VZCZCXRO2132
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHJM #1953/01 3010601
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 280601Z OCT 09
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6483
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 7921
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 4888
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4738
RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 6226
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 4657
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 3249
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001953
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 (10/28): More Palestinian homes
demolished in East Jerusalem
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Main Stories:
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The dailies highlight news on the Jerusalem municipality demolishing
8 Palestinian houses yesterday in East Jerusalem due to the lack of
appropriate building permits, leaving 80 people homeless. Al-Quds
reports that the demolition was carried out under the full
protection of the Israeli police. Two Israeli soldiers were injured
in confrontations with citizens during the demolition. Al-Quds runs
a front-page photo of a blind man sitting on the debris of his
demolished room holding the demolition order he received from the
authorities.
Al-Hayat Al-Jadida and Al-Ayyam run front page stories stating that
Secretary Hillary Clinton will visit Israel and the Palestinian
Territories on Saturday. The reports note that Clinton will hold
meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the
resumption of negotiations. The coverage also notes that Special
Envoy George Mitchell will visit the region on Thursday to prepare
for Secretary Clinton's visit.
Maan news agency reports on a statement by Fatah leader Abdullah Abu
Samhadaneh saying that President Abbas will not run for President in
the January elections unless he is asked to do so by Fatah's
leaders. Abu Samhadaneh said that Abbas is "eager to rest from this
long and arduous trip," but also noted that if Abbas "is instructed
by the command [from Palestinian leaders], he will accept the
commission." In related news, Al-Ayyam runs a front page story on
Hamas leader Yahia Mousa announcing that Hamas will not allow the
Central Committee of Elections in Gaza to prepare for the
presidential and legislative elections.
Al-Ayyam's lead story highlights news on Israeli settlers attacking
Palestinian citizens in Qaryout village in the northern West Bank
during their annual olive harvest under the protection of Israeli
soldiers. The reports note that 7 Palestinians were injured during
the attack.
Hamas newspaper Al-Resalah quotes the spokesperson of Al-Qassam
brigades in Gaza Abu Obaida noting that the brigades will continue
to kidnap Israeli soldiers to exchange them for Palestinian
prisoners
Gaza-based Al-Quds radio reports on Fatah leader Abu Samhadana
noting in a press conference that if Hamas continues to refuse to
cooperate with the elections committee, the committee will find a
way to allow Gazans to participate in the elections without Hamas's
approval.
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BLOCK QUOTES:
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1) Al-Quds independent daily runs an editorial under the title: "Why
This Determination to Provoke the Feelings of Muslims at Al-Aqsa
Mosque?"(10/28): "Why does the Israeli government give the green
light to settlers to start unnecessary confrontations between Jews
and Muslims at this time in particular? Is it to distract people's
attention away from Israel's rejection of US and international
demands to halt settlement activity and revive the peace process?"
2) Omar Hilmi Al-Ghoul opines in Al-Hayat Al-Jadida official daily
under the title "Who is the Next Presidential Candidate?" (10/28):
JERUSALEM 00001953 002 OF 002
"The only way to fill the constitutional vacuum which is likely to
occur is to re-elect President Abbas for another term. Abbas is very
popular, as demonstrated in all the opinion polls ... Abbas is the
best and most appropriate candidate for president. He is the only
one who can build on previous efforts and achieve progress."
RUBINSTEIN