ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 TEL AVIV 002145

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TAGS: IS KMDR MEDIA REACTION REPORT
SUBJECT: ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

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SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS REPORT:
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Mideast

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Key stories in the media:
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Maariv and Ha'aretz cited Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice in an interview with AP as saying that
Israel should not raze the houses in the settlements
that it evacuates unless the PA asks for it. Maariv
noted that the interview was mostly critical towards
Israel and that Rice promised that the U.S. would
assist the PA in rehabilitating Gaza. Ha'aretz added
that since President George Bush wishes to hold a
festive meeting, he will not raise controversial issues
with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Yediot Aharonot leads with a report from a meeting
Prime Minister Sharon chaired in his office that was
attended by Defense Minister Mofaz and other officials
involved in planning the practicalities of
disengagement. Mofaz presented some of the specifics
of the Defense Ministry's work plan for disengagement,
whereby the evacuation of settlements in the Gaza Strip
would last three weeks only, and not four as previously
planned. Maariv reports about a separate meeting that
was held yesterday by the directors-general of the
various government ministries, also to discuss
practical aspects of disengagement. Sharon instructed
the security establishment to allow the public to visit
Gush Katif during Passover in order "to say goodbye to
the settlements." This is contrary to recommendations
by security officials to close Gush Katif to visitors
before the holiday, out of concern that thousands would
try to remain in the settlements with the purpose of
preventing the evacuation.

Maariv added that the settlements Nissanit and Elei
Sinai have decided to "disengage" from Gaza, as
residents there claim that the land of the two
communities was never under Egyptian control but rather
was a demilitarized zone under UN control.

Yediot Aharonot reported that, prior to the prime
minister's visit to Washington, Agriculture Minister
Yisrael Katz yesterday spoke out openly against the
American position which rules out construction in the
settlements: "The government of Israel and the Likud
will continue to build and develop Jewish settlement in
greater Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, the Jordan Valley
and all the security areas, even if this results in
disagreements with the US."

Ha'aretz related that senior officials in the
Palestinian Authority have presented a plan to American
and Israeli officials for coordinating the
disengagement from Gaza and the northern West Bank. A
source involved in the contacts told Ha'aretz yesterday
that the plan includes coordinating the handover of
overall security responsibility in the areas the Israel
Defense Forces leaves, to the PA's National Security
force; a complete cease-fire during the evacuation
process; and a Palestinian commitment to take all
necessary steps to prevent shooting at Israeli targets
outside the Strip. However, the Palestinians condition
the plan on Israeli agreement to it and on Israeli help
in equipping the Gaza security forces with weapons and
other equipment necessary for imposing law and order in
Gaza.

Maariv reported that yesterday, Foreign Minister Shalom
held his first working session with Jordanian
Ambassador Ma'aruf al-Behayt who asked that Israel
release Jordanian prisoners held in Israel. Shalom
said he believes this would happen after the PM's U.S.
visit.

Ha'aretz reported that the police yesterday announced
plans to close the Temple Mount compound to Jews on 10
April, when a right-wing extremist group called Revava
was planning to hold a mass rally there. Police fear
the activists might clash with Muslim worshipers.

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Mideast:
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Summary:
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Nationalist writer Uri Dan commented both in popular,
pluralist Maariv and conservative, independent
Jerusalem Post: "Those who thought that Bush's letter
would be enough were mistaken from the very beginning.
What is really needed is an unceasing, tenacious and
bitter struggle for the borders of the Jewish State --
borders that will give us maximum security as we
struggle under difficult domestic and international
conditions. Only Sharon, there in Texas, and
afterwards, can carry out this impossible mission."

Block Quotes:
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"Arik's Mission Impossible"

Nationalist writer Uri Dan commented both in popular,
pluralist Maariv and conservative, independent
Jerusalem Post (April 7): "The time has come to realize
the understanding between Bush and Sharon. It is clear
that both leaders will have to turn words into deeds.
Sharon will once again have to convince Bush why he
regards the plan to establish continuity of settlement
between Jerusalem and Ma'aleh Adumim on the way to the
Dead Sea as vital for Israel's defense, and how he
regards the other Jewish blocs of settlement, without
harming the course of the road map. In other words,
there is a chance that after the summit in Texas
Israelis will better understand that the Jewish State
will receive a tangible, long-term return for the
earthquake in the Gaza Strip planned for the summer.
This will be while the Palestinian enemy is re-stocking
its arsenal for continuing the war, as reported by the
U.S. intelligence services. Those who thought that
Bush's letter would be enough were mistaken from the
very beginning. What is really needed is an unceasing,
tenacious and bitter struggle for the borders of the
Jewish State -- borders that will give us maximum
security as we struggle under difficult domestic and
international conditions. Only Sharon, there in Texas,
and afterwards, can carry out this impossible mission."
KURTZER