APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday September 28, 2014
Quote of the day:
"More and more Arabs arrived at the scene and asked if we needed help. One of them held (baby) Nitzan,
who was pretty pleased about it. I was afraid, but I know how to distinguish between terrorists and human
beings, and these were human beings."
--Hadassah Sharchaton, 24, quoted in an article titled 'Palestinians rescue settlers after West Bank attack,' which was one of the 10 most popular articles on English Ynet in the year 5774.**
--Hadassah Sharchaton, 24, quoted in an article titled 'Palestinians rescue settlers after West Bank attack,' which was one of the 10 most popular articles on English Ynet in the year 5774.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Crisis between Israel and Palestinian Authority worsens following Abbas' speech at UN General Assembly
- Mr. Benjamin Status Quo goes to the UN // Barak Ravid
- Embarrassment for the US, gift to the right-wing in Israel // Chemi Shalev
- Abbas gave up on Israel and gives the West another chance // Amira Hass
- Jerusalem has no diplomatic response to the speech // Haaretz Editorial
- Britain joined US in campaign against ISIS, but will presently operate only from Iraq
- The demand: 5 billion shekel for security beyond what was Netanyahu and Lapid agreed upon
- Security establishment again threatening: The discussion is irrelevant, everyone knows how it will end // Rotem Starkman
- Catalonian President declared: National referendum on independence
- Ultra-Orthodox researchers breaking through the fence into the academia
- Head of National Forensic Institute: A cut on her corpse contradicts Zardorov's confession
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Broke the rules - Chairman of (Palestinian) Authority in unprecedented attack on Israel - Accused Israel of planned genocide in Gaza and announced he would not return to negotiations
- The lie and the bluff // Nahum Barnea
- He is not a partner // Michael Oren
- So who is? // Shimon Shiffer
- Death on a bicycle
- Clinton, 3rd generation
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links)
- "Abu Mazen is not a partner" - Anger in Jerusalem over Chairman of (Palestinian) Authority's UN speech
- He will always have Abu Mazen // Ben Caspit
- There is a budget - Netanyahu and Lapid agreed to an 8 billion shekel addition to security budget in 2014 and 6 billion more in 2015
- They holidayed - About a million visitors filled the nature and recreation sites during Rosh Hashana holiday
Israel Hayom
- The speech of lies - Anger in Israel over Abu Mazen's statements at UN
- Wolf in sheepskin // Dan Margalit
- Darling, the iPhone bent out of shape
- Their holiday was ruined - Some 80 guests in two hotels went to hospital, likely due to food poisoning
- Coalition expanding: Britain also attacking ISIS
- In the right direction, for a change // Boaz Bismuth
- Prepare the umbrellas: Fall is beginning - rain expected today
- Prime Minister and Finance Minister agreed on 2015 budget; Security sources: "The supplement is not enough"
- The year and its grandchildren begin: First grandchild for the Clintons - Chelsea had a girl
- Barcelona follows Scotland: National referendum for independence - in Catalonia
News Summary:
Today's top story in the Hebrew papers today was the speech by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the UN General Assembly, in which he accused Israel of genocide. The papers, for the most part, took the position of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who accused Abbas, as well as Iran's Rohani, of lies and distortion. Rouhani only mentioned Israel once in his speech, saying that "Had we had greater cooperation and coordination in the Middle East, thousands of innocent Palestinians in Gaza would not have fallen victim to the Zionist regime's aggression." Netanyahu flies today to the US and will give his speech at the UN on Monday, much of which will be directed at Abbas and the Palestinians. The US also criticized Abbas' speech, saying it was counterproductive. Israeli right-wing politicians used the speech to say it proved that Israel had no partner for peace. Nevertheless, Meretz Chairman, MK Zehava Gal-On, said the speech reflected Netanyahu's failure on peace.
Meanwhile, Fatah and Hamas have returned to implementing their national unity government and have agreed on Palestinian Authority forces (loyal to Abbas) being deployed in Gaza and will hold their first new cabinet meeting at the end of Eid al-Adha this week. And in the coming days, the Palestinians will present to the UN Security Council Abbas' timetable for an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and the creation of a Palestinian state. Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyadh Mansour expects the process will take two to three weeks until it reaches the "blueprint" stage.
Today's top story in the Hebrew papers today was the speech by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the UN General Assembly, in which he accused Israel of genocide. The papers, for the most part, took the position of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who accused Abbas, as well as Iran's Rohani, of lies and distortion. Rouhani only mentioned Israel once in his speech, saying that "Had we had greater cooperation and coordination in the Middle East, thousands of innocent Palestinians in Gaza would not have fallen victim to the Zionist regime's aggression." Netanyahu flies today to the US and will give his speech at the UN on Monday, much of which will be directed at Abbas and the Palestinians. The US also criticized Abbas' speech, saying it was counterproductive. Israeli right-wing politicians used the speech to say it proved that Israel had no partner for peace. Nevertheless, Meretz Chairman, MK Zehava Gal-On, said the speech reflected Netanyahu's failure on peace.
Meanwhile, Fatah and Hamas have returned to implementing their national unity government and have agreed on Palestinian Authority forces (loyal to Abbas) being deployed in Gaza and will hold their first new cabinet meeting at the end of Eid al-Adha this week. And in the coming days, the Palestinians will present to the UN Security Council Abbas' timetable for an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and the creation of a Palestinian state. Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyadh Mansour expects the process will take two to three weeks until it reaches the "blueprint" stage.
Quick Hits:
- UN nuclear assembly rejects Arab bid criticizing Israel's 'atomic arsenal' - Three-month long Israeli diplomatic campaign foils Arab League proposal calling on Israel to join global anti-nuclear weapons pact. (Haaretz)
- Israeli Arabs slam alleged ploy to get Christians to join army - Group that encourages Christians to enlist will be handing out food vouchers at Christmastime this year; Arab MK calls decision 'ugly political act.' (Haaretz+)
- Israel wooing tourists after Gaza op - As part of efforts to boost tourism following summer's losses, Tourism Ministry is putting new emphasis on free independent visitors rather than on traditional group tours. (Ynet)
- President Rivlin: Netanyahu would be a better PM if he had competition - In Rosh Hashanah interview, Rivlin also weighs in on domestic Israeli politics, negotiations with Palestinians, and inner cabinet's decisions during Gaza operation. (Haaretz)
- Arab youth leaves after receiving death threats for supporting Israel - After posting a video in which he says he is a Muslim but also a loyal citizen to Israel and its democratic values, the Israeli Arab youth received a series of death threats, including from his own family members. (Israel Hayom)
- Pro-Palestinian protesters block Israeli cargo ship in California - Longshore workers at Port of Oakland prevented from unloading the Zim Shanghai. Protesters oppose Israel's recent military operation in Gaza war. Last month, protests kept Zim Piraeus was kept from unloading for five days. (Agencies, Israel Hayom)
- Israel ranks 11th in 2014 Global Wealth Report - Allianz's Global Wealth Report, which reviews individual financial assets in world's top 20 economies, ranks Israel after Britain, ahead of Austria, Denmark, Italy, France, and Germany. Israel ranks 16th in financial assets per household. (Israel Hayom)
- U.S. considering meeting Iran 'close to half way' in nuclear talks - Iran would keep up to 4,500 centrifuges but would reduce the stock of uranium gas fed into the machines, diplomats speaking on condition of anonymity say. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- UAE official warns: Terror threat growing beyond Middle East - Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan: Civilized world has no choice but to eliminate threat posed by extremist and terrorist organizations. UAE FM calls Islamic State advances in Iraq "increasingly alarming." (Agencies, Israel Hayom)
- Nusra Front threatens retaliation against US-led anti-IS coalition - After US warplanes hit Nusra Front positions as well, the al-Qaeda-linked group vows attack against Western and Arab countries that took part in airstrikes, saying 'It's not a war against Nusra Front, it's a war against Islam.' (Agencies, Ynet)
- Erdogan: Turkish troops could be used to establish secure zone in Syria - Turkey has so far declined to take a frontline role in the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State but officials said earlier this week Erdogan has been negotiating on what Turkey's role might now be. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Iran blames 'errors' of outsiders for rise of Islamic State - "The strategic blunders of the West in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Caucasus have turned these parts of the world into a haven for terrorists and extremists," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani tells U. N. General Assembly. (Agencies, Israel Hayom)
- From Marmara to ISIS atrocities - Prominent IHH member killed by US airstrikes after attacking IDF troops on Marmara and joining ranks of ISIS. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Israeli Arab convicted of fighting for ISIS - Umm al-Fahm resident found guilty of entering Syria, training with Islamic State group. According to the indictment, the 23-year-old Israeli Arab left Israel with three friends to join the Syrian rebels' fight against Syrian President Bashar Assad. (Israel Hayom)
- 8 French friends say bonjour to IDF - "It did not fit for us to live in France. ... We know that we made the right decision and are contributing to Israel's security," says Dan Maimon, who made aliyah with seven friends from France and is now serving in the same IDF combat unit with them. (Israel Hayom)
- Al-Qaida cell in Yemen claims responsibility for rocket fire at U.S. embassy - Militants say attack was retaliation for U.S. drone strike on Friday. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- 3 Syrian children brought to Israel for medical treatment - Children wounded when mortar shell hits courtyard where they were playing over the weekend, killing others. Two boys, 7 and 10, in serious condition; girl, 8, moderately wounded in the leg. Safed hospital has treated 376 victims of Syrian civil war. (Israel Hayom)
Features:
U.S. academics bemoan 'rigged’ fight in battle against BDS
Liberal professors say they are becoming increasingly marginalized and threatened by the boycott movement. 'Academics have surrendered themselves to slogans on the Israeli-Palestinian issue’ warns one. (Haaretz+)
** Rosh Hashana special: Readers' most popular stories of 5774
Based on Ynetnews analytics, these are the most successful stories of the year as chosen by our readers. (Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Liberal professors say they are becoming increasingly marginalized and threatened by the boycott movement. 'Academics have surrendered themselves to slogans on the Israeli-Palestinian issue’ warns one. (Haaretz+)
** Rosh Hashana special: Readers' most popular stories of 5774
Based on Ynetnews analytics, these are the most successful stories of the year as chosen by our readers. (Ynet)
Commentary/Analysis:
Man of the year (Yossi Sarid, Haaretz+) Prof. Bernardo Vidne: 'I saved many patients in my life, in Gaza too. I would
treat terrorists and their families today too. My personal tragedy must not influence me as a
doctor.'
Partner, despite everything (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth) The speech by the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority at the UN General Assembly was combative and belligerent and included more than a few historice distortions. But with alternatives such as Khaled Mashaal and Ismail Haniyeh, Israel has no better alternative than him.
Abbas' UN speech gives West another chance to pressure Israel (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The Palestinian president's remarks belay an attempt to amend the bad impressions recently made upon his people, yet lack a pointed message about what to do if Abbas' demands are rejected.
Peace talks are officially off the table (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Israelis and Palestinians are left with a battlefield between a government which will forever stick to status quo and a desperate PA which is fighting it, with world's growing support. This is a recipe for an explosion.
When the horizon is an illusion (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz) As long as the Palestinians don't have a horizon, neither will we.
Gaza failure opened door to unprecedented opportunity (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) Years of running on autopilot in Gaza Strip have left Israel in trouble, as confidence in leadership decreased after government hid truth from public. Ron Ben-Yishai explains how strategy for Protective Edge was born and how government can, against all odds, lead to historic turning point.
Why Israel pretends Mohammed isn't there (Asher Schechter, Haaretz+) It isn't a matter of racism. It's a matter of denial.
There is no one to talk to (Former Israeli Amb. to US Michael Oren, Yedioth) Abu Mazen's initiative to isolate Israel in the world could turn out to be a more dangerous strategic threat than Hamas. The goal of the sanctions is not to strengthen the Palestinians in the negotiations - but to put an end to the Zionist enterprise.
When a Haaretz journalist was asked to leave a Palestinian university (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) An isolated incident snowballed into a wide debate whether Birzeit students' right to a safe space where Israelis are not allowed should apply to leftists, as well.
Netanyahu will always have Abu Mazen (Ben Caspit, Maariv) In his youth, Abu Mazen denied a real genocide. In his old age, he is trying to create a false genocide. He is the wet dream of Netanyahu. Abu Mazen will always be there to rescue Netanyahu...The real response to the Palestinian Authority Chairman needs to be a real peace offer and clean hands regarding the seminal intention. We don't have those ingredients at the moment.
Israel’s moment of choice (Dr. Husam Zomlot, Haaretz+) In an exclusive opinion piece for Haaretz, senior Fatah official Husam Zomlot says that Israel can’t have it both ways: either it takes full responsibility for the Palestinians or it relinquishes control of their lives and territory.
The left needs to accept how democracy works (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) It's ironic: those who claim to be the biggest advocates of democratic government seem to have the most difficulty accepting the verdict of the electorate.
Can you live in Israel without contributing to the occupation? (Uri Misgav, Haaretz+) For the time being, those who consider their options are pounced on from the left and the right.
Could Jewish Israelis break barriers of racism by breaking bread with Arabs? (Elie Jesner , Haaretz+) Jewish dietary laws were once used to separate Jews from gentiles. Could a modernized approach to kashrut facilitate the unification of Israeli society?
Mr. Benjamin 'Status Quo' Netanyahu heads to the UN (Barak Ravid, Haaretz+) Abbas' speech presents a challenge to Israel, but unfortunately Bibi has no strategy, no vision and no direction.
In UN speech, Obama talks to Muslims but carries a big stick (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) Five years after his conciliatory address in Cairo, Obama is sterner and tougher, buttressed by his recent decision to use the kind of military force he once lambasted.
Israel’s criticism of Abbas’ speech is the rhetoric of despair (Haaretz Editorial) Even when the Palestinian president is accusing Israel of genocide and crimes against humanity, he hasn't turned his back on the diplomatic process.
Partner, despite everything (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth) The speech by the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority at the UN General Assembly was combative and belligerent and included more than a few historice distortions. But with alternatives such as Khaled Mashaal and Ismail Haniyeh, Israel has no better alternative than him.
Abbas' UN speech gives West another chance to pressure Israel (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) The Palestinian president's remarks belay an attempt to amend the bad impressions recently made upon his people, yet lack a pointed message about what to do if Abbas' demands are rejected.
Peace talks are officially off the table (Nahum Barnea, Yedioth/Ynet) Israelis and Palestinians are left with a battlefield between a government which will forever stick to status quo and a desperate PA which is fighting it, with world's growing support. This is a recipe for an explosion.
When the horizon is an illusion (Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz) As long as the Palestinians don't have a horizon, neither will we.
Gaza failure opened door to unprecedented opportunity (Ron Ben-Yishai, Ynet) Years of running on autopilot in Gaza Strip have left Israel in trouble, as confidence in leadership decreased after government hid truth from public. Ron Ben-Yishai explains how strategy for Protective Edge was born and how government can, against all odds, lead to historic turning point.
Why Israel pretends Mohammed isn't there (Asher Schechter, Haaretz+) It isn't a matter of racism. It's a matter of denial.
There is no one to talk to (Former Israeli Amb. to US Michael Oren, Yedioth) Abu Mazen's initiative to isolate Israel in the world could turn out to be a more dangerous strategic threat than Hamas. The goal of the sanctions is not to strengthen the Palestinians in the negotiations - but to put an end to the Zionist enterprise.
When a Haaretz journalist was asked to leave a Palestinian university (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) An isolated incident snowballed into a wide debate whether Birzeit students' right to a safe space where Israelis are not allowed should apply to leftists, as well.
Netanyahu will always have Abu Mazen (Ben Caspit, Maariv) In his youth, Abu Mazen denied a real genocide. In his old age, he is trying to create a false genocide. He is the wet dream of Netanyahu. Abu Mazen will always be there to rescue Netanyahu...The real response to the Palestinian Authority Chairman needs to be a real peace offer and clean hands regarding the seminal intention. We don't have those ingredients at the moment.
Israel’s moment of choice (Dr. Husam Zomlot, Haaretz+) In an exclusive opinion piece for Haaretz, senior Fatah official Husam Zomlot says that Israel can’t have it both ways: either it takes full responsibility for the Palestinians or it relinquishes control of their lives and territory.
The left needs to accept how democracy works (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) It's ironic: those who claim to be the biggest advocates of democratic government seem to have the most difficulty accepting the verdict of the electorate.
Can you live in Israel without contributing to the occupation? (Uri Misgav, Haaretz+) For the time being, those who consider their options are pounced on from the left and the right.
Could Jewish Israelis break barriers of racism by breaking bread with Arabs? (Elie Jesner , Haaretz+) Jewish dietary laws were once used to separate Jews from gentiles. Could a modernized approach to kashrut facilitate the unification of Israeli society?
Mr. Benjamin 'Status Quo' Netanyahu heads to the UN (Barak Ravid, Haaretz+) Abbas' speech presents a challenge to Israel, but unfortunately Bibi has no strategy, no vision and no direction.
In UN speech, Obama talks to Muslims but carries a big stick (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) Five years after his conciliatory address in Cairo, Obama is sterner and tougher, buttressed by his recent decision to use the kind of military force he once lambasted.
Israel’s criticism of Abbas’ speech is the rhetoric of despair (Haaretz Editorial) Even when the Palestinian president is accusing Israel of genocide and crimes against humanity, he hasn't turned his back on the diplomatic process.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.