Weekly Items from the Israeli Press, August 4, 2011

Housing Protest

More than 150,000 take to streets across Israel in largest housing protest yet

(Haaretz)Demonstrations held in more than 10 cities across Israel in bid to lower spiraling costs of living; joint Jewish-Arab protest held for first time since demonstrations began 16 days ago.

General strike launched on Facebook doesn’t impress

(Jpost)Despite media hype it was business as usual - streets were clogged with traffic and cafes and restaurants were jammed with tourists and locals.

As unrest grows, focus turns toward tycoons

(Haaretz)Protesters widening protest scope from real estate to the erosion of the middle class, begin directing anger at country’s rich.

Finance Ministry director resigns

(Ynet)Haim Shani hands in resignation in backdrop of widespread housing protest, citing 'fundamental difference of opinion' with Minister Steinitz

Doctors' Protest

Treasury, doctors reach breakthrough in talks

(Jpost) IMA chairman Eidelman halts 10-day hunger strike; sides to hold negotiations following agreement on some issues.

Parents' Protest

Parents launch protests over child-raising costs

(Globes) A new group of protesters is emerging to join the tent protesters and others - parents protesting against the high cost of parenting

Education Protest

Teachers protest for better education

(Ynet)

Welfare and Social Issues

Empowering at-risk-youth in Israel

(Ynet)YEP, holistic program aimed at Israeli teens from disadvantaged communities, combines technological education with volunteering and personal mentoring

Israel-US Relations

'The Arab Spring is a fantasy'

(Haaretz)In interview with Haaretz, Republican stalwart and presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is quite clear in his views regarding the biggest enemies of the United States and Israel.

US olim want ‘Israel’ on passport of their J'lem-born son

(Jpost) Despite law passed in 2002 allowing Jerusalem-born US citizens to list Israel as birthplace, policy hasn’t been implemented.

Religious Pluralism in Israel

Israeli government panel decides to keep God out of IDF memorial prayer

(Haaretz) 'May people of Israel remember' wording to be used on Mount Herzl.

Police won’t let Jews hold march in Old City due to Ramadan

(Jpost)The march, which has been taking place at the onset of Jewish months for some 10 years, draws the most participants at the beginning of Av.

Jewish World

Abuhatzeira killer sent for psychiatric exam

(Jpost)Tens of thousands of stunned mourners attend famous rabbi, Baba Sali's grandson's funeral in Jerusalem; PM expresses shock at murder.

Israel Advocacy/Relations

Right-wing NGO: Protesters refuse to sing ‘Hatikva’

(Jpost)My Israel offered on Friday to join the protest, on condition that the national anthem would be sung.

16 and taking on the world

(Ynet)Talia Leman, who founded her first charity at 10 and by 16 had already donated tens of millions of dollars, become a celebrity in US and is marked as a future presidential candidate is now on a heritage trip in Israel, looking for people who need her help.

Science, Technology and Development

Israeli-Swedish project: turn paper waste into useful foam

(Jpost)Goal is to move toward renewable resources, away from other oil-based materials

Israeli researchers seek to develop 'morning-after-pill' for post-traumatic stress disorder

(Haaretz)Treatment intended to prevent psychiatric episodes, similar to the treatments administered today after a stroke to prevent further complications, or after an event that could lead to post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Environment

Israel looking for land to build mega-recycling plant

(Haaretz)Ministry says only national effort can handle center's needs.

Israel should catch the wind

(Globes) Wind energy is not generally considered worthwhile for Israel, but that's a costly misconception.

Sport

A volley and a serve for their country  

(Jpost)Video: 19-year-old volleyball stars representing Israel in European championship say secret to their game is their chemistry

Op-Eds and Opinion Pieces from the Israel Press

Yisrael Hayom says that, "After 2.5 weeks of impressive demonstrations, protests and marches, it seems that the tent protest leaders are living in a movie: It seems that they excel in making demands but do not know what the solution is.  The protestors in the tent encampment on Rothschild Boulevard have not forgotten anything except one thing – where will the money come from?  With all sympathy, even in Communist China in Mao's day, they would have paled over the demonstrators' shopping list."  The author believes that the Government will answer some of the protestors' more reasonably priced demands but will reject others outright due to their excessive cost.

Yediot Ahronot reminds its readers that, "Mubarak courageously decided to follow in the footsteps of his mentor, Anwar Sadat, and chose the path of peace," and adds that, "He understood and knew the plight of the Egyptian people and correctly assessed that without peace with the State of Israel, there would be no revival for the Egyptian people."  The author says that, "It is very likely that towards his own people Mubarak was a cruel dictator but in the topsy-turvy Middle East, he was a mighty rock, practically the only one in stormy waters," and adds that, "Only those Israeli idiots who think that it is possible to repeat the victory of the Six Day War will not regret his going to jail.  Those who know will thank him for over 30 years of peace and for the thousands from here to Tahrir Square who do not lie in military cemeteries."