APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday May 19, 2014
Quote of the day:
"For years the Jews lived together among Christians and Muslims. We are not anti-Semitism deniers, but there
were lights and shadows, and we should emphasize the lights, not just the shadows."
--Dr. Orna Katz, Education Ministry supervisor for the study of history, explains why Israeli schools will be teaching about two popes this week.**
--Dr. Orna Katz, Education Ministry supervisor for the study of history, explains why Israeli schools will be teaching about two popes this week.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Netanyahu expected to support (Minister Silvan) Shalom for the presidency - but not publicly
- 400 criminals to be put under close police surveillance
- Maccabi Tel-Aviv (basketball) is the champion of Europe
- Signs the economy is slowing down: Drop in consumer spending
- Coup attempt in Libya: General took control of parliament
- Life remained outside the fence: Visit to the Holot detention facility (for N. African asylum seekers) in the Negev
- Universities oppose giving breaks to pregnant students
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Thank you, Maccabi - The amazing night in which Maccabi Tel-Aviv won the European trophy
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links)
- Europe is yellow - Maccabi Tel-Aviv won the European championship in basketball
- The reservists' protest - Dozens of reserve soldiers stood before the entrance to Yitzhar settlement and protested against the violent actions towards the IDF and against 'price-tag
- Coming to Livni's aide: "She doesn't need approval from anyone" - Her colleagues came to her defense and said: She needs to be hugged for her meeting with Abu Mazen
Makor Rishon (Hebrew links)
- Maccabi Tel-Aviv is champion of Europe
- Yesha (settler) Council against Netanyahu: He is moving towards a period of a quiet freeze (on settlement construction
Israel Hayom
- Champions of Europe! Honor for the country: For the sixth time - Maccabi Tel-Aviv is the queen of the continent
- The race begins: Knesset Speaker will declare today the date of elections for the president
- Soon we'll pay less: Reforms for import of food products passed
News Summary:
Today's top story was the incredible victory of Maccabi Tel-Aviv over Real Madrid making Israel's team the
champions of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Championship. President Shimon Peres called the team's manager, David
Blatt, and said, "It was amazing, I almost got a heart attack." In addition there were various stories about the pope's
upcoming visit.
**The religious-nationalist newspaper Makor Rishon reported that the state religious education system refused to
implement a study program about popes this week. As part of preparations for Pope Franciscus' visit, study plans
will be sent this week to all history teachers to teach about Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII, who were
known for their positive attitude to Judaism. The Ministry's supervisor for history studies, Dr. Orna Katz,
explained: "The image of Christianity and the Pope among some children is a negative image that focuses
primarily on persecution. There needs to be historic and professional integrity, especially now when we see
(hate) graffiti on non-Jewish institutions, it is worth knowing that there are also other aspects...For
years the Jews lived together among Christians and Muslims. We are not anti-Semitism deniers, but there were
lights and shadows, and we should emphasize the lights, not just the shadows." But the state
religious education system refuses to implement the program. "Christianity believes we will all convert to
Christianity...We distance ourselves from Christianity. We never studied Christianity nor will we
teach Christianity in any form." (NRG Hebrew)
Security preparations for the pope's visit are in full swing.
Police said Jewish extremists 'won't succeed' in ruining the Pope's visit by
vandalizing Christian holy places. It will deploy 8,000 police personnel to secure him during his 2-day
visit in Israel, in what is being called, "Operation White Robe." The challenge,
wrote Maariv, was that Franciscus refuses to travel in an armored vehicle.
Israel is pleased that the Pontiff's visit is expected to spur a 10% rise in Christian
tourism to Israel. And Israel's Tourism Ministry has invested about $725,000 to market the pope's trip and
renovate key Christian sites.
The Palestinians hope to get political gain from the visit, AFP reported. The Palestinians view his decision to start his visit in the West Bank as recognition
of Palestine and as a political slight to Israel. "Knowing who he is, and his sensitivity for all those who
suffer, I am sure that he will say something defending all those who are suffering, including the Palestinians
who live under occupation."
Quick Hits:
- State to raze outpost after settlers' purchase papers found to be forged - In 2006, Peace Now filed petition at High Court against illegal outpost of Migron. Court ordered it razed in 2012. But residents submitted new documents from al-Watan, a subsidiary of Amana, the settlement movement’s construction arm, supposedly proving they bought the property. Police now determined documents were forged. (Haaretz+)
- Lag Ba'omer in Hebron: Settlers torch Palestinian orchard - Haaretz photographer who tried to take photos of bonfire from up close, was attacked by settlers. (Haaretz and Maan)
- Police to set up shop in radical Yitzhar settlement -Decision follows ongoing unrest; aims to better monitor and control the extreme right-wing elements operating in the West Bank settlement. (Haaretz+)
- Army reservists protest against hate crimes in heart of West Bank - Some 30 reservists, including members of 'Tag Meir' anti-hate crime group, protest saying their duty is to defend Israel from terrorists - both from without and from within. "We do not see the connection between Yitzhar and 'price-tag' actions," Yitzhar spokesperson says.(Haaretz+, Ynet and Israel Hayom)
- Fear of Price tag (attacks): Police on alert in the north - Police believe tomb of Rabbi Halafta was vandalized for nationalist reasons and in response to price-tag attacks (against Arabs) in the last month. Now police decided to guard the holy Jewish sites for fear of backlash. "This war will never end." (NRG Hebrew)
- Yesha Settler Council: Netanyahu is acting to make a quiet freeze (of settlement construction) - In a letter addressed to Knesset members and public figures settler leaders wrote that the prime minister is leading towards a second period of ceasing construction in settlements. (Makor Rishon, p. 1/NRG Hebrew)
- Israeli forces shoot, injure Palestinian laborer in Gaza - A 21-year-old gravel worker was shot in the foot by Israeli forces near Erez crossing, said Gaza Health Ministry. (Maan)
- Israeli home demolition in Negev 'leaves 6 homeless' - Israeli bulldozers demolished the house in the unrecognized Bedouin village of Wadi al-Niam under the pretext that it was built without a license, leaving a single-mother and her five children homeless. (Maan)
- Israeli forces confiscate tents in Nablus-area village - Israeli troops confiscated three tents during the raid of Khirbet al-Taweel area, claiming they were erected without a license. Two weeks ago, Israeli bulldozers raided the same neighborhood and demolished houses and residential steel structures. (Maan)
- MKs propose bill to allow Jewish prayer on Temple Mount - Labor and Likud members join bid to push controversial legislation to open up Temple Mount compound for Jewish prayer, currently permitted for only for Muslims. (Ynet)
- South Hebron Hills: Swastikas on ancient synagogue - Graffiti found on synagogue in Samoa during tour organized by Herzog College and Susiya (settlement) field school on special day marking six years since start of excavations. (NRG Hebrew)
- (Teenage) Son of Palestinian lawmaker sentenced to 22 months in Israeli prison - Mohammad Atwun, 15, the son of Jerusalem lawmaker Ahmad Atwun (Atwan), was sentenced to 22 months, with a suspended sentence of 12 months, for throwing rocks at settler cars, and causing the severe injury of an Israeli child. (Maan)
- Palestinian Prisoners' Ministry: Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails need healthcare - Special Israeli squads stormed Eshel Prison, handcuffed Palestinian political prisoners and took them out in a provocative manner destroying their belongings, said the Ministry, which also reported that several prisoners are in need of urgent surgery and special medical care. (Maan)
- IDF HQ lot in Tel Aviv vacated - The lot is zoned for two office towers, and two residential high-rises. (Globes)
- U.S., Israel kick off joint exercise to train troops in battling missiles - The exercise, termed Juniper Cobra, will include simulations of various threats to Israel’s home front. (Haaretz)
- US surplus equipment cuts costs for IDF - Technological and Logistics Directorate's refurbishment factory helps military save during budget crisis by renovating US-made M-16s, Humvees. (Ynet)
- Israel tenth on list of global weapons exporters - Fastest growing arms exporter is China, which is now fourth on the list, behind the U.S., Russia and Germany. (Haaretz)
- Algerian aid convoys cross into Gaza with medicines, other supplies - Algerian convoy brought medicines and medical equipment for opening of proposed new hospital in southern Gaza town of Khan Yunis. (Haaretz)
- Israel offers Serbia aid, assistance amid massive flooding - Netanyahu calls Serbian prime minister to offer assistance in treating injured, after Israel already transferred 1.5 million tons of humanitarian equipment. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Israeli trauma care expert helps families of South Korea ferry victims - Yotam Polizer, regional director of IsraAID in Asia, is helping local therapists with new methods to prevent PTSD. (Haaretz)
- Gaza tech incubator hopes to encourage entrepreneurship - Palestinian Information and Technology Incubator, based in Gaza City, helps small business by providing office space, advice, and financial support. (Ynet)
- Hamas official: Palestinian unity government about a week away - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expected to announce new government next week and present it to parliament for vote. (Haaretz)
- Political arrests (by Palestinian security forces) continue in the West Bank, despite unity agreement
- Khalil Assaf called to halt the arrests, noting the continued pursuit on a near daily basis of individuals suspected of Hamas affiliation, especially among students in Hebron and Tulkarem. (Maan)
- Forget reconciliation, what's big in Gaza is breakdance - Organized by local breakdancing pioneers Camps Breakerz Crew, the Gaza breakdance competition was one by a dancer calling himself Bboy Joker. (Haaretz and VIDEO)
- Gaza security officers punished for violence against protestors - The move to punish officers is a rare rebuke to the security forces by the Hamas-run Gaza government, suggesting a potential step towards increased accountability and transparency as they move to merge with the West Bank security forces as part of a national reconciliation deal. (Maan)
- Hamas video raises concerns of possible train attack - Video intercepted after arrest of top Hamas operative shows close Palestinian surveillance of Israeli passenger train line. Footage shot from vantage point only several hundred meters from border. IDF and Israel Railways working to devise solution. (Israel Hayom)
- Netanyahu lashes out at PA's 'unceasing incitement' - Prime minister finds correlation between distortion of Israel in Palestinian territories and findings of ADL's recent global anti-Semitism survey. (Ynet)
- UN to discuss UNWRA's definition of Palestinian refugees - American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists says UNRWA dedicates itself to preventing the resettlement of Palestinians, and inflates its numbers by including all descendants of original Palestinian refugees from 1948 War of Independence. (Israel Hayom)
- TV production giant Fremantle mulling investment in Israel - Move being facilitated by Dutch-Jewish businesswoman Nina Storms, who is also reportedly eyeing an investment in Channel 2 franchisee Reshet. (Haaretz+)
- Key environmental role for female IDF soldiers gets axed - The IDF plans to cut its ‘green’ female soldier-teachers. Who will help expose future generations of youngsters to Israel’s landscape? (Haaretz+)
- Israeli-designed prosthetic fins enable turtle to swim again - Industrial design student reads about Hofesh, a green sea turtle who lost his left flippers, and gets idea for fins from F-22 Raptor jet. (Israel Hayom)
- UCLA chancellor condemns effort to ban student leader trips to Israel - Gene Block says student pledge 'sought to delegitimize educational trips offered by some organizations but not others.' (Haaretz+)
- U.S. Jewish organization keen to work with (newly elected nationalist Hindu leader) Modi - American Jewish Committee expresses hope that India's ties with the U.S. and Israel will strengthen further following elections. (Haaretz+)
Features:
Jewish pilgrimage in Tunisia grows despite debate
The three-day pilgrimage to Ghriba synagogue was not free of security concerns, but for the first time the pilgrims were allowed to use their Israeli passports. (Agencies, Ynet)
When Yitzhar settlers attack
The violence of the settlers in Yitzhar hardly began with the slashing of the tires. Ask Fuad Shehadeh, 54, who has been hospitalized for six weeks. (From April 18 edition of Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
The three-day pilgrimage to Ghriba synagogue was not free of security concerns, but for the first time the pilgrims were allowed to use their Israeli passports. (Agencies, Ynet)
When Yitzhar settlers attack
The violence of the settlers in Yitzhar hardly began with the slashing of the tires. Ask Fuad Shehadeh, 54, who has been hospitalized for six weeks. (From April 18 edition of Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
The ADL’s strange view of anti-Semitism around the world - and in Hebron (Amira
Hass, Haaretz+) Why didn’t the pollsters ask: How many people do you know whose land was stolen
by Jews - people whom the Jews removed from their homes?
Israelis don't care about global anti-Semitism (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) What's the point of talking about a 'Jewish state' in a country where public opinion has absolutely no interest in world's attitude towards Jews?
Harnessing anti-Semitism (Haaretz Editorial) Rather than recognize the suffering of another people and pave way for genuine reconciliation, Netanyahu prefers to ride the fragments of hatred.
Where is the leader we are yearning for? (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) The great Israeli leaders of the past had major shortcomings too, but the state was their top priority.
Palestinian reconciliation increases chance for peace (Zeev Tzahor, Yedioth/Ynet) Jewish radicals and moderates reconciled too ahead of State of Israel's establishment.
The Quartet is waiting for Bibi (Akiva Eldar, Haaretz+) The Quartet died long ago, but the “Quartet’s conditions” remain the three commandments of the “peace process” between Israel and the Palestinians: refraining from violence, recognizing the neighboring country, and accepting the previous commitments and agreements. Israel, and not only the Palestinians, should honor them.
India election results: Good news for Israel (Lev Oren, NRG Hebrew) It's easy to imagine the big smile on the face of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he congratulated [nationalist Hindu leader - OH] Narendra Modi on his impressive victory in the Indian elections. It was the wide and relaxed smile of someone who feels that international reality is going in the right direction. Narendra Modi, who was elected Prime Minister of the giant State, may be the one who will throw out political wisdom and support Israel - even openly.
Israeli security officials have a hard time obtaining visa to US (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) High-ranking Israeli officials wait long months for visas, end up receiving short-term visit pass and endure humiliating checks in the process.
Lack of reading comprehension (Gonen Ginat, Israel Hayom) Is Yedioth Ahronoth's Nahum Barnea no good at reading comprehension?
Lapid’s Zionism of the white Jew (Oudeh Basharat, Haaretz+) This is the new Zionism, Lapid’s Zionism: a combination of blatant racism and the sweet talk of the modern world. Racism anointed with the gel of the fitness clubs.
Israel 'normalizers' paying the price (Smadar Perry, Yedioth/Ynet) Palestinian professor who took students to Auschwitz is latest victim of campaign against those promoting normalization with 'enemy.'
The Nakba − perpetuating a lie (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) Only once the Palestinians recognize that wars and terrorism that they initiated are the root cause of their own suffering and the suffering of others will become possible to arrive at a true peace in the Middle East.
To Russia, with love (Efraim Halevy, Yedioth) The former Mossad chief questions why Israel has been reluctant to criticize Russia over its arms sales to, and support for, the Assad regime in Syria and why Israel abstained in a late March US-backed UN General Assembly vote in support of Ukraine. Halevy says that Israel's ties with Russia and the Putin administration must not be at the expense of its ties with the US and the Obama administration.
Blaming Israel again (Elliot Abrams, Israel Hayom) Obama blames the Palestinians a tiny bit, the Israelis a great deal, and himself not at all for the failure of the peace talks.
Ayelet Shaked: I’ve had it with these cheap shots against me (Habayit Hayehudi MK Ayelet Shaked, Haaretz+) Unlike Ravit Hecht, most of the Israeli public understands the need for the bill I sponsored, which would make it impossible to pardon people who murdered for nationalist reasons or similar motives.
A visit to the Temple Mount (Yoel Meltzer, Yedioth/Ynet) How long can we expect to survive as a sovereign nation in our own land if we turn our backs on the place that represents the Jewish people's true center and heart?
Israel cannot wait any longer to crush price tag attacks (Abraham Foxman, Haaretz+) Where is the visible action by Israeli officials against price tag attacks? Are they heeding Church leaders' fears of a wave of hate crimes during the Pope's visit?
A Nakba for every nation (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) World does not commemorate disasters that have befallen other nations, so why are people so quick to embrace a propagandist narrative about Palestinians?
The cow is no longer holy (Orit Perlov, Maariv) "The incredible response to the 'David HaNahlawi' Facebook campaign must be taken seriously by the decision-makers...In a world in which the ability to bury ideas has been made almost impossible, the attempt to conceal, hide and ban the use of the web borders on the impossible." Perlov notes that among those joining in the campaign were, "high school students (the next generation of soldiers), and police and defense establishment personnel...It will be good if the military and political leaderships understand that this is a phenomenon that touches broad strata of Israeli society," and respond accordingly.
Israelis don't care about global anti-Semitism (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) What's the point of talking about a 'Jewish state' in a country where public opinion has absolutely no interest in world's attitude towards Jews?
Harnessing anti-Semitism (Haaretz Editorial) Rather than recognize the suffering of another people and pave way for genuine reconciliation, Netanyahu prefers to ride the fragments of hatred.
Where is the leader we are yearning for? (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) The great Israeli leaders of the past had major shortcomings too, but the state was their top priority.
Palestinian reconciliation increases chance for peace (Zeev Tzahor, Yedioth/Ynet) Jewish radicals and moderates reconciled too ahead of State of Israel's establishment.
The Quartet is waiting for Bibi (Akiva Eldar, Haaretz+) The Quartet died long ago, but the “Quartet’s conditions” remain the three commandments of the “peace process” between Israel and the Palestinians: refraining from violence, recognizing the neighboring country, and accepting the previous commitments and agreements. Israel, and not only the Palestinians, should honor them.
India election results: Good news for Israel (Lev Oren, NRG Hebrew) It's easy to imagine the big smile on the face of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he congratulated [nationalist Hindu leader - OH] Narendra Modi on his impressive victory in the Indian elections. It was the wide and relaxed smile of someone who feels that international reality is going in the right direction. Narendra Modi, who was elected Prime Minister of the giant State, may be the one who will throw out political wisdom and support Israel - even openly.
Israeli security officials have a hard time obtaining visa to US (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) High-ranking Israeli officials wait long months for visas, end up receiving short-term visit pass and endure humiliating checks in the process.
Lack of reading comprehension (Gonen Ginat, Israel Hayom) Is Yedioth Ahronoth's Nahum Barnea no good at reading comprehension?
Lapid’s Zionism of the white Jew (Oudeh Basharat, Haaretz+) This is the new Zionism, Lapid’s Zionism: a combination of blatant racism and the sweet talk of the modern world. Racism anointed with the gel of the fitness clubs.
Israel 'normalizers' paying the price (Smadar Perry, Yedioth/Ynet) Palestinian professor who took students to Auschwitz is latest victim of campaign against those promoting normalization with 'enemy.'
The Nakba − perpetuating a lie (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) Only once the Palestinians recognize that wars and terrorism that they initiated are the root cause of their own suffering and the suffering of others will become possible to arrive at a true peace in the Middle East.
To Russia, with love (Efraim Halevy, Yedioth) The former Mossad chief questions why Israel has been reluctant to criticize Russia over its arms sales to, and support for, the Assad regime in Syria and why Israel abstained in a late March US-backed UN General Assembly vote in support of Ukraine. Halevy says that Israel's ties with Russia and the Putin administration must not be at the expense of its ties with the US and the Obama administration.
Blaming Israel again (Elliot Abrams, Israel Hayom) Obama blames the Palestinians a tiny bit, the Israelis a great deal, and himself not at all for the failure of the peace talks.
Ayelet Shaked: I’ve had it with these cheap shots against me (Habayit Hayehudi MK Ayelet Shaked, Haaretz+) Unlike Ravit Hecht, most of the Israeli public understands the need for the bill I sponsored, which would make it impossible to pardon people who murdered for nationalist reasons or similar motives.
A visit to the Temple Mount (Yoel Meltzer, Yedioth/Ynet) How long can we expect to survive as a sovereign nation in our own land if we turn our backs on the place that represents the Jewish people's true center and heart?
Israel cannot wait any longer to crush price tag attacks (Abraham Foxman, Haaretz+) Where is the visible action by Israeli officials against price tag attacks? Are they heeding Church leaders' fears of a wave of hate crimes during the Pope's visit?
A Nakba for every nation (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) World does not commemorate disasters that have befallen other nations, so why are people so quick to embrace a propagandist narrative about Palestinians?
The cow is no longer holy (Orit Perlov, Maariv) "The incredible response to the 'David HaNahlawi' Facebook campaign must be taken seriously by the decision-makers...In a world in which the ability to bury ideas has been made almost impossible, the attempt to conceal, hide and ban the use of the web borders on the impossible." Perlov notes that among those joining in the campaign were, "high school students (the next generation of soldiers), and police and defense establishment personnel...It will be good if the military and political leaderships understand that this is a phenomenon that touches broad strata of Israeli society," and respond accordingly.
Interviews:
Naftali Bennett: No need to give peace a chance
In an interview with TheMarker, the Economy Minister and Habayit Hayehudai Party chairman says Israel’s economy will be better off with political status quo - and some help from a plan to ease regulations for newly formed businesses. (Interviewed by Ora Coren and Rotem Starkman in Haaretz+'s TheMarker)
A possible successor to Foxman at the ADL, but definitely not a clone
Thane Rosenbaum is no Jewish-community leader or politico, but he does know a lot about hate, bigotry and the Holocaust. “I’m a child of Holocaust survivors. All my writing, fiction and nonfiction deals with Holocaust-related themes, or with hate, bigotry and defamation. I’m a human rights law professor. I jokingly say that in a way I’ve been doing the same job for decades, just without the portfolio.” (Interviewed by Judy Maltz in Haaretz+)
In an interview with TheMarker, the Economy Minister and Habayit Hayehudai Party chairman says Israel’s economy will be better off with political status quo - and some help from a plan to ease regulations for newly formed businesses. (Interviewed by Ora Coren and Rotem Starkman in Haaretz+'s TheMarker)
A possible successor to Foxman at the ADL, but definitely not a clone
Thane Rosenbaum is no Jewish-community leader or politico, but he does know a lot about hate, bigotry and the Holocaust. “I’m a child of Holocaust survivors. All my writing, fiction and nonfiction deals with Holocaust-related themes, or with hate, bigotry and defamation. I’m a human rights law professor. I jokingly say that in a way I’ve been doing the same job for decades, just without the portfolio.” (Interviewed by Judy Maltz in Haaretz+)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.