MEDIA REACTION: VARIOUS VIEWS OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001444 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, INR/R/MR LONDON FOR TSOU PARIS FOR ZEYA USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR SILAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO KMDR OIIP MU SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: VARIOUS VIEWS OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE -------------- From Threats.... -------------- ¶1. On September 23, the privately owned Arabic daily "al-Watan" published an editorial entitled "Who Will Protect The Palestinians From Sharon's Threats?": "The gap continues to widen between Palestinian and Israeli behavior. Israel insists on the methods of violence, forced arrests, and destruction, while the Palestinians are making progress in their efforts to bring together the various Palestinian factions and halt armed operations. In addition, the Palestinian Authority is focused on rebuilding, reconstruction, and democratic pursuits such as elections and the formation of political parties. Yet, Sharon is still threatening to punish Gaza... Such statements have a negative impact on the peace process, and solve nothing." -------------- ...To Suffocation... -------------- ¶2. "Oman," the government-owned Arabic daily, ran an editorial on September 24 called "A More Difficult Battle": "The most difficult fight for the Palestinians begins now. Rebuilding the Gaza Strip is the biggest challenge they face, for several reasons. There are many factions in Palestine that have divergent views of how to best rebuild the area, and consensus will be elusive. Moreover, the Palestinians have to start from scratch, since the Israelis intentionally destroyed administrative buildings, farms, water resources, and other infrastructure. The Israelis want to suffocate the Palestinian economy in order to prevent its natural growth." -------------- . . . To Shed Blood -------------- ¶3. On September 25, "al-Watan" featured an editorial under the headline "No Use Crying Over Shed Blood": "It is time now for Palestinian groups to pause, and evaluate and rethink their catalog of good and bad deeds. They should also try to remain humble, and not posture and preen in front of Israel now that they have regained Gaza... President Abbas is calling for the end to violence, and to the beginning of political participation and development. There is no more use in crying over shed blood, particularly when we have seen that the international community is unable to resolve the situation in Palestine." BALTIMORE