News Nosh 05.20.15

APN's daily news review from Israel
Wednesday May 20, 2015 

Quote of the day:
“Today, in the party, when you use words like democracy, human rights and rule of law, they immediately depict you as a leftist.”
--Ex senior Likud minister says Likud is becoming much more nationalistic and less attentive to its liberal side.**


Breaking News:
Two Border Police officers lightly wounded in E. Jerusalem neighborhood, alleged Palestinian attacker shot dead 
Israeli media reported that "an Arab terrorist rammed his vehicle into them in Jerusalem's A-Tur neighborhood." Another Border Policeman shot dead Amran Abu Dhaim, 41. Ynet and Maan reported the Palestinian side: "The driver never tried or intended to run anyone over," said At-tur resident Mufid Abu Ranam. "He tried to overtake a car and his car skidded. And despite that, the police shot him." An eyewitness told Maan: "He was trying to make a U-turn in the middle of the road." Abu Dhaim's brother said he didn't believe his brother intended harm. He noted that Amran worked as a security officer for several Israeli transport companies. "He never talked of terror attacks and he never had any leanings of this kind." 

Front Page:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
  • ‘512 Affair’: Cracked the mystery of the murders of 12 years ago – Police: Itzhak Aberjil and his people are behind
  • Netanyahu’s fourth (government)
  • “Democracy cannot be dependent on the whims of this or that MK” – Former chief justice Aharon Barak 
  • Designated director of Communications Ministry claimed in the past: “Shin Bet is involved in Rabin’s murder” Shlomo Filber, associate of Netanyahu, was one of those who spread the conspiracy theory
  • Garbage power – How did work on the garbage truck turn into a desirable and sought after job
  • Revolution on the way to the cash register: As of today: Supermarket chains must update the price of all their products on the Internet
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
  • Fisher Affair - “More senior police officers accepted bribes,” says suspect, former superintendent Eran Malka
  • 512 Affair’ - Out of fear for their lives: Families of state witnesses (against heads of crime organizations) distanced from Israel
  • Every witness becomes a king // Amir Zohar
  • Ramat Gan: 13-year-old girl attacked by her girlfriends – because they thought she gossiped about them
  • Class photo – Members of Netanyahu’s government took traditional photo at President’s House 
Israel Hayom
  • Impressive achievement for police: Aberjil’s crime organization completely destroyed
  • And the cloud hanging over the police: “(Former superintendent) Eran Malka likely to incriminate more senior officers”
  • Kahlon’s plan: Supervision over rent
  • Buji’s movie, the sad story – of the media // Haim Shine
  • Starting to work (photo of ministers of new government with President)
  • The “scariest” of them all: Today is math matriculation exam
  • Heat and tragedy: US tourist died at Masada 
  • As of today: Supermarket chains must advertise the prices of each branch (on the internet)

News Summary:
Two crime stories - one an achievement for the Police, the other implicating the police - headlined the Hebrew newspapers today along with the traditional photo of the new ministers with the President. There was almost no mention of the news regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s moves to keep Palestinian-related issues out of the hands of his far right-wing coalition partners - except in Haaretz. Meanwhile, former chief justice Aharon Barak warned in an interview that Israel’s government could bring down Israel’s democracy and a Jordanian newspaper reported on secret talks between Israel and Hamas.

Only Haaretz bothered to find out the Palestinian Authority reaction to Netanyahu’s appointment of Silvan Shalom as responsible for diplomacy with the Palestinians. It was not positive. Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said there was no chance of renewing talks with the radical right-wing Netanyahu government. The Palestinians were not alone. Shalom’s predecessor, MK Tzipi Livni, also slammed the appointment, adding: "I do not see negotiations on the horizon,” Maariv reported. She noted that “Everything depends on the prime minister." Indeed, Agence France Presse reported that Netanyahu will keep the upper hand in the Palestinian peace portfolio. "The prime minister is responsible for the negotiations, Silvan Shalom will be holding the meetings with the Palestinians along with Yitzhak Molcho, the personal envoy of the premier," an Israeli official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
 
Indeed it appears that Netanyahu and his associates are keeping the authority for the sensitive subjects dealing with the Palestinians out of the hands of his far-right-wing coalition partners. Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon trimmed his deputy’s authority, keeping Palestinian issues – ie. responsibility for the West Bank Civil Administration - for himself and away from Eli Ben-Dahan of Habayit Hayehudi, Haaretz+ reported. Moreover, the Prime Minister's Office is taking over the Jerusalem affairs portfolio, reneging on his promise to make Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat minister of that portfolio, Haaretz+ reported.
 
And, the pressure on Israel to renew negotiations has already begun. The new Middle East envoy Nikolay Mladenov used first briefing to remind Israel that settlement activity is illegal under international law and to urge the Israeli government to stop settlement construction. Mladenov also said that the UN will engage Israel on 'realistic options' for peace talks and he told the Security Council that Gaza is 'desperate and angry' over devastation following summer's 50-day war. This evening EU foreign policy chief Frederica Molinari arrives in the country to push for the same things.

However, the new Israeli government has a different agenda. In a meeting with visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende, new Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) called for pressure on Palestinian leaders “to recognize the State of Israel as the state of the Jewish people." She  on Tuesday.
 
The Jordanian newspaper ad-Dustour reported Tuesday that Hamas and Israel have been involved in secret talks in Israel and European capitals in recent months, Maan and Haaretz+ reported. Among the most prominent issues being negotiated was the establishment of a "floating seaport" located between the Gaza Strip and Cyprus, wrote Maan. The report suggested that the talks may have taken place under Turkish supervision. In April, senior Hamas official Ahmad Yousef denied that there had been any direct talks between Hamas and Israel, but acknowledged that there had been indirect "chats" with Israel under European mediation.
 
Also Tuesday, Voice of Israel radio reported on a secret meeting between Israeli diplomats and diplomats from Arab countries that do not have open diplomatic relations with Israel that was recently held in Jordan. The report alleged that several Arab diplomats said that countries in the region should be preparing for a new reality as the United States' influence on regional security begins to retreat, Maan reported.

In a preview of an interview to be published in Friday’s newspaper, Yedioth quoted former chief justice Aharon Barak warning that giving preventing the High Court from overturning illegal laws by legislators is dangerous to democracy. Barak expressed fear for democracy in Israel. “It’s important to remember that democracy is not rule of the majority. Democracy is the rule of the majority when the majority acts and implements a certain system of values. Democracy that harms human rights is not, in my eyes, democracy. In Germany at the beginning of the 30’s, the supreme court could not overturn laws. I believe that if Germany had a strong court and judicial criticism, it could have prevented Hitler. Once he was already in power, it was impossible to touch him…The whole problem is that our constitutional system is a rickety structure, flawed and very fragile, and every whim by this or that MK, who suddenly has by chance a majority in Knesset, can turn over everything.”

Quick Hits:
  • Israel begins separating Palestinians, Israelis on West Bank buses - Palestinian workers will now have to return to West Bank via the same checkpoints they entered Israel, and will not be able to ride on lines with Israelis. (Haaretz+)
  • IDF to use 'more humane' non-lethal ammunition - After extensive testing, military approves use of rubber bullets in the West Bank by specially authorized units to disperse riots. Police already use it and allegedly caused the death of Mohammed Sinokrot, 16, in E. Jerusalem last year. (Ynet
  • New legislation sponsored by (Ethiopian-Israeli) MK Avraham Nagosa: Require police to film arrests - The "Damasio Pakado Bill” is named after the Ethiopian soldier who was filmed being beaten by security forces and which sparked the protests. Its goal is "to solve the issue of violence against the (Ethiopian-Israeli) community.” (Maariv)
  • Settler assaults 10-year-old Palestinian boy in Hebron - Youssef Qfeisheh, 10, was injured in his hand and taken to a local hospital, where he received nine stitches, after a Jewish settler attacked him near the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron Tuesday, locals said. (Maan
  • Right-wing Jews and Israeli police 'assault Al-Aqsa guards' - A group of Israeli settlers touring the compound "deliberately" tried to provoke Palestinians by repeating slogans calling for the removal of the Dome of the Rock, said Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, the Al-Aqsa compound director. “When Palestinian guards intervened, Israeli settlers assaulted and beat them. The Israeli police backed [the right-wing Jews], protected them, and clashes erupted in the area." (Maan)
  • Israeli police officer strikes Al-Aqsa guide - An Israeli police officer on Monday struck Muhammad Qteish, 58, a Palestinian tour guide in the face at one of the gates to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, when the two argued after the officer insulted female Palestinian worshipers near the compound's Golden Gate. (Maan
  • Minors in Israeli custody claim assaults during arrests, interrogation - The Palestinian Prisoners and Former Prisoners Committee released Tuesday testimonies of minor Palestinian prisoners who say they were assaulted during detention and interrogation by Israeli forces. (Read article for testimonies, Maan)
  • Israeli forces in plainclothes assault and taser 3 brothers in Jerusalem - An undercover unit raided a store belonging to the Abedrabbu family in Beit Safafa and when the owners asked for a "search warrant" they refused and refused to show ID as they were dressed as civilians. The unit assaulted the three brothers, Abed, Talal and Bilal and tasered them as Israeli policemen showed up and detained them. (Maan)
  • 'Death to Israel' Facebook page lands Palestinian in jail - Despite East Jerusalemite's agreement to plea bargain, judge hands Sami Deis 8 months for incitement against Israel and 'calls for acts of killing.' (Haaretz+ and Maan)
  • Washington, Jerusalem discussing massive compensation for Iranian nuclear deal - Although Israel continues to publicly oppose the emerging agreement, unofficial contacts have begun. U.S. likely to provide Israel with more F-35 combat aircraft, missile defense systems. (Haaretz+) 
  • Israel: US let Iran plane deal go ahead despite sanctions - Jerusalem official says Israel alerted US to deal, which is 'significant' sanctions violation; claims aircraft sold to airline blacklisted by US because of ties to Hezbollah, Revolutionary Guards. (Agencies, Ynet and Israel Hayom)
  • Netanyahu meets FIFA chief in bid to block Palestinian suspension attempt - Blatter here to try to head off attempt to oust Israel from int’l soccer federation. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
  • Israel Football Association halves Beitar Jerusalem's punishment for racist (anti-Arab) misconduct - Jerusalem soccer club originally docked two points after their fans chanted racial abuse at a rival team's Arab player. (Haaretz)
  • Israeli settlers destroy 250 olive trees in northern Hebron - Israeli settlers from the illegal settlement of Bat Ayin north of Hebron set fire to an estimated 25 dunams of Palestinian land on Monday destroying up to 250 olive trees, a local committee reported. Israeli forces arrived on the scene, but allegedly refused the landowners' demand that they call a firetruck to put out the fire. The fire comes a day after locals in al-Shuyoukh, northeast of Hebron, reported that 80 acres of land planted with hundreds of olive saplings had been vandalized by Jewish settlers from nearby illegal settlements. (Maan)
  • Israeli forces demolish 3 Palestinian stores in Silwan - Tuesday morning municipal inspectors decided three commercial stores belonging to a Palestinian in the Silwan neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem were built without license. Israeli forces then demolished them. No prior notice was given. (Maan)
  • Devoting themselves: MKs Oren Hazan (Likud) and Ayman Odeh (Joint List) play on the same team - Meet the Knesset’s auditorium-soccer team: Tzachi Hanegbi (Likud) as captain alongside Issawi Freij (Meretz), Eli Ben-Dahan (Habayit Hayehudi), Osama Saadi (Joint List), Inon Magal (Habayit Hayehudi), Eitan Cabel (Zionist Camp), Hamad Amar (Yisrael Beiteinu), Ayub Qara (Likud), and Sharon Gal (Yisrael Beiteinu). The athletes are preparing for the Knesset Speaker Cup tournament. (Maariv+PHOTOS)
  • Minister Bennett sends mixed message on educational pluralism - Pledges to be minister for all, but cites only Jewish religious, historical subjects as being important to learn. (Haaretz+) 
  • High Court rejected Bedouins suit for lands in the Negev: "It is subject to land laws"; Human Rights Watch condemns - The court rejected appeal filed by 16 Bedouins of the Al-Ukbi tribe, living near the town of Hura, in the area of Al-Araqib, and by their lawyer, Michael Sfard, and accepted the State's position that the State and the Development Authority be registered as the owner of the 1000 dunams of land. The ruling was partially based on extensive research on behalf of the State by Prof. Ruth Kerk of the Hebrew University. (Maariv and Maan)
  • Jerusalem to undergo face-lift ahead of unification jubilee - Massive visitors center to be built at Western Wall, billions to be spent on projects • "We are moving full steam ahead in Jerusalem," PM Benjamin Netanyahu says at cabinet meeting, warning that division of city would restore "barbed wire and snipers." (Israel Hayom)
  • Confirmation of Diplomatic-Security Cabinet postponed - Dispute over makeup of top government forum prompts unusual delay in confirmation. Main issue is increasing cabinet members to 11. Government names seven deputy ministers, confirms Social-Economic, Housing cabinets. PM to head Social-Economic Cabinet. (Israel Hayom)
  • Hebrew U. to offer preparatory course for East Jerusalem Palestinians - Higher education funding panel expected to approve fist class for Palestinians who passed the PA's matriculation exams, rather than the Israeli exams. (Haaretz+)
  • ISIS rings confiscated at Ben Gurion Airport - Suspicious package from Turkey contained rings bearing messages in support of ISIS; jewelry was headed for Ramallah. (Ynet)
  • Sweden to contribute $5 million toward PA salaries, pensions - The Swedish State Secretary for International Development Ulrika Moder said: "The objective of the Swedish contribution announced today is to assist the Palestinian Authority to provide basic service to the Palestinian people at a time when it faces many challenges, particularly in Gaza." (Maan)
  • Vatican: Pope meant no offense by calling Abbas an 'angel of peace' - Francis met Abbas at the Vatican on Saturday and used the words as he presented the Palestinian president with a large bronze medallion representing the angel of peace. (Agencies, Haaretz
  • Israeli rabbis to hold prayer vigil urging humane treatment of African asylum seekers - Over 40 rabbis to gather at southern Israeli detention center ahead of Shavuot holiday to demand end to incarcerations deportations. (Haaretz)
  • Channel 10 at risk of closure after potential buyers back off - TV broadcaster faces end-of-month deadline to find new investors or lose its license. One potential investor sayidno longer interested after meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the subject. Another said the prime minster ”had worked to keep investors away” from the broadcaster. Another source close to the negotiations said, “Everyone was being pressured by Netanyahu and decided to pull back.” (Haaretz+)
  • GOP congressman: I felt safer in Israel than I would in parts of NYC - Rep. Barry Loudermilk, a Republican from Georgia, was recently part of a Congressional delegation that traveled to the Middle East on an 11-day trip. (Haaretz
  • Pro-Palestinian protest features Netanyahu puppet - California demonstrators square off against group celebrating 67 years of Israel's existence; protest partly fueled by new Netanyahu government. (Ynet)
  • Illinois State House unanimously passes anti-BDS bill - If Gov. Bruce Rauner signs bill, Illinois will become first state to legislate againt Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel. (JTA, Haaretz)
  • 20-year-old U.S. tourist falls to her death at Masada - Initial accounts indicate that Briana McHam of Pompano Beach, Florida, fell from a height of more than 25 feet and suffered from dehydration due to the severe heat. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
  • Haredi woman gives birth at age 65, becoming Israel's oldest child-bearer - After fertility treatments abroad and with the help of a donor egg, the woman became pregnant. (Haaretz+)
  • Israeli journalist hospitalized after hit by musician's car in Sydney - Akiva Eldar undergoing surgery after he was struck by vehicle driven by former INXS singer Jon Stevens. (Ynet)
  • Chris Christie slams Obama's 'eagerness' to accept bad Iran nuclear deal - Republican New Jersey governor has not formally announced White House bid, but has stumped in New Hampshire and will likely to run a campaign based on domestic policy. (Agencies, Haaretz
  • Middle East Updates / Iran extends new credit line to Syria - Iraqi forces, local tribesmen stop ISIS attack on Anbar town; Saudi-led air strikes target Yemen capital of Sanaa; one killed, seven wounded in eastern Libya suicide attack; UN says Yemen crisis could open jihadist path via Somalia. (Haaretz)
  • Israel ranks 7th in global Gay Happiness Index - Iceland ranked top in ​gay ​well-being survey of over 100,000 men across 127 ​states; Africa and Middle East responsible for ​most of ​bottom 30 countries.​ (Haaretz+)
  • Egypt security forces step up sexual violence since Morsi's ouster, rights group claims - International Federation for Human Rights claims victims over past two years include members of NGOs, students, women and those perceived as 'endangering the moral order.' (Agencies, Haaretz)


Features:
Daddy Levinger: The children of the (far right-wing) rabbi defend the reputation he had
He was a big believer in co-existence, he did his shopping with the Arab merchants and had an account at the Arab Bank out of principle. His daughter, Atia Zer, and son, Shlomo Levinger, lived in the shadow of the man perceived by the public as an extremist settler. Now they seek to bridge the gap between the man and his image. (Eyal Levy, Maariv)
Israel’s army is starting to act like a startup company
Tech units are using the software tools favored by high-tech companies, they’re sponsoring hackathons for recruits and even developing an app store for soldiers. (Inbal Orpaz, Haaretz+)
Gaza patients find help from a surprising source: Israeli hospitals
While Israel considers Hamas-controlled Gaza to be a hostile entity, it allows thousands of Gazans to travel each year to hospitals in Israel. (AP, Haaretz)

Commentary/Analysis:
Israel knew all along that settlements, home demolitions were illegal (Gershom Gorenberg, Haaretz+) New evidence shows government's adviser on international law said in 1968 that demolishing terror suspects' homes violates Geneva Convention. 
Security cabinet must not turn into a debate club (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) A cabinet comprised of more than half of the government ministers, most of whom are unfamiliar with security issues, will be unable to function properly – just like during the Second Lebanon War and Operation Protective Edge. 
Black Card: FIFA must suspend Israel from international tournaments (Ran Adelist, Maariv) Only severe sanctions will strike out the State's alleged abuse of Palestinian footballers and the phenomenon of accepting the racism of Beitar Jerusalem. This is the right way to teach institutions that are supposed to break out of the narrow national circle in favor of humanity - and to be the first to come out against the boycotting of (Arab) athletes - which has not happened. And this is just one good reason to try and explain not only to the fans, players and functionaries, but also to the entire Israeli public that Israel preventing sports activity would also harm Israeli athletes. Out of fear that FIFA will do what it is supposed to do, i.e. boycott all of Israeli soccer, (the Israel Soccer Association) put Beitar Jerusalem on trial following the match against Ironi Kiryat Shmona. At the 83rd-minute, Ahmed Abed made a goal after which he made a sign to Beitar fans by putting his finger over his mouth. The response of Beitar fans was a familiar storm of curses with unfamiliar strength. Anyone exposed to the broadcast must demand not only the usual set of penalties, reducing the radius point, etc. That’s just a red card. This requires a black card. Something much more dramatic. This is not just the Beitar fan club, "La Familia.” This is Israeli soccer, which lives in peace with the (racist) phenomenon of Beitar for years. Dismantling Beitar Jerusalem soccer team is the minimum. Israel's suspension from world soccer for a year is not the maximum. Such a decision will make clear that the current Israeli soccer is not a sporting event, but a nationalist lighter with political backing. 
The madness brought by Rabbi Levinger (Zvi Bar’el, Haaretz+) With over 40 years of hindsight, it’s impossible not to salute Rabbi Moshe Levinger, who died this week.
When the government seems temporary, the system can't function (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) The great concern regarding the current government is that with the feeling of impermanence conveyed by the prime minister, new ministers like Moshe Kahlon will have no chance of getting anything done.
Kahlon, be like Dayan (Sefi Rachlevsky, Haaretz+) If Kahlon doesn’t have the guts, then two of his people must do it instead, and join a vote of no-confidence that will put a stop to the dangers of Netanyahu.
Our hope for peace will not be lost (Savyona Rotlevy, Ynet) Will the new government succeed in implementing all its plans for major economic and social reforms without starting to make peace, rather than just talking about it?
Jerusalem isn't the capital of the Jews (Gideon Biger, Haaretz+) Research shows that the city has existed for about 4,000 years. During the first 1,000 it had no connection to the Jewish people.
No solution for Palestinian refugees without justice for Jewish ones (Edy Cohen, i24News, Ynet) Some 900,000 Jews from Arab countries have fled their homelands since 1948; they left behind an estimated $30 billion in property, including buildings in dozens of Jewish communities.
Like the Destruction of the Holy Temple: The first test of Habayit Hayehudi party in government (Karni Eldad, Maariv) The narrow coalition is already at the beginning of its first crisis: Can Habayit Hayehudi party be part of a government that destroys the homes of Jews (illegally built in the West Bank), contrary to the agreements?
What Ayelet Shaked can learn from Sarah Palin (Seth Lipsky, Haaretz+) The former Alaska governor could make a natural friend for Habayit Hayehudi's new justice minister - and it's got nothing to do with their looks.
Where is the truth and where is the act in Israeli politics (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Who is the real Herzog: the opposition chairman who delivered a fiery speech against Prime Minister Netanyahu or the MK who rushed to hug and kiss the new ministers shortly afterwards?
Vatican recognition of saints symbolic victory for Palestinians (Charlie Hoyle, Maan) With a stalled peace process, a decidedly right-wing Israeli coalition, and internal Palestinian division, the recognition of two Palestinian saints – the highest honor bestowed by the Catholic Church -- has been interpreted as a positive intervention by the Vatican in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Just say no to the censorship of culture in Israel (Haaretz Editorial) Recent remarks by the new Culture and Sports Minister, Miri Regev, have done nothing to allay fears of the damage she could wreak to her domain.
Are lawmakers worthless in the eyes of the court? (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) The law is a compromise between different outlooks and parties; when judges change the law in accordance with their moral stance, they crush democracy.

Interviews: 
**Ex-senior Likud official warns Israel, world on a collision course
Dan Meridor, a former cabinet minister, warns of 'irreconcilable contradiction between what world community wants and what majority in this government think.' (Interviewed by Judy Maltz in Haaretz+)
 
President of the Reform Movement: "The Ultra-Orthodox right-wing government will advance anti-democratic laws"
He is Zionist, he supports a Palestinian state, he fears the crisis of trust between Obama and Netanyahu, but Rabbi Yaakov (Richard) Jacobs is most anxious about the increasing distance between Jewish Americans and the Israeli public, particularly the young generation of US Jews. In light of the new coalition, Rick Jacobs’ level of concern has gone up a knotch. (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv)



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