APN's daily news review from Israel
Wednesday November 18, 2015
Quote of the day:
"It should have insisted on something like "Product of a bunch of lunatic paranoids that see
anti-Semitism and Israel’s imminent destruction lurking in every corner."
-- David Rosenberg writes that the European Union was kind to Israel in labeling settlement products, noting that it didn’t take decades for the EU to slap sanctions on Russia and there weren’t labels reading 'Made in Crimea (Russian occupation').
-- David Rosenberg writes that the European Union was kind to Israel in labeling settlement products, noting that it didn’t take decades for the EU to slap sanctions on Russia and there weren’t labels reading 'Made in Crimea (Russian occupation').
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Cabinet decided: Northern branch of Islamic Movement (in Israel) is outlawed
- Who’s next in line // Jack Khoury
- Taking advantage of an opportunity // Amos Harel
- Draconian step // Aeyal Gross
- Panic in Germany due to concrete warning of attack in Hanover
- Netanyahu approved construction of hundreds of housing units over the Green Line in Jerusalem
- More than 1,250 children reported sexual abuse by their brothers in 2014
- Suspicion of murder: Bodies of mother and daughter found in their car in Ramle
- Not industry and cars: the biggest air polluter is agriculture
- The transgender’s battle against her ultra-Orthodox family continues even after her suicide
- Again he capitulated (to settlers) // Haaretz Editorial
- Mistake in the battle // Kobi Niv
- Ayala Hasson leaves Channel 1 nightly news program and moves to Channel 10
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Terror panic in Germany
- Putin’s revenge: Air strike against Daesh
- War of worlds // Alex Fishman
- Sharp rise in brain drain from IDF
- Last night: Mother and daughter murdered in Ramleh
- Outlawed – Cabinet decided that the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement (in Israel) is a prohibited association
- The plan for the war against the boycott
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Outside of the law – Ministers decided to outlaw the northern branch of the Islamic movement – in opposition to the position of the Shin Bet
- Right, but not for certain wise // Ben Caspit
- Lack of understanding of Arab Israel society // Alon Ben-David
- Doubtful effectiveness // Former police commander Alik Ron
- Better late // Adv. Yechiel Gottman
- Fear is taking control – Warnings of attacks at soccer stadiums in Europe caused cancellation of games
- Ramle: Suspicion of murder of two (Arab) women
Israel Hayom
- PM: Islamic Movement connected to Hamas against the state – In a dramatic move, the cabinet decided to outlaw the northern branch of the Islamic Movement
- They are the Muslim Brotherhood // Dror Eydar
- With blood on their hands // Dan Margalit
- Daesh panic: Stadium evacuated out of fear of bomb
- In Europe they understood: Everyone is in the crosshairs // Boaz Bismuth
- On Friday he’s out: Preparations for Pollard’s release
- Until the budget comes out: Today – marathon votes in Knesset plenum
- Danger in your plate: French fries and toast also suspected of being carcinogens
- Shake up in TV: Ayala Hasson moving to Channel 10
News Summary:
As tension and fear of Daesh attacks in Europe is at a climax, causing the cancellation of a soccer-match, Israel’s cabinet outlaws the Islamic Movement's northern branch making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Netanyahu also approved marketing hundreds of housing units for Jews beyond the Green Line in Jerusalem. Also in the news, Israel responds to European Union labeling of settlement products, South Africa and Spain reportedly issued arrest warrants against Israeli political leaders and generals who were involved in decisions regarding the 2010 Mavi Marmara flotilla incident and barely mentioned was the violence and the casualties in the West Bank - or the UN statement.
In what even the pro-Netanyahu tabloid, Israel Hayom, called ‘a dramatic move,’ Israel outlawed an Arab Israeli movement, turning it into a criminal organization and anyone or any group connected to it and assisting it an any way is thereby guilty of a criminal offense. The decision by the cabinet was made two weeks ago in opposition to the Shin Bet stance, which said it was much easier to act against a visible organization, than one who goes underground, Yedioth’s Eitan Haber wrote. But the announcement was made only yesterday, which some like Arab MK Ahmed Tibi said “was a cynical exploitation of the terrible crime in Paris.” Police shut down the 17 offices of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel, seized documents, computers and money and froze bank accounts. Many Israeli analysts saw this move as problematic. Maariv legal commentator, Adv. Yechiel Gottman, wrote in favor of the move, but noted, “Outlawing a group of people is not a routine move and it is a type of constitutional violation.” Haaretz’s Barak Ravid said that the key point of contention between the police and Shin Bet over the banning of the movement was whether it would lead to escalation and rioting. The police thought it wouldn’t. However, Haaretz+ and Maariv reporters and analysts wrote that there was indeed now a fear of unrest breaking out in the Arab Israeli sector. Maariv’s analyst, Alon Ben-David said that the move shows a lack of understanding of Arab-Israeli society. Instead of outlawing it and giving it prestige and bringing all of Arab-Israeli society to its support, Israel should build state state-of-the-art kindergartens next to the (free) Islamic Movement kindergartens. The movement itself has “only about 10,000 members,” according to former police commander, Alik Ron. Interestingly, Ron wrote in Maariv that during his period, he was exposed to incriminating information that if used, would have put Raed Salah, the leader of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in jail for many years. But, he wrote, Salah wasn’t tried because doing so would have exposed ‘sensitive sources.’ “This explanation was not acceptable to me then and it isn’t today, just as it is unacceptable to me the claim that it is impossible to expose who are the despicable murderers that burned the Dawabsheh family in Duma. And since (Salah) wasn’t arrested and tried then, I am in no hurry to applaud the cabinet decision….I hope very much that we won’t discover that because it was outlawed, thousands of youth will express support for it – open and hidden.”
The PLO also denounced Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for 'exploiting' the Paris attacks. "Netanyahu is cynically exploiting the pain of the innocent victims of Daesh terrorism in Paris in order to create a misleading linkage and to justify Israeli state terror against the Palestinian people, while presenting Israel as the victim,” senior PLO official Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement. "In fact, Israel is an occupying power (which) has habitually terrorized Palestinian civilians, stolen their land and resources, and demolished their homes."
The hunt in Europe for Daesh jihadists also put Netanyahu’s approval for another 450 housing units over the Green Line in Jerusalem in the back pages of most of the Hebrew newspapers. Maariv wrote that Netanyahu acceded to the demand of Ministers Naftali Bennett and Uri Ariel of Habayit Hayehudi to end the freeze on construction over the Green Line.
Meanwhile, Israel has plans for the 16 European countries which supported the move to label settlement products, reported Yedioth. 1.) reprimand their ambassadors. 2.) allow only lower ranked Israel officials meet their visiting officials. 3.) limit the goods they export to the Palestinian territories. 4.) limit cooperation in the Territories on economic projects (between Palestinians and) those countries 5.) reconsider European involvement in peace process. Maariv interviewed Israel's new ambassador to France, Aliza Bin-Nun, who warned Israelis: "Don’t expect that now they will stop labeling products from the settlements."
Meanwhile, there was confusion over whether South Africa issued arrest warrants against former generals and politicians involved in the 2010 Mavi Marmara flotilla affair. The Israeli Foreign Ministry called the move 'ugly and provocative.’ (Also in Maariv) And according to an article in ‘The Independent,’ Spain issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and seven other senior officials. Later, South African police denied issuing the arrest warrants.
More violence in the West Bank. A Palestinian man was shot dead after allegedly firing at Israeli soldiers in the West Bank. (Also, Ynet) Barely mentioned was that Israeli forces shot five Palestinians in clashes near Bethlehem. Two protesters were shot with live bullets in their lower extremities, while one of those shot with a rubber-coated steel bullet was hit in the face, Maan reported.
And the UN raised alarm over possible ‘summary executions’ by Israeli troops, saying that Israeli security forces have used excessive force and may have carried out summary executions against Palestinians.
Looking at Maan reports, one can see a rise in the arrest of Palestinian children for stone-throwing. One video shows Israeli forces detaining a six-year-old boy in E. Jerusalem. Another report says Israel detained a nine-year-old boy. And in Nablus, Israeli forces raided a girls school, twice, and demanded the removal of Arafat posters. Since the beginning of this 'wave of violence,' the Israeli security establishment has released its third video showing undercover Border Police arresting stone throwers – probably in an attempt to scare them into stopping. Witnesses said that undercover Israeli agents dressed as Palestinians chased the children while they were on their way to school before detaining them. And the governor of Jenin told Ynet that Palestinian security forces thwarted three stabbing attacks at Jalamah checkpoint.
As tension and fear of Daesh attacks in Europe is at a climax, causing the cancellation of a soccer-match, Israel’s cabinet outlaws the Islamic Movement's northern branch making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Netanyahu also approved marketing hundreds of housing units for Jews beyond the Green Line in Jerusalem. Also in the news, Israel responds to European Union labeling of settlement products, South Africa and Spain reportedly issued arrest warrants against Israeli political leaders and generals who were involved in decisions regarding the 2010 Mavi Marmara flotilla incident and barely mentioned was the violence and the casualties in the West Bank - or the UN statement.
In what even the pro-Netanyahu tabloid, Israel Hayom, called ‘a dramatic move,’ Israel outlawed an Arab Israeli movement, turning it into a criminal organization and anyone or any group connected to it and assisting it an any way is thereby guilty of a criminal offense. The decision by the cabinet was made two weeks ago in opposition to the Shin Bet stance, which said it was much easier to act against a visible organization, than one who goes underground, Yedioth’s Eitan Haber wrote. But the announcement was made only yesterday, which some like Arab MK Ahmed Tibi said “was a cynical exploitation of the terrible crime in Paris.” Police shut down the 17 offices of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel, seized documents, computers and money and froze bank accounts. Many Israeli analysts saw this move as problematic. Maariv legal commentator, Adv. Yechiel Gottman, wrote in favor of the move, but noted, “Outlawing a group of people is not a routine move and it is a type of constitutional violation.” Haaretz’s Barak Ravid said that the key point of contention between the police and Shin Bet over the banning of the movement was whether it would lead to escalation and rioting. The police thought it wouldn’t. However, Haaretz+ and Maariv reporters and analysts wrote that there was indeed now a fear of unrest breaking out in the Arab Israeli sector. Maariv’s analyst, Alon Ben-David said that the move shows a lack of understanding of Arab-Israeli society. Instead of outlawing it and giving it prestige and bringing all of Arab-Israeli society to its support, Israel should build state state-of-the-art kindergartens next to the (free) Islamic Movement kindergartens. The movement itself has “only about 10,000 members,” according to former police commander, Alik Ron. Interestingly, Ron wrote in Maariv that during his period, he was exposed to incriminating information that if used, would have put Raed Salah, the leader of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in jail for many years. But, he wrote, Salah wasn’t tried because doing so would have exposed ‘sensitive sources.’ “This explanation was not acceptable to me then and it isn’t today, just as it is unacceptable to me the claim that it is impossible to expose who are the despicable murderers that burned the Dawabsheh family in Duma. And since (Salah) wasn’t arrested and tried then, I am in no hurry to applaud the cabinet decision….I hope very much that we won’t discover that because it was outlawed, thousands of youth will express support for it – open and hidden.”
The PLO also denounced Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for 'exploiting' the Paris attacks. "Netanyahu is cynically exploiting the pain of the innocent victims of Daesh terrorism in Paris in order to create a misleading linkage and to justify Israeli state terror against the Palestinian people, while presenting Israel as the victim,” senior PLO official Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement. "In fact, Israel is an occupying power (which) has habitually terrorized Palestinian civilians, stolen their land and resources, and demolished their homes."
The hunt in Europe for Daesh jihadists also put Netanyahu’s approval for another 450 housing units over the Green Line in Jerusalem in the back pages of most of the Hebrew newspapers. Maariv wrote that Netanyahu acceded to the demand of Ministers Naftali Bennett and Uri Ariel of Habayit Hayehudi to end the freeze on construction over the Green Line.
Meanwhile, Israel has plans for the 16 European countries which supported the move to label settlement products, reported Yedioth. 1.) reprimand their ambassadors. 2.) allow only lower ranked Israel officials meet their visiting officials. 3.) limit the goods they export to the Palestinian territories. 4.) limit cooperation in the Territories on economic projects (between Palestinians and) those countries 5.) reconsider European involvement in peace process. Maariv interviewed Israel's new ambassador to France, Aliza Bin-Nun, who warned Israelis: "Don’t expect that now they will stop labeling products from the settlements."
Meanwhile, there was confusion over whether South Africa issued arrest warrants against former generals and politicians involved in the 2010 Mavi Marmara flotilla affair. The Israeli Foreign Ministry called the move 'ugly and provocative.’ (Also in Maariv) And according to an article in ‘The Independent,’ Spain issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and seven other senior officials. Later, South African police denied issuing the arrest warrants.
More violence in the West Bank. A Palestinian man was shot dead after allegedly firing at Israeli soldiers in the West Bank. (Also, Ynet) Barely mentioned was that Israeli forces shot five Palestinians in clashes near Bethlehem. Two protesters were shot with live bullets in their lower extremities, while one of those shot with a rubber-coated steel bullet was hit in the face, Maan reported.
And the UN raised alarm over possible ‘summary executions’ by Israeli troops, saying that Israeli security forces have used excessive force and may have carried out summary executions against Palestinians.
Looking at Maan reports, one can see a rise in the arrest of Palestinian children for stone-throwing. One video shows Israeli forces detaining a six-year-old boy in E. Jerusalem. Another report says Israel detained a nine-year-old boy. And in Nablus, Israeli forces raided a girls school, twice, and demanded the removal of Arafat posters. Since the beginning of this 'wave of violence,' the Israeli security establishment has released its third video showing undercover Border Police arresting stone throwers – probably in an attempt to scare them into stopping. Witnesses said that undercover Israeli agents dressed as Palestinians chased the children while they were on their way to school before detaining them. And the governor of Jenin told Ynet that Palestinian security forces thwarted three stabbing attacks at Jalamah checkpoint.
Quick Hits:
- As Deadline Looms, Knesset Set to Begin Voting on State Budget - If the budget is not passed by Thursday, Netanyahu’s government will be forced to resign. (Haaretz+)
- Palestinian landowners accept demolition plan for disputed synagogue - Supreme Court approves two-day extension in execution of demolition plan; gov't offered settlers NIS 5.2 million compensation used to build new synagogue elsewhere in Givat Ze'ev. (Ynet)
- Prison officers suspended over Be'er Sheva lynch of Eritrean asylum seeker - Ronen Cohen and Hananya Shabbat were arrested for setting upon Haftom Zarhun, who died from his wounds after being mistaken for Be’er Sheba bus station terrorist. (Haaretz+)
- 3 Palestinians held in solitary confinement for prolonged periods - Hassan Khaizaran, 55, reportedly a dual Palestinian-Swedish citizen, has been held in solitary confinement since June 21st, Majed al-Juba, from Jerusalem, for two months and Muhammad Naifa, from Tulkarem, since the start of October. (Maan)
- Israeli forces close 2 factories around Bethlehem, putting 150 out of work - Ibrahim Fawaghra, owner of Fawaghra Stone Factory said Israeli forces raided Juret al-Shamaa village and forced the owners of the two factories to close on the grounds that Palestinian youth have thrown stones at Israeli forces from an area near the factory. (Maan)
- Ben-Gurion's grandson attacks again: "Go kiss your mezuzahs and kiss my ass" - Yariv Ben-Eliezer was interviewed on Channel 2 about the possibility that the prime minister will be absent from the memorial ceremony for his grandfather due to the votes over the budget: "This shitty country ... a government of ‘hamsahnim’ (refers to Mizrachi Jews who believe in superstition)." Then he said, "I would rather be a disciple of Miri Regev [known for her vulgar statements] and not of Hannah Bavli [Israeli woman of etiquette]." (Maariv)
- False alarm causes Iron Dome to fire interceptor missile - Code Red siren sounded at Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council due to gunfire inside the Gaza Strip, but no rocket was fired; interceptor explodes in midair. (Ynet)
- Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon wants unity government - Kulanu party leader Moshe Kahlon aims for Isaac Herzog’s Zionist Union to join and ‘help advance the economy.’ (Haaretz+)
- Tension at Meeting Between J Street U and Head of Boston Jewish Federation - At meetings with Jewish leaders from Boston and Philadelphia, students from left-leaning Jewish group call to ensure donor money does not support West Bank settlements. Students talked about feeling alienated from the Jewish mainstream because being identified as a Zionist means being implicitly aligned with the Israeli government policy of settlement construction. (Haaretz+)
- Bennett’s Ministry Gives No-bid Contract to Habayit Hayehudi Official - Gesher, a non-profit whose founder Rabbi Daniel Tropper sits on the party's constitution committee, awarded 3.2 million shekels in gov't funding. (Haaretz+)
- US Ambassador to Israel: " President Obama is waiting for President Rivlin to eat (Hannukah) latkes with him" - In his speech at the journalism conference in Eilat, Amb. Dan Shapiro spoke about the dispute between the Netanyahu government and the US administration and discussed the release of Pollard: "The president sees it only as a legal issue." (Maariv)
- Eagles of Death Metal denies reports of band's return to Israel - Band's producer says reports of the band's return were based on 'unconfirmed rumors' and were 'simply not true.' (JTA, Haaretz)
- Paris Terror Makes Life Harder for Refugees at Makeshift Camp - At the unofficial camp on the edge of France, refugees from Asia and Africa try everything they can to sneak into Britain. (Haaretz+)
- French Rabbis urge government to boost security around Jewish institutions - As Paris licks its wounds following Friday night's terror offensive in Paris, Europe's Jewish leaders stress that 'Jews are always a preferred target,' calling for increased security measures. (Ynet)
- 'All Jews in Paris want to move to Israel now' - Group of several dozen new immigrants to Israel from France arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport. "There is a grave feeling [in France]. Only in Israel can we overcome," new arrival Daniel Ventura says. (Israel Hayom)
- Jewish (Parisian) restaurant owner whose Muslim wife was killed in the terrorist attacks: "They knew who to harm" - Gregory Ribenberg lost his wife in the terror attack in Paris: "I was inside. Of course it creates a sense of guilt. But now I continue to live for eight-year-old daughter." (Maariv)
- U.S. Jewish security officials touring Israel for counter-terror tips - Tour for Jewish security officials from five North American cities and for top police officers was organized by Secure Community Network, the security arm of the national Jewish community. (JTA, Haaretz)
- 25 U.S. governors say won't let Syrian refugees into their states following Paris attacks - Mostly Republican governors voice worries refugees could be linked to ISIS, but immigration experts question legality of blocking refugees' resettlement. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- WATCH: Blaming Snowden for Paris is typical government finger-pointing, says Greenwald - Glenn Greenwald slams CIA and NSA officials who blame Edward Snowden and encryption technology for possible surveillance failures that led to the Paris terror attacks. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Russia: Bomb caused plane crash in Sinai - President Putin vows revenge for terror attack, with Russia launching heavy airstrikes over Islamic State 'capital' Raqqa; in Egypt, two airport employees arrested on suspicion they helped plant bomb. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Pope Francis to Visit Rome Synagogue for First Time Since Election - On January 17, Francis will be third pope to visit seat of Rome's Jews after predecessor Benedict and John Paul II. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Jonathan Pollard offers to renounce U.S. citizenship if allowed to emigrate to Israel - New York representatives urge U.S. attorney general to consider convicted spy's request. (JTA, Haaretz)
Features:
“At Hadassah Hospital I am treated like a human being" – The Arab doctor who represents
Israel
Dr. Abed Khalaily from Jabal Mukaber neighborhood in East Jerusalem tells about the organ transplant surgery of the Border Police soldier who was killed in an attack: "I salute his family." He wishes the reality outside the hospital were like inside: “We are one team. There is no discrimination and there is no different treatment (towards me because I am Arab), not from the patients either…I hope that this will also happen outside hospitals. There is no other way but to learn to live together." (Orit Braun Agami, Maariv)
Memories of Iran: An Israeli Painter's Haunting Visions
Ardyn Halter exhibits his 'in-between world' at Galilee museum. (Shany Littman, Haaretz+)
Humous in Riyadh: This is how a visit by an Israeli to the Saudi kingdom looks
They complain about the construction of the train, they develop courting methods to circumvent religion, they want to do business with Israel and they study Etgar Keret at university. Our correspondent, Gideon Kotz, in the capital of Saudi Arabia, which is prepared to host Israelis. (Gideon Kotz, Maariv)
Everything you need to know ahead of Jonathan Pollard's release
From his marriage status to his dreams of moving to Israel, and his date of release from a U.S. federal prison in North Carolina. (Ron Kampeas, JTA/Haaretz)
The Bizarre Links Between ISIS and Heavy Metal (And One Big Difference) Both share an appetite for destruction. Both prefer the hirsute look. But as the events in Paris last week showed, when it comes to Islamic State and heavy metal, the devil (horn) is in the detail. (Ron Ben-Tovim, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Dr. Abed Khalaily from Jabal Mukaber neighborhood in East Jerusalem tells about the organ transplant surgery of the Border Police soldier who was killed in an attack: "I salute his family." He wishes the reality outside the hospital were like inside: “We are one team. There is no discrimination and there is no different treatment (towards me because I am Arab), not from the patients either…I hope that this will also happen outside hospitals. There is no other way but to learn to live together." (Orit Braun Agami, Maariv)
Memories of Iran: An Israeli Painter's Haunting Visions
Ardyn Halter exhibits his 'in-between world' at Galilee museum. (Shany Littman, Haaretz+)
Humous in Riyadh: This is how a visit by an Israeli to the Saudi kingdom looks
They complain about the construction of the train, they develop courting methods to circumvent religion, they want to do business with Israel and they study Etgar Keret at university. Our correspondent, Gideon Kotz, in the capital of Saudi Arabia, which is prepared to host Israelis. (Gideon Kotz, Maariv)
Everything you need to know ahead of Jonathan Pollard's release
From his marriage status to his dreams of moving to Israel, and his date of release from a U.S. federal prison in North Carolina. (Ron Kampeas, JTA/Haaretz)
The Bizarre Links Between ISIS and Heavy Metal (And One Big Difference) Both share an appetite for destruction. Both prefer the hirsute look. But as the events in Paris last week showed, when it comes to Islamic State and heavy metal, the devil (horn) is in the detail. (Ron Ben-Tovim, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Arabs in Israel Fear Outlawing Islamic Movement Is Just the Beginning (Jack Khoury, Haaretz+) The feeling in the Arab community is that the cabinet decision stems from the
desire to satisfy hostile public opinion.
Outlawing the Islamic Movement: a lack of understanding of Israeli Arab society (Alon Ben-David, Maariv) The decision raises once again the prestige of the movement, which has been in decline, while unifying around it Arab-Israeli society. But politicians demanded to do something and the Shin Bet adapted its position.
Netanyahu Capitulates to the Settlers, Again (Haaretz Editorial) The decision to begin construction in Jerusalem settlements underscores both Israel's weakness in the international arena and Netanyahu's weakness within his coalition.
In order to handle terror, France must end its denial (Eldad Beck, Yedioth/Ynet) As long as Europe fails to understand that there should be no distinction between the 'legitimate terror' striking Israel and the 'barbaric terror' striking Europe, it will fail to find the appropriate way to deal with this horrible phenomenon.
Paris attacks give Netanyahu cover for Islamic Movement ban (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) The prime minister is seizing an opportunity: When the West is intensifying its battle against ISIS, he won't be criticized overseas for declaring war on Islamist zealots at home.
This time it was Paris (Sarah N. Stern, Israel Hayom) When will Westerners realize that there is absolutely no distinction between those murdered in Paris and the Israeli victims of Islamic terrorism?
Palestinian child attackers are victims, not terrorists (Carol Daniel Kasbari, Haaretz+) As a mother, I call on you Israelis to see that these children are like your children - innocent and ignorant about what’s best for them - but they don’t see a future. As a Palestinian, I call on the Palestinian leadership to denounce attacks by children and start a non-violent resistance movement that can lead us to freedom.
The decision to outlaw the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement is right, but it’s uncertain that it is wise (Ben Caspit, Maariv) Intelligence evidence points to a direct link between the sermons of Hamas’ Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza to those of Sheikh Raed Salah of Umm al-Fahm, and the money also comes from the same pipeline. The fear is that the move will turn the movement into an option for young people.
Proportionate Israeli Revenge (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The High Court of Justice ruling that authorized demolishing the houses of people suspected in the recent murders of Jews isn’t called revenge, but deterrence. Well, that is intriguing.
The (Northern branch of the) Islamic Movement will change its name and go back to incitement under the sponsorship of democracy (Noam Amir, Maariv) The announcement that the northern branch is an illegal association is correct and brave, but its leaders also needed to be outlawed. Raed Salah can now find a way to inflame Arab sector under an umbrella with a different name.
When ISIS strikes in the heart of Europe (Yaron Friedman, Yedioth/Ynet) Among the Muslims in France who only want to live a quiet life, there are thousands of frustrated, poor, ignorant, unemployed and bored young people who envy the French people's high standard of living. The Internet exposes them to the Islamic State, which suggests that they fill the emptiness in their lives by joining an organization seeking to control the entire world.
What Israel Must Do About ISIS (Merav Michaeli, Haaretz+) ISIS well understands that the Internet and social media have become key in the battle for hearts and minds.
The goal of the South African arrest warrant for Israeli politicians (and generals): Blackening the face of the country (Eliezer (Cheney) Marom, Maariv) So close to the timing of the merciless terrorist attacks in Paris and stabbing, car ramming and shooting attacks here, radical elements decided to take action against Israel.
Truth in EU Labeling: 'Produced by Paranoid Lunatics in the West Bank' (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) EU hypocrisy has been kind to Israel: It didn’t take decades for the EU to slap sanctions on Russia and they weren't labels reading 'Made in Crimea (Russian occupation').
Outlawing the Islamic Movement: a lack of understanding of Israeli Arab society (Alon Ben-David, Maariv) The decision raises once again the prestige of the movement, which has been in decline, while unifying around it Arab-Israeli society. But politicians demanded to do something and the Shin Bet adapted its position.
Netanyahu Capitulates to the Settlers, Again (Haaretz Editorial) The decision to begin construction in Jerusalem settlements underscores both Israel's weakness in the international arena and Netanyahu's weakness within his coalition.
In order to handle terror, France must end its denial (Eldad Beck, Yedioth/Ynet) As long as Europe fails to understand that there should be no distinction between the 'legitimate terror' striking Israel and the 'barbaric terror' striking Europe, it will fail to find the appropriate way to deal with this horrible phenomenon.
Paris attacks give Netanyahu cover for Islamic Movement ban (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) The prime minister is seizing an opportunity: When the West is intensifying its battle against ISIS, he won't be criticized overseas for declaring war on Islamist zealots at home.
This time it was Paris (Sarah N. Stern, Israel Hayom) When will Westerners realize that there is absolutely no distinction between those murdered in Paris and the Israeli victims of Islamic terrorism?
Palestinian child attackers are victims, not terrorists (Carol Daniel Kasbari, Haaretz+) As a mother, I call on you Israelis to see that these children are like your children - innocent and ignorant about what’s best for them - but they don’t see a future. As a Palestinian, I call on the Palestinian leadership to denounce attacks by children and start a non-violent resistance movement that can lead us to freedom.
The decision to outlaw the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement is right, but it’s uncertain that it is wise (Ben Caspit, Maariv) Intelligence evidence points to a direct link between the sermons of Hamas’ Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza to those of Sheikh Raed Salah of Umm al-Fahm, and the money also comes from the same pipeline. The fear is that the move will turn the movement into an option for young people.
Proportionate Israeli Revenge (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The High Court of Justice ruling that authorized demolishing the houses of people suspected in the recent murders of Jews isn’t called revenge, but deterrence. Well, that is intriguing.
The (Northern branch of the) Islamic Movement will change its name and go back to incitement under the sponsorship of democracy (Noam Amir, Maariv) The announcement that the northern branch is an illegal association is correct and brave, but its leaders also needed to be outlawed. Raed Salah can now find a way to inflame Arab sector under an umbrella with a different name.
When ISIS strikes in the heart of Europe (Yaron Friedman, Yedioth/Ynet) Among the Muslims in France who only want to live a quiet life, there are thousands of frustrated, poor, ignorant, unemployed and bored young people who envy the French people's high standard of living. The Internet exposes them to the Islamic State, which suggests that they fill the emptiness in their lives by joining an organization seeking to control the entire world.
What Israel Must Do About ISIS (Merav Michaeli, Haaretz+) ISIS well understands that the Internet and social media have become key in the battle for hearts and minds.
The goal of the South African arrest warrant for Israeli politicians (and generals): Blackening the face of the country (Eliezer (Cheney) Marom, Maariv) So close to the timing of the merciless terrorist attacks in Paris and stabbing, car ramming and shooting attacks here, radical elements decided to take action against Israel.
Truth in EU Labeling: 'Produced by Paranoid Lunatics in the West Bank' (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) EU hypocrisy has been kind to Israel: It didn’t take decades for the EU to slap sanctions on Russia and they weren't labels reading 'Made in Crimea (Russian occupation').
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.