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Yediot Aharonot believes that coverage of ultra-orthodox extremism has been over-dramatized and blown far out of proportion. The author says, "To tell the truth, Israel does have a problem with ultra-orthodox extremists, the Neturei Karta and the Sicarii. However, it is clear that they do not constitute a danger to the existence of the democratic state. They are, in the end, bothersome and infuriating." The paper also believes that too many journalists tend to lump all ultra-orthodox Jews together, thus doing a disservice to those ultra-orthodox Jews who fully participate in Israel’s national life.
Ma’ariv claims that "Decisions taken by the Government are not carried out because – many times – the government that made the decision has been replaced. Against this background, it was amusing to hear the Prime Minister, at last Sunday’s Cabinet meeting, announce the decision to lay a railway line to Eilat: ‘For 63 years, there has been talk about linking up the periphery to the center, but nothing has been done.’ Go believe it. We would be thrilled to discover that, at long last, work has begun on a much less pretentious project: The Tel Aviv light railway, the tender for which was issued 8.5 years ago."
Yisrael Hayom urges its readers not to get overly excited by the latest move in the on-again, off-again reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas and says that yesterday’s "was not the first ‘successful’ meeting between Fatah and Hamas representatives." The author believes that even the assumption that the Qatari government is prepared to generously underwrite yesterday’s agreement will founder on Hamas’s refusal to accept the Quartet’s demand that it renounce terrorism, recognize Israel and commit to honoring previous PA-Israel agreements. The paper asserts, "Hamas is incapable of providing the goods expected by Abu Mazen and other delusional people."
Haaretz writes: "The appointment of Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel as the next Israel Air Force commander is a victory for both common sense and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz. Logic dictated that an experienced and talented officer like Eshel, who is currently head of the Plans and Policy Directorate and has gone through every filter and preparation the air force has to offer, would win the confidence of the higher echelons and be given command of the military’s most important arm. Until now, Amir Eshel has exhibited a can-do attitude. One hopes he will stay that way, together with the chief of staff and the heads of the intelligence community."
The Jerusalem Post had no editorial available today.
[Noah Kliger, Yehuda Sharoni and Dr. Reuven Barko wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]