ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 001207 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 Please note: No Israel Media Reaction on Monday, May 9, 2008, Israeli holiday of Shavuot. -------------- SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS REPORT: -------------- ¶1. IRAN ¶2. U.S.-Israel Relations -------------- Key stories in the media: -------------- Both Yediot and Maariv led with statements by senior current and past Israeli defense sources that Israel will have to attack Iran. In an interview with Yediot, Transportation Minister (and former chief of staff and defense minister) Shaul Mofaz urges Israel to act with American assistance. Ha'aretz quoted Olmert aides as saying that progress was made in forging a common U.S.-Israeli position on Iran's nuclear program. Ha'aretz quoted a senior source in Olmert's entourage as saying yesterday that Olmert told the U.S. administration that IRAN had still not reached the point of no return expertise. The source quoted Olmert as saying that it is therefore paramount that sanctions be stepped up. Makor Rishon-Hatzofe reported that Olmert asked Bush to close Iranian banks. Media quoted sources in Washington as saying that there also had been progress in Israel's attempt to purchase advanced fighter aircraft, and the inclusion of the IAF in the USAF global early warning system against incoming ballistic missiles. The Jerusalem Post reported that House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman, whose panel has hitherto prevented the sale to Israel of the F-22 stealth fighter jet, told the newspaper yesterday that he was open to removing the sales restriction to boost Israeli deterrence. Ha'aretz reported that PM Ehud Olmert told President Bush and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas this week that he believes he can overcome his legal and political difficulties and stay in office. Similar to other media, Makor Rishon-Hatzofe reported on a rift in the government coalition: The Labor ministers have decided to support the dissolution of the Knesset, which led to Olmert stating that, should they do so, he would fire them. Ha'aretz found that without Labor there is not yet enough support in the Knesset to pass a dissolution measure. Ha'aretz reported that the Arab parties and Meretz would not support such a move since elections would most likely return Likud to power. Leading media reported that yesterday Olmert told