APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday August 10, 2015
Quote of the day:
"Will the (Israeli) government now tell Jewish communities around the world how to run the family
unit?"
--A source explains one reason why the Jewish Agency pulled out of Netanyahu's 'Diaspora Initiative.'
--A source explains one reason why the Jewish Agency pulled out of Netanyahu's 'Diaspora Initiative.'
You Must Be Kidding:
“…these (Jewish) guys are organizing, acting, going out, throwing fire bombs, beating Arabs, publishing incitement on internet blogs in ways you wouldn't believe - and that's not considered terror or a security risk in legal terms."
--Former Shin Bet official explains how different sets of Israeli laws for Palestinians and for Israelis let Israelis literally get away with terror.
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Attorney General: (Culture Minister) Regev’s initiative – “Particularly severe harm to freedom of expression”
- Shin Bet conducted searches in (settlement) outposts and sent two more activists to administrative detention
- 120 (Palestinian) security prisoners stopped hunger-striking
- (One person) moderately injured in stabbing attack; the terrorist was killed
- The Anti-Drug and Alcohol to be dismantled
- Jewish Agency told Netanyahu that it will boycott Bennett’s plan against erosion of (Jewish) identity in the Diaspora
- Settlement of 100 families to receive mikveh at cost of $3 million
- Bennett’s outpost // Haaretz Editorial
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Highway of attacks – Palestinian stabbed an Israeli at a gas station on Hwy 443
- With Rivlin, in pride – British Ambassador David Kawary presented credentials to President and introduced his (male) partner
- Obama to AIPAC: Stop spreading lies about the (nuclear) agreement
- Defense Ministry closing the acquisition delegation in Paris
- Enough already, brother – Portrait of an annoying Israeli summer: Cursing, pushing, and cutting in line. How to best deal with it?
- Real estate is burning – Investors stormed on the apartment market, but young couples remained on the fence
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links)
- The boycott on Israel: Banks preparing for ‘Economic Tsunami’
- Israeli injured in stabbing attack
- The real estate madness
Israel Hayom
- Attack on Hwy 443: The terrorist stabbed – and was eliminated – Terror in Judea and Samaria does not stop: third attack in a week
- “Freedom of expression” or “freedom of financing”?
- All time record of apartment purchases
- Careful, pools: Two children drowned
- 10 months after murder of baby Chaya Zissel: A daughter for the Braun family
- There is value to values: Benefits for schools that were outstanding in education for social achievements
- Poll: Grandparents who communicate with their grandchildren by text messages and WhatsApp
News Summary:
More young Jewish extremists were arrested, a Palestinian suspected of a stabbing attack in the West Bank was killed, Israeli banks prepared for being boycotted as the right-wing incitement in Israel continued (see Quick Hits) making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
Nine more young ‘hilltop youth’ were arrested from two outposts, Baladim near Kochav Hashahar and Adei Ad, not far from Duma village, where the Palestinian family was attacked, killing two members of the Dawabsheh family and injuring two others. (Yedioth reported that four-year-old Ahmed Dawabshe regained consciousness yesterday, and asked for his mother, who is in critical condition still. Ahmed was not told that his father and baby brother were dead, but he remembers yelling for his father “to open the door because there was fire. And then I tried to get him to laugh. But he didn’t.”). Yedioth/Ynet’s Elior Levy visited the area and met with Palestinians and settlers and shared the stories of the hilltop youth and the Palestinians who suffer from their attacks, including the burning of their homes. The fascinating feature appeared in Yedioth’s Friday magazine and now in Ynet English.
Two other suspected violent young men, Meir Ettinger and Eviatar Salonim, were placed under six month ‘administrative detention,’ as the debate continued over whether it was moral to put Jews in jail without charges, as is done regularly for Palestinians. On Ynet, a former Shin Bet official, Lior Akerman, outlined the problems with relying on imprisonment without trial as an ongoing solution to Jewish extremism in the West Bank. He also explained how separate laws for Israelis and Palestinians allows for two different realities in terms of imprisonment. Yedioth’s Nehama Dweik interviewed three former Shin Bet chiefs on the subject. Avi Dichter and Yaakov Perry support administrative detention of Jewish suspects, but Ami Ayalon thinks it hurts Israel’s democracy and doesn’t help. But all three are convinced that Jewish terror must be fought much more resolutely.
Meanwhile, a Palestinian man suspected of stabbing and lightly wounding an Israeli man at a gas station in the West Bank, was shot dead. The attack was the third Palestinian attack on Israeli soldiers or civilians since the arson at the Dawabshe home.
Maariv reported that Israeli banks expect an ‘economic-political tsunami’ after the European Union adopted recommendations to boycott Israeli banks that have financial dealings over the Green Line, including in E. Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. One senior banker said: “This is a mega-event. Solutions to this issue can only come from the political field.” At the same time, a ‘boycott hotline’ is being established. The new channel will provide 'individual and discrete' assistance to companies facing boycotts.
More young Jewish extremists were arrested, a Palestinian suspected of a stabbing attack in the West Bank was killed, Israeli banks prepared for being boycotted as the right-wing incitement in Israel continued (see Quick Hits) making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
Nine more young ‘hilltop youth’ were arrested from two outposts, Baladim near Kochav Hashahar and Adei Ad, not far from Duma village, where the Palestinian family was attacked, killing two members of the Dawabsheh family and injuring two others. (Yedioth reported that four-year-old Ahmed Dawabshe regained consciousness yesterday, and asked for his mother, who is in critical condition still. Ahmed was not told that his father and baby brother were dead, but he remembers yelling for his father “to open the door because there was fire. And then I tried to get him to laugh. But he didn’t.”). Yedioth/Ynet’s Elior Levy visited the area and met with Palestinians and settlers and shared the stories of the hilltop youth and the Palestinians who suffer from their attacks, including the burning of their homes. The fascinating feature appeared in Yedioth’s Friday magazine and now in Ynet English.
Two other suspected violent young men, Meir Ettinger and Eviatar Salonim, were placed under six month ‘administrative detention,’ as the debate continued over whether it was moral to put Jews in jail without charges, as is done regularly for Palestinians. On Ynet, a former Shin Bet official, Lior Akerman, outlined the problems with relying on imprisonment without trial as an ongoing solution to Jewish extremism in the West Bank. He also explained how separate laws for Israelis and Palestinians allows for two different realities in terms of imprisonment. Yedioth’s Nehama Dweik interviewed three former Shin Bet chiefs on the subject. Avi Dichter and Yaakov Perry support administrative detention of Jewish suspects, but Ami Ayalon thinks it hurts Israel’s democracy and doesn’t help. But all three are convinced that Jewish terror must be fought much more resolutely.
Meanwhile, a Palestinian man suspected of stabbing and lightly wounding an Israeli man at a gas station in the West Bank, was shot dead. The attack was the third Palestinian attack on Israeli soldiers or civilians since the arson at the Dawabshe home.
Maariv reported that Israeli banks expect an ‘economic-political tsunami’ after the European Union adopted recommendations to boycott Israeli banks that have financial dealings over the Green Line, including in E. Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. One senior banker said: “This is a mega-event. Solutions to this issue can only come from the political field.” At the same time, a ‘boycott hotline’ is being established. The new channel will provide 'individual and discrete' assistance to companies facing boycotts.
Quick Hits:
- Jewish-Arab school hit by hate crime targeted on Waze - 'May God obliterate their name' was added to the location of the Max Rayne Hand in Hand school. Principal files police complaint. Waze changes listing, bans user responsible. (Agencies, Haaretz, Israel Hayom and Ynet)
- Incitement video on the Internet: "Rivlin, the Likudnik who stuck a knife in the back of Israel" - Chaim Ben-Pesach, a right wing activist who was a member of Meir Kahane's (violent Jewish extremist) organization, JDL, said President Rivlin supported "The ayatollahs, Iran, Obama, all our enemies and he's a Likudnik. You who voted for the evil corrupt party called Likud, you created this monster, the evil called Reuven Rivlin," said Ben-Pesach. (Maariv+VIDEO)
- Vatican Representatives Demand Israel Charge Jewish Extremist Leader With Incitement - In letter to attorney general and state prosecutor, Custody also criticized AG for 'procrastination' in action against Lehava's Bentzi Gopstein, who called for churches to be torched. (Haaretz+)
- Bennett: Jewish or Arab, all terrorists should be subject to death penalty - Education minister says 'parallel means' must be employed against all terrorists, including use of administrative detention. (Haaretz)
- Justice Minister: Jewish extremists who killed Palestinian infant should face death penalty - Justice minister also says administrative detention should not be used for any Israeli citizen – Arab or Jewish. [Note: the Palestinians under administrative detention are not Israeli citizens, so according to Shaked's statement she does not oppose them being held without charges or trial. – OH] (Haaretz)
- Israel Indicts Swedish National Suspected of Working for Hezbollah - 55-year-old Hassan Khalil Hizran accused of trying to enlist Israelis with connection to security establishment and government agencies; his lawyer denies the charges. (Haaretz and Ynet and Israel Hayom)
- Some 180 Palestinian Prisoners End Hunger Strike After One Day - Israel denies a deal was made, but Palestinians say some of their demands were met. (Haaretz+)
- Israel to build emergency room specifically for hunger-strikers - New emergency room to be built at Israel Prison Service medical center in Ramla expected to treat hunger-strikers to avoid irreversible health problems caused by long-term fasting. Security officials say treatment necessary to prevent deaths, which could lead to riots. (Israel Hayom)
- Israel mulls force-feeding Palestinian prisoner on 50-day hunger strike - Mohammad Allan, an Islamic Jihad operative, hospitalized but refusing treatment. Ethics committee authorizes treatment if necessary. (Israel Hayom)
- Kulanu party with the President: Members of the party visited the Presidential Residence to show support - Following a wave of incitement against President Reuven Rivli, Kulanu ministers and MKs met with him to condemn the threats against him. (Maariv)
- Israel's culture minister told state funding can't be withheld over content of work - Attorney general's deputies spell out limits of Miri Regev's powers, but she's still considering changes to funding criteria, and the law, for 2016. [She wants to limit criticism of government and soldiers. – OH] (Haaretz+)
- Israel Allocates 3m for Mikveh in Jewish Enclave in East Jerusalem - Opposition city council member decries injustice of spending public funds on project. (Haaretz+)
- Jewish Agency pulls out of Netanyahu’s Diaspora initiative - In letter, JA leaders say Diaspora Affairs Ministry plan has eliminated 'meaningful dialogue' with organized Jewish community abroad. (Haaretz)
- Israeli Army Indicted 50% More Soldiers for Drug Offenses in 2014 - Military defense attorneys' report points to changing conditions of army inmates, naming soldiers suspected of crimes against Palestinians. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Brazil to Remove Israel’ Nationality From Passports of Jerusalem-born Citizens - The United States, Canada and France also omit Israel from passports for holders born in Jerusalem, stating only the city’s name. (JTA, Haaretz)
- Summer Tourism to Israel Booms Back to pre-Gaza War Numbers - But overall tourist figures for 2015 are down 13% on 2014, showing that last summer's hostilities derailed tourism boom. (Haaretz+)
- Report: Israel Succeeding in Integrating Arabs in Labor Market - OECD commends Israel's performance during global economic crisis and urges government to invest more in professional training and career guidance. (Haaretz)
- WATCH: How welcome is a hand-holding gay couple in Jerusalem? - Shai and Ophir were greeted by stares, jokes and curses as they walked hand-in-hand through the streets of Jerusalem, in the wake of the Gay Pride attack. (Haaretz)
- Israel’s Religious Schools Get Highest Grades for 2013-14 - Government religious and Haredi schools punch above their weight, but also tend to have smaller classes and to screen applicants. (Haaretz+)
- S&P affirms Israel's A+ credit rating - "Reaffirming Israel's credit rating reflects the global community's faith in Israel's responsible, balanced fiscal policies," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says. Geopolitical instability poses the greatest challenge to the local economy, S&P says. (Israel Hayom)
- Infant mortality rising in Gaza Strip for first time in 50 years, says UN agency - Israel's blockade of the coastal enclave could be one of the contributing factors to the increase in baby deaths, according to UNRWA. (Haaretz)
- Israeli-Canadians Launch Crowdfunding Campaign to Get pro-Israel PM Reelected - The drive—which has raised more than $2,000 in 15 days—aims to send Israeli-Canadians to whip up support for PM Stephen Harper in Canadian Jewish communities before the Oct. 19 vote. (Haaretz+)
- U.S. sends 6 jets, 300 personnel to Turkey Air Base to fight ISIS - Ability to fly manned bombing raids out of Incirlik against targets in nearby Syria could be a big advantage. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Hundreds of Syrian Christians flee ISIS, activists say - 'Hundreds of families' are said to have fled the Christian town of Sadad toward the government-held central city of Homs and the capital, Damascus. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- ISIS Top Brass Is Iraqi Army's Former Best and Brightest - The experience they bring gives ISIS the military prowess it needs to win and the discipline it needs to weld together jihadis from across the globe. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
West Bank inches closer to boiling point
The rising tensions are evident everywhere. In Meir Ettinger's fanaticism; in Palestinian villages where night watchmen groups are formed; in Givat Ronen outpost where 'the most hotheaded guys are drawn,' and in the police, where investigators are trying to solve the arson in Duma and prepare for possible Jewish retaliation. Oded Shalom and Elior Levy take a trip through the settlement outposts and Palestinian villages where the tension is highest. (Yedioth/Ynet)
Surprise phone call to settler activist Daniela Weiss: "Who is important enough (to kill) - Netanyahu and Ya'alon?"
103FM radio show hosts, Shai and Dror, wanted to know following Weiss’ statement that "President Reuven Rivlin can sleep peacefully because he is not important enough to kill," whether the defense minister and the prime minister should be concerned. (Listen at Maariv)
Jewish football player looking for love
After making aliyah, college football player Gideon Reiz, 23, is all too happy to get chance to represent country he loves playing sport he loves. (Itamar Eichner, Yedioth/Ynet)
Home Demolitions, Airport Harassment: Israelis' Lack of Humanism
In the West Bank village of Aqaba, the Israeli authorities once more demolished homes and structures. What's their connection to American Palestinians who were denied entry to Israel/Palestine? (Amira Hass, Haaretz+)
Today Before: 10 August, 1973: IDF failed to catch George Habash
Today 42 years ago, the Israeli Air Force intercepted an Iraqi passenger plane on its way from Beirut to Baghdad, in order to catch George Habash, who was said to be flying on it. One of the founders of the terrorist organization Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), he was a pediatrician and a Christian-Palestinian politician who held a communist (Marxist) ideology...The plane was re-directed to IAF base Ramat David. After the passengers were checked and questioned it turned out that Habash was not among them. The plane and its passengers were released and continued on their way. Habash, who was born in Lod, was considered in the past as one of the most radical leaders of the terrorist organizations and he refused any compromise with Israel. In 2008 he died in his home in Jordan. (Eitan Haber, Yedioth's '24 Hours' supplement)
The Show Must Go on for Israeli Troupe Hounded Out of Edinburgh Festival in 2014
The creators of ‘The City’ arrived at the world’s biggest arts festival with big dreams, but they soon turned into a nightmarish experience. They were booed off stage over the Gaza war that raged last August, and the objections a growing number of protesters had to Edinburgh hosting a troupe sponsored, even in small part, by the Israeli government. (Danna Harman, Haaretz+)
Singing to the masses
Operation Protective Edge brought the closing of Rafi Perski’s Chinese restaurant, so he returned to singing and performing and now he hopes to release a new album with the help of crowd-sourcing. Up till now, he has 80% [94% now] of the amount. Tomorrow is the deadline. (Chen Lev, Maariv Magazine supplement, p. 12)
Escaping Assad’s Hell in Search of Hope
In the first of a series of articles, writer Thaef al-Nashef chronicles his journey as he joins thousands of fellow Syrian refugees desperately seeking sanctuary in Europe. (Thaer al-Nashef, Haaretz+)
When the earth shook
Director Noam Shalev, who during the disengagement (withdrawal) from the Gaza Strip filmed for BBC the movie ‘The last enclave’ about the evacuation from Kfar Yam, returns to the night in which the hilltop youth and the price-tag of today were born, to the people who fought till the end and to the difficult feeling that the hatred between the sides (nationalist and left-wing) burned up any chance for co-existence. (Noam Shalev, Maariv Magazine supplement, p. 10)
Ugly summer
It happens this summer everywhere: At the beach, in the parks and the play areas at the shopping malls. The month of August is a paradise for the ugly Israeli, that one who cuts in line, curses, litters and threatens. So how to deal with him: confront or be silent in order not to get beaten? And why in America no Israeli tourist would dare to act like that? (Iris Lifschitz-Klieger, Yedioth’s ’24 Hours’ supplement, cover)
Commentary/Analysis:
The rising tensions are evident everywhere. In Meir Ettinger's fanaticism; in Palestinian villages where night watchmen groups are formed; in Givat Ronen outpost where 'the most hotheaded guys are drawn,' and in the police, where investigators are trying to solve the arson in Duma and prepare for possible Jewish retaliation. Oded Shalom and Elior Levy take a trip through the settlement outposts and Palestinian villages where the tension is highest. (Yedioth/Ynet)
Surprise phone call to settler activist Daniela Weiss: "Who is important enough (to kill) - Netanyahu and Ya'alon?"
103FM radio show hosts, Shai and Dror, wanted to know following Weiss’ statement that "President Reuven Rivlin can sleep peacefully because he is not important enough to kill," whether the defense minister and the prime minister should be concerned. (Listen at Maariv)
Jewish football player looking for love
After making aliyah, college football player Gideon Reiz, 23, is all too happy to get chance to represent country he loves playing sport he loves. (Itamar Eichner, Yedioth/Ynet)
Home Demolitions, Airport Harassment: Israelis' Lack of Humanism
In the West Bank village of Aqaba, the Israeli authorities once more demolished homes and structures. What's their connection to American Palestinians who were denied entry to Israel/Palestine? (Amira Hass, Haaretz+)
Today Before: 10 August, 1973: IDF failed to catch George Habash
Today 42 years ago, the Israeli Air Force intercepted an Iraqi passenger plane on its way from Beirut to Baghdad, in order to catch George Habash, who was said to be flying on it. One of the founders of the terrorist organization Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), he was a pediatrician and a Christian-Palestinian politician who held a communist (Marxist) ideology...The plane was re-directed to IAF base Ramat David. After the passengers were checked and questioned it turned out that Habash was not among them. The plane and its passengers were released and continued on their way. Habash, who was born in Lod, was considered in the past as one of the most radical leaders of the terrorist organizations and he refused any compromise with Israel. In 2008 he died in his home in Jordan. (Eitan Haber, Yedioth's '24 Hours' supplement)
The Show Must Go on for Israeli Troupe Hounded Out of Edinburgh Festival in 2014
The creators of ‘The City’ arrived at the world’s biggest arts festival with big dreams, but they soon turned into a nightmarish experience. They were booed off stage over the Gaza war that raged last August, and the objections a growing number of protesters had to Edinburgh hosting a troupe sponsored, even in small part, by the Israeli government. (Danna Harman, Haaretz+)
Singing to the masses
Operation Protective Edge brought the closing of Rafi Perski’s Chinese restaurant, so he returned to singing and performing and now he hopes to release a new album with the help of crowd-sourcing. Up till now, he has 80% [94% now] of the amount. Tomorrow is the deadline. (Chen Lev, Maariv Magazine supplement, p. 12)
Escaping Assad’s Hell in Search of Hope
In the first of a series of articles, writer Thaef al-Nashef chronicles his journey as he joins thousands of fellow Syrian refugees desperately seeking sanctuary in Europe. (Thaer al-Nashef, Haaretz+)
When the earth shook
Director Noam Shalev, who during the disengagement (withdrawal) from the Gaza Strip filmed for BBC the movie ‘The last enclave’ about the evacuation from Kfar Yam, returns to the night in which the hilltop youth and the price-tag of today were born, to the people who fought till the end and to the difficult feeling that the hatred between the sides (nationalist and left-wing) burned up any chance for co-existence. (Noam Shalev, Maariv Magazine supplement, p. 10)
Ugly summer
It happens this summer everywhere: At the beach, in the parks and the play areas at the shopping malls. The month of August is a paradise for the ugly Israeli, that one who cuts in line, curses, litters and threatens. So how to deal with him: confront or be silent in order not to get beaten? And why in America no Israeli tourist would dare to act like that? (Iris Lifschitz-Klieger, Yedioth’s ’24 Hours’ supplement, cover)
Commentary/Analysis:
Bennett's mistaken and provincial worldview must be opposed (Haaretz Editorial) Israel's government has no right to preach to overseas Jews about what
kind of family units they should establish. This presumption reflects a harmful arrogance and even emits a
racist stench.
Gaza Disengagement: When Israel Lost a Slice of Its Sovereignty Over Settlers (Joel Braunold, Haaretz+) Israel's evacuation of settlements in 2005 formed the bedrock of mistrust between the religious Zionist community and the state.
Good cop and bad cop: "Daniella Weiss should be commended for her openness and honesty" (Ben Caspit and Arieh Eldad, Maariv/103FM) Ben Caspit compliments the right-wing activist who, for a change, reveals the truth about the settlers, when she said that the Israeli President was not important enough to assassinate. And, Arieh Eldad wonders why the right-wing activists were detained and put in administrative detention.
American Jews at the service of Netanyahu (Uri Misgav, Haaretz+) Who are U.S. Jewish leaders really representing when they lobby the American president on behalf of Israel’s prime minister? Not their fellow countrymen, for sure.
The Battle that is in our souls: Let the Shin Bet and the police beat Jewish terrorism (Uri Savir, Maariv) Criticism of the murder in the village of Duma is insufficient. In order for Jewish terrorists not to ignite the region, the authorities must be given all the tools to put those and future terrorist planners behind bars.
The day after the deal (Prof. Eyal Zisser, Israel Hayom) Russia, unlike Iran, doesn't consider Israel to be an enemy. But as a famous Russian official once said: "When you chop wood, chips fly."
Like Netanyahu or hate him, his fight against Obama is impressive (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) In the palpably unequal fight between the U.S. president and Israel’s premier, even Netanyahu’s foes must salute his bravura performance.
Who is really behind Jewish terror in the (Palestinian) Territories (Ran Adelist, Maariv) I suggest not to follow closely the reports that there is a gap between the settler hilltop youth and the settler hacks. It's just an exercise in semantics of differentiating, which the defense establishment, the Shin Bet and the Attorney General are party to.
The 'postnational' nationalists (Judith Bergman, Israel Hayom) Nationalism is something to condemn and abhor when Israel exhibits it, but is perfectly fine for the Europeans.
Assad pushing desperately for diplomacy, but rebels more interested in carving up Syria (Zvi Bar’el, Haaretz+) Syrian president doesn't have enough troops to block rebel advances in important districts, especially as volunteers desert their units following a controversial road rage incident.
Israel 'forgotten' by Egypt yet again (Smadar Perry, Yedioth/Ynet) While the diplomatic relationship between the two countries is thriving under the table, Israel wasn't invited to the inauguration of the new Suez Canal – along with Egypt's three main enemies.
What Israel can learn from Egypt's New Suez Canal (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) When Egypt wanted to expand the Suez Canal, the president didn't turn to tycoons for assistance – he solicited the help of the Egyptian people.
Stop sign: we all have to stand together in favor of the elimination of terrorism (Alon Schwartzer, Maariv) It is wrong for parts of the nationalist (right-wing) camp to join the radical choir of the far-left, which prefers the right of the attackers of terrorism over our right to life. We must support the use of administrative detention, also in the case of Jews.
Time to Retire the 'demographic Threat' From Israeli Discourse? (Mira Sucharov, Haaretz+) While Jewish-Israeli fears of becoming a minority are understandable, describing a fifth of their compatriots in such hostile terms is antithetical to creating a truly egalitarian and inclusive democracy.
Can hummus solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? (Dr. Ilan Zvi Baron, Ynet) There is a lot of respect in Israel for the wonderful food produced by the Middle East; this respect could perhaps help shape the way in which Israelis see each other and their neighbors.
Gaza Disengagement: When Israel Lost a Slice of Its Sovereignty Over Settlers (Joel Braunold, Haaretz+) Israel's evacuation of settlements in 2005 formed the bedrock of mistrust between the religious Zionist community and the state.
Good cop and bad cop: "Daniella Weiss should be commended for her openness and honesty" (Ben Caspit and Arieh Eldad, Maariv/103FM) Ben Caspit compliments the right-wing activist who, for a change, reveals the truth about the settlers, when she said that the Israeli President was not important enough to assassinate. And, Arieh Eldad wonders why the right-wing activists were detained and put in administrative detention.
American Jews at the service of Netanyahu (Uri Misgav, Haaretz+) Who are U.S. Jewish leaders really representing when they lobby the American president on behalf of Israel’s prime minister? Not their fellow countrymen, for sure.
The Battle that is in our souls: Let the Shin Bet and the police beat Jewish terrorism (Uri Savir, Maariv) Criticism of the murder in the village of Duma is insufficient. In order for Jewish terrorists not to ignite the region, the authorities must be given all the tools to put those and future terrorist planners behind bars.
The day after the deal (Prof. Eyal Zisser, Israel Hayom) Russia, unlike Iran, doesn't consider Israel to be an enemy. But as a famous Russian official once said: "When you chop wood, chips fly."
Like Netanyahu or hate him, his fight against Obama is impressive (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) In the palpably unequal fight between the U.S. president and Israel’s premier, even Netanyahu’s foes must salute his bravura performance.
Who is really behind Jewish terror in the (Palestinian) Territories (Ran Adelist, Maariv) I suggest not to follow closely the reports that there is a gap between the settler hilltop youth and the settler hacks. It's just an exercise in semantics of differentiating, which the defense establishment, the Shin Bet and the Attorney General are party to.
The 'postnational' nationalists (Judith Bergman, Israel Hayom) Nationalism is something to condemn and abhor when Israel exhibits it, but is perfectly fine for the Europeans.
Assad pushing desperately for diplomacy, but rebels more interested in carving up Syria (Zvi Bar’el, Haaretz+) Syrian president doesn't have enough troops to block rebel advances in important districts, especially as volunteers desert their units following a controversial road rage incident.
Israel 'forgotten' by Egypt yet again (Smadar Perry, Yedioth/Ynet) While the diplomatic relationship between the two countries is thriving under the table, Israel wasn't invited to the inauguration of the new Suez Canal – along with Egypt's three main enemies.
What Israel can learn from Egypt's New Suez Canal (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) When Egypt wanted to expand the Suez Canal, the president didn't turn to tycoons for assistance – he solicited the help of the Egyptian people.
Stop sign: we all have to stand together in favor of the elimination of terrorism (Alon Schwartzer, Maariv) It is wrong for parts of the nationalist (right-wing) camp to join the radical choir of the far-left, which prefers the right of the attackers of terrorism over our right to life. We must support the use of administrative detention, also in the case of Jews.
Time to Retire the 'demographic Threat' From Israeli Discourse? (Mira Sucharov, Haaretz+) While Jewish-Israeli fears of becoming a minority are understandable, describing a fifth of their compatriots in such hostile terms is antithetical to creating a truly egalitarian and inclusive democracy.
Can hummus solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? (Dr. Ilan Zvi Baron, Ynet) There is a lot of respect in Israel for the wonderful food produced by the Middle East; this respect could perhaps help shape the way in which Israelis see each other and their neighbors.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.