APN's daily news review from Israel
Wednesday June 11, 2014
Quote of the day:
"He is expected to pray at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron on the one hand and participate in the
ceremony commemorating the 1956 Kafr Qasim massacre of Israeli Arabs by Israeli soldiers on the
other."
--Haaretz+ Knesset reporter writes that the President-elect Rubi Rivlin is not afraid of controversies and really does intend to represent all facets of Israeli society.**
--Haaretz+ Knesset reporter writes that the President-elect Rubi Rivlin is not afraid of controversies and really does intend to represent all facets of Israeli society.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- At the end of a close race, Rivlin was elected the 10th President of the state
- Sweat and tears: How Rivlin won - despite his own party // Yossi Verter
- Without nonsense and dealmakers in the President's residence // Gidi Weitz
- Rivlin owes nothing to the ultra-Orthodox except his victory // Yair Ettinger
- When there is no opposition // Ravit Hecht
- 59 MKs voted: (Meir) Sheetrit and (Dalia) Itzik for the presidency
- The end is good, it's not all good // Yossi Sarid
- Rivlin's mission: Saving Israel's democracy // Haaretz Editorial
- Health Ministry making it difficult for (Palestinian) security prisoners to see independent doctors
- (Former chief of staff) Ashkenazi to go back to police today to be questioned in Harpaz affair
- Lapid withdrew: He will raise the threshold for the VAT exemption (on buying first home) for ultra-Orthodox and Arabs
- Armed Islamists took over second largest city in Iraq
Yedioth Ahronoth
- President Rubi - The great victory: Rivlin elected despite Netanyahu; The drama in the Knesset: The ultra-Orthodox withdrew their support for Sheetrit at the last moment; The division in the Likud: This is how Gideon Saar also won the presidential elections; The vegetarian president: Things you didn't know about Rivlin; The First Lady: "It's a victory for my partner, my love and also for integrity, humility and honesty"
- Hugging president // Nahum Barnea
- Sour prime minister // Sima Kadmon
Maariv (Hebrew links)
- "I'm everyone's man" - Seven years after he quit the race (for the presidency) against Shimon Peres, Reuven Rivlin was elected the number one citizen yesterday
- The exercise that was foiled // Ben Caspit
- A matter of interpretation // Eyal Levy
- "Come, Nehama, we won" - Who is Nehama Rivlin, the new First Lady of Israel?
- Harpaz affair: (Former chief of staff and his wife) Gabi and Ronit Ashkenazi will be questioned today
- 0% VAT: Also for those who did not serve in the military
Israel Hayom
- President Rivlin - Israel's 10th President will be sworn-in on July 24th
- Putting a line through the past // Dan Margalit on the bad relations between Rivlin and Netanyahu
- A blow to the lobby of the corrupt // Mordechai Gilat
- In Likud: Relief and tension // Mati Tuchfeld
- Our unity is our responsibility // Haim Shine
- Border Policeman who liquidated the terrorist at Tapuach Junction - was rescued from a fire in house in Afula
- 0% VAT exemption for those who did not serve in the military will be expanded to (homes that cost) up to 950,000 shekels
News Summary:
Reuven "Rubi" Rivlin's dramatic win in the second round of voting, making him Israel's 10th President, dominated the pages of today's Hebrew newspapers. Rivlin won despite fierce attempts till the last minute by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to prevent him from getting the seat. Rivlin opposes a Palestinian state, but, as speaker of the Knesset, thwarted undemocratic bills by his fellow Likud members, embarrassing Netanyahu. Yedioth's Nahum Barnea writes that he won because he was the underdog in the second round. As President, he is expected to help Israel's democracy and it is hoped he will help unite the people. Haaretz commentators say his opposition to a two-state solution will not have an effect. (See Commentary/Analysis below.) Jonathan Lis writes: "If during his term, an Israeli government ever gets around to signing a peace agreement; with a heavy heart he will bow to the democratic decision and work on preserving the nation’s unity through a traumatic retreat from the West Bank settlements he so loves." US President Barack Obama called to congratulate him.
HUNGER-STRIKING PALESTINIAN PRISONERS:
Haaretz is leading in the coverage of the developments regarding the Palestinian detainee's mass hunger-strike, which is now at day 48.
Reuven "Rubi" Rivlin's dramatic win in the second round of voting, making him Israel's 10th President, dominated the pages of today's Hebrew newspapers. Rivlin won despite fierce attempts till the last minute by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to prevent him from getting the seat. Rivlin opposes a Palestinian state, but, as speaker of the Knesset, thwarted undemocratic bills by his fellow Likud members, embarrassing Netanyahu. Yedioth's Nahum Barnea writes that he won because he was the underdog in the second round. As President, he is expected to help Israel's democracy and it is hoped he will help unite the people. Haaretz commentators say his opposition to a two-state solution will not have an effect. (See Commentary/Analysis below.) Jonathan Lis writes: "If during his term, an Israeli government ever gets around to signing a peace agreement; with a heavy heart he will bow to the democratic decision and work on preserving the nation’s unity through a traumatic retreat from the West Bank settlements he so loves." US President Barack Obama called to congratulate him.
HUNGER-STRIKING PALESTINIAN PRISONERS:
Haaretz is leading in the coverage of the developments regarding the Palestinian detainee's mass hunger-strike, which is now at day 48.
- Abbas urges UN to intervene in Palestinian hunger strike crisis - The letter, a copy of which was obtained by Haaretz, was also delivered to countries in the European Union, Brazil, South Africa and India. (Haaretz)
- Private doctors blocked from seeing Palestinian hunger-strikers - Last week the Israeli Health Ministry placed stringent restrictions on visits to hospitalized detainees by private doctors, rejecting dozens of requests from Doctors for Human Rights, the strikers’ lawyers and members of their families that independent doctors be allowed to visit and assess the hunger strikers’ condition. (Haaretz+)
- Haniyeh joins soccer game in solidarity with hunger strikers - Former Hamas Gaza prime minister (and soccer star) straps on soccer cleats in game organized by released Palestinian prisoners. (Ynet)
- (Palestinian) Workers' union holds sit-in to support hunger strikers - The council of the union was calling upon the world, the UN, Arab communities and civil institutions to intervene to save the prisoners from "certain death." (Maan)
-
Current hunger strike 'longest in Palestinian history' - "This is the longest mass
hunger strike among prisoners in Palestinian history since a 45-day strike in
1976," Addameer said in a report on its website as the current strike neared its 48th
day. (Maan)
Quick Hits:
- Palestinians to exhume body of youth killed in Nakba Day protest - Autopsy to determine if Nadim Nuwara was killed by Israeli live fire, as his family claims, or by rubber-coated bullet. Family of second fatality, Muhammad Salameh, refuses exhumation. The autopsy will be overseen by Palestinian, Israeli, US, Danish and Portuguese pathologists. (Haaretz and Maariv)
- Nablus man killed 'en route to Israel' (to find work) - Muhammad Mufeed Yousif Mustafa Thahir, a 20-year-old engineering student from the village of Yasid, was found dead last Friday, two days after he tried to enter Israel with a friend to find work. (Maan)
- Ya'alon: Israel successfully took peace talks off the agenda - Defense minister says "Idea of land for peace is an illusion" and that giving up land brought terror. He scoffed at warnings that Israel will become an apartheid state and said that the good lifestyle of Muslim and Christian Arabs living in Israel proves that. (Ynet )
- Knesset to discuss IDF's use of live-fire zones to relocate Palestinians - The discussion comes in response to urgent question posed by MK Tamar Zandberg (Meretz) to Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, following Haaretz expose in late May that military exercises in live-fire zones were partly aimed at removing Palestinians from those areas. (Haaretz+)
- Official: Settlers plant olive trees on private Palestinian land - Settlers from Esh Kodesh settlement planted dozens of olive tree saplings on land belonging to two families in the Nablus village of Jalud on Tuesday. (Maan)
- Half of Gaza beaches unfit for swimming due to contamination - The main cause of contamination is the low quality of sewage treatment stations, which pump waste-water into the sea, but do not function properly because of continuous power cuts due to a lack of fuel. (Maan)
- Clashes at al-Aqsa compound gate - The imam of the mosque told Ma’an that Israeli forces prevented worshipers and summer camp children from entering the compound, keeping them at the gates and obligating them to hand in their ID cards in order to enter. (Maan)
- Worshipers demonstrate at al-Aqsa compound - Dozens of worshipers demonstrated at the Moroccan Gate after noon prayer, protesting Israeli restrictions on entering the area, confiscation of ID cards and other abuses. (Maan)
- U.S., Israel vow 'no surprises' policy on Iran nuke talks - As part of understanding, Israel briefed in advance of U.S. plan to hold direct talks with Iran in Geneva this week. (Haaretz+)
- Palestinian forces loyal to Abbas clash with Hamas activists in West Bank - Officers stopped hunger-striking prisoners solidarity convoy of 30 cars, seized Hamas banners and beat the protesters, as well as journalists, including Hamas leader Hassan Yousef. Yousef said relations between parties have worsened since unity gov't. (Agencies, Haaretz, Maan and Israel Hayom)
- Rights group 'deeply concerned' over closure of Gaza banks - Banks have been closed for six days by Gaza security forces in protest against the non-payment of salaries to employees of the former Hamas-run government by the new unity government. (Maan)
- Hamas No.2 denies crisis in Palestinian unity effort - Moussa Abu Marzouk admits problems with Fatah-Hamas reconciliation, but says he will move his base in Egypt back to native Gaza. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Israeli forces raid (East) Jerusalem village - Dozens of Israeli forces afternoon raided al-Issawiya village and erected a flying checkpoint in its streets and entrances for the third day in a row. (Maan)
- Alan Dershowitz: BDS a strategic threat to Israel in the long term - Boycott movement discourages Palestinians from seeking peace, gives them hope for a better deal in the future, Harvard law professor tells Herzliya Conference. (Haaretz+)
- J Street vows never to back BDS, warns Israelis of 'real and serious' boycott threat - President Jeremy Ben-Ami rejects BDS' methods, saying best way of addressing Israel's problems is with love and concern, not big stick. (Haaretz+)
- Lieberman visits Africa to reinstate Israel as observer in African Union - The foreign minister says the visit to Africa is strategically important for both sides "ties with African nations have strategic importance to Israel in terms of security, diplomacy and economics. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Palestinians call on FIFA to take action against Israel - In Brazil with delegation of Palestinian sportspeople, Palestine Football Association President Jibril Rajoub says FIFA should impose sanctions on Israel over restrictions on movement of players from the Gaza Strip and West Bank. (Israel Hayom)
- Israel to FIFA: Palestinian soccer player met with Hamas militants - FIFA urges Israel to allow free movement for soccer players; sports minister cites terrorist threat as reason for restrictions. (Ynet)
- Gazan 'Arab Idol' to FIFA: Viva Palestine - Wearing Muslim (sic - Arab) headscarf around his neck, Mohammed Assaf ends FIFA Congress performance with a 'Viva Palestine.' (Agencies, Ynet)
- (E.) Jerusalem hospital at risk of closure - Employees at Al-Maqasid Hospital on the Mount of Olives haven’t received their monthly wages for three months, and there is a serious shortage of medicines and medical equipment due to lack of adequate support by the Palestinian Authority. (Maan)
- IDF announces new restrictions on social media use - New rules come after Facebook campaign for 'David the Nahalawi'; social media infringements to include posts and 'likes' on posts that go against IDF values. (Ynet)
- Public schools to integrate Wikipedia into curriculum - Education Minister Shay Piron meets with Wikimedia Foundation Chairman Jan-Bart de Vreede, announces that the state's public schools will instruct teachers on how to teach students to write content for Wikipedia in Hebrew and other languages. (Israel Hayom)
- And the Guinness World Record for largest Shabbat dinner in the world goes to... More than 2,000 people will gather at the Tel Aviv port this Friday night with the hope of setting a new world title. (Haaretz+)
- Court orders teen to undergo chemo against rabbi's advice - Court rules that postponing treatment for the 14-year-old boy suffering from leukemia would "put his life in significant danger." Boy and his parents oppose treatment on rabbi's advice. If the police come, I will run away, the boy says. (Israel Hayom)
- Growing number of Israelis travel abroad - Some 1.7 million Israelis travel abroad in first five months of 2014, up 12.5 percent from same period last year. It is expected that a record high of 5.3 million Israelis will travel overseas in 2014, up from 5.1 million in 2013. (Israel Hayom)
Commentary/Analysis:
**The president who will pray in Hebron and commemorate Kafr Qasim (Jonathan
Lis, Haaretz+) Meet Israel's 10th president: a scion of a respected Jerusalem family, Reuven
Rivlin is not afraid to get involved in controversial issues at the heart of Israel's identity.
An emotional win for Reuven Rivlin (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) MKs were not attracted by Rivlin the winner, they were moved by Rivlin the loser, the underdog.
Rivlin’s election is not a right-wing victory (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) President-elect Reuven Rivlin may dream of Greater Israel, but he stands against the anti-democratic, pro-big-business spirit of the right wing.
Rivlin victory could spell the end for Netanyahu (Attila Somfalvi, Ynet) President elect's close relationship with Sa'ar and poor connection to prime minister may collapse coalition.
Rivlin's crucial mission: the preservation of Israeli democracy (Haaretz Editorial) Rivlin has been advocating for partnership between Jewish and Arab citizens for years. Now he will have to pour content into his previous statements.
Drowned out by diplo-speak (Ruthie Blum, Israel Hayom) PA President Mahmoud Abbas is pulling the wool over the eyes of the Israeli and international peace camp.
Where's Lapid's map? (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) The Yesh Atid leader should take a marker and draw his own map, showing exactly where the border between Israel and the West Bank will pass.
The useful idiots of the BDS campaign (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Breaking the Silence activists have become part of 'Durban strategy,' which aims to destroy the State of Israel.
Why Israel needs the wall (Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, Haaretz+) Don’t believe the settler fairy tales peddled by Dani Dayan that call for the 'humanitarian’ pulling down of the security barrier between Israelis and Palestinians. The real aim is reinforcing the occupation.
Ugly vibes from the Obama administration (Isi Leibler, Israel Hayom) The U.S. has unequivocally designated Israel as the scapegoat for the disastrous outcome of the peace talks.
An emotional win for Reuven Rivlin (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) MKs were not attracted by Rivlin the winner, they were moved by Rivlin the loser, the underdog.
Rivlin’s election is not a right-wing victory (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) President-elect Reuven Rivlin may dream of Greater Israel, but he stands against the anti-democratic, pro-big-business spirit of the right wing.
Rivlin victory could spell the end for Netanyahu (Attila Somfalvi, Ynet) President elect's close relationship with Sa'ar and poor connection to prime minister may collapse coalition.
Rivlin's crucial mission: the preservation of Israeli democracy (Haaretz Editorial) Rivlin has been advocating for partnership between Jewish and Arab citizens for years. Now he will have to pour content into his previous statements.
Drowned out by diplo-speak (Ruthie Blum, Israel Hayom) PA President Mahmoud Abbas is pulling the wool over the eyes of the Israeli and international peace camp.
Where's Lapid's map? (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz+) The Yesh Atid leader should take a marker and draw his own map, showing exactly where the border between Israel and the West Bank will pass.
The useful idiots of the BDS campaign (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Breaking the Silence activists have become part of 'Durban strategy,' which aims to destroy the State of Israel.
Why Israel needs the wall (Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, Haaretz+) Don’t believe the settler fairy tales peddled by Dani Dayan that call for the 'humanitarian’ pulling down of the security barrier between Israelis and Palestinians. The real aim is reinforcing the occupation.
Ugly vibes from the Obama administration (Isi Leibler, Israel Hayom) The U.S. has unequivocally designated Israel as the scapegoat for the disastrous outcome of the peace talks.
The Israeli left: King Bibi is naked! (Carlo Strenger, Haaretz+) There are signs that the peace camp is coming out of its coma and daring to take
the prime minister to task for his catastrophic policies.
The sad story of Israel's presidential race (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) New president will be measured by number of houses he has; experience, wisdom and discretion are apparently no longer important.
Netanyahu’s humiliation is left’s consolation as hawkish Rivlin elected president (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz) He was elected as much for his honesty and modesty, but like Peres before him, Rivlin won’t abandon his core ideology, especially if push comes to shove.
The Arabs don't want us here, so what? (Uzi Baram, Haaretz+) The Jewish people's dream of peace is disturbed by unending scare tactics.
Bereft of Berlusconi, Italy’s pro-Israel camp heads left (Anna Momigliano, Haaretz+) After recent gains by the right in Europe, Jews and other Italian supporters of Israel are changing course and looking favorably on center-left (and pro-Israel) PM Matteo Renzi.
The sad story of Israel's presidential race (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) New president will be measured by number of houses he has; experience, wisdom and discretion are apparently no longer important.
Netanyahu’s humiliation is left’s consolation as hawkish Rivlin elected president (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz) He was elected as much for his honesty and modesty, but like Peres before him, Rivlin won’t abandon his core ideology, especially if push comes to shove.
The Arabs don't want us here, so what? (Uzi Baram, Haaretz+) The Jewish people's dream of peace is disturbed by unending scare tactics.
Bereft of Berlusconi, Italy’s pro-Israel camp heads left (Anna Momigliano, Haaretz+) After recent gains by the right in Europe, Jews and other Italian supporters of Israel are changing course and looking favorably on center-left (and pro-Israel) PM Matteo Renzi.
Interviews:
Baroness de Rothschild: Israel must wean itself off 'grant dependency'
The Jewish state must shift toward a new era of ‘venture philanthropy,’ in which social investments yield real results. Baroness Rothschild tells Ynetnews about move towards sustainable philanthropy. (Interviewed by Omer Benjakoub in Ynet)
The Jewish state must shift toward a new era of ‘venture philanthropy,’ in which social investments yield real results. Baroness Rothschild tells Ynetnews about move towards sustainable philanthropy. (Interviewed by Omer Benjakoub in Ynet)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.