Schlaglicht Israel Nr. 17/11 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen 12.- 25. September 2011 1. Palästina beantragt UNAnerkennung Am 23. September überreichte Präsident Mahmud Abbas UN-Generalsekretär Ban Ki-Moon das Gesuch um die Anerkennung des Staates Palästina durch die Vereinten Nationen. Das Gesuch wird nun dem Sicherheitsrat vorgelegt werden. Während noch nicht klar ist, ob die Mindestzahl von 9 Sicherheitsratsmitgliedern dem Antrag zustimmen wird, haben die USA bereits ein Veto angekündigt. Bei einer Ablehnung – die Monate auf sich warten lassen könnte – könnten die Palästinenser die UNGeneralversammlung um Anerkennung als Nichtmitgliedsstaat mit Beobachterstatus ersuchen. In seiner Rede vor der UN verurteilte Abbas die Besatzung durch Israel und insbesondere die Siedlungsaktivitäten im Westjordanland. Der israelische Premierminister Benjamin Netanyahu, der eine Stunde später das Podium betrat, betonte hingegen das Schicksal der Juden als bedrohtes Volk und nannte die UN ein"Theater des Absurden". In einem Vermittlungsversuch schlug das Nahostquartett aus den USA, der EU, Russland und UN indes eine Wiederaufnahme der Friedensverhandlungen binnen eines Monats vor, mit dem Ziel, 2012 ein Abkommen zu unterzeichnen. Israeli and Palestinian self-entrapment "The failure to reengage in negotiations[…] will usher in a period of instability with unpredictable consequences for all parties[…]. Israel would face an unprecedented wave of continued delegitimization efforts.[…] Finally, the test for the Palestinian Authority will be […] to meet the elevated expectations that have come with the international push to recognize Palestine[…]. All the while, the PA is threatened by its rival, Hamas.[…] As a result, Hamas may return to violence against Israel, which could also have horrific consequences for the Palestinian people. […] If[…] Netanyahu truly sought a two-state solution and to prevent the Palestinians from going to the UN, he could have agreed to negotiate about borders.[…]. The Palestinians, on the other hand, could have intimated to the Americans that they were willing to stop promoting old narratives, particularly about the return of Palestinian refugees, and agreed to a significant swap, thereby encouraging the Israelis to take them seriously." Alon Ben-Meir, JPO 23.09.11 An assault on Zionism "The international community is on the verge of rejecting our right to our land. […] By recognizing the Palestinian claim to[Judea and Samaria and eastern Jerusalem], the membership of the world body is necessarily rejecting the Jewish one.[…] But it is not too late to stand tall and affirm our red lines, rather than the Green Line, and I pray that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will do just that. […] So let us draw a line in the sand and send the UN a clear and unequivocal message: there will be no more retreats or withdrawals. The Jewish people have returned to the hills of Judea and the outskirts of Jerusalem. We are here to stay. Get used to it." Michael Freund, JPO 22.09.11 Take statehood off agenda, unilateral or not "As the Palestinian UN'Statehood stunt' goes on […] Israel is pleading with PA leaders via numerous channels to abandon their bid and return to negotiations immediately.[…] The problem is that[…] even if a PA State would come into being, the millions of Palestinians across the Middle East still have the socalled'right of return'. To put it simply,‘first we’ll get our state, and then we are going to go after yours.’ Israel’s mistake is that it is keeps insisting on a State via negotiations instead of insisting that continued Palestinian intransigence will result in severe con1

sequences. As suggested by several right-wing politicians, any UN requests for Statehood should be met with justified retaliatory measures by Israel including annexing all of Jewish Judea and Samaria as well as declaring the Oslo accords dead." Josh Haste, AS 21.09.11 A tempest in a teacup "The Palestinian Authority(PA) does not meet the statehood criteria of international law: a permanent population, defined territory, a government, and the ability to conduct foreign affairs.[…] The Security Council will not accept the Palestinian petition because the United States will veto it[…] If the Palestinians petition the General Assembly, as it appears they intend to do, they will gain a majority, but with no practical import. General Assembly decisions are only recommendations and do not necessitate practical steps.[…] Therefore, the anticipated vote in the U.N. General Assembly will be yet another empty declaration, and the Palestinians are likely to pay a heavy price for it." Immanuel Navon, IHY 19.09.11 UN bid good for Israel? "Abbas’ decision to turn to the Security Council under the current circumstances serves as an impasse-breaking move that will make a great service to the Palestinian issue in the future. Yet surprisingly, Israel and the United States may also gain in the long term.[…] The main reason for this is that in the foreseeable future[…] there is no reasonable chance to secure a final-status agreement that would resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.[…] Both sides and all other parties involved need a relatively long timeout that would allow them to seek creative solutions. The UN initiative produces such timeout, which serves all parties.[…] The UN timeout would enable the sides, with the International Quartet's assistance, to formulate a new, creative model for embarking on negotiations." Ron Ben-Yishai. JED 20.09.11 Two speeches with demands "Both parties no longer address or listen to each other, instead sowing their arguments and complaints in the wind in hopes of racking up one more 'propaganda point' from those who have grown weary of any involvement in the conflict.[…] Abbas' application to the Security Council[…] was itself presented as the result of giving up on any dialogue with the Netanyahu government, and the chairman of the Palestinian Authority accompanied it with a bitter, stinging speech that fit this mood. But the responses[…] were no less pessimismprovoking:[The Israelis] were quick to pounce on the speech as'the greatest incitement every heard' and to depict it as a challenge to Israel's very existence[…], ignoring the fact that[Abbas] focused mainly on the obstacle posed by the settlements and also ignoring his declaration,'Our efforts are not aimed at isolating Israel or delegitimizing it'.[…] From these two narratives of demand and complaint, it appeared as if the Israeli-Palestinian conflict traveled in a time machine back to the end of the last century, and decades of dialogue were wiped out- to the great joy of the extremists on both sides." HAA 25.09.11 Editorial Abbas' Arafat-style speech "A thorough examination of[Abbas'] words attests to the current Palestinian position – one of of deep, total hopelessness with the Israeli partner. Abbas’ address, which detailed the historic Palestinian narrative[…] utterly ignored the Israeli partner Abbas is ultimately supposed to sit with at the negotiating table.[…] Using diplomatic means, Abbas managed to return the Palestinian issue to the global agenda and stir positive feelings towards independence aspirations. […] Despite the difficult words for Israeli ears, whose West Bank policy was described as Apartheid policy, Abbas’ speech was inspiring for the Palestinians. […]. Yet his harsh words caused him to lose points among Israel’s public opinion – the same public opinion that no genuine peace process can exist without." Ido Zelikowich, JED 24.09.11 Past his sell-by date "Netanyahu[…] demonstrated to the world, better than even Mahmoud Abbas, why they had no recourse but to appeal to the United Nations. If there is one clear take-home message from his[…] speech, it is this: The Palestinians[…] can no longer expect anything from Israel.[…] Israel's real face was also seen in Israel; Lieberman wasn't the only one to call Abbas' judicious, impressive address an'incitement speech.' Joining the chorus, as usual, was Tzipi Livni.[…] What was there not to like about Abbas' speech, apart from his silly mistake in failing to mention the Jews, together with the Christians and Muslims, to whom this precious land belongs? What in his speech was anything but true and very painful?[…] 2

On Friday night the final curtain fell on Netanyahu's masked ball of a two-state solution. Hiding behind the curtain are darkness and gloom.[…] See you at the next war." Gideon Levy, HAA 25.09.11 After the UN charade, what's next? "The latest approach that the Quartet is trying to sell to Abbas is for him to come back to the table, with certain timelines in place for various steps in the talks.[…] For the Obama administration, the language: 'before the end of 2012' is significant, since it carries the end of the negotiating process past[…] the date of the U.S. Presidential election. From the Administration’s perspective, if they can derail the Palestinian statehood bid without a Security Council veto, and not have talks collapse until after the Presidential election, then if the President wins re-election, he will not have any electoral constraints if he chooses to bring the hammer down on Israel[…]. The next step is up to Abbas. It is a pretty likely he won’t give up his threat to force a U.S veto in the Security Council without some assurances(money, future political and economic support, pressure on Israel if there are negotiations)." Richard Baehr, IHY 25.09.11 2. Gewalt von rechtsextremen Siedlern Beim Abriss bzw. bei der Räumung von Häusern in jüdischen Siedlungen und Außenposten im Westjordanland durch die israelische Armee ist es in den vergangenen Monaten immer öfter zu"Price Tag" – Racheakten gekommen. Aktivisten der extremen Rechten, oft Jugendliche der sogenannten"Hill Top Youth", beschädigten Felder und Moscheen naheliegender palästinensischer Dörfer, zerstörten Olivenbäume und setzen Autos in Brand. Nun kam es erstmals zu Vandalismus in einem israelischen Armeestützpunkt, nachdem mehrere Häuser in der nahen Siedlung Migrom abgerissen worden waren. Außerdem wurde der Hausflur eines bekannten Mitglieds der Friedensorganisation"Peace Now" mit Graffiti besprüht, unter anderem mit dem Aufruf zum Mord der Aktivistin. Der israelische Inlandsgeheimdienst Shin Bet gab an, dies seien keine spontanen Akte mehr, sondern geplante Aktivitäten einer organisierten Gruppe, die als terroristisch bezeichnet werden müsse. No tolerance for hooliganism "Nothing could remotely justify the obscene and thuggish reprisals perpetrated by the as yet unidentified criminals. Israel must operate under a state of law. When hilltop youth go on a rampage, they are not only guilty of criminal behavior but defame the entire settlement movement.[…] The suspicion is that the vandals are wild renegade hilltop youth.[…] The animosity radiating against them could distort their own outlook and values and infect them with bitterness and hatred. Alas, that may indeed have become a reality.[…] There are legitimate protest mechanisms that can be applied which may or may not succeed. But even if the state acts in error and individuals feel that they have been treated despicably, that can never justify acts of bigotry or sabotage against the state and the nation." Isi Leibler, IHY 13.09.11 Crossing red lines "Extreme right-wing elements broke into an Israel Defense Forces base and destroyed vehicles and military equipment.[…] Nobody was arrested near the settlement of Beit El. The police are still seeking in order not to find. The commanders described the event as'crossing a red line' or'an escalation.'[…] Burning mosques and crops- that's something that shouldn't be done, but it still is not a denial of the Zionist principle.[…] Settlers, although they have erred at times, are good Zionists, as long as they know how to differentiate between IDF property and an Arab.[…] Veteran reservists returning from operational activity in the territories are breaking their silence and reporting routine attacks by settlers.[…] If there is already a malicious'price tag' in place, then it's preferable that the hilltop jugend'collect payment' from the army at its bases rather than from the farmer on his way to his olives, or from the pupil on his way to school. That way it will be more logical and less dangerous." Yossi Sarid, HAA 23.09.11 The Shin Bet's hypocrisy regarding price tag gangs "Why has the Shin Bet allowed the'price tag' gangs to run riot for years?[…] How can one explain why an agency that knows exactly where and when to find a needle in the haystack of Gaza- and send helicopters to kill it- has been unable for years to identify and prosecute the'price tag' criminals, whom it has now[…] even branded as'terror cells?' […] The agency could have several reasons for 3

doing so. And smearing the settlers[…] is not the least of them." Israel Harel, HAA 15.09.11 Price tag – paying for our educational failures "The official leadership of the settler movement and the political leadership[…] criticized the actions and pointed out the perpetrators were a fringe group.[…] They ignored the education that the teenagers[…] receive in schools affiliated with the Religious Zionist system. […] The roots of their behavior can be found in a number of ideas[…]. One of these ideas is that Jews are intrinsically superior beings of a higher order than non-Jews. […] The Arabs in particular are viewed as intractable enemies of the Jews.[…] Young people are attracted to absolutes, black and white.[…] During demonstrations in recent years the primary participants are teenagers.[…]. The high schools encourage their attendance; those who resist arrest are heroes. The message communicated is that demonstrating is more important than learning.[…] When some of these youngsters act on these beliefs and show no restraint, the adult community is suddenly shocked. Adults understand that there is a larger society that does not share these assumptions and compromises have to be made. Yet it is not certain that this message has been transmitted. If other views have not been taught as equally legitimate, adult compromise will be viewed by adolescents as weakness." Rabbi Yosef Blau, JPO 12.09.11 Price tag vandalism not product of Bnei Akiva education "I can say with complete confidence that our educational path is one of love and respect. Hatred of others is contrary to the educational values we teach our students.[…] Anyone who desecrates mosques or harms an Israeli soldier is a criminal and should be treated accordingly.[…] However, democracy seeks to ensure the right of democratic protest. As such, our youth were well entitled to demonstrate against the evacuation of Gush Katif. The very fact that the evacuation/expulsion, as horrible as it was, was carried out without massive violent protests proves that the boundaries of legitimate civil disobedience are understood by the vast majority of our students.[…] Religious Zionist education is not the root cause of hilltop youth, marginal youth or the'price tag' phenomena." Yehuda Felix, JPO 19.09.11 3. Wahlen in der Arbeitspartei Aus der Stichwahl um den Vorsitz der Arbeitspartei ist Shelly Yachimovich als Siegerin hervorgegangen. Die Knesset-Abgeordnete war gegen exVerteidigungsminister Amir Peretz angetreten. Zuvor hatten sich die beiden im ersten Wahlgang gegen den ex-General und ehemaligen Bürgermeister von Haifa, Amram Mitzna und den ehemaligen Sozialminister Isaac Herzog durchgesetzt. Yachimovich, die noch kein Ministeramt innehatte, gilt als Expertin für soziale Fragen, hat jedoch keine Erfahrungen in den Bereichen Sicherheit und Außenpolitik, die in Israel als Voraussetzungen für das Regierungsamt gelten. Außerdem hatte sie kürzlich in einem Interview die jüdischen Siedlungen in der Westbank verteidigt und damit einige linke Wähler verprellt. Nach den Wahlen zeigte eine Umfrage der Zeitung Haaretz nun jedoch, dass die Arbeitspartei unter Yachimovich 22 Parlamentssitze erreichen könnte – und damit vier Abgeordnete mehr als die auf 18 Sitze gesunkene Kadima-Partei von Tzipi Livni. A leadership vacuum "None of the contenders in this week's Labor primaries has what it takes to return it to its former days and bring it back to power.[…] Shelly Yachimovich, although she is made of good stuff and knows how to speak, is too left-wing socially and, surprisingly, too right-wing politically.[…] Under Yachimovich, Labor will turn into a kind of Meretz. While Labor is sharpening its claws, it is already starting out on its new path by quarreling and by sowing the seeds of future quarreling." Yoel Marcus, HAA 16.09.11 The Labor primaries "The once powerful political party – which more than any other was identified with the Israeli mainstream’s Zionist ideals and the primary molder of public opinion – has for some time now embarked on a steady process of mostly self-inflicted political atrophy. Monday’s primaries were the latest chapter in this deterioration. Diplomatic and security issues have consistently determined the outcome of elections – at least in recent decades. But Labor’s tiny die-hard constituency chose two candidates with no credentials in these areas.[…] Clearly, neither Peretz nor Yacimovich are serious contenders to become the Jewish state’s next prime minister. 4

Apparently, Labor constituents have given hope of returning to power." JPO 13.09.11 Editorial The best leader for labor "The fact that Yachimovich and Peretz were forced into a runoff seven days from now may indicate that Labor's focus is now squarely on social welfare.[…] As soon as the election results became apparent, the debate between Yachimovitch and Peretz descended into mudslinging.[…] For the Israeli public as a whole, it is in the interest of even Labor's adversaries that the party converge on the center-left. Labor's weakness in recent years worked against not only the party, but against all of Israeli society.[…] All that's left to do is hope that Labor chooses a leader who will successfully steer it toward becoming a natural partner in any Zionist coalition formed by the next Knesset." Dan Margalit, IHY 14.09.11 New life for the opposition "The election of[…] Yachimovich[…] is the first political expression of the wave of social protest that swept Israel this summer.[…] She insisted that dealing with social issues- the loss of solidarity, the enrichment of the few and the erosion of the middle class- had to precede a solution to the conflict with the Palestinians. For this, she suffered harsh criticism from the left, but she refused to deviate from her message. Now, she has reaped the political fruits. Yachimovich now has a rare political opportunity to position herself at the forefront of the opposition to Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government.[…] There's no doubt that Yachimovich has the skills needed to lead the opposition.[…] But this is not enough. For Labor under her leadership to be able to head the left in the next Knesset election, she will also have to give voice loudly, clearly and forcefully to the diplomatic message she has thus far avoided: that ensuring Israel's future requires a political separation from the Palestinians and the end of the settlement enterprise in the West Bank, with no preconditions. If she continues to blur her positions, Labor will look like a second Kadima and disappear for good." HAA 23.09.11 Editorial 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 die geplante Umsiedlung von 30,000 Beduinen in der Negev-Wüste: The Negev Bedouin "The Bedouin population of the Negev has a list of genuine gripes against a cabinet decision[…] to evacuate tens of thousands of Bedouin from 'unrecognized' villages[…] and resettle them in 'recognized' and relatively urbanized locations[…] The NIS 6 billion, five-year plan approved this week contains a number of critical faults that[…] could lead to a further deterioration of relations with an increasingly alienated Bedouin community.[…] The State of Israel has a moral obligation to provide the 200,000-strong Bedouin population of the Negev with basic services such as roads, water, electricity and garbage collection.[…] In December 2008, the Goldberg Committee presented a list of recommendations worded in conciliatory language.[…] Where possible, wrote the[…] members, an effort should be made to recognize the dozens of'unrecognized' villages throughout the southeastern Negev.[…] But for two years none of the Goldberg Committee recommendations were implemented. Eventually, a new body, the Prawer Committee, was formed. Devoid of Bedouin representation, the Prawer Committee issued recommendations that were eventually adopted by the cabinet and have turned out to be bad for the Bedouin." JPO 12.09.11 Editorial Citizens above all "The Bedouin of the Negev are above all citizens of the State of Israel, but the government doesn't treat them as such.[…] Even if the Bedouin's most sweeping demands are accepted, it wouldn't cover more than five percent of the region. The Prawer plan contains several successful principles, and some of its intent may not be bad. Its fundamental drawback is that it imposes an aggressive solution on members of an entire community who, in light of their bitter past experience, have almost totally lost faith in the state's good intentions. […] The plan's threatening tone[…] deepens the strong lack of confidence already prevalent among the Bedouin. The government must show the Be5

douin, who have suffered from prolonged neglect, that it is prepared to adopt a new approach." HAA 13.09.11 Editorial Über die Kontroverse um religiöse Soldaten, die sich weigern an Zeremonien teilzunehmen, in denen weibliche Armeeangehörige singen: IDF can give up singers "The IDF requires combat soldiers more than it requires female singers.[…] For a while now, the IDF has not been an army of seculars only. Religious Israelis are[…] enlisting en masse, and we must take them into consideration. If the IDF is the people’s army, then it’s also the army of the religious. Many intellectuals are still cultivating secular arrogance[…]. However, these intellectuals simply failed to look out of their window in recent years. Some 42% of officer course cadets are religious these days[…]. The military’s cultural offerings must undergo a comprehensive reform that will adapt them to the sociological changes in the IDF. If we cannot avoid the friction between female voices and religious ears, perhaps we should be giving up our military bands." Hagai Segal, JED 18.09.11 A new Arab weapon? "Had I been the commander of an Arab army[…], I would give up the attempts to attack Israel using armored forces or commandoes. Instead, I would switch to Umm Kulthum songs. Armored personal carries equipped with speakers and the songs of female singers may be a balancebreaking weapon that will push back IDF troops who are unwilling to sin through impure thoughts, thereby defeating the Zionist enemy." Asaf GEfen, Jed 20.09.11 Overcoming gender "Religious soldiers are becoming an increasingly dominant force in the IDF.[…] In general this is a highly positive trend. Religious soldiers have proven to be highly motivated, selfless defenders of a Jewish state.[…] There have been few cases of insubordination, though these few cases have often been seized upon by left-wing media[…]. There is one part of society, however, that might be hurt by the rise of Orthodox soldiers in the IDF – women.[…] In parallel to the rise of religious men in the IDF, women too have been seeking out more dominant roles in our military forces.[…] Integration of both women and religious men into the IDF’s most prestigious units need not lead to strife and confrontation. In most cases both the religious sensibilities of devout soldiers and the aspirations of women for professional advancement can be accommodated, provided there is good will, mutual respect and the restraining of religious fanaticism." JPO 18.09.11 Editorial HAA= Haaretz JED= Jedioth Ahronoth JPO= Jerusalem Post AS= Arutz Sheva IHY= Israel HaYom Veröffentlicht: 27. September 2011 Verantwortlich: Dr. Ralf Hexel, Leiter der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Israel Redaktion: Maike Harel Helene Kortländer Homepage: www.fes.org.il Email: fes@fes.org.il 6