Yediot Aharonot commends former Social Affairs and Social Services Minister, Yitzhak Herzog: "Herzog will be noted as one of the best Social Affairs and Social Services Ministers that Israel ever had. The healthy foundations which he laid in the ministry will assist many of the population’s weaker groups for years to come."
Ma’ariv, on the occasion of the Tu B’shvat holiday, calls for everyone to "Go out and plant a tree. Not in a forest, but rather in a place close to your home, and close to your heart. Water it, cultivate it and watch it grow. That is heartfelt Zionism, applied Zionism."
Yisrael Hayom turns to the owners and investors in Israel’s energy sector, in response to their complaints regarding the Sheshinski Committee recommendations: "To say that you did not know about the risk that the state would raise its tax royalties? Come on, really. The Finance Ministry can raise taxes on eggs, cigarettes, gasoline, water, and just about anything else for that matter. Only on the discovery of tremendous gas reserves they won’t raise taxes?"
The Jerusalem Post comments on the probe into the integrity of Maj.-Gen. Yoav Galant, the new chief-designate of the IDF General Staff, and notes that “It is a badge of honor for Israeli society that, no matter what the eventual outcome of the disagreeable episode that now threatens his elevation, nothing at this juncture can be taken for granted.” The editor feels that it is right and necessary that the lingering doubts be vigorously and thoroughly investigated, and adds: “We need to be confident in the character, judgment and integrity of the man tasked with some of the most difficult decisions in Israeli public life; the man to whom so many Israelis entrust the well-being of their children; the man charged, above all, with our defense.”
Haaretz discusses the questioning of high-school students by the police recently regarding their alleged use of hashish and marijuana, and is astounded by the fact that in 2011 “the use of ‘soft’ drugs in Israel is something that requires a police investigation.” The editor comments that “High school students deserve to be given explanations and guidance rather than interrogation room visits and a police record,” and calls on the police to “focus their efforts where they are needed, such as on apprehending drug dealers and preventing driving under the influence of drugs rather than suppressing behavior that has become routine.”
[David Regev, Dubi Amitai and Hezi Sternlicht wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]
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