Identifier
Created
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Origin
09TELAVIV553
2009-03-09 12:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

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UNCLAS TEL AVIV 000553 

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:
--------------------------------

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 000553

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

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SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS REPORT:
--------------


1. Mideast


2. Formation of NetanyahuQs Government

--------------
Key stories in the media:
--------------

Yesterday the media reported that Yisrael BeiteinuQs Avigdor
Lieberman is likely to receive all the cabinet portfolios he is
demanding from PM-designate Benjamin Netanyahu: Foreign Affairs,
Public Security, Tourism, National Infrastructure, and Justice,
which is reserved for the incumbent minister, Daniel Friedmann -
although the latter appointment was uncertain today. HaQaretz
reports on disapproving attitudes vis-`-vis Avigdor Lieberman across
the U.S. Europe, and the Arab world. The newspaper, which noted
that the QLieberman question continually arises in State Department
briefings and other forums,Q said that the most negative opinion
about him is likely to be expressed in Egypt. Maariv reported that
yesterday Lieberman made a partial concession on the issue of civil
marriages. Media quoted associates of former FM Silvan Shalom as
saying that if Shalom is not entrusted with the foreign affairs or
treasury portfolio, there will be no government.

Maariv reported that former IDF chief-of-staff Moshe YaQalon is
slated to become defense minister, as PM-designate Benjamin
Netanyahu received a final negative answer from current DM Ehud
Barak.

All media reported that Attorney General Menachem Mazuz announced
yesterday that former Israeli president Moshe Katsav will be charged
with several serious sexual offenses, including rape. The decision
ushers in a new phase of a legal drama that has dragged on for
almost three years.

The media reported that bereaved families opposed to the release of
hundreds of terrorists, demonstrated near Gilad ShalitQs familyQs
protest tent in the vicinity of PM Ehud OlmertQs residence. Makor
Rishon-Hatzofe quoted Abu Obeydah, the spokesman of HamasQs military
wing, as saying yesterday that Qif the Zionist enemy does not pay
the full price, ShalitQs family will be very familiar with the tent

they set up in Jerusalem.Q Yesterday HaQaretz reported that Hamas
has rejected the new list of Palestinian prisoners that Israel
relayed, which are meant to be part of swap deal that would gain
ShalitQs release. The media quoted PM Olmert as saying on Friday
that demonstrations in favor of ShalitQs release are not helpful.

Most media highlighted a comment made at the cabinet meeting
yesterday by Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin, head of IDF Intelligence that
Iran has crossed a major technological threshold in its nuclear
program. Yadlin noted that, "Iran's ability to reach a military
nuclear capability is a matter of adjusting its strategy vis-a-vis
the goal of developing a nuclear bomb." Yadlin explained that the
new approach of the Obama administration, which calls for dialogue
with Iran, is being cautiously received in the Middle East.
"Moderate Arab states believe that this [the dialogue] will be used
by Iran and Syria, who will waste time under the guise of talk,
while continuing their support for terrorism," Yadlin said. "The
extremist axis hopes that the U.S. will indeed alter its stance, but
also suspects that this is only the preamble to creating a more
effective coalition against them."

Yesterday HaQaretz reported that the U.S. will only recognize a
future Palestinian unity government if Salem Fayyad is reappointed
prime minister, according to a message relayed by Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton to European and Arab leaders at last week's donor
summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. The same message was relayed to Hamas by
the Norwegian government, in response to the organization's demand
that Fatah replaces Fayyad with an independent candidate. Senior
Palestinian sources told HaQaretz on Saturday that the sudden
resignation of Fayyad was a tactical move, designed to pressure
Hamas into softening its opposition to Fayyad serving as prime
minister in a unity government. The sources believe that the
American threat, which is likely to be backed by the EU and Egypt,
will lead to Hamas changing its position and Fayyad rescinding his
resignation. It is also feasible that the continuation of Fayyad's
term as Palestinian prime minister will be on the agenda during
talks between the U.S. and Syria, where the head of Hamas' political
wing resides.

Yesterday The Jerusalem Post quoted Assistant Secretary of State for
Near Eastern affairs Jeffrey Feltman, who held talks with Syrian
officials in Damascus on Saturday, as saying that there was common
ground between the U.S. and Syria, even as he cautioned that no one
should expect an immediate breakthrough. Yesterday HaQaretz
reported that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stressed during her
visit to Ankara that the U.S. would like to see a resumption of the
talks between Israel and Syria. However, HaQaretz quoted Netanyahu
as saying in closed talks that he prefers to give priority to the
Palestinian track over the Syrian one. This morning Israel Radio
quoted Syrian President Bashar Assad as saying that there will not
be full peace with Israel before the resolution of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Yesterday HaQaretz reported that Israel is under increased pressure
from the U.S. over settlement construction. Over the past month,
Israel has reportedly received four official complaints from members
of the new administration regarding various issues linked to West
Bank settlements.

HaQaretz reported that, Qin a rare breach of official American
adherence to Israel's policy of nuclear ambiguity,Q the U.S.
military is terming Israel "a nuclear power" on a par with Russia,
China, India, Pakistan and North Korea, all of which have declared
their nuclear weapon status, and ahead of "nuclear threshold powers"
Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, and the "emerging" Iran. The
reference to Israel as a nuclear power is contained in a document
published late last year by the U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM),
which is in charge of preparing American forces for their military
missions worldwide, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.

All media reported that hundreds of violent anti-Israel protesters
clashed with police in the Swedish city of Malmo on Saturday,
outside the near-empty arena in which the Israeli and Swedish Davis
Cup teams were playing a first-round match. Protesters pelted
police with stones, firecrackers and paint bombs.

The media reported that Tel Aviv police have arrested 12 men in
recent days on suspicion of operating a network that smuggled women
from Eastern Europe into Israel, and later into Cyprus, while using
violence and intimidation to force the women to work for escort
services.

Leading media reported that during yesterdayQs cabinet meeting, PM
Olmert told DM Barak that he was minimizing the achievements of
Operation Cast Lead.

The media reported that yesterday Palestinians fired four Qassam
rockets at southern Israel.

Yesterday HaQaretz and other media reported that on Friday
Mauritania ordered the closure within 48 hours of the Israeli
embassy in the capital Nouakchott, more than a month after it
announced it was severing diplomatic relations with Israel.
Ambassador Michael Arbel was ordered to leave the country over the
weekend. HaQaretz reported that a senior Foreign Ministry source
confirmed that the embassy was closed and that Arbel had gone on
vacation, but not that the diplomatic ties between the two countries
were severed.

Maariv reported that the Jewish Agency and the GOI are counseling
Diaspora representatives on ways to defend their communities.

The media reported that yesterday Pope Benedict XVI confirmed that
he would visit Israel from May 11-15, in the first papal visit since
2000 and the second official visit by a pope to the country. Media
quoted President Shimon Peres as saying that the visit will be a
Qmoving and important event bringing the spirit of peace and hope.

HaQaretz reported that yesterday Alice Walker, the Pulitzer-Prize
winning American writer, visited Gaza, where she compared the
Israeli occupation to her youth under racial oppression in the U.S.

Maariv reported that cooperation between officials of the Israel
Nature & National Parks Protection Authority and Palestinian
bird-lovers saved a rare eagle in the Hebron Hills.


--------------

1. Mideast:
--------------

Summary:
--------------

The independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized: QIf Israel
were to announce now that it is joining the donor states in
encouraging the establishment of a Palestinian unity government, it
would be an act of political foresight.

Senior op-ed writer Akiva Eldar commented in Ha'aretz: QNetanyahu's
government will find a loyal partner in the conflict management
approach: For more than three years ... Hamas has repeatedly
suggested Israel give up the illusion of resolving the conflict in
favor of managing it.
The conservative, independent Jerusalem Post editorialized: QWe are
concerned by the linkage [Secretary of State Hillary Clinton] made
between the Roadmap and the operations of Jerusalem's municipal
administration.

Block Quotes:
--------------


I. "Window of Opportunity"

The independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized (3/8): QRapid
reconciliation is not only in the interest of Fatah and Hamas. This
also represents a new opportunity for Israel to void its 2006
decision to boycott the Hamas government and the previous
Palestinian unity government. The violent interfactional
Palestinian struggle proved to Israel the extent to which domestic
Palestinian politics can affect Israel's policy and the security of
its citizens. A Palestinian unity government does not ensure an
expedited peace process.... But a Palestinian unity government, even
one that includes Hamas -- and perhaps precisely because of its
inclusion -- is likely to be a reasonable partner in managing the
conflict, particularly in bringing normal life to the residents of
the territories. The United States and European countries support
the establishment of such a government on condition that it
recognizes Israel. Egypt and Saudi Arabia view such a step not only
as a critical means to bring normalcy to Palestine, but also as a
way to disengage Hamas from Iran. If Israel were to announce now
that it is joining the donor states in encouraging the establishment
of a Palestinian unity government, it would be an act of political
foresight.

II. "Bibi Has a Partner"

Senior op-ed writer Akiva Eldar commented in Ha'aretz (3/9):
QNetanyahu's government will find a loyal partner in the conflict
management approach: For more than three years, since its victory in
the Palestinian Legislative Council, Hamas has repeatedly suggested
Israel give up the illusion of resolving the conflict in favor of
managing it. Khaled Mashal, like Netanyahu, rejected Mahmoud
Abbas's demand to include the principle of two states for two
peoples in the policy statement of a Palestinian unity government.
The Hamas ministers will be happy to speak with Netanyahu's
government about establishing industrial parks on the border areas,
and they will even be happy to sign a hudna (cease-fire agreement)
for 10 years or more. Meanwhile, the demographics will have their
say. Moreover, successful management of the conflict is incongruous
with creating new facts on the ground, which exacerbate the conflict
and make its resolution difficult.

III. "Unhelpful Reprimand"

The conservative, independent Jerusalem Post editorialized (3/8):
QWe are concerned by the linkage [Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton] made between the Roadmap and the operations of Jerusalem's
municipal administration. If Israelis were to follow such a linkage
to its logical conclusion, then any local authority here could at
any time be accused of overstepping arbitrary bounds imposed by
outside powers. This infringes on Israeli sovereignty at the most
elementary level.... Not that the circumstances anywhere else can
compare to those of Emek Hamelech (King's Valley or Silwan). This
area, part of a First Temple royal enclave, perhaps King David's
own, is of matchless historical significance and includes sites holy
to all three monotheistic religions.... The area is a prime
archeological site and that the illegal construction, according to
the Israel Antiquities Authority, has already wrought considerable,
often irreversible damage to some of the world's most unique
biblical-era relics. Paradoxically, Arab illegal construction in
this particular area is recent and wouldn't have been possible
without Israeli technological improvements: KingQs Valley was
regularly flooded each winter, until the municipality devised means
to drain it some 20 years ago.... Hamas sympathizer Sheikh Raed
Salah of the Northern Branch Islamic Movement [in Israel] sounded
the rallying cry and organized protests that culminated in an Arab
general strike. As expected, this extremist garnered instant support
abroad. We are, however, perturbed that even the American secretary
of state has seen fit to amplify Salah's incendiary propaganda. In
the case of Emek Hamelech, Barkat is right to say that Clinton has
been misled by Palestinian Arab Qdisinformation.

--------------

2. Formation of NetanyahuQs Government:
--------------

Summary:
--------------

The independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized: QIn his
decisions regarding the composition of his government, Netanyahu is
placing himself in a confrontational position vis-a-vis the justice
system.

Senior columnist Nahum Barnea wrote in the mass-circulation,
pluralist Yediot Aharonot: QIn the present Israeli reality, anyone
who wants a broad government must necessarily also betray the far
right. Anyone afraid to confront the demands of the far right, will
not be able to form a broad government.

Block Quotes:
--------------


I. "NetanyahuQs Bankruptcy"

The independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized (3/8): QThe
coalition agreement being forged between Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu
threatens the law-enforcement system and the rule of law in Israel,
and reflects moral bankruptcy on the part of Prime
Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu.... There is a serious ethical
problem with the fact that a person suspected of serious offenses,
like [Avigdor] Lieberman, will appoint the people in charge of the
law-enforcement system, who hold the key to the promotion of his
investigators, and -- if an indictment is served against him -- his
prosecutors and judges, as well. Anyone who leaves [Justice
Minister Daniel] Friedmann in his post intends to continue the
campaign of destruction and incitement against the justice system by
the previous government, and perhaps even to take it further. This
is Netanyahu's message in allowing the Justice Minister to remain.
The prime minister-designate cannot hide behind the claim that he
only gave in, for lack of choice, to Lieberman's coalition demands.
In his decisions regarding the composition of his government,
Netanyahu is placing himself in a confrontational position vis-a-vis
the justice system, instead of behaving with the proper
statesmanship and working to strengthen and rehabilitate it after
the damage caused by Friedmann.

II. "The Birthright and the Mess of Potage"

Senior columnist Nahum Barnea wrote in the mass-circulation,
pluralist Yediot Aharonot (3/9): QExperience, says Netanyahu, is
what differentiates between what I was during my previous term and
what I am now. I made mistakes then because I hadn't had any
experience. Now I'm experienced. And indeed experience is an
important asset. The question is, however, what one gains from
it.... Netanyahu drew two lessons from a traumatic event [the
October 1998 signing of the Wye Memorandum]: The first, to pursue a
broad, central government whose stability will not be dependent on
the wishes of a handful of fringe Knesset members. The second, never
again to betray the far right. Netanyahu has not grasped, or has
not wanted to grasp, that these two lessons are self-contradictory:
In the present Israeli reality, anyone who wants a broad government
must necessarily also betray the far right. Anyone afraid to
confront the demands of the far right, will not be able to form a
broad government.... Netanyahu sold his birthright for a mess of
potage. The first concession concerned the peace process: Due to a
fear of the far right wing within the Likud, he withdrew his
previous support of a Palestinian state, and by doing so terminated
all chances of getting Kadima into the government. The second
concession was political.... Will the appointment of a politician
suspected of racism assist Netanyahu's government's chances of
success? Very doubtful.... The third concession was financial....
In a period of world economic crisis the last thing the Finance
Ministry needs to worry about now is funding yeshivas. Israel is
heading into very difficult financial times. With these natural
partners, and with Netanyahu's fear of turning them down, these
times will be even more difficult. The right wing of the Likud is
not to blame. Neither are Lieberman or the religious. The choice
was that of Netanyahu. King Saul asked for donkeys and received a
kingdom. This is what happens when a prime
minister with too much experience arrives.

CUNNINGHAM