APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday November 24, 2014
Quote of the day:
“The nation-state bill is evidence of a confused government that can’t even decide who is a Jew. It comes on
top of the basic laws that already defined Israel as Jewish and dozens of laws that give excessive rights to
Jews in Israel and throughout the world, while ignoring a fifth of the country’s citizens."
--Jafar Farah, director of the Mossawa Center, the Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens in Israel, on the nation-state bill the government passed.**
--Jafar Farah, director of the Mossawa Center, the Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens in Israel, on the nation-state bill the government passed.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Ministers approved radical versions of nation-state law
- Sometimes, the nation-state is only an excuse // Yossi Verter
- The law, after which, we won't recognize ourselves // Yossi Sarid
- Senior security establishment sources: Abbas is the one who is preventing a general conflagration in the West Bank
- Netanyahu is delaying the appointment to the Nuclear Energy Commission
- No agreement was achieved on Iran's nuclear program; US offered to extend talks
- Despite agreement, Hadassah Hospital is not recovering: Disconnect between doctors and administration
- For the first time, state to establish public college in an Arab community - Nazareth
- In the background of the tension, Bnei Sakhnin defeated Beitar Jerusalem 1:0
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Nation-state bill crisis - Political drama: Livni and Lapid: Netanyahu wants elections
- Bill for the basket // Nahum Barnea
- For what? The government against the State of Israel // Ben-Dror Yemini
- The judge: This is how the police officer raped me
- Beniya's children - Major Beniya Sarel, who was killed in Operation Protective Edge, received a moving commemoration: Many children named their babies after him
- Why are children holding back from using the school bathrooms
- It passed relatively quietly - The charged soccer game ended with Sakhnin's victory over Beitar Jerusalem and little rioting
Maariv This Week
- Law and punishment - At end of tense cabinet meeting, the bill that defines Israel as the Jewish nation state passed; If Yesh Atid and Hatnuah ministers vote against it Wednesday in the Knesset - they will be dismissed from the government...
- To bend or let things slide // Ben Caspit
- Initiative: Award Israel prize to Pollard
- Nuclear talks - Agreement or explosion
- Another Israeli joined the ranks of ISIS
Israel Hayom
- Law, or dismissal - Nation-State bill: Coalition on verge of exploding; In Likud they say: We are sick of Livni, sick of the threats; Livni and Lapid: We won't support bill on Wednesday
- They should decide: Together or elections // Dan Margalit
- Coalition in test of wills // Shlomo Cesana
- Livni, are you the state? // Dror Eydar
- "I pushed down the terrorist and his axe fell" - Synagogue attack survivor
- Residency of man who drove terrorist was revoked
- Iranian nuclear (program): "Last effort" for an agreement; US offers: Extend the talks
- Storm continues - climax on Wednesday
News Summary:
A coalition crisis after the government cabinet approved the controversial bill enshrining Israel as a 'Jewish nation-state' and the US offer to Iran to extend nuclear talks were top stories in today's Hebrew papers. Also in the news, a Border Policeman who the papers expected would be charged with murder in the killing of a Palestinian protester was charged with manslaughter. And information reported at the end of an article in Maariv raised serious questions about the purpose of Israel's mass arrests during Operation Brothers' Keeper.
**The papers exposed a bitter argument between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni over the hardcore nation-state bill that puts Israel's Jewish character ahead of it being a democracy and, as Meretz Chairwoman Zahav Gal-On said, makes Arab citizens officially 'second-class.' The bill passed yesterday in the government. Livni said that Ben-Gurion, Jabotinsky and Begin would not have supported it. Livni's Hatnuah party and Finance Minister Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid party will not vote in favor of the bill in the Knesset, which would mean they would be dismissed from the coalition, causing it to collapse. Livni and Lapid and numerous commentators believe that the bill was a way to push the two ministers and their parties out of the government and go to early elections.
The gaps between Iran and the world powers remained large a day before the end of the deadline for talks over Iran's nuclear program. Maariv's Gideon Kotz reported from Vienna that the spokesman for the Iranian negotiating delegation told him that Iran had no interested in extending the negotiations. Kotz wrote it was believed Iran wanted the extension to appear to be a US offer that Iran agreed to. Haaretz's Barak Ravid, also reporting from Vienna, believed that Netanyahu's statements on Sunday hinted that he supports the extension of talks. Netanyahu reiterated that he opposed a 'bad agreement.'
After the papers earlier thought the unnamed Border Policeman would be charged with murder, it has come as a surprise that he was indicted for manslaughter in the shooting dead of a Palestinian teen at a Naqba Day protest in May. Ordered only to fire rubber bullets at stone-throwers, the soldier secretly replaced the rubber bullets in the magazine with regular bullets and shot dead Nadim Nuwara, 17, in the chest - after he threw a stone. Another Palestinian teen was killed, but because his family did not do an autopsy the file was closed due to 'lack of evidence.' CNN had shown video revealing that neither teen had presented a threat when they were shot dead. [Note: Earlier this year, Israeli judges found Wa’el al-Araji, a Palestinian man who threw a rock at a car, causing the car to lose control and crash and kill two passengers, guilty of murder. Araji said he did not intend to kill the people. - OH]
The Israeli army arrested Palestinians out of revenge, said an IDF attorney in court. Military defense counsel Meirav Khoury represented two men released in the Shalit deal who were re-arrested during Operation Brothers' Keeper after the three Jewish teens were kidnapped in the West Bank in May on charges they were in contact with the enemy and they were involved in the illegal transfer of funds to the Territories, Maariv reported. Last Thursday, a special IDF jury ruled that Hamza Abu Arkub and Ashraf Rawi would return to prison to finish serving their original sentences. Adv. Khoury criticized the exceptional judicial process and hinted that she must fight for the freedom of the Palestinians with her hands tied, since a significant amount of evidence was not disclosed to her because of claims of national security. Khoury also questioned the motives of the state in the arrest of the released prisoners, and said that it was pure revenge.
A coalition crisis after the government cabinet approved the controversial bill enshrining Israel as a 'Jewish nation-state' and the US offer to Iran to extend nuclear talks were top stories in today's Hebrew papers. Also in the news, a Border Policeman who the papers expected would be charged with murder in the killing of a Palestinian protester was charged with manslaughter. And information reported at the end of an article in Maariv raised serious questions about the purpose of Israel's mass arrests during Operation Brothers' Keeper.
**The papers exposed a bitter argument between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni over the hardcore nation-state bill that puts Israel's Jewish character ahead of it being a democracy and, as Meretz Chairwoman Zahav Gal-On said, makes Arab citizens officially 'second-class.' The bill passed yesterday in the government. Livni said that Ben-Gurion, Jabotinsky and Begin would not have supported it. Livni's Hatnuah party and Finance Minister Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid party will not vote in favor of the bill in the Knesset, which would mean they would be dismissed from the coalition, causing it to collapse. Livni and Lapid and numerous commentators believe that the bill was a way to push the two ministers and their parties out of the government and go to early elections.
The gaps between Iran and the world powers remained large a day before the end of the deadline for talks over Iran's nuclear program. Maariv's Gideon Kotz reported from Vienna that the spokesman for the Iranian negotiating delegation told him that Iran had no interested in extending the negotiations. Kotz wrote it was believed Iran wanted the extension to appear to be a US offer that Iran agreed to. Haaretz's Barak Ravid, also reporting from Vienna, believed that Netanyahu's statements on Sunday hinted that he supports the extension of talks. Netanyahu reiterated that he opposed a 'bad agreement.'
After the papers earlier thought the unnamed Border Policeman would be charged with murder, it has come as a surprise that he was indicted for manslaughter in the shooting dead of a Palestinian teen at a Naqba Day protest in May. Ordered only to fire rubber bullets at stone-throwers, the soldier secretly replaced the rubber bullets in the magazine with regular bullets and shot dead Nadim Nuwara, 17, in the chest - after he threw a stone. Another Palestinian teen was killed, but because his family did not do an autopsy the file was closed due to 'lack of evidence.' CNN had shown video revealing that neither teen had presented a threat when they were shot dead. [Note: Earlier this year, Israeli judges found Wa’el al-Araji, a Palestinian man who threw a rock at a car, causing the car to lose control and crash and kill two passengers, guilty of murder. Araji said he did not intend to kill the people. - OH]
The Israeli army arrested Palestinians out of revenge, said an IDF attorney in court. Military defense counsel Meirav Khoury represented two men released in the Shalit deal who were re-arrested during Operation Brothers' Keeper after the three Jewish teens were kidnapped in the West Bank in May on charges they were in contact with the enemy and they were involved in the illegal transfer of funds to the Territories, Maariv reported. Last Thursday, a special IDF jury ruled that Hamza Abu Arkub and Ashraf Rawi would return to prison to finish serving their original sentences. Adv. Khoury criticized the exceptional judicial process and hinted that she must fight for the freedom of the Palestinians with her hands tied, since a significant amount of evidence was not disclosed to her because of claims of national security. Khoury also questioned the motives of the state in the arrest of the released prisoners, and said that it was pure revenge.
Quick Hits:
- IDF kills Palestinian along Gaza border for first time since war - First Palestinian causality since Gaza war: Palestinian Health Ministry claims 32-year-old Palestinian shot, killed by IDF after attempting to reach border fence; IDF say they fired at two Gazans. (Ynet and Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
- Palestinians: Settlers torched West Bank home - Several family members were sleeping at home in village of Khirbat Abu Falah when firebombs were thrown at their building, but they woke up in time to leave without being hurt. Racist graffiti in Hebrew was sprayed on walls and the building was heavily damaged. (Haaretz+ and Ynet+PHOTOS)
- Israel revokes residency of Palestinian who transported suicide bomber in 2001 - Following attack on Dolphinarium Club in Tel Aviv in 2001, E. Jerusalemite, Mohammed Nadi, was convicted of crimes including assisting homicide, assisting in causing severe bodily harm, and assisting illegal entry of a Palestinian. Meretz head warned against "collective punishment." (Haaretz+, Israel Hayom, Times of Israel and Maan)
- Israel’s security brass: Abbas blocking Palestinian uprising - While Netanyahu and his cabinet blame the Palestinian president for the recent Jerusalem terror wave, senior defense officials see him as the primary hope for mitigating the hostilities. (Haaretz+)
- Jerusalem launches security program in wake of attacks - Eighty new patrol vehicles manned by municipal security guards receive training day in plan launched by Mayor Nir Barkat to strengthen security. Following recent attacks and riots, number of overall security incidents in Jerusalem has fallen. (Israel Hayom)
- Despite wave of terror attacks, West Bank ambulances not running - Health Ministry transfers only half of allocated funds for rescue services beyond Green Line; Magen David Adom warns it won't be able to provide special services in 11 stations in West Bank. (Ynet)
- Israeli police pull over Palestinian PM's car in West Bank - Rami Hamdallah was traveling to Ramallah; police said the convoy was speeding, according to Ma'an. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Israel allocates $7.8m to fund for Gaza op. reserve soldiers - The fund will accept requests from self-employed workers and salaried employees who lost income or who had ordered flight tickets and had to cancel them without refund. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
- Israel fears EU Parliament will recognize Palestine - In response to Israel’s disregard of calls to halt settlement construction, European Parliament to discuss Thursday motion to urge EU governments to recognize Palestinian state. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Egypt could send peacekeepers to a future Palestinian state, Sissi says - Egypt president made remarks ahead of meetings on Monday with Italian leaders and Pope Francis. (Haaretz)
- Olmert to testify on claims Barak took bribes - After accusing former defense minister Ehud Barak of taking 'millions and tens of millions' in bribes for arms deals, police to collect former premier's testimony. (Ynet)
- Initiative: Award Israel Prize to (jailed spy, Jonathan) Pollard - (Likud) MK Danny Danon plans to bring the proposal to award the prize to Pollard for Lifetime Achievement to the committee following the failed hearing (to release) the spy. (Maariv)
- Ashkelon: Arab workers to return, but children will not - After mayor's decision to ban Arab employees from kindergarten fortification projects sparks fury, Shimoni offers to temporarily host kids in community centers. (Ynet)
- The villagers of Kamanah (in Israel): "They made us disappear from the map" - Because of bureaucratic failure, the Souad family has lived for 15 years in the Galilee Bedouin village with no electricity or running water. 70 people, including IDF veterans, try to cope with the cold winter. "It is not human, we just want to live like human beings." (Maariv)
- Arab-Israeli contestant booted off Arab Idol - Manal Mousa stirred controversy (in Israel) with her pro-Palestinian comments; second Arab-Israeli contender remains in the game. (Haaretz)
- Vizhnitz rebbe: Don't employ Arabs - Hasidic leader warns his followers against 'hiring Ishmaelites' following last week's massacre at a Jerusalem synagogue. Rabbi of Har Nof neighborhood who is member of Shas's Council of Torah Sages, said that every person who owns a weapon must carry it with him to the synagogue on Shabbat and called on the public to issue new gun licenses. (Ynet)
- Arab-Israeli indicted for joining ISIS - Resident of northern Israel spent several days in Syria, where he allegedly trained with ISIS in torture, weapons and physical fitness. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Israel to open first public college in Arab town - Primary language at Nazareth college will be Hebrew, but courses will be offered in Arab and English, too. (Haaretz)
- ADL outraged at Turkish threat to turn synagogue into a museum - The governor of the Turkish city Edirne said he would turn a century-old synagogue into a museum as punishment for Israel's alleged actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque. (Haaretz)
- Italian emigration to Israel expected to double in 2014 - Economic situation considered key factor in aliyah, with Jews feeling that 'they can lead a better life in Israel.' (JTA, Haaretz)
- Senator Elizabeth Warren visits Israel as part of Mideast trip - The Massachusetts Democrat is to meet with Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian officials, according to The Boston Globe. (Haaretz)
Features:
Officer's course for equality
They are opening the pool on the military base on Sabbath, adding content from 'Breaking the Silence' (grassroots organization of former soldiers who share violations of human rights they made against Palestinians) and they are breaking up the company from its only-male gender. After claims of religion taking over the army, at officer's course, the picture is somewhat different. They are respecting the religious cadets but preserving the secular identity. Source familiar with what is happening on the base: "They are no longer kneeling before the rabbis." (Yedioth, p. 12-13)
Commentary/Analysis:
They are opening the pool on the military base on Sabbath, adding content from 'Breaking the Silence' (grassroots organization of former soldiers who share violations of human rights they made against Palestinians) and they are breaking up the company from its only-male gender. After claims of religion taking over the army, at officer's course, the picture is somewhat different. They are respecting the religious cadets but preserving the secular identity. Source familiar with what is happening on the base: "They are no longer kneeling before the rabbis." (Yedioth, p. 12-13)
Commentary/Analysis:
Jewish nation-state bill: Time to remove the fig leaf (Yossi
Sarid, Haaretz+) We have reached the end of our democratic rope; Knesset members should vote with
their feet.
Jews and Arabs can maintain good relations (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) We don’t have to hug each other all day, but we must understand that we have been sentenced to live together.
The truth about the Nakba Day shooting is finally coming out (Haaretz Editorial) Some six months after the shooting death of a Palestinian teen, there is a chance that the border policeman accused of this terrible crime will face justice.
Calm down (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) Israeli citizens -- Arabs and Jews alike -- deserve a break from the unnecessary activity of their politicians, who are fanning the flames of violence.
Israel's leftists: Exiled in their own country (Tal Niv, Haaretz+) In a place where fascism rears its head, there is no deity but the prime minister. He is all. In his body, in his name, in his spirit. There is none but him.
Netanyahu and Bennett created the monster of racism (Ran Adelist, Maariv) The Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy rushed to condemn the mayor of Ashkelon, because they are afraid. They are terrified of extent of the threat that they themselves created. They fear the collapse of the sense of security of the citizens that will be directed at them. The Mayor of Ashkelon (who ordered to fire Arabs working at kindergartens) and the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem (who called to fire Arab Egged Bus drivers) are only a rescue force. They are the first mice to jump from the sinking ship of security of the right-wing government, because they do not believe in the government's ability to ensure the safety of its citizens.
Former Mossad chief: For the first time, I fear for the future of Zionism (Shabtai Shavit, Haaretz+) The nation of Israel is galloping blindly toward Bar Kochba's war on the Roman Empire. The result of that conflict was 2,000 years of exile.
Islamic State is eyeing Israel (Dr. Edy Cohen, Israel Hayom) The Islamic State group's dangerous anti-Semitic doctrine inspires Palestinian youth to fight Jews. It is the new jihad.
IDF chief of staff: The government's caregiver (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) Gadi Eizenkot has the appropriate blend of a sense of mission on the country’s behalf, a moral backbone and professional know-how.
Israeli government vs. State of Israel (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Both Israel's prime minister and right-wing ministers know Jewish nation-state law will only contribute to delegitimization campaign. So why are they giving Israel's haters exactly what they're looking for?
Do not upset the balance of security (Avi Naim, Israel Hayom) In a democracy, the only body that should have the right, authority and permission to use force in the service of law and order is the police.
Netanyahu's Israel is neither Jewish nor democratic (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) Netanyahu does not know how to solve the paradox between the terrifying reality he has created and the idea of a Jewish state he worships.
A reminder: Israel is a Jewish state (Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) The Palestinians would like to devoid this country of its Jewish-nationalist underpinnings so that they could propagate their nationalist aspirations and the right of return.
Jerusalem has many reasons for unrest, not just Al-Aqsa (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) A religious war? This explanation for the clashes and attacks in the capital ignores the facts that make Palestinian life there unbearable.
Iran's ultimatum to the West: All or nothing (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) Real reason for deadlock in nuclear talks that Iranians don't trust Americans in general and President Obama in particular.
A religious conflict? (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) The fact is that for many years the hostility to Israel, and attempts to destroy it, have been of a three-dimensional nature – Islamic, Arab and more recently Palestinian.
Iran wants a clean slate (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) The way Iran sees it, if it returns to the fold, if it helps the West fight Islamic State, why should it face sanctions?
Top 20 reasons we leftists are losing the battle for Israel (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) No. 18: While right-wingers are out there - demonstrating, building and creating a ruckus - we lefties are busy with yoga and Pilates.
The Shin Bet chief must go (Cielo Rozenberg, Maariv) The report on the 'Uvda' investigative program exposed the problematic behavior of Yoram Cohen in the affair and the failures and the charges against him. In any modern state they already find a replacement.
In Israel, instead of equal rights, no equality at all (Aeyal Gross, Haaretz+) Netanyahu's 'nation-state' bill undermines the notion that Israel's Arab population is entitled to collective rights, not just individual ones.
The circus of Arab MKs (Emily Amrousi, Israel Hayom) What degree of involvement do Arab members of Knesset have in anti-Israel incitement and activity?
Playing politics with God in the Holy Land (Samuel Heilman, Haaretz+) Too often events in the Middle East, and in Jerusalem particularly, act as evidence for religious Jews, Muslims and Christians that they alone are enacting God’s will – with dangerous consequences.
Jews and Arabs can maintain good relations (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) We don’t have to hug each other all day, but we must understand that we have been sentenced to live together.
The truth about the Nakba Day shooting is finally coming out (Haaretz Editorial) Some six months after the shooting death of a Palestinian teen, there is a chance that the border policeman accused of this terrible crime will face justice.
Calm down (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) Israeli citizens -- Arabs and Jews alike -- deserve a break from the unnecessary activity of their politicians, who are fanning the flames of violence.
Israel's leftists: Exiled in their own country (Tal Niv, Haaretz+) In a place where fascism rears its head, there is no deity but the prime minister. He is all. In his body, in his name, in his spirit. There is none but him.
Netanyahu and Bennett created the monster of racism (Ran Adelist, Maariv) The Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy rushed to condemn the mayor of Ashkelon, because they are afraid. They are terrified of extent of the threat that they themselves created. They fear the collapse of the sense of security of the citizens that will be directed at them. The Mayor of Ashkelon (who ordered to fire Arabs working at kindergartens) and the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem (who called to fire Arab Egged Bus drivers) are only a rescue force. They are the first mice to jump from the sinking ship of security of the right-wing government, because they do not believe in the government's ability to ensure the safety of its citizens.
Former Mossad chief: For the first time, I fear for the future of Zionism (Shabtai Shavit, Haaretz+) The nation of Israel is galloping blindly toward Bar Kochba's war on the Roman Empire. The result of that conflict was 2,000 years of exile.
Islamic State is eyeing Israel (Dr. Edy Cohen, Israel Hayom) The Islamic State group's dangerous anti-Semitic doctrine inspires Palestinian youth to fight Jews. It is the new jihad.
IDF chief of staff: The government's caregiver (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) Gadi Eizenkot has the appropriate blend of a sense of mission on the country’s behalf, a moral backbone and professional know-how.
Israeli government vs. State of Israel (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Both Israel's prime minister and right-wing ministers know Jewish nation-state law will only contribute to delegitimization campaign. So why are they giving Israel's haters exactly what they're looking for?
Do not upset the balance of security (Avi Naim, Israel Hayom) In a democracy, the only body that should have the right, authority and permission to use force in the service of law and order is the police.
Netanyahu's Israel is neither Jewish nor democratic (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) Netanyahu does not know how to solve the paradox between the terrifying reality he has created and the idea of a Jewish state he worships.
A reminder: Israel is a Jewish state (Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) The Palestinians would like to devoid this country of its Jewish-nationalist underpinnings so that they could propagate their nationalist aspirations and the right of return.
Jerusalem has many reasons for unrest, not just Al-Aqsa (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) A religious war? This explanation for the clashes and attacks in the capital ignores the facts that make Palestinian life there unbearable.
Iran's ultimatum to the West: All or nothing (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) Real reason for deadlock in nuclear talks that Iranians don't trust Americans in general and President Obama in particular.
A religious conflict? (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) The fact is that for many years the hostility to Israel, and attempts to destroy it, have been of a three-dimensional nature – Islamic, Arab and more recently Palestinian.
Iran wants a clean slate (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) The way Iran sees it, if it returns to the fold, if it helps the West fight Islamic State, why should it face sanctions?
Top 20 reasons we leftists are losing the battle for Israel (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) No. 18: While right-wingers are out there - demonstrating, building and creating a ruckus - we lefties are busy with yoga and Pilates.
The Shin Bet chief must go (Cielo Rozenberg, Maariv) The report on the 'Uvda' investigative program exposed the problematic behavior of Yoram Cohen in the affair and the failures and the charges against him. In any modern state they already find a replacement.
In Israel, instead of equal rights, no equality at all (Aeyal Gross, Haaretz+) Netanyahu's 'nation-state' bill undermines the notion that Israel's Arab population is entitled to collective rights, not just individual ones.
The circus of Arab MKs (Emily Amrousi, Israel Hayom) What degree of involvement do Arab members of Knesset have in anti-Israel incitement and activity?
Playing politics with God in the Holy Land (Samuel Heilman, Haaretz+) Too often events in the Middle East, and in Jerusalem particularly, act as evidence for religious Jews, Muslims and Christians that they alone are enacting God’s will – with dangerous consequences.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.