JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (07/02): Palestinians: We

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001128 SIPDIS STATE PASS BBG STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM NSC CMC WASHINGTON DC FOR POLAD JERUSALEM ALSO FOR ICD LONDON FOR HKANONA AND POL - TSOU PARIS ALSO FOR POL ROME FOR MFO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAL KWBG KPAO IS SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (07/02): Palestinians: We shouldn't beg for peace, we must demand and insist upon it. -------------- Main Stories: -------------- Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Al-Ayyam and Al-Quds report on statements made by Palestinian Authority expressing disappointment that the Palestinian factions did not reach any agreement to end their internal conflict during the last round of talks that concluded in Cairo on June 30. According to a statement issued by the Palestinian Authority Presidency (July 1),Abbas reiterated that all Palestinian factions must commit to and give consideration to the national interests. Additionally, Abbas endorsed a series of decisions aiming to eliminate all obstacles to the national unity agreement. Abbas acknowledged the role Egypt is playing in support of the unity talks, and praised their determination to ending the division. Al-Quds' front page report on comments made by sources in the Israeli security offices, concerning Israel's recent announcement to annex the Palestinian lands of Nabi Mousa and Dead Sea to the Maale Adumim settlement. According to these sources, registering the Palestinian lands of the Nabi Mousa and the Dead Sea to Maali Adumim settlement will be made under the claim of protecting these lands from confiscation by "commercial" entities. The PLO chief negotiator Erikat noted in an interview with the Israeli daily Haaretz (July 1) that the Palestinian Authority rejects these Israeli measures; furthermore, the confiscation of more Palestinian lands for the purpose of constructing new settlements contravenes President Obama's demand to stop all settlement activities. It is also reported that Erikat contacted the US, EU and Russia about the planned annexation. Al-Quds front-page contains conflicting analyses of the meeting between Israeli Defense Minister Barak and Senator Mitchell in New York. While some analyses are optimistic about progress and rapprochement being achieved between the Israelis and US administration, other analyses, including the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, noted that gaps in their relative positions have not been bridged. In related news, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida reports on comments made by Barak concerning a temporary halt of settlement activities in the new settlements, as a response to US efforts in achieving a comprehensive peace process that will include all Arab nations. The lead photo of Al-Quds is of a Palestinian child being transferred to a hospital in the Nablus area (July 1) for treatment of injuries caused by Israeli forces. The child and three others were injured in confrontations with Israeli forces near the Kfar Tuppuah settlement, south of Nablus. Al-Hayat Al-Jadida front page reports on the meeting between Palestinian Authority President Abbas and the EU Special Peace Envoy to the Middle East, Marc Outte. The President explored ways to compel Israel into accepting the two-state solution and resuming negotiations. Abbas called on the EU envoy to exert pressure on all relevant parties to respect road map obligations. Al-Ayyam and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida reports on the announcement of Palestinian Authority Minister of Public Works Ishtayeh (July 1) of a US donation of $70 million to support road-construction projects in the West Bank. This announcement was made during a meeting in Jenin with the Jenin governor and senior officials. Al-Quds front page reports on the results of an opinion poll conducted by the Arab World Center for Research and Development (AWRAD),to assess the satisfaction of Palestinians with President Obama's policy towards the Palestinian issue. According to the poll, JERUSALEM 00001128 002 OF 002 23.8% of the Palestinians are satisfied with Obama's policy, and are more optimistic from Obama's visit to the region than they had been during the Bush administration. The results also indicate that a large percentage of Palestinians are waiting to see actions -- not just words. Al-Hayat Al-Jadida reported in inside coverage a USG-sponsored participation of a U.S. musician in coordinating a youth orchestra, in partnership with a local NGO in the West Bank. Al-Hayat Al-Jadida reported in inside coverage a USAID-sponsored event (July 1) in which the USAID mission director and the Palestinian Authority Minister of Education granted "rule of law awards" to Palestinian students. -------------- BLOCK QUOTES: -------------- 1) Al-Quds, "We are fed up with this dialogue" (07/02): "All Egyptian efforts declined in pushing the Palestinian national dialogue forward and did not achieve any progress; the July 7 date was not met; a new date has been set, which is again not a final date and can always be extended or changed... we are really tired of this dialogue, we should put an end to our conflicts and make use of the new era which seems very promising given Obama's positive engagement in the region." 2) Hafeth Barghouti, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, "Settlements" (07/02): "Whoever wants peace shouldn't put a scheme to demolish 20,000 Palestinian homes leaving 180,000 Palestinians without shelter for no reason; whoever wants peace shouldn't confiscate 6% of the Palestinian land to build the separation wall; whoever wants peace e shouldn't allow 800,000 settlers to live in the West Bank; whoever wants peace shouldn't bring half a million Jews from all over the world to live in the West Bank...we should not beg for peace, peace must be imposed by our determination and resistance." WALLES