APN's daily news review from Israel

Thursday January 26, 2017  
 

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Front Page:

Haaretz

Yedioth Ahronoth

Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)

Israel Hayom

News Summary:
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu goes on offense-defense in the Knesset regarding the investigations against him and the battle over the government conduct in dealing with Hamas tunnels continues to rage with Yedioth releasing more leaks of the security cabinet transcripts that show then finance minister Yair Lapid slamming Minister Naftali Bennett's apparent interference in the management of the military and former defense minister Moshe Yaalon, saying, “It’s good we didn’t get drawn into destructive and dangerous populism of some of the cabinet members, who did politics in the middle of a military campaign and continue to do so today.” (Maariv) These were the top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. 
 

Quick Hits:

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Features:
What was so burning urgent to you?
During the big wave of fires, MKs from the right-wing accusingly said that this was terror arson with a nationalist motive. They called it the ‘arson intifada.’ On the other hand, MKs from the left-wing said those were racist lies. Two months later, we got a hold of the firefighter authority’s findings regarding the big fires and we probed them deeply. The conclusions: It appears the politicians were quick to dance around the coals. Even at the places where the Firefighting Authority insists that there were arsons, their conclusions are partial and confusing and their evidence is not always substantiated. On the other hand, the claim that all the people (Arabs) detained were released and no indictments were submitted is also not correct [The article notes that one minor from the Palestinian village of Katana, who was suspected of arson at one of the sites in Nataf “was transferred to police.” No mention if police released him. – OH]  (Roy Yanovosky, Yedioth’s ’24 Hours’ supplement, cover)
The full transcript of the conversation between the Kfir Brigade commander and Charlie Azariya: "You can take the train off the tracks"
Listen to the recordings encounter between Col. Hazut, Azariya, the father of the 'Shooting Soldier' Elor Azariya, who was convicted in the extrajudicial killing of an already incapacitated Palestinian assailant, and an activist who connected between them. This audio was revealed by Maariv Online for the first time.  Col. Hazut: “Your son is not Yigal Amir [assassin of Yitzhak Rabin – OH]. Father: “There should not be a manslaughter article." (Noam Amir, Maariv) 
Why Jewish Leaders Rally Behind a Palestinian-American Women's March Organizer
Linda Sarsour makes no secret of her opposition to Israel and support of BDS, the women's rights activist kept that rhetoric out of the event — to the relief of her Jewish allies. (Debra Nussbaum Cohen, Haaretz+)
Rare photos of Zionist and state leaders
The rare photos provide a unique look at Zionist and state leaders that the public rarely sees; 'The photos immortalize forgotten relationships and moments of levity and we invite the public to visit and learn more about the famous figures behind these photographs.' (Itamar Eichner, Yedioth/Ynet)

Commentary/Analysis:
The Gaza War: What’s Naftfali Bennett Bragging About? (Uri Misgav, Haaretz+) The Israeli right-winger was one of the 2014 war’s biggest advocates, until the conflict came to a predictable end: a draw with many casualties. 
When the tail wags the dog (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) During Protective Edge and today as well, the IDF devises plans and the political echelon derives its goals from them; this is backward and crooked. 
Netanyahu's Clear Message to AG: Indicting Me Would Be Capitulation to Media (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) As a suspect under investigation, the premier surely consulted with his attorneys about his Knesset address. Netanyahu's main target: Billionaire Arnon Milchan, who now seems to be his biggest legal problem.
How the Security Cabinet should really work (Giora Eiland, Yedioth/Ynet) A cabinet discussion on any new issue must be held according to three fundamental issues: Israel’s interests, the alternatives and the thoroughness of the discussion.
"There is no magic solution": The State Comptroller’s report reminds us of the complex threat in Gaza (Noam Amir, Maariv) With the shadow of the struggle to reveal the chapter of the report that deals with the preparedness of the IDF and the cabinet for the threat of tunnels in Operation Protective Edge, a senior security official admits that the ideal way to tackle the problem has yet to be found. 
What Would've Happened to Millions of Jews if Trump's Ban Had Been in Place a Century Ago (David B. Green, Haaretz+) At least 2 million Jews who would never have found refuge in America. 
"Home of two peoples": a utopian vision, but not impossible (Yehudit Oppenheimer, Maariv) First a peace agreement. Moving the American embassy to Jerusalem in the current situation of political stalemate is a risky move that contradicts the essence of the capital as the home of two peoples.
Netanyahu Just Doesn't Want to Be Eclipsed on the Right (Haaretz Editorial) He knows that massive construction in the settlements will turn Israel into a de facto binational state, but he just wants to survive politically in the here and now. 
Netanyahu quit smoking: Maybe it is because the suppliers are gone? (Ben Caspit, Maariv) Netanyahu tried to reboot his image as an all-powerful before the Knesset plenum. It’s not clear that he succeeded. In addition, serious trouble: he stopped smoking cigars. This is an unprecedented sacrifice. 
American Leftists, Don't Repeat Your Israeli Counterparts' Mistakes (Nissan Shor, Haaretz+) If Trump’s rise heralds the growth of a new American left, we’re in big trouble. Because in Israel we already know how it ends. 
Time to decide: A Jewish Israel or an Arab Israel? (Kobi Richter, Yedioth/Ynet) Those who believe in a bi-national state as a solution must realize that the inequality imposed by today’s majority on the Arab minority in Israel and on the Arab population in the West Bank will come back to haunt us when they become the majority.
Israeli Watchdog's 2014 Gaza War Report Is a Deceptive Diversion (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Two-and-a-half years have passed. Israel has returned to its comfortable and relatively secure routine, but in Gaza they are still licking their wounds.
Judge an operation by results (Dr. Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) Nothing is easier than analyzing in hindsight military decisions that were made in real time, and it's hard to learn from experience when the lessons are used for political ends.
The Dangers of Annexing the West Bank (Shaul Arieli, Haaretz+) 'United Israel' would mean perpetual civil war, apartheid and socioeconomic implosion. Annexation would sully the people – Jews and Arabs alike.
 

Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.