APN's daily news review from Israel
Wednesday May 16, 2018
Wednesday May 16, 2018
Quote of the day:
"The day before yesterday there were 60 Gazans who stormed the fence knowing that they were committing
suicide. It appears that we want the next time to be 600."
--Senior Maariv political commentator, Ben Caspit, slams the government for not solving the problems of desperate and destitute Gazans.*
You Must Be Kidding:
The person who invited the Evangelical pastor, who said all Jews will go to hell, to speak at the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem, was the religious Jewish US Ambassador David Friedman, who hosted the ceremony**
Front Page:
--Senior Maariv political commentator, Ben Caspit, slams the government for not solving the problems of desperate and destitute Gazans.*
You Must Be Kidding:
The person who invited the Evangelical pastor, who said all Jews will go to hell, to speak at the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem, was the religious Jewish US Ambassador David Friedman, who hosted the ceremony**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Turkey expelled Israel’s ambassador because of the killing in Gaza, Turkish representative was kicked out in response
- No plan // Amos Harel
- The terror of the Nakba // Zvi Bar’el
- Go to Gaza // Sami Peretz
- Just a bandaid // Noa Landau
- There is responsibility // Mordechai Kremnitzer
- On the way to disaster // Ravit Hecht
- Shin Bet to High Court: Improving the conditions of imprisonment will harm our interrogations
- 70% of the cases opened against abusive men are closed due to lack of evidence
- Central Bureau of Statistics: For the first time this decade, annual drop in housing prices
- Pages with dirty jokes were found in Anne Frank’s diary
- Wanted: courage // Haaretz Editorial
- Kastner and us // Noa Osterreicher
- Where did the film that the IDF removed disappear to?
- Intel to invest $18 billion in Israel and will receive an enormous bonus from the state
Yedioth Ahronoth
- “Hamas was surprised by the IDF’s iron wall” - Senior comander in Southern Command on the quiet on the border aft the day of bloodshed
- The Turkish front - Erdogan expelled the Israeli ambassador
- Because of this haircut he gets a lower grade at school?
- Messi from the Israeli communities near Gaza
- The bear from Tel-Aviv - This is how the new Nature Museum looks
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- The Turkish dispute
- Where is the political echelon? // Ben Caspit
- Excuses won’t help // Shlomo Shamir
- Split lives // Meir Uziel
- Temporary time-out // Tal Lev-Ram
- The Trump-Kim summit is in danger
- 0.1% drop in prices of apartments
Israel Hayom
- Erdogan’s hypocrisy
- Haniyeh shouted: “We won’t prevent Israel from killing you”
- The battle at the UN: Their lies, our truth // Danny Danon
- Between Gaza and Ankara: Erdogan hugs the culture of death // Nadav Shragai
- The coalitions are forming and Hamas is staying outside // Eyal Zisser
- Our hands our clean: IDF harmed only those who are sources of terror // Zvika Fogel
- Gracias, Guatemala: Another embassy moves to Jerusalem
- Russia to Iran: “Compromise, or you won’t have a nuclear agreement”
- Who moved the cheese? Ahead of Shavuot holiday - we checked who is the queen of cheesecakes
- Drama at Beitar Jerusalem soccer team: Owner Eli Tabib moved Eli aside, Ohana will run things
News Summary:
Turkey expelled the Israeli ambassador to Ankara over Israel’s killing of 60 Palestinian protesters in Gaza, to which Israel responded in kind, while the IDF took credit for the much fewer Palestinian protesters along the Gaza border, even though Yedioth reported that understandings were reached between Hamas and Israel with Egypt’s mediation to calm the demonstrations and Maariv reported that Gazans were busy attending the funerals of their dead.
The tit-for-tat expulsion of ambassadors and consul generals between Turkey and Israel was the main story today. Also, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas recalled the Palestinian envoy in Washington over the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem. The US stood behind Israel, foiling a resolution at the UN Security Council, expressing the Security Council's "outrage" over the death of 58 Palestinian protesters on the Israel-Gaza border. US Ambassador Nikki Haley said Israel acted with great restraint. The IDF insisted that 24 out of the 61 slain protesters were terrorists. [NOTE: Terrorists in this context meant that they were affiliated with either Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, but not that they had perpetrated any terror act when they were shot at the border. -OH] The Israeli papers did not give names or faces to those killed. Here’s a link giving their names and ages. Palestinian medics and journalists were among the dead and injured. And the Gaza hospitals were struggling to treat the hundreds of wounded. Haaretz reported that surgeons said some patients were put under only partial anesthetization despite serious injuries.
The protests in the West Bank were also low-key, despite it being Nakba Day. Along the Gaza border, soldiers killed ‘only’ two Gazan protesters. Israel Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan called to resume targeted killings of Hamas leaders and the UNHRC said Israel “ignores international law again and again.”
Left-wing Jewish and Arab Israelis held small protests around the country. Hundreds protested in Tel Aviv over the bloodshed in Gaza. Hundreds of Israeli Arabs demonstrated throughout the country: "What did Israeli governments leave for the future between the the two peoples?" one Arab protester said. (Maariv) Arab Israeli businesses went on strike, including public schools. And Arab students at Tel-Aviv University observed a moment of silence for the killed Gazans, sparking a protest by right-wingers. One Arab-Israeli lecturer refused to teach in Hebrew and canceled classes. The MKs of the mostly Arab Joint List called on Europe to boycott the Eurovision in Jerusalem.
Quick Hits:
- Guatemala inaugurates embassy in Jerusalem today - Following in the footsteps of the US, Guatemala's President Jimmy Morales arrives in Israel to open the country's embassy in the capital; Netanyahu: 'Israel and Guatemala share so many goals and so many values. Even though we are seemingly far away, we're not really far away.' (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Defense establishment girds for price tag attacks in midst of combustible week - On heels of deadly clashes on Gaza border, US Embassy move, security officials fear price tag attacks (by Israeli right-wingers) could also cause conflagration in relatively tranquil West Bank; 18 price tag incidents took place since year's beginning, 16 incidents in which IDF soldiers were attacked by settlers; security official: 'Next stop is burning down houses'; Yitzhar official decries 'spins over Duma case.' (Ynet)
- Israel Seeks to Exclude Shin Bet Detainees From Minimum Cell Size Requirement - Government calls for hearing on request be held behind closed doors to explain to judges why it it needs to hold those being questioned by security service under more cramped conditions. (Haaretz+)
- Chief Justice Hayut’s speech in Russia on human rights: “So that dark periods do not return" - The Holocaust and its lessons, the Declaration of Independence and the importance of equality: The Chief Justice of the High Court Esther Hayut spoke at an international conference marking the 25th anniversary of the Russian Federation's constitution, attended by Supreme Court presidents from around the world, and it seems that her words were also directed at Israeli politicians. "The Jewish people will forever be grateful to the Russian people for their decisive role in this victory (against Nazi Germany. Against this backdrop, I thought it appropriate to say things about the important role of the High Court in Israel to defend human rights, especially the right to human dignity." She stressed that lessons from the Holocaust and from other dark periods in history show how important and vital it is to protect human rights. She expressed hope that in order to prevent dark periods from returning, judges and jurists around the world have a special duty to do everything in their power to protect human rights everywhere. (Yedioth Hebrew)
- Jaffa residents protest clearing of ancient Muslim cemetery - Cemetery was uncovered three weeks ago during construction works at the corner of Elisabeth Bergner and Nahum Goldmann streets; local residents demonstrate against removal of tombstones, calling out 'Allahu Akbar,' one detained for disturbing the peace. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Watch the ugly confrontation at Ben-Gurion Airport: A passenger confronts Hanin Zoabi [calling her a terrorist], who answers in response: "Nazi" - After repeated entanglements, the Knesset member from the Joint List is again involved in provocation. While she was at Ben Gurion Airport Monday, a man approached the Knesset member filming and cursing her for the clashes that took place between Israeli security forces and thousands of Palestinians along the Gaza border. In response to his comments, the Knesset member responded that anyone who kills children is a "Nazi.” “You are sitting next to a terrorist who is in Israel’s Knesset,” said the man to the person next to Zoabi. Zoabi: “Disgusting, animals.” Man: “Your face is disgusting.” Zoabi: “So move away from the disgusting face. Why are you coming up to me? Man: “Who’s asking you. This is my home.” Zoabi: “You are coming up to me and killing the children. You are Nazis.” Man: “You terrorist. Terrorist. Each moment, (the number of killed) rises. Just rises. Like candies. Like candies. Curse you and who gave birth to you. You terrorist. (Zoabi starts filming him.) Film as much as you want, you terrorist. You terrorist, you nothing. You ass, you terrorist.” [He starts to move away] Zoabi: “You coward. Show your face. [Another man stands next to Zoabi and also begins to film cursing man] Man: “Another left-winger.” Zoabi: “Coward, say again what you said about killing children.” (Maariv+VIDEO)
- **David Friedman Invited Pastor Who Said Jews Go to Hell to Embassy Opening, State Department Says - In unusual statement, State Department says does not agree with pastor's comments about other religions. (Haaretz+ and Times of Israel)
- Nation-state Bill to Advance Due to Chair’s Objection to Arab MK’s Move - Likud’s Ohana accuses Joint List MK of siding with Israeli Arab leadership that ‘supported Hamas’ against IDF. (Haaretz+)
- In Rare Move Knesset C'tee Pushes for Applying New City Elections Bill in Settlements – Within Weeks - If passed in plenum, the proposed law – part of right-wing efforts to implement Israeli law in the West Bank – would take effect before upcoming municipal election campaigns. (Haaretz+)
- New Data Show More Domestic Violence, but Fewer Indictments - Nearly 70 percent of files opened for domestic violence in Israel in 2017 were ultimately closed without any indictment, usually due to a lack of evidence. (Haaretz+)
- Two and a Half Million Israelis Lack Access to Bomb Shelters, Military Official Says - Half of the Arab communities within 4 km of the border with Syria or Lebanon said to have inadequate protection, compared to 7.5 percent of the Jewish communities in the same zone. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
- Intel Says It Will Invest $5 Billion Over Next Two Years to Double Production in Israel - Company will get grant, tax aid as officials eye winning an even bigger project in 5 years. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
- Hidden pages of Anne Frank’s diary reveal racy jokes - Dirty jokes and mentions of sex, prostitution and contraception were recently deciphered in two pages of Anne Frank’s diary. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
What Kind of a Man Grins Like That, Knowing the Gaza Death Toll Is Rising by Ten an Hour (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) All of Netanyahu's Zionist wishes just came true. Killings and all.
What does Israel want to achieve in Gaza? (Nadav Eyal, Maariv) The defense establishment keeps asking, directly and indirectly, what is the government’s immediate goal and strategic goal? We know what the government doesn’t want, but the Gazans are already on the fences, and the government must provide a rational, planned and clear answer—what now?
The ‘Trump Massacre.' A Reason to Be Ashamed (B. Michael, Haaretz+) Anyone who is not ashamed of his country today ought to be ashamed.
Brave Policy Urgently Needed (Haaretz Editorial) Israel must allow Gaza’s injured through its borders for treatment in hospitals in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, as well as care for those whose injuries require treatment in Israeli hospitals
The Palestinians are trying to turn the Israeli conscience into a weapon, but they will not succeed (Meir Uziel, Maariv) There is not one of the dozens of Gaza fatalities for which we are to blame. If there had been a minefield along the fence and whoever was treading it had been killed, the blame was not on the mines but on those who ignored the warnings.
After Day of Relative Calm on Gaza Border, Hamas Reassesses Its Tactics (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) But even if the violence dies down, Israel doesn’t have a real policy in the Strip other than firmly refusing Hamas’ demands.
A voice of moral clarity and logic (Amnon Lord, Israel Hayom) Trump's ability to withstand the pressures and scathing criticism over the Jerusalem embassy issue, reassures his moderate Arab allies in the region that he also has the fortitude to stand with them against Iran.
History and hysteria: The religious-nationalist party that was in Jerusalem (Ran Adelist, Maariv) Only a few guests from the American administration came to the embassy in the capital, which turned into an event of extremists. But while the Right is celebrating, Jerusalem is dying.
US Embassy move a significant milestone (Shlomo Puterkovsky, Yedioth/Ynet) While the move is mostly symbolic, it’s hard to overstate the importance of opening an American embassy in Jerusalem. In fact, in terms of US-Israel relations, this event is almost as important as President Truman’s historic decision to recognize the State of Israel minutes after its Declaration of Independence.
The Gaza Fence That Separates the Brave From the Cowardly (Amira Hass, Haaretz) What is cowardice if not the decision to kill masses of unarmed detainees who are demonstrating against their prolonged imprisonment?
Even 20 embassies in Jerusalem will not soften the world's condemnation of casualties in Gaza (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) The shooting of Palestinian demonstrators does not suit Israel's international standing. There is no explanation for the killing of 60 people, and Trump will not be able to prevent the protests as a result.
Netta Barzilai’s Extravaganza in Tel Aviv During Violence: A Matter for Psychiatrists (Ravit Hecht, Haaretz+) While in Jerusalem, Israel bows to an evangelistic vision of Armageddon, and in Gaza people run toward bullets – in Tel Aviv, the Eurovision victory show set a new record for repression.
*What's the rush: We defeated the Palestinians again, but without a political horizon - the next explosion is at the door (Ben Caspit, Maariv) There is no culture of generous victory in Israel, and there is no attempt to leverage our advantage to improve the future. Our politicians are afraid of the electoral vacuum more than the Palestinian rhetoric on the fences. Despite the clear victory of the IDF in recent days and the hopelessness of the Hamas movement, and despite the clear balance of power, the Gazans are not going anywhere, the more they sink into the abyss of despair and distress, the less they will lose. The day before yesterday there were 60 Gazans who stormed the fence knowing that they were committing suicide. It appears that we want the next time to be 600.
Why Is Israel Using Lethal Force Against the Protesters of Gaza? (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+) When Hamas sends young demonstrators towards a firing squad, that doesn’t mean Israel has to keep pulling the trigger.
Gaza teeters on the brink (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) It's difficult to shake the general feeling that Gaza is close to erupting or worse: erupting while all civilian mechanisms in the Strip collapse.
Why the West Bank is so quiet when blood is flowing in Gaza (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) The Gaza Strip's economy is past the point of no return: Thanks to aid, it doesn't have to sustain the population, but it also gives no one anything to do all day
Stop the sulking (Yossi Beilin, Israel Hayom) Instead of pouting in the corner over the transfer of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, the Palestinians would be better off arguing about the essence of a U.S.-brokered peace plan.
What Kind of a Man Grins Like That, Knowing the Gaza Death Toll Is Rising by Ten an Hour (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) All of Netanyahu's Zionist wishes just came true. Killings and all.
What does Israel want to achieve in Gaza? (Nadav Eyal, Maariv) The defense establishment keeps asking, directly and indirectly, what is the government’s immediate goal and strategic goal? We know what the government doesn’t want, but the Gazans are already on the fences, and the government must provide a rational, planned and clear answer—what now?
The ‘Trump Massacre.' A Reason to Be Ashamed (B. Michael, Haaretz+) Anyone who is not ashamed of his country today ought to be ashamed.
Brave Policy Urgently Needed (Haaretz Editorial) Israel must allow Gaza’s injured through its borders for treatment in hospitals in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, as well as care for those whose injuries require treatment in Israeli hospitals
The Palestinians are trying to turn the Israeli conscience into a weapon, but they will not succeed (Meir Uziel, Maariv) There is not one of the dozens of Gaza fatalities for which we are to blame. If there had been a minefield along the fence and whoever was treading it had been killed, the blame was not on the mines but on those who ignored the warnings.
After Day of Relative Calm on Gaza Border, Hamas Reassesses Its Tactics (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) But even if the violence dies down, Israel doesn’t have a real policy in the Strip other than firmly refusing Hamas’ demands.
A voice of moral clarity and logic (Amnon Lord, Israel Hayom) Trump's ability to withstand the pressures and scathing criticism over the Jerusalem embassy issue, reassures his moderate Arab allies in the region that he also has the fortitude to stand with them against Iran.
History and hysteria: The religious-nationalist party that was in Jerusalem (Ran Adelist, Maariv) Only a few guests from the American administration came to the embassy in the capital, which turned into an event of extremists. But while the Right is celebrating, Jerusalem is dying.
US Embassy move a significant milestone (Shlomo Puterkovsky, Yedioth/Ynet) While the move is mostly symbolic, it’s hard to overstate the importance of opening an American embassy in Jerusalem. In fact, in terms of US-Israel relations, this event is almost as important as President Truman’s historic decision to recognize the State of Israel minutes after its Declaration of Independence.
The Gaza Fence That Separates the Brave From the Cowardly (Amira Hass, Haaretz) What is cowardice if not the decision to kill masses of unarmed detainees who are demonstrating against their prolonged imprisonment?
Even 20 embassies in Jerusalem will not soften the world's condemnation of casualties in Gaza (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) The shooting of Palestinian demonstrators does not suit Israel's international standing. There is no explanation for the killing of 60 people, and Trump will not be able to prevent the protests as a result.
Netta Barzilai’s Extravaganza in Tel Aviv During Violence: A Matter for Psychiatrists (Ravit Hecht, Haaretz+) While in Jerusalem, Israel bows to an evangelistic vision of Armageddon, and in Gaza people run toward bullets – in Tel Aviv, the Eurovision victory show set a new record for repression.
*What's the rush: We defeated the Palestinians again, but without a political horizon - the next explosion is at the door (Ben Caspit, Maariv) There is no culture of generous victory in Israel, and there is no attempt to leverage our advantage to improve the future. Our politicians are afraid of the electoral vacuum more than the Palestinian rhetoric on the fences. Despite the clear victory of the IDF in recent days and the hopelessness of the Hamas movement, and despite the clear balance of power, the Gazans are not going anywhere, the more they sink into the abyss of despair and distress, the less they will lose. The day before yesterday there were 60 Gazans who stormed the fence knowing that they were committing suicide. It appears that we want the next time to be 600.
Why Is Israel Using Lethal Force Against the Protesters of Gaza? (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+) When Hamas sends young demonstrators towards a firing squad, that doesn’t mean Israel has to keep pulling the trigger.
Gaza teeters on the brink (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) It's difficult to shake the general feeling that Gaza is close to erupting or worse: erupting while all civilian mechanisms in the Strip collapse.
Why the West Bank is so quiet when blood is flowing in Gaza (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) The Gaza Strip's economy is past the point of no return: Thanks to aid, it doesn't have to sustain the population, but it also gives no one anything to do all day
Stop the sulking (Yossi Beilin, Israel Hayom) Instead of pouting in the corner over the transfer of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, the Palestinians would be better off arguing about the essence of a U.S.-brokered peace plan.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.