APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday, February 26, 2018
You Must Be Kidding:
In addition to the $600,000 for hotel rooms while they await temporary residence, the 15 families who squatted on privately-owned Palestinian land will receive $7 million in 'personal compensation.'**
In addition to the $600,000 for hotel rooms while they await temporary residence, the 15 families who squatted on privately-owned Palestinian land will receive $7 million in 'personal compensation.'**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- A judge and an investigator in Case 4000 coordinated in advance the extension of the detention of suspects in the affair
- Netanyahu’s tragedy // Aluf Benn
- Not clear, must investigate // Revital Hovel
- Serious, but a side issue // Ido Baum
- Burma decimated dozens of Rohingya villages
- Ministers approved law to remove from the hands of the High Court the authority to deal with petitions from Palestinians
- Shin Bet: The hardship in Gaza is severe, but it is not a humanitarian crisis
- The settlers pressed and the IDF prohibited representatives of ‘Breaking the Silence’ organization from entering Hebron
- In the shadow of the criticism of (Chief of Staff) Eisenkot, (journalist) Erel Segal is on the way to leaving Army Radio
- The day after // Raviv Drucker
- A hasty decision // Naama Riva
- The Jew, Simone - The Islamist Party in Tunisia recruited a Jewish candidate to make itself appear open and liberal
- The race of the Israeli YouTube stars for the next viral video clip is not a game for children
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The scandalous message exchange between a judge and an investigator -The investigator: Appear surprised; The judge: I’m starting to work on an appropriate expression of complete surprise
- Self-goal // Nahum Barnea
- Bibi’s luck // Sima Kadmon
- A punch in the stomach // Ben-Dror Yemini
- Sanitation needed // Sever Plocker
- A badge of excellence for the combat soldier who saved the life of his friend in Jenin
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- Bezeq Affair - The investigator coordinated with the judge: “Appear surprised”
- Prime Minister expected to be questioned and to testify in Cases 3000 and 4000 this Friday
- Violence in south Tel-Aviv - Video of infiltrators (E. Africans) viciously beating their friend is horrifying the residents of the neighborhood who say again: “Our lives have turned into a nightmare”
- “An operational error of the crew” - Investigation of fall of F-16 by Syrian missile found that the pilots did not defend themselves as required
Israel Hayom
- The judge, the investigator and the text messages scandal - Judicial sources: “This is the Yom Kippur of the judicial system”
- The messages prove: Collapse of the system // Haim Shine
- It sounds bad, it looks bad - and it smells bad // Aviad Hacohen
- To get rid of the Prime Minister, it’s permissible to suspend democracy // Amnon Lord
- The Netanyahu investigations - democracy is on brakes // Erez Tadmor [head of Im Tirtzu organization]
- Not everyday is Purim? This week it is! A moment before, the full guide to holiday events
- Investigation of downing of F-16: “The crew made a professional mistake”
- “Continue in his path”: Masses parted from Rabbi Shmuel Orbach
News Summary:
In the latest twist in the corruption affair in which Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Bezeq Telecom and Walla website owner, Shaul Elovitch, allegedly had a quid pro quo relationship, Channel 10 News revealed that the judge and an investigator on the case secretly coordinated the extension of the remand of suspects, raising suspicions of conspiracy against the defendants, sparking a judicial and political hullaballoo and making today’s top story in the Hebrew newspapers.
Police will be questioning Netanyahu under warning about Case 4000 on Friday and taking testimony from him about Case 3000, the submarine affair, as well. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s former bureau chief, Ari Harow, will testify against him in Case 4000 - which is in addition to Cases 1000 and 2000. And, Elovitch and his relatives working in Bezeq have stepped down from the Bezeq board. Former Shin Bet chief, Carmi Gilon, said “Netanyahu is not fit to send soldiers into battle.” (Maariv)
**In other news, the government gave the green light for 350 new West Bank housing units and earmarked a $15 million budget to evacuate 15 families from the illegal West Bank outpost of Netiv Haavot. The families, who squatted on privately-owned Palestinian land, will also receive an additional $7 million in 'personal compensation' from the state coiffers. And until their temporary housing is set up, the Netiv Ha'avot residents will receive $600,000 for hotel rooms. At the same time, Miriam the widow of Itamar Ben-Gal, from the Har Bracha settlement slammed the prime minister for the 'delay in responding to terror.’ She demands turning the settlement into a city.
Quick Hits:
- Israel Navy Shoots, Kills 18-year-old Palestinian Fisherman Off Gaza Coast After Boat Leaves Fishing Zone - IDF said boat did not respond to calls before IDF opened fire killing, Saleh Abu Reyala. Mahmoud Adel Abu Reyala, injured with a bullet to the chest, and Ahed Abu Ali, were arrested and released hours later. The Gaza Fishermen’s Union said the IDF targeted the boat as it was returning to shore, and that the fishermen did not violate the limits of the fishing zone. (Haaretz, Ynet, Israel Hayom and Maan)
- Israeli Security Service Says Situation in Gaza Is Serious - 'But Not a Humanitarian Crisis' - While the military chief warns that Gaza is on the verge of collapse due to the worsening crisis, the defense minister believes that Hamas is deliberately exaggerating its scope. (Haaretz+)
- Israel to Close Down West Bank, Gaza Crossing Points for Purim - The army will be imposing a general closure from Tuesday night to Saturday night following assessments of the security situation. (Haaretz+)
- Gazans prepare for possible war with Israel with surprise drill - Using instructions and information from the IDF's Home Front Command, the Gaza Interior Ministry conducts drill, teaching schoolchildren how to seek shelter in case of Israeli attack; Hamas forces drill war scenarios on borders with Israel, Egypt. (Ynet)
- Egyptian mediators in Gaza press Palestinians to reconcile - Latest reconciliation attempt between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas was signed Oct. 12, but its implementation has proved challenging. Fatah officials cite Hamas' adamant refusal to disarm as the primary cause for the stalemate. (Israel Hayom)
- Ministers Back Bill Barring Palestinians From Petitioning High Court in Some Cases - The bill, pushed by Justice Minister Shaked, would transfer some cases from the High Court to the Jerusalem District Court. (Haaretz+)
- After pressure from settlers, Israeli army bars anti-occupation group from Jewish part of Hebron - The army says the new restrictions are temporary and that a meeting with Breaking the Silence will be held, but the group says no such meeting has been set. (Haaretz+)
- Investigation finds pilots of downed F-16 failed to defend themselves - While the pilot and navigator of the Israeli jet downed by Syrian anti-aircraft fire acted correctly when ejecting from the hit plane, they did not defend themselves properly from the imminent threat, investigation into Feb 10 incident finds. (Ynet and Haaretz)
- Adelson's Offer to Pay for U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem Comes in for Criticism - Many supporters of the embassy relocation don't think a private citizen should be funding the move; embassy 'should belong to every American equally.’ (JTA, Haaretz)
- PM plans state ceremony to mark US Embassy's move to Jerusalem - PM Netanyahu to take five-day trip to U.S. next week, will meet with President Trump. U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman: Two-state solution only tenable if Israel maintains security control to ensure future Palestinian state does not pose threat. (Israel Hayom)
- Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre shuts (doors) in land policy protest- After rare move by heads of churches in Jerusalem in protest of legislation to expropriate church lands, ministers postpone debate on bill. (Haaretz, Ynet, Israel Hayom and Maariv)
- The mother of a fallen soldier: “Aviv Gefen deserves to sing at the Independence Day ceremony, for me he is a symbol" - Ruhama Goltlieb, whose son was killed in Operation Protective Edge (Gaza War 2014), told FM 103: "It's irrelevant that he did not serve in the IDF and I do not think that political considerations are appropriate here.” (Maariv)
- Ayelet Shaked: I knew about the meeting between arranged by Netanyahu - Justice minister Shaked says there was nothing wrong with the meeting set up by Netanyahu's adviser between journalist Dan Margalit and then-candidate for attorney general Avichai Mendelblit. (Haaretz)
- The plague of thefts and the protest of reservists: The Yasam Unit (Police undercover unit) began to operate in Tze'elim - The Border Police’s elite undercover unit carries out ambushes in firing zones in the south, where there is theft of military weaponry. Senior military source: The cooperation between the IDF and the police has increased significantly. (Maariv)
- U.S. Congressional Black Caucus to Protest Israel’s Deportation of African Asylum Seekers - Move revealed by head of Jewish refugee agency, who also warns that Israeli government’s plan will only increase alienation of American Jews from Israel. (Haaretz+)
- Poland says controversial Holocaust law isn't 'frozen' - On Saturday night, Channel 2 reported that Poland had decided to freeze the law making it a crime to say the Polish state or nation was complicit in the Holocaust. (Maariv, JPost and Israel Hayom)
- An abandoned and neglected cemetery: Hundreds attended a memorial ceremony for thousands of unknown fallen - Students and representatives of the local authorities took part in a ceremony held at the ancient Sambuski cemetery in Jerusalem on Memorial Day for Fallen Whose Burial Place is Unknown. Among other things, they cleaned the place that suffers from vandalism. (Maariv)
- Fashion forward: IDF upgrades fatigues for elite fighters - Army has also been revamping uniforms of regular combat soldiers. (Maariv and JPost)
- Palestinian gets life for murdering pregnant Israeli woman - Mohammed Harouf convicted of murdering 29-year-old Michal Halimi last summer as part of a plea bargain attributing act to nationalistic motives, although original indictment was devoid of such charges; in addition to life sentence and five years for other crimes he committed, murderer ordered to pay NIS 258,000 in compensation to Halimi family. (Ynet)
- Thousands told to choose prison over conscription at Rabbi Auerbach's funeral - Crying and wailing, mourners and followers of leader of radical Jerusalem Faction sect pack Jerusalem's streets to escort his body, wrapped in a prayer shawl, to its final resting place at Har HaMenuchot Cemetery; 'We are facing a war of destruction. But the struggle is not lost,' says prominent sect rabbi in eulogy. (Haaretz and Ynet)
- Unknown Stretch of 2,500-year-old Incense Route Found in Israel's Negev Desert - The path of the overland trading route from southern Arabia to Gaza was known to researchers, but they thought this 7-kilometer stretch lay elsewhere. (Haaretz)
- “Crushing Dissent in Egypt": The dark film that worries (President) al-Sisi - A BBC documentary film dealing with the crushing of the opposition members and opponents of the regime in prisons is shaking the land of the Nile and succeeding in disrupting even the peace of the president. (Maariv)
- Egypt Signals That $15 Billion Gas Deal Will Hinge on Israeli Debt Concessions - Israel, however, insists no understandings to forfeit the $1.8 billion in compensation have been reached. (Haaretz)
- Iran to Continue Assault on Rebel-held Damascus Enclave Despite UN Call for Truce - Syrian rebels clash with pro-Assad forces. Rescuers and residents say warplanes bomb towns in eastern Ghouta. Iranian army chief: truce doesn't include suburbs 'held by terrorists.’ (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Pope Denounces 'Inhumane' Violence in Syria - Pope Francis voices backing to the UN Security Council's 30-day cease-fire. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Sisi favorite to win Egypt presidential race after main opponents arrested - After former leading Muslim Brotherhood member Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh and former Egyptian army chief Sami Anan were arrested, Sisi faces only head of the liberal Ghad party, Mussa Mustapha Mussa, a little known candidate. (Agencies, Ynet)
- WATCH: Jewish Conservative Escorted Out of CPAC for ‘Her Protection’ After Slamming Trump - Mona Charen calls out Republican ‘hypocrites’ who refuse to condemn ‘sexual harassers and abusers of women who are in our party, who are sitting in the White House.’ (Haaretz)
Features:
Part 2: The Palestinian security prisoners’ internal court: Snitches get killed
In second part of special series of interviews, Palestinian terrorists released from Israeli prisons in 2013 talk about the brutal internal punishment system against prisoners accused of violence against fellow inmates or of tipping off wardens—from denying a prisoner’s right to buy at the canteen to killing collaborators. (Elior Levy, Yedioth/Ynet)
Hundreds of Jewish Settlers Buried on Private Palestinian Land, New Research Finds
Israeli NGO says many settlement cemeteries are purposely being built hundreds of meters from nearest homes. ‘Time for left-wing organizations to stop hounding settlers even after death,’ responds Yesha Council. (Uri Blau, Haaretz+)
Finally Recognized as Holocaust Survivors, Algerian Jews Recount Their Persecution by the Nazis
'The further we get away from the events, I think there’s the greater possibility of Holocaust revisionism,' one survivor says. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
In second part of special series of interviews, Palestinian terrorists released from Israeli prisons in 2013 talk about the brutal internal punishment system against prisoners accused of violence against fellow inmates or of tipping off wardens—from denying a prisoner’s right to buy at the canteen to killing collaborators. (Elior Levy, Yedioth/Ynet)
Hundreds of Jewish Settlers Buried on Private Palestinian Land, New Research Finds
Israeli NGO says many settlement cemeteries are purposely being built hundreds of meters from nearest homes. ‘Time for left-wing organizations to stop hounding settlers even after death,’ responds Yesha Council. (Uri Blau, Haaretz+)
Finally Recognized as Holocaust Survivors, Algerian Jews Recount Their Persecution by the Nazis
'The further we get away from the events, I think there’s the greater possibility of Holocaust revisionism,' one survivor says. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
The Tragedy of Suspect Benjamin Netanyahu (Aluf
Benn, Haaretz+) The week of Netanyahu’s greatest achievement is also the
week in which he’ll face the most serious questioning yet. His popularity rests on his significant
achievements, and as long as that’s the case, many will keep supporting him – even if they believe
he’s guilty.
*Ahed Tamimi case is all about cowardice and defeatism (Prof. Yoram Yovell, Ynet) We have no chance of winning a PR battle against a pretty blonde girl; the IDF usually knows how to choose its battles wisely, but in this case our politicians have demonstrated how a nuclear power is incapable of dealing with a slap and a kick from a 16-year-old girl.
The history of the Jewish people, not the "national-religious", recognizes the heroism of warriors (Ron Kaufman, Maariv) No rabbi who invented the oral Torah to his own style and sells it to a captive and slanted audience is able or is capable of harming the contribution of women to military service
An auto-anti-Semitic abomination (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Zeev Sternhell, who has been trying to present Israel as a fascist state for the past 40 years, is now comparing Israel to ‘the beginning of Nazism.’ The Nazis demonized the Jews; Sternhell is demonizing Israel. Instead of advancing understanding, peace or reconciliation, he is fanning the flames of hatred and hostility.
Starve terrorists of funding (Uri Heitner, Israel Hayom) Deducting the money the PA pays to terrorists from the funds Israel transfers to Ramallah will not end support for terrorism, but it will serve to put immense international pressure on Israel.
Political system entering a state of chaos (Moran Azulay, Yedioth/Ynet) The state's witness agreement signed with Communication Ministry Director-General Shlomo Filber has led to a consensus among politicians that the Netanyahu era is coming to its end. Naftali Bennett, who sees himself as the next prime minister, will likely push for elections rather than take part in the formation of an alternative government.
ZOA Responds: Vicious anti-Israel, Hamas-supported BDS Is Targeting Mort Klein for Influencing Qatar (Liz Berney, Haaretz+) Like Moses, Esther and Herzl, Mort Klein just wanted to plead the Jewish people's case when he went to Doha. The PR hit piece by Steve Rabinowitz on Klein didn't show any financial or ulterior motives for his involvement because there are none - and that can't be said about Rabinowitz himself.
More than they want to destroy Israel, Iranians want to survive (Dr. Ori Goldberg and Idan Barir, Yedioth/Ynet) The Iranian presence in Syria and Lebanon shouldn’t just be seen as Shiite attempt to take over the world, but also as a survival policy based on the wars of the past.
Trump is a gift (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) The pundits were wrong about Donald Trump losing the election, and then about him moving the U.S. Embassy. Maybe their dire predictions about the ramifications of the embassy move are wrong, too.
With leader gone, future of struggle against enlistment unclear (Kobi Nachshoni, Yedioth/Ynet) In the wake of their head Rabbi's death, the radical Jerusalem Faction now lacks direction, but its members assure it won't impede on their infamous battle against IDF conscription.
Putin's Newest Stealth Fighters Are Nonoperational. So Why Deploy Them to Syria? (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) The Russian Air Force doesn’t need the Sukhoi 57 to bomb more civilians in Syria. But on an election year, it looks good on television screens back home.
Net indifference: Moshe Kahlon's voters will not forgive him for abandoning the state (Dr. Revital Amiran, Maariv) The finance minister should have now declared his resignation from the government instead of talking about the fall in housing prices, before the complete stomping out of public trust in the rule of law.
Church of Holy Sepulchre Crisis: Israel Burns Its Bridges With the Christian World (Nir Hasson, Haaretz+) Decision makers have continually ignored the political, religious and diplomatic sensitivities when trying to solve problems that concern Jerusalem's Christian community.
*Ahed Tamimi case is all about cowardice and defeatism (Prof. Yoram Yovell, Ynet) We have no chance of winning a PR battle against a pretty blonde girl; the IDF usually knows how to choose its battles wisely, but in this case our politicians have demonstrated how a nuclear power is incapable of dealing with a slap and a kick from a 16-year-old girl.
The history of the Jewish people, not the "national-religious", recognizes the heroism of warriors (Ron Kaufman, Maariv) No rabbi who invented the oral Torah to his own style and sells it to a captive and slanted audience is able or is capable of harming the contribution of women to military service
An auto-anti-Semitic abomination (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Zeev Sternhell, who has been trying to present Israel as a fascist state for the past 40 years, is now comparing Israel to ‘the beginning of Nazism.’ The Nazis demonized the Jews; Sternhell is demonizing Israel. Instead of advancing understanding, peace or reconciliation, he is fanning the flames of hatred and hostility.
Starve terrorists of funding (Uri Heitner, Israel Hayom) Deducting the money the PA pays to terrorists from the funds Israel transfers to Ramallah will not end support for terrorism, but it will serve to put immense international pressure on Israel.
Political system entering a state of chaos (Moran Azulay, Yedioth/Ynet) The state's witness agreement signed with Communication Ministry Director-General Shlomo Filber has led to a consensus among politicians that the Netanyahu era is coming to its end. Naftali Bennett, who sees himself as the next prime minister, will likely push for elections rather than take part in the formation of an alternative government.
ZOA Responds: Vicious anti-Israel, Hamas-supported BDS Is Targeting Mort Klein for Influencing Qatar (Liz Berney, Haaretz+) Like Moses, Esther and Herzl, Mort Klein just wanted to plead the Jewish people's case when he went to Doha. The PR hit piece by Steve Rabinowitz on Klein didn't show any financial or ulterior motives for his involvement because there are none - and that can't be said about Rabinowitz himself.
More than they want to destroy Israel, Iranians want to survive (Dr. Ori Goldberg and Idan Barir, Yedioth/Ynet) The Iranian presence in Syria and Lebanon shouldn’t just be seen as Shiite attempt to take over the world, but also as a survival policy based on the wars of the past.
Trump is a gift (Boaz Bismuth, Israel Hayom) The pundits were wrong about Donald Trump losing the election, and then about him moving the U.S. Embassy. Maybe their dire predictions about the ramifications of the embassy move are wrong, too.
With leader gone, future of struggle against enlistment unclear (Kobi Nachshoni, Yedioth/Ynet) In the wake of their head Rabbi's death, the radical Jerusalem Faction now lacks direction, but its members assure it won't impede on their infamous battle against IDF conscription.
Putin's Newest Stealth Fighters Are Nonoperational. So Why Deploy Them to Syria? (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) The Russian Air Force doesn’t need the Sukhoi 57 to bomb more civilians in Syria. But on an election year, it looks good on television screens back home.
Net indifference: Moshe Kahlon's voters will not forgive him for abandoning the state (Dr. Revital Amiran, Maariv) The finance minister should have now declared his resignation from the government instead of talking about the fall in housing prices, before the complete stomping out of public trust in the rule of law.
Church of Holy Sepulchre Crisis: Israel Burns Its Bridges With the Christian World (Nir Hasson, Haaretz+) Decision makers have continually ignored the political, religious and diplomatic sensitivities when trying to solve problems that concern Jerusalem's Christian community.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.