APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday January 28, 2016
Quote of the day:
"As one of the only ones here who grew up in a dictatorship, I am telling you that (you) are going in a
very wrong direction."
--MK Haim Yellin (Yesh Atid), who immigrated from Argentina during that country's "Dirty War" period of state terror, tells Culture Minister Miri Regev after she presented her controversial 'Cultural Loyalty' bill to Knesset.**
--MK Haim Yellin (Yesh Atid), who immigrated from Argentina during that country's "Dirty War" period of state terror, tells Culture Minister Miri Regev after she presented her controversial 'Cultural Loyalty' bill to Knesset.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Two women reported to police that they saw the Tel-Aviv terrorist and were not answered
- Last night: Man seriously injured in stabbing attack in Givat Zeev, terrorist caught
- Civil Administration: It will take time to examine the settler’s claims of ownership of two homes in Hebron
- Parents in Jaffa battle for bi-lingual (Hebrew-Arabic) education
- State Comptroller ruled that no Ethiopian women were forced to receive shots, but didn’t hear directly from any of them
- Government forced to approve compromise at Wailing Wall: Women and men can pray together in southern area
- Court ordered release from hospitalization of anorexic girl who was forcefully fed in hospital
- Hungry for justice // Haaretz Editorial
- A new path // Ari Shavit
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The disdain of the police
- The hotline of embarrassment // Yossi Yehoshua
- Man severely wounded in Givat Zeev
- Boos at the national theater (for Culture Minister Miri Regev)
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- “We saw blood, the strange glasses, and we called the police”
- They got addicted to keeping everything secret // Ben Caspit
- The difficult questions // Carmela Menashe
- Just before midnight: Man severely wounded in stabbing attack in Givat Zeev
- Rohani conquered Paris – Iranian President warmly received in France ahead of deals with billions of euros
Israel Hayom
- The madness and the failure (of Tel-Aviv attack)
- One month after the attack on Dizengoff St: 3 Arara residents indicted for aiding terrorist
- Last night: One man severely wounded in stabbing attack in Givat Zeev
- Today: 60 year anniversary of Paratroopers Brigade
- TGI poll: “Israel Today” is most read newspaper in Israel
News Summary:
**The Israeli police was rapped for ignoring calls from two sisters who spotted the Tel-Aviv gunman, the latter who police now revealed was high and drunk when he made his attack and had planned another attack, said a man indicted as an accomplice, an Israeli man was seriously wounded in a knife attack at the Givat Zeev settlement gas station, the Palestinian attacker was caught and beaten, and Israeli Culture Minister was booed at a performance of ‘Evita’ hours after presenting her ‘cultural loyalty’ bill in Knesset (also Maariv) making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. In other news related to the attacks on the left-wing and democracy in Israel, the far-right-wing Im Tirtzu organization made a campaign ‘outing’ Israeli artists who support left-wing and human rights organizations. The Im Tirtzu founder praised McCarthyism on Twitter and got a ‘lesson’ on Facebook from Meretz chairman Zehava Gal-On.
**The Israeli police was rapped for ignoring calls from two sisters who spotted the Tel-Aviv gunman, the latter who police now revealed was high and drunk when he made his attack and had planned another attack, said a man indicted as an accomplice, an Israeli man was seriously wounded in a knife attack at the Givat Zeev settlement gas station, the Palestinian attacker was caught and beaten, and Israeli Culture Minister was booed at a performance of ‘Evita’ hours after presenting her ‘cultural loyalty’ bill in Knesset (also Maariv) making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. In other news related to the attacks on the left-wing and democracy in Israel, the far-right-wing Im Tirtzu organization made a campaign ‘outing’ Israeli artists who support left-wing and human rights organizations. The Im Tirtzu founder praised McCarthyism on Twitter and got a ‘lesson’ on Facebook from Meretz chairman Zehava Gal-On.
Quick Hits:
- WATCH: How Netanyahu beat Israel's pollsters on Election Day - Footage and interviews with Likud campaign managers obtained by Channel 2 indicate that PM’s team executed a well-planned operation, including salvos of text-messages falsely telling Likudniks that 'Arab turnout is three times as high as usual.' (Haaretz)
- Israeli court rules hunger-striking Palestinian journalist to remain in jail - High court says, however, it will continue to follow Mohammed Al-Qiq's health on a daily basis. (Haaretz+)
- Netanyahu: A Jewish state could have prevented the Holocaust - In International Holocaust Remembrance Day remarks, prime minister notes the persistence of anti-Semitism, and urges civilized world to stand with Israel as its enemies threaten a second Holocaust. (Haaretz)
- Genocide scholar blasts Israel's 'racist' teaching of the Holocaust - Prof. Yair Auron's thesis is clear: Israel prefers to avoid, repress and minimize the suffering of other peoples in the Holocaust and other circumstances, to perpetuate victimization and isolationism. (Haaretz+)
- UN's Ban rejects Netanyahu's criticism: Count on me to speak up; nothing justifies terrorism - After causing storm in comments that Netanyahu said justify terror, UN says Ban stands by statement, with Ban adding that Palestinians watch as settlements 'expand and expand.' (Haaretz and Yedioth/Ynet)
- 'Israel must force BDS activists to go on defensive' - "U.N. secretary-general's statements indicate more than anything how reality in Israel is presented in a distorted way in the world," Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan says. IAC Chairman Adam Milstein: BDS movement has goal of destroying Israel. (Israel Hayom)
- Jerusalem bars New Israel Fund's anti-incitement campaign without convening relevant committee - Decision was made by signage committee chairman alone.
- he decision was made without calling a meeting of the municipal signage committee that approves billboards, but by only the committee chairman, deputy mayor Meir Turgeman. (Haaretz+)
- Ownership Dispute of Contested Hebron Settler Homes Could Take 'Years' to Sort Out - Documents indicate buildings, which settlers moved into last week, were purchased from Arab owners in 2008 and then transferred to company owned by former Shin Bet agent. (Haaretz+)
- Bennett slams editor critical of new Israeli civics textbook, accuses him of pushing 'political agenda' - Education minister says divisive sections of new textbook not included in book's final draft, refuses to apologize for wanting to strengthen Israeli education system's Jewish component. (Haaretz)
- Knesset panel to discuss controversial new civics textbook - MK Stav Shaffir expresses concern about book’s alleged treatment of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Israeli-Arab citizens. (Haaretz+)
- In diplomatic victory for Israel, ZAKA recognized by UN - ZAKA search and rescue service unanimously granted advisory status at the U.N. as an official body. "ZAKA is an organization that reflects Israel's moral values," Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon says. (Israel Hayom)
- How do you say ‘networking’ in Arabic? Initiative aims to connect Arab engineers in Israel‘ - Personal ties are important in an industry where 70% of new hires were referred by company employees,’ one of the organizers says. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli soldier sentenced to four months for shooting camel - Another soldier who documented the incident got two months. Both men were from an elite undercover unit. (Haaretz+)
- Bedouin teacher gets nine months for supporting ISIS in class - Bashir Abu Alkian, 25, played an Islamic State song to his students and sang the group's praises to fellow residents in Hura. (Haaretz+)
- Fatal tunnel collapse indicates Hamas rebuilding offensive capabilities - Eight Hamas militants reportedly go missing after tunnel collapse in northern Gaza Strip. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Israel may ease punishments for army deserters - Knesset committee recommends that soldiers must be AWOL 18 months, not 21 days, to classify as deserters. (Haaretz+)
- Heavy Rains Cause Widespread Flooding, Power Cuts in Gaza - Extreme weather places further strain on run-down infrastructure of the blocked Strip. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- U.S. and Israeli startups lead the way in new cyber security tricks - With corporate giants facing high-profile hacks in recent years, companies are desperate for ideas to make sure financial, personal and corporate data stay safe. (Haaretz+)
- Publisher Zuckerman announces US-Israel science initiative - STEM Leadership Program will provide more than $100 million in scholarships over the next 20 years for American graduate students in the sciences to study in Israel. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Israel reaches 49th place in global environmental index - Israel was ranked in the high fourth place in the index of access to high-quality water. On the other hand, it was in 136th place in air quality. (Haaretz+)
- TGI report: Israel Hayom remains Israel's No. 1 daily newspaper - Israel Hayom's exposure rate on an average weekday was 39.5% in 2015 -- up from 39.3% in 2014 • "We are deeply grateful to our readers, who have made us the top newspaper in Israel for the past five years already," Israel Hayom CEO Tzipi Koren says. (Israel Hayom)
- Jordan reportedly confirms ban on bringing Jewish religious clothing into kingdom - Kingdom's Foreign Ministry apologizes after Israeli family told to leave 'Jewish things' behind at border, but says ban is due to security reasons, Channel 2 reports. (Haaretz)
- At Least 24 Killed in Bomb Attack in Homs, Syria; ISIS Claims Responsibility - Homs governor said the initial attack was a car bomb that had targeted a security checkpoint. A suicide bomber then set off an explosive belt, state media reported. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Pope Urges Iran's Rohani to Stop Spread of Terror, Work Towards Peace - Italian prime minister expected to visit Iran in coming months as Italy touts 'relaunch of a strategic alliance' with Iran. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Amid Rohani's Visit to Paris, Conflicting Reports of French Bid for New Sanctions on Iran - Request allegedly comes days after the EU and U.S. lifted ban on Tehran following nuclear deal. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Iran to Stage 'Massive' Naval Drill Near Strategic Strait of Hormuz - First such exercise since briefly detaining 10 U.S. sailors. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
Obama Isn't Letting Netanyahu Get in Way of His Commitment to Jews and Israel (Chemi Shalev,
Haaretz+) The U.S. president's speech at the Holocaust memorial ceremony in D.C. made
claims that he harbors malicious intentions toward Israel and the Jewish people sound even more ridiculous
than ever.
Black Thursday: A day in this surreal circus called the State of Israel (Ran Adelist, Maariv) A series of terrifying events went on in one day, with complete indifference, like a convoy of items on the way to the end of the Zionist project
How Civics Class Became Israel’s Hottest Political Football (Allison Kaplan Sommer, Haaretz+) The stormy debate over how civics should be taught has become a battle between those who emphasize Israel’s Jewish nature and those who wish to highlight its democratic one.
Freedom of creativity cannot trump values (Dr. Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) It is time for Israelis to stop being patsies who allow their taxes to fund creative activities that undermine fundamental Israeli values.
Israel Must Try or Free Hunger-striking Palestinian Journalist al-Qiq (Haaretz Editorial) There are 660 Palestinian currently being held by Israel without trial, a hunger strike is an attempt to challenge this policy with one's body, not a 'disciplinary infraction.'
Change reality -- by force (Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom) A military campaign to root out terrorism will have an important psychological outcome on would-be terrorists.
Why I'm Happy That David Blatt Got Fired From the Cavs (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) When seven million Israelis wake up in the middle of the night to watch a basketball game because the head coach is a Jewish Israeli, that’s fascism, not fanaticism.
More questions than answers (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) As complex as Middle East realities are, with the proper vigilance the IDF can maintain considerable operational leeway.
Tarnished ex-general is Israeli left’s best hope to oust Netanyahu (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) Little is known about the politics of former Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, but his popularity, and enmity with Netanyahu, make him the best chance the center-left has to challenge the premier
Reckoning: It's time to move his moves with the Palestinians (Michal Hatuel Radoshitzki, Maariv) The recent events in the international arena indicate that only an Israeli diplomatic initiative to start-up the process of separation from the Palestinians will advance a solution to the conflict.
Black Thursday: A day in this surreal circus called the State of Israel (Ran Adelist, Maariv) A series of terrifying events went on in one day, with complete indifference, like a convoy of items on the way to the end of the Zionist project
How Civics Class Became Israel’s Hottest Political Football (Allison Kaplan Sommer, Haaretz+) The stormy debate over how civics should be taught has become a battle between those who emphasize Israel’s Jewish nature and those who wish to highlight its democratic one.
Freedom of creativity cannot trump values (Dr. Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) It is time for Israelis to stop being patsies who allow their taxes to fund creative activities that undermine fundamental Israeli values.
Israel Must Try or Free Hunger-striking Palestinian Journalist al-Qiq (Haaretz Editorial) There are 660 Palestinian currently being held by Israel without trial, a hunger strike is an attempt to challenge this policy with one's body, not a 'disciplinary infraction.'
Change reality -- by force (Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom) A military campaign to root out terrorism will have an important psychological outcome on would-be terrorists.
Why I'm Happy That David Blatt Got Fired From the Cavs (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) When seven million Israelis wake up in the middle of the night to watch a basketball game because the head coach is a Jewish Israeli, that’s fascism, not fanaticism.
More questions than answers (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) As complex as Middle East realities are, with the proper vigilance the IDF can maintain considerable operational leeway.
Tarnished ex-general is Israeli left’s best hope to oust Netanyahu (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) Little is known about the politics of former Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, but his popularity, and enmity with Netanyahu, make him the best chance the center-left has to challenge the premier
Reckoning: It's time to move his moves with the Palestinians (Michal Hatuel Radoshitzki, Maariv) The recent events in the international arena indicate that only an Israeli diplomatic initiative to start-up the process of separation from the Palestinians will advance a solution to the conflict.
More than genocide (Dr. Boaz Cohen, Israel Hayom) While there have been other genocidal events, we must recognize what
made the Jewish Holocaust so unique and horrific.
Leftists Crushed, Israel’s Right-wing Starts Gnawing on Itself (Asher Schechter, Haaretz+) Israel's right wing is safe in power, so why are its members savaging each other - and democracy - in a mad race to the bottom?
Following in Obama's Footsteps, Ambassador Shapiro Succumbs to Netanyahu (Peter Beinart, Haaretz) The American president has given up on changing the situation of Palestinians in the West Bank; now his envoy in Tel Aviv retreats from even describing it.
First six months in Israel, and there's much still to do (David Quarrey, Yedioth/Ynet) UK envoy to Israel ranked up a few successes, including major Rolls-Royce export deal, the return of Monarch Airlines to the Holy Land and a successful visit by London Mayor Boris Johnson. But he has many plans for the future.
Hating the Occupation, Not the Jews (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Palestinian attackers choose violence as a means of resisting a more pernicious violence, that of the occupation.
Israel's logic of dispossession (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) It is very tempting to say that the road to disaster is paved with logical steps, but the disaster is long in coming.
Leftists Crushed, Israel’s Right-wing Starts Gnawing on Itself (Asher Schechter, Haaretz+) Israel's right wing is safe in power, so why are its members savaging each other - and democracy - in a mad race to the bottom?
Following in Obama's Footsteps, Ambassador Shapiro Succumbs to Netanyahu (Peter Beinart, Haaretz) The American president has given up on changing the situation of Palestinians in the West Bank; now his envoy in Tel Aviv retreats from even describing it.
First six months in Israel, and there's much still to do (David Quarrey, Yedioth/Ynet) UK envoy to Israel ranked up a few successes, including major Rolls-Royce export deal, the return of Monarch Airlines to the Holy Land and a successful visit by London Mayor Boris Johnson. But he has many plans for the future.
Hating the Occupation, Not the Jews (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Palestinian attackers choose violence as a means of resisting a more pernicious violence, that of the occupation.
Israel's logic of dispossession (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) It is very tempting to say that the road to disaster is paved with logical steps, but the disaster is long in coming.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.