ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 002106 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. 9/11 Anniversary -------------- Key stories in the media: -------------- Israel Radio reported that until a few months ago back-channel talks took place in Turkey, London, and Israel/the occupied territories between Israelis, headed by journalist Yitzhak Livni, a close friend of PM Ehud Olmert, and lower-ranking Hamas officials. Livni told the radio that Olmert was unaware of those contacts, which were meant to check if there had been changes in Hamas's stance. The media reported that on Saturday residents of the settlement of Yitzhar went on rampage against residents of a Palestinian village. The incident was sparked by the infiltration of a satellite outpost of Yitzhar by a terrorist seeking to commit an attack. During the infiltration, a 9-year-old was lightly wounded when he was stabbed in the hand. Police launched an investigation yesterday into the rampage, but have not made any arrests or collected testimony relating to the incident, despite the fact that it was documented by news and human rights organizations. Makor Rishon-Hatzofe quoted a senior officer as saying that the settlers did not shoot and that that the footage shown in the media were faked. The media reported that Olmert told the government yesterday that the government will not allow West Bank settlers to carry out "pogroms against non-Jews." Channel 2-TV reported last night that PM Olmert has discussed with the Palestinians transferring to them 98.1 percent of the West Bank -- significantly more than the 94% to 96% that had been discussed in previous negotiations. The report on the ongoing negotiations was broadcast in advance of Tuesday's planned meeting between Olmert and PA President Mahmoud Abbas. The Prime Minister's Office declined to comment on the news item and said only that many such media reports had been published in the last months regarding the talks. Earlier in the day, during what could be his last cabinet meeting before he becomes the head of a transitional government, Olmert addressed Israel's relationship to the West Bank when he spoke of a voluntary evacuation bill to help relocate settlers living east of the security barrier. "The vision of a greater Israel no longer exists. Those who speak of it are delusional," Olmert was quoted as saying. No vote was taken on the measure. The media reported that yesterday Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, a principal contender to leadership in the Kadima Party, told reporters on Sunday: "I believe that on Wednesday, will win in one round with 43.7% on the votes." This percentage is allegedly based on a model developed by Mofaz's American consultant Arthur Finkelstein (who used to work for Benjamin Netanyahu). Livni's supporters mocked Mofaz for engaging in prophesy. Over the weekend media reported that FM Tzipi Livni rejected comments attributed to one of her senior aides, that the "riffraff" (the Hebrew term carries a heavy ethnic connotation) among Kadima's members were supporting Mofaz. Maariv reported that Mofaz enlisted former Defense Secretary and former CIA Director James Schlesinger in his campaign. The media quoted Shas Chairman and Industry, Trade, and Labor Minister Eli Yishai as saying on Sunday that the party will not join a government that will negotiate Jerusalem. The media stressed the importance of Shas to the future government coalition. The Jerusalem Post and other media reported that the U.S. Department of Defense has notified Congress of a potential sale to Israel of 1,000 smart bombs capable of penetrating underground bunkers, which would likely be used in the event of a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. The notification to Congress was made over the weekend by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the branch of the Pentagon responsible for evaluating foreign military sales. Congress has 30 days to object to the deal. The deal is valued at $77 million and the principal contractor would be Boeing integrated Defense Systems. Israel Hayom emphasized Israel's concern that Congress might not approve the deal. Leading media reported that DM Ehud Barak ordered all Israel-Gaza border crossings closed in response to a Qassam rocket attack on Sderot launched by Palestinian militants. The Jerusalem Post reported that yesterday former ambassador to the U.S. Danny Ayalon accused Tzipi Livni of distorting history by claiming in an interview with Israel TV that she had persuaded then-PM Ariel Sharon and President Bush to include the refugee issue in Bush's April 2004 letter of commitments to Israel. Yesterday Ha'aretz reported that Israeli troops operating near Bethlehem shot and killed a Palestinian teenager who participated in protests in the area. Yesterday media reported that an IDF soldier was dismissed following an incident in which a pregnant Palestinian woman was delayed at the Hawara roadblock near Nablus. The woman's infant was stillborn. The soldier who was dismissed served at the time in question as the commander of the roadblock. Yesterday Ha'aretz reported that EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana told the newspaper that the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been carried out far too slowly since last November's Annapolis summit. Leading media quoted Kadima MK Yitzhak Ben-Israel, a retired major general, as saying on Saturday that Ehud Barak "opposed the strike on November 6" of last year. Ha'aretz reported that Attorney General Menachem Mazuz recently ordered the police to open a criminal investigation against the New Profile organization -- the first time a criminal probe has ever been launched against a group that encourages draft dodging. The probe, launched in response to a request from the IDF, constitutes an intensification of the army's war on draft dodging. The Jerusalem Post reported that yesterday billionaire Arkady Gaidamak voiced support for the potential candidacy of former Shas leader Aryeh Deri in the Jerusalem mayoral race, and seemed to suggest cooperating with him in the upcoming municipal elections. Major media reported that the British newspaper Sunday Times quoted a leader of Gaza's Doghmush clan as saying that Gilad Shalit is "living in paradise." Major media reported that yesterday the Iraqi Parliament lifted the immunity of MP Mithal Al-Aloussi because of his trips to Israel. The Jerusalem Post (and Maariv yesterday) reported that India seeks expertise in the Kashmir conflict. Leading media quoted Britain's Sunday Express as saying yesterday that Omar Bakri, an Islamic militant leader, warned that Sir Paul McCartney could be the target of a suicide bombing unless he canceled his first concert in Israel. The celebrated rock star plans to arrive in Israel as part of a world tour and give a single concert in Tel Aviv on September 25. Bakri said that McCartney's decision to perform as part of Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations has turned him into the enemy of Muslims worldwide. -------------- ¶1. Mideast: -------------- Summary: -------------- The independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized: "[What is] important is an ingrained sense among the Israeli public that we are dealing with realistic signs of a diplomatic horizon that must be nurtured and enhanced to yield viable agreements. Whichever candidate is incapable of clearly formulating, in words, a commitment to realize this horizon does not deserve to lead the government." Palestinian affairs correspondent Avi Issacharoff wrote in the independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz: "The perennial 'non-partner' has become a partner.... [But] nowadays, an Israeli partner is harder to find." The nationalist, Orthodox Makor Rishon-Hatzofe editorialized: "If the United States is interested in contributing to the promotion of the talks between Israel and the Palestinians, it would do well if it were to remove Jerusalem from the agenda." Ha'aretz editorialized: "Today the only possible interpretation of the government's oversights in its handling of the rioting settlers is that the situation is convenient for the government, which prefers it to confrontation with the rioters." The conservative, independent Jerusalem Post editorialized: "We insist, however, that those who go out on vigilante raids against Arabs, or brawl with IDF soldiers are an affront to Zionism.... [However], a 'pogrom' is vigilante violence -- inspired, instigated and enabled by the authorities. Clearly, Saturday's settler rampage was nothing of the kind." Block Quotes: -------------- ¶I. "Continue the Process" The independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized (9/14): "In the coming days, Ehud Olmert will conclude his term as prime minister, but we have yet to hear a sharp, determined voice from any of the candidates vying to replace him pledging to continue the diplomatic process he started during his tenure. One gets the impression that every candidate is afraid of appearing too willing to compromise, or defeatist, or 'less aggressive,' or worst of all, being labeled as someone who 'divides Jerusalem' and 'evacuates settlements.' Everyone, of course, wants peace, everyone warns that peace demands painful concessions, but it is hard to pinpoint a statement from any of the candidates obligating them to a withdrawal from the Golan Heights for peace with Syria, or a near-complete withdrawal from the territories for peace with the Palestinians, let alone a diplomatic plan. Each candidate swears that he or she has a plan in the bag, but none of them is ready to reveal it to the public. Instead, they run for cover by offering the statement: 'I'm not ready to conduct negotiations through the media.' This is a miserable escape that cannot be used by anyone with his sights on the land's highest office.... No less important is an ingrained sense among the Israeli public that we are dealing with realistic signs of a diplomatic horizon that must be nurtured and enhanced to yield viable agreements. Whichever candidate is incapable of clearly formulating, in words, a commitment to realize this horizon does not deserve to lead the government." II. "There's a Partner, but who Cares?" Palestinian affairs correspondent Avi Issacharoff wrote in the independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz (9/15): "Although dozens if not hundreds of Hamas and Islamic Jihad members are currently being held in PA prisons, most are released within several days, much as they were in the late 1990s and during the second Intifada. The PA has yet to formulate a convincing explanation for this, and its image problem is likely to persist until it does. Nonetheless, the perennial 'non-partner' has become a partner. The Palestinian Authority is relevant, at least regarding a future agreement in the West Bank. Abbas, long viewed as a toothless leader, is slowly emerging as a force for stable, reliable and incorruptible leadership, even compared with Israel's decision makers. Nowadays, an Israeli partner is harder to find.... The media's failure to highlight the change is nothing less than astonishing. It could be that the Palestinian issue no longer interests the general public, that the greater strategic threat posed by Iran is pushing it off the public agenda. Should another wave of violence surge from the West Bank, however, the Palestinian issue is likely to float to the surface once more and again take a starring role in the various media outlets. But until then, who really cares?" III. "A Sophisticated Trick with American Facilitation" The nationalist, Orthodox Makor Rishon-Hatzofe editorialized (9/14): "On what basis did the U.S. Consul-General cite that optimistic date for the conclusion of the [Israeli-Palestinian] talks? Political officials suspect that there is reason to believe that the United States is in the possession of information that apparently has not yet been shared with some of the Israeli officials, and that a secret agreement between Israel and the Palestinians is being cooked up behind their backs. Apparently, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and PA Chairman Abu Mazen have reached an understanding between them that is going to lead to a division of Jerusalem, otherwise it is hard to understand the optimistic tone of the American Consul General's statement. The U.S. Consul-General apparently ignored the fact that Mr. Olmert already has one foot out the door of the Prime Minister's Office. Under those circumstances he lacks any authority to commit in the government's name to dividing the Israeli capital.... The decisions by the Israeli government, both Left and Right, against dividing Jerusalem remain valid at the present moment. Therefore, there is no room to permit them to be changed by means of sophisticated tricks by the Prime Minister with the help of an American representative. If the PA Chairman has made continued talks contingent upon a division of the city, then he is planting a landmine on the way to an arrangement with his very own hands. If the United States is interested in contributing to the promotion of the talks between Israel and the Palestinians, it would do well if it were to remove Jerusalem from the agenda. There are enough issues in contention as is that need to be addressed in order to reach some sort of arrangement. Israel, at all events, will not be able to concede the capital of Israel." IV. "Who Is the Sovereign Here?" Ha'aretz editorialized (9/15): "Dozens of armed settlers from settlements in Samaria [northern West Bank], and in particular from Yitzhar, rioted two days ago in the village of Asira al-Kabaliya after a 9-year-old boy was stabbed by a Palestinian who infiltrated Shalhevet Yam, near the settlement of Yitzhar. The Palestinian's crime served as justification for mass delinquency by the settlers, who went there to shoot and destroy. The men in uniform from the Israel Defense Forces and police were made to look like fools.... This state of affairs makes a mockery of Israel's pretensions to improve the Palestinians' quality of life.... Today the only possible interpretation of the government's oversights in its handling of the rioting settlers is that the situation is convenient for the government, which prefers it to confrontation with the rioters." ¶V. "Pogroms and Vigilantism" The conservative, independent Jerusalem Post editorialized (9/15): "The [Jewish] radicals' message: Don't even think about dismantling an unauthorized outpost -- much less an actual settlement -- because the relative restraint we showed during disengagement in 2005 will not be repeated. We understand that these settlers feel under siege. The murders of [two settlers] in the second Intifada have not been forgotten. We insist, however, that those who go out on vigilante raids against Arabs, or brawl with IDF soldiers, are an affront to Zionism. Such behavior is inexcusable -- indeed, contemptible.... [But] a small minority of settlers behaving badly does not a pogrom make. In telling the cabinet on Sunday that "There will be no pogroms against non-Jewish residents in Israel," Prime Minister Ehud Olmert committed a grave injustice to Jewish history. Mr. Prime Minister: A 'pogrom' is vigilante violence -- inspired, instigated and enabled by the authorities. Clearly, Saturday's settler rampage was nothing of the kind." -------------- ¶2. 9/11 Anniversary: -------------- Summary: -------------- Senior Middle East affairs analyst Zvi Bar'el wrote in the independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz: "It was Bush and his cronies who defined the 9/11 attacks as a culture clash.... This definition also contains the measuring stick for understanding change in Islamic countries." Block Quotes: -------------- "The Glacier of September" Senior Middle East affairs analyst Zvi Bar'el wrote in the independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz (9/14): "It is easy, too easy, to find fault with the U.S. administration for its adventures in the Middle East after 9/11.... An analysis with a longer view, however, could reveal some of the important developments resulting from 9/11 and both the Americans' wars. The first is the thorough stocktaking carried out by Muslim societies and their leaders in light of the horror perpetrated by bin Ladin and his organization.... For the first time, too, a distinction has been made between Islamic terror, which must be fought because it undermines the state's foundations, and legitimate struggle against occupation. True, this is no great comfort for Israel or the United States; we are talking about glacially slow movement, but measurable nonetheless. It was Bush and his cronies who defined the 9/11 attacks as a culture clash, not a political struggle, a battle between the Sons of Light and the Sons of Darkness. This definition also contains the measuring stick for understanding change in Islamic countries. These states, their schools, and their clerics are not graded according to their degree of support for the settlements or U.S. military policy in Afghanistan, but according to their abilities to create an economic and cultural horizon for their citizens. That is the dialogue that millions of young people in the Middle East are conducting with their governments. It is an incisive and demanding dialogue: Get America off our backs, but give us Westernism." CUNNINGHAM