VZCZCXRO4817
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHJM #0443 0690734
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 100734Z MAR 09
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4340
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 000443 
 
STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD, NSC FOR SHAPIRO/PASCUAL 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAL KWBG KPAO
SUBJECT: SECRETARY CLINTON INTERVIEW WITH PALESTINIAN YOUTH TV 
GARNERS RECORD NUMBER OF VIEWERS 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY:  A record number of Palestinian viewers tuned into 
the March 8 airing of the Palestinian Youth television program, "Ali 
Soutik", to see the program's interview with Secretary Clinton. 
Popular reaction was overwhelmingly positive to the interview, which 
was taped during the Secretary's March 4 visit to Ramallah and 
included questions about the Secretary's meeting with Palestinian 
English language students and her policy goals for the region. 
Young viewers, in particular, said the Secretary exhibited a welcome 
understanding of the challenges in their daily lives.  END SUMMARY. 
 
 
¶2. (U) According to Palestinian TV, more than 1.2 million people 
tuned into watch a March 8 episode of "Ali Soutik" ("Raise Your 
Voice") featuring an exclusive interview with Secretary Clinton. 
The interview was taped during the Secretary's visit to Ramallah on 
March 4.  During the interview, which followed her meeting with 
Palestinian students in the Access English Language, the 
interviewers asked the Secretary about her interactions with the 
Palestinian students and her support for such education programs, as 
well as her policy priorities for the region and the 
Israeli-Palestinian peace process.  The interviewers also asked the 
Secretary what advice, as a mother, she would give to Palestinian 
youth. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Ms. Hania Bitar, director of the NGO PYALARA, which 
produces "Ali Soutik", said they have received overwhelmingly 
positive feedback since the interview aired.  Ms. Bitar 
characterized the interview as a major success in reaching out to 
Palestinian youth, addressing their issues, and giving them hope for 
a better future.  Ms. Bitar said many of the youth with whom she 
works were particularly inspired by Secretary Clinton's remarks as a 
mother.  They felt she demonstrated a genuine understanding of some 
of the issues and challenges they face as Palestinian youth. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Ms. Bitar noted the public viewed the interview in very 
positive terms.  "You cannot believe the phone calls we received, 
the emails ... everyone is talking about the [opportunity] Mrs. 
Clinton has given to Palestinian youth," Ms. Bitar told PD chief. 
Ms. Bitar, who can be a critical judge of USG policy actions, added, 
"I strongly believe that this [will] keep the torch of hope burning 
until a breakthrough is achieved on [the] ground... The Secretary of 
State spoke with great conviction.  She is very persuasive."  Ms. 
Bitar said she was told both President Abbas and Prime Minister 
Fayyad watched the program. 
 
¶5. (U) "Ali Soutik" typically attracts roughly 500,000 viewers to 
its weekly program.  For several days prior to the March 8 show, 
PYALARA ran ads in the local newspapers and television spots 
advertising the show and the special feature with Secretary Clinton. 
 
 
WALLES