APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday June 18, 2018
Quote of the day:
"I feel so sorry for the policemen. If only they had been attacked by Arabs rather than by Jewish
settlers, everything could have been so different. If it were Arabs, the orders would have allowed the use of
counter-violence and even live fire, the policemen would have been required to use counter-violence and attack
the rioters, and the government would have stood by them and awarded citations to those fighting
terror."
--Yariv Oppenheimer writes in Yedioth about Israeli hypocrisy.*
You Must Be Kidding:
"They told me I couldn't enter, that I could only enter after 6 P.M. because I am Bedouin."
--Bedouin citizens of Israel revealed that public pool in the south has separate swim times for Bedouin, while the rest of the time the pool is officially open only to members, although Jewish citizens who don’t have membership do enter with payment at the entrance.**
Front Page:
--Yariv Oppenheimer writes in Yedioth about Israeli hypocrisy.*
You Must Be Kidding:
"They told me I couldn't enter, that I could only enter after 6 P.M. because I am Bedouin."
--Bedouin citizens of Israel revealed that public pool in the south has separate swim times for Bedouin, while the rest of the time the pool is officially open only to members, although Jewish citizens who don’t have membership do enter with payment at the entrance.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Senior White House officials to ask Gulf states to donate $1 billion in rehabilitating the Gaza Strip
- IDF extended by four months the jailing without trial of (female) member of Palestinian parliament
- Public pool in the south separates Jews from Arabs
- (Attorney General) Mendelblitt disqualified bill prohibiting filming IDF activities in the Territories, and in the coalition government they plan to advance an alternative version
- In the morning they go to the office, in the evening they study: Working ultra-Orthodox win recognition from above
- High Court will discuss in expanded panel of judges the revealing of conversations between politicians and journalists
- Socialism? In France they see Macron as the President of the rich
- The champion began on the left foot: Germany lost 0-1 to Mexico
- Equality as a burden // Raviv Drucker
- The dove isn’t coming // Shoham Smitt on Jews not renting homes to Arabs
- What is missing in the exhibition documenting the history of local fashion at the Israel Museum?
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The preschool oversight: The parents speak out
- It’s not urgent to them: The ministers are delaying supervision over the infant daycare centers
- Ministers approved bill prohibiting photographing soldiers in the Territories
- I document reality, I don’t create it // Ohad Tzoygenberg
- Between video and video, our elected officials are telling us that our toddlers’ education is not important to us // Chen Artzi-Srur
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- There’s time: Ministers rejected approval of supervision over toddler day care
- Kite terror: Dispute in the government over ways to respond is getting sharper
- “When one receives a work offer, one doesn’t talk about it” - Labor Party chairman, Avi Gabbay, who opposed the natural gas agreement, responded to Maariv report that he held employment negotiations with Delek Company beforehand
Israel Hayom
- Senior officials in the (Palestinian) Authority oppose Abu Mazen: “Climb down from your tree” - Heavy pressure on Palestinian Authority Chairman: Stop the boycott against Trump
- How the champions fell (at Mundial)
- Exclusive: Having difficulty easily: (High school students taking the) 3-unit matriculation exams fail more (than those taking 4 and 5 units)
- Half the cup: The Prime Minister’s desalination video clip became a hit in Iran
- Drama in the courthouse: Parents yelled at the abusive nursery school teacher - “You promised to take care of our children”
News Summary:
Israeli ministers postponed a vote over a stalled bill requiring supervision over day care centers despite the recent death of an infant by a caregiver, the ministers also argued with each other over whether to take the Israeli military stance not to directly attack the people in Gaza launching burning kites at Israel, and they approved a bill to prohibit filming Israeli soldiers in the line of duty, while in the West Bank, settler ‘hilltop’ (i.e. violent far-right) youth attacked and lightly injured 11 Border Police officers on the eviction day of settlers from homes in the West Bank making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
Israeli Border Police arrested six settler youth who attacked and lightly injured 11 officers with bleach, wooden sticks and eggs at the settler outpost, ‘West Tapuach.’ The youth had barricaded themselves in homes that settler families were leaving peacefully following a High Court order, because the mobile homes were set up on privately-owned Palestinian land. Maariv’s Alon Chachmon explained that in response to the High Court of Justice ruling to evict the settlers and destroy their mobile homes, the government decided to legalize state land on the hill and to promote building permits for the settlement, which will enable the settlement of Kfar Tapuach to be tripled. Settler leader Yossi Dagan explained that “This is consolation and I am glad that we succeeded in sweetening the (bitter) pill. And the (Yesh Din) petition (to evict the settlers) will ultimately lead to an increase in settlement, but we must say: this evacuation of families from their homes after years of living there should not become a common sight in the State of Israel.” Yesh Din, which filed the petition, said that "statements by various media sources indicate that there is an attempt to circumvent the High Court of Justice ruling by transferring illegally constructed (homes) from privately-owned Palestinian land to other lands. This is further proof of the total disregard of the settlement enterprise for the rule of law. The security forces must execute the judgment as written and meet the obligations of the state before the court." Israel Hayom reported Sunday that France and Sweden have been pushing behind the scenes for UN Secretary General António Guterres to produce a written report on Israeli construction beyond the Green Line.
The Peace Now movement accused the government of being indifferent to what it described as political violence. "The Jewish terror activists from the hills attack once again, (yet) what interests the government today are non-violent left-wing activists with a camera in hand," the Peace Now movement told Maariv. Zionist Union head, Avi Gabbay, slammed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his ministers over their ‘silence’ on settler violence. MK Mossi Raz (Meretz) tweeted, “We can only assume how racist government ministers would have reacted if those being evacuated were Palestinians or Bedouin.” Probably fearing videos and photos that would make Israelis feel sorry for the settlers and be used against the Border Police, journalists were barred from the site, but a settler news agency and the Police Spokesman shared their photos and videos from the eviction, including of an officer trying to rinse burning liquid from his face with water.
On the very same day, and despite Attorney General Avichai Mendelblitt’s belief that the bill is unconstitutional, Israeli ministers approved a bill to jail anyone filming soldiers in the West Bank, but demanded other changes before it goes to a Knesset vote. Meretz leader MK Tamar Zandberg slammed the decision, saying "If the government wants to take care of IDF soldiers so much, perhaps it should start by handling the settlers who dismantle military vehicles, wound police officers and throw stones at soldiers." Israel Hayom also reported that the European Union was funding legal proceedings against IDF soldiers, according to NGO Watch.
In it’s fourth Gaza strike, Israel targeted the 'car of the cell leader' of burning Gazan balloons and kites early Sunday morning. Palestinians reported the vehicle was empty. Over a dozen more fires were set off by the flying incendiary devices and two incendiary balloons landed in the backyard of an Israeli family in the south. The Israeli military continued with warning shots. But Israeli ministers argued whether this was enough. Despite shooting at the car of a kite launch leader earlier in the day, the military insisted it should not assassinate the kite launchers because the numerous deaths of the youth involved could spark a war. The army recommended targeting Hamas military sites instead. Ultra-hawk, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman along with Netanyahu, agreed with the army. But far-right-wing settler party leader, Minister Naftali Bennett, and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan supported killing the kite launchers. Meanwhile, more fires were set off by the flying incendiary devices and two incendiary balloons landed in the backyard of an Israeli family in the south. The Israeli military continued with warning shots. Maariv reported that one Israeli general met with Israeli residents in the south and tried to convince them that things would likely be worse for them.
Israeli ministers postponed a vote over a stalled bill requiring supervision over day care centers despite the recent death of an infant by a caregiver, the ministers also argued with each other over whether to take the Israeli military stance not to directly attack the people in Gaza launching burning kites at Israel, and they approved a bill to prohibit filming Israeli soldiers in the line of duty, while in the West Bank, settler ‘hilltop’ (i.e. violent far-right) youth attacked and lightly injured 11 Border Police officers on the eviction day of settlers from homes in the West Bank making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
Israeli Border Police arrested six settler youth who attacked and lightly injured 11 officers with bleach, wooden sticks and eggs at the settler outpost, ‘West Tapuach.’ The youth had barricaded themselves in homes that settler families were leaving peacefully following a High Court order, because the mobile homes were set up on privately-owned Palestinian land. Maariv’s Alon Chachmon explained that in response to the High Court of Justice ruling to evict the settlers and destroy their mobile homes, the government decided to legalize state land on the hill and to promote building permits for the settlement, which will enable the settlement of Kfar Tapuach to be tripled. Settler leader Yossi Dagan explained that “This is consolation and I am glad that we succeeded in sweetening the (bitter) pill. And the (Yesh Din) petition (to evict the settlers) will ultimately lead to an increase in settlement, but we must say: this evacuation of families from their homes after years of living there should not become a common sight in the State of Israel.” Yesh Din, which filed the petition, said that "statements by various media sources indicate that there is an attempt to circumvent the High Court of Justice ruling by transferring illegally constructed (homes) from privately-owned Palestinian land to other lands. This is further proof of the total disregard of the settlement enterprise for the rule of law. The security forces must execute the judgment as written and meet the obligations of the state before the court." Israel Hayom reported Sunday that France and Sweden have been pushing behind the scenes for UN Secretary General António Guterres to produce a written report on Israeli construction beyond the Green Line.
The Peace Now movement accused the government of being indifferent to what it described as political violence. "The Jewish terror activists from the hills attack once again, (yet) what interests the government today are non-violent left-wing activists with a camera in hand," the Peace Now movement told Maariv. Zionist Union head, Avi Gabbay, slammed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his ministers over their ‘silence’ on settler violence. MK Mossi Raz (Meretz) tweeted, “We can only assume how racist government ministers would have reacted if those being evacuated were Palestinians or Bedouin.” Probably fearing videos and photos that would make Israelis feel sorry for the settlers and be used against the Border Police, journalists were barred from the site, but a settler news agency and the Police Spokesman shared their photos and videos from the eviction, including of an officer trying to rinse burning liquid from his face with water.
On the very same day, and despite Attorney General Avichai Mendelblitt’s belief that the bill is unconstitutional, Israeli ministers approved a bill to jail anyone filming soldiers in the West Bank, but demanded other changes before it goes to a Knesset vote. Meretz leader MK Tamar Zandberg slammed the decision, saying "If the government wants to take care of IDF soldiers so much, perhaps it should start by handling the settlers who dismantle military vehicles, wound police officers and throw stones at soldiers." Israel Hayom also reported that the European Union was funding legal proceedings against IDF soldiers, according to NGO Watch.
In it’s fourth Gaza strike, Israel targeted the 'car of the cell leader' of burning Gazan balloons and kites early Sunday morning. Palestinians reported the vehicle was empty. Over a dozen more fires were set off by the flying incendiary devices and two incendiary balloons landed in the backyard of an Israeli family in the south. The Israeli military continued with warning shots. But Israeli ministers argued whether this was enough. Despite shooting at the car of a kite launch leader earlier in the day, the military insisted it should not assassinate the kite launchers because the numerous deaths of the youth involved could spark a war. The army recommended targeting Hamas military sites instead. Ultra-hawk, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman along with Netanyahu, agreed with the army. But far-right-wing settler party leader, Minister Naftali Bennett, and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan supported killing the kite launchers. Meanwhile, more fires were set off by the flying incendiary devices and two incendiary balloons landed in the backyard of an Israeli family in the south. The Israeli military continued with warning shots. Maariv reported that one Israeli general met with Israeli residents in the south and tried to convince them that things would likely be worse for them.
Quick Hits:
- Held for a Year Without Trial, Israel Extends Detention of Palestinian Lawmaker Khalida Jarrar - Jarrar has been held without trial since July, allegedly for belonging to a terror organization, although info about charges against her remains confidential. (Haaretz and Maan)
- **'They Told Me I Couldn't Enter': Israeli Public Pool Separates Bedouin From Jews - Separation is unofficial but familiar to residents, one of whom says there is a tacit agreement because locals threatened to boycott the pool if Bedouin were allowed. (Haaretz+)
- Syrian handler paid Hamas cell $100,000 to attack Israeli cities, Shin Bet reveals - Shin Bet security agency says it foiled major terrorist attacks on Israeli cities at "11th hour" after uncovering 20-member terrorist cell with "extraordinary" infrastructure in Nablus. Cell comprised mostly Hamas operatives, paid by Syrian, agency says. (Haaretz+, Ynet and Israel Hayom)
- Israeli Cabinet Members Back Revocation of PM’s Newly Expanded War Powers - A controversial new law lets the prime minister declare war in consultation with only the defense minister, in some situations. (Haaretz+)
- Netanyahu Pushing to Pass Long-contested ultra-Orthodox Draft Bill Within a Month - Speaking at a coalition heads meeting which did not include all the major players clashing on the issue, Netanyahu says he seeks agreement and approval for the bill before the end of the current Knesset seat. (Haaretz)
- Court to Rehear Netanyahu's Appeal in Adelson Newspaper Case - New hearing to deal with principle of whether a public figure must reveal information about conversations with members of the media. At Netanyahu’s request, the High Court hearing will be with an expanded panel of justices. (Haaretz and Maariv)
- After Taking on Netanyahu, Natalie Portman Sinks Her Teeth Into a New Target - The Jerusalem-born actress doesn’t insist that everyone go vegan; once a day or once a week would be good, as she explained in a Q&A on the new documentary she produced. (Haaretz+)
- CNN reporter given Islamic Jihad terror tunnel tour - Shown around a tunnel by a group of Gaza-based terrorists, one masked Islamic Jihad member shows Ian Lee a rocket launcher used against Israel and tells him his group never deliberately target children. (Ynet)
- Israel prompts efforts to combat online incitement in Europe - EU Representatives from 14 countries to meet in Slovakia Thursday to discuss ways to effectively combat online incitement to violence, terrorism. Israeli MK: We hear about incitement to violence and cyberbullying daily, it is time to put an end to it. (Israel Hayom)
- Why Is Israel Banning This U.S. Jewish Super Sperm Donor? - Ari Nagel, a math professor from Brooklyn, has sired 33 children across the U.S. But after donating his sperm to seven women in Israel, the Health Ministry has put its foot down. (Haaretz)
- This lesbian couple fears for their twins' lives. But Israel worries about the paperwork - A court saved Smadar and Hadas Peker-Nir a bureaucratic hassle; one might have thought a surrogacy arrangement within a couple was a sure thing. (Haaretz+)
- Jewish treasures disappear from Damascus in fog of Syria war - Artifacts including ancient torah scrolls were removed from Jobar Synagogue in Damascus for safekeeping when rebels surrendered. Lost treasures have begun surfacing in Turkey. Syria says Israel and Turkey are colluding to steal precious items. (Israel Hayom)
Commentary/Analysis:
Ignoring Racism in Afula (Haaretz Editorial) Netanyahu and his fellow cabinet members promote racist laws whose sole purpose is to give this superiority the force of lawץ
*Settlers wound 11 policemen, but right-wing ministers remain silent (Yariv Oppenheimer, Yedioth/Ynet) Netanyahu, Lieberman, Erdan and Shaked, who rush to condemn every single Palestinian stone thrower, had nothing to say when settlers used similar violence against the security forces in the evacuation of the illegal outpost of Tapuach.
The Israelis Who Protested Against a Home Sale to Arabs Aren't Alone. They Have Friends in the Left (Tsafi Saar, Haaretz+) As long as the false separation persists between the good, clean and just (and white) left on one hand, and the ugly and racist (and brown) right on the other, nothing will change.
The law forbidding the filming of IDF soldiers will do little justice to reality (Meir Uziel, Maariv) It is difficult to understand why a law is needed to define the obvious. We should feel a little sorry for our forces, too, and not just about the activists who lurk day and night for some picture that could serve anti-Israel propaganda.
We Won’t Stop Filming, We Won’t Stop Writing (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) The Knesset could act not just against the press, but against human rights groups and Palestinians, the last witnesses for the prosecution against the occupation.
The Gaza Ghetto: The lie about the siege shouts to the heavens (Yossi Ahimeir, Maariv) Why don’t the Egyptians lift a finger on their part to ease the plight of their brothers in Gaza? Why, for once, are there no demonstrations in European cities against the "Egyptian blockade" of the Gaza Strip?
Israel, a State Unencumbered by Democracy (Haneen Zoabi, Haaretz+) The Knesset presidium has excised the principle of equality from the definition of democracy. Instead of dealing with the Balad party's vision, they have chosen to kill the messenger.
Instead of preparing for post-Abbas era, Israel is kicking PA’s weakening body (Nadav Eyal, Yedioth/Ynet) Why isn’t the Netanyahu government doing everything in its power to maintain the current situation in the West Bank, which serves it in almost every sense? If the goal is a stalemate and status quo, if the desire is to keep pulling an Oslo-style Palestinian autonomy to eternity, Israel should warmly help the Palestinian Authority in every possible way, and even bolster it.
The Six Things That the Palestinian Troops’ Crushing of Ramallah Protests Prove (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Fatah is clinging with all its might to the rather meager power it extracts from running the PA under the vicious Israeli military regime.
A superpower of intel information (Jackie Hougy, Maariv) Israel's intelligence services are in line with intelligence organizations around the world and provide them with information. What does this actually give us? And a few words about Majed Faraj, the single most powerful man in Ramallah. General Faraj is head of Palestinian General Intelligence, Abu Mazen's right-hand man, the one who whispers in his ear and, most recently, the most worried fellow around him. The last hospitalization of the Ra'is (President) taught the circle closest to him that the last step of his rule was already here.
At the end of Abu Mazen's life, his security chiefs found their most devoted friends in Tel Aviv. Faraj turns to them with his problems, to them he presents his concerns. In contrast to the political echelon, his Shin Bet acquaintances will pay him great respect, and will not insult him, either publicly or secretly, and together with him will fight the extremists, even if not always in full harmony. But in terms of Faraj and his men, this story presents a current and weighty dilemma, what does it mean to you and your national struggle, if your best friend, after all, is the one who holds your throat.
Holy only to Jews (Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom) While the Temple Mount is holy to Muslims as well as Jews, the Western Wall has always been sacrosanct to Jews alone. Muslim stories about it are a recent fiction designed to delegitimize Jewish rights.
It was only the public good that Netanyahu had in mind, the purchase of the submarines was not made in the dark (Dr. Chaim Misgav, Maariv) One way or another, there was no conflict of interest here. The time has come for all the prime minister's detractors in the submarine affair to understand that this whole thing has only a political aspect.
More than just sport (Prof. Eyal Zisser, Israel Hayom) Qatar, which spent tens of millions of dollars to bribe FIFA officials to award it the 2022 World Cup, also funded the Palestinian campaign of pressure on the Argentinean national team to cancel its match against Israel.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.