APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday October 20, 2016
Quote of the Day #1:
General Yoram Yair: “When there is no demand and expectation of ethical behavior, there is a danger of
brutality. The question arises: What am I fighting for, to kill? What distinguishes me if ISIS and I are acting
the same way?”
--In an interview with Maariv, Gen. (res.) Yoram Yair, who headed the team to form the IDF’s ethical code, discusses the extrajudicial execution by IDF soldier Elor Azariya, who is on trial.*
-- At a peace rally with thousands of Israeli and Palestinian women, Regional Director of the Alliance for Middle East Peace, Huda Abuarqoub, from Hebron, called for a political agreement between the two sides.**
--In an interview with Maariv, Gen. (res.) Yoram Yair, who headed the team to form the IDF’s ethical code, discusses the extrajudicial execution by IDF soldier Elor Azariya, who is on trial.*
Quote of the Day #2:
"I am here today to tell you that there is indeed a partner for peace. So let us be done with this myth
(that there isn't a Palestinian partner)."-- At a peace rally with thousands of Israeli and Palestinian women, Regional Director of the Alliance for Middle East Peace, Huda Abuarqoub, from Hebron, called for a political agreement between the two sides.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Taking down the [new public] broadcasting corporation: Government initiating union of Army Radio, Broadcasting Authority and the Educational Channel
- Netanyahu ordered the director of the Broadcasting Authority to prepare for closure of the Broadcasting Corporation
- Netanyahu: Unwise conduct during Obama Administration will endanger the whole settlement enterprise
- Israel Prisons Service prevented security prisoners, who claimed they were tortured, from meeting with a doctor
- Climax of the race – Candidates for Presidency met for last debate
- (Netanyahu’s) Birthday Tomorrow // Gideon Levy
Yedioth Ahronoth
- “My parents are heroes, they live for the common good and understand there are bigger things than their private feelings” – Second Lt. David Sarel completed officers’ course and continues the legacy of his big brother, Maj. Beniyah Sarel, who was killed in Operation Protective Edge
- Betting on it all – Trump went to Las Vegas for the third debate against Clinton – in a last attempt to close the gaps
- The first judge of Ethiopian descent is revealed
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- End of the debate season
- Netanyahu to Amona settlers: “Obama is an existential threat to the settlement enterprise”
- Netanyahu recruits support for the closure of the (public broadcasting) Corporation
- Azariya trial: The prosecution rejected the plea bargain offer
Israel Hayom
- Trump to ‘Israel Hayom’: “There are 20 days left to the elections and that’s like forever”
- The response to UNESCO – Masses of worshippers participated in traditional blessing at Wailing Wall yesterday
- Debate in UN Security Council turned into dispute between Israel and the US on the subject of B’tselem
- Battle over Mosul: “ISIS leaders are abandoning the city”
News Summary:
Today’s Hebrew newspapers reported that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was trying to take down the newly formed independent Israeli public broadcasting corporation and that he told Amona outpost settlers that US President Barack Obama was an 'existential threat' to the settlement enterprise and could hurt it if they act ‘unwisely.' (Also in Maariv.) (Israel Hayom reported that a dozen pro-settlement foreign foreign lawmakers visited Hebron in solidarity with Israel.) Meanwhile, the US again expressed support for B’tselem and Americans for Peace Now, after Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon called them anti-Israel elements for addressing the UN Security Council about the occupation and settlements.
Today’s Hebrew newspapers reported that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was trying to take down the newly formed independent Israeli public broadcasting corporation and that he told Amona outpost settlers that US President Barack Obama was an 'existential threat' to the settlement enterprise and could hurt it if they act ‘unwisely.' (Also in Maariv.) (Israel Hayom reported that a dozen pro-settlement foreign foreign lawmakers visited Hebron in solidarity with Israel.) Meanwhile, the US again expressed support for B’tselem and Americans for Peace Now, after Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon called them anti-Israel elements for addressing the UN Security Council about the occupation and settlements.
Quick Hits:
- Palestinian woman shot dead after attempting to stab Israeli troops, police say - Suspected assailant reportedly refused to stop and pulled out a knife at Border Police officers in West Bank junction. [Note: Ynet calls her a 'terrorist.' - OH] (Haaretz and Ynet+VIDEO)
- Watch: IDF returns fire against shooting terrorists on Yom Kippur - IDF releases video footage capturing Yom Kippur incident in which five terrorists from Ni’lin fired live rounds at soldiers; Shin Bet announces arrest of all five suspects, ranging from 16-39 years old. (Ynet and Maariv)
- Turk arrested for security-related offenses deported without indictment - Orhan Buyruk, a 32-year-old Muslim, came to Israel to pray in Jerusalem; the Shin Bet detained him at the end of September for allegedly hostile posts on social media, Israel chooses not to indict him, and deports him back to Turkey. (Ynet, Maariv, Israel Hayom and Haaretz)
- **Thousands Finish Women's Peace March With Plea for Action at Netanyahu's Door - 'They told me there was nobody to make peace with. Today, we proved that wrong,' Israeli singer Yael Deckelbaum says of the two-week 'Women Wage Peace' event. Speakers included Israeli female rabbis, settlers and former terror victims. (Haaretz+ and Ynet also YouTube)
- Be'er Sheva Doves Defy Mayor to Hold Draft-dodging Event - The Negev Coexistence Forum stirs controversy with plans to convene a conference featuring speakers who have rejected IDF service. (Haaretz+)
- Gigantic turnout at the Kotel provides 'answer to UNESCO' - Jewish worshippers’ flocking to the Western Wall for Chol Hamoed in anticipation of the priestly blessings exhibits nation’s defiance against UNESCO’s recent Jerusalem resolution which caused outrage in Israel; Israel’s Chief Rabbi tells Ynet ‘UNESCO can decide what it wants, but the nation of Israel comes and votes with its feet.’ (Yedioth/Ynet and Israel Hayom)
- Poll: 30% of Gush Katif evacuees have yet to find permanent homes - Eleven years after unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip some 50% of evacuees still believe they could one day return home. Survey finds 82% of evacuees happy with their current community, but 30% still see themselves as "Gush Katif residents." (Israel Hayom)
- In potential shift to next generation, Abbas appoints new PA ambassador to U.S. - The timing of the appointment of Husam Zomlot to the key role may indicate as to Abbas' desire to inject new blood into the Palestinian Authority, ridden by conflict between Fatah's old guard and its interim and younger generations. (Haaretz+)
- Bennett orders hearing of East Jerusalem principal on grounds of incitement - Education Minister Naftali Bennett orders hearing of a principal in an East Jerusalem high school over her uploading of inciting content to Facebook; Palestinian soccer team manager arrested for suspected support of terror. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Women in Elad (religious settlement) removed from publicly funded event - After the women entered the event, a commotion erupted until they were told to leave; though the municipality promises it does not practice exclusion, an ad for the event states that women were not welcome to attend. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- WATCH: Paratroopers drill landing in 'enemy territory' - The Paratroopers Brigade holds a large-scale exercise drilling parachuting into 'enemy territory' and landing Hercules planes transporting troops and equipment on temporary landing strips. The soldiers drilled raiding targets simulating enemy command centers and rocket depots, with the ultimate goal of being ready for any scenario. (Ynet)
- "Israeli Arab couple arrested after allegedly joining Islamic State" - Investigation reveals that Wisam and Sabrin Zbeidat, who returned to Israel with their three children after living in squalor under Islamic State, traveled to Turkey before crossing into Syria, aided by another Israeli Arab who had joined Islamic State. (Israel Hayom)
- Six Killed in U.S.-led Strike on Syrian Village, Russia Says - Moscow says Belgian fighter jets spotted over area of the strike, which also wounds four and destroys buildings. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Turkey Warns World War III May Erupt as a Result of Russia-U.S. Tensions Over Syria - Pointing at surging tensions between Washington and Moscow, Ankara's Deputy prime minister says world is 'on the brink of a large regional or global war.' (Haaretz)
- Top Iraqi General Calls on ISIS Fighters in Mosul to Surrender - Up to 6,000 ISIS fighters remain in the Iraqi city, Lt. Gen. Talib Shaghati says, as a wide-scale operation to retake Mosul enters its third day. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Obama: Mosul Key Step to 'Ultimate Destruction' of ISIS - U.S. president says Islamic State will be defeated in Iraqi city, but expects tough fight. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Iran Airs 'House of Cards' to Educate Public About U.S. Politics - The drama offers a jaundiced view of American politics that plays well in a country long suspicious of U.S. intentions. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Saudi Arabia Executes a Prince for Murder - Royal executions are rare, but have happened before. In 1975, the kingdom beheaded Faisal bin Musaid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for assassinating King Faisal. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
The Met re-imagines Jerusalem from when it was the medieval capital of the world
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York exhibits testimony of Middle Age Jerusalem’s rich aesthetic imprint and attachment to Jews, Muslims and Christians. In the Middle Ages the city thrived and seemed to seduce much of the world. While fight for control over the city continued, most notably with the onslaught of the Crusaders, grander dynasties, like the Fatimids, arose, more willing to develop diplomatic ties. This relative openness – and desire to regain control by the Christians – enabled Jerusalem to grow into a cultural crossroads with an incredible range of religious sects, languages and cultures, all within a space the size of midtown Manhattan. (Yael Friedman, Haaretz+)
No Jewish majority between Jordan River and sea, says ‘national demographer’
Prof. Sergio DellaPergola, who has visited almost every Jewish community in the world and is considered an international authority in Jewish demography research, is concerned by studies suggesting that the core of the Jewish people is shrinking. (Yaniv Pohoryles, Yedioth/Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Happy Birthday, Bibi. Is This What You Wanted? (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) 'Israel is still not a pariah on the world stage, but admit it, it is also no great honor to say you are Israeli. This is because of you.'
Israel Did Do Ethnic Cleansing in 1948. My Father’s Words Prove It (Ehud Ein-Gil, Haaretz+) Historian Benny Morris is right when he mentions the ‘atmosphere of transfer’ that gripped Israel from April 1948, but he errs when he claims that this atmosphere was never translated into policy.
Why does Egypt need such expensive weapon systems? (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) As long as the Egyptian army is growing stronger in order to transform the country into a leading force in the Sunni world and secure al-Sisi’s regime, Israel is silently trembling. But at some point, all that military strength could take on a different—perhaps hostile—meaning.
A Tale of Trump and Darkness (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) The question that Jews in Israel and in the Diaspora should ask themselves today is where they stand in the face of the darkness.
Trump Will Lose, and So Will We All (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) The Trump narrative of America’s woes appeals to people who take a postmodern view of truth, for which the left can only blame itself.
Expect the expected (Annika Hernroth-Rothstein, Israel Hayom) Our over-hyped outrage at weak opponents like the BDS movement and meaningless U.N. resolutions only strengthens them.
Orthodox Jews Have Good Reasons to Vote Trump (Amiel Ungar, Haaretz+) Just as the elites delegitimize other voting groups as 'deplorables,' so too have American Orthodox Jews been derided as 'tribalist' for supporting Trump’s unambiguous stance on Iran, and preferring not to see intermarriage glorified in a Clinton White House.
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York exhibits testimony of Middle Age Jerusalem’s rich aesthetic imprint and attachment to Jews, Muslims and Christians. In the Middle Ages the city thrived and seemed to seduce much of the world. While fight for control over the city continued, most notably with the onslaught of the Crusaders, grander dynasties, like the Fatimids, arose, more willing to develop diplomatic ties. This relative openness – and desire to regain control by the Christians – enabled Jerusalem to grow into a cultural crossroads with an incredible range of religious sects, languages and cultures, all within a space the size of midtown Manhattan. (Yael Friedman, Haaretz+)
No Jewish majority between Jordan River and sea, says ‘national demographer’
Prof. Sergio DellaPergola, who has visited almost every Jewish community in the world and is considered an international authority in Jewish demography research, is concerned by studies suggesting that the core of the Jewish people is shrinking. (Yaniv Pohoryles, Yedioth/Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Happy Birthday, Bibi. Is This What You Wanted? (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) 'Israel is still not a pariah on the world stage, but admit it, it is also no great honor to say you are Israeli. This is because of you.'
Israel Did Do Ethnic Cleansing in 1948. My Father’s Words Prove It (Ehud Ein-Gil, Haaretz+) Historian Benny Morris is right when he mentions the ‘atmosphere of transfer’ that gripped Israel from April 1948, but he errs when he claims that this atmosphere was never translated into policy.
Why does Egypt need such expensive weapon systems? (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) As long as the Egyptian army is growing stronger in order to transform the country into a leading force in the Sunni world and secure al-Sisi’s regime, Israel is silently trembling. But at some point, all that military strength could take on a different—perhaps hostile—meaning.
A Tale of Trump and Darkness (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) The question that Jews in Israel and in the Diaspora should ask themselves today is where they stand in the face of the darkness.
Trump Will Lose, and So Will We All (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) The Trump narrative of America’s woes appeals to people who take a postmodern view of truth, for which the left can only blame itself.
Expect the expected (Annika Hernroth-Rothstein, Israel Hayom) Our over-hyped outrage at weak opponents like the BDS movement and meaningless U.N. resolutions only strengthens them.
Orthodox Jews Have Good Reasons to Vote Trump (Amiel Ungar, Haaretz+) Just as the elites delegitimize other voting groups as 'deplorables,' so too have American Orthodox Jews been derided as 'tribalist' for supporting Trump’s unambiguous stance on Iran, and preferring not to see intermarriage glorified in a Clinton White House.
Interviews:
General Yoram Yair: "There is no way that a terrorist is laying (on the ground) neutralized and instead of treating him - someone shoots him"
The man who headed the committee that formulated the IDF's ethical code explains why Azariya's act is reprehensible and why he won't go into politics, "With a sense of criticism and a little humility it is not possible to survive." (Interviewed by Eyal Levy in Maariv)
YY: "The chief of staff and defense minister, minutes after seeing the video, announced unequivocally that this is unacceptable and forbidden behavior, which is contrary to the values of the IDF. Some argued against them: “You have sentenced the soldier.” They did not seal his fate; His fate would be decided in court. Thet determined that his action is an unthinkable action. A commander – certainly a commander serving in the role of chief of staff or defense minister – at the moment they are exposed to an act that is contrary to what is expected from a warrior, they must sentence it at once. Any delay or hesitation could be interpreted as tacit consent or a wink. They must be sharp and clear.”
Isn’t there a need to investigate before (passing their verdict)?
"Any professional eye understands exactly the situation in this terrible video. There is no way that a terrorist laying totally neutralized for long minutes, and instead of treating him you shoot him in the head. It goes against the values of the IDF operations. At the end of the incident, commanders and officers will show up and interrogate. If they think that there is fear of a criminal act, they will bring in the military police, they will take it to trial. There some will say that the soldier was in shock, confused, and it’s possible he will be acquitted. The incident does not acquit him. Just like you see your child doing something strictly forbidden or dangerous. You don’t wait. You responds with a shout and sometimes gives a blow on the hand, to let him know that in no way will that be done.”
In war don’t soldiers become bestial?
"I participated in four difficult wars with hundreds and thousands of dead and injured. If you have a world of values, as a human, as a combat soldier, you do not act like an animal. On the contrary, it serves you a compass in the terrible chaos. During the fighting, I saw my soldiers giving out water, which was limited, to terrorists. They entered a town, shops were broken into and the commander ordered: ‘Take water, but do not touch the Coca Cola.’ Quench your thirst, but don’t loot. When there is no demand and expectation of ethical behavior, there is a danger of brutalization. The question arises: what am I fighting for, to kill? What distinguishes me if ISIS and I are acting the same way? I lost the uniqueness, what characterizes me in terms of my values, my ideology. I lost the justification maybe for my existences as a Jewish state. The values of warfare are our strength, the borders. Just as I was protecting the border, so I must protect the ethical boundaries.”
General Yoram Yair: "There is no way that a terrorist is laying (on the ground) neutralized and instead of treating him - someone shoots him"
The man who headed the committee that formulated the IDF's ethical code explains why Azariya's act is reprehensible and why he won't go into politics, "With a sense of criticism and a little humility it is not possible to survive." (Interviewed by Eyal Levy in Maariv)
YY: "The chief of staff and defense minister, minutes after seeing the video, announced unequivocally that this is unacceptable and forbidden behavior, which is contrary to the values of the IDF. Some argued against them: “You have sentenced the soldier.” They did not seal his fate; His fate would be decided in court. Thet determined that his action is an unthinkable action. A commander – certainly a commander serving in the role of chief of staff or defense minister – at the moment they are exposed to an act that is contrary to what is expected from a warrior, they must sentence it at once. Any delay or hesitation could be interpreted as tacit consent or a wink. They must be sharp and clear.”
Isn’t there a need to investigate before (passing their verdict)?
"Any professional eye understands exactly the situation in this terrible video. There is no way that a terrorist laying totally neutralized for long minutes, and instead of treating him you shoot him in the head. It goes against the values of the IDF operations. At the end of the incident, commanders and officers will show up and interrogate. If they think that there is fear of a criminal act, they will bring in the military police, they will take it to trial. There some will say that the soldier was in shock, confused, and it’s possible he will be acquitted. The incident does not acquit him. Just like you see your child doing something strictly forbidden or dangerous. You don’t wait. You responds with a shout and sometimes gives a blow on the hand, to let him know that in no way will that be done.”
In war don’t soldiers become bestial?
"I participated in four difficult wars with hundreds and thousands of dead and injured. If you have a world of values, as a human, as a combat soldier, you do not act like an animal. On the contrary, it serves you a compass in the terrible chaos. During the fighting, I saw my soldiers giving out water, which was limited, to terrorists. They entered a town, shops were broken into and the commander ordered: ‘Take water, but do not touch the Coca Cola.’ Quench your thirst, but don’t loot. When there is no demand and expectation of ethical behavior, there is a danger of brutalization. The question arises: what am I fighting for, to kill? What distinguishes me if ISIS and I are acting the same way? I lost the uniqueness, what characterizes me in terms of my values, my ideology. I lost the justification maybe for my existences as a Jewish state. The values of warfare are our strength, the borders. Just as I was protecting the border, so I must protect the ethical boundaries.”
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.