Schlaglicht Israel Nr. 15/12 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen 13. – 30. August 2012 1. Ägyptischer Militärrat Präsident schwächt Der ägyptische Präsident Mohammed Morsi hat seine Machtposition deutlich ausgebaut. Als Reaktion auf den Terrorangriff auf ägyptische Grenzsoldaten im Sinai hat er Verteidigungsminister Hussein Tantawi sowie Generalstabschef Sami Annan entlassen und vom Militärrat eingeführte Verfassungsänderungen aufgehoben. Damit ist die Armee, zu der Israel bisher gute Beziehungen unterhalten hatte, als Akteur in der ägyptischen Politik geschwächt worden. Obwohl Israel auf eine Befriedung des Sinais hofft, wird die Aufstockung von ägyptischen Truppen auf der Halbinsel genau beobachtet. Laut Friedensvertrag müssen solche Aufstockungen mit Israel koordiniert werden. In einem Interview hatte Morsi versichert, den Friedensvertrag mit Israel aufrechterhalten zu wollen. Der israelische Außenminister Avigdor Lieberman forderte Morsi indes auf, Israel zu besuchen, sollte es ihm ernst mit dem Frieden sein. Rebuilding the pyramid “The revolution started by[…] Morsi when he dismissed his country's entire military leadership on Sunday, is surprising, dramatic and deeply profound. Perhaps even more so than the revolution that began on January 25, 2011, which toppled Hosni Mubarak and his regime.[…] For Israel, the dramatic measures taken by Morsi do not change much. Indeed, it was assumed that it would happen eventually. For now, Morsi does not have any other alternative but to maintain the peace treaty with Israel. It is possible that his commitment to the peace treaty offers it more legitimacy than it had during Mubarak's rule or while Tantawi was in power.” Eyal Zisser, IHY 13.08.12 Egypt’s transformation “The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, headed by Tantawi, was supposed to restrain the Muslim Brotherhood and ensure the continued enforcement of the Egypt-Israel peace treaty. Now Morsy faces no major internal challengers. Egypt’s decision to move tanks and aircraft into the Sinai Peninsula without notifying Israel for the first time since the Yom Kippur War – in an apparent violation of the peace accords – appears to be the direct result of an unrestrained Muslim Brotherhood leadership.” JPO 21.08.12 Editorial Morsy’s moves “Morsy and the Muslim Brotherhood have now emerged as the true victors of last year’s Tahrir Square uprising. They wield power in parliament and now in the military too. Their next move is expected to be the drafting of a new constitution. For the sake of the Egyptian people, let us hope that this paves the way for a democratic regime, and not another autocratic one. Morsy has pledged to honor Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel and to help revive the regional peace process, and we expect him to keep his word.[…] This is surely the time[…] for Israel to attempt to normalize relations with Morsy’s Egypt after a long period of a cold peace under his predecessor, Hosni Mubarak.” JPO 13.08.12 Editorial In Morsi's hands “The precedent of changing the peace agreement could be used by Egypt to justify future violations of the agreement by claiming that the recent changes annulled the agreement's validity.[…] After Morsi, who has already said that he rejects all ‘Western solutions,’ fully utilizes economic and security benefits from the‘heretic’ West, his 1

government will find an excuse to breach the agreement. With billions of dollars flowing into Egypt from the U.S. and Qatar, it must be ensured that the anchors of economic and military aid are conditional on Egypt's commitment to peace with Israel and the thwarting of terror from Gaza.” Reuven Berko, IHY 14.08.12 Morsi trying to erode peace treaty “The deployment of a small number of tanks in the demilitarized zone in northern Sinai over the past few days does not threaten Israel in any way.[…] But what really concerns Israel's policy makers is not what is happening on the ground in Sinai, but Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi's efforts to downgrade the security-related cooperation with Israel in an apparent attempt to effectively annul the peace agreement between the countries.[…] The Muslim Brotherhood movement[…] is initially very cautious and calculated, but when it is convinced that it has the ability to seize more political and military power, it acts without hesitation and with complete disregard for its past promises. This is probably what is happening now with regards to the peace process.” Ron Ben-Yishai, JED 23.08.12 What does the Egyptian chief of staff think? “Morsi acted against individuals but not against the entire military leadership. The new top brass, which has declared its opposition to corruption and its desire for the democracy of elections with the blessing of religious mentors, will go with him at least for a good part of the way.[…] [The new chief of staff of the Egyptian army] Sobhy demands that Washington cease its total support of Israel and use the military aid it gives Israel to leverage the establishment of a Palestinian state. He warns against a military operation against Iran's nuclear program and demands equal treatment of ‘Israel's possession of a nuclear arsenal.’[…] Israel should not fear Sobhy's platform, which does not convey longings for the years of hostility between the two countries.[…] But Israel's government[…] should realize that this is a different Egypt, which will pressure Israel to take its positions into account in two major bones of contention- the Palestinian issue and the nuclear programs, Israel's and Iran's.” Amir Oren, HAA 19.08.12 Baghdad on the Nile “Much as we can understand the moves against Tantawi and company from a good-government perspective, it is clear that Morsi’s actions should be understood, first and foremost, as attempts to consolidate his power.[…] Dismissing Tantawi and other senior military figures who are essentially remnants of the Mubarak regime serves a double purpose. First, it allows Morsi to promote ideological confederates[…] in an institution seen as a constraint on presidential power and on the implementation of Islamist ideology. Second, as regards those who may not necessarily be supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood’s ideology but are willing to pledge loyalty to the president, there is ample opportunity for Morsi here to establish patronclient networks that form an integral part of political life in the wider region.” Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, HAA 17.08.12 Losing our brothers-in-arms “Tantawi was removed from his post.[…] Who will we talk with now?[…] With whom will we be able to pursue foreign policy now? This is the same sense of panic that erupted when it became clear that Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Erdogan was pushing Turkey's army out of politics […] . Israel finds it hard to accept that both Turkey and Egypt have undergone a transition, building a civil society out of a military or semi-military regime. […] A militarized society such as Israel's finds it hard to engage in discussions with civil societies. Such a militarized society needs partners that resemble it. This means regimes that do not get agitated over infringements of civil rights, and which have a similar perception of what counts as terror.[…] It is no wonder that Israel is finding it difficult to carve out a place in the new regional reality created by Turkey and Egypt. Suddenly Islam is no longer perceived as an enemy, as a terroristic force.[…] However,[…] a dialogue with Egypt could develop in new ways. This is conditional upon Israel grasping that its own policy, rather than Erdogan and Morsi's religious leanings, is the obstacle.” Zvi Bar'el, HAA 15.08.12 Egypt a dictatorship again “Morsi is now the head of the executive branch, he appoints and dissolves governments in Egypt, and he is also the legislative branch in the absence of a parliament and due to his ability to enact any law he wants.[…] And so, after a year and a half of semianarchy, Egypt is once again a country ruled by one person – a dictatorship. But the current dictatorship is even harsher than Mubarak's, whose decisions were reached together with parliament, political parties and the courts. Here we are talking about one man who controls everything.[…] 2

The new president and the Muslim Brotherhood movement that backs him are currently replacing the chief editors and senior journalists with government mouthpieces. Dozens of journalists are being replaced by Islamist representatives.[…] The private al-Dustour newspaper[…] dares to criticize the president? The newspaper is removed from the stores. Such measures were not taken even under Mubarak's rule.” Guy Bechor, JED 16.08.12 2. Räumung der Siedlung Migron Nach einem sechs Jahre langen Rechtsstreit ist der Siedlungsaußenposten Migron nun evakuiert worden. Die 50 Familien ziehen in vom Staat finanzierte Häuser in einer anderen Siedlung. Migron war einer der größten Außenposten, die im Gegensatz zu anderen Siedlungen im Westjordanland auch von Israel als illegal angesehen werden. Bereits im August 2011 hatte der Oberste Gerichtshof die Räumung des Ortes, der auf privatem palästinensischen Land gebaut wurde, angeordnet. Stattdessen versprach Premierminister Benjamin Netanyahu den Siedlern jedoch, dass sie bis zur Fertigstellung einer neuen, vom Staat unterstützten Siedlung bleiben können würden. Dieser Deal wurde wiederum vor Gericht annulliert. Dann zogen 17 Familien gegen den Räumungsbefehl vor Gericht, da sie das betroffene Land von Palästinensern erworben hätten. Ende August lehnte der Oberste Gerichtshof auch dieses Gesuch ab. Während der Außenposten schließlich Anfang September ohne Vorkommnisse von Gewalt geräumt wurde, verurteilten Siedlervertreter Netanyahu, der ihnen nicht zur Hilfe gekommen sei, und versprachen ihren Kampf um eine Rückkehr fortzusetzen. Outposts gone wild "The groups of young criminals known as the'hilltop youth' are threatening to once again take out their anger on the residents of nearby Palestinian villages. The police must get tough with them, while using as little violence as possible. The extensive publicity the outpost has received has turned it into a test case for the rule of law and Israeli justice in the occupied territories. Unfortunately, the evacuation of Migron will not be able to serve as a test case for the government's policy on peace or settlements. For 13 years, successive Israeli governments have repeatedly helped trespassers get themselves established in the outpost.[…] The evacuation of Migron(unless it gets deferred at the last minute) is an exception that proves the rule of outposts gone wild, which continue to exist on the backs of others, undisturbed." HAA, 28.08.12 Editorial Tyranny begins in Migron "Though the mainstream media loves to portray Migron as an'illegal outpost,' the real transgression here is the double-standard that is applied to Jewish and Arab building across Israel. Just drive down to Eilat and you will see dozens of unauthorized and illegal homes that were erected by Beduin along the road.[…] The real threat to the Jewish state does not come from a small band of pioneers in Migron bravely trying to reclaim our ancestral homeland. It comes, instead, from a government that is willing to subvert our property rights and freedom. The road to tyranny begins in Migron. Our responsibility is to ensure that is where it ends." Michael Freund, JPO 29.08.12 Rule of law shines through “ If the government had considered its moves in advance and wisely sustained them a few years ago, it might have been possible to avoid this saga. […] Dealing properly with the Migron issue five years ago might have led to the outpost being left in place with proper compensation for the original landowners, and a deal to retroactively deal with the planning violations, as had happened in many other places in the country. But these decisions were not made and the High Court had no choice but to order the relocation of the settlement.” Aviad Hacohen, IHY 30.08.12 Turning a victory into failure "[Migron] residents claimed the court had'raped' them. Once again,[they] are crying foul a moment before they relocate to the shiny new settlement that the state built for them nearby at a cost of NIS 30 million. After having driven the government[…] crazy,[…] after having cursed[…] Netanyahu, who is building like a maniac in the territories,[…] they are complaining of rape.[…] Instead of quietly vacating the outpost that was built […] in gross violation of the law, they went to the High Court for a battle they had no chance of winning. And before that, they were beaten in the political arena: The Likud members whom they threatened and denounced did not mobilize to aid them.[…] The strongest political lobby in the country failed." Yossi Verter, HAA 20.08.12 3

Don't evacuate Migron "The original sin was committed by the High Court. In the second decade after the Six Day War, when the settlement enterprise transformed from a marginal whim to the government's primary policy in the territories, the High Court was asked to present its stance by ruling on a series of petitions. Over the years the court's judges ignored the international law, which forbids the establishment of a settlement on conquered land, and instead focused on the issue of ownership: Jews are permitted to settle anywhere in the West Bank as long as the land is not Palestinian-owned.[…] The objective was to prevent the establishment of an Arab country between Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea. Today, 300,000 Jewish settlers - who have a lot of political clout- live in the West Bank.[…] So it is safe to say that the objective has been achieved. There is nothing left to do but fight over scraps – in Ulpana, Migron and Amona." Nahum Barnea, JED 28.08.12 3. Jugendliche Gewalt gegen Palästinenser In der Jerusalemer Innenstadt ist es am 16. August zu einem brutalen Angriff auf drei junge Palästinenser gekommen. Medienberichten zufolge hatte sich eine Gruppe von etwa 30 jüdischen Jugendlichen Abends am zentralen Zionplatz versammelt und dort regelrecht eine Hetzjagd auf die drei arabischen Teenager veranstaltet. Eines der Opfer, ein 17-Jähriger aus Ostjerusalem, musste schwerstverletzt ins Krankenhaus eingeliefert werden. Erschüttert zeigten sich viele Kommentatoren vor allem von der Nonchalance, mit der einige der Täter ihre Beteiligung eingestanden, da es sich ja„nur um Araber“ handele. Gegen zehn beteiligte Jugendliche ist inzwischen Anklage erhoben worden. Ende August verhaftete die Polizei außerdem drei 12- und 13-jährige Jungen aus der Sied-lung Bat Ayin, die laut Anklage einen Molotowcocktail auf ein palästinensisches Taxi geworfen und dabei sechs der Insassen zum Teil schwer verletzt hatten. Beide Taten wurden von israelischen Regierungspolitikern verurteilt. The school of lynching "The denunciations of the prime minister and other public figures can't obscure the fact that this lynching has a deep-seated political and social context. The suspected perpetrators […] absorbed their hatred of Arabs from their environment: perhaps at home, certainly from the educational and political systems. When incitement against Arabs has become politically correct, when rabbis urge the public to treat Arabs in a racist manner and aren't fired from their posts, when the Knesset passes legislation over which a nationalist and racist flag waves,[…] it's impossible to complain solely about those teens, who translated all this into the language of violence." HAA 21.08.12 Editorial A lesson in double standards "The [ Leftists ] could not have asked for more and immediately turned the nauseating brawl among youths into a headline about a lynch, not even an attempted lynch.[…] The mob attack in the center of Jerusalem[…] was abhorrent, indecent, shocking and evil. But it is not more abhorrent, indecent, shocking and evil than all the acts committed against Jews which you tend to ignore. It's not right that a settler and her baby who were wounded by a stone that was hurled at them are not worth half a line, while the case of a youth who was beaten by thugs his own age gets a headline. […] The hypocrisy of the Left and its mouthpieces in the media is no longer hiding under a mask." Emily Amrousi, IHY 24.08.12 Intolerable behavior "While our government leaders have been outspoken against all forms of Jewish terrorism directed toward Palestinians, there appears to be a worryingly high level of tolerance – whether explicit or implicit – for such despicable acts of violence, even at a time when Palestinian terrorism is at a low. Beitar Jerusalem soccer fans are known to stage postgame rallies during which‘death to Arabs’ or other such chants of incitement are voiced, as police and security officials stand by and do nothing.[…] Too often, politicians and leaders denounce Jewish attacks on Palestinians not because they are morally reprehensible, but because they could ignite a third intifada." JPO 19.08.12 Editorial Education begins at home "Other media outlets made the non-intervention of bystanders a major part of the story, as if to say that Israelis are indifferent to the beating of Arabs. Those who believe that this is out of the ordinary are mistaken. Take a look around the world and you will 4

notice numerous cases of mobs attacking a victim as bystanders do nothing.[…] Clearly, something is amiss in Israeli society, but the media’s effort to make it seem as though it is a racist, Israeli-Palestinian conflict-related issue is definitely off the mark. The fact is, violence is universal and the bystander effect is a worldwide phenomenon." Israel Kasnett, JPO 23.08.12 Jerusalem lynch not surprising "The writing has been on the wall for a long time. […] Such acts are never committed in a void.[…] The youngsters[…] live in a climate that permits public displays of hatred towards foreigners – and towards Palestinians in particular. This atmosphere is nurtured by the Israeli government through a series of acts and statements on the one hand, and turning a blind eye on the other. […] It would be a mistake to view the assault as an isolated incident. The hatred of the foreigner is part of the Israeli government's policy, which finds fertile ground in Jerusalem, where discrimination is rampant. Due to this policy, Jerusalem's young Jewish residents view the city's Palestinians as third-class citizens who have no rights in the public sphere. So it is no wonder that when these youngsters run into Palestinians downtown, they feel they have the right to attack them." Yehudit Oppenheimer, JED 24.08.12 What has become of our nation? “What is there left to say about the hurling of firebombs on kindergartens, homes of migrants and a Palestinian family's car? What is there left to say about the lynching of Arab teens by dozens of Jewish teenagers in Jerusalem, or the destruction and abuse of the Palestinian population in the name of‘our people’? And what about the hatred and racism emanating from our synagogues and corridors of power?[…] You tell me, my fellow Israelis, do you remember where we were before the Netanyahu government took advantage of us?[…] Before the current regime turned our livelihood, our dreams, our values and our future into Pompeii?[…] I feel a great sadness; and shame, and rage and fear; and hope that the correction will come before the destruction.” Yael Gvirtz, JED 20.08.12 4. Medienquerschnitt Die Vielfalt der in Israel relevanten Themen kann in einem Medienspiegel nicht umfassend wiedergegeben werden. Um den deutschen LeserInnen dennoch einen Einblick in das breite Themenspektrum, das in den Medien behandelt wird, zu gewähren, veröffentlichen wir in dieser Schlaglichtausgabe wieder eine kleine Auswahl an weiteren Themen, die in den vergangenen zwei Wochen die israelische Gesellschaft bewegten. Über einen Brief von Außenminister Avigdor Lieberman an das Nahostquartett, in dem er palästinensische Neuwahlen und eine Amtsenthebung von Präsident Mahmoud Abbas forderte: Ousting Abbas is not in Israel's interest "Lieberman's appeal to the Quartet for new Palestinian Authority elections is dangerous and problematic, particularly the call to replace Abbas, whom Lieberman views as a diplomatic hindrance. For if world powers, the U.N. and the EU did agree to the proposal for elections, they would force Israel to accept the participation of terrorist elements, who would have a good chance of winning.[…] Is this in Israel's interest? Maybe, in Lieberman's eyes, if he wants to see the Palestinians led by someone who refuses to make peace. This is not, however, the official position of the Israeli government.[…] The practice of Lieberman sending out his own opinions in the name of Israel cannot continue." Dan Margalit, IHY 23.08.12 Liberman’s letter "Liberman has a point. Over the past few months, Israel has taken significant steps to warm relations with the Palestinians – steps that have not been reciprocated. […] Unfortunately, Liberman’s suggested solution – holding Palestinian elections in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip – is unlikely to change the situation. The problem is not only the flaws in Abbas’s leadership. The problem is also with the majority of Palestinians who support him.[…] Liberman might be right that Abbas is an obstacle to peace. But, regrettably, Abbas is just a reflection of public opinion on the Palestinian street. Until that public opinion reconciles itself to living in peace alongside a Jewish and democratic Israel, the resolution of the conflict will remain unattainable." JPO 23.08.12 Editorial 5

Über zehntausende Palästinenser, die Mitte August kurzzeitig nach Israel einreisen durften: A vision of the End of Days? "Israel allowed some 130,000 Palestinians into the country this week to celebrate Id al-Fitr.[…] The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories […] thereby took a courageous step, which, though they tried to conceal it from the Israeli public, deserves great praise.[…] It enabled residents of the territories to leave their giant prison, if only for a moment, and get a taste of freedom in the country that occupies them, and which they are normally forbidden to enter.[…] But this is not enough. […] A controlled opening of Israel's gates to the Palestinians, rather than merely throwing them a holiday bone, is necessary not only from a moral standpoint, but for the benefit of both peoples. […] This will improve living conditions in the territories, help to mitigate the feelings of despair on both sides, and bring the two peoples closer." HAA 24.08.12 Editorial Über die anhaltende Mediendebatte über die rituelle Beschneidung und ihre Einschränkungen in Europa: Choice is what parents are for "I still hate the idea of circumcision. But I honor it as I honor freedom of religion.[…] To criminalize so fundamental an act and commandment of Jewish and Muslim faith, is to deprive millions of people not only of their freedom of religion, but of their rights and duties as human parents. If the[anticircumcision] activists succeed in criminalizing belief, God help us all." Bradley Burston, HAA 29.08.12 Israel faces a cynical world "The people involved in banning or attempting to ban circumcision are not on the political fringe of their societies. They are part of a leftist establishment.[…] This doesn’t mean that all their fellow leftists are anti-Semites. But it does mean the political Left in the Western world feels comfortable keeping company with anti-Semites." Caroline Glick, JPO 23.08.12 Follow Germany's lead on circumcision "Beyond the knee-jerk responses accusing the Germans of anti-Semitism, the latest developments obligate us to reexamine the[…] circumcision ritual. […] A whole member is more natural[…], more protected.[…] Parents who leave their baby's penis whole are respecting their child's basic right to grow up with a whole body.[…] In summation, I predict that within a few years the fear and ignorance in Israel will be replaced by a social pact to protect babies' members, allowing the country to take a great cultural leap forward and join the rest of the sane world which leaves its children's penises whole. Why do I believe this will happen? Simply because a whole penis is better than one that has been cut." Eran Sadeh, JED 24.08.12 HAA= Haaretz; JED= Jedioth Ahronoth; JPO= Jerusalem Post; IHY= Israel HaYom Veröffentlicht: 4. September 2012 Verantwortlich: Dr. Ralf Hexel, Leiter der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Israel Redaktion: Maike Harel Anita Haviv Homepage: www.fes.org.il Email: fes@fes.org.il 6