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Three papers comment on issues relating to Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day, which begins tonight: Yisrael Hayom criticizes those who would downplay the uniquely Jewish/Israeli lessons of the Holocaust. The author believes that "The Holocaust proved the justice of the Zionist view," that any solution or rescue of the Jews "is anchored in sovereign life in its homeland."
The Jerusalem Post notes that leading up to Holocaust Remembrance Day, this year, as in previous years, “the media have focused heavily on the severe poverty and substandard living conditions of many Holocaust survivors.” The editor declares that “It is essential that we do everything in our power to ensure that needy survivors live their last years on earth without want and in dignity. But we must not allow the image of the survivor as a charity case to dominate public discourse,” and asserts: “As the number of survivors dwindles, there is another story to tell, a heroic one of overcoming the horrors of their past and the adversity of their current situation, providing an inspiration to us all.”
Haaretz criticizes PM Netanyahu for using Holocaust rhetoric in connection with external threats, and notes that this usage “also reflects a sense of internal threat.” The editor believes that “Fundamental problems are gnawing at the self-assurance of the State of Israel: the absence of agreed-upon borders, the conflict with the Palestinians, social tensions and the inability to come to agreement on a constitution,” and adds that “When such basic issues that remain unresolved for years meet up with external threats, the shadow of the Holocaust comes to the fore as a traumatic reminder of what the future could hold.” Calling on Netanyahu to understand that “the use of the Holocaust as a warning sign is not a substitute for concrete efforts to resolve the problems,” the editor feels that “The end of the conflict with the Palestinians, finalizing borders and buttressing civil rights are the true guarantee of Israel’s continued! existence as a Jewish and democratic state.”
Yediot Aharonot comments on the recent altercation in which an IDF officer struck a foreign activist with his M-16 and says that "Indeed, the report was extensively covered on news sites around the world – but no anti-Israeli storm has broken out." The author ventures that "The Jordan Valley Brigade deputy commander’s action was so unnecessary and so stupid that everyone was convinced that – again – we had done exemplary service for those who wish to put the State of Israel into a corner," but adds that "What happened this time is that for the first time in a long time, Israel did what it has always needed to do – respond quickly." The paper believes that the officer’s immediate suspension and the wall-to-wall official condemnations had a positive effect and concludes that "Sometimes it is preferable to stop for a moment and do the right thing vis-à-vis public diplomacy. This is the only way to minimize the damage that is liable to grow to considerable proportions. Lt.-Col. Eisner, the investigations are expected to determine, failed in his duty. Israel, for a change, did not."
Ma’ariv urges the Government to "cut support payments that encourage unemployment," restrict the growth of the public sector and cut both corporate and income taxes in an effort to bolster the economy.
[Dan Margalit, Daniel Bettini and Rotem Sela and wrote today’s articles in Yisrael Hayom, Yediot Aharonot and Ma’ariv, respectively.]