Cablegate: Israel Media Reaction

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SUBJECT: ISRAEL MEDIA REACTION

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SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS REPORT:
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Mideast

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Key Stories in the Media:
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Leading media reported that Secretary Rice visited the West Bank on
Thursday. Maariv reported that Rice announced in Ramallah that the
U.S. will give USD 80 million to PA Chairman Abu Mazen for upgrading
the security services.

Makor Rishon-Hatzofe reported that Secretary Rice told PA Chairman
Abbas that PM Olmert agreed to put the "core issues" on the
negotiation table.

Yediot reported that the pardon deal for wanted Palestinian
activists is near collapse. The paper quoted security officials as
saying that it does not appear possible to carry out this goodwill
gesture for the foreseeable future as PA Chairman Abbas is having
difficulty exercising his authority and persuading the wanted men to
meet Israel's conditions.

Maariv reported that the Syrian army is training in guerilla warfare
using Hizbullah their example. This includes firing Katyusha
rockets. The newspaper added that this is the first time in the
world that a regular army has trained regular forces on a
significant scale to operate as a guerrilla force. The new
guerrilla unit will operate as an integral part of the Syrian army.

All media reported that tension between members of the Winograd
committee and PM Olmert is growing. According to Yediot the
committee is refusing to let Olmert see transcripts of testimonies
it collected.

Maariv reported that differences between PM Olmert and Defense
Minister Barak are intensifying. The newspaper added that on
cardinal security and foreign policy issues, the two find themselves
on different sides.

Leading media reported that the conflict between Hamas and Islamic
Jihad is growing and that three people were killed and seven more
wounded in violent clashes between the factions.

Israel Radio reported that two Qassam rockets were launched towards
Sderot. One person was lightly injured and some property damage was
reported.

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Mideast:
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Summary:
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Diplomatic correspondent Aluf Benn and Washington correspondent
Shmuel Rosner wrote in the independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz: "It
is obvious to everyone involved that Riyadh's presence will be
crucial to the conference's success; the Saudi presence will upgrade
it beyond another standard encounter between Israel and its
immediate neighbors, and will indicate the revival of the political
process with the support of the Sunni 'axis of moderation.'"

Columnist Meron Benvenisti wrote in the independent, left-leaning
Ha'aretz: "The clear formulations of those who head the Palestinian
Authority leave no room for doubt: The circular path of time that
characterizes this conflict has completed another circuit. We are
at the start of a 'peace process' like the one that occurred from
1993-2001."

Diplomatic correspondent Dov Kontorer wrote in conservative
Russian-language Vesty: "This [international peace conference] is
expected to create a 'positive counterbalance' to the obvious
failure of American policy in Iraq and the inability of the White
House to stop nuclear weapon production in Iran."

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

I. "Hurrah, The Saudis are Coming"

Diplomatic correspondent Aluf Benn and Washington correspondent
Shmuel Rosner wrote in the independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz
(08/03): "After a series of frustrating visits to the region, which
were characterized by unpleasant talks with Prime Minister Ehud
Olmert, Rice arrived in Jerusalem on Wednesday with an achievement:
an initial agreement by Saudi Arabia to take part in the peace
conference ... President Bush wants to convene this fall. It is
obvious to everyone involved that Riyadh's presence will be crucial
to the conference's success; the Saudi presence will upgrade it
beyond another standard encounter between Israel and its immediate
neighbors, and will indicate the revival of the political process
with the support of the Sunni 'axis of moderation.'.... The indirect
messages Rice conveyed between Olmert and King Abdullah did not go
beyond the conventional in Israel's relations with the Arab world.
As always, the Arabs want to discuss essence, whereas the Israelis
are more interested in a photo-op. In exchange for their
participation in the conference, the Saudis want to discuss the
'core issues'.... In response, Olmert said that the Persian Gulf
representatives would have to hold political status and not be made
up of junior officials or ambassadors. The Saudis want to show that
they are looking after the Palestinians; Olmert is getting ready for
the expected criticism from the right.... The question is whether
there will also be a handshake, and how much that will cost Israel.
"

II. "Deja Vu"

Columnist Meron Benvenisti wrote in the independent, left-leaning
Ha'aretz (08/03): "It is hard to get over the feeling of Deja vu
when facing the current political arena and public discourse....
After years of bloodshed that has brought the Palestinians only
terrible disaster, Prime Minister Salam Fayad is returning to the
formulas that his teacher and spiritual mentor Yasser Arafat
declaimed when he was on the skids after the first Gulf War and was
in desperate need of American aid.... It is possible to dismiss the
value of statements from a weakened Palestinian government that
needs all the help it can get from the Americans, and also from the
occupying side. However, the clear formulations of those who head
the Palestinian Authority leave no room for doubt: The circular path
of time that characterizes this conflict has completed another
circuit. We are at the start of a 'peace process' like the one that
occurred from 1993-2001 and all concerned will shake the dust off
the messages of Oslo and its addenda.... What has been is not
necessarily what will be, and the current 'process' will not
necessarily end the way its predecessor did, in a new intifada....
The process of crushing the Palestinian people is pulling into its
last station."

III. "We'll Meet in October"

Diplomatic correspondent Dov Kontorer wrote in conservative
Russian-language Vesty (08/02): "U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice arrived in Jerusalem on August 1 and immediately started
negotiations with Israeli officials.... The US initiative to
(mediate) ... an [international] conference between Israeli and
Palestinian leaders with participation of several Arab countries
from the region is the [main] focus of current discussions....
President Bush's initiative suggests conducting an international
Middle East Conference in this format guarantees the U.S. a dominant
position in the political process in the region. This
[international peace conference] is expected to create a 'positive
counterbalance' to the obvious failure of American policy in Iraq
and the inability of the White House to stop nuclear weapon
production in Iran."
JONES

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