Yediot Aharonot notes that "Land Day in Israel and the territories passed quietly,i.e. there were demonstrations and clashes here and there, but the promised millions did not come," and says that this is one sign that "The upheavals in the Arab world have turned the Israeli-Palestinian dispute into what it should have been from the outset – a fairly marginal conflict, one of the products of the struggle between blocs that can – with the right combination of carrots and sticks – be solved locally." However, the author adds that"This awareness has yet to reach some of the Palestinians’ supporters in the West," and reminds them that "The critical question is the future of Egypt, Iraq and Syria – futures that have no clear connection to ‘our’ conflict." The paper concludes that "The ideological weariness, on both sides, is an opportunity for pragmatism," in order to achieve an agreement.
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Ma’ariv decries the nepotism at the Israel Electric Corp. and other state-run companies. The author reminds his readers that the State Comptroller has dealt with the issue more than once but asserts that "The State Companies Authority does not dare to deal with this hot potato." The paper also claims that MKs, even those most closely identified with social issues, have shied away from the issue and concludes that "Only an MK with reputation for bravery, who does not depend on party central committees or primaries, is likely to advance legislation to correct this failing. But someone who is thus willing to commit suicide is unlikely to be found – at least not in the current Knesset."
Yisrael Hayom discusses the latest controversy in Hebron. While the author avers that "Jews have the right to live in any legally purchased or rented home anywhere, certainly in the Land of Israel," he nevertheless believes that "The unilateral entry into a building without notifying the local military commander in advance and receiving his consent, as is required in an area that is not under Israeli sovereignty, is unacceptable." The paper says that "One cannot countenance the settlers’ impatient move that is liable to affect both Israel’s diplomatic situation and the tense quiet that currently prevails between the security forces and the Palestinian Authority," and urges that they be evacuated from the building in question while they plead their case in court.
The Jerusalem Post is bemused by what it terms the mind-boggling hypocrisy of the Palestinian Authority: “The same week that the Palestinian Authority announced the introduction of a new award to honor press freedom, it launched a crackdown on Palestinian journalists to intimidate them and stifle their voices.” The editor wonders if the Palestinians are truly interested in establishing a sovereign state, and, if so, asks whether that future state’s institutions shouldn’t “protect basic human rights like press freedom? And shouldn’t the US, EU, human rights NGOs and proponents of free speech help Palestinians achieve this goal by devoting more of their time and energy to constructive criticism of the PA and less to bashing or pressuring Israel?” The editor states that “Until that change takes place, honors such as a Palestinian award for press freedom can be nothing but ironic reminders of the distance that separates t! he Palestinian people from responsible self-government.”
Haaretz discusses PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s abrupt about-face regarding last week’s gasoline price increase, and states that the gas and its price tag “are but a metaphor for Netanyahu’s feeble leadership.” The editor takes issue with the government’s decision-making process, and notes: “calling the cabinet’s summations ‘deciding’ is a misnomer. A more accurate description of the cabinet’s actions might be something along the lines of "talking" or "panicking." The editor concludes: “It’s not the gasoline price that Israelis should be concerned about, but rather those who decide on it.”
[Aviad Kleinberg, Yehuda Sharoni and Dan Margalit wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]