APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday September 08, 2016
Quote of the day:
“To this day, various types of censorship and classification are preventing public access to millions
of archival documents that could shed light on the development of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict."
--Lior Yavne, executive director of the Akevot Institute for Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Research, said after a released archive document revealed that in 1969, Israel used the military censor to hide the creation of the first settlements from the public.*
You Must Be Kidding:
Galina Yakubov, widow of Oleg, 60, one of the victims identified in the Tel-Aviv parking complex disaster, said authorities won't release Oleg's corpse because her family cannot afford to pay for his funeral.**
--Lior Yavne, executive director of the Akevot Institute for Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Research, said after a released archive document revealed that in 1969, Israel used the military censor to hide the creation of the first settlements from the public.*
You Must Be Kidding:
Galina Yakubov, widow of Oleg, 60, one of the victims identified in the Tel-Aviv parking complex disaster, said authorities won't release Oleg's corpse because her family cannot afford to pay for his funeral.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- An NGO paid thousands of dollars for an advisor for Netanyahu – but the Attorney General stopped a probe into it
- Corruption affair in Netanya: Mayor Feirberg was arrested on suspicion of bribery in the millions
- Ahead of Golani and the Paratroopers Brigades: Border Police turned into the most wanted unit for combat recruits
- Police shot dead a Palestinian who rode in a car in Shuafat (E. Jerusalem), but it was the driver who was arrested on suspicion of killing him
- Poll in France: Le Penn will make it to the second round in 2017 elections
- Freedom for Tel-Aviv // Haaretz Editorial
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The Mayor (of Netanya) is under arrest
- “On Shabbat there will be train infrastructure works”
- “Abu Mazen was a KGB agent”
- The oversight that was not reported – A roof fell in a parking complex in Tel-Aviv in 2014 (Photo: The three construction workers killed in the parking complex collapse this week)
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- The suspicion: Bribery in the millions (by Netanya mayor)
- Indictment: Retired judge Yitzhak Cohen will be put on trial for indecent acts and sexual harassment
- Codename: “Mole” – Abu Mazen was a KGB agent
Israel Hayom
- Mayor in jail cell - Corruption affair in Netanya: Miriam Feirberg was arrested
- “Abu Mazen was a KGB agent”
- The parking complex disaster: First person arrested was interrogated by police; names of the killed were published
- Uman (Ukraine): Group of Israelis detained due to dispute between bus driver and mafia
News Summary:
The police arrest the mayor of Netanya on suspicion of bribery in the millions of dollars and a Channel 1 report said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was a KGB agent in the ‘80’s, which Palestinian officials dismissed as an Israeli attempt to discredit him - making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
Also in the news, Haaretz+ revealed that the Attorney General blocked the police from conducting an inquiry against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on suspicions of alleged fraud and that the Police have accused a Palestinian man of killing his cousin by reckless driving after the car they drove in crashed, when it was Border Police who opened fire on the car, shooting the cousin dead and causing the car to crash. (Also Maariv.) The police and Israeli papers had previously accused the two of being ‘terrorists.’ Meanwhile, the Border Police, whose members have killed numerous Palestinians in the wave of violence over the last year, has become the most popular among recruits choosing combat units.
**Meanwhile, Israel named two more fatalities in the Tel-Aviv parking complex collapse, while the search continues for three more workers. The victims are Oleg Yakubov (60) from Tel Aviv, Denis Dyachenko (28), a citizen of Ukraine, and Ahed al-Hajj Rimawi (34) from Beit Rima in the West Bank. The family of Oleg Yakubov said Wednesday that his body has not yet been released as they cannot afford to pay for his funeral. (Also Maariv)
Quick Hits:
- *Israel used military censor to conceal first settlements from public, document reveals - The authorities sought to prevent Haaretz and another newspaper from reporting on first settlements; 'We cause entirely unnecessary damage to ourselves by publicizing things that can basically be done quietly.' (Haaretz+)
- MK Bitan: “We won’t evacuate the West Bank because of the High Court” - Coalition chairman MK David Bitan (Likud) made his declaration after a series of High Court rulings that ordered the demolition of houses in Amona (outpost) and Nativ Ha’avot outpost in Gush Etzion. (Maariv)
- In First, Israel's Ambassador to Switzerland Boycotts New Israel Fund's Event - Jacob Keidar had been slated to participate at a panel titled 'Is Israeli democracy in danger?' along with Haaretz publisher Amos Schocken; Foreign Ministry says Keidar backed out because conference organized by NIF and due to provocative panel title. (Haaretz+)
- In Win for BDS, Brian Eno Pulls Music From Israel’s Batsheva Dance Troupe - In Italy, the former Roxy Music star demanded that a song of his be pulled, even though Batsheva had danced to it in the past. (Haaretz+)
- Dutch member of parliament refuses to shake Netanyahu's hand - As Netanyahu meets with Dutch members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Tunahan Kuzo kept his hands behind his back as PM extended his hand; Netanyahu: 'As Begin said, those who choose to turn their noses up, let them have crooked noses.' (Yedioth/Ynet)
- At the Serbian airport: 'Flight to Palestine leaving from gate C3' - Israelis waiting to return home from Belgrade were shocked to hear during a gate announcement that their flight was to Palestine; after complaining, the Israelis were told that Tel Aviv is not, in fact, in Israel; the head of Air Serbia 'sincerely apologized.' (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Likud: 'Lapid would endanger Israel's security' - After a Channel 2 poll indicates that Yair Lapid would emerge victorious if elections were held today, Likud issues statement: 'Lapid is a man of the left who would make concessions which would endanger Israel's security.' (Ynet)
- MK Shelly Yachimovitch: "The Labor party is not benefiting from the weakening of the government because of (Herzog’s) attempts to join it” - The Labor party MK reacted to the new Channel 2 poll, according to which her party would only receive 13 seats if elections were held now: "We are not seen as an alternative,” she said, adding that the strengthening of Yair Lapid "does not do much, he’s just there." (Maariv)
- Israeli Military Roadblocks Practically Cut Off West Bank Town - Only one road remains open through northern West Bank town of Huwwara – the one that the settlers use. (Haaretz+)
- Two Years Later, Family of Israeli Who Disappeared in Gaza March Alone - Avera Mengistu’s relatives protest government’s inaction, and insist his case isn’t like that of other Hamas prisoners. (Haaretz+)
- In Wake of Haaretz Report, Lawmakers Demand Debate on Israeli Efforts to Bolster Bashir's Sudan - Four MKs from both the ruling coalition and opposition claim that Israel's efforts on behalf of Sudan had been neither discussed nor approved by the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli Schools to Mark Jews' Flight From Arab Countries Each November 30 - The move is part of the education system’s efforts to celebrate Jews with roots in Muslim countries and Spain. (Haaretz+)
- Italian journalist fired for duping Israeli officials into Hezbollah interview - After interviewing high ranking Israeli officials on behalf of Hezbollah, Italian journalist Michele Monni has had his contract with the Italian ANSA news agency formally terminated; agency formally apologizes to the Israeli Embassy in Rome. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Israel's Former Deputy Police Chief Convicted of Sexual Harassment - Nissim Mor's conviction may yet be annulled, according to plea bargain agreement. (Haaretz+)
- University heads call on Netanyahu to re-examine equating religious education with academic degrees -
- The letter comes in response to a reform announced last month by Interior Minister Arye Deri, which likens religious education to academic degrees in regards to job tenders by local municipalities. (JPost)
- Israelis to present utopian design in London - Graduates of Shenkar College will feature their projects at the three-week event at Somerset House, including a system to drop supplies over disaster zones when road access is blocked, and speakers for the deaf and hard of hearing that translates sounds into visual textures and floor vibrations. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Hamas troops jump through hoops — literally — at Gaza graduation ceremony - Members of Hamas take part in a police academy graduation in the Palestinian enclave. (Haaretz)
- Czechs Backtrack, School Atlas to Keep Jerusalem as Israel's Capital - The education ministry previously said it pull the books from the classroom after the Palestinian ambassador's complaint. (Haaretz and Maariv)
- Nearly Half of Israel's Elderly Suffer Loneliness - Sense of isolation in the elderly is higher among Arabs than Jews, and among women than men. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli Jews say Trump better for Israel policy, but favor Clinton, poll says - Among Israeli Arabs, a large majority of 58 percent prefers the Democratic nominee, while only 11 percent chooses the Republican. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Clinton: ISIS 'Rooting for Donald Trump’s Victory' - In interview to Israeli newscaster, Clinton says Iran deal made Israel safer, defends White House reluctance to use 'radical Islam.' (Haaretz)
- How Do You Say 'Make America Great Again' in Hebrew? - Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence reaches out to Israeli-Americans in their own language. (Haaretz)
- European Watchdog Demands Turkish Transparency in Post-putsch Purge - If Ankara doesn't produce clear evidence in pursuing participants in the failed coup, it may be challenged in the European Court of Human Rights, watchdog says. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Iranian ship harasses US Navy destroyer in Gulf - In yet another aggressive display, an Iranian fast-attack craft came within 100 yards of the US vessel with weapons manned, forcing the ship to change course. There have been 31 similar interactions with Iranian ships this year, almost double the amount from the same period last year. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Under Obama, U.S. Offered Saudis Over $115 Billion in Weapons, Report Says - The arms offers, the most any U.S. administration made during the 71-year U.S.-Saudi alliance, include ammunition, tanks, attack helicopters, air-to-ground missiles and warships. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Israeli missiles to be included in US air defense deal to Poland - American defense company and Polish government close to finalizing deal worth an estimated $5 billion in which Raytheon will supply Poland patriot missile batteries equipped with a version of the David's Sling missile interceptor, whose development was led by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. (Ynet)
- Syrian government suspected of dropping chlorine gas on Aleppo, chocking dozens - Watch: Several reports of rescue workers and monitors have come out with statements that the Syrian city of Aleppo has been hit by chlorine gas, injuring dozens; the Syrian government has been accused of being behind the attack, though it denies any involvement; so far, the Syrian conflict has killed more than 250,000 people and has driven more than 11 million from their homes. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Syrian Refugees Stranded at Jordanian Border Said to Be Living in Dire Conditions - Following an ISIS attack on a nearby border post, almost all aid to an encampment home to some 70,000 people has been suspended. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
91% of women in Egypt were circumsized: Will legislation help to combat the tradition?
The UN declared hitan as abuse, but legislators often remain powerless against reality: According to the widespread view, a woman who is not circumcised is seen as defective and not fit to be a mother. (Jacky Khougy, Maariv)
Sewing the Future: Women are creating peace quilt that will be laid out between Jerusalem and Ramallah
For several months, members of "Women Make Peace" have collected handmade patches. They believe their activity will bring the long-awaited peace back to people’s consciousness. "Even Herzl was initially called delusional." (Oz Rosenberg, Maariv)
"We are about to go through a trauma": Nine families in Ofra settlement are waiting for the upcoming eviction from their homes
Following the High Court ruling that the houses [in the Amona outpost – OH] were built on private Palestinian territory, residents say that "the moment they received the decision, we have been walking around with a brooding heart.” (Oz Rosenberg, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
Israelis and Palestinians Are Prepared to Recognize Each Other (Alexander Yakobson, Haaretz+) It is clear that the Jewish state is in a stable situation, and the idea of waging the struggle for quality and integration of the Arab minority under the banner of the abolition of the Jewish state is baseless.
It's time to look beyond the two-state plan (Giora Eiland, Yedioth/Ynet) The difficulty in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is based on the fact that there has been only one plan on the table for 23 years now, and that plan is not attractive enough for either side.
Ehud Barak, Israel’s Depressing Only Hope to Make Peace (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) His predecessors and successors didn’t even try. He tried to make peace with Syria and was deterred; he tried to make peace with the Palestinians and burned down the house. But he tried.
Are Israel’s Jewish-Arab Coexistence Schools Setting Kids Up for a Cruel Fall? (Mira Sucharov, Haaretz+) Bilingual, dual-narrative schools like Hand in Hand teach tolerance and dialogue between Israel’s often de facto segregated Jewish and Arab populations – but its graduates face a very dissonant outside world.
High Court is saving the haredim (Yehuda Shlezinger, Israel Hayom) Publicly, the ultra-Orthodox must protest whatever challenges their lifestyle and beliefs; in private, they are happy the High Court gets them out of tight spots.
BDS by Stealth: Intimidation Is the Israel Boycott’s New Tactic (Miriam F. Elman, Haaretz+) American academics are under peer pressure to conform to a quiet ostracism of Israeli academics. We challenged it at Syracuse in the case of filmmaker Shimon Dotan, in the hope more campuses will take on their boycott bullies.
The first cracks in the Netanyahu method: No longer is it "I get everything I want” (Yitzhak Ben-Ner, Maariv) The High Court decision that the prime minister exceeded his authority regarding the railway works on Shabbat, along with poll that indicates the skyrocketing popularity of Yesh Atid party is enough to crack the axiom of "Netanyahu forever."
Haaretz's Writers and Readers Are Obligated to Fight for Israel, Not to Spread Hatred and Leave (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) In a state that is still a democracy, the only way to fight is to communicate with its people. Not to loathe its people or patronize them, but to respect them, listen to them and talk to them. Persuade them.
Trump Supporters Hope to Win Israel by Getting Out the West Bank Vote (Asher Schechter, Haaretz+) Opening a campaign office for a U.S. presidential candidate in a West Bank settlement is unprecedented, and the people campaigning for Trump in Israel did not intend for this clear nod to go unnoticed.
A Decent Proposal: Can the Latest Plan for Peace in Syria Work? (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) There’s much to praise in the newest blueprint for a cease-fire, but events on the ground in Aleppo are likely to keep the sides from signing on — for now.
The UN declared hitan as abuse, but legislators often remain powerless against reality: According to the widespread view, a woman who is not circumcised is seen as defective and not fit to be a mother. (Jacky Khougy, Maariv)
Sewing the Future: Women are creating peace quilt that will be laid out between Jerusalem and Ramallah
For several months, members of "Women Make Peace" have collected handmade patches. They believe their activity will bring the long-awaited peace back to people’s consciousness. "Even Herzl was initially called delusional." (Oz Rosenberg, Maariv)
"We are about to go through a trauma": Nine families in Ofra settlement are waiting for the upcoming eviction from their homes
Following the High Court ruling that the houses [in the Amona outpost – OH] were built on private Palestinian territory, residents say that "the moment they received the decision, we have been walking around with a brooding heart.” (Oz Rosenberg, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
Israelis and Palestinians Are Prepared to Recognize Each Other (Alexander Yakobson, Haaretz+) It is clear that the Jewish state is in a stable situation, and the idea of waging the struggle for quality and integration of the Arab minority under the banner of the abolition of the Jewish state is baseless.
It's time to look beyond the two-state plan (Giora Eiland, Yedioth/Ynet) The difficulty in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is based on the fact that there has been only one plan on the table for 23 years now, and that plan is not attractive enough for either side.
Ehud Barak, Israel’s Depressing Only Hope to Make Peace (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) His predecessors and successors didn’t even try. He tried to make peace with Syria and was deterred; he tried to make peace with the Palestinians and burned down the house. But he tried.
Are Israel’s Jewish-Arab Coexistence Schools Setting Kids Up for a Cruel Fall? (Mira Sucharov, Haaretz+) Bilingual, dual-narrative schools like Hand in Hand teach tolerance and dialogue between Israel’s often de facto segregated Jewish and Arab populations – but its graduates face a very dissonant outside world.
High Court is saving the haredim (Yehuda Shlezinger, Israel Hayom) Publicly, the ultra-Orthodox must protest whatever challenges their lifestyle and beliefs; in private, they are happy the High Court gets them out of tight spots.
BDS by Stealth: Intimidation Is the Israel Boycott’s New Tactic (Miriam F. Elman, Haaretz+) American academics are under peer pressure to conform to a quiet ostracism of Israeli academics. We challenged it at Syracuse in the case of filmmaker Shimon Dotan, in the hope more campuses will take on their boycott bullies.
The first cracks in the Netanyahu method: No longer is it "I get everything I want” (Yitzhak Ben-Ner, Maariv) The High Court decision that the prime minister exceeded his authority regarding the railway works on Shabbat, along with poll that indicates the skyrocketing popularity of Yesh Atid party is enough to crack the axiom of "Netanyahu forever."
Haaretz's Writers and Readers Are Obligated to Fight for Israel, Not to Spread Hatred and Leave (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) In a state that is still a democracy, the only way to fight is to communicate with its people. Not to loathe its people or patronize them, but to respect them, listen to them and talk to them. Persuade them.
Trump Supporters Hope to Win Israel by Getting Out the West Bank Vote (Asher Schechter, Haaretz+) Opening a campaign office for a U.S. presidential candidate in a West Bank settlement is unprecedented, and the people campaigning for Trump in Israel did not intend for this clear nod to go unnoticed.
A Decent Proposal: Can the Latest Plan for Peace in Syria Work? (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) There’s much to praise in the newest blueprint for a cease-fire, but events on the ground in Aleppo are likely to keep the sides from signing on — for now.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.