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Home , Alon Tal, Aviv Kochavi, Gadi Eizenkot, Zvi Hauser

Schlaglicht Nr. 2/19 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen

16.-31. Januar

Die Themen dieser Ausgabe

1. Israels Luftwaffe greift Ziele in Syrien an ...... 1 2. Senkrechtstart für ...... 4 3. Nasrallahs Drohungen ...... 6 4. Medienquerschnitt ...... 7

1. Israels Luftwaffe greift Ziele in Syrien an mutungen des Sicherheitsapparates nach sind die Der erneute Schlagabtausch zwischen Israel und schiitischen Libanesen im Besitz von mindestens den in Syrien stationierten iranischen Revolutions- 100.000 Raketen, die jeden Winkel Israels erreichen garden deutet auf eine Verschärfung des Konflikts. können. Der Kommandant der iranischen Luftwaffe Aziz Nasirzadeh kündigte an, dass Iran bereit sei für den Balancing act Entscheidungskrieg, „der den Angriffen der israeli- (…) Bashar Assad’s fragile state is the playground of schen Armee auf Syrien ein Ende machen wird“. Iranian forces (…). The key to preventing a further Teheran warte auf den Tag, “an dem wir das Ende escalation seems to be impressing on Vladimir Israels sehen“. Israel hielt sich bislang bedeckt über Putin’s Russia that it needs to abide by promises to die Angriffe der Luftwaffe auf syrischem Terrain. keep Iran from becoming entrenched on Israel’s Zum ersten Mal offen über “Tausende Angriffe” der border and stop weapons supplies from reaching israelischen Luftwaffe äußerte sich , terrorist organizations that openly threaten Israeli bis vor kurzem noch Generalstabschef, Mitte Januar civilians. Israel (…) needs to take action to maintain gegenüber der New York Times. Kritiker Netanya- deterrence and prevent the situation from deteriorat- hus, der seit dem Rücktritt von Avigdor Liberman ing into a form of war of attrition – similar to the das Amt des Verteidigungsministers hält, warfen die situation that has developed with Iranian-sponsored Frage auf, ob der Regierungschef mit den Luftangrif- Hamas in the South (…). On the other hand, care fen und der Offenheit darüber bei den Wählern needs to be taken to avoid an escalation that can punkten will, was Amir Peretz von der Arbeitspartei quickly get out of control. (…) Russia is keen to und ehemals selbst Verteidigungsminister, „nicht maintain the calm (…) while Iran, already over- glauben möchte“. Im Interview mit dem israelischen stretched, also does not seem keen on an all-out Hörfunk erklärte Peretz, er gehe davon aus, dass confrontation with Israel. has to continue Netanyahus Erwägungen nichts mit den bevorste- to make it clear that Iran does not enjoy immunity henden Wahlen zu tun haben, sondern „strikt militä- and that Russia’s presence is no guarantee for it to risch und professionell“ seien. Der Iran gilt als Isra- act with impunity. Israel has a responsibility to per- els gefährlichster Feind und bedroht an der Grenze form a delicate balancing act, weighing firm action to zum Libanon Israel durch seinen Handlanger Hisbol- protect its citizens while trying its best to avoid an lah. Die schiitische Terrororganisation wurde mit unwanted escalation in the conflict. Hilfe Teherans in den 80er Jahren gegründet. Ver- Editorial, JPO, 21.01.19

1 Israel and Iran are on a collision course in Syria comprehensive mechanism for deescalation. Israel – and the U.S. and Russia don't care must make sure the arrangement with Russia re- (…) Israel and Iran are now engaged in direct and mains strong, as it is of paramount importance. open conflict in Syria – which is perhaps not so Although it is unlikely that the latest escalation will surprising (…). What is remarkable is how this latest not spiral out of control, the IDF is not going to take development is happening without either of the any chances and will most likely remain on high alert world powers – the United States and Russia – in the near future to prepare for any Iranian re- trying to exert any significant influence on the out- sponse, which could also come from various Iranian come. (…) Neither side, Israel or Iran, seems to proxies, including . So tension in the north want to go all the way to all-out war, but without any will remain a constant fixture for the foreseeable restraining hand that could well happen. (…) Russia future and might very well play a major role in the promised to keep Iranian forces at least 60 kilome- election campaign. ters (…) away from Israel’s border. It also said it Yoav Limor, IHY, 21.01.19 would greatly upgrade Syria’s anti-aircraft capabili- ties (…). In reality, none of this has happened. (…) Iran is ready to take risks in its struggle with The Kremlin wants to give the impression that it Israel controls events in Syria. But the truth is that it has In response to Israel’s attack Sunday on Iranian only two real objectives there: Safeguarding the targets in the Damascus region, the Quds Force of Assad regime; and establishing its own air base and the Revolutionary Guard fired a medium-range sur- port on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. (…) Curtailing face-to-surface missile at the Hermon Mountain either Iran or Israel’s operations in Syria would ne- vicinity. (…) The significance of firing the missile cessitate way more diplomatic and military re- during the day was that it was clear to the Quds sources than Russia is prepared to invest. It is clear Force that there were hundreds of Israeli tourists now that the most Israel can expect from its own visiting the area and a ski resort. This attack indicat- engagement with the Russian leadership is “decon- ed Iran’s readiness to ratchet up the level of vio- fliction” (…). The bottom line is that Syria remains as lence and take greater risks for a strong Israeli reac- it was from the beginning of the civil war in 2011. tion, thereby leading to a military deterioration with Neither the Assad regime nor any of the external Israel. If reports that some of the targets attacked by players can (…) control it outright. Russia wants Israel were close to the Quds Force command build- bases and the United States just wants to get the ing in the Damascus region are true, from the view- hell out; Turkey is interested in controlling various point of Iran, it can no longer tolerate Israeli attacks. northern regions and suppressing the Kurdish popu- (…) It was no coincidence that the Iranian press lation; Iran is interested in a beachhead that will released this statement by Iran’s Air Force com- serve as a link in its Shia crescent, encompassing mander Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh: “The Iraq and Lebanon as well; Israel will do almost any- young people in the air force are fully ready and thing to stymie Iran’s plan. With the global powers impatient to confront the Zionist regime and elimi- effectively leaving a vacuum in Syria, Israel and Iran nate it from the Earth.” are increasingly on a collision course no one is Shimon Shapira, TOI, 21.01.19 trying to prevent. (…) Anshel Pfeffer, HAA, 21.01.19 A potential danger on the northern front (…) The widespread assumption is that Syria and Iran and Israel are on a collision course Iran are not interested in starting a war (…). Israel (…) Israel and Iran are on the brink of a direct mili- doesn’t have any interest in broadening the Syrian tary confrontation. (…) The Israeli strike (…), which front either (…). But the skirmishes between the targeted Iranian assets in Syria, was highly unusual and the Syrian and Iranian because it was carried out during the day. (…) The forces indicate that the potential for a slide into a fact that Prime Minister was military campaign broader than what any of the visiting Chad when the attack took place only under- parties intend still threatens the northern front. (…) scores the importance of those targets and the ur- When the prime minister is also the defense minis- gency involved. (…) The latest tit-for-tat suggests ter, and when the new chief of staff, , Iran is no longer going to remain passive to Israeli tags the IDF as a “lethal army” and wants to make action. It is safe to assume that the recent escalation his mark as soon as he can, the system of checks is not over yet. (…) Israel and Russia have a (…) and balances meant to characterize the military

2 decision-making process may be dangerously bi- Israel, it would constitute a clear violation of the ased. (…) One hopes that the IDF and the military promises Moscow made to Jerusalem and Washing- moves it is planning can be shielded from the poi- ton. (…) Israel is signaling to Moscow that it needs sonous radiation emanating from the prime minis- to keep its word, which was probably not very ter’s private campaign, but Netanyahu is able to pleasant for the Russian Foreign Ministry to hear. blow holes even in that hope. Netanyahu is making (…) the public suspect that he would even be willing to Ron Ben Yishai, YED, 24.01.19 exploit the security situation for his needs, just as he prevented the collapse of the government by Naftali The end of the ambiguity policy: Israel´s new Bennett and Ayelet Shaked by lying about a pending strategy in Syria exceptional security threat. How can he be trusted (…) Whether or not the first attack was perpetrated when only a few weeks later he dissolved the gov- by Israel, it was an attack designed to strike only ernment on his own initiative? The suspicion that military sites and infrastructure. Iran, however, at- security crises might be created to serve the prime tacked Israeli civilians, launching a rocket toward minister’s personal objectives is enough to demand thousands of visitors enjoying a popular resort (…). Netanyahu’s removal, or that he at least appoint a Had the rocket not been intercepted, innocent lives defense minister who can consider Israel’s security could have been lost, and Israel might have been needs in a focused and impartial manner. forced to respond in a manner likely to cause wide- Editorial, HAA, 22.01.19 scale escalation on its northern borders. (…) Israel’s military actions during the past two months indicate Russia's rebuke of Israel's Syria strikes wasn't a gradual shift in its strategy regarding Syria. Israel mere lip service is now operating against multiple military targets at (…) The Syrians started the soft war when they filed once. Moreover, it has abandoned its traditional a complaint against Israel with the United Nations policy of ambiguity (…) These operations have sent Security Council (…) the Russian military headquar- a clear message to the Iranians and Hezbollah in ters in Syria settled for laconic statements of facts, Lebanon: Israel will not tolerate an Iranian strong- with no condemnation or demands of Israel, and this hold being established in southwest Syria. (…) the must have angered Damascus. Russia prefers not recent escalations illustrate that, despite its domi- to anger Assad, (…) the Russian Foreign Ministry nance in Syria, Russia’s ability to dictate the actions released a statement through a lower rank, its of both sides is limited. The Iranian rocket was fired spokesperson, in which it condemned Israeli opera- from southern Syria, an area that the Russians tions and demanded that it ceases it´s attacks in already promised Israel would be free of Iranian Syria—just as the Assad regime demanded. Except presence. (…) Russia cannot prevent Iranian proxy that the Russian Foreign Ministry's statement in- militias from committing such acts from within the cluded an interesting sentence, calling on all sides Syrian south. (…) The Israeli government and its to stop waging geo-political struggles on Syrian prime minister are now facing a difficult dilemma: territory. This sentence, it appears, was not just how to act against Iran’s increasing influence and meant for Israeli ears but also, and perhaps mostly, control in Syria and Lebanon, without deteriorating for the ears of the Ayatollahs regime in Iran. Behind into war. It must be noted that in Lebanon alone, this implied message to Tehran is rather credible Hezbollah has about 100,000 rockets, 40% of which information published by the Kuwaiti newspaper Al are in areas under UN supervision, hidden inside or Jarida. The paper's (…) correspondents in Jerusa- beneath civilian infrastructures, in a manner that lem and Tehran, said that Qasem Soleimani, the makes the population of South Lebanon a human commander of the Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds shield. Moreover, Iran is determined to assist Hez- Force, toured the Syrian about a bollah to improve its rocket arsenal. (…) The Israeli week ago, some 45 kilometers from the Israeli bor- decision to end its ambiguity policy sends a clear der. It's safe to assume Al Jarida's credible sources message: Israel will not compromise on its security meant for this information to reach the Russians. (…) Russian President Vladimir Putin did commit (…) Sarit Zehavi, Ibrahim Abu Ahmad, JPO, 25.01.19 that he would keep the Iranians at least 80 kilome- ters away from the Syria-Israel border on the Golan Let this be the decisive campaign Heights. If Soleimani did visit that area on January (…) Israel has laid out three goals it wants to 18, at such a close distance from the border with achieve in Syria: stopping the development of the

3 terrorist front on the Golan Heights; preventing Ira- de sechs Mandate abrutschte. Voraussetzung für nian military entrenchment in Syria; and preventing ein Zusammengehen wäre jedoch, dass Lapid Hezbollah and Iranian forces from arming them- selbst die Nummer eins bliebe. In den Reihen der selves with long-range weapons. (…) The strategy Zukunftspartei gibt man sich kompromisslos. in Syria should first be evaluated in the context of an Schließlich sei man Gantz um einige Jahre an Er- interwar campaign. (…) We must focus on defining fahrung in der Politik voraus. its purpose. Publicly, Israel is right to pursue its three stated goals. In secret, it is necessary to un- Benny Gantz may be just what Israel needs derstand that even if continued Israeli actions in (…) Israel faces a crisis of leadership. Too many Syria could lead to war, we must prepare for war as politicians rely on a cowardly strategy of superficiali- a way out of the impasse in the north. ty and fake news, mean-spirited vitriol, divisive rhet- Gershon Hacohen, IHY, 25.01.19 oric, and preference for sectoral over national inter- ests. (…) After so many years of imperious arro- gance and mean-spirited demonization of rival posi- 2. Senkrechtstart für Benny Gantz tions, it is critical to have a leader with a proven Heftiger Gegenwind aus der Mitte bläst Ministerprä- ability to listen. We need someone who can hear all sident Benjamin Netanyahu ins Gesicht, seit Ex- sides, who is inclusive and tries to find common Generalstabschef Benny Gantz ins Rennen um den ground before making the call and taking action. (…) höchsten Regierungsposten einstieg. Mit der An- We are lucky to have a veteran leader like Benny trittsrede beim Kongress seiner Partei Hosen Gantz who is willing to leap into the quagmire of L´Yisrael („Widerstandskraft für Israel“) sprangen die national politics, notwithstanding the many associat- Umfrageergebnisse auf 21 bis 24 Parlamentsman- ed indignities. For those of us still uncertain about date. Damit liegt die Partei aktuell mindestens sechs who we should be voting for, I suggest taking a step Mandate hinter dem . Gut zwei Monate bleiben back from the usual, narrow, tribal concerns and Gantz bis zum Wahltermin 9. April für die Suche considering Gantz’s new party. It’s about time that nach politischen Verbündeten. Er wäre nicht Israels Israel had leadership that intuitively knows that what erster Regierungschef, der die längste Zeit seines unites us is far more dominant than what divides us Lebens Uniform trug, aber er wäre der erste, dem — a leader who has the ability to inspire us all to der Sprung in die Politik gleich ins höchste Regie- work together for a better Israel. rungsamt gelänge. Schon vor seiner Antrittsrede ließ , TOI, 17.01.19 Israels neuer Politstar einen Teil seiner ideologi- schen Hüllen fallen, als er sich in einem Wahlkampf- In the upcoming election, choose the rule of law video der Errungenschaften des Gaza-Krieges 2014 (…) nearly all the parties in the current governing rühmte. Vor den Bildern komplett zerstörter Stadt- coalition would join another one headed by Benja- viertel rechnet er die Zahl der Terroristen, die wäh- min Netanyahu, even if he is summoned to a pre- rend des Krieges getötet wurden, auf 1364 aus. Der indictment hearing. (…) most would do so even if he Videofilm war Auftakt zur Kampagne, sich als Si- stood trial. (…) Successive Netanyahu governments cherheitspolitiker zu profilieren. In einer Umgebung haven’t been content with merely assaulting Israeli wie dem Nahen Osten „gibt es keine Gnade für die democracy and its constituent values – equality for Schwachen. Nur die Starken überleben.“ Gantz minorities, freedom of expression and other human schickte seine Warnung direkt an die Chefs in Tehe- rights. In recent years, the assault has focused on ran, in Gaza und an die Hisbollah im Libanon. Alle- the rule of law (…) The rule of law is under attack on samt sollten sie sich davor hüten, ihn herauszufor- multiple fronts. The targets include the institutions dern. Er werde mit Härte gegen die Feinde Israels responsible for enforcing it – the police, the prosecu- vorgehen und niemals die Golanhöhen oder das tion and the courts – as well as the people responsi- Jordantal aufgeben. Auf dieser Ebene ließen sich ble for ensuring that the government obeys the law, ideologische Verwandte finden. Gegner Netanyahus such as ministry legal advisers, the attorney general, bauen auf ein Zusammengehen von Gantz und Yair the state comptroller and every other independent Lapid, dem Chef der Zukunftspartei. Lapid hätte oversight agency. (…) the importance of preserving gegen ein Bündnis nichts einzuwenden. Der politi- crucial systems and institutions, without which the sche Blitzstart der Hosen L´Yisrael hat seiner Zu- government might well acquire unlimited power, kunftspartei schon wichtige Wählerstimmen gekos- must be the focus of this election. (…) Otherwise, tet, ähnlich wie der Arbeitspartei, die auf vernichten- Israel is liable to wake up after the election to a new

4 set of circumstances, in which it will be possible to to say that he's hiding his worldview or his plans. definitively dismantle the rule of law. Benny Gantz is a worthy man, and he passed the Editorial, HAA, 24.01.19 test of the first speech. (…) the dark horse in the 2019 election could win support from unaffiliated Everyone's blue-eyed boy: Reflections on the voters who are looking for a leader. But the party's elections supposed agreement guaranteeing places for former Anyone who talked to Benny Gantz the day after he Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, , and made his first political statement, got the impression (all right-wingers) at the top of the joint the man is in low spirits. The 20th IDF chief of staff faction should be a signal to center-left voters that and the most intriguing candidate of Israel's 2019 what came into being this week is not from their elections had hoped for a different outcome with the camp. launch of his political campaign. (…) we need to Yossi Beilin, IHY, 30.01.19 understand Gantz's dilemma (…): Should he turn to the right — to Likud and Kulanu voters, or to the left An alternative to Netanyahu —to and Zionist Union voters? In normal Former Chief of Staff Benny Gantz (…) declared his elections, the answer would be clear — he should candidacy for prime minister, and it appears that turn right with all his might. This way, Gantz could Netanyahu can expect a genuine battle for leader- both smash the right-wing bloc and also win over ship of the country (…) He promised to heal Israel’s opposition voters who saw him as the next Israeli divisions and to end the incitement against institu- prime minister. Surely this would work for 6′5″ blue tions of government. (…) In a part of his speech that eyed former military leader. But these are not normal referred to the security situation, Gantz maintained elections. There are a host of would-be prime minis- the militant line of the videos that he shared last ters — Yesh Atid leader , Hatnuah leader week. (…) Anyone expecting an innovative diplomat- , Labor Party head Avi Gabbay, Gesher ic message was disappointed. Despite returning the leader Orly Levy-Abekasis and Telem chair Moshe word peace (…) to the public conversation, Gantz Ya'alon— all competing for the same votes. First, avoided mentioning the two-state solution. He pre- Gantz must fight to build his own his base, for if he sented a tough, hawkish line. Gantz promised to breaks right looking for success, he could end up strengthen the settlement blocs and the Golan losing on both sides of the spectrum. (…) "Israel Heights (…) and a united Jerusalem as the “eternal” Before All", Gantz's new slogan, as well as the 20- capital of Israel. (…) he was saying no to an inde- second video he posted last week, serve as an pendent Palestine and no to annexation. Gantz was introduction to his next dilemma: Should he estab- clear that his electoral partnership with Moshe lish a coalition with Prime Minister Benjamin Netan- Ya’alon was his first political partnership, and he yahu? Gabbay is trying to convince him otherwise promised that there will be others. (…) Let us hope while Likud members dissect his every word in an that he will succeed in this mission. Let us hope that effort to label him as a leftist. In short, it's a holy the heads of the Labor Party and of Yesh Atid will mess. (…) swallow their pride and join forces with Gantz. Israel Amit Segal, YED, 21.01.19 needs a political upset the way that it needs oxygen. Editorial, HAA, 30.01.19 Gantz has to pick a side (…) Benny Gantz apparently doesn't believe that Gantz suddenly has charisma Right and Left even exist. He thinks that in politics, (…) Tall and grey-haired Gantz sought contact—he he can keep doing what he did in the army: serve for hugged, kissed and posed for selfies with everyone the good of the state. (…) in the army he served the who waved their phone at him, he was even com- policies of both right-wing and left-wing govern- pared to former US president Bill Clinton in his ments. As an officer, he needed to operate without prime. He suddenly had charisma. (…) Stating he taking ideology into account. If he has to decide, he would not sit in a government whose prime minister will need to pick one of the two options. (…) Gantz's is facing an indictment was the only issue influenc- lengthy silence on political issues covered up his ing the day after the April elections that Gantz ad- positions. (…) despite his exaggerated caution, he dressed. He won't be able to back down from this removed the veil. Now the Right can say he's a promise, but keeping it won't be easy. On some leftist, and the Left can say he's a right-winger, and levels, Gantz comes as a surprise. When he first they'll both be partly correct. But they won't be able retired from the IDF (…) Gantz had no political ambi-

5 tions. (…) With some exaggeration, like King Saul, commander of the elite Quds Force and the Iranian Gantz went looking for donkeys and found a king- Revolutionary Guards’ strongman, has also adopted dom, or unfortunately, the ambition to become a a different approach. Suleimani believes in an ongo- king. (…) The retired generals are convinced that if ing revolution—from Syria to Iraq to Yemen and they enter politics, they will make some sort of cor- even Israel or Palestine. He is preparing the ground rection. They were trained to think in stately (patriot- for the day he takes command in the Galilee and the ic) terms. The country is genuinely important to them Golan Heights. A chess cliché is useful when talking and they are truly concerned about what has hap- about Iran: Israel is moving its pieces into multiple, pened to it during the Netanyahu era. (…) There interlinked places to do battle against Suleimani. was something very moving in seeing former chief of Gaza is connected to Lebanon, which is connected staff Moshe “Boggi” Ya'alon, who was once Gantz's to Syria, and everything is connected to Iran. commander and now agreed to be his number 2 Shimrit Meir, YED, 16.01.19 man on the list, joining him on the stage. (…) Nahum Barnea, YED, 30.01.19 Nasrallah would prefer to stay quiet (…) the interview (…) had one goal: to prove that Nasrallah is alive, kicking, and in control. Someone 3. Nasrallahs Drohungen up top in Hezbollah realized that silence of more Hassan Nasrallah, Chef der libanesischen Terroror- than two months by someone who had gotten his ganisation Hisbollah, warnt Israel vor Angriffen in supporters accustomed to frequent speeches could Syrien. Während eines Interviews mit dem TV- be doing some damage. Even if he isn't in the best Sender al-Majadeen stellte er einen „Flächenbrand of health, it would be better for him to speak. There der Region“ in Aussicht, bei dem auch unter are plenty of reasons to assume that if that consid- Raketenbeschuss geraten könnte. Dabei richtete er eration hadn't been factored in, Nasrallah would seine Warnung unmittelbar an Israels Regierungs- have preferred to keep quiet for as long as possible. chef Benjamin Netanjahu. Die islamistischen Milizen Developments in the region and in his own circle in kämpften im syrischen Bürgerkrieg Seite an Seite the past few months are inconvenient for him, and it mit den Soldaten Präsident Bashar Assads. Israels is hard for even a skilled speaker such as he is to Angriffe in Syrien zielen auf die iranischen Revoluti- explain away what is inconvenient. First, Israel ex- onsgarden, deren dauerhafte Präsenz Netanyahu zu posed his tunnels. (…) Iran, Hezbollah's sponsor, is verhindern versucht. becoming increasingly isolated in the world. (…) Nasrallah might have preferred to keep quiet, but Nasrallah, Iran, and Israel's end game circumstances dictated otherwise. (…) Hezbollah (…) while the millions of dollars and years of Sisy- will respond if Israel attacks Hezbollah targets in phean work invested in building the tunnels goes Syria (…) he is warning Prime Minister Benjamin down the drain, Hezbollah Secretary-General Has- Netanyahu against making the mistake of a military san Nasrallah remains silent. Why? (…) Perhaps gambit to "promote himself in the election cam- Hezbollah's secretary-general really is not hundred paign"; and he is threatening that in the next war, "all percent well, or perhaps he is adopting a new media Palestine will be under threat." For that, he didn't strategy of enigmatic silence. (…) Instead of threat- need to break his silence. ening retaliation, he prefers to sit and wait. (…) he Oded Granot, IHY, 27.01.19 has other domestic issues that demand his atten- tion. (…) a new government has yet to be formed Hezbollah caught between desire to strengthen (…) The Shiite terror organization understands that Iran and need to reinforce its domestic power without the help of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad (…) Hezbollah is now caught between its desire to Hariri, who is favored by the West, the funds Leba- strengthen the status of Iran and Syria and the need non so desperately needs will not be infused into the to reinforce its domestic political power, which allows country. (…) Instead of being dragged into a new it to dictate the government’s position as it sees fit. operation every other day and investing useless and But in the absence of a government, Hezbollah has expensive efforts to harm Iran's proxies—Hamas, no real leverage, and its insistence on dictating the Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah—Israel's new strategy government’s makeup also places it in the way of is to directly target the Islamic Republic and its en- Lebanon overcoming its severe economic crisis. (…) trenchment attempts in Syria, while avoiding military Beyond recognizing the inability of the Lebanese adventure at all costs. But Qassem Suleimani, army to face off against Israel (…) Hezbollah will

6 have to restrain its response in order to avoid further appointment process. No one stopped him (…). The complicating the formation of the government and shift in the balance of power on the Judicial Selec- the damage that an Israeli strike could cause Leba- tion Committee – away from the justices and toward non. It must also be very careful not to move Israeli the politicians – is what made possible the actions military action from Syria to Lebanon. Thus, even now under investigation. (…) Justice Minister Hezbollah’s concept of “resistance,” which is the Shaked purported to stand for clean ethics (…) the foundation of its military existence, is subservient to ministerial responsibility falls on her. political and diplomatic considerations if it wishes to Editorial, HAA, 17.01.19 help Syria and Iran. However, these obligations are not set in stone. Their fabric depends on Israel’s intentions and its actions in Syria and Lebanon. Umstrittene Investitionen chinesischer Firmen Hezbollah is willing to give Lebanon the right to sleep peacefully as long as Israel does not keep it The Israel-China debate awake at night. We cannot ignore the emerging public debate about Zvi Bar´el, HAA, 28.01.19 the Chinese over-investment in the Israeli market. What used to be a topic for salon chats behind closed doors now occupies primetime news shows 4. Medienquerschnitt and national security forums. (…) The need to adapt the Israeli regulatory regime to rising Chinese in- Korrupter Justizapparat vestments and new global industries (…) is long overdue. (…) The recent debate about the role of Shaked’s responsibility the Chinese in Haifa’s port and Tel Aviv’s under- The case of Israel Bar Association president Effi ground railroads could be the right moment to com- Nave, who has been arrested on suspicion of ad- plete an intra-ministerial analysis that will lead to the vancing judges’ appointments in exchange for sex, right regulatory response. (…) The Israeli govern- is the gravest corruption affair the Israeli justice ment should not confuse trade protectionism with system has ever known. The suspicions (…) cast a legitimate foreign investment concerns and their large and heavy shadow over the judicial selection security implications. While Israeli companies have and appointments process, as well as on the judg- “gone global” in recent years, foreign investment in ment of Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked. (…) Shortly the Israeli market is still the engine of the Israeli after becoming justice minister, Shaked forged a economy. (…) Any Israeli reform that redesigns political alliance with Nave irresponsibly, leaving the foreign investment, from old industries like tunnels to Judicial Selection Committee without appropriate cutting-edge technologies, should bring transparen- professional checks and balances. (…) Under cy and effectiveness to the table without diminishing Shaked, the court system was compelled to accept the strong momentum of the Israeli economy in appointments and promotions of judges that (…) global markets. may have been made for improper, allegedly crimi- Efraim Chalamish, JPO, 22.01.19 nal reasons. (…) Shaked, a representative of the settlers and proponent of annexation who sits in the cabinet, wished to advance judges whose views Krankendes Gesundheitssystem were to her liking, and to this end she was willing to forge inappropriate alliances. In so doing, she made Heal health care the legal system a victim of unchecked and quite (…) It is a system in trouble, and everyone knows it. possibly criminal interests. In the Shaked era, the (…) Even while life expectancy in Israel is one of the Judicial Selection Committee came to be composed highest in the world, the country still faces a short- of four politicians and two Bar Association repre- age of doctors, nurses, hospital beds and medical sentatives versus a minority of three Supreme Court equipment (…). We know that the quality of medical justices. For the first time in the committee’s history, care itself is indeed very high in Israel, and the proof it included no representative from the opposition, is in the ever-growing number of medical tourists who could have served as a brake on Shaked and who come to Israel for treatment. While that greatly Nave’s steamrollered appointments. Nave, who benefits Israel’s economy, it also puts added pres- ruled the Bar Association with a free hand, absolute- sure on the collapsing system: the influx of foreign ly influenced the association’s position in the judicial patients leads to longer wait times for domestic

7 residents, amid reports that some doctors have Veröffentlicht im: Februar 2019 been paid under-the-table for their services. It is

ironic that the name of the health care system in Verantwortlich: Israel is known as kupat cholim, which is called the Dr. Paul Pasch health fund but literally translates as sick fund. (…) Leiter der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Israel As we now find ourselves in an election season, with candidates prepared to pledge all sorts of things to Redaktion: people, we strongly urge each and every party to put Susanne Knaul aside the platitudes and promises and address this Judith Stelmach severe predicament. (…) Forget right-wing/left-wing,

religious/secular, Jew/Arab – we are talking about Homepage: www.fes.org.il life and death, right now (…). We appeal to candi- Email: [email protected] dates to dispense with the slogans and to put forth viable practical solutions to this medical emergency. Our lives depend on it. Editorial, JPO, 30.01.19

Protest der äthiopischen Community in Israel

The Ethiopian community cries out: enough! (…) I had the privilege of standing shoulder-to- shoulder with my brothers and sisters and shout out our pain in the most democratic way possible. And I can say with pride that we staged the protest in the same way we were brought up, with the calm and quiet that is so typical of us, with determination and with our head held high. We did it while united and shouting "enough!" Enough! Let us live with dignity while feeling secure in a country that we fought so hard to reach, in a country that is ours. Enough! (…) We do want to walk the streets (safely), go to work, gain education, go shopping and have fun, while feeling secure and normal. Labeling us as a violent community is wrong. It's unjust. Instead of labeling us, try to get to know us. Look us in the eye, see who we really are. We are exactly like everyone else. The only difference is the color of our skin. (…) Titi Aynaw, YED, 31.01.19

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

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