Cablegate: Jerusalem Media Reaction (08/14): Time has Come For

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O 140700Z AUG 09
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5722
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC
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INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 7820
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 4792
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4640
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 6133
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UNCLAS JERUSALEM 001403

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STATE PASS BBG
STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM
NSC
CMC WASHINGTON DC FOR POLAD

JERUSALEM ALSO FOR ICD
LONDON FOR HKANONA AND POL - TSOU
PARIS ALSO FOR POL
ROME FOR MFO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAL KWBG KPAO IS

SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (08/14): Time Has Come For
National Reconciliation

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Main Stories:
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Al-Quds leads with reports on Israeli government sources assuring
that "progress has been achieved concerning the prisoner exchange
negotiations." The reports also note that negotiations between Hamas
and Israel have reached a critical stage with expectations that a
deal will involve the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad
Shalit in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. According to
coverage, Germany and former US President Jimmy Carter have been
engaged with Egypt and other relevant parties to help finalize the
deal.

Al-Ayyam and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida lead with news on Palestinian
Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas chairing the first meeting of
the newly elected Fatah Central Committee (FCC) on August 13. The
dailies quote Abbas reiterating that "Fatah will rebuild itself and
its political program." The president noted to the press after the
meeting that Fatah is committed to pursuing dialogue with Hamas and
to ending the internal division. He also stated that the PA will not
pursue any negotiations with Israel unless the latter completely
halts all settlement activity, according to coverage.

In related news, all dailies highlight reports that former PA Prime
Minister and senior Fatah figure Ahmed Qurai, who was not reelected
to the FCC, has voiced suspicions about the integrity of the FCC
electoral process.

Al-Hayat Al-Jadida front pages news citing Maan News Network and
Israeli TV Channel One on August 13 that Qatar and Oman will
consider renewing diplomatic relations with Israel once Israel
agrees to freeze settlement construction. Per the coverage, this is
the result of increased US pressure on Arab states to take tangible
steps towards normalizing relations with Israel.-------------
BLOCK QUOTES:
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1) Al-Quds independent daily runs an editorial under the title, "Is
it time to end the division?"(08/14): "After the success of the
Fatah conference, isn't it time to end the division and achieve
reconciliation ... Isn't it time to give consideration to national
unity and national interests? Isn't it time to prioritize our
r
national unity above all else? Weren't the last two years of
division more than enough? Didn't they give Israel all the time and
excuses needed to pursue home demolitions and settlement
expansion?"

2) Rajab Abu Sirriyeh opines in Al-Ayyam independent daily under the
headline "Fatah, the central committee wins" (08/14): "The
conference has empowered Fatah, which rekindled its status as a
major movement, led by Abu Mazen, who is now capable of ending the
internal Palestinian division and more capable of pursuing
negotiations with Israel. This explains why Netanyahu was nervous
about the conference. Fatah will now push its political program and
will pave the way for the Palestinian state."

WALLES

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