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Yediot Aharonot believes that "Netanyahu\’s and Barak\’s perspectives have not changed, just as Netanyahu\’s \’natural\’ partners (the settlers, ultra-Orthodox, Liberman) did not change merely because [Kadima MKs] Nachman Shai and Dalia Itzik have joined the coalition."
Ma\’ariv argues that "Olmert\’s remarks on Jerusalem were, perhaps, aggravating, but there is a danger that we are en route to a bi-national city, and then a bi-national country. The problem is that we are prisoners to slogans. Instead of saving Jerusalem, we are losing it."
Yisrael Hayom refers to Saudi Arabia\’s freezing of diplomatic ties with longtime ally Egypt and what it means to the latter – on the eve of Cairo\’s presidential elections – and other neighboring Arab states: "The first and important message directed especially towards the Egyptian public voting for their President in the first round this week: Egypt is in desperate economic straits and is in need of significant external aid. Saudi Arabia has pledged $3.75 billion, of which half a billion has been transferred so far. If the forecasts are realized and a radical president is chosen who is liable to take diplomatic stands not to the Saudis\’ liking, there will be consequences – the end to Saudi aid. This is a signal to other regimes that might be in need of Saudi assistance: Syria for its rehabilitation after its civil war, divided Yemen and others. All these will receive a Saudi economic response.&! #160; The Saudi step is nothing other than a first step in taking a stance. The Saudi regime senses that it is in a struggle for survival and will not hesitate to use more significant diplomatic and economic means if need be if the present hint is not taken."
Haaretz believes that the Baghdad Summit, due to begin tomorrow, is “A critical test for diplomacy,” and asserts: “This week\’s Baghdad summit is not only an effort to neutralize the Iranian nuclear threat, but also to neutralize the Israeli strategic threat.”
The Jerusalem Post discusses the difficulties faced by Ethiopian immigrants to Israel, and states: “Exacerbating the situation is the feeling among many Ethiopians that the government has adopted a patronizing attitude toward the community.” The editor reveals that “last week’s cabinet decision to renew the 2008 five-year plan was met with stiff opposition by numerous Ethiopian leaders, principally because they felt that they were not made a part of the planning process,” and declares that Ethiopian leaders “should be incorporated into the decision-making and planning stages as full partners.” The editor adds: “If the plan succeeds, they will share in the success. And if results fail to meet expectations they will share the responsibility for making the necessary improvements.”
[Aviad Klineberg, Ben-Dror Yemini and Prof. Alexander Bligh wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronot, Ma\’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]