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DE RUEHJM #0994/01 1631039
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 121039Z JUN 09
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5118
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC//DAS-ZD/DACS-ZK//
RUEAHQA/CSAF WASHINGTON DC//POLAD//
RHMFIUU/CMC WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/CNO WASHINGTON DC//POLAD//
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 7723
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 4701
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4548
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 6042
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 4463
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 3040

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 000994 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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 (06/12):  PALESTINIANS: END 
DIVISION AND CAPITALIZE ON OBAMA'S REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT 
 
------------- 
Main Stories: 
------------- 
Al-Hayat Al-Jadida leads with and Al-Ayyam and Al-Quds front page 
wire reports on the joint press conference held in Ramallah for 
Palestinian Authority (PA) Premier Fayyad and EU High Commissioner 
for Foreign Policy Solana on June 11.  Fayyad told press that the 
U.S. is seriously engaged in preparing a proposal for ending the 
Palestinian-Israeli conflict.  Fayyad reiterated the importance of 
ending the conflict and urged Israel to meet its Roadmap 
obligations. Solana reconfirmed EU support for peace efforts and 
upholding Roadmap obligations.  In related news, PA chief negotiator 
Erekat responded in an exclusive interview with Al Ayyam to an 
Israeli proposal presented by Israeli President Peres to Solana, 
proposing a Palestinian state with temporary borders.  Erekat stated 
that the PA fully rejects the proposal and added that, "Israel is 
being manipulative." 
 
Al-Quds leads with news about Israeli Minister of Interior declining 
on June 11 to endorse a zoning plan for Jerusalem that includes the 
establishment of housing units for Palestinians in the southern part 
of East Jerusalem.  The Minister noted that the plan includes 
construction of, "many unnecessary housing units for Palestinians, 
exceeding the need," according to coverage. 
 
Al-Ayyam leads with and Al-Quds and Al Hayat Al-Jadida front page 
news about the World Health Organization announcing that the swine 
flu is "the pandemic of the 21st century."  In related news, Al-Quds 
runs front page coverage citing wires that new cases have been 
reported in Israel. 
 
Al-Ayyam runs front page news citing DPA and Israeli daily Haaretz 
about Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's major policy speech 
scheduled for next week.  Sources close to Netanyahu believe that 
the speech will focus on acceptance of the two-state solution and 
the Roadmap, but will also declare rejection of any freeze in 
settlement activities in the West Bank, according to coverage. 
 
Al-Hayat Al-Jadida runs front page coverage citing Reuters on 
statements made by Hamas leader Misha'al to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat 
journal in Cairo on June 11 about President Obama's preconditions to 
pursuing talks with Hamas.  Misha'al is quoted stating that, "we 
sensed a new language and a new tone from the U.S. administration 
and we are waiting to see changes on the ground."  Misha'al urged 
the U.S. to drop preconditions and open dialogue with Hamas, "since 
President Obama keeps reiterating his readiness to open a new page 
with the Muslim world, why should he put preconditions on talks?" 
In related news, Al-Quds runs front page coverage of former U.S. 
president Carter's meetings with Syrian officials and Hamas leaders 
in Syria on June 11.  Carter called on the U.S. to pursue talks with 
Hamas in order to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. 
 
Al-Ayyam's front page cites AFP in reporting about U.S. Envoy 
Mitchell's June 11 joint press conference with Egyptian officials in 
Cairo.  Mitchell called on Arabs to take concrete steps towards 
normalizing relations with Israel, according to coverage.  For his 
part, Egyptian Foreign Minister Al Ghayt urged Israel to halt 
settlement activities and withdraw from West Bank areas. 
 
Al-Quds' front page reports that Palestinian Authority (PA) Premier 
Fayyad during his June 11 cabinet meeting, reiterated PA demands 
that Israel accept the two-state solution, halt all settlement 
activities and adhere to Roadmap obligations before any peace talks 
can begin.  Fayyad also called on the U.S. to move ahead with a 
 
JERUSALEM 00000994  002 OF 002 
 
 
practical plan that ensures peace and security in the Middle East. 
 
Attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank 
continue, according to Al Quds' front page.  The paper reports that 
settlers burned several Palestinian farms in the Hebron and Nablus 
districts on June 11, according to coverage. 
-------------- 
BLOCK QUOTES: 
-------------- 
1) Al-Quds independent daily runs an editorial under titled, 
"Palestinian dialogue leaves a positive impression, but we need 
action"(06/12):  "Since the U.S. administration is using new, 
positive language, the least we could do as Palestinians would be to 
start using new language of our own; one that would serve our goals 
and responds to Obama's positive stance on a regional solution... We 
should have a national Palestinian consensus government that 
formulates a unified position as quickly as possible so that we do 
not squander what we are being offered by the Americans..." 
 
2) Samih Shbayb opines in Al-Ayyam independent daily under the title 
"Netanyahu's speech" (06/12):  "In his upcoming speech, Netanyahu is 
expected to agree to the two-state solution and the Roadmap, but 
will, of course, never agree to halting settlement activities... 
However, in accepting a Palestinian state, Netanyahu will distance 
the concept of a state from all international agreements or specific 
requirements, ultimately rendering the two-state solution 
meaningless... It is now Obama's turn to appropriately respond to 
this deceiving and vague proposal." 
 
WALLES