JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (04/27): PALESTINIAN DIVISION

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SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (04/27): PALESTINIAN DIVISION
REMAINS THE MAIN OBSTACLE

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Main Stories:
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Israeli plans to expand Maale Adumim settlement east of Jerusalem
leads coverage in all dailies. Al-Quds reports that the Israeli
Ministry of Interior has recommended annexing 3,000 acres to the
settlement. Al-Ayyam's lead story highlights that the plan includes
building 6,000 housing units in Maale Adumim. All dailies quote
Palestinian Authority presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaynah
condemning the plan and accusing Israel of, "intentionally
destroying international and American efforts," to move the peace
process forward. Al-Quds and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida run lead photos
showing local and international peace activists near Hebron
protesting the expansion of settlements.

Jordanian King Abdullah's U.S. visit continues to capture front-page
headlines. All dailies highlight remarks by Palestinian Authority
President Mahmud Abbas praising Abdullah's efforts and noting that
the King speaks on behalf of all Arabs and Muslims and that the
"ball is now in the U.S. court," meaning that the U.S. should exert
pressure on Israel regarding the peace process.

Palestinian unity talks in Cairo are front page news in all dailies.
The papers warn that the current round of talks will likely be the
last attempt by all parties to reach agreement on a new Palestinian
Authority (PA) government. Al-Hayat Al-Jadida cites an AFP story
quoting "unnamed Palestinian politicians and observers" commenting
that PA President Abbas will be forced to think of alternatives
should talks fail. Reports suggest that one alternative would be to
task current PA Prime Minister Fayyad to form a new government.

Al-Quds front-pages a report citing "leaked information from senior
American sources" that the U.S. has reiterated to Israel its
insistence on the two-state solution. The report also states that
Special Envoy Mitchell emphasized in his last meeting with Israeli
officials that President Obama, "does not believe in the economic
peace settlement," proposed by Israeli Premier Netanyahu.

Secretary Clinton's visit to Lebanon receives coverage on inside
pages. Citing wire stories, Al-Ayyam and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida
spotlight Clinton's remarks that the U.S. supports "voices of
moderation" in Lebanon and that the U.S. would never sign an
agreement with Syria at the expense of Lebanese interests.

All papers report that Israeli authorities closed crossings and
"imposed a total siege" on the West Bank and Gaza Strip until the
evening of April 29, Israel's Independence Day.

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STORIES FROM THE WEEKEND PRESS
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Sunday, April 26, 2009

Al-Quds' and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida's front pages quoted Nabil Abu
Rudaynah, spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority Presidency,
reacting to statements by Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs
Leiberman rejecting the principle of land for peace. Abu Rudaynah
called the comments, "devastating to the proposals and opportunities
provided by the new American administration. He added that the
Israeli position demands a "clear and serious" international
response, in particular from the United States.

Al Ayyam and Al Hayat Al Jadida front paged news that prisoner

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exchange negotiations between Hamas and Israel have been postponEhQ`?i*^ocruQLable Egyptian source," quoted in both papers,
Israeli officials made it clear to Egypt's Intelligence Chief
Sulayman during his recent visit to Tel-Aviv that, "the issue will
require some time for the [new] Government to look into the issue,
study it, and explore the proposed solutions.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

The dailies reported on remarks by Jordan King Abdullah II of Jordan
at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington
on April 24. Abdullah noted that Israel must choose now whether to
integrate into the region or remain isolated and hold Israel and the
region hostage to on-going confrontations. The King added that the
Arab peace initiative has provided Israel with a plan to take its
place "among its neighbors." Also highlighted was Abdullah's call
on the U.S. to clear up any ambiguity regarding its support for the
establishment of a Palestinian state.

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BLOCK QUOTES:
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1. Talal Ukal of Al-Ayyam writes in "A decision Round, not [more]
talks"(4/27): "Overshadowed by an atmosphere of pessimism, or, in
the best case scenario, cautious optimism, the fourth round of
talks- which could very well be the last in the series of
inter-Palestinian dialogue - is scheduled to start [April 27]... The
atmosphere that preceded this last round was not positive. Division
is deepening and counterproductive actions continue... We see no
indication of any change in the parties' positions... Hillary
Clinton also repeated in her testimony before the House Foreign
Affairs Committee, the usual American position of refusing to deal
with any government that includes Hamas... Such challenges should be
sufficient motivation for all the quarreling parties to forge an
agreement as soon as possible, one that would strengthen them when
confronting these challenges... and protect the Palestinian people's
national interests and goals."


2. Al-Quds publishes an op-ed by Naji Sharab under the title, "No
other solution for the Palestinian problem than ending
division,"(4/27): "The current Palestinian problem is an internal
problem... even though external factors play a significant role...
It must be said that there is no alternative [to resolving the
internal Palestinian crisis] than to end political division and
rebuild the Palestinian political system in order to provide a
framework for political consensus and coexistence."

WALLES