Summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press – February 14th, 2012

Yediot Aharonot remarks that "Yesterday’s attack in India and the attempted attack in Georgia are, apparently, the work of local terrorist infrastructures. But the assessment is that they are only part of multiple cells throughout the world operated by the Iranian intelligence organization – the aim of which is to deter Israel from attacking Iranian nuclear scientists." The author opines that "So far, it is doubtful that the Iranian officer in charge of these attacks will be receiving a promotion any time soon."

Ma’ariv notes that "India is not interested in becoming a violent arena in the framework of the Middle East conflict. Only last week it announced that it would continue purchasing petroleum from Iran despite the embargo." The author points out that "An order to carry out attacks under these conditions is liable to endanger Iran’s interests, and therefore, perhaps, the attempts to initiate a deadly, yet isolated, incident are limited in scope – for now."

Yisrael Hayom says, "The working assumption by the security services last night was that global terror assault is not yet over. The assessment is that the incidents in India and Georgia are part of a wider, multi-continental and multi-dimensional effort, intended to give to Hizbullah and to Iran a triple achievement: Revenge (in part and however late) for the elimination of Imad Mughniyeh, revenge (small and not proportional) for the elimination of the [nuclear] scientists, and deterrence."

 

The Jerusalem Post comments that "In the context of the social justice movement, it is instructive to learn from Greece, a country facing economic collapse. While the demonstrations have raised public consciousness about ‘social justice’ and brought about positive change, it is important that the government remain vigilant against attempts to undermine fiscal discipline or endanger in any other way our economy’s ability to weather the economic slowdown that is expected in coming months. Our leaders must resist populist calls to foster ‘social justice’ by increasing government expenditures or by implementing pseudo-socialist programs such as expanding the public sector. The best policy for economic health is minimizing state intervention in the economy, reducing the size of the public sector and encouraging free, fair competition. Greece provides an excellent example of what happens when these principles are abandoned."

Haaretz comments that "The decision by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation to support a bill that assigns criminal responsibility to the clients of prostitutes is praiseworthy. Imposing responsibility on the clients signals a deep-seated change in the relationship between the legislature and the prostitution industry. Israel’s 1998 anti-sexual harassment law has shown that legislation can indeed effect change, even when the law is far ahead of prevailing social norms. This new bill is another important stage in this welcome process of change."

 

[Alex Fishman, Nadav Eyal and Yoav Limor wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]