News Nosh 3.22.17

APN's daily news review from Israel
Wednesday March 22, 2017
 
Quote of the day:
“Israel has one existential threat. It’s a ticking time bomb.”
--Former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo asserted on Tuesday that the Israeli occupation and the conflict with the Palestinians are the only existential threat facing Israel.*


Front Page:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
  • Bennett prevented the awarding of the Israeli Prize to artist (Yair) Garbuz
  • Finance Minister in sharp attack: “Directors of the (Public Broadcasting) Corporation want elections”
  • Flying to military reserve duty – An El-Al stewardess arrived straight from a flight from Madrid to the military exercise that simulated a war in Gaza
  • Storm at Army Radio: The Mizrachi (Avi Shoshan) playlist editor was fired
  • Flying to the top – Singer Dudu Tassa will perform with Radiohead in the US
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
  • Coalition against the (Public Broadcasting) Corporation
  • Demonstration of the Israel Broadcasting Authority yesterday
  • Police: There is substantial evidence to indict Netanya Mayor Miriam Feiberg
  • Dudu Tassa will open the Israel performances of Radiohead this summer
  • Hamas: The Turkish wing
  • Tragedy in the Bikaat Yarden (Jordan Valley in West Bank): Captain (res.) Elhanan Brezner felt ill and died at the end of a military race
Israel Hayom
  • Getting on the plane? Without a computer and iPad if you fly via Turkey or Jordan
  • Prime Minister: We will continue to attack in Syria
  • Culture Minister Regev: “Army Radio declared war”
  • Finance Minister Kahlon: “What do I care who will be the directors of the (Public Broadcasting) Corporation? They are not my in-laws”
  • Tragedy: Captain (res.) Elhanan Brezner collapsed at an IDF race in the Bikaat Yarden (Jordan Valley in West Bank) - and died
  • Police recommend indicting (Netanya Mayor) Miriam Fierberg

News Summary:
A political fog over the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation  (IPBC) and the government’s future, conflicting warnings from security officials about who is Israel’s biggest threat and the news that Israelis who travel to the US or UK with Turkish or Royal Jordanian Airlines will not be allowed to bring their laptops or tablets were top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. 
 
The Knesset goes on spring recess today till early May and MKs don’t know if they’ll be returning to their seats. The coalition crisis between Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon continued over the upcoming launching of the IPBC and a senior Likud official told Haaretz+ that the only way out of the crisis is if one of the two men backs down, because there will be no compromise from Netanyahu. Kahlon said he’s not afraid to go to elections, but from his point of view, the original compromise made with Netanyahu before he left to China - and before the IPBC announced the a woman Netanyahu dislikes to be the new anchor of its main newscast - still stands. Kahlon also accused the IPBC of making the announcement now in order to infuriate Netanyahu and force elections. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit blocked the latest right-wing attempt to encroach upon freedom of the press by giving it control over the IPBC. In the meantime, the resolution will only be known after Netanyahu returns from China, where Chinese President Xi Jinping told him that peaceful coexistence with the Palestinians would be good for both sides.
 
*At a conference marking one year since the death of former Mossad chief, Meir Dagan, present and past security leaders shared their views on who and what was Israel’s greatest threat. According to former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo, the occupation and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were Israel’s only existential threat. Present Mossad director Yossi Cohen focused on Iran, and IDF Chief-of-Staff Gadi Eisenkot pointed to Hezbollah and said that the Gaza tunnel threat was not existential. Eisenkot also said that the IDF uses “aggressive and disproportionate, force” against Gaza to prevent rocket fire. Meanwhile, the IDF held a surprise exercise simulating a fourth Gaza war. Separately, Netanyahu said Tuesday that Russia's policy regarding Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah weapon convoys in Syria hasn't changed, despite Syrian claims that Putin restricted Israel's freedom to strike in Syria,
 
Quick Hits:
  • Defense Minister Lieberman: "The EU is preparing an assault on Israel" - The Defense Minister said that toward the end of the year, Israel will face significant pressure from Europe. Lieberman linked the situation to the coalition crisis: "The situation is explosive and we need to act with common sense. That’s true regarding diplomatic challenges as well as regarding the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation.” (Maariv
  • Netanyahu says construction in Jerusalem settlements off the table in talks with White House - Israeli delegation is in Washington to negotiate settlement construction 'slowdown' with Trump team. (Haaretz+)
  • The Quiet Annexation: How Israel Is Connecting Jerusalem to Neighboring Settlement - Despite concerns for the international ramifications of annexing Ma'aleh Adumim, there's talk of several projects which could create a 'mental' proximity between the two cities. (Haaretz+)
  • Israel plans mass evacuation if war erupts again - If Gaza or Lebanon's terrorist organizations decide to go to war with Israel, they could find their usual targets empty, as Israel draws up plans to evacuate up to a quarter-million civilians from border communities, Col. Itzik Bar of the military's Homefront Command told The Associated Press. (Associated Press, Ynet)
  • Gaza coordinator of Turkish aid group funneled funds to Hamas - Muhammad Murtaja, an employee of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, is suspected of misusing resources and funds intended for humanitarian projects in the Gaza Strip by diverting them to Hamas’s military wing. (Ynet)
  • Hamas requests advanced map software from the Turks: ‘Google is not accurate enough for rockets’ - The arrest of Muhammad Murtaja exposes further details into the elaborate scheme set in motion by the head of the Turkish humanitarian aid agency vis-à-vis the Hamas military wing; from advanced mapping software, to suitcases full of cash, culminating in the Turkish government's blind eye. (Ynet
  • Three weapon smugglers apprehended, heavy armaments seized - The IDF arrested three weapon smugglers on the suspicion of stealing armaments worth hundreds of thousands of shekels from IDF bases and attempting to sell them in the West Bank; seized weapons include RPG and a machine gun. (Ynet
  • Sakhnin woman gets 4 years for joining ISIS with her family - Sabrin Zubeidat joined ISIS with her husband and three children two years ago; the family was turned over to Israel by Turkish authorities in the summer after leaving Iraq and trying to return home. (Ynet
  • Israel reportedly arrests Hamas lawmaker overnight in West Bank - Besides MP Mohammed Ismayil Atel, 11 others were also arrested, according to Palestinians, including a 20-year-old suspected of throwing an explosive device at a checkpoint. (Haaretz+ and Maan
  • Jerusalem terrorist’s father speaks at the UN: ‘Israel is an executioner’ - Mohammed Aliyan, whose son murdered three Israelis in a terror attack at east Talpiot in 2015, heads a delegation of families of terrorists and prisoners, decrying Israel’s treatment at the UN Human Rights Council: ‘They demolish our homes, arrest us and expel our families.’ (Ynet
  • Israeli Drone Crashes in Syria - The Sky Rider isn’t considered to be technologically advanced, and the army loses such aircraft from time to time due to technical faults. But Syria said it shot it down. (Haaretz+, Ynet and Israel Hayom
  • Radiohead Takes Israeli Singer Dudu Tassa as Opening Act on U.S. Tour - Dudu Tassa & The Kuwaitis' debut album won great praise for reworking classical songs of top Iraqi musicians. (Haaretz)
  • Anti-NGO legislation becomes law - Under the new amendment to the law, political organizations in Israel could receive no more than NIS 600,000 in contributions from foreign donors, which will make up no more than a third of the total donations. (Ynet
  • Bennett Promises: Within Four Years, All 11th-graders Will Go on 'Jewish Identity' Trip - Education minister praises Masa Israeli journey, aimed at shaping Jewish, Zionist and national identity. (Haaretz+) 
  • Israeli Orthodox groups take over curriculum on pluralistic Judaism - Sources say pluralistic groups are running only 30 percent of activities requested by state schools for the new Jewish-Israeli culture curriculum. (Haaretz+) 
  • Bennett bars anti-‘amulet kissers’ artist from receiving Israel Prize - Yair Garbuz, who raised hackles with what many believed to be a racist address at a 2015 election rally, nixed from running for prestigious award. (Yedioth, p. 1 and Times of Israel)
  • Israeli settler hits elderly Palestinian woman with car in northern West Bank - Hilweh Abu Ras, 70, was hit by an Israeli settler driving near the village of al-Sawiya in the Nablus district, who fled the scene in the direction of an Israeli military checkpoint. (Maan
  • Policeman who beat Ethiopian soldier gets plea deal - The former police officer is offered deal by the attorney general, despite being recorded beating IDF soldier of Ethiopian descent in uniform. (Yedioth/Ynet)
  • U.S. Lauds Freedom of Expression in Response to Israeli Plan to Track pro-BDS Citizens - While America strongly opposes boycotts of Israel, voicing differing political views still requisite, State Department spokesman says. (Haaretz+) 
  • Israeli BDS activists welcome minister's threat to blacklist them: He made our job much easier - Minister Erdan's plan for a blacklist of BDS supporters has far from dismayed leftist activists. 'It's a good sign that we're on the right track,' Boycott from Within co-founder says. (Haaretz+) 
  • 31 ultra-Orthodox rioters arrested in protests against IDF draft - Haredim block roads, throw stones, attack police officers during protest against the detainment of three ultra-Orthodox IDF deserters. (Ynet
  • Israeli right's clash over women in the army heats up - Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman scolds a rabbi for opposing women’s participation in the military, while Education Minister Naftali Bennett says Lieberman is playing politics. (Haaretz+) 
  • Knesset cracks down on leaks of classified information - MKs will be required to sign a nondisclosure agreement when attending classified meetings. (Haaretz+) 
  • Israel making it hard for foreign caregivers to receive owed money - When they leave the country, workers struggle to get monthly deposits made by their employment agencies in lieu of pension and severance pay. (Haaretz+) 
  • Netanyahu Meets With Chinese Business Leaders as He Promotes Tech Cooperation - Agreement to bring in thousands of Chinese building workers also signed on second day of Israeli prime minister's visit. The trip is part of a pivot of Israel's economy shifting away from Europe and the United States — a trend that will be further reinforced when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Israel this summer. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom
  • Australia: No Evidence Aid Group Employee Transferred Government Funds to Hamas - Christian civilian aid group World Vision employee was indicted by Israel last year for allegedly diverting aid money to buy weapons and build tunnels. (Haaretz
  • Israeli American Council raises $2 million at annual gala - Philanthropists Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson have donated more than $50 million to the IAC since its establishment. In speech at gala, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti condemns recent rise in anti-Semitism. (Israel Hayom
  • Scandal Erupts After pro-BDS Jewish Organization Invites Rasmeah Odeh to Speak at Conference - Israel advocacy group StandWithUs criticizes Jewish Voice for Peace for denying its request to hold a counter-memorial event for Israeli terror victims at its conference. (JTA, Haaretz

 
Commentary/Analysis:
Minister Erdan's Thought Police (Haaretz Editorial) After launching a division that collects info on foreigners active in the BDS movement, Erdan now seeks to expand the espionage to Israeli citizens. It's time to speak up. 
No guts, no artistic glory—Yair Garbuz out of the running for Israel Prize (Tamar Trabelsi-Hadad| , Yedioth/Ynet) Painter and author Yair Garbuz is one of the most esteemed Israeli artists, but his Talismans Speech in Rabin Square on the eve of the last elections made him a hated figure amidst parts of Israeli society; Two years after that speech, Garbuz suffers the consequences as Bennett cancels the prize category, in which he was a leading candidate.
Trump-jolted Settlers Have a Doomsday Weapon vs. a Peace Plan: White Evangelicals (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) Just last year, the settlers thought they'd won it all, for good. And then, icing on their every cake, they got the president of their dreams. Or so they thought. 
Twisting the Knife and Calling the Twisting a Solution (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Those who exaggerate the danger of planned attacks and give intelligence warnings about Palestinians are blind to the evil of Israel's rule.
Russia's important role (Prof. Eyal Zisser, Israel Hayom) In its desire to prevent a confrontation between its friends in the region -- Israel on one hand, and Hezbollah and Iran on the other -- Russia is now the region's most important actor.
Israel-Syria Clash: IDF Works to Drive Iran Away From Border - Even at Risk of Angering Russia (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) The question Israeli leaders must ask themselves: When will Israeli tactical successes in Syria turn into a strategic risk?
Israeli Arabs’ self-inflicted defeat (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) There is only one party in the Knesset that has no room in any coalition or government. As long as the Joint List’s language is Arab nationalism, there will be no coalitional coexistence. This is flawed civilian freedom, and the Arabs are singlehandedly fitting themselves with these cables. 
The Anchorwoman Who's Terrifying Benjamin Netanyahu (Ariana Melamed, Haaretz+) The prime minister is afraid of Geula Even − the wife of Gideon Sa’ar, who could one day challenge him to lead the Likud party. Bibi just can’t believe a journalist can be neutral. 
Falsehoods and false hopes (Ruthie Blum, Israel Hayom) No matter who is in the Oval Office, there will be no peace until the PA decides to stop delegitimizing Israel and inciting violence against Jews.
The Forecast Upon Netanyahu's Return From China: Political Storm (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) The idea being discussed in the prime minister's circle regarding the broadcasting corporation is no less crazy than Netanyahu's 2014 efforts to recruit Elie Wiesel as Israel's president. Like that attempt, the current one is also doomed to fail.
In its talks with Trump administration, Israel must focus on Syrian arena (Giora Eiland, Yedioth/Ynet) As part of the ‘winning camp’ in the civil war in Syria, Iran and Hezbollah are trying to create a threatening presence on Israel’s northern border. At the moment, this is the most important and urgent issue requiring America’s support. 
Bibi the invincible: Netanyahu is acting irrationally but political arithmetic is in his favor (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) Why is the prime minister taking on the Knesset and the media establishment in a pointless crusade against the public broadcasting corporation? Because he can. 
Racism in Israel? You're Exaggerating! (Mesi Aychek, Haaretz+) In honor of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, I urge everyone to stop denying the existence of racism in Israel. Only then can we truly fight it. 
Trump's Wildness Inspires Netanyahu to Escalate Assault on Israeli Democracy
(Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) Audacity of right-wing attack on freedoms indicates Obama may have been Israeli civil society's last line of resistance. 
For Jewish Federations: Left-wing on Israel Bad, anti-Muslim Radical Right Good? (Russel Neiss, Haaretz+) What 'communal consensus' does the JFNA reflect when it blocks donations to anti-occupation causes but welcomes 'pro-Israel' right-wingers who traffic in Islamophobic hate speech? 
Israel's Cowardly New Broadcaster (Janan Bsoul, Haaretz+) The suspension of Samah Watad proves that Israeli society is unable to embrace the complex experience of Palestinians who are Israeli citizens.
 
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.