News Nosh 05.23.16

APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday May 23, 2016
 
Quote of the day:
"And on this issue, it won’t be possible to rely on the American precedent, because capital punishment in America isn’t applied selectively to a certain population group."
--From today's Haaretz Editorial on the easing of the law for executing only Palestinian terrorists - but not Jewish ones.

You Must Be Kidding: 
Classified documents, likely revealing methods to solicit information, were accidentally passed into the hands of the attorneys of seven Jewish individuals indicted for terror activities last month.


Front Page:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
Israel Hayom
  • Prime Minister: Stop the crying and the wailing
  • Stormy Labor party meeting – Some MKs boycotted it, those present told Herzog: “We feel betrayed, you made us look like idiots”
  • Herzog needs to pack up – or run // Dan Margalit  
  • The left-wing disconnected from society // Dr. Haim Shine
  • Police Unit investigating police probing: What happened in the blows between the police and the Arab citizen in Tel-Aviv
  • Drowned in paperwork: The forms were not submitted – the national swimming delegation was rejected from the European Championship
News Summary:
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told Israelis not to worry about the appointment of ultra-nationalist MK Avigdor Lieberman as Defense Minister, Likud sources revealed that Lieberman’s demand for a death penalty only for Jews will be legislated, Labor party MKs told party chairman MK Isaac Herzog they are unhappy with him and an Arab Israeli supermarket employee was brutally beaten up when he didn’t identify himself to an undercover cop making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Meanwhile, the trial of the ‘shooting soldier from Hebron,’ Elor Azariya, reopens with a top judge resigning at the demand of the defense because he knew one of those testifying, the Hebron Brigade Commander Yariv Ben-Ezra. Last week, Ben-Ezra was recorded saying the soldier, Azariya, was in no danger and that politicians and rabbis were causing trouble by interfering in the IDF rules of engagement.
 
The signing of a coalition deal with Lieberman to expand the government was delayed due to Lieberman’s demand for a pension plan reform. But the legislation he demanded to make it easier to give Arab terrorists a death penalty, but not apply it to Jewish terrorists was prepared. Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said he opposed the legislation and coalition chairman, Likud MK David Biton, said it should be for both Jews and Arabs.
 
Netanyahu insisted those Israelis who are moaning over the dismissal of Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon and the inclusion of Lieberman in the government, should stop because, Netanyahu said, even with Lieberman, Israel seeks to advance the peace process with the Palestinians. Lieberman’s future conduct vis-à-vis Gaza and Hamas was discussed at the Jerusalem Post Conference in New York, where former Mossad chief Ephraim Halevy said now was the time to talk to Hamas: “Hamas leadership knows it has no way to destroy Israel, Halevy said. "Senior American officials have heard in recent years these messages from Hamas. Now it's time to talk to them. I would not be surprised if the man that does that is Avigdor Lieberman.” Halevy noted that if after all the wars and military operations against Hamas it still survives, “it means that what we are doing is not achieving the goal and we need to recalculate what we are doing." But former IDF chief of staff, Gabi Ashkenazi, disagreed. “There is no need to talk with Hamas," Ashkenazi said. "Hamas does not recognize Israel. Hamas is an enemy country and must be treated as such. It does not mean we cannot ease the life of the locals population. I think we should help them all we can. But we cannot compromise with terror."
 
Yedioth/Ynet noted that if Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party joins the government as planned, numerous controversial bills will be on the agenda as the Knesset returns for summer session and have a much better chance of being passed, including Netanyahu’s bill to suspend MKs and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked’s bill for NGO ‘transparency.’
 
Meanwhile, Yaalon said goodbye to the IDF general staff Sunday. Yedioth’s military affairs correspondent, Yossi Yehoshua, wrote, “The Prime Minister dismissed him in a humiliating manner, his friends in the party turned their backs, but yesterday the outgoing defense minister Moshe Yaalon got a hug from the top army brass. At a parting event at IDF HQ he gave a clear message: ‘The army needs to win, but we must remain human beings.’" Former Likud minister Dan Meridor told Ynet that extremism is increasingly taking hold in Likud, while controversial Likud MK Oren Hazan said Ya'alon's behavior as defense minister amounted to trying to overthrow the government.
 
The social media networks were awash with the news and video of Israeli undercover Border Police savagely beating an Arab-Israeli supermarket employee. The police were undercover and the employee was unaware that they were police. The police released a statement accusing the Arab man of attacking the policemen. The young man, who was taken away in a police jeep and not in an ambulance, was later hospitalized. His boss, the supermarket manager, slammed the police behavior and said it was a bad omen for the country. (Full video here.) (Walla Hebrew article and FB photo) [The incident is reminiscent of an incident in 2008, when then-prime minister Ehud Olmert’s security guards beat up two Arab gardeners who were working near the residence, severely injuring one of them. Seven years later, one of the six guards who attacked was indicted and the state agreed to settle for NIS 200,000 without admitting to the prosecution's charges.  – OH]
  
Today, the trial of Elor Azariya, the ‘Shooting soldier from Hebron,’ reopens and one of the top military judges has resigned, Maariv and Jerusalem Post reported. Judge Lt. Col. Yogev Yifrach, who was said to be a very sharp judge, was replaced by Judge Lt. Col. Yaron Sitvon on the three military judge panel when the defense objected that he was too close with key prosecution witness IDF Col. Yariv Ben Ezra, Azaria’s top commanding officer. (Maariv) Last week, Ben Ezra, the commander of the Hebron region was heard slamming the soldier Azariya's conduct and that of politicians and rabbis for speaking about what the rules of engagement need to be. In an audio recording broadcast on Channel 10 News on May 17th, Ben Ezra said: "Before opening fire he even took off his helmet. He went to his friend and said, 'This is a terrorist who needs to be killed.' The shooting was a serious wrongdoing. By the way, no one around Azariya felt in danger. His shooting, it was the most dangerous thing there...A significant part of the responsibility is mine."  Ben Ezra also attacked the intervention of politicians and rabbis in the conduct of the army and said: "This discourse of 'He who rises to kill you, kill him first" or Terrorists need to be killed" and all that stuff, it's something that members of Knesset, ministers, rabbis use...I know, since I was a young soldier that the rules of engagement are not a document from the IDF chief rabbi or from any politician. The rules of engagement in the IDF are professional orders. An MK who says "He needs to be killed," so we kill him? And to say that that does not create confusion among our soldiers? Of course it creates confusion." In response to a question by one of the officers, should terrorists be killed, the brigade commander replied: "No. You are making life black and white. There are rules of engagement and that is what I need to act according to. Now, if you are in mortal danger, what do you do? Shoot to neutralize the danger. If the neutralization of the danger means a bullet to the head, then shoot him in the head. If the neutralization of the danger it to catch him, then catch him. I do not deal with the philosophical question of a man who got up in the morning to carry out an attack, whether he should die or not." (Maariv)
 
Quick Hits:
  • Classified information accidentally sent to defense attorneys in Jewish terror case - Lawyers were asked to immediately return 40 secret documents surrounding 7 terror suspects; attorney: 'They simply told me it wasn't intended for me.' (Ynet)
  • Rights Group: Police Collecting Intel by 'Visiting' E. J'lem Homes at 3 A.M. - No warrants were shown, but lots of questions were asked of East Jerusalem residents by masked police in the middle of the night over the last month, say witnesses. (Haaretz+)
  • Prominent Feminist Historian Rejects Israeli Academic Award (of $1 million) - Prof. Catherine Hall of University College London says she declined to accept the Dan David Prize 'after many discussions with those who are deeply involved with the politics of Israel-Palestine.' (Haaretz)
  • Court Urges Breaking The Silence, State, to Make Deal Over Accessing Soldier's Testimony - Prosecution wants NGO to release full interview because it suspects soldier may have committed a war crime; nonprofit refuses, citing soldiers’ right to anonymity. (Haaretz+) 
  • Israel to resume cement deliveries to Gaza after UN assurances - UN special envoy promises Israel that cement will not reach Hamas, with additional inspectors being posted on Palestinian side of border. (Haaretz+) 
  • Arab Town Looks to Build Awareness of Deaths on Construction Sites - Deir Hanna has lost four locals to work accidents in Israel's construction industry, where five times more employees are injured than in Britain. (Haaretz+) 
  • Survey: Israeli Jews Want Broader Welfare State, Israeli Arabs Prefer 'American Model' - While Israeli Jews and Arabs differ on the role of the government, with Arabs preferring low taxes and less services, neither trusts Israel's political institutions. (Haaretz
  • Court Rules Likud Lawmaker, in Former Role as Restauranteur, Denied Rights of Palestinian Workers - Restaurant to pay $77,000 to employees of settlement eatery, who sued after being denied social rights, fair pay by [controversial] MK Oren Hazan. For his part, the lawmaker accuses the Palestinian Authority of being behind the suit. (Haaretz+) 
  • IDF spending millions on advertorial content in Israeli media - The IDF has spent NIS 28 million on advertising in various media outlets, despite claims to the contrary. (+972mag)
  • Israeli government approves revised gas deal - Prime minister tries to get some credit for his part in the framework agreement, but opposition leader Herzog gets a mention instead. (Haaretz+)
  • Listen to Prime Minister rebuking Minister Steinitz: "Maybe someone else contributed to the gas agreement draft?" - Netanyahu was recorded when he chided Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz for not giving him credit. Acting Cabinet Secretary suggested, "We needed to thank also Isaac Herzog.” (Maariv+AUDIO
  • In Political Switcheroo, Netanyahu Sends Export Institute Chief to Rome Embassy, Replaces Him With Crony - Maneuver seeing Ofer Sachs as new Italy ambassador and Likud director general Gadi Arielli installed in his stead made possible by Netanyahu's dual role as foreign, finance minister. (Haaretz+)
  • Ultra-Orthodox Deputy Minister MK Meir Porush to resign Knesset seat today - Resignation of United Torah Judaism MK will enable representative of a rival faction in the party to enter the Knesset. Porush will remain deputy minister of education. (Haaretz+) 
  • Israeli app wins 1st place in Google Play awards - Interior-design app Houzz won 'Best App' in Google Play's inaugural awards; the app has been downloaded by more than 10 million users. (Ynet
  • Israeli children's book wins over China - Popular children's book author Yanetz Levi's series, 'Adventures of Uncle Arie' sells more than 50,000 copies in China; Levi arrives in China for a round of lectures to meet his Chinese fans; Foreign Ministry says, 'Embassy will continue to bring Israeli artists to increase the Chinese public's exposure to Israel.' (Yedioth/Ynet)
  • Ex Minister Sa'ar Calls on Clinton, Trump to Support East Jerusalem Construction - 'I call on the presidential candidates to declare that the next administration will not put any pressure on Israel with regard to its implementation of our right to build in our capital,' says Sa'ar. He also called to build to connect Jerusalem with Maaleh Adumim. (Haaretz and Maariv)
  • White House Officials: Appointing Lieberman as Defense Minister Won't Harm Military Aid Talks With Israel - U.S. officials believe that Lieberman will have good relationship with American counterpart, continuing the approach he took when working opposite Kerry. (Haaretz+)
  • New U.S. defense bill includes $600 million in aid for Israel - Legislation passed by the House to outline spending policies for the United States military will provide aid for Israeli security concerns as debate between Obama and Netanyahu rattles on. (JTA, Haaretz
  • J Street ‘proud’ of efforts to push Iran nuclear deal - Amid claim it received over $500,000 to advocate for accord, Jewish group says pact ‘of utmost importance’ to Israel’s security (Times of Israel, JPost and Israel Hayom)
  • Hamas Planning Public Executions of Criminals in Gaza Strip - Thirteen men convicted of murder are facing execution in Gaza. Families of their victims demonstrated on Sunday, calling for the death sentences to be carried out. (Haaretz
  • Lebanese Army builds observation towers on Israeli border - New observation towers which can see inside kibbutzim and IDF bases on the border with Lebanon have residents worried that they will be turned over to Hezbollah during next war. (Ynet
  • Iraqi Military Launches Major Operation to Retake Falluja From ISIS - Prime Minister al-Abadi announces new push with continued U.S. support as residents attempt to flee, some unsuccessfully. (Agencies, Haaretz
  • Turkey's New Prime Minister: Expanding Erdogan's Power Is Top Priority - Newly elected AKP leader and incoming prime minister Binali Yildirim promises to form a new constitution, leaves no doubt that he will prioritize the policies closest to President Erdogan's heart. (Agencies, Haaretz)


Features:
New Bilingual Magazine Finds Common Language Between Germans and Israelis
Biannual publication Aviv, featuring both German and Hebrew, is a celebration of bilinguality. Its German and Israeli coeditors describe their labor of liebe. (Gili Izikovich, Haaretz+) 
LA girl realizes decade-long dream of joining IDF combat unit
"Basic training isn't easy for me. I'm with girls who are six or more years younger than me. But what's most important is being a combat soldier and contributing to the state," says 25-year-old Alisa Sheldon of the Lions of the Jordan Valley Battalion. (Israel Hayom
Trump Versus Clinton: Battle of the Jewish Sons-in-law  
A closer look reveals that Jared Kushner and Marc Mezvinsky have more in common than just being U.S. presidential candidate sons-in-law. (Uriel Heilman, Haaretz
War plans, air strikes, appointments; Lieberman's new role
With Avigdor Lieberman's appointment to defense minister comes a whole world of accountability - from life and death decisions during wartime, to making sure Israel stays quiet while at peace; Here are some of Lieberman's new responsibilities. (Yoav Zitun, Ynet)
'Israel is the center of the digital future'
At the Dell Future Ready conference held in Tel Aviv, Dell CEO Michael Dell stated that Israel is the world leader of the new digital age; touches on Dell and Israeli company EMC partnership. (Guy Levy, Ynet)
Fighting terrorists with technology
Several Israeli companies have been working on advanced solution to fight terrorism more effectively and without putting security personnel at harm's way, including an automatic interrogation of suspects at airports, advanced cameras with facial recognition software, and radar that pinpoints drones flying in sensitive air space. (Moshe Glantz, Ynet)
 
Commentary/Analysis:
A Death Penalty Only for Palestinians (Haaretz Editorial) There are so many reasons to oppose capital punishment. But Avigdor Lieberman's attempt to adopt it is particularly odious. 
Comings and goings in the Likud (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) As Moshe Ya'alon is squeezed out of the defense minister position and the portfolio is given to Avigdor Lieberman, the inner workings of Netanyahu's Likud party start to show. 
Defense Minister Ya’alon’s Ouster Is a Turning Point in Israeli Political History (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) The public’s confidence that Likud can be trusted to assure Israel’s security has been shaken. Ya'alon’s murky ouster will set off a political earthquake 
Driving forward in reverse (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) While it's legitimate for Lieberman to join the government, it's not legitimate to do so without explaining to his voters why Bibi, the 'coward,' 'liar' and 'national disaster' has now become a friend and a partner, almost overnight.
Israel, Land of the Death Penalty (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) Here’s a conversation the accused might have with his lawyer if the government goes through with its plan to impose the death penalty for murder in a terror attack. 
Netanyahu’s politicking move with the Defense Ministry portfolio was political prostitution which will bring a moral crisis -  The fatal blow: Negotiations with Lieberman heralds a profound moral crisis (Dr. Revital Amiran, Maariv) After the shooting in Hebron, it was no longer possible to stop the snowball until the dismissal of Yaalon and the appointment of Lieberman. The question is whether the public will continue to let this ball roll. 
Even Rambo Is Afraid of Where Netanyahu Is Heading (Allison Kaplan Sommer, Haaretz+) Never before have Israelis seen Roni Daniel, their cocky onscreen military authority, so genuinely scared of the future. 
The IDF Deputy Chief of Staff was right: The trends in Israel are reminiscent of the 1930’s in Germany - In our state a new kind of Jewish fascism is sprouting (Uri Savir, Maariv) There is racism everywhere. The drama here is that it is being orchestrated from above, with the intention to preserve the regime, with so-called democratic ways, by fanning the flames of hatred and fear. 
Ten reasons Benjamin Netanyahu was this week’s top anti-Zionist (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) From tarnishing Israel’s image to sowing demoralization and distrust, the prime minister’s machinations are like a BDS dream come true.
No one has a monopoly on values (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) The chorus of pundits proves that their understanding of the political system is as limited as their understanding of the people's wishes.
Lieberman may shake up race for IDF chief's succession (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) Moshe Ya’alon’s replacement by Avigdor Lieberman as defense minister reopens the possibility of a second deputy chief of staff being appointed, as a stepping stone to the top post.
Incitement? Relax, It’s Just Lieberman's Rhetoric (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) How awful that we, the Arabs, are only shown the face of big, bad 'Yvet' though many insist that the responsible Lieberman is in there too.
Laws of crime: What does a police officer who wants to cover up for himself do? Blame the citizen (Prof. Boaz Sanjaro, Maariv) In most cases, even if the police use excessive force against civilians, there is no way to prove it, and judges tend to believe their own people. In this situation, the freedom of us all is in danger. 
Redrawing the Map of Israel All Wrong (Malkiel Blass, Haaretz+) Ramallah is in Israel? And Umm al Fahm isn't? Those are a couple of the glaring errors in the new civics textbook meant to educate future generations of Israeli high school students.
Dangerous stalemate: In the eyes of the international community, Israel is guilty of diplomatic non-action in regards to the conflict (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) The Israeli-Palestinian conflict sprang to international priority not because of the settlements, but because of the feeling that there is no sign on the horizon that the political process may be resumed. 
I Love Underdogs, but Herzog Has to Go (Raviv Drucker, Haaretz+) After the failure of talks with the PM, Herzog is in too miserable a state to represent anyone who wants to oust Netanyahu. 
 
Interviews:
Israel's newest MK: God thought I have things to do in the Knesset
Considered by many to be one of the most extreme members of the right, Yehuda Glick's battle to allow Jews to visit the Temple Mount nearly cost him his life when he was severely injured by a Palestinian terrorist; this week, a year and a half after he was miraculously saved, Glick will be sworn in to the Knesset, replacing the newly-resigned Minister of Defense Moshe Ya'alon. (Interviewed by Noam Barkan in Ynet)
 
 
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.