MEDIA REACTION: INTER-PALESTINIAN DIFFERENCES

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 004499

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/PPD; NEA/RA; INR/R/MR; PA; INR/NESA; INR/B;
RRU-NEA
IIP/G/NEA-SA
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA
USCINCCENT FOR POLAD
LONDON FOR MCKUNE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: INTER-PALESTINIAN DIFFERENCES


1. Summary: Editorials describe the current stalemate between
Hamas and Fatah as very dangerous. The editorials urged the
conflicting Palestinian factions to work together and solve their
own differences, because any further deterioration in relations will
only be to the benefit of Israel. End Summary.


2. Under the headline "In order to not achieve Israel's goals",
Sharjah-based pan-Arab daily "Al-Khaleej" (circulation 90,000) wrote
in a 12/17 editorial:

"...What Palestinian is witnessing these days, including the
legality and illegality of actions, the referendum, and other
matters, are all issues that are not in the interests of the
Palestinian cause, rather they are explosive mines that endanger the
Palestinian community at large. The loose security situation
Palestinian cities and villages are experiencing is clear evidence
that things have reached a vicious circle that will hurt everyone
without exception. Palestine must always remain above all parties,
organizations, positions and portfolios. As long as the Israeli
occupation remains, everyone is responsible to end it and the
factions must forget their differences and focus instead on
restoring the rights of the Palestinian people."


3. Under headline "A no-return slide", Dubai-based Arabic daily
"Al-Bayan," (circulation 85,000) wrote in a 12/17 editorial:

"What is dangerous is that for the first time symbols from both
Hamas and Fatah are being targeted by both bullets and accusations.
These attacks bring grave security consequences... It seems that
the first victim of this is a national unity government and the
possibility of a resumption of the national dialogue. What is even
worse is that the current impasse escalates the state of tension and
congestion with even more serious consequences. The painful paradox
is that this is happening while Israel is finishing its final legal
touches to separate Eastern Jerusalem from the rest of the West
Bank. This is in preparation for its final gradual annexation which
has been going for a while in addition to the racist separation wall
that has swallowed Arab territories. Further deterioration between
the Palestinian parties will be a fatal mistake on the part of all
Palestinians."


4. Abu Dhabi-based Arabic daily carried a cartoon of an Arab boy
asking his father who seemed to be bewildered by the question: "Dad,
before Christopher Columbus explored America, who used to interfere
in world affairs?"

QUINN














MR 04 Oct 2006 (3) UNCLASSIFIED