JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (12/17): President Abbas: Peace

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 002284 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 (12/17): President Abbas: Peace deal possible if Israel agrees to a complete settlement freeze for six months -------------- Main Stories: -------------- The three dailies continue to lead with news on the PLO Central Council meeting in Ramallah. Lead headlines in the three dailies reflect the Council's majority decision to extend Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas' term and to continue the role of the Palestinian Legislative Council until the next presidential and legislative elections. The PLO Central Council also supported Abbas' position that the Palestinians will not return to negotiations with the Israelis until the latter imposes a complete freeze in settlement activity. Independent daily Al-Ayyam runs separate front page coverage citing AFP on Hamas spokesperson in Gaza Fawzi Barhoum criticizing the PLO Central Council decision, saying that it is illegitimate. PA official daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida and Al-Quds front page President Abbas' interview with Israeli daily Haaretz, published yesterday. Abbas stressed that if Israel completely halts settlement activity for six months, it will be possible for Palestinians to reach a permanent agreement with the Israelis. Abbas reiterated that the PA has no pre-conditions for resuming negotiations but wants Israel to abide by its obligations and commitments under the Road map. The dailies front page news and run lead photos of settlers laying the corner stone for a new settlement in Bethlehem. Settlers noted that this act is a challenge to the construction freeze imposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Al-Quds and independent news outlet Maan report that hundreds of right-wing Israelis are expected to attend organized tours and prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound today. The event is being called a "mass pilgrimage" honoring the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. [Today is the Hijri New Year for Muslims and there will be celebrations in the mosque.] -------------- BLOCK QUOTES: -------------- Abdel-Majid Swelim writing in Al-Ayyam under the title "On the Margins of the Central Council Meeting" opines that it was not wise for the Council to conclude its meetings without identifying a date for the next elections, as it demonstrates that the Council still can't take decisive decisions.