JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (06/08): PALESTINIANS: WAITING

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SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (06/08): PALESTINIANS: WAITING
FOR THE U.S. TO TURN WORDS INTO ACTION

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Main Stories:
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Al-Hayat Al-Jadida and Al-Quds lead with news about increased
tensions between Israel and the U.S. over American calls for a
complete halt to settlement activities and Israeli acceptance of the
two-state solution. Al-Hayat Al-Jadida cites AFP reporting about a
policy speech to be given by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu next
week, noting that Netanyahu told press on June 7 that, "I want to
state clearly that we want to reach a peace settlement with the
Palestinians and Arab countries. My goal is to reach a permanent
peace that is based on solid foundations for Israel and its people."
In related reporting, Al-Ayyam runs front page coverage citing AFP
and DPA about Israeli Defense Minister Barak's June 7 call on Israel
to accept the two-state solution as outlined in the Roadmap.
Finally, Al-Quds front page cites DPA in reporting that Kadima
opposition party leader Tzipi Livni noting on June 7 that,
"Netanyahu's rejection of the two-state solution may result in
decreased U.S. support for Israel."

Al-Ayyam runs front page coverage citing Wafa on Palestinian
Authority Presidency spokesman Abu Rudaynah's reaction to the
Israeli Prime Minister's upcoming policy speech. Abu Rudaynah told
press that the requirements for peace are clear: Commitment to the
two-state solution, halting settlement activities and abiding by the
Roadmap. Abu Rudaynah stressed that, "Israel should pursue these
requirements immediately without wasting time," according to
reporting.

Al-Hayat Al-Jadida and Al-Ayyam run front page coverage citing AFP
on statements by Saudi King Abdullah on June 7 stressing that Arab
countries can no longer be patient with the continuing
Palestinian-Israeli conflict and urging President Obama to, "impose
the solution if need be."

Al-Ayyam runs front page wire coverage of the June 7 meeting between
Egyptian Intelligence Chief Sulayman and a Fatah delegation to the
Palestinian unity talks in Cairo. Sulayman told press that, "ending
the state of division between the Palestinians has become a vital
need which will support the Palestinian people's push to advance the
peace process and establish a Palestinian state." Fatah
Parliamentary block Head Al-Ahmad noted that, "Egypt has pledged to
pursue contact with all concerned parties to achieve this vision,"
according to coverage. The reporting followed on weekend headlines
about, "Egypt seeks to save the national dialogue - Palestinian
factions warn of repercussions from the recent [Qalqiliyah]
incidents."

Al-Quds runs front page coverage of Secretary Clinton's ABC TV
interview. The coverage highlights Clinton's remarks that President
Obama has focused on Middle East issues from the start of his
tenure, while also supporting the security needs of Israel.
Clinton's statement that the "legitimate demands" of the Palestinian
people should be met is also highlighted in coverage.

Al-Quds cites DPA in front page reporting on the Jerusalem
Municipality issuing 13 demolition orders on June 7 for apartments
in East Jerusalem's Bayt Hanina neighborhood. The orders cite the
lack of appropriate construction permits, according to coverage.

Al-Hayat Al-Jadida and Al-Ayyam front page news of Palestinian
Authority Premier Fayyad's June 7 meeting with the Norwegian Foreign
Minister in Oslo. Fayyad called on the international community to
provide international support to Palestinians and end Israeli

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restrictions on Palestinian movement in the Palestinian Territories
thereby strengthening the Palestinian economy.

Al-Ayyam leads with and Al-Quds and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida run factual
front page coverage of early results of the Lebanese parliamentary
elections.

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Weekend stories:
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Sunday June 7:

All front pages headlined, "Obama and Sarkozy: Serious and
constructive peace talks should lead to the establishment of two
states - It's in Israel's interest to solve the crisis peacefully,
while Palestinians should renounce violence and incitement."
Coverage stressed that Presidents Obama and Sarkozy were in full
agreement on many international issues when speaking during the
joint press conference following their one-hour meeting on June 6.
President Obama stressed the importance of breaking the stalemate in
the Middle East peace process and called on all parties to realize
that their fates are closely interconnected. Coverage also noted
that the European Union might impose restrictions on Israeli
settlement products to add to growing U.S. pressure on Israel
regarding settlement activities.

All papers front paged comments by "official Israeli sources" that
Israel will have no choice but to accept the two-state solution and
the Roadmap, but should also insist on Israel's right to natural
growth in settlements. Noting that the comments come, "on the eve
of" Special Envoy George Mitchell's visit to the region, reporting
added that the sources said that it would be better for Israel to
quickly announce its support for the Roadmap to ease American
pressure regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state in the
context of another plan.

Saturday June 6:

All front pages reported that, "Obama and Merkel stress the
two-state solution- Palestinians and Israelis are asked to make
'difficult choices' and resume negotiations." The papers reported
extensively on remarks made by the two leaders during their joint
press conference on June 5. Coverage also noted, "signs of
disagreement and tension" emerging between Israel and President
Obama over settlements and the two-state solution.

All front pages reported that Secretary Clinton confirmed that there
is no evidence of any agreement, informal or otherwise between
Israel and the Bush administration about U.S. approval for natural
growth in Israeli settlements. Separate front page reporting in Al
Ayyam announced that a "well-informed source" revealed that the U.S.
is working on a plan to move the regional peace process forward.
According to reporting, "early features" of the plan, which includes
two-states for Israel and Palestine, might be discernable next
month.

Front pages also reported on the killing and wounding of
Palestinians during the weekly "anti-wall" protests in Bil'in and
Nil'in villages in the West Bank. According to coverage, Bil'in
protestors carried signs calling for a halt to Israeli settlement
activities and calling on President Obama to, "move from words to
action." Reporting also carried comments by Palestinian Authority
advisor for Jerusalem Affairs Abdil Qader calling on Palestinians to
participate in large numbers at protest events. Qader stressed that

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Palestinians will use all legal, political, and citizen-activist
means possible to "foil" Israeli plans to expand the Jerusalem area
Ma'ale Adumim settlement by annexing the nearby Kidar settlement.

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BLOCK QUOTES:
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1) Talal Okal opines in Al-Ayyam independent daily under the title,
"Obama is not a priest" (06/08): "What is different about Obama's
speech is that he did not refer to Hamas as a terrorist party, as if
to offer it a second chance to join the [legitimate] political
process... this is similar to the offer that Obama has made to Iran.
Hamas must now respond in an appropriate way that will keep the
President enthusiastic about further change."

2) Al-Quds independent daily runs an editorial under the title,
"Unlimited right-wing greed"(06/08): "Now that Obama has pinpointed
the exact illness [Israeli settlement expansion], he should exert
tremendous pressure on the greedy Israeli right-wing that is
targeting all of the Palestinian Territories in an effort to
transform them into settlements. Then Obama's words and promises
will become reality."

WALLES