Schlaglicht Israel Nr. 11/13 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen 27. Mai – 17. Juni 2013 1. Hassan Rohani neuer Präsident Irans Der Kandidat des Reformlagers Hassan Rohani hat im Iran überraschend die Präsidentschaftswahlen gewonnen. Damit wird er im August zum Nachfolger von Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, der in seiner achtjähri­gen Amtszeit immer wieder durch Ausfälle gegen Israel auf sich aufmerksam machte. Entgegen der Erwartungen von Experten hatte sich der als moderat geltende Geistliche Rohani bereits in der ersten Wahlrunde mit 50,7% der Wählerstim­men gegen die konservativen Favoriten durchge­setzt. Rohani sprach sich im Wahlkampf für mehr persönliche Freiheiten und ein besseres Verhältnis zum Westen aus. Damit konnte er viele Iraner, die unter einer schweren Wirtschaftskrise leiden, hinter sich vereinen. Allerdings betonte er bei seinem ersten Presseauftritt nach den Wahlen, dass seine Regierung nicht bereit sein werde, auf die Uranan­reicherung zu verzichten. Der israelische Premierminister Benjamin Netanya­hu warnte davor, sich von Rohani als neuem und moderaten Präsidenten täuschen zu lassen und sagte, die internationale Gemeinschaft müsse ihren Druck bezüglich des iranischen Atomprogrammes aufrechterhalten. Yielding dividends from Rowhani's election "Khamenei’s decision to allow Rowhani’s election to stand has already yielded significant dividends for Tehran. It has gained the Iranians a reprieve[…] from the inexorable slide to ever harsher sanctions and possible US military action.[…] But the celebration of an impending'dawn of a new d ay,'[…] may be premature. In a 2004 speech[…] Rowhani boasted'While we were talking with the Europeans in Tehran, we were installing equipment in parts of the[nuclear conver­sion] facility in Isfahan. By creating a calm environ­ment, we were able to complete the work there.'[…] Yes, Rowhani may have changed his ways, but there is something to be said for Jerusalem’s d e­mand[…] that the burden of proof be placed squar e­ly on the new president’s shoulders." Chemi Shalev, HAA 17.06.13 Beware of Rohani's trap "The surprising victory in the Iranian presidential elections of Hassan Rohani, who is considered relatively moderate, is a reason for cautious opti­mism[…]. The fact that millions and millions of pe o­ple voted for Rohani indicates that the economic sanctions imposed by the West are hurting the citi­zens, who view them as the main cause for the dire economic situation in Iran.[…] There is a large pragmatic camp[who] prefer an improvement in the economic situation through the lifting of sanctions rather than the continued enrich­ment of uranium and installment of centrifuges." Ron Ben-Yishai, JED 16.06.13 Iranian public moves to forefront "The emphasis on recovering from a destroyed economy and placing public welfare at the top of the agenda were well received and gave the impression that the'eight bad years of Ahmadinejad' were over. Rohani's criticism of Ahmadinejad and the other conservative candidates for their policy of belligerent defiance against the West and the resulting painful consequences pointed to a different kind of diplo­macy. The real hero of these elections was the Iranian public. The rally behind Rohani's candidacy during the weeks before the elections is clear proof that despite the fears of the ruling party's actions and of voter fraud similar to the last elections, which se­cured Ahmadinejad's second term, the Iranian public is determined to have its voice heard." Uzi Rabi, IHY 16.06.13 1