APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday May 09, 2016
Quote of the day:
“We have come to the Knesset of Israel today to warn about the trend of the slow and continued erosion
of the foundation of Israeli democracy, which expresses itself in offensive discourse, verbal violence and lack
of tolerance for the other and those who are different…”
--The Presidents of Israel's universities made a joint statement backing up the statement by General Yair Golan comparing trends in Israeli society to those of Germany 90 years ago.*
You Must Be Kidding:
Israel expropriated land from an East Jerusalem Palestinian family without a tender and against the rules, then handed it over to Amana, an organization that works to establish settlements and outposts.**
--The Presidents of Israel's universities made a joint statement backing up the statement by General Yair Golan comparing trends in Israeli society to those of Germany 90 years ago.*
You Must Be Kidding:
Israel expropriated land from an East Jerusalem Palestinian family without a tender and against the rules, then handed it over to Amana, an organization that works to establish settlements and outposts.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Netanyahu: The statements by the Deputy Chief of Staff are groundless and cause cheapening of the Holocaust
- The hazing policy // Yossi Verter
- Deterrence was achieved // Amos Harel
- State confiscated privately-owned land in Sheikh Jarrah and gave it to settlers
- Mutual accusations in IDF over Operation Protective Edge: The MKs will convene for a special discussion in the recess
- Police Commissioner Alsheikh promoting a senior officer, who sexually harassed female officers, to be police attaché in the US
- Katsav submitted a new pardon request to President Rivlin
- By a majority of 2:1, High Court justices approved Deri serving as Interior Minister
- At the last moment, Tel-Aviv University prevented the exclusion of women at the Memorial Day ceremony
- Indictment against Vaanunu: Met with foreigners and moved house without informing
- The Amona criminals // Haaretz Editorial
- What Bennett said // Raviv Drucker
- The viral game that answers to (MK) Bezalel Smotrich // Oded Yaron
- ¼ page ad: Before Bibi fails in the next war: Quick, publish the State Comptroller report (on Operation Protective Edge) [has numerous signatories] To join the petition: BBfail.com; Initiator of the petition: MK Erel Margalit
Yedioth Ahronoth
- “The Justice Minister is meant to be the defensive shield of the court – that shield has been undermined” – Exclusive – rare interview: Four former Chief Justices speak about the dilemmas in Israeli society that worry them
- (Netanyahu is) a champion in incitement // Sima Kadmon
- The war of the generals // Yossi Yehoshua
- Death of the prince of crime
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Ministers in Likud: Fire Gen. Golan
- “The (IDF) recruiting priest sexually harassed” – Channel 2 – Priest Gabriel Nadaf, who will light a torch on Independence Day, held sexual communications with (Christian Arab) soldiers
- To the fallen, with a salute
- The former president [serving prison time] officially petitioned the serving President Rivlin: “I ask for grace, mercy and compassion”
Israel Hayom
- With a salute and pain – Uniting with the memory of the fallen
- The investigation and the storm: Will Priest Nadaf light a torch?
- Prime Minister: The statements of the Deputy Chief of Staff – Injustice and cheapening of the Holocaust
- Former president Moshe Katsav petitioned Rivlin officially requesting a pardon; President’s Office: “His request will be dealt with like any request”
- High Court ruled: Deri can serve as Interior Minister
-
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kahlon agreed: two-year budget
News Summary:
Two continuing controversies were the focus of today’s Hebrew newspapers, just ahead of Israel’s Remembrance Day for Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terror: the leaked State Comptroller report about the leadership failures in Operation Protective Edge and the speech by IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Yair Golan comparing ‘revolting’ trends in Israeli society to those of Germany in the early ‘30’s.
Despite the controversy over Golan’s remarks appearing to have died down since they were made on the Eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day last week, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu revived the controversy at the Sunday cabinet meeting when he slammed General Golan and said his statements were ‘outrageous’ ‘unfounded’ and ‘belittled the memory of the Holocaust.’ Likud Minister Miri Regev called for Golan to be fired.
*Yet, more have come to support Golan’s statements about the moral deterioration of Israeli society and the undemocratic trends. Presidents of Israel’s universities made a joint statement at a Knesset event on “Education and Democracy,” pointing to exactly the trends Gen. Golan referred to, Maariv reported. “We have come to the Knesset of Israel today to warn about the trend of the slow and continued erosion of the foundation of Israeli democracy, which expresses itself in offensive discourse, verbal violence and lack of tolerance for the other and those who are different…” the university presidents told the Speaker of the Knesset, Yuli Edelstein. Yedioth appeared to be coming to the defense of General Golan when it ran on its front page a set of interviews with former chief justices discussing a range of issues Israel is dealing with, including a Justice Minister who the former chief justices said is not protecting the High Court that the criticism of it is increasing and the “public is beginning to think that will influence it, which erodes the public’s trust in it. And if there is no trust from the public, then there has already been someone who said that is the beginning of the end of democracy.”
Some papers noted that Netanyahu’s reviving of the controversy surrounding Gen. Golan’s statements could have been to distract the public from the other boiling controversy: the State Comptroller’s draft report which criticized Netanyahu over his conduct into Operation Protective Edge. Maj. Gen. (res.) Yom Tov Samia, who was deputy head of the southern command during 2014 Gaza War, said he wasn't even called to testify, which worried him "because it means that people were afraid to do serious and in depth summaries," he said yesterday. Gen. Samia also slammed the unusually high number of medals of courage given out saying it was “scandalous” and that he thought the investigations and medals were "done to cover up something. A few hours later Maj. Gen. Sami Turgeman, who headed the southern command during the war, rejected both claims entirely, albeit without mentioning Samia by name. (Also Maariv) Nevertheless, at the behest of the Meretz party, which got enough signatures, the Knesset will hold a special session on the leaked ‘Top Secret’ draft of the 2014 Gaza War report. No date has been set.
In diplomacy, a point for the Palestinians: The Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders kicked off his visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories by first visiting Ramallah, where he met with his counterpart, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki. Reynders and Maliki both welcomed the French initiative of holding international conference in Paris on May 30 in a bid to relaunch Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. Israel has rejected the initiative.
Quick Hits:
- Bodies of Palestinian Siblings Killed After Alleged Stabbing Attempt at Qalandiyah to Undergo Autopsy - Lawyer says Taha family does not object to autopsy as long as bodies are handed over for burial immediately afterwards. Family is also demanding to see security camera footage of the events. Israel has refused both requests. (Haaretz+)
- Video: Extremist settlers attack two Palestinian human rights activists in Hebron - Settlers attacked Emad Abu Shamsiya and Yasser Abu Markhiya, who were taking footage of extremist settlers carrying rods near Palestinian homes in Tel Rumeida in Hebron’s Old City, as soldiers were present. (Maan+ VIDEO)
- Israeli forces shoot, injure Palestinian worker trying to cross separation wall - The man was shot in the leg on Sunday while he was trying to cross the separation wall from outskirts of the village of Dar Salah to work in Jerusalem. Nine other Palestinian workers from the village were reportedly shot and injured in the past few days while trying to cross. (Maan)
- Israel forces open fire on Palestinian farmers in southern Gaza - Locals told Ma’an Israeli forces deployed east of Khan Yunis opened fire on farmers, preventing them from reaching their lands. No injuries were reported. (Maan)
- Trial of Soldier Who Shot Dead Wounded Palestinian Assailant in Hebron Opens - Elor Azaria is charged in the first case since 2004 that an Israeli soldier stands accused of manslaughter committed during duty. (Haaretz and Ynet)
- **Israel Took Palestinian East Jerusalem Family’s Land Behind Its Back, Gave It to Settler NGO - Documents reveals that the state used strenuous bureaucratic acrobatics to deliver land that didn’t belong to it to Amana. (Haaretz+)
- U.S. State Department: PA envoy's likening of Israeli soldiers to Nazis 'deeply concerning' - 'All colonizers, all occupiers, including those who suppressed the Warsaw uprising, labeled those who were resisting them as terrorists,' said Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian Authority's envoy to the UN. (JTA, Haaretz)
- Severe allegations made of sexual harassment against Father Gabriel Naddaf - The allegations against Naddaf, who became famous for recruiting Christian Arab Israelis to the IDF, were reported by Channel 2 on Sunday night. Naddaf was chosen to light a torch on Independence Day. (JPost and Maariv)
- Islamic Movement in Israel Leader Begins His Jail Term - Sheikh Raed Salah heads to prison for nine months, after being convicted of incitement to violence and racism. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Palestinian refugee camp committees to shut down UNRWA offices in West Bank - The popular committees of the Palestinian refugee camps decided on Sunday to take steps to protest UNRWA's recent decision to halt its food distribution program in the camps and replace it with a cash card system. (Maan)
- After Early Release Bid Fails, Disgraced Israeli Ex-president Submits New Clemency Request - After being rejected last month for early release from a seven year sentence for rape, former president Moshe Katsav applies anew for a presidential pardon. (Haaretz+)
- Nuclear secret spiller Vanunu indicted for Israeli TV interview - Ex-worker at Dimona plant faces charges for violating terms of parole, including meet with US nationals, move to new apartment in same building. (Times of Israel and Maariv)
- Netanyahu, Kahlon Reach Agreement on Two-year Budget - Finance minister wins provisos to adjust spending package at halfway point. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
- Ya’alon: No difference between bereaved same-sex, heterosexual partners - Defense minister says state recognizes widows and widowers of fallen soldiers regardless of sexual orientation. (Times of Israel)
- After Maternity Ward Segregation Scandal, New Israeli Internet Game Tests Your Racism Skills - 'Categorize the Maternity Ward' satirizes recent far-right calls to permit segregation of Jewish and Arab women giving birth in Israeli hospitals. (Haaretz+)
- After UN snub, terror victim's husband speaks out - Natan Meir writes strongly worded letter to Ban Ki Moon decrying lack of humanity at the Security Council after being ignored by every UN Security Council representative. (Ynet)
- Islamic Jihad denies reports of 'understanding' with Israeli army in Gaza - Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad denied on Sunday reports that it had an “understanding” with Israel allowing Israeli forces to operate hundreds of meters inside the besieged Gaza Strip. (Maan)
- Abbas arrives in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials on peace process - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas briefed Egyptian Foreign Minister Samih Shukri regarding the latest developments in Palestine, namely ongoing Israeli settlement expansion and the absence of any political solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the horizon. (Maan)
- Hamas bolsters forces on Sinai border over ISIS concerns - Hamas began deploying additional security forces along border with Egypt in mid-April to ease Cairo's concerns that it is aiding the Islamic State group • "Hamas will not allow Gaza to be a threat to Egypt's security," says Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri. (Agencies, Israel Hayom)
- Yossi Melman: "Israel and Hamas could be drawn into a war neither wants" - Military analyst of "Ma'ariv" told Radio Nonstop 103FM that “Hamas is trying to establish new rules, but now Israel overcame it. It's like a game between children, because there is no real desire to resolve the main issue.” (Maariv)
- Dozens gather in Gaza City to protest electricity crisis in the Gaza Strip - The protesters gathered at the Unknown Soldier Square in the center of the city holding posters denouncing the ongoing tax dispute between Gaza's de facto ruling party Hamas and the Fatah-lead Palestinian Authority (PA), urging the rivals to take serious steps towards restoring national unity. (Maan)
- J Street Names Rabbi Steve Gutow Senior Political Adviser - Gutow, a longtime Jewish communal activist, will work with congressional candidates endorsed by JStreetPAC to guide them in outreach to the Jewish community. (Haaretz)
- Israeli Judge deemed Australian Headmistress Accused of Sexual Abuse Unfit to Stand Extradition Trial - Jerusalem judge halts proceedings against former headmistress of ultra-Orthodox girls' school after receiving psychiatrist's opinion. (Haaretz+)
- Two Israeli Citizens Face U.S. Extradition for Securities Fraud and Hacking Charges - Lawyers for suspects Ziv Orenstein and Gery Shalon have denied the charges of hacking and stealing millions of customers financial information from 2012-2015. (Haaretz)
- Sadiq Khan attends Holocaust memorial as first official mayoral act - London's freshly elected Muslim mayor joins Holocaust memorial ceremony attended by thousands from the city's Jewish community, including over 150 Holocaust survivors. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Amid growing anti-Semitism crisis, Britain's Labour suspends more members - Jackie Walker and David Watson suspended from party following alleged anti-Semitic posts on social media, British media report. (Haaretz)
- Under High Security, Lebanese Head to Polls in Local Elections - Lebanon’s first elections since 2010 takes place after wide anti-government protests over the trash crisis in the capital. (Haaretz)
- Syrian Forces Attack Rebels Near Aleppo in Major Insurgent Push Back - Hezbollah's Al-Manar reports heavy fighting between government forces and rebels after insurgents take town near Aleppo. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Eight Egyptian Policemen Gunned Down in Cairo Suburb - The attack was the deadliest in the city since November, when local ISIS affiliate claimed responsibility for an attack by gunmen on a checkpoint that killed four policemen. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
What really happens on Israeli students’ Holocaust trips to Poland?
An anthropologist who’s been on five Shoah tours explains why he believes they’re failing the students and benefiting the IDF. (Rotem Starkman, Haaretz+)
Women warriors: female fighters in the IDF
Five active-duty female soldiers spoke with Ynet about the growing role that women play in the IDF, as well as their experiences and hopes: from reacting to stabbing incidents to how they're treated by male soldiers. (Yoav Zitun, Ynet)
The Hip-hop Dance Clip That’s Sweeping the Arab World
‘Barbs,’ a viral hit from a Saudi break-dance crew, demonstrates social media’s power to unite. (Eyal Sagui Bizawe, Haaretz+)
Letters to the Editor: From Holocaust to Rebirth to Occupation
Kudos to Golan and a Holocaust survivor/Zionist pioneer's alienation. (Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Why Are Israeli Taxpayers Forced to Pay for Lawbreaking Settlers' Housing? (Haaretz Editorial) The Amona outpost has exemplified settlers' criminality since its establishment on privately owned Palestinian land in 1997; now the government wants to build them new homes in place of the ones due to be demolished.
Birds of a feather (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Trump and Netanyahu's leadership share many similarities, the majority of which are negative. Democratic contenders will have to fight an uphill battle against a candidate who knows how to whip up populist sentiment.
Kowtowing to the Right, Netanyahu Targets IDF General for Holocaust Day Speech (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) The prime minister took aim at two targets - Maj. Gen. Yair Golan and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon - during Sunday's cabinet meeting.
Protect the state from its government (Ran Adelist, Maariv) The speech by General Yair Golan and the right-wing government's responses were another round in the battle between the IDF leadership and the Israeli government. It is the only political and relevant battle that exists today in the State of Israel. With a ideological alternative like (Yair) Lapid and (Isaac) Herzog, who needs a political alternative? General Golan's speech was only one front, the moral one, in which the nation of Israel was defeated by the questionable values defended by the government. The security front is another one and therefore the IDF is bypassing the government's policy and demanding to withdraw its forces from the center of Palestinian cities in Areas A, preferring the Military Intel's assessment over the Shin Bet's assessment. With the back up of the Defense Minister, the IDF is ignoring the Prime Minister's demand not to return the bodies of terrorists...If Netanyahu fires the Defense Minister, the IDF Chief of Staff and most of the IDF leadership will go with him. So, like usual, what will save Netanyahu will be the next crisis. Such as the State Comptroller report on Operation Protective Edge.
On the border (Jacky Khugi, Maariv) Despite Israel’s underground success in uncovering tunnels, Gaza’s harsh economic situation, the lack of patience of Hamas’ military echelons and the diplomatic freeze, Hamas is not interested in entering an all-out-war.
Palestinians Have Never Agreed to Establish a State With Provisional Borders (Saeb Erekat, Haaretz+) Yossi Beilin is enthusiastic but twists facts. The Palestinian leadership will not entertain the idea of interim borders that would allow Israel to continue its process of annexing occupied territory.
At 68 - is Israel isolated? (Yoram Ettinger, Israel Hayom) Since 1948, global pressure on Israel to commit to dramatic concessions has been accompanied by warnings that it was dooming itself to painful isolation if it refused.
Can Palestinians Find Justice in the U.S.? (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Every day, pro-Palestinian activities are held in New York. But can a society that lives in peace with its own 47 million poor people act on the behalf of others?
Army of Salvation (Dr. Revital Amiran, Maariv) In the State of Israel, much like in Turkey, it is of all groups, the military echelons that are marking the humanistic and democratic horizon of Israeli society.
'Hatikvah' is our story (Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom) We must sing our national anthem without apologizing or hesitating.
America Must Tell Israel: Annexing the West Bank Is Our Red Line (Steven Klein, Haaretz+) Extending civil law to the settlements, as the justice minister is attempting, lays the legal groundwork for Israel to extend its permanent grip over the West Bank. Obama cannot remain silent.
Israel Must Cut the Gordian Knot That Ties Gazans to Hamas (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) A way should be found to alleviate the situation of the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip without simultaneously strengthening Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.
Rhodes is just the messenger (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) The person behind the grand scam known as the Iran nuclear deal is U.S. President Barack Obama.
Bibi See, Bibi Do: Netanyahu's Political Mimicry of Bennett (Raviv Drucker, Haaretz+) The phenomenon of the two party leaders trying to outdo each other has become grotesque in recent weeks.
An anthropologist who’s been on five Shoah tours explains why he believes they’re failing the students and benefiting the IDF. (Rotem Starkman, Haaretz+)
Women warriors: female fighters in the IDF
Five active-duty female soldiers spoke with Ynet about the growing role that women play in the IDF, as well as their experiences and hopes: from reacting to stabbing incidents to how they're treated by male soldiers. (Yoav Zitun, Ynet)
The Hip-hop Dance Clip That’s Sweeping the Arab World
‘Barbs,’ a viral hit from a Saudi break-dance crew, demonstrates social media’s power to unite. (Eyal Sagui Bizawe, Haaretz+)
Letters to the Editor: From Holocaust to Rebirth to Occupation
Kudos to Golan and a Holocaust survivor/Zionist pioneer's alienation. (Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Why Are Israeli Taxpayers Forced to Pay for Lawbreaking Settlers' Housing? (Haaretz Editorial) The Amona outpost has exemplified settlers' criminality since its establishment on privately owned Palestinian land in 1997; now the government wants to build them new homes in place of the ones due to be demolished.
Birds of a feather (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Trump and Netanyahu's leadership share many similarities, the majority of which are negative. Democratic contenders will have to fight an uphill battle against a candidate who knows how to whip up populist sentiment.
Kowtowing to the Right, Netanyahu Targets IDF General for Holocaust Day Speech (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) The prime minister took aim at two targets - Maj. Gen. Yair Golan and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon - during Sunday's cabinet meeting.
Protect the state from its government (Ran Adelist, Maariv) The speech by General Yair Golan and the right-wing government's responses were another round in the battle between the IDF leadership and the Israeli government. It is the only political and relevant battle that exists today in the State of Israel. With a ideological alternative like (Yair) Lapid and (Isaac) Herzog, who needs a political alternative? General Golan's speech was only one front, the moral one, in which the nation of Israel was defeated by the questionable values defended by the government. The security front is another one and therefore the IDF is bypassing the government's policy and demanding to withdraw its forces from the center of Palestinian cities in Areas A, preferring the Military Intel's assessment over the Shin Bet's assessment. With the back up of the Defense Minister, the IDF is ignoring the Prime Minister's demand not to return the bodies of terrorists...If Netanyahu fires the Defense Minister, the IDF Chief of Staff and most of the IDF leadership will go with him. So, like usual, what will save Netanyahu will be the next crisis. Such as the State Comptroller report on Operation Protective Edge.
On the border (Jacky Khugi, Maariv) Despite Israel’s underground success in uncovering tunnels, Gaza’s harsh economic situation, the lack of patience of Hamas’ military echelons and the diplomatic freeze, Hamas is not interested in entering an all-out-war.
Palestinians Have Never Agreed to Establish a State With Provisional Borders (Saeb Erekat, Haaretz+) Yossi Beilin is enthusiastic but twists facts. The Palestinian leadership will not entertain the idea of interim borders that would allow Israel to continue its process of annexing occupied territory.
At 68 - is Israel isolated? (Yoram Ettinger, Israel Hayom) Since 1948, global pressure on Israel to commit to dramatic concessions has been accompanied by warnings that it was dooming itself to painful isolation if it refused.
Can Palestinians Find Justice in the U.S.? (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Every day, pro-Palestinian activities are held in New York. But can a society that lives in peace with its own 47 million poor people act on the behalf of others?
Army of Salvation (Dr. Revital Amiran, Maariv) In the State of Israel, much like in Turkey, it is of all groups, the military echelons that are marking the humanistic and democratic horizon of Israeli society.
'Hatikvah' is our story (Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom) We must sing our national anthem without apologizing or hesitating.
America Must Tell Israel: Annexing the West Bank Is Our Red Line (Steven Klein, Haaretz+) Extending civil law to the settlements, as the justice minister is attempting, lays the legal groundwork for Israel to extend its permanent grip over the West Bank. Obama cannot remain silent.
Israel Must Cut the Gordian Knot That Ties Gazans to Hamas (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) A way should be found to alleviate the situation of the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip without simultaneously strengthening Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.
Rhodes is just the messenger (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) The person behind the grand scam known as the Iran nuclear deal is U.S. President Barack Obama.
Bibi See, Bibi Do: Netanyahu's Political Mimicry of Bennett (Raviv Drucker, Haaretz+) The phenomenon of the two party leaders trying to outdo each other has become grotesque in recent weeks.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.