News Nosh 3.21.17

by APN 03/21/17
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APN's daily news review from Israel
Tuesday March 21, 2017
 
Quote of the day:
"In short, at least one clear rule can be concluded: If you’re successful, in any field, we’ll call you an Israeli—even if the most Israeli thing you’ve ever done is eat falafel at a stand in Paris."
--Top Yedioth political commentator, Sima Kadmon, examines 'who is Israeli' after an 'Israeli' baseball team no one heard of before won a string of games internationally.*

You Must Be Kidding: 
Israel evicted the settlers from Amona last month because the unauthorized outpost had been put up on private Palestinian land. But Haaretz+ discovered that Palestinians are not allowed to access the land - only Israelis.**

Front Page:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
  • The crisis of Geula (Even-Saar) – Netanyahu: “Take tougher stances against Kahlon”; Opposes hiring wife of his opponent to be the anchorwoman of Israel Public Broadcasting Corp
  • The revolution was completed // TV Commentator Einav Shiff on how all three Israeli TV stations have female anchorwomen
  • The good ones (female) go to the media // Miki Chaimovich, the first Israeli female anchorwoman
  • Revolutionary bill: Parents can have sperm removed from fallen IDF soldiers after their death
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
  • “The most dangerous missile since the Gulf War”
  • Shin Bet head: “The calm is deceptive, Hamas is trying to make attacks ahead of Passover”
  • The situation is actually good // Yossi Melman
  • The salary revolution for career soldiers
  • The (Israel Public Broadcasting) Corp crisis: Waiting for Netanyahu
  • Strategic attack // Ben Caspit
  • In the end, Bibi will win // Yitzhak Ben-Ner
Israel Hayom
  • Another defense: “David’s Sling” – Wage increase for  career soldiers
  • Netanyahu to rule on (Broadcasting) Corp after his return from China
  • Good news - Bloomberg ranking: Israeli 9th most healthy country; UN ranking: Israel 11th most happy country
  • Checkpoint founder warns: Many apps are spy programs; Did you download a flashlight? You are exposed
News Summary:
Angry at the appointment of the wife of a political rival as the anchor for the yet-to-be launched Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC), Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu sets new demands to resolve the coalition crisis with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon an IAF investigation revealed that the Syrian missile shot into Israel carried 200 kilograms of explosives making top news in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
 
Netanyahu, who is in China to boost trade ties, was reportedly livid over the news that journalist Geula Even-Saar — wife of his political rival Gideon Sa'ar, was appointed to anchor the main news broadcast of the IPBC, which he doesn’t even want to launch. He told his associates to harden their stance in negotiations with Kahlon. But earlier, Israel's President Rivlin called Netanyahu’s threat to call early election 'insane' and an 'artificial crisis,' and said that dismantling the government over the IPC while Israel faces greater problems is 'completely unnecessary.'

The 200 kilo missile, which was intercepted by Israel’s Arrow defense system, was projected to hit the Jordan Valley. The Syrians shot at Israeli F-16s, which were returning from an attack on an arms convoy inside Syria. Syria’s ambassador to the UN said Monday that Russia has sent a clear message to Israel that Israel no longer has the freedom to act in Syrian skies. With these tensions rising on the northern border, Israel’s Air Force officially inaugurated the David's Sling missile defense system for operational use.
 
Quick Hits:
  • **Palestinians, not Israelis, being kept off land of evacuated West Bank outpost - Israel evicted the settlers from Amona last month because the unauthorized outpost had been put up on private Palestinian land. (Haaretz+) 
  • Israeli Authorities Were Unaware of Jerusalem City Limits When Shuttering Palestinian Mapping Office - Police believed the office was operating from within the city limits, when it is in fact in the West Bank. It was only after the center's director was questioned that the police learned of its error. (Haaretz+) 
  • Israel okays law restricting NGO funding of political campaigns - The legislation's declared intention is to make it harder for individuals to invest large sums of money to influence elections, but NGOs fear it would make it hard to promote public campaigns. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
  • Israel sets to annex disputed maritime border area - The dispute between Israel and Lebanon over the maritime border between them has been going on for years, with both countries claiming a specific area as part of their territory; Now, Israel plans to propose a bill that includes the aforementioned area as part of its own territory—and as such, under its sovereignty. (Ynet)
  • Israeli Ministry Trying to Compile Database of Citizens Who Support BDS - Senior officials say attorney general vehemently opposes Minister Gilad Erdan's bid, arguing his ministry has no legal authority to collect information on Israelis. (Haaretz+) 
  • Hillel Ousts Jewish LGBTQ Group for Teaming Up With Pro-boycott Organization - B'nai Keshet says that after collaborating with Jewish Voice for Peace, its members are no longer eligible for Hillel funding, counseling services or subsidized kosher food. (Haaretz+)
  • "Fighting the lies of the Palestinians": The ambassadors of UNESCO were brought on a tour of the Temple Mount - Israel's representative in the international organization, led his colleagues from around the world as part of a hasbara (propaganda) campaign by the Foreign Ministry and introduced them to the complex reality in Israel. "The visit will bear fruit in the upcoming vote." (Maariv and Israel Hayom)
  • Cop caught on tape beating Israeli-Ethiopian soldier offered plea bargain - Officer has until April to accept the deal or face assault indictment in case that sparked nationwide protests. (Haaretz) 
  • Previously deemed not kosher, Venezuelan Jews to arrive in Israel this week - Israel initially refused to accept the nine converts, whose remote Venezuela area suffers shortages of food and medicine. (Haaretz+)
  • Israeli authorities renew order to confiscate Palestinian lands in Qalqiliya - Jayyus Mayor Ghassan Harami told Wafa that local Palestinian farmers received the order Monday morning, noting that a similar order was issued four years ago for the same land, which he estimated to represent 169 dunams (41.76 acres). (Maan)
  • Israel Police question Netanyahu's attorney in graft cases - Attorney David Shimron speaking to police on allegations that tycoons purchased gifts for the Netanyahus, as well as a separate investigation into allegations of media manipulation. (Haaretz) 
  • Israel's Army Chief: Hezbollah Commander Mustafa Badreddine Killed by His Own Men - Killing of Mustafa Amine Badreddine last year shows the 'depth of the internal crisis within Hezbollah,' Gadi Eisenkot says. (Haaretz) 
  • Israel Is 8Th Most Powerful Country in the World, Survey Says - U.S., Russia and China are the three most powerful; Switzerland and Canada are top two 'Best Countries Overall,' where Israel is No. 30. (Haaretz) 
  • Expert: "Artificial island in Gaza is possible, but the leadership there does not want to help citizens" - Professor Arnon Sofer supports Minister Yisrael Katz’s idea and explains: "The coast in Gaza is very shallow and allows ideal conditions. It will also benefit Israel.” (Maariv) 
  • Burial Boxes Marked With Jesus' Name Revealed in Jerusalem Archaeological Warehouse - These boxes weren't 'his.' Yeshu, Jesus, was a common name in antiquity, authorities explain. (Agencies, Haaretz) 
  • Israeli forces detain 18 Palestinians for being in WhatsApp group - Israeli police spokeswoman Luba al-Samri said in a statement on Sunday that the detained were all members of a group called “Road to heaven” on the messaging application, which she said was used to share religious messages. (Maan) 
  • Israel prosecutes 2 Palestinians, including journalist for alleged ‘Facebook incitement’ - Israeli authorities issued a list of charges against Jerusalemite journalist Muhammad Batroukh and extended his detention until Tuesday, while an Israeli judge sentenced Walid Rajabi to 10 months of actual imprisonment over charges of incitement via Facebook. (Maan) 
  • Group: 500 Palestinian prisoners now serving life sentences in Israeli custody - A Palestinian was sentenced to life in prison on Sunday, making him the 500th Palestinian currently serving a life sentence in Israeli custody, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Center for Studies said. (Maan) 
  • PPS: Israeli authorities medically neglecting 2 Palestinians held in Nafha prison - Shadi al-Hawi was detained in 2004 while attempting to leave the besieged Gaza Strip to Germany in order to receive medical care due to "a shard in his head," and has been waiting to undergo surgery ever since, the statement said. (Maan)
  • Israeli Supreme Court to hold session over release of slain Palestinians’ bodies - Families of the deceased Palestinians are fighting for the right to bury their sons. The appeal included a demand for the release of the bodies of Abd al-Hamid Abu Srour and Misbah Abu Sbeih, who were both killed while carrying out attacks on Israelis. (Maan) 
  • Israelis' health and happiness among highest in world - World Happiness Report ranks Israelis as 11th happiest in the world. Forbes finds 18 Israelis are among world's richest people. Bloomberg report says Israelis healthier than those living in other Middle Eastern nations, ninth healthiest in the world. (Israel Hayom)
  • Palestinian women try to bring baseball to Gaza - In soccer-crazy Middle East, baseball slowly growing in popularity. Iraq has a national team, Egypt boasts a baseball and softball federation. Coach says local tailors used the only baseball glove in Gaza to make replicas out of black fabric. (Agencies, Israel Hayom) 
  • Palestinian Officer Killed in Shoot-out at West Bank Refugee Camp - Plainclothes officer shot in head in gun battle with wanted men in Balata, near Nablus. (Haaretz+ and Maan) 
  • Protesters in Ramallah denounce Swiss anti-BDS bill - Protesters organized a sit-in on Monday in front of the Swiss mission in Ramallah to denounce a bill seeking to halt government funding for organizations that support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. (Maan) 
  • Jordan court rejects US extradition request for Sbarro terrorist - Court upholds previous decision not to extradite Ahlam Tamimi, who helped carry out a 2001 attack in Jerusalem that claimed the lives of 15 people, including Americans. (Ynet) 
  • Lebanese journalist: ‘Why doesn’t Israel liquidate Nasrallah?’ - Lebanese Journalist Maria Maalouf, known for her anti-Hezbollah stance stirred quite a public uproar following a series of tweets: ‘If Israel considers Nasrallah an enemy, why has it not carried out an airstrike to relieve us of him?’ (Ynet) 
  • Egypt's Sissi to Bring Up Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process in Trump Meeting - Sissi and Abbas meet in Cairo after months of strained relations due to Egypt's willingness to move ahead on a regional agreement with Israel and the U.S. (Haaretz+) 
  • Russia Sets Up New Military Base in North Syria, Kurds Say - Russian forces to offer military training to Kurdish YPG militia as part of deal likely to anger neighboring Turkey; Moscow denies establishing military base. (Agencies, Haaretz) 
  • Iran's supreme leader calls gender equality 'a Zionist conspiracy' - Addressing a gathering of religious eulogists celebrating Iran's National Women's and Mothers' Day, Ayatollah Khamenei attacked the West's and Israel's ideas of women's rights and gender equality, claiming they undermine women's God-granted position as housewives. (Ynet) 
  • Oscar winner Asghar Farhadi on Israel-Iran conflict: 'My only hope is in people, not politicians' - Iranian filmmaker tells Haaretz why he gives women more credit than men and how the desire for change sometimes leads to disaster. (Haaretz+) 
  • Israel, U.S. Trying to Persuade Western Countries to Oppose Five anti-Israel UN Resolutions - The motions are slated for Human Rights Council vote on Friday. Israeli official says Palestinians have an automatic majority, but hopes Europe will vote against them. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom) 
  • Five Foreign Diplomats to Address AIPAC Conference This Weekend - Lineup includes the ambassadors to the U.S. from Azerbaijan and Singapore, both of which Netanyahu recently visited. (Haaretz+)
 
Commentary/Analysis:
Israel Must Prevent the North From Flaring Up (Haaretz Editorial) So far Israel has been able to avoid getting caught up in the Syrian civil war. Now it seems as if the situation has gotten more complicated, and it must weigh its moves carefully to prevent hostilities. 
*Who is an Israeli? One who succeeds (Sima Kadmon, Yedioth/Ynet) You don’t have to live here and you don’t even need Israeli citizenship. If you’re successful, in any field, we’ll call you an Israeli—even if the most Israeli thing you’ve ever done is eat falafel in Paris.
Israel's foreign policy test (Zalman Shoval, Israel Hayom) Nationalists in Europe, Asia and America are not all cut from the same cloth, and not all anti-Islam parties are pro-Israel.
What Are You Rejoicing About? (Emilie Moatti, Haaretz+) How long will the discourse use tools that most people, Ashkenazi and Mizrahi, can’t understand? 
Strategic attack: Appointment of Geula Even-Sa'ar is seen at Balfour (by Netanyahu and wife) as a declaration of war (Ben Caspit, Maariv) In the midst of negotiations for a compromise between the finance minister's "confidants" and "the prime minister's associates," a statement was issued that shuffled the cards and may lead to elections. [Anchorwoman Geula Even-Saar is married to Netanyahu’s Likud rival Gideon Sa’ar. – OH] There is now complete chaos. 
Do anti-Trump Feminists Value Terrorists More Than Jewish Women? (Marisa Fox-Bevilacqua, Haaretz) Why prioritize the obsessive slandering of Zionism that has nothing to do with the daily assault we face as American women under Trump?
Pro-Israel media also exists (Smadar Bat Adam, Israel Hayom) Canadian journalist Faith Goldy drew attention around the world with her video busting common myths about Israel that have been spread by the hostile global media. 
The Silence of Israeli Academics (Chen Misgav, Haaretz+) Israelis must be courageous, not out of fear they might be boycotted abroad, but because hunkering down in the ivory tower is unethical if academic freedom doesn’t apply to everyone.
The battle over the next war (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) Iran and Hezbollah are trying to turn Lebanon into a second front in their fight against Israel, even as Hezbollah and the Lebanese live in fear that Israel will demolish Lebanon in its efforts to snuff out the terror group. As they try to stock up on advanced weapons, Israel goes on the attack. 
Who's in Favor of Liquidating the News Corporation? (Nehemia Shtrasler, Haaretz+) Under Netanyahu's conditions the regime will decide who runs the new broadcasting corporation and what its budget will be. That’s not a free press - that’s North Korea.
Israel should develop economic ties with China, but with open eyes (Oded Eran, Yedioth/Ynet) In his visit to Beijing this week, Prime Minister Netanyahu must use all his diplomatic skills to maneuver between three different and conflicting interests—the economic reality, China’s hybrid economy and the US-China trade war on the horizon.
A new coalition or a new coalition order? (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom) Netanyahu's threat to hold new elections caused many to scratch their heads, as party leaders do not want elections, not even in the opposition. This may well be a bid to rein in his cabinet and put his ministers in line.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.

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