APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday December 1, 2015
Quote of the day:
"You are not Van Damme, not the police, not judges, and not God."
In a lecture to high school studentsabout human rights, Israeli State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan warned that people must not take the law into their own hands and attack a Palestinian assailant who no longer poses a threat.
In a lecture to high school studentsabout human rights, Israeli State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan warned that people must not take the law into their own hands and attack a Palestinian assailant who no longer poses a threat.
You Must Be Kidding:
"If I knew that you're a stinking Arab, I wouldn’t have accepted your order.”
--What the customer service representative at 'Class Deal' website told Fadi Grace, an Arab Israeli, who called because he did not receive his shoe order.
Breaking News:
Two Palestinian teens were shot dead in alleged attempted stabbing attempts in the West Bank, a Palestinian woman was detained for carrying a knife in her purse and a man in Jerusalem said he was stabbed.
- An elite IDF unit opened fire on a Palestinian teen who allegedly tried to stab someone at the Gush Etzion junction. A civilian was very lightly hurt from the bullet shrapnel. The alleged attacker was identified as Ma'amoun al-Khatib, 16, from Doha village near Bethlehem.
- An IDF officer shot and killed a Palestinian teenage girl at a checkpoint east of Tulkarem, saying that she had attempted to stab him. He was unhurt. A Palestinian medical team was prevented from taking away the girl's body, which was instead taken away in an Israeli army medical jeep.
- Soldiers detained a Palestinian woman at an IDF checkpoint in Gush Etzion after a knife was found among her belongings.
- In Jerusalem, a man who was lightly wounded in to his upper body said he was stabbed by an Arab man. Security forces were searching for a suspect.
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Significant development in case of Jewish terror in West Bank that has yet to be solved
- Netanyahu: If the Palestinian Authority collapses, the replacement could be worse
- [Main Photo: Netanyahu and Abbas shaking hands at the UN Climate Summit in Paris)
- (MK) Yinon Magal resigns from the Knesset following testimonies of sexual harassment
- Partially admits and leaves // Yossi Verter
- Two minors convicted of murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir, ruling of central defendant postponed
- (Attorney General) Weinstein calls to limit the detention (of asylum seekers) at Holot detention facility to one year and warns of revoking of new infiltration law
- Today the fate of construction west of Jerusalem will be determined; (Jerusalem Mayor) Barekat and the environmental organizations united for the battle
- The racist real estate ad: Neighbors that you like, with the Aberjil families (Moroccan surname)
- Marcus Klingberg, who spied for the Soviet Union, died
- Difficulties understanding // Haaretz Editorial on infiltration law
- Climate that eases // Nitzan Horovitz
- Morning with (controversial Minister) Regev and (MK) Hazan
- The criticism division // Attorney General wants to freeze bill that strengthens (WZO’s) Settlement Division // Nimrod Busso
- 18 cows that escape from the IDF star in the Palestinian film that is candidate for an Oscar
Yedioth Ahronot
- (MK Yinon Magal) Admits and leaves (Knesset)
- Let every politician know // Sima Kadmon
- Development in investigation of Jewish terror
- “Neighborhood only for Ashkenazi Jews” – Ad for housing project of ‘Amuna’ Co. in Kiryat Gat promises religious families they will get “neighbors they like” and presents Mizrachi Jews as stupid and boorish
- Provokes and shocks // Moshe Ivgi
- Smiles in Paris – In the midst of a wave of terror and despite accusing him of incitement: Netanyahu and Abu Mazen met at the Climate Summit in Paris and shook hands
- (Israeli) Shopping website to Arab customer: “We won’t sell to you, you are all terrorists” (Hebrew)
- At last moment, Chief of Staff prevented closing of Brigade 7
- Sulha, all-inclusive – Despite the tensions between the countries, sharp rise in number of Israelis traveling to Turkey for holidays
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Dramatic development in Jewish terror affair
- Heads of Ethiopian Jewish community to Netanyahu: Prevent from returning to Addis Ababa the senior Jewish Agency official, who demanded bribes to bring families of soldiers to Israel
- (MK Yinon) Magal resigns from public life
- Cold summit – For the first time since 2010: PM and Palestinian Authority Chairman shook hands during photographing of official photo at Climate Summit in Paris
- CEO of Amuna Co., which produced the ad for housing project without Mizrachi Jews: “I apologize, it was a terrible joke”
Israel Hayom
- Development in sensitive security affair
- Prime Minister: “We will deepen the coordination with Russia”
- (MK Yinon) Magal resigned (from Knesset)
- (Police Commander) Ritman gets into trouble
- History is not the word: For sale – A volume from the first edition of Ben-Yehuda’s dictionary form 1908, including annotations in his handwriting
- High Court harshened the rules: IDF soldiers cannot grow a bard without permission
- Markus Klingberg, the spy that operated in Israel for the Soviet Union, died
News Summary:
Habayit Hayehudi MK Yinon Magal resigned from Knesset after four allegations of sexual harassment, the Israeli security establishment announced it had made headway in a ‘Jewish terror case,’ an Israeli court found two Jewish minors guilty in the murder of Palestinian teen Mohammed Abu Khdeir, but suspended the conviction of the main suspect and Israeli and Palestinian leaders shook hands at the Climate Summit in Paris making top news in the Hebrew newspapers. Also in the news, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed coordination to prevent ‘accidents’ over Syrian skies and a racist ad for a real estate project sparked fury.
Shin Bet and Police said the ‘Jewish terror’ case is under a blanket gag-order and the details of the investigation are barred from publication, but the newspapers published photos from the August arson on the Dawabshe family home in the West Bank village of Duma that killed the parents and a toddler and left one child severely injured. [The ‘significant development’ in the case comes despite Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon saying that the suspected perpetrators cannot be put on trial because that would reveal secret sources. Recently security establishment sources have said that the fact that no one has been brought to justice in the case has been one of the sources of anger that has caused some Palestinians to act violently. – OH]
Meanwhile, a court convicted of murder the two minors who participated in the kidnapping and burning alive of 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir, but suspended the conviction of the adult suspect, Yosef Haim Ben-David, because after 1.5 years, he submitted a last-minute psychiatric evaluation claiming he was insane. Knesset members from the Joint List criticized the court's decision to delay Ben-David’s ruling. “The State is sending a clear message of tolerance and understanding for Jewish terrorism," Joint List Chairman, MK Ayman Odeh told Maariv.
During the taking of the official photo of world leaders at the UN Climate Summit in Paris, Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas shook hands for first time in five years. Later, Netanyahu said that the handshake was "protocol. It's important that world sees we are willing to talk. I have no illusions about Abbas." And in his speech at the summit, Abbas blamed Israel for destruction of the Palestinian environment, saying “our resources are being usurped, our trees are being uprooted, our agriculture is being destroyed."
After Netanyahu and Putin met at the summit, Netanyahu said that Israeli and Russian military officials would meet to 'prevent accidents' over Syrian skies. Israel Hayom wrote that Lebanese media reported that the Israeli Air Force bombed a weapons convoy and munitions storage facilities in Qalamoun region near Syria's border with Lebanon Saturday night, Lebanon's.
Habayit Hayehudi MK Yinon Magal resigned from Knesset after four allegations of sexual harassment, the Israeli security establishment announced it had made headway in a ‘Jewish terror case,’ an Israeli court found two Jewish minors guilty in the murder of Palestinian teen Mohammed Abu Khdeir, but suspended the conviction of the main suspect and Israeli and Palestinian leaders shook hands at the Climate Summit in Paris making top news in the Hebrew newspapers. Also in the news, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed coordination to prevent ‘accidents’ over Syrian skies and a racist ad for a real estate project sparked fury.
Shin Bet and Police said the ‘Jewish terror’ case is under a blanket gag-order and the details of the investigation are barred from publication, but the newspapers published photos from the August arson on the Dawabshe family home in the West Bank village of Duma that killed the parents and a toddler and left one child severely injured. [The ‘significant development’ in the case comes despite Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon saying that the suspected perpetrators cannot be put on trial because that would reveal secret sources. Recently security establishment sources have said that the fact that no one has been brought to justice in the case has been one of the sources of anger that has caused some Palestinians to act violently. – OH]
Meanwhile, a court convicted of murder the two minors who participated in the kidnapping and burning alive of 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir, but suspended the conviction of the adult suspect, Yosef Haim Ben-David, because after 1.5 years, he submitted a last-minute psychiatric evaluation claiming he was insane. Knesset members from the Joint List criticized the court's decision to delay Ben-David’s ruling. “The State is sending a clear message of tolerance and understanding for Jewish terrorism," Joint List Chairman, MK Ayman Odeh told Maariv.
During the taking of the official photo of world leaders at the UN Climate Summit in Paris, Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas shook hands for first time in five years. Later, Netanyahu said that the handshake was "protocol. It's important that world sees we are willing to talk. I have no illusions about Abbas." And in his speech at the summit, Abbas blamed Israel for destruction of the Palestinian environment, saying “our resources are being usurped, our trees are being uprooted, our agriculture is being destroyed."
After Netanyahu and Putin met at the summit, Netanyahu said that Israeli and Russian military officials would meet to 'prevent accidents' over Syrian skies. Israel Hayom wrote that Lebanese media reported that the Israeli Air Force bombed a weapons convoy and munitions storage facilities in Qalamoun region near Syria's border with Lebanon Saturday night, Lebanon's.
Quick Hits:
- EU foreign affairs chief asks Netanyahu to clarify suspension of ties related to Palestinians - PM declared moratorium on contacts with the EU due to union's decision to label settlement products; Israeli source: Step is merely symbolic. (Haaretz+)
- Israel Tightens Restrictions on Gaza Palestinians Seeking Medical Treatment - Maximum age of patient chaperones who must undergo a security check was raised from 35 to 55, meaning anyone younger than 55 won’t be able to get permission, Palestinians say. (Haaretz+)
- State Prosecutor: It's forbidden to lynch a neutralized terrorist - Shai Nitzan tells high school students that it is forbidden to resort to violence against a handcuffed terrorist: 'you are not Van Damme.' (Yedioth/Ynet and Times of Israel)
- Israeli Arab party leader to hold landmark meetings with U.S. officials in Washington - MK Ayman Odeh, Joint Arab List chairman, will also be guest of honor at event hosted by American Jewish billionaire S. Daniel Abraham. (JTA, Haaretz and Ynet)
- Arab-Israeli who was delayed in Madrid: "El-Al imprisoned me, I’ll never fly with them again” - Ayub Elbaz was detained by El-Al employees before boarding the flight from Spain to Israel. He told Radio 103FM about the sense of insult and humiliation he felt. (Maariv)
- Clashes erupt in East Jerusalem neighborhoods following raids - Clashes broke out between Palestinian youth and Israeli forces during raids in the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhoods of Silwan and al-Issawiya on Monday. (Maan)
- The employees were scared: "Optica Halperin' closed its branch in Gush Etzion - Gush Etzion junction has become one of the most dangerous places in Judea and Samaria in this wave of terror: Four civilians killed there and dozens wounded in 9 attacks. Now the glasses shop is temporarily closing. (Yedioth, p. 8)
- Defense Minister Ya'alon: No signs of terror wave subsiding - Moshe Ya'alon says there is no 'halting or extinguishing' attacks. He also says Russian defense systems in Syria are not affecting Israeli operations there. (Haaretz+)
- State Comptroller vs. the "Smotrich Bill" following a scathing report - In an exceptional move by the state comptroller he called on the Prime Minister to stop the bill proposed by (Habayit Hayehudi) MK Bezalel Smotrich, which aimed to enshrine in law that the (controversial) Settlement Division would be exempt from tenders for the benefit of the settlers. Judge Shapiro (ret.) stated that he just submitted a scathing report to Housing Minister Uri Ariel about the Settlement Division, “which transferred budgets to well-endowed communities." (Yedioth/Ynet Hebrew)
- Israel confiscates ICRC tents from Palestinians in Jordan Valley - Israeli authorities on Monday confiscated 10 tents donated to Palestinians in the Jordan Valley by the International Committee of the Red Cross, Israeli rights group B'Tselem said, noting: "The families are without shelter at the moment." (Maan)
- PA: 100 days since humanitarian cases allowed through Rafah crossing - The Palestinian Authority on Monday urged the Egyptian authorities to allow humanitarian cases to leave the blockaded Gaza Strip, noting that the crossing had only been open for 19 non-consecutive days this year. (Maan)
- Israeli culture minister seeks to defund cinema institution over nakba film festival - Tel Aviv Cinematheque screening film festival about 1948 war next week, which Miri Regev believes violates 'Nakba Law.' (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
- "We don't sell to Arabs" - Fadi Grace of Haifa only called the shopping website ‘Class Deal' after waiting four months for the shoes he ordered that did not arrive. Nothing prepared him for the abuse he got from the representative of the website, such as "...because you are a stinking Arab. We don't approve (orders to) Arabs. In today's situation, you are all terrorists" and "A good Arab is a dead Arab.” The website management: “We condemn this and apologize to the customer. We will make sure the employee is immediately fired." (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Far-right Jews join war on Christmas - Members of anti-Arab Lehava group assert that YMCA event in Jerusalem, which previously focused on local Christians, targeted Jewish children this year. (Haaretz+)
- Yossi Vardi: Startup Nation is a PR bluff - “It’s a public relations bluff. High-tech accounts for just 08.7% of the country’s labor force and all of it’s in the top two income deciles,” Vardi, one of the country’s legendary technology investors, told an industry conference last week. (Haaretz)
- IDF renews search for soldier 18 years after disappearance - Israeli Navy divers begin searching water reservoirs in Golan Heights in renewed effort to find Cpl. Guy Hever, missing since 1997. Hever, then 20, vanished after leaving his Golan base. Search of one water reservoir has produced no results, IDF says. (Israel Hayom)
- Klingberg, highest ranking Soviet spy ever caught by Israel, dies at 97 - Avraham Marcus Klingberg immigrated to Israel in 1948, and allegedly spied on it for the next 35 years, until a double agent burnt his cover. (Haaretz)
- Former Palestinian hunger striker released from prison - Upon his release Ghassan Zawahra went straight to the gravesite of his younger brother, Mutaz,who was killed on Oct. 13, during clashes near their home in Aida refugee camp. Zawahra was held for 18 months under administrative detention, i.e. without charges or trial. (Maan)
- Government urges educators to avoid school trips to Europe - Perceived threat to Israeli groups prompts security officials to issue nonbinding advisory • Trips to Poland unaffected, as they already have special security details • It is unclear whether terrorist attacks in Paris played role in decision. (Israel Hayom)
- WATCH: NBC scolds Trump on Arabs cheering 9/11, 'Your words matter, truthfulness matters' - Chuck Todd, host of NBC's 'Meet the Press' ripped into Donald Trump over the telephone, 'Just because somebody repeats something doesn’t make it true!' (Haaretz)
- When Penn met Peres - Famed Hollywood actor and political activists met with the former President during his short two day visit to Israel as a goodwill ambassador for the Haitian government. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Spain Has Missed You, Spanish King Tells Sephardic Jews - In light of new law, which grants citizenship to Jews who were expelled during the Spanish Inquisition, King Felipe VI welcomes new citizens back 'home.' (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Putin Says Turkey Shot Down Russian Plane to Defend ISIS Oil Supplies - U.S. says Russia violated Turkish airspace, but dialogue needed now; Turkey refuses to apologize for downed warplane. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Russian Air Strikes Kill 30 Civilians in Rebel-held Town in Syria - Rescue workers say the air strike on Ariha in Idlib province wounded dozens more people, striking a market place. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Hungarian mayor: Israel behind Paris attacks - Szentgotthárd Mayor Gábor Huszár says 'business circles which are likely backed by the Jewish state are trying to pit Christian Europe against the Muslims,' but offers apology after his comments were made public. (Yedioth/Ynet)
Features:
Incoming MK for Habayit Hayehudi Has Dismal Record
'A family is a father, mother and children, and not two fathers and a child,' said Avi Wurtzman during his previous Knesset stint. While doing nothing to advance socioeconomic issues, he did initiate a 23 million shekel project for daily study of Torah. (Tali Heruti-Sover, Haaretz+)
What happens to someone who killed a terrorist?
Over the last few weeks, hundreds of security forces, paramedics and civilians have responded to severe terror attacks. Some of them are likely to develop post-traumatic reactions. What do mental health officers do and how can these problems be tackled? (Rotem Elizera, Yoav Zitun, Roi Yanovsky, Ynet)
Ballet in Gaza: A Dream Inside the Chaos of a Shattered Strip
Although the conservative society, the only Ballet school in Gaza has 50 girls enrolled and hundreds on waiting list. (Nidal Al-Mughrabi, AP, Haaretz)
'Muslims need to decide where they stand'
Waleed al-Husseini sat in Palestinian jail after daring to criticize radicals – but he says he is also under fire in France for his 'insensitive' ideas about Islam; Hamed Abdel-Samad is seen as radical because of his books; but both are unafraid of criticizing the religion in which they grew up, and they're not the only ones. (Eldad Beck, Yedioth/Ynet)
Klingberg presents: The things I did not tell the Shin Bet
In a special letter to Maariv in 2007, Marcus Klingberg, the spy for the former Soviet Union, told about the investigation that led to his arrest, the cooperation of his wife and the communist ideology that guided him. (Marcus Klingberg, Maariv)
Salma Hayek Is a Belly Dancer in Rising Egyptian Artist's New Works
In his hand-colored photographic works, such as those now on show in Paris, Youssef Nabil embodies his longings for the past, for a world that no longer exists and may never have existed – except in the movies. (Eyal Sagui Bizawe, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
'A family is a father, mother and children, and not two fathers and a child,' said Avi Wurtzman during his previous Knesset stint. While doing nothing to advance socioeconomic issues, he did initiate a 23 million shekel project for daily study of Torah. (Tali Heruti-Sover, Haaretz+)
What happens to someone who killed a terrorist?
Over the last few weeks, hundreds of security forces, paramedics and civilians have responded to severe terror attacks. Some of them are likely to develop post-traumatic reactions. What do mental health officers do and how can these problems be tackled? (Rotem Elizera, Yoav Zitun, Roi Yanovsky, Ynet)
Ballet in Gaza: A Dream Inside the Chaos of a Shattered Strip
Although the conservative society, the only Ballet school in Gaza has 50 girls enrolled and hundreds on waiting list. (Nidal Al-Mughrabi, AP, Haaretz)
'Muslims need to decide where they stand'
Waleed al-Husseini sat in Palestinian jail after daring to criticize radicals – but he says he is also under fire in France for his 'insensitive' ideas about Islam; Hamed Abdel-Samad is seen as radical because of his books; but both are unafraid of criticizing the religion in which they grew up, and they're not the only ones. (Eldad Beck, Yedioth/Ynet)
Klingberg presents: The things I did not tell the Shin Bet
In a special letter to Maariv in 2007, Marcus Klingberg, the spy for the former Soviet Union, told about the investigation that led to his arrest, the cooperation of his wife and the communist ideology that guided him. (Marcus Klingberg, Maariv)
Salma Hayek Is a Belly Dancer in Rising Egyptian Artist's New Works
In his hand-colored photographic works, such as those now on show in Paris, Youssef Nabil embodies his longings for the past, for a world that no longer exists and may never have existed – except in the movies. (Eyal Sagui Bizawe, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
WATCH: 'Israelis From Mars, U.S. Jews From Venus?' (Peter Beinart and Chemi Shalev, Haaretz) Haaretz senior columnist Beinart and U.S. Editor Shalev converse at the JFNA
general assembly.
Withdrawal Now: historically, there is no occupation or colonialism that succeeded in holding on (Uri Savir, Maariv) The continued deadlock with the Palestinians will bring us down to a nightmare scenario of political boycotts and an imposed solution. The way to avoid this and to keep the character of the state is to implement a new disengagement plan.
What Happens When a Bedouin Builds a Gravel Path So His Kids Can Get to School on Rainy Days (Dafna Banai, Haaretz+) Abu Sakr just wanted his kids not to miss school, but the story ended with his tent encampment destroyed, his son's sheep pens leveled, and his pregnant daughter rushed into a hospital after being pushed by an Israeli soldier.
Not everything is dictated from above: The Palestinian terrorist of 2015 is devoid of an ideological home (Amos Gilboa, Maariv) The profile of the terrorist in this wave of terror: young, single, unemployed and frustrated, acting alone, sometimes spontaneously. The danger is that this popular terrorism will turn into terror with firearms or roll into an uprising. We must not let our actions assist the possibility of an uprising unfolding.
Harassed out of the Knesset: Disgraced MK does the right thing, eventually (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) After the sexual harassment accusations against the Habayit Hayehudi lawmaker began to pile up, he was a dead man walking in the corridors of the Knesset.
A lesson to all politicians: Skeletons in your closet will eventually come out (Sima Kadmon, Yedioth/Ynet) There was no courage in Yinon Magal's decision to resign from the Knesset over harassment claims, just lack of choice; he realized there was no room for him in a conservative party which sanctifies family values.
The Palestinians are not ISIS (Don Futterman, Haaretz+) Since the Paris attacks, Netanyahu and other Israeli right-wingers have ramped up their equation between ISIS and Palestinian terror attacks. But this strategy is wrong-headed, exploitative and suicidal for Israel.
Israel's Hidden Aim With Asylum Seekers: To Break Their Spirit (Haaretz Editorial) Time after time the state passed bills seeking to mistreat asylum seekers, and time after time these were struck down by the High Court. It's time to put a halt to this farce.
When it comes to war on ISIS, Israel must take Putin's side (Giora Eiland, Yedioth/Ynet) Russia predicted the Islamic State's formation a long time ago and is right to expect to West to team up to defeat this top strategic threat; Turkey, meanwhile, is dragging NATO to defend Turkish interests rather than shared interests.
The Logic of Israel's anti-European Propaganda (Roy Peled, Haaretz+) Despite the government's claim of being singled out for punishment, all the EU has done against the settlements is take away their advantages. By comparison, it imposes economic sanctions on fully 36 countries.
Part 1: Palestinian youth revolt - Any role for political parties? (Jamal Juma’, Al-Shabaka, Maan) For nearly two months, Palestinians have waited for the political parties to shoulder their role in leading and guiding the uprising. Clearly, they are neither able nor willing to provide a political, organizational and economic framework capable of leading a long-term uprising that would drain the Israeli occupation’s resources and energies. What does a successful uprising require?
'Arab Hordes' Revisited: Bibi Moves to Stay in Power, No Matter What (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) He doesn't need peace. He doesn't even need quiet. He needs three more years, occupying his office. Occupying us. Nothing else matters. Nothing.
Czar Putin and Sultan Erdogan (Prof. Eyal Zisser, Israel Hayom) These two leaders, whom we will politely refrain from calling megalomaniacs, have grand and completely contrasting aspirations.
IDF Fence Separates Little Lambs From Their Mothers in West Bank (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The separation fence dividing Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank cuts off villages from towns, and towns from cities. Now, it is also separating nursing ewes from their lambs.
Clear lines must be drawn (Dr. Gabi Avital, Israel Hayom)
While the military is expected to make recommendations to the government, it is not up to defense officials to set policy.
Arab Women Breaking Silence on Domestic Violence (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) Taking off sunglasses on Saudi TV to reveal black eye, Moroccan actress speaks openly about her ex-husband’s violence as campaign spreads.
The local legends fighting ISIS (Dr. Daniel Friedman, Yedioth/Ynet) Heroes to many in Syria and Iraq, three men – all belonging to different factions – have also become symbols. Meet Rambo, the Preacher, and the Tiger.
Has Israeli Army Met Its Match in Finance Minister Kahlon? (Sami Peretz, Haaretz+) Officers in the career army seem happier to discuss military failings than their own financial arrangements.
Reviving the past (Tsionit Fattal-Kuperwasser, Israel Hayom) The ancient Iraqi Jewish community had a rich history and cultural legacy. The Israeli melting pot demanded they be born again, without their identity.
Israel is making a mockery of the High Court ruling on asylum seekers (Aeyal Gross, Haaretz+) The draft of new legislation regarding detention of asylum seekers is intended to break their spirit, make them leave the country and deter others from coming – purposes declared invalid by the last court ruling.
After Planned Parenthood Attack, No Calls to Close Churches or Register Evangelicals (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) GOP presidential candidates incited against reproductive health group before Paris terror provided a more lucrative target.
Withdrawal Now: historically, there is no occupation or colonialism that succeeded in holding on (Uri Savir, Maariv) The continued deadlock with the Palestinians will bring us down to a nightmare scenario of political boycotts and an imposed solution. The way to avoid this and to keep the character of the state is to implement a new disengagement plan.
What Happens When a Bedouin Builds a Gravel Path So His Kids Can Get to School on Rainy Days (Dafna Banai, Haaretz+) Abu Sakr just wanted his kids not to miss school, but the story ended with his tent encampment destroyed, his son's sheep pens leveled, and his pregnant daughter rushed into a hospital after being pushed by an Israeli soldier.
Not everything is dictated from above: The Palestinian terrorist of 2015 is devoid of an ideological home (Amos Gilboa, Maariv) The profile of the terrorist in this wave of terror: young, single, unemployed and frustrated, acting alone, sometimes spontaneously. The danger is that this popular terrorism will turn into terror with firearms or roll into an uprising. We must not let our actions assist the possibility of an uprising unfolding.
Harassed out of the Knesset: Disgraced MK does the right thing, eventually (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) After the sexual harassment accusations against the Habayit Hayehudi lawmaker began to pile up, he was a dead man walking in the corridors of the Knesset.
A lesson to all politicians: Skeletons in your closet will eventually come out (Sima Kadmon, Yedioth/Ynet) There was no courage in Yinon Magal's decision to resign from the Knesset over harassment claims, just lack of choice; he realized there was no room for him in a conservative party which sanctifies family values.
The Palestinians are not ISIS (Don Futterman, Haaretz+) Since the Paris attacks, Netanyahu and other Israeli right-wingers have ramped up their equation between ISIS and Palestinian terror attacks. But this strategy is wrong-headed, exploitative and suicidal for Israel.
Israel's Hidden Aim With Asylum Seekers: To Break Their Spirit (Haaretz Editorial) Time after time the state passed bills seeking to mistreat asylum seekers, and time after time these were struck down by the High Court. It's time to put a halt to this farce.
When it comes to war on ISIS, Israel must take Putin's side (Giora Eiland, Yedioth/Ynet) Russia predicted the Islamic State's formation a long time ago and is right to expect to West to team up to defeat this top strategic threat; Turkey, meanwhile, is dragging NATO to defend Turkish interests rather than shared interests.
The Logic of Israel's anti-European Propaganda (Roy Peled, Haaretz+) Despite the government's claim of being singled out for punishment, all the EU has done against the settlements is take away their advantages. By comparison, it imposes economic sanctions on fully 36 countries.
Part 1: Palestinian youth revolt - Any role for political parties? (Jamal Juma’, Al-Shabaka, Maan) For nearly two months, Palestinians have waited for the political parties to shoulder their role in leading and guiding the uprising. Clearly, they are neither able nor willing to provide a political, organizational and economic framework capable of leading a long-term uprising that would drain the Israeli occupation’s resources and energies. What does a successful uprising require?
'Arab Hordes' Revisited: Bibi Moves to Stay in Power, No Matter What (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) He doesn't need peace. He doesn't even need quiet. He needs three more years, occupying his office. Occupying us. Nothing else matters. Nothing.
Czar Putin and Sultan Erdogan (Prof. Eyal Zisser, Israel Hayom) These two leaders, whom we will politely refrain from calling megalomaniacs, have grand and completely contrasting aspirations.
IDF Fence Separates Little Lambs From Their Mothers in West Bank (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The separation fence dividing Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank cuts off villages from towns, and towns from cities. Now, it is also separating nursing ewes from their lambs.
Clear lines must be drawn (Dr. Gabi Avital, Israel Hayom)
While the military is expected to make recommendations to the government, it is not up to defense officials to set policy.
Arab Women Breaking Silence on Domestic Violence (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) Taking off sunglasses on Saudi TV to reveal black eye, Moroccan actress speaks openly about her ex-husband’s violence as campaign spreads.
The local legends fighting ISIS (Dr. Daniel Friedman, Yedioth/Ynet) Heroes to many in Syria and Iraq, three men – all belonging to different factions – have also become symbols. Meet Rambo, the Preacher, and the Tiger.
Has Israeli Army Met Its Match in Finance Minister Kahlon? (Sami Peretz, Haaretz+) Officers in the career army seem happier to discuss military failings than their own financial arrangements.
Reviving the past (Tsionit Fattal-Kuperwasser, Israel Hayom) The ancient Iraqi Jewish community had a rich history and cultural legacy. The Israeli melting pot demanded they be born again, without their identity.
Israel is making a mockery of the High Court ruling on asylum seekers (Aeyal Gross, Haaretz+) The draft of new legislation regarding detention of asylum seekers is intended to break their spirit, make them leave the country and deter others from coming – purposes declared invalid by the last court ruling.
After Planned Parenthood Attack, No Calls to Close Churches or Register Evangelicals (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) GOP presidential candidates incited against reproductive health group before Paris terror provided a more lucrative target.
Interviews:
MK Elharar: Someone like Oren Hazan cannot be an MK
Karin Elharar doesn’t forgive Oren Hazan, and doesn’t plan on speaking to him again. In the first interview given since he mocked her for her disability, the MK tells us what Hazan said to her, calls for her fellow Knesset members to shun him, and explains that this insult is more than just personal. (Interviewed by Amihai Attali in Yedioth/Ynet)
Karin Elharar doesn’t forgive Oren Hazan, and doesn’t plan on speaking to him again. In the first interview given since he mocked her for her disability, the MK tells us what Hazan said to her, calls for her fellow Knesset members to shun him, and explains that this insult is more than just personal. (Interviewed by Amihai Attali in Yedioth/Ynet)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.