APN's daily news review from Israel
Wednesday July 09, 2014
Quote of the day:
"And maybe, just maybe, the despair that has ruled us in recent years is also partly the despair of the
doomed, who understand by now that there is no way to avoid punishment for their deeds, or for what they
allowed to happen through their support, or their silence, or their apathy, so therefore – Why not eat, drink
and make merry while one still can?"
--Israeli author (and moral guide) David Grossman examines why Israel has not been able to make peace.**
--Israeli author (and moral guide) David Grossman examines why Israel has not been able to make peace.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Barrage of rockets from the south to Hadera; 20 killed in Gaza Strip
- All the blocks were removed // Amos Harel
- Netanyahu's base // Yossi Verter
- Working towards a conclusion not foiling // Amir Oren
- Hamas looking for a way out // Zvi Bar'el
- Senior Obama advisor: Condemn the shooting, both sides must avoid harming civilians
- The situation is too desperate to leave to the hopeless // David Grossman
- Kiryat Malachi is again under fire
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Missiles on Israel - Hamas attacked from Beersheva to Hadera
- Hamas with its back to the wall // Nahum Barnea
- Losing control // Alex Fishman
- Hesitating opening // Yossi Yehoshua
- No 'boom and we're finished' // Eitan Haber
- Sensation in World Cup semi-finals: Germany defeated Brazil 7:1
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links)
- Barrage of missiles on Israel - After a few days of rocket shooting, Israel is determined: The operation will continue until Hamas asks for a ceasefire
- Power in its weakness // Ben Caspit
- Smokescreen // Ran Adelist
- (Hamas) Blinks first // Yossi Melman
Israel Hayom
- "Go to the end" - Operation Protective Edge - Missile attack on Israel - Large call up of reservists
- Return Gaza to the Stone Age // Amos Regev
- Between the area around Gaza and Tel-Aviv: War winds and solidarity // Dan Margalit
- The south is holding up - just bring back the calm // Rubik Danilovitz
- After the restraint: Israel took off the gloves // Yoav Limor
- The calling up of the reservists proves: We are all together // Udi Tana (reservist)
- Peace conference? How blind can you be? // Dror Eydar
- Terror attack from sea foiled at Zikim
- Germany defeated Brazil 7:1
- Guide for people protecting themselves: Home Front Command guidelines
- Day under fire in the south: "Letting IDF act, so the calm returns"
- American backing: "It's Israel's right to defend itself"
News Summary:
The long-range missiles that reached as far north as Hadera and set off sirens in the Israel's biggest cities made the top story of the Hebrew papers today. The papers wrote that the US gave its support for Israel "to defend itself" and discussed whether Operation Protective Edge and the Netanyahu government or the Hamas movement were slated for success. Only Yedioth wrote about Hamas' terms for a ceasefire. The story of the gruesome murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir, abruptly dropped from the headlines, as did the rioting of Arab Israeli youth across the country.
GAZA CRISIS:
"The country is under fire," wrote Maariv, "The fire is spreading," read a Yedioth subtitle. The papers told the stories of Israelis from apartment building stairways, the bomb shelters, the reinforced nursery school rooms. The Palestinian side barely was mentioned despite the Israeli side being gripped by fear compared to the destruction and death on the Palestinian side.
Here are the highlights
Over 100 rockets were fired from Gaza on Israel in one day. The Home Front Command ordered bomb shelters opened in the Sharon plains, Beit Shemesh, Jerusalem, and in communities in the Shfela area. The Iron Dome missile defense system was in operation in various locations. One person was lightly hurt from shrapnel to his foot, and another injured himself running to a shelter. Seven other people were treated for anxiety.
The cabinet decided that attacks on Gaza would escalate, but no ground operation, for now. The cabinet approved the potential draft of 40,000 reservists as part of Operation Protective Edge. The IDF opted for a gradual call-up, and drafted several thousand.
Meanwhile, senior officials said that Egyptian intelligence continues to convey messages between Israel and Hamas in an effort to calm things down. They said that while the messages coming from Hamas stated, among other things, a desire for calm and a cease-fire, the behavior of Hamas operatives on the ground was the opposite. “There is an internal dispute between Hamas’ military wing and its political leadership,” one of the senior Israeli officials said. “Yesterday [Sunday] it seemed that they were heading toward a cease-fire and that things on the ground had calmed down, but today the situation is reversed.”
The IDF attacked over 270 targets in the Gaza Strip, most of them from the sea. IDF troops killed 5 militants who attempted to breach the Gaza border near Kibbutz Zikim.
Hamas fired anti-aircraft missile at IAF jets, but missed the target. The Islamic Jihad, the second most prominent terror group in Gaza Strip after Hamas, has taken responsibility for at least 60 of the rockets fire at Israel. Meanwhile, reports indicate Egypt is working to broker a ceasefire agreement.
23 Palestinians were killed and over a 100 wounded in first day of Operation Protective Edge. The Palestinian casualties were hidden at the end of an article on page 8 in Yedioth and in a small article on page 3 titled "Two rockets intercepted over Tel-Aviv; Hamas: 'All Israelis are targets.'" The Hamas leader responsible for the Shalit kidnapping was targeted, but not killed. However, Hafez Hamed, a commander in the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, was killed, along with five members of his family.
In what may soon make headlines around the world, seven Palestinians, including two children under the age of five, were killed and about 25 wounded in an IAF attack on the Kawara family home in Khan Younis, one of whose family members might be a Hamas member. Ynet reports on how the IDF method called 'Knock on the roof', in which the army warns people to leave their homes by shooting a small mortar on it, did not work and people gathered on the roof as "human shields," hoping their presence would the bombing. It didn't. The IDF bombed the home. Afterward, Hamas declared: "All Israelis are legitimate targets for resistance" and Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said "the Khan Younis massacre against children and women is a war crime. Earlier Abu Zuhri said that Hamas hopes that Israel will make an error and a ground attack in Gaza, because "it will be a chance to abduct a soldier."
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of deliberately hiding behind Palestinian civilians and is therefore responsible for civilian deaths. "Hamas deliberately hides behind Palestinian civilians, and therefore bears responsibility for accidental injuries." The Israeli papers emphasized that the Western governments are giving Israel its support so far. The US said Israel has a "right to defend itself." Ynet noted that in US President Barack Obama's Haaretz Op-Ed, he called for restraint on both sides and he praised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, but not Netanyahu, for his peace efforts. But Abbas demanded Israel stop the Gaza operation
and his office released a statement saying that Palestinians have a right to defend themselves "by all legitimate means," calling the new assault on Gaza an "open massacre" against children, women, and the elderly. The Arab League called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting on Gaza.
Israel said Hamas must ask first for a ceasefire if it wanted Israel to stop the bombardment. Only Yedioth published Hamas' terms for a ceasefire. In a video filmed at a secret location, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades set four conditions:
The long-range missiles that reached as far north as Hadera and set off sirens in the Israel's biggest cities made the top story of the Hebrew papers today. The papers wrote that the US gave its support for Israel "to defend itself" and discussed whether Operation Protective Edge and the Netanyahu government or the Hamas movement were slated for success. Only Yedioth wrote about Hamas' terms for a ceasefire. The story of the gruesome murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir, abruptly dropped from the headlines, as did the rioting of Arab Israeli youth across the country.
GAZA CRISIS:
"The country is under fire," wrote Maariv, "The fire is spreading," read a Yedioth subtitle. The papers told the stories of Israelis from apartment building stairways, the bomb shelters, the reinforced nursery school rooms. The Palestinian side barely was mentioned despite the Israeli side being gripped by fear compared to the destruction and death on the Palestinian side.
Here are the highlights
Over 100 rockets were fired from Gaza on Israel in one day. The Home Front Command ordered bomb shelters opened in the Sharon plains, Beit Shemesh, Jerusalem, and in communities in the Shfela area. The Iron Dome missile defense system was in operation in various locations. One person was lightly hurt from shrapnel to his foot, and another injured himself running to a shelter. Seven other people were treated for anxiety.
The cabinet decided that attacks on Gaza would escalate, but no ground operation, for now. The cabinet approved the potential draft of 40,000 reservists as part of Operation Protective Edge. The IDF opted for a gradual call-up, and drafted several thousand.
Meanwhile, senior officials said that Egyptian intelligence continues to convey messages between Israel and Hamas in an effort to calm things down. They said that while the messages coming from Hamas stated, among other things, a desire for calm and a cease-fire, the behavior of Hamas operatives on the ground was the opposite. “There is an internal dispute between Hamas’ military wing and its political leadership,” one of the senior Israeli officials said. “Yesterday [Sunday] it seemed that they were heading toward a cease-fire and that things on the ground had calmed down, but today the situation is reversed.”
The IDF attacked over 270 targets in the Gaza Strip, most of them from the sea. IDF troops killed 5 militants who attempted to breach the Gaza border near Kibbutz Zikim.
Hamas fired anti-aircraft missile at IAF jets, but missed the target. The Islamic Jihad, the second most prominent terror group in Gaza Strip after Hamas, has taken responsibility for at least 60 of the rockets fire at Israel. Meanwhile, reports indicate Egypt is working to broker a ceasefire agreement.
23 Palestinians were killed and over a 100 wounded in first day of Operation Protective Edge. The Palestinian casualties were hidden at the end of an article on page 8 in Yedioth and in a small article on page 3 titled "Two rockets intercepted over Tel-Aviv; Hamas: 'All Israelis are targets.'" The Hamas leader responsible for the Shalit kidnapping was targeted, but not killed. However, Hafez Hamed, a commander in the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, was killed, along with five members of his family.
In what may soon make headlines around the world, seven Palestinians, including two children under the age of five, were killed and about 25 wounded in an IAF attack on the Kawara family home in Khan Younis, one of whose family members might be a Hamas member. Ynet reports on how the IDF method called 'Knock on the roof', in which the army warns people to leave their homes by shooting a small mortar on it, did not work and people gathered on the roof as "human shields," hoping their presence would the bombing. It didn't. The IDF bombed the home. Afterward, Hamas declared: "All Israelis are legitimate targets for resistance" and Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said "the Khan Younis massacre against children and women is a war crime. Earlier Abu Zuhri said that Hamas hopes that Israel will make an error and a ground attack in Gaza, because "it will be a chance to abduct a soldier."
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of deliberately hiding behind Palestinian civilians and is therefore responsible for civilian deaths. "Hamas deliberately hides behind Palestinian civilians, and therefore bears responsibility for accidental injuries." The Israeli papers emphasized that the Western governments are giving Israel its support so far. The US said Israel has a "right to defend itself." Ynet noted that in US President Barack Obama's Haaretz Op-Ed, he called for restraint on both sides and he praised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, but not Netanyahu, for his peace efforts. But Abbas demanded Israel stop the Gaza operation
and his office released a statement saying that Palestinians have a right to defend themselves "by all legitimate means," calling the new assault on Gaza an "open massacre" against children, women, and the elderly. The Arab League called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting on Gaza.
Israel said Hamas must ask first for a ceasefire if it wanted Israel to stop the bombardment. Only Yedioth published Hamas' terms for a ceasefire. In a video filmed at a secret location, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades set four conditions:
- The end of Israeli aggression in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
- The halt of fire on Gaza and the return to the understanding reached after the 2012 Operation Pillar of Defense.
- The release of all Shalit deal prisoners who were arrested again during Operation Brother's Keeper.
- Israel must stop sabotaging the intra-Palestinian reconciliation.
Haaretz+ had an interesting article from the Israel Peace Conference [from which participants had
to be evacuated at one point to go to bomb shelters - OH]. Highlights:
Opposition leader and Labor party chief MK Isaac Herzog: If he were prime minister, he would be “meting out a harsh blow to Hamas and traveling to the Muqata,” the Palestinian president’s Ramallah headquarters, to speak with Mahmoud Abbas. He also decried the fact that Netanyahu did not exploit the years of relative quiet to reach an agreement with the Palestinians. He called on Livni and on Finance Minister Yair Lapid, the chairman of Yesh Atid, to leave the government.
Justice Minister and chief Israeli negotiator Tzipi Livni: Called on the American administration to publicize the framework document that it had discussed with the Israeli and Palestinian teams and demand that both sides adopt it as a basis for resuming talks.
Far-right-wing Economy Minister Naftali Bennett: His address was repeatedly disrupted by heckling from the crowd. He said no one wants peace more than he does. He later claimed he was punched in the back by a participant upon leaving the conference. Haaretz denied he was attacked and reported that numerous journalists saw that he was only lightly pushed.
President Shimon Peres: Praised Abbas for his courage. “Every serious person must admit that [Abbas] surprised us,” Peres said. “To appear in Saudi Arabia, denounce the murderers [of the three Jewish teens kidnapped last month] and to call for peace and to halt terror, to say, ‘I’m from Safed, and I won’t return to Safed.’ The man risked and is risking his life for peace. He is absolutely a partner for peace; I don’t see anyone better than him.”
ABU KHDEIR KIDNAPPING/MURDER UPDATE:
Yedioth and Maariv gave some new information into the murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir, 16, of Shuafat. The police believe that the three suspects who admitted to the murder and re-enacted it are the main ones, Maariv reported on page 19. The other three, from Beit Shemesh, Mevasseret and Beitar Illit, are suspected in helping with logistics, wrote Yedioth on page 28. The main suspect is a 30-year-old settler from Adam settlement, who is believed to have formed the gang of 17-year-olds. The 30-year-old took the car of a relative to commit the murder and brought in the other two, one from Beit Shemesh and one from Jerusalem, Yedioth reported. The 17-year-olds claim that the plan was to kidnap an Arab boy and beat him and that they did not know the older member of the group intended to murder the boy and he was the one who set him on fire. Yesterday, another suspect was arrested. He is from Jerusalem. Some of the suspects are relatives, Yedioth reported.
Opposition leader and Labor party chief MK Isaac Herzog: If he were prime minister, he would be “meting out a harsh blow to Hamas and traveling to the Muqata,” the Palestinian president’s Ramallah headquarters, to speak with Mahmoud Abbas. He also decried the fact that Netanyahu did not exploit the years of relative quiet to reach an agreement with the Palestinians. He called on Livni and on Finance Minister Yair Lapid, the chairman of Yesh Atid, to leave the government.
Justice Minister and chief Israeli negotiator Tzipi Livni: Called on the American administration to publicize the framework document that it had discussed with the Israeli and Palestinian teams and demand that both sides adopt it as a basis for resuming talks.
Far-right-wing Economy Minister Naftali Bennett: His address was repeatedly disrupted by heckling from the crowd. He said no one wants peace more than he does. He later claimed he was punched in the back by a participant upon leaving the conference. Haaretz denied he was attacked and reported that numerous journalists saw that he was only lightly pushed.
President Shimon Peres: Praised Abbas for his courage. “Every serious person must admit that [Abbas] surprised us,” Peres said. “To appear in Saudi Arabia, denounce the murderers [of the three Jewish teens kidnapped last month] and to call for peace and to halt terror, to say, ‘I’m from Safed, and I won’t return to Safed.’ The man risked and is risking his life for peace. He is absolutely a partner for peace; I don’t see anyone better than him.”
ABU KHDEIR KIDNAPPING/MURDER UPDATE:
Yedioth and Maariv gave some new information into the murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir, 16, of Shuafat. The police believe that the three suspects who admitted to the murder and re-enacted it are the main ones, Maariv reported on page 19. The other three, from Beit Shemesh, Mevasseret and Beitar Illit, are suspected in helping with logistics, wrote Yedioth on page 28. The main suspect is a 30-year-old settler from Adam settlement, who is believed to have formed the gang of 17-year-olds. The 30-year-old took the car of a relative to commit the murder and brought in the other two, one from Beit Shemesh and one from Jerusalem, Yedioth reported. The 17-year-olds claim that the plan was to kidnap an Arab boy and beat him and that they did not know the older member of the group intended to murder the boy and he was the one who set him on fire. Yesterday, another suspect was arrested. He is from Jerusalem. Some of the suspects are relatives, Yedioth reported.
Quick Hits:
- Sharp drop in Israeli Arab demonstrations - There were demonstrations and local gatherings in some communities and at some intersections, but these ended without violent incidents. Community heads warn of more protests as grim images emerge from Gaza. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli Arab unrest continues, as leaders try to restore calm - Forty-two Arab youths arrested on suspicion of throwing rocks, Molotov cocktails. Jews, Arabs scrap in Old City of Jerusalem. State Attorney Shai Nitzan: AG has issued orders to open criminal cases against people who incite, including Internet ringleaders. (Israel Hayom)
- Clashes break out in Ramallah-area village in response to Gaza - Several Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli forces after the young villagers from Um al-Safa threw stones and firebombs at a military camp near the village in response to the Israeli offensive on Gaza. (Maan)
- Israeli forces raid (E.) Jerusalem, detain 24 - Israeli forces raided Sur Bahir (near Ramat Rachel), Silwan (near Old City), al-Tur (Mt. of Olives), the Old City, Beit Safafa, and Wadi Joz, where they made several house raids and detentions. (Maan)
- Adalah: "This is the most extensive wave of arrests (of Israeli Arabs) since October 2000," - The organization today published data on the number of detainees in recent days. According to the statistics, 108 protesters are in custody. The organization filed appeals on remand suspects. "We will take a strong hand," say police. (Maariv)
- Israeli settler 'shoots at Palestinians' in East Jerusalem - A settler from Nof Zion near Jabal al-Mukabbir neighborhood shot at a group of Palestinian youths while they were standing in front of a grocery store and shouted at them to "leave." Israelis also "formed a chain at the entrance of the neighborhood from both sides, and some were armed." Witnesses said police arrived at the scene and dispersed the Israelis. (Maan)
- Rabbis condemn Abu Khdeir killing - After killers confess to killing Palestinians teen, revealed to be ultra-Orthodox men, Haredi rabbis slam killers: 'How can a person who believes in Torah kill an innocent person?' (Ynet)
- Suspect in murder of Palestinian teen 'mentally ill,' says father - All six suspects arrested for the murder of 16-year-old Muhammad Abu Khdeir are aged 30 and under, and several are minors. Those who know the families of the suspects say some of them may be mentally unstable. Parents deny children's involvement in crime. (Israel Hayom)
- Death threats against Minister Peretz for visiting the Abu Khdeir home - Environment Minister Amir Peretz was attacked on his Facebook page with clear threats to his life, for visiting the family of the murdered Arab teen to give condolences. A man was arrested after threatening him and other senior officials through Facebook. (Maariv, p. 18)
- Foreign Ministry enlists residents of south in international public relations effort - The ministry issued a call to residents living under bombardment from Gaza to send film footage to illustrate the "intolerable" situation. (Maariv)
- BBC investigation reveals Gaza pictures not what they claim to be - BBC's social media department finds that images posted under the #GazaUnderAttack hashtag on social media websites are frequently not recent photos, or were taken in other conflict regions. (Israel Hayom)
- Life under fire: How ordinary Israelis live with the rockets - Home Front Command has issued a series of guidelines to ensure the safety of the civilian population. (Ynet+VIDEO)
- 64 US Jews make aliyah despite escalating security situation' - Israel is my home and at home you always feel safe,' says 26-year-old Becky Kupchan of Chicago, who is moving straight to Beersheba. (Ynet)
- Peace would give GDP $53b boost, claims expert - That 'peace dividend' would make it possible to cut VAT to 12%, from 18%, says Yarom Ariav. (Haaretz+)
- Former Palestinian hunger-striker re-arrested - Former Palestinian hunger-striker Khader Adnan, who made international headlines as one of the first Palestinians to hunger-strike for a long period in protest to being jailed without charges and was then released, was re-arrested by Israeli forces on Monday evening, his family said. (Maan)
- Arab youth threatened with clubs youth at the Bnei Akiva youth branch in Eilat - Six people were arrested in the incident, after teenagers complained that the Arab youth threatened them. The police arrested the Arab minors, but are also examining whether the event is related to a previous complaint by one of the arrested youth over a dispute that arose between him and the Bnei Akiva youth a few days ago, according to which he was attacked in the same place by them. (Maariv, p. 19)
- Israeli police close Aqsa to women, young men - Only elderly men are allowed to access the compound and they have to leave their ID cards with Israeli officers stationed at the main gates. In addition, Israeli police have shut down four main gates leading to the compound. (Maan)
- Israel fights academic boycott - Committee of University Heads announces forum to examine and fight academic boycott of Israel worldwide. Hebrew University President Professor Menachem Ben-Sasson: "This is a growing phenomenon with the sole goal of harming Israel." (Israel Hayom)
- Iraq: Islamic State militants seize chemical weapons site - Remnants of 2,500 degraded chemical rockets are stored in the facility; playing down that threat, U.S. says it's nearly impossible to use the materials for military purposes. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Arabs watch in Hebrew as World Cup mixes with Mideast conflicts - From Egypt to Lebanon, fans either cannot afford to pay for Al Jazeera's broadcasts or refuse to pay the Qatari channel for political reasons • Israel welcomes viewers in neighboring countries, saying it is part of diplomatic outreach to Arab world. (Agencies, Israel Hayom)
Features:
Mad as hell: When the Arab news anchor couldn’t take it anymore
TV host Lucy Aharish did something unusual on-air Monday: She finally snapped after hearing one extremist Jewish panelist too many. (Haaretz+)
Refuge city
In (the Arab town of) Tamra, there were this stormy demonstrations this week. In Acre, the situation between Jews and Arabs is explosive. And the solving of the murder of Shelly Dadon only made the atmosphere worse in the north. Yedioth held a meeting between Jewish and Arab mayors for an open discussion on violence, incitement and how to bring the relations back to the path of co-existence. (Chen Kottas-Bar, Yedioth '24 Hours' supplement, cover)
In Sderot, a painful feeling of deja vu
With the start of the IDF’s operation against Hamas in Gaza, in which 40,000 troops have been called up, life in one of Israel’s most missile-battered cities becomes increasingly unsettling. (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+ and YouTube)
Ball vs. Qassam (rocket)
Rain of rockets and mortars were shot down at them, but the residents of Kibbutz Or Haner, near the border with Gaza, are only interested in one thing: Will Argentina win tonight. Hamas vs. Israel? There are more important things in the world. (Eyal Levy, Maariv magazine supplement, cover)
Commentary/Analysis:
TV host Lucy Aharish did something unusual on-air Monday: She finally snapped after hearing one extremist Jewish panelist too many. (Haaretz+)
Refuge city
In (the Arab town of) Tamra, there were this stormy demonstrations this week. In Acre, the situation between Jews and Arabs is explosive. And the solving of the murder of Shelly Dadon only made the atmosphere worse in the north. Yedioth held a meeting between Jewish and Arab mayors for an open discussion on violence, incitement and how to bring the relations back to the path of co-existence. (Chen Kottas-Bar, Yedioth '24 Hours' supplement, cover)
In Sderot, a painful feeling of deja vu
With the start of the IDF’s operation against Hamas in Gaza, in which 40,000 troops have been called up, life in one of Israel’s most missile-battered cities becomes increasingly unsettling. (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+ and YouTube)
Ball vs. Qassam (rocket)
Rain of rockets and mortars were shot down at them, but the residents of Kibbutz Or Haner, near the border with Gaza, are only interested in one thing: Will Argentina win tonight. Hamas vs. Israel? There are more important things in the world. (Eyal Levy, Maariv magazine supplement, cover)
Commentary/Analysis:
Israel wants a war film, not war (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) In its latest Gaza operation, Israel’s message to Hamas is simple: Bring us the
serpent’s head - we want to talk to it.
History unlikely to repeat itself (Giora Eiland, Yedioth/Ynet) Even if Israel launches wide-scale operation in Gaza, it will be a military conflict between State of Israel and state of Gaza, rather than an intifada involving Palestinians in West Bank and Israel's Arabs.
Military restraint is no sign of weakness (Haaretz Editorial) After all, there is no diplomatic process and the West Bank is threatening to erupt into a third intifada.
Hamas is looking for a way out (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) The organization’s financial straits far outweigh the image boost provided by Operation Protective Edge.
Lieberman smells elections in the air (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth/Ynet) Foreign minister's dramatic decision to end partnership with Likud driven by feeling that Netanyahu's days as prime minister are numbered.
Growing frustration in Israel pushing government to further escalation (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Israel did not seek confrontation. But with no exit strategy in place, and with Hamas calling the shots, hostilities are likely to intensify.
God, take me to a planet with no evil (Dr. Ruchama Weiss, Ynet) I want to emigrate from this reality. I plead with God to release me, if only for a few hours, from this planet drowning in rivers of hate and murder. But we were born into this world to be tested, and the test, it seems, is preserving God's image even under extremely difficult conditions.
Missing: A responsible power to broker Israel-Hamas cease-fire (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) All Hamas has now to try and grab the world's attention and improve its standing in the eyes of its people - are its missiles.
A fragmented leadership, an independent military wing: Hamas is fighting for its life - and it has nothing to lose (Ben Caspit, Maariv) Gaza has no guiding hand. And therefore it will take much more time to control the situation. Here we are soon expected to have a "national emergency government", with or without Hamas and there is nothing that Netanyahu wants more than that. And: a small-big thanks.
**On hope and despair in the Middle East (David Grossman, Haaretz) In memory of Ron Pundak, an architect of the Oslo Accords and the Geneva Initiative.
Terrorists' considerations: Where to aim, when and how many rockets to fire? (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) Hamas and other Gaza terror organizations have learned from previous operations how to get past Iron Dome and how to escape the IDF's watchful eye.
How pinkwashing leaves Israel feeling squeaky clean (Aeyal Gross, Haaretz+) People were happy to believe the baseless rumor that Abu Khdeir was murdered for being gay, yet homophobia was ruled out as a reason for the attack on a gay youth center. Why? Because of one key difference.
Selective self-flagellation (Ruthie Blum, Israel Hayom) Israelis should feel both proud of and grateful for their country, whose leaders and the bulk of whose populace consider violence an abomination that cannot be tolerated.
Peace in the Mideast in our own good time (Yossi Sarid, Haaretz) He who pins his hopes on the next war, which will forever be the last war and also the most successful war, until its deceit and lies are found out.
Operation Protective Edge: Hamas blinked first (Yossi Melman, Maariv) The Gaza organization wanted to broadcast to Israel that is not deterred by threats, but the very launch (of missiles at Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem and Hadera), so early on, shows it has lost its deterrence.
Israelis are longing for the next intifada (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) The yearning is for the post-intifada stage - for the Palestinian surrender, for the psychic effect etched into the Palestinian soul.
BDS in West, integration in Middle East? (Elliott Abrams, Israel Hayom) The boycotters should take note: History is not on their side, nor economics, nor security needs -- nor, of course, is their selective moralizing persuasive.
Stop demolition of terrorists' homes (Michal Aharoni, Maariv) We need to prosecute the murderer, not create potential murderers. Ultimately, what will remain are children whose father was imprisoned, and they have no home.
An Israeli tragedy (Carolina Landsman, Haaretz+) To hope that Netanyahu could heal our society of its psychosis is to be blind to, or in denial of, historical truth.
Sometimes, power is a trap (Dr. Gabi Avital, Israel Hayom) A good leader doesn't always have to use the whip.
There is no mandate for a ground invasion (Ran Adelist, Maariv) A decision for the IDF to enter Gaza is wrong and has no chance (of success), and the government has no political, operational or moral validity to make that decision.
The economic case for peace (Yadin Kaufmann, Haaretz+) A venture capitalist on how both Israel and the Palestinians can benefit from making peace.
A knife in the nation's heart (Dr. Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) With their zealous, psychotic act of darkness, the murderers of Muhammad Abu Khdeir have put all Israeli civilians in significant danger.
The Mossad chief’s mistake (Udi Segal, Haaretz+) Had Tamir Pardo only had a media advisor at his side, this embarrassing incident would have been avoided.
History unlikely to repeat itself (Giora Eiland, Yedioth/Ynet) Even if Israel launches wide-scale operation in Gaza, it will be a military conflict between State of Israel and state of Gaza, rather than an intifada involving Palestinians in West Bank and Israel's Arabs.
Military restraint is no sign of weakness (Haaretz Editorial) After all, there is no diplomatic process and the West Bank is threatening to erupt into a third intifada.
Hamas is looking for a way out (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) The organization’s financial straits far outweigh the image boost provided by Operation Protective Edge.
Lieberman smells elections in the air (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth/Ynet) Foreign minister's dramatic decision to end partnership with Likud driven by feeling that Netanyahu's days as prime minister are numbered.
Growing frustration in Israel pushing government to further escalation (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Israel did not seek confrontation. But with no exit strategy in place, and with Hamas calling the shots, hostilities are likely to intensify.
God, take me to a planet with no evil (Dr. Ruchama Weiss, Ynet) I want to emigrate from this reality. I plead with God to release me, if only for a few hours, from this planet drowning in rivers of hate and murder. But we were born into this world to be tested, and the test, it seems, is preserving God's image even under extremely difficult conditions.
Missing: A responsible power to broker Israel-Hamas cease-fire (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) All Hamas has now to try and grab the world's attention and improve its standing in the eyes of its people - are its missiles.
A fragmented leadership, an independent military wing: Hamas is fighting for its life - and it has nothing to lose (Ben Caspit, Maariv) Gaza has no guiding hand. And therefore it will take much more time to control the situation. Here we are soon expected to have a "national emergency government", with or without Hamas and there is nothing that Netanyahu wants more than that. And: a small-big thanks.
**On hope and despair in the Middle East (David Grossman, Haaretz) In memory of Ron Pundak, an architect of the Oslo Accords and the Geneva Initiative.
Terrorists' considerations: Where to aim, when and how many rockets to fire? (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) Hamas and other Gaza terror organizations have learned from previous operations how to get past Iron Dome and how to escape the IDF's watchful eye.
How pinkwashing leaves Israel feeling squeaky clean (Aeyal Gross, Haaretz+) People were happy to believe the baseless rumor that Abu Khdeir was murdered for being gay, yet homophobia was ruled out as a reason for the attack on a gay youth center. Why? Because of one key difference.
Selective self-flagellation (Ruthie Blum, Israel Hayom) Israelis should feel both proud of and grateful for their country, whose leaders and the bulk of whose populace consider violence an abomination that cannot be tolerated.
Peace in the Mideast in our own good time (Yossi Sarid, Haaretz) He who pins his hopes on the next war, which will forever be the last war and also the most successful war, until its deceit and lies are found out.
Operation Protective Edge: Hamas blinked first (Yossi Melman, Maariv) The Gaza organization wanted to broadcast to Israel that is not deterred by threats, but the very launch (of missiles at Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem and Hadera), so early on, shows it has lost its deterrence.
Israelis are longing for the next intifada (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) The yearning is for the post-intifada stage - for the Palestinian surrender, for the psychic effect etched into the Palestinian soul.
BDS in West, integration in Middle East? (Elliott Abrams, Israel Hayom) The boycotters should take note: History is not on their side, nor economics, nor security needs -- nor, of course, is their selective moralizing persuasive.
Stop demolition of terrorists' homes (Michal Aharoni, Maariv) We need to prosecute the murderer, not create potential murderers. Ultimately, what will remain are children whose father was imprisoned, and they have no home.
An Israeli tragedy (Carolina Landsman, Haaretz+) To hope that Netanyahu could heal our society of its psychosis is to be blind to, or in denial of, historical truth.
Sometimes, power is a trap (Dr. Gabi Avital, Israel Hayom) A good leader doesn't always have to use the whip.
There is no mandate for a ground invasion (Ran Adelist, Maariv) A decision for the IDF to enter Gaza is wrong and has no chance (of success), and the government has no political, operational or moral validity to make that decision.
The economic case for peace (Yadin Kaufmann, Haaretz+) A venture capitalist on how both Israel and the Palestinians can benefit from making peace.
A knife in the nation's heart (Dr. Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) With their zealous, psychotic act of darkness, the murderers of Muhammad Abu Khdeir have put all Israeli civilians in significant danger.
The Mossad chief’s mistake (Udi Segal, Haaretz+) Had Tamir Pardo only had a media advisor at his side, this embarrassing incident would have been avoided.
Interviews:
WATCH: Exclusive interview with Mahmoud Abbas
Ahead of Haaretz's Israel Conference on Peace, Akiva Eldar interviewed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. (Haaretz)
Ahead of Haaretz's Israel Conference on Peace, Akiva Eldar interviewed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. (Haaretz)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.