512
Yediot Aharonot discusses the recent spate of rapes in Israel and asserts "The real issue here is not a discussion of minorities, or a racist view of refugees and migrants, or the way to change their absorption in Israel, in the wake of the rape of a young woman in south Tel Aviv. Neither is it a demographic analysis or considering the profile of potential rapists since it has already been made clear that a member of the Chief-of-Staff\’s security detail, an Eritrean infiltrator or even the President of the State fit the bill. The real issue is the sense of fear that has taken over in recent weeks." The author calls for stepped-up enforcement, more severe punishment and public dialogue.
Ma\’ariv comments on the \’Flame\’ computer virus and believes that even though "The use of viruses has become much more difficult…it is possible to assume that computer-against-computer warfare in the Middle East is continuing." The author ventures that any state or group of states interested in forestalling a possible military attack on Iran would be motivated to seek to disrupt Tehran\’s nuclear project by other means.
Yisrael Hayom suggests that Turkey\’s decision to indict four senior IDF commanders over the 2010 seizure of the Mavi Marmara stems from one of two sources: "The compulsive-bordering-on-infantile need to deal with the two-year-old flotilla issue until the last caprice and urge of Recep Tayyip Erdogan is sated, or devious and wicked malice designed to feed the diplomatic friction between the two countries until it is beyond repair." The author reminds his readers that the Turks demanded the creation of what became known as the Palmer Commission and then rejected its report when it determined that "Israel has a legal right to impose a blockade on a Gaza that is overflowing with terrorists, for its own self-defense."
The Jerusalem Post wonders whether the “preliminary results in Egypt’s first round of presidential elections [are] good for the Jewish state or bad for the Jewish state?” Despite some positive developments, the editor notes that “A recent BBC poll found 85% of Egyptians hold negative views of Israel, up 7% from the year before. Under the circumstances, it is difficult to be overly optimistic about the future of Israeli-Egyptian relations.”
Haaretz reflects on the situation of sports in Israel, and points out that “Israeli sports are permanently overshadowed by the twin clouds of soccer and basketball.” Nevertheless, the editor asserts, “a different culture of sport – straightforward, professional and based on hard work – has taken root, without receiving the respect and attention it deserves.” The editor describes the achievements of Israelis in the international sports arena, and calls for modification of fund allocation priorities: “Last week\’s decision by the Israel Sports Betting Board to examine the allocation of tens of millions of shekels a year to the Israel Football Association is a step in the right direction. The state should give its financial support to sports that genuinely deserve it.”
[Ronen Bergman, Rita Goldstein and Dan Margalit wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma\’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]