Two newspapers discuss the current controversy over whether or not to require all citizens to perform either military or civilian service in light of Saturday night\’s demonstration in Tel Aviv and last week\’s publication of the Plesner report:
Haaretz declares that “It seems that even if [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu does have clear thoughts and ideas about the draft, he does not think they necessarily need to be implemented,” and asserts: “The story of the Plesner committee, and the embarrassing way Netanyahu changed his position on it in less than a week, is a worrisome example of a leader\’s lack of ability to lead.” The editor points out that “After Netanyahu learned that thousands of people were going to take part in Saturday night\’s demonstration calling for a universal draft, he realized that the pent-up frustration among many in the middle class could be vented against him at the ballot box,” and adds: “That was the moment he decided to change his approach – the moment that provided yet more proof that Netanyahu\’s position is no more than the net sum of the pressures on him at any given moment.”
Ma’ariv says that the two main points of the Plesner report are that "Personal sanctions will be imposed on those who evade, whether they are from northern Tel Aviv or they are ultra-orthodox and, at the same time, increased incentives will be given to those who serve. Thus, the guiding principle is not just equality in bearing the burden but also equality of rights." The paper suggests that "Following the demonstration, it seems that even Netanyahu understands that there is a limit to his level of uncompromising dedication to his natural partners because the middle class can no longer pay for them," and asserts: "The moment we make it clear to the ultra-orthodox that non-equality in bearing the burden entails non-equality in rights, they will understand very quickly that their obdurate isolationism has a price."
Yediot Aharonot comments on Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen\’s upcoming visit to Tehran and writes: "Abu Mazen never misses any hole in the Middle East to fall into. What to do? The man has no luck. He has had a terrible year. Every international, regional or internal Palestinian initiative that he has touched – has collapsed. And now he has found a new hole for himself in the form of a presidential statement that he is going to a conference in Iran." The author believes that the conference of non-aligned countries may not take place and if it does, that most countries will prefer to send lower-ranking officials and not heads of state. The paper asserts that "By declaring his departure for a conference in Tehran, which may not take place, Abu Mazen has not only given ammunition to those who oppose peace talks with the Palestinians but he has also succeeded in irritating any ally and body that assists, and donates it! s money to, the Palestinian Authority," from the Gulf states, to Europe and the US. The author says that the Arab world is currently paying very little attention to the Palestinians and urges the Government not to make a big deal out of Abu Mazen\’s visit, if indeed it takes place.
Yisrael Hayom says that the recent archaeological discovery, at Hukok, in the Galilee, of a monumental synagogue dating to the late Roman period underscores the importance of archaeology. The author believes that "The struggle over the historical identity of the Land of Israel is taking place at sites, most of which are hidden from the public eye – under the Temple Mount, at Khirbet Qeiyafa near Beit Shemesh and at Hukok in the Galilee, and the question is asked – how aware is the Israeli public of Muslim elements\’ attempts to damage historical sites?" The paper cautions that "Archaeologists and historians with political agendas do their utmost to reject the discoveries since Biblical accounts and all other findings that attest to Jewish sovereignty in anc! ient Israel indeed express a historical reality," and declares: "These finds, beyond the momentary curiosity they provide to the media, emphasize the connection of thousands of years between the Jewish People and its homeland." In light of the foregoing, the author calls on the Government to provide greater funding for archaeology.
The Jerusalem Post focuses on the death sentence imposed in Iran on Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani for practicing Christianity to discuss the plight of Christians in general in the extremist Islamist regimes that are taking root in the Middle East, and asserts that “Thirty-three years after its Islamic Revolution, Iran continues to issue death sentences against peaceful pastors such as Nadarkhani for the dubious offense of blasphemy. This is testimony to Iran’s warped morality and intolerance toward those who think and believe differently from the mullahs.” The editor wonders at the “inexplicable silence of the West toward the plight of Christians living under Muslim rule,” and asks: “Does a similar fate await Christians in Egypt, Iraq, Tunisia and Syria?”
[Lilach Sigan, Alex Fishman and Lior Alperovitch wrote today’s articles in Ma\’ariv, Yediot Aharonot and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]