APN's daily news review from Israel

Sunday July 06, 2014

Quote of the day:

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Front Page News:

Haaretz

• The rioting spread from Jerusalem to the Triangle, Wadi Ara and Nazareth
• Mossad Chief: The conflict with the Palestinians is the main threat to Israel (not Iran)
• New Intifada? Too early to tell // Amos Harel
• Everything depends on what happens in the field // Jacky Khoury
• Police Commissioner Danino spoke in New York with Avi Benayahu, the suspect in the Harpaz affair
• Police have turned from judges to judged // Amir Oren
• Despite the fines, the mini-markets (in Tel-Aviv) did not close
• Ukraine re-conquered one of the strongholds of the reels
• Two people stabbed to death in brawl in Rechovot

• South red (alert): rockets shot at Beersheva and Ashkelon; Fire at junctions: rioting spilled into Green Line, highways blocked - almost a lynch
• Explosive // Alex Fishman
• Stand up, sane people // Ali Zahalka
• Gil-Ad, my love // Gil-Ad Frenkel's girlfriend writes a parting letter

• Lieberman: "The place of the (Arab) demonstrators is not in the State of Israel"
• At the front of the struggle - Intifada rerun: It's time for a brave peace plan // Ben Caspit
• Tension in south intensifies
• The strategic missile - The IDF's great dilemma: Sanity vs. provocation // Or Heller
• Assessment: This morning the affair that has taken the police by storm will be revealed
• The ground will shake // Yuval Yoaz
• Treasury initiating database of external boards of directors of public companies

• Wave of riots - in Arab sector in the Triangle and the north (Photos: clashes in (E.) Jerusalem, clashes in Qalansweh and Iron Dome operating around Gaza Strip
• Under fire: Ashdod, Ashkelon and Beersheva
• The residents of the south absorb - and demand action in Gaza // Dan Margalit
• The goal: "Containment" of the events, returning to calm // Yoav Limor
• Arabs of Israel, decide: Are you citizens or haters // Haim Shine
• Senior officials in State Prosecutor's office: The new scandal "not an earthquake and not a shake-up"
• Rechovot: Two youth stabbed to death in brawl
• Shabbat in Tel-Aviv: Mini-markets opened - and got fined

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News Summary:
Rioting over the murder of a Palestinian teen spread inside the north of Israel as Gaza rockets continued to fall on the south of Israel, making the top stories in Hebrew papers today. The Palestinian Authority said Mohammed Abu Khdeir was burned alive by his killers, the US expressed concern that an American cousin of his was beaten unconscious by Israeli security forces and the Mossad chief said the Palestinian-Israeli conflict was the main threat to Israel's security - not Iran.

According to the Palestinian State Attorney General, the autopsy findings show that Mohammed Abu Khdeir, 16, was burned alive, which is what killed him. Abu Khdeir was kidnapped and murdered early Wednesday, the day after the three kidnapped and murdered Jewish teens were buried, in what is widely believed to be a revenge attack by Jewish extremists.

Riots in E. Jerusalem continued Friday and spread to Arab towns in Israel, as well. At the Arab town of Qalanswe, two Jewish drivers sustained light injuries, when Arabs forced them out of their cars. One car was burned by the protestors. During the day Saturday there was a 'tense quiet' in East Jerusalem and the Arab-populated areas of Israel's north, where the main roads were closed and Jewish citizens were prevented from entering towns. But then clashes re-erupted on Saturday, (possibly due to the news that the Palestinian teen was burned alive.) Some feared it was the beginning of the Third Intifada. But the Minister for Public Security insisted that wasn't the case.
 
Also making news was the brutal beating of Abu Khdeir's cousin from Florida by Israeli Border Police Thursday night. The video shows Tariq Khdeir, 15, being beaten by three policemen and his unconscious body being dragged away to be detained. The US. State Department called for a 'credible investigation and full accountability for any excessive use of force.' Maan reported that Tariq was beaten in the yard of his uncle's home in the Shufat neighborhood by Israeli police and arrested without charges. Moreover, he was taken to a police station following the beating, and police delayed treatment of his wounds until 1:20 a.m., when he was taken to Hadassah Hospital. His family was not permitted to see him until he was hospitalized.
 
Police are set to try the beaten boy today. Haaretz+ reported that six arrests were made in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Shuafat Thursday and that, according to a Palestinian source, police brutality was involved in all six cases.  "They hit him and told him to curse his parents and Prophet Muhammad," said his brother, Kamel." Photos of other youths who were allegedly beaten up by cops have surfaced on social media. Israeli forces also fired on a Palestinian TV news crew in E. Jerusalem, injuring reporter Ahmad al-Budeiri and his cameraman, Maan reported (VIDEO)
 
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman thought that Arabs don't have the right to riot. Such acts mean they "don't belong in Israel." However, former Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin wrote on Facebook that it was "delusional" to expect the Israeli Arabs not to react "to what we are doing in the West Bank" and slammed the policies of the Netanyahu government "that brought us to this security deterioration."
 
In Haifa, some 300 Jews and Arabs demonstrated, saying, "We refuse to be enemies" and called on the government to advance peace and avoid escalation. In a counter-demonstration, protesters called, "Traitors to Gaza." Palestinian chief peace negotiator Saeb Erekat and Palestinian businesman Munib al-Masri both quit Haaretz's Israel Conference on Peace. Palestinian President Mahmoud  Abbas faces increasing pressure to cut security ties with Israel after Abu Khdeir's murder. 'Hate Israel' posts and groups are on the rise since the murder of the Arab teen. Videos and pictures uploaded to social media networks by both Jews and Arabs in recent days have had one central theme: revenge. One video shows an attempted attack on a young Arab on a bus, with two officers protecting him from angry passengers. 

 
GAZA
For the first time since Operation Cast Pillar of Defense in 2012, rockets were launched over Beersheva. Iron Dome intercepted them. Dozens of rockets, mortar shells fired into southern Israel over weekend. Ynet reported that until Saturday, the IDF and air force did not respond to the rocket fire and refrained from attacking the Gaza Strip during the night, in a break with past policy. But later Saturday, the IAF attacked three Gaza targets and afterward rockets were launched over Beersheva.

Hamas released a video in which it warned that all Israeli cities were in reach of Gaza rockets, a psychological attack in an attempt to create panic among the Israeli public, wrote Ynet. But former IDF intelligence chief Amos Yadlin said Israeli deterrence is working: "Hamas could fire hundreds of rockets at Tel Aviv and Beersheba, but it doesn't." Nevertheless, far right-wing Economy Minister Naftali Bennett said that the 'Calm will be met with calm' strategy harms Israeli deterrence. "Our statement needs to be clear: Zero rockets on Israeli cities, zero patience to terrorism, zero patience to the Palestinian Authority's incitement," said the leader of Habayit Hayehudi party.
 
In the midst of this all, Mossad chief Tamir Pardo said that the biggest threat to Israel's security was the Palestinian- Israeli conflict - not Iran. Speaking Thursday at a meeting at a private home attended by 30 businesspeople, Pardo suggested that Iran's nuclear program was not an existential threat and he wouldn't "recommend rushing to obtain a foreign passport," Haaretz+ reported. The Islamic State organization and its threats to neighboring Jordan were also "a worrisome problem for Israel,” Pardo said. “This organization is here to stay. They embrace the public like [Israeli ultra-Orthodox party] Shas does, with a welfare and education system. They espouse murder for its own sake. Hamas is a lightweight organization by comparison.”

Quick Hits:

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Features:

A chronicle of pain
Three families were utterly devastated when the bodies of their missing sons were found in the West Bank • Before the news arrived, Israel Hayom reporter Emily Amrousi accompanied one family, documenting 18 days of impossible emotions, unity and love. (Emily Amrousi, Israel Hayom) 
Amid calls for revenge, Rachelle Fraenkel is a light in this dark place
While mourning the death of her teenage son Naftali Fraenkel this week, his mother still found the time and strength to comfort others. (Danna Harman, Haaretz+) 

Commentary/Analysis:

Israel sends 'soft' message to Hamas via the army (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) The murder of the Arab boy from Shuafat and the ongoing duel with Hamas have brought the feud to a new level. But Israel is offering Hamas an exit point before engaging in a military campaign in the Strip. 
Jewish Jihad developing within us (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Jewish majority hopes Arab teen was not murdered by Jews, but there is a fear that racist rightist individuals have created a murderous cell with the help of certain rabbis' evil spirit.
The changing face of the Middle East presents new opportunities for Israeli-Palestinian peace (Yuval Diskin, Haaretz) The turmoil in the area, together with the Quartet's desire to reshape the Middle East, make a regional arrangement all the more possible.
Hamas in Gaza preferable to ISIS in Gaza (former Mossad chief Efraim Halevy, Yedioth/Ynet) This is probably the worst timing to talk about interests shared by Israel and Hamas. The heart says 'never,' but what does the mind say? 
Intifada rerun: Time for a bold peace plan (Ben Caspit, Maariv) The recent days are reminiscent of October 2000: the riots of the Israeli Arabs, after which the Second Intifada began. Israel needs a real solution, that the prime minister supports without fear of the settlers, without blinking and without apologizing. The kind that the world supports and backs up. Then we can dismantle Hamas's rocket capabilities that already reach Tel Aviv and Herzliya.  
Europe's key message to Israel, the Palestinians: Make peace, we'll support you (EU Ambassador to Israel Lars Faaborg-Andersen, Haaretz) Once Israel decides to go ahead with peace, Europe will stand by the country’s side to help make peace safe, sustainable and irreversible.
Hamas talks truce terms, but Israel balks (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) With the Arab street at boiling point in Israel and the Palestinian territories, Gaza's Hamas rulers want concrete achievements to dispel the image of a failing organization, but are walking a delicate balancing act with the ongoing rocket fire.
Israel does not want peace (Gideon Levy, Haaretz) Rejectionism is embedded in Israel's most primal beliefs. There, at the deepest level, lies the concept that this land is destined for the Jews alone.
Netanyahu must stop the immoral demolition of West Bank homes (Haaretz Editorial) Once again, Israel’s High Court is serving as the feeble echo of the defense establishment. 
Hamas is in trouble, we may be too (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) For Hamas, the kidnapping of the three Jewish teens was a massive failure -- no Palestinian prisoners were freed, Israel devastated Hamas' infrastructure in the West Bank, and it put the unity government in jeopardy and deepened Hamas' isolation.
How generous U.S. Jews are ruining Israel's panhandling army (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) If an army auditorium is named after an American donor, why not a submarine and a snorkel - linked to the verb 'to schnorr'? 
On the brink of war: Hamas may still back down (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) Escalation in tensions serve Hamas' interests to improve standing among Palestinians, but war with Israel does not.
Our wretched Jewish state (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Now we know: In the Jewish state, there is pity and humane feelings only for Jews, rights only for the Chosen People. The Jewish state is only for Jews.
War of independence isn't over yet (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth/Ynet) Israeli Arabs attacking Jewish drivers near Qalansawe and Palestinians launching rockets from Gaza are conveying one, unequivocal message: It's either you or us.
Between identity and citizenship: the great confusion among the Arab public (Ilham Shahbari, Maariv) The Arab public in Israel has yet to decide to whom it belongs, and right now it is in two places at once. If there will be two states for two peoples, we won't be able to define ourselves as Palestinians any longer.
**Bulldoze the Jewish terrorists’ homes (Rabbi Daniel Landes, Haaretz+) The tragedy of the innocent boys murdered by terrorists will haunt us for a long time, but it will not destroy us. Jewish revenge killings will.
Deport the heads of Hamas (Avi Dichter, Israel Hayom) A unity government that includes a terrorist organization is a terrorist government. Deporting Hamas leaders to Gaza is the most effective way to create deterrence and stop them from using Judea and Samaria as an arena to murder Jews.
An ungrateful ally for a president fallen on hard times (Yossi Sarid, Haaretz+) Barack Obama not only has to wrestle with all the crazies in the world, at home and abroad, but with Netanyahu as well.
From London to ISIS: The radicalization riddle (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) What makes a young Western man commit mass murder against other Muslims shortly after arriving in Syria or Iraq?
Dream treaties, a poem on Mideast peace (Ronny Someck, Haaretz) A belated report from a seminar featuring Arab and Jewish poets, Beit Berl Teachers Training College, 1994.
The Palestinian war on children (Anne Herzberg, Ynet) Depraved exploitation and abuse of children as targets and weapons will not end so long as UN, members of international community and NGOs continue to enable these atrocities.  
Hamas upping violence because it believes Netanyahu doesn’t want all-out war (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Are we witnessing the beginning of a third Palestinian intifada? It's too soon to tell, but the spiral of revenge attacks is extremely dangerous.
Murder and mothers' milk (Ruthie Blum, Israel Hayom) Palestinian children are taught to hate by their parents and educators, while Israeli children are taught to yearn for peace.
Israel doesn't have peace because peace and fear don't mix well (Avraham Burg, Haaretz) Israel simply cannot bring itself to use the bargaining chips it holds in exchange for the big prize. Why can’t it deliver the goods?
Escalation scenario starting to fulfill itself (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) With murderous terror attack in Judea and Samaria, rocket fire from Gaza and Jews seeking revenge, reality of past few weeks resembles scenario IDF has been preparing for.
As violence rears its head, could Netanyahu's government be next casualty? (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) The PM showed restraint and self-control during a week of anger, pain and escalating violence, but he knows a third intifada can end his rule.
A country paralyzed by fear of the unknown (Zeev Sternhell, Haaretz+) The young Labor and Yesh Atid legislators who ostensibly are leftists - or were leftists during their media careers - keep silent.
True morality from a bereaved mother (Nehemia Shtrasler, Haaretz+) Rachel Fraenkel, whose son was murdered, doesn’t represent the belligerent rightist camp or the settlers who have created their own value system.
The solution is staring us in the face (Yoel Marcus, Haaretz+) 'We don’t have a partner for peace talks'is the excuse of a leader who is afraid of his own shadow and thinks from his gut, not his head.
With revenge in the air, this is Netanyahu’s moment of truth (Haaretz Editorial) The prime minister must denounce the calls for vengeance and do everything in his power to dilute the atmosphere of incitement. 
Justified Israeli rage (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) While the public's demand that Israel exact a heavy price from Hamas is just, the West is likely to censure Israel at the first sight of IDF tanks entering Gaza.
U.S. Jews must save their people's honor, which Israel is putting at stake (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) U.S. Jews are implicated in the moral drama of their people, even though it is occurring thousands of miles away. 
The anger is understandable (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom) Revenge is forbidden to individuals. It is the state that should strike at our murderers and their abettors.
Mahmoud, come to the square (Uri Misgav, Haaretz) Invite Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to directly address the people of Israel at a live rally. 
The secret fruits of the peace talks, a future point of departure? (Barak Ravid, Haaretz+) Some think the still-secret framework document produced by nine months of talks might contain the basis for a future American peace plan.
The deterrence 'factor' (Yair Farjoun, Israel Hayom) If we eradicate Hamas' massive weapons arsenal, it will struggle to replace them and might turn to investing in education, the economy, and social welfare.
Psychological obstacles to peace in Israel (Carlo Strenger, Haaretz) It will be almost impossible to end the conflict unless we address the psychological mechanisms that are preventing Israelis from embracing peace. 
A good time to start learning Kurdish (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) While Iraq battles Sunni militants, its northern Kurdish district is eyeing independence. But Kurds in neighboring countries are less keen to break away.

Interviews: 

'You're not coming home without finding the boys'
Lt. Col. Yuval, the commander of the elite Maglan unit, was going about his routine three weeks ago when he received news that three young boys were abducted • "We're not done yet," he says. "We need to find the terrorists." (Interviewed by Lilach Shoval in Israel Hayom)
 

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