APN's daily news review from Israel

Friday January 30, 2015

Ratio of the day:

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Front Page:

Haaretz

• State Comptroller delaying publication of report on (exaggerated) expenses of Prime Minister’s Residence, following request from Netanyahu’s lawyer
• The bottles affair: Comptroller to transfer findings to Attorney General Weinstein – who will decide whether to investigate
• The new border – Instead of stable quiet in the Golan, Israel needs to plan from now for rounds of violence – just like in the Gaza Strip // Amos Harel
• He is toast at the White House – Obama’s refusal to meet Netanyahu is a hint at the treatment he can expect if he is elected for another term // Barak Ravid
• Union between Kulanu and Likud parties was offered – and refused;
• War, over the votes // Yossi Verter; (Former Shas leader) Yishai will run with (extreme right-wing activist Baruch) Marzel; The headquarters of ‘The Joint List’ is looking for a campaign
• Likely: Deputy Police Commander Gila Gaziel will be promoted to Commander
• Despite the fear – I couldn’t act differently – Journalist who escaped from Argentina to Israel in special column
• Beaten women forced to hide in shelters, while violent men remain free

• Quiet tension – “Assassination of the Iranian general was necessary,” said Defense Minister Yaalon on the operation that led to the Hezbollah attack in which an officer and soldier were killed; Lieberman: Decision not to retaliate harmed deterrence; Lapid: Lower the flames
• Dangerous abrasion // Nahum Barnea
• A thousand muscles to the north // Alex Fishman
• Bottles affair – Former house manager at Prime Minister’s Residence, Meni Naftali: “Sarah Netanyahu demanded to return to the supermarkets the bottles that were bought with the public’s money and she took the bottle deposit we received in cash. This was her pocket money. In four years it amassed to 24,000 shekels ($6,066); Prime Minister’s Office: We returned 4,000 shekels according to our estimated calculation
• Small money, big chutzpah // Tovah Tzimuki
• 2015 Elections: The full list: All the parties and their lists for the 20th Knesset; Ohana is not in the political field; Benny Begin is slated for realistic spot in Likud.
• War of the stars // Sima Kadmon
• Expose: Worrying document – This is how sexual harassment looks in the police – Yedioth reveals a horrifying testimony of one of the harassed female officers
• The first female battalion commander – Lt. Col. Oshrat Bachar made history when she was appointed ‘Magad’ (battalion) commander of a combat unit

• “An alert was received about anti-tank missile firing” – IDF investigation found that the forces were aware of Hezbollah’s intention to harm a military convoy near the border fence
• The new security zone // Alon Ben-David
• The containment strategy // Avi Benayahu
• An eye-for-an-eye, tooth for a tooth // Noam Amir writes that next round on the northern border will be much more difficult
• Poll: Following the escalation, Likud is getting stronger – 25 mandates for Likud, 24 for Zionist Camp, 14 for Habayit Hayehudi,12 for United Arab List, 11 for Yesh Atid, 8 for Yehaduit Hatorah, 8 for Kulanu, 7 for Shas, 6 for Meretz, 5 for Yisrael Beiteinu
• (Benny) Begin returns home (to Likud party)
• The (Sarah Netanyahu) bottles affair awaits the Attorney General
• Reading and can’t believe // Ben Caspit writes he knew about Sarah Netanyahu’s taking the bottle deposit money to her pocket but didn’t want to be persecuted for publishing it
• Dozens killed in combined terror attack in the Sinai
• (Public Security Minister) Aharonovich: Candidates for the rank of Police Commander will be examined by polygraph
• The (police) support department // Amir Zohar
• Former IDF chief of staff Dan Halutz on war, peace and Miri Regev
• America and me: What motivates Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu? // Ron Miburg

• “Obama supporters came to help bring down Netanyahu” – Likud complained against Zionist Camp and Meretz: “V15 is aiding them”
• Ready for elections: The lists closed
• The return of (Benny) Begin: A blessing for Likud and the rule of law // Dan Margalit
• ”Parting from you is inhumane” – thousands came to funerals of Major Yochai Klengel and First Sgt. David Haim Nini, who were killed in the incident on Mt. Dov
• (Speaker of US House of Representatives John) Boehner: “I initiated the invitation of Netanyahu, and it’s my authority”
• Obama’s style: Taliban not terrorists // Boaz Bismuth
• Special: The Nigerian millionaire who donated a kidney to a young Druze woman he didn’t know
• In Iraq, Yemen, Mt. Dov: The long hands of Iran reach everywhere // Dr. Reuven Berko and Yoav Limor.

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News Summary:
The funerals, tension and new Israeli containment strategy in the north along with the possible probe by the Attorney General into Sarah Netanyahu's bottles scandal were the top stories in Friday's Hebrew newspapers along with the latest on the upcoming elections. Maariv reported that the violence on the north strengthened Likud, putting it now ahead of Zionist Camp with 25 mandates to the latter's 24.

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