APN's daily news review from Israel
Wednesday June 15, 2016
Quote of the day:
"'I just want to understand from you, Mr. President, what is my place?' This is what she asked me.
Personally, I am moved each time I see the Israeli flag raised, and at the same time, I understood and was
pained by her question. And she is not alone."
--Israeli President Reuven Rivlin shares a story and concludes that Israeli citizens do not have to be Zionists.*
You Must Be Kidding:
“The revolution I announced on the day I entered office is coming to fruition; the changes have reached the field.”
--Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev responded to accusations of anti-democratic conduct after her ministry sent Israeli cultural institutions a 'loyalty declaration' form, asking them to state whether they had or had not given performances in the Negev, the Galilee or West Bank settlements.*
--Israeli President Reuven Rivlin shares a story and concludes that Israeli citizens do not have to be Zionists.*
You Must Be Kidding:
“The revolution I announced on the day I entered office is coming to fruition; the changes have reached the field.”
--Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev responded to accusations of anti-democratic conduct after her ministry sent Israeli cultural institutions a 'loyalty declaration' form, asking them to state whether they had or had not given performances in the Negev, the Galilee or West Bank settlements.*
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Cultural institutions were demanded to declare whether they performed in the West Bank
- ISIS supporter murdered a policeman and his partner in France and filmed it live
- Testimonies from Orlando: The terrorist from the gay nightclub was gay
- Polls in Britain point to majority supporting leaving the European Union
- Reports in the Palestinian Authority: Commander in Hamas, who is knowledgeable about the tunnel system, defected to Israel
- Herzliya Municipality establishing free shuttle bus service on Shabbat
- 65 MKs: Pardon the young man who killed the man who raped him
- The sands are beings swept away and the shrinking of the beaches in Israel is getting worse
- Leave the smokers alone // Haaretz Editorial
Yedioth Ahronoth
- With their own feet – Mayors lead ‘Equality March’ and call to equalize educational conditions between children in the center and those in the country’s periphery
- “We don’t want to leave Israel, but that’s easiest” – the threat of Gil Sweid, the CEO of Checkpoint
- Mr. Speaker and the bride – Mazal Tov to Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein who married Irina Nevzlin
- 40 years to Antebbe Operation – Going back to the airport terminal
- Beyonce is coming – October 26th
- Hebrew book week
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Terror on live broadcast (in France)
- Democracy on the defense // Eliezar (Cheney) Merom
- The walking dead // Yossi Melman
- Obama in attack on Trump: “In the past, we didn’t trust citizens, that was the shameful part of history”
- “They are trying to bring down the investigations unit” – Police Commissioner: Senior people in the economy are funding legal consultation for police officers who became corrupt
- Finance Minister Kahlon attacked – Received sharp criticism in closed meeting with heads of business sector
- Their choice – At modest reception, Speaker of Knesset married Irina Nevzlin
Israel Hayom
- Horror on live broadcast – The nightmare happened: in the midst of the Euro games, he murdered in the name of ISIS
- Obama angry: “Why say Islamic terror?”
- They chose love - Speaker of Knesset married Irina Nevzlin
- The Battalion commander who shot “a heavy barrage” in memory of the officer (who was killed) in Operation Protective Edge won’t be put in trial
- Police: “The statements attributed to the police commissioner about pressuring in interrogations – baseless”
- Today, the 55th Hebrew Book Week opens
News Summary:
A Muslim Frenchman murders a policeman and his wife, US President Barack Obama slams Donald Trump and says the phrase ‘Islamic terror’ only strengthens ISIS, and the media reports that the killer at the Orlando gay nightclub was homosexual making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Also in the news, Obama declared opposition to the $455 million raise in military aid requested by Israel and approved by Congress and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin declared that Israelis don’t need to be Zionists and warned of Israel’s economic downfall if it continues to exclude ultra-Orthodox and Arabs from the workforce.
Yesterday, when a young Muslim Frenchman stabbed to death a French policeman and his wife in Paris and declared he was part of ISIS, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a "collective struggle" against terrorism, telling a group of ambassadors from NATO member states that “If we work together, I have no doubt we can defeat ISIS.” Reuters wrote that Israel's reconciliation with Turkey is seen as bolstering its NATO cooperation.
The papers found Obama’s attack on Donald Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric significant: With the exception of Israel Hayom, the Hebrew papers portrayed Obama as right when he asked, “What does (Trump) achieve by using tags of ‘radical Islam?’ Is this what will cause ISIS to kill fewer Americans?” (Also Maariv)
The White House announced that it opposed giving Israel an additional $455 million in anti-missile defense aid. (Also Maariv and Haaretz) The issue of Israeli aid was only a tiny part of the six-page report. Officials involved in the talks with the US over military aid say there is a severe crisis between the two countries that only worsened with the departure of former defense minister Moshe Ya'alon, because he was the one that was in contact with the Pentagon. Opposition leader MK Isaac Herzog called to establish a committee to probe the issue: "We are losing aid because of ego games." Moreover, Bloomberg interviewed an advisor to Netanyahu, former Israeli ambassador to the US, Zalman Shoval, who said Israel should close the deal with the Obama Administration. “It is risky for Israel to let the existing agreement run out without knowing the drift of the future administration,” Shoval said. (Also Maariv)
*Israeli President Rivlin had words of wisdom for Israelis and their leaders when he spoke Tuesday at the Herzliya Conference. "Israeli society is at a crossroads,” said Rivlin. “Now is the time to decide where we are going." Rivlin warned that excluding ultra-Orthdoox Jews and Arabs from the workforce and public service bore negative financial effects. He also spoke about Israeli identity and told a story about a young Arab citizen who wanted to feel Israeli, but did not identify with the Jewish aspect. “Personally, I am moved each time I see the Israeli flag raised, and at the same time, I understood and was pained by her question. And she is not alone. Not all the Jews sing the national anthem, there are Jews who are not Zionists—do they have no right to be Israeli? Is anyone who deals with the issue of Israeli identity a post-Zionist?...Do I expect or demand that all Israeli citizens be Zionists? No. Not all Jews sing Hativka (the national anthem). Not all Jews are Zionists. Do they not have the right to be Israelis?" (Also Maariv)
A Muslim Frenchman murders a policeman and his wife, US President Barack Obama slams Donald Trump and says the phrase ‘Islamic terror’ only strengthens ISIS, and the media reports that the killer at the Orlando gay nightclub was homosexual making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Also in the news, Obama declared opposition to the $455 million raise in military aid requested by Israel and approved by Congress and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin declared that Israelis don’t need to be Zionists and warned of Israel’s economic downfall if it continues to exclude ultra-Orthodox and Arabs from the workforce.
Yesterday, when a young Muslim Frenchman stabbed to death a French policeman and his wife in Paris and declared he was part of ISIS, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a "collective struggle" against terrorism, telling a group of ambassadors from NATO member states that “If we work together, I have no doubt we can defeat ISIS.” Reuters wrote that Israel's reconciliation with Turkey is seen as bolstering its NATO cooperation.
The papers found Obama’s attack on Donald Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric significant: With the exception of Israel Hayom, the Hebrew papers portrayed Obama as right when he asked, “What does (Trump) achieve by using tags of ‘radical Islam?’ Is this what will cause ISIS to kill fewer Americans?” (Also Maariv)
The White House announced that it opposed giving Israel an additional $455 million in anti-missile defense aid. (Also Maariv and Haaretz) The issue of Israeli aid was only a tiny part of the six-page report. Officials involved in the talks with the US over military aid say there is a severe crisis between the two countries that only worsened with the departure of former defense minister Moshe Ya'alon, because he was the one that was in contact with the Pentagon. Opposition leader MK Isaac Herzog called to establish a committee to probe the issue: "We are losing aid because of ego games." Moreover, Bloomberg interviewed an advisor to Netanyahu, former Israeli ambassador to the US, Zalman Shoval, who said Israel should close the deal with the Obama Administration. “It is risky for Israel to let the existing agreement run out without knowing the drift of the future administration,” Shoval said. (Also Maariv)
*Israeli President Rivlin had words of wisdom for Israelis and their leaders when he spoke Tuesday at the Herzliya Conference. "Israeli society is at a crossroads,” said Rivlin. “Now is the time to decide where we are going." Rivlin warned that excluding ultra-Orthdoox Jews and Arabs from the workforce and public service bore negative financial effects. He also spoke about Israeli identity and told a story about a young Arab citizen who wanted to feel Israeli, but did not identify with the Jewish aspect. “Personally, I am moved each time I see the Israeli flag raised, and at the same time, I understood and was pained by her question. And she is not alone. Not all the Jews sing the national anthem, there are Jews who are not Zionists—do they have no right to be Israeli? Is anyone who deals with the issue of Israeli identity a post-Zionist?...Do I expect or demand that all Israeli citizens be Zionists? No. Not all Jews sing Hativka (the national anthem). Not all Jews are Zionists. Do they not have the right to be Israelis?" (Also Maariv)
Quick Hits:
- IDF Closes Case Against Officer Who Shelled Gaza Clinic 'In Memory' of Fallen Comrade - Battalion commander Lt. Col. Neria Yeshurun will only be reprimanded for ordering a 'revenge volley' during the 2014 war, after investigation failed to find enough evidence to prove shelling wasn't operationally justified. (Haaretz+, Maariv and Ynet)
- After 14 Years in Jail, Palestinian Gets Another Six Months Without Charges - Bilal Qaid’s detention order was issued the same day that the army extended the administrative detention of a Palestinian circus clown by another six months. (Haaretz+)
- Senior Hamas Member Reportedly Defects to Israel - Bassam Mahmoud Baraka is said to be highly knowledgeable about the militant group's tunnels in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian websites report. Baraka reportedly went to the border fence and gave himself up to soldiers who were waiting for him. According to the reports, he was carrying a laptop. (Haaretz and Ynet)
- Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicle, injure 2 Palestinians - A group of Israeli settlers ambushed a Palestinian vehicle, showered it with stones, injuring Palestinian security officers Imad Salih and Majd Salih. An Israeli ambulance and several military vehicles arrived to give first aid treatment to the victims. (Maan)
- **'Did You Perform in Settlements?' Israeli Arts Groups Asked - Culture Minister Miri Regev begins implementing new criteria for funding cultural institutions. (Haaretz+)
- Settlers clash with Israeli forces during demolition of illegal structures - According to Israeli news site Ynet, the structure was built in the illegal Israeli settlement of Kiryat Arba. (Maan)
- MK Oren Hazan: My presence stole the limelight from the Knesset Speaker, so he took revenge on me - After Likud MK Hazan was ousted from the post of Knesset Deputy Speaker he told Radio 103FM: “(Speaker Yuli) Edelstein marked me, this is repulsive behavior. He has no problem with his buttocks sitting where supporters of terrorism sat." (Maariv)
- Shas lawmaker: Continue barring Jewish and Arab MKs from Temple Mount - Deputy Finance Minister Yitzhak Cohen's call comes as plans are considered to lift the eight-month ban on visits by Knesset members. (Haaretz+)
- Knesset Ethics Committee: MKs not allowed on Temple Mount - Despite reports that the ban on MKs visiting the tense holy site was to be lifted, Knesset Ethics Committee decides to keep ban in place in accordance with security briefings • Arab MKs may be allowed to visit Temple Mount to mark end of Ramadan. (Israel Hayom)
- MK Smotrich: "The Holy Temple will be built on the Temple Mount where the Dome of the Rock is" - Radio 103FM held a debate between [controversial] Habayit Hayehudi MK Bezalel Smotrich and Joint List MK Masud Ghanaem over the issue of elected officials visiting the holy site. Ghanaem: “The Temple Mount belongs to Muslims, Arabs and Palestinians. Jews have no reason to be there." (Maariv)
- Israeli, Palestinian activists show off new 'peace sneakers' to European parliamentarians -Shoes bearing the “bird of peace” are the first item to emerge from project that encourages Israeli and Palestinian women to bond through embroidery. (Haaretz+)
- Improvised terror weapons on the rise - Since beginning of 2016 Israeli security forces have discovered 13 lathes used to produce weapons used during wave of terror; Official: 'Lathes were sprouting up like mushrooms.' (Ynet)
- Palestinians begin moving into West Bank's first planned city after years of setbacks - Though Rawabi is still unfinished, its glistening high-rises and shopping centers bring a rare sense of pride and excitement to the territory at a time of growing malaise over a standstill in Mideast peace efforts. (Haaretz)
- Group of right-wing ministers and MKs petition against advancing Saudi peace initiative - Right-wing lawmakers in Knesset's Land of Israel Caucus pen petition, which garners 22 signatures. "As elected public officials, we must act against the advancing of this initiative and against any [diplomatic] move that resembles it." (JPost and Maariv)
- Survey: Egyptians and Saudis favor regional peace process - Egyptians and Saudis prefer peace process involving Israel, Palestinians and Arab countries to one sponsored by countries from outside the region. (Israel Hayom)
- Does France think Tel Aviv is Palestinian territory? - Tel Aviv resident receives French Embassy document referring to "Tel Aviv, Israel/Palestinian Territories." French Embassy in Israel: This was a technical error originating in the software. The error has been corrected. (Israel Hayom)
- Turkey remains Israelis' top destination - Despite the strained relations between Ankara and Jerusalem, 2016 has shown a marked increase in Israelis vacationing in Turkey; all leading international airlines operating in Ben Gurion Airport have experienced an increase in passengers. (Ynet)
- Jordan to restrict same-day travel to Israel - Amman recently informed Jordanian travel agents of its intention to bar tourists who land in Amman from crossing into Israel on the same day of their arrival in Amman; Israeli Incoming Tour Operators Association protests, estimating it will affect more than 60,000 tourists. (Ynet)
- Northern kibbutz drills evacuating in preparation of Third Lebanon War - The Ma'ayan Baruch kibbutz ran an exercise in evacuating at-risk populations first from their close-to-Lebanon homes; the Upper Galilee Regional Council assisted and took part; says its head, 'We are here, and we'll remain here forever.' (Yedioth/Ynet)
- French parliamentarian: I'm sorry I introduced Netanyahu and alleged fraudster - Meir Habib confirms in interview that suspected criminal Arnaud Mimran hosted premier for a week in his Paris apartment in 2001: 'It’s natural – Netanyahu was a totally private citizen.' (Haaretz)
- A Short Visit by the Netanyahus to New York Cost Israel Over 2 Million Shekels - Details of the costs of the prime minister's hairstyling, wine and laundry during the UN General Assembly revealed following a lengthy battle under the Freedom of Information Law. (Haaretz)
- Staffers at Israeli Missions in Paris, London, N.Y. Go on Strike - The employment rules applying to the 1,200 or so non-diplomatic employees at 100 Israeli missions are different from those applying to diplomatic staff, even though they are also Foreign Ministry employees. (Haaretz+)
- (Despite) Mean salary at a record high, 66% of population still earn below average - Many workers employed in food and services industries earn below minimum wage pay, while information and communications staff top list, banking a monthly average of NIS 20,960. (Ynet)
- Treasury Discounts Importance of Israel's Sagging Exports - Analysis shows problem concentrated on three sectors and not an economy-wide problem. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli army putting up new building in central Israel, as move to Negev delayed - Unit was to move south in 2014, but after several delays, move pushed back a decade. (Haaretz+)
- Herzliya to Be First 'all-Jewish' City Running Buses on Shabbat, Holidays - The law, based on religious status-quo, defines public transportation as a 'service for which the user pays,' but it says nothing about free bus service. (Haaretz+)
- At Storied (Israeli) Gay Club, Tel Aviv’s LGBT Party Scene Honors Orlando Victims - Partiers and leaders from Israel’s LGBT community gather for a minute of silence, speeches and music in memory of the 49 victims of the massacre at Pulse nightclub. (Haaretz and Israel Hayom)
- Canada court hands over Iran assets to terror victims’ families - Americans awarded $13 million in damages Friday for Hamas and Hezbollah attacks in Israel, Argentina, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. Iran condemned the ruling. (Agencies, Times of Israel and Maariv)
- Iran vows to 'set fire' to nuclear deal if West violates terms - Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei throws cold water on U.S. President Barack Obama's efforts to woo Iran, saying, "Some think that we can get along with the Americans and solve our problems. This is an incorrect idea and a delusion." (Agencies, Israel Hayom)
- U.S. Military Officials Not Convinced Yet by Reports of ISIS Leader's Death - Tuesday's report that al-Baghdadi was killed in Syria not the first; Islamic State leader hasn't been seen in public since 2014. (Haaretz)
Features:
WATCH: Expanding Arabic instruction in Jewish schools
Why is Arabic education important in Jewish schools? What is the current requirement? Hazar Masri-Hussein and Anton Goodman of the Abraham Fund speak with host Steve Ganot about the expansion of Arabic education in Hebrew-speaking Israeli schools. (Steve Ganot, Israel Hayom)
Benjamin Netanyahu’s Billionaires Club
'There was always someone who knew to tell him – pay attention to that guy, he’s a multimillionaire. Then Netanyahu would know to be nice to him.' (Shuki Sadeh, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Why is Arabic education important in Jewish schools? What is the current requirement? Hazar Masri-Hussein and Anton Goodman of the Abraham Fund speak with host Steve Ganot about the expansion of Arabic education in Hebrew-speaking Israeli schools. (Steve Ganot, Israel Hayom)
Benjamin Netanyahu’s Billionaires Club
'There was always someone who knew to tell him – pay attention to that guy, he’s a multimillionaire. Then Netanyahu would know to be nice to him.' (Shuki Sadeh, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Obama Goes Ballistic but Trump Could Come Out Stronger (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) The collective Republican hatred for the president could mitigate the GOP’s
increasing anxiety about its own candidate.
Obama administration keeps the blindfold on (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) Following the Orlando attack, U.S. President Barack Obama still can't bring himself to talk about Islamic terrorism. The current administration can go on living in denial, but not the candidates for president, and certainly not the American public.
A collapsing policy (Ronen Hoffman, Yedioth/Ynet) The Israeli perception that says foreign policy is merely a subsection of security policy is leading to the erosion of the Foreign Ministry and its stature.
What Is 'Radical Islam' Anyway? (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) How can a term no one can define provide moral clarity?
(Comparison) Conclusion from the American media coverage of the massacre in Orlando: Netanyahu treats reporters disparagingly (Tal Schneider, Maariv) Following the mass shooting at the Orlando nightclub, the US authorities convened press conferences, while, usually, after a terrorist attack in Israel, the Prime Minister scolds reporters and doesn’t treat them seriously, if he at all agrees to answer their questions.
In Aftermath of Orlando, a Cautionary Tale From Israel About Gun Control (Asher Schechter, Haaretz+) The Florida massacre and the murder of a teen in a Jerusalem pride parade show that madmen who wish to harm LGBT people will always exist. But in the U.S., easy access to guns amplifies the hatred and homophobia.
The walking dead caliph: ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is living on borrowed time (Yossi Melman, Maariv) For now, Al-Baghdadi continues to live, but he is actually a living target anywhere on Earth. Sooner or later, accurate intelligence will meet with a perfect attack by an American plane and the circle will be closed.
ISIS's strategic advantage (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) Choosing between ideological politicians and political merchants, the current US battle for the presidency may be decided by an external factor: ISIS and the fear it instills in the heart of the Western world.
Obama administration keeps the blindfold on (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) Following the Orlando attack, U.S. President Barack Obama still can't bring himself to talk about Islamic terrorism. The current administration can go on living in denial, but not the candidates for president, and certainly not the American public.
A collapsing policy (Ronen Hoffman, Yedioth/Ynet) The Israeli perception that says foreign policy is merely a subsection of security policy is leading to the erosion of the Foreign Ministry and its stature.
What Is 'Radical Islam' Anyway? (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) How can a term no one can define provide moral clarity?
(Comparison) Conclusion from the American media coverage of the massacre in Orlando: Netanyahu treats reporters disparagingly (Tal Schneider, Maariv) Following the mass shooting at the Orlando nightclub, the US authorities convened press conferences, while, usually, after a terrorist attack in Israel, the Prime Minister scolds reporters and doesn’t treat them seriously, if he at all agrees to answer their questions.
In Aftermath of Orlando, a Cautionary Tale From Israel About Gun Control (Asher Schechter, Haaretz+) The Florida massacre and the murder of a teen in a Jerusalem pride parade show that madmen who wish to harm LGBT people will always exist. But in the U.S., easy access to guns amplifies the hatred and homophobia.
The walking dead caliph: ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is living on borrowed time (Yossi Melman, Maariv) For now, Al-Baghdadi continues to live, but he is actually a living target anywhere on Earth. Sooner or later, accurate intelligence will meet with a perfect attack by an American plane and the circle will be closed.
ISIS's strategic advantage (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) Choosing between ideological politicians and political merchants, the current US battle for the presidency may be decided by an external factor: ISIS and the fear it instills in the heart of the Western world.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.