JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (05/12): PALESTINIAN FRUSTRATION

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SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (05/12): PALESTINIAN FRUSTRATION
WITH NETANYAHU'S REFUSAL OF TWO-STATE SOLUTION

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Main Stories:
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Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmud Abbas' remarks about the
formation of a new Palestinian Authority government in the next 48
hours are highlighted on all front pages. The dailies also quote PA
Premier Fayyad stressing that one of the new government's priorities
will be to ensure the success of ongoing national dialogue (unity
talks). Al-Ayyam reports that the PLO has welcomed the move stating
that such a government will not be an obstacle to reaching agreement
on a "national consensus" government. Al-Hayat Al-Jadida quotes
Yassir Abd Rabbo confirming that the new government will be
announced on May 12.

All front pages highlight reports on Abbas' announcement in Ramallah
on May 11 that Fatah's sixth party convention will be held on July
1, "in the homeland," and that it will be attended by more than
1,200 members.

The Pope's visit receives prominent coverage in the local press.
Leading with the story, Al-Quds highlights the Pope's remarks
calling on Israelis and Palestinians to, "coexist in peace." The
dailies also spotlight the Palestinian Authority's welcoming of his
visit to Palestinian areas. Al-Quds quotes Palestinian Chief
Justice of the Shari'a Courts Taysir Tamimi calling on the Pope to
intervene and, "end Palestinian suffering."

Coverage of Israeli Premier Netanyahu's visit to Egypt appears on
all front pages. The articles report that Egypt's President Mubarak
and Netanyahu have "publicly confirmed" their differences concerning
the two-state solution. Al-Ayyam quotes Palestinian Authority
spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaynah calling Netanyahu's remarks in Egypt,
"useless," and not conducive to ending the conflict.

The dailies front-page coverage on the May 11 U.N. Security Council
resolution that passed unanimously in support of the two-state
solution. Al-Hayat Al-Jadida reports that U.N. Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon and U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice have both called on
Israel to end its policies of settlement expansion and home
demolitions.
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BLOCK QUOTES:
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1) Independent Al-Quds editorializes in "Netanyahu Reiterates His
Position in Egypt," (5/12): "During his first visit as Israel's
Premier, Benyamin Netanyahu ... has reiterated his position
regarding a peaceful resolution: He ignored the two-state solution
and instead advocated for a peace based on economic, security and
political concerns. Such a position is a miserable attempt to dodge
the [real] requirements of a solution, those identified by the rest
of the world... It is safe to say that Netanyahu's visit to Egypt-
even noting the absence of [Israeli Foreign Minister] Lieberman- has
contributed nothing to the peace process except for a worsening of
the impasse and even, a move backwards."

2) Under the headline, "The worst is yet to come: What if Netanyahu
utters the two-state solution phrase?" Palestinian commentator
George Jogman writes in independent daily Al-Ayyam (5/12): "Who has
adopted the [two-state solution] plan? President Obama has. His
Secretary of State Clinton, his Chief of Staff Emanuel, and his Vice
President Biden all have. The last two even declared [their
support] for the two-state solution at the Zionist lobby's AIPAC
convention... Such an act has its own important implications. It
indicates that the [two-state solution] has been unanimously adopted

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by the various government institutions of the U.S. It also
indicates that the Zionist lobby itself has accepted [the two-state
solution] and expects Netanyahu to declare his recognition of [the
two-state solution] as well."

WALLES