Summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press – August 19th, 2012

Yediot Aharonot does a roll call of those opposed to an attack on Iran\’s nuclear facilities: "The President of the State, the former and present IDF Chiefs of Staff, the former and present Commander of the IDF Planning Directorate, the former and present Air Force Commanders, the former and present Mossad Directors, the former and present ISA Directors. God save us, what do they know that we don\’t?"

Ma\’ariv says that "It is possible to blame all of the generals who oppose an attack in Iran of covering their asses, and it is possible to call the media Leftist, but it is also possible to understand that you erred – and to stop." The author suggests that "Netanyahu\’s media tactics on the Iranian matter have exploded in his face. Is it not worthwhile internalizing it, to stop and to start walking in another direction?"

Yisrael Hayom believes that "We have gone mad, and we must stop. In the past weeks, more and more analysts, who haven\’t the slightest idea, have been delving into psychological analyses of what motivates Netanyahu and Barak regarding Iran, trying to understand if it is an addiction to action, political interests or an inherited psychological configuration. And it is all being conducted in utmost seriousness, the pinnacle of intellect.  And in all honesty – it is all one big systemic folly. Because only one matter is not being discussed: Is there even a chance that they are right? And in the meantime, Iran gallops towards a bomb."

The Jerusalem Post discusses the circumvention of economic sanctions imposed on Iran, and singles out the British bank Standard Chartered that operated as a front for money-laundering schemes involving the Islamic Republic as a case in point. The editor asserts that “The Standard Chartered case should stand out as a positive symbol of US regulators trying to make sure the sanctions are enforced,” and points out that Iran has “established a well-oiled and skilled regime of shell companies and financial agents in third countries to keep its economy fit and to keep bringing it material for its nuclear program.” The editor concludes: “This is evidence that the diplomatic game Iran plays is primarily a game for time. It wants to drag out diplomacy with the hopes that it can continue to avoid some of the stiffest sanctions.”

Haaretz strongly criticizes the verbal attack of President Shimon Peres by  ‘aides’ of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who rebuked the president for stating that Israel is incapable of attacking Iran on its own. The editor maintains that “In his cautionary remarks, Peres faithfully performed his duty as president of the state – a horrified president who hears the deepest wishes of a frightened public, and who watches as a prime minister and defense minister act like guided missiles that have lost their way,” and adds: “The aggressive attack on the president only proves the necessity of him intervening in the face of Netanyahu and Barak\’s light finger on the trigger.” 

 

[Eitan Haber, Lilach Segen and Gonen Ginat wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma\’ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]