ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 TEL AVIV 004053

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


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SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS REPORT:
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1. Disengagement


2. Iran


3. U.S. - Israel Relations

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Key stories in the media:
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Disengagement issues: Yediot quoted Gush Katif settlers
as saying that the extremists that are confronting
soldiers and causing trouble do not represent them and
that the IDF should have kicked them out when they were
fewer in number.
Yediot reported on a dramatic turnaround in the
Palestinian stance regarding the houses in Gush Katif -
- the P.A. is now refusing to clear the rubble that
would remain should Israel follow through with plans to
demolish these structures.
Yediot cited P.A.'s National Security Advisor Jibril
Rajoub as saying that during the disengagement, 5,000
Palestinian policemen will surround the evacuated
settlements in order to prevent terror and plunder.
Yediot reported that Bethlehem would be transferred to
Palestinian control this weekend.

Jerusalem Post headlined that according to sources in
Washington, the administration is considering giving
Israel USD 1 billion in a post-disengagement aid
package to develop the Negev and the Galilee.

All media covered the silent demonstration that was
organized by the Yesha Council on Monday. According to
the organizers, 40,000 cars took part in the protest
but according to Yediot only 2,000 cars participated.
All media reported that the police and other security
forces are getting ready for the "real" demonstration
that is expected to take place on Wednesday mobilizing
the more extreme groups of settlers. Many roads are
expected to be blocked. Ha'aretz reported that dozens
of psychologists will accompany policemen and IDF
soldiers in the coming month and during the
disengagement pullout in order to help them cope with
the situation. Ha'aretz reported that only settlers
who will willingly evacuate their houses will be
eligible for trailers in the temporary neighborhood in
Niztan.

Maariv published parts of an interview held with IAF
Commander, Eliezer Shkedi, in which he said that the
Russian Anti-Aircraft missiles are about to arrive in
Syria.

All media reported that an IDF soldier was convicted of
the manslaughter of Tom Hurdnall, a British peace
activist in 2003.

The media reported that a Syrian soldier opened fire on
an IDF patrol near the border with Israel in the Golan
Heights on Monday. IDF Radio this morning reported
that Syria denied the shooting.
Ha'aretz reported that Housing Minister Isaac Herzog
has told the ministerial committee on settlements that
construction work in 50 settlements has been suspended.
Ha'aretz reported that the U.S. administration is
demanding Israel's prompt signature in an agreement to
install and operate monitoring systems at the Haifa
Port.

Jerusalem Post reported that USAID denies allegations
made by Palestinian Media Watch (PMW),an Israeli group
that claims that money directed for P.A. university
campuses helped the Hamas.

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1. Disengagement:
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Summary:
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Conservative, independent Jerusalem Post editorialized:
"Whether refusal comes from ideology or ignorance, our
society must defend itself not only by punishing the
perpetrators, but by maintaining the stigma against
political refusal and bolstering democratic values
through civic education."

Block Quotes:
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"The Courage to Defend Democracy"

Conservative, independent Jerusalem Post editorialized
(June 28): "Political refusal is nothing to be proud
of, and both sides know it. Disengagement opponents
who are now blithely urging refusal were the first to
be appalled at left-wing calls to refuse to serve in
the territories.... The refuser, more than advancing
his own cause, is undermining the institutions on which
we all depend for our lives, our security, and our
existence.... Whether refusal comes from ideology or
ignorance, our society must defend itself not only by
punishing the perpetrators, but by maintaining the
stigma against political refusal and bolstering
democratic values through civic education. Defenders
of democracy need as much courage, tenacity and
creativity as those who, deliberately or through
ignorance, would undermine what we must all hold most
dear."
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2. Iran:
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Summary:
--------------

Senior Arab affairs commentator Zvi Barel wrote in
independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz: "The Iranian public
did not 'betray' Washington in last week's elections.
It simply remained an Iranian public that first
considers its government's internal policy, its
economic situation and its national pride."

Block Quotes:
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"Not a Betrayal"

Senior Arab affairs commentator Zvi Barel wrote in
independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz (June 28): "The
Iranian public did not 'betray' Washington in last
week's elections. It simply remained an Iranian public
that first considers its government's internal policy,
its economic situation and its national pride. It did
not elect the man who let it down over the past eight
years or promised new relations with America, but the
man who promised jobs for 30 percent of the unemployed
and welfare programs for the poor -- just as any public
anywhere else in the world does. Furthermore, the
reformists did not have an election promise from Bush
that they could wave around and vow that the United
States would change its policy toward Iran if the
president was elected from among them. In fact,
Washington, which is now so frightened by the results
of the election, did not do much at all to bolster the
reformists over the past eight years, thus allowing
Russia, China, India and Pakistan to become stronger
allies and wield a greater influence over Iran. Is
Iran more frightening than ever now? Not necessarily.
Iran is not an insane state, and its citizens, despite
the oppression, know how to rally the street into
action when things are bad for them. They were the
ones who elected more liberal representatives as a
result of their disappointment with the representatives
of the revolution; and they are the ones who changed
the government now."

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3. U.S. - Israel Relations:
--------------

Summary:
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Diplomatic correspondent Aluf Benn wrote in
independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz: "China is not a
godforsaken outpost in Samaria, and if the Americans
are anxious about it, they expect Israel to act
accordingly and not do whatever it fancies -- or else
it will be at the receiving end of sanctions and
threats, until it gets the message and promises good
behavior."

Block Quotes:
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"China is Not an Outpost"

Diplomatic correspondent Aluf Benn wrote in
independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz (June 28): "The
current crisis in the military relations with the
United States could have been prevented, had the
military establishment evinced a willingness to change.
Its conservatism and narrow horizons led to the clash
with the Pentagon, and Israel will now sign a
'surrender agreement,' and will also apparently bid
farewell to some senior people at the Defense
Ministry.... In the relations between Israel and the
United States, there is a 'triangle of interests.' The
Americans accept Israel's primacy on the Palestinian
issue, which is perceived as essential for Israel.
Their policy is coordinated with dictates from
Jerusalem, and they turn a blind eye to the Jewish
settlements in the territories and the outposts.
Beyond the Jordan River and the desert, in relations
with Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, they take Israel's
concerns into consideration and restrain sales of
weapons to Arab armies. But Asia is an American playing
field. China is not a godforsaken outpost in Samaria,
and if the Americans are anxious about it, they expect
Israel to act accordingly and not do whatever it
fancies -- or else it will be at the receiving end of
sanctions and threats, until it gets the message and
promises good behavior."
KURTZER