ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 002204 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: -------------- Major media reported that yesterday President Shimon Peres told the UN General Assembly that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech on Tuesday constituted the "darkest anti-Semitic libel," akin to the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Israel Radio quoted Peres as saying that the U.S. will have no choice but to curb Iran in order to save the entire world. The Jerusalem Post reported that objections from Moscow, angered by Washington's criticism of its invasion of Georgia, have forced the cancellation of high-level talks on Iran that were scheduled for today on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, endangering a fourth round of sanctions against Iran. The newspaper quoted a senior American diplomat as saying yesterday that "there clearly is spillover of the difficulties created by the Georgia crisis, difficulties with Russian behavior that we have to work through." The Jerusalem Post quoted Israel's Ambassador to the UN as saying that she felt that Russia's move spelled the end of sanctions. Ha'aretz reported that Defense Minister and Labor Party Chairman Ehud Barak will demand from prime minister-designate Tzipi Livni that he conduct the negotiations with Syria if she forms a government. Yediot reported that Livni is expected to continue reserved negotiations with Syria. Ha'aretz quoted Labor sources as saying that Barak will demand to be fully involved in all aspects of the talks with the Palestinians. Maariv detailed a package deal that Egypt is proposing: the establishment of a Palestinian unity government; the opening of the Rafah crossing and the lifting of the siege on Gaza; the continuation of the lull and the prevention of fire into Israel; the dispatch to Gaza of a force composed of troops from several Arab states. Maariv reported that Egypt has already started contacts with Palestinian factions to implement the deal. Maariv also reported that Israel has agreed to release 80 more Palestinian prisoners "with blood on their hands" in exchange for Gilad Shalit. Electronic media reported that last night a pipe bomb was placed next to the Jerusalem home of liberal historian Prof. Zeev Sternhell, a recipient of the Israel Prize in political science, injuring him slightly. The media quoted the police as saying that far-Right militants are suspected. Tracts offering great amounts of money to kill Peace Now members were found near Sternhell's house. Leading media reported that three East Jerusalem residents believed to have belonged to a terror cell have been indicted for killing two security forces members in Jerusalem. Ha'aretz reported that yesterday the IDF arrested four Palestinians who allegedly tried to run over a soldier at a roadblock just north of Ramallah. The Jerusalem Post reported that in the face of a growing terror threat originating in East Jerusalem, Shin Bet has recommended legislative changes to permit financial sanctions on the families of terrorists as well as the indictment of suspects caught in the early stages of planning attacks. Maariv reported that PM Ehud Olmert has ordered the establishment of a "Global Jihad forum" whose purpose will be to better cope with terror threats emanating from around the world. Ha'aretz's Internet edition reported that B'Tselem, a left-wing human rights organization based in Israel, has sent two official staffers to Washington and New York for the first time. Ha'aretz quoted McCain adviser Max Boot as saying that the peace process that was resumed at Annapolis was a "mistake" and that there are 30 conflicts in the world that demand more urgent attention than the Israeli-Palestinian one. The newspaper quoted another McCain adviser, Richard Williamson, as saying that McCain does not intend to dictate Israel's behavior, but that the hope is that as a friend, Israel will listen to the U.S. Ha'aretz quoted Democratic vice-presidential candidate Senator Joseph Biden as saying that Obama rejects the argument that a direct discussion with adversaries is a sign of weakness, and that it is the opposite. Yediot reported that in New York, Iranian President Ahmadinejad invited its correspondent, Yaniv Halili, to visit his father's house in Mashhad. All media reported that El Al flight 324 from Paris to Tel Aviv was escorted to Israel by air force fighter planes before its 8 p.m. landing last night due to suspicions that a bomb had been placed onboard. It proved to be a false alarm. Yediot reported that an Israeli court has ruled that the state should compensate seven Iraqis who infiltrated into Israel in the early nineties to the tune of 2.7 million shekels (around $ 789,000). The court deemed their detention too long. Ha'aretz quoted Police Commissioner David Cohen as saying: "Government corruption is the greatest strategic threat to Israel" Major media cited data published yesterday by in the annual report of the GOI's Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS): On the eve of the Jewish New Year, Israel's population stands at 7,337,000 people, including 5,542,000 Jewish Israelis (75.5 percent) and 1,477,000 Israeli Arabs (20.1 percent). The figures also include another 318,000 Israelis listed under the category of "others," in which some 200,000 foreign workers were counted. The report states that the population grew by 1.8 percent over the past year. The report also says that Israel's population is relatively young compared to other Western nations. The report also reveals a substantial gap in the life expectancy of Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs. Makor Rishon-Hatzofe also reported that the CBS predicts a 4.5% growth in the Israeli economy in 2008. Ha'aretz reported that Hollywood producers, East Coast property barons, and a Swiss banker were among Livni's main supporters in her race to lead the Kadima Party. Shaul Mofaz found support among the wealthy business barons of the Iranian-American Jewish community, according to the campaign contributions lists that the two handed over to the State Comptroller. Yediot reported that the IDF is making use of the social networking site Facebook to ensnare young female draft dodgers. -------------- ¶1. Iran: -------------- Summary: -------------- The independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized: "The next [Israeli] government must adhere to [Tzipi Livni's] balanced approach. It must explain to the public that Israel does not face a holocaust and that it can defend itself and deter its enemies. The next government must support a diplomatic effort led by the United States to change Iran's threatening policy." Block Quotes: -------------- "A Reply to Ahmadinejad" The independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized (9/25): "Israel is justifiably concerned about the naivete with which Ahmadinejad was received by the American media, as well as the world's growing tendency to view him as a legitimate leader and cease efforts to stop the Iranian nuclear program.... The chance that the United States or Israel will try to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities looks slim at the moment.... Since a direct Israeli rapprochement with Iran is impossible because of the regime's hostility to Israel's very existence, the best chance of calming the atmosphere and reducing the threat lies in starting negotiations between the United States and Iran. The two U.S. presidential candidates support this approach, with varying degrees of enthusiasm, with the understanding that it is the only route not yet tried and is likely to help moderate Iranian policy.... Prime minister-designate Tzipi Livni presented a balanced approach to the Iranian threat in interviews before the Kadima primary. Livni does not accept the statement that Israel 'will not be able to live' with a nuclear Iran; she says Israel will live and must deal with the challenges it faces. In her response to Ahmadinejad's speech yesterday, Livni demanded that Iran not be allowed to join the UN Security Council, but she was not carried away into making belligerent threats. Livni believes that Israel must not stand at the head of Iran's opponents, releasing the international community from the need to stop that country's nuclear program. The next government must adhere to the balanced approach. It must explain to the public that Israel does not face a holocaust and that it can defend itself and deter its enemies. The next government must support a diplomatic effort led by the United States to change Iran's threatening policy." -------------- ¶2. Mideast: -------------- Summary: -------------- Middle East affairs commentator Dr. Guy Bechor, a lecturer at the Interdisciplinary Center, wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot: "In the heat of the leadership vacuum we are facing, and in the shallowness of our senior figures: Is anyone preparing for the Palestinian disintegration, which will of course affect us?" Diplomatic correspondent Aluf Benn wrote in the independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz: "If [the Republic of Ireland] had stuck to the approach of 'everything or nothing' of ARAFAT and Abbas, it would have remained under British occupation until now." Block Quotes: -------------- ¶I. "Nearing another Intifada?" Middle East affairs commentator Dr. Guy Bechor, a lecturer at the Interdisciplinary Center, wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot (9/25): "The Israeli government's desire to reach a diplomatic solution with Abbas until the end of the year is not feasible. Abu Mazen will become radical in his statements and his actions in the coming months. It is no accident that he went to visit Samir Kuntar in Lebanon, and is once again declaring the return of the refugees. To keep from being accused of capitulation to Israel, he will become more extreme in his criticism and goals.... We have reached the absurd situation where it all depends now on Abu Mazen in person. The artificial support of the harmful Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for Abu Mazen has made him into a main axis: If he stays, there will ostensibly be a diplomatic solution, and if he goes, everything will collapse along with him. How absurd! This status, which grants Abbas great weight and importance, also reflects great weakness. How can we reach an agreement with him, when he does not represent a large part of his own PA? How can we reach an agreement with him when his future presidency is not democratic? He has effectively dissolved the parliament, he has formed an unlawful government with the necessary authorization of parliament, and now, perhaps, he will extend his term. And what if another Palestinian president, a Hamas figures, serves along with him? Finally, Hamas's prevention of the elections will bring an end to the Palestinian dreams of unity, and will make it clear that this is a division into two peoples, with two different fates. The Palestinian vision now covers four states: in Gaza, Judea and Samaria [i.e. the West Bank], Jordan, and Israel. Not bad for people who do not have even one state. The only way out of the Palestinian distress might be a new kind of Intifada, or other military activity against Israel, which could reunite the Palestinian forces. Tzipi Livni's term as prime minister, if she is elected, will encourage them to act this way -- they will view Israel as having become weaker. Are we ready for this? In the heat of the leadership vacuum we are facing, and in the shallowness of our senior figures: Is anyone preparing for the Palestinian disintegration, which will of course affect us?" II. "Better Occupation than a Partial Peace" Diplomatic correspondent Aluf Benn wrote in the independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz (9/25): "The Palestinians are using as their model the end of British colonial rule in India, Asia and Africa: full independence and a complete withdrawal of the foreign presence. But that is not the only model for ending an occupation. In Ireland a religious and nationalistic dispute has been going on for hundreds of years. After the Irish revolt during World War I, the British offered to end their rule of the neighboring island. The agreement, reached finally in 1921, promised the Irish approximately what Olmert is offering Abbas today. The British kept their 'settlement blocs' in Northern Ireland, and Irish sovereignty in the south remained under the auspices of the empire based in London. The British fleet continued to control Irish ports.... If [the Republic of Ireland] had stuck to the approach of 'everything or nothing' of ARAFAT and Abbas, it would have remained under British occupation until now." CUNNINGHAM