Two papers comments on the events in Hebron:
Haaretz writes: "For a long time now, settlers in Hebron and other areas of Judea and Samaria (and East Jerusalem) have engaged in unruly behavior whose only goal is to violently threaten the Palestinians while undermining Israel's sovereignty. This week, Israel has reached the point of no return, which will also determine who controls the state: the justice system and a government elected by democratic means, or Jewish terrorism. If the government does not remove, as soon as possible and without fear of violence, the riotous core of settlers in Hebron, which has disengaged from the state and its institutions and now endangers the public, the blood of the victims of religious fanaticism in the territories will be on its hands."
Yisrael Hayom contends that today's situation in Hebron is a land version of the Altalena affair. "Everyone is right. Everyone is wrong. Everyone is wearing short-sighted political glasses. The fate of the conflict in the city of the patriarchs will be bad and bitter if it ends in the trumpeting of the victors over the humiliation of the defeated. Where is the leader who will stop the sides from being carried away?"
Ma'ariv asserts that, "The attempts by Ehud Olmert to display, at the last minute, bogus diplomatic and economic leadership are liable to place a heavy yoke on the necks of his successors."
Yediot Aharonot sadly concludes that, "It isn't India. But rather us... No matter how far we distance ourselves, no matter how far we escape and no matter how much we deny it - ultimately, Jews and Israelis are marked targets, today exactly like 70 years ago - dark years of pogroms and anti-Semitism." The author adds, "As far as I'm concerned it was a horrifying reminder why, in fact, it is so crucial that we defend our country - which we established against all the odds."
The Jerusalem Post writes: "The Likud now holds 12 mandates but is projected to win some 34 in the elections, partly thanks to Netanyahu's labors to reposition, regenerate and rebrand it. Netanyahu wants to keep his right-wing base while also appealing to centrist Kadima voters. Not unreasonably, Netanyahu is worried that allowing Feiglin too high a profile will send the wrong message about Likud philosophy. In our view, however, he could solve this problem by rejecting the advice of his handlers to stay vague and explicitly articulate his vision for the party."
[Dan Margalit, Yossi Ahimeir and Hilleli Jabotinsky wrote today’s articles in Yisrael Hayom, Ma'ariv and Yediot Aharonot, respectively.]