APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday April 19, 2015
Quote of the day:
"I want to believe that when the day comes that the order is not to guard settlements, but to vacate
settlements, then my friends on the right will do the same."
--Peace Now Secretary General Yariv Oppenheimer wrote on his Facebook page while doing military reserve duty at a settlement.**
--Peace Now Secretary General Yariv Oppenheimer wrote on his Facebook page while doing military reserve duty at a settlement.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Netanyahu in accelerated talks with Kahlon; Herzog: “We are heading to the Opposition”
- End to the crisis: Compromise between Israel and the PA on the tax revenues
- Police likely to submit at least 15 indictments in the Yisrael Beiteinu (graft) affair
- 6 killed in wave of violence against foreigners in South Africa
- The adultery list: Putting personal status laws in the hands of the Rabbinical Courts is inappropriate for a democratic perspective // Haaretz Editorial
- Courts criticize Police investigative unit against police: They are closing cases against police without probes
- Second-hand medicine from a charity: Hundreds of thousands need donations for medicines
- Study: Girls in Israel develop earlier than they should
- After NY and London, daybreaker parties reach Tel-Aviv
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Strategic depth – Special: Navy’s submarines as you have never seen them
- Singer arrested on suspicion of beating his wife
- “I will give my soldiers everything. They will be the best fighters,” wrote Daniel Pomerantz af few months before dying in the APC disaster in Shujaiyeh (Gaza)
- BBQ and umbrella: Independence Day likely to be cold and rainy
- Israel, a love story – Hundreds of Israelis already participated in Yedioth project to photograph yourself with paper that you fill in that says, “I love Israel….”
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Saluting to Grandpa: Grandson of (famed sunken submarine) Dakar Commander is an officer in a submarine
- “Six state witnesses in the corruption affair in the (political) elite”
- The responsible adult // Ben Caspit on Moshe Kahlon who will be sworn in as a member of the coalition
- Cover the BBQs: Rain and low temperatures expected on Independence Day
Israel Hayom
- Today: Chief of Staff will lay Israeli flags on graves of fallen IDF soldiers
- Uniting with Yoni (Netanyahu) (Photo of Binyamin and Sara Netanyahu hugging in front of Yonatan Netanyahu’s grave)
- Accelerated negotiations to close (coalition agreements)
- Police Commissioner: Police has 6 state witnesses in (Yisrael Beiteinu) corruption affair
- Iran flexes muscles – Held military parade exhibiting the local version of the S-300 missile system: the Bavar 373
- Known musician arrested on suspicion of attacking his wife
- Because of (last week’s) hail: Rise in prices of fruit and vegetables
News Summary:
Features about soldiers killed in action ahead of Memorial Day beginning Tuesday night, the announcement by Opposition leader Isaac Herzog that he’s staying in the opposition, the discussions and pressure that led to Israel unfreezing Palestinian tax monies and a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Israel were top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers, along with the police announcement that many would be indicted in the graft case of Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party.
Speaking at a cultural event at Tel Aviv's Habima Theater, Chairman of the Zionist Union, Isaac Herzog, denied holding secret meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and said he would stand by his word and not join the Netanyahu government.
This week the Palestinian Authority will receive some 1.85 billion shekels of its tax revenues that Israel froze over the last few months as punishment for joining the International Criminal Court at The Hague. Israel was under pressure from its security establishment and from the US and EU to release the money “in light of the dire financial straits in the West Bank, and fears that the economic crisis would lead to chaos or the collapse of the Palestinian Authority. Netanyahu's decision to transfer the funds also followed his election win, which effectively released him from domestic political considerations,” wrote Haaretz+. Only after Israel held discussions with the PA over how much to deduct for the Palestinian debt to the Israel Electricity Corporation was the PA willing to receive the transfer. They agreed on deducting a hefty half a billion shekels. Previously, Israel had unilaterally deducted money and transferred the rest, but Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas rejected the unilateral Israeli move.
Putin warned Israel not to send deadly weapons to Ukraine, a week after he lifted the ban on delivery of S-300 missile defense systems to Iran, which Iran expects to receive by the end of the year. Maariv’s Yossi Melman called this a "resounding slap" in Israel's face. (See Commentary/Analysis below.) However, Israel Hayom focused on the military parade Iran held exhibiting its local version of the S-300 only days before nuclear negotiations renew and wrote this was “an effort to show that there isn’t anything new here for them because they already developed a local version with identical capabilities,” wrote Eli Leon and Erez Lin. However, Haaretz emphasized that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran's military is purely defensive and that their 'strategy has always been that of a deterrent.' US President Barack Obama said his country will have to find “creative” ways to negotiate with Iran over its demand that sanctions be immediately lifted as part of nuclear deal even though initial deal called for the gradual removal of sanctions. Obama invited Mideast Sunni leaders to the White House to discuss the Iran issue and their fear that Shiite Iran will develop atomic weapons after sanctions are removed.
Features about soldiers killed in action ahead of Memorial Day beginning Tuesday night, the announcement by Opposition leader Isaac Herzog that he’s staying in the opposition, the discussions and pressure that led to Israel unfreezing Palestinian tax monies and a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Israel were top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers, along with the police announcement that many would be indicted in the graft case of Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party.
Speaking at a cultural event at Tel Aviv's Habima Theater, Chairman of the Zionist Union, Isaac Herzog, denied holding secret meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and said he would stand by his word and not join the Netanyahu government.
This week the Palestinian Authority will receive some 1.85 billion shekels of its tax revenues that Israel froze over the last few months as punishment for joining the International Criminal Court at The Hague. Israel was under pressure from its security establishment and from the US and EU to release the money “in light of the dire financial straits in the West Bank, and fears that the economic crisis would lead to chaos or the collapse of the Palestinian Authority. Netanyahu's decision to transfer the funds also followed his election win, which effectively released him from domestic political considerations,” wrote Haaretz+. Only after Israel held discussions with the PA over how much to deduct for the Palestinian debt to the Israel Electricity Corporation was the PA willing to receive the transfer. They agreed on deducting a hefty half a billion shekels. Previously, Israel had unilaterally deducted money and transferred the rest, but Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas rejected the unilateral Israeli move.
Putin warned Israel not to send deadly weapons to Ukraine, a week after he lifted the ban on delivery of S-300 missile defense systems to Iran, which Iran expects to receive by the end of the year. Maariv’s Yossi Melman called this a "resounding slap" in Israel's face. (See Commentary/Analysis below.) However, Israel Hayom focused on the military parade Iran held exhibiting its local version of the S-300 only days before nuclear negotiations renew and wrote this was “an effort to show that there isn’t anything new here for them because they already developed a local version with identical capabilities,” wrote Eli Leon and Erez Lin. However, Haaretz emphasized that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran's military is purely defensive and that their 'strategy has always been that of a deterrent.' US President Barack Obama said his country will have to find “creative” ways to negotiate with Iran over its demand that sanctions be immediately lifted as part of nuclear deal even though initial deal called for the gradual removal of sanctions. Obama invited Mideast Sunni leaders to the White House to discuss the Iran issue and their fear that Shiite Iran will develop atomic weapons after sanctions are removed.
Quick Hits:
- Police chief: Palestinian driver deliberately killed Israeli - Danino says investigation concluded Khaled Kotina committed a 'horrible attack' which claimed the life of Shalom Yohai Cherki. (Ynet)
- Another Palestinian loses eye to police sponge bullet - The use by police of a new, supposedly non-lethal, weapon has resulted in a string of serious eye injuries among youths and children in the Jerusalem area. (Haaretz)
- Palestinians clash with IDF during Prisoners Day demonstrations - More than 6,000 Palestinians currently in Israeli jails, including some 450 serving indeterminate sentences under administrative detention provisions. (Haaretz)
- Mossad trying to take on diplomatic-security issues, claims Foreign Ministry chief - In letter to Avigdor Lieberman, FM director general Nissim Ben-Sheetrit says ‘multiplicity’ of agencies is causing chaos, and that diplomatic power must be centralized at Foreign Ministry. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli army closes off West Bank village after stone-throwing incidents - Security forces closed all roads entering and exiting Hizmeh (village on edge of Pisgat Zeev neighborhood of Jerusalem) and placed sign encouraging people to inform on others'; IDF says not 'adopting policy of collective punishment.' (Haaretz+)
- Cyber spies hacked Israeli army networks, security researchers say - The hackers managed to breach IDF networks by sending trick emails to various military addresses, experts say; IDF says it has no knowledge of the alleged hacking. (Haaretz and Ynet)
- Bereaved parents publish 'Taste of Life' - 'Taste of Life' cookbook collects fallen soldiers' favorite recipes from 123 parents; 'For us, it was a way to fill the kitchen with love,' says mother of one soldier. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Israeli army turns to non-profits to help needy soldiers - With one in five Israeli soldiers needing assistance, army seeks help from NGOs on domestic violence, financial advice and legal aid. (Haaretz+)
- **Peace Now chief does reserve duty in West Bank - Despite being one of the most outspoken critics of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Peace Now director Yariv Oppenheimer serves his country as an IDF reservist: 'It's my civilian duty.' (Ynet)
- (Actress Anat) Waxman: "I apologize for the condescending tone towards right-wing voters" - After the uproar caused by the actress regarding her comments on the election results (and right-wing voters), come the tears and an apology in an interview on Channel 2: "I came with a very soft belly and in good faith." (Maariv)
- Israel economy grew slower than first estimates after Gaza war, government says - Central Bureau of Statistics says GDP grew at 2.3% annual rate in 2014's second half, down from most recent estimate of 2.6%. (Haaretz+)
- Gazans build plastic bottle boat - Five Palestinians from coastal strip scrap together a 13-foot vessel out of some 1,000 green plastic bottles. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Netanyahu makes Time's list of 100 most influential people - Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who was Netanyahu's commander in the military and later became his defense minister, pens entry for prime minister. "[In the military] he was determined, effective and focused. Character does not change," Barak says. (Israel Hayom)
- U.K. Jewish academics slam cancelation of conference on Israel's right to exist - In letter to the Jewish Chronicle, academics say The University of Southampton's decision to nix the event was 'intellectually lazy' and against academic freedom. (Haaretz)
- Biden to attend Israeli Independence Day event in Washington - Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Ron Dermer, announces the vice president's attendance on Twitter. (JTA, Haaretz)
- After Israeli elections, US Jews set for WZO vote - American Zionist groups work to get-out-the-vote ahead of April 30 deadline for US delegates to pivotal World Zionist Congress elections. (Ynet)
Features:
The settlers' military informant
Corporal Elad Selah allegedly read 15,000 classified documents, gathering the information the Shin Bet had on his friends from Bat Ayin and warning them of impending arrests. (Oded Shalom and Akiva Novik, Yedioth/Ynet)
Why have transit camps for Mizrahi Jews been written out of Israeli history?
In 1951, a quarter of a million people were living in what was known as ma'abarot, 80 percent of them from Islamic lands. Most of the camps were dismantled by 1959. Ten forgotten years. (Dalia Gavriely-Nuri, Haaretz+)
Postcard from the past
A new translation of the Latin accounts of one of the most famous 15th century pilgrims to the Holy Land, Friar Felix Fabri, includes unique, humorous descriptions of Solomon's Stables, the Tomb of Absalom, the Tomb of the Patriarchs, and more. (Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom)
13 years after their son's death in Jenin, the brigade commander explains to the family the necessity of the operation
More than a decade after the fall of her son Dror in a refugee camp, Leah Bar met with the brigade commander of the region: "The event was one of the most important for the IDF," said the Commander Oren Zini. But even after a long and fascinating conversation, Zini, was unable to assuage the aching mother, who shortly after her son's death lost his father, her life partner, Mulik, who died of a broken heart. Bar does not calm down. To this day, she fills with rage because of what she calls the opacity of top security officials towards the father who wanted to unload on them his pain when he learned of the circumstances of their son's death. Molik saw the investigations, heard the officers, and it did not change his view. He claimed repeatedly that his son was sent into a death trap in the most dangerous refugee camp at that time. That they did not have to put fighters in there because it was clear who would suffer heavy losses. (Noam Amir, Maariv)
Who is building Israel's homes?
There are around 50,000 foreign workers in the trade, of whom 82% are Palestinians. A dearth of training has made it a labor to find Israeli workers. (Nimrod Bousso, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Corporal Elad Selah allegedly read 15,000 classified documents, gathering the information the Shin Bet had on his friends from Bat Ayin and warning them of impending arrests. (Oded Shalom and Akiva Novik, Yedioth/Ynet)
Why have transit camps for Mizrahi Jews been written out of Israeli history?
In 1951, a quarter of a million people were living in what was known as ma'abarot, 80 percent of them from Islamic lands. Most of the camps were dismantled by 1959. Ten forgotten years. (Dalia Gavriely-Nuri, Haaretz+)
Postcard from the past
A new translation of the Latin accounts of one of the most famous 15th century pilgrims to the Holy Land, Friar Felix Fabri, includes unique, humorous descriptions of Solomon's Stables, the Tomb of Absalom, the Tomb of the Patriarchs, and more. (Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom)
13 years after their son's death in Jenin, the brigade commander explains to the family the necessity of the operation
More than a decade after the fall of her son Dror in a refugee camp, Leah Bar met with the brigade commander of the region: "The event was one of the most important for the IDF," said the Commander Oren Zini. But even after a long and fascinating conversation, Zini, was unable to assuage the aching mother, who shortly after her son's death lost his father, her life partner, Mulik, who died of a broken heart. Bar does not calm down. To this day, she fills with rage because of what she calls the opacity of top security officials towards the father who wanted to unload on them his pain when he learned of the circumstances of their son's death. Molik saw the investigations, heard the officers, and it did not change his view. He claimed repeatedly that his son was sent into a death trap in the most dangerous refugee camp at that time. That they did not have to put fighters in there because it was clear who would suffer heavy losses. (Noam Amir, Maariv)
Who is building Israel's homes?
There are around 50,000 foreign workers in the trade, of whom 82% are Palestinians. A dearth of training has made it a labor to find Israeli workers. (Nimrod Bousso, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Legitimizing the anti-boycott bill harms Israeli democracy (Aeyal
Gross, Haaretz+) Calls for a boycott can be annoying and objectionable, but the High Court has
failed to protect freedom of expression in areas where it is particularly important.
Netanyahu must wake up to the new reality (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) With an American president who is losing patience with the insults hurled at him, a failed Israeli attempt at reshaping the Iranian nuclear agreement and a looming UN resolution on the Palestinians, it's time for a reboot of international policy.
Israel’s Low Court of Justice helps perpetuate the occupation (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) The institution that has always betrayed its role as the guardian of human rights, international law and justice in the West Bank is continuing its inglorious tradition.
The threat and the warning: Israel received a resounding slap from Putin (Yossi Melman, Maariv) The Russian president warned Israel not to sell war equipment to Ukraine. Again, it appears, that Israeli flattery to a leader such as Putin does not pay and does not make him grateful.
A message to Israel's left (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Aligning with the global left and going to Washington to join in with the anti-Israeli and anti-Zionist sentiment is not the way to combat the right.
An Israeli High Court judge's shady use of a religious song (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) According to Justice Elyakim Rubinstein, if I call for a boycott, which might be the only hope against apartheid in our emerging binational state, I threaten to destroy Israel.
Labor must raise security banner again (Michael Bar-Zohar, Ynet) Ever since it lost power to Likud in 1977, Labor Party has abandoned Ben-Gurion's way and shifted to the left; it will never win an election by doing the same thing over and over again.
No to a 'national unity' government (David M. Weinberg, Israel Hayom) A Likud-Labor coalition would mean paralysis in every policy realm.
Iranian simulation: Netanyahu must turn from a politician into a statesman and deal with the threats (Cielo Rozensberg, Maariv) Academic war games lead to inescapable conclusions: Israel must repair its relations with the United States and pursue an alliance with the moderate states against the threat of Tehran.
Israel's High Court takes compromised stand on freedom of expression (Haaretz Editorial) High Court's verdict on Anti-Boycott Law is yet another manifestation, alongside other verdicts handed down this week, of the Court's judicial passivity.
US alienation leading to Israeli-Chinese renaissance (Yoram Evron, Ynet) Relationship between Jerusalem and Beijing is blooming due to China's growing self-confidence, its understanding that battle against Israel is no longer a uniting factor in Muslim world, and its desire to maintain close ties with a regional power whose crisis with Washington is deepening.
Israel no longer unites American Jews. But exploring Judaism could (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) Instead of helping left- and right-wing American Jews talk to each other about Israel, let’s help them find a common Jewish identity beyond Israel.
The bold red line (Maj. Gen. (ret.) Yaakov Amidror, Israel Hayom) Only a profound misunderstanding of the nature of the Iranian regime could lead anyone to believe any deal will satisfy Tehran's nuclear ambitions. The truth is the U.S. can bring Iran's nuclear program to a halt -- it simply chooses not to do so.
Between the bomb and the race for the White House (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) After this week's Senate vote on the Corker-Menendez bill, even Obama's supporters could not deny that the president folded. Speaking out against a bad deal with Iran was a young, charismatic senator who hopes to be the next president: Marco Rubio.
Netanyahu must wake up to the new reality (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) With an American president who is losing patience with the insults hurled at him, a failed Israeli attempt at reshaping the Iranian nuclear agreement and a looming UN resolution on the Palestinians, it's time for a reboot of international policy.
Israel’s Low Court of Justice helps perpetuate the occupation (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) The institution that has always betrayed its role as the guardian of human rights, international law and justice in the West Bank is continuing its inglorious tradition.
The threat and the warning: Israel received a resounding slap from Putin (Yossi Melman, Maariv) The Russian president warned Israel not to sell war equipment to Ukraine. Again, it appears, that Israeli flattery to a leader such as Putin does not pay and does not make him grateful.
A message to Israel's left (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Aligning with the global left and going to Washington to join in with the anti-Israeli and anti-Zionist sentiment is not the way to combat the right.
An Israeli High Court judge's shady use of a religious song (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) According to Justice Elyakim Rubinstein, if I call for a boycott, which might be the only hope against apartheid in our emerging binational state, I threaten to destroy Israel.
Labor must raise security banner again (Michael Bar-Zohar, Ynet) Ever since it lost power to Likud in 1977, Labor Party has abandoned Ben-Gurion's way and shifted to the left; it will never win an election by doing the same thing over and over again.
No to a 'national unity' government (David M. Weinberg, Israel Hayom) A Likud-Labor coalition would mean paralysis in every policy realm.
Iranian simulation: Netanyahu must turn from a politician into a statesman and deal with the threats (Cielo Rozensberg, Maariv) Academic war games lead to inescapable conclusions: Israel must repair its relations with the United States and pursue an alliance with the moderate states against the threat of Tehran.
Israel's High Court takes compromised stand on freedom of expression (Haaretz Editorial) High Court's verdict on Anti-Boycott Law is yet another manifestation, alongside other verdicts handed down this week, of the Court's judicial passivity.
US alienation leading to Israeli-Chinese renaissance (Yoram Evron, Ynet) Relationship between Jerusalem and Beijing is blooming due to China's growing self-confidence, its understanding that battle against Israel is no longer a uniting factor in Muslim world, and its desire to maintain close ties with a regional power whose crisis with Washington is deepening.
Israel no longer unites American Jews. But exploring Judaism could (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) Instead of helping left- and right-wing American Jews talk to each other about Israel, let’s help them find a common Jewish identity beyond Israel.
The bold red line (Maj. Gen. (ret.) Yaakov Amidror, Israel Hayom) Only a profound misunderstanding of the nature of the Iranian regime could lead anyone to believe any deal will satisfy Tehran's nuclear ambitions. The truth is the U.S. can bring Iran's nuclear program to a halt -- it simply chooses not to do so.
Between the bomb and the race for the White House (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) After this week's Senate vote on the Corker-Menendez bill, even Obama's supporters could not deny that the president folded. Speaking out against a bad deal with Iran was a young, charismatic senator who hopes to be the next president: Marco Rubio.
Interviews:
The man who believes there's never been a better time to be Jewish
Gidi Grinstein, founder of the Reut Institute think tank, believes the Jewish people has a higher calling in life. (Interviewed by Doron Halutz in Haaretz+)
Gidi Grinstein, founder of the Reut Institute think tank, believes the Jewish people has a higher calling in life. (Interviewed by Doron Halutz in Haaretz+)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.