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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HaQaretz reported that PM Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to travel
to Washington on May 17 and meet with President Obama on May 18 or

19. The Jerusalem Post reported that the visit will take place in
Qlate May.Q The Jerusalem Post reported that Deputy FM Danny Ayalon
told the newspaper that, despite media reports of disagreements
between Israel and American officials over the new governmentQs
attitude regarding preconditions for new renewed peace negotiations,
Jerusalem has yet to formulate specific positions on these issues.
Ayalon told IDF Radio that the government needed at least four more
weeks to formulate its diplomatic policy, but that it should be
ready by the time PM Netanyahu travels to Washington. Maariv and
other media reported that, until his meeting with Obama, Netanyahu
will try to avoid holding state meetings with world leaders, in
which he will be called upon to voice a position on the matter.
Therefore, the PM has already requested that President Shimon Peres
stand in for him at the AIPAC conference that is slated to be held
at the beginning of May in Washington. Netanyahu, who was scheduled
to attend the conference, has postponed his participation. In
addition, Netanyahu has received invitations for meetings with
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah of Jordan. In
these cases too, Netanyahu has asked Peres to meet with the two
leaders in his stead, until he decides what foreign policy path he
intends to follow.

HaQaretz quoted a senior official in the PMQs Bureau as saying that
Netanyahu will not make Palestinian recognition of Israel as a
Jewish state a condition for renewing negotiations with the PA.
"Netanyahu will sit down to negotiate with anyone who wants to
without preconditions," the aide said. The recognition of Israel as
a Jewish state will still be vital to the peace process despite
Netanyahu's clarification that it is not a precondition. HaQaretz
quoted one of NetanyahuQs aides as saying yesterday. "If the
Palestinians do not recognize the Jewish state, this will make
progress toward two states for two peoples difficult," the official
said. HaQaretz quoted an aide as saying that, in a meeting with
Netanyahu, U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell raised the issue of
two states for two peoples. Netanyahu told Mitchell that before he
declares support for this principle, he needs to know the
Palestinians' intent. Netanyahu noted that in Israel the intention
is two nation states, Palestinian and Jewish, but it is not clear
this is what the Palestinians want. HaQaretz quoted sources in
Netanyahu's bureau as saying that in the talks held by Ehud Olmert
and Tzipi Livni with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and
negotiator Ahmed Qurei, the Palestinians refused to recognize Israel
as a Jewish state. HaQaretz quoted a Netanyahu aide as saying:
"This is a fundamental matter, because everyone is demanding two
states for two peoples, we need to understand what states they mean,
and we want to receive clarifications from the Palestinians on the
matter when we meet with them."

Leading media (banner in The Jerusalem Post) reported that, on the
eve of the controversial QDurban 2Q UN conference on racism,
President Obama lashed out at the language of its draft declaration,
saying it showed "antagonism toward Israel in ways that were often
times completely hypocritical and counterproductive." Explaining
the U.S. decision to boycott "with regret," Obama said in Trinidad:
"Hopefully, some concrete steps come out of the conference that we
can partner with other countries on to actually reduce
discrimination around the globe, but this wasn't an opportunity to
do it." The Jerusalem Post reported that FM Avigdor Lieberman
echoed Obama's remarks, saying that the Qfact that a racist like
[Iranian President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad is the main speaker proves
the true aim and nature of the conference." Lieberman added that
Israel could not ignore the fact that the Geneva conference was
taking place on the eve of IsraelQs Holocaust Remembrance Day. The
media reported that yesterday Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the
Netherlands, and Germany added their names to the small but growing
list of countries that have opted to boycott the event. Israel
Radio reported that yesterday thousands ofpeople have attended the
opening of a new Holocaut museum in suburban Chicago, with
videotaped remarks by President Obama kicking off the event. Obama
said that when school children visit the Illinois Holocaust Museum
and Education Center in Skokie, they'll learn there is no greater
obligation than to confront acts of inhumanity. Israel Radio
reported that the GOI has decided to recall its Ambassador to Bern
for consultations following AhmadinejadQs meeting with Swiss
President Hans-Rudolf Merz.
HaQaretz reported that Netanyahu met with DM Ehud Barak and FM
Avigdor Lieberman yesterday in the Prime Minister's Office to
discuss the situation in Gaza and the peace process. Barak
emphasized that Israel must present a regional peace initiative of
its own including a framework for progress with the Palestinians,
the Syrians and the other Arab nations.

Maariv reported that Dr. Michael Oren, an expert in American
politics and the Middle East, is NetanyahuQs favorite candidate for
the Washington ambassadorship. The newspaper reported that Oren
holds right-wing views but that the U.S. SenateQs Democratic leaders
commend him. Maariv reported that FM Lieberman vetoed Dr. Dore
Gold and Zalman ShovalQs bids for the position.

The Jerusalem Post quoted JordanQs King Abdullah II as saying on
Friday before Jewish leaders in Washington that Arab countries need
to take steps to encourage Israel to advance final-status
negotiations with the Palestinians.

The media reported that on Friday Palestinian demonstrator Bassem
Abu Rahmeh was killed during a protest in the West Bank village of
Bil'in, a flash point for confrontations between soldiers and
anti-fence protesters. HaQaretz quoted IDF sources as saying that a
tear gas canister that killed him was likely fired in violation of
orders. On Saturday, a Palestinian man drove his Mercedes into two
Israeli policemen checking motorists at a checkpoint outside
Jerusalem. The driver was arrested after he told police he targeted
the officers. The media reported that two Palestinian terrorists
were killed in separate attacks in the West Bank on Friday.

All media quoted Bank of Israel Governor Prof. Stanley Fischer as
saying yesterday that the worst of the economic crisis in Israel is
still ahead and that one or two large Israeli firms might go
bankrupt.


HaQaretz reported that on Saturday Netanyahu announced that he has
named former minister Natan Sharansky as his candidate for chairman
of the Jewish Agency.

The Jerusalem Post reported that it is launching a weekly edition in
New York early this summer -Q a 48-page tabloid that will be carried
in The New York Post every Sunday.

All media highlighted issues related to IsraelQs Holocaust Martyrs'
and Heroes' Memorial Day, which is commemorated tonight and
tomorrow.

Makor Rishon-Hatzofe reported that yesterday DM Barak expressed more
moderate views than PM Netanyahu and advocated a regional Israeli
move that would involve Syria and the Arab world.

HaQaretz reported that FM Lieberman has confirmed IsraelQs
participation in a conference being organized in Moscow on the
Middle East, which will take place in a few months.

Leading media reported that PM Benjamin Netanyahu is re-examining
the handling of the Gilad Shalit case and will soon remove Ofer
Dekel as special negotiator for bringing the abducted soldier back.

HaQaretz reported that the U.S. administration and other foreign
governments, including Turkey and a number of European countries,
have asked Israel over the pat few days to prevent the eviction of
Palestinian families who have been living for over 50 years in the
East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

HaQaretz reported that the PA has asked U.S. Special Envoy Mitchell
to use America's leverage with the Arab states to convince them to
make good on their financial commitments to the PA, to the tune of
hundreds of millions of dollars earmarked for rebuilding Gaza.
Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad was especially critical of the Saudi
government, which pledged the largest amount at the Sharm el-Sheikh
donor states' conference earlier this year.

The Jerusalem Post reported that, facing soaring costs and American
opposition to the integration of Israeli systems into the F-35 Joint
Strike Fighter, the Israel Air Force is renewing specifications of a
new and advanced model of the F-15 Eagle, which is claimed to have
enhanced stealth capabilities.

HaQaretz cited a World Bank report that is to be published today as
saying that the water-supply regime used by Israel and the
Palestinians must be changed. The report notes that an average
Israeli gets four times as much water as the average Palestinian,
and warns that the PA water system is "nearing catastrophe."

The media reported that Stanford University cancer researcher Ronald
Levy received a prestigious award, the QArab Nobel PrizeQ in Saudi
Arabia. HaQaretz noted that he and his family -Q his wife is
Israeli -Q entered the country with Israeli visas on their
passports.

Yediot and Maariv reported that today FM Lieberman will announce the
appointment of Yossi Gal as director-general of his ministry.
Yediot reported that FM Lieberman has decided to appoint Ismail
Khalidi, an Israeli Bedouin who serves in the diplomatic corps, as
his political adviser for the Middle East.

Leading media reported that Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin (Likud)
made a conciliatory visit to the Israeli-Arab city of Umm el-Fahm.

Leading media reported that former PM Ehud OlmertQs health is
deteriorating. He recently underwent tests at New YorkQs Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

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1. Mideast:
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Summary:
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The independent, left-leaning HaQaretz editorialized: QNext month,
when Netanyahu goes to Washington, he will have to join Obama's
impressive effort and say to his host clearly: Israel wants peace
and is ready for peace now.

Senior op-ed writer Akiva Eldar commented on page one of Ha'aretz:
QA cool breeze seems to be blowing from Washington.... Netanyahu
understands that he is in no position to present Obama with any
conditions.

The Director of the Interdisciplinary Center's Global Research in
International Affairs Center, columnist Barry Rubin, wrote in the
conservative, independent Jerusalem Post: QThe [U.S.] administration
has yet to make significant direct anti-Israel actions or
statements.... The biggest loser from Obama's policy, however, is
not Israel but U.S. national interests. Will there come a point
when the administration realizes this and changes course?

Dov Weisglass, who was former prime minister Ariel Sharon's top
diplomatic advisor, wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot
Aharonot: QWhat is done cannot be undone. The principle of two
states for two peoples is absolute and concrete. Israel's sudden
disavowal, in order to supposedly devise a different plan, does not
inspire trust.

Block Quotes:
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I. "Peace Now"

The independent, left-leaning HaQaretz editorialized (4/19):
QHistory provides very few opportunities to utterly change political
realities. It seems such an opportunity has presented itself. U.S.
President Barack Obama's peace plan is giving Israel and the entire
region a rare chance for real change; it must not be missed. In the
plan, whose main points were reported by Akiva Eldar in HaQaretz on
Friday, Israel will hold bilateral talks with the Palestinians and
Syrians at the same time. It is based on the Saudi peace plan,
which offers Israel normalization with the Arab world in exchange
for withdrawing from the territories and the establishment of a
Palestinian state. The United States, for its part, will offer
Israel a security package to include a demilitarization of the
territories and the stationing of a multinational force there for a
few years. This is Netanyahu's chance to enter the history books; a
right-wing prime minister who displays leadership and shows his
people and country the way to peace, security and prosperity. We
must not fear the plan's great scope and boldness; peace can be
achieved with both Syria and the Palestinians. This is not the time
to mention the difficulties that could block the path, it is the
time to see the opportunities. So next month, when Netanyahu goes
to Washington, he will have to join Obama's impressive effort and
say to his host clearly: Israel wants peace and is ready for peace
now.

II. "Cool Breeze"

Senior op-ed writer Akiva Eldar commented on page one of Ha'aretz
(4/20): QAfter the meeting between American envoy George Mitchell
and Benjamin Netanyahu last Thursday, the Prime Minister's spokesmen
said Netanyahu had demanded Palestinian recognition of Israel as a
Jewish state. Yesterday his bureau said this was not a
precondition, but an assessment. Without such recognition progress
in talks would be difficult. But won't the refusal of the
Palestinians to recognize the unification of Jerusalem block
progress, among other sensitive issues? Netanyahu knows that the
chances of a Palestinian leader conceding that Israel is the state
of the Jewish people are zero. He also knows that recognition of
Israel as a Jewish state is a winning card at home even for the
Zionist left. But his statement made no impression on Mitchell.
Netanyahu has not yet agreed to the concept of a two-state solution.
A cool breeze seems to be blowing from Washington with the
invitation of Jordan's King Abdullah as the first Middle Eastern
guest to the White House. Netanyahu understands that he is in no
position to present Obama with any conditions.

III. "The Confrontation Con Game"

The Director of the Interdisciplinary Center's Global Research in
International Affairs Center, columnist Barry Rubin, wrote in the
conservative, independent Jerusalem Post (4/20): QThere are many
people eager to see U.S. President Barack Obama and his
administration bash Israel, or predict that's already happened. But
the administration has yet to make significant direct anti-Israel
actions or statements. Despite rumors and speculation, at this
point there's still no solid evidence. While, obviously, things
could change at any time, I expect this widely predicted conflict
isn't going to take place. An extremely important factor here is
that in fact the PA and Hamas, not Israel, are the barriers to
peace. An Obama presidency would be far more dangerous if there was
a PA determined to say anything to get a state, get the U.S. to
pressure Israel to massive concessions, and then break its word.
The same applies to a Hamas happy to pretend to abandon terrorism

and genocidal rhetoric. But that's not the case. The PA will
criticize Israel but offer nothing. It won't provide a moderate
alternative program to Hamas, stop incitement, accept resettlement
of Palestinian refugees in a Palestinian state, make any territorial
concessions, or agree that a two-state solution permanently ends the
conflict. And it won't accept Israel as a Jewish state alongside a
Palestine which -- according to the PA's own constitution -- is an
Arab and Muslim state.... The biggest loser from Obama's policy,
however, is not Israel but U.S. national interests. Will there come
a point when the administration realizes this and changes course?

IV. "Say It, Mr. Netanyahu"

Dov Weisglass, who was former prime minister Ariel Sharon's top
diplomatic advisor, wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot
Aharonot (4/20): QWhat is done cannot be undone. The principle of
two states for two peoples is absolute and concrete. Israel's
sudden disavowal, in order to supposedly devise a different plan,
does not inspire trust. Clearly, Netanyahu did not wait until his
election to formulate a position on the matter of the conflict
between Israel and the Palestinians, and the request for an
E
extension in order to study the issue is not convincing. It is
difficult to understand what kind of foreign policy plan, which does
not include the establishment of a Palestinian state, will be
acceptable to the Palestinians, the Arab states and the world.
Unfortunately, this does not sound serious. Recently, Israel has
gone so far as to demand Palestinian recognition of the State of
Israel as a Jewish state, as a precondition for continuing the
negotiations. Israel is a Jewish state. It is the Jewish state.
It does not need the recognition of the Palestinians -- or of any
other country. According to the Roadmap, the final status
negotiations are to end in the establishment of a Palestinian state,
which must recognize Israel, as Israel has defined itself. It will
therefore recognize Israel as the state of the Jews. The demand for
recognition now is like creating a problem where none exists. It is
neither dignified nor believable.... Netanyahu's government
rightfully rejected the Annapolis statement-inasmuch as it purports
to deviate from the road map -- but it is incumbent upon it to
quickly announce that Israel will implement the road map plan, with
all its conditions. Then, among other things, the Palestinian state
will exist alongside Israel, which is -- as everyone knows -- the
state of the Jews.






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2. Iran:
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Summary:
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Giora Eiland, former Director of the National Security Council,
wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot: QIsrael
will have difficulty living with a situation in which Iran can go,
within several months, from being a state that controls nuclear
technology to a state that has the bomb.

Block Quotes:
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"What It Is Not and What It Is"
Giora Eiland, former Director of the National Security Council,
wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot (4/19):
QThe Iranians believe that they will be able to make a deal with the
new U.S. They will continue enriching uranium (supposedly for
peaceful purposes),and promise only not to carry out an arms
program. Thus, Obama will be able to claim that he succeeded in
preventing Ahmadinejad from obtaining nuclear weapons (and indeed,
in all his speeches he has announced that this is his goal). Iran,
for its part, will receive de-facto recognition of its right to
enrich uranium. In this case, even if Iran froze its nuclear-arms
plan, it would be able to resume it and create a bomb within several
months from that moment. That is precisely the concern. Israel
will have difficulty living with a situation in which Iran can go,
within several months, from being a state that controls nuclear
technology to a state that has the bomb. Therefore, the question
that the Prime Minister of Israel should be clarifying in his
upcoming meeting with the American President is this: When you claim
that you will stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, are you
referring, like the previous administration, to stopping it at the
stage of enriching uranium, or have you given up on that subject?
If Obama promises, as did his predecessor, that he intends to stop
Iran from enriching uranium, that will be an important
accomplishment. But talk is not enough. He must act immediately
and form a coalition with Russia and China (in exchange for painful
concessions in other areas). If the administration contents itself
with stopping Iran only at the stage of building a bomb, it will
resign itself, for all practical purposes, to its ability to become
a nuclear power. That is the key question, and it is much more
important than the artificial connection that has been made recently
between Iranian nuclear capability and an agreement on Qtwo states.
Moreover, if that is the answer, then in 2009 the Israeli
government will have to choose between two evils: to get used to a
situation in which Iran will have nuclear arms in the end, or to try
to prevent that from happening on its own.

CUNNINGHAM