Summary of editorials from the Hebrew press
Israeli Missions Around The World Los Angeles Press Room Media Appearances Summary of editorials from the Hebrew press

Summary of editorials from the Hebrew press 3/30

  • 3/30/2015
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    ​​The Jerusalem Post argues that the most worrying aspect of the negotiations with Iran is that “Iran continues to lie about its nuclear program, as it engages in terrorism not just in countries in the region – such as Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and Syria – but also in far-flung cities such as Caracas, Buenos Aires and Burgas.” The editor asserts: “Iran cannot be allowed to continue to deceive the world about its nuclear program as it sows violence and instability throughout the region,” and adds: “The March 31 deadline has not yet arrived. There is still time to reverse course.”

    Haaretz comments on the apparent difficulties PM Netanyahu is facing in forming his new government and on rumors that he may therefore “suggest to Zionist Union leaders Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni that they join a unity government,” and declares: “Herzog and Livni dare not be tempted by Netanyahu’s honey trap to enter the government, to serve as shields against international pressure from without and blows to democracy from within.” The editor believes that Israel needs a strong opposition that will speak with a clear voice against the occupation, the undermining of civil rights and the legal system, and asserts: “That must be the task of Zionist Union, rather than to serve as a public diplomacy arm of the Likud.”
    Yediot Aharonot discusses the decision to release the tax money belonging to the Palestinian Authority, which has been withheld by Israel since January. The money was not released prior to the elections due to electoral considerations, as the prime minister was hoping to gain as many right wing voters as possible, but now contenders for government portfolios who would have previously raised a ruckus are keeping quiet for fear they will be left out of the government. The author believes that Netanyahu is the greatest cosmetic artist in Israel’s history, but in effect, nothing has changed: “It's the same man, the same cynicism and the same policy.” The author adds: “In a right-wing government, Netanyahu will be more attentive to the world's reactions than in a national unity government. He will be more exposed, more cautious,” and declares: “The politicians in the right-wing bloc will also be more cautious, at least in the beginning: Netanyahu has an alternative government; they don't.”
    Yisrael Hayom believes that the talks leading up to the signing of the agreement with Iran are nothing more than “A glorious chapter in the march of folly,” and adds: “The West is powering ahead on autopilot toward a catastrophic deal with Iran.” The author contends that “Negotiating with Iran was supposed to have given them the bare minimum. Instead, Iran has been given the status of a world power, nearly equal to that of the countries it's negotiating with,” and states: “A crazy, violent area known as the Middle East, which is already up to its ears in complications, is telling the world ‘Hey, stop’ -- but it looks like someone, maybe someone in the White House, has decided that this deal mustn't be stopped.”
    [Nahum Barnea and Boaz Bismuth wrote today's articles in Yediot Aharonot and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]