APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday August 15, 2016
While News Nosh's Israel editor is on vacation, we are publishing an abbreviated version produced in Washington and therefore it may be sent later in the day.
While News Nosh's Israel editor is on vacation, we are publishing an abbreviated version produced in Washington and therefore it may be sent later in the day.
Quote of the day:
"It's more appropriate that IDF soldiers act according to the concept of 'the poor of your city take
precedence,' and help out Holocaust survivors, the needy and the elderly."
- Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman on his orders to end
IDF volunteer work with children of Asylum-seekers
IDF volunteer work with children of Asylum-seekers
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Evangelical aid was once taboo in Israel. Now it's on the rise. Why?
- Israel lays groundwork for possible settlement expansion southeast of Jerusalem
- Israel vows to advance 'strategic plan' to develop South Hebron Hills
- Israel and Pakistan take part in joint aerial combat exercise in U.S.
Israel Hayom
- IDF razes homes of terrorist who killed sleeping Israeli teen
- PA president seeks Israeli Arab leaders' help on Fatah-Hamas deal
- Most weapons used in violent crimes stolen from IDF
- Minister bans soldiers from volunteering with migrant kids, sparks furor
Times of Israel
- More Arab Israelis join national service, discovering state benefits, patriotism
- Donald Trump courts US expats in new Israel campaign
- Jordan's king: Israel 'blatantly' changing Jerusalem's status quo
- Two cops indicted for sexually harassing female complainants
Ynet News
- Surprise exercise for anti-terror unit
- Destruction of both temples supported by archaeological findings
- Gaza reconstruction proceeding too slowly
- Palestinian attacker apprehended nearly three years later
News Summary:
Settlement expansion plays in the news as Israel conducts a land survey around the settlement of Efrat in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc with the intentions of "creating contiguity of state lands." Construction in this area will likely heighten tensions, as it would push the Gush Etzion settlement bloc into the outskirts of Bethlehem. The Civil Administration in the West Bank has also promised to advance a strategic development plan for the South Hebron Hills, including industrial parks, a medical center and housing units.
This comes as King Abdullah II of Jordan firmly accuses Israel of "blatantly" changing the status quo of key landmarks and heritage sites in Jerusalem by restricting the rights of Arab citizens. He also asserted that the perpetuation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is fueling extremism in the region and that a resolution is of national importance to Jordan.
President Abbas appealed to the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee and Israeli Arab MKs to mediate a Fatah-Hamas reconciliation, suggesting "the Israeli Arab public could serve as a bridge not only in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, but also in the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation process." He also emphasized his opposition to a third intifada, his commitment to a negotiated solution, and his willingness to meet with Netanyahu.
Quick Hits:
- Seven Jews were removed from the Temple Mount on Tisha B’Av after breaking rules for visiting the holy site on Sunday morning - 300 Jewish visitors were allowed into the complex during the fast of Tisha B’Av. (Ynet News)
- The Times of Israel and Channel 2 News follows the story of the "Women for the Temple," a group of women devoted to establishing the Third Temple in place of Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount. The group's members are recruiting supporters and studying how to serve the Temple's needs, such as making the parochet, the great curtain that separated the Temple's main hall from the Holy of Holies and the Ark of the Covenant in ancient times. (Times of Israel)
- Defense Minister Lieberman ordered the halt of IDF volunteer work with illegal migrants, "because it involves activities with a population that isn't residing here lawfully." Residents of south Tel Aviv managed to convince the military to cease all volunteer activities with children of foreign workers and asylum seekers. MK's, NGOs, the IDF, and the soldiers volunteering have all spoken out against the decision. One unit approached the NGO Elifelet asking to volunteer despite the decision, saying the received approval from their senior officers. (Haaretz)
- Or Sasson wins international kudos for his bronze medal. The Jerusalemite judoka has been praised for his sportsmanship after his Egyptian opponent refused to shake his hand, bringing shame to the Olympic Games. (Israel21C)
- US says moving settlement goes against Netanyahu’s commitment to Obama. The plan to transplant the illegal West Bank settlement of Amona to nearby Palestinian land angers Washington. (Haaretz)
- Archeologists in Israel find ancient synagogue predating Second Temple ruin. Ancient frescoes also found in two discoveries that undermine claims of devastation following Jews’ Grat Revolt against Romans. (Haaretz)
- Israeli regulator says "Binary options fraud is disgusting, ruinous to our reputation." Shmuel Hauser, chair of the Israel-based industry fleecing victims worldwide is a problem of national significance and vows to gather all arms of law enforcement to tackle it. (Times of Israel)
- Hacked email, backed by Russia, show that George Soros and the Open Society Foundations aim to challenge "Israel's racist and undemocratic policies" in international forums. Some Jewish groups have labeled Soros, a child survivor of the Holocaust, as anti-Israel. (Jerusalem Post)