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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 JERUSALEM 000659 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 (04/13): PALESTINIANS WONDER HOW TO INTERPRET ABBAS PHONE CALL TO NETANYAHU -------------- Main Stories: -------------- 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 JERUSALEM 00000659 002 OF 003 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. -------------- Weekend Stories -------------- 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 JERUSALEM 00000659 003 OF 003 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. -------------- BLOCK QUOTES: -------------- 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