Schlaglicht Nr. 9/20 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen 1.-15. Mai

Die Themen dieser Ausgabe

1. Neue Regierung vereidigt ...... 1 2. Pompeo bekräftigt US-Friedensplan...... 3 3. Ende der Corona-Sperre ...... 5 4. Medienquerschnitt ...... 7

1. Neue Regierung vereidigt Chef lange verweigert. Dass er letztendlich doch Israel hat eine neue Regierung. Ministerpräsident einem Zusammengehen zustimmte, begründete vom konservativen und Gantz vor allem mit der Corona-Krise. Man werde , Chef der Mitte-Partei Blau-Weiß, sich jetzt dem Kampf gegen das Virus widmen und einigten sich darauf, das höchste politische Amt zu sich um die Menschen in Israel kümmern, versprach teilen. Netanyahu soll in den ersten 18 Monaten er. Auch der Vorstand der Arbeitspartei hatte sich – Chef der Regierung sein, und am 17. November trotz heftigem Widerstand von Knessetabgeordne- 2021 das Amt an Gantz abgeben. Teil der neuen ten Merav Michaeli – für eine Regierungsbeteiligung Koalition sind auch die zwei ultra-orthodoxen Partei- entschieden en, die Arbeitspartei, die aus zwei Abgeordneten bestehende Derech Eretz und Gesher-Vorsitzende A time to judge Orly Levi-Abekasis. Das Oberste Gericht in Jerusa- By joining with Benjamin Netanyahu, Benny Gantz lem hatte Petitionen gegen eine weitere Amtszeit made the impossible possible: A man who has been Netanyahus sowie die Koalitionsvereinbarung zu- charged with serious crimes will form the next gov- rückgewiesen. Die Richter entschieden, dass es ernment and serve at its head, unless the High trotz der Korruptionsanklagen gegen Netanyahu Court of Justice intervenes. (…) the prime minister "keinen juristischen Grund" gebe, ihm das Mandat himself spreads blood libels and advocates for a zur Regierungsbildung zu verweigern. Nach israeli- coup by judicial means (…) he appoints a justice schem Recht muss ein Ministerpräsident erst nach minister who incites a civil revolt against the legal einer rechtskräftigen Verurteilung zurücktreten. Ein establishment or a public security minister who Minister muss sein Amt dagegen bereits abgeben, abandons the police force and the investigative wenn Anklage erhoben wird. Wenn das Gericht agencies to the prime minister’s attacks. Netanyahu gegen eine weitere Amtszeit des 70-Jährigen ent- is reaping the fruits of his incitement against the schieden hätte, hätten die Israelis vermutlich zum judiciary, the police commissioner, the state prose- vierten Mal seit April 2019 wählen müssen. Die cutor, the attorney general and everyone who dared Koalitionsvereinbarung von Likud und Blau-Weiß sei to investigate and to prosecute him. This is a dan- juristisch problematisch, hieß es in dem einstimmi- gerous turnabout. Instead of the accused defending gen Urteil. Dennoch gebe es gegenwärtig keinen himself in a court of law, the court is asked to defend Grund für das Gericht, sich einzumischen. Gantz itself in the public arena against attacks from the hatte den nun geschlossenen Pakt mit Netanyahu defendant, who uses the power, status, resources wegen der Korruptionsvorwürfe gegen den Likud- and stage afforded to him by his office. The attempt

1 to portray a High Court ruling as wrongful interfer- Netanyahu-Gantz deal isn't the end of democra- ence with the will of voters is dangerous demagogu- cy, and the court is stronger than ever ery. Israelis don’t vote for a prime minister, they vote (…) The High Court is (…) threatened by senior for a party. The voters’ will is expressed in the com- Likud figures, and this is nauseating. (…) The court position of the , not the identity of the prime is not supposed to interfere in political agreements. minister. (…) A government formed solely by steal- (…) The High Court presumably will not disqualify ing votes and deceiving voters is a distortion of the Netanyahu, but not because it’s weak. The legal will of the voters. Regrettably, even the attorney basis for disqualification simply doesn’t exist, espe- general, in his brief, sanctioned this abomination. cially when he has the support of 61 of the Knes- The separation of powers is intended to create a set’s 120 members and when the law says explicitly system of checks and balances among the three that a prime minister can serve under indictment. main branches of government, so that none of them (…) The coalition agreement contains myriad repul- becomes supreme. The role of the judiciary is to sive provisions, but it isn’t “the end of democracy” interpret laws and to judge. Thus, not only does the and doesn’t turn us into Turkey, or even Hungary. It court have the legal authority to rule on whether a is definitely repulsive to amend Basic Laws like this, Knesset member who has been charged with seri- in a hasty, destructive manner. There’s nothing terri- ous offenses may form the government is not only ble about giving politicians – in the future as well – under the court’s purview, it has an ethical obligation the option of forming a rotation government. But it’s to do so. an atrocity that they’ve decided not to make any Editorial, HAA, 03.05.20 senior appointments during a six-month emergency period, following 18 months in which there were no Respect the court such appointments due to repeated elections. This (…) a sitting prime minister can remain in office all provision, which stems from the infinite paranoia of the way until a final verdict (…) is handed down in Netanyahu and his family, apparently won’t be hon- his or her case. (…) The reason the law allows a ored in any case. (…) Netanyahu isn’t gaining any prime minister to remain in office until the end of the control over the legal system (….). The Judicial trial is because the resignation of a prime minister Appointments Committee will operate in exactly the leads to the collapse of the entire government and same format that it always has, chaired by a minister effectively means new elections. A minister leaving a from Kahol Lavan, with no restrictions on its activi- ministry does not. (…) the court knows that if it rules ties. (…) The betrayal felt by people who voted for that Netanyahu cannot form a coalition, he is unlike- Gantz and Labor Party Chairman Amir Peretz are ly to accept the ruling. This would lead to an un- understandable. Thanks to their votes, Netanyahu precedented constitutional crisis in Israel that would will remain in power even during his criminal trial. not only undermine the rule of law but could lead to Absurdly, however, these justified feelings are being a dangerous divide in the country, the outcome of translated into apocalyptic forecasts about the coali- which is unknown. (…) If it allows Netanyahu to form tion agreement, though the vast majority of its provi- a coalition, it will pretty much be giving alleged polit- sions are meant to protect Gantz. Netanyahu would ical corruption a stamp of approval. What kind of cheerfully abandon most of the agreement tomorrow message does this send other politicians or regular morning. folks in Israel who see that even when facing severe Raviv Drucker, HAA, 05.05.20 allegations, there are some people above the law. On the other hand, doing so would further under- High Court was right to let Netanyahu serve as mine the court’s standing in the eyes of a public that PM is already wary of what has appeared to be the The unanimous decision by the High Court (…) to court’s gross intervention into matters that many – reject the petitions against Benjamin Netanyahu particularly in the right-wing camp - have argued it serving as prime minister and to approve the coali- should not. (…) These are precarious times for Isra- tion agreement was not only the right move from a el. Whether you support Netanyahu or not, Israel legal perspective, it was also right for the public. (…) needs to retain its democratic institutions and en- we returned to the shores of restraint. It was not a sure that the rule of law survives no matter who cowardly decision, it was not the result of the threats leads the country. hurled at the court by Netanyahu and the rest of the Editorial, JPO, 03.05.20 Likud. (…) Too often did public discourse leak from politics into the judiciary and too often did judges'

2 rulings seems like public relations copy. (…) There The new Israeli government of the walking dead is no arguing that there is something fundamentally A unity government that includes a painful compro- wrong with allowing a man to form and lead a gov- mise – legitimizing Benjamin Netanyahu as premier ernment while the sword of three indictments hangs – was the only option, given the situation that had over his head. It is beneath the Knesset, the gov- developed. But it was implemented in such a crook- ernment and the nation. But a debate took place in ed, foul way that not only is it very hard to defend, the Knesset and it wasn’t Netanyahu’s acolytes who it’s very hard to see anything good in it at all. The believed - and not the courts - should coalition agreement is nothing but an insurance deliver the final verdict on the matter. (…) It does not policy for both sides. It includes a wealth of contor- matter what the judges personally think of an indict- tions and distortions of a kind redolent of a lack of ed candidate, it is important that they respect the integrity and basic trust. The most important minis- rule of law and court. Yet the story is far from over. tries in dealing with the coronavirus – the supposed The coalition agreement between Likud and Blue & purpose for which this government was established White has passed the test of the High Court, but – haven’t been given to people capable of rebuilding only “for the time being”. (…) The judges showed from the ruins or of dealing with a second wave. The restraint, now is the time to see if the politicians will legislative branch continues to be trampled (…). do the same. Netanyahu should have paid with his job (…) for his Ben-Dror Yemini, YED, 07.05.20 sins against Israeli society (…) and (…) his forcible (…) dismantling of it. (…) Amir Peretz and Itzik A government of fraud and breach of trust Shmuli of the Labor Party lost their voters’ trust and The (…) unity government (…) was born in the sin of respect, and aside from the hacks that surround the severe crimes of bribery of which Benjamin them, it’s doubtful they have any hard-core support- Netanyahu is accused. This coalition was only made ers. Gesher leader Orli Levi-Abekasis, who started possible by defrauding massive numbers of voters, out with great momentum, has become a joke, and and even before it has been established, it has the reward she received for stealing votes is running already become synonymous with the political sys- a community center. Yoaz Hendel and Zvi Hauser tem’s breach of the public’s trust. (…) Kahol Lavan (formerly Kahol Lavan, now Derech Eretz), who chairman Benny Gantz’s resignation as Knesset came to build an ethical right as a contrast to Netan- speaker is accompanied by major concern that his yahu, spat politely in their leaders’ faces and fought coalition agreement could suddenly “collapse” (…). valiantly to receive state funding for their new party. It’s difficult to think of a clearer expression of the If they ever run for election independently, it’s unlike- measure of trust prevailing between the two sides, ly they would win the votes of anyone but their own which will accompany the new government until the families. (…) What all these people have in common moment Netanyahu cedes the prime minister’s posi- is a lack of confidence in their own political futures, tion to Gantz. (…) The entire public will have to learn which spurred them to take what they could now. It’s to live with this absolute uncertainty when it comes a coalition of the walking dead. (…) to the government’s motives, in the shadow of doubt Ravit Hecht, HAA; 15.05.20 that it may not be the national interest that is dictat- ing its actions but rather the legal considerations of the person at its helm. This is an undesirable situa- 2. Pompeo bekräftigt US-Friedensplan tion for the citizens of any country, at any time and US-Außenminister Mike Pompeo hat im Verlauf under any circumstances. But in the State of Israel, seines Israel-Besuchs den Willen zur Umsetzung which at any given time is either before, after or in des Nahost-Plans von Präsident Donald Trump the midst of a round of hostilities, it involves an bekräftigt. Trump hatte den Plan im Januar veröf- explosive and dangerous situation. Even worse, it is fentlicht. Israels Ministerpräsident Benjamin Netan- coming while the government’s agenda includes a yahu bezeichnete den Besuch Pompeos trotz der unilateral change to the country’s borders; an initia- Corona-Krise als einen "Beweis für die Stärke unse- tive that could put an end to the two-state solution – res Bündnisses". Ob Israel die Annexionspläne im with the ardent encouragement of an irresponsible besetzten Westjordanland umsetzt, sei "letztlich eine American president – which is a reckless gamble israelische Entscheidung", meinte der US- over the country’s future. (…) Außenminister. Palästinenserpräsident Mahmud Editorial, HAA, 14.05.20 Abbas verurteilte die Pläne scharf und erklärte nach einem Treffen der Palästinenserführung in Ramallah

3 am 19. Mai sämtliche Abkommen mit Israel und den Lebanon, Hezbollah, to finally get their foot into the USA für ungültig. Seine Regierung sei "ab heute" strategic area. Why would Israel risk its national von all diesen Vereinbarungen entbunden, sagte security with such brash and irrational political deci- Abbas. Dies gelte auch für die Kooperation in Si- sions? The quiet on the Jordanian border is rooted cherheitsfragen. Israel betrachtet das Westjordan- in the security cooperation with the kingdom as well land nicht als besetztes Land, sondern erhebt histo- as the relative calm in the Palestinian Authority-ruled rische und juristische Ansprüche auf das Gebiet mit areas of the West Bank - achieved through blood, der Argumentation, es habe vor seiner Eroberung sweat and tears. It should be remembered that the 1967 keinem Staat gehört. Damit sei es lediglich mere existence of the Palestinian Authority as a "umstrittenes Gebiet". Die EU-verurteilte die geplan- result of the agreements between Israel and The te Annexion mit ungewohnter Schärfe und stellte Palestine Liberation Organization. If, by any chance Konsequenzen in Aussicht. Jerusalem steers away from the clauses agreed upon in the Oslo Accords, the continued existence of Give Netanyahu his lasting legacy with annexa- the PA would be meaningless, and the area would tion plunge into chaos. (…) Again, why Israel risk desta- (…) The Israeli consensus now mirrors the positions bilizing the West Bank and strengthening these in Trump’s peace plan, including the clauses ena- terror organization? The collapse of the PA would bling Israel to apply sovereignty to parts of Judea force Israel to militarily occupy the West Bank, which and Samaria. (…) an American election is coming is a burden on Israel's economy and military. (…) up, and it is possible that Trump could be defeated U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is a true friend by former vice president Joe Biden. (…) that could of Israel and therefore he should be convinced dur- be very dangerous for the future of Israel. ing his visit to pull the plan of annexation out of the (…) Former Clinton and Obama staffers are already proposed American peace plan. advising Biden about how to handle Israel, and Amos Gilad, YED, 13.05.20 misleading him, and it is already starting to show. In a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (…) Stop the annexation Biden said the US should press Israel not to take U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s lightning any actions that jeopardize a two-state solution. (…) visit to Israel is surprising. The U.S. ambassador to Israel does not need pressing. It needs to apply Israel, David Friedman, has made clear that the U.S. sovereignty to its land, and it may very well need to administration can prepare for annexation within do this sooner rather than later. This can indeed give weeks, but he also conditioned the move on the Netanyahu a lasting legacy, and it would also need for negotiations with the Palestinians accord- preempt future nightmares for the Jewish state. ing to President Donald Trump’s peace plan. Martin Oliner, JPO, 13.05.20 (…) Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, his son-in- law Jared Kushner, explained that what had been Stop the madness of West Bank annexation agreed on between the United States and Israel was Any annexation of territory in the West Bank would the establishment of a joint committee to discuss an deal a harmful blow to Israel's national security, organized road map. These statements are far from mainly by destabilizing the relatively calm border clarifying whether the United States encourages or with Jordan. The Hashemite Kingdom has been an objects to unilateral annexation. The common as- ally of the Jewish State since the 1994 peace treaty. sumption is that the U.S. administration will support The border region between the two states has even any decision the Israeli prime minister makes, turned into a strategic security zone that spans all whether it is in the framework of a peace plan or not. the way to Iraq. (…) Aside from a few sporadic inter- This is not only because of Trump’s commitment to actions, the border between the two states remains Netanyahu, but because he wants the support of the peaceful, and an "invisible hand" of the Jordanian American right, particularly the evangelicals, ahead security forces should be commended for that. Any of the November presidential election. (…) The huge application of Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank - damage anticipated from unilateral annexation of especially of the strategic Jordan Valley - will be parts of the West Bank is already visible, with the perceived by the kingdom as a violation of the his- statement by European Union countries of their toric peace treaty. Such a move would undermine intention to discuss sanctions on Israel. But a harsh the Jordanian government in the eyes of its popula- international response or a deep and irreconcilable tion, opening the door for Iran and their proxy in rift with Jordan are only part of the poisonous fruit

4 that annexation will bear. More important is the Öffnung der Schulen für alle Jahrgänge begonnen. crushing of any chance of future diplomatic negotia- Nach einem deutlichen Rückgang der Corona- tions with the Palestinians based on two states for Infektionen sollen auch die vierten bis zehnten Klas- two peoples, even when the prime minister is re- sen schrittweise wieder unterrichtet werden. Nur in placed, and the creation of an impassible obstacle Ortschaften mit vielen Corona-Infektionen sollen die facing any future government. (…) Gantz should Schulen noch geschlossen bleiben. Die Schüler present an unequivocal stand and make clear to sollen den Vorgaben nach in kleineren Gruppen Pompeo that annexation is an existential danger to unterrichtet werden und einen Abstand von zwei Israel. Metern einhalten, um eine Ausbreitung des Corona- Editorial, HAA, 13.05.20 virus zu verhindern. Schuldirektor_innen und Leh- rer_innen beklagen allerdings, dass die Einhaltung Pompeo's green, yellow and red lights for Israel der strengen Hygiene- und Social Distancing Vor- (…) it appears the secretary of state carried with him schriften in den Schulen nur bedingt möglich sei. So to Jerusalem a three-part message akin to a traffic wurde zum Beispiel aufgrund der momentanen light, whose colors alternate based on the specific extremen Hitzewelle die ab der vierten Klasse gel- matter at hand. The first message, green, signals full tende Maskenpflicht vorübergehend ausgesetzt. Der support and encouragement for Israeli military activi- Druck der Bevölkerung, wieder zu einer relativen ty against Iranian forces and weapons systems in Normalität zurück zu kehren, hat dazu geführt, dass Syria. (…) The second message, yellow, pertains to auch die Strände nun wieder geöffnet sind und Res- the timing of Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to taurants, Kaffeehäuser und Bars in den kommenden launch legislative initiatives to apply Israeli sover- Tagen ihre Tore aufsperren dürfen. Die Ungewissheit eignty in the Jordan Valley and north Dead Sea und Sorge in Bezug auf die wirtschaftlichen Folgen region. (…) the administration would rather Israel der zweimonatigen Corona-Sperre sind allerdings coordinate this step to the fullest with Washington, groß. and that it be implemented only after the joint Ameri- can-Israeli mapping committee completes its work. Please install a tracking app (…) From the perspective of the White House, post- Neither the decline in the incidence of illness, the poning annexation from early summer to the end of flattening of the curve of infection nor the fact that autumn 2020 comes with another considerable the number of Israelis who have recovered from the advantage. Israeli implementation with declared coronavirus exceeds the number of active patients presidential support, on the eve of the US election has diminished the government’s appetite for track- on November 3, could be optimal from Trump's point ing its citizens. The use of special tracking technolo- of view in terms of spurring his evangelical base to gies has enthralled the state, which refuses to give go out and vote. The vast majority of this constitu- them up even amid a gradual return to normalcy. It ency unreservedly supports this aspect of Trump's even seeks to increase intruding on citizens’ privacy. deal of the century, as does a segment of American (…) the state will require people who shop at malls Jewry. In light of his contentious battle with Demo- and open-air markets to install a tracking app on cratic rival Joe Biden, Trump would prefer to hold their cellphones to allow the government to monitor this card in his pocket for the time being (…). Finally, where they went and to conduct a swift epidemiolog- the red light. (…) We are witnessing the dawn of a ical investigation to determine whether anyone at new Cold War between Washington and Beijing. the site was ill with coronavirus. Mall managers will Israel's announcement Wednesday that it will recon- be required to develop the app and install a system sider China's role in a desalination project in the to monitor shoppers at their own expense as a con- south indeed indicates Netanyahu's desire to miti- dition for reopening. The (…) app will (…) show gate any potential friction with the US on this highly- which stores every person visited, how long they charged front. spent at each one and which are the most popular Prof. Abraham Ben-Zvi, IHY, 14.05.10 places in the mall. This is a breach of privacy that invites thievery: Mall managers are likely to have access to this valuable information as well. The 3. Ende der Corona-Sperre price of using technology to stop the spread of the Nachdem die Kindergärten und die Schulklassen pandemic has dealt a mortal blow to privacy, regard- der ersten bis dritten Klasse bereits in der zweiten less of whether the information is in private hands or Maiwoche geöffnet wurden, hat Israel nun mit der those of the government. In Israel, the blow has

5 been doubly severe, because the state has author- a return - it is more akin to a new beginning. While ized its secret security service to monitor citizens, the myriad of complaints and anger are a way for even though there are alternatives to employing the the public to justifiably express its pain and frustra- Shin Bet for this purpose. (…) tion, it also serves to illustrate the public’s inability to Editorial, HAA, 01.05.20 grasp just how much everything has changed. The criticisms we had for the ministries of health, econ- As restrictions are lifted, Israelis go back to omy and defense - legitimate as they were - are school simply no longer relevant. (…) We are all in a state (…) many local authorities decided to delay the of complete uncertainty, feeling our way in the dark- return to school due to growing dissatisfaction with ness. (…) While the modern world has given us the the government’s handling of the issue. Not only sense that we can predict everything in our lives in a was there insufficient notice for municipalities, way that makes us feel like we are in complete con- school staff and parents, none of whom were trol, this is nothing but an illusion. The only thing in properly prepared to go back to school, but the our arsenal is our ability to adapt, to find a solution practical guidelines issued were unclear and even and to solve problems. Hardships and challenges confusing. The result can be summed up in one have never deterred us - quite the opposite (…). word – balagan – a chaotic situation, which could When it comes to groundbreaking technology, coun- have been avoided. (…) It was certainly not enough tering terrorist tunnels, shooting down Hamas mis- to announce that the number of pupils per class- siles, scientific developments, and creating intricate room was limited to 17 and stipulate that children applications, we are the champions, it is in our DNA. and teachers must wear masks and maintain social The ingredient we are lacking is patience, and that is distancing. (…) The government clarified that local because we are so good at solving problems quick- authorities were not obligated to open schools within ly. But during the current crisis, speedy problem their jurisdiction, with the Education Ministry saying solving just isn’t feasible and an abundance of pa- they had until May 5 at the latest to reopen and that tience is required. The energy expended looking for attendance was not mandatory except for matricula- for someone to blame for the situation would be tion students. This mixed message only complicated better spent finding creative solutions. (…) the situation even further for local authorities and Tamar Asraf, YED, 09.05.20 parents who wanted to do the right thing and make sure their children were being protected. There are The new normal will impact the good results real concerns that children returning to school could Israel continues today to adjust to the new daily become carriers of the virus and infect adults. (…) routine in the shadow of coronavirus. Due to the We urge all those involved to thoroughly consider success in containing the pandemic, the continued the ramifications of their decisions before reopening drop in the number of newly infected and patients in any more classes. Because this is a serious matter, critical condition, there is a possibility that the exit involving human lives, there is a lesson in this for all could be faster than what the government initially of us, and especially for the powers that be. Like any planned in the areas of education, trade, transport, good student, they need to do their homework as culture, leisure, even in tourism and hotels. (…) thoroughly as possible. They need to consult with However, the public and government must not live medical and educational experts and learn from under the illusion that the coronavirus is behind us other countries such as Taiwan and Singapore about and that it is possible to go back to the routine we how to operate schools responsibly. And then, per- had before the pandemic. (…) The new routine, haps most importantly, they need to show transpar- which includes physical and social distancing, wear- ency, explain the rationale for their decisions, and ing a mask and strict hygienic rules, is difficult for us give us clear and unambiguous rules to which we all, since it goes against our natural habits and in a can all abide. way that is contrary to our human nature and social Editorial, JPO, 03.05.20 existence. But the success of exiting the coronavirus restrictions depends very much on following these What Israelis can learn from the coronavirus rules, despite this difficulty. (…) Israel must still crisis maintain a cautious, responsible and balanced poli- What was before the coronavirus outbreak cannot cy as it has until now, and continue to withstand the be again, at least not until a vaccine is found. Even irresponsible and at times outrageous demands and the return of various systems to our lives is not really calls from politicians, economists and unfortunately

6 doctors, that could ruin the considerable achieve- 4. Medienquerschnitt ments in its battle against coronavirus. (…) the exit is still taking place under the fog of war and in a Israels Feind im Libanon baut seinen Einfluss minefield (…). aus Ran Reznick, IHY, 10.05.20 Watching Hezbollah entrench itself in Lebanon The battle against coronavirus requires an exit The Iranian proxy, Hezbollah, (…) has gotten in- strategy creasingly entrenched into that territory. They have After more than a month in isolation and self- become a massive force to reckon with – the size of quarantine, it is time for Israelis to start to see that a regular army – with an arsenal of approximately there is an exit plan in place. Like in a war against 150,000 rockets staring down at Israel. And all this an enemy military, the battle against the novel coro- takes place under the watchful eye of the utterly navirus (…) also requires an exit strategy – (…) useless UN International Force in Lebanon (UNI- what happens the day after? Formulating a plan FIL).There are now conversion factories within Leb- does not mean that we are at the point for it to be anon where their dummy missiles are having GPSs implemented, but it does give a sense of hope (…). inserted into them, so with precision-guided missiles Sadly, this country’s leaders are setting a bad ex- installed in them they can be programmed to strike ample. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and critical points in Israel's infrastructure. (…) Israel has President Reuven Rivlin both hosted family mem- a sophisticated missile-defense system that can bers that do not live under the same roof as them for handle incoming missiles one at a time. We do not the Passover Seder. (…) While these (…) leaders know whether they are capable of handling swarms seemed to have no problem violating regulations, of missiles, like flocks of vultures, which we know they also had no problem calling on the public to that Hezbollah is preparing for. (…) Hezbollah con- adhere to them. (…) One of the ways for example trols two major ministries in the Lebanese govern- for Israel to get out of the quarantine would be a ment (…). Hezbollah has grown from a force of higher number of tests, which would enable the approximately 600 men when Israel withdrew from country to create “green” zones for the places where southern Lebanon in 2000 to the formidable size of there are no sick and “red” zones for the areas that approximately 40,000 men today, with a vast arsenal have a high rate of infections. (…) For that to hap- of rockets. This answers the question as to how the pen, though, Israel would need to get to a number of withdrawal from southern Lebanon worked out. tests, such as 30-50 thousand a day (…). The oppo- Israel is now careful to avoid a direct conflict with the sition of the Health Ministry to this proven model has Shi'ite force in southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah is been a mystery for weeks. (…) Then there is the well aware of Israel's massive artillery power. (…) issue with the flights that continued to land in Israel The failed state of Syria, however, provides fertile from New York, the epicenter of the coronavirus in ground for Israel to prevent a further build-up of recent weeks. Why was Israel allowing people to men, arms and equipment en route to Lebanon, or come into the country with no control over who they for Syria becoming another front dominated by Hez- were, where they were going, if they were sick and bollah. (…) who they had come in contact with? This failure led Sarah N. Stern, IHY, 10.05.20 to the continued spread of the disease. What hap- pened until now is in the past and will hopefully one day be investigated by a state commission of in- quiry. Now, the question is how Israel moves for- ward. Yes, the rate of infections seems to have slowed down and the number of dead remains at HAA = Haaretz about 1%, but Israel is far from getting itself out of YED = Yedioth Ahronoth / Ynetnews the coronavirus woods. (…) The people of Israel JPO = Jerusalem Post deserve answers to these questions and a path IHY = Israel HaYom forward. (…) TOI = Times of Israel Editorial, JPO, 12.05.20 GLO = Globes

7 Veröffentlicht im: Mai 2020 Verantwortlich: Dr. Paul Pasch, Leiter der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Israel

Redaktion: Susanne Knaul Judith Stelmach

Homepage: www.fes.org.il Email: [email protected]

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