News Nosh 6.11.19

APN's daily news review from Israel
Tuesday June 11, 2019

 
You Must Be Kidding: 
"Our problem is with his name only and not with the player himself. So we will change his name so that the name Mohammad will not be heard at Teddy Stadium."
—After discovering that the new acquisition to the Beitar Jerusalem soccer team was not a Muslim, the racist anti-Arab 'La Familia' fan club released a statement explaining it did not oppose the acquisition of the Nigerian - but they did have a problem with his name: Ali Mohammed. The post was later deleted.**

Front Page:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
  • Losing everything in a second - Special: Parents whose children drowned to death write about their pain and how they miss them (Hebrew)
  • (Netanyahu) will attend the hearing, but will request another postponement
  • The hearing is not the story // Ben-Dror Yemini
  • The commerce of the ministry portfolios // Yuval Karni
  • National Book Week opens tomorrow
  • (Beitar Jerusalem soccer team fan club) La Familia: There won’t be a Mohammed on Beitar team (Hebrew)
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
  • Threatening the world - IAEA admits Iran violating nuclear agreement
  • Pressure lever // Yossi Melman
  • Netanyahu: Cracks at home, too? Likud Central Committee member demands holding primaries for party chairman; Prime Minister: “I will attend the hearing”
  • Nightmare at the tower - Helicopter crashed into 54-story building in NY - due to weather
Israel Hayom
  • Battles in the right-wing: Unnecessary dispute, AKAR - and dangerous // Eitan Orkabi
  • Kahol-Lavan: Storm following ‘Israel Hayom’ reveals the intention of ‘Break the right-wing’; Labor party: Russo quits; Meretz: Horowitz running against Zandberg
  • Iran racing towards nukes: “Increased rate of uranium enrichment”
  • Suspicion of anti-Semitic attack in Argentina: Chabad representative in Rosario was beaten
  • Fear in Manhattan: Helicopter crashed into roof of building, pilot killed
  • Fans are furious: Ali Mohammed signed in Beitar Jerusalem (soccer team)

Top News Summary:
A reluctant Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu agrees at the last minute to attend his October pre-indictment hearing on corruption suspicions, and the UN nuclear agency chief says that Iran has followed through with its warnings and has accelerated uranium enrichment as Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Netanyahu exchanged accusations - making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.

At a joint press conference in Teheran, Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said “The situation in the region here is highly explosive and extremely serious” that could lead to military action, while Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif blamed the United States economic sanctions for the escalation, saying, "Reducing tension is only possible through stopping the economic war by America," in reference to additional US economic sanctions U.S. President Donald Trump signed on last month that affect 10 percent of Iran’s export economy. Zarif added that the US "cannot expect to stay safe" after launching tthis economic war. In response, Netanyahu accused Zarif of lying, saying, “Iran is the one who openly threatens annihilation.” Berlin, London and Paris are trying to salvage the nuclear deal and Germany said the European Union plan to bypass US sanctions on Iran will soon be operational. Meanwhile, US Commander Gen. Frank McKenzie said an expanded force may be needed in the Middle East to counter Iran. Nevertheless, Iran state TV announced that a U.S. resident held as spy will be released.

Election Quickees:
  • Palestinian Authority Pressing for Jewish-Arab Political Alliance Ahead of New Israeli Election - Abbas’ envoys urge Israeli Arab politicians to either set up new party or support Meretz. The Palestinian Authority is trying to foster Jewish-Arab political cooperation in Israel, either by setting up a new party or by bolstering the Meretz party. Since April’s Israeli election, senior PA officials have held talks with Israeli Arab mayors and political activists to explore the possibility of such cooperation. (Haaretz+ and i24news)
  • Yaalon vs. Likud: “Hamas also has democratic elections” - In an interview, Moshe Yaalon, Kahol-Lavan’s #3, made light of Likud’s claims of being democratic because it holds internal elections by comparing it with Hamas. Yaalon explained he wasn’t directing his criticism at the Likud voters and members, but at Netanyahu. “There are Likud MKs who understand that there is a problem here, but they don’t dare (say so),” he said saying it was more like a dictatorship than a democracy. Likud struck back: Yaalon lost it. He is inciting against more than a million voters of Netanyahu. (Yedioth/Ynet Hebrew, p. 4)
  • Israeli Labor Lawmaker Quits, Left-wing Meretz Party Eyes Primary Ahead of New Election - Tal Rousso ends his short-lived political life and former MK Nitzan Hotowitz to run for Meretz leadership as parties grapple with election disappointment. (Haaretz)
  • Netanyahu emissary to Smotrich: "The next justice minister will hold the key to Netanyahu's fate, and you won’t get it” - The prime minister's emissary, Natan Eshel, informed the Knesset member of the Union of Right-wing Parties that he would not be given the ministry he was interested in, KAN Channel 1 reported. The Likud denies the report. (Maariv)
 
Quick Hits:
  • The 'Money Mountain': Israel Holding Millions in Palestinian Deposits, Promises Now to Finally Pay It Back - Since the 1990s, $16 million have accumulated in the accounts of Israel’s Civil Administration accounts, guarantees from Palestinians. Those who tried to get their money back encountered a bureaucratic labyrinth. Just before the High Court petition, the state comptroller intervened, and the Civil Administration promised to simplify procedures and initiate the return of money. (Haaretz+ and Haaretz Hebrew)
  • Settler Group Strengthens Hold on Jerusalem's Christian Quarter After Victory in Court - The Supreme Court rejected the appeal of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and approved the disputed sale of three key assets, including the Petra and Imperial hotels overlooking the Jaffa Gate plaza at the entrance to the Old City, belonging to the Greek Church to Ateret Cohanim, ending a 14-year legal battle. (Haaretz+ and JPost)
  • Weekly Gaza protests to focus on US Ambassador Friedman - After being frozen during the month of Ramadan, the "marches of return" that have been taking place for more than a year will resume under slogan 'No annexing West Bank, Friedman shut up,’ following statement by the ambassador regarding possibility Israel may annex parts of territory. Balloon terror continues say JNF officials. Meanwhile, the Qatari ambassador is expected to send another round of funds to the Gaza Strip. (Israel Hayom, Maariv and Ynet)
  •  Israel completes new section of protective Gaza border wall - Wall designed to block Gaza-based terrorists from detecting Israeli movement is part of a broader project to bolster defenses of Gaza-adjacent communities that was approved last year. (Israel Hayom)
  • Gaza Medic Shot in the Head During Border Protests Succumbs to Wounds - Sobhi Al-Jdeily, 36, was shot in the head by a rubber bullet while on duty with the Red Crescent. (Haaretz+ and i24news)
  • Israeli Prosecutors Say Sara Netanyahu Hasn’t Signed Plea Deal - The prime minister's wife is supposed to pay $15,000 in an agreement after she was indicted for allegedly misusing public funds. (Haaretz+)
  • Israeli City Cancels Screening of Islamophobic Documentary by Far-right Commentator Katie Hopkins - The British conspiracy theorist’s film ‘Homelands’ paints a picture of a ‘Muslim-dominated’ Europe that is pushing out the continent’s Christians and Jews. (Haaretz+ and video)
  • 'Muslims are driving Jews out of Western Europe' - In heated debate on i24NEWS alongside former Israeli Ambassador to France Daniel Shek, contentious British commentator Katie Hopkins stands by her claim, as explored in her new documentary 'Homelands,' that Muslims are “forcing the Jews out of Western Europe” as well as “her own population.” (Israel Hayom)
  • **Far-right Beitar Jerusalem fans incensed by addition of player named Mohamed - Club’s owner says he received threats after signing player, who is a Christian of African origin, vows to sue. (Racist - OH) fan club known as 'La Familia,' said it would "make sure to have Ali Mohammed's name changed."  (Times of Israel and Yedioth/Ynet Hebrew and Haaretz Hebrew)
  • Laborer Dies in Israel's 37th Fatal Work Accident of 2019 - The man, who was hit by a heavy object, is the 22nd construction worker killed on site since the beginning of the year. (Haaretz+ and Maariv)
  • Israel to Deport Turkish Stowaway Suspected of Setting Ship on Fire - This is not the first time the suspect, who set fire to a cargo ship off the Haifa port after being discovered on board, is being returned to Turkey after attempting to enter Israel. (Haaretz+VIDEO and Israel Hayom)
  • Tel Aviv Ranks Third in Mediterranean in Amount of Plastic Waste Washing Ashore - World Wildlife Fund report, which did not examine all cities along the Mediterranean, says that on just one kilometer of Tel Aviv beach, 46 pounds of trash reach the shore each day. (Haaretz)
  • Worms Help Israeli Scientists Rewrite Basics of Genetics - Tel Aviv study finds Grail of genetics: Proves nerve cells can transmit messages to future generations not via the DNA, but by epigenetic changes. (Haaretz)
  • Neo-Nazis deface Israeli flag during Detroit pride parade - Members of the National Socialist Movement (NSM) come with weapons, perform Nazi salutes. Footage shows some urinating on Israeli flag and tearing apart rainbow flag. No injuries were reported. (Israel Hayom)
  • “Cairo is trying to restart the internal Palestinian reconciliation, holding talks on the subject" - A senior political source in Egypt said in a conversation with the Palestinian news agency that they believe their efforts to promote reconciliation will help ease tensions in the Gaza Strip as well. (Maariv)
  • Saudi Youth, Arrested at 13, Faces Possible Execution - In April, Saudi Arabia carried out a mass execution of 37 men, which Amnesty says included a young Shiite male arrested at 16. (Haaretz)


Features:
The letter Nehama did not have a chance to read
"Dear Mrs. Nehama, I wish you a quick recovery. I want to tell you that you are a uniquely special woman." This was the opening of the letter to the president's wife, Nechama Rivlin, who did not have time to read, and was signed by Dalal Daoud, an Arab-Israeli woman who has been imprisoned for 18 years for the murder of her abusive husband. During her many visits to the Neveh Tirza prison, Mrs.  Rivlin formed a personal and deep connection with Daoud. Shortly before Rivlin's death, the prisoner wrote to her in a moving letter: "Despite the difficulty, you gave us hope.” (Amir Alon, Yedioth Hebrew)
She's an American Citizen, but Israel Says She Can't Return Home to Bethlehem
Elaine Zoughbi’s crime is marrying a Palestinian 30 years ago and having four Palestinian children with him. (Amira Hass, Haaretz+)
More and more twelfth-graders are holding graduation proms like in America, and the costs are accordingly
The youth who graduate from high school do not settle for school parties, and hold for themselves a prestigious event costing hundreds and thousands of shekels, which only a few of the students can pay for. (Ofer Livnat, Maariv)
‘To sing is not a right in the Gaza Strip’
With mounting social and political restrictions under Hamas rule, musicians are struggling to develop their music careers in the strip. Many seek to leave in search of opportunities elsewhere. (Hind Khoudary, +972mag)
We Tried to Find a Picture of Netanyahu Reading Haaretz. This Is What We Found
On the occasion of 100 years to Haaretz, our reporter sent himself on a mission that seemed easy. A long journey followed. (Ofer Aderet, Haaretz+)

Commentary/Analysis:
The history of the right-wing proves that Likud's ability to function will be in doubt (Ephraim Ganor, Maariv) In all the cases in which right-wing governments fell or did not rise, it was because of the characteristic division that brought the Jewish people back to a time when it was composed of tribes.
With Annexation Comment, Friedman Just Made Netanyahu’s Life More Difficult (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) For years, the prime minister has cited U.S. pressure to stymie settlement-building in the West Bank. The American ambassador just took away that excuseץ
Israelis should not celebrate U.S. ambassador's talk of West Bank annexation (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Uniting all the territory to the east and west of the Jordan River is not contrary to Palestinian aspirations, it is what they want as the first step on the road to a binational state to replace the State of Israel.
True progressives are Zionists (Jonathan S. Tobin, Israel Hayom) Netanyahu’s opponents are counting on the conflict with the Palestinians being superseded in the public’s mind by the one with the ultra-Orthodox. Are they right?
The expected changes in EU institutions will probably benefit Israel (Zalman Shoval, Maariv) During the period of Theresa May as prime minister, Britain was generally sympathetic to Israel, and it is reasonable to assume that this will be the case even if it disengages from Europe.
ֿHezbollah's Propaganda War Threatens Israel Far More Than Its Missiles (David Daoud, Haaretz+) Fear is Hezbollah's most devastating weapon. And it's working: Hassan Nasrallah's extravagant threats, endlessly amplified by the Israeli media, now constrains IDF action against the Iranian proxy

Elections 2019 Commentary/Analysis:
Yair Lapid is the only guarantee that Kahol-Lavan will not sell our civil freedom (Menahem Ben, Maariv) The attempt to cancel the leadership rotation with Lapid will turn Kahol-Lavan into a party of generals who are pandering to ultra-Orthodox in the Labor Party style. It's good that Benny Gantz did not agree to it.
An Appointment Worth More Than All Pride Parades (Nave Dromi, Haaretz+) Amir Ohana is not just a gay man. Unlike other gay men, he chose the wrong side. A strange combination of gay and right-wing, which simply doesn’t make sense to liberals. That’s why he is reduced to being described as an “ass licker” or compared to Caligula’s horse.
Lieberman will not stop the deterioration of Israeli democracy (Dr. Revital Amiran, Maariv) The liberalism of the chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu contains an internal contradiction: The defense of secular freedom requires the preservation of fundamental principles of democracy, which he has no problem in helping to erode.
The greatest threat (Prof. Efraim Inbar, Israel Hayom) Given the ugly election campaign ahead of us, the party that emerges victorious should aspire to form as broad a coalition as possible. Likewise, the appointed government should act to fortify cohesion by adopting a sober public discourse and avoiding the demonization of political opponents.

 
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.