News Nosh 2.14.17

APN's daily news review from Israel
Tuesday February 14, 2017
 
Quote of the Day:
“It must be clear: If we extend sovereignty, the law must apply equally to all. Applying sovereignty to an area gives citizenship to all those living there...There are no separate laws for Israelis and for non-Israelis."
--Israeli President Reuven Rivlin declares his support for a one-state solution with Israelis and Palestinians all equal citizens.*

You Must Be Kidding: 
`The settlement-building organization, Amana, obtained millions of shekels in government loans by allegedly mortgaging privately-owned Palestinian lands to which it never had ownership rights to build the illegal outposts of Migron and Amona.**


Breaking News:
Israel Recalled Egypt Ambassador Over Security Concerns (Haaretz and Ynet)

Front Page:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
  • Netanyahu will meet tomorrow with the US President: “I will lead, I will navigate     ”
  • Rivlin against the Regulation (expropriation law): There should be no law for Israelis and another law for non-Israelis. Sovereignty applied to all the land gives citizenship to every resident in the land”
  • Neglect at the top: 1,200 cranes and only five safety supervisors
  • The heir – Yehiyeh Sanwar, among those released in Shalit deal, is the new leader of Hamas in Gaza
  • Now also in Kfar Saba: Mayor suspected of receiving bribes
Israel Hayom
News Summary: 
*Upon departure to the US, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu assured Israelis that he and US President Donald Trump “see eye to eye,” while Likud politicians called on him to completely renounce the two-state solution with the Palestinians. Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin said that there should be one state for all with Palestinians as full citizens and he slammed the newly approved Regulation (expropriation) Law. Meanwhile, another crane fell due to lack of oversight, another Israeli mayor was arrested for bribery and Hamas chose a new leader in Gaza, which Israeli analysts wrote was a hardliner – all making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
 
Quick Hits: 
  • Germany cancels annual meeting with Israeli government - While official reason for cancelation cites proximity to the elections in Germany, officials in Jerusalem believe it was due to Berlin's anger over the Regulation Law. (Ynet)
  • In First, Israel Mulls Using New Law to Confiscate Palestinian Lands for Illegal Settlement - Israel tells court contemplating using new land-grab law to 'legalize' seven structures, roads built on private Palestinian land. (Haaretz+) 
  • **Israel loaned settlement group over $1 million to build illegal outposts on Palestinian-owned land - Amana used the funds to build in Amona and Migron, illegal outposts that have since been evacuated on the order of the High Court of Justice. (Haaretz+) 
  • UN secretary-general insists on choice for Fayyad to head Libya mission - UN Chief António Guterres doubles down on pick for former Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad to lead political mission in Libya; says rumors of appointing Tzipi Livni to senior position in UN mere ‘speculations.’ (Yedioth/Ynet
  • Slew of responses over Tzipi Livni's would-be appointment to a senior UN position - The decision regarding Tzipi Livni's would-be appointment as an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations received a multitude of reactions; Prime Minister Netanyahu inferred his support: 'It's about time they give appointments to Israel.' (Yedioth/Ynet)
  • President Rivlin: Livni's UN appointment could be a blessing for Israel - The UN chief, meanwhile, says he sees no reason for the U.S. to block former Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad's appointment: 'He is right person for the job.’ (Haaretz+) 
  • Foreign Ministry places permanent exhibit at UNESCO - The exhibit features a replica of the Menorah and the scene depicted on the Arch of Titus of the spoils from the Second Temple being carried into exile to Rome; project is part of initiative to combat attempts to deny Jewish connection to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. (Yedioth/Ynet)
  • BDS crowds disrupt Israeli UN envoy's lecture - Speaking before some 300 students at Columbia University in New York on Monday evening, Danny Danon’s lecture was disrupted after crowds of BDS activists assembled outside and barged their way in, before drowning his statements to the chants of ‘Free Palestine’; Danon: 'We will not be quiet in the face of lies that you spread about Israel.’ (Yedioth/Ynet
  • Spanish courts block 2 anti-Israel decisions by municipalities - Panels of 10 judges in Barcelona and Valencia overturn decisions to boycott Israel passed by Xeraco and Olesa de Montserrat • Spain has the highest number of municipal anti-Israel decisions in Europe • Courts taking a hard line against BDS movement. (Israel Hayom
  • 'Blacklist' of firms tied to Israeli settlements deferred, UN says - Israel blasted UN Human Rights Council's planned database as a 'blacklist' and accused it of acting 'obsessively' against Israel. (Agencies, Haaretz
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu Expected to Quit Post as Israel's Communication Minister - Embroiled in investigations and facing a petition filed by opposition head MK Isaac Herzog alleging conflict of interest, PM Netanyahu is expected to hand over the ministry of communications portfolio to another Likud minister. (Haaretz and Ynet)
  • Government approves 5-year plan for Bedouin sector's development - Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Uri Ariel presents government with plan to improve education, employment and local government infrastructure, fight illegal construction in Bedouin communities • Plan is allotted $800 million budget. (Israel Hayom)
  • Court cancels restraining order filed by the Shin Bet - After Shin Bet files restraining order against 16-year-old Jewish Israeli due to him being 'motivated by ideological extremism,' court cancels order. (Ynet)
  • Report: Foreign governments fund terrorists' legal defense - HaMoked Center for the Defense of the Individual, which has provided legal aid to 48 terrorists who killed 50 people, received $4.13 million from EU, U.N., and 11 European governments, says Im Tirtzu report. "This is a danger to democracy," CEO says. (Israel Hayom
  • Breaking the Silence director steps down after 5 years at helm - Yuli Novak emphasizes, "I am not leaving the organization, and I will not cease to be a part of the struggle against the occupation • "Organizations like ours that are engaged in such an intense political struggle must revitalize," she says. (Israel Hayom, Ynet and Times of Israel
  • After outcry, controversial U.S. rabbi's event in Israel moved to private home - Rabbi Steven Pruzansky has drawn considerable fire for his offensive remarks about women, Arabs and liberals. (Haaretz+)
  • Over 600 rabbis and cantors sign petition opposing David Friedman as U.S. ambassador to Israel - Friedman's confirmation hearings are due to begin on Thursday. (Haaretz
  • Jewish, Muslim families in iconic protest photo share Shabbat meal - The Yildirim family, who are Muslim, joined Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell and his family for Shabbat dinner at their home in Deerfield, Illinois, the Chicago Tribune reported. (JTA, Haaretz)
  • Foreign Ministry urges Israelis to steer clear of North Korea - North Korea eases tourist visa policy for Israelis • Foreign Ministry warns that since Israel and North Korea have no diplomatic relations, if an Israeli tourist gets into trouble there, Israeli authorities will be unable to help in any way. (Israel Hayom)
  • In first, Israeli company offers tours of North Korea - Israelis who wish to visit secretive state can now travel with Israeli operator, which has announced four organized tours in April to May • Initiative announced despite tensions over yet another ballistic missile test in violation of U.N. resolutions. (Israel Hayom
  • Israel to send 2 miniature research satellites into space - Two Israeli civilian satellites developed with support of the Israel Space Agency to be launched into orbit on Wednesday • The miniature satellites are designed to assist in researching climate phenomena and to perform medical experiments. (Israel Hayom
  • Trump Planned on Moving Embassy to Jerusalem 'At 12:01 on Inauguration Day' - Two days before Netanyahu meets Trump at the White House, Senator Bob Corker tells Politico that moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was going to be the administration's 'first move.' (Haaretz)


Features:
Explained: How Big an Obstacle Are Israeli Settlements to Peace?
Trump recently said that advancing settlement construction is unhelpful for peace, but which settlements exactly he was referring to is open for interpretation. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+) 
Bibi’s baggage: A guide to the criminal investigations casting a shadow on Netanyahu's Trump meeting
While everyone is watching Donald Trump's White House in disarray over Flynn's resignation – we should remember that Netanyahu has troubles of his own. (Allison Kaplan Sommer, Haaretz+) 
Son to Us All: How Much Is Yair Netanyahu Costing the Israeli Taxpayer?
Because he still lives with his parents in the Prime Minister’s Residence, the Shin Bet has to guard him both in Israel and abroad. (Tali Heruti-Sover, Haaretz)
 
Commentary/Analysis:
Every Dark Regime Has Its Informers (Shany Littman, Haaretz+) In Israel, Shai Shammay Glick, a devout right-wing activist, for years has complained to every journalist and politician about every humanist or left-wing cultural event. He just got a gallery in Jerusalem shut down. And he has accomplices.
A police officer who participated in the Amona eviction may lose his sight. How is it that no one cares?  (Natan Zehavi, Maariv) The leaders of the holy land declared more than once that it has zero tolerance for anyone who harms the security forces. They forgot to mention they will only act that way against Arabs, Ethiopian immigrants and foreign workers. 
This is what Trump and Netanyahu will discuss at their meeting (if you believe Spicer) (Amir Tibon, Haaretz+) While the White House has repeatedly ducked questions about everything from Jerusalem to settlements, Netanyahu promised 'clear' answers from his meeting with Trump. What to expect?
Tip for the meeting, Netanyahu should be skeptical about Trump’s promises (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) The prime minister should maintain restraint in his statements to the media after meeting with the American president. After all, with the new president nothing is clear or expected. 
American Jews Are New Target of Israel's Unprecedented Escalation Against Civil Society (Jennifer Gorovitz, Haaretz+) New Israel Fund VP: Given Netanyahu’s repression of dissent, perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised that Israel's border control considered me a 'national security risk.' 
On Iran, Netanyahu may not get what he wants from Trump (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) As the U.S. and Iranian presidents trade barbs prior to the Netanyahu's visit, Trump has still not formulated his policy on Syria's ally. 
Trump-Netanyahu meeting will end with no final product (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) There will be a lot of goodwill in Wednesday’s Washington meeting, but direction will remain vague; The US president doesn’t have a coherent policy, and the Israeli prime minister is not getting the support he needs from the Right to place a final product on the White House table. 
Fayyad Appointment at the UN Is an Israeli Interest (Haaretz Editorial) Israel must put a stop to its Pavlovian responses, which are guided by the idea that what is good for the Palestinians is by necessity bad for Israel. 
Mr. President, Take the Money You Give Israel and Run (B. Michael, Haaretz+) Follow your own slogan. Stop funding us, maintaining us, arming us, pampering us. Give the money to America. 
The AG’s war to protect Israeli democracy (Tova Tzimuki, Yedioth/Ynet) The Regulation Law has created one of the most serious constitutional crises the State of Israel has ever experienced. Attorney General Mendelblit, who strongly opposed the law, sees himself as being at the forefront of the battle against the attempt to change basic principles in the state’s democracy and in the independence of its elected institutions.
U.S. Judges: A Light Unto the Nations (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) If Israeli judges were ruling on an order to bar entry to citizens from Muslim countries, the case would end as soon as someone arrived with a portfolio marked “Classified.” 
'No Daylight'? Netanyahu's Embrace of Trump Is Toxic to Israel's Cause (Samuel G. Freedman, Haaretz+) In 'Trump-friendly' business terms, Netanyahu has now cross-branded Israel with the most retrograde forces and policies in the American landscape. 
The Israeli media needs to come to its senses (Tzvia Greenfield, Haaretz+) It is saddening to see that prime minister continues to be dragged in his weakness behind the head of a small party with only eight Knesset seats, who allows himself to arrogantly dictate Israel’s agenda to all of us.
Weak and Totally Dependent on Trump, Netanyahu Will Have to Tiptoe in Washington (Aluf Benn, Haaretz+) The U.S. president could give Netanyahu backing, or whip up a storm. In either case, the premier will from now on be judged by his good behavior and flattery vis-à-vis Trump.
 
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.