Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TELAVIV4679
2006-11-30 11:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tel Aviv
how-tonull Leza L Olson 11/30/2006 01:22:47 PM From DB/Inbox: Leza L Olson Cable Text: UNCLAS TEL AVIV 04679 SIPDIS CXTelA: ACTION: PD INFO: POL DAO DCM AMB DISSEMINATION: PD CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: PAO:HKFINN DRAFTED: PD:MKONSTANTYN CLEARED: CAO:EACOHEN VZCZCTVI417 PP RUEHC RHEHAAA RHEHNSC RUEAIIA RUEKJCS RUEAHQA RUEADWD RUENAAA RHEFDIA RUEKJCS RUEHAD RUEHAS RUEHAM RUEHAK RUEHLB RUEHEG RUEHDM RUEHLO RUEHFR RUEHRB RUEHRO RUEHRH RUEHTU RUCNDT RUEHJM RHMFISS RHMFISS RHMFIUU DE RUEHTV #4679/01 3341101 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 301101Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7909 RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAHQA/HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEADWD/DA WASHDC PRIORITY RUENAAA/CNO WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY 1291 RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 8054 RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 1142 RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 2052 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 1271 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 8959 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 1993 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 8916 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 9360 RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT PRIORITY 6036 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 3414 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 8291 RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS PRIORITY 2528 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 4435 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM PRIORITY 5201 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMSOCEUR VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RHMFIUU/COMSIXTHFLT PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 TEL AVIV 004679
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:
--------------
Mideast
--------------
Key stories in the media:
--------------
All media reported that President Bush arrived in Jordan on
Wednesday. Israel Radio reported that the President had breakfast
with Iraqi PM Nuri Al-Maliki in Amman this morning. The radio
reported that Bush met last night with Jordan's King Abdullah II.
Israel Radio cited a statement issued by the Royal Jordanian Court
according to which Abdullah asked Bush to assist the resumption of
Israeli-Palestinian talks. The station reported that the President
reaffirmed his "two-nations, two-states" vision. Israel Radio
reported that President Bush called for strengthening Abbas and
quoted Bush as saying that the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict is essential for bolstering regional stability.
Israel Radio reported that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is
meeting with PA Chairman [President] Mahmoud Abbas in Jericho and
will meet with PM Ehud Olmert and FM Tzipi Livni in Jerusalem. The
radio said that Abbas is expected to ask the Secretary to make use
of the opportunity presented by the period of calm ("tahdiya") to
promote Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Israel Radio quoted Abbas
associate Yasser Abed Rabbo as saying that the Palestinian will tell
Rice that they are willing to treat Olmert's diplomatic initiative
in earnest. The radio quoted Palestinian PM Ismail Haniyeh as
saying that the Palestinians expect five million refugees to return
and that this is their sacred right that no one can renounce.
Israel Radio reported that Olmert is expected to tell the Secretary
that Israel will continue to abide by the cease-fire and release
Palestinian prisoners if kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit is freed.
Yediot (Shimon Shiffer) expects Rice to ask Olmert whether he has
the political wherewithal to hold negotiations with the Palestinians
that would eventually entail the evacuation of many West Bank
settlements. Ha'aretz quoted Jerusalem sources as saying that
Secretary Rice will ask Olmert to help Abbas by alleviating the
SIPDIS
siege on the Gaza Strip and removing non-essential roadblocks in the
West Bank. Ha'aretz quoted Palestinian sources as saying that Rice
is expected to ask Abbas and Israel to expand the cease-fire to the
West Bank. Ha'aretz wrote that hey will also discuss implementing
the border passes agreement that was signed by the US, Israel, and
the PA after Israel's pullout from Gaza. Ha'aretz reported that an
extremely critical report written by the UN Coordinator for
Humanitarian Affairs in the Territories is to be released before
Rice's visit. The report, a copy of which has reached Ha'aretz,
accuses Israel of violating every single clause of the border passes
agreement.
All media reported that Israel released Palestinian Public Works and
Housing Minister Abdel-Rahman Zidan on Wednesday.
Major media quoted Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman as
saying on Wednesday that the Shalit affair will be over soon.
Maariv quoted Suleiman as saying that the Israeli-Palestinian deal
will be carried out in three weeks. However, The Jerusalem Post
quoted Israeli and Palestinian sources as saying that Suleiman was
unable, during his visit to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, to bridge the
gaps between Israel and he Palestinians regarding the identity or
numbers of prisoners to be released in exchange for Shalit or the
timing of a swap. Maariv quoted senior Israeli sources involved in
the negotiations that Israel will release 500 Palestinian prisoners,
including some who "have blood on their hands." The Jerusalem
Post's web site cited the London-based newspaper Al-Hayat as saying
that Hamas announced this morning that West Bank Tanzim leader
Marwan Barghouti would be at the top of the list of security
prisoners they want released in exchange for Shalit.
Ha'aretz reported that the UN has started work on mapping the Sheba
Farms area along Israel's northern border, using available maps and
satellite photographs. The disputed territory, or parts of it, is
claimed by Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Maariv quoted French
President Jacques Chirac as saying at the NATO Summit in Riga on
Wednesday that Hizbullah is a moderating force in Lebanon.
Electronic media reported that Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan
Nasrallah urged Lebanese citizens to demonstrate against the Siniora
government.
Maariv and Yediot reported that tests of the Sky Shield system
recently conducted in the US were successful. The system, which is
manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is supposedly capable of
intercepting and destroying Qassam and Katyusha rockets. Maariv
wrote that various branches of Israel's defense industries are also
trying to finds a response to the rocket threat. The Jerusalem Post
quoted a high-ranking IDF officer as saying on Wednesday that the
IDF plans to purchase and install Trophy active protection
anti-missile systems on its Merkava tanks by the end of 2007.
Maariv reported that a state-of-the-art computerized baggage
screening system recently installed at Ben-Gurion Airport has proven
ineffective.
Israel Radio reported on several violent incidents and 34 arrests of
Palestinians in the West Bank.
Israel Radio reported that Minister for Strategic Affairs Avigdor
Lieberman will travel to Washington next week and meet with
Secretary Rice and National Intelligence Director Negroponte.
SIPDIS
Ha'aretz and The Jerusalem Post reported that Nobel Laureate Desmond
Tutu has been named to head a UN fact-finding mission to the Gaza
Strip town of Beit Hanun, where 19 civilians were killed by an
Israeli artillery barrage earlier this month. The Jerusalem Post
quoted the President of the UN Human Rights Council, Luis Alfonso De
Alba, as saying that Tutu will travel to Gaza to "assess the
situation of victims, address the needs of survivors, and make
recommendations on ways and means to protect Palestinian civilians
against further Israeli assaults."
Leading media reported that in an open letter to the American
people, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad questions the US aid
to Israel. Maariv reported that the Jewish Agency has recently
decided to set up a FARSI-language hotline for Iranian Jews
interested in immigrating to Israel.
Ha'aretz reported that on Wednesday the Meretz party asked AG
Menachem Mazuz to prevent a legislation proposal extending the time
span of, and amending, the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law.
Meretz, which said that the proposal is anti-constitutional and
discriminatory, warned that it would turn to the High Court of
Justice if its demand was not met.
All media reported that on Wednesday the cabinet and the Knesset
approved the appointment of Tzipi Livni to the post of justice
minister in place of Construction and Housing Minister Meir
Sheetrit. She will also continue her role as Foreign Minister.
Maariv reported that the Israeli Council on Foreign Relations, which
is presided by David Kimche, will today present the first issue of
The Jerusalem Review, a new magazine devoted to foreign policy
issues of Israel and the Jewish people.
Israel Radio reported that the general strike in the public sector
ended at 06:00 today following a ruling by the President of the
National Labor Court last night. Leading electronic media reported
on the gradual resumption of air traffic through Ben-Gurion
Airport.
--------------
Mideast:
--------------
Summary:
--------------
Washington correspondent Shmuel Rosner wrote in the independent,
left-leaning Ha'aretz: "Even those who are hoping for a solution to
the Arab-Israeli conflict in the figure of [former Secretary of
State James] Baker, the father of the Madrid conference and the
'comprehensive solution,' can expect disappointment."
Block Quotes:
--------------
"Position Papers and Fighting Spirit"
Washington correspondent Shmuel Rosner wrote in the independent,
left-leaning Ha'aretz (11/30): "After six years during which the
[US] administration has focused on the 'isolation' of its foes, the
new key word is 'engagement.' The question is how much engagement
is needed and where. [Robert] Malley, [who was a key US mediator
during the Clinton administration], believes that the United States
should conduct a dialogue with Syria, but the public hints the heads
of the administration have been sending to the committee in recent
days are quite clear: The US does not see the Syrian regime as a
worthy interlocutor. Baker and Hamilton would do well to stay away
from this track, which looks like a dead end. Thus, even those who
are hoping for a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict in the figure
of [James] Baker, the father of the Madrid conference and the
'comprehensive solution,' can expect disappointment."
JONES
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:
--------------
Mideast
--------------
Key stories in the media:
--------------
All media reported that President Bush arrived in Jordan on
Wednesday. Israel Radio reported that the President had breakfast
with Iraqi PM Nuri Al-Maliki in Amman this morning. The radio
reported that Bush met last night with Jordan's King Abdullah II.
Israel Radio cited a statement issued by the Royal Jordanian Court
according to which Abdullah asked Bush to assist the resumption of
Israeli-Palestinian talks. The station reported that the President
reaffirmed his "two-nations, two-states" vision. Israel Radio
reported that President Bush called for strengthening Abbas and
quoted Bush as saying that the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict is essential for bolstering regional stability.
Israel Radio reported that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is
meeting with PA Chairman [President] Mahmoud Abbas in Jericho and
will meet with PM Ehud Olmert and FM Tzipi Livni in Jerusalem. The
radio said that Abbas is expected to ask the Secretary to make use
of the opportunity presented by the period of calm ("tahdiya") to
promote Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Israel Radio quoted Abbas
associate Yasser Abed Rabbo as saying that the Palestinian will tell
Rice that they are willing to treat Olmert's diplomatic initiative
in earnest. The radio quoted Palestinian PM Ismail Haniyeh as
saying that the Palestinians expect five million refugees to return
and that this is their sacred right that no one can renounce.
Israel Radio reported that Olmert is expected to tell the Secretary
that Israel will continue to abide by the cease-fire and release
Palestinian prisoners if kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit is freed.
Yediot (Shimon Shiffer) expects Rice to ask Olmert whether he has
the political wherewithal to hold negotiations with the Palestinians
that would eventually entail the evacuation of many West Bank
settlements. Ha'aretz quoted Jerusalem sources as saying that
Secretary Rice will ask Olmert to help Abbas by alleviating the
SIPDIS
siege on the Gaza Strip and removing non-essential roadblocks in the
West Bank. Ha'aretz quoted Palestinian sources as saying that Rice
is expected to ask Abbas and Israel to expand the cease-fire to the
West Bank. Ha'aretz wrote that hey will also discuss implementing
the border passes agreement that was signed by the US, Israel, and
the PA after Israel's pullout from Gaza. Ha'aretz reported that an
extremely critical report written by the UN Coordinator for
Humanitarian Affairs in the Territories is to be released before
Rice's visit. The report, a copy of which has reached Ha'aretz,
accuses Israel of violating every single clause of the border passes
agreement.
All media reported that Israel released Palestinian Public Works and
Housing Minister Abdel-Rahman Zidan on Wednesday.
Major media quoted Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman as
saying on Wednesday that the Shalit affair will be over soon.
Maariv quoted Suleiman as saying that the Israeli-Palestinian deal
will be carried out in three weeks. However, The Jerusalem Post
quoted Israeli and Palestinian sources as saying that Suleiman was
unable, during his visit to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, to bridge the
gaps between Israel and he Palestinians regarding the identity or
numbers of prisoners to be released in exchange for Shalit or the
timing of a swap. Maariv quoted senior Israeli sources involved in
the negotiations that Israel will release 500 Palestinian prisoners,
including some who "have blood on their hands." The Jerusalem
Post's web site cited the London-based newspaper Al-Hayat as saying
that Hamas announced this morning that West Bank Tanzim leader
Marwan Barghouti would be at the top of the list of security
prisoners they want released in exchange for Shalit.
Ha'aretz reported that the UN has started work on mapping the Sheba
Farms area along Israel's northern border, using available maps and
satellite photographs. The disputed territory, or parts of it, is
claimed by Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Maariv quoted French
President Jacques Chirac as saying at the NATO Summit in Riga on
Wednesday that Hizbullah is a moderating force in Lebanon.
Electronic media reported that Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan
Nasrallah urged Lebanese citizens to demonstrate against the Siniora
government.
Maariv and Yediot reported that tests of the Sky Shield system
recently conducted in the US were successful. The system, which is
manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is supposedly capable of
intercepting and destroying Qassam and Katyusha rockets. Maariv
wrote that various branches of Israel's defense industries are also
trying to finds a response to the rocket threat. The Jerusalem Post
quoted a high-ranking IDF officer as saying on Wednesday that the
IDF plans to purchase and install Trophy active protection
anti-missile systems on its Merkava tanks by the end of 2007.
Maariv reported that a state-of-the-art computerized baggage
screening system recently installed at Ben-Gurion Airport has proven
ineffective.
Israel Radio reported on several violent incidents and 34 arrests of
Palestinians in the West Bank.
Israel Radio reported that Minister for Strategic Affairs Avigdor
Lieberman will travel to Washington next week and meet with
Secretary Rice and National Intelligence Director Negroponte.
SIPDIS
Ha'aretz and The Jerusalem Post reported that Nobel Laureate Desmond
Tutu has been named to head a UN fact-finding mission to the Gaza
Strip town of Beit Hanun, where 19 civilians were killed by an
Israeli artillery barrage earlier this month. The Jerusalem Post
quoted the President of the UN Human Rights Council, Luis Alfonso De
Alba, as saying that Tutu will travel to Gaza to "assess the
situation of victims, address the needs of survivors, and make
recommendations on ways and means to protect Palestinian civilians
against further Israeli assaults."
Leading media reported that in an open letter to the American
people, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad questions the US aid
to Israel. Maariv reported that the Jewish Agency has recently
decided to set up a FARSI-language hotline for Iranian Jews
interested in immigrating to Israel.
Ha'aretz reported that on Wednesday the Meretz party asked AG
Menachem Mazuz to prevent a legislation proposal extending the time
span of, and amending, the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law.
Meretz, which said that the proposal is anti-constitutional and
discriminatory, warned that it would turn to the High Court of
Justice if its demand was not met.
All media reported that on Wednesday the cabinet and the Knesset
approved the appointment of Tzipi Livni to the post of justice
minister in place of Construction and Housing Minister Meir
Sheetrit. She will also continue her role as Foreign Minister.
Maariv reported that the Israeli Council on Foreign Relations, which
is presided by David Kimche, will today present the first issue of
The Jerusalem Review, a new magazine devoted to foreign policy
issues of Israel and the Jewish people.
Israel Radio reported that the general strike in the public sector
ended at 06:00 today following a ruling by the President of the
National Labor Court last night. Leading electronic media reported
on the gradual resumption of air traffic through Ben-Gurion
Airport.
--------------
Mideast:
--------------
Summary:
--------------
Washington correspondent Shmuel Rosner wrote in the independent,
left-leaning Ha'aretz: "Even those who are hoping for a solution to
the Arab-Israeli conflict in the figure of [former Secretary of
State James] Baker, the father of the Madrid conference and the
'comprehensive solution,' can expect disappointment."
Block Quotes:
--------------
"Position Papers and Fighting Spirit"
Washington correspondent Shmuel Rosner wrote in the independent,
left-leaning Ha'aretz (11/30): "After six years during which the
[US] administration has focused on the 'isolation' of its foes, the
new key word is 'engagement.' The question is how much engagement
is needed and where. [Robert] Malley, [who was a key US mediator
during the Clinton administration], believes that the United States
should conduct a dialogue with Syria, but the public hints the heads
of the administration have been sending to the committee in recent
days are quite clear: The US does not see the Syrian regime as a
worthy interlocutor. Baker and Hamilton would do well to stay away
from this track, which looks like a dead end. Thus, even those who
are hoping for a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict in the figure
of [James] Baker, the father of the Madrid conference and the
'comprehensive solution,' can expect disappointment."
JONES