APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday November 13, 2014
Quote of the day:
“The goal of this law is to promote and strengthen print journalism in Israel and guarantee equal
conditions for real and fair competition among newspapers."
--From the bill that would outlaw the pro-Netanyahu 'Israel Hayom' freebie, which passed the first reading.**
--From the bill that would outlaw the pro-Netanyahu 'Israel Hayom' freebie, which passed the first reading.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Gantz sent Netanyahu a harsh letter against the Shin Bet
- Mosque set on fire in West Bank, Molotov cocktail thrown on synagogue in north
- With all due respect to the escalation, the echelons are busy fighting // Amos Harel
- Killed the youth in Beitunya: Border Policeman arrested on suspicion of murder, his commander is suspected of knowing and not reporting
- Law that will prevent the distribution without payment of 'Israel Hayom' passed the first reading
- After secret negotiations, US and China signed agreement to decrease air pollution
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Gantz: Shin Bet crossed every moral and ethical norm - Craze in the (security) establishments: Shin Bet and IDF in unprecedented battle
- The glory and the embarrassment // Nahum Barnea
- Someone is lying // Yossi Yehoshua
- The evening in which my life changed - Comedian Dror Refael tells about how he fell in love with a man
- Gil Schweid's new home - Checkpoint founder bought Rotschild Estate for 140 million shekels
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Chief of Staff: We don't have trust relations with the Shin Bet, without trust it is impossible to continue to work together
- Suspicion: Border Police fighter murdered Palestinian demonstrators
- Mandatory military service for men to be shortened by four months
Israel Hayom
- The battle after the war - PM scolded Chief of Staff and Shin Bet chief: "We have a responsibility, stop fighting"
- Childish pursuit of credit // Yoav Limor
- This is not how you warn about war // Dan Margalit
- 'Israel Hayom': Business as usual - Day of shame for those MKs who approved of the anti-Israel Hayom bill in its first reading
- The best to the khaki (-colored uniforms): Modiin, Hod Hasharon and Yokneam Illit -at head of draft index
- Suspected: Border police shot live fire against rules - and killed two Palestinians
- (Former Olmert aide, Shula Zaken at courthouse: "Olmert bought my silence - and threw me to the dogs"
News Summary:
The feud between the IDF and the Shin Bet over the latter's claim it told the former that Hamas would start a war in July, the arrest of the Border Policeman who shot dead with live fire two Palestinian teens in May and the burning of a mosque in the West Bank were top stories in the Hebrew newspapers today.
An unprecedented feud is rocking Israel's defense establishment following an investigative TV program, in which anonymous Shin Bet officials said they had warned the IDF months before the Gaza war that Hamas had a plan to make a war. The IDF said this was a lie and the argument reached its climax when, in a rare move, IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz wrote a letter to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu saying that there was a crisis of trust between the two security institutions, which threatened their work together. Netanyahu reacted telling the two sides to solve it between themselves and not in public. Haaretz's Barak Ravid wrote that "Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen and Military Intelligence chief Aviv Kochavi argued in front of the ministers, to the point of shouting, about whether the Shin Bet had given warning about Hamas’ intent to go to war in July. When Cohen claimed that the Shin Bet had warned of it, Kochavi replied that no warnings had ever been given. At the same meeting, several ministers in the security cabinet told Cohen that they did not recall ever having received such warnings."
[Hamas would vouch for the IDF. It has said it had no intention of going to war but was dragged into it. Like yesterday's report quoting a senior Israeli military source saying that the security establishment expected Gazan militants to shoot some rockets in solidarity with the West Bank, militant groups in Gaza shot rockets in solidarity with the West Bank during the IDF wave of mass arrests in May and June, mainly of Hamas people, following the kidnapping of the three Jewish teens. Initially, Israel did not respond to those rockets and an Israeli military source was quoted saying the Gazans were letting off steam. Then there was the murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir by Jews, which sparked more rocket fire. Hamas only reacted with intense rocket fire after Israel killed Hamas people in Gaza, after which Netanyahu announced a ground invasion. - OH]
A West Bank mosque was set ablaze in the village of Mughayer and a few hours later, someone threw a firebomb at an ancient synagogue in an Arab village in the Galilee. The first floor of the mosque was seriously damaged, and the second floor was lightly damaged, and racist slogans were sprayed in Hebrew on the outer walls of the mosque, which has been targeted before. Locals say Israeli forces have confiscated more than 75 percent of the village's lands for settlements, military bases, and natural reserves.
Also high in the news was the arrest of a Border Police fighter in the case of the killing of two Palestinian teens who were filmed by CNN being shot in the back on Nakba Day when they were not a threat to the police they had thrown stones at. The live bullet found in one of the boys' backpacks led to the suspected gun. The policeman's commander was also arrested on suspicion that he knew that the policeman had shot the boy and not reported it. The Border Police had denied using live bullets. [Interesting in this case is the timing of the arrest. The teens were killed almost six months ago and now, at a time when anger is great over both among Israeli Arabs for the shooting in the back of an Israeli Arab young man who had shook his knife at a closed window of a police van killing him and for the killings of Palestinian attackers, which the Palestinians say was extrajudicial and of demonstrators in recent months that the Palestinians say should not have happened. - OH]
The feud between the IDF and the Shin Bet over the latter's claim it told the former that Hamas would start a war in July, the arrest of the Border Policeman who shot dead with live fire two Palestinian teens in May and the burning of a mosque in the West Bank were top stories in the Hebrew newspapers today.
An unprecedented feud is rocking Israel's defense establishment following an investigative TV program, in which anonymous Shin Bet officials said they had warned the IDF months before the Gaza war that Hamas had a plan to make a war. The IDF said this was a lie and the argument reached its climax when, in a rare move, IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz wrote a letter to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu saying that there was a crisis of trust between the two security institutions, which threatened their work together. Netanyahu reacted telling the two sides to solve it between themselves and not in public. Haaretz's Barak Ravid wrote that "Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen and Military Intelligence chief Aviv Kochavi argued in front of the ministers, to the point of shouting, about whether the Shin Bet had given warning about Hamas’ intent to go to war in July. When Cohen claimed that the Shin Bet had warned of it, Kochavi replied that no warnings had ever been given. At the same meeting, several ministers in the security cabinet told Cohen that they did not recall ever having received such warnings."
[Hamas would vouch for the IDF. It has said it had no intention of going to war but was dragged into it. Like yesterday's report quoting a senior Israeli military source saying that the security establishment expected Gazan militants to shoot some rockets in solidarity with the West Bank, militant groups in Gaza shot rockets in solidarity with the West Bank during the IDF wave of mass arrests in May and June, mainly of Hamas people, following the kidnapping of the three Jewish teens. Initially, Israel did not respond to those rockets and an Israeli military source was quoted saying the Gazans were letting off steam. Then there was the murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir by Jews, which sparked more rocket fire. Hamas only reacted with intense rocket fire after Israel killed Hamas people in Gaza, after which Netanyahu announced a ground invasion. - OH]
A West Bank mosque was set ablaze in the village of Mughayer and a few hours later, someone threw a firebomb at an ancient synagogue in an Arab village in the Galilee. The first floor of the mosque was seriously damaged, and the second floor was lightly damaged, and racist slogans were sprayed in Hebrew on the outer walls of the mosque, which has been targeted before. Locals say Israeli forces have confiscated more than 75 percent of the village's lands for settlements, military bases, and natural reserves.
Also high in the news was the arrest of a Border Police fighter in the case of the killing of two Palestinian teens who were filmed by CNN being shot in the back on Nakba Day when they were not a threat to the police they had thrown stones at. The live bullet found in one of the boys' backpacks led to the suspected gun. The policeman's commander was also arrested on suspicion that he knew that the policeman had shot the boy and not reported it. The Border Police had denied using live bullets. [Interesting in this case is the timing of the arrest. The teens were killed almost six months ago and now, at a time when anger is great over both among Israeli Arabs for the shooting in the back of an Israeli Arab young man who had shook his knife at a closed window of a police van killing him and for the killings of Palestinian attackers, which the Palestinians say was extrajudicial and of demonstrators in recent months that the Palestinians say should not have happened. - OH]
Quick Hits:
- Israel denies entry to members of UN inquiry into alleged war crimes in Gaza - Jerusalem refuses to cooperate with members of the Schabas Commission, appointed to investigate conduct of Israel, Hamas during Operation Protective Edge. (Yedioth/Ynet and Maariv)
- U.S. slams Israeli plan to build 200 Jerusalem homes beyond Green Line - The plan to expand Ramot, which was approved on Wednesday by the Jerusalem district planning and building committee, comes on the heels of last week's controversial decision to build new units in Ramat Shlomo. (Haaretz)
- Arab MK draws ire in Knesset for donning keffiyeh - Balad's Basel Ghattas put on the Arab headdress in solidarity with Muslim schoolchildren who took flak for wearing them to school. (Haaretz and Israel Hayom)
- Livni, Herzog conduct emergency meeting with Arab leaders to 'open dialogue' - Center-left faction leaders meet with Arab leaders, criticize Netanyahu and other leaders for making inciteful statements for political gain. (Ynet and Maariv)
- Jewish organization will give grants to killers of terrorists in terror attacks - Due to recent terrorist incidents, the board of the 'World Headquarters for Saving the People and the Land' (SOS-Israel) decided to give a monetary gift and a certificate of appreciation to anyone who neutralizes attackers. It even threatened the Palestinian Authority Chairman (Mahmoud Abbas). [The far-right-wing organization also called on Netanyahu to make an 'Operation Defensive Shield' inside Arab-Israeli cities to 'destroy the terror before it emerges.' (Maariv)
- Jordan fears new wave of Palestinian refugees - Already propped up by rich sponsors, the Hashemite Kingdom has been dealing with the global financial crisis and a war that cut off its preferred trade route. (Ynet)
- Foreign ambassadors undergo hasbara on Temple Mount violence - Police chief, deputy foreign minister briefs foreign dignitaries on escalation on Temple Mount; videos and photos show rioters launching fireworks and Molotov cocktails from within al-Aqsa mosque. (Ynet)
- Long delays in gun license renewals cause unease among residents of Israeli settlements - Despite rise in terror attacks, gun owners report 'widespread phenomenon' in wait for license renewal. (Ynet)
- Barghouti given seven days in solitary for call to renew intifada - The jailed Fatah leader also called on Palestinian leaders to cut ties with Israel. (Haaretz+, Ynet and Maan)
- Police to install facial-recognition scanners at Temple Mount - 4 million shekels allocated to the plan; Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch says metal detectors will also return to the contentious holy site. (Haaretz)
- Police: Shin Bet keeping us in the dark about East Jerusalem disturbances - Security service is doing a bit better at sharing information, but has kept intelligence about attacks, riots, assassination attempt to itself, police say. (Haaretz)
- **Knesset advances bill to curb free distribution of pro-Netanyahu daily - U.S. tycoon Sheldon Adelson, a close associate of the prime minister, owns Israel Hayom, which has a reputation for favoring Netanyahu. (Haaretz)
- Groups funded by Sheldon Adelson silent on his dismissal of Israeli democracy - National director of the Zionist Organization of America suggests casino mogul's comments were humorous. (Haaretz)
- Netanyahu hails Canadian parliament shooting hero - Kevin Vickers, who shot dead Canadian parliament attacker last month, visits Israel for security conference, meets with PM Benjamin Netanyahu. PM: Islamic extremism knows no borders. Israel and Canada will continue to fight forces of global terrorism. (Israel Hayom)
- Jerusalem youth enlist in IDF in record numbers - While statistics for 2013 exclude the ultra-Orthodox sector, the number of young men and women from the country's capital seeking meaningful army service soars above the national average. Number of officers from Jerusalem also sees significant increase. (Israel Hayom)
- Muslim groups accuse Israeli Arab teacher of heresy for teaching 'offensive' literature - Targeted campaign launched against Baka al-Garbiyeh high school teacher over his decision to teach novel with 'sexual descriptions' written by Israeli Arab writer Ala Hlehel. (Haaretz+)
- French parliament to vote on Palestinian state recognition - Supporters hope that approval of non-binding resolution would send a signal to President Holland; vote scheduled for November 28. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Israeli navy sinks Palestinian fishing boat off Gaza coast - Witnesses said that Wednesday evening army boats fired shells at a boat belonging to the al-Bardaweel family, completely destroying it in the process. (Maan)
- Israel arrests 200 illegal Palestinian workers, 13 employers - "Unfortunately, Israelis continue to employ Palestinians who may carry out a terror attack tomorrow," says senior police official. (Israel Hayom)
- Report: Israeli officer arrested on charges of accepting bribes - Israeli police on Monday arrested an officer in the liaison and coordination department of the Israeli Civil Administration on charges of accepting bribes from Palestinians in return for helping them obtain permits to enter Israel, reports said. (Maan)
- Defense Ministry backs off move to nix security jobs in Gaza area - Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon rules to make Gaza border community security officers full-time and improve their wages. "The presence of security officers is vital for residents and their sense of safety," Ya'alon says. (Israel Hayom)
- Iran shows flight of US drone replica - VIDEO: Official Iranian TV showcases its first replica of a US stealth drone. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Iran responds to Obama letters, says won't accept 'decorative' nuke program - Obama's letter described cooperation on ISIS in exchange for Iran's agreement to nuclear deal. It isn't clear whether Khamenei wrote response himself. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Russia sees chance of deal at nuclear talks with Iran - With talks nearing Nov 24 deadline, Russia says 'it's not just possible to make the deadline, it's necessary;' meanwhile, Iran admits new centrifuge testing, but no violation of atom deal with powers. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Hamas co-founder dies at 77 - Muhammad Salih Taha, a co-founder of the Hamas movement, was taken from his home in al-Bureij refugee camp to al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al-Balah, in Gaza, where doctors announced his death upon arrival late Tuesday after a long struggle with illness, medics said. (Maan)
- Israeli forces place cement block on Bethlehem road - An Israeli truck unloaded over six blocks which are usually used in military camps on the road near al-Khader school south of Bethlehem, blocking the road connecting Bethlehem to the villages to its west. (Maan)
- '100,000 Turkish tourists to visit Jerusalem in 2015' - Turkey's leading tourism association announces 2015 as 'Year of Jerusalem,' says it wants to make a contribution to peace in holy city by increasing number of tourists there. (Ynet)
- Suha Arafat: "There is no doubting the existence of Israel" - former Palestinian Authority chairman Yasser Arafat's widow said in an interview with 'La Republica': "The armed battle will not lead to anything." Suha also attacks Hamas. (Maariv, p. 8)
- Iron Dome battery deployed in northern Israel - IDF: "The system is deployed in accordance with situational assessments and need" • Senior defense officials have warned that the Iron Dome system would be unable to fully protect Israel against a massive rocket attack by Hezbollah. (Israel Hayom)
- Israel Air Force to get more Super Hercules airplanes - Dubbed Shimshon in Israel, transport aircraft can carry heavier loads, fly lower than predecessor. (Haaretz+)
- DNA tester: 75 percent of Jews trace ancestry to Middle East - Founder of U.S.-based company says that anti-Jewish polemics can't hide the science proving that Jews did indeed originate from the region. (Haaretz+)
- Pirates unsuccessfully try to seize Israeli cargo ship - Zim container ship, making its way from east Asia to Israel, approached by pirate boats off the coast of Somalia in Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Israeli security personnel draw weapons, pirates flee without shots being fired. (Israel Hayom)
- 50 Indian Jews from 'lost tribe' move to Israel - Group of Bnei Menashe Jews, said to descend from one of the 10 lost tribes, arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport, greeted by Immigrant Absorption Minister Sofa Landver. Around 500 Bnei Menashe Jews have moved to Israel in 2014. (Israel Hayom)
Features:
Everything you need to know about the Israel Hayom (or anti-Sheldon Adelson) law
A bill that would stymie the U.S. casino magnate's free Israeli newspaper has passed an early hurdle in the Knesset. So is that good or bad for the country? (Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
A bill that would stymie the U.S. casino magnate's free Israeli newspaper has passed an early hurdle in the Knesset. So is that good or bad for the country? (Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
A terrorist taught me something this week (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) A terrorist murderer and a mosque-arsonist taught me this: There is no such
thing as revenge. Revenge implies putting an end to it. There is no end to it.
The fall of the Berlin Wall: Coming Here Soon (Ran Adelist, Maariv) They say that the separation wall prevents attacks, but we have learned that there is no closure that can stand before the human yearning that stormed the Berlin Wall. The question is how long before it reaches us too.
Stop injecting religion into our secular schools (Haaretz Editorial) Instead of striving for excellence and dealing with rampant racism, the education minister's newest initiative aims to force yet more religion onto Israel's secular students.
The Palestinians' warnings keep on falling on deaf ears (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The more Israeli society closes its ears, the more the Palestinians search for 'noisier' ways to convey their message of suffering both as a nation and individuals.
Abbas and Hamas: Partners in incitement (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) Does the PA leader understand that the violent riots carried out by Islamic extremists threaten his rule more than they threaten stability in Israel?
The Temple Mount is a powder keg, and arsonists have the upper hand (Asher Schechter, Haaretz+) This is no accidental fire. This was (and still is) an arson job. But who are the suspects?
IDF-Shin Bet relations: From partners to bitter rivals (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) The relationship between Israel's security organizations has experienced ups and downs over the years and affected their cooperation. The IDF chief's letter of complaint against the Shin Bet head brought the rift out in the open and requires the prime minister to make a clear decision.
The thin green line (Dr. Eyal Levin, Israel Hayom) For the past several decades, we have fooled ourselves into believing that our conflict with the Palestinians is limited to those living beyond the Green Line.
Israel's right must remember: Like the Palestinians, it too once resisted oppression (B. Michael, Haaretz+) Once upon a time, a time we knew better days, had loftier values, and even had more enlightened elected officials. There were human beings here. Even on the right.
Netanyahu, this is the way to do diplomacy (Alon Mizrachi, Maariv) If the Prime Minister would assure the Arab world that he will protect places holy to it , and invite it to participate in the a 'Conference of the Temple Mount,' he would be able to prevent the nearing religious war. An attractive suggestion for an alternative speech.
The terrorism blame game (Eli Hazan, Israel Hayom) The faltering Israeli-Palestinian peace process cannot be blamed for the recent wave of terror attacks.
The new American Jewish struggle over Israel: Hawks versus ultra-hawks (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) J Street isn't the only group challenging the American Jewish establishment. Sheldon Adelson is too.
Welcome to the global intifada (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Evil spirit is winning, and it has an army of supporters in West. Not just radical Islamists, but also intellectuals, professors, 'rights activists' and rest of members of anti-Israel campaign.
Arabs kill Jews, US urges restraint (Richard Baehr, Israel Hayom) Israel can do little to please the Obama administration other than turning the other cheek, showing restraint at all times, and giving away parts of the country.
Why Gideon Levy is all for Naftali Bennett (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) From the settler leader from Ra'anana you won't hear any hollow talk of a new Middle East that no one has any intention of realizing. From him you will hear the truth: Apartheid.
Jerusalem's Palestinian neighborhoods can't be erased from the map – or history (Yudith Oppenheimer, Haaretz+) Backed by Netanyahu, Israeli settlers are plundering Palestinian neighborhoods under cover of the law, raising up community against community, Jews against Palestinians and Palestinians against Jews.
Fight terror, promote coexistence (Uri Heitner, Israel Hayom) Irresponsible leaders, akin to pyromaniacs stumbling around a powder keg, are fanning the rising flames between Jews and Arabs.
Settlers, Palestinian leadership and global peace cheerleaders are all to blame (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) The sins of all three groups have contributed to the breakdown in Israeli-Palestinian relations that could lead to a third intifada.
A lesson in futile legislation (Dr. Aviad Hacohen, Israel Hayom) A democracy that holds freedom of the press as a fundamental value must steer clear of legislation seeking to regulate the media "for its own good."
The fall of the Berlin Wall: Coming Here Soon (Ran Adelist, Maariv) They say that the separation wall prevents attacks, but we have learned that there is no closure that can stand before the human yearning that stormed the Berlin Wall. The question is how long before it reaches us too.
Stop injecting religion into our secular schools (Haaretz Editorial) Instead of striving for excellence and dealing with rampant racism, the education minister's newest initiative aims to force yet more religion onto Israel's secular students.
The Palestinians' warnings keep on falling on deaf ears (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The more Israeli society closes its ears, the more the Palestinians search for 'noisier' ways to convey their message of suffering both as a nation and individuals.
Abbas and Hamas: Partners in incitement (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) Does the PA leader understand that the violent riots carried out by Islamic extremists threaten his rule more than they threaten stability in Israel?
The Temple Mount is a powder keg, and arsonists have the upper hand (Asher Schechter, Haaretz+) This is no accidental fire. This was (and still is) an arson job. But who are the suspects?
IDF-Shin Bet relations: From partners to bitter rivals (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) The relationship between Israel's security organizations has experienced ups and downs over the years and affected their cooperation. The IDF chief's letter of complaint against the Shin Bet head brought the rift out in the open and requires the prime minister to make a clear decision.
The thin green line (Dr. Eyal Levin, Israel Hayom) For the past several decades, we have fooled ourselves into believing that our conflict with the Palestinians is limited to those living beyond the Green Line.
Israel's right must remember: Like the Palestinians, it too once resisted oppression (B. Michael, Haaretz+) Once upon a time, a time we knew better days, had loftier values, and even had more enlightened elected officials. There were human beings here. Even on the right.
Netanyahu, this is the way to do diplomacy (Alon Mizrachi, Maariv) If the Prime Minister would assure the Arab world that he will protect places holy to it , and invite it to participate in the a 'Conference of the Temple Mount,' he would be able to prevent the nearing religious war. An attractive suggestion for an alternative speech.
The terrorism blame game (Eli Hazan, Israel Hayom) The faltering Israeli-Palestinian peace process cannot be blamed for the recent wave of terror attacks.
The new American Jewish struggle over Israel: Hawks versus ultra-hawks (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) J Street isn't the only group challenging the American Jewish establishment. Sheldon Adelson is too.
Welcome to the global intifada (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Evil spirit is winning, and it has an army of supporters in West. Not just radical Islamists, but also intellectuals, professors, 'rights activists' and rest of members of anti-Israel campaign.
Arabs kill Jews, US urges restraint (Richard Baehr, Israel Hayom) Israel can do little to please the Obama administration other than turning the other cheek, showing restraint at all times, and giving away parts of the country.
Why Gideon Levy is all for Naftali Bennett (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) From the settler leader from Ra'anana you won't hear any hollow talk of a new Middle East that no one has any intention of realizing. From him you will hear the truth: Apartheid.
Jerusalem's Palestinian neighborhoods can't be erased from the map – or history (Yudith Oppenheimer, Haaretz+) Backed by Netanyahu, Israeli settlers are plundering Palestinian neighborhoods under cover of the law, raising up community against community, Jews against Palestinians and Palestinians against Jews.
Fight terror, promote coexistence (Uri Heitner, Israel Hayom) Irresponsible leaders, akin to pyromaniacs stumbling around a powder keg, are fanning the rising flames between Jews and Arabs.
Settlers, Palestinian leadership and global peace cheerleaders are all to blame (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) The sins of all three groups have contributed to the breakdown in Israeli-Palestinian relations that could lead to a third intifada.
A lesson in futile legislation (Dr. Aviad Hacohen, Israel Hayom) A democracy that holds freedom of the press as a fundamental value must steer clear of legislation seeking to regulate the media "for its own good."
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.