ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 001635 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. Mideast ¶2. Muslim-Jewish Interfaith Dialogue -------------- Key stories in the media: -------------- All major media covered Defense Minister Ehud Barak's visit to the U.S. Barak was quoted as saying that Defense Secretary Robert Gates promised that the U.S. would supply Israel with real-time warnings on missiles launchings at Israel. Yediot and Israel Radio reported that Gates promised that the U.S. would provide Israel with advanced radar systems. The Jerusalem Post reported that Barak spoke of a "shared outlook" with the U.S. that emphasizes diplomacy and seeks stronger sanctions to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The Jerusalem Post reported that PM Ehud Olmert has less than a month to decide to join the Kadima leadership race or become a "lame duck," after the party's election committee decided yesterday to set an August 24 deadline to join the race, which is scheduled for September 17. The Jerusalem Post quoted sources close to Olmert as saying that he would announce his decision very soon and well ahead of the deadline, because it would be clear that he was not running if he did not announce his intentions in the near future. Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, a leading candidate in the Kadima primaries, was quoted as saying in an interview with Ha'aretz that Olmert and Livni must not be allowed to reach an agreement with the PA before the party primaries. Ha'aretz reported that PA President Mahmoud Abbas warned Israel last week that if Israel releases Hamas members of the Palestinian parliament as part of a deal for Gilad Shalit's return, he will dismantle the PA. Ha'aretz says that Abbas evidently fears that the release of senior Hamas politicians in exchange for Shalit would strengthen the Islamic organization's civilian infrastructure in the West Bank. The newspaper quoted an Israeli source well-versed in what is happening in the PA as saying that publication of Abbas's threat is liable to discredit him massively in the eyes of many Palestinians. In addition, the source noted, this threat creates another obstacle to Israel's efforts to reach an agreement for Shalit's release. Israel Radio reported that Hamas has threatened that if Israel did not accede to its demand to release 450 prisoners in return for Shalit, it would further step up its demands and would again demand 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. This threat was made by the Hamas representative in Lebanon, Osama Hamdan, in an interview to the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper. Leading media reported that an investigation has been ordered into claims that a 10-year-old boy was shot dead by officers in the West Bank village of Na'alin in the aftermath of the security fence. Makor Rishon-Hatzofe reported that the defense establishment has no funds until next year to resume work on the fence. Israel Radio reported that Minister Shaul Mofaz, who heads the Israeli team for the strategic dialogue with the U.S., set out last night for Washington. The talks with the administration will focus on the Iranian threat, the situation in Lebanon, and Hizbullah's growing strength. Mofaz told Israel Radio that he was convinced that whoever is elected president of the U.S. would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, because that would be a threat to the entire world. Ha'aretz quoted Mofaz as saying that if elected Kadima chairman, he will handle the peace talks. Israel Radio reported that FM Tzipi Livni also left for Washington last night. She will have a joint meeting with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qurei. Livni will also meet UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The Jerusalem Post quoted a variety of USG officials on issues such as the problem posed by continued settlement activity (State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack),the United States' strong commitment to Israel's security (Defense Department Press Secretary Geoff Morrell),and U.S. efforts to coerce Iran to give up nuclear technology that could be used to build a nuclear bomb (Secretary Rice). Major media reported that in an address he delivered to graduates of the National Security program at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Olmert defended his decision to hold negotiations with Syria. Olmert was quoted as saying that the talks have a good chance of success and that soon, "Syria will have to make a strategic choice between peace and isolation," referring to Damascus' close relations with Tehran and Hizbullah. The media reported that Livni has expressed reservations about Olmert's outline of orders with Syria. The Jerusalem Post reported that yesterday, for the first time in Israel's history, a cross-party parliamentary caucus dealing with the rehabilitation of Palestinian refugees (the Caucus for the Rehabilitation of the Palestinian Refugees) was launched in the Knesset. The newspaper quoted Kadima MK Amira Dotan as saying: "I am not trying to change the Palestinian narrative, but to alter the state of mind of the refugees and their descendants. She added: "We have to see how we can work with UNRWA -- not against UNRWA on this issue." All media reported that after failing a polygraph test, the commander of Armored Battalion 71, Lt. Col. Omri Fruberg, was suspended from his post yesterday. The battalion commander, who was photographed holding a bound Palestinian demonstrator while a soldier fired a rubber bullet at him from close range, was suspended for ten days after a hearing held for him by OC Northern Command Maj. Gen. Eizenkot. Hamas and Popular Resistance Committees troop and rocket training was shown on all three TV stations last night. Commentators wondered whether how this met the stipulations of a "truce." All media reported that yesterday the Jerusalem District Court convicted Majdi Rahima Rimawi, the man who planned, ordered, and organized the assassination of Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi in 2001, on five separate charges for his part in the assassination and four other terrorist attacks in the month leading up to it. The Jerusalem Post reported that yesterday Peace Now petitioned the High Court of Justice, demanding that the IDF remove civilians living in the former central bus station in Hebron, which has been used as an army base since 1983. Makor Rishon-Hatzofe reported that yesterday five senior professors asked the High Court of Justice to add their names to the petition of the Gisha non-profit organization against the Defense Ministry for its restrictions on Palestinian students who wish to enter Israel to study at its universities. The Jerusalem Post quoted Israel's Islamic Movement spokesman Zahi Nujidat as saying yesterday that a brief course offered by the Chabad Hassidim about the Second Temple endangers the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Chabad spokesman Rabbi Menachem Brod was quoted as saying: "This is a pure provocation by an organization that is exploiting any opportunity to incite the Arab public to violence against Israel." Yediot reported that yesterday in a first reading the Knesset voted to grant a pardon to disengagement opponents against whom criminal cases were opened. Likud MK Reuven Rivlin drafted the bill. The Jerusalem Post and Makor Rishon-Hatzofe reported that a code-share agreement between El Al and American Airlines will become effective in September. -------------- ¶1. Mideast: -------------- Summary: -------------- Former Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot: "[American] policy in the Middle East, as defined since President BushQs 'axis of evil' speech in January 2002, is in the midst of a radical change." Liberal op-ed writer Uzi Benziman commented in the independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz: "[Tzipi] Livni's glory will ... be ... her ability to form an independent worldview for Israel's future, and to find within herself the leadership and the determination to translate her vision into an action plan." The conservative, independent Jerusalem Post editorialized: "The government owes it to Israelis to publicly and explicitly delineate which parts of the city the Jewish state claims.....[Anyway], however the diplomatic process plays out, the Arab and Jewish sections of Jerusalem must receive equal treatment -- not to buy loyalty or affection, but a concrete manifestation of Jewish sovereignty." Block Quotes: -------------- ¶I. "Victory of the Extremists" Former Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot (7/30): "[American] policy in the Middle East, as defined since President BushQs 'axis of evil' speech in January 2002, is in the midst of a radical change. The paradigm of creating an alliance of 'moderates' to defeat the 'extremists' -- which was welcomed enthusiastically by Israel and a coalition of Arab states headed by Egypt and Saudi Arabia -- has collapsed. The 'extremists,' who were supposed to have been defeated by economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation and military operations, have managed to survive. Now it is the turn of the 'moderates' to adapt their policies to reality.... Now, when it is clear that his foreign policy has failed miserably, Bush has decided not to ignore the advantages of co-opting Syria and Iran. These two countries are the key to stability in the Middle East. They are vital in Lebanon, they play a role in Iraq, and they can effect a change in the approach of organizations such as Hamas and Hizbullah, which play an important part in the regionQs instability. Moreover, including Iran [in an alliance], is the only way to shatter the nuclear apocalypse in the region. The fact that the general atmosphere tends towards a political calm is partly due to the collapse of another misguided perception of the Bush administration: The idea that the 'axis of evil' is a coalition of mad countries, whose sole interest is in spreading evil around them. The use of radical tactics does not necessarily mean madness. Syria and Iran have no interest in adopting the role of the pariahs of the international community. More than wanting to spread terror and revolution, their policy advocates the promotion of goals that can be placed on the negotiating table. They are well aware of the limitations of encouraging instability, and they look forward to a friendlier U.S. administration, which will be willing to engage them in dialogue." II. "The PR Advisers' PR" Liberal op-ed writer Uzi Benziman commented in the independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz (7/30): "It is ... not surprising that when the Farm Forum, Sharon's inner circle of advisers, agreed to offer its public relations services to Tzipi Livni, that headline competed Monday with other political headlines.... This is what happens when craftsmen, who are supposed to serve politicians, become important national personalities and compete with their clients over the public's attention, to the point where it is not quite clear who was serving whom on Monday: [the forum members] serving Livni -- or she serving them.... The blurring between reality and image is possible when ideology has increasingly given way, where basic societal values have been undermined, where there is no leadership, and where the rules of the game are being constantly changed. Such a diffuse reality lets the opinion thieves fill the void, where authenticity is lacking, and all that remains is masks, and content gives way to form. Language loses its original meaning: A lie is a 'spin,' a commercial is a 'news item,' and a public relations stratagem is a 'political program.' Livni's glory will not be in hiring the Farm Forum team, but her ability to form an independent worldview for Israel's future, and to find within herself the leadership and the determination to translate her vision into an action plan." III. "Where's Our Jerusalem?" The conservative, independent Jerusalem Post editorialized (7/30): "The image of municipal markets, backed by armed Border Police, demolishing a practically new residential dwelling in East Jerusalem makes for bad publicity. It also exposes an underlying incoherence in Israel's approach to the capital's Arab neighborhoods.... Does Olmert honestly think the residents of [the Jewish neighborhood of Talpiot and its environs will be better off if [the bordering Arab neighborhood of] Sur Bahir is turned over to the Palestinians? The government owes it to Israelis to publicly and explicitly delineate which parts of the city the Jewish state claims. Why not tell us what Mahmoud Abbas and Ahmed Qurei presumably already know? And once it does, Arab neighborhoods that are to remain under permanent Israeli control should reap the full benefits of Jewish sovereignty -- regardless of whether an agreement with the Palestinians is achieved.... However the diplomatic process plays out, the Arab and Jewish sections of Jerusalem must receive equal treatment -- not to buy loyalty or affection, but a concrete manifestation of Jewish sovereignty." -------------- ¶2. Muslim-Jewish Interfaith Dialogue: -------------- Summary: -------------- Rabbi David Rosen, International Director of Interreligious Affairs for the American Jewish Committee and interfaith adviser for Israel's Chief Rabbinate, wrote in the conservative, independent Jerusalem Post: "The [Saudi-sponsored interfaith] encounter ignited a humanizing flame that began to burn away the demonized image of the other." Conservative international Jewish leader Isi Leibler wrote in The Jerusalem Post: "How could Jewish leaders participate in such an evet [the Saudi-sponsored interfaith dialogue] withou even relating to the obscene, state-sanctioned eligious anti-Semitic incitement openly promoted by the country sponsoring the event?" Block Quotes: -------------- Arabia -- has collapsed. The 'extremists,' who were supposed to have been defeated by economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation and military operations, have managed to survive. Now it is the turn of the 'moderates' to adapt their policies to reality.... Now, when it is clear that his foreign policy has failed miserably, Bush has decided not to ignore the advantages of co-opting Syria and Iran. These two countries are the key to stability in the Middle East. They are vital in Lebanon, they play a role in Iraq, and they can effect a change in the approach of organizations such as Hamas and Hizbullah, which play an important part in the regionQs instability. Moreover, including Iran [in an alliance], is the only way to shatter the nuclear apocalypse in the region. The fact that the general atmosphere tends towards a political calm is partly due to the collapse of another misguided perception of the Bush administration: The idea that the 'axis of evil' is a coalition of mad countries, whose sole interest is in spreading evil around them. The use of radical tactics does not necessarily mean madness. Syria and Iran have no interest in adopting the role of the pariahs of the international community. More than wanting to spread terror and revolution, their policy advocates the promotion of goals that can be placed on the negotiating table. They are well aware of the limitations of encouraging instability, and they look forward to a friendlier U.S. administration, which will be willing to engage them in dialogue." II. "The PR Advisers' PR" Liberal op-ed writer Uzi Benziman commented in the independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz (7/30): "It is ... not surprising that when the Farm Forum, Sharon's inner circle of advisers, agreed to offer its public relations services to Tzipi Livni, that headline competed Monday with other political headlines.... This is what happens when craftsmen, who are supposed to serve politicians, become important national personalities and compete with their clients over the public's attention, to the point where it is not quite clear who was serving whom on Monday: [the forum members] serving Livni -- or she serving them.... The blurring between reality and image is possible when ideology has increasingly given way, where basic societal values have been undermined, where there is no leadership, and where the rules of the game are being constantly changed. Such a diffuse reality lets the opinion thieves fill the void, where authenticity is lacking, and all that remains is masks, and content gives way to form. Language loses its original meaning: A lie is a 'spin,' a commercial is a 'news item,' and a public relations stratagem is a 'political program.' Livni's glory will not be in hiring the Farm Forum team, but her ability to form an independent worldview for