APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday November 14, 2016
Quote of the day:
"We lost the ability to mourn together."
--Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at a state memorial in commemoration of 21 years since the murder of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin noted that only one generation has passed since the murder "but the polarization is still sharp."*
You Must Be Kidding:
Israel's Water Authority controversial new master plan assumes that the Israeli West Bank settler population will grow from the current 374,000 to 917,000 by 2050 - and it plans to allocate Palestinians 40% of the amount of water it allocates to Israelis, Haaretz+ revealed.**
--Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at a state memorial in commemoration of 21 years since the murder of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin noted that only one generation has passed since the murder "but the polarization is still sharp."*
You Must Be Kidding:
Israel's Water Authority controversial new master plan assumes that the Israeli West Bank settler population will grow from the current 374,000 to 917,000 by 2050 - and it plans to allocate Palestinians 40% of the amount of water it allocates to Israelis, Haaretz+ revealed.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Ministers approved legalizing (W. Bank) outposts on privately-owned Palestinian land
- Prime Minister Bennett // Yossi Verter
- Foolish timing // Barak Ravid
- For more than one year, Health Ministry hiding recommendation of committee to accept blood donations from Ethiopian-Israelis
- Ban on muezzin calls (to prayer) will be advanced with Netanyahu’s support
- Trump: We will deport millions of migrants with criminal record and we will build a wall on the border with Mexico
- Wages of men in academia higher by 44% than women in similar positions
- The Shin Bet is scared // Raviv Drucker
- The master plan of the Water Authority: Palestinian will receive 40% less than his Jewish neighbor
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The Amona entanglement
- Pulling the wool over their eyes // Nahum Barnea
- The least bad // Yifat Erlich
- Government to advance DNA database for the families of the kidnapped Yemenite children
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- In opposition to Netanyahu’s position: Ministers approved the ‘Regularization Bill’
- They utterly disregarded the boss // Ben Caspit
- Doing justice // [settler] Karni Eldad
- The commemoration, the disgrace and Rivlin’s warning [Photo of President Rivlin speaking at Rabin commemoration]
- Trump: I will deport millions of illegal immigrants
Israel Hayom
- At the end of a stormy day: ‘Regularization Bill’ was approved
- Trump’s first appointment: Reince Priebus chief of staff
- “The noise bothers”: The muezzin bill was approved in the ministerial legislative committee
- Data of the investigative commission of the children of Yemen will be revealed
- Israeli pride: “IDF field hospital – best in the world”
News Summary:
For the first time in many days, the US elections and its results were not the biggest story in the Hebrew newspapers because Israeli ministers approved an internationally illegal bill that will allow Israel to expropriate privately-owned Palestinian land for West Bank settler outposts. Another controversial bill approved by the ministers will ban the Muslim call to prayer from mosque loudspeakers in Israel and E. Jerusalem. And an argument broke out between left and right at the Knesset commemoration for assassinated prime minister Yitzhak Rabin.
Seven ministers – from Likud and Habayit Hayehudi - ignored Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s request to postpone the vote and the Attorney General's declaration that it was illegal and approved a bill that will legalize expropriation of Palestinian land for settler outposts. Interestingly, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman was not among them and said it was an unwise move while the US is transitioning to a new administration. The bill, which goes by many names including ‘regularization,’ ‘formalization,’ and ‘legalization’ bill has serious implications for Israel internationally as it is considered a theft bill.
If that weren’t enough, the Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved a bill that will shut down mosque public address systems for the call to prayer. The bill was proposed by Robert Ilatuv (Yisrael Beiteinu) and Moti Yogev (Habayit Hayehudi). Arab MKs denounced it as ‘anti-Semitic.’ “This is a declaration of war against the Arab population,” said MK Yusuf Jabarin (Joint List). Sheikh Samir Asi, Imam of Al-Jazair Mosque in Acco, said “The approval of this bill is the destruction of democracy in the state and signifies a serious danger to the relations between Arabs and Jews because it strengthens the feeling among Arabs that they are transparent and there is no respect for their holy places. I call on anyone for who is concerned about the future of the state to raise his voice against this bill of hate incitement and racism. I hope that the balanced conscience and honest intellect will overcome.” Netanyahu expressed support for the bill.
*Memorial ceremonies for Yitzhak Rabin raised a warning from President Rivlin and an argument in the Knesset Sunday. At a morning ceremony, Rivlin said the nation must be concerned with one question: “How do we ensure Rabin's assassination was a one-time event? How do we ensure that neither a hand nor a knife is raised against one of our own because of their political beliefs, whether it be the prime minister, the president, a minister, an MK, a journalist or an ordinary citizen?" Rivlin noted that society has become even more polarized in the generation that passed since the murder. In a strange twist, Netanyahu, who was accused by many of incitement, used the memorial to accuse the Palestinians of incitement. Later in the day at a Knesset memorial, Opposition leader and Zionist Camp chief MK Isaac Herzog said that the incitement before Rabin’s murder has returned and “It may be that the next killers are already among us, and the responsibility to stop them and do everything to prevent the next murders, lies first and foremost, by virtue of your position, with you, Mr. Prime Minister." Education Minister Naftali Bennett accused Herzog of blaming half the country for the murder. And then Meretz chairwoman MK Zehava Galon said no one gained from Rabin's murder as much as Netanyahu did. “You owe your political existence to murder...The basis for your regime is rooted in the blood of the late Rabin." (Also, Ynet Hebrew)
For the first time in many days, the US elections and its results were not the biggest story in the Hebrew newspapers because Israeli ministers approved an internationally illegal bill that will allow Israel to expropriate privately-owned Palestinian land for West Bank settler outposts. Another controversial bill approved by the ministers will ban the Muslim call to prayer from mosque loudspeakers in Israel and E. Jerusalem. And an argument broke out between left and right at the Knesset commemoration for assassinated prime minister Yitzhak Rabin.
Seven ministers – from Likud and Habayit Hayehudi - ignored Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s request to postpone the vote and the Attorney General's declaration that it was illegal and approved a bill that will legalize expropriation of Palestinian land for settler outposts. Interestingly, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman was not among them and said it was an unwise move while the US is transitioning to a new administration. The bill, which goes by many names including ‘regularization,’ ‘formalization,’ and ‘legalization’ bill has serious implications for Israel internationally as it is considered a theft bill.
If that weren’t enough, the Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved a bill that will shut down mosque public address systems for the call to prayer. The bill was proposed by Robert Ilatuv (Yisrael Beiteinu) and Moti Yogev (Habayit Hayehudi). Arab MKs denounced it as ‘anti-Semitic.’ “This is a declaration of war against the Arab population,” said MK Yusuf Jabarin (Joint List). Sheikh Samir Asi, Imam of Al-Jazair Mosque in Acco, said “The approval of this bill is the destruction of democracy in the state and signifies a serious danger to the relations between Arabs and Jews because it strengthens the feeling among Arabs that they are transparent and there is no respect for their holy places. I call on anyone for who is concerned about the future of the state to raise his voice against this bill of hate incitement and racism. I hope that the balanced conscience and honest intellect will overcome.” Netanyahu expressed support for the bill.
*Memorial ceremonies for Yitzhak Rabin raised a warning from President Rivlin and an argument in the Knesset Sunday. At a morning ceremony, Rivlin said the nation must be concerned with one question: “How do we ensure Rabin's assassination was a one-time event? How do we ensure that neither a hand nor a knife is raised against one of our own because of their political beliefs, whether it be the prime minister, the president, a minister, an MK, a journalist or an ordinary citizen?" Rivlin noted that society has become even more polarized in the generation that passed since the murder. In a strange twist, Netanyahu, who was accused by many of incitement, used the memorial to accuse the Palestinians of incitement. Later in the day at a Knesset memorial, Opposition leader and Zionist Camp chief MK Isaac Herzog said that the incitement before Rabin’s murder has returned and “It may be that the next killers are already among us, and the responsibility to stop them and do everything to prevent the next murders, lies first and foremost, by virtue of your position, with you, Mr. Prime Minister." Education Minister Naftali Bennett accused Herzog of blaming half the country for the murder. And then Meretz chairwoman MK Zehava Galon said no one gained from Rabin's murder as much as Netanyahu did. “You owe your political existence to murder...The basis for your regime is rooted in the blood of the late Rabin." (Also, Ynet Hebrew)
Quick Hits:
- **Israeli Plan Proposes Supplying Palestinians Less Water Than Allocated to Settlers - Minister Yuval Steinitz rejects 'unacceptable' water plan that proposes giving West Bank Palestinians 65 cubic meters per person by 2050, about 40% less than allocated per capita to residents of settlements. (Haaretz)
- 3 Palestinian prisoners launch hunger strike in protest of brother's 3-year solitary confinement - Three Palestinian brothers, identified as Abd al-Salam, Nidal and Nour al-Din Omar entered the 10th day of an open hunger strike in protest of Nour al-Din solitary confinement for more than three years in Israeli prison. Abd al-Salam and Nidal are in prison for attempting to kidnap three years ago an Israeli soldier in order to exchange him for Nour al-Din. (Maan)
- Israeli forces order evacuation of 9 families in Jordan Valley for military exercises - Israeli forces Saturday ordered nine families in the Khirbet al-Ras al-Ahmar area in the occupied West Bank district of Tubas in the Jordan Valley to evacuate their homes Sunday and Monday for the Israeli army to carry out military drills in the area. (Maan)
- Orthodox Israelis attempt to visit tomb in Bethlehem, clash with Israeli forces - Ultra-Orthodox Jews attempting to visit Rachel’s Tomb – a site holy to both Muslims and Jews -- while it was closed on Saturday, rioted after Israeli police and border officers dispersed them. Some attacked the car of a Palestinian from Jerusalem, smashing his windshield. Four suspects were detained. (Haaretz and Maan)
- Israel's Supreme Court Rejects Minister's Plan to Expand Bench - Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked had proposed move in bid to resolve deadlock over judicial appointments, ease court's workload; it would have given her more sway over court’s composition. (Haaretz+)
- Public security minister to ease farmers' gun restrictions - Following sharp rise in agricultural theft, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan devises plan to enable Israeli farmers easier access to firearms. Plan also includes budget of some $2 million to regional councils that suffer most from agricultural crime. (Israel Hayom)
- Joint List leader tells Hezbollah-affiliated news channel only US can force Israel to make peace - MK Ayman Odeh tells Al Mayadeen that ‘the comparison between Arafat and Peres is unacceptable,’ and that Peres supported wars and racist laws; says the only way for there to be peace is if the USA forces it on Israel. (Ynet)
- “Employable Hebrew”: Ministry of Education runs revolutionary program for young Arab-Israelis - The program will be 30 hours a year under the guidance of Hebrew speaking teachers, and will foster employment of youth, in an attempt to integrate them into the labor market. (Maariv)
- Netanyahu urges ministers to keep mum until Trump takes office - After right wing minister says Trump's win puts an end to 'notation of Palestinian state,' prime minister urges government ministers to 'work together quietly… not through interviews.' (Haaretz)
- Hillary Clinton's Jewish Outreach Director Moving to Israel - Sarah Bard had considered move even before U.S. election result, acquaintances say. (Haaretz+)
- Fitch upgrades Israel's international credit rating to A+ - Israeli economy given "stable" outlook by third leading credit rating agency, joining Moody's and Standard & Poor's • Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon: Rating a testament to agencies' confidence in Israel's economy and government's fiscal policies. (Israel Hayom)
- ISIS-held Nimrud, Site of Ancient Assyrian City, Liberated by Iraqi Army - Islamic State militants have been driven from the town, an Iraqi military statement says. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Archaeologists find 'snapshot' of 4,500-year-old Canaanite citadel's last hours - As the ceiling of the blazing Canaanite palace collapsed, foods, jewelry, axes and treasures were buried, and beautifully preserved, under ash and blackened stone in northeastern Jordan. (Haaretz)
Features:
The Evangelical Money That Brought Vice President-elect Mike Pence to Israel
Mike Pence visited Jerusalem with his family two years ago, with controversial televangelist John Hagee footing the bill. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
Recalling a final Rabin interview
Covering YItzhak Rabin for Yedioth Ahronoth for years as a political correspondent, Shlomo Nakdimon recalls his relaxed interviews with the prime minister in his Tel Aviv living room, where Rabin spoke of his relationships with the political and military elite and defines what victory is just months before his assassination. (Shlomo Nakdimon, Yedioth/Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Trump's Dormant Conscience (Iris Leal, Haaretz+) How Trump and Netanyahu, both privileged men, have managed to become mouthpieces for the authentic anger of blue-collar workers – the main victims of their economic worldview.
Learning the lesson: The election of Trump in the US and Netanyahu in Israel is not accidental (Avihu Sofer, Maariv) We need to understand the tectonic change and internalize that the public does not like the agenda dictated to it. Social networks are replacing the left-loving TV channels and nationalism is replacing liberalism.
Democrats in their own minds (Dr. Gabi Avital, Israel Hayom) The leftist elites in Israel, the U.S. and elsewhere should explain why so many voters are made to feel that they have to hide their political opinions.
Who Is the Shin Bet Afraid Of? (Raviv Drucker, Haaretz+) Previous heads of the security service used to know how to say no to the prime minister. But after its pathetic backing of the state to postpone the evacuation of Amona by another seven months, that’s no longer the case.
Trump is not an alternative to Israeli decisions (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) Israel’s best option right now is to restore the Bush understandings on the settlement blocs and east Jerusalem, add the Jordan Valley and even upgrade the Golan Heights. This requires, however, an effort which has never been made in the Netanyahu era—to present an Israeli diplomatic plan.
With Bill to Legalize Settlements, Israeli Ministers Are Pushing Obama to the Security Council (Barak Ravid, Haaretz+) If the Palestinians put forth their own Security Council resolution declaring the settlements illegal, all Obama has to do is refrain from vetoing it.
President Trump Has Shattered Jews' American Idyll (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz) American Jews have transformed virtually overnight from insiders to outsiders; the appointment of ex-Breitbart CEO Steve Bannon, an accused anti-Semite, as chief strategist, is bound to exacerbate the tensions.
Political correctness insanity paved the way for Trump (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) The Republican candidate told Americans what had been banned by the thought police. He knew he was lying but didn’t care, because the public discourse has entered the post-factual era and lying has become a norm. The same self-deception is rising and blooming in Israel.
For Bennett, the Settler Outpost Bill Is a Win-win. Not So for Israel. (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) Until it is dead and buried, the bill will further Israel’s reputation as occupying, brutal, controlling entity whose government will try to legislate blatantly illegal laws to please handful of settlers.
Trump's Arab world challenge (Prof. Eyal Zisser, Israel Hayom) The U.S. president-elect inherits a chaotic Middle East in which Washington's position has been grossly eroded by the Obama administration's policies.
Who's in Charge in Hebron: Israeli Security Forces or Settlers? (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) A settler orders soldiers to block foreigners from walking down a Hebron main street because they are wearing kaffiyehs. Why did they even have to check whether there really is a rule to that effect?
Like compensation to a landowner for paving a road on his property: The Regularization Bill seeks to do justice (Karni Eldad, Maariv) For generations Israeli governments have built settlements in Judea and Samaria, until one morning they informed the settlers that they are criminals and thieves. It is time to make clear to everyone that they are going to stop making them suffer.
He Who Cultivates Trumps Abroad...(Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) In the Middle East, it’s actually the America that’s being mourned which was backing the dark forces, from Saudi Arabia, through Qatar, to Israel.
Incitement campaign against Rabin must be investigated (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) Twenty-one years have passed since the prime minister’s murder, and many of those who incited against him are still promoting hate without being stopped.
Diaspora Teens Won't Commit to Israel or Zionism? Don't Panic (Robin Moss, Haaretz+) We need to stop rose-tinting the past. Serious Israel engagement has always been a minority pursuit, not least for Diaspora Jewish teens.
At the settlers' expense (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom) Habayit Hayehudi leader Naftali Bennett is pushing the outpost regulation bill not out of concern for the settlers, but for his own political future.
Mike Pence visited Jerusalem with his family two years ago, with controversial televangelist John Hagee footing the bill. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
Recalling a final Rabin interview
Covering YItzhak Rabin for Yedioth Ahronoth for years as a political correspondent, Shlomo Nakdimon recalls his relaxed interviews with the prime minister in his Tel Aviv living room, where Rabin spoke of his relationships with the political and military elite and defines what victory is just months before his assassination. (Shlomo Nakdimon, Yedioth/Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Trump's Dormant Conscience (Iris Leal, Haaretz+) How Trump and Netanyahu, both privileged men, have managed to become mouthpieces for the authentic anger of blue-collar workers – the main victims of their economic worldview.
Learning the lesson: The election of Trump in the US and Netanyahu in Israel is not accidental (Avihu Sofer, Maariv) We need to understand the tectonic change and internalize that the public does not like the agenda dictated to it. Social networks are replacing the left-loving TV channels and nationalism is replacing liberalism.
Democrats in their own minds (Dr. Gabi Avital, Israel Hayom) The leftist elites in Israel, the U.S. and elsewhere should explain why so many voters are made to feel that they have to hide their political opinions.
Who Is the Shin Bet Afraid Of? (Raviv Drucker, Haaretz+) Previous heads of the security service used to know how to say no to the prime minister. But after its pathetic backing of the state to postpone the evacuation of Amona by another seven months, that’s no longer the case.
Trump is not an alternative to Israeli decisions (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) Israel’s best option right now is to restore the Bush understandings on the settlement blocs and east Jerusalem, add the Jordan Valley and even upgrade the Golan Heights. This requires, however, an effort which has never been made in the Netanyahu era—to present an Israeli diplomatic plan.
With Bill to Legalize Settlements, Israeli Ministers Are Pushing Obama to the Security Council (Barak Ravid, Haaretz+) If the Palestinians put forth their own Security Council resolution declaring the settlements illegal, all Obama has to do is refrain from vetoing it.
President Trump Has Shattered Jews' American Idyll (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz) American Jews have transformed virtually overnight from insiders to outsiders; the appointment of ex-Breitbart CEO Steve Bannon, an accused anti-Semite, as chief strategist, is bound to exacerbate the tensions.
Political correctness insanity paved the way for Trump (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) The Republican candidate told Americans what had been banned by the thought police. He knew he was lying but didn’t care, because the public discourse has entered the post-factual era and lying has become a norm. The same self-deception is rising and blooming in Israel.
For Bennett, the Settler Outpost Bill Is a Win-win. Not So for Israel. (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) Until it is dead and buried, the bill will further Israel’s reputation as occupying, brutal, controlling entity whose government will try to legislate blatantly illegal laws to please handful of settlers.
Trump's Arab world challenge (Prof. Eyal Zisser, Israel Hayom) The U.S. president-elect inherits a chaotic Middle East in which Washington's position has been grossly eroded by the Obama administration's policies.
Who's in Charge in Hebron: Israeli Security Forces or Settlers? (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) A settler orders soldiers to block foreigners from walking down a Hebron main street because they are wearing kaffiyehs. Why did they even have to check whether there really is a rule to that effect?
Like compensation to a landowner for paving a road on his property: The Regularization Bill seeks to do justice (Karni Eldad, Maariv) For generations Israeli governments have built settlements in Judea and Samaria, until one morning they informed the settlers that they are criminals and thieves. It is time to make clear to everyone that they are going to stop making them suffer.
He Who Cultivates Trumps Abroad...(Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) In the Middle East, it’s actually the America that’s being mourned which was backing the dark forces, from Saudi Arabia, through Qatar, to Israel.
Incitement campaign against Rabin must be investigated (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) Twenty-one years have passed since the prime minister’s murder, and many of those who incited against him are still promoting hate without being stopped.
Diaspora Teens Won't Commit to Israel or Zionism? Don't Panic (Robin Moss, Haaretz+) We need to stop rose-tinting the past. Serious Israel engagement has always been a minority pursuit, not least for Diaspora Jewish teens.
At the settlers' expense (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom) Habayit Hayehudi leader Naftali Bennett is pushing the outpost regulation bill not out of concern for the settlers, but for his own political future.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.