Cablegate: Jerusalem Media Reaction (10/17): "Stalemate" In

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OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHJM #1901/01 2911224
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 171224Z OCT 08
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3023
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
RUENAAA/CNO WASHINGTON DC//POLAD//
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 7362
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 4342
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4195
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 5689
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 4111
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2676

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001901

SIPDIS

STATE PASS BBG
STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM
NSC FOR ABRAMS
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 (10/17): "STALEMATE" IN
FATAH-HAMAS UNITY TALKS

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Main Stories:
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The three dailies lead with condemnations by the Palestinian
Authority (PA) President's office of three separate killings of
Palestinians, two by Israeli soldiers and one by settlers, in the
past week. The killings all occurred in the Ramallah area of the
West Bank, with the third Palestinian being shot dead by Israeli
soldiers on October 16. PA Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu
Rudaynah called on Israel and the international community to halt
the Israeli "aggression."

In lead photo coverage, all dailies run front page photos of damage
to a Palestinian's car after "Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian
olive farms." Al Ayyam highlights a large photo of Israeli
"settlers illegally" roaming about the Al Aqsa mosque compound in
Jerusalem on October 15, under Israeli security escort. Al Hayat Al
Jadida also leads with a photo from the October 16 funeral of a
young Palestinian killed by Israeli soldiers.

Al Quds and Al Ayyam run front page stories about photos from 1948
that were recently released by Israeli daily Yedeot Aharanot,
showing Israeli soldiers leading an elderly Palestinian to his
death. Al Ayyam publishes the story on a black background, denoting
the grim nature of the news, while Al Hayat Al Jadida runs a similar
story on an inside page.

All papers report that Democratic presidential hopeful Obama has
taken the lead in polls, but is warning supporters not to become
over-confident. The news is part of front page coverage in Al Quds
and Al Ayyam about the latest presidential debates. Al Ayyam and Al
Hayat Al Jadida publish photos from the debate on inside pages and
the latter also runs excerpts focused on candidates' comments on the
economy.

The front pages present conflicting reports on Israel's readiness to
accept Hamas' terms for the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier
Shalit from Gaza. Israeli Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad is
quoted denying that Israel has accepted Hamas' terms. In related
news, Al Hayat Al Jadida's front page reports that Gilad and Egypt's
President Mubarak discussed on October 12, the extension of the
6-month calm agreement between Hamas and Israel when it expires in
December. Finally, Al Quds' front page reports that Hamas awaits
the Egyptian response to its proposal for direct talks with Fatah in
Cairo and calls upon Palestinian Authority President Abbas to,
"silence voices opposing national unity."

One in three Palestinian families live in poverty according to
statistics recently released by the Palestinian Authority Bureau of
Statistics, as reported on Al Quds' front page. The statistics also
reveal a rise in overall poverty rates in the Palestinian
Territories.

Al Ayyam and Al Hayat Al Jadida report that PLO negotiation chief
Sa'eb Erekat announced that PA President Abbas will not meet with
Israel's Premier Olmert as stated earlier, but that preparations for
a meeting are on-going.

Al Ayyam runs a front page AFP story about international calls for
the implementation of a new financial system, as the global
financial crises deepens.

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BLOCK QUOTES:

JERUSALEM 00001901 002 OF 002

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1. Former Palestinian Authority Minister Hasan Asfour opines in Al
Ayyam under the title, "National dialogue: Interim or final
solution?" (10/17): "The current situation requires that there be a
comprehensive document that provides answers... [to] the issues of
electoral law and mechanisms... [such as] the Legislative Council or
PLO as tools to bring the Palestinian arena back into balance. The
security issue remains a basic issue to resolve..."

2. Al Quds editorial is titled, "What is the way out of this
vicious circle?" (10/17): "Egypt presented an initiative that was
accepted by [Fatah and Hamas]...so why is this initiative now facing
a stale-mate?... Is it because the initiative requires direct
dialogue between the two movements?... The media have reported that
Fatah rejects direct dialogue with Hamas, because in the past...
Hamas has violated agreements... Fatah has the right to have
reservations and seek Arab guarantees...... but not to totally
reject direct dialogue"

Walles

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