APN's daily news review from Israel
Wednesday April 06, 2016
Quote of the day:
“I couldn’t believe that I, a simple man, would receive the cornea of Meir Dagan, blessed be his
memory. The man is a hero of Israel.”
--Avraham Jan, an 81-year-old shopkeeper in Tel-Aviv who was blind until recently, discovered to whom his new corneas originally belonged when he went for a check-up yesterday following his implant operation.
You Must Be Kidding:
“It’s natural that my wife wouldn’t want to lie down [in a bed] next to a woman who just gave birth to a baby who might want to murder her baby twenty years from now.”
--MK Bezalel Smotrich (Habayit Hayehudi) explained his support for separation of Arab and Jewish mothers in maternity wards in Israeli hospitals.
--Avraham Jan, an 81-year-old shopkeeper in Tel-Aviv who was blind until recently, discovered to whom his new corneas originally belonged when he went for a check-up yesterday following his implant operation.
You Must Be Kidding:
“It’s natural that my wife wouldn’t want to lie down [in a bed] next to a woman who just gave birth to a baby who might want to murder her baby twenty years from now.”
--MK Bezalel Smotrich (Habayit Hayehudi) explained his support for separation of Arab and Jewish mothers in maternity wards in Israeli hospitals.
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Plan that will endanger thousands of dunams of land (along Israel beaches) was approved
- The monthly stipend of 11,000 Holocaust survivors has been frozen, and the dispute drags out
- Progress in negotiations to decrease IDF presence in Palestinian cities
- Israel Electricity Corp disrupted the supply to Hebron; Today outages in Bethlehem
- MK Smotrich called to separate Arabs and Jews in hospital: “They are the enemy”
- Inbal Or’s real estate companies to be dissolved; The liquidator: Heftsiba affair of the acquisition group
- Iceland’s Prime Minister resigned following exposure of Panama Papers
- Israel to import cheap gas from Trinidad at 14% of the price of from Israesl’s reservoir
- (Justice Minister Ayelet) Shaked is dangerous // Haaretz Editorial
- The alternative to Army Radio celebrates its fourth birthday
- Racist from birth // Ravit Hecht
- What are they hiding (agreement between Kahlon and Yaalon on security budget) // Moti Bassok
- The Gilboa March is the last remnant of the popular marches of days past
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The racism storm – Condemnation of remarks of MK Smotrich on separation of Arab and Jewish women giving birth at hospitals
- (Photos: Jewish nurse kissing Arab nurse on cheek in neonatal unit of Hillel Yafeh Hospital in Hadera and two new mothers, one Jewish and one Arab, sitting together on a hospital bed smiling with their newborns at Ziv Hospital in Tsfat)
- Politness comes before the Torah // Hanoch Daum (right-wing religious commentator)
- Defense Minister Yaalon: “Heads of criminal gangs won’t determine what are the guidelines for opening fire”
- Warning shot // Yossi Yehoshua
- Contacts to recruit a state witness (against real estate entrepreneur Inbal Or)
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Katsav’s imprisonment: Today, the ruling
- In the crosshairs of MK Smotrich: Arab women giving birth
- The Prophet Yeshayahu Leibovitz // Ben Caspit
- He cross the line of racism // Kalman Libskind
- The meat scare: More deliveries of smuggled meat were caught; Experts: “This could end with death”
- Inbal Or affair: The full list of projects that got into trouble in (her) real estate company
Israel Hayom
- Labor pains and smiles – together – Separation (of Arabs and Jews) in hospitals? Don’t blacken the face of Israel
- The judge on the ‘Shooting Soldier’: “The fear of an explosives belt – a possible explanation”
- Inbal collapsed, the customers will pay? “She sold 38 apartments to 140 buyers”
- Today: Decision whether to shorten Katsav’s prison sentence by a third
News Summary:
A lawmaker calls for Jewish-Arab segregation in hospitals and sparks a storm, a court orders to dissolve a real estate entrepreneur’s company, police bust an Israeli-Palestinian meat smuggling operation, and the early release request of rapist and former president Katsav goes back to the parole board today (the request was denied), making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
Also in the news, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon slammed the popular criticism of the army by supporters of the ‘Shooting Soldier in Hebron,’ while Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu expressed support for the Justice Minister’s criticism of the High Court for ruling against the government-backed gas deal.
At first MK Betsalel Smotrich (Habayit Hayehudi) said he supported segregation of Jewish and Arab women in hospital maternity wards for cultural reasons: his wife wants to rest after birth and Arab mothers hold parties, he said. He was called a racist, even by his own party, which said his remarks caused the party harm. (Maariv) But then it got worse: Smotrich added that he doesn't want his wife lying next to a woman whose baby may murder his child in another 20 years. And if that weren’t enough, Smotrich’s wife said she refused to let an Arab (Israeli) doctor deliver her son. (Maariv) The remarks came in the wake of the storm over the Reshet Bet Radio report that Israeli hospitals, including Hadassah, Ichilov and Meir, put Arab and Jewish women in separate rooms and gave the Jewish women the better rooms. Haaretz’s Ido Efrati interviewed nurses who said that while no hospital in Israel has a policy of separating Jewish and Arab patients, described how the segregation is implemented in wards with doctors and management turning a blind eye.
The racism that has only increased and become more vocal towards Arabs has affected Arab-Israelis' sense of personal security, a poll for the Arab-Israeli website, Bukra, showed.
- 88% fear for their personal security.
- 78% are scared to go to shopping malls or on trips in the country.
- 83% believe the continuation of the situation as it is will cause radicalization among them.
- 71% said they have friendly relations with Jews.
- 29% said they have no relations with Jews.
- and the overwhelming majority said that finding a job has become harder since the beginning of the wave of violence.
The poll was taken by com-S Institute for the Arab-Israeli website, ‘Bukra’ (Morning). (Maariv)
Fascinating details and testimonies were given at the military court in the case of the Shooting Soldier in Hebron. Ynet has details. The judge rejected the military prosecution’s request to return the still unnamed ‘shooting soldier’ back to full detention in prison and instead allowed him to stay in ‘open detention’ on an army base.
At the Knesset, Likud MK Oren Hazan (Likud) slammed the army for putting him on trial. “The public is fed up! All of the people of Israel, the army and all of us support the brave soldier who took a tough decision and did what he thought fit to do at that moment when he felt in danger to his life and the life of his friends. To the family of our brother, the soldier in Hebron: all of the people of Israel are with you, all the people of Israel believe your son and believe you and the truth, as always, wins in the end." Hazan also criticized the father of Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, the Palestinian assailant. The father said the family will sue Israel for “emotional distress” caused by the killing, which was caught on tape. The family has also demanded that The Hague investigate the extrajudicial killing by the ‘shooting soldier.’ MK Hazan said: "To the father of Abed, who raised and nurtured the murderer, I say: If you have more seeds of death…that you are raising in your home that have the intention to hurt Jews, know that their end will be the same as your son's killer. He got what every terrorist and murderer like him who comes to harm soldiers or civilians gets. The family of the murderer should be expelled from here to Gaza.” (Maariv)
But, Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon sharpened his criticism of Israelis (many politicians included) who have denigrated the army for its investigation into the Shooting Soldier. Yaalon warned in no uncertain terms yesterday that the support for the soldier and for the killing he committed was wrong and that it harmed Israeli society. “Those who back the soldier don’t back our laws and values,” Yaalon told high school students at Maaleh Efraim. Yaalon condemned the soldier’s actions, but stopped short of calling him a murderer. Still, he said, when one talks about the (biblical saying) “Kill or be killed” one should also speak about (the biblical commandment) “Don’t murder.” He spoke out against the Israelis demonstrating in front of the military court. Later, at an event to launch an F-35 simulator he said: "I am worried about the public atmosphere and the attacks on the army. There is a wave of unprecedented frenzy – and I suggest that the rules of engagement (for opening fire) be determined by the Chief of Staff, and not by the heads of criminal gangs. I am very worried about what has been happening since this incident. Whoever gives support to a soldier like that, does not give support to our values.” (Yedioth)
Netanyahu, however, said just the opposite yesterday. He supported criticism – in this case of the High Court. Saying, "there is no institution which is above criticism," Netanyahu expressed support for Justice Minister Shaked, who slammed the High Court for rejecting the government’s gas deal with a monopoly. Current and former justices called Shaked's statements dangerous to democracy.
Fascinating details and testimonies were given at the military court in the case of the Shooting Soldier in Hebron. Ynet has details. The judge rejected the military prosecution’s request to return the still unnamed ‘shooting soldier’ back to full detention in prison and instead allowed him to stay in ‘open detention’ on an army base.
At the Knesset, Likud MK Oren Hazan (Likud) slammed the army for putting him on trial. “The public is fed up! All of the people of Israel, the army and all of us support the brave soldier who took a tough decision and did what he thought fit to do at that moment when he felt in danger to his life and the life of his friends. To the family of our brother, the soldier in Hebron: all of the people of Israel are with you, all the people of Israel believe your son and believe you and the truth, as always, wins in the end." Hazan also criticized the father of Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, the Palestinian assailant. The father said the family will sue Israel for “emotional distress” caused by the killing, which was caught on tape. The family has also demanded that The Hague investigate the extrajudicial killing by the ‘shooting soldier.’ MK Hazan said: "To the father of Abed, who raised and nurtured the murderer, I say: If you have more seeds of death…that you are raising in your home that have the intention to hurt Jews, know that their end will be the same as your son's killer. He got what every terrorist and murderer like him who comes to harm soldiers or civilians gets. The family of the murderer should be expelled from here to Gaza.” (Maariv)
But, Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon sharpened his criticism of Israelis (many politicians included) who have denigrated the army for its investigation into the Shooting Soldier. Yaalon warned in no uncertain terms yesterday that the support for the soldier and for the killing he committed was wrong and that it harmed Israeli society. “Those who back the soldier don’t back our laws and values,” Yaalon told high school students at Maaleh Efraim. Yaalon condemned the soldier’s actions, but stopped short of calling him a murderer. Still, he said, when one talks about the (biblical saying) “Kill or be killed” one should also speak about (the biblical commandment) “Don’t murder.” He spoke out against the Israelis demonstrating in front of the military court. Later, at an event to launch an F-35 simulator he said: "I am worried about the public atmosphere and the attacks on the army. There is a wave of unprecedented frenzy – and I suggest that the rules of engagement (for opening fire) be determined by the Chief of Staff, and not by the heads of criminal gangs. I am very worried about what has been happening since this incident. Whoever gives support to a soldier like that, does not give support to our values.” (Yedioth)
Netanyahu, however, said just the opposite yesterday. He supported criticism – in this case of the High Court. Saying, "there is no institution which is above criticism," Netanyahu expressed support for Justice Minister Shaked, who slammed the High Court for rejecting the government’s gas deal with a monopoly. Current and former justices called Shaked's statements dangerous to democracy.
Quick Hits:
- Israel, Palestinians Make Progress in Talks to Limit Military Activity in West Bank Cities - Netanyahu claimed talks failed after Palestinians rejected Israel's offer, but both Israeli officials and Western diplomats now say that negotiators have resolved some of disputes. (Haaretz+)
- Israel disrupts power to Hebron, in second day of planned West Bank outages over Palestinian debt - After power outages in Bethlehem and Jericho, power reduced in center Hebron; Palestinian power company appeals Supreme Court. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Hamas Official Warns of 'Explosion' if Israel Doesn't Renew Cement Deliveries - Israel decided to cut off cement supplies to Gaza on Monday after accusing the official, Imad al-Baz, of redirecting materials 'intended for reconstruction.' (Haaretz)
- Netanyahu’s new spokesman accused of sexual assault - Woman charges on Facebook that David Keyes forced himself upon her in New York in 2013; Keyes said to deny claim. (Times of Israel)
- Parents of 12-year-old Palestinian imprisoned in Israel seek parole - Human rights activists argue that detention of girl, convicted of attempting to commit a stabbing attack, violates Israeli and International law. (Haaretz+)
- 11-year-old Palestinian stabber on light rail sent to supervised residence - A Magistrate Court ruled that an 11-year-old terrorist, who carried out a stabbing attack on Jerusalem's light rail, will be sent to a Ministry of Welfare supervised residence, since he is below the age of criminal liability. A follow-up hearing will be held in one year. (Ynet)
- Israeli security services arrest three Jewish terror suspects - Three barred from meeting their attorney. 'These suspicions are not fresh and don't include harm to life,' their lawyer says. (Haaretz+)
- Border policewoman who prevented terror attack to light ceremonial Independence Day torch - Alison Bresson, who immigrated to Israel from France four years ago, will light torch during the annual ceremony alongside an IDF officer. (Ynet)
- Jordan against right-wing (Temple Mount) activist Yehuda Glick: "Stop the break-ins to the (Muslim) holy places" - Amman media outlets reported that the Jordanian Foreign Ministry sent a letter to the Israeli Embassy expressing opposition to Glick’s visits to the “area of the mosques” (Temple Mount) and to “the changing of the historic status quo on the site." (Maariv)
- Israeli forces raid, destroy property at al-Quds University - For two hours, the soldiers locked campus security guards in one room after breaking their walkie-talkies, while they ransacked a building hosting the Dean of Students and destroyed property, including printers and material in an exhibition students were working on. IDF: forces seized material belonging to Hamas’ educational arm used for ‘incitement.” (Maan)
- Min. Regev Mulls Canceling Habima's Status as Israel's National Theater - The culture minister has appointed a panel to discuss as-yet unpublished state comptroller report regarding veteran Tel Aviv-based theater. (Haaretz+)
- Rivlin asks Putin to bring back remains of legendary Israeli spy Eli Cohen - In a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month, President Reuven Rivlin asked the former to use his influence in Syria to bring back the legendary spy's remains to Israel. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Israel Tax Authority launches probe into leaked Panama papers - More than 600 Israeli companies and some Israeli 850 shareholders reportedly appear in the leaked documents, including several prominent figures • "I am calling on all those who have not reported to us: This is the time to do so," says ITA chief. (Haaretz and Israel Hayom)
- Ministry of Defense: Istanbul attack directed against Israelis - The Ministry of Defense officially recognizes victims of Istanbul terror attack as victims of hostile enemy activity, and that attack was against Israelis specifically. Victims entitled to National Insurance benefits. Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan denied that Israelis were the target of attack carried out by an ISIS terrorist. (Ynet)
- Senior Israeli official: ISIS' downfall in Syria only a matter of time - Israeli officials doubt Russia's claims of troops withdrawal, but voice careful optimism about Islamic State's demise; meanwhile, it's been a long time since Assad was so far from the Israeli border. (Haaretz+)
- Israel says Mideast arms proliferation imperils its military edge - As Gulf countries buy more and more Western weapons, and as sanctions relief begins to thaw the Iranian economy, Israel is concerned that its military's qualitative edge in the region is being eroded. (Ynet)
- 'Russia to begin first shipment of S-300 missiles to Iran' - "I don't know if it will happen today, but [the S-300 missiles] will be loaded [for shipment to Iran]," Russian news agency quotes foreign ministry department chief as saying • S-300 defense system considered one of the most potent systems in the world. (Israel Hayom)
- New book reveals Obama stopped plan to topple Assad - Doug Laux, a former CIA agent based in the Middle East, writes in a new book that he and other agents crafted a plan to overthrow Assad in 2012, but US President Barack Obama rejected it. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Israel and US strike new energy agreement - New joint energy deal will expand cooperation between the countries in areas of fuels and fuel alternatives, natural gas, smart grid technologies, desalination and water treatment, and the physical and cyber-defense of energy and water installations. (Israel Hayom)
- During Israel visit, House speaker slams BDS movement - PM Benjamin Netanyahu meets in Jerusalem with visiting bipartisan delegation of U.S. Congress members led by Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan • "I'm proud that my first trip as speaker is a return to Israel," Ryan says. (Israel Hayom)
- UN partly backtracks on decision to censor Israeli exhibit - U.N. rejects posters that discuss Zionism, Jerusalem, and Israeli Arabs. Israel: U.N. is de facto enacting "Zionism is racism" resolution that was reversed in 1991. StandWithUs advocacy group, which co-sponsored the exhibit: Reversal "a major victory." (Israel Hayom)
Features:
A Fresh Arab Exhibitor at Tel Aviv’s Fresh Paint Fest
'I want to be part of the Israeli agenda,' says director of Nazareth gallery, the first Arab institution to to participate in the annual festival. (Shany Littman, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
The Medic as Executioner, and Israel's Radical Reinvention of Innocence (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) I swore an oath today. I first took it years ago, when I became a combat medic in the Israeli army. As a medic, you promise to provide care to every wounded person, "im ohev o im oyev" – whether a loved comrade or a bitter enemy.
A great Mossad chief, a strategic failure (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) Meir Dagan is the last person who can accuse others of putting their personal interests above those of the nation.
With Few Tweets, Israeli Lawmaker Reveals Extent of Settlers' Racism (Ravit Hecht, Haaretz+) The Habayit Hayehudi MK is just another weird, racist clown who loses control and spews nonsense in abundance, without even being aware of the damage he is causing.
In order not to lose our path, don’t touch the High Court (Attorney Yechiel Gutman, Maariv) The High Court is not immune from criticism. One can and should criticize it. But we must respect its rulings and treat it with respect, because otherwise we will lose our way and our social order.
Israel Is Greatly Indebted to Abdel Fattah al-Sharif (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) The timing of the shooting was perfect; Israel was in great need of a hero or seminal event around which the public could rally.
Redefining Israel’s national security (Zvi Hauser, Yedioth/Ynet) Israel is currently in the midst of an international public opinion war: Instead of trying to “orchestrate” organizations and enthusiastic individuals to engage in hasbara, Israel should recruit the IDF to this battlefield in order to face this great national challenge.
Don't tarnish Israel's image (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) Smotrich's pro-segregation comments will be seized by the BDS movement as proof of Israel being an apartheid state.
Have We Jews Lost the Ability to Cope With Dissenting Voices? (Jerry Silverman, Haaretz+) Amid the vitriol of the Iran deal debate, Israel’s politics and ultra-Orthodox attacks on Reform Jews, we Jews have lost sight of “love they neighbor as thyself”, which now means accepting other Jews' opinions only if they agree with you.
A huge production (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom) In "honor" of the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War, left-wing extremists protest Israel's continued possession of Judea and Samaria.
Israel's Justice Minister Must Stop Attempts to Fundamentally Distort Israeli Democracy (Haaretz Editorial) It would behoove Ayelet Shaked to focus on understanding the basic values of a truly democratic society, in which the role of the Supreme Court is at times to check and balance.
UK Ambassador: British government committed to fight against boycotts (David Quarrey, Yedioth/Ynet) British Ambassador to Israel David Quarrey relates his government's commitment to combating anti-Israel boycotts - in word and deed - as well as steps that could forward the pro-Israel effort.
Controversial Israeli Arab Lawmakers Know Exactly What They Are Doing (Gadi Taub, Haaretz+) Balad MKs have never disguised their aspiration to change Israel's nature as the nation-state of the Jewish people. What's becoming clear is the strategy they have chosen for this purpose.
Hiding behind a tombstone (Dr. Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) Yedioth's interview with a dying ex-Mossad chief (Meir Dagan) is an example of cowardice and petty politics.
Not a hero or a murderer: In war, we don’t "neutralize" – we kill ([Far right-wing former politician] Prof. Aryeh Eldad, Maariv) As a physician, I have saved the life of a terrorist in the past. For combat soldiers, it’s much harder. May God have mercy if anyone who shoots in Israel’s wars “without military purpose" has to stand trial.
'I want to be part of the Israeli agenda,' says director of Nazareth gallery, the first Arab institution to to participate in the annual festival. (Shany Littman, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
The Medic as Executioner, and Israel's Radical Reinvention of Innocence (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) I swore an oath today. I first took it years ago, when I became a combat medic in the Israeli army. As a medic, you promise to provide care to every wounded person, "im ohev o im oyev" – whether a loved comrade or a bitter enemy.
A great Mossad chief, a strategic failure (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) Meir Dagan is the last person who can accuse others of putting their personal interests above those of the nation.
With Few Tweets, Israeli Lawmaker Reveals Extent of Settlers' Racism (Ravit Hecht, Haaretz+) The Habayit Hayehudi MK is just another weird, racist clown who loses control and spews nonsense in abundance, without even being aware of the damage he is causing.
In order not to lose our path, don’t touch the High Court (Attorney Yechiel Gutman, Maariv) The High Court is not immune from criticism. One can and should criticize it. But we must respect its rulings and treat it with respect, because otherwise we will lose our way and our social order.
Israel Is Greatly Indebted to Abdel Fattah al-Sharif (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) The timing of the shooting was perfect; Israel was in great need of a hero or seminal event around which the public could rally.
Redefining Israel’s national security (Zvi Hauser, Yedioth/Ynet) Israel is currently in the midst of an international public opinion war: Instead of trying to “orchestrate” organizations and enthusiastic individuals to engage in hasbara, Israel should recruit the IDF to this battlefield in order to face this great national challenge.
Don't tarnish Israel's image (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) Smotrich's pro-segregation comments will be seized by the BDS movement as proof of Israel being an apartheid state.
Have We Jews Lost the Ability to Cope With Dissenting Voices? (Jerry Silverman, Haaretz+) Amid the vitriol of the Iran deal debate, Israel’s politics and ultra-Orthodox attacks on Reform Jews, we Jews have lost sight of “love they neighbor as thyself”, which now means accepting other Jews' opinions only if they agree with you.
A huge production (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom) In "honor" of the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War, left-wing extremists protest Israel's continued possession of Judea and Samaria.
Israel's Justice Minister Must Stop Attempts to Fundamentally Distort Israeli Democracy (Haaretz Editorial) It would behoove Ayelet Shaked to focus on understanding the basic values of a truly democratic society, in which the role of the Supreme Court is at times to check and balance.
UK Ambassador: British government committed to fight against boycotts (David Quarrey, Yedioth/Ynet) British Ambassador to Israel David Quarrey relates his government's commitment to combating anti-Israel boycotts - in word and deed - as well as steps that could forward the pro-Israel effort.
Controversial Israeli Arab Lawmakers Know Exactly What They Are Doing (Gadi Taub, Haaretz+) Balad MKs have never disguised their aspiration to change Israel's nature as the nation-state of the Jewish people. What's becoming clear is the strategy they have chosen for this purpose.
Hiding behind a tombstone (Dr. Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) Yedioth's interview with a dying ex-Mossad chief (Meir Dagan) is an example of cowardice and petty politics.
Not a hero or a murderer: In war, we don’t "neutralize" – we kill ([Far right-wing former politician] Prof. Aryeh Eldad, Maariv) As a physician, I have saved the life of a terrorist in the past. For combat soldiers, it’s much harder. May God have mercy if anyone who shoots in Israel’s wars “without military purpose" has to stand trial.
Interviews:
Top Republican Ex-pat in Israel Loathes Trump, but Still May Vote for Him
Marc Zell, head of the local Republican Overseas chapter, thinks Trump isn't qualified to be president, but at the end of the day would support him over Hillary Clinton. (Interviewed by Allison Kaplan Sommer in Haaretz+)
Top Republican Ex-pat in Israel Loathes Trump, but Still May Vote for Him
Marc Zell, head of the local Republican Overseas chapter, thinks Trump isn't qualified to be president, but at the end of the day would support him over Hillary Clinton. (Interviewed by Allison Kaplan Sommer in Haaretz+)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.