Summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press – June 11th, 2012

The Jerusalem Post asks: “Is there nothing the international community can do to stop the bloodshed in Syria?” The editor asserts: “In addition to the bans already imposed by western countries on imports of Syrian oil and on new foreign investment in Syria, and the freezing of Assad’s and his cronies’ assets, additional steps need to be taken to cut off Syria altogether from international capital flows,” and declares that “There are no easy solutions in Syria. But doing nothing at all is not an option.”

Ma\’ariv reminds its readers that "The story of Syria is both tragic and scandalous.  Day after day, its army and police humiliate, frighten and kill many of its citizens.  The elderly and the young, the educated and the uneducated, rich and poor – all are targets. And the so-called \’civilized\’ world is not even trying to stop the slaughter.  Its leaders issue statements, but the bloodshed continues.  The situation, which has gone on for 13 months, is not about to end."  The author, winner of the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize, questions whether "armed assistance is the only solution," and doubts the efficacy of economic sanctions.  He calls on the international community to take the case of Syria and its president, Bashar Al-Assad, to the international court in The Hague: "He will lose all support and any sympathy from the world.  No self-respecting human being will come to his defense.  No n! ation will offer him refuge.  No statute of limitations will cover him.  If, and when, he understands that, like Egyptian dicator Hosni Mubarak, his end will be shameful and he will sit in prison, he is likely to put an end to his senseless and criminal struggle to survive.   Why not try it?"

 

Haaretz cites Middle East experts and warns that current government policies and the regional situation may cause the eruption of a third intifada in the near future. The editor asserts that “These Middle East experts are not relying on classified information. Everything is out in the open for all to see. One merely has to understand what is happening, and immediately work toward diplomatic progress and stop giving in to the settlers,” and adds: “Netanyahu has been warned. Now he bears the responsibility.”

Yediot Aharonot suggests that draft legislation approved yesterday to protect Israeli authors\’ income from sales of their books will have little effect as long as two major chains control the book market in Israel.

Yisrael Hayom calls on US President Barack Obama to accede to President Shimon Peres\’ request, at their meeting in the US this week, and release Jonathan Pollard.  The paper contends that "Pollard\’s lengthy sentence is exceptional since he was not a spy of the kind that cooperated with the Soviets and led to the murder of American agents and informants.  He did not act against the US, but for its ally."  The author says that "[US President] Obama knows that he [Pollard] has suffered enough.   Please, Mr. President, let him go."

 

[Elie Wiesel, Amnon Shamosh and Dan Margalit  wrote today’s articles in Ma\’ariv, Yediot Aharonot and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]