News Nosh 6.1.20

by admin_as_editor 06/01/20
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APN's daily news review from Israel

Monday June 1, 2020


 Quotes of the day:“He didn’t even know there was such a thing as Jews and Arabs in this country.”
--Dr. Hatem Awiwi, the cousin of Eyad Al-Hallaq, the autistic Palestinian young man who was shot dead in cold blood by Israeli Border Police.*

“Today it comes down to this: what are you going to do about it? When actions are taken that threaten the viability of two states living side by side in peace and security, what do you say? What do you do?"
--In an Op-Ed in Haaretz, President of Americans for Peace Now, Hadar Susskind, examines why the “mainstream" Jewish organizations, who all tout their support of a two-state solution, are silent about Israel’s intention to annex Palestinian Territories on July 1st.**

Front Page:

Haaretz

Yedioth Ahronoth

  • In order to finance the enormous government - Cuts to health, social welfare and employment budgets; They are disconnected: at the height of economic and health crises, government ministers voted unanimously
  • Suspicion: female employees at the Prime Minister’s Residence gave false testimonies for the benefit of Sara Netanyahu
  • The frustration is exploding (Photo of destroyed NYPD vehicle)
  • Catastrophe in stages // Nahum Barnea on the annexation that is getting closer

Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)

  • Spreading violence - Six days since the death of George Floyd, who was strangled by a policeman, but riots in US are not subsiding
  • Housemaster continues to work at Prime Minister’s Residence, despite being disqualified by the Shin Bet
  • Expanding the (corona) tests
  • The battle over the milk - Unprecedented sale by Tnuva dairy company today to intensify the competition in the dairy industry

Israel Hayom

  • Temple Mount in the focus: Secret negotiations with Saudi Arabia - The goal: to stop Erdogan’s attempts to take control
  • The relations that are getting closer are no longer in the shadows // Amnon Lord
  • Corona tests - even without symptoms
  • Visit to the center for matriculation exams - a peek into how the exams are checked
  • Furious streets - Chaos and looting and 1000 detained: George Floyd protest shaking up the US
  • The obstacles on the way to a budget - Government approved budget cut of 1.5% from each ministry
  • Not alone: The plan to help lone soldiers get on their path
  • Tragedy in Hadera: 2-year-old drowned to death and was buried on her birthday
  • Owner of Barbie nightclub in Tel-Aviv, Shaul Mizrachi, went on hunger strike: “I didn’t receive a cent for three months”
  • Ahead of return of the season: Today, basketball teams will return to practicing


Top News Summary:
Painful budget cuts to all ministries - including health and education - in order to pay for the creation of new ministries, in the midst of a health crisis, a probe into possible false testimonies given to benefit Sara Netanyahu in the one of the cases against her for mistreating an employee, and the expansion of corona testing to include people with no symptoms after a spike in newly infected people made the  top stories today in the Hebrew newspapers.

*Killing of autistic young Palestinian man, Eyad Alhallaq:
With the exception of Haaretz, the latest on the killing of the young autistic Palestinian man, Eyad Alhalak, Border Police was minor news in the Hebrew newspapers, with the exception of Haaretz+ newspaper, which interviewed relatives and the attorney. The papers barely mentioned the peaceful protest in E. Jerusalem over Alhallak’s killing. Haaretz wrote that on Sunday evening, police forcibly dispersed dozens of Palestinians who gathered at the Old City’s Damascus Gate to protest Hallaq’s killing. Maariv reported that “According to an initial assessment, the shooting was conducted according to the procedures after conducting a suspicious detention procedure, but in this case, the bad luck was, that the victim had special needs and was unable to respond to the incident in accordance with what was expected of the reasonable person, and thus found his death."

Maariv interviewed relatives including, Heir Halak, Eyad’s father, who plans to file a lawsuit against the police who chased his son and shot him to death: "I am tired and can’t continue any longer. A doctor on our behalf had an autopsy but he signed a pledge that he would not provide details. You’re asking if I'm angry? Well what do you think?! If you had a cat for one year and they killed him, would you be angry? So I answered the question.  We are going back to the police and then to the mourning tent. I hope this is the last Arab killed by police fire.” Judd Kadman, lawyer of the family of the autistic man who was shot dead said: "He posed no danger to the (Border) police officers.” Kadman argued that the unfortunate case could have ended differently: "The policeman did not follow rules for opening fire. We believe the that he lied in the interrogation to save himself." That wasn't the only thing police did not follow. MK Ahmed Tibi described how after the killing, police showed up at the family's home and ransacked in an effort to find 'dirt' on Eyad. Judd Kadman, lawyer of the family of the autistic man who was shot dead said, "He posed no danger to the (Border) police officers.” Kadman argued that the unfortunate case could have ended differently and that the case could have ended differently: "The policeman did not follow rules for opening fire. We believe the that he lied in the interrogation to save himself." (Maariv/103FM) (Maariv/103FM) (Maariv) Defense Minister Benny Gantz said he was “very sorry” for the killing of an unarmed autistic Palesitnian man and that the incident will be investigated 'swiftly' and 'conclusions will be reached.’

However, new Public Security Minister Amir Ohana would not accuse the policemen. “I feel the grief of the family, but it is too early for the police to do justice,” Maariv reported he said. “(Border Police) are required to make fateful decisions in seconds, in terror-filled areas. We will probe the procedures." Nevertheleses, Ynet studio made an interesting interview with Ahmed Tibi, which is worth reading. (See Interviews section below.) Meanwhile, Fatah and Hamas threatened retaliation over the Israeli killing of disabled Palestinian.


Corona News:

  • Health Ministry expanding testing to include asymptomatic people - Minister calls on public to get tested if there was any contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients; 53 new cases reported since Saturday bringing the total number of Israelis who have had the virus to 17,071. (Ynet)
  • Opposition slams Netanyahu over controversial 'coronavirus law' - Meretz leader says legislation, which would allow government to impose emergency measures for up to 10 months, is more dangerous than coronavirus itself, while Lapid claims the law is a tool for government to thwart public protests. (Ynet)
  • As Debate Heats Up, Gantz Says Coronavirus Emergency Bill Must Be Amended or Dropped - Defense minister vows to protect right to protest, judiciary and government oversight under proposed regulations that would give the government extended powers. (Haaretz+)
  • Schools in Jerusalem Shut as Dozens of Students, Staff Test Positive for the Coronavirus - Renewed outbreak triggers widespread closures and absences in Jerusalem and several other cities, as Health Ministry sets out criteria for shutting down schools. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
  • State Comptroller to Probe Israeli Government's Handling of Coronavirus Pandemic - The probe will examine the Prime Minister’s Office, a number of ministries, the Mossad, the National Security Council and the IDF. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
  • In the shadow of Corona: A record number of immigration applications from the US and Canada - According to data from the "Nefesh B'Nefesh" organization, there is a 100% increase in the number of people interested in immigrating from US and Canadian Jewry in May, most of whom want to immigrate to Israel in the coming months. (Israel Hayom Hebrew)
  • Public transport resumption blamed for new COVID-19 cases - After the cabinet’s decision to increase the number of passengers allowed on buses, drivers say they do not feel safe while experts warn that social distancing is not observed in public transport. (Ynet)
  • Health Ministry expanding testing to include asymptomatic people - Minister calls on public to get tested if there was any contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients; 53 new cases reported since Saturday bringing the total number of Israelis who have had the virus to 17,071. (Ynet)
  • Opposition slams Netanyahu over controversial 'coronavirus law' - Meretz leader says legislation, which would allow government to impose emergency measures for up to 10 months, is more dangerous than coronavirus itself, while Lapid claims the law is a tool for government to thwart public protests. (Ynet)
  • As Debate Heats Up, Gantz Says Coronavirus Emergency Bill Must Be Amended or Dropped - Defense minister vows to protect right to protest, judiciary and government oversight under proposed regulations that would give the government extended powers. (Haaretz+)
  • Schools in Jerusalem Shut as Dozens of Students, Staff Test Positive for the Coronavirus - Renewed outbreak triggers widespread closures and absences in Jerusalem and several other cities, as Health Ministry sets out criteria for shutting down schools. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
  • State Comptroller to Probe Israeli Government's Handling of Coronavirus Pandemic - The probe will examine the Prime Minister’s Office, a number of ministries, the Mossad, the National Security Council and the IDF. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
  • Public transport resumption blamed for new COVID-19 cases - After the cabinet’s decision to increase the number of passengers allowed on buses, drivers say they do not feel safe while experts warn that social distancing is not observed in public transport. (Ynet)

AUTISTIC PALESTINIAN SHOT DEAD:
The latest on the killing of the young autistic Palestinian man, Eyad Alhalak’s killing by Border Police was minor news in the Hebrew newspapers, with the exception of Haaretz+ newspaper, which interviewed relatives and the attorney. The papers barely mentioned the peaceful protests in E. Jerusalem over Alhallak’s killing. Haaretz wrote that on Sunday evening, police forcibly dispersed dozens of Palestinians who gathered at the Old City’s Damascus Gate to protest Hallaq’s killing. Maariv reported that “According to an initial assessment, the shooting was conducted according to the procedures after conducting a suspicious detention procedure, but in this case, the bad luck was, that the victim had special needs and was unable to respond to the incident in accordance with what was expected of the reasonable person, and thus found his death.” Maariv interviewed relatives. Heir Halak, Eyad’s father, plans to file a lawsuit against the police who chased his son and shot him to death: "I am tired and can’t continue any longer. A doctor on our behalf had an autopsy but he signed a pledge that he would not provide details. You’re asking if I'm angry? Well what do you think?! If you had a cat for one year and they killed him, would you be angry? So I answered the question.  We are going back to the police and then to the mourning tent. I hope this is the last Arab killed by police fire.” The articles also lack the information about police breaking into Heir Alhallaq’s. That was mentioned in an interview with Arab-Israeli MK Ahmed Tibi (Joint List). See Interviews section below. (Maariv/103FM) Defense Minister Benny Gantz said he was “very sorry” for the killing of an unarmed autistic Palesitnian man. Gantz said the incident will be investigated 'swiftly' and 'conclusions will be reached.’ And while general opinion is that Eyad was shot unnecessarily, new Public Security Minister Amir Ohana refused to accuse the policemen. “I feel the grief of the family, but it is too early for the police to do justice,” Maariv reported he said. “(Border Police) are required to make fateful decisions in seconds, in terror-filled areas. We will probe the procedures." Ynet studio made an interesting interview with Ahmed Tibi that is worth reading. (See Interviews section below.) Meanwhile, Fatah and Hamas threatened retaliation over the Israeli killing of disabled Palestinian

 Quick Hits:

  • Knesset Revisits Debate on Ban on Israeli-Palestinian Family Unification - An emergency regulation which has been in place since 2003 allows the government to refuse residency visas to Palestinians who are married to Israelis or have first-degree relatives here. (Haaretz+)
  • Israel, Saudi Arabia in secret talks to curb Turkish presence on Temple Mount - According to one senior Saudi diplomat, until recently, Amman adamantly objected to altering the composition of the Waqf religious council. Jordan has since changed its position amid intense Turkish interference in east Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. (Israel Hayom)
  • "The IDF takes into account the possibility of a third intifada" - Former Chief of Staff spoke about the ramifications of the ending of security coordination (between the Palestinian Authority and Israel): "The IDF should be ready to carry out its tasks without Palestinian assistance," adding: "If there is annexation, the situation will be more explosive.” (Maariv)
  • Gilad Sharon: "My father never intended to evict communities in Judea and Samaria (West Bank)” - Son of former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon said last week that his father never intended to evict from Judea and Samaria: "He had no plans for this. He established all the settlements and outposts and not for nothing.“ (103FM/Maariv)
  • Police probe false claims in case against PM’s wife - Reports say that two employees at Netanyahus' official residence were allegedly pressured to give false testimony in a civil case against Sara Netanyahu, allegedly to help her fend off accusations of mistreating a housekeeper. (Ynet and Israel Hayom)
  • AG defends police probe of false statements in trial PM's wife - Mandelblit called claims by Netanyahu attorney 'nonsense' after Cohen said the AG usurped the power of his office to target prime minister and his family. (Ynet)
  • Housemaster of the Prime Minister's residence was disqualified by Shin Bet, but remains in his position - A disturbing affair: Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ignores the security classification of Effi Azoulay, who is considered very close to Sara Netanyahu, and remains in his position in the sensitive compound, contrary to instructions. (Maariv)
  • Change to ‘Norwegian Law’ Should Start With Next Government Term, Knesset Lawyer Says - The proposed amendment to the law, which Kahol Lavan is particularly anxious to enact, would let more cabinet members give their legislative seats to party colleagues. (Haaretz+)
  • IDF charges Palestinian security officer over 2011 slaying of Israeli man - Saleh Hammad accused of being one of several Palestinian cops who opened fire at Ben-Yosef Livnat’s car, during the latter's unapproved visit to Joseph’s Tomb holy site in Nablus. (Times of Israel and Israel Hayom Hebrew)
  • Temple Mount complex opens, hundreds gather at Al-Aqsa mosque - After months of closure holy site opens despite a spike in cases in Israel in recent days. (Haaretz, Ynet and Israel Hayom)
  • (Druze-Israeli) IDF soldier who lost his leg in car-ramming attack released from hospital - Shadi Ibrahim, who was seriously wounded in an attack near an army checkpoint in the West Bank 2 weeks ago, is now in rehabilitation after doctors had to amputate the 20-year-old's limb to save his life. (Yedioth/Ynet)
  • Burning protest: The disabled blocked roads in the center of the country - The disabled people's protest over the amount of the disability pension continues, yesterday they held several protest rallies. The disability organizations demand the government  fully implement the Disability Allowance Law, which stipulates that the total amount to be awarded at the end of the process will be NIS 3,700. (Israel Hayom Hebrew)
  • Report: Iranian Cyberattack Aimed to Raise Chlorine Level in Israeli Water - Hundreds could have become ill, western intelligence official tells Financial Times, as more details trickle in from April attack. (Haaretz and Ynet and Israel Hayom)
  • Two Years Into Milestone Israeli Reform, Polygamous Bedouin Evade Legal Crackdown - With Sharia courts reporting second marriages to police, many polygamists are now setting up new families without their recognition, officials say. (Haaretz+)
  • Due to the water crisis in the Beqaa Jordan Valley: Mekorot water company will upgrade equipment, a connection to the Dead Sea will be examined - After the Water Authority did a probe for Mekorot, it was determined that glitches need be reported immediately to the relevant people in the Water Authority. It was also decided that Mekorot will update the Authority Director on the progress of the work to repair the equipment required for the water drilling that was disabled. (Ynet Hebrew)
  • Israeli Natural Gas Exports Fell in March, April - State-owned pipeline operator warns exports to Jordan, Egypt may not return to pre-coronavirus levels. (Haaretz+)
  • A laborer was killed at a construction site in Majdal Shams - A 47-year-old man was killed during his work at a construction site in the Druze village in the Golan Heights. Police are investigating the circumstances of the accident in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Social Welfare. (Ynet Hebrew)
  • Lone IDF soldiers could be less lonely thanks to new program - The project is in memory of and inspired by the late Tzvika Levy, who dedicated his life toward improving the conditions of lone soldiers. (Israel Hayom)
  • Israeli company launches ‘biblical protein’ locust products in the U.S. - Unlikely early adopters for Hargol’s locust-based energy bars and whole insects in a jar: American evangelicals emulating John the Baptist. (Haaretz+)
  • Iran's new parliament speaker says talks with US 'futile' - Newly-elected Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf describes America as the 'axis of global arrogance,' vows revenge for the death of Revolutionary Guards' general Qasem Soleimani. (Agencies, Ynet)
  • UN Forced to Cut Aid to Yemen, Even as Virus Increases Need - International organizations have shut 75 percent of their programs, despite a health system in effective collapse, and one of the world's lowest rate of testing. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • Egypt officials say 19 militants, five troops killed in Sinai - Military does not officially confirm soldier's deaths, says it dismantled at least five explosive devices as war against Islamic State affiliate continues in Sinai. (Agencies, Haaretz and Ynet)


Top Commentary/Analysis:
*The Real Reason for ‘Mainstream’ Jewish America’s Appalling Silence on Annexation (President and CEO of Americans for Peace Now, Hadar Susskind, Haaretz+) Israel’s leaders are sacrificing democracy and human rights on the altar of ethno-nationalism. And all those U.S. Jewish groups claiming to back a two state solution have suddenly lost their voice? Could it be, as we so often hear, that they don’t want to directly oppose the American president? Perhaps it is their discomfort in criticizing or disagreeing with the Israeli government. Or maybe, just maybe, the answer is that they are not so committed to a two-state solution. Maybe they are more interested in maintaining their proximity to power. Maybe they are more interested in protecting their façade of bipartisanship. Maybe they are more interested in making sure that no donors are upset….
Times, they are changing (Ariel Kahana, Israel Hayom) The moderate Arab countries are no longer interested in hiding the fact they are cultivating good relations with Israel. Full-fledged peace may still be a long way away but the US peace plan is the best way to reach it.
Palestinian, Give Up Your Life! (Odeh Bisharat, Haaretz+) “It’s not we who have to give in, it’s the Palestinians,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview to the daily Yisrael Hayom, regarding the annexation plan in the Jordan Valley scheduled to be implemented in July. I look around myself and ask, what will the Palestinians give up that they maliciously haven’t given up yet for the benefit of their cousins?..Well, my dear cousins, aside from giving up their lives, as the Jews’ forefathers did in Masada, there is nothing left for the Palestinians to give up. They could commit suicide and go on to eternal life, to the place where, as the priest says at the time of parting, “there is no pain, sadness and sighing” – in other words, to a place where there is no Benjamin Netanyahu, and no Ayelet Shaked and Bezalel Smotrich. We hope that in heaven our cousins won’t ask our heavenly father to give them the Palestinians’ share..
Abbas' latest tantrum (Alan Baker, Israel Hayom) Is the Palestinian leader cutting off his nose to spite his face?ala
Conciliation of the century (Nadav Shragai, Israel Hayom) Old rivals Jordan and Saudi Arabia could be headed toward historic rapprochement due to their shared animosity of a common enemy – Turkey.
For an Israeli Married to a Palestinian, Family Unification Is Forbidden (Umm Forat, Haaretz+) Even if Osama were to get an entry permit into Israel, how realistic would it be for us to move to Tel Aviv based on something temporary that doesn’t even allow him to get health insurance or drive a car? | Post #14
Who owns the Land of Israel? (Pastor John Hagee, Israel Hayom) The land was given to the Jewish people exclusively and eternally in Genesis.
With Proposed Coronavirus Emergency Regulations, It's the Israeli Government vs. the Public (Haaretz Editorial) Under cover of the fight against the coronavirus and fears of a threatened “second wave,” the Netanyahu-Gantz government is trying to appropriate draconian legislative powers that will deal a mortal blow to human rights. The cabinet is advancing a bill to give itself special authorities as a replacement for existing emergency regulations that are due to expire. This bill would undermine not just fundamental rights, but also the principle of the separation of powers and the basic rules of democracy.
Israel's Emergency Coronavirus Bill Could Perpetuate Infringement on Human Rights (Mordechai Kremnitzer, Haaretz+) As opposed to standard emergency regulations limited up to three months, the government is trying to extend its special powers for 10 months. Such legislation treats citizens as subjects and would allow chaos to prevail.
Coronavirus cows Egypt's 'white army' while Sissi looks the other way (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) Egyptian doctors need protection, equipment, regular testing and suitable training to deal with the virus, but President Sissi argues 'it's not a suitable time' for demands.
Nasrallah's problems keep mounting (Smadar Perry, Yedioth/Ynet) Between the battle against coronavirus and Lebanon's crippling economic crisis, Nasrallah is losing his grip; His part in the organization diminishes, and operational decisions, if there are any in these times, are made by Iran.
As Gulf Economies Shrink, Foreigners Are Jumping Ship (David Rosenberg. Haaretz+) Without their giant expat populations, the economic future of the Gulf region looks dimmer than ever.
The Iranian Cyber Threat can no Longer be Underestimated (Doron Peskin, Calcalist English) Iran may not be a cyber superpower, but it has been making a concentrated effort over recent years to strengthen its position in the field. The aid from China and Russia, the loyalty of hundreds of volunteer hackers, and its audacity make it an enemy that should be reckoned with.
Dreyfus? Netanyahu's Trial Is More Like O.J. Simpson's (Carolina Landsmann, Haaretz+) The comparison between the Netanyahu trial and the Dreyfus trial has really caught on. “Today the Dreyfus trial will begin,” tweeted Dreyfus’ son, Yair Netanyahu, several hours before his father, Israel’s prime minister for the past 11 years, spoke to the nation as usual, uninterrupted, and presented his “j’accuse.” Not exactly the profile of a voiceless Jewish officer, the protagonist of the anti-Semitic libel in the French army in the late 19th century…(But) the Simpson trial, which in America was dubbed the Trial of the Century, exploited the pain of African Americans and enabled them to take revenge, justifiably, against the racist Los Angeles police. Simpson’s crime paled in comparison to the ongoing injustice committed by whites in their treatment of blacks.
For Netanyahu, crime pays off (Dror Marmor, Calcalist Hebrew) Israeli politicians have long understood that the general public is indifferent. It's much more lucrative to worry about small pressure groups. Just look at illegal construction offender Moshe Green who was appointed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's adviser on agriculture and settlement.
 Interviews:
Joint List MK blames ingrained racism for fatal police shooting of disabled Palestinian
The tragic death of Eyad Alahlak, shot in East Jerusalem by (Border) police officers, led to an international social media campaign comparing the incident to the death of George Floyd, who was strangled by a police officer in Minneapolis, USA. In an interview with Ynet studio, Knesset Member Ahmed Tibi (Joint List) made the comparison between the two cases, claiming: "What they do to the Palestinians is so much worse. They shoot them, too.“ According to him, “This isn’t a tragic case, it’s a crime case.” (Interviewed by Alexandra Loksh & Nir Cohen in Ynet Hebrew and partial translation in Ynet English)
Ahmed Tibi: "What they do to the Palestinians is worse. They don’t just strangle them. They also shoot autistic people. By the way, there are plenty of such strangulations (by Israeli security forces). Look in Google and you’ll see some photos.”

Q: The comparison between a man arrested in the street and a Palestinian who tried to carry out an attack is out of place. It’s not the same.

AT: I say that it is and the case of Iyad Elhlak is much more serious. It is impossible to say this was tragic in order to say the minimum. This was a serious crime.”

Q: This is a serious case, but it is a tragedy.

AT: “I say (this was) a serious crime, there is a difference. A youth with a card on his chest of a special-needs person goes the same route every day, and with him was a female counselor who told the police officers that he was disabled and to stop shooting. They continued to shoot in order to kill, and he, the poor autistic man, fled. The family says (the officers) had murder in their eyes, and that was reflected in the result.”

Q: You can't talk about murder in the eyes when it comes to cops at a location like the Lion's Gate (of the Old City). They are taking care of the public's well-being.

AT: ”Some of the police officers there behave brutally and horribly, humiliating women and children and hurting the elderly. It is worthwhile to see how these policemen treat the Palestinians and daily oppress and humiliate them. In my opinion, the police should not be there at all, neither at the al-Aqsa mosque nor in the alleyways. The basic state of occupation is the root of all evil and it has to end. The treatment is brutal, an occupation soldier shoots to kill, a policeman shoots to kill.

Tibi added: When you shoot such a helpless person with such ease there is a reason. The drive, the motivation, the upbringing, and possibly the statement of the Minister of Public Security Amir Ohana to the police, which states 'whoever attacks a police officer his blood is on his head.' Eyad did not attack a police officer, he was attacked by police officers, but what is the message? That even if you argue with a police officer and push him for example, then you you are responsible for what happens to you afterward. You tell a cop to shoot, so the cops think they have unlimited protection. Dozens of Arab citizens of the State of Israel were shot and killed to this day.”

Tibi claimed that "there is a basic violence of police" not only against Palestinians but also against disadvantaged groups such as Ethiopian immigrants. "But against Palestinians, the reasons are different, because of occupation and hatred," he said. "The policemen who broke into Eyad's house to look for incriminating findings attacked his sister, the girl whose brother was shot. They beat her and told her, ‘You’re a slut.’ It is shameful, there is a moral stain on anyone trying to find an explanation for this behavior. 58 Arab citizens of the State of Israel have been shot and killed by the security forces since 2000. I think there was one trial and the rest were whitewashed. It’s possible that this incident will also be whitewashed.”

On the subject of the ceremony that took place at the Jaffa port to mark a decade since the events on the Marmara flotilla, in which the IDF raided and killed 10 activists on the Marmara ship that was sailing to Gaza to break the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip.

Ahmed Tibi: “These are people who were attacked by soldiers who parachuted from the air (into the boat). This is a violation of international law, which caused the death of people, and in the end, the Israeli government apologized to Turkey and even paid compensation. So what is the claim against the ceremony?“

Q: The compensation was mostly political, I'm not sure that apologizes for this incident.

AT: “They (Israel) apologized and paid compensation. Apologies must also be made for the demolition of the houses in (Arab-Israeli town of) Tira yesterday morning, for the policy of strangling the Arab communities [i.e. preventing construction - OH].”

Q: Why don’t you talk about positive things too, such as reducing gaps between Jews and Arabs in recent years?

AT: ”We are being interviewed about the negative things. The killing of an autistic man is a very negative thing. Why does an Arab Knesset member being interviewed about a very serious incident also have to talk about positive things?”

Q: Because you claim that there is discrimination and that everything is bad.

AT: “Over recent days, Mustafa Younes was shot at Tel Hashomer Hospital, they shot Eyad Alhalak and destroyed four houses in Tira. In the Negev, houses are being demolished every day. This is the main picture we see in recent days and this is why we will present a no-confidence bill against the government today. Another reason is the intention of annexation. Israel markets itself as ‘peace-seeking,’ but is very far from this term. Annexation is not just an adventure, it is an outlook on life of right-wingers, who think there is no such thing as a Palestinian people.”

'It's always been my dream to protect and serve'
Hadas Stiglitz is anything but your typical millennial. Hailing from an ultra-Orthodox home, she bucked tradition to make her childhood dream come true: Becoming a Border Police officer. "I made it big time," she says. (Interviewed by  Hagit Ron Rabinovich in Israel Hayom)

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

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