APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday June 19, 2017
Quote of the day:
"This week five women were murdered in Israel, the last of them was murdered by terrorists. The IDF raided
the village, imposed a curfew on it, a strong immediate response that came quickly and forcefully. It’s possible to
argue about its effectiveness. Last week another four women were murdered by terrorists, but of a different kind.
Their spouses. The men who did not manage to commit suicide have been arrested – and that’s it. There is a huge gap
between the harsh response to terror and the lack of any response to terror perpetrated by a family
member."
--Channel 10 News anchorwoman, Oshrat Kotler, opened the nightly news program with a monologue comparing between the government’s reactions this week to the killing of a Border Policewoman and the killing of four other women by their family members. (Maariv)
--Channel 10 News anchorwoman, Oshrat Kotler, opened the nightly news program with a monologue comparing between the government’s reactions this week to the killing of a Border Policewoman and the killing of four other women by their family members. (Maariv)
Front Page:
Haaretz
- IDF speeds up camera placements in West Bank and plans to observe all junctions
- [Main photo: Female Border Police officers do body search on Palestinian women at Damascus Gate over weekend]
- Netanyahu checked by a poll what is seen as a legitimate reason to dissolve the government before he dismissed Livni and Lapid
- (Attorney General) Mendelblit: It’s permissible to search cellular phone of suspect even without court order
- What is the significance of agreement if a reasonable persona does not understand what information is buried in his cellular phone // Revital Hovel
- Iran launched missiles at ISIS bases in Syria in response to attack in Teheran
- In the security establishment, they are disassociating themselves from the raid on Yedioth publishing house
- Indictment: They murdered their relative because they didn’t want her to go out with men
- Israeli researchers discovered the mechanism that is apparently significant in the development of Alzheimers
- Thanks to suspicion // Aluf Benn
- The racist gene // B. Michael
Yedioth Ahronoth
- One fate [Main Photo: Fathers of killed Border Police soldiers, Hadas Malka and Hadar Cohen, hug]
- “Israel is funding the rebels in Syria”
- Grinding up the justice // Ben-Dror Yemini on police raid of Yedioth publishing house
- Changes in nutrition habits: hummous and lentils in, red meat out
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Netanyahu about the expansion of Qalqilya: “I don’t remember the decision”
- Olmert against the State Prosecutor: “They made me into a traitor”
- (State Prosecutor) Shai Nitzan, this is a new low // Ben Caspit
- Exceptional treatment // Yossi Melman
- The Hummer flipped over, the commander was killed
- The Iranian revenge – Revolutionary Guards announced they attacked in targets in Syria
- Tax exemption on online products expected to increase to $100
Israel Hayom
- Police present: Personal alarm – new project to protect citizens and prevent crimes
- In rare move: License of Prof. Shimon Silwin was revoked after performing two experimental treatments
- Parting with a salute – More than a thousand people parted from Chief sergeant Hadas Malka, who was murdered at Damascus Gate
- Hundreds attended burial of Sgt. Yuval Mana, who was killed in an accident in Kisufim
- Olmert’s release: Decision next week; State Prosecutor: Suspicion that he harmed state security
- Elections to French Parliament: Victory for Macron; Meir Haviv was elected for another term
News Summary:
Who gave the order to raid former prime minister Ehud Olmert’s publisher, wondered reporters, just before Olmert asked for early release yesterday and how did Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ‘forget’ he agreed to expand the Palestinian city of Qalqilya, wondered the settlers, who demanded the plan be cancelled making the main stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers along with more eulogies for the female Border Police soldier, Hadas Malka, who was killed by a Palestinian assailant, and for Sgt. Yuval Mana, who was killed when his military jeep flipped over. Also in the news, a Wall Street Journal report that Israel was directly aiding ‘friendly’ Syrian rebels and an Iranian report that Iran shot missiles at ISIS rebels in Syria. And, the latest on the attempts to process peace.
Jailed former prime minister Ehud Olmert will only find out at the end of the month whether his request to commute the customary one third of his sentence was accepted, and he has accused the State Prosecutor’s Office of turning him into a “traitor” for opposing his early release over suspicions that he had leaked classified information that was to be included in his upcoming memoir. (Maariv) But Israeli commentators were more concerned about the police raid on the publisher house in search of material that may not been submitted to the military censor. The considered the raid worrying and the State Prosecutor's demand exceptional. Haaretz reported that law enforcement agencies were all trying to disassociate themselves from the raid. Israel's Press Council has demanded that Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit and State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan that they explain the raid on the publishing hous, Yedioth reported.
Meanwhile, right-wing leaders and settlers were trying to get a plan to build 14,000 housing units in an the West Bank city of Qalqilya scrapped. The decision was made in October 2016, as part of Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman's 'carrot and stick policy,' but a number of hardline ministers were not present.
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Jason Greenblatt, arrives in Israel today and Jared Kushner, President Trump's son in law and senior adviser, will arrive on Wednesday to help restart the peace process. The two will meet with both Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. A White House official told Israel Hayom that peace was a top priority for Trump.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu urged the world to follow his latest demand that the Palestinian Authority (PA) stop paying families of Palestinian security prisoners. He also blasted the PA for not condemning the attack that killed Border Police soldier Hadas Malka. [Note: According to the Geneva Conventions, an occupied people have the right to take arms against security forces of the occupying country. Abbas never condemns attacks on Israeli security forces – only civilians. – OH]. Channel 10 News anchor, Oshrat Kotler, blasted the government for not dealing with 'terror by family members' against women as it does so swiftly with Palestinian terror. She singled out Culture Minister Miri Regev, writing:
"This week five women were murdered in Israel, the last of them was murdered by terrorists. The IDF raided the village, imposed a curfew on it, a strong immediate response that came quickly and forcefully. It’s possible to argue about its effectiveness. Last week another four women were murdered by terrorists, but of a different kind. Their spouses. The men who did not manage to commit suicide have been arrested – and that’s it. There is a huge gap between the harsh response to terror and the lack of any response to terror perpetrated by a family member. Fourteen women were murdered from the beginning of the year till today. The murder of women is not a decree from heaven, it’s not a tragedy that can’t be stopped. It’s a mark of shame on us as a society and a certificate of poverty of the government, especially of the women who are serving in it. At least one of them is engaged in silly shrieking about cultural trifles and gimmicks. This impotence is not only outrageous, it has a price tag and it is written in blood.” (Maariv) Regev responded on her Facebook page writing: "The link between criminal violence with a personal background and the nationalistic and religious terrorism that the State of Israel is dealing with is demagogic and distorted. Your monologue yesterday was offensive and violent, even when it is under a liberal guise and what you call cultural trifles, such as my battle against (Mahmoud) Darwish's poetry - I certainly consider terror infrastructures." (Maariv)
In two firsts, Iran fired missiles at militants in Syria, the first use of mid-range missiles in 30 years, and a US fighter jet shot down a Syrian army warplane over Raqqa. The Syrian army called the incident a 'flagrant attack' against a plane that was attacking ISIS militants, while the US said the jet had dropped bombs near US-backed forces. And, the New York Times reported that Israel was actively supporting 'friendly' Syrian rebels that were not allied with Assad and Iran.
Quick Hits:
Who gave the order to raid former prime minister Ehud Olmert’s publisher, wondered reporters, just before Olmert asked for early release yesterday and how did Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ‘forget’ he agreed to expand the Palestinian city of Qalqilya, wondered the settlers, who demanded the plan be cancelled making the main stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers along with more eulogies for the female Border Police soldier, Hadas Malka, who was killed by a Palestinian assailant, and for Sgt. Yuval Mana, who was killed when his military jeep flipped over. Also in the news, a Wall Street Journal report that Israel was directly aiding ‘friendly’ Syrian rebels and an Iranian report that Iran shot missiles at ISIS rebels in Syria. And, the latest on the attempts to process peace.
Jailed former prime minister Ehud Olmert will only find out at the end of the month whether his request to commute the customary one third of his sentence was accepted, and he has accused the State Prosecutor’s Office of turning him into a “traitor” for opposing his early release over suspicions that he had leaked classified information that was to be included in his upcoming memoir. (Maariv) But Israeli commentators were more concerned about the police raid on the publisher house in search of material that may not been submitted to the military censor. The considered the raid worrying and the State Prosecutor's demand exceptional. Haaretz reported that law enforcement agencies were all trying to disassociate themselves from the raid. Israel's Press Council has demanded that Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit and State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan that they explain the raid on the publishing hous, Yedioth reported.
Meanwhile, right-wing leaders and settlers were trying to get a plan to build 14,000 housing units in an the West Bank city of Qalqilya scrapped. The decision was made in October 2016, as part of Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman's 'carrot and stick policy,' but a number of hardline ministers were not present.
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Jason Greenblatt, arrives in Israel today and Jared Kushner, President Trump's son in law and senior adviser, will arrive on Wednesday to help restart the peace process. The two will meet with both Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. A White House official told Israel Hayom that peace was a top priority for Trump.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu urged the world to follow his latest demand that the Palestinian Authority (PA) stop paying families of Palestinian security prisoners. He also blasted the PA for not condemning the attack that killed Border Police soldier Hadas Malka. [Note: According to the Geneva Conventions, an occupied people have the right to take arms against security forces of the occupying country. Abbas never condemns attacks on Israeli security forces – only civilians. – OH]. Channel 10 News anchor, Oshrat Kotler, blasted the government for not dealing with 'terror by family members' against women as it does so swiftly with Palestinian terror. She singled out Culture Minister Miri Regev, writing:
"This week five women were murdered in Israel, the last of them was murdered by terrorists. The IDF raided the village, imposed a curfew on it, a strong immediate response that came quickly and forcefully. It’s possible to argue about its effectiveness. Last week another four women were murdered by terrorists, but of a different kind. Their spouses. The men who did not manage to commit suicide have been arrested – and that’s it. There is a huge gap between the harsh response to terror and the lack of any response to terror perpetrated by a family member. Fourteen women were murdered from the beginning of the year till today. The murder of women is not a decree from heaven, it’s not a tragedy that can’t be stopped. It’s a mark of shame on us as a society and a certificate of poverty of the government, especially of the women who are serving in it. At least one of them is engaged in silly shrieking about cultural trifles and gimmicks. This impotence is not only outrageous, it has a price tag and it is written in blood.” (Maariv) Regev responded on her Facebook page writing: "The link between criminal violence with a personal background and the nationalistic and religious terrorism that the State of Israel is dealing with is demagogic and distorted. Your monologue yesterday was offensive and violent, even when it is under a liberal guise and what you call cultural trifles, such as my battle against (Mahmoud) Darwish's poetry - I certainly consider terror infrastructures." (Maariv)
In two firsts, Iran fired missiles at militants in Syria, the first use of mid-range missiles in 30 years, and a US fighter jet shot down a Syrian army warplane over Raqqa. The Syrian army called the incident a 'flagrant attack' against a plane that was attacking ISIS militants, while the US said the jet had dropped bombs near US-backed forces. And, the New York Times reported that Israel was actively supporting 'friendly' Syrian rebels that were not allied with Assad and Iran.
Quick Hits:
- IDF Cleared Out Baladim, Right-wing Extremist Outpost - Baladim was considered the headquarters of the most extreme Jewish settlers in the West Bank. (Haaretz+)
- Yitzhar tries to get Hilltop (extremist settler) Youth in line - Following settler attack on IDF vehicle, agents of Shin Bet's Jewish (terrorism) Unit held a rare meeting with rabbis of Yitzhar. Now, the settlement's secretariat will require youth to sign document committing to adhere to instructions. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Parents of arrested (extremist settler) minor: 'We've no clue where our son is' - The parents of a minor whose remand was extended after being arrested last week for suspected nationalistically-motivated offenses, decry conduct of security forces in depriving him legal counsel; 'My son has been taken for a full week. We don’t know who by, where he is, who is taking care of him, what is happening to him or what they are doing to him.' (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Rioting injures three Israeli cops on Jerusalem's Temple Mount as tensions rise - Six residents of the Old City also arrested for throwing firebombs at Jewish homes in the Muslim Quarter. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
- Israel Speeds Up Camera Placements in West Bank in Effort to Deter Terrorism - The army says that the goal is to expand the system until there is a camera at every intersection and in as many Israeli vehicles in the territories as possible. (Haaretz+)
- Two families, one shared tragedy - As the Malka family sits Shiva and is still in deep mourning over the murder of Hadas, they find an unlikely source of comfort in the family of Hadar Cohen, the border policewoman who was murdered in a similar terror attack in 2016. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Old City attacker's uncle distances family from actions – says attacker was Fatah member, not Hamas - The families of two of the three who carried out Friday's attack that claimed the life of a 23-year-old Border Police officer express their shock to Ynet, claiming that they had no inkling the young men would carry out such atrocities. The family has expressed doubts regarding the details Israeli authorities released about the attack, and specifically do not believe that the attackers had guns. (Ynet)
- Israeli forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen in Gaza - The fishermen were forced to sail back to shore for fear of their lives, witnesses told Ma’an. Last month, Israeli forces shot and killed an unarmed Palestinian fisherman, Muhammad Majid Bakr,off Gaza's coast. (Maan)
- Palestinian injured after being chased by Israeli forces, causing his car to flip over - The sources said that an Israeli military vehicle aggressively pursued the man's vehicle, causing the driver to lose control of the car, which then flipped over. Israeli forces also prevented the Palestinian ambulance from accessing the scene for some time. (Maan)
- IDF Humvee topples over leaving 2 soldiers injured - Initial investigation indicates that IDF Humvee careened off the road after driver attempted to avoid crashing with a Palestinian vehicle being recklessly driven; two left in light-to-moderate condition; accident occurs less than 24 hours after another IDF Humvee flips over near Gaza, leaving 20-year-old Sgt. Yuval Maneh dead. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Israeli forces detain 2 B'Tselem field researchers in Hebron - The two were detained at a military checkpoint near the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron’s Old City while filming “severe restrictions on Palestinian movement” in the area, the NGO said. (Maan)
- Israeli forces denounced for 'fascist' assault on Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa - At least three Palestinians were injured from the Israeli police beating Sunday morning as extremist Jewish Israelis were allowed to tour the holy site. Several other Palestinians suffered from pepper spray and tear gas inhalation, and two Palestinians were also detained from the compound. (Maan)
- 'Under no circumstance will Jerusalem be divided' - Education Minister Naftali Bennett says now more than ever, Israel must act to protect Jerusalem • Bennett says bill requiring 80-MK majority to alter Jerusalem's status or divide the city especially important given recent attempts to restart peace talks. (Israel Hayom)
- Government to back bill expanding administrative courts' jurisdiction to West Bank settlements - The bill is one of several efforts by right-wing lawmakers to advance laws that in practice impose Israeli sovereignty on the settlements. (Haaretz+)
- A new initiative by right-wing MKs: the disengagement from northern Samaria will be canceled - MKs David Bitan (Likud) and Shuli Mualem (Habayit Hayehudi) will present a bill to cancel the prohibition of entering into northern Samaria in order to enable Jewish settlement in Homesh and Sa-Nur, settlements that were evacuated in 2005. (Maariv)
- Revealed: How Netanyahu Planned to Target Barack Obama in 2015 Election Ad - Prime Minister’s Likud party first conducted opinion polls, asking Israeli public their views on U.S. president and John Kerry. (Haaretz+)
- Cellphones may be searched without warrant, Israel's attorney general says - Avichai Mendelblit supports military prosecutors, who want Supreme Court to overrule decision barring IDF from searching soldiers’ phones. (Haaretz+)
- Relatives of Israeli-Arab woman charged with murdering her after divorce, fearing she would start dating - The killing is one of a series racking the Bedouin and wider Israeli Arab community. (Haaretz+, Maariv and Ynet)
- Last Reef in the World Likely to Be in Israeli Waters - 'Tough' corals in Gulf of Aqaba could survive the longest in warming seas, but only if pollution doesn't kill them first. (Haaretz+)
- Rabbi Popular With Evangelicals Tries to Push Trump Into Tougher Qatar Stance - International Fellowship for Christians and Jews launches its first major lobbying effort through ad campaign in key U.S. media outlets. (Haaretz+)
- Palestinian pilgrims to fly from Israel to Saudi Arabia - Following Air Force One being the first plane to fly direct from Riyadh to Ben Gurion Airport, the Americans initiated talks for a flight intended for Muslims travelling to visit their holiest sites. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Hamas: War with Israel unlikely and relations with Egypt improving - The organization claims Israel also not interested in renewed hostilities, says progress made in security talks with Egypt; Cairo and Gaza's rulers at odds for years. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Hamas leader confirms alliance with Muhammad Dahlan against PA - Hamas politburo deputy chairman in the besieged Gaza Strip Khalil al-Hayya called on Sunday for the establishment of a “national rescue front” to challenge the Palestinian Authority (PA), confirming the Islamist movement's collaboration with discharged Fatah leader Muhammad Dahlan. (Maan)
- Press freedom watchdog denounces PA ruling to block 11 Palestinian news sites - Among the websites blocked on Thursday were the Palestinian Information Center and the Shehab News Agency -- affiliated with Hamas -- as well as the Voice of Fatah and Amad, known to be close to Abbas opponent, Mohammed Dahlan. (Maan)
- Palestinian officials openly admit: We won't stop paying terrorists - Paying terrorists and their families is "a clear national duty that cannot be compromised," PA official Issa Qaraqe says • PLO Executive Committee member Ahmad Majdalani: Issue is not subject to U.S.-Israeli extortion. Payments were $322 million in 2016. (Israel Hayom)
- Muhammad Allan placed in solitary confinement on 10th day of hunger strike - Allan, a lawyer from the Nablus-area village of Einabus, was released from prison in November 2015 after a year-long stint in administrative detention -- Israel’s widely condemned policy of internment without charge or trial -- during which time he carried out a grueling 66-day hunger strike in protest of his detention. He was detained again on June 8th and began his new hunger strike the same day. (Maan
- Tim Rice Blasts New Zealand Festival for Omitting Key Lyric About Israel From Show - Lyric ‘Children of Israel’ is replaced with ‘Children of Kindness’ in Wellington show; when British lyricist takes to Twitter to complain, all songs from 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' are cut from performance. (Haaretz+)
- Mosul battle: Iraqi forces storm Old City in 'final chapter' of offensive on ISIS stronghold - High-ranking ISIS intelligence official captured, local security chief reported killed; fall of Mosul would mark end of Iraqi half of ISIS' 'caliphate.’ (Agencies, Haaretz)
- After Spat With Turkey, Germany Moves anti-ISIS Planes to Jordan - German defense minister says refueling and reconnaissance aircraft should be in service in Jordan within weeks. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Berlin Opens First LGBT-friendly Mosque as 'Feminist' Islam Emerges to Fight Extremism - A female imam from the United States, Ani Zonneveld, called for prayer as the faithful kneeled behind her in rows, all turned in the direction of Mecca. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
Breaking the Ramadan Fast in a Synagogue Is the Latest in Jewish-Muslim Outreach
From Berkeley to Brooklyn to Brussels, Muslims and Jews are sharing the iftar meal and helping turn the tide against polarization. (Debra Nussbaum Cohen (New York), Haaretz+)
Serving for him: The attack that caused the young woman from Boston to immigrate and join the IDF
After Ezra Schwartz, a US resident who studied in a yeshiva in Israel, was murdered in the Gush Etzion attack, Ariella Sandel, a friend of his sister, decided to come to Israel and join the IDF: "I decided that my place is here.” (Moshe Cohen, Maariv)
'Who Are You Calling a Settler?' Meet the Young Israelis Living in the West Bank
Find out what four young Israeli settlers really think about their Palestinian neighbors, hopes for peace and why they don't want to be seen as a monolith. (Yotam Berger and Nir Hasson, Haaretz)
Crossing into ‘ISIS land’ with Givati fighters
As children bathe in a natural pool on the Israeli side of the southern Golan Heights, an Islamic State fighter teaches Syrian kids on the other side how to fire an assault rifle. Ynet’s correspondent joins a Givati patrol unit as it crosses the fence in the most dangerous and explosive region, where the IDF is preparing for the possible infiltration of dozens of ISIS terrorists. (Yoav Zitun, Ynet)
The Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Leftists in Israel Who Aren't Afraid to Admit It
As growing numbers of Haredi Jews join the army, enroll in universities and find employment outside their community, they're coming out on issues like peace and better social services in Arab East Jerusalem. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
From Berkeley to Brooklyn to Brussels, Muslims and Jews are sharing the iftar meal and helping turn the tide against polarization. (Debra Nussbaum Cohen (New York), Haaretz+)
Serving for him: The attack that caused the young woman from Boston to immigrate and join the IDF
After Ezra Schwartz, a US resident who studied in a yeshiva in Israel, was murdered in the Gush Etzion attack, Ariella Sandel, a friend of his sister, decided to come to Israel and join the IDF: "I decided that my place is here.” (Moshe Cohen, Maariv)
'Who Are You Calling a Settler?' Meet the Young Israelis Living in the West Bank
Find out what four young Israeli settlers really think about their Palestinian neighbors, hopes for peace and why they don't want to be seen as a monolith. (Yotam Berger and Nir Hasson, Haaretz)
Crossing into ‘ISIS land’ with Givati fighters
As children bathe in a natural pool on the Israeli side of the southern Golan Heights, an Islamic State fighter teaches Syrian kids on the other side how to fire an assault rifle. Ynet’s correspondent joins a Givati patrol unit as it crosses the fence in the most dangerous and explosive region, where the IDF is preparing for the possible infiltration of dozens of ISIS terrorists. (Yoav Zitun, Ynet)
The Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Leftists in Israel Who Aren't Afraid to Admit It
As growing numbers of Haredi Jews join the army, enroll in universities and find employment outside their community, they're coming out on issues like peace and better social services in Arab East Jerusalem. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
After settlers' outrage, forgetful Netanyahu suddenly can't remember approving Palestinian city's
expansion (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) West Bank settlers angry over plan, while the senior officers who drafted it
at the government's behest take the heat.
A bulldozer in a china shop: In the affair of Olmert's documents, State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan has reached a new low (Ben Caspit, Maariv) The conduct of the state prosecutor regarding the former prime minister is another step toward Erdoganization. Where was his determination when it was discovered that Sarah Netanyahu was exposed to classified material? Has anyone checked what she knows?
Bennett vs. Vox Populi (Haaretz Editorial) Bennett’s proposal gives the Israeli public a look at the kind of laws that will become increasingly necessary as Israel moves further down the path toward becoming a binational state.
The wave of terror surges on (Ron Ben-Yishai, Yedioth/Ynet) ISIS and Hamas contended for responsibility for the Friday attack in Jerusalem, but all the signs show that this is a spontaneous local terrorist cell; Israel responds in a measured manner with the main goal being to isolate the terrorists and their families and not to harm the population; Maybe not a full-blown intifada, but Israel is still suffering from a wave of terror.
Iran's Missile Launch and U.S. Downing a Syrian Jet – Explained (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Iran's missile fire toward Syria targets is a show of strength and a message to U.S., Russia and Israel.
Special treatment - Eager for drama: Who gave the order to raid Olmert's publisher? (Yossi Melman, Maariv) The Attorney General and the State Attorney are behind the raid on the publishing house, while in contrast to the precedents of the past, there was no request from the security services.
Being right about Gaza power supply is not enough (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Instead of cutting electricity to the strip, Israel must use the impending crisis to make Hamas a dramatic offer: Investments and prosperity in exchange for demilitarization.
Is Europe More Desperate for a Palestinian State Than the Palestinians? (Björn Brenner, Haaretz+) Blinded by a two-state idealism Palestinians themselves no longer consider realistic, Palestine has become a European project that won't achieve justice.
It’s in our interest: The steps necessary to create a solution in Gaza (Gilad Sher, Maariv) The dilemmas posed by Gaza to Israel are not dust that can be swept under the rug. A comprehensive initiative, in coordination with the international community and the Palestinian Authority, can reduce the risk of escalation.
An Open Letter to Daniel Barenboim (Yehuda Bauer, Haaretz+) Someone who loves music but doesn’t understand it must learn so as to express an opinion.
Israel's challenge: Prevent more Ramadan terror attacks (Yaron Blum, Yedioth/Ynet) During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are more amenable to making personal sacrifices. The recent decline in the number of attacks is not due to diminished terrorist motivation, but rather due to better prevention.
The forgotten Arab 'victors' of 1967 – and how we've survived since (Seraj Assi, Haaretz+) For many Israeli Jews, we, the Arabs of Israel, are a fifth column. For West Bank Palestinians, we're sellout traitors, lucky survivors, but never true Palestinians.
Supreme Court’s seniority system must be canceled (Shlomo Puterkovsky, Yedioth/Ynet) Would we accept a situation in which the most veteran general in the IDF’s General Staff is automatically appointed chief of staff? Would we be able to live with a situation in which the most senior minister becomes prime minister?
'The Handmaid’s Tale': A Cautionary Story for Women in Israel (Iris Leal, Haaretz+) The murder of women by their partners is a sign of a culture incapable of freeing itself from archaic concepts of femininity — a hint of the dystopia of Atwood's novel
Navigating the Palestinian crisis (Prof. Eyal Zisser, Israel Hayom) As the electricity crisis in the Gaza Strip escalates, it would be wise for Israel to be patient and avoid getting involved as much as possible.
What About Jewish Terrorists? (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a bank of excuses aimed at torpedoing any effort to renew the negotiations with the Palestinians.
Why Netanyahu suddenly renewed his assault on human rights groups (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) One thing ruined Netanyahu's week, and he could not remain indifferent.
Trump Focuses on Terrorism (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) Al-Qaida and the Islamic State, Hezbollah and Hamas are terror groups, Trump says, and we can only applaud. Maybe he can convince the Palestinians that peace with Israel depends on ending terrorism.
The Zionist Dream - Part 3 (Dan Ben-David, Haaretz) Outdated tags such as Left and Right increase divisive clustering instead of encouraging unobstructed and practical perspectives.
As Qatar Crisis Rages, Egypt Gets Closer to Hamas (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) As the diplomatic crisis surrounding Qatar continues, Cairo, Hamas and Palestinian President Abbas' rival Mohammed Dahlan have reportedly agreed on a new way to run Gaza – which could loosen the blockade at Israel’s expense.
A bulldozer in a china shop: In the affair of Olmert's documents, State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan has reached a new low (Ben Caspit, Maariv) The conduct of the state prosecutor regarding the former prime minister is another step toward Erdoganization. Where was his determination when it was discovered that Sarah Netanyahu was exposed to classified material? Has anyone checked what she knows?
Bennett vs. Vox Populi (Haaretz Editorial) Bennett’s proposal gives the Israeli public a look at the kind of laws that will become increasingly necessary as Israel moves further down the path toward becoming a binational state.
The wave of terror surges on (Ron Ben-Yishai, Yedioth/Ynet) ISIS and Hamas contended for responsibility for the Friday attack in Jerusalem, but all the signs show that this is a spontaneous local terrorist cell; Israel responds in a measured manner with the main goal being to isolate the terrorists and their families and not to harm the population; Maybe not a full-blown intifada, but Israel is still suffering from a wave of terror.
Iran's Missile Launch and U.S. Downing a Syrian Jet – Explained (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Iran's missile fire toward Syria targets is a show of strength and a message to U.S., Russia and Israel.
Special treatment - Eager for drama: Who gave the order to raid Olmert's publisher? (Yossi Melman, Maariv) The Attorney General and the State Attorney are behind the raid on the publishing house, while in contrast to the precedents of the past, there was no request from the security services.
Being right about Gaza power supply is not enough (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Instead of cutting electricity to the strip, Israel must use the impending crisis to make Hamas a dramatic offer: Investments and prosperity in exchange for demilitarization.
Is Europe More Desperate for a Palestinian State Than the Palestinians? (Björn Brenner, Haaretz+) Blinded by a two-state idealism Palestinians themselves no longer consider realistic, Palestine has become a European project that won't achieve justice.
It’s in our interest: The steps necessary to create a solution in Gaza (Gilad Sher, Maariv) The dilemmas posed by Gaza to Israel are not dust that can be swept under the rug. A comprehensive initiative, in coordination with the international community and the Palestinian Authority, can reduce the risk of escalation.
An Open Letter to Daniel Barenboim (Yehuda Bauer, Haaretz+) Someone who loves music but doesn’t understand it must learn so as to express an opinion.
Israel's challenge: Prevent more Ramadan terror attacks (Yaron Blum, Yedioth/Ynet) During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are more amenable to making personal sacrifices. The recent decline in the number of attacks is not due to diminished terrorist motivation, but rather due to better prevention.
The forgotten Arab 'victors' of 1967 – and how we've survived since (Seraj Assi, Haaretz+) For many Israeli Jews, we, the Arabs of Israel, are a fifth column. For West Bank Palestinians, we're sellout traitors, lucky survivors, but never true Palestinians.
Supreme Court’s seniority system must be canceled (Shlomo Puterkovsky, Yedioth/Ynet) Would we accept a situation in which the most veteran general in the IDF’s General Staff is automatically appointed chief of staff? Would we be able to live with a situation in which the most senior minister becomes prime minister?
'The Handmaid’s Tale': A Cautionary Story for Women in Israel (Iris Leal, Haaretz+) The murder of women by their partners is a sign of a culture incapable of freeing itself from archaic concepts of femininity — a hint of the dystopia of Atwood's novel
Navigating the Palestinian crisis (Prof. Eyal Zisser, Israel Hayom) As the electricity crisis in the Gaza Strip escalates, it would be wise for Israel to be patient and avoid getting involved as much as possible.
What About Jewish Terrorists? (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a bank of excuses aimed at torpedoing any effort to renew the negotiations with the Palestinians.
Why Netanyahu suddenly renewed his assault on human rights groups (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) One thing ruined Netanyahu's week, and he could not remain indifferent.
Trump Focuses on Terrorism (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) Al-Qaida and the Islamic State, Hezbollah and Hamas are terror groups, Trump says, and we can only applaud. Maybe he can convince the Palestinians that peace with Israel depends on ending terrorism.
The Zionist Dream - Part 3 (Dan Ben-David, Haaretz) Outdated tags such as Left and Right increase divisive clustering instead of encouraging unobstructed and practical perspectives.
As Qatar Crisis Rages, Egypt Gets Closer to Hamas (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) As the diplomatic crisis surrounding Qatar continues, Cairo, Hamas and Palestinian President Abbas' rival Mohammed Dahlan have reportedly agreed on a new way to run Gaza – which could loosen the blockade at Israel’s expense.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.