Yediot Aharonot analyzes the situation with Iran and asserts that it is more likely that "it will be the Iranians who squeeze the trigger first, against the background of the tightening economic chokehold and the increasing international isolation." The author believes that "the Iranians are beginning to be pushed into a corner in light of the pressures already being applied to them and those due to be applied to them very soon." The paper suggests that "Tehran’s economic collapse is just around the corner," and adds, "Nobody can predict the breaking point that will prompt Ahmadinejad into a desperate act, or when the ayatollahs will feel so threatened that they decide on some military provocation that will threaten the world and exact such a high price that it will relax the chokehold." The author refers to Iran’s threats to close the Straits of Hormuz and adds, "Suddenly the scenarios have changed. The explosion will come not as a result of an Israeli attack but of panic by the Iranian leadership in response to the sanctions. The Middle East will go to war over fuel, money and goods – and not because nuclear facilities have been bombed." The paper suspects that the Straits of Hormuz will be a main topic at next week’s meeting of NATO chiefs-of-staff, to which IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz has been invited, and says, "In the above scenario, Israel will be a minor partner that will be asked mainly not to interfere."
The Jerusalem Post comments that "Iran seems intent on pushing forward with its nuclear program and there seems to be no surefire way of stopping it. If the current situation continues, we might have to face the horrific prospect of learning to live with a nuclear Iran. Even if a military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities succeeded, the geopolitical fallout is liable to be nightmarish, although the prospect of a nuclear Iran is no less of a nightmare. Covert actions, in contrast, carry much less of a risk, but are also less effective. Economic sanctions have so far not changed Iranian nuclear policy, though they have caused some damage." The paper concludes: "A combination of covert operations, economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure, while at the same time keeping the military option ‘on the table’, is the only way to convince Tehran to back down. And maintaining a broad coalition of countries behind the sanctions is the best way to make them effective."
Ma’ariv claims that "The number of Knesset lobbyists has jumped by hundreds of percent." The author commends Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin’s efforts to promote legislation that would restrict lobbyists and complains that high-powered, well-financed lobbying firms "are a cynical and anti-democratic phenomenon."
Yisrael Hayom discusses the open-ended general strike in Israel’s municipalities and local authorities that began today and suggests that it is "a red light – that the Government will be unable to reach agreement on next year’s state budget." The author adds, "Whoever will not clear the garbage from the streets in Carmiel or Bat Yam is taking a first small step towards early Knesset elections."
Haaretz writes: "Israel Radio’s classical music station the Voice of Music has ratings of 9 percent (among the highest in the world for a station of its kind). It is also represents a clear implementation of the IBA Law, by preserving and reviving musical traditions, both ancient and contemporary, western and ethnic. Yet despite this, it remains at risk of extinction. According to the workers, the Israel Broadcasting Authority is determined to eliminate it, and the appointment of a new director, Arieh Yass, who has no musical background, is a clear step in this direction. Action on this must come from above: The minister responsible for the IBA, PM Netanyahu, must retract Yass’ appointment and replace him with a worthy music expert who will fill the positions at the station, save its archival treasures that are now at risk, and continue to document the cultural-musical achievements here and bring them to every home."
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