JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (07/17): "The dialogue must

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SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (07/17): "The dialogue must
succeed"

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Main Stories:
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Al-Ayyam's front-page reports further on Secretary Clinton's July 15
speech at the Council on Foreign Relations. The report notes that
although Secretary Clinton called on Arab countries to take steps
towards normalizing relations with Israel, she did not renew her
calls on Israel to halt all settlement activities.

Al-Hayat Al-Jadida and Al-Ayyam cover a report in the Israeli daily
Haaretz that the US administration intends to present a timeframe
for the conclusion of negotiations between the Palestinians and
Israelis. The plan will reportedly be presented to Palestinian
Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu.

All dailies lead with statements made by Palestinian Authority
President Mahmoud Abbas to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation
(PBC) in Sharm Al-Sheikh on July 16 in which he notes the only way
to end internal Palestinian political conflict is to hold
presidential and legislative elections under Arab and international
supervision. Regarding the Sixth Fatah Party Congress, due to begin
August 4, Abbas reiterated that the conference will take place as
scheduled.

Al-Quds front-page includes a picture of Hamas Gaza leader Ismail
Haniyeh with Anti-Zionist Jewish leaders from the US in Gaza. The
group arrived in Gaza July 16 with the "Life line II" aid convoy.
Haniyeh is quoted as stating "we are not against the Jews but
against the occupation." Haniyeh also added, "I hope President Obama
adopts an approach that permanently ends the siege."

Al-Quds front-page reports on an upcoming meeting between Fatah and
Hamas representatives on July 18 in Cairo. The purpose of the
meeting is to prepare for the next session of reconciliation talks
scheduled for July 25. As part of its report, Al-Quds published in
its entirety an Egyptian proposal to Fatah and Hamas on implementing
a national consensus agreement.

Al-Hayat Al-Jadida runs front page coverage of the continuing riots
and protests by members of an ultra-orthodox Jewish sect, Toldot
Aharon. The paper notes the ongoing protest, which began several
weeks ago in different areas of Jerusalem, started as a protest over
a plan to open a parking lot during Shabbat. It has since
intensified when police and social services jailed an ultra-Orthodox
pregnant woman arrested for allegedly starving her children. The
protests have resulted in several arrests and injuries, and much
damage. The paper reports the riots will continue over the
weekend. --------------
BLOCK QUOTES:
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1) Atallah Mansour, Al-Quds, "Middle East Peace... Obama has two
options" (07/17): "In light of the current situation in the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict, President Obama finds himself faced
with two options: either give in to (Prime Minister Benjamin)
Netanyahu and (Foreign Minister Avigdor) Lieberman's agenda, or
quickly present a proposal that sets out his policy to end the
conflict."

2) Azmi Khawaja, Al-Ayyam, independent daily under the title "The
national dialogue must succeed" (07/17): "The Palestinians have to
o

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benefit from international support for the Palestinian cause, for
the establishment of the independent Palestinian state, and for the
cessation of settlements... The division can't continue and the
dialogue must succeed."

WALLES