APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday April 20, 2015
Quote of the day:
"By approving legislation to curb boycotts of Israel and 'areas under its control,' the High Court
effectively equated the two, giving a kosher stamp (deliberately or not) to Israel's control of territory
beyond the Green Line, and in doing so legitimized Israeli settlements."
--Americans for Peace Now policy director, Lara Friedman, slams the High Court decision to uphold the
Anti-Boycott Law.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Likud: We won’t allow (coalition partners) freedom to vote against bills weakening High Court
- In Haifa, more people stricken with cancer, but low morbidity of children
- [Main photo: Trucks block access to Haifa chemical plants on Mayor’s orders]
- Fear for lives of 700 migrants whose boat capsized in Mediterranean Sea, some 1000 people drowned within a week
- Education Ministry cancels (subsidized) summer camps for 30,000 children from poorer communities
- Report on prosecutors reveals ‘extreme’ delays in telling suspects case is closed
- Suspicion of murder: Body of young female tourist found in Nazareth
- Adas Synagogue in Jerusalem re-inaugurated
- A fighting opposition // Haaretz Editorial
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The cancer oversight
- Now they remember? Ariella Ringel-Hoffman
- Coming out of the shadows – Senior Mossad agent, Aliza Magen, in rare interview
- Forever, my brother – Present and former Chiefs of Staff write stories about their best friend who fell – special for Memorial Day
- Bennett furious: If Shas receives Religion portfolio this is the end of negotiations with us
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- My father, a hero – 8 months after Operation Protective Edge twins wrote letter to their father who did not return. Tomorrow: Memorial Day eve
- Haifa Mayor: They hid from us the statistics on cancer
- 12 years after the rape – she found the attacker on the Internet
- Coalition negotiations continue: Netanyahu to request 14 day extension today from the President
Israel Hayom
- With longing and admiration – Saluting the soldiers (who fell)
- Golani Brigade commander on APC (disaster) in Sajaiyeh (sic – Shujaiyeh): It was the cost of war
- Haifa Municipality blocked roads to polluting chemical plants
- Likely: 22 ministers
- Today the beach-bathing season opened
News Summary:
Trucks blocking entry into chemical plants in cancer-stricken Haifa and more features about fallen Israeli soldiers were the top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers along with the cold shoulder Israel gave Russia and Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s sharp words. Yedioth reported on a return of young couples to a Gaza Strip area kibbutz and Haaretz reported on the attempt by Palestinians to get back their farmland, which was given to settlers, and the condition made by Likud to potential coalition partners to vote in favor of bills weakening the High Court.
Russia is furious that Israel downgraded the rank of the representative participating in Russian President Vladimir Putin's World War II event marking the 70 years since the Red Army defeated Nazi Germany. Instead of sending a delegation headed by a minister, as planned, Israel will send its ambassador to Moscow to attend. Israel has chosen to avoid official comment on the matter, but officials in Jerusalem say the move was linked to Russia's decision to lift its ban of missile sales to Iran. (Haaretz+, Maariv and Ynet)
Just ahead of the renewal of Iran nuclear talks, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the concept of Iranian nuclear weapons was a fabrication and the United States was the real source of threat, hardening his rhetoric before nuclear negotiations resume this week. He also said that Iran must be prepared for being attacked. (Maariv)
Thirteen years after the baby nursery at Kibbutz Kerem Shalom on the border with the Gaza Strip was closed it has now reopened with five happy babies. The reason, mothers explained to Yedioth, is that quiet has returned to the area around Gaza following last summer’s war – and young families have moved in. “It’s a historic event from our point of view,” said one mother. In 2002, at the height of the Second Intifada, there were no more babies, their parents had moved to safer places.
In 1969, IDF declared area in West Bank near Jordan border was closed military zone. In the 1980s and 1990s, the state allocated some 5,500 dunams (1,250 acres) of the private Palestinian land in that zone to the World Zionist Organization, which gave it to settlers to cultivate. In January 2013, Haaretz revealed that the land had been given to settlers, most of whom use it to grow dates. Thus this fact became known to the heirs of the Palestinian owners, who petitioned the High Court in October 2013. Haaretz+ reported today that the state now claims that the Palestinian heirs to the land did not present required inheritance documents and that the settlers’ long possession of the land “cannot be ignored.” Note, recently some European countries began labeling settler-made products so consumers could avoid buying products such as the dates grown on this stolen land. Settlers' sales went down. According to a report, some Israeli settlers are getting around the settler label by transferring the dates first to Jericho where they are packaged with labels reading: ‘Made in Palestine.’
**In today's Haaretz+, Policy Director for Americans for Peace Now, Lara Friedman, writes that the High Court decision last week upholding the Anti-Boycott law puts products made in Israel and settler products in the same bag, effectively harming the products made in Israel, because the lack of distinction between inside Israel and over the Green Line could lead to a boycott of all Israeli products. This ruling, she writes, is a victory for both settlers and the BDS activists. Friedman argues that the West Bank should have been left out of the anti-boycott legislation. "Making such a distinction demonstrates that supporting Israel need not be synonymous with supporting settlements. It is an approach that is unapologetically both pro-Israel and pro-peace..." Read more here.
Likud and Habayit Hayehudi lawmakers are planning a series of controversial laws that would give the government more control over the High Court, including increasing government's power in choosing High Court justices. Now Likud says it will require all coalition partners to vote in favor of those bills. Moshe Kahlon’s Kulanu party is expected to give its response over the next few days. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with President Reuven Rivlin to ask for a 14-day extension to form the coalition. He received it.
Trucks blocking entry into chemical plants in cancer-stricken Haifa and more features about fallen Israeli soldiers were the top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers along with the cold shoulder Israel gave Russia and Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s sharp words. Yedioth reported on a return of young couples to a Gaza Strip area kibbutz and Haaretz reported on the attempt by Palestinians to get back their farmland, which was given to settlers, and the condition made by Likud to potential coalition partners to vote in favor of bills weakening the High Court.
Russia is furious that Israel downgraded the rank of the representative participating in Russian President Vladimir Putin's World War II event marking the 70 years since the Red Army defeated Nazi Germany. Instead of sending a delegation headed by a minister, as planned, Israel will send its ambassador to Moscow to attend. Israel has chosen to avoid official comment on the matter, but officials in Jerusalem say the move was linked to Russia's decision to lift its ban of missile sales to Iran. (Haaretz+, Maariv and Ynet)
Just ahead of the renewal of Iran nuclear talks, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the concept of Iranian nuclear weapons was a fabrication and the United States was the real source of threat, hardening his rhetoric before nuclear negotiations resume this week. He also said that Iran must be prepared for being attacked. (Maariv)
Thirteen years after the baby nursery at Kibbutz Kerem Shalom on the border with the Gaza Strip was closed it has now reopened with five happy babies. The reason, mothers explained to Yedioth, is that quiet has returned to the area around Gaza following last summer’s war – and young families have moved in. “It’s a historic event from our point of view,” said one mother. In 2002, at the height of the Second Intifada, there were no more babies, their parents had moved to safer places.
In 1969, IDF declared area in West Bank near Jordan border was closed military zone. In the 1980s and 1990s, the state allocated some 5,500 dunams (1,250 acres) of the private Palestinian land in that zone to the World Zionist Organization, which gave it to settlers to cultivate. In January 2013, Haaretz revealed that the land had been given to settlers, most of whom use it to grow dates. Thus this fact became known to the heirs of the Palestinian owners, who petitioned the High Court in October 2013. Haaretz+ reported today that the state now claims that the Palestinian heirs to the land did not present required inheritance documents and that the settlers’ long possession of the land “cannot be ignored.” Note, recently some European countries began labeling settler-made products so consumers could avoid buying products such as the dates grown on this stolen land. Settlers' sales went down. According to a report, some Israeli settlers are getting around the settler label by transferring the dates first to Jericho where they are packaged with labels reading: ‘Made in Palestine.’
**In today's Haaretz+, Policy Director for Americans for Peace Now, Lara Friedman, writes that the High Court decision last week upholding the Anti-Boycott law puts products made in Israel and settler products in the same bag, effectively harming the products made in Israel, because the lack of distinction between inside Israel and over the Green Line could lead to a boycott of all Israeli products. This ruling, she writes, is a victory for both settlers and the BDS activists. Friedman argues that the West Bank should have been left out of the anti-boycott legislation. "Making such a distinction demonstrates that supporting Israel need not be synonymous with supporting settlements. It is an approach that is unapologetically both pro-Israel and pro-peace..." Read more here.
Likud and Habayit Hayehudi lawmakers are planning a series of controversial laws that would give the government more control over the High Court, including increasing government's power in choosing High Court justices. Now Likud says it will require all coalition partners to vote in favor of those bills. Moshe Kahlon’s Kulanu party is expected to give its response over the next few days. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with President Reuven Rivlin to ask for a 14-day extension to form the coalition. He received it.
Quick Hits:
- Settlers steal rich soil from Palestinian lands near Salfit - Israeli bulldozers moved huge piles of the fertile soil from Kafr ad Dik into the illegal Israeli settlement of Lishim. According to researcher Khaled Maali, the red soil was of an extremely high quality. (Maan)
- Israeli forces continue to target Bilin, 2 protesters shot Friday - Ahmad Mohammad Mansour, 17, was shot in the chest with a live bullet. Among those who suffered excessive tear gas inhalation were Palestinian Minister of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Qarage, Minister of Agriculture Walid Assaf, lawmaker Mustafa al-Barghouthi, and Palestinian journalist Linda Shalash. (Maan)
- Bereaved families try to block joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day event - Prompted by the Samaria Settler Council, 107 families signed the letter, which asks Defense Ministr to prevent Palestinian families from getting visas to enter Israel to take part in the event and to amend Memorial Day law. (Haaretz)
- IDF censor calls for probe of 'leaks' to Haaretz on Israel's economic ties with Iran - According to Channel 2 news, chief military censor wrote to the attorney general that articles on the subject harmed Israel's legal battle with Iran; Haaretz: The newspaper acted lawfully and published information that is of interest to the public. (Haaretz)
- Netanyahu trying to block proposed limit on his tenure as Likud chief - Proposal calls for a 60 percent majority to reelect a party chairman who has served three or more terms. (Haaretz+)
- Palestinian ministers make rare visit to Gaza (over employee payment dispute) - Eight Cabinet ministers, all from the West Bank, arrived Sunday are spending the week in Gaza in hopes of winning concessions from Hamas. (Agencies, Haaretz and Maan)
- 2 explosions late Saturday set off in Gaza City center - The first blast took place across from the Sousi building on al-Sanaa Street, while the second explosion was at the entrance of the Khalidi building opposite the Islamic University and next to the Attorney-General's office. No injuries. (Maan)
- Explosive device blows up near cabinet's HQ in Gaza City - The explosion on late Friday was heard near the old home of President Mahmoud Abbas, which was turned into the cabinet's headquarters. No injuries. (Maan)
- Hundreds pray in front of UN office on Prisoner's Day Friday - Protesters demanded the release of the over 6,000 prisoners including men, women, elderly and minors being held by Israeli authorities. (Maan)
- Haniyeh: Hamas will continue armed resistance - "Hamas negotiates with the enemy with arms, not talks," Deputy Head of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh said Thursday during a press conference commemorating Palestinian Prisoner's Day and the death of Hamas co-founder Abd al-Aziz al-Rantisi. (Maan)
- Israeli court brings 12 charges against MP Khalida Jerrar - Charges Sunday included membership of an illegal organization, participation in protests, and incitement to kidnap Israeli soldiers. Addameer prisoners' rights group: Majority of Palestinian political organizations are considered illegal by Israel, including those that make up the PLO, and association with such parties is often used as grounds for imprisonment. (Maan)
- Israel Football Association fights Palestinian call for FIFA ban - After FIFA agrees to discuss Palestinian Football Association's request to suspend Israel from league at May 29 congress, CEO and President of Israeli FA head to Switzerland to prevent move. (Ynet and Haaretz)
- Joint Arab List head meets with Abbas in Ramallah- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas tells Joint Arab List leader Ayman Odeh that his party's MKs will be invited to next Arab League Summit. This marked Odeh's second encounter with Abbas in less than a month. (Israel Hayom)
- Palestinian court dismisses Mohammed Dahlan corruption case - Former Fatah strongman in Gaza accused of misusing funds; Court rules charges inadmissible. (Haaretz and Maan)
- Egyptian jailed for life on Israel spy charges - Salamah Mohamed Suleiman was accused of receiving money and was also given a house in Israel in return for providing his Israeli handlers with information about Egyptian security forces and militants in North Sinai. (Maan)
- Egypt's Morsi faces possible death penalty in first verdict - Experts say Egypt's first freely elected president could face a death penalty for allegedly inciting killing of protesters. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Assad: Syria has 'no relation at all' with Hamas - The Syrian regime no longer has any relationship with former ally Hamas and will never trust the movement again, Syrian President Bashar Assad. (Maan)
- Yarmouk refugee camp fights to save the music - Playing music is increasingly dangerous for Ayyam al-Ahmad, who gives a voice to the embattled Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, as Islamists crack down and burn his instruments. (Ynet+VIDEO)
- Jordan hosts international tournament for anti-terror squads - Annual Warrior Competition is held as Jordan steps up military role in Mideast. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- US Congress bill could protect Israel from boycotts - Proposed legislation seeks to impose counter-measures on countries, organizations, companies or individuals who boycott Israel. (Ynet)
Features:
In photos: Gaza between the wars
Independent photojournalist Violeta Moura covers the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for the Portuguese media. In a series of photos last year, she focused on the people and destruction after the summer war in Gaza. (Violeta Moura, Haaretz)
Help came too late for Jafar Awad in Israeli jail
Suffering from a rare disease while serving time in an Israeli prison, months went by before Awad was hospitalized and given a diagnosis. To no avail. After his funeral, soldiers shot and killed his cousin. (Gideon Levy and Alex Levac, Haaretz+)
Police stumble upon documents from Eichmann trial
Execution order, unpublished photos and memorandums for the high-ranking Nazi were found in police archives, telling the final chapter of Eichmann's story. (Yaron Doron, Ynet)
The Jews who opposed the boycott of Nazi Germany
Calls for sanctions were resisted by German Jews and many in pre-state Israel. Newly uncovered documents reveal the passions and arguments surrounding the controversy. (Nadan Feldman, Haaretz+)
For some Haredim, the IDF serves as gateway to successful career
An estimated 25% of ultra-Orthodox men currently enlist for the Israeli army. But some of those who did say it changed their lives forever. (Haim Bior, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Independent photojournalist Violeta Moura covers the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for the Portuguese media. In a series of photos last year, she focused on the people and destruction after the summer war in Gaza. (Violeta Moura, Haaretz)
Help came too late for Jafar Awad in Israeli jail
Suffering from a rare disease while serving time in an Israeli prison, months went by before Awad was hospitalized and given a diagnosis. To no avail. After his funeral, soldiers shot and killed his cousin. (Gideon Levy and Alex Levac, Haaretz+)
Police stumble upon documents from Eichmann trial
Execution order, unpublished photos and memorandums for the high-ranking Nazi were found in police archives, telling the final chapter of Eichmann's story. (Yaron Doron, Ynet)
The Jews who opposed the boycott of Nazi Germany
Calls for sanctions were resisted by German Jews and many in pre-state Israel. Newly uncovered documents reveal the passions and arguments surrounding the controversy. (Nadan Feldman, Haaretz+)
For some Haredim, the IDF serves as gateway to successful career
An estimated 25% of ultra-Orthodox men currently enlist for the Israeli army. But some of those who did say it changed their lives forever. (Haim Bior, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
A defeat for Israel, a victory for settlers and BDS (Lara Friedman, Haaretz+) By effectively equating Israel proper with the occupied territories, Israel's
High Court has made life harder for pro-Israel, pro-peace activists.
Herzog must keep his word and stay out of Netanyahu's coalition (Haaretz Editorial) Herzog's main goal must be to establish as broad an opposition as possible, which will be based on the principles of democracy, negating racism and the struggle for peace.
Netanyahu's political persuasion (Yuval Karni, Ynet) From the start of the election campaign and even beyond his victory, Netanyahu has had one message - a unity government is not on the agenda. But can this declaration withstand a reality check?
Israel at 67: glorious and frightening, inspiring and exasperating (Rabbi Leon A. Morris, Haaretz+) We need the faith to believe that this could be the best place and the best time in Jewish history to be a Jew.
Remembering the genocides of the 20th century (Raz Segal, Yedioth/Ynet) The commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide and the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II has created an opportunity to cast local and global meanings into the memory of the Holocaust in Israel, beyond the simplistic statement 'never again.'
Battle of the billionaires: Adelson vs. Saban (Avner Hopstein, Haaretz+) When Sheldon Adelson goes to bat against Haim Saban in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, one thing's for sure: It's not good for Israel.
Welcoming: Israel understood which advocacy work in today's world (Aviram Zino, Maariv) Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are the latest on the list of celebrities and opinion leaders who have landed here and the State of Israel is making an effort to present a friendly world. Is this our best PR weapon?
Why Herzog must join the government (Carlo Strenger, Haaretz+) Zionist Union opting to be in the opposition is a luxury we cannot afford. Its presence in the coalition is critical to preserving Israel as a liberal democracy.
Russia-Iran deal: More than just missiles (Zalman Shoval, Israel Hayom) While history does not have to repeat itself, certain aspects tend to, and a quarrel between Russia and the West in the Middle East is one of them.
A nuclear Iran is not the only danger hovering over Israel (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) Iran has been occupying the Israeli military leadership in recent years, but arguably the greater threat lies on the northern border.
Bennett’s Israel: Israel is the big loser from Habayit Hayehudi joining the coalition (Uri Savir, Maariv) The inclusion of Habayit Hayehudi in the coalition puts the country on the path of ideological revolution. The one will suffer from this is democracy.
Israeli left has no reason to despair (Uzi Baram, Haaretz+) Instead of heading for group therapy, those who are disappointed in the election results should note the steady erosion of support for religious and right-wing parties.
It’s time to learn from history, Bibi (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) A response to the prime minister’s accusation that the West has forgotten the lessons of the Holocaust.
Herzog must keep his word and stay out of Netanyahu's coalition (Haaretz Editorial) Herzog's main goal must be to establish as broad an opposition as possible, which will be based on the principles of democracy, negating racism and the struggle for peace.
Netanyahu's political persuasion (Yuval Karni, Ynet) From the start of the election campaign and even beyond his victory, Netanyahu has had one message - a unity government is not on the agenda. But can this declaration withstand a reality check?
Israel at 67: glorious and frightening, inspiring and exasperating (Rabbi Leon A. Morris, Haaretz+) We need the faith to believe that this could be the best place and the best time in Jewish history to be a Jew.
Remembering the genocides of the 20th century (Raz Segal, Yedioth/Ynet) The commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide and the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II has created an opportunity to cast local and global meanings into the memory of the Holocaust in Israel, beyond the simplistic statement 'never again.'
Battle of the billionaires: Adelson vs. Saban (Avner Hopstein, Haaretz+) When Sheldon Adelson goes to bat against Haim Saban in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, one thing's for sure: It's not good for Israel.
Welcoming: Israel understood which advocacy work in today's world (Aviram Zino, Maariv) Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are the latest on the list of celebrities and opinion leaders who have landed here and the State of Israel is making an effort to present a friendly world. Is this our best PR weapon?
Why Herzog must join the government (Carlo Strenger, Haaretz+) Zionist Union opting to be in the opposition is a luxury we cannot afford. Its presence in the coalition is critical to preserving Israel as a liberal democracy.
Russia-Iran deal: More than just missiles (Zalman Shoval, Israel Hayom) While history does not have to repeat itself, certain aspects tend to, and a quarrel between Russia and the West in the Middle East is one of them.
A nuclear Iran is not the only danger hovering over Israel (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) Iran has been occupying the Israeli military leadership in recent years, but arguably the greater threat lies on the northern border.
Bennett’s Israel: Israel is the big loser from Habayit Hayehudi joining the coalition (Uri Savir, Maariv) The inclusion of Habayit Hayehudi in the coalition puts the country on the path of ideological revolution. The one will suffer from this is democracy.
Israeli left has no reason to despair (Uzi Baram, Haaretz+) Instead of heading for group therapy, those who are disappointed in the election results should note the steady erosion of support for religious and right-wing parties.
It’s time to learn from history, Bibi (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) A response to the prime minister’s accusation that the West has forgotten the lessons of the Holocaust.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.