APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday June 1, 2015
Quote of the day:
“The defendant made a case from which it is clear that when many complaints were filed of incitement
against groups of Jews, settlers or soldiers, no criminal investigation was even launched – and if the
complaints were examined, the state made do with a delayed reply, to the effect that there was no ‘real
possibility’ of violence."
--Kfar Saba Magistrate’s Court Judge Nava Bechor criticized the prosecution, which, she said, selectively enforces the law against right-wingers compared to others.**
--Kfar Saba Magistrate’s Court Judge Nava Bechor criticized the prosecution, which, she said, selectively enforces the law against right-wingers compared to others.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- IDF planning reforms to ease the treatment of soldiers who smoked pot
- (AG) Weinstein to (former chief of staff) Ashkenazi at the height of the Harpaz affair: “We won’t tell the judge that the document came from you”
- Minister approved advancing bill preventing security (Palestinian) detainees from speaking on the phone
- Court imposed moral turpitude on mayor of Ramat Hasharon who forged receipts for 120,000 shekels
- High school students protest against unequal school dress code expanding
- German publisher Alfred DuMont, one of Haaretz’s owners, died
- Cancel the indictment (and release her now) // Haaretz Editorial
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Fighting the boycott – Yedioth series on battle against international sanctions
- Offside Story // Nahum Barnea
- Threat to right to exist // Ben-Dror Yemini
- Who is against us? This is how the world boycott map looks
- The new Facebook order (limiting soldiers’ posts)
- Army radio against (Eurovision) ‘Golden Boy’ – Why won’t it play the Israeli Eurovision song?
- The faculty for sexual harassment – Complaint to police: 11 lecturers at Hebrew University sexually harassed and attacked female students in recent months
- The monthly water bill at Netanyahu’s home in Cesaria: More than minimum wage
- Two years to the cheap flights reforms: Flying more, spending less and everyone is happy
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Likud sources say: Begin will resign from the Knesset
- Prime Minister’s Office expense in first half of 2014: Six million shekels on flight to US
- Netanyahu called on the Palestinians to return to the table: The only way to move is through direct negotiations
- Complaint: Lecturers at Hebrew University sexually harassed female students
- Letters to the minister: Former ambassador Dr. Oded Eran warns of frustration among professionals in Foreign Ministry and requests: “Use their expertise and give them the respect they deserve”
- Lior Dayan here in North Korea – Columnist visits the most closed state in the world
Israel Hayom
- “We are in a struggle against an international campaign to blacken the face of Israel” – Netanyahu after the victory at FIFA
- From the US, with love (Photo of Israel Day Parade in NY)
- Reveal all the transcripts (from the Harpaz affair) // Dan Margalit
- “11 lecturers at the Hebrew University committed sexual crimes”
- IDF presents: (profile of) 64 is the new 72
- Fluoride returns to water
- 17 days after being appointed minister: Begin resigned from the government
- He won’t go back to the Ramat Hasharon Municipality: Moral turpitude and 6 months community service to (mayor) Rochberger
- The shorts protest: Principals support female students – “There should be an equal dress code”
News Summary:
Concerns about international boycotts of Israel and the resignation of Likud ‘prince’ Benny Begin from the government (and possibly soon from Knesset) were the top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Meanwhile, the German Foreign Minister was in town and today will make a rare visit by a Western leader to the Gaza Strip. And Haaretz+ reported on the sentencing of a right-wing Jewish activist – very different from the recent sentences of two Palestinians for similar acts.
Following the FIFA suspension affair, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said at the Sunday cabinet meeting that Israel was facing an "international campaign to blacken its image," which had nothing to do with its policies in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, but was aimed to deny Israel its right to exist. Agreeing with Netanyahu is the newspaper which does not like him: Yedioth Ahronoth began a series that focuses on boycotts of Israel, which is written by it’s hawkish commentator, Ben-Dror Yemini: “ISIS? Iran? North Korea? The BDS movement’s industry of lies succeeds in convincing more and more people that Israel is the source of evil in the world. Make no mistake: It’s not only a campaign against settlements. It’s a war about the very legitimacy of the Jewish state…Yedioth is also drafting itself to the campaign.”
In meetings Sunday with German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, Netanyahu asked him to pressure Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to halt actions against Israel in international forums and he called on the Palestinians to hold direct negotiations with Israel at the negotiating table – without preconditions. On his part, German Foreign Minister Steinmeier told Netanyahu that Gaza must be rebuilt (following the destruction from last summer’s Gaza war) if Israel wants security. In a sign of the importance he gives to Gaza, Steinmeier travels today to the Gaza Strip, however had no scheduled plans to meet with Hamas leaders. Israel Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely urged Steinmeier to prevent Europeans from labeling West Bank settler products.
**In 2011, right-wing activist Uri Baram made a video calling for the murder of then-Deputy State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan. Yesterday he was sentenced to 400 hours of community service for incitement to violence and racism. In her ruling, Kfar Sava Magistrate’s Court Judge Nava Bechor criticized the prosecution, which, she said, selectively enforces the law regarding incitement by right-wingers compared to incitement by others (i.e. Arabs and left-wingers.) “In such circumstances, it’s inevitable that, inter alia, on grounds of abuse of process, the court cannot bring the full extent of the law against the accused, given the behavior of law enforcement toward him.”
The settler ‘news’ website, Arutz 7, said Baram got off with a “light sentence.” Two weeks ago, Sami Deis, a Palestinian from E. Jerusalem, got eight months jail for incitement against Israel and 'calls for acts of killing' in an Facebook post. Deis, a 27-year-old resident of Shoafat, has no criminal background, and though he admitted to his crimes as part of a plea bargain, Judge Shmuel Herbst opted for what is seen as a rather severe punishment. A week before, E. Jerusalem resident, Omar Shalhabi, 44, was given nine months in jail for Facebook statuses he wrote during last summer's Gaza war till October. That was the first time Israel sentenced anyone for Facebook posts. In March, Sheikh Raed Salah got 11 months jail for a 2007 sermon promoting violence.
Concerns about international boycotts of Israel and the resignation of Likud ‘prince’ Benny Begin from the government (and possibly soon from Knesset) were the top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Meanwhile, the German Foreign Minister was in town and today will make a rare visit by a Western leader to the Gaza Strip. And Haaretz+ reported on the sentencing of a right-wing Jewish activist – very different from the recent sentences of two Palestinians for similar acts.
Following the FIFA suspension affair, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said at the Sunday cabinet meeting that Israel was facing an "international campaign to blacken its image," which had nothing to do with its policies in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, but was aimed to deny Israel its right to exist. Agreeing with Netanyahu is the newspaper which does not like him: Yedioth Ahronoth began a series that focuses on boycotts of Israel, which is written by it’s hawkish commentator, Ben-Dror Yemini: “ISIS? Iran? North Korea? The BDS movement’s industry of lies succeeds in convincing more and more people that Israel is the source of evil in the world. Make no mistake: It’s not only a campaign against settlements. It’s a war about the very legitimacy of the Jewish state…Yedioth is also drafting itself to the campaign.”
In meetings Sunday with German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, Netanyahu asked him to pressure Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to halt actions against Israel in international forums and he called on the Palestinians to hold direct negotiations with Israel at the negotiating table – without preconditions. On his part, German Foreign Minister Steinmeier told Netanyahu that Gaza must be rebuilt (following the destruction from last summer’s Gaza war) if Israel wants security. In a sign of the importance he gives to Gaza, Steinmeier travels today to the Gaza Strip, however had no scheduled plans to meet with Hamas leaders. Israel Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely urged Steinmeier to prevent Europeans from labeling West Bank settler products.
**In 2011, right-wing activist Uri Baram made a video calling for the murder of then-Deputy State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan. Yesterday he was sentenced to 400 hours of community service for incitement to violence and racism. In her ruling, Kfar Sava Magistrate’s Court Judge Nava Bechor criticized the prosecution, which, she said, selectively enforces the law regarding incitement by right-wingers compared to incitement by others (i.e. Arabs and left-wingers.) “In such circumstances, it’s inevitable that, inter alia, on grounds of abuse of process, the court cannot bring the full extent of the law against the accused, given the behavior of law enforcement toward him.”
The settler ‘news’ website, Arutz 7, said Baram got off with a “light sentence.” Two weeks ago, Sami Deis, a Palestinian from E. Jerusalem, got eight months jail for incitement against Israel and 'calls for acts of killing' in an Facebook post. Deis, a 27-year-old resident of Shoafat, has no criminal background, and though he admitted to his crimes as part of a plea bargain, Judge Shmuel Herbst opted for what is seen as a rather severe punishment. A week before, E. Jerusalem resident, Omar Shalhabi, 44, was given nine months in jail for Facebook statuses he wrote during last summer's Gaza war till October. That was the first time Israel sentenced anyone for Facebook posts. In March, Sheikh Raed Salah got 11 months jail for a 2007 sermon promoting violence.
Quick Hits:
- Hamas inmate smuggles phone into cell, holds radio interview - Abdullah Barghouti was placed in solitary confinement and Prison Service officials say he will face disciplinary action. (Times of Israel)
- Ministers back ban on phone calls by security prisoners - Bill proponents say prisoners may use such calls to direct terrorist attacks. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- The first anniversary of the abduction of the boys: Bennet and Herzog to give a class on civics - Minister of Education and the Chairman of the opposition will come to the school to guide a discussion that will address the question: "What have we learned since then?" Zionist Camp chief MK Isaac Herzog: "The amazing unity, compassion and leadership that the three mothers led disappeared into the vortex of polarization, hatred, racism and slander.” Habayit Hayehudi leader Naftali Bennett: "A day on which we should pause for a moment and think about what we, as a society, need to hold as a testament to the boys.” (Maariv)
- Ceremonies mark fifth anniversary of Mavi Marmara raid - Nine people [Turks - OH] were killed [by IDF - OH] and another subsequently died of injuries when Israeli commandos raided the Turkish ship that was attempting to break the blockade on Gaza. (Haaretz)
- Five years after Mavi Marmara, Israeli exports feel the impact - Export Institute says all exports except for chemicals declined in 2014. (Haaretz+)
- Finance Ministry warns: Israel heading for Greek-style fiscal tragedy - Study shows a yawning gap between government revenues and spending as the country’s population ages and Haredim, Arabs make up a larger part of the population. (Haaretz+)
- Indian prime minister planning to visit Israel, PA and Jordan - India has become the largest customer of Israeli defense industries over the past two years, taking almost 15 percent of all defense exports. (Haaretz)
- Protest to decrease smoking in Arab sector: “We need advocacy” - Dozens of people participated in a march in the Lower Galilee demanding that Ministry of Health deal with problem, causing high morbidity in Arab sector: 40% of Arab men smoke, compared to 23% of Jewish men. (Maariv, p. 18)
- Israeli cop fired for beating Ethiopian-Israeli soldier says he did no wrong - A video of the altercation sparked violent protests by Ethiopian-Israelis and their supporters. (Ynet and JTA, Haaretz)
- Israelis take part in nationwide security and emergency drill - Sirens will sound across the country as civilians, Home Front Command, IDF and emergency services hold five-day annual practice. (Ynet)
- Jewish, Arabs youths promote harmony in Israel through music - The Polyphony Foundation teaches music to Arab and Jewish students in effort to bring communities closer together and affect society. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Slain soldier’s niece lobbies to bring down theater over play inspired by killer - Fate of Al-Midan theater hangs in the balance as Haifa freezes funding over production of ‘A Parallel Time'; manager says bid aims to ‘silence the Arabs.’ (Times of Israel)
- Thousands to take part in Taglit-Birthright program this summer - 4,000 young Jews expected to arrive in Israel this week for 10-day tour of Israel accompanied by Israeli students and soldiers. More than 30,000 youngsters from 32 countries expected this summer. (Israel Hayom)
- Israeli army considers easing up on soldiers caught smoking pot - Soldiers caught using or possessing drugs, even on leave and only once, are currently prosecuted and, if convicted, given a criminal record - a much harsher policy than that of police toward civilians. (Haaretz+)
- Boss of Israel's major defense contractor Rafael forced to take leave - Israeli defense establishment put pressure on CEO Yedidia Yaari, following three recent incidents at defense contractor that angered them. (Haaretz+)
- Netanyahu vs. Lieberman in rightist rivalry - PM: Lieberman wanted to destroy me by joining the left; Yisrael Beiteinu: Netanyahu doesn't speak for nation's right. (Ynet)
- German media baron with interest in Haaretz dies - Alfred Neven DuMont was ‘liberal intellectual, learned man, brilliant publisher, committed to Israel,' says Schocken. (Haaretz+)
- Kerry cancels diplomatic visits after breaking femur in bicycle accident - The 71-year-old secretary of State, an avid cyclist who often takes his own bike on official trips abroad, forced to return to U.S. for treatment. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Six powers agree on way to restore UN sanctions in push for Iran deal - New understanding on a UN sanctions 'snapback' among the six powers brings them closer to a possible deal with Iran, though other hurdles remain. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Massive crowds celebrate New York's Israel Day parade - Some 30,000 participants made its way down the city’s most famous street, Fifth Avenue. (Haaretz and Ynet)
- Netanyahu offers Biden 'thoughts and prayers' on the death of his son - Vice-President Joe Biden's son Beau died on Saturday after battling brain cancer. (Haaretz)
- Erdoğan: 'Liberate Jerusalem' from the Jews - Turkish President continues trend of drawing parallels to historic Muslim conquerors, as elections spell losses for AK Party. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Turks think Israel is their biggest threat, poll finds - Respondents put danger level from the US just behind Israel, but ahead of Syria; 85% see IS as a terror group. (Times of Israel)
- ISIS advances towards Turkey-Syria border - After capturing areas in northern Syria, Islamic State can now move along a road leading north to the Bab al-Salam border crossing. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Egypt using theology to battle ISIS for 'religious revolution' - Egypt deploys scholars to teach moderate Islam, but skepticism abounds. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Russia reportedly pulling experts from Syria, in bid to save itself from sanctions - London-based A-Sharq al-Awsat, heavily critical of Assad, says that Moscow adopting new stance in coordination with Gulf and turning its back on Syrian regime. (Haaretz)
Features:
Walking the Green Line: 48 years of occupation
It is now 48 years since the Six-Day War, a short military campaign with long-term consequences for Israel and the Palestinians. Writer Nir Baram spent a year meeting people on both sides of the Green Line. (Nir Baram, Haaretz+)
Lily blossom: A glimpse into the senior command training program of IDF’s Military Intelligence
The elite project of the intelligence unit is a nine-year course to which only 35 out of 8,000were accepted. The results? “They're going to line up to accept them,” said a senior person in the program. (Maariv)
Palestinian MP's crimes: Visiting prisoners and talking to the media
Nothing demonstrates political persecution better than the 12 counts on which Khalida Jarrar was convicted and jailed. (Gideon Levy and Alex Levac, Haaretz+)
The screw-up that led to Joseph Trumpeldor's death
The man who killed the Zionist hero was actually looking for French colonialists who ruled Lebanon next door. (Noa Shpigel, Haaretz+)
Palestinian foods that make you cry
And not out of sadness. Palestinian-British restaurateur Joudie Kalla developed an app to serve up her family's recipes, with a healthy serving of politics on the side. (Vered Guttman, Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
It is now 48 years since the Six-Day War, a short military campaign with long-term consequences for Israel and the Palestinians. Writer Nir Baram spent a year meeting people on both sides of the Green Line. (Nir Baram, Haaretz+)
Lily blossom: A glimpse into the senior command training program of IDF’s Military Intelligence
The elite project of the intelligence unit is a nine-year course to which only 35 out of 8,000were accepted. The results? “They're going to line up to accept them,” said a senior person in the program. (Maariv)
Palestinian MP's crimes: Visiting prisoners and talking to the media
Nothing demonstrates political persecution better than the 12 counts on which Khalida Jarrar was convicted and jailed. (Gideon Levy and Alex Levac, Haaretz+)
The screw-up that led to Joseph Trumpeldor's death
The man who killed the Zionist hero was actually looking for French colonialists who ruled Lebanon next door. (Noa Shpigel, Haaretz+)
Palestinian foods that make you cry
And not out of sadness. Palestinian-British restaurateur Joudie Kalla developed an app to serve up her family's recipes, with a healthy serving of politics on the side. (Vered Guttman, Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
Israel reassures Iran, Hezbollah: Mass drill is not cover for attack (Ron
Ben-Yishai, Ynet) Jerusalem sends calming messages to increasingly edgy enemies as it embarks on
five-day drill, says measures are purely defensive.
Architect of discrimination: Aharon Barak laid the foundations for injustice in the (Palestinian) territories (Ran Adelist, Maariv) The former president of the High Court fears for the “fragile democratic state," but in fact he is one of those who built the legal protective shield around democratic Israel and threaded all the distortions and rationalizations into the eye of the judicial needle. He is one of the Founding Fathers of the judicial security doctrine, which came at the expense of democracy, and his concerns about (new Justice Minister) Shaked, their basis is in the rulings that he himself made. To understand the crooked legal logic of the that helped promote the security establishment advance the projects of the nationalist-settler wing, one needs to examine Barak's ruling regarding Highway 443. This is one of many (there were also some that were reasonable, but it gives legal foundation) that created the reality of hell, the infrastructure of terrorism.
A Kafkaesque perversion of military law: Khalida Jarar must be released now (Haaretz Editorial) What’s the point of a military justice system if a court decision to release an accused is met with a threat by the prosecution to hold her without trial?
BDS is a threat to Israel's very existence (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) ISIS? Iran? North Korea? The industry of lies spun by the BDS movement is convincing more and more people that Israel is the source of evil in the world. Make no mistake: This is not a campaign against settlements. It's a war on the legitimacy of the Jewish state. All reasonable forces, from right and left, must act against the economic, academic, and cultural boycott which has become a strategic threat. Yedioth Ahronoth is enlisting in the fight back.
France should recognize Palestine now instead of wasting time with the UN (Roy Isacowitz, Haaretz+) Draft of UN Security Council resolution for ending Israeli-Palestinian conflict gives both parties 18 months before France will recognize Palestinian state. But what’s the point of waiting?
When the political game reaches the soccer field (Smadar Perry, Yedioth/Ynet) Israel temporarily made it out of the FIFA affair, but Jibril Rajoub has no intention of giving up; every time Israel prevents Palestinian footballers from crossing the border, he will pick up the phone and call Switzerland.
Must every Arab flower be crushed? (Oudeh Basharat, Haaretz+) More than 30 percent of Israel's Arab MKs are graduates of Christian community schools, but the government seems determined to stop them flourishing.
It's not Herzog's campaign that failed, it's his message (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) Instead of talking about the occupation and the danger of a bi-national state, the Labor chairman became obsessed with the middle class' economic situation, which isn't that bad.
The false arrest of Khalida Jarrar: Israeli 'justice' put to shame (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) The charge sheet against the Palestinian legislator - in jail now for two months - ought to be studied in every law school: This is how you slap together false accusations and fabricate an indictment.
The crisis with the United States: All the President's Men are opening their mouths (Moshe Cohen, Maariv) David Axelrod said: 'How can you believe Netanyahu? " Haim Saban: "The Israelis are losing America." In an interview with ‘Avoda’ investigative program, those close to the president tell of the rift between the two countries.
Deterrence against terror groups is an elusive concept (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) Withdrawals persuade Israel’s enemies that Israel is weak. And the state has abandoned its duty to assure the safety of the civilian population.
An unholy alliance: the State of Israel abandoned the South Lebanon Army (Amos Gilboa, Maariv) After the withdrawal from Lebanon (in which they came to Israel), instead of receiving rehabilitation treatment they deserved, the loyal people ran into miserliness and humiliation (from Israel). It’s not for nothing that Hezbollah celebrates this disgraceful treatment of the SLA by Israel.
Palestinian FIFA move hit an Israeli nerve (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The bid pushed Israel into a state of constant tension and hinted at how much BDS efforts could hurt the Israeli public; but it also displays the Palestinian Authority's logic of stagnation.
Enough with the self-hatred (Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) The Left has discovered that to win prizes and international recognition, all one needs to do is smear one's country -- the stronger the defamation, the greater the preferential treatment.
How will Israel's new security cabinet handle a war? (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Dissenting voices like Lieberman's won't be there this time around to infuriate Netanyahu and Ya'alon. So is the forum just a rubber stamp for the prime minister?
Architect of discrimination: Aharon Barak laid the foundations for injustice in the (Palestinian) territories (Ran Adelist, Maariv) The former president of the High Court fears for the “fragile democratic state," but in fact he is one of those who built the legal protective shield around democratic Israel and threaded all the distortions and rationalizations into the eye of the judicial needle. He is one of the Founding Fathers of the judicial security doctrine, which came at the expense of democracy, and his concerns about (new Justice Minister) Shaked, their basis is in the rulings that he himself made. To understand the crooked legal logic of the that helped promote the security establishment advance the projects of the nationalist-settler wing, one needs to examine Barak's ruling regarding Highway 443. This is one of many (there were also some that were reasonable, but it gives legal foundation) that created the reality of hell, the infrastructure of terrorism.
A Kafkaesque perversion of military law: Khalida Jarar must be released now (Haaretz Editorial) What’s the point of a military justice system if a court decision to release an accused is met with a threat by the prosecution to hold her without trial?
BDS is a threat to Israel's very existence (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) ISIS? Iran? North Korea? The industry of lies spun by the BDS movement is convincing more and more people that Israel is the source of evil in the world. Make no mistake: This is not a campaign against settlements. It's a war on the legitimacy of the Jewish state. All reasonable forces, from right and left, must act against the economic, academic, and cultural boycott which has become a strategic threat. Yedioth Ahronoth is enlisting in the fight back.
France should recognize Palestine now instead of wasting time with the UN (Roy Isacowitz, Haaretz+) Draft of UN Security Council resolution for ending Israeli-Palestinian conflict gives both parties 18 months before France will recognize Palestinian state. But what’s the point of waiting?
When the political game reaches the soccer field (Smadar Perry, Yedioth/Ynet) Israel temporarily made it out of the FIFA affair, but Jibril Rajoub has no intention of giving up; every time Israel prevents Palestinian footballers from crossing the border, he will pick up the phone and call Switzerland.
Must every Arab flower be crushed? (Oudeh Basharat, Haaretz+) More than 30 percent of Israel's Arab MKs are graduates of Christian community schools, but the government seems determined to stop them flourishing.
It's not Herzog's campaign that failed, it's his message (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) Instead of talking about the occupation and the danger of a bi-national state, the Labor chairman became obsessed with the middle class' economic situation, which isn't that bad.
The false arrest of Khalida Jarrar: Israeli 'justice' put to shame (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) The charge sheet against the Palestinian legislator - in jail now for two months - ought to be studied in every law school: This is how you slap together false accusations and fabricate an indictment.
The crisis with the United States: All the President's Men are opening their mouths (Moshe Cohen, Maariv) David Axelrod said: 'How can you believe Netanyahu? " Haim Saban: "The Israelis are losing America." In an interview with ‘Avoda’ investigative program, those close to the president tell of the rift between the two countries.
Deterrence against terror groups is an elusive concept (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) Withdrawals persuade Israel’s enemies that Israel is weak. And the state has abandoned its duty to assure the safety of the civilian population.
An unholy alliance: the State of Israel abandoned the South Lebanon Army (Amos Gilboa, Maariv) After the withdrawal from Lebanon (in which they came to Israel), instead of receiving rehabilitation treatment they deserved, the loyal people ran into miserliness and humiliation (from Israel). It’s not for nothing that Hezbollah celebrates this disgraceful treatment of the SLA by Israel.
Palestinian FIFA move hit an Israeli nerve (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The bid pushed Israel into a state of constant tension and hinted at how much BDS efforts could hurt the Israeli public; but it also displays the Palestinian Authority's logic of stagnation.
Enough with the self-hatred (Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) The Left has discovered that to win prizes and international recognition, all one needs to do is smear one's country -- the stronger the defamation, the greater the preferential treatment.
How will Israel's new security cabinet handle a war? (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Dissenting voices like Lieberman's won't be there this time around to infuriate Netanyahu and Ya'alon. So is the forum just a rubber stamp for the prime minister?
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.