VZCZCXRO2363
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHJM #1627 2531050
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 101050Z SEP 09
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6018
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 7854
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 4826
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4676
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 6167
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 4593
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 3174

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 001627 
 
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 (09/10): New settlement units in 
East Jerusalem widely condemned in Palestinian press 
 
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Main Stories: 
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Al-Ayyam runs front page news on "an unprecedented statement" made 
by Washington concerning Israeli settlement activity on September 9. 
The report notes that State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly stressed 
to the press that the Israeli government has to commit to a complete 
cessation of settlement activity within the 1967 borders. According 
to coverage, Kelly is quoted as saying that the US believes 
settlements are an obstacle to renewed peace talks between the 
Palestinians and Israelis. 
 
In related news, the dailies front page coverage on the Israeli 
government issuing tenders on September 9 for the construction of 
more than 480 housing units in the Pesgat Ze'ev settlement in East 
Jerusalem. The reports note that by pursuing these activities, the 
Israeli government is challenging the US, European and international 
positions that reject continued settlement activity. 
 
All front pages quote Palestinian Authority (PA) Presidency 
Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeina stating that President Mahmoud Abbas 
received an Egyptian proposal outlining the end to the Palestinian 
internal division. Abu Rudeina noted that the PA will respond to the 
proposal within two days. In its reporting, Al-Quds notes that the 
Executive Committee for the Palestinian Liberation Organization will 
convene today to discuss the proposal. According to Hamas officials, 
Hamas has not yet received the proposal. 
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BLOCK QUOTES: 
------------- 
 
1) Talal Okal opines in Al-Ayyam independent daily under the title 
"Would the world give in to Israel?" (09/10): "The Europeans and 
Americans are cooperating with Israel's blackmailing policy. They 
are not willing to exert real pressure on Israel to achieve 
comprehensive peace on the ground. On the contrary, they are 
pressuring the Arab states to normalize relations with Israel even 
if the latter doesn't pledge to halt or freeze all settlement 
activity." 
 
2) Ibrahim Abu Sha'ban opines in Al-Quds independent daily under the 
title "Activate the 7th chapter of UN convention" (09/10):"The 
international climate is conducive for the Arab states to ask the UN 
Security Council to impose sanctions against Israel due to their 
continued settlement activity. This action should not be delayed ... 
as nothing can be more harmful to international peace and security 
than settlement expansion. " 
 
RUBINSTEIN