ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 001203 STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM NSC FOR NEA STAFF SECDEF WASHDC FOR USDP/ASD-PA/ASD-ISA HQ USAF FOR XOXX DA WASHDC FOR SASA JOINT STAFF WASHDC FOR PA CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL FOR POLAD/USIA ADVISOR COMSOCEUR VAIHINGEN GE FOR PAO/POLAD COMSIXTHFLT FOR 019 JERUSALEM ALSO ICD LONDON ALSO FOR HKANONA AND POL PARIS ALSO FOR POL ROME FOR MFO SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR IS SUBJECT: ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION -------------- SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS REPORT: -------------- ¶1. Iran ¶2. Mideast -------------- Key stories in the media: -------------- Most media led with Sen. Barak Obama's address to AIPAC yesterday. The media characterized it as powerfully "Zionist" and highlighted his assurances that he would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear arms, and that Jerusalem would remain the undivided capital of Israel. Media noted that this latter comment drew fire from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. PM Ehud Olmert was quoted as saying by Ha'aretz that he did not hear the speech himself, but that "from what I heard they [the presidential candidates] had impressive performances and I am very impressed by these declarations. I will speak with all of them by phone." Ha'aretz bannered: "Obama to AIPAC: Committed to Defending Israel from Any Threat"; Maariv bannered Obama's "embrace" of Israel; Yediot highlighted Obama's remark about Israel's security being "sacrosanct"; Israel Hayom bannered: "Obama's Surprise: In Favor of United Jerusalem." All media reported that PM Ehud Olmert met yesterday with President Bush in Washington, with Iran at the center of the discussion. Ha'aretz and The Jerusalem Post reported that Olmert told reporters that the two leaders also discussed the progress of talks with the Palestinians and the situation in Lebanon. President Bush asked to be briefed on developments with Syria. Leading media quoted Olmert as saying: "Every day that goes by we are making significant steps in dealing with this problem [Iran]. We, with the world under American leadership, are dealing with it in an effort to reach the goal which is to prevent Iran from acquiring [nuclear] armsI do not think it is appropriate for Iran to know what we are doing." Israel Radio quoted the PM as saying that the question marks hovering the Iranian nuclear program -- regarding time and determination constraints -- are lessening. Maariv reported that Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Obama will not meet with Olmert due to conflicting schedules. Maariv, Israel Radio and The Jerusalem Post reported that today in Tel Aviv Defense Minister Ehud Barak will meet with Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell. Iran will be at the center of their talks. Maariv reported that Mossad