APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday, August 14, 2017
NOTE: The Israel editor of News Nosh is on holiday from August 15th till
August 24th, during which the Nosh will be produced in a truncated version from Washington and therefore sent later
in the day.
Quote of the Day #1:
Quote of the Day #1:
“If the Israeli government would have acted decently toward all its residents, including you [the Arab
residents], it would have appropriated the properties in the neighborhood [from their Jewish owners who lived
there before the War of Independence] and given these properties to the Palestinians who live there
today.”
—Former Israel Attorney General Michael Ben-Yair said when visiting the E. Jerusalem home of the Shamashneh family, which is under threat of eviction and was supposed to leave its home Sunday.*
Quote of the Day #2:
“This is a black stain on the JNF's glorious record that over the years has focused on extensive Zionist activity on behalf of the State of Israel.”
—Peace Now told Maariv in response to news that the Jewish National Fund has decided to return to acquiring land in the West Bank for settlements, after stopping ten years ago.**
Front Page:
—Former Israel Attorney General Michael Ben-Yair said when visiting the E. Jerusalem home of the Shamashneh family, which is under threat of eviction and was supposed to leave its home Sunday.*
Quote of the Day #2:
“This is a black stain on the JNF's glorious record that over the years has focused on extensive Zionist activity on behalf of the State of Israel.”
—Peace Now told Maariv in response to news that the Jewish National Fund has decided to return to acquiring land in the West Bank for settlements, after stopping ten years ago.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Owner of HOT Cable Co. in negotiations to acquire Yedioth Ahronoth
- Trump response to car-ramming attack seen as quiet acceptance
- Court: Draft of Declaration of Independence is not state property
- Organization to save refugees stopped operating near Libya due to fear for their security
- Model Shlomit Malka seriously injured in electric scooter accident in Tel-Aviv
- Behind the wall // Haaretz Editorial
- Don’t fear them, feel sorry for them // Moshe Gilad
- Fruit of the tree of Yisrael Beiteinu party // Dmitry Shumsky
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Winds of the war: On the edge - Senior correspondent Nahum Barnea reports from Gulf of Tumon, Guam
- Expose - Severe infection at neo-natal unit
- The fake, Netanyahu and I // Amnon Abramowitz
- For sale: Draft of Declaration of Independence
- “I only want to see Shlomit smiling again” - said husband, after his model wife was hospitalized in serious condition after falling while riding electric scooter
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Closing accounts: First petitions against the “new Likudniks”
- The law that Netanyahu is advancing: Declaration of war in security-diplomatic cabinet without government approval
- “No nuclear war is expected with N. Korea”
- “Praying for Shlomit’s health” (model injured when riding electric scooter)
- President Rivlin announced: Rejects Moshe Katzav’s request to cancel the conditions for release from prison
Israel Hayom
- The West hit ISIS and forgot about Iran // Oded Granot
- Prime Minister advancing law: Declaration of war - without a government approval
- Worried about Shlomit (model injured when riding electric scooter)
- Expose - Looking at the past - Yitzhak Rabin’s personal binoculars to be auctioned
- The protest against the Attorney General: The Press Council sings in one voice // Amnon Lord
News Summary:
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu sought to make it easier to go to war without broad government approval, Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel in his ‘nuke speech’ not to go to war against Israel, while questions of a nuclear war between the US and N. Korea concerned many - making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers, along with the news that a top Israeli model was seriously injured in an electric scooter accident. Also, Maariv reported that after stopping a decade ago, the the Jewish National Fund (JNF) is again buying land in the West Bank.
Netanyahu seeks to grant the 10-member government security cabinet the power to launch a military operation or war without broader government approval, allegedly for expediency and to combat leaks of sensitive information.
In a thinly veiled threat, Hezbollah leader Nasrallah “suggested” Israel close its nuclear reactor in Dimona and not just the ammonia tank in Haifa and said that any Israeli military force that entered Lebanon would be defeated. He also said that Hezbollah was “not a terror organization, but rather a force fighting against terrorism” and that the world needs to accept that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad is not going anywhere.
**The JNF has issued a tender to recruit an employee whose job it will be to locate vacant land for purchase throughout the West Bank, ten years after they stopped looking for such land, Maariv reported. The left-wing slammed the decision. Peace Now told Maaraiv: "It is very unfortunate that KKL-JNF has decided to return to the dubious and deceptive realm of land acquisition from Palestinians in the Territories. This is a black stain on the JNF's glorious record that over the years has focused on extensive Zionist activity on behalf of the State of Israel. The acquisition of land for settlements undermines the chances of achieving peace and a two-state solution and threatens the Zionist vision."
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu sought to make it easier to go to war without broad government approval, Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel in his ‘nuke speech’ not to go to war against Israel, while questions of a nuclear war between the US and N. Korea concerned many - making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers, along with the news that a top Israeli model was seriously injured in an electric scooter accident. Also, Maariv reported that after stopping a decade ago, the the Jewish National Fund (JNF) is again buying land in the West Bank.
Netanyahu seeks to grant the 10-member government security cabinet the power to launch a military operation or war without broader government approval, allegedly for expediency and to combat leaks of sensitive information.
In a thinly veiled threat, Hezbollah leader Nasrallah “suggested” Israel close its nuclear reactor in Dimona and not just the ammonia tank in Haifa and said that any Israeli military force that entered Lebanon would be defeated. He also said that Hezbollah was “not a terror organization, but rather a force fighting against terrorism” and that the world needs to accept that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad is not going anywhere.
**The JNF has issued a tender to recruit an employee whose job it will be to locate vacant land for purchase throughout the West Bank, ten years after they stopped looking for such land, Maariv reported. The left-wing slammed the decision. Peace Now told Maaraiv: "It is very unfortunate that KKL-JNF has decided to return to the dubious and deceptive realm of land acquisition from Palestinians in the Territories. This is a black stain on the JNF's glorious record that over the years has focused on extensive Zionist activity on behalf of the State of Israel. The acquisition of land for settlements undermines the chances of achieving peace and a two-state solution and threatens the Zionist vision."
Quick Hits:
- Jewish Extremist to Be Released From Israeli Detention Next Week - Elia Nativ, 19, of radical settlement Yitzhar, suspected of involvement in anti-Palestinian terror. (Haaretz+)
- Israel Delays Half of Gazans Seeking to Leave Strip for Medical Care, WHO Says - All those who seek permission are patients whom the Palestinians have allowed to leave Gaza and for whom they’ve committed to pay. (Haaretz+)
- *Former Israeli attorney-general calls eviction of Palestinian family from Sheikh Jarrah home ‘unjust’ - Israel’s former Attorney-General, Michael Ben Yair, has spoken out against the forcible expulsion of the Shamasneh family from their home in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, saying that the Israeli government should expropriate disputed properties in East Jerusalem and give them to the Palestinian inhabitants of the homes, who have lived there for decades. (Maan and JPost)
- Embittered Amona evacuees threaten to build tents on new settlement - As patience wears thin with government decision to freeze construction work on new settlement of Amichai, and a seeming refusal among government ministries to take responsibility, former Amona residents point finger squarely at Netanyahu; pledge to erect tents on designated plot until work resumes; 'It is cruel to demand of us that we continue to wait.' (Yedioth/Ynet)
- President Rivlin Rejects Katsav's Request to Lift Parole Restrictions - President notes that Katsav, who served five years in prison for rape, was released early subject to 'critical' limitations during the probation period. (Haaretzand Ynet)
- Israeli Minister Calls on Trump Administration to Condemn Nazi Symbols in Charlottesville - The first cabinet member to renounce the demonstration, Naftali Bennett decries the manifestations of anti-Semitism as harmful for not only Jews, but other minorities and veterans. (Haaretz)
- Home Front Command troops train for combat rescues - The IDF's mixed-gender Shahar Battalion of the Home Front Command trains for search and rescue operations during combat in either the Gaza Strip or in Lebanon. (Ynet)
- Netanyahu: We Will Welcome Trump's Envoys Kushner and Greenblatt - A delegation headed by Kushner is expected to travel to Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Arab states in the end of August in a new peace push. (Haaretz and Israel Hayom)
- Netanyahu names new acting head of National Security - Council Senior Shin Bet commander Meir Ben-Shabbat appointed national security advisor; 'Meir has rich experience in protecting Israel's security, in the Shin Bet, including his recent post as head of the southern district, and he carried out all of his duties with distinction,' Netanyahu says. (Ynet)
- AG, culture minister agree on how to enforce 'Nakba Law' - Nakba Law sets five conditions on which the government can fine a publicly sponsored institution over cultural content, including incitement to terrorism or rejection of Israel as a Jewish, democratic state. Finance Ministry will review complaints. (Israel Hayom)
- Young woman recognized as an IDF disabled veteran following sexual harassment she suffered during her service - The young woman, 22, contracted a serious illness due to the daily harassment she experienced as a soldier, the Defense Ministry said, including a series of sexual offers made to her during her service. (Maariv)
- Israel Won’t Release 'Blacklist’ of BDS Activists Barred Entry to Country - Interior Ministry first denied it kept such list, now says right to privacy of people on it prevents list's release. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli forces offer Palestinians in Hebron permits in exchange for 'good behavior' - Israeli forces distributed leaflets in neighborhoods of Hebron City stating that residents of those areas who had previously been refused entry permits to Israel would be eligible to apply on Tuesday for the security ban against them to be removed -- allowing them to request entry permits to Israel in the future. (Maan)
- Israeli forces shoot, injure Palestinian worker trying to cross separation wall - Witnesses said that Anas Hijazi, a 25-year-old resident of the Hebron-area village of al-Rihiya, was shot in the right foot as he was trying to climb over Israel’s illegal separation wall. Palestinian are not allowed to access occupied East Jerusalem or Israel without an Israel-issued permit, and many risk being shot and injured while trying to cross into Israel to work. (Maan)
- Following a security warning (in Jerusalem): Palestinian man shot, detained by Israeli forces in Jerusalem - Police and the General Security Service arrived at Beit Safafa, where the suspect, 52, allgedly threatened to injure policemen. One of them felt fear and shot him in the foot. No Israeli police spokesperson indicated why the man was detained. (Maariv and Maan)
- Israeli forces detain mother, brother of Palestinian assailant in Kobar - Israeli forces detained the mother and brother of 19-year-old Omar al-Abed -- currently imprisoned by Israel after carrying out a deadly stabbing attack in Israel’s Halamish settlement last month -- in the village of Kobar in the central occupied West Bank district of Ramallah during a raid early Sunday morning. (Maan)
- Palestinian prisoner released after serving 11 years in prison - Israel released Iyas Rifai, 34, a resident of the Kafr Ein village in the Ramallah district, after serving 11 years in Israeli prison. He was ill and was taken immediately to the Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah. (Maan)
- The ‘New Likudniks’ return fire: "Our hands are clean, and we are not afraid" - Attempts to distance from the ranks of the ruling party, those who say are trying to change its character and who oppose the rally in support of Netanyahu, are not deterred: "Those who fear us, shows something about himself.” (Maariv)
- Israel Could Become Major Exporter of Medical Marijuana - Government panel recommends approving exports which could bring up to $4 billion into state coffers. (Haaretz+)
- French-Israeli Entrepreneur Patrick Drahi in Talks to Buy - Israel's Largest Daily Yedioth Ahronoth In purported deal, Drahi would first buy shares of bankrupt tycoon Eliezer Fishman, and later buy out its publisher Arnon Mozes. (Haaretz)
- Greek Orthodox church aims to block property sale in Israel; archbishop meets with Syria's President Assad - Patriarch Theophilos III says church will appeal Israeli court decision that approved sale of church properties to Jewish companies; sales conducted by previous patriarch without approval, leading to his deposition and brief imprisonment. (Ynet, Maan and Israel Hayom)
- Israel Is Not Up for Sale, but Drafts of Its Declaration of Independence Is - Court rules that private drafts of Israel's formative document can be bought and sold freely. Binoculars that belonged to former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to go on auction block in a separate sale. (Haaretz and Israel Hayom)
- Ancient Stone Workshop Sheds New Light on Roman-era - Galilee Jews' Faith Turns out Galilee Jews were as devout as their Judean counterparts. Chalk cave could be source of stone jars whose water Jesus turned into wine at nearby Kafr Kana. (Haaretz)
- Palestinians protest against PA's arrest of journalists; ‘The PA can now arrest anyone’: Palestinian journalists declare hunger strike - Palestinian Authority passes law allowing closure of websites and arrests of journalists criticizing Fatah and Mahmoud Abbas, followed by website shutdowns and journalists' arrests; Palestinian public is outraged. (Ynet and Maan)
- Families of Palestinian Journalists Arrested by PA Say Move Is Payback for Hamas - The arrests of the journalists come following a decision by the PA last month to block several websites in the West Bank, including those identified with Hamas. (Haaretz+)
- Netanyahu: Iran is expanding its influence in Syria - 'ISIS going out, Iran coming in,' the prime minister says, summarizing a briefing by Mossad Director Yossi Cohen, who told ministers earlier in the day Tehran was expanding its influence both directly through Iranian forces and via local proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. (Ynet)
- Hezbollah claims to have discovered Israeli espionage device - The terror organization claims to have discovered the device—disguised as a rock—overlooking the Beqaa Valley; Al Manar network reports device was detonated remotely. (Ynet)
Features:
Ultra-Orthodox baby trafficker exposed
Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth investigate allegations against Haim Aharon Yosefi, a well-known figure in the Haredi world, for taking young, pregnant Haredi woman from Israel to the US to give birth before giving the child away in an 'adoption' arrangement for a fee; ‘If I tell you who I'm connected to, it'll blow your mind,’ he tells undercover journalist. (Ariella Sternbach and Yehuda Shohat, Yedioth/Ynet)
Otherwise Occupied How Some of the Food Israelis Eat Gets to Their Tables - a West Bank Story
A Palestinian received permission to harvest his wheat at the beginning of August. The experiment failed: The wheat had already withered completely. (Amira Hass, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Behind the Barrier Are People (Haaretz Editorial) The inhabitants of Gaza are not the enemy. They are suffering human beings who need help. Israel can and must help.
Every act that attempts to disrupt the demonstrations in front of the Attorney General’s home will only serve as fuel for their wheels (Dr. Revital Amran, Maariv) The power of the demonstrations is the spontaneity with which it grew. In contrast to the Fake News disseminated by MK Nava Boker last week, the demonstrations in Petah Tikva are not funded and are not organized by any party. The unplanned manner in which they sprouted is also the reason, according to the police spokeswoman, that they have not needed a license so far. The history of demonstrations in Israel and around the world proves that demonstrations that grow authentically from below, especially in the age of internet social media networks, are the most significant. No organized conference, planned and funded can compete with the motivation of a group of people who choose to leave their homes for many evenings without organized transportation or urgent phone calls from senior party officials.
Trump and Netanyahu Promote Resentment, Sow Division and Peddle Hate (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) A terror attack in Charlottesville and a Likud rally in Tel Aviv highlight the core of the two leaders’ dark appeal.
The Palestinians' biggest problem is the Palestinians (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) Ramallah reportedly feels dejected because the U.S. is "entirely" on Israel's side, but the problem is not the U.S. -- the Americans are simply opting to work with the side that is showing willingness and displaying a desire to give rather than just take.
The price of democracy: The filing of a complaint against Likud activists is absolutely legitimate (Meir Uziel, Maariv) Political struggles within a party that uses democratic methods have a price. Filing a complaint to the movement's court against activists [the ‘New Likudniks’ who criticize Netanyahu - OH] that someone thinks have acted against the party is permitted.
Your Liberal Bubble Will Not Protect You From the neo-Nazis at Your Doorstep (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+) After Charlottesville, it's time to admit it: The dangers might be closer than we think.
A small but serious problem (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) Israel's security agencies know that anyone who joins ISIS -- even if they do not physically join the fight abroad -- could be convinced to carry out terrorist attacks in Israel.
How Did You Forget Us, Netanyahu? (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) In the PM’s recent speech at a Likud rally, which incited against people who don’t toe his line, the Arabs were absent. I was actually insulted.
Abdullah's friendly reminder to Abbas (Dr. Ronen Yitzhak, Israel Hayom) Despite the public show of solidarity, King Abdullah's visit to Ramallah was in fact aimed at reminding Abbas that when it comes to the Temple Mount, Jordan is in charge.
Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth investigate allegations against Haim Aharon Yosefi, a well-known figure in the Haredi world, for taking young, pregnant Haredi woman from Israel to the US to give birth before giving the child away in an 'adoption' arrangement for a fee; ‘If I tell you who I'm connected to, it'll blow your mind,’ he tells undercover journalist. (Ariella Sternbach and Yehuda Shohat, Yedioth/Ynet)
Otherwise Occupied How Some of the Food Israelis Eat Gets to Their Tables - a West Bank Story
A Palestinian received permission to harvest his wheat at the beginning of August. The experiment failed: The wheat had already withered completely. (Amira Hass, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Behind the Barrier Are People (Haaretz Editorial) The inhabitants of Gaza are not the enemy. They are suffering human beings who need help. Israel can and must help.
Every act that attempts to disrupt the demonstrations in front of the Attorney General’s home will only serve as fuel for their wheels (Dr. Revital Amran, Maariv) The power of the demonstrations is the spontaneity with which it grew. In contrast to the Fake News disseminated by MK Nava Boker last week, the demonstrations in Petah Tikva are not funded and are not organized by any party. The unplanned manner in which they sprouted is also the reason, according to the police spokeswoman, that they have not needed a license so far. The history of demonstrations in Israel and around the world proves that demonstrations that grow authentically from below, especially in the age of internet social media networks, are the most significant. No organized conference, planned and funded can compete with the motivation of a group of people who choose to leave their homes for many evenings without organized transportation or urgent phone calls from senior party officials.
Trump and Netanyahu Promote Resentment, Sow Division and Peddle Hate (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) A terror attack in Charlottesville and a Likud rally in Tel Aviv highlight the core of the two leaders’ dark appeal.
The Palestinians' biggest problem is the Palestinians (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) Ramallah reportedly feels dejected because the U.S. is "entirely" on Israel's side, but the problem is not the U.S. -- the Americans are simply opting to work with the side that is showing willingness and displaying a desire to give rather than just take.
The price of democracy: The filing of a complaint against Likud activists is absolutely legitimate (Meir Uziel, Maariv) Political struggles within a party that uses democratic methods have a price. Filing a complaint to the movement's court against activists [the ‘New Likudniks’ who criticize Netanyahu - OH] that someone thinks have acted against the party is permitted.
Your Liberal Bubble Will Not Protect You From the neo-Nazis at Your Doorstep (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+) After Charlottesville, it's time to admit it: The dangers might be closer than we think.
A small but serious problem (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) Israel's security agencies know that anyone who joins ISIS -- even if they do not physically join the fight abroad -- could be convinced to carry out terrorist attacks in Israel.
How Did You Forget Us, Netanyahu? (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) In the PM’s recent speech at a Likud rally, which incited against people who don’t toe his line, the Arabs were absent. I was actually insulted.
Abdullah's friendly reminder to Abbas (Dr. Ronen Yitzhak, Israel Hayom) Despite the public show of solidarity, King Abdullah's visit to Ramallah was in fact aimed at reminding Abbas that when it comes to the Temple Mount, Jordan is in charge.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.