APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday April 13, 2014
Note: News Nosh will be on Passover holiday from Tuesday, April 15th through Monday, April 21st. News Nosh will resume on Tuesday, April 22nd.
Note: News Nosh will be on Passover holiday from Tuesday, April 15th through Monday, April 21st. News Nosh will resume on Tuesday, April 22nd.
Quote of the day:
"Everyone thought we were crazy when we said we were going to the Palestinian territories in search of
comedy."
--US journalist Joel Warner and US psychologist Peter McGraw find jokes in the Palestinian territories.**
--US journalist Joel Warner and US psychologist Peter McGraw find jokes in the Palestinian territories.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Senior officials in Washington are angry: Israel did not support our stance on Russia
- (Defense) Minister Yaalon supports administrative detentions for extremist right-wingers
- Government to vote after Passover on reform that will lower food prices
- 1955-2014 Ron Pundak, one of the Oslo architects and a leader of the left-wing camp, passed away
- US refused to give visa to new Iran ambassador to UN
Yedioth Ahronoth
- "Bennett can leave (the coalition), he doesn't need to threaten" - Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in interview with Yedioth
- (Minister) Bennett to Arabs of Israel: The deal turns you into second class citizens
- Aid to Holocaust survivors to increase by a billion shekels
- "(Having) another child would make us happy" - Mother of Adele Biton (who was injured in stone-throwing attack on highway)
- Cool and pleasant Passover: Wear long sleeves to the Passover seder
Maariv
- not published today
Israel Hayom
- "Freeze the petitions to the UN or we will toughen sanctions"
- Pollard deal and the threats to the political crisis will apparently wait: "Time out till after the (Passover) holiday"
- Despite us not noticing: Syria is again using chemical weapons against civilians // Boaz Bismuth
- Not giving up on the holiday trip - Record amount of more than 62,0000 travellers to pass through Ben-Gurion Airport today
- Today in court: Decisive hearing on future of Hadassah Hospital
Peace Talk Highlights:
An Israeli political crisis is brewing over the possible release of Arab Israeli prisoners, but that crisis will be frozen with the peace talks until after the Passover holiday. The Palestinians insist there has been no progress, but that talks will continue till April 29th deadline. "We feel that the Israelis are talking about some progress – and even starting to believe themselves – even though it's a lie and there's actually no breakthrough. Everything seems stuck," a high ranking Palestinian official told Haaretz+. The Palestinian official said the Palestinians vehemently rejected an Israeli offer to release the fourth round of prisoners on condition that they are all – even the Israeli Arabs – relegated to either the West Bank territories or Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is under pressure because Economy Minister Naftali Bennett and his Habayit Hayehudi party threatened to leave the coalition if any Israeli Arabs are released. Yet Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said he was not worried over that. Meanwhile, his Yisrael Beiteinu party has ended its political cooperation with the Likud and will run separately in the next elections.
Nevertheless, some Israeli officials said they were confident that the prisoners' release and the extension of the peace talks would take place after Passover. But other Israeli officials told Channel 10 News that there was 'no chance' of solving the impasse in the coming weeks. The Israeli decision to cut ties with the Palestinian Authority and withhold its tax revenues in retaliation for the Palestinians' recognition campaign with international bodies will make it even more difficult to bridge the gaps in the near future, the sources told Channel 10. Indeed, Saeb Erekat said the Israeli decision to freeze Palestinian funds was equal to piracy.
But if the Palestinians don't rescind their applications, Israel will toughen sanctions, Israel Hayom reported. An Israeli official said that Israel would deduct debt payments from tax transfers and limit the Palestinian Authority's bank deposits in Israel. The US called Israel's move to withhold Palestinian Authority funds 'unfortunate.' And meanwhile, US mediator Martin Indyk returned home for the Passover holiday. However, in an interview with the AP, Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby said the April 29 deadline would be extended and he rejected the idea that the talks have failed to make progress.
Meanwhile, dozens of security in prisoners in Israel will go on hunger strike today in solidarity with Ibrahim Hamed, West Bank commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade who is protesting being held separately from other security prisoners and to mark the annual Palestinian Prisoner Day, which takes place on April 15.
An Israeli political crisis is brewing over the possible release of Arab Israeli prisoners, but that crisis will be frozen with the peace talks until after the Passover holiday. The Palestinians insist there has been no progress, but that talks will continue till April 29th deadline. "We feel that the Israelis are talking about some progress – and even starting to believe themselves – even though it's a lie and there's actually no breakthrough. Everything seems stuck," a high ranking Palestinian official told Haaretz+. The Palestinian official said the Palestinians vehemently rejected an Israeli offer to release the fourth round of prisoners on condition that they are all – even the Israeli Arabs – relegated to either the West Bank territories or Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is under pressure because Economy Minister Naftali Bennett and his Habayit Hayehudi party threatened to leave the coalition if any Israeli Arabs are released. Yet Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said he was not worried over that. Meanwhile, his Yisrael Beiteinu party has ended its political cooperation with the Likud and will run separately in the next elections.
Nevertheless, some Israeli officials said they were confident that the prisoners' release and the extension of the peace talks would take place after Passover. But other Israeli officials told Channel 10 News that there was 'no chance' of solving the impasse in the coming weeks. The Israeli decision to cut ties with the Palestinian Authority and withhold its tax revenues in retaliation for the Palestinians' recognition campaign with international bodies will make it even more difficult to bridge the gaps in the near future, the sources told Channel 10. Indeed, Saeb Erekat said the Israeli decision to freeze Palestinian funds was equal to piracy.
But if the Palestinians don't rescind their applications, Israel will toughen sanctions, Israel Hayom reported. An Israeli official said that Israel would deduct debt payments from tax transfers and limit the Palestinian Authority's bank deposits in Israel. The US called Israel's move to withhold Palestinian Authority funds 'unfortunate.' And meanwhile, US mediator Martin Indyk returned home for the Passover holiday. However, in an interview with the AP, Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby said the April 29 deadline would be extended and he rejected the idea that the talks have failed to make progress.
Meanwhile, dozens of security in prisoners in Israel will go on hunger strike today in solidarity with Ibrahim Hamed, West Bank commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade who is protesting being held separately from other security prisoners and to mark the annual Palestinian Prisoner Day, which takes place on April 15.
Quick Hits:
- Extremist right-wing gives seminar to Jerusalem youth - At the 'Jewish Idea Yeshiva', an event was held for youth this week based on the (outlawed) teachings of Rabbi Meir Kahane. The topics covered: Jewish settlement in E. Jerusalem and the struggle for Eretz Israel. The speakers included: Baruch Marzel and Jonathan Joseph, who says: I did not give tips, I just gave the students facts. (Yedioth Friday Jerusalem supplement/MyYnet)
- Israeli forces detain Hebron man after settlers invade his home - Mofid Sharbati, 46, was detained after a group of settlers entered his home on Shuhada street in central Hebron. His brother Zeidan was wounded during the incident, which began when Jewish settlers entered their homes and began beating the brothers as well as members of their families. (Maan)
- Border Police take over Yitzhar yeshiva building after riots - Military says yeshiva will serve as a base from which violent attacks against Palestinians can be foiled. Yitzhar residents livid, say move crosses a line. Yeshiva says move "blasphemous." Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon: This was terrorism and must be treated as such. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
- Israeli defense minister supports holding extreme rightists in administration detention - Defense establishment believes orders will act as deterrent after spate of recent attacks on Palestinians and Israeli forces in West Bank. (Haaretz+)
- Israel 'demolishes' EU-funded West Bank housing shelters - European diplomats demand financial compensation for destruction of tin huts (for Bedouin living near Maaleh Adumim settlement); Israeli spokesman: Structures were built illegally. (Ynet)
- Israeli forces declare Nabi Saleh 'military zone,' injure 2 people - Israeli forces arrived "suddenly" on Saturday to close the entrances to Nebi Saleh village, declaring it a "closed military zone" and then targeted locals, shooting a young man with a live bullet and beating and injuring a 45-year-old woman. (Maan)
- IDF officer dismissed for approving soldiers' anti-Arab T-shirts - Shirts featured the slogan 'Nablus, we are coming!’ and warned Arab mothers that their sons’ fates lay in Israeli soldiers’ hands. (Haaretz)
- Israeli forces shoot 2 youths during clashes in Aida camp - Israeli forces entered the refugee camp Saturday and fired large amounts of tear gas into the refugee camp, where clashes have been ongoing since the afternoon. (Maan)
- Israeli forces detain Israeli and international activists at protest against new Hebron settlement - The four activists were protesting against the confiscation of a Palestinian building in Hebron (where Jewish Israelis) will re-establish a Jewish settlement on the site. (Maan)
- Israeli forces injure 5 medics after 'targeting' Gaza ambulance - Five Palestinian medics suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation after Israeli forces fired a tear gas canister at their ambulance Friday. (Maan)
- Israeli forces shoot Palestinian east of Khan Younis - An Israeli soldier on Friday shot a Palestinian man who attempted to climb the border fence during a protest in southern Gaza, an army spokeswoman said. (Maan)
- Palestinian professor who took students to Auschwitz responds to threats - Denounced as a traitor and collaborator with Israel, Professor Mohammed S. Dajani Daoudi says students learned not to stand by human misery. (Haaretz+)
- Ron Pundak, architect of Oslo Accords, dies at 59 - Initiator of the secret talks with PLO which led to the historical handshake between Rabin and Arafat dies after long bout with cancer. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Palestinian figures remember Oslo architect Ron Pundak - Pundak 'left us at a time when we very much need him,' senior Fatah official Nabil Sha'ath says. (Haaretz+)
- Education Minister visited a non-Jewish school in London - and angered the Jews - At the same time, Shai Piron chose not to visit the local 'Yavne' (Jewish) educational institution, and now some in the community fear that this will encourage students to enroll in non-Jewish schools. (NRG Hebrew)
- Israeli soldiers 'seize tax clearance slips' at commercial crossing - Israeli officers took clearance certificates by force from several merchants at crossing in Jenin in apparent effort to enforce recent Israeli sanctions against Palestinians. Merchants regularly deliver tax clearance certificates to the Palestinian Authority, which receives tax revenues from Israel on a monthly basis according to the certificates. (Maan)
- Thousands run in 'Palestine Marathon' in Bethlehem - Second international Palestinian marathon takes place in Bethlehem. Over 3,000 runners from 39 countries try to finish 26-mile course. (Ynet)
- Gaza blockade stifles dreams of Palestinian runner - For Olympian Nader el-Masri, the greatest challenge is to get Israel to let him out of the Gaza Strip. (Haaretz+)
- The big hit at Book Week in Balata Refugee Camp: "Research" on the Jews - Holocaust denial and dismissing of Jewish history on the Temple Mount - these are just a few of the features of the book sold to Palestinian youth in Nablus. (NRG Hebrew)
- Cash-strapped Hamas turns to laser training - The quiet indoor electronic shooting range, developed with homegrown technology, is less likely to attract IDF's attention. (Agencies, Ynet)
- U.S. officials angry: Israel doesn’t back stance on Russia - Amid tension, Netanyahu backs out of event he was invited to personally by Putin. (Haaretz+)
- Im Tirtzu founder representing Yisrael Beitenu in Zionist elections - Ronen Shoval joined Yisrael Beitenu recently and has been appointed CEO of the party's international branch. (Haaretz)
- Europe should reconsider its funding to the PA, says EU official - "The Palestinian Authority is the only body that receives European Union funds regardless of its human rights record or economic performance," European Parliament budget committee chairman says. (Israel Hayom)
- Billionaire flying in with huge entourage for pricey seder in the desert - Chelsea club owner Abramovich rents out entire hotel in Negev town of Mitzpeh Ramon for Passover. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli hackers track anti-Israel cyber-attack perpetrators - Attackers' names, countries of origin, usernames and passwords for various websites published by Israeli hacker team. (Haaretz)
- Miliband visits Israel, meets aunt he hasn't seen in 30 years - During visit, U.K. Labour Party chief Ed Miliband spends time with relatives, including 84-year-old aunt who lives on Kibbutz Nahsholim. Miliband says he hopes to become Britain's first Jewish prime minister. (Israel Hayom)
- **Psst, have you heard the latest Palestinian joke? An American journalist and a psychology professor went to the West Bank to research Palestinian humor. (Haaretz)
Features:
People to People Diplomacy: Israelis and Palestinians sit down to try to make peace
As a hot desert wind blew through a Bedouin-style tent near the West Bank town of Jericho, some 20 Israelis and Palestinians sat down to try to make peace. Among them were ex-generals, educators and even a few students, they say they hope to put pressure on their leaders to move toward a peace agreement. (Ynet)
Two-race solution: In Jerusalem and Bethlehem, American runs for peace
Aaron Voldman is using his running shoes to make a point about not dropping out of the grueling race for peace. (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+)
Australian runner prepares to run through Middle East for peace
Pat Farmer will cover 1,400 kilometers in run for peace that will take him through Lebanon, Libya and Israel. In interview with Ynet, Farmer explains motivations for project, says he hopes to inspire others to 'take their words of peace onto actions.' (Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
As a hot desert wind blew through a Bedouin-style tent near the West Bank town of Jericho, some 20 Israelis and Palestinians sat down to try to make peace. Among them were ex-generals, educators and even a few students, they say they hope to put pressure on their leaders to move toward a peace agreement. (Ynet)
Two-race solution: In Jerusalem and Bethlehem, American runs for peace
Aaron Voldman is using his running shoes to make a point about not dropping out of the grueling race for peace. (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+)
Australian runner prepares to run through Middle East for peace
Pat Farmer will cover 1,400 kilometers in run for peace that will take him through Lebanon, Libya and Israel. In interview with Ynet, Farmer explains motivations for project, says he hopes to inspire others to 'take their words of peace onto actions.' (Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Israel’s Exodus from the occupation has been canceled (Carlo
Strenger, Haaretz+) It seems Netanyahu cannot change his basic character: his right-wing instincts
seem to be stronger than his rational judgment.
Prepare for a century of diplomatic warfare (David M. Weinberg, Israel Hayom) The Palestinian leadership is set for another 100 years of diplomatic warfare against Israel. Is Israel up to the challenge?
Seizing the Yitzhar yeshiva only plays into the hands of radical settlers (Chaim Levinson, Haaretz) The establishing of an army base in the middle of the settlement is, at bottom line, a gimmick.
Nasrallah is just not interesting (Smadar Perry, Yedioth/Ynet) Israel could have gotten rid of Hezbollah leader quite easily, but at the end of the day – it's better the devil you know.
Netanyahu must keep peace talks alive (Haaretz Editorial) Right-wing minister Naftali Bennett is trying to torpedo Benjamin Netanyahu’s best chance to negotiate with the Palestinians.
Beware the crisis (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) Israelis like to see their leaders stand up to the United States every once in a while, but they dread an outright crisis, whose outcome is a great unknown.
The negotiations must not be tied to the release prisoners or to Pollard (Dr. Mohammed S. Watad, NRG Hebrew) A decision that binds the fate of political negotiations to the early release of Pollard and/or to the release of Israeli (Arab) prisoners is unreasonable and disproportionate.
In memory of Ron Pundak, a soldier for peace (Terje Rød-Larsen, Haaretz+) Terje Rod-Larsen, key figure of the Oslo Accords' drafting, offers a eulogy for treaty's architect, who passed away Friday.
No trust in Abbas (Shlomo Cesana, Israel Hayom) It is now a well-grounded fact that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is not interested in a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. All sides want the peace talks to continue, but also know that they will not lead to anything.
IDF pays more than U.S. Army to top brass (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) The top guns in the U.S. Army may get one more star than their Israeli equivalents, but the IDF officers outstrip them in the salary stakes.
Abbas' leadership has expired (Guy Bechor, Yedioth/Ynet) UN has a legal obligation to declare that Mahmoud Abbas' signature as 'Palestinian president' is invalid and lacks any authority.
Shalom, 'Oslo criminal.’ Late diplomat Ron Pundak was a peace hero (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Alas, this great diplomat is now a ghost, just as another desperate attempt to blow life into the peace process is set to give up the ghost.
If only the world punished Israel as it does the Russians and the Swiss (Yossi Sarid, Haaretz+) The G8 has sacked Putin, and even the complacent Swiss are paying for their decision to close their borders to EU citizens. About Israel, the world keeps quiet.
The path forward: Pollard-Barghouti-Fayyad (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) The deal that could pave the way to a new Palestinian leadership: Pollard-Barghouti-Fayyad.
Jewish state and egalitarian Zionism (Chaim Gans, Haaretz+) The demand that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state adds yet another humiliation to all those they experience on a daily basis.
The difference between Olmert and Nixon (Tal Niv, Haaretz+) The Olmert affair, with the former prime minister being vilified publicly for his crimes, has implications for the concept of the Israeli family.
Keeping our eye on the ball (Ruthie Blum, Israel Hayom) Contrary to what Haaretz and its ilk would have everybody believe, the most palpable existential threat to Israel is external.
War and diplomacy failed: Let economics create a Palestinian state (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) The people want it; the snag is powers invested in the status quo, from the settlers to companies to the Palestinians themselves.
Prepare for a century of diplomatic warfare (David M. Weinberg, Israel Hayom) The Palestinian leadership is set for another 100 years of diplomatic warfare against Israel. Is Israel up to the challenge?
Seizing the Yitzhar yeshiva only plays into the hands of radical settlers (Chaim Levinson, Haaretz) The establishing of an army base in the middle of the settlement is, at bottom line, a gimmick.
Nasrallah is just not interesting (Smadar Perry, Yedioth/Ynet) Israel could have gotten rid of Hezbollah leader quite easily, but at the end of the day – it's better the devil you know.
Netanyahu must keep peace talks alive (Haaretz Editorial) Right-wing minister Naftali Bennett is trying to torpedo Benjamin Netanyahu’s best chance to negotiate with the Palestinians.
Beware the crisis (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) Israelis like to see their leaders stand up to the United States every once in a while, but they dread an outright crisis, whose outcome is a great unknown.
The negotiations must not be tied to the release prisoners or to Pollard (Dr. Mohammed S. Watad, NRG Hebrew) A decision that binds the fate of political negotiations to the early release of Pollard and/or to the release of Israeli (Arab) prisoners is unreasonable and disproportionate.
In memory of Ron Pundak, a soldier for peace (Terje Rød-Larsen, Haaretz+) Terje Rod-Larsen, key figure of the Oslo Accords' drafting, offers a eulogy for treaty's architect, who passed away Friday.
No trust in Abbas (Shlomo Cesana, Israel Hayom) It is now a well-grounded fact that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is not interested in a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. All sides want the peace talks to continue, but also know that they will not lead to anything.
IDF pays more than U.S. Army to top brass (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) The top guns in the U.S. Army may get one more star than their Israeli equivalents, but the IDF officers outstrip them in the salary stakes.
Abbas' leadership has expired (Guy Bechor, Yedioth/Ynet) UN has a legal obligation to declare that Mahmoud Abbas' signature as 'Palestinian president' is invalid and lacks any authority.
Shalom, 'Oslo criminal.’ Late diplomat Ron Pundak was a peace hero (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Alas, this great diplomat is now a ghost, just as another desperate attempt to blow life into the peace process is set to give up the ghost.
If only the world punished Israel as it does the Russians and the Swiss (Yossi Sarid, Haaretz+) The G8 has sacked Putin, and even the complacent Swiss are paying for their decision to close their borders to EU citizens. About Israel, the world keeps quiet.
The path forward: Pollard-Barghouti-Fayyad (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) The deal that could pave the way to a new Palestinian leadership: Pollard-Barghouti-Fayyad.
Jewish state and egalitarian Zionism (Chaim Gans, Haaretz+) The demand that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state adds yet another humiliation to all those they experience on a daily basis.
The difference between Olmert and Nixon (Tal Niv, Haaretz+) The Olmert affair, with the former prime minister being vilified publicly for his crimes, has implications for the concept of the Israeli family.
Keeping our eye on the ball (Ruthie Blum, Israel Hayom) Contrary to what Haaretz and its ilk would have everybody believe, the most palpable existential threat to Israel is external.
War and diplomacy failed: Let economics create a Palestinian state (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) The people want it; the snag is powers invested in the status quo, from the settlers to companies to the Palestinians themselves.
Interviews:
Miliband and the loneliness of a Jewish diaspora politician
In an interview with Haaretz, visiting U.K. Labor Party chief speaks of 'deep affection’ for Jewish state. (Interviewed by Anshel Pfeffer in Haaretz+)
'I still want to change the world'
At age 88, Geula Cohen is still fiery, although time has tempered the flames just a bit. Cohen: "You can't not have an ideology" • Cohen says she regrets bringing down Shamir, as Rabin's election "sent us spinning toward the disastrous Oslo Accords." (Interviewed by Nadav Shragai in Israel Hayom)
Netanyahu: Corporate media is responsible for Israeli crony capitalism
In an exclusive interview, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and leading economist Luigi Zingales discuss inequality, competition and the ills of the capitalist system. Netanyahu: If you want equality, real perfect equality, go to North Korea. What you want is a meritocracy. During our interview, Netanyahu surprises by hinting that the ties in Israel between tycoons and politicians pass through the newspapers associated with the tycoons – and it's clear whom he means. (Interviewed by Guy Rolnik in Haaretz+)
The Iranian dream: A concrete danger
Professor David Menashri, a top expert on Iran, finds it hard to understand why the West, led by the U.S., has given up its assets against Iran. Menashri: An Iranian nuclear bomb would change the rules of the game in the Middle East and beyond. (Interviewed by Dror Eydar in Israel Hayom)
In an interview with Haaretz, visiting U.K. Labor Party chief speaks of 'deep affection’ for Jewish state. (Interviewed by Anshel Pfeffer in Haaretz+)
'I still want to change the world'
At age 88, Geula Cohen is still fiery, although time has tempered the flames just a bit. Cohen: "You can't not have an ideology" • Cohen says she regrets bringing down Shamir, as Rabin's election "sent us spinning toward the disastrous Oslo Accords." (Interviewed by Nadav Shragai in Israel Hayom)
Netanyahu: Corporate media is responsible for Israeli crony capitalism
In an exclusive interview, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and leading economist Luigi Zingales discuss inequality, competition and the ills of the capitalist system. Netanyahu: If you want equality, real perfect equality, go to North Korea. What you want is a meritocracy. During our interview, Netanyahu surprises by hinting that the ties in Israel between tycoons and politicians pass through the newspapers associated with the tycoons – and it's clear whom he means. (Interviewed by Guy Rolnik in Haaretz+)
The Iranian dream: A concrete danger
Professor David Menashri, a top expert on Iran, finds it hard to understand why the West, led by the U.S., has given up its assets against Iran. Menashri: An Iranian nuclear bomb would change the rules of the game in the Middle East and beyond. (Interviewed by Dror Eydar in Israel Hayom)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.