APN's daily news review from Israel
Sunday December 21, 2014
Quote of the day:
Quote of the day:
"Whoever thinks that military deterrence is the route to peace and quiet for the Gaza bordering regions
doesn't understand that wars are won by diplomats."
--Haim Yellin, Head of the Eshkol Regional Council, where a rocket from Gaza fell in an open field.**
--Haim Yellin, Head of the Eshkol Regional Council, where a rocket from Gaza fell in an open field.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Kerry: Perry and Livni claimed that the decision at the UN would strengthen the right-wing now
- Night debate in Tkuma – Run with Bennett or Yishai?
- An injury to democracy? More parties are giving up on primaries
- For the first time since end of Operation Protective Edge, IDF attacked in Khan Yunis in response to rocket fire
- The message from the Gaza Strip: Rehabilitation or blow-up // Amos Harel
- Lt. Col who contributed to exposing the suspicions in Givati Brigade: Has commander of brigade medal of honor
- 65 scientists trying to cause environmental organizations in world to rethink about nuclear energy
- Beersheva municipality opened museum in mosque, despite opposition by Muslim residents
Yedioth Ahronoth
- The fear: Return to routine of (rocket) shooting – 4 months after Operation Protective Edge: rocket shot from Gaza
- Explosive // Alex Fishman
- “Want to be close to my dead brother” – Sister of Max Steinberg, lone soldier from US who was killed in Gaza, was moved by thousands who attended his funeral and decided to move to Israel
- Mandy’s end – Parting from hero of sex and spy scandal in Britain, who became an Israeli glamor girl
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links only)
- In Jerusalem, they warn: “Hamas carries responsibility for any escalation” – For first time since Operation Protective Edge, IDF attacked in Gaza Strip
- Time tunnel // Yossi Melman
- UN demands $856 million from Israel for damage caused in Second Lebanon War
- Deri on Yishai: He hurt Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and his path
- Kerry: Livni warned that supporting Palestinians would strengthen the right-wing
Israel Hayom
- “Diplomatic subversion” – Anger in right-wing following report that Livni and Peres warned Kerry that UN vote for recognition of Palestine would “strengthen the right-wing in elections”
- Livni-Buji and also Peres: Serial subversion // Haim Shine
- After midnight: Nation Union – Tkuma convention was meant to decide whether to stay in Habayit Hayehudi or to divide and connect with Eli Yishai
- Netanyahu: “We will not show restraint even over the shooting of a single rocket”
- End of the glamor girl of London and Tel-Aviv
- Fear of light stroke: Danny Dankner brought from jail to hospital
- Happy holiday: Tonight – 6th candle of Hannukah
News Summary:
The fear of what could come following the single rocket shot from Gaza into Israel and the report that Tzipi Livni and Shimon Peres told the US Secretary of State to veto the Palestinian UN proposal in order not to strengthen the right-wing ahead of elections were the top stories in most Hebrew newspapers today. Also, a look at surprising new ways Israel is dealing with stone-throwing in E. Jerusalem and anger at the Temple Mount.
**With the exception of Israel Hayom, analysts in the Israeli newspapers explained to readers that the rocket that fell in Israel Friday was a Palestinian signal to Israel and the international community that the Gaza Strip needs the promised rehabilitation following the devastation from the summer’s war – or else the rockets would return. However, Israel responded by attacking a cement factory it said was used by Hamas to rebuild tunnels and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Hamas was responsible for stopping all rocket fire out of Gaza. (Ynet wrongly reported immediately after the IDF strike that “the Israeli Air Force struck a Hamas training facility” and not a cement factory, as the Israeli Defense Minister announced the next day.) Hamas warned Israel against a ‘dangerous escalation.’ Meanwhile, Hamas is restoring its tunnel infrastructure, the papers reported, but Israel's security establishment believes Hamas in not interested in an escalation, Maariv reported. Haim Yelin, Head of the Eshkol Regional Council, where the rocket fell in an open field, blasted the government for using a military response. "Whoever thinks that military deterrence is the route to peace and quiet for the Gaza bordering regions doesn't understand that wars are won by diplomats. After Protective Edge, the state had a unique opportunity to bring about a long-term settlement. But instead we find ourselves with a ticking clock until the next round of escalation, and the next war." Indeed, the UN has doubled its estimate of destroyed Gaza homes to more than 96,000 and warned that funds are running out to house families whose homes were damaged in military op, which may leave 'tens of thousands' out on streets during winter's hardest months. However, only 2% of the $5.4 billion pledged for Gaza has actually been delivered.
The other big story was the report that former Israeli president Shimon Peres and Hatnua leader Tzipi Livni told US Secretary of State John Kerry not to vote in favor of the UN resolution draft for a deadline to the Israeli occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state, and which Kerry repeated to European ambassadors, saying it would help Netanyahu and the far right-wing leader of Habayit Hayehudi, Naftali Bennett in the upcoming elections. Members of Likud and Habayit Hayehudi parties were furious and accused Livni of political sabotage. Haaretz reported that Kerry did not rule out the possibility of US support for a modified version of the resolution, which would not set a timetable for ending the Israeli occupation. The Palestinians are under heavy pressure to delay the vote and it likely won’t take place until after Christmas, Haaretz reported. The Jordanians admitted promoting the proposal will take time and they are working with France and the UK on a version the US won’t veto. Egypt said it will back the Palestinian resolution.
It appears that Israeli leaders have decided to take a different path to calm the winds and stop the rioting in E. Jerusalem. To deal with the young Palestinian stone-throwers in E. Jerusalem, the Jerusalem municipality is starting a pilot program of a long school day for E. Jerusalem schools, Yedioth Jerusalem/mynet reported. Most of the youth are school dropouts. They will be offered school programs till 7pm with a wide range of attractive activities for youth, including billiard clubs, watching action movies and video games, and in the future, creating a coffee shop the boys will run. Initially, the program will include six schools in the east of the city, especially in neighborhoods with a high dropout rate and neighborhoods where there is a phenomenon of stone-throwing. Schools from Beit Hanina, Shuafat, Silwan and elsewhere will be included. Neighborhood authorities will be responsible for the boys after school.
At the Temple Mount, also known as Harram al-Sharif, the police decided to allow Muslim worshippers to freely attend the Friday service – and even make a protest march against policies restricting Palestinians from reaching Al-Aqsa. However this was not reported on in the Israeli media, nor were the results. According to Maan, “this week was one of the first in months in which Israeli restrictions on Palestinian access to the mosque were almost entirely lifted, allowing tens of thousands to flock to the holy compound.” The previous restrictions, as well as the increased access given to right-wing Jews to pray on the Temple Mount, in violation of agreements made in 1967 and at the expense of hours meant for Muslims, sparked daily clashes and even terror attacks. But Friday, some 60,000 Muslims worshipers prayed at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, with many buses of them coming from the West Bank. Moreover, Israel gave 200 Muslim Gazans permission to travel to Jerusalem to pray at Al-Aqsa on Friday. And what happened? Nothing. No one was kept out and there were no reports of clashes. [The Israeli Border Police were clearly given instructions to stand back and let the people make their protest march. – OH]
The fear of what could come following the single rocket shot from Gaza into Israel and the report that Tzipi Livni and Shimon Peres told the US Secretary of State to veto the Palestinian UN proposal in order not to strengthen the right-wing ahead of elections were the top stories in most Hebrew newspapers today. Also, a look at surprising new ways Israel is dealing with stone-throwing in E. Jerusalem and anger at the Temple Mount.
**With the exception of Israel Hayom, analysts in the Israeli newspapers explained to readers that the rocket that fell in Israel Friday was a Palestinian signal to Israel and the international community that the Gaza Strip needs the promised rehabilitation following the devastation from the summer’s war – or else the rockets would return. However, Israel responded by attacking a cement factory it said was used by Hamas to rebuild tunnels and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Hamas was responsible for stopping all rocket fire out of Gaza. (Ynet wrongly reported immediately after the IDF strike that “the Israeli Air Force struck a Hamas training facility” and not a cement factory, as the Israeli Defense Minister announced the next day.) Hamas warned Israel against a ‘dangerous escalation.’ Meanwhile, Hamas is restoring its tunnel infrastructure, the papers reported, but Israel's security establishment believes Hamas in not interested in an escalation, Maariv reported. Haim Yelin, Head of the Eshkol Regional Council, where the rocket fell in an open field, blasted the government for using a military response. "Whoever thinks that military deterrence is the route to peace and quiet for the Gaza bordering regions doesn't understand that wars are won by diplomats. After Protective Edge, the state had a unique opportunity to bring about a long-term settlement. But instead we find ourselves with a ticking clock until the next round of escalation, and the next war." Indeed, the UN has doubled its estimate of destroyed Gaza homes to more than 96,000 and warned that funds are running out to house families whose homes were damaged in military op, which may leave 'tens of thousands' out on streets during winter's hardest months. However, only 2% of the $5.4 billion pledged for Gaza has actually been delivered.
The other big story was the report that former Israeli president Shimon Peres and Hatnua leader Tzipi Livni told US Secretary of State John Kerry not to vote in favor of the UN resolution draft for a deadline to the Israeli occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state, and which Kerry repeated to European ambassadors, saying it would help Netanyahu and the far right-wing leader of Habayit Hayehudi, Naftali Bennett in the upcoming elections. Members of Likud and Habayit Hayehudi parties were furious and accused Livni of political sabotage. Haaretz reported that Kerry did not rule out the possibility of US support for a modified version of the resolution, which would not set a timetable for ending the Israeli occupation. The Palestinians are under heavy pressure to delay the vote and it likely won’t take place until after Christmas, Haaretz reported. The Jordanians admitted promoting the proposal will take time and they are working with France and the UK on a version the US won’t veto. Egypt said it will back the Palestinian resolution.
It appears that Israeli leaders have decided to take a different path to calm the winds and stop the rioting in E. Jerusalem. To deal with the young Palestinian stone-throwers in E. Jerusalem, the Jerusalem municipality is starting a pilot program of a long school day for E. Jerusalem schools, Yedioth Jerusalem/mynet reported. Most of the youth are school dropouts. They will be offered school programs till 7pm with a wide range of attractive activities for youth, including billiard clubs, watching action movies and video games, and in the future, creating a coffee shop the boys will run. Initially, the program will include six schools in the east of the city, especially in neighborhoods with a high dropout rate and neighborhoods where there is a phenomenon of stone-throwing. Schools from Beit Hanina, Shuafat, Silwan and elsewhere will be included. Neighborhood authorities will be responsible for the boys after school.
At the Temple Mount, also known as Harram al-Sharif, the police decided to allow Muslim worshippers to freely attend the Friday service – and even make a protest march against policies restricting Palestinians from reaching Al-Aqsa. However this was not reported on in the Israeli media, nor were the results. According to Maan, “this week was one of the first in months in which Israeli restrictions on Palestinian access to the mosque were almost entirely lifted, allowing tens of thousands to flock to the holy compound.” The previous restrictions, as well as the increased access given to right-wing Jews to pray on the Temple Mount, in violation of agreements made in 1967 and at the expense of hours meant for Muslims, sparked daily clashes and even terror attacks. But Friday, some 60,000 Muslims worshipers prayed at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, with many buses of them coming from the West Bank. Moreover, Israel gave 200 Muslim Gazans permission to travel to Jerusalem to pray at Al-Aqsa on Friday. And what happened? Nothing. No one was kept out and there were no reports of clashes. [The Israeli Border Police were clearly given instructions to stand back and let the people make their protest march. – OH]
Quick Hits:
- High Court rejects Gazans’ petition seeking entry into Israel in order to sue state - Gaza Strip residents pursuing legal proceedings against Israel are allowed to enter ‘in exceptional humanitarian cases only.’ (Haaretz+)
- Obama signs bill deepening US-Israel cooperation - U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act increases value of emergency U.S. weaponry kept in Israel to $1.8 billion. Legislation promotes closer U.S.-Israeli ties in fields of energy, water, homeland security, alternative fuel technology, and cybersecurity. (Israel Hayom)
- Israel rejects UN demand to pay Lebanon $850 million for 2006 oil spill - The United Nations General Assembly approves a resolution calling for Israel to compensate Lebanon for damages caused by an IAF strike during the Second Lebanon War. (Haaretz)
- Price tag graffiti hits Haifa promising 'revenge' - Graffiti promising "revenge" against Arabs was found Thursday morning on the wall of the mixed Palestinian-Israeli city of Haifa in northern Israel. (Maan)
- Man says Israeli settlers attempted to kidnap his 4-year-old son - Majd Asous said he left his son Nadim in parked car outside store in Huwwara village south of Nablus Friday night, when a group of Israeli settlers in a red Subaru approached the car and grabbed the boy, but fled when he started screaming. The father followed the settlers' car, which entered Bracha settlement, near Burin village. The boy was taken to hospital to be treated for trauma. (Maan)
- Settlers cut off electricity, attack homes near Nablus - A group of Israeli settlers on Thursday cut off an electricity line that supplies a Palestinian home in the village of Burin south of Nablus. Clashes erupted between settlers from outposts nearby and local Palestinians as a result of the incident. Israeli settlers also sprayed "racist graffiti" and Stars of David on Palestinian homes in the area. (Maan)
- Settler 'opens fire' on Palestinian protest in Bethlehem-area village - During a rally on Friday held against the Israeli occupation and settlement policies in the West Bank in the village of al-Masara near Bethlehem, a Jewish settler opened fire on the marchers, but no injuries were reported as a result of the attack. (Maan)
- Israeli forces open fire on Palestinians at Gaza border, injuring 6 - Israeli forces opened fire and shot six Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday afternoon while they were taking part in a protest near the border. (Maan)
- Palestinian shot, injured during weekly Qalqiliya march - Bilal Fathi Jumaa, 25, was shot in the leg Friday by live fire from Israeli soldiers during a weekly march in the Qalqiliya village of Kafr Qaddum in protest of the IDF closure of the village's entrance since 2000. (Maan)
- Israeli naval forces open fire at Gaza fishermen - Israeli naval forces on Thursday opened fire at fishing boats off the coast of the northern Gaza Strip. Several boats sustained material damage but no injuries have been reported. The fishermen managed to sail back to shore. (Maan)
- Israeli soldiers shoot, injure Palestinian near Nablus - Israeli soldiers shot and injured a Palestinian man during an arrest raid (for someone else) in the Nablus refugee camp of Askar early Thursday. (Maan)
- Watch: Police beat 16-year-old boy - "It hurt me" - Security cameras in backyard of Beit Shemesh home recorded two policemen beating a (Jewish) minor, after he fled a police car. He was released after being given a ticket for making noise. Owner of the house: "They came in (to my house) to check if there are cameras, if something has documented them. They did not even ask for permission to enter again and again, but they realized they made a mistake... My wife and sick mother are having nightmares of what they heard, those were terrible screams.” The boy said he went that night to a medical clinic and was sent for x-rays and three days later went to the hospital due to continued vomiting. (Mynet + VIDEO)
- Watch: Arrest and turmoil because of the security situation in the capital - What happens in a tense city like Jerusalem when someone (Arab) refuses to be checked by guards - the attached video answers the question. An Arab citizen arrived at the Mt. Herzl light rail station to take the train. Train security guards approached him and demanded to check him, but he refused and as a result heas not allowed to board the train. A riot broke and large police contingent sent. When they realized that this was a man with no intention of carrying out a terror attack, they calmed the riot and left without making arrests. (Yedioth Jerusalem supplement/Mynet Jerusalem+VIDEO)
- 17 ultra-Orthodox Jews accidentally entered Jericho and escorted out by Palestinians - Late Thursday night the group rode on a bus from Jerusalem to Safed/Tsfat and accidentally entered Jericho. Palestinian security forces discovered them and escorted them out in coordination with the Israeli Civil Administration. [Israel prohibits Israelis from entering Palestinian cities - OH] (Israel Hayom, p. 9)
- 'Idea of Lieberman as PM makes me shudder' - Labor MK Shelly Yachimovich says Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman's "racist expressions" disqualify him from vying for premiership. Yisrael Beytenu MK Alex Miller: She has a lot to learn before she comes close to Lieberman's skills, experience. (Israel Hayom)
- Temple Mount activist Glick running for Likud spot - Two months after being seriously wounded in an assassination attempt, Rabbi Yehuda Glick announced his running for spot on the Likud election ticket, but says he does not want or expect attain a spot that would see him turn into an MK in the next Knesset. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Meridor: I won't be the Likud's detergent - Former Likud minister asks why Netanyahu opposes the Palestinian statehood resolution at the UN when he's on record as saying he supports a two-state solution. (Haaretz)
- Arab parties mull joint ticket for 2015 elections - Balad, Ra'am-Ta'al and Hadash are said to be negotiating political union in an effort to overcome new election threshold, which places all three at risk of being left out of the next Knesset. Balad leader says joint list may be announced by next week. (Israel Hayom)
- Unique entryway to Herodian hilltop palace revealed - Archeologists uncover 65-foot-long corridor built as part of Herod's plan to turn Herodium into an artificial volcano-shaped hill, a monument meant to commemorate him. (Ynet)
- Israeli architect takes gold medal for Singapore project - Moshe Safdie's design for Sheldon Adelson's $6 billion Marina Bay Sands hotel complex has led to an uptick in the number of visitors to the Asian city. Safdie projects include libraries, government buildings, and museums all over the world. (Israel Hayom)
- Youth claims he was offered money by Bedouin politician to protest - Bedouin youth says former MK Talab El-Sana conditioned financial assistance for his studies on his participation in protest against Prawer Bill (to remove tens of thousands of Bedouin from their homes). (Ynet)
- Arab share of Israeli school population is dippin -
- Taub Center says growth trend reversed three-to-four years ago and hasn't changed. (Haaretz+)
- More Israelis forced to scavenge for food from ground - In the face of increasing food insecurity, students, heads of families pick up food from ground at markets 'because they have no other choice'. (Ynet)
- Cabinet set to approve $5.9 billion relocation of IDF bases to south - Defense establishment planning to move military bases over next five years or so, freeing up lucrative land around Tel Aviv. (Haaretz+)
- Arab newspapers: Won’t publish ads for (W. Jerusalem) Malcha mall - Malcha Mall wants to bring back the Arab customers (from E. Jerusalem), who have all but disappeared since the Operation Protective Edge, a step that caused the drop in revenue in some stores. (Yedioth Friday supplement, mynet)
- Palestinian factions meet in Gaza as thousands march in Dahlan rally - Representatives of all major Palestinian political parties met in Gaza Thursday for the first time since a series of explosions targeted Fatah last month, signaling potential thaw in Hamas-Fatah relationship. (Maan)
- Anti-Abbas posters in Gaza portray him hanging - PA president's Fatah rival Mohammed Dahlan calls on supporters to intensify protesters against Abbas in Gaza. (Ynet)
- Likud MK criticizes Abbas on Facebook post - Israeli MK and Likud member Miri Regev on Thursday criticized President Mahmoud Abbas, accusing him of inciting against Israel. (Maan)
- Salafist group claims responsibility for bombing French center in Gaza - In unverified video, Jund Ansar Allah take credit for damaging French Cultural Center in the Strip. (Agencies, Ynet)
- IDF grants entry permits for (some) Christians in Gaza, West Bank in honor of Christmas - Palestinian-Christians to receive permits to visit family outside of Gaza and West Bank starting December 19th; up to 200 will travel abroad as part of holiday season 'good faith' gesture. (Ynet and Maan)
- Hebron carpenter to make 1000 cabinets for war-torn Gaza - Ayman al-Qasrawi told Ma'an that he has already made 80 cabinets to help support those most affected by Israel's devastating summer offensive. The carpenter says he only requires the raw materials, but otherwise will not receive any fee for his work. (Maan+PHOTOS)
- Egypt to reopen Gaza crossing - For second time after a deadly attack shut down border junction, Rafah crossing to allow Palestinians stranded in Sinai to return home. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Egypt detained nearly 10,000 people in 2014, official says - Suspected militants, rioters and others wanted in violent attacks accused of attempting to curtail Egypt's development since ouster of Mohammed Morsi. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Sources: Egypt receives 10 Apache helicopters from US - U.S. reportedly goes ahead with delivery to Egypt of Apache helicopters it had put on hold after the Egyptian military toppled Morsi regime last year. In September, Pentagon said the helicopter's would bolster Egypt's counterterrorism efforts. (Agencies, Israel Hayom)
- Syrian civil war causing 'catastrophic' damage to archaeological sites - Report says some of the world's most valuable treasures under threat from widespread looting, bombardment and deliberate destruction by Islamic militants. (Haaretz)
- Indian PM Modi tweets in Hebrew: Happy Hanukkah! - 'Wishing my Jewish friends a Happy Hanukkah! May this Festival of Lights and the festive season ring in peace, hope and well-being for all,' Modi wrote in both Hebrew and English. (Ynet)
- Who really designed the Jewish war monument in - Iran? Indian Muslim calligrapher Thoufeek Zakriya claims that the design of the new Iranian monument to the country's Jewish war dead was copied from his work. (Haaretz)
- Iran honors nuclear deal with powers, IAEA report shows - While report says Iran not enriching uranium above 5 percent, it also finds Tehran 'temporarily stopped' conversion work to make higher-grade uranium less suitable for bombs. (Agencies, Ynet)
- US official: Israel will export gas to Egypt, Jordan, Turkey - Bloomberg report quotes US special energy envoy to Mideast saying Israel's gas could help overcome diplomatic tensions between Israel and Arab nations. (Ynet)
- Jordanians protest expected gas deal with Israel -
- Protesters held signs Friday against the Israeli diplomatic mission in Jordan and against normalization with Israel during the rally, bearing messages such as: "The gas of the enemy is occupation," "The people of Jordan are not collaborators.” (Maan)
- Israeli court extends detention of 7 Palestinians for Facebook posts - An Israeli court extended the detention of seven Palestinians from Jerusalem for "incitement" via Facebook for at least three more days on Friday. Reporters Without Borders ranked Israel 112th in the world for press freedom in its 2013 report. (Maan)
- Funding for Netanyahu's Likud primary campaign all from abroad - PM has raised nearly $140,000 so far, with 14 Americans and one person in Spain financially backing his bid. (Haaretz+)
- 2016 hopeful Ben Carson pledges support for Israel - Republican hopeful says he is in awe of Jewish state in first visit to Israel, deeply disappointed in President Barack Obama. Unknown to most Americans, Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, emerged as a conservative favorite in early field of GOP candidates. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- 2014 sees 7% increase in North American aliyah - A total of 3,762 Jews from US and Canada and 525 from UK fulfilled their dream to immigrate to Israel in the past year, Nefesh B'Nefesh reports. (Ynet)
- Harvard president calls for probe into halting of SodaStream purchases - The university’s dining service reportedly agreed to halt buying equipment from the Israeli firm following protests by Palestinian students and their supporters. (JTA, Haaretz)
- Birzeit students hold solidarity event with Black struggle in US - Nearly 100 students at Birzeit University in the central West Bank on Wednesday took part in a solidarity event with the African-American community in the United States in the wake of spiraling rates of deadly police violence there. (Maan)
Features:
Jews vs. Palestinians, landowners vs. trespassers
Israeli security forces have descended over and over again on Ali Moussa’s family compound in the West Bank and demolished the houses he built. Across the way the settlement of Efrat expands, unchecked. (Gideon Levy and Alex Levac, Haaretz+)
There are Christian settlers: Meet the community of "the believers"
They dress like (nationalist) religious Jews, live in (West Bank) settlements, are connected to the Bible and don’t allow touching between unmarried men and women. The community does volunteer work farming in (Jewish) communities in Judea and Samaria (West Bank) and wait for the coming of the Messiah. (Karni Elad, Maariv)
Palestinian entrepreneur seeks to turn Jerusalem into startup city - together with Jews
Palestinian entrepreneur Hani Alami is setting up an accelerator on the city’s seam line to draw budding entrepreneurs from both sides of the city. (Haaretz+)
Why did Ben-Gurion stop 1948 conquest of Judea and Samaria?
Palmach fighters were ordered to take over the territories during War of Independence, but prime minister ordered them back; researchers have several explanations. (Akiva Novick, Yedioth/Ynet)
Cussing their way to the Knesset: Israeli politicians’ juiciest insults of the week
The slurs they’re hurling at each other conceal the things they aren’t saying: what they intend to do to change things, and how. (Haaretz+)
At Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival, Sarah Silverman doesn't hold back
The stand-up comedian talks about growing up 'Jew-ee' in New Hampshire, and admits that she's probably a little naïve about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Israeli security forces have descended over and over again on Ali Moussa’s family compound in the West Bank and demolished the houses he built. Across the way the settlement of Efrat expands, unchecked. (Gideon Levy and Alex Levac, Haaretz+)
There are Christian settlers: Meet the community of "the believers"
They dress like (nationalist) religious Jews, live in (West Bank) settlements, are connected to the Bible and don’t allow touching between unmarried men and women. The community does volunteer work farming in (Jewish) communities in Judea and Samaria (West Bank) and wait for the coming of the Messiah. (Karni Elad, Maariv)
Palestinian entrepreneur seeks to turn Jerusalem into startup city - together with Jews
Palestinian entrepreneur Hani Alami is setting up an accelerator on the city’s seam line to draw budding entrepreneurs from both sides of the city. (Haaretz+)
Why did Ben-Gurion stop 1948 conquest of Judea and Samaria?
Palmach fighters were ordered to take over the territories during War of Independence, but prime minister ordered them back; researchers have several explanations. (Akiva Novick, Yedioth/Ynet)
Cussing their way to the Knesset: Israeli politicians’ juiciest insults of the week
The slurs they’re hurling at each other conceal the things they aren’t saying: what they intend to do to change things, and how. (Haaretz+)
At Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival, Sarah Silverman doesn't hold back
The stand-up comedian talks about growing up 'Jew-ee' in New Hampshire, and admits that she's probably a little naïve about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Haaretz+)
Commentary/Analysis:
Israel should welcome Palestinian UN bid seeking deadline to
occupation (Haaretz Editorial) Adoption of 2017 deadline to Israeli occupation would signal to both
sides that resolution of the conflict isn't in the distant horizon, but is rather a practical move.
Why I called on Europe to recognize Palestine (A.B. Yehoshua, Yedioth/Ynet) Giving up on the option of reconciliation and coexistence with the Palestinians casts a heavy shadow on the State of Israel's existence, novelist A.B. Yehoshua writes.
Intellectuals in service of Palestinian propaganda (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Petition urging European parliaments to support statehood only reinforces rejectionist approach and drives further anti-Semitism.
Europe, don't repeat Kerry's UN resolution failure (Shaul Arieli, Haaretz+) In formulating a replacement for the Palestinian UNSC proposal, European powers must present a complete package, acceptable to both sides. The time for courage is now.
The Palestinian noose is tightening around us (Cielo Rozenberg, Maariv) It can be argued endlessly that Europe is anti-Semitic, but we must not abandon the political arena to Palestinian whims. Currently the government is leading us to disaster, not security.
Israeli 'Arab Idol' singer dared to belong to the Middle East - now Israel may jail him (Mira Awad, Haaretz+) Haitham Khalaily, a singer from a Galilee village who thrilled millions on ‘Arab Idol,’ could bring a lot of people together – if Israel doesn’t put him in jail.
Jerusalem, where economics triumph over violence (Danny Rubinstein, Yedioth/Ynet) Despite incidents of violence in Jerusalem, demonstrations and escalating tension, the economy is bringing a semblance of normalcy to the lives of Jews and Arabs in Jerusalem.
Outlawing racism won’t erase it (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) The leader of the extreme Jewish anti-assimilation group Lehava is a Judah Maccabee of our time.
Netanyahu pulls out doomsday weapon again (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth/Ynet) Prime minister is failing to understand that the Europeans' sense of urgency is not about what happened in the continent 60 years ago, but about what is happening in the territories right now.
Time to get Netanyahu out of our sight (Yoel Marcus, Haaretz+) Bibi the magician is disappearing, and Labor is reviving; let's not let this chance of getting rid of Netanyahu slip between our fingers.
We're not going to get another miracle (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) There's a gap in understanding. Netanyahu's two-state solution includes a small, demilitarized state on the basis of PA territory. The West heard what it wanted to hear - a state along the 1967 lines.
Obama, be not ashamed – and Kerry, be not embarrassed (Yossi Sarid, Haaretz+) Netanyahu was forced to crawl to Rome to beg for an American veto in the United Nations Security Council. You didn’t need to do it, Bibi. The veto was guaranteed in advance, since America has given up a long time ago on its role as an “honest broker.”
International condemnations: So what? (David M. Weinberg, Israel Hayom) International condemnations and threats of isolation have been a permanent feature of Israel's history, and we have survived them all.
Obama, do another Cuba: Lift the perennial American veto for Israel in the UN (Carolina Landsmann, Haaretz+) Besides Cuba, there is another focus in the world in which Americans must leave behind the legacy of colonialism and communism, and that is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
What's next for Gaza: rehabilitation or blowup? (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) The present situation in the Strip is not really that different from the circumstances that triggered last summer’s war.
A fragile calm on Gaza and Lebanon borders (Giora Eiland, Yedioth/Ynet) Beyond the obvious need for intelligence surveillance of Hamas and Hezbollah, there are other things Israel can do on both fronts before finding itself in the circle of fire again.
Where was the left when the settlers hijacked Zionism? (Eva Illouz, Haaretz+) How did ideological and political forces in Israel that 20 years ago were marginal and even perceived as deviant, come to define the terms of public discourse, successfully managing to pose as Zionism?
Top brass at prestigious Israeli army unit losing luster (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Growing accusations of serious wrongdoing in the Givati Brigade indicate wider problems within the IDF.
Israel should recognize a Palestinian state – not for them, but for us (Don Futterman, Haaretz+) We must define our borders, freeze settlement expansion and recognize a Palestinian state – not for the sake of the Palestinians, but because failing to do so hurts Israelis most of all.
Did the Mossad do the impossible? (Ronen Bergman, Yedioth/Ynet) If Hezbollah's report about an Israeli spy within its ranks is true, it means Israel's secret service succeeded in recruiting a human senior source from Shiite organization's special units.
Get ready for Obama's comeback (Peter Beinart, Haaretz) Remember when the pundits adored the president? The conditions are now right for that old love to return.
2014 was the year of the 'lone wolf' terrorist (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz) Counter-terror experts compare the phenomenon to school shootings – so hard to predict that the emphasis has to be on stopping them quickly, not preventing them altogether.
Israel under diplomatic assault (Shlomo Cesana, Israel Hayom) When Ramallah holds a gun to Israel's head to gain recognition for a Palestinian state, and when Europe removes Hamas from its terror blacklist, it is hard to deny: We are under attack. Harsh messages from the U.S. aren't making things any easier.
The Jon Stewart-ization of Israeli politics (Allison Kaplan Sommer, Haaretz+) When Tzipi Livni hit Prime Minister Netanyahu - literally - below the belt in a recent appearance on a satiric comedy show, the Israeli public was taken aback.
'Public apathy could bring Left to power' (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom) Likud MK Tzipi Hotovely warns of nightmare scenario, says "national camp is fighting for its life.” Labor members are unable to feign enthusiasm about the deal with Hatnuah. Parties shopping around for political stars.
Lieberman and the Swedish foreign minister: Boycott or campaign spin? (Barak Ravid, Haaretz+) FM insists he is shunning Swedish counterpart due to her country's recognition of Palestine, but diplomats say he is preoccupied with the elections and not meeting any foreign ministers.
Why I called on Europe to recognize Palestine (A.B. Yehoshua, Yedioth/Ynet) Giving up on the option of reconciliation and coexistence with the Palestinians casts a heavy shadow on the State of Israel's existence, novelist A.B. Yehoshua writes.
Intellectuals in service of Palestinian propaganda (Ben-Dror Yemini, Yedioth/Ynet) Petition urging European parliaments to support statehood only reinforces rejectionist approach and drives further anti-Semitism.
Europe, don't repeat Kerry's UN resolution failure (Shaul Arieli, Haaretz+) In formulating a replacement for the Palestinian UNSC proposal, European powers must present a complete package, acceptable to both sides. The time for courage is now.
The Palestinian noose is tightening around us (Cielo Rozenberg, Maariv) It can be argued endlessly that Europe is anti-Semitic, but we must not abandon the political arena to Palestinian whims. Currently the government is leading us to disaster, not security.
Israeli 'Arab Idol' singer dared to belong to the Middle East - now Israel may jail him (Mira Awad, Haaretz+) Haitham Khalaily, a singer from a Galilee village who thrilled millions on ‘Arab Idol,’ could bring a lot of people together – if Israel doesn’t put him in jail.
Jerusalem, where economics triumph over violence (Danny Rubinstein, Yedioth/Ynet) Despite incidents of violence in Jerusalem, demonstrations and escalating tension, the economy is bringing a semblance of normalcy to the lives of Jews and Arabs in Jerusalem.
Outlawing racism won’t erase it (Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz+) The leader of the extreme Jewish anti-assimilation group Lehava is a Judah Maccabee of our time.
Netanyahu pulls out doomsday weapon again (Shimon Shiffer, Yedioth/Ynet) Prime minister is failing to understand that the Europeans' sense of urgency is not about what happened in the continent 60 years ago, but about what is happening in the territories right now.
Time to get Netanyahu out of our sight (Yoel Marcus, Haaretz+) Bibi the magician is disappearing, and Labor is reviving; let's not let this chance of getting rid of Netanyahu slip between our fingers.
We're not going to get another miracle (Yoaz Hendel, Yedioth/Ynet) There's a gap in understanding. Netanyahu's two-state solution includes a small, demilitarized state on the basis of PA territory. The West heard what it wanted to hear - a state along the 1967 lines.
Obama, be not ashamed – and Kerry, be not embarrassed (Yossi Sarid, Haaretz+) Netanyahu was forced to crawl to Rome to beg for an American veto in the United Nations Security Council. You didn’t need to do it, Bibi. The veto was guaranteed in advance, since America has given up a long time ago on its role as an “honest broker.”
International condemnations: So what? (David M. Weinberg, Israel Hayom) International condemnations and threats of isolation have been a permanent feature of Israel's history, and we have survived them all.
Obama, do another Cuba: Lift the perennial American veto for Israel in the UN (Carolina Landsmann, Haaretz+) Besides Cuba, there is another focus in the world in which Americans must leave behind the legacy of colonialism and communism, and that is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
What's next for Gaza: rehabilitation or blowup? (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) The present situation in the Strip is not really that different from the circumstances that triggered last summer’s war.
A fragile calm on Gaza and Lebanon borders (Giora Eiland, Yedioth/Ynet) Beyond the obvious need for intelligence surveillance of Hamas and Hezbollah, there are other things Israel can do on both fronts before finding itself in the circle of fire again.
Where was the left when the settlers hijacked Zionism? (Eva Illouz, Haaretz+) How did ideological and political forces in Israel that 20 years ago were marginal and even perceived as deviant, come to define the terms of public discourse, successfully managing to pose as Zionism?
Top brass at prestigious Israeli army unit losing luster (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Growing accusations of serious wrongdoing in the Givati Brigade indicate wider problems within the IDF.
Israel should recognize a Palestinian state – not for them, but for us (Don Futterman, Haaretz+) We must define our borders, freeze settlement expansion and recognize a Palestinian state – not for the sake of the Palestinians, but because failing to do so hurts Israelis most of all.
Did the Mossad do the impossible? (Ronen Bergman, Yedioth/Ynet) If Hezbollah's report about an Israeli spy within its ranks is true, it means Israel's secret service succeeded in recruiting a human senior source from Shiite organization's special units.
Get ready for Obama's comeback (Peter Beinart, Haaretz) Remember when the pundits adored the president? The conditions are now right for that old love to return.
2014 was the year of the 'lone wolf' terrorist (Ilene Prusher, Haaretz) Counter-terror experts compare the phenomenon to school shootings – so hard to predict that the emphasis has to be on stopping them quickly, not preventing them altogether.
Israel under diplomatic assault (Shlomo Cesana, Israel Hayom) When Ramallah holds a gun to Israel's head to gain recognition for a Palestinian state, and when Europe removes Hamas from its terror blacklist, it is hard to deny: We are under attack. Harsh messages from the U.S. aren't making things any easier.
The Jon Stewart-ization of Israeli politics (Allison Kaplan Sommer, Haaretz+) When Tzipi Livni hit Prime Minister Netanyahu - literally - below the belt in a recent appearance on a satiric comedy show, the Israeli public was taken aback.
'Public apathy could bring Left to power' (Mati Tuchfeld, Israel Hayom) Likud MK Tzipi Hotovely warns of nightmare scenario, says "national camp is fighting for its life.” Labor members are unable to feign enthusiasm about the deal with Hatnuah. Parties shopping around for political stars.
Lieberman and the Swedish foreign minister: Boycott or campaign spin? (Barak Ravid, Haaretz+) FM insists he is shunning Swedish counterpart due to her country's recognition of Palestine, but diplomats say he is preoccupied with the elections and not meeting any foreign ministers.
Interviews:
Peres: Dimona reactor was first step to Oslo
In frank interview, Israeli icon Shimon Peres recalls his many contributions to the Jewish State's nuclear weapons program, including creation of 'ambiguity' policy. (Interviewed by Amira Lam in Yedioth/Ynet)
Tami Arad: 'All I want to know is what became of him'
Nearly 30 years after Israel Air Force navigator Ron Arad's plane was shot down over Lebanon, Tami Arad talks about the long years in which she fought for his release – and of her fears that he will be forgotten. (Interviewed by Chen Kottas-Bar in Yedioth/Ynet)
Iconic Six-Day War photo recreated at Western Wall
Three soldiers captured on camera just after Jerusalem's Old City was taken in 1967 return to scene some 47 years later to recreate iconic photo with original photographer, by David Rubinger, who says it's the worst picture he ever took. (Interviewed by Chen Kottas-Bar in Yedioth/Ynet)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.
In frank interview, Israeli icon Shimon Peres recalls his many contributions to the Jewish State's nuclear weapons program, including creation of 'ambiguity' policy. (Interviewed by Amira Lam in Yedioth/Ynet)
Tami Arad: 'All I want to know is what became of him'
Nearly 30 years after Israel Air Force navigator Ron Arad's plane was shot down over Lebanon, Tami Arad talks about the long years in which she fought for his release – and of her fears that he will be forgotten. (Interviewed by Chen Kottas-Bar in Yedioth/Ynet)
Iconic Six-Day War photo recreated at Western Wall
Three soldiers captured on camera just after Jerusalem's Old City was taken in 1967 return to scene some 47 years later to recreate iconic photo with original photographer, by David Rubinger, who says it's the worst picture he ever took. (Interviewed by Chen Kottas-Bar in Yedioth/Ynet)
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.