JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (12/01): PALESTINIANS SEE NO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 JERUSALEM 002169 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 (12/01): PALESTINIANS SEE NO ISRAELI GOODWILL -------------- Main Stories: -------------- Al Quds' front page reports that Secretary Rice called Palestinian Authority (PA) President Abbas in Qatar on November 29 to discuss the Middle East peace process. The paper quotes Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaynah telling press that Rice promised Abbas to pass the peace negotiations file on to the Obama administration. A second front page article in Al Quds runs November 26 statements by Rice about the Arab peace initiative, noting that it provides a framework for peace, not only between Israel and the Palestinians, but also for a comprehensive, regional peace. Rice also revealed that discussions are underway about implementing the Arab peace initiative. Rice noted that PA President Abbas and Israeli Premier Olmert continue holding their meetings to bridge gaps on final agreement issues. The paper also adds that Olmert has decided to release 250 Palestinian prisoners, while the Palestinians are "very positively" working on training and deploying security forces. Both sides are working hard to achieve Annapolis goals, the paper concludes. Al Quds and Al Ayyam lead with the wounding of three Palestinian militants on November 29 in eastern Gaza by an Israeli mortar. The men were wounded as they attempted to detonate a roadside bomb. Al Quds adds that the Israeli navy opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza and that the electricity plant has shut down after running out of fuel. Al Ayyam reports that Israel has decided to continue the closure of Gaza crossings and that the Israeli Minister of Transportation has called for attacking Hamas and key infrastructure in Gaza. In other front page stories, Al Ayyam cites DPA when quoting an Israeli security official stating that Hamas-fired projectiles are becoming more lethal and more accurate. The paper also cites AFP in quoting an Egyptian security official revealing that the Egyptian police uncovered on November 29, hidden arms and explosives in the Sinai, "apparently meant to be smuggled into Gaza." Citing the Israeli daily Haaretz, Al Hayat Al Jadida leads with, and others front page, the Israeli decision to release 250 Palestinian prisoners in the coming days; including most Hamas-affiliated prisoners detained in 2006, including legislators and former ministers. Except for Al Quds, the other papers report that the prisoner release is not linked to the Shalit prisoner exchange deal with Hamas. Al Hayat Al Jadida's front page adds that Israeli Premier Olmert is pressuring his cabinet to approve a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas to secure the release of kidnapped soldier Shalit before Israeli elections. Al Quds' front page reports that a Libyan ship carrying humanitarian assistance is expected to arrive in Gaza on December 1, while a Turkish boat will soon set sail for Gaza. Al Hayat Al Jadida's front page cites Israel's daily Ma'ariv when quoting Israeli security officials stating that Israel will intercept and block the Libyan ship from entering Gaza. In another front page story, Al Quds reports that Hamas militants continued for the second day to block and attack Muslim pilgrims attempting to leave the Gaza Strip for travel to Saudi Arabia. The Palestinian Authority, not Hamas, processed their pilgrimage registration and visas, the paper notes. The paper also reports that Hamas militants attacked and killed a poultry shopkeeper in Gaza - onlookers responded by attacking Hamas militants with stones and shoes. Al Quds' front page further reports that Hamas plans to hold a meeting with Palestinian factions to discuss extending the truce with Israel. Al Quds' front page reports on an Israeli order to have Israeli authorities question Palestinian Authority President Bureau Chief JERUSALEM 00002169 002 OF 003 Dr. Rafiq Hussayni after he conducted a tour for Arab ambassadors to the Palestinian Territories of Jerusalem areas that are threatened by Israeli settlement activities and property confiscation. Al Ayyam's inside page reports that Palestinian Authority (PA) Jenin security chief Rady Asida confirmed that his forces on November 29, foiled a terrorist attack by Israeli settlers on Jenin. Settlers riding in two vehicles attempted to attack civilians in Jenin markets, but were forced to leave after PA police arrived on the scene. The PA contacted the the Isreali Defense Forces who arrested the settlers after, "a long PA police chase," near Jenin. On an inside page, Al Quds cites Reuters in reporting that President-elect Obama is expected to reveal his national security team on December 1. Obama will appoint Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State and keep Secretary of Defense Robert Gates at the Pentagon, according to the report. In another inside page report, Al Quds reports on violations against Palestinian journalists by the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas in Gaza and the West Bank. The paper cites the Gaza-based Al Mizan human rights organization, saying that violations have become so bad that the Ramattan news agency has announced closing its offices in Gaza and Ramallah, due to arrests and harassment of journalists. Ramattan also faulted the PA President's office for preventing its journalists from covering events at the compound. The report quotes a journalist narrating how he was attacked by Hamas militants in Gaza. -------------- Weekend stories -------------- Sunday, November 30 All dailies reported that Israeli Deputy Defense Minister announced on November 29 that Israel is rapidly nearing a wide-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile Gilad Arden, a Likud Knesset Member, proposed using Hamas and Islamic Jihad affiliated prisoners as human shields to protect Israeli targets from rockets being launched from Gaza Strip. "President Abbas states, 'The situation in Gaza is an unprecedented humanitarian disaster'" according to Al Ayyam's and Al Hayat Al Jadida's front pages. Speaking in Doha, Abbas added that the international community should not accept nor remain silent about the "siege" on Gaza which might,"lead to the end of the peace process and a return to violence and chaos throughout the region." Saturday, November 29 All dailies reported that eight Israeli soldiers were wounded on November 28, after mortars fired by Gaza Strip militants hit a military base near Kibbutz Nahal Oz in the western Negev. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Salah Adin Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees, according to reporting. All front pages reported that Lebanon has decided to establish diplomatic relations with the State of Palestine and that the Palestinian Authority (PA) will open an embassy to replace the office of the PLO that currently exists in Beirut. PA President Abbas called Lebanese President Sulayman and the Lebanese Prime Minister to thank them for the decision. Al Quds' front page highlighted the November 29 International Day for solidarity with the Palestinian people, which also commemorates the issuing of UN Resolution 181 on the partition of Palestine into two states (Palestinian and Jewish) that allowed for the establishment of the State of Israel. The paper added that the Palestinian state has yet to be established, "due to the Israeli occupation." JERUSALEM 00002169 003 OF 003 -------------- BLOCK QUOTES: -------------- 1) Al Quds' editorial is titled, "In order to show authentic goodwill"(12/01): "The Israeli decision to release 250 Palestinian prisoners in a so-called 'goodwill gesture'... However, keeping one and a half million Palestinians hostages under the Israeli siege amidst hunger, darkness and sickness, along with the Israeli West Bank policies of settlement activities, military roadblocks, restricting movement, segregating Jerusalem, shows the real face of Israeli policy. It indicates no goodwill, but rather leads to an escalation of tensions. It would be better for the Israeli Government to reconsider all its policy so that we can start believing that there is authentic goodwill towards the Palestinian people." 2) Mustafa Barghouthi, Secretary General for the Palestinian National Initiative opines in Al Hayat Al Jadida under the title, "Obama, [the Palestinians] and who is taking the initiative?" (12/01): "At a time when many people are busy predicting and analyzing what the Obama Middle East policy will look like, the stereotype of Arab policy waiting along the sidelines holds true... So far not there is not a single indication to suggest that [Obama's policies will differ from previous ones]... and the early appointments of the new [US] administration do not give us much optimism for a new approach." Walles