Ma’ariv criticizes an ISA request that it be granted access to the Israeli banking system’s computers, ostensibly in order to ensure their security against cyber-attacks. The author says that granting the ISA "unrestricted access to the banks’ most sensitive networks is frightening." In addition to civil liberty concerns, the paper asserts that "The move is liable to cause concern among foreign account holders, to whom the ISA is synonymous with security and counter-terrorism and not financial affairs and interest rates." The author commends the Bank of Israel’s current supervision of the banking system, including its computers, and contends that it is sufficient.
Yisrael Hayom strongly criticizes any attempts to restrict freedom of speech in Israel and declares that "Shutting people up is more dangerous than anything even the most loathsome people can say." While the author criticizes Israeli academics who advocate boycotts of Israel, he avows his opposition "to any attack on their professional standing at their universities and their chances of advancing up the ladder." The author also applies this model to the New Israel Fund. While the paper opposes interference in "its right to support hostile organizations, even those that disavow the Jewish People’s right to self-determination," it nevertheless criticizes the Fund for continuing to do so. The author also defends the rights of those who criticize the Fund.
The Jerusalem Post remarks that "It has become abundantly clear that the Obama administration’s attempt to ‘engage’ Syria – which has included, in addition to Mitchell’s recent visit there, ongoing attempts to reinstate a US ambassador in Damascus – has been a resounding failure." The editor states that US President Obama’s goal of reaching out to Muslims around the world in an attempt to encourage moderate streams of Islam can only work if it is accompanied by a parallel strategy of effectively sanctioning Islamic extremism. "Failing to do so means defaulting on America’s deterrence capabilities and, with the direst consequences, allowing terror groups – including the anti- American insurgents in Iraq and Hizbullah in Lebanon – to continue to receive support from states like Syria."
Haaretz notes that "The repeated failures over the course of 19 years of negotiations with the Syrians have only led to the strengthening of Israel’s hostile northern front," and calls on the government to seize the opportunity for peace currently materializing. The editor states that "In addition to the strategic benefit, a peace treaty would reinforce the regional aspect to the negotiations with the Palestinians, in accordance with the Arab peace initiative," and concludes: "Netanyahu now has another opportunity to reverse the trend and achieve a peace agreement that will provide great advantages to this country."