News Nosh 11.20.14

APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday November 20, 2014

Quote of the day:
"Israel is not under an existential threat, we have been through much more serious threats. Israel is the neighborhood bully."
--Former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi says Israel's leaders unnecessarily frighten its citizens.**


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

News Summary:
Jews fear Arabs sparking controversial dismissals and a funeral for the killed Druze traffic police officer, which drew thousands of people including ultra-Orthodox Jews were top stories in today's Hebrew newspapers. Also in the news were international reactions to the Palestinian attack in a Jewish synagogue that killed four people, the Israeli demolition of the home of a previous Palestinian attacker, the anger among right-wingers that the Shin Bet chief's statements sparked and remarks by the former IDF chief of staff that are likely to spark anger.
  
Tension is high in Jerusalem - and other cities where Arabs and Jews live and work alongside each other - after the bloody attack on the synagogue. Guards are being placed at kindergartens, the police have installed checkpoints at entrances to Arab neighborhoods. In Ashkelon, the mayor barred Arabs from working at the city's kindergartens during school hours.
 
However, Israeli security chiefs advised against deploying IDF troops in E. Jerusalem. Both the IDF and police fear that soldiers would be too quick to fire at demonstrators or exaggerate when using riot control measures. 
 
What Israel did do yesterday was to demolish the home of the first of the two Palestinians who made hit-and-run attacks on people waiting for the Jerusalem light rail. The belief was that it would deter future attacks. Abdel Rahman Al-Shaludi killed two people. This controversial method of deterrence is not supported by all of the security establishment nor by the State Attorney General, Yehuda Weinstein who said he oppose it because it harms innocent people who live there. He supports expelling people to Gaza, Yedioth reported. [But if the killer is dead who would be expelled? - OH]
 
Maan interviewed his mother, who said, "The Israeli occupation wants to break up our family and displace us. They think that by demolishing the houses of martyrs they will deter the people of Jerusalem and Palestine, but violence begets violence." Yedioth included the quote in its article.
 
More house demolitions are planned for the coming days. Children and youth rioted in E. Jerusalem after the demolishing shouting, "The Intifada starts today." Clashes erupted when Israeli Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovich entered Shuafat refugee camp, forcing him to leave. [Aharonovich is behind the hard line on dealing with stone-throwing Palestinians. - OH]
 
Israel is withholding the bodies of the latest two Palestinian assailants in an unprecedented move, citing the hope that it will be a deterrent to would-be future attackers. 
Recent international reactions to the Jerusalem synagogue attack:
 
Shin Bet Chief Yoram Cohen is under fire by right-wing politicians for saying that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is not inciting terrorism, contrary to the repeated declarations of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Cohen's associates said he thought the Knesset committee he spoke at was closed and confidential. 
 
**Former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi called Israel the 'neighborhood bully' and said Israel is not facing an external existential threat, Maariv reported. In a lecture to a closed forum of senior executives of Migdal insurance company Ashkenazi said that "the internal social threat in Israel is far more dangerous to security than the external security threat. It's very sad that even today it is still possible to predict the future of a young Israeli mainly on his birthplace and residence "According to several people who attended the event, Ashkenazi said the following: "They frighten us unnecessarily, there is no reason to be afraid. Israel is not under an existential threat, we have been through much more serious threats. Israel is the neighborhood bully. No one comes close to Israel's power terms militarily or in terms of society. "

Quick Hits:
  • Body of Palestinian found in Kfar Saba cemetery - Cause of death still unclear but initial investigation found no evidence of foul play; the man, around 35 years old, was found in a state of kneeling. (Ynet
  • Israeli settlers attempt to torch home in Ramallah-area village - Israeli settlers on Wednesday evening attempted to burn down a house in the village of al-Mughayyir east of Ramallah, but were prevented by doing so by local villagers. A week ago settlers attacked the village and burned down a mosque. (Maan)
  • Settlers smash Palestinian vehicles in Huwwara near Nablus - Arif al-Tahir from Nablus said he saw dozens of settlers smash windshields near the Huwwara military checkpoint late Tuesday in the presence of Israeli soldiers. Israeli soldiers told shop owners to shut down their stores and move their vehicles to avoid having them damaged by settlers. (Maan)
  • Israeli forces impose curfew on Huwwara village - Israeli forces imposed a curfew on the village south of Nablus Wednesday evening and forced all shops to close after a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a settler car on a nearby main road. (Maan)
  • Israel approves 78 new settler homes in East Jerusalem - Jerusalem's municipal planning committee authorized 50 homes in Har Homa and 28 in Ramot; Palestinians accuse Israel of trying to 'cause more tension, push towards further escalation.' (Ynet)
  • ‘Palestinian coroner agreed with Israeli finding that bus driver committed suicide,’ says (Israeli) medical examiner - The Palestinian rep concurred throughout autopsy that there was no indication of foul play in death of Palestinian driver who was found hanged, says Dr. Chen Kogel. (Haaretz+) 
  • Bullet that killed Palestinian teen on Nakba Day matches Border Policeman's gun - Suspect was arrested last week over the shooting of Nadim Nuwara during protest in West Bank town of Beitunia. (Haaretz+)
  • Netanyahu schedules vote to end stalemate on Jewish state bill - PM, coalition leaders agree on legislative mechanism for controversial bill, which cements Israel's Jewish character. Compromise calls for two-pronged cabinet vote: one on Sunday, on a watered-down version, and another before the final Knesset readings. (Israel Hayom)
  • Netanyahu's revamped Jewish nation-state bill won't constitutionally guarantee equality for all citizens - Proposal doesn't take as hard a line as earlier draft, but also doesn't express commitment to equality of all citizens, as Livni wants. (Haaretz+ and Ynet
  • Legal expert Gavison objects to Israel’s proposed nation-state law - Legislating identity will deepen disputes in Israeli society, warns Israel Prize winner in her recommendations for a 'softer' Basic Law. (Haaretz)
  • IDF freezes plans to reopen some West Bank roads to Palestinian cars - Defense minister cites escalating violence as reason for putting plans on hold. (Haaretz+)
  • Fabled Yom Kippur War commander set to tackle Netanyahu and other ‘professors of no’   - Former IDF general Amnon Reshef wants to build on momentum of recent ‘generals’ petition’ to persuade Israelis to support regional peace. (Haaretz+) 
  • Israeli soldiers did nothing to stop stone-throwing settlers, videos show - According to videos released by the Yesh Din rights group, soldiers simply protected settlers in a clash with Palestinians. (Haaretz+) 
  • Minister's decision to loosen gun restrictions hits computer snag - Despite the current tensions, technical difficulties mean Israelis are having to wait months for permits to carry weapons. "This time period is not reasonable, not logical," says one Maaleh Adumim resident. (Israel Hayom)
  • IAF faults Military Intelligence over Gaza campaign - Israeli Air Force review of Operation Protective Edge says intelligence provided to corps during 50-day military campaign was lacking. Report does, however, commend Military Intelligence for quality strategic threat assessments during the fighting. (Israel Hayom)
  • Gun shots fired near Israel-Gaza border; no injuries - IDF force reports shots fired near Erez Crossing between Israel and Gaza; no injuries to crew working on border fence; in separate incident, 10 Egyptian civilians killed during clashes near border with Gaza. (Ynet)
  • Israel agrees to work with Gaza probe into attacks on UN facilities - After refusing to cooperate with a different UN committee probing Israel, Jerusalem agrees to participate in another as long as a number of its conditions are met. (Haaretz+)
  • Israeli court bans detainees from entering Aqsa compound - An Israeli court in Jerusalem on Wednesday banned three Palestinians from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. (Maan
  • After Jerusalem attack, U.S. Consulate issues security message to citizens - Consulate tells citizens that synagogue terror attack may have been coordinated, not random act of violence. (Haaretz)  
  • Racism starts early, Israeli study finds - First study of its kind asks 2,066 students to gauge how much they would be willing to associate with students from other groups. The most significant prejudice was from secular Jews to Arabs and Arabs to Jews. (Israel Hayom)
  • Suspect in Israeli soldier’s stabbing retraces his actions for police - Palestinian from Nablus-area refugee camp confessed to November 10 murder in Tel Aviv of Staff Sgt. Almog Shilony. (Haaretz+) 
  • MK aide suspended for saying 'we will slaughter Jews' - Aide to MK Masud Ganaim has entry permit to Knesset revoked after guard accuses him saying 'we'll slaughter 50 Jews' after Jerusalem-Sakhnin soccer game; Aide suspended for a week; MK: It was a joke. (Ynet and Israel Hayom)
  • Foreign Press Association hits back at Israeli diplomat's 'inappropriate' remarks - Foreign Ministry spokesman says distorted reports of terror attacks in Israel by international media 'provide support to terror.' (Haaretz+)
  • Iranian spy reaches plea deal, will serve 7-8 years in prison - Ali Mansouri pleads guilty to charges of espionage and contact with a foreign agent. Plea bargain pending Lod District Court approval. Mansouri sought to build espionage infrastructure. (Israel Hayom)
  • Muslim, Christian, Jewish leaders unite to condemn jihadi violence - "Some organizations that are affiliated with Islam are perpetrating some actions in the name of jihad. This is not Islam at all," secretary-general of the Muslim World League Abdullah bin Abdulmuhsen Al Turki says at Saudi-backed conference. (Israel Hayom)
  • Hezbollah leader Nasrallah leaves bunker for rare photo-op - Strident security measures by Shiite terror group usually keep Hassan Nasrallah well inside his bunker, far away from Israel's long and illusive hands; but a visit by a Shiite religious figure prompted the arch-terrorist to leave his lair. (Agencies, Ynet)
  • Group says Obama administration blocked Jonathan Pollard's parole request - Washington said freeing U.S. Navy analyst who has served 29 years for spying for Israel would promote disrespect for the law, advocates for his release say. (Haaretz+)
  • BDS to take center stage at South African retailer's shareholder meet - Advocates of an Israel boycott have bought shares of Woolworths and plan to pressure it to stop selling Israeli goods. (Haaretz)
  • U.S. prosecutors oppose freeing Palestinian immigrant who hid bomb role - Prosecutors say Rasmieh Odeh committed 'serial dishonesty' for decades and can't be trusted to return to court in March. Prosecutors responded Wednesday to Odeh's request for release from jail. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • Iran nuclear deal seems unlikely by deadline, Iranian and Western officials say - Kerry meets with Oman FM in last ditch effort to reach accord before Nov. 24 deadline while British FM says he's not optimistic deal can be reached by Monday. (Agencies, Ynet)
  • Egypt prosecutor asks for death sentence for ousted President Morsi - Former Egyptian leader accused of leaking state secrets to Iran; cooperated with Hamas to destabilize Egypt. (Agencies, Haaretz)


Features:



Commentary/Analysis:
Immoral, ineffective: Destroying terrorists' homes is nothing but empty revenge (Asher Schechter, Haaretz+) The IDF has largely accepted the view that such collective punishment is inefficient - so why is Israel re-instituting house demolitions? Well, for one: nothing else seems to work.
Exercise reason, not rage (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) It is precisely the heinous nature of the synagogue attack that requires Israel act with measured rationale, as any other course of action would do more harm than good.
The diplomatic void is deadly (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) This time we aren’t talking about a national struggle with religious trappings, but about an actual religious struggle. This time we’re talking about the kindling of a holy war over the holy city. 
Netanyahu's vision: Civil War (Noam Sheizaf, Maariv) Not two states and not one state, not a warm peace nor a cold peace. Netanyahu, Bennett and Lieberman - with the support of those who keep just moving things on (Tzipi) Livni, (Ofer) Shelach and (Yair) Lapid - are leading us in one direction only: civil war. 
Wanted: Smart intelligence policy to stop the 'lone wolf' terrorists (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) The Shin Bet has perfected the art of foiling organizational terrorism, but the attacks of recent weeks has given rise to a new phenomenon - and thus requires new tactics.
We must prevent religious war (Yossi Beilin, Israel Hayom) Israelis and Palestinians both must resist those who would use their axes to push us back to the Dark Ages. 
In Israel, only Jewish blood shocks anyone (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Killings of Palestinians by soldiers and policemen will never shock Israel. The propaganda machine will whitewash everything, and the media will be its mouthpiece.
Battle for our existence (MK Eli Yishai, Israel Hayom) One only needs to be human to be shocked and horrified by the slaughter of Jewish worshippers at prayer in a synagogue.
Haredi MKs are fighting for all Israelis (Yerach Toker, Yedioth/Ynet) As we mark a year and a half since establishment of haredi-free government, we should ask ourselves if there has been any improvement in our standard of living.
In Jerusalem, all they have is fear and despair (Nir Hasson, Haaretz+) Israel's simplistic approach that it’s possible to teach East Jerusalemites a lesson, or scare them into submission so they shun terror, clearly isn’t working.
Jerusalem needs military presence (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) It will not be long before the extremist organizations give their blessing and patronage for these individual terror attacks.
WATCH: 'For first time, religion - not nationalism - is driving Palestinian terrorism' (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) After the attack at a Jerusalem synagogue, military analyst Amos Harel describes what role the Temple Mount and ISIS are playing in this 'holy war.'
The conflict today is religious (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) The world still thinks the problem between Israel and the Palestinians is territorial. If that were the case, the conflict would have been resolved long ago.
Global jihad's architect of incitement in Israel (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Sheikh Raed Salah welcomes all the help he can get in order to inflame the situation in Jerusalem, including Jewish provocations in the heart of Muslim neighborhoods.
After the horror, a test for both left and right (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) When Jews are murdered, doves must shout their outrage. Hawks must direct their outrage toward the right target. 
A siddur and a weapon (Emily Amrousi, Israel Hayom) It was regrettable that there were no armed worshippers in Har Nof who could have stopped the terrorists.
Is it too late to defuse a third intifada in Jerusalem? (Dr. Lorenzo Kamel, Haaretz+) Inflammatory calls by both Jewish and Muslim theologians and politicians to change the status quo in Jerusalem’s Old City but not the status of the rest of the city and region is a recipe for intensified violence.
Skin in the game (Annika Hernroth-Rothstein, Israel Hayom) The preservation of a free, strong, and secure Jewish ‎state in the Jewish homeland should be the first priority of each and every ‎Jew. 
Iran, U.S. have shared interest in reaching nuclear deal (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) The political minefields that the Iranian and American presidents have to navigate in their respective capitals are now even more explosive than Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Israel must take initiative (Zvika Fogel, Israel Hayom) We are facing a Palestinian war of attrition, the goal of which is to drive us out of here. This is a war we must win, as Israelis and as Jews who seek life.
 

Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.