APN's daily news review from Israel
Tuesday March 28, 2017
You Must Be
Kidding:
Only 5% of Israelis believe that the main problem Israel faces is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.**
Only 5% of Israelis believe that the main problem Israel faces is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Suspects of sex crimes against 100 ultra-Orthodox victims were treated within the community and not turned in
- US Jewish leaders to Israel: Be careful from politically identifying with Trump
- In the right-wing, initiating a wave of legislation for after the recess to annex settlements and weaken High Court
- President refused to pardon Olmert and explained that pardons are not an appeal courts
- Study in 69 countries strengthens claim that many types of cancer break out randomly
- State warns against travel to Sinai ahead of Passover
- A Smurfette was removed from a billboard in order not to offend (ultra-Orthodox) residents of Bnei Brak
- Lefties from abroad // Nitzan Horowitz
- Save the deer
- Pedaling backward // Eran Oren
Yedioth Ahronoth
- “You never know who is the patient who will begin to go crazy” – Special: A day in the most crowded emergency room in the country
- Expose - Cameras in the doctors’ examining room – and the clips of exposed patients were leaked to the internet
- Hila’s last smile – Stolen phone of mother, whose soldier daughter was killed in an accident, was returned
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Mashaal’s threat: “Israel changed the rules of the game? So will we”
- Attorney General under heightened security – following inciting graffiti
Israel Hayom
- Leave Sinai immediately – Khaled Mashaal threatens to retaliate for the assassination of Mazen Fuqha: “Israel changed the equation – we accept the challenge”
- Reform to lower the prices of taxis from Ben-Gurion Airport
- Rivlin rejected Olmert’s pardon request
- Good deeds day: Police to distribute ‘tickets’ for civil conduct on the roads
- Violence continues: Patient at Asaf Harofeh Hospital threw a computer on a nurse
- Rabbi Levinstein in letter to yeshiva alumni: “Don’t underestimate women, they are the start-up of the Creator”
- Shock in the ultra-Orthodox sector: 22 arrested on suspicion of sex crimes against minors and women
News Summary:
Khaled Mashaal said Hamas will take up Israel’s challenge to change the rules of the game, police arrested 22 ultra-Orthodox Jewish men suspected of sex crimes against women and children, and President Reuven Rivlin rejected a pardon for convicted former prime minster Ehud Olmert making top news in the Hebrew newspapers. Also in the news, the latest at AIPAC. And, lastly, two barely mentioned polls together gave fascinating insight into Israelis’ views of the occupation.
In a speech in commemoration of recently assassinated senior Hamas commander, Mazen Fuqha, Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal said, “By killing Faqha, the enemy told us: 'I've scored a point against you and I can take away one of your heroes even in the heart of Gaza. It's a new blood debt that adds itself to all those before. The conflict is still ongoing and we, the leaders of the organization, accept the challenge. If the enemy changes the equation, we accept it and bear the responsibility to protect our sons and daughters. We adhere to the struggle to free our prisoners, to liberate Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa. Our willpower is stronger than their weapons, and in the end, we will triumph." In Gaza, a court issued a gag order banning publication of any information about the ongoing investigation into the killing of Fuqaha. Maan noted that “The gag order was reminiscent of Israeli policies imposed on Israeli media over sensitive judicial cases.” However, Gaza security forces eased the exit restrictions it put up during its manhunt. Meanwhile, Ynet reported that Hamas was upgrading its naval commando unit in preparation for the next round of fighting with Israel and Haaretz reported that Hamas has acquired dozens of such short-range rockets.
The mutual love expressed between US and Israeli leaders at the AIPAC conference worried US Jewish leaders, who are concerned that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s and Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer’s intense support of US President Donald Trump will hurt bipartisan support for Israel. Speaking via satellite video to the AIPAC conference yesterday, Netanyahu praised cooperation with the Trump administration and said Israel was committed to achieving peace with the Palestinians. Vice President Mike Pence told AIPAC that Trump was 'seriously considering' moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem. And US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said that the days of ‘Israel-bashing’ were over.
That said, a UN commission approved a draft resolution on Palestinian women, which read that “the Israeli occupation remains the major obstacle for Palestinian women with regard to their advancement, self-reliance and integration in the development of their society.” Thirty countries voted in favor of the resolution, 12 abstained and only Israel voted against it.
**Two polls shared fascinating views of Israelis about their lives and the conflict. A poll by Maala-Globescan reported on in Maariv revealed that in terms of improving their lifestyle, only 12% of Israelis see solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the top issue that will improve their lives. Some 43% believed that what harmed their lifestyle was the high cost of living and 33% believed that it was high wages and lack of employment security. According to the poll, only 5% of Israelis believed that the main problem Israel faces was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Yet, 36% saw security as the most important issue. Some 20% believed the socio-economic situation was the most important issue the country faced. In light of the lack of importance the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is perceived to have on Israelis and the lack of connection between the need for security and the need for solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it comes as no surprise that only 36% of Israelis said they would support a peace deal that included Israeli withdrawal from territory and a Palestinian state – compared to 60% in 2005, according to a poll commissioned by conservative think tank, the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.
Khaled Mashaal said Hamas will take up Israel’s challenge to change the rules of the game, police arrested 22 ultra-Orthodox Jewish men suspected of sex crimes against women and children, and President Reuven Rivlin rejected a pardon for convicted former prime minster Ehud Olmert making top news in the Hebrew newspapers. Also in the news, the latest at AIPAC. And, lastly, two barely mentioned polls together gave fascinating insight into Israelis’ views of the occupation.
In a speech in commemoration of recently assassinated senior Hamas commander, Mazen Fuqha, Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal said, “By killing Faqha, the enemy told us: 'I've scored a point against you and I can take away one of your heroes even in the heart of Gaza. It's a new blood debt that adds itself to all those before. The conflict is still ongoing and we, the leaders of the organization, accept the challenge. If the enemy changes the equation, we accept it and bear the responsibility to protect our sons and daughters. We adhere to the struggle to free our prisoners, to liberate Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa. Our willpower is stronger than their weapons, and in the end, we will triumph." In Gaza, a court issued a gag order banning publication of any information about the ongoing investigation into the killing of Fuqaha. Maan noted that “The gag order was reminiscent of Israeli policies imposed on Israeli media over sensitive judicial cases.” However, Gaza security forces eased the exit restrictions it put up during its manhunt. Meanwhile, Ynet reported that Hamas was upgrading its naval commando unit in preparation for the next round of fighting with Israel and Haaretz reported that Hamas has acquired dozens of such short-range rockets.
The mutual love expressed between US and Israeli leaders at the AIPAC conference worried US Jewish leaders, who are concerned that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s and Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer’s intense support of US President Donald Trump will hurt bipartisan support for Israel. Speaking via satellite video to the AIPAC conference yesterday, Netanyahu praised cooperation with the Trump administration and said Israel was committed to achieving peace with the Palestinians. Vice President Mike Pence told AIPAC that Trump was 'seriously considering' moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem. And US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said that the days of ‘Israel-bashing’ were over.
That said, a UN commission approved a draft resolution on Palestinian women, which read that “the Israeli occupation remains the major obstacle for Palestinian women with regard to their advancement, self-reliance and integration in the development of their society.” Thirty countries voted in favor of the resolution, 12 abstained and only Israel voted against it.
**Two polls shared fascinating views of Israelis about their lives and the conflict. A poll by Maala-Globescan reported on in Maariv revealed that in terms of improving their lifestyle, only 12% of Israelis see solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the top issue that will improve their lives. Some 43% believed that what harmed their lifestyle was the high cost of living and 33% believed that it was high wages and lack of employment security. According to the poll, only 5% of Israelis believed that the main problem Israel faces was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Yet, 36% saw security as the most important issue. Some 20% believed the socio-economic situation was the most important issue the country faced. In light of the lack of importance the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is perceived to have on Israelis and the lack of connection between the need for security and the need for solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it comes as no surprise that only 36% of Israelis said they would support a peace deal that included Israeli withdrawal from territory and a Palestinian state – compared to 60% in 2005, according to a poll commissioned by conservative think tank, the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.
Quick Hits:
- Israeli commander tells soldiers to reduce use of force against Palestinian protesters - Israeli army commander Roi Sheetrit, responsible for West Bank’s northern districts, touted army’s success in refraining from shooting any protesters in the village of Nilin in order to decrease unwanted “reactions” from Palestinians. In Nilin, Palestinians stage weekly protests against the separation wall and settlement expansion. (Maan)
- 18-year-old Palestinian remains in critical condition after deadly shooting - One of three 18-year-old Palestinians remained in critical condition on Monday, a medical official told Ma'an, after Israeli forces opened fire on them on Thursday in the central occupied West Bank, in a shooting that left another teenager dead. (Maan)
- Stabbing attack thwarted near IDF base in Nablus area - Palestinian tries to stab soldier with a screwdriver near the Samaria Territorial Brigade's base; troops at the scene overpower attacker without opening fire. (Ynet and Maan)
- Palestinian police rescue Israeli soldier pelted with stones - Soldier takes wrong turn into Palestinian town of Sair, near Hebron, is assaulted by local residents • Palestinian police intervene, hand him over to IDF • Hospital says soldier has minor injuries • Israeli civilians enter Palestinian town near Nablus. (Israel Hayom)
- Israeli army raids Hebron-area town after soldier mistakenly drives into the town - More than 30 Israeli military vehicles stormed the town of Sair to back up the soldier driving the vehicle, who locals said stepped out of the vehicle and fired gunshots into the air after local youth began throwing stones at the vehicle. (Maan)
- Judea and Samaria settlements get NIS 42 million budget boost - Knesset Finance Committee earmarks NIS 27 million ($7.5 million) for local municipalities, mostly for security purposes and NIS 15 million ($4.1 million) for armored buses • Recommendation for armored buses made by IDF's Homefront Command, official says. (Israel Hayom)
- Netanyahu is expected to allow ministers and members of Knesset to return to the Temple Mount - The Prime Minister held a discussion with security officials and determined that the permit would enter into force in June, after the month of Ramadan and in accordance with the security situation. MK Yehuda Glick: "Why are they waiting three months? I will submit (a petition) to the High Court of Justice.” (Maariv, Israel Hayom and Haaretz+)
- Following the spraying of graffiti: the security around the home of the Attorney General was increased - The security service of the Civil Service Commission decided to reinforce security around Avichai Mendelblit, due to the continuous demonstrations that have been taking place for two months near his home, apparently over his conduct in the investigations into Netanyahu. (Maariv)
- Israel issues travel warning for Turkey, Jordan and Egypt - In warning ahead of Passover holiday, Counter-Terrorism Bureau advises Israelis to avoid countries close to ISIS conflict zones, some Western countries, particularly Russia, France, Belgium and Germany, and India. (Yedioth/Ynet and Israel Hayom)
- Israeli Lawmakers to Push Raft of Rightist Laws: Annexing Settlements and Muzzling Supreme Court - Nationalist MKs have staked out six areas for their main legislative efforts in the present Knesset term. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
- MKs furious over bill to block High Court from overturning laws - Lawmakers from Yesh Atid, Zionist Union say sole purpose of MK Moti Yogev's bill is to chip away at rule of law in Israel. Former head of Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee: Without judicial oversight, basic rights do not truly exist. (Israel Hayom)
- Knesset OKs stay of land-grab law until High Court ruling - Compromise suggested by attorney general freezes expropriations, but allows continued examination of the extent of settlement on private Palestinian land. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli settlement agency's activity still shrouded in mystery after yearlong probe - Prime Minister's Office report on in controversial World Zionist Organization’s Settlement Division is now months overdue. (Haaretz+)
- Christians United For Israel visits United Hatzalah to learn how lifesaving is uniting the people of Israel - A special delegation from Christians United for Israel (CUFI) visit the headquarters of United Hatzalah (UH) in Jerusalem to learn about Hatzalah’s lifesaving, all-volunteer, emergency medical services (EMS) model, and to see firsthand how the Hatzalah model is uniting the peoples of Israel. (Ynet)
- Reform Jews fight Israel for excluding them from Jewish outreach efforts - Virtually all programs spearheaded by Religious Service Ministry's Jewish Identity Administration involve Orthodox partners, petitioners claim. (Haaretz)
- Israeli authorities prevent construction of agricultural road in Salfit - Salfit’s mayor Abd al-Karim Fattash said Israeli troops stormed the area twice while municipality crews were paving a new dirt road intended to help Palestinian farmers access their agricultural lands. (Maan)
- Israel continues closure of main road connecting Bethlehem-area villages - Five days ago, Israeli forces placed rocks and dirt mounds in the middle of a road near the village of al-Khader. Israeli forces have yet to clear the road or provide residents with a reason for the closure. (Maan)
- Discrimination? A new campaign to encourage students to study nursing ignores the Arab population - The Ministry of Health is trying to increase the number of students in nursing care, but within the Arab sector, of which 42% of all nursing students last year are from, it was decided not to advertise the campaign. (Maariv)
- Palestinian citizen of Israel detained in Jordan over possession of painkillers - 60 year-old Kamal Ramadan Abu Lattif, a resident of the city of Rahat in Israel’s southern Negev region, traveled to Jordan on March 15 and has been held in detention since by Jordanian authorities who accused the man of bringing forbidden medications into the country. (Maan, Maariv and Haaretz+)
- Caretaker who exposed the abuse at Haifa's nursing home: "I'm broken, half a human being" - (Arab-Israeli) Nurse Daoud Widade, who filmed the abuse of the elderly, told FM 103 about the difficulties he encountered: "The police interrogated me for 12 hours under warning because I set up a camera to expose the abuse." (Maariv)
- Israeli Arab indicted for sending money to ISIS fighter - Fadel Tzaber Knaneh was in contact with his brother, who fought with ISIS in Syria and was killed, and with another Israeli Arab, who convinced him to transfer NIS 5,000 to him in Iraq. (Ynet)
- Israeli Rabbi Against Women in Army: 'I Want to Save Them From Feminist Captivity' - In letter, head of pre-army academy Yigal Levinstein describes women as God's 'best startup.' (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
- Abbas receives German 'Hope for Peace' prize amid growing Palestinian discontent - The Steiger Award said on its website that it had chosen to hand the prize to Abbas as a “clear signal” vis-a-vis the stagnating Israeli-Palestinian peace process. (Maan)
- Abbas meets with EU representatives, Fatah delegation in Belgium - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held joint press conference with European Union’s Foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, in which he said he was still “seeking a just and comprehensive peace” with Israel. (Maan)
- Hamas TV channel builds Jerusalem set in Gaza - Al-Aqsa channel is preparing a new series slated to air during Ramadan that focuses on epicenters of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Actors recreate violent clashes between the two groups. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Iran imposes sanctions on 15 US companies over ties with Israel - Islamic republic also cites "support for terrorism" and "human rights violations" as reasons for sanctions • Iran is said to be mulling branding U.S. military, CIA as terrorist groups if Congress designates Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization. (Israel Hayom)
- Democratic Mega-donor Saban Doesn't Rule Out Hillary Clinton 2020 Run - The Israeli-American businessman points to Ronald Reagan's multiple presidential attempts, tells Channel 2 News: 'Don't assume she won't run.' (Haaretz)
Features:
Egypt’s last Jews aim to keep heritage alive
From a full community with alleged roots in the country since the times of the pharaohs to a mere 18 today in the entire country, the dying-out Jewish community of Egypt hopes to have its legacy preserved in an Egyptian civilization museum. (AFP, Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Separate and Unequal: Inside Israel's Military Courts, Where the Only Defendants Are Palestinians (Meredith McBride, Haaretz+) The UN says Israel's West Bank justice system, which tries Palestinians exclusively and has reported an almost 100% conviction rate, violates international law. This is what I saw.
Not a bomb and not ticking: Why did (former Mossad chief) Tamir Pardo connect between Gaza and the demographic threat? (Amos Gilboa, Maariv) Even if Israel is still responsible for electricity and water in the Gaza Strip after the disengagement, Gazans are not part of the "bi-national state," but two million Palestinians in Judea and Samaria are (enough) to reject the idea of annexation.
What Happened to Gilad Erdan? (Netta Ahituv, Haaretz+) Erdan's practical, logical manner was replaced by anger, incitement and populism.
Whose 'ethnic cleansing?': Israel’s appropriation of the Palestinian narrative (Dina Matar, Al-Shabaka, Maan) Since the creation of Israel, historical narratives that value Jewish victimhood over Palestinian lives and rights have been used time and again by Israeli politicians. In recent years, new evidence and studies have begun to question the dominant claims of the Zionist movement. This has spurred Israeli leaders, PR managers, spokespeople, and their media to focus on diverse strategies to maintain their hold on Western public opinion. These include using a discourse -- such as Netanyahu’s use of ethnic cleansing -- to refer to Jews and Israeli citizens as victims of continued persecution by the Palestinians.
Pence's Purified Version of Trump Draws Cheers at AIPAC (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) But separate talk of possible impeachment of the president garnered strong applause as well.
The Promised Land: Where Is It? (Gitit Holzman, Haaretz+) It would behoove Israeli politicians to avoid a one-dimensional, mistaken and misleading interpretation of biblical literature, and to avoid subordinating this classic work to a limited and ephemeral party platform.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has turned into top priority issue that cannot be delayed (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) The President of the United States is making a simple calculation: Advancing a political solution to the conflict, even if it does not produce results, will only bring honor, even among those who find it difficult to accept his leadership.
Questioned About Backing BDS? It’s Illegal, and Israel Police Know It (Talia Sasson, Haaretz+) The government fight against the anti-Israeli boycott movement is pushing the police to do more than their job in a manner both dangerous and illegal.
It’s Raining Arab Doctors, Despite Netanyahu (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) How is it that in Arab cities, which produce so many doctors, in a country that so badly needs doctors, there are no government hospitals?
Mosul, Gaza and the world’s hypocrisy (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) ISIS learned from Hamas how to use civilian populations as human shields. While hundreds of civilians have been killed in US-led airstrikes in Iraq, there have been absolutely no protests and no claims of ‘war crimes.’ Those are reserved for one country only—Israel.
Nikki Haley, Rock Star to the Jews and Their Knight in Shining Armor (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) AIPAC’s rapturous reception for the UN Ambassador marks her as a potential rival to Trump in 2020.
Expanding the ‘Hezbollah model’ (Uzi Rabi, Yedioth/Ynet) The bleeding Middle East and the intensive occupation with ISIS have distracted the world’s attention from Iran’s deployment in the entire region, as it seeks to create a territorial sequence from Iraq through northern Syria to Latakia, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
A Merger That Endangers Liberal, Secular Tel Aviv (Meirav Arlosoroff, Haaretz) A tie-up with low-income, right-wing, traditional Bat Yam may well create a different demographic balance.
From a full community with alleged roots in the country since the times of the pharaohs to a mere 18 today in the entire country, the dying-out Jewish community of Egypt hopes to have its legacy preserved in an Egyptian civilization museum. (AFP, Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Separate and Unequal: Inside Israel's Military Courts, Where the Only Defendants Are Palestinians (Meredith McBride, Haaretz+) The UN says Israel's West Bank justice system, which tries Palestinians exclusively and has reported an almost 100% conviction rate, violates international law. This is what I saw.
Not a bomb and not ticking: Why did (former Mossad chief) Tamir Pardo connect between Gaza and the demographic threat? (Amos Gilboa, Maariv) Even if Israel is still responsible for electricity and water in the Gaza Strip after the disengagement, Gazans are not part of the "bi-national state," but two million Palestinians in Judea and Samaria are (enough) to reject the idea of annexation.
What Happened to Gilad Erdan? (Netta Ahituv, Haaretz+) Erdan's practical, logical manner was replaced by anger, incitement and populism.
Whose 'ethnic cleansing?': Israel’s appropriation of the Palestinian narrative (Dina Matar, Al-Shabaka, Maan) Since the creation of Israel, historical narratives that value Jewish victimhood over Palestinian lives and rights have been used time and again by Israeli politicians. In recent years, new evidence and studies have begun to question the dominant claims of the Zionist movement. This has spurred Israeli leaders, PR managers, spokespeople, and their media to focus on diverse strategies to maintain their hold on Western public opinion. These include using a discourse -- such as Netanyahu’s use of ethnic cleansing -- to refer to Jews and Israeli citizens as victims of continued persecution by the Palestinians.
Pence's Purified Version of Trump Draws Cheers at AIPAC (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) But separate talk of possible impeachment of the president garnered strong applause as well.
The Promised Land: Where Is It? (Gitit Holzman, Haaretz+) It would behoove Israeli politicians to avoid a one-dimensional, mistaken and misleading interpretation of biblical literature, and to avoid subordinating this classic work to a limited and ephemeral party platform.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has turned into top priority issue that cannot be delayed (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) The President of the United States is making a simple calculation: Advancing a political solution to the conflict, even if it does not produce results, will only bring honor, even among those who find it difficult to accept his leadership.
Questioned About Backing BDS? It’s Illegal, and Israel Police Know It (Talia Sasson, Haaretz+) The government fight against the anti-Israeli boycott movement is pushing the police to do more than their job in a manner both dangerous and illegal.
It’s Raining Arab Doctors, Despite Netanyahu (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) How is it that in Arab cities, which produce so many doctors, in a country that so badly needs doctors, there are no government hospitals?
Mosul, Gaza and the world’s hypocrisy (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) ISIS learned from Hamas how to use civilian populations as human shields. While hundreds of civilians have been killed in US-led airstrikes in Iraq, there have been absolutely no protests and no claims of ‘war crimes.’ Those are reserved for one country only—Israel.
Nikki Haley, Rock Star to the Jews and Their Knight in Shining Armor (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) AIPAC’s rapturous reception for the UN Ambassador marks her as a potential rival to Trump in 2020.
Expanding the ‘Hezbollah model’ (Uzi Rabi, Yedioth/Ynet) The bleeding Middle East and the intensive occupation with ISIS have distracted the world’s attention from Iran’s deployment in the entire region, as it seeks to create a territorial sequence from Iraq through northern Syria to Latakia, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
A Merger That Endangers Liberal, Secular Tel Aviv (Meirav Arlosoroff, Haaretz) A tie-up with low-income, right-wing, traditional Bat Yam may well create a different demographic balance.
Interviews:
Holding on to the Possibility of Israeli-Palestinian Peace: Tips From a Conflict Resolution Expert
Herbert Kelman has been bringing together Israelis and Palestinians for decades in hope of finding and compromise. 'I've never believed any of this is easy, but you've got to keep a sense of possibility, otherwise what's the use of trying.' (Interviewed by Amir Tibon in Haaretz+)
The Jewish Voice at the Heart of the Boycott Israel Movement
Jewish Voice for Peace executive director Rebecca Vilkomerson isn't your typical BDS activist: she spent three years in Israel, is married to an Israeli and has relatives in the West Bank. Despite many critics in the organized Jewish community, she says JVP is thriving in the Trump era and doesn't need the establishment's stamp of approval. (Interviewed by Allison Kaplan Sommer in Haaretz)
Holding on to the Possibility of Israeli-Palestinian Peace: Tips From a Conflict Resolution Expert
Herbert Kelman has been bringing together Israelis and Palestinians for decades in hope of finding and compromise. 'I've never believed any of this is easy, but you've got to keep a sense of possibility, otherwise what's the use of trying.' (Interviewed by Amir Tibon in Haaretz+)
The Jewish Voice at the Heart of the Boycott Israel Movement
Jewish Voice for Peace executive director Rebecca Vilkomerson isn't your typical BDS activist: she spent three years in Israel, is married to an Israeli and has relatives in the West Bank. Despite many critics in the organized Jewish community, she says JVP is thriving in the Trump era and doesn't need the establishment's stamp of approval. (Interviewed by Allison Kaplan Sommer in Haaretz)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.