APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday September 17, 2018
NOTE: News Nosh will be off on Yom Kippur holidays Tuesday and Wednesday,
September 18-19.
Quote of the day:
Quote of the day:
“In all of the years that I have worked representing Israeli, Palestinian, and international
protesters, I’ve never come across a situation in which the justice system was used to justify the secret
deportation of a person [accused only] of nonviolent protest.”
--Gaby Lasky, attorney of American-French professor Frank Romano, said in court after police tried to secretly deport Romano - but were thwarted by a judge.*
Front Page:
--Gaby Lasky, attorney of American-French professor Frank Romano, said in court after police tried to secretly deport Romano - but were thwarted by a judge.*
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Efrat man was murdered in stabbing attack near Gush Etzion junction
- Netanyahu supports Deri and Lieberman: Will lower elections threshold
- Palestinians: It’s not clear that the 12-year-old was killed by IDF fire
- Lieberman asked to reveal who is the Israeli involved in the Manafort case; Mueller: We won’t name him
- All-ultra-Orthodox support could turn Jerusalem candidate Deutsch into the next mayor
- The Palestinian candidates apparently won’t win in the elections, but they already went far // Nir Hasson
- Court on the arrest of the foreign citizen at Khan al-Ahmar village: “The (police) took us for a ride”
- Molotov cocktails thrown at community center in Umm al-Fahm during a concert before a mixed-gender audience
- Fox? Peacock // Raviv Drucker
- A handsome reward (from Trump Administration to Guatemala) // Amir Tibon
- Man responsible for rehabilitation of the Ein Keshetot site in the Golan has regrets. Why?
Yedioth Ahronoth
- With his last strength, he saved life - Terrorist who arrived at Gush Etzion stabbed Ari Fuld in his back and began to run away, Fald managed to shoot at him before collapsing and dying
- Lieberman to IDF: Freeze the committee to release terrorists
- Ari managed to shoot the terrorist before he died
- Rescue at Qalandiya - Military bus that accidentally entered Qalandiya refugee camp was attacked by a barrage of rocks
- (Ehud) Barak: “Netanyahu is Ceausescu”
- 35 train engine driver announced: “We are ill”; Source at Israel Rails Authority: “Intentional shutdown”
Israel Hayom
- A fighter in life, a hero in death - Attack in Gush Etzion: Ari Fuld from Efrat was murdered in knife stabbing
- The reality is imperceptible // Shopping with a gun // Hanan Greenwood
- Gaza? Iran? The most complicated zone - Judea and Samaria [West Bank] // Yoav Limor
- “The next government - copy-paste” - Netanyahu tells coalition, “I will keep the present composition”
- Within two days: Two people died of violent bacteria; Health Ministry: No connection between them
- #2 in the world - And a corporal in the IDF: (Gymnast) Linoy Ashram was raised a rank
- Yom Kippur: The victory that was forgotten - possibly intentionally // Eyal Zisser
News Summary:
An Israeli man from the settlement of Efrat was labeled a hero after he managed to shoot the 16-year-old Palestinian who stabbed him to death in the West Bank, shortly after the teen’s mother warned soldiers about her son’s intentions, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman called for a probe into the identity of the top Israeli official named in the Manafort case, after many named him as the collaborator, and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu promised to keep the present composition of government in place after elections and offered to lower the electoral threshold in order to make sure that the smaller parties in his coalition, that of Lieberman and of Interior Minister Arieh Deri, can pass in the next elections - making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. What wasn’t mentioned was that another Gazan youth died of wounds he sustained in the protests on the Gaza border fence. Suhaib Abed Al-Salam Abu Kashef, 16, succumbed to the gunshot injury he sustained from Israeli forces during protests on August 3rd east of Khan Younis.
With the exception of Haaretz, the Hebrew newspapers portrayed Ari Fuld, 40, as a hero. Fuld shot the 16-or 17-year-old assailant after he was stabbed, after which two passers-by shot him again and neutralized him. The attacker, Khalil Jabarin, 16, from Yatta village, near Hebron, was wounded, but not killed. Jabarin’s mother said when she discovered her son didn’t go to school, she informed the Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint of her son's intention to make an attack and security sources confirmed that, but the attack took place shortly thereafter. (Maan photos) The papers gave unusually extensive profiles of Fuld, due to his far-right-wing advocacy for Israel. His family was also visited by Netanyahu, by Habayit Hayehudi party chairman, Naftali Bennett and by US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, who all called him a hero. Fuld immigrated to Israel from the U.S. and lived in Efrat settlement and was a member of the far-right-wing ‘National Union’ party, which is part of Habayit Hayehudi faction. Fuld’s brother, Eitan, is the spokesman of controversial MK Bezalel Smotrich (Habayit Hayehudi), Haaretz+ reported. Thousands attended his funeral last night. Maariv profiled him in an interview the past as one of Israel’s ‘Explainers’ and ran the article again.
Meanwhile, Palestinian factions welcomed the stabbing and also using the word 'heroic' to describe the act, but by the attacker. Hamas linked the attack to the killing by Israeli soldiers of Palestinians protesting on the Gaza border fence. “We welcome the stabbing attack in Bethlehem, which coincided with the killings of our people during the March of Return," Hamas said in a statement. "The attack makes it clear that our people wish to continue the Jerusalem intifada. To resist the occupation, by using all means necessary, is our legitimate right.” Palestinian Islamic Jihad called for more attacks against settlers, Maariv reported.
Quick Hits:
- *Israel to Release Professor Arrested Protesting West Bank Village Demolition - Judge Chavi Toker slams authorities' handling of case, saying they 'acted in bad faith' and rejecting demand that Frank Romano be immediately deported. Toker called the police's actions 'scandalous.' (Haaretz+ and +972mag)
- Israeli forces, settlers attack Palestinians in Ramallah village - Residents from the al-Mughayyir village confronted the Israeli settlers protect the farmer, and succeeded in forcing the settlers to withdraw from the land. Heavily armed Israeli forces arrived to the village to provide protection to the settlers and fired live ammunition and tear-gas bombs at the Palestinian residents to disperse them. (Maan)
- Gaza Health Ministry Backtracks: Palestinian Boy May Have Not Been Killed by Israeli Soldiers - After Shadi Abdel-Al's death Friday in a protest at the Strip, Gaza authorities claimed he was shot in the head, but following an Haaretz request for documents, the medical exam showed that he died of a head injury caused by a blunt object that cracked his skull. However, there were no details of the object that hit Abdel-Al, nor whether it was a live bullet, grenade or other object. The two other people killed over the weekend in clashes, Hani Ramzi Afana and Mohammed Shaqoura, both aged 21, were reportedly killed by live fire. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
- Palestinian Envoy in D.C. Says U.S. Revoked His and His Family's Visas, Ordered Them to Leave - Husam Zomlot says authorities revoked his and his family's visas and demanded they leave the country in what he describes as an attempt at revenge to placate Israel. (Haaretz+)
- Report: US freezes all PLO bank accounts in country - After Trump administration orders closure of PLO offices in Washington as part of bid to force Palestinians back to the negotiating table with Israel, Al Jazeera says Husam Zomlot has been instructed to leave with his family, whose bank accounts have all also been frozen. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- US funding cuts put life-saving surgeries for Gaza children at risk - US administration's decision to halt funding for training of Palestinian doctors and life-saving medical procedures could decide the fate of many Palestinians; J Street call decision a ‘disgrace.’ (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Israel to close Allenby crossing for Jewish holidays - Severe restrictions on movement for Palestinians are typically implemented by Israeli authorities during Jewish holidays for alleged security purposes. (Maan)
- Incendiary balloon lands in Knesset member's house - The balloon landed in the courtyard of the house of MK Haim Jelin from the Yesh Atid political party, but did not lead to a fire or cause any damage. Sources reported that Jelin also called for targeting the military wing of the Hamas movement, in attempt to force them to sign a long-term ceasefire agreement with Israel. (Maan)
- 3 Palestinian prisoners continue open hunger strike - Jamal al-Qam, 48, from Bethlehem, on hunger-strike for 19 days and suffered from irregular heartbeat prior to his detention. Sheikh Khader Adnan, 40, from Jenin district, on hunger strike 15 days and rejects his arbitrary detention. Imran al-Khatib, 60, from Gaza Strip, is on the 43rd consecutive day, demanding early release from Israeli prison, where he has been since 1997. (Maan)
- Israeli Army to Form Committee to Review Palestinian Sentence Reduction Requests - Israeli policy is that terrorists sentenced to life cannot have their sentences reduced. Army officials say the creation of the committee will not cause a change of policy. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
- Lieberman freezes talks on early release for terrorists - Following revelations of establishment of committee that would consider parole requests of terrorists who serve life sentences, defense minister announces he instructed to halt proceedings pending further discussions with military advisors. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Israel Air Force pushes to destroy controversial cluster bombs - The use of cluster bombs attracted much international criticism during the Second Lebanon War. Now air force issues a bid for commercial companies to destroy them. (Haaretz+)
- WATCH: Israeli Security Forces Extract Bus Full of Soldiers That Entered Palestinian Refugee Camp - One female officer and two soldiers were lightly injured after Palestinians hurled rocks at the bus, which entered the Qalandia Refugee Camp near Ramallah by mistake. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Former PM Barak says Netanyahu just like Romanian dictator Ceausescu - Likud accuses ex-politician of incitement to murder after Tel Aviv speech blasting prime minister over corruption allegations. (Maariv and Times of Israel)
- Ahed Tamimi Finally Travels to France Despite Israeli Obstacles - Ahed Tamimi, 17, the Palestinian teen filmed attacking an IDF force next to her house, was recently released from prison after serving 8 months. She traveled to France Friday for an event where she asked people to support the Palestinian cause and to boycott Israel. She accused Israel of violating human rights and of war crimes. "The children they are the first to suffer from the occupation and from these crimes because they were born under occupation and they don't have a normal life." Tamimi will travel to Madrid after France. (Telesurtv and Maariv, p. 14 (Sunday))
- Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa to perform religious prayers - Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound through the Moroccan Gate, in the form of large consecutive groups, on the occasion of Jewish holidays. They toured the compound and performed religious Jewish prayers under the protection of Israeli forces. (Maan)
- Israeli group files war crimes lawsuit against Hamas leader - In International Criminal Court petition, Jerusalem Institute of Justice accuses Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh of exploiting 17,000 children under the age of 15 for military purposes and using them as human shields. Suit is group's second against Haniyeh. (Israel Hayom)
- Eyeing Looming Elections, Netanyahu Offers to Lower Electoral Threshold - Netanyahu suggests lower minimum for party representation in the Knesset, 'It's easier to maneuver smaller parties,' says source who spoke to PM about his motive. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- (When he was in the opposition,) Erdan supported 4-year term for IDF chief - After being criticized for refusing to extend term of police commissioner, record shows Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, as an opposition MK, once supported proposal but in 2016 rejected it. (Ynet)
- The plan to establish a Druze community has infuriated the residents of the Galilee - For religious, historical, social or agricultural reasons, the plan to establish a new Druze community in the Karnei Hittin region, which has been linked to the attempt to appease the Druze community following the Nation-State law, provokes anger among both Druze and Jews. (Maariv)
- He dreamed all his life to save lives - but he succeeded only in his death - The sudden death of Dr. Rabi'a Shakur, 31, of Sakhnin, who only just completed nine years of study in medicine, led to saving the lives of two women who received his kidneys. His parents: "We wanted his death to do what he wanted to do in his life.” (Maariv)
- Israeli actor Lior Ashkenazi to play lead role in L.A. Shakespeare play - 'The Tempest' is a joint production by Shakespeare’s Old Globe Theater and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. (Haaretz+)
- Trump, Pompeo bash ex-Secretary of State Kerry on Iran meetings - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says predecessor John Kerry "actively undermined" U.S. policy by meeting repeatedly with Iranian FM. Kerry's meetings with Mohammad Zarif "unseemly and unprecedented" and "beyond inappropriate," he says. (Israel Hayom)
- Four Dead After Saudi-led Air Strike Hits Yemen Radio Station - Attack comes after UN-led peace talks collapsed earlier this month. Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthis has resumed an offensive to capture port city of Hodeidah. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
The last Syrians in Israel: With border closed, wounded Syrians face uncertain future
Israel has treated thousands of injured Syrians over the past five years, but only a handful remain in Israeli hospitals. Haaretz meets one of the final four – 14-year-old Ahmad, who nearly lost a leg in the civil war. (Kyle S. Mackie, Haaretz+)
All sticks, no carrot: Six times Trump targeted the Palestinians
Punitive measures the White House has taken against the Palestinians since December 2017 (updating) (Haaretz)
Archaeologists Find Signs of 3,000-year-old Oracle Cult in Ancient Israel
Abel Beth Maacah was famed in biblical times for conflict resolution: Now archaeologists have found a strange shrine that may have served the city's 'wise woman.’ (Philippe Bohstrom, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Israel's Opposition Needs Sincere Leaders (Uzi Baram, Haaretz+) The great mistake of the camp opposing the right is that it hasn’t clearly demarcated the 'good' and 'bad' players, and hasn’t fought for its own truth.
When support for Israel means abandoning universal values (Udi Aloni, +972mag) On a recent trip to Germany, Jewish Israeli filmmaker Udi Aloni finds himself defending the Palestinians’ right to resist Israeli apartheid and occupation. Before pledging unconditional loyalty to Israel, he says, people should ask themselves what values they are helping promote.
Man of the year in Israeli politics? Trump (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) The US president has not yet managed to achieve the ultimate deal between the Palestinians and Israel, but he has taken steps that may push the former in the right direction. His style has also had a profound impact on the culture of Israeli politics and has undermined the very reason for Yair Lapid's political existence.
Man of the Year: Netanyahu is the winner of the first place, for better or for worse (Eric Henig, Maariv) In my opinion, there is not such a complex leader in the whole orld. His friends feel a national need to appreciate him, and his political supporters talk about him like God. Although it is hard to ignore what is happening inside his home, it is still possible to cut corners.
Trump's Administration Used to Fight Corruption in Guatemala. Then Guatemala Moved Its Embassy to Jerusalem (Amir Tibon, Haaretz+) For a decade, the United States backed an international body investigating corruption in Guatemala. Now experts are asking why the White House is silent as the country’s president, Jimmy Morales, wages war on the panel.
What need does Abbas have for a state? (Noah Klieger, Yedioth/Ynet) Some are concerned Trump's recent steps towards the Palestinians will harm Israel or spark an intifada, but they don't get that all peace efforts have failed because the Palestinians are not serious about peace, especially their leaders who enjoy all the benefits of statehood while endlessly indulging in self-victimization.
Trump train didn't stop for the Palestinians (Dr. Reuven Berko, Israel Hayom) The Palestinians realized, too late, that the light at the end of their tunnel of incitement was Trump's charging locomotive. Despite their best efforts to derail it, Trump didn't stop to do business; he simply ran them over.
Trump and Israel's 'vision' for the Palestinians is to blind them. Literally (Gerry Clare, Haaretz+) Working as an eye doctor in East Jerusalem, I saw first-hand how Israel maims Palestinians as a form of crowd control. Now Trump is cutting U.S. funds to the hospitals that treat them.
Have a truly good New Year (Ariella Ringel-Hoffman, Yedioth/Ynet) as in every holiday season, people send holiday greeting cards filled with righteous misrepresentations of the previous year, while pretending to know what next year holds; instead, try being empathetic and compassionate, and find beauty and meaning in a daily existence that is often oppressive.
In Israel, Signs of Judgment Day (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz) This country is so sunk in darkness that it has become a beacon for the world’s fascists. Fascist movements consider Israel a warm, loving home.
Poor are the people who believe that forgiveness is an expression of weakness (Shai Piron, Maariv) God loves us, so He forgives. But we are go on and develop lives based on hatred. Rabbi Shai Piron in a special column for Yom Kippur.
Keep Lake Kinneret Open on Yom Kippur (Haaretz Editorial) Non-Jewish or nonreligious Israelis are increasingly asked to consider the needs of the religiously observant, but this plea for ‘sensitivity’ is a one-way street.
The Oslo era is finally over, but it only gets worse from here (Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man, +972mag) In theory, the end of Oslo should be a welcome development. In practice, there is little to celebrate.
Arab MKs are waging a civil war (Yaakov Ahimeir, Israel Hayom) Certain legislators from the Joint Arab List exploit parliamentary immunity to wage war on Israel at home and abroad, appealing to the High Court when they lose a vote and to international circles to intervene in domestic matters.
The potential of the Joint List in Brussels (Nimrod Goren, +972mag) The EU has become effectively paralyzed in its ability to react to and meaningfully impact the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A recent visit by Arab members of Knesset represents an opportunity for both the EU and civil society in Israel to engage in new ways.
Anti-Semitism and the populist Left (Avi Bareli, Israel Hayom) Anti-Semitism is not the essence of left-wing ideology; it contradicts its humanist assumptions. But from a sociological perspective, anti-Semitism is closely related to the awakening of social protest.
Israel's irreconcilable differences with U.S. Jews and the Democratic Party may soon lead to final divorce (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) Netanyahu is accelerating the pace of his country’s estrangement from everyone but ethnocentric and anti-democratic nationalists and xenophobes.
Thus Israel turned into the eyes and ears of the West regarding everything that is happening in Syria (Yossi Melman, Maariv) According to foreign reports, the Mossad's fighters often operated in athe country involved in a civil war and were involved in the assassination or attempted assassination of Hamas and Hezbollah members. Above all stands out the operation that led to the assassination of Imad Mughniyeh.
Mum’s the Word in Ukraine on Manafort Scandal and Israeli Link (Noa Landau, Haaretz+) Skeletons in the closet and the fear of being branded anti-Semitic are keeping the Ukrainian establishment quiet about alleged an alleged Israeli role in Manafort's machinations.
Israel has treated thousands of injured Syrians over the past five years, but only a handful remain in Israeli hospitals. Haaretz meets one of the final four – 14-year-old Ahmad, who nearly lost a leg in the civil war. (Kyle S. Mackie, Haaretz+)
All sticks, no carrot: Six times Trump targeted the Palestinians
Punitive measures the White House has taken against the Palestinians since December 2017 (updating) (Haaretz)
Archaeologists Find Signs of 3,000-year-old Oracle Cult in Ancient Israel
Abel Beth Maacah was famed in biblical times for conflict resolution: Now archaeologists have found a strange shrine that may have served the city's 'wise woman.’ (Philippe Bohstrom, Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Israel's Opposition Needs Sincere Leaders (Uzi Baram, Haaretz+) The great mistake of the camp opposing the right is that it hasn’t clearly demarcated the 'good' and 'bad' players, and hasn’t fought for its own truth.
When support for Israel means abandoning universal values (Udi Aloni, +972mag) On a recent trip to Germany, Jewish Israeli filmmaker Udi Aloni finds himself defending the Palestinians’ right to resist Israeli apartheid and occupation. Before pledging unconditional loyalty to Israel, he says, people should ask themselves what values they are helping promote.
Man of the year in Israeli politics? Trump (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) The US president has not yet managed to achieve the ultimate deal between the Palestinians and Israel, but he has taken steps that may push the former in the right direction. His style has also had a profound impact on the culture of Israeli politics and has undermined the very reason for Yair Lapid's political existence.
Man of the Year: Netanyahu is the winner of the first place, for better or for worse (Eric Henig, Maariv) In my opinion, there is not such a complex leader in the whole orld. His friends feel a national need to appreciate him, and his political supporters talk about him like God. Although it is hard to ignore what is happening inside his home, it is still possible to cut corners.
Trump's Administration Used to Fight Corruption in Guatemala. Then Guatemala Moved Its Embassy to Jerusalem (Amir Tibon, Haaretz+) For a decade, the United States backed an international body investigating corruption in Guatemala. Now experts are asking why the White House is silent as the country’s president, Jimmy Morales, wages war on the panel.
What need does Abbas have for a state? (Noah Klieger, Yedioth/Ynet) Some are concerned Trump's recent steps towards the Palestinians will harm Israel or spark an intifada, but they don't get that all peace efforts have failed because the Palestinians are not serious about peace, especially their leaders who enjoy all the benefits of statehood while endlessly indulging in self-victimization.
Trump train didn't stop for the Palestinians (Dr. Reuven Berko, Israel Hayom) The Palestinians realized, too late, that the light at the end of their tunnel of incitement was Trump's charging locomotive. Despite their best efforts to derail it, Trump didn't stop to do business; he simply ran them over.
Trump and Israel's 'vision' for the Palestinians is to blind them. Literally (Gerry Clare, Haaretz+) Working as an eye doctor in East Jerusalem, I saw first-hand how Israel maims Palestinians as a form of crowd control. Now Trump is cutting U.S. funds to the hospitals that treat them.
Have a truly good New Year (Ariella Ringel-Hoffman, Yedioth/Ynet) as in every holiday season, people send holiday greeting cards filled with righteous misrepresentations of the previous year, while pretending to know what next year holds; instead, try being empathetic and compassionate, and find beauty and meaning in a daily existence that is often oppressive.
In Israel, Signs of Judgment Day (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz) This country is so sunk in darkness that it has become a beacon for the world’s fascists. Fascist movements consider Israel a warm, loving home.
Poor are the people who believe that forgiveness is an expression of weakness (Shai Piron, Maariv) God loves us, so He forgives. But we are go on and develop lives based on hatred. Rabbi Shai Piron in a special column for Yom Kippur.
Keep Lake Kinneret Open on Yom Kippur (Haaretz Editorial) Non-Jewish or nonreligious Israelis are increasingly asked to consider the needs of the religiously observant, but this plea for ‘sensitivity’ is a one-way street.
The Oslo era is finally over, but it only gets worse from here (Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man, +972mag) In theory, the end of Oslo should be a welcome development. In practice, there is little to celebrate.
Arab MKs are waging a civil war (Yaakov Ahimeir, Israel Hayom) Certain legislators from the Joint Arab List exploit parliamentary immunity to wage war on Israel at home and abroad, appealing to the High Court when they lose a vote and to international circles to intervene in domestic matters.
The potential of the Joint List in Brussels (Nimrod Goren, +972mag) The EU has become effectively paralyzed in its ability to react to and meaningfully impact the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A recent visit by Arab members of Knesset represents an opportunity for both the EU and civil society in Israel to engage in new ways.
Anti-Semitism and the populist Left (Avi Bareli, Israel Hayom) Anti-Semitism is not the essence of left-wing ideology; it contradicts its humanist assumptions. But from a sociological perspective, anti-Semitism is closely related to the awakening of social protest.
Israel's irreconcilable differences with U.S. Jews and the Democratic Party may soon lead to final divorce (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) Netanyahu is accelerating the pace of his country’s estrangement from everyone but ethnocentric and anti-democratic nationalists and xenophobes.
Thus Israel turned into the eyes and ears of the West regarding everything that is happening in Syria (Yossi Melman, Maariv) According to foreign reports, the Mossad's fighters often operated in athe country involved in a civil war and were involved in the assassination or attempted assassination of Hamas and Hezbollah members. Above all stands out the operation that led to the assassination of Imad Mughniyeh.
Mum’s the Word in Ukraine on Manafort Scandal and Israeli Link (Noa Landau, Haaretz+) Skeletons in the closet and the fear of being branded anti-Semitic are keeping the Ukrainian establishment quiet about alleged an alleged Israeli role in Manafort's machinations.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.