APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday October 10, 2016
NOTE: News Nosh will be off for Yom Kippur Tuesday and Wednesday,
October 11-12.
Quote of the day:
Quote of the day:
"But even if the coming week passes completely or somewhat quietly, the occupation, Israeli oppression
and Palestinian terror will continue to be present in the lives of both peoples."
--Maariv's analyst Yossi Melman discusses why the violence will continue.*
You Must Be Kidding:
"As someone who considers herself an opinionated and strong woman, I must say that the attacks against Donald Trump are petty and pathetic. If we look at any man's conversations with other men in a moment of folly and amusement - we will hear things that are a lot worse from men, be they simple men or dignitaries."
--May Golan, organizer of the upcoming 'Jews Vote Trump' rally in Tel-Aviv, calls the attacks on Trump about his misogyny and remarks of assaulting women "pettiness."**
--Maariv's analyst Yossi Melman discusses why the violence will continue.*
You Must Be Kidding:
"As someone who considers herself an opinionated and strong woman, I must say that the attacks against Donald Trump are petty and pathetic. If we look at any man's conversations with other men in a moment of folly and amusement - we will hear things that are a lot worse from men, be they simple men or dignitaries."
--May Golan, organizer of the upcoming 'Jews Vote Trump' rally in Tel-Aviv, calls the attacks on Trump about his misogyny and remarks of assaulting women "pettiness."**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Two killed and five wounded in shooting attack in Jerusalem
- Preparing for copycats // Amos Harel
- It doesn’t matter who wins, the losers are the Republicans // Chemi Shalev
- Osem destroys thousands of packages of Materna baby formula out of fear of pieces of metal inside
- State shirks responsibility: Mazor Farm monkeys left without a solution
- (Justice Minister Shaked is) Only talking // Raviv Drucker
- Rounding upward – IDF isn’t meeting its draft goals of ultra-Orthodox soldiers and includes those who went AWOL in its number of recruits
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The oversight and the heroism – Terror in Jerusalem: Two murdered in shooting attack
- Turning point // Yossi Yehoshua
- Shamelessly and without fear: Celebrations and handing out candies at the house of the terrorist
- 10,000 packages of Materna were destroyed
- Not everything is excused // Nahum Barnea on the US Presidential debate after Trump’s recent remarks
- Pilot and general – IDF Head of the Planning Directorate Amikam Nurkin talks about his subordinate, Ohad Cohen Nov, who was killed
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- The terrorist went on a murder rampage in Jerusalem on the day he was supposed to go to jail
- The return of the Temple Mount // Yossi Melman
- (US Presidential) Debate in the midst of a storm
Israel Hayom
- “You are my light and my heart, Yossi, protect me” – Widow of Noy at funeral of her husband, policeman who was killed when terrorist opened fire – Terror in Jerusalem: 2 murdered and 8 wounded
- “Al-Aqsa is in danger” – blood libel that creates terror // Nadav Shragai
- Out of fear of pieces of metal: thousands of packages of Materna Extra Cold 2 were destroyed
- In the middle of the night: Fateful debate
News Summary:
A Palestinian from E. Jerusalem killed an Israeli Special Patrol Unit policeman and a former Knesset employee in a shooting attack in Jerusalem and Republicans rebeled against US Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump ahead of the second debate making the top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
The Jerusalem shooter was meant to begin Sunday a four-month prison sentence for assaulting a policeman who stopped him from entering the Temple Mount in 2013. Instead he went on a shooting rampage and killed two Israelis and wounded six other civilians, one of them a Palestinian woman from Hebron. For unclear reasons, the Shin Bet put a gag order on his name and Israeli media had to cover his face in photos, but the Palestinian news agency, Maan, identified him as Misbah Abu Sbeih, age 39. He was known for being active in the ‘Al-Murabitoun,’ the Al-Aqsa Mosque protection movement and sat in Israeli jail a number of times before for incitement to violence on Facebook and call for acts of terrorism. Maariv reported that an Israeli policeman wrote on Facebook that he was the one who arrested the attacker last year for assault and that Abu Sbeih told him, "Remember my face, we will meet again." Abu Sbeih's 14-year-old daughter said her family was “happy” and called her father “a great man.” Hamas described Abu Sbeih as a hero whose actions were caused by the Israeli occupation and said that he was affiliated with the organization. The Fatah party also responded to the killing, ascribing the attack to Israeli policy regarding Jerusalem and Temple Mount and announced a day of mourning in East Jerusalem, where cakes and candy were handed out.
Oddly, the day before the attack, Abu Sbeih told Maan News Agency that he planned to show up to serve his prison sentence the next day. He told Maan he was detained in the Old City outside of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in 2013 after being accused of the assault, but was released the same day. However, the case was unexpectedly reopened in December 2015, shortly after he was released for spending about a year in prison on separate charges of “incitement” for Facebook posts. Israeli forces raided his home and interrogated a number of his family members and seven young Palestinian men were injured in the ensuing clashes. According to Maan, the attacker “was the 232nd Palestinian to be killed by Israelis amid the violence from the wave of unrest that began in October 2015, after right-wing Israelis made frequent visits to the site during the Jewish holiday season this time last year. In addition, 34 Israelis have been killed by Palestinians during this period.
A Palestinian from E. Jerusalem killed an Israeli Special Patrol Unit policeman and a former Knesset employee in a shooting attack in Jerusalem and Republicans rebeled against US Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump ahead of the second debate making the top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
The Jerusalem shooter was meant to begin Sunday a four-month prison sentence for assaulting a policeman who stopped him from entering the Temple Mount in 2013. Instead he went on a shooting rampage and killed two Israelis and wounded six other civilians, one of them a Palestinian woman from Hebron. For unclear reasons, the Shin Bet put a gag order on his name and Israeli media had to cover his face in photos, but the Palestinian news agency, Maan, identified him as Misbah Abu Sbeih, age 39. He was known for being active in the ‘Al-Murabitoun,’ the Al-Aqsa Mosque protection movement and sat in Israeli jail a number of times before for incitement to violence on Facebook and call for acts of terrorism. Maariv reported that an Israeli policeman wrote on Facebook that he was the one who arrested the attacker last year for assault and that Abu Sbeih told him, "Remember my face, we will meet again." Abu Sbeih's 14-year-old daughter said her family was “happy” and called her father “a great man.” Hamas described Abu Sbeih as a hero whose actions were caused by the Israeli occupation and said that he was affiliated with the organization. The Fatah party also responded to the killing, ascribing the attack to Israeli policy regarding Jerusalem and Temple Mount and announced a day of mourning in East Jerusalem, where cakes and candy were handed out.
Oddly, the day before the attack, Abu Sbeih told Maan News Agency that he planned to show up to serve his prison sentence the next day. He told Maan he was detained in the Old City outside of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in 2013 after being accused of the assault, but was released the same day. However, the case was unexpectedly reopened in December 2015, shortly after he was released for spending about a year in prison on separate charges of “incitement” for Facebook posts. Israeli forces raided his home and interrogated a number of his family members and seven young Palestinian men were injured in the ensuing clashes. According to Maan, the attacker “was the 232nd Palestinian to be killed by Israelis amid the violence from the wave of unrest that began in October 2015, after right-wing Israelis made frequent visits to the site during the Jewish holiday season this time last year. In addition, 34 Israelis have been killed by Palestinians during this period.
Quick Hits:
- Israeli military court sentences Palestinian astrophysicist to 7 months for incitement - Imad Barghouthi will be released just one month after sentencing, because he has already been in administrative detention since April, causing an international uproar. (Haaretz+ and Maan)
- Committee: 150 children in Israel’s Ofer prison fined a total of $12,300 in September - Israeli courts imposed several fines amounting to a total of 47,000 shekels ($12,335) on imprisoned Palestinian minors in one prison during the month of September alone, the Palestinian Committee of Prisoners' Affairs said in a statement released on Sunday. (Maan)
- Netanyahu and Lieberman leading a Knesset boycott of the Arab parties - Initiative to walk out on addresses from Arab MKs arises after they refused to attend the funeral of former president Shimon Peres. (Haaretz and Maariv)
- Despite being wanted by the Shin Bet: Former MK Azmi Bishara received a visa from the US - Ever since Bishara fled Israel during the investigation against him on suspicion of offenses of treason and espionage, terrorist financing and money laundering, he lives in Qatar. He will visit the US to speak at a conference of the Arab Center. (Maariv/JPost)
- High Court gives attorney general 30 days to explain why Netanyahu not being investigated - Court order follows petition by Israeli political activist, who asked court to demand the nation's highest legal authority explain AG Mendelblitt's handling of PM's corruption case. (Haaretz+)
- Israel demolishes eight homes in Jerusalem-area Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar - Israeli human rights group B’Tselem reported that 28 Palestinians, 18 of them minors, were left homeless by the demolition in Khan al-Ahmar. (Maan)
- Israeli forces demolish multiple homes belonging to the same family in Bedouin village in the Negev - "This racist, unjust policy to subdue our people in Bir Haddaj will fail, as prior attempts did. The houses will be built again and our people will continue to live with dignity on their land," said Said al-Kharumi, secretary of the Higher Guidance Committee of Arab Residents in the Negev, a local committee dedicated to fighting Israeli government demolitions of Bedouin homes. (Maan)
- Israeli forces fire towards Gaza farmers - Eyewitnesses said that gunshots came from the direction of an Israeli military post east of the al-Maghazi refugee camp. No injuries were reported. (Maan)
- **"Jews vote Trump," an event supporting the Republican candidate, will be in Tel Aviv - While Trump is in a slump among his party support and he became an object of ridicule throughout the Western world - Israelis hold a warm spot for him. And the organizer of the Tel-Aviv event? A woman named May Golan who thinks that the attacks on Trump about his misogyny are pettiness. (Maariv)
- MK Glick posts diatribe against judge who ruled against him, for terrorist in past - The same judge who ordered Glick away from the Temple Mount approved the Ammunition-Hill shooter's postponement of his prison sentence; Glick bears a grudge, saying 'I don't forgive you.' (Ynet)
- Settler Field School Seeks State Funding for West Bank Hiking À La the National Trail - Settlers have long sought to lay out trails and tourist sites, including on land privately owned by Palestinians, as a tool by to increase their foothold in the territories and present the region as a pleasant vacation experience. (Haaretz+)
- Foreign Ministry video presenting alternative history of Israel raises ire - In this version of the history of the Land of Israel, a Jewish couple's home is constantly claimed by foreign invaders who gradually push them out; 'Israel's foreign policy is losing touch with reality,' says MK Ahmad Tibi. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Less business, more culture: Israeli lawmakers from across aisle band together to pass Shabbat bill - Controversial bill supported by coalition, opposition MKs offers 'package deal' to limit commerce on Jewish day of rest, while also providing some public transportation. (Haaretz+)
- Israel extends ban on 2 Palestinian dairy companies - Similar move branded by Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah as an “oppressive political” decision breaching all commercial agreements and protocols regulating Palestinian and Israeli economic relations. (Maan)
- IDF drives away camera-equipped kite launched from Gaza - Soldiers fire warning shots, kite moves away. Border Police stop Palestinian car for routine check, wind up preventing a terrorist attack on security forces. (Israel Hayom)
- Israeli Prison Officials Suspended Over Gaza Inmate’s Escape - After crawling through a 30-meter electrical conduit, the prisoner existed the building and picked up packages containing dozens of phones and other equipment. (Haaretz+)
- Israel’s Channel 10 News fires chairman for lying in résumé - Rami Sadan, a Benjamin Netanyahu associate who it turns out had insufficient managerial experience, has exaggerated about his past before. (Haaretz+)
- The Old City’s new art scene - Jerusalem's contemporary art scene offers authentic moments of life while dealing with the ever-present tension of such a historic, multi-cultural city. (Ynet)
- PM to name Dimona reactor after Shimon Peres - Netanyahu has decided to officially name the Dimona nuclear facility after former President Shimon Peres; PM Netanyahu: 'Shimon Peres worked hard to establish this important facility, a facility which has been very important for Israel's security for generations.' (Haaretz and Ynet)
- German MP: No anti-Semite or Nazi will silence me - German lawmaker Michaela Engelmeier, the target of recent death threats for working to fight racism in Germany and oppose the BDS movement, visits Israel and vows defiance in the face of the threats. "They don't know who they're dealing with," she says. (Israel Hayom)
- Chabad rabbi severely beaten in Ukraine, flown to Israel for treatment - Rabbi Mendel Deitsch was hurt in an incident not believed to have any anti-Semitic motives. (JTA, Haaretz)
- Pink Floyd 'reunites' to support Gaza flotilla - The three living members of the band posted on Facebook their support for the Zaytouna-Oliva flotilla and decried the Israel Navy's intervention as 'illegal.' (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Palestinian sentenced to death in Gaza Strip for killing child - Dalia Abu Ghraba was killed by a bullet in the head after a dispute broke out on Nov. 12, 2011 between two families east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. (Maan)
- Syrian Government, Allies Advance as Russia Vetoes UN Demand - Since a ceasefire brokered by Washington and Moscow collapsed, the Syrian government’s bombardment of Aleppo has been condemned by the UN and countries supporting the Syrian opposition. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- UN body tells Saudi Arabia to end child executions - A UN human rights group calls on Saudi Arabia to implement the rights of children in the kingdom and calls on the monarchy to end amputations and executions of children; Saudi Human Rights Commission Chairman: Sharia law considered above all other laws, including Convention on the Rights of the Child. (Agencies, Ynet)
Features:
In search of Joseph’s well: A journey into the Book of Genesis
A group of seniors, escorted by IDF soldiers, travels deep into the Palestinian Authority on a armored bus to see what could possibly be the pit Joseph was thrown into by his brothers near the Biblical city of Dothan. (Asaf Kamar, Yedioth/Ynet)
The lost letters of the Egyptian combat soldier: Israeli soldier from the Yom Kippur War is trying to locate the writer
Danny Herring was the hero of the holding action battle at the ‘Budapest Outpost,’ the northernmost IDF post on the Bar-Lev Line and the only one the IDF did not conquer. During the temporary truce, he took envelopes left behind by a soldier of the enemy. After 43 years, his it got to his conscience and now he wants to return them to their owner. He made contact with the IDF Spokesman’s Unit, which contacted the IDF’s unit for foreign relations. The letters belong to either a soldier or officer in the Egyptian Army, who is a Copt. Herring wants to return the letters to him or to his family if he is no longer alive. (Yossi Melman, Maariv)
A night with Golani, a few hundred meters from Hezbollah
Mount Dov, termed "Hezbollah's playground," is full of IDF soldiers at night who are ready to ambush potential attackers from Lebanon. The 13th Battalion's commander warns that the Third Lebanon War is likely to start from there. (Yoav Zitun, Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
'But He's Good for Israel': The Moral Failure of pro-Trump Orthodox Jews (William Kolbrener, Haaretz+) Until now, Orthodox Jewish supporters of Trump haven't been fazed by his bigotry, racism and sexism. Will the tapes that show him as a self-avowed sexual predator finally break them?
The Israeli Donald Trump (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Just like millions of Americans have finally realized that a public figure can’t get away with anything, it’s time for Israel’s decision makers to understand that Rehavam Ze’evi’s actions—both within the army and outside the army—are unworthy of commemoration.
Trump Dog Whistles to the Alt-right, Wolf Whistles to Netanyahu and Adelson (Samuel G. Freedman, Haaretz) Trump’s pandering call-out to the 'dumbest' Iran deal was more cement in Netanyahu’s strategic alliance with the Republican candidate, American Jews be damned.
*Above all, the attack has again demonstrated the explosive potential of the Temple Mount (Yossi Melman, Yedioth/Ynet) At this time there are many open questions but even if it turns out that it is not a lone wolf attack and that the attacker is identified with Hamas or Islamic Jihad, both of which blessed the attack, this does not indicate a change in trend or escalation in terror. That impression is only the result of the fact that the attacker was able to get a gun to murder two Israelis… Security cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority continues. It's a clear interest of both parties. But it is gradually eroding due to the intensified bad atmosphere, the absence of a peace process, the continued construction of settlements, the weakening of (Palestinian President Mahmoud) Abbas - medically and politically - and because of the war of succession that takes place in Fatah. But above all, the attack yesterday proved once again the potential volatility of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. In recent months, it seemed these issues were weakened in the agenda of the perpetrators of terror. Among other things, due to the efforts of Israel in the field and in advocacy (hasbara) in an effort to lower the flames, to halt efforts of Jewish extremists to make provocations and thus reduce the friction on these issues. But even the Shin Bet, the IDF and civilian organizations such as Ir Amim, which are watching the access to the Temple Mount, knew that ahead of the High Holidays, the tension is expected to rise again. That's what happened yesterday. What is clear is that tension did not dissipate because of the anticipated pilgrimage of Jews to the Temple Mount during Sukkot. But even if the coming week passes completely or somewhat quietly, the occupation, Israeli oppression (of Palestinians) and Palestinian terror will continue to be present in the lives of both peoples.
'Success' of Jerusalem Shooting Attack Likely to Inspire Copycats (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) The open criticism of the Palestinian Authority and the succession battle as Abbas ages could accelerate a new round of attacks.
The Feigned Democracy of Israel's Education Minister (Iris Leal, Haaretz+) In the controversy over Naftali Bennett's call to fight for the settlements, the most dangerous part of his remarks passed almost unnoticed.
The unforgivable failure of the Yom Kippur War (Giora Eiland, Yedioth/Ynet) Alongside the intelligence mistake, which was a result of human error, the even greater failure in 1973 was the ignorance of the IDF’s top echelon, including the chief of staff.
Needed: A 'Secularism Officer' for Israel's Army (Kobi Niv, Haaretz+) The IDF's consideration of 'beliefs, values and way of life' extends only to their religious variant, which means the ultra-Orthodox nationalist variant, and none other.
Instill fear and conquer: The roller-coaster that the Prime Minister is telling us about is a virtual reality (Uri Savir, Maariv) Although Netanyahu would prefer to see us as weak nation and in that way perpetuate his rule, we must internalize the Israeli power and translate it into a regional relationship of shared interests.
Don’t Preach to Us About Peres (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) The Arab public is sick of finding itself caught in the middle, under attack, when its leadership marches headlong, with great enthusiasm, into the heart of the conflict.
Israel’s silent, oppressed majority (Tami Arad, Yedioth/Ynet) Bennett transplants the Jewish heart only in the settler right-wing camp, although he knows very well that without the secular-Jewish home’s ‘sacrifices’ we will be able to defend neither the Gaza vicinity nor the Ra’anana vicinity.
The Cities of Israel Are Not Safe (Haaretz Editorial) Instead of understanding that only bold moves to end the occupation are likely to reduce the violence, Netanyahu is turning Israel into a hopeless place that endangers the lives of its people.
Gaza tunnels get too much attention (Prof. Efraim Inbar, Israel Hayom) The tunnels could enable terrorist attacks or kidnappings. While this is undoubtedly disturbing, it isn't a strategic threat affecting Israel's territorial integrity or existence.
For Jewish Republicans Like Me, Tapes Confirm Trump's Perversion of Values (David Lissy, Haaretz+) I served eight years in Republican administrations. But, as Jews, we have experience with Trump's narcissistic personality type, for whom nothing is off limits as long as it satisfies his urges. We must shun him –and vote Clinton.
How to deal with the next Gaza-bound flotilla (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Instead of taking over the Zaytouna-Oliva boat and reminding the world of the Gaza blockade, Israel could have acted differently. Why confront a small group of women and turn them into heroes? We could have turned them into what they really are: Useful idiots.
Why Is Pnina Feiler, 93, Prevented From Seeing Her Son? (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Dror Feiler, now a Swedish citizen, can't visit his mother in Israel because of his participation in Gaza-bound flotillas.
Jewish Trump Supporters Will Forgive Donald’s Sins on Yom Kippur, but Not Hillary’s (Allison Kaplan Sommer, Haaretz+) Polls suggest overwhelming support for Trump in the Orthodox community. No revelation or lewd comment is likely to change their fundamental belief that that the GOP - even the Trump version - is better for Jews and for Israel.
Israel Conducted No Ethnic Cleansing in 1948 (Benny Morris, Haaretz+) Prof. Daniel Blatman distorts history when he says the new State of Israel, a country facing invading armies, carried out a policy of expelling the local Arabs.
A group of seniors, escorted by IDF soldiers, travels deep into the Palestinian Authority on a armored bus to see what could possibly be the pit Joseph was thrown into by his brothers near the Biblical city of Dothan. (Asaf Kamar, Yedioth/Ynet)
The lost letters of the Egyptian combat soldier: Israeli soldier from the Yom Kippur War is trying to locate the writer
Danny Herring was the hero of the holding action battle at the ‘Budapest Outpost,’ the northernmost IDF post on the Bar-Lev Line and the only one the IDF did not conquer. During the temporary truce, he took envelopes left behind by a soldier of the enemy. After 43 years, his it got to his conscience and now he wants to return them to their owner. He made contact with the IDF Spokesman’s Unit, which contacted the IDF’s unit for foreign relations. The letters belong to either a soldier or officer in the Egyptian Army, who is a Copt. Herring wants to return the letters to him or to his family if he is no longer alive. (Yossi Melman, Maariv)
A night with Golani, a few hundred meters from Hezbollah
Mount Dov, termed "Hezbollah's playground," is full of IDF soldiers at night who are ready to ambush potential attackers from Lebanon. The 13th Battalion's commander warns that the Third Lebanon War is likely to start from there. (Yoav Zitun, Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
'But He's Good for Israel': The Moral Failure of pro-Trump Orthodox Jews (William Kolbrener, Haaretz+) Until now, Orthodox Jewish supporters of Trump haven't been fazed by his bigotry, racism and sexism. Will the tapes that show him as a self-avowed sexual predator finally break them?
The Israeli Donald Trump (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Just like millions of Americans have finally realized that a public figure can’t get away with anything, it’s time for Israel’s decision makers to understand that Rehavam Ze’evi’s actions—both within the army and outside the army—are unworthy of commemoration.
Trump Dog Whistles to the Alt-right, Wolf Whistles to Netanyahu and Adelson (Samuel G. Freedman, Haaretz) Trump’s pandering call-out to the 'dumbest' Iran deal was more cement in Netanyahu’s strategic alliance with the Republican candidate, American Jews be damned.
*Above all, the attack has again demonstrated the explosive potential of the Temple Mount (Yossi Melman, Yedioth/Ynet) At this time there are many open questions but even if it turns out that it is not a lone wolf attack and that the attacker is identified with Hamas or Islamic Jihad, both of which blessed the attack, this does not indicate a change in trend or escalation in terror. That impression is only the result of the fact that the attacker was able to get a gun to murder two Israelis… Security cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority continues. It's a clear interest of both parties. But it is gradually eroding due to the intensified bad atmosphere, the absence of a peace process, the continued construction of settlements, the weakening of (Palestinian President Mahmoud) Abbas - medically and politically - and because of the war of succession that takes place in Fatah. But above all, the attack yesterday proved once again the potential volatility of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. In recent months, it seemed these issues were weakened in the agenda of the perpetrators of terror. Among other things, due to the efforts of Israel in the field and in advocacy (hasbara) in an effort to lower the flames, to halt efforts of Jewish extremists to make provocations and thus reduce the friction on these issues. But even the Shin Bet, the IDF and civilian organizations such as Ir Amim, which are watching the access to the Temple Mount, knew that ahead of the High Holidays, the tension is expected to rise again. That's what happened yesterday. What is clear is that tension did not dissipate because of the anticipated pilgrimage of Jews to the Temple Mount during Sukkot. But even if the coming week passes completely or somewhat quietly, the occupation, Israeli oppression (of Palestinians) and Palestinian terror will continue to be present in the lives of both peoples.
'Success' of Jerusalem Shooting Attack Likely to Inspire Copycats (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) The open criticism of the Palestinian Authority and the succession battle as Abbas ages could accelerate a new round of attacks.
The Feigned Democracy of Israel's Education Minister (Iris Leal, Haaretz+) In the controversy over Naftali Bennett's call to fight for the settlements, the most dangerous part of his remarks passed almost unnoticed.
The unforgivable failure of the Yom Kippur War (Giora Eiland, Yedioth/Ynet) Alongside the intelligence mistake, which was a result of human error, the even greater failure in 1973 was the ignorance of the IDF’s top echelon, including the chief of staff.
Needed: A 'Secularism Officer' for Israel's Army (Kobi Niv, Haaretz+) The IDF's consideration of 'beliefs, values and way of life' extends only to their religious variant, which means the ultra-Orthodox nationalist variant, and none other.
Instill fear and conquer: The roller-coaster that the Prime Minister is telling us about is a virtual reality (Uri Savir, Maariv) Although Netanyahu would prefer to see us as weak nation and in that way perpetuate his rule, we must internalize the Israeli power and translate it into a regional relationship of shared interests.
Don’t Preach to Us About Peres (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) The Arab public is sick of finding itself caught in the middle, under attack, when its leadership marches headlong, with great enthusiasm, into the heart of the conflict.
Israel’s silent, oppressed majority (Tami Arad, Yedioth/Ynet) Bennett transplants the Jewish heart only in the settler right-wing camp, although he knows very well that without the secular-Jewish home’s ‘sacrifices’ we will be able to defend neither the Gaza vicinity nor the Ra’anana vicinity.
The Cities of Israel Are Not Safe (Haaretz Editorial) Instead of understanding that only bold moves to end the occupation are likely to reduce the violence, Netanyahu is turning Israel into a hopeless place that endangers the lives of its people.
Gaza tunnels get too much attention (Prof. Efraim Inbar, Israel Hayom) The tunnels could enable terrorist attacks or kidnappings. While this is undoubtedly disturbing, it isn't a strategic threat affecting Israel's territorial integrity or existence.
For Jewish Republicans Like Me, Tapes Confirm Trump's Perversion of Values (David Lissy, Haaretz+) I served eight years in Republican administrations. But, as Jews, we have experience with Trump's narcissistic personality type, for whom nothing is off limits as long as it satisfies his urges. We must shun him –and vote Clinton.
How to deal with the next Gaza-bound flotilla (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Instead of taking over the Zaytouna-Oliva boat and reminding the world of the Gaza blockade, Israel could have acted differently. Why confront a small group of women and turn them into heroes? We could have turned them into what they really are: Useful idiots.
Why Is Pnina Feiler, 93, Prevented From Seeing Her Son? (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Dror Feiler, now a Swedish citizen, can't visit his mother in Israel because of his participation in Gaza-bound flotillas.
Jewish Trump Supporters Will Forgive Donald’s Sins on Yom Kippur, but Not Hillary’s (Allison Kaplan Sommer, Haaretz+) Polls suggest overwhelming support for Trump in the Orthodox community. No revelation or lewd comment is likely to change their fundamental belief that that the GOP - even the Trump version - is better for Jews and for Israel.
Israel Conducted No Ethnic Cleansing in 1948 (Benny Morris, Haaretz+) Prof. Daniel Blatman distorts history when he says the new State of Israel, a country facing invading armies, carried out a policy of expelling the local Arabs.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.