JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (08/05): Palestinians Hope Fatah

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SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (08/05): Palestinians Hope Fatah
Congress Restores Party's Luster

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Main Stories:
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All dailies run prominent coverage of the Sixth Fatah Party Congress
that opened in Bethlehem on August 4. The lead stories focused on
Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas's speech
delivered at the opening session. In their headlines, all dailies
quote Abbas reiterating that "we seek peace; however, resistance
will remain one of our choices." Abbas noted that Fatah is
determined to have a successful national dialogue with Hamas and
blamed the latter for the continued failure of these efforts. Abbas
is quoted in Al-Ayyam stating that Palestinian national elections
will be the last resort for ending the internal division and
confirmed that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state
is only a matter of time. Hamas spokesperson Mushir Al-Masri is
quoted in Al-Quds saying that Abbas's remarks were "provocative and
don't show any serious will toward achieving national
reconciliation."

The Israeli Minister of Information Yuli Edelstein is quoted in
Al-Ayyam saying the Fatah conference is
"A declaration of war against Israel" and noting that "Fatah members
agree with continuing the armed resistance." Conversely, an unnamed
Israeli official is quoted saying that the conference may be "an
opportunity to pursue negotiations with the Palestinians."

Al-Hayat Al-Jadida runs front page coverage on Fatah Leader and
Congress spokesman Nabil Amr noting in a press conference on August
4 that Fatah will resort to elections as an alternative to "bloody
disagreements."

Al-Quds reports on its front page that the US is preparing to
announce a plan for ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The
report notes that President Obama and his advisors initiated this
"peace plan" based on consultations with Arab states, Israel and the
Palestinian Authority during the past several months. US sources
noted that the plan will be announced after President Obama's
meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Washington, DC on
August 18.

Al-Hayat Al-Jadida front pages news citing Wafa News Agency that the
European Union transferred 12.75 million Euro to the PA on August 4
to pay civil service salaries. --------------
BLOCK QUOTES:
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1) Ashraf Ajrami opines in Al-Ayyam independent daily under the
title, "Will Fatah ever return" (08/05): "International and regional
powers are waiting for Fatah to restore its status, as they believe
it is almost impossible to have a peace process or negotiations
without Fatah...the response is in Fatah's hands. Will it be able to
meet this challenge and restore its status as the influential
movement in the Palestinian political scene?"

2) Hani Habib opines in Al-Ayyam independent daily under the
headline "Fatah's resurrection, from Bethlehem" (08/05): "By holding
the Fatah conference in the determined place and at the scheduled
time proves Fatah's victory...Fatah was able to overcome all
obstacles and hold the conference. By doing so, it gave all of its
members and affiliates hope to achieve unity...we will wait to see
e
the outcome of this conference and, who knows, we may witness the

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rebirth of Fatah from Bethlehem!"

WALLES