"On the one hand, he treats the Arabs in Israel as unworthy of participating in government and accuses his rivals of allying with the Arabs and he even incites against them, but on the other hand, he tries to meet King Abdullah for the elections."
--Jordanian source told Arab media that Jordan found Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's behavior towards the Israeli Arabs surprising.**

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Front Page:

The True Cost of Israeli Settlers' Annexation Dream (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) Bibi, a status-quo man forced into action, has created new risks for Israel by opening a Pandora’s Box he should have known to keep shut.
Post-election language - Kill the killer instinct (Yaron London, Yedioth) The election campaign rooted a number of expression that should be uprooted from the memory of the political commentators, not because they aren't accurate, but because we need to air out, to open the windows of the room where too many people stayed too long. First of all, kill the expression 'He went for his head' ("Bibi went for Bennett's head"). Secondly, we need to lower the importance of the instinct of killing, slaughtering, slitting, detaching, dismembering, which political commentators use regarding Netanyahu and in their wake, the masses in Israel. The negative phrase of killer instinct has changed in the political field so that the instinct born to kill is considered that one cannot survive without. The successful politician is one who easily skips over moral inhibitions and without that ability he can't win, say the strategists. What is the difference between 'war spirit,' 'determination in achieving the goal,' 'battle to the end' and numerous other expressions and between 'killer instinct.'? I think the small difference in the meaning is the the silencing of the conscience and going according to the primal instincts. It can be said another way: The politician who has a 'killer instinct' is simply a shithead. The other Binyamin, Benny Gantz, was described as a 'worthy person.' It wasn't explained why he's worthy, but it was clear that those describing his as a 'worthy person,' mean that his wonderful characteristics don't prepare him to be prime minister.
Once Again, Israel’s Courts Collaborate With Government anti-Arab Housing Policy (Mordechai Kremnitzer, Haaretz+) Given the Israeli legal system’s failure to do justice, Israel’s friends must demand that it act like a civilized country.
Palestinian leadership too lazy to fight Israeli occupation (Hani Al-Masri, Ynet) The reason why March of Return protests haven’t spread beyond the Gaza Strip is Palestinian public’s distrust of the elected officials, which can only be mended by a unified political front in order to resist the occupation in a democratic way.
During first 100 days in office, army chief of staff Kochavi demonstrates restraint under fire (Yaniv Kubovich, Haaretz+) Yet he didn’t hesitate to take on a group of paratroop brigade commanders and to publicly disagree with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
‘Why Did You Meet With Arabs?’ (Haaretz Editorial) The Abraham Initiatives has for 30 years worked in complete cooperation with various authorities in Israel, including government ministries and defense agencies. The detention and humiliation of Laura Mandel, a U.S. citizen and board member of the organization, which promotes equality between Jews and Arabs, at Ben-Gurion International Airport indicate further erosion in the attitude of the authorities toward organizations identified with the left, and an increase in the level of suspicion regarding Jewish-Arab cooperation. The Israel Airports Authority did not deny the details, and expressed regret “for the passenger’s feelings over the security check.” But when we’re talking about Arab citizens or ordinary left-wing activists, no one apologizes. There must be an end to the thought police and the abuse of people entering and leaving the country.
The new government will be required to correct the harsh impression that the elections left on the Arab sector (Yossi Ahimeir, Maariv) Arab citizens should feel equal (to Jewish ones) in the Jewish state, and it is time for a public figure who represents them to sit at the table at which decisions are made.
US Jewish groups are undermining Israeli democracy (Jonathan S. Tobin, Israel Hayom) The willingness of major Jewish groups and denominations to try to undermine the choice of Israel’s voters calls into question their belief in and respect for democracy.
Israel, Hamas, Hail Victory in Ending Hunger Strike. But Real Success Is the Timing (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) The deal struck between prisoners and the prison service came just two days before Palestinians commemorate prisoner's day, thwarting violent escalations along the border.
What should Israel really do about Gaza? (Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yair Golan, Yedioth/Ynet) Destroying Hamas is secondary to achieving regional long-term calm; Israel ought to adopt a generous policy of civil and economic incentives for Gaza civilians, and if Hamas persists in its bellicosity, we ought to produce our big stick and crush its military capability.
Trump Now Expects Payback From Netanyahu. It Could Blow Up the Middle East (David Rothkopf, Haaretz+) Trump helped Netanyahu get re-elected. Now it’s Netanyahu’s turn to help Trump's 2020 re-election campaign - by playing along with the Kushner 'peace plan' and by ramping up tension with Iran.
Kahol-Lavan and the Labor Party can not take a bite out of the right wing (Dr. Revital Amiran, Maariv) The only alternative to the Likud is a large party, cross-ethnic and from many sectors of society, which will place the citizen in the center and will be led by a social personality.
The draft ball is in Lieberman's court (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) A majority of Israelis would like to see ultra-Orthodox share the load of military service, but their leaders are adamant this will not come to pass and only one man has the power to subvert their will.
Black Flags of Immorality and Illegitimacy Flutter Over Annexation and Netanyahu’s Immunity (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) Despondent center-leftists console themselves by asserting that elections have changed nothing – but their moments of truth are at hand.
Netanyahu's fate is in Lieberman's hands, and he is going to use it to the end (Ben Caspit, Maariv) He knows he has only 5 seats. He knows that Bibi knows he can go crazy at the last minute and abandon him. Just as he did in 2015. For such moments, he is in politics.
Israeli presence on the Golan is a strategic necessity (Efraim Inbar, Israel Hayom) The Golan Heights is Israel’s northern shield, especially since Iranian forces have moved into Syria. Moving the Israel-Syria border westwards would reduce deterrence, which in turn invites aggression.