APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday October 23, 2014
Quote of the day:
“(President) Reuven Rivlin is lucky he’s a politician in Israel. Were he a politician in the United
States, he’d be labelled an anti-Semite and likely forced from his job.”
--After Rivlin called Jewish Israeli society ‘sick’ earlier this week, Haaretz+ commentator Peter Beinart notes the double-standard allowing Jewish Israeli politicians to make criticism of Israel but not American politicians.**
--After Rivlin called Jewish Israeli society ‘sick’ earlier this week, Haaretz+ commentator Peter Beinart notes the double-standard allowing Jewish Israeli politicians to make criticism of Israel but not American politicians.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Baby killed and seven wounded in car rampage attack in Jerusalem
- Officer and soldier wounded in shooting at Egyptian border
- There is no escape stating: A third Initifada is raging in Jerusalem // Amos Harel
- Bennet to Prime Minister: Immediately return to building in the West Bank, otherwise, we will destabilize the coalition
- Dispute in government over vocational schools; Minister Shalom to Netanyahu: “So let your son become a metalworker”
- Terror attack in Canada’s capital: Armed man opened fire in Parliament
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Terror against a baby
- Anarchy // Alex Fishman
- Take responsibility // Shimon Shiffer
- Combat female officer from Caracal unit stopped smugglers and was wounded
- Third generation on the hill – Grandson of the hero of the battle on Ammunition Hill…to receive his paratrooper’s beret there today
- The cancer separated (them) – Ofir Kahlon refused to celebrate his bar mitzvah until his twin brother recovered. But Amitai did not survive
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links)
- “We waited for Chaya many years, but she stayed with us only three months” – The intifada in Jerusalem is no longer ‘quiet’; Police increasing forces following car rampage attack
- Drug smuggling went awry; Combat soldier and officer injured from shooting
- Almost like in Lebanon – the drug smuggling from Sinai goes up a notch // Yossi Melman
- Shalom to Netanyahu: “Send your own son to become a metalworker” – Verbal dispute between PM and Infrastructure Minister Shalom, who vehemently opposes vocational schools
- Combined terror attack in Canada: PM Stephen Harper smuggled out of Parliament
Israel Hayom
- Only 3-months-old – Murderous rampage car attack in capital: Hamas took responsibility; PM ordered increased forces: “Abu Mazen incited to attack Jews in Jerusalem”
- Open one’s eyes: Intifada // Nadav Shragai
- Her only sin: Being Jewish // Emily Amrousi
- Company commander injured from shooting
- Incident at border – more proof of the strong connection between crime and terror // Yoav Limor
- Chutzpah at Superland: Why do pregnant women play an almost full price?
- Terror in Canada: Terrorist murdered soldier and shot inside Parliament in Ottawa – where he was eliminated
- News for travellers: Israel and Australia signed mutual agreement allowing temporary work visa
News Summary:
A young Palestinian man from E. Jerusalem plowed into Israeli Jews at a light rail stop in the capital, killing a
baby and injuring eight others, making the top story in Israeli newspapers, which declared that a quiet intifada is
taking place in the capital. Meanwhile, two Israeli soldiers were injured on the border with Egypt when a drug smuggling
operation went awry (Egypt said it was Islamic jihadists) and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin
Netanyahu tried to calm his ministers in order to prevent the government from
collapsing. But Economy Minister Naftali Bennett told him if construction in settlements were not renewed he
would bring about the end to the coalition, Haaretz+ reported.
Netanyahu blamed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the deadly attack, saying it
was the 'work of Abbas' partners,’ in reference to the Palestinian unity government comprising of Hamas and
Fatah. He ordered the Shin Bet to work with the police to end the rioting in E. Jerusalem. Although Israel
Hayom wrote erroneously on its front page that Hamas took responsibility for the attack, the media, including
Israel Hayom, reported that Hamas only commented on it, saying it was as an "act of heroism and a natural response to the
crimes of the occupation against our people and our holy sites."
The Israeli media websites showed videos of 21-year-old Abed al-Rahman Shaludi still alive on the ground and someone
pointing a gun at his head. It was reported that he died two hours later in a hospital from his wounds from
police gunfire. [The video raises questions about whether he was shot again after he was caught, an act which is
illegal. – OH] There is also a video from the Jerusalem municipality showing the actually hit.
The family of Shaludi, a resident of the E. Jerusalem hotspot, Silwan, where recently settlers took over numerous
homes, rejected that Shaludi had intentionally hit people and said he had been sick and must
have lost control of the car. They pointed out how earlier this week a settler from Yitzhar ran over two little
Palestinian girls in the West Bank, killing 5-year-old Einas Khalil, but no one shot dead the settler or even
arrested. Hamas-linked websites posted announcements showing photos of Shaludi, Einas Khalil and a
relative of Shaludi, who was a senior operative in Hamas’ military wing and was killed by Israel in
1998. The media reported he had a ‘history of violence.’ Basically he threw stones and Molotov
cocktails at settlers in his neighbourhood and sat in jail for it. Before and following the incident
young Palestinians threw stones at police, [the same act that he had been jailed for - OH],
including near Shaludi’s home, where police detained his 15-year-old brother.
Quick Hits:
- Bennett to Netanyahu: Unfreeze settlement building or we'll destabilize coalition - Habayit Hayehudi warns that unless West Bank housing tenders start moving, it may stay away from no-confidence vote. (Haaretz+)
- Minister Steinitz: Israeli withdrawal from West Bank would be 'committing suicide' - Intelligence and strategic defense minister harshly condemned international pressure on Israel to reach a deal with Palestinians regarding the West Bank, citing post-disengagement Gaza, as well as Middle East turmoil, as proof that doing so would endanger Israel. (Haaretz)
- Kerry: Status quo between Israel, Palestinians 'unsustainable' - US secretary of state tells reporters in Berlin there is an urgency in finding way to bring two sides to negotiating table. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Jordan to Israel: You are inciting a religious conflict over Temple Mount - Jordanian FM: MK's proposal to allow Jewish prayer at site could inflame religious conflict. (Ynet)
- Eilat in the crosshairs: the IDF protects the southern city - Rockets have been launched at the city and within minutes a terrorist could reach the southern coast of Sinai, which is packed with vacationers. Nevertheless, senior area commanders emphasized the special status of the city. Lt. Col. Kobi Barel, deputy Regional Brigade commander: "We understand the potential damage if tourists think that is not safe to come here.” (Maariv)
- Suspicion: Neighbors set fire to car of mixed couple - Jewish-Arab couple recently moved to Ramat Pinkas neighborhood in Or Yehuda (Jewish) city. The neighbors did not like that and a month ago they set fire to the couple's car. The couple also received threats by phone. Three suspects in their 20's were arrested. (Yedioth, p. 19)
- Israel to allocate $35m to World Zionist Organization’s settlement division - World Zionist Organization's settlement division won't say how money would be divided, but most will go to towns near conflict zones. The cabinet approved the vague goals of “developing agricultural and rural settlement.” (Haaretz+)
- Bill allowing Knesset to override High Court decisions hits snag - Some coalition lawmakers say they will not support move. (Haaretz+)
- UN to investigate shelling of UNRWA school during Gaza war - Probe to also look into Hamas' storage of weapons in UN schools; independent UN inquiry to be on top of ongoing IDF criminal investigations. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Labor court backs dismissal of worker who praised Israeli soldiers’ deaths - During Israel's war with Hamas, Lod municipal psychologist said on Facebook she hoped more Israeli soldiers would die in Gaza. (Haaretz)
- Fraying coalition prompts Netanyahu and partners to form mediation team - With seams of government fraying, PM and partners agree to mediate disputes. (Haaretz+)
- IDF frees US Marine accused of draft-dodging after 2 months in jail - Dual Israeli-American citizen David Krauskopf was detained in August at Ben-Gurion Airport; US Army forbids its soldiers from serving in another force. (Ynet)
- 'Death of Klinghoffer' not anti-Semitic, says Israeli cast member - Maya Lahyani, who plays role of Palestinian woman, says controversial opera does not choose sides in conflict. 'I would never sing in an anti-Semitic or anti-Israel show.' (Ynet)
- Ex-Jerusalem legal adviser says mayor Barkat made illegal move to gain votes - Barkat suspended collection of road-paving levies six months before 2013 municipal election so as not to anger residents before vote, ex-adviser says. Municipality: Slander dictated by personal motivations. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli teens nab top prizes in international physics competition - Beersheba high schoolers Idan Fishman and Basel Abu Ganem win first prize with research on crystallization and freezing. Six other Israelis teens also win prizes. The two winners will spend a month at Warsaw's Institute of Physics. (Israel Hayom)
- Military base removed, garbage remained - Four months ago, IDF removed Camp Amiaz in the Judean Desert in the West Bank. But it left an enormous amount of rubbish that threatens to contaminate the whole nature reserve. (Yedioth, p. 22)
- Israeli firm lands $2.2b security deal for Rio Olympics - Israelis will serve as a consultant and supply security systems, reports IsraelDefense. Security in Brazil is a 'challenge,' says VP. (Haaretz)
- Syria says it shot down two of three Islamic State jets - Damascus says Syrian Army destroyed two of the three old planes seized by militants, looking for the third jet; 'It does not worry us and (the planes) cannot be used,' says information minister. (Agencies, Ynet)
Features:
The Israeli minister who made a revolution in the Arab Christian community
Israeli Christians who consider themselves Arameans, not Arabs, are calling Gideon Sa’ar their very own Herzl after government recognizes their community. (Roy (Chicky) Arad, Haaretz+)
Milk and Honey
They are angry at the (Israeli) protesters in Berlin, they believe in a Zionist identity also beyond the sea and they are insulted from the renewed collective anger towards Jews who emigrate from Israel. The Israeli community in the US joins the Milky storm. (Shmuel Rosner, Maariv Magazine supplement, cover)
Crossing the abyss, at entrance to Jerusalem’s Muslim Quarter
A controversial exhibition at an ancient Roman square is part of a project to bring art to Jerusalemites. (Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Israeli Christians who consider themselves Arameans, not Arabs, are calling Gideon Sa’ar their very own Herzl after government recognizes their community. (Roy (Chicky) Arad, Haaretz+)
Milk and Honey
They are angry at the (Israeli) protesters in Berlin, they believe in a Zionist identity also beyond the sea and they are insulted from the renewed collective anger towards Jews who emigrate from Israel. The Israeli community in the US joins the Milky storm. (Shmuel Rosner, Maariv Magazine supplement, cover)
Crossing the abyss, at entrance to Jerusalem’s Muslim Quarter
A controversial exhibition at an ancient Roman square is part of a project to bring art to Jerusalemites. (Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
**Is Israel's president an anti-Semite? (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) President Rivlin just called Israel a 'sick society.' If he was an American
politician, he'd be probably forced out of his job.
Stop the anarchy (Alex Fishman, Yedioth) Neither the Palestinian Authority nor Israel are succeeding on taking control of the riots in Jerusalem. Without a diplomatic process, the street will throw Abu Mazen into the garbage bin of history, and the violence will ignite the whole West Bank.
Jerusalem, the capital of apartheid, awaits the uprising (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Mass arrests, violent settlers, expulsion, and dispossession: With that as the lot of Jerusalem's Palestinians, no one should have been surprised with Wednesday's terror attack.
It's time to act (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth) The answer to the question why was the blood of the baby spilled in the capital needs to be supplied to the residents of the country by the Prime Minister and his ministers, not Abu Mazen and not anyone else. There is a government here, and it is responsible for what is happening in its borders.
Jerusalem intifada could spark West Bank fire (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) After Wednesday's terrorist attack that killed a 3-month old baby, the public may finally pay attention to the violence bubbling in Jerusalem for months.
The unmarried Arab woman who drives Israelis nuts (Ravit Hecht, Haaretz+) Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is one of those fearful of the fearless MK Haneen Zoabi. So much so, that he wants her out of politics.
When religion and politics mix (Aviad Kleinberg, Yedioth/Ynet) Netanyahu prefers to thwart conversion reform because his natural partners, the haredim, are much more important than the common citizen.
Palestinian nationalism is adopting a political stance (Irad Tsafrir, Haaretz+) We can argue about politics and what constitutes a political statement, but we cannot deny that the people of Sakhnin have a national identity that differs from that of the Jewish citizens of the state.
UK vote epitomizes ignorance and opportunism (Isi Leibler, Israel Hayom) The British parliament's recognition of a Palestinian state exceeds the worst excesses of Perfidious Albion during the late Mandate era.
The Israeli right wing’s newest assault on Israel’s Jewish and democratic character (Gershom Gorenberg, Haaretz+) In the eyes of Israel’s right, led by Ayelet Shaked, the Supreme Court is an arena of wild-eyed radicals. But the judges are Israel’s last defense against the supremacy of territorial control over human rights.
Israel has become complacent on the battlefield, too (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) Yes, we have high-tech; terrific high-tech. And we have the resources to finance a large, awkward, tired army. But we don’t have the creative bravado and the national discipline that typified us in the past.
Stop the anarchy (Alex Fishman, Yedioth) Neither the Palestinian Authority nor Israel are succeeding on taking control of the riots in Jerusalem. Without a diplomatic process, the street will throw Abu Mazen into the garbage bin of history, and the violence will ignite the whole West Bank.
Jerusalem, the capital of apartheid, awaits the uprising (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Mass arrests, violent settlers, expulsion, and dispossession: With that as the lot of Jerusalem's Palestinians, no one should have been surprised with Wednesday's terror attack.
It's time to act (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth) The answer to the question why was the blood of the baby spilled in the capital needs to be supplied to the residents of the country by the Prime Minister and his ministers, not Abu Mazen and not anyone else. There is a government here, and it is responsible for what is happening in its borders.
Jerusalem intifada could spark West Bank fire (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) After Wednesday's terrorist attack that killed a 3-month old baby, the public may finally pay attention to the violence bubbling in Jerusalem for months.
The unmarried Arab woman who drives Israelis nuts (Ravit Hecht, Haaretz+) Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is one of those fearful of the fearless MK Haneen Zoabi. So much so, that he wants her out of politics.
When religion and politics mix (Aviad Kleinberg, Yedioth/Ynet) Netanyahu prefers to thwart conversion reform because his natural partners, the haredim, are much more important than the common citizen.
Palestinian nationalism is adopting a political stance (Irad Tsafrir, Haaretz+) We can argue about politics and what constitutes a political statement, but we cannot deny that the people of Sakhnin have a national identity that differs from that of the Jewish citizens of the state.
UK vote epitomizes ignorance and opportunism (Isi Leibler, Israel Hayom) The British parliament's recognition of a Palestinian state exceeds the worst excesses of Perfidious Albion during the late Mandate era.
The Israeli right wing’s newest assault on Israel’s Jewish and democratic character (Gershom Gorenberg, Haaretz+) In the eyes of Israel’s right, led by Ayelet Shaked, the Supreme Court is an arena of wild-eyed radicals. But the judges are Israel’s last defense against the supremacy of territorial control over human rights.
Israel has become complacent on the battlefield, too (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) Yes, we have high-tech; terrific high-tech. And we have the resources to finance a large, awkward, tired army. But we don’t have the creative bravado and the national discipline that typified us in the past.
Interviews:
Historian Dr. Uri Milstein does not believe Chief of Staff Benny Gantz for a moment
We are not initiating, we aren't learning lessons, we aren't intelligent, we don't learn like the Arabs, and yet we have claim that we won. Dr. Milstein, who doesn't stop annoying the army establishment, is fuming following the Chief of Staff's version (of what happened in Operation Protective Edge), and is putting the security establishment in the operating room and pulling out the scalpel. Interview with the man who once taught at the Command and Staff school. (Interviewed by Eyal Levy in Maariv's Friday Magazine, cover)
I want to be the one to fold the flag in Ariel (West Bank settlement)
He is known for his blunt (left-wing) remarks, which outrage many and caused him to be fired from Ariel University. Now, a moment before the opening of the academic school year, Prof. Amir Hatzroni explains why he still lives here ("I don't have another option"), why he does not regret anything ("I won't castrate myself"), and he declares that he will arrive at university to teach this coming Sunday. (Interviewed by Tamar Dresler in Maariv magazine supplement, p. 6)
We are not initiating, we aren't learning lessons, we aren't intelligent, we don't learn like the Arabs, and yet we have claim that we won. Dr. Milstein, who doesn't stop annoying the army establishment, is fuming following the Chief of Staff's version (of what happened in Operation Protective Edge), and is putting the security establishment in the operating room and pulling out the scalpel. Interview with the man who once taught at the Command and Staff school. (Interviewed by Eyal Levy in Maariv's Friday Magazine, cover)
I want to be the one to fold the flag in Ariel (West Bank settlement)
He is known for his blunt (left-wing) remarks, which outrage many and caused him to be fired from Ariel University. Now, a moment before the opening of the academic school year, Prof. Amir Hatzroni explains why he still lives here ("I don't have another option"), why he does not regret anything ("I won't castrate myself"), and he declares that he will arrive at university to teach this coming Sunday. (Interviewed by Tamar Dresler in Maariv magazine supplement, p. 6)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.