News Nosh 07.03.14

APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday July 03, 2014

Quote of the day:
 "A government that turns the army of searchers to an army of avengers, an army that will not stop at 300 Philistine foreskins."
-- Rabbi Noam Perel, secretary-general of World Bnei Akiva, Zionist religious youth movement, joined the calls of many Israelis to avenge the murder of the three Jewish youth with Palestinian blood.**

Front Page News:
Haaretz
Yedioth Ahronoth
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links)
Israel Hayom

News Summary:
The kidnapping and murder of three Jewish teens dropped from the front pages with the kidnapping and murder of a Palestinian teen, the latter sparking violent clashes in E. Jerusalem. The murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir, 16, took place hours after the Jewish teens were buried. And, now, Israel is opening an investigation into the incitement by Jewish Israelis for revenge against Arabs that has spread across the Internet.

The police have yet to confirm that the death of 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir who was seen being kidnapped outside a mosque in E. Jerusalem at about 3AM Wednesday morning and whose body was found tortured and burned in a Jerusalem forest on the west side of the capital hours later, was the act of Jews seeking revenge. However, this is the assumption by most, including the Israeli police. The murder sparked the most violent confrontations between Palestinian youth and Israeli police that the capital has seen in years, with stone-throwing and burning tires in the streets. Haaretz+ reported that the police avoided making arrests to allow the Palestinian youth to let off steam. The Palestinians say the previous day there had been another attempt to snatch a boy from the Z’alum family. Residents say the boy was hit by two Jews, but his mother’s screams and the intervention of passersby caused them to flee. Maan reported that over 170 Palestinians were injured the clashes, at least 35 of them were injured by rubber bullets, including six journalists, and three people suffered fractures in the hands of the Israeli police. Yedioth reported that one Palestinian journalist was injured by Palestinians who thought he was an undercover policeman. "This is only the beginning," Palestinians told Yedioth. "There will be a third Intifada."  The family of the murdered teen criticized the Israeli police yesterday. "They haven't moved a muscle or arrested the kidnappers, despite their clear appearance in the surveillance cameras," he said. "If things were different and an Arab kidnapped an Israeli, it would have been uncovered in moments." 
 
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blamed Israel for the teen’s murder and in a switching of roles, he demanded that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu condemn it. Netanyahu did that, calling the murder "despicable" and urging "all parties not to take the law into their own hands." Abbas said the Palestinian leadership "will continue its discussions following this escalation, including advancing its membership in international organizations.” Hamas released a statement also directed at Israeli leaders "who bear direct responsibility" for the crimes committed by "hordes of settlers" and that Israel will pay for their crimes.
 
Haaretz+ writes that the US was attempting to prevent an escalation of the E. Jerusalem violence from spreading across the West Bank by making numerous quick and strong condemnations of the Palestinian teen's murder. US Secretary of State John Kerry called on Netanyahu to discuss the escalation in Jerusalem.
 
In the Knesset plenum, a storm broke out after the head of the discussion, MK Ruth Calderon, tried to cut short the remarks of Arab MK Ahmed Tibi, who had just returned from the home of the Abu Khdeir family, Maariv reported. "You should be ashamed of yourself," he said angrily. "You show no sensitivity. I have just returned from the mourning home (of the murdered youth) and you can be considerate of what I say. Show understanding. You (plural) are impervious to the suffering of the Palestinians and you (plural) think your blood is dearer." Tibi spoke highly of the words of the Frenkel family, which condemned the murder of the Palestinian teen. The uncle of kidnapped and murdered Jewish teen, Naftali Frenkel, said: "There is no difference between (Arab) blood and (Jewish) blood. Murder is murder." Yedioth commentator Ben-Dror Yemini wrote that if the murderers were indeed Jews they were "anti-Zionist right-wingers."
 
After the Jewish teens' bodies were found dead Tuesday following 18 days of searches, Jewish Israelis began calling for revenge against Arabs through Facebook and other social media networks. Israelis launched a Facebook campaign calling for 'revenge' of the teens' murders.  In two days, the group named 'The people of Israel demand revenge' raked in over 35,000 members, many of whom are soldiers. Many Israelis, including soldiers, posted photos of themselves holding up pieces of paper calling for revenge. The IDF has said its commanders will take a heavy hand against soldiers involved in this serious incident and the Attorney General called for an investigation. One man who made headlines with his call for revenge was the World Bnei Akiva chief who wrote on Facebook a post urging the government to turn the IDF into an army of avengers, "which will not stop at 300 Philistine foreskins." 

However, some Israelis urged peace and tonight a 'rally for sanity' will be held in Tel-Aviv, organized by left-wing organizations, including Peace Now. Last night in Jerusalem, 1,000 people rallied against the anti-Arab violence and Jewish calls for revenge, Haaretz+ reported. The rally was attended by, among others, opposition leader MK Isaac Herzog (Labor), MK Nitzan Horovitz (Meretz) and Rabbi Benny Lao.
 
Palestinian Teen Kidnapping/Murder Quick Hits: 
  • White House: Death of Palestinian a 'heinous murder' - International politicians condemn murder of Palestinian teen; Blair: 'Fanatics must be sidelined'. (Ynet)
  • France condemns murder of Palestinian teen - "I express my horror regarding the murder of a young Palestinian who was abducted in East-Jerusalem. I convey my sincere condolences to his family," Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said in a statement. (Maan)
  • EU 'extremely concerned' after Palestinian teen killing - Death of Palestinian boy inspires riots in West Bank, calls of calm from leaders around the world, as police investigate whether teen's murder was retribution. (Agencies, Ynet)
  • Settlers attack Palestinian cars near Jerusalem - Witnesses told Ma'an that over 60 settlers attacked Palestinian cars with rocks, causing damage to several vehicles near the (E.) Jerusalem village of Jaba. (Maan)
  • Israeli settlers hurl stones at Palestinian vehicles near Bethlehem  - A number of Palestinian vehicles were hit and sustained damage, when Israeli settlers hurled stones at them as they drove on a bypass road near the village of Husan west of Bethlehem in the southern West Bank. (Maan)
  • Palestinians claim 'price tag' attack after boys' bodies found - Palestinian villagers in Aqraba near Nablus claim shacks targeted in 'price tag' attack, say words 'blood vengeance' were scrawled on walls of livestock pen. (Ynet+PHOTOS and Maan)
  • Islamic Jihad: Settlers are legitimate targets - The movement said the kidnapping and killing of Muhammed Hussein Abu Khdeir was a continuation of a series of crimes by the Israeli army and settlers which also killed Youssef Abu Zagha from Jenin refugee camp on Tuesday. (Maan)

Quick Hits:
  • Watch: Israeli soldiers, settlers assault Palestinians in Hebron - Video also shows female settler attacking family members of local human rights activist. The settler is seen entering the family's property and taking photos. The activist's wife starts to shout and call for help while taking photos of the settler. (Maan+VIDEO
  • Last Palestinian hunger striker suspends protest after 43 days - Palestinian detainee Raed Moussa, 33, on Wednesday suspended his hunger strike action after 43 days without food, a prisoner rights group said. A spokeswoman for the Israeli Prison Service told Ma'an that no recent hunger strikers had reached any deal with Israeli authorities. (Maan
  • 42 Palestinians arrested across West Bank Tuesday night as campaign continues - An Israeli army spokesman told Ma'an 41 of the Palestinians who were arrested were "Hamas operatives" and that the arrests were "part of the ongoing operation" to find the kidnappers of the three Jewish teens who were murdered. (Maan
  • Israeli officers clash with Palestinian youths in Aqsa compound -  Special Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound Wednesday morning firing rubber-coated bullets at a group of young Palestinian men who were in the area. (Maan)
  • Gil-Ad Shaer's mother: Police said the shots were blanks, we had hope - Bat Galim says recording wasn't released until after the bodies were found to protect Gil-Ad from kidnappers. (Ynet
  • More of Shaer's police call revealed: Gunfire and exclamations of joy - Recording released on Tuesday included only part of the call Gil-Ad Shaer made to the police; second part includes incoherent pieces of conversation between the kidnappers, gunfire and cries of pain. (Ynet
  • 'We always hoped Gil-ad was alive' - A day after their murdered son was laid to rest, the Shaer family is embracing those who come to comfort them, and crying. Ophir Shaer: "Until they told us, I was sure he was coming back." Bat-Galim Shaer: "I lost my Gil-ad, my sweet boy." (Israel Hayom)
  • Jewish family from Syria managed to escape and immigrate to Israel - Businessman Moti Kahana initiated contact with the Syrian opposition and with the help of Gal Lusky and the organization "Israeli Flying Aid," to bring the family to Israel. (Maariv and Ynet)
  • Israeli troops put on private show for U.S. donor, while army searches for teens’ killers - Army says the army base event, sponsored by bar-mitzvah boy’s benefactor-father, was tribute to the troops. (Haaretz+) 
  • Israeli forces clash with Palestinians protesting demolition of terrorist's home - Israel razes home of Hamas operative Ziad Awad, suspected of killing Baruch Mizrahi on his way to Passover seder. (Haaretz
  • When Rachel Fraenkel recited the Kaddish, the chief rabbi said 'Amen' - The Mourner's Kaddish has never before been recited in public in Israel by an Orthodox woman of such stature and in front of cameras. (Haaretz+)
  • Hip-hop artist Talib Kweli cancels Israel show - Via Twitter, New York rapper cancels show in soldiarity with Palestinian people. (Ynet
  • U.S. and Israel agree to share tax information - The pact requires Israel to transfer information about American account holders by September 30, 2015, but it has yet to be approved by the Knesset. (Haaretz+) 
  • Algeria's World Cup team to donate salary to people of Gaza - Algeria earned a team salary of $9 million after losing in the Round of 16 to Germany. (Haaretz+)
  • Zarif: Iran will not 'kneel' to West's demands - Iran, six powers face uphill task to meet July 20 deadline for deal; Hague: 'We will not accept a deal at any price'. (Agencies, Ynet)
  • Tony Blair denies he signed on as Egyptian president's adviser - Guardian reports former British prime minister agrees to advise Egypt's Sissi on 'economic reform,' drawing accusations of blurring line between private interests and position as Mideast peace envoy. (Haaretz)

Commentary/Analysis:
In teen's death, Palestinian public opinion does not wait for Israeli coroner (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Police think the Palestinian boy could have been killed by either Jewish nationalists or Palestinians; Palestinians have no doubt.
At the heart of tragedy, a uniquely Zionist and Jewish moment (Naama Lansky and Shlomo Diaz, Israel Hayom) Under a blazing sun, droves of young people accompany the three murdered teens to their final resting places in the Modiin cemetery. They will never cut our nation down, says Ashkenazi chief rabbi.
Letting bullies dictate the government's mood will lead to a total loss of control (Haaretz Editorial+) The investigation into the Shoafat kidnapping and murder must be concluded swiftly, efficiently and above all, transparently.
Prudent vengeance (Dr. Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) The response to the murder of the three boys needs to unify most of the public behind it.
Alongside military threat, Israel must turn to diplomatic field (Israel Ziv, Ynet) Our goal should be to disarm Hamas by gaining wide support from Western countries, Egypt, Jordan and PA.
Israel's mistaken prisoner exchange policy must end to prevent future disasters (Israel Harel, Haaretz+) Every such release brings about more disasters. The only way to prevent other Israeli families from this never-ending torment is to forbid such releases.  
Count to 10, and act in full force (Zvika Fogel, Israel Hayom) Israel has no choice but to eliminate Hamas in Gaza, from its leadership down to the very last of its terrorists.
Israel campaigned on false hope to rally Diaspora support (Daniella Peled, Haaretz+) Did the army and government cynically fuel the baseless narrative that the kidnapped boys were still alive, exploiting the families and Diaspora solidarity? 
The wider context (Yoram Ettinger, Israel Hayom) An Israeli withdrawal from Judea and Samaria would embolden Palestinian terrorism, inspire Islamic terrorism and doom Jordan and other pro-U.S. Arab regimes in the Middle East. 
Hebrew University 3, Sayed Kashua 0 (Sayed Kashua, Haaretz+) All the writer did was tell a cute story about his little boy. But, good God, what they did with it! 
Escalation scenario starting to fulfill itself (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) With murderous terror attack in Judea and Samaria, rocket fire from Gaza and Jews seeking revenge, reality of past few weeks resembles scenario IDF has been preparing for.
Israel's High Court of Justice is a collaborator of the occupation (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) These are days of darkness, exactly the kind of days in which Israel needs a High Court of Justice, but the High Court is nowhere to be found. 
Hit Hamas' people and property (Dr. Reuven Berko, Israel Hayom) Israel should exploit Hamas' moment of weakness, especially given the rising hostility of international Islamic radicalization. 
Netanyahu and Abbas: The odd couple (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) Netanyahu and Abbas did what they have not done during years of negotiations - they acted as a mature, responsible team to contain the explosive situation.
Politicizing grief: Manipulation when we're most vulnerable (Leeat Granek, Haaretz+) The bereaved parents of the kidnapped boys challenged a longstanding tradition both in Israel and the U.S. when they tried to push back against nationalizing grief for political purposes.
Tough response needed (MK Eli Yishai, Israel Hayom) Given recent developments, the government must seriously debate its foreign policy.
Saying goodbye to the grandmother I argued with (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) At times we sounded like Netanyahu and Obama, except that Netanyahu doesn’t interrupt his lectures to inquire if Obama has had enough to eat. 
If only Gil-Ad had called his mother (Sima Kadmon, Yedioth/Ynet) Police's failure to act following call from kidnapped teen has completely destroyed Israeli public's trust in the institution in charge of its safety. 
The (soon-to-be) State of Kurdistan and its friends in Jerusalem (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz+) 'They deserve it,' Netanyahu said of a Kurdish state within Iraq, thereby causing a sea-change in Middle East.


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