JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (11/07): NO PEACE AGREEMENT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 002004 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 (11/07): NO PEACE AGREEMENT POSSIBLE THIS YEAR -------------- Main Stories: -------------- The three papers lead with news that the White House and Secretary of State Rice no longer believe that the conclusion of a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians is possible before the end of the year. Quoting Rice from statements made en route to Tel Aviv, the dailies note that Rice hopes, "the Annapolis process has laid the groundwork which should make possible the establishment of a Palestinian state when the political circumstances permit." The dailies add that Rice stressed the importance of documenting what has been achieved, "since the launch of this process with the encouragement of the American President." Al Ayyam adds that Rice is preparing a detailed document for president-elect Obama's administration, outlining the points of agreement and disagreement in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. All front pages note comments by PLO official Yasir Abd Rabbo that, "the best thing we have received from Rice" is the establishment of a committee to document these areas of agreement and disagreement. Al Quds' inside page reports on Secretary Rice's schedule of meetings in the Palestinian Territories, including her meeting with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Abbas in Ramallah and PA officials in Jenin for a "briefing on security developments." The paper adds that Rice's visit to Jenin is meant to draw attention to the establishment of Palestinian state institutions, "one of the things that is rarely noticed." Front pages also take note of the Middle East Quartet meeting on November 9 to discuss, "developments in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations." On an inside page, Al Hayat Al Jadida reports that PLO Chief negotiator Sa'eb Erekat met with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch and Consul General Jake Walles on November 6 in Jericho. Erekat is quoted reasserting the need for a peace agreement that is "comprehensive and includes all issues." Erekat expressed concerns that the political transition periods in the U.S. and Israel could be exploited by Israeli to escalate settlement activities and military "aggression." The three papers front-page photos of thousands of Palestinians demonstrating in Jerusalem against Israel's planned construction of a "tolerance" museum on the grounds of an Islamic cemetery. The three papers report on front pages that serious obstacles face the "national reconciliation conference" in Cairo. Hamas has threatened to boycott the conference if its demands for the release of Hamas prisoners from Palestinian Authority prisons is not met. Reporting also notes Hamas "militia" arrests of Fatah members in Gaza and prevented a rally organized by Fatah, to commemorate the death of Yasir Arafat. Meanwhile Al Hayat Al Jadida's front page reports that Islamic Jihad is skeptical about the success of the Cairo talks. In related news, all front pages report that the PLO's Executive Committee declared its commitment to the Egyptian proposal for Palestinian unity and warned Hamas of making pre-conditions to their acceptance of the proposal. The committee also says it is ready for legislative and presidential Palestinian Authority elections, according to reporting. Al Quds' front page highlights that Israeli military opened fire on Palestinian farmers and a foreign delegation near Khan Yunis in Gaza on November 6. The paper adds that a committee of Arab foreign ministers has completed a report that documents Israeli "aggressions" in the Palestinian Territories. In related reporting, JERUSALEM 00002004 002 OF 002 Al Quds' front page reports that the Israeli Defense Forces' West Bank Commander charged with the portfolio of "absentee property" has taken the unprecedented step of filing a petition to stop Israeli settlers from taking over land without producing ownership documents. In Gaza news, Al Quds' front page reports that Israel and Hamas have expressed willingness to extend the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Efforts via Egyptian intermediaries are underway, according to the report. Al Quds' front page reports that president-elect Obama has begun the selection of his team by appointing Rahm Emanuel as White House Chief of Staff. The appointment was met with satisfaction in Israel, the paper comments. The paper further observes that Emanuel served in the Israeli Defense Forces and that his father was a member of the Irgun "militia." -------------- BLOCK QUOTES: -------------- 1) Al Quds' editorial opines under the title, "Rice finally acknowledged the truth" (11/07): "Rice's statements [no peace agreement possible this year] are an acknowledgment of the outgoing U.S. administration's failure to achieve something that could have relieved us of the heavy legacy left behind by the Bush administration of catastrophes, wars, financial and economic collapse... [when the current administration] leaves the White House, it will pave the way for the new administration to be more committed and responsible, at least, that is what the Americans and all the world are hoping will be the case." 2) Taysy Zabri opines in Al Quds under the title, "Despite satisfaction... we don't have any illusions" (11/07): "Maybe Obama won't act in the same way as Clinton, but the content will remain the same. [However] since the Obama administration will insist that Israeli-Palestinian negotiations remain in American hands, the crisis will continue unless regional developments occur [to end the crisis] or the Palestinians adopt a new, unified policy." Walles