APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday July 2, 2015
Quote of the day:
“From now on, Netanyahu is like a baby that has lost its security blanket, or like one whose favorite
teddy bear was thrown into the garbage – the one that warmed his heart during the long nights and infused him
with calm and serenity during times of trouble and election campaigns…No more planning for a glorious commando
operation; no more sowing of widespread, useful nuclear fears; no more fanning of heart-warming, blinding
panic. No more Churchill! Heaven help us. Just housing, and the cost of living, and the budget, and the
coalition, and corruption, and a whole world that insults and scorns and snipes at him.”
--B. Michael writes in Haaretz+ when it became clear that a nuclear deal would be reached between the world powers and Iran.
--B. Michael writes in Haaretz+ when it became clear that a nuclear deal would be reached between the world powers and Iran.
You Must Be Kidding:
A Christian IDF soldier admitted to lying to the police and inflicting wounds on himself when he claimed he was attacked by Muslim Arabs because he joined the Israeli army.
Breaking News:
Negotiators in Vienna reach historic Iran nuclear deal amid anger in Israel. (See News Summary for more.)
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Night negotiations in Vienna ahead of declaration of nuclear agreement
- In the Obama-Netanyahu war that opened, Israel will be the one to lose // Chemi Shalev
- Greece to remain in Euro bloc: agreed to additional austerity measures in exchange for aid
- Indictments in the 512 affair: Heads of crime organizations will stand trial for murder
- A day after his release from extended administrative detention, hunger-striker Khader Adnan was re-arrested
- Health Ministry: Medicine with codeine is dangerous to children
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Netanyahu: We aren’t building settlements
- Night of crises on way to agreement
- Soldiers in the capital of terror – History: the first female soldiers who serve in Shchem/Nablus
- Ronal Fisher’s guard, Tomer Budhana - Company commander who was injured in the Second Lebanon War, volunteered to guard his friend (indicted lawyer) so that he doesn’t escape house arrest
- Breakout of measles raises dilemma again: Should we vaccinate our children
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Netanyahu: “There are those who are prepared for an agreement at any price” – Again disputes in the nuclear talks; In Jerusalem, preparing for the day after and criticizing Obama
- In any case, we lost // Ben Caspit
- Not a disaster // Yossi Melman
- Stop scaring us, it’s a good agreement // Ran Adelist
- Big smile in Teheran // Alon Ben-David
- The world powers’ steamroller // Shlomo Shamir in New York
- Poor management // Dr. Emily Landau
- “Stop the reconstruction of Gaza till the bodies are returned” – Moving call of the bereaved brother
- Health Ministry warns: “Medicines with codeine are life-threatening”
- Tax Authority recommends: Cancel the exemptions from VAT in the billions of shekels
Israel Hayom
- An agreement full of holes, compromises at any cost – Vienna: On the way to signing; Netanyahu: They don’t have the will to prevent a bad agreement
- Lapid’s and Herzog’s ludicrous headlines // Haim Shine
- Zarif’s laugh: Cunning victory // Boaz Bismuth
- The running over of Gal Beck: Witness summoned; Mystery: Why was the driver’s license returned to the driver before the end of its revocation
- Hidden security – A lesson from the kidnapping of the three youth: undercover IDF reservists are guarding hitchhiking posts in Judea and Samaria
- Tsipras was humiliated and gave in: Greece remains in Euro bloc
- Health Ministry warns: Medicine with codeine can cause death
News Summary:
Iran and the world powers were likely to sign a historic nuclear deal to which Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu accused others and defended himself, the IDF Chief of Staff expressed support for commanders under interrogation – with conditions, and Netanyahu told settlers that he had made a freeze on settlement construction, which the Likud party denied making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. And, Haaretz+ shares the story of an IDF judge who made an unusual ruling.
When the Israeli papers went to press, the deal had yet to be signed, but Israeli journalists and politicians knew that by morning it would be done and their reports and statements reflected that in today’s papers. Indeed, the historic nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers was reached today, enabling the ending of economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for supervision of its nuclear program. Haaretz+ has the deal details here. Israel already received a copy of the agreement. Netanyahu called it a mistake of historic proportions. And Israel plans to fight it in the US Congress, Ynet writes. But an hour after the official announcement of the deal was made, US President Barack Obama addressed the nation saying he would veto any legislation aimed at blocking the deal in Congress, and continued to say that a nuclear armed Iran was far more destabilizing than a non-nuclear Iran.
Yesterday, Netanyahu accused the world powers of compromising at any cost to get an agreement and defended himself against critics who blamed him and his bad relations with Obama for not getting a better deal for Israel. According to Netanyahu, Israel did not commit itself to "avoid an agreement or prevent an agreement, certainly not when the world powers were ready to sign one at any price. We did commit ourselves to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons - and indeed, were it not for our efforts over the years, Iran could have armed itself with nuclear bombs a long time ago, and that (commitment) is valid today more than ever. I call on all those who hold the security of Israel dear to them, to unite behind this commitment,” Israel Hayom quoted him as saying. Yesterday, when it was clear the agreement as a done deal, Netanyahu launched a Twitter account in Farsi. At first, Iranian and foreign journalists covering the nuclear negotiations thought the account was a parody. Here’s a Timeline of ‘Nearly 60 years of efforts to contain Iran's nuclear program’
Meanwhile, Netanyahu allegedly said at a Likud meeting yesterday where a number of settlement leaders were present that “we cannot develop the settlements further, Yedioth/Ynet and Maariv reported. Shai Alon, the leader of Beit El settlement asked why the housing units in his community were not approved and Netanyahu answered that they were built illegally and that the government is not succeeding in getting them approved/regulated. Alon argued with him to which Alon said Netanyahu responded: "You are worried about the interests of your little village and I am concerned about the interests of the whole country. There are international pressures on us and we need to act wisely." Afterward he reportedly said that he is taking care of the settlement enterprise, which is under an international attack.” Yedioth made a probe and learned that since the swearing-in of this government on May 14th, the construction in the settlements has completely stopped. Peace Now confirmed this to Yedioth. The settlers were furious. And the ruling Likud party denied Netanyahu said settlement construction was stopped, which Israel Hayom reported on.
On the day that another IDF commander was interrogated for possible illegal actions, Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot expressed support for the army’s investigation units as well as conditioned support for commanders, Maariv and Israel Hayom reported. "We need to back up officers who are interrogated for their activities,” he said adding that they "made decisions that were not easy under combat conditions and operational circumstances.” However, he conditioned his support for them as long as they did not make criminal acts or were found guilty of negligence in the line of duty. Yesterday, IDF Armored Corps commander Lt. Col. Neria Yeshurun was questioned about giving an illegal order to fire on a Gazan medical clinic ostensibly to ‘raise morale.’
In what could be an unprecedented decision by an Israeli military judge, Lt.. Col. Shmuel Keidar ordered Mohib Zgarna free on bail, after he was accused of assaulting a Border Policeman, who was part of a contingent sent by Israel to destroy the electricity infrastructure in his village neighborhood in the West Bank, Haaretz+ reported. “We cannot expect a person not to resist the destruction of his home, just as people from all sectors in the country have done, as in the examples of Yamit, Gush Katif, Amona, Givat Amal [in Tel Aviv] and elsewhere. In all these instances there were (several) homeowners who took violent measures and were arrested, but it doesn’t seem to me that they were held longer than a few days for questioning and not until the end of legal proceedings against them,” Military Judge Keidar said.
Iran and the world powers were likely to sign a historic nuclear deal to which Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu accused others and defended himself, the IDF Chief of Staff expressed support for commanders under interrogation – with conditions, and Netanyahu told settlers that he had made a freeze on settlement construction, which the Likud party denied making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. And, Haaretz+ shares the story of an IDF judge who made an unusual ruling.
When the Israeli papers went to press, the deal had yet to be signed, but Israeli journalists and politicians knew that by morning it would be done and their reports and statements reflected that in today’s papers. Indeed, the historic nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers was reached today, enabling the ending of economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for supervision of its nuclear program. Haaretz+ has the deal details here. Israel already received a copy of the agreement. Netanyahu called it a mistake of historic proportions. And Israel plans to fight it in the US Congress, Ynet writes. But an hour after the official announcement of the deal was made, US President Barack Obama addressed the nation saying he would veto any legislation aimed at blocking the deal in Congress, and continued to say that a nuclear armed Iran was far more destabilizing than a non-nuclear Iran.
Yesterday, Netanyahu accused the world powers of compromising at any cost to get an agreement and defended himself against critics who blamed him and his bad relations with Obama for not getting a better deal for Israel. According to Netanyahu, Israel did not commit itself to "avoid an agreement or prevent an agreement, certainly not when the world powers were ready to sign one at any price. We did commit ourselves to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons - and indeed, were it not for our efforts over the years, Iran could have armed itself with nuclear bombs a long time ago, and that (commitment) is valid today more than ever. I call on all those who hold the security of Israel dear to them, to unite behind this commitment,” Israel Hayom quoted him as saying. Yesterday, when it was clear the agreement as a done deal, Netanyahu launched a Twitter account in Farsi. At first, Iranian and foreign journalists covering the nuclear negotiations thought the account was a parody. Here’s a Timeline of ‘Nearly 60 years of efforts to contain Iran's nuclear program’
Meanwhile, Netanyahu allegedly said at a Likud meeting yesterday where a number of settlement leaders were present that “we cannot develop the settlements further, Yedioth/Ynet and Maariv reported. Shai Alon, the leader of Beit El settlement asked why the housing units in his community were not approved and Netanyahu answered that they were built illegally and that the government is not succeeding in getting them approved/regulated. Alon argued with him to which Alon said Netanyahu responded: "You are worried about the interests of your little village and I am concerned about the interests of the whole country. There are international pressures on us and we need to act wisely." Afterward he reportedly said that he is taking care of the settlement enterprise, which is under an international attack.” Yedioth made a probe and learned that since the swearing-in of this government on May 14th, the construction in the settlements has completely stopped. Peace Now confirmed this to Yedioth. The settlers were furious. And the ruling Likud party denied Netanyahu said settlement construction was stopped, which Israel Hayom reported on.
On the day that another IDF commander was interrogated for possible illegal actions, Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot expressed support for the army’s investigation units as well as conditioned support for commanders, Maariv and Israel Hayom reported. "We need to back up officers who are interrogated for their activities,” he said adding that they "made decisions that were not easy under combat conditions and operational circumstances.” However, he conditioned his support for them as long as they did not make criminal acts or were found guilty of negligence in the line of duty. Yesterday, IDF Armored Corps commander Lt. Col. Neria Yeshurun was questioned about giving an illegal order to fire on a Gazan medical clinic ostensibly to ‘raise morale.’
In what could be an unprecedented decision by an Israeli military judge, Lt.. Col. Shmuel Keidar ordered Mohib Zgarna free on bail, after he was accused of assaulting a Border Policeman, who was part of a contingent sent by Israel to destroy the electricity infrastructure in his village neighborhood in the West Bank, Haaretz+ reported. “We cannot expect a person not to resist the destruction of his home, just as people from all sectors in the country have done, as in the examples of Yamit, Gush Katif, Amona, Givat Amal [in Tel Aviv] and elsewhere. In all these instances there were (several) homeowners who took violent measures and were arrested, but it doesn’t seem to me that they were held longer than a few days for questioning and not until the end of legal proceedings against them,” Military Judge Keidar said.
Quick Hits:
- WATCH: Palestinian man loses eye after being shot by sponge-tipped bullet fired by Israeli forces - Security footage clearly shows that the man, Nafiz Zamiri, 55, who is deaf and mute, was not among youths who threw rocks toward Israeli forces in Shuafat in E. Jerusalem, but tried to seek shelter in a store. (Haaretz+ and Ynet – both with VIDEO, Maariv with photo of injured man)
- Israel frees Palestinian hunger striker rearrested day after release - Khader Adnan was released on Sunday after six years in and out of administrative detention only to be held again. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Christian IDF soldier lies to police about assault by Muslims - After learning the soldier lied and admitted to intentionally causing his own injuries, the Israeli Christians Recruitment Forum said: "We regret that the soldier chose to take advantage of a real problem of violence that exists, and which Christian soldiers deal with, for his own unknown personal interests.” (Ynet, Maariv and Times of Israel)
- Anti-Arab vigilante group retakes streets of Jerusalem - Lehava, a self-styled 'anti-assimilation' pressure group, has increased its presence in the capital, in order to fend off (alleged) 'harassment' of Jewish women by Arabs. Critics say they terrorize the city's Palestinian residents. (Ynet)
- IDF: Same treatment for Palestinian, Jewish rioters - Soldiers were ordered to respond to Jewish stone-throwers just as they do to Palestinians. The order has been revised several times in the past, first appearing as a result of several incidents between right-wing activists and IDF soldiers. In many of these cases, soldiers stood by in instances of violence against Palestinians. (Ynet+VIDEOS of soldiers standing by while masked settlers attack Palestinians)
- Israeli troops raid Dheisheh refugee camp, threaten residents - Soldiers raided the house of former prisoner Faris Hasanat on Monday and notified him that his brother, Karim Hasanat, was to turn himself in to Israeli forces or "be killed," locals told Ma'an. Clashes broke out. (Maan)
- UN calls on Palestinians to provide information on missing Israelis - Ban Ki-moon urges 'all parties to protect and respect the rights of civilians,' calling on Gazans to supply information on Avera Mengistu and missing Bedouin. (Haaretz)
- Hadar Goldin's twin to Evangelicals: Help me bring my brother home (– and not to reconstruct Gaza until then) - Tzur Goldin pleads with Evangelical Christians to help him bring his twin brother, kidnapped by Hamas in Gaza, to Israel for burial. (Maariv and Ynet+VIDEO with English speech)
- Israeli military police questions officer whose troops fired at Gaza clinic - IDF Armored Corps commander Lt. Col. Neria Yeshurun ostensibly sought to 'raise morale' during the war last summer after fellow officer killed by Palestinian sniper; IDF chief: Military will investigate every suspicion without [external] pressures. (Haaretz+)
- Chief of Staff: "We need to back up officers who are interrogated for their activities” - Chief of Staff Eisenkot expressed his support for the IDF’s investigation institutions as well as for the commanders, whom he said, "made decisions that were not easy, under combat conditions and operational circumstances.” Eisenkot conditioned his support for commanders on cases were there was no negligence or criminal acts. (Maariv)
- Bowing to right-wingers, city halls cancel Gaza film screenings - Director of Amnesty Israel, which had organized showings in south of movie on Gaza trauma victims: 'It is unacceptable for local leaders to function as censors.' (Haaretz+)
- Lone soldier killed in Gaza honored with Torah dedication - Sgt. Max Steinberg, killed in Operation Protective Edge, is commemorated with a Torah scroll dedication in Jerusalem. "Max reminded us that we are all one nation. He lost his life defending us and the State of Israel," says his father. (Israel Hayom)
- (Arab) MK Ayman Odeh: "We must celebrate the cultural heritage of Jews from Arab countries" - Chairman of the Joint List spoke at the first gathering of members of the Knesset’s Lobby for Culture of Jews from Arab and Muslim Countries, which held its first meeting at the Knesset. (Maariv)
- WATCH LIVE: More than 200 North American Jews arrive in Israel on Nefesh B'Nefesh charter aliyah flight - Ranging from 4 months old to 90 years old, the passengers include 32 families and 95 children. (Haaretz)
- Two black Jewish Americans reportedly denied entry to Israel - Authorities suspect Jewish convert and son were planning to stay in Israel to join Black Hebrew community, which isn't recognized as Jewish; Idit Malka claims she was visiting for her sister's wedding. (Haaretz)
- New British ambassador arrives in Israel - Ambassador David Quarrey is taking over from outgoing envoy Matthew Gould. (Haaretz)
- Schools named after slain PM Rabin to get priority in memorial grant allocation - Ahead of 20-year memorial, Education Ministry sets unusual criterion for commemoration funds. (Haaretz+)
- Antiquities thief returns Roman 'balls' - 'They brought me nothing but trouble,' complains anonymous culprit in letter attached to 2,000-year-old projectiles stolen in 1995 and left this week in museum. (Ynet)
- Israeli President Rivlin's sister, Ester Herling Binyamin, dies aged 84 - Ester Herling Binyamin fought in the Irgun and was devoted to Jerusalem, the city of her birth. (Haaretz)
- Madonna's daughter in secret visit to Israel - Eighteen-year-old Lourdes spotted strolling through Tel Aviv's Rothschild Boulevard with her boyfriend before attending friends' wedding. (Ynet+VIDEO)
- UNESCO backs Jordan as Jesus' baptism site - The decision drew cheers in Jordan, but raised eyebrows among some scholars. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Michelle Obama’s cousin nominated as world's 'black chief rabbi' - Chicago Rabbi Capers Funnye's job will involve heading the international community of Black Jews, the International Israelite board of Rabbis said. (JTA, Haaretz)
- Journalist accused of violating Jordanian news ban has been released - Jordan's state security court has released a staff reporter who was detained last week for allegedly violating a ban on writing about a foiled terror plot, according to a government-owned newspaper. (Haaretz)
- Iraqi troops, Shi'ite militias launch military assault on ISIS in Anbar - Military sources say they met fierce resistance from ISIS fighters, who deployed five suicide car bombs and fired rockets to repel their advance on Falluja. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Hezbollah threatens Islamic State in Syria: Surrender or die - Nasrallah says 'the road to Jerusalem passes through Zabadani,' as Hezbollah and Syrian army lay siege on strategic town. (Ynet)
- As markets predict Iran nuclear deal is near, oil prices fall - Oil prices tumbled on Monday as Iran and six world powers closed in on a nuclear deal that would end sanctions on the Islamic Republic and let more Iranian oil on to world markets. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
After the storm: The disengagement (from Gaza) has caused not only physical destruction, but also
ideological
A decline in commitment to the state, the loss of the leadership, damage to the trust of the settlers in their rabbis and more severe opposition to any future evacuation, if there is one. Ten years after settlers were removed from the Gaza Strip, a new study by journalist, publicist and Israel Democracy Institute researcher Yair Sheleg examines how the traumatic disengagement affected religious Zionism. (Arik Bender, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
A decline in commitment to the state, the loss of the leadership, damage to the trust of the settlers in their rabbis and more severe opposition to any future evacuation, if there is one. Ten years after settlers were removed from the Gaza Strip, a new study by journalist, publicist and Israel Democracy Institute researcher Yair Sheleg examines how the traumatic disengagement affected religious Zionism. (Arik Bender, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
Poor Netanyahu, the world has taken away his most beloved toy – the Iranian bomb (B.
Michael, Haaretz+) The spoke will soon be put in wheel of the Iranian bomb, and it will be ripped
from the headlines and from our consciousness for at least the next dozen years or even more. And for Bibi,
what will happen now?
Death penalty would be a victory for terrorists (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) What will the populist ministers and MKs who support a death sentence for terrorists say when the first Israeli soldier is executed on the streets of Jenin or in alleys of Khan Younis?
We lost, and we have to get used to the idea that we have a neighbor that is a nuclear threshold state (Alon Ben-David, Maariv) Paradoxically, in Israel they already hope that the agreement is awful and terrible. The assessment is that the worse the agreement will be - the more likely it will be to thwart it in the US Congress.
Obama-Bibi clash puts Israel in no-win situation (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) Republicans want to use nuclear deal in campaign against Hillary Clinton and the Democrats but they might overplay their hand.
Israeli leadership must be capable of setting boundaries (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) While Israel is known for its efforts to rescue citizens in life-threatening situations around the world, it's completely different when people are voluntarily taken captive and a terror organization wants murderers freed in return for their release.
Stop scaring us: the agreement with Iran is a good agreement (Ran Edelist, Maariv) There is room to warn against the agreement, to be skeptical and to point to the potential danger. But the chorus, which in a faking single united booming voice reads the talkpoints page of the Prime Minister, prevents any real discussion.
IDF supporters too quick to mobilize in defense of soldiers (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Blind faith in ‘the most moral army in the world’ is no substitute for real investigations into possible offenses.
IDF officers shouldn't fear investigation (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Probe launched against commander who allegedly approved shelling of Gaza clinic will not hurt Israeli army; it will only strengthen it.
In any case, we lost: the nuclear agreement is the personal failure of Netanyahu (Ben Caspit, Maariv) Judging by the results, the Iranian nuclear deal has come on the Prime Minister Netanyahu’s shift. It was possible to do things differently, but Netanyahu chose Sheldon (Adelson) and (Ron) Dermer over the logical way.
The government of Israel versus the Jewish people (Haaretz Editorial) Every divisive and hostile statement by an Israeli minister resounds painfully in Jewish communities abroad and distances Jews from Israel and from their Jewishness.
Steamroller superpowers: the agreement was the result of coordinated conduct (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) Washington initiated and led it, but the agreement that will be signed is the result of a rare collaboration between the world powers.
Deputy Speaker of Knesset ready to serve as Israel's new executioner (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) Remember the name Bezalel Smotrich. If a planned vote this week on the death penalty will separate the True Right from the hangers-on, his place is assured.
The two-sided attitude of Egyptian patriotism: Israel and the Muslim Brotherhood (Zvi Bar’el, Haaretz+) It turns out that true Egyptian patriotism is measured by two criteria these days: one’s attitude toward Israel and one’s attitude toward the Muslim Brotherhood.
Agreement with Iran is not a disaster (Yossi Melman, Maariv) Even if the agreement is not optimal, the sky will not fall down on Israel. Israel will continue to be a strong regional power, with the best army, the latest technology at its disposal.
Obama's bag of fibs (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) The emerging nuclear deal with Iran is a product of U.S. President Barack Obama's worldview and twisted set of priorities, shared by no other president.
It's all magic (Yitzhak Ben-Ner, Maariv) This is Netanyahu's strategy, which acts when it is impossible to postpone another difficult decision: obscure, obfuscate, disguise, don’t speak, and when you must - repeat the clichés of the threat and the scare tactics.
Will Pope Francis turn the Catholic Church into a movement for social justice? (Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz, Haaretz+) It’s amazing, but a Jesuit priest of all people is the world's most fluent and passionate speaker on the connection between poverty and environmental and distributive injustice.
Lior Lotan is one of the good guys (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) The Mangisto affair must not be turned into an ethnic or strategic issue; it's the story of a weak family with a lost son who crossed the fence into Gaza out of his own free will.
Where does the Obama administration stand on BDS? (Seth Lipsky, Haaretz+) A brewing battle over trade law relating to Israel and the territories may make the Jerusalem passport case look completely inconsequential.
Netanyahu handled Mangisto affair correctly (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth/Ynet) The prime minister realized that public exposure would drag Israel into extreme negotiations accompanied by criticism from the opposition and social groups and pressure to give in to Hamas' insolent demands.
A historic and shameful surrender (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) If and when a nuclear deal with Iran is announced, we will look to the U.S. Congress as our last hope.
Why Orthodox Judaism needs to be the law of Israel's land (Rabbi Avi Shafran, Haaretz+) Religious Services Minister David Azoulay might have misspoken when he implied Reform Jews are not Jews, but his intent – contentious though it may be – touches on important truths.
Death penalty would be a victory for terrorists (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) What will the populist ministers and MKs who support a death sentence for terrorists say when the first Israeli soldier is executed on the streets of Jenin or in alleys of Khan Younis?
We lost, and we have to get used to the idea that we have a neighbor that is a nuclear threshold state (Alon Ben-David, Maariv) Paradoxically, in Israel they already hope that the agreement is awful and terrible. The assessment is that the worse the agreement will be - the more likely it will be to thwart it in the US Congress.
Obama-Bibi clash puts Israel in no-win situation (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) Republicans want to use nuclear deal in campaign against Hillary Clinton and the Democrats but they might overplay their hand.
Israeli leadership must be capable of setting boundaries (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) While Israel is known for its efforts to rescue citizens in life-threatening situations around the world, it's completely different when people are voluntarily taken captive and a terror organization wants murderers freed in return for their release.
Stop scaring us: the agreement with Iran is a good agreement (Ran Edelist, Maariv) There is room to warn against the agreement, to be skeptical and to point to the potential danger. But the chorus, which in a faking single united booming voice reads the talkpoints page of the Prime Minister, prevents any real discussion.
IDF supporters too quick to mobilize in defense of soldiers (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Blind faith in ‘the most moral army in the world’ is no substitute for real investigations into possible offenses.
IDF officers shouldn't fear investigation (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Probe launched against commander who allegedly approved shelling of Gaza clinic will not hurt Israeli army; it will only strengthen it.
In any case, we lost: the nuclear agreement is the personal failure of Netanyahu (Ben Caspit, Maariv) Judging by the results, the Iranian nuclear deal has come on the Prime Minister Netanyahu’s shift. It was possible to do things differently, but Netanyahu chose Sheldon (Adelson) and (Ron) Dermer over the logical way.
The government of Israel versus the Jewish people (Haaretz Editorial) Every divisive and hostile statement by an Israeli minister resounds painfully in Jewish communities abroad and distances Jews from Israel and from their Jewishness.
Steamroller superpowers: the agreement was the result of coordinated conduct (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) Washington initiated and led it, but the agreement that will be signed is the result of a rare collaboration between the world powers.
Deputy Speaker of Knesset ready to serve as Israel's new executioner (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) Remember the name Bezalel Smotrich. If a planned vote this week on the death penalty will separate the True Right from the hangers-on, his place is assured.
The two-sided attitude of Egyptian patriotism: Israel and the Muslim Brotherhood (Zvi Bar’el, Haaretz+) It turns out that true Egyptian patriotism is measured by two criteria these days: one’s attitude toward Israel and one’s attitude toward the Muslim Brotherhood.
Agreement with Iran is not a disaster (Yossi Melman, Maariv) Even if the agreement is not optimal, the sky will not fall down on Israel. Israel will continue to be a strong regional power, with the best army, the latest technology at its disposal.
Obama's bag of fibs (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) The emerging nuclear deal with Iran is a product of U.S. President Barack Obama's worldview and twisted set of priorities, shared by no other president.
It's all magic (Yitzhak Ben-Ner, Maariv) This is Netanyahu's strategy, which acts when it is impossible to postpone another difficult decision: obscure, obfuscate, disguise, don’t speak, and when you must - repeat the clichés of the threat and the scare tactics.
Will Pope Francis turn the Catholic Church into a movement for social justice? (Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz, Haaretz+) It’s amazing, but a Jesuit priest of all people is the world's most fluent and passionate speaker on the connection between poverty and environmental and distributive injustice.
Lior Lotan is one of the good guys (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) The Mangisto affair must not be turned into an ethnic or strategic issue; it's the story of a weak family with a lost son who crossed the fence into Gaza out of his own free will.
Where does the Obama administration stand on BDS? (Seth Lipsky, Haaretz+) A brewing battle over trade law relating to Israel and the territories may make the Jerusalem passport case look completely inconsequential.
Netanyahu handled Mangisto affair correctly (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth/Ynet) The prime minister realized that public exposure would drag Israel into extreme negotiations accompanied by criticism from the opposition and social groups and pressure to give in to Hamas' insolent demands.
A historic and shameful surrender (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) If and when a nuclear deal with Iran is announced, we will look to the U.S. Congress as our last hope.
Why Orthodox Judaism needs to be the law of Israel's land (Rabbi Avi Shafran, Haaretz+) Religious Services Minister David Azoulay might have misspoken when he implied Reform Jews are not Jews, but his intent – contentious though it may be – touches on important truths.
Interviews:
Oded Kotler returns to the battlefield
The theater director made the headlines recently with his ‘herd of beasts’ reference to Likud voters. Now he's tackling a sacred cow – the IDF. (Interviewed by Yair Ashkenazi in Haaretz+)
The theater director made the headlines recently with his ‘herd of beasts’ reference to Likud voters. Now he's tackling a sacred cow – the IDF. (Interviewed by Yair Ashkenazi in Haaretz+)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.