News Nosh 2.18.18

APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday February 18, 2018
 
Quote of the day:
“I saw them crying and I started crying myself. I said to myself that if the attack were against my family sitting at the table, it would be the same thing. It’s hard to see an entire family disappear, it’s hard. Why is there no justice "
--Mudqaq Salah, a Palestinian man who murdered an Israeli security guard, said in an interview about the terror attack in Jerusalem that killed a Jewish family sitting in the Sbarro restaurant. In a special series of interviews, Ynet's Palestinian Affairs reporter Elior Levy interviewed former Palestinian prisoners who murdered Israelis and sat for decades in Israeli jails, during which they learned Hebrew and went through an 'Israelization' process and now support peace.*

Front Page:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
Israel Hayom

News Summary:
A flare-up on the Israel-Gaza Strip border with casualties, a fury in Israel after the Polish Prime Minister said there were both Polish and Jewish criminals in the Holocaust, and the transfer of Case 3000 from the Israel Securities Authority to the Police to bring criminal charges against associates of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for receiving benefits in return for enabling favorable media coverage of him on the Walla news website made top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.

The tit-for-tat flared up again between the Gaza Strip and Israel after four Israeli soldiers were wounded by a road mine near the border fence on Saturday afternoon. The papers were vague about the location of the explosive device, writing that “The explosive device was affixed to a Palestinian flag and appeared to have been placed near the fence under the cover of Friday's demonstrations nearby.” Only half way through its article did Ynet quote the IDF saying, “The device, which included a pipe and was part of a flag, was placed on the Palestinian side of the fence.” And while the IDF assessment was that "The device belonged to rogue organizations and not Islamic Jihad,” it attacked six Hamas targets because it sees Hamas as responsible. Then Saturday night, an Israeli home in the south was damaged after a rocket fired from Gaza hit it, but did not detonate. Late last night, Israel bombed 12 more Hamas targets. (UPDATE: This morning, Gazans found the bodies of two Gazan teens who were killed yesterday by Israeli fire after approaching the border. Haaretz has a timeline of how Saturday's events unfolded.)

At the Munich Conference, where Netanyahu was in attendance, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki upset some Israelis in an answer to a question from a Yedioth journalist regarding the controversial Holocaust law, which criminalizes saying that Poland and the Polish people were complicit in the Holocaust.  Morawiecki reiterated that the Holocaust had Polish perpetrators, just as it had Jewish ones. Netanyahu called the remarks 'outrageous.’ A number of Israeli commentators called for Israel to withdraw its ambassador to Poland. (See Commentary/Analysis below.) Nevertheless, Haaretz’s Noa Landau reported that, meanwhile, Netanyahu met with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, the first meeting since Kurz formed a coalition with the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), which has Nazi roots and which Israel is boycotting. Just last Thursday, the head of Austria's Jewish community, Oskar Deutsch, accused the FPO of being ‘not credible' that it stamped out anti-Semitism from its ranks. A report showed that cases of hostility towards Jews was on the rise nationally. "What we observe is a reduction in inhibitions," he said. Polish Jews are also stunned and scared by the eruption of anti-Semitism in their country in the wake of the Polish Holocaust law and more are inquiring about immigration to Israel. Just last Thursday, Poland froze the Holocaust survivors' property restitution bill. That said, it appears that Israel won’t be cutting ties with Poland, as the Polish Parliament representative will be attending a parliaments convention being held in Israel this week, despite objections of some Israel Foreign Ministry officials, Maariv reported. The Knesset said that this week's conference is professional and has no political elements.

Meanwhile, the papers reported a ‘dramatic development’ in corruption Case 4000, which probes Netanyahu’s ties to Shmuel Elovitch, the owner of Bezeq Telecom and Walla website: on Friday the Israel Securities Authority passed the case to the police to open a criminal investigation. (UPDATE: Police arrested a number of still unnamed people this morning in connection with the case, including two Netanyahu confidantes.) Just last week, a former editor of the Walla news outlet admitted he was pressured to give Netanyahu favorable coverage. In the first of the weekly protests against Netanyahu and government corruption to took place following the publication of police recommendations to indict Netanyahu for bribery, more than two thousand people participated. Former police chief Assaf Hefetz attended to provide support for embattled Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh and his struggle against a ‘swamp of corruption.' Speaking on the "Meet the Press" TV program Saturday night, former State Prosecutor Moshe Lador said Netanyahu needed to step down, Maariv reported. "You cannot dance at both weddings,” he said adding, "It is fitting that his (coalition) partners call on him to resign from his position.” Yedioth provided a fact-checking with Netanyahu's recent claims about Cases 1000 and 2000, in which police recommended indicting him.
Quick Hits:
  • Netanyahu and Trump to meet in March; White House: investigations won't impact Trump's peace plans - U.S. dubs police recommendations an 'internal Israeli matter.' Trump set to meet Netanyahu when he flies to U.S. for annual AIPAC conference. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
  • Netanyahu tells UN chief: Golan will remain Israel's forever - Reiterating past comments, Netanyahu added that Israel would act against any Iranian attempt to build bases in Syria. (Haaretz and Ynet)
  • Assessment: Prime Minister Netanyahu will oppose the annexation of the Jordan Valley - The Ministerial Committee for Legislation is expected to vote on Sunday on a bill proposed by MK Sharren Haskel (Likud) that would implement Israeli law in the Jordan Valley region. "The bill to apply Israeli law to the Jordan Valley is the key to true stability and coexistence. On both the right and left, there is agreement on the security importance of our eastern border," she explained. (Maariv)
  • Palestinian schoolteacher mauled by Israeli military dog as soldiers watch - Bursting into a schoolteacher’s house in the middle of the night, soldiers sicced their dog on him. The dog bit him and held on, as his family looked on, horrified. (Haaretz+)
  • Settlers carry out 7 hate crimes in past month - Since the murder of Rabbi Raziel Shevah in Havat Gilad, defense establishment has noted a marked rise in number of hate crimes against Palestinians carried out by settlers; tires were pierced, graffiti sprayed saying "Death to Arabs," "Transfer now"; police and Shin Bet are investigating, but no suspects have been arrested as yet. (Ynet)
  • Egypt halts deliveries of diesel into Gaza, (power station ceases to operate) - Fuel shortage is latest of Gaza's many woes; Palestinian PM Hamdallah meets with COGAT Mordechai, UN Envoy Mladenov to discuss easing plight of Gazan citizens; Israel insists on any solution addressing issue of missing POWs, MIAs. (Ynet and PHOTOS)
  • UN gets report on what Palestinians say is Gaza catastrophe - Bolivian ambassador blames Israel Wednesday for 'the catastrophic situation in Gaza,' which includes water shortages, closed hospitals and doctors who stopped performing surgeries; Israeli Ambassador Danon: 'Hamas has been holding the people of Gaza hostage in pursuit of its own nefarious goals, ignoring their most basic needs.' (Agencies, Ynet)
  • Goldin's father: No humanitarian crisis in Gaza, my son was abandoned - Goldin family petitions High Court to order government to carry out its decision in full and stop family visitations to Hamas prisoners as well as reduce entry permits to Hamas and their families for medical treatment. (Yedioth/Ynet)
  • No more prison visits for Hamas members in Israeli jails, state tells court - But families awaiting remains of two soldiers killed in Gaza say it isn’t enough. (Haaretz and Israel Hayom)
  • Israel returns bodies of 2 terrorists, blasted by Goldin family - Bodies of Har Adar, Karmei Tzur terrorists returned to Palestinians Friday; Goldin family: 'State vowed to implement Cabinet's decision in full, but 24 hours later released terrorists' bodies for burial. Government has no respect towards its kidnapped soldiers.' (Ynet)
  • Palestinian laid to rest in West Bank as Israel returns body after 5 months - The family of Nimr al-Jamal, 37, finally laid him to rest on Saturday, after Israeli authorities had been holding his body for nearly five months. (Maan)
  • Video: Palestinians march in the funeral of slain teen killed 10 days ago - Hundreds of Palestinian mourners marched on Saturday in the funeral of Hamzeh Youssef Zamaareh, 19, in the town of Halhul. Zamaareh was killed by Israeli forces after Israeli forces claimed he lightly injured a security guard in a stabbing attack in the Hebron-area settlement of Karmei Tzur. (Maan)
  • Flouting courts, Jerusalem pushes ahead with new West Bank checkpoint to keep Palestinians out of park - Checkpoint is meant to prevent Palestinians from accessing a new park and is already underway despite not getting a permit. (Haaretz+)
  • Israel completes watchtower checkpoint at Damascus Gate entrance to Old City - The watchtower checkpoint is one of three that Israel began to install last month, drawing criticism from Palestinian residents of the Old City, who say the construction watchtower is aimed at further restricting Palestinian access to the area and solidifying an already constant presence of Israeli forces in the area. (Maan + PHOTOS)
  • Aviv Geffen: 'Political reasons' behind being axed from Independence Day ceremony - Well-known Israeli rocker says was approached to perform 'Yoman Massah,' a song he wrote for Arik Einstein, at annual torch-lighting ceremony, but then never heard back from production; Channel 2: Minister Regev behind move. (Yedioth/Ynet)
  • Jerusalem is boycotting the Israeli film Foxtrot, but the president's wife isn't afraid to say she liked it - Israel's culture minister has been waging a battle against the film, in which Israeli soldiers are seen killing the passengers of a car and covering the traces of their act. (Haaretz)
  • Judea and Samaria District? Wikipedia in Hebrew can't find the West Bank - When the contentious legal status of Israeli settlements fails to pass Wikipedia’s vetting process. (Haaretz+)
  • Israel to deny tax breaks, government bids from local groups calling for boycott - Implementation would require compiling a 'blacklist' of Israeli boycott supporters, sources say, on top of an existing list of foreign activists and groups. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
  • Israel dissolves 7 NGOs backing outlawed Islamic Movement - Groups claiming to be raising funds for educational, social and cultural projects are liquidated after it emerges that they are affiliated with the Islamic Movement's Northern Branch, which was outlawed in November 2015 over its support for terrorism. (Israel Hayom)
  • Eli (settlement) rabbi: homosexuality a 'problem to be exterminated' - Rabbi Yigal Levinstein, deputy head of the Bnei David pre-army preparatory yeshiva in Eli, who has gotten into hot water in the past over statements against LGBT persons and women in the army, once again attacks homosexuality, says it is a 'problem to be exterminated like AIDS'; 'They have taken men and women's tragedy and turned it into an ideology,' he adds. (Ynet and VIDEO)
  • Two Bedouin men arrested in southern Israel on suspicion of keeping sister chained up - Police raid home in northern Negev and find woman, 31, with metal chain attached to her leg – fourth such discovery in community in recent years. (Haaretz+)
  • Israeli court blocks police access to biometric database - Judge reverses his original decision allowing police to obtain information from the database to help identify an Israeli killed in a car accident abroad. (Haaretz)
  • Israeli court recognizes Eritrean army deserter as refugee - Court overturns Interior Ministry's policy that desertion from military is not grounds for asylum. Deserters should not have to prove they would be persecuted if returned, asylum petitions should be evaluated by situation in home country, court says. (Israel Hayom)
  • Hamas fumes over US bill denouncing use of 'human shields' - House unanimously passes Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act, says forcing civilians to stay in areas under bombardment is an act of terrorism that violates human rights and international law. Hamas: Accusations based solely on Israeli propaganda. (Israel Hayom)
  • Hezbollah slams U.S. as biased mediator in border dispute with Israel, praises downing of IAF jet - Nasrallah says United States must accept the Lebanese government’s demands over border disputes with Israel, calls Israeli F16 downing 'unprecedented achievement.’ (Haaretz)
  • Egypt: IS looking to Sinai for new home base - Egyptian army began widespread operation against Islamic State in Sinai Peninsula last week, which has thus far led to death of 53 jihadists, capture of 680 people; intelligence shows IS looks to Sinai for new home base, after suffering defeats in Iraq, Syria. (Agencies, Ynet)
  • Omani minister visits Al-Aqsa Mosque, a rare visit by an Arab official - Last week two officials from Qatar and Kuwait visited the mosque. (JTA, Haaretz)
  • US, Turkey return from brink, aim to 'normalize' ties - Secretary of State Tillerson visits Ankara Friday in attempt to 'normalize' his country's relations with NATO ally Turkey; assistance provided to Kurdish rebels in Syria, American refusal to extradite cleric Gulen led to deep crisis in relations. (Agencies, Ynet)
  • Turkey Launches Gas Attack on Syrian Kurds, Doctors and Assad-run Media Say - Six civilians reportedly suffer symptoms indicative of poison gas inhalation ■ Turkey denies, saying it doesn't use 'banned ammunition.’ (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • McMaster: Public reports 'clearly show' Assad's use of chemical weapons - National Security Adviser McMaster says 'public accounts, photos' showed Assad regime was using chemical warfare in Syrian civil war, time for international community to hold Syrian government to account. (Agencies, Ynet)
  • Mike Huckabee gets lesson on Israeli gun policy after #PrayForParkland tweet - The contributor to Fox News tweeted that 'Israel pretty much eliminated' shootings by training people to find 'not the weapon, but a person with intent.’ (Haaretz)
  • Iran and India announced new trade agreements in millions of dollars - Iranian President Rohani and Indian Prime Minister Modi agreed to launch a new trade route worth more than $85 million. "We will continue the fruitful cooperation.” (Maariv)
  • Rouhani slams US recognition of Jerusalem as capital - Iranian President Rouhani slams US recognition of Jerusalem as capital in visit to India Friday, urges Muslims to support Palestinian cause; discord in Middle East fomented by the West, Rouhani adds; Rouhani to meet Indian PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday. (Agencies, Ynet)


Features:
The untold story of the Jews who left Mandatory Palestine
In the three decades before Israel’s establishment, some 60,000 Jews left the country for financial or ideological reasons. A new book reveals a dark corner of Zionist history, including the forced expulsion of ‘burdensome’ Jewish immigrants. (Nir Hasson, Haaretz+)
Five Jews, 12 synagogues
Far from the limelight, work is underway to renovate Jewish institutions in Cairo. At the end of the mission, a library of scriptures and a memorial museum for the Jewish community will also be established there. All with the approval of the authorities. (Jacky Hugy, Maariv)
In Bed With Israel's First Prime Minister: Historian Exposes David Ben-Gurion as You Never Knew Him
He had four mistresses, suggested converting Arabs to Judaism, was prepared to give up Israel's nuclear project and consulted a fortune teller. Historian Tom Segev gets up close and personal with David Ben-Gurion, the man behind the myth. (Ofer Aderet, Haaretz+)
Ancient beard traditions shape the face of modern Jerusalem
Although facial hair is trendy these days, for men of all faiths in the holy city, beards have never gone out of style, projecting religious mysticism, nationalism and ideals of masculinity. For some, beards are a channel of divinity, says scholar. (Associated Press, Israel Hayom)
Istanbul Salutes a Great Jewish-American Architect
Pera Museum shows images of the works of Louis Kahn, who dreamed of redesigning Jerusalem’s Old City. (Benny Ziffer in Istanbul, Haaretz+)
The Darfuri asylum seeker in Israel who takes refuge in writing
Adam Ahmed fled the massacre in Sudan in 2004 and survived a bloodbath in Egypt, yet is afraid to walk the streets of Tel Aviv. His memoir takes readers on an insightful journey into life in exile. (Vered Lee, Haaretz+)

Commentary/Analysis:
Don’t Threaten Me (MK Stav Shaffir, Haaretz+) Haaretz columnist Yossi Verter went out of his way to portray me as a bully who intimidates the delicate, vulnerable coalition members. This is my answer to the Zohars and the Verters.
David Grossman’s Israel Prize win inspires hope (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) It’s nice to see the State of Israel awarding one of the government's biggest critics with its most important prize; listening to him from time to time wouldn’t do any harm either.
Police recommendations regarding Netanyahu: An entire country is up in storm because of a meaningless document - Also, on David Grossman's self-goal (Kalman Libeskind, Maariv) What the police did to the attorney general was a transparent trick and a kind of extortion by threats. Also, David Grossman's glorious self-goal, in his understanding that he was the Israel Prize laureate for his political positions. For years, Grossman has struggled to accept the decision of the Israeli public. Those who think otherwise are usually fascists, racists, fanatics and fundamentalists. "I feel recognition and support both in my books and in my opinions," he said following the announcement of his winning. He is right about the books and wrong about the opinions. He was not the only one who mistakenly understood the decision to award him a prize. There were many more. One of them, Yonit Levy, explained to her audience that "the significance of his winning is not only literary, but also political." This approach, it should be said, is inextricably linked to that of (Culture) Minister Miri Regev. For if the winning by an artist or a writer is recognition of his talent and abilities, and that's it, then his political views really have no meaning. Let him be a Jew or an Arab, right-wing or leftist, a socialist or a communist. But if winning is a recognition of the winner's political views, then the culture minister is right that before giving a prize, it is worth checking out who the man is and what he thinks and what he supports and what he opposes. Anyone who fears the continued fragmentation of Israeli society into groups and classes should understand that this approach is nothing more than a glorious self-goal.
Help Israel. Stop giving it money (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) The Diaspora funded Israel’s birth and survival. But Jewish money is now corrupting the Jewish state.
Netanyahu Has Lies, but Not a Policy (Haaretz Editorial) An honest leader would admit that he’s against annexation and help Israelis give up impossible and immoral dreams of sovereignty over the West Bank.
When Trump officially called Netanyahu a liar (Orly Azoulay, Yedioth/Ynet) The White House wasn’t just angered by the prime minister's lie that he was holding talks with the Americans about applying Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank, but also by the liberty he took to get the US administration in trouble with the world.
Israel’s Right Wing Has Never Told the Truth (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Jerusalem is united, there's no occupation, the settlements are legal – all lies. That’s why the right finds nothing wrong with Netanyahu.
Netanyahu Has a New Scapegoat for His Corruption Scandal (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) The Israeli prime minister, who's still standing after the police recommended charging him with bribery, fraud and breach of trust, has a new target in his sights.
Will Netanyahu Surrender to the Annexation Camp? (Avi Gil, Haaretz+) The far-right that favors annexing the West Bank to Israel without given Palestinians there equal rights are now increasing pressure on Netanyahu, trying to exploit his weakness as he is absorbed in the legal-political fight of his life.
When it's all over, we'll have to ask ourselves - how did we let this family ruin everything that was good (Ben Caspit, Maariv) The strength of the evidence in Case 1000 is clear, and the case of the 2000 case is far more serious than it seems. Soon a few submarines will also be added. And how is it that even now there is not even one minister who will say, “That’s enough, Mr. Prime Minister.”
Arnon Mozes Must Relinquish His Post (Friday Haaretz Editorial) Yedioth Ahronoth publisher and managing editor's attempt to trade in journalistic coverage and distort it for ulterior motives leaves him no choice.
Netanyahu's true nightmare isn't criminal indictment but the Israeli public's contempt (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) In his sweet dream, Netanyahu continues to ward off the agents of the law, but now he’s backed by a renewed mandate from the people.
What kind of government drags us time and again to the brink of war? (Ran Adelist, Maariv) Around the cabinet table gathered corrupt, messianists, blackmailers and one evasive man, and in their hands is the authority to kill and be killed. If our faces are towards peace, why are all the borders burning?
The Israeli Police’s Finest Hour (Israel Harel, Haaretz+) Netanyahu and his supporters have accused the heads of the police of trying to bring down the right-wing government. That’s nonsense.
A Netanyahu indictment won't save Israeli democracy (Dahlia Scheindlin, +972mag) In Netanyahu’s Israel, checks and balances are irrelevant or corrupt, accountability is conspiracy, and a watchdog media is a national saboteur. Tough times are ahead.
Mueller Indictments and Israeli Police Set Up Trump-Netanyahu Goodfellas Summit (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) When powerful and narcissistic leaders face similar troubles, each is convinced his pickle is bigger.
Conference of Shelter: In Munich no one knows who Milchan and Mozes are (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) The bottom line is that the Munich Security Conference will not yield a significant political achievement or even a declarative political gain for the prime minister. Netanyahu will warn, as usual, against the nuclear agreement with Iran and will make it clear that "Israel will not accept the growing presence of Iran in Syria." He will enjoy talking about Iran this time because Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif is participating in the conference and for Netanyahu it would be nice to "give it to him." But the main issue that will be discussed at the conference as a threat and a threat to peace and stability in the world will not be the nuclear agreement with Iran. Not at all. What has recently become a real threat to the security is the war in Syria, which seems to have no end, which is why the foreign ministers of Russia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia also arrived in Munich.
Gaza border explosion: The other side may have found Israel's blind spot, and the army must adjust (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) If Hamas doesn't come to its senses and put out the fire, the danger of war will loom once again
The new rules of the game (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) Despite the success of intercepting the Iranian drone incursion into Israel last weekend, it seems the Israeli Air Force is not as invincible as we have come to believe. The end of the latest border skirmish may signal the beginning of the next clash.
It’s Not an F-16, It’s God (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) For Israeli Jews, air force jets are divine; the air supremacy they are supposed to afford makes them omnipotent.
The escalation in the south: The defense establishment understands that there is a need for a move that will “break the tie” (Yossi Melman, Maariv) Suggestions are plentiful, but the cabinet, due to ego struggles, political arguments and indifference or opacity, lingers and thinks that whatever was was. There, they do not believe that any small incident could cause a huge explosion, which will get out of control.
Iran and the Assad regime are drawing a line in Syria’s skies (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Last Saturday’s events, when an Israeli fighter jet was shot down by Syrian anti-aircraft missiles, show that the price of air freedom in the north has just gone up – while Israeli tensions with the United States over ‘annexation talks’ only increases the challenge.
Looking back at Eisenkot’s three years as IDF chief (Ron Ben Yishai, Ynet) It is still too early to assess Eisenkot’s performance as IDF Chief of Staff; the real test is how well the army he leads performs on the battlefield; However, it can still be said that Eisenkot is an exceptional military leader owing to the impressive amount of objectives, which he set for himself at the start of his term, which were fulfilled.
Abu Dis-information (Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom) The Palestinians call the offer of an alternative capital in the village of Abu Dis, east of Jerusalem, the "slap of the century," conveniently overlooking the fact that they rejected much more generous offers made by previous Israeli governments.
How Israel Can Shrink the Occupation, Without Shrinking Its Security (Micah Goodman, Haaretz+) To escape the trap that Israelis are caught in with the Palestinians, both the right and left have to let go of their dreams, writes 'Catch-67' author Micah Goodman.
Sometimes, just sometimes, the Palestinians are right (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) We can keep talking about Palestinian rejectionism, anti-Semitic propaganda and support for terror, but the images produced by 16-year-old Ahed Tamimi and 11-year-old Janna Jihad—and the images dispatched to the world from Hebron’s Shuhada Street—are much stronger.
Why peace can't be processed now (Clifford D. May, Israel Hayom) Given recent events, we can be sure we will not be seeing any Palestinian leader shaking hands with an Israeli leader on the White House lawn in the foreseeable future.
Congress Is Helping the U.S. Fray Its Ties With the Palestinian Authority (Aaron Magid, Haaretz+) It appears the vast majority of congress members are determined to widen the power disparity between Israelis and Palestinians in almost every way possible.
Abbas' double game (Michael Oren, Israel Hayom) In his quest to become the sole ruler of the Palestinian people once again, PA President Mahmoud Abbas is hoping to manipulate Israel into doing his dirty work against Hamas, and even better if Israel pays the price of being accused of war crimes.
Our debt to the millions who were slaughtered: Expel the Polish ambassador from Tel Aviv immediately (Ben Caspit, Maariv) There is nothing more to consult about. The government must return the Israeli ambassador from Warsaw permanently, or until the Poles internalize the meaning of their actions and statements about us.
The Polish PM Wants to Please Voters, and 'Jewish Perpetrators' in the Holocaust Are His Populist Diversion (Ofer Aderet, Haaretz+)
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki's effort to compare Jews to Poles in this context is an outrageous, anti-historical distortion.
 
Interviews:
*In prison I understood Israelis want peace, says released Palestinian murderer
In a special series of interviews, terrorists who were released in 2013 as part of an Israeli gesture to PA President Abbas tell Ynet about the murders they committed before the Oslo Agreements were signed, the ‘Israelization’ process they went through in jail and the impact of the second intifada; ‘When I heard about the Sbarro attack, I cried,’ one of them says. (Interviewed by Elior Levy in Ynet)

'Trump is a modern-day Cyrus the Great'
Mike Evans founded the Friends of Zion museum in Jerusalem to cultivate the special bond between Evangelicals and Jews.  Evans says Israel's friends – 750 million Christian Zionists worldwide – outnumber its enemies. Evans: Trump won't turn on Israel. (Interviewed by Erez Linn in Israel Hayom)
 
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.