News Nosh 06.08.14

APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday June 08, 2014

Quote of the day:
"Netanyahu is convinced that if he isn't punishing the Palestinians, he must compensate the settlers' lobby. His survival depends on this balance."
--Yedioth's commentator Nahum Barnea on the fear that is motivating the Israeli Prime Minister.**


Front Page News:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
  • Got caught up in trouble and quit - Ben-Eliezer quit presidential race
  • As sad as it is // Nahum Barnea
  • The face of the president is as is the face of the Knesset // Sima Kadmon
  • "They took our Or (light)" - Great-grandmother of 10-year-old girl who drowned to death
  • 16-year-old jumped in deep water at Ashdod beach and drowned to death
Maariv This Week (links in Hebrew)
Israel Hayom

News Summary:
Israeli MK Ben-Eliezer ended his bid for the presidency the police investigation into his being allegedly involved in a corruption affair went public, making the top story in today's Hebrew papers.

President Shimon Peres, who has only three days left to his term, is in Rome today for a joint prayer for peace with the Pope and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The Vatican insists the Mideast peace prayer is not political.
 
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was reportedly not pleased with Peres' invitation or the acceptance, as his government is boycotting the new Palestinian unity government, which the world is supporting. Haaretz's+ Chaim Levinson reported Netanyahu is seeking ways to inflict damage in retribution for the diplomatic defeat, but that Civil Administration officials refused to offer ideas to punish the Palestinians. At a brainstorming meeting last week with military and Civil Administration officials, "one of the staff officers stood up and said that if the Civil Administration imposes sanctions on Palestinian civilians, this would destroy the very raison d’etre of the staff officers, which was to serve the Palestinian population. The staff officer’s position received widespread support, effectively ending the discussion," wrote Levinson.
  
Israel has already taken some retaliatory steps, such as issuing tenders for 1500 new settlement homes. UN Secretary-General Ban called on Israel to heed international calls to freeze settlement construction. But Yedioth reported Friday that the Housing Minister's settlement building tenders were a bluff, because most of these tenders fail to get off the ground, and get re-marketed. 
 
Ynet's Yitzhak Benhorin quoted the director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Robert Satloff, who said there were issues regarding US assurances over recognition of a Hamas-backed unity government.
  
The New York Times' Friday editorial said Netanyahu's skepticism toward the Palestinian unity government is warranted and the West must insist that Abbas not let Hamas get the upper hand. Haaretz noted that 'the (NYT) editorial notes inconsistencies between Netanyahu's demand that the U.S. cut off aid to the new government, and his own government's remittance of tax revenues to the Palestinians, as well as its history of negotiating with Hamas when it was in its interest.'
 
Hunger-Striking Palestinian Prisoner Quick Hits:
  • Ban Ki-moon expresses concern over worsening health of Palestinian hunger strikers
  • Several dozen Palestinians on hunger strike, protesting Israel's use of administrative detention to keep them behind bars, have been taken to hospital. (Haaretz)
  • Israel doctors won't force-feed Palestinians - Despite continued Palestinian hunger strike, medical establishment objects to legislation that would allow force-feeding if inmate's life perceived to be in danger. (Agencies, Ynet
  • Palestinian prisoner on 100th day of hunger strike - Ayman Itbeish, 34, went on on hunger strike before to protest his indefinite detention by Israeli authorities. The last time ended after Israel agreed to reach a final decision on his case. This agreement was broken, however, when they re-arrested Ibteish sometime after he was released. (Maan
  • Ministry: Hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners subjected to 'barbarity' - The lawyers said prisoners, who have been on strike 1.5 months, are constantly being sent to Israeli hospitals, are in pain, have lost a lot of weight and are showing signs of exhaustion, fatigue and faintness. (Maan)
  • Hundreds in Gaza attend candlelight vigil for prisoners - Demonstrators held candles aloft and spelled out "The prisoners are in danger … support is a duty" with them on the ground during the protest, which was organized by the Popular Committee against the. (Maan)
  • Conference in support of Palestinian prisoners held in Budapest - The Palestinian Ministry of Prisoner Affairs in cooperation with the Palestinian Prisoner's Society and the General Union of Palestinian Communities in Europe on Friday launched an international conference in Budapest in support of prisoners in Israeli jails. (Maan)

Quick Hits:
  • "Global March to Jerusalem" launches in 42 countries - Three days of activities launched Friday to mark global solidarity with the residents of Jerusalem on the 47th anniversary of its occupation by Israel. Marches being held in 80 cities across 42 countries and will move in the direction of Jerusalem from wherever they are. (Maan)
  • Livni to oversee final version of 'Jewish State law' - Latest version of bill sponsored by two right-wing MKs has been stripped of some of its controversial clauses. (Haaretz+) 
  • 'Those who don't serve in IDF are not my concern' -Social Services Minister Meir Cohen irks ultra-Orthodox community by saying, "Those who don't send their children to serve in military are not my brothers." United Torah Judaism MK Yakov Asher: "The haredim are being used as a punching bag." (Israel Hayom)
  • JNF agrees reluctantly to limited transparency - Meeting minutes reveal fears that oversight a post-Zionist threat to the organization’s most sacred goals. (Haaretz+)
  • Israeli satellites to be eyes in the sky for international disaster aid - Israel Space Agency joins forces with ImageSat, which operates the EROS A and B satellites. Data can now be immediately transferred to the relevant authorities via the U.N. Science Minister Yaakov Peri: This will improve Israel's image in the world. (Israel Hayom)
  • New UAV gives ground troops reconnaissance capabilities - The 'Club' from Rafael provides pictures of enemy positions while navigating through complex arenas of battle. (Ynet)
  • Israeli police raid East Jerusalem TV station mid-broadcast - Police hold three people for questioning, interrupt morning show over claims studio has no permit. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
  • Palestinian Authority condemns Australia for declaring East Jerusalem not occupied - PA officials say they will ask Arab and Muslim-majority countries to re-evaluate relations with Australia and weighing response, after Australia says will stop using the term 'occupied' when referring to East Jerusalem. (Haaretz+ and Maan)
  • Palestinian wedding interrupted by Israeli stun grenades, 1 hurt - A Palestinian man was hospitalized late Friday after being hit by an Israeli stun grenade during a wedding in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of al-Issawiya. (Maan)
  • 10 injured as Israel disperses protests across West Bank - Ten Palestinians were injured including a photographer as dozens participated in protests across the West Bank and East Jerusalem on Friday to mark the 47th anniversary of Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, also known as the Naksa. (Maan)
  • Economic conference in Gaza to encourage investment - Palestinian businessman Munib al-Masri told Ma'an that the main goal of the November conference would be to encourage entrepreneurs from Palestine and other Arab countries to invest in projects in the Gaza Strip. (Maan)
  • World's largest union for academics to investigate education in Gaza - U.K.'s University and College Union votes to send delegation to probe effects of Israeli blockade, despite criticism that trip is both dangerous and a waste of money. (Haaretz)
  • Asylum seeker thrown out of detention center after stroke - Abed al-Karim had to leave his job and apartment to come to Holot, which refused to help when he suffered a crippling stroke. (Haaretz+)
  • Peres to forgo state-funded office when he retires in July - Outgoing Israeli president expected to set up office at Peres Center for Peace in Jaffa, live in north Tel Aviv. (Haaretz+) 
  • 3 Palestinian girls drown near Israeli-restricted border in Gaza - Three girls drowned in the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday in an area where civil defense forces are barred from working due to Israeli restrictions, officials said. (Maan
  • EU's Barroso to sign controversial deal with Netanyahu - European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso is to formally sign a controversial EU-Israel research program with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a visit starting Sunday. (Agencies, Maan
  • Israel to join EU research program Horizon 2020 - Despite EU opposition to settlements during long negotiations, Israel is to become first non-European country to join program. (Agencies, Ynet
  • Spain approves bill granting citizenship to Sephardic Jews - Applicants must be vetted by Spanish Federation of Jewish Communities or by local rabbis, pass culture test to win citizenship. (JTA, Haaretz)
  • China offers $16 million in aid for Syria refugees, $10m to Palestinians - Aid will go to displaced Syrians sheltering in neighboring countries, including Jordan and Lebanon. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  •  MBTA approves pro-Palestinian ads in Boston subway - 'Ads Against Apartheid' campaign challenges Israel's commitment to peace, asking 'does Israel want peace... or land?' (Ynet
  • Hillary Clinton: Demand for settlement freeze was 'tactical mistake' - In soon to be released memoir, former U.S. secretary of state (and possible presidential candidate) says hard line on settlements did not work, describes Obama's fury at Netanyahu. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)  
  • Hillary Clinton: I wanted to arm Syrian rebels, but Obama refused - In soon to be released memoir, former secretary of state says Syria is a 'wicked problem,' CBS reports. (Haaretz)
  • U.S. admits supplying lethal aid to Syrian rebels - National Security Adviser Susan Rice also says U.S. working to counter the terrorism threat emanating from Syria. (Haaretz
  • Netanyahu, Peres congratulate Egypt's Sissi on election win - This is the first phone call between Israeli and Egyptian leaders since Mubarak's ouster in 2011. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
  • Egyptian prosecutor seeks 15-year prison sentence for Al Jazeera journalists - Three are charged with 'spreading false news.' Court is told, 'Mercy for such [people] will bring entire society close to darkness'; defense calls case a show trial. (Haaretz)
  • Wary US unlikely to restore full Egypt aid soon - As Egypt prepares to swear in its fourth leader since 2011, a huge slice of $1.5 billion in US aid remains in deep-freeze amid fears the nation is sliding back into authoritarianism. (Agencies, Maan)
  • Egypt bans unauthorized preachers, mosques to be policed - Egypt's military-backed government has moved to bring mosques under tighter control since Mohammed Morsi was overthrown last July. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • Egypt 'willing' to re-open Rafah crossing permanently - A top Egyptian official said Saturday that Egypt was willing to permanently open the Rafah crossing under the condition that it would be supervised by the national unity government. Egypt would request that Abbas re-open the presidential headquarters in the Gaza Strip. (Maan)
  • U.S., Iran to meet in attempt to break nuclear impasse - Meeting in Geneva ahead of fifth round of Vienna talks is first time U.S., Iran officials meet outside of negotiations between Iran and six world powers. (Haaretz)
  • Poll: Most Iranians support concessions on nuclear program for end to sanctions - Survey by Israeli institute also finds that 40 percent would back recognition of Israel if it signed agreement with Palestinians, withdrew from territory. (Ynet)
  • U.S., Turkey to meet in Washington on mutual global concerns - The two states will reportedly discuss Syria, Ukraine, Iraqi oil, Iran's nuclear program and Israel-Turkey relations. (Haaretz)
  • Jordanian diplomat tapped to be new UN rights chief - Prince Zeid al-Hussein, who has a PhD from Cambridge University, has twice been Jordanian ambassador at the United Nations and is also the desert kingdom's former ambassador to the US. (Agencies, Maan)


Features:
Bedouin women in Israel stand up to 'The Man'
Israel’s first labor union for Bedouin women recently won a labor dispute - and the respect of their conservative society. (Roy (Chick) Arad, Haaretz+)
'It could all go south in the blink of an eye'
The Eilat Division is responsible for keeping Israel's longest shared border safe. A fence, new technological devices and elite troops all ensure that Israelis and tourists don't have to think about the very real threat. But the calm can be deceptive. (Yoav Limor, Israel Hayom
'Israel’s national security doctrine needs a serious update'
Ahead of Herzliya Conference, Interdisciplinary Center researchers suggest new concepts to adapt. (Amos Harel, Haaretz+)
The structural problem of Arab businesses
While government believes future growth potential of Israeli economy lies within Israel's Arab population, the new measures will struggle to overcome structural problems within the sector. (Avital Lahav, Ynet)
Moldova’s Jews, torn between revival and emigration
Limmud conference in Chisinau highlights tension between twin desires of rebuilding Jewish life and immigrating to Israel. (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) 

Commentary/Analysis:
The courage to tell, the need to listen (A. B. Yehoshua, Yedioth/Ynet) Soldiers sharing their testimonies about what goes on in Judea and Samaria aim to fix Israeli society's flaws. 
A move away from democracy (Aeyal Gross, Haaretz+) The proposed Basic Law on Israel’s Jewish character would de facto mean the state favors Jews over its other citizens. 
Want Israel to be a Jewish state? Then oppose 'Jewish state' bill (Haaretz Editorial) The'Jewish State' bill, which seeks to exclude Arabs and promote an all-out assault on liberal democracy.
Netanyahu should stick to his guns (Ruthie Blum, Israel Hayom) The only thing surprising about America's support for the new Palestinian unity government was that it surprised anyone. 
Horrors of the occupation go way beyond the settlements (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Every decent citizen, both in Israel and around the world, must cry out against the many horrors of the Israeli occupation- which have little to do with any West Bank construction. 
Congress may help (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) Congress could try to promote legislation tying U.S. President Barack Obama's hands in cooperating with and providing financial aid to the PA. 
Abbas' diplomatic victory (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) While Israel dismisses PA president, he's schooling us all. He formed government with Hamas and was still able to get closer to global recognition than any other Palestinian leader before him. 
Break-in at Israeli army base a major embarrassment (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) If the IDF can't protect one of its armories, what hope is there for the country's citizens? 
Israeli universities get a failing grade in freedom of expression (Yori Yalon, Israel Hayom) Israel's campuses have become hotspots of anti-Israeli propaganda. Hebrew University hosted several demonstrations calling for insubordination and draft-dodging. Students at Tel Aviv University invited a convicted terrorist to speak at an event. 
Israel must engage, not withdraw, from peace (Jose Manuel Barroso, Haaretz+) Without progress in the peace negotiations, the EU’s growing cooperation with Israel will halt and contentious and divisive issues - not least an accelerated disengagement from the settlements - will prevail.
And the land was filled with Hamas (Dr. Shaul Bartal, Israel Hayom) Hamas is determined not to stray an inch from its path of "resistance" to Israel. 
**Netanyahu's opponents, allies sense weakness on Palestinian unity (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) The PM has reached a new low in influence on world leaders who welcomed the new Palestinian government, while his cabinet attacks him for 'walking on eggshells'; meanwhile, Labor's Herzog has a plan of his own. 
Time for statesmanship (Haaretz Friday Editorial) Benjamin Netanyahu must change his attitude to the Palestinian unity government and seize the chance to return to the negotiating table with representatives of the entire Palestinian people.  
It's not all about the money (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom) Israeli media is trying to tell us that annexing land would devastate Israel's economy, but that is not the issue at all. 
Be grateful Obama is dialing down the hubris in U.S. foreign policy (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) All Americans should join Barack Obama in being 'haunted' by U.S. soldiers' deaths: There was nothing in Iraq, or in the fight against the Taliban, worth sending young men and women to die for. 
The big chill sets in (David M. Weinberg, Israel Hayom)
bama's rapid embrace of the Hamas-Fatah government is a watershed moment, and it portends worse things to come.
Israeli apartheid exposed at the airport (Salman Masalha, Haaretz+) Despite new x-ray machines, the brutal treatment of Arab citizens at Ben-Gurion Airport continues in keeping with Zionist ideology. 
It's time to stop apologizing (Dror Eydar, Israel Hayom) amas joining the PA shows that the Palestinian agenda is not and never has been peace. But the U.S. is worried about Israeli construction?
In post-Kerry reboot, J Street to open conference with ex-Palestinian PM (Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) The much maligned lobbying group can be accused (and is) of many things, but predictability isn't one of them, as J Street taps Salam Fayyad to open its national summit.
In Netanyahu era, president is seen as alternative PM (Baruch Leshem, Ynet) Any political person elected president will want to be Shimon Peres, otherwise he will be thrown into the garbage can of history.
Reports are one thing, reality is another (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) Even if the government accepts the Shamgar committee's recommendations on negotiations with terrorists, who knows which government would have to follow them.
Did Auschwitz trip lead to Palestinian professor's resignation? (Matthew Kalman, Haaretz+) Mohammed Dajani, the Al-Quds University professor who led the first organized group of Palestinian university students to Auschwitz, tenders resignation.
June 5, 1967 is still with us (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) Six-Day War created a problem which has not been solved for 47 years and will likely not be solved any time soon. 
The Palestinian unity charade (Prof. Efraim Inbar, Israel Hayom) The Palestinians remain as divided as ever; the so-called "unity government" only undermines the quest for peace.
Israel’s moral retirement (Carolina Landsmann, Haaretz+) Feeling they have accumulated a moral fortune, the Jews feel free to lecture the world while doing what they please. 
A coward posing as a macho he-man (Yoel Marcus, Haaretz+) Bibi’s policy of zero initiative and zero vision are turning Israel into a target for world criticism. Israel must launch a peace initiative that will mobilize the entire enlightened world.
The crumbling anti-Assad alliance (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) Washington is cautious, Riyadh is inconsistent and Cairo has its own problems; Moscow and Tehran can count the Syrian president’s reelection as a victory.
Are Diaspora Jews a bunch of wimps? (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) Given Diaspora Jews' passivity about Israel, it's no surprise that A. B. Yehoshua dismisses them and Netanyahu uses them as political pawns.


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