firms and result in a drop in food prices.”