Someone is trying to sabotage US-Israel ties’

2014. május 11 17:30

Someone is trying to sabotage US-Israel ties’

 
Newsletter Sunday May 11, 2014
‘Someone is trying to sabotage US-Israel cooperation’
Day after Newsweek publishes article alleging Israeli espionage against the U.S., Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz rejects the allegations, says intelligence cooperation between Israel and the U.S. is „outstanding.”
 
Dan Margalit | Find another excuse
If the Americans wish to exclude Israel from the Visa Waiver Program, they should find a better reason than a made-up espionage claim.
 
Isi Leibler | Have they no shame?
The idea that freedom of expression would be bolstered by denying the free circulation of a newspaper deserves massive electoral backlash.
Sarah N. Stern | The struggle of memory against forgetting
It appears that when it comes to failed peace talks, the Obama administration has omitted some very prominent facts.
Dr. Gabi Avital | The thin professional line
Defense officials touting pseudo-rational opinions about the Iranian threat blur the fine line between professionalism and politics.
Nadav Shragai | Abomination yes, terrorism no
There is no symmetry between Arab terrorism and its victims, and „price-tag” attacks and the damage they cause.
Ministers back bill aimed at curbing release of prisoners
Ministers pass legislation that would strip president of the authority to pardon murderous terrorists in certain cases • Bill moves to plenum • Minister Naftali Bennett: Bill changes course when it comes to combating terrorism and upholding moral duties.
‘What did Indyk contribute to peace talks?’
Israeli officials respond to U.S. envoy Martin Indyk’s criticism of settlement construction: Indyk blames others without speaking about his own responsibility for the current impasse • U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to visit Israel next week.
Yedioth and big business: A love story that hurts the poor
TheMarker: Food giants’ PR campaign uses Yedioth to get favorable coverage as part of effort to shore up tarnished image and stifle reforms • Sponsored content disguised as editorial reviews • Does this not bother MKs who want to fight cost of living?
‘We need balanced television, too,’ supportive readers tell Adelson
Sheldon Adelson’s lengthy interview resonates with readers, who voice concern over Yedioth Ahronoth’s clout • „Sheldon Adelson is a Jew with a warm heart, and a great Zionist,” said one reader on Israel Hayom’s online comments section. „
Amos Oz slammed for comparing hilltop youth to neo-Nazis
Israeli author Amos Oz says „price-tag” perpetrators and hilltop youth are „Hebrew neo-Nazi groups” that receive support from „nationalist lawmakers” • Housing Minister Uri Ariel: Price-tag attacks are serious crimes, but cannot be compared to neo-Nazism.
Dr. Haim Shine | A delusional comparison
To my remorse, there are Israelis among us who see our cruel enemy as freedom fighters, and see young hooligans who slash car tires and spray-paint racist slogans — as neo-Nazis.
Netanyahu weighs bill to delay presidential election 
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes all current presidential candidates, wants six-month election delay to allow for re-examination of the institution of the presidency • Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar opposes election delay.
Mati Tuchfeld | Re-examine the presidency
The problem is not with the presidency, but rather with the presidents themselves, who too often prove that they have exhausted their statesmanship.
Nationwide emergency drill nixed over defense cuts
Defense Ministry cancels June’s nationwide emergency readiness drill over budget dispute with Finance Ministry • „We’re not trying to intimidate anyone, our resources are tapped out,” defense official says • PM Benjamin Netanyahu: This is a real crisis.
Thousands gather to honor slain Israeli woman
Shelly Dadon’s family does not attend the rally, but thanks participants • Rally organizer: We will send a message to the government to increase punishment for murderers and to increase security • Ten right-wing extremists arrested at the rally.
Tunisia in heated debate over opening doors to Israeli tourists
Two ministers supporting normalization with Israel met with harsh criticism during parliament hearing • Protesting lawmaker: „We didn’t make the revolution so that the first revolutionary decision would be normalization with the Zionists.”
Pro-Hamas paper back on sale in West Bank in new unity step
Palestinian Authority permits distribution of „Falasteen” three days after Hamas allows leading West Bank daily to be sold in Gaza • Newspaper last sold in West Bank in 2007 • Falesteen director-general calls move „a positive and important step.”
Chief rabbi helps sick boy fulfill dream to meet the pope
Mark Rouk, a 16-year-old Christian Arab boy from east Jerusalem who suffers from a chronic illness, believes the only way for him to heal is with a blessing from the pope • Chief Rabbi David Lau says he will invite Rouk to pope’s reception ceremony.
WHO to hold emergency meeting on spread of deadly MERS virus
World Health Organization hesitant to issue travel restrictions to Saudi Arabia, despite steady increase in infections there • Saudi Arabia diagnoses 10 new cases of the virus • First U.S. patient to test positive for MERS released from Indiana hospital. 
Daily Mirror calls Tel Aviv ‘cool and cosmopolitan’
In honor of low-cost airline easyJet’s new route from Gatwick Airport to Ben-Gurion International Airport, eight British journalists take in Tel Aviv’s delights • Daily Mirror reporter Trevor Davies: Tel Aviv is a fascinating and thought-provoking city.