Olympic dreams or harsh reality?

Friday’s papers were split as to what the biggest story of the weekend should be. Should the Olympics take the front page or the latest scandal involving a police chief?

Maariv and Israel Hayom both chose the Olympics. Maariv’s front page is taken over by a picture of Israeli gymnast Valeria Maksiuta in the midst of a back flip with the uninspired headline of “London 2012.”

Inside, its two-page coverage of the opening ceremonies includes some interesting facts about the games (there will be 21,000 media people covering the games and 302 medal ceremonies), a brief recap of Israel’s medal history (six athletes, seven medals), and an opinion piece about how the games are a general cease-fire for the world.

Israel Hayom is much more direct in its Olympic headline, “[We] Want Medals!” Inside, coverage is focused more on the opening ceremonies but does include an opinion piece by Dan Margalit who recounts the general history of the Olympics. “Enjoy them quietly,” he titles his short column where he touches on the controversy surrounding the moment of silence for the victims of the 1972 Munich games.

While he argues that the request is valid and should be implemented, he concedes that, “Despite this, these are good days. The wait for the Olympics are days filled with hope, mostly fulfilled, and a sprit of optimism and goodwill.”

Yedioth Ahronoth gives brief coverage to the Olympics but its front page is taken over by the allegations of sexual assault against Jerusalem police commander Niso Shaham. “The district commander closed the door and assaulted me. He hugged and kissed by force. I ran away from the bureau in tears,” reads the upsetting front-page headline taken from one of three complaints of sexual assault against the police commander. Also implicated in the scandal is Shaham’s deputy, Nissim Edri, who heard of the complaints but did nothing. Yedioth reports that Edri’s defense is that he thought it was just gossip.

Romney time

Haaretz’s main headline was neither the Olympics nor the police scandal but rather an interview the paper conducted with American Republican presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney. “Romney to Haaretz: Can’t rule out an attack on Iran,” reads the headline of the extensive interview which covers a variety topics but with a Middle Eastern focus. Other highlights of the interview include Romney’s support for a two-state solution, supporting the Syrian opposition (although safe-guarding against an Al-Qaeda rise to power) and the personal relationship between Netanyahu and Romney.

Haaretz isn’t the only newspaper to interview Romney, who is due in Israel this weekend; Israel Hayom, owned by Romney backer Sheldon Adelson, also snagged an interview with the Republican candidate. The paper puts the interview in its weekend supplement and it doesn’t vary much from the Haaretz interview.  The article headline quotes Romney, “You deserve better than what you’re receiving from Obama.”

While Maariv doesn’t have an interview with Romney, it does report on the nominee’s arrival. During his brief visit Romney is expected to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres and Kadima leader Shaul Mofaz. After those meetings he’ll attend a fundraising event that costs $50,000 per donor.

Underneath the Romney article, Maariv includes a short article on an American defense bill expected to be approved by Obama. “Random timing?” Maariv asks above the headline. The bill, which already passed both houses of Congress, includes provisions to help development of anti-missile systems, security loan guarantees, and pointing out the need to supply Israel with F-35 fighter jets.

You’re grounded

A few of those F-35 fighter jets may be needed since Yedioth reports that the air force is grounding dozens of its F-16s due to a technical problem. The paper reports that IAF Chief Amir Eshel grounded the F-16s after discovering a heat issue that could harm the engines of the fighter jets. The IAF expects that the issue will be fixed for the grounded planes within a few days. In the meantime, Yedioth reports that if the need arises, the planes are still functional and could take the to skies within moments.

While the IAF is fixing its fighter aircraft, Israel Hayom reports that the IDF is still on high alert as the fighting in Syria creeps closer to the border at the Golan Heights. The paper reports that the IDF has beefed up security along the border in the past year to prevent infiltrators from massing at the border, learning lessons from last year’s Nakba Day infiltration. The current force in the Golan is equipped with riot control gear and has been practicing quick response drills in case the normally quiet border heats up.

Haaretz reports that the Civil Administration is trying to have the Palestinian village of Zanuta destroyed because it is built on a minor archaeological site. Israel states that the village is built directly atop a series of caves that were deemed an archaeological site during the British mandate period.

Archeologist Avi Offer acknowledged to the paper that the site has minor archeological value but said that the Israeli government has spent millions integrating Jewish settlements into archeological sites and points to the Tel Rumeida neighborhood of Hebron as an example. The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case next week.

A legal pioneer

All the papers included an obituary about Miriam Ben-Porat, Israel’s first female Supreme Court justice who died Thursday morning. Maariv gave a brief recap of her professional life which included becoming Israel’s first female Supreme Court justice, Israel’s first female State Comptroller, and she received the Israel Prize in 1991 for lifetime achievement. Maariv published the eulogy of Ben-Porat made by current Supreme Court President Asher Grunis and a quote from former Supreme Court president Aharon Barak: “She succeeded because of her talents, abilities, and the firm stance on principles, to carve her place within the legal framework. Miriam donated so much to criminal law and to the citizens of Israel.  But what characterized her was her bravery, her honesty, and her integrity.”