ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 TEL AVIV 000623

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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


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SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS REPORT:
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1. President Putin's Announcement


2. Mideast

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Key stories in the media:
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All media headlined Russian President Vladimir Putin's
invitation to Hamas leaders to visit Russia. Putin was
quoted as saying that Russia never considered Hamas a
terrorist organization and that they were elected by
their people in democratic, legitimate elections. The
media claimed that Putin's announcement contradicts a
statement issued two weeks ago by the Quartet, of which
Russia is a member. The reports in the media
emphasized that Putin's words were the first crack in
the united international front against the Hamas and
cited different Israeli officials' concerns that this
would lead to more countries recognizing Hamas. Israel
Radio interviewed Minister Meir Shitrit, who described
Putin's announcement as an international scandal and a
stab in Israel's back. The media quoted Assistant
Secretary of State David Welch as saying that Russia is

SIPDIS
a member of the Quartet and that the U.S. expects any
meeting between Russian officials and Palestinian
representatives to comply with Quartet decisions. The
American response was described by the media as
moderate and cautious. Israel Radio reported that
Hamas leader Khaled Mashal accepted Russia's invitation
and also announced that he would visit Jordan in the
near future.

All media reported that while FM Livni was in a meeting
with National Security Advisor Stephan Hadley,
President George Bush entered the meeting and joined
them for thirty minutes. Livni was quoted as saying
after the meeting that the conversation was interesting
and that important issues were raised.

Israel Radio this morning cited a Qatari newspaper
report that Qatar's Foreign Minister had a phone
conversation with Foreign Minister Livni regarding
Hamas's victory in the P.A. elections.

Maariv reported that Shimon Peres was scheduled to meet
P.A. Chairman Abu Mazen in Jordan but, in an effort to
present a united front against Hamas, Acting Prime
Minister Olmert instructed Peres to cancel the meeting.

Leading media reported that Jaap de Hoop Scheffer,
NATO's Secretary General, said that Israel is currently
not a candidate for membership in NATO. Minister of
Defense Shaul Mofaz is leading the Israeli delegation
to the NATO meeting in Sicily and is expected to
deliver a forceful speech today regarding the Iranian
issue.

The Jerusalem Post reported that IDF officers from the
Northern Command have warned this week that if
international pressure on Syrian President Bashar Assad
continues he might decide to attack Israel.

All media reported on President Bush's press conference
in which he revealed that U.S. security forces have
foiled a planned al-Qaeda terror attack on the US BANK
Tower in Los Angeles in October 2002.

All media reported that Egypt's military attach to the
P.A. was abducted on Thursday by two masked men
believed to be members of Fatah's Al-Aqsa Martyrs'
Brigade.

Leading media reported that 3 Palestinians militants
were killed by IDF troops in two separate incidents in
the Gaza Strip.

Ha'aretz reported that the World Jewish Congress (WJC)
held its biannual gathering in Jerusalem this week.
The WJC has launched a campaign against Iran following
Iran's nuclear crisis and anti-Semitic statements.

POLLS:
Yediot/Mina Zemach (Dahaf Institute) poll found:
Should Israel part from the majority of the
Palestinians by unilateral disengagement? 59 percent
support unilateral steps; 37 percent oppose.

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1. President Putin's Announcement:
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Summary:
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Territories correspondent Arnon Regular wrote in left-
leaning, independent Ha'aretz: "Within 24 hours after
Hamas won the Palestinian elections, its leaders had
identified the Russian-Chinese axis, as well as a few
European countries, as the place to concentrate its
efforts to soften the stringent conditions for
acceptance by the international community that are
currently being set by the United States, Israel, Egypt
and Jordan. Nevertheless, even Hamas was surprised to
receive a direct invitation to its leaders from Putin."

Chief economic editor Sever Plotzker wrote in a page-
one article of mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot
Aharonot: "President Putin, disciple of the KGB, dreams
of returning Russia to meddling in the Middle East.
For this purpose he is extending a hand to the darkest,
most benighted, most dangerous forces in the Arab
world. This is a bloody pact: Putin's hands are soiled
with Chechen blood, and Hamas's hands with Israeli
blood."

Diplomatic correspondent Ben Caspit wrote in popular,
pluralist Maariv: "This is a Russian measure that is
more reminiscent of a Soviet measure from the old days:
Putin spotted a rare, enormous opportunity to turn into
the main player in the Middle East once again, the only
one who can deliver the goods and mediate between the
parties. He ignores the fact that it is a dirty game
and that he has scored a goal after the referee called
half-time. He is the only one dribbling in this game,
but meanwhile this dribbling is giving everyone a
headache."

Block Quotes:
--------------


I. "Welcome Bear Hug"

Territories correspondent Arnon Regular wrote in left-
leaning, independent Ha'aretz (February 10): "Russian
President Vladimir Putin's announcement that he would
be willing to meet with Hamas leaders did not come as a
complete surprise to Hamas, which is currently on a
drive to obtain international legitimacy for its future
government. Within 24 hours after Hamas won the
Palestinian elections, its leaders had identified the
Russian-Chinese axis, as well as a few European
countries, as the place to concentrate its efforts to
soften the stringent conditions for acceptance by the
international community that are currently being set by
the United States, Israel, Egypt and Jordan.
Nevertheless, even Hamas was surprised to receive a
direct invitation to its leaders from Putin.... Putin's
invitation is evidence of the split in the
international community, and Hamas is trying to exploit
this split to soften the demands that it recognize
Israel and accept existing agreements between Israel
and the Palestinians.... Hamas' natural allies, Iran
and Syria, have already promised to make up the
shortfall should Western aid to the PA be cut off. But
Putin's invitation offers Hamas its best chance yet to
improve its hand vis-a-vis the West."

II. "Putin's Bloody Pact"

Chief economic editor Sever Plotzker wrote in a page-
one article of mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot
Aharonot (February 10): "The solution to the
Palestinian problem, according to Hamas, is solely
through jihad [holy war]; every Muslim, wherever he is,
must join this holy war personally. It is with people
who hold such opinions that the Russian president
wishes to engage in constructive dialogue.... The
invitation that Putin sent to Hamas is not only a slap
in the face to Israel; it is also a disgrace for
Russia. Has it learned nothing from the support of the
Soviet Union for the Palestinian terror organizations
in the past? Its Middle Eastern policy is filled with
mistakes, failures and odd alliances, which ended in
pushing Moscow out of every corner in the Middle
East.... Nevertheless, President Putin, disciple of the
KGB, dreams of returning Russia to meddling in the
Middle East. For this purpose he is extending a hand
to the darkest, most benighted, most dangerous forces
in the Arab world. This is a bloody pact: Putin's
hands are soiled with Chechen blood, and Hamas's hands
with Israeli blood."



III. "The Soviet Union Returns"

Diplomatic correspondent Ben Caspit wrote in popular,
pluralist Maariv (February 10): "Yesterday, Vladimir
Putin shocked the entire world. Yesterday, the Soviet
Union broke the worldwide alliance taking shape against
Hamas. Just like in the good old days of the Cold War,
only now it is much closer to us and also a good deal
warmer. Yesterday could have been a day of
accomplishments and celebrations, with Tzippi Livni
receiving honor in Washington that is reserved only for
royalty and nobility. The American president gave her
an entire half hour and the entire administration
applauded her enthusiastically. And then, just before
the ending credits, out came Putin, inviting Hamas
leaders to Moscow. A cold shower in the middle of
winter, which threatens to take apart everything that
Olmert, Livni, Weiss and Solana have been building for
weeks.... This is a Russian measure that is more
reminiscent of a Soviet measure from the old days:
Putin spotted a rare, enormous opportunity to turn into
the main player in the Middle East once again, the only
one who can deliver the goods and mediate between the
parties. He ignores the fact that it is a dirty game
and that he has scored a goal after the referee called
half-time. He is the only one dribbling in this game,
but meanwhile this dribbling is giving everyone a
headache."

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2. Mideast:
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Summary
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Senior columnist and chief defense commentator Zeev
Schiff wrote in independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz:
"Israel must exhibit unflinching determination when it
comes to existential affairs, even if the harm done to
Palestinians runs deep. To this end, Israel needs
international support. The Israeli strategy must lead
to a split in Hamas such that the pragmatists in the
organization forgo the idea of destroying Israel."

Block Quotes
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"Does Israel Have a Strategy?"
Senior columnist and chief defense commentator Zeev
Schiff wrote in independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz
(February 10): "It would be best if a dialogue were to
develop between the majority of the Palestinian public,
which seeks normalcy, and Hamas. This dialogue will
not ensue if Israel continues to send money to the PA
as if nothing has happened. Israel must exhibit
unflinching determination when it comes to existential
affairs, even if the harm done to Palestinians runs
deep. To this end, Israel needs international support.
The Israeli strategy must lead to a split in Hamas such
that the pragmatists in the organization forgo the idea
of destroying Israel, just as Fatah and the Palestine
Liberation Organization did in their day. If Hamas
refuses to capitulate and keeps following its same
line, Israel will become embroiled in a violent and
harsh conflict. If it fails in this conflict, the
deterioration will be widespread, and spill over into
Jordan too."
JONES