News Nosh: 7.12.18

APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday, July 12, 2018
 
Quote of the day:
"(President) Reuven Rivlin, it must be said, cried out with great vigor and courage against the clause allowing community-acceptance committees to screen residents and its implications for the regime, but most liberals were simply horrified to read the reality when it was worded as a law."
--Gideon Levy writes about the controversial Jewish Nation-State law that the government is trying to pass in the Knesset.*

You Must Be Kidding: 
Arab sector receives only 2% of revenues of welfare associations in Israel, although they are 20% of the population and 75% of the associations’ funding is from public coffers.*

Front Page:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
  • Touching the skies - Croatia beat England at the Mundial
  • Between two games // Nahum Barnea on the game and on Netanyahu’s meeting with Putin
  • “I strangled Ofira with nylon and dragged her to a hole” - David Haim, ex-husband of Ofira Haim, admits he murdered her
  • Boy was kidnapped (from Kalansuwa town) in broad daylight
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
Israel Hayom
  • The Croatian revolution - Croatia beat England
  • Netanyahu to Putin: We will thwart any infiltration into Israeli land
  • “I strangled her and buried her in a hole” - David Haim, ex-husband of Ofira Haim, admits he murdered her
  • Storm of the Jewish Nation-State law: Bennett will advance a version that will be acceptable to the Attorney General
  • Sees and isn’t seen: Police operating drones that film traffic violations from distance of hundreds of meters

News Summary:
Croatia beat England and made it to the World Cup semi-finals, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with Russian President Vladmir Putin and told him to keep the Iranians away from the Golan Heights border and afterward attended the game (and the question rises: what was the real purpose of Netanyahu’s visit), an Arab-Israeli child was kidnapped for ransom in broad daylight and the ex-husband of a murdered woman admitted he perpetrated the crime, making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.

While most of the Israeli media reported on the ‘summit between Netanyahu and Putin,’ it turned out that they missed the real story, reported by Yair Navot of Channel 1, KAN Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation. Navot reported that Netanyahu’s visit was a private one and that the Netanyahu-Putin meeting was set for two hours before the World Cup semifinals. Putin even made a point of declaring the issue at the start of their meeting: “I am very happy to see you in Moscow, this time during your private visit to the FIFA World Cup. Nonetheless, it does not deny us the pleasure of meeting and discussing current issues.”  The Kremlin even posted and translated Putin’s words. The 'Times of Israel' reported on the contradiction, too, and noted that the trip was “repeatedly billed by Netanyahu as geared toward discussing Iran’s efforts to entrench itself in Syria.” After the meeting, ‘Israeli diplomatic sources’ told Israeli reporters in Moscow that Russia was working to remove Iranians from the Syrian border. In the third meeting within six months,
Netanyahu told Putin that Israel will prevent all attempts to violate its borders. The talks took place a few hours after a Syrian drone flew 10 kilometers into Israel and was shot down 16 minutes later by an Israeli Patriot missile - after Israel ascertained that it wasn’t a Russian or Jordanian drone.
 
Quick Hits:
  • Israel fires toward Gaza cell that launched airborne firebombs - Twenty-seven fires broke out in Gaza-border communities throughout the day. Israeli military arrests Palestinian trying to breach border fence. (Haaretz and Maan)
  • Knesset panel votes to extend Israel's state of emergency - The extension is a move that is repeated yearly. 'It’s about time we matured a bit as a state,' lawmaker Avi Dichter says. (Haaretz+)
  • In Photos - Israeli forces confiscate school in southern Hebron - Israeli forces confiscated a Palestinian school in Khallet al-Thabaa area in the al-Tuwani village near Yatta on Wednesday. Several Palestinians and activists attempted to prevent the confiscation, but were suppressed and prevented by Israeli forces at gunpoint. (Maan)
  • Israel announces demolition of Bedouin village 'within days' despite temporary injunction - Residents of Khan al-Ahmar submitted second petition against their eviction, stating that they are on privately-owned land despite contrary claims. State asked High Court to allow demolition of the village's school, despite injunction that postponed it to July 16th. (Haaretz+)
  • Israel seals off Khan al-Ahmar with cement blocks - Several consuls managed to reach the sit-in tent in Khan al-Ahmar, but others, as well as many demonstrators, were prevented from reaching the village by Israeli forces. (Maan)
  • Israeli minister planned eviction of West Bank Bedouin 40 years ago, document reveals - Now agriculture minister, then settler activist, Uri Ariel was already planning in the 1970s the eviction of Bedouin living east of Jerusalem that is taking place now in Khan al-Ahmar. (Haaretz+)
  • Israeli forces turn Bethlehem-area house into military post - Israeli forces stormed Al-Khadr village and raided a house belonging to Youssef Abed Moussa. The forces deployed on the roof turning it into a military surveillance post. (Maan)
  • Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture in Gaza bans import of Israeli fruits -Tahseen al-Sakka, marketing director of the Ministry of Agriculture, said that the decision was made to pressure Israel after its recent decision to ban exports from Gaza. (Maan)
  • Irish Senate Approves Bill Boycotting Israeli Settlement Goods - Irish government opposed the legislation, but independent and opposition lawmakers backed it: 25 in favor, 20 against and 14 abstentions. Israel: Move will 'harm Palestinians,' too. (Haaretz+, Maan and Maariv)
  • Israel to impound Gaza flotilla ships to benefit terror victims - A Jerusalem court issues temporary confiscation order for 2 Norwegian ships planning to sail to Gaza; if they are intercepted and towed to an Israeli port, their value will be paid to terror victims families as compensation. The ships are now anchored in Naples and are scheduled to take part in the "Maritime Return March.” Petition submitted by the "Shurat HaDin" organization on behalf of families whose loved ones were murdered by Hamas. (Ynet and Maariv)
  • BDS activists musically protest Batsheva Dance Company - “Dancers have to take a stand, no excuse for stealing land,” chanted BDS activists outside NY theater. (JPost)
  • *Report: Arab sector receives only 2% of revenues of welfare associations in Israel - A new study conducted by Taub Center shows Haredi sector received 20% of welfare associations' revenues operating in Israel from 2103-2016; Arabs mostly rely on religious organizations within their community for funding. 75% of the associations’ funding is from public coffers. (Ynet)
  • AG: Knesset talk on Ritman affair may harm PM’s investigation - Mandelblit moves to cancel committee discussion regarding complaints against former top cop who headed investigations after PM’s lawyers said he was motivated by revenge. 'The session is likely to encroach into law enforcement jurisdiction.' (Yedioth/Ynet and Maariv)
  • In rare move, Construction firm owner indicted for worker’s death - The owner and his brother were charged with ordering workers to place safety helmet alongside body of dead worker and lie. The case involves the death of Mahmoud Hussein Abu Zahara, 25, from the city of Yatta near Hebron (West Bank), who died when a wall collapsed on him while he was renovating a home in Ra’anana (Israel) in 2016. Abu Zahara was killed on his first day on the job. He never received any safety training. (Haaretz+)
  • Cop convicted for assaulting ultra-Orthodox demonstrators - After being charged with two charges of assault of Haredim during demonstrations in 2017, Ido Katzir was convicted for striking a protester who used a racial slur, and another during violent protests. (Ynet)
  • Eisenkot: IDF service crucial for equality - During meeting with 70 'future leaders', IDF chief and President Rivlin extol virtues of military enlistment, emphasize its importance for national cohesiveness amid stats showing barely half of Israeli youth enlists. (Ynet)
  • IDF to provide educational assistance to soldiers with Haredi background- For the first time in IDF history, soldiers from Haredi background, who left the religion (sic - sect), will be eligible for education benefits despite not being part of the Haredi IDF framework; 'There is no reason that people from the same cultural background and with similar educational gaps will not be eligible for the same benefits.' (Ynet)
  • After a decade, a second traffic light was placed in the area of the Samaria Regional Council (West Bank) - At a cost of 5.8 million shekels, the second traffic lights were installed in the area, and the safety arrangements for the Yakir HaGadol Junction were carried out: The head of the Samaria Regional Council: "We have etched the growth of settlement on our flag, and its significance is construction.” (Maariv)
  • French ambassador lauds joint exercise with Israel Navy - Ahead of joint drill, French Embassy hosts reception on its helicopter carrier docked in Haifa; Ambassador Hélène Le Gal: ‘ISIS is our mutual enemy, we are proud of our cooperation.’ (Ynet)
  • Herzog at the Knesset: "I enjoyed every moment" - The outgoing chairman of the opposition delivered his last speech at the Knesset, before taking office as chairman of the Jewish Agency. Many came and shook hands, and Lapid said: "A loss for the Knesset lost, we will miss you." (Maariv)
  • Qatar funded pro-Israel US groups in lobbying campaign that paid for Israeli officers and police to fly to US - The US (pro-Israel) advocacy organization "Our Soldiers Speak,” which organizes lecture tours by Israeli military, police and diplomats to promote Israel’s world view, received a donation of $100,000 from the Qatari government, which constitutes 15% of the organization's budget. The IDF spokesman said the matter was under investigation. Details of payments revealed in filings by New York-based Syrian lobbyist. (Maariv and The National)
  • Cheetah and crocodile are Palestinian, not Zionist: the conflict takes a beastly turn - Palestinian education ministry protests Tel Aviv University's exhibition of a rare animals and plants. The university says it wants to restore items previously stored in a basement, Palestinians: save our heritage. (Haaretz+)
  • Ridley Scott to adapt Israeli author's 'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind' into a movie - Ridley Scott and Asif Kapadia to take Yuval Noah Harari's best-seller to the silver screen. Book on history of mankind sold 8 million copies, its readers include Mark Zuckerberg and Barack Obama. (Haaretz)
  • Seventh century cover-up ‘Masked’ Byzantine weight found in Hippos indicates ginger relations between Christians and First Caliphate - A cross on the bronze weight had been overlain with metal paste so Christians could use the weight under the Islamic regime, Michael Eisenberg and Haifa University archaeologists suggest. (Haaretz+)
  • Dozens of Syrians (regularly) cross into Israel for doctor's appointment - Group of more than 40 sick mothers and children cross frontier on Golan Heights in pre-dawn hours of Wednesday as part of separate humanitarian effort to Operation Good Neighbor, known as Operation Doctor's Appointment; ‘We were afraid in the beginning to come (because we regarded Israelis) as Zionists and enemies. It’s the opposite.’ (Ynet)
  • Four Turkish Graduates Arrested Over Cartoon Mocking Erdogan - Middle East Technical University students made and carried a long banner printed with a cartoon of animals whose faces resembled Erdogan. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • Turkish Islamic Cult Leader, Who Has a Harem of 'Kittens,' Detained by Police - Police detained more than 200 followers of Adnan Oktar over accusations including forming a criminal gang, fraud and sexual abuse. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • 11 Suspected Militants Killed in Sinai as Egypt Clamps Down on ISIS - Shootout takes places during a raid on a suspected militant hideout in al-Arish, the capital of the North Sinai province; no injures were reported among security forces. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • China's Xi pledges billions in loans, aid to Arab nations - In major push for influence in region from which China sources much of its energy needs, China designates $23 billion for financial, economic cooperation. Package is part of "oil and gas plus" model to revive economic growth in Middle East. (Israel Hayom)
  • India Cuts Iranian Oil Imports Ahead of U.S. Sanctions - India's monthly oil imports from Iran declined to 592,800 barrels per day in June, down 16 percent from May. U.S. sanctions are expected to come into effect in November. (Agencies, Haaretz)


Features:
A Triple Whammy: 'Three Identical Strangers' Asks Disturbing Questions
A documentary revolves around the scientific quest that separated triplets who were reunited only decades after adoption. It is a disturbing and tragic story about the hubris of Jewish scientists who didn’t hesitate – less than two decades after the Holocaust – to use human beings as lab rats: The study that fundamentally changed the lives of the three protagonists in the documentary, and more than 60 sets of twins, was supposed to provide an answer to the classic question regarding human development: Nature or nurture – which plays more of a role in a person’s development, his genes or his environment? (Neta Alexander, Haaretz+)
"The (Bedouin) residents of Khan al-Ahmar ask us: 'Where shall we go?' And we have no answers"
While the pressure for and against the demolition of the Palestinian Bedouin village located east of Jerusalem is increasing, a group of Jewish and Arab Israeli psychologists has enlisted to help the residents with the mental implications of their struggle. (Yami Rot, Maariv Magazine supplement)
The Secret Jewish Identity of the Jamal Twins, Egypt's Belly-dancing Stars
King Farouk and Richard Nixon were among their fans, they starred in dozens of films and their photos graced magazine covers around the world. But it is unlikely that the audiences who packed the halls in the 1950s and ‘60s knew the truth about the Egyptian sisters who became international stars. (Ofer Aderet, Haaretz+)
Assad's curriculum: Hating Israel, ignoring Holocaust
A new study provides a glimpse into Syrian schools' curriculum, which demonizes Zionism, describes the 'Golan heist' and is rife with anti-semitic content, admiration for Russia. (Daniel Salami, Ynet)
Orgies, blackmail and anti-Semitism: Inside the Islamic cult whose leader is embraced by Israeli figures
He has a harem of scantily clad 'kittens,' claims the U.K. 'deep state' brought Hitler to power and is accused of sex slavery. What draws Israeli politicians and rabbis to Turkish cult leader Adnan Oktar? (Asaf Ronel, Haaretz+)

Commentary/Analysis:
To the Palestinians, the ‘Deal of the Century’ Is the End of Their National Dream(Jack Khoury, Haaretz+) If any proposal is deserving of the name, it’s the one that’s been on the table for 18 years — the Arab Peace Initiative.
**A Law That Tells the Truth About Israel (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) The nation-state law makes it plain. Israel is for Jews only, on the books. It’s easier this way for everyone.
Netanyahu's crippling lack of confidence in Israel's Jewish identity – and his own (William Kolbrener, Haaretz+) Self-confident Jews don't feel the need to push legislation for menorahs to monopolize the Israeli public square, to institute segregation, to marginalize other faiths and to celebrate exclusion and intolerance.
Don't worry, they are only flying kites (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) We need to stop the incendiary balloons and kites launched into Israeli communities. It has becomes unbearable. No government in the world would allow what is happening in southern Israel to happen without military response. Israel's deterrent power is deteriorating while Hamas's power is on the rise. How long is this going to last?
Israel's ultimate consideration in shooting down Syrian drone (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Israel feared downing of Syrian drone would overshadow Netanyahu-Putin meeting.
Calculated risk: If it turned out that the drone was armed, it could have ended in losses (Yossi Melman, Maariv) Israel turned to the encrypted telephone line connecting the IDF Headquarters in Tel Aviv with the Russian base Hamamim in Latakia, Syria. Only after it became clear that it was not a Russian UAV, it was decided to act.
Hezbollah's Nasrallah is right: Israelis no longer want to fight (Ofri Ilany, Haaretz+) Hezbollah chief Nasrallah says Israelis prefer to watch cooking shows than to go into battle. Researchers tend to agree – and see it as an advantage.
A missed opportunity in Syria (Ariel Kahana, Israel Hayom) Time and again, Netanyahu has noted that "the Middle East is in a state of historic turmoil." Given this unique opportunity, was allowing Assad back on our border the best we could do?
Netanyahu throws a racist bone to the masses as election whispers grow louder(Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) Rivlin crosses the limits of his mandate, but his criticism of the racist clause permitting the establishment of Jewish-only communities is based on his heart's blood.
The motives behind the nation-state bill (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom) PM Netanyahu wanted to trigger an outcry on the Left. But this is just masking his real strategy: to rally the base around him and prevent Habayit Hayehudi from siphoning off support.
Why Does Ben Shapiro Sound Like a Christian Evangelical on Abortion?(Avraham Bronstein, Haaretz+) When conservative star pundit Ben Shapiro weighed into the abortion debate, he reproduced Christian denominations’ extremist positions rather than the centuries-long, nuanced, case-by-case Jewish tradition. That’s a shame – but no accident.
It's the Germans' fault (Uri Heitner, Israel Hayom) The Israeli-Polish statement on Poland's amended Holocaust law is problematic. But by acknowledging that the Nazis alone were responsible for the death camps, Israel is merely agreeing with historical fact.
Sex, Drugs and a Zionist Conspiracy: The Scandals Threatening Imran Khan's Dream of Leading Pakistan (Paul Gasnier, Haaretz+) An 'active Zionist,' Jewish sympathizer, adulterer and sexual predator: Leaked excerpts from a tell-all book written by his ex-wife about Khan are convulsing the country. His allies call it a grotesque PR stunt and a political plot – but the damage could still be immense.
 
Interviews: 
Did Israeli spy firm Black cube meddle in Hungary's election? A consultant and IDF general answers
We asked former National Security Adviser Giora Eiland, who provides consulting services to Black Cube, about the firm's reported political activity. (Interviewed by Nir Gontarz in Haaretz+)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.