APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday September 29, 2014
Number of the day:
56.
--Percentage of Israelis who believe that Israel should not end relations with the Palestinian Authority following Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' speech.**
--Percentage of Israelis who believe that Israel should not end relations with the Palestinian Authority following Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' speech.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Interior Ministry continues to summon asylum seekers to Holot (detention facility)
- Eve of his speech at UN, Netanyahu met with Kerry and harshly attacked Abbas
- Masses took to streets in Hong Kong to demonstrate for democracy
- Fourth police commander leaves: Jerusalem District Commander Pariente resigns "In order to avoid being smeared"
- Question of discrimination against patients in south - Antitrust Authority probing if Soroka Hospital is a monopoly
- Musical composer and arranger, Gil Aldama, died at age 86
- Israel second in world in rhythmic gymnastics
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Shake-up in the Police: another senior police commander announced: I don't want to deal
- The skeletons in the closet // Ariella Ringel-Hoffman
- This evening at the UN: Netanyahu's response
- She got wings - Time Magazine chose the social entrepreneur Adi Altshuler as one of six leading youth leaders in the world
- They touched the skies - Historic achievement for Israel national rhythmic gymnastics team - silver medal
- There is no longer anywhere to run: Now the air also causes cancer
- Substitute plan - a visit to the couple exchange scene, which, according to studies, strengthens married life
- For sale: a cliff - Hillel Cherney, one of the convicted in the Holyland affair, is looking for a buyer for the Manara Cliff site. 37 million shekels and it's yours
- Soon it will be possible to speak on your cellphone during a flight. At least to Europe
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links)
- Today: Prime Minister's "truth speech" at UN General Assembly
- Voice in the wilderness // Shlomo Shamir in New York
- News for travelers: Soon, airlines expected to allow use of computers and smartphones during flights
- Lapid's budget: Price of electricity to drop, deficit target to rise
- Israbluff budget: Lapid selling illusions // Yehuda Sharoni
- Another shakeup in the police: Also police commander Pariente is resigning from his job
- Falling apart // Amir Zohar
Israel Hayom
- "IDF - most moral army in the world" - Tonight at UN: Netanyahu's answer to Abu Mazen's "speech of lies"
- Abu Mazen incites // Dror Eydar
- Recommendation to the left-wing: Do some soul-searching // Haim Shine
- Shakeup in the police: Pariente resigns
- Unpleasant and mainly a pity // Itsik Saban
- Soon: WiFi on flights to Europe
- Embarrassing video: Young boys filmed sex with 15-year-old - and circulated it on WhatsApp
- Barbarian unity: Reconciliation between ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra
- A year to his death: Stamp in commemoration of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef
- History: Silver medal for Israel in rhythmic gymnastics
News Summary:
Israeli Prime Minister's planned 'razor sharp' speech at the UN General Assembly tonight against Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the questions raised by the resignation of another top police commander were the top stories in today's Hebrew newspapers. Meanwhile, Yedioth writes about the fear of clashes between Jews and Arabs in the mixed city of Acco/Acre this weekend.
The papers continued to discuss Abbas' speech and while the majority said there were distortions and lies, they also blamed the Netanyahu government for not truly wanting a two-state solution (See Commentary/Analysis below). In an interview with Ynet, opposition leader and Labor party chief MK Haim Herzog also blamed Netanyahu for the deteriorating relations with the Palestinians and said that Israel wants Abbas and the PA in Gaza.
**Interestingly, Yedioth asked in its daily question, whether readers thought that following Abbas' speech, Israel should end contact with the Palestinian Authority. Readers can answer yes or no by scanning a code, and the results usually reflect a right-wing viewpoint. However, this time, the majority, 56%, supported the viewpoint of (right-wing commentator) Ben-Dror Yemini who (surprisingly - OH) wrote in opposition of ending relations with the PA. (Right-wing Yedioth commentator Noah Klieger presented the other view point.)
Yedioth published three letters from readers on the subject of Abbas' speech. The first by David Etzioni of Ramat Hasharon, acknowledged Abbas' frustration with "the obvious lack of will by the Israeli government to advance in negotiations with him," but blasted Abbas for making statements that were offensive to Israelis, with whom he will have to negotiate in the end anyway. Yossi Atias of Hadera wrote in his letter that "The media is screaming for the last two days over the 'speech of lies' by Abu Mazen. True, his words were filled with awful lies that seem to lead to a dead end, but was Netanyahu's Bar Ilan speech a speech of truth? Because the whole world does not believe his offer of two states. Even here, in our home, Bennett and Lieberman, Danon and Hotoveli, Elkin and Levine, and more - chuckle every time they are reminded of Netanyahu's words at Bar-Ilan. 'So he said it.' We need to admit the truth in this period there are two leaders who won't move anything and their whole purpose is to survive." The third reader wrote that he does not agree with political commentator Shimon Shiffer that Abbas is still a partner for peacemaking and that "There are situations in life when there simply isn't anyone to speak with, not even Abu Mazen."
The PA slammed the US condemnation of Abbas' speech. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat called US State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki's comments "improper, irresponsible and not worthy of a response...The entire international community welcomed Abbas' speech -- except the Israelis and the Americans."
Abbas plans to wage a 'political war' against Israel if the US vetoes his UN resolution to end the occupation, Fatah official Nabil Shaath told Maan. Abbas will give the green light for "the war of international boycott of Israel" and hold it accountable at the International Criminal Court, Shaath said.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman met Sunday with the foreign ministers of Canada, the Czech Republic, Greece, Austria and Rwanda, during his trip to New York for the UN General Assembly meeting, Israel Hayom reported.
Every 33 years, Yom Kippur and Eid al-Adha fall on the same date. And so it is this year, beginning Friday night, raising fears in the mixed city of Acco. In Israel, Jews don't drive on Yom Kippur and only ambulances are allowed on the streets. On the four-day Eid al-Adha holiday, Muslims slaughter sheep at the mosque and hold family feasts and pubic celebrations. Six years ago, violent clashes broke out in Acco after an Arab resident of the city drove in a Jewish neighborhood on Yom Kippur. Now many fear a re-run of that violence. The local police have called on both sides to respect each other and demanded that the traditional Muslim celebrations begin after Yom Kippur ends and that the fun celebrations for the children be held on Sunday. In compensation, the police will give them Wednesday as an additional day to celebrate in public spaces.
Israeli Prime Minister's planned 'razor sharp' speech at the UN General Assembly tonight against Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the questions raised by the resignation of another top police commander were the top stories in today's Hebrew newspapers. Meanwhile, Yedioth writes about the fear of clashes between Jews and Arabs in the mixed city of Acco/Acre this weekend.
The papers continued to discuss Abbas' speech and while the majority said there were distortions and lies, they also blamed the Netanyahu government for not truly wanting a two-state solution (See Commentary/Analysis below). In an interview with Ynet, opposition leader and Labor party chief MK Haim Herzog also blamed Netanyahu for the deteriorating relations with the Palestinians and said that Israel wants Abbas and the PA in Gaza.
**Interestingly, Yedioth asked in its daily question, whether readers thought that following Abbas' speech, Israel should end contact with the Palestinian Authority. Readers can answer yes or no by scanning a code, and the results usually reflect a right-wing viewpoint. However, this time, the majority, 56%, supported the viewpoint of (right-wing commentator) Ben-Dror Yemini who (surprisingly - OH) wrote in opposition of ending relations with the PA. (Right-wing Yedioth commentator Noah Klieger presented the other view point.)
Yedioth published three letters from readers on the subject of Abbas' speech. The first by David Etzioni of Ramat Hasharon, acknowledged Abbas' frustration with "the obvious lack of will by the Israeli government to advance in negotiations with him," but blasted Abbas for making statements that were offensive to Israelis, with whom he will have to negotiate in the end anyway. Yossi Atias of Hadera wrote in his letter that "The media is screaming for the last two days over the 'speech of lies' by Abu Mazen. True, his words were filled with awful lies that seem to lead to a dead end, but was Netanyahu's Bar Ilan speech a speech of truth? Because the whole world does not believe his offer of two states. Even here, in our home, Bennett and Lieberman, Danon and Hotoveli, Elkin and Levine, and more - chuckle every time they are reminded of Netanyahu's words at Bar-Ilan. 'So he said it.' We need to admit the truth in this period there are two leaders who won't move anything and their whole purpose is to survive." The third reader wrote that he does not agree with political commentator Shimon Shiffer that Abbas is still a partner for peacemaking and that "There are situations in life when there simply isn't anyone to speak with, not even Abu Mazen."
The PA slammed the US condemnation of Abbas' speech. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat called US State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki's comments "improper, irresponsible and not worthy of a response...The entire international community welcomed Abbas' speech -- except the Israelis and the Americans."
Abbas plans to wage a 'political war' against Israel if the US vetoes his UN resolution to end the occupation, Fatah official Nabil Shaath told Maan. Abbas will give the green light for "the war of international boycott of Israel" and hold it accountable at the International Criminal Court, Shaath said.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman met Sunday with the foreign ministers of Canada, the Czech Republic, Greece, Austria and Rwanda, during his trip to New York for the UN General Assembly meeting, Israel Hayom reported.
Every 33 years, Yom Kippur and Eid al-Adha fall on the same date. And so it is this year, beginning Friday night, raising fears in the mixed city of Acco. In Israel, Jews don't drive on Yom Kippur and only ambulances are allowed on the streets. On the four-day Eid al-Adha holiday, Muslims slaughter sheep at the mosque and hold family feasts and pubic celebrations. Six years ago, violent clashes broke out in Acco after an Arab resident of the city drove in a Jewish neighborhood on Yom Kippur. Now many fear a re-run of that violence. The local police have called on both sides to respect each other and demanded that the traditional Muslim celebrations begin after Yom Kippur ends and that the fun celebrations for the children be held on Sunday. In compensation, the police will give them Wednesday as an additional day to celebrate in public spaces.
Quick Hits:
- Palestinian girl injured after being run over by Israeli settler - Six-year-old Islam Basim al-Amour, was moderately injured after being run over in the al-Dairat area east of Yatta, south of Hebron. (Maan)
- Israeli forces shut key Nablus checkpoint to Palestinians - Israeli forces on Saturday morning imposed intensive security procedures at the Huwwara checkpoint south of Nablus, [which is normally open without checks - OH], causing major delays for Palestinian commuters in the northern West Bank traveling to and from its biggest city. (Maan)
- Hamas: We determine security of Israelis living near Gaza - Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri spoke after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he had guaranteed the safety of Israelis in the border region by destroying Hamas tunnels and killing its military leaders. (Maan)
- Rioters stone Jerusalem light rail; Jewish cemetery desecrated - Unrest continues to plague Jerusalem, with light rail attacked while traveling through east Jerusalem neighborhood of Shuafat. Vandals also damage 50 headstones in Mount of Olives' cemetery. Police are investigating. (Israel Hayom)
- Israeli forces shoot, injure Palestinian farmer in northern Gaza - Farmer Rajab Maarouf, 22, was shot in the foot in northern Beit Lahiya and hospitalized. Israeli army: "There were two suspects that approached the security fence" in the area. As part of the ceasefire agreement to the recent Gaza war, the Israeli security buffer zone inside Gaza was meant to be reduced. (Maan)
- Israel reopens Gaza crossing after 3-day closure - Israeli authorities on Sunday morning opened the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing in the southeastern Gaza Strip after it was closed shut for three days over the Jewish New Year holiday. (Maan)
- Israel bans Muslims from Ibrahimi Mosque (Cave of the Patriarchs) beginning Tuesday - For the second time in less than a week, Israeli authorities will ban Muslim worshipers from entering Hebron's Ibrahimi Mosque beginning Tuesday, Sept. 30 in preparation for the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur on Oct. 4. Jews will be allowed access. [Note: there are separate entrances for Jews and non-Jews anyway - OH] (Maan)
- Israeli forces detain freed pre-Oslo Palestinian prisoner - Mustafa al-Hajj from Bruqin village in the northern West Bank was detained at a checkpoint while on his way back to his village. Al-Hajj was released in Sept. 2013 after serving 24 years in Israeli jails as part of an agreement with Israel. Palestinian officials have criticized Israel in recent months for arresting large numbers of prisoners freed as part of previous deals. (Maan)
- Armed Palestinian arrested near Gaza border - Security coordinator of moshav in southern Israel catches infiltrator carrying knife; police believe suspect snuck into Nahal Oz from Gaza. (Ynet)
- Minister: Israel looking at ways to lower Bedouin birthrate - Bedouin spokesperson labels Yair Shamir's idea as 'insane,' but supports attempts to stop polygamy. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Hamas eyes 'Schalit 2' scenario - Senior Hamas officials urge the abduction of Israeli soldiers to facilitate another large-scale prisoner exchange deal. Hamas and Fatah agree on new border security force to be stationed in Gaza Strip's border crossings with Egypt, Israel. (Israel Hayom)
- Hebron woman has baby after sperm smuggled from jailed husband - Nabil Maslama, who has spent 15 years in Israeli custody, smuggled his sperm from prison two years ago, and artificial insemination succeeded in a second attempt. His wife gave birth to a baby boy Saturday. (Maan)
- Israeli, Palestinian smartphone clocks bring DST in a month early - Cellphones on both sides of the Green Line cause confusion by prematurely switching to standard time. (Haaretz)
- OIC lobbying Palestinians to join International Criminal Court - World's largest bloc of Islamic countries fully supports U.S. airstrikes in Syria and Iraq against Islamic State, says leader. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Gaza war deals blow to Israel's tourism industry - War with Hamas came at beginning of peak tourist season, which includes July and August and runs through Jewish High Holiday season and early winter. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Hamas rockets didn’t stop Intel Israel from thriving - With a new Israeli executive at international HQ and Kiryat Gat plant upgrade, Israel is very much part of chip maker’s plans. (Haaretz+)
- Schools in Dutch town opt out of charity drive that allegedly funds Hamas - Pro-Israel group claims one beneficiary of national fundraising campaign gives resources to Gaza group. (JTA, Haaretz)
- Army says 1 in 4 Israeli soldiers of Ethiopian origin drop out - Soldiers of Ethiopian extraction are underrepresented as officers, IDF says, with only 2.3 percent going on to become officers in 2013, compared to 9.8 percent of the general population. (Haaretz+)
- Report: Iran builds surface-to-surface missile - Iranian media boasts new cruise missile capable of being launched from an airplane; meanwhile, Iran's state TV says BBC tried to steal 'historic and cultural documents' from government archives. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Obama: U.S. intel underestimated Islamic State menace in Syria - Tells '60 Minutes' Syria has become 'ground zero for jihadists around the world.' (Agencies, Haaretz)
- How successful are Israeli TV shows abroad? - Israel has become one of the leading marketers of television formats in the world, but many spin-offs of Israeli programs have generated medium ratings while some formats have failed to reach the production stage. (Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Netanyahu has a policy: to keep the occupation going (Haaretz Editorial) Israel’s efforts lead to moral devastation, the undermining of its
international standing and an unnecessary escalation in the West Bank.
Everyone is interested in the Palestinians, except for (the Israeli) government (Ran Adelist, Maariv) Abbas' UN speech was defiant, but the essence of it is familiar: the demand for a state based on the '67 lines, with a scheduled timetable (for Israeli withdrawal). But Netanyahu's expected response speech will deal with headlines, and not the problems themselves.
World won’t listen to Netanyahu's UN speech (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) Sick and tired of hearing about Hamas terror and IDF's successful operations, Western world is preparing to impose a solution on Israel and Palestinians.
Netanyahu's 'I told you so' speech (Yitzhak Ben Ner, Maariv) The Prime Minister is a serial exploiter of opportunities. We will see at the UN what is his response to Mahmoud Abbas, as he takes advantage of every moment so as not to move from the status quo.
At UN, Abbas holds a mirror to Israeli society (Oudeh Basharat, Haaretz+) This is a moment of truth for Israel; the enemy is at the gate and the Jewish people, both left and right, must prevent a disaster.
Abbas' strategic threat could be more dangerous than Hamas (Michael Oren, Yedioth/Ynet) Palestinian leader's initiative to isolate Israel is not aimed at achieving a better starting point for future negotiations – but at putting an end to the Zionist enterprise.
Abbas has ended the peace process (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) In his U.N. speech, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas played his traditional role of a wolf in sheep's clothing.
What Abbas should have said in his UN address (Gideon Levy, Haaretz) 'Thanks for being so sure you are the chosen people. Thanks for never seeing the Palestinians as human beings. Belated thanks for the Nakba, too.’
Abbas is the problem, not the solution (Prof. Ron Breiman, Israel Hayom) At the U.N. General Assembly, Abbas revealed his true face -- that of a bitter enemy, no different than his partners in Hamas.
Abbas is a partner for peace after all (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth/Ynet) Despite historical distortions in Palestinian leader's aggressive UN address, Israel has no one better to negotiate with.
Fight off the lies? Not worth the Prime Minister's effort (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) The current UN General Assembly is not in the mood to listen to explanations and clarifications. Hence, Netanyahu's speech is a voice crying in the wilderness.
Shaking off Likud's 'Netanyahu forever' mindset (Amiel Ungar, Haaretz+) The party's reluctance to jettison an incumbent prime minister means that even an aging politician is retained beyond his political sell-by date.
Will Netanyahu's speech make the pages of history? (Arik Bender, Maariv) From Che Guevara's revolutionary speech to Khrushchev's shoe-banging, Arafat's gun the dramatic appearance of Chaim Herzog on the podium tearing up documents and the declaration that led the world astray, in recent decades the UN has known brave, bizarre and unforgettable performances of leaders, which sometimes turned it into a circus. Nevertheless, Netanyahu is not willing to leave the podium to Abu Mazen: Will the world even listen to him?
Why I sent my son to an Israel Defense Forces combat unit (Yuval Armony, Haaretz+) My life has meaning in Israel. I’m not getting a foreign passport, because I think a passport is more than just a flight ticket.
Hamas' days of atonement (Dr. Reuven Berko, Israel Hayom) Samson killed thousands of Gazans "with a donkey's jawbone," but the people of Gaza are still unable to hold the mules that brought their tragedy upon them to account.
Will Gaza be the global jihadists' next 'ground zero'? (Aaron Y. Zelin, Haaretz+) At least 33 fighters affiliated with different global jihadi movements - including Islamic State supporters - were killed in the fighting in Gaza this summer. Are IS-type groups entrenching themselves in Gaza and Sinai?
The Arab world versus Islam (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) Islam has helped to destroy Arabic civilization, argue two Arab intellectuals in emotive essays in separate Western publications, and only intensive introspection by the followers of the faith can lead out of the century-long abyss.
Environmental bridge-building (Minister Amir Peretz, Israel Hayom) The environment is one issue Israel and the Palestinians can surely agree on.
Has Obama jettisoned his non-nuclear Iran pledge? (Seth Lipsky, Haaretz+) U.S. VP Biden’s new national security adviser has sketched a policy for containing, not preventing, Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and requiring Israel to be prepared to absorb a first nuclear strike.
Everyone is interested in the Palestinians, except for (the Israeli) government (Ran Adelist, Maariv) Abbas' UN speech was defiant, but the essence of it is familiar: the demand for a state based on the '67 lines, with a scheduled timetable (for Israeli withdrawal). But Netanyahu's expected response speech will deal with headlines, and not the problems themselves.
World won’t listen to Netanyahu's UN speech (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) Sick and tired of hearing about Hamas terror and IDF's successful operations, Western world is preparing to impose a solution on Israel and Palestinians.
Netanyahu's 'I told you so' speech (Yitzhak Ben Ner, Maariv) The Prime Minister is a serial exploiter of opportunities. We will see at the UN what is his response to Mahmoud Abbas, as he takes advantage of every moment so as not to move from the status quo.
At UN, Abbas holds a mirror to Israeli society (Oudeh Basharat, Haaretz+) This is a moment of truth for Israel; the enemy is at the gate and the Jewish people, both left and right, must prevent a disaster.
Abbas' strategic threat could be more dangerous than Hamas (Michael Oren, Yedioth/Ynet) Palestinian leader's initiative to isolate Israel is not aimed at achieving a better starting point for future negotiations – but at putting an end to the Zionist enterprise.
Abbas has ended the peace process (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) In his U.N. speech, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas played his traditional role of a wolf in sheep's clothing.
What Abbas should have said in his UN address (Gideon Levy, Haaretz) 'Thanks for being so sure you are the chosen people. Thanks for never seeing the Palestinians as human beings. Belated thanks for the Nakba, too.’
Abbas is the problem, not the solution (Prof. Ron Breiman, Israel Hayom) At the U.N. General Assembly, Abbas revealed his true face -- that of a bitter enemy, no different than his partners in Hamas.
Abbas is a partner for peace after all (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth/Ynet) Despite historical distortions in Palestinian leader's aggressive UN address, Israel has no one better to negotiate with.
Fight off the lies? Not worth the Prime Minister's effort (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) The current UN General Assembly is not in the mood to listen to explanations and clarifications. Hence, Netanyahu's speech is a voice crying in the wilderness.
Shaking off Likud's 'Netanyahu forever' mindset (Amiel Ungar, Haaretz+) The party's reluctance to jettison an incumbent prime minister means that even an aging politician is retained beyond his political sell-by date.
Will Netanyahu's speech make the pages of history? (Arik Bender, Maariv) From Che Guevara's revolutionary speech to Khrushchev's shoe-banging, Arafat's gun the dramatic appearance of Chaim Herzog on the podium tearing up documents and the declaration that led the world astray, in recent decades the UN has known brave, bizarre and unforgettable performances of leaders, which sometimes turned it into a circus. Nevertheless, Netanyahu is not willing to leave the podium to Abu Mazen: Will the world even listen to him?
Why I sent my son to an Israel Defense Forces combat unit (Yuval Armony, Haaretz+) My life has meaning in Israel. I’m not getting a foreign passport, because I think a passport is more than just a flight ticket.
Hamas' days of atonement (Dr. Reuven Berko, Israel Hayom) Samson killed thousands of Gazans "with a donkey's jawbone," but the people of Gaza are still unable to hold the mules that brought their tragedy upon them to account.
Will Gaza be the global jihadists' next 'ground zero'? (Aaron Y. Zelin, Haaretz+) At least 33 fighters affiliated with different global jihadi movements - including Islamic State supporters - were killed in the fighting in Gaza this summer. Are IS-type groups entrenching themselves in Gaza and Sinai?
The Arab world versus Islam (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) Islam has helped to destroy Arabic civilization, argue two Arab intellectuals in emotive essays in separate Western publications, and only intensive introspection by the followers of the faith can lead out of the century-long abyss.
Environmental bridge-building (Minister Amir Peretz, Israel Hayom) The environment is one issue Israel and the Palestinians can surely agree on.
Has Obama jettisoned his non-nuclear Iran pledge? (Seth Lipsky, Haaretz+) U.S. VP Biden’s new national security adviser has sketched a policy for containing, not preventing, Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and requiring Israel to be prepared to absorb a first nuclear strike.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.