ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 TEL AVIV 002642

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD

WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM
NSC FOR NEA STAFF

JERUSALEM ALSO FOR ICD
LONDON ALSO FOR HKANONA AND POL
PARIS ALSO FOR POL
ROME FOR MFO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: IS KMDR MEDIA REACTION REPORT
SUBJECT: ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

--------------
SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS REPORT:
--------------


1. Iran: Nuclear Program


2. Syrian-Lebanese Track


3. Vladimir Putin's Visit to Israel, April 27-28

--------------
Key stories in the media:
--------------

All media (banner in Ha'aretz) reported that 40,000 to
90,000 people, depending on the sources, attended a
rally in the Gaza Strip's Katif Bloc Wednesday to
protect the disengagement plan. National Union MK
Arieh Eldad called for civil disobedience, which
prompted left-wing politicians to demand that he be put
on trial. Talking on Israel Radio, Knesset Speaker
Reuven Rivlin (Likud),an opponent of disengagement,
condemned Eldad's remark.

Yediot, Maariv and Jerusalem Post led with issues
related to Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to
Israel. Maariv quoted Israeli defense sources as
saying that Putin, who talks about peace while
supporting Syria and the Iranian nuclear plan, is
playing a double game and assisting Israel's enemies.
Yediot quoted senior GOI sources as saying that Israel
will not take part in Putin's initiative to host a
conference on the Middle East. The newspaper also
quoted sources in the U.S. administration as saying
that the U.S. believes that an international conference
should be convened, but not at this time. Jerusalem
Post and Ha'aretz write that PM Sharon is likely to
raise with Putin the issue of Russian plans to sell
military equipment to the PA. In a press conference
carried over by Israel Radio this afternoon, Putin
reassured Israel that the missiles Russia sold Syria
cannot be used by terrorists, while President Moshe
Katsav emphasized the threat posed to Israel by Syria,
and the risk that those missiles could make it harder
for Israel to combat terrorism. Putin said that Russia
is cooperating with Iran in the development of peaceful
uses in the nuclear domain, but that it is opposed to
Iran's plans to procure nuclear weapons.

All media continued coverage of the forthcoming arms
sale by the U.S. of GBU-28 bombs to Israel. Recalling
Sharon's promises that Israel has no plans to attack
Iran and citing Vice President Dick Cheney's warning in
January that Israel could in the future try to attack
Iran's nuclear installations, the media extensively
speculated on the matter. Speaking on Israel Radio
this morning, a former senior official in Israel's
defense industry said that Israel already has similar,
locally made weapons.
Israel Radio quoted PA Chairman [President] Mahmoud
Abbas as saying that the PA will stop mortar and Qassam
rocket attacks against Israel even if the use of force
is needed. The radio quoted PA Information Minister
Nabil Shaath as saying in an interview with the East
Jerusalem newspaper Al-Quds that there have been
contacts between the PA and Egypt regarding the issue
of control of the Philadelphi route. Shaath was quoted
as saying that the PA is also discussing the issue, as
well as "safe passage" between Gaza and the West Bank,
with Israel and the U.S.

Ha'aretz reported that the Quartet's special envoy to
the disengagement plan, former World Bank president
James Wolfensohn, is due to arrive in Israel this
weekend for his first visit in his new role.
Wolfensohn will meet with Vice Premier Shimon Peres to
discuss coordination of various civilian aspects of the
planned withdrawal from Gaza and the northern West
Bank. The newspaper reported that Vice Premier Shimon
Peres met Wednesday with A/S David Welch. According to
Ha'aretz, Peres called for encouraging American private
sector investments in the territories, and described
the economic and security problems raised by the
opening of the Palestinian port in Gaza. Peres
emphasized the importance of preserving the unified
customs umbrella over Israel and the PA. Ha'aretz and
Jerusalem Post say that Peres told Welch about his
efforts to get the Netherlands to market flowers grown
by farmers in Gaza.

Ha'aretz reported that the PA will set up special
courts that will determine the ownership of land to be
evacuated by Israel.

Maariv reported that the IDF has recently decided to
set up a wall in Hebron to divide between the
Palestinian and Jewish residents of the city.

Leading media cited a Rand Corporation study that
proposes to lay the groundwork for long-term
development of a Palestinian state. The study
recommends linking major Palestinian cities in the West
Bank and Gaza, mostly through a high-speed railway
line. The estimated cost for the first 10 years of
operation is about USD 33 billion, with USD 6 billion
of that amount to build the rail and roads.

Yediot cited a Washington Post report as saying that
Syrian intelligence agents in Lebanon have moved to
other addresses and continue to intervene in that
country's economic and political matters.

Ha'aretz reported that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
has come out against Haifa University Prof. David
Bukay, who has allegedly denigrated Arabs and Muslims.

--------------

1. Iran: Nuclear Program:
--------------

Summary:
--------------

Military correspondent Amir Rappaport wrote in popular,
pluralist Maariv: "The ... message [of the United
States' forthcoming sale of bombs to Israel] is
directed thousands of kilometers eastwards -- at Iran."









Block Quotes:
--------------

"A Clear Message to Tehran"


Military correspondent Amir Rappaport wrote in popular,
pluralist Maariv (April 28): "The Pentagon's
announcement Wednesday that it has decided to sell
Israel 'bunker-busting' bombs is meant for Congress,
which is supposed to approve the sale. The real
message is directed thousands of kilometers eastwards -
- at Iran.... The Iranians are supposed to understand
those are bombs that can indeed hit underground
commands and nuclear installations. But they also
know, perhaps better than anybody, that it is doubtful
whether they will grant Israel a military option to
eliminate their nuclear program in a preemptive
strike.... Fascinating moves will undoubtedly occur in
the chess game that will end either with an Iranian
renouncement of the bomb, or, heaven forbid, in a
nuclear bomb that will threaten Israel. Meanwhile,
another important lesson can be drawn from the present
U.S. move: security and strategic interests between the
two countries remain strong, despite the cooling of
relations between the Pentagon and the Israeli Defense
Ministry.... In this case, basic interests have
prevailed over poor relations at the personal level."

--------------

2. Syrian-Lebanese Track:
--------------

Summary:
--------------

Independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized: "Even
if there is some logic in the American position, which
asks that Israel not save the shaky Damascus regime
through negotiations, Israel cannot wait for foreign
initiatives."





Block Quotes:
--------------

"Withdrawal From Occupied Territory"

Independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized (April
28): "The Syrian evacuation [of troops from Lebanon] is
the victory of a surprising and rare awakening of
public opinion in the region, and the continuation of
the reverberations being felt for the last two years in
the region, ever since President George W. Bush
launched a war that toppled Saddam Hussein's regime in
Iraq.... Lebanon will now face a triple challenge:
electing a president, who for the first time in years
will not be a Syrian puppet; putting an end to the
military character of the Hizbullah and turning it into
a political movement; and sending troops to the
Lebanese-Israeli border to foil terror. If Lebanon
succeeds in these challenges, it will change the entire
character of the northern arena. If indeed the
Hizbullah threat is removed and the policies -- in
effect, the regime -- of Damascus change, Israel will
have to prepare for negotiations with Syria on the
basis of UN Security Council Resolution 242 for the
return of the Golan Heights. Even if there is some
logic in the American position, which asks that Israel
not save the shaky Damascus regime through
negotiations, Israel cannot wait for foreign
initiatives. When there is a new regime in Damascus,
Israel will be one country closer to completing the
ring of peace around it -- an external ring that will
also require an end to the conflict with the
Palestinians. The spirit of the times sweeps aside all
those who try to hold onto occupied territories."

-------------- --------------

3. Vladimir Putin's Visit to Israel, April 27-28:
-------------- --------------

Summary:
--------------

Diplomatic correspondent Ben Caspit wrote in popular,
pluralist Maariv: "The Russian president's visit to
Israel is indeed historic, dramatic and important, but
it is also dangerous."

Correspondent Ilya Krichevsky wrote in conservative
Russian-language Vesty: "Relations between the Russian
President and the Israeli Prime Minister will obviously
remain cordial, but in actual fact, relations between
their countries will probably not improve after this
historic visit."
Block Quotes:
--------------


I. "Doctor Vladimir and Mr. Putin"

Diplomatic correspondent Ben Caspit wrote in popular,
pluralist Maariv (April 28): "Outwardly Ariel Sharon
will show a great deal of respect for Doctor Vladimir,
but inwardly he is very critical of Mr. Putin. The
Russian president's visit to Israel is indeed historic,
dramatic and important, but it is also dangerous....
Perhaps history will indeed repeat itself and Russia
will soon revert to what it once was: the official arms
supplier for the Arab and Muslim world, hardly to
Israel's benefit. On the other hand, the current
relations between Israel and Russia are the best that
the two states have ever had. The missile deal with
Syria was changed under pressure from Israel and the
shoulder-fired missile deal was cancelled. There is
considerable chemistry in the relationship between
Putin and Sharon. In general, the Russians support
Israel's struggle against terrorism. Economic
cooperation between the two countries is growing apace,
so the cup is also half-full, perhaps more than half.
Apart from that everything is as usual. Behind the
scenes a drama has been unfolding. It is not simple
and it is much more interesting than the official
ceremonies. A quarter of the population of Israel
speaks Russian. Recently Putin has been leading an
effort to stop Russian immigration to Israel by
improving the conditions of the Jews in Russia,
creating the semblance of freedom, openness, a
flourishing of Jewish culture and a war on anti-
Semitism."

II. "A Friendship Without Conferences"

Correspondent Ilya Krichevsky wrote in conservative
Russian-language Vesty (April 28): "Relations with
Russia are very important to Israel. ... Putin's visit
has been called historic ... without ... exaggerating
the significance of the event. This is the first
official visit of a Russian leader to Israel....
However, the question about its outcome is still open.
Israel does not hide its disappointment with Russia's
foreign policy -- arms sales to Syria and the ongoing
participation of Russian experts and facilities in
executing Iran's 'peaceful' nuclear program. Should
Ariel Sharon succeed in using his exceptionally cordial
relations with Vladimir Putin in order to balance this
policy, this brief visit by President Putin could be
dubbed historic from two aspects -- from the point of
view of protocol as well as the improvement of the
situation in the region. But ... there are not many
chances for such a development.... Putin's image and
relations with Americans and Europeans are ... rather
a secondary issue for the Israelis; it's much more
important to explain Israel's position to [Russia] as
one of the Middle East peace process's co-sponsors and
to neutralize activities which might harm Israel's
security. A personal friendship may not suffice to
achieve this goal. ... Relations between the Russian
President and the Israeli Prime Minister will obviously
remain cordial, but in actual fact, relations between
their countries will probably not improve after this
historic visit."

KURTZER