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

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SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (07/02): Palestinians: We
shouldn't beg for peace, we must demand and insist upon it.

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Main Stories:
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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,

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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:
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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