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Home , Da (political party), Moshe Feiglin, Uri Orbach, Zo Artzeinu

Schlaglicht Nr. 22/08 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen 07. – 22. Dezember 2008

1. -Primaries und die Feiglin- working so feverishly to torpedo his chances of Kontroverse being elected on the Likud ticket? […] Feiglin, 46, first gained prominence in 1993 when he In Vorbereitung auf die Knesset-Wahlen führte auch led the movement in strident protests der Likud Primaries durch, um die Listenfolge der against the . […] He opposes any Kandidaten festzulegen. territorial concessions, under any circumstances. He Geprägt wurden die Primaries von der Kontroverse has reportedly said that um den rechtsnationalen Kandidaten . hostile to the state should be encouraged to leave. Feiglin, der sich für ein Festhalten an der gesamten […] West Bank, eine Rückeroberung des Gazastreifens Not unreasonably, Netanyahu is worried that und einen Austritt Israels aus den Vereinten allowing Feiglin too high a profile will send the wrong Nationen ausgesprochen hat, führt eine radikale message about Likud philosophy. In our view, Fraktion innerhalb des Likud an. Schon im Vorfeld however, he could solve this problem by rejecting hatte der Parteivorsitzende Benjamin Netanjahu the advice of his handlers to stay vague and intensive Lobbyarbeit gegen Feiglin geleistet. explicitly articulate his vision for the party. […] Befürchtet wurde, dass ein gutes Abschneiden Tactically, letting Israelis know where he stands on Feiglins zu einem Rechtsruck innerhalb des Likud territorial concessions and negotiations with the führen und Wähler/innen der Mitte abschrecken Palestinians would settle the Likud's orientation. würde. Trotzdem wurde Feiglin auf den 20. Feiglin could hardly then claim, as he does now, that Listenplatz gewählt. Diese Position verlor er jedoch he represents ‘the real Likud.’ einige Tage später, nachdem der parteiinterne But the estrangement of the broader far Right Wahlausschuss eine Petition angenommen hatte, stems, at least in part, from a feeling that politicians, der zufolge die Plätze, die für weibliche jurists, academics and the media unlawfully Kandidatinnen reserviert worden waren an manipulate the levers of power (including the army) Regionalvertreter vergeben werden sollten, da die to pursue an agenda antithetical to its values. This Kandidatinnen verhältnismäßig gut abgeschnitten wider far Right says that when it seeks redress of its hatten. Die Petition, die von Netanjahus grievances within the system, it is blocked. And Verbündetem Ophir Akunis eingereicht worden war when it looks at how Feiglin has been thwarted in und Feiglin auf den 36. Platz versetzte, wurde als the Likud, it must be saying: ‘I told you so.’ Triumph für den Vorsitzenden gewertet. The political system is destabilized when a growing Außerdem bemühte sich Netanjahu verstärkt, seine minority of citizens feel they have no incentive to Position als gemäßigt darzustellen, indem er seine vote; or when they cast ballots for parties which play Verhandlungsbereitschaft im Friedensprozess be- a polarizing role. Yet to encourage people to vote for tonte und sich mit Botschaftern der EU-Staaten traf. one of the major parties - this newspaper's position - Umfrageergebnissen zu Folge liegt der Likud im those parties must embrace a welcoming, big-tent Rennen um die meisten Knessetsitze weiterhin in philosophy. […] Führung. To paraphrase Lyndon B. Johnson, Israeli politics is probably better off having Feiglin inside the tent, Let Feiglin be Feiglin pissing out, than outside the tent, pissing in.” “Who is Moshe Feiglin and why is Binyamin JPO 03.12.08 Netanyahu, poised to be Israel's next prime minister, 1 Ostracize, boycott, do not join make no mistake about it: The victory that we saw „This list must be ostracized, this parliamentary Thursday against Moshe Feiglin is everyone's group must be boycotted.[…] If the Israeli triumph, not only 's win. government boycotted an Austrian government that It doesn’t matter who you intend to vote for in the included Joerg Haider, who was much less of a upcoming general elections, the decision to bump racist than Feiglin and with much less blood on his Feiglin down to the 36th spot on the Likud Knesset hands than Ehud Yatom, an Israeli government list is an important achievement in national terms. formed by Likud can, should and must be boycotted. The arguments for doing it are logical, yet the way it […] This list is filled with refusers of peace, rebels was done was twisted. […] against authority and deniers of democracy. We need to understand something: Moshe Feiglin Netanyahu understands this, and the time has come has been attempting to enter the Knesset for 15 for Livni, Barak and their voters to recognize it. They years now. We are dealing with a person backed by must not lend a hand to legitimizing it.” a movement that knows it has no chance to get the Gideo Levy, HAA 11.12.08 people's vote of confidence should it offer its dangerous merchandize to the public. So instead, it Die Primaries haben Netanjahu nicht gestärkt attached itself to another movement, Likud, and „Es zeigt sich, dass ein großer Teil der Likud-Wähler through it is making a name for itself. […] Feiglin trotz der Anti-Feiglin-Kampagne an eine Feiglin sought to use the Likud as a major platform reelle Stelle der Liste gebracht hat. Die Annahme for his peculiar views, such as the need to kick ist, dass die Ergebnisse für die Bewegung besser Arabs from or to rebuild Gush Katif. ausgefallen wären, wäre kein Krieg um ihn herum He should have been disqualified in a somewhat angezettelt worden. Der Likud hat mit Feiglin in more proper and transparent manner.” seiner Mitte seine Position nicht gestärkt.“ Hanoch Daum, JED 12.12.08 Moshe Ishon, HZO 10.12.08 Enough already Netanyahu’s grand coalition „Benjamin Netanyahu couldn’t have expected a “Disturbingly, rather than drawing distinctions better result. The right-wing both used Moshe between his party and its rivals, Netanyahu has Feiglin to depict himself as a moderate statesman spent the days since the primary drawing and erased him from the Likud ticket. This brilliant distinctions between himself and a minor player in move paves Netanyahu’s way to the center – the his own party. Both ahead of the primary and in the object of desire for every Israeli politician striving for days since, Netanyahu has devoted the majority of power.” his time to attacking his sharpest critic within the Akiva Elder, HAA 15.12.08 party - Moshe Feiglin, who heads the far-right Jewish Leadership Forum in Likud and won the not- 2. Ende des Waffenstillstandes mit particularly-senior 20th position on Likud's Knesset der Hamas slate. On Thursday, Netanyahu succeeded in pushing Feiglin down to the 36th spot. […] The Der Waffenstillstand zwischen Israel und der im threat he constitutes to Netanyahu is negligible. Gazastreifen regierenden Hamas ist am 20. Given Feiglin's inherent weakness, Netanyahu's Dezember offiziell ausgelaufen. Doch schon in den post-primary focus on him is shocking. Netanyahu Wochen vorher hatten sich israelische Armee und has argued that Feiglin will lose votes for Likud. But palästinensische Militante vereinzelt Gefechte assuming that is true, the last thing Netanyahu geliefert. In den letzten Tagen hatten sich zudem should be doing is placing a spotlight on Feiglin. Angriffe durch Kassam-Raketen auf die israelischen Rather, Netanyahu should be emphasizing his Grenzgebiete des Gazastreifens vermehrt. strongest suit: the clear distinction between Likud on In den Medien wurde darüber spekuliert, wie the one hand and and Labor on the other Regierung – und Hamas – weiter verfahren würden. hand.” Während die Führung der Hamas zunächst Caroline Glick, JPO 11.12.08 widersprüchliche Aussagen machte, verkündete ein Sprecher der Organisation schließlich, die Great victory for Israel Waffenruhe werde nicht fortgeführt werden. “The manner in which Likud officials are dealing with Allerdings gab die Hamas auch an, nur auf Angriffe the Feiglin mess is not perfect, to say the least, but durch Israel reagieren zu wollen. Auch israelische 2 Politiker ließen sich auf keine klare Strategie in the hopes that it would be able to take decisions. festlegen. Verteidigungsminister Barak sagte, Israel Until that time, Israel’s conduct vis-à-vis the Gaza werde vor einer ausgeweiteten Militäroperation nicht Strip will continue in the format of one-time zurückschrecken, sie jedoch auch nicht überstürzt responses to developments on the ground. […] beginnen. What is most infuriating in this story is the fact that Das Ende des Waffenstillstandes wurde indes schon the Palestinians too know that Israel won’t invade am ersten Tag deutlich: Während Samstag the Strip in the near future, and that there is no mindestens 13 Raketen auf israelisches Gebiet chance that it would exact a heavy price tag for the niedergingen, griffen Flugzeuge des israelischen continued attacks on Gaza-region communities. The Militärs Stellungen im Gazastreifen an und töteten Palestinians are so sure about Israel’s restraint einen palästinensischen Kämpfer. policy that they allow themselves to continue the fire. […] Hamas established new rules of play vis-à- The election campaign in Gaza vis Israel ahead of the post-lull era, and Israel finds “The barrages of Qassam rockets and mortar shells itself being dragged by Hamas, instead of breaking being fired from the […] attest to the these rules. […] Meanwhile, Gaza's defense system collapse of the lull Israel and Hamas had achieved. has been completed. It includes eight divisions and At first glance, it seems that those who viewed the 16,000 armed personnel, as well as anti-aircraft and lull as a fleeting and pointless episode were right. anti-tank weapons. […] But such a view fails to take all the facts into Israeli officials expected that the lull would serve to account - because it is impossible to ignore the fact advance negotiations on the release of Gilad Shalit. that for more than four months, the calm was Yet this did not happen. preserved, proving that Hamas is capable of In summary, what the IDF could have done six maintaining almost complete quiet. […] months ago is much more complicated today. It is also important to consider the proximate cause Therefore, there is no rush now. Or as the defense of the collapse: Israel uncovered a tunnel that, it minister put it: The war won't run away.“ claims, was slated to be used to abduct soldiers. It Alex Fishman, JED 18.12.08 therefore went into Gaza to blow the tunnel up. During this operation, several Palestinians were Who is calling the shots in Hamas? killed. That is when Israel and Hamas began „During the past week, Hamas officials issued shooting at each other again. […] contradictory statements as to whether they would The most important question now, however, is not agree to the extension of the truce, which they refer who is to blame; it is how to restore the calm, to as a tahadiyeh (period of calm), sparking rehabilitate the truce and stabilize the Gaza border. speculation about sharp differences among the After all, the cease-fire's collapse does not have to movement's top brass. […] be final and definitive. […] The divisions surfaced earlier this week when Nevertheless, […] the upcoming election serves as Khaled Mashaal, the Damascus-based leader of fertile ground for those who like to brandish slogans Hamas, announced that his movement was not that drag Gaza and the lull into the political battle. going to renew the cease-fire. Mashaal's statement […] It is enough to listen to the indirect exchanges caught the Hamas leaders in Gaza by surprise. between Tzipi Livni and Ehud Barak to understand Many of them were quick to announce that Hamas that politics, not logic, is driving this talk. […] Anyone still hadn't taken a final position on an extension of seeking to rehabilitate the truce in Gaza must first the truce. Some Hamas figures in the Strip said (in obtain a truce on the political battlefield.” private) that the movement had no choice but to HAA 09.12.08 continue with the tahadiyeh, while others openly supported Mashaal's position. […] The post lull era The Hamas leaders also appear to be divided over “By now it’s already too late to raid the Gaza Strip. strategy. While some argue that a cease-fire is in Hamas completed the establishment of a long-range Hamas interest because the movement needs a ‘lull’ strategic arm, created a system of fortifications in and should not provide Israel with an excuse to the Strip, and reinforced the underground tunnels as invade the Gaza Strip, others insist that the rocket a way to circumvent the Gaza crossings. […] We and terror attacks on Israel are the only means to missed the train. Now there’s no reason to rush. We extract further concessions from . need to wait for the next government to be formed, 3 The Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip is keen on The preferable solution, also when it comes to most renewing the truce for various reasons. One reason area residents, is a comprehensive and binding is that Haniyeh and Hamas Foreign Minister truce agreement, with an option for diplomatic and Mahmoud Zahar know very well that a military economic progress. Yet in the absence of such escalation would mean they would be the first to be agreement, the ongoing attacks on Israeli targeted by Israel. The two are currently trying to communities require a strategic military response. convince Mashaal and the ‘outside’ leadership of We can’t go on like this.“ Hamas to accept their stance and to sign on to an Uri Misgav, JED 20.12.08 agreement with Israel, even if that means that the border crossings would remain closed for now.” 3. Medienquerschnitt Khaled Abu Toameh, JPO 18.12.08 Die Vielfalt der israelischen Presse kann in einem Extend the truce Medienspiegel natürlich nicht umfassend „On Friday, the Gaza cease-fire will officially expire. wiedergegeben werden. Um den deutschen […] For its part, Israel must consider whether it is Leser/innen einen Einblick in das große best to return to the lull in its original incarnation or Themenspektrum, das in den Medien behandelt to accept a reality of a daily battle of attrition. wird, zu gewähren, veröffentlichen wir in dieser At present, it seems as though there is no Schlaglichtausgabe einen Querschnitt an weiteren alternative other than to continue the lull and to dig Themen, die in den letzten Wochen die israelische up from the rubble of history the series of Gesellschaft bewegten. understandings reached with Hamas in June via Egyptian mediation. In another two months, a new government is expected to emerge in Israel, which Über den seit 2006 im Gazastreifen gefangen will have to decide on a policy toward Hamas. In gehaltenen Gilad Shalit und den Kommentar der another month, when Mahmoud Abbas' term in Außenministerin Tzippi Livni, die bezüglich office comes to an end, there is liable to be an entführter israelischer Soldaten sagte, es sei upheaval in the Palestinian government. „nicht immer möglich alle nach Hause zu Under these circumstances, it would be better to bringen“. refrain from causing unnecessary uproar in Gaza by embarking on operations that are liable to further In Israel hat das Schicksal dieser Soldaten einen complicate Israel's position, particularly among hohen emotionalen Stellenwert. Die Regierung ist residents of the western Negev. Empty, threatening stark dafür kritisiert worden, dass sie bisher trotz slogans certainly do not constitute an alternative to a indirekter Verhandlungen mit der Hamas und einer carefully thought-out decision, which must be made Belagerung des Gazastreifens keine Fortschritte as soon as possible.” erzielen konnte: HAA 16.12.08 Nothing but the truth We can’t go on like this Last Thursday a senior political figure, who is “The Israeli government firmly refuses to recognize running for prime minister, stood up and told the Hamas’ Gaza regime. This might be the right nation the truth about kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. decision, or not. As result, Israel does not engage in Tzipi Livni stressed that they are making and will direct negotiations with senior figures in the Strip. continue to make every effort to bring Gilad home, […] However, at the same time, Israel refrains from but added a sentence that was clearly the whole committing itself to a military solution that would put truth and nothing but the truth: "It is not always an end to the bombings. […] possible to bring everyone home." Meanwhile, Gaza-region residents are abandoned. Thus Livni, with admirable courage, faced off […] against the emotional, populist, irresponsible public On Thursday, Hamas officially declared that the discourse. […] Were Hamas not certain that internal truce is over. This is not a joyful announcement, and Israeli pressure would force the government to it may not mark the lull’s end. In any case, this is a accept all its demands, Shalit may have been home golden opportunity to reformulate the rules, even if a long time ago. […] terribly late.

4 Those who disagree with Livni propose that Israel knuckle under to all of Hamas' demands. […] This Marching through Um el-Fahm must not be allowed to happen.” “A march by extremists potentially promoting racist Yehuda Ben Meir, HAA 15.12.08 messages against Arab citizens and scheduled purposely in an Arab town poses a trying dilemma. The Gilad Shalit fiasco […] „The foreign minister and defense minister have While blatant incitement to racism must not be been engaged in an incisive debate regarding the permitted, restrictions on speech should be imposed feasibility of and price required for the release of a only when absolutely necessary. Prohibiting a march captive soldier. Yet overall it is a phony debate […]. because it constitutes a provocation, or for fear of a Had the above controversy been approached as an violent reaction, sets a dangerous precedent. If academic issue, we may have had some interest in there is no clear indication that participants would it. Yet when this bogus disagreement emerges incite to racism or commit acts of violence, the between two of Israel's top three decision-makers, march must be allowed to take place, with both this is an infuriating and outrageous matter. demonstrators and the residents of Umm el-Fahm It is clear to everyone that the State of Israel is appropriately protected. […] helpless vis-à-vis countries where our soldiers are The most genuine test of freedom of expression is in being held. For example, an Air Force navigator lost the facilitation of its most outrageous, extreme and somewhere in Iran's vast expenses. […] Should we controversial forms. Proof of this is in the rich public embark on a war? […] When Israel is required to debate the planned march in Umm el-Fahm has pay a ‘heavy’ price to secure the captive's release or spurred. Proposed counterdemonstrations, gain some information about him, the cruel question condemnations of racism and support for the rights of ‘at any price’ emerges. of the country's Arab minority are some of the Yet Gilad Shalit is alive and is held a few kilometers encouraging by-products of this discourse. […] away from IDF forces. He has not disappeared deep A democratic state cannot silence people because in any country. He is in the Gaza Strip, in a certain people do not want to hear them. The constrained, besieged zone. Israel can operate prohibition of the proposed march in Umm el-Fahm against it, within it, and around it with almost no would violate the freedom of all - not only of the interruption. […] demonstrators. It would also prevent the rest of us Our decision-makers are engaged in a discussion from hearing what they have to say and from voicing regarding the ‘price’ of the release of a captive our responses.” soldier. Melanie Takefman, JPO 17.12.08 At the same time, Hamas holds an animalistic display of ‘entertainment’ featuring the Israeli soldier Über die zweite UN-Konferenz gegen Rassismus begging to be released. And while the Gaza mob („Durban II“), die im April 2009 in Genf cheers on, our ministers continue to argue, and our stattfinden wird. government rushes to declare its desire to extend the lull – without presenting any conditions in respect to the release of Gilad Shalit.” Nachdem die ersten Konferenz 2001 unter Dov Weissglas, JED 17.12.08 anderem als Plattform für anti-israelische und antisemitische Propaganda genutzt worden war, Über den von jüdischen Rechtsextremisten ge- haben Kanada und Israel einen Boykott der planten Marsch durch die arabische Stadt Um Folgeveranstaltung angekündigt: el-Fahm. Now get ready for round 2 Die Demonstration wurde vom Obersten “The 2001 UN Durban Review Conference was an Gerichtshof aus Gründen der Meinungsfreiheit eight-day platform for attacks against the State of erlaubt, wurde von der Polizei jedoch kurzfristig aus Israel. At the conference, driven primarily by „Sicherheitsgründen“ auf ein unbestimmtes Datum nongovernmental organizations in close cooperation verschoben worden. Von der israelischen Linken with Iran and other Islamic regimes, Israel was sowie Vertretern der arabischen Bevölkerung war repeatedly singled out and internationally isolated. der Marsch als eindeutige Provokation gewertet […] Durban 1 may have been the largest anti- worden: 5 Semitic and anti-Israel meeting of the 21st century. From the paper to the plenum Now get ready for Round 2. […] “Some of the most interesting headlines of this So far, the [2009] conference promises to be nothing otherwise sleepy campaign have been supplied by more than a dangerous reprisal of the 2001 debacle journalists announcing that they are joining a party - a broad campaign to demonize Israel while in order to run for Knesset. […] ignoring racist and discriminatory acts by UN They [include] Daniel Ben-Simon (Labor), Nitzan members such as Sudan, Iran and China. […] Horowitz (), Gideon Reicher (Pensioners) and Already, a number of Western governments and Uri Orbach (Habayit Hayehudi). […] international organizations […] are preparing for The switch from media to politics is laudable for more of the same. […] With enough blood spilled, it several reasons. [...] The entry of new forces isn't too late for world powers and leaders of the strengthens the political system's legitimacy […]. future to take an affirmative stand - this time in There is also symbolic value in the fact that support of Israel's right to live in security and journalists, who must always defend themselves peace.” against the claim of being critics who scorn Jennifer Laszlo Misrahi, JPO 17.12.08 politicians because they themselves bear no responsibility, are descending from the judge's seat The anti-racism debate to the political playing field. […] „The Durban review conference is a timely This new phenomenon also obligates the media to opportunity to reaffirm the principles of non- be scrupulous about maintaining ethical firewalls, so discrimination and to build on the Durban that presenters and reporters do not abuse the Declaration and Program of Action. […] If all states platforms they have been given to build a party are not engaged in the process, this goal may following for themselves. The public must be remain elusive. Thus, the concerns expressed by convinced that such career switches stem from Canada and Israel that the review conference will unimpeachable motives. Otherwise, its faith in the become a platform for denigrating Israel must be media will be further eroded.” assuaged. Seven years ago, states did so by HAA 18.12.08 elevating the conference's outcome above the hatred and hostility that took place on its periphery, and by reaching a broad agreement on the necessary measures to combat racism and intolerance. They must achieve that commonality of

purpose again through active engagement rather than withdrawal. […] States have a responsibility to show leadership against racial discrimination and intolerance. What message does a state boycott send to those who are suffering from racism?” Navanethem Pillay, HAA 16.12.08

Über die verhältnismäßig große Zahl israelischer Journalisten/innen, die im Vorfeld der kommenden Knessetwahlen in die Politik wechseln. Die HAA = prominenten Medienvertreter spiegeln das ganze HZO= Ha Tzofe politische Spektrum in Israel wieder und kandidieren IHY = Israeli HaYom für so unterschiedliche Parteien wie die linke Meretz JED = Jedioth Ahronoth JPO = Jerusalem Post und die rechte Habayit Hayehudi. Zwar sind auch in MAA = Maariv der Vergangenheit bekannten Journalisten wie z.B. Uri Avnery und Tommy Lapid in die Politik Der Artikel aus HZO wurde dem Medienspiegel der gewechselt, in diesem Jahr ist das Phänomen Deutschen Botschaft Israel entnommen. jedoch besonders auffällig. Dies wirft auch Fragen über das Zusammenspiel von Politik und Medien in Israel auf : Veröffentlicht am: 22. Dezember 2008 Verantwortlich: 6 Dr. Ralf Hexel, Leiter der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Israel Redaktion: Maike Harel Anita Haviv Homepage: www.fes.org.il Email: [email protected]

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Schlaglicht Israel Nr. 22/08 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen 07. – 22. Dezember 2008

1. Likud-Primaries und die Feiglin- working so feverishly to torpedo his chances of Kontroverse being elected on the Likud Knesset ticket? […] Feiglin, 46, first gained prominence in 1993 when he In Vorbereitung auf die Knesset-Wahlen führte auch led the Zo Artzeinu movement in strident protests der Likud Primaries durch, um die Listenfolge der against the Oslo Accords. […] He opposes any Kandidaten festzulegen. territorial concessions, under any circumstances. He Geprägt wurden die Primaries von der Kontroverse has reportedly said that Arab citizens of Israel um den rechtsnationalen Kandidaten Moshe Feiglin. hostile to the state should be encouraged to leave. Feiglin, der sich für ein Festhalten an der gesamten […] West Bank, eine Rückeroberung des Gazastreifens Not unreasonably, Netanyahu is worried that und einen Austritt Israels aus den Vereinten allowing Feiglin too high a profile will send the wrong Nationen ausgesprochen hat, führt eine radikale message about Likud philosophy. In our view, Fraktion innerhalb des Likud an. Schon im Vorfeld however, he could solve this problem by rejecting hatte der Parteivorsitzende Benjamin Netanjahu the advice of his handlers to stay vague and intensive Lobbyarbeit gegen Feiglin geleistet. explicitly articulate his vision for the party. […] Befürchtet wurde, dass ein gutes Abschneiden Tactically, letting Israelis know where he stands on Feiglins zu einem Rechtsruck innerhalb des Likud territorial concessions and negotiations with the führen und Wähler/innen der Mitte abschrecken Palestinians would settle the Likud's orientation. würde. Trotzdem wurde Feiglin auf den 20. Feiglin could hardly then claim, as he does now, that Listenplatz gewählt. Diese Position verlor er jedoch he represents ‘the real Likud.’ einige Tage später, nachdem der parteiinterne But the estrangement of the broader far Right Wahlausschuss eine Petition angenommen hatte, stems, at least in part, from a feeling that politicians, der zufolge die Plätze, die für weibliche jurists, academics and the media unlawfully Kandidatinnen reserviert worden waren an manipulate the levers of power (including the army) Regionalvertreter vergeben werden sollten, da die to pursue an agenda antithetical to its values. This Kandidatinnen verhältnismäßig gut abgeschnitten wider far Right says that when it seeks redress of its hatten. Die Petition, die von Netanjahus grievances within the system, it is blocked. And Verbündetem Ophir Akunis eingereicht worden war when it looks at how Feiglin has been thwarted in und Feiglin auf den 36. Platz versetzte, wurde als the Likud, it must be saying: ‘I told you so.’ Triumph für den Vorsitzenden gewertet. The political system is destabilized when a growing Außerdem bemühte sich Netanjahu verstärkt, seine minority of citizens feel they have no incentive to Position als gemäßigt darzustellen, indem er seine vote; or when they cast ballots for parties which play Verhandlungsbereitschaft im Friedensprozess be- a polarizing role. Yet to encourage people to vote for tonte und sich mit Botschaftern der EU-Staaten traf. one of the major parties - this newspaper's position - Umfrageergebnissen zu Folge liegt der Likud im those parties must embrace a welcoming, big-tent Rennen um die meisten Knessetsitze weiterhin in philosophy. […] Führung. To paraphrase Lyndon B. Johnson, Israeli politics is probably better off having Feiglin inside the tent, Let Feiglin be Feiglin pissing out, than outside the tent, pissing in.” “Who is Moshe Feiglin and why is Binyamin JPO 03.12.08 Netanyahu, poised to be Israel's next prime minister, 1 Ostracize, boycott, do not join make no mistake about it: The victory that we saw „This list must be ostracized, this parliamentary Thursday against Moshe Feiglin is everyone's group must be boycotted.[…] If the Israeli triumph, not only Benjamin Netanyahu's win. government boycotted an Austrian government that It doesn’t matter who you intend to vote for in the included Joerg Haider, who was much less of a upcoming general elections, the decision to bump racist than Feiglin and with much less blood on his Feiglin down to the 36th spot on the Likud Knesset hands than Ehud Yatom, an Israeli government list is an important achievement in national terms. formed by Likud can, should and must be boycotted. The arguments for doing it are logical, yet the way it […] This list is filled with refusers of peace, rebels was done was twisted. […] against authority and deniers of democracy. We need to understand something: Moshe Feiglin Netanyahu understands this, and the time has come has been attempting to enter the Knesset for 15 for Livni, Barak and their voters to recognize it. They years now. We are dealing with a person backed by must not lend a hand to legitimizing it.” a movement that knows it has no chance to get the Gideo Levy, HAA 11.12.08 people's vote of confidence should it offer its dangerous merchandize to the public. So instead, it Die Primaries haben Netanjahu nicht gestärkt attached itself to another movement, Likud, and „Es zeigt sich, dass ein großer Teil der Likud-Wähler through it is making a name for itself. […] Feiglin trotz der Anti-Feiglin-Kampagne an eine Feiglin sought to use the Likud as a major platform reelle Stelle der Liste gebracht hat. Die Annahme for his peculiar views, such as the need to kick ist, dass die Ergebnisse für die Bewegung besser Arabs from Temple Mount or to rebuild Gush Katif. ausgefallen wären, wäre kein Krieg um ihn herum He should have been disqualified in a somewhat angezettelt worden. Der Likud hat mit Feiglin in more proper and transparent manner.” seiner Mitte seine Position nicht gestärkt.“ Hanoch Daum, JED 12.12.08 Moshe Ishon, HZO 10.12.08 Enough already Netanyahu’s grand coalition „Benjamin Netanyahu couldn’t have expected a “Disturbingly, rather than drawing distinctions better result. The right-wing leader both used Moshe between his party and its rivals, Netanyahu has Feiglin to depict himself as a moderate statesman spent the days since the primary drawing and erased him from the Likud ticket. This brilliant distinctions between himself and a minor player in move paves Netanyahu’s way to the center – the his own party. Both ahead of the primary and in the object of desire for every Israeli politician striving for days since, Netanyahu has devoted the majority of power.” his time to attacking his sharpest critic within the Akiva Elder, HAA 15.12.08 party - Moshe Feiglin, who heads the far-right Jewish Leadership Forum in Likud and won the not- 2. Ende des Waffenstillstandes mit particularly-senior 20th position on Likud's Knesset der Hamas slate. On Thursday, Netanyahu succeeded in pushing Feiglin down to the 36th spot. […] The Der Waffenstillstand zwischen Israel und der im threat he constitutes to Netanyahu is negligible. Gazastreifen regierenden Hamas ist am 20. Given Feiglin's inherent weakness, Netanyahu's Dezember offiziell ausgelaufen. Doch schon in den post-primary focus on him is shocking. Netanyahu Wochen vorher hatten sich israelische Armee und has argued that Feiglin will lose votes for Likud. But palästinensische Militante vereinzelt Gefechte assuming that is true, the last thing Netanyahu geliefert. In den letzten Tagen hatten sich zudem should be doing is placing a spotlight on Feiglin. Angriffe durch Kassam-Raketen auf die israelischen Rather, Netanyahu should be emphasizing his Grenzgebiete des Gazastreifens vermehrt. strongest suit: the clear distinction between Likud on In den Medien wurde darüber spekuliert, wie the one hand and Kadima and Labor on the other Regierung – und Hamas – weiter verfahren würden. hand.” Während die Führung der Hamas zunächst Caroline Glick, JPO 11.12.08 widersprüchliche Aussagen machte, verkündete ein Sprecher der Organisation schließlich, die Great victory for Israel Waffenruhe werde nicht fortgeführt werden. “The manner in which Likud officials are dealing with Allerdings gab die Hamas auch an, nur auf Angriffe the Feiglin mess is not perfect, to say the least, but durch Israel reagieren zu wollen. Auch israelische 2 Politiker ließen sich auf keine klare Strategie in the hopes that it would be able to take decisions. festlegen. Verteidigungsminister Barak sagte, Israel Until that time, Israel’s conduct vis-à-vis the Gaza werde vor einer ausgeweiteten Militäroperation nicht Strip will continue in the format of one-time zurückschrecken, sie jedoch auch nicht überstürzt responses to developments on the ground. […] beginnen. What is most infuriating in this story is the fact that Das Ende des Waffenstillstandes wurde indes schon the Palestinians too know that Israel won’t invade am ersten Tag deutlich: Während Samstag the Strip in the near future, and that there is no mindestens 13 Raketen auf israelisches Gebiet chance that it would exact a heavy price tag for the niedergingen, griffen Flugzeuge des israelischen continued attacks on Gaza-region communities. The Militärs Stellungen im Gazastreifen an und töteten Palestinians are so sure about Israel’s restraint einen palästinensischen Kämpfer. policy that they allow themselves to continue the fire. […] Hamas established new rules of play vis-à- The election campaign in Gaza vis Israel ahead of the post-lull era, and Israel finds “The barrages of Qassam rockets and mortar shells itself being dragged by Hamas, instead of breaking being fired from the Gaza Strip […] attest to the these rules. […] Meanwhile, Gaza's defense system collapse of the lull Israel and Hamas had achieved. has been completed. It includes eight divisions and At first glance, it seems that those who viewed the 16,000 armed personnel, as well as anti-aircraft and lull as a fleeting and pointless episode were right. anti-tank weapons. […] But such a view fails to take all the facts into Israeli officials expected that the lull would serve to account - because it is impossible to ignore the fact advance negotiations on the release of Gilad Shalit. that for more than four months, the calm was Yet this did not happen. preserved, proving that Hamas is capable of In summary, what the IDF could have done six maintaining almost complete quiet. […] months ago is much more complicated today. It is also important to consider the proximate cause Therefore, there is no rush now. Or as the defense of the collapse: Israel uncovered a tunnel that, it minister put it: The war won't run away.“ claims, was slated to be used to abduct soldiers. It Alex Fishman, JED 18.12.08 therefore went into Gaza to blow the tunnel up. During this operation, several Palestinians were Who is calling the shots in Hamas? killed. That is when Israel and Hamas began „During the past week, Hamas officials issued shooting at each other again. […] contradictory statements as to whether they would The most important question now, however, is not agree to the extension of the truce, which they refer who is to blame; it is how to restore the calm, to as a tahadiyeh (period of calm), sparking rehabilitate the truce and stabilize the Gaza border. speculation about sharp differences among the After all, the cease-fire's collapse does not have to movement's top brass. […] be final and definitive. […] The divisions surfaced earlier this week when Nevertheless, […] the upcoming election serves as Khaled Mashaal, the Damascus-based leader of fertile ground for those who like to brandish slogans Hamas, announced that his movement was not that drag Gaza and the lull into the political battle. going to renew the cease-fire. Mashaal's statement […] It is enough to listen to the indirect exchanges caught the Hamas leaders in Gaza by surprise. between Tzipi Livni and Ehud Barak to understand Many of them were quick to announce that Hamas that politics, not logic, is driving this talk. […] Anyone still hadn't taken a final position on an extension of seeking to rehabilitate the truce in Gaza must first the truce. Some Hamas figures in the Strip said (in obtain a truce on the political battlefield.” private) that the movement had no choice but to HAA 09.12.08 continue with the tahadiyeh, while others openly supported Mashaal's position. […] The post lull era The Hamas leaders also appear to be divided over “By now it’s already too late to raid the Gaza Strip. strategy. While some argue that a cease-fire is in Hamas completed the establishment of a long-range Hamas interest because the movement needs a ‘lull’ strategic arm, created a system of fortifications in and should not provide Israel with an excuse to the Strip, and reinforced the underground tunnels as invade the Gaza Strip, others insist that the rocket a way to circumvent the Gaza crossings. […] We and terror attacks on Israel are the only means to missed the train. Now there’s no reason to rush. We extract further concessions from Jerusalem. need to wait for the next government to be formed, 3 The Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip is keen on The preferable solution, also when it comes to most renewing the truce for various reasons. One reason area residents, is a comprehensive and binding is that Haniyeh and Hamas Foreign Minister truce agreement, with an option for diplomatic and Mahmoud Zahar know very well that a military economic progress. Yet in the absence of such escalation would mean they would be the first to be agreement, the ongoing attacks on Israeli targeted by Israel. The two are currently trying to communities require a strategic military response. convince Mashaal and the ‘outside’ leadership of We can’t go on like this.“ Hamas to accept their stance and to sign on to an Uri Misgav, JED 20.12.08 agreement with Israel, even if that means that the border crossings would remain closed for now.” 3. Medienquerschnitt Khaled Abu Toameh, JPO 18.12.08 Die Vielfalt der israelischen Presse kann in einem Extend the truce Medienspiegel natürlich nicht umfassend „On Friday, the Gaza cease-fire will officially expire. wiedergegeben werden. Um den deutschen […] For its part, Israel must consider whether it is Leser/innen einen Einblick in das große best to return to the lull in its original incarnation or Themenspektrum, das in den Medien behandelt to accept a reality of a daily battle of attrition. wird, zu gewähren, veröffentlichen wir in dieser At present, it seems as though there is no Schlaglichtausgabe einen Querschnitt an weiteren alternative other than to continue the lull and to dig Themen, die in den letzten Wochen die israelische up from the rubble of history the series of Gesellschaft bewegten. understandings reached with Hamas in June via Egyptian mediation. In another two months, a new government is expected to emerge in Israel, which Über den seit 2006 im Gazastreifen gefangen will have to decide on a policy toward Hamas. In gehaltenen Gilad Shalit und den Kommentar der another month, when Mahmoud Abbas' term in Außenministerin Tzippi Livni, die bezüglich office comes to an end, there is liable to be an entführter israelischer Soldaten sagte, es sei upheaval in the Palestinian government. „nicht immer möglich alle nach Hause zu Under these circumstances, it would be better to bringen“ . refrain from causing unnecessary uproar in Gaza by embarking on operations that are liable to further In Israel hat das Schicksal dieser Soldaten einen complicate Israel's position, particularly among hohen emotionalen Stellenwert. Die Regierung ist residents of the western Negev. Empty, threatening stark dafür kritisiert worden, dass sie bisher trotz slogans certainly do not constitute an alternative to a indirekter Verhandlungen mit der Hamas und einer carefully thought-out decision, which must be made Belagerung des Gazastreifens keine Fortschritte as soon as possible.” erzielen konnte: HAA 16.12.08 Nothing but the truth We can’t go on like this Last Thursday a senior political figure, who is “The Israeli government firmly refuses to recognize running for prime minister, stood up and told the Hamas’ Gaza regime. This might be the right nation the truth about kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. decision, or not. As result, Israel does not engage in Tzipi Livni stressed that they are making and will direct negotiations with senior figures in the Strip. continue to make every effort to bring Gilad home, […] However, at the same time, Israel refrains from but added a sentence that was clearly the whole committing itself to a military solution that would put truth and nothing but the truth: "It is not always an end to the bombings. […] possible to bring everyone home." Meanwhile, Gaza-region residents are abandoned. Thus Livni, with admirable courage, faced off […] against the emotional, populist, irresponsible public On Thursday, Hamas officially declared that the discourse. […] Were Hamas not certain that internal truce is over. This is not a joyful announcement, and Israeli pressure would force the government to it may not mark the lull’s end. In any case, this is a accept all its demands, Shalit may have been home golden opportunity to reformulate the rules, even if a long time ago. […] terribly late.

4 Those who disagree with Livni propose that Israel knuckle under to all of Hamas' demands. […] This Marching through Um el-Fahm must not be allowed to happen.” “A march by extremists potentially promoting racist Yehuda Ben Meir, HAA 15.12.08 messages against Arab citizens and scheduled purposely in an Arab town poses a trying dilemma. The Gilad Shalit fiasco […] „The foreign minister and defense minister have While blatant incitement to racism must not be been engaged in an incisive debate regarding the permitted, restrictions on speech should be imposed feasibility of and price required for the release of a only when absolutely necessary. Prohibiting a march captive soldier. Yet overall it is a phony debate […]. because it constitutes a provocation, or for fear of a Had the above controversy been approached as an violent reaction, sets a dangerous precedent. If academic issue, we may have had some interest in there is no clear indication that participants would it. Yet when this bogus disagreement emerges incite to racism or commit acts of violence, the between two of Israel's top three decision-makers, march must be allowed to take place, with both this is an infuriating and outrageous matter. demonstrators and the residents of Umm el-Fahm It is clear to everyone that the State of Israel is appropriately protected. […] helpless vis-à-vis countries where our soldiers are The most genuine test of freedom of expression is in being held. For example, an Air Force navigator lost the facilitation of its most outrageous, extreme and somewhere in Iran's vast expenses. […] Should we controversial forms. Proof of this is in the rich public embark on a war? […] When Israel is required to debate the planned march in Umm el-Fahm has pay a ‘heavy’ price to secure the captive's release or spurred. Proposed counterdemonstrations, gain some information about him, the cruel question condemnations of racism and support for the rights of ‘at any price’ emerges. of the country's Arab minority are some of the Yet Gilad Shalit is alive and is held a few kilometers encouraging by-products of this discourse. […] away from IDF forces. He has not disappeared deep A democratic state cannot silence people because in any country. He is in the Gaza Strip, in a certain people do not want to hear them. The constrained, besieged zone. Israel can operate prohibition of the proposed march in Umm el-Fahm against it, within it, and around it with almost no would violate the freedom of all - not only of the interruption. […] demonstrators. It would also prevent the rest of us Our decision-makers are engaged in a discussion from hearing what they have to say and from voicing regarding the ‘price’ of the release of a captive our responses.” soldier. Melanie Takefman, JPO 17.12.08 At the same time, Hamas holds an animalistic display of ‘entertainment’ featuring the Israeli soldier Über die zweite UN-Konferenz gegen Rassismus begging to be released. And while the Gaza mob („Durban II“), die im April 2009 in Genf cheers on, our ministers continue to argue, and our stattfinden wird. government rushes to declare its desire to extend the lull – without presenting any conditions in respect to the release of Gilad Shalit.” Nachdem die ersten Konferenz 2001 unter Dov Weissglas, JED 17.12.08 anderem als Plattform für anti-israelische und antisemitische Propaganda genutzt worden war, Über den von jüdischen Rechtsextremisten ge- haben Kanada und Israel einen Boykott der planten Marsch durch die arabische Stadt Um Folgeveranstaltung angekündigt: el-Fahm. Now get ready for round 2 Die Demonstration wurde vom Obersten “The 2001 UN Durban Review Conference was an Gerichtshof aus Gründen der Meinungsfreiheit eight-day platform for attacks against the State of erlaubt, wurde von der Polizei jedoch kurzfristig aus Israel. At the conference, driven primarily by „Sicherheitsgründen“ auf ein unbestimmtes Datum nongovernmental organizations in close cooperation verschoben worden. Von der israelischen Linken with Iran and other Islamic regimes, Israel was sowie Vertretern der arabischen Bevölkerung war repeatedly singled out and internationally isolated. der Marsch als eindeutige Provokation gewertet […] Durban 1 may have been the largest anti- worden: 5 Semitic and anti-Israel meeting of the 21st century. From the paper to the plenum Now get ready for Round 2. […] “Some of the most interesting headlines of this So far, the [2009] conference promises to be nothing otherwise sleepy campaign have been supplied by more than a dangerous reprisal of the 2001 debacle journalists announcing that they are joining a party - a broad campaign to demonize Israel while in order to run for Knesset. […] ignoring racist and discriminatory acts by UN They [include] Daniel Ben-Simon (Labor), Nitzan members such as Sudan, Iran and China. […] Horowitz (Meretz), Gideon Reicher (Pensioners) and Already, a number of Western governments and Uri Orbach (Habayit Hayehudi). […] international organizations […] are preparing for The switch from media to politics is laudable for more of the same. […] With enough blood spilled, it several reasons. [...] The entry of new forces isn't too late for world powers and leaders of the strengthens the political system's legitimacy […]. future to take an affirmative stand - this time in There is also symbolic value in the fact that support of Israel's right to live in security and journalists, who must always defend themselves peace.” against the claim of being critics who scorn Jennifer Laszlo Misrahi, JPO 17.12.08 politicians because they themselves bear no responsibility, are descending from the judge's seat The anti-racism debate to the political playing field. […] „The Durban review conference is a timely This new phenomenon also obligates the media to opportunity to reaffirm the principles of non- be scrupulous about maintaining ethical firewalls, so discrimination and to build on the Durban that presenters and reporters do not abuse the Declaration and Program of Action. […] If all states platforms they have been given to build a party are not engaged in the process, this goal may following for themselves. The public must be remain elusive. Thus, the concerns expressed by convinced that such career switches stem from Canada and Israel that the review conference will unimpeachable motives. Otherwise, its faith in the become a platform for denigrating Israel must be media will be further eroded.” assuaged. Seven years ago, states did so by HAA 18.12.08 elevating the conference's outcome above the hatred and hostility that took place on its periphery, and by reaching a broad agreement on the HAA = Haaretz necessary measures to combat racism and HZO= Ha Tzofe intolerance. They must achieve that commonality of IHY = Israeli HaYom JED = Jedioth Ahronoth purpose again through active engagement rather JPO = Jerusalem Post than withdrawal. […] MAA = Maariv States have a responsibility to show leadership against racial discrimination and intolerance. What Der Artikel aus HZO wurde dem Medienspiegel der message does a state boycott send to those who Deutschen Botschaft Israel entnommen. are suffering from racism?” Navanethem Pillay, HAA 16.12.08 Veröffentlicht am: 22. Dezember 2008

Verantwortlich: Über die verhältnismäßig große Zahl israelischer Journalisten/innen, die im Vorfeld der kommenden Dr. Ralf Hexel, Knessetwahlen in die Politik wechseln. Die Leiter der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Israel prominenten Medienvertreter spiegeln das ganze Redaktion: politische Spektrum in Israel wieder und kandidieren für so unterschiedliche Parteien wie die linke Meretz Maike Harel und die rechte Habayit Hayehudi. Zwar sind auch in Anita Haviv der Vergangenheit bekannten Journalisten wie z.B. Uri Avnery und Tommy Lapid in die Politik Homepage: www.fes.org.il gewechselt, in diesem Jahr ist das Phänomen Email: [email protected] jedoch besonders auffällig. Dies wirft auch Fragen über das Zusammenspiel von Politik und Medien in Israel auf :

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