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Yediot Aharonot analyzes the state of Israeli-Turkish relations and its effect on anti-Semitism in Turkish society. The author, a Turkish journalist and commentator, avers that "There is no doubt that Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan is no friend of Israel and that several of his remarks, especially before the Mavi Marmara incident, touched sensitive points that smacked of anti-Semitism," and warns that "If the current government stays in power, the next generations of Turks will not grow up as friends of Israel and will find it very difficult to distinguish between criticizing Israeli government policy and the right of the Jewish people to an independent state."
The Jerusalem Post comments on the US presidential election campaign: "Republican presidential candidates’ strong support for Israel and their deep understanding of the obstacles the Jewish state faces in its pursuit of peace are truly heartwarming. Unfortunately, this unabashed support is being articulated at a time when key officials in the Obama administration have articulated criticism of Israel’s foreign and domestic policies, giving the false impression that Israel has become a partisan issue. As it has in the past, support for Israel should not divide Americans, rather it should unite them – whether they be liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican. In the final analysis, our two countries stand for the same ideals – and face the same enemies."
Ma’ariv refers to events in Russia following the recent parliamentary elections. The author, a former Israeli Ambassador to Russia, believes that "While it is too early to speak of a ‘Russian spring’, there is no doubt that a new generation has arisen that is not prepared to countenance the situation any longer."
Yisrael Hayom discusses the situation in Iran and reminds his readers that "In his continuing, very naïve approach, [US President Barack] Obama, yesterday, appealed to the Iranian authorities" to ask for the return of a crashed US reconnaissance drone. The author says, "Until the next explosion/virus/drone/elimination, ‘Iran is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma’ to paraphrase Winston Churchill."
Haaretz protests the introduction of electronic bracelets worn by waiters, which vibrate when a customer pushes a button for service: "People are being activated at the push of a button, as though they were robots. The most effective way to get rid of the electronic bracelet is for consumers to refuse to cooperate in cafes and restaurants that use call buttons. At least until business owners recognize that waiters are not servants, customers are not masters, and money isn’t everything."
[Tulin Daloglu, Tzvi Dagan and Boaz Bismout wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]