Summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press – May 2nd, 2012

Yediot Aharonot reflects on former Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni’s resignation from the Knesset yesterday: "It is difficult to say that Livni’s bowing out was a surprise.  It would have been curious had she gone against her heart and lined up behind a man in whom she neither believes it nor holds in esteem, and sold himself to the public as the next prime minister.  One can say many things about Livni – about her performance as leader of the opposition, her inability to hold the party, her cool and alienating attitude toward people and the political mistakes that she made.  But there can be no argument about her courage, her integrity and the way she adhered to her principles."  The author adds that "Her departure yesterday is, first and foremost, a loss for those who want a different kind of politician in the Knesset."

Ma’ariv believes that Kadima Chairman Shaul Mofaz’s talk about unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "pathetic and presumptuous," given that the former "has yet to break past the 11-13 seats given him by the polls and has yet to show his mettle as leader of the opposition."  The author adds that Mofaz must also be concerned that his predecessor and rival Tzipi Livni may run on another list and take with her Kadima MKs and voters.  The paper asserts that "The coming elections will be held on the reasonable assumption that Netanyahu will also be the next prime minister… unless he does something stupid such as attack Iran," and adds: "But he is not a fool, will not do so and will avoid complications stemming from other problematic issues such as the budget, the Tal Law, evacuating outposts, etc."  The author asserts that "The dispute over a date for the elections says it all.  Netanyahu wants elect! ions soon, preferably in August or early September, in order to exploit his great advantage.  Mofaz is talking about October, after the holidays, because beyond his pompous statements, he is still not ready for the contest, not for the premiership and maybe not even for the position of the second largest party in the Knesset."  The author wonders if former Mossad Director Yuval Diskin’s recent remarks against Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak are related to the coming elections.

Yisrael Hayom suggests that "Holding early elections, especially at the pace that characterizes the State of Israel, in which elections are frequently held every two years and not every four-and-a-half, exacts a high price not just in terms of money, but also – and perhaps mainly – in terms of human resources and vis-à-vis the other issues on Israeli society’s agenda."  The author asserts that elections mean that many pressing issues will not only be ignored for at least six months, but will be as cogent as ever when a new government is finally formed.  The paper predicts yet another "shaky coalition resting on eggshells."

Haaretz refers to Tzipi Livni’s resignation, and is hopeful that “this is not the end of her public service.” The editor adds: “Tzipi Livni’s resignation from parliament is regrettable – there is no great abundance of figures on the Israeli political scene who demonstrate loyalty to their principles; Livni was such a person.”

 

The Jerusalem Post discusses the many shortcoming of the Health Ministry, which were detailed in the latest State Comptroller’s Report, and states that “many of the faults the state comptroller raised seem to have stemmed from the inherent conflict of interests in a ministry that runs state hospitals and clinics while at the same time is responsible for licensing and supervising both public and private healthcare.” The editor asserts that in recent decades Israel has drifted away from the ideal of providing proper medical care for all citizens, and calls on PM Netanyahu, who holds the health portfolio, “to face up to this responsibility.”

 

[Sima Kadmon, Avraham Tirosh and Aviad Hacohen wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]