APN's daily news review from Israel
Thursday September 11, 2014
Quote of the day:
"The peace process will help us fight this mutual threat. Those who don't want to resolve the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict are the ones who will eventually drive us to a bloody conflict with
decapitators."
--Justic Minister Tzipi Livni speaking at special cabinet discussion on ISIS threat.**
--Justic Minister Tzipi Livni speaking at special cabinet discussion on ISIS threat.**
Front Page News:
Haaretz
- Obama wants to expand the battle against the Islamic State to inside Syria
- Panic will be responded with panic: the Islamic State is not here yet // Amos Harel
- Police examining whether associates of Barak leaked highly confidential material to an advertising agency
- Former state prosecutor Lador knew in real time about the (sexual harassment) claims against Judge Yitzhak Cohen
- After publication of photos in Haaretz, third police commissioner in two years: Bruno Stein suddenly resigned after being photographed with lawyer Fisher (suspected of bribery)
- Spirit of the military commander and the police commander // Gidi Weitz
- (Education Minister) Piron promised to integrate hundreds of Arab teachers in Jewish educational system. Only 50 were assigned
- In western Negev nothing is new: After Operation Protective Edge, in Nirim the anger and sorrow rule
Yedioth Ahronoth
- How much will Rosh Hashanah cost? Yedioth checks
- Livni: Examine the actions of the State Prosecution in the case of the sexually harassing judge
- Bennet's victory
- iPhone 6 and your palm
Maariv This Week (Hebrew links)
- Destroy ISIS - 13 years after the Twin Towers tragedy, US President was expected to present early morning his plan to fight the terror organization that threatens the Middle East
- We remained outside // Ben Caspit
- Special: In Khaled Mashaal's gym
- Operation Protective Edge: IDF opened criminal investigations
- We need to investigate, for ourselves // Dr. Ronen Hoffman
- (Central District) Commander Bruno Stein resigns from police
- Criminal Moti Haseen acquitted on charges of murder
- Victory of the defense // Amir Zohar
Israel Hayom
- "No border will stop the war against ISIS" - Netanyahu held discussion on dangers of ISIS; Early morning: Obama's speech
- Shake-up in the police: Commander Stein resigns
- The performance of her life - Woman played violin while having brain surgery
- The dream proved true: Father raped his daughter
- Embarrassment at school: teacher forgot iPad, pupils pried - and found nude photos of her
- Compromise in Habayit Hayehudi: Constitution approved - and will pass a test of a special committee
- Lessons of Operation Protective Edge: Army to investigate killing of children on Gaza beach
- Holyland at the High Court: Will Olmert be jailed before the ruling in his appeal?
News Summary:
The US President's plan to destroy ISIS and the Israeli plans to deal with the terror organization, the revelation that the former state prosecutor knew about allegations of sexual harassment of a top judge and did nothing and the sudden resignation of a top police commander who was photographed at an event with a lawyer who is suspected of bribing police were the top stories of today's Hebrew newspapers.
**Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu held a special meeting yesterday to discuss steps to be taken against anyone in Israel showing support for ISIS. (Haaretz's Amos Harel wrote that Netanyahu is scaring Israelis because ISIS is not here. See Commentary/Analysis.) But Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said that "strong legislation and harsh words against ISIS are good, but not enough. Because anyone who is threatened by ISIS must also provide a solution." According to Livni, one of the solutions is to renew peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, in order to create a strong axis with Arab states, which have also come under the threat of the group. "Without peace talk we can't create such an alliance," she said. Today's newspapers were published before US President Barack Obama gave his speech (transcript here) and Netanyahu is expected to give one today as well.
Also in the news was the decision by the Israeli Military Prosecutor's office to open investigations into 99 events in which Palestinian civilians were harmed during Operation Protective Edge and open criminal investigations into five cases, including one of the attacks on a UN school and the shelling and killing of four cousins playing on the beach. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that the UN may open its own probe into the Israeli attacks on its Gaza schools, which would include Hamas use of UNRWA schools to store rockets.
The US President's plan to destroy ISIS and the Israeli plans to deal with the terror organization, the revelation that the former state prosecutor knew about allegations of sexual harassment of a top judge and did nothing and the sudden resignation of a top police commander who was photographed at an event with a lawyer who is suspected of bribing police were the top stories of today's Hebrew newspapers.
**Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu held a special meeting yesterday to discuss steps to be taken against anyone in Israel showing support for ISIS. (Haaretz's Amos Harel wrote that Netanyahu is scaring Israelis because ISIS is not here. See Commentary/Analysis.) But Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said that "strong legislation and harsh words against ISIS are good, but not enough. Because anyone who is threatened by ISIS must also provide a solution." According to Livni, one of the solutions is to renew peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, in order to create a strong axis with Arab states, which have also come under the threat of the group. "Without peace talk we can't create such an alliance," she said. Today's newspapers were published before US President Barack Obama gave his speech (transcript here) and Netanyahu is expected to give one today as well.
Also in the news was the decision by the Israeli Military Prosecutor's office to open investigations into 99 events in which Palestinian civilians were harmed during Operation Protective Edge and open criminal investigations into five cases, including one of the attacks on a UN school and the shelling and killing of four cousins playing on the beach. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that the UN may open its own probe into the Israeli attacks on its Gaza schools, which would include Hamas use of UNRWA schools to store rockets.
Quick Hits:
- Palestinian held for attempted terror attack hangs himself in Israeli prison - Raed Al-Jabari, 37, had been held since July on charges of assault in an alleged attempt to run over people in Gush Etzion. The father of five from Hebron had turned himself in, saying he had lost control of the vehicle. His autopsy was postponed. (Haaretz+ and Maan and Maan)
- IDF soldiers kill Palestinian during overnight clashes near Ramallah - Clashes erupted during arrest raid of Hamas militant, when some 50 Palestinians began hurling rocks and firebombs at the IDF troops. (Haaretz, Ynet and Israel Hayom)
- Israeli police detain Jerusalem child, 12, for several hours - Mizyid Muhammad al-Abbasi, 12, was detained Tuesday afternoon while walking home from school, relatives told Ma'an. Police interrogated him for several hours [without a parent present -OH] on suspicion of throwing stones. (Maan)
- Prisoner hospitalized after being tortured in Israeli jail - Muhammad Hussein Rabee, 33, from Beit Anan village near Ramallah, suffered health complications as a result of being tortured while held in detention, the Palestinian Authority prisoners committee said. He is now in the Shaare Zedek Medical Center. (Maan)
- EU envoy to Israel: Gaza fighting will resume if talks don't progress - Lars Faaborg-Andersen says Israel and Palestinian factions will likely receive invitation in coming days to return to Cairo to continue talks. (Haaretz and Ynet)
- Hamas MP: Group ready to fight if Israel violates ceasefire - The ceasefire agreement stipulated that Israel would immediately expand the fishing zone off Gaza's coast, allowing fishermen to sail as far as six nautical miles from shore, and would continue to expand gradually. Since Aug. 26, Israel has fired at Palestinian fishermen at least four times (Maan)
- Palestinian salaries dispute puts Gaza ceasefire at risk - Hamas thought ceasefire deal meant Palestinian Authority would renew salary payments to over 40,000 Hamas' government civil servants who have been without pay for months - Abbas' Fatah seems to think otherwise. (Agencies, Ynet)
- Rivlin slams Foreign Ministry for fueling crisis with New Zealand - Foreign Ministry vetoed New Zealand's new ambassador to Israel because he was supposed to represent the Palestinian Authority too, angering President Rivlin. (Yedioth/Ynet)
- Plan to hire more Arab teachers falls far short - Education Ministry’s goal at this point was 250 new hires; only 50 found. (Haaretz+)
- New IDF program helps prevent post trauma among Gaza fighters - Military program offers shell-shocked soldiers immediate treatment in the field, in an effort to minimize post-traumatic stress disorders. Program seeks to train all combat soldiers to recognize acute trauma reactions experienced by their peers. (Israel Hayom)
- Gaza schools still filled with displaced despite school year start - 63,000 Palestinians are still living in temporary shelters for displaced located in Gaza schools even though the academic year is set to begin in four days. (Maan)
- Israel delays plans for Jerusalem park to consult with local Arabs - The nature authority and right-wing politicians want the park to go on the only land where the neighborhoods of Isawiyah and A-Tur could expand. (Haaretz+ and Israel Hayom)
- With eye on top spot, Bennett's party changes constitution - Bayit Yehudi party members voted to change the party constitution, giving its chairman, Naftali Bennett, more authority to inject new blood into religious party, attract secular voters. (Ynet)
- Ya'alon makes surprise visit to Azerbaijan - First visit by an Israeli Defense Ministr. Azerbaijan, which has had bilateral relations with Israel for many years, is located next to Iran. (JTA, Haaretz)
- Israeli forces demolish 5 structures in Hebron village - Israeli forces on Wednesday demolished five structures in the village of Khashem al-Daraj east of Yatta in the southern West Bank. (Maan)
- Insignia of peace: New pin for West Bank army administration - Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories issues new pin depicting handshake between Israelis and Palestinians. (Ynet)
- Palestinian woman succumbs to wounds sustained in Gaza war - Samira Hasan al-Luh, 40, from Rafah had a heart attack as she was preparing to leave al-Maqasid Hospital in (E.) Jerusalem following a stay recovering from severe burns all over her body that she sustained when an Israeli missile hit her house during the Israeli assault on Gaza. (Maan)
- 'Mossad agent' found beheaded in Egypt's Sinai - 'This is the fate of all who prove to be traitors to their homeland,' the group said in the note, according to local villagers. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Israeli envoy 'deeply concerned' by removal of Belfast monument to Chaim Herzog - Ambassador to Britain Daniel Taub writes to Northern Ireland leadership over decision to take down plaque marking birthplace of sixth Israeli president. (Ynet)
- 'Home' a relative term for Israel's Davis Cup team - The Israeli tennis team will take on Argentina in the Davis Cup in Miami this weekend after the matches were moved from Tel Aviv due to Operation Protective Edge. Captain Eyal Ran: We were not happy to lose the home advantage, but it's behind us now. (Israel Hayom)
- Stop referring to Mideast extremists as 'Islamic State,' argues France FM - Laurent Fabius referred to the group as Da'ash, since 'Islamic State' does not represent Islam nor a state. (Agencies, Haaretz)
- Middle East Updates / Kerry meets with Jordan's King Abdullah to discuss anti-ISIS coalition - Putin and Rohani to meet on Friday ; UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged President Bashar Assad to seek a political solution to Syria's war, saying this would help international efforts against Islamic State militants. (Haaretz)
Features:
The new Israeli left sounds pretty right-wing
The founding conference of a new movement called Smola (“Leftward”), which took place in a Tel Aviv bar on Tuesday, was one of the most depressing left-wing events ever held around here. The movement, headed by a former head of the Labor Party’s youth wing, attorney Eran Hermoni, brought in four polished political consultants to discuss the topic, “How to turn the left into a winning brand.” (Roy Chicky Arad, Haaretz+)
Left
On Rothschild Blvd a new political organization was launched this week, whose goal is to turn the left from a kicking bag to a winning brand. How is this done? "You don't say the word 'shalom' (peace) in order not to provoke antagonism. You say 'solution to the conflict.'" (Avishai Ivri, Maariv's Magazine supplement)
No ceasefire
The death of a Palestinian youth who was shot in Wadi Joz (E. Jerusalem) has sparked clashes and once again put the (Jewish) residents of the north-eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem at the frontlines. Special report from the city where the war is far from over. (Eyal Levy, Maariv's Magazine supplement, cover)
Commentary/Analysis:
The founding conference of a new movement called Smola (“Leftward”), which took place in a Tel Aviv bar on Tuesday, was one of the most depressing left-wing events ever held around here. The movement, headed by a former head of the Labor Party’s youth wing, attorney Eran Hermoni, brought in four polished political consultants to discuss the topic, “How to turn the left into a winning brand.” (Roy Chicky Arad, Haaretz+)
Left
On Rothschild Blvd a new political organization was launched this week, whose goal is to turn the left from a kicking bag to a winning brand. How is this done? "You don't say the word 'shalom' (peace) in order not to provoke antagonism. You say 'solution to the conflict.'" (Avishai Ivri, Maariv's Magazine supplement)
No ceasefire
The death of a Palestinian youth who was shot in Wadi Joz (E. Jerusalem) has sparked clashes and once again put the (Jewish) residents of the north-eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem at the frontlines. Special report from the city where the war is far from over. (Eyal Levy, Maariv's Magazine supplement, cover)
Commentary/Analysis:
Wanted: Real investigations (Haaretz Editorial) It's natural for Israelis to support the IDF, but they must also demand
the examination of whether the soldiers acted legally.
A unique opportunity for a regional alliance (Aviad Kleinberg, Yedioth/Ynet) In order to join the club of Arab states seeking to stop radical Islam, Israel must pay the entrance fee: An agreement with the Palestinians involving the evacuation of settlements.
Netanyahu’s urgent meeting inflates danger of Islamic State (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Israel has enough security concerns as it is and there is no reason to be drawn into this circus over an organization that doesn’t currently have us in its sights.
Islamic State left Obama with no other choice (Orly Azoulay, Yedioth/Ynet) Even Obama can't believe that instead of stopping the wars started by President Bush, he is increasingly growing to resemble him.
Obama's awakening: The leader of the free world remembered who he was (Ben Caspit, Maariv) It's time you stop whining, say Americans to all the complainers. America is here and whoever thought differently will understand very soon his mistake. Happy is the believer. Meanwhile the Americans have the right to be presumed innocent. Obama delivered a leadership speech last night, with aggressive sparks. People say that the United States will use all necessary measures against ISIS.
The objectives of Operation Protective Edge were not achieved (Ron Miburg, Maariv) In front of people who insist that we won the operation, there are the facts that must be stuck to: Israel was drawn into a war of attrition and Hamas' ability to rain down missiles was not immobilized.
Arab, speak Arabic (Salman Masalha, Haaretz+) Israel's Arab MKs can look to Jabotinsky for inspiration about how to achieve real equality between Arabic and Hebrew.
Israel needs a professional army (Yaron Lerman, Yedioth/Ynet) Operation Protective Edge shows the need for a smart army comprising experienced soldiers equipped with the best, most modern weaponry.
What type of right do you want? (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Between most of the political parties in Israel there is only one party line, and it is a line of conservatism and pretending.
Would the real 'anonymous' please stand up (Gideon Allon, Israel Hayom) Allowing senior political sources to remain anonymous when commenting on cardinal issues allows them to shirk accountability.
Back to liberal Zionism (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) Israel's silent majority needs to rise up against the extremists from both right and left and free itself of their stranglehold.
As Israelis observe the Arab world, logic makes way for fear (Uzi Baram, Haaretz+) Today, with guys running around Iraq and Syria cutting off heads, the fears that get peddled in Israel are snapped up immediately.
Had Israel given up the Golan... (MK Yariv Levin, Israel Hayom) Luckily, we were spared from what would have been a train wreck of unimaginable proportions.
2Statewashing: How American Jews sanitize Netanyahu’s rejectionism (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) The two-state solution has become something infinitely elastic: It means whatever the Israeli government says it means.
Facing reality after Protective Edge (Isi Leibler, Israel Hayom) We must not abandon the long-term goal of a two-state solution, but for now, it is off the agenda.
Hostage dilemmas: Learning from Hamas to use against ISIS (Ariel Colonomos, Haaretz+) Hamas' abduction attempts and Israel's harsh response raise moral and political choices that many other states with nationals taken hostage by Islamist groups must also confront.
Palestine in Sinai? (Elliott Abrams, Israel Hayom) If the idea was actually floated by the Sissi government, it shows how little the Palestinians and their ambitions count in Cairo these days.
In his pivotal speech on the war against ISIS, it’s Obama vs. himself (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) On the eve of the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 bombings, Americans have internalized the likelihood that somewhere down the line, ISIS will try and outdo its Al-Qaida progenitor.
Can Bennett shake Israel's national-religious old guard into a modern new party? (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) Like Lieberman and Lapid, Bennett's goal is to become prime minister. And he believes that to conquer this peak, he must be freed of the rusty chains and the religious, party-hack image of his rabbis and teachers.
A unique opportunity for a regional alliance (Aviad Kleinberg, Yedioth/Ynet) In order to join the club of Arab states seeking to stop radical Islam, Israel must pay the entrance fee: An agreement with the Palestinians involving the evacuation of settlements.
Netanyahu’s urgent meeting inflates danger of Islamic State (Amos Harel, Haaretz+) Israel has enough security concerns as it is and there is no reason to be drawn into this circus over an organization that doesn’t currently have us in its sights.
Islamic State left Obama with no other choice (Orly Azoulay, Yedioth/Ynet) Even Obama can't believe that instead of stopping the wars started by President Bush, he is increasingly growing to resemble him.
Obama's awakening: The leader of the free world remembered who he was (Ben Caspit, Maariv) It's time you stop whining, say Americans to all the complainers. America is here and whoever thought differently will understand very soon his mistake. Happy is the believer. Meanwhile the Americans have the right to be presumed innocent. Obama delivered a leadership speech last night, with aggressive sparks. People say that the United States will use all necessary measures against ISIS.
The objectives of Operation Protective Edge were not achieved (Ron Miburg, Maariv) In front of people who insist that we won the operation, there are the facts that must be stuck to: Israel was drawn into a war of attrition and Hamas' ability to rain down missiles was not immobilized.
Arab, speak Arabic (Salman Masalha, Haaretz+) Israel's Arab MKs can look to Jabotinsky for inspiration about how to achieve real equality between Arabic and Hebrew.
Israel needs a professional army (Yaron Lerman, Yedioth/Ynet) Operation Protective Edge shows the need for a smart army comprising experienced soldiers equipped with the best, most modern weaponry.
What type of right do you want? (Gideon Levy, Haaretz+) Between most of the political parties in Israel there is only one party line, and it is a line of conservatism and pretending.
Would the real 'anonymous' please stand up (Gideon Allon, Israel Hayom) Allowing senior political sources to remain anonymous when commenting on cardinal issues allows them to shirk accountability.
Back to liberal Zionism (Ari Shavit, Haaretz+) Israel's silent majority needs to rise up against the extremists from both right and left and free itself of their stranglehold.
As Israelis observe the Arab world, logic makes way for fear (Uzi Baram, Haaretz+) Today, with guys running around Iraq and Syria cutting off heads, the fears that get peddled in Israel are snapped up immediately.
Had Israel given up the Golan... (MK Yariv Levin, Israel Hayom) Luckily, we were spared from what would have been a train wreck of unimaginable proportions.
2Statewashing: How American Jews sanitize Netanyahu’s rejectionism (Peter Beinart, Haaretz+) The two-state solution has become something infinitely elastic: It means whatever the Israeli government says it means.
Facing reality after Protective Edge (Isi Leibler, Israel Hayom) We must not abandon the long-term goal of a two-state solution, but for now, it is off the agenda.
Hostage dilemmas: Learning from Hamas to use against ISIS (Ariel Colonomos, Haaretz+) Hamas' abduction attempts and Israel's harsh response raise moral and political choices that many other states with nationals taken hostage by Islamist groups must also confront.
Palestine in Sinai? (Elliott Abrams, Israel Hayom) If the idea was actually floated by the Sissi government, it shows how little the Palestinians and their ambitions count in Cairo these days.
In his pivotal speech on the war against ISIS, it’s Obama vs. himself (Chemi Shalev, Haaretz+) On the eve of the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 bombings, Americans have internalized the likelihood that somewhere down the line, ISIS will try and outdo its Al-Qaida progenitor.
Can Bennett shake Israel's national-religious old guard into a modern new party? (Yossi Verter, Haaretz+) Like Lieberman and Lapid, Bennett's goal is to become prime minister. And he believes that to conquer this peak, he must be freed of the rusty chains and the religious, party-hack image of his rabbis and teachers.
Prepared for APN by Orly Halpern, independent freelance journalist based in Jerusalem.