APN's daily news review from Israel
Tuesday May 12, 2015
Quote of the day:
"The time has come for zero tolerance for 'death to Arabs' chants, a slogan that has flown under the
radar. Zero tolerance, including detainment, arrest and indictment."
--High Court Justice Isaac Amit said during petition hearing to prevent the ‘Jerusalem Day’ parade from marching through the Old City’s Muslim Quarter.**
--High Court Justice Isaac Amit said during petition hearing to prevent the ‘Jerusalem Day’ parade from marching through the Old City’s Muslim Quarter.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Knesset passed unlimited increase in number of ministers
- State lands to be marked for cheap and ultra-Orthodox community to receive preference
- Anniversary to diplomatic relations, Germany’s love for Israel is not blind // Ofer Aderet
- [Main photo: German and Israeli Presidents review the honor guard during a ceremony in Berlin]
- Israel to acquire four ships from Germany to protect gas rigs
- Police Internal Investigations Unit believes: (Former Tel-Aviv District prosector) Ruth David will stand trial
- Saudi Arabia’s hardline regarding Iran: The king cancelled his visit to Washington // Zvi Bar’el
- Associated Press crew accompanied Hezbollah fighters who lead Assad’s front in important battles against Jabahat Al-Nusra
- English matriculation exam questionnaire leaked two hours before the exam
- Battle began over Jerusalem’s large green space
- Life behind the lens of Bedouin women
Yedioth Ahronoth
- 61:59 – By a single vote, Knesset passed expanding the government
- “Daddy, take care of yourself,” texted the worried daughter to her father, a police volunteer who stopped to help at a car accident and was runover
- Gadna presents: Parents day – 160 Ethiopian-Israeli mothers and fathers were invited to wear military uniform and do training to teach them about the military service of their children
- Party-crossing romance: The advisors of Netanyahu and Lapid got married
- 50 year anniversary to Germany-Israel relations – special joint supplement with German ‘Bild’ newspaper; President Rivlin: “From the dust of the past grew a wonderful cooperation”; German President: “Relations between us are closer than ever”
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Government on standby
- Leak test – For second time in a week a matriculation exam was leaked to the Internet, this time in English (last time in Arabic)
- Police Superintendent Malka (suspected of taking bribes): I won’t become a state witness in the Ronal Fisher affair. I will take responsibility for my actions and pay the price
- Four killed in car accidents
- Movie and theater actor Gideon Zinger passed away at age 89
Israel Hayom
- Likud: Opposition to expansion of government – “hypocritical” – Expansion passed in first reading 61:59; Government to be sworn in by Monday
- Do you want things to be like in England? You lost – you resign // Haim Shine
- The scandal: How was the matriculation exam leaked?
- On Thursday: Police Internal Investigations Unit expected to submit indictments against Adv. Ronal Fisher and Police Superintendent Malka
- 50 years of relations – Germany-Israel
- Obama bet on Iran – and was humiliated by Saudia Arabia // Boaz Bismuth
- Fear of wave of dismissals in south: Dimona municipality considering striking
- Cook the magician is no longer: Actor Gideon Zinger died at age 88
News Summary:
In the Knesset, the government narrowly succeeds in passing the first reading of its bill to expand itself, in Berlin, Israel and Germany mark 50 years to their ‘special relationship,’ and in the US, the canceling of a meeting with the US President by the Saudi King is perceived as a rejection of the Iran deal. Also, the outgoing IDF commander of the Southern Command shared some interesting insights about Hamas. Meanwhile, News Nosh looks at the connections between some of today’s reports and compares between coverage and reactions to police brutality towards Ethiopians and Palestinians.
The swearing-in of the new government is on standby until the bill to expand the number of ministers passes. The first reading of the bill passed yesterday by the coalition’s narrow single vote majority 61:59 and now the opposition is expected to make a filibuster by submitting thousands of objections before the vote on Wednesday evening. Only after that, on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will tell the senior Likud members which ministerial and other posts he is handing them. Maariv writes that Zionist Union chairman Isaac Herzog and Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid are battling over leading the opposition in the media. Lapid has made more headlines in recent days. That may have pushed Herzog to use some of his strongest language yet against Netanyahu's impending government. Herzog said that Netanyahu had failed to form a stable government and that if he, Herzog, could not form an alternative one, the country might be better off holding new elections.
On the first day of his official state visit to Germany marking 50 years of diplomatic ties, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said that “relations with Germany were not compensation for the Holocaust,” but rather “good relations were built on a foundation of shared values and deep faith in human dignity and freedom.” He also warned of the re-emergence of “rampant anti-Semitism.” And in a sign of Germany’s friendship to Israel, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced a major deal in which Israel will purchase four patrol ships from Germany to defend gas rigs and Germany will finance a third of the 1.8 billion shekel cost. Moreover, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said Israel received 4 Patriot batteries from Germany.
Only Yedioth’s Matan Tzuri was at the meeting with regional council heads to share what outgoing Commander of the GOC southern command Major General Sami Turgeman “really thinks about the Gaza conflict before stepping down from his position.” Turgeman said Israel could not defeat Hamas in a month nor was there a replacement for Hamas to lead Gaza, if Israel tried to destroy it. Turgeman noted that "the only replacement for Hamas is the IDF and authoritarian chaos. Other than Hamas there is no other axis that could control, (while) the (Palestinian) Authority cannot rule and this should be taken as an indisputable statement.” Turgeman had other interesting insights: "We have no goal that we want to achieve there. The only goals are prevention, to prevent chaos and a humanitarian crisis. Therefore, it's not possible to take actions that are against the strategy and this is the state's position,” he said. About Hamas returning to building its military force, he responded: “I don't know any military that doesn't start building its force after a war. We did that, too."
**"With a heavy heart" the High Court rejected the petition by the Israeli NGO Ir Amim to prevent right-wingers from marching through the Old City’s Muslim Quarter on Jerusalem Day, the day they celebrate the ‘unification’ of the city. In recent years, as the country has become more right-wing and intolerant, the march has turned into a violent racist anti-Arab affair. But in what can be perceived as a warning to the right-wing marchers and a signal to the police, the justices said that anyone who shouts racist anti-Arab slogans should be jailed. I
nterestingly, Judy Maltz has a feature in today’s Haaretz’s that focuses on all the anti-Arab statements new Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked said on the record, none of which prompted an investigation into incitement. Shaked's most controversial statement, which she wrote on Facebook on the day last June that the three kidnapped and murdered Jewish teens were found, was widely interpreted as a call by Shaked to murder innocent Palestinians. She called Palestinian children “little snakes” and argued that it was justified to bomb civilians when they give shelter to “evil.” The following night, three Israelis drove to E. Jerusalem and kidnapped and burned to death 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir. (Shaked’s appointment as Minister of Justice last week sparked an outcry and yesterday she was given a Knesset bodyguard following Facebook and phone call threats and a photoshopped image of her in an SS uniform that says that she opposed peace and supported Palestinian genocide.) Mohammed Abu Khdeir’s horrific death sparked violent riots in E. Jerusalem, during which many locals were injured and some were even killed by Israeli police. One boy, Tariq, a visiting cousin of Abu Khdeir from Florida, was brutally pummeled unconscious by two Border Police officers while he was facedown on the ground. After a video of the beating drew international condemnation and US involvement, because Tariq is a US citizen, the Israeli Justice Ministry investigated and the two policemen were suspended. In September, one of the officers was indicted. although the status of the charges remains unclear. Now, reports Haaretz, quoting CNN, Tariq had a meeting at the White House ahead of his plans to return this summer to East Jerusalem for a wedding. CNN’s Jake Tapper quoted US officials who said that Israel takes a nonchalant attitude towards army and police killings and wounding of Palestinians. “Unless there is video evidence that excessive force was used, as in the case of Tariq [Abu] Khdeir, Israeli government officials inevitably conclude that the action taken was justified and in keeping with national security needs,” said the US official.
Indeed, the Ethiopian-Israelis would agree about the need for video to prove police brutality. Tens of thousands took to the streets last week protesting racist police brutality towards them after a video showed a policeman beating an Ethiopian-Israeli soldier. However, unlike the brutal police response to the Palestinian outrage in the streets over the horrific murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir, the Israeli police and government acted quickly to try to appease the outraged Ethiopian-Israeli community.A meeting with the Prime Minister, an inquiry into their situation and a promise by the Police Commissioner to fire the offending policeman following a hearing. Today, Yedioth reported that the policeman who beat the Ethiopian-Israeli is on his way to being dismissed after having a hearing yesterday. And, Ethiopian-Israeli demands are being discussed in the newspapers and in the Knesset. But the status of the case against the policeman who beat Tariq Abu Khdeir remains unclear until now.
In the Knesset, the government narrowly succeeds in passing the first reading of its bill to expand itself, in Berlin, Israel and Germany mark 50 years to their ‘special relationship,’ and in the US, the canceling of a meeting with the US President by the Saudi King is perceived as a rejection of the Iran deal. Also, the outgoing IDF commander of the Southern Command shared some interesting insights about Hamas. Meanwhile, News Nosh looks at the connections between some of today’s reports and compares between coverage and reactions to police brutality towards Ethiopians and Palestinians.
The swearing-in of the new government is on standby until the bill to expand the number of ministers passes. The first reading of the bill passed yesterday by the coalition’s narrow single vote majority 61:59 and now the opposition is expected to make a filibuster by submitting thousands of objections before the vote on Wednesday evening. Only after that, on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will tell the senior Likud members which ministerial and other posts he is handing them. Maariv writes that Zionist Union chairman Isaac Herzog and Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid are battling over leading the opposition in the media. Lapid has made more headlines in recent days. That may have pushed Herzog to use some of his strongest language yet against Netanyahu's impending government. Herzog said that Netanyahu had failed to form a stable government and that if he, Herzog, could not form an alternative one, the country might be better off holding new elections.
On the first day of his official state visit to Germany marking 50 years of diplomatic ties, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said that “relations with Germany were not compensation for the Holocaust,” but rather “good relations were built on a foundation of shared values and deep faith in human dignity and freedom.” He also warned of the re-emergence of “rampant anti-Semitism.” And in a sign of Germany’s friendship to Israel, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced a major deal in which Israel will purchase four patrol ships from Germany to defend gas rigs and Germany will finance a third of the 1.8 billion shekel cost. Moreover, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said Israel received 4 Patriot batteries from Germany.
Only Yedioth’s Matan Tzuri was at the meeting with regional council heads to share what outgoing Commander of the GOC southern command Major General Sami Turgeman “really thinks about the Gaza conflict before stepping down from his position.” Turgeman said Israel could not defeat Hamas in a month nor was there a replacement for Hamas to lead Gaza, if Israel tried to destroy it. Turgeman noted that "the only replacement for Hamas is the IDF and authoritarian chaos. Other than Hamas there is no other axis that could control, (while) the (Palestinian) Authority cannot rule and this should be taken as an indisputable statement.” Turgeman had other interesting insights: "We have no goal that we want to achieve there. The only goals are prevention, to prevent chaos and a humanitarian crisis. Therefore, it's not possible to take actions that are against the strategy and this is the state's position,” he said. About Hamas returning to building its military force, he responded: “I don't know any military that doesn't start building its force after a war. We did that, too."
**"With a heavy heart" the High Court rejected the petition by the Israeli NGO Ir Amim to prevent right-wingers from marching through the Old City’s Muslim Quarter on Jerusalem Day, the day they celebrate the ‘unification’ of the city. In recent years, as the country has become more right-wing and intolerant, the march has turned into a violent racist anti-Arab affair. But in what can be perceived as a warning to the right-wing marchers and a signal to the police, the justices said that anyone who shouts racist anti-Arab slogans should be jailed. I
nterestingly, Judy Maltz has a feature in today’s Haaretz’s that focuses on all the anti-Arab statements new Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked said on the record, none of which prompted an investigation into incitement. Shaked's most controversial statement, which she wrote on Facebook on the day last June that the three kidnapped and murdered Jewish teens were found, was widely interpreted as a call by Shaked to murder innocent Palestinians. She called Palestinian children “little snakes” and argued that it was justified to bomb civilians when they give shelter to “evil.” The following night, three Israelis drove to E. Jerusalem and kidnapped and burned to death 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir. (Shaked’s appointment as Minister of Justice last week sparked an outcry and yesterday she was given a Knesset bodyguard following Facebook and phone call threats and a photoshopped image of her in an SS uniform that says that she opposed peace and supported Palestinian genocide.) Mohammed Abu Khdeir’s horrific death sparked violent riots in E. Jerusalem, during which many locals were injured and some were even killed by Israeli police. One boy, Tariq, a visiting cousin of Abu Khdeir from Florida, was brutally pummeled unconscious by two Border Police officers while he was facedown on the ground. After a video of the beating drew international condemnation and US involvement, because Tariq is a US citizen, the Israeli Justice Ministry investigated and the two policemen were suspended. In September, one of the officers was indicted. although the status of the charges remains unclear. Now, reports Haaretz, quoting CNN, Tariq had a meeting at the White House ahead of his plans to return this summer to East Jerusalem for a wedding. CNN’s Jake Tapper quoted US officials who said that Israel takes a nonchalant attitude towards army and police killings and wounding of Palestinians. “Unless there is video evidence that excessive force was used, as in the case of Tariq [Abu] Khdeir, Israeli government officials inevitably conclude that the action taken was justified and in keeping with national security needs,” said the US official.
Indeed, the Ethiopian-Israelis would agree about the need for video to prove police brutality. Tens of thousands took to the streets last week protesting racist police brutality towards them after a video showed a policeman beating an Ethiopian-Israeli soldier. However, unlike the brutal police response to the Palestinian outrage in the streets over the horrific murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir, the Israeli police and government acted quickly to try to appease the outraged Ethiopian-Israeli community.A meeting with the Prime Minister, an inquiry into their situation and a promise by the Police Commissioner to fire the offending policeman following a hearing. Today, Yedioth reported that the policeman who beat the Ethiopian-Israeli is on his way to being dismissed after having a hearing yesterday. And, Ethiopian-Israeli demands are being discussed in the newspapers and in the Knesset. But the status of the case against the policeman who beat Tariq Abu Khdeir remains unclear until now.
Quick Hits:
- Israeli lightly hurt in West Bank stabbing - Israeli man, 19, witnesses report that Palestinian attacker ran toward them near Ma'aleh Adumim, stabbed young man and fled. (Haaretz and Ynet)
- **High Court allows Jerusalem Day parade to march through Muslim Quarter - "With a heavy heart, we reject the petition" by Ir Amim, said Justice Elyakim Rubinstein, who added that those who chant death to Arabs can do so "behind bars." In recent years, the parade has been characterized by numerous acts of racism and violence against Arabs. (Haaretz and Ynet)
- Report: Palestinian-American teen brutalized by Israeli police received at White House - U.S. officials believe Israel takes a nonchalant attitude toward army killings and woundings of Palestinian-American minors, CNN reports. Unless there is video evidence that excessive force was used, as in the case of Tariq [Abu] Khdeir, Israeli government officials inevitably conclude that the action taken was justified and in keeping with national security needs, officials say. (Haaretz)
- Policeman who beat the Ethiopian-Israeli soldier – is on his way to being dismissed - Tens of thousands of Ethiopian-Israelis took to the streets because of him to express their anger and frustration: Yesterday a hearing was held for him and the decision is expected to be made in days. (Yedioth, p. 24)
- In wake of death threats, Israel's designated justice minister gets bodyguard - The Knesset Guard decided on the measure after Habayit Hayehudi's Ayelet Shaked complained about threatening calls and Facebook posts. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Racism in the heart of Jaffa: Hate graffiti spray-painted on the elevator in a building - In a building where both Jews and Arabs live, they discovered anti-Arab racist graffiti that read: “Death to Arabs (signed by) the ‘Al-Yahud (Jewish) Gang’ a new force in Jaffa!!!” A neighborhood resident: "I don’t wish upon anyone to wake up to such a phrase." (Maariv)
- Israel's student union pushes for vacation on Muslim, Christian holidays - Council for Higher Education is also mulling union demands for special conditions for Arab students taking exams while fasting during Ramadan. (Haaretz+)
- Late justice - She was murdered by terrorists in the attack on Maalot. Only now, 41 years later, will the name of Hasiba Shahala, 27, from Fassuta village be commemorated in a monument that lists all those murdered. Shahala was with other workers in a van on their way home when the terror cell ran into them. (Yedioth, p. 26)
- Yedioth Ahronoth touts rightist credentials after post-election pushback - Israel’s best-selling daily suffers wave of subscription cancellations as readers protest anti-Netanyahu coverage. (Haaretz+)
- MK Stav Shafir: "The (WZO’s) Settlement Division uses our money as a blank check" - The Zionist Camp MK said that the institution does not report on the budget at its disposal and is not subject to the Freedom of Information act. “We need to make sure it does not use our money to do things that are unknown." (Maariv)
- SodaStream rallies after profit decline - The company also reported that revenue was down 23% on the year. More famous as a target for anti-Israel boycotts, SodaStream has been struggling to win back customers who are shunning the sweet, fizzy drinks it specializes in. (Haaretz)
- SodaStream exit from West Bank ahead of schedule - The home carbonation company has come under strong pressure from the BDS movement for operating a plant in the West Bank. (Haaretz)
- Canada may fight those who boycott Israel with hate crime laws - Ottawa's laws against hate speech include attacks based on national origin. (Haaretz)
- Defense Minister Ya'alon: Israel received 4 Patriot batteries from Germany - Earlier, the Defense Ministry announced a deal with Germany for four missile boats to protect offshore gas. (Haaretz)
- Major deal: Israel to purchase four patrol ships from Germany to defend gas rigs - Germany will provide Israeli navy with ships at cost of NIS 1.8 billion and finance third of costs; deal announced day before Israel and Germany mark 50 years of diplomatic relations. (Ynet)
- A first: Aramaic-speaking Christian soldier serves in Air Force - Jennifer Jozen swore allegiance to the State of Israel at a graduation ceremony held at the Western Wall. She made her oath on the New Testament. (Maariv)
- Former PM Ehud Barak joins board of biometric start-up firm - FST says it uses a combination of facial recognition and behavioral analytics in its products, and that its clients include governments and corporations. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Pope to canonize two Palestinian nuns - The sainthood of Mariam Baouardy and Mary Alphonsine Danil Ghattas is something for which 'not only Christians but also Muslims and Jews can be happy,' says senior Catholic official. (Haaretz+)
- Republican presidential hopeful Scott Walker touring Israel - Walker has kept his visit quiet, dubbing it a 'listening tour.' (Haaretz)
- Pakistan military was in on bin Laden raid, U.S. journalist says - U.S. version of bin Laden raid was false, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh writes in the London Review of Books. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- George Galloway suing Labor victor over alleged voter fraud - Fiercely anti-Israel former MP was beaten by more than 11,000 votes, claims postal fraud and 'widespread malpractice.' (Ynet)
- Middle East Updates / Saudi-led air strikes on Yemen capital hours before ceasefire - Iraq says ISIS destruction of ruins, museums could be cover up for mass looting operations; U.S. Senate passes resolution for release of Americans in Iran. (Haaretz)
- Iranian TV: Israel used Nepal aid to hide baby trafficking - Two networks report aid mission sent to assist in rescue efforts was 'cover for trafficking of 25 babies in Nepal'. (Ynet)
- Sephardic Jews seeking Portugal citizenship met with ease - while in Spain, hurdles abound - Spanish lawmakers are finally preparing this month to approve a law that potentially allows hundreds of thousands, and possibly millions, of Sephardic Jews around the world a shot at citizenship. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Popular, influential and pro-Israeli - With 12 million readers, the ‘Bild’ German newspaper determines the agenda in Germany. Its employees are committed to “supporting the right of the Israeli people to exist.” (Yedioth, p. 10)
- Germany, Czech Republic see rise in anti-Semitism - German interior minister says anti-Semitic offenses rose 25.2% last year; Prague's Jewish community registers significant increase of cases of harassment and threats against Jews. (Agencies, Ynet)
Features:
What does Israel’s new justice minister really think about Arabs?
Ayelet Shaked has quickly become one of the country’s most controversial and talked-about politicians. A guide to separate the fact from the f(r)iction. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
Inside Hezbollah's war in Syria
Journalists join Hezbollah fighters in Syria, report confidence among fighters as concern grows of terrorist attacks within Lebanon. (Associated Press, Ynet)
The surprising story behind Israel's complicated love affair with Germany
Israel and Germany mark the jubilee of diplomatic ties this week. Haaretz examines this unlikely relationship and asks whether it will last another 50 years. (Alona Ferber and Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
What Israel’s left can learn from the British left’s election failure
'You can’t get elected if you’re preaching to your own and your story is poor me,'' says former British Peace Now head. (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+)
South African Jews apologize to displaced Palestinians
In advance of Nakba Day, the group comes to Israel to express their regret that a forest was created on the ruins of a Palestinian village. (Gideon Levy and Alex Levac, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Ayelet Shaked has quickly become one of the country’s most controversial and talked-about politicians. A guide to separate the fact from the f(r)iction. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
Inside Hezbollah's war in Syria
Journalists join Hezbollah fighters in Syria, report confidence among fighters as concern grows of terrorist attacks within Lebanon. (Associated Press, Ynet)
The surprising story behind Israel's complicated love affair with Germany
Israel and Germany mark the jubilee of diplomatic ties this week. Haaretz examines this unlikely relationship and asks whether it will last another 50 years. (Alona Ferber and Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
What Israel’s left can learn from the British left’s election failure
'You can’t get elected if you’re preaching to your own and your story is poor me,'' says former British Peace Now head. (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+)
South African Jews apologize to displaced Palestinians
In advance of Nakba Day, the group comes to Israel to express their regret that a forest was created on the ruins of a Palestinian village. (Gideon Levy and Alex Levac, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Israel's new government is built on a foundation of bribery (Nehemia
Shtrasler, Haaretz+) Prime Minister Netanyahu knows the public will do nothing to stop him from
distributing superfluous ministerial posts in order to keep himself in power.
On the 17th of March Habayit Hayehudi won the election, and the settlers won the country (Uri Savir, Maariv) With (just) eight seats, the vanguard of the settlers has taken control of the Government Campus in Jerusalem. Now they only have left to shape the identity of Israel according to their desire.
After 50 years of a ‘special relationship,’ Germany-Israel ties aren’t about blind love (Ofer Aderet, Haaretz) A trawl through the State Archives highlights the ups and downs of the two countries’ alliance.
After 50 years, are Israel and Germany really friends? (Felix Berenskoetter, Yedioth/Ynet) Both the US and Germany support Israel financially and militarily, and both usually stand with Israel on the international stage; but is friendship?
Abolish the World Zionist Organization’s Settlement Division (Haaretz Editorial) While meant to engage in rural development throughout Israel, the division instead serves as a tool for sacrificing public funds to the narrow interests of the settler movement.
Independence is key (Prof. Shmuel Shetreet, Israel Hayom) Judicial independence is a cornerstone of democracy, and the new justice minister would be wise to maintain the court's superiority.
There is very little Shaked can do in the Justice Ministry (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Two justice ministers tried to revolutionize Israel's legal system and failed; one had extensive political experience, the other had a professional reputation, and they both had the prime minister's full support. Ayelet Shaked has none of that.
Misplaced paranoia (Uri Heitner, Israel Hayom) Not every proposal to reform the legal system seeks to undermine the High Court's authority or standing.
What does Cameron’s re-election mean for Israel? (Daniella Peled, Haaretz) With the EU referendum poised to suck the energy out of Britain’s foreign policy for the next two years, here’s a look at what we can expect from the U.K.
Zion shall be redeemed with (in)justice (Yitzhak Laor, Haaretz+) Here in Israel, everything threatens to drown in the violence of the majority, oiled by religious rhetoric and mixing mourning with messianic desire.
Condemning (settlement) construction is hypocritical (Omer Dostri, Israel Hayom) The EU cannot be considered an objective intermediary and its condemnation of Israeli construction in Jerusalem is motivated by cynical politics.
Who needs Bashar Assad? (Gilad Sharon, Yedioth/Ynet) If the Syrian leader is toppled, Israel would have Islamic State on its doorstep, but it wouldn't have to face it alone; it would also mean the end of Hezbollah and leave the Golan permanently in Israel's hands.
Coming clean about chemical arms (Tal Niv, Haaretz+) It's time for Israel to formally ratify its treaty with the OPCW, the organization which has undertaken to remove chemical weapons from Syria.
Using Bedouin issue as an anti-Israel propaganda tool (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) In a bid to present Israel as an enterprise of oppression, discrimination and expulsion, the coalition of incitement and deception is concealing the facts about the state's generous offer to Bedouin families in the Negev.
Let's wage a guerrilla war on 'Adelson primary' and the Super PAC Machine (Peter Beinart, Haaretz) The contenders for the 2016 U.S. presidential election are lining up for millions of dollars in handouts. Where's the stigma?
Legacy of terror: Hezbollah's Mughniyeh family (Roi Kais, Ynet) Eldest son of assassinated Imad Mughniyeh is considered to be the next rising figure in Hezbollah and his lacking public appearances seem to only bolster the suspicion.
Dubya is back for 2016 (sort of) – and that's lucky for Israel, and lucky for Jeb (Seth Lipsky, Haaretz+) Jeb Bush has said his brother George, Zionism's fastest friend in the White House, is his most influential adviser on U.S.-Israel policy.
On the 17th of March Habayit Hayehudi won the election, and the settlers won the country (Uri Savir, Maariv) With (just) eight seats, the vanguard of the settlers has taken control of the Government Campus in Jerusalem. Now they only have left to shape the identity of Israel according to their desire.
After 50 years of a ‘special relationship,’ Germany-Israel ties aren’t about blind love (Ofer Aderet, Haaretz) A trawl through the State Archives highlights the ups and downs of the two countries’ alliance.
After 50 years, are Israel and Germany really friends? (Felix Berenskoetter, Yedioth/Ynet) Both the US and Germany support Israel financially and militarily, and both usually stand with Israel on the international stage; but is friendship?
Abolish the World Zionist Organization’s Settlement Division (Haaretz Editorial) While meant to engage in rural development throughout Israel, the division instead serves as a tool for sacrificing public funds to the narrow interests of the settler movement.
Independence is key (Prof. Shmuel Shetreet, Israel Hayom) Judicial independence is a cornerstone of democracy, and the new justice minister would be wise to maintain the court's superiority.
There is very little Shaked can do in the Justice Ministry (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Two justice ministers tried to revolutionize Israel's legal system and failed; one had extensive political experience, the other had a professional reputation, and they both had the prime minister's full support. Ayelet Shaked has none of that.
Misplaced paranoia (Uri Heitner, Israel Hayom) Not every proposal to reform the legal system seeks to undermine the High Court's authority or standing.
What does Cameron’s re-election mean for Israel? (Daniella Peled, Haaretz) With the EU referendum poised to suck the energy out of Britain’s foreign policy for the next two years, here’s a look at what we can expect from the U.K.
Zion shall be redeemed with (in)justice (Yitzhak Laor, Haaretz+) Here in Israel, everything threatens to drown in the violence of the majority, oiled by religious rhetoric and mixing mourning with messianic desire.
Condemning (settlement) construction is hypocritical (Omer Dostri, Israel Hayom) The EU cannot be considered an objective intermediary and its condemnation of Israeli construction in Jerusalem is motivated by cynical politics.
Who needs Bashar Assad? (Gilad Sharon, Yedioth/Ynet) If the Syrian leader is toppled, Israel would have Islamic State on its doorstep, but it wouldn't have to face it alone; it would also mean the end of Hezbollah and leave the Golan permanently in Israel's hands.
Coming clean about chemical arms (Tal Niv, Haaretz+) It's time for Israel to formally ratify its treaty with the OPCW, the organization which has undertaken to remove chemical weapons from Syria.
Using Bedouin issue as an anti-Israel propaganda tool (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) In a bid to present Israel as an enterprise of oppression, discrimination and expulsion, the coalition of incitement and deception is concealing the facts about the state's generous offer to Bedouin families in the Negev.
Let's wage a guerrilla war on 'Adelson primary' and the Super PAC Machine (Peter Beinart, Haaretz) The contenders for the 2016 U.S. presidential election are lining up for millions of dollars in handouts. Where's the stigma?
Legacy of terror: Hezbollah's Mughniyeh family (Roi Kais, Ynet) Eldest son of assassinated Imad Mughniyeh is considered to be the next rising figure in Hezbollah and his lacking public appearances seem to only bolster the suspicion.
Dubya is back for 2016 (sort of) – and that's lucky for Israel, and lucky for Jeb (Seth Lipsky, Haaretz+) Jeb Bush has said his brother George, Zionism's fastest friend in the White House, is his most influential adviser on U.S.-Israel policy.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.