APN's daily news review from Israel
Wednesday July 8, 2015
Quote of the day:
“As long as the basic economic problems in Gaza remain, we will also have the potential for renewed
military conflict, without connection to the extent of deterrence achieved in the last
war.”
**On the one year anniversary to Operation Protective Edge, Senior IDF officers call on Israel's government to ease the siege on Gaza.**
**On the one year anniversary to Operation Protective Edge, Senior IDF officers call on Israel's government to ease the siege on Gaza.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Senior officials in IDF recommend that Defense Minister change policy about siege on Gaza Strip
- Deadline for reaching nuclear agreement postponed again
- High Court criticism of Netanyahu: Prime Minister can’t serve as minister
- Warning note // Yossi Verter
- Electricity Co. to pay monopoly billions for gas it doesn’t need
- Religions Minister against Reform Jews: I cannot call them Jews
- Abuse in the slaughterhouses: little supervision and inefficient enforcement
- Blurry borders // Dmitry Shumsky
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The ministries dilemma – High Court to Netanyahu: “You cannot also be holding positions of ministers”
- Ultra-Orthodox Minister with High Court approval
- Likely: Criminal investigation into the Prime Minister’s residences affair
- The pain on the wall – 10 years since the withdrawal from Gush Katif (Gaza Strip settlements): Yedioth will present an exhibition of the unforgettable photos from the summer of 2005
- Women in labor dispute – Do home births endanger the mother and the baby or is it the right of every woman?
- The billion-shekel cash box – New report reveals: How much the JNF lands are worth and how much its employees earn
- Half a kingdom – After 12 years: Yoni Ehrlich returned to the couple’s semi-finals at Wimbledon, this time without Andy Ram
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- “We can’t find a ‘flower,’ we have declared Hannibal Directive” – IDF releases recordings from ‘Black Friday’
- Ahead of a general strike – National Labor Union (Histadrut) threatens
- Empty gun // Yehuda Sharoni
- High Court: Prime Minister cannot also serve as a minister
- There’s a limit to the tricks // Ben Caspit
- Theoretical question // Adv. Yechiel Gottman
- Int’l study: You look young for your age? You are also healthier
Israel Hayom
- “Yes, Hannibal Directive”
- The vegan kitchen puts on uniform – Soy and quinoa are being recruited to IDF kitchens
- Anger in Likud: High Court Justice Meltzer said Prime Minister cannot serve as a minister (too)
- Nuclear agreement: Two days of deciding
- More budget for security, changes in pensions, and rehab treatment only for soldiers injured in operational activities: Recommendations of Locker Commission submitted to Prime Minister
- Israeli pride: Yoni Ehrlich made it to semi-finals at Wimbledon
News Summary:
For the one year anniversary of Operation Protective Edge today, the IDF releases recordings of soldiers and commanders from ‘Black Friday’ and senior IDF officers say another war can be avoided, while a High Court justice says Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu cannot also serve as minister of other ministries making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Meanwhile, the deadline for the end of Iran talks was extended to Friday and the Egyptian President tells Jewish leaders that Israeli-Palestinian peace can bring an end to terror.
Today marks one year since Israel began the 3rd Gaza war, also known as Operation Protective Edge, and “the IDF is trying to point to the half full part of the cup,” writes Yedioth’s military affairs commentator Yossi Yehoshua. In interviews officers gave to the Israeli press they said that there is much less rocket fire from Gaza compared to after the previous two Gaza wars, that Hamas’ leadership does not seem interested in conflict with Israel and that it is working to retrain small, more extreme Islamist groups and to prevent rocket launching on the Negev. Operation Protective Edge, the officer said, created “a potential for quiet for years ahead,” but in order for this goal to be achieved, steps need to be taken to improve Gaza's economic situation and formulate understandings on a long-term Israel-Hamas cease-fire.
At the same time, they say that Hamas’ military wing is preparing for a preemptive strike and that it is “close to restoring its pre-Operation Protective Edge short-range rocket capabilities.” According to an IDF Intelligence officer, Hamas’ isolation has forced it to cooperate with its rival, the Islamic State's affiliate in the Sinai, to create a smuggling route for the rocket-building materials. Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon repeated an Israeli assertion tying Hamas to last week’s jihadist attacks against the Egyptian military in Sinai. “Hamas is fighting against a branch of ISIS, but on the other hand, it is cooperating with ISIS in Sinai to harm Egypt. These are facts that are known to us and they were also seen in the murderous attacks in Sinai last week.”
Nevertheless, Israeli security officials recommend easing Gaza border restrictions and opening crossings to strengthen Gaza’s economy and help achieve long-term quiet. In an interesting demonstration of Hamas attempts to convince Israelis of its intentions, a Hamas official spoke with Israel radio saying that Hamas has a vested interest in maintaining calm with Israel. Hamas deputy foreign minister Ghazi Hamad said that Hamas "doesn’t want another war" and said that there was no chance that Hamas' military wing would work to escalate the situation.
The Israeli army released new audio from a military unit's radio at the moment on August 1, 2014, when the commander learned a soldier, Lt. Hadar Goldin, was missing and declares ‘Hannibal Directive,’ in what would later be called Rafah’s ‘Black Friday.’ It also released video taken from the helmet of Maj. Benaya Sarel just days before he was killed in the kidnapping incident.
Iran nuclear talks were extended two days to Friday and US officials say they tried to update Israel on Iran talks three times, but Israeli officials deny the claim and say the last update was 12 days ago.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi told a group of US Jews from the American Jewish Committee visiting Cairo that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was a catalyst for people to join terror organizations and that peace would help put an end to terror, according to a statement his office released.
For the one year anniversary of Operation Protective Edge today, the IDF releases recordings of soldiers and commanders from ‘Black Friday’ and senior IDF officers say another war can be avoided, while a High Court justice says Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu cannot also serve as minister of other ministries making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Meanwhile, the deadline for the end of Iran talks was extended to Friday and the Egyptian President tells Jewish leaders that Israeli-Palestinian peace can bring an end to terror.
Today marks one year since Israel began the 3rd Gaza war, also known as Operation Protective Edge, and “the IDF is trying to point to the half full part of the cup,” writes Yedioth’s military affairs commentator Yossi Yehoshua. In interviews officers gave to the Israeli press they said that there is much less rocket fire from Gaza compared to after the previous two Gaza wars, that Hamas’ leadership does not seem interested in conflict with Israel and that it is working to retrain small, more extreme Islamist groups and to prevent rocket launching on the Negev. Operation Protective Edge, the officer said, created “a potential for quiet for years ahead,” but in order for this goal to be achieved, steps need to be taken to improve Gaza's economic situation and formulate understandings on a long-term Israel-Hamas cease-fire.
At the same time, they say that Hamas’ military wing is preparing for a preemptive strike and that it is “close to restoring its pre-Operation Protective Edge short-range rocket capabilities.” According to an IDF Intelligence officer, Hamas’ isolation has forced it to cooperate with its rival, the Islamic State's affiliate in the Sinai, to create a smuggling route for the rocket-building materials. Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon repeated an Israeli assertion tying Hamas to last week’s jihadist attacks against the Egyptian military in Sinai. “Hamas is fighting against a branch of ISIS, but on the other hand, it is cooperating with ISIS in Sinai to harm Egypt. These are facts that are known to us and they were also seen in the murderous attacks in Sinai last week.”
Nevertheless, Israeli security officials recommend easing Gaza border restrictions and opening crossings to strengthen Gaza’s economy and help achieve long-term quiet. In an interesting demonstration of Hamas attempts to convince Israelis of its intentions, a Hamas official spoke with Israel radio saying that Hamas has a vested interest in maintaining calm with Israel. Hamas deputy foreign minister Ghazi Hamad said that Hamas "doesn’t want another war" and said that there was no chance that Hamas' military wing would work to escalate the situation.
The Israeli army released new audio from a military unit's radio at the moment on August 1, 2014, when the commander learned a soldier, Lt. Hadar Goldin, was missing and declares ‘Hannibal Directive,’ in what would later be called Rafah’s ‘Black Friday.’ It also released video taken from the helmet of Maj. Benaya Sarel just days before he was killed in the kidnapping incident.
Iran nuclear talks were extended two days to Friday and US officials say they tried to update Israel on Iran talks three times, but Israeli officials deny the claim and say the last update was 12 days ago.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi told a group of US Jews from the American Jewish Committee visiting Cairo that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was a catalyst for people to join terror organizations and that peace would help put an end to terror, according to a statement his office released.
Quick Hits:
- Israel cites boycotts, foreign relations in refusal to divulge West Bank archaeology info - Publishing archaeologists' names could endanger their professional future, says state to justify ignoring Freedom of Information Law. The case began two years ago, when two left-wing organizations, Yesh Din and Emek Shaveh, filed a freedom of information request seeking data about digs in the West Bank. (Haaretz+)
- Vatican refuses to give Israel details of accord signed with Palestinians - Despite four appeals from Israeli diplomats, the Vatican has declined to disclose details about the content of the agreement, senior official in Jerusalem says. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli extremists assault 3 Palestinian men in Jerusalem’s Old City - Firas Mujahid, 45, said he was hospitalized after he was walking with his brother Muhammad, 37, and their friend Hasan al-Julani, 28, on Musrara Street when a group of Israelis began to verbally abuse them, then stone them, then hit Firas on the head with a rod. (Maan)
- Palestinian FM claims France drops bid for UN resolution to kickstart peace talks - Maliki says U.S. and Israeli pressure on France led them to backtrack from diplomatic plans – at least until a deal is reached with Iran; Palestinian officials say Maliki's remarks are more interpretation than based on actual fact. (Haaretz+)
- In turnaround, rightist Israeli minister aims to increase funding for Arab culture - Culture Minister Miri Regev, a member of Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, has drawn criticism for suspending an Arab theater. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli forces place concrete barriers near Nablus-district town - Eight cubic concrete barriers were placed on the roadside "in preparation to shut down the main entrance (of Beita village) or to install a steel gate there,” said residents. (Maan)
- Israeli minister to decide on deportation of Palestinian MPs - The Israeli Minister of the Interior was given 30 days by the Supreme Court on Monday to reach a final decision on the possible deportation from East Jerusalem of three Palestinian lawmakers and a former Palestinian Authority minister: MP Muhammad Abu Teir, MP Ahmad Attun, MP Muhammad Tutah and Minister Khalid Abu Arafeh. (Maan)
- Israeli forces prevent farmers from accessing land in Hebron-area - The Sleibi family of Beit Ummar was forced from its land at gunpoint by Israeli forces on the basis that it had entered the area illegally, despite it allegedly receiving a court order two years ago to enter its land without coordination and setting up a fence to separate the land from the nearby illegal Israeli settlement of Bat Ayin. (Maan)
- Israel demolishes tent housing synagogue attackers family - The family of Uday Abu Jamal had been living in the tent, provided by the Red Cross, since last Wednesday, when Israeli forces sealed closed their home. (Maan)
- Israeli forces target families of suspected Palestinian attackers - For the second time this week Israeli forces raided homes in occupied East Jerusalem belonging to the families of two Palestinians who were killed in separate incidents by Israeli forces last year (after they killed Israelis). Forces examined the floors and walls of the home of Ghassan Abu Jamal (synagogue terrorist), before leaving without explanation. Forces raided the home of Mutaz Hijazi (shot far right-wing activist Yehuda Glick) and took measurements of his bedroom. And they raided the home of Muhammad al-Issawi broke furniture and searched the family's cars, without giving a reason. (Maan)
- Israel still holding Gazan detainee without trial after one year - Explosives expert Sami Najar, who the Shin Bet says is a potential danger to national security, is the only one left in detention out of over 100 Gazans arrested last summer. (Haaretz+)
- 2 Palestinian prisoners suspend hunger strikes - Nur Ulayyan and Ammar Ulayyan, both from al-Jalazoun refugee camp near Ramallah, both began their hunger strikes to protest their administrative detention (jail without charges and trial). (Maan)
- Report: Netanyahu asked European leaders to vote for UN resolution slamming Israel - According to a U.K. newspaper, Netanyahu sought votes for the UN resolution, in fears that if it was turned down a harsher version would ultimately pass. (Haaretz)
- Growing BDS movement raises alarm among Israeli leaders - With thousands worldwide demonstrating to sever ties with Israel, BDS threatens to compromise the Israeli economy and networks of global support. (AP, Haaretz)
- Minister Steinitz dashes to Knesset to ensure coalition majority on budget vote - Economy Minister filibusters with discussion on name origins until Infrastructure Minister arrives in casual wear to vote on time-frame of government budget. (Ynet)
- The new job MK Oren Hazan (who was accused of pimping and running a casino) - Likud Knesset member will be responsible for leading a public campaign for the return of Jewish property abandoned in Arab countries, along with MK Miki Zohar. Hazan: "Help us be presenters of this issue and we will promote it in the Knesset.” (Maariv)
- 83% of wounded veterans not receiving disability - Report compiled for Work and Welfare Committee claims treatment and process of receiving disability has become an arduous task for Protective Edge veterans; Defense Ministry decries figures as false. (Ynet)
- Family of Negev teachers charged with spreading ISIS dogma reject accusations - Relatives of those arrested in Hura say that the security establishment is after them because a family member was killed in Syria fighting for ISIS. (Ynet)
- Hura Municipality: "We express our revulsion to the support of ISIS (by 6 local teachers); We call (on Israelis) not to make generalizations (about Bedouin)" - Following the arrest of six residents of the Bedouin community on suspicion of supporting the organization of the Islamic state, the head of the local council said, "We put our trust in the legal system to probe the allegations and prosecute the accused.” (Maariv)
- Netanyahu gives up battle for longer-term budget - Prime minister pushed for three-year budget to run through the end of 2017, but could not convince Finance Minister Kahlon and Israel will have two-year budget instead. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Arab residents of central Israeli town get electricity from Palestinian Authority - Even though residents of the Abu Sneineh neighborhood pay Kfar Sava taxes, the connection between them and the municipality is no more than nominal. (Haaretz+)
- Intel announces new Israeli startup accelerator - Nine Israeli companies to participate in first cycle, which is to last six months. Entrepreneurs will have access to Intel's technological prowess and be given opportunity to collaborate on projects with multinational corporation. (Israel Hayom)
- Palestinians jump on selfie trend, snapping pics at Al Aqsa as Ramadan memento - Palestinians have embraced the phenomenon during the holy month of Ramadan as a way of showing their presence at Islam's third holiest site, both as a personal memento and for relatives prevented from visiting the ancient compound. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Qatari diesel to enter Gaza on Wednesday - Palestinian PM said the diesel will increase Gaza power station’s capacity to 80 megawatts, providing electricity for several more hours. (Maan)
- Iran's Revolutionary Guards stand to profit from emerging nuclear deal - The guard has done well financially under international sanctions, and if a nuclear deal is done in Vienna this week under which those sanctions are lifted, they are likely to do better still. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
A year later: Protective Edge, war through the eyes of a reservist
Reservists don't have the benefit of a full time military mindset, this is my story, as a student turned soldier in Operation Protective Edge. (Adam Evenhaim, Ynet)
Empty mosques and dance clubs: the Iran you never knew existed
French-Iranian journalist Delphine Minoui offers insights into the country's political, religious and social culture. (Gaby Levin, Haaretz+)
On world tour (but not in Israel): Treasures of Moroccan Jewry
'Obsessed' collector Paul Dahan undertook research and acquisition trips in Morocco, Israel and other parts of the Moroccan Jewish diaspora before compiling his exhibition, but says it was too complicated to organize a tour in Israel. (Shlomo Papirblat, Haaretz+)
Letters to the Editor: We’re not anti-Israel, we’re anti-right (Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
Reservists don't have the benefit of a full time military mindset, this is my story, as a student turned soldier in Operation Protective Edge. (Adam Evenhaim, Ynet)
Empty mosques and dance clubs: the Iran you never knew existed
French-Iranian journalist Delphine Minoui offers insights into the country's political, religious and social culture. (Gaby Levin, Haaretz+)
On world tour (but not in Israel): Treasures of Moroccan Jewry
'Obsessed' collector Paul Dahan undertook research and acquisition trips in Morocco, Israel and other parts of the Moroccan Jewish diaspora before compiling his exhibition, but says it was too complicated to organize a tour in Israel. (Shlomo Papirblat, Haaretz+)
Letters to the Editor: We’re not anti-Israel, we’re anti-right (Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
Just like Greece, Europe will soon be sick of changing Israel's diapers (Akiva
Eldar, Haaretz+) Netanyahu is relying on the belief that Europe won’t stop him from managing the
conflict until he has put an end to any diplomatic solution. And for now, he is succeeding in holding the
European rope at both ends.
Obama playing poker against a hostile Congress (Orly Azoulay, Yedioth/Ynet) If the world powers reach an agreement with Iran, the US president will have to bring his poker secrets into the internal political field in order to deal with a theatrical Congress during an election year; the Republicans, meanwhile, are preparing the show of a lifetime for him.
How the ISIS threat to Israel differs from north to south (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Islamic State threatens Israel from both Egypt and Syria, but the situations on the ground are practically polar opposites.
Lapid's cynical ploy (Dr. Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) Instead of calling out Western leaders for their servility, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid prefers to engage in small politics, as if the Iranian nuclear program was not the gravest existential threat facing Israel.
For boycotts that hurt Israel, nobody beats the Zionist Organization of America (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) For the ZOA, it's all a win-win. The more the ZOA alienates progressive U.S. Jews, the more they're likely to turn to BDS. ZOA can then tell its donors that boycott is a growing threat. Boycotts can pay. Just ask the ZOA.
Marketing a bad nuclear agreement (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) We are about to receive an Iranian product, which changes the balance of power in the region, with bright and aggressive American marketing. Had this US administration ran the Cuba crisis in 1962, the world would be controlled by the Russians today.
In Israel, it's the Jewish mufti who decides whether a citizen belongs (Zvi Bar’el, Haaretz+) When only some seven percent of the hundreds of thousands of 'others' have been converted over the last 20 years, perhaps this entire conversion issue is nothing more than a bubble.
Mutual mistrust makes Obama-Netanyahu clash on Iran even riskier (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) Any nuclear deal would have created friction, but with duos such as Sharon/Bush or Rabin/Clinton at the helm, the fallout could be contained.
Obama playing poker against a hostile Congress (Orly Azoulay, Yedioth/Ynet) If the world powers reach an agreement with Iran, the US president will have to bring his poker secrets into the internal political field in order to deal with a theatrical Congress during an election year; the Republicans, meanwhile, are preparing the show of a lifetime for him.
How the ISIS threat to Israel differs from north to south (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Islamic State threatens Israel from both Egypt and Syria, but the situations on the ground are practically polar opposites.
Lapid's cynical ploy (Dr. Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) Instead of calling out Western leaders for their servility, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid prefers to engage in small politics, as if the Iranian nuclear program was not the gravest existential threat facing Israel.
For boycotts that hurt Israel, nobody beats the Zionist Organization of America (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) For the ZOA, it's all a win-win. The more the ZOA alienates progressive U.S. Jews, the more they're likely to turn to BDS. ZOA can then tell its donors that boycott is a growing threat. Boycotts can pay. Just ask the ZOA.
Marketing a bad nuclear agreement (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) We are about to receive an Iranian product, which changes the balance of power in the region, with bright and aggressive American marketing. Had this US administration ran the Cuba crisis in 1962, the world would be controlled by the Russians today.
In Israel, it's the Jewish mufti who decides whether a citizen belongs (Zvi Bar’el, Haaretz+) When only some seven percent of the hundreds of thousands of 'others' have been converted over the last 20 years, perhaps this entire conversion issue is nothing more than a bubble.
Mutual mistrust makes Obama-Netanyahu clash on Iran even riskier (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) Any nuclear deal would have created friction, but with duos such as Sharon/Bush or Rabin/Clinton at the helm, the fallout could be contained.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.