Summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press – February 3rd, 2011

The Jerusalem Post criticizes Defense Minister Barak’s handling of the appointment of a new IDF chief-of-staff in the wake of the decision to annul the appointment of Yoav Galant as the next IDF chief: "Barak’s handling of this entire affair was deeply problematic, the more so when the country is beset by existential challenges. Small-mindedness is never desirable, but it’s deeply irresponsible at at time of escalating danger, when Israel is facing shifting threats on every one of its borders. It’s hard not to feel exasperation at what seem to be the ongoing petty grudges harbored by Defense Minister Ehud Barak as he persists in his quarrel with the outgoing chief of General Staff, Gabi Ashkenazi, further exacerbating the sense of uncertainty."

Haaretz comments: "The immediate retirement of Ashkenazi with the announcement by Netanyahu and Barak that they want to appoint the deputy chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Yair Naveh, as acting chief of staff for two months is a scandalous initiative. It adds the sins of caprice and arrogance to the crime of how the appointment of Galant was handled, and it is entirely motivated by hatred of Ashkenazi, not love for Naveh. Continuous functioning of a chief of staff is not personally necessary for Ashkenazi. It is vital for the State of Israel and the IDF. This is the moment for the government ministers, usually so quiet and obedient, to demonstrate more responsibility following their failure in appointing Galant. They must decide if they will be Barak’s soldiers, or if they will be commanders."

Yisrael Hayom professes that, "The Galant episode provides additional testimony to the fact that Israel is experiencing a Revolution of the Roses (after the [Wohl] Rose Park opposite the Knesset), both moral and systematic, thanks in no small part to attorney generals and High Court judges. This is a revolution without bloodshed and civil disobedience, a revolution with the fragrance of renovation and purity."

Yediot Aharonot discusses "the day on which Egypt will close the [natural gas] pipe." The author says, "It has become clear, in the wake of the recent events, that it is difficult to depend on others. Accordingly, what is necessary is to prohibit natural gas exports… That would ensure the supply of gas to Israel for decades."

Ma’ariv, following the recent hike in the gasoline tax, maintains that, "In order to avoid fighting with the ultra-orthodox factions, taxing various specified incomes and cancelling benefits for the wealthy and for senior officials – the Government searches for the easiest way to fill the country’s coffers: By harming the poor." The author suggests several measures, to cover the NIS 1.4 billion gap that cancelling the gasoline tax hike would cause, including (inter alia) "cutting some of the ministers without portfolios and a 5% tax on luxury vehicles."