Yediot Aharonot suggests that a UN decision this September to recognize a Palestinian state along the 1967 lines is all but inevitable and recommends that the Government "invest efforts in reducing the size of the support for such a decision."
Ma’ariv declares that "Hamas is a terrorist organization the main enemy of which is internal – the Palestinian people," and adds that the main enemies of Iran and Hezbollah are the Iranian and Lebanese peoples, respectively. The author believes that "When Hamas declares ‘We will destroy Israel,’ it is more a mobilization slogan designed for internal use than an operative foreign policy," and adds that "Fundamentalism and terrorism neutralize internal opposition to the regime, namely those who are interested in resolving the conflict, and strengthens extremist elements on the other side." The paper says that "Hamas, or the imams’ regime in Iran, can rule only with bayonets and violence," without which, "There days would be numbered."
Yisrael Hayom believes that if the situation with the Gaza Strip deteriorates "to the point where a decision is necessary, like it was during Operation Cast Lead, then the victory must be complete. What is a complete victory? Toppling the Hamas regime, which is not part of the solution, but is the problem itself."
The Jerusalem Post feels that despite the fact that it has become a national pastime to bash our educational system, “not all is gloom and doom.” The editor states that “While there is always room for improvement, our educational system has managed to produce men and women of excellence under difficult conditions. Hyper-criticism of our schools, teachers and students runs the risk of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, while an appreciation of their many achievements is the type of positive thinking that encourages more of the same.”
Haaretz discusses the danger to Israel from international recognition of a Palestinian state in September, and belittles the steps “[PM] Netanyahu proposes to ‘thwart’ the internationalization of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – unilateral withdrawal or an international peace conference to renew negotiations,” claiming they are at best insufficient and at worst another public relations show. The editor believes that “it is difficult to expect that the declaration of partial withdrawal will be able to block the campaign to recognize Palestine,” and declares that “Such a step cannot replace substantive negotiations, nor will it be accepted by the Palestinians or the world as a breakthrough. Instead, the prime minister should start planning negotiations with the Palestinian state that will be recognized in September.”
[Amos Carmel, Adam Raz and Uzi Dayan wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]