APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday January 22, 2015
Quote of the day:
“We need to dismantle the biggest cartel in the country: the settlements cartel.”
--MK Amir Peretz slams Habayit Hayehudi party in a storm that broke out in the Knesset yesterday.**
--MK Amir Peretz slams Habayit Hayehudi party in a storm that broke out in the Knesset yesterday.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Seven wounded moderately to seriously in a stabbing attack on a bus in Tel-Aviv; terrorist shot and caught
- Assessments: The leaders of the attack in Syria knew the Iranian general was in the convoy
- An attack in contradiction of two main justifications // Amos Harel
- On eve of elections: Republicans invited Netanyahu to Congress, the White House was furious
- The White House will respond at the appropriate time and place // Chemi Shalev
- Netanyahu is likely to regret the porridge he cooked with the Republicans // Barak Ravid
- Tel-Aviv changes policy: Prohibited to park on sidewalks at night
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Heroes of bus #40 – Bus driver Herzl Biton
- and middle school pupil Liel Swisa
- Behind the back of Obama – Netanyahu bypassed the US President when he coordinated a visit to Congress a month before elections in Israel.
- After the flood // Nahum Barnea
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- “The terrorist had murder in his eyes”
- No address // Yossi Melman
- Because of tension in north: Chief of Staff cancelled trip to Europe
- White House: “Invitation of Netanyahu to Congress – is departure from protocol”
- Success for Netanyahu, humiliation for Americans // Ben Caspit
Israel Hayom
- Heroism of the driver – Stabbing attack in Tel-Aviv: Palestinian terrorist injured 20 people, 3 seriously
- Shabahim (Palestinians inside Israel without permit) are a constant threat // Yoav Limor
- Seal the fence, completely // Dan Margalit
- Yedioth forgot: War on terror // Haim Shine
- Good news for IDF handicapped: Percentage of handicap will be rounded up; will receive a retroactive bonus
- Argentina: Mystery around hallway leading to apartment of prosecutor found shot dead
- Suspicion: Israeli hacker broke into Madonna’s computer and sold stolen songs
News Summary:
The eyewitness accounts from the stabbing attack on a Tel-Aviv bus, the anger at the White House over Republicans’ invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to Congress, and the increased tension along Israel’s northern border were the top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Also, Maariv reported on a storm in Knesset after Habayit Hayehudi leader took credit for something he didn't do.
After newspaper websites and evening news already informed Israelis about the Wednesday morning stabbing attack on a Tel-Aviv bus by a young Palestinian that seriously injured four people, today’s newspapers had interviews with some of the Israelis on the bus and information about the attacker. Hamza Mohammed Hasan Matrouk, 23, lived with his divorced mother in Ramallah and visited his father, a former security prisoner who lives in a refugee camp in Tulkarem, every couple months. Only Ynet’s Hassan Shaalan seems to have bothered to go there to find out about him. [i.e. he did journalism – OH] Matrouk was with his Tulkarem friends the night before the attack and “seemed completely normal,” they said. He was not known as an activist or supporter of any Palestinian political faction. Some of Matrouk's friends praised him on his Facebook page. A former security prisoner Tariq Fayyat, who lives in the same neighborhood said he wasn’t surprised by the attack and Palestinians are not condemning it because “This is a normal reaction to the criminal acts the Israeli army commits in the territories and in Jerusalem….We also suffer and live in a very difficult atmosphere.”
Interesting to note were the different headlines for the same article in Maariv. The print newspaper headline was: ‘Palestinian young man stabbed eight people: I wanted to reach Paradise.’ The Maariv website headline was: ‘"I carried out the attack due to Operation Protective Edge.”’ Indeed, Shin Bet investigators told the press that Matrouk said he was motivated by last summer’s Gaza War, the incidents [involving ar-right-wingers –OH] at the Temple Mount, and Islamist broadcasts praising the martyr's "road to paradise." Maariv reported that the Palestinian Resistance Committees praised the attack, saying it was “a natural response to the crimes of the occupation against the Palestinian people, their land and the places holy to them,” and to the recent deaths (through police gunfire and tear gas) of two Bedouin men in the Negev. “Those who think that our people will accept the injustice and won’t respond are deluding themselves.” Ynet posted a simulated reenactment of the stabbing of the attack, for those interested.
The Israeli newspapers (with the obvious exception of Israel Hayom) appeared to share the same shock as the White House over the Republicans’ invitation to Netanyahu to address Congress on Iran. To all it seemed as an attempt to intervene for the Israeli prime minister in the Israeli elections and challenge Obama on the Iranian nuclear issue - only days after US President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union Address that he halted progress of Iran's nuclear program, and would veto any new sanctions on Iran.
The White House called it a 'departure from protocol' saying that 'Such invitations are usually made leader to leader.' Haaretz’s Barak Ravid explains ‘how Netanyahu's U.S. trip was cooked up’ with the help of Israeli ambassador Ron Dermer, who is pushing US lawmakers for new Iran sanctions.
Speaking of Iran, IDF Chief of Staff Beni Gantz cancelled his trip to Europe, signaling how great the tensions on the northern front are as an Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander vowed to take revenge on Israel for the death of an Iranian general in an Israeli attack in the Syrian Golan. Yedioth ran a photo of masses of Iranians surrounding the coffin of the Iranian general. There was little information about him in the Israeli press. Reuters had a video showing Iranians stamping on the Israeli flag and setting it on fire during the funeral for the senior Revolutionary Guards commander General Mohammad Allahdadi.
Suspicious figures and movement were identified near the Lebanese border fence and thousands of Israeli residents in the adjacent mountain range were instructed to stay indoors due to a suspected infiltration in the area. Due to the great tension, the IDF decided to advance air force troops and tanks to the northern border, Maariv reported. The US has issued a travel warning to its citizens, barring personnel from using public transport in Israel and the West Bank, and requiring them to obtain permission to come near the Lebanese and Syrian borders.
**Lastly, a storm broke out Wednesday in the Knesset when leader of pro-settler Habayit Hayehudi party and Economy Minister Naftali Bennett claimed he was responsible for the achievement of the bill raising minimum wage, Maariv reported. MKs Amir Peretz (Hatnuah party) and Dov Khenin (Hadash party) yelled out that it was Khenin [which was true – OH]. Bennett responded calling Peretz’s party ‘anti-social-justice.’ Then a riot broke out and Speaker Yuli Edelstein had to stop the debate for a few minutes telling MKs not to do electioneering in the plenum. When the debate renewed, Peretz said, “We need to dismantle the biggest cartel in the country: the settlements cartel.” MK Stav Shafir (Labor) went to the podium and made a remarkable speech slamming Habyait Hayehudi, which holds the Housing Ministry and chairs the Knesset Finance Committee, for siphoning money to settlements and private funds [part of recently exposed corruption scandal – OH] instead of giving it to schools, hospitals, collapsing factories, poor. Shafir's powerful three-minute speech has gone viral on the internet, Maariv reported. (Video without English translation)
The eyewitness accounts from the stabbing attack on a Tel-Aviv bus, the anger at the White House over Republicans’ invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to Congress, and the increased tension along Israel’s northern border were the top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Also, Maariv reported on a storm in Knesset after Habayit Hayehudi leader took credit for something he didn't do.
After newspaper websites and evening news already informed Israelis about the Wednesday morning stabbing attack on a Tel-Aviv bus by a young Palestinian that seriously injured four people, today’s newspapers had interviews with some of the Israelis on the bus and information about the attacker. Hamza Mohammed Hasan Matrouk, 23, lived with his divorced mother in Ramallah and visited his father, a former security prisoner who lives in a refugee camp in Tulkarem, every couple months. Only Ynet’s Hassan Shaalan seems to have bothered to go there to find out about him. [i.e. he did journalism – OH] Matrouk was with his Tulkarem friends the night before the attack and “seemed completely normal,” they said. He was not known as an activist or supporter of any Palestinian political faction. Some of Matrouk's friends praised him on his Facebook page. A former security prisoner Tariq Fayyat, who lives in the same neighborhood said he wasn’t surprised by the attack and Palestinians are not condemning it because “This is a normal reaction to the criminal acts the Israeli army commits in the territories and in Jerusalem….We also suffer and live in a very difficult atmosphere.”
Interesting to note were the different headlines for the same article in Maariv. The print newspaper headline was: ‘Palestinian young man stabbed eight people: I wanted to reach Paradise.’ The Maariv website headline was: ‘"I carried out the attack due to Operation Protective Edge.”’ Indeed, Shin Bet investigators told the press that Matrouk said he was motivated by last summer’s Gaza War, the incidents [involving ar-right-wingers –OH] at the Temple Mount, and Islamist broadcasts praising the martyr's "road to paradise." Maariv reported that the Palestinian Resistance Committees praised the attack, saying it was “a natural response to the crimes of the occupation against the Palestinian people, their land and the places holy to them,” and to the recent deaths (through police gunfire and tear gas) of two Bedouin men in the Negev. “Those who think that our people will accept the injustice and won’t respond are deluding themselves.” Ynet posted a simulated reenactment of the stabbing of the attack, for those interested.
The Israeli newspapers (with the obvious exception of Israel Hayom) appeared to share the same shock as the White House over the Republicans’ invitation to Netanyahu to address Congress on Iran. To all it seemed as an attempt to intervene for the Israeli prime minister in the Israeli elections and challenge Obama on the Iranian nuclear issue - only days after US President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union Address that he halted progress of Iran's nuclear program, and would veto any new sanctions on Iran.
The White House called it a 'departure from protocol' saying that 'Such invitations are usually made leader to leader.' Haaretz’s Barak Ravid explains ‘how Netanyahu's U.S. trip was cooked up’ with the help of Israeli ambassador Ron Dermer, who is pushing US lawmakers for new Iran sanctions.
Speaking of Iran, IDF Chief of Staff Beni Gantz cancelled his trip to Europe, signaling how great the tensions on the northern front are as an Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander vowed to take revenge on Israel for the death of an Iranian general in an Israeli attack in the Syrian Golan. Yedioth ran a photo of masses of Iranians surrounding the coffin of the Iranian general. There was little information about him in the Israeli press. Reuters had a video showing Iranians stamping on the Israeli flag and setting it on fire during the funeral for the senior Revolutionary Guards commander General Mohammad Allahdadi.
Suspicious figures and movement were identified near the Lebanese border fence and thousands of Israeli residents in the adjacent mountain range were instructed to stay indoors due to a suspected infiltration in the area. Due to the great tension, the IDF decided to advance air force troops and tanks to the northern border, Maariv reported. The US has issued a travel warning to its citizens, barring personnel from using public transport in Israel and the West Bank, and requiring them to obtain permission to come near the Lebanese and Syrian borders.
**Lastly, a storm broke out Wednesday in the Knesset when leader of pro-settler Habayit Hayehudi party and Economy Minister Naftali Bennett claimed he was responsible for the achievement of the bill raising minimum wage, Maariv reported. MKs Amir Peretz (Hatnuah party) and Dov Khenin (Hadash party) yelled out that it was Khenin [which was true – OH]. Bennett responded calling Peretz’s party ‘anti-social-justice.’ Then a riot broke out and Speaker Yuli Edelstein had to stop the debate for a few minutes telling MKs not to do electioneering in the plenum. When the debate renewed, Peretz said, “We need to dismantle the biggest cartel in the country: the settlements cartel.” MK Stav Shafir (Labor) went to the podium and made a remarkable speech slamming Habyait Hayehudi, which holds the Housing Ministry and chairs the Knesset Finance Committee, for siphoning money to settlements and private funds [part of recently exposed corruption scandal – OH] instead of giving it to schools, hospitals, collapsing factories, poor. Shafir's powerful three-minute speech has gone viral on the internet, Maariv reported. (Video without English translation)
Quick Hits:
- Settlement housing gets third of Israeli state funds for ‘national priority’ areas - Since Uri Ariel became housing minister, government funds have been diverted to construction in the territories. (Haaretz+)
- Israel retroactively okayed illegal settlement construction in Ofra - Under Housing Ministry Uri Ariel, disproportionate government building subsidies siphoned into West Bank. (Haaretz+)
- Policeman rescued from Rahat mob: We were sitting in the car waiting to die - Inquiry commission investigating why officers were in Rahat during funeral of (uninvolved) man killed in police drug raid; 'We were on the way home, and we accidentally arrived at a situation we shouldn't have been in,' said a policemen. The policemen's version of events raises questions, as the funeral procession did not go through a main traffic artery. (Ynet)
- Video footage documents near-deadly assault on police in Rahat - (Unintentional) Death of Bedouin man during drug bust has unleashed complete chaos in the predominantly Arab city; a police patrol car was dangerously cornered in the city during a riot in which a second Bedouin died of a heart attack (due to tear gas inhalation). (Ynet)
- External legalists to assist state comptroller's probe of Gaza op - State Comptroller Yosef Shapira's review of Operation Protective Edge to be assisted by world renowned experts Professors Michael Newton, Moshe Halbertal, and Miguel Deutsch Audit may render International Criminal Court's future probe unnecessary. (Israel Hayom)
- MK Yogev apologizes for curt remark to Gaza-border residents - Habayit Hayehudi member told area residents: 'You supported disengagement, deal with it.' (Haaretz+)
- He got juvenile diabetes because of his (nerve-wracking) military service in Hebron and was compensated $500,000 - The yarmulkeh-wearing (religious) soldier claimed that the daily confrontation with settlers and Palestinians caused him unbearable stress. "The confrontation with the Jews was daily. I felt great emotional hardship because I wanted to do my job. I had difficulty confronting these Jews, most of whom share my positions and principles," he said. "They called me a traitor and an impostor and demanded that I remove my yarmulkeh.” (Maariv)
- Kotel security guard who shot and killed Jewish man convicted of murder - Guard at Western Wall convicted of murder after shooting dead Jewish worshipper in 2013, following verbal exchange in which victim cursed and insulted him for being Druze. (Ynet)
- The world's most beautiful restaurant... is in Tel Aviv - Pastel, in the Herta and Paul Amir Building at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, is crowned the world’s best designed eatery. (Haaretz)
- Thai workers' rights abused on Israel farms, says Human Rights Watch - Group reports workers are essential to country's agriculture, yet suffer from low pay, excessive hours, hazardous conditions, and subpar housing. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Memorial brings recognition to Iran's Jewish 'martyrs' -For leaders of Islamic Republic's small Jewish community, memorial raised in Jewish cemetery in south Tehran is a welcome sign of openness from authorities despite continued concerns over discrimination. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Palestinian startup aims to be the Google of Gaza - Unit One, which develops Web and mobile apps and provides data-management services, has transformed from tiny one-room outfit to successful international business. (Reuters, Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
Death of Iranian general in Syria strike likely no accident (Amos
Harel, Haaretz+) It can be assumed that the officials who ordered the strike weighed the
possibility of killing the general against the risks of a Hezbollah terror plot targeting Israel.
Resisting the temptation of targeted killings (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) Israel's leaders are often amazed by abundance of intelligence pouring in from every direction. Temptation to do something with that information is huge, but great challenge is to consider entire state of affairs and restrain themselves.
Most Palestinians restrain themselves despite Israel’s plunder (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Unlike a few individuals, they channel their wrath and loathing into nonviolent action like the BDS and ICC movements.
Let's not dance on the blood of terror victims (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) There are steps Israel can take to reduce the chances of yet another 'lone-wolf' attack; making political gain from such an event is not one of them.
Netanyahu’s Iran speech in Congress is a recipe for an explosive U.S.-Israel clash (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) PM’s Congressional gambit unlikely to sway voters in Israel but could endanger Israel’s long term interests in America.
With a little help from Netanyahu's billionaire friends (Orly Azoulay, Yedioth/Ynet) The Republicans, who control the US Congress, have organized a visit for Israel's prime minister which is worth more than 1,000 political strategists and copywriters' brilliant ideas.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) The expectation that intelligence gathered ahead of a military operation can account for every imaginable scenario is unrealistic.
Military censorship is serving Likud (Haaretz Editorial) Benjamin Netanyahu's recklessness and avoiding of responsibility under cover of censorship only strengthens the view he is not fit to rule.
Congress invitation: A political stunt Netanyahu might regret (Barak Ravid, Haaretz+) Netanyahu will use the speech to boost his election campaign while helping his Republican allies undercut Obama's efforts to secure an agreement with Iran.
Lone terrorist events - no address (Yossi Melman, Maariv) These are the lone terrorist events. There is no organization behind them, there is no accountability through superior responsibility and there is no direction and guidance. They are all the work of a single man, who got up one morning and decided to do something.
Syria air strikes: How the defense minister often overrules his generals (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Opinions in the IDF General Staff are likely to be divided when it comes to military action abroad: The decisive factor is usually Defense Minister Ya'alon.
An operational hitch or a flaw in decision making? (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Jihad Mughniyeh and the Iranian general killed in Sunday's strike will be replaced by others. Israel has allegedly brought upon itself the next string of terror attacks, in the Golan or in the heart of Israel or in Jewish centers abroad, without gaining a thing.
In Israel, a military strike doesn’t hurt an election campaign (Asher Schechter, Haaretz+) Is there a connection between the recent attack on a Hezbollah convoy in Syria and the upcoming Israeli election? A former high-level IDF officer hinted there might be.
Despite ambiguity, Netanyahu must answer for Syria attack (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) In wake of deadly strike in Golan Heights, PM and Defense Minister Ya'alon's insistence on hiding behind fictitious screen accomplishes nothing.
Killing three birds with one stone (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) Even those who planned the Quneitra strike never imagined the entire axis of evil – Iran, Syria and Hezbollah – would be hit at once, suffering a painful public humiliation. An operation aimed at foiling tactical events has turned into a strategic crisis.
Hook-nosed Jew vs. Mohammed cartoons: What’s the difference? (Shoshana Kordova, Haaretz+) Genuine freedom of speech includes the right to publish offensive cartoons as well as the right to protest them.
Invitation to address Congress: Success of Netanyahu, humiliation of Americans (Ben Caspit, Maariv) While most of the politicians will be busy (sharing their views in) salon meetings, the prime minister will stand on the roof of the world. The problem is that the US administration is angry, and the account with Obama will be difficult to pay off.
In State of the Union, Obama stops telling Americans they're safer (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) This year, Obama's domestic-policy narrative reached its crescendo, while his foreign-policy narrative quietly collapsed.
Obama joins the Mearsheimer-Walt team (Richard Baehr, Israel Hayom) Obama's actions reflect a view that America would be better off if there was not such strong, bipartisan support for Israel.
Islamic State’s copywriters are setting the global agenda (Asaf Ronel, Haaretz+) ISIS probably doesn't expect to receive $200 million from Japan. It only wants to keep Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from promoting stability in the region.
66-year-old state seeks real foreign policy (Piki Ish-Shalom, Ynet) The erosion of Israel's international standing is an strategic threat being met by useless policy based on inaction, as though this were sustainable or beneficial to anyone.
Nominees for the Special Place In Hell Awards, Israel, Winter 2015 (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) Categories include the 'What Do You Have To Know?' Award and 'The Only Democracy' Award.
Israel Land Authority: A huge, rotting swamp (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Speaking against corruption or making promises to reduce housing prices is easy. Next government must put an end to funding of affiliated institutions and put state lands on sale to the public.
Framing the Paris shootings in Israel and abroad (Michael Handelzalts, Haaretz+) When television shapes our view of the world, it’s not surprising that politicians will vie for the chance to be seen front and center.
Resisting the temptation of targeted killings (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) Israel's leaders are often amazed by abundance of intelligence pouring in from every direction. Temptation to do something with that information is huge, but great challenge is to consider entire state of affairs and restrain themselves.
Most Palestinians restrain themselves despite Israel’s plunder (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Unlike a few individuals, they channel their wrath and loathing into nonviolent action like the BDS and ICC movements.
Let's not dance on the blood of terror victims (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) There are steps Israel can take to reduce the chances of yet another 'lone-wolf' attack; making political gain from such an event is not one of them.
Netanyahu’s Iran speech in Congress is a recipe for an explosive U.S.-Israel clash (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) PM’s Congressional gambit unlikely to sway voters in Israel but could endanger Israel’s long term interests in America.
With a little help from Netanyahu's billionaire friends (Orly Azoulay, Yedioth/Ynet) The Republicans, who control the US Congress, have organized a visit for Israel's prime minister which is worth more than 1,000 political strategists and copywriters' brilliant ideas.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) The expectation that intelligence gathered ahead of a military operation can account for every imaginable scenario is unrealistic.
Military censorship is serving Likud (Haaretz Editorial) Benjamin Netanyahu's recklessness and avoiding of responsibility under cover of censorship only strengthens the view he is not fit to rule.
Congress invitation: A political stunt Netanyahu might regret (Barak Ravid, Haaretz+) Netanyahu will use the speech to boost his election campaign while helping his Republican allies undercut Obama's efforts to secure an agreement with Iran.
Lone terrorist events - no address (Yossi Melman, Maariv) These are the lone terrorist events. There is no organization behind them, there is no accountability through superior responsibility and there is no direction and guidance. They are all the work of a single man, who got up one morning and decided to do something.
Syria air strikes: How the defense minister often overrules his generals (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Opinions in the IDF General Staff are likely to be divided when it comes to military action abroad: The decisive factor is usually Defense Minister Ya'alon.
An operational hitch or a flaw in decision making? (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Jihad Mughniyeh and the Iranian general killed in Sunday's strike will be replaced by others. Israel has allegedly brought upon itself the next string of terror attacks, in the Golan or in the heart of Israel or in Jewish centers abroad, without gaining a thing.
In Israel, a military strike doesn’t hurt an election campaign (Asher Schechter, Haaretz+) Is there a connection between the recent attack on a Hezbollah convoy in Syria and the upcoming Israeli election? A former high-level IDF officer hinted there might be.
Despite ambiguity, Netanyahu must answer for Syria attack (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) In wake of deadly strike in Golan Heights, PM and Defense Minister Ya'alon's insistence on hiding behind fictitious screen accomplishes nothing.
Killing three birds with one stone (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) Even those who planned the Quneitra strike never imagined the entire axis of evil – Iran, Syria and Hezbollah – would be hit at once, suffering a painful public humiliation. An operation aimed at foiling tactical events has turned into a strategic crisis.
Hook-nosed Jew vs. Mohammed cartoons: What’s the difference? (Shoshana Kordova, Haaretz+) Genuine freedom of speech includes the right to publish offensive cartoons as well as the right to protest them.
Invitation to address Congress: Success of Netanyahu, humiliation of Americans (Ben Caspit, Maariv) While most of the politicians will be busy (sharing their views in) salon meetings, the prime minister will stand on the roof of the world. The problem is that the US administration is angry, and the account with Obama will be difficult to pay off.
In State of the Union, Obama stops telling Americans they're safer (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) This year, Obama's domestic-policy narrative reached its crescendo, while his foreign-policy narrative quietly collapsed.
Obama joins the Mearsheimer-Walt team (Richard Baehr, Israel Hayom) Obama's actions reflect a view that America would be better off if there was not such strong, bipartisan support for Israel.
Islamic State’s copywriters are setting the global agenda (Asaf Ronel, Haaretz+) ISIS probably doesn't expect to receive $200 million from Japan. It only wants to keep Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from promoting stability in the region.
66-year-old state seeks real foreign policy (Piki Ish-Shalom, Ynet) The erosion of Israel's international standing is an strategic threat being met by useless policy based on inaction, as though this were sustainable or beneficial to anyone.
Nominees for the Special Place In Hell Awards, Israel, Winter 2015 (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) Categories include the 'What Do You Have To Know?' Award and 'The Only Democracy' Award.
Israel Land Authority: A huge, rotting swamp (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Speaking against corruption or making promises to reduce housing prices is easy. Next government must put an end to funding of affiliated institutions and put state lands on sale to the public.
Framing the Paris shootings in Israel and abroad (Michael Handelzalts, Haaretz+) When television shapes our view of the world, it’s not surprising that politicians will vie for the chance to be seen front and center.
Interviews:
Meretz politicians discuss party's future
Ilan Gilon, Michal Rozin, and Avi Dabush talk about the faction's image problem, why they don't want a united left-wing bloc, and what they hope to achieve. (Interviewed by Nehama Duek in Yedioth/Ynet)
Ilan Gilon, Michal Rozin, and Avi Dabush talk about the faction's image problem, why they don't want a united left-wing bloc, and what they hope to achieve. (Interviewed by Nehama Duek in Yedioth/Ynet)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.