Schlaglicht Nr. 2/18 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen

1.-15. Februar

Die Themen dieser Ausgabe

1. Diplomatische Krise zwischen Polen und Israel ...... 1 2. Mike Pence in Israel ...... 3 3. Solidarität mit Geflüchteten ...... 4 4. Medienquerschnitt ...... 6

1. Diplomatische Krise zwischen Polen und I used to care about Polish sensitivity to charges Israel of Holocaust complicity. Not anymore Ein neues Holocaust-Gesetz, das im Entwurf zu- (…) The proposed Polish law (…) came as a shock nächst vom polnischen Parlament befürwortet wurde, to many. (…) It is indisputable that many Polish belastet die Beziehungen zwischen Warschau und people were victims of the Nazis. But it is equally . Das Gesetz sieht Haftstrafen von bis zu impossible to dispute that many of them were drei Jahren für Frauen und Männer vor, die dem pol- victimizers of their Jewish neighbors, cooperating all nischen Staat oder dessen Bürger_innen Straftaten too eagerly with the murderous policies of their Nazideutschlands zuschreiben oder die Bezeichnung German occupiers. And it is simply a fact that (…) the "polnische Todeslager" für Vernichtungslager der Na- largest ghettos and extermination camps were zis im besetzten Polen verwenden. Israels Minister- located in Poland. Should the law pass in the upper präsident kommentierte den house (…), it will surely have a boomerang effect. Gesetzentwurf mit den Worten: "Geschichte kann Journalists who once acceded to Polish sensitivities, nicht umgeschrieben werden, und der Holocaust darf and bent over backwards to find wording that is both nicht geleugnet werden." Parlamentarier_innen der considerate of their concerns and true to history and brachten nun ihrerseits einen Gesetzentwurf respectful of the suffering of victims of the Holocaust, zur Debatte, der das polnische Gesetz zu einer Form won’t do so in the future. At least, I won’t. (…) illegaler Holocaust-Leugnung erklärt. Auch die Leug- Allison Kaplan Sommer, HAA, 28.01.18 nung oder Verharmlosung der Beteiligung von Nazi- Helfer_innen und Kollaborateuren_innen soll unter Polish atrocities can't be erased Strafe gestellt werden. Der israelische Geheimdienst- (…) the Poles, it seems, were and still are anti-Se- minister Yisrael Katz forderte Netanyahu auf, den is- mites. I was 11 years old when the war broke out and raelischen Botschafter aus Polen abzuziehen. Polens at 12 I entered the Lodz Ghetto. The Poles would Regierungschef Mateusz Morawiecki verteidigte das snitch to the Germans about who was Jewish, will- Gesetz. "Auschwitz-Birkenau ist kein polnischer ingly pointing us out to turn us in to the German sol- Name, und `Arbeit macht frei´ ist kein polnischer diers. (…) The Polish law in question is preposterous. Satz“, twitterte er. The Poles were full partners with the Nazis. (…) The crime the Poles committed against the Jewish people cannot be erased with a stupid law. History recounts

1 different facts. They took the Jews' property and be- It puts an emphasis on the Holocaust, holding the longings and the only thing they gave back after the Nazi Germans exclusively accountable for it. The leg- war were the synagogues. The Poles were cruel to islation, ridiculous in itself, fits into the general trend Jews who tried returning to their homes, many times of the current Polish regime, a nationalist-Catholic- killing them. That was after the war. Over 1,000 peo- conservative regime, which is making an effort to ple were murdered at the hands of Poles after the completely rewrite the history of the German occupa- war, completely irrespective of the German extermi- tion and the Holocaust on Polish soil (…) The main nation camps. (…) Despite their best efforts to bury point in the new narrative that the ruling party is their Nazi past – they cannot outrun history. (…) they spreading and fostering (…) is absolving the Polish won't ever be able to erase the horrors they perpe- nation from the accusation of aiding the Nazis by turn- trated, not while Holocaust survivors are still alive, ing Jews in during the years of the German occupa- and not as long there are Jews in the world who can tion and even directly killing them. (…) Poland, under tell the story. the Law and Justice regime, is becoming a darker Chaim Kozienicki, IHY, 28.01.18 place by the day. This affects us not only as Israelis or Jews, but as citizens of the world and supporters The politics of memory: Poland and beyond of democracy. (…) The historical debate and our collective memory Sever Plocker, YED, 29.01.18 become tainted by an imbalance, as certain elements are celebrated, while others that do not fit the over- There is both light and darkness in Poland´s WWII arching narrative are relegated to the margins of pub- history lic discourse, castigated, and now penalized. (…) na- The Poles, indeed, suffered heavily under German tion’s history must be discussed openly and dispas- occupation, but that does not excuse them for their sionately. (…) Every voice is important as long as it excessive anti-Jewish behavior during the occupa- adds to the ongoing debate. Nobody should be ex- tion. (…) many Poles paid with their lives, as did the cluded, much less penalized, for taking part in the ex- Jews that they sheltered, when apprehended in the change of views about history, regardless of whether act of aiding one or more Jews. These thousands of such views go against the mainstream (…) narrative, Poles are indeed a mark of honor on the record of which is often rather more about politics than histori- Polish history, and all Poles can take pride in them. cal truth. (…) With the new legislation, the signal is But there is also a darker side to the story – the in- being sent that far from being internalized, the les- tense antisemitism prevalent among large sections of sons of history are selectively instrumentalized to Polish society before, during and after the war, that serve the new political masters’ vision. (…) my argu- made it doubly difficult for the kind and goodhearted ment against an imposed understanding of history fa- Poles to extend a helping hand to Jews. They had to vors an inclusive historical memory that brings to- be wary not only of the Germans who would punish gether and exposes all national experiences and nar- them with death, or at best with incarceration in con- ratives. Building a historical debate calls for never- centration camps, but of fellow Poles who could be- ending “pacting” among the past, present and future tray them to the authorities so as to benefit from some (…) toward a more critical reading of the where we paltry reward. (…) There were also thousands of plain come from. A nation that is not ready to embark on a Poles roaming the streets of Warsaw and other cities, comprehensive journey into its past is impoverished known as Szmalcowniks (…), trying to detect Jews and unable to move forward with true understanding on the run, with the aim of denuding them of whatever of who “we” really are. (…) True historical debate valuables they possessed and then turning them over must resemble democracy, where all voices are to the Gestapo for an additional reward.(…) the thou- heard. (…) Unfortunately, in Poland the past contin- sands of Poles, those known and those not ac- ues to be seen as a collection of indisputable truths, counted for, who risked their lives to save Jews are not open to divergent interpretations and historical on the top of the list of the Righteous from all other debate. (…) European countries – for they faced greater risks, Tomasz Tadeusz Konsewicz, JPO, 29.01.18 both from the brutal German occupiers and from fel- low Poles who were only too happy to see the Jews Under Law and Justice party, Poland is becoming disappear from the Polish landscape, with some, es- a darker place by the day pecially among elements in the underground, and in (…) It’s important to note that this legislation does not many villages, lending a hand in that sordid undertak- reflect an anti-Semitic approach or Holocaust denial. 2 ing. On the other hand, the Poles are right in demand- made public comments about every Israeli casualty, ing that the death camps on Polish soil not be termed while ignoring Palestinians killed, injured and ar- Polish camps, as they were constructed by the Ger- rested by Israel, including children. They also ignore, mans without consulting the conquered Poles. (…) and even have justified, expansion. the Poles did not ask that these killing centers be on They are partners with the Israeli government and their soil, so this cannot be imputed to them. (…) have encouraged the systematic denial of Palestinian Mordecai Paldiel, JPO. 30.01.18 rights. (…) Trump and his team have contributed to the further destabilization of the Middle East. They have disqualified the U.S. from playing any construc- 2. Mike Pence in Israel tive role when they have made clear that they don’t Noch vor Ende des kommenden Jahres, so ver- see Palestinians, Christians and Muslims, as equals sprach US-Vizepräsident Mike Pence, soll die Bot- to Israeli Jewish citizens. (…) As Mr. Pence visits PM schaft der USA von nach Jerusalem verlegt Netanyahu, his friend, let him have his dream apart- werden. Mit anhaltendem Applaus dankten ihm fast heid party. Let him encourage those who want to turn alle Parlamentarier_innen der Knesset. Nur die ara- a political conflict into a religious war. We, though, re- bische, antizionistische Vereinte Liste protestierte. sist that 'vision'. We (…) will continue working for a „Jerusalem ist die Hauptstadt Palästinas“, stand auf just and lasting peace that ends the occupation and Plakaten, die die Politiker_innen der drittgrößten allows for Israelis, Palestinians and the rest of the re- Knesset-Fraktion in die Luft hielten, mit dem Bild der gion to live in peace and security. beiden Moscheen auf dem Tempelberg. Das vorge- Ahmad Tibi, HAA, 21.01.18 warnte Aufsichtspersonal brauchte keine Minute, um den Protest zu beenden und die Unruhe stiftenden Driving the peace train Parlamentarier_innen aus dem Plenarsaal zu führen. Welcome to Israel, Vice President Pence. We Israelis Nach Ägypten und Jordanien war Israel das dritte have much to thank you for — (…) the cause of Land, das Pence im Verlauf seiner Nahostreise be- peace. (…) Never has the Arab-Israeli conflict been suchte. Palästinenserpräsident Mahmud Abbas kün- closer to resolution! Israel is ready. (…) All we need digte bereits im Dezember, dem ursprünglichen Rei- is a Palestinian interlocutor with whom we can get setermin des US-Vizeministers, an, dass er ein Tref- down to the nitty-gritty of deal-making. (…) Palestini- fen mit ihm ablehne. Israels Ministerpräsident Benja- ans are angry about US cuts in aid to UNRWA, the min Netanyahu hingegen pries den willkommenen agency whose purpose is solely serving Palestinian Staatsgast und die guten Beziehungen der beiden refugees and their descendants. (…) The Administra- Nationen. „Amerika hat keinen größeren Freund als tion’s steps send an important signal. That after dec- Israel, und Israel hat keinen größeren Freund als die ades of driving the peace process dismally down the USA.“ Umgekehrt widmete Pence in seiner Rede same predictable road of failure after failure, the US weite Teile der Leidensgeschichte des jüdischen Vol- is (…) challenging sacred cows that probably should kes und den Errungenschaften Israels seit der never have been sacred in the first place. (…) Presi- Staatsgründung. „Die Wunder Israels sind eine Inspi- dent Abbas’s bizarre tirade against America, against ration für die Welt.“ Die USA seien stolz darauf, als Israel, against the Jews was greeted by global indif- „Verbündeter Israel zur Seite zu stehen“. Ein Analyst ference. (…) For peace to prevail, realism must pre- des öffentlich-rechtlichen TV-Senders Kan bezeich- vail first. The simple, honest truth must prevail. (…) nete die Rede von Pence als eine „Liebeserklärung Country after country understand this. With so much an Israel“. else to worry about in the region and around the world, they recognize that the Middle East must move Boycott Mike Pence and his fellow Israeli apart- on. It is moving on. The peace train is leaving the sta- heid enthusiasts tion, and one way or another, all parties must eventu- (…) as dozens of meetings took place between Pal- ally climb aboard before it’s too late. (…) estinian and American officials, it became clear that Antony Korenstein, TOI, 22.01.18 the U.S. would never address issues of substance. (…) what an 'ultimate deal" could be might be good Mike Pence’s ‘Seinfeld visit’: A visit about nothing for negotiation between and the Yisrael (…) He believes in the six days of creation, not in evo- Beiteinu parties of the right, but it's useless in terms lution. (…) As far as he’s concerned, there’s no irref- of achieving peace between Israelis and Palestini- utable evidence that the Earth is round, and there’s ans. (…) Mr. Greenblatt and Mr. Friedman have 3 no proof of global warming. Abortions should be ille- Mike Pence’s speech. (…) A simple inquiry would re- gal, just like same-sex marriage. He won’t be alone veal the deep dark secret, the sought-after explana- with women in the same room, unless he has his wife tion for the peace camp’s political powerlessness: If by his side. He’s likeable, sympathetic, a football fan, this is how the opposition behaves, then what’s wrong and—by his own admission—an evangelical Chris- with Benjamin Netanyahu? The opposition MKs’ tian first, and only then an American. He loves the thunderous silence harmonized perfectly with the Jewish people because of their historic purpose, and loud applause by senior ministers in the most right- he loves Israel because it serves as the Jewish peo- wing and dangerous cabinet in Israel’s history (…). ple’s temporary home before they become Christian This common denominator is too narrow to include after Armageddon—the final battle between good Israel’s Arab citizens. (…) All the other opposition and evil. (…) And now he’s visiting Israel. (…) It’s ac- members, by their spontaneous apathy, proved that tually a “Seinfeld visit.” A visit about nothing. A visit their leader is none other than Netanyahu, and that with no goals, with no required achievements, with no they deserve their marginal role in the nationalist pup- continuation in a chain of visits that are part of an or- pet theater that the prime minister manages. ganized policy. It’s just a visit. (…) there is no clear Editorial, HAA, 24.01.18 American policy in the Middle East. (…) There’s simply nothing. (…) Alon Pinkas, YED, 22.01.18 3. Solidarität mit Geflüchteten Je näher der Stichtag für die Ausweisung afrikani- Pence and peace scher Geflüchteter rückt, desto stärker regt sich der It is difficult to imagine a more pro-Israel speech than Protest dagegen. Tausende Migrant_innen zogen vor the one given by US Vice President Mike Pence. (…) die Knesset in Jerusalem und vor die Botschaft von The miraculous circumstances of Israel’s rebirth were Ruanda, eins der möglichen Drittländer, die die ver- not missed on Pence. (…) Nor did he miss the biblical triebenen Menschen aufnehmen könnten. Einige promise that this miracle fulfilled (…). When Pence Männer legten sich Ketten auf die nackten Oberkör- reiterated the US’s commitment to Israel’s security per und simulierten einen Sklavenmarkt. Bis zum with Jerusalem as its capital, his words resonated 1. April, so der Beschluss der Regierung von Benja- with sincerity because they came together with deep min Netanyahu, müssen die rund 40.000 Afrika- religious, moral and historical underpinnings of con- ner_innen entscheiden, ob sie „freiwillig“ Israel ver- viction. (…) It is undoubtedly true that the remarkable lassen oder auf unbestimmte Zeit ins Gefängnis ge- ties and similarities between Americans and Israelis hen. Menschenrechtsaktivist_innen kündigten an, die do not exist to the same extent between America and Leute bei sich zu Hause zu verstecken. El-Al-Pilot_in- the Palestinians, yet Pence made it clear that the US nen wollen den Transport der Menschen ins Unge- is nevertheless committed to advancing peace for the wisse verweigern, und renommierte Autor_innen, da- sake of both Israelis and Palestinians. (…) History runter Amos Oz und David Grossman, appellierten an has shown that chances for peace are greatest when die Regierung, „moralisch, menschlich und mit Mitge- America leaders are most willing to recognize the fühl“ zu handeln. Kaum ein Dutzend der Geflüchteten special ties that unite the US and Israel and when ist bislang als Asylant_in anerkannt worden, dabei there is “no daylight” between the two nations. We kommen die meisten aus Eritrea und dem Sudan, wo hope Palestinians will see Pence’s pro-Israel speech sie Krieg und Gefängnis erwarten. Inspiriert von der as a new opportunity – not to abandon the peace pro- Geschichte der Anne Frank, dem jüdischen Mäd- cess, but to re-engage. chen, das sich mit Hilfe von Nachbar_innen in Ams- Editorial, JPO, 23.01.18 terdam über Jahre vor den Nazis versteckt hielt, ap- pellierte die Reformrabbinerin Susan Silverman an Not one Israeli opposition member stood in soli- Israels Bürger_innen, die Menschen in Not bei sich darity aufzunehmen und zu verstecken, sollte es ernst wer- (…) If members of the opposition want to know why den. „Ich kann mich vor Anfragen kaum retten“, sagte they fail time and again in their efforts to pose an al- Silverman. „Es ist, als hätten wir einen Korken ge- ternative to the Netanyahu government, they should löst.“ Nicht nur Einzelpersonen zeigten sich zur Hilfe pause for a moment over their decision to stand on bereit, sondern „komplette Gemeinden, Kibbutzim the sidelines when the Arab Knesset members were und Moschavim“. removed from the hall during U.S. Vice President

4 A state founded by refugees does not expel refu- A campaign of lies gees The public outcry over the deportation of illegal infil- (…) Living in the land of Israel today are some 27,500 trators from Israel and south Tel Aviv is based on a asylum seekers from Eritrea and 7,800 from the Dar- campaign of lies. And now that the state has finally, fur region of Sudan, who came to Israel via similar after years of deliberations in the courts, decided to tortuous routes. Many experienced rape and beatings rid us of the young, the unmarried, the criminals and in notorious “torture camps” in the Sinai desert, while all those infiltrators whose requests for asylum were their families raised tens of thousands of dollars for rejected, we are witness to a nasty and well-oiled their release. (…) because of my father’s own history propaganda campaign whose entire aim is to ensure as a refugee, I was shocked and disgusted when I the "moral elite" get to keep their busboys. (…) let's read, (…) that the Israeli Knesset had approved a bill talk about humanity, compassion and morality (…) it advocating the expulsion of asylum seekers. (…) is so easy to grow a conscience at the expense of How is it that a country founded by refugees advo- people they do not and do not want to see – the resi- cates the expulsion of refugees? (…) I wish that Inte- dents of these neighborhoods and the infiltrators rior Minister , who has said that he intends alike. So here is what I have to say to the pilots and “to use any possible means to increase the rate of the academics, the filmmakers, the doctors, the au- deportation to another country,” would listen to these thors, the managers, the lawyers, and so on and so women and ask his own conscience whether he can forth: We are keeping your letters with the lists of your justify such hateful words and deeds. (…) I hope that names. And we will soon demand you put your the schoolchildren who listened to my father will grow money where your mouth is. Because all those ex- up and think about what it means to be a refugee in empt from the deportations – the women, children, need of a home. (…) We have plowed and sown, but earners and the sick -- will not remain in our neigh- we have not reaped the lessons from our own appal- borhoods. You will be taking them home instead. ling history. Sheffi Paz, IHY, 25.01.18 Josie Glausiusz, TOI, 21.01.18 Our grandchildren will ask what we Israelis did Extending my hand to Africans in Israel during the expulsion Horror stories from the visa office were peppered with (…) Israel is not an exception: Only rarely do peoples the darkest gallows humor. As far as jokes go, I told learn from their own history and we too have not them, you’re officially Jewish now. (…) They came to learned anything. Like “our” Africans, the Jews were Israel as teenagers, with no family, each with their foreigners, another race. (…) From a practical stand- own horror story about the dangerous trek across the point, the deportation of the Africans is an act of com- desert. (…) They were all taken in by Israeli high plete stupidity. (…) They are willing without any hesi- schools, and after finishing school, with the help of tation to work alongside and in the stead of the for- good hearted people who looked after and advocated eign workers we bring en masse to Israel, because for them, they did a year of volunteer civil service. (…) Israelis – mostly the Jews among them – don’t like to The three of them, each one on his own, decided that get their hands dirty. We don’t need to bring the Afri- they wanted to study Judaism more deeply, and after cans, they are already here. True, manpower compa- years of their stubborn insistence in the face of many nies will not make any money on them, and that is attempts to discourage them, Zion partnered with the bad for the companies. But simple economic logic Hartman Institute to find them a teacher. (…) this past says that these tens of thousands of people can be Tuesday, the fear and hopelessness were so palpa- hired at minimum wage, we can receive the taxes ble that we were finding it impossible to learn. (…) For they pay until they can return home to their countries. so many of us, 37,000 Africans in Israel are “infiltra- (…) the problem is after all not economic, the problem tors,” a faceless, nameless, threatening mob. But I is skin color. was lucky enough to have the opportunity to get to (…) If we want to be loved by Africa, we will accept know just three of them. (…) They are beautiful, spe- these refugees, these “infiltrators” – may God have cial people, who have survived horrors that I cannot mercy on us – and take pride the same way we were fathom, and yet remained resilient, optimistic and lov- proud, justifiably, when we accepted Vietnamese and ing. They are not a threat. (…) Bosnian refugees. (…) They will not become Jews, Avidan Freedman, JPO, 23.01.18 they do not want that, but maybe they will become friends of the Jews, and that is more important. The moral approach here is also the pragmatic political

5 approach. If all these justifications do not help, then money, bribes, transfer of government land to officials we must appeal to those who stand to carry out the for private use and more, he said. (…) The Trump ad- deportations: The police officers who will arrest the ministration (…) understands that perpetuating previ- refugees, the Population Authority officials, the bus ous failed US policies could be catastrophic, espe- drivers who will transport them, the airline pilots who cially with Abbas at the helm. (…). will fly the deportees and the ground crews at Ben- Earl Cox, JPO, 18.01.18 Gurion International Airport. (…) Don’t do it. (…) Your grandchildren will ask: What did you do, grandma and Abbas' fiery speech has cleared up 24 years of grandpa? (…) hypocrisy Yehuda Bauer, HAA, 26.01.18 (…) The United States cannot be, and has never been, neutral in mediating the Israeli-Palestinian con- Black, white and the gray void between them flict. It is the leader of the world’s democratic commu- (…) For someone who doesn’t have to deal with nity of nations and cannot assume a neutral position noise, overcrowding, and vagrancy (…), connected between democratic Israel and the Palestinians, with the migrants, I find it impossible to hate them and whether represented by an autocratic leadership that unsavory to dislike them. What I do see is a potential glorifies acts of terror or by Islamic fundamentalists future when the same children holding their mother’s who carry out acts of terror. (…) resolving the conflict hands grow up and become quasi Israelis and con- requires direct negotiations between Israeli and Pal- tribute to Israeli society. Will they feel at home? (…) if estinian representatives. There is no substitute for indeed, the “refugees” are economic migrants, then that. (…) Most Israelis do not favor an Israeli with- Israel’s proposed measures will discourage others drawal from Judea and Samaria at this time, but ra- from coming. (…) the plan is to concentrate on single ther express their desire to be rid of as many Pales- working-age males and not to expel families with chil- tinians as possible in due time. As for Israeli settle- dren. The children have a chance of becoming “Israe- ments in Judea and Samaria, the lesson learned from lis,” even exemplary citizens (…). I hope that the gov- the forceful uprooting of the settlers from Gush Katif ernment will implement the new law with leniency, se- and the Israeli withdrawal from the is that lectively and as with as much sensitivity as possible. there will be no repetition of such acts in the future. Yet, what my heart does not sanction, my reason de- Nor will any Israeli government, present or future, mands. The government plan must be implemented prevent Israelis from settling in Judea and Samaria. and the law upheld. There is no justice for Israel’s Jews in these areas of the Land of Israel are there to own civilians in keeping all the existing migrants in stay. (…) A democratic Palestinian state that adopts Israel. They entered Israel illegally and it is Israel’s Western values would see a Jewish minority within its right, even responsibility to have most of them to re- borders as an asset that can contribute to the econ- turn to their own countries. And the sooner, the better omy of a state that will face difficult economic prob- for us all. lems. (…) Shlomo Toren, TOI, 29.01.18 Moshe Arens, HAA, 22.01.18

4. Medienquerschnitt Kein Shoppen am Shabbat

Abbas und Trump The Sabbath gentile´s grand return (…) the Shabbes goys represented the happy side of Abbas, you can´t have your cake and eat it, too Gentile-Jewish . (…) The permission for a Jew to en- (…) The PA has long misappropriated US and Euro- joy a fire kindled on the Sabbath by a non-Jew was pean aid to support jailed terrorists and their families, but one milestone in the evolution over the centuries to the tune of more than half its annual budget (…). of the Gentile of Sabbath. (…) The Shabbes goy was PA leaders also siphon off foreign assistance for per- a by-product of galut, the era when the Jews were a sonal enrichment, for family members and cronies, at perennial minority whose jurists no longer thought of the expense of the Palestinian people. (…) Abbas’s how to shape the public sphere (…) let alone how to son Tarek secretly owns, in partnership with the PA, run a state. (…) Where we live, Orthodox lawmakers a holding company in the British Virgin Islands worth don’t need a Shabbes goy because the Knesset is more than $1 million. In addition to money laundering locked on Shabbat, as are all government offices, and tax evasion, there has also been theft of public municipal services and courts of law. It’s a Jewish 6 state, one that asks daily how to reconcile faith and Zum Tod von Haim Gouri state, rather than how to serve the mostly small-time causes that the Shabbes goy ordinarily solved. (…) Israel needs a tea party – remembering Haim Consumer demand to let restaurants, theaters and Gouri z”l cafés open on Shabbat proved too big to ignore. That Israel needs a Tea Party. (…) The kind where you re- is why the politicians delegated such decisions to lo- member your founding fathers and mothers. (…) cal government, which mostly secular cities like Tel We need to remember what they dreamed for us Aviv and Ashdod expanded also to minimarkets. before and after the poets and musicians lured them Now, however, the ultra- Orthodox parties had the across the sea from lands where they shoveled icy Knesset grant the usually ultra-Orthodox interior min- driveways and invented dances where feet wouldn’t ister the power to overrule municipalities and shut touch ground that was not this hallowed, bloody soil. down the minimarkets that local city councils think (…) They did not dream of “relative peace” or a bull should be open. Violators, as Gafni gloated, will be market or a culinary mecca or the open skies of caught by the Shabbes goy, whose original role – to economy airfare. They dreamed of real peace, real help Jewish observance – will morph into helping security, of national determination, and the real Jewish strife. This is reckless. (…) The historic freedom to create Jewish culture, revive a Jewish change ultra-Orthodox politicians refuse to accept is language, practice and express Judaism as they that most Jews are not Orthodox, and millions now wished, and write and rewrite Jewish song. Many of shape their own Shabbat without rabbinical media- them and many of us died for this dream. Haim Gouri tion. (…) died last night. The poet, journalist and filmmaker Amotz Asa-El, JPO, 20.01.18 who won the Bialik Prize for Literature and the Israel Prize for Poetry (…) is undoubtedly among the leading lights of Israel’s founding generation. (…) US stoppt Zahlungen an UNRWA Varda Spiegel, TOI, 31.01.18

The USA should stop funding UNRWA (…) it’s not at all difficult to recognize the Palestine Sara Netanyahus Zornausbruch refugee camps. They are the ugly slums that lie just beyond the reasonably livable neighborhoods where After hearing Sara Netanyahu recording, we can most people live. Palestinians are bribed to live in no longer say we didn’t know them with subsidies. (…) UNRWA does not help ref- (…) One can only imagine the lady’s responses to ugees return to living a normal life; instead, UNRWA much more acute and stressful events she had to is in the business of perpetuating their refugee status deal with, and the kind of recordings or testimonies (…). UNRWA is the willing captive of Arab extremists. we might have been exposed to had the witnesses to (…) The world should rescue the Palestinian refu- these incidents had the courage to share them with gees from UNRWA. UNRWA abuses them by casting the public. (…) If this is how the prime minister’s wife them in the role of perpetual victims. (…) What would spoke to a veteran advisor, a strong and independent happen if the US, UNRWA’s most significant funding person who could have slammed the phone down at source, stops supporting UNRWA? (…) Then instead any given moment and disconnected himself from the of trapping the Palestinians in everlasting refugee Netanyahus, imagine what hard-working employees status they would finally be allowed to live normal had to go through, knowing that their livelihood de- lives, and the tension their growing refugee presence pended on her and that if they opened their mouth causes in the Middle East will be eased. (…) The they would be sentenced to a life of humiliation and PA/PLO is trying to morally blackmail the West. The condemnation. (…) The high voice, the intonation, the message is that unless the West supports UNRWA unclear sentences, the accusations, the delusion of the PA won’t spend any of its own money on feeding grandeur. When it became clear that the speaker was its own children and it will be the fault of the West if Sara Netanyahu, even those who were familiar with these children starve. With that kind of logic, they can the stories were shocked. (…) listening to the record- take over the world. They can say unless you give me ing, one can’t avoid thinking about the atmosphere everything I want, I will allow my children to starve the prime minister is living in, operating in and han- and I will tell everyone that you are responsible for it. dling the most important issues concerning our life (…) and future. (…) we can pity the prime minister, admire Barry Werner, JPO, 22.01.18 him for functioning under impossible conditions—but 7 we must take into account that Netanyahu is a prime minister under an influence, especially as we know about his wife’s involvement in the most critical and fateful decisions concerning our life. Now, after hear- ing it with our own ears, we can no longer say we didn’t know. Sima Kadmon, YED, 30.01.18

HAA = YED = Yedioth Ahronoth / Ynetnews JPO = Jerusalem Post IHY = Israel HaYom TOI = Times of Israel GLO = Globes

Veröffentlicht im: Februar 2018

Verantwortlich: Dr. Werner Puschra, Leiter der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Israel

Redaktion: Susanne Knaul Judith Stelmach

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

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