JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (6/26): ARAB UNITY IMPORTANT TO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001094 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 (6/26): ARAB UNITY IMPORTANT TO PALESTINIAN CAUSE -------------- Main Stories: -------------- The effects of the closure of Gaza border crossings attract front page coverage in the three dailies. Papers report that commercial crossings were closed by Israel on June 24 in response to a rocket attack by Islamic Jihad. The closure will prevent the entry of goods and fuel, just one day after Israel had allowed for an increase of goods into Gaza, reporting notes. Al Quds highlights that Gazans needing urgent medical care were allowed to cross into Egypt through the Rafah crossing point, in accordance with the truce agreement. The paper also reports that Hamas is refuting Israeli claims that Egypt has linked greater opening of the Rafah crossing point to the release of Israeli soldier Shalit. Al-Hayat Al-Jadida adds that Hamas says that it will not back down from its preconditions for release of Shalit. Front pages report that Hamas has asked Egypt to intervene with relevant parties to ensure the continuation of the Hamas/Israel truce in the Gaza Strip. According to coverage, Islamic Jihad told AFP that the group intends to honor the truce, "as long as Israel does not violate it." In related news, front pages report on the formation of a crisis cell by Hamas in Gaza to follow issues related to the truce. The new entity will monitor Israeli violations and includes representatives of all Palestinian factions, according to the dailies. In a statement released to the press, Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas emphasized his commitment to internal reconciliation talks and stressed that he will not allow any regional or international party to "veto" the talks that seek to unite Palestinian factions. Abbas continued that, "as soon as the Hamas movement commits itself to national legitimacy and the national program, no obstacles to solidarity will remain," the three dailies report. In related news, Al-Quds reports that Hamas denies any internal division within its movement. All dailies report that Egyptian security forces have uncovered seven tunnels along its border with the Gaza Strip. The tunnels were used for smuggling and pumping fuel into Gaza, the papers say. Front pages also highlight that an Egyptian official confirmed that 11 packs of marijuana were also found. The daily media reporting on Israeli incursions and arrests includes a report by WAFA News Agency that Israeli Defense Forces "invaded" Janin and Qabatya cities in the northern West Bank on June 26, but made no arrests. The news agency also reports that Nablus city and nearby Ayn Bayt al-Ma' refugee camp were "invaded" and two youths arrested. Al- Ayyam's front page briefly reports on clashes in the West Bank town of Taqu'a near Bethlehem between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians. The paper also notes the arrest by Israelis of a Palestinian in the West Bank city of Hebron. -------------- BLOCK QUOTES: -------------- ¶1. Al- Quds prints its daily editorial entitled, "Jerusalem, the capital of the Palestinian State, not American merchandise" (6/26): We were truly shocked by [Barak Obama's] statement about Jerusalem, and by his assertion that Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel and should remain undivided... With this [Obama] declared war on the Arab Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the right of Muslims and Arabs all over the world [to the Arabic JERUSALEM 00001094 002 OF 002 heritage of] Jerusalem... naturally, [Obama's] statement was met with denunciations and resentment from all Arab and Islamic quarters, which led Obama to make a new statement explaining that Jerusalem is an issue for both parties of the conflict to resolve... Without the resentment conveyed to Obama about his first statements, he would not have been forced to back down on his harsh first statement... this retreat...shows that Arabs and Muslims are capable of achieving victory ...if they unite over the Jerusalem cause. And they are capable of forcing Israel's allies...to swallow their imbalanced statements... ¶2. Independent Al-Ayyam carries an op-ed- by Dr. Abdul Majid Swaylim entitled, "Sarkozy, the temporary friend of both sides" (6/26): Sarkozy knows that the whole Arab and Islamic world might extend diplomatic relations to Israel if [Israel] gives up on expansion, aggression, isolation and its separation policy... At the Knesset, Sarkozy reiterated his special friendship with Israel,...but he also sent us a new message of friendship when he talked about all or at least some of our rights. What is important to us is that Sarkozy, who was brave in his attitudes, will translate his words into action... to push Europe to play a dynamic role of pressuring [Israel] to move towards peace. We also expect, whether old McCain or black Obama moves into the White House, that [Sarkozy] will pursue his own [not America's] policies ...President Sarkozy cannot be a permanent friend neither to us nor to Israel because Israel will soon find out that Sarkozy is not a, 'suitable' friend if he insists on these positions... However, if he deserts his brave attitudes that support our rights, we will not regret the short friendship... Walles