Front Page News:

Haaretz

• A week to elections, Hurricane Sandy shuts down Northeastern US
• Likud members approved united slate with Lieberman by large majority
• State privatized boarding schools, and now trying to prevent workers from joining union
• Statistics hidden by Education Ministry reveal deep failure in periphery
• Mortgages on apartments bought by investors to be limited in order to reign in housing market
• The shtetl of Eastern Europe is flowering at the Tel-Aviv central bus station

Yedioth Ahronoth

• Storm - Hurricane Sandy slams into US beaches
• The mortgage faucet was closed

• Sandy strikes the US (Hebrew)
• King of the center: This is how Netanyahu succeeded in getting approval of the union with Lieberman (Hebrew)
• The first female IDF soldier in the undercover unit that dresses like Arabs is revealed (Hebrew)
• Fischer limits the mortgage: 75% for first apartment, 50% for investment property (Hebrew)
• Committee to determine fate of department that deals with politics in academia (Hebrew)

• Millions in the eye of the storm
• In Likud: Victory for Netanyahu; In left: Courting Peres
• Dramatic changes to mortgages: Easier for young couples, harder for investors
• Anesthesiologist suspected of involvement in murder of wife of her lover and in the death of two of his previous partners

News Summary:
An American hurricane, its effect on US presidential elections and the Israeli prime minister's victory ahead of Israel's elections were the top stories in today's main Israeli newspapers. Also Maariv reported on a new Education Ministry committee that will decide whether to allow the opening of political science departments and on the first woman in an undercover unit that operates in the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu easily passed a vote for a united slate with Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party yesterday at the Likud convention. That was despite efforts by some Likud members to make it a secret vote, in hopes that people would vote according to their beliefs - that is, against the joint ticket. The Likud Central Committee members did not get to see the agreement, such as how many spots each party will get on the Knesset ticket, or how involved Netanyahu and Lieberman will be in putting the list together, writes Ynet.
 
Education Minister Gideon Saar is forming a committee to judge academic departments dealing with political affairs, Maariv revealed. The man who brought about the dismissal of the ‘left-wing’ civic studies supervisor will run the committee. Haaretz's editorial today (free access) discusses the decision to be made today by the Council for Higher Education about the future of Ben-Gurion University's political science department. (NRG Hebrew)
 
Meet 'A,' 29, the first woman in the 'mist'aravim' unit of the Border Guards, whose soldiers dress up as Arabs in operations in the occupied Territories. "Even after hundreds of detentions and dozens of attacks prevented because of her, the young woman has remained in the shadows," writes the paper. "She is considered the 'source of surprise in every operation," her commanders say. "I prefer not to share with my family and friends what I do. Even my boyfriend knew only after a year what I am really doing, despite the fact that he also has a position in the security apparatuses." (NRG Hebrew)
 

Quick Hits:

• Israeli policemen charged with assaulting Palestinians, obstruction of justice - In two separate cases, three Border Policeman have been charged with assaulting Palestinians and conspiracy to cover up their actions. In one case, an officer assaulted a handcuffed Palestinian man. (Haaretz)
• NGOs urge European states to cut trade with Israeli settlements - European imports from the settlements are at least 15 times greater than its imports of Palestinian products, according to a new report signed by 22 NGOs. (Haaretz)
• Commander: Elections affecting decision making - Ynet learns Paratroopers Brigade commander told reservists, 'Rockets will fall in Tel Aviv during the next war.' Political situation in Israel influencing military activity in Gaza, he says. (Ynet)
• 20 rockets hit south since Sunday night - Rocket fire follows IAF strike in Gaza; targets hit include terrorist activity centers in northern, southern Strip. Rockets explode in open areas; no injuries or damage reported. (Ynet)
• IDF dispersed flyers in Gaza: "Prevent the tragedy" - Following the last round of escalation, the IDF decided to transfer a message to the residents of the Gaza Strip and called on them to pass on any information they have about rocket launchers and their location. (NRG Hebrew)
• IDF officer warns of repeat Lebanon war  - Israel would use less cluster bombs but would charge into Lebanon earlier, harder if war breaks out, army official says. (Agencies, Ynet)
• Ramallah: Shin Bet exposes Hamas command center - Shin Bet arrests 30 operatives who attempted to restore Hamas activity in Ramallah region. (Ynet)
• Hamas clip shows rockets fired from populated area - Hamas releases video of rockets launched out of populated area, risking damage to global image. (Ynet)
• Their brother's keepers, Schalit and unit tour US schools - On the one-year anniversary of his release, Gilad Schalit embarked on a speaking tour in New York City and Connecticut, accompanied by 17 soldiers from his old unit. The unit as a whole was affected psychologically by the abduction. (Israel Hayom)
• Iran says has images of restricted Israeli areas - Chair of Iranian parliament's defense committee claims drone launched into Israeli airspace earlier this month transmitted pictures of 'sensitive bases' before it was shot down. (Agencies, Ynet)
• Sudan denies Iran link to Khartoum plant allegedly attacked by Israel - Amid reports of link between Yarmouk plant weapons plant and Iran, statement by Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cited by AFP, accuses Israel of spreading 'fabricated' information. (Haaretz)
• Iranian ships dock in Sudan after strike - IRNA news agency reports navy vessels arrived in Sudanese port five days after attack on arms factory in bid to 'convey a message of peace and friendship.' (Ynet)
• Report: CIA chief says US not involved in Khartoum attack - Sudanese paper says David Petraeus called Sudan officials shortly after attack on arms factory, denied reports indicating his country had early knowledge of 'Israeli strike.' (Ynet)
• Top IDF official: International sanctions on Iran hurt arms flow to Hezbollah - Speaking to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, Israeli military source says that, despite cutbacks, Lebanese militant group still in possession of extensive, advanced arsenal. (Agencies, Haaretz)

Election Quickees:

• Tel Avivians are the face of Labor - Journalist Merav Michaeli announces she will run for spot on Labor Party list; an analysis of the hometowns of Labor contenders indicates the big cities come first. (Haaretz)
• Prominent Israeli journalist joins Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid - Until this week, Ofer Shelah served as an analyst and columnist for Israeli daily Maariv. (Haaretz)
• Lapid speech: Against attack on Iran without the Americans - Chairman of Yesh Atid party Yair Lapid to reveal his political-security platform that was prepared by journalist (and new party member) Ofer Shelach at Ariel college. Lapid to call for evacuation of small settlements and keeping large blocs. (NRG Hebrew)
• Meretz race heats up on rosy poll figures - Meretz officials very happy with recent opinion polls predicting the party may double its number of Knesset seats in upcoming elections. (Haaretz)
• New party to run in Knesset: Social Justice - Gan Hern, Yitzhak Jacky and Adv. Yael Segal-Maklis decided to run "in order to remind MKs that Israel is in a economic-social emergency situation." (NRG Hebrew)
• U.S. wealth trickles down - to Likud candidatesIsrael's ruling party boasts many American sponsors, who often support multiple primary candidates. (Haaretz)
• Yachimovich: Many Likud people transferring to Labor - Labor party chief Shelly Yachimovich called the unity between Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu a "political mistake." Newest acquisition: MK Nahman Shai who said: "We have a transfer from the right-wing bloc." (NRG Hebrew)

Commentary/Analysis:

IDF reached a dead end in Gaza (Reuven Pedatzur, Haaretz) The IDF has still not found a solution to the rockets being fired from Gaza into southern Israel - around 1,000 in this year alone.
Netanyahu sets a new agenda (Oudeh Basharat, Haaretz) As a chronic optimist, I see only an opportunity in the Likud-Yisrael Beitenu merger.
Why the long face? (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom) According to all the polls, Netanyahu will be the next prime minister. The Left knows this.
A lesson in remembering that Israel could learn from Australia (Akiva Eldar, Haaretz) Even in Sydney's well-to-do neighborhoods, there are people who make sure to show their appreciation for the 'original custodians of this land.'
Rabin and Rachel: A distorted competition (Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom) There is nothing more suitable than the image of Rachel and her tomb to connect proponents and opponents of the Rabin legacy. 
The geopolitical poker game that will define the new Mideast (Ely Karmon, Haaretz) Analysts from across the Middle East shed light on what kind of Syria and what kind of regional blocs will emerge from the current crisis.
The apology that wasn't (Ben-Dror Yemini, Maariv) "Two days ago Haaretz publicized a clarification about a recent main headline that made Israel into an apartheid state. It was not an apology. It was barely a clarification. It was on page five at the bottom. Yesterday it was the turn of the star of the show. 'I erred, but', was the title. When one reads the article by Gideon Levy, it becomes clear that the 'but' is there in order to expunge the 'I erred'. After having succeeded in perpetrating a tremendous character assault on the State of Israel, after his apartheid libel had already circled the world to his open delight, Levy explains that, essentially, he didn't really err...Israel is far from being perfect. It has racist phenomena, which must be fought. But there is a difference between racist phenomena and a racist or apartheid state."
A test for education (Haaretz Editorial) Council for Higher Education members would do well to remember their mission and remove the threat hanging over Ben Gurion University's Department of Politics and Government, which is under threat of closure.
Who'll give me two bottles of beer for my vote in Israel? (Akin Ajayi, Haaretz) As I prepare for my first national elections in Israel, I’ve finally reached the point in life where I value the worth of my vote. But the facile platitudes seasoned with the politics of fear that is on offer make me wonder what difference it will make.
Yacimovich isn't a real socialist (Nehemia Shtrasler, Haaretz) Not only is the leader of Israel's Labor Party Shelly Yacimovich dressing up as a free market supporter for Halloween, but at heart she isn't even a real socialist.
World Bank policies persistently fail Palestinians (Alaa Tartir and Jeremy Wildeman, Maan) The surprising part of the World Bank report lies not in the Bank’s negative prognosis of the Palestinian economy, but rather in its recommendations. It calls for the Palestinians to emulate the Asian tigers by "adopting an outward orientation and integrating into world supply chains."
A postcard from Ankara: Turkey is not looking to reconcile with Israel (Adar Primor, Haaretz) A recent visit to Turkey yielded a number of insights about the sultan/statesman Erdogan, and his attitude to Israel.
‘Apartheid’ poll: Errors that traveled round the world (Shany Mor, Haaretz) A well-constructed public opinion survey in terms of the Israeli public’s attitudes on racism and of the corrosive effects of 45 years of ruling another people could do much to advance a mature discussion of the problem. The recent Dialog survey, and Gideon Levy’s poor reading of it, gave us neither.
 

Interviews:
Dennis Ross: Two-state solution is not dead, only way to Mideast peace
Former top White House official predicts U.S. will launch major diplomatic initiative with Iran. (Interviewed by Chemi Shalev in Haaretz)
 
A new look at the life and times of Moshe Dayan
Haaretz talks to Dayan's former aide Mordechai Bar-On, who has now written a biography of the late and controversial war hero and government minister. (Interviewed by David B. Green in Haaretz)

 
 

Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.