APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday June 21, 2018
Quote of the day:
"We must resolves this, but not with means of endless warfare and power."
--Ahuva Ilani, a Jewish Israeli residing in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip, was among many in the area who called for a political solution to the rockets from Gaza.*
You Must Be Kidding:
“Where is Ali? Ali’s dead. Ali’s on the grill.”
--In front of police officers outside the courthouse where the Jewish murder suspects were on trial, far-right-wing Jewish activists taunted the uncle and grandfather of Palestinian toddler Ali Saad Dawabsheh, whom Jewish terrorists murdered along with his mother and father in the 2015 West Bank arson attack.**
Front Page:
--Ahuva Ilani, a Jewish Israeli residing in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip, was among many in the area who called for a political solution to the rockets from Gaza.*
You Must Be Kidding:
“Where is Ali? Ali’s dead. Ali’s on the grill.”
--In front of police officers outside the courthouse where the Jewish murder suspects were on trial, far-right-wing Jewish activists taunted the uncle and grandfather of Palestinian toddler Ali Saad Dawabsheh, whom Jewish terrorists murdered along with his mother and father in the 2015 West Bank arson attack.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- 45 rockets and mortars launched from Gaza; Hamas: We will respond every time Israel attacks
- Getting closer to a military operation // Amos Harel
- Interior Ministry denies issuing birth certificates to lesbian mothers: “The were given accidentally”
- (Public Security Minister) Erdan: E. Jerusalem residents who are harmed by Border Police officers won’t be able to sue for compensation
- In exceptional move, police detains residents in the north due to construction violations
- Following the criticism: Trump stopped the separation of migrant children from their parents on the Mexico border
- Europe precedes Trump and imposes tariffs on the US beginning from tomorrow
- Dangerous forever // Gideon Levy
- The national trigger // Dan Margalit
- HMOs go to battle against paying for expensive drugs outside the the health subsidies
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Trump gave in
- The Gaza dilemma: Kites war // Yossi Yehoshua; An offer to Hamas // Ben-Dror Yemini; Before the artillery // Ariella Ringel-Hoffman
- Medicines with health subsidies? Get them from the private insurance companies
- Senior security establishment source: “Gonen Segev notified about connections with the Iranians, it will apparently end with charges of ‘contacts with a foreign agent’ and not with ’treason’
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- (Chief of Staff) Eisenkot: “The situation is explosive”
- Cannabis revolution - (Public Security Minister) Erdan advancing reform to allow up to three uses without criminal record
- Trump cancelled the separation of migrants
Israel Hayom
- “The intensity of the response will increase as much as is necessary” - Battle day in the south; Israel: “We will slam anyone who harms us”
- The challenge of preserving the quiet became more complex // Yoav Limor
- To build a reality in which Hamas has something to lose // Yair Farjun
- Discrimination of tenders for land sales - is actually against Jews
- After the storm: Trump signed a presidential decree against the separation of migrant children
- Eilat wants to host the Eurovision: Plans to build a large arena at the port
News Summary:
A dangerous escalation between Israel and Hamas and the folding of US President Donald Trump on his decision to separate migrant children from their parents at the border were the top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
After Gazan militants fired 45 rockets and mortars towards Israel and Israel retaliated by striking 25 Hamas targets and shooting at two groups of incendiary kite and balloon launchers, the Israeli military analysts wrote that without some external move, the two sides are moving towards war, which neither want (See Commentary/Analysis below.)
Nevertheless, army sources said that Hamas showed discretion when it decided to shoot rockets at night, when Israelis are home and close to shelters, and at small communities and not large cities. Fires erupted in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip and police sappers were called in to neutralize an explosive balloon that landed on a trampoline in the back yard of a house in the Eshkol Regional Council. The papers reported that Hamas and Islamic Jihad jointly announced they would respond with rocket fire to any Israeli strike on Gaza.
But the newspapers mostly didn’t clarify to readers what the Gazans were responding to with the 45 rockets. Only an article by Haaretz’s Yaniv Kubovitz related that Israeli army sources said that the Gazan rockets were “in retaliation for IDF attacks on the Strip.” Most articles left it out, but it might be inferred from the statement released by the Gazan movements: "We stress the equation of 'bombing in response to bombing,' and we will not allow the enemy to force aggressive equations against our people and the resistance. The Israeli leadership bears full responsibility to any aggression and will pay the price for that. All attempts to break the popular Palestinian protest will not succeed," the statement said.
*As in the past, Gaza border communities called for a political solution. Ahuva Ilani, who resides in the Eshkol Regional Council told Ynet, "We must resolves this, but not with means of endless warfare and power. I expect the matter to be solved by political means."
Quick Hits:
- Israeli forces open fire on Palestinian car, injuring 27-year-old man - In unclear circumstances, Israeli forces shot Ahmad Nasser Thawabta, 27, in the back when they opened fire on his car near the village of Umm Salmuna in the southern occupied West Bank district of Bethlehem. (Maan)
- (Israeli Public Security Minister) Erdan Seeks to Protect Border Police From East Jerusalem Lawsuits - Under current law, Israel Defense Forces soldiers and Border Police troops are protected from damage suits filed by Palestinians, as long as they were acting “on the grounds of combat activity” in the West Bank. (Haaretz+)
- Israeli plan to jail anyone filming soldiers in West Bank passes preliminary vote despite AG's objections - Forty five members of Knesset supported the bill, while 42 stood in opposition. Coalition members clarified that the wording of the bill would change before moving forward. (Haaretz+ and Maariv)
- Israel Says Case Against Duma Suspects Solid, Even Without Inadmissible Confessions - Israeli enthusiasts of the murders demonstrated in support of Ben-Uliel outside the courthouse on Tuesday screaming “Ali burned, Ali is on the grill.” (Haaretz+)
- **Jewish right-wing extremists taunt bereaved Palestinians at West Bank arson murder trial: 'Your grandson's on the grill' - Screaming in Arabic, two dozen protesters supporting Duma terror attack perpetrators chanted at Hussein Dawabshe - whose daughter Reham, son-in-law Sa'ad and grandson Ali were killed in 2015: ‘Where is Ali, there is no Ali, Ali burned.’ Dawabsheh slammed police for letting abusive chorus continue unabated. (Haaretz+, Ynet and Times of Israel)
- Israel's Education Ministry Is Funding Two Illegal West Bank Farm Schools - Projects built in Efrat, Geva Binyamin settlements on land that does not belong to the state are left standing as Civil Administration does not enforce the law against them. (Haaretz+)
- Knesset nixes debate on crime enforcement in Arab communities over sponsor's participation in 'terrorist' event - Knesset House Committee chair cites MK Ayman Odeh's participation in an East Jerusalem event organized by Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. (Haaretz+)
- Top security official says hard to prove Gonen Segev committed treason - Defense establishment sources support the former minister's claim that he updated a senior security official on his ties with the Iranian intelligence, say he will likely only be charged with contacting a foreign agent. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- In unusual turn, police arrest residents in northern Israel for minor building violations - Four people arrested in past year and released when brought to court. ‘We understand the goal of fighting illegal construction, but it cannot be in the form of false arrests,’ says public defender. (Haaretz+)
- WATCH Netanyahu warns of cyber risks that can down fighter jets - 'This is a supreme test for our civilization. It's going to be tested not only by criminal organisations, by terrorists, but by other states. We have to combine forces,' said Netanyahu. (Haaretz and Ynet)
- Barkat endorses Elkin for Jerusalem mayor in Wild West-style video - In a joint video with Zeev Elkin (Likud), Nir Barkat (Likud), the Jerusalem mayor for the past 10 years, called on residents of the capital to vote for the Minister of Environmental Protection and Jerusalem Affairs. “He was a true partner in the revolutionary changes we made.” (Maariv and Times of Israel)
- Settler Council heads call on the right-wing public in Jerusalem to vote for Elkin - The senior officials wrote a letter in which they declared that "Jerusalem is the heart of the Jewish people and should be honored with a mayor with a moral and Zionist mission." Zeev Elkin: "Together we will preserve unified Jerusalem.” (Maariv)
- Holon deputy mayor apologizes for calling gays 'animals' - Yoel Yeshurun, also the dean of the Ashkelon Academic College, apologizes for his Facebook post where he called those participants in last week's Pride events 'two-legged animals'; apology comes after dozens of college professors wrote a letter to the college administration demanding Yeshurun be reprimanded. (Ynet)
- Jewish Agency recommended Isaac Herzog as its next chairman, Netanyahu stopped the appointment - The agency's search committee recommends appointing opposition leader Herzog to replace Natan Sharansky, but Prime Minister Netanyahu suddenly endorses Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, urging the committee members to interview him and consider his nomination. (Yedioth/Ynet and Maariv)
- Israel reaches pact with Rothschild Caesarea Foundation on land and donations - Fund will give $207 million to Israeli higher education, turn over land for 2,000 homes. (Haaretz)
- Report: Rafah Crossing to remain open ‘until further notice’ - Palestinian media report Gaza’s residents will now be able to leave and return to the strip through Egypt without having to wait (sometimes many months - OH), as they have been forced to do in recent years. (Ynet)
- Kushner, Greenblatt discuss Gaza aid with Crown Prince MBS in Saudi Arabia - According to WH statement, the three discussed 'the need to facilitate humanitarian relief to Gaza, and the Trump Administration’s efforts to facilitate peace between the Israelis and Palestinians.' (Haaretz)
- Top Democratic donor Saban blasts party's senators for supporting U.S. aid to Gaza - Haim Saban emails six senators who signed letter initiated by Bernie Sanders: 'Accusing Israel of being the main culprit is outrageous, misinformed, offensive.’ (Haaretz)
- World Cup 'fight' over Israeli flag—fake news - A viral video which apparently shows Moroccan fans trying to tear down an Israeli flag during a match between Morocco and Portugal, actually depicted two Moroccan supporters fighting with each other over a shirt thrown by the Captain of the Moroccan team into the crowd. (Ynet)
- Erdan presents 'hate net' of BDS organizations - Public Security Ministry reveals connections between different boycott groups and their ties to Palestinian terror organizations. (Ynet and Israel Hayom)
- Chicago's 'Dyke March' doubles down on anti-Zionist stance - Some Jewish members of city's LGBTQ community are afraid to attend Saturday's "solidarity with Palestine" march. Last year, three Jewish marchers bearing rainbow flags with Star of David were kicked out. Jewish groups accuse Dyke March of anti-Semitism. (Israel Hayom)
- In Sweden, Jews and Muslims united around Israeli flags at a gay pride parade - Its crime rate — among the highest in Scandinavia — and a large Muslim community make Malmo a flashpoint rife with interethnic and religious tensions. (JTA, Haaretz)
- Spanish city councilors call to declare Israeli officials 'persona non grata' - After anti-Israeli moves in the Spanish cities Oviedo and Valencia, the city of Pamplona joins the chorus of condemnations against Israel's 'oppressive policy against the Palestinian people,' calling for a series of measures to be taken against Israel. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Bahrain does not see Israel as an enemy, official says - As Israeli team prepares to visit Gulf kingdom for a UNESCO conference, Bahraini official says relations with Israel would "not contradict the principles of Bahrain." In May, Bahraini foreign minister backed Israel's right to defend itself against Iran. (Agencies, Israel Hayom)
Features:
The 20 best restaurants in Israel right now, according to Gault & Millau
In a ceremony held in Tel Aviv, the influential restaurant guide announced its return to Israel and revealed the outstanding restaurants and chefs on the Israeli culinary scene. (Rotem Maimoon, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Fascism is creeping into Israel's education system (Shaul Arieli, Haaretz+) What religious and nationalist indoctrination in schools means for Israel's future.
In a Democracy, Palestinian Lawmaker Khalida Jarrar Would Be Free (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) A legislator in prison through no fault of her own is a political prisoner in every way.
Remaining on the fence: The state betrayed its commitment to the residents of the south and gave up the book (Amos Gilboa, Maariv) When I hear our defense minister tell the people of Israel, Iranian-style, that our response will come at a time and place that we will choose - I am ashamed. We have a choice: escalation or attrition.
The Government Should Take the IDF’s Advice on Gaza (Haaretz Editorial) The dangerous situation in Gaza stems first and foremost from the ignominious poverty, severe unemployment, terrible overcrowding and lack of basic services.
The kite terror dilemma - a moment before they activate the artillery (Ariella Ringel-Hoffman, Yedioth) If the traditional demand of the army is to prepare for the next war, this time we need to demand that it prepares for the wars that were already and find an appropriate answer to the kites. Or, alternatively, admit that we don't have a good answer to the threat. We need to dispense with the separating between right-wing and left-wing, and to agree that we need to the utmost to deal with the motivation of the kite launchers. We need to accept that there will always be extremist Islamists for whom there is only one solution to the conflict, even if that comes without an agreement and certainly without promises for a warm peace. In short, we need to accept what we can get on condition that also on the other side, like here, a large portion of the population prefers a secure future over the Marches of Return. At least we need to try before activating the heavy artillery...Otherwise, we will discover that we before we got caught in another war we didn't want...
Hamas, Islamic Jihad Just Rewrote the Rules - and the Next Gaza War Is Staring Israel in the Face (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) The night of exchanges of fire on the Gaza border indicates a fundamental change in the security situation there.
A matter of time: There is no one on the horizon that could stop the trend of escalation (Tal Lev Ram, Maariv) The events of the previous night are in fact a kind of general rehearsal for what is likely to be a broader confrontation. In light of the clear escalation in the field, it is impossible to ignore the fact that another one is taking place within the Cabinet.
By rejecting confessions under torture, Israel takes step toward the truth (Mordechai Kremnitzer, Haaretz+) A slippery slope was created when 'moderate physical pressure' was approved as a last-resort interrogation technique.
Justice must be pursued justly (Dr. Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) The court's decision to exclude the confessions obtained from the Duma arson suspects through apparent illegal methods is critical in a democratic society.
Incarceration of children is disturbing, but we must not intervene in the internal affairs of the United States (Shmuel Rosner, Maariv) This is an important lesson about the banality of bureaucratic indifference. Not wickedness, not evil intent. Just indifference. This is an ugly show of the distance between the government and those who are influenced by its actions…What should Israel do against all this? Nothing. Israel is not in the position of handing out grades to the rest of the world. It does not have to tell the Germans how to treat their immigrants, and it does not have to tell the Americans how to behave with them, nor the Australians how to behave with them. The American policy is disturbing, but it does not pass the threshold that requires a state of protection to cry out. Let America solve America's moral problems. It is equipped with suitable institutions, it has good citizens, there are processes that will bring to the end of this procedure even if Israel shuts up.
Trump take note: Why it's foolish to waste money on making asylum seekers miserable (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) Newly released study shows that asylum seekers can contribute to the economy like immigrants, albeit more slowly, but Israel is an example of how to do everything possible to make sure they don’t.
It’s Now Clear Why the Iran Agreement Was a Bad Deal (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) While focusing on Iran’s nuclear development, the U.S. and the other signatories missed the main target: Iran’s aggressive plans in the Middle East.
A humanitarian opportunity (Dr. Leah Goldin, Israel Hayom) Israel, the U.S., the U.N., the EU, Egypt and the Persian Gulf states are planning broad steps to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip without first ensuring the return of our boys.
The one place Europe's anti-Semitic far right is confident of winning the Jewish vote (Shimon Stein, Haaretz+) No ‘moderating' dialogue is possible with Europe’s populist, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim 'axis' - only collaboration. And that’s what Israel has chosen.
The hypocrisy of the UNHRC (Amnon Lord, Israel Hayom) U.S. President Trump is reversing his predecessor's policy of treating the U.N. as a superpower and has recognized the Human Rights Council for what it is – a racist group under the sway of Palestinian interests.
New U.S.-Russia-Saudi Oil Alliance Could Also Have Implications for Israel and Iran (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) A reported deal between Putin and the Saudi crown prince means they will have members of OPEC over a barrel when they meet in Vienna this weekend – but Jerusalem will be an interested spectator as well.
In a ceremony held in Tel Aviv, the influential restaurant guide announced its return to Israel and revealed the outstanding restaurants and chefs on the Israeli culinary scene. (Rotem Maimoon, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Fascism is creeping into Israel's education system (Shaul Arieli, Haaretz+) What religious and nationalist indoctrination in schools means for Israel's future.
In a Democracy, Palestinian Lawmaker Khalida Jarrar Would Be Free (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) A legislator in prison through no fault of her own is a political prisoner in every way.
Remaining on the fence: The state betrayed its commitment to the residents of the south and gave up the book (Amos Gilboa, Maariv) When I hear our defense minister tell the people of Israel, Iranian-style, that our response will come at a time and place that we will choose - I am ashamed. We have a choice: escalation or attrition.
The Government Should Take the IDF’s Advice on Gaza (Haaretz Editorial) The dangerous situation in Gaza stems first and foremost from the ignominious poverty, severe unemployment, terrible overcrowding and lack of basic services.
The kite terror dilemma - a moment before they activate the artillery (Ariella Ringel-Hoffman, Yedioth) If the traditional demand of the army is to prepare for the next war, this time we need to demand that it prepares for the wars that were already and find an appropriate answer to the kites. Or, alternatively, admit that we don't have a good answer to the threat. We need to dispense with the separating between right-wing and left-wing, and to agree that we need to the utmost to deal with the motivation of the kite launchers. We need to accept that there will always be extremist Islamists for whom there is only one solution to the conflict, even if that comes without an agreement and certainly without promises for a warm peace. In short, we need to accept what we can get on condition that also on the other side, like here, a large portion of the population prefers a secure future over the Marches of Return. At least we need to try before activating the heavy artillery...Otherwise, we will discover that we before we got caught in another war we didn't want...
Hamas, Islamic Jihad Just Rewrote the Rules - and the Next Gaza War Is Staring Israel in the Face (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) The night of exchanges of fire on the Gaza border indicates a fundamental change in the security situation there.
A matter of time: There is no one on the horizon that could stop the trend of escalation (Tal Lev Ram, Maariv) The events of the previous night are in fact a kind of general rehearsal for what is likely to be a broader confrontation. In light of the clear escalation in the field, it is impossible to ignore the fact that another one is taking place within the Cabinet.
By rejecting confessions under torture, Israel takes step toward the truth (Mordechai Kremnitzer, Haaretz+) A slippery slope was created when 'moderate physical pressure' was approved as a last-resort interrogation technique.
Justice must be pursued justly (Dr. Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) The court's decision to exclude the confessions obtained from the Duma arson suspects through apparent illegal methods is critical in a democratic society.
Incarceration of children is disturbing, but we must not intervene in the internal affairs of the United States (Shmuel Rosner, Maariv) This is an important lesson about the banality of bureaucratic indifference. Not wickedness, not evil intent. Just indifference. This is an ugly show of the distance between the government and those who are influenced by its actions…What should Israel do against all this? Nothing. Israel is not in the position of handing out grades to the rest of the world. It does not have to tell the Germans how to treat their immigrants, and it does not have to tell the Americans how to behave with them, nor the Australians how to behave with them. The American policy is disturbing, but it does not pass the threshold that requires a state of protection to cry out. Let America solve America's moral problems. It is equipped with suitable institutions, it has good citizens, there are processes that will bring to the end of this procedure even if Israel shuts up.
Trump take note: Why it's foolish to waste money on making asylum seekers miserable (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) Newly released study shows that asylum seekers can contribute to the economy like immigrants, albeit more slowly, but Israel is an example of how to do everything possible to make sure they don’t.
It’s Now Clear Why the Iran Agreement Was a Bad Deal (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) While focusing on Iran’s nuclear development, the U.S. and the other signatories missed the main target: Iran’s aggressive plans in the Middle East.
A humanitarian opportunity (Dr. Leah Goldin, Israel Hayom) Israel, the U.S., the U.N., the EU, Egypt and the Persian Gulf states are planning broad steps to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip without first ensuring the return of our boys.
The one place Europe's anti-Semitic far right is confident of winning the Jewish vote (Shimon Stein, Haaretz+) No ‘moderating' dialogue is possible with Europe’s populist, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim 'axis' - only collaboration. And that’s what Israel has chosen.
The hypocrisy of the UNHRC (Amnon Lord, Israel Hayom) U.S. President Trump is reversing his predecessor's policy of treating the U.N. as a superpower and has recognized the Human Rights Council for what it is – a racist group under the sway of Palestinian interests.
New U.S.-Russia-Saudi Oil Alliance Could Also Have Implications for Israel and Iran (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) A reported deal between Putin and the Saudi crown prince means they will have members of OPEC over a barrel when they meet in Vienna this weekend – but Jerusalem will be an interested spectator as well.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.