News Nosh 6.20.17

APN's daily news review from Israel
Tuesday June 20, 2017
 
Quote of the day:
"By God's grace, we were able to protect him from harm."
---Imam Mohammed Mahmoud said about the man accused of driving a van into a crowd of worshippers outside the mosque where he serves in London. Mahmoud restrained the mob that had surrounded the driver.*


Front Page:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
  • Storm in the cabinet – Construction in Qalqilya: Lieberman vs. Netanyahu and Bennett
  • “I experienced rape in the movie by Zeev Revach”- said actress Chani Nachmias
  • Political low – Shelved Likud campaign from 2015 revealed: Herzog portrayed as a woman, Hamas “calls” to vote for Livni
  • Police: Because of a malfunction in computer files, it wasn’t possible to read the material taken from ‘Yedioth Books’ publishers – So police arrived again, but this time took only the files related to Olmert’s book
  • Finally, freedom – High schools and middle schools start summer vacation today
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
Israel Hayom
  • The apparent draft: Stipends for handicapped will be increased to 4,000 shekels
  • The negotiations – “Highest priority” for Trump
  • A day of terror in Europe
  • From today – the beach – High school and middle school students began on summer holiday
  • On the way to being an officer? From now on you will sign for a longer career service than in the past
  • The year of broken hearts: 2% rise in divorces in 2016; Record was in Jerusalem
News Summary:
The car-ramming attack on Muslim worshippers in London, right-wing anger over the approval for expansion of a Palestinian city – which was falsely described, an outrageous 2015 Likud election campaign that was shelved, but now revealed, and Iran’s warning to Israel were top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Also, Gaza was faced with two to three hours of power a day after Israel reduced the electricity supply. Meanwhile, US special envoy Jason Greenblatt holds meetings today with Palestinians and Israelis about reigniting the peace ahead of Jared Kushner's arrival tomorrow.
 
So while a document proved that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was present at the meeting where the Israeli approval was given to build homes in the Palestinian city of Qalqilya, despite his ‘forgetting’ this happened, the report that the number of homes was 14,000 was false, the number is 5000-6000. Haaretz discovered that the erroneous report came from two right-wing sources – Samaria Regional Council chairman Yossi Dagan and members of the Regavim movement, which objects to the granting of building permits to Palestinians in Area C of the West Bank and they spread it by way of right-wing ministers. Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman told ministers to stop attacking the army for giving the final approval because they are only following orders from political leaders and are not setting policy.
 
Following Iran’s remarkable missile attack on ISIS in Syria, an Iranian official said that “Israel understood the message…Israel is our main enemy and it should be worried.” Netanyahu replied saying, “Do not threaten Israel.” See Commentary/Analysis below for the Israeli take. Russia also made a threat to foreign anti-Assad forces operating in Syria after the US downed one of its jets, saying it would intercept “any flying object' in Syria skies. Netanyahu also commented on the New York Times report that Israel was giving direct aid to ‘friendly’ Syrian rebels. Netanyahu said Israel only provides humanitarian aid and “doesn’t get involved in the Syria war.”
 
Quick Hits:
  • 70% rise in building starts in West Bank settlements during 2016-17 - Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics data say 2,758 housing units were started between April 2016 and March 2017, compared to 1,619 in the previous 12 months. (Haaretz and Maan)
  • Beit El settlers slam Netanyahu: 'He's acting like Erdogan, lying to us' - Residents say the prime minister promised to build 300 new homes in the settlement after evacuation of illegally constructed homes in 2012 and 2015 and has yet to keep that promise. (Ynet
  • Israeli Arab photographer detained, forced to strip before covering event attended by Netanyahu - Channel 2 photographer Eli Venus, from an Alawite village on the Lebanese border, arrived to the event with other colleagues but was singled out for 'humiliating' security checks. (Haaretz+) 
  • Israeli lawmaker suspended for one week for aggressive behavior toward colleague - Oren Hazan approached Meretz MK during a television interview and yelled that she should be serving in Hamas' or Assad's army, leading ethics committee to remove him from Knesset for one week. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
  • PFLP calls Netanyahu war criminal over ongoing crackdown after Jerusalem attack - Israeli authorities have continued to face harsh condemnation after enforcing severe security measures in the occupied Palestinian territory in the wake of a deadly attack in occupied East Jerusalem on Friday, in which three Palestinians were shot dead after an Israeli border policewoman was fatally stabbed. (Maan)
  • Trump envoy visits family of Hadas Malka - Trump's special envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt visits the Malka family during shiva to offer condolences on behalf of the Trump administration; US statement: 'Such incidents underscore why it is vital to realize President Trump's vision of a Middle East free of the threats of terrorism and extremism.' (Yedioth/Ynet
  • IN PHOTOS: Israelis Fly Paper Lanterns in Solidarity With Power-starved Gaza - On the beach in Ashkelon, across the border from Gaza, dozens of peace activists light Chinese lanterns to protest Israel's reduction of power to Strip. (Haaretz
  • Israel's High Court rejects warrantless cellphone searches - If such searches are necessary, then legislators should enact a law, says Supreme Court President Miriam Naor. (Haaretz+) 
  • IDF: Dozens of soldiers lied about contracting skin disease - One week after some 200 soldiers from the Armored Corps were sent home after complaining that they were suffering from severe itching, IDF concludes many lied, promises they will be 'punished by commanders.' (Ynet
  • Israeli Supreme Court sets date to rule on plea deal for Nadim Nuwara's killer - A plea deal reached in December saw border police unit commander Ben Dery admit to “mistakenly” firing a live bullet at 17-year-old Nadim Siyam Nuwara during a rally marking the 66th anniversary of the Nakba in May 2014 outside of the Ofer detention center in the central occupied West Bank, hitting Nadim in the back and killing him. (Maan
  • Israeli forces level lands on the Palestinian side of Gaza border - Witnesses said they saw four bulldozers leveling lands under Israeli military protection near the border fence, near what was once the Sofa crossing northeast of Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip. No gunfire was reported. (Maan)
  • Israel set to reduce amount African migrant workers must pay state in controversial program - Asylum seekers will pay 16.5 percent of salary, instead of current 20 percent, if Knesset approves ministers’ proposal, while employers will deposit 12.5 percent; migrants, human rights groups and restaurateurs want program scrapping. (Haaretz+) 
  • Israel's teen ambassadors on front line against BDS - While their friends go to the beach, 17-year-old Tal, Sean, Dolev and Adi will take advantage of their summer vacation to join the fight against BDS and improve Israel’s image among their peers from around the world: 'We show them the true Israel, not as it appears in the media.' (Ynet
  • "Terrorism harms everyone, what a terrible thing”: On both sides of the border, friends of the late Hadas Malka are in shock - A Border Police soldier who was killed in the joint attack in Jerusalem participated in a joint Israeli-Palestinian basketball project, and the project manager told Ma'ariv Online about the bridge built by means of sports. (Maariv
  • Israeli scientists discover mechanism that could slow pace of Alzheimer's - Weizmann Institute researchers identify a new type of cells that attacks plaque build-up in brains of those with the neurodegenerative disease. (Haaretz+) 
  • US aircraft carrier to dock in Haifa - The USS George H.W. Bush will dock at Haifa for the first time in 17 years as the ship takes part in air operations against ISIS; sailors will be provided buses to tour Haifa and any other city in Israel they choose. (Ynet
  • Israel expected to suspend plan to build mixed-prayer space at Western Wall - Ultra-Orthodox parties have told Netanyahu that they will continue to allow other sects to hold mixed prayer services under Robinson's Arch. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
  • Jordan Cancels Lebanese Indie Band's Concert Over Gay Frontman - for a Second Time - Interior Ministry declines to give reason, but Jordanian lawmakers object to lyrics and sexual orientation of Mashrou' Leila's lead singer. (Haaretz + VIDEO
  • Israeli academia against the US President: "Trump policy regarding climate change is a danger to Israel" - Researchers from the School of Sustainability at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya (IDC) are criticizing the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement to Reduce Global Warming. (Maariv)
  • Israeli forces detain 21 Palestinians, including blind man, in predawn military raids - Israeli forces detained at least 21 Palestinians, including a blind man, in predawn raids Monday, while Israeli police revealed that four Palestinians had been detained in recent days for their alleged involvement in a counterfeiting ring. (Maan
  • Al-Resalah: Abbas plans to dissolve Palestinian Committee of Prisoners' Affairs - A Hamas-affiliated news site reported Sunday that the Palestinian Authority (PA) was considering dissolving the Palestinian Committee of Prisoners’ Affairs, amid mounting pressure on the PA by Israel and the United States to suspend the controversial “martyrs” compensation program that provides financial allowances to Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and their families. (Maan)
  • Qatar accuses UAE of supporting 9/11 terror attacks as diplomatic crisis deepens - The UAE warned Qatar on Monday that sanctions imposed by several of its neighbours could last for years unless Doha accepts demands. (Haaretz
  • Qatari official says F-15s deal shows deep support from U.S., despite Trump's accusations - 'Our militaries are like brothers,' Qatari official says after U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis signed the previously-approved deal for 36 fighter jets. (Agencies, Haaretz
  • Battle for Mosul's Old City Goes House to House as ISIS Fighters Defend Stronghold - The historic district and a tiny area to its north are the only parts of the city still under Islamic State control. (Agencies, Haaretz
  • Australia Suspends Airstrikes in Syria After Russia Threatens U.S.-led Coalition Aircraft - Australia halts strikes 'as a precautionary measure' after Russia warns it would treat aircraft west of Euphrates as potential targets, following U.S. downing of Syrian military jet. (Agencies, Haaretz
  • In Egypt, first woman takes up job of rousing Muslims for nighttime Ramadan meal - Dalal Abdel-Qader, a 43-year-old mother, has broken into the exclusive male-only job of the 'mesaharaty.' Though she makes less than three dollars a night, she says it's 'worth millions' to her. (Agencies, Haaretz
  • *Imam Praised for Saving Suspected London Mosque Attack Driver From Angry Mob - Imam Mohammed Mahmoud told reporters that he and 'other brothers' were able to prevent onlookers from beating up the suspect until police arrived. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • London Mosque Attack: Jewish Community Quick to Show Solidarity With Muslims - Monday's vehicle-ramming incident outside Finsbury Park mosque came hours after numerous interfaith iftars across U.K. (Haaretz+) 


Features:
50 Years After Six-Day War, East Jerusalem's Palestinian Residents Remain Prisoners in Their City
Study shows how ambivalent Israeli policies and denial of the problem have created a status that doesn't exist anywhere else on earth: Native-born residents who are not citizens of the state in whose capital they live. (Nir Hasson, Haaretz+) 
Putting Jerusalem on the map: Ancient drawings of the holy city
From a monk’s simple and enchanting illustration, through the French diplomat who omitted all Muslim sites from his ‘accurate’ map, to the Spanish Jesuit scholar who sketched elements that were archaeologically confirmed later on: Dr. Milka Levy-Rubin of the National Library of Israel explores Jerusalem’s different transformations as they were seen by Christian pilgrims, researchers and scholars. (Tali Farkash, Yedioth/Ynet
From occupation to infatuation: 8 new page-turners on Israel-Palestine
The works on this list offer something for everyone, from the disillusioned Zionist to the banned-book fan to the lit-lover with a conscience. (Anat Rosenberg, Haaretz+)
 
Commentary/Analysis:
In Jewish media mania, Netanyahu is Washington and Trump Jr. his Lafayette (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) After two millennia of persecution it's easier to equate erroneous BBC headlines with medieval blood libels. 
Trump’s Jewish advisors butting heads over Israel (Itamar Eichner, Yedioth/Ynet) Since David Friedman left for Israel, senior officials in Washington say, Jared Kushner has become the most dominant person in the president’s inner circle. While his basic commitment to Israel is unquestionable, Kushner is in favor of a tougher stance towards Jerusalem and reducing the pressure on the Palestinians and the Arab world. 
Let the Israeli Left Squirm (Nitzan Horowitz, Haaretz+) Those same people who trample on freedom of expression know very well that those authors and artists they so enjoy condemning are the secret of Israel’s power. 
Building freeze in the West Bank and the capital, but developing Qalqiliya: Apparently a good prime minister for the Arabs (Dr. Arieh Eldad, Maariv) When he stops the development of Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and allows the expansion of a Palestinian city, we can only conclude that Netanyahu, who is prepared to return most of Area C (in the West Bank), is good for our ‘cousins’ (the Arabs).
Not Forgetful, but Afraid (Haaretz Editorial) Israelis have no real reason to be concerned about the state of the prime minister’s memory, but his fear of the settlers should keep them awake at night. 
There is an alternative: Amir Peretz can be a worthy substitute for the right-wing government (Eli Amir, Maariv) The time has come to replace the government, and out all of them, a member of the Knesset, who is running for the head of the Labor Party, can bring about change by raising the security, social and pioneering flag at the same time. 
Gaza slowly brewing up trouble (Smadar Perry, Yedioth/Ynet) Prof. Mkhaimar Abusada of Al-Azhar University believes that the heat, the humidity from the sea and the increasing pressure on Hamas could blow up in everyone’s face in two months’ time. ‘I don’t see them giving up,’ he says. 
Iran's missile attack: Russia and the US are approaching a military confrontation in Syria (Yossi Melman, Maariv) The IDF is not impressed by Tehran's intervention at its neighbor in the north, and it appears to serve an internal need to raise morale. The concern: The Iranian presence close to the Golan Heights. 
What really happens in the world's most moral army (Eyal Harel, Haaretz+) As a proud Israeli leftist who believes in the two-state solution, I should have been a compassionate soldier in Gaza and the West Bank. But this is a story about the corrupting effect of limitless power. 
It is hard to believe that there are no political interests behind the Olmert documents affair (Lior Ackerman, Maariv) The responsibility for examining the future publications of the former prime minister is not the responsibility of the Israel Prison Service and is not related to his behavior as a prisoner. Therefore, the probe should not affect the decision of the Parole Board. 
Haaretz called on Israelis to listen to Abbas. And listen they should - to every word (Gadi Taub, Haaretz+) While the Palestinian leader's words of peace are not sharp or precise, his remarks about the holy right of return and the martyrs are surprisingly clear. 
Missile strike on ISIS turning Iran into a world power (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) By firing surface-to-surface missiles with a range of up to 700 kilometers into Syria, Iran is both avenging the terror attacks in Tehran and claiming the status and prestige of a military, regional and maybe even global power. This should set off alarm bells not only in Israel, but also in the Arab Gulf states and in the US.
After Settlers' Outrage, Forgetful Netanyahu Suddenly Can't Remember Approving Palestinian City's Expansion (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) West Bank settlers angry over plan, while the senior officers who drafted it at the government's behest take the heat.
This is not representative: the number of members of Knesset in Israel should be increased (Dr. Revital Amiran, Maariv) When the state was established there was logic in 120 Knesset members, but today, when there is one representative in the legislature for every 70,000 people, it is time to increase their number or at least open a discussion on the subject. 
 
Interviews:
Meet the Female Arab DJs Setting the West Bank Free
Daring to enter a predominantly male musical realm, the women who mix techno, oriental and dubstep in Ramallah, Haifa, Bethlehem and further afield, are paving the way for others. (Interviewed by Shakked Auerbach and Bar Peleg in Haaretz+)

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