APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday September 7, 2015
Quote of the day:
“But Israel doesn’t realize that in the moral depths, in the lesson from the horrors of the Holocaust,
when we recite ‘Never Again,’ it doesn’t mean only 'never again' will anyone dare to do something to the
Jews without getting an appropriate Zionist response.”
--TV reporter and Maariv commentator, Udi Segal, writes about the need to be a good neighbor.
--TV reporter and Maariv commentator, Udi Segal, writes about the need to be a good neighbor.
You Must Be Kidding:
11,000+.
--The number of demolition orders pending against Palestinian structures in the part of the West Bank known as Area C, which is under full Israeli control, according to data from Israel’s Civil Administration in the West Bank that was analyzed by the UN.
Breaking News:
Riham Dawabshe, 27-year-old mother of baby Ali, who was burned to death in an arson attack in the West Bank by extremist right-wing Israelis, succumbed to her wounds. Her husband also died earlier of his wounds. Only their four-year-old son, Ahmed, remains alive in serious condition. The funeral will be held today in Duma. (Haaretz+, Maan and Ynet)
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Netanyahu in effort to draft majority in vote to advance gas (monopoly) agreement
- Five changes that must be put in the gas agreement // Avi Bar-Eli
- In an exceptional move, MKs transferred billions (of shekels) to security without knowing what they voted on
- First Tel-Aviv master plan approved
- Gay Pride Parade murder: Dismissal of senior (police commanders) approved
- On the Austrian side of the border, Syrian refugees receive a warm welcome
- Half a million Arab students will join the strike of the (private) Christian schools today
- Right-wing activists pressured and also in Yerucham they canceled the screening of the film on Gaza
- Lesbians in Tunisia learn how to protect themselves from prejudice
- Hypocrisy is having a field day // Haaretz Editorial
- Netanyahu's losing streak shows no sign of ending // Amir Oren
Yedioth Ahronoth
- They got off with a reprimand – Senior police commanders don’t pay the price for the murder of Shira Banki at the Gay Pride Parade
- The gas test – Battle over one vote
- Vegetables getting more expensive – The heat waves hurt the crop
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Closing the borders – Building fence to separate from Jordan
- Israel not accepting (refugees) // Udi Segal
- Battle over the gas returns to the plenum
- The failure at the Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade: Six police officers dismissed
Israel Hayom
- The (security) failure (at the Gay Pride Parade) and the dismissals (of police commanders)
- Today in the Knesset: The gas agreement test
News Summary:
Police commanders were ‘only’ reprimanded and officers were dismissed (from their present position, but not from the Police) over the security failure at the Gay Pride Parade, Germany and Austria warmly accepted relieved Syrian refugees, while Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu rejected Israel accepting any and announced the building of a new fence along the Jordan border making top stories in the Hebrew press along with Netanyahu’s effort to pass the controversial gas agreement. Also in the news, France will hold for the first time a joint French-Palestinian session to discuss solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Netanyahu rejected calls for Israel by Israeli MKs to give asylum to Syrian refugees. Opposition leader MK Isaac Herzog said Netanyahu “has forgotten what it means to be a Jew.” Israeli politicians argued over whether Israel should or should not accept the Syrians. Netanyahu said Israel was too small to absorb Syrian or African refugees.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu announced the construction of a new ‘anti-ISIS’ and anti-refugee fence along the Jordan border. Ynet writes that the current budget only accounts for 30 kilometers of 235 kilometer-long barrier.
Diplomatic circles say that the joint France-Palestine session that will convene on Thursday at the French Prime Minister's palace in Paris signals France’s intention to recognize a Palestinian state and is the opening move of the renewed campaign of France and Europe on the Palestinian issue, ahead of the UN General Assembly at the end of this month. Maariv’s reporter in Paris, Gideon Kotz, also wrote that Iranian President Hassan Rohani will make an official visit to France in November, which could herald a reciprocal visit by French President Francois Hollande to Iran.
Police commanders were ‘only’ reprimanded and officers were dismissed (from their present position, but not from the Police) over the security failure at the Gay Pride Parade, Germany and Austria warmly accepted relieved Syrian refugees, while Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu rejected Israel accepting any and announced the building of a new fence along the Jordan border making top stories in the Hebrew press along with Netanyahu’s effort to pass the controversial gas agreement. Also in the news, France will hold for the first time a joint French-Palestinian session to discuss solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Netanyahu rejected calls for Israel by Israeli MKs to give asylum to Syrian refugees. Opposition leader MK Isaac Herzog said Netanyahu “has forgotten what it means to be a Jew.” Israeli politicians argued over whether Israel should or should not accept the Syrians. Netanyahu said Israel was too small to absorb Syrian or African refugees.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu announced the construction of a new ‘anti-ISIS’ and anti-refugee fence along the Jordan border. Ynet writes that the current budget only accounts for 30 kilometers of 235 kilometer-long barrier.
Diplomatic circles say that the joint France-Palestine session that will convene on Thursday at the French Prime Minister's palace in Paris signals France’s intention to recognize a Palestinian state and is the opening move of the renewed campaign of France and Europe on the Palestinian issue, ahead of the UN General Assembly at the end of this month. Maariv’s reporter in Paris, Gideon Kotz, also wrote that Iranian President Hassan Rohani will make an official visit to France in November, which could herald a reciprocal visit by French President Francois Hollande to Iran.
Quick Hits:
- Record number of Palestinian structures slated for demolition in West Bank - The demolition orders have been issued against homes, cisterns and shacks in the area under full Israeli control. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli lawmakers pass defense budget without see it - A small group of Knesset members is supposed to see the classified parts of the defense budget, but they were not provided with the information. (Haaretz+)
- All Arab pupils strike today in support of Christian schools - Islamic Movement representative on Joint List, MK Masud Ganaim: Church schools 'among best in country.' (Haaretz+)
- Israel nabs top Gaza militant, affiliated with global jihad - Shin Bet, police arrest 27-year-old who allegedly confessed to planting bombs during Operation Protective Edge. (Ynet)
- Hamas naval commando fighter drowns - Member of terror organization's expanding commando unit found his end in a training accident in the northern Gaza Strip. (Ynet)
- Police quiz top official over financial irregularities at PM’s residences - Ezra Saidoff questioned under caution about allegedly hiring a Likud activist to do electrical work at the Netanyahus’ homes. (Haaretz+)
- New radar system to improve warning time for short-range rockets - So far, Israelis living in communities close to Gaza border only had 5 seconds to run for cover, now the Code Red siren will be sounded 12-13 seconds before the rocket strikes. (Ynet)
- MK Amir Peretz to leave Hatnuah, return to Labor Party - The former Labor Party chief tried to convince Livni to unite the two parties forming the Zionist Union, but she refused. (Haaretz+)
- Deadly strain of West Nile virus hits Israel - Twenty-seven people have contracted a particularly vicious strain of West Nile virus in cities and towns all over the country; Health Ministry is closely monitoring the situation. (Ynet)
- Anti-Israel protesters march to football stadium ahead of Israel-Wales match in Cardiff - A few hundred activists march from City Hall towards stadium; counter demonstration expected to draw several hundreds. (Haaretz)
- Haifa, Tel Aviv top list of Europe's most polluted cities - Report finds pollution from private vehicles to be one of the main reasons for 25,000 premature deaths annually in Israel. (Ynet)
- Colin Powell expresses support for Iran nuclear agreement - Former U.S. secretary of state says it's impossible for America to sit on the sidelines while other leading countries implement it. (Haaretz)
- DNC chairwoman Wasserman Schultz comes out in support of Iran nuclear agreement - There is no such thing as a perfect agreement, says Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, head of the national Democratic Party. (Haaretz)
- WATCH: Trump bucks Republican line on Iran deal, says will not 'tear it up' - Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump phoned into MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' and clarified his position on the Iran nuclear deal, breaking with his fellow Republicans. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Israel selling wafers to Iranians, tea to Chinese - A growing number of Israeli food companies are exporting abroad, turning Israel into a culinary power around the world thanks to its products' innovation, variety and quality. (Ynet)
- Sesame Street in Arabic Returns After 25 Years, but Avoids Tough Issues - 'Iftah ya Simsim' side steps sectarian divides, but offers the Arab world's kids good advice on literacy and obesity. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- WATCH: 47 fighters killed in clashes between ISIS and Syrian rebels - Renewed fighting raged over the weekend around the rebel-held town of Marea, near the Turkish border, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Vatican to take in two refugee families as Pope calls on others to follow suit - Pope Francis agrees to absorb two refugee families 'fleeing death' from war or hunger. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Iran's Rohani urges EU countries to absorb more Syrian refugees - Iran is a major patron of Syrian President Bashar Assad, whose forces have been responsible for much of the violence that has driven more than 4 million Syrians to flee. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Britain to use foreign aid money to cover Syrian refugee housing - British Prime Minister David Cameron said that U.K. would welcome 'thousands more' Syrian refugees after previously refysubg to commit Britain to taking in more refugees. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Rich Gulf states under fire for 'scandalous silence' on Syrian refugees - Monarchies' supporters point to funding given to aid efforts in countries neighboring Syria, but critics say that Gulf states have special responsibility for war's consequences. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Australia to accept more Syrian and Iraqi refugees, calls for 'strong security response' - Australia prime minister's decision comes in wake of international criticism surrounding Australia's immigration policy. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
This Day in Jewish History, 1191: Richard the Lionheart defeats Saladin at Arsuf
The seaside skirmish was just one of the battles Saladin and the Crusaders fought, but it would be the one where the Muslim leader became shaken to the core. (Ruth Schuster, Haaretz+)
Clearing the Name of the Arab Emperor
Palestinian author Yasmine Zahran tries to persuade readers that the negative image associated with the Roman emperor Philip is the result of age-old anti-Arab sentiments. (Benny Ziffer, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
The seaside skirmish was just one of the battles Saladin and the Crusaders fought, but it would be the one where the Muslim leader became shaken to the core. (Ruth Schuster, Haaretz+)
Clearing the Name of the Arab Emperor
Palestinian author Yasmine Zahran tries to persuade readers that the negative image associated with the Roman emperor Philip is the result of age-old anti-Arab sentiments. (Benny Ziffer, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
What Israel should do if it really wants to help refugees (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) Forget the laughable PR stunts about housing Syrian refugees and concentrate on
providing real assistance – and remember the refugees already in our midst.
Nebi Salah footage a reflection of Israel (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) The images of a young girl and two women struggling with an Israeli soldier grasping a 12-year-old Palestinian boy's neck illustrate not only what the occupation is doing to the Palestinians, but mostly what it is doing to the IDF and to the State of Israel.
The refugees on Israel's doorstep (Haaretz Editorial) Before making noises about taking in fleeing Syrians, Israel's leaders should look closer to home at the refugees living among us.
Germany, light unto the nations (Oudeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) It's lucky for the tormented Syrians knocking on Germany’s door that there is no German interior minister like Israel's Silvan Shalom.
Israel isn't 'too small' to accept Syrian, African refugees (Seth Lipsky, Haaretz+) Just as when Israel took a share of the Vietnamese boat people in 1977, it has the chance in the current crisis to be a light unto nations.
A dangerous trap (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) There is no justification for Israel taking in Syrian refugees. Any mass infusion of refugees would undermine our very foundations.
What Islamic State and one Member of Knesset share (Kobi Niv, Haaretz+) Habayit Hayehudi's Bezalel Smotrich upholds a Torah view of homosexuality as an abomination and we know where that can lead.
Refugee crisis is taking place in Middle East, not in Europe (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) Instead of criticizing Europe's hypocrisy, Israel should be preparing for the not so trivial possibility of tens of thousands of Syrian and Iraqi refugees arriving at its doorstep, seeking refuge in the Jewish state.
Putin's military build-up in Syria could be a game-changer for Israel (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Now that the U.S. isn't aiming to topple him, and Russia and Iran are increasing their support, Assad has better chances of stabilizing his defense.
The continuing story of the Nakba (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Some troubling thoughts in advance of a conference on Shoah and the Nakba, at the Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem on Monday.
Israel does not realize (word for ‘realize’ also means ‘accept’) (Udi Segal, Maariv) Netanyahu made the visit to the border with Jordan and announced the plan to build a new fence, while in Europe, Germany announced it would every refugee who needs help, as the wave of refugees in the Middle East floods Hungary, Italy and Greece… Netanyahu has a different conclusion about what is happening in Europe: "We see now what happens to countries that have lost control of their borders," he told us there at the fence with Jordan. Israel does not absorb refugees, explains Netanyahu, because Israel has no geographical and strategic depth. But Israel doesn’t realize that in the moral depths, in the lesson from the horrors of the Holocaust, when we recite ‘Never Again,’ it doesn’t mean only "never again" will anyone dare to do something to the Jews without an appropriate Zionist response. It also means we won’t stand idly in the face of racism, refugees and human suffering. In this field of international public opinion we are losing big time…. Netanyahu advances moves, for all sorts of reasons, to assist countries in Africa. This is important, yes, but it's not enough. Why not form a clear immigration policy that separates the migrant workers and war refugees. We could aid Jordan in rehabilitating its refugees, as part of the peace agreements. Such an initiative will turn the correct move of building a fence (with Jordan) into a positive and supportive of good neighborly relations, rather than one that radiates isolation and alienation – that’s how you build ‘good fences.’
After a public hazing by Netanyahu, Minister Akunis finally flies the nest (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) What was Akunis thinking when backing ban on journalists expressing opinions? It was only after the resounding slap he got from Netanyahu that he came to his senses.
There's no stopping a mass migration that will alter the world (Minna Rozen, Haaretz+) What is happening in Europe now is similar to the large migration waves that occurred between the 4th and 11th centuries and reshaped the continent.
The real people behind the headlines about refugees (Noah Tirosh, Haaretz+) When reports surfaced recently of an abandoned truck being found in Austria, with dozens of deceased refugees in the back, I was reminded of my young Afghani-German friends. These are their stories.
Obama's theater of the absurd (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) We can assume the U.S. promised Assad's head to the Saudis; but we should also assume it assured the Iranians that the Syrian president's head would remain intact.
How Donald Trump helped pass the Iran deal he opposes (Peter Beinart, Haaretz) By reorienting the GOP’s foreign-policy debate away from the Middle East, the flamboyant frontrunner took the pact off the front page.
Netanyahu's Losing Streak Shows No Sign of Ending (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) A look at the prime minister's career shows one strategic defeat after another, so his loss to President Obama over Iran should not come as a surprise.
Nebi Salah footage a reflection of Israel (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) The images of a young girl and two women struggling with an Israeli soldier grasping a 12-year-old Palestinian boy's neck illustrate not only what the occupation is doing to the Palestinians, but mostly what it is doing to the IDF and to the State of Israel.
The refugees on Israel's doorstep (Haaretz Editorial) Before making noises about taking in fleeing Syrians, Israel's leaders should look closer to home at the refugees living among us.
Germany, light unto the nations (Oudeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) It's lucky for the tormented Syrians knocking on Germany’s door that there is no German interior minister like Israel's Silvan Shalom.
Israel isn't 'too small' to accept Syrian, African refugees (Seth Lipsky, Haaretz+) Just as when Israel took a share of the Vietnamese boat people in 1977, it has the chance in the current crisis to be a light unto nations.
A dangerous trap (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) There is no justification for Israel taking in Syrian refugees. Any mass infusion of refugees would undermine our very foundations.
What Islamic State and one Member of Knesset share (Kobi Niv, Haaretz+) Habayit Hayehudi's Bezalel Smotrich upholds a Torah view of homosexuality as an abomination and we know where that can lead.
Refugee crisis is taking place in Middle East, not in Europe (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) Instead of criticizing Europe's hypocrisy, Israel should be preparing for the not so trivial possibility of tens of thousands of Syrian and Iraqi refugees arriving at its doorstep, seeking refuge in the Jewish state.
Putin's military build-up in Syria could be a game-changer for Israel (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Now that the U.S. isn't aiming to topple him, and Russia and Iran are increasing their support, Assad has better chances of stabilizing his defense.
The continuing story of the Nakba (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Some troubling thoughts in advance of a conference on Shoah and the Nakba, at the Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem on Monday.
Israel does not realize (word for ‘realize’ also means ‘accept’) (Udi Segal, Maariv) Netanyahu made the visit to the border with Jordan and announced the plan to build a new fence, while in Europe, Germany announced it would every refugee who needs help, as the wave of refugees in the Middle East floods Hungary, Italy and Greece… Netanyahu has a different conclusion about what is happening in Europe: "We see now what happens to countries that have lost control of their borders," he told us there at the fence with Jordan. Israel does not absorb refugees, explains Netanyahu, because Israel has no geographical and strategic depth. But Israel doesn’t realize that in the moral depths, in the lesson from the horrors of the Holocaust, when we recite ‘Never Again,’ it doesn’t mean only "never again" will anyone dare to do something to the Jews without an appropriate Zionist response. It also means we won’t stand idly in the face of racism, refugees and human suffering. In this field of international public opinion we are losing big time…. Netanyahu advances moves, for all sorts of reasons, to assist countries in Africa. This is important, yes, but it's not enough. Why not form a clear immigration policy that separates the migrant workers and war refugees. We could aid Jordan in rehabilitating its refugees, as part of the peace agreements. Such an initiative will turn the correct move of building a fence (with Jordan) into a positive and supportive of good neighborly relations, rather than one that radiates isolation and alienation – that’s how you build ‘good fences.’
After a public hazing by Netanyahu, Minister Akunis finally flies the nest (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) What was Akunis thinking when backing ban on journalists expressing opinions? It was only after the resounding slap he got from Netanyahu that he came to his senses.
There's no stopping a mass migration that will alter the world (Minna Rozen, Haaretz+) What is happening in Europe now is similar to the large migration waves that occurred between the 4th and 11th centuries and reshaped the continent.
The real people behind the headlines about refugees (Noah Tirosh, Haaretz+) When reports surfaced recently of an abandoned truck being found in Austria, with dozens of deceased refugees in the back, I was reminded of my young Afghani-German friends. These are their stories.
Obama's theater of the absurd (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) We can assume the U.S. promised Assad's head to the Saudis; but we should also assume it assured the Iranians that the Syrian president's head would remain intact.
How Donald Trump helped pass the Iran deal he opposes (Peter Beinart, Haaretz) By reorienting the GOP’s foreign-policy debate away from the Middle East, the flamboyant frontrunner took the pact off the front page.
Netanyahu's Losing Streak Shows No Sign of Ending (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) A look at the prime minister's career shows one strategic defeat after another, so his loss to President Obama over Iran should not come as a surprise.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.