(Government Press Office)
Yediot Aharonot opines that "You have to be an idiot to rejoice at the fall of Obama. Almost the entire life and existence of the State of Israel is dependent on the US and its president, even if he doesn't gush affection towards us. A strong American president means a strong United States, and a strong United States means a strong Israel. The alternative world, which has risen in recent years against the US, senses its weakness, and it is lifting its head. The world is less afraid of the US, and we must fear this."
Ma'ariv commends a recent Supreme Court decision and argues that "Knesset members must thank the petitioners and the judges who saved them from themselves, and the citizens of Israel from the disastrous consequences of prison privatization."
Yisrael Hayom says that "Whatever the Americans' reasons may be, there is no doubt that the cold wind, suddenly blowing again with such force from Washington towards Jerusalem, attests to nervousness. And nervousness is not, as is known, a suitable replacement for a balanced, reliable and secure great power leadership."
The Jerusalem Post discusses the behavior of motorcyclists, who jammed the entrances to Tel Aviv during the morning rush hour last week in protest against the intended increase in insurance rates, and wonders how their "very self-serving extortion campaign on the highways has become a cause célèbre." The editor adds: "For the law to be respected, as it should be, it must be impartially applied. Justice must not only be done but be seen to be done. Motorcyclists troubled by increased insurance premiums are certainly no exception."
Haaretz claims that the heavy-handed behavior of the government regarding building in Jerusalem corroborates "Hamas' claim that the Oslo process was a mistake and strengthens Hamas' call for violent opposition to the occupation." The editor states that "If Netanyahu is dedicated to a solution that will ensure Israel's future as a Jewish, democratic and safe country, as he says he is, he must immediately order a halt to construction and demolitions in East Jerusalem."
[Eitan Haber, Ruthie Sinai, and Avraham Ben-Tzvi wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot, Ma'ariv and Yisrael Hayom, respectively.]