APN's daily news review from Israel
Tuesday February 04, 2014
Quote of the day:
"When he warns Israel against a South African-style international boycott, he knows what he's
talking about it."
--Senior Yedioth political commentator Nahum Barnea tells Israelis to listen to US Secretary of State John Kerry.**
--Senior Yedioth political commentator Nahum Barnea tells Israelis to listen to US Secretary of State John Kerry.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Hostage in a culture war - Why Ariel Zilber should have been awarded the (ACUM) prize // Alon Idan
- Senior Israeli officials: Reconciliation agreement with Turkey is possible within days
- Surrogacy bill: Year in prison for holding process abroad without an agent
- Destruction of mass weapons: In last few months Libya's chemical arsenal was secretly dismantled
- Arbiv's representatives against Attorney General: Negotiations with Pinto invalid
- Principal denied students from eating lunch as punishment
- Study: Sleeping problems accelerate cancerous tumor growths
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The contractors in handcuffs - The scandal that is shaking up the real estate market
- From the music of life - Two brothers poisoned by pesticide recuperating (show playing harp together in hospital)
- The prize and the storm (at the annual ACUM awards ceremony)
- The explosive legislative bills that are coming up for a vote
Maariv
- Netanyahu to Ministers: Kerry against boycott, stop attacking him (Hebrew)
- Ariel Zilber: "I would dismantle ACUM and establish it anew" (Hebrew)
- Police Superintendent Arbiv demands to return to his position after he was found speaking truth in polygraph test he passed at his initiative (Hebrew)
- Second case of swine flu in two days: 59-year-old hospitalized in severe condition at Rambam Hospital
- In the wake of the overload: Pain clinic at Sheba Hospital not accepting new medicinal cannabis patients (Hebrew)
- Israel drying up: Hottest January in decades
- "Ultra-Orthodox Wikileaks" - Storm in ultra-Orthodox community following leak of recordings of Rabbi Steinman, from which it is understood that the rabbi coordinated with the IDF over drafting yeshiva students (Hebrew)
Israel Hayom
- "Without recognizing us there will be no agreement"
- Obvious demand // Dan Margalit
- Iran remains Iran // Boaz Bismuth
- "I also have freedom of thought" - Ariel Zilber's prize changed at last minute from 'lifetime achievement' to 'contribution to Israeli music'
- Suspicion: Adv. Roie Bar received bribes from big real estate entrepreneurs
- Tragedy in Jerusalem: Months-old baby died of HIV
- Two killed in car explosion in Petach Tikva; Believed to be 'criminal work accident' on the way to an assassination
- Arbiv showed a polygraph test that supported his version: "I want to go back to work"
News Summary:
Alongside the story that Israeli musician Ariel Zilber did not get a lifetime achievement award last night due to opposition by singer Achinoam Nini over Zilber's controversial right-wing views, the other top story was a comparison of the Israeli and Palestinian leaders' positions on a peace agreement. Surprisingly, the Iranian Foreign Minister said if peace were achieved, Iran could recognize Israel - but that was later denied. And the Israeli Foreign Ministry has moved gears to prepare for more boycotts - but denies it's a problem.
Following the interview Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gave to the New York Times in which he presented his outline for a peace agreement, both Yedioth and Maariv ran two page articles on the 'War of Recognition,' comparing Abbas' positions with those of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Here's what they wrote:
Demilitarized Palestinian state: Abbas agrees, Netanyahu agrees
Deployment of forces for Israel's security: Abbas wants NATO forces for unlimited time at border crossings and in Jerusalem, Netanyahu refuses - demands IDF forces in Jordan Valley. (Maariv)
Gradual withdrawal of IDF forces: Abbas says 5 years, Netanyahu wants minimum 10 years and freedom to operate in case of pursuit or real danger (Yedioth)
Removal of settlers in Judea and Samaria (in Yedioth it says those outside the settlement blocs: Abbas says 5 years. According to Maariv, Netanyahu refuses and says he "Not a single Jew will be removed from his home." According to Yedioth, there is no official Israeli position, but it is believed Israel will try to keep as many settlements as possible
Recognition of Israel as a 'Jewish state': Abbas says not up for discussion, Netanyahu says no agreement without it and calls Abbas' refusal 'absurd.'
Meanwhile, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said a recent meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry was basically fruitless: no progress was made and a date for a framework agreement was yet to be set.
Interestingly, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told German television on Monday that the Islamic Republic would not rule out recognizing Israel after an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. But the Iranian Fars News Agency later denied the statements, claiming his words were distorted.
And after Israeli newspapers noted yesterday that Israel's Foreign Ministry is doing nothing to prepare or act against the wave of boycotts from Europe, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced the establishment of a new team to create anti-boycott strategies. Nevertheless, Lieberman reiterated what Netanyahu has said: that all the talk of boycotts was not threatening because Israel has dealt with them in the past.
Nevertheless, the best strategy would be to make peace, said EU ambassador Lars Faaborg-Andersen, [an Israeli Foreign Ministry official said the same yesterday - OH]. Faaborg-Andersen warned that if peace talks failed, Israel would suffer "increasing isolation" not from European policy, but from private companies.
Netanyahu told his ministers yesterday to stop attacking US Secretary of State John Kerry, saying personal attacks were unacceptable. The latest attack was after Kerry warned Israel of boycotts if peace was not achieved. (NRG Hebrew)
Alongside the story that Israeli musician Ariel Zilber did not get a lifetime achievement award last night due to opposition by singer Achinoam Nini over Zilber's controversial right-wing views, the other top story was a comparison of the Israeli and Palestinian leaders' positions on a peace agreement. Surprisingly, the Iranian Foreign Minister said if peace were achieved, Iran could recognize Israel - but that was later denied. And the Israeli Foreign Ministry has moved gears to prepare for more boycotts - but denies it's a problem.
Following the interview Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gave to the New York Times in which he presented his outline for a peace agreement, both Yedioth and Maariv ran two page articles on the 'War of Recognition,' comparing Abbas' positions with those of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Here's what they wrote:
Demilitarized Palestinian state: Abbas agrees, Netanyahu agrees
Deployment of forces for Israel's security: Abbas wants NATO forces for unlimited time at border crossings and in Jerusalem, Netanyahu refuses - demands IDF forces in Jordan Valley. (Maariv)
Gradual withdrawal of IDF forces: Abbas says 5 years, Netanyahu wants minimum 10 years and freedom to operate in case of pursuit or real danger (Yedioth)
Removal of settlers in Judea and Samaria (in Yedioth it says those outside the settlement blocs: Abbas says 5 years. According to Maariv, Netanyahu refuses and says he "Not a single Jew will be removed from his home." According to Yedioth, there is no official Israeli position, but it is believed Israel will try to keep as many settlements as possible
Recognition of Israel as a 'Jewish state': Abbas says not up for discussion, Netanyahu says no agreement without it and calls Abbas' refusal 'absurd.'
Meanwhile, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said a recent meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry was basically fruitless: no progress was made and a date for a framework agreement was yet to be set.
Interestingly, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told German television on Monday that the Islamic Republic would not rule out recognizing Israel after an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. But the Iranian Fars News Agency later denied the statements, claiming his words were distorted.
And after Israeli newspapers noted yesterday that Israel's Foreign Ministry is doing nothing to prepare or act against the wave of boycotts from Europe, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced the establishment of a new team to create anti-boycott strategies. Nevertheless, Lieberman reiterated what Netanyahu has said: that all the talk of boycotts was not threatening because Israel has dealt with them in the past.
Nevertheless, the best strategy would be to make peace, said EU ambassador Lars Faaborg-Andersen, [an Israeli Foreign Ministry official said the same yesterday - OH]. Faaborg-Andersen warned that if peace talks failed, Israel would suffer "increasing isolation" not from European policy, but from private companies.
Netanyahu told his ministers yesterday to stop attacking US Secretary of State John Kerry, saying personal attacks were unacceptable. The latest attack was after Kerry warned Israel of boycotts if peace was not achieved. (NRG Hebrew)
Quick Hits:
- Court to state: Explain refusal to alter security barrier that splits Palestinian town - West Bank fence aims to enclose Gilo, but also cuts off Beit Jala from Catholic monasteries that provide educational services. (Haaretz+)
- Efrat settlement (outpost) residents to be evacuated to expand settlement - Announcement of building permits in Tamar Hill received with mixed feelings. Reason: families living there for years will be forced to leave. [APN reported Tamar Hill as an outpost from 2001. - OH] (Maariv, p. 4/NRG Hebrew)
- Israeli officers enter Aqsa compound, raid mosque - Around 30 intelligence officers entered the compound and toured different areas before storming the Dome of the Rock and climbing to the roof. Female worshipers shouted "Allah Akbar" at the Israeli officers, who then tried to take pictures of the women, which led to a heated argument and the officers taking the women's IDs. (Maan)
- Israeli forces storm Jordan Valley protest camp - Israeli forces on Monday morning stormed the Bab al-Awda protest encampment which Palestinian and international activists erected Sunday near the Bisan checkpoint in the northern Jordan Valley. (Maan)
- New proposal seeks to set 4-seat electoral threshold - Governance Committee considers annulling the current 2% electoral threshold in favor of one requiring parties to win a minimum number of mandates. Central Election Committee suggests primary and secondary voting system. [This would keep out the Arab parties, which usually have two or 3 seats. - OH] (Israel Hayom)
- Approved on first reading: Deportation Day of Mizrachi Jews - Bill initiated by MK Shimon Ohayon set November 30 as the national day marking the departure and expulsion of Mizrachi Jews from the countries of their origin. (NRG Hebrew)
- Thousands attend funeral of Palestinian suicide bombers after bodies returned by Israel - Father of terrorist girl declares number of mourners proves 'they had been victorious.' (Haaretz and Maan)
- Tivon municipality cancelled event in tribute of Sapir Sabah: "We won't give a hand to incitement" - The high school student (who complained against teacher Adam Verete, who said the IDF was immoral) said she will appeal decision not to dismiss him. Tribute evening organized by [religious radical right-wing] former MK Michael Ben-Ari, who said: "It's a private event, we'll hold it as planned." Invitation read: "We are all coming to give a loyal Jewish response to Adam Verete's gang of traitors." (Maariv, p. 8/NRG Hebrew)
- Report: 1 in 8 IDF women soldiers experienced sexual assault in 2013 - Far-reaching report finds cases of sexual harassment rose to 561 in 2013; number of men who said they were assaulted rises by 5% from 2012. (Ynet)
- IDF to deploy reservists in Gaza sector - For the first time in years, Gaza Brigade reservists will relieve Givati Brigade soldiers departing the sector for routine, three-week training sessions. Move prompted by changes to military's training, deployment plans following defense budget cuts. (Israel Hayom)
- Gaza families visit relatives jailed in Israel - 84 people, including 17 children, left the coastal enclave via the Erez, or Beit Hanoun, crossing to visit 40 Palestinians detained in Israel's Ramon prison. (Maan)
- Facebook at 10: For Israel, it’s a dark mirror and a vulgar town square - Instead of creating a new world, the Israeli corner on the social network is a place where everything is quick and nervous, sweaty and violent. (Haaretz+)
- FBI: 2 US Jews accused of mass fraud escape to Israel - Arrest warrant issued for two Los Angeles men who flee to Israel after allegedly committing bank fraud of more than $33 million. If convicted, one faces a maximum statutory sentence of more than 1,000 years. (Israel Hayom)
- Senior Israeli officials: Deal with Turkey possible within days - Turkish media says agreement waiting for finalization of 'minor issues' before submitted to Erdogan and Netanyahu. (Haaretz+)
- Feiglin: It's permissible to say that our army is immoral - (The hawkish) Likud MK discussed on his Facebook page the affair of the left-wing teacher Adam Verete, stating: "When the IDF expelled tens of thousands of Jews from their homes [in the Gaza Strip in 2005] - it also was true." (NRG Hebrew)
- New Zealand to issue visas to Israeli dancers, despite calls for boycott - Auckland Jewish Council says BDS call to keep out Batsheva Dance Company is 'a cheap publicity stunt that should be exposed for its sinister agenda.' (Haaretz+)
- Official in Merkel's bureau meets with anti-Zionist Jews - Anti-Zionist haredi sect holds meeting with German official in possible attempt to undermine connection between Israel, Judaism and Germany. (Ynet)
- Hillary Clinton argues against additional sanctions on Iran - Iran warns it will walk away from nuclear talks if sanctions bill, supported by Senate majority, becomes law. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
Palestinian activists who are inspired by Jesus, but refuse to turn the other cheek
On Friday, January 31, the first activity was launched. Erecting a camp at Ein Hijleh, north of the Dead Sea, on land belonging to the monastery of the same name (and also known as the St. Gerasimos Monastery). The protest was against the colonization of Palestinian lands, but the direct message was to the Palestinian Authority: You have no right to give up the Jordan Valley. (Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
On Friday, January 31, the first activity was launched. Erecting a camp at Ein Hijleh, north of the Dead Sea, on land belonging to the monastery of the same name (and also known as the St. Gerasimos Monastery). The protest was against the colonization of Palestinian lands, but the direct message was to the Palestinian Authority: You have no right to give up the Jordan Valley. (Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Boycotting reality (Haaretz Editorial) Instead of welcoming Kerry, Netanyahu quarrels with him and refuses to
understand that Israel's most essential interest is ending the conflict.
**Take Kerry at his word (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) When US secretary of state warns Israel against a South Africa-style international boycott, he knows what he's talking about it.
Israel's left must shout, not whisper, its support for Kerry (David Landau, Haaretz+) The dream of Israel's peace camp is coming true: Strong foreign support pushing Israel to end the occupation. Its leaders must not leave the field to the religious right's rejectionism.
The Munich test - Not just paranoid (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth) Shiffer discusses the controversy over US Secretary of State John Kerry's recent remarks in which he "hinted that Israelis will be hit in the pocket," if there is no peace agreement. Shiffer asserts, "Kerry was incautious in his remarks...While there are many reasons to criticize us for our conduct toward the Palestinians, our American friends would do well to come to us with more convincing arguments than threats of the kind Kerry hinted at."
Mahmoud Abbas holds the key to peace (Shlomo Avineri, Haaretz+) We don’t need the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, but we do need to hear them say - publicly - that they accept us.
Bennett, leave the coalition now! (Yoel Meltzer, Ynet) Quitting government may be Habayit Hayehudi's only chance of stopping suicidal agreement with Palestinians.
Kerry's success would be Zionism's success too (S. Daniel Abraham, Haaretz+) It's not too early for Netanyahu to start working on the day after a Kerry breakthrough.
Netanyahu could learn from Sharon's realistic approach to Zionism (Shaul Arieli, Haaretz+) Under the Gush Emunim approach, the status of the land is more important than that of the state. Sharon saw territory as a means of reaching an end.
What Abbas did and didn't tell the New York Times (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) Palestinian president vocal on his own flexibility, but mum on IDF presence in Palestine and why he won't recognize the Jewish state.
Palestinian punishment, a fact of life (Oudeh Basharat, Haaretz+) Whether Netanyahu and Bennett feud or stand united - the Palestinians are gonna get it.
When will Turkish-Israeli ties fully mend? That’s up to Ankara (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) The two countries must agree on the sum Israel will pay for the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident. But Prime Minister Erdogan must decide if this will increase his prestige in Iran.
Will Israel be able to peacefully draft the ultra-Orthodox? (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) It's clear that without quiet understandings and compromises, it will be difficult to increase the number of Haredi recruits.
**Take Kerry at his word (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) When US secretary of state warns Israel against a South Africa-style international boycott, he knows what he's talking about it.
Israel's left must shout, not whisper, its support for Kerry (David Landau, Haaretz+) The dream of Israel's peace camp is coming true: Strong foreign support pushing Israel to end the occupation. Its leaders must not leave the field to the religious right's rejectionism.
The Munich test - Not just paranoid (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth) Shiffer discusses the controversy over US Secretary of State John Kerry's recent remarks in which he "hinted that Israelis will be hit in the pocket," if there is no peace agreement. Shiffer asserts, "Kerry was incautious in his remarks...While there are many reasons to criticize us for our conduct toward the Palestinians, our American friends would do well to come to us with more convincing arguments than threats of the kind Kerry hinted at."
Mahmoud Abbas holds the key to peace (Shlomo Avineri, Haaretz+) We don’t need the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, but we do need to hear them say - publicly - that they accept us.
Bennett, leave the coalition now! (Yoel Meltzer, Ynet) Quitting government may be Habayit Hayehudi's only chance of stopping suicidal agreement with Palestinians.
Kerry's success would be Zionism's success too (S. Daniel Abraham, Haaretz+) It's not too early for Netanyahu to start working on the day after a Kerry breakthrough.
Netanyahu could learn from Sharon's realistic approach to Zionism (Shaul Arieli, Haaretz+) Under the Gush Emunim approach, the status of the land is more important than that of the state. Sharon saw territory as a means of reaching an end.
What Abbas did and didn't tell the New York Times (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) Palestinian president vocal on his own flexibility, but mum on IDF presence in Palestine and why he won't recognize the Jewish state.
Palestinian punishment, a fact of life (Oudeh Basharat, Haaretz+) Whether Netanyahu and Bennett feud or stand united - the Palestinians are gonna get it.
When will Turkish-Israeli ties fully mend? That’s up to Ankara (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) The two countries must agree on the sum Israel will pay for the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident. But Prime Minister Erdogan must decide if this will increase his prestige in Iran.
Will Israel be able to peacefully draft the ultra-Orthodox? (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) It's clear that without quiet understandings and compromises, it will be difficult to increase the number of Haredi recruits.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.