APN's daily news review from Israel

Sunday January 18, 2015
 

Quote of the day:

"During Operation Protective Edge over 2,000 people were killed in Gaza who we could not identify."
--IDF Judge Advocate General, Major General Dani Efroni, warns of problems Israel could face in a probe by The Hague of war crimes.**

Front Page:

Haaretz

• Netanyahu to Kerry: Stop the probe at the International Criminal Court at The Hague on Gaza and the West Bank
• The game rules changed // Aeyal Gross
• Dozens of suspects suspected of terror arrested across Europe
• Netanyahu intervened in order to thwart discussion revealing details of arbitration case (with Iran) over the Eilat-Ashkelon Pipeline Co.
• Aiman Oudeh elected to stand at head of (Arab-Jewish) Hadash party; Zouebi second in Balad after Zahalka
• IDF cancels lectures on Jewish pluralism “out of fear of political bias”
• Suspects in the ILA (corruption) affair: (Former settlers’ council chief and present Chairman of ILA) Bentzi Lieberman and (former National Religious Party MK) Nahum Lagenthal 
• Enough of the abuse // Gideon Levy

Yedioth Ahronoth

• Battle at The Hague – International Criminal Court to probe suspicion of war crimes in the Territories
• Being a Jew in Europe – Jewish schools and synagogues closed in Belgium, thousands of police guarding Jewish institutions in France, heavy security on Jewish schools in Britain, in Germany, Merkel said: We will hunt the perpetrators of anti-Semitic crimes
• The terrorists are smiling from the graves // Ben-Dror Yemini
• Students in a new battle – Demanding not to cancel adjustments for those with learning disabilities
• Netanyahu’s (campaign) video clip: The government is a kindergarten

Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)

• In Israel, unity against Criminal Court at The Hague: “Scandalous and absurd”
• Europe: Demonstrations, raids and alert
• The photo that horrified the world: ISIS throws homosexuals to their death from a roof
• National Council for the Child: Netanyahu’s video clip of a kindergarten makes illegal use of children 
• After almost two-year disconnect: Reconciliation meeting between Netanyahu and Lauder – Meeting in Paris was possible because PM’s wife did not travel with him

Israel Hayom

• “Court at The Hague deteriorated to the absurd” – Anger in Israel: “They should investigate Palestinian terror, not the state that was hit with thousands of rockets”
• Netanyahu 32%, Herzog 21% - Israel Hayom poll finds clear majority to question: “Why is most suitable at this time to be Prime Minister?”
• “I must save my daughter from cancer”
• “The Mossad is hunting the terrorists in Europe” – Belgium reported
• Obama did not say “Islamist terror” // Boaz Bismuth
• After 9 years: Prime Minister of Japan arriving for a visit to Israel
• Suspects in Israel Lands Authority (corruption) affair: Chairman Bentzi Lieberman and former MK Nahum Lagenthal

News Summary:
A crackdown on jihadi suspects across Europe
and special protection for Jewish citizens and anger and unity in Israel over the decision by the International Criminal Court at The Hague to probe Israel for war crimes during last summer’s Gaza war were the top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Also, more Israelis testified in Geneva at the UN probe into alleged war crimes in the last Gaza War and the IDF Judge Advocate General who is considering whether to open an IDF criminal probe in the IDF killing of Palestinian civilians in that war made some interesting comments at a forum dealing with international law. Meanwhile, the Mideast Quartet is planning to push to renew peace negotiations, while the UN called on Israel to unfreeze the Palestinian monies it is holding as punishment for the Palestinian petition to join The Hague. Lastly, Japans Prime Minister lands today in Israel to begin his visit in the region. Yedioth reported that the joint press conference planned with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was canceled, likely due to the fear Netanyahu would use it to promote his election campaign.
 
Netanyahu called for US help to stop the probe the ICC has opened into possible Israeli war crimes in last summer’s war. Netanyahu rejected the ‘absurd’ inquiry. The Zionist Camp party (headed by opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog and Hatnua leader Tzipi Livni) also said they opposed unilateral steps. Israel is not a member of the court, but Palestine has applied and will become a member on April 1st. Although it could also be probed, Hamas welcomed the inquiry and said it was willing to provide the ICC with "thousands of reports and documents" indicating on Israel has "committed horrible crimes against Gaza.” The US blasted the probe saying Palestine is not a state and therefore not eligible to join the ICC and that furthermore, "The place to resolve the differences between the parties is through direct negotiation, not unilateral actions by either side."
 
Yedioth reported that the head of the UN Human Rights Commission probe into the last Gaza war, Canadian Professor William Schabas, (who is considered by many in Israel as anti-Israeli), made “a moving gesture” when offered to help Gadi Yarkoni, an Israeli who lost his legs in the war, as Yarkoni stood on his prosthetic legs. Yarkoni was one of the Israelis who was part of an unofficial delegation sent to explain the Israeli side of the conflict at the initiative of two Jewish organizations, because the State of Israel refused to cooperate.
 
**Meanwhile, IDF Judge Advocate General, Major General Dani Efroni, said that "During Operation Protective Edge over 2,000 people were killed in Gaza who we could not identify," Maariv reported. "From the point of view of international law, that is considered 2,000 civilians killed, even if they were actually terrorists and in Hamas, they are taking advantage of that well." The JAG was speaking at a forum at the Netanya Academic College. Efroni also warned, "The weight of international law is growing." And he added that the world “was surprised by our ability to investigate generals and even the chief of staff, and Givati Brigade commander is not the only one who was questioned under caution. We have the ability to investigate and prosecute officials.” Efroni has yet to decide whether an IDF criminal probe needs to be made into actions in Gaza, in particular ‘Rafah’s Black Friday’ involving the Givati brigade.
 
The Middle East Quartet has decided to renew peace efforts and meet in late January. The planned meeting was announced by US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power during the UN Security Council's monthly Mideast debate. Power described the status quo as "unsustainable" and urged both sides "to exercise maximum restraint and avoid steps that threaten to push Israeli-Palestinian relations into a cycle of further escalation." At the UNSC meeting, UN deputy political affairs chief Jens Anders Toyberg-Frandzen said: "The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is now entering uncharted territory, which, lamentably, seems to have dashed any immediate hope for a return to peace talks." The UN has called on Israel to renew the transfer of Palestinian tax revenues, but meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has requested Arab countries to provide a "safety net" of $100 million a month and urged Arab foreign ministers to launch a new UNSC bid on ending Israeli occupation.

Quick Hits:

• Israel fears Gaza's economic woes could lead to border skirmishes - Hamas says it is working to prevent its allies from firing rockets into the Negev. (Haaretz+)
• Israel told Swedish FM they would not secure her visit - Swedish FM Margot Wallstrom canceled her visit to Israel after she was notified that she would have to bring her own security and that her visit would not be considered an official state visit, senior government official says. (Yedioth/Ynet)
• Sweden FM: Israel irritated allies by overreacting to Palestine recognition - 'It is unacceptable how they have been talking about us and everybody else,' Margot Wallstrom said in an interview in daily Dagens Nyheter, adding that Israeli rhetoric had 'crossed all limits.' (Haaretz)
• Netanyahu intervened to stop publication on Iran oil arbitration case - PM signed secrecy order to hide details of decades-long legal struggle in European courts, claiming disclosure would harm national security and foreign ties. (Haaretz+) 
• Police to hold internal investigation to examine death of Bedouin man - Raid on drug house in Rahat led to police using their weapons after being pelted with rocks; mayor says 22-year-old was shot in front of his mother, while police say their fired into the air first. (Ynet)
• Thousands demonstrate in Rahat over the death of the young man: "Police shot him" - MK Ahmed Tibi told Ma'ariv that "according to testimony of his family, Sammy (Ajar) was shot in the leg and afterward shot directly. It was an execution in cold blood.” MK Abu Arar added, “If the indiscriminate shooting by police of civilians continues, there will be an intifada.” (Maariv)
• Local authorities in Arab sector to strike - Local authorities in the Arab sector went on strike Sunday in protest of the death of Sami al-Ajar, a resident of Rahat who was shot dead by police near his house last week. Communities in the Negev shut down all public institutions, including schools. (Ynet)
• Aiman Ouda elected as (Arab-Jewish) Hadash party chairman after Barakeh withdraws - MK Dov Khenin received 75% of the votes for third slot on the party's slate, securing him the spot. MK Haneen Zoabi secures no. 2 slot at Balad party. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
• IDF halts lectures on Jewish pluralism due to electioneering - Education Corps also suspends visits to some museums - including Independence Hall - until after the election, due to concerns that such events could exert political influence. (Haaretz)  
• Lebanese militia chief cannot sue Israel over alleged torture, Supreme Court says - Outgoing Israeli Supreme Court president says Mustafa Dirani, who Israel kidnapped to use a bargaining chip in exchange for Ron Arad, could not proceed with the lawsuit over rape because he rejoined a 'terrorist group ... working toward Israel's destruction.' (Haaretz+)
• Turkish PM accuses Netanyahu of terrorism, says Israeli 'provocations' radicalizing Muslim world - Middle East peace and eradication of extremist forces would be impossible without the establishment a Palestinian state, Ahmet Davutoglu says. (Agencies, Haaretz)
• Clegg condemns party MP for anti-Netanyahu tweet - British deputy prime minister describes comment that seeing Israeli leader marching in Paris made Lib Dem MP 'sick' as 'crass, stupid and insensitive.' (Haaretz)
• CNN’s Jim Clancy resigns after controversial Israel tweets - Veteran anchor steps down after mocking pro-Israel tweeters on a thread discussing the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris. (JTA, Haaretz) 
• In Paris, French Jews clamor for information on moving to Israel - In the week since the attack on the kosher supermarket in Paris, 2,000 people have signed for Jewish Agency information sessions. (Haaretz+)
• Post-attack Charlie Hebdo cover causes unrest in Muslim world - Riots erupt from West Africa to East Asia in protest of latest issue of French magazine, which featured Mohammed on cover after its offices were attacked. (Agencies, Ynet)
• Canada may be better option than Israel for French Jews, says U.S. rabbi -  'Many French Jews are leaving for Israel. But others who want out are telling me clearly they want to go elsewhere,' Shmuel Herzfeld tells Toronto Star. (Haaretz) 
• Israelis support Netanyahu's visit to Paris after attacks - Israel Hayom poll: 75 percent of Jewish Israelis think prime minister was right to take part in anti-terrorism march. Two-thirds support his urging French Jews to move to Israel. 76 percent believe Israel is the safest place to live as a Jew. (Israel Hayom)
• Israel Lands Authority Chairman Bentzi Lieberman named as suspect in corruption probe - Lieberman was questioned last week alongside former MK Nahum Langenthal on suspicion of using their status and connections to promote deals. (Haaretz+)
• Asylum seeker stabbed to death in Tel Aviv - Investigators have yet to establish a likely motive for the murder. (Haaretz) 
• Egypt finds Gaza-bound smuggling tunnel laden with explosives - Security forces destroy tunnel, said to be one of the largest in the area. (Agencies, Haaretz) 
• ISIS planning to launch online TV channel - Channel is expected to feature a video series by British captive John Cantlie, who has already made several videos for ISIS. (Haaretz)
• Iran: Nuclear agreement possible with US 'good will' - 'Both parties want to reach an agreement, but problems, chasms and differences also exist,' says top Iranian negotiator. (Agencies, Ynet)
• Obama warns Congress: More Iran sanctions could lead to war - U.S. president says Islamic Republic could use such sanctions as an excuse to abandon talks and accuse Washington of blowing up the deal and acting in bad faith. (Agencies, Haaretz)

Features:

The Iranian debt: How Netanyahu is losing Israel's real battle with the Islamic Republic
With billions of dollars hanging in the balance, Israel and Iran have been waging legal war in Swiss courtrooms since 1981 – while conducting behind-the-scenes contacts over an ever-growing debt to the National Iranian Oil Company. (Aluf Benn, Haaretz+)

Commentary/Analysis:

Israel's hateful, misguided policy against the weakest of the weak (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) What connects jailed asylum seekers and displaced Palestinian shepherds? The government’s shameful, bullying treatment of them both. 
Israel must tread carefully and wisely with France (Efraim Halevy, Yedioth/Ynet) Jerusalem's efforts to bring Paris in line with own policies on the Palestinians after the attacks in France did not work, and will only further distance a needed ally in confronting Iran.
Setting the record straight on Bennett and Lebanon (David Zonsheine, Haaretz+) Naftali Bennett is not responsible for the harsh events in Kafr Kana in 1996, but he bears great responsibility for the country's moral collapse in recent years. 
The problem with Islam (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) The distorted mutation that is Islamic fundamentalism has to be acknowledged; many Muslims recognize there is a problem, which is not just a handful of Jihadists involved in terrorism.
Israel, do you remember what you did last summer? (Yossi Sarid, Haaretz+) The 'protective edge' remains orphaned, alone and steadfast, with no one to claim paternity. Only Bibi and Bougie draw it to their bosoms when it begins to cry.
'Je suis Charlie Brown' (Ruthie Blum, Israel Hayom) The Paris attacks were not about freedom of the press or religious tolerance. They were part of a global assault on Judeo-Christian values.
Je suis Mohammed Charlie (Mohammed Chirani, Haaretz+) Last year, I told Charlie Hebdo's Luz that I disagreed with his cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. After that, we went out for a drink and a good night in Paris.
J'accuse la France (David M. Weinberg, Israel Hayom) The terrible bias against Israel as it manifests in French Mideast policy is a benchmark for France's (im)morality, and, alas, a trigger for attacks against Jews.
The plan to pide Israel could apply to France (Guy Bechor, Yedioth/Ynet) When Europe is busy advocating that Israel hand over its territory to create an autonomous Muslim entity, it should start thinking about the fact that the same - and worse - could happen to them too.
There's a scent of change in Israeli politics (Yoel Marcus, Haaretz+) If the Israeli voter manages to rise above his belly button, he may seize change before disaster strikes.
The fruits of their Labor (Sima Kadmon, Yedioth/Ynet) The new Labor list boasts a number of outstanding women, unlike the paltry effort by Likud; but will the young and dynamic list of candidates be enought to propel Isaac Herzog into the PM's office? 
The danger is too great: Arab parties must unite (Haaretz Editorial) Arab representation in the Knesset is threatened - and rising Jewish nationalism and racism may endanger Israeli Arabs' very future. 
Nasrallah's new-old threat to Israel (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) Hezbollah's Secretary General claimed that his organization has had Fateh-110 missiles since 2006 – a weapon that could pose a serious threat to high profile targets in Israel. What message is he trying to convey and is there a different 'secret weapon' altogether? 
Freedom march in Paris? Erdogan is busy curbing freedom of speech in Turkey (Zvi Bar’el, Haaretz+) Journalists aren't being awarded press cards, newspapers are being checked for not offending Muslim sensibilities, and even a former Miss Turkey has run afoul. 
Europe’s last chance to hold on to its Jews (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) The continent needs to wage a campaign to hold onto its Jewish population for its own sake.
Why Israeli call for French aliyah is so offensive (Joel Braunold, Haaretz+) Anti-Semitism in France isn't propagated by governments; in fact, at least in France, the state is protecting Jews.

Interviews: 

Former Israeli ambassador to France: "We are all alone in this story"
Daniel Shek, Israel's former ambassador to France, analyzes the recent events in Paris. He understands why no condemnation against radical Islam was heard, he fears the growing power of Marine Le Pen and he does not expect mass immigration from France. (Interviewed by Tal Bashan in Maariv)
 
PT. 2: Former Prime Minister Barak: To go nuclear, Iran is waiting for the world to be paralyzed
It could be a deterioration in Ukraine, a Pakistan-India crisis or after a U.S. election. Tehran is waiting for a window where the world can’t deal with it, Ehud Barak says.

(Interviewed by Gidi Weitz in Haaretz+)

'Attacks in the Golan Heights are a matter of time'
Outgoing Military Intelligence research pision head Brig. Gen. Itai Brun warns of an "ongoing mess" in the Middle East in 2015. In an exclusive interview, Brun outlines the challenges posed by a dangerous and complicated region, with little optimism. (Interviewed by Yoav Limor in Israel Hayom)
 
Foxman: Obama won’t name radical Islam as enemy because of political correctness
ADL head says Europe is not the best place in the world for Jews to live but mass emigration isn’t in the cards, for now. (Interviewed by Chemi Shalev in Haaretz+)
 
'I remember every dead body'
Zari Siboni and Andrea Shamak worked at the Paris supermarket that was targeted by a terrorist last week. They recall the terrifying hours being held hostage and watching four people get murdered. "At night, it all comes back," Siboni says. (Interviewed by Yehuda Shlezinger in Israel Hayom)
 

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