APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday December 31, 2015
Quote of the day:
״For Americans, the hate evoked by Trump, and the popularity he receives when he incites against one
group or another, are frightening. In Israel, these kinds of statements have become commonplace in recent
years. Ministers and MKs alike have resorted to “colorful” nicknames from the animal world to describe
Palestinians, and a vague warning about 'Arabs rushing to the polls in droves' turned out to be enough to
win Netanyahu reelection.״
--Haaretz's Asher Schechter describes how Israeli right-wing politicians are far worse then Donald Trump.**
--Haaretz's Asher Schechter describes how Israeli right-wing politicians are far worse then Donald Trump.**
You Must Be Kidding:
The Israel Police have promoted a publicity video directed at potential religious Zionist recruits to the police force that seems to highlight police anti-terrorism actions, as well as showing clashes with Arabs, but places no emphasis on traditional police work: detective work, fighting crime and combating violence.
Breaking News:
Palestinian killed after lightly wounding Israeli soldier in reported vehicular attack at Huwwara checkpoint near Nablus. (Ynet and Maan)
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Education Ministry bans from curriculum a book about romance between Jew and Arab – out of fear it would encourage assimilation
- Fence between blood and blood // Alon Idan
- Sanctifying obeying // Or Kashti
- Sarah Netanyahu to be questioned today by police in PM’s Residence affair
- Committee on ‘health basket’ expected to approve drug to prevent pregnancy of sexual crime victims
- (Justice Minister) Shaked advancing bill to make Justice Minister recommend who will be appointed next Attorney General
- Opposition prevented passing of bill allowing children to work from age 13
- Witch hunt // Haaretz Editorial
- 2015 and its curses // Ari Shavit
- Architect couple from Nazareth want to build co-existence
- What attracted Steven Spielberg’s sister to the Israeli Air Force?
- Likud paying Nir Hefetz 33,000 shekels a month to advise Netanyahu (Hebrew)
Yedioth Ahronoth
- 2016 - Global terror alert
- Starting tomorrow: MKs’ salaries skyrocket
- Storm of the year – Rain will get stronger tonight and tomorrow the storm climaxes with snow in Golan and Jerusalem
- Today: Sarah Netanyahu in the interrogation room
- The police’s test // Tovah Tzimuki
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Storm alert
- PM’s Residence affair: Sarah Netanyahu to be interrogated today on suspicion of putting private expenses on tap of State Treasury
- Fear of massive terror attack by Daesh in Golan
- Likely: Central suspect in Duma affair will be indicted on murder
Israel Hayom
- “The wedding video clip made the penny fall for many people” – State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan rejected the criticism from the radical right-wing: “I’m not scared”
- Today: Sarah Netanyahu to be questioned under warning
- IDF prepares for Daesh attack in north
- “Out of fear of assimilation”: Book rejected for education
- Tonight at midnight: Price of gasoline drops 21 agorot to 5.78 shekels a liter
News Summary:
A book sparks a storm, a storm ends balmy weather and the prime minister’s wife is to be interrogated making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Also, in the news, the IDF prepares for a possible Daesh attack on the Golan border, Israeli MK Bezalel Smotrich sparked two furious storms in the Knesset, Hamas releases video footage showing Gilad Shalit smiling with one of the guards who held him captive and the latest on the arrests of the radical right-wing.
Israeli authors and politicians blasted the Education Ministry decision to disqualify a novel describing a love story between an Israeli woman and a Palestinian man from use by high schools because it “threatened Jewish identity.”
The IDF is preparing for an attack by Islamic State militants on the Golan border. Hundreds of militants have amassed near the border. IDF sources told Haaretz+ that recent terror attacks in France, the U.S. and Sinai reflect a strategic change in operational methods of global jihad, focusing on attacking Western targets.
For the third time, the Israeli press was told that the charges would be made in the West Bank arson-murders of the Dawabsheh family. This time, however, it was said that the primary suspect would be charged with murder next week. Stories of torture of the suspects continue. The father of one of the detainees said interrogators "tortured him 50 hours in a row,” he told Maariv. “Every time he falls asleep they wake him with a slap.” Deputy Attorney General Raz Nazari said the suspects were in fine physical and mental condition and they had not complained to him about being tortured. "There is a big difference between the arguments we have heard directly from them and part of what is claimed in their name publicly."
Controversial far-right-wing Habayit Hayehudi MK Bezalel Smotrich got lots of people furious in the Knesset yesterday. First during a session to pass a bill he sponsored that doubles the compensation paid to settlers who have to evacuate property in the event of an agreement with the Palestinians, or by unilateral action, Smotrich said there was no such thing as a Palestinian people. "You have to understand that we don't simply want to cancel the Oslo Accords, we want to apply the law and the sovereignty of the state and of the Jewish people in Judea and Samaria," Smotrich told Joint List MK Osama Saadi.
And then, in a stormy name-calling session the Knesset Finance Committee approved the transfer of $16.7 million to settlements. Ultra-Orthodox MK Moshe Gafni, who heads the committee, argued with Smotrich over the transfer, reportedly saying “I hate you (plural). You are greedy Sicaari.” [The term refers to the Jewish zealot assassins who committed a series of atrocities in order to force the population to war against the Romans, rather than a negotiated peace. They eventually took control of the Temple in Jerusalem but later the Romans returned and finally destroyed the whole city in 70 A.D. – OH] “I spit on this transfer,” Gafni said. “I won’t let up about this clause. At the beginning of January I expect to get the recommendations of the committee that’s supposed to examine these criteria.”
Three days after the death of Abed el-Rahman Mubasher, the last of the five Hamas militants who guarded Gilad Shalit during his captivity, Hamas released a two short video clips showing the Mubasher and Shalit smiling in an apartment. Mubasher died when a tunnel collapsed on him Monday. The other four had been killed in various ways over the years. Ynet’s Elior Levy writes that the release of the clips may be to put further pressure on the families of fallen soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, whose bodies are currently being held by Hamas in Gaza, as well as the family of Avra Mengisto. [NOTE: Interesting that Hamas released video showed the guard in a positive friendly light. – OH]
A book sparks a storm, a storm ends balmy weather and the prime minister’s wife is to be interrogated making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Also, in the news, the IDF prepares for a possible Daesh attack on the Golan border, Israeli MK Bezalel Smotrich sparked two furious storms in the Knesset, Hamas releases video footage showing Gilad Shalit smiling with one of the guards who held him captive and the latest on the arrests of the radical right-wing.
Israeli authors and politicians blasted the Education Ministry decision to disqualify a novel describing a love story between an Israeli woman and a Palestinian man from use by high schools because it “threatened Jewish identity.”
The IDF is preparing for an attack by Islamic State militants on the Golan border. Hundreds of militants have amassed near the border. IDF sources told Haaretz+ that recent terror attacks in France, the U.S. and Sinai reflect a strategic change in operational methods of global jihad, focusing on attacking Western targets.
For the third time, the Israeli press was told that the charges would be made in the West Bank arson-murders of the Dawabsheh family. This time, however, it was said that the primary suspect would be charged with murder next week. Stories of torture of the suspects continue. The father of one of the detainees said interrogators "tortured him 50 hours in a row,” he told Maariv. “Every time he falls asleep they wake him with a slap.” Deputy Attorney General Raz Nazari said the suspects were in fine physical and mental condition and they had not complained to him about being tortured. "There is a big difference between the arguments we have heard directly from them and part of what is claimed in their name publicly."
Controversial far-right-wing Habayit Hayehudi MK Bezalel Smotrich got lots of people furious in the Knesset yesterday. First during a session to pass a bill he sponsored that doubles the compensation paid to settlers who have to evacuate property in the event of an agreement with the Palestinians, or by unilateral action, Smotrich said there was no such thing as a Palestinian people. "You have to understand that we don't simply want to cancel the Oslo Accords, we want to apply the law and the sovereignty of the state and of the Jewish people in Judea and Samaria," Smotrich told Joint List MK Osama Saadi.
And then, in a stormy name-calling session the Knesset Finance Committee approved the transfer of $16.7 million to settlements. Ultra-Orthodox MK Moshe Gafni, who heads the committee, argued with Smotrich over the transfer, reportedly saying “I hate you (plural). You are greedy Sicaari.” [The term refers to the Jewish zealot assassins who committed a series of atrocities in order to force the population to war against the Romans, rather than a negotiated peace. They eventually took control of the Temple in Jerusalem but later the Romans returned and finally destroyed the whole city in 70 A.D. – OH] “I spit on this transfer,” Gafni said. “I won’t let up about this clause. At the beginning of January I expect to get the recommendations of the committee that’s supposed to examine these criteria.”
Three days after the death of Abed el-Rahman Mubasher, the last of the five Hamas militants who guarded Gilad Shalit during his captivity, Hamas released a two short video clips showing the Mubasher and Shalit smiling in an apartment. Mubasher died when a tunnel collapsed on him Monday. The other four had been killed in various ways over the years. Ynet’s Elior Levy writes that the release of the clips may be to put further pressure on the families of fallen soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, whose bodies are currently being held by Hamas in Gaza, as well as the family of Avra Mengisto. [NOTE: Interesting that Hamas released video showed the guard in a positive friendly light. – OH]
Quick Hits:
- Israeli stabbed by Palestinian near Hebron dies of wounds - Genady Kofman was on his way home from his job at the Tomb of the Patriarchs on December 7 when he was attacked; the assailant was shot dead. (Haaretz)
- With hands in their pockets: two children aged 12 and 13 were caught in Jerusalem in possession of knives - The boys aroused the suspicions of police officers and civilians, after they walked with their hands in their pockets. The two were taken in for questioning. (Maariv)
- Palestinian families refuse Israel's terms for releasing bodies - Israel has demanded that families of the slain Palestinians agree to bury their dead at night, immediately after release of the remains, which only goes against traditions, prevents many family members from attending funerals and prevents holding an autopsy, which some want due to rumors that Israel has removed certain organs before releasing remains. (Maan)
- Locals: Humiliating treatment continuing in Hebron's Old City - Areas of the Old City were declared a closed military zone in November, with shops forced to close and Palestinian residents required to register for special permits to cross through the 18 military checkpoints in the city center. (Maan)
- Cabinet approves five-year plan for Arab development - NIS 15 billion program aims to improve housing, transportation, health and education. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- ***Israel Police Video Directed at Religious Zionist Recruits Focuses on Fight Against Arabs Over Crime - Video does not mention detective work, fighting crime or combating violence. Source explains video content as befitting recruits' interest in 'action.' (Haaretz+)
- Palestinian fishermen brought to Israeli court - Zayid Zaki Tarrush, 23, and Mahmoud Muhammad Munir Bakr, 33, brought to Beersheba court and indicted for fishing three nautical miles past the designated fishing zone, "deliberately bumping" into an Israeli military boat and throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers, local sources said. On the day of the incident, local officials said Israeli navy opened fire on fishing boats, with no injuries reported. (Maan)
- Israeli journalist’s Knesset entry suspended following expose into lobbying activities - Danny Neuman banned after Channel 2 report showed him brokering businessmen’s meetings with senior officials. (Haaretz+)
- Ayelet Shaked wants justice minister to have sole nominating power for Israeli attorney general - Justice minister says rules of current search committee turn the nomination process into a tactical question of internal politics. (Haaretz+)
- IDF soldier wounded in friendly fire incident - During a live fire exercise near Bethlehem earlier this week, a soldier from the Artillery Corps who was 'playing' the enemy was accidentally shot by a friend from the same unit and hospitalized in moderate condition. The IDF says that such incidents are investigated and treated very seriously. (Ynet)
- Deputy minister helped crack down on Israeli Arabs joining ISIS - Likud MK Ayoob Kara used to serve as unofficial intermediary, convincing Israeli Arabs who left to join ISIS in Syria or Iraq to return and cooperate with authorities in return for reduced jail sentences, but no more: 'If, by this point, they still want to go, then they are beyond saving.' (Agencies, Ynet)
- Israeli opposition scuttles Knesset bill allowing 13-year-olds to work during vacation - This is the fifth time the present government has failed to pass legislation. (Haaretz+ and Maariv)
- Attempted to smuggle bulletproof plates into Gaza at Kerem Shalom was scuttled - For the first time this type of plate was seized and they were discovered after an Israeli truck aroused the suspicion of the guards at Kerem Shalom. (Maariv)
- Mixed Reactions in Israel to Report of American Eavesdropping on Netanyahu - U.S. reportedly listened in to phone conversations between top Israeli officials, Washington lawmakers and American-Jewish groups. (Haaretz)
- 97-year-old is oldest person to make aliyah this year - Melba Landa made aliyah from Moscow after devoting her life to fighting for Soviet Jewry and for human rights in the USSR and modern Russia. (Ynet)
- Jordanian shop owner arrested for defacing Israel's flag - Abdel Ja'aron draws Israeli flag on floor of his shop and is arrested for insulting a country considered to be a 'friend'. (Ynet)
- India successfully test-fires Indo-Israeli Barak 8 missile - Israel Aerospace Industries says system performed according to expectations and that interceptor missiles hit their targets. "The Indian Navy has become part of a select group of navies that have this niche capability," Indian Defense Ministry says. (Israel Hayom)
- Report: Son of slain Hezbollah commander was CIA, Israeli mole - In potentially humiliating news for the terrorist group, Lebanese and Syrian news outlets report that Mustafa Mughniyeh, the youngest son of former operations commander Imad Mughniyeh, is being interrogated by Hezbollah's counterintelligence unit. (Israel Hayom)
Features:
Devil's advocate? The lawyer who defends Israel's Jewish terror suspects
Itamar Ben-Gvir honed his legal skills defending himself against more than 50 indictments, and now offers his services to radicals suspected in cases of Jewish terror and hate crimes. (Haaretz+)
The sense of guilt doesn’t let go: a beggar who sleeps in a monastery, without her father and mother
Fatima, age 6.5, was run over last week, b INbal Sahar, 30, a resident of Mei Ami, who could not stop fast enough when the little girl ran into the road. Now she wants somehow to help the little girl whose poor family in Hebron is paid a little daily for the money that their daughter collects from begging in Israel. She hasn’Fatima is now hospitalized with some broken bones, but she will be returned to her family – and maybe be sent back to beg. (Yonatan Hilleli, Maariv)
Letters to the Editor: Samir Kuntar and Wearing a Kippa
(Haaretz)
Christmas surprise: what is the most popular profession among Christian students in Israel?
More than 150 thousand Christians live in the country, 79.% are Arab, the rest are Christian immigrants who arrived through the Law of Return, mostly from the former FSU. Their birth rate is smaller than that of the Jewish sector and their participation in the labor market and in the academia is particularly high. They have fewer unemployed than in the Jewish sector. The most popular B.A. degree among Christian citizens is musicology (15.2%), followed by management information systems and dentistry. Meet the Christian population in Israel. (Moshe Cohen, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
Itamar Ben-Gvir honed his legal skills defending himself against more than 50 indictments, and now offers his services to radicals suspected in cases of Jewish terror and hate crimes. (Haaretz+)
The sense of guilt doesn’t let go: a beggar who sleeps in a monastery, without her father and mother
Fatima, age 6.5, was run over last week, b INbal Sahar, 30, a resident of Mei Ami, who could not stop fast enough when the little girl ran into the road. Now she wants somehow to help the little girl whose poor family in Hebron is paid a little daily for the money that their daughter collects from begging in Israel. She hasn’Fatima is now hospitalized with some broken bones, but she will be returned to her family – and maybe be sent back to beg. (Yonatan Hilleli, Maariv)
Letters to the Editor: Samir Kuntar and Wearing a Kippa
(Haaretz)
Christmas surprise: what is the most popular profession among Christian students in Israel?
More than 150 thousand Christians live in the country, 79.% are Arab, the rest are Christian immigrants who arrived through the Law of Return, mostly from the former FSU. Their birth rate is smaller than that of the Jewish sector and their participation in the labor market and in the academia is particularly high. They have fewer unemployed than in the Jewish sector. The most popular B.A. degree among Christian citizens is musicology (15.2%), followed by management information systems and dentistry. Meet the Christian population in Israel. (Moshe Cohen, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
**Israel 2015: This Is What a Trump Presidency Looks Like (Asher Schechter,
Haaretz+) Israel is a troubling example of what happens when outlandish proposals by joke
candidates are translated into reality.
Israelis must look at the ugly truth of surging fascism (Tal Niv, Haaretz+) Today it targets anyone who protests against the occupation and the settlement of the territories. Tomorrow it will target you.
The Left must not adopt the Right's Holocaust discourse (Aviad Kleinberg, Yedioth/Ynet) In Netanyahu's nightmarish world, the Jewish people are always the victims fighting for their lives, and their rivals are Nazis. But not every threat is existential, and one can be a huge villain without being a Nazi.
By Banning Book, Israel Maintains Purity of Blood (Alon Idan, Haaretz+) Jews and Arabs are forbidden to have sex, love, marry, have families or live with one another, according to the Education Ministry.
Ehud Olmert’s stigma of criminality remains despite much softer sentence (Ido Baum, Haaretz+) Meanwhile, former Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski remains the chief bribe taker in the Holyland affair, even if most of the money went to charity.
2015: The year of blatant and unapologetic Israeli fascism (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) It was a year in which there wasn't even a semblance of peace talks or a diplomatic process, but that’s probably a good thing; enough with the charade.
Israel Police Must Halt Their Witch Hunt Against Provocative Artist (Haaretz Editorial) Persecution of Natali Cohen Vaxberg reveals a bad, McCarthyist spirit, which encourages attempts to silence those at all critical of the authorities.
Labeling Jews: Left-wing NGOs, wear a yellow star in the Knesset (Steven Klein, Haaretz+) Only an act that is shocking enough to mobilize Israelis and Diaspora Jewry can have an effect on Israel’s coalition.
Does America Really "Share Values" With Today’s Israel? (Henry Siegman, Haaretz+) Netanyahu and his far-right government have not only been indifferent to the danger of an unbridled nationalism that sanctifies the nation and its land, they have actively encouraged it.
We can’t end the desecration of Judaism without ending the occupation (Gershom Gorenberg, Haaretz+) Mainstream Israelis far from the West Bank hilltops watching the "hate wedding" clip celebrating of the Dewabsheh family’s murder shouldn’t be sitting comfortably. Secular Israel and its representatives funded and produced that video.
Cauterize the cancer of Jewish terrorism (Isi Leibler, Israel Hayom) The appalling disgrace of such horrific acts pales in comparison to the impact they can have on our society if not ruthlessly expunged.
Israel's Center-left Must Seize the Day After the Awful 2015 (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) We have to make some binding New Year's resolutions: To unite our camp under inspiring leaders. To speak with Israelis out of love and respect, as equals. To offer a new vision and a new direction.
Only Women Can Stop the Terrorism of Palestinian Children (Rami Kimchi, Haaretz+) Women care for their children more naturally, and in societies where their voices are heard, they do not allow them to be sacrificed in the wars of the men.
Israelis must look at the ugly truth of surging fascism (Tal Niv, Haaretz+) Today it targets anyone who protests against the occupation and the settlement of the territories. Tomorrow it will target you.
The Left must not adopt the Right's Holocaust discourse (Aviad Kleinberg, Yedioth/Ynet) In Netanyahu's nightmarish world, the Jewish people are always the victims fighting for their lives, and their rivals are Nazis. But not every threat is existential, and one can be a huge villain without being a Nazi.
By Banning Book, Israel Maintains Purity of Blood (Alon Idan, Haaretz+) Jews and Arabs are forbidden to have sex, love, marry, have families or live with one another, according to the Education Ministry.
Ehud Olmert’s stigma of criminality remains despite much softer sentence (Ido Baum, Haaretz+) Meanwhile, former Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski remains the chief bribe taker in the Holyland affair, even if most of the money went to charity.
2015: The year of blatant and unapologetic Israeli fascism (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) It was a year in which there wasn't even a semblance of peace talks or a diplomatic process, but that’s probably a good thing; enough with the charade.
Israel Police Must Halt Their Witch Hunt Against Provocative Artist (Haaretz Editorial) Persecution of Natali Cohen Vaxberg reveals a bad, McCarthyist spirit, which encourages attempts to silence those at all critical of the authorities.
Labeling Jews: Left-wing NGOs, wear a yellow star in the Knesset (Steven Klein, Haaretz+) Only an act that is shocking enough to mobilize Israelis and Diaspora Jewry can have an effect on Israel’s coalition.
Does America Really "Share Values" With Today’s Israel? (Henry Siegman, Haaretz+) Netanyahu and his far-right government have not only been indifferent to the danger of an unbridled nationalism that sanctifies the nation and its land, they have actively encouraged it.
We can’t end the desecration of Judaism without ending the occupation (Gershom Gorenberg, Haaretz+) Mainstream Israelis far from the West Bank hilltops watching the "hate wedding" clip celebrating of the Dewabsheh family’s murder shouldn’t be sitting comfortably. Secular Israel and its representatives funded and produced that video.
Cauterize the cancer of Jewish terrorism (Isi Leibler, Israel Hayom) The appalling disgrace of such horrific acts pales in comparison to the impact they can have on our society if not ruthlessly expunged.
Israel's Center-left Must Seize the Day After the Awful 2015 (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) We have to make some binding New Year's resolutions: To unite our camp under inspiring leaders. To speak with Israelis out of love and respect, as equals. To offer a new vision and a new direction.
Only Women Can Stop the Terrorism of Palestinian Children (Rami Kimchi, Haaretz+) Women care for their children more naturally, and in societies where their voices are heard, they do not allow them to be sacrificed in the wars of the men.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.