News Nosh 06.01.16

by APN 06/01/16
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APN's daily news review from Israel
Wednesday June 01, 2016
 
Quote of the day:
"The short answer to the question, 'What does Avigdor Lieberman’s declaration about his commitment to the two states for two peoples mean' is: ‘nothing.’"
--Yedioth Op-Ed contributor Aviad Kleinberg has a more interesting answer regarding the long version.*

You Must Be Kidding: 
Former Mossad chief Ephraim Halevy said in an interview with Al-Jazeera, “Let me let you into a secret. If you go now to Israel and you speak to the commanders in the field, and the IDF…every brigade commander who has been commanding a unit opposite the Gaza Strip believes the best situation for Israel at this point is that Hamas should be there rather than anybody else.” But it was all but ignored by the Hebrew media. 

Front Page:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
Israel Hayom
  • Lieberman: Getting to know the Chief of Staff – and the secrets
  • Hand in hand with the Chief of Staff, at least for now // Yoav Limor 
  • Oversight in Magen David Adom: Medics thought a young man was drunk, did not treat his critical condition – and he died
  • Compensation for former employee of Prime Minister’s Residence; Sara Netanyahu’s attorneys: “They are stigmatizing her”
  • US travel warning: Suspicion of terror at ‘Euro 2016’ games
  • Drama in High Court: Sentence of Yonatan Heilo, who was convicted of murdering a man who raped and blackmailed him, was reduced to manslaughter
  • Mother of Elia Weingott, who was forgotten in car and died: “Come back to me”
News Summary:
Newly installed Defense Minster Avigdor Lieberman tried to calm, but left Israeli commentators in disbelief and Habayit Hayehudi party threatening, Sara Netanyahu, the wife of the Prime Minister, was once again found guilty of maltreatment of an employee at the official residence and the state was forced to pay the bill and the fairly new Police Commissioner Ronnie Alsheikh was blasted for insisting that the public does not need to know about criminal probes against Mrs. Netanyahu.
 
On his first day in office, Lieberman raised eyebrows again when he said, “When there is a clash between the wholeness of the land and the wholeness of the people, the wholeness of the people is more important.” Most Israeli commentators did not believe him anymore than they believed him and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu when they said a day earlier that they supports elements of the Arab Peace Initiative. (See Commentary/Analysis below). But Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked of the pro-settler Habayit Hayehudi party said: 'There will be no Palestinian state, no settlement evacuations, and no land given to our enemies” while her party is part of the coalition government. (Also Maariv.) 
 
Meanwhile, Maariv’s senior political affairs reporter Ben Caspit reports that Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, on whom there is popular pressure to pull his party out of the coalition, demanded Netanyahu give him the Economy Ministry portfolio, but that Netanyahu explained that he intended to attend the international conference in Cairo and will try to get the Zionist Camp to join the coalition, so he is saving the portfolio for Zionist Camp leader, Isaac Herzog.
Quick Hits:
  • Peace Now: Construction of settler building in Silwan expected to be approved - Peace Now revealed that “The land in the area was sold to the settlers by the Israeli General Custodian without any tender" and noted that the three-story building to be approved is “in one of the most densely populated areas in E. Jerusalem." (Maan) 
  • Palestinian family in Jerusalem Old City faces eviction to make room for Jewish housing - An Israeli district court in Jerusalem rejected on Tuesday a the Qirrish family's appeal after Israeli authorities ordered them to evacuate their house in the Old City to make room for Jewish housing managed by the right-wing settler organization Ateret Cohanim. (Maan)
  • Knesset debates controversial bill to kick out MKs - Proposal to allow indefinite suspension of a Knesset member for racism has no parallel in 19 Western countries, research indicates. (Haaretz+)
  • New law proposal aims for harsher terrorism penalties - Similar to the US Patriot Act, a new Israeli law aims to impose harsher penalties on terrorists and their support networks. (Ynet) 
  • Right-wing caucus challenges Netanyahu over Maaleh Adumim - The Knesset's Land of Israel Caucus to submit bill to annex the Ma'ale Adumim settlement; survey conducted for caucus reveals 76% of Israelis support annexation. (Ynet)
  • New Israeli MK Glick: Muslims’ Conduct Could Lead to Al-Aqsa’s Destruction - Yehuda Glick, whom the police have called the most dangerous man in the Middle East, says the Muslim religious trust on the Temple Mount has an ‘everything-is-mine’ attitude. (Haaretz+) 
  • High Court approved: Israel Will Demolish Home of Palestinian Terrorist Who Murdered Dafna Meir - The justices unanimously rejected the petition filed by the family of the terrorist who carried out the horrific stabbing attack in Otniel (settlement) and ruled: "The case clearly illustrates the need for deterrence.” (JPost and Maariv)
  • Palestinian prisoner suspends 59-day hunger strike after release date set - Adib Muhammad Jamal Mafarjeh, 39, began his hunger strike almost two months ago to protest his administrative detention -- internment without trial or charges -- since December 2014. (Maan)
  • MK Avi Dichter takes helm of Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee - MK Oren Hazan reelected as Deputy Speaker despite opposition of Speaker Yuli Edelstein and never running a plenum meeting; opposition rejects proposed new committees. (JPost and Maariv)
  • Cops Who Beat Israeli Arab Supermarket Worker Under Criminal Probe - Plainclothes Border Policemen were caught on film beating Maysam Abu Alqian, but claim he attacked them first. (Haaretz+ and Maariv) 
  • Herzog calls on Kahlon to make a historic decision and leave the government - The leader of the opposition says the fate of government and Israel rests in the hands of Kahlon, urging to seize his 'moment of truth'; Herzog also says Netanyahu made him a historic offer, but got scared at the last minutes; Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid asks 'when will they (the government) work for us?' (Ynet) 
  • UN hall filled to the brim for anti-BDS conference - Danny Danon filled the UN with 2,000 participants in a first of its kind international anti-BDS conference; Speakers included the Ambassador, Matisyahu amongst others. (Ynet)
  • Danon Chides UN for 'Opening the Door to BDS' at Summit Against Boycott Movement - Israeli ambassador to the UN speaks to 1,500 attendees, praising U.S. students as 'the Iron Dome of the State of Israel.' (Haaretz+) 
  • Protest against government offices leaving Jerusalem - Activists for the advancement of Jerusalem block exits from capital in protest of governmental offices relocating elsewhere; 'This goes against everything the prime minister has ever said.' (Ynet) 
  • Israeli startups raise $324mn - A successful week for Israeli startups was lead by Gett, to which Volkswagen made a $300mn investment; Other startups that rounded up cash were Votiron and Sensifree. (Ynet) 
  • Israel Air Force to receive 3 new, U.S.-funded transport planes - The Super Hercules planes, costing $75m. each, will supplement 3 existing craft in fleet. F-35 Stealth planes also due by year-end. (Haaretz+) 
  • Israeli forces open fire on fishermen, farmers, and level lands in Gaza - A Palestinian was injured after Israeli naval forces on Tuesday opened fire on fishermen, detaining four and confiscating their boats, as Israeli forces also opened fire on farmers and leveled lands elsewhere in the Gaza Strip. (Maan) 
  • Former Mossad director, Efraim Halevy, reveals that Israel’s top generals want Hamas to run Gaza - In an interview with "Al Jazeera" network, Halevy accused Prime Netanyahu of “fear-mongering," said Israel had given treatment to injured 'Nusra Front' fighters for humanitarian reasons, but wouldn't do that for Hezbollah fighters, and admitted that unfortunately there was a link between Israel’s occupation and Palestinian violence and that Israelis should “expect” that Palestinians feel they “have to fight against it.” (NRG Hebrew and Al-Jazeera)
  • Egypt to open Rafah crossing for four days - The reopening would affect humanitarian cases and emergencies. (Maan) 
  • Ancient Egyptian amulet found by Israeli high school girls - Egyptian artifact estimated to be 3,300 years old; Archeological trip the first for most of the students who made the discovery: 'the girls' eyes sparkled with excitement.' (Ynet)
  • Israeli Doll Mistaken for Bomb Delays Flight in Cyprus - Aegean Airlines plane held up after cleaner finds Israeli doll box labeled 'booba,' doll in Hebrew, and mistakes it for 'bomba,' bomb in Greek. (Haaretz)
  • Arab Bank settlement over (Hamas) militant attacks tied to US appeal - Following a court case in New York, Jordan based Arab Bank will pay restitution to victims of Hamas terror attacks; Arab Bank knowingly facilitated payments to families of Hamas suicide bombers. (Agencies, Ynet) 
  • Top Rabbi Warns of Far-right Parties Winning Over Some of Europe's Jewish Voters - 'I think that since the populist right-wing parties raised real concerns of people, unless the mainstream parties of Europe are going to address those issues, they're going to lose,' says head of the Conference of European Rabbis. (Agencies, Haaretz) 
  • Liberal Jews Plan a Summer of Opposing Donald Trump - Advocacy group Bend The Arc is convening its first national conference next week aimed at keeping the billionaire real estate magnate from becoming president. (JTA, Haaretz)
  • Over 23 Killed in Airstrikes on Syria's Idlib, Russia Denies Involvement - Russian Defense Ministry rejects claim by Syrian Observatory for Human Rights that Russia carried out wave of late night strikes, killing at least seven children. (Agencies, Haaretz) 
  • Several Hundred Reportedly Held as Human Shields by ISIS in Fallujah - 3,700 people have fled since the Iraqi army began its offensive on the Islamic State-held city last week, reports UN refugee agency. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • Shutting mouths: Ex-Miss Turkey sentenced ‘for insulting Erdogan’ - Former beauty queen receives suspended sentence, is one of over 2,000 prosecuted for criticizing president. (Agencies, Times of Israel and Maariv)

Features:
How to Win 'Survivor' in Real Life: Reality Star Stops a Suspected Terrorist
Liron Orfali, a familiar figure on TV screens as a contender in two popular reality shows, faced a challenge that even the most creative producers couldn't have cooked up. (Allison Kaplan Sommer, Haaretz+) 
Lone soldiers on the home front, part 2
Australian lone soldier is told by his comrades that he could be on the sea back home instead of being a 'sucker' marching 30km in the IDF; He is told by others he is a hero for enlisting; 'I listen to neither. I'm no hero nor a sucker.' (Yedioth/Ynet)
Poetry Hokum wafts Jerusalem away from the reality
In Shai Dotan’s vision, the city disengages from the earth. (Vivian Eden, Haaretz) 
Israel's settlement drive is becoming irreversible, diplomats fear
Hundreds of thousands of settlers now live across the 'green line', UN officials say, 'settlements are the vehicle for taking control of the land' and express concerns about their effects on the feasibility of a future accord, but add that 'some of it has to be reversible. (Reuters, Ynet)
 
Commentary/Analysis:
Netanyahu's lip service to Arab peace proposals is old news – and no one's buying it (Barak Ravid, Haaretz) Reassuring words of peace without deeds won't improve relations with the U.S., stop the French initiative or get Netanyahu a photo-op with an Arab leader. Why? Kerry, Mogherini and Sissi just don't believe him. 
Moshe Ya'alon has proven his moral purity (Att. Yechiel Gutman, Maariv) Lieberman did not have to insist: the death penalty already exists in Israel. Ya'alon's resignation from the Defense Ministry is a loss for us all.
Netanyahu's Two-state Comments Should Not Be Taken Lightly (Uzi Baram, Haaretz+) Can the prime minister go back on his new peace pledge when next to him stands Lieberman, the man whose slogan is 'a promise is a promise'? 
It’s possible also without a partner – the Israeli roadmap (Shabtai Shavit, Yedioth) The host of international initiatives regarding the Palestinian issue points to the urgency and necessity of an independent Israeli plan, that will serve as a key to exit out of the impasse.
Israel's Sudden PR Lurch Toward Two States: Stay Tuned for the Trump Version (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) Trump backers be advised: The louder that hard right politicians extol the two-state solution, the freer they are to see to it that no such solution can ever happen. 
*Seemingly moderate – Once, maybe, when the conditions are ripe (Aviad Kleinberg, Yedioth) The short answer to the question what does Avigdor Lieberman’s declaration about his commitment to the ‘two states for two peoples’ mean is: ‘nothing.’ The long answer is that Lieberman will support the implementation of the good principle when the Palestinian state will be demilitarized, it will allow settlements all over its land, it will give up the right to conduct its own foreign policy, it will absorb Arab Israelis from the ‘triangle’ (area of Israel), it will join WIZO and it will be accepted as an honorary member of La Familia [racist fan club of Beitar Jerusalem soccer team –OH]. All that will be left to make certain is that hell froze over and immediately afterward a national referendum will be declared in Nokdim [settlement where Lieberman lives – OH]. If the national referendum, in which the voters will be asked to rule on the question “Are you willing to agree to a loony, dangerous, treacherous and evil proposal to establish a Palestinian state?” that passes by a majority of 99%, a Palestinian state will be established immediately, after a cooling-off period of 200 years…
An Israeli Paradise Lost (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) The sin committed by opponents of Lieberman’s appointment lies in their cultivating the idea that without him, life would be great. 
Let's Put Lieberman Aside and Talk About Israel's New Minister of Nothing (Uri Misgav, Haaretz+) Netanyahu is keeping five ministries close to his chest, and at the same time appointing ministers without a portfolio at the taxpayers’ expense – our expense, the expense of us voters. 
Herzog's dilemma (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) Some say Labor leader Isaac Herzog will be deposed if he joins Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, others say the exact opposite.
The Downsides of Lieberman Being the Weakest Defense Minister in Israel's History (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) The new, far-right civilian controller of the country’s largest institution has a lot to learn and a lot to prove. 
Sanders Chose Wrong People to Change Democratic Platform on Israel (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz) The Vermont senator’s representative, Cornel West, uses anti-Israel vitriol that Sanders himself tries to avoid. 
 
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.

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