If you and I agree on the bill, I’ll do everything I can so that you’ll be here
as long as you like. I’m looking you in the eye and saying this in the clearest way
possible."
Arnon Mozes, publisher of the Yedioth
Achronoth newspaper, in a private conversation with Prime Minister
Netanyahu as reported by Israel Channel Two News. Mozes was referring to the
bill that would curb his rival Israel Hayom's share of the market.
Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst. Views and
positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent
APN's views and policy positions.
January 9, 2017 - The Elor Azaria case
Q. Last week a military court convicted a soldier of manslaughter in
the killing of a wounded and neutralized terrorist in Hebron. Why did this trial
cause such a commotion in Israel? Why isn’t the Elor Azaria case just another
“casualty” of the occupation?
A....Israelis’ attitudes toward the army and its values are
changing...
Q. But aren’t cases like this usually handled by the army, within the
ranks, without so much publicity?
A. ...The difference in the Azaria case is embodied in a
combination of...
Q. So how does this affect Israeli society? Aren’t the extremists a
relatively small minority?
A. They are. But they are operating in a highly permissive public
atmosphere that embraces Azaria...
Q. Still, Minister of Defense Lieberman has moved from sympathy for
Azaria to a position of resolute support for Eizenkot and the IDF justice system.
All the relevant figures have now line up behind the next steps: sentencing and
either reduction of sentence or a pardon. Isn’t this becoming “old
news”?
A. True, the pace of events in Israel has as usual guaranteed that
the public is now preoccupied with something else...
Q. Okay, so this is standard procedure for armies. But are there
broader ramifications to the Azaria case?
A. ...the IDF and especially Chief of Staff Eizenkot emerge from
this affair as pillars of decency...
Q. Was Azaria mistaken in assuming that all terrorists should die?
Doesn’t the "coup de grace" ("confirming killing" in IDF parlance) happen at other
times when there are no cameras around? Doesn't Israel maintain an entirely
separate--and far more severe--penal system for terrorists as opposed to common
criminals?
A. Whether left or right, the issue is first, the occupation, and
second, the nature of the military’s behavior in enforcing the occupation after 50
years...
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Bills and Resolutions Related to the Recent UNSC settlements
Resolution/Obama Abstention
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Bills and Resolutions Related to Moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv
to Jerusalem
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Bills and Resolutions Related to Cutting Off UN Funding
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Bills and Resolutions Related Iran – AUMF and Sanctions
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Congress Panders to AIPAC et al on Settlements UNSCR
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Congress on David Friedman Nomination
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On the Record on Other Things
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APN
releases Episode #2 of PeaceCast
PeaceCast, a podcast produced by APN in Washington, explores issues and trends
relating to peace and security for Israel, focusing on its conflict with the
Palestinians and efforts to resolve it.
Episode #2 features an interview with Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Amos Guiora, the
former commander of the IDF's School of Law, about the Azaria Trial, the IDF, and
Israeli Society.
LISTEN >
Go HERE for the PeaceCast home page
that has links to all available episodes, and subscribe to PeaceCast through the
podcast app on your smartphone/device.
Huffington Post: "Think Trump’s
Policies on Israel-Palestine Have Nothing to Do with You? Think
Again"
By Lara Friedman
Many Americans doubtless believe that the policies of the next president regarding
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have nothing to do with them. They’re mistaken.
Washington Post: "What do
Israelis think about settlements? Turns out age
matters"
...the issue of Israeli settlements is not just an issue of demographic
change...settlements’ contribution to the erosion of the pre-1967 Green Line in the
mind-set of the younger generation of Israeli Jews may prove to be the more
formidable challenge.
Video
of 6th Annual Professor Gerald B. Bubis Lecture featuring Lara
Friedman
Rabbi Ed Feinstein of event host and co-sponsor Valley Beth Shalom and APN's Lara
Friedman.
The Professor Gerald B. Bubis Lecture, established by the APN board of directors
upon his retirement from it, featured APN Director of Policy and Government
Relations Lara Friedman. The event was held shortly after she provided testimony at
the United Nations Security Council special session on Israeli Settlements.
WATCH >
APN's News Nosh brings the
Israeli headlines to you
As with all editions of APN's daily News Nosh, headlines like the ongoing
investigation into Prime Minister Netanyahu are listed along with a brief summary
of news and analysis in an an easy-to-read format.
Go HERE for the daily News Nosh feed,
and to subcribe to receive it as an email.
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