APN's daily news review from Israel
Wednesday October 7, 2015
Quote of the day:
“The vast majority of the [IDF’s] activity in Judea and Samaria is serious and professional. Anything
can be photographed. We have nothing to be ashamed of, even if it doesn’t always look very
good.”
--A senior IDF Central Command officer justifies the suspension of a Givati Brigade commander, whose soldiers assaulted two press photographers in the West Bank and broke their cameras.
--A senior IDF Central Command officer justifies the suspension of a Givati Brigade commander, whose soldiers assaulted two press photographers in the West Bank and broke their cameras.
You Must Be Kidding:
"Funds that were given illegally must be returned, and those responsible for the allocation should be prosecuted."
--Meretz chairwoman Zehava Gal-On reacts after over government gave $100,000 for infrastructure to a West Bank outpost that has no building permits.
Breaking News:
Two incidents of Palestinians stabbing Jews
- Man killed after stabbing soldier, snatching his rifle in southern Israel
- Man wounded in Jerusalem Old City stabbing attack; female Palestinian assailant shot
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Shin Bet seeks lenient plea deals for Hamas operatives in order to avoid testifying on torture
- (Mahmoud) Abbas to Haaretz: I am acting to prevent violence from getting worse
- Despite the cooling off of demonstrations, there is a fear of revenge attacks // Amos Harel
- Violent demonstration in Jaffa in support of Palestinians, 6 police injured
- Netanyahu toured West Bank and responded to Bennett: IDF receives full-freedom of action
- Senior official in Russian Army: We will deploy “volunteer” ground forces in Syria
- Police to investigate suspicion of rape at ‘Allenby 40’ nightclub following statements of young woman that she was not sane
- Stop playing – The ‘La Familia’ (racist Beitar Jerusalem soccer team fan club) test // Haaretz Editorial
- The Kirschenbaum legacy // Moshe Negbi
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Stones in Jaffa – Demonstration of Arabs of Jaffa deteriorated into violent riots last night
- Ebb and flow // Yossi Yehoshua
- Minority in a trap // Ayman Agbarieh
- Fragile co-existence // Oded Shalom
- The Prime Minister’s new residence
- Ohad, who was injured in Operation Protective Edge, is back on his feet
- The red line – Farmers going to battle against imports of tomatoes from Turkey: Going to Knesset on tractors
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Al-Aqsa in Old Jaffa
- Looking for calm – Following the criticism from within the government on dealing with terror, Netanyahu threatened the ministers of Habayit Hayehudi party
- Retaliation act against the right-wing rear // Ben Caspit
- Stop the suicidal campaign // Nadav Haetzni
- Rolling towards Gaza // Ran Adelist
- The target: (crime boss) Shalom Domrani
- State Prosecutor: Investigate the suspicion of rape at ‘Allenby 40’
Israel Hayom
- “We want to bring calm” Netanyahu chastised (Habayit Hayehudi ministers) Bennett and Shaked: “If the behavior of Operation Protective Edge comes back – there won’t be a government” – and in the meantime: riots also in Jaffa
- Behave responsible, not cynically // Haim Shine
- The right-wing is demonstrating against itself // Dan Margalit
- Destroy the palace of terror // Tzvika Fogel
- Fall peeking from the window: Weather forecasters promise – rain will come
- Medal of courage bestowed on Captain Or Ben-Yehuda: “People should learn from him”
News Summary:
Arab Israelis rioted in Jaffa over the Temple Mount, dozens of Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank and numerous incidents of violence took place around Jerusalem as security officials insisted that the Third Intifada had not begun making the top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
During a tour of the West Bank, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu slammed his more right-wing critics and ordered police take action against Jerusalem Old City shopkeepers (and Maariv) who witnessed the stabbing of two Jews, but did not try to aid them. Despite division in the security establishment over the efficacy of such a move, the IDF destroyed and sealed the homes of the Palestinians who perpetrated the attack on the Jerusalem synagogue last year.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for an end to the escalating violence and made a new appeal to renew the peace process: “We want to reach a political solution peacefully.” Abbas called on Israel to freeze settlement construction, release veteran prisoners and resume peace negotiations. Meanwhile, Israeli and Palestinian security officials are to meet in an attempt to reduce the tensions.
Arab Israelis rioted in Jaffa over the Temple Mount, dozens of Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank and numerous incidents of violence took place around Jerusalem as security officials insisted that the Third Intifada had not begun making the top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
During a tour of the West Bank, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu slammed his more right-wing critics and ordered police take action against Jerusalem Old City shopkeepers (and Maariv) who witnessed the stabbing of two Jews, but did not try to aid them. Despite division in the security establishment over the efficacy of such a move, the IDF destroyed and sealed the homes of the Palestinians who perpetrated the attack on the Jerusalem synagogue last year.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for an end to the escalating violence and made a new appeal to renew the peace process: “We want to reach a political solution peacefully.” Abbas called on Israel to freeze settlement construction, release veteran prisoners and resume peace negotiations. Meanwhile, Israeli and Palestinian security officials are to meet in an attempt to reduce the tensions.
Quick Hits:
- Shin Bet seeks lenient plea deals for Hamas operatives to avoid testifying about torture methods - Shin Bet wrongly suspected that 93 members of a suspected Hamas network were responsible for the kidnapping of three Jewish teens in June 2014 and as a result thought it could torture the suspects to obtain information. The assumption was that if the Shin Bet was ever challenged, it could legally defend its use of torture because it was aiming to “prevent immediate harm to life." (Haaretz+)
- Right-wing Knesset member tells Palestinian woman to 'go to the grave' - Habayit Hayehudi lawmaker Moti Yogev filmed trying to block (elderly) Palestinian woman in Jerusalem's Old City. and shouted at her: “You will not pass here, Jews only,” to which right-wing religious activists began singing and playing drums. (Haaretz+VIDEO and Channel 2 VIDEO)
- Israeli woman fired for 'praising' terrorist on Facebook - Cellular provider fires employee for posting photo of Jerusalem stabber with captions 'my love,' 'martyr.' She claims she was unlawfully dismissed. (Ynet)
- Residents of settlement ordered to stay home following rock ambush - A motorist narrowly escapes attempt to physically remove her from her car near Tekoa in the southern West Bank; two lightly wounded in stabbing attack in Jerusalem. (Ynet)
- Killing of Palestinian youth in Bethlehem was 'unintentional,' preliminary IDF inquiry finds - Probe concludes Abed a-Rahman Abdallah was hit by an Israeli bullet, but apparently the target was an adult standing next to him. (Haaretz+)
- Israel Military Chief: Army Has Full Freedom of Action in West Bank - Senior officer, on assault on AFP photographers: We have nothing to hide, officer's conduct was unacceptable. (Haaretz+)
- IDF demolishes terrorists' homes - Engineering forces in Jerusalem destroy houses of two terrorists who killed Israeli civilians, while one room is sealed in home of attempted assassin of Yehuda Glick. (Ynet)
- Tension continues: Border Police officers foiled stabbing attack at Tapuach Junction in West Bank - A Palestinian aroused the suspicion of policemen and was arrested after arriving with a large knife in his hand and a Japanese knife in his possession Japanese. Suspected of planning to attack Israelis. (Maariv)
- The PLO's Executive Committee decided to expedite the declaration of a Palestinian state - Committee called on the UN Secretary General to ensure international protection for the Palestinian people against "Israeli aggression" and decided to convene the national council, which will include all the Palestinian factions. (Maariv)
- Netanyahu: Government will take steps against Islamic Movement - Prime minister says Northern Branch of Islamic Movement is 'greatest source of incitement in recent years'; Defense Minister, IDF chief warn against Jewish violence. (Haaretz+)
- State won't revoke funding of illegal West Bank outpost, despite attorney general's instructions - Over $100,000 was given for infrastructure in Negohot, which has no building permits. 'Funds that were given illegally must be returned, and those responsible for the allocation should be prosecuted,' incensed Meretz chairwoman says. According to data of MK Eitan Broshi of Zionist Union, number of Israelis living outside the settlement blocs rose from 18,000 in 1993 to 110,000 in 2014. During past six years, 40% more housing starts in isolated settlements. (Haaretz+)
- State Department: Man killed in Samaria attack was US citizen - U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner confirms Eitam Henkin was an American citizen. Henkin was killed along with his wife Naama in drive-by shooting attack conducted by Palestinian terrorists in Samaria last Thursday. (Agencies, Israel Hayom)
- Pilgrim season in danger as fear grips Jerusalem -Attacks worry Israeli travel industry as traditionally profitable months when pilgrims visit Israel are fast approaching and violence continues. (Ynet)
- WATCH: Hamas's new Hebrew hit - New Hamas clip aims to invoke terror among Israelis by fanning the flames of the current 'intifada' to the tunes of an old Eyal Golan song. (Ynet+VIDEO)
- B'Ttselem calls on IDF to stop using sniper rifle, .22 caliber bullets - The army maintains that the so-called Toto bullet is non-lethal, even though it has killed four Palestinians since the beginning of the year, says B'Tselem. (Haaretz)
- Minister Regev condemns 'horrifying' attack on Tel Aviv soccer fan - Hapoel Tel Aviv owner calls for Beitar Jerusalem’s 'La familia' fan club to be outlawed. (Haaretz+)
- State Dept. confronted over criticism of Israel - Reporter Matt Lee notes that recent deadly strike on Afghan hospital, apparently by US, parallels Israeli shelling that the US sharply condemned as 'disgraceful.' (Ynet)
- Israelis outraged by biased, anti-Israel reporting of terrorist attacks - BBC, Al Jazeera headlines on fatal stabbing attack in Jerusalem shock Israelis by focusing on Palestinian perpetrator who was shot dead, without indicating that he had just murdered two Israelis. Both outlets change wording following complaints. (Israel Hayom)
- Rivlin confirms Indian president to visit Israel next week - Pranab Mukherjee's state visit will focus on fields of economy, science, medicine and agriculture. (Haaretz)
- Foundation will counter BDS by promoting Israeli high-tech - Start-Up Nation Central is funded by U.S. Jewish billionaire Paul Singer and headed by Eugene Kandel, former head of the Israeli National Economic Council. (Haaretz)
- Syrian civil war was one of causes for unusual dust storm, say Israeli scientists - Analysis of dust particles confirms military activity caused harm to soil crust in Syria, Ben-Gurion University researchers say. (Haaretz+)
- Russia says ready to resume talks with U.S. on Syria air safety - U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter earlier expressed concerns about Russian aircraft violating Turkish airspace. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Russian military delegation comes Israel to discuss Syria with IDF officials - The military leaders will discuss how not to get in each other's way in the region, in the wake of PM Netanyahu's and President Putin's deconfliction agreement. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Russian volunteers trained in combat may fight in Syria - They could bring the skills they honed in Ukraine to the battlefield in the Middle East. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
Divided
They have only one thing in common: They are both guides of organized tours in the Old City and they preach to anyone who will listen about their solution to the situation. On the right: (right-wing Temple Mount activist) Yehuda Glick, armed with a gun and bullet-proof vest. On the left: Left-wing activist Aviv Tatarsky. The subject: The Temple Mount and the burning capital. Our reporter held a meeting between them in the alleyways that lead to the Wailing Wall and tried to understand if there was a chance that there would be calm here. (Amichai Atali, Yedioth's '24 Hours' supplement, cover)
When an Israeli man met an Iranian woman in Germany
The love story of Tsafi, an Israeli, and Bari, an Iranian, spans two continents but has yet to result in any international diplomatic incidents. (Tomer On, Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
They have only one thing in common: They are both guides of organized tours in the Old City and they preach to anyone who will listen about their solution to the situation. On the right: (right-wing Temple Mount activist) Yehuda Glick, armed with a gun and bullet-proof vest. On the left: Left-wing activist Aviv Tatarsky. The subject: The Temple Mount and the burning capital. Our reporter held a meeting between them in the alleyways that lead to the Wailing Wall and tried to understand if there was a chance that there would be calm here. (Amichai Atali, Yedioth's '24 Hours' supplement, cover)
When an Israeli man met an Iranian woman in Germany
The love story of Tsafi, an Israeli, and Bari, an Iranian, spans two continents but has yet to result in any international diplomatic incidents. (Tomer On, Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Signs in the West Bank point to cooling off, but for how long? (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) In dealing with the current unrest, Israel isn't exactly thinking out of the
box, but these steps may suffice. The main danger is from a vicious cycle of attacks and counterattacks by
Palestinians and Jews.
Axe attack proves Beitar Jerusalem fan club is a terrorist group (Haaretz Editorial) To uproot a sick phenomenon like La Familia, pinpoint punishments are not enough. There is a need to uproot the racism and violence such groups represent.
Has the third intifada begun? 5 must-read analyses (Haaretz commentators) Haaretz columnists examine all the angles of the current violence in Jerusalem and the West Bank and put it into context.
Who will pick up the phone, Bibi or Abbas? (Smadar Perry, Yedioth/Ynet) Both the Israeli and Palestinians leaders have a lot to lose if they don't bring about a calm. No matter what they know or think about each other, they must meet face to face, without mediators.
Time for tough decisions (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) Despite the complex situation on the ground, Israel must spare no effort to prevent a full-fledged Palestinian uprising.
Netanyahu trying to avoid full-scale West Bank military operation (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Such an operation, the prime minister knows, would only crush Palestinian rule in the West Bank, and is unlikely to thwart the recent wave of terror.
Israel's arm is strong, yet its hand is not extended in peace (Uzi Baram, Haaretz+) We are indeed facing dangers, but economically and militarily we are the strongest country in the region.
Retaliation against the right-wing rear: Netanyahu and Ya'alon against the Bennett and Shaked pair (Ben Caspit, Maariv) The battles began between them during Operation Protective Edge and Habayit Hayehudi is now trying to regain the voters who abandoned it in elections just to save Netanyahu from defeat.
Why the BBC is biased against Israel (Gilad Halpern, Ynet) A grossly erroneous report on last week's Jerusalem attack seems to corroborate claims about the broadcaster's deep-seated anti-Israel bias. It doesn't: The real reason for the mistake is much more alarming, and it has nothing to do with Israel.
Mossad takes pride in one of its worst debacles (Oudeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) 61 years after the revelation of the Lavon Affair, the original ‘false flag’ operation, Israel’s spooks believe it was more bad luck than embarrassment, if it was embarrassing at all.
When will the sane Left wake up? (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom) Are you really blaming Israel for the murder attempts, the incitement and the lack of a diplomatic solution?
Palestinians are fighting for their lives; Israel is fighting for the occupation (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) That we notice there’s a war on only when Jews are murdered does not cancel out the fact that Palestinians are being killed all the time, and that all the time we are doing everything in our power to make their lives unbearable.
Zigzagging on democracy (Smadar Bat Adam, Israel Hayom) It is time to reconsider allowing politicians who openly delegitimize Israel and encourage violent resistance to serve in the Israeli Knesset.
Israel is in a state of refugee denial (Gershom Gorenberg, Haaretz+) Is there any meaning at all to 'Jewish' in 'Jewish state' when Israel refuses sanctuary?
Axe attack proves Beitar Jerusalem fan club is a terrorist group (Haaretz Editorial) To uproot a sick phenomenon like La Familia, pinpoint punishments are not enough. There is a need to uproot the racism and violence such groups represent.
Has the third intifada begun? 5 must-read analyses (Haaretz commentators) Haaretz columnists examine all the angles of the current violence in Jerusalem and the West Bank and put it into context.
Who will pick up the phone, Bibi or Abbas? (Smadar Perry, Yedioth/Ynet) Both the Israeli and Palestinians leaders have a lot to lose if they don't bring about a calm. No matter what they know or think about each other, they must meet face to face, without mediators.
Time for tough decisions (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) Despite the complex situation on the ground, Israel must spare no effort to prevent a full-fledged Palestinian uprising.
Netanyahu trying to avoid full-scale West Bank military operation (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Such an operation, the prime minister knows, would only crush Palestinian rule in the West Bank, and is unlikely to thwart the recent wave of terror.
Israel's arm is strong, yet its hand is not extended in peace (Uzi Baram, Haaretz+) We are indeed facing dangers, but economically and militarily we are the strongest country in the region.
Retaliation against the right-wing rear: Netanyahu and Ya'alon against the Bennett and Shaked pair (Ben Caspit, Maariv) The battles began between them during Operation Protective Edge and Habayit Hayehudi is now trying to regain the voters who abandoned it in elections just to save Netanyahu from defeat.
Why the BBC is biased against Israel (Gilad Halpern, Ynet) A grossly erroneous report on last week's Jerusalem attack seems to corroborate claims about the broadcaster's deep-seated anti-Israel bias. It doesn't: The real reason for the mistake is much more alarming, and it has nothing to do with Israel.
Mossad takes pride in one of its worst debacles (Oudeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) 61 years after the revelation of the Lavon Affair, the original ‘false flag’ operation, Israel’s spooks believe it was more bad luck than embarrassment, if it was embarrassing at all.
When will the sane Left wake up? (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom) Are you really blaming Israel for the murder attempts, the incitement and the lack of a diplomatic solution?
Palestinians are fighting for their lives; Israel is fighting for the occupation (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) That we notice there’s a war on only when Jews are murdered does not cancel out the fact that Palestinians are being killed all the time, and that all the time we are doing everything in our power to make their lives unbearable.
Zigzagging on democracy (Smadar Bat Adam, Israel Hayom) It is time to reconsider allowing politicians who openly delegitimize Israel and encourage violent resistance to serve in the Israeli Knesset.
Israel is in a state of refugee denial (Gershom Gorenberg, Haaretz+) Is there any meaning at all to 'Jewish' in 'Jewish state' when Israel refuses sanctuary?
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.