JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (03/30): CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM ON

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SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (03/30): CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM ON
U.S. IRAN POLICY "CHANGE"

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Main Stories:
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Al-Quds leads with and the other two dailies front page a report
from Israeli daily Haaretz revealing increased Israeli settlement
activities in the West Bank. The report indicates that settlers are
taking advantage of the transitional period between Israeli
governments to accelerate activities. One "notable example"
according to the report, is preparations being made to connect the
Eli settlement north of Ramallah to the Yuval outpost.

Al-Ayyam and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida lead with details of the March 24
robbery of the Arab Bank in Al-Birah, near Ramallah in the West
Bank. Palestinian security services spokesperson Dmayri praised the
work of Palestinian security in carefully investigating the robbery
and turning up evidence that suggests that the attack was planned by
an Israeli and executed by Palestinians with Jerusalem ID cards.
Al-Hayyat Al-Jadidia also leads with news that its headquarters in
Al-Birah was victim to arson on March 30, the fourth criminal fire
in three months.

Al-Quds' front page cites a Ma'an report when quoting Palestinian
Authority Minister of Prisoners' Affairs Ajrami noting that the
Israeli Government will deport six Palestinian prisoners from the
southern Israeli Askelon detention center because they do not have
Palestinian ID documents. The Minister further revealed that no
Arab or European country has shown a readiness to receive the
prisoners.

The three dailies report that prisoner exchange negotiations between
Israel and Hamas are on hold. Reports note that the issue will be
dealt with by the new Israeli Government. Al-Hayyat Al-Jadida also
front pages an AFP report quoting Israeli President Shimon Peres
addressing the EU and international community, confirming Israeli
commitment to continuing the peace process with the Palestinians.

All three dailies front page news that national Palestinian dialogue
will resume in Cairo after the March 30,31 Arab summit in Doha.
Al-Quds quotes Hamas leader Ismail Radwan announcing that agreement
has been reached on a number of issues and that there is hope that
remaining issues will be resolved in the new round of talks. The
report also quotes Mushir Al-Masri, Hamas leader in Gaza,
highlighting that dialogue must be based on national (Palestinian)
interests and not conditions imposed by the U.S. or the Middle East
Quartet. In related news, Al-Quds runs an inside page caricature
about popular frustration with unity talks, showing Palestinian
women urging Palestinian and Arab leaders to stop talking and take
note of the situation on the ground, especially on the occasion of
the 33rd anniversary of Palestinian "National Land Day" on March 30.
Reporting follows on March 29 front page stories in all dailies
announcing the passing of a draft resolution for the Doha Summit
that, "reiterates support for Palestinian legitimacy," under
Palestinian Authority President Abbas and the PLO, encourages
Palestinian unity talks, and notes that the Arab Peace plan will
expire in the future.

On its front page, Al-Quds cites AP in reporting that 70,000 tons of
explosives have entered Gaza since the end of the recent conflict
with Israel. The report cites Israeli concerns that their military
operation should have continued for a longer time in order to deny
Hamas the ability to rearm.

Al-Quds' inside page cites an exclusive interview with chief PLO
negotiator Saeb Erekat explaining that Palestinian Authority

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President Abbas has conveyed to the U.S., EU, Russia and the U.N
that the Palestinian Authority Government remains commitment to
signed PLO agreements. Erekat's comments responded to March 27
statements by Hamas leader Al Bardawil that Hamas will not, "abide
by PLO agreements and... not go beyond the Mecca Agreement." Erekat
added that negotiations will not continue with the new Israeli
Government unless it respects previous, signed agreements.
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WEEKEND STORIES:
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Sunday, March 29
Al Quds' front page headlined news that Israeli settlement groups
plan to "seize" 70 properties in the Al Yaman neighborhood of Silwan
in East Jerusalem. The paper quotes, Hatim Abdil Qadir, advisor to
the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister on Jerusalem Affairs,
revealing a "big scam" by settler groups to accomplish the gradual
transfer of ownership using falsified Ottoman documents. Qadir
stressed that he will file appeals in Israeli court to protect each
property.

All front pages headlined, "Senior American delegation visits the
Palestinian Territories and warns Israel against settlement
expansion in Ma'ale Adumim [E1] area." Reporting on March 28
statements by chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat, the papers note that
Erekat added, "the new American administration is working
intensively against the expansion of settlements in the West Bank,
particularly in the vicinity and surroundings of occupied
Jerusalem..." The story followed on a March 28 article in Al Ayyam
which included comments by U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem
spokesperson Schweitzer-Bluhm explaining that the March 27 visit,
"falls within the framework of our ongoing efforts to monitor
activities in the area." The same article reported that Special
Envoy George Mitchell will explore settlement issues in more detail
on future visits.

Saturday, March 28, 2009
All front pages headlined that, "Europe links improvement of its
relations with Israel to commitment to the two-state solution,"
running comments by Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs and President
of the EU Council of Ministers Schwarzenberg. On a different topic,
Al Quds' and Al Ayyam's front pages report that Egypt has sent its
number two intelligence official to Damascus to, "continue
discussions with Syrian officials regarding Arab reconciliation and
Syrian engagement in Palestinian reconciliation efforts."

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BLOCK QUOTES:
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1) Sa'id Mihayu opines about U.S. policy towards Iran in Al Quds
independent daily under the title, "Ready to Change" (03/30):
"...according to Khomeini nothing in U.S. policy has changed and the
Iranian Government will not be fooled that easily... While President
Obama cannot change the history of the Middle East [and impact of
prior U.S. policies]... it is useful to remember that the longest
journey begins with the first step [Obama's Nowruz message] which,
no matter how small, can contribute to improving U.S.-Islamic
relations and ultimately change the attitudes of Arab and Islamic
countries and make [Islamic leaders] more open to dialogue with
other civilizations."

2) Muafiq Mattar opines in Al-Hayat Al-Jadidia under the title " A
lesson learned" (03/30): "I wonder if Hamas will now start to
seriously think about putting Palestinian interests first, and give

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second priority to its ties to Iran and other regional groups...
[Hamas leader Misha'al's statement that] the World needs Hamas to
end the Arab- Israeli conflict indicates that Hamas now realizes
that the international community will not allow terror to redraw
international and regional borders. This reality will not change
even with if Hamas strengthens its ties to Iran. The statement made
by the Qatari Foreign Minister [not to invite Hamas or Iran to the
Doha summit] shows that Qatar has learned its lesson... national
interests must come first."

WALLES