“Schlaglicht Israel” offers an insight into internal Israeli debates and reflects selected, political events that affect daily life in Israel. It appears every two weeks and summarizes articles that appeared in the Israeli daily press.
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Main topics covered in this Publication:
- Arab Deputies suspended
- Terror is spreading in Israel
- Men and Women can pray together at the Western Wall
- Selection of Articles from the Media
1. Arab Deputies suspended
One provocation too many
(…) Terrorists’ graves have never been in popular demand, but all of a sudden, the bodies of terrorists sent to murder Jews have become a Palestinian attraction. (…) Zoabi, Zahalka and Ghattas are well aware of the fact that the funeral services given to terrorists only escalate tensions (…).the Arab MKs’ constant intifada-mongering creates doubts over whether the Palestinians in Judea and Samaria truly seek peaceful coexistence. (…) The militant subversion demonstrated by Arab MKs raises a hard question: Who are their real masters? Could it be Iran? Or perhaps Qatar, which sponsors Hamas and has been playing host to Balad’s former leader, the treacherous Azmi Bishara? (…) The Joint Arab List is making cynical use of Israeli democracy in its effort to destroy it. (…) Zoabi, Zahalka and Ghattas are oblivious to the catastrophe they are inflicting on Israeli Arabs. (…)The Israeli public, meanwhile, is losing hope in the notion of peace: the Jews had hoped Israeli Arabs would be a bridge to coexistence with the Palestinians, only to learn that Arab MKs are conspiring against peace.
Dr. Reuven Berko, IHY, 07.02.16
Difficult freedoms
(…) The three MKs went beyond just calling for the release of the bodies. They seemed to show solidarity with the criminals by standing with the families for a moment of silence to honor the “martyrs.” (…) Israelis’ gut reaction is to ban these parliamentarians (…) is completely understandable.
If, however, the prime minister moves ahead with legislation that would suspend the three MKs, he (…) would be striking a blow to a fundamental right – (…) the freedom of expression. (…) A majority of Jewish Israelis find the three MKs’ behavior offensive. So do we. (…) Tyranny of the majority must not be confused with democracy, however. (…) As the socialist firebrand Rosa Luxemburg noted, freedom of speech is meaningless unless it means the freedom of the person who thinks differently. (…) If it could be proved that by visiting the families of terrorists and by standing for a moment of silence the three MKs engaged in terrorist activities or incitement to violence, they should have their parliamentary immunity removed and be tried. But it cannot be proved, so they won’t be tried. (…)
Editorial, JPO, 08.02.16
On the border of incitement
(…) The MKs will claim that they met with the murderers’ parents out of the need to find a solution to a humanitarian problem, but none of those same Arab MKs bothered to make any sort of humanitarian gesture and come and condole the families of the murdered. (…) The opposite. (…) Arab MKs talk about why the murder of Israelis is understandable, even justified (…). we are talking about elected officials sent to the Knesset time and again by the Arabs of Israel. (…) Arab MKs concern themselves not only with the dead terrorists (…), but also go in and out of prisons to visit the murderers who are still alive and get them better conditions. An entire industry of glorifying and supporting terrorism exists “thanks” to the loose justice system. (…) It’s very important that the heads of all the Zionist parties have woken up and issued wall-to-wall condemnations. But declarations must lead to practical steps: setting legal boundaries, an iron fist against incitement on social media (…). MKs who incite belong on the defendant’s stand in court, not behind the Knesset podium. Anyone who seeks coexistence must not accept such behavior by his partners on the other side and allow his people to remain exposed to terrorism.
Dr. Aryeh Bachrach, IHY, 08.02.16
Shameful Arab leadership
The most basic version of leadership should include three integral components: morality, responsibility and personal example. (…) A leader should be a role model and a source of inspiration. (…) Unfortunately, these qualities are currently missing from the conduct of some Joint Arab List MKs. (…) preoccupation with Palestinian society has become the focus for MKs representing the Israeli Arab community. (…) these leaders are not doing a thing to contribute to a solution. Our Arab leadership has no time and does not care to deal with the day-to-day issues facing the people who are simply trying to make it through each month and find relief from their economic troubles in Israel. Who will deal with our real issues? (…) We want to live as equal citizens and to promote coexistence between Jews and Arabs. We want to live in peace, not in constant war, with our Jewish neighbors. (…) There is no justification for harming innocent people. There just isn’t. My voice is the voice of the silent majority of Israeli Arabs. (…) these leaders are seeking to perpetuate the bloody conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and to deepen the cracks between Jews and Arabs in Israeli society. I am ashamed of their behavior.
Nael Zoabi, TOI, 10.02.16
It doesn’t have to be us against them
(…) The provocative behavior of Arab Knesset members (…) adds an entirely new layer to Israeli-Arab support of terrorism against the state. (…) The general feeling among Jewish Israelis is that nationalistic, Islamic extremism is growing among Israeli Arabs (…). Statistically, Israeli Arabs have been involved in fewer than 5 percent of terrorist attacks.(…) more than 80% of Israeli Arabs do not support and are in no way involved in terrorist activity. (…) 85% of Israeli Arabs are normative citizens who have never been involved in any way in terrorist activities or acts against the state. (…) the security establishment’s fear of extremist individuals and cells among Israeli Arabs is exaggerated and unsubstantiated. Israeli Arabs on the whole are actively interested in becoming a part of society, and the best way for the government to make sure that Israeli Arabs will continue to feel like they’re a part of society is to make significant improvements in infrastructure, education and employment opportunities in the Arab sector. (…)
Lior Akerman, JPO, 11.02.16
Israeli democracy on the brink
(…) In the multicultural and boisterous Israeli political context (…) its democratic foundations have provided a normative protection that enabled it to survive. In recent years, however, it has experienced a democratic recession which is fast slipping into de-democratization. (…) The official assault on Israel’s democratic character, already brewing for some time, was launched last week, when the Prime Minister pressed the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee to initiate legislation which would allow it to suspend (…) duly-elected members of parliament who stray from consensual boundaries. This palpably political move (…) crosses the line from behind-the-scenes backing for anti-democratic measures to direct involvement in these initiatives. (…) The Court has consistently argued that the right to be elected — along with the power to vote — is the most basic of democratic tenets. (…) This proposal, however apparently technical and tedious, makes a mockery of the democratic process. It (…) also bypasses the legal system which, to date, has held the power to indict and convict elected officials. (…) It is not too late to halt the anti-democratic legislative initiatives of the current government. Failure to do so would expedite the demise of the true source of Israel’s strength and its external and domestic sustainability: its democracy.
Naomi Chazan, TOI, 15.02.16
The Balad problem
(…) Balad creates a problem especially for Arabs. (…) If Balad did not exist, the Israeli right would have had to invent it. (…) Only a fool would believe that only humanitarian motives brought the Balad members to the meeting. Provocation is their bread and butter. (…) Those who are responsible for Balad’s existence in the Knesset is the right wing. The decision to raise the threshold from two percent to 3.25 percent was designed to push the Arabs out. But contrary to the belief of Lieberman, who proposed the legislation, the Arabs unified and Balad enjoyed the windfall. (…) The photographed meeting with the families of the terrorists, including the minute of silence in memory of the shahids, will return to the headlines ahead of the next elections. The Joint List’s leadership will have to decide whether to keep Balad in their list. With Balad inside, they risk being disqualified by the Election Committee, or losing control over the faction in the next Knesset; with Balad out, they risk losing seats. In the meantime, another draconian bill from the right wing will soon follow this one, and we won’t know if this is another trick to distract us or another move on the on the road to the loss of democracy.
Nahum Barnea, JED, 15.02.16
2. Terror is spreading in Israel
Forget peace, Netanyahu, what about our security?
(…) Leaving aside the causes for a moment, the Palestinian ferment looks like it could be a breeding ground for resistance activity that will far surpass that of the second intifada. (…) Bibi has to be asked: How the hell did you let this happen? (…) Where the hell is the security you promised? Paradoxically, the left continues to see Netanyahu and his government as the address for all sorts of demands, such as combatting Jewish terrorism, safeguarding the courts and freedom of expression, freedom of the press, minority rights, refugee rights, and so on, when it’s clear that the right does not consider itself to be committed to these issues (…). At the same time, the left is does not view the prime minister as the address for what should be the minimal demand that every citizen makes of his government: to protect his security (…). There are some who see Netanyahu’s readiness to forgo his commitment to stand as Israel’s prime minister, as a statesman, in confronting the historic conflict with those with whom we share this land, and his choice to act purely as a manager, as wholly legitimate. (…) How do you excuse your failed management? If the conflict was a business and Netanyahu its manager, the last four months have surely proven that it’s time for the manager to go.
Carolina Landsmann, HAA, 05.02.16
It’s not desperation, it’s incitement
Mr. Prime Minister, we’ve been living under a short-term illusion that the wave of terrorism was on the decline. But it’s only increasing. Desperation doesn’t cause terrorism. The stagnation in talks doesn’t cause terrorism. (…) declaring a freeze of all construction outside the main blocs (…) won’t stop the terror attacks, (…), but it will put Israel at a far better place. (…) A serious initiative on your part will serve to bolster the righteousness of the way. It will clarify, (…), that the Palestinian violence is not a result of desperation. It’s because of incitement, because of opposition to peace, and because of the desire to destroy Israel. (…) You have nothing to lose. Whatever the Palestinian reaction be, Israel will only stand to gain. (…) nothing will change the minds of those with decisive views. The amount of reports on “fascism,” and “Germany” and “the end of democracy,” is so big that all of the arguments I had this week crumbled in the face of a fortified wall: Don’t waste our time with facts!
Ben-Dror Yemini, JED, 05.02.16
A turning point in the wave of terrorism
The terror attack at the Damascus Gate symbolizes officially, symbolically and mostly painfully the transition of the terror wave from attacks by individuals to organized attacks. (…) Alongside the incitement and the feelings of revenge, what connects them is Facebook. (…) The investigation reveals that this was a terror cell of three friends who made their way from Qabatiya to Jerusalem. They decided to attack at the entrance to the Damascus Gate, but the belief is that they planned to attack something more substantial – perhaps a large group of Jews. Only the vigilance of the Border Policewomen stopped a more serious attack. (…) There is no solution on the horizon. This fact needs to concern us more than the Gaza terror tunnels threatening the communities on the Gaza border, at least the defense establishment is working on a solution – one that will take a long time and a lot of money to implement. But regarding the tunnels the direction is at least positive. The terror wave, on the other hand, there is one vector, and it is negative.
Yossi Yehoshua, JED, 04.02.16
Lone terrorists no more
(…) Since the surge of Palestinian violence began several months ago, over 200 terrorist attacks have been carried out, mostly by lone terrorists. The defense establishment was and is unable to prevent such attacks, because their “lone wolf” nature gives no prior indication of the terrorist’s intentions, nor does he have accomplices or leave any traces behind. (…) Wednesday’s attack was different. A lone terrorist no more, this was the work of a group, whose members brandished more than knives: They used automatic weapons and were carrying pipe bombs, to maximize casualties. (…) This type of operation requires planning, and that will be the focus of the Shin Bet investigation (…). Terrorist organizations, especially Hamas, have recently begun investing considerable efforts to carry out major terrorist attacks. Given the shortage of standard explosives and bomb engineers, shooting attacks have become “the next best thing.” (…) a shooting attack (…) has a much more lethal potential. (…) The goal is clear: Prevent the next attack, not only to minimize civilian casualties, but also to minimize potential political fallout. Further security escalation could undermine Israel’s fragile relations with the Palestinian Authority, as well as disrupt the brittle equilibrium achieved opposite Hamas. Hamas, for its part, has intensified its efforts to rebuild its grid of terror tunnels, indicating that just like before 2014’s Operation Protective Edge, security tensions in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria could cause the situation in the south to spiral out of control.
Yoav Limor, IHY, 04.02.16
The real threat
(…) The Cabinet discussions indicate that nothing is planned – in any way. That’s why we can easily estimate that the “sit idly” police, which makes do with publishing statements accusing Abbas, Ban Ki-moon, the American ambassador, the European Union, and others of giving aid and comfort to terrorists will only lead to horrifying results for us. We must admit: (…) This is a foreshadowed escalation, on the way to total chaos. (…) Four months ago they told us it wasn’t a Palestinian uprising, but a bunch of criminal acts perpetrated by lone wolves. Then they said it couldn’t be determined that known terror organizations were sending these attackers on their often-deadly paths. At this point, we need to face reality. (…) A former senior official in the state-security ranks said Thursday, in a private conversation, that the pilot Netanyahu was flying his plane off a cliff. The problem, he added, is that we are all on that plane, and it’s moving closer to its destination – the ground below.
Shimon Shiffer, JED, 05.02.16
Dealing with the tunnel threat
(…) There are two options when it comes to the threat posed by the tunnels, which have become a strategic weapon for Hamas and a source of anxiety for Israelis. The first option is to develop an underground Iron Dome system. (…) The second option is to conduct a military operation to destroy the tunnels. (…) We must make the necessary preparations to deal with the tunnel threat, but there is no need to heed populist demands and launch a military operation at this time. (…) The past three military operations in Gaza all bought significant periods of subsequent quiet, and that is how it should be. It is not in Israel’s interest to fight a war in Gaza every year. (…) The tunnel discourse must be kept in the right proportion. Let us leave demagoguery and populism out of it.
Dan Margalit, IHY, 07.02.16
3. Men and Women can pray together at Western Wall
Praying room
(…) in the 21st century the world’s only Jewish state still discriminates against religious Jews who deviate from accepted Orthodox practices. (…) However, non-Orthodox streams of Judaism and the Women of the Wall – many of whom consider themselves Orthodox – scored a significant victory (…) there is more than one way to be a religious Jew. (…) One of the most beautiful aspects of Judaism is its diversity and richness. Rationalists as well as spiritualists; reformers as well as traditionalists – all find meaning and a sense of belonging within Judaism’s broad tent. Religious diversity flourishes when allowed to develop organically and in an open atmosphere of free expression. (…) One would think that the world’s only Jewish state would do its utmost to foster a vibrant, multi-faceted Judaism. Unfortunately, since Israel’s founding, religion and state have been overly intertwined. Different groups within Orthodoxy have been granted a monopoly over state funds, rabbinic and quasi-rabbinic appointments and influence. (…) The best way to stifle religious expression and innovation is by granting a state-sanctioned monopoly to one sect with a narrow political and economic agenda. (…) The State of Israel should be a place where all forms of Jewish expression are encouraged and given the freedom to grow and flourish. (…) Just as free and open markets are a boon to economies, so too will a freer religious environment encourage more vibrant Jewish religious expression. Where else should this happen (…)?
Editorial, JPO, 01.02.16
We progressive Jews are celebrating the Western Wall deal – but we’re not naïve
(…) Creating an egalitarian prayer space at the Wall is a small step, and in some ways a mostly symbolic one. (…) Israel’s government did not make this decision because it suddenly developed warm feelings about Reform and Conservative Judaism. It did what it did because of 25 years of non-stop demonstrations by a small group of Israeli women who gradually won the support and admiration of large segments of Diaspora Jewry. (…) The new space to be created at the Southern Wall is primarily meant to provide for egalitarian prayer (…) many of those who originally joined Women of the Wall were never interested in participating in mixed prayer, or in praying in any space other than the Women’s section of the Kotel. Their intention was to pray at the Kotel according to their understanding of Orthodox practice, and to do so at set times so as not to disturb other traditional women who might interpret the Halakhah differently. These women are the losers of the process. (…) the compromise is still a good one for the Jewish people, and as the battle for religious freedom continues, the needs of these Orthodox women will need to be addressed. (…) the State of Israel has taken a small step of sanity, suggesting that it values all forms of Judaism and all Jews. And for this, we should all be grateful.
Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, HAA, 01.02.16
A display of maturity
The government’s decision (…) heralds the implementation of the “separation plan” between the different streams of Judaism — ultra-Orthodox here and pluralists there. (…) After almost 70 years of arguing over the “Seventy Faces of Torah” (…), a solution has been reached: two separate prayer plazas for two groups (Orthodox and pluralists). Over the years, the Western Wall became an Orthodox synagogue in every respect. (…) The ultra-Orthodox will never recognize the pluralist denominations, but they can live with a new prayer section, especially given its location at a secluded lower area in an archaeological park. (…) the agreement heals an open wound between Israel and large Jewish communities abroad, mainly in the U.S., where many Jews have perceived Israel’s policy on the matter as ungrateful, exclusionary and out of place. What is new in the agreement is the establishment of a new entrance to the Western Wall plaza, common to all denominations. There is room for everybody, but inside, groups will split to go their separate ways.
Shlomo Cesana, IHY, 01.02.16
Everyone’s a winner
(…) The Women of the Wall and the non-Orthodox streams of Judaism are certain they won. (…) What they will not tell you is that they sought a full-fledged third plaza, but will instead settle for part of the area known as Robinson’s Arch. (…) Also, with the struggle here over, they will now find it more difficult to raise funds abroad. For the haredim, the situation is more complicated. While recognition of any non-Orthodox groups is a disaster, at least outwardly, the fact that those groups were shunted off to an unseen side of the traditional Western Wall plaza is an achievement. (…) the wave of terrorism also played a role in the historic deal. The pluralist movements understood that raising the platform would involve construction work that could ignite the Middle East. So the pluralist movements accepted the limits of what they could accomplish. Reality will determine the ultimate winner. The people will vote with their feet. Where will they chose to hold bar mitzvahs? Where will Memorial Day ceremonies be conducted and where will soldiers be sworn in? Where will Angelina Jolie and Donald Trump visit during trips to Israel? (…)
Yehuda Shlezinger, IHY, 01.02.16
Setting the record straight: Women of the Wall
Anat Hoffman (…) did not take us into her confidence, nor did she wrestle with us (…). Unlike most of us, Anat turned what was a holy moment into a full-time and paid career. And into a political platform both for herself and ultimately for the Reform movement. (…) She garnered headlines and funds as Israelis were blown up on buses, in nightclubs, and in their homes. This was before she betrayed our halachic vision and our legal victory at the Kotel-proper for another style of davening and at another place entirely.(…) Our first prayer service was organized by Orthodox women. It was in the style of the prayer groups that were pioneered by Orthodox women. It was halachic and, as such, was as strong an argument as was our legal argument. We, the Original Women of the Wall, chose not to break with our Orthodox sisters, whether or not we ourselves are Orthodox. We owe them so much. (…) Anat turned a religious struggle into a left-style political struggle. (…) Maybe her Reform Movement advisers strongly suggested that she cut her losses and deliver the goods. (…) Anat had traumatically ousted all women from WOW’s board who did not agree with her plan to turn a woman-only prayer group at the Kotel in the ezrat nashim (…) into an egalitarian, mixed-gender minyan at Robinson’s Arch. (…) Anat is not only the director of IRAC — she also deeply believes that their style of prayer is more feminist than a women-only style. She is absolutely entitled to her opinion, but she is not entitled to co-opt our struggle of 27 years and celebrate the imagined death of our struggle as their victory. (…)
Phyllis Chesler, TOI, 05.02.16
Giving away the Kotel
When did “separate but equal” become the goal of any civil rights movement? When were civil rights leaders ever proud of trading one group’s rights for another? When did Robinson’s Arch magically become “the Kotel”? (…) On Sunday, the State of Israel, via the Prime Minister’s cabinet, blessed the creation of an enhanced egalitarian prayer plaza at Robinson’s Arch. (…) The deal plays into the hands of the Haredi extreme by moving women’s prayer away from the Kotel. (…) Robinson’s Arch has its own special beauty. (…) A newly-stated goal of WOW, making Robinson’s Arch into the new Kotel for a new age, is beautiful. (…) I support the concept of a prayer plaza at Robinson’s Arch. In this deal, however, the cost is too high. When it’s done, women’s voices in prayer and Torah at the Kotel will never be heard there again. (…) What’s at stake is American Reform and Conservative Jewish leadership gaining a voice in the religious politic of Israel. (…) It’s hard to fathom that giving up our claim to the Kotel is anything but reckless and optimistic. (…) From a Haredi point of view, we went to the back of the bus. Women have been silenced. The non-Jewish Jews willingly left the Kotel plaza. (…) We just agreed to let them do it. Sunday may well go down in history as the day the split between Haredi and Progressive Judaism was officially sanctioned and enshrined in Israeli policy. (…) this isn’t what we were fighting for in the first place. We were fighting for the Kotel.
Alden Solovy, TOI, 05.02.16
New Western Wall prayer space signals shift among ultra-Orthodox politicians
(…)There’s no overstating the historic and dramatic importance of the government’s decision to establish a mixed-gender prayer space at the Western Wall. (…) One government after another played around with this issue for 20 years, and it was none other than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fourth government (…) that finally did something. (…) Clearly something has changed. (…) The Haredi public is more or less up in arms over the issue, as reflected in their media outlets. (…) but the two senior MKs from United Torah Judaism, Yaakov Litzman and Moshe Gafni, mumbled something for the record and moved on. Shas leader Arye Dery used this week’s act of outrage (…) not in response to the plan for the Western Wall but as a reaction to another spectacle for which Netanyahu grabbed credit – this time for the lowering of public-transportation fares. (…) The moral is that when you’re spoiled, and pampered with budgets and gifts by the prime minister, you won’t be quick to foment coalition crises that can lurch out of control and cut off the largesse instantly. (…)
Yossi Verter, HAA, 06.02.16
4. Selection of Artices from the Media
Bernie Sanders and the return of Old Jew Chic
Bernie Sanders (…) split the overall vote with Hillary Clinton, he won the youth vote, those between the ages of 17-29, by an astounding 84-14 margin. (…) A 74-year-old guy, who talks and looks like your Zayde, shellacked the person who could become the first female President, a woman six years his junior, by an almost unfathomable margin. (…) I LOVE the two unspoken (…) messages coming out of his campaign: IT’S OKAY TO BE JEWISH AND IT’S COOL TO BE OLD. (…) it’s the “old” part that’s the real revelation (…) he doesn’t feel a need to hide it and in fact seems very comfortable beneath his Ben Gurion bushel of white. And despite his visible senior-ness (…), he is a rock star on campuses and is adored in almost Obama-like fashion by millennials and their younger siblings. (…) there may well be an unfair double standard when it comes to women. But for an Old Jewish Guy to be rockin’ like Bernie is, it’s got to be reassuring for people of all ages and all shades of gray. (…)
Joshua Hammerman, TOI, 04.02.16
REALITY CHECK: Olmert’s legacy
(…) Given the fact that he is the first Israeli prime minister to sit behind bars, he will go down in history with this unpleasant definition accompanying any description of his career. And deservedly so. (…) it would be wrong to view Olmert solely as a villain (…). With the benefit of hindsight, the Second Lebanon War of 2006 is looking less the disaster than it was initially characterized to be. (…) almost 10 years have now passed since the war and this has been the one of the quietest prolonged periods on the Israel-Lebanon border. (…) OLMERT ALSO boosted Israel’s deterrence factor vis-à-vis Damascus, with the destruction of a Syrian nuclear reactor in 2007 which, given what has transpired since in Syria has been beneficial to the entire international community. (…) Most importantly, Olmert recognized the urgency for Israel to arrive at an agreement with the Palestinians. (…) There is much cause for sadness in the sight of a former prime minister entering prison, but this missed opportunity for peace is perhaps the most searing regret.
Jeff Barak, JPO, 14.02.16
Russia’s new Syrian strategy: Ethnic cleansing
Russian forces, combined with the Iranians and Hezbollah, have changed their tactics in Syria. With a complete disregard to the international community, they are intensively bombing rebel bases, even at the risk of killing thousands of civilians, and starting a new wave of refugees. (…) what is happening in practice is ethnic cleansing and a new wave of refugees leaving Syria. (…) The Russian generals (…) understood that the secret weapon of the rebel groups they were fighting lay in the fact that the rebels can melt into the civilian population at will, and that the local Sunni community supports and assists them. (…) This was a classic guerrilla war which the rebels were able to fight for an unlimited amount of time. (…) The new strategy the Russians formulated was to destroy these power bases through ethnic cleansing, and force them to flee (…). As a complementary measure, they would subject those who stayed to blockades and sieges, starving those who refused to leave. (…) First; they determine senior commanders in the Russian-Iranian-Hezbollah coalition who are from communities which are under rebel occupation, and base them and consolidate these forces who are loyal and essential to the Assad regime. The Russians will then start an intensive bombing campaign of these cities, day and night, with no effort to differentiate between combatant and civilian. (…) The rebels and civilians who survived the bombing can’t escape or start over. They don’t get any food, water, or anything else which would permit them to live. Between this, and the Russian bombs which continue to fall on them, they are faced with two equally bad options: to either die of hunger or the bombs, or surrender and be killed on the spot. (…)
Ron Ben-Yishai, JED, 12.02.16
Speed factor
Sunday’s deadly collision (…) could have been prevented. (…) Over the past few years there has been a gradual rise in the number of road deaths in Israel. (…) Research (…) shows that the higher speed limits have resulted in an additional 40 to 60 deaths per year. Everywhere, speed kills, and more speed kills more.(…) Speeding tickets are often sent to the company, not to the driver responsible for breaking the speed limit. (…) a quick, easy and inexpensive way of reducing deadly accidents is to simply lower the speed limits.
Editorial, JPO, 15.02.16
HAA = Haaretz
JED = JediothAhronoth / Ynetnews
JPO = Jerusalem Post
IHY = Israel HaYom
TOI = Times of Israel
GLO = Globes
Published: February 2016
Responsible:
Dr. Werner Puschra, Head of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Israel
Editors:
Susanne Knaul
Judith Stelmach
Homepage: www.fes.org.il
Email: fes@fes.org.il
