(Israel Government Press Office)

The Jerusalem Post writes: "US Secretary of State John Kerry warned yet again over the weekend that Israel would suffer if its leaders failed to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians. Singling out Israel for special censure is problematic, because the underlying assumption behind economic boycotts is that Israeli policy – not Palestinian incitement, extremism and intransigence – is the sole factor to be blamed for the present stalemate. Seen in a broader context, Kerry’s analysis of the potential economic ramifications that await Israel should it fail to resolve the conflict is not detached from reality."

Ma'ariv reminds its readers that "close to one million Jews left their homes in Arab countries," and adds, "They left behind property and memories that were not particularly pleasant." The author, whose family was from Damascus, notes, "The State of Israel, after it arose, had many opportunities to demand the property of these Jewish refugees," but adds, "The state was silent even after the Palestinian refugees began to demand to return to their homes in Israel." The paper asserts, "With a genuine and sincere public diplomacy effort, it would be possible to cancel the Palestinian demand for a right of return and take it off the agenda," and regrets that the issue of the Jewish refugees from Islamic countries has garnered headlines only recently. The author commends "the possibility that the issue of compensation for Jews from Arab countries will be part of the peace accords with the Palestinians." [See http://www.justiceforjews.com/ and http://www.jimena.org/.]

Yisrael Hayom asserts that "the Israeli-American dialogue needs a responsible adult," because "it has deteriorated recently to an undesirable state." The author believes that "John Kerry does not understand Israeli sensitivities," while "Benjamin Netanyahu is oblivious of the fact that the Americans will not overlook his remarks at the start of yesterday's Cabinet meeting." The paper declares, "Somebody needs to put an end to the exchanges of remarks and compel the sides to use the right to silence." The author notes that Israeli outspokenness draws attention away from the Palestinians' attacks on the Americans' reported proposals. However, the paper avers that "Kerry cannot be seen by Israel as an honest broker if he darkly describes the boycott that will be imposed on it and does not express his opposition, and if he hints at a third intifada (the illusion of security, in his words) without making clear that the threats by Jibril Rajoub and his cohorts to take up arms again are unacceptable and harm the chances for peace." The author concludes, "Despite that Israel's shouting is, to a certain degree, irresponsible language-wise, Kerry will find out that the obstacle to peace is located a few kilometers north of Jerusalem, not in the Jewish capital."

Yediot Aharonot criticizes a plan by Education Minister Shai Piron to cut back on the study of Arabic in middle and high schools. The author says, "There are two reasons to study the language of the other: Either you do so because 20% of the country's residents are neighbors beyond your door and you dream of one day having normal relations with them, or because you adopt the idea of 'Know your enemy', his religion and customs, culture and rich language." The paper says that whatever one's motive, further reducing the study of Arabic will lead to a situation in which "we learn about what is happening around us from what the local media sees fit to present."

Haaretz comments on the trial of Daphni Leef, leader of the social protest movement, for resisting arrest at a demonstration in June 2012: "The evidence phase has so far included the showing of video footage in which Leef does not even appear. The gap between police testimony and the images captured in the majority of the video clips from the demonstration and uploaded to the Internet – the latter show officers using undue force against Leef in the course of her arrest – is also disturbing. It raises questions about the officers’ credibility and the motivation of the police in this affair. Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein and Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino must put an end to the Leef affair and compel the police to retreat from the criminal proceedings against her."

[Shalom Yerushalmi, Semadar Peri and Dan Margalit wrote today's articles in Ma'ariv, Yediot Aharonot, Ma'ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]