APN's daily news review from Israel

Sunday October 22, 2017
 

Quote of the day:

Haaretz

Yedioth Ahronoth

Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)

Israel Hayom

News Summary:
In Israel, almost complete certainty that rockets shot from Syria were intentionally aimed at Israel and, following Israel’s retaliatory attack, Syria warned of ‘grave consequences,’ 309,530 college students begin their first day today and a former Shin Bet man, who was involved in Shalit prisoner exchange deal, was appointed the state’s liaison for captive and missing making top stories in the Hebrew newspapers. Also, Haaretz’s+ Barak Ravid reported that despite Israel’s declaration that it wouldn’t negotiate with the Palestinian Authority following the Hamas-Fatah reconciliation, the US said that it saw the Palestinian reconciliation led by Egypt positively and although the US position is that Hamas must disarm, there is no expectation that this will 'happen overnight.’

And the latest on the Netanyahu corruption investigation cases: Despite the ongoing graft probe in what is known as Case 3000, Israel signed a deal for more German submarines, Yedioth learned that Germany approved a secret Memorandum of Understanding Thursday night with Israel to purchase three more submarines, on top of the six already previously acquired. But the deal includes an opt-out clause if any wrongdoing is discovered. According to former defense minister Moshe Ya'alon, that clause will be used. Yaalon told Army Radio on Sunday that there was corruption in the submarines affair. "I do not know what they will be able to prove on the criminal level," he said. "I am well versed in the 3000 case and I did not say for nothing that Netanyahu should resign for the good of the state."

Yedioth reported that after weeks of Netanyahu stalling, Israel Police gave Netanyahu an ultimatum: set a date for questioning or the Police will. Netanyahu will be asked to provide his version to the testimonies collected in various investigations against him, particularly that of billionaire Arnon Milchan in Case 1000, the gifts case. Also, of interest in the case of misuse of public funds at the Prime Minister’s Residence, for which Mrs. Sara Netanyahu was a suspect, Yedioth reported that former IDF chief of staff Beni Gantz was on a list of guests at one of the extravagant meals at the Residence, as were Milchan, Shaul Elovitch, chief shareholder of Bezeq, and tycoon Yitzhak Tshuva.

*ISRAEL-SYRIA: Originally, Israel thought the four errant rockets that landed Saturday in the Golan Heights were spillover from the Syrian civil war. But today’s newspapers say that the IDF now believes they were intentionally aimed at Israel. The IDF retaliated by destroying the cannons believed to have launched them. Syria wrote the UN demanding the UN rebuke Israel. Only Maariv’s Yasir Ukbi reported that in the letter, Syria accused Israel of “asking rebels to launch the mortars in order to justify an Israeli retaliatory attack.” Syria warned of ‘grave consequences' to Israeli fire, while Israel warned Syria that continued rocket spillover would be met with a harsher response. Later that day, Iranian and Syrian Chiefs of Staff signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to upgrade the cooperation and coordination between their two armies and outlining their fight against 'Zio-American schemes.’ Yedioth ran an Op-Ed on its front page by former Northern Command chief Gen. (res.) Amiram Levin who accused Netanyahu's government of dragging Israel towards war, saying that "The suspension of negotiations with the Palestinian Authority in response to the reconciliation agreement between Hamas and the PA, and the fiery statements against Iran as the Israeli government’s only reactions, leave no room for doubt: The government has lost its political way and is incapable or unwilling to seek a diplomatic solution for the conflicts. This is a misfeasance of the basic responsibility of the government and its leader—to do everything in their power to reduce the chances of war and to make it their top priority." In an interview with Maariv/103FM this morning, Levin attacked Netanyahu’s policy in the north: "Instead of conducting a policy that is reasonable and matter-of-fact, we speak in rage. Why heat everything up and not act quietly in the north?" Indeed, in an interview with Army Radio today, former defense minister Moshe Ya'alon agreed: "We must continue to operate in Syria without announcing it, as we did in the past.” Yaalon said he didn’t expect the northern border to be quiet and said “we must respond in an wise manner.” (Maariv) But some residents of the Golan Heights were unfazed. “If (Syria) enters into a confrontation with us, it will end badly for them.” (Maariv)

Meanwhile, last night IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot flew to the US to participate in an international conference of chiefs of staff in which Arab countries will participate Until now, only the coalition countries which are involved in the war against ISIS in Syria and Iraq have been involved in these meetings. They included Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. But this time, the event host, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Army, General Joseph Dunford, changed the format of the meeting to allow the participation of the Israeli chief of staff. Maariv’s Yossi Melman wrote that “It should be emphasized that Israel has been conducting frantic diplomatic moves and initiatives in recent weeks with the participation of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense and the Head of the National Security Council, who are talking to leaders in Russia and the United States and their counterparts in both countries due to growing concern over the possibility that Iran or its proxies will deploy near the border on the Golan Heights. In these meetings, Israel is trying to enlist support for its positions and presents this demand as a red line that it will not allow to be crossed. For the time being, it is not clear whether Russia, beyond the understanding of Israel's positions, is on board, especially when the US is losing its ability to influence Iran.”
 

Quick Hits:

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Features:
Haredi protest leader: 'We scorn Israel'
After the fifth consecutive day of protests by ultra-Orthodox Jews against army enlistment, Rabbi David Zucker—one of the organizers of the demonstrations—attempts to explain rationale behind their anger; 'We scorn Israel in the strongest possible manner.' (Ynet reporters)
Gideon Levy & Alex Levac The West Bank terror you never hear about
Mohammed Jarara, a Palestinian policeman, is the victim of a hostile act, a casualty of terror perpetrated by three Israelis armed with stones. (Gideon Levy and Alex Levac, Haaretz+)
‘Healing Ink’: Tattoo artists cover terror victims’ scars
As part of a surprising collaboration between the Israel Museum and Artists4Israel organization, people injured in war, military service and terror attacks team up with international tattoo artists, who decorate their bodies as a way to help them recover from their physical and mental scars. (Gil Korotki, Yedioth/Ynet)

Commentary/Analysis:
Zionism Doesn’t Need 'Divine Promise' to Justify Jewish Nation-state (Shaul Arieli, Haaretz+) By relying on faith-based arguments devoid of any diplomatic or legal validity, Israeli politicians are undermining the solid foundations of the Zionist narrative, which have been accepted by the international community for a century.
Fatah-Hamas reconciliation: Both a challenge and an opportunity (Ami Ayalon, Gilead Sher and Orni Petruschka, Yedioth/Ynet)  The Cairo agreement presents a challenge not only to the Palestinian leadership and society, but also Israeli society and government, the Egyptian-led Arab world and the entire international community. This opportunity should be seized by anyone interested in a permanent agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
Netanyahu's government is dragging us to war (Major-General (res.) Amiram Levin, Yedioth/Ynet) The prime minister is giving in to the radicals in his government and focusing on public relations instead of statesmanship. Anywhere else, this could end peacefully, but in Israel it could result in an unnecessary war. The inexperience in matters of security, the lack of diplomatic discretion and the absence of a political balance, alongside arrogance and a disregard of our enemies, are a recipe for disaster.
Balfour Declaration's Legacy Is Toxic for Both Israelis and Palestinians (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz) One short letter looms large in the Israel-Palestine conflict's mythology. But it's just that: A myth, but also a bluff, a betrayal and a gift to propagandists on both sides.
Many on the left wondered this week what a Zionist like Avi Gabbay was doing in the Zionist Camp faction (Prof. Arieh Eldad, Maariv) Some of the party's leaders were shocked: Maybe a few Likudniks will be persuaded to vote for him, but leftists will vote Meretz, the only party that insists on its right to transfer Jews.
Israel's Labor Leader Is the True Face of the Right (Daniel Blatman, Haaretz+) The moment Avi Gabbay declared that his party will effectively boycott 20 percent of Israeli's citizens, he lost the legitimacy to present himself as the Labor Party's leader.
If this is the Left’s leader, why not just vote for the Right? (Aviad Kleinberg, Yedioth/Ynet) Centrist politicians have been trying to lure right-wing voters for years, but Avi Gabbay’s recent comments crossed a certain line. Somehow, the Labor leader’s shift to the right seems kind of sincere and a bit too resolved.
A pardon for all of us (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom) Just like God sent Noah a spirit of reconciliation after the great flood, so must the president pardon Hebron shooter Elor Azaria, who did not receive a fair trial.
Conceptiyahu (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) Netanyahu is unique in personifying three types that coexist at the Prime Minister's Residence in one person: the millionebbish, the narcissist addict and the Conceptiyahu.
Playing with fire (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom)
As the Syrian civil war wanes, regional actors are outlining their interests in the Middle East. Syria and Hezbollah are looking to recover, Russia seeks hegemony and Iran wants to tighten its regional grip. It is up to Israel to draw clear red lines.
Privatizing the Prosecution (Haaretz Editorial) The person drafting Israel's response to High Court petitions on settlements is a right-wing activist and outside consultant hired by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked.
Israel needs to make it clear that the landlord here can go crazy sometimes (Lior Ackerman, Maariv) Perhaps a harsher and more severe response than expected from Syria on the northern border will create a shock on the other side and convey a more decisive message that will increase Israeli deterrence.
Israel has no intention of quitting UNESCO, so why threaten? (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) Israel has never withdrawn from an international organization, regardless of its resolutions. It didn’t pull out or even consider pulling out of the UN following the shameful resolution comparing Zionism to racism. Talking about an Israeli withdrawal is thus foolish, and we only stand to lose from such a move.
In Israel, Persecuting the Messenger (Friday Haaretz Editorial) Next week two initiatives will be launched in the Knesset aimed at silencing opponents of the occupation.
Unsettled under the Trump administration (Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom) Several "quality" settlement housing construction plans were approved this week, but the numbers are a far cry from the thousands of homes that were expected to go up under a new, friendly U.S. administration. Now some say little has changed since Obama.
#AnaKaman (#MeToo) (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) The next global social media campaign should bring the stories of Palestinian women who live (or were killed) under the Israeli occupation.
BDS can actually be sued for damages (Benjamin Leventhal, Ynet) While Israeli courts have yet to render judgment in cases based on the boycott act, Israeli-based businesses, academics and cultural figures suffering damages from boycotts against Israel can sue the BDS Movement under civil law.
Mind-blowing EU chutzpah (David M. Weinberg, Israel Hayom)
The EU has graduated from passive diplomatic and financial assistance to the Palestinians to subversive illegal construction. The intent is to erode Israeli control of Area C and east Jerusalem while promoting Palestinian territorial continuity.
Rabin, Ze’evi, What’s the Difference (Ravit Hecht, Haaretz+) The Israeli right's attempt to equate the lives, and deaths, of Yitzhak Rabin and Rehavam Ze'evi are part of a broader effort to lend legitimacy to unacceptable extremist ideologies.
The self-destruction mechanism of terror (Isaac Ben-Israel, Yedioth/Ynet) Less than four years after its official establishment, ISIS seems to be approaching its end. How did it happen? Once terror crosses a certain line, it sets in motion a self-destruction mechanism and undermines its own goal. The organization’s intimidation efforts were so successful, that the entire world teamed up to destroy it.
The Israeli Peace Camp’s Algorithms (Gadi Taub, Haaretz+) The assumption that Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah movement seek the end of what we call the ‘occupation’ may well be baseless.
An Israeli in Egypt: Fear and lotioning in Sinai (Shir Reuven, Haaretz+) After crossing the desolate border between Egypt and Israel, I met a tall Egyptian in a fine suit with five different kinds of hash.

Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.