APN's daily news review from Israel
Wednesday April 15, 2015
Quote of the day:
"They were simply teens that had their hangout spot burned and decided to get revenge."
--Attorneys argued that the Jewish boys who burned a random Palestinian cafe did not break the law.**
--Attorneys argued that the Jewish boys who burned a random Palestinian cafe did not break the law.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Netanyahu to Putin: Sale of missiles to Iran violates the stability in the region
- Rabbi Pinto admitted and was convicted of bribery and obstruction of justice
- White House lists reveal the disconnect between (Israeli Amb.) Dermer and Obama’s advisors
- Soldiers who shot to death a Palestinian youth to be charged with reckless and negligent (use of) firearms (Hebrew)
- Rabbi and Archbishop together saved Jews of Greek city (Hebrew)
- Here, in the East // Ravit Hecht (Hebrew)
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Our victory – Commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day will begin this evening
- Return to the valley of death // Noah Klieger in Poland
- Growing up in the shadow of cancer
- Madonna on Rothschild (St.) – Dreaming of a penthouse in an apartment tower in central Tel-Aviv? Prepare 150 million shekels
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Holocaust Remembrance Day Eve
- In the name of the grandfather – Herman Lever, 90, who lost his whole family in Poland, will light a torch with his grandson who was severely injured near the Lebanon border
- Children’s cancer at Haifa bay – Half of the incidences of cancer among children under 14 in the industrial area of Haifa were caused by air pollution
- Netanyahu to Putin: “Missiles deal with Iran is dangerous”; Russian President to PM: “There is no threat on Israel”
- Coalition negotiations: “Netanyahu offered Herzog six posts”; Likud and Labor deny
Israel Hayom
- Never again – Holocaust Remembrance Day: Uniting with the memory of the six million
- Congress bent Obama – Victory for friends of Israel on Iran issue
- Half of children with cancer in Haifa – because of air pollution
- Coalition negotiations: “Herzog is ready to enter government only if it’s with Livni, Netanyahu opposes”
News Summary:
After the articles in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day that begins this evening, the Hebrew papers focused on the latest surrounding the Iran nuclear deal, reports that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu offered Opposition leader Isaac Herzog to join the government and the cancerous effect the Haifa bay industrial zone has on children. Also, Yedioth reported on how it’s Washington correspondent caused a storm in Iran.
Netanyahu called Russian President Vladimir Putin accusing him of endangering Israel, which Putin denied, and the US Senate compromised on a softened bill that allows Congress not to approve the Iran nuclear deal. Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has been holding his own media blitz, meeting with a large group of Jewish leaders to address American Jewish fears on the pending nuclear deal. Maariv reported that Jewish leaders said: "We left the meeting as fans"
Maariv’s Shlomo Shamir reports from New York that diplomats said that if and when a nuclear deal is reached, the Iranians will put their highest priority on diplomatic efforts to end the war in Syria and that "Iran may discuss with the US the overthrow of Assad.”
Senior members of the political establishment say that Netanyahu has offered Herzog to join a unity government. One source told Maariv that Netanyahu offered Herzog’s camp six government posts. He said the talks broke down because Herzog demanded a rotation. Israel Hayom reported that the talks broke down because Netanyahu refused to have Zionist Camp co-leader, Tzipi Livni, join the government. Livni heads the Hatnuah party. Haaretz+ wrote that “a unity government would signal to the US and Europe that Jerusalem wants an arrangement with the Palestinians, blunting international measures being taken against Israel.” Ynet reported that the Labor party youth told Herzog not to join a unity government.
After the articles in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day that begins this evening, the Hebrew papers focused on the latest surrounding the Iran nuclear deal, reports that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu offered Opposition leader Isaac Herzog to join the government and the cancerous effect the Haifa bay industrial zone has on children. Also, Yedioth reported on how it’s Washington correspondent caused a storm in Iran.
Netanyahu called Russian President Vladimir Putin accusing him of endangering Israel, which Putin denied, and the US Senate compromised on a softened bill that allows Congress not to approve the Iran nuclear deal. Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has been holding his own media blitz, meeting with a large group of Jewish leaders to address American Jewish fears on the pending nuclear deal. Maariv reported that Jewish leaders said: "We left the meeting as fans"
Maariv’s Shlomo Shamir reports from New York that diplomats said that if and when a nuclear deal is reached, the Iranians will put their highest priority on diplomatic efforts to end the war in Syria and that "Iran may discuss with the US the overthrow of Assad.”
Senior members of the political establishment say that Netanyahu has offered Herzog to join a unity government. One source told Maariv that Netanyahu offered Herzog’s camp six government posts. He said the talks broke down because Herzog demanded a rotation. Israel Hayom reported that the talks broke down because Netanyahu refused to have Zionist Camp co-leader, Tzipi Livni, join the government. Livni heads the Hatnuah party. Haaretz+ wrote that “a unity government would signal to the US and Europe that Jerusalem wants an arrangement with the Palestinians, blunting international measures being taken against Israel.” Ynet reported that the Labor party youth told Herzog not to join a unity government.
Quick Hits:
- State Attorney: indict soldier who killed a Palestinian youth - Samir Awad, 16, was shot to death more than two years ago and only now the chief military prosecutor told the High Court, following a petition by the boy’s father and B’tselem, that it wants to file an indictment pending a hearing and the conclusion of immunity proceedings against IDF soldiers. Soldiers will be charged with reckless and negligent use of firearms. A source in Military Prosecution: "There was a problem determining which of the two (soldiers) shot the youth.” (Maariv and Haaretz Hebrew)
- **Jewish teens who set fire to Palestinian cafe sentenced to community service - Despite declarations by Justice Ministry and prosecutors that they are determined to combat hate crime, recent plea bargain in case of 4 teens, who set fire to Palestinian café, shows otherwise. The judge, Shirley Renner, said that it was a serious offense that could cause high risk to human life, but noted the teenagers' clean past and their admission. (Ynet and Maan)
- Israeli state given 10 days to respond on Area C planning authority - Israeli High Court of Justice accepted affidavit blasting the Israeli Civil Administration's planning system in Palestinian Area C, and has given the Israeli state 10 days to reply. Professor Rassem Khamaisi prepared the affidavit demanding the restoration of planning authority in Area C to Palestinians. Appeal was first lodged in 2011 by a range of Israeli and Palestinian human rights organizations. (Maan)
- Probe of Gaza op's 'Black Friday': Soldiers faced 'unreasonable' situation - Givati Brigade report into incident in Rafah in which IDF force was attacked and three soldiers were killed, the body of one of them taken, was caused after forces entered "to do searches in an area that was not conquered and in a region that was unsecured." However, it found that the use of firepower and aerial bombings, following the abduction was 'proportionate.' Givati Brigade commander Col. Winter: "We confused the soldiers." (Haaretz+, Maariv, Ynet)
- Israeli Ambassador Dermer cut off from Obama's staff, White House entry logs show - Data released by the U.S. administration reveals the extent of the disconnect with the Israeli ambassador, but also exposes other interesting White House visitors. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli forces detain nearly 40 from West Bank, Jerusalem in 2 days - Israeli forces detained 18 Palestinians, including two minors, from across the West Bank overnight Tuesday, a day after 19 others were arrested in detention raids across the West Bank and in E. Jerusalem on Monday. (Maan)
- Hamas cell planned terrorist attack on Purim, Shin Bet says - Israeli security services say suspects planned to attack military targets in Abu Dis near Jerusalem. Members of the cell were arrested in early March. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Palestinian vehicles to enter Jerusalem for 1st time in 15 years - The first phase of the plan will see more than 100 Palestinian doctors from Bethlehem and Hebron districts, who work in Israeli hospitals, permitted to enter Jerusalem in private Palestinian. The next phase will allow for businessmen to move freely. (Maan)
- IDF soldier reveals Nazi family secret - Yonatan Handelsman, whose father's side of the family died in the Holocaust, made a film after discovering that his mother's grandfather was a Nazi soldier. (Ynet)
- For the first time: MKs will travel to attend ceremonies commemorating the Armenian Genocide - The delegation will leave with MKs Nachman Shai (Zionist camp) and Dr. Anat Berko (Likud). The invitation came from the Embassy of Armenia in Israel to the Foreign Ministry. (Maariv)
- Netanyahu pre-approves headlines of ‘Israel Hayom,’ the Adelson-owned Israeli newspaper, Economist claims - Israel Hayom, owned by American casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, blasts Economist report claiming the prime minister approves headlines; PM's office also denies allegation. (Haaretz+)
- Construction minister: Stop unauthorized Temple Mount excavations - Minister Uri Ariel warns that ongoing renovations at the Dome of the Rock, atop the ruins of the Second Temple, may inflict irreparable harm to Judaism's holiest site. Ariel says crews flouting the prohibition on operating heavy machinery in the area. (Israel Hayom)
- Rage among right-wing over demolishing of synagogue: "Thieves at night with heavy tools" - An illegal structure built in Kiryat Arba settlement was destroyed the 36th time, Habayit Hayehudi MK Smotrich: “They carry the name of the rule of law in vain, against the Jews only." (Maariv)
- Israel demolishes steel housing structure in East Jerusalem - Bulldozers escorted by Israeli forces raided the neighborhood and demolished a caravan used by laborers in E. Jerusalem. Israeli bulldozers demolished at least 359 Palestinian structures in the West Bank in 2014, according to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions. (Maan)
- Hamas consolidates its grip on Gaza as reconstruction stalls - Gazans increasingly frustrated as political reconciliation stalls, Hamas rule of Gaza continues and future prospects continue to look dim. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Gaza building collapses months after being hit in war - Officials at the Civil Defense told Ma'an that the building belongs to the Zeiter family and had been shelled during last summer's offensive on Gaza. (Maan)
- Qassam fighter succumbs to wounds sustained during Israeli offensive - The al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, confirmed that Eleiwa had been an al-Qassam fighter and leader. (Maan)
- Egyptian forces injure Palestinian with live fire on Gazan border - Sources said the Palestinian was shot in the left shoulder by Egyptian forces as he emerged from a tunnel leading into Egypt. (Maan)
- Middle East updates / ISIS makes major advances at Iraq's largest oil refinery complex - Syrian rebels, including Nusra Front, attack government-held Aleppo neighborhood; Iran's Zarif lays out four-point plan to resolve Yemen conflict; Iraq's Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi is set to meet Obama in Washington on Tuesday. (Haaretz)
- ISIS loses ground to Palestinians in Syria's Yarmouk, source says - Local Palestinian militias say clashes with ISIS slowly dying down, and no ISIS member has been seen for three days in Syria's Yarmouk refugee camp. (Agencies, Ynet)
- UN Security Council imposes arms embargo on Houthi rebels in Yemen - Resolution demands all Yemeni factions to end violence and resume UN-brokered negotiations. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
Meet Israel's only female Muslim bus driver
Suhaila Fadila says she always liked to drive. 'I’m a devout Muslim, but I didn't need permission from anyone in order to accept the job.' (Tali Heruti-Sover, Haaretz+)
How Israel's Dimona nuclear reactor was concealed from the U.S.
Documents revealed this week shed new light on the story of Israel's nuclear program, and the role of John Kerry's father in the saga. Nuclear history researchers Avner Cohen and Bill Burr are releasing a new trove of old documents this week on the Website of the National Security Archive of George Washington University in Washington, providing new angles on the story. Two of them are especially eyebrow-lifting: The role played by Richard Kerry, (the father of current U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry) and the story behind the birth of the tale that the Dimona reactor was 'only' a textile factory. (Amir Oren, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Suhaila Fadila says she always liked to drive. 'I’m a devout Muslim, but I didn't need permission from anyone in order to accept the job.' (Tali Heruti-Sover, Haaretz+)
How Israel's Dimona nuclear reactor was concealed from the U.S.
Documents revealed this week shed new light on the story of Israel's nuclear program, and the role of John Kerry's father in the saga. Nuclear history researchers Avner Cohen and Bill Burr are releasing a new trove of old documents this week on the Website of the National Security Archive of George Washington University in Washington, providing new angles on the story. Two of them are especially eyebrow-lifting: The role played by Richard Kerry, (the father of current U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry) and the story behind the birth of the tale that the Dimona reactor was 'only' a textile factory. (Amir Oren, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Holocaust Remembrance Day tells us why Israel must help Yarmouk – and why it won't (Bradley
Burston, Haaretz+) If, as prime minister, you can turn a blind eye to survivors' suffering, and
worse, turn their pain, their memories, their Holocaust, to your own political advantage over Iran - there is
no limit to what you can let die of neglect.
A national and universal lesson (Uri Heitner, Israel Hayom) The relationship between the Holocaust and the establishment of Israel is not one of cause and effect.
Be a 'good Arab,' dear Oudeh: Let us ignore Yarmouk (Zvi Bar’el, Haaretz+) The Zionist volcano erupted because of the title of your article, 'You too are responsible for Yarmouk.' Dear colleague, that’s not the way to talk to Jews.
Russia gave US and its allies a hard slap in the face (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) Putin's decision to lift the ban on sales of S-300 missile defense system to Iran is a reminder that Israel and the American administration are in the same boat, and that it may be time to stop rocking the boat and start to seriously talk to the captain.
What is happening in Netanyahu's mind? We will see once he forms coalition (Yehezkel Dror, Haaretz+) Does the domestic political situation enable him to follow the model of visionary grand-statecraft? With effort and some risk – yes. Will he actually choose to follow it?
The Waxman parable (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom) It is hard for the so-called liberals to deal with the fact that the "unwashed masses" did not fall for the bread and circuses promised by the Left.
Netanyahu's major hurdle: Bennett or Lieberman for Israel's foreign minister? (Jonathan Lis, Haaretz+) The idea of rotating the portfolio between Bennett and Lieberman has been raised, as coalition talks between Likud and Kulanu appear to be heading toward agreement.
So what if she said that: Why is everyone so upset by Anat Waxman’s remarks? (Yehuda Sharoni, Maariv) Anat Waxman joins Orna Banai, Alona Kimchi, Tiki Dayan and others as the latest provocateur. Still, it is unclear why people get excited over the utterances of artists. I'd quite like to read Waxman's recommendation on the best show in town.
In the land of the inevitable critics: Shaky Iran deal is better than a war (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+) Israel’s nuclear experts side with Netanyahu in opposing Obama on the framework deal with Iran: But is it a worse option than the risk of another Middle East war?
A national and universal lesson (Uri Heitner, Israel Hayom) The relationship between the Holocaust and the establishment of Israel is not one of cause and effect.
Be a 'good Arab,' dear Oudeh: Let us ignore Yarmouk (Zvi Bar’el, Haaretz+) The Zionist volcano erupted because of the title of your article, 'You too are responsible for Yarmouk.' Dear colleague, that’s not the way to talk to Jews.
Russia gave US and its allies a hard slap in the face (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) Putin's decision to lift the ban on sales of S-300 missile defense system to Iran is a reminder that Israel and the American administration are in the same boat, and that it may be time to stop rocking the boat and start to seriously talk to the captain.
What is happening in Netanyahu's mind? We will see once he forms coalition (Yehezkel Dror, Haaretz+) Does the domestic political situation enable him to follow the model of visionary grand-statecraft? With effort and some risk – yes. Will he actually choose to follow it?
The Waxman parable (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom) It is hard for the so-called liberals to deal with the fact that the "unwashed masses" did not fall for the bread and circuses promised by the Left.
Netanyahu's major hurdle: Bennett or Lieberman for Israel's foreign minister? (Jonathan Lis, Haaretz+) The idea of rotating the portfolio between Bennett and Lieberman has been raised, as coalition talks between Likud and Kulanu appear to be heading toward agreement.
So what if she said that: Why is everyone so upset by Anat Waxman’s remarks? (Yehuda Sharoni, Maariv) Anat Waxman joins Orna Banai, Alona Kimchi, Tiki Dayan and others as the latest provocateur. Still, it is unclear why people get excited over the utterances of artists. I'd quite like to read Waxman's recommendation on the best show in town.
In the land of the inevitable critics: Shaky Iran deal is better than a war (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+) Israel’s nuclear experts side with Netanyahu in opposing Obama on the framework deal with Iran: But is it a worse option than the risk of another Middle East war?
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.