News Nosh 03.07.16

by APN 03/07/16
Share

APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday March 7, 2016
 
Quote of the day:
"While everyone is talking about politics, we’re trying to create real change on the ground. This Jewish-Arab partnership between Nazareth and Tel Aviv simply works.”
 -Eitan Sela, co-founder of Hybrid, a project which aims to advance Israeli Arabs in the startup world with the help of alumni of Unit 8200, the elite IDF Military Intel hi-tech unit.

You Must Be Kidding: 
“They told me always to start with a quote because it makes a cultured impression, so here’s one. As a well-known Chinese philosopher once said: ‘Cut the bullshit.’” 
--Controversial Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev opens her address to the Haaretz Culture Conference. She was booed.

Front Page:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
  • The test of truth (of Brig. Gen. Buchris)
  • “Cut the bullshit!” – (Culture Minister Regev reveals more of her revolutionary plans) in interview
  • Ben-Dror Yemini on the shameful “representative of the flag”
  • The battle over memorializing Yanai (who was killed in West Bank supermarket attack)
  • 11-year-old killed by bus when riding bike
  • Investigation: The media personality and the severe claims of harassment and sexual exploitation
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only) Israel Hayom
  • Be careful, for the children – 11-year-old on bike was hit and killed by bus
  • Today: Buchris faces the polygraph test
  • (Culture Minister) Regev: I will act to cancel the Authors’ Law – Says the law hurts consumers, books became more expensive
  • The (sexually) harassing gynecologist was fired – and continued working at another HMO
  • Women in Israel in 2016: More educated, earn less, marry later
  • The V15 law: Likud advancing bill to limit campaign contributions to political NGOs ahead of elections

News Summary:
The IDF Brigadier General accused of rape goes for a polygraph today, the Israeli Culture Minister declared a controversial cultural revolution and ‘was received’ with an Israeli flag stuffed in an artist’s behind and an 11-year-old boy on a bike was killed in an accident with a bus making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Also in the news, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu advances legislation to limit left-wing NGO’s role in elections, US Vice President Joe Biden began his Middle East tour and the Palestinian Authority threatens to stop security coordination with Israel.

‘Sparks flew’ between controversial Culture Minister Miri Regev and the audience at the Haaretz Culture Conference. Regev was first met by artists with Band-Aids over their mouths, in protest against what they say are her attempts to silence them. She was also met by a provocateur fringe artist who stuffed an Israeli flag in his behind [probably in response to Regev’s attempt to pass a ‘Culture Loyalty bill.’ – OH]. She said she would cancel the new law prohibiting cut-rate discounts of new books and she would change the distribution of budgets between the periphery and the more affluent parts of the country. Yedioth provided excerpts of an interview with her that it will publish soon, in which she gives details.

Despite his supporters saying there was no fear of early elections, Netanyahu is advancing a bill that imposes severe limitations to expenditures of NGOs that are involved in election campaigning. The papers reported that ‘V15,’ a left-wing NGO that campaigned against him in 2015, is ‘in the crosshairs.’ (Maariv) 
 
Meanwhile, Netanyahu, who has recently been denying that Israel is isolated internationally and that he has ruined Israel’s relationship with the US, said that Biden’s visit to Israel tomorrow is proof of the strong ties between Israel and the US. Israel was not Biden’s first stop. Abu Dhabi was. Biden will also visit the Palestinian Authority. Maariv noted that Biden’s visit comes during demands to expand settlements in the Palestinian Territories – and that a crisis broke out during his visit six years ago between Israel and the US because Israel approved construction in the Ramat Shlomo over the Green Line of Jerusalem during his visit. Maariv’s Dana Somberg writes that his visit is likely what caused the ‘Land of Israel Lobby’ at the Knesset to hold a discussion in the Knesset today and call for the resumption of construction in Maale Adumim.

Maariv’s Dana Somberg also reports that Israeli government cabinet meeting opened with discussions Sunday over senior Palestinian Authority official Saeb Erekat’s official announcement to Israel that if Israel does not stop entering into Areas A of the Palestinian Territories, the PA will end military liaisons with Israel and revoke the Paris Agreements. However, the Israeli cabinet members were unfazed. Minister Zeev Elkin: “Just one detail: the security liaison protects Abu Mazen (Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas) more than it protects Israel. Therefore I think it’s a bluff.”
 
Quick Hits:
  • Widow of slain off-duty soldier insists he was no victim -Yael Weissman fights Defense Ministry to recognize her fatally stabbed husband as having ‘fallen in battle’ and not a 'victim of terror.'  (Times of Israel, Maariv and Ynet)
  • (Israeli) Youth initiative: Petition to bring back the Palestinian employees of SodaStream - They saw (the video clip of) their parents parting from their Palestinian friends at the SodaStream factory, who were forced to leave after their (Israeli) work permits were not renewed. First they made the ‘Peace Intifada’ Facebook page. Now the children of the (Israeli) employees are calling on the government: “We call on the government of Israel to allow them to continue to work in the factory in order to prove to the world that peace is possible. Bibi, even if you give up on peace, we aren’t willing to.” Shai Birenbaum, 15, one of the FB group founders: “We wanted to show that the employees are important. They are ambassadors of co-existence. Palestinian, Jewish and Bedouin workers in one factory – prove that it is possible.” (Yedioth, p. 16)
  • NGO gets booted off YouTube for exposing Palestinian incitement video - The (right-wing Israeli) NGO Palestinian Media Watch says that the account contained virtually all of their videos, which were no longer accessible. PMW said in a press release that after they uploaded a showing a Palestinian girl recite a poem on PA TV that calls for a "war that will smash the oppressor and destroy the Zionist's soul," YouTube terminated the NGO's account for violating their "terms of service."  (Ynet and JPost/Maariv)
  • Lawmaker withdraws his bill banning mosques from broadcasting call to prayer - After bill fails to garner support of coalition partners, Habayit Hayehudi MK Moti Yogev takes bill off committee's agenda until further changes put in. (Haaretz+) 
  • Alumni of Elite Israeli Military Intelligence Unit to Promote Israeli-Arab High-tech - The program, cosponsored by graduates of the Intelligence Corp’s Unit 8200, aims to help Israeli Arabs forge a path in the startup world. (Haaretz+)
  • Work Set To Begin On Protecting Gush Etzion’s Bus Stops - Gush Etzion Junction (in West Bank) has seen numerous knife and vehicular attacks in the current wave of terror; plans to reinforce security go back to 2014 but have still not been fully carried out. (Ynet )
  • Academics warn Israeli justice minister over proposed amendment to evidence law - Senior criminologists and jurists warn Ayelet Shaked that change would make it easier to convict suspects based on their own confession. (Haaretz+)
  • Israel Arrests Palestinian for Trying to Recruit Operatives in Egypt - Shin Bet reveals January arrest of Mohammed Najib Mustafa Nazel, 33, who years ago left the West Bank to Egypt to study. He allegedly confessed to working with a radical Islamist group, which the Shin Bet claims has ties to Hamas, particularly in training and military supplies. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
  • Two 14-year-olds boys detained for throwing rocks in Negev - Israeli police on Sunday detained two teenagers in the Negev region for throwing rocks at Israeli vehicles traveling on Route 31, an Israeli police spokesperson said. The spokesperson identified the detainees as two 14-year-old boys from the al-Atrash Bedouincommunity in the area. (Maan)
  •  Attorney general asked to investigate Elad after Haaretz report on Jerusalem group's finances - 'Report proves that Elad's conduct lies well in the gray, and requires an investigation by the authorities,' MK Khenin says; 'There's no such thing as half-transparency in democracy,' Zionist Unions' Livni says. (Haaretz)
  • After soldiers stabbed, IDF suspends commanding officers for security lapse - Two soldiers wounded at Har Bracha guard post were without their weapons when attacked by Palestinian assailants. (Haaretz+ and Maariv)
  • Atomic studies - For the first time, nuclear scientists will be trained at the nuclear reactor in Dimona. 29 students out of some 300 candidates passed the testing - and will begin studies on the way to the longed for position at the most secret facility in Israel. (Yedioth, p. 28)
  • Druze women to operate IAI drone parts factory - New factory for production of drone parts opened in Isfiya. But what separates this factory from others in Israel is the fact that it will be managed and operated primarily by Druze women. (Ynet) 
  • MKs support the Chief of Staff: In favor of transferring the Jewish Consciousness branch to the Education Corps - The Lobby for Israeli Judaism led by MK Rachel Azaria and MK Elazar Stern will hold a discussion with former officers:  It is wrong that Judaism, especially in a hierarchical body like the army, belongs only to those wearing a yarmulke.” (Maariv)
  • Israel blocks Falashmura immigration from Ethiopia on budgetary ground - Government approved plan last November but law approved days later mandates funding for every new expense and one has been made. Likud MK says delay is really due to racism. (Haaretz+) 
  • Tel Aviv schools to teach democratic values - Mayor Ron Huldai says move follows erosion of ‘highly important values’ of democracy in Israel in recent years. (Haaretz+) 
  • Culture Ministry cuts support for fringe theater groups in Israel - Ministry it will not give planned 250,000 shekels to the Rabinovich Foundation for the Arts, which provided funds to independent groups. (Haaretz+) 
  • Cyber attack: hackers broke into the laptop of the Prime Minister's Office - Channel 10 reported that the computer did not contain classified information and therefore does not endanger the security of the state. According to a probe, no other computers were attacked. (Maariv) 
  • 5-year-old Duma attack survivor to visit Real Madrid on March 17 - Major Spanish football team Real Madrid will be welcoming on March 17 a young Palestinian boy whose family was killed in an arson attack committed by Israeli settlers last year, the Palestinian Football Federation said on Saturday. (Maan) 
  • US rapper converts to Judaism, moves to Israel - Nissim, formerly D. Black, converted to Judaism three years ago and finally fulfilled his dream of making aliyah with his family; he continues to make music and plans to go on a tour in the US. (Ynet) 
  • Reform movement leader threatens court action if Western Wall prayer space deal amended - Leaders of Reform and Conservative movements warn that ultra-Orthodox parties might ultimately find themselves with a worse deal forced upon them by the Supreme Court. (Haaretz+) 
  • Israeli women earn 22% less than men, study finds - Israel’s wage gap is fourth in size among developed countries; nearly 90% of educated women work. (Times of Israel) 
  • Israelis to direct 'Death Wish' remake - Israeli directors Aaron Keshales and Navot Papushado set to helm the new 'Death Wish', which will star Bruce Willis. (Ynet) 
  • Teachers tutoring Palestinians on democracy and cooperation as strike enters fourth week - Palestinian Authority still refusing to negotiate with teachers’ elected representatives, as 700,000 students miss out on schooling. (Haaretz+) 
  • Palestinian NGO Al-Haq says staff has received "death threats" - A number of anonymous messages were sent to Al-Haq donors and staff casting accusations of corruption and fraud. The accusations were discredited in November, after Al-Haq requested audits of its own accounting to dispel suspicions of wrongdoing. (Maan) 
  • Islamic Jihad-affiliated prisoners planning protests over solitary confinement - The statement noted that at least 16 prisoners are currently held in solitary confinement including Islamic Jihad-affiliated prisoner Nahar al-Saadi, who has been in Israeli custody since 2003. (Maan)
  • Hezbollah's Nasrallah: Gulf states' attempts at normalizing ties with Israel are doomed to fail - Hezbollah leader declares his organization a 'scapegoat' of Saudi allies' failures to prevail in the wars raging in Syria and Yemen. (Haaretz+ and Maariv)
  • Report: ISIS Using Nazi Methods to Indoctrinate Entire Generation of Children - The Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL, is training many children as future terrorists, spies, executioners, preachers, soldiers and suicide bombers. (Haaretz) 
  • Egypt Accuses Hamas, Muslim Brotherhood of Assassinating Public Prosecutor - Hisham Barakat was killed by a car bomb in Cairo in June 2015. He was the most senior state official assassinated since the toppling in mid-2013 of elected president Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood. (Agencies, Haaretz) 
  • Hamas denies involvement in Egyptian official's death, calls claims 'baseless' - The Hamas movement denied any involvement in the June 2015 killing of Egypt's chief prosecutor. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri called the accusations "baseless" and damaging to "the efforts being made to develop the relationship between Hamas and Cairo.” (Maan) 
  • At Least 60 Killed, Dozens Wounded in ISIS Truck Bomb Attack South of Baghdad - Truck lined with explosives rams crowded security checkpoint; 39 civilians among dead, more than 50 more wounded. (Agencies, Haaretz) 
  • Iranian Billionaire Who Helped Country Evade Oil Sanctions Gets Death Sentence - Prosecutors accuse Babak Zanjani of owing the government more than $2.7 billion for oil sold on behalf of the oil ministry. (Agencies, Haaretz) 
  • Turkish Daily's First Edition After Government Takeover Adopts pro-Erdogan Line - Front page's main headline is a $3 billion government bridge building project, and a photo of Erdogan holding the hand of an old woman before his reception for women's day. (Agencies, Haaretz) 
  • Ukrainian Jews flee to Israel amid anti-Semitism in war torn country - Sisters Marina and Alexandra Prokopovych were beaten at their high school in Rakytne, with even teachers joining in the beating; their father Dmytro suffered fourteen concussions from similar attacks during his childhood. (Ynet) 
  • Trump's Brash Style Wins Him Some Israeli Fans - The Republican front-runner obliterates stereotypes that Israelis hold about presidential hopefuls: that they are bred in the American political system, and that they are famously politically correct. (Haaretz)

Features: 
Bereaved Israeli and Palestinian bereaved tell how they bridge the gaps
Eyal Levy joined a meeting of bereaved families from both sides and spoke with those present on Razi Barkai's statement (that parents of Jewish soldiers killed by Palestinians and parents of killed Palestinians who killed Israelis feel the same grief), about the desire for revenge and about the hope that it will be good here despite everything. "I was surprised that these people have a human side, that I did not know about.” (Eyal Levy, Maariv)
321 wounded in terror attacks: Long rehabilitation and nightmares that won't end
13-year-old Liam 'thinks about the attack during class,' while Bruriya 'remembers many sleepless nights,' and 80-year-old Rachel can't watch the news anymore. Almost six months into the wave of terror attacks, which began with the murder of Alexander Lebelovitch in a stone-throwing attack on the eve of Rosh HaShana, the wounded of the ‘third intifada’ tell their stories. (Ynet)
IN PHOTOS Sisters in arms: IDF's female power throughout the year
Ahead of the International Women's Day, the IDF releases photos of women fighters in the military through Israel's history. (Yoav Zitun, Ynet) 
The first solution: Back to the tycoon that disappeared to whom Netanyahu owes everything
The battle against Shimon Peres (in 1995) was close. A move was needed to break the tie. Then came the Australian millionaire Joseph Gutnick, who gave millions of dollars, and the military-like campaign of Chabad "Only Netanyahu is good for the Jews" was launched. (Sara Leibovich-Dar, Maariv) 
Israel holds its first transgender beauty contest (Agencies, Haaretz)
 
Commentary/Analysis:
Administrative Detention: The Shame of Israel's High Court (Anat Matar, Haaretz+) About 750 administrative detainees are currently sitting in Israeli jails. Each is an 'exceptional among the exceptional' cases, allowing the judicial system to excuse this blatant violation of human rights. 
Around the corner: the number of attacks has decreased, but security officials don’t see the end (Ben Caspit, Maariv) Strengthening the moderates in Iran continues, meanwhile here the process is reversed: this time a bunch of weirdos tried to go crazy on Chief of Staff Eizenkot. Netanyahu, as usual, last week heard only what he wanted to hear. And what the Prime Minister attempted to do after Naftali Bennett’s victory. 
Israel's Culture Minister's War on Culture (Haaretz Editorial) Miri Regev proved once again that she has no interest in real dialogue with the country’s cultural institutions and its creators, and is hostile to those who engage in the creative arts 
In Netanyahu's Israel, Only a Wacko Can Think Arabs and Jews Have the Same Rights (Ram Fruman, Haaretz+) The Jew’s supremacy and the Arab’s inferiority have turned into society’s ultimate axiom, not only in the West Bank but also within Israel proper. 
2017, a 50th Anniversary That Could Spark a Real Intifada (Elie Podeh, Haaretz+) This year will be wasted, but the despair, frustration and disappointment of younger Palestinians in the occupation’s 50th year is a powder keg. 
Shooting the messenger in Egypt's parliament (Smadar Perry, Yedioth/Ynet) Tawfik Okasha, voted out of the Egyptian parliament for promoting normalizing relations with Israel, is in indeed a bigmouth who seeks self-publicity at all costs; conspiracy theories abound about how he was being used to see if relations with Israel could be taken to a higher level. 
Otherwise Occupied How Palestinian Teachers Became the People's Heroes (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The pedagogues’ strike demonstrates once again the beauty of a public that organizes and fights for its rights and attempts to correct an injustice.
Egypt and Israel, on the same page (Prof. Eyal Zisser, Israel Hayom) Improved Israeli-Egyptian relations have not yet reached the street, where many Egyptians still exhibit almost Pavlovian hostility toward Israel. 
Nancy Reagan Was the Sara Netanyahu of the 1980’s (Allison Kaplan Sommer, Haaretz+) Sara and Nancy had a lot in common: Reagan was vilified by her husband’s political opponents as Netanyahu is today - but will history exonerate Israel's 'first lady' too? 
Calm down, media (Dr. Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) The media is once again trying to stir things up by publishing polls that are as worthless as those published ahead of last March's Knesset elections.
I'm Happy the ultra-Orthodox Are Insulting Reform Jews (Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, Haaretz+) Trump-like, Haredi rabbis are trying to distract their young people by non-stop attacks on others. That's a compliment to Reform's growing influence in Israel –and a sign of the Haredi leadership's desperation.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.

Recent Entries