ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 000881 SIPDIS 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: -------------- Israel Radio reported that three IDF soldiers were killed in a Hamas ambush in Gaza and four others were injured. The radio quoted Palestinian sources as saying that four Hamas activists were killed. The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel will renew the supply of industrial diesel fuel to Gaza's sole power plant, but will not resume gasoline transfers. Defense officials claim that Hamas has been hoarding gas for its own uses instead of distributing it to the public. The officials also added that despite the shortages, the fuel tanks into which Israeli transfers gas are full, so even if Israel would want to resume the supply, it would not be able to. All media reported that yesterday the Arrow anti-missile missile system successfully simulated the interception of a rocket designed to mimic the Iranian Shihab missile. In the test, the Green Pine Radar -- an integral part of the Arrow system -- tracked a new missile made by Rafael called the Blue Sparrow which splits into multiple warheads making it difficult to intercept. Israel is planning another test in about six months in which an actual Arrow missile will be launched to intercept the Blue Sparrow. Major media quote defense officials as saying yesterday that the U.S. has agreed to let Israel connect to its worldwide radar system that can provide an early warning of any ballistic missile launched at Israel from around the world. Leading media reported that threats of a possible terrorist attack during the Passover holiday are growing in the Sinai, where Egyptian forces are hunting terror cells. The Jerusalem Post quoted senior Israeli officials as saying that the defense establishment's preparation for a possible Hizbullah attack in response to the February assassination of senior Hizbullah leader Imad Mughniyah would be at its highest over the holiday. Makor Rishon-Hatzofe cited the defense establishment's discontent with FM Tzipi Livni, who discussed Gilad Shalit's release during her visit to Qatar. The daily reported that the defense establishment wants the issue exclusively dealt with by PM Ehud Olmert's special envoy Ofer Dekel. Israel Radio cited the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram as sayng that over the past few days there has been a flurry of activity by Egypt to mediate a truce between Israel and Hamas. Maariv reported that the defense establishment is increasingly discussing the possibility that a Hamas politician could be elected PA president. The Jerusalem Post reported that yesterday PA officials urged visiting former U.S. President Jimmy Carter not to meet with Hamas leader Khaled Mashal later this week. Maariv quoted a defense source as saying that the government will remove Migron and other settler outposts. Yediot reported on a two-week-long visit to Iran by its envoy Eldad Back. Ha'aretz and The Jerusalem Post reported on the establishment of a new Jewish-American lobby that could provide an alternative to AIPAC. Ha'aretz said the group will push a "clearly dovish agenda." Maariv and Israel Radio reported that Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has awarded the "Jerusalem Medal," the PA's highest decoration to two female terrorists detained in Israel -- Ahlam Tamimi, who led a suicide bomber to Jerusalem's Sbarro pizzeria in August 2001, and Amna Muna, who caused the death of a young Israeli after meeting him on the internet. The radio reported that the award will be presented in Abbas's name on Thursday. Maariv reported that Hizbullah recently set up special units for Christian, Druze, and Sunnis. The newspaper reported that former South Lebanon Army fighters, who were allies of Israel, will be incorporated into Hizbullah's forces. Maariv said that in this way the Shi'ite group intends to quietly take over Lebanon. Maariv quoted Likud Chairman MK Benjamin Netanyahu as saying yesterday at Bar-Ilan University that the 9/11 attacks changed U.S. public opinion in Israel's favor. Saying that the "world food price crisis is moving toward Israel," Ha'aretz reported on a 9% annual rise in food prices in the country. Ha'aretz quoted Prof. Uri Shani, the Director of Israel's Water Authority, as saying that water desalination is the answer to Israel's new water crisis. Maariv reported that yesterday President Bush signed a declaration in honor of "Education and Cooperation Day" in the presence of Rabbis of the Hassidic movement Chabad. The Jerusalem Post presented the results of Tel Aviv University's Peace Index poll conducted on March 31 and April 1: Fifty-five percent of Israeli Jews regard the West Bank as "liberated land while only 32% see it as "occupied." -------------- ¶1. Iran: -------------- Summary: -------------- The independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized: "Bush may not be the world's police officer, but in the absence of any other cop on the horizon, he can be expected to make good on his promise to prevent Iran from acquiring the ability to destroy Israel." Block Quotes: -------------- "Iran Is Playing with Fire" The independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized (4/16): "Tehran is now waiting for the U.S. presidential and congressional elections. The obvious conclusion is that the threat of an American military operation, which in previous years seemed quite close -- and the fear of which led to the presumed suspension of the warhead program -- has nearly disappeared. If that is the Iranian presumption, it entails a risky gamble.... Killing Americans in Iraq, damaging the ability of the government in Baghdad to impose security and to enable an American withdrawal, the threat to the Iraqi economy, interference in Lebanon through the military connection with Hizbullah, encouraging Palestinian terror, and last but definitely not least, the nuclear challenge to Israel and the assumption that Israel is liable to execute a preemptive strike against Iran and thereby drag the region into a new war --- all of these are a reason for America to act. U.S. ground forces are already stretched to their limits, but its air forces and its missiles would suffice for an operation against Iran. Iran is playing with fire that could burn the Middle East. Bush may not be the world's police officer, but in the absence of any other cop on the horizon, he can be expected to make good on his promise to prevent Iran from acquiring the ability to destroy Israel." -------------- ¶2. Mideast: -------------- Summary: -------------- Diplomatic correspondent Herb Keinon wrote in the conservative, independent Jerusalem Post: "The worry is that after [Jimmy] Carter meets [Khaled] Mashal, others who would like to meet him will ask, 'If Carter can, why can't we?'" Giora Eiland, the former head of Israel's National Security Council, wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot: "[Given the unlikely success of the Palestinian track, we must] try to think of other solutions. One of these is a return to the Jordanian option." Arab affairs correspondent Jacky Hoogie wrote in the popular, pluralist Maariv: "[There] is a rare convergence of interests between Damascus and Jerusalem. Each of them is keeping silent, so as not to force Assad to be shamed publicly and forced into an act of revenge." Arab affairs correspondent Jacky Hoogie wrote in Maariv: "The day [may] not [be] far when Hizbullah will turn into a multi-ethnic organization under Shi'ite control, and will effectively realize its plan of conquering the hearts of the Lebanese people by peaceful means.... This vision is not immediate, and it may take time before it materializes, but it is not imaginary." Matti Golan, former editor-in chief of Ha'aretz and business daily Globes, maintained in Globes: "[Israeli Arab politicians are hinting]: 'Israeli citizenship and membership in the Knesset are our most efficient weapon against the Jewish State of Israel -- they are our Qassam rockets.'" Block Quotes: -------------- ¶I. "Why Israel Snubbed Carter" Diplomatic correspondent Herb Keinon wrote in the conservative, independent Jerusalem Post (4/16): "The [Israeli] government is concerned that [Jimmy] Carter, by meeting the Hamas leader in Damascus, will send a trend. Israel has been pleasantly surprised that the boycott of Hamas and its leaders by the U.S. and EU -- has held. The worry is that after Carter meets [Khaled] Mashal, others who would like to meet him will ask, 'If Carter can, why can't we?'" II. "Back to the Jordanian Option" Giora Eiland, the former head of Israel's National Security Council, wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot (4/16): "[Given the unlikely success of the Palestinian track, we must] try to think of other solutions. One of these is a return to the Jordanian option. The Jordanians would not admit it publicly, but a Palestinian state in the West Bank is the worst solution for them. They too know that within a short time, this state would be ruled by Hamas. As soon as Jordan -- in which there is a Palestinian majority and a strong Muslim Brotherhood opposition -- has a common border with the Hamas state, the Hashemite regime will be at immediate risk. Other options are regional solutions, in which both Egypt and Jordan would contribute to the Palestinian state in the territorial realm. Contrary to conventional wisdom, according to which there is no chance of this, it can be demonstrated that the great beneficiaries of such an arrangement could actually be Egypt and Jordan. What is clear is that continuing to conduct negotiations that cannot lead to any positive outcome is a waste of time in the best case, and could lead to a third Intifada in the worst case." III. "Conspiracy of Silence" Arab affairs correspondent Jacky Hoogie wrote in the popular, pluralist Maariv (4/16): "Two whole months have passed since unknown figures assassinated Imad Mughniyah, commander of Hizbullah's jihad wing, on Syrian soil. Everyone is waiting for a Syrian response, or at least the results of the investigation. But Damascus remains silent.... One could expect a country whose sovereignty was crudely violated to respond in some way. This is true for any country, and particularly for the proud Syrian regime, which [also suffered] the mysterious strike by IAF jets on September 6. In both cases, the Syrians preferred to keep a low profile, to restrain their response and direct feeble accusations at Israel. The reason is Bashar Assad's dilemma. If he accuses someone, he will have to react. And if he reacts, he could suffer another blow, particularly if Israel is the party in question.... Official Jerusalem kept quiet in both cases, despite the fact that the Americans blabbed, for their own reasons, after the strike in September.... The Americans have their own interest [because of] the suspicion that North Korea was involved.... In its care to maintain silence, Israel is assisting Assad to enable Arab public opinion to forget both affairs. The result is a rare convergence of interests between Damascus and Jerusalem. Each of them is keeping silent, so as not to force Assad to be shamed publicly and forced into an act of revenge. In the meantime, we can certainly send him a bouquet of flowers." IV. "Hizbullah's Vision" Arab affairs correspondent Jacky Hoogie wrote in Maariv (4/16): "If this is not information aimed at psychological warfare, and Hizbullah has indeed recruited young Sunnis, Christians, and Druze, then it is an interesting development. If it should become stronger and branch out into other realms, the day is not far when Hizbullah will turn into a multi-ethnic organization under Shi'ite control, and will effectively realize its plan of conquering the hearts of the Lebanese people by peaceful means.... The gaps dividing Hizbullah and large sectors of [Lebanese] society are still very great, but it is no secret that many Christians admire Nasrallah for his strength and moral character, particularly after surviving the war in the summer of 2006.... One imminent test is already just around the corner. It is the Lebanese parliamentary elections, which are due to be held in exactly one year.... Hizbullah hopes to make use of its improved image in the general public to further its standing in the legislature and advance into the government, all in a legitimate manner. From there, Nasrallah and his men will aspire to change the constitution and give the Shi'ites a greater slice of government to properly express their share of the population. This vision is not immediate, and it may take time before it materializes, but it is not imaginary." ¶V. "Tibi's Qassam Rockets" Matti Golan, former editor-in chief of Ha'aretz and business daily Globes, maintained in Globes (4/16): "My goal, [hints Israeli-Arab Knesset Member Ahmed] Tibi -- in fact, that of most Israeli Arabs, is not the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, but a Palestinian state only, without Israel. Israel doesn't necessarily have to be wiped off the map, though this isn't a bad option and even a preferable one. One can simply undermine Israel, increase [Arab] birthrate, and take over Israel by democratic means, and then turn it into a state that we, the Arabs, are used to: a state of all its citizens, ruled by a dictatorship of the Arab portion of its citizens. Thus ... I, Tibi, and my friends, do not accept the idea that Arab villages be placed under Palestinian sovereignty, because Israeli citizenship and membership in the Knesset are our most efficient weapon against the Jewish State of Israel -- they are our Qassam rockets." JONES