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Ma’ariv opines that "With a clear hierarchy, an open ear to the public and waking up after years of being suppressed, there is no reason to be surprised by the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood." The author wonders, "What does the current picture have in store for Israel? War and confrontation is not on the threshold, and the peace agreement is not expected to be abrogated. The new Egyptian regime will be under constraints, led by the need to take responsibility and feed over 85 million citizens and run a country."
Haaretz comments: "Due to opposition from a few ministers and scheduling issues, the cabinet Sunday failed to make any decisions about the Trajtenberg committee’s proposals to increase competition in the cement and cooking gas markets as well as for gas stations, public transportation and seaports, among others. There is still no agreement over the central recommendations of the Trajtenberg committee to reduce customs fees for food and eliminate obstacles to imports such as the Standards Institution of Israel and import duties, in order to ease prices. Pressure from manufacturers and farmers have kept these important issues from even being placed on the agenda for yesterday’s weekly cabinet meeting. The recommendations of the Trajtenberg committee are dissipating before our eyes. The government’s main consideration is not improving the quality of life and reducing the cost of living, but rather giving in to cronyism and vested interests in an effort to remain in power."
Yediot Aharonot asks, "Why do many of the ultra-orthodox not understand that the attempt to suppress women – suppress their voice, the way they look, their presence in public life – is liable to cause most of the Israeli public (including the religious and many ultra-orthodox) to go crazy? Because we did not tell them – in a loud and clear voice – that it is sacred to us. It is not just another small and aggravating abuse to which we have already become accustomed to. The State of Israel will not exist, cannot exist, must not exist – to the exclusion of women from public life. The ultra-orthodox must know that they are playing with fire. Women’s equality is sacred to Israel, and with what is sacred to Israel, no one can play with."
Yisrael Hayom offers two opposing viewpoints on the current debate over Israel’s democracy:
Likud MK Tzipi Hotovely contends that "Israeli newspapers are warning that democracy is under attack. The truth is, there is something to it. If democracy is rule by the people, we are being exposed to more entities that are doing their utmost in order to harm the people’s ability to rule. It started with a de-legitimization campaign in the media against a series of draft laws tabled in the Knesset. The fourth governing arm – the media – quickly categorized public representatives as sons of light and sons of darkness and stuck each draft law with a name based on its feelings towards it."
Former Labor MK and Minister Uzi Baram says, "There was no need to wait for what transpired at the ‘Saban Forum’ or to listen to Hillary Clinton regarding anti-democratic draft laws and about the strengthening of the radical rabbinate and the suppression of women in order to understand what is happening. The Americans passed through a similar, not-to-be-forgotten period. At the start of the 1950’s a Senate committee dealt with the struggle against the phenomena of ‘anti-Americanism’ in the media, literature, art and especially in theater and cinema. The committee cast suspicion on many good people for allegedly forming Communist cells, and the atmosphere in America was that of a witch hunt. Within two years of the committee’s work, Senator McCarthy became an object of ridicule. He was ultimately condemned by the same Senate that chose him."
The Jerusalem Post comments: "Many US Jews, spurred on by a group of prominent American Jewish media pundits, were apparently upset by an Israeli campaign to encourage Israeli expats living in American to return home. Admittedly, the Immigrant Absorption Ministry campaign, which resorts to blatant scare tactics, is aggressive. Yet the sad fact is that for Israelis, in particular second-generation Israelis born in America, rates of assimilation are worryingly high. Strengthening Jewish continuity of Israeli expatriates might be accomplished by integrating them into the Diaspora’s many Jewish communities. Another option is social frameworks tailored especially for Israeli expats. Still another option might be extending the right to vote in Israeli elections to some Israelis living abroad. Whatever the method, reaching out to Israeli expats is an honorable endeavor that mustn’t be discontinued because of an unfortunate misunderstanding."
[Yair Lapid, Amos Gilboa and MK Tzipi Hotoveli and former MK and Minister Uzi Baram wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]