Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JERUSALEM1753
2008-09-22 08:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (9/22): THE UN, THE INTERNATIONAL

Tags:  PREL KMDR KPAL KWBG KPAO IS 
pdf how-to read a cable
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2838
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC//DAS-ZD/DACS-ZK//
RUEAHQA/CSAF WASHINGTON DC//POLAD//
RHMFIUU/CMC WASHINGTON DC
RUENAAA/CNO WASHINGTON DC//POLAD//
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 7328
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 4310
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4163
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 5657
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 4078
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2644
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 JERUSALEM 001753 

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 (9/22): THE UN, THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY, AND THE PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI CONFLICT

-------------
Main Stories:
-------------
Israel to open synagogue next to Al-Aqsa Mosque, lead headlines in
Al-Quds and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida declare. Citing a report by
Israeli-based Al Aqsa Institute, a branch of the Islamic Movement in
Israel, the dailies report that the new synagogue will be located
"only" 50 meters from the holy plaza of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and will
connect to a network of tunnels underneath the mosque complex.

Israeli Premier Olmert's September 21 resignation and efforts by
Israeli Foreign Minister Livni to form a new government is
highlighted on all front pages. In related news, Al-Quds cites
Israeli daily Yediot Ahranot in quoting an unnamed senior
Palestinian official stating that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is
working with the U.S. to "maintain the principals and understandings
reached in recent months with the Israelis, as the basis for any
future negotiations." The same article quotes Rafiq Hussayni, PA
President Abbas' Chief of Staff, telling Britain's Sunday Telegraph
that some Palestinian officials may take the "decisive step" to
dismantle the PA if current negotiations with Israel fail to result
in a permanent agreement.

The Egyptian effort to launch unity talks among Palestinian factions
is the subject of several front-page stories. Al-Quds reports that
Cairo is engaged in "extensive efforts" to end inter-Palestinian
division by building talks on a "sound basis." Palestinian
Ambassador to Egypt Nabil Amr is quoted predicting that the next two
months will be crucial to the success or failure of the talks.
Al-Ayyam quotes senior Fatah leader Abdallah Abu Samhadanah
commenting that Fatah will reject the formation of any unity
government with Hamas, in an effort to avoid, "the same old
problems." Another Al Ayyam article quotes Diab Al-Ali, head of
West Bank Palestinian security forces, warning that the PA will have
no alternative but to use force against Hamas in Gaza. A third
article in the same paper quotes Fatah leader Azzam Al-Ahmad
explaining that until now, Hamas has been sending "negative signals"
vis-`-vis a launch of Palestinian dialogue.

Al-Ayyam front-pages a report issued by the PLO's Negotiation
Affairs Department reporting that since the Annapolis meetings,
Israel has intensified settlement activities in the West Bank and
Jerusalem. The report explains that the Israeli Government has
issued tenders for the construction of 10,000 new housing units in
East Jerusalem, since Annapolis.

The "sudden" closure of the Rafah Gaza/Egypt crossing point on
September 21 by Egypt, is highlighted on the dailies' front-pages.
Al-Quds reports that Egyptian authorities decided to close the
crossing due to "technical difficulties" turning back many
Palestinians seeking entry into Egypt, including students and those
in need of medical care. The crossing was opened on September 21.

Al Quds' front page runs the results of a recent U.S. public opinion
poll conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, showing
that 51 percent of American respondents support negotiating with
Hizbollah and 53 percent support negotiations with Hamas.

---------------
Weekend stories
---------------

Sunday, September 21, 2008


JERUSALEM 00001753 002 OF 003


Al-Quds ran an exclusive interview with Nayef Hawatmah, Secretary
General of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine
under the headline "Hamas' conditions for National dialogue threaten
its success, and Hamas' indirect negotiations with Israel are of no
help to the Palestinian people." Hawatmah calls for the, "halt of
Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, because they only benefit Israel,
and are, "illogical in the shadow of continued Israeli aggression,
the siege, and settlement activities." Hawatmah also called on all
Palestinian parties to leave party politics behind and work towards
making national dialogue a success.

Al-Quds' and Al-Hayyat Al-Jadida's front pages quoted Nabil Amr,
Palestinian Ambassador to Cairo and representative to the Arab
league, calling on Fatah to conduct a critical reassessment of the
organization and work hard to ensure that the party's 6th Convention
will be held before the end of the year. The papers quoted Amr
stating that, "the world holds us responsible for the tragic
situation that the Palestinian cause finds itself in."

On the "local life" inside page, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida reported that
the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem organized and funded an
activity for Jenin youth to beautify 6 Jenin public schools. The
activity was also featured on Wafa news agency's websites.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Palestinian Authority President Abbas' op-ed in the Wall Street
Journal was quoted on the front pages of all three dailies. Abbas
confirms that, "I continue to believe that we can achieve a lasting
peace." He pledges full cooperation with peace efforts in the days
and months ahead, and thanks the Bush Administration for its
assistance in the peace process. In a related article, Al-Ayyam
reported that Abbas will attend the opening session of the UN
General Assembly. The article also quoted the full White House
statement that President Bush, "looks forward to discussing with
President Abbas the progress made toward building Palestinian
institutions and toward realizing the vision of two states, Israel
and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security."

------------
BLOCK QUOTES:
------------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 JERUSALEM 001753

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 (9/22): THE UN, THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY, AND THE PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI CONFLICT

--------------
Main Stories:
--------------
Israel to open synagogue next to Al-Aqsa Mosque, lead headlines in
Al-Quds and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida declare. Citing a report by
Israeli-based Al Aqsa Institute, a branch of the Islamic Movement in
Israel, the dailies report that the new synagogue will be located
"only" 50 meters from the holy plaza of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and will
connect to a network of tunnels underneath the mosque complex.

Israeli Premier Olmert's September 21 resignation and efforts by
Israeli Foreign Minister Livni to form a new government is
highlighted on all front pages. In related news, Al-Quds cites
Israeli daily Yediot Ahranot in quoting an unnamed senior
Palestinian official stating that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is
working with the U.S. to "maintain the principals and understandings
reached in recent months with the Israelis, as the basis for any
future negotiations." The same article quotes Rafiq Hussayni, PA
President Abbas' Chief of Staff, telling Britain's Sunday Telegraph
that some Palestinian officials may take the "decisive step" to
dismantle the PA if current negotiations with Israel fail to result
in a permanent agreement.

The Egyptian effort to launch unity talks among Palestinian factions
is the subject of several front-page stories. Al-Quds reports that
Cairo is engaged in "extensive efforts" to end inter-Palestinian
division by building talks on a "sound basis." Palestinian
Ambassador to Egypt Nabil Amr is quoted predicting that the next two
months will be crucial to the success or failure of the talks.
Al-Ayyam quotes senior Fatah leader Abdallah Abu Samhadanah
commenting that Fatah will reject the formation of any unity
government with Hamas, in an effort to avoid, "the same old
problems." Another Al Ayyam article quotes Diab Al-Ali, head of
West Bank Palestinian security forces, warning that the PA will have
no alternative but to use force against Hamas in Gaza. A third
article in the same paper quotes Fatah leader Azzam Al-Ahmad

explaining that until now, Hamas has been sending "negative signals"
vis-`-vis a launch of Palestinian dialogue.

Al-Ayyam front-pages a report issued by the PLO's Negotiation
Affairs Department reporting that since the Annapolis meetings,
Israel has intensified settlement activities in the West Bank and
Jerusalem. The report explains that the Israeli Government has
issued tenders for the construction of 10,000 new housing units in
East Jerusalem, since Annapolis.

The "sudden" closure of the Rafah Gaza/Egypt crossing point on
September 21 by Egypt, is highlighted on the dailies' front-pages.
Al-Quds reports that Egyptian authorities decided to close the
crossing due to "technical difficulties" turning back many
Palestinians seeking entry into Egypt, including students and those
in need of medical care. The crossing was opened on September 21.

Al Quds' front page runs the results of a recent U.S. public opinion
poll conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, showing
that 51 percent of American respondents support negotiating with
Hizbollah and 53 percent support negotiations with Hamas.

--------------
Weekend stories
--------------

Sunday, September 21, 2008


JERUSALEM 00001753 002 OF 003


Al-Quds ran an exclusive interview with Nayef Hawatmah, Secretary
General of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine
under the headline "Hamas' conditions for National dialogue threaten
its success, and Hamas' indirect negotiations with Israel are of no
help to the Palestinian people." Hawatmah calls for the, "halt of
Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, because they only benefit Israel,
and are, "illogical in the shadow of continued Israeli aggression,
the siege, and settlement activities." Hawatmah also called on all
Palestinian parties to leave party politics behind and work towards
making national dialogue a success.

Al-Quds' and Al-Hayyat Al-Jadida's front pages quoted Nabil Amr,
Palestinian Ambassador to Cairo and representative to the Arab
league, calling on Fatah to conduct a critical reassessment of the
organization and work hard to ensure that the party's 6th Convention
will be held before the end of the year. The papers quoted Amr
stating that, "the world holds us responsible for the tragic
situation that the Palestinian cause finds itself in."

On the "local life" inside page, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida reported that
the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem organized and funded an
activity for Jenin youth to beautify 6 Jenin public schools. The
activity was also featured on Wafa news agency's websites.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Palestinian Authority President Abbas' op-ed in the Wall Street
Journal was quoted on the front pages of all three dailies. Abbas
confirms that, "I continue to believe that we can achieve a lasting
peace." He pledges full cooperation with peace efforts in the days
and months ahead, and thanks the Bush Administration for its
assistance in the peace process. In a related article, Al-Ayyam
reported that Abbas will attend the opening session of the UN
General Assembly. The article also quoted the full White House
statement that President Bush, "looks forward to discussing with
President Abbas the progress made toward building Palestinian
institutions and toward realizing the vision of two states, Israel
and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security."

--------------
BLOCK QUOTES:
--------------

1. Al-Quds independent argues in its main editorial under the
title, "International Responsibility" (09/22): [I]nternal political
crises in Israel... directly impact the Palestinian issue and
efforts to reach a solution [to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict]...
How much longer will the international community remain ignorant of
the successive Israeli governments' policies to destroy peace
efforts... [the situation] lends increasing credibility to the
demand that the Palestinian file should be transferred to the United
Nations so that the international community will be forced to carry
out its obligations [to enforce] international resolutions...
Israeli governments have abused negotiations to expand settlements,
strengthen the siege, isolate and judaize Jerusalem, cause the
fragmentation of the Palestinian Territories and complete the racist
separation barrier in the heart of the occupied West Bank."



2. "Regular columnist of Al-Hayat Al-Jadida official, Adli Sadiq
opines under the title, "Daughter of the Institution" (09/22):
"Tzipi Livni [her political career] was born with the creation of a
new party institution [Kadima]. Beyond that, she has no political
or intellectual value... In this country [Israel] of theft, murder
and racial discrimination... no official can go far without being

JERUSALEM 00001753 003 OF 003


confronted by an institution... Her father and mother, Likud
activists, did not notice any special qualities that distinguish her
as a leader nor does her university degree prepare her for it... it
was the institution of the [Kadima] party, filling a void, that gave
Livni her great self-confidence and strong sense of security that,
as long as she abides by the [party's] rules, she can overcome the
pitfalls. Today, she is a leader who looks from the window of her
institution and declares herself a leader, and why not?!"

Marchese