APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday October 06, 2014
Quote of the day:
"Great G-d, 45 minutes of 'Hamas is ISIS.'"
--The words of Channel 2 anchorwoman, Yonit Levy, which were recorded during a commercial break from Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's UN speech and leaked to the media.**
--The words of Channel 2 anchorwoman, Yonit Levy, which were recorded during a commercial break from Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's UN speech and leaked to the media.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Dispute between State Comptroller and Attorney General over future of public housing
- Incident on northern border: IDF hits cell that entered Israel from Lebanon
- Don't leave Operation Protective Edge Probe to the generals // Amos Harel
- Brazilians goes to polls, as religious right-wing gets stronger
- 2015 Budget draft - The compromise being formulated: JNF pays state a billion shekels but keeps its independence
- Health Ministry: Treatments against homosexuality don't help, are not ethical and can cause damage
- Appeal to High Court against Education Ministry: High payments by parents harm equality and create a separate system for rich only
- Study: Spread of AIDS began in Congo in the '20's
- Israeli researchers developed invention that can replace heart transplants
- White House trying to prevent Ebola outbreak in US
- Failed privatization (of education system) // Haaretz Editorial
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Health Ministry to public: Get vaccinated - Forecast: Wave of severe flu
- In your hands // Prof. Moti Ravid
- Post Office on strike - purchases on Internet are stuck
- Jerusalem on wheels - 'Jerusalem Formula' opens today
- Legendary swimmer Michael Phelps hospitalized in rehab center
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links)
- The 'Milky' (chocolate pudding) protest of the Israelis in Berlin
- Back to (Germany,) the source of evil // Ben Caspit
- Fear of expansive wave of strikes on economy
- Infiltration attempt from Lebanon thwarted
- "High Court scarier than ISIS" - Hundreds of demonstrators from south Tel-Aviv protested court decision to cancel significant parts of law on infiltrators
Israel Hayom
- Tension in the north
- Moving to Berlin? Don't preach // Hezi Shternlicht
- Gas for protest - Finance Minister sparked protest after canceling benefit for recently released soldiers who work at gas pumps and in security
- "They had sexual relations with a 13-year-old girl - and publicized it on the Internet"
- Israel pressured, Sweden pulled back: "We will recognize Palestine only at the end of negotiations between the sides"
- Government companies to be privatized - state to receive 15 billion shekels
- During Sukkot holiday, 350,000 Israelis to fly abroad
- Ben Affleck defends Islam: Jihad does not represent all Muslims
News Summary:
Israeli soldiers shoot at Lebanese on the northern border (and conflicting reports about who they shot at) and the Swedes promise to recognize Palestine as a state (and the Israeli papers report differently about whether they meant it) making the top stories in today's Hebrew papers. Meanwhile, Israelis moving to Berlin due to the difficult economic and political situation here has again made headlines, this time after an FB group posted a receipt from a grocery store with the purchase of a popular chocolate pudding.
Israel is on high alert after conflicting reports over a shooting incident on the Lebanon border. Israeli troops opened fire on a group of individuals who according to Israel crossed the border - where there is no border fence - from Lebanon into the Har Dov area. The army did not say whether the suspects were militants or civilians, or where exactly the incident occurred. The Lebanese military said an army outpost came under Israeli fire, lightly wounding one soldier. UNIFIL is probing the incident.
Israel will summon the Swedish ambassador for clarification after Sweden's Prime Minister said in his inaugural speech that his country would recognize Palestine as a state. After the speech, Sweden published a statement that was translated into English and Hebrew, in which it stated that recognition would come after negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel Hayom and Ynet reported that Sweden had 'backtracked,' due to Israeli pressure. However, Maariv and Haaretz reported that the translation was wrong and that Sweden does not pin the recognition to the negotiations. Maariv interviewed the Swedish Ambassador to Israel and Haaretz spoke with opposition leader MK Haim Herzog.
While the right-wing in Israel slammed Sweden, Meretz Chairwoman Zahava Gal-On welcomed Sweden's declaration, agreeing with Sweden that it could influence other European Union states to recognize a Palestinian state. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Sweden's recognition won't replace Palestinian-Israeli talks. The PLO welcomed the Swedish endorsement of Palestine, however the US opposed it. A former Palestinian envoy said the Americans are not an honest broker and have repeatedly sided with Israel, who he called a “belligerent actor,” Ynet reported. Former ambassador to the US Afif Safieh called on the US to pressure Israel saying, "Pressuring Israel is not a formula that kills Israel but rather gives birth to Palestine."
On the subject of construction over the Green Line in E. Jerusalem, the US has been more vocally critical. Netanyahu said it was 'un-American' to rebuke Israel over homes in Jerusalem. The EU said the construction threatened ties with Israel.
The debate over young Israelis leaving the country, particularly for Berlin where many young Israelis have moved because the cost of living is low and the quality is high, has renewed in the Israeli media (Hebrew) after a post on a Facebook page, 'Olim L'Berlin' (Moving to Berlin), showed a receipt for groceries that displayed far cheaper prices than in Israel, including for a popular chocolate pudding known as 'Milky.' Maariv's leading story was about the storm it raised (Hebrew), with angry responses by Israeli officials and an Op-Ed by top political commentator Ben Caspit denouncing Israelis who would 'leave the country to Germany over the price of a Milky.'
Israeli soldiers shoot at Lebanese on the northern border (and conflicting reports about who they shot at) and the Swedes promise to recognize Palestine as a state (and the Israeli papers report differently about whether they meant it) making the top stories in today's Hebrew papers. Meanwhile, Israelis moving to Berlin due to the difficult economic and political situation here has again made headlines, this time after an FB group posted a receipt from a grocery store with the purchase of a popular chocolate pudding.
Israel is on high alert after conflicting reports over a shooting incident on the Lebanon border. Israeli troops opened fire on a group of individuals who according to Israel crossed the border - where there is no border fence - from Lebanon into the Har Dov area. The army did not say whether the suspects were militants or civilians, or where exactly the incident occurred. The Lebanese military said an army outpost came under Israeli fire, lightly wounding one soldier. UNIFIL is probing the incident.
Israel will summon the Swedish ambassador for clarification after Sweden's Prime Minister said in his inaugural speech that his country would recognize Palestine as a state. After the speech, Sweden published a statement that was translated into English and Hebrew, in which it stated that recognition would come after negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel Hayom and Ynet reported that Sweden had 'backtracked,' due to Israeli pressure. However, Maariv and Haaretz reported that the translation was wrong and that Sweden does not pin the recognition to the negotiations. Maariv interviewed the Swedish Ambassador to Israel and Haaretz spoke with opposition leader MK Haim Herzog.
While the right-wing in Israel slammed Sweden, Meretz Chairwoman Zahava Gal-On welcomed Sweden's declaration, agreeing with Sweden that it could influence other European Union states to recognize a Palestinian state. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Sweden's recognition won't replace Palestinian-Israeli talks. The PLO welcomed the Swedish endorsement of Palestine, however the US opposed it. A former Palestinian envoy said the Americans are not an honest broker and have repeatedly sided with Israel, who he called a “belligerent actor,” Ynet reported. Former ambassador to the US Afif Safieh called on the US to pressure Israel saying, "Pressuring Israel is not a formula that kills Israel but rather gives birth to Palestine."
On the subject of construction over the Green Line in E. Jerusalem, the US has been more vocally critical. Netanyahu said it was 'un-American' to rebuke Israel over homes in Jerusalem. The EU said the construction threatened ties with Israel.
The debate over young Israelis leaving the country, particularly for Berlin where many young Israelis have moved because the cost of living is low and the quality is high, has renewed in the Israeli media (Hebrew) after a post on a Facebook page, 'Olim L'Berlin' (Moving to Berlin), showed a receipt for groceries that displayed far cheaper prices than in Israel, including for a popular chocolate pudding known as 'Milky.' Maariv's leading story was about the storm it raised (Hebrew), with angry responses by Israeli officials and an Op-Ed by top political commentator Ben Caspit denouncing Israelis who would 'leave the country to Germany over the price of a Milky.'
Quick Hits:
- False rocket alarms sound in southern Israel - IDF says rocket warning alarms in Eshkol region prompted by mistaken identification of rocket fire from Gaza Strip. Since Operation Protective Edge ended in late August, there have been several instances of false alarms. (Israel Hayom and Haaretz)
- Hundreds of Gazans visit Jerusalem for first time since 2007 - Israel eases travel restrictions for Muslim holiday as part of new policy following Gaza summer offensive. (Haaretz)
- **Channel 2 probing leak of anchorwoman Yonit Levy's slip of the tongue - Channel looking n to finding and taking steps against person who leaked recording of Levy saying during a commercial break in the broadcast of Netanyahu's UN speech: "Great G-d, 45 minutes of 'Hamas is ISIS.'" Levy's remarks were not broadcast on TV. (Maariv/Globes, p. 18)
- Tolerance carries the day as Jewish, Muslim holidays coincide - Mixed cities enjoy calm as Muslims and Jews observe respective holidays. "We respected our Jewish neighbors and made sure not to play loud music," said Sami Aboud, who lives in Acre's old city. Seven babies born at home during the fast. (Israel Hayom)
- Chemi Peres launches Middle East investment fund - The Amelia fund deepens the Chemi Peres' ties with ventures in Israel's Arab sector and furthers his aim of promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the Middle East. Any profit made will be donated to Peres Center for Peace, which Chemi Peres, son of the former president, is chairman. (Globes English)
- WATCH: Israel Air Force evacuates soldier wounded in Gaza fighting - Soldiers retrieve Col. Ghassan Alian, Golani infantry commander, who was wounded during heavy fighting in Shujaiyeh neighborhood. (Haaretz)
- Report: Maradona to coach Palestinian national soccer team - Legendary Argentinean player purportedly meeting Palestinian Football Federation officials. (Ynet)
- More than 500 anthropologists join academic boycott of Israel - Academics say they oppose Israel's `violations of Palestinian rights' and are boycotting `Israeli academic institutions that are complicit.' (Haaretz)
- Idan Raichel and Alicia Keys: 'We Are Here' - Raichel performs with Keys and Palestinian artist Ali Amir in Central Park; Keys: 'Let's do everything we can to encourage a peaceful solution.' (Ynet)
- Pro-Israel rally in Washington attracts thousand - Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee organizes event to send message of support for Israel • Criticizes Obama administration for not backing Israel in Operation Protective Edge: "Israel has the right and the moral obligation to protect its citizens." (Israel Hayom)
- Navy strengthens ties with Greece, military attache stationed in the country for first time - Regional cooperation between the navies of the two countries was intensified recently. A year ago there was a joint exercise together with the Americans, which will become permanent cooperation. (Maariv)
- Court orders PA to compensate victims of 2001 terrorist attack - Jerusalem District Court: Palestinian Authority transferred weapons and money to terrorist cells, knowing what they would be used for. Yaniv and Sharon Ben Shalom and Sharon's brother, Doron Yosef Sviri, were killed when gunmen opened fire on their car. (Israel Hayom)
- Turkey was fourth-largest donor of international emergency aid in 2013 - Country gave $1.6 billion, behind U.S., EU institutions and U.K., the latest Global Humanitarian Assistance report says. (Haaretz)
- Report: Islamic State to wage war on Iran for its nuclear secrets - Sunday Times cites manifesto written by member of ISIS war council, proposing to offer Russia control of Anbar gas fields in return for Moscow cutting ties with Tehran and handing over its nuclear knowhow. (Ynet)
- Egypt Islamists claim to behead informants for Israel - In YouTube video, Sinai-based Ansar Beit al-Maqdis accuses Egyptian government of collaborating with Israel to attack their fighters, and vow to hunt down local informants. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Iran supreme leader's health raises succession question - Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 75, has been repeatedly photographed in bed, looking frail following prostate surgery. Clergy and Revolutionary Guards likely to clash over choosing a possible successor, raising possibility of instability in Iran. (Israel Hayom)
Features:
Meet the brave Jordanian writer: "Jews have a right to the land of Israel"
Despite being arrested, fired from his job, being called "crazy" and an "infidel "and being left without food to eat, Jordanian writer Jihad Ali Alwan has no intention of being shut up and he continues to express his support of Israel from every possible platform. "I don't care what price I'll pay. I will not apologize for my beliefs." (Yasser Ukabi, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
Despite being arrested, fired from his job, being called "crazy" and an "infidel "and being left without food to eat, Jordanian writer Jihad Ali Alwan has no intention of being shut up and he continues to express his support of Israel from every possible platform. "I don't care what price I'll pay. I will not apologize for my beliefs." (Yasser Ukabi, Maariv)
Commentary/Analysis:
A history of crusaders and Zionists in Jerusalem (Oudeh
Basharat, Haaretz+) With the aid of secret plans, bribes, straw men and taking over houses in the
middle of the night, it is possible to bring Zionism to maximum fulfillment.
In Carmiel, some residents are more equal than others (Kobi Niv, Haaretz+) The town of Carmiel, in the Galilee decided to ban 'outside residents' during Yom Kippur, but who are these outsiders? Are they perhaps Arabs? It's difficult to get an answer.
PA denies Jewish nationalism (Uri Heitner, Israel Hayom) The Palestinian denial of Israel's right to exist is the sole reason for the endless prolongation of the conflict.
Blame it on the Israeli left-wingers (Noa Osterreicher, Haaretz+) Just like the jar of oil that lasted for eight days, the weak and crumbling power of the left wing is all it takes to paralyze Netanyahu’s government.
Hezbollah has changed the rules of the game (Yossi Yehoshua,Yedioth/Ynet) While IDF was busy with budget wars and failed to properly equip itself for next war on northern front, Shiite organization did exact opposite.
Israeli binationalism is old news (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Just accept it, Israel became a binational state 47 years ago when it occupied the territories. All that’s left is to decide whether it will be binational with a democracy or an apartheid regime.
Obama will not endanger himself for the settlements (Uri Savir, Maariv) Netanyahu dismisses the 'internationalization' of resolving the conflict and relies on the Americans, but he is mistaken. The USA of Obama won't clash with its allies of negotiations with Iran and the war against ISIS in order for Israel to implement its 'Settlers First' policy. After the congressional elections on November 4, the US government will not return to managing the peace process, rather it will give the Europeans the freedom, especially France, Britain and Germany, to lead the process for a solution.
No one is talking about peace (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) After the Yom Kippur War, like now, the concept of 'land for peace' was never taken seriously by Israel's leadership; then, like now, Israel was blinded by hubris.
This Yom Kippur, Israelis are owed some apologies (Nehemia Shtrasler, Haaretz+) IDF chief of staff, Bank of Israel governor and Finance Ministry commissioner have a lot to atone for this Yom Kippur.
For Israeli soldiers who killed Palestinians civilians, nameless equals blameless (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Preserving the anonymity of soldiers who killed Palestinian civilians is another way of shrugging off responsibility.
Between mind and soul (Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) The Yom Kippur War left an entire nation looking for answers, but one thing is clear -- the leadership must ensure security, and the citizens must realize that their security comes at a price.
Israel is not killing the Palestinian people - it's killing their culture (Yossi Sarid, Haaretz+) It is a local version of ethnocide, which erases language, names, symbols and narratives of the abundant minority that lives among us. This is how the tapestry of its life is unraveled and broken apart
The rules of war need to change (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) The West has no chance against Islamic State terrorists unless it allows itself to set aside the existing rules of war.
To IDF chief of staff: Clear the fog over the 'Hannibal Directive' (Uri Misgav, Haaretz+) Time has come for combat soldiers, parents and citizens to know the truth about procedure which seems to be less about saving captive soldiers than about killing them together with their captors.
Moving to Berlin, maybe you'll pay less for a Milky (chocolate pudding), but what will you tell your grandchildren? (Ben Caspit, Maariv) 3000 years after the birth of the Jewish nation, and 75 years after the Nazis threatened to eradicate it, many Jews are returning to the place where the Holocaust took place in order to save a few shekels on a Milky and on rent. True, the cost of living is outrageous here, but the battle (to change it) must be conducted in the country.
The genome of Islamic terrorism (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) Islamic State, Hamas, Hezbollah and the other Islamic terrorist organizations, like Al-Qaida and Nusra Front, all carry the gene that calls for the destruction of the State of Israel.
Importance of media balance on Gaza war (Yiftah Curiel, Yedioth/Ynet) While parts of mainstream media in Britain learned lessons from previous conflicts and offered a more mature coverage, many sent correspondents to Gaza to focus on emotional stories.
Is the IDF capable of examining itself after Gaza? (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) The army has no problem learning tactical lessons, but will it be required to deal with the higher, system-wide issues as well?
In Carmiel, some residents are more equal than others (Kobi Niv, Haaretz+) The town of Carmiel, in the Galilee decided to ban 'outside residents' during Yom Kippur, but who are these outsiders? Are they perhaps Arabs? It's difficult to get an answer.
PA denies Jewish nationalism (Uri Heitner, Israel Hayom) The Palestinian denial of Israel's right to exist is the sole reason for the endless prolongation of the conflict.
Blame it on the Israeli left-wingers (Noa Osterreicher, Haaretz+) Just like the jar of oil that lasted for eight days, the weak and crumbling power of the left wing is all it takes to paralyze Netanyahu’s government.
Hezbollah has changed the rules of the game (Yossi Yehoshua,Yedioth/Ynet) While IDF was busy with budget wars and failed to properly equip itself for next war on northern front, Shiite organization did exact opposite.
Israeli binationalism is old news (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Just accept it, Israel became a binational state 47 years ago when it occupied the territories. All that’s left is to decide whether it will be binational with a democracy or an apartheid regime.
Obama will not endanger himself for the settlements (Uri Savir, Maariv) Netanyahu dismisses the 'internationalization' of resolving the conflict and relies on the Americans, but he is mistaken. The USA of Obama won't clash with its allies of negotiations with Iran and the war against ISIS in order for Israel to implement its 'Settlers First' policy. After the congressional elections on November 4, the US government will not return to managing the peace process, rather it will give the Europeans the freedom, especially France, Britain and Germany, to lead the process for a solution.
No one is talking about peace (Sever Plocker, Yedioth/Ynet) After the Yom Kippur War, like now, the concept of 'land for peace' was never taken seriously by Israel's leadership; then, like now, Israel was blinded by hubris.
This Yom Kippur, Israelis are owed some apologies (Nehemia Shtrasler, Haaretz+) IDF chief of staff, Bank of Israel governor and Finance Ministry commissioner have a lot to atone for this Yom Kippur.
For Israeli soldiers who killed Palestinians civilians, nameless equals blameless (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) Preserving the anonymity of soldiers who killed Palestinian civilians is another way of shrugging off responsibility.
Between mind and soul (Haim Shine, Israel Hayom) The Yom Kippur War left an entire nation looking for answers, but one thing is clear -- the leadership must ensure security, and the citizens must realize that their security comes at a price.
Israel is not killing the Palestinian people - it's killing their culture (Yossi Sarid, Haaretz+) It is a local version of ethnocide, which erases language, names, symbols and narratives of the abundant minority that lives among us. This is how the tapestry of its life is unraveled and broken apart
The rules of war need to change (Dan Margalit, Israel Hayom) The West has no chance against Islamic State terrorists unless it allows itself to set aside the existing rules of war.
To IDF chief of staff: Clear the fog over the 'Hannibal Directive' (Uri Misgav, Haaretz+) Time has come for combat soldiers, parents and citizens to know the truth about procedure which seems to be less about saving captive soldiers than about killing them together with their captors.
Moving to Berlin, maybe you'll pay less for a Milky (chocolate pudding), but what will you tell your grandchildren? (Ben Caspit, Maariv) 3000 years after the birth of the Jewish nation, and 75 years after the Nazis threatened to eradicate it, many Jews are returning to the place where the Holocaust took place in order to save a few shekels on a Milky and on rent. True, the cost of living is outrageous here, but the battle (to change it) must be conducted in the country.
The genome of Islamic terrorism (Moshe Arens, Haaretz+) Islamic State, Hamas, Hezbollah and the other Islamic terrorist organizations, like Al-Qaida and Nusra Front, all carry the gene that calls for the destruction of the State of Israel.
Importance of media balance on Gaza war (Yiftah Curiel, Yedioth/Ynet) While parts of mainstream media in Britain learned lessons from previous conflicts and offered a more mature coverage, many sent correspondents to Gaza to focus on emotional stories.
Is the IDF capable of examining itself after Gaza? (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) The army has no problem learning tactical lessons, but will it be required to deal with the higher, system-wide issues as well?
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.