ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

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SUBJECT: ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

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SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS REPORT:
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1. Mideast


2. Iran

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Key stories in the media:
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Israel Radio quoted Deputy State Department Spokesman Robert Wood as
saying yesterday: QNo one is asking Israel to act outside its
national security interests. What weQre asking both parties to do
is to fulfill the Roadmap obligations. Both sides have committed to
do that. We are working with the parties to try to help them fulfill
those commitments.Q Wood was responding to a reporterQs question
regarding a statement by Deputy Israeli PM Dan Meridor (Likud) that
U.S. calls for a freeze on West Bank settlement construction run
counter to past agreement between the two nations and could
undermine the U.S. credibility. (The Jerusalem Post quoted Likud
cabinet minister Dan Meridor as saying yesterday that the U.S. must
honor its deal with Israel on the settlement issue.) The Jerusalem
Post and Israel Radio also quoted Wood as saying in response to a
question whether the U.S. would be ready to exert some financial
pressures on Israel to convince the government to stop settlements:
QItQs premature to talk about that. What weQre trying to do, as I
said, right now is to create an environment which makes it conducive
for talks to go forward. And as I said, Senator Mitchell is working
very hard on this. And what we all need to do in the international
community is support this effort, and that means Americans, that
means Arabs and Israelis, to do what they can to kind of foster a
climate in which the two sides can come together and negotiate their
differences peacefully so that we can get to that two-state
solution.Q Speaking on Israel Radio this morning, Housing and
Construction Minister Ariel Atias (Shas) said that all public
construction in East Jerusalem has been frozen since the Netanyahu
government was sworn in. Atias said that no democratic nation
intervenes in private construction anywhere. He stated that such
building continues in East Jerusalem, but that it is not connected
to government policy. Israel Radio quoted incoming Israeli
Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren as saying that the argument
between the U.S. and Israel will end soon.
E
Major media reported that senior White House adviser Dennis Ross
will join the list of top U.S. officials travelling to Israel next
week, a step that The Jerusalem Post said was interpreted positively
in Jerusalem as an attempt by the Obama administration to engage
more constructively with Israel.

Israel Hayom and HaQaretz reported that Sweden Q which currently
holds the rotating presidency of the EU -- France, Russia, and other
international bodies, have added their voices to the demand that
Israel freeze Jewish construction in East Jerusalem.

Yediot quoted diplomatic sources in Jerusalem as saying that the
U.S. administration is inclined to act in the Middle East on three
tracks in parallel: The Syrian-Israeli track, the
Palestinian-Israeli track, and the Lebanese-Israeli track. (Details
in QBlock QuotesQ below.)

Maariv reported that the PA has conveyed to President Obama its
demand that Israel dismantle the West Bank security fence. The
Palestinians justified their claim by pointing to the quiet that has
prevailed in the territories over the past two years.

Leading media reported that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
warned Iran that Washington is ready to boost the defense
capabilities of regional U.S. allies if Tehran does not back away
from its nuclear program. The Secretary was quoted as saying that
"we will still hold the door open" to engagement with Iran but that
"the nuclear clock is ticking", adding that Iran's neighbors are the
most concerned about events. Clinton was speaking on Thailand's
Nation TV. She said Washington was also prepared to "upgrade the
defense of our partners in the region," adding that Iran must
understand it will not be safer "if the United States extends a
defense umbrella in the region."

HaQaretz reported that Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Mashal
told a Russian diplomat a few days ago that his group would not
stand in the way of a peace deal brokered between PA President
Mahmoud Abbas and Israel. The newspaper reported that Israeli
officials have expressed skepticism about MashalQs reported
comments. The Jerusalem Post cited military assessments that Hamas
has lowered its profile in the West Bank out of fear its men will be
captured by the PA and the IDF, and that it is operating a number of
terrorist cells in every major city that are completely
compartmentalized to ensure survival.
Speaking on Israel Radio this morning, Minister-without-Portfolio
Benny Begin (Likud) said that TurkeyQs mediation between Israel and
Syria has lost its value following SyriaQs rapprochement with
Turkey.

HaQaretz reported that the police's Shai District, which is
responsible for the West Bank, has set up a special dedicated
command to handle preparations for a large-scale evacuation of
illegal settler outposts. The new unit will be headed by Brig. Gen.
Amitai Levy, commander of the Border Police forces in the West Bank.
It will follow the model of the special commands set up in Gaza and
the northern West Bank prior to the evacuation of settlements there
during the 2005 disengagement. Though the command was set up by the
police, all police operations in the West Bank are formally under
the authority of the IDF. Therefore once the government gives the
order for preparations to start, any IDF units involved in the
evacuations will presumably be attached to the command.

Israel Hayom and Israel Radio reported that Education Minister
Gideon SaQar has ordered the removal of references to the
Palestinian QNakbaQ from textbooks for Israeli Arab students.
Former education minister Yuli Tamir (Labor) had approved the
insertion of such citations.

Maariv reported that yesterday the Gazan doctor whose three
daughters were accidentally killed by the IDF during Operation Cast
Lead emigrated to Canada.

The Jerusalem Post reported that yesterday the IDF denied a report
that it plans to remove 23 illegal outposts in one day.

HaQaretz reported that Elad, the nonprofit organization that runs
the City of David in East Jerusalem and also works to settle Jews in
that area, has asked the Jerusalem municipality to approve four new
construction projects there. The city is considered unlikely to say
no. Given the recent international uproar over Jewish construction
in East Jerusalem, these projects, all located in the Silwan
neighborhood, are likely to add fuel to the flames. They are also
likely to infuriate Palestinians, given that demolition orders were
recently issued to dozens of Palestinian houses not far away. Elad
is seeking to build several apartment buildings, a 100-car-capacity
parking lot, a synagogue, a kindergarten, roads, and additional
tourism infrastructure. The municipality's planning and building
council is slated to discuss the applications in the coming months.
HaQaretz also reported that Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has withdrawn
his municipal master plan following mounting pressure from
right-wing activists and council members. The move comes after
Barkat had previously authorized the plans.

Leading media reported that the militar prosecution plans to render
charges against thelieutenant-colonel and staff-sergeant involved
i a NaQalin shooting incident more serious. The ID soldier was
documented firing a rubber bullet atbound, blindfolded Palestinian
in July. The twowere originally charged with conduct unbecoming,but IDF Judge
Advocate General Brig.-Gen. Avi Mandlblit has decided
to add threat to the charges aainst Lt. Col. Omri Burberg and
illegal use of a weapon to the charges against the soldier under his
command.

Citing a State Department-issued document it received, HaQaretz
reported that the U.S. has asked 10 uranium-rich countries that
produce yellowcake to tighten their monitoring of sales of the
mineral to Iran. The move is reportedly based on an American
estimate that Iran's uranium reserves will run out by 2010.

Yediot reported that data kept in the Interior MinistryQs computers
are unguarded, making it more difficult for the state to establish
biometric records.

The Jerusalem PostQs social column reported on Continental Airlines
celebration of its 75th anniversary along with the 10th anniversary
of its New York-Tel Aviv route at the U.S. AmbassadorQs residence.










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1. Mideast:
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Block Quotes:
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I. "Plan for Progress on Three Tracks"

Associate diplomatic correspondent Itamar Eichner and correspondent
Yossi Yehoshua wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot
Aharonot (7/22): Q[Diplomatic sources in Jerusalem say that] the
U.S. administration is inclined to act in the Middle East on three
tracks in parallel: The Syrian-Israeli track, the
Palestinian-Israeli track and the Lebanese-Israeli track.... One of
the tracks in which the Americans wish to act is the
Lebanese-Israeli track. In their assessment, it is possible to
reach an agreement in this track quickly, since there are Qno real
disputesQ between the two countries.... As for the Palestinian
track-according to information that has reached Jerusalem, the U.S.
administration conveyed sharp messages to the PA over to its refusal
to meet with Israelis and promote projects. The Americans notified
the Palestinians that it was unacceptable for [the Palestinians] to
pose conditions for renewing the dialogue with Israel. Information
that has reached Israel indicates that the Americans intend to
restart the peace process by an international conference, whose
format has not yet been agreed on. They are considering inviting
leaders of Arab states to this conference, and perhaps leaders of
Islamic states as well. The Americans are pressuring the moderate
Arab states to make gestures towards Israel in the area of
normalization, so as to make it easier for Israel to be flexible on
the settlement issue. Until now, however, the Arab states have
shown little willingness to accommodate Israel. This is the reason
that President Obama said in his meeting with Jewish leaders that
the Arab state leaders lacked courage. However, the Americans are
not only disappointed with the Arabs, but also with Israel.... And
while there is tension in the political realm between Israel and the
U.S., in the military realm cooperation is continuing and being
strengthened between the IDF and the U.S. military.
II. "Evacuate without Fear"

The independent, left-leaning HaQaretz editorialized (7/22):
QThreats by the settlers and those on the extreme right to take
vigorous action against the evacuation plans are nothing new, and
the political and military challenge posed by the evacuation of the
outposts is known. The Israel Defense Forces is accustomed to this.
However, this must not dissuade the government from carrying out
its intentions. It must set boundaries against lawbreakers --
immediately, without compromise and with no conditions -- and
instruct the IDF to evacuate the outposts.

III. "Deceiving Ourselves"
Uri Savir, Oslo Accords architect and President of the Peres Center
for Peace, wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot
(7/22): QIn talks with President ObamaQs representatives, it is time
for us to be honest with our neighbors, our allies, and mainly with
ourselves, with regard to continuing the settlement policy. Here is
what I propose on this matter: First of all, construction will only
be completed in authorized housing units, for which infrastructure
has already been set up. As for natural growth, only public
construction (kindergartens and schools) will be permitted, and this
too will only be within the built-up area (mainly high-rise
construction). Secondly, the government will start internal
preparations for creating settlement blocs that will enable a final
status arrangement and a permanent border with a land swap. The
settlement issue is not a matter of how many houses will be built in
one settlement or another. It is a strategic issue, which will also
decide our ability to coordinate with the United States and the
possibility of making peace with a demilitarized Palestinian
state.

IV. "Of Truth and a Certain Lie"

Zalman Shoval, a senior Likud member and former ambassador to the
U.S., wrote in the independent Israel Hayom (7/22): QOver the
weekend, two articles worthy of note were published in the
Washington Post -- one by former prime minister Ehud Olmert, and the
other by the Crown Prince of Bahrain. Presumably, the timing was
not accidental. Both were aimed at influencing the discussions and
events in the Obama administrationQs attempts to cast a new mold for
the diplomatic processes in the Middle East. Olmert is worthy of
praise. In fact, he is backing the government in the debate with
the U.S. on the matter of construction in the settlements. The main
points that Olmert raised dealt with the relationship between the
U.S. and Israel (as opposed to its relationship with the Arab and
Muslim world),which is based on interests, but equally on a true
moral partnership of freedom and democracy. Therefore, both sides
should be careful not to be harmed.... Conversely, the article
written by Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa of Bahrain is a horse
of a different color. Whether it was written by the crown prince
himself or someone elseQit is a psycho-political effort aimed at
deceiving the naove reader. According to the article, we face an
opportunity for ideal peace between Jews and Arabs, and only a few
ostensibly minor affairs are preventing it from being achieved. To
demonstrate objectivity and openness, al-Khalifa admits that there
is need for Qfresh thinkingQ and that the Arab side has Qnot done
enough to communicate directly with the people of Israel,Q but his
true intention is clear. He did not speak about having the Arab
side initiate, for example, reciprocal visits between Israelis and
Arab citizens and leaders, did not deal with cultural exchanges or
stopping the horrific anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic propaganda in
the Arab media -- and certainly did not mention willingness to
recognize Israel as the state of the Jewish people. What al-Khalifa
asked for was a direct appeal to the Israeli public, over the head
of the elected government, by means of part of the media or various
left wing organizations. Here are two articles that attest to the
diplomatic situation: One aims towards the truth -- and the other
ignores it.


V. QObamaQs Calculations Were Wrong

Amnon Lord, Editor-in-Chief of the nationalist, Orthodox Makor
Rishon-Hatzofe, wrote in the conservative, independent Jerusalem
Post (7/22): QThe way Obama fixed upon Israel as an ugly vehicle for
rapprochement with the Muslim world was simply too transparent.
Thus Obama, who initially was much admired by many in Israel, has
failed in his attempt to create a political crisis here and instead
reaped a harvest of hatred. These days he is despised in Israel,
with his lack of moral fiber regarding Iran and the elections putsch
there adding fuel to the fire. Both his policy toward Iran and that
regarding Israel have exposed U.S. weaknesses. One outcome now
emerging is a rapprochement between Israel and Egypt. Both
countries are concerned about sharing a border with an Islamist
fundamentalist regime in Gaza; both feel threatened by Iran; and
both are disturbed by the destabilizing effect of Obama's
initiatives in the region and elsewhere. Thus one positive outcome
of the developments of the past couple of months is Egypt and Israel
hugging each other tightly in the dark.

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2. Iran:
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Block Quotes:
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"Robert McNamaraQs Legacy"

Senior military affairs analyst Reuven Pedatzur wrote in the
independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz (7/22): QWhat relevance does [the
late U.S. Defense Secretary Robert] McNamara's legacy hold for us?
If Iran attains nuclear weapons, the cost of a strike by these
weapons penetrating Israeli defenses would be even more intolerable
than in the American case. There will therefore be no choice but to
base our policy against the Iranian threat on deterrence instead of
defense. We will also have to learn from the American case how to
attain stable deterrence and prevent a mistake that would lead to
undesired launches. Iran does not know Israel, but (if foreign
reports are true about Israel's nuclear capability),from the moment
the nuclear threat is mutual, it will be in Iran's interest to
prevent nuclear war from breaking out accidently. They will
understand that the cost of such a war would be intolerable. Mutual
deterrence and mutually assured destruction would be the basis for
strategic balance between Israel and a nuclear Iran. Following
McNamara's death, one of his most important diagnoses should be
adopted: QNuclear weapons serve no military purposes whatsoever.
They are totally useless -- except only to deter one's opponent
from using them.

CUNNINGHAM