Hebrew media review

The boy who didn’t die

Israel’s report on Muhammad al-Dura; domestic issues of marriage licensing and seaport reform; and the private lives of two MKs

Aaron Kalman is a former writer and breaking news editor for the Times of Israel

A screen capture of the video showing the Muhammad al-Durra incident. (Image capture from YouTube)
A screen capture of the video showing the Muhammad al-Durra incident. (Image capture from YouTube)

Israel’s announcement that Second Intifada icon Muhammad al-Dura didn’t die in the infamous shooting incident in Gaza in 2000 is the only story that made it to the front pages of all four dailies Monday morning. Other domestic issues, like seaport reforms and changes in the rabbinical system, place high, and two legislators earn a piece of the spotlight, though not for happy reasons.

A decision by the Religious Affairs Ministry to allow Israelis to register for marriage in any of the country’s religious councils country and not only in their hometowns gets pride of place in Haaretz.

Deputy minister Eli Ben Dahan explained that the reform, which Haaretz notes was shot down by Shas in the last government, would force the local rabbinates to be more accessible and friendly, because people would be able to choose where to register where they felt welcomed.

Yedioth Ahronoth leads with a proposed seaport reform and the consequent showdown looming between the port workers and the government, quoting Economy and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett as saying the government would make sure the changes were implemented.

“If the port workers go on a wild strike we’ll prepare for the worst, including very extreme measures,” Bennett said. He added that in the past, when intense, costly port strikes would enter their third day, the government would fold and withdraw the reforms. “We need to go all the way this time to implement competition and break the monopolies,” the minister said.

The Haifa port hasn’t gone on strike in over two years, the labor union head there, Meir Turgeman, said. “If we have to fight — we’ll fight, and that’s a shame.”

“It’s official: The IDF didn’t kill al-Dura,” reads Israel Hayom‘s headline, above a report describing some of the evidence used by an investigative committee — including footage in which the boy is seen moving after the iconic shot of him being held, apparently dead, by his father.

“Focusing on this case is important,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Netanyahu described the PR damage that the pictures and reports caused Israel. “There is only one way to fight lies, and that’s with truth,” he declared.

Maariv‘s front page is also dominated by the al-Dura story, with its report framed by op-eds from two of the daily’s leading columnists, with opposing messages about the value of such a declaration by the State of Israel.

Amnon Lord writes that the findings are “the end of the blood libel” against Israel. Pointing out that there are still ongoing court cases on the matter, Lord says that the report “could provide ammunition” for those who wish to restart the legal battle against the France 2 television station (which broadcast the initial coverage that blamed the IDF for the boy’s death).

On the other hand, Ben Dror Yemini claims “the lie has already won.” Nothing will change because of findings by a government-sponsored fact-finding committee, he laments. Yemini reminds readers that most of the battle took place in French courts because of petitions by individuals who invested their time and money, and states that when the footage was screened, everyone following the case knew what had really happened.

“The truth was already made public, but the lie won big time,” Yemini writes. However, he adds, yesterday the truth was given a small, rare moment in the public sphere, “not thanks to the government… thanks to the stubborn individuals… who forced Israel to act.”

Syria is less prominent but still present in all of the Hebrew dailies — especially Netanyahu’s statement Sunday that Israel would continue to target arms being transferred to Hezbollah.

“Israel will guarantee its security interests,” Netanyahu said at the cabinet’s weekly meeting, noting that the transfer of advanced weapons to Hezbollah and other terror groups “would be prevented.”

The prime minister also expressed his displeasure at the abundance of people talking to the foreign press and conveying various messages as to Israel’s stance on Syria. “We don’t interfere with what happens in Syria. We only address the dangers of transferring weapons from Iran and Syria to Hezbollah and other terror groups,” he said.

An emotional confession can be found on the inner pages of Yedioth Ahronoth, where MK Adi Kol (Yesh Atid) tells the public about the ongoing attempts by her and her husband to become parents, and the fact that they’ve been undergoing fertility treatments for years.

“I want to be a mother very much, and it’s not working,” the 37-year-old Kol writes. “I try to remain positive and convince myself that today I’m already pregnant, and that’s it — everything’s OK.”

In Maariv, MK Erel Margalit (Labor) merited his own news item after the police caught him driving at 161 kilometers per hour (100 mph) — some 51 kph over the speed limit. His license was confiscated and a trial date was scheduled.

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