APN's daily news review from Israel
Monday December 15, 2014
Quote of the day:
“How can a bus driver work if the passengers endanger his life? He can’t get off at the bus stop or
even change places. Like a sitting target he can only guess who will decide to attack him, curse him, spit on
him, beat and injure him.”
--Haaretz Op-Ed writer, Tirtza Flohr, laments the violence towards Arab bus drivers, many of whom have quit or stopped working in Jerusalem following the hanging of one of their colleagues and the regular violence from passengers.**
--Haaretz Op-Ed writer, Tirtza Flohr, laments the violence towards Arab bus drivers, many of whom have quit or stopped working in Jerusalem following the hanging of one of their colleagues and the regular violence from passengers.**
Front Page:
Haaretz
- Labor party approved union with Livni; Bennett and Ariel in efforts to prevent division in right-wing
- Palestinian Authority presents its move at the UN: Will submit this week resolution to end the occupation
- Climate conference: 196 countries agreed to decrease greenhouse gas emissions
- Despite Amman’s efforts, ISIS gaining support across Jordan
Yedioth Ahronoth
- Division in Shas
- Small step for women // Sima Kadmon
- “Mohammed Deif is alive” – Hamas presented video allegedly showing (Israel’s) #1 wanted man in a dark room
- Achievement for Herzog: Rotation agreement (with Livni) approved unanimously (by Labor party)
- Reason for suicide: Rape case against her father closed
- Mother killed on way back from school, son moderately injured
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- The division in Shas: Yishai establishing new party
- Lieberman responds to Likud: “Whoever wants personal liability should to North Korea”;
- Victory for Herzog: Overwhelming majority in Labor party (voted in favor) of union with (Livni’s party) Hatnuah
- Three comments (on Lieberman, Deri and Livni) // Ben Caspit
- Hamas celebrated 27 year anniversary: “We will continue the resistance”
- Week of decisions - Palestinians announced: We will as for recognition from UN
Israel Hayom
- Reserving spots and dividing – 6 places for Livni in Labor party; In Shas, Yishai expected to announce resignation
- Not afraid of zigzags // Yehuda Schlesinger
- Climax of megalomania // Mati Tuchfeld (on Livni)
- The Palestinians: We’re going to the UN
- WhatsApp version for the computer
- Why are doctors in administrative positions in the IDF earning as much as the Chief of Staff?
- Government approved: 185 million shekels for Druze and Circassian communities
- Official and final: Eisenkot is the next Chief of Staff
- Post, trauma: Doctors’ Labor Union setting appropriate behavior for doctors on social media networks
News Summary:
The Labor party convention approved the unity deal with Tzipi Livni and her Hatnua party, while Shas divided with the departure of one of its leaders, who will form a new party making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
Also high in the news was the Palestinian announcement it would submit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council this week calling for an end to the Israeli occupation within two years and the recognition of a Palestinian state. Today Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will meet with US Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss the resolution and Israel fears the US won’t veto the proposal due to the cold relations between Netanyahu and the US administration, wrote the papers. But the US decision remains unknown, despite Netanyahu’s claims yesterday that the proposal will be rejected at the UN. Arab Foreign Ministers are urging Kerry against the veto and Kerry is holding negotiations and meetings over the next few days in Europe to try to reach a compromise on a Security Council proposal that the US could agree to.
Interestingly, writing in the American Interest, former US ambassador to Israel, Daniel Kurtzer, said the US should submit a plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace and act against Israeli and Palestinian policies that it disagrees with, such as settlements or incitement – instead of just making verbal condemnations.
Also in the news was the Hamas 27th anniversary celebrations attended by thousands in Gaza and two videos it released that raise questions about Israel’s claims in Operation Protective Edge. One video shows the infiltration of Hamas activists into Israel near Kibbutz Beeri and their attack on an Israeli military outpost there killing two soldiers, after which they are seen calmly returning into a tunnel – despite IDF claims that soldiers returned fire and chased them into the tunnel. The other video purportedly shows Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas’ military wing, alive despite Israel’s claim it killed him. Only the corpses of wife and toddler son were buried after the bombing of his home. Ynet has photos from the anniversary rally.
And at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, students discovered lessons given on campus on 'Torah rules about killing a gentile,' Yedioth's Friday Jerusalem supplement/mynet reported. Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira, one of the authors of the book, "The King's Torah," which discusses when Jewish law allows killing a gentile, gives lectures at the university’s Maiersdorf Hall in the framework of a course called, ‘Torah of the Soul,’ of the teachings of Rabbi Yitzhak Ginsburg, who is another author of the book. Among others things, the book justifies hurting non-Jewish children: "There is reason to harm children if it is clear to us that they will grow up to harm us, and in such a situation harm is directed at them." In response students made a demonstration holding up signs that read: "There is no place for such people on campus." Administration: "The subjects discussed at these events are not within the framework of the university activities."
The Labor party convention approved the unity deal with Tzipi Livni and her Hatnua party, while Shas divided with the departure of one of its leaders, who will form a new party making top stories in today’s Hebrew newspapers.
Also high in the news was the Palestinian announcement it would submit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council this week calling for an end to the Israeli occupation within two years and the recognition of a Palestinian state. Today Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will meet with US Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss the resolution and Israel fears the US won’t veto the proposal due to the cold relations between Netanyahu and the US administration, wrote the papers. But the US decision remains unknown, despite Netanyahu’s claims yesterday that the proposal will be rejected at the UN. Arab Foreign Ministers are urging Kerry against the veto and Kerry is holding negotiations and meetings over the next few days in Europe to try to reach a compromise on a Security Council proposal that the US could agree to.
Interestingly, writing in the American Interest, former US ambassador to Israel, Daniel Kurtzer, said the US should submit a plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace and act against Israeli and Palestinian policies that it disagrees with, such as settlements or incitement – instead of just making verbal condemnations.
Also in the news was the Hamas 27th anniversary celebrations attended by thousands in Gaza and two videos it released that raise questions about Israel’s claims in Operation Protective Edge. One video shows the infiltration of Hamas activists into Israel near Kibbutz Beeri and their attack on an Israeli military outpost there killing two soldiers, after which they are seen calmly returning into a tunnel – despite IDF claims that soldiers returned fire and chased them into the tunnel. The other video purportedly shows Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas’ military wing, alive despite Israel’s claim it killed him. Only the corpses of wife and toddler son were buried after the bombing of his home. Ynet has photos from the anniversary rally.
And at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, students discovered lessons given on campus on 'Torah rules about killing a gentile,' Yedioth's Friday Jerusalem supplement/mynet reported. Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira, one of the authors of the book, "The King's Torah," which discusses when Jewish law allows killing a gentile, gives lectures at the university’s Maiersdorf Hall in the framework of a course called, ‘Torah of the Soul,’ of the teachings of Rabbi Yitzhak Ginsburg, who is another author of the book. Among others things, the book justifies hurting non-Jewish children: "There is reason to harm children if it is clear to us that they will grow up to harm us, and in such a situation harm is directed at them." In response students made a demonstration holding up signs that read: "There is no place for such people on campus." Administration: "The subjects discussed at these events are not within the framework of the university activities."
Quick Hits:
- Israeli military court orders Palestinian terrorist to pay NIS 3.5m to victims' family - The precedent-setting penalty goes on top of two life sentences given to Ali Sa'ada, who was convicted of murdering an Israeli man and his infant son, [Sa’ada threw stones at their car, causing the driver to lose control and crash.] (Haaretz)
- Court names Border Police officer charged with killing Palestinian teen on Nakba Day - Ben Dery is accused of firing live bullets, against orders, at a demonstrator who threw a stone at troops. (Haaretz)
- Netanyahu lauds Christians serving in Israeli army - 'We are brothers, we are partners – Christians and Jews and Druze and Muslims who defend the State of Israel,' the prime minister says. (Haaretz+)
- Report: Egypt's president thwarted deal to return IDF soldiers killed in Gaza war - Sissi told Netanyahu to hold off on such a deal to pressure Hamas, Israel Radio reports, citing London-based paper. (Haaretz)
- Religious-Zionist schools get most state aid, ministry figures show - Education Ministry figures obtained by TheMarker show they received $3,900 per pupil in 2012, compared with $3,350 for secular schools and $3,530 for Arab schools. (Haaretz+)
- Feiglin demands: One state for one nation in one country - Contender for Likud leadership makes his own Bar Ilan speech, declaring that 'the Oslo era is over' and that 'the Oslo Accords are futile, null and void.' (Ynet)
- (Hadash) Communist party meets to mull joint Arab list - Meretz to select Knesset roster on January 19. (Haaretz)
- Poll: Israeli Arabs want Tibi to lead united Arab factions - UAL-Ta'al MK has strong lead over other Arab politicians; survey finds rise in Arab voter turnout for upcoming elections. (Ynet)
- Habayit Hayehudi accuses Yedioth Ahronoth writer of bigotry - Nahum Barnea's latest column draws criticism from Habayit Hayehudi leader over its "incitement." Barnea compares Bennett to Pied Piper of Hamelin, controlled by "rabbis who are tainted with racism xenophobia, and nationalist-religious zealotry." (Israel Hayom)
- Report: Michael Oren set to join Kahlon's new party - The former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. is said to be joining Kulanu, Channel 2 reports. (Haaretz)
- 10 and 12-year-old (Palestinian children) taken in for questioning after rocks thrown at bus in J'lem - Israeli security forces detained 3 child suspects for questioning after stones were thrown at a bus driving on Jericho Road in the Old City of Jerusalem on Sunday evening. (Maan)
- Gadi Eisenkot officially becomes next IDF Chief of Staff - Current deputy chief will take up post in February after government approves nomination; Netanyahu: Eisenkot is the person in right place at right time. (Ynet)
- Pipeline owner denies involvement in Egypt-Israel gas deal - Eastern Mediterranean Gas had been cited as a conduit to direct gas from Israeli offshore gas field to Egypt. (Haaretz)
- Greek police accuse leftist terror group of attacking Israel embassy in Athens - Gun used in attack is the same AK-47 used in attack on German ambassador's residence by Popular Fighters Group, police say. (Haaretz)
- University of California workers' union approves BDS measure - United Auto Workers Local 2865 represents more than 13,000 teaching assistants, tutors and other student-workers. (JTA, Haaretz+)
- Arabs on social media: CIA torture pales in comparison - Diverse responses on Twitter include condemnation of Arab regimes; survivors tell of barbaric treatment by Assad regime and Islamic State. (Ynet)
- Female fan arrested for sneaking into Saudi soccer stadium - The woman managed to gain entrance into the Al-Jawhara stadium in Jeddah by disguising herself as a man. (Haaretz)
- Lebanon's Druze leader tweets: Time to legalize pot - Walid Jumblatt says it's time to 'allow for the cultivation of marijuana' and stop arresting those working in the field. (Haaretz)
- Turkish police raid media outlets close to Erdogan's political rival - Police detain 23 people in sweeping operation against what President Erdogan says is a conspiracy to topple him; crowd protests police raid on Zaman. (Agencies, Haaretz)
Features:
The dream: To play Hava Nagila in Teheran
The Iranian police already discovered them and has made a visit to the home of the parents of one of them in Teheran. But ‘SISTANGLIA,’ the ensemble made up of Israelis and Iranians who met in Berlin, does not plan to stop playing music. “We want to show the world that there are other voices. Not just those that talk about war and fear.” Jawad, Iranian percussion player: “I didn’t know Israeli music or Israelis and I wanted to understand why we became enemies. The politicians decide for us, but most of the people don’t think like them.” (Eldad Beck in Berlin, Yedioth’s ’24 Hours’ supplement, pp. 6-7)
Surf's up: For some the waves are the only refuge from Gaza's hardships
The Gaza Surf Club describes the sport as a way to 'forget about the hardships of living in Gaza.' (AP, Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
The Iranian police already discovered them and has made a visit to the home of the parents of one of them in Teheran. But ‘SISTANGLIA,’ the ensemble made up of Israelis and Iranians who met in Berlin, does not plan to stop playing music. “We want to show the world that there are other voices. Not just those that talk about war and fear.” Jawad, Iranian percussion player: “I didn’t know Israeli music or Israelis and I wanted to understand why we became enemies. The politicians decide for us, but most of the people don’t think like them.” (Eldad Beck in Berlin, Yedioth’s ’24 Hours’ supplement, pp. 6-7)
Surf's up: For some the waves are the only refuge from Gaza's hardships
The Gaza Surf Club describes the sport as a way to 'forget about the hardships of living in Gaza.' (AP, Haaretz)
Commentary/Analysis:
Israel's High Court: Protecting the tyranny of the majority (Oudeh
Basharat, Haaretz+) It’s a striking paradox: The court gets upset over MK Haneen Zoabi’s call for a
diplomatic siege on Israel, but not over Israel’s military siege on Gaza.
U.S. in distress over Israel's confrontational policies (Haaretz Editorial) Washington has made it clear that rhetorical juggling and slogans are no longer enough to save Israel from the Palestinian initiative.
Surviving in an Arab-Muslim ocean (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) We may not see the attempt to achieve peace with the Palestinians as the most important thing, but the world and many Muslim states see it as Israel's ticket to survival in a hostile world.
**Jerusalem’s bus drivers are sitting targets (Tirtza Flohr, Haaretz+) They can only guess who might be the passenger planning to attack them.
Benjamin Netanyahu, it's time to retire, and the sooner the better (Cielo Rosenberg, Maariv) Prime Minister, it's time to wake up, look outside and you'll understand that your time to go has arrived. Do not be a coward, do not be arrogant, climb down from the insanity. Go home for the benefit of the people.
Curtain coming down on Netanyahu’s rule (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) Tzipi Livni’s hooking up with Herzog is important both symbolically and substantively, and significantly increases the likelihood of Netanyahu’s downfall.
En route to 'land without peace' (Yehuda Ben-Meir, Haaretz+) Unfortunately, Abbas' move to impose a solution on Israel, without negotiations and without an end to the conflict, is gathering speed.
Voting on whether to stay in Israel (Naor Narkis, Ynet) The upcoming elections are not about leadership, the peace process or the cost of living; they are about whether Israel will have anything to offer its young generation in the coming years.
Easy to blame, hard to face facts (Eli Hazan, Israel Hayom) The Palestinian leadership habitually fans the flames and incites.
Palestinian-Israeli security coordination is a win-win situation for both (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Will the PA halt security coordination with Israel? Not yet, but the real threat of violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip could be brimming well below the radar of security officials anyway.
What's Gen. Sissi so scared of? (Elliott Abrams, Israel Hayom) It's not that the Egyptian government is trying to crush the Muslim Brotherhood; it is trying to crush all dissent, indeed all political and civic life.
U.S. in distress over Israel's confrontational policies (Haaretz Editorial) Washington has made it clear that rhetorical juggling and slogans are no longer enough to save Israel from the Palestinian initiative.
Surviving in an Arab-Muslim ocean (Eitan Haber, Yedioth/Ynet) We may not see the attempt to achieve peace with the Palestinians as the most important thing, but the world and many Muslim states see it as Israel's ticket to survival in a hostile world.
**Jerusalem’s bus drivers are sitting targets (Tirtza Flohr, Haaretz+) They can only guess who might be the passenger planning to attack them.
Benjamin Netanyahu, it's time to retire, and the sooner the better (Cielo Rosenberg, Maariv) Prime Minister, it's time to wake up, look outside and you'll understand that your time to go has arrived. Do not be a coward, do not be arrogant, climb down from the insanity. Go home for the benefit of the people.
Curtain coming down on Netanyahu’s rule (Amir Oren, Haaretz+) Tzipi Livni’s hooking up with Herzog is important both symbolically and substantively, and significantly increases the likelihood of Netanyahu’s downfall.
En route to 'land without peace' (Yehuda Ben-Meir, Haaretz+) Unfortunately, Abbas' move to impose a solution on Israel, without negotiations and without an end to the conflict, is gathering speed.
Voting on whether to stay in Israel (Naor Narkis, Ynet) The upcoming elections are not about leadership, the peace process or the cost of living; they are about whether Israel will have anything to offer its young generation in the coming years.
Easy to blame, hard to face facts (Eli Hazan, Israel Hayom) The Palestinian leadership habitually fans the flames and incites.
Palestinian-Israeli security coordination is a win-win situation for both (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Will the PA halt security coordination with Israel? Not yet, but the real threat of violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip could be brimming well below the radar of security officials anyway.
What's Gen. Sissi so scared of? (Elliott Abrams, Israel Hayom) It's not that the Egyptian government is trying to crush the Muslim Brotherhood; it is trying to crush all dissent, indeed all political and civic life.
Interviews:
'I speak both cultures - Hebrew and Arabic'
Just before giving up his Knesset seat, MK Mohammed Barakeh, head of the Arab-Jewish Hadash party, explains why both the left and right are distancing Israel from realizing the two-state vision. (Interviewed in Haaretz+ by Gidi Weitz)
Just before giving up his Knesset seat, MK Mohammed Barakeh, head of the Arab-Jewish Hadash party, explains why both the left and right are distancing Israel from realizing the two-state vision. (Interviewed in Haaretz+ by Gidi Weitz)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.