APN's daily news review from Israel
Wednesday May 3, 2017
Quote of the day:
“Not everything in our lives is right or left. The entire right isn’t a fascist right, and the entire
left isn’t a traitorous left. If we continue in this unacceptable fashion, we’ll lead to factionalism and bring
destruction down upon ourselves,” Edelstein added.
--President Reuven Rivlin said Tuesday at the annual Independence Day ceremony at the President’s Residence.*
You Must Be Kidding:
An Israel Defense Forces display for Independence Day in the settlement of Tekoa in the West Bank featured a booth where fake amputated legs were displayed and children could have their limbs painted to resemble shrapnel and stab wounds.**
--President Reuven Rivlin said Tuesday at the annual Independence Day ceremony at the President’s Residence.*
You Must Be Kidding:
An Israel Defense Forces display for Independence Day in the settlement of Tekoa in the West Bank featured a booth where fake amputated legs were displayed and children could have their limbs painted to resemble shrapnel and stab wounds.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Trump will ask Abbas: Commit to helping me renew the peace process
- A new charter for Hamas – The organization strengthens its international messages – and doesn’t try to appease Israel // Amira Hass
- N. Korea: US pushing toward brink of nuclear war
- 4 days to elections: 1st of May demonstrations in Paris deteriorated into a violent confrontation
- A Jewish youth ran with a drawn knife toward a soldier at a checkpoint and was shot dead
- What can we learn about ultra-Orthodox society when Leitzman represents the government at a state ceremony // Yair Ettinger
- IDF activities for children: A presentation of dolls with severed limbs
- The foreign fighters are abandoning ISIS and trying to return to Europe
- The voice of their master // Haaretz Editorial
- Independence for the environment // Amit Bracha
- Recommended viewing: Culture Minister (Regev’s) attitude toward ‘Breaking the Silence’ reminds us of Charlie Chaplin’s ‘The Great Dictator’
- The ultra-Orthodox film is gaining speed and brining new stories to the screen
- For more than a year, Kahlon is delaying a bill to increase competition in the credit market
Yedioth Ahronoth
- A moving speech (by Tzvika Levy, the ‘father of lone soldiers’)
- and aerial show
- To their glory: How many times did the cameras focus on Culture Minister (Miri Regev) and the Prime Minister’s wife (Sara Netanyahu)?
- Justin Bieber landed last night in Israel and is expected to perform tonight for tens of thousands at Hayarkon Park
- The suicide method: Charging at soldiers – 19-year-old (Jew) from Maaleh Adumim ran with a drawn knife towards a checkpoint and was shot dead. A suicide note was found afterward
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- The glory of the state – with BBQs, songs and hikes and also some arguments: millions of Israel marked the 69th Independence Day across the country
- UNESCO’s shame
- The Elor Azaria affair: Today a hearing for the mutual appeals of the family and the prosecution
Israel Hayom
- A glorious celebration
- UNESCO’s shame
- “Unacceptable negligence” at Ichilov Hospital: permanent brain damage of 75-year-old
- Justin time has arrived: Tonight Justin Bieber at Hayarkon Park
News Summary:
Independence Day celebrations and ceremonies that moved and excited Israelis, a UNESCO resolution that angered Israel and a Jewish Israeli youth who adopted a Palestinian suicide method made top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Also in the news was Hamas’ new more moderate charter and a Haaretz+ report that their meeting today in Washington, US President Donald Trump will ask Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to help restart the peace process.
UNESCO passed a resolution that rejected Israeli sovereignty over all of Jerusalem and was critical of Israel’s conduct in E. Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Israel suspected that Germany was behind the more moderate motion, but Germany voted against it, along with the US, Italy, Great Britain, Holland, Greece and three other states. Twenty-three countries abstained, including France, Spain, Slovenia, Estonia, India, Argentina, Mexico and Japan. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu called the decision 'absurd’ and President Reuven Rivlin called to transfer all embassies to Jerusalem.
A 19-year-old Jewish Israeli, from the settlement of Maaleh Adumim, ran toward a military checkpoint wielding a knife and was shot dead. His suicide letter was later found. Police suspect this was a ‘suicide by a soldier,’ in other words, Israeli soldiers commonly shoot dead Palestinians that run toward them or towards checkpoints with a knife and he did so so that he would be killed. In a number of recent attacks by Palestinian youth, the youth also had hoped to be killed by soldiers.
Even before it was released, Israel criticized Hamas’ new charter, which continued to reaffirm it will not declare that Israel has a right to exist, but it dropped explicit language calling for Israel's destruction and declared it is willing to negotiate a sovereign and independent state with Jerusalem as its capital as the basis for a deal with Israel – in other words on the ’67 borders. Distancing itself from the Muslim Brotherhood, which has been outlawed by Egypt, Hamas rebranded itself as an Islamic national liberation movement. The head of the House Foreign Affairs head dismissed the new charter, saying that “Until Hamas recognizes Israel’s right to exist, its words are meaningless.”
Independence Day celebrations and ceremonies that moved and excited Israelis, a UNESCO resolution that angered Israel and a Jewish Israeli youth who adopted a Palestinian suicide method made top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Also in the news was Hamas’ new more moderate charter and a Haaretz+ report that their meeting today in Washington, US President Donald Trump will ask Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to help restart the peace process.
UNESCO passed a resolution that rejected Israeli sovereignty over all of Jerusalem and was critical of Israel’s conduct in E. Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Israel suspected that Germany was behind the more moderate motion, but Germany voted against it, along with the US, Italy, Great Britain, Holland, Greece and three other states. Twenty-three countries abstained, including France, Spain, Slovenia, Estonia, India, Argentina, Mexico and Japan. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu called the decision 'absurd’ and President Reuven Rivlin called to transfer all embassies to Jerusalem.
A 19-year-old Jewish Israeli, from the settlement of Maaleh Adumim, ran toward a military checkpoint wielding a knife and was shot dead. His suicide letter was later found. Police suspect this was a ‘suicide by a soldier,’ in other words, Israeli soldiers commonly shoot dead Palestinians that run toward them or towards checkpoints with a knife and he did so so that he would be killed. In a number of recent attacks by Palestinian youth, the youth also had hoped to be killed by soldiers.
Even before it was released, Israel criticized Hamas’ new charter, which continued to reaffirm it will not declare that Israel has a right to exist, but it dropped explicit language calling for Israel's destruction and declared it is willing to negotiate a sovereign and independent state with Jerusalem as its capital as the basis for a deal with Israel – in other words on the ’67 borders. Distancing itself from the Muslim Brotherhood, which has been outlawed by Egypt, Hamas rebranded itself as an Islamic national liberation movement. The head of the House Foreign Affairs head dismissed the new charter, saying that “Until Hamas recognizes Israel’s right to exist, its words are meaningless.”
Quick Hits:
- *President Rivlin warns on Independence Day: 'Polarization could deal us a harsh blow' - Rivlin's comment comes after the Knesset speaker asserted that, 'out of an excess of hatred, we forgot how to love.’ (Haaretz+)
- Hebron Shooter's Appeal of Manslaughter Verdict Opens Wednesday - Sgt. Elor Azaria was convicted by an Israeli military court of killing Abdel Fattah al-Sharif while the Palestinian, who had stabbed another soldier, was lying on the ground badly wounded. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- **Israeli Army Shows Fake Amputated Limbs, Paints Wounds on Kids for Independence Day - Children as young as 5 take part in the event, which was held in the West Bank settlement of Tekoa. (Haaretz+)
- Police close 2 probes against officers who shot terrorists - Investigations into two officer-involved shootings in 2015, one of a teenage terrorist in Jerusalem and the other of an allegedly unstable woman who threatened to stab passersby at a bus station in northern Israel, closed citing justifiable use of force. (Israel Hayom)
- Israel chooses West Bank for memorial to controversial general - Rehavam Ze’evi, assassinated during the second intifada when he was tourism minister, advocated 'voluntary transfer' of Palestinians from the West Bank. (Haaretz+)
- 'Edelstein runs the Knesset as the Likud headquarters instead of a parliament' - MKs protest against Knesset speaker's decision not to allow an event marking the 50th anniversary of the 'occupation,' and they are threatening to appeal to the attorney general. (Ynet)
- Blog Post Israel Refuses to Extradite Alleged War Criminal Wanted in Argentina - Teodoro Gauto lied in his immigration papers but Israel won’t revoke his citizenship, citing his good behavior in his 14 years here. (Haaretz+)
- Shin Bet publishes tech puzzle in recruitment bid - The campaign to bring high-quality, tech-savvy recruits to the Shin Bet took a creative turn when 60,000 candidates attempted to solve a puzzle released by the organization; six solved it successfully. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Unusual honor for U.S. Jews on Israeli Independence Day fires up local Twittersphere - Moments after Billionaire philanthropist Michael Steinhardt and Rabbi Marvin Hier lit a torch on Mount Herzl, Israelis took to Twitter to vent their frustration. Some found their English speeches particularly offensive. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli Arab singer ‘honored’ to perform at Memorial Day ceremony - Nasreen Qadri has been touring America with Dudu Tassa & the Kuwaitis as Radiohead’s opening act, but she is even more excited about singing at official events commemorating Israel’s fallen soldiers and celebrating the state’s independence. ‘I am part of this country, and being on stage in this ceremony is feeling like I belong,’ she says. (Ynet)
- For the first time in 30 years: Israeli ninth-grader becomes first-ever secular student to win International Bible Contest - Sixteen contestants from Israel and abroad reached the final after overcoming 74 other competitors from 39 countries. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Fled Yemen to become an IDF soldier - Three years ago, Eliyahu Dahari arrived alone in Israel and began studying at a yeshiva, but he insisted on enlisting in the ultra-Orthodox track of the IDF and convinced his parents to follow him to the Holy Land. (Ynet)
- Documentary reveals new details on hit on Hamas drone expert - In Al Jazeera documentary, Hamas spokesman says Mohammed Alzoari built over 30 drones for terrorist group. Wife tells interviewers Alzoari used alias out of fear of Israeli intelligence surveillance. Film claims to identify Israelis involved in hit. (Israel Hayom)
- ISIS Militant Reportedly Burned Alive in Act of Revenge by Members of Bedouin Tribe in Egypt's Sinai - The attack by members of the Tarabin Bedouin was reportedly caught on camera, along with a threat to other ISIS members that they would suffer the same fate. (Haaretz)
- Israeli-American Michael Solomonov wins top U.S. chef award - Michael Solomonov of Philadephia's Zahav wins James Beard Foundation top prize for his modern Israeli cuisine. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Princeton Jewish center bans Israeli anti-occupation group Breaking the Silence exhibit - Center for Jewish Life cites 'sensitivities' stemming from proximity of event to Israel's Memorial Day to decision to refuse space to veterans' group exhibition. (JTA, Haaretz)
- Trump National Security Adviser to Speaks at Tuesday Israeli Embassy's Independence Day Gala - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will also host an event marking Israeli independence, the first of its kind for the Trump administration. (Haaretz)
Features:
Visitors Not Welcome: Israel Taking Border Control to New Extremes With Tourist Bans
Tour operators say Israel increasingly doesn’t want you here if you plan to spend a night in Bethlehem, oppose the settlements or have the wrong stamp in your passport. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
Teaching happiness at a school where 10 teachers lost loved ones
The teachers' lounge at the Ulpanat Lehava girls' school in the Samaria (West Bank) community of Kedumim features photos of relatives lost to war or terrorism. Rivka Shapira, whose husband died in a terrorist shooting: We leave our sadness outside the school gates. (Israel Hayom)
They took up arms for Israel, but no one remembers the women of the doomed Gush Etzion front
Among the many women who fought 22 paid with their lives, yet remained outside the collective memory. (Yotam Berger, Haaretz+)
Born a Muslim, converted to Judaism, and died fighting for Israel
Etzel fighter Baruch Mizrahi was born Hamoudeh Abu al-Aynin to a nationalistic Muslim family from Safed. He joined the Revisionist Zionist youth movement Betar, where he was inspired to convert; he was killed in April 1948 in Jenin during an intelligence gathering operation. (Elisha Ben-Kimon, Yedioth/Ynet)
Roni remembers his brother Fadi, 'the pain persists'
Fadi Kazamel from the Druze village of Beit Jann was engaged to Bonina, whom he planned to marry after his release from active military service—but the helicopter disaster cut his plans short. (Hassan Shaalan, Yedioth/Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Why Hamas' New Charter Is Aimed at Palestinians, Not Israelis (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The hard-line document is based on one key notion: The concessions made by the PLO and Abbas' dominant Fatah faction haven't made Israel change.
Somebody in Hamas Got Scared, and This Sentence Was Deleted (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The more Israel dispossess and kills, the easier Hamas can persuade Palestinians to accept its new document of principles.
Combatants for Hate (Haaretz Editorial) Israel's refusal to allow 225 Palestinians into the country to attend a joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony shows the government will do anything to dehumanize 'the other.'
Independence in a world of turmoil (Isi Leibler, Israel Hayom) Despite living in a region where barbarism is rampant, Israel has never been as secure as it is today. We have every reason to rejoice.
The Miracle of Occupation Nation (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz) It's easier to celebrate Independence Day when you blot out millions of disenfranchised people living right next door.
Between memory and independence: We have succeeded in building our home, now it must be preserve it (Lior Ackerman, Maariv) In its 69th year, the State of Israel is stronger than ever and not subject to an external existential threat. The problem is that we are in the midst of an incessant internal war.
The Independence Day Event That Made Me Believe We Still Have a Chance (Ravit Hecht, Haaretz+) The people who danced with their kids on their shoulders didn't look like fascists and no one brandished violent, outlandish accessories. Maybe all is not lost.
The main challenge of Israeli society is to crack the formula: How to live together? (Avihu Sofer, Maariv) Veterans and immigrants, periphery and center, secular and religious, right-wing and leftist. We must sew the collection of diversity and the colorful variety that has gathered here into one humane tissue.
What Do You Know About What the Palestinians Want? (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) I've been living among the Palestinians for nearly 25 years, yet I would not claim to know what all the Palestinian people want (aside from freedom)
What was Netanyahu’s real reason for snubbing German FM? (Sima Kadmon, Yedioth/Ynet) The prime minister’s exaggerated response to the German minister’s meeting with Breaking the Silence and B’Tselem representatives can be seen as another appeal to his right-wing voters, but could it have anything to do with a possible cancellation of the Israeli-German submarine deal?
The Israeli army's new war: Ensuring it has enough quality combat troops (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) The IDF knows that with Hamas or Hezbollah firing rockets at civilians, the army will have to take the battle to the enemy. But will the IDF have the right stuff to do so?
Israel Lost Its Independence in 1967 (Steven Klein, Haaretz+) Israelis in 2017 are enslaved to the maintenance of the occupation. This wasn’t supposed to be Israel’s story
Don’t let gloomy prophecies about Israel deceive you (Hanoch Daum, Yedioth/Ynet) There are good people living in this country, rightists and leftists, religious and secular, Israelis with optimism, patience and a deep understanding that we have more in common than what divides us.
Why Is Zionism Called Zionism? (Elon Gilad, Haaretz+) Theories for the origin of the word reach into long-forgotten eras of history, and the speculated origin in 'wild cat' isn't necessarily the most fanciful.
Israel, the greatest success of the 20th century (Eli Amir, Yedioth/Ynet) Communism is dead, fascism is dead. What is left? Zionism and the Zionist idea. We have built a glorious state, which has developed and prospered in spite of all the difficulties and obstacles along the way.
The Fallen Served Their Purpose (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) Without their permission, the state has turned the thousands of fallen Israeli soldiers into a mass symbol of sacrifice for the homeland.
Will Trump Let Israel Continue to Dictate American Policy? (Ahmad Tibi, Haaretz+) If the U.S. president is serious about making the 'ultimate' Israeli-Palestinian deal he must insist Prime Minister Netanyahu decides: one state, or two?
With ‘Zionists’ like that, who needs enemies? (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) When poison is frequently injected into one’s veins—that Israel is Germany of the 1930s, that Israel is an apartheid state, that Israel deserves a boycott, that people should vote for the Joint Arab List which denies Zionism—the result is that terror is justified, and it’s all because of Israel. Published in Yedioth Ahronoth.
How an Israeli Arab Marks Independence Day (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) What does the 20 percent do when the rest of the country celebrates the founding of the Jewish state? This one looks for signs of hope.
To Honor Israel's Memorial Day, They Attacked My Family (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) Try to imagine what it was like. I was there, and I still can't quite imagine it. First you felt the hate, then you felt the future.
The Real Reason Behind Rare War Of Words Between Israel And North Korea (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz) North Korea is a military supplier to Iran, Syria and Hezbollah. However, a U.S. confrontation with Pyongyang is unlikely to help Israel
Tour operators say Israel increasingly doesn’t want you here if you plan to spend a night in Bethlehem, oppose the settlements or have the wrong stamp in your passport. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
Teaching happiness at a school where 10 teachers lost loved ones
The teachers' lounge at the Ulpanat Lehava girls' school in the Samaria (West Bank) community of Kedumim features photos of relatives lost to war or terrorism. Rivka Shapira, whose husband died in a terrorist shooting: We leave our sadness outside the school gates. (Israel Hayom)
They took up arms for Israel, but no one remembers the women of the doomed Gush Etzion front
Among the many women who fought 22 paid with their lives, yet remained outside the collective memory. (Yotam Berger, Haaretz+)
Born a Muslim, converted to Judaism, and died fighting for Israel
Etzel fighter Baruch Mizrahi was born Hamoudeh Abu al-Aynin to a nationalistic Muslim family from Safed. He joined the Revisionist Zionist youth movement Betar, where he was inspired to convert; he was killed in April 1948 in Jenin during an intelligence gathering operation. (Elisha Ben-Kimon, Yedioth/Ynet)
Roni remembers his brother Fadi, 'the pain persists'
Fadi Kazamel from the Druze village of Beit Jann was engaged to Bonina, whom he planned to marry after his release from active military service—but the helicopter disaster cut his plans short. (Hassan Shaalan, Yedioth/Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Why Hamas' New Charter Is Aimed at Palestinians, Not Israelis (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The hard-line document is based on one key notion: The concessions made by the PLO and Abbas' dominant Fatah faction haven't made Israel change.
Somebody in Hamas Got Scared, and This Sentence Was Deleted (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The more Israel dispossess and kills, the easier Hamas can persuade Palestinians to accept its new document of principles.
Combatants for Hate (Haaretz Editorial) Israel's refusal to allow 225 Palestinians into the country to attend a joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony shows the government will do anything to dehumanize 'the other.'
Independence in a world of turmoil (Isi Leibler, Israel Hayom) Despite living in a region where barbarism is rampant, Israel has never been as secure as it is today. We have every reason to rejoice.
The Miracle of Occupation Nation (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz) It's easier to celebrate Independence Day when you blot out millions of disenfranchised people living right next door.
Between memory and independence: We have succeeded in building our home, now it must be preserve it (Lior Ackerman, Maariv) In its 69th year, the State of Israel is stronger than ever and not subject to an external existential threat. The problem is that we are in the midst of an incessant internal war.
The Independence Day Event That Made Me Believe We Still Have a Chance (Ravit Hecht, Haaretz+) The people who danced with their kids on their shoulders didn't look like fascists and no one brandished violent, outlandish accessories. Maybe all is not lost.
The main challenge of Israeli society is to crack the formula: How to live together? (Avihu Sofer, Maariv) Veterans and immigrants, periphery and center, secular and religious, right-wing and leftist. We must sew the collection of diversity and the colorful variety that has gathered here into one humane tissue.
What Do You Know About What the Palestinians Want? (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) I've been living among the Palestinians for nearly 25 years, yet I would not claim to know what all the Palestinian people want (aside from freedom)
What was Netanyahu’s real reason for snubbing German FM? (Sima Kadmon, Yedioth/Ynet) The prime minister’s exaggerated response to the German minister’s meeting with Breaking the Silence and B’Tselem representatives can be seen as another appeal to his right-wing voters, but could it have anything to do with a possible cancellation of the Israeli-German submarine deal?
The Israeli army's new war: Ensuring it has enough quality combat troops (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) The IDF knows that with Hamas or Hezbollah firing rockets at civilians, the army will have to take the battle to the enemy. But will the IDF have the right stuff to do so?
Israel Lost Its Independence in 1967 (Steven Klein, Haaretz+) Israelis in 2017 are enslaved to the maintenance of the occupation. This wasn’t supposed to be Israel’s story
Don’t let gloomy prophecies about Israel deceive you (Hanoch Daum, Yedioth/Ynet) There are good people living in this country, rightists and leftists, religious and secular, Israelis with optimism, patience and a deep understanding that we have more in common than what divides us.
Why Is Zionism Called Zionism? (Elon Gilad, Haaretz+) Theories for the origin of the word reach into long-forgotten eras of history, and the speculated origin in 'wild cat' isn't necessarily the most fanciful.
Israel, the greatest success of the 20th century (Eli Amir, Yedioth/Ynet) Communism is dead, fascism is dead. What is left? Zionism and the Zionist idea. We have built a glorious state, which has developed and prospered in spite of all the difficulties and obstacles along the way.
The Fallen Served Their Purpose (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) Without their permission, the state has turned the thousands of fallen Israeli soldiers into a mass symbol of sacrifice for the homeland.
Will Trump Let Israel Continue to Dictate American Policy? (Ahmad Tibi, Haaretz+) If the U.S. president is serious about making the 'ultimate' Israeli-Palestinian deal he must insist Prime Minister Netanyahu decides: one state, or two?
With ‘Zionists’ like that, who needs enemies? (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) When poison is frequently injected into one’s veins—that Israel is Germany of the 1930s, that Israel is an apartheid state, that Israel deserves a boycott, that people should vote for the Joint Arab List which denies Zionism—the result is that terror is justified, and it’s all because of Israel. Published in Yedioth Ahronoth.
How an Israeli Arab Marks Independence Day (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) What does the 20 percent do when the rest of the country celebrates the founding of the Jewish state? This one looks for signs of hope.
To Honor Israel's Memorial Day, They Attacked My Family (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) Try to imagine what it was like. I was there, and I still can't quite imagine it. First you felt the hate, then you felt the future.
The Real Reason Behind Rare War Of Words Between Israel And North Korea (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz) North Korea is a military supplier to Iran, Syria and Hezbollah. However, a U.S. confrontation with Pyongyang is unlikely to help Israel
Interviews:
Gideon Levy: "I do not identify with a flag that is raised in the territories and in settlements"
Journalist Gideon Levy opened his article in Ha'aretz with the headline "This is not my flag." Listen to a confrontation between him and Michael Ben Ari on Gabi Gazit's radio program at 103FM. (Maariv)
Gideon Levy: "I do not identify with a flag that is raised in the territories and in settlements"
Journalist Gideon Levy opened his article in Ha'aretz with the headline "This is not my flag." Listen to a confrontation between him and Michael Ben Ari on Gabi Gazit's radio program at 103FM. (Maariv)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.