News Nosh: 10.22.18

by APN 10/22/18
Share

APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday October 22, 2018

NOTE: Some problems arose in the dispatching of yesterday's Nosh. We are aware of them and are fixing them.


You Must Be Kidding: 
"Wanted dead or alive."
Words that Likud MK Oren Hazan posted on Facebook under a poster of B’Tselem director Hagai El-Ad, after El-Ad spoke at the UN Security Council about Israel's occupation of the Palestinian people and land.**

Quote of the day #1:
“If you do not stop the incitement against anyone who does not conform to your ideas—blood will be shed."
--Noa Rotman, granddaughter of former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, said at Rabin's memorial.*

Quote of the day #2:
"We do not want stone houses or permanent structures, like those offered to us near Abu Dis, we just want to continue living our life the same way we have been living since birth—like this. We know that in Israel there are those who support us and those who oppose us; we just do not know which of those will decide our fate."
--Khan al-Ahmar resident, Ahmed Abu Dahuk.*

Breaking News:
Palestinian Shot Dead After Stabbing Israeli Soldier in Hebron
Muhammad Maamar al-Atrash was shot dead after allegedly attempting to stab Israeli soldier with scissors in Hebron. One soldier lightly wounded, IDF said. Palestinian Red Crescent paramedics were prevented from providing medical treatment to the Palestinian. (Haaretz, Ynet, Maariv and Maan)

Front Page:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
  • The peace agreement crisis - Jordan’s King Abdullah announced that the annexes to the peace treaty won’t be extended
  • Miri Regev is against democracy // Nahum Barnea on the Loyalty in Culture Law
  • The Jordanian-Israeli rift // Smadar Perry on the cause of the dispute with Jordan
  • Just postponing the end // Shlomo Pyotrakovsky on the eviction of Khan al-Ahmar
  • Responsibility of the left-wing // Yoaz Hendel on Memorial Day for Rabin’s assassination
  • The pioneer - Rana Gabua, 27 makes history as the first Bedouin-Israeli woman to volunteer to the police tracking unit (Hebrew)
  • Hope for ovarian cancer patients
  • #MeToo against Disney princesses
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
  • Open wound - 23rd Yitzhak Rabin Memorial Day was supposed to express unity and dignity, but the words said at the ceremonies yesterday were sharp as a knife
  • The worrisome truth // Ben Caspit
  • The witchcraft dance // Lilach Sigan
  • King Abdullah to Israel: Return the lands that were leased in the peace treaty
  • Minister against the TV host - Miri Regev stands beside Yair Netanyahu and calls Ofira Esayeg a ‘bad woman’; Esayeg retaliated: “She went back to kissing up, maybe she’ll get a job from Bibi”
Israel Hayom
  • Khan al-Ahmar: Netanyahu temporarily capitulated
  • Peace getting cold: Jordan nulls part of treaty with Israel
  • Jordan acted from weakness // Prof. Eyal Zisser
  • Rabin’s grandchildren abandoned the dignified line - Family of prime minister who was murdered sharply attacked the Prime Minister
  • New testimonies - “They robbed us” - Following the ‘Israel Hayom’ expose, immigrants from Yemen tell of the property sent to Israel - that disappeared
  • Precedent in the Shin Bet: Organization’s chief, Argamon, and his deputy - both are from the operations department (for the first time, there won’t be an ‘Arabist’ in the top brass)
  • Problem for the State Attorney’s Office: Was required to supply to the defendants from the ’Wedding of Hatred’  a list of similar cases from the Arab sector, which were closed

News Summary:
Jordan canceled annexes of the peace treaty with Israel sparking fear among Israeli farmers and concern about relations, Rabin family members slammed the government at a memorial event for their grandfather, sparking outrage among the right-wing and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu promised that the postponement of the destruction of the West Bank Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar was temporary. Meanwhile, in Tel-Aviv, the Jewish Diaspora's biggest annual event is taking place this week – but the minister in Charge of Diaspora, Naftali Bennet, will not be attending.

***Following recent protests, King Abdullah said Jordan will cancel appendices to the peace treaty which would end Israel's lease of Naharayim/Baqura area in the north and the Zofar/Al-Ghamr area in the south. The treaty stipulates that the 25-year-lease is automatically renewed unless one side cancels it on one year in advance - which was Sunday. Ynet reported that protesters in Jordan have been pressuring the king to return the land to its owners.  “The two annexes to the peace treaty were a mistake to begin with,” said Jordanian Parliament member Omar al-Qarakish said. “Now we are amending that. Israel didn’t allow Jordanians to drink from the waters of these lands—and now the original owners will have all the rights.” The decision essentially downgrades the peace treaty and caught Israeli officials by surprise. Netanyahu said that Israel will renegotiate the lease for the lands.

*At an official ceremony marking the assassination of former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, his granddaughter accused Netanyahu’s government of dividing the nation. “If you do not stop the incitement against anyone who does not conform to your ideas—blood will be shed,” she said. The right-wing were outraged that she did not speak in a ‘dignified manner’ at an official memorial event. She also alluded in her speech to the ‘Loyalty in Culture Law’ that was passed that day. “Welfare and culture are not and should not be prizes for patriotism or associating with government officials,” Rotman said.

Others demanded Netanyahu admit he was part of the incitement that led to Rabin’s murder. Labor party secretary-general Eran Hermoni addressed Netanyahu saying: "The time has come for you to apologize for your contribution to the incitement that preceded Rabin's assassination.” (Maariv) And former prime minister Ehud Barak also said: "Netanyahu is responsible for the atmosphere that led to incitement against Rabin…He stood on the balcony in Zion Square, while others like David Levy decided to leave it.” (Maariv) Likud MK David Amsalem, the coalition whip and a Netanyahu-loyalist said: “The election propaganda began on Rabin’s assassination day, there is a process of de-legitimization.” Amsalem said of the speeches: "I felt uncomfortable,” to which Zionist Union MK Shelly Yachimovich said: “It shows that he still has a conscience.” (Maariv) Meanwhile Netanyahu’s son, Yair, wrote sarcastically in a social media post: "Even though I was 4, I am also responsible for Rabin's murder.” (Maariv)

Also of interest, in her speech, Noa Rotman said she heard recently that an employee in Netanyahu’s office had posted a picture of Yitzhak Rabin’s handshake with Arafat in the White House under the headline ‘traitor.’ Netanyahu called the allegation false and an example of ‘baseless defamation’ leveled against him and said that Rabin was a patriot. However, it turns out Rotman was referring to Caroline Glick, whom Netanyahu had offered the position of running the Prime Minister’s Office, but Glick had refused. Glick works at The Jerusalem Post where she writes radical right-wing columns. (Maariv)

The Israeli cabinet approved Netanyahu's proposal to postpone by ‘several weeks’ the forced eviction of the residents of Khan al-Ahmar evacuation - until negotiations are exhausted. This caused anger among the right-wing, but Netanyahu stressed that the eviction will take place. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said that the Attorney General was behind the postponement in order to get the Bedouin residents to voluntarily depart because it was 'legally important.’ Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority signaled to Israel that a violent eviction from Khan al-Ahmar will lead to harm in the security coordination, Maariv reported. Ynet’s Elior Levy spoke with the Bedouin residents of the village yesterday and shared their fears and thoughts. “We are even prepared to move 400 meters from the road, but not to relocate the entire village,” said a resident. +972mag shared a recorded telephone conversation of the Israeli police ‘warning’ an Israeli rights activist over his activism at Khan al-Ahmar. +972mag also has an “Everything you need to know about Khan al-Ahmar” piece.
 
Quick Hits:
  • Israeli defense chief orders Gaza border crossings reopened following weekend on quelled protests - Lieberman gives go-ahead to resumption of fuel transfers from Israel, postpones decision on transfers of diesel from Qatar. Israel cites 'Hamas' efforts to contain violent incidents in the strip' to explain move. (Haaretz and Maariv)
  • Israeli Committee Approves Bill Denying Visits to Hamas Prisoners - Hamas refuses to allow reciprocal visits by humanitarian organizations to the Israelis being held in Gaza. (Haaretz+)
  • Ministers advance bill conditioning arts funding on ‘loyalty’ - Proposed law would withhold state funding from works that deny Israel is Jewish-democratic country, promote racism, incite violence, destroy state symbols. Opposition: "Regev wants to turn herself into a thought police.” (Times of Israel, Haaretz+ and Maariv, Israel Hayom)
  • PM again puts brakes on draft law to confiscate land sold by churches - Under pressure from furious church leaders and from head of powerful US congressional caucus, Benjamin Netanyahu stops advancement of bill backed by Justice Minister Shaked. (Times of Israel)
  • Breaking the Silence Meets School Students for First Time Since Passage of Law Seen as Targeting Its Activities - Israeli law prohibits school activities organized by groups who supposed legal actions being taken abroad against Israeli soldiers, but the NGO says this doesn't apply to it. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom Hebrew)
  • High School principal following entry of Breaking the Silence to school: ”I did not break the law, everyone is allowed to enter" - Even though the Breaking the Silence Law passed three months ago, the organization's director lectured to students in Tel Aviv's Tichonet. Education Ministry: "We see the actions of the principal as an anti-educational act that harms IDF soldiers, we will examine disciplinary measures.” (Maariv)
  • Citing Alqasem, Israel asks court for more time in case of Human Rights Watch worker facing deportation over BDS - Days after U.S. student Lara Alqasem's appeal granted, government says it needs time to study her case before responding in case of of Omar Shakir, HRW official also facing deportation over alleged BDS support. (Haaretz+)
  • Hebrew U reinforces security over Lara Alqasem’s arrival - Ahead of arrival of US student accused of belonging to BDS movement, the Hebrew University reinforces its security; fellow student: 'she shouldn’t be here'; Hebrew University: 'we look forward to welcoming our newest student.' (Ynet)
  • Shaked opposes bill to impose imprisonment on Israeli boycotters: “It won’t pass" - The Justice Minister referred to Likud MK Anat Berko's bill, which calls to impose seven years imprisonment: "This is unacceptable to me. It is possible to visit Israel, we will sit with MK Berko and reach an agreed upon draft.” (Maariv)
  • *"Wanted alive or dead": Oren Hazan attacked B'Tselem's director general Hagai Elad on Facebook - Zionist Union MK Hilik Bar turned to the police and to the Knesset Ethics Committee following the aggressive post of Likud MK. Hazan: "I Suggest that the irrelevant MK from the disappearing party look for work instead of harming my work,” Hazan said. (Times of Israel and Maariv)
  • Military Police soldiers suspected of looting, sexual assault - Two corporals stationed at the Qalandiya border crossing suspected of stealing money from Palestinian women going through the crossing and sexually assaulting two female tourists they body-searched, against regulations. (Ynet and Maariv)
  • Israel Police sat on appeal of Bedouin asking to reopen investigation into son's death for over a year - Mazen Abu-Habak, 18, was shot to death by a policeman in February 2016 and police closed the investigation in 2017. For over a year, Israeli police did not forward to the State Prosecutor’s Office the appeal of the father, who requested to reopen the investigation into his son’s death. The Justice Ministry’s unit that investigates police misconduct closed the investigation into the 18-year-old’s death, but mishandled the case due to “human error,” police said. (Haaretz+)
  • Dozens of Israeli settlers perform rituals at Al-Aqsa - Heavily armed Israeli forces escorted at least 49 Israeli settlers to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to perform religious Jewish rituals and prayers. Non-Muslim worship there is prohibited according to a 1967 Jordanian-Israeli agreement. (Maan)
  • Israeli authorities remand Palestinian governor of Jerusalem district for four days and detain intel head on way to work - Israeli authorities remanded the Palestinian Governor of Jerusalem, Adnan Ghaith, several hours after he was detained from Beit Hanina neighborhood in E. Jerusalem Sunday. Also, Israeli forces detained Jihad Faqeeh, 50, head of Jerusalem office in the Palestinian Intelligence force. (Maan)
  • Erekat: 'Israel escalated its aggression against Palestinians' - Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization's (PLO) Executive Committee, Saeb Erekat, said on Sunday, that by detaining the Governor of Jerusalem, Adnan Ghaith, Israel had further violated its own commitments and obligations regarding Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem City. (Maan)
  • Israel issues 40 administrative detention orders - Palestinian Prisoner's Society (PPS) confirmed that 32 out of the 40 administrative detention orders are renewed orders, while the remaining eight detainees received detention orders for the first time. The orders range from four to six months of prison without charges. (Maan)
  • Israel orders halt construction of Palestinian home in al-Walaja - Israeli army ordered Hasan Mustafa Salah to halt construction of his 120-square-meter home, under the pretext of being built without the difficult-to-obtain Israeli permit. (Maan)
  • Anticipating Hezbollah clash, Israel deploys tanks on Lebanon border - IDF erects artificial sand mounds to give troops better visibility into Lebanon, over the 20-26 feet cement barrier built along the border. Residents say mounds correspond to Hezbollah positions but defense officials say they are unrelated. (Israel Hayom)
  • First Bedouin woman in a police rescue unit - They undergo arduous training, risking their lives to rescue travelers stranded in the desert - and only the toughest are accepted. Rana Gaboua made history by becoming the first Bedouin woman to volunteer in a police rescue unit. (Yedioth/Ynet Hebrew)
  • Former PM Spokesman and State's Witness Looking to Buy Hotel in Florida - Nir Hefetz turned state’s witness and provided testimony against the Netanyahus in Case 4000, in which the PM is suspected of conferring benefits on Bezeq, in exchange for favorable coverage. (Haaretz+)
  • Hundredth protest against Netanyahu government corruption held near AG’s house - Hard core demonstrators, a group of 20 people in their 50s and 60s, have been coming to the square every single week. (Haaretz+)
  • Irish street art tradition gives platform to anti-Israel incitement - "The Irish population is exposed to only one message when it comes to the Arab-Israeli conflict – in media, the education system, politics, pubs – and it's a completely anti-Israel message," says Dr. Katy Radford of the Institute for Conflict Research. (Israel Hayom)
  • Mnuchin hails Israel investment opportunities - US treasury secretary met with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem as part of his official Mideast tour; Mnuchin promises to 'make sure' Trump administration invests more in infrastructure and technology in Israel. (Agencies, Ynet)
  • Democrats in Israel Energized to Battle Trump in Midterms, but Republicans Are Nowhere to Be Seen - Democrats Abroad Israel are ramping up their get-out-the-vote activities on the Israeli street, hoping every vote counts in the effort to take back the House. Republicans are missing from the scene, and say they won't 'reveal their original methods.’ (Haaretz+)
  • Trump changes tune on Saudi Arabia, accuses key ally of 'lies' - In an interview with the Washington Post, U.S. President Donald Trump said that 'obviously there's been deception, and there's been lies.’ (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • US to pull out of mid-range nuclear pact over Russian violations - President Donald Trump plans to exit Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty that eliminated a class of nuclear weapons in the U.S. and Russia • Moscow has "not honored the agreement," he says. Analyst: Superpowers slipping back into a cold war. (Agencies, Israel Hayom)
  • WATCH MBS 'Did It': Leading Republican Senator Accuses Saudi Prince of Khashoggi Murder - 'Yes, I think he did it,' Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in an interview with CNN's 'State of the Union.’ (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • As the Khashoggi crisis grows, Saudi king takes back authority - Khashoggi’s disappearance has further tarnished the crown prince’s reputation, deepening questions among Western allies and some Saudis about his leadership. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • The unusual route of the Iranian cargo jets - Western intelligence sources believe that a Fars Air Qeshm Boeing 747, very active on the Tehran-Damascus route, made an unusual flight to Beirut to deliver advanced weapons systems to Hezbollah, including GPS for precision missiles. (Ynet)
  • Former intelligence chief: Iran is forming missile plants in Lebanon - Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Yadlin, says Iran changed its strategy: instead of basing precision missile factories in Syria, they are transferring missile precision equipment to Hezbollah; Yadlin: 'If Israel doesn't do anything, the price will be paid in war.' (Ynet)
  • Poland hands over site of future Warsaw Ghetto Museum - Plans call for Warsaw Ghetto Museum to be housed in former children's hospital that was within ghetto's walls. It is scheduled to open in 2023 on 80th anniversary of the Jewish ghetto uprising. Israeli and American scholars to help shape the exhibit. (Israel Hayom)

Features:
Explained Why are some pro-Israel voices speaking out against Jamal Khashoggi?
Notably, the mainstream pro-Israel groups, like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the Anti-Defamation League, were not joining in the attacks, and Israeli officials were silent as well. (JTA, Haaretz)
 
Commentary/Analysis:
Neutralizing the Legal Advisers (Haaretz Editorial) A proposal, sponsored by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, would allow the legal adviser of a government ministry to be not the person who’s most professionally qualified, but the person the minister most wants to appoint.
It is better to tell the prime minister the truth in the face than to shoot him three shots in the back (Ben Caspit, Maariv) Rabin's grandchildren were not supposed to give dignified speeches, but to say exactly what they said….In days when every rhino (hardliner) is a king, senior ministers compete with each other who will wipe fastest the floor on which King Bibi the First is supposed to step, it is important to summon the courage once a year to tell the truth and shout out that scream that burst from the depths of the chest on November 4, 1995, but that wasn’t really heard. It is better to tell the prime minister the truth to his face than to shoot three shots in the back. So thank you, Noa and Jonathan (Rabin’s grandchildren). And take care of yourself.
The GA's 'We Need to Talk' Slogan Is a Desperate Plea to Save Israel-U.S. Jewish Ties (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) Their problematic relationship is a casualty of the culture wars sparked by the presidencies of Obama and Trump.
The Hebrew University's department of BDS (Akiva Bigman, Israel Hayom) Given the professors who will teach Lara Alqasem during her year in Jerusalem, she will likely emerge from her master's program more dedicated to the anti-Israel cause.
In Khan al-Ahmar, I found renewed hope for resisting the occupation (Oren Ziv, +972mag) Over the last four months I have spent most of my time in Khan al-Ahmar, watching young Palestinians resist, day after day, the Israeli authorities’ attempts to demolish the village. On Saturday night, their struggle finally bore fruit.
American Jews Are Funding the Far-right Dream of Greater Israel. We Have to End This - Now (Simone Zimmerman, Haaretz+) We now know far more about how far American Jewish dollars embitter Palestinian lives, target Israel's critics and entrench the occupation. It's time to say: Enough.
What it takes to organize a film screening in Gaza (Jen Marlowe, +972mag) Getting an entry permit from the Israeli army, securing permission to screen the film from Hamas, and how to prepare for inevitable power cuts are only some of the hurdles. Imagine what it takes to coordinate humanitarian aid.
Anti-Semitism on the Left and Right (MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin, Israel Hayom) While members of Israel's Labor party confront anti-Semitism in sister Labor organizations worldwide, the Israeli Right prefers to ignore classic anti-Semitism for "friendships" whose future is uncertain.
Despite two years of hostility, Palestinians will thank Trump one day (Zaha Hassan, Haaretz+) Trump's Mideast team, unlike the rest of his administration, has been transparent and consistent: Palestinians have no right to a state; Israel doesn't need to answer for its human rights abuses. But there's a Democratic backlash - and a future political windfall for the Palestinians.
The anniversary of Rabin's assassination is not a time for slogans, but a day to stop and understand (Lilach Sigan, Maariv) The lesson from the Rabin assassination is not connected to politics in any way. Enough time has passed in order to stop hiding behind the wrangling over who is right and who is to blame and aggravate the rift between right and left.
Netanyahu Also Admires and Envies His Errant Son (Ran Shimoni, Haaretz+) Yair Netanyahu is the prototype of the 21st century – aggressiveness as a way of life, unrestrained impulsiveness, and morals that range from relative to nonexistent, depending on the need of the hour. And that’s exactly what Benjamin Netanyahu once was, but also never was.
Hezbollah sees Israel's empty threats in Gaza (Yossi Yehoshua, Yedioth/Ynet) According to reports, Iran has recently increased the frequency of its advanced weapons deliveries to Hezbollah; the Cabinet needs to decide whether or not to attack the Iranian missile factory as a preemptive strike; meanwhile, Hamas proves again and again that it has no intention to put back down until it gets what it wants; our leaders must formulate a strategy—and fast.
Since spy-plane downing, Russia toughens stance against Israel in Syria skies (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Russia demands Israeli army increase use of 'hotline' mechanism to prevent friction. S-300 missile defense systems provided to Syria will be manned first by Russian experts. Russian air defense radars in Syria were activated over Israeli air force activity.
Why We Should Go Easy on the Saudi Crown Prince (Tzvia Greenfield, Haaretz+) For 50 years we’ve prayed for a key Arab leader who agrees to sign a significant pact with Israel. Such a leader has finally arrived.
Saudi Arabia, Reeling From Khashoggi Scandal, Battles a New Front: Arab Media (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) Qatari network Al Jazeera is providing the color and the harsh analysis that is roiling the Saudi royals.
How Close to China Is Too Close for Israel? (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) Visit by VP Wang is a coup for Netanyahu, but local critics say he’s giving China too much sway and even endangering ties with U.S.
What’s the Right Punishment for Israeli Journalist Accused of Sexual Assault? Pity (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) When it comes to sexual assaults that took place years ago we should not turn into vengeful persecutors.
 
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.

Recent Entries