ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 TEL AVIV 002757 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM NSC FOR NEA STAFF SECDEF WASHDC FOR USDP/ASD-PA/ASD-ISA HQ USAF FOR XOXX DA WASHDC FOR SASA JOINT STAFF WASHDC FOR PA CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL FOR POLAD/USIA ADVISOR COMSOCEUR VAIHINGEN GE FOR PAO/POLAD COMSIXTHFLT FOR 019 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. Mideast ¶2. Iran -------------- Key stories in the media: -------------- All TV and radio stations broke out with the escalating situation on the Israeli northern border. According to reports, Hizbullah has kidnapped two Israeli soldiers. The Hizbullah attack began with missile fired towards Israeli settlements, wounding four people. Later Hizbullah's TV station, Al Manar, reported that the organization has kidnapped two IDF soldiers. The TV station later reported that the two kidnapped soldiers are in a 'safe' location and that Hizbullah would be willing to exchange them. The IAF is reported to be intensely firing towards targets in southern Lebanon. Israeli TV 1 reports that there is also a ground operation. All media noted that northern border residents have been asked to enter bomb shelters. TV Channel 1's military commentator and correspondent reports that, according to his sources, it sounds as if extreme actions (the word war is being used) are to be expected. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert convened an urgent cabinet meeting this evening. Israel Radio reported this morning that in an IAF helicopter attack on a house in Gaza's densely- populated Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, where several Hamas leaders were believed to be gathering to plan terror attacks, senior wanted terrorist Mohamed Def was slightly injured. According to Palestinian sources the blast caused the three-story structure to collapse, burying people under the rubble. six people were killed, among them a mother and three children; 24 people were wounded. Hamas spokesmen say it will react in a sever manner to the IDF's attack. All media reported that the IDF has expanded its actions in the Gaza Strip shortly after midnight Tuesday, when infantry soldiers and tanks entered central Gaza for the first time since Operation Summer Rains began two weeks ago. In this operation the IDF has the cut Strip in two. Israel Radio this morning reported that two Qassam rockets landed south of Ashkelon on Wednesday morning. There were no casualties. The radio also reported that IDF troops arrested 15 wanted Palestinians in the West Bank before dawn on Wednesday. Ha'aretz reported that the U.S. rejected a revised draft of a UN resolution on the Israeli offensive. The revised draft U.N. Security Council resolution was drafted by Qatar. Yediot reported that in a meeting between Israeli Foreign Ministry officials and international humanitarian organizations that operate in the territories, the latter said that medicines in Gaza will run out within two weeks. Maariv reported that the Israeli Navy wishes to purchase two advanced American war ships the Littoral Combat Ship-Israel. Yediot reported that the Israeli security establishment has requested from the U.S. Pentagon assistance in finding a solution to the Qassam rocket firings. The paper noted that it is possible that in the near future the "Phalanx" system will be brought to Israel for a trial period. The system usually serves as a defense system against mortar shell rockets. Yediot publishes a poll according to which 49 percent of the public is against the realignment plan. Only 38 percent support it. President Moshe Katzav affair: *Ha'aretz reported that at least five more women who worked with Katzav before he became president said he sexually harassed them. *All media reported that Attorney General Menachem Mazuz has instructed the police to open an investigation into the mater on Tuesday. *Maariv reported that even before the investigation began, Knesset feelers have already started checking into the possibility of impeaching the president. *Commentators opined that it seems it is the end of the road for President Katzav. -------------- ¶1. Mideast: -------------- Summary: -------------- Senior columnist and chief defense commentator Zeev Schiff wrote on page one of independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz (7/12):"The release of Shalit has become more complicated after both sides have turned the issue into one of principles and prestige.... A lot depends on the creativity of the mediators, and whether the deal will be broadened to include other matters." Washington correspondent Shmuel Rosner opined in left- leaning, independent Ha'aretz (7/12): "The U.S. has a clear interest in blocking Hamas, which is disconnected from the Israeli interest. If Hamas demonstrates that it is possible to hitch a ride on the back of the democratic process to implement a radical Islamic ideology, its accomplishment will undermine the United States' chances of succeeding in its moves to found democracy in the region." Block Quotes: -------------- ¶I. "Limited Success" Senior columnist and chief defense commentator Zeev Schiff wrote on page one of independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz (7/12): "After two weeks of the Israel Defense Forces' Operation Summer Rains in the Gaza Strip, the General Staff cannot consider its main goals met. The necessary operational conditions that would enable the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit have not been achieved. The second goal, minimizing the Qassam rocket attacks, has only been partially achieved. Rockets are still being launched from the northern Gaza Strip against the western Negev, but the incidence is lower. Israel has also failed to pressure internal Palestinian groups so that they would force a change in the stance of Hamas, and Syria has also not been convinced to act against the group.... Israel's achievements in the operation are limited. The government and the General Staff believe that they enjoy a certain degree of international and public legitimacy for a forceful operation against Hamas, considered to be a terrorist organization. This support could easily evaporate in face of a major operational mistake.... At an early stage pressure on Syria was considered an option for convincing Meshal to end the military confrontation. However, Syria is also pressured by Iran to continue backing Hamas and encourage its demands for prisoner release in return for Shalit. Tehran has broader strategic interests including undermining Egyptian and Jordanian influence in the region.... The release of Shalit has become more complicated after both sides have turned the issue into one of principles and prestige.... A lot depends on the creativity of the mediators, and whether the deal will be broadened to include other matters." II. "Protecting Abbas" Washington correspondent Shmuel Rosner opined in left- leaning, independent Ha'aretz (7/12): "How many times has Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) failed to meet American expectations, how many times have they looked around in search of the next leader, 'the real one' and nonetheless stuck with him. They didn't do this out of love, nor out of hope, which had already faded. Abu Mazen, the president of the Palestinian Authority, is the default option. Without it there would remain only one of two options, chaos or Hamas, which are respectively American policy's two most bitter fears today. Therefore the Americans will protect the leader everyone already agrees is incapable of providing any goods.... The U.S. has a clear interest in blocking Hamas, which is disconnected from the Israeli interest. If Hamas demonstrates that it is possible to hitch a ride on the back of the democratic process to implement a radical Islamic ideology, its accomplishment will undermine the United States' chances of succeeding in its moves to found democracy in the region." -------------- ¶2. Iran: -------------- Summary: -------------- Independent, conservative Jerusalem Post editorialized (7/12): "The 9/11 attacks and those that have followed demonstrate that the free world faces an Islamist jihad that recognizes no moral compunctions and seeks to dominate the world. The free world must defend itself. The longer we wait, the higher the cost of this defense will be, and the more innocent lives will be unnecessarily lost. The time to stop Iran is now." Block Quotes: -------------- Independent, conservative Jerusalem Post editorialized (7/12): "Even if the Iranian regime changes tack again and, at the last minute, starts sounding more conciliatory, the situation is clear and has been for years, ever since the regime was caught cheating on pledges not to enrich uranium: The mullahs are determined to build a nuclear bomb, and are daring the world to try and stop them.... The 9/11 attacks and those that have followed demonstrate that the free world faces an Islamist jihad that recognizes no moral compunctions and seeks to dominate the world. The free world must defend itself. The longer we wait, the higher the cost of this defense will be, and the more innocent lives will be unnecessarily lost. The time to stop Iran is now." JONES