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Yediot Aharonot notes that, "A new, concise definition of social justice is now being formulated in Israel: That is the situation in which a ‘Time Out’ candy bar, produced by Strauss-Elite, costs the same in an Israeli convenience store as it does in a convenience store in New York. The feeling of injustice is so acute here that it motivated a group of mothers to write a letter of protest to local Israeli food manufactures. ‘We will not raise our children to be suckers in a country where a [locally produced] ‘Time Out’ candy bar costs two shekels more than in the US.’"
Ma’ariv contends that, "A serious analysis of the Hezbollah leader’s speeches, attests that he is a rational man who understands the disastrous consequences of an Israel attack. Nasrallah is probably bluffing. He does not say whether or not he will attack, but he has proven in the past that, in matters of threats and deeds, you can take him at his word. In a potential confrontation regarding Iran, he has something to lose, and he knows it. He cannot gain from such a confrontation, unless he is attacked and is forced to respond forcefully. The day may come when he can come out of his bunker thanks to the deterrence of tens of thousands of missiles which Hezbollah can activate at any moment if its leader is harmed, especially if it remains out of a potential confrontation between Israel and Iran, should there be one. "
Yisrael Hayom argues that, "According to the West, Iran is, on one hand, a mad country which desires to attain nuclear capabilities, and along with that, aspires to "wipe Israel" off the map (and perhaps a few other countries as well), and on the other, the West still envisions it, or is trying to envision it, as a rational state that perhaps wants only to attain nuclear capabilities, but does not want to use them. And how does Iran see itself? Do they see an ‘enlightened’ world of crazy countries that want to prevent Iran from becoming a power? " The author maintains that, "As far as Iran is concerned, the Western world, sponsored by Israel, (the Judeo-Christian world), views its ascension as a Muslim power a ‘grievous evil’ which must be suppressed and prevented from achieving regional, or even world success. The Western world’s assumption is that Iran will use nuclear weapons if it acquires them, while, according to the Iranian rationale, nuclear weapons are necessary only for self defense and for jihad, which for it is the defense of the Muslim world. In summary: Iran’s goal is to become a strong regional player and, as far as they are concerned, obtaining nuclear weapons is a means of doing so."
The Jerusalem Post wonders whether a simple vote should be enough to do away with a longstanding tradition of keeping Shabbat in the public sphere in Tel Aviv, and states that while “cogent arguments can be made in favor of permitting public transportation in Tel Aviv,” it would mark a deviation from tradition as enshrined in the status quo. The editor notes that although Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz has quashed any public discourse on the issue by announcing that he would veto the Tel Aviv City Council’s initiative, the editor is nevertheless hopeful that “the day will come when a truly free and open debate – and reevaluation – of the status quo will be possible.”
Haaretz approves of the Tel Aviv city council’s request for approval for public transportation on Shabbat, and feels that it is “correct and courageous.” The editor declares that “The argument that providing public transportation on the Sabbath and holidays would harm the religious status quo is an exaggeration and unfair,” and points out that “Tel Aviv launched an important debate this week centered on public transportation in the country’s first Hebrew city. But it actually touches on the future of Israel’s public space as a whole.”
[Sever Plocker, Prof. Alex Mintz and Dr. Ronen Cohen wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.](Israel Government Press Office)