APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday October 7, 2018
Quote of the day:
"This is no longer a slippery slope ... This is what is called a very steep slope. The Israeli security
agency is becoming a problem of democracy."
--Former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon spoke out on the growing phenomenon of foreigners and left-wing Israelis being questioned at Israel's borders.*
You Must Be Kidding:
When an Arab-Israeli man complained to police that his vehicle was set on fire early Friday morning outside his family home in Netanya, the police sent the man to do a lie detector test and did not investigate his claim. The family believes the arson was a racist attack against them.
--Former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon spoke out on the growing phenomenon of foreigners and left-wing Israelis being questioned at Israel's borders.*
You Must Be Kidding:
When an Arab-Israeli man complained to police that his vehicle was set on fire early Friday morning outside his family home in Netanya, the police sent the man to do a lie detector test and did not investigate his claim. The family believes the arson was a racist attack against them.
Breaking News:
Two Israelis Killed in West Bank Terror Attack; Manhunt for Shooter Underway
Israeli forces raid home of Palestinian suspect, former employee of a factory where shooting occurred. Police suspect shooting may have been revenge attack. (Haaretz, Ynet)
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Decreasing the overcrowding in prisons - Some 300 [Palestinian] security prisoners will get early release
- Senate approved Kavanaugh’s appointment to US Supreme Court
- The woman denied entry to Israel is jailed at Ben-Gurion Airport till the final decision in her issue
- Ahead of the opening of the trial (today), Attorney Weinroth resigned from representing Sara Netanyahu; Attorney
- Attorney General Mendelblitt leaning towards [only] charging Prime Minister of breach of trust in (corruption) Case 1000
- IDF apologized to (Labor party MK) Yachimovich, (IDF Chief of Staff) Eisenkot will probe why she appeared on watchlist
- Histadrut (National Labor Union) plans to declare general labor dispute due to numerous construction site accidents
- Nobel Peace Prize to Yazidi woman and to doctor for their work against rape
- Elections for president today: Brazil is also being swept to the radical right-wing
- Now, Netanyahu (Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar already spoke) // Haaretz Editorial
- The Lady’s visit - Melania Trump travelled in Africa in high heels and a colonialist hat // Shira Fur
- The renovated Dizengoff Square beautifies its environment. For pedestrians, it doesn’t help // Naama Riva
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The (Gaza) Strip is burning
- This morning: Sara Netanyahu’s trail begins
- Trump’s victory: Kavanaugh was appointed to High Court
- Expose: Broadcasts of Israeli national soccer team in danger - UEFA condition: “No games broadcast in Judea and Samaria (West Bank)”
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Fateful days - Enormous fire at Ein Bsor, 12-year-old Palestinian killed in the (Gaza) Strip
- “Just for the sake of our four children will I fight with all my might” - Amit, widow of Itai Mor, who was murdered by his neighbor, reacts to the acquittal of the murderer due to insanity
- Today: Sara Netanyahu’s trial
- The mass protest and the wave of demonstrations did not help: Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump’s candidate, was approved as a Supreme Court Justice
Israel Hayom
- Egypt threatens: We will stop mediating between Israel and Hamas; Senior official in Cairo: “If we pull out from contacts, the chance of a confrontation with Gaza will increase
- Egypt puts its finger in the dam of terror // Daniel Siriyoti
- Kavanaugh’s appointment: Trump promised change - and is fulfilling it // Prof. Avraham Ben-Zvi
- Today: Sara Netanyahu’s trial
- Dramatic political week: “Early elections are on the way”
- Anyone who knows something about his whereabouts: “Interpol chief traveled to China - and disappeared”
- Question in Palestinian math book: “How many cars will the settler harm”
News Summary:
Sara Netanyahu goes on trial for fraud, days after Binyamin Netanyahu was grilled for over four hours by police for the 12th time, (but he may be let off lightly in one of the corruption cases) and the heat stays high at the Gaza border fence when 20,000 Gazans went out to demonstrate on Friday, but things didn’t boil over despite the killing of three Palestinians, including a 12-year-old boy, by IDF forces and a large fire breaking out at an Israeli farming community near the Gaza Strip, likely from an incendiary balloon, making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
order region and its settlements into a place that is not life worthy."
Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman imposed new restriction on Gaza fishermen, by reducing their fishing area. The Israeli navy also detained two fishermen brothers and seized their boat. Residents of Kerem Shalom, also near the Gaza border, said life was intolerable. "The Palestinian protest is dictating our lives. We are living in a black suffocating cloud of smoke and tear gas," they said. The newly elected Islamic Jihad leader, Ziad Nakhala, said things could get worse, “The Israeli aggression against the 'March of Return' campaign and the killing of our people must stop…We have ability to turn the Gaza Israeli papers also reported that Egyptian officials said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was threatening to impose harsh sanctions on Gaza in order to derail an agreement between Hamas and Israel that excluded the Palestinian Authority. Interestingly, after receiving criticism from Palestinians for his interview to an Israeli newspaper, Hamas politburo chief Yahya Sinwar insisted that he did not know that the much-talked about interview he gave to the Italian journalist was going to be published in Yedioth —despite him giving a message to Israeli public.
Quick Hits:
- **Arab (Israeli) family: We are victims of racism - Yoram Elhaj wakes up at dawn in Netanya's Kiryat Hasharon neighborhood to see his car up in flames; says police send him to do lie detector test, do nothing to find perpetrators; police say incident has yet to be examined. (Ynet)
- Jerusalem mayor: Israel will take over UNRWA services. UNRWA vows to keep them running - Mayor Nir Barkat accuses U.N. refugee agency UNRWA of operating illegally, inciting against Israel. "We are putting an end to the lie of the 'Palestinian refugee problem' and attempts at creating a false sovereignty," Barkat says. Barkat said Israel will most importantly take over schooling for 1,800 students currently studying in UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem. (Haaretz and Israel Hayom)
- UNRWA vows to maintain Jerusalem services if shut down - U.N. Palestinian refugee agency says it provides vital education, health, and relief services in east Jerusalem and is "concerned" about Mayor Nir Barkat's decision to shut it down. Barkat: We provide services for all, there are no refugees in our city. (Ynet and Israel Hayom)
- Palestinian Ministry of Education condemns Israeli plan regarding UNRWA - "The decision is part of a series of malicious steps - in harmony with the US administration – that aim at ending UNRWA operations, which provide humanitarian and educational services to Palestinian refugees," said the ministry. (Maan)
- Israel tries to convince Germany to halt UNRWA funding - "Both Israel and Germany have absorbed and rehabilitated millions of refugees throughout the years, and didn't perpetuate their refugee status like the Palestinians are doing. We want a change," PM Netanyahu tells German leader at joint cabinet meeting. (Israel Hayom)
- U.S. student denied entry to Israel to be held at airport until final ruling on appeal - The Tel Aviv District Court is set to hear an appeal on the deportation of the 22-year-old American student who has been held in the Ben-Gurion airport detention facility for five days. (Haaretz+ and Maariv)
- Jewish American tourist: I felt sexually harassed by border agents - Jennifer Alpenbein detained and taken to Population and Immigration Authority's office while waiting at a bus station; Authority says she didn't apply for an Israeli citizenship and her residence permit had expired. (Ynet)
- Israeli military to probe why lawmaker's website was on monitoring list - Following Haaretz report on monitoring of some 100 sites, IDF says monitoring does not target specific individuals. (Haaretz+)
- ‘Hypocrisy and betrayal’ Young Jewish activists furious over San Francisco federation’s support of blacklist group Canary Mission - Jewish establishment is showing its true colors, say activists, after revelation that federation gave $100,000 to controversial website that details students and professionals critical of Israel. (Haaretz+)
- *Ex-Shin Bet chief on questioning of foreigners at Israel's borders: Shin Bet becoming a problem - Ami Ayalon says the uptick in actions against Israeli left-wing activists and foreigners at Israel's border control 'is a very slippery slope,' charging that the agency is becoming 'a problem for democracy.’ (Haaretz+)
- Israel expected to free 300 Palestinian prisoners due to overcrowding - Ahed Tamimi’s brother is among the security prisoners expected to be freed. 1,000 prisoners to be released overall after Knesset passes bill to ease prisons conditions. (Haaretz+)
- Palestinian prisoner suffering from cancer at risk of death - Head of the Palestinian Prisoners and Former Prisoners' Affairs Committee, Qadri Abu Bakr, held the Israeli government responsible, on Saturday, for failing to provide treatment to a Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails Rajai Abed al-Qader, 35, who has been diagnosed with cancer. (Maan)
- Israeli forces shoot, injure 13-year-old Palestinian in Kafr Qaddum - Israeli forces went up rooftops of houses, fired rubber-coated steel bullets and tear-gas bombs, to suppress the weekly march, injuring 13-year-old Khalid Murad Ishteiwi with a rubber-coated steel bullet in the thigh. Soldiers also prevented the sheikh and his son from heading to Friday prayers. (Maan)
- Israeli forces detain 14 Palestinians, including former prisoners and confiscates cash - In addition, Israeli forces raided the al-Jalazun refugee camp in the Ramallah district and broke into several Palestinian homes and damaged the residents personal belongings and seized 2,500 shekels ($689) from the Samadaa family. (Maan)
- Azaria did not express remorse: Combat soldier Ben Deri, who killed a Palestinian, applied for a pardon - Border Police officer Ben Deri, who was convicted of causing the death of Nadim Nawarra (shooting him in the back as he was fleeing after throwing stones), filed a pardon request to the President, in which he compared himself to soldier Elor Azaria (who extra-judicially killed an already shot and incapacitated Palestinian assailant): "His crime is much worse.” (Maariv)
- Israel orders construction halt of Palestinian structures in Hebron - The stop-construction orders were reportedly under the pretext that the structures are being built with the difficult-to-obtain Israeli permits. (Maan)
- They even reached Moscow: efforts to enlist Russian support in the struggle against the Nation-State law - The High Follow-Up Committee of Arab Citizens of Israel expanded efforts to enlist international support against the Nation-State law. (Joint List) MK Barakeh: "I emphasized that the law creates a reality of apartheid.” (Maariv)
- Lieberman slams Europeans for 'interfering' in Khan al-Ahmar - Israeli Defense Minister, Avigdor Lieberman sent a letter to eight European ambassadors in Israel slamming them for a joint statement, signed by their respective countries, criticizing Israel’s planned demolition of the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar. (Maan)
- In the BDS crosshairs: The bulldozers that will destroy Khan al-Ahmar village - Many companies, such as Jacob, Caterpillar, Volvo and Hyundai, have become the target of the boycott organizations as a way of trying to prevent the destruction of the Bedouin village in Mishor Adumim (in the West Bank). (Maariv)
- Israeli minister lowered requirement for post, appointed mother of fellow Likud lawmaker - Aviva Hazan only worked for the Council for the Advancement of Women in Science and Technology for two months, just one of three dubious appointment cases concerning Likud. (Haaretz+)
- Likud campaign in Tel Aviv: ‘It’s either us – or a country of infiltrators and an Islamic Jaffa’ - In its ads for this month’s municipal election, the party targets African migrants, Muslim residents and Breaking the Silence. (Haaretz+)
- Golan Druze gather at Israel-Syria border, chanting loyalty to Assad - Dressed in traditional black garb and white hats, dozens 'celebrate the final stages of the war.’ (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Prosecution closes case of sexual allegations against prominent Israeli Arab priest - Father Gabriel Naddaf, known for his public campaign to get Christian Arabs to enlist in the Israeli army, had been accused of three cases of indecent acts. (Haaretz+)
- First Israeli aid team in Indonesia after tsunami ravages remote area - Israeli team from Rescuers Without Borders includes doctors, paramedics and emergency aid specialists • Second aid delegation to head to Indonesia later this month to offer treatment for trauma • Death toll currently at 1,558, with scores more missing. (Israel Hayom)
- TechNation: Israel Aerospace Industries signs cybersecurity deal with India’s Tech Mahindra - Onward and upward for tech industry ■ Hysolate raises $18 million while Glassbox raises $25 million. (Haaretz+)
- Meet Serge: TLV cat becomes web sensation - With 60,000 Instagram followers and A-list admirers, Serge is probably the most popular Israeli cat. What's his secret? A long coat, a big smile, and a real need for human attention. (Ynet)
- Report: Russia began promoting communication between Israel and Iran - According to the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, following the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system transfer to Syria, Moscow's is attempting to 'ease tensions in the area and lower the chance of friction.' (Ynet)
- France: Russia's supply of S-300 risks military escalation\ - French Foreign Ministry says it is 'concerned' by Russia's delivery of advanced anti-aircraft defense system to Assad's army since it has potential to intensify regional tensions and 'remove the prospect of a political settlement of the Syrian crisis.' (Agencies, Ynet)
- Iran condemns 'shameless, racist' comments by Israeli president Rivlin - 'The Zionists [Israel] once again demonstrate their hostility and unending hatred of Iran and Iranians with such shameless remarks,' says FM spokesman over Rivlin's call for EU states to back U.S. sanctions against Tehran. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- India to keep buying Iranian oil despite US sanctions - India, the world's third-biggest oil importer, plans to buy 9 million barrels of Iranian oil in November, despite U.S. sanctions expected to be enacted Nov. 4, sources say • India says it abides only by U.N. sanctions, not those of any other country. (Agencies, Israel Hayom)
- Art collection containing pieces looted from Jews to be exhibited at the Israel Museum - The collection, which has been valued at over $1 billion, had been hidden away by the son of German art dealer Hildebrand Gurlitt and was discovered by chance in 2012. (Haaretz+)
Features:
Readers ask Haaretz May I reduce my travel time using West Bank roads?
‘Doesn’t such an act grant legitimacy to the occupation? On the other hand, whichever route I take won’t alter reality.’ (Yoana Gonen, Haaretz+)
What it's like to be a socialist Zionist in the U.S.
This week at the Tel Aviv airport: A group of young Diaspora Jews talk about what Zionism means to them; an Israeli tour guide recalls how a busload of Jews and Arabs in Slovenia realized they weren't so different. (Meital Shapiro, Haaretz+)
Egyptian bombings, stubborn leaders and buried Nazi gold: The chronicles of the Tel Aviv prime minister's bureau
The historic prime minister's bureau in Tel Aviv has been restored and opened to the public. If only its walls could talk. (Nir Mann, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Criticizing the Israeli army is a Jewish obligation (Mordechai Kremnitzer, Haaretz+) The trend of banning criticism of the Israeli army clashes with its ethical foundations and with religious tradition.
Sinwar's hidden message: Calm for Gaza rehabilitation or war (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) The interview with Hamas leader in Gaza is a call for help, a moment before winter makes life in the strip hell and puts his rule at risk. And between the lines there's also a warning: this is the last chance for a change. If the stalemate in talks continues, Sinwar indicates he won't hesitate to go to war.
The mutual threats between Israel and Hamas led to a relatively calm weekend (Tal Lev-Ram, Maariv) Although the terrorist organization sent about 20,000 people to the area, it did not go all the way, perhaps out of the understanding that Israel will intensify its response. The IDF believes there is a good chance that the Qatari initiative will come to fruition.
The commander of IDF’s Central Command during the Kafr Qasem massacre [of Arab Israelis by Israeli soldiers] left us, the Arab problem remained (Ran Edelist, Maariv) Yashke Shadmi died at a ripe old age. 62 years ago, he commanded the Jordanian (adjacent) sector of the Central Command. On October 29, 1956, on the day the Sinai War broke out (under the guise of a war chaos, all abominations could be committed), the commander would wait for the usual curfew. During those years the villages of the Arabs [in Israel] were under constant curfew, and the order said that whoever violated the curfew would be shot. In Kafr Kassem, 47 people were shot to death, including nine women (one pregnant) and 19 boys who returned from work in Petah Tikva without knowing of the curfew. There is no point in denying, the IDF had a contingency plan to remove the Arabs of the Triangle (area in central Israel heavily populated with Arabs -OH) by means of a violent siege, leaving an opening eastward towards Jordan…There is no point now bringing out the forgiveness of ”mitigating circumstances”, the justifications or the excuses. We must honestly admit that violent transfer during the War of Independence and a for a few years after it was a government policy, and at the same time realize that the cruel and existential and correct consideration in those days was either us or them. Hundreds of Arab villages were destroyed after the establishment of the state. Yes, yes, I am also someone who “benefits” from that. And I'm not going to give up an inch of within the Green Line…Yashka is gone, may G-d have mercy on him, the Arab problem remains, or in (Defense Minister Avigdor) Lieberman’s words during a tour of the north a week ago: “The fact that in the State of Israel there is 20% which is the Arab population, which goes out again and again to demonstrations and protests with Palestinian flags and not with Israeli flags, that is the main problem.” From that and forward, a proposal for an arrangement: ignore Lieberman. He is a bad spirit that will pass. The way to heal a bleeding wound is time, collective Jewish recognition of responsibility and ritual gestures. It would be nice of us to pay compensation within the Green Line, but it will not happen when the real compensation is land and no Jew is willing to let the earth, as a symbol, tremble under his feet. Will the Arabs (as a collective) accept the proposal? They have no choice. We don’t have one either.
What is Netanyahu hiding in the archive from 1948? (Ofer Aderet, Haaretz+) His decision to keep it closed for another 20 years is taking secrecy to absurd lengths.
The rulers of the archives - History belongs to all of us (Ronen Bergman, Yedioth) It is hard to believe that there are real secrets in the materials from the first years of the state, and if there are any - they can be deleted and the rest can be released (for publication). Even if not all they documents paint Israel in a positive light, it is an obligation to publish them. That’s the way it is in a democracy.
Don't test us (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) Neither Israel nor Hamas wants an escalation but it would only take one Israeli child wounded by a stray Hamas explosives-rigged toy to change the government's policies.
If you want to make a change, lay down your weapon: A reply letter to Yehya Sinwar (Udi Segal, Maariv) We read with astonishment your statements that you do not want wars anymore. But if you really want to be more than a gang leader, the time has come to turn Gaza into a model for an Arab Palestinian state.
Closure of UNRWA in East Jerusalem: Accepting Responsibility or Political Move? (Nir Hasson, Haaretz+) Plans to shut down all UNRWA activities would force Jerusalem to take responsibility for all Palestinians living in the city when it can barely provide necessary services to its Palestinian residents.
Nowhere, no-time supervision (David M. Weinberg, Israel Hayom) U.N. forces, U.N. monitors, U.N. experts, U.N. diplomats, and even some EU and U.S. diplomats simply cannot be relied on to rigorously rein in the ambitions of Iran and other bad actors in the region.
Before Netanyahu brings us down with him, we must replace him as quickly as possible (Menahem Ben, Maariv) The investigations and the trial that Netanyahu is expected to be put on likely to affect his judgment, an that is already a certain problem, for all of us. Therefore, we must release the prime minister to his home, and let Israel move on.
Netanyahu is treated to a display of groveling worthy of Kim Jong Un (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) The Knesset’s winter session will be held in the shadow of an election, with a prime minister preoccupied by investigations and campaign calculations. He can always count, however, on some sycophantic minister or other in his corner.
Haaretz newspaper is directly, openly and shamelessly extorting Netanyahu (Arieh Eldad, Maariv) The editor of the daily offers sympathetic and forgiving media coverage of the prime minister in exchange for a Palestinian state. Sharon wasn’t able to withstand this pressure, so why would Netanyahu withstand it?
Netanyahu critics in Israel feel the pain of anti-Trump Americans outraged by Kavanaugh confirmation (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) But while the Israeli left has grown dispirited and despondent, U.S. liberals are all fired up and raring to vote.
Netanyahu has stopped planning for the future: He knows that the legal train has left the station (Ben Caspit, Maariv) The prime minister is endangering himself in an attempt to promote the candidacy of a relatively junior general, who, if appointed, will become the most inexperienced chief of staff ever remembered in the IDF, for the simple reason that he stopped planning for the future.
Who's Mad That an Israeli Film Won an Emmy Award? (Iris Leal, Haaretz+) Maya Zinshtein's 'Forever Pure' has been criticized for showing an 'ugly reflection' of Israel. Is that a good topic for a documentary film? I'd say it is.
The fall of the free man (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom) If a woman testifying about sexual assault before the Senate can't say exactly where or when the assault happened, how in the world can anyone defend himself?
Israel faces a much bigger challenge in Syria than S-300s (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Putin didn't like Israel's strikes after Assad retook southern Syria. The spy plane incident provided him with tools to shape a new strategic reality.
Germany's Nazi-friendly, anti-Semitic far right have a new mission: Recruiting Jews (Charlotte Knobloch, Haaretz+) The far-right Alternative for Germany, in parliament and rising in the polls, wants an ethnically pure, authoritarian Europe. It feeds anti-Semitism, Holocaust revisionism and anti-migrant violence. How could a single Jew join them?
How Israel’s religious ultra-nationalists fought a civil war, retreated to the ghetto and lost their influence (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) As the ultra-Orthodox world is slowly, painfully opening up, religious nationalist institutions insist on an ever more closed world. They’ve lost all connection with the ‘real’ Israel - and with their communities
Palestine declares (legal) war on the United States of America (Victor Kattan, Haaretz+) John Bolton dismisses the efforts of the 'so-called State of Palestine' to legally challenge Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital; Palestinian leaders believe international law is key to their fight back against hostile U.S. policy. But what are their chances of success?
The lie of Shiri Maimon: She didn’t win over Broadway, only Sara Netanyahu (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) The Israeli performer, who appeared before the prime minister and his wife in New York, is more court singer than star.
It seems that the answer to the IDF's preparedness for war will soon be available in the field (Tal Lev-Ram, Maariv) Incidents of infiltration have become routine, and almost every day there is a Palestinian casualty in Gaza. At the pace of things developing in the south, it is likely that this is the sector that will allow us to know who was right in the dispute between Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot and IDF Ombudsman Major General (res.) Brick.
Using Israel's technological prowess to make the world a worse place (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) As Merkel’s visit to Israel shows, Israel's innovative abilities are turning it into a global power – that can afford to ignore the Palestinians.
‘Doesn’t such an act grant legitimacy to the occupation? On the other hand, whichever route I take won’t alter reality.’ (Yoana Gonen, Haaretz+)
What it's like to be a socialist Zionist in the U.S.
This week at the Tel Aviv airport: A group of young Diaspora Jews talk about what Zionism means to them; an Israeli tour guide recalls how a busload of Jews and Arabs in Slovenia realized they weren't so different. (Meital Shapiro, Haaretz+)
Egyptian bombings, stubborn leaders and buried Nazi gold: The chronicles of the Tel Aviv prime minister's bureau
The historic prime minister's bureau in Tel Aviv has been restored and opened to the public. If only its walls could talk. (Nir Mann, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Criticizing the Israeli army is a Jewish obligation (Mordechai Kremnitzer, Haaretz+) The trend of banning criticism of the Israeli army clashes with its ethical foundations and with religious tradition.
Sinwar's hidden message: Calm for Gaza rehabilitation or war (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) The interview with Hamas leader in Gaza is a call for help, a moment before winter makes life in the strip hell and puts his rule at risk. And between the lines there's also a warning: this is the last chance for a change. If the stalemate in talks continues, Sinwar indicates he won't hesitate to go to war.
The mutual threats between Israel and Hamas led to a relatively calm weekend (Tal Lev-Ram, Maariv) Although the terrorist organization sent about 20,000 people to the area, it did not go all the way, perhaps out of the understanding that Israel will intensify its response. The IDF believes there is a good chance that the Qatari initiative will come to fruition.
The commander of IDF’s Central Command during the Kafr Qasem massacre [of Arab Israelis by Israeli soldiers] left us, the Arab problem remained (Ran Edelist, Maariv) Yashke Shadmi died at a ripe old age. 62 years ago, he commanded the Jordanian (adjacent) sector of the Central Command. On October 29, 1956, on the day the Sinai War broke out (under the guise of a war chaos, all abominations could be committed), the commander would wait for the usual curfew. During those years the villages of the Arabs [in Israel] were under constant curfew, and the order said that whoever violated the curfew would be shot. In Kafr Kassem, 47 people were shot to death, including nine women (one pregnant) and 19 boys who returned from work in Petah Tikva without knowing of the curfew. There is no point in denying, the IDF had a contingency plan to remove the Arabs of the Triangle (area in central Israel heavily populated with Arabs -OH) by means of a violent siege, leaving an opening eastward towards Jordan…There is no point now bringing out the forgiveness of ”mitigating circumstances”, the justifications or the excuses. We must honestly admit that violent transfer during the War of Independence and a for a few years after it was a government policy, and at the same time realize that the cruel and existential and correct consideration in those days was either us or them. Hundreds of Arab villages were destroyed after the establishment of the state. Yes, yes, I am also someone who “benefits” from that. And I'm not going to give up an inch of within the Green Line…Yashka is gone, may G-d have mercy on him, the Arab problem remains, or in (Defense Minister Avigdor) Lieberman’s words during a tour of the north a week ago: “The fact that in the State of Israel there is 20% which is the Arab population, which goes out again and again to demonstrations and protests with Palestinian flags and not with Israeli flags, that is the main problem.” From that and forward, a proposal for an arrangement: ignore Lieberman. He is a bad spirit that will pass. The way to heal a bleeding wound is time, collective Jewish recognition of responsibility and ritual gestures. It would be nice of us to pay compensation within the Green Line, but it will not happen when the real compensation is land and no Jew is willing to let the earth, as a symbol, tremble under his feet. Will the Arabs (as a collective) accept the proposal? They have no choice. We don’t have one either.
What is Netanyahu hiding in the archive from 1948? (Ofer Aderet, Haaretz+) His decision to keep it closed for another 20 years is taking secrecy to absurd lengths.
The rulers of the archives - History belongs to all of us (Ronen Bergman, Yedioth) It is hard to believe that there are real secrets in the materials from the first years of the state, and if there are any - they can be deleted and the rest can be released (for publication). Even if not all they documents paint Israel in a positive light, it is an obligation to publish them. That’s the way it is in a democracy.
Don't test us (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) Neither Israel nor Hamas wants an escalation but it would only take one Israeli child wounded by a stray Hamas explosives-rigged toy to change the government's policies.
If you want to make a change, lay down your weapon: A reply letter to Yehya Sinwar (Udi Segal, Maariv) We read with astonishment your statements that you do not want wars anymore. But if you really want to be more than a gang leader, the time has come to turn Gaza into a model for an Arab Palestinian state.
Closure of UNRWA in East Jerusalem: Accepting Responsibility or Political Move? (Nir Hasson, Haaretz+) Plans to shut down all UNRWA activities would force Jerusalem to take responsibility for all Palestinians living in the city when it can barely provide necessary services to its Palestinian residents.
Nowhere, no-time supervision (David M. Weinberg, Israel Hayom) U.N. forces, U.N. monitors, U.N. experts, U.N. diplomats, and even some EU and U.S. diplomats simply cannot be relied on to rigorously rein in the ambitions of Iran and other bad actors in the region.
Before Netanyahu brings us down with him, we must replace him as quickly as possible (Menahem Ben, Maariv) The investigations and the trial that Netanyahu is expected to be put on likely to affect his judgment, an that is already a certain problem, for all of us. Therefore, we must release the prime minister to his home, and let Israel move on.
Netanyahu is treated to a display of groveling worthy of Kim Jong Un (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) The Knesset’s winter session will be held in the shadow of an election, with a prime minister preoccupied by investigations and campaign calculations. He can always count, however, on some sycophantic minister or other in his corner.
Haaretz newspaper is directly, openly and shamelessly extorting Netanyahu (Arieh Eldad, Maariv) The editor of the daily offers sympathetic and forgiving media coverage of the prime minister in exchange for a Palestinian state. Sharon wasn’t able to withstand this pressure, so why would Netanyahu withstand it?
Netanyahu critics in Israel feel the pain of anti-Trump Americans outraged by Kavanaugh confirmation (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) But while the Israeli left has grown dispirited and despondent, U.S. liberals are all fired up and raring to vote.
Netanyahu has stopped planning for the future: He knows that the legal train has left the station (Ben Caspit, Maariv) The prime minister is endangering himself in an attempt to promote the candidacy of a relatively junior general, who, if appointed, will become the most inexperienced chief of staff ever remembered in the IDF, for the simple reason that he stopped planning for the future.
Who's Mad That an Israeli Film Won an Emmy Award? (Iris Leal, Haaretz+) Maya Zinshtein's 'Forever Pure' has been criticized for showing an 'ugly reflection' of Israel. Is that a good topic for a documentary film? I'd say it is.
The fall of the free man (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom) If a woman testifying about sexual assault before the Senate can't say exactly where or when the assault happened, how in the world can anyone defend himself?
Israel faces a much bigger challenge in Syria than S-300s (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Putin didn't like Israel's strikes after Assad retook southern Syria. The spy plane incident provided him with tools to shape a new strategic reality.
Germany's Nazi-friendly, anti-Semitic far right have a new mission: Recruiting Jews (Charlotte Knobloch, Haaretz+) The far-right Alternative for Germany, in parliament and rising in the polls, wants an ethnically pure, authoritarian Europe. It feeds anti-Semitism, Holocaust revisionism and anti-migrant violence. How could a single Jew join them?
How Israel’s religious ultra-nationalists fought a civil war, retreated to the ghetto and lost their influence (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) As the ultra-Orthodox world is slowly, painfully opening up, religious nationalist institutions insist on an ever more closed world. They’ve lost all connection with the ‘real’ Israel - and with their communities
Palestine declares (legal) war on the United States of America (Victor Kattan, Haaretz+) John Bolton dismisses the efforts of the 'so-called State of Palestine' to legally challenge Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital; Palestinian leaders believe international law is key to their fight back against hostile U.S. policy. But what are their chances of success?
The lie of Shiri Maimon: She didn’t win over Broadway, only Sara Netanyahu (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) The Israeli performer, who appeared before the prime minister and his wife in New York, is more court singer than star.
It seems that the answer to the IDF's preparedness for war will soon be available in the field (Tal Lev-Ram, Maariv) Incidents of infiltration have become routine, and almost every day there is a Palestinian casualty in Gaza. At the pace of things developing in the south, it is likely that this is the sector that will allow us to know who was right in the dispute between Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot and IDF Ombudsman Major General (res.) Brick.
Using Israel's technological prowess to make the world a worse place (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) As Merkel’s visit to Israel shows, Israel's innovative abilities are turning it into a global power – that can afford to ignore the Palestinians.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.