APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday July 28, 2017
Quote of the Day #1:
"When I heard that the terrorist remained alive, it did me in. Because in the next deal, they'll
release him. Afterward, I understood that 'A.' did the right thing."
--Shmuel Salomon, whose father, brother and sister were murdered by a Palestinian teen in Halamish settlement. 'A.', a neighbor serving in the army, shot and injured the attacker, stopping him, but A. did not execute him.* A. is expected to receive an IDF hero's medal.*
Quote of the Day #2:
"Now it turns out that what happened in Jordan was not a (terror) attack, but a dispute that boiled over into a shooting incident, in which in the end, the (Israeli) guard shot and killed two Jordanians - and not the attacker who held the screwdriver and tried to stab him. That is not how an incident like that is supposed to end. The closeness of the two incidents, and the political and public reaction, sharpen the question over who is really fit to be called a hero.”
--Yedioth military analyst Yossi Yehoshua writes why the IDF will give A. a hero's medal.*
--Shmuel Salomon, whose father, brother and sister were murdered by a Palestinian teen in Halamish settlement. 'A.', a neighbor serving in the army, shot and injured the attacker, stopping him, but A. did not execute him.* A. is expected to receive an IDF hero's medal.*
Quote of the Day #2:
"Now it turns out that what happened in Jordan was not a (terror) attack, but a dispute that boiled over into a shooting incident, in which in the end, the (Israeli) guard shot and killed two Jordanians - and not the attacker who held the screwdriver and tried to stab him. That is not how an incident like that is supposed to end. The closeness of the two incidents, and the political and public reaction, sharpen the question over who is really fit to be called a hero.”
--Yedioth military analyst Yossi Yehoshua writes why the IDF will give A. a hero's medal.*
Breaking News:
Jerusalem's Mufti: Status Quo at Temple Mount Restored, Prayers to Resume at Al-Aqsa Mosque
Protesting worshipers celebrated as scaffolding for future installation of smart cameras was dismantled overnight in a bid to stem rising tide of violence and forestall yet another PA-announced 'day of rage.' (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
Front Page:
Haaretz
- US and Jordan pressured to calm the protest at the Temple Mount, Abbas refused
- Abbas is riding on the wave of the people’s protest // Jack Khoury
- (Main photo: mass of Muslim worshippers praying outside Temple Mount Lion’s Gate
- It’s not over, just getting worse // Amos Harel
- Netanyahu supports expanding Jerusalem’s borders to include Maaleh Adumim and Gush Etzion
- A month and a half after the murder of an undercover agent, the police still did not open an investigation into the mishap
- Communications Ministry director Shlomo Filber ordered away from job until discussion about his suspension
- Trump renewed prohibition on recruiting transgenders to the army
- And now to investigate // Haaretz Editorial
- The sailing to eternity // Aviram Golan
- In the main headline of ‘Israel Hayom’ Netanyahu is feeble and helpless
Yedioth Ahronoth
- IDF considering: medal for the soldier [who shot and only injured the murderer - OH] in Halamish [settlement]
- Brit Blood pact - Tova Salomon, who lost her husband, son and daughter, will celebrate the brit of her grandson today
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Joint Palestinian call: “Day of Rage”
- A bull in a china shop // Ben Caspit
- Explosive weekend // Meir Uziel
- Despite Trump’s opposition: Congress approved sanctions on Russia, Iran and N. Korea
- The recordings in the murder file of (police agent) Anton Roman, who was eliminated in a sting operation: “They shot him, he died”
- Rabbi Ezra Scheinberg from Tzfat admitted as part of a plea bargain: “I committed sex crimes on eight women”
Israel Hayom
- Senior members of security establishment: “Abu Mazen behind the escalation, he wants to ignite the area”
- Israel confirms for the first time: Security coordination with the (Palestinian) Authority was suspended
- Abu Mazen is playing with fire - and that is exceptional, worrying and dangerous // Yaron Blum
- Brain drain in IDF: Resigning - but less
- Special education: 4 schools will integrate at least 25% disabilities
News Summary:
When the newspapers ‘went to bed,’ Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had resisted US and Jordanian pressure (Maariv) to defuse the continued tensions over the Temple Mount and Fatah and Hamas had declared a joint Day of Rage, and Jordanians were furious with Israel’s warm treatment of the embassy security guard who killed two Jordanians making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers along with news about the Salomon family, three of whose members were murdered by a Palestinian teen last week.
UPDATE: But in the middle of the night, Israel dismantled the installations for the smart cameras it had planned on installing and today Palestinians rejoiced. Interestingly, yesterday the papers reported that Muslim worshipers were still protesting even after Israel had removed the metal detectors and failed to report that the reason was because police had set up scaffolding for the smart cameras. The reporters may not have known because police prevented reporters from entering parts of Jerusalem's Old City, but it's not clear.
*Also worthy of noting was Yossi Yehoshua’s front page report in Yedioth that the soldier who shot and injured the murderer at Halamish settlement would likely receive an IDF medal for his “single and precise shot” that stopped the assailant. Note: the soldier only shot the one shot needed to neutralize the assailant and did not aim at his head, but rather at his stomach. For this he was criticized by many Israelis who said he should have executed the murderer. Yedioth's Yehoshua wrote: “The way ‘A.’ (the soldier) functioned stood out even more from an operational stance in the wake of the incident in Jordan where the final results was very bad from an operational stance. Now it turns out that what happened in Jordan was not a (terror) attack, but a dispute that boiled over into a shooting incident, in which in the end, the (Israeli) guard shot and killed two Jordanians - and not the attacker who held the screwdriver and tried to stab him. That is not how an incident like that is supposed to end. The closeness of the two incidents, and the political and public reaction, sharpen the question over who is really fit to be called a hero.” JPost shared a video statement from A., the IDF soldier who neturalized the assailant in the Halamish murders.
When the newspapers ‘went to bed,’ Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had resisted US and Jordanian pressure (Maariv) to defuse the continued tensions over the Temple Mount and Fatah and Hamas had declared a joint Day of Rage, and Jordanians were furious with Israel’s warm treatment of the embassy security guard who killed two Jordanians making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers along with news about the Salomon family, three of whose members were murdered by a Palestinian teen last week.
UPDATE: But in the middle of the night, Israel dismantled the installations for the smart cameras it had planned on installing and today Palestinians rejoiced. Interestingly, yesterday the papers reported that Muslim worshipers were still protesting even after Israel had removed the metal detectors and failed to report that the reason was because police had set up scaffolding for the smart cameras. The reporters may not have known because police prevented reporters from entering parts of Jerusalem's Old City, but it's not clear.
*Also worthy of noting was Yossi Yehoshua’s front page report in Yedioth that the soldier who shot and injured the murderer at Halamish settlement would likely receive an IDF medal for his “single and precise shot” that stopped the assailant. Note: the soldier only shot the one shot needed to neutralize the assailant and did not aim at his head, but rather at his stomach. For this he was criticized by many Israelis who said he should have executed the murderer. Yedioth's Yehoshua wrote: “The way ‘A.’ (the soldier) functioned stood out even more from an operational stance in the wake of the incident in Jordan where the final results was very bad from an operational stance. Now it turns out that what happened in Jordan was not a (terror) attack, but a dispute that boiled over into a shooting incident, in which in the end, the (Israeli) guard shot and killed two Jordanians - and not the attacker who held the screwdriver and tried to stab him. That is not how an incident like that is supposed to end. The closeness of the two incidents, and the political and public reaction, sharpen the question over who is really fit to be called a hero.” JPost shared a video statement from A., the IDF soldier who neturalized the assailant in the Halamish murders.
Quick Hits:
- Israeli army declares Hebron building reoccupied by settlers a closed military zone - Army hopes to prevent additional people from entering the building; talks ongoing between settlers and defense establishment as possibility of forceful evacuation being examined. (Haaretz+)
- Netanyahu Backs Expanding Jerusalem’s Jurisdiction to Include West Bank Settlements - The government is working on a dramatic change in Jerusalem’s borders that would bring Ma’aleh Adumim and other West Bank settlements, large and small, under Jerusalem’s municipal jurisdiction. Also, some of the city’s Arab neighborhoods would be turned into autonomous boroughs. (Haaretz+)
- Amid tensions, bill to stymie East Jerusalem pullout moves ahead - As Knesset closes up shop for the summer, proposal requiring two-thirds Knesset support to relinquish any portion of the city clears first reading. (Times of Israel and Maariv)
- Netanyahu skips discussion on (Jewish) nation-state bill; lawmakers thrown out as debate heats up - Prime minister was supposed to attend the ceremonial opening meeting to signal his support of the controversial legislation. (Haaretz)
- (Jewish) Nation-state Bill fuels fiery Knesset session as Israeli Minister says State laws are not Jewish enough - Knesset Joint Committee session on the Nationality Bill deteriorates into yelling, with several MKs being kicked out of the hall; proposed bill seeks to legally enshrine Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people. Opposition says legislation is a result of a 'lack of self-confidence.’(Ynet and Haaretz+)
- Likud votes to oppose Palestinian state - In a blow to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud’s ideological bureau voted Tuesday to formally oppose the creation of a Palestinian state. MK Oren Hazan stated that the prime minister's path is not that of the party. (JPost)
- Knesset ethics panel warns Likud MK Hazan of lengthy suspension over insults - Oren Hazan gets ‘serious dressing down’ for saying he’ll ‘wipe the ugly smile’ off an MK’s face, is accused of calling Stav Shaffir ‘a little girl’ who ‘screams like a hen.’ Committee said if he continues to make similar statements, the measures against him will worsen. (Times of Israel)
- Video: MK Hazan says he wants to ‘execute’ the relatives of Palestinians who killed police officers - Likud MK Oren Hazan he wants to enter the homes of three Palestinians who killed two Israeli police officers near the holy sites in Jerusalem earlier this month, and “execute” their relatives–“execute them all. Yes just like that. With no shame. A quick and simple execution.” Hazan posted a feed of himself making the remarks to Facebook Live, which was translated into English. (Mondoweiss)
- MK Hazan suggests law change: Shooting a terrorist during a terrorist attack will release him from criminal responsibility - After submitting his proposal for the change to the penal code, the Likud MK explained that "every attacker must end with a bullet in the head." He added that this was a necessary step due to "the hesitation of security and civilian elements in such situations.” (Maariv)
- Netanyahu vows to shut Al-Jazeera in Israel over Temple Mount coverage - The news network incites to violence, the prime minister says, amid heightened tensions over the Temple Mount. (Haaretz)
-
Bennett: Arab MKs involved in ‘blood libel’ against Israel
- Edu. Min. Bennett attacks Arab MKs over Temple Mount crisis, accusing them of promoting lies and inciting violence; MK Tibi rebukes Bennett, accuses government of leading country to ruin.
“We are not holding the steering wheel here,” said Tibi, referring to Israeli Arabs. “You are.” (Ynet) - Temple Mount tensions coming to D.C.: Protest to be held outside Israeli embassy - American Muslims for Palestine call for Friday demonstration; similar events to take place in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. (Haaretz)
- Embassy (guard) attacker's father wants to tie investigation to Temple Mount standoff - Zakaria Jawawdah says willing to rescind demand for investigation against the Israeli guard who shot his son after being attacked by him in return for deal with Israel to remove all security measures from the Temple Mount. (Israel Hayom)
- Mistaken identity leads to calls for revenge on social media - Arab anti-Israel activists falsely accuse 26-year-old Israeli of being Israeli embassy guard who killed 2 Jordanians; the young man and his girlfriend receive threats and hate messages calling for them to be harmed. (Ynet)
- B’tselem accused Israel of showing ‘sweeping disregard’ for Palestinian life in Jerusalem - The Israeli human rights organization condemned Israeli forces for their “excessive and unjustified force against worshipers” and raids on a Palestinian hospital. “B’Tselem’s investigation shows that in at least one instance during Friday noon prayers in the Ras al-Amud area of East Jerusalem police began firing crowd control means as soon as the prayers ended,” the report said. “The Israel police treated Palestinian residents as if they were enemy soldiers, rather than as a civilian population for whose well-being and security it is responsible.” (Maan)
- President Rivlin consoles mourners of Halamish massacre - Pres. Rivlin arrives at Salomon family's home to console them after 3 of the family's members are killed at Friday's terror attack; family praises soldier who shot terrorist: 'I raised him. He was in my kindergarten, and now he saved me,' says grandmother who survived attack. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- IDF weighing citation for Halamish hero soldier - Commanders for SSgt. 'A' are praising his calm and professional conduct in preventing the Halamish terror attack from leading to more deaths; will be recommended for Chief of Staff citation. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Bereaved father on removal of metal detectors: 'Don't like it, but support it' - Shachiv Shnaan, former MK and father of Staff Sgt. Maj. Kamil Shnaan who was murdered in the Temple Mount terrorist attack, is certain that the Security Cabinet has made the right decision in removing the metal detectors from the holy site—even though he does not like it, and says that the state should make it clear to Temple Mount policemen that they are not abandoned: 'The vile murderers must not be allowed to break their spirit.' (Ynet)
- In unprecedented attack, Israel Hayom pans ‘helpless,’ ‘feeble’ Netanyahu - The Adelson-owned daily, long known for boosting the PM, castigates him for ‘surrendering’ in Temple Mount metal detector standoff. (Times of Israel)
- Natan Zahavi: The tongue of "Israel Today" parted from Netanyahu's derrier - The radio announcer responded to the criticism over the prime minister's decision to remove the metal detectors placed at the entrance to the Temple Mount: "Gentlemen, a revolution!" (Maariv/103FM)
- Senior official in Israel Hayom: "The prime minister acted against his voters' base" - Dror Eydar, the editor of the opinion section at the site, spoke to Ayala Hasson about the headline of the newspaper yesterday: "Anyone who has a Jewish soul inside him has been walk because of the story over the Temple Mount.” (Maariv/103FM)
- (Israeli) Muslim couple receives MA in Jewish Studies - For Muhammad and Aida Masarwa, residents of the village of Sulam in northern Israel, studying Kabbalah, Bible, Jewish thought, and liturgical poetry seemed natural; 'To our surprise, we discovered that our Jewish classmates did not know more about Judaism than we did.' (Ynet)
- Rivlin to attend Munich Olympic memorial in Germany - The Israeli president and his German counterpart will attend a dedication ceremony in Germany for the new Munich memorial site in honor of the 11 Israeli athletes and coaches murdered in the 1972 Olympics. (Ynet)
- Israeli high-tech women say sexual harassment plaguing industry - ‘We know about it in the army and the police, but high-tech is perceived as being clean,’ says Rape Crisis Center representative. (Haaretz+)
- Trump just banned transgender troops in America. In Israel, they've served for years - Israeli army even funds sex reassignment operations for transgender individuals, but some are urging Israel to follow Trump. (Haaretz)
- Escaped ISIS prisoner asks Knesset to recognize murder of Yazidi people - Nadia Murad, who fled ISIS after enduring torture, speaks at special Knesset session, calling on Israeli government to hold a memorial day for the Yazidim and integrate their story into the education system; 'The people who went through the Holocaust must not stand aside,' she tells Ynet. (Ynet)
- Israel's top court rebukes state for cutting asylum-seekers' pay - Justice says the so-called 'deposit law' may push an already vulnerable population out of the labor market and potentially out of the country. (Haaretz)
- Netflix buys rights to Israeli spy thriller 'The Angel' while it’s still in production - Ariel Vromen’s movie tells the story of Mossad agent Ashraf Marwan, who warned Israel about Egyptian attack ahead of Yom Kippur War in 1973. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli lawmakers castigate Rabbinate for blacklist of rabbis from abroad - 'You can’t start checking whether every rabbi has learned enough Talmud or has a beard that’s long enough,' admonishes one Knesset member. (Haaretz+)
- Egyptian tank pancakes suicide car bombers - An Egyptian tank crew saves the lives of nearly 50 civilians after thwarting an attempted suicide car bombing in the northern Sinai by flattening the vehicle with the terrorists still inside. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Report: Iran-linked cyber spying group targeting Israelis - Tokyo-based Trend Micro and ClearSky of Israel say malicious hackers are targeting countries including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Germany and the U.S. • Hackers use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to dupe victims, experts warn. (Israel Hayom)
- US Navy ship fires warning shots near Iranian vessel - U.S. Naval Forces Central Command says patrol craft fired the warning shots in front of the Iranian vessel after it ignored radio calls and flares • Iranian Revolutionary Guard's navy accuses U.S. ship of "unprofessional and provocative behavior." (Israel Hayom)
Features:
This synagogue furniture factory is actually a sweatshop that tramples Palestinians' rights
The Israeli employers stepped up the abuse once the Palestinian workers decided to unionize. (Tali Heruti-Sover, Haaretz+)
They came to Israel to enlist in the military: ‘Israel is home’
Last month, a ‘Fun Day’ was held for some 6,000 lone soldiers serving in the IDF. In a conversation with Ynet, they talk about their decision to leave everything behind, put on a uniform and even make Aliyah; ‘I wanted to do something meaningful with my life,’ says Oren, who made Aliyah from the US, and who plans on developing his life here ‘like every Israeli.’ (Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Hero of Israel (Gideon Levy, Haaretz) The latest hero of Israel killed two civilians: a physician, for no reason, and a teenager who threatened him with that doomsday weapon, the screwdriver.
In Netanyahu’s government, it’s okay to incite against Shin Bet (Nadav Eyal, Yedioth/Ynet) Politicians like David Bitan and Miri Regev don’t care about the need to hold a practical and rational debate on security issues. They just want to make a quick profit among the radical right, while trying to terrorize the professional security echelon.
Put Your Money Where You Mouth Is, Israeli Heroes (Emilie Moatti, Haaretz+) Let’s see the justice minister, the education minister and the deputy foreign minister execute terrorists, let’s see Netanyahu's pet minister expel Arabs in a third Nakba.
Netanyahu took the direction of Bennett and immediately ran to the left when he understood the size of the bet (Ben Caspit, Maariv) After the decision to remove the metal detectors, the prime minister reassured the radical right of the scale through a series of pathetic messages about the Jerusalem Law and the Hebron House [that settlers took over Tuesday - OH] - as if that were what was urgent now. Instead of taking care to calm the area and restrain the Islamic wave that is rising in front of us, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu made sure yesterday to calm the right-wing “base” of his constituents. Instead of trying to devise creative ways to get out of the stupid and dangerous labyrinth to which he steered the country, Netanyahu was worried yesterday about the fate of two and a quarter seats on the right-hand side of the scale, and released a particularly pathetic series of right-wing messages designed to calm his right-wing Likud: See, he’s supporting the “Greater Jerusalem bill” (which is anyway in the winter Knesset session, not now), see, he “orders” and also "instructs" the defense minister not to evacuate the settlers of the Machpela house in Hebron. Here, he is "instructing" to immediately renew the construction of the settlement for the evacuated Amona evictees, which was stopped, etc. Really, that's what's most urgent now. The Machpela House.
Investigate the Israeli Security Guard (Haaretz Editorial) Woe unto Jordan if one of its guards were to kill two Israelis after being mildly wounded, and it dared follow Netanyahu's current example in portraying the guard as a hero.
Israel's public diplomacy challenge (Ariel Bolstein, Israel Hayom) Israel must focus on emphasizing our rights and not the rights of others. We have conceded too much and we have shown that we are too willing to compromise.
Israel's exporting its ultra-nationalist, religious right, and Diaspora kids are their target (Alex Sinclair, Haaretz+) Liberal Diaspora Jews have no idea how politicized and fundamentalist Israel's religious education system is. Thanks to Naftali Bennett, Israel's education minister, they’re about to find out.
After the right-wing shoots in all directions, at the end of the day it shoots itself in the foot (Ran Adelist, Maariv) Increased presence on the ground means friction, which results in exchanges of blows. But there is nothing bad without good: after the expected capitulation in the metal detectors affair, perhaps even [far-right-wing Temple Mount activist - OH] Yehuda Glick understands that the Temple Mount is not in our hands.
Crisis With Palestinians Over Temple Mount Is Far From Over, in Fact It’s Only Getting Worse (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Though Israel compromised on security measures at the holy site, Abbas is ramping up rhetoric, falling in line with Hamas. Palestinian disappointment in Trump also plays a role.
Amman embassy affair is no cause for celebration (Shlomo Puterkovsky, Yedioth/Ynet) Netanyahu is trying to present the Israeli security guard’s return as a diplomatic achievement, talking about it as if it were a second Operation Entebbe. Reality, as we know, is quite different, as the guard was returned to Israel following an agreement with Jordan that included Israeli concessions.
Crisis With Palestinians Over Temple Mount Is Far From Over, in Fact It’s Only Getting Worse (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Though Israel compromised on security measures at the holy site, Abbas is ramping up rhetoric, falling in line with Hamas. Palestinian disappointment in Trump also plays a role.
Did Adelson Just Dump Netanyahu? This Unprecedented Front Page Speaks Volumes (Nati Tucker, Haaretz) 'Helpless,' 'feeble and frightened' – Sheldon Adelson's paper Israel Hayom slams PM's handling of Temple Mount crisis on Wednesday's front page.
More than the government wants to govern, it wants to pretend to be governing (Shmuel Rosner, Maariv) Sovereignty requires judgment and responsibility, and the government is weak in both. And when government is not the sovereign, we too, the public, are not the sovereign. And we actually want to be the sovereign, or so I think.
'Good Jew' or 'Bad Jew'? How U.S. Progressive Activists Police Jewish Participation (Rabbi Michael Rothbaum, Haaretz) For many of my fellow justice advocates, the message to Jews boils down to a binary: either anti-Zionism or the door. That's exclusionary at best - and Jew-hatred at worst.
The police, our human shields (Lital Shemesh, Israel Hayom) The government's decision to take down the metal detectors at the entrance to the Temple Mount is a disgrace, leaving our brave police officers exposed to terrorist attacks.
3 reasons why Abbas is riding the wave of popular Palestinian protest in Jerusalem (Jack Khoury, Haaretz+) Nonviolent protests on the Temple Mount benefit the Palestinian leadership and could allow it to send a crucial message to Israel, the Americans and the entire world: a Palestinian capital will be established here.
The Demand for a Jewish Presence on the Temple Mount (Dan Margalit, Haaretz+) Although the visible presence on the site is Muslim, the Jewish connection is buried in the earth beneath the mosques. That's why an international solution must be found to this ongoing problem.
The cost of avoiding war (Annika Hernroth-Rothstein, Israel Hayom) It's not only the murders that scare me, but also how this rhythm of violence has become as commonplace as a sunrise and as expected as tomorrow.
The 'Temple Mount' Belongs to the Muslims (Abed L. Azab, Haaretz+) The next Jewish attack on the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City is liable to spark a great war, which will primarily be a religious one.
The Israeli employers stepped up the abuse once the Palestinian workers decided to unionize. (Tali Heruti-Sover, Haaretz+)
They came to Israel to enlist in the military: ‘Israel is home’
Last month, a ‘Fun Day’ was held for some 6,000 lone soldiers serving in the IDF. In a conversation with Ynet, they talk about their decision to leave everything behind, put on a uniform and even make Aliyah; ‘I wanted to do something meaningful with my life,’ says Oren, who made Aliyah from the US, and who plans on developing his life here ‘like every Israeli.’ (Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Hero of Israel (Gideon Levy, Haaretz) The latest hero of Israel killed two civilians: a physician, for no reason, and a teenager who threatened him with that doomsday weapon, the screwdriver.
In Netanyahu’s government, it’s okay to incite against Shin Bet (Nadav Eyal, Yedioth/Ynet) Politicians like David Bitan and Miri Regev don’t care about the need to hold a practical and rational debate on security issues. They just want to make a quick profit among the radical right, while trying to terrorize the professional security echelon.
Put Your Money Where You Mouth Is, Israeli Heroes (Emilie Moatti, Haaretz+) Let’s see the justice minister, the education minister and the deputy foreign minister execute terrorists, let’s see Netanyahu's pet minister expel Arabs in a third Nakba.
Netanyahu took the direction of Bennett and immediately ran to the left when he understood the size of the bet (Ben Caspit, Maariv) After the decision to remove the metal detectors, the prime minister reassured the radical right of the scale through a series of pathetic messages about the Jerusalem Law and the Hebron House [that settlers took over Tuesday - OH] - as if that were what was urgent now. Instead of taking care to calm the area and restrain the Islamic wave that is rising in front of us, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu made sure yesterday to calm the right-wing “base” of his constituents. Instead of trying to devise creative ways to get out of the stupid and dangerous labyrinth to which he steered the country, Netanyahu was worried yesterday about the fate of two and a quarter seats on the right-hand side of the scale, and released a particularly pathetic series of right-wing messages designed to calm his right-wing Likud: See, he’s supporting the “Greater Jerusalem bill” (which is anyway in the winter Knesset session, not now), see, he “orders” and also "instructs" the defense minister not to evacuate the settlers of the Machpela house in Hebron. Here, he is "instructing" to immediately renew the construction of the settlement for the evacuated Amona evictees, which was stopped, etc. Really, that's what's most urgent now. The Machpela House.
Investigate the Israeli Security Guard (Haaretz Editorial) Woe unto Jordan if one of its guards were to kill two Israelis after being mildly wounded, and it dared follow Netanyahu's current example in portraying the guard as a hero.
Israel's public diplomacy challenge (Ariel Bolstein, Israel Hayom) Israel must focus on emphasizing our rights and not the rights of others. We have conceded too much and we have shown that we are too willing to compromise.
Israel's exporting its ultra-nationalist, religious right, and Diaspora kids are their target (Alex Sinclair, Haaretz+) Liberal Diaspora Jews have no idea how politicized and fundamentalist Israel's religious education system is. Thanks to Naftali Bennett, Israel's education minister, they’re about to find out.
After the right-wing shoots in all directions, at the end of the day it shoots itself in the foot (Ran Adelist, Maariv) Increased presence on the ground means friction, which results in exchanges of blows. But there is nothing bad without good: after the expected capitulation in the metal detectors affair, perhaps even [far-right-wing Temple Mount activist - OH] Yehuda Glick understands that the Temple Mount is not in our hands.
Crisis With Palestinians Over Temple Mount Is Far From Over, in Fact It’s Only Getting Worse (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Though Israel compromised on security measures at the holy site, Abbas is ramping up rhetoric, falling in line with Hamas. Palestinian disappointment in Trump also plays a role.
Amman embassy affair is no cause for celebration (Shlomo Puterkovsky, Yedioth/Ynet) Netanyahu is trying to present the Israeli security guard’s return as a diplomatic achievement, talking about it as if it were a second Operation Entebbe. Reality, as we know, is quite different, as the guard was returned to Israel following an agreement with Jordan that included Israeli concessions.
Crisis With Palestinians Over Temple Mount Is Far From Over, in Fact It’s Only Getting Worse (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Though Israel compromised on security measures at the holy site, Abbas is ramping up rhetoric, falling in line with Hamas. Palestinian disappointment in Trump also plays a role.
Did Adelson Just Dump Netanyahu? This Unprecedented Front Page Speaks Volumes (Nati Tucker, Haaretz) 'Helpless,' 'feeble and frightened' – Sheldon Adelson's paper Israel Hayom slams PM's handling of Temple Mount crisis on Wednesday's front page.
More than the government wants to govern, it wants to pretend to be governing (Shmuel Rosner, Maariv) Sovereignty requires judgment and responsibility, and the government is weak in both. And when government is not the sovereign, we too, the public, are not the sovereign. And we actually want to be the sovereign, or so I think.
'Good Jew' or 'Bad Jew'? How U.S. Progressive Activists Police Jewish Participation (Rabbi Michael Rothbaum, Haaretz) For many of my fellow justice advocates, the message to Jews boils down to a binary: either anti-Zionism or the door. That's exclusionary at best - and Jew-hatred at worst.
The police, our human shields (Lital Shemesh, Israel Hayom) The government's decision to take down the metal detectors at the entrance to the Temple Mount is a disgrace, leaving our brave police officers exposed to terrorist attacks.
3 reasons why Abbas is riding the wave of popular Palestinian protest in Jerusalem (Jack Khoury, Haaretz+) Nonviolent protests on the Temple Mount benefit the Palestinian leadership and could allow it to send a crucial message to Israel, the Americans and the entire world: a Palestinian capital will be established here.
The Demand for a Jewish Presence on the Temple Mount (Dan Margalit, Haaretz+) Although the visible presence on the site is Muslim, the Jewish connection is buried in the earth beneath the mosques. That's why an international solution must be found to this ongoing problem.
The cost of avoiding war (Annika Hernroth-Rothstein, Israel Hayom) It's not only the murders that scare me, but also how this rhythm of violence has become as commonplace as a sunrise and as expected as tomorrow.
The 'Temple Mount' Belongs to the Muslims (Abed L. Azab, Haaretz+) The next Jewish attack on the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City is liable to spark a great war, which will primarily be a religious one.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.