APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday July 30, 2015
Quote of the day:
“At this crucial point of the Iranian issue – which for years has been at the core of Israeli foreign
policy and was described countless times by the Israeli leadership as an existential threat – the Jewish
community in the United States is not standing as a united front behind Israel and important parts of it are on
the fence."
--Israeli consul in Philadelphia wrote in a confidential telegram.
--Israeli consul in Philadelphia wrote in a confidential telegram.
You Must Be Kidding:
"We should send a D-9 [armored bulldozer] to raze the High Court."
--MK Moti Yogev (Habayit Hayehudi) reacts to High Court ruling.
Front Page:
Haaretz
- The two residential buildings in Beit El (settlement) were destroyed on order of High Court while violent clashes took place
- Draynoff (buildings) affair: There is rule of law and there is D9 (bulldozers) // Amir Oren
- 400 cameras and a DNA test: This is how the arson at the Church of Multitudes was solved
- Israeli consul warns: US Jews having difficulty supporting Israel on the Iran agreement
- 3 killed in attack in Syria attributed to IDF
- Light rail? Damaging and irrelevant idea whose time passed dozens of years ago // Esther Zandberg
- (Israeli Druze town) Beit Jann at top of table of number who pass high school matriculation exams
- Draconian measure // Haaretz Editorial
Yedioth Ahronoth
- “Establish a court for the territories instead of the High Court” – Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked responds to the destruction of the two residential buildings in Beit El
- And in first place (for highest percentage of high school graduates): Beit Jann
- Super shadows – Behind the popular spy show “Traitor,” hides a senior Israeli intel person, who uses the pseudonym ‘Yonatan De Shalit’
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- The demolition and the compensation
- Israel and Judea // Ben Caspit
- High Court was admant // Adv. Yechiel Gottman
- The settlers barricaded in Sa-Nur: “We are here already two days and the world did not collapse”
- Report: “Five killed in Israeli aerial attack on Syria”
- “Counting the seconds until the hug with Jonathan (Pollard)” – Esther Pollard, wife of the spy
- The best in Israel: Beit Jann students lead in percentage of those eligible for high school diploma
Israel Hayom
- Netanyahu: “We will respect the court; that is how it was and that is how it will be” – Wave of condemnations following extremist remark by MK Yogev: “Raze the High Court with a bulldozer”
- On the finality of the debate (destruction of the Drayhoff houses) // Yaaqov Medan
- From the beginning to the end – the incidents were completely unnecessary // Mati Tuchfeld
- Revolution in the top of the tables for eligibility for matriculation: High school students of Beit Jann passed Kochav Yair
- “IDF eliminated (Samir) Kuntar’s activists in Syrian land” – Aerial strike near Quneitra
- Esther Pollard: “Counting the seconds till I hug Jonathan”
- Deputy Foreign Minister Hotovely’s initiative to battle the boycott: Jurists will prepare a hasbara (PR) line
News Summary:
Storm over the demolition of two settlement buildings, the violent protests, the politicians’ reactions and the prime minister’s compensation was the top story in today’s Hebrew newspapers along with the report from foreign media that Israel killed 3-5 members of Hezbollah in an aerial strike inside Syria.
The political arena was deeply divided by the High Court decision that rejected the petition to accept a retroactive building permit for two empty residential buildings built in 2010 in the West Bank, paving way for the demolition of the homes, which the High Court had earlier ordered be demolished by the end of July 2015. Hundreds of settler youth threw stones, burned tires and shouted incitement at Border Police who prevented them from stopping the demolition that took place yesterday of the Draynoff houses built in an outpost of the Beit El settlement on the farmland of an elderly Palestinian man.
Maariv has video.
Some right-wing politicians stood by the violence and called for more. On Tuesday, the settler youth, led by Likud MK Oren Hazan, clashed with police and continued almost through the demolition on Wednesday. MK Moti Yogev (Habayit Hayehudi) said the High Court should be razed by a bulldozer. Some MKs called for an incitement probe. Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked said the ruling must be accepted, but added that the buildings will be rebuilt [which contradicts her earlier statement. – OH] "This is the Jewish way – you don't lose hope and you keep building, building, building." Speaking to Yedioth, Shaked also proposed creating an alternative tribunal for West Bank land disputes. She said the present system, whereby the High Court rules, “is distorted.”
Meanwhile, 200 settlers remained since Tuesday night till this morning on the site of the demolished settlement Sa-Nur demanding the government discuss the return of settlers to northern Samaria in return for their leaving the place peacefully. This morning they were forcibly removed.
Following pressure from Likud ministers and Habayit Hayehudi politicians, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced the immediate construction approval for 300 housing units in Beit El that were approved in 2012. He also approved moving forward with the planning of 500 new housing units in Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem. The international community responded with condemnations. The EU said the approval of more settlement homes “calls into question the Israeli government’s stated commitment to a negotiated two-state solution.” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned that Israel's continued settlement building “will destroy international efforts to renew the peace process.”
Some right-wing ministers disapproved of the violence and the settlement construction announcement. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said, "Those who throw stones at police officers and soldiers should be prosecuted." [It will be interesting to see if any of the rioting settlers will be put on trial. – OH] Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said he was in favor of settlement construction but that he "opposed giving (approval) for construction now as a prize for the hooliganism and the violent and law-violating behavior” of the settlers.
The Lebanese media reported that the Israeli Air Force attacked a vehicle in the Druze village of Khader, on the outskirts of Quneitra in the Syrian Golan, killing three pro-Assad militants. Some reported that those kllled were Hezbollah activists sent by Samir Kuntar – or possibly Kuntar himself. The PFLP claimed that an Israeli drone attacked an arms depot in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon.
Storm over the demolition of two settlement buildings, the violent protests, the politicians’ reactions and the prime minister’s compensation was the top story in today’s Hebrew newspapers along with the report from foreign media that Israel killed 3-5 members of Hezbollah in an aerial strike inside Syria.
The political arena was deeply divided by the High Court decision that rejected the petition to accept a retroactive building permit for two empty residential buildings built in 2010 in the West Bank, paving way for the demolition of the homes, which the High Court had earlier ordered be demolished by the end of July 2015. Hundreds of settler youth threw stones, burned tires and shouted incitement at Border Police who prevented them from stopping the demolition that took place yesterday of the Draynoff houses built in an outpost of the Beit El settlement on the farmland of an elderly Palestinian man.
Maariv has video.
Some right-wing politicians stood by the violence and called for more. On Tuesday, the settler youth, led by Likud MK Oren Hazan, clashed with police and continued almost through the demolition on Wednesday. MK Moti Yogev (Habayit Hayehudi) said the High Court should be razed by a bulldozer. Some MKs called for an incitement probe. Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked said the ruling must be accepted, but added that the buildings will be rebuilt [which contradicts her earlier statement. – OH] "This is the Jewish way – you don't lose hope and you keep building, building, building." Speaking to Yedioth, Shaked also proposed creating an alternative tribunal for West Bank land disputes. She said the present system, whereby the High Court rules, “is distorted.”
Meanwhile, 200 settlers remained since Tuesday night till this morning on the site of the demolished settlement Sa-Nur demanding the government discuss the return of settlers to northern Samaria in return for their leaving the place peacefully. This morning they were forcibly removed.
Following pressure from Likud ministers and Habayit Hayehudi politicians, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced the immediate construction approval for 300 housing units in Beit El that were approved in 2012. He also approved moving forward with the planning of 500 new housing units in Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem. The international community responded with condemnations. The EU said the approval of more settlement homes “calls into question the Israeli government’s stated commitment to a negotiated two-state solution.” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned that Israel's continued settlement building “will destroy international efforts to renew the peace process.”
Some right-wing ministers disapproved of the violence and the settlement construction announcement. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said, "Those who throw stones at police officers and soldiers should be prosecuted." [It will be interesting to see if any of the rioting settlers will be put on trial. – OH] Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said he was in favor of settlement construction but that he "opposed giving (approval) for construction now as a prize for the hooliganism and the violent and law-violating behavior” of the settlers.
The Lebanese media reported that the Israeli Air Force attacked a vehicle in the Druze village of Khader, on the outskirts of Quneitra in the Syrian Golan, killing three pro-Assad militants. Some reported that those kllled were Hezbollah activists sent by Samir Kuntar – or possibly Kuntar himself. The PFLP claimed that an Israeli drone attacked an arms depot in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon.
Quick Hits:
- Amnesty report charges Israel with war crimes for massive bombing of Rafah during Gaza war - The Israeli army killed at least 135 Palestinians in 'Rafah's Black Friday,' in an effort to foil the capture of Lt. Hadar Goldin, the report, compiled jointly with researchers from the University of London, claims. (Haaretz and Ynet)
- Two men indicted for Church of the Loaves and Fishes arson attack - Prosecution asks court to extend the defendants' custody until the end of legal proceedings, due to the gravity of the charges.Shin Bet says two young men are followers of 'extremist ideology' that believes 'only someone who fights Christianity can call himself a Jew'. (Haaretz+, Israel Hayom and Ynet)
- Diplomat warns: U.S. Jews aren't united behind Israel on Iran deal - Israel's consul general in Philadelphia sent classified telegram to Jerusalem with grave warning about sentiments that many in U.S. Jewish community are not supportive or are divided about Israel's campaign against nuclear accord. The telegram reflects what Israeli diplomats in North America and the Foreign Ministry are reluctant to say aloud. (Haaretz+)
- Top jurists to craft 'legal Iron Dome' to boost public diplomacy efforts - Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely promotes initiative that brings together senior legalists who will create special public diplomacy instruments that could withstand legal scrutiny in international forums. Move seeks to counter boycott efforts. (Israel Hayom)
- Senior Israeli official: Powers aren't sharing Iran deal details, despite promises - Israel is missing entire parts of the nuclear agreement, which makes assessing its consequences impossible, National Security Adviser Yossi Cohen tells Knesset panel. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Every third new Israeli high-school teacher quits within five years - Encouraging, however, is that teachers who survive past that period tend to remain much longer. (Haaretz+)
- Sunni Arab nations are 'Israel's allies,' says Israeli Foreign Ministry director general - Dore Gold uses term twice in New York presentation focused on shortcomings of Iran nuclear agreement. (JTA, Haaretz)
- Playing war: WATCH the Jewish child skillfully operate a toy rifle in front of Border Police - In the video, which has gone viral and prompted reactions even from Palestinians, we can see how a child, when given orders for different military moves, exhibits extensive knowledge in the use of rifle. (Maariv+VIDEO)
- Proposal in the Knesset: Bat-El will you marry me? - WATCH: Guy Gozland, a Knesset security guard surprised his girlfriend Bat-El by proposing to her on the Knesset plaza, fully prepared for the arrival of the Ivory Coast's National Assembly. (Ynet)
- On Jewish holiday of love, Jerusalem emerges as divorce capital - On Tu B'Av, the Jewish day of love, Central Bureau of Statistics reports that 874 couples divorced in Jerusalem in 2013. Nearly 53,000 couples married in Israel in 2013. The average age of first-time grooms was 27.7, brides 25.1. (Israel Hayom)
- Snake sneaks into Knesset - Nonvenomous, black-headed ground snake discovered in Knesset's Chagall Hall by adviser to Speaker Yuli Edelstein. Knesset guards catch it and release it in nearby park. (Israel Hayom+VIDEO)
- Turkey launches heaviest airstrikes on PKK since campaign began, says official - Meanwhile, Kurdish rebels attack police and judicial officials' lodgings with rockets, Turkey's state-run news agency reports. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
This Day in Jewish History / Israel enacts the symbolic 'Jerusalem, Capital of Israel' law
East Jerusalem was never actually annexed, but on July 30th, 1980, Tehiya's MK Geula Cohen decided to protect 'the integrity and unity of greater Jerusalem,' to the world's annoyance. The Jerusalem Law declares, among other things, that the city will remain unified in the borders that the Israeli government determined following the Six-Day War, and that no part of the city may be transferred to a foreign government or body. Since the ’67 war, Israel has not applied Israeli law to Judea and Samaria and subjects the area’s Palestinian residents to military law. In the case of Jerusalem, however, though it too was not officially annexed, it was brought under the jurisdiction of the Jerusalem municipality, and Israeli law was implemented. Israel also greatly enlarged the municipal boundaries of the city, adding some 28 Palestinian villages on East Jerusalem’s periphery to its jurisdiction. Palestinian residents of Jerusalem were not offered Israeli citizenship, but they were given permanent resident status and issued blue Israeli identity cards, which grants them most of the rights and obligations of citizens, though not a passport or national voting rights. Permanent residency can also be withdrawn if one is absent from the city for a certain period of time [7 years – OH] (David B. Green, Haaretz+)
Where are Gaza's ex-settlers now? 10 faces from the disengagement - Ten Israelis who were forced to leave their homes recount their often precarious existences since. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
Meet Obama's secret weapon in defending Iran nuclear deal - Ernest Moniz, nuclear physicist and former MIT professor heading the Department of Energy, is now using his background to defend the historic deal he helped broker on Capitol Hill. (James Arkin, Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
East Jerusalem was never actually annexed, but on July 30th, 1980, Tehiya's MK Geula Cohen decided to protect 'the integrity and unity of greater Jerusalem,' to the world's annoyance. The Jerusalem Law declares, among other things, that the city will remain unified in the borders that the Israeli government determined following the Six-Day War, and that no part of the city may be transferred to a foreign government or body. Since the ’67 war, Israel has not applied Israeli law to Judea and Samaria and subjects the area’s Palestinian residents to military law. In the case of Jerusalem, however, though it too was not officially annexed, it was brought under the jurisdiction of the Jerusalem municipality, and Israeli law was implemented. Israel also greatly enlarged the municipal boundaries of the city, adding some 28 Palestinian villages on East Jerusalem’s periphery to its jurisdiction. Palestinian residents of Jerusalem were not offered Israeli citizenship, but they were given permanent resident status and issued blue Israeli identity cards, which grants them most of the rights and obligations of citizens, though not a passport or national voting rights. Permanent residency can also be withdrawn if one is absent from the city for a certain period of time [7 years – OH] (David B. Green, Haaretz+)
Where are Gaza's ex-settlers now? 10 faces from the disengagement - Ten Israelis who were forced to leave their homes recount their often precarious existences since. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
Meet Obama's secret weapon in defending Iran nuclear deal - Ernest Moniz, nuclear physicist and former MIT professor heading the Department of Energy, is now using his background to defend the historic deal he helped broker on Capitol Hill. (James Arkin, Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
What America taught Israel through Jonathan Pollard (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) Decision to keep convicted spy in prison for a full 30 years had nothing to do
with anti-Israel attitudes.
Bibi's nuclear march of folly (Haim Ramon, Yedioth/Ynet) Netanyahu's policy against the Iranian nuclear program led to a strategic, military, economic, diplomatic and social disaster, and his conduct after the Vienna agreement only adds insult to injury.
The Iran-deal evangelists are the biggest threat to its success (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) Obama and Kerry claim that the only alternative to the Iranian nuclear agreement is war. This is a false argument that could end up scuttling the accord.
The small group that leads - Between disengagement and the Draynoff homes (Tami Arad, Yedioth) …It is possible to watch with wonder, even admiration, at the determination of those ‘recruits’ to fight in incredibly hot summer days for their path and their ideological beliefs instead of sitting in air-conditioned homes or going on holiday. And it is possible – and that is apparently what the a large portion of the public feels – to get angry at the waste of resources, at the fight with the security forces and at the conduct as if the settlements in Judea and Samaria were the heart of the country and all the rest is fallow land. That same small group projects on all the settlers, most of whom are law-abiding and far from provocations. That same small group instigates the politicians and right-wing opinion makers, and that is how dangerous statements, clashes with security forces or actions, such as ‘price-tag’, are born. That is the way the gap widens between the wider public and the settlers as a whole. And maybe because of the same gap, the public closes off and cannot feel the suffering in recent years of the evicted settlers of Gush Katif….
Gaza disengagement showed the dumb arrogance of unilateralism (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+) If Israel had coordinated its decision to leave the Strip with the Palestinian Authority, the nightmare that is present-day Gaza could have been averted.
Israel and Judah: the victory of the kingdom over the disengagement looks like a mirage (Ben Caspit, Maariv) While everyone is engaged with two empty buildings, they hid the big story hidden in Sa-Nur where a group of some 200 settlers returned in order to protest against the 2005 disengagement.
Israel must stop draconian detentions without trial (Haaretz Editorial) The doubling of the number of Palestinians prisoners in administrative detention over the past year reflects an excessive, illicit use of a means intended only for rare, aberrant cases.
ICC prosecutor is not pro- or anti-Israel: she is simply upholding international law (Solon Solomon, Haaretz+) Netanyahu should not misinterpret the latest appeal to mean that Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda will have a pro-Israel bias in the investigation into the last Gaza war.
No danger to the coalition (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom) No one from Habayit Hayehudi is even remotely thinking about resigning from the government over the Beit El home demolition issue.
Sharon’s Gaza disengagement was a necessary act of self-preservation (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) The revisionist version of history has expunged from Israeli memories the untenable moral, material and human costs of occupation.
In clash with settlers, Netanyahu gets off scot-free as usual (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) Defense Minister Ya'alon is taking the blame for everything the government is forced to deal with, just like Livni did in the previous government.
Netanyahu's settlement dilemma: bound against evacuations, paralyzed by fear of U.S. (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) Unlike Begin, Netanyahu has no war in Lebanon up his sleeve to make people forget the evacuation, and unlike Sharon he can’t bolt the Likud and set up a new party with Labor Party renegades.
Tread carefully (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) It is crucial for Israel's image and for its internal state of affairs that the rule of law prevails.
The Land of Settlers' worthy victory over the State of Tel Aviv (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) The settlers resounding victory was achieved, first and foremost, thanks to the lack of backbone among the opposing camp, the almost comatose majority.
Israel's dilemma: Which threat to face first (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) Can the country still find a way to defuse the explosive Iranian threat without clashing headlong with Washington? It had better.
The clashes in Beit El – hysteria and not history (Ariella Ringel-Hoffman, Yedioth) What exactly did those tractors destroy there? The settlement enterprise? All of Beit El? The Third Temple? Who exactly did those bulldozers run over that justified that horror show, the protesters who laid down in front of the Border Police vehicles and shouted, “We are fighting for the land of Israel”? Nu, really. Land of Israel.
Why don’t American Jewish groups represent American Jews on Iran? (Peter Beinart, Haaretz) Because the American Jewish establishment is not a democracy. It's a plutocracy.
Bibi's nuclear march of folly (Haim Ramon, Yedioth/Ynet) Netanyahu's policy against the Iranian nuclear program led to a strategic, military, economic, diplomatic and social disaster, and his conduct after the Vienna agreement only adds insult to injury.
The Iran-deal evangelists are the biggest threat to its success (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) Obama and Kerry claim that the only alternative to the Iranian nuclear agreement is war. This is a false argument that could end up scuttling the accord.
The small group that leads - Between disengagement and the Draynoff homes (Tami Arad, Yedioth) …It is possible to watch with wonder, even admiration, at the determination of those ‘recruits’ to fight in incredibly hot summer days for their path and their ideological beliefs instead of sitting in air-conditioned homes or going on holiday. And it is possible – and that is apparently what the a large portion of the public feels – to get angry at the waste of resources, at the fight with the security forces and at the conduct as if the settlements in Judea and Samaria were the heart of the country and all the rest is fallow land. That same small group projects on all the settlers, most of whom are law-abiding and far from provocations. That same small group instigates the politicians and right-wing opinion makers, and that is how dangerous statements, clashes with security forces or actions, such as ‘price-tag’, are born. That is the way the gap widens between the wider public and the settlers as a whole. And maybe because of the same gap, the public closes off and cannot feel the suffering in recent years of the evicted settlers of Gush Katif….
Gaza disengagement showed the dumb arrogance of unilateralism (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+) If Israel had coordinated its decision to leave the Strip with the Palestinian Authority, the nightmare that is present-day Gaza could have been averted.
Israel and Judah: the victory of the kingdom over the disengagement looks like a mirage (Ben Caspit, Maariv) While everyone is engaged with two empty buildings, they hid the big story hidden in Sa-Nur where a group of some 200 settlers returned in order to protest against the 2005 disengagement.
Israel must stop draconian detentions without trial (Haaretz Editorial) The doubling of the number of Palestinians prisoners in administrative detention over the past year reflects an excessive, illicit use of a means intended only for rare, aberrant cases.
ICC prosecutor is not pro- or anti-Israel: she is simply upholding international law (Solon Solomon, Haaretz+) Netanyahu should not misinterpret the latest appeal to mean that Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda will have a pro-Israel bias in the investigation into the last Gaza war.
No danger to the coalition (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom) No one from Habayit Hayehudi is even remotely thinking about resigning from the government over the Beit El home demolition issue.
Sharon’s Gaza disengagement was a necessary act of self-preservation (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) The revisionist version of history has expunged from Israeli memories the untenable moral, material and human costs of occupation.
In clash with settlers, Netanyahu gets off scot-free as usual (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) Defense Minister Ya'alon is taking the blame for everything the government is forced to deal with, just like Livni did in the previous government.
Netanyahu's settlement dilemma: bound against evacuations, paralyzed by fear of U.S. (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) Unlike Begin, Netanyahu has no war in Lebanon up his sleeve to make people forget the evacuation, and unlike Sharon he can’t bolt the Likud and set up a new party with Labor Party renegades.
Tread carefully (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) It is crucial for Israel's image and for its internal state of affairs that the rule of law prevails.
The Land of Settlers' worthy victory over the State of Tel Aviv (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) The settlers resounding victory was achieved, first and foremost, thanks to the lack of backbone among the opposing camp, the almost comatose majority.
Israel's dilemma: Which threat to face first (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) Can the country still find a way to defuse the explosive Iranian threat without clashing headlong with Washington? It had better.
The clashes in Beit El – hysteria and not history (Ariella Ringel-Hoffman, Yedioth) What exactly did those tractors destroy there? The settlement enterprise? All of Beit El? The Third Temple? Who exactly did those bulldozers run over that justified that horror show, the protesters who laid down in front of the Border Police vehicles and shouted, “We are fighting for the land of Israel”? Nu, really. Land of Israel.
Why don’t American Jewish groups represent American Jews on Iran? (Peter Beinart, Haaretz) Because the American Jewish establishment is not a democracy. It's a plutocracy.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.