APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday November 11, 2016
Quote of the day:
“I hope that because he's pro-Israeli, he'll be able to use his weight and force Israel to take steps
with the Palestinians. He's capable of doing that. That's in his power."
--Miami based millionaire Israeli businessman, Yaakov Shaham, who is friends with President-elect Donald Trump and donated ‘a six-figure amount’ to Trump’s campaign.*
--Miami based millionaire Israeli businessman, Yaakov Shaham, who is friends with President-elect Donald Trump and donated ‘a six-figure amount’ to Trump’s campaign.*
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Trump: I want to achieve an agreement to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- The promises returned to the closet / Chemi Shalev
- Netanyahu: The claim that I incited against Rabin – historical distortion; Barak: He remained the chief inciter
- The singer, musician and poet, Leonard Cohen, died
- Dispute between Yad Vashem and MKs over the bill to recognize also Jews as Righteous gentiles
- Violence and filth were documented in a visit to women’s jail, Naveh Tirtzeh
- Good luck, Donald // Gideon Levy
- (Leftists), It won’t be okay // Rogel Alpher
Yedioth Ahronoth
- “I will work toward a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians”
- Already 21 years (since Rabin’s murder)
- Leonard Cohen 1934-2016
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Trump surprised: “I will reach an agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians”
- Parting from the great Cohen
Israel Hayom
- Trump begins to work
- Until the end of Love (Leonard Cohen passed away)
- Heads of coalition to decide this morning whether the (outpost) ‘Regularization Bill’ will move up to the ministerial committee for legislation
- Since Rabin's murder they are trying to distort the historic truth – and blame me for the incitement that preceded it”
News Summary:
President-elect Donald Trump’s ‘surprise’ declaration that he wants to achieve an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s Facebook announcement that he rejected the claims that he was part of the incitement that preceded the assassination of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, and Netanyahu’s hope that he would convince his coalition partners to postpone the approval of a bill to legalize Jewish outposts built on privately-owned Palestinian land were today’s top stories in the Hebrew newspapers.
*The Hebrew papers expressed surprise that the man they expected would give a free pass to expand Israeli settlements told the Wall Street Journal that he wants to achieve the ‘ultimate deal.’ Yedioth/Ynet interviewed an Israeli businessman friend of Trump, Yaakov Shaham, who said that “Privately, Trump is much quieter, much more sensible.” Shaham, who gave a six-figure contribution to Trump’s campaign, said that he hopes that with Trump’s ‘unequivocal’ support for Israel, “he'll be able to use his weight and force Israel to take steps with the Palestinians. He's capable of doing that. That's in his power." The Palestinian envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, said that if Trump moves the US embassy to west Jerusalem, as he has promised, “we’ll make his life miserable.”
With the commemoration this month of the 1995 murder of Yitzhak Rabin, numerous people have raised the issue of Netanyahu’s involvement in the incitement that preceded the assassination. On Facebook this weekend, Netanyahu rejected the accusations, and posted a video with examples that he said demonstrated that he had condemned incitement against Rabin. However, numerous Israelis shot back. Former prime minister Ehud Barak responded on Twitter, writing, "(Netanyahu) isn't to blame for the murder of Rabin, but was and is the lead inciter, then in Zion Square and at the 'funeral' in Ra'anana, and today..." MK Revital Swid (Zionist Union) wrote, "The prime minister is denying incitement from 21 years ago, while ignoring systematic incitement that characterizes his conduct today as well. Arabs, leftist organizations, the media, and others are an object of Netanyahu's incitement on a regular basis.”
Today, Netanyahu held a meeting with heads of his coalition, hoping to delay the bill meant to legalize settler outposts built on privately-owned Palestinian land with the hope that it will help the state's petition to delay the demolition of the Amona outpost. (Also Maariv)
President-elect Donald Trump’s ‘surprise’ declaration that he wants to achieve an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s Facebook announcement that he rejected the claims that he was part of the incitement that preceded the assassination of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, and Netanyahu’s hope that he would convince his coalition partners to postpone the approval of a bill to legalize Jewish outposts built on privately-owned Palestinian land were today’s top stories in the Hebrew newspapers.
*The Hebrew papers expressed surprise that the man they expected would give a free pass to expand Israeli settlements told the Wall Street Journal that he wants to achieve the ‘ultimate deal.’ Yedioth/Ynet interviewed an Israeli businessman friend of Trump, Yaakov Shaham, who said that “Privately, Trump is much quieter, much more sensible.” Shaham, who gave a six-figure contribution to Trump’s campaign, said that he hopes that with Trump’s ‘unequivocal’ support for Israel, “he'll be able to use his weight and force Israel to take steps with the Palestinians. He's capable of doing that. That's in his power." The Palestinian envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, said that if Trump moves the US embassy to west Jerusalem, as he has promised, “we’ll make his life miserable.”
With the commemoration this month of the 1995 murder of Yitzhak Rabin, numerous people have raised the issue of Netanyahu’s involvement in the incitement that preceded the assassination. On Facebook this weekend, Netanyahu rejected the accusations, and posted a video with examples that he said demonstrated that he had condemned incitement against Rabin. However, numerous Israelis shot back. Former prime minister Ehud Barak responded on Twitter, writing, "(Netanyahu) isn't to blame for the murder of Rabin, but was and is the lead inciter, then in Zion Square and at the 'funeral' in Ra'anana, and today..." MK Revital Swid (Zionist Union) wrote, "The prime minister is denying incitement from 21 years ago, while ignoring systematic incitement that characterizes his conduct today as well. Arabs, leftist organizations, the media, and others are an object of Netanyahu's incitement on a regular basis.”
Today, Netanyahu held a meeting with heads of his coalition, hoping to delay the bill meant to legalize settler outposts built on privately-owned Palestinian land with the hope that it will help the state's petition to delay the demolition of the Amona outpost. (Also Maariv)
Quick Hits:
- Families of Dizengoff terrorist, victim, make peace - The family of cab driver Amin Shaaban, one of the people killed by Nashat Melhem on January 1, 2016, recently sat down with members of Melhem's family to reconcile. (Ynet)
- Palestinian taxi driver to receive recognition as 'victim of enemy hostilities' - After being beaten by Jewish youths in a nationalistically motivated attack, E. Jerusalem taxi driver Ishaq Abu-Jibneh to receive status of 'victim of enemy hostilities' by national health insurance; now eligible for more state benefits, [following Yedioth article after case was closed when police failed to investigate – OH]. (Ynet)
- 20-year-old Palestinian prisoner on hunger strike at risk of 'sudden paralysis' - Anas Ibrahim Shadid, who was detained on Aug. 2 and sentenced to administrative detention -- Israel's widely condemned policy of internment without trial or charge based on undisclosed evidence -- at recently lost the ability to walk, move, and talk “except with great difficulty,” according to the statement. (Maan)
- Spain joins US in condemning Israel's expansion of Gilo settlement - The government of Spain released a statement on Friday joining the United States in condemning Israel’s recent approval of the construction of 181 new housing units in the illegal Gilo settlement in the occupied West Bank. (Maan)
- Israeli Ministers to Vote on National Flag Bill - Proposed law requires organizers to place national flag at any event in which MKs or public officials are participating. (Haaretz+)
- Storm over the muezzin law: "It's a matter of ten minutes a day, it’s possible to find a compromise" - Imams of mosques are opposed to the controversial proposal to silence the Muezzin loudspeakers, but are willing to be flexible: "The problem is mainly at dawn." Some say the bill is from political motives. (Arab) MK Zoabi: "This is not Europe, whoever is suffering can leave." (Maariv)
- Jerusalem residents protest muezzin noise - Residents of Pisgat Ze'ev [a Jewish settlement neighborhood in E. Jerusalem – OH] blast the Muslim call to prayer outside the mayor's house at 6am to protest the lack of enforcement of noise regulation law. (Ynet)
- Lieberman threatens to oust Arab MK - In response to Aiman Udeh's speaking at a memorial for Yasser Arafat, the defense minister posts to Facebook that he'll work to remove him from the Knesset and send him to Ramallah. (Ynet and Israel Hayom)
- 2 IDF soldiers jailed for setting fire to Palestinian woodshed/warehouse - In plea bargain, Military court sentences two Nahal Brigade soldiers to 60 days in military jail, 30 days of military labor, demotion to private. IDF Spokesperson's Unit: "The IDF strongly condemns any destruction of civilian property by soldiers. (Haaretz+, Maariv, Maan and Israel Hayom)
- Knesset considers cutting military service for men to 2.5 years - One way to cover reduction would be to increase amount of time yeshiva students on so-called hesder program spend on active duty. (Haaretz+)
- Support, Knesset bill in response to discharged lone soldier struggling to make ends meet - Following the publication of an article about a former lone soldier in financial trouble, financial support has flowed in for him; further, two MKs have proposed a bill to pay discharged lone soldiers NIS 1,000 a month for one year after their discharge. (Ynet)
- Israel expected to release documents on disappearance of Yemenite children - State commissions have ruled that most of the hundreds of children who went missing in the early Fifties died of illness, but some still can't be accounted for. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Despite coerced confession, Israel will not free British terror suspect - Military appeals court overturns release of Faiz Mahmoud Ahmed Sherari, suspected of aiding Hamas. (Haaretz)
- Government to support Birthright's Excel fellowship - The Excel program was launched in 2011 as part of Birthright Israel's commitment to bolster business and technology ties between Israel and young Jews in the Diaspora • Government to fund a third of the program to boost its development, outreach. (Israel Hayom)
- Report: Azerbaijan to acquire Iron Dome defense system batteries - PM Netanyahu is scheduled to visit Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in December to bolster ties with key Caspian Sea nations. Foreign media claims Israel, Azerbaijan already maintain defense and energy ties, have several arms deals in the works. (Israel Hayom)
- 'Israel rejects Trump' rally held at U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv - Just 20 people gathered in protest and drew critical comments from passerby, but organizer Ilana Fass hopes to build 'a community to mourn with' over Trump's victory. (Haaretz)
- Melania Trump Tells Sara Netanyahu She Expects 'Wonderful Relations Between Our Countries' - News of the conversation appeared on Prime Minister Netanyahu's Facebook page. (Haaretz and Israel Hayom)
- PM Netanyahu thanks Hillary Clinton for her support of Israel - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extends an open invitation to visit Israel to the defeated candidate and former secretary of state. Earlier, he spoke with President-elect Donald Trump and expressed confidence Israel-U.S. ties will continue to grow. (Israel Hayom)
- Palestinian leadership tensions flare amid Arafat death anniversary - Speaking at a memorial commemorating the 12th anniversary of the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Abbas implies that one of his political opponents in Fatah are responsible for the former leader's death. (Agencies, Ynet)
Features:
A pogrom shakes a Palestinian village strangled by Israeli settlements
A dozen masked settlers wielding knives and clubs and yelling 'death to Arabs' attacked five Palestinian farmers who were harvesting olives; 'They came to kill,' one victim says. (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+)
Will Migron be evacuated once again?
Four years have passed since the West Bank settlement was relocated to a nearby hill, and its residents still live in caravans despite a government decision to build them a permanent community. Meanwhile, the owner of a winery located in the same area files a lawsuit against the state, demanding that the government keep its promise to relocate the winery or, alternatively, evacuate Migron’s residents. (Yifat Erlich, Yedioth/Ynet)
Fear and loathing in the Arab media: Trump's election
With reactions ranging from congratulatory to apprehensive and even to downright hostile, the press from around the Arab world reacted differently based on each country and corresponding national interests. (Roi Kais, Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
The Good News: Trump May Have Lied Through His Teeth in the Campaign (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) The president-elect’s reneging on previous promises won’t bother voters who supported him as much as GOP lawmakers who didn’t.
Not a political murder? (Yariv Oppenheimer, Yedioth/Ynet) The NGO law, the proposal to revoke B’Tselem director's citizenship, the campaign against left-wing organizations and the battle against the ‘leftist’ media are a direct continuation of the incitement that led to the Rabin murder.
All the noise and fanfare: the muezzin law harms efforts to maintain a normal reality (Nasreen Haddad Haj-Yehiyeh, Maariv) The bill that prohibits the operation of public address systems at houses of prayer is not intended to improve the quality of life, but to pull a fast one on the back of Arab society at the expense of Israeli society at large.
Go for It Donald. Legalize the Settlements (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Trump has the capacity to mete out a mercy killing to all the empty formulas, to let the air out of the “peace process” balloon and to finally kill off the walking dead known as the two-state solution.
On an unfulfilled prophecy (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom)
The reactions from the American Left are amazingly similar to the desperate cries we heard after the 2015 election here • Despite what we saw in the U.K. and in our election, the journalists were careless and convinced us that Hillary Clinton was winning.
The Conspiracy Theory: The trial of Elor Azariya part of the struggle between the elites (Dr. Hani Zubeida, Maariv) After the conclusions of the prosecution, the question arises: if the Shooting Soldier was a fan of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Meretz, and not a right-wing Beitar fan, would they then still be engaged with what was his motive?... For years the military has been one of the most stable sources for the continued rule of the elite, and all was calm. In recent years, however, the military has been losing its prestige, and as part of the process, members of the elite have been getting less key positions, and more many positions are being taken by the people of the periphery. Those from the periphery would not have reached these positions if the army had kept its prestige in the eyes of society.
Israeli Leftists Are Out of Tune With the Times (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) Leftists love to sing ‘It Will Get Better’ at rallies. But the lyrics about ‘the territories’ make this song far more appropriate for the right.
How to secure Israeli interests with the Trump administration (Uzi Arad, Yedioth/Ynet) While Israel must tighten and improve its cooperation with the US in crucial areas, it must also reinforce its independent strengths.
With Trump's Election, Netanyahu Has Become a Centrist (Ravit Hecht, Haaretz+) The 50,000 people who gathered in memory of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on Saturday night are nothing compared to the intifada awaiting Netanyahu by voters of the hard right.
Netanyahu vs. Netanyahu (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) The first Netanyahu is a fascinating prime minister with an impressive list of achievements and a lot of knowledge; the second Netanyahu is singlehandedly undermining those very achievements by abandoning the national interest for the political, party and personal interest.
The Trickle-down Incitement From Israeli Politicians (Haaretz Editorial) The fear of “offending the feelings of residents” cannot justify the ban on political activity in the public sphere or the use of public infrastructure.
A window of opportunity for Israel-US relations (Amos Yadlin, Yedioth/Ynet) Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential race is an opportunity for Israel to turn over a new leaf with America, influence the new administration’s policy—and be an integral part of it.
How Trump Split the Jewish Vote (Samuel Heilman, Haaretz+) More Jews voted for Clinton than any other major religious group in America. But not all Jews. Has the political chasm between pro-Trump Orthodoxy and the liberal Jewish majority become unbridgeable?
The new, level-headed Trump (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) Forget about the election campaign’s provocateur and chatterbox. The US president-elect’s victory speech made it clear that he feels the full weight of responsibility hanging on his shoulders. So in what direction does he plan to navigate America, and where do Israel and the Palestinians come in?
As an Israeli Arab in the U.S., I Have to Choose Between Two Countries That Hate Me (Sayed Kashua, Haaretz+) We left Israel because we wanted to raise our children in a liberal society that accepts them. How sad it is that our old fears are returning in the country of asylum, upon Trump's rise.
In America and Israel, the Ugliness of Politics Can’t Define Us (Noah Efron, Haaretz+) When I asked the woman at the register of the all-night store how her night was, she said 'Folks be cryin'.' But despair and cynicism must not allow us to leave politics only to those who degrade it.
The media is out of touch (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom)
What do the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president, Brexit, the 2015 Knesset election and the 1996 Knesset election have in common? In each case, the media was certain it knew the truth, only to discover that it had gotten the story very wrong.
Democracy After Trump (Haaretz Editorial) Trump proved that this political culture can be breached in pretty ordinary times. All it takes is an instinctive understanding of the forces that drive people.
Hold the Jewish leaders silent on Trump’s toxic hate to account (Rabbi Shai Held, Haaretz+) In the absence of any condemnation of Trump’s bigotries, we’ve found out much about the shamelessness, spinelessness and expediency of, among others, Jewish religious and political leaders and organizations.
A vote against cultural radicalism (Ruthie Blum, Israel Hayom) Trump's election illustrates how the trend of liberalism-gone-haywire that has characterized the eight years of Obama's presidency has backfired.
An Israeli Media Tamed to Serve Big Business Will Grovel to Politicians, Too (Guy Rolnik, Haaretz+) The story that Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to stifle the media sells well, but the reporters should take a better look in the mirror.
A dozen masked settlers wielding knives and clubs and yelling 'death to Arabs' attacked five Palestinian farmers who were harvesting olives; 'They came to kill,' one victim says. (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+)
Will Migron be evacuated once again?
Four years have passed since the West Bank settlement was relocated to a nearby hill, and its residents still live in caravans despite a government decision to build them a permanent community. Meanwhile, the owner of a winery located in the same area files a lawsuit against the state, demanding that the government keep its promise to relocate the winery or, alternatively, evacuate Migron’s residents. (Yifat Erlich, Yedioth/Ynet)
Fear and loathing in the Arab media: Trump's election
With reactions ranging from congratulatory to apprehensive and even to downright hostile, the press from around the Arab world reacted differently based on each country and corresponding national interests. (Roi Kais, Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
The Good News: Trump May Have Lied Through His Teeth in the Campaign (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) The president-elect’s reneging on previous promises won’t bother voters who supported him as much as GOP lawmakers who didn’t.
Not a political murder? (Yariv Oppenheimer, Yedioth/Ynet) The NGO law, the proposal to revoke B’Tselem director's citizenship, the campaign against left-wing organizations and the battle against the ‘leftist’ media are a direct continuation of the incitement that led to the Rabin murder.
All the noise and fanfare: the muezzin law harms efforts to maintain a normal reality (Nasreen Haddad Haj-Yehiyeh, Maariv) The bill that prohibits the operation of public address systems at houses of prayer is not intended to improve the quality of life, but to pull a fast one on the back of Arab society at the expense of Israeli society at large.
Go for It Donald. Legalize the Settlements (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Trump has the capacity to mete out a mercy killing to all the empty formulas, to let the air out of the “peace process” balloon and to finally kill off the walking dead known as the two-state solution.
On an unfulfilled prophecy (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom)
The reactions from the American Left are amazingly similar to the desperate cries we heard after the 2015 election here • Despite what we saw in the U.K. and in our election, the journalists were careless and convinced us that Hillary Clinton was winning.
The Conspiracy Theory: The trial of Elor Azariya part of the struggle between the elites (Dr. Hani Zubeida, Maariv) After the conclusions of the prosecution, the question arises: if the Shooting Soldier was a fan of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Meretz, and not a right-wing Beitar fan, would they then still be engaged with what was his motive?... For years the military has been one of the most stable sources for the continued rule of the elite, and all was calm. In recent years, however, the military has been losing its prestige, and as part of the process, members of the elite have been getting less key positions, and more many positions are being taken by the people of the periphery. Those from the periphery would not have reached these positions if the army had kept its prestige in the eyes of society.
Israeli Leftists Are Out of Tune With the Times (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) Leftists love to sing ‘It Will Get Better’ at rallies. But the lyrics about ‘the territories’ make this song far more appropriate for the right.
How to secure Israeli interests with the Trump administration (Uzi Arad, Yedioth/Ynet) While Israel must tighten and improve its cooperation with the US in crucial areas, it must also reinforce its independent strengths.
With Trump's Election, Netanyahu Has Become a Centrist (Ravit Hecht, Haaretz+) The 50,000 people who gathered in memory of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on Saturday night are nothing compared to the intifada awaiting Netanyahu by voters of the hard right.
Netanyahu vs. Netanyahu (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) The first Netanyahu is a fascinating prime minister with an impressive list of achievements and a lot of knowledge; the second Netanyahu is singlehandedly undermining those very achievements by abandoning the national interest for the political, party and personal interest.
The Trickle-down Incitement From Israeli Politicians (Haaretz Editorial) The fear of “offending the feelings of residents” cannot justify the ban on political activity in the public sphere or the use of public infrastructure.
A window of opportunity for Israel-US relations (Amos Yadlin, Yedioth/Ynet) Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential race is an opportunity for Israel to turn over a new leaf with America, influence the new administration’s policy—and be an integral part of it.
How Trump Split the Jewish Vote (Samuel Heilman, Haaretz+) More Jews voted for Clinton than any other major religious group in America. But not all Jews. Has the political chasm between pro-Trump Orthodoxy and the liberal Jewish majority become unbridgeable?
The new, level-headed Trump (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) Forget about the election campaign’s provocateur and chatterbox. The US president-elect’s victory speech made it clear that he feels the full weight of responsibility hanging on his shoulders. So in what direction does he plan to navigate America, and where do Israel and the Palestinians come in?
As an Israeli Arab in the U.S., I Have to Choose Between Two Countries That Hate Me (Sayed Kashua, Haaretz+) We left Israel because we wanted to raise our children in a liberal society that accepts them. How sad it is that our old fears are returning in the country of asylum, upon Trump's rise.
In America and Israel, the Ugliness of Politics Can’t Define Us (Noah Efron, Haaretz+) When I asked the woman at the register of the all-night store how her night was, she said 'Folks be cryin'.' But despair and cynicism must not allow us to leave politics only to those who degrade it.
The media is out of touch (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom)
What do the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president, Brexit, the 2015 Knesset election and the 1996 Knesset election have in common? In each case, the media was certain it knew the truth, only to discover that it had gotten the story very wrong.
Democracy After Trump (Haaretz Editorial) Trump proved that this political culture can be breached in pretty ordinary times. All it takes is an instinctive understanding of the forces that drive people.
Hold the Jewish leaders silent on Trump’s toxic hate to account (Rabbi Shai Held, Haaretz+) In the absence of any condemnation of Trump’s bigotries, we’ve found out much about the shamelessness, spinelessness and expediency of, among others, Jewish religious and political leaders and organizations.
A vote against cultural radicalism (Ruthie Blum, Israel Hayom) Trump's election illustrates how the trend of liberalism-gone-haywire that has characterized the eight years of Obama's presidency has backfired.
An Israeli Media Tamed to Serve Big Business Will Grovel to Politicians, Too (Guy Rolnik, Haaretz+) The story that Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to stifle the media sells well, but the reporters should take a better look in the mirror.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.