APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday April 10, 2014
Quote of the day:
"Following the ignominious defeat the IDF suffered in the confrontation with the hill bullies, the
Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, should go to Yitzhar settlement today with a large white flag in his
hand, admit to the defeat of the IDF, and announce the withdrawal of all troops from the settlement of Yitzhar
and perhaps from all settlements."
--Renowned Israeli author Amos Oz writes a letter to the Editor.**
--Renowned Israeli author Amos Oz writes a letter to the Editor.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Netanyahu: Deeply disappointed with Kerry's statements, he is harming the talks
- Sanctions boomerang // Zvi Bar'el
- Kiev threatens force against pro-Russian activists
- A suggestion to the Chief of Staff following defeat of IDF at Yitzhar (settlement). Signed, Amos Oz (Hebrew)
- Interior Ministry delays play meant to increase supply of apartments in center of country
- Crisis in humanities studies: French studies department at Tel-Aviv University to close
- Students and pensioners sued Egged (and Jerusalem bus station) over pollution, Egged was told to pay heavy compensation
- Pharaoh’s coffin discovered in Jezreel Valley
Yedioth Ahronoth
- That's terror - Six former Shin Bet chiefs tell Yedioth "The violent attack at Yitzhar (settlement) undermines the foundations of the state, and it needs to be dealt with accordingly: like terrorists are dealt with"
- Watershed moment // Alex Fishman
- And (Chief of Staff) Gantz remains silent // Yossi Yehoshua\
- New Horizon - Successful launch last night of (spy) satellite Ofek
- Good ending to bad movie - From now on: No commission for ordering tickets to movies by phone or internet
- The visit and the smiles - Hours after a source in the Prime Minister's Office called Kerry's 'Puff speech' "disappointing and causing damage to the negotiations," Foreign Minister Lieberman had a very friendly meeting with Kerry
Maariv
- not published today
Israel Hayom
- Prime Minister: Israel is independent, it can say no - Kerry to Lieberman: (I) don't blame Israel for the crisis
- Abu Mazen does not want negotiations and Kerry is ignoring that // Dan Margalit
- "Brothers - this is not the way!" Operations sergeant Yossi Sterhall writes a public letter saying that IDF reservists left their families and work to protect the settlers so there is no moral justification for their behavior.
- New horizon above the Iranian skies - Israeli pride: Spy satellite 'Ofek 10' launched successfully
- A journey to the oldest haggadah in the world
- Now prohibited to take fee for movie tickets bought over the internet
Peace Talk and Security Highlights:
Today's top stories continued to be about the Israeli reactions to US Secretary of State Kerry's statements and to the settler violence against the IDF at Yitzhar settlement. Meanwhile, Israeli and Palestinian politicians warn against Israeli sanctions against the Palestinians, while the Arab League agrees to give the Palestinian Authority a monthly stipend in case sanctions worsen.
Yedioth called yesterday's events "Friction and Smiles." Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman called Kerry "a true friend of Israel" when he met with him in Washington yesterday. Kerry said he never blamed Israel for the crisis in the talks, in what Israeli papers call his 'poof speech', and that he was only giving an account of the chain of events that led to the crisis.
At the same time, a source in the Prime Minister's Office told the media that Israel was 'deeply disappointed' by Kerry's accusations that implied that Israel was to blame for the collapse of peace talks, and that Kerry knows is the Palestinians who are to blame, as they have rejected every proposal offered to them including the framework agreement Kerry attempted to draft. The source said that Kerry's statements harmed the talks.
Talks between the Israeli and Palestinian negotiation teams will meet today in Jerusalem under the mediation of Special US Envoy Martin Indyk, after the Arab League blamed Israel for the crisis, but gave a green-light to continue.
The Arab League also pledged $100 million a month to the PA, in the event Israel withholds the transfer of taxes it collects for the PA. Israel has previously frozen the payments as a means of punishment. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said the Israeli government had "indicated" this morning it would withhold the revenues.
Centrist politicians slammed sanctions against the PA.
"It's not clear what good will come of this superfluous move of cutting off relations with the Palestinian Authority," said Opposition leader and Labor party chief MK Isaac Herzog. "In fact, it's quite clear what damage will come of this step. It will harm the interests of the state of Israel and its economic sector." Minister Amir Peretz (Hatnuah) called the move "useless." Fatah central committee member Azzam al-Ahmad warned that sanctions would lead to the PA's collapse.
After Israel ordered an end to all non-security related cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, Hamas told the PA it should just end cooperation altogether. Pro-settler Economy Minister Naftali Bennett told Netanyahu that Israel must annex the settlement blocs in response to the Palestinian request to join 15 UN bodies.
The papers ran various articles, letters, quotes and profiles on people who voiced their opposition to the violence of settlers at Yitzhar, 'humiliating' soldiers and destroying a military outpost and its equipment near the settlement. Yedioth ran a front-page piece interviewing the last six Shin Bet chiefs who slammed the political, judicial and security establishments. Here are some quotes:
Avi Dichter: "There are no results in the battle against Jewish terror because the establishment is forgiving and the punishments meted out by the courts are ridiculous."
Yuval Diskin: "The people involved in operations against Palesitnians and Arab citizens of Israel or against the IDF are likely to use firearms in the future against soldiers and leaders."
Yaakov Peri: "This isn't some complex crime and you don't need to activate sophisticated forces in order to catch a few dozen rioters whom everyone know who they are."
Avraham Shalom: "The Shin Bet does not need to wait for directives from the government in order to act against this terror, just as the police does not wait for directives when it is battling thieves."
Carmi Gilon: "These rioters from Yitzhar need to be dealt with like we dealt with the Jewish underground and like we dealt with Kach movement terrorists - go down on them with all force."
Ami Ayalon: "What's happening in the field is Jewish terror. Other definitions like 'hate crimes' or 'negative elements' are worthless rubbish and euphemisms."
Today's top stories continued to be about the Israeli reactions to US Secretary of State Kerry's statements and to the settler violence against the IDF at Yitzhar settlement. Meanwhile, Israeli and Palestinian politicians warn against Israeli sanctions against the Palestinians, while the Arab League agrees to give the Palestinian Authority a monthly stipend in case sanctions worsen.
Yedioth called yesterday's events "Friction and Smiles." Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman called Kerry "a true friend of Israel" when he met with him in Washington yesterday. Kerry said he never blamed Israel for the crisis in the talks, in what Israeli papers call his 'poof speech', and that he was only giving an account of the chain of events that led to the crisis.
At the same time, a source in the Prime Minister's Office told the media that Israel was 'deeply disappointed' by Kerry's accusations that implied that Israel was to blame for the collapse of peace talks, and that Kerry knows is the Palestinians who are to blame, as they have rejected every proposal offered to them including the framework agreement Kerry attempted to draft. The source said that Kerry's statements harmed the talks.
Talks between the Israeli and Palestinian negotiation teams will meet today in Jerusalem under the mediation of Special US Envoy Martin Indyk, after the Arab League blamed Israel for the crisis, but gave a green-light to continue.
The Arab League also pledged $100 million a month to the PA, in the event Israel withholds the transfer of taxes it collects for the PA. Israel has previously frozen the payments as a means of punishment. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said the Israeli government had "indicated" this morning it would withhold the revenues.
Centrist politicians slammed sanctions against the PA.
"It's not clear what good will come of this superfluous move of cutting off relations with the Palestinian Authority," said Opposition leader and Labor party chief MK Isaac Herzog. "In fact, it's quite clear what damage will come of this step. It will harm the interests of the state of Israel and its economic sector." Minister Amir Peretz (Hatnuah) called the move "useless." Fatah central committee member Azzam al-Ahmad warned that sanctions would lead to the PA's collapse.
After Israel ordered an end to all non-security related cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, Hamas told the PA it should just end cooperation altogether. Pro-settler Economy Minister Naftali Bennett told Netanyahu that Israel must annex the settlement blocs in response to the Palestinian request to join 15 UN bodies.
The papers ran various articles, letters, quotes and profiles on people who voiced their opposition to the violence of settlers at Yitzhar, 'humiliating' soldiers and destroying a military outpost and its equipment near the settlement. Yedioth ran a front-page piece interviewing the last six Shin Bet chiefs who slammed the political, judicial and security establishments. Here are some quotes:
Avi Dichter: "There are no results in the battle against Jewish terror because the establishment is forgiving and the punishments meted out by the courts are ridiculous."
Yuval Diskin: "The people involved in operations against Palesitnians and Arab citizens of Israel or against the IDF are likely to use firearms in the future against soldiers and leaders."
Yaakov Peri: "This isn't some complex crime and you don't need to activate sophisticated forces in order to catch a few dozen rioters whom everyone know who they are."
Avraham Shalom: "The Shin Bet does not need to wait for directives from the government in order to act against this terror, just as the police does not wait for directives when it is battling thieves."
Carmi Gilon: "These rioters from Yitzhar need to be dealt with like we dealt with the Jewish underground and like we dealt with Kach movement terrorists - go down on them with all force."
Ami Ayalon: "What's happening in the field is Jewish terror. Other definitions like 'hate crimes' or 'negative elements' are worthless rubbish and euphemisms."
Quick Hits:
- Police caught on tape brutally beating two Palestinians - Video shows police officers repeatedly slamming car door into Palestinian, who suffered broken arm, ribs. (Haaretz+ + VIDEO and Ynet)
- Israeli soldiers 'raid university campus in Salfit, fire tear gas' - "Campus workers collected some 70 empty tear gas canisters," said officials after Israeli soldiers raided the campus and showered tear gas Wednesday morning. (Maan)
- Israel delivers demolition orders to Bedouin families near Jerusalem - Israeli forces and civil administration officers handed demolition and eviction orders to Palestinian Bedouin families in E. Jerusalem neighborhood of al-Ezariya. Bedouins from the Jahalin tribe live in homes made of steel, wood and tin boards as well as tents. (Maan)
- Israeli bulldozers demolish Bedouin homes across Israel's Negev - Police vehicles escorted bulldozers across the Negev as they demolished a number of structures in Bedouin villages not recognized by Israeli authorities. (Maan)
- British opposition leader Ed Miliband due to arrive in Israel today - Miliband, Labor leader and the party's first Jewish leader, will meet Israeli, Palestinian leaders, hold Q&A session at Hebrew University, and visit Yad Vashem on 3-day visit. (Ynet)
- Former Australian FM denounces Jewish lobby's 'extraordinary influence' - In new book, Bob Carr claims office of former Australian PM Julia Gillard was effectively held hostage by Jewish lobby. (Haaretz)
- (Upper) Nazareth Illit mayor asks local mosques to turn down the volume - Mayor Alex Gedelkin asks local authorities to lower volume of mosques' call to prayer on Memorial Day so that commemorations are not interrupted by the muezzins' call. Gedelkin asks deputy interior minister to help carry out his request. (Israel Hayom)
- SpaceIL receives $16.4 million donation from Adelson Family Foundation - Grant allows SpaceIL to work toward goal of putting first Israeli spacecraft on the moon. (Israel Hayom publisher) Sheldon Adelson: "As an entrepreneur, nothing is as thrilling as supporting a group of people who have been told that their dreams cannot be realized." (Israel Hayom)
- Israeli Air Force welcomes Samson to its fleet - The IAF Samson has a much higher cargo capacity than the currently used IAF Karnaf (the original Hercules). It can carry four vehicles for operations or 92 paratroopers and their equipment in its cargo bay. (Israel Hayom)
- Israel launches new observation (spy) satellite into orbit - Satellite "Ofek 10" will orbit the globe every 90 minutes, halving response time to possible Iranian attack. (Ynet)
- Lebanese reports: IAF drones over southern Lebanon - Hezbollah TV station also reports on artillery fire in the Mount Dov area, on Israel-Lebanon border; reports have not been confirmed by Israel. (Ynet)
- Mortar hits Sha'ar Hanegev community; no injuries - Month after rocket salvo hits southern Israel, mortar slams into regional community. 'It was scary... thank god this time it fell far away from residential areas,' locals say. (Ynet)
- Polish volunteers rally to save flooded Jewish cemetery - Flooded river overflows into nearby Jewish cemetery, ruining tombstones and causing skeletons to resurface from graves. Mimaamakim (From the Depths) volunteers work to collect bones and transport them to Warsaw for a Jewish burial. (Israel Hayom)
Features:
The Zionism Quiz in Ariel: As far from Israeliness as can be
The questions didn’t feature the Holyland corruption scandal, Bamba peanut-butter snack or singing star Ninet Tayeb. Just the Kishinev pogrom and Arthur Ruppin. (By Roy Chicky Arad, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
The questions didn’t feature the Holyland corruption scandal, Bamba peanut-butter snack or singing star Ninet Tayeb. Just the Kishinev pogrom and Arthur Ruppin. (By Roy Chicky Arad, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Kerry told the simple truth (Haaretz Editorial) The Israeli public deserves a government that clearly admits it has no
desire for a peace agreement.
Israeli sanctions against the PA are likely to backfire (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) By halting official meetings and planning other sanctions against the Palestinian Authority, Israel is firing from the hip and shooting itself in the foot.
Rioters endanger settlements (Dr. Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) Only shortsightedness and an unwillingness to recognize good could lead Jews to attack IDF commanders and soldiers.
**Letters to the Editor: Big white flag
Following the ignominious defeat the IDF suffered in the confrontation with hill bullies, the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, should go to Yitzhar settlement today with a large white flag in his hand, admit to the defeat of the IDF, and announce the withdrawal of all troops from the settlement of Yitzhar and perhaps from all settlements. Signed, Amos Oz, Tel Aviv (Haaretz Hebrew)
The path forward: Pollard-Barghouti-Fayyad (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) The deal that could pave the way to a new Palestinian leadership: Pollard-Barghouti-Fayyad.
Where is the IDF chief? (Yossi Yehoshua, Yedioth/Ynet) While condemnations over Yitzhar riots poured in from all across of political spectrum, there was no comment – again – from Chief of Staff Gantz.
The greatness of Shimon Peres (Avi Shilon, Haaretz+) Shimon Peres' political acumen and foresight will ensure his legacy as one of Israel's most fascinating leaders.
Jerusalem is not up for grabs (Prof. Efraim Inbar, Israel Hayom) The unreasonable Palestinian demand for dividing Jerusalem is an obstacle for a better future.
Helpless Israelis on a West Bank road (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) My car has broken down from time to time over my decades in the territories, and no tractor driver has ever let me pay him for helping me out.
Peace talks vs. Yitzhar: Two trains headed to a collision (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth/Ynet) Prime Minister Netanyahu must prove to Israelis – not to John Kerry – that he is responsible for creating a new reality in Judea and Samaria.
Domestic crisis or decline (Yehezkel Dror, Haaretz+) Israel has an option supported by many, namely dithering. But however convenient in the short term, this is sure to be counterproductive in the longer run.
International treaties and the prospects for justice for Palestinians (Ata Hindi, Maan) I, like many other Palestinians, feared that Abbas would be pressured into accepting an extension of what have been termed "negotiations" past the April 29 deadline, while Israel continued its ongoing violations against Palestine and the Palestinian people. Then, on April 1, 2014, Palestine decided it will be "joining 15 international treaties." So have the Palestinians finally seen their leaders employ our ability to join international treaties and organizations as a right, rather than a threat?
Obama should make Israelis look at themselves in the mirror (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) The peace process didn’t collapse now - it fell apart three years ago when Obama capitulated to Netanyahu and withdrew his formula on 1967 borders.
A stronger response is needed (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) The IDF should have been better prepared, and in the aftermath of the Yitzhar riot a more determined follow-through is a must.
When right-wing support for Israel clashes with liberal values of Diaspora Jews (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) The poignant tale of a conservative Australian columnist who feels betrayed by the same Jewish leaders who adore his zealous support for Israel.
Abbas’ success depends on his successor (Matthew Kalman, Haaretz+) Convicted murderer Marwan Barghouti is the only Palestinian with the moral authority to achieve a two-state solution. If Israel releases him from prison now, it may just save the peace process.
Israeli sanctions against the PA are likely to backfire (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) By halting official meetings and planning other sanctions against the Palestinian Authority, Israel is firing from the hip and shooting itself in the foot.
Rioters endanger settlements (Dr. Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) Only shortsightedness and an unwillingness to recognize good could lead Jews to attack IDF commanders and soldiers.
**Letters to the Editor: Big white flag
Following the ignominious defeat the IDF suffered in the confrontation with hill bullies, the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, should go to Yitzhar settlement today with a large white flag in his hand, admit to the defeat of the IDF, and announce the withdrawal of all troops from the settlement of Yitzhar and perhaps from all settlements. Signed, Amos Oz, Tel Aviv (Haaretz Hebrew)
The path forward: Pollard-Barghouti-Fayyad (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) The deal that could pave the way to a new Palestinian leadership: Pollard-Barghouti-Fayyad.
Where is the IDF chief? (Yossi Yehoshua, Yedioth/Ynet) While condemnations over Yitzhar riots poured in from all across of political spectrum, there was no comment – again – from Chief of Staff Gantz.
The greatness of Shimon Peres (Avi Shilon, Haaretz+) Shimon Peres' political acumen and foresight will ensure his legacy as one of Israel's most fascinating leaders.
Jerusalem is not up for grabs (Prof. Efraim Inbar, Israel Hayom) The unreasonable Palestinian demand for dividing Jerusalem is an obstacle for a better future.
Helpless Israelis on a West Bank road (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) My car has broken down from time to time over my decades in the territories, and no tractor driver has ever let me pay him for helping me out.
Peace talks vs. Yitzhar: Two trains headed to a collision (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth/Ynet) Prime Minister Netanyahu must prove to Israelis – not to John Kerry – that he is responsible for creating a new reality in Judea and Samaria.
Domestic crisis or decline (Yehezkel Dror, Haaretz+) Israel has an option supported by many, namely dithering. But however convenient in the short term, this is sure to be counterproductive in the longer run.
International treaties and the prospects for justice for Palestinians (Ata Hindi, Maan) I, like many other Palestinians, feared that Abbas would be pressured into accepting an extension of what have been termed "negotiations" past the April 29 deadline, while Israel continued its ongoing violations against Palestine and the Palestinian people. Then, on April 1, 2014, Palestine decided it will be "joining 15 international treaties." So have the Palestinians finally seen their leaders employ our ability to join international treaties and organizations as a right, rather than a threat?
Obama should make Israelis look at themselves in the mirror (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) The peace process didn’t collapse now - it fell apart three years ago when Obama capitulated to Netanyahu and withdrew his formula on 1967 borders.
A stronger response is needed (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) The IDF should have been better prepared, and in the aftermath of the Yitzhar riot a more determined follow-through is a must.
When right-wing support for Israel clashes with liberal values of Diaspora Jews (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) The poignant tale of a conservative Australian columnist who feels betrayed by the same Jewish leaders who adore his zealous support for Israel.
Abbas’ success depends on his successor (Matthew Kalman, Haaretz+) Convicted murderer Marwan Barghouti is the only Palestinian with the moral authority to achieve a two-state solution. If Israel releases him from prison now, it may just save the peace process.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.