ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TEL AVIV 000506 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 USCINCCENT 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: Nuclear Program ¶3. Muhammad Cartoon Controversy -------------- Key stories in the media: -------------- Israel Radio reported that early next week, FM Tzipi Livni will leave for a visit to the U.S. In its lead story, Maariv reported that on Thursday, senior Israeli defense officials maintained in internal discussions that the establishment of a Hamas state should not be allowed. Maariv cited the officials' belief that moderate statements by Hamas leaders are a deception and that Hamas is interested in turning the PA into part of the Iran-Hizbullah axis. The officials were quoted as saying that the Palestinians must be made to understand that they erred in their vote. Ha'aretz (banner in English Ed.) reported that the defense establishment is expected to advise Acting PM Ehud Olmert to transfer to the PA 250 million shekels (around USD 53 million) in tax revenues, which he froze following Hamas's victory in the elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council. Israel Radio reported that Olmert will convene a meeting on the matter immediately after Sunday's cabinet meeting. Leading Kadima minister Abraham Hirchson was quoted as saying in an interview with The Jerusalem Post that he has been hearing comments from within Hamas that offer some hope the terrorist group may now chart a more moderate course. Israel Radio quoted U.S. Consul-General in Jerusalem Jacob Walles as saying that the U.S. is concerned about the possibility that the PA might request funds from Iran. However, Walles was quoted as saying that he doubts whether Tehran would be able to substantially fund a Hamas-led PA. Walles was also quoted as saying that since Hamas's victory, the U.S. has suspended new projects in the PA. Israel Radio reported that dozens of U.S. Congress members have submitted a bill aiming at stopping U.S. aid to the PA and cutting off diplomatic links with it until Hamas recognizes Israel's right to exist. The radio quoted the bill's initiators as saying that it will enjoy broad support. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was quoted as saying in an interview with Yediot's Smadar Perry that he does not understand why the Hamas win causes Israel to panic and that Hamas must recognize Israel. He was quoted as saying that he advises the GOI to help PA Chairman [President] Mahmoud Abbas and to arm itself with patience. The Jerusalem Post quoted Israeli diplomatic officials as saying Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin's refusal to characterize Hamas as a terrorist organization does not mean there is a diplomatic crisis between Jerusalem and Moscow, although Israel has made its displeasure clear to the Kremlin. Israel Radio quoted Hamas leader Khaled Mashal as saying in an article in the Palestinian daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida that his movement will never recognize Israel's exist, but that it could enter a long-term truce with it. All media reported (banner in Ha'aretz (Hebrew Ed.)) that today, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Commission is scheduled to discuss referral of the Iranian nuclear program issue to the UN Security Council. Israel Radio and Hatzofe quoted Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte as saying Thursday in a testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that Iran's nuclear development program is an "immediate concern," although Tehran probably does not yet have a nuclear device. The radio also quoted Negroponte as saying that Al Qaida terrorism remains the most serious threat to U.S. national security. The Jerusalem Post printed an AP dispatch about Negroponte's testimony. Major media reported that on Thursday, Hizbullah's Al Manar-TV broadcast interviews with South Lebanon residents, in which they call for avenging the killing of a Lebanese citizen along the Lebanon-Israeli border. The media cited similar remarks made by Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah. The media cited Hizbullah allegations that the IDF had killed an innocent shepherd, and quoted IDF soldiers as saying that they shot an armed man who was firing in their direction. Israel Radio reported that the IDF, which fear that Hizbullah will try to target Israeli soldiers, is on high alert along the border. Internal Security Minister Gideon Ezra was quoted as saying Thursday in an interview with The Jerusalem Post that the government will continue dismantling settler outposts in the West Bank, with three in the Yitzhar region next in line. Yediot quoted a senior GOI official as saying Thursday that the government is not keen to evacuate additional outposts at this time -- before the Knesset elections and after the Amona clashes. Yediot reported that following Tuesday's violent incidents in the settler outpost of Amona, the police's internal affairs unit will investigate policemen over their violent behavior and that rioters will be brought to trial. Ha'aretz reported that right- and left-wing politicians demand that an official investigative commission into the police's behavior be established. All media reported that on Thursday, the IDF decided to pull out the troops providing security for Yitzhar, after the residents of the West Bank settlement attacked soldiers on multiple occasions. Maariv reported that on Thursday, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni started talks with settler leaders in order to reach an arrangement on the matter of settler outposts. The media reported and commented on ongoing protests and threats of retaliation in the Arab world, in particular in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, over caricatures in some European newspapers of the Prophet Muhammad. The Jerusalem Post reported that a leading U.S. evangelist, Pastor John C. Hagee of San Antonio, is forming an umbrella organization -- Christians United For Israel (CUFI) -- under which all pro-Israel Christians in America can speak as one in support of Israel. Prominent American Mideast expert Prof. Bernard Lewis was quoted as saying in an interview with Yediot that a hudna (truce) with Hamas could last for years, but that violence will return and that the end of conflict is not possible from Islam's point of view. Major media reported that Likud Chairman MK Binyamin Netanyahu is considering forming a joint list for the Knesset elections with the National Religious Party and Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu. The media cited the belief of senior Likud officials that the party's central committee will not endorse Netanyahu's initiative. Some media quoted Likud officials as saying that they will not let Netanyahu turn Likud into an extreme right-wing party. Ha'aretz (English Ed.) reported that Palestinian Americans living in the Ramallah area expressed cautious optimism this week after Hamas's landslide victory in last month's PLC elections, despite the ascendance of an Islamic party denounced as a terror organization by the U.S. The newspaper wrote that none of the highly educated and successful Palestinian- Americans who spoke with the newspaper were even considering a move back to America, and that all voiced a commitment in building civil society in Palestine. Ha'aretz (English Ed.) reported that El Al has reduced its baggage allowance on flights to North America, effective since the beginning of 2006. A Yediot/Mina Zemach (Dahaf Institute) poll held late this week shows a slight decrease in support for Kadima following the Amona events: -"Were elections for the Knesset held today, for whom would you vote?" (Results in Knesset seats -- in brackets, results of previous poll.) -Kadima 42 (40); Labor Party 21 (21); Likud 15 (13); Shas 10 (9); Arab parties 8 (8); Yisrael Beiteinu 6 (5); United Torah Judaism 5 (6); Meretz 5 (4); National Union 5 (5); National Religious Party 3 (3). -"Is Israel to blame for the Hamas win?" No: 52 percent; yes: 42 percent. -"Should Israel transfer to the Palestinians tax revenues that it raises on their behalf? The transfer should be delayed for the moment: 43 percent; it should be stopped: 28 percent; it should be continued: 27 percent. A Maariv/TNS/Teleseker Polling Institute survey taken before the Amona confrontation shows similar results regarding voting intentions: -Kadima 42 (42); Labor Party 19 (19); Likud 16 (13); Shas 10 (10); Arab parties 8 (8); Yisrael Beiteinu 6 (6); National Union 6 (6); United Torah Judaism 6 (6); Meretz 5 (5); National Religious Party 2 (3). -------------- ¶1. Mideast: -------------- Summary: -------------- Senior columnist and longtime dove Yoel Marcus wrote in independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz: "[Olmert] will focus on establishing permanent borders for a state with a Jewish majority -- even if it means a head-on collision with the extremists." Washington correspondent Nathan Guttman wrote in the conservative, independent Jerusalem Post: "The [U.S.] administration would not be keen to lose one of its few points of leverage over the PA." Block Quotes: -------------- ¶I. "A Leader Is Born" Senior columnist and longtime dove Yoel Marcus wrote in independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz (February 3): "Olmert believes that the evacuation [of the Amona settler outpost] gives him the power to be stubborn on other issues when presenting Israel's case to the world. The German Chancellor, who was just here, and now the leaders of Europe and even Mubarak, have adopted Olmert's ABCs for resuming dialogue: A) Hamas' total disarmament; B) Hamas' renunciation of its charter and recognition of Israel; and C) Hamas' acceptance of all existing agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.... Olmert's resolve ... may be a hint that Sharon's stand-in and successor is sending an independent message, in preparation for the day when he puts together a government of his own. Without hugs and kisses, without sly winks at the settlers, he will focus on establishing permanent borders for a state with a Jewish majority -- even if it means a head-on collision with the extremists." II. "The United States' PA Problem" Washington correspondent Nathan Guttman wrote in the conservative, independent Jerusalem Post (February 3): "Though the [U.S.] administration presented an unwavering position [regarding the rise of Hamas in the PA], it is clear that tough words from the President and Secretary of State will not be sufficient when maintaining a clear policy for the region is concerned. First, there is the issue of financial aid.... If the U.S. does decide to cut its aid, it might find Iran, Saudi Arabia, or other Arab countries lining up to fill the financial gap. And though it has been claiming for a long time that the Arab countries do not give enough to their Palestinian brethren, the administration would not be keen to lose one of its few points of leverage over the PA.... Second, there is the question of demands made on Hamas.... Though, at the moment, all parties agree with the U.S. that Hamas has to recognize Israel's right to exist, it is not clear what will happen when discussion really begin... The third point of potential tension is Congress... The time will come when [the administration] comes in -- as it has in the past -- and demand that Congress not restrict its ability to conduct Middle East diplomacy. Finally, there is the legal issue.... Whom are the Americans allowed to talk to [in Hamas]?" -------------- ¶2. Iran: Nuclear Program: -------------- Summary: -------------- Washington correspondent Shmuel Rosner wrote in independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz: "Bush still believes in the possibility of stopping the Iranians from getting what they want. But if that is so, why is it necessary to 'defend' Israel?'" Block Quotes: -------------- "Defend Israel? -- Against What?" Washington correspondent Shmuel Rosner wrote in independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz (February 3): "In a Reuters interview aboard Air Force 1, President Bush conveyed the good news -- or is it really good?.... 'We will rise to Israel's defense if need be,' he promised.... Now, what does 'rise to Israel's defense' mean? Does it refer to the period before Iran acquires nuclear weapons -- or after? In the press gaggle aboard Air Force 1 reporters were told that 'the President spoke with President Putin' of Russia on Wednesday. They discussed the Iranian nuclear issue and they both agreed it was important to stay in close contact as we move forward to address this issue.' The conclusion here ought to be: Bush still believes in the possibility of stopping the Iranians from getting what they want. But if that is so, why is it necessary to 'defend' Israel?'" -------------- ¶3. Muhammad Cartoon Controversy: -------------- Summary: -------------- Foreign News Editor Arik Bachar wrote in popular, pluralist Maariv: "Additional newspapers have ... decided that all due or undue respect, Muslim sensitivity has already exceeded what too many people in the world can bear." Block Quotes: -------------- "Europeans Are Fed Up With Extremist Islam" Foreign News Editor Arik Bachar wrote in popular, pluralist Maariv (February 3): "History is replete with examples of small events that begat tremendous processes.... It remains to see whether a European dwarf [Denmark] fired the opening shot in the European counteroffensive against Islamic madness.... It actually is the free press in Europe that is showing signs of a counter-reaction. While Muslims all over the world face Denmark with frightening grimaces and boycott its products, additional newspapers have climbed up barricades and decided that all due or undue respect, Muslim sensitivity has already exceeded what too many people in the world can bear. The problem is that sensitivity in Islam is ... low.... The real problem of Europe facing Islam is not the extremism from the east, but the West's indifference, in the best case, or its arrogance when it believes this is about a somewhat childish culture that should be hassled until it grows up. Perhaps it actually is the little Denmark that will clarify to the big [European] continent that the phenomenon will not stop unless it is aided." JONES