APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday, September 22, 2016
You Must Be
Kidding:
“On the Harel Brigade legacy they want to install (Rehavam Zeevi) Gandhi’s (legacy) – with the transfer, expelling Arabs and fleeing the battle in its midst?”
--Zvi Kesse, 86, of Ramat Hasharon, is one of numerous Palmach veterans campaigning against the government decision to commemorate infamous former general and minister Rehavam Zeevi at a national memorial site that symbolizes the Palmach generation and its Harel Brigade.
“Have a little sensitivity. Our generation may be nearing the end of the road, but we have children, grandchildren and families.”
--Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Horev, 92, also expressed his shame and abhorrence at the government plan to build a memorial for the infamous former general and minister, Rehavam Zeevi, at a national memorial site that symbolizes the Palmach generation and its Harel Brigade.
“On the Harel Brigade legacy they want to install (Rehavam Zeevi) Gandhi’s (legacy) – with the transfer, expelling Arabs and fleeing the battle in its midst?”
--Zvi Kesse, 86, of Ramat Hasharon, is one of numerous Palmach veterans campaigning against the government decision to commemorate infamous former general and minister Rehavam Zeevi at a national memorial site that symbolizes the Palmach generation and its Harel Brigade.
“Have a little sensitivity. Our generation may be nearing the end of the road, but we have children, grandchildren and families.”
--Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Horev, 92, also expressed his shame and abhorrence at the government plan to build a memorial for the infamous former general and minister, Rehavam Zeevi, at a national memorial site that symbolizes the Palmach generation and its Harel Brigade.
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Obama to Netanyahu: I’m concerned about the construction in settlements
- Barack annoys Bibi // Barak Ravid
- Before the meeting: Discussion on construction in Jerusalem was postponed
- Ehud Barak and Tzipi Livni met in NY and discussed “political scenarios”
- 13-year-old girl shot in her leg by guards at checkpoint; she said, “I came to die”
- At least 43 refugees drowned to death across from Egypt’s coast; Fear for the lives of hundreds
- Palmach veterans protest memorial for (ex-general) Rehavam Zeevi at a site at Sha’ar Hagai
- Open the Nakba file // Haaretz Editorial
- Knesset trying to remove communications reforms that harm Bezeq
- Shneller compound: From an IDF enclave (in Jerusalem) to an ultra-Orthodox enclave
Yedioth Ahronoth
- And so they parted (2 photos: photo of them in their first meeting, smiling, sitting close together next to a fireplace and photo of their last meeting sitting farther apart, not smiling with their respective flags alongside them)
- Suspected – Salmonella in ‘Tzabar’ hummous
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- “The smiles meeting” in the US: Netanyahu thanked, Obama warned
- A yawn at the UN // Shlomo Shamir
- Obama’s finger // Shmuel Rosner
- The terror returned – the new wave; Palestinian incitement, Jerusalem Arabs acceptance and the harm to tourism
Israel Hayom
- Compliments – and dispute over settlements; Netanyahu thanked Obama for the aid package: “You are strengthening our security”
- Won’t help the prophets of anger: (Israel and the US) are allies // Boaz Bismuth
- “Eli Cohen’s body will be transferred to Israel” – Report from Lebanese media
- Expose: Public Security Ministry planning – hospital only for terrorists
- Suspicion of salmonella in ‘Tsabar’ salads
News Summary:
The “meeting of smiles” between Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama was the main story in a relatively quite news day for the Hebrew newspapers. Also in the news, a Israeli guards shot a 13-year-old unarmed Palestinian girl after she refused to stop at a West Bank checkpoint and local Turkish security shot a knife-wielding attacker at the Israeli Embassy in Turkey.
In the short (half-hour), 17th and likely last meeting between the two leaders, Netanyahu thanked Obama for the security aid package and Obama told Netanyahu that the settlements in the West Bank and E. Jerusalem are threatening the future of the two-state solution.
Haaretz+ and Yedioth wrote that Obama did not press Netanyahu on the issue because he did not want to upset Jewish Democratic voters and their support for US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Netanyahu, it appears, did not want to make negative headlines ahead of the meeting either. A Jerusalem Municipality planning committee postponed its discussion about construction of housing units in Gilo, a Jerusalem neighborhood located over the Green Line. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi also urged Israel and the Palestinians to solve the conflict and used his own country as a “wonderful” example of peace. Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon lashed out at UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the latter who said in his address to the UN General Assembly that the "occupation grinds into its 50th year.” Danon said the UN has a mad obsession with Israel.” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also held meetings with his counterparts from Egypt, Cyprus, Brazil and Belgium at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York.
The “meeting of smiles” between Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama was the main story in a relatively quite news day for the Hebrew newspapers. Also in the news, a Israeli guards shot a 13-year-old unarmed Palestinian girl after she refused to stop at a West Bank checkpoint and local Turkish security shot a knife-wielding attacker at the Israeli Embassy in Turkey.
In the short (half-hour), 17th and likely last meeting between the two leaders, Netanyahu thanked Obama for the security aid package and Obama told Netanyahu that the settlements in the West Bank and E. Jerusalem are threatening the future of the two-state solution.
Haaretz+ and Yedioth wrote that Obama did not press Netanyahu on the issue because he did not want to upset Jewish Democratic voters and their support for US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Netanyahu, it appears, did not want to make negative headlines ahead of the meeting either. A Jerusalem Municipality planning committee postponed its discussion about construction of housing units in Gilo, a Jerusalem neighborhood located over the Green Line. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi also urged Israel and the Palestinians to solve the conflict and used his own country as a “wonderful” example of peace. Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon lashed out at UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the latter who said in his address to the UN General Assembly that the "occupation grinds into its 50th year.” Danon said the UN has a mad obsession with Israel.” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also held meetings with his counterparts from Egypt, Cyprus, Brazil and Belgium at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York.
Quick Hits:
- Israel to release all three Palestinian hungers strikers - Malik al-Qadi will be released immediately, four months after first being detained, and brothers Muhammad and Mahmoud Balboul also ended their hunger strikes Wednesday and are expected to be released in December. The Shin Bet says it holds intelligence indicating the three are dangerous. The three stopped eating for between 68-79 days in protest of being held without trial. (Haaretz and Maan)
- Israeli Soldiers Photographed Beating Palestinian in Hebron - Photos show one soldier kicking him, and another pinning him down to the ground with his knee. Military says the man was resisting arrest, but that the incident is being investigated. (Haaretz and Ynet)
- Five Jews arrested for suspected attack on Palestinian - Jewish youngsters were arrested on suspicion of kicking a Palestinian youth in Gilo and stealing his cellphone, in what is believed to be a nationalistically motivated attack; all the suspects, one of whom is an IDF soldier in the Kfir Brigade, have denied all charges. (Ynet)
- Israel Halts Case Against Georgian National Who Police Tasered Seven Times - Yosebi Bukashvilli, who doesn’t speak Hebrew, was charged with assaulting a policeman on New Year's Eve. (Haaretz)
- Defense witness in Azaria trial: 'I feel like my commanders brainwashed me' - Speaking in a military court in Jaffa Wednesday, Sgt. R. from Sgt. Elor Azaria's unit testified on behalf of the defense, saying of his commanders, 'They were afraid the company was going to mutiny and they said that Elor is a liar. They presented the event as negative.' (Ynet)
- Terror victims' families: Israeli government failed in handling of wave of violence - 'I've lost my trust in the government a long time ago,' says widow of Avraham Hasano who was murdered in a vehicular attack last October; 'This government has taken away our hope,' says mother of Danny Gonen, murdered in June. (Ynet)
- Palestinian children commemorate International Day of Peace in Ramallah - In an event organized by the Palestinian Ministry of Education and the European Union (EU), the children released white pigeons and balloons marked with inscriptions reading “We want to live in peace” into the air. (Maan)
- Group denounces UN envoy statement equating Israeli and Palestinian violence - Gaza-based NGO the Council On International Relations in Palestine (COIR) slammed on Monday statements by the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nikolay Mladenov regarding a recent wave of deadly violence in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, accusing him of not “making any difference between the executioner and the victim.” (Maan)
- Israeli forces raid homes of Bilin activists, confiscate computers - Coordinator of the Bilin Popular Resistance Committee against the Wall and Settlements Rateb Abu Rahmeh said that Israeli forces raided his home, his brother Abdullah Abu Rahmeh’s home, as well as of head of village council Bassil Mansour, Muhammad al-Khatib, and of Ahmad Abu Rahmeh and his brother Ashraf Abu Rahmeh. (Maan)
- Reservists blast government funding of group with BDS ties - Anti-BDS group demands that government revoke national service for Physicians for Human Rights and that Beersheba municipality disinvite PHR from course on equality. Organization president participated in 2008 Israeli Apartheid Week. (Israel Hayom)
- Palmach Veterans Balk at Memorial for Ex-general Rehavam Ze’evi - Assassinated minister took no part in battles for Jerusalem and has an unsavory reputation, say veterans. 'Gandhi, with all due respect, doesn’t belong there.' (Haaretz+)
- Outpost residents outraged after ministers back compromise - Amona residents decide to cancel scheduled meeting with senior Habayit Hayehudi ministers after they backtrack on bill to retroactively approve controversial outpost. Residents, who are to be evicted by Dec. 25, say ministers could instead visit outpost. (Israel Hayom)
- Gilad Sharon: "There won’t be another ‘disengagement’ (withdrawal of Palestinian territories – OH). What was good for Gaza is not good for Judea and Samaria" - The son of the late prime minister returns to his youth movement: in an interview Sharon gave to the Likud party’s (youth) magazine, he talks about the reasons for the establishment of the Kadimah party and what he thinks of Netanyahu. (Maariv)
- State plans 'terrorist hospital' to keep assailants from victims - Facility would ensure victims of terrorist attacks do not encounter perpetrators at same hospital, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan tells Israel Hayom. Erdan says plan will help counter pressure on prisons to release inmates on medical grounds. (Israel Hayom)
- Danon launches diplomatic battle to block aid money from Hamas - Diplomatic battle comes after two high-profile instances of international aid and resources being used to directly benefit Hamas; 'We will not relent until the UN and other aid organizations begin to track and follow every dollar that enters the Gaza Strip,' says Israel's ambassador to the UN. (Ynet)
- Former Israeli Political Rivals Meet at Clinton Event Amid Talk of Netanyahu Ouster - Ehud Barak and Tzipi Livni meet on sidelines of Clinton Global Initiative; while latter aims to unite center and left, former plans political comeback. (Haaretz+)
- Senior official: Netanyahu would meet Clinton, Trump if asked - No meeting is slated for Netanyahu, who is in New York for the UN General Assembly, and the U.S. presidential candidates. But the prime minister would agree to meet both of them if an invitation is extended, a senior official says. (Haaretz)
- Gov't help for Israelis visiting rabbi’s grave in Ukraine sparks protest - Foreign Ministry will provide special services for pilgrims to grave of Rabbi Nahman of Breslav in Uman. (Haaretz)
- 'I begged to go to a doctor but the boss refused' - Thai women working in agriculture in Israel suffer from exploitation, sexual harassment at work and harsh living conditions. The Population Authority says 'they should talk to their employers.' (Haaretz+)
- Report: PM, Chadian president to meet, declare renewed ties - Prime Minister Netanyahu to meet with Chadian President Deby, Channel 2 reports. The two leaders are expected to declare renewal of diplomatic relations • Prime Minister's Office conducted many visits to Africa this summer, including Chad. (Israel Hayom)
- Archaeologists Find First Sign of Jews in Ancient Abila, Jordan - A menorah carving found in a church provides the first physical evidence of a long-assumed Jewish population in the Hellenistic city. (Haaretz)
- Only One Israeli University Makes Times Higher Education Ranking - Hebrew University of Jerusalem comes in at 178th place, replacing Tel Aviv University as the only Israeli institution to make the prestigious list. (Haaretz)
- Palestinian local elections in Gaza and West Bank suspended - Fatah and Hamas blame each other for sabotaging the elections out of fear of losing. (Haaretz+ and Maan)
- Palestinian Stock Exchange Joins FTSE Russell Global Frontier Index - Although average trading volume on the exchange’s Al-Quds Index over the past six months was 1.1 million shares, more than double Morocco’s main stock gauge, the exchange has a market cap of just $3.3 billion, the West Bank economy is in a slump and its political future in doubt. (Haaretz)
- Migrant boat capsizes off Egypt, killing at least 29 - A boat filled with refugees of different nationalities capsized off the shore of Egypt; at least 29 are reported dead and 150 have been rescued, as hundreds remain missing. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Syrian children brought to Israel for treatment - With the ceasefire deal collapsing and the UN's inability to get aid into Syria, the Amaliah organization is doing all it can to aid Syrians in need; 'It is difficult to erase decades' worth of hate, but we have to at least show who we really are. We can be proud that our country does what no other country does.' (Ynet)
- US, Russia abandon diplomatic niceties in testy Syria debate - Appearing exceedingly agitated, US Secretary of State John Kerry attacked Russia for its seemingly duplicitous involvement in the Syrian peace talks while maneuvering its own forces to break the cease-fire it had negotiated with the US; 'Everybody sits there and says we want a united Syria, secular, respecting the rights of all people,' said Kerry. 'But we are proving woefully inadequate in our ability to be able to get to the table and have that conversation and make it happen.' (Agencies, Ynet)
- Iran Parades New Weapons at Time of Gulf Tension With U.S. - The Iranian military displays long-range missiles, tanks and Russian-supplied S-300 surface-to-air missile defense system at a parade in Tehran. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
Silence, tight quarters and no women: On board Israel's most advanced submarine
Haaretz’s military correspondent joined the crew of INS Rahav, the Israel Navy’s newest submarine, on a brief training cruise. He learned about the unique physical and mental demands of service on the IDF's most expensive war machine, its technological capabilities and why Israeli subs are still off-limits to women. (Amos Harel, Haaretz)
Radical right-wing group's marches of hate in Jerusalem
Every Thursday night, dozens of members of the anti-assimilation group Lehava march in the Jerusalem city center, shouting racist slogans against Arabs. Some have gone as far as to assault dozens of Arabs in the area. Unfortunately, almost all of the cases were closed due to lack of evidence. (Yael Freidson, Yedioth/Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Open the 'Nakba File' (Haaretz Editorial) Declassifying documents is crucial to studying history. The attempt to deny the Nakba encourages the occupation and stifles any chance for peace.
There is no military solution to terror (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) The thousands of police officers and soldiers filling the alleys of Jerusalem and Hebron are evidence of 30 years of terror. If there is a military solution, can anyone explain the recent stabbing attacks, the many attacks that came before them, and the ones that will likely follow?
Even in Their Last Meeting, Obama and Netanyahu's Settlement Spat Refused to Go Away (Barak Ravid, Haaretz) The PM fails once again to convince the U.S. president the settlements are not an obstacle to peace, as the two leaders ignore the elephant in the room: A possible UN Security Council move to secure Obama's legacy.
Hostility towards Trump and the desire to help Clinton: Obama won’t pressure Netanyahu (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) The US President wants to help Clinton get elected, and he doesn’t want to harm her chances by political pressure on Israel, which could anger the Jewish voters, who are the traditional fans of the Democratic Party.
There Won't Be Peace Until Israel Accepts Responsibility for the Nakba (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Peace is not going to come before Israelis know about and understand how it all began.
No excuse for terror (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Terrorists' main motive, both in Hebron and in Minnesota, is religious invigoration. The terrorism of the past few years needs no justifications such as 'desperation' and 'occupation.'
Only a Spontaneous Crisis Can Save Israel (Na’aman Hirschfeld, Haaretz+) External pressure will not reverse the apartheid state in the West Bank. Only a crisis, either from within or as necessitated by historical processes.
Despite All, Ehud Barak Could Still Change Israel (Iris Leal, Haaretz+) Nothing has been forgotten and no one is adopting Barak as the left’s old-new redeemer, but he can still do good by ruining Netanyahu’s image as the nation’s guardian and savior.
Will Netanyahu Copy Olmert in Settlement Outpost of Amona? (Israel Harel, Haaretz+) If mass pressure is exerted against him, endangering his tenure in office (which in any case is shaky), Amona will not be demolished.
An Open Letter to the U.S. Jewish Leaders Who've Stayed Silent on Trump (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) Donald Trump is not a distraction. He is the thing our tradition teaches us to resist.
Haaretz’s military correspondent joined the crew of INS Rahav, the Israel Navy’s newest submarine, on a brief training cruise. He learned about the unique physical and mental demands of service on the IDF's most expensive war machine, its technological capabilities and why Israeli subs are still off-limits to women. (Amos Harel, Haaretz)
Radical right-wing group's marches of hate in Jerusalem
Every Thursday night, dozens of members of the anti-assimilation group Lehava march in the Jerusalem city center, shouting racist slogans against Arabs. Some have gone as far as to assault dozens of Arabs in the area. Unfortunately, almost all of the cases were closed due to lack of evidence. (Yael Freidson, Yedioth/Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Open the 'Nakba File' (Haaretz Editorial) Declassifying documents is crucial to studying history. The attempt to deny the Nakba encourages the occupation and stifles any chance for peace.
There is no military solution to terror (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) The thousands of police officers and soldiers filling the alleys of Jerusalem and Hebron are evidence of 30 years of terror. If there is a military solution, can anyone explain the recent stabbing attacks, the many attacks that came before them, and the ones that will likely follow?
Even in Their Last Meeting, Obama and Netanyahu's Settlement Spat Refused to Go Away (Barak Ravid, Haaretz) The PM fails once again to convince the U.S. president the settlements are not an obstacle to peace, as the two leaders ignore the elephant in the room: A possible UN Security Council move to secure Obama's legacy.
Hostility towards Trump and the desire to help Clinton: Obama won’t pressure Netanyahu (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) The US President wants to help Clinton get elected, and he doesn’t want to harm her chances by political pressure on Israel, which could anger the Jewish voters, who are the traditional fans of the Democratic Party.
There Won't Be Peace Until Israel Accepts Responsibility for the Nakba (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Peace is not going to come before Israelis know about and understand how it all began.
No excuse for terror (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Terrorists' main motive, both in Hebron and in Minnesota, is religious invigoration. The terrorism of the past few years needs no justifications such as 'desperation' and 'occupation.'
Only a Spontaneous Crisis Can Save Israel (Na’aman Hirschfeld, Haaretz+) External pressure will not reverse the apartheid state in the West Bank. Only a crisis, either from within or as necessitated by historical processes.
Despite All, Ehud Barak Could Still Change Israel (Iris Leal, Haaretz+) Nothing has been forgotten and no one is adopting Barak as the left’s old-new redeemer, but he can still do good by ruining Netanyahu’s image as the nation’s guardian and savior.
Will Netanyahu Copy Olmert in Settlement Outpost of Amona? (Israel Harel, Haaretz+) If mass pressure is exerted against him, endangering his tenure in office (which in any case is shaky), Amona will not be demolished.
An Open Letter to the U.S. Jewish Leaders Who've Stayed Silent on Trump (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) Donald Trump is not a distraction. He is the thing our tradition teaches us to resist.
Interviews:
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.