ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 TEL AVIV 004387 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 ICD LONDON ALSO FOR HKANONA AND POL PARIS ALSO FOR POL ROME FOR MFO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: IS KMDR SUBJECT: ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION -------------- SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS REPORT: -------------- ¶1. US Israeli Relations ¶2. Lebanon -------------- Key stories in the media: -------------- Leading media reported that US top envoys Elliot Abrams and David Welsh met Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday. According to the media the two envoys demanded that Israel halts its IAF flights over Lebanon saying they are undermining the standing of Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. The media also noted that the meeting with Olmert was dedicated to prepare his visit to the US and that they did not put forth any new diplomatic initiative on behalf of the Bush administration. Ha'aretz reported that following the destruction two weeks ago of structures in the old industrial park during an Israel Defense Forces operation in the Gaza Strip, Turkey has postponed a visit by a delegation from Ankara that was supposed to sign an agreement on developing a joint Israeli-Palestinian industrial park. According to the paper, the Americans, who are backing the plan, also expressed dissatisfaction with Israel's action through envoys David Welch and Elliott Abrams. Leading media reported that PM Olmert met U.S. Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte on Thursday. Negroponte is visiting Israel as the guest of Mossad chief Meir Dagan. The media noted that Negroponte's talks with Israeli intelligence officials are focusing on Iran and its nuclear program. All media reported that the IDF operation in Gaza continues. Israel Radio reported that on Friday a Palestinian militant was killed in Beit Hanun and four Hamas men were killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City. Also on Friday, Israel Defense Forces troops fatally shot a top Fatah militant in the West Bank who was apparently planning to detonate a car bomb. Israel Radio reported that IDF troops opened fire Friday on a group of women who streamed to a north Gaza mosque to serve as human shields for gunmen holed up there, killing one and wounding 10. The radio reported that the troops have been trading fire with militants firing from the mosque. According to reports part of the roof collapsed during the clashes, but it is yet unclear if there were causalities in the event. Israel Radio reported that IDF have arrested another Palestinian Minister Abdel Rahman Zaidan, a Hamas official, in Ramallah on Friday. Ha'aretz quotes security officials as saying that the Egyptians are doing almost nothing to prevent weapon smuggling into Gaza. According to these sources the frustration is big because Israel has forwarded to Egypt the names of the smuggling organizers and lists of suspects but they did nothing. Maariv reported that Minister of Defense Amir Peretz has met with a European negotiator and relayed a message, in which he hinted that aid in the release of Gilad Shalit could lead to a resumption of political negotiations between Israel and Syria. The paper noted that despite the fact that the defense minister continues to open the door to Assad, it is not clear whether this has been coordinated PM Ehud Olmert. Yediot reported that following warnings of a strategic terror attack on Israel's water supplies, the cabinet is expected to approve the establishment of a national water security administration that will also prepare for a scenario water resources poisoning. Leading media reported Iran has test-fired its Zilzal, Shahab 2 and Shahab 3 ballistic missiles, which have the capability of reaching Israel and Europe. The Jerusalem Post quoted PM Olmert as saying, in a special session in the Knesset to mark the 11th anniversary of the assassination of prime minister Yithak Rabin, that the world is too slow in standing up to Iran. Leading media reported that generals in the IDF General Staff have gathered material regarding the conduct of Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz during the Lebanon war, and they intend to present it to the Winograd Committee. POLL: A poll conducted by Ha'aretz and Dialog under the guidance of Professor Camille Fuchs found: Seventy percent are unsatisfied by PM Olmert's job; 20 percent are pleased; 10 percent are indecisive. Eighty two percent are unsatisfied by Minister of Defense Peret'z job; 14 percent are pleased and 4 percent are indecisive. -------------- ¶1. US Israeli Relations: -------------- Summary: -------------- Diplomatic correspondent Aluf Benn wrote in independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz: "How do you know that Ehud Olmert is about to go to Washington? Very simple: Read the cabinet decisions. If you find promises there to strengthen Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and 'to make concessions on humanitarian grounds' to the population in the Gaza Strip, you can assume there is a need to satisfy the Americans." Block Quotes: -------------- "Words, Words, Words" Diplomatic correspondent Aluf Benn wrote in independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz (11/03): "How do you know that Ehud Olmert is about to go to Washington? Very simple: Read the cabinet decisions. If you find promises there to strengthen Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and 'to make concessions on humanitarian grounds' to the population in the Gaza Strip, you can assume there is a need to satisfy the Americans. The concessions were made public -- what a coincidence -- hours before U.S. administration emissaries David WALSH and Elliott Abrams arrived to prepare Olmert's trip to the United States.... This time the envoys arrived with an ambitious plan that was formulated by Lieutenant General Keith Dayton, who is coordinating security vis-a-vis the Palestinians for the administration. The United States wants to push Abu Mazen into a military confrontation in Gaza, which will topple the Hamas government.... There has been less enthusiasm in Israel.... But it is hard to refuse the Americans; and the solution was to affirm the Dayton plan in principle, without committing to its details (which were not even presented to the cabinet ministers). That way Olmert's visit can take place in a calm atmosphere and thereafter, the promises will be forgotten, as after all visits in the past." -------------- ¶2. Lebanon: -------------- Summary: -------------- Independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized: "The flights over Beirut are currently helping Hezbollah rather than hurting it. There are enough diplomatic ways for Israel to express its protest. The violation of Lebanese sovereignty should not be considered the first resort, nor should it be seen as a trivial matter." Block Quotes: -------------- "Provocation in Lebanon's Skies" Independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized (11/03): "In recent days, Israel Air Force aircraft have repeatedly flown over Beirut to signal Israel's dissatisfaction with the diplomatic situation that emerged following the war and with the nonimplementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which brought an end to the fighting after it was accepted by all sides. The assumption that a provocation of this sort over Lebanon's airspace will somehow further Israel's interests has been part of Israel's security policy for years.... There is nothing like overflights of Beirut, especially the kind that terrorize the residents, to help Hezbollah justify its continued arming against Israel.... Lebanon is experiencing an internal political crisis that could alter the character of the state and elevate Hezbollah and its supporters to power. It is doubtful that this is the sort of outcome that those supporting the war thought about when they decided to respond with force to the abduction of two soldiers.... In such a sensitive situation, it is doubtful that Israel's provocation over Beirut was wise. The violation of Lebanon's sovereign airspace is in itself a violation of the cease-fire agreement, and when its purpose was political rather than defense-related, it seems doubtful that it reflected a far-sighted diplomatic vision. Nonetheless, it is clear that Israel should not accept the continued flow of weapons from Syria into Lebanon. The flights over Beirut are currently helping Hezbollah rather than hurting it. There are enough diplomatic ways for Israel to express its protest. The violation of Lebanese sovereignty should not be considered the first resort, nor should it be seen as a trivial matter." JONES