APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday September 14, 2014
Quote of the day:
"These days, shouting 'death to Arabs' in the middle of Jaffa Street is okay; nothing should be done
about it."
--Aviv Tatarsky, a volunteer with the 'City Guard,' a grassroots group that protects Arabs in the capital from attacks by Jewish racists.**
--Aviv Tatarsky, a volunteer with the 'City Guard,' a grassroots group that protects Arabs in the capital from attacks by Jewish racists.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Crisis growing between Netanyahu and Lapid over budget
- Turkey won't allow US to operate from its territory against ISIS
- Questions to Hamas leaders // Amira Hass
- Sharp responses to the letter by the refuseniks of Unit 8200; Signatories: "Our jobs went past self-defense"
- Who will protect the economy from the computer attacks? Shin Bet and cyber headquarters in world war over turf, but Netanyahu has put off deciding for over a year
- US researchers: Ebola endangering lives of hundreds of thousands
- Only 7 pupils from north Tel-Aviv signed up for gifted student classes in south of city; the rest are crowded (in the north)
Yedioth Ahronoth
- "We, the reservists of Unit 8200 are ashamed of our friends, the refuseniks"
- Their place is in jail // Eitan Haber
- Listen to them // Shimon Shiffer
- Worth probing // Ronen Bergman
- Refuseniks from afar // Yoaz Hendel
- Budget or elections - Sharp dispute between Netanyahu and Lapid over security budget and increasing deficit
- Left alone - They were two lone soldiers from the US who fell in love. Shawn was killed in Gaza, Eden was let with the memories
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links)
- Blow to the US: Egypt and Turkey won't participate in coalition against ISIS
- Going towards an explosion? Netanyahu and Lapid will meet today for debate over budget
- Who really wants to dismantle (the coalition) // Yehuda Sharoni
- Political establishment up in storm over letter of refuseniks of Unit 8200; Defense Minister Yaalon: "Indecent attempt to de-legitimize"
- For the second time in Israel: Bra, thong and glittering blond: Lady Gaga conquered Hayarkon Park
Israel Hayom
- Praise for Unit 8200; Condemnations for the refuseniks
- Revolt of the spoiled and the children of the silver spoons // Dan Margalit
- Deal with the refuseniks with a heavy hand // Tzvika Fogel
- Iran to US: Attack in Syria will ignite the Middle East
- APPLAUSE - Lady Gaga performed in Tel-Aviv
- The dispute over the budget: Netanyahu and Lapid to meet
- Tachlit organization and Israel Hayom helping needy families ahead of the holidays
- Rosh Hashana soon: On the health properties of apples and dates
News Summary:
The angry, accusing response by Israeli politicians and other officers to the letter by 43 officers and soldiers from the IDF's top intel unit, #8200, which declared their refusal to serve any longer due to what they said was immoral practices against the Palestinian people (and was hailed by the Palestinians), was today's top story along with the dispute between Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Yair Lapid over the 2015 budget and the cracks in the US-led coalition against ISIS.
US President Barack Obama said the fight against ISIS can't be America's alone. But, Iran said such an attack would 'ignite' the Middle East. France wants Iran to help, but the US opposes. Germany also said it won't join the airstrikes, as did Egypt and Turkey. But US Secretary of State John Kerry said Egypt has a critical role (it may provide logistical and intelligence support to the coalition), and Turkey reportedly deported 830 Europeans trying to join ISIS. The Syrian government also opposes the Obama plan to bomb ISIS inside Syria, while the Syrian opposition said it was 'ready' to partner with the West. Leaders of Israel's Islamic Movement slammed the Islamic State, saying 'ISIS is a threat to us all,' but blamed Israel and the US for inspiring ISIS to divide the Arab world. Some said that 'if the US fails to destroy ISIS, Israeli Arabs will go to Syria to fight (against) them.' And, International Relations and Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz, said, "If the Islamic State invades Jordan -- Israel may strike."
The angry, accusing response by Israeli politicians and other officers to the letter by 43 officers and soldiers from the IDF's top intel unit, #8200, which declared their refusal to serve any longer due to what they said was immoral practices against the Palestinian people (and was hailed by the Palestinians), was today's top story along with the dispute between Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Yair Lapid over the 2015 budget and the cracks in the US-led coalition against ISIS.
US President Barack Obama said the fight against ISIS can't be America's alone. But, Iran said such an attack would 'ignite' the Middle East. France wants Iran to help, but the US opposes. Germany also said it won't join the airstrikes, as did Egypt and Turkey. But US Secretary of State John Kerry said Egypt has a critical role (it may provide logistical and intelligence support to the coalition), and Turkey reportedly deported 830 Europeans trying to join ISIS. The Syrian government also opposes the Obama plan to bomb ISIS inside Syria, while the Syrian opposition said it was 'ready' to partner with the West. Leaders of Israel's Islamic Movement slammed the Islamic State, saying 'ISIS is a threat to us all,' but blamed Israel and the US for inspiring ISIS to divide the Arab world. Some said that 'if the US fails to destroy ISIS, Israeli Arabs will go to Syria to fight (against) them.' And, International Relations and Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz, said, "If the Islamic State invades Jordan -- Israel may strike."
Quick Hits:
- Palestinian minister: Prisoner in Israeli jail didn't kill himself, he was beaten to death - Israel Prison Service said prisoner, jailed on charges of assault, hanged himself. Family's attorney says autopsy report not yet released. (Haaretz+)
- Haniyeh: Hamas will not engage in direct talks with Israel nor disarm -Hamas leader also insists group will not negotiate Gaza demilitarization: 'Weapons of resistance will remain in place until Palestine is liberated.' (Haaretz and Israel Hayom)
- Hamas denies running 'shadow government' in Gaza - Days after Abbas threatens to break off Hamas unity agreement saying it was not allowing government to operate in Gaza, group's political chief insists 'talk of a parallel government is totally against reality.' (Ynet)
- Half million Gaza children make delayed return to school - First week of instruction will be devoted to psychological counseling and recreational activities to help children transition to learning, official says. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Gazans move into mobile homes donated by UEA - According to Gaza housing ministry, 9,800 homes were destroyed during 50-day Gaza conflict, now some begin to enter new mobile homes donated to ease rehabilitation process. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Israel curbing growth of Palestinian business, says World Bank - Palestinian enterprises remain hostage to conflict, military rule, political division and lack of free movement and access, according to a new report. (Haaretz)
- Israel to sign a visa-waiver program with internationally ostracized Belarus - Ambassador Yosef Shagal announced the signing on Friday to 700 participants at the Limmud FSU conference in Vitebsk, the former Soviet country’s third-largest city. (JTA, Haaretz)
- Report: Operation Protective Edge led to spike in anti-Semitic attacks - Anti-Defamation League says U.K. saw 400 percent rise in anti-Semitic incidents. 25% of reported incidents involved social media. "As Israel defends its citizens from Hamas' rockets, Jews around the world have come under attack," findings read. (Israel Hayom)
- Mortar explodes in open area in Golan; no injuries reported - IDF says mortar most likely errant fire from fighting inside Syria. (Haaretz)
- 15,000 gather in north to honor fallen Druze soldiers - Group co-founded by Druze officer Brig. Gen. Amal Assad is dedicated to holding annual events that honor the memory of Druze killed fighting for Israel in a way that conforms to community's beliefs, which preclude physical memorials. (Israel Hayom)
- US Senate majority leader: Hamas is just as bad as ISIS - Nevada Senator Harry Reid condemns Hamas and affirms U.S. support for Israel in Senate speech. "Hamas and ISIS are both vicious yet for some reason Hamas' brutality doesn't elicit the same horror from the international community," Reid contends. (Israel Hayom)
- Senator walks out after being booed for pro-Israel comments - "After just a few minutes, I had no choice. ... I told them that if you will not stand with Israel, if you will not stand with the Jews, then I will not stand with you. And then I walked off the stage," Republican Senator Ted Cruz says. (Agencies, Israel Hayom)
- Israeli admitted into international travel federation - Yossi Fattal says UFTAA has avoided appointing an Israeli to its management for many years for political reasons. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Hollywood stands by Israel again, this time in NY Times - Creative Community for Peace -- an organization devoted to fighting economic and artistic boycotts of Israel -- publishes another petition in support of Israel and against Hamas, this time with over 300 signatures. (Israel Hayom)
- Iran wants UN to condemn Israeli drone 'aggression' - After Iran claims to have shot down Israeli drone, Islamic Republic urges UN atomic agency to slam alleged Israeli 'act of aggression.' (Agencies, Ynet)
Features:
**Activists wage vigilante efforts against racism in Jerusalem
Every Thursday and Saturday night, Jerusalem’s Zion Square becomes a scene of confrontation. On those evenings, activists from Lehava – an organization whose name is a Hebrew acronym for “fighting assimilation in the Holy Land” – hand out fliers bearing slogans like “don’t let your daughters work with Arabs” and “don’t buy from stores that employ your enemies.” After midnight, they disperse, which is when youth harass (Arab) passersby, attack (Arab) taxi drivers and interrogate couples to determine whether they are Arabs or Jews. Facing off against the racism, for the past two months, have been two different groups. One, which calls itself City Guard, is composed of veteran left-wing activists and sees its mission as physically protecting the victims. They start work around 1 A.M. The second group is more diverse, comprised of religious, secular and formerly religious students, who try to persuade the Lehava activists that racism is wrong, or at least to mitigate the violence. (Nir Hasson, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Every Thursday and Saturday night, Jerusalem’s Zion Square becomes a scene of confrontation. On those evenings, activists from Lehava – an organization whose name is a Hebrew acronym for “fighting assimilation in the Holy Land” – hand out fliers bearing slogans like “don’t let your daughters work with Arabs” and “don’t buy from stores that employ your enemies.” After midnight, they disperse, which is when youth harass (Arab) passersby, attack (Arab) taxi drivers and interrogate couples to determine whether they are Arabs or Jews. Facing off against the racism, for the past two months, have been two different groups. One, which calls itself City Guard, is composed of veteran left-wing activists and sees its mission as physically protecting the victims. They start work around 1 A.M. The second group is more diverse, comprised of religious, secular and formerly religious students, who try to persuade the Lehava activists that racism is wrong, or at least to mitigate the violence. (Nir Hasson, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Police's use of sponge rounds must be strictly according to protocol (Haaretz Editorial) The postmortem of 16-year-old Mohammed Sunuqrut, killed by Israeli
security forces in East Jerusalem, suggests a police cover-up.
Who moved my Iranian threat? (Asher Schechter, Haaretz+) The brutal tactics of the Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS, make for gripping publicity.
Listen to what Unit 8200 refuseniks have to say (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth/Ynet) Israel's decision makers should face elite intelligence unit's reservists and explain why after more than 45 years of controlling Palestinians' lives, they have yet to find formula for separating from them or living with them.
Mutiny in the Israeli Stasi: exposing the occupation's worst filth (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) The elite intel unit veterans took a milestone in announcing they will no longer serve the occupation. In their footsteps, perhaps, a few veterans of the Shin Bet security service will also come forward and talk about what they did at work.
18 questions for Hamas leaders in wake of Gaza war (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Had the IDF not prohibited Israeli journalists' entry into the Gaza Strip and had the leaders of the Islamic movement agreed to be interviewed in the Israeli media, this is what Amira Hass would have asked:
The Green Line is not holy (David M. Weinberg, Israel Hayom) Israel and Egypt demonstrate bold new thinking with "regional solutions" to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
War fever: Overselling the war against Islamic State? (Peter Beinart, Haaretz) Having failed to ask tough questions before the Iraq War, this time around will the media aggressively investigate if ISIS really poses a profound terrorist threat to the U.S.?
Fertile ground for manipulation (Emily Amrousi, Israel Hayom) The Left never lets the facts stop its efforts to kill the settlement enterprise.
Israelis’ desire for normalcy is trumped by arrogance (Raef Zreik, Haaretz+) Zionist Jews have willpower and initiative when it comes to war, but when it comes to a historic compromise, they see the world as fixed.
The unsettling links between September 11 and Islamic State (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+) Two wars and 13 years after the 9/11 attacks, we find ourselves with the Islamic State. Did the U.S. invasion of Iraq lay the groundwork for the rise of the Islamic State?
Anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) We have yet to witness a military campaign devoid of anomalies, and Operation Protective Edge was no different. Rule of law presides in Israel, and as such, even if Israel's anomalies are far smaller than those of other countries in similar situations, state has a duty to investigate them all.
Islamic State is no excuse to ignore Palestinians (Friday Haaretz Editorial) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is wrong if he believes the world’s fear of the Islamic State will bury the need for negotiating an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
Faulty lines: Netanyahu says 'ISIS' but his listeners hear 'Gaza, occupation' (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) When Netanyahu tries to brand Israel’s private conflict with the Palestinians as a battle in the clash of civilizations, the Obama administration sees him as a used car salesman.
World seems to have forgotten Holocaust (Yitzhak Eldan, Yedioth/Ynet) Anti-Israel and anti-Jewish groups have created an equation in which every Jew identifies with Israel, and is therefore a legitimate target.
Sissi thinks creatively to solve the Palestinian refugee problem (Israel Harel, Haaretz+) The Egyptian president is willing to cede territory to ease the Palestinians’ plight, but Israel is shocked.
Israel's security problems require unique solutions – and a lot of money (Issac Ben-Israel, Yedioth/Ynet) A deep understanding of our strategic situation in the Middle East obligates us to look to the future: What kind of surprises will the enemy have in store for us in the next round?
Israel in Gaza: Violence and injustice are not Jewish values (Rabbi Arik Ascherman, Haaretz+) When and if Israel itself investigates its own behavior during the Gaza war, it shouldn't seek vindication based only on the dry letter of international law. Not everything that is legal is right.
Bringing liberal Israelis back home (Carolina Landsmann, Haaretz+) Four steps to make center-leftists strong and stop them from threatening to leave the country.
Unwittingly, my yogurt has been funding the settlements (Yossi Sarid, Haaretz+) I asked myself, and now I will ask the heads of the local authorities in the south: How long will the robbers make fun of you and you will collaborate?
Who moved my Iranian threat? (Asher Schechter, Haaretz+) The brutal tactics of the Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS, make for gripping publicity.
Listen to what Unit 8200 refuseniks have to say (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth/Ynet) Israel's decision makers should face elite intelligence unit's reservists and explain why after more than 45 years of controlling Palestinians' lives, they have yet to find formula for separating from them or living with them.
Mutiny in the Israeli Stasi: exposing the occupation's worst filth (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) The elite intel unit veterans took a milestone in announcing they will no longer serve the occupation. In their footsteps, perhaps, a few veterans of the Shin Bet security service will also come forward and talk about what they did at work.
18 questions for Hamas leaders in wake of Gaza war (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Had the IDF not prohibited Israeli journalists' entry into the Gaza Strip and had the leaders of the Islamic movement agreed to be interviewed in the Israeli media, this is what Amira Hass would have asked:
The Green Line is not holy (David M. Weinberg, Israel Hayom) Israel and Egypt demonstrate bold new thinking with "regional solutions" to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
War fever: Overselling the war against Islamic State? (Peter Beinart, Haaretz) Having failed to ask tough questions before the Iraq War, this time around will the media aggressively investigate if ISIS really poses a profound terrorist threat to the U.S.?
Fertile ground for manipulation (Emily Amrousi, Israel Hayom) The Left never lets the facts stop its efforts to kill the settlement enterprise.
Israelis’ desire for normalcy is trumped by arrogance (Raef Zreik, Haaretz+) Zionist Jews have willpower and initiative when it comes to war, but when it comes to a historic compromise, they see the world as fixed.
The unsettling links between September 11 and Islamic State (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+) Two wars and 13 years after the 9/11 attacks, we find ourselves with the Islamic State. Did the U.S. invasion of Iraq lay the groundwork for the rise of the Islamic State?
Anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) We have yet to witness a military campaign devoid of anomalies, and Operation Protective Edge was no different. Rule of law presides in Israel, and as such, even if Israel's anomalies are far smaller than those of other countries in similar situations, state has a duty to investigate them all.
Islamic State is no excuse to ignore Palestinians (Friday Haaretz Editorial) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is wrong if he believes the world’s fear of the Islamic State will bury the need for negotiating an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
Faulty lines: Netanyahu says 'ISIS' but his listeners hear 'Gaza, occupation' (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) When Netanyahu tries to brand Israel’s private conflict with the Palestinians as a battle in the clash of civilizations, the Obama administration sees him as a used car salesman.
World seems to have forgotten Holocaust (Yitzhak Eldan, Yedioth/Ynet) Anti-Israel and anti-Jewish groups have created an equation in which every Jew identifies with Israel, and is therefore a legitimate target.
Sissi thinks creatively to solve the Palestinian refugee problem (Israel Harel, Haaretz+) The Egyptian president is willing to cede territory to ease the Palestinians’ plight, but Israel is shocked.
Israel's security problems require unique solutions – and a lot of money (Issac Ben-Israel, Yedioth/Ynet) A deep understanding of our strategic situation in the Middle East obligates us to look to the future: What kind of surprises will the enemy have in store for us in the next round?
Israel in Gaza: Violence and injustice are not Jewish values (Rabbi Arik Ascherman, Haaretz+) When and if Israel itself investigates its own behavior during the Gaza war, it shouldn't seek vindication based only on the dry letter of international law. Not everything that is legal is right.
Bringing liberal Israelis back home (Carolina Landsmann, Haaretz+) Four steps to make center-leftists strong and stop them from threatening to leave the country.
Unwittingly, my yogurt has been funding the settlements (Yossi Sarid, Haaretz+) I asked myself, and now I will ask the heads of the local authorities in the south: How long will the robbers make fun of you and you will collaborate?
Interviews:
Why journalists say Israeli-Arab reporting is 'rigged’
Ex-AP correspondent Matti Friedman’s article on the 'insider’ view of reporting on Israel went viral on Facebook. Friedman tells Haaretz why he thinks there is something wrong with global coverage of Israel.
(Interviewed by Dafna Maor in Haaretz+)
Hayden: Treat Islamic State like we did al-Qaeda
In second part of exclusive interview, US intelligence doyen Michael Hayden discusses targeted killings, dealing with Iran, US-Israel ties, the fallout from wiretapping Merkel - and theorizes why it happened.
(Interviewed by Ronen Bergman, Yedioth/Ynet)
Ex-AP correspondent Matti Friedman’s article on the 'insider’ view of reporting on Israel went viral on Facebook. Friedman tells Haaretz why he thinks there is something wrong with global coverage of Israel.
(Interviewed by Dafna Maor in Haaretz+)
Hayden: Treat Islamic State like we did al-Qaeda
In second part of exclusive interview, US intelligence doyen Michael Hayden discusses targeted killings, dealing with Iran, US-Israel ties, the fallout from wiretapping Merkel - and theorizes why it happened.
(Interviewed by Ronen Bergman, Yedioth/Ynet)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.