Three papers comment on various aspects of the current situation in Syria:
Yediot Aharonot refers to the idea of a peace agreement between Jerusalem and Damascus. The author retracts his previously expressed support for such an agreement: "I did not take into account the dictatorial character of the regime in Damascus. I led myself astray. Even when Assad won 98% of the vote in the last elections, I did not wake up and say: We must not make peace with this man. I believed in this peace until my eyes were blinded from seeing reality." The author declares that "I am not writing on behalf of the political Left; I have not been authorized to do so. I am writing for myself: I must be introspective. I need to review and not forget, as indeed I forgot the principle: A dictator is a dictator is a dictator, and any peace with him will always be handicapped, damaged and unsound. Peace with such a dictator is immoral, undesirable and dangerous for Israel."
Ma’ariv asserts that "The Assads have less style than the Corleones and they may not be as funny as the Sopranos. But make no mistake: They are Mafiosi in every sense of the word," and adds that "In mafia terms, their state, in which they pocket $28 million a day from oil, is a paying concern." Given the current situation in Syria, the author recommends that Israel closely monitor events and remain silent.
Yisrael Hayom says that "Assad is dealing with the riots just as he was expected to," safe in the knowledge that the UN and the West will do little beyond issuing tepid statements. The author believes that "The West is very much concerned by the possibility that the Assad regime might fall. In the region, Syria is strategically more important than Tunisia, Libya or even Egypt. What must happen for Assad to fall? The Syrian people must go into the streets en masse, as happened in Tunisia and Egypt. And this is not happening, not because of the fear barrier, which has long since been broken, but because of the fear of the day after."
The Jerusalem Post is thankful for the thousands of tourists from abroad who have visited Israel recently, but notes that “Many potential tourists have been scared off by the misconception that Israel is directly affected by the upheavals in Libya, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.” The editor declares this feeling is unjustified, as “Christians are free to safely visit their faith’s holiest sites,” and “Jews who visit Israel are inspired to strengthen their ties with the Jewish people and commit themselves to Jewish continuity.” In conclusion, the editor states that “Tourism to Israel is a blessing for the Jewish state’s economy – and those who visit are more than paid back.
Haaretz praises the new regulations restricting noise-making activities that were approved by the Knesset and are due to go into effect today (Wednesday, April 27, 2011). The editor calls on the local authorities to work to enforce these laws “out of an understanding that the quality of people’s lives is more important than using equipment that is a nuisance to so many,” and states that “It is incumbent on the Environmental Protection Ministry to make sure that the new Environmental regulations are followed.”
[Sever Plocker, Alon Pinkas and Boaz Bismuth wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]