News Nosh 09.25.16

by APN 09/25/16
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APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday September 25, 2016 

 

Front Page:

Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
  • May every Jewish mother know // Nahum Barnea
  • Netanyahu’s outrageous comparison: I called the parents of the Shooting Soldier just like I called the parents of soldiers who were killed or are missing
  • War film – (Photo of Culture Minister Miri Regev at the Ophir Film Awards Ceremony)
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
Israel Hayom
  • Netanyahu to meet Trump and Clinton today
  • The (Miri) Regev storm: “Darwish? I won’t fund culture that fights us”
  • In the hell of Aleppo
  • The suspicion: (CEO of the Teachers’ Union) Wasserman harassed those testifying against him
News Summary:
 
In a rare interview with the Israeli media, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu made headlines in the Hebrew papers with a controversial comparison between making a support phone call
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4859177,00.html
 to the parents of a soldier who executed a Palestinian and to the parents of soldiers who fell in battle and the declaration that he hoped US President Barack Obama won’t impose a one-sided solution on Israel, while the storm continued in the Op-Ed pages over Culture Minister Miri Regev’s words and disappearance
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=36679
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/culture/1.744023
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/culture/.premium-1.744014
 
 
 
at the annual film awards ceremony. Haaretz+ revealed that US Secretary of State John Kerry accused Israel of breaking its promises and warned that the status quo was unsustainable. What barely made news was that a 15-year-old Palestinian boy tried to stab soldiers at a hitchhike spot near Hebron. Soldiers shot and injured him. None of the soldiers were injured.
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.743904
 
 
 
 
Haaretz+ revealed that in closed meeting in New York last Monday an extremely agitated Kerry accused Israel of breaking its promises and warned that status quo was unsustainable. He presented figures indicating that since Obama took office in 2009, the number of Israelis in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has increased by 95,000, and that 15,000 of that increase has come in the past year alone. “How does increasing the number of settlers indicate an attempt to create a Palestinian state?” Kerry asked, raising his voice. “The status quo is not sustainable. So either we mean it and we act on it, or we should shut up.”
 
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.744060
 
Mideast Quartet representatives made a similar warning Friday saying that Israeli settlements were eroding the two-state solution.
 
 
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4858754,00.html
 
 
Barak Ravid wrote that an increasing number of senior White House officials realize “that they need to seriously consider the possibility of promoting a resolution at the United Nations Security Council or at another international forum. Apparently, Netanyahu is aware of that possibility. In his first interview to the Israeli media in one and a half years, Netanyahu said he hoped Obama would keep vetoing UN Security Council resolutions on Israel.
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.744037
 
Meanwhile, Netanyahu said he will meet with both US presidential candidates today.
 
 
Quick Hits:
  • Cabinet to Decide Whether to Put Settlement Division Under Attorney General’s Control - According to draft proposal, the quasi-governmental agency would gain powers in West Bank currently held by Civil Administration. (Haaretz+)
  • Israeli forces shoot, injure 3 Palestinians near Gaza border - Medical sources said two youths were injured east of Gaza City, while a third was injured by Israeli snipers east of al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. (Maan) 
  • Committee: More than 1,000 Palestinian minors detained by Israel in 2016 so far - The Committee said that at least 1,000 Palestinian minors between the ages of 11 and 18 had been detained by Israel since January, including around 70 children from occupied East Jerusalem who were placed under house arrest, and that a number of them were abused and tortured while in detention. (Maan) 
  • Former hunger striker Malik al-Qadi released by Israel, transferred to Palestinian hospital - The Palestinian Red Crescent said on Saturday it was transferring al-Qadi from an Israeli hospital to one in Ramallah. Al-Qadi is in a dire health condition after going without food for 68 days to protest being held in administrative detention -- internment without trial or charges -- by Israel. (Maan) 
  • 13-year-old Palestinian shot in Duheisha last month was detained last week, medically neglected - A 13-year-old Palestinian who was shot and seriously injured last month by Israeli forces during a raid into al-Duheisha refugee camp in Bethlehem, and then detained from his home on Tuesday, remained in a dire medical condition. (Maan) 
  • Jewish right-wing extremists riot during performance by Christian choir in Jerusalem - Two members of anti-assimilationst group Lehava arrested, including leader Bentzi Gopstein, after trouble flares during song by Armenian Church Choir. (Haaretz+) 
  • Minister Uri Ariel funnels funds to the same Orthodox cronies, whatever his title - Millions of shekels earmarked for struggling rural areas are going to urban religious groups in central Israel linked to his Habayit Hayehudi party. (Haaretz+) 
  • TV presenter attacked in Mea Shearim - Hila Korach came to film a segment in the ultra-Orthodox Jerusalem neighborhood and was attacked by youths. Korach claims she and her crew were surrounded: "(They) threw eggs at us, water bags, and called for us to die, I felt danger." (Yedioth/Ynet) 
  • Israeli court sentences Palestinian to 9 years in prison for stabbing, injuring 2 Israelis - John William Qaqish, a 21-year-old Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem’s Old City, was convicted of stabbing and injuring two 17-year-old Israelis in May 2015 as they were heading to the Western Wall in the Old City late at night. (Maan) 
  • Only 30% of Israelis think police treats everyone equally - A Central Bureau of Statistics survey shows that public trust in the law enforcement establishment is low, with just 39% of Israelis holding a positive view of the police and 41% a positive view of the courts. (Ynet)
  • Love, Unity and No Women Singers at Yom Kippur Concert in Tel Aviv - City Hall approved event, which would take place at Rabin Square, but isn't sponsoring it because of women's exclusion; PR manager urges critics to desist from cynicism, says event sends message of compassion and unity. (Haaretz+)
  • Fallen IDF soldier's family to Netanyahu: You've done nothing to bring our boys home - The family of Oron Shaul, who was killed in the 2014 Gaza war, demanded that the prime minister convene a meeting to advance efforts. (Haaretz+) 
  • "We apologize for the cooperation with Habimah; Israel is an apartheid state" – In a video by a group of Norwegian artists they apologize on their work with the Israeli national theater, because it represents "occupied territories." Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "This is reminiscent of the propaganda of Goebbels.' (Maariv) 
  • Delegation of Jordanian generals visit Israel - The secret visit by the delegation included a tour of the country, meetings with high-ranking government and IDF officials, and attending a conference at Netanya Academic College; professor praises expedition of 'peace and normalization between neighboring countries.’ (Yedioth/Ynet) 
  • Israel repeats promise to improve life in Gaza and the West Bank - While Israeli delegates elaborate on the various projects Israel supposedly implements to improve Palestinian lives, most of the projects it has committed to are stuck due to security concerns or mismanagement by the Palestinians themselves. (Yedioth/Ynet) 
  • Hamas leader: I won't run in next elections - During a speech in Qatar, Khaled Mashal confirms a number of rumors circulated by Hamas senior officials of his intention to relinquish his position as chief of the terror organization during next year's expected elections; Ishmail Haniyeh likely to succeed Mashal. (Ynet)
  • 250 Gazans travel to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to perform Friday prayers - While Israeli authorities have typically permitted 300 elderly Palestinians from the small Palestinian territory to travel to Al-Aqsa every Friday, the number was reduced after Israeli authorities accused Hamas and other groups with misusing the crossing permits. (Maan) 
  • Egypt closes Rafah crossing after allowing return of Gaza pilgrims - The crossings and borders committee of the Palestinian Ministry of Internal Affairs in Gaza said that 762 pilgrims entered the blockaded Palestinian territory overnight, adding that 2,290 pilgrims had crossed into Gaza in the past three days. (Maan) 

Features:
Still here: "La Familia, the hilltop youth and LEHAVA are Rabbi Meir Kahana’s legal children and grandchildren"
45 years after immigrating to Israel, both the supporters and opponents of Rabbi Meir Kahana agree that his impact on the political discourse in Israel is still significant. Uri Avnery: "He has created a generation of fascists.” “He was the first Jewish racist to lay on the fence for people like Rehavam Ze'evi, The Shadow (rapper), (former MK) Michael Ben-Ari and others," said Dedi Zucker, a member of the 11th Knesset from the Ratz party. (Sara Leibovich-Dar, Maariv) 
The surprising link between a former Israeli defense minister, a German spy and a mystery trust fund
Documents submitted in the trial of former German spy Werner Mauss, including letters by Knesset Member Amir Peretz, reveal ties to the Israeli authorities. (Uri Blau, Haaretz+)
For families of Palestinian assailants, grief, pride and unanswered questions
Two 17-year-old cousins attempt a copycat car-ramming attack – and one ends up dead. A 15-year-old boy is killed when he tries to stab a soldier. The families are in mourning in different ways. (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) 
From thwarting terror attacks in West Bank to facing threats in the north
Following a six month deployment in West Bank terror hot spots such as Hebron and Ramallah, the Nahal Infantry Brigade is transitioning into a three-month training period focused on threats from the north; 'We were a step away from having dead Israelis in the last few terror attacks. These soldiers displayed operational understanding.' (Yoav Zitun, Ynet) 
What Prompted a High-ranking Egyptian Official to Spy for Israel?
Uri Bar-Joseph's 'The Angel' details the sensational life and early death of Ashraf Marwan, who gave Israel crucial intel prior to the 1973 Yom Kippur War. (Yael Friedman, Haaretz+) 
The battle for Susya
The Land of Israel Caucus is mounting a campaign to convince the gov't to uphold High Court's decision to demolish the illegally-built Palestinian village; Palestinians claim they've lived on the land for hundreds of years: 'We have Turkish papers from the Ottoman times to prove we own the land.' (Katie Baker, Ynet)
'It was natural for us Israelis to make music with Gazans, Syrians and Lebanese'
Arrivals / Departures: For an Israeli band performing on the streets of Berlin, music transcends conflict; lifelong buddies on their way to Ukraine give advice on keeping friendships and marriages alive. (Liat Elkayam, Haaretz+)
 
Commentary/Analysis:
Dear American Jews, Stop Ruining My Life (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) To AIPAC, my job is to represent it here in Israel. AIPAC has appointed itself my protection gang. It operates like the Mafia. 
The Alt-right Spews Hatred of Jews. The Alt-left: Hatred of Israel (Seffi Kogen, Haaretz+) As America becomes aware of the alt-right, it should also get acquainted with its mirror image: the alt-left, a loose association of activists with one unifying object of hate: Israel. 
America's Love for Israel Doesn’t Come at a Real Price (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) Maybe the United States ought to have stipulated that the billions of dollars of aid that were approved would go toward pre-determined diplomatic purposes. 
The historic disappointment of Barack Obama and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (Friday Haaretz Editorial) In the Middle East, Obama will be remembered as one of the most ineffective presidents, revealed as not only one who cannot, but one who doesn’t even try. 
Obama and Netanyahu: Years of humiliation (Yifat Erlich, Yedioth/Ynet) During his two terms in office, the US president constantly turned his back on Israel while courting the Palestinians and allowing Iran to become a nuclear state one day. 
The Israeli army's loss of moral ideology (Carolina Landsmann, Haaretz+) There has been a deep change in the IDF: the abandonment of the classical military ethos of victory and the adoption of a 'moral superiority ethos' in its place. 
Netanyahu's Right: The Occupation Can Actually Go on Forever (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) All the prophecies of doom that were a source of hope for those who believed the Israeli occupation must come to an end have dissipated. 
The turn of the screw (Gahl Becker, Yedioth/Ynet) Even Netanyahu’s detractors can appreciate the elegance with which he used his UN speech to turn away from the old UN guard and toward what might very well be the new world powers. 
Are Israelis Addicted to an Existential Struggle? (Ofri Ilany, Haaretz+) Like other trauma-ravaged societies, Israel doesn’t really want to extricate itself from its perpetual state of emergency. 
Impending eviction notice (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom) Efforts to save the homes of Amona from demolition are meant to preserve the stability of the coalition more than save the outpost itself. Everyone wants to prevent the images of a violent eviction, especially Habayit Hayehudi party. 
Why the Worthy Tzipi Livni Is Irrelevant to the Israeli Political Landscape (Ravit Hecht, Haaretz+) The struggle over the character of Israeli society does not pass through conferences in New York or Washington, but through a subsidized swimming pool in the Galilee or in a Haifa suburb, in which Arabs aren’t welcome. 
The long overdue goodbye (Ruthie Blum, Israel Hayom) Netanyahu thanked Obama for the defense aid package and bid him farewell, likely muttering on behalf of all of us a heartfelt "good riddance" as he left. 
Netanyahu Photobombs U.S. Election Campaign, Much to Trump’s Delight (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) The prime minister’s initiative to meet both contenders comes at same time that Sheldon Adelson ups the ante in support of the GOP candidate
Who were Obama and Netanyahu really addressing during their meeting (Orly Azoulay, Yedioth/Ynet) The American president and Israeli prime minister were not talking to each other during last week's meeting in New York; their respective messages were directed at Donald Trump and Ehud Barak, the potential successors of whom they are so afraid. 
When Netanyahu and Abbas Will Perform a Duet in Ramallah (Haaretz Editorial) Netanyahu evoked an enchanting idyll by inviting Abbas to address the Knesset in his UN speech. But if he wants to us to take him seriously, he must begin the peace at home by recognizing Palestinian aspirations. 
They can't handle the truth (Annika Hernroth-Rothstein, Israel Hayom) PM Netanyahu's words in his controversial video were strong, as they ‎were designed to be, but to those familiar with the facts, they were absolutely correct.
How Israeli Arrogance and Indifference Ignored Warning Signs Ahead of First Intifada (Emmanuel Sivan, Haaretz+) A 1985 document from an Israeli think tank sounded a stark warning about the economic and demographic time bomb that was ticking in the Gaza Strip — if anyone wanted to hear it. 
Where is our relationship headed? It’s not clear the battle between Netanyahu and Obama ended (Ben Caspit, Maariv) The burning question is, what will the President do on the Palestinian issue before he leaves the White House? 
Syria: A Murderous Spectacle With No End in Sight (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) Russia and the U.S. failed miserably at managing the cease-fire they orchestrated, and are both responsible for the absurd situation now delaying the assault on ISIS' stronghold.
 
 
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.

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