APN's daily news review from Israel
Tuesday January 24, 2017
Comparison of the Day:
Yesterday, Abed Dawiat, a 20-year-old Palestinian from E. Jerusalem, got an 18-year prison sentence - the longest given in Israel for manslaughter
from stone-throwing. Dawiat threw a stone at the car of an Israeli man, who lost control, crashed into a
pole and died.
Today, the Israeli military prosecution is expected to seek a 3-5 year sentence for Sgt. Elor Azariya, 20, who was convicted [only] of manslaughter. Azariya extra-judicially shot in the head and killed a 20-year-old Palestinian assailant who had already been laying on the ground incapacitated, wounded and unmoving for 11 minutes.
You Must Be Kidding:
Israel’s Education Ministry is helping support an unauthorized settlement outpost near Ma’aleh Adumim, whose buildings have received demolition orders.**
Today, the Israeli military prosecution is expected to seek a 3-5 year sentence for Sgt. Elor Azariya, 20, who was convicted [only] of manslaughter. Azariya extra-judicially shot in the head and killed a 20-year-old Palestinian assailant who had already been laying on the ground incapacitated, wounded and unmoving for 11 minutes.
You Must Be Kidding:
Israel’s Education Ministry is helping support an unauthorized settlement outpost near Ma’aleh Adumim, whose buildings have received demolition orders.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- High Court suspended deal for relocating Amona
- Interrogators describe torture methods: Even when a detainee is crying and begging, they don’t stop
- Netanyahu stung Bennet: This is not the time to pull out surprises for Trump
- Body of the driver from Um al-Hiran released for burial; 200 people demonstrated in Jerusalem
- Event in Mevasseret Tzion with participation of (Joint List chief) Ayman Odeh was cancelled
- 17-year-old indicted for murder of his classmate
- Justice Ministry: Don’t criminalize marijuana smokers
- A settlement trap for Trump // Haaretz Editorial
- Equality in death // Liza Rozovsky
- Crisis with Netanyahu? ‘Israel Hayom’ newspaper cut the number of copies being printed [Photo of Sheldon Adelson]
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Expose – The transcripts of war – The (security) cabinet’s heated debates during Operation Protective Edge come to light
- And in the State Comptroller’s report: Sharp criticism of Netanyahu, Yaalon and General Kochavi
- Azariya: The battle over the punishment
- The sweets craze in pre-schools
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- In the heart of the report on Operation Protective Edge: Specific remarks to Netanyahu, Yaalon and Gantz
- “Criticism of the management of the investigations – orchestrated campaign” – say senior officials in Police
- He is erasing the legacy of Obama: Trump cancelled the free trade agreement
Israel Hayom
- “Renewing the special relations with Israel” - White House
- White House to ‘Israel Hayom’: “The President expects to open close personal relations with Prime Minister Netanyahu, as part of a joint effort to achieve piece, prosperity and security”
- (Gaza) tunnels report on the way to being published
- High Court suspended the Amona deal
- Smoke bomb: Number of smokers in military service jumped by 40%
- Azariya trial: Today the sentencing phase begins
- Milchan to MK Amsalam: Retract your slander – or I’ll sue you
- Report on (tycoon) Fishman’s fall: “The biggest bankruptcy in the history of the state”
News Summary:
Reports of harsh criticism by the State Comptroller over the conduct of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu
and then-defense minister Moshe Yaalon on dealing with the Gaza tunnels during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge
and the latest in the Netanyahu investigations were today’s top stories. Also in the news, the High Court suspended the deal to relocate Amona to other privately-owned Palestinian lands
and it ordered the police to release the body of the Bedouin driver from Um al-Hiran, who the police still
insist intentionally killed a policeman, despite the autopsy showing the police shot him first in the chest
and the leg. Also, the latest news on Israel and the Trump administration.
Yedioth scooped with revealing quotes from the security cabinet meetings held before and during the 2014 Gaza war. The quotes revealed that then defense minister Moshe Yaalon tried to rein in Minister Naftali Bennett. On July 1st, Bennett called for attacking Gaza to get rid of the tunnels, while Netanyahu and particularly Yaalon were more cautionary. Yaalon said, “Hamas has no intention of initiating use of the tunnels. We need to be careful of making a miscalculation.” Netanyahu said, “The goal at the moment is to contain.” Bennett asked, “If we do nothing, you think they will contain (themselves)?” And Yaalon answered yes. Then chief of staff Beni Gantz also expressed support for restraint. “Hamas does not want to act…” On July 2nd, the debate over whether to make a ground operation to deal with the Hamas tunnels in Gaza grew heated. Yaalon said such a move could lead to harsh consequences. Head of IDF Intel, Gen. Aviv Kochavi, agreed. “There are dozens of indications that Hamas does not want a battle.” But Bennett pushed for a ground invasion. “How long would it take against the tunnels?” Gantz said two to three days. The ground operation that took place was 19 days.
The State Comptroller Yosef Shapira's full report on the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet's actions during Operation Protective Edge will likely be released. Other parts of the report may be censored.
Netanyahu warned members of the right-wing flank of his coalition government against initiating steps to annex Ma’ale Adumim. Speaking at a Likud faction meeting, Netanyahu said the Trump administration offers 'huge opportunities' and urged the hard right flank of his coalition against ‘dictating’ or ‘surprises,’ including initiatives involving the annexation of Ma’ale Adumim. ‘Now is the time for responsible diplomacy with friends,’ not ‘knee-jerk reactions.’ Today Trump associate and head of the US cyber security program and former New York mayor, Rudy Giuliani, arrived in Israel for a meeting with Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, the Palestinians threatened consequences if the Trump administration moves the US embassy to Jerusalem, such as revoking recognition of Israel, having Israel suspended from the UN and signing agreements with international organizations to prosecute Israel. EU Foreign Minister Frederica Mogherini said that EU embassies would be staying in Tel Aviv. But in a sign of the times, the pro-settlements Zionist Organization of America was the first Jewish group to meet Trump’s team. The ZOA President said that Trump officials “have told me that they realize that ZOA is the Jewish organization that most promotes and reflects their views about the Arab-Islamic war against Israel.” And the French Foreign Ministry condemned Israeli housing plans for Jews in E. Jerusalem.
In a civil protest, hundreds of Arab Israelis, including Arab MKs, drove 12 miles an hour down the main highway to Jerusalem and then some 200 stood in front of the Knesset in a protest of the state’s demolitions of Arab homes in in Umm al-Hiran and Qalansawe - and of the killing of Yaqoub Abu al-Qiyan.
Abu al-Qiyan’s body was still being held by police, who refused to release it for burial to the family, unless they agreed to do it at night and with only 50 people, saying that otherwise there could be violence at the funeral. The family refused the conditions and with the help of Adalah organization, it appealed to the High Court, which ruled 2-1 to release the body without conditions. Interestingly, Justice Yitzchak Amit noted in his ruling that some of Abu al-Qiyan’s sons even serve in the Israeli security forces. "I will also mention the obvious: the funeral will be held in the Negev, in Israeli territory,” he wrote. “The deceased's family belongs to the Bedouin community, whose sons are law-abiding Israeli citizens, some of whom serve in security forces. There hasn't been a single voice from within this community heard to be praising a terrorist vehicular attack, and the family and Bedouin community emphatically condemn this phenomenon." The funeral is being held today. Maariv reported that a relative of Abu al-Qiyan, also named Yakoub, expressed his condolences to the family of the policeman who was killed during the incident and asked for an investigation into the events. “We are confident that a committee will discover the truth that the responsibility for the incident lies with the police."
Quick Hits:
Yedioth scooped with revealing quotes from the security cabinet meetings held before and during the 2014 Gaza war. The quotes revealed that then defense minister Moshe Yaalon tried to rein in Minister Naftali Bennett. On July 1st, Bennett called for attacking Gaza to get rid of the tunnels, while Netanyahu and particularly Yaalon were more cautionary. Yaalon said, “Hamas has no intention of initiating use of the tunnels. We need to be careful of making a miscalculation.” Netanyahu said, “The goal at the moment is to contain.” Bennett asked, “If we do nothing, you think they will contain (themselves)?” And Yaalon answered yes. Then chief of staff Beni Gantz also expressed support for restraint. “Hamas does not want to act…” On July 2nd, the debate over whether to make a ground operation to deal with the Hamas tunnels in Gaza grew heated. Yaalon said such a move could lead to harsh consequences. Head of IDF Intel, Gen. Aviv Kochavi, agreed. “There are dozens of indications that Hamas does not want a battle.” But Bennett pushed for a ground invasion. “How long would it take against the tunnels?” Gantz said two to three days. The ground operation that took place was 19 days.
The State Comptroller Yosef Shapira's full report on the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet's actions during Operation Protective Edge will likely be released. Other parts of the report may be censored.
Netanyahu warned members of the right-wing flank of his coalition government against initiating steps to annex Ma’ale Adumim. Speaking at a Likud faction meeting, Netanyahu said the Trump administration offers 'huge opportunities' and urged the hard right flank of his coalition against ‘dictating’ or ‘surprises,’ including initiatives involving the annexation of Ma’ale Adumim. ‘Now is the time for responsible diplomacy with friends,’ not ‘knee-jerk reactions.’ Today Trump associate and head of the US cyber security program and former New York mayor, Rudy Giuliani, arrived in Israel for a meeting with Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, the Palestinians threatened consequences if the Trump administration moves the US embassy to Jerusalem, such as revoking recognition of Israel, having Israel suspended from the UN and signing agreements with international organizations to prosecute Israel. EU Foreign Minister Frederica Mogherini said that EU embassies would be staying in Tel Aviv. But in a sign of the times, the pro-settlements Zionist Organization of America was the first Jewish group to meet Trump’s team. The ZOA President said that Trump officials “have told me that they realize that ZOA is the Jewish organization that most promotes and reflects their views about the Arab-Islamic war against Israel.” And the French Foreign Ministry condemned Israeli housing plans for Jews in E. Jerusalem.
In a civil protest, hundreds of Arab Israelis, including Arab MKs, drove 12 miles an hour down the main highway to Jerusalem and then some 200 stood in front of the Knesset in a protest of the state’s demolitions of Arab homes in in Umm al-Hiran and Qalansawe - and of the killing of Yaqoub Abu al-Qiyan.
Abu al-Qiyan’s body was still being held by police, who refused to release it for burial to the family, unless they agreed to do it at night and with only 50 people, saying that otherwise there could be violence at the funeral. The family refused the conditions and with the help of Adalah organization, it appealed to the High Court, which ruled 2-1 to release the body without conditions. Interestingly, Justice Yitzchak Amit noted in his ruling that some of Abu al-Qiyan’s sons even serve in the Israeli security forces. "I will also mention the obvious: the funeral will be held in the Negev, in Israeli territory,” he wrote. “The deceased's family belongs to the Bedouin community, whose sons are law-abiding Israeli citizens, some of whom serve in security forces. There hasn't been a single voice from within this community heard to be praising a terrorist vehicular attack, and the family and Bedouin community emphatically condemn this phenomenon." The funeral is being held today. Maariv reported that a relative of Abu al-Qiyan, also named Yakoub, expressed his condolences to the family of the policeman who was killed during the incident and asked for an investigation into the events. “We are confident that a committee will discover the truth that the responsibility for the incident lies with the police."
Quick Hits:
- Torture, Israeli-style - as Described by the Interrogators Themselves - Slaps were the first method that N. listed. He said the force used is moderate, but the goal is to hurt sensitive organs like the nose, ears, brow and lips. (Haaretz+)
- Shin Bet Yet to Launch Single Criminal Investigation Despite Mounting Claims Against Its Agents - Data disclosed at Haaretz's request reveals that since 2001, hundreds of complaints were filed with the unit that handles complaints against interrogated suspects but none led to a criminal investigation. (Haaretz+)
- Four Jewish teens indicted for attacking Palestinian farmers - The defendants, one age 18 and three minors aged 15 to 17, are said to have set out from Geulat Tzion outpost near Shilo settlement in the West Bank, masked and in possession of an iron bar, seeking to expel Palestinians from the area near the Palestinian village of Turmus Aya. The defendants were arrested after having been spotted by four undercover policemen. (Haaretz+)
- Israel investigates lethal shooting of Palestinian teen in clashes with army - After video of soldiers dragging the 17-year-old emerges, police and army to look into last week's events in West Bank village of Tuqu. (Haaretz)
- Israel’s Education Ministry helps funds an illegal outpost near Ma’aleh Adumim - Nonprofit operates rehab program for ‘hilltop youth’ on outpost near Ma’aleh Adumim whose access road is on private Palestinian land. (Haaretz+)
- Ministry of Transport presents: A light rail (from Jerusalem) to Gush Etzion (settlement bloc in the West Bank) - In the wake of the pressure from the right to annex settlements, it is planned to upgrade infrastructure, which will include the addition of traffic lights, additional lanes and construction of new roads. But the big surprise is an extension of the light rail, which will connect Gush Etzion with the Gilo (settlement) neighborhood of Jerusalem. (Maariv)
- Mandelblit expected to ask PM to relinquish control over communications portfolio - Justice Ministry believes Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit will ask Netanyahu to transfer the ministerial position to another individual, fearing difficulties of defending him in the High Court of Justice. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Two additional probes against Netanyahu: The submarine affair and another case - The Submarine affair, named case "3000", is still not off the agenda. The second case was given the name "4000" and further details cannot be disclosed. Netanyahu is expected to be questioned later in the week. (Maariv)
- Hollywood Mogul Milchan (who allegedly gave presents to Netanyahu family) warns MK Amsalem to recant on corruption insinuations or be sued - After MK David Amsalem accuses billionaire Arnon Milchan of corruption, Milchan's legal team issue ultimatum of launching a defamation lawsuit against him if he fails to apologize; meanwhile, police slam rumors circulating about officials involved in Netanyahu investigation. (Ynet and Israel Hayom)
- Israel shelves bill blocking charges against sitting prime minister - The proposed legislation comes against the backdrop of two pending criminal investigations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Haaretz+)
- Sheldon Adelson's pro-Netanyahu Daily Cuts Circulation - Israel Hayom’s relations with the prime minister continue to deteriorate; the freebie reportedly no longer publishes pictures of Sara Netanyahu. (Haaretz+)
- Nuclear spy (whistle-blower) Vanunu convicted for violating parole - Former technician at Dimona plant found guilty of meeting with two foreigners without permission; acquitted over 2015 interview with local TV. (Times of Israel)
- Israeli Town Disinvites Arab Leader From Public Event, Citing Pressure From Residents - Lawmaker Ayman Odeh targeted for his participation in protests at Bedouin village last week, where a policeman and Bedouin protester died. (Haaretz)
- Appointed Air Force Commander heckled over fate of Israeli captive Abera Mengistu - 'What about Avra Mengistu? Mengistu is also part of the country. Maj. Gen., what about his safety?' yelled protestors, interrupting current IDF Planning Directorate Amikam Norkin's speech on national security; a month ago Education Minister Naftali Bennett was similarly interrupted during a speech; Mengistu has been held by Hamas since 2014. (Ynet)
- Brothers in arms - but not to the grave - Non-Jewish Israeli soldier Viacheslav Gargai, killed last week on the Golan Heights, was buried a distance of four cubits from the adjacent Jewish grave, in line with Orthodox practice. (Haaretz+)
- New bill to recognize Israeli victims of terror attacks abroad - In wake of attacks in Berlin and Istanbul, bill aims to ensure rights of Israelis killed or wounded in terrorist attacks overseas, even if Israelis or Jews were not specific targets • Committee to determine eligibility of victims or families for benefits. (Israel Hayom)
- Trump's Israel ambassador hopes to work from Jerusalem, says ZOA president - While the White House claims that a decision has yet to be reached regarding the possibility of moving the U.S. embassy, Morton Klein says Friedman told him he expects to work from Jerusalem as soon as he begins his term. (Haaretz+)
- Family of embattled Israeli tycoon transferred assets to relatives, report finds - In a scathing report on what he calls Israel’s biggest-ever bankruptcy, attorney Joseph Benkel seeks the authority to hunt down Eliezer Fishman's assets. (Haaretz+)
- JNF under fire for rushing to replant torched forest between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv - The Society for the Protection of Nature says Neveh Shalom forest should be given time to regenerate on its own. (Haaretz+)
- London Synagogue to House Syrian Refugee Family - The South London Liberal Synagogue is pitching in to an 'Abraham's tent' project sponsored in part by the government, aimed at getting houses of worship involved in sheltering Syrians, Guardian reports. (Haaretz)
- Obama Administration Released $221m to Palestinians Hours Before Trump Inauguration - Officials say outgoing administration notified Congress of move just before Trump's swearing-in, despite Republican opposition. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Top Hamas Leader Visits Egypt for First Time Since 2013 - Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Egypt on his way back from Qatar, where head of Hamas Khaled Meshal resides. It was the highest-level visit from the organization since Egyptian President Morsi was overthrown. (Haaretz)
Features:
The plight of the Bedouin: Is another generation growing here with a feeling of
discrimination?
The reality of the lives of the Bedouin population made headlines after the violent eviction from Umm al-Hiran village, and consequently the question arises: Is it possible to integrate the sector into Israeli society? On the occasion of a debate to be held today in the Knesset, activists in programs that are trying to give the Bedouin an equal starting point tell about their activities and say: “Even if the villages are not-recognized (by the State), the State still has an obligation to take care of them.” Ofer Dagan, from Sikkuy organization said: “There aren’t enough frameworks for informal education in the unrecognized Bedouin villages. As a result, the percentage of drop-outs is high, and there are many youth who don’t have the ability to integrate into higher education and they are channeled into blue-collar jobs or crime.” (Ofer Livnat, Maariv Magazine supplement, pp. 6-7)
New CIA Director Has Hawkish History on Israel and Iran
Mike Pompeo has been one of Congress' most outspoken critics of Barack Obama's foreign policy, particularly the Iran nuclear deal. (Amir Tibon, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
The reality of the lives of the Bedouin population made headlines after the violent eviction from Umm al-Hiran village, and consequently the question arises: Is it possible to integrate the sector into Israeli society? On the occasion of a debate to be held today in the Knesset, activists in programs that are trying to give the Bedouin an equal starting point tell about their activities and say: “Even if the villages are not-recognized (by the State), the State still has an obligation to take care of them.” Ofer Dagan, from Sikkuy organization said: “There aren’t enough frameworks for informal education in the unrecognized Bedouin villages. As a result, the percentage of drop-outs is high, and there are many youth who don’t have the ability to integrate into higher education and they are channeled into blue-collar jobs or crime.” (Ofer Livnat, Maariv Magazine supplement, pp. 6-7)
New CIA Director Has Hawkish History on Israel and Iran
Mike Pompeo has been one of Congress' most outspoken critics of Barack Obama's foreign policy, particularly the Iran nuclear deal. (Amir Tibon, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Is Trump Already Walking Back His Jerusalem Embassy Promise? Let’s Hope He Is (Nimrod Goren,
Haaretz+) There are good reasons why not a single country has its embassy in the city
- and why successive U.S. administrations have deferred the issue.
Which Jerusalem will Trump recognize? (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) If the US president recognizes Israel’s sovereignty in the entire city, including the Temple Mount, he will arouse the entire Muslim world's anger; if he only recognizes west Jerusalem, he will arouse the anger of the evangelical right and the Israeli government. Nevertheless, there is an opportunity here.
Best-case Scenario? Trump Is Just a Dangerous Demagogue (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) The new president’s first days in office spark concerns that, unable to handle the truth, he creates delusional reality instead.
Editorial A Settlement Trap for Trump (Haaretz Editorial) To portray construction in the settlements as an exclusive deal between Israel and the American government is misleading and dangerous.
Annex through continued building (Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom) The broad Israeli consensus that Maaleh Adumim is a permanent part of Israel does not guarantee it will be. We must ensure that it remains so by building up the city and linking it to Jerusalem.
Women, Where Were You Three Months Ago? (Tzvia Greenfield, Haaretz+) It’s impossible not to draw parallels between the U.S. elections and the repeated defeats the left has suffered in Israel.
The Police Investigation Into Netanyahu Endangers Israel's Media and Democracy (Alan M. Dershowitz, Haaretz+) Overzealous criminal investigations of political figures, in Israel or America, pose a grave danger to democracy.
Time to annex: Netanyahu is a master of dragging his feet, but this time it could cost us dearly (Prof. Aryeh Eldad, Maariv) If the prime minister goes to a meeting with Trump and he does not have the slightest plan to apply Israeli law over settlements, an historic opportunity to change the map of the Middle East will be lost.
Reset Those High Hopes for Trump the Businessman President (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) There's a reason tycoons are lousy politicians - CEOs don't get reelected every four years, or get fired for their views on abortion.
When Is It OK to Punch a Nazi? (David Schraub, Haaretz+) The most total victory I could ever possess over Nazis like Richard Spencer is to be able to ignore them entirely. But these days that's less and less of an option.
Israel’s wild south (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) Wherever the evacuation of families can be prevented, it should be done. Such an attempt was made in Umm al-Hiran. Amona will eventually be evacuated because that’s what the court ruled, and Umm al-Hiran had to be evacuated too. The same applies to every place the State of Israel claims to have sovereignty over.
Umm al-Hiran: A Cautionary Tale of an Israeli Government Emboldened by Trump (Rebecca Arian and Arel Jarus-Hakak, Haaretz+) The demolition of a Bedouin village in Israel's south must remind us American Jews of our responsibility as watchdogs over a right-wing Israeli government emboldened by the new U.S. administration.
Home Demolitions, From Gush Katif to Umm al-Hiran (Moshe Aren, Haaretz+) The Knesset should consider a law barring the demolition of homes occupied by families for many years and requiring compensation.
Trump and Israel: Wait for the meeting (Zalman Shoval, Israel Hayom) How the new administration confronts Iran will determine whether it has kept its promise to "make America great again."
The Demographic Demon Rears Its Head Again (Israel Harel, Haaretz+) 'Among the senior officers leading a campaign warning of a 'demographic catastrophe' I see the names of people who failed in their attempts to promote earlier campaigns for withdrawal from territory.'
The Stone One President Placed on the Grave (Michael Handelzalts, Haaretz+) Why should the president of Poland place a stone from Warsaw Ghetto on Yoni Netanyahu’s grave? And who will guard that celebrity stone? As an Israeli and Polish citizen, I felt as though the leaders of my two countries were concurrently desecrating the Polish, Jewish and Israeli memories – my three identities.
Turkey's Erdogan is one step away from becoming an all-powerful president (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) After emasculating the media and courts, Erdogan is taking his final move toward an authoritarian regime – neutering the parliament.
Which Jerusalem will Trump recognize? (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) If the US president recognizes Israel’s sovereignty in the entire city, including the Temple Mount, he will arouse the entire Muslim world's anger; if he only recognizes west Jerusalem, he will arouse the anger of the evangelical right and the Israeli government. Nevertheless, there is an opportunity here.
Best-case Scenario? Trump Is Just a Dangerous Demagogue (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) The new president’s first days in office spark concerns that, unable to handle the truth, he creates delusional reality instead.
Editorial A Settlement Trap for Trump (Haaretz Editorial) To portray construction in the settlements as an exclusive deal between Israel and the American government is misleading and dangerous.
Annex through continued building (Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom) The broad Israeli consensus that Maaleh Adumim is a permanent part of Israel does not guarantee it will be. We must ensure that it remains so by building up the city and linking it to Jerusalem.
Women, Where Were You Three Months Ago? (Tzvia Greenfield, Haaretz+) It’s impossible not to draw parallels between the U.S. elections and the repeated defeats the left has suffered in Israel.
The Police Investigation Into Netanyahu Endangers Israel's Media and Democracy (Alan M. Dershowitz, Haaretz+) Overzealous criminal investigations of political figures, in Israel or America, pose a grave danger to democracy.
Time to annex: Netanyahu is a master of dragging his feet, but this time it could cost us dearly (Prof. Aryeh Eldad, Maariv) If the prime minister goes to a meeting with Trump and he does not have the slightest plan to apply Israeli law over settlements, an historic opportunity to change the map of the Middle East will be lost.
Reset Those High Hopes for Trump the Businessman President (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) There's a reason tycoons are lousy politicians - CEOs don't get reelected every four years, or get fired for their views on abortion.
When Is It OK to Punch a Nazi? (David Schraub, Haaretz+) The most total victory I could ever possess over Nazis like Richard Spencer is to be able to ignore them entirely. But these days that's less and less of an option.
Israel’s wild south (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) Wherever the evacuation of families can be prevented, it should be done. Such an attempt was made in Umm al-Hiran. Amona will eventually be evacuated because that’s what the court ruled, and Umm al-Hiran had to be evacuated too. The same applies to every place the State of Israel claims to have sovereignty over.
Umm al-Hiran: A Cautionary Tale of an Israeli Government Emboldened by Trump (Rebecca Arian and Arel Jarus-Hakak, Haaretz+) The demolition of a Bedouin village in Israel's south must remind us American Jews of our responsibility as watchdogs over a right-wing Israeli government emboldened by the new U.S. administration.
Home Demolitions, From Gush Katif to Umm al-Hiran (Moshe Aren, Haaretz+) The Knesset should consider a law barring the demolition of homes occupied by families for many years and requiring compensation.
Trump and Israel: Wait for the meeting (Zalman Shoval, Israel Hayom) How the new administration confronts Iran will determine whether it has kept its promise to "make America great again."
The Demographic Demon Rears Its Head Again (Israel Harel, Haaretz+) 'Among the senior officers leading a campaign warning of a 'demographic catastrophe' I see the names of people who failed in their attempts to promote earlier campaigns for withdrawal from territory.'
The Stone One President Placed on the Grave (Michael Handelzalts, Haaretz+) Why should the president of Poland place a stone from Warsaw Ghetto on Yoni Netanyahu’s grave? And who will guard that celebrity stone? As an Israeli and Polish citizen, I felt as though the leaders of my two countries were concurrently desecrating the Polish, Jewish and Israeli memories – my three identities.
Turkey's Erdogan is one step away from becoming an all-powerful president (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) After emasculating the media and courts, Erdogan is taking his final move toward an authoritarian regime – neutering the parliament.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.