APN's daily news review from Israel
Tuesday December 16, 2014
Quote of the day:
“Even if the veto is given, an especially strong red light must turn on in Jerusalem: This is the
beginning, gradually, of the end of the automatic US veto era.”
--Former diplomat Alon Pinkas writes about the indecision of the US over whether to veto proposals at the UN to end the Israeli occupation and establish a Palestinian state.**
--Former diplomat Alon Pinkas writes about the indecision of the US over whether to veto proposals at the UN to end the Israeli occupation and establish a Palestinian state.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Prime Minister demanded France halt its (UN) initiative for a (peace) agreement within two years
- Likud party’s court invalidated early primaries and Netanyahu’s reserved slates
- Two hostages and terrorist killed in rescue attempt (in Australia)
- Eli Yishai left Shas: Officially announced establishment of new party
- Haaretz investigation: More testimonies of appointments of political activists at Ramat Gan municipality
- Anti-Drug Authority in campaign against concessions on use of cannabis
- Israel pressed for confidentiality of the arbitration with Iran (over oil dispute), Swiss court refused
- Equality for secular people // Haaretz Editorial
- ¼ page ad: Israel: YES! Support for a Palestinian state at the UN is an Israeli interest (signed: Meretz party)
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Terror at the end of the world
- Two-month-old died from whooping cough
- Suspicion: Aid in exchange for jobs – Police raided Ramat Gan municipality
- National calamity (of corruption) // Shahar Ginosar
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- 16 hours of terror – Drama in Sydney Australia
- Suspicion of corruption at Ramat-Gan municipality
- The soldiers prefer jelly donuts – Lighting the first Hannukah candle
- Prime Minister: Kerry is trying to prevent resolutions for unilateral recognition of Palestinian state
- Lieberman continues to attack Netanyahu: Lack of diplomatic initiative is a problem
- Dispute between supporters of Deri and supporters of Yishai, who announced he is leaving Shas and establishing a new party
Israel Hayom
- Terror even in Australia
- Radical Islam: License to kill // Boaz Bismuth
- The lesson: Not ISIS, but ISISism // Yoav Limor Levi
- Yishai: New path
- Netanyahu to France: Stop advancing forced agreement (to end occupation) within two years
- Ramat Gan: Mayor, Israel Zinger, arrested on suspicion of corruption
- Tonight: First Hannukah candle; Sweet present from Kibbutz Mishmar Haemek to children with cance: Enormous sufganiyah (donut)
News Summary:
The terror incident in Australia, the latest election news, and corruption in the Ramat-Gan municipality were top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
Also in the news, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with US Secretary of State John Kerry for three hours yesterday in Rome, but refused to say afterward whether the US agreed to his demand
that it veto both of the proposals to the UN Security Council that call for ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories within two years and recognizing a Palestinian state at the end of that period. Maariv wrote that ‘Israeli sources’ said the US administration would try to convince the Palestinians to postpone their proposal, but that they would not veto the ‘softened’ version the French are formulating. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who has been trying to present himself as moderate recently, jabbed Netanyahu, saying "You can not ask for a veto and the lash out at Kerry.” (Maariv)
**The key issue that worries Netanyahu, as political sources and Israeli commentators write, is the fact that there is no automatic veto from the US and that Kerry is trying to formulate a compromise in order not to veto the French proposal. This shows a change for the worse in US policies towards Israel, the papers write. Former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas wrote in Yedioth that while Netanyahu is trying to describe the proposed UN resolutions as ‘anti-Israeli,’ “in Washington, like the rest of the world, the call for two-years of negotiations at the end of which a Palestinian state will be established based on the ’67 borders with Jerusalem as its capital is no longer perceived necessarily as ‘anti-Israeli.’” Pinkas noted that the US vetoed 51 resolutions in favor of Israel and never did not veto a resolution perceived (by Israel) as anti-Israeli. “Even if the veto is given, an especially red light must turn on in Jerusalem: This is the beginning, gradually, of the end of the automatic US veto era.”
Netanyahu blamed “the deterioration of the situation in the region” on the attempt by European countries to set a UN deadline for an end to Israeli the occupation and said that it will endanger Israel. He called on the French president to halt the French UN initiative. Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said that the Palestinians don't have majority support for a UN Security Council bid and if it fails they will join the International Criminal Court.
There was also interesting news from Hamas. Haaretz+ reported that politburo chief leader Khaled Mashaal said Hamas was not looking for a conflict with Israel, but was ready for it nonetheless. Senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouq said it was still early to talk about a prisoner exchange deal with Israel, and Hamas will not consider one until Israel implements a ceasefire deal but that it is waiting for Israel to follow through on talks that were postponed, Maan reported. Abu Marzouq said Hamas was trying to remove its name from the US terrorist organizations list, and that it supports efforts to achieve statehood recognition at the United Nations.
The terror incident in Australia, the latest election news, and corruption in the Ramat-Gan municipality were top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
Also in the news, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with US Secretary of State John Kerry for three hours yesterday in Rome, but refused to say afterward whether the US agreed to his demand
that it veto both of the proposals to the UN Security Council that call for ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories within two years and recognizing a Palestinian state at the end of that period. Maariv wrote that ‘Israeli sources’ said the US administration would try to convince the Palestinians to postpone their proposal, but that they would not veto the ‘softened’ version the French are formulating. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who has been trying to present himself as moderate recently, jabbed Netanyahu, saying "You can not ask for a veto and the lash out at Kerry.” (Maariv)
**The key issue that worries Netanyahu, as political sources and Israeli commentators write, is the fact that there is no automatic veto from the US and that Kerry is trying to formulate a compromise in order not to veto the French proposal. This shows a change for the worse in US policies towards Israel, the papers write. Former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas wrote in Yedioth that while Netanyahu is trying to describe the proposed UN resolutions as ‘anti-Israeli,’ “in Washington, like the rest of the world, the call for two-years of negotiations at the end of which a Palestinian state will be established based on the ’67 borders with Jerusalem as its capital is no longer perceived necessarily as ‘anti-Israeli.’” Pinkas noted that the US vetoed 51 resolutions in favor of Israel and never did not veto a resolution perceived (by Israel) as anti-Israeli. “Even if the veto is given, an especially red light must turn on in Jerusalem: This is the beginning, gradually, of the end of the automatic US veto era.”
Netanyahu blamed “the deterioration of the situation in the region” on the attempt by European countries to set a UN deadline for an end to Israeli the occupation and said that it will endanger Israel. He called on the French president to halt the French UN initiative. Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said that the Palestinians don't have majority support for a UN Security Council bid and if it fails they will join the International Criminal Court.
There was also interesting news from Hamas. Haaretz+ reported that politburo chief leader Khaled Mashaal said Hamas was not looking for a conflict with Israel, but was ready for it nonetheless. Senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouq said it was still early to talk about a prisoner exchange deal with Israel, and Hamas will not consider one until Israel implements a ceasefire deal but that it is waiting for Israel to follow through on talks that were postponed, Maan reported. Abu Marzouq said Hamas was trying to remove its name from the US terrorist organizations list, and that it supports efforts to achieve statehood recognition at the United Nations.
Quick Hits:
- Shin Bet thwarts planned Tel Aviv suicide attack - Security force recently caught five-member Palestinian cell, including woman planning to dress as pregnant Jewess so as to smuggle in explosives belt. (Haaretz+)
- Germany reportedly building warships for Israel - Defense cooperation between Germany and Israel strengthening; German media says Merkel government helping to finance four new ships for Israeli navy. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- West Bank settlement expansion surged under Netanyahu - According to figures the growth rate in the settlement was more than twice that of Israel proper between 2009 to 2014. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Eight East Jerusalem residents arrested for Facebook threats to Jews - Security forces nab suspects with Hamas and Fatah ties, whose online posts allegedly incited to violence and praised terror attacks. (Haaretz+)
- Palestinians protest strict security searches in Mishor Adumim after stabbing attack - Some 500 Palestinians are protesting in the West Bank's Mishor Adumim industrial zone over excessive security searches conducted at the entrance to the industrial area, following the stabbing attack at the Rami Levy supermarket in the area. Police said that security forces are at the area and that no irregular events were reported. (Ynet)
- Israel to demolish Silwan home of Glick shooting suspect - Israel's Jerusalem municipality on Monday delivered demolition orders for the family home of Mutaz Hijazi, who is suspected of attempting to assassinate far-right Israeli activist Yehuda Glick. Undercover Israeli forces shot and killed Hijazi on Oct. 30, hours after the assassination attempt. (Maan)
- Israeli police detain 3 Palestinian children - Witnesses told Ma'an that the Israeli police detained three Palestinian children aged 10-11 from the al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Monday. The children were identified as Tawfiq Najib, Mustafa Abu Snineh and Zakariyah al-Bakri. (Maan)
- Israeli prison service starts to punish hunger-strikers - The Israeli prison service has started serious punitive procedures against Palestinian prisoners who recently started a hunger strike in solidarity with cellmates held in solitary confinement, specifically Nahar al-Saadi. (Maan)
- Israeli forces fire tear gas in Nablus school - Hundreds of children were trapped in the secondary school in Burin as Israeli forces fired tear gas and stun grenades into the school yard. The Israel said village youths threw stones and empty bottles at settler vehicles on a nearby main road. (Maan)
- More Israeli teens encounter hate on Internet - Anti-Defamation League survey finds Jewish teenagers in Israel were increasingly likely to be attacked online in 2014 in the form of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel expression than they were a year ago. (Ynet)
- **Because of the security situation: Capoeira taught to Arabs and ultra-Orthodox Jews - Boys from East and West Jerusalem are recently cooperating in a special course supported by the Jerusalem municipality. "They get out their anger and the bad things through capoeira," says Mahmoud a youth counselor. The main purpose of the meetings is to get to know the other, who at home is perceived as the enemy. (Yedioth Jerusalem supplement/mynet)
- Cairo court to look into suit demanding closure of Rafah crossing - The Cairo Court for Urgent Matters is scheduled to convene Monday to look into a suit filed by an Egyptian lawyer demanding that Egypt close the Rafah crossing with Gaza. (Maan)
- Arabs betting on a very merry Christmas in Jesus’ hometown - Nazareth is dreaming of a bright Christmas, with hotels and restaurants booked up ahead of the big day on December 25. Locals are thankful that most Israelis have short memories. (Haaretz+)
- In blow to Netanyahu, Likud court invalidates vote to move primaries forward - Tribunal to reconvene to discuss whether party leader can expedite process for determining Likud Knesset slate and choose candidates for reserved spots. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Likud politicians in arms over Livni’s TV swipes at Netanyahu - On satirical television show, Livni said she and Herzog would 'take out the garbage.' Not everyone likes it when she refers to Netanyahu as trash. (Haaretz+)
- Eli Yishai breaks away from Shas, announces new party - Yishai, unseated by his rival Aryeh Deri last year, announces the creation of Ha'am Itanu (The people are with us); Deri supporters rampage in hall after press conference. (Haaretz and Ynet)
- Israel pressed for anonymous ruling in long-running oil dispute with Iran - Israel may have won right to confidentiality but it's losing the arbitration case so far, being ordered to pay tens of millions to Islamic Republic. (Haaretz+)
- Iranian president upbeat about nuclear talks - President Hassan Rouhani insists that majority of Iranians 'are in favor of getting sanctions removed.' (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
Arab woman blazes trail in Israel’s high tech sector
Amal Ayoub’s biotech startup Metallo Therapy has raised $1.2 million and completed pre-clinical studies. (Reuters, Haaretz+)
The X-pipe: This is how EAPC was established and became one of Israel's secret companies
The company operates under a special law from 1968, which gives it immunity from proper public supervision, and wraps it in a cloud of mystery. (Yossi Melman, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
Amal Ayoub’s biotech startup Metallo Therapy has raised $1.2 million and completed pre-clinical studies. (Reuters, Haaretz+)
The X-pipe: This is how EAPC was established and became one of Israel's secret companies
The company operates under a special law from 1968, which gives it immunity from proper public supervision, and wraps it in a cloud of mystery. (Yossi Melman, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
Israeli soldiers are licensed thugs applying state violence in the West Bank (Amira
Hass, Haaretz+) Even without tear gas grenades and grabbing Ziad Abu Ein by the throat, the
presence of IDF troops in Turmus Aya was an act of violence in itself.
The death of Abu Ein - proof lies of the Palestinian Authority (Amos Gilboa, Maariv) The Palestinian official's death proves that lying is one of the key weapons of the Palestinian Authority, that Israel’s humanity does not interest the world, and that we're really not close to a state of calm.
End the anti-secular, anti-Arab discrimination in Israel's schools (Haaretz Editorial) The disturbing figures have been known to the ministry for years, but no genuine measures have been taken to solve the problem.
Politicians talk about Judaism, but neglect Israelis (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Instead of preaching 'Jewish values,' a responsible political system should focus on how to make the eight million Israelis living here – Jews and non-Jews – feel safer, more satisfied and prouder of their country.
What the High Court should have said about MK Haneen Zoabi (Aeyal Gross, Haaretz+) Knesset members who do not like the views of other MKs do not have the right to impose sanctions because of those opinions, as the High Court should have made clear.
PA uses Abu Ein's death (Zalman Shoval, Israel Hayom) The death of Ziad Abu Ein from a heart attack comes at a particularly problematic time for Israel, and plays directly into Mahmoud Abbas' strategy.
From Sydney to Rome, until Islam rules the world (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) As the Israeli-Arab conflict becomes more religious, solidarity with the Israeli side is growing; because now the war is not against Israel – it’s against the entire Western world.
Israeli Arabs, don't give the Jewish State your vote (Salman Masalha, Haaretz+) The Arab MKs merely serve as a fig leaf that covers Israel's systematic racism. Arab citizens, boycott the elections.
Livni, what gives? (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) Livni's foul language against Netanyahu could be attributed to her troubled state of mind. Another such gaffe might undo her candidacy.
Why is Livni moving closer to the far left? (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) While Hatnua chairwoman says she is fighting for a Jewish state, she is dangerously adopting the rhetoric of the anti-Israel left.
Livni, the megalomaniac (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom) It is hard to believe Livni was justice minister until just two weeks ago and now views herself as a candidate for prime minister.
A Herzog-Livni upset? Only in your dreams (Tal Niv, Haaretz+) The Israeli public does not want a moderate, democratic government; it is not yet ripe for a complete end to settlement construction or border adjustments.
Islamic State campaign gave Sydney terrorist the final push (Ron Ben-Yishai, Yedioth/Ynet) Man Haron Monis, a radical Muslim terrorist with a criminal past, likely acted alone but was undoubtedly inspired by the Islamic State's violent messages, proving that it's not just Islamic State's military might that the West should be worried about, but also its poisonous influence on Muslims worldwide.
The death of Abu Ein - proof lies of the Palestinian Authority (Amos Gilboa, Maariv) The Palestinian official's death proves that lying is one of the key weapons of the Palestinian Authority, that Israel’s humanity does not interest the world, and that we're really not close to a state of calm.
End the anti-secular, anti-Arab discrimination in Israel's schools (Haaretz Editorial) The disturbing figures have been known to the ministry for years, but no genuine measures have been taken to solve the problem.
Politicians talk about Judaism, but neglect Israelis (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Instead of preaching 'Jewish values,' a responsible political system should focus on how to make the eight million Israelis living here – Jews and non-Jews – feel safer, more satisfied and prouder of their country.
What the High Court should have said about MK Haneen Zoabi (Aeyal Gross, Haaretz+) Knesset members who do not like the views of other MKs do not have the right to impose sanctions because of those opinions, as the High Court should have made clear.
PA uses Abu Ein's death (Zalman Shoval, Israel Hayom) The death of Ziad Abu Ein from a heart attack comes at a particularly problematic time for Israel, and plays directly into Mahmoud Abbas' strategy.
From Sydney to Rome, until Islam rules the world (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) As the Israeli-Arab conflict becomes more religious, solidarity with the Israeli side is growing; because now the war is not against Israel – it’s against the entire Western world.
Israeli Arabs, don't give the Jewish State your vote (Salman Masalha, Haaretz+) The Arab MKs merely serve as a fig leaf that covers Israel's systematic racism. Arab citizens, boycott the elections.
Livni, what gives? (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) Livni's foul language against Netanyahu could be attributed to her troubled state of mind. Another such gaffe might undo her candidacy.
Why is Livni moving closer to the far left? (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) While Hatnua chairwoman says she is fighting for a Jewish state, she is dangerously adopting the rhetoric of the anti-Israel left.
Livni, the megalomaniac (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom) It is hard to believe Livni was justice minister until just two weeks ago and now views herself as a candidate for prime minister.
A Herzog-Livni upset? Only in your dreams (Tal Niv, Haaretz+) The Israeli public does not want a moderate, democratic government; it is not yet ripe for a complete end to settlement construction or border adjustments.
Islamic State campaign gave Sydney terrorist the final push (Ron Ben-Yishai, Yedioth/Ynet) Man Haron Monis, a radical Muslim terrorist with a criminal past, likely acted alone but was undoubtedly inspired by the Islamic State's violent messages, proving that it's not just Islamic State's military might that the West should be worried about, but also its poisonous influence on Muslims worldwide.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.