APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday May 02, 2016
Quote of the day:
"In Jerusalem, they think the whole world is stupid...It's time for you (Israelis) to understand that
(your) allies are losing patience."
--Unnamed senior European diplomat told Maariv after report published that Germany wants to end its unconditional support for Israel due to Israeli policies expanding settlements and not advancing peace.**
You Must Be Kidding:
"In the videos he posts online depicting the terror attacks, Ohana always sounds like the dominant voice. He’s often seen giving instructions to soldiers or police, warning them about threats, managing the rescue teams and interrogating Palestinians. In some cases, he seems to be taking charge of events and telling the security forces what to do. In most of the videos, he can also be heard cursing wounded and subdued assailants. He is not seen giving them medical aid in any of the footage."
--A Haaretz+ investigation reveals the controversial behavior of an Israeli ambulance driver named Ofer Ohana, who lives in a Hebron settlement, arrives at every attack, but does not treat the wounded Palestinians and "at every available opportunity, he is seen inflaming the atmosphere."***
--Unnamed senior European diplomat told Maariv after report published that Germany wants to end its unconditional support for Israel due to Israeli policies expanding settlements and not advancing peace.**
You Must Be Kidding:
"In the videos he posts online depicting the terror attacks, Ohana always sounds like the dominant voice. He’s often seen giving instructions to soldiers or police, warning them about threats, managing the rescue teams and interrogating Palestinians. In some cases, he seems to be taking charge of events and telling the security forces what to do. In most of the videos, he can also be heard cursing wounded and subdued assailants. He is not seen giving them medical aid in any of the footage."
--A Haaretz+ investigation reveals the controversial behavior of an Israeli ambulance driver named Ofer Ohana, who lives in a Hebron settlement, arrives at every attack, but does not treat the wounded Palestinians and "at every available opportunity, he is seen inflaming the atmosphere."***
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Escalation in Syria: Assad again using chemical weapons
- In bombed Aleppo, reality has become a game of roulette and alongside fierce fighting, routine life continues (NYT)
- On eve of (Prison Service) discussion about early release, Rivlin met with Katsav family
- Police Investigations Unit: Policeman at Qalandiay (checkpoint) shot in the air, the private security guards killed the two Palestinian (siblings)
- The caretaker of a girl with a rare disease is to be deported
- Police began to give tickets to bicyclists on sidewalks
- The truth at Qalandiya // Haaretz Editorial
- Time (for head of budgets) to resign (to send a message) // Raviv Drucker
- Is the Arava desert becoming a culinary Tuscany
- Riot at Teddy Soccer Stadium – Bnei Sakhnin beat Beitar Jerusalem, the fans of Beitar threw things and injured one
- Hug or leave? The tough battle over the question of how to get babies to sleep
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The next storm – Justice Ministry to bring for government approval: “Half annexation”: Israeli law will be applied to settlers
- Color of evil – Rare color photo of Adolf Eichman walking in his jail yard in Ramleh…one of many photos from a collection being published for the first time
- The dilemma of a pardon for Katsav
- The high school students go to battle – striking Tuesday and Thursday to protest teachers’ decision not to be escorts on school annual trips and the strike of the driver’s license testers
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Katsav’s next step: Appeal against Prison Service
- The reason for stopping the aid to Ethiopian immigrant: he married a (native) Israeli
- Suspect in the murder of four women said: “I had sex with three of the women, but I didn’t murder them”
Israel Hayom
- This is how the F-35 will become Israeli
- Tonight: The soccer game of the season
- Six survivors, six torches
- Prison Service denies: There is no deterioration in Katsav’s mental state
- Due to strike of driver’s license testers and the cancellation of annual school trips: High school students threaten to strike tomorrow
- Bnei Sakhnin defeated Beitar Jerusalem 3:0 at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem; Violent riot at end of game
News Summary:
The controversy over a possible presidential pardon for former president and convicted rapist, Moshe Katsav,
the elections for mayor of London in the wake of the controversial statements by Labor party
members, and stories about Holocaust survivors ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day were top stories in
today’s Hebrew newspapers along with Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked’s proposal to apply Israeli law to settlers in the West Bank and the Israeli police
decision to close the investigation into the killing of two Palestinian siblings, alleged assailants, after it was discovered that private security guards at Qalandiya checkpoint killed them.
(Also Maariv)
**Meanwhile, a German official denied Germany was mulling to end its 'unconditional support' for
Israel, as was reported in Der Spiegel. But, a European diplomat told Maariv’s Dana Somberg that he wasn’t surprised by the contents of the report, which
said that German Chancellor Angela Merkel believed Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was taking
advantage of Germany's unconditional support and that he had no intention of making peace, but that his
settlement policy in the West Bank would lead to Israel becoming an apartheid state. "In Jerusalem, they think
the whole world is stupid,” said the unnamed senior diplomat. "It's time for you (Israelis) to understand that
(your) allies are losing patience."
Meanwhile, the racist Beitar Jerusalem soccer team fans were at it again last night. After losing
badly to Bnei Sakhnin, the only Arab-Israeli team in the premier league, Beitar fans rioted, throwing objects, flares and smoke grenades at Bnei Sakhnin players and the
judges, attacking an Arab usher, injuring linesman Moshe Bohbot in the head, and shouting racist slogans
such as "Death to Arabs" and "Muhammad is dead" as well as "The Temple Mount is ours,” Maariv reported. The team has a pending sentence of a two-point reduction on probation for
racism.
Quick Hits:
- IDF officer says attacked by Jewish settlers at outpost near Hebron - Settler youth at Havat Gal push a Civil Administration officer, calling him a 'gentile' and a 'dog'; Nahala Movement: 'Civil Administration is initiating provocations targeting us. The officers came in plain clothing and refused to identify.' (Ynet and Maan)
- Five Dead After Violence in Israeli-Arab Community - Arab communities worry over lack of personal safety and trust that police will take action. (Haaretz+)
- 4 Palestinians continue hunger strikes in protest of administrative detention - Hunger-striker Sami Janazreh, 43, from al-Fawwar refugee camp near Hebron, entered the 59th day of his hunger strike. He suffers from a heart condition and low blood pressure, and has suffered seizures and other complications since the end of March. (Maan)
- Bar Ilan University to female students: "Do not sing at Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony" - Prior to the ceremony, the institution informed the female students they can play instruments, but not sing. [According to Jewish religion, married men are not allowed to hear the voices of women singing. – OH] Bar Ilan University: "The ceremony will include prayer and readings and poetry." (Maariv)
- 5,000 (Israeli) teenagers march to mark International Workers' Day - 'We need a more equal society. We will bring forth social change,' says Histadrut chairman as teens rally in Tel Aviv under the banner of the fight against exploitation in the work market. (Ynet)
- Israeli forces, shoot injure Palestinian worker near Bethlehem separation wall - Israeli forces shot in the foot and injured a Palestinian worker on Saturday as he approached the separation wall near the village of Dar Salah, according to local sources. (Maan)
- Thousands of Coptic Egyptian pilgrims visit Palestine for Easter holiday - Anwar Samaan, 75, head of his village near Luxor in the Upper Egypt region along the Nile river, was among the 7,650 Coptic Christians who visited holy sites across the occupied Palestinian territory in the past week. (Maan)
- Gaza man indicted for Hamas militant activity, operating smuggling tunnel - Midhat bin-Fauzi Abu Snima faces 18 state security endangering charges, including firing rockets and mortar shells at IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians, planting explosives on the border fence, and smuggling arms into the Strip. (Ynet and Israel Hayom)
- Report: Sinai insurgency sparks security cooperation between Hamas, Israel, Egypt - Responding to a mounting insurgency in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula by the Islamic State-affiliated group Wilayat Sinai (Sinai Province), the Hamas movement has formed an “unlikely alliance” with Egypt and Israel, the Washington Post reported Saturday. (Maan)
- UN: Israel's cement ban prevents hundreds of Gaza families from rebuilding homes - Due to cement scarcity and price increases, “organizations providing assistance have had to suspend cash assistance for house repairs to over 1,370 families,” and payment was delayed to 1,550 families scheduled to start reconstruction. In addition, jobs were suspended for some 40,000 construction workers in the Gaza Strip. (Maan)
- Gaza parkour performer seriously injured after fall - Muhammad Zakkut suffered from injuries and fractures all over his body when he fell Friday while performing parkour for a Ma’an news report in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. Zakkut would be treated in the Israeli Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv due to the seriousness of his injuries, Health Minister Jawad Awwad said. (Maan)
- Egypt to sue Israeli online store over ancient painting stolen by Moshe Dayan - The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities is preparing legal procedures against an online Israeli antique store after it put up for sale a historical Egyptian painting allegedly confiscated by former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan. (Maan)
- Aleppo Bombed as U.S. Announces 'Initiatives' to Reduce Syria Violence - The United States says it sees stopping the bloodshed in Aleppo as a top priority. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Syria's Assad Used Chemical Arms Against ISIS - After Assad crossed Obama's 'red line' by using chemical arms, a deal was reached to see all such weapons removed from the war-torn country. Last week however, the regime used a chemical agent - most likely sarin - against ISIS. (Haaretz)
- Drones, Turkish Artillery Kill 34 ISIS Militants in Syria - After ISIS rockets hit southern Turkey, Turkish army reports striking ISIS targets in Syria, destroying six vehicles and five gun positions. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- After Egyptian Police Kill 5 Men, Mystery Over Italian Student's Death Deepens - Egyptian police say they solved the murder of Italian student Giulio Regeni after killing five men supposedly responsible for his death, but Italian officials dismiss the claim. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Iran's moderates get most parliament seats after runoff - Reformist camp secures 143 seats in Tehran's assembly, just shy of half the house. Hard-liners win 86 seats and independents win 61. "Our priority is engagement with other factions rather than confrontation," moderates' leader Mohammad Reza Aref says. (Agencies, Israel Hayom)
- Britain's Labour Fights Backlash of anti-Semitism Claims Amid Fears of Losing Jewish Voters - 'I accept that the comments that Ken Livingstone has made make it more difficult for Londoners of Jewish faith to feel that the Labour Party is a place for them,' says mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
***Why wasn't the hurt Palestinian assailant treated? A look at the scene, from all the
angles
Footage of terror attacks show Israeli medical staff standing by as Palestinian assailants lie wounded on the ground; the incidents put the national rescue service, which officially isn't meant to operate in the territories, in an embarrassing position. (Shay Fogelman, Haaretz+)
The many layers of the Palestinian Security Forces
Though frequently referenced and crucial to security cooperation with Israel and other countries, the Palestinian security apparatus is rarely fully comprehended. Herein, the different offices, forces and units are separated and explained, including their close relations with their Israeli counterparts. (Elior Levy, Ynet)
50 years since the death of the Soviet spy whose identity is still shrouded in mystery
In the 60’s, Israel Bar succeeded in causing a storm in the country when it was discovered that he, the man who was close to the top of Israel's security, was a spy. Read about his life story and how the agent was captured. (Avishai Matia, Maariv)
From Cowshed to Synagogue Kibbutzim Compromise on Secular Identity in Bid to Survive
A tour of Israel's kibbutzim shows an increased Orthodox presence on the collective settlements, which historically always rejected an observant life. (Noa Shpigel, Haaretz+)
"We got a message that our child was killed": new military campaign against false reports
Messages with the names of the dead and general hysteria, as there was in Operation Protective Edge (Gaza 2014), led the army to try and combat the problem with the campaign "Do not let rumors knock on the door." (Noam Amir, Maariv)
How Politics and Religion Shape Palestinian Bereavement
Despite the singular features of Palestinian mourning, what ultimately stands out in Dr. Maram Masarwi’s new book is the human, universal similarity between Arab and Jewish loss. (Edna Shemesh, Haaretz+)
U.K. Labour's 'Hitler Was a Zionist' Controversy Explained
What did the former London mayor say to spark the current storm? Is U.K. Labour really anti-Semitic? Read the top Haaretz analyses and opinions on the uproar plaguing Britain's historically Jewish party. (Haaretz)
Letters to the Editor: Naz Shah, Free Press and Religion in Schools (Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
Release the Qalandiyah Video (Haaretz Editorial) The refusal of police to release footage of the incident only increases fear that a crime was committed when two Palestinians were shot by security guards.
A man of peace: Obama will be remembered as one of America's greatest presidents (Uri Savir, Maariv) Barack Obama's term, which will soon reach its end, will be remembered for social justice and equality that he believed in. There are capitals where his departure will be welcomed with a sigh of relief, such as Jerusalem, Tehran, Moscow and Pyongyang.
Obama's legacy in Syria (Elliot Abrams, Israel Hayom) The failure to protect even one single Syrian from the crimes of the Assad regime ought to haunt every top Obama administration official.
Getting IDF Out of Area A Is the First Step Toward Deescalating the Conflict (Nathan Hersh, Haaretz+) As an infantry soldier, I saw firsthand how the resistance and tension the IDF faces while patrolling Palestinian cities increases the troops' frustration, raising the likelihood of violence.
I'm a Friend of the IDF. And I Am Worried. (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) As a former combat medic, I'm dismayed to find the Israeli army under attack and vulnerable from a direction in which its defenses are being stripped weak: the Israeli right.
Hamas and the Irgun? How Dare I Compare the Two... (B. Michael, Haaretz+) For all those suffering from voluntary amnesia here are just a few of the Irgun's highlights of Hamas-worthy violence.
A life in denial (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) There is no difference between denying Jews individual rights, which is the definition of anti-Semitism, and denying Jews the right to define themselves as a collective, which amounts to anti-Zionism.
Arab Failures, Kurdish Achievements Might Fix History’s Injustices (Shlomo Avineri, Haaretz+) With the Baghdad government weak and the Kurdish leaders careful, the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq is a de-facto state.
Livingstone’s Nonsense on Hitler Nonetheless Touches Raw Zionist Nerve (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) The explosive dilemma of 'collaboration' with the Nazis in order to save German Jews split the Zionist movement in the 1930s.
Can We Persuade Bernie Sanders to Make Aliyah? (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) The Democratic presidential nominee has been the shining light in this year's primaries, demonstrating exemplary American patriotism and also love for the Jewish people.
Forget Sykes-Picot: Israel Won't Abandon the Golan to Terrorists (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) The time has come to drop the fixation with artificial borders drawn a hundred years ago by imperial powers.
Footage of terror attacks show Israeli medical staff standing by as Palestinian assailants lie wounded on the ground; the incidents put the national rescue service, which officially isn't meant to operate in the territories, in an embarrassing position. (Shay Fogelman, Haaretz+)
The many layers of the Palestinian Security Forces
Though frequently referenced and crucial to security cooperation with Israel and other countries, the Palestinian security apparatus is rarely fully comprehended. Herein, the different offices, forces and units are separated and explained, including their close relations with their Israeli counterparts. (Elior Levy, Ynet)
50 years since the death of the Soviet spy whose identity is still shrouded in mystery
In the 60’s, Israel Bar succeeded in causing a storm in the country when it was discovered that he, the man who was close to the top of Israel's security, was a spy. Read about his life story and how the agent was captured. (Avishai Matia, Maariv)
From Cowshed to Synagogue Kibbutzim Compromise on Secular Identity in Bid to Survive
A tour of Israel's kibbutzim shows an increased Orthodox presence on the collective settlements, which historically always rejected an observant life. (Noa Shpigel, Haaretz+)
"We got a message that our child was killed": new military campaign against false reports
Messages with the names of the dead and general hysteria, as there was in Operation Protective Edge (Gaza 2014), led the army to try and combat the problem with the campaign "Do not let rumors knock on the door." (Noam Amir, Maariv)
How Politics and Religion Shape Palestinian Bereavement
Despite the singular features of Palestinian mourning, what ultimately stands out in Dr. Maram Masarwi’s new book is the human, universal similarity between Arab and Jewish loss. (Edna Shemesh, Haaretz+)
U.K. Labour's 'Hitler Was a Zionist' Controversy Explained
What did the former London mayor say to spark the current storm? Is U.K. Labour really anti-Semitic? Read the top Haaretz analyses and opinions on the uproar plaguing Britain's historically Jewish party. (Haaretz)
Letters to the Editor: Naz Shah, Free Press and Religion in Schools (Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
Release the Qalandiyah Video (Haaretz Editorial) The refusal of police to release footage of the incident only increases fear that a crime was committed when two Palestinians were shot by security guards.
A man of peace: Obama will be remembered as one of America's greatest presidents (Uri Savir, Maariv) Barack Obama's term, which will soon reach its end, will be remembered for social justice and equality that he believed in. There are capitals where his departure will be welcomed with a sigh of relief, such as Jerusalem, Tehran, Moscow and Pyongyang.
Obama's legacy in Syria (Elliot Abrams, Israel Hayom) The failure to protect even one single Syrian from the crimes of the Assad regime ought to haunt every top Obama administration official.
Getting IDF Out of Area A Is the First Step Toward Deescalating the Conflict (Nathan Hersh, Haaretz+) As an infantry soldier, I saw firsthand how the resistance and tension the IDF faces while patrolling Palestinian cities increases the troops' frustration, raising the likelihood of violence.
I'm a Friend of the IDF. And I Am Worried. (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) As a former combat medic, I'm dismayed to find the Israeli army under attack and vulnerable from a direction in which its defenses are being stripped weak: the Israeli right.
Hamas and the Irgun? How Dare I Compare the Two... (B. Michael, Haaretz+) For all those suffering from voluntary amnesia here are just a few of the Irgun's highlights of Hamas-worthy violence.
A life in denial (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) There is no difference between denying Jews individual rights, which is the definition of anti-Semitism, and denying Jews the right to define themselves as a collective, which amounts to anti-Zionism.
Arab Failures, Kurdish Achievements Might Fix History’s Injustices (Shlomo Avineri, Haaretz+) With the Baghdad government weak and the Kurdish leaders careful, the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq is a de-facto state.
Livingstone’s Nonsense on Hitler Nonetheless Touches Raw Zionist Nerve (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) The explosive dilemma of 'collaboration' with the Nazis in order to save German Jews split the Zionist movement in the 1930s.
Can We Persuade Bernie Sanders to Make Aliyah? (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) The Democratic presidential nominee has been the shining light in this year's primaries, demonstrating exemplary American patriotism and also love for the Jewish people.
Forget Sykes-Picot: Israel Won't Abandon the Golan to Terrorists (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) The time has come to drop the fixation with artificial borders drawn a hundred years ago by imperial powers.
Interviews:
Right Wing Ideologue Aryeh Eldad Refuses to Believe a Word Netanyahu Says
Do right wing leaders in Israel break left once in power? The former MK questions studied the issue in depth and sat down with Haaretz to share the results, published in his latest book. (Interviewed by Uri Misgav in Haaretz+)
Danny Danon: "The Americans are transmitting to us that they are tired of both sides"
According to Israel's ambassador to the UN, relations with the United States are not strained, as they appear. Under the surface we have support and recently created rapprochement was made between Israel and the Arab states. (Interviewed by Dana Somberg in Maariv)
Right Wing Ideologue Aryeh Eldad Refuses to Believe a Word Netanyahu Says
Do right wing leaders in Israel break left once in power? The former MK questions studied the issue in depth and sat down with Haaretz to share the results, published in his latest book. (Interviewed by Uri Misgav in Haaretz+)
Danny Danon: "The Americans are transmitting to us that they are tired of both sides"
According to Israel's ambassador to the UN, relations with the United States are not strained, as they appear. Under the surface we have support and recently created rapprochement was made between Israel and the Arab states. (Interviewed by Dana Somberg in Maariv)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.