News Nosh 10.19.14

APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday October 19, 2014

Quote of the day:
“From that day onward I have dedicated my life to this one and this only. To go from person to person and shout in the ears of everyone who will listen, and also those whose ears remain shut, that this situation is not an unchangeable decree of fate. Nowhere is it written that we have to go on dying and sacrificing our children eternally in this holy and hard land.”
--Rami Elhanan recalls the results of his first encounter with the Parents Circle Families Forum – Palestinian and Israeli Bereaved Families for Peace. **


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

News Summary:
Stories of death and survival from the Nepal avalanche and US anger at Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett were top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers. Also in the news was Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s reaction to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ call not to allow settlers visit the Temple Mount. Meanwhile, the Palestinians are moving forward with their UN resolution to get an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank in 2016.

The US accused the leader of the far-right-wing Habayit Hayehudi party, Minister Naftali Bennett of distorting the words of US Secretary of State John Kerry for political gain. Interestingly, right-wing Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman agreed with the US that it was for political gain, although he did not say whether he agreed with Kerry’s remarks made at a State Department ceremony marking the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.

The only quote that everyone used by Kerry was: "There wasn't a leader I met with in the region who didn't raise with me spontaneously the need to try to get peace between Israel and the Palestinians, because it was a cause of recruitment and of street anger and agitation," Kerry said. "People need to understand the connection of that. And it has something to do with humiliation and denial and absence of dignity," he added.
 
But most of the media explained that he had made a connection to ISIS. Haaretz+ wrote that Kerry said that the struggle to reach a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be viewed within the context of the fight against extremism such as is personified by the Islamic State group. AFP news agency also wrote that Kerry said that the unresolved Israel-Palestinian conflict was fueling recruitment for the Islamic State jihadist group. 

Bennett slammed Kerry for making the connection, writing on his Facebook page:"It turns out that even when a British Muslim beheads a British Christian there will always be someone willing to blame the Jew…The claim that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict strengthens Daesh (the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group) encourages global terror.
 
The view that the continuation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict fuels Islamic extremism has always been vehemently rejected by Israel. But even right-wing commentators from Israel Hayom and Maariv said that even though Kerry was wrong, in their view, Bennett should not attack Kerry, because the US is such a stalwart supporter of Israel. Lieberman said that the US helps Israel in many ways. “When the supply of ammunition ran out during Operation Protective Edge, it was the United States that supplied it,” Lieberman said. “The Americans were the ones who gave the money for Iron Dome. The United States was the one that helped us at the United Nations Human Rights Council and they prevent a lot of trouble in the Security Council with vetoes.” Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon released a statement Saturday that did not refer to Kerry’s remarks but emphasized the importance of Israel's ties with the United States. Ya’alon is making a five-day visit to the US to meet security heads. 
 
After on and off clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians at the Temple Mount,  Abbas said Friday that settlers have no right to 'defile' the Al-Aqsa Mosque and called for continued Palestinian presence at the mosque to defend it 'by any means possible.' (Ynet erroneously wrote ‘Abbas suggests banning Jews from holy site.)
Abbas’ call comes days after Hamas politiburo chief Khaled Mashaal made a similar call. Lieberman called Abbas’ speech 'anti-Semitic’ and compared him with ISIS.
 
Meanwhile, the Palestinians are planning to submit by the end of October their UN resolution for an end to the Israeli occupation. However, former chief Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erekat said there were 'severe difficulties' hindering the resolution, with only seven of the nine minimum required 'yes' votes in the UN Security Council. The Palestinian UN ambassador Riyad Mansour said that November 2016 was the deadline for Israeli troops to withdraw from all Palestinian territories and that if the resolution is defeated — which is almost certain because of opposition from Israel's closest ally the United States and others — the Palestinians have other options.

Quick Hits:

  • Poll: Vast majority of Israeli Jews oppose Palestinian state - Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs poll: 74.3 percent of non-Arab Israelis oppose establishment of a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, 76.2 percent oppose dividing Jerusalem and 74.9 percent oppose a withdrawal from the Jordan Valley. (Israel Hayom)
  • Police, Palestinians clash throughout E. J’lem over holiday - Children and youths among Palestinians arrested for throwing stones; Border Police officer moderately wounded by firecracker. (Haaretz+)
  • Because of the clashes - US published travel warning against traveling to the Old City - In rare warning, US consulate in Jerusalem tells US citizens not to go Jerusalem's Old City or in Arab neighborhoods of E. Jerusalem. (Israel Hayom, p. 13)
  • Lieberman slams Israeli Arab soccer team for Hezbollah tribute - Foreign minister blasts Bnei Sakhnin ceremony honoring former Balad MK Azmi Bishara, suspected of aiding the Lebanese terror group. Bnei Sakhnin team members thanked the Emir of Qatar for the contribution of two million dollars to the soccer team and declared that the man behind the donation is former MK Azmi Bishara, who became a fugitive from the law in Israel and went into exile, living abroad. Other contributors to the club were also honoured in the ceremony.  The team says it does not understand why the ceremony was inappropriate. Bnei Sakhnin fans also waved an enormous banner during the game with a picture of Al-Aqsa and the words: Jerusalem is ours.(Ynet and Maariv)
  • Alarming statistic: More troops needed psychological assistance after Operation Protective Edge - A statistic that was now exposed shows an increase in the number of applicants for psychological aid, even more than after other military operations. (Maariv
  • "Tamar was a navigator with the highest number of sorties in Operation Protective Edge" - Lt. Matan, commander of the late Tamar Ariel, who was killed in the avalanche in Nepal, talks about soldier: "She had a great and long future in the Air Force and she was seen as a model for success." Tamar's mother says: "Tamar was a strong persona from the day she was born. Simply enlightened." (Maariv
  • Missile boat crisis ends as Germany gives Israel $382 million discount - Agreement is a reversal of Berlin's earlier decision to withhold the discount because of Israel's settlement construction. (Haaretz+)
  • Defense Ministry warns new budget fails to meet IDF needs - Finance, Defense ministries at loggerhead over budget yet again. Defense officials say Finance Ministry is using defense budget to fund external spending. Finance Ministry officials say military should streamline operations to fund defense needs. (Israel Hayom)
  • Next 'Arab Idol' may be Israeli as candidates risk arrest - Manal Mousa and Haitham Khalaily have traveled to an enemy country – Lebanon –and endured Israeli security interrogations in their quest for the crown. (Haaretz+VIDEOYnet and Israel Hayom)
  • Battle heats up between Israel, JNF over land sales - Netanyahu’s team, which wants revenue from land sales to fund infrastructure projects, could strip the Jewish National Fund of tax exemptions. (Haaretz+)
  • Pressed for space, Israel building cemetery towers - After some initial hesitations, and rabbinical rulings that made the practice kosher, Israel's ultra-Orthodox burial societies have embraced the concept. (Agencies, Haaretz)
  • At least three Egyptian troops killed in collapse of tunnel to Gaza - Officer and two soldiers killed while investigating a smuggling tunnel discovered Saturday. Other troops still missing. (Agencies, Haaretz) 
  • US democracy watchdog Carter Center quits Egypt as political freedom erodes - Center founder and Israel-Egypt peace broker Jimmy Carter says 'current environment in Egypt is not conducive to genuine democratic elections.' (Agencies, Ynet
  • 'Saddam Hussein planned to kidnap Begin,' former lawyer says - Palestinian operatives were meant to kidnap the then-prime minister in retaliation for Israel's attack on Iraq's nuclear reactor in 1981, according to a new memoir by the Iraqi dictator's attorney Badie Aref. (Ynet
  • Cooking and Killing: Islamic State opens finishing school for girls - School targeted at Muslim women who are 'interested in explosive belt and suicide bombing more than a white dress or a castle or clothing or furniture.' (Haaretz
  • Middle East Updates / Iran says number of foreign tourists surges - UN Security Council urges bolstered campaign against Islamic State; car bombs rock Baghdad, killing 28; turmoil in Libya as at least 17 are killed in Benghazi, rival governments claim control over oil policy. (Haaretz)


Features:
**The saddest – and most optimistic – peace organization turns 20
What can happen when the initial desire for revenge at the loss of a loved one fades? (Haaretz+)  
The forgotten exiles of the Church of the Nativity
Twenty-six Palestinians deported to Gaza 12 years ago – and their families – still await their promised return to the West Bank. (Amira Hass, Haaretz+) 
Meet the Israeli emigre who sparked the Berlin (Milky) pudding protest
Naor Narkis, who founded the Olim LeBerlin Facebook page, reveals his identity, says he prefers Tel Aviv, but Berlin is cheaper. (Haaretz and Israel Hayom) 
Israeli citizens fighting for Islamic State: a small, yet worrying trend
While their families shun exposure, the phenomenon has sparked debate throughout Arab society in Israel. (Jack Khoury, Haaretz+) 

Commentary/Analysis:
The inflammatory Right-wing never recognized democracy (Yariv Oppenheimer, Maariv) Yariv Oppenheimer speaks about the delegitimization (campaign) against the left and against the opposition's right to battle for its path. From the point of view of those inciting, there is only room for only one view. Secretary General of "Peace Now" responds to Maariv commentator Ronen Shoval.
Yankees, go home, for the sake of peace (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) The American involvement in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has only served to deepen and perpetuate it. It's time for the U.S. to lay off. 
The summer we lost coexistence (Yael Gvirtz, Yedioth/Ynet) Apart from Israel's president, not a single governmental figure has taken responsibility for the growing animosity towards Arab citizens following Gaza war. 
The Strip of Slaughter (B. Michael, Haaretz+) More than 100 years ago, the Kishinev pogroms shocked the world. Yet we have managed to forget the innocent dead of Gaza after less than two months. 
With holidays over, Israel has a long list of burning issues (Moran Azulay, Ynet) From Islamic State to the state budget, Israel has a lot to deal with now that the Jewish holiday season has come to end – here's a roundup of the central issues facing Israel this new (Jewish) year.  
The Israeli machine powered by inertia (Carolina Landsmann, Haaretz+) The beauty of a democracy is that we can change the direction in which it is headed, before it really is too late.
Israel’s elites have the sense of a beached whale (Kobi Niv, Haaretz+) It’s hard to be appointed to a top position when you’ve got a dubious past. But this country’s would-be leaders don’t seem to realize that. 
Elie Wiesel hides ethnic cleansing behind a prayer shawl (Yossi Sarid, Haaretz+) This ostensible messenger of peace supports an organization that evicts Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem. 
Sayed Kashua meets a Green Line he likes (Sayed Kashua, Haaretz+) But just when the writer thought life is perfect in the United States, an unexpected bill turned up in his mailbox.  
The left against peace
 (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) While Labor MKs urged their British counterparts to boycott the vote on recognizing Palestine, there were those in Israel who have sadly fallen for the rhetoric of the radical left - and are only harming the chances for peace.
It's time to probe the Gaza tunnel fiasco (Haaretz Editorial) The failure of the army and government to address the threat of the tunnels from Gaza must be thoroughly investigated. 
Gaza reconstruction has nothing to do with peace talks (Giora Eiland, Yedioth/Ynet) Israeli-Palestinian negotiations reached a deadlock not because of Gaza or Hamas, but due to major gaps between the sides in regards to Judea and Samaria's future. 
Gaza reconstruction is good for Israel (Avi Benayahu, Maariv) The exclusion of Israel from the Cairo Conference (on the reconstruction of Gaza) should worry the government. In order to buy back the trust of the world, Jerusalem should invest in rebuilding Gaza.
'A diplomatic storm is coming in January' (Itamar Eichner, Yedioth/Ynet) Changes to UN Security Council bode ill for Israel as two states friendly to Israel are replaced with two that are sure to vote for full membership for Palestine at the UN, and an American veto is no longer a sure thing.
Netanyahu won the war (or so he says), but can he win the peace? (Matthew Kalman, Haaretz+) Will Israel's prime minister choose to be a Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Shamir, or Ariel Sharon?
 Israel's failed revolutionaries (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) Those who have left the country might feel comfortable living in Germany of all places, but high prices do not justify abandoning your country.
It's not the pudding, stupid (Berlin protest's organizer, Yedioth/Ynet) Israel of 2014 is a nation state for rich Jews, high-tech workers and generals' children. So don’t talk to us about Zionism. 
Between Berlin and Jerusalem: the Milky pudding is disturbing, not only because of the cost of living (Kalman Libskind, Maariv) The Milky protest is disturbing not only because of the high cost of living, but because it showed again that the discourse on emigration became legitimate almost as much as the debate about staying here. If we need to consider Tel Aviv as a secular city, why don’t we accept this argument when it comes to Beit Shemesh?  
Proud to be Israeli – in the U.S. (Haim Handwerker, Haaretz+) Attitudes toward ‘yordim’ have changed in recent years. Nobody in Israel calls them ‘traitors’ any more, while Americans now view them as entrepreneurs rather than blue-collar migrant workers.
Why has Israel changed its policy on Gaza? (Elyakim Haetzni, Yedioth/Ynet) After comparing Hamas to ISIS and asking Abbas to choose between reconciliation with Hamas or peace with Israel, why is Netanyahu cooperating with Fatah-Hamas 'unity government'?
Joining Islamic State has nothing to do with religion (Arie W. Kruglanski, Haaretz) Arie W. Kruglanski says psychology, not theology, offers the best explanation for the magnetic appeal of the jihadist organization.
Israel is trying to piss you off. And it's working. ( Bradley Burston, Haaretz+) Netanyahu doesn't want you here. He doesn't want your kind backing Israel, wherever you are. He wants La Familia and Kahana to stay, and you to go. 

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