Schlaglicht Nr. 20/19 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen

15.-30. November

Die Themen dieser Ausgabe

1. Generalbundesanwalt erhebt Anklage gegen Netanyahu ...... 1 2. Israel nimmt Kurs auf eine dritte Wahl ...... 3 3. US-Außenministerium erklärt Siedlungen als nicht völkerrechtswidrig ...... 5 4. Medienquerschnitt ...... 8

1. Generalbundesanwalt erhebt Anklage te eine Neuwahl des Parteivorsitzes. Saar hielt in gegen Netanyahu der Vergangenheit die Posten des Erziehungs- und Heftige Reaktionen löste die Entscheidung von Innenministers. Vorläufig hält die Spitze der Partei Generalbundesanwalt Avihai Mendelblit aus, Ben- sowie auch die rechten Koalitionspartner treu zu jamin Netanyahu in drei Fällen vor Gericht zu zitie- ihrem Chef. Netanyahu selbst weist unverändert alle ren. Dem Regierungschef wird Betrug, Untreue und Vorwürfe von sich und sprach von einem „Putsch- Bestechlichkeit vorgeworfen. Zum ersten Mal in der versuch gegen den Regierungschef“, von „Verleum- Geschichte des Staates wird gegen einen amtieren- dungen“ und „tendenziösen Ermittlungen“. den Ministerpräsidenten Anklage erhoben. Mehrere Tausend Israelis solidarisierten sich bei einer vom Netanyahu, enough organisierten Demonstration mit Netanyahu. (…) the past week presented us with one of ugliest Allerdings war der Tenor der Mehrheit der Wortmel- political shows in Israeli history. (…). How did we get dungen – sowohl von Politiker_innen und Rechtsex- to a point in which a party that was authorized to run perten als auch der Presse – Kritik an Netanyahus and ended the race as the third biggest party in Beharren, trotz der schwerwiegenden Vergehen, Israel is considered to be a danger to the existence derer er beschuldigt wird, im Amt bleiben zu wollen of the country? What the Likud is doing is not just und zu diesem Behufe auch keinen Halt vor einer standard political opposition to a rival’s attempt to brutalen Attacke auf das israelische Rechtssystem form a government. This is breaking the rules and zu machen. Netanyahu kann trotz der gegen ihn playing dirty. This is delegitimizing not only the third erhobenen Korruptionsanklage im Amt bleiben. Ein largest party in the but 20% of Israel’s citi- Rücktritt wäre erst mit einem Schuldspruch zwin- zens as well. (…) This entire campaign is meant to gend. Oppositionspolitiker_innen forderten den lay the ground for a third election, and just another Regierungschef dennoch zum sofortigen Rücktritt part of the ongoing “us and them” campaign against auf. Die Anklage kam inmitten eines ungelösten Arab society, which comes up every time there’s a politischen Patts nach der zweiten Parlamentswahl new election. (…) It is time to put an end to this in Israel in diesem Jahr. Sollte es zu einer dritten divisive campaign and instead reach out to those Wahl kommen, würde Netanyahu erneut antreten who want to take part in general society and work to wollen. Gegenwind bekommt er erstmals auch aus integrate them, not push them away. (…) Arab MKs den eigenen Reihen. Gideon Saar, Netanyahus openly spoke about joining a future coalition gov- stärkster Gegner in den Reihen des Likud, beantrag- ernment and focusing on local domestic challenges

1 (…) as opposed to the conflict with the Palestinians. many dramatic events does it take to get that man The Arab parties have already joined hands on out of the Israeli bloodstream? (…) these matters with other parties in the past – includ- Ravit Hecht, HAA, 22.11.19 ing with Likud. A government supported by the Arab parties is not an existential threat to Israel. Arab A major blow to democracy MKs (…) could be a partner in a future Israeli gov- (…) The decision to indict an accomplished prime ernment, one led by Blue and White – or even by minister, who has marched Israel into an era of long- Likud. term stability and prosperity and has made it into an Editorial, JPO, 18.11.19 important player on the world stage creates a diffi- cult and complicated political situation. (…) The From today – open season on Mendelblit Israeli public has been exposed to too many under- (…) Netanyahu’s cases are not the clearest-cut handed investigative tactics, and at least with regard cases of corruption cases in Israel’s political history. to Case 4,000, that alone renders the indictment Avichai Mendelblit knows that too, and he certainly hollow. It is unfortunate to see that Mendelblit was deserves the criticism leveled at him for the long unimpressed by the persecution of the prime minis- time it took him to make his decisions. But (…) the ter and the unwarranted arrests of various associ- delay didn’t stem from loyalty to his benefactor Net- ates, which are reminiscent of dark regimes. There anyahu, but because of his dread over the decision is a sense of disdain over the fact that the indictment and his hope that the Israeli voter would do the job reeks of a pre-ordained conviction, fueled by at- for him. (…) The criminal cases, like a medical chart tempts to convict Netanyahu in the court of public documenting childhood diseases, reflect Netanya- opinion using various leaks from the investigations, hu’s evil nature: his chronic miserliness, which long before the case ever saw the inside of a court- bound him to wealthy men who were forced to pay room. It is also sad to see how law enforcement for his way of life; his compulsive desire to win agencies seek to bolster their power of deterrence recognition in the form of favorable media coverage; through the media. (…) What Mandelblit and his his sense of entitlement, fueled by his family’s en- media pundits cannot deny is that there is immedi- couragement, out of the belief that Netanyahu is a ate demand by the public to remove Netanyahu from kind of modern embodiment of Moses and that they office. All the public sees is that (…) the attorney themselves are a family of blue-bloods. (…) His general made a negative contribution to the compli- supporters in this alliance of the self-pitying, one that cated political situation in Israel. The way law en- has been in power for 40 years, truly believe that the forcement has handled all of this is a major blow to all-powerful elites in Israel are carrying out a political democracy. If the public felt that Netanyahu was putsch against him by legal means. (…) The right guilty of serious and undeniable offenses, I have no (…) hesitated a little in the delegitimization of the doubt there would be a public demand for his resig- attorney general. This process is threatening to tear nation and he would have heeded it. But that is not apart Israeli society, which has been dragged into a the case. So if anything, what we saw on Thursday governmental and civil crisis. (…) So far the right’s was the culmination of long, coordinated political strategy was to treat him with kid gloves (…). From and judicial ploy to topple the prime minister. today on, it’s open season. Since the Netanyahu Amnon Lord, IHY, 22.11.19 cases came into the world, the country’s senior law enforcement officials have been viewed as govern- Likud officials must go public against Netanyahu ment opponents. Welcome to the fray, princes of (…) Prime Minister has man- statesmanlike behavior, you who spoke against aged to keep his ranks within the right-wing bloc in “radicals from both sides,” all of you who didn’t see line, except for the defiance of Likud MK Gideon the point or have the courage to take a stand on Sa'ar. It would be true to say that most of Likud's explosive issues. Today you are joining the leftists, officials and lawmakers were "strong-armed" into who in the Netanyahu era have become traitors, not issuing generic comments of support Netanyahu or to mention the Arabs. Netanyahu’s incitement even better, embark on a belligerent media blitz to against the latter evokes horrifying historical com- back him (…). Netanyahu managed to keep his parisons. All this happened not because you took a troops in order (…). The prime minister has made principled stand. It happened because you dared great efforts (…) to agitate his supporters (…). The take a stand against the Netanyahu family. How anarchistic banner chosen by the rally organizers - "Against the governmental coup" – managed to

2 achieve the complete opposite and lionized the to be paramount. (…) This discussion has increas- ministers and MKs who thought that such a protest, ing relevance to those outside of Israel who find in these turbulent times, crossed the line of civil themselves as advocates for and against people debate in Israel. (…) Likud lawmakers (…) do not and positions that seem to be important to our global have it easy. Filling up their schedules with events, Jewish community. But too much of what they share obligations for "prior arrangements," going abroad or or base their opinions on is a wedge for the right or to conventions – all to distance themselves from the the left. Too few of them question the sources or no man's land outside Tel Aviv Museum of Art. A rally even the conclusions of the articles, essays or in support of Netanyahu is a legitimate and appro- memes they publish. So this is what I ask all of my priate political gambit, and he himself deserves one friends who love Israel and the Jewish people to do. given his current political and legal status. But a rally (…) Build the capacity to democratically convince against a "government coup" is bordering on an your peers and your friends of the righteousness of actual coup. (…) The justice system, the state pros- your perspective, and in the fullness of time believe ecution and the police are justly open to criticism enough in your own words that you won’t need to and scrutiny. But this was not a rally looking for acquire or sustain power by delegitimizing those justice – it was looking for heads, primarily of those who don’t share your views. You can convince them who are bringing Netanyahu to justice. It's all per- with truth and the strength of your considered argu- sonal. Justice Minister Amir Ohana attacked the ments. (…) Work with those who share your love but state prosecutor not so long ago on the basis that don’t share your particular ideology. Israel will be "there is a prosecution within the prosecution." But is stronger for it. The Jewish people will be stronger. the reaction to that statement to create a state within (…) a state? A state with different police, prosecution, Ari Rosenblum, TOI, 28.11.19 courts, and law - where the investigators are judged and not the leaders? "Who is going to protest against their own country?" asked some of the min- 2. Israel nimmt Kurs auf eine dritte Wahl isters who absented themselves. There is a big Sollte bis zum 11. Dezember keine(r) der Knes- difference between what Likud officials say publicly setabgeordneten die Unterstützung von mindestens and what they say behind closed doors. (…) The 61 Mandatar_innen zur Regierungsbildung erhalten, question is when - if at all - will Likud officials find wird in Israel binnen eines Jahres zum dritten Mal the courage to say such things publicly. gewählt werden müssen. Beide Spitzenpolitiker, der Yuval Karni, YED, 27.11.19 amtierende Regierungschef Benjamin Netanyahu vom Likud als auch , Chef des Bünd- Beholden to Whom? nisses Blau-Weiß (Kachol-Lavan), scheiterten infol- (…) What has become of us? Why are so many ge der komplizierten parlamentarischen Mehrheits- prepared to ignore logic, expertise, even- verhältnisse an der Mission, eine Koalition auf die handedness and equanimity in the pursuit of the Beine zu stellen. In einem letzten Versuch, eine political goals of the right or the left, or the personal dritte Wahl abzuwenden, beauftragte Staatspräsi- agenda of a heroic, charismatic, unique yet now dent Reuven Rivlin erstmals in der Geschichte Isra- flawed and weakened leader? (…) The judicial els die Knesset mit der Suche nach einem mehr- structure that Israel’s democratic governments heitsfähigen Regierungschef. Unmittelbar darauf through more than seven decades have relied on to verkündete Generalstaatsanwalt Avihai Mendelblit be the secular conscience and guide of a state seine Entscheidung, Netanyahu wegen Korruption which balances its national and religious responsibil- vor Gericht zu stellen. Im Vorfeld einer möglichen ities every day – now it is betraying the people? (…) Neuwahl, bei der ein ähnliches Ergebnis zu erwar- too many of us have suspended our capacity for ten wäre wie bei den beiden vorherigen, forderte critical thought, for nuance and depth. Black and Netanyahus parteiinterner Rivale Gideon Saar zu white is for cookies and piano keys, not for under- einer Abstimmung über den Parteivorsitz auf. Unter standing politics. We have ignored the possibility seiner Führung wäre ein Zusammengehen des that the “facts” conveyed on social media and even Likud mit Blau-Weiß eher möglich als mit Netanyahu in the press are washed and shaped to suit the an der Parteispitze. Um Neuwahlen zu verhindern, needs of individuals or ideologies, and these do not käme die Abstimmung im Likud dennoch zu spät. always march with the interests of Israel and the Jewish people. To me, these are and must continue

3 Likud and Blue and White are more frenemies the entire Israeli public. (…) This man, about whom than rivals history will have its say with regard to the damage The Blue and White party and the ruling Likud have he has done to the fabric of Israeli society, must be similar positions, views and objectives. Rarely in replaced by a sane leadership. A leadership to Israeli political history have the two largest Knesset whom it’s clear that its job is to improve Israeli socie- factions been so similar on so many key issues. ty, not infect it with malice aforethought with a me- Being both centrists, they are more akin to sister tastasizing disease of hatred. The appropriate re- parties than adversaries, and their differences are sponse to the gutter politics of this national inciter, detectable only through a microscope. (…) The who, as the years passed, has merely expanded his vision of Blue and White could easily be passed off circle of incitement, is to form a government together as Likud's, if you only tweak it a little bit. (…) Both with the Arab parties’ , or alternatively one parties are content with a Jewish presence in the supported by it from the outside, in defiance of the West Bank, alongside a Palestinian one. The ques- man who seeks to turn Israel’s Arab citizens into tion is why then, do the two parties not enter a unity enemies. We must hope enough decent lawmakers government? What are they waiting for? Avoiding will be found to support such a move, and that they’ll another election campaign is in the hands of the join together to put an end to Netanyahu’s era of leaders of both parties. But, the unity government hatred. (…) Israel is genuinely in a state of emer- must be built on the basis of Likud and Blue and gency. It is headed by a national inciter who is un- White, and their similar positions. There is no need raveling its society solely to shore up his reign and to add parties whose ideologies differ. With Netan- remain in power. yahu's expected indictment on corruption charges Editorial, HAA, 18.11.19 looming, his time as the country's prime minister is limited. Despite a law that allows him to remain in There is no good option outside the voting office until all legal avenues in his cases have been booth exhausted, Israeli political reality will force him out. A minority government is not a realistic option. Some Never was a serving prime minister a defendant in commentators adore the idea, which depends en- court. With time running out, the public implores its tirely on ’s position. But given his leaders, Gantz and Netanyahu, to not allow this views on Arabs, optimism is not in order. A unity opportunity to slip by. Don't be so narcissistic, so government is a worn-out concept which everybody blindsighted by personal interests. Save us from exploits in a different way. The optimal unity gov- another unwanted election that will likely yield the ernment would be one between Kahol Lavan and same results yet again. Likud. The two parties would agree on a rotation and Sever Plocker, YED, 17.11.19 on basic guidelines and would together reach out to other parties to join the coalition. But when Prime A genuine state of emergency Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls for unity, he (…) Netanyahu assailed Gantz for his intention to means a unity government in which Kahol Lavan is form a minority government supported by the Arab forced to share power with all the elements inside parties. In the best tradition of his dubious governing his 55-seat bloc. It would be a Bibi-ist dictatorship. tactics, Netanyahu incited against the Arab Knesset The man who lost the election hopes to win in build- members. “We’re facing a state of emergency unlike ing a government. (…) Elections are around the anything in Israel’s history,” the prime minister said corner (…). Kahol Lavan arm in arm with the Zionist of the possibility that a ruling coalition would be left wing would be a basis for change, but the formed with parties that were democratically elected change can only come through new elections that and represent 20 percent of Israel’s citizens, as if it diminish the power of the right. Kahol Lavan and the were a suspected bomb on a bus. “Elections are a other parties will emerge stronger and the Arabs will disaster, but forming a government dependent on digest that they’re just a step away from partnership the Arab parties is a bigger disaster,” he added. “(…) in government, by merit and not by compassion. All It’s hard to exaggerate the gravity of such state- these values could find expression in elections. (…) ments by Netanyahu, who, by virtue of his job, is The appeal to the public to support an alternative supposed to serve all Israelis, including the coun- should be clear. What’s needed is a functional, de- try’s Arab citizens. Netanyahu is appealing to the cent government that runs the country while pre- lowest common denominator, inflaming the Jewish serving the civil and judicial system. That is neces- community against the Arab community and inciting sary in order to protect Israeli democracy, which is

4 under attack by Netanyahu’s envoys – ministers flexible. Show that you are negotiating in good faith, who never did understand loyalty to oneself and to and the other side ought to respond in kind. (…) one’s conscience rather than to the leader. The Your country needs you to do better than you have social networks brim with lies, smears and political been doing since April. Form a government and gambits, most in keeping with the “school” of the prevent a third election. outgoing prime minister, who perfected incitement Editorial, JPO, 22.11.19 and turned it into a repulsive show of victimhood by the person in power. Replacing governments is part Third elections are on the horizon and parcel of Israel; that is the way forward, the way (…) Israel is, in all likelihood, heading for a third to the values and future of the country of all of us. general election, which will most likely be held in Uzi Baram, HAA, 19.11.19 March 2020. Unlike the Left, which probably would have deposed its leader the second the attorney Wake up, MKs general finished his statement, the Likud rallied To all 120 members of Knesset: This is a wake up around Netanyahu, as it seeks to protect him from call. Get your act together and don’t let there be a the external dark forces that are persecuting him. third election in less than a year. (…) The citizens of For this reason, anyone who challenges Netanyahu any democratic country are what grant its institutions for Likud's leadership is bound to lose (…). Likud will legitimacy. The less trust they have in you, the fewer have no choice but to put forth another leader ahead of them taking part or an interest in the democratic of the third elections. The Left and other opposition process, the less legitimate our government and parties predictably called for Netanyahu to resign Knesset will seem. Some of you don’t connect to and promises a flurry of High Court of Justice peti- lofty ideals about democracy and being the voice of tions of he fails to comply. These calls do not per- the people - that much has been made clear in the meate the right-wing bloc so Netanyahu can rest past year - so here are some practical and concrete easy – no one there will try to impeach him. This reasons not to let a third election happen. Israel has means that his political survival is his to rule on, as a massive, yawning budget deficit that needs to be the law leaves it to up him to decide whether to dealt with by passing an actual state government, vacate his seat at this time. Much of what will hap- instead of the piecemeal funding transfers the Knes- pen next depends of how the rightist MKs apply their set Finance Committee has had to deal with every influence with regards to Netanyahu's immunity. (…) week. Meanwhile, the expansion of the medicine Netanyahu has been careful to keep the channels of basket, the selection of medications provided by our communications with Yisrael Beytenu's leader open. socialized medicine system, has been delayed, Everyone knows that there is no love lost between keeping people from receiving life-saving treat- Lieberman and Netanyahu, but Lieberman's low ments. Social services are falling apart, without opinion of the judiciary is also a matter of record, so enough funding to keep battered women’s shelters, there is really no telling how he could vote on the homes for teenage runaways and more from staying matter. Meanwhile, Netanyahu launched what ap- open and putting our weakest citizens at risk. Re- peared to be his next election campaign. This one forms in the education system can’t be renewed will likely focus heavily on the ill deeds of law en- (…). On top of the domestic issues that political forcement agencies. Until now the protest over what paralysis has exacerbated, we have the security some perceive as judicial bias was relegated to situation. Iran is growing emboldened, launching sporadic statements, harsh criticism on social me- attacks at us from over the Syrian border. Hezbollah dia, and the occasional demonstration, but that is all is as strong as ever. Terrorists in Gaza have rained about to change. This protest now has a leader, and hundreds of rockets down on us in the past year, it will most likely dominate the daily agenda until the along with other flaming projectiles over the border next elections are over. fence. (…) Now is the time for MKs to do what it Mati Tuchfeld, IHY, 22.11.19 takes to turn the situation around. Many parties will have to make compromises for a new government to be formed. We get it, you stood your ground for the 3. US-Außenministerium erklärt Siedlungen past seven months. Keeping promises to voters is als nicht völkerrechtswidrig commendable, but not at the expense of keeping the Auf Zustimmung in Jerusalem und heftige internati- whole country in limbo for four more months until onale Kritik stieß die Kehrtwende der USA bei der another election. Find the places where you can be Bewertung der israelischen Siedlungspolitik in den

5 noch besetzten Gebieten des Westjordanlandes. should be thought of in this context. (…) It must be US-Außenminister Mike Pompeo verkündete, dass recalled that the last sovereign over the territory of die USA den israelischen Siedlungsbau nicht mehr the West Bank was the Ottoman Empire; it re- kategorisch als völkerrechtswidrig betrachten. Die nounced its legal rights to the land after the First Vereinten Nationen reagierten mit Bedauern, die EU World War. That set the stage for the League of distanzierte sich von der neuen Haltung der USA. Nations in 1922 explicitly supporting the "close set- Auch bei den Palästinensern und in der arabischen tlement" of Jews in the territory of the British Man- Welt löste die Entscheidung scharfe Kritik aus. Nabil date. Those historical rights of the Jewish people Abu Rudeineh, Sprecher von Palästinenserpräsident were preserved by Article 80 of the UN Charter. Mahmud Abbas, sagte, die USA trügen die volle True, Jordan seized the West Bank as a result of the Verantwortung für die "Auswirkungen dieses gefähr- first Arab-Israeli War that ended in 1949. And while lichen Schritts". Die Amerikaner setzen sich einmal Jordan annexed the territory, even the Arab states mehr vom internationalen Nahost-Kurs ab. UN und refused to recognize its sovereignty there. In other EU-Staaten kritisierten zuvor die Entscheidung in words, there was no recognized sovereign over the Washington, den israelischen Anspruch auf die West Bank prior to Israel's entry into the area. A besetzten Golanhöhen sowie zuvor Jerusalem als vacuum of sovereignty had been created that had to Israels Hauptstadt anzuerkennen. Pompeo sagte, be taken into account when looking at the legality of nach eingehender Prüfung der Rechtspositionen sei Israeli settlements. Finally, Israel reminded the in- man zu dem Schluss gekommen, dass es den Frie- ternational community that when it captured the densprozess nicht vorangebracht habe, die Siedlun- West Bank in 1967 that it acted in the framework of gen illegal zu nennen. Israels Ministerpräsident a war of self-defense. (…) The unique conditions of Benjamin Netanyahu begrüßte den Schritt und the case of Israeli settlements influenced the whole sprach von der Korrektur einer "historischen Fehl- issue of how they should be judged, but now with entscheidung". Er hatte sich im Wahlkampf vor der the formulation of a new American position their Parlamentswahl im September für die Annektierung legality is on the way to being finally accepted. von Teilen des Westjordanlandes ausgesprochen. Dore Gold, IHY, 18.11.19 Die Entscheidung der USA beschert Netanyahu, der um sein politisches Überleben kämpft, willkommene It’s open season on land theft Unterstützung aus dem Weißen Haus. Pompeo The key sentence in U.S. Secretary of State Mike beteuerte, der Zeitpunkt der Verkündung habe kei- Pompeo’s statement, which cloaked the West Bank nerlei Zusammenhang mit innenpolitischen Vorgän- settlement project in legality, is in the words “the gen in Israel. conclusion that we will no longer recognize Israeli settlements as per se inconsistent with international A long awaited correction law is based on the unique facts, history and cir- The Department of State (…) has corrected US cumstances presented by the establishment of civil- Middle East policy in an important way. The past ian settlements in the West Bank.” (…) The meaning legal determination that Israelis deciding to reside in of this policy is that any country, be it Russia, China, the West Bank and (…) are doing so in Iran or even the United States itself, can create violation of international law has always been deeply “unique facts” and new “circumstances” in any area flawed. It failed to recognize that the case of Israeli it wants, and if they hold that area long enough, they settlement construction was unique and was not can enjoy legal status there. (…) Pompeo does not what the drafters of international law had in mind weigh in on the legality of specific settlements – he when they first addressed this question. The original leaves that to the Israeli courts. He “makes do” with basis for judging the question of Israeli settlements a sweeping statement regarding all of them, and this was the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention that was give the Israeli justice system permission to choose designed to protect occupied populations. (…) its between the American interpretation and any other authors had in mind heinous crimes committed by interpretation while neutralizing legal and public Nazi Germany that were raised during the Nurem- debate over the claim that Israel could be penalized berg trials. These included forcible evictions of Jew- if it continues to create more settlements or doesn’t ish populations for purposes of mass extermination uproot them. But how can the Israeli justice system in death camps in places like Poland. This plainly determine the legality of some of the settlements if was not the case of Israeli settlements and it is all of them are legal in terms of international law? utterly vile to even suggest that Israeli settlements Today a legal objection still limits the establishment

6 of settlements on land that is not under private Pal- (…) The majority of American Jews support the two- estinian ownership, but if the settlement project as a state solution, oppose settlement expansion and whole is legal in the view of the United States, only fear annexation would take Israel down the road Israeli law will determine what is legal and what is toward a binational state or apartheid, and away not, and the law can be molded like putty. Moreover, from one that is both Jewish and democratic. That in not expressing an opinion regarding specific set- would likely further widen the growing chasm be- tlements (…), Pompeo also erases the term “settle- tween most American Jews and Israel and make ment blocs” from the diplomatic lexicon. Because if peace between Israel and the Palestinians even all the settlements are consistent with international more remote. (…) law, there is no basis to differentiate between con- Douglas Bloomfield, JPO, 21.11.19 sensus blocs and those beyond the consensus. That is, even the theoretical distinction that created con- So Pompeo said it sensus on possible lines of withdrawal from the (…) The Trump-Pompeo declaration is worth about West Bank, and in the past served as a basis for as much as the statement that the Earth is flat. negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, Trump-Pompeo can push on the Earth from both has been erased from the map. It’s open season on sides, rest their chins on it until their faces turn as land theft for everyone. (…) with the settlements red as a ripe strawberry – and the ball will remain removed from the purview of international law, the round. (…) But the declaration brings back into our American government has turned the occupation consciousness the question, which in the past was into an internal Israeli affair in which the United asked many times in the Supreme Court: What is States (…) has no reason to interfere. (…) Trump the source of the legal authority by which the State has only one more move before he reaches the of Israel imposes a military government on some bottom of the barrel of gifts for Netanyahu – to an- two and a half million people, who have been born nounce that there is no occupation and there never and died, who are being born and dying for the 52 was one. (…) years in the occupied territories? (…) International Zvi Bar'el, HAA, 20.11.19 law is the source of the authority of the military commander. Not a divine promise, not a messianic Pompeo announcement: Peace or propaganda? vision, but the law of nations, which wanted the (…) There is no way this will advance peace, nor Geneva Convention to protect the occupied popula- was it intended to. (…) It’s a scam run by three tion, who are called in the convention “protected Orthodox Jews in the real estate business with close persons,” because the authors knew how vulnerable ties to the settler movement: Friedman and Jason and weak the residents of the occupied territories Greenblatt, who were lawyers for the Trump Organi- were (…). International law does not permit the zation, and first son-in-law Jared Kushner. (…) occupier to confiscate thousands of acres of land Pompeo had been preparing this decision for that are not privately owned, and build cities and months, he said, so why announce it now? It certain- communities populated by the occupiers who enjoy ly wasn’t, as Pompeo would have us believe, to all the civil rights of the occupying nation (…). The “increase the likelihood” of Israeli-Palestinian peace. main point is that international law views all the More likely it is, notwithstanding Pompeo’s denial, to military arrangements in the occupied territory as a help Netanyahu save his political career and stay temporary situation, which is supposed to end a out of jail in several corruption cases. (…) Trump’s short time after the end of the situation of belligeren- settlement decision was a slap at the Palestinians, cy. (…) At least twice in my cases, the Supreme who he has dissed repeatedly by cutting aid for their Court was required to discuss the legality of the government and for refugees. (…) The new policy settlements on state-owned land, and twice it evad- most likely was aimed at a critical Trump political ed deciding based on the claim that this question base, Evangelical Christians. (…) Evangelicals was not justiciable. The most imperialist Supreme groups like Christians United for Israel and Friends Court, which ruled that everything is justiciable, of Zion are longtime critics of European anti- retreated bashfully from deciding on the question of settlement policies like last week’s ruling by the the legal status of the settlements. (…) I smack my European Court of Justice that products from the forehead and wonder if the time hasn’t come to go West Bank must be labeled as such and not as back to the Supreme Court and ask if the settle- produced from Israel. They’ve been pressing the ments are legal. I have been waiting in line for 52 administration to strike back, which it did this week.

7 and a half years. I deserve an answer from the au- (…) When Israel attacks, Syria draws farther away thorized agent of the law. from stabilization (…). Avigdor Feldman, HAA, 22.11.19 Ron Ben-Yishai, YED, 23.11.19

4. Medienquerschnitt Erneuter heftiger Schlagabtausch mit Dschiha- disten im Gazastreifen Dutzende Luftangriffe auf Syrien IDF policy on Gaza could give rise to a more Israel sends rare message to Tehran, Damascus powerful enemy and Moscow (…) it is possible that the regime in Gaza hasn't The IDF airstrikes in Syria earlier this week were a been forced into calm, but is merely recalculating its direct response to the four Iranian-made heavy current course. (…) It's also possible that the calm in rockets fired at Israel (…). The rockets (…) were Gaza is the result of Hamas pacifying the Strip's fired within about 80km from the border with Israel various factions, in order to restructure its inner (…). The rockets were indubitably targeted at Israeli workings after the elimination of Abu al-Ata, who population centers (…). All these details are im- openly defied Hamas' authority. Hamas sees itself portant in order to understand why the Israel Air as a proper army after all, and not as a military Force struck in Syria on such an unusually large branch of a terrorist organization. To illustrate this scale. (…). The attack was intended to serve as a point, Mohammed Deif, who was once merely the warning for three groups: The Iranians and their head of the organization's military wing Izz ad-Din proxies operating in Syria; Syrian President Bashar al-Qassam Brigades, is now referred to as its chief Assad and his army – who grant complete freedom of staff in Hamas' statements to the local media. (…) of action and air defense to Iran's Quds Force extra- there are a few (…) encouraging signs that things territorial operations; and a message to the Kremlin, may have changed. In the last two weeks, Hamas' who do not meet their commitment to Israel to ward hammer of peace came down hard on any protest- off the Iranians and their proxies from the Israeli ers who disobeyed their orders and tried to enter border. (…) Israel also wants to send a message Israel or attack IDF soldiers. Hamas also prevented that it aims to keep the conflict solely to military the destructive incendiary balloon attacks, prevent- targets and not expand it to civilian areas and tar- ing the burning of Israeli fields near the border; gets. Rocket fire is considered a red line that should those who disobeyed the leadership's instructions not be crossed in Israel's perspective (…). The were promptly arrested. Hamas is also feeling ami- message for the regime in Damascus has been cable towards the Palestinian Authority, which per- simple and consistent since the Israeli strikes began suaded Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to as part of the "in-between wars" campaign to pre- agree to democratic elections to the Gaza Strip vent Iran from establishing itself in Syria and thwart- parliament (…). It seems though, that the IDF is not ing its program to improve missile and rocket accu- content with a mere military achievement and is racy in Lebanon and Syria. (…) There is also a pushing for the political echelon to perpetuate the threat attached to this message - Israel will gradually current state in Gaza with civil doctrines that would destroy the military capabilities of the Syrian army essentially solidify Hamas' rule over the Strip. Being and will extend the strikes to the regime's assets content with a military achievement is one thing, but and symbols. (…) As for the Russians, Israel sends playing with potentially incendiary political games is them two messages: Pointing out to them not follow- not the prerogative of the IDF. (…) Hamas' goal is to ing through on their promise to keep Soleimani's take over the Palestinian Authority, either by force or men and their emissaries away from the border and by elections, before it deals with the "Zionist entity" demanding that thy must follow through on this on the other side of the border. In order to achieve commitment, otherwise the IDF itself will be forced this goal, Hamas needs a long truce in order to to carry out the task. But the main message behind further entrench itself in the Strip. (…) Wednesday's attack was telling the Russians that Alex Fishman, YED, 27.11.19 until the Iranians and their henchmen cease from their attempt to establish a ground front against Israel from Syria's territory - the Kremlin will not be able to achieve a ceasefire in the civil war in Syria.

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

Veröffentlicht im: Dezember 2019

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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