Libération (France)
"En Israël, consensus national sur l’offensive"
 
Many of the world’s papers lead on Israel’s Operation “Cast Lead” against Hamas. The French paper Libération talks of a Gaza War on its front page, with the headline “La Guerre de Gaza”. Inside, a report by the paper’s Jerusalem correspondent says there is massive support within Israel for the attacks. The correspondent, however, asks how long that will last. In 2006, the poorly-run war against Hezbollah in Lebanon soon lost public backing.

 
The Jerusalem Post (Israel)

“Analysis: Don’t forget the Iranian connection”

The Jerusalem Post has an analysis entitled “Don’t forget the Iranian connection” written by David Horovitz. He says the Israeli government should learn the lessons of the 2006 Lebanon war which, he argues, distracted attention from Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The writer says Iran is “inspiring, funding, arming and training Hamas”.

Haaretz (Israel)
“In response to Gaza raids, Hamas threatens to assassinate Livni, Barak”

Israel’s centre-left daily Haaretz reports that Hamas has threatened to assassinate top Israeli officials including Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defence Minister Ehud Barak. It says Hamas also plans to go after senior Palestinian Authority officials and “those in the Arab world that have conspired against us” - an apparent reference to Egypt.

 
Al Quds Al Arabi (London-based pan-Arab daily)

An editorial in the London-based paper Al Quds Al Arabi - written by its director, Abdel Bari Atwan - says military power can defeat armies and regimes but cannot defeat resistance movements. His editorial slams Israel and the United States as well as Arab governments.

Al Hayat (London-based pan-Arab daily)

“Gaza at Christmas: Israeli presents wrapped by Arab hands”

An op-ed in another London-based paper, Al Hayat, argues that the Palestinian Authority has been irresponsible in blaming Hamas for the attacks. It also harangues Egypt for criticising the Islamist organisation – the paper says that President Hosni Mubarak should sack his government.

 
El Pais (Spain)

"Año 50 de la revolución"

The Spanish paper El Pais looks at the Castro legacy fifty years after the Cuban Revolution. There will be celebrations in Cuba on New Year’s Day. It says that one of the most visible effects of the legacy is the way the Castro Revolution has divided Cuban and international opinion. The paper says on the plus side that there have been improvements in infant mortality and in the health system. On the down side, it points out that young Cubans still idealise the United States and dream of leaving Cuba one day.

 
South China Morning Post (China)

"Castro grip remains strong"

The Hong Kong daily, the South China Morning Post, also looks at the Castro legacy. While there is still no dissent, it says, there are softer edges to the revolution, including tolerance of an emerging underground of dissident bloggers and rappers. However, the paper says the regime – led by Raul Castro – is determined to avoid a systemic collapse as seen in the Soviet Union. That’s their biggest fear.

Aujourd’hui-en-France/Le Parisien (France)

"Le luxe rattrapé par la crise"

Here in France, the winter frost is settling on the big fashion houses. Aujourd’hui-en-France/Le Parisien reports that the financial crisis has led one of them, Louis Vuitton, to scrap plans for a megastore in the Ginza district of Tokyo. The French daily says another label - Cartier - is losing Russian and Asian customers. However, Hermès, one of the traditional labels on the rue Faubourg Saint Honoré, is keeping its head above water because of prudent financial management.

Libération (France)

"Chanel ne veut plus s’offrir le luxe de 200 CDD"

Libération also looks at the luxury industry in France. It headlines that Chanel cannot afford the luxury of 200 CDDs. A CDD – or short-term contract – is the standard way of hiring casual staff here in France. The paper quotes a union organisation at Chanel as saying that jobs will go from New Year’s Eve. The French fashion industry is feeling the pinch of the global financial crisis. Those designer belts are one notch tighter.