APN's daily news review from Israel
Tuesday May 9, 2017
Quote of the day:
"No momentary political capital and the smell of elections in the air justify the violation of what was
promised in the Declaration of Independence and does not justify incitement against a minority living within
us. No momentary electoral interest of any functioning public is justified by a series of legislative acts that
embarrass the Declaration of Independence or Herzl's dream."
--Opposition leader and Zionist Camp party chief, MK Isaac Herzog said in reaction to the passing of the Jewish nation-state bill by the Ministerial Committee.*
--Opposition leader and Zionist Camp party chief, MK Isaac Herzog said in reaction to the passing of the Jewish nation-state bill by the Ministerial Committee.*
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Abbas presented Trump with maps from the negotiations during the Olmert days as a starting point
- Lieberman: We defeated the Nazis and I hope we will also defeat our enemies from within
- Israel gave FIFA an offer for solving the soccer crisis in the settlements
- One out of every six children who immigrated to Israel from the Soviet Union in the beginning of the ‘90’s has left
- Erdogan accused Israel of apartheid; Foreign Ministry: He has no right to preach morality to us
- Court rejected plea bargain with a judge who sexually harassed, and sent a message against (State Prosecutor) Shai Nitzan’s laxity
- It’s more than the Tortit (cookie) // Haaretz Editorial
- The opposite of Trump, but also a copy of him // Chemi Shalev
- Jewish and democratic // Nitzan Horovitz
Yedioth Ahronoth
- 1000 private dentists will treat children for free – new Health Ministry initiative
- Young drivers touch their cellular phones almost twice a minute
- Guide for the raped // Maya Dagan in angry column following the gang rape in Herzliya
- Emannuel and Brigitte, the Israeli version
- The Barghouti effect: rise in sales of Tortit cookie
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Erdogan: Israel is killing children; Jerusalem: He shouldn’t preach to us
- (Erdogan’s) Surprise attack (on Israel) // Yossi Melman
- Judge convicted of sexual harassment
Israel Hayom
- Israel to Erdogan: Don’t preach to us; Turkish President attacked: “Israel is an occupier in Jerusalem”; called to “Protect Al-Aqsa”
- The conviction of the judge: Message – no discounts
- “IDF desecrated Shabbat – in order to impress tourists”
- The initiative that will allow the Border Police to train at night – and feel like it’s day
- Horror in northern Israel: Nursing home employees abused bedridden 91-year-old woman
News Summary:
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan made his bitterest attack on Israel, surprising Israelis, a (female) judge rejected a plea bargain for a district court judge accused of sexual harassment and convicted him, and Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin joined the Opposition in opposing the Israel as a Jewish nation-state bill making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
On US President Donald Trump’s peace making plans: Jewish-American tycoon Ron Lauder told Israeli officials that Trump was 'very determined' to reach a deal, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that Trump promised a deal would happen within a year (Maariv) and that Abbas told Trump the peace talks should resume from where the 2008 negotiations with Israel left off. Abbas also said that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, "does not want the Arab Peace initiative, but rather wants to normalize relations with the Arab countries and that’s it. The Arab states won’t agree to that. We oppose a reversal of the order of the actions in the (peace) initiative," Maariv reported. Abbas’ advisor Nabil Shaath told the Jerusalem Post that "Abbas is ready for minimal territorial exchanges."
Speaking at the opening of the Istanbul-based Al-Quds Waqf International Forum, Turkish President Erdogan called on Turks and Muslims across the world to visit the Al-Aqsa mosque [at the site known as the Temple Mount to Jews- OH] and support the Palestinian struggle. Later in a meeting with the Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, Palestinian Minister of Waqf and Religious Affairs Youssef Ideiss and Palestinian Governor of Jerusalem Adnan al-Husseini, he said there will not be peace 'unless Israel is held accountable for its crimes’ and that Muslims must protect Jerusalem from ‘Judaization.’ At the conference, he rebuked Israel over its Muezzin-silencing Bill, said Israel killed children and commits 'massacres' against the Palestinians. Israel responded saying Erdogan has no right to preach to Israel.
*President Rivlin slammed the controversial Jewish nation-state bill saying it diminishes the essence of the Declaration of Independence. "The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important things and it should not be diminished by enacting laws that can harm its essence. It has received moral recognition from the entire world." The Opposition was furious, as well. But Netanyahu insisted that the new bill does not contradict equality. Among other things, the bill revokes Arabic as an official language of Israel. Yet, while the Israeli government continued to pass laws that marginalize the Arab minority, members of the European Union are upgrading relations with Arab Israeli MKs to raise awareness about Arab civil rights in Israel and strengthen their ties with the EU. Today Arab-Israeli MKs will speak at a "Arab Palestinian Society in Israel” conference in Brussels hosted by the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, the second largest political party in the European Union.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan made his bitterest attack on Israel, surprising Israelis, a (female) judge rejected a plea bargain for a district court judge accused of sexual harassment and convicted him, and Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin joined the Opposition in opposing the Israel as a Jewish nation-state bill making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
On US President Donald Trump’s peace making plans: Jewish-American tycoon Ron Lauder told Israeli officials that Trump was 'very determined' to reach a deal, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that Trump promised a deal would happen within a year (Maariv) and that Abbas told Trump the peace talks should resume from where the 2008 negotiations with Israel left off. Abbas also said that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, "does not want the Arab Peace initiative, but rather wants to normalize relations with the Arab countries and that’s it. The Arab states won’t agree to that. We oppose a reversal of the order of the actions in the (peace) initiative," Maariv reported. Abbas’ advisor Nabil Shaath told the Jerusalem Post that "Abbas is ready for minimal territorial exchanges."
Speaking at the opening of the Istanbul-based Al-Quds Waqf International Forum, Turkish President Erdogan called on Turks and Muslims across the world to visit the Al-Aqsa mosque [at the site known as the Temple Mount to Jews- OH] and support the Palestinian struggle. Later in a meeting with the Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, Palestinian Minister of Waqf and Religious Affairs Youssef Ideiss and Palestinian Governor of Jerusalem Adnan al-Husseini, he said there will not be peace 'unless Israel is held accountable for its crimes’ and that Muslims must protect Jerusalem from ‘Judaization.’ At the conference, he rebuked Israel over its Muezzin-silencing Bill, said Israel killed children and commits 'massacres' against the Palestinians. Israel responded saying Erdogan has no right to preach to Israel.
*President Rivlin slammed the controversial Jewish nation-state bill saying it diminishes the essence of the Declaration of Independence. "The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important things and it should not be diminished by enacting laws that can harm its essence. It has received moral recognition from the entire world." The Opposition was furious, as well. But Netanyahu insisted that the new bill does not contradict equality. Among other things, the bill revokes Arabic as an official language of Israel. Yet, while the Israeli government continued to pass laws that marginalize the Arab minority, members of the European Union are upgrading relations with Arab Israeli MKs to raise awareness about Arab civil rights in Israel and strengthen their ties with the EU. Today Arab-Israeli MKs will speak at a "Arab Palestinian Society in Israel” conference in Brussels hosted by the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, the second largest political party in the European Union.
Quick Hits:
- Lieberman: We defeated the Nazis, I hope we can defeat our enemies at home - While he mentioned terror organizations in his enumeration of Israel’s enemies, he also implied that those who 'act against us' include Arab Knesset members. (Haaretz+)
- Vandals Slash Tires, Spray anti-Arab Graffiti in East Jerusalem and Northern Israel - Anti-racism group Tag Meir claims that vandalism is revenge for administrative restraining orders issued against West Bank settlers in recent weeks (Haaretz VIDEO and Ynet)
- Relatives of Palestinian Victims of Deadly 2015 Arson Attack Sue Israel - Dawabsheh family suit says the state created the conditions for the attack by allowing Jewish extremists to commit hate crimes against Palestinians for years. (Haaretz+, Maariv and Ynet)
- Right-wing activists to Trump: "Go up to the Temple Mount and pray for world peace" - Leading right-wing activists sent a letter to the US President, who will visit Israel at the end of the month: "We believe that in this way you can be a partner in fulfilling David's prophecy in the Book of Psalms." (Maariv)
- Israeli Knesset legal adviser says anti-BDS bill violates lawmakers' rights - Bill would bar Knesset members from traveling abroad at invitation of pro-boycott groups. (Haaretz+)
- University of Haifa Bans Nakba Day Leaflet Mentioning 'Ethnic Cleansing' - The university allows events marking the Palestinians’ catastrophe when Israel declared independence, but says phrases like 'ethnic cleansing' breach the terms of tolerance. (Haaretz+)
- Students clash after 'Palestinian Nakba' event held in Haifa - Predominantly Arab group holds event to mark the "catastrophe" suffered by Arabs during the 1948 war • Right-wing demonstrators wave flags, hand out booklets to disprove "lies" • Left-wing activists slam University of Haifa for trying to "silence" them. (Israel Hayom)
- Israeli bill seeks to impose sanctions on institutions marking Nakba - Bill would cut funds for universities that allow Israel's Independence Day to be marked as a day of mourning on their campuses. (Haaretz+)
- Outlawed Islamic Movement marches from Haifa to Jerusalem - Sheikh Raed Salah, head of Islamic Movement's Northern Branch, leads dozens of supporters on march that aims to arrive in Jerusalem before Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque. [Right-wing] Advocacy group says move is "playing with fire," demands police stop march. (Israel Hayom)
- A. B. Yehoshua at Haaretz Conference: Recognize a Palestinian State at the UN - Also, Likud MK: No chance any progress will be made with the Palestinians because of Trump’s visit. (Haaretz)
- Netanyahu in Call to FIFA President: Drop Palestinian Bid to Sanction Settlement Teams - Netanyahu's office asked U.S. officials to raise the FIFA bid while Abbas was in Washington, but they didn't, Israeli official says. (Haaretz+)
- Israel tries to avoid FIFA settlement teams crisis, proposes own solution - Proposal intended to keep FIFA from holding any discussion of the status of the West Bank and from any decision that would recognize the Palestinians’ territorial claims, says official. (Haaretz+)
- Miri Regev visited the Azariya home: "I pray he will be released straight to his home" - The Minister of Culture visited the family of Elor Azaria, the soldier who was convicted of killing a neutralized terrorist in Hebron and tried to embrace the family. Azaria’s mother: "We get threats all the time." (Maariv)
- Israel suspends demolitions of illegally built homes, tells no one - Illegal construction is much more prevalent in Arab communities, and when Netanyahu and Kahlon agreed to the freeze they kept it quiet for fear that their right-wing coalition partner would raise a hue and cry. (Haaretz+)
- East Jerusalem hit by wave of home demolitions - Nine families are made homeless in a series of demolitions in East Jerusalem. The pace of demolitions so far in 2017 outstrips that in 2016, currently the worst year on record. (+972mag)
- New Hamas chief shows solidarity with hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners - Ismail Haniyeh visits Gaza City "solidarity tent" for hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners held in Israel • "It's my honor to shoulder the responsibility of leading the political bureau of this large movement of holy resistance," Haniyeh says. (Israel Hayom)
- Israeli Video of Hunger Strike Leader Barghouti Fails to Discredit Him Among Palestinians - Many Palestinian commentators see the leaked footage more as a sign of Israeli angst than of the imprisoned leader's duplicity. (Haaretz+)
- Asylum seekers in Israel's south cut off from mobile network for over a week - Prison disrupting Palestinian hunger strikers' communications, while also blocking mobile access in nearby detention center for asylum seekers. (Haaretz+)
- US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff receives commendation at IDF HQ - Gen. Joseph Dunford makes his third trip to Israel and receives commendation from IDF chief Eisenkot; Dunford will meet Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Lieberman to discuss regional security issues. (Ynet)
- IDF computerized systems fall prey to cyber attacks - New statistics released by the IDF’s cyber defense unit reveal that around 10% of the failures in the IDF's computerized systems over the past year were the result of cyber attacks. (Ynet)
- Tomb of unknown saint found in Israel, archaeologists deduce - Clustered churches in Hippos-Sussita in sixth century C.E. indicate mutual tolerance among early Christian sects, which was not to last. (Haaretz)
- Report: 1,000 Israeli teens tried to commit suicide in 2016 - According to Elem, an NGO that helps young people in distress, around 800 teens, or 4% of the nearly 20,000 in its care, were involved in prostitution in 2016 • Some 19% of the teens Elem encounters are either homeless or live in out-of-home frameworks. (Israel Hayom)
- WATCH: Netanyahu Slams CNN, NYT Coverage of Hamas Charter, Calling It 'Fake News' - Netanyahu takes a cue from Donald Trump and attacks media organizations such as CNN and The New York Times over their reports on Hamas' charter supporting a Palestinian state along 1967 borders. (Haaretz)
- Con artists operating in Israel swindle French companies out of millions - France asks Israel to help locate and detain suspects who made an exact replica of the French defense minister’s office, used makeup to pose as the minister himself before soliciting millions of euros for aid in fictitious 'covert operations.' (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Big in Israel: Macron Captures 94 Percent of French-Israeli Vote - François Fillon had won 60 percent of the Israeli vote in the first round, but in the second go Marine Le Pen mustered only 547 votes. (Haaretz+)
- Young Palestinian Charged for Tel Aviv Waterfront Attack - Omad Ahgbar, 18, wanted to 'kill Jews because they are Jews', indictment says, detailing his journey from West Bank to Tel Aviv hotel area, where he wounded four two weeks ago. (Haaretz)
- Prestigious health journal publishes edition dedicated to health in Israel - The Lancet and its editor, Prof. Richard Horton, make an about-face and publish a volume dedicated to health in Israel, highlighting its achievements and challenges; Horton known for scathing criticism of Israel during Operation Protective Edge decried as bias. (Ynet)
- Report: Prince Charles' Israel visit canceled for fear of vexing Arabs - What would have been first official visit to Israel by a British royal was nixed by Foreign Office "to avoid upsetting Arab nations," says report • Heir to the throne had been invited for centenary of World War I Palestine Campaign, Balfour Declaration. (Israel Hayom)
- Iran Threatens Saudi Arabia: Only Mecca and Medina Will Remain if War Breaks Out - Iranian defense minister responds to Saudi prince's comments about Iran invasion. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
Inside Donald Trump's history of donations in Israel
From a now-defunct playground to irrigation tech for cosmetics: here are the pet projects Trump won’t see on his Israel visit. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
French immigration to Israel faltering due to integration failure
A French professor of sociology of religion and politics who immigrated to Israel says that the influx of French Jews is on the decline, spurred in part by the failure of many to successfully integrate in Israeli society; he argues that identity is a large reason why. (Yaniv Pohoryles, Yedioth/Ynet)
Jerusalem's New Remembrance Hall for Fallen Soldiers Sparks Debate
Architect says effect is 'not a shout, but a whisper,' while critics say it's grandiose. (Naama Riba, Haaretz+)
Behind the bars: A rare visit to the dangerous security prison in Israel
How exactly does the daily battle of minds compare with the most sophisticated terrorists imprisoned in Israel? A visit [with the prison guards – OH] during the prisoners' hunger strike. (Eyal Levy, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
To the Parents of the Israeli Officer Now Starring in This Disgraceful Video (Amira Hass, Haaretz+VIDEO) The proud Jewish soldier didn’t expect the Arab to disobey, so he had to act fast, and then concoct the story that he was attacked.
Israel's Admission of Racism (Abed L. Azab, Haaretz+) The new nation-state bill seeks to cancel Arabic’s status as Israel’s second 'official language,' one of the most ludicrous lies heard here in decades. When was Arabic actually an official language in Israel?
The reason Israel exists (Prof. Abraham Diskin, Israel Hayom) Claims that the nation-state bill harms the rights of minorities in Israel are a lie aiming to block Israel from being legally defined as Jewish and democratic.
Knesset to face several contentious issues in summer session (Moran Azulay, Yedioth/Ynet) Never a dull moment in the Israeli legislature as issues like the IPBC, the Shabbat wars, the 'Nationality Law,' Kahlon's tax reform and even Trump's planned peace effort on the agenda.
Palestinian Prisoners' Hunger Strike: It’s Not Only About a Candy Bar (Haaretz Editorial and VIDEO) The prisoners are not demanding their release, only an improvement in their conditions. Addressing their demands would avoid unnecessary pain and deaths.
Hunger Strike Leader Barghouti Eaten Alive on Social Media After Tape Shows Him Snacking in Secret (Allison Kaplan Sommer, Haaretz+) On Israeli social media, reactions to the recordings posed a pathetic demonstration of the superficial and cold-blooded nature of internet culture. Instead of triggering a debate about the Palestinian prisoners' hunger strike, the focus of the video backlash is on the choice of candy.
We have not lost hope: With the new nation-state law, sovereignty will return to the people (Prof. Arieh Eldad, Maariv) If the new Basic Law is accepted and includes a passage that states that its power lies in other basic laws, such as human dignity and liberty, this is a huge national achievement that will restore power to the Knesset.
Palestinian Victims of Terrorism Must Be Compensated Too (Itamar Margalit, Haaretz+) Ahmed Dawabsheh will receive nothing because he isn’t an Israeli citizen and his family was burned to death deep inside Palestinian territory
We'll always have Paris (Alon Mizrahi, +972mag) While the French gave the world a lesson in hope, democracy and standing up to fascism, the Israeli government advanced a childish, nationalistic law that declares: we are Jews, they are Arabs, we’re good, they’re bad.
Let Every Hebrew Mother Know (Zeev Smilansky, Haaretz+) Benjamin Netanyahu is but the latest leader to disgracefully use our army to conceal his inability to solve the country's basic problems. Instead the army backs a racist regime.
Like thunder on a clear day: Israel finds it difficult to understand what is behind Erdogan's attack (Yossi Melman, Maariv) Did his fuse jump again? Was this criticism of the muezzin law? The experts on Israel’s relations with Ankara are trying to figure out what was behind the Turkish president's move, and what are its implications.
An Arab-Jewish Ticket of Hope (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) The rock of our existence is Jewish-Arab cooperation that will save us from the jaws of the fascists.
From a now-defunct playground to irrigation tech for cosmetics: here are the pet projects Trump won’t see on his Israel visit. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
French immigration to Israel faltering due to integration failure
A French professor of sociology of religion and politics who immigrated to Israel says that the influx of French Jews is on the decline, spurred in part by the failure of many to successfully integrate in Israeli society; he argues that identity is a large reason why. (Yaniv Pohoryles, Yedioth/Ynet)
Jerusalem's New Remembrance Hall for Fallen Soldiers Sparks Debate
Architect says effect is 'not a shout, but a whisper,' while critics say it's grandiose. (Naama Riba, Haaretz+)
Behind the bars: A rare visit to the dangerous security prison in Israel
How exactly does the daily battle of minds compare with the most sophisticated terrorists imprisoned in Israel? A visit [with the prison guards – OH] during the prisoners' hunger strike. (Eyal Levy, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
To the Parents of the Israeli Officer Now Starring in This Disgraceful Video (Amira Hass, Haaretz+VIDEO) The proud Jewish soldier didn’t expect the Arab to disobey, so he had to act fast, and then concoct the story that he was attacked.
Israel's Admission of Racism (Abed L. Azab, Haaretz+) The new nation-state bill seeks to cancel Arabic’s status as Israel’s second 'official language,' one of the most ludicrous lies heard here in decades. When was Arabic actually an official language in Israel?
The reason Israel exists (Prof. Abraham Diskin, Israel Hayom) Claims that the nation-state bill harms the rights of minorities in Israel are a lie aiming to block Israel from being legally defined as Jewish and democratic.
Knesset to face several contentious issues in summer session (Moran Azulay, Yedioth/Ynet) Never a dull moment in the Israeli legislature as issues like the IPBC, the Shabbat wars, the 'Nationality Law,' Kahlon's tax reform and even Trump's planned peace effort on the agenda.
Palestinian Prisoners' Hunger Strike: It’s Not Only About a Candy Bar (Haaretz Editorial and VIDEO) The prisoners are not demanding their release, only an improvement in their conditions. Addressing their demands would avoid unnecessary pain and deaths.
Hunger Strike Leader Barghouti Eaten Alive on Social Media After Tape Shows Him Snacking in Secret (Allison Kaplan Sommer, Haaretz+) On Israeli social media, reactions to the recordings posed a pathetic demonstration of the superficial and cold-blooded nature of internet culture. Instead of triggering a debate about the Palestinian prisoners' hunger strike, the focus of the video backlash is on the choice of candy.
We have not lost hope: With the new nation-state law, sovereignty will return to the people (Prof. Arieh Eldad, Maariv) If the new Basic Law is accepted and includes a passage that states that its power lies in other basic laws, such as human dignity and liberty, this is a huge national achievement that will restore power to the Knesset.
Palestinian Victims of Terrorism Must Be Compensated Too (Itamar Margalit, Haaretz+) Ahmed Dawabsheh will receive nothing because he isn’t an Israeli citizen and his family was burned to death deep inside Palestinian territory
We'll always have Paris (Alon Mizrahi, +972mag) While the French gave the world a lesson in hope, democracy and standing up to fascism, the Israeli government advanced a childish, nationalistic law that declares: we are Jews, they are Arabs, we’re good, they’re bad.
Let Every Hebrew Mother Know (Zeev Smilansky, Haaretz+) Benjamin Netanyahu is but the latest leader to disgracefully use our army to conceal his inability to solve the country's basic problems. Instead the army backs a racist regime.
Like thunder on a clear day: Israel finds it difficult to understand what is behind Erdogan's attack (Yossi Melman, Maariv) Did his fuse jump again? Was this criticism of the muezzin law? The experts on Israel’s relations with Ankara are trying to figure out what was behind the Turkish president's move, and what are its implications.
An Arab-Jewish Ticket of Hope (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) The rock of our existence is Jewish-Arab cooperation that will save us from the jaws of the fascists.
The nation-state bill is crucial (Dr. Yechiel Shabi, Israel Hayom) It may seem unnecessary to legally define Israel as the Jewish
nation-state, but in light of Arab efforts to restore ownership over territory, it is actually
imperative.
A familiar refusal (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Abbas reiterated in his meeting with Trump that the refugee problem could be solved based on international law and previous agreements. All previous initiatives, however, failed because of one barrier—the Palestinian refusal to compromise on the refugee issue.
Trump Has the Power to Make His Jerusalem Syndrome Hallucinations Come True (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz) Historic May 22 visit could reveal if the president is a serious Middle East peacemaker or a delusional wannabe messiah.
A Deposit for Trump, a Challenge for Netanyahu (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) And all Israel has to do is declare what territories it intends on trading for the settlement blocs.
Macron And Merkel Have A Weapon Against Putin (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz) Last week Germany's spy chiefs put the Kremlin on notice. Russia's leader is vulnerable and may pay a price for his cyber mischief.
A victory for all of us: Like in Germany, we must defeat our enemies without question (Chairman of world movement of Yisrael Beiteinu [Avigdor Lieberman’s party], Alex Salsky, Maariv) World War II was not only the story of the Jewish victim, but also of heroism. On the day of the surrender of Nazi Germany, it is important that we praise the veterans, an inseparable part of the victory… A few weeks ago, a lobby was established in the US Congress in support of the victory of Israel, an initiative of the US institute, the "Middle East Forum" and it is headed by Daniel Pipes. It is heartening that the Americans understand this. But this internalization is also needed in Israeli society. Because in order to win, we must first regain our consciousness of victory and pride of victory. After every operation in Gaza we are the first to tell ourselves, and so our enemies and the entire world, that we have not won. After all, we are the first to tell the world that we are not sure that the victory in the Six-Day War was a victory. After all, we do not even mention victory over the bitter enemy we had in the 20th century - the Nazi oppressor. And yes, we were not only part of the loss and his sacrifice, but also part of the holy victory over him.
Internal, External Forces Stymie Dream of a Kurdish State (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) The Kurds know very well that the establishment of an independent state is not simply a domestic matter within the enclave
Trump Is Right, So Let’s Copy Him (Nehemia Shtrasler, Haaretz+) Though U.S. tax rates are low overall, America's corporate tax rate of 35 percent is among the highest in the world. That’s exactly what Trump wants to fix.
Le Pen, Trump and beyond: What’s eating the white working classes of the West? (Shlomo Avineri, Haaretz+) The reasons vary from country to country, but at least four processes are shared by all of them.
A familiar refusal (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Abbas reiterated in his meeting with Trump that the refugee problem could be solved based on international law and previous agreements. All previous initiatives, however, failed because of one barrier—the Palestinian refusal to compromise on the refugee issue.
Trump Has the Power to Make His Jerusalem Syndrome Hallucinations Come True (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz) Historic May 22 visit could reveal if the president is a serious Middle East peacemaker or a delusional wannabe messiah.
A Deposit for Trump, a Challenge for Netanyahu (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) And all Israel has to do is declare what territories it intends on trading for the settlement blocs.
Macron And Merkel Have A Weapon Against Putin (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz) Last week Germany's spy chiefs put the Kremlin on notice. Russia's leader is vulnerable and may pay a price for his cyber mischief.
A victory for all of us: Like in Germany, we must defeat our enemies without question (Chairman of world movement of Yisrael Beiteinu [Avigdor Lieberman’s party], Alex Salsky, Maariv) World War II was not only the story of the Jewish victim, but also of heroism. On the day of the surrender of Nazi Germany, it is important that we praise the veterans, an inseparable part of the victory… A few weeks ago, a lobby was established in the US Congress in support of the victory of Israel, an initiative of the US institute, the "Middle East Forum" and it is headed by Daniel Pipes. It is heartening that the Americans understand this. But this internalization is also needed in Israeli society. Because in order to win, we must first regain our consciousness of victory and pride of victory. After every operation in Gaza we are the first to tell ourselves, and so our enemies and the entire world, that we have not won. After all, we are the first to tell the world that we are not sure that the victory in the Six-Day War was a victory. After all, we do not even mention victory over the bitter enemy we had in the 20th century - the Nazi oppressor. And yes, we were not only part of the loss and his sacrifice, but also part of the holy victory over him.
Internal, External Forces Stymie Dream of a Kurdish State (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) The Kurds know very well that the establishment of an independent state is not simply a domestic matter within the enclave
Trump Is Right, So Let’s Copy Him (Nehemia Shtrasler, Haaretz+) Though U.S. tax rates are low overall, America's corporate tax rate of 35 percent is among the highest in the world. That’s exactly what Trump wants to fix.
Le Pen, Trump and beyond: What’s eating the white working classes of the West? (Shlomo Avineri, Haaretz+) The reasons vary from country to country, but at least four processes are shared by all of them.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.