News Nosh: June 10, 2018

by APN 06/10/18
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APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday June 10, 2018
 
Numbers of the Day:
46:85
--Percentage of Jewish Americans vs. percentage of Israelis who supported the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem.
59:44
--Percentage of Jewish Americans vs. percentage of Israelis who support a two-state solution.
34:77
--Percentage of Jewish Americans vs. percentage of Israelis who support Trump’s policies towards Israel.
12:28
--Percentage of Jewish Americans vs. percentage of Israelis who see the other as ‘brothers.’

You Must Be Kidding: 
A Palestinian family was trapped inside their home and forced to leave through a broken window after Israeli forces welded their front door shut and temporarily detained them inside their home in Hebron.**

Front Page:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)

Israel Hayom

  • The summit of the century: “This is a one-time opportunity” - Our correspondent reports from Singapore: Tension ahead of Trump-Kim meeting this week
  • Hamas’ failure: Getting closer to Iranians, farther from Gazans
  • Report: “Hezbollah is working on establishing a Hamas military force in Lebanon”
  • Draft law storm: Security establishment expected to submit its recommendation by tomorrow, coalition preparing for quick legislation
  • Fox that crossed from Jordan attacked four people on holiday at Hamat Geder - camping site closed

News Summary:
The upcoming summit between the leaders of the US and North Korea, the latest on Israel-Gaza (IDF assessment, Israeli security cabinet sanctions relief and four Palestinians killed by IDF fire) and Israel-Syria-Hezbollah were top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Also in the news, over 250,000 people participated in Tel Aviv's 20th Gay Pride Parade and EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini cancelled her visit to Jerusalem allegedly because Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu refused to meet with her. Mogherini was scheduled to address the American Jewish Congress Forum in Jerusalem.

Fewer people showed up to the Gaza fence protests, which Yedioth and Israel Hayom called ‘Hamas’ failure,’ yet IDF soldiers shot dead four young Gazans ranging in age from 15-29, and at least 618 were wounded, with more than 100 of them from IDF gunfire, according to the Palestinians. Maariv noted that “hours later,” the Israeli Security Cabinet met to discuss relief measures for Gazans living under siege, including giving 6,000 Gazans work permits in Israel, after more than a decade that none have been given, Yedioth’s Itamar Eichner noted. In addition, the cabinet was considering allowing Gazan goods to cross through the Erez crossing and be transferred to the Ashdod port, thus allowing the Strip to use Ashdod as a sea port. Eichner also noted that UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Nickolay Mladenov prevented the collapse of UNRWA's schools in the Strip by recruiting the international community to raise the funds the US previously paid.

Israel expected rocket fire from Gaza, but only incendiary kites and balloons flew from Gaza into Israel, while Israeli drones flew from Israel over Gaza. On Friday, five kites and balloons carrying explosives from Gaza reached Israel. Some were detonated remotely via cellphone and exploded near Israeli troops, Haaretz+ reported. Interestingly, Haaretz’s Amos Harel noted that “armed members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad could be seen among the crowd of protesters, using their weapons to target Israeli military drones documenting the demonstrations.” [NOTE: This admission by the IDF suggests that the IDF can see when people are carrying weapons or not and the suggestions over the last few months that Palestinians may have been armed was false because the IDF apparently can see when they actually are. - OH] On Saturday, ten fires broke out in Israel from Gaza burning kites. And, for the first time, the IDF shot at a group of Palestinian youths preparing to launch balloons, Haaretz reported. The shot was made from a drone. No casualties were reported. The IDF told reporters it expected the number of marches to decrease, but it also expected an increase in attempts to carry out attacks along the fence - which could lead to an exchange of fire between Israel and Hamas in the near future. (Also Maariv) Ynet reported that the IDF had set up snipers every 20 meters and that some overlook the home of Yahya Sinwar, the new Hamas politburo chief. Meanwhile, the Palestinians have turned to the UN General Assembly for help. The Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour asked to pass a resolution denouncing Israel's 'excessive use of force' in Gaza and seek recommendations to ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians.
 
Quick Hits:
  • **Israeli forces seal front door to Palesitnian home in Hebron, detain family inside - A Palestinian family was trapped inside their home and forced to leave through a broken window after Israeli forces welded their front door shut and temporarily detained them inside their home in the southern occupied West Bank district of Hebron on Thursday morning. (Maan)
  • Israel's High Court to Hear Petition of 70 Palestinian Families Facing Eviction From East Jerusalem - Residents of Silwan are being evicted at the orders of a right wing settler organization that claims they should leave because their homes were built on a land that was owned by Jews before 1948. (Haaretz)
  • Israel demolishes al-Araqib Bedouin village for 129th time - Israeli authorities demolished the Bedouin village of al-Araqib for the 129th time on Thursday. (Maan)
  • Israel extends detention of Hebron Municipal Council member - Israeli authorities extended the detention of Hebron Municipal Council member Suzan al-Eweiwi, 39, who was detained from her home earlier this week, for another 11 days on Thursday. (Maan)
  • Israeli bulldozers raze lands in southern Gaza Strip - Three Israeli military bulldozers entered into Gaza Thursday from a military post along the Israeli-imposed security fence and razed lands as Israeli drones flew over head. (Maan)
  • The police will check the cellular device of CEO Breaking the Silence - A Jerusalem Magistrate's Court judge ordered the director-general of the left-wing organization to transfer his old telephones in order to examine a video documenting a violent incident with right-wing activists. (Maariv)
  • Report: 4 Soldiers in basic training in the Artillery Corps refused to visit Yitzhak Rabin's grave - Yeshiva students who enlisted a short while ago to the IDF did not agree to go to the grave of former prime minister on ideological grounds, according to KAN Channel 11. After the company commander informed them that they would be punished, they fled from the base. (Maariv)
  • Israeli army launches probe into fatal West Bank shooting of 21-year-old Palestinian - Izz ad-Din a-Tamimi, 21, was killed Wednesday by Israeli fire during clashes in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh; IDF claims he hurled rocks at soldiers, triggering response. (Haaretz+)
  • Israeli army video purports to show killed Gaza medic throwing gas canister - 'Razan al-Najjar is not the angel of mercy that Hamas propaganda attempts to portray,' IDF Arabic-language army spokesman tweets. (Haaretz and
    Ynet)
  • Israeli Navy holds drill to defend economic vulnerabilities - In naval exercise, two main offensive and defensive scenarios are simulated successfully, with ships managing to intercept a simulated attack on a gas rig and destroy enemy vessels. (Ynet)
  • Israel to host first global cyber threats, counterterrorism forum - Homeland security ministers from 17 countries to attend a Jerusalem conference on incitement, cyber threats and counterterrorism • Public security minister: Holding the symposium in Jerusalem attests to the international recognition of Israel's abilities. (Israel Hayom)
  • After deaths of 10 students in flood, pre-army academy to close for a year - Bnei Zion's Board of Directors recommended temporarily postponing the preparatory program, 10 of whose students were killed in a flood, in order to 'rebuild itself.’ (Haaretz and Ynet)
  • Israeli Police Arrest Two Suspects in Murder of Christian Leader's Widow - Fadia Kadis was the widow of Gabriel Kadis, the chairman of the Orthodox Christian Association in Jaffa who was murdered over a real estate dispute in 2012. (Haaretz+)
  • Miri Regev refused to approve making public the evaluation sheet from her military service - After it was exposed that the culture minister did not take the necessary tests for promotion - and yet reached the rank of brigadier general - Regev rejected Ma'ariv's request to receive the assessment center's report and also prohibited the IDF from disclosing if it exists or not. (Maariv)
  • The Odd Instruction Given to the Crew on Netanyahu's El Al Flight - The crew on Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu's El Al flight to Europe this week were given a list of dos and don'ts. One guideline stood out in particular. Under no circumstances are you to address the prime minister directly. Every approach to him is to be made solely through his wife. (Haaretz+)
  • 'One of a Kind' Royal Figurine, Nearly 3,000 Years Old, Found in Israel - The 5-centimeter (2-inch) sculpture is an exceedingly rare example of figurative art from the Holy Land during the 9th century B.C.  (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • Palestinians praise Argentina for defending 'occupied Jerusalem against Israel' - After Palestinian pressure leads Argentina to nix friendly soccer game with Israel, Palestinian president says 'any step that harms Jerusalem's status is unacceptable.’ (Haaretz)
  • Palestinian Students Hope Sea Waves Can Be New Power Source for Blockaded Gaza - Gaza's two million residents now receive only three to four hours of electricity per day, with schools, factories, hospitals and households affected. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • Netanyahu meets Latvia's FM amid reports country launders funds for sanctioned states - The prime minister's bureau statement said the two discussed 'Iranian aggression and recent developments in the region. Also, the two discussed strengthening the bilateral relations between the countries.' Suspicions are that Latvian banks assisted countries such as Russia and North Korea to bypass international economic sanctions. (Haaretz)
  • Austrian Chancellor, Whose Deputy's Party Has anti-Semitic Roots, Visits Israel - Sebastian Kurz, who formed a coalition with the Freedom Party, to attend AJC conference in Jerusalem; expected to pressure Netanyahu to withdraw from boycotting far-right party. (Haaretz)
  • Kenyan airline asks to fly over Sudan on planned route to Israel - After Air India secured Saudi's permission to fly over its airspace to Israel, Kenya Airways now planning to begin operating weekly flights between Ben-Gurion Airport and Nairobi in 2019 through Sudan. (Ynet)
  • Iraq extradites suspected killer of Jewish girl to Germany - Ali Bashar, 20, suspected of killing 14-year-old Susanna Feldman arrested in Iraq's Kurdish region; he reportedly admitted to the Kurdish police he killed the victim after an argument; German officials caution against attributing any anti-Semitic motive; Merkel: Case is reminder of need to integrate immigrants. (Ynet and Maariv)
  • Israel Accuses Hezbollah of Helping Hamas Establish Military Presence in Lebanon - Israeli ambassador to UN turns to Security Council. Israel reportedly claims Hamas, Hezbollah turning Lebanon into 'base for anti-Israel fighters' with Iran's help. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
  • Nasrallah: Hezbollah to stay in Syria as long as Assad wants - 'I will tell you that if the whole world comes together to force us to leave Syria, they will not be able to evict us,' Hezbollah leader says in speech marking Jerusalem Day. (Agencies, Ynet)
  • Putin: Russia will stay in Syria as long as it serves its interests - Russian troops will remain in Syria as long as Moscow thinks it is necessary, but Russia is not building permanent facilities, President Vladimir Putin says • Putin: If necessary, we can withdraw our servicemen quite quickly without any material losses. (Israel Hayom)
  • Iranian Forces Pose as Syrian Soldiers to Evade Israel, Report Says - Iran-backed militias return to Israel-Syria border in Assad regime vehicles, Wall Street Journal says. Last week, Russia, Israel reportedly agreed to remove Iranian forces from border. (Haaretz and Ynet)
  • Report: Khamenei Fires Air Force Chief over Israeli F-35 Deep Penetration of Iran’s Sky - The Supreme Leader fired General Farzad Ismaili after the Israeli stealth planes entered Iranian airspace, and the latter concealed it. The commander of Hezbollah's missile unit was killed in a battle against Da'ash. (Maariv and JewishPress)
  • Anti-Israel protests across Iran: ‘Israel, Saudis to blame for regional chaos’ - Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Iranians took part in anti-Israel rallies across the country to mark ‘Jerusalem Day,’ Iran's annual day of solidarity with the Palestinians. (Agencies, Haaretz and Ynet)
  • Rage in the Australian Jewish community: "Leftist organizations incite Australian Jews against Israel" - The Jewish community is furious at a seminar and the launch of a book penned by Jewish, Israeli, Palestinian and international authors called "Fifty Years of Occupation,” and held by Breaking the Silence activists and the New Israel Fund in Melbourne. Dozens of Beitar members demonstrated in front of the seminar. (Maariv and Israel Hayom)
  • IDF spokesperson to appear before French parliamentary committee - Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis will clarify IDF's response to riots on the Gaza border to France's Foreign Affairs Committee, following sharp criticism by French lawmakers. French Jewish MP: While criticism of Israel is acceptable, committee is obsessed. (Israel Hayom)
  • MKs back bill increasing fines on anyone who boycotts Israel - Israel's original anti-boycott law does not specify the fines that can be imposed on those calling for the economic, cultural ‎or academic boycott ‎of Israel • Amendment caps fine at $140,000. MK: Calling for Israel's boycott should come with a price. (Israel Hayom)
  • London's Jewish community to boycott pro-BDS stor -
  • Co-op Food, due to open a branch in Hampstead Garden next week, plans to boycott Israeli products made in Judea and Samaria. Company cites settlement enterprise as illegal, but says its position "doesn't constitute a boycott of Israeli businesses." (Israel Hayom)
  • *American, Israeli Jews sharply divided over Trump, Western Wall and settlements, survey shows - AJC survey reveals deep differences between the two communities; the main factor predicting how people respond is how they identify religiously. (Haaretz and Israel Hayom)
  • Top Irish diplomat returns from Israel, Mideast tour – says 'we are fortunate to live in Ireland' - Simon Coveney, who also serves as Ireland's deputy prime minister, says meeting with Netanyahu was 'good,' focused on Gaza, peace process. (Haaretz+)
  • Giuliani Does Jerusalem: Trump's lawyer dances, unwinds after controversial statements in Israel - Rudy Giuliani parties in popular Jerusalem market during whirlwind trip to the Holy Land. (Haaretz)

Features:
They thought they were living in a Jerusalem suburb. But actually, they're settlers
Turns out, a street in an upscale Jerusalem suburb is actually outside the State of Israel. It turns out that in some parts of Rekhes Halilim neighborhood of Mevasseret Zion, the homes are situated outside the town’s own municipal boundaries. The anomaly was discovered by Dror Etkes from Kerem Navot (Naboth’s Vineyard), a non-profit watchdog organization that monitors Israeli land policy in the West Bank.(Nir Hasson, Haaretz+)
"It's a holiday of fun, God blesses us." A shopping tour just before breaking the fast of Ramadan
We went on a tour of markets and shopping in the streets of the Arab town of Tira, and tried to understand how it was that on a holiday when people fast all day, food costs skyrocket. We encountered hungry shoppers waiting for an update from an app about when they were allowed to eat. We tasted the traditional tamarhindi drink and what word the Arab sector uses to refer to 'Iraqi pita.' (Amir Kemer, Ynet Hebrew)
Disgusted by far-right policies, some religious Zionists in Israel look left for new leadership
A political party is revived and grassroots groups flourish as religious left-wingers seek more liberal alternatives on social issues including migrants, women’s rights and the Palestinian conflict. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
India Can Wait: Israeli Army Vets Skip Post-service Trip to Start Their Own Businesses
More and more IDF soldiers are deciding to forgo the traditional 'tiyul' and use their demobilization grant to become enterpreneurs. (JTA, Haaretz)
The new Etgar Keret book is as amusing as a good Holocaust joke
In the writer’s latest book, now available in Hebrew, the world remains the same gloomy and absurd place – and the laughter is even less present than before. (Maya Sela, Haaretz+)
Explained Trump already relocated U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, so why did he sign a waiver postponing the move this week?
Since the Trump administration isn’t fully complying with all of the Jerusalem Embassy Act, another waiver was required – and there may be still more to come. (Amir Tibon, Haaretz+)
Review: Is the Israeli PM in love with the U.S. president? Sure looks like it in Bill Clinton’s new thriller
Co-written with James Patterson, ‘The President is Missing’ is certainly not missing sycophantic praise of Israel and awkward sexual tension between a widowed U.S. leader and a made over version of Golda Meir. (Adrian Hennigan, Haaretz)
 
Commentary/Analysis:
Relative Calm Since Gaza War Is Over: Hamas to Continue Protests This Summer (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Hamas has a new array of tactics – violent protest, burning kites and the occasional rocket – to preserve the fire of resistance. While it's uncertain the situation will escalate into military conflict, Hamas alone doesn't decide.
If we don’t promote hasbara (advocacy) activity towards American Jewry, the damage will be irreversible (Brig. Gen. (Res.) Eli Ben-Meir, Maariv) The Israeli messages are lost on the American Jewish community, and as a result they understand us less and less. Only focused and determined action will prevent the widening of the gaps.
Will the Witnesses Fund Netanyahu's Defense? (Haaretz Editorial) It's hard to escape the impression that by considering to allow the prime minister to receive funding for legal defense from two wealthy individuals, the attorney general is not acting in the public interest.
(Former chief justice) Aharon Barak's attack on (Justice) Minister Ayelet Shaked is a new record of chutzpah (Michael Kleiner, Maariv) It is not entirely clear why the former High Court president chose to point to the justice minister as someone who tries to appoint judges close to her ideologically. After all, the politicization of the courts is his own creation.
Thank You, Miri Regev (Ravit Hecht, Haaretz+) Only the cancellation of the visit by soccer star Lionel Messi managed to bring down the culture minister, 'Bibi's proxy and Sara's bestie.’
Hamas failed, but the Gaza problem is far from resolution (Ron Ben Yishai, Ynet) The terror group called on the masses to storm the border fence on Naksa Day and the last Friday of Ramadan, but got barely 10,000 people there. It's possible the IDF coming out in large forces and the physiological warfare it employed deterred the Palestinians. But even if it seems we can breathe easy now, this is far from over.
Iran’s Fighting Force in Gaza Is the One Calling and Firing the Shots (Yaniv Kubovich, Haaretz+) Hamas may rule the Strip, but it’s Islamic Jihad that will determine whether rockets are directed at Israel.
Upending the Palestinian Leadership: The Role of Youth (Fadi Quran, Al-Shabaka, Maan) Instead of bringing an end to the occupation, the current Palestinian leadership and its institutions have become a key component of it. Yet a new generation of leaders is slowly emerging. Their goal is to build a new framework for the Palestinian struggle that avoids the mistakes of the past and ensures that freedom is achieved in their lifetime. Their successful entrance into leadership will require both a reckoning with and breaking of a cycle that blocks change.
Why did three decent Israeli Supreme Court justices sign off on sniper fire on Gaza protesters? (Avigdor Feldman, Haaretz+) And what I would have done in their place.
Thus, Miri Regev was abandoned to the kennels by her party (Ron Kaufman, Maariv) From now on, delegations and athletes who are not obligated to come here for official competitions simply won’t come.
The Big Lie: How Apologists for Israel’s Occupation Justify Killing Unarmed Palestinian Protesters (Dean Issacharoff, Haaretz+) Israel’s military and government ministers claim Israeli snipers opening fire across the fence into Gaza are 'defending our border.' That’s just not true.
The Israeli politicians who are helping the boycott campaign (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Part of the Israeli Right is supplying the industry of hatred against Israel with ammunition. The cancellation of the Argentina match is the highlight, but it won’t end here. Because when they have to choose between the state’s best interest and themselves, some right-wing MKs will continue promoting self-serving initiatives. And to hell with the state.
Trump Mideast Envoy: The Palestinians Deserve So Much More Than Saeb Erekat (US Envoy to Mideast, Jason Greenblatt, Haaretz+) The inaccurate, unhelpful and false rhetoric of Palestinian leaders like Dr Erekat have not brought peace, and never will. It’s time to hear different Palestinian voices with the courage to seize peace.
The President of Vulgaria: Culture Minister Miri Regev was wrong to think that the game against Argentina was another version of the torchlight ceremony affair (Ben Caspit, Maariv) Rhino Regev entered the china shop, and the porcelain began to shatter. The question is how this lady became a brigadier general in the IDF. Separately, (former Mossad chief) Pardo did not betray state secrets, but rather the conduct of those who decide our fate.
How Israel's army chief went from 'weak on terror' to the most popular kid in town (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Eisenkot’s recent accomplishments could lead Netanyahu to extend his term as army chief of staff — and allow the prime minister to groom a surprise heir.
Deal with Gaza now, leave Iran for later (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth/Ynet) PM Netanyahu went to Europe to discuss two things: Iran and Iran. Meanwhile, our southern fields are burning, the infiltration attempts and rocket fire are continuing, and the Gaza vicinity residents have the right to demand a practical solution to the impossible reality they are living in.
After Killing Razan al-Najjar, IDF Assassinates Her Character (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) When fairness is gone, all that is left is propaganda.
Support behind closed doors (Ariel Kahana, Israel Hayom) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had successful meetings with three major European allies on the Iranian issue. But support behind the scenes is one thing; addressing Israel's public diplomacy problem is another.
David Friedman Is a Menace (Rogel Alpher, Haaretz+) Last week this arrogant man told journalists who criticized Israeli army snipers for firing on Palestinian demonstrators at the Gazan border to 'keep your mouths shut.’
An invitation to an unquiet border (Alex Fishman, Yedioth/Ynet) If the Americans pull out of Syria in 2019, any Israeli agreement with the Russians about the Golan Heights will be worthless. The really important agreement is between Israel and the US on keeping American forces in Syria.
Indonesia's Christian and Muslim pilgrims appeal to Israel: Let us in (Monique Rijkers, Haaretz+) Our countries have no diplomatic relations. But Israel had the wisdom to allow pilgrims to visit; that built goodwill towards Israel and Israelis. Now, Israel is closing the door.
We’ve already seen this film: Although the convening of the UN General Assembly is outrageous, it has no significance on the ground (Shlomo Shamir, Maariv) There is no reason to get upset and do not get carried away by reactions of rage. It is expected that the results of the vote on a resolution condemning Israel will be more or less the same as the results of the vote at the General Assembly against the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem.
Israel's Defense Chief Calls Idea of Aiding Gaza 'Delusional.’ But He's Intentionally Misleading (Noa Landau, Haaretz+) Avigdor Lieberman knows his government and military support such assistance, but wants to appear as the right flank.
The determination of the religious-nationalist right-wing discourages the average left-winger (Ran Adelist, Maariv) The Israeli left has good reasons to be concerned. Time after time the public gives automatic justification for corruption and corrupt people and instinctively gives support to IDF activities.
The Boycott Law 2.0 (Friday Haaretz Editorial) The provision being pushed by the coalition isn’t intended for the battle against BDS, but for the battle against Israeli citizens who oppose the occupation.
Sarit Hadad in Baghdad: Laying a civil foundation for cooperation with Iraq (Dr. Ronen Zeidel, Ynet) An increasing number of young Iraqis show interest in Israel, its democracy, and its culture. In its attempts to establish relations with Arab states, Israel is used to conversing with leaders, but in the case of Iraq it might be right to turn to the people.
Should we talk to Austria's anti-Semitic far right? (Dina Porat, Haaretz+) An anti-Semitism expert and ex-Austrian envoy debate: Does boycotting the far right entrench their bigotry, or safeguard our values? Should we make a 'safe space' to talk to Europe's racist, anti-Semitic extreme right?
For the Jordanians, Taxes Were Only the Spark That Ignited the Protest (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) The king's decision to drop the unpopular prime minister was an attempt to appease the protesters. But this time, the ouster alone won't be enough
Security experts call for humanitarian benefits in the Gaza Strip. It is better to assassinate Hamas leaders (Prof. Arieh Eldad, Maariv) Gazans are flying kites to burn our fields with the understanding that the punishment for such arson will not be as heavy as the firing of rockets. Our job is to prove to them that they are wrong.
What We German Jews Hear When the U.S. Ambassador Says He Wants to 'Empower' Toxic Populists (Charlotte Knobloch, Haaretz+) When Richard Grenell praises the 'resurgence' of Europe's 'anti-establishment' populists, in a country where the virulently anti-Semitic, populist far right has returned to parliament, he puts German Jews and democracy in danger.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.

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