ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 000424 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. Aftermath of Israeli Elections ¶2. Mideast -------------- Key stories in the media: -------------- All media reported that this morning, after 65 Knesset members recommended yesterday that Benjamin Netanyahu create the governing coalition, President Shimon Peres will try to convince Kadima and Likud to agree to form a national unity government before he entrusts Likud with the establishment of a narrow-based coalition the most likely scenario. Kadima chief and FM Tzipi Livni was quoted as saying in an interview with HaQaretz that a right-wing Netanyahu government will harm Israel, but that she would be willing to consider a Likud-Kadima-Yisrael Beiteinu coalition. Israel Radio reported that this morning Sen. John Kerry will meet with President Peres. HaQaretz and other media reported that yesterday Kerry and Congressmen Keith Ellison and Brian Baird became the first senior American officials to visit Gaza in over five years. Kerry met with UN officials and discussed rebuilding Gaza. Israel Radio reported that Kerry received a letter from Hamas for President Obama, which was conveyed by UNRWA Commissioner-General Karen AbuZayd. Kerry was keen to emphasize that the visit did not signal any change in WashingtonQs position on Hamas. Kerry is due to leave today for Damascus to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Israel Radio reported that yesterday U.S. special envoy George Mitchell told Jewish-American leaders that, contrary to recent reports Q as exemplified by a headline in todayQs Jerusalem Post -- the U.S. administration is not pushing for the formation of a national unity government in Israel. However, he was quoted as saying that it impossible to develop economic peace without diplomatic negotiations. The Jerusalem Post quoted Mitchell as saying that the fact that the U.S. would support a Palestinian structure aimed at incorporating and potentially co-opting Hamas rater than working to exclude it suggested the contours of a fresh approach by the Obama administration. The Jerusalem Post said that it is unclear whether the Congressional delegationsQ trips to the region signal a changed American approach. Major media quoted Mitchell as saying that while the issue of settlements comes up in every conversation with Arab leaders, Qit is not the only issue. Mitchell said that he had re-read his 2001 report and that he had been struck by how much had changed since then, giving the example of Iran. HaQaretz quoted a foreign source as saying that Qatari PM Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabir al-Thani told French President Nicolas Sarkozy when the two leaders met in Paris two weeks ago that he would engage Hamas intensively to help release kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. Israel Radio reported that Israeli defense official Amos Gilad canceled negotiations with Egypt scheduled for today. Maariv and Israel Radio reported that yesterday the Foreign Ministry expressed its regret that Egypt recalled a trade delegation from Israel because of the latterQs linkage of Gilad ShalitQs release with a truce with Hamas. The media cited EgyptQs claim that the temporary recall of the mission is purely technical. HaQaretz reported that a company established by Avigdor Lieberman did business to the tune of over 1 million shekels (around $250,000) with officials in the Palestinian Authority, apparently selling wood in 2000 and 2001 when Lieberman was a Knesset member. During those years the company's stock was held by a trustee, but Lieberman remained an owner. Media reported that yesterday three rockets struck southern Israel, hours after IAF jets bombed six smuggling tunnels in Gaza in retaliation for rocket and mortar attacks earlier in the day. The media reported that ten Jewish immigrants arrived from Yemen yesterday in a secret Jewish Agency operation. Leading media reported that yesterday the IAEA expressed doubts over Syrian claims that uranium found near the site that Israel bombed in 2007 was dropped by the Israeli warplanes. HaQaretz quoted Gen. (res.) Eyal Ben Reuven, who commanded the military group that acted in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead, as saying that the cabinet never set goals for the end of the operation. The daily quoted Gazan witnesses as saying that the IDF used them as human shields. On the other hand, Maariv quoted 10-year-old Gazan children as saying that during the operation Hamas activists forced them to carry rockets in carts. In an interview with Yediot, Aliza Olmert, the PMQs wife, expressed her bitterness over police interrogations of her husband and her political altercations with former friends who had betrayed the couple. She also talked about her QsecretQ plan to release Gilad Shalit. HaQaretz quoted East Jerusalem residents as saying that the Jerusalem Municipality may offer to voluntarily relocate some 1,500 Palestinian residents of the city's Silwan neighborhood currently living on top of an archaeological site to alternative lots in East Jerusalem. Leading media reported that this week, in an effort to prevent a deterioration in military relations with Turkey, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi apologized to his Turkish counterparts over critical remarks made last week by OC Ground Forces Command Maj. Gen. Avi Mizrahi. In a lecture at the National Defense College, Mizrahi said that Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been severely critical of Israel since Operation Cast Lead, should first look in the mirror. Mizrahi mentioned the massacre of the Armenians, the suppression of the Kurds, and the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus. Morton A. Klein, President of the conservative Zionist Organization of America, was quoted as saying this week in an interview with HaQaretz (English Ed.) that potential diplomatic discord between an Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu and President Obama would be bound to lead to an increase in anti-Semitic activities in the U.S. Morton was also quoted as saying that for the last decade and a half he has had little confidence in Israel's decisions and that Obama's recent appointments and statements were also a reason for concern. HaQaretz cited the research division of the Bank of Israel as saying yesterday that IsraelQs combined economic performance index dropped 1.2% in January, its sixth straight decline Q indicating that the economy is sliding into a recession. The newspaper reported that yesterday Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer expressed his belief that that Israel is weathering the economic crisis better than many of its larger counterparts. HaQaretz reported that the Swiss banking giant UBS predicts that the controlling shareholders of IsraelQs banks will have to inject up to 22.5 billion shekels (around $4.46 billion) by the end of 2010 to prevent a crisis of confidence. The daily also reported that elements of the IDB (Israel Discount Bank) group are writing down the value of their investments in Las Vegas. Israel Radio reported that Jewish U.S. engineer David Tenenbaum is suing the U.S. Justice Department after being accused of spying for Israel. HaQaretz cited a survey published yesterday by the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies and the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations reporting that the vast majority of Israeli Jews do not have negative feelings toward Christians living in Israel, but nearly the same proportion believe the state should not allow land to be used for constructing new churches in Jerusalem. According to the study, 74 percent of respondents do not see Christians as "missionaries," and 76 percent are not bothered by encountering a Christian wearing a cross. Furthermore, 41 percent believe Christianity is the closest religion to Judaism, with Islam coming in second at 32 percent. However, the study suggested that most Israeli Jews are considerably less tolerant when Jerusalem is concerned. Only 50 percent of the sample agreed that Jerusalem was central to the Christian faith, and 75 percent believe the state should not allow Christian organizations to purchase land to construct new churches in the city. The survey noted sharp divisions between secular and religious Jews, with secular Jews much more tolerant of a Christian presence. -------------- ¶1. Aftermath of Israeli Elections: -------------- Summary: -------------- Political parties correspondent Yossi Verter wrote in the independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz: QIn the weeks to come, Netanyahu's choices will go from bad to worse. As time passes since the general elections, his victory is turning sour. HaQaretz editorialized: QThis is the chance for Israel's elder statesman and Nobel Peace Prize winner [President Shimon Peres] to show political courage by conditioning the formation of the next government on preserving Israel's image as a democracy. Columnist Haggai Segal wrote on page one of the nationalist, Orthodox Makor Rishon-Hatzofe: Q[Kadima] has no way, no ideology, no Sharon, not even an Olmert.... [LivniQs] partyQs hedonist branch will seep back into the coalition -Q with or without her. Block Quotes: -------------- ¶I. "BibiQs Victory Turning Sour" Political parties correspondent Yossi Verter wrote in the independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz (2/20): QSoon, Netanyahu's door will be bowing under the weight of nearly all the incumbent Likud Knesset members.... More than a decade ago, Netanyahu was badly scorched by the QBar-On HebronQ affair and its allegations of bad appointments, and nearly lost the premiership. On Thursday, he must have experienced a flashback -- the bitter division among the people, the hatred of the elites, and his relentless pursuit by the media. This is not how he planned to begin his second term. In the weeks to come, Netanyahu's choices will go from bad to worse. As time passes since the general elections, his victory is turning sour. Tzipi Livni will not join a government resting on a narrow 65-person majority, composed of the right and the ultra-Orthodox. She might consider joining a government with Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu, and United Torah Judaism, but nothing more than that. But Netanyahu can not give up Shas and Habayit Hayehudi [the Jewish Home]; they are his safety net. In some scenarios, this net may well turn out to be a noose. Livni will let him wriggle and contort with his Qnatural allies.Q Even Netanyahu's famous personal charm, which he no doubt will have a chance to use, is unlikely to persuade Livni to climb on board so long as that means standing next to Shas, National Union, and Habayit Hayehudi. II. "Keep Lieberman out of the Government" HaQaretz editorialized (2/20): QIsraelis still don't know who won last week's elections, or who will put together the next government. The only clear result is that Avigdor Lieberman is trying to dictate the nature and composition of the new coalition. This is evident from the conditions he demanded of Likud and Kadima for Yisrael Beiteinu's joining the government and from his appearance yesterday at the President's Residence, where he stipulated that he wanted a broad coalition headed by Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel's democracy is breaking daily records of degradation.... In exchange for Lieberman's political support, Benjamin Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni are competing with each other to legitimize Yisrael Beiteinu and its hate campaign.... Kadima made do with demanding Qmilitary, national, or civic serviceQ from every youngster and did not suggest changing the citizenship law. But Livni boasted of her close ties with Lieberman and their long acquaintanceship, presenting him as a legitimate politician and desirable partner in a future coalition led by her. The attitudes of Livni and Netanyahu cannot simply be dismissed as acceptable political cynicism. It is futile for them to argue that because Lieberman sat as a minister in the governments of Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert he is a legitimate partner now.... This is the chance for Israel's elder statesman and Nobel Peace Prize winner [President Shimon Peres] to show political courage by conditioning the formation of the next government on preserving Israel's image as a democracy. III. "TheyQll Come on All Four" Columnist Haggai Segal wrote on page one of the nationalist, Orthodox Makor Rishon-Hatzofe (2/20): QYesterday the Kadima choir sang its loyalty to the opposition.... [But] its true manifesto only includes chairs and power. It has no way, no ideology, no Sharon, not even an Olmert.... TheyQll be back in the spring [lyrics of an Israeli folk song] or in the fall at the latest. Tzipi Livni wonQt serve for long as chair of the opposition.... Some day she will find out that she is almost alone. Her partyQs hedonist branch will seep back into the coalition -Q with or without her. This will be called the small bang. -------------- ¶2. Mideast: -------------- Summary: -------------- The conservative, independent Jerusalem Post editorialized: QHow has Qatar, which promotes the Muslim Brotherhood and bankrolls the poisonous Al-Jazeera station, succeeded in maintaining its image as a friend of the West? And how is Dubai, with its on-off boycott of Israel, able to sustain its own moderate image? The answer is money. Deputy Managing Editor and right-wing columnist Caroline B. Glick wrote in the conservative, independent Jerusalem Post: QThe open hostility toward Israel expressed by the Obama administration's decision to participate in the Durban process should be a red flag for both the Israeli government and for Israel's supporters in the U.S. Block Quotes: -------------- ¶I. "Foul Play in the Gulf" The conservative, independent Jerusalem Post editorialized (2/20): QAfter intense pressure from the Association of Tennis Professionals, Dubai has reluctantly granted an entry visa to Andy Ram to play in next week's Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships -- after barring Shahar Peer from playing in the Women's Tennis Association tournament, affecting her earnings, if not her ranking.... The Emirates, where fewer than 20 percent of the 4.4 million residents are citizens, likes to be perceived as a tolerant, pro-Western oasis. And, to be fair, the Saudi-controlled, Dubai-based satellite news channel Al-Arabiya makes a stab at modifying Al-Jazeera's radicalism. Still, public antagonism toward Israel and Western values is getting ever harder to cloak. Qatar plays an even more duplicitous game, presenting itself as cosmopolitan while shilling for the Islamists.... How has Qatar, which promotes the Muslim Brotherhood and bankrolls the poisonous Al-Jazeera station, succeeded in maintaining its image as a friend of the West? And how is Dubai, with its on-off boycott of Israel, able to sustain its own moderate image? The answer is money. Lots of it. To win friends, influence people, and manipulate perceptions. II. "ObamaQs Durban Gambit" Deputy Managing Editor and right-wing columnist Caroline B. Glick wrote in the conservative, independent Jerusalem Post (2/20): QBy embracing the Durban campaign now, it is possible that the Obama administration will water down some of the most noxious language in the conference's draft declaration. But this doesn't balance out the harm U.S. participation will cause to Israel, or to the Jewish people. By participating in the conference, the U.S. today is effectively giving American support to the war against the Jewish state. The open hostility toward Israel expressed by the Obama administration's decision to participate in the Durban process should be a red flag for both the Israeli government and for Israel's supporters in the U.S. Both Israel and its Jewish and non-Jewish supporters must openly condemn the administration's move and demand that it reverse its decision immediately. CUNNINGHAM