Yediot Aharonot comments on the fact that the Finance Ministry Motor Vehicle Administration chose the luxury BMW 528i as the winner of a tender for the next car for ministers and other senior officials, albeit with an option for the more moderately-priced Citroen C5. The author lauds the BMW 528i but asserts "It is the most inappropriate car for ministers, certainly at present. When they are about to raise our taxes and are cutting the budget again due to the growing global economic crisis, making it the Government of Israel\’s official service car cuts the Government off from the public even more than the 528i\’s ability to isolate its passengers from loutish behavior on the roads." The paper contends that "This was a delusional tender from the outset, when the Finance Ministry insisted on setting a minimum p! rice of NIS 200,000 for the next ministerial car in order to ensure that only luxury cars would be offered," and concludes: "Any minister who, in the summer of 2012 chooses the BMW, should – without doubt – return the keys the moment after he votes for the new plan of [budget] cuts."
Ma\’ariv criticizes the Finance Ministry\’s decision to lower customs duties and purchase taxes on – inter alia – various food, electronic and textile products: "As consumers, we are all happy about this but one may still wonder how the Finance Ministry can be so generous as to renounce revenue worth hundreds of millions of shekels at a time when boosting collection is the order of the day. Why all of a sudden, during the crisis in Europe and the slowdown at home, the result of which is an increased deficit target and the imposition of new economic decrees, are they acting here like there is no tomorrow? Apart from lowering the cost of living, this populist decision does not contribute anything to economic growth." The author adds: "One need not be a top economist to know that with the publication of the 2013 budget, we will return the hundreds of shekels that we received as a gift from the tax people via the increase of at l! east 1% in VAT," and ventures that "While the Finance Ministry can claim that it is heeding the recommendations of the committees that were formed in the wake of the social protests, we suspect that these are the first signs of election economics." The paper avers: "In any case, it is doubtful if the Finance Ministry decision to ease the plight of the middle class will indeed get off the ground. Who can guarantee that the importers will indeed pass on to consumers the savings from [lowering] customs duties and purchase taxes?" The author also expresses concern that cheaper imports could harm local industries.
Yisrael Hayom discusses the apparent crisis in the talks between the Likud and Kadima over a replacement to the Tal Law regarding the requirement that all citizens perform either military or civilian service. The author believes that "The issue is more psychological than practical," and asserts that both sides could bridge the gap in their positions if they really want to do so. If there is no such compromise, the paper warns, especially since Yisrael Beytenu is taking its own, seemingly harsher, line, "They can, once again, start looking at dates for early elections."
Haaretz states that “This week\’s decision by the Jerusalem Magistrate\’s Court to sentence two policemen to 30 months in prison for leaving a Palestinian man to die at the side of a highway is a badge of honor for the judicial system,” and asserts that “The policemen\’s actions reveal that an inhumane attitude toward those labeled ‘illegal’ has taken root in a disturbing way, particularly among those entrusted with the safety and welfare of others.” The editor quotes the judge, who stated that "The source of a policeman\’s power, and that of the police force in a democratic state, does not lie in the baton or the Taser gun or any other weapon at their disposal, but in their ethical level," and adds: “His words should resound at every police station in Israel.”
The Jerusalem Post criticizes the government’s efforts to curb illegal immigration from Africa into Israel “have so far proven paltry and far from effective.” The editor notes that “Africans headed toward Israel still expect that if they get across the border, they will reach the large cities, find work and earn well,” and states that “Nothing will alter this until Israel loses its lucrative image. This means, inter alia, cracking down on employers of illegal workers and removing squatters from our urban public domain.”
[Udi Etzion, Yehuda Sharoni and Dan Margalit wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma\’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]