February 24, 2013

By JONATHAN ROSENBLUM, JPOST

If A fuller integration of haredim into the IDF and economic spheres is to take place, it is necessary that the pragmatists prevail.
Haredi man overlooking IDF ceremony Photo: Marc Israel Sellem I write as someone who is convinced that haredim will one day make large contributions both to the IDF and to the Israeli economy.

When that day will dawn, however, depends to a large extent on the form of the national debate currently taking place under the slogan “equality of the burden” and, more importantly, on the direction the next government takes with respect to the issue.

There are two basic ways to approach the issue of haredi service. The first is as a matter of high principle. The second is as a practical matter. The first approach is currently represented by Yair Lapid, who spent his time in the IDF training for a career in journalism; the second is represented by former chief of staff Moshe Ya’alon.
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Op-ed: Instead of trying to impose two-state solution, world should help establish stable Palestinian state east of Jordan River

Yoel Meltzer, YNET

As the bloodshed in Syria continues with no end in sight, more and more eyes are beginning to focus on Syria’s formerly stable southern neighbor, Jordan. After nearly two years of low level protests, the last few months have witnessed not only an upsurge in the amount of protests but also a significant change in the makeup of the protesters themselves.
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Underscoring all negotiations is the fact that Bibi needs a deal with Yacimovich, Lapid or Bennett to get a majority government.There is no way that Bibi wants another election because he will be the big loser. Bibi had given a sweetheart deal to Shas on “equal sharing” but now he is renegotiating with them more concessions. He will not let them into the government until a compromise deal is struck with Shas, Lapid and Bennett on the issue so all can be in the government. If he were to make a deal with Shas prior to the compromise being worked out acceptable to Lapid and Bennett he would jeopardize the deal. Ted Belman

By GIL HOFFMAN, JPOST

Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid and Bayit Yehudi head Naftali Bennett at Knesset swear in, Feb 5, 2013. Photo: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post
After three weeks of coalition talks, there has been no significant progress in negotiations between the two largest factions, Likud Beytenu and Yesh Atid, on the key issue of how to equalize the burden of IDF service.

But Yesh Atid did compromise on the issue for the first time over the weekend in ongoing talks with its political ally, Bayit Yehudi chairman Naftali Bennett.
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By ZVI MAZEL, JPOST

Ratty tents at rainy Tahrir Square in Cairo Photo: MELANIE LIDMAN Never has Egypt been so close to civil war and today it seems that only the army can prevent the worse from happening.

The Muslim Brothers and the opposition are both doing their utmost to bring the army to their side, with little success so far: Field Marshal Abd el-Fattah El-Sisi, the defense minister, never loses an opportunity to state that the army is taking no part in the political struggle and devotes its energy to protecting the country – while adding that it will not let it plunge into chaos. The opposition, in contrast, feels that only the army can bring back order – the way they want. During last Friday’s demonstrations people called on the army to “Get out of the barracks and make President Mohamed Morsi resign and call for new presidential elections.”
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