JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (06/30): PALESTINIANS WANT HAMAS

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TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAL KWBG KPAO IS
SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (06/30): PALESTINIANS WANT HAMAS
TO SHOW MORE FLEXIBILITY

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Main Stories:
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Al-Quds' lead story reports on Palestinian Authority (PA) President
Mahmud Abbas' appearance at the launching of "housing project in
Ramallah," in which he reiterated that Israel must halt all
settlement activities, and fulfill its road map obligations before
the PA resumes negotiations (June 29). Additionally, the Israeli
government is reported to have endorsed the construction of 50 new
settlement units in a settlement in the West Bank (June 29). This
endorsement came a few hours before the Israeli Defense Minister
left to the US to meet with Senator Mitchell to discuss the
settlements issue. These new units are reportedly part of a larger
scheme that includes the construction of 1450 future settlement.

Al-Hayat Al-Jadida also reports on President Abbas' appearance at
the Ramallah housing launch (June 29),implemented by the
Palestinian Investment Fund with a value of $200 m. Abbas affirmed
the Palestinians recognition of the State of Israel, adding
Palestinians are ready to pursue negotiations if the Israelis meet
their roadmap obligations.

Al-Quds and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida report of five preconditions made by
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, before Israeli-Palestinian
negotiations can resume: 1) the Palestinian recognition of Israel
as a Jewish state; 2)disarmed Palestinian state; 3) international
support to the security arrangements; 4)no return for refugees to
Israel; and 5)any agreement must provide a permanent end to the
conflict.

Al-Ayyam and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida both report on comments made by
Fatah parliamentary block leader Al-Ahmad (June 29) of progress
being made during the bilateral talks in Cairo between Hamas and
Fatah. Reports are optimistic that an agreement will likely be
signed on July 7.

All dailies reported the official launch of the Abraham Lincoln
Incentive Scholarship at Amideast offices in Ramallah (June 29),
with the Consul General in attendance. A recorded video message was
made by Judith McHale, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and
Public Affairs from her office in Washington to students about the
scholarship. The headlines read: "Ramallah: The US Consul General
launches the Abraham Lincoln Incentive Scholarship for Studying in
the US;" "To contribute in building the Palestinian State, the
Consul General launches from Ramallah the Abraham Lincoln Incentive
Scholarship to enable the Palestinian students from pursuing their
education;" and "US Scholarships for Palestinian students to study
at the US".

Al-Hayat Al-Jadida's article leads with "The Consul General
reiterates the US rejection to the continuation of settlement
activities." The article includes photos of the Consul General at
the Abraham Lincoln Scholarship launching ceremony, where he
reiterated that the US rejects the continuation of the settlement
expansion in the Palestinian territories, and emphasizing that the
Obama administration duly supports the establishment of an
independent Palestinian state. The article started with the
following heading

All dailies front page coverage on the Palestinian Authority (PA)
Prime Minister Fayyad noting during the PA weekly cabinet meeting on
June 29 that Israel must halt all settlement activities. Fayyad
called on the Middle East Quartet and the US administration to

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intervene and exert every pressure to force Israel to stop all
settlement activities.
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BLOCK QUOTES:
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1) Rajab Abu Sirriyeh, Al-Ayyam, "The dialogue in Cairo" (06/30):
"Hamas realizes now [after the failure of Hizbullah in the Lebanese
elections] that in order to have a role in the unity government, it
must show more flexibility and a readiness to open a dialogue with
the US... That is why Hamas leaders have tried, through Misha'al's
speech, to indicate their willingness for more engagement with the
US."

2) Al-Quds editorial, "Barak and his political misleading agenda"
(06/30): "Prior to his departure to the US to discuss the halting of
settlements, Barak has endorsed the construction of new settlement
units, a typical deceiving Israeli position... The US administration
and the international community should realize the Israeli policy
and its implications on the peace process which never seemed to be
one of Israel's priorities."


WALLES