News Nosh 05.18.15

APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday May 18, 2015 

Quote of the day:
“It doesn’t seem like she’ll intervene in content. This is a democratic state. I don’t see this happening, and don’t believe they’ll intervene in the content of art, because there’s no such thing.”
-- Yaakov Mendel, chairman of the Israeli Union of Performing Artists, said he had trouble believing the Culture and Sports Ministry would actually implement the censorship policy its new minister, MIri Regev, suggested.**


Front Page:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links)
Israel Hayom
  • “Jerusalem – the capital only of the Jewish people” – 48 years after the re-unification of the capital, Prime Minister makes assertive diplomatic message
  • Likely: fewer dismissals at Israel Chemicals Co.
  • Suspicion: Murdered and claimed his wife died of cancer
  • Running long-distances: Samiyun Simukin, 91 and Israeli, is European running champion
  • Matriculations being tested: This morning – First exam with new guidelines
  • Getting closer to Baghdad: Iraqi army ran – and ISIS conquered Ramadi
  • Great heat wave came for next two days

News Summary:
Dimona calls for help at a demo following dismissals at Israel Chemicals factory and new ministers takeover from the outgoing ministers making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Also in the news, on ‘Jerusalem Day’ yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu declared that Jerusalem is the capital only for Jews and the papers reported on the right-wing celebration through the Muslim quarters of the Old City mainly in the context of a few Palestinians throwing stones at police, with almost no mention of the right-wing instigation and wounded Palestinians except in Haaretz and Maariv. The ‘Father of the settlements,’ Rabbi Moshe Levinger died and was buried yesterday in Hebron, the city within which he created Jewish enclaves that have divided it and pushed out Arabs. Interestingly, Yedioth interviewed a former Saudi official who called on Israelis to accept the Saudi Peace Initiative. However, US President Barack Obama expressed pessimism that a deal would be achieved any time soon.

On Jerusalem Day, Netanyahu said the answer to terror attacks was continued Jerusalem construction - meaning in East Jerusalem. Netanyahu also said the city was the capital only of the Jews. President Reuven Rivlin said the city Jerusalem belongs to all of it residents – Arabs and Jews. 
 
The right-wing march from west Jerusalem’s city center thru the Old City’s Damascus Gate and Muslim Quarter to reach the Wailing Wall has gained more popularity. If a few years ago it was just a few hundred participants, this year it was a few thousand – overwhelmingly religious males. In recent years, the marchers yelled abuses to the Arab residents and shopkeepers and acted violently against some. But the High Court already told the police not to allow that to continue. Nevertheless, Maariv’s Moshe Steinmatz reported that a number of violent incidents took place when Jews attacked Arabs, including Palestinian photojournalists. [Note, my colleague Peter Beaumont of the Guardian updated on Facebook today that “Despite claims the police would prevent provocations the marchers chanted anti-Palestinian slogans and hammered on the doors of the locked houses and shops. A crowd gathered round the only shop I saw open and intimidated the owner into closing.” He also described an act of police brutality he witnessed: "We watched one Palestinian man grabbed by police outside the Damascus Gate 30 odd feet from the police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld. While four police held him (he couldn't move his arms) a fifth ran over and knee-ed him in the face."] Meanwhile, about 100 Jews protested the march with signs reading ‘Stop the racism’ and “Jerusalem is not silent.
 
Yedioth’s Arab affairs reporter Smadar Perry interviewed a former Saudi general and government advisor “who is close to the monarchy.” Meeting in Doha, Qatar. Dr. Anwar Ashki called on Israelis to “say yes” to the Saudi Peace Initiative – withdrawal to the ’67 borders (with mutually agreed upon land swaps) in exchange for normalization with all 22 Arab states and 20 Muslim countries. “King Salman supports the initiative, it’s time that Israel accepts it,” he said. “They say that Netanyahu formed a government of radicals. That doesn’t bother me. On the contrary. It’s possible that this is preferable to achieve peace, because if Netanyahu and his ministers accept the plan, there will be no one to bother them.” [Note: It’s likely the Saudi monarchy is trying again to get Israel to consider the Peace Initiative and passed that message through a former official to Yedioth's reporter, as it is sensitive for a serving official to meet with an Israeli and speak on the record. In 2006, then-serving Arab League Secretary General Amr Mousa gave me an exclusive interview in Egypt that was published in The Jerusalem Post with the same purpose. - OH]
 
However, US President Barack Obama doesn't think 'a big overarching deal' is possible in the next year. Trust needs to be rebuilt before peace agreement based on two-state solution can be reached, he told Al-Arabiya satellite network. Nevertheless, Jordanian and German foreign ministers called for the renewal of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in a joint press conference.

Quick Hits:
  • Arab leaders pledge all-out campaign against destruction of Bedouin village - Destruction of Umm al-Hiran, replacement by Jewish town is a red line which will not be crossed, Arab leaders say after Supreme Court allows eviction of Bedouin. (Haaretz+)
  • Israel holds Jordanian-Canadian businessman, denies him lawyer - Ibrahim Siyam has already been in detention for 12 days on suspicion of involvement in Hamas activity; arrest extended to next Sunday. (Haaretz+)
  • Soldier who ordered Palestinian to drive him to settlement has sentence lengthened - Terrified Palestinian driver thought he was being kidnapped, rammed the car into a tree and fled. [Article does not say how long 2 month jail sentence was lengthened. Note: soldier didn’t have to pay compensation to the driver. – OH] (Haaretz+)
  • Some 1,000 protest in Dimona against job losses at Israel Chemicals plant - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces task force to examine unemployment in the south, headed by Arye Dery. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
  • Likud source: Defense Minister, not Habayit Hayehudi, will decide on settlement construction - Deputy Defense Minister Eli Ben-Dahan will not be responsible for approving construction in the territories, a Likud source said Sunday. Such a decision would gut one of Habayit Hayehudi’s key achievements in the coalition negotiations. (Haaretz+)
  • New coalition won't last, says Likud's Hanegbi - Coalition whip and Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman acknowledges deep disappointment at not getting a ministerial post, but says he's taking one for the team. (Haaretz
  • World may find Israel's new deputy foreign minister hard to swallow - In the absence of an acting foreign minister, spotlight will be on Tzipi Hotovely, a hardliner who opposes two-state solution and supports annexation of West Bank. (Haaretz+)
  • New culture minister says won't let Israel's image be 'undermined' for sake of pluralism - Cultural figures split over the amount of damage new culture minister may cause to artistic freedom of expression. (Haaretz+)
  • Regev's first move as minister: Move Culture and Sport Ministry to Jerusalem - Regev says ministry, which deals with state issues, should operate from Israel's capital; ceremony to replace ministers to be held in Sheikh Jarrah instead of Tel Aviv. (Ynet
  • Labor official: Yachimovich trying to dismantle Herzog's opposition - Former Labor leader tells supporters she will vote with coalition on social legislation, incurring the wrath of her colleagues who want a united opposition against Netanyahu. (Ynet)
  • Labor lost in Israel and U.K. for same reason, U.S. pollster says - According to Stan Greenberg, the left-wing parties in both countries lost elections because their conservative rivals 'played the nationalist card.' (Haaretz)
  • ‘Father of the settlements,’ Rabbi Moshe Levinger, laid to rest in Hebron - Hundreds turn out for funeral in ancient synagogue close to the Tomb of the Patriarchs; Rivlin: It is hard for us to say goodbye. Rabbi led Jewish community in Hebron and spearheaded West Bank settlements in the 70s. (Haaretz+, Israel Hayom and Ynet)
  • Government set to appoint new head of atomic commission - Brig. Gen. (res.) Ze’ev Snir will be the third senior IDF officer to hold the job. (Haaretz+)
  • IDF rules that tanks are still no place for a woman - Women can work in 92 percent of all military positions, but tanks are considered beyond their physiological limit. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
  • Two Israel Air Force men to be charged in rape of female comrade - At hearing, judge says substantial evidentiary basis links suspects to allegations of rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, invasion of privacy and obstruction of justice. (Haaretz+)
  • FIFA chief Blatter seeks Israel concession in Palestine dispute - Head of soccer federation will meet Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian President Abbas next week in hopes of heading off Palestinian call to expel Israel, saying the onus is on Israel. (Agencies, Ynet)
  • As Israel celebrates a unified Jerusalem, the city is losing its Jewish residents - More Jews are leaving the capital and suburbs than are moving in, and foreign residents are buying many of the new homes. (Haaretz+)
  • Expats see Israel as most dynamic country in the world - Survey conducted by InterNations network shows 1.5 million expatriates who live or work in foreign countries think Israelis are one of world's most innovative and outgoing populations, with US and Brazil trailing behind. (Ynet)
  • Portman says new Israeli film isn't political - Israeli-born American actress says her directorial debut, adapted from an autobiographical novel by Amos Oz, focuses more on the story of a particular family than the historical backdrop it takes place in. (Agencies, Ynet)
  • Warm Vatican welcome for PA president sparks ire in Jerusalem - As Mahmoud Abbas visits Vatican, Pope Francis reportedly calls him an "angel of peace." Vatican clarifies that this was a wish for Abbas to bring peace. Foreign Ministry: It is regrettable that Abbas uses international forums to attack Israel. (Israel Hayom)
  • Pope Francis names two Palestinian nuns as saints - Canonization comes just days after the Vatican formalized its de facto recognition of the State of Palestine. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • Backstreet Boys tour Tel Aviv ahead of shows in Israel - Members of the '90s boy band arrive in Israel to perform three shows in Ra'anana Ampitheatre. (Ynet)
  • Scott Walker compares Israeli daily life to post-9/11 America - The potential 2016 presidential candidate added that the trip reinforces his belief that the United State must aggressively deal with terrorists abroad. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • Pentagon: If ISIS captures Iraq's Ramadi, U.S. will help Baghad to take it back - Defense Department stops short of confirming ISIS' statement that it captured strategic city. (Agenices, Haaretz)
  • US kills top IS official in commando raid in Syria - In rare American ground operation deep inside Syria, Delta Force commandos kill Abu Sayyaf, Islamic State's head of oil operations, and capture his wife. As well as Sayyaf, an estimated dozen more Islamic State fighters are killed in the raid. (Agencies, Israel Hayom)
  • Nasrallah: As we mark the Palestinian Nakba, ISIS is leading a new one - In televised speech, Nasrallah dispels rumors of ill health, says he takes only lemonade, as group fights ISIS in key battle in Syria. (Haaretz+)
  • Hezbollah leader denies reports of failing health - Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah: Rumors about my medical condition are psychological warfare. Nasrallah claims Hezbollah and Syrian government forces have made significant gains against rebels in Qalamoun Mountains. (Agencies, Israel Hayom
  • U.S. 'deeply concerned' over Morsi death sentence bid by Egyptian court - Ousted Egyptian president was sentenced to death on charges of breaking out of prison and passing along state secrets. (Agencies, Haaretz)


Features:
Starved for freedom: Palestinian goes on hunger strike for 4th time 
After carrying out the longest hunger strike in Israel’s history, Khader Adnan is again denying himself sustenance, to protest his latest arrest without trial. (Gideon Levy and Alex Levac, Haaretz+)
Meet the ministers of Israel's 34th government
The newly appointed ministers will begin working in their new posts this week. How do they view their roles? What are their plans for the first days in office? Israel's new ministers are ready to jump in, and excitement levels are high. (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom)
What's waiting for the new ministers as they take up their portfolios 
Reducing the cost of living, closing social gaps, enhancing competition, solving the housing crisis and improving service provision - just some of the challenges facing the new government. (The Marker
Bedouin town of Rahat gets first high class restaurant
Al-Fakher owner urges everyone to set prejudices aside and come sample some authentic Arab food. (Gil Gutkin, Haaretz+)
This Day in Jewish History / A humiliated Syria hangs Israeli spy Eli Cohen
Cohen had penetrated the highest echelons of the Syrian command and suspected they were hunting for a mole. But he went back one more time. (David B. Green, Haaretz+)
Remembering the Israeli Arab victim of one of Israel's worst terrorist attacks
Hasiba Shahala, 27, was the first victim of the terrorists who carried out a massacre in Ma'alot in 1974. (Goel Beno, Yedioth/Ynet)
IN PHOTOS: Palestinians mark Nakba Day
Parades and demonstrations held in West Bank and Israel Friday May 15th; minute-long siren sounded at 11:30 A.M. (Haaretz

Commentary/Analysis:
Israel's secret weapon in the war against Hezbollah: The New York Times (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Israel is turning to the media and diplomacy to head off an almost inevitable new round of confrontation with Hezbollah. Its message: Israel won't be able to avoid attacks on Lebanon's civilians so long as the Shi'ite militia uses them as human shields.
Fake myths won’t help IDF at the moment of truth (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) The Second Lebanon War and Operation Protective Edge have expanded the gap between myths and reality: Despite the calm borders, the situation in the north and south is becoming very dangerous again. 
On Jerusalem Day, is there anything to celebrate? (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+) Those nationalists who want to rub their sovereignty in the faces of disempowered East Jerusalemites only succeed in engendering more hatred in a city for whose peace they profess to pray.
Save Israel from Netanyahu's dangerous stalemate (Haaretz Editorial) The opposition must raise its voice and pose alternative to the government's iron wall facing the Palestinians.
Ben-Gurion was right to legitimize the 'other Germany' (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) The Jews' willingness to forgive the new German generation without forgetting the old generation's crimes became institutionalized only after the Germans had taken full responsibility and blame for the Holocaust in the past few decades.
No room for free speech for Israeli Arabs – and Israel isn't to blame (Oudeh Basharat, Haaretz+) In our mighty Arab world there is no room for a different opinion; if one seeks to speak freely, he has to move to the imperialist and infidel West.
Leaders' excuses won't rewrite history (Ariela Ringel Hoffman, Yedioth/Ynet) Nine years after the Second Lebanon War, its three architects – Ehud Olmert, Amir Peretz and Dan Halutz – are still trying to shift the blame elsewhere.
On Jerusalem Day, religious Zionists should be leading the fight against intolerance (Anton Goodman, Haaretz+) When Israel's most controversial national holiday showcases the worst of Jewish intolerance, it's time to stop contributing to the problem.
The folly of the international community on the Palestinians (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Pushing both sides into a forced settlement will lead to disaster, and a Hamas takeover in the West Bank; meanhile, the outrage over Shaked is entirely misplaced.
Israel Police commissioner must resign, or be fired (Boaz Sangero, Haaretz+) After the police’s violent repression of the Ethiopian Jewish protest, the only way to reform the cops' behavior is for Commissioner Danino to leave his post. 
Jerusalem 2020: A vision for the future (Nir Barkat, Yedioth/Ynet) Imagine a city that is not just the heart and soul of the Jewish people, and a holy place for billions of Muslims and Christians, but a thriving industrial and artistic hub.
Time for FIFA to show Israel the red card (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Israel will cry foul, but its suspension from international soccer really could be a game changer.
The naïve pope and his 'angel of peace' from Ramallah (Noah Klieger, Yedioth/Ynet) Francis should have asked Abbas why almost all Christians have fled the Palestinian-controlled territories, while in Israel hundreds of thousands live peacefully and enjoy full freedom of religion.
Only the people of Europe can save Israel (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) The only way to guarantee Israeli democracy is by establishing a Palestinian state. The only way to achieve this is by appealing to Europe.
What Labor Party needs is an electable general (Arik Henig, Ynet) Instead of drawing conclusions after losing elections, Labor leaders use mathematical exercises to explain how well the party did. When will they learn that the Israeli public prefers to be led by IDF chiefs of staff?
Israel's confederacy of dunces (Raviv Drucker, Haaretz+) Five subjects worthy of our scorn after this week’s shambolic events in the Knesset.
No one deserves the new Netanyahu government (Sima Kadmon, Yedioth/Ynet) The establishment of Benjamin Netanyahu's fourth government could not have been executed in a more negligent and dishonorable fashion.
Israel’s formula for a stable government lies in Italy (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) This isn’t a joke: Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s move to give an election winner bonus seats does away with the need for coalition governments.
Amid false messages and broken loyalty, Netanyahu's cabinet gets to work (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) Bibi ally Gilad Erdan, whom Likudniks voted in as the party’s No. 2, is about to take his seat as a rank-and-file Knesset member.
The scaremongering ritual (Dr. Limor Samimian-Darash, Israel Hayom) Every time a right-wing government is elected, we are habitually warned of all the imagined threats such a government poses to democracy.
Even when I was handcuffed, I didn't blame the cops (Nissan Shor, Haaretz+) The legislators make use of the particular character traits possessed by most policemen: a desire to show superiority over others, hidden aggression, feelings of inferiority, racism, vengefulness.
An open letter to the Pope (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom)
By recognizing a Palestinian state, the Church is hastening the demise of the Christian communities in the area.
Mahmoud Abbas could be Netanyahu’s unlikely salvation (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) As the world prepares to pounce on his narrow, right-wing coalition, the prime minister needs an exit strategy.
 

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