ISRAEL

ISRAEL

Ha’aretz, Tel-Aviv, June 18: The Basic Law on the Knesset is meant to be a law that is not touched, changed or suited to the spirit of the moment or the changing desires of Knesset members. It is the Basic Law that ensures the fundamental right to vote and to be elected.

But restraint is not a hallmark of the members of the present House, which is not overflowing with real parliamentarians.

The bill, which is to be presented to the legislature for its second and third readings in the coming days, would amend the Basic Law on the Knesset so that a person who has visited an enemy country would not be able to stand for election to the Knesset. Such a visit would be considered “supporting the armed struggle against the State of Israel.” The prohibition would be retroactive for seven years, starting from when the amendment is passed. The law refers to all citizens of Israel, but is intended to prevent Arab citizens from visiting Arab countries. The prohibition is a sweeping one; it does not matter what the purpose of the visit has been.

Public relations

Clearly, the proposed change in the law does not add to the security of the country, but only to the public relations efforts of the lawmakers who initiated it. These trips have for some reason become like a red flag to other Knesset members who have never made a special effort at coexistence or breaking down the barriers of hatred between Israel and Arabs.

DENMARK

Berlingske Tidende, June 18: France is on its way back into the NATO military structure that it left in 1966 in a protest against American domination.

Or one might also say that NATO apparently is on its way back to France. At least that is what the French government says in explaining the new defense policy course to its domestic audience.

NATO needs Europe — read that France — which is why NATO needs to move closer to the European reality through a full French membership.

Major power

Although the new French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, has reconsidered with parts of the previous French solitary line toward NATO and the United States, the bottom line in France is it wants the European Union to be a major power, hopefully in cooperation with the United States but without them if need be.

Sarkozy is not seriously on a collision course with the United States. Washington also wishes a stronger military Europe that can support the United States in military operations.

KENYA

Daily Nation, Nairobi, June 18: The Kenya Union of Journalists is up in arms over alleged mistreatment of news reporters and photojournalists by over-zealous members of the presidential security unit. Journalists have enough reason to be worried when they are routinely manhandled by security personnel without anyone lifting a finger.

There is no question that during the last five years, democratic space has expanded tremendously, and journalists have not been left too far behind by the freedom train. But if the trend of harassing the media continues, this may no longer be the case.

Intimidation

During presidential functions, journalists have continued to be intimidated, their tools of trade confiscated, and their presence actively resented.

What happened on Budget Day when journalists were locked out of Parliament is a case in point. What happened on Jamhuri Day last December is another example. Yet the appeal by journalists for official protection has fallen on deaf ears.

The Head of State is not just any ordinary mortal; he is the property of the Kenyan people. As such, he deserves extraordinary protection against anyone or anything that might harm him. But then, isn’t it defeatist for the media to be prevented from covering him?