Summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press – February 13th, 2013

"Like in India, the Palestinians\’ nonviolent struggle is useless," and adds: "The organizations will continue to establish settlement outposts like mushrooms after a rain, but they know that only violence brings results." The paper cautions: "If we do not understand that we have no choice but to compromise with the Palestinians – and this means talking to Abu Mazen – not only is Barack Obama coming to visit, but we will very quickly find ourselves at the threshold of an additional round of violence."

 

Yediot Aharonot comments on the standoff between Washington and Tehran. The author says that US Secy. of State John Kerry and Secy. of Defense-designate Chuck Hagel "are both Vietnam veterans who, in principle, oppose almost every use of force," and contends that "Iran\’s rulers have interpreted the appointments of Kerry and Hagel, as well as Biden\’s invitation to negotiations, as a sign of weakness that they will exploit in full in order to move forward on their nuclear weapons program and set tough conditions for the resumption of talks." The paper suggests that US President Obama\’s hope that Iran would eventually enter into substantive negotiations as a result of increasingly heavier sanctions will prove futile, and asserts: "On his upcoming visit to Israel, Obama will need to clarify what he intends to do if the sanctions and the diplomacy do not bear fruit."

 

Yisrael Hayom discusses North Korea\’s recent nuclear test and claims that "No country is as interested in the North Korean nuclear issue as Iran," and reminds its readers that "The Iranians have a fruitful cooperation with Pyongyang in missile technology and – as far as is known – in nuclear technology as well." The author believes that Tehran is closely following how the international community reacts, or not, to North Korea and says: "The Iranian regime also wants a winning card, a nuclear insurance policy. After the caprices of North Korea, the world will be unable to say, again, \’We didn\’t know.\’"

 

The Jerusalem Post discusses the papacy of Benedict XVI, the first pope in seven centuries to relinquish the papacy before death, and notes that he “will be remembered as a true friend of the Jewish people.” The editor opines that “Benedict truly and sincerely wanted closer relations between the Church and Jews and worked to this end,” but adds: “his style, that of a German professor more comfortable in the world of books and ideas than in the world of people and mass communications, ultimately hurt his efforts.”

 

Haaretz comments on the refusal of Ramat Gan Mayor Zvi Bar to resign his position despite his indictment on several charges including fraud, accepting bribes and money laundering, and laments that “Neither law nor precedent require local authority heads to resign in the event of an indictment.” The editor states: “Whatever the reasons for this situation, the result is intolerable,” and is hopeful the petition filed in the High Court of Justice demanding Bar\’s dismissal will result in a ruling that requires local government heads to resign if and when they are charged.

 

[Dror Zarasky, Eytan Gilboa and Boaz Bismout wrote today’s articles in Ma\’ariv, Yediot Aharonot and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]