APN's daily news review from Israel
Tuesday May 5, 2015
Quote of the day:
"It's enough to ride the Jerusalem light rail and see that tribal isolation in Israeli society is an
illusion. We actually live entwined together, and if we don't learn how to do that, we will have a much harder
time in this country.
--Moshe Tur-Paz, director of Jerusalem's Education Administration, who participated in creative protest on the Jerusalem light rail against racially-motivated attacks on Arab-speakers in Jerusalem.**
--Moshe Tur-Paz, director of Jerusalem's Education Administration, who participated in creative protest on the Jerusalem light rail against racially-motivated attacks on Arab-speakers in Jerusalem.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Lieberman resigned and decided to go to Opposition; Senior Likud member: A coalition of 61 MKs is impossible
- He’s sick of it // Yossi Verter
- The truth that was revealed in the discussions on the plan for Ethiopian-Israelis
- Costs of Mossad and Shin Bet grew by 12%
- The world powers to Iran: Restrictions to advanced centrifuges
- Former senior person in media arrested in Adv. Ronal Fisher affair
- Despite the law, Meuchedet HMO refused to pay for gender-changing operation
- Expensive submission (to ultra-Orthodox parties) // Haaretz Editorial
- A war for its own sake // David Zonsheine
Yedioth Ahronoth
- “We preferred principles over chairs” – A 61-member government - Lieberman is out, Deri is in: Narrow coalition by a single vote
- The Oren Hazan government // Nahum Barnea
- Was it worth it? // Sima Kadmon
- Courageous choice // Shimon Shiffer
- Lowering the flames – Organizers of the Ethiopian-Israeli protest planning another protest at Rabin Square: “This one won’t be violent”; PM set up commission for integrating Ethiopians in society
- Ronal Fisher affair: Well-known businessman arrested
- Kahlon guide: This is how the housing reforms of the appointed Finance Minister will affect you
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- (Lieberman) Going to the opposition
- Dismantling and assembling // Ben Caspit
- A sly prank // Ran Adelist
- Don’t eulogize // Karni Eldad
- Netanyahu: “Our obligation to fight racism” – PM made remarks after meeting with Ethiopian soldier who was beaten by police
- “I needed to get away from Israel after years of discrimination” – Former MK Adiso Masala, who left Israel and returned to Ethiopia, in a special interview
Israel Hayom
- Likud signed with Shas – and is furious with Lieberman
- Pressure on Bennett: “He received an enormous package deal; he needs to fulfill his commitment to voters – and sign”
- Noni Moses is satisfied with Lieberman // Dror Eydar
- The man who harmed the right-wing camp // Mati Tuchfeld
- Story of anger, hatred and ego // Dan Margalit
- The Ethiopian-Israelis’ protest: Attempts to calm the winds
- Ronal Fisher affair: Businessman who was in media industry in past detained for questioning
- Tomorrow is Lag B’Omer: Rescue and security services are preparing for Hilula at Mt. Meron
News Summary:
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s coalition government narrows after Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman refuses to join and resigns as Foreign Minister and Netanyahu attempts to calm the angry Ethiopian Israeli winds making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Meanwhile, Maariv’s Arik Bender writes about thought-provoking words by two Arab MKs, one of which led to a surprise connection with a former Shin Bet chief and many blessings from other MKs. And, three Hebrew newspapers fail to properly report the shooting of a Palestinian man in E. Jerusalem, who pricked a policeman with a belt buckle. Lastly, the release yesterday of chilling testimonies by IDF officers and soldiers about their actions in Operation Protective Edge barely made any waves in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
Lieberman said his party, Yisrael Beiteinu, won't join the Netanyahu government because it has given up right-wing values for opportunism. Netanyahu has promised billions of shekels to initiatives by an ultra-Orthodox party and by Moshe Kahlon’s Kulanu party in order to form this right-wing coalition, which could amount to NIS 8-9 billion a year.
More importantly, without Yisrael Beiteinu, Netanyahu will have a very narrow coalition of 61 out of 120 seats, which former ministers and a Likud official say will create an impossible situation, in which any coalition member could make demands and threaten to dissolve the government. Lieberman told Haaretz that he also believes a 61 MKs majority won't last long. The Mizrachi ultra-Orthodox Shas party also joined the government yesterday. It urged Opposition leader of the Zionist Camp, Isaac Herzog, to join a unity government.
Ethiopian Israelis plan to protest again racism and police-brutality today “without violence,” while Netanyahu tried to calm the community by meeting with an Ethiopian-Israeli soldier whose beating by police sparked violent demonstrations. Netanyahu said that Israel will fight racism [however, he did not mention the racism against Arab citizens. - OH] President Reuven Rivlin told Ethiopian Israelis: We've failed to listen to you.
[What was interesting to note was how differently the outraged protests of racism and discrimination and police brutality against the Ethiopian community were treated compared to the outraged protests of the Arab Israelis in the October 2000 riots. There, too, a highway was blocked and stones and bottles were thrown. But police used snipers and live fire and killed 13 Arab demonstrators. An investigative commission was established, but there was no apologetic chest-beating by Israel’s leaders. – OH]
Arab MK Ahmed Tibi responded to the violent clashes that took place at the Ethiopian protest writing, “The dream of every Arab protester today is to briefly be an Ethiopian. They block the Ayalon Highway, throw stones and they remain alive. There are no snipers, no killings and that is a good thing.” Tibi added: "I am of course against the police violence against the Ethiopians, but I am first against the daily deadly violence against Arabs. However, a violent policeman who is not prosecuted for using violence against an Arab protester, will in the end be violent against everyone. Stop the racism.” His words were only reported in Maariv.
Not unrelated, Joint List Chairman, Ayman Oudeh, was one of 12 new MKs who addressed the Knesset for the first time at its first session yesterday. There, writes Maariv’s Knesset reporter, Arik Bender, Oudeh came full circle with former Shin Bet chief, Yaakov Perry. In his speech, he told how in his youth he was moved by the popular struggle of the Palestinian people, as part of the First Intifada, and he led demonstrations of solidarity in Haifa. At age 15, he received a summons for questioning by the Shin Bet. "At first, I did not understand the meaning of this, I thought I had won and I was filled with pride and dignity. Gradually, I learned of the disaster: interrogation following interrogation. I began suspecting everyone and disconnected myself from my friends and I remained alone. Were it not for my parents, Fatma and Adel, sitting here today, I'm not sure I would have lasted….The person who was then head of the Shin Bet is today my colleague here," said Oudeh, turning to MK Yaakov Perry (Yesh Atid party). "I turn to you with my head held high, as a person who did not forget, not even for a day, the young boy from Haifa full of passion and hope, whose life was almost destroyed because of the Shin Bet. Despite the past, I appeal to you and expect from you to be a courageous partner in promoting equality and democracy for all citizens.” At the end of the speech, the former security chief walked over to MK Oudeh and warmly shook his hand. In his address, Oudeh also said in his address: "Members of the Knesset, among my family members sitting here is also my son, Asil. On Wednesday he will be four years old. Asil is named after his uncle Asil Asala, the brother of my wife, who was shot to death in the village of Arraba on the 17th of October, 2000, when he was looking for cover in an olive grove and was no threat to anyone. The person responsible was not charged and justice has not been done. We will pursue justice and will make sure that it is done and be seen. When my son was born, he was born exactly on the day his uncle was born. We saw it as a sign. We decided to call him Asil as a symbol of our choice of life. After all, whatever, our sons and our grandchildren will continue to live together in this country, Arabs and Jews. We have no choice but to choose life. Let us choose life,” said Oudeh finishing his impressive speech. [Words of reporter, Arik Bender.] When he came down from the dais he was approached by many Knesset members who congratulated him. The Chairman of Yesh Atid, Yair Lapid, warmly embraced him. (Meretz leader) Zahava Gal-On kissed his cheek. Also (Likud) MK Benny Begin approached him and shook his hand gallantly. Afterward, MK Israel Eichler (United Torah Judaism), went to the podium and praised Oudeh for his speech and congratulated him in Arabic.
Only Haaretz got the full details of what was at first called a terrorist attack in Jerusalem. Hatem Saleh, 35, from E. Jerusalem pricked a Jerusalem light rail guard using the belt buckle he was wearing. The guard was not injured, but he wasn’t sure whether he had been punched or hit with a weapon, so he called for assistance and another guard shot Saleh in both legs. Saleh’s lawyer said he was angry at the security guards at the station after he was beaten by them the day before. Yedioth, Maariv, Israel Hayom all erroneously reported that “Security guards foil stabbing attack at Jerusalem light rail stop” and called Hatem ‘a terrorist.’ Haaretz simply wrote, ‘E. Jerusalem man shot after guard mistakes belt buckle for knife’. Ynet wrote: 'Security guards at Jerusalem light rail station shoot suspected Palestinian attacker.' Guards said he shouted 'Allahu akbar' and that he was trying to get something out of his pocket, which they suspected [i.e. feared – OH] was a knife, before they opened fire. But Daniel, a student at the nearby yeshiva, told Ynet that he did not see a knife during the incident. And, indeed, it was reported that he had no weapon. Haaretz reported that Hatem admitted “he wanted to hurt Jews,” but they did not report the source or clarify if he meant the light rail guards. Maariv reported he was shot in both legs below the knees.
The damning report released by Breaking the Silence yesterday about Israeli soldiers’ killings of Gazan civilians failed to make waves in Maariv and Israel Hayom, neither of which reported on it. Based on 60 first-hand testimonies, the report concluded that Israel inflicted "massive and unprecedented harm" on Palestinian civilians in the 2014 Gaza war with indiscriminate fire and lax rules of engagement. Former Israeli chief of staff Benny Gantz said yesterday that while civilians have paid a price for the fighting in Gaza and in Lebanon, they should expect worse: "But the next round of violence will be worse and see this suffering increase, because while Israel has to constantly face moral dilemmas, it also has so defend itself," he said. Gantz gave a lecture hosted by the right-wing Shurat Hadin-Israel law center, Israel Hayom reported, referring to it as a ‘civil rights organization.' And, Ynet referred to 'Breaking the SIlence' as an advocacy organization, not a human rights organization.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s coalition government narrows after Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman refuses to join and resigns as Foreign Minister and Netanyahu attempts to calm the angry Ethiopian Israeli winds making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Meanwhile, Maariv’s Arik Bender writes about thought-provoking words by two Arab MKs, one of which led to a surprise connection with a former Shin Bet chief and many blessings from other MKs. And, three Hebrew newspapers fail to properly report the shooting of a Palestinian man in E. Jerusalem, who pricked a policeman with a belt buckle. Lastly, the release yesterday of chilling testimonies by IDF officers and soldiers about their actions in Operation Protective Edge barely made any waves in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
Lieberman said his party, Yisrael Beiteinu, won't join the Netanyahu government because it has given up right-wing values for opportunism. Netanyahu has promised billions of shekels to initiatives by an ultra-Orthodox party and by Moshe Kahlon’s Kulanu party in order to form this right-wing coalition, which could amount to NIS 8-9 billion a year.
More importantly, without Yisrael Beiteinu, Netanyahu will have a very narrow coalition of 61 out of 120 seats, which former ministers and a Likud official say will create an impossible situation, in which any coalition member could make demands and threaten to dissolve the government. Lieberman told Haaretz that he also believes a 61 MKs majority won't last long. The Mizrachi ultra-Orthodox Shas party also joined the government yesterday. It urged Opposition leader of the Zionist Camp, Isaac Herzog, to join a unity government.
Ethiopian Israelis plan to protest again racism and police-brutality today “without violence,” while Netanyahu tried to calm the community by meeting with an Ethiopian-Israeli soldier whose beating by police sparked violent demonstrations. Netanyahu said that Israel will fight racism [however, he did not mention the racism against Arab citizens. - OH] President Reuven Rivlin told Ethiopian Israelis: We've failed to listen to you.
[What was interesting to note was how differently the outraged protests of racism and discrimination and police brutality against the Ethiopian community were treated compared to the outraged protests of the Arab Israelis in the October 2000 riots. There, too, a highway was blocked and stones and bottles were thrown. But police used snipers and live fire and killed 13 Arab demonstrators. An investigative commission was established, but there was no apologetic chest-beating by Israel’s leaders. – OH]
Arab MK Ahmed Tibi responded to the violent clashes that took place at the Ethiopian protest writing, “The dream of every Arab protester today is to briefly be an Ethiopian. They block the Ayalon Highway, throw stones and they remain alive. There are no snipers, no killings and that is a good thing.” Tibi added: "I am of course against the police violence against the Ethiopians, but I am first against the daily deadly violence against Arabs. However, a violent policeman who is not prosecuted for using violence against an Arab protester, will in the end be violent against everyone. Stop the racism.” His words were only reported in Maariv.
Not unrelated, Joint List Chairman, Ayman Oudeh, was one of 12 new MKs who addressed the Knesset for the first time at its first session yesterday. There, writes Maariv’s Knesset reporter, Arik Bender, Oudeh came full circle with former Shin Bet chief, Yaakov Perry. In his speech, he told how in his youth he was moved by the popular struggle of the Palestinian people, as part of the First Intifada, and he led demonstrations of solidarity in Haifa. At age 15, he received a summons for questioning by the Shin Bet. "At first, I did not understand the meaning of this, I thought I had won and I was filled with pride and dignity. Gradually, I learned of the disaster: interrogation following interrogation. I began suspecting everyone and disconnected myself from my friends and I remained alone. Were it not for my parents, Fatma and Adel, sitting here today, I'm not sure I would have lasted….The person who was then head of the Shin Bet is today my colleague here," said Oudeh, turning to MK Yaakov Perry (Yesh Atid party). "I turn to you with my head held high, as a person who did not forget, not even for a day, the young boy from Haifa full of passion and hope, whose life was almost destroyed because of the Shin Bet. Despite the past, I appeal to you and expect from you to be a courageous partner in promoting equality and democracy for all citizens.” At the end of the speech, the former security chief walked over to MK Oudeh and warmly shook his hand. In his address, Oudeh also said in his address: "Members of the Knesset, among my family members sitting here is also my son, Asil. On Wednesday he will be four years old. Asil is named after his uncle Asil Asala, the brother of my wife, who was shot to death in the village of Arraba on the 17th of October, 2000, when he was looking for cover in an olive grove and was no threat to anyone. The person responsible was not charged and justice has not been done. We will pursue justice and will make sure that it is done and be seen. When my son was born, he was born exactly on the day his uncle was born. We saw it as a sign. We decided to call him Asil as a symbol of our choice of life. After all, whatever, our sons and our grandchildren will continue to live together in this country, Arabs and Jews. We have no choice but to choose life. Let us choose life,” said Oudeh finishing his impressive speech. [Words of reporter, Arik Bender.] When he came down from the dais he was approached by many Knesset members who congratulated him. The Chairman of Yesh Atid, Yair Lapid, warmly embraced him. (Meretz leader) Zahava Gal-On kissed his cheek. Also (Likud) MK Benny Begin approached him and shook his hand gallantly. Afterward, MK Israel Eichler (United Torah Judaism), went to the podium and praised Oudeh for his speech and congratulated him in Arabic.
Only Haaretz got the full details of what was at first called a terrorist attack in Jerusalem. Hatem Saleh, 35, from E. Jerusalem pricked a Jerusalem light rail guard using the belt buckle he was wearing. The guard was not injured, but he wasn’t sure whether he had been punched or hit with a weapon, so he called for assistance and another guard shot Saleh in both legs. Saleh’s lawyer said he was angry at the security guards at the station after he was beaten by them the day before. Yedioth, Maariv, Israel Hayom all erroneously reported that “Security guards foil stabbing attack at Jerusalem light rail stop” and called Hatem ‘a terrorist.’ Haaretz simply wrote, ‘E. Jerusalem man shot after guard mistakes belt buckle for knife’. Ynet wrote: 'Security guards at Jerusalem light rail station shoot suspected Palestinian attacker.' Guards said he shouted 'Allahu akbar' and that he was trying to get something out of his pocket, which they suspected [i.e. feared – OH] was a knife, before they opened fire. But Daniel, a student at the nearby yeshiva, told Ynet that he did not see a knife during the incident. And, indeed, it was reported that he had no weapon. Haaretz reported that Hatem admitted “he wanted to hurt Jews,” but they did not report the source or clarify if he meant the light rail guards. Maariv reported he was shot in both legs below the knees.
The damning report released by Breaking the Silence yesterday about Israeli soldiers’ killings of Gazan civilians failed to make waves in Maariv and Israel Hayom, neither of which reported on it. Based on 60 first-hand testimonies, the report concluded that Israel inflicted "massive and unprecedented harm" on Palestinian civilians in the 2014 Gaza war with indiscriminate fire and lax rules of engagement. Former Israeli chief of staff Benny Gantz said yesterday that while civilians have paid a price for the fighting in Gaza and in Lebanon, they should expect worse: "But the next round of violence will be worse and see this suffering increase, because while Israel has to constantly face moral dilemmas, it also has so defend itself," he said. Gantz gave a lecture hosted by the right-wing Shurat Hadin-Israel law center, Israel Hayom reported, referring to it as a ‘civil rights organization.' And, Ynet referred to 'Breaking the SIlence' as an advocacy organization, not a human rights organization.
Quick Hits:
- Probe into Palestinian teen's death deeply flawed, documents show - Milad Ayyash, 17 of Silwan, in E. Jerusalem, was killed by a single bullet during Nakba demonstrations in May 2011. Investigators failed to see security camera footage of East Jerusalem incident before it disappeared, and none of the policemen at the scene was questioned under caution. (Haaretz+)
- Jordan Bar Association on way to suing Israel for the killing of Judge Raed Zeitar - Contrary to the Israeli claim that the judge tried to attack an Israeli soldier and was therefore shot dead and, the Bar Association demands justice from the International Criminal Court of Justice: "Resisting Israel's arrogance is a collective Arab responsibility." (Maariv)
- **Students on train protest hate crimes by speaking only Arabic - High schoolers riding Jerusalem's light rail speak only Arabic to focus attention on incidents in which people were attacked because of the language they spoke. (Ynet)
- Israeli closure turns East Jerusalem neighborhood into 'prison' - Israeli forces have sealed the main entrance to the East Jerusalem neighborhood of al-Zaayyem "locking up more than 6,000 Palestinians in a large prison," for 10 days, local residents say. (Maan)
- Israeli court approves demolition of Hebron-area village - Israel’s High Court approved Israeli civil administration request to demolish tents and homes of Khirbet Susiya village, leaving 450 people homeless. Head of village local council: "Israeli occupation wants to displace us from our land to build a park for settlers." (Maan)
- Yachimovich calls to end Herzog-Livni union - Zionist Union MK and former Labor chairwoman says continuing joint leadership will leave opposition powerless. (Ynet)
- Feiglin establishing new (right-wing) party for next Knesset election - Noted for his [far - OH] right-wing views, former Likud MK says he should have quit Likud and launched his new Israeli-Jewish Identitity Movement a year ago. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli reserve soldier seriously wounded as APC overturns during training - Three other soldiers lightly hurt; this is the second such incident in 24 hours. (Haaretz)
- Private hospitals on verge of collapse as PA fails to cover costs - A number of private hospitals in the West Bank are on the verge of collapse following the failure of the Palestinian Authority to transfer more than $20 million that was promised two weeks ago. (Maan)
- Hamas security HQ in Gaza bombed after threat - A bomb blast targeted Hamas's security headquarters in Gaza City on Monday, witnesses said, after a radical anti-Hamas Islamist group, Supporters of the Islamic State in Jerusalem, issued a threatening message calling for the release of their prisoners within 72 hours. (Maan)
- Two UN peacekeepers wounded as errant mortar fire from Syria hits Golan - The shells hit a UNDOF base and a grove in Ein Zivan, an Israeli kibbutz. (Haaretz)
- Charged with murder for stealing potato from a stall at Petah Tikva market - Tomer Pariente accused of taking revenge against Ahmed Kiwan after the latter stole a few potatoes from Pariente’s stall and urinated next to it. (Maariv)
- India pushes support for Palestine - India's support for the Palestinian cause was emphasized by Indian officials in the first round of Foreign Office Consultations between India and Palestine that were held in Ramallah Monday. (Maan)
- Lauryn Hill cancels Israel concert, citing inablity to perform in Ramallah as well - American R&B and hip hop singer says she didn't want her presence to be misconstrued, alienate her Palestinian fans; Hill's planned performance was target of BDS campaign. (Haaretz and Ynet)
- Student councils of 5 South African universities join BDS campaign - Campus leaders say they will be auditing universities' investment funds and service providers to keep out companies 'complicit in the Israeli Occupation.' (Haaretz)
- Anti-Semitic incidents in Czech Republic skyrocketed in 2014 - 46 incidents were registered across the country last year, compared to 13 incidents in 2013. (JTA, Haaretz)
- FIFA member federations to consider suspending Israel - Agenda for upcoming meeting includes a recent Palestinian call for Israel's expulsion from the world soccer's governing body. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- World powers look for rigid restrictions on Iran’s centrifuge development in talks - Senior German official tells Haaretz that ‘R&D is a big deal,’ so that breakout time for bomb isn’t too quick. (Haaretz+)
- Sex and sharia: Islamic erotica is fine - if it's sold virtually - Despite progressive Muslims' efforts to break sexual taboos in the Arab world, so-called halal sex shops exist only in cyberspace. (Haaretz+)
- ISIS' sex slave market: How Islamic State is wiping out Iraq's Yazidi minority - Yazidi women raped by Islamic State in recent months do not always live to tell the tale. Some who do are sold as bargaining chips; others commit suicide. (Haaretz+)
- Egypt jails 14 policemen, doctor for torture deaths - Sunday's verdict, which is final and cannot be appealed, comes after two policemen were referred to trial in February on charges of torturing and beating to death a lawyer jailed after a pro-Islamist protest. (Agencies, Maan)
- Middle East updates / Syrian army general said killed in Damascus bombing - Anti-Houthi fighters claim control of Yemen airport; suicide bomber detonates in heart of Damascus, Syrian army says, denying general's death. (Haaretz)
Features:
Poem of the Week / Who's who? Who's an Arab, who's a Jew?
Well-taught by the state, a child takes fright (by the sight of an Arab) and his questions throws Adi Keissar off balance. (Vivien Eden, Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
Well-taught by the state, a child takes fright (by the sight of an Arab) and his questions throws Adi Keissar off balance. (Vivien Eden, Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
IDF must investigate testimonies about Gaza war - even it comes from leftist NGO (Amos
Harel, Haaretz+) The NGO’s anti-occupation agenda does not negate its soldiers’ testimony about
Operation Protective Edge.
Idle allegations won't break IDF's spirit (Zvika Fogel, Israel Hayom) Those who disagree with Israel's leaders have no right to make outrageous accusations against those who are willing to lay down their lives to defend us.
IDF’s rules of engagement in Gaza must be investigated (Aeyal Gross, Haaretz+) Breaking the Silence’s damning report into Israeli soldiers’ actions during Operation Protective Edge will attract the attention of the ICC if Israel fails to launch a genuine probe.
Time to shame Europe (Itai Reuveni, Israel Hayom) European countries donate millions to Israeli organizations involved in delegitimizing Israel. How would Europe react if we did the same to them?
Beyond Baltimore: The ugly truth about racism and police brutality in Israel (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+) Israel is perhaps no better and no worse when it comes to racism than America. But here it's even easier for people in power to justify their behavior.
Don't roll back Zionism's finest moments (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) Yes, Israel has had its shortcomings on race matters, but the Ethiopian aliyah should be celebrated.
Lieberman resigned because he became irrelevant - but his toxic legacy will live on (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz) He may have been the most intelligent and ruthless player in a cast of would-be heirs to Netanyahu, but the rule remains: Bibi is not going to anoint a successor.
Lieberman should be saluted (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) In an unprecedented political move, the Yisrael Beytenu chairman said no to extortion and no to crushing democracy. Meanwhile, the spineless MKs of Likud and Kulanu are keeping quiet about Netanyahu's clearance sale.
Lieberman's victory over Bibi: Politics get personal (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) With the benefit of hindsight, it seems likely that Yisrael Beitanu's leader had planned from the start not to join the coalition, but cunningly preferred to wait until the 11th hour.
The IDF as an example of racial equality (Yossi Yehoshua, Yedioth/Ynet) The army is almost the only place in Israel where one sees members of the Ethiopian community fulfilling all roles and positions.
Israel's long history of racism: What exactly are Ethiopian Israelis protesting? (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+) Ever since they began immigrating in 1984, Ethiopian Jews feel they have been discriminated against because of the color of their skin.
Police discrimination calls for serious self-examination (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) When it comes to police violence against Ethiopians in recent years, there appear to be more violent provocateurs among the police than among the protestors.
From Rabin Square to Baltimore, outrage puts bias and prejudice in harsh mirror (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) Israelis view themselves as persecuted victims, blinding them to their own discrimination against underprivileged minorities.
Obama riddle: why didn’t the President act throughout his term against Iran? (Amos Gilboa, Maariv) The five main questions regarding the US administration’s relations with Tehran from 2009 until today all lead to one gloomy conclusion about the real map of interests of the US president: The Obama administration has made it a strategic objective to make Iran, the rising power in the region, the main factor that will lead to stability in the Middle East and will enable the United States to deal with its primary area of interests with China. There are a basketful of meanings and implications, but the first and most prominent: the stampede toward a nuclear deal with Iran, which, in my opinion, is the main tool of Obama's strategy to turn Iran into an ally.
The boundaries of Ed Miliband’s loyalty to the Jews (Toby Greene and Yossi Shain, Haaretz+) British Jews are plagued by a troubling question this election. Is the Labour leader Jewish enough? Does he have loyalty to the tribe?
Stop Netanyahu's multi-dimensional madness (Sefi Rachlevsky, Haaretz+) Netanyahu’s continued rule is turning a country of people who fled racism into the country of a leader with his own media, legal system and police.
Hillary Clinton's presidential bid and the politics of crime (Peter Beinart, Haaretz) The presidential hopeful is denouncing the 'tough-on-crime' stances that helped her husband win the White House.
Fear and desperation in Rabin Square (Ethiopian reporter, Danny Adeno Abebe, Yedioth/Ynet) The demonstrations in Tel Aviv caused traffic jams and inconvenience, but there was little sign of the violence to come.
Chalking police brutality up to a 'bad apple' brings Israel closer to Baltimore (Don Futterman, Haaretz+) Using this excuse allows us to avoid important questions: How racist are the police? Do officers act violently against Ethiopians because they believe they can do so with impunity?
Idle allegations won't break IDF's spirit (Zvika Fogel, Israel Hayom) Those who disagree with Israel's leaders have no right to make outrageous accusations against those who are willing to lay down their lives to defend us.
IDF’s rules of engagement in Gaza must be investigated (Aeyal Gross, Haaretz+) Breaking the Silence’s damning report into Israeli soldiers’ actions during Operation Protective Edge will attract the attention of the ICC if Israel fails to launch a genuine probe.
Time to shame Europe (Itai Reuveni, Israel Hayom) European countries donate millions to Israeli organizations involved in delegitimizing Israel. How would Europe react if we did the same to them?
Beyond Baltimore: The ugly truth about racism and police brutality in Israel (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+) Israel is perhaps no better and no worse when it comes to racism than America. But here it's even easier for people in power to justify their behavior.
Don't roll back Zionism's finest moments (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) Yes, Israel has had its shortcomings on race matters, but the Ethiopian aliyah should be celebrated.
Lieberman resigned because he became irrelevant - but his toxic legacy will live on (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz) He may have been the most intelligent and ruthless player in a cast of would-be heirs to Netanyahu, but the rule remains: Bibi is not going to anoint a successor.
Lieberman should be saluted (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) In an unprecedented political move, the Yisrael Beytenu chairman said no to extortion and no to crushing democracy. Meanwhile, the spineless MKs of Likud and Kulanu are keeping quiet about Netanyahu's clearance sale.
Lieberman's victory over Bibi: Politics get personal (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) With the benefit of hindsight, it seems likely that Yisrael Beitanu's leader had planned from the start not to join the coalition, but cunningly preferred to wait until the 11th hour.
The IDF as an example of racial equality (Yossi Yehoshua, Yedioth/Ynet) The army is almost the only place in Israel where one sees members of the Ethiopian community fulfilling all roles and positions.
Israel's long history of racism: What exactly are Ethiopian Israelis protesting? (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+) Ever since they began immigrating in 1984, Ethiopian Jews feel they have been discriminated against because of the color of their skin.
Police discrimination calls for serious self-examination (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) When it comes to police violence against Ethiopians in recent years, there appear to be more violent provocateurs among the police than among the protestors.
From Rabin Square to Baltimore, outrage puts bias and prejudice in harsh mirror (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) Israelis view themselves as persecuted victims, blinding them to their own discrimination against underprivileged minorities.
Obama riddle: why didn’t the President act throughout his term against Iran? (Amos Gilboa, Maariv) The five main questions regarding the US administration’s relations with Tehran from 2009 until today all lead to one gloomy conclusion about the real map of interests of the US president: The Obama administration has made it a strategic objective to make Iran, the rising power in the region, the main factor that will lead to stability in the Middle East and will enable the United States to deal with its primary area of interests with China. There are a basketful of meanings and implications, but the first and most prominent: the stampede toward a nuclear deal with Iran, which, in my opinion, is the main tool of Obama's strategy to turn Iran into an ally.
The boundaries of Ed Miliband’s loyalty to the Jews (Toby Greene and Yossi Shain, Haaretz+) British Jews are plagued by a troubling question this election. Is the Labour leader Jewish enough? Does he have loyalty to the tribe?
Stop Netanyahu's multi-dimensional madness (Sefi Rachlevsky, Haaretz+) Netanyahu’s continued rule is turning a country of people who fled racism into the country of a leader with his own media, legal system and police.
Hillary Clinton's presidential bid and the politics of crime (Peter Beinart, Haaretz) The presidential hopeful is denouncing the 'tough-on-crime' stances that helped her husband win the White House.
Fear and desperation in Rabin Square (Ethiopian reporter, Danny Adeno Abebe, Yedioth/Ynet) The demonstrations in Tel Aviv caused traffic jams and inconvenience, but there was little sign of the violence to come.
Chalking police brutality up to a 'bad apple' brings Israel closer to Baltimore (Don Futterman, Haaretz+) Using this excuse allows us to avoid important questions: How racist are the police? Do officers act violently against Ethiopians because they believe they can do so with impunity?
Interviews:
Ayman Odeh wants to be Israel’s Martin Luther King
Top Arab politician insists on pursuing a civil rights agenda for his country, even as he agonizes over bitterly conflicting nationalist narratives. (Interviewed by Haviv Rettig Gur in Times of Israel)
Top Arab politician insists on pursuing a civil rights agenda for his country, even as he agonizes over bitterly conflicting nationalist narratives. (Interviewed by Haviv Rettig Gur in Times of Israel)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.