News Nosh: 8.23.18

by APN 08/23/18
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APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday, August 23, 2018

You Must Be Kidding: 
984.
--The number of housing units in Jewish settlements in the West Bank that the Supreme Planning Committee of the Civil Administration approved. Peace Now responded: “Instead of solving the housing crisis in Israel, the government prefers to deprive most of its citizens and nurture a welfare state located beyond the Green Line."

Front Page:

Haaretz

Yedioth Ahronoth

Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)

  • (Transportation Minister) Katz vs. (Tel-Aviv Mayor) Huldai: “The announcement about the works on the bridge - is political”
  • Trump: “I paid women from my own pocket” - The tough day of the US President
  • “Health Ministry did not report on man who died of Nile Fever”

Israel Hayom


News Summary:
Israel's Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz halted Sabbath construction on a Tel-Aviv pedestrian bridge, without the authority to do so, following objection from the ultra-Orthodox parties, and was accused by Tel-Aviv’s Mayor Ron Huldai of acting out of political interests (but Culture Minister Miri Regev supported the Katz’s decision), and US President Donald Trump was high in the news both because his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, signed a plea agreement and said that Trump ordered him to distribute hush money to porn stars in a scheme meant to evade federal campaign laws, and because Trump upset Israelis when he said that Israel will “pay a higher price” in peace negotiations because he agreed to move the US embassy to Jerusalem. He also promised Palestinians will “get something very good” in future peace talks with Israel because “it's their turn next.” But Hamas and the PLO united in condemning Trump’s comments and said there would be no deal without E. Jerusalem as their capital. And, US National Security Advisor John Bolton, who was at the end of his visit to Israel, tried to reassure Israelis and rejected Trump’s statement, saying that there was no “quid pro quo” involved in Trump's decision to move the embassy. Bolton also said there was no timetable set for unveiling the peace plan, despite an earlier report that it would take place at the UN General Assembly in September.

Answering other questions, Bolton said that regarding Iran, “regime change…is not American policy. But what we want is massive change in the regime's behavior” and that, beyond economic sanctions, the US would do "other things" to put pressure on Iran. Bolton also called Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in Syria "legitimate" and said that Russian President Vladimir Putin told the US that Moscow cannot force Iran to exit Syria. (Meanwhile, senior Iranian cleric Ahmad Khatami said that if the US were to attack Iran, Iran would target Israel and US allies.)

Bolton also said that the US was not discussing recognizing the occupied Golan Heights as part of Israel and he accused the UN organization for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, of violating international law on the status of refugees. Bolton also broke with diplomatic tradition and had dinner with other US diplomats and Israeli officials in E. Jerusalem - and at a controversial Israeli settlement site that was turned into a national park and is run by Elad, a private settler organization.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu heads to Lithuania today for the first visit by an Israeli prime minister to a Baltic nation. Netanyahu will visit a number of Balkan States in order to get support from them for his government’s political agenda in the European Union.
 

Quick Hits:

  • Israeli military fires at group of Palestinians, Gaza reports say - It is unclear whether the group was targeted for approaching the border fence or launching incendiary kites into Israel. (Haaretz)
  • UN urges Israel not to hold Gaza aid 'hostage' to politics - UN says humanitarian situation 'has deteriorated further, due in part to additional restrictions that Israel imposed on the movement of goods through the Kerem Shalom crossing;' calls on Israel to allow the entry of humanitarian supply into the Strip in light of Gaza's devastated economy. (Agencies, Ynet)
  • ‘The engine of the settlers,’ Amana, moves its headquarters to east Jerusalem - As part of reinforcing the territorial contiguity of Jewish settlements in east Jerusalem, the Jewish settlement movement relocates its main building to the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood; Amana's secretary general stresses its mission to further establish Jewish settlements in the West Bank. (Yedioth/Ynet)
  • **Israel advances plans for 1,000 new homes in West Bank - Civil Administration announces final approval of 384 homes in West Bank settlements with another 600 at deposit stages of approval. Yesha Settler Council says amount of homes is 'insufficient.' Peace Now: 'This undermines the chances for peace.' (Israel Hayom, Haaretz and Ynet)
  • Israeli, Palestinian leaders honor late peace activist Uri Avnery in ceremony  - 'We share your grief and hope we'll work together for peace,' letter from Palestinian President Abbas says. (Haaretz+)
  • MK moves to outlaw waving Palestinian flag in Israel - Likud MK Anat Berko introduces bill to make publicly waving flags of enemy states or entities, including Palestinian flag, punishable by up to one year in jail. Berko: The flag of an enemy entity cannot be allowed to fly in the Israeli public sphere. (Israel Hayom)
  • Arab MK slams 'racist right-wing' push to ban Palestinian flags - Joint Arab List MK Yousef Jabareen says Likud MK Anat Berko's proposal "sows barriers and hatred," insists flag represents the entire Palestinian people, including Israeli Arabs. Berko: Flag of an enemy entity cannot be waved in Israeli public sphere. (Israel Hayom)
  • Yad Vashem pulls offensive poem in wake of Israel Hayom report - The poem, by Professor Karen Alkalay-Gut, draws criticism for allegedly hinting Israel oppresses Palestinians the way Germany oppressed the Jews. Alkalay-Gut: This was not my intent. If anyone feels hurt by it, the poem should be removed from exhibit. (Israel Hayom)
  • Palestinian Voters in Jerusalem Elections Have Six Polling Stations. Jews Have 187 -Although most East Jerusalem Palestinians don't participate in elections, 'What this means is that you’re depriving the few who do want to vote of the right to do so,' an expert says. (Haaretz+)
  • Deputy defense minister instructed: Apply election laws in settlements as well - In the run-up to the local elections, Ben-Dahan instructed legal officials in his office to use the apply the same legislation existing in Israel with the authorities in Judea and Samaria. (Maariv)
  • Advocates protest targeting Ethiopian youth for West Bank evangelical Bible program - In wake of Haaretz report, Association of Ethiopian Jews urges Education Minister Bennett to end his ministry's support for the program. (Haaretz+)
  • IDF soldiers rob a gas station with a knife - Police arrests four Bedouin residents, including 3 IDF soldiers, who were recorded threatening the gas station's clerk and his girlfriend with a knife and a pepper spray before looting the store. (Yedioth/Ynet)
  • IDF to question officers about killings in violent Gaza protest - Following army's decision to launch probe into the killing of two Palestinians during the 'March of Return' protests, some 10 soldiers—including veterans and high-ranking officers—will testify or be questioned under caution; Military Police will also try to obtain testimonies from Palestinians. (Ynet)
  • (Right-wing journalist) Riklin: "Like Stalin - the chief of staff appointed a military prosecutor to shoot at the back of soldiers" - A journalist for Channel 20 referred to an investigation into soldiers who allegedly opened fire in violation of the regulations (and killed two Palestinian youth), and Tweeted: "Stalin also set up units that shot at the backs of soldiers who were afraid to attack, shameful.” (Maariv)
  • Israeli Army's Junior Officers to Be Educated Only by Orthodox Groups - Of the nine groups approved to educate junior IDF officers, four are Orthodox or Orthodox-leaning ■ Only soldiers ranked platoon commander and higher will be allowed to hold meetings with pluralistic organizations. (Haaretz+)
  • "NCO commander sent to prison after sexually harassing two of his soldiers" - A squad leader, convicted of indecent assault on recruits, claims that this is a conspiracy against him. One of the soldiers claims: "He started to touch me and I froze.” (Maariv)
  • Navy takes part in world's largest maritime exercise - The Rim of the Pacific Exercise, attended by the naval commandos of 26 countries this year, practice a large international naval maneuver in which the enemy blocks a critical sea route, similar to the Strait of Hormuz Iran threatens to blockade; IDF officer: 'The level of difficulty is remarkably higher.' (Ynet)
  • IDF unveils new Merkava IV Barak tank - The new and improved version of the Merkava IV, which will make its debut on the battlefield in 3 years, will be kitted with advanced systems offering extra crew protection, increased strike efficiency. (Ynet)
  • Israeli prison inmates seek to sue state for overcrowding - A number of inmates’ families told Haaretz that 20 prisoners recently sought 200,000 shekels apiece from the Prison Service for failure to meet minimal space requirements for inmates. (Haaretz+)
  • Israel's Central Bank criticizes Netanyahu: Defense spending will hurt civilian spending - Criticism of Netanyahu is rare for the central bank, which said raising the defense budget was liable to raise the budget deficit unless it was accompanied by other cuts and tax hikes. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • Following backlash, Lana Del Rey says will 'visit Palestine too' on Israel trip - 'I look forward to meeting both Palestinian and Israeli children and playing music for everyone,' the American singer says. (Haaretz+)
  • Will Israel, India, France get data on citizens’ Swiss bank accounts? - A recent ruling by a Swiss court may make it easier for governments to obtain the details they need to pursue scofflaws. (Haaretz+)
  • Fatah leaders arm themselves ahead of Abbas's possible departure - It is reported that senior PA officials such as Jibril Rajoub and the head of Palestinian General Intelligence Service, started to affiliate themselves with armed gangs in the West Bank to wield leverage in case battle over position of next PA leader turns violent; Two possible scenarios—establishment of several centers of power without a centralized leader, or chaos that would benefit Hamas. (Ynet)
  • Peace-promoting Grandson of Munich Terrorist Gets Boost in Congressional Election as GOP Opponent Is Indicted - Republican Duncan Hunter, who was indicted Tuesday, is running against Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar, whose grandfather was in the terrorist organization Black September in the 1970s. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • WATCH Alan Dershowitz Claims Cohen Plea ‘Not Lethal’ for Trump. Not Even Tucker Carlson’s Buying It - 'It’s certainly difficult to understand,' Carlson offered, perhaps trying to help millions of Trump supporters feel better about Trump's brutal afternoon. (Haaretz)
  • Bernie Sanders Would Defeat Donald Trump in 2020, New Poll Shows - The poll matched up potential Democratic nominees against Trump for the presidency in 2020. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • Facebook and Twitter Remove 300 Accounts Promoting Iranian Propaganda - According to the social media companies the pages removed included discussions of 'anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli and pro-Palestinian themes.’ (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • Amid Iran deal tensions, Merkel to visit Israel in October, first time in 4 years - Israel and Germany disagree on Iran and the Palestinians, but Berlin remains a key Israeli ally and top trading partner. (Israel Hayom and Times of Israel)
  • Iran's missile program is Israel's main challenge, Revolutionary Guards say - Statement mentions U.S. and Saudis as enemies of Iranian nation, says 'increasing defensive capabilities will remain the main strategy of the armed forces.’ (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • In first, Saudi Arabia seeks death penalty for female activist - Charges against Israa al-Ghomgham include incitement to protest and providing moral support to rioters. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • ISIS chief, in rare speech, urges followers to persevere - Following a string of military defeats across Iraq and Syria, terror group's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, releases an audio message defying reports of his apparent death; 'For the Mujahideen the scale of victory or defeat is not dependent who has aerial superiority, intercontinental missiles or smart bombs. (Agencies, Ynet)


Features:

Israel’s Public Enemy No. 1 or the Poster Boy for Zionism?
His name is Mickey Gitzin and from the way Netanyahu has gone after him, you’d think he was the devil incarnate. (Judy Maltz, Haaretz+)
The man who immigrated to pre-state Israel by jumping off the deportation ship
David Ben David, who died this month at 98, foiled the British and later fought in a legendary losing battle during the War of Independence. (Ofer Aderet, Haaretz+)

Commentary/Analysis:
Uri Avnery Superstar (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) History remembers the trailblazers; now that Israel’s great warrior for peace is gone, we can see more clearly than ever just how courageous he was.
Israel's New Gun Policy Is Straight Out of Sacha Baron Cohen's 'Who Is America' (Allison Kaplan Sommer, Haaretz+) Baron Cohen's latest character would love Israel's public security minister, who's implementing a policy to drastically lower the bar to gun ownership.
Erdan's happy trigger finger (Aviad Kleinberg, Yedioth/Ynet) Sane countries—that are not the US—seek to disarm citizens, because a gun in the hands of an unskilled citizen could be dangerous both to him and his surroundings. But the public security minister wants us to be like America. Is that what we want?
Lowering the Blood Threshold (Haaretz Editorial) A new Israeli policy regarding gun permits is a dual failure: it fails to protect its citizens and ignores the science regarding gun violence.
Don't deter IDF soldiers from doing their duty (Shlomo Puterkovsky, Yedioth/Ynet) While investigating suspicions of unlawful use of weapons is vital, the IDF's Criminal Investigation Division might not be the most suitable body to do so, as it hurts soldiers' morale and can deter them from using their weapons when the need arises.
Hebron test: We all fail in the daily challenge of the most complex city in the world (Mor Ben Kalifa, Maariv) When the commander of the Judea Brigade does not talk to his soldiers about the Azaria affair, or about the routine life in a city where some 250,000 Palestinians and 800 Jews live, but only about terror attacks.
Netanyahu's Dangerous Plan for Arming Israel More Will Actually Make Us Less Safe (David Rosenberg, Haaretz+) Netanyahu conveniently chose to reveal his plans in the midst of another crisis with Gaza. If government goes ahead with what he wants, the impact on the economy could be profound and almost certainly not for the better.
A dam against the demographic flood (Dr. Reuven Berko, Israel Hayom) The nation-state law is a bulwark against the Palestinian desire to wipe out Israel through demographic means such as a right of return for Palestinian refugees.
Could Trump Still Get His Ultimate Deal? (Ami Ayalon, Gilead Sher and Orni Petruschk, Haaretz+) The president’s peace team speaks of reality, but any realistic solution must serve the interests of both sides.
The Left didn't fail because of 'bots' (Itamar Fleishman, Israel Hayom) People are sentient creatures who vote according to their political beliefs, not because some evil technological scheme spreads false information, as the Left would have us believe.
There are things that you already know: Trump's peace plan will be ambitious (Shmuel Rosner, Maariv) After the elections, the House of Representatives will probably pass to Democrat's control, perhaps also the Senate. The chances of elections in Israel seem to be high, about the time the new Congress enters into action.
Embattled Trump Startles Israel by Demanding 'Higher Price' for His Delusional Achievements on Jerusalem (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) The president’s claim that the future of the city was off the table is a mix of balderdash and poppycock wrapped in pure rubbish.

 

Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem

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