APN's daily news review from Israel
Tuesday February 7, 2017
Quote of the day:
"I believe that in the current political climate the world over, it is more important than ever that we
continue to stand against the abhorrent government policies that are an offense against our ethics and the very
tenets of what it means to be human. As Jews, we must question whether this reality is closer to home than we might
like, and we must condemn the exclusionist policies and politics of the government that claims to represent
us."
--Jewish Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor said upon receiving the $1 million Genesis Prize, dubbed the 'Jewish Nobel.' Read on to see what he did with the prize money.*
--Jewish Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor said upon receiving the $1 million Genesis Prize, dubbed the 'Jewish Nobel.' Read on to see what he did with the prize money.*
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Knesset approved in first and second readings the law to expropriate privately-owned Palestinian lands
- Netanyahu refused to commit to the two states solution
- Coalition advancing: Religious courts can use arbiters in civil disputes
- Outgoing Accountant General took a case of sensitive documents (linked to Netanyahu’s expenses) from the Finance Ministry
- The corruption in the municipalities: Ashkelon mayor to be indicted for bribery; Tzfat mayor suspected of bribery
- (State Prosecutor) Shai Nitzan ordered to put on trial youth who watch porn clips
Yedioth Ahronoth
- And now the High Court – Outpost regulation law approved in Knesset
- A band-aid instead of vision // Yoaz Hendel
- “Investigate the oversight in nursing homes” – Yedioth investigation on violence and humiliation sparked shock
- On the way to an indictment? – Tax Authority completed its investigation and believes there is evidence to put Bar Refaeli and her mother on trial
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Tension in the south – Two shooting incidents from the Gaza Strip to Israeli land drew a sharp response
- “They pulled one over on us” – ZAKA raised funds to release Ben Hasin, who claimed he got int trouble with ISIS in a Muslim state. Now ZAKA said: He lied, we will return the money to the donors. The fear: Hasin will be executed
- Knesset approved the (outpost) Regulation Bill
- The path to the abyss // Yossi Melman
- Let’s see what the High Court does // Karni Eldad
Israel Hayom
- Regulation bill approved
- Historic day // Haim Shine
- Our right to annex // Nadav Shragai
- It won’t happen // Yossi Beilin
- Battle day: Wave of attacks in Gaza
News Summary:
Israel’s Knesset passed the controversial ‘Regulation Law’ - also called the ‘theft law’, which allows the state to declare private Palestinian land on which settlements or outposts were built as government property, British Prime Minister Theresa May told Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that she opposed the law and that Britain was committed to the two-state solution and Netanyahu avoided confirming his commitment, and Israel aggressively attacked Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip following a single rocket that was shot from Gaza into Israel, raising tensions in the south and making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
Late last night, the Knesset passed the law that will allow the government to seize privately-owned Palestinian property in more than 50 outposts and settlements. Settlers and their supporters saw it as a ‘historic day.’ Opposition and Zionist Camp leader, MK Isaac Herzog, beseeched lawmakers to "stop this horrible train. It leaves here and it will only stop in The Hague. It will deliver international indictments against Israeli soldiers. The left-wing Peace Now group decried the legislation, saying, "This law disgraces to the Knesset and we will challenge it in the High Court." Netanyahu returned to Israel directly after his meeting with May to take part in the vote. He agreed to the vote after speaking with the US administration and informing them that it would take place. According to Channel 2 News, the White House had transferred relatively subtle messages through more than one channel that the vote over the controversial law should not take place before the meeting between Netanyahu and President Donald Trump. But Netanyahu’s associates denied there was such a discussion. Sources within the US administration told Channel 2 off the record that this bill showed a clear preference for small political interests over the national interests of Israel. And a senior member of US Jewry added: "You right-wing politicians are pushing Trump into a conflict with Israel, even though he has sympathy for us." (Maariv) PLO leader Saeb Erekat said the bill kills the two-state solution. At Netanyahu’s meeting with Theresa May, May warned Netanyahu that the outpost legalization bill will make things more difficult for Israel's friends. May expressed her support for the two state-solution, to which the papers noted that Netanyahu only expressed support for ‘peace.’ However, on the subject of Iran, Netanyahu said that Britain and Israel see ‘eye to eye.’ Netanyahu also asked May to prevent British funding of the Israeli anti-occupation organization, ‘Breaking the Silence.’ Moreover, Yedioth reported that in conversations between the White House and Jerusalem ahead of Netanyahu's meeting with Trump next week, the US administration was reportedly attempting to lay the groundwork for the two leaders to support a two-state solution, despite the recent acceleration in settlement building.
In the south, the IDF responded much more forcefully than it normally does after a single rocket was fired into Israel from Gaza: it made numerous ground and air strikes on Hamas targets. Palestinian reports say one man was wounded by the Israeli attack.
Israel’s Knesset passed the controversial ‘Regulation Law’ - also called the ‘theft law’, which allows the state to declare private Palestinian land on which settlements or outposts were built as government property, British Prime Minister Theresa May told Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that she opposed the law and that Britain was committed to the two-state solution and Netanyahu avoided confirming his commitment, and Israel aggressively attacked Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip following a single rocket that was shot from Gaza into Israel, raising tensions in the south and making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
Late last night, the Knesset passed the law that will allow the government to seize privately-owned Palestinian property in more than 50 outposts and settlements. Settlers and their supporters saw it as a ‘historic day.’ Opposition and Zionist Camp leader, MK Isaac Herzog, beseeched lawmakers to "stop this horrible train. It leaves here and it will only stop in The Hague. It will deliver international indictments against Israeli soldiers. The left-wing Peace Now group decried the legislation, saying, "This law disgraces to the Knesset and we will challenge it in the High Court." Netanyahu returned to Israel directly after his meeting with May to take part in the vote. He agreed to the vote after speaking with the US administration and informing them that it would take place. According to Channel 2 News, the White House had transferred relatively subtle messages through more than one channel that the vote over the controversial law should not take place before the meeting between Netanyahu and President Donald Trump. But Netanyahu’s associates denied there was such a discussion. Sources within the US administration told Channel 2 off the record that this bill showed a clear preference for small political interests over the national interests of Israel. And a senior member of US Jewry added: "You right-wing politicians are pushing Trump into a conflict with Israel, even though he has sympathy for us." (Maariv) PLO leader Saeb Erekat said the bill kills the two-state solution. At Netanyahu’s meeting with Theresa May, May warned Netanyahu that the outpost legalization bill will make things more difficult for Israel's friends. May expressed her support for the two state-solution, to which the papers noted that Netanyahu only expressed support for ‘peace.’ However, on the subject of Iran, Netanyahu said that Britain and Israel see ‘eye to eye.’ Netanyahu also asked May to prevent British funding of the Israeli anti-occupation organization, ‘Breaking the Silence.’ Moreover, Yedioth reported that in conversations between the White House and Jerusalem ahead of Netanyahu's meeting with Trump next week, the US administration was reportedly attempting to lay the groundwork for the two leaders to support a two-state solution, despite the recent acceleration in settlement building.
In the south, the IDF responded much more forcefully than it normally does after a single rocket was fired into Israel from Gaza: it made numerous ground and air strikes on Hamas targets. Palestinian reports say one man was wounded by the Israeli attack.
Quick Hits:
- Israel begins to dismantle homes in evacuated Amona outpost - As Defense Ministry begins to demolish, remove all buildings from Amona. (Ynet and Haaretz+)
- Ex-treasury boss seized papers linked to Netanyahu’s expenses before leaving office - Outgoing Accountant General Michal Abadi-Boiangiu is said to have taken sensitive documents before vacating post last week, sources in the Finance Ministry say. (Haaretz+)
- Safed Mayor arrested for corruption - Police arrived at Mayor Ilan Shohat's home at 6:00 in the morning where they seized documents, computers and cell phones as part of investigation into fraud, bribery, corruption and theft. (Ynet)
- As Rumors Fly of Prisoner Swaps, Israel's Hamas Prisoners Turn on Their Wardens - Calls from Gaza to target wardens, raids of cells and other moves also spark recent unrest and violence among inmates at Israeli facilities. (Haaretz+)
- 'Hamas Terror Cell' Indicted for Planning Attacks Against Synagogue in Israel - Shin Bet security service says Israeli and two Palestinians planned to blow up Binyamina train station and abduct an Israeli soldier as bargaining chip. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Police operation in east Jerusalem: Hamas money seized from terrorists' families - Police raid seven terrorists' homes for funds received from Hamas; cash, cars and jewelry worth hundreds of thousands of shekels are confiscated and forfeited. (Ynet)
- IDF prepares for a maritime Hezbollah attack - The military is preparing for a possible scenario where Hezbollah commandos breach the northern border and carry out a mass terrorist attack. Ynet joins their patrol at sea to understand the importance of coordination between the two fronts. (Ynet)
- Aid group to refund donations for Israeli held in Arab state - Rescue and recovery service ZAKA says it is unable to locate official willing to accept $120,000 it collected and confirm existence of ransom deal for Ben Hassin's release • Hassin's father, Ilan: "I pray the boy will not pay the price for these wars." (Israel Hayom and Maariv)
- Study: Jerusalem tops list of cities suffering negative migration - Almost 8,000 more residents left capital than moved there in 2015, with 15- to 29-year-olds most likely to leave, Central Bureau of Statistics says • Ashdod, Haifa, Tel Aviv also face negative migration • Beit Shemesh records highest gain in residents. (Israel Hayom)
- High crime rate, low police enforcement in Arab sector - A report commissioned by MK Hanin Zoabi (Joint List) reveals gaps between the police's handling of serious crimes in the Arab and Jewish sector. (Ynet)
- Joint Arab List MK calls to free terrorist who killed Israeli soldier - MK Jamal Zahalka attends demonstration, posts on Facebook in support of Walid Daka, who is serving life in prison for the abduction and murder of Cpl. Moshe Tamam in 1984 • "Freedom for Walid Daka. Freedom for prisoners of liberty," Zahalka writes. (Israel Hayom)
- Israeli Left-wing Leader's Bid to Bring Power to the People Faces Resistance From Old Guard - 'We cannot continue choosing our Knesset representatives in a closed members' club,' Meretz's Zehava Galon writes on Facebook, making case for open primaries. (Haaretz+)
- Israel’s first NASCAR driver - As the only native Israeli ever to compete in NASCAR, Alon Day, from Ashdod, has achieved great success in his young career as a professional race car driver, despite coming from a country where motorsports were illegal when he was growing up. (Ynet)
- Jerusalem heritage site opens path among ancient mikvehs - Visitors can follow path between ritual baths used by pilgrims heading up to Second Temple in Jerusalem • Pilgrimages undertaken three times a year • Displays feature historical reconstructions, as well as information on Jewish purification rituals. (Israel Hayom)
- Israeli boy discovers decades-old tank buried in Negev sand dune - Police have destroyed munitions found near the site at Holot Nitzanim but are still investigating the armored vehicle and what it was doing there. (Haaretz)
- Turkish delegation visits Israel to discuss joint energy project - Plans to build natural gas pipeline from Israel to Turkey and Europe are said to be progressing • Meanwhile, Energy Ministry Director General Shaul Meridor is set to meet with Greek, Cypriot and Italian ministers for talks on a separate pipeline project. (Israel Hayom)
- *Renowned sculptor Anish Kapoor wins prestigious Genesis Prize - British-Indian Jewish sculptor receives the prize for commitment to Israel and Judaism • Kapoor "is one of the most influential and innovative artists of his generation," committee says • Kapoor to donate $1 million award to "alleviate refugee crisis." (Israel Hayom)
- Houthi fighters against the 'Zionist Entity'—launching a ballistic missile - Not only in Iran: Houthi rebels in Yemen launch a ballistic missile toward the Saudi capital as part of an experiment; a video showcases the rebel forces simulating an attack on the 'Zionist entity.' (Ynet)
- A (Lebanese) storm in an (Israeli) tea cup - No teabag for you: a supermarket in the Lebanese city of Sidon was discovered to have been selling a box of Lipton tea with the price written in shekels, instead of the local pound; several consumers were outraged; Economy Ministry sends inspectors to track down additional 'Zionist' tea bags. (Ynet)
Features:
Standing by their refusal: A growing trend of refusing to serve (in the IDF) among women
"Jump into the deep end": Tair Kaminer, who sat in military prison about six times, is not alone. For ideological reasons, more young women are unwilling to serve the country, and not just over the Green Line (i.e. in the West Bank). This morning (Monday), Atalia Ben-Aba goes to the IDF recruitment center and will declare that she does not intend to cooperate. She’s a good girl from Jerusalem, who grew up in a house on the border between the west and easte (Palestinian) parts of the city, and witnessed daily the deep divide that exists on the line where the sides of the city connect. This was what shaped her political consciousness, to the point of deciding not to do what most of her friends from high school are doing these days – turning from citizens into soldiers. "My parents said it was mainly my decision, and as an adult I have taken this decision on my own," she says. "With the friends from my youth organization, Hashomer Hatzair, we talked about it all the time. It was a Nahal group so we dealt with the issue of the army all the time. Most of my closest friends are in the army, but they support and understand why I am doing this. (Oz Rosenberg, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
"Jump into the deep end": Tair Kaminer, who sat in military prison about six times, is not alone. For ideological reasons, more young women are unwilling to serve the country, and not just over the Green Line (i.e. in the West Bank). This morning (Monday), Atalia Ben-Aba goes to the IDF recruitment center and will declare that she does not intend to cooperate. She’s a good girl from Jerusalem, who grew up in a house on the border between the west and easte (Palestinian) parts of the city, and witnessed daily the deep divide that exists on the line where the sides of the city connect. This was what shaped her political consciousness, to the point of deciding not to do what most of her friends from high school are doing these days – turning from citizens into soldiers. "My parents said it was mainly my decision, and as an adult I have taken this decision on my own," she says. "With the friends from my youth organization, Hashomer Hatzair, we talked about it all the time. It was a Nahal group so we dealt with the issue of the army all the time. Most of my closest friends are in the army, but they support and understand why I am doing this. (Oz Rosenberg, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
Land-grab Law Shows Up Netanyahu's Dangerous Weakness (Haaretz Editorial) If Netanyahu can't stand up to his education minister, how will he
stand up to Israel's enemies?
The presidential settlement approval (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) Trump’s statement reflects a completely new American policy. It gives the Israeli government the green light to build as much as it wants in the territories, as long as the construction does not go beyond the settlement borders. And even if Israel does build beyond those borders, never mind.
Yair Lapid doesn’t believe in a decisive victory against Hamas and Hezbollah (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) In a serious strategic document, the Yesh Atid leader - whose eyes are on the premiership - avoids the Palestinian issue and calls for a strong, costly army.
Let’s see the High Court do it: Revoke the Regulation Law, make my day (Karni Eldad, Maariv) The noise around the law prevents us from understanding how simple and logical it is. Houses built in settlements on Palestinian land without knowing it is not permitted to build on that land - will be made legal.
To Israel's Right Wing, Trump Is Cyrus the Great (Uzi Baram, Haaretz+) Naftali Bennett and his ilk believe the U.S. president will pave the way to an expanded Israel and care little about the price of that alliance.
The invisible motives of Monday’s unusual Gaza strike (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) Israel is doing everything in its power to disrupt Hamas’s intensive tunnel digging; bombing Hamas posts from both the air and the ground may be part of that secret war.
Cry of the Right: We Are the Unfortunates (Yitzhak Laor, Haaretz+) The post-politics of the 21st century is characterized by wholesale claims of victimhood. Such is the map of the Western right.
The stain that won’t be removed: Trump's racist order is not related to security (Uri Savir, Maariv) The ban on entry for citizens of Muslim countries marches the United States light years backward, and joins the moves that are shocking all the world leaders. That is, except for Putin and Netanyahu.
First, Eliminate the Truth (Iris Leal, Haaretz+) The truth is what the leader says is the truth, and to spread it you need to control the media. This is where the anger of leaders such as Trump and Netanyahu comes from.
The path into the abyss: the Regulation Law is the law of organized crime (Yossi Melman, Maariv) Under the law, criminals were able to convince the members of the Knesset to pass a law that would legalize retroactively the theft of land they took control over and removed the rightful owners.
Who Is Responsible for the Tragedy Surrounding Amona? (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) It certainly was not the policemen who were simply following orders to raze the homes of the settlers.
Short-lived legislation (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom) Pushing the controversial outpost regulation bill through now will not benefit the settlement enterprise, as it is widely believed the law will not stand up to High Court scrutiny.
For U.K. Jews, Trump looms over Netanyahu's U.K. visit (Daniella Peled, Haaretz+) Netanyahu's outspoken support for U.S. President Donald Trump doesn't much chime with public opinion in the U.K., both within the Jewish community and beyond it.
Opened a front: Will Trump’s policy undermine the balance of power in the UN? (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) The new secretary general was supposed to bring a fresh breeze to the organization, but the US president's acts against the agencies of the global institution make it difficult for it to maintain its relevance.
Cairo Makes the Most of a Corrupt Preacher (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) Egypt allowed a film mocking religious figures to be aired, mainly to serve as ammunition in the president's ongoing battle against the Muslim Brotherhood.
The presidential settlement approval (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) Trump’s statement reflects a completely new American policy. It gives the Israeli government the green light to build as much as it wants in the territories, as long as the construction does not go beyond the settlement borders. And even if Israel does build beyond those borders, never mind.
Yair Lapid doesn’t believe in a decisive victory against Hamas and Hezbollah (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) In a serious strategic document, the Yesh Atid leader - whose eyes are on the premiership - avoids the Palestinian issue and calls for a strong, costly army.
Let’s see the High Court do it: Revoke the Regulation Law, make my day (Karni Eldad, Maariv) The noise around the law prevents us from understanding how simple and logical it is. Houses built in settlements on Palestinian land without knowing it is not permitted to build on that land - will be made legal.
To Israel's Right Wing, Trump Is Cyrus the Great (Uzi Baram, Haaretz+) Naftali Bennett and his ilk believe the U.S. president will pave the way to an expanded Israel and care little about the price of that alliance.
The invisible motives of Monday’s unusual Gaza strike (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) Israel is doing everything in its power to disrupt Hamas’s intensive tunnel digging; bombing Hamas posts from both the air and the ground may be part of that secret war.
Cry of the Right: We Are the Unfortunates (Yitzhak Laor, Haaretz+) The post-politics of the 21st century is characterized by wholesale claims of victimhood. Such is the map of the Western right.
The stain that won’t be removed: Trump's racist order is not related to security (Uri Savir, Maariv) The ban on entry for citizens of Muslim countries marches the United States light years backward, and joins the moves that are shocking all the world leaders. That is, except for Putin and Netanyahu.
First, Eliminate the Truth (Iris Leal, Haaretz+) The truth is what the leader says is the truth, and to spread it you need to control the media. This is where the anger of leaders such as Trump and Netanyahu comes from.
The path into the abyss: the Regulation Law is the law of organized crime (Yossi Melman, Maariv) Under the law, criminals were able to convince the members of the Knesset to pass a law that would legalize retroactively the theft of land they took control over and removed the rightful owners.
Who Is Responsible for the Tragedy Surrounding Amona? (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) It certainly was not the policemen who were simply following orders to raze the homes of the settlers.
Short-lived legislation (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom) Pushing the controversial outpost regulation bill through now will not benefit the settlement enterprise, as it is widely believed the law will not stand up to High Court scrutiny.
For U.K. Jews, Trump looms over Netanyahu's U.K. visit (Daniella Peled, Haaretz+) Netanyahu's outspoken support for U.S. President Donald Trump doesn't much chime with public opinion in the U.K., both within the Jewish community and beyond it.
Opened a front: Will Trump’s policy undermine the balance of power in the UN? (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) The new secretary general was supposed to bring a fresh breeze to the organization, but the US president's acts against the agencies of the global institution make it difficult for it to maintain its relevance.
Cairo Makes the Most of a Corrupt Preacher (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) Egypt allowed a film mocking religious figures to be aired, mainly to serve as ammunition in the president's ongoing battle against the Muslim Brotherhood.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.