ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 000912 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 Please note: The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv will be closed on Friday, April 24, 2009. -------------- SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS REPORT: -------------- ¶1. Mideast ¶2. Iran ¶3. U.S.-Israel Relations -------------- Key stories in the media: -------------- Yesterday HaQaretz quoted FM Avigdor Lieberman as saying in an interview with the Russian newspaper Moskovskiy Komsomolets that the Obama administration will put forth new peace initiatives only if Israel agrees. Yesterday Maariv quoted Lieberman as saying that the Arab peace initiative is a recipe for the annihilation of Israel. All media reported that last night FM Avigdor Lieberman met with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman in Jerusalem, despite declarations from Lieberman's Egyptian counterpart earlier this month that Cairo would not deal with him, nor would he be welcome in the Arab nation, until his attitude changed. Leading media reported that Suleiman invited Lieberman to visit Cairo. The media cited the Foreign MinistryQs statement that, during the meeting, the FM "expressed his respect and appreciation for Egypt's leading role in the region and his personal respect for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Minister Suleiman." Israel and Egypt will continue their vital cooperation to ensure stability, security and peace in the Middle East, the statement said. Maariv and other media reported that, responding to LiebermanQs rejection of the Arab initiative, DM Ehud Barak said that it will be promoted in coordination with the U.S. Yesterday Yediot cited a report presented to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by Gen. Paul Selva, which states that Israel is evading its Roadmap obligations. The media reported that the IDF found in five separate investigations into alleged international law violations that there were no intentional attacks on civilians during Operation Cast Lead. The investigations found in several instances that operational mistakes caused civilian deaths, but Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Harel, who presented the findings, called these cases "isolated." The most noteworthy operational mishap mentioned was the strike on the Al-Daya family home in the Zeitoun neighborhood, in which 21 family members were killed. The Air Force had intended to bomb a home that intelligence believed was being used to store Hamas weapons, and residents of that building were called beforehand to warn them an attack was imminent. According to the investigation, the Al-Daya home was several dozen meters away from the intended target. The error occurred because the pilot was given mistaken coordinates. The IDF described the incident as "saddening," but emphasized that it stemmed from "a professional mistake that could happen during intensive fighting." Another operational mishap occurred when the air force struck a truck near a rocket launcher and a rocket making workshop. The army thought the truck was transporting long-range rockets, but following the attack it learned it was carrying oxygen canisters. The attack killed eight Palestinians, including four Hamas members. The probe into the use of phosphorus munitions, which Palestinian and international sources claimed caused dozens of civilian casualties, concluded that the IDF used "illuminating" phosphorus munitions, fired from mortars and naval vessels in order to "mark" positions. In one instance, phosphorus munitions were used to burn vegetation hiding tunnels used to launch attacks. The probe found that such munitions never were used in populated areas. Artillery shells containing phosphorus were also used to create smoke to cover troop movement. The IDF says such shells are used by all western armies, and that they cause no more than minor burns. The media reported that Israeli and international human rights organizations rejected the results of the army probe. Yesterday, bannering QOn the Way to a Confrontation [with the U.S.]?,Q Yediot reported that, before the U.S. elections, presumptive Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren criticized Barack Obama and supported John McCain. Yediot quoted sources close to the Obama administration as saying that OrenQs nomination is a strange choice. Today Maariv reported that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel privately praised Oren. Yesterday Israel Hayom reported that President Obama invited PM Benjamin Netanyahu, PA President Mahmoud Abbas, and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to separate talks in Washington. HaQaretz reported that the foreign policy of the Netanyahu government, which deems unacceptable the two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict as an outline for negotiations with the Palestinians, has damaged Israel's relations with the European Union. HaQaretz cited an internal Foreign Ministry document last week that stated that following Operation Cast Lead, diplomatic bodies in a number of European countries have called for a freeze on the upgrade of relations with Israel, citing the pressure of domestic public opinion. Four European states have already said that if Israel did not agree to a two-state solution, they would oppose upgrading relations. Under such circumstances, the upgrade would have to be shelved since a unanimous vote is required to implement it. Leading media reported on Secretary ClintonQs testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday. Yediot bannered her description of Pakistan as a Qmortal threat to the security and safety of our country and the world." The media also quoted Clinton as saying that the U.S. was laying the groundwork for "crippling sanctions [on Iran] that might be necessary in the event that our offers are either rejected or the process is inconclusive or unsuccessful". The media also quoted Clinton as saying that the U.S. will not deal with a Palestinian unity government that would include an unreformed Hamas. The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli officials will tell Chinese FM Yang Jiechi, who started a three-day visit to Israel yesterday, that ChinaQs oil and natural gas imports from Iran could be jeopardized in the future if pressure does not increase on the Islamic Republic to cease its nuclear program and a military confrontation ensues. The Jerusalem Post quoted Israeli expert on China Prof. Yitzhak Shichor as saying that Chinese officials are Qdeeply embarrassedQ by Hamas and HizbullahQs usage of Chinese-made weapons. HaQaretz reported that PM Benjamin Netanyahu is developing a "laundry list" that he will present to President Obama when they meet next month in Washington. According to HaQaretz, the Israeli premier will present Obama with a three-part plan involving halting Iran's nuclear program, closer relations with moderate Arab states, and dealing with the Palestinian issue through several channels. Netanyahu will tell Obama that he will not recognize a nation-state providing Palestinian self-determination if the Palestinians don't recognize Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people. Yediot reported that DM Ehud Barak is offering a gesture to the PA: more Palestinian policemen. The Jerusalem Post and other media reported that yesterday Deputy FM Danny Ayalon denied a report that Israel will not move ahead with diplomatic talks with the Palestinians until the U.S. places more pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear weapons program. He was responding to a Washington Post story published on the same day. Yesterday Yediot quoted The New York Times as saying that an Israeli figure promised Jewish Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA) to obtain a promotion for her in exchange for an action on her part to reduce the sentence of senior AIPAC members suspected of conveying information to Israel. Today Maariv and The Jerusalem Post quoted Harman as saying in a series of interviews that she did not do any thing wrong and that Congress members always talk with lobbyists. The Jerusalem Post and Makor Rishon-Hatzofe reported that the prosecution in Washington is considering dropping the AIPAC espionage case. Jewish-American businessman Daniel Abrams, who served as former PM Ehud OlmertQs informal diplomatic envoy, was quoted as saying in an interview with Maariv that Netanyahu will bring peace with the Arab world. The Jerusalem Post reported that Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, the Gazan doctor who in January lost three of his daughters when IDF soldiers fired tank shells on his home, will share the (American) Niarchos Prize for Survivorship with Nomika Zion from Sderot. The media reported that yesterday Labor Party Chairman Ehud Barak dismissed the partyQs secretary general Eitan Cabel, who responded by saying that Barak is Qa dictator who tries to get rid of anyone who disturbs him.Q While Cabel associates were quoted as saying that Barak has split the party, Barak associates said that Cabel does not respect the majority vote in the party in favor of entering the government coalition. Media reported that the partyQs convention members will meet to discuss the situation. HaQaretz cited the results of a poll commissioned by the Konrad Adenauer FoundationQs Israel office: More than 75% of Israeli Jews would like Israel to join the EU. Forty percent of the Arab population support the idea. As a whole, 60% of Israelis view the EU favorably. -------------- ¶1. Mideast: -------------- Summary: -------------- The independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized: Q[Avigdor Lieberman] apparently is not impressed by the positions of U.S. President Barack Obama.... [LiebermanQs] positions should cause concern to anyone who supports a peace process based on compromise and the normalization of Israel's status in the Middle East. Middle East affairs commentator Dr. Guy Bechor, a lecturer at the Interdisciplinary Center, wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot: QAuspiciously, after over sixty years, the educational process of peace with the Arab world is beginning. Columnist Ari Shavit wrote in HaQaretz: QIt is out of the question for Israel to recognize the Palestinian people's right to self-determination in advance, while the Palestinians refuse to recognize the Jewish people's right to self-determination. Liberal columnist Uzi Benziman wrote in the popular, pluralist Maariv: QThere are definite signs that NetanyahuQs second term might be a repeat of his first one. Block Quotes: -------------- ¶I. "LiebermanQs Illusory View" The independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized (4/23): QThe appointment of Avigdor Lieberman as foreign minister has not led him to moderate his diplomatic positions or to soften his belligerent approach to solving the country's problems.... He apparently is not impressed by the positions of U.S. President Barack Obama, who is demanding confidence-building steps from both sides and stated two days ago that talk without action would not be enough.... Currently, Lieberman has the right to veto any of Netanyahu's diplomatic initiatives. Therefore his positions should cause concern to anyone who supports a peace process based on compromise and the normalization of Israel's status in the Middle East. Lieberman's repeated statements prove that his appointment as foreign minister was a mistake that is causing damage to Israel's diplomatic interests. II. "The Two Sides of the Coin" Middle East affairs commentator Dr. Guy Bechor, a lecturer at the Interdisciplinary Center, wrote in the mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot (4/23): QAt least in talkbacks on the Arab Internet, an initial debate has just taken place: Does Israel exist, should it exist; furthermore -Q as a Jewish state? This is the wisdom of the motto Qtwo states for two states.Q Yes, the Jewish people are a people; without the concessions of the failed Oslo agreement. For this reason, Israel must insist on both sides of the motto, as Prime Minister Netanyahu is wisely doing.... Until now [the Arabs] have claimed that Israel is racist, but by rejecting the Jewish peopleQs formula they are in fact being exposed as racist themselves.... Auspiciously, after over sixty years, the educational process of peace with the Arab world is beginning. It will be long and arduous, like a true educational process. But it canQt be avoided. There are no shortcuts; reality requires it. III. "The Two Nation-State Solution" Columnist Ari Shavit wrote in HaQaretz (4/23): QThe Israeli-Palestinian conflict is three-tiered: It is a conflict about 1967, about 1947, and about 1917. However, what underlies this is the fact that the Jewish national movement did not recognize the Palestinian people or its rights to this land, and that the Palestinian national movement did not recognize the Jewish people and its rights to the same land.... It is out of the question for Israel to recognize the Palestinian people's right to self-determination in advance, while the Palestinians refuse to recognize the Jewish people's right to self-determination. That asymmetry will not lead to peace; sooner or later, it will lead to a blood-drenched all-out war. Benjamin Netanyahu is now trying to implement Livni's meta-principle. Expectedly, the left is ridiculing the attempt. The imagined peace community is trying to sabotage it. However, in this specific case Netanyahu is right. On this issue of principle he is expressing the firm opinion of the Israeli majority. If there is a chance for an Israeli-Palestinian peace, it must be a peace of two nation-states. IV. "The Same Known Noises" Liberal columnist Uzi Benziman wrote in the popular, pluralist Maariv (4/23): QWhen [Netanyahu] shapes his policy on the Palestinian issue, he encounters situations in which he appears as someone who was forced to give up his positions; when he tries his find his way with the Egyptians, his daunting foreign minister stands behind him, blowing a trumpet that disturbs his moves; when he looks for a candidate for the post of ambassador to the United States, he creates expectations and rivalries among several people whom he -Q or his associates -Q solicits simultaneously; when he tries to draw an initial outline to solve the economic crisis, his fresh government talks in multiple voices. Thus, there are definite signs that NetanyahuQs second term might be a repeat of his first one. -------------- ¶2. Iran: -------------- Summary: -------------- Former Editor-in-Chief Moshe Ishon wrote in the editorial of the nationalist, Orthodox Makor Rishon-Hatzofe: QIf [Ahmadinejad] continues to reject ... the existence of the Jewish state in the Land of Israel, there will be no room for the U.S. to hold talks with that nation. Block Quotes: -------------- "The Incitement Continues" Former Editor-in-Chief Moshe Ishon wrote in the editorial of the nationalist, Orthodox Makor Rishon-Hatzofe (4/23): QIf [Ahmadinejad] continues to reject the existence of the Jewish people and opposes the existence of the Jewish state in the Land of Israel, there will be no room for the U.S. to hold talks with that nation.... It must be assumed that the White House understands this.... [The United StatesQ] assessments are accepted in the diplomatic and security arenas. In the aftermath of the Durban [II] conference, gazes are focusing on Tehran. -------------- ¶3. U.S.-Israel Relations: -------------- Summary: -------------- Correpondent Shmuel Rosner wrote in the popular, pluralist Maariv: QWhat started as a lethal assault on the QLobbyQsQ fortified citadel has ... turned into embarrassing harassment. Block Quotes: -------------- "This IsnQt Meant for the Phone" Correpondent Shmuel Rosner wrote in the popular, pluralist Maariv (4/23): QThe mid-ranking officials of U.S. intelligence agencies do not have a particular love for Israel or its many friends in WashingtonQs corridors of power. Exhausted agents are constantly looking for the QIsraeli spyQ -Q theyQre convinced that heQs there, leaking, and assisting, because it would be impossible to explain IsraelQs influence otherwise, and its continuous presence at the diplomatic crossroads of decisions that havenQt calmed down since Jonathan Pollard.... But what started as a lethal assault on the QLobbyQsQ fortified citadel has ... turned into embarrassing harassment.... It is no wonder that the administration is now considering giving up the [AIPAC] trial.... The increasing number of IsraelQs critics in the U.S. capital are more encouraged by the phone conversation [between Congresswoman Jane Harman and an alleged Israeli QagentQ] than by Avigdor LiebermanQs appointment to the post of foreign minister. CUNNINGHAM