APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday October 13, 2014
Quote of the day:
“For this reason we, the undersigned, urge members of the UK parliament to vote in favor of the motion
to be debated on Monday 13th October 2014 calling on the British Government to recognize the state of Palestine
alongside the state of Israel.”
--From a letter by over 300 Israeli figures, including former diplomats and minister, sent to the British Parliament ahead of its non-binding vote today on Palestinian independence.**
--From a letter by over 300 Israeli figures, including former diplomats and minister, sent to the British Parliament ahead of its non-binding vote today on Palestinian independence.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Al-Sisi in call to Israelis: Adopt the Arab Peace Initiative
- The message: The path to the Arab world passes through Ramallah // Barak Ravid
- Second case of Ebola in US
- 119 incidents last year compared to 1 in 2011: Sharp rise in confiscation of Palestinian property by IDF in West Bank
- 3 Arab youth from north joined war in Syria
- Dispute over commemoration of Rabin: Peres will address the family’s rally, Rivlin will address the youth movement
- Police Commander Arbiv questioned for 13 hours, prosecution demands from (Rabbi) Pinto clarifications on violations of plea bargain
- Senior psychologists oppose convicting father (of rape) based on repressed memory daughter
- Commander of the Jewish brigades, godfather of Yoni Netanyahu, laid to rest
- Milky pudding as an allegory // Haaretz Editorial
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Letter from an Iranian youth: “The regime buys missiles for Hamas and we don’t have money to live”
- The world decided to donate $5.4 billion for the rehabilitation of Gaza
- After 13 hours of questioning – Retired police commander Menashe Arbiv
- Shlomit builds a sukkah in Berlin – The little girl, whom (famous Israeli poet) Naomi Shemer wrote the legendary song about 40 years ago, lives in Berlin and New York and is furious about the criticism made against emigres.”Enough, let us live”
- Mothers’ alliance – After a fetus died in her womb, Natalie became a surrogate mother for Lilach, who lost twins
- Not because of the profit – Food manufacturers in the world profit more than Israelis. So why are prices so high here?
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Ebola scare: Health Ministry to hold surprise drills in hospitals
- Something can be done // Dr. Eli Schwartz
- Parting from Shir (who died in rafting accident) – “We will always remember the smile”
- Suspicion: The driver who hit (the family) was driving under the influence of alcohol
- Scoop: Song written by Asi Dayan for Ninet Tayeb for the film “Dr. Pomerantz,” two years before his death
Israel Hayom
- Ebola alert in Israel
- The late report, the limited treatment: This is how the virus spreads // Dr. Eli Schwartz
- Suspicion: Driver who hit (family) was drunk
- Rehabilitation of Gaza – Rehabilitating the terror // Boaz Bismuth
- Plea bargain with Pinto on verge of ending
- Shir Bachar, 22, from Ramat Hasharon was one of the two killed in rafting accident in Peru
- “Naval Iron Dome”: Successful test of navy against Oniks missile
News Summary:
Israel prepares for Ebola, foreign countries pledge over $5 billion to rehabilitate Gaza and the Egyptian and Palestinian leaders call on Israelis to make peace with the Palestinians making top headlines in today’s Hebrew papers today. Meanwhile, today, the British parliament votes on whether to support the creation of a Palestinian state and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visits Palestinians and Israelis.
There were doubts that the Palestinians would get the $4 billion in donations they asked for to rehabilitate the war-torn Gaza Strip. Instead, they got pledges of $5.4 billion from countries at the conference in Cairo, $1 billion just from Qatar alone. It was the money that made the headlines in Yedioth and Israel Hayom. (Palestinian President Rami Hamdullah asked donor states to fulfil their pledges; after the 2009 Gaza war the Palestinians only received a fraction of what was pledged.)
However, Haaretz+ and Maariv [which has become increasingly balanced in its coverage and puts more emphasis on politics than on fluff, since being acquired by the publisher of The Jerusalem Post – OH], focused on the calls for peace-making that were made at the conference. Haaretz+ noted that Egyptian President Fatah Al-Sisi called on Israelis to adopt the Arab Peace Initiative [Note: In an interview with me for The Jerusalem Post in 2006, then Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, who drafted the 2002 peace plan, also urged Israelis to reconsider it. -- OH] Maariv noted that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that a date to the end of the occupation was the condition to renewal of peace negotiations. He also called for Israelis to accept the Arab Peace Initiative. US Secretary of State John Kerry also called the two sides back to the negotiating table and said a long-term solution was needed, not just money or a band aid fix.
Neither Hamas nor Israel were invited to the conference. Interestingly, what was barely noted in the reports was that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon blamed Israel’s occupation for the wars between Gaza and Israel and said that until there is a peace agreement the wars will continue. (Maariv Hebrew) Today Ban meets with officials in Israel and the West Bank and tomorrow he travels to the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Russia announced it would back a draft Security Council resolution that would recognize a Palestinian state.
**And, over 300 Israeli figures wrote the British parliament asking it to vote in favor and recognize a Palestinian state in its non-binding vote today.
Israel prepares for Ebola, foreign countries pledge over $5 billion to rehabilitate Gaza and the Egyptian and Palestinian leaders call on Israelis to make peace with the Palestinians making top headlines in today’s Hebrew papers today. Meanwhile, today, the British parliament votes on whether to support the creation of a Palestinian state and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visits Palestinians and Israelis.
There were doubts that the Palestinians would get the $4 billion in donations they asked for to rehabilitate the war-torn Gaza Strip. Instead, they got pledges of $5.4 billion from countries at the conference in Cairo, $1 billion just from Qatar alone. It was the money that made the headlines in Yedioth and Israel Hayom. (Palestinian President Rami Hamdullah asked donor states to fulfil their pledges; after the 2009 Gaza war the Palestinians only received a fraction of what was pledged.)
However, Haaretz+ and Maariv [which has become increasingly balanced in its coverage and puts more emphasis on politics than on fluff, since being acquired by the publisher of The Jerusalem Post – OH], focused on the calls for peace-making that were made at the conference. Haaretz+ noted that Egyptian President Fatah Al-Sisi called on Israelis to adopt the Arab Peace Initiative [Note: In an interview with me for The Jerusalem Post in 2006, then Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, who drafted the 2002 peace plan, also urged Israelis to reconsider it. -- OH] Maariv noted that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that a date to the end of the occupation was the condition to renewal of peace negotiations. He also called for Israelis to accept the Arab Peace Initiative. US Secretary of State John Kerry also called the two sides back to the negotiating table and said a long-term solution was needed, not just money or a band aid fix.
Neither Hamas nor Israel were invited to the conference. Interestingly, what was barely noted in the reports was that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon blamed Israel’s occupation for the wars between Gaza and Israel and said that until there is a peace agreement the wars will continue. (Maariv Hebrew) Today Ban meets with officials in Israel and the West Bank and tomorrow he travels to the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Russia announced it would back a draft Security Council resolution that would recognize a Palestinian state.
**And, over 300 Israeli figures wrote the British parliament asking it to vote in favor and recognize a Palestinian state in its non-binding vote today.
Quick Hits:
- IDF issued 119 orders to seize Palestinian property in 2013, up from one in 2011 - Army officials in Israel cite ‘rise in public disturbances and power of terror organizations.’ (Haaretz+)
- IDF is now suing, not just jailing, soldiers who steal - Military defense attorneys urge army to restrict new policy to standing army and refrain from suing soldiers doing their compulsory service. (Haaretz+)
- Clashes on Temple Mount, police lock Palestinian rioters inside Al-Aqsa Mosque - Police break into the compound after intel showed Palestinian youths barricading at the holy site. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Fireworks launched at Jewish neighborhood in Jerusalem - Palestinians fired fireworks at balconies of Jewish homes on the Mount of Olives in the capital during Sukkot. (Ynet)
- Jerusalem light rail line crippled by rock throwing - Officials say that almost half of light rail fleet is in need of repair as a result of repeated attacks. Attacks have reduced fleet and forced cuts to train schedule. Four rail cars damaged on Sunday. (Israel Hayom)
- Two Rabin memorial ceremonies to be held this year - Former President Shimon Peres (who favors a two-state solution) will speak at the family-held ceremonies, while President Reuven Rivlin (who opposes a two-state solution) will speak at one organized by youth movements. (Haaretz+)
- Copying settlers, Palestinians mark hiking trails in West Bank - Settlers have been using this tactic for years to strengthen their hold on the territory. (Haaretz+)
- Students leave special cyber program to enlist in combat units - Administrators in the Achievement Program, intended to prepare students for cyberwarfare roles in Israeli intelligence, say three students have already left the program and that many others are reconsidering their participation. (Israel Hayom)
- For first time, IDF examines possibility of integrating women as combat soldiers in tanks - According to the plan emerging in the Ground Forces, the female soldiers will do basic training and professional training at the armored corps school and will pass a full eight month training course. Also in sight: Female soldiers operating D-9s [enormous bulldozers that destroy homes – OH]. (Maariv)
- Israel successfully tests 'naval Iron Dome' - Upgraded Israeli Barak missile intercepts mock-Yakhont anti-ship cruise missile in secret test. Test is part of upgrade of Israel's naval defenses, which also protect civilian drilling rigs. Syria, Hezbollah believed to possess Yakhont missiles. (Israel Hayom)
- 'Some 20 Israeli Arabs have joined the Islamic State' - 'For the life of me I can't understand how anyone supports this groups' murderous ways,' Israeli Arab says after Israeli youth who fought with Islamic State group killed in Iraq, highlighting a growing phenomenon which is a major concern for Israel's Arab population. (Ynet and Israel Hayom)
- 'Obama took Netanyahu’s threats to attack Iran seriously' - Recent memoirs by Hillary Clinton and Leon Panetta disclose U.S. efforts to dissuade Israel from striking Iranian nuclear facilities back in 2012. (Haaretz+)
- 'Hezbollah's primary concern is Syrian al-Qaeda, not Israel' - Iran proxy is more concerned about Syrian extremist group, Nusra Front, than Israel, Mideast expert says, claiming majority of Shiite group's efforts focused on Sunni foe in Syria. (Ynet)
- Slain Hezbollah leader's son to command Golan front - Jihad Mughniyeh, whose father was assassinated, appointed as Lebanon-based group's commander on Syrian Golan. (Ynet)
- Trove of docs showing White House defense of Clinton released by National Archives - 10,000 pages of records released Friday include a Talmudic interpretation of the Monica Lewisnky affair, as well as information on Ehud Barak's role in the Marc Rich pardon. (Haaretz)
- Iran blocks 'Rich Kids of Tehran' Instagram account - The account showcased young Iranians flaunting their material goods and featured young men and women in flagrant violation of Iran's laws on alcohol and modesty. (Haaretz)
- Sale of Israel Military Industries gets under way - Government has approached global investment banks to oversee sale of state-owned arms maker. (Haaretz+)
- Jewish Legion founder's final wish honored, ashes to be buried in Israel - 67 years after his death, Lt. Col. John Henry Patterson will be laid to rest next to the Jewish soldiers he led in battle. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: It is a privilege to grant his wish. Ceremony to take place Nov. 10 at Moshav Avihail. (Israel Hayom)
- Lancet editor regrets rift from letter charging massacre in Gaza, doesn't retract - UK medical journal revises policies for submissions, plans series on Israel's health and medical system. (JTA, Haaretz)
- Turkey OKs use of bases against Islamic State militants, U.S. says- The Obama administration has been pressing Ankara to play a larger role against the Islamic State extremists. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Islamic State issues death threat against Twitter CEO - Jihadists called for Twitter employees to be assassinated. (Haaretz)
Features:
A nightmare question highlights the importance of oral history
A nightmare question looms over the accounts being published on the website of Haokets and the Journal of Palestine Studies. This is the question about the alleged involvement of survivors of the Nazi murder industry in regime crimes and in war crimes. Alleged disappearance of Jewish toddlers and illegal incarceration of Palestinians in pre-state Israel show how those in power always try to hide policies, and what is behind them. (Amira Hass, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
A nightmare question looms over the accounts being published on the website of Haokets and the Journal of Palestine Studies. This is the question about the alleged involvement of survivors of the Nazi murder industry in regime crimes and in war crimes. Alleged disappearance of Jewish toddlers and illegal incarceration of Palestinians in pre-state Israel show how those in power always try to hide policies, and what is behind them. (Amira Hass, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Sisi's message to Bibi: Road to Riyadh goes through Ramallah (Barak
Ravid, Haaretz+) The Israeli public views the Egyptian president as a loyal ally, but Sissi
reminded Netanyahu that there are no free lunches when it comes to the peace process.
Arab terrorists? Not in Hollywood (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) Creators of West's popular culture have become fully devoted to imaginary political correctness, which bans presentation of 'bad Arabs' or 'bad Muslims' – unless they are Chechens or good people corrupted by America.
The right has turned Israel into a hopeless place (Haaretz Editorial) People aren’t leaving for Berlin just because of the cost of living. Many Israelis do not want a nationalist-religious government imposing its values.
You've left Israel, now leave us alone (Raanan Shaked, Yedioth/Ynet) Why are emigrants unable to move on with their lives without looking back in anger?
Then as now, preventing war isn't a priority for Israel (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) The true and comprehensive reason why the Yom Kippur War wasn’t prevented is that Israel’s government didn’t consider preventing war to be an important national goal.
Where have donations to IDF troops gone? (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Justice Minister Livni is accusing Defense Ministry of failing to properly use millions of shekels left by Israeli and foreign donors for specific purposes.
Abbas, the last patriot of peace (Avraham Burg, Haaretz+) The Palestinian statehood bid is a necessary step in the only direction that is not violent.
Rebuilding Gaza, not Hamas (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) The donor conference's success depends on Egypt. Just how far is it willing to go to make sure Hamas does not capitalize on the world's generosity.
British MPs and the Palestine vote: political wrangling with no diplomatic impact (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) At Britain’s general election in seven months, the political future of dozens of Labour MPs could be in the hands of Muslim voters.
Real Gaza rehabilitation requires more than Israeli ‘lifting restrictions’ (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The question is whether the Palestinian leadership can get from Israel what it didn’t demand in recent years – the restoration of freedom of movement for people between the Strip and the West Bank.
Rebuilding Gaza starts very slowly (Elliott Abrams, Israel Hayom) Misery in Gaza is not in anyone's interest, but as long as Hamas is in power, reconstruction will be slow and another round of conflict with Israel is quite possible.
The Gaza donor conference - a springboard for Sisi? (Jack Khoury, Haaretz) President of Egypt is banking on the Cairo confab to return Egypt to the forefront of the Arab and Islamic worlds' diplomatic stage.
Can America battle the Islamic State without destroying itself? (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) As both Jew-hatred and Islamic State gain traction, Jewish leaders - rightly concerned by terror - would be well-served to fight Islamophobia as the common foe that it is.
Vive la French immigration to Israel (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) For once, these Jews are not fleeing their homes. They are coming to Israel because they prefer Israel, a land of opportunity.
Let's fix things at home (Eli Hazan, Israel Hayom) The Germans don't really want Israelis in Berlin, so moving there is just a mass temper tantrum. We need to address Israeli problems in Israel.
'Klinghoffer' opera captures the violent dynamic of the Israeli-Arab conflict (Mira Sucharov, Haaretz+) We all know too well when it comes to Israel-Palestine, each side sees itself as either avenging wrongs committed by the other, or defending themselves from the other’s violent spirit.
Arab terrorists? Not in Hollywood (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) Creators of West's popular culture have become fully devoted to imaginary political correctness, which bans presentation of 'bad Arabs' or 'bad Muslims' – unless they are Chechens or good people corrupted by America.
The right has turned Israel into a hopeless place (Haaretz Editorial) People aren’t leaving for Berlin just because of the cost of living. Many Israelis do not want a nationalist-religious government imposing its values.
You've left Israel, now leave us alone (Raanan Shaked, Yedioth/Ynet) Why are emigrants unable to move on with their lives without looking back in anger?
Then as now, preventing war isn't a priority for Israel (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) The true and comprehensive reason why the Yom Kippur War wasn’t prevented is that Israel’s government didn’t consider preventing war to be an important national goal.
Where have donations to IDF troops gone? (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Justice Minister Livni is accusing Defense Ministry of failing to properly use millions of shekels left by Israeli and foreign donors for specific purposes.
Abbas, the last patriot of peace (Avraham Burg, Haaretz+) The Palestinian statehood bid is a necessary step in the only direction that is not violent.
Rebuilding Gaza, not Hamas (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) The donor conference's success depends on Egypt. Just how far is it willing to go to make sure Hamas does not capitalize on the world's generosity.
British MPs and the Palestine vote: political wrangling with no diplomatic impact (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) At Britain’s general election in seven months, the political future of dozens of Labour MPs could be in the hands of Muslim voters.
Real Gaza rehabilitation requires more than Israeli ‘lifting restrictions’ (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The question is whether the Palestinian leadership can get from Israel what it didn’t demand in recent years – the restoration of freedom of movement for people between the Strip and the West Bank.
Rebuilding Gaza starts very slowly (Elliott Abrams, Israel Hayom) Misery in Gaza is not in anyone's interest, but as long as Hamas is in power, reconstruction will be slow and another round of conflict with Israel is quite possible.
The Gaza donor conference - a springboard for Sisi? (Jack Khoury, Haaretz) President of Egypt is banking on the Cairo confab to return Egypt to the forefront of the Arab and Islamic worlds' diplomatic stage.
Can America battle the Islamic State without destroying itself? (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) As both Jew-hatred and Islamic State gain traction, Jewish leaders - rightly concerned by terror - would be well-served to fight Islamophobia as the common foe that it is.
Vive la French immigration to Israel (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) For once, these Jews are not fleeing their homes. They are coming to Israel because they prefer Israel, a land of opportunity.
Let's fix things at home (Eli Hazan, Israel Hayom) The Germans don't really want Israelis in Berlin, so moving there is just a mass temper tantrum. We need to address Israeli problems in Israel.
'Klinghoffer' opera captures the violent dynamic of the Israeli-Arab conflict (Mira Sucharov, Haaretz+) We all know too well when it comes to Israel-Palestine, each side sees itself as either avenging wrongs committed by the other, or defending themselves from the other’s violent spirit.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.