ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

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SUBJECT: ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

Please note: The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv will be closed on Friday,
April 24, 2009.

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SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS REPORT:
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1. Mideast


2. Iran


3. U.S.-Israel Relations

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Key stories in the media:
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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.

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1. Mideast:
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Summary:
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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:
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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.

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2. Iran:
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Summary:
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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:
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"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.

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3. U.S.-Israel Relations:
--------------

Summary:
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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:
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"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