News Nosh 11.16.14

by APN 11/16/14
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APN's daily news review from Israel

Sunday November 16, 2014
 

Quote of the day:

"There is a place for criticism, but whoever is not committed to the principles of the corps - I will assist him in being released (from the corps)."
--Border Police Commander Amos Yaakov tells Border Policemen hints disapproval of the campaign against the Border policeman arrested on suspicion of murdering two Palestinian protesters.**


Front Page News:

Haaretz

Yedioth Ahronoth

Maariv This Week (Hebrew links)

  • Police fear renewal of violent events in Abu Snan
  • Ahead of the primaries: The Likud's names boursa  // Ben Caspit and Dana Sumberg
  • Histadrut to declare labor dispute
  • Enormous blackmail attempt: Leumi Card employees threatened to reveal the credit card details of millions (of customers)

Israel Hayom

 

News Summary:
A violent clash between Muslim and Druze in their joint village in Israel is linked to the violence over the Temple Mount and E. Jerusalem taking the top story away from east side of the capital, where violent clashes and a non-violent campaign also took place, ending in one Palestinian youth severely wounded. But at the Temple Mount, of all places, Friday prayers passed quietly. Meanwhile, Israel denies a foreign minister entry to the West Bank, while another foreign minister visits Ramallah before Jerusalem and a European Council representative says its just a matter of time till European states recognize a Palestinian state.

In the Israeli Muslim-Druze-Christian town of Abu Snan, Muslim-Druze clashes started when two Muslim students wore a kaffiyeh to high school in Abu Snan and were told by two Druze students to remove it, saying they had no right to wear it. [The keffiyeh is a nationalistic symbol for Palestinians, which Muslim Israelis connect to, but not Druze Israelis. Many Druze Israelis serve in the Israeli security forces and one was killed by a Palestinian who drove a car into a group of Druze Border policemen last week. - OH] From there things moved to the town and even into curses over the internet ending in 40 wounded, one severely.

In E. Jerusalem heavy clashes also took place with a Palestinian youth severely wounded in his head Saturday night during clashes in al-Tur, Ynet reported as well as in many other places, reported Haaretz.

What most of the papers missed was the action campaign taken by Palestinians aiming to break the ‘siege of Jerusalem.’ Dozens of Palestinians crossed the Jerusalem ‘envelope’ fence in protest using makeshift bridges, Ynet reported. In the vicinity of the Qalandiya checkpoint, however, fierce clashes broke out in the afternoon between hundreds of Palestinian youths and Israeli security forces, as Palestinian activist movements organized processions entitled, "[We’re] Going to Jerusalem,’ Haaretz reported. According to Maan, that was a part of a campaign of non-violent protest actions to demonstrate solidarity with Jerusalem, entitled #On2Jerusalem that was organized by the Popular Resistance Committees.

But at the Temple Mount all was quiet. For the first time in months, thousands of worshipers who had been unable to pray at the Temple Mount could because Israel lifted its age restrictions that kept most worshipers out and aggravated tensions across Jerusalem. Maariv noted that the decision not to put a minimum age limit (such as 50) calmed the tensions, [which is fascinating because for years Israel has been using the age restriction ostensibly to keep the Temple Mount quiet. After a meeting with King Abdullah and US Secretary of State John Kerry, Netanyahu made a different move. - OH]

On the diplomatic front, Israel chose to be less diplomatic and in a rare move, denied the Colombian foreign minister entry to the West Bank because she was not visiting Jerusalem, and Israel feared this would set a precedent for foreign dignitaries.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister said during a visit in Ramallah that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must not become religious. Today Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who met first with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, is set to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Haaretz reports that the European Union is preparing a document outlining sanctions to impose if Israel thwarts two-state solution by building in certain places over the Green Line where it might make it impossible for Jerusalem to be the capital of both states.

Last week, Hugh Lovatt, the Israel-Palestine coordinator at European Council on Foreign Relations, said he expects more European countries will recognize Palestine. European governments are taking a more pro-Palestinian stance and are starting to believe Netanyahu is not interested in peace, he told Ynet.
 

Quick Hits:

  • Israeli forces shoot 10-year-old Jerusalem girl in the head in Shuafat - Mayar Amran Twafic al-Natsheh, 10, was riding Friday in her grandfather's car in E. Jerusalem when a rubber-coated steel bullet smashed through the car's window and hit her in the face, severely injured her. (Maan)
  • Jerusalem child shot by Israeli forces loses eyesight - Saleh Samer Attiyeh Mahmoud, 11, lost his sight after Israeli forces shot him in the face at close range during clashes Thursday in al-Issawiya village in E. Jerusalem. (Maan)
  • IDF tells soldiers: Use live fire if facing mortal danger from firecrackers - There are an estimated 20 firecracker attacks every month in the West Bank, with an increasing number also being used in East Jerusalem. (Haaretz)
  • IDF sees wave of support for border policeman held over fatal shooting of Palestinian - Hundreds of soldiers reportedly post pictures of their army units with support banners for the detained border policeman charged with wrongfully shooting, killing Palestinian rioter in Beitunia. [Note: 2 were killed and they were no longer throwing stones when they were shot dead - OH] His commander also arrested. (Israel Hayom)
  • **The commander against the 'Border policeman campaign' - Following a wave of criticism for the arrest of a Border policeman suspected of murdering two Palestinians in Beitunia, Commander of the Border Police, Amos Yaakov, sent a letter to all policemen saying: "There is a place for criticism, but whoever is not committed to the principles of the corps - I will assist him in being released (from the corps)." (Yedioth, p. 10 and Maariv, p. 12)
  • Armed Israeli settlers raid Ramallah village, injure 4 Palestinians - A group of armed Israeli settlers raided the village of Deir Nitham Friday, damaging dozens of cars, raiding homes and shooting live bullets at villagers, who responded with rocks. Israeli forces later raided the village and clashed with villagers for two hours. (Maan)
  • In rare move, Israel denies Colombian foreign minister entry to Ramallah - MFA said Colombia's top diplomat can only visit the Palestinian Authority if she also visits Jerusalem, out of fear the trip would set a precedent for foreign dignitaries. (Haaretz)
  • Israel bans Norwegian doctor from Gaza for life, report says - Mads Gilbert, known for being severely critical of Israel, is shut out of Hamas-run enclave for 'security reasons,' The Local's Norway edition says. (Haaretz)
  • Netanyahu: Just as Israel is democratic, it must also be recognized as Jewish - Ministerial committee to vote on Jewish Nation State bill, introduced by coalition whip Zeev Elkin, can be considered most extreme iteration of the controversial Basic Law. (Haaretz and Israel Hayom)
  • Thousands march in Bethlehem to mark Independence Day - Thousands marched in the streets of Bethlehem on Saturday to mark Palestinian Independence Day and the 10th anniversary of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's death. (Maan)
  • Uri Ariel to receive personal security detail - Construction minister assigned permanent protection due to concern over his support for Jewish prayer on Temple Mount, controversial visits to East Jerusalem. (Yedioth/Ynet)
  • Health of prisoner on 55th day of hunger strike deteriorating - The health condition of Raed Moussa, who has been on hunger strike for 55 days protesting his detention without charge or trial is deteriorating, potentially endangering his health seriously. He has lost 62 pounds and suffers from liver problems. (Maan)
  • Lapid sets ultimatum to coalition: Pass budget or we go to elections - Finance minister's Yesh Atid party warring with Likud and Yisrael Beitenu over reform plans in KKL and the health system and partial privatization of government companies. (Ynet)
  • Amid ongoing feud, army and Shin Bet chiefs meet to make up - Spat between military and security service over who told what to whom in the run-up to this summer’s Gaza war erupted this week. (Haaretz and Ynet and Israel Hayom)
  • Ya'alon: Feud between IDF and Shin Bet bad for the State of Israel - Defense minister says spat over the run-up for this summer's war in Gaza should have been handled behind closed doors. (Haaretz)
  • Army orders partial sealing of terrorist's family home - Two people were killed and seven were wounded when Abdel Rahman Al-Shaludi rammed his car into a Jerusalem light rail station. (Haaretz and Ynet)
  • World Jews experiencing their own intifada - As tensions rise between Jews and Arabs in Israel, Holland's chief rabbi says two Arab men tried to run him over, 'To be demolished' sign posted on Istanbul synagogue, Jewish teen assaulted in Paris and an online campaign glorifies vehicular attacks. (Ynet)
  • Hamas warns: Israeli actions in Jerusalem will spark 'new explosion' -In his first public appearance since the end of Operation Protective Edge, Hamas' Qassam Brigades commander Abu Ubaida claims Israel is seeking confrontation by escalating its "assault" on Al-Aqsa and the people of Jerusalem. (Israel Hayom)
  • Hamas warns of 'explosion' if Israel prevents Gaza reconstruction - "We are saying to all sides -- if the siege on Gaza and the obstacles for reconstruction remain, there will be a new explosion," said Abu Obeida, spokesman of the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades. (Maan)
  • Palestinians stuck at closed Rafah border for last 3 weeks - A group of Palestinians stuck on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing into Gaza on Thursday called upon Egypt to open the crossing after three weeks of closure in order to allow them to return to the Gaza Strip. (Maan)
  • Construction materials are arriving to rebuild Gaza, but the red tape is thick - The quantities approved – some 40 truckloads of cement, iron and gravel – are far from sufficient; Gaza is thought to need about 6,000 tons of cement a day. (Haaretz)
  • Defense minister approves 25% pay raise for soldiers - Combat soldiers will receive 1,100 shekels per month, up from 863 shekels per month. Defense Ministry estimates the increase in salaries will cost it an additional 200 million shekels per year. (Israel Hayom)
  • Supreme Court sessions to be broadcast live - Justice Minister Livni, Chief Justice Grunis approve implementation of broadcasting, recording Supreme Court sessions starting Tuesday. (Ynet)
  • 63 cyber crimes take place in Israel every minute - Some 30 million cases of cyber bullying took place in the first 10 months of 2014; police deal with only 712 cases annually. (Haaretz)
  • 92-year-old has second brit after first deemed invalid - Bashi Gabai, first circumcised as a baby in his native Iran, is re-circumcised in Israel. He is likely the world's oldest recipient of the ritual procedure. His 40-year-old son and other male relatives also undergo re-circumcision. (Israel Hayom)
  • Jordan reportedly says Israeli aggressions harm fight against Islamic State - Report says Netanyahu, King Abdullah set to meet for second time amid tensions on Temple Mount; report says king told US that Israel's actions were harming international efforts to stop Islamic State group. (Ynet)
  • Middle East Updates / United Arab Emirates designates Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization - Iraqi troops close to retaking Iraq's biggest refinery besieged by ISIS; Russia sees chance of deal at nuclear talks with Iran; Egypt group claims responsibility for attack. (Haaretz)


Photo Features:

Jumping off the rooftops: Parkour in post-war Gaza
Palestinian youths practice their Parkour skills over the ruins of houses, which were destroyed during the 50-day Gaza war between Israel and Hamas-led militants. (Haaretz)
Israel's Lowest Rung: The painful pictures of poverty uncovered
New report looks at distressed neighborhoods; Israel's urban islands of neglect and crime are home to a third generation of poverty. (Ynet)

Commentary/Analysis:

'Jewish nation-state' bill sets out to establish democracy for Jews only (Haaretz Editorial) Government must reject shameful bill outright.
Between tension and eruption (Maj. Gen. (ret.) Yaakov Amidror, Israel Hayom) We need to make a clear distinction between lone terrorists and Israeli Arab rioters.
For a joint Jewish-Arab intifada in the Holy City (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz) The conflict aside, Israel’s eternal unified capital is a dysfunctional mess.
Israel living from one intifada to another (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) We can kill a thousand terror activists and jail half a million of them in mass prisons, but we can't kill an entire people that wants to kill us.
Wanted: A responsible adult (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) It is still unclear if the third intifada is already here, but there is no question it has never been this close, volatile and threatening. Israel and the PA may not be interested in its materialization, but know it could erupt at any moment.
The IDF and Shin Bet, where falsehood is the faith and evil is conscience (Gideon Levy, Haaretz) The fact that Israel is focusing now on the January warning does not change its responsibility for what is happening in Gaza.
Islamic terrorists are no 'lone wolves' (Yoram Ettinger, Israel Hayom) Muslim terrorists are byproducts of centuries of intolerant ideology, supported by educational and religious indoctrination and incitement.
Israel is lurching toward international isolation (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) The Jordanians might be leading the charge, but the entire world seems to think that Israel is becoming increasingly disconnected from reality; meanwhile, both Israeli and Palestinian officials are busy making extreme comments.
Blood libel (Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom) The "Al-Aqsa is in danger" claim and the false stories of plans to allow Jewish worship on the Temple Mount are propelling the recent violence. Those telling this tale weave anti-Semitism, incitement, and threats of bloodshed into this false narrative.
Abbas' third intifada trap (Dr. Yaron Friedman, Yedioth/Ynet) By supporting popular struggle, Palestinian president risks losing control over West Bank. Therefore, he must continue security cooperation with Israel, which undermines his legitimacy among his people. Can he have it both ways?
Netanyahu’s dirty laundry (Raviv Drucker, Haaretz) It's time for the prime minister to come clean over lingering questions from this summer's war in Gaza.
Israel's Arab leaders are only selling isolationism (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Silent majority of the Arab community prefers Israel to any other country, and we would do well to give them a voice instead of their agitator MKs.
November 1938, November 2014 (Emily Amrousi, Israel Hayom) Any escalation in the security situation prompts the barring of Jews from a volatile area, deeming any who dare disobey the order as provocateurs.
The right’s prayer: Apocalypse now! (Carlo Strenger, Haaretz) The best way right-wingers can brand themselves is to help foment the next intifada.
Temporary relief (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) The conventional wisdom is that Abbas, despite his fiery rhetoric, is worried he will not be able to confine terrorist acts to the Jerusalem area.
How to prevent a further escalation (Giora Eiland, Yedioth/Ynet) During the second intifada, it took the defense establishment a year and a half to find the right formula to quell the violence. Today, there are six things that can be done.
Young MKs should be raising the banner of rebellion (Zeev Sternhell, Haaretz) This is a time of genuine emergency: although it’s true that this is not the first time that the bells are tolling.
Obama desperate for a deal with Iran (Isi Leibler, Israel Hayom) U.S. President Barack Obama appears determined to strike a nuclear deal with Iran no matter the cost.


 

Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.

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