APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday May 21, 2017
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Trump will ask Netanyahu and Abbas to take confidence-building steps during his visit
- Trump to Russia: The dismissal of the FBI chief took pressure off of me
- Rouhani defeated the religious conservative opponent by a landslide for second term as President
- Public Security Ministry poll points to increased violence in schools
- Ministers to discuss today appointment of lawyer who will look at confidential evidence in order to aid security detainees
- Prime Minister’s Office blocking street near Netanyahu’s Residence without a permit
- President of Brazil suspected of bribery crimes and obstruction of justice
- Thank you, America // Gideon Levy
- At Cannes, united Jerusalem forever // Omer Ben-Yaakov
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The way of the king (Photo of Saudi King putting gold necklace over head of Trump)
- The holiday of flattery // Shimon Shiffer
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Trump deals in the Middle East
- Rouhani won again in the election for presidency of Iran
- Chief of Staff: IDF commanders won’t be deterred by incitement
- State to pay Kadisha (burial company) hundreds of millions for the leaving 180 dunams of land in Pi Glilot
Israel Hayom
- Exclusive - “I’m working very hard so there will be peace” – Moment before his visit to Israel: Full interview of Israel Hayom Editor-in-Chief with Trump in Washington
- Special project - Ahead of Jerusalem Day
- Olmert, the confidential documents in his cell – and the punishment
Quick Hits:
- Islamic Jihad: Israel will bear responsibility if a Palestinian prisoner dies during the hunger strike - The Palestinian factions held a joint press conference Thursday and called for a day of rage to support the security prisoners' struggle: "We will not sit idly by." (Maariv)
- Hundreds of Palestinians Clash With Israeli Forces in West Bank and Gaza; Dozens Hurt - Eleven wounded by live fire in Gaza Friday , two of them seriously. In West Bank, dozens wounded after demonstrations of support for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel turn into confrontations with Israeli troops. (Haaretz and Ynet)
- Israeli Forces Arrest Palestinian Girl, 14, Carrying Knife in West Bank - Knife-wielding teenager attempts to cross Qalandiya military checkpoint Saturday in lane designated for vehicles, draws guards' attention. (Haaretz)
- Tractor set alight in Palestinian village in apparent hate crime - Less than a day after a settler shoots and kills a Palestinian rioter after he and his wife come under attack from an angry Palestinian mob, a suspect is captured on camera pulling up next to a tractor in a Nablus village and setting it on fire, while spraying the word 'Revenge' on the wall and picture of the Star of David. (Ynet)
- IDF works to forestall rise in violence during summer months - With tensions running high due to recent violence involving the deaths of Palestinians, the IDF and security services are stepping up efforts to calm tensions in flashpoint areas to avoid another wave of terror. (Ynet)
- IDF resurrects defunct Haruv as special operations unit -Absorbed into the Armored Corps 43 years ago, a mere eight years after it was created, the unit will now be housed within the Kfir Brigade; it is focused on urban warfare in Gaza and the West Bank. (Ynet)
- Poll: Most MKs support moving US Embassy to Jerusalem - Sample poll of 21 MKs shows 13 support moving embassy, with four supporting move only as part of peace plan • As Israel prepares for brief visit by U.S. President Donald Trump, ministers, opposition leader fear they won't get a chance to meet him. (Israel Hayom)
- Man Lightly Hurt in Stabbing in Jerusalem's Old City - Police say motive was likely criminal. (Haaretz)
- Data show High Court of Justice not that activist after all - Contrary to the claims of politicians, the High Court rarely intervenes in petitions against the government; a new study reveals that 87% of the petitions submitted between 1995 and 2016 were rejected. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- NIS 50 million elevator to the Western Wall - From the Jewish quarter to the holy site at the press of a button: The cabinet is expected to approve the construction of an elevator that will grant access to the Western Wall for people with disabilities and the elderly. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Over a Third of Israeli Teens Have Been Stabbed at School, Poll Finds - While most pupils ranked their sense of security at school higher than at other places, nearly half say they've been struck at school. (Haaretz+)
- Israel Prison Service denies former PM furloughs over classified documents in his possession - After classified documents were found in the possession of Ehud Olmert, who is currently serving a prison term for corruption, the IPS decided to punish him until further notice; for now, vacations and telephone calls are off the table. (Ynet)
- Classified documents found in former PM's cell - Materials suspected of being classified were seized from Ehud Olmert's cell; the Israel Prison Service is checking whether the materials relate to the book he is writing in prison. (Ynet)
- Memes of Minister's 'Jerusalem Dress' at Cannes Are the Best Thing on Israeli Internet - Israeli minister puts Jerusalem on dress, breaks Israeli internet. (Haaretz)
- Israeli olive products from Golan Heights sold in US Whole Foods Markets - Olea Essence's natural cleaning products are already on the shelves; its olive oil and cosmetics are set to follow suit. (Ynet)
- IDF invited to International Army Games competition in Russia - The IDF will send a delegation to compete in the fields of military medicine and logistics; annual competition allows countries to compete in fields of armor, paratroopers, military police and more. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- New IDF Spokesperson takes office - Brig. Gen. Ronen Manlis take over as the new IDF Spokesperson, replacing Maj. Gen. Moti Almoz, who will now serve as head of the Manpower Directorate; 'I take on the role of the IDF Spokesperson, understanding my responsibility, in awe of the position,' Manlis says. (Ynet)
- Israelis send medicine and other medical aid to Syrian children - The group Just Beyond Our Border raised over NIS 2 million in crowd funding campaigns to buy medical supplies for children suffering in Syria's civil war; 'This is our time to make a statement that the Syrian people are not our enemies. They're our neighbors, and as people we need to take care of them,' says one member. (Ynet)
- Iraqi Man Arrested in Lebanon for Being Israeli Spy, Report Says - The Iraqi was allegedly part of a 'sabotage network' that he also recruited his brother in Iraq to spy for Israel. (Haaretz)
- Israeli Company, Hurt by U.S. Troop Withdrawal From Iraq, Pivots and Returns to Profit - Plasan Sasa's annual sales have surpassed 1 billion shekels again; and it changed from being a company that makes armor for other companies' vehicles, to a provider of armored vehicles. (Haaretz)
- Why Does Sheriff David Clarke Sport an Israeli Traffic Police Pin? - David Clarke made headlines when he announced that Trump named him to a Homeland Security position. No less unusual than the Department's quick denial of his announcement is the sheriff's penchant for pins he didn't earn. (JTA, Haaretz)
- Video of Trump and Tillerson Dancing With Swords Is So Awkward It's Hilarious - This is probably the best video of Trump in Saudi Arabia you will see. (Haaretz)
- Trump on Building Wall on U.S.-Mexico Border: 'Walls Work, Just Ask Israel' - Trump repeated praise he offered throughout presidential campaign after a particularly rough week for U.S.-Israel relations. (Haaretz)
- Hezbollah Congratulates Iran's Rohani: Vote Shows Greatness of Islamic Rule in Area Ruled by Dictators - U.S. takes harsher tone, calling on Iran to cut ties to terror groups as Saudis urge Iran to stop ballistic missile tests. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
In the Trump Administration’s Favorite Settlement, Spirits Are Down
A visit to Beit El in the West Bank finds U.S. immigrants downbeat about the new president’s actions, after he promised so much during the election campaign. But as one settler notes, 'No American president can make much change here.’ (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
Women warriors: a look at the all-female IDF combat battalions
After male religious soldiers protested serving side by side with women, female religious combat soldiers decided to lay down the law, and so a unit composed entirely of female soldiers was opened in the Lavi Battalion; 'We did not plan this,' says a senior officer. 'The demand came from the women.' (Yossi Yehoshua, Yedioth/Ynet)
Palestinian-American Debut Novel Drives Home the Trauma of Exile
Hala Alyan's 'Salt Houses' is a family saga, although even the word 'saga' may be overly grand, since none of its characters are the makers of history: They are history’s victims. (David B. Green, Haaretz+)
“Battle full of errors”: The officer who broke into the Old City returns to the Wailing Wall
The great intel failure, the heavy fighting in urban areas, the injury and the blowing of the shofar. Brig. Gen. Uzi Eilam brings his personal story and remembers the decisive moments that changed the face of the state. (Eyal Levy, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
Trump’s Plan for Middle East Peace Is to Do the Opposite of Everything Obama Did (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) Crazy as it may sound, Trump's haphazard approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may succeed where Obama's by-the-book route failed. Nine ways in which their tactics and strategies differ.
Negotiate With the Palestinian Hunger Strikers (Haaretz Editorial) Is it really in Israel's interest to descend into a third intifada instead of listening to the prisoners?
How we will use Trump's 15 hours here to show how difficult life is for us (Dror Rafael, Maariv) The line for security inspection at Ben Gurion airport, the modest requests at the Western Wall, and the harsh living conditions at the Prime Minister's Residence. The US President's lightning visit will be an opportunity to illustrate our suffering, as opposed to the spoiled Palestinians.
Netanyahu's Trump Dilemma May Resolve Itself During His Upcoming Mideast Trip (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) With scandals engulfing the White House, Trump seeks an elusive win in the Middle East.
Israel and Washington Want to Bury Trump’s Leak. But the Damage Is Done (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Trump's blunder probably helped Assad and Iran. Against that background − and rising tensions in the West Bank − Trump will field proposals to lower the flame.
Trump comes here to prove he can bring a deal, but he will fail (Ran Adelist, Maariv) The president will make a spectacular visit to the Middle East, where the only thing that interests him in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the desire to prove to the world that he is the only one who has managed to make an agreement. He won’t succeed.
Thank You, America (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Israel's guilty but America made it possible: Thanks to the U.S., we're celebrating the first 50 years of the occupation - and probably not the last.
What Happened to My pro-Israel Friends Proves There's Something Rotten in Israeli Airport Security (Alexander Yakobson, Haaretz+) What sort of sensitivity can be expected in conducting a physical search of Arab tourists when there are displays of such insensitivity while questioning Jewish tourists from England?
A better solution for Jerusalem (Kobi Richter, Yedioth/Ynet) Trump has a way of keeping his promise to move the US embassy without declaring that Jerusalem is Israel’s united capital: A US embassy for Israel in west Jerusalem and a US embassy for Palestine in east Jerusalem.
Unplanned: The places that Trump will visit during his visit symbolize his fickleness (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) Whoever determined where the president would visit during his stay in the region did a bad job. The leaders he will meet, the organizations attending their conferences and the audiences he will address will be a reminder of his image as a leader who has no coherent policy.
Even if Trump advances the peace process, without backing - does he have a future? (Udi Segal, Maariv) Three leaders, who are losing public confidence, are meeting in order to jump-start a serious and substantive political process. Will it end like the failures that echo in the past?
Trump Just Gave Billions of Dollars of Sophisticated Weapons to a State He Said Masterminded 9/11 (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) If he can change his mind so violently on Saudi Arabia, what guarantees can he give Israel?
Separating the Sheep From the Goats in Israel's Opposition (Ravit Hecht, Haaretz+) A tour of the West Bank settlement blocs divided the Zionist Union party down the middle. It’s baffling why party leader Isaac Herzog, who led this misbegotten visit, is still leader of the opposition.
Trump Peace Deal? No Thanks (Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Haaretz) No Israeli-Palestinian deal brokered by Donald Trump can be trusted because the man himself can’t be trusted and neither can his word.
The meaning of self-determination (Jonathan S. Tobin, Israel Hayom) Trump's peace efforts are likely to fail given that the core of the conflict is not about real estate but whether the Palestinians will accept a Jewish state.
In Response Why Ehud Barak's 'Responsible Left' Argument Won't Convince Israelis (Micah Goodman, Haaretz+) Micah Goodman responds to Ehud Barak's review of his book 'Catch-67': Someone who aspires to lead the public should know where the public stands
No ideology, no vision (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) One of the arguments voiced by the Israeli Left is that the Right has no clear policy. As a matter of fact, there are many thoughts and ideas on the table, on many tables—apart from the Israeli government’s table. The leadership’s top priority appears to be the media, followed by minor issues like American pressure and policy.
It’s the West’s Turn Now That Rohani Has Won in Iran (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) It's especially Europe’s chance to face up to Trump's brutal policy of sanctions and make Iran a diplomatic and economic partner.
Special report: The troubling scale of bribery and corruption in Israel's security deals (Yossi Melman, Maariv) The Ministry of Defense is troubled by the publication of the OECD report, which is expected to indicate that not enough was done to eliminate bribes in trade transactions. And also: thousands of reservists support the consensus.
In Whom Can Israelis Now Trust? (Samuel Heilman, Haaretz+) Israelis are dealing with graft and corruption at the highest levels at home, and lying and betrayals by their ‘best friend’, the U.S. president. There’s no better recipe for insecurity and political disaffection.
An American president in the service of BDS (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Obama, unlike Trump, knew that the ‘one-state solution’—which is supported by both the anti-Israel boycott movement and by Israel’s radical right—will result in the demise of the Zionist vision. Trump has absolutely no idea.
Alone at the Western Wall (Friday Haaretz Editorial) There is only one way to international recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital – making an agreement with the Palestinians to divide the land between two states, each of which will be able to set its capital in the holy city.
The Middle East's Optimistic About Trump's Visit. He Just Has to Stay On-script (Ilan Goldenberg, Haaretz) In DC, Trump is facing meltdown. In the Middle East, from Saudi Arabia to Israel, he's considered a welcome change. Can he keep the good vibes going?
Tillerson's political correctness (Yoram Ettinger, Israel Hayom) Will the Trump administration challenge diplomatic orthodoxy by relocating the American Embassy to Jerusalem, thus sparing the U.S. further erosion of its posture of deterrence?
Want to Move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem? You Should Move There First (Uri Misgav, Haaretz+) You should move there first. That’s what I would tell the hypocrites and preachers in Israel’s government who choose to live in Ra'anana, Tel Aviv or Caesaria.
The Lesson I Learned From the Holocaust (Yossi Klein, Haaretz+) The Shoah was unique, terrible and happened only once, but the processes that preceded it continue.
To be a free people in our own land—and free from fear (Yoram Yovell, Ynet) It is right and proper that the Israeli national anthem be sung at graduations from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; however, the panicked reaction to its possible exclusion doesn’t gel with the undeniable success story of the Zionist venture and the regional power that the State of Israel has become.
Republican Jewish Donors Wavering in Their Support of Trump (Allison Kaplan Sommer, Haaretz+) Decision to stall U.S. Embassy move to Jerusalem has some fundraisers dreaming of a President Pence.
Dangerous Times for Netanyahu (Iris Leal, Haaretz+) Netanyahu thought he removed a thorn when he got rid of Obama, but found himself lost in a grove of thistles
McMaster's Western Wall evasion (Ruthie Blum, Israel Hayom) The U.S. national security adviser's fumbled response about the Western Wall being "part of Israel" reflects his own unease with Israeli sovereignty, not Washington's position.
Democracy Won’t Die in the Darkness but in Broad Daylight (Guy Rolnik (Washington), Haaretz) President Donald Trump talks about being at war with the media, but a look behind the headlines shows it’s still all about the art of the deal.
Failure of Palestinian Inmates' Hunger Strike Would Be a Loss for Barghouti - and a Win for Hamas (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) An escalation of the strike could fuel tensions in the Gaza Strip, but a resolution seems to be hinging on one crucial matter.
Should Hebrew U. be renamed, too? (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom) The Hebrew University is a symbol of Zionism, and its Arab students and faculty share in the contributions it makes to the only democracy in the Middle East.
Even if Impeached Tomorrow, Trump Already Has a Middle East Legacy (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) The next administration is bound by the hefty arms deal he signed with Saudi Arabia, one that boosts the kingdom’s standing in the region - for better or worse.
A visit to Beit El in the West Bank finds U.S. immigrants downbeat about the new president’s actions, after he promised so much during the election campaign. But as one settler notes, 'No American president can make much change here.’ (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
Women warriors: a look at the all-female IDF combat battalions
After male religious soldiers protested serving side by side with women, female religious combat soldiers decided to lay down the law, and so a unit composed entirely of female soldiers was opened in the Lavi Battalion; 'We did not plan this,' says a senior officer. 'The demand came from the women.' (Yossi Yehoshua, Yedioth/Ynet)
Palestinian-American Debut Novel Drives Home the Trauma of Exile
Hala Alyan's 'Salt Houses' is a family saga, although even the word 'saga' may be overly grand, since none of its characters are the makers of history: They are history’s victims. (David B. Green, Haaretz+)
“Battle full of errors”: The officer who broke into the Old City returns to the Wailing Wall
The great intel failure, the heavy fighting in urban areas, the injury and the blowing of the shofar. Brig. Gen. Uzi Eilam brings his personal story and remembers the decisive moments that changed the face of the state. (Eyal Levy, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
Trump’s Plan for Middle East Peace Is to Do the Opposite of Everything Obama Did (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) Crazy as it may sound, Trump's haphazard approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may succeed where Obama's by-the-book route failed. Nine ways in which their tactics and strategies differ.
Negotiate With the Palestinian Hunger Strikers (Haaretz Editorial) Is it really in Israel's interest to descend into a third intifada instead of listening to the prisoners?
How we will use Trump's 15 hours here to show how difficult life is for us (Dror Rafael, Maariv) The line for security inspection at Ben Gurion airport, the modest requests at the Western Wall, and the harsh living conditions at the Prime Minister's Residence. The US President's lightning visit will be an opportunity to illustrate our suffering, as opposed to the spoiled Palestinians.
Netanyahu's Trump Dilemma May Resolve Itself During His Upcoming Mideast Trip (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) With scandals engulfing the White House, Trump seeks an elusive win in the Middle East.
Israel and Washington Want to Bury Trump’s Leak. But the Damage Is Done (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Trump's blunder probably helped Assad and Iran. Against that background − and rising tensions in the West Bank − Trump will field proposals to lower the flame.
Trump comes here to prove he can bring a deal, but he will fail (Ran Adelist, Maariv) The president will make a spectacular visit to the Middle East, where the only thing that interests him in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the desire to prove to the world that he is the only one who has managed to make an agreement. He won’t succeed.
Thank You, America (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Israel's guilty but America made it possible: Thanks to the U.S., we're celebrating the first 50 years of the occupation - and probably not the last.
What Happened to My pro-Israel Friends Proves There's Something Rotten in Israeli Airport Security (Alexander Yakobson, Haaretz+) What sort of sensitivity can be expected in conducting a physical search of Arab tourists when there are displays of such insensitivity while questioning Jewish tourists from England?
A better solution for Jerusalem (Kobi Richter, Yedioth/Ynet) Trump has a way of keeping his promise to move the US embassy without declaring that Jerusalem is Israel’s united capital: A US embassy for Israel in west Jerusalem and a US embassy for Palestine in east Jerusalem.
Unplanned: The places that Trump will visit during his visit symbolize his fickleness (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) Whoever determined where the president would visit during his stay in the region did a bad job. The leaders he will meet, the organizations attending their conferences and the audiences he will address will be a reminder of his image as a leader who has no coherent policy.
Even if Trump advances the peace process, without backing - does he have a future? (Udi Segal, Maariv) Three leaders, who are losing public confidence, are meeting in order to jump-start a serious and substantive political process. Will it end like the failures that echo in the past?
Trump Just Gave Billions of Dollars of Sophisticated Weapons to a State He Said Masterminded 9/11 (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) If he can change his mind so violently on Saudi Arabia, what guarantees can he give Israel?
Separating the Sheep From the Goats in Israel's Opposition (Ravit Hecht, Haaretz+) A tour of the West Bank settlement blocs divided the Zionist Union party down the middle. It’s baffling why party leader Isaac Herzog, who led this misbegotten visit, is still leader of the opposition.
Trump Peace Deal? No Thanks (Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Haaretz) No Israeli-Palestinian deal brokered by Donald Trump can be trusted because the man himself can’t be trusted and neither can his word.
The meaning of self-determination (Jonathan S. Tobin, Israel Hayom) Trump's peace efforts are likely to fail given that the core of the conflict is not about real estate but whether the Palestinians will accept a Jewish state.
In Response Why Ehud Barak's 'Responsible Left' Argument Won't Convince Israelis (Micah Goodman, Haaretz+) Micah Goodman responds to Ehud Barak's review of his book 'Catch-67': Someone who aspires to lead the public should know where the public stands
No ideology, no vision (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) One of the arguments voiced by the Israeli Left is that the Right has no clear policy. As a matter of fact, there are many thoughts and ideas on the table, on many tables—apart from the Israeli government’s table. The leadership’s top priority appears to be the media, followed by minor issues like American pressure and policy.
It’s the West’s Turn Now That Rohani Has Won in Iran (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) It's especially Europe’s chance to face up to Trump's brutal policy of sanctions and make Iran a diplomatic and economic partner.
Special report: The troubling scale of bribery and corruption in Israel's security deals (Yossi Melman, Maariv) The Ministry of Defense is troubled by the publication of the OECD report, which is expected to indicate that not enough was done to eliminate bribes in trade transactions. And also: thousands of reservists support the consensus.
In Whom Can Israelis Now Trust? (Samuel Heilman, Haaretz+) Israelis are dealing with graft and corruption at the highest levels at home, and lying and betrayals by their ‘best friend’, the U.S. president. There’s no better recipe for insecurity and political disaffection.
An American president in the service of BDS (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Obama, unlike Trump, knew that the ‘one-state solution’—which is supported by both the anti-Israel boycott movement and by Israel’s radical right—will result in the demise of the Zionist vision. Trump has absolutely no idea.
Alone at the Western Wall (Friday Haaretz Editorial) There is only one way to international recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital – making an agreement with the Palestinians to divide the land between two states, each of which will be able to set its capital in the holy city.
The Middle East's Optimistic About Trump's Visit. He Just Has to Stay On-script (Ilan Goldenberg, Haaretz) In DC, Trump is facing meltdown. In the Middle East, from Saudi Arabia to Israel, he's considered a welcome change. Can he keep the good vibes going?
Tillerson's political correctness (Yoram Ettinger, Israel Hayom) Will the Trump administration challenge diplomatic orthodoxy by relocating the American Embassy to Jerusalem, thus sparing the U.S. further erosion of its posture of deterrence?
Want to Move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem? You Should Move There First (Uri Misgav, Haaretz+) You should move there first. That’s what I would tell the hypocrites and preachers in Israel’s government who choose to live in Ra'anana, Tel Aviv or Caesaria.
The Lesson I Learned From the Holocaust (Yossi Klein, Haaretz+) The Shoah was unique, terrible and happened only once, but the processes that preceded it continue.
To be a free people in our own land—and free from fear (Yoram Yovell, Ynet) It is right and proper that the Israeli national anthem be sung at graduations from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; however, the panicked reaction to its possible exclusion doesn’t gel with the undeniable success story of the Zionist venture and the regional power that the State of Israel has become.
Republican Jewish Donors Wavering in Their Support of Trump (Allison Kaplan Sommer, Haaretz+) Decision to stall U.S. Embassy move to Jerusalem has some fundraisers dreaming of a President Pence.
Dangerous Times for Netanyahu (Iris Leal, Haaretz+) Netanyahu thought he removed a thorn when he got rid of Obama, but found himself lost in a grove of thistles
McMaster's Western Wall evasion (Ruthie Blum, Israel Hayom) The U.S. national security adviser's fumbled response about the Western Wall being "part of Israel" reflects his own unease with Israeli sovereignty, not Washington's position.
Democracy Won’t Die in the Darkness but in Broad Daylight (Guy Rolnik (Washington), Haaretz) President Donald Trump talks about being at war with the media, but a look behind the headlines shows it’s still all about the art of the deal.
Failure of Palestinian Inmates' Hunger Strike Would Be a Loss for Barghouti - and a Win for Hamas (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) An escalation of the strike could fuel tensions in the Gaza Strip, but a resolution seems to be hinging on one crucial matter.
Should Hebrew U. be renamed, too? (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom) The Hebrew University is a symbol of Zionism, and its Arab students and faculty share in the contributions it makes to the only democracy in the Middle East.
Even if Impeached Tomorrow, Trump Already Has a Middle East Legacy (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) The next administration is bound by the hefty arms deal he signed with Saudi Arabia, one that boosts the kingdom’s standing in the region - for better or worse.
Interviews:
Amos Oz wants to talk
Israeli author Amos Oz, strongly affiliated with the Israeli Left, talks about the profound tension between the divided camps in Israel. "Tell your readers that Amos Oz is seeking an audience with those who do not share his views," he tells Israel Hayom. (Interviewed by Dror Eydar in Israel Hayom)
'My Daughter Would Come Home From School Asking Me, Dad, Why Do You Hate Jews?'
Lancet editor-in-chief Richard Horton was branded an anti-Semite and anti-Israeli three years ago. Here's what he had to say after publishing an issue singing the praises of Israel's health system. (Interviewed in Haaretz+ by Ronny Linder-Ganz and Dafna Maor)
The president has faith in me'
New U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman feels quite at home here, and says he was appointed because President Donald Trump trusts him, not because he is Jewish • In his first interview as ambassador, Friedman discusses Trump's upcoming visit. (Interviewed by Shlomo Cesana and Erez Linn in Israel Hayom)
Amos Oz wants to talk
Israeli author Amos Oz, strongly affiliated with the Israeli Left, talks about the profound tension between the divided camps in Israel. "Tell your readers that Amos Oz is seeking an audience with those who do not share his views," he tells Israel Hayom. (Interviewed by Dror Eydar in Israel Hayom)
'My Daughter Would Come Home From School Asking Me, Dad, Why Do You Hate Jews?'
Lancet editor-in-chief Richard Horton was branded an anti-Semite and anti-Israeli three years ago. Here's what he had to say after publishing an issue singing the praises of Israel's health system. (Interviewed in Haaretz+ by Ronny Linder-Ganz and Dafna Maor)
The president has faith in me'
New U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman feels quite at home here, and says he was appointed because President Donald Trump trusts him, not because he is Jewish • In his first interview as ambassador, Friedman discusses Trump's upcoming visit. (Interviewed by Shlomo Cesana and Erez Linn in Israel Hayom)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.