(Government Press Office)
Yisrael Hayom remarks that, "Today, at the end of the Olmert era, when the aspiration is toward 'a different kind of politics', [Dan] Meridor's pleasant manner is not only an advantage, but also a statement".
The Jerusalem Post calls attention to the chasm dividing Shi'ites and Sunnis, which is causing the line between jihad within Islam and jihad against non-Muslims to become more and more blurred. The editor states that we are currently witnessing a new alignment of relatively moderate Sunni states, like Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt, developing against Shi'ite extremist regimes in Iran and Syria, adding, "By factoring in the Sunni-Shi'ite divide . . . we register a phenomenon that threatens destabilization from India to Egypt".
Ma'ariv opines that, "The outstanding and direct achievement of Ehud O. – an irrepressible cynic, and Ehud B. – who has a major disability when it comes to understanding human nature, is the massive exodus of their parties' supporters to the Likud".
Yediot Aharonot professes, "In the spring of 1985, when the Government had to save Israel from total economic collapse, it appointed a wide group of experts…headed by Prof. Michael Bruno…to formulate a comprehensive stability plan." The author recalls that, "Never once did I hear him say anything patronizing, arrogant or dictatorial. He emanated empathy and understanding toward criticism…Senior Finance Ministry officials also behaved modestly. Finance Ministry Dir.-Gen. Prof. Emanuel Sharon displayed exemplary humility, pleasant manners and a burning desire not only to explain and convince, but also to listen and to be convinced. And behold the wonder: the prescription worked."
Haaretz expresses concern for the plight of the Labor Party, which according to polls will lose 50% of its seats in the forthcoming elections, and suggests that the party's ills may be cured by a change of direction and the replacement of a large portion of the leadership. The editor calls on Labor Party members who are voting in today's primary elections to " . . .choose candidates whose characters, activities and messages offer real change, and above all, a return to the worldview and values of the peace camp and social justice".
[Avi Shilon, Dan Fogel and Sever Plocker wrote today’s articles in Yisrael Hayom, Ma'ariv and Yediot Aharonot, respectively.]