JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (6/24): "AMERICAN WHISPERING THAT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001073 SIPDIS STATE PASS BBG STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM NSC FOR ABRAMS CMC WASHINGTON DC FOR POLAD JERUSALEM ALSO FOR ICD LONDON FOR HKANONA AND POL - TSOU PARIS ALSO FOR POL ROME FOR MFO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAL KWBG KPAO IS SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (6/24): "AMERICAN WHISPERING THAT ISRAEL DOES NOT HEAR" -------------- Main Stories: -------------- French President Sarkozy's visit to Israel attracts front page headlines in the three dailies. In his speech before the Knesset on June 23, Sarkozy emphasized the need for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, freezing settlement activities, resolution of the refugee question and recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the two states. He also stressed his country's support for Israel and its security. During his meeting with Jerusalem leaders, Sarkozy underscored that Jerusalem should be a city where residents live in peace. In related coverage, Palestinian presidency spokesperson Abu Rudaynah comments that, "Palestinian Authority President Abbas praised Sarkozy's attitude towards the state [Palestine], Jerusalem and settlements." All dailies report that Israeli Premier Olmert and Egyptian President Mubarak will meet on June 24 in Cairo to discuss the Hamas/Israel truce in the Gaza Strip and Cairo's efforts to mediate a prisoners' exchange deal between Hamas and Israel. Separate reports note that French President Sarkozy has called on Hamas to release captured Israeli soldier Shalit. The papers also highlight that Israel has postponed its decision to act on a prisoner exchange deal with Hizbollah. In related coverage, all dailies report on Israeli efforts to reopen the Gaza crossing points of Nahel Oz and Sofa. All dailies express outrage over the work of Israeli bulldozers in East Jerusalem's Beit Hanina neighborhood to break ground for a new section of the separation barrier that will allow for the construction of 1,300 new settlement housing units. Hatim Abdul Qadir, advisor to the Palestinian Prime Minister for Jerusalem Affairs, reported confrontations between residents and Israeli soldiers which led to the injury of the head of the local council of Beit Hanina. In separate reporting, Al- Ayyam's front page notes that the Palestinian Government is planning new projects to assist Palestinians in regions that have been adversely affected by the separation barrier. The results of the Palestinian Authority's Ministerial Council June 23 meeting in Ramallah is front page news. Al-Quds reports that the Council, "asserted that Israel should reopen the crossing points, end the siege and expand the truce [to the West Bank]." The paper also highlights that the June 24 donors conference in Berlin, "is expected to raise $178 million dollars towards Palestinian security programs and other priorities." Al- Hayat Al- Jadida adds that the Council expressed concern over failure to make "true progress" in peace negotiations with Israel. News from the Nahr al-Barid international donor conference in Vienna on June 23 also captures headlines. European and Western countries pledged $122 million towards reconstruction of the refugee camp while Arab countries pledged to contribute 50% of rehabilitation costs at a later time. -------------- BLOCK QUOTES: -------------- ¶1. Independent Al-Ayyam carries its daily editorial under the title, "The truce may help to achieve unity or may deepen division"(6/24): The truce may help to make comprehensive national dialogue successful, end division and restore unity. It may also lead to a deepening and perpetuation of division... this depends... JERUSALEM 00001073 002 OF 002 on the way the fighting Palestinian opponents behave. Will they grant victory to the higher national interest and common denominators over their personal, factional, and group interests? Then, the truce may be a positive factor. If, however, the opposite happens, in other words, if Hamas perceives of the truce as strengthening its movement and giving it a stronger position in national talks they may... not show the necessary flexibility to start a comprehensive national dialogue and make [talks] successful... The question is: How will Hamas use its power? In the direction of national partnership or towards autocracy, control and exclusion? ¶2. Independent Al-Quds runs an editorial by Muhammad Shakir Abdullah entitled, "The American whispering that Israel does not hear" (6/24): The subject of settlements was the focus of negotiations between U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Palestinian officials during her last visit to the region. A Palestinian source said that 60% of these negotiations were spent discussing the intensive settlement activities in the West Bank, in particular, and in Jerusalem, in general. Following these talks, Rice spoke 'strongly' about settlement activities which violate agreements regarding Israeli- Palestinian negotiations and prejudice [the negotiations'] outcome. [She] pointed out that the United States, on this issue, does not differentiate between Jerusalem and the West Bank because settlements are settlements anywhere in the lands occupied in 1967. However, Rice's 'strong' speech did not move any hairs on the heads of Israeli officials who did not retreat from their plans. On the contrary, they stuck by them... halting settlement activities will require a loud and stern American voice similar to that of former Foreign Minister James Baker... Duffy