JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (05/20): UNITY TALKS: "USELESS,

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SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (05/20): UNITY TALKS: "USELESS,
ENDLESS DIALOGUE, SHAME ON YOU!"

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Main Stories:
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All dailies lead with the swearing in of the new Palestinian
Authority caretaker government on May 19 in Ramallah. According to
coverage, the new government is comprised of 20 ministers from
Fatah, Fida, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine
and independents. Azzam Al-Ahmad, head of the Fatah parliamentary
block, noted that the block will boycott the new government because
they were not properly consulted during the formation process.
Hamas spokesperson Barhum noted in a press conference on May 19 that
the new government will increase the legal and constitutional chaos
in the Palestinian Territories. All papers run the names and
portfolios of the new ministers.

Al-Ayyam's front page runs separate coverage of comments by
Palestinian Authority Premier Fayyad reassuring that, "the newly
formed government will only serve as a transitional body until
Palestinian factions can agree on a national consensus government to
end the current state of division." Fayyad added that, "the
formation of this government is not meant to hinder Palestinian
national dialogue efforts... we will support Palestinian national
dialogue efforts to reach agreement because our goal is to end the
Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories," according to
coverage.

Al-Quds' front page cites Israeli daily Haaretz in coverage of the
May 18 meeting between President Obama and Israeli Premier Netanyahu
in Washington. According to coverage, Obama announced his intention
to propose a new peace initiative that will actively engage Arab
countries, Israel and the Palestinian Authority. According to the
new initiative, the U.S. will encourage Arab countries to
immediately normalize relations with Israel in exchange for an
Israeli halt to all settlement activities.

Al-Ayyam runs front page coverage citing wires of Secretary
Clinton's May 19 Global press conference. Clinton reiterated that
she has asked Israeli Premier Netanyahu to halt settlement
activities in the Palestinian Territories and added that, "President
Obama was very clear about this." Clinton also reiterated that the
U.S. is serious about the two-state solution, noting that
Palestinians deserve a state. The Secretary also stressed U.S.
commitment to the security of Israel.

Al-Ayyam's front page cites Wafa in reporting on the Palestinian
Authority's call on the U.S. to exert real pressure on Israel to
pursue the two-state solution. Palestinian Authority presidency
spokesperson Abu Rudaynah noted that, "continued, encouraging
statements by the U.S., prove that President Obama is serious about
resolving the conflict in the region." The spokesperson added,
"Obama's statements should now be put into action."

Al-Hayat Al-Jadida front pages and Al-Ayyam runs inside coverage on
a May 19 press conference held at an East Jerusalem protest tent in
the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. Several Palestinian dignitaries
denounced a recent Jerusalem Municipality decision to evict two
Palestinian families from the neighborhood. The speakers at the
press conference voiced their concern that the evictions could be
the first step in an Israeli "scheme" to build 200 "settlement
units" on the debris of demolished Palestinian homes.

In local economic news, inside pages of the dailies report on the
Bank of Palestine opening a new branch on the Birzeit University
campus on May 19. The opening ceremony was attended by the

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University President, Director of the Bank of Palestine and a
representative of the Palestine Monetary Authority. The branch will
facilitate access to banking services for university students and
employees.

Al-Quds' inside page reports on a U.S. Consulate General economic
delegation's visit to Hebron to meet with Hebron Mayor Al-Issili on
May 19. The delegation was briefed about the economic situation in
the Governorate and difficulties caused by checkpoints and other
restrictions on movement, reporting notes.
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BLOCK QUOTES:
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1) Hani Habib opines in Al-Ayyam independent daily under the title,
"Obama's map" (05/20): "Obama's new map[plan] will probably take
into account Israeli interests as understood by the Americans... In
his plan, Obama will ask Arabs to make more concessions...
normalization of relations with Israel before starting negotiations
will be the most significant of these concessions, in contrast to
the Arab Peace Initiative which calls for normalization after
successful peace negotiations,...Obama's plan will seek to convince
the Islamic world to become a partner in the process, and that, in
order to become a partner, it must first normalize relations with
Israel... Obama, who seemed at first to be very excited about the
Arab Peace Initiative, as was his Secretary, has now ignored it
completely, at least in public statements!"

2) Hatim Abu Shaban, Palestinian Legislative Council member opines
in Al-Quds independent daily under the tile, "Useless, endless
dialogue, shame on you!"(05/20): "One question should be asked
here, if the next dialogue session in July fails, what would is the
destiny of the Palestinian people in Gaza? And the Palestinian
cause, will we then resort to another war to destroy what is left of
Gaza so that factions can finally draw the proper lesson? ... Don't
you [Palestinian factions] realize that your people are fed up with
this division and with your endless arguments? You should be more
responsible, think about the national interest not your own
interests. You should reach an agreement before it's too late."

WALLES