Yediot Aharonot believes that Israeli public relations specialists will pay close attention to how their American counterparts craft the images of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in the upcoming election, but claims that "The problem is that while there is indeed similarity between the two countries’ propaganda techniques, there is no similarity between their systems of governance." The author reminds his readers that "The American President is chosen by personal marketing because he has the exclusive authority to establish a government as he pleases and carry out his policies, subject to Congressional approval, without having to depend on coalition partners." However, as the paper notes, "The Israeli politician is also chosen by direct marketing but without any personal authority," and adds that Israeli leaders "are abducted by the smaller parties and held hostage by them." The author further notes what while American Presidents are assured of at least four years in office in which they may try to implement their policies, "Since 1996, there have been six governments in Israel, which have served for an average of 2.5 years, and it is impossible to implement any sort of policy in such a short time." The p! aper points out: "When you vote for Netanyahu, you receive Eli Yishai and Avigdor Liberman; when you vote for Shaul Mofaz, you receive Eli Yishai and Avigdor Liberman," and concludes: "It does not matter what personal image the Israeli media experts craft for whichever Israelis run for Prime Minister because the result of their efforts will be the same – Yes, we can’t."
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Ma’ariv discusses events in Syria and urges that Israel prepare for both possibilities – that the Assad regime will fall and that it will hang on to power. In any case, the author urges Jerusalem not to intervene unless a clear Israeli interest is at stake, such as preventing the transfer of advanced weaponry to Hezbollah.
Yisrael Hayom refers to the incident in which the deputy commander of the IDF Jordan Valley Brigade was filmed as he struck a pro-Palestinian activist with his M-16. The author says that "Such pictures are a dream come true for Israel-haters," and adds that the deputy commander’s "claim that he had been physically and verbally attacked is not even a mitigating circumstance in an environment in which provocations are the norm." The paper predicts that the officer will be dismissed "because of what happened and – no less – because of the stupidity. The IDF is supposed to win wars, including those for public opinion, and yesterday the IDF lost – and how. And in an army that wants to win, there is no place for an officer who is responsible for such a shameful loss."
The Jerusalem Post discusses the coordinated arrival at Ben-Gurion Airport of hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists who apparently are “not so much motivated by the desire to improve the lot of the Palestinian people as they are to do everything in their power to delegitimize the State of Israel.” The editor is amazed by the “many prominent Israelis who should have known better,” who attacked Israeli government leaders for mishandling the situation, and states that it would have been downright irresponsible not to take extensive precautionary measures to prevent hundreds of ‘activists’ “from staging an unauthorized demonstration in Ben Gurion Airport that could have easily deteriorated into violent clashes.”
Haaretz points out the huge disparities in employee salaries in the government sector, and notes that “The price is paid by the other public employees and the public at large, which is burdened by a high cost of living and lower-quality government service.” The editor calls on the Netanyahu government to address this injustice by initiating comprehensive reforms, and states that “A public sector that is run fairer and more efficiently will not only be a source of pride for the workers, it will be a good example for everyone.”
[Baruch Leshem, Ehud Eilam and Yoav Limor wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]