News Nosh 5.23.17

APN's daily news review from Israel
Tuesday May 23, 2017
 
You Must Be Kidding #1: 
"Netanyahu didn't really like the idea, but the President waited and the embarrassing thing is that my phone got stuck. I got a bit cheeky, insisted, turned the phone off and on. He was super patient, waited until I got the camera working. We took the picture and, let me tell you, for me—and I think also for him—it was a historical moment."
--Likud MK Oren Hazan told the Israeli media about the controversy-sparking selfie he grabbed with US President Donald Trump.*

You Must Be Kidding #2: 
“This club has been in Jerusalem since before the creation of Israel and thus the flag is not simply an item on a uniform: It is part of who were are.”
 -- Christian Arab scout leader said after Israeli Police blocked the Palestinian scouts from accompanying US President Donald Trump on his visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem unless they removed them emblems of the Palestinian flag from their uniforms.**


Front Page:
Haaretz Yedioth Ahronoth
  • “We are allies” (Full page photo of Trump with hand on Wailing Wall)
  • Fresh paint for Balfour Street // Sima Kadmon
  • Jerusalem syndrome // Yoaz Hendel
  • There are no free lunches // Shimon Shiffer
  • He came to the ‘hood // Einav Schiff
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
  • Trump brought a message from the King of Saudi Arabia to Netanyahu: It’s time to make peace
  • Shamelessly // Moshe Cohen
  • Diplomatic traffic jam // Shlomo Shamir
  • Fake news // Ron Kaufman
  • Not a clown, the President // Meir Uziel
  • Poor Trump // Doron Barush
  • The first lady // Talia Levine
  • The storm-raising selfie of MK Oren Hazan: “I am the Israeli Trump”
  • Sara to Melania: “The media hates us too, but the people love us”
  • And also, the moving moments at the Wailing Wall and Holy Sepulchre Church, the visit to Hadassah Hospital and the meeting at the PM’s Residence
Israel Hayom
  • A friend at the Wailing Wall – History: Trump became the first serving US President to visit the holy site
  • A letter from mother – Melania Trump received a letter from Zehava Shaul, mother of Oron [fell in Gaza Strip and body still missing]
  • Palestinians’ disappointment – Trump to meet Abu Mazen, but shortened his visit to the Palestinian Authority by an hour
  • Satisfaction in the US – Administration applauded the package of gestures towards the Palestinians that the (Israeli) cabinet approved

News Summary:
The embarrassment at the airport, the history-making at the Wailing Wall, and the warmth between President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania and their Israeli hosts were the top stories in the Hebrew newspapers along with the scoop in Haaretz and Maariv
makes the courageous decision that Trump brought a message to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu from Saudi King Salman that Saudi Arabia is ready for full relations with Israel, if Netanyahu will make the courageous decision. Also in the news was Trump’s statements that Iran should never get a nuclear weapon.
 
Both Netanyahu and Trump gave hopeful speeches for the future. Trump said he hopes to achieve the ‘toughest deal of all, Israeli-Palestinian peace’ and noted that there was a growing realization among Arab neighbors that they have common cause with Israel on Iran.

Referring to Trump’s direct flight from Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu said, “I hope an Israeli prime minister can one day fly from Tel Aviv to Riyadh.” But he never mentioned the Palestinians in his speeches. The Palestinians, who have no faith in Netanyahu, were coming to the negotiating table in an attempt to save face in the international community and secure economic achievements to better the lives of Palestinians, wrote Ynet’s Elior Levy.
 
*What embarrassingly became a big story - even internationally - was when Likud MK Oren Hazan grabbed a selfie with Trump after crashing the welcome ceremony for the President at the airport. The Israeli Foreign Ministry described the scene as 'shameful and a disgrace.' Netanyahu tried to stop him. The Knesset Legal Advisor, Eyal Yinon, referred to it saying that “the State was losing its stateliness.” (MaarivLikud officials said Hazan had "caused a great embarrassment to Netanyahu." Hazan, who considers himself the Israeli Trump, was unfazed. Naturally. (See Commentary/Analysis for more.)
 
Trump-related Quick Hits:
  • **Israeli police bar Arab Orthodox scouts from greeting Trump in Jerusalem's Old City - The Arab Orthodox Union scouts of Jerusalem were barred from accompanying US President Donald Trump into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City on Monday because of the Palestinian flag on their costumes, according to the Arab Orthodox Union Club. (Haaretz and Maan
  • Palestinian Families to Call on Trump to Help Resolve Prisoners' Hunger Strike - Families of prisoners in Israeli jails expect Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to raise issue with U.S. president during Tuesday’s meeting. (Haaretz)
  • Trump says didn't mention Israel to Russians - In their meeting at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, President Trump insists to Prime Minister Netanyahu that he never mentioned Israel during conversation with Russian officials in which sensitive intelligence was shared. (Ynet)
  • Iran’s Rouhani says regional stability impossible as long as Iran isn’t involved - The Iranian president-elect added statements about his country's readiness to cooperate with its neighbors in order to restore stability and peace to the region during the four years of his new term. Rouhani hopeful Europe won't follow Trump's lead on Iran. (Maariv, Israel Hayom and Reuters)
  • Iran accuses US of arming 'dangerous terrorists' - After US President Trump stated that Iran is funding terrorism at the Arab summit, Iran strikes back—claiming that Trump is spreading 'Iranophobia,' and is himself funding terrorism by supplying Saudi Arabia with billions of dollars worth of armaments. (Agencies, Ynet
  • Saudi Arabia vows not to use weapons procured from US against Israel - U.S. obtained promise from Saudis not to use weapons purchased in $110 billion deal against U.S. allies. Deal coordinated with Israel, Egypt, Jordan and other U.S. allies, says Arab official. Israeli minister: Deal must not erode Israel's military edge. (Israel Hayom)
  • Melania's Slap Down and 6 Other Awkward Moments of Trump Visit in Israel -  From visible tension between Trump and the first lady to a shameless Israeli lawmaker’s selfie with the leader of the Free World. (Haaretz
  • President Trump and Sara Netanyahu lament negative media coverage - With extensive experience in negative media portrayals, Sara Netanyahu attempts to assure President Trump and Melania that the people of Israel love them, despite the tone of the media. (Agencies, Ynet)
  • First lady visits Jerusalem hospital known for coexistence - Melania Trump visits Hadassah Ein Kerem as guest of PM's wife Sara Netanyahu, and meets young Jewish and Arab patients. Trump gives children White House backpacks filled with puzzles, games and toys. Hospital dedicates a bench to both women at visit. (Israel Hayom)
  • The Touching First Ladies Photos That Moved Israelis - The photos of Rivlin and Trump were shared across social media, with commentators lauding the two women for their demeanor. (Haaretz
  • Trump Family Gets the Jewish Orthodox Experience at Western Wall - Trump slips notes, prays at holy Jewish site. First Lady prays in women's section, while daughter Ivanka sheds a tear. First visit to Kotel by sitting U.S. president. (Haaretz
  • What Trump Was Really Doing at the Western Wall, and Other Twitter Favorites - Trump hasn't had it easy since he touched down in the Holy Land, and for good reason. (Haaaretz)
  • Bannon, Priebus skip out on Trump's Israel visit, fly home to handle political crisis - Controversial White House adviser and chief of staff joined Trump for trip to Saudi Arabia, but left for home instead of flying to Israel. (Haaretz
  • Amid Trump's Visit: Rocket Fired From Sinai at Israel - No damages or casualties after rocket lands in open area. (Haaretz)
  • Israel, Egypt unaffected by Trump bid to convert military aid to loans - In effort to slash foreign spending, Trump administration proposal aims to convert some U.S. military grants to loans • U.S. military assistance to partners and allies reached $13.5 billion in 2015 -- 28% of all U.S. foreign aid spending that year. (Israel Hayom)
Quick Hits:
  • 60 hunger striking prisoners evacuated to hospitals - Seven prisoners hospitalized, remainder returned to prison; Barghouti not among those evacuated for poor medical condition. (Ynet, Maan and Maariv)
  • For the first time since the First Intifada, Palestinians observe general strike in solidarity with hunger-striking prisoners - Shops in Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem and east Jerusalem closed en masse in support of more than 1,300 Palestinians who have been on hunger strike in Israeli prisons since April 17. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas tells prisoners' families he hopes for a breakthrough within the next 48 hours. (Maan
  • East Jerusalem Schoolchildren Join General Strike in Solidarity With Palestinian Prisoners - If students show up for school, they are sent home, says a member of the parents’ council. (Haaretz
  • 20 Palestinians shot as Israeli forces suppress rallies in support of hunger strike - Israeli forces fired both live ammunition and rubber-coated steel bullets at Palestinian protesters who marched from Ramallah city to Israel's Qalandiya military checkpoint, according to Palestinian medical sources. (Maan
  • Palestinian teenager killed after alleged stab attempt at Bethlehem-area checkpoint - A 15-year-old Palestinian, Raed Ahmad Radayda, was shot and killed by Israeli border police at Israel's "Container checkpoint" northeast of Bethlehem in the southern occupied West Bank on Monday, after the teen allegedly attempted to stab Israeli forces stationed at the checkpoint. (Maan
  • Palestinian shot and injured by Israeli forces with live fire in central Gaza Strip - A Palestinian “youth” was injured Monday evening during clashes in the central Gaza Strip, along the border with Israel, when Israeli forces shot the Palestinian in the leg with live ammunition. (Maan and Israel Hayom)
  • Video shows settlers throwing stones at Palestinians in West Bank as Israeli soldiers watch - After some time, the soldiers intervened – to tell the Palestinians to move away. (Haaretz)
  • Israel's Education Ministry blames hackers for derogatory text about Bedouin on website - Official says offending text was deleted from website as soon as it was discovered, leaving NGO to wonder why it had to wait for tip-off before text was removed. (Haaretz)
  • Director Scores Netflix Deal for Film About [racist] Beitar Jerusalem Soccer Club - 'Forever Pure' chronicles an especially controversial season when the team signed two Muslim players, angering its extremist supporters. (Haaretz+) 
  • IDF Manpower Directorate head concerned about incitement against Haredi troops - Stepping down from his position as IDF Spokesperson, head of the IDF Manpower Directorate Moti Almoz says that he is 'unaffected' by the threats from the ultra-orthodox protestors he called 'an extreme minority.' (Ynet
  • Mike Huckabee among 4,000 Israelis to visit Joseph's Tomb, sparking clashes - Clashes erupted between local Palestinians and Israeli soldiers who escorted some 4,000 right-wing Israelis to Joseph’s Tomb east of Nablus in the northern occupied West Bank overnight Sunday, when at least two Palestinians were detained and several others suffered from tear gas inhalation. (Maan)
  • Only One Asylum Seeker Illegally Entered Israel via Egypt in the Past Year - The border fence and tough laws are working, but a key rights group calls the 39,000 asylum seekers currently in Israel a paltry number. (Haaretz+)
  • Israel returns body of slain Jordanian citizen to Jordanian authorities - Muhammad Al-Skaji, 57, was shot dead by Israeli forces in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem on May 13 after he stabbed and injured an Israeli police officer. (Maan)
  • Clashes erupt in Beit Ummar as Israeli forces raid the village -  
  • A number of Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation as Israeli forces raided the Hebron-area town of Beit Ummar in the southern occupied West Bank on Monday, causing clashes to erupt between locals and Israeli forces. (Maan
  • Assad retakes Homs, capital of the Syrian revolution - After more than five year of fighting, Syrian rebels leave last opposition district in Homs, completing a deal that brought the whole besieged city back under President Bashar Assad's control for the first time since the start of the civil war. (Agencies, Ynet)

 
Commentary/Analysis:
In Israel, Trump Makes the Word 'Peace' Great Again (Barak Ravid, Haaretz+) Trump’s first achievement during this visit is that he has succeeded in bringing peace, which in recent years had become a dirty word, back to the center of Israeli public and political discourse 
A moment of grace: Trump surprised and became a messenger of peace (MK Nachman Shai, Maariv) The United States remains a great friend of Israel. Beyond the political disagreements here and there, one should hope that this will be the main message that the president's visit will leave behind.
In Israel, Trump Fits Right in - if Only He Would Stop Talking About Peace (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz) Trump is the most 'Israeli' U.S. president in history, but not in a good way. 
The world is in shock: It is not clear why Trump's security guards did not work properly against Oren Hazan (Ron Kaufman, Maariv) The parliamentary clown, MK Oren Hazan, came to get a selfie with the guest. The prime minister's demand that the politicians come to the ceremony brought no honor, only a pile of shame. 
Parochial Israeli Reception Makes Even Vulgar President Trump Look Statesmanlike (Yossi Verter, Haaretz) U.S. President Donald Trump is a man well versed in vulgarity. But even he must have been surprised by what awaited him in Israel on Monday.
We want peace, not a peace 'process' (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) We have grown tired of futile diplomacy. As long as the Arabs and Palestinians don't recognize Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people, there is no chance for peace.
Palestinians Have Given Up on Trump Ever Saying 'Palestinian State' or 'Israeli Occupation' (Hisham Sharabati, Haaretz+) Trump wants to play peacemaker, but he has a weak opening position: zero credibility among Palestinians
A Saudi embrace against Iran (Nadav Eyal, Yedioth/Ynet) A day after leaving Saudi Arabia, the American president’s speech seems to be a continuation of the traditional line adopted by all presidents since the 9/11 attacks. In lieu of the Trump who built his political career on condemning Islam and Muslims, we got Trump’s oath of allegiance to the Sunni narrative in the Middle East.
With Trump, Against Israel's Annexationist Right (Haaretz Editorial) Fear of the U.S. president's unexpected reactions is helping Netanyahu mobilize forces to block the ministers of the extreme right. This is good news.
A door to a new, old Middle East (Prof. Eyal Zisser, Israel Hayom) In the eyes of U.S. allies, Trump's speech in Riyadh has the power to restore the U.S. to its traditional role in the region as defender of its friends. 
Why Trump's Western Wall Visit Is Actually Bad News for the Israeli Right (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz) No sitting U.S. president has ever visited the Kotel before. The fact Trump broke with convention has nothing to do with fulfilling the Israel lobby's wildest dreams
The two-state tango is over (Moshe Dann, Yedioth/Ynet) The more Israel clings to plans for a Palestinian state that include most of Judea and Samaria, the more it undermines its legitimate claims and weakens its diplomatic position. 
President of the United States, please do not reduce our small country even more (Meir Uziel, Maariv) Perhaps in the face of an unconventional person like you unconventional things can be said. What would have happened if we for once we presented a map in which we will mark what we really want as permanent borders? Some personal words for Trump. 
The Israeli Lawmaker Heralding Genocide Against Palestinians (Daniel Blatman, Haaretz+) Deputy Speaker Bezalel Smotrich's admiration for the biblical genocidaire Joshua bin Nun leads him to adopt values that resemble those of the German SS
Saudi Arabia, kingdom of hatred, fighting radicalization? (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) While US President Trump announces the opening of a global center for combating extremist ideology in Riyadh, the Saudis keep funding the most radical elements of Islam. 
Barak Is More Dangerous Than Bibi (Haim Baram, Haaretz+) Despite what some disillusioned flatterers are saying, Ehud Barak isn’t the man to fight the good fight against Netanyahu’s rotten right-wing regime. 
Mahmoud Abbas' Historical Missed Opportunity (Elie Podeh, Haaretz) Had Abbas accepted the Olmert government’s proposals on borders, land swaps and a West Bank to Gaza corridor in 2008, they would have become U.S. policy, from which any future administration could not easily retreat. 
A new era in US policy on Iran (Zalman Shoval, Israel Hayom) The Trump administration is still crafting its policy on Iran but it has a clear view of Iran's regional aspirations and the dangers they pose. 
Iranians Smell Shortsighted Hypocrisy in Targeting by Trump and His Mideast Hosts (Ariane Tabatabai, Haaretz) King Salman and Netanyahu have eagerly backed Trump's tour mantra: Iran, Iran, Iran. But targeting Tehran will inflame sectarianism and weaken the war against ISIS. 
Trump's Deal Is a Long Way Off, but Preserving Status Quo Important for Palestinians (Amira Hass, Haaretz) Any achievements that can be credited to Palestinian diplomacy are the kind that simply preserve the status quo with the Israelis. 
Give Ivanka Trump a Break, She Didn’t Get the Western Wall Wrong (David B. Green, Haaretz) Twitter erupted after the first daughter described Jerusalem’s Kotel as the holiest site in Judaism; as part of the Temple Mount, that’s exactly what it is. 
The Israeli peace initiative: Trump can be considered a leader of historic stature (Dr. Ofer Israeli, Maariv) If Donald Trump adopts a limited Israeli-Palestinian agreement, he will appear as a failed leader that has led to a worsening of the conflict and not to its resolution. But if he adopts a multilateral arrangement, he will succeed where his predecessors have failed. 
Otherwise Occupied Should I Take the Settlers’ Bus to Save Time? (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Some ethical dilemmas that arise from living in this land.

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