APN's daily news review from Israel
Tuesday May 29, 2018
You Must Be
Kidding:
After whispering to each other in front of a group of Palestinians peacefully protesting in E. Jerusalem, two Israeli Border Policemen were caught on camera charging past a police barricade and violently grabbing one of the protesters, none of whom had done anything, and arresting him.**
After whispering to each other in front of a group of Palestinians peacefully protesting in E. Jerusalem, two Israeli Border Policemen were caught on camera charging past a police barricade and violently grabbing one of the protesters, none of whom had done anything, and arresting him.**
Breaking News:
Israel Pounds Gaza as Second Rocket Barrage Launched
(Haaretz and Ynet)
Israel carries out 30 strikes on Gaza, including attack tunnel in retaliation for a salvo of 28 mortar shells that were fired into Israel earlier ■ IDF says some Gaza rockets are Iranian-made ■ Army: More than 25 rockets intercepted ■ IDF calls incident worst since 2014 Gaza war.
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Russia in message to Iran: Only Assad forces need to be on the southern border with Syria
- Victory of the populists and radical right-wing puts Italy in a tailspin
- Tel-Aviv University preventing pro-peace activities citing bureaucracy
- In the US, hope to reach a breakthrough in contacts for hudna while presenting peace plan
- State examining expulsion to Sudan of asylum seekers who escaped from genocide and from persecution
- Woman killed and another critically injured from shooting at car in Rishon L’Tzion
- Ultra-Orthodox municipalities evade funding of children needing special education
- Poland demanded and Yad V’Shem erased a mention of the Polish police in a photo
- Automatically guilty // Amira Hass
- Katz’s friend // Nehemia Shtrassler
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The overriding flight - The smiles of the heads of the judicial system, photographed on a flight to the Israel Bar Association conference, hide the deep differences of opinion (PHOTO: Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit and Chief Justice Esther Hayut)
- Contacts to distance Iran from the Golan
- Elimination at the traffic light - Two female residents of Jaffa shot at in Rishon L’Tzion
- Combat soldiers badge for a bereaved brother
- The hug and the punishment - Because of this photo with (singer) Enrique Iglesias (Iglesias hugging a girl with his whole body): Severe reprimand from principal of her ulpana (religious school for girls)
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- On the way to an arrangement in Syria: Iran will leave, Assad will establish himself on the border
- “The law enforcement system is under attack” - At Israel Bar Association conference, Attorney General sharply attacked attempts to weaken the judicial system
- Short-range killing - Someone opened fire on two women near Rishon L’Tzion, one was killed, other was seriously wounded
- Wonder Woman’s refusal - Gal Gadot rejected offer to be presenter of Eurovision
Israel Hayom
- Gov’t subsidized medicines: Initiative to subsidize health products
- Understandings between Israel and Russia: “Assad will deploy on the border, the Iranians will leave”
- The judgment over a bullet like the judgment over a rocket” - Second incident of shooting from Gaza within two weeks
- No criminal sanctions - New details on the new version of the Draft bill
- The new immigrant (Russian oligarch) Abramovitch
- 17 years since the finding of the Dakar: rare photos from the moment of discovery
News Summary:
An arrangement made between Israel and Russia about Syria, a flare up between Gaza and Israel, and Israel’s Attorney General says the government coalition is endangering the judicial system making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers along with the report of an Arab-Israeli woman who was shot dead at a traffic light.
Russia said only the Syrian Army should be on the border with Israel and a high-ranking Israeli politician told Channel 2 News that Russia agreed that its allies, Iran and Hezbollah, will move back. Channel 2 News also reported that, in a rare move, Russian jets challenged Israeli planes over Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will meet with French and German leaders next week in Europe to talk about Iran in Syria and the Iran nuclear deal, while Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman will visit Russia to discuss Iran and Syria with his counterpart.
On the Gaza front:
Monday, two Palestinians were chased by soldiers and caught after breaching the Gaza fence. Israel said that shots were fired at troops while chasing the two men. In response to the infiltration attempt by the two men, an Israeli tank shelled the Gaza town of Beit Lahia, killing one Palestinian man and wounding another. Later machine gun fire from Gaza hit buildings in the Israeli town of Sderot, triggering an alarm. At the same time, in Europe, EU foreign ministers discussed Gaza as pro-Palestinian activists protested outside demanding sanctions against Israel.
On the second day of the Israel Bar Association annual conference in Eilat, it was Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit’s turn to warn against harm to democracy. Mendelblit was decisively forthright, saying the “law enforcement system is under attack” and naming the coalition government as being the guilty party. Mandelblit said spoke about moves that aim to harm various bodies of the justice system, primarily the Supreme Court and the law enforcement system and their independence. He warned against bills coming from the coalition, saying that they "block the search for truth." Mendelblit said the judicial system’s most fundamental principles, its independence and public faith in it, were under assault. He also said that Case 4000, the Bezeq-Walla Affair involving Netanyahu, was almost complete.
Quick Hits:
- Palestinian shot by Israeli forces during Gaza protest dies of wounds - Nasser Arf al-Arini, 28, who was shot by Israeli forces near the border fence in the Gaza Strip, died of his wounds, raising number of Palestinians killed in Gaza Strip since March 30, the start of the demonstrations, to 117. (Haaretz+)
- IDF raids West Bank refugee camp in search of Duvdevan soldier's killer, injures 13 - Violence erupts as IDF sends forces to al-Am'ari refugee camp near Ramallah in attempt to smoke out soldier Ronen Lubarsky’s killer. Several houses in the refugee camp were reportedly turned into military outposts by soldiers, while one building was demolished and by an Israeli bulldozer. (Ynet and Maan)
- **Israeli Border Policemen Filmed Roughing Up Protesters Unprovoked in Jerusalem - In a video filmed on Jerusalem Day, the policemen are seen suddenly crossing the barrier separating them from the protesters and beating one of them. (Haaretz+ and VIDEO)
- Officer who struck Israeli Arab rights activist placed on compulsory leave 0 Officer L., who, according to Jafar Farah, broke his leg, was questioned last week by the Justice Ministry's Police Internal Investigations and removed from the service. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Israeli court extends detention of Palestinian woman shot in Jerusalem - Khawla Sbeih, 43, was shot by Israeli forces near the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood of Shufat on Sunday. Israeli media reported at the time that the soldiers shot Sbeih, who was wearing a full head and face veil, for acting suspiciously. (Maan)
- Tel Aviv University prevents student from holding pro-peace events because of red tape - The university originally approved the End the Occupation Week events, but now says that the organizers need to pay for security: 'Here we have an issue that’s very charged, especially in recent times.’ (Haaretz)
- France warns Israel: Demolishing West Bank Bedouin village would break international law - France urges Israel to halt the demolition, saying Khan al-Ahmar is located in an area 'of strategic importance to the two-state solution.’ (Haaretz+)
- What's in a name: Israel revoking working permits from Palestinians who share name with terrorists - Israel has over the past year canceled the permits of hundreds who share a last name with an attacker. Many did not know the perpetrator and some are not even related. (Haaretz+)
- A device that lets Palestinian Israelis shed their Arabic accent? - A new project by Palestinian director and artist Scandar Copti presents fake technological solutions, but the irony in the work becomes a double-edged sword. (Haaretz+)
- Fearing anti-Arab [reprisal] attacks, Israeli security forces up presence in settlements - The forces are mainly stationed in Yitzhar, in the northern West Bank, a settlement known for extremism and attacks on Palestinian targets. (Haaretz+)
- Minister calls on EU foreign policy chief to halt BDS funding - EU funding of groups that promote Israel boycott harms Europe-Israel ties, encourages continuation of Palestinian conflict, Strategic Affairs Minister Erdan writes to Federica Mogherini. EU delegation to Israel: We oppose any attempt to isolate Israel. (Israel Hayom)
- Israel considering sending asylum seekers to ‘safe spots’ in Sudan - Sudan bars its citizens from having any contact with Israel, let alone entering the country. (Haaretz+)
-
Top Netanyahu aide Eli Groner stepping down - Netanyahu thanks PMO head for his 'dedicated
work in advancing issues of great importance in the fields of economics and society.’ Maariv journalist Ben
Caspit published a week ago that Groner "was erased from Balfour (Prime Minister’s Residence) more than a year
ago.”
(Times of Israel, Maariv and Yedioth, p. 19) - (Religious) MKs fume as TV show asks kids to tell chief rabbi, Iranian leader apart - Kan public broadcaster under fire after show demonstrates children cannot distinguish between Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef and President Hassan Rouhani, whose country calls for Israel's destruction. Shas MK: Public funds would be better spent on children in need. (Israel Hayom)
- IDF soldier killed in car crash while fleeing police - Police say 19-year-old Shahar Rubilar from Netanya accelerated when instructed to pull over, triggering a car chase that concluded with the soldier slamming head on into a truck and dying on the spot. (Ynet)
- Roman Abramovich lands in Israel – but has he secretly been an Israeli for years? - As a Jew, Abramovich is eligible for an Israeli passport – but it's hard to see how he could have automatically received citizenship. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
- Sites for sore eyes: At Venice Biennale, Israelis showcase loci of conflict - Curators of the Israeli exhibition at the Architecture Biennale offer a courageous and aesthetic look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as manifested at five famous and fraught locales. (Haaretz+)
- Footage, recordings surrounding INS Dakar's sinking released - Israeli Navy's Dakar submarine mysteriously sank 50 years ago with 69 crewmen aboard and was found 31 years ago; the tragedy remained an unsolved enigma for many years; footage of its remains being removed from the sea's floor revealed for first time. (Ynet)
- Abbas released after nine days in West Bank hospital - 'Thank God I am leaving the hospital in good health and I will return to work tomorrow,' Abbas says at hospital's lobby. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
-
Despite Diplomatic Boycott, Palestinian Intel Chief Held Rare Meeting With Mike Pompeo in Washington - Majid Faraj – considered one of the people closest to Palestinian President Abbas – met with Pompeo last month and has a close relationship with the new secretary of state. (Haaretz+) - Liberated but obliterated Palestinians in Syria still can't return to Yarmouk camp - Palestinians will have wait to return home after the liberation of the extremists-held camp which requires full reconstruction. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
Israel’s Explainers: The officer who explains the dilemmas of the IDF through simulations
Using simulations of combat, Yaakov Sheh-Lavan demonstrates to visitors from abroad the moral dilemma of the IDF in asymmetrical warfare against an enemy that uses its citizens as human shields. (Ilana Stutland, Maariv)
Letters to the Editor: On the Nakba, Palestinians, and Absolute Truth (Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
A Palestinian Child Is Guilty by Default (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) In the military’s Orwellian language, it’s the soldiers who are the ones under attack. Meanwhile, 14-year-olds sit in jail.
After the Gaza deaths, can this summer's Birthright trips just carry on as usual? (Ella Ben Hagai, Haaretz+) For years, Birthright has done its best to avoid a critical discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After Gaza, is that sustainable – or credible? Are Birthright participants growing weary of its 'sugar-coated Israel'?
The struggle over Highway 1 is part of the Arab struggle for control of the Land of Israel (Prof. Arieh Eldad, Maariv) Rejection of the petitions of the Jahalin Bedouin of Khan al-Ahmar, who settled on state land in Mishor Adummim (in the West Bank, adjacent to Hwy 1 between Jerusalem and Jericho - OH), brings a long legal saga to an end. If we lost huge parts of the Negev, there is no reason to lose the Judean Desert.
Blocking the people (Haaretz Editorial) In Israel, like the U.S., politicians like to silence their opponents, and they disparage citizens and ignore freedom of expression on social media.
Hamas prepares for all scenarios (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) Frustrated by its failed riots strategy, Hamas is no longer even pretending to stop attacks near the border fence. Israel is still open to negotiating a truce, but it has made it clear it will not shy away from a military confrontation in Gaza.
For American Jews, Zionism died when Israel's government and people embraced Donald Trump (M.J. Rosenberg, Haaretz+) U.S. Jews like me were always taught Israel would be our ultimate refuge from anti-Semitism. But Netanyahu's Israel is now proudly in bed with the very people who threaten our future.
Between Russia and Iran: Assad's comfortable position (Smadar Perry, Yedioth/Ynet) Syrian president doesn’t need foreign forces to pull out of his country just yet. He understands Russians are there to stay and has no interest in confronting Iranians at this time. As far as he’s concerned, Iranians can continue their war on Israel from Syria, and he knows Russia is willing to do almost anything to keep him in power.
Will Iran Withdraw Its Forces From Syria? (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) With Israel adamant on preventing Iran from getting close to the border and Russia ordering a retreat from Syria, Iran has some choices to make - that Assad may not like.
Despite the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement, the Iranians are in no hurry to end it all (Oded Tira, Maariv) The Iranian foreign minister arrived in China and began a campaign to persuade the superpowers to adhere to the nuclear agreement. The Iranians have a plan to acquire nuclear weapons, after we have defined Kerry and Obama as part of the stupid nuclear agreement.
With fertility rising, Israel is spared a demographic time bomb (Dafna Maor, Haaretz+) Our fertility rate is much higher than elsewhere in the developed world, and it’s rising.
Using simulations of combat, Yaakov Sheh-Lavan demonstrates to visitors from abroad the moral dilemma of the IDF in asymmetrical warfare against an enemy that uses its citizens as human shields. (Ilana Stutland, Maariv)
Letters to the Editor: On the Nakba, Palestinians, and Absolute Truth (Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
A Palestinian Child Is Guilty by Default (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) In the military’s Orwellian language, it’s the soldiers who are the ones under attack. Meanwhile, 14-year-olds sit in jail.
After the Gaza deaths, can this summer's Birthright trips just carry on as usual? (Ella Ben Hagai, Haaretz+) For years, Birthright has done its best to avoid a critical discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After Gaza, is that sustainable – or credible? Are Birthright participants growing weary of its 'sugar-coated Israel'?
The struggle over Highway 1 is part of the Arab struggle for control of the Land of Israel (Prof. Arieh Eldad, Maariv) Rejection of the petitions of the Jahalin Bedouin of Khan al-Ahmar, who settled on state land in Mishor Adummim (in the West Bank, adjacent to Hwy 1 between Jerusalem and Jericho - OH), brings a long legal saga to an end. If we lost huge parts of the Negev, there is no reason to lose the Judean Desert.
Blocking the people (Haaretz Editorial) In Israel, like the U.S., politicians like to silence their opponents, and they disparage citizens and ignore freedom of expression on social media.
Hamas prepares for all scenarios (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom) Frustrated by its failed riots strategy, Hamas is no longer even pretending to stop attacks near the border fence. Israel is still open to negotiating a truce, but it has made it clear it will not shy away from a military confrontation in Gaza.
For American Jews, Zionism died when Israel's government and people embraced Donald Trump (M.J. Rosenberg, Haaretz+) U.S. Jews like me were always taught Israel would be our ultimate refuge from anti-Semitism. But Netanyahu's Israel is now proudly in bed with the very people who threaten our future.
Between Russia and Iran: Assad's comfortable position (Smadar Perry, Yedioth/Ynet) Syrian president doesn’t need foreign forces to pull out of his country just yet. He understands Russians are there to stay and has no interest in confronting Iranians at this time. As far as he’s concerned, Iranians can continue their war on Israel from Syria, and he knows Russia is willing to do almost anything to keep him in power.
Will Iran Withdraw Its Forces From Syria? (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) With Israel adamant on preventing Iran from getting close to the border and Russia ordering a retreat from Syria, Iran has some choices to make - that Assad may not like.
Despite the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement, the Iranians are in no hurry to end it all (Oded Tira, Maariv) The Iranian foreign minister arrived in China and began a campaign to persuade the superpowers to adhere to the nuclear agreement. The Iranians have a plan to acquire nuclear weapons, after we have defined Kerry and Obama as part of the stupid nuclear agreement.
With fertility rising, Israel is spared a demographic time bomb (Dafna Maor, Haaretz+) Our fertility rate is much higher than elsewhere in the developed world, and it’s rising.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.