APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday March 5, 2017
Quote of the day:
"I am going to say something that sounds harsh: there are between 15% and 20% [who oppose two-states] on
the Israeli side and the Palestinian side. On their side it is mainly Hamas and on the Israeli side it is the
fundamentalist ideologues who prefer the Land of Israel over the Zionism of a Jewish and democratic State of
Israel."
--In an expansive interview in Maariv, former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon says Israeli society is led by extremists who support a one-state solution.*
--In an expansive interview in Maariv, former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon says Israeli society is led by extremists who support a one-state solution.*
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Six months ago, Netanyahu offered Herzog to advance a regional peace initiative together, then backtracked
- Yaalon establishes political party, Gabai and Bar Lev will run against Herzog (for leadership of party)
- Personality suicide // Yossi Verter
- Prime Minister’s Office stalling plan to increase the safety in construction
- Trump accuses Obama of hidden tapping and in that endangers mainly himself // Chemi Shalev
- Police Commissioner extended the job of the external media advisor in addition to the spokesperson at a cost of 2.4 million shekels
- On the way to the next round // Haaretz Editorial
- Path to bypass law // Ido Baum
Yedioth Ahronoth
- War tweets [Photo of Obama and Trump]
- The deal and the trick // Sima Kadmon
- A view to the wall – The mysterious British street artist, Banksy, designed a hotel in Bethlehem that looks at the separation wall
- Photographer David Rubinger – A special supplement of photos
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links)
- Yaalon establishes a political party: “I am willing to unite forces”
- The declaration and the clarification – MK Dichter (Likud) said: “A prime minister under investigation cannot function normally”; After a storm, he quickly clarified that the Likud candidate is Netanyahu
- Trump vs. Obama: “He tapped my phone”
- A gambling and drug cave in the elite residential towers
Israel Hayom
- The lie has an agreement – There is a document, a recording – but MKs Cabel and Yachimovich still deny: “There’s no deal”
- Why did they lie – and why do they continue to lie? // Mati Tuchfeld
- Trump accuses: Obama tapped my phone during the elections
- The arrest of the suspect in anti-Semitism proves: There is no connection to Trump // Boaz Bismuth
- US Congress delegation in Israel to probe transferring the embassy from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem
- For the perfect costume: a guide to accessories for Purim
News Summary:
Internal politics over leadership of Israeli political parties and US President Donald Trump’s accusations of wiretapping against his predecessor were top stories in the Hebrew newspapers today. Also in the news, a Haaretz+ scoop revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu offered opposition leader MK Isaac Herzog to push together for a regional peace initiative – and then backtracked. Also, the European Union will consider holding high-level talks with Israel amid concern over Israel’s settlement policy and whether it is still committed to a two-state solution.
Former defense minister Moshe Yaalon (Likud) said he would vie for the premiership at the head of a new political party, while two Labor party MKs sought to downplay the scandal about an alleged agreement between them to support each other in vying for the leadership of their party and of the Histadrut national labor union.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu faced criticism from numerous directions. Ronnie Manna, a former close associate of the Netanyahu couple, shared behind-the-scenes details about the couple’s conduct, saying that Sara Netanyahu makes political decisions for her husband and that all the reports about her bad behavior towards employees and her expectations for receiving gifts was true. (Maariv) In ‘Case 1000,’ Netanyahu is under investigation on suspicion that he and his family received illicit gifts. MK Erel Margalit (Zionist Union) and Attorney Eldad Yaniv and the Movement for Quality Government have petitioned the High Court of Justice regarding three major investigations that Netanyahu is involved in or connected to. The state requested that the court reject the petitions, saying that they are "part of a media campaign run by the petitioners to pressure law enforcement authorities to make certain decisions." And Likud MK and former Shin Bet Chief Avi Dichter sparked a storm Saturday when he said it was impossible that Netanyahu's investigations do not detract from his performance as prime minister. In addition, Dichter announces that in the future, he will run for Likud leadership. Later he ‘clarified,’ saying that Netanyahu was the only candidate for Likud leadership.
Quick Hits:
- Vote on bill to annex West Bank settlement postponed at Netanyahu's request - This latest postponement wasn’t the first time the prime minister foiled discussion of the bill – the last time was on the eve of his meeting with President Donald Trump in February. (Haaretz+)
- Congressional delegation studies relocating embassy to Jerusalem - Delegation representing the House Subcommittee on National Security is in Israel for a 24-hour visit to gather information on the ramifications of moving the embassy to Jerusalem • Team to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, MK Yehuda Glick. (Israel Hayom)
- U.S. Human Rights Report Dedicates More Pages to Israel, Palestinians Than Anywhere Else - Only China came under an equal amount of scrutiny in the report, while Syria was covered in just a third of the space. (Haaretz+)
- Activists march in support of imprisoned Palestinian hunger striker Jamal Abu al-Leil - Abu al-Leil has been on hunger strike for 17 days in protest of being held by Israel without charge or trial for more than a year. (Maan)
- Over 12,000 Palestinians living in limbo, 15 years after 'temporary' Israeli status - Emergency order creates impenetrable bureaucratic barrier between Palestinians of East Jerusalem and Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. (Haaretz+)
- One Palestinian Arrested After Stone Throwers Assault IDF Vehicle - Border policemen disperse stone throwers with riot control gear; MK Hazan says Palestinians should have been shot in the head. (Haaretz and Maariv+VIDEO)
- State Attorney to High Court: 'No' to Jewish terrorist house demolitions - The State Attorney's Office issues a supplementary response to a High Court petition indicating it will not support the demolition of the homes of Jewish terrorists; the petition was filed by the parents of a murdered Palestinian boy. (Ynet and Israel Hayom)
- Ministers debated evacuating Gaza border towns - Minutes from the Security Cabinet show Bennett proposed evacuations and Ya'alon said he would look into it; no evacuations took place, but the IDF has decided to act differently come the next clash. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Arab drivers demand action over Muhammad insult - The drivers are demanding the company fire an employee after he allegedly made racist comments about the prophet; Metropoline CEO tells employees: 'We will have zero tolerance for racial abuse.' (Ynet)
- Police filmed violently detaining (Arab-Israeli) suspect - A witness recording shows police forcefully detaining a suspect during the course of a search for weapons in Jisr az-Zarqa; residents and witnesses are accusing the police of unnecessary force and beating the suspect. (Ynet)
- Qalansawe residents threaten action over home demolitions - Residents of Arab-Israeli city have erected a protest tent at the entrance to Qalansawe that has attracted Arab Knesset members and other residents who are promising violent protest if the new demolition orders are carried out. (Ynet)
- Palestinian family awaits demolition of their home after appeal rejected in Israeli court - Ashraf Fawaqa said he had attempted to obtain an Israeli building license for six years following the construction of his home. He had to pay more than 200,000 shekels ($54,102) for various costs associated with postponing and extending Israeli demolition orders during this time, but that Israel's Jerusalem municipality decided to carry out the demolition at the start of last month without allowing any more postponements. (Maan)
- Amona (settler outpost) evacuees go on a hunger strike - Settlers protest the fact Prime Minister Netanyahu, who promised them a new settlement, appears to be dragging his feet on the matter; 'We feel like Netanyahu is just leading us on,' one of the settlers said. (Ynet)
- Hebrew University to become first Israeli school to recognize Palestinian Authority test scores - New policy expected to significantly increase the number of East Jerusalem Palestinians enrolling and attending. (Haaretz+)
- Court postpones start of Hebron shooter's prison sentence - Pvt. Elor Azaria's 18-month sentence for manslaughter was supposed to start on Sunday • Attorney Yoram Sheftel: It is standard to delay punishment until the end of the appeal • Judge Brig. Gen. Orly Markman: In such cases, a clean past carries weight. (Israel Hayom)
- Israel transfers 16 Palestinian women prisoners from Hasharon to Damon prison - After dozens of Palestinian prisoners complained and demanded that the sections of the jail be repaired because they are not suitable for living, 16 Palestinian women were transferred until repairs were finished. (Maan)
- 2 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel for quarter century - Muhammad Tawfiq Suleiman Jabbarin, 65, from Umm al-Fahm, was detained on March 3, 1992, while prisoner Yahiya Mustafa Muhammad Ighbariya, 48, from the village of al-Mushir was detained on March 4, 1992. One of Jabbarin's children died while he was in prison, and Israeli authorities did not permit him to say goodbye to his son. (Maan)
- Military to downsize Bedouin reconnaissance battalion - IDF says move is result of falling interest in reconnaissance service. To encourage Bedouin enlistment, IDF to offer special three-month training course. At end of service, Bedouin soldiers receive training to help them transition back to civilian life. (Israel Hayom)
- Palestinian bank to open in Israeli-controlled area of West Bank - A new Palestinian bank is set to be opened on the Israeli side of the West Bank border in the Palestinian village of Al-Ram, which will offer services to Palestinians in east Jerusalem. (Ynet)
- Arab-Israeli covers the world in viral one-minute videos - The 25-year-old, who grew up in the Arab town of Arraba in northern Israel and studied in Harvard after receiving a scholarship, tries to capture essence of the world, and Israel through his camera. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Number of Jewish Agency emissaries abroad up 30% - The number of Jewish Agency envoys has jumped to 1,730 since 2010, and representatives are being deployed to new destinations, both to help make Israel a central pillar of Jewish identity and to counter international attempts to delegitimize Israel. (Israel Hayom)
- Israeli Embassy in France tells French mayors: Prevent the events of "Apartheid Week" - The anti-Israeli production that takes place annually in Europe will mark today 100 years since the Balfour Declaration in events and demonstrations of BDS activists and civilians. (Maariv)
- N.Y. Governor Cuomo set for Israel visit in support of Jewish community - In a gesture of solidarity spurred by acts of anti-Semitism, the governor of New York announces visit during speech to Orthodox Jewish students, parents and teachers. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Jared Kushner Reportedly Met Russian Ambassador Alongside Michael Flynn - Meeting at Trump Tower that resulted in Flynn's resignation was meant to 'establish a line of communication,' says White House. (JTA, Haaretz)
- Sudan discusses normalization with Israel - After distancing themselves from Iran and allying with the Sunni coalition in an attempt to draw closer to the West, President of Sudan Omar al-Bashir is trying to ease the public into the idea of normalizing ties with Israel. (Ynet)
- Egyptian court acquits Mubarak over killing of protesters - Ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was originally sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of 239 protesters during the 2011 uprising. Court "finds the defendant innocent," rejects demands by victims' lawyers to reopen civil proceedings. (Israel Hayom)
- Jordan Executes 15 Convicts, Including 10 on Terror Charges - One of the prisoners was convicted of a 2016 attack on an intelligence compound that killed five security personnel. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- ISIS Militants Severely Damaged Major Roman Monument in Palmyra, Expert Says - Antiquities official says serious damage to the Tetrapylon, a square stone platform with matching structures of four columns positioned at each corner. Only four of the 16 columns were still standing. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- ISIS presents: Israeli collaborators in Sinai - ISIS weekly magazine exposes a man suspected of spying for Israel; ISIS claims that pursuant to the cell's activities, three collaborators were executed. According to the report, the collaborators' squad planted electronic cards used by Israel to locate ISIS centers of activity. (Ynet)
- Iran announces successful missile test - Iran's official news agency reports the first successful experiment carried out by its aerial defense system S-300 received from Russia; this is reportedly the first test of its kind using the new system; in the past, Israel tried dissuading Russia from selling the Islamic Republic such a system. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Israeli, Iranian Singers Come Together in Rare Collaboration on Tel Aviv Stage - Meeting with Israelis, let alone visiting their country, is considered an offense in Iran that could have severe repercussions. Iranian dissident musician Shahin Najafi is pleased to break the taboo. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
Banksy takes on Israel's West Bank barrier with hotel with 'worst view in the world'
British artists Banksy makes yet another effort to foster Israeli-Palestinian dialogue with an actual hotel near Bethlehem. (Moshe Gilad, Haaretz and AP, Ynet)
High art: Historic aerial shots of pre-state Israel revealed
It was 1937 and publisher Zalman Schocken was looking for an original gift for his friends. The result: 40 spectacular photographs capturing the cities and landscapes from the skies. (Dr. Gil Weissblei, National Library, Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
Our Punching Bag in Gaza (Haaretz Editorial) The paradoxical situation in which Israel views Hamas as the sovereign, and therefore holds it responsible for what happens in Gaza yet at the same time fights against it, cannot produce the quiet it seeks.
This Time, Trump's Tweets Might Blow Up in His Face (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) By accusing Obama of wiretapping his HQ, the president has made the strongest case yet for an independent investigation of his links to the Kremlin.
A strategic attack against ourselves (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Judges and legal experts know nothing about wars, nothing about policy and decision-making, and definitely nothing about drawing conclusions. All they know how to do is to look for the guilty party.
Illegitimate Targets on Both Sides of Israel's Border (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The onslaughts on Gaza have introduced to our world three terms that have no right to exist: proportionate killing, collateral damage and target bank.
No leader at the end of the tunnel (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) The overall impression from the state comptroller’s report on Operation Protective Edge is that Netanyahu isn’t functioning as a leader: He isn’t outlining a policy because he has no policy; he isn’t imposing his opinion because he has no opinion. The amazing thing is the gap between his image as ‘Mr. Security’ and his real involvement in security management.
Lapid Is the Only Winner as Israeli Labor Party Hits New Low (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) The left-wing faction keeps on finding ever more imaginative ways of shooting itself in the foot.
The bottom line: The State Comptroller report points to a flock without a shepherd (Ben Caspit, Maariv) The report on Operation Protective Edge is a shocking report that exposes a country that trails, that refuses to read the writing on the wall and is just trying to get home safely. And the worst? What happened, it what will happen.
Is the Trump Era Creating a New Jew? (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) This is the moment to make clear that Netanyahu and other Jewish 'leaders' backing up Trump have never spoken for the majority of Jews around the world, including those in Israel.
Don't jeopardize this great opportunity (Isi Leibler, Israel Hayom) With triumphant visits abroad under his belt, now is the time for Netanyahu to display courage and make serious decisions that will determine his legacy.
The One-and-a-half-state Vision (Carolina Landsmann, Haaretz+) It seems Benjamin Netanyahu understands that the annexation route is liable to drag Israel not just into a new reality, but a new perception of that reality – into the heart of a battle over civil rights.
Hate crimes: With opinions comes responsibility (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) Sartre’s warning against seeing the anti-Semite solely as a person who ‘has opinions against Jews’ rather than as a person who has chosen to hate Jews, and is therefore mentally and morally willing to murder them, rings true today.
A Great Opportunity for Israel to Clear Its Name (Alon Idan, Haaretz+) In the case of Shlomo Pinto who tried to stab an Arab, the judges knew they could impose a severe sentence because the victim turned out to be a Jew.
Israeli Arab Educators Aren't Teaching Hebrew Out of Love. They're Coerced (Sayed Kashua, Haaretz+) A viral video of an Arab teacher reciting a Hebrew nursery rhyme illustrates Israeli oppression in a heartbreaking way.
Ashkenazi Jews Are to Blame for Israel’s Ethnic Rift (Salman Masalha, Haaretz+) Ashkenazi Zionism has always known how to foment trouble, in order to continue holding the reins of power.
Is Gaza really headed towards a new conflict with Israel? (Dr. Moshe Elad, Yedioth/Ynet) Hamas leader Sanwar is not operating in a vacuum. In order for him to make a decision to attack Israel, there is a need for a radical development that will make it unequivocally clear that ‘both Gaza and myself have nothing to lose.’ At this time, however, both he and the Gazans have a lot to lose.
Obeying the Conscience (Uri Misgav, Haaretz+) One hundred days have passed since two 18-year-old girls were first imprisoned for their refusal to undergo army induction. Isn't there a more humane way to deal with conscientious objectors?
The Settlers Won the Battle, but the War Isn't Over (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Despite what the Zionist left might be saying, the settler enterprise is still alive and, well, flourishing. If only we could say the same about the left.
Once Again, a Stifling of Voices in Israel (Talia Sasson, Haaretz+) It is up to us to keep our government in line and ensure political freedoms for all.
War: The school of life (Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen, Israel Hayom) The potential for public panic over the tunnel threat is greater than we think • We have trouble recognizing that there are threats for which we have no ideal solution • How did we reach a point where we expect a perfect response for every threat in war?
Don't Mess With Our Occupation (Friday Haaretz Editorial) Recent proposed legislation is not intended to fight Israel’s delegitimization in the world, but rather to silence those who object to the government.
For the Azaria family, the worst is still to come (Ariela Ringel Hoffman, Yedioth/Ynet) The decision to appeal the manslaughter conviction means a few more months in court for Elor Azaria. It also means that the grim circus we have witnessed so far will be replaced by a horror show courtesy of Adv. Yoram Sheftel and cause the entire affair to spiral out of control.
Saudis Head to Lebanese Ski Slopes but It's Hezbollah on the Slide (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) Riyadh's renewed ties with Beirut are no consolation for the cash-strapped Shi'ite terror organization.
Israel's Settlement Movement Isn’t Growing the Way You Thought It Was (Shaul Arieli, Haaretz+) The crowning glory of the enterprise, that great startup for making Palestinians and their national aspirations disappear, is based on natural growth in two ultra-Orthodox cities.
Azaria Leads, Lapid Follows (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) If the opinion polls are accurate, the Yesh Atid chairman could be Israel's next prime minister. That's what makes his views on Hebron shooter Elor Azaria all the more disturbing.
British artists Banksy makes yet another effort to foster Israeli-Palestinian dialogue with an actual hotel near Bethlehem. (Moshe Gilad, Haaretz and AP, Ynet)
High art: Historic aerial shots of pre-state Israel revealed
It was 1937 and publisher Zalman Schocken was looking for an original gift for his friends. The result: 40 spectacular photographs capturing the cities and landscapes from the skies. (Dr. Gil Weissblei, National Library, Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
Our Punching Bag in Gaza (Haaretz Editorial) The paradoxical situation in which Israel views Hamas as the sovereign, and therefore holds it responsible for what happens in Gaza yet at the same time fights against it, cannot produce the quiet it seeks.
This Time, Trump's Tweets Might Blow Up in His Face (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) By accusing Obama of wiretapping his HQ, the president has made the strongest case yet for an independent investigation of his links to the Kremlin.
A strategic attack against ourselves (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Judges and legal experts know nothing about wars, nothing about policy and decision-making, and definitely nothing about drawing conclusions. All they know how to do is to look for the guilty party.
Illegitimate Targets on Both Sides of Israel's Border (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The onslaughts on Gaza have introduced to our world three terms that have no right to exist: proportionate killing, collateral damage and target bank.
No leader at the end of the tunnel (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) The overall impression from the state comptroller’s report on Operation Protective Edge is that Netanyahu isn’t functioning as a leader: He isn’t outlining a policy because he has no policy; he isn’t imposing his opinion because he has no opinion. The amazing thing is the gap between his image as ‘Mr. Security’ and his real involvement in security management.
Lapid Is the Only Winner as Israeli Labor Party Hits New Low (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) The left-wing faction keeps on finding ever more imaginative ways of shooting itself in the foot.
The bottom line: The State Comptroller report points to a flock without a shepherd (Ben Caspit, Maariv) The report on Operation Protective Edge is a shocking report that exposes a country that trails, that refuses to read the writing on the wall and is just trying to get home safely. And the worst? What happened, it what will happen.
Is the Trump Era Creating a New Jew? (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) This is the moment to make clear that Netanyahu and other Jewish 'leaders' backing up Trump have never spoken for the majority of Jews around the world, including those in Israel.
Don't jeopardize this great opportunity (Isi Leibler, Israel Hayom) With triumphant visits abroad under his belt, now is the time for Netanyahu to display courage and make serious decisions that will determine his legacy.
The One-and-a-half-state Vision (Carolina Landsmann, Haaretz+) It seems Benjamin Netanyahu understands that the annexation route is liable to drag Israel not just into a new reality, but a new perception of that reality – into the heart of a battle over civil rights.
Hate crimes: With opinions comes responsibility (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) Sartre’s warning against seeing the anti-Semite solely as a person who ‘has opinions against Jews’ rather than as a person who has chosen to hate Jews, and is therefore mentally and morally willing to murder them, rings true today.
A Great Opportunity for Israel to Clear Its Name (Alon Idan, Haaretz+) In the case of Shlomo Pinto who tried to stab an Arab, the judges knew they could impose a severe sentence because the victim turned out to be a Jew.
Israeli Arab Educators Aren't Teaching Hebrew Out of Love. They're Coerced (Sayed Kashua, Haaretz+) A viral video of an Arab teacher reciting a Hebrew nursery rhyme illustrates Israeli oppression in a heartbreaking way.
Ashkenazi Jews Are to Blame for Israel’s Ethnic Rift (Salman Masalha, Haaretz+) Ashkenazi Zionism has always known how to foment trouble, in order to continue holding the reins of power.
Is Gaza really headed towards a new conflict with Israel? (Dr. Moshe Elad, Yedioth/Ynet) Hamas leader Sanwar is not operating in a vacuum. In order for him to make a decision to attack Israel, there is a need for a radical development that will make it unequivocally clear that ‘both Gaza and myself have nothing to lose.’ At this time, however, both he and the Gazans have a lot to lose.
Obeying the Conscience (Uri Misgav, Haaretz+) One hundred days have passed since two 18-year-old girls were first imprisoned for their refusal to undergo army induction. Isn't there a more humane way to deal with conscientious objectors?
The Settlers Won the Battle, but the War Isn't Over (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Despite what the Zionist left might be saying, the settler enterprise is still alive and, well, flourishing. If only we could say the same about the left.
Once Again, a Stifling of Voices in Israel (Talia Sasson, Haaretz+) It is up to us to keep our government in line and ensure political freedoms for all.
War: The school of life (Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen, Israel Hayom) The potential for public panic over the tunnel threat is greater than we think • We have trouble recognizing that there are threats for which we have no ideal solution • How did we reach a point where we expect a perfect response for every threat in war?
Don't Mess With Our Occupation (Friday Haaretz Editorial) Recent proposed legislation is not intended to fight Israel’s delegitimization in the world, but rather to silence those who object to the government.
For the Azaria family, the worst is still to come (Ariela Ringel Hoffman, Yedioth/Ynet) The decision to appeal the manslaughter conviction means a few more months in court for Elor Azaria. It also means that the grim circus we have witnessed so far will be replaced by a horror show courtesy of Adv. Yoram Sheftel and cause the entire affair to spiral out of control.
Saudis Head to Lebanese Ski Slopes but It's Hezbollah on the Slide (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) Riyadh's renewed ties with Beirut are no consolation for the cash-strapped Shi'ite terror organization.
Israel's Settlement Movement Isn’t Growing the Way You Thought It Was (Shaul Arieli, Haaretz+) The crowning glory of the enterprise, that great startup for making Palestinians and their national aspirations disappear, is based on natural growth in two ultra-Orthodox cities.
Azaria Leads, Lapid Follows (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) If the opinion polls are accurate, the Yesh Atid chairman could be Israel's next prime minister. That's what makes his views on Hebron shooter Elor Azaria all the more disturbing.
Interviews:
*Ami Ayalon: "Israeli society is led in by extremists who support a one-state solution"
A decade after he lost in a battle the leadership of the Labor Party, Ami Ayalon looks at Binyamin Netanyahu and Yair Lapid and doesn’t see any choice, but to go to battle for the public opinion before there is only one state here. (interviewed by Eyal Levy in Maariv Friday Magazine)
Ayalon, 71, is a strange bird. He describes himself as a leftist, but one that it’s really hard for the right-wing to curse after the extensive security past he has accumulated. A general in reserve military and a recipient of the Medal of Valor.
"(I’m a) confusing left-winger," he laughs. "I'm not trying to make myself out as a goody-two-shoes. I killed Arabs with a Kalashnikov from ten meters. I have sunk sea vessels, I have shot missiles. As head of the Shin Bet I tortured. I'm okay, I received the Israeli stamp. I don’t hate the settlers. The settlers are the successors of my parents path, my classmates sit (as settlers) in the Bikat Hayarden (Jordan Valley) and grow dates and grapes. We sent them, so I’m a strange leftist. "
Is there a partner?
"There is no need for a partner in order to create a reality of two states, you need a partner for peace. I do this in a simple way. In our movement we released a political plan. Let’s suppose there is no partner, but most polls say that 65% -70% of the Palestinians want an agreement. True that they also believe that only an armed intifada will help them achieve that...But never mind, let's say there’s no partner. Tomorrow morning, the prime minister, assuming that he believes in the idea, says a Jewish, democratic state, which requires a Jewish majority and therefore the future borders will be demographics. We have enough military power to determine Israel's security on that the border assures our identity. This means that from the security fence and eastward, we have no aspirations for national sovereignty. It’s true that is where the Jewish people was born and we want to continue to a reality where Jews live there, but now, in a political agreement, it will be a Palestinian state. The operational significance is that negotiations with a Palestinian partner will be on the basis of the '67 borders. The settlement blocs will be with us, but in exchange for territory. The second meaning is that from the fence to the east, we need to allow, not force, all those (Israeli) citizens to go home and to do so as victors who deserve compensation.”
But then there is Naftali Bennett, regulatory law. There are a lot of mines [that are obstacles to this two-state plan].
"I am going to say something that sounds harsh: there are between 15% and 20% [who oppose two-states] on the Israeli side and the Palestinian side. On their side it is mainly Hamas and on the Israeli side it is the fundamentalist ideologues who prefer the Land of Israel over the Zionism of a Jewish and democratic State of Israel. They influenced the Middle East and have led it for the last 20 years. The way to neutralize (them) is through leadership that existed in the periods of Rabin or Abu Mazen, when he was still popular. He was elected when he said that the intifada would lead nowhere. But the timing was off. Those who were dominant in those periods were the Americans. When I was head of the Shin Bet and we decreased the level of terror, it was through cooperation with the Palestinian security services, (Jibril) Rajoub and (Mohammed) Dahlan. They had no confidence in Barak and in Netanyahu, but they had confidence in the Americans. A political horizon will dramatically reduce the influence of extremists, it will return Hamas to its real dimensions as it will Jewish fundamentalism.”
What is your view of Netanyahu as a leader?
"He’s possibly the most talented politician I have ever known, definitely in the new political reality, but as a statesman he is a dismal failure from the start."
Over the last year, Ayalon is one of the strongest voices standing up for Breaking the Silence. He even financed support ads at his own expense.
"Israeli democracy is weak, because it has no constitution and no tradition," he says explaining his move. "The gatekeepers are more important here. When I was head of the Shin Bet, and the court decided to stop what we called ‘investigation permits’ and what others called ‘torture during interrogations,’ I told my people: “We will follow accordingly.’ What is of concern today is not only the erosion of democracy and its institutions, it is mainly the wearing out of the gatekeepers. Mechanisms of parties that are disappearing and the court system which is under attack. Today the army is the most moderate source (in society). Everything is upside down, so I take Breaking the Silence as an example.”
Excuse me?
"Yair Lapid, during the stabbings, said that any terrorist should end the event dead. I was shocked. Children hear that that’s what needs to be done from every politician who wants to be elected. So who is talking to them about morality? Breaking the Silence says there is no such thing as an enlightened occupation and this is their duty. They came to the conclusion not through the Department of Philosophy, but rather from when they were in the field.”
*Ami Ayalon: "Israeli society is led in by extremists who support a one-state solution"
A decade after he lost in a battle the leadership of the Labor Party, Ami Ayalon looks at Binyamin Netanyahu and Yair Lapid and doesn’t see any choice, but to go to battle for the public opinion before there is only one state here. (interviewed by Eyal Levy in Maariv Friday Magazine)
Ayalon, 71, is a strange bird. He describes himself as a leftist, but one that it’s really hard for the right-wing to curse after the extensive security past he has accumulated. A general in reserve military and a recipient of the Medal of Valor.
"(I’m a) confusing left-winger," he laughs. "I'm not trying to make myself out as a goody-two-shoes. I killed Arabs with a Kalashnikov from ten meters. I have sunk sea vessels, I have shot missiles. As head of the Shin Bet I tortured. I'm okay, I received the Israeli stamp. I don’t hate the settlers. The settlers are the successors of my parents path, my classmates sit (as settlers) in the Bikat Hayarden (Jordan Valley) and grow dates and grapes. We sent them, so I’m a strange leftist. "
Is there a partner?
"There is no need for a partner in order to create a reality of two states, you need a partner for peace. I do this in a simple way. In our movement we released a political plan. Let’s suppose there is no partner, but most polls say that 65% -70% of the Palestinians want an agreement. True that they also believe that only an armed intifada will help them achieve that...But never mind, let's say there’s no partner. Tomorrow morning, the prime minister, assuming that he believes in the idea, says a Jewish, democratic state, which requires a Jewish majority and therefore the future borders will be demographics. We have enough military power to determine Israel's security on that the border assures our identity. This means that from the security fence and eastward, we have no aspirations for national sovereignty. It’s true that is where the Jewish people was born and we want to continue to a reality where Jews live there, but now, in a political agreement, it will be a Palestinian state. The operational significance is that negotiations with a Palestinian partner will be on the basis of the '67 borders. The settlement blocs will be with us, but in exchange for territory. The second meaning is that from the fence to the east, we need to allow, not force, all those (Israeli) citizens to go home and to do so as victors who deserve compensation.”
But then there is Naftali Bennett, regulatory law. There are a lot of mines [that are obstacles to this two-state plan].
"I am going to say something that sounds harsh: there are between 15% and 20% [who oppose two-states] on the Israeli side and the Palestinian side. On their side it is mainly Hamas and on the Israeli side it is the fundamentalist ideologues who prefer the Land of Israel over the Zionism of a Jewish and democratic State of Israel. They influenced the Middle East and have led it for the last 20 years. The way to neutralize (them) is through leadership that existed in the periods of Rabin or Abu Mazen, when he was still popular. He was elected when he said that the intifada would lead nowhere. But the timing was off. Those who were dominant in those periods were the Americans. When I was head of the Shin Bet and we decreased the level of terror, it was through cooperation with the Palestinian security services, (Jibril) Rajoub and (Mohammed) Dahlan. They had no confidence in Barak and in Netanyahu, but they had confidence in the Americans. A political horizon will dramatically reduce the influence of extremists, it will return Hamas to its real dimensions as it will Jewish fundamentalism.”
What is your view of Netanyahu as a leader?
"He’s possibly the most talented politician I have ever known, definitely in the new political reality, but as a statesman he is a dismal failure from the start."
Over the last year, Ayalon is one of the strongest voices standing up for Breaking the Silence. He even financed support ads at his own expense.
"Israeli democracy is weak, because it has no constitution and no tradition," he says explaining his move. "The gatekeepers are more important here. When I was head of the Shin Bet, and the court decided to stop what we called ‘investigation permits’ and what others called ‘torture during interrogations,’ I told my people: “We will follow accordingly.’ What is of concern today is not only the erosion of democracy and its institutions, it is mainly the wearing out of the gatekeepers. Mechanisms of parties that are disappearing and the court system which is under attack. Today the army is the most moderate source (in society). Everything is upside down, so I take Breaking the Silence as an example.”
Excuse me?
"Yair Lapid, during the stabbings, said that any terrorist should end the event dead. I was shocked. Children hear that that’s what needs to be done from every politician who wants to be elected. So who is talking to them about morality? Breaking the Silence says there is no such thing as an enlightened occupation and this is their duty. They came to the conclusion not through the Department of Philosophy, but rather from when they were in the field.”
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.