APN's daily news review from Israel
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Number of the day:
6.
--Percentage of Israelis who support annexing the West Bank, according to a poll.*
--Percentage of Israelis who support annexing the West Bank, according to a poll.*
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Israel and Jordan grow closer due to Iran’s presence in Syria // Amos Harel
- German Foreign Minister: Israel’s treatment of NGOs that receive foreign funding – is like that of Russia and China
- Bezeq controlling shareholder, Elovitch, interrogated over business deals he made
- Electricity cut to 2.5 hours in parts of the Gaza Strip;
- (IDF Chief of Staff) Eizenkot: It’s a paradox that we would fund this for Hamas
- Court ordered release of right-wing activist – and Shin Bet gave him an administrative detention order
- In Likud, they operated an anonymous Facebook page that slammed opponents and presented Livni as a hitchhiker in a bikini
- It starts in the phone // Haaretz Editorial
- A letter to Bennett // Udi Shaham
- London yes, southern Thailand no. Are there political considerations in travel warnings?
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The truth came to light – The Hadassah pediatric oncologists (who resigned) made cynical use of sick children to advance their personal interests // Sarit Rosenblum
- The doctors planned on taking the nurses and social workers with them
- This is the “commander” of the abuse – Police suspect that 16-year-old girl from Ashkelon initiated and led horrific abuse and torture by a group of boys and girls against their 13-year-old female neighbor
- (Bezeq and Yes controlling shareholder) Elovitch was interrogated for more than 15 hours – the affair that is shaking up the Capital Market
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- IDF Chief of Staff in sharp message: “We will continue to prevent the transfer of advanced weaponry to Hezbollah”
- Bill of Yisrael Beiteinu to prevent leaks: polygraph tests for gov’t cabinet members
- New: Amichai instead of Amona – Field work began to establish new community (settlement) for the evicted, who still have their doubts; Netanyahu met with Trump envoy to Middle East
- Olmert hospitalized
Israel Hayom
- Erdogan’s arm at the Temple Mount – Exposed - the money channel: tens of millions of shekels from Turkey to E. Jerusalem
- I was left without a “home” for cancer – and there are hundreds more like me // Ofer Avraham, 17, hospitalized at Hadassah
- “Health Ministry failing in battle against medical advertising”
- Elovitch affair: Interrogated for hours by Israel Securities Authority
- Exclusive: Combat soldiers in special unit: a reserve soldier was suspended because of his rasta hair
- Olmert felt pain in his chest – and was hospitalized
News Summary:
Three men made top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers: Controlling shareholder of Bezeq phone company, Shaul Elovitch, was interrogated for hours by the Securities Authority, jailed former prime minister Ehud Olmert was hospitalized for pain in his chest and IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot expressed lukewarm support for cuts to Gaza's electricity supply, now down to 2.5 hours a day, saying the situation in Gaza was 'explosive’ (Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked blamed both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority for Israel cutting the electricity.) Eizekot also said that Israel will prevent any transfer of advanced arms to Hezbollah, which was the main threat to Israel’s security.
But what wasn’t mentioned was that yesterday, on International Refugee Day, the UN Middle East envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, said Israel was flouting the December 2016 UN Security Council resolution by accelerating settlement construction, instead of taking steps to end it. Indeed, yesterday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu boasted on Facebook the beginning of construction of a new settlement for Amona evacuees. And, with US President Donald Trump’s advisor, Jared Kushner, set to arrive in Israel today to help restart the peace process, the US also reiterated that settlement construction was unhelpful to peace.
*According to a poll taken by ‘Gal Hadash (New Wave) Institute’ for ‘Yisrael Yozemet’ (Israel Initiates): 60% of the Israeli public supports a regional peace agreement - Most Israelis do not trust the leadership of the Palestinian Authority as a partner in achieving a bilateral peace agreement. The poll also shows that on the question of to what extent do you trust the leaders of the Arab states to be part of a regional agreement, 65% of public trusted Egyptian president Al-Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah was in second place with 61%, 53% trust the leaders of the Emirates and 52% trust Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. Only 26% expressed belief that the Palestinian Authority was willing to reach a peace agreement with Israel. The study also found that 60% of the respondents supported a regional peace agreement that would include the Palestinians and the Arab states. Another 17% expressed support for unilateral separation from the Palestinians, only 7% supported a bilateral agreement with the Palestinians and only 6% supported the annexation of Judea and Samaria. The regional agreement that the participants were asked about included the two-state principle based on the 1967 lines, with the exchange of territories and the settlement blocs in Israel, with Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and neighborhoods in East Jerusalem as part of the capital of the Palestinian state. In addition, the arrangement presented included the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state and trade agreements and normalization with the Arab states. (Maariv)
Quick Hits:
Three men made top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers: Controlling shareholder of Bezeq phone company, Shaul Elovitch, was interrogated for hours by the Securities Authority, jailed former prime minister Ehud Olmert was hospitalized for pain in his chest and IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot expressed lukewarm support for cuts to Gaza's electricity supply, now down to 2.5 hours a day, saying the situation in Gaza was 'explosive’ (Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked blamed both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority for Israel cutting the electricity.) Eizekot also said that Israel will prevent any transfer of advanced arms to Hezbollah, which was the main threat to Israel’s security.
But what wasn’t mentioned was that yesterday, on International Refugee Day, the UN Middle East envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, said Israel was flouting the December 2016 UN Security Council resolution by accelerating settlement construction, instead of taking steps to end it. Indeed, yesterday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu boasted on Facebook the beginning of construction of a new settlement for Amona evacuees. And, with US President Donald Trump’s advisor, Jared Kushner, set to arrive in Israel today to help restart the peace process, the US also reiterated that settlement construction was unhelpful to peace.
*According to a poll taken by ‘Gal Hadash (New Wave) Institute’ for ‘Yisrael Yozemet’ (Israel Initiates): 60% of the Israeli public supports a regional peace agreement - Most Israelis do not trust the leadership of the Palestinian Authority as a partner in achieving a bilateral peace agreement. The poll also shows that on the question of to what extent do you trust the leaders of the Arab states to be part of a regional agreement, 65% of public trusted Egyptian president Al-Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah was in second place with 61%, 53% trust the leaders of the Emirates and 52% trust Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. Only 26% expressed belief that the Palestinian Authority was willing to reach a peace agreement with Israel. The study also found that 60% of the respondents supported a regional peace agreement that would include the Palestinians and the Arab states. Another 17% expressed support for unilateral separation from the Palestinians, only 7% supported a bilateral agreement with the Palestinians and only 6% supported the annexation of Judea and Samaria. The regional agreement that the participants were asked about included the two-state principle based on the 1967 lines, with the exchange of territories and the settlement blocs in Israel, with Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and neighborhoods in East Jerusalem as part of the capital of the Palestinian state. In addition, the arrangement presented included the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state and trade agreements and normalization with the Arab states. (Maariv)
Quick Hits:
- Palestinian shot dead by Israeli forces in alleged stabbing attempt near Qalandiya - No solider hurt in attempted West Bank stabbing incident that took place near a-Ram and Qalandiyah. (Haaretz, Maan and Ynet)
- Israeli army vehicle torched during clashes in Hebron-area village - Locals told Ma’an that the clashes broke out when Israeli troops carried out a raid in the town of Sair, although no detentions were reported. (Maan)
- Security Cabinet ministers voice support for polygraphs - Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan announces that he will support the bill, which requires that members of the Cabinet to undergo a polygraph once a year to battle leaks but has set a condition: 'The Cabinet's non-governmental staff must also undergo the test'; ministers Bennett and Shaked also support the proposal. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- In unusual step, Shin Bet detains settler activist without trial after court ordered his release - The extremist 'hilltop youth' is suspected of a long list of crimes, including membership in a terrorist organization, arson and vandalism. (Haaretz+)
- Livni in Bikini: Netanyahu's Likud Ran Anonymous Facebook Page for Ads Deemed Inappropriate - 'Only Bibi' Facebook page was anonymously run by Likud campaign and garnered thousands of likes. (Haaretz+)
- Yedioth Books demand police return information unrelated to Olmert book - The publishing house petitions the court asking for return of seized materials that are unrelated to the investigation into Olmert's possible use of classified information for his book; lawyers say this is a precedent-setting case when it comes to seizing journalistic materials. (Ynet)
- Germany: Israel's Treatment of NGOs With Foreign Funding Is Like Russia and China - Israel asks for clarifications after unprecedented criticism by Germany in additional escalation of tensions between Jerusalem and Berlin. (Haaretz)
- Found guilty of libel for Facebook post about Netanyahu, crowdfunding campaign helps cover journalist's costs - The balance, or the entire amount if the judgment is overturned on appeal, will be donated to the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Igal Sarna says. (Haaretz and Maariv)
- Under New Editor, Adelson's Israel Hayom Quietly Getting Less Netanyahu Friendly - The freebie is trying to jettison the image of Netanyahu's newspaper and become a newspaper of the center-right. (Haaretz)
- Ministers to consider reversing 2005 Samaria evacuations - As well as evicting 22 communities in Gaza Strip in unilateral disengagement, Israel uprooted four settlements in northern Samaria. Coalition head, Habayit Hayehudi MK submit bill to allow former residents to re-establish the Samaria communities. (Israel Hayom)
- U.S. 'inspiration' for Israeli academic ethics code condemns it as threat to Israel's democracy - AAUP, whose ethics guidelines were used as inspiration by Bennett and Kasher, calls Israel to reject proposed university code of ethics 'in no uncertain terms.’ (Haaretz+)
- Democratic Mega-donor Saban Backs Bill to Slash Funding to Palestinians Over Terrorist Payments - The Taylor Force Act would slash funding to the Palestinian Authority unless it stops payments to those jailed for attacks on Israelis. (Haaretz)
- Nikki Haley Tells UN: States Supporting Terror Group Hamas Should Face Consequences - US ambassador to the UN says the Security Council should adopt a resolution targeting countries that support the Palestinian terror organization. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Netanya kindergartens to be named after fallen border policewomen - Parents of Hadar Cohen and Hadas Malka, who were murdered in similar terror attacks at Damascus Gate in 2016 and 2017 respectively, to be invited to inaugurate 2 kindergartens named after their fallen daughters: City mayor: ‘These warriors symbolize the heroism, values of love which we teach our children.’ (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Teen girl suspected of abusing 13-year-old, having man rape her for a fee in southern Israel - Main suspect allegedly abused girl repeatedly, forced her to have sex with man in Ashkelon park for money. Charges are expected against several other minors for unusually cruel acts against victim. (Haaretz+)
- Defeated in Court, Lifta's Last Families to Leave Their Jerusalem-area Homes - Government acknowledges they weren't squatters but were resettled in Lifta by the appropriate authorities; they will get compensation for giving up their homes. Agreement between residents and Finance Ministry was first recognition of responsibility by government for settling Mizrahi immigrants who came to Israel in the 1950s in houses abandoned by Palestinians in 1948. (Haaretz+)
- On World Refugee Day, estimates show 66% of Palestinians became refugees in 1948 - On the anniversary of World Refugee Day, and one month after the 69th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, or “catastrophe,” it is estimated that 66 percent of Palestinians who were living in British-Mandate Palestine in 1948 were expelled from historic Palestine and displaced, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS). (Maan)
- The historic Israel Aerospace Industries pavilion at the Paris Air Show stands without a display - IAI is expected to sell its land in the near future due to the current economic difficulties. Rafael presented the new Spike missile and the "Magic Wand." (Maariv and Globes English)
- In First, Germany to Send Fighter Jets to Train in Israel - The Blue Flag exercise will include some 70 foreign planes and hundreds of pilots from nine countries. Senior air force official on arrival of German planes: ' It's an emotional event.' (Haaretz+)
- Vandalized IAF memorial in Romania renovated - Israeli government renovates memorial which was dedicated to six servicemen who were killed during a training accident in Romania and which was smashed and vandalized a year ago. (Ynet)
- Greece's Energean Submits Plan to Develop Israeli Gas Fields - Greek company aims to make final investment decision by end of 2017 and start pumping gas in 2020. (Haaretz)
- Israeli Spyware Firm Embroiled in Mexico Mobile Hacking Scandal. Flynn Was Its Adviser - According to the NYTimes, NSO Group sold its highly-advanced Pegasus software to infiltrate mobile devices held by human rights lawyers, journalists and activists fighting government corruption. (Haaretz)
- Israeli artist sheds light on refugees' plight in UN exhibition - To mark World Refugee Day, an exhibition by Orna Ben-Ami that combines iron sculptures with Reuters photographs focuses on refugees and migrants around the world. (Ynet)
- Trump Slow to Condemn Terror Attacks When Muslims Are the Victims - President Donald Trump has yet to condemn an attack on Muslim worshippers in London. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Trump Blasted Qatar's Terror Ties. Now the State Department Is 'Mystified', Challenging Saudis to Provide Proof - Dispute between Qatar and Gulf nations has yet to shake U.S.-Doha's military partnership, though cracks are showing in responses from Trump and administration. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- U.S. Lawmakers Question Michael Flynn's Disclosures of Middle East Travels - House Democrats cite report that Flynn flew to Israel and Egypt as part of an effort promoting a U.S.-Russian partnership to construct nuclear reactors. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
The activists in the case of the kidnapped Yemenite children call for the opening of the secret adoption
files
On the day of remembrance and awareness of the (Israeli authorities’ – OH] kidnapping of Yemenite children, the struggle to open the archives continues, but the activists admit: "Even if this happens, we will not find all the answers.” (Revital Amiran, Maariv Magazine supplement)
Commentary/Analysis:
I'm a Secular Student, and Israel's Education Minister Belittles My Jewish Identity (Udi Shacham, Haaretz+) Naftali Bennett, when my little brother says his homework is to sing the morning and evening prayers, that's not Jewish studies. It's religious coercion.
Why the government is afraid of the academia (Yuval Noah Harari, Yedioth/Ynet) The best way to defend students is to keep developing their critical thinking skills and their political instincts so that they won’t believe everything they are told. The government, however, is afraid that citizens will learn how to think in a critical manner, based on facts and evidence.
Israel's Plague of Darkness for Gazans Is an Act of Terrorism (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) It's the worst thing Israel's done all year. It's a punishment which targets huge numbers of people who have committed no crime. We will not be forgiven for this. Nor should we be.
The Palestinian challenge (Prof. Eyal Zisser, Israel Hayom) After years of demanding Israeli concessions just to obtain Palestinian willingness to negotiate, the current American administration is taking a different approach.
The Racist Gene (B. Michael, Haaretz+) On the racist, superficial and ignorant attempt by an Israeli TV reporter to describe the phenomenon of 'Jewish genetics.'
Calculations and principles (MK Benny Begin, Israel Hayom) The decision to omit a stipulation of equality for all citizens from the Jewish nation-state bill has far-reaching, dangerous implications.
Israel and Jordan Grow Closer as Iranian Foothold in Southern Syria Grows Stronger (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Both are concerned about possibility that Iran will exploit Assad's gains to deploy Hezbollah in the vicinity of their borders; Israel reportedly providing Jordan with intel to buttress stability.
Qalqilya crisis: Netanyahu’s zigzag policy at work again (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) The dispute over the West Bank city’s expansion plan characterizes the current government’s conduct: it only takes a little resistance from inside the coalition for the prime minister to start caving to pressure.
Terrorists Here, Heroes There - and Vice Versa (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) Whether or not martyrs' families receive wages or compensation, these individuals are all seen as national heroes – in every nation under occupation.
Israel vs. the United Nations: The Nikki Haley doctrine (Ramzy Baroud, Maan) The United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, seems to be championing a single cause: Israel.
The Saudis hold the key (Prof. Abraham Ben-Zvi, Israel Hayom) Trump is in a position to ask Riyadh to push the Palestinians to scale back their demands. This is partly because the U.S. is no longer considered weak.
Keeping the Authorities Out of Our Cellphones (Haaretz Editorial) Of all the civil rights a person is guaranteed in a free country, the right to privacy will pose some of the most difficult dilemmas that humanity will have to grapple with in the 21st century.
A Palestinian Is Killed and a Jew Is Convicted. The Bullet? An Accident (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Another case of an Israeli in uniform who took the life of a Palestinian with unexceptional ease slides under the media radar.
Lieberman's proposal for a polygraph for members of the cabinet: a law that will not pass (Yossi Melman, Maariv) The defense minister is recycling Education Minister Bennett's demand. In a democratic state, the public entrusts its elected officials with the authority to conduct its affairs, placing its trust in them and authorizing them to be partners in a secret.
For Israeli Universities, There's Only One 'Real' Truth (Nave Dromi, Haaretz+) Contrary to what critics say, the ethics code will create a safe space for students and staff in which they can voice opinions without undermining academic freedom
On the day of remembrance and awareness of the (Israeli authorities’ – OH] kidnapping of Yemenite children, the struggle to open the archives continues, but the activists admit: "Even if this happens, we will not find all the answers.” (Revital Amiran, Maariv Magazine supplement)
Commentary/Analysis:
I'm a Secular Student, and Israel's Education Minister Belittles My Jewish Identity (Udi Shacham, Haaretz+) Naftali Bennett, when my little brother says his homework is to sing the morning and evening prayers, that's not Jewish studies. It's religious coercion.
Why the government is afraid of the academia (Yuval Noah Harari, Yedioth/Ynet) The best way to defend students is to keep developing their critical thinking skills and their political instincts so that they won’t believe everything they are told. The government, however, is afraid that citizens will learn how to think in a critical manner, based on facts and evidence.
Israel's Plague of Darkness for Gazans Is an Act of Terrorism (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) It's the worst thing Israel's done all year. It's a punishment which targets huge numbers of people who have committed no crime. We will not be forgiven for this. Nor should we be.
The Palestinian challenge (Prof. Eyal Zisser, Israel Hayom) After years of demanding Israeli concessions just to obtain Palestinian willingness to negotiate, the current American administration is taking a different approach.
The Racist Gene (B. Michael, Haaretz+) On the racist, superficial and ignorant attempt by an Israeli TV reporter to describe the phenomenon of 'Jewish genetics.'
Calculations and principles (MK Benny Begin, Israel Hayom) The decision to omit a stipulation of equality for all citizens from the Jewish nation-state bill has far-reaching, dangerous implications.
Israel and Jordan Grow Closer as Iranian Foothold in Southern Syria Grows Stronger (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Both are concerned about possibility that Iran will exploit Assad's gains to deploy Hezbollah in the vicinity of their borders; Israel reportedly providing Jordan with intel to buttress stability.
Qalqilya crisis: Netanyahu’s zigzag policy at work again (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) The dispute over the West Bank city’s expansion plan characterizes the current government’s conduct: it only takes a little resistance from inside the coalition for the prime minister to start caving to pressure.
Terrorists Here, Heroes There - and Vice Versa (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) Whether or not martyrs' families receive wages or compensation, these individuals are all seen as national heroes – in every nation under occupation.
Israel vs. the United Nations: The Nikki Haley doctrine (Ramzy Baroud, Maan) The United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, seems to be championing a single cause: Israel.
The Saudis hold the key (Prof. Abraham Ben-Zvi, Israel Hayom) Trump is in a position to ask Riyadh to push the Palestinians to scale back their demands. This is partly because the U.S. is no longer considered weak.
Keeping the Authorities Out of Our Cellphones (Haaretz Editorial) Of all the civil rights a person is guaranteed in a free country, the right to privacy will pose some of the most difficult dilemmas that humanity will have to grapple with in the 21st century.
A Palestinian Is Killed and a Jew Is Convicted. The Bullet? An Accident (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Another case of an Israeli in uniform who took the life of a Palestinian with unexceptional ease slides under the media radar.
Lieberman's proposal for a polygraph for members of the cabinet: a law that will not pass (Yossi Melman, Maariv) The defense minister is recycling Education Minister Bennett's demand. In a democratic state, the public entrusts its elected officials with the authority to conduct its affairs, placing its trust in them and authorizing them to be partners in a secret.
For Israeli Universities, There's Only One 'Real' Truth (Nave Dromi, Haaretz+) Contrary to what critics say, the ethics code will create a safe space for students and staff in which they can voice opinions without undermining academic freedom
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.