ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 000308 STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM NSC FOR NEA STAFF SECDEF WASHDC FOR USDP/ASD-PA/ASD-ISA HQ USAF FOR XOXX DA WASHDC FOR SASA JOINT STAFF WASHDC FOR PA CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL FOR POLAD/USIA ADVISOR COMSOCEUR VAIHINGEN GE FOR PAO/POLAD COMSIXTHFLT FOR 019 JERUSALEM ALSO ICD LONDON ALSO FOR HKANONA AND POL PARIS ALSO FOR POL ROME FOR MFO SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR IS SUBJECT: ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION -------------- SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS REPORT: -------------- ¶1. Israeli Elections ¶2. Iran ¶3. Mideast -------------- Key stories in the media: -------------- The Jerusalem Post reported that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced yesterday that U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell will return to the region at the end of the month. Israel Radio quoted a senior Israeli diplomatic source as saying that Israel might attack Hamas despite the current calm. The radio said that Hamas is signaling that there will be no cease-fire this week. HaQaretzQs web site and Israel Radio quoted Hamas official Salah Bardawil as saying in an interview with the Palestinian News Agency Ma'an that his movement would be ready for a prisoner exchange with Israel starting Thursday. Bardawil said that Israel has offered to allow in 75 percent of the goods it currently bans from entering Gaza in exchange for the release of Gilad Shalit. The remaining 25 percent are goods Israel says could be used to make weapons. Israel Radio reported that Israel is concerned that Hamas might let concrete and iron into Gaza. HaQaretz reported that Bardawil added that Hamas would, as part of a cease-fire, agree to stop firing projectiles into Israel, and said Hamas had asked for Egypt's help in convincing other factions to show restraint. Maariv and other media reported that senior Hamas official fled to El-Arish in the Sinai, which might influence HamasQs contacts with Egypt. Maariv quoted the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram as saying that Israel has asked Egypt for a demilitarized 500-meter-wide zone around Gaza. The media reported that yesterday the IAF hit Hamas targets throughout the Gaza Strip after the Grad rocket strike in Ashkelon. The Jerusalem Post reported that yesterday Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned Hamas that Israel will QcrushQ and QsmashQ it if it continues to fire rockets on southern Israel. HaQaretz, Israel Hayom, and The Jerusalem Post reported that DM Barak warned yesterday that if Syria gives Hizbullah weaponry it would change the current balance of power and Israel would have to take action. Barak, who was touring the northern border, declined to specify which types of weaponry he meant. In the past, however, Israeli officials have cited sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles as one such weapon. "I want to say, here on the border, that I advise Hizbullah not to test us," Barak said. "And I want to tell the government of Lebanon that we see it as responsible, especially since Hizbullah sits at the cabinet table in Beirut." The Jerusalem Post quoted Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Gilad, who heads the Defense MinistryQs Diplomatic-Security Bureau, as saying that a military confrontation with Syria is likely to occur in the near future. HaQaretz reported that the Obama administration is considering announcing the appointment of a new ambassador to Syria soon, the first since the U.S lowered the status of its Damascus envoy four years ago. The newspaper quoted a senior European diplomat as saying that the U.S. administration was interested in using the appointment of an ambassador as a "confidence-building measure" as part of a framework to warm up the dialogue between the countries. A senior American diplomat was quoted as saying that the State Department and the National Security Council have discussed changing the United StatesQ policy toward Syria, saying there has been a change in Washington's approach to Syria, though no final decision has been made. The diplomat did say that such a decision was expected soon. The Jerusalem Post reported that, in a briefing for the newspaper, Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed the hope that President Obama will limit his engagement with Iran to a set time and insist on a final outcome of dismantling its nuclear program. Netanyahu noted that his "positive" meetings with Obama in Washington and Jerusalem had been mostly devoted to the Iranian issue. He said that when Obama told him he wanted to engage Tehran, he told the president that the way Iran's nuclearization would be stopped was less important than the result. Yediot reported that the West and Israel view the launching of an Iranian satellite this week as dangerous escalation. Leading media quoted Acting State Department Spokesman Robert Wood as saying yesterday: QDeveloping a space launch vehicle that could put a satellite into orbit could possibly lead to the development of a ballistic missile system, so thatQs of great concern to us. HaQaretz reported that Likud is seeking a subtle way to warn rightist voters against voting for Yisrael Beiteinu, for fear that if Avigdor Lieberman's party keeps stealing seats from it, Kadima could wind up forming the next government. The party with the most seats is usually given first chance to form a government, and so far polls show Likud in this slot. But Kadima is close enough behind that even a few seats moving from Likud to Yisrael Beiteinu could put Kadima in first. All media cited LikudQs dissociation from Yisrael Beiteinu. HaQaretz reported that Avigdor Lieberman was once a member of the outlawed far-right party Kach (in 1979). Maariv named Far-right politician Avigdor Eskin as the source of this information. Media quoted Yisrael Beiteinu as saying that this is an Qorchestrated fabrication.Q Yediot reported that Netanyahu prefers Ehud Barak as his defense minister, leaving an expanded, especially tailored, economic ministry to Lieberman. Maariv reported that Labor will demand the justice portfolio. The Jerusalem Post reported that yesterday Yisrael Beiteinu rejected a claim in former U.S. Ambassador Martin IndykQs book that Lieberman had conducted a secret dialogue with Palestinian negotiators at the end of former U.S. President Bill ClintonQs administration. HaQaretz reported that DM Ehud Barak has agreed to approve the establishment of a new settlement in the Binyamin region, north of Jerusalem, in return for settlers' agreement to evacuate the illegal outpost of Migron. The Migron settlers will move into the new 250-house settlement after leaving the illegal one they built on private Palestinian land. The Jerusalem Post quoted Diaspora Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog as saying yesterday at the Herzliya Conference that the Treasury blocked a plan for a QJewish Al-Jazeera. All media reported that yesterday National Workers Organization Chairman and former finance minister Abraham Hirchson admitted in court to having stolen a considerable amount of money. A day after Hirchson sent the union post-dated checks totaling 1.6 million shekels (around $400,000),the organization declared that the move "did not smell right." Yediot reported that Cyprus sent a report to the UN that the Iranian ship currently anchored along a Cypriot shore contains explosives and rocket engines. Israel Radio quoted Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told him on Monday that he should continue to mediate between Israel and Syria. HaQaretz and Israel Radio reported that the UN has reversed its stance on one of the most contentious and bloody incidents of the recent IDF operation in Gaza, saying that an IDF mortar strike that killed 43 people on January 6 did not hit a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) school after all. Yediot reported that the Norwegian doctor who reported from Gaza on Israeli atrocities is a member of Rodt, an extremist Marxist party, and had praised the 9/11 attacks. HaQaretz printed a Letter to the Editor signed by prominent intellectuals and artists from the Western world, who call for a new initiative for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Maariv reported that yesterday Finance Minister Roni Bar-On declared that the historic QSergeyQs CourtyardQ in central west Jerusalem has officially been returned to the Russian government. Maariv reported that the Immigration Police is closing down and will be replaced by a supervisory unit of the Interior Ministry. Maariv reported that the authorities suspect that a refugee from Sudan was enlisted in Al-Qaida. Maariv presented the results of a TNS/Teleseker poll on voting intentions for the Knesset elections, which shows a strengthening of Yisrael Beiteinu and a narrowing of the gap between Likud and Kadima: In brackets: Maariv's previous poll): Likud:27 (28); Kadima 23 (23); Labor Party: 17 (17): Yisrael Beiteinu: 17 (16); Shas: 10 (10); Arab parties: 8 (8); Meretz: 6 (6); United Torah Judaism: 5 (5); National Union: 4 (3); National-Religious Party-Jewish Home 3 (4). HaQaretz cited recent polls for internal use by the New Movement-Meretz that show that approximately eight Knesset seats worth of voters who define themselves as leftist are considering voting for Kadima, or more precisely, for Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni. The polls also show that most of the undecided are women -- their choice could represent five Knesset seats. The finding is contrary to what had previously been believed -- that the party's potential voters would find themselves deciding between it and Labor. The Jerusalem Post reported that on Monday the ambassador of U.S. and China attended a unique Jerusalem concert featuring famed cellist Yo Yo Ma. -------------- ¶1. Israeli Elections: -------------- Summary: -------------- The independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized: QLikud Knesset Member Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak must disassociate themselves from [Avigdor Lieberman] and his slogans, and soon. If not, the three of them will bear the full responsibility for the entrenchment of dangerous racist politics in Israel. Columnist Ari Shavit wrote in Ha'aretz: QIran's nuclear program is what turned Livni's term as foreign minister into a colossal failure.... There is a black flag waving above her journey to the Prime Minister's Office. Block Quotes: -------------- ¶I. "Reject Lieberman" The independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized (2/4): QThe [Yisrael Beiteinu] slogan QWithout loyalty there is no citizenship is not illegal, but has its roots in a dark conceptual world and is contrary to the lifeblood of democracy, which never makes civil rights contingent on performing duties. The other slogan, QOnly Lieberman understands Arabic,Q stinks of crude racism, against which a society that affirms life and freedom is obligated to fight. Lieberman's plan for an Qexchange of territories,Q which is being marketed as a part of legitimate negotiations between two equal sides, is nothing but polite packaging that does not succeed in concealing its real aspiration: delegitimizing all the Arab citizens of Israel.... There is no doubt that the atmosphere in which nationalism became more extreme during the war in Gaza has strengthened Lieberman. In mock elections at schools he has won high popularity, and the number of Knesset seats predicted for him is rising steadily in the public opinion polls. Presumably his success will only increase as the security threat looms larger and the economic crisis worsens. This is a tale foretold, which is becoming exacerbated in light of the ideological flabbiness of the candidates for prime minister. Likud Knesset Member Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak must disassociate themselves from him and his slogans, and soon. If not, the three of them will bear the full responsibility for the entrenchment of dangerous racist politics in Israel. II. "A Cautionary Note" Columnist Ari Shavit wrote in Ha'aretz (2/4): QKadima's chairwoman (Tzipi Livni] is a principled, patriotic, exemplary human being. She is intelligent and a quick study. But there is one fault that no one disputes: Livni is short-tempered. Her more serious critics believe she has an attention deficit.... Nor is there any disputing a second flaw of Livni's: She finds it very hard to make decisions. Her third flaw is her total lack of emotional intelligence. Livni neither understands people nor likes them. That is why she has no inner circle of confidants.... She recites a series of correct statements about dividing the country but does not know how to translate them into policy. That is why her negotiations with Ahmed Qurei failed and why her faith in Annapolis was proved false. But Livni's Palestinian failure is tiny compared to her Iranian error. Livni did not understand the Iranian challenge in advance, did not take it on board and effectively did nothing in the international arena to deal with it. Iran's nuclear program is what turned Livni's term as foreign minister into a colossal failure.... There is a black flag waving above her journey to the Prime Minister's Office. -------------- ¶2. Iran: -------------- Summary: -------------- The conservative, independent Jerusalem Post editorialized: QPresident Barack Obama says that if Iran is willing to unclench its fist, it Qwill find an extended hand from us.Q But the mullahs are playing hard to get. Block Quotes: -------------- "Dark Anniversary" The conservative, independent Jerusalem Post editorialized (2/4): QThe Islamic Republic of Iran was established 30 years ago... On Monday, when Iran launched into orbit its first domestically made satellite - reportedly a civilian version of the Shihab 3 ballistic missile -- the supreme leader [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] obtained further, tangible proof that international sanctions are little more than a nuisance to Iran's imperial aspirations. President Barack Obama says that if Iran is willing to unclench its fist, it Qwill find an extended hand from us.Q But the mullahs are playing hard to get. Today, diplomats from the U.S., Russia, Britain, France, Germany, and China are scheduled to meet in Frankfurt to discuss Iran's drive for nuclear weapons. The U.S. needs to convince them that -- whatever the new administration's tactical differences from the previous one -- Washington will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran. -------------- ¶3. Mideast: -------------- Summary: -------------- Former Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot: QThe vigorous and justified response of the European leaders to the war in Gaza and the visit by five of them to Jerusalem in order to help in signing a cease-fire agreement, should be the signal marking the start of an era of hope for European-American partnership in the Middle East peace process. Uri Savir, Oslo Accords architect and President of the Peres Center for Peace, wrote in the conservative, independent Jerusalem Post: Q[A European-American] coalition should ... initiate a peace conference in the Middle East, based on the Madrid formula and the Saudi Initiative, to advance comprehensive peace, economic development, and security in the region. Block Quotes: -------------- ¶I. "War, Memory, and Diplomacy" Former Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot (2/4): QEurope's role in making peace and establishing international norms of behavior will undoubtedly become the core on the basis of which Barack Obama will seek to rebuild the trans-Atlantic alliance, which suffered a severe blow in the days of his predecessor. The Europeans were surely glad to see how quickly the new U.S. President addressed the Israeli-Arab conflict. After all, for them Jerusalem was always more important than Baghdad.... The aging continent suffers from a dual sense of guilt, both aspects of which are directly related to Israel: the colonialist complex and the Jewish complex. The Palestinian tragedy is directly affected by this dilemma.... For Europe to play its proper role in establishing a peace arrangement in the Middle East, it must first of all restore its credibility in the eyes of the Jewish state. The vigorous and justified response of the European leaders to the war in Gaza and the visit by five of them to Jerusalem in order to help in signing a cease-fire agreement, should be the signal marking the start of an era of hope for European-American partnership in the Middle East peace process. II. "Trans-Atlantic Relations" Uri Savir, Oslo Accords architect and President of the Peres Center for Peace, wrote in the conservative, independent Jerusalem Post (2/4): Q[The United States and the European Union] can, by working together, have a positive influence in the Middle East peace process in the following way: The two sides should dialogue with the new Israeli leadership after the election, with the leadership of the Palestinian Authority, i.e. Mahmoud Abbas, the leadership of Syria, and other regional leaderships. Together, this Trans-Atlantic coalition should also begin a dialogue with Iran to make it clear that both the U.S. and Europe will not allow the development of nuclear weapons and to offer incentives, in case there is a verifiable stop of the development of nuclear weapons. Also, the Trans-Atlantic coalition should coordinate a gradual withdrawal from Iraq, fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and its Pakistani border, as well as partake in a nation-building process in the two countries. The coalition should then initiate a peace conference in the Middle East, based on the Madrid formula and the Saudi Initiative, to advance comprehensive peace, economic development, and security in the region. CUNNINGHAM