JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (04/13): PALESTINIANS WONDER HOW

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SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (04/13): PALESTINIANS WONDER HOW
TO INTERPRET ABBAS PHONE CALL TO NETANYAHU

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Main Stories:
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Al-Quds leads with and Al-Ayyam front pages news on plans for
Fatah's sixth party conference, the first conference to be held in
20 years. The report quotes senior Fatah official Quray announcing
that related documents are ready and the preparatory committee will
meet next week to finalize details including the date and venue.
The report further notes that Quray favors a venue in Egypt, while
Fatah leader Abu Najjah announced that Egypt has declined acting as
host, stating that a Palestinian Territory venue is preferable,
according to coverage.

Al-Quds front pages news citing AFP about the upcoming visit of
Jordan's King Abdullah to the U.S. to meet with President Obama and
senior officials on April 21. According to coverage, the visit will
be the first by an Arab leader since Obama took office and
discussions will focus on bilateral relations, regional Middle East
peace and the two-state solution for the Palestinian-Israeli
conflict. According to Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, King Abdullah will call
on the U.S. to exert more pressure on Israel to accept the Arab
Peace Initiative and two-state solution. King Abdullah will also
convey Arab commitment to the Initiative and concerns of Arab
parties including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and
the Palestinian Authority over the future of the regional peace
process under the Netanyahu Government. According to April 12
reporting in all dailies, the Arab parties' Foreign Ministers met on
April 11 and drafted with the Secretary General of the Arab League,
a two-page peace message in English to be delivered by Abdallah to
Obama.

Al-Ayyam and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida lead with and Al-Quds front pages
Palestinian Authority (PA) President Abbas' meeting with Saudi King
Abdullah in Riyadh on April 12. The meeting focused on the
political situation in the Palestinian Territories and efforts
towards regional peace and stability, reporting notes. The two
leaders expressed disappointment over Israeli rejection of the
two-state solution and previously signed agreements. The meeting
was also attended by Palestinian Authority Premier Fayyad and the
Saudi Foreign Minister, reporting concludes.

All front pages report that Palestinian Authority President Abbas
telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to congratulate him on
Passover. According to reports, Netanyahu expressed his readiness
to "cooperate" on the peace process and negotiations with the
Palestinians. Abbas noted that the two parties must work together
to move the peace process forward. Coverage notes further that
while a communiqu was released by Netanyahu's office describing the
phone call as "positive," it did not make reference to any future
meetings between the two leaders. The communiqu also highlighted
that Netanyahu reminded Abbas of the substantial history of
cooperation between the Palestinian and Israeli leadership,
including bilateral talks.

All dailies run front page coverage of 50 Israeli settlers again
"breaking into" the Al-Aqsa mosque compound on April 12. The
settlers, according to coverage, entered the compound without the
usual Israeli police protection. According to Palestinian
officials, these continuous "violations' of the compound are
"serious provocations" to Muslims, reporting notes.

Al-Quds front pages and Al-Hayat and Al-Ayyam run inside coverage of
Easter celebrations held in Jerusalem and Bethlehem despite,
"intense Israeli restrictions." In related news, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida

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cites a wire report about the Pope calling on Palestinians and
Israelis to intensify peace efforts and end the conflict.

In economic news, Al-Hayat Al Jadida's front page and an inside page
of Al-Ayyam report that the Bank of Palestine is expanding to better
serve the Palestinian public. According to coverage, the Bank
opened a new branch in Nablus city on April 12 during a ceremony
attended by Palestinian Authority Minister of National Economy
Hassunah and Palestinian Monetary Authority Governor Al-Wazir.

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Weekend Stories
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Sunday, April 12, 2009
All dailies ran front page coverage of statements by the PLO
Executive Committee that Palestinian unity talks should continue
despite, "all the obstacles" and stressed the importance of Egypt
continuing its role as sponsor of the talks. Meanwhile, in a
separate front page article, Al Quds reported that Hamas told press
that Egypt has proposed the formation of an ad hoc committee to
overcome the current impasse in talks. Other "independent figures"
announced that they were discussing ideas to bridge the gap between
Hamas and Fatah regarding whether a future Palestinian government
would "comply" or "respect" PLO agreements, reporting concluded.

All front pages reported on a public demonstration against Jerusalem
municipality demolitions of Palestinian homes. The demonstration
took place in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Al Bustan on April
11 where "local groups" told press that continued demolitions could
cause, "the situation in occupied Jerusalem and the Palestinian
Territories to explode." Local speakers also denounced the
international community for limiting its reactions to statements of
condemnations and stressed the need for serious steps to end the
occupation. Other locals called for a boycott of Israeli products.
In separate reporting, Al Quds' front page noted concern over the
Israeli Archeology Authority's plans for a "national project to
preserve the stone-work of the Western Wall," a wall shared with the
Al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem. Islamic Waqf Council Head
Salhab noted that only the Waqf has authority to approve renovations
since, the "Al Buraq Wall" is an integral part of the Al Aqsa
mosque.

Saturday, April 11, 2009
According to Al Ayyam's front page, "Obama asks for $800 million in
financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority and for
humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip." Reporting noted that
the sum is part of a $83.4 billion request to Congress that includes
funding for "military efforts" in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Chief PLO negotiator Erekat confirmed that Palestinian Authority
President Abbas has attached pre-conditions to any resumption of
peace negotiations with Israel, namely Israeli Government acceptance
of previous agreements and a freeze of settlement activities.
Erekat highlighted that the Road Map Plan, "contains clear
provisions regarding ending occupation and the establishment of a
Palestinian state." The coverage appeared on the front pages of Al
Hayat Al Jadida and Al Ayyam.

All front pages noted the injury of a pregnant Palestinian in
Israeli "settler attacks in Hebron." According to coverage, the
attacks occurred near the Carmiel settlement that is, "built on
lands confiscated east of Yatta village." The injured included
Palestinian farmers and shepherds, reports noted. Papers also
reported on 200 settlers from Bayt Ayn settlement north of Hebron

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praying on the lands of the Palestinian Safa enclave in Bayt Ummar,
an act viewed as "provocative" by Palestinian residents, papers
reported. Finally, papers reported on additional injuries in the
weekly anti-separation barrier protests in the Palestinian villages
of Al Masa'ra, Ni'lin, and Bil'in.
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BLOCK QUOTES:
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1) Omar Al-Ghul opines in official daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida under
the title, "how should we interpret Abbas' congratulating
Netanyahu?"(04/13): "Palestinian Authority President Abbas took the
initiative and congratulated Prime Minister Netanyahu on forming the
Government and Passover, an act that was nothing more than a
courteous gesture... The call should not be given more importance
than it deserves, as some politicians are trying to do, especially
since the two leaders did not agree on a time to meet nor has the
Palestinian official position on negotiations with Israel
changed... Perhaps it would change if the Israeli Government would
revisit its policies. Only then could negotiations be
re-launched."

2) Regular columnist Adil Malik opines in Al-Quds independent daily
under the title, "How would Iran react to U.S. openness to
dialogue?"(04/13): "Obama seemed very confident when he expressed
U.S. openness to dialogue with Iran and when he expressed his
willingness to use all means necessary to reach an understanding
with Iran regarding its nuclear program... This is probably the
first time that Iran has welcomed such an offer... Iran will be
making a mistake if it lets this opportunity go by, especially since
the U.S. perceives of Iran as crucial to containing U.S. losses in
Iraq and Afghanistan."

WALLES