Today’s issues: Anti-Semitism in Europe, adjusting Israel’s TV to the right, an armed intifada is on our doorstep, and Islamic State’s propaganda threat.
ISRAEL FOREIGN MINISTRY
The Jerusalem Post notes the first anniversary of the double terrorist attack that targeted the offices of the Charlie Hebdo magazine and the Hyper Cacher, and points out that in Europe, Jews are still being killed because they are Jews. The editor asserts that “European nations currently lack systematic methods of collecting data on anti-Semitism,” and declares: “Europeans have a moral obligation to take violent anti-Semitism seriously. An important first step should be to develop systematic methods for measuring the phenomenon.”
Haaretz is angered by the intent to remove the Arabic-language public television Channel 33 from the broadcast lineup offered on Israel’s free satellite platform and replace it with right-wing Channel 20, and asserts: “As in other areas, in communications Arabs also suffer from discrimination and neglect.” The editor states that even if there is financial and regulatory justification for removing Channel 33 from the broadcast lineup in favor of Channel 20, “the step symbolizes a worsening of the government’s treatment of its Arab citizens, who are now totally excluded from its official broadcast lineup,” and adds: “The mobilization of the directors of government ministries to help Channel 20 emphasizes the political aspect of the decision.”
Yediot Aharonot analyzes the escalation in shooting incidents over the past few weeks, alongside the gradual drop in the number of riots and stabbing and vehicular attacks, and warns that “Hamas, which wishes to bring about the PA’s collapse, is behind the institutionalized terror that is crawling into the conflict and threatening to take over it.”
Israel Hayom comments on the Islamic State’s recent threat against Israel, but states that “The group’s focus on Israel seems to serve mainly propaganda purposes.” The author points out that Islamic State’s malignant expansion may prove very dangerous in the long run, and requires the shaping of appropriate countermeasures “beyond adapting military deployment along the borders, and it includes cyber and online efforts, including on social media, as part of the fight to win the minds of young Arabs in Israel and abroad.”
[Alex Fishman and Eyal Zisser wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot and Israel Hayom, respectively.]
@ 1DavidKA:
I twigged to this in the article, “The editor states that even if there is financial and regulatory justification for removing Channel 33 from the broadcast lineup in favor of Channel 20,…”
I suggest you google for more info if out there.
@ Ted Belman:
Where can i get more details of this issue?
@ 1DavidKA:
What the Arabs are asking for is affirmative action. They want to be carried or given a free pass.
I have no idea how to verify haaretz’s claim, but if it’s true, it’s really, really bad, especially in current situation. Israeli arabs must be treated 100% fairly, otherwise we shoot ourselves in the leg. I’m puzzled as to the rationale of the government.