JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (04/22): PALESTINIANS EXPRESS

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STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM
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TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAL KWBG KPAO IS
SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (04/22): PALESTINIANS EXPRESS
SUPPORT FOR LAW AND ORDER EFFORTS

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Main Stories:
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All dailies lead with reporting and pictures of President Obama's
meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah in Washington on April 21.
According to coverage, the two leaders expressed serious commitment
to achieving peace and stability in the Middle East including ending
the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Obama noted that he is committed
to the two-state solution and to a comprehensive peace in the Middle
East and added that the next few months will witness some positive
changes and good faith initiatives regarding the Palestinian
-Israeli conflict. President Obama stressed the importance of
bilateral talks between Israel and Palestinians, noting that there
must be a clear timeframe for talks that should yield tangible
results on the ground, the papers report. Reporting further notes
that Obama will support the Arab Peace Initiative. King Abdullah
noted that he will do everything he can to help Obama achieve
regional peace and stability, reporting concludes.

All front pages report, citing DPA, that Obama will invite
Palestinian Authority President Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister
Netanyahu and Egyptian President Mubarak for separate talks in the
U.S. at an unspecified time in the future. In related coverage, Al
Quds runs an inside political cartoon showing Obama holding a dove
in one hand, labeled "Arab Peace Process," and waiving with his
other hand dismissively at Israeli Premier Netanyahu who is
chanting, "economic peace."

Al-Hayat Al-Jadida runs front page coverage on April 22 visit of
Egyptian Intelligence Chief Sulayman to Israel. Sulayman will
discuss a number of issues related to the Palestinian -Israeli
conflict, the situation in Gaza and particularly, the status of the
prisoner-exchange deal involving the release of captured Israeli
soldier Shalit. Sulyman is expected to meet with Prime Minister
Netanyahu and Defense Minister Barak, the paper notes.

All dailies front page coverage, citing AFP, of six Norwegian
lawyers filing a suit in Norwegian courts against senior Israeli
officials for war crimes and other human rights abuses allegedly
committed during the recent conflict in Gaza. The suit names former
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Defense Minister Barak and seven other
senior military officers, according to coverage.

All front pages report on the April 21 visit of Palestinian
Authority (PA) President Abbas to the United Arab Emirates(UAE)
where he met with senior officials and discussed the impact of
Special Envoy Mitchell's recent visit. In related news, Al-Quds
runs a front page story citing DPA about the purpose of Abbas' visit
to the UAE, which is to request financial assistance to the PA since
donor countries have not met pledges for assistance in March and
April. The buget shortfall is delaying payment of PA employeesalaries, according to coverage.

Al Hayat Al-Jaida front page and inside pages of Al-Quds and
A-Ayyam run reports on Palestinian Authority (PA) Premier Fayyad
receiving the Brazilian Minister of griculture and a French
delegation in Ramallah o April 21. In meetings, Fayyad noted that
"contnued, severe" Israeli measures [home demolitions, ettlements,
restrictions on movement] will only strengthen Palestinian resolve
to end Israeli occuation and establish an independent state.

All dilies report on inside pages that Palestinian Authority
Minister of Religious Affairs Bawatna met with a delegation from the
U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem on April 21. Bawatna expressed

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his great appreciation for U.S. support to the Palestinian
Authority, according to coverage.

In cultural news, all dailies report on the concert tour by a Cajun
band that was sponsored by the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem.
Coverage notes that the group played concerts and gave workshops in
Jerusalem and throughout the West Bank. In related news, Al-Hayat
Al-Jadida and Al-Ayyam run inside stories on an April 21 visit to
Jenin by a delegation from the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem.
The "cultural affairs" delegation visited Arab American University
in Jenin to "explore opportunities for mutual cooperation,"
according to coverage.

In economic news, all dailies report on USAID West Bank and Gaza
Mission Director Sumka's trip to Hebron on April 21 where he visited
a number of USAID funded projects and met with the Hebron Mayor and
Businessmen Forum to explore support to economic growth efforts in
the district. --------------
BLOCK QUOTES:
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1) Radwan Sayyid opines in Al-Quds independent daily under the
title, "Israelis, Arabs and future peace talks"(04/22): "After U.S.
Envoy Mitchell's repeated visits to the region to pave the way for
peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians... Israel began to
realize that it has no choice but to pursue peace talks...
especially since the U.S. position has changed with coming of
Obama's era, [Obama] is in favor of a comprehensive peace based on
the two-state solution..."

2) Regular columnist Hamada Faranah opines in Al-Ayyam daily
y
independent under the title, "Rejecting the attack on [Hamas]PLC
member Bitawi" (04/22): "Any attack committed by Palestinians
against [any] Palestinian Legislative Council members is not
acceptable... particularly since Palestinian Security Forces are
working hard to maintain and promote law and order in the
Palestinian Territories... The Palestinian people have suffered
enough at the hands of Israel, we should not also be harming
ourselves."

WALLES