ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 TEL AVIV 003256 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: -------------- Mideast -------------- Key stories in the media: -------------- On Sunday, Ha'aretz reported that President Bush promised PA Chairman [President] Mahmoud Abbas during their meeting on Thursday that if the PA meets its security commitments under the road map, including its undertaking to disarm wanted men, the U.S. will demand that PM Sharon dismantle all the illegal outposts in the West Bank immediately after the disengagement. Today, Ha'aretz reported that at a meeting on Monday with visiting members of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, Sharon voiced disappointment with the result of last Thursday's meeting between Bush and Abbas in Washington. Sharon was quoted as saying: "The Palestinians came out feeling no pressure to fight terror, and that they don't have to take immediate action." He also reportedly said: "Questions are being asked -- what happened to Bush's promises? -- and people say the whole disengagement is a bluff. I need calm to carry out the disengagement, and this is causing me difficulties." The newspaper says that Sharon told the congressmen that he had no complaints for Bush, who made his objection to terror clear to Abbas, and that "democratic reforms [in the PA] cannot be a substitute for war on terror." On Sunday, Maariv quoted Israeli officials as saying that Bush told Abbas what he wanted to hear, and that the statement was geared to allay the Palestinians' concerns about Bush's letter of commitment from 2004. On Sunday, Yediot reported that during his visit to the U.S., Abbas asked Bush to pressure Israel to allow the entry of 1,500 soldiers from the Palestinian Bader Brigade from Jordan. The newspaper wrote that over the weekend, Israel made it clear to the American administration that its response was negative, and that the subject is not open to negotiations. Echoing reports that have appeared in the media in the past few weeks, Ha'aretz writes that dozens of right- wing extremists have moved into the abandoned Hof Dekalim during the past two weeks, and that the IDF fears that they will turn the hotel into the focus of hardcore resistance to the evacuation of the Katif Bloc (Gush Katif). Leading media reported that children aged 7 to 10 were among those arrested following a road blockage by disengagement opponents northeast of Tel Aviv on Sunday. Yediot cited a secret document recently prepared by the Foreign Ministry, which details a Palestinian plan on the use to be made of Gaza Strip property: the northern Strip will become an industrial zone; the settlement of Netzarim will turn into the Gaza harbor; the settlement of Kfar Darom will be converted into an agricultural area; and the Katif Bloc will turn into a Club Med resort. The Foreign Ministry document allegedly says that the PA intends to launch a media campaign soon, calling on the Palestinians to refrain from plundering or violating order in evacuated areas. On Monday, leading media quoted Abbas as saying in an interview aired on Sunday that the era of suicide bombings may be over. Egyptian Ambassador to Israel Assef Ibrahim was quoted as saying Monday in an interview with Jerusalem Post that Israel should not expect Egypt to prevent attacks that may emanate from the Gaza Strip after Israel's withdrawal. However, Ibrahim was quoted as saying that Israel could expect better control of smuggling across the border were Egypt allowed to station more troops. Ha'aretz reported that Pentagon official Larry Franklin has admitted that he may have disclosed classified information to a foreign official who was not authorized to receive it. A Virginia grand jury is expected to indict Franklin for giving classified materials to representatives of AIPAC in the coming days. On Monday, Ha'aretz reported that the U.S. Justice Department is expected to file indictments against two former AIPAC staffers -- Steve Rosen and Keith Weissman. On Monday, Jerusalem Post reported that PA officials told the newspaper on Sunday that Iraqi security forces have recently arrested dozens of Palestinians in Baghdad and other cities on charges of helping terrorists launch suicide attacks against Iraqi policemen and U.S. troops. Yediot cited reports that have recently reached the highest echelon of the GOI, according to which Deputy National Security Advisor Elliott Abrams, who holds the "Israeli-Palestinian portfolio" in the White House, is the leading candidate to replace Daniel Kurtzer as U.S. ambassador to Israel. Yediot cited the U.S. Embassy to Israel as saying that until further notice, Kurtzer is the U.S. Ambassador to Israel and that there is no intention of replacing him before the end of his term. The newspaper quoted embassy sources as characterizing the reports that have reached Jerusalem as "rumors" only. On Monday, the media reported that the cabinet on Sunday approved the release of 400 prisoners, in accordance with previous agreements with the PA. On Sunday, Maariv and other media reported that the U.S. administration has decided to expand General William Ward's authority and to give him the task of mediating security issues between Israel and the Palestinians. On Monday, Ha'aretz quoted Maj. Gen. Yair Naveh, the head of the Central Command, as saying before the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Sunday that the IDF will remain in the northern West Bank for several months after the evacuation of the four Jewish settlements in the area. On Monday, Jerusalem Post quoted Israel's National Security Adviser Giora Eiland as saying Monday that it is "very likely" that the IDF will reoccupy Khan Yunis and other Palestinian villages prior to disengagement. Leading media reported that on Monday, Palestinian security forces uncovered and later sealed an explosives tunnel in Khan Yunis, north of the Katif Bloc. On Monday, Ha'aretz reported that four Palestinians were killed in separate incidents in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Sunday, three in apparent "work accidents" in the Gaza Strip, and one while trying to stab IDF soldiers. On Sunday, Jerusalem reported that security forces thwarted a suicide bombing on Friday afternoon, when soldiers manning a checkpoint at the western exit to Nablus captured a Palestinian from Qalqilya carrying an explosives belt hidden in a bag. Ha'aretz reported that the Jerusalem Municipality has begun proceedings to raze 88 buildings housing some 1,000 residents in the Silwan neighborhood, to "restore the area to its landscape of yore," according to the city engineer, Uri Shetrit. The newspaper notes that the demolition, if it goes ahead, will be among the largest to take place in East Jerusalem since 1967. Israel Radio reported that in a first interview with the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat, outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon expressed his belief that peace will not be achieved in the short term. Ya'alon reportedly said that Israel can defend itself without the Golan. Israel Radio cited an Iranian announcement that Iran has conducted a test of a 2,000-km-range surface-to- surface missile. Jerusalem Post reported that PA Minister for Civilian Affairs Muhammad Dahlan called on Monday for firm action against Palestinians suspected of "collaboration" with Israel. He also denied that Abbas had promised Israel he would not authorize the executions of convicted "collaborators." Jerusalem Post also reported that Samir Rantisi, a local journalist and spokesman for former PA Information minister Yasser Abed Rabbo, was murdered in Ramallah on Monday. He had for years urged Palestinians to endorse nonviolent methods in their confrontation with Israel and was strongly opposed to suicide bombings. Maariv quoted Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf as saying in an interview with the German weekly Der Spiegel that Sharon is a courageous leader. Maariv cited the Indian newspaper Indian Express, which on Monday quoted senior officials in Islamabad as saying that Musharraf is committed to diplomatic relations with Israel. On Sunday, Jerusalem Post reported that USAID has launched a new ad campaign -- through posters and TV commercials -- aimed at improving America's image among the Palestinians. The newspaper says: "Chances of success appear slim." On Sunday, Jerusalem Post reported that the mufti of Jerusalem, Ikrema Sabri, demanded that the U.S. apologize for alleged mishandling of the Koran in Guantanamo Bay. The mufti also called on Muslims around the world to boycott American products. Ha'aretz reported that the Labor Party's Central Committee approved the merger between One Nation and Labor on Monday, paving the way for One Nation chairman MK Amir Peretz to compete for chairmanship of the party. On Sunday, Maariv reported that Moshe Bachar and Edmond Ben-Ami, two Israelis who were under house arrest in the U.S. awaiting trial, succeeded in deceiving the American authorities, boarding a flight, and fleeing back to Israel. The newspaper says that the two were assisted by none other than the Israeli Foreign Ministry, as Consul-General in Miami Shmuel Micha personally issued them laissez-passer documents. The newspaper cited a denial by the Consulate-General that requests for such documents were on their records. Ha'aretz reported that Israel and South Africa are resuming security cooperation after a hiatus of almost 15 years, with a senior delegation from South Africa due in the country next week for the first time since the fall of the apartheid regime. Maariv reported that dozens of young people who have recently emigrated from the CIS have founded in Israel a neo-Nazi organization that holds secret meetings. Over the weekend, the media headlines were dominated by a case that involved several arrests last week of top executives at some of Israel's biggest companies, including the Yes satellite TV company, Mayer Cars & Trucks and the Pelephone Communications and Cellcom cellular networks, on suspicion of involvement in industrial espionage. A total of 18 people have been detained, including nine private investigators. Leading media quoted police as saying Monday that classified defense-related material belonging to an Israeli arms manufacturer was found on as server allegedly used to store information stolen from targeted companies. Maariv reported that the FBI has asked for information on the matter. All media highlighted various cases of violent crime carried out or cracked over the past few days. -------------- Mideast: -------------- Summary: -------------- Senior op-ed writer Akiva Eldar opined in left-leaning, independent Ha'aretz: "If anyone has cause for complaint in this regard, it is Abu Mazen. Once again ... Bush did not say anything about what Israel will have to give to the Palestinians in return for the population centers it annexes." Extreme right-wing columnist Caroline B. Glick wrote in conservative, independent Jerusalem Post: "From the Bush administration's actions on the ground from Teheran to Riyadh to Ramallah, it seems that rather than placing these terror regimes in the crosshairs, the President and his advisers are strengthening them. If this is the case, then Israel is in for one of the toughest periods in its history." David J. Forman, founder of the group Rabbis for Human Rights, wrote in Jerusalem Post: "What of America's carpet bombing of Fallujah, where half the city was destroyed and untold civilian life lost? Is this not a 'war crime?'" Block Quotes: -------------- ¶I. "Comprehension Difficulties" Senior op-ed writer Akiva Eldar opined in left-leaning, independent Ha'aretz (May 29): "The declaration received by Sharon [from President Bush] and that made to Abu Mazen do not contradict one another.... Bush's statements do not stray in the slightest from the road map adopted by Israel.... The U.S. position is that the reality in the field must be taken into account; but America most certainly doesn't have the ability or intention of forcing this position on the parties to the conflict.... First, the starting point for the talks must be the cease-fire line. Second, the United States believes the large population centers in the West Bank must be taken into consideration. And third, the border must be determined in agreement between the sides. One can safely assume that when the day of the final-status talks comes, the U.S. will serve as principal mediator. Therefore, one cannot undermine the importance of its position vis-a-vis the nature of the peace settlement. But if anyone has cause for complaint in this regard, it is Abu Mazen. Once again, as in the case of his letter from April last year, Bush did not say anything about what Israel will have to give to the Palestinians in return for the population centers it annexes." II. "Is America Abandoning the Fight?" Extreme right-wing columnist Caroline B. Glick wrote in conservative, independent Jerusalem Post (May 31): "The top story in Sunday's Washington Post reported that the Bush administration is revising its counter-terrorism strategy. Whereas since the September 11 attacks the U.S. has concentrated its efforts on physically destroying al-Qaida to prevent it from carrying out another major attack by arresting and killing its operatives and leaders, now, according to the report, the U.S. will be widening the focus to include contending with the threat of militant Islam generally by trying to counteract it as a social and political force among Muslims worldwide. This of course would be a welcome change.... And yet, from the Bush administration's actions on the ground from Teheran to Riyadh to Ramallah, it seems that rather than placing these terror regimes in the crosshairs, the President and his advisers are strengthening them. If this is the case, then Israel is in for one of the toughest periods in its history." III. "We Are Not Paranoid" David J. Forman, founder of the group Rabbis for Human Rights, wrote in Jerusalem Post (May 30): "We Israelis are not paranoid. Much of the world is truly out to 'get us.' Witness the Amnesty International report accusing Israel of 'crimes against humanity' and 'war crimes.' What of America's carpet bombing of Fallujah, where half the city was destroyed and untold civilian life lost? Is this not a 'war crime?'.... If our critics are truly intent on having Israel address some of its admittedly grievous behavior, they do themselves and ultimately Israel a dreadful disservice by their blatant abuse of language. After all, no one has suffered greater 'crimes against humanity' than we Jews. Before judging us, the world would do well to understand our narrative, and to acknowledge not just our historic nightmare, but its many manifestations that continue to this day." KURTZER