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Cablegate: Jerusalem Media Reaction (12/31): Pa Spokesman States That

Published: Thu 31 Dec 2009 08:10 AM
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SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (12/31): PA Spokesman states that
positive developments ahead for the peace process
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Main Stories:
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The three dailies continue to lead with reports on the positive
signals after the meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt on Tuesday.
Independent daily Al-Quds quotes Palestinian Authority (PA)
Presidency Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina stating that there will be
positive developments regarding the peace process in the coming two
weeks. Reports also note that US Special Envoy George Mitchell will
be back in the region in January.
The three dailies front page news citing Israeli radio that
Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat reiterated during a visit to Gilo
yesterday that the construction in Jerusalem, including the Old
City, will not stop and that US condemnations won't change the
municipality's plans. Al-Quds quotes the PA official for Jerusalem
Ahmad Rouwaydi stating that the Jerusalem municipality budget for
2010 includes funds to demolish more Palestinian homes in Jerusalem.
In related news, the dailies report on settlers from Carni Shamron
near Jerusalem uprooting and stealing more than 150 olive trees that
belong to a Palestinian farmer yesterday.
PA official daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida leads with news on the prisoner
exchange deal. The reports note that after the Hamas leaders met in
Damascus to discuss Israel's response on the deal, Hamas official
Ayman Taha said that Hamas did not approve Israel's offer and asked
the German mediator to continue his discussions with Israel to reach
an agreement.
Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa is quoted in the dailies
saying that the UN must play a bigger role in solving the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict and that the US should not be the only
mediator.
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BLOCK QUOTE:
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Al-Quds runs an editorial under the title "What Improvement in the
Israeli Position?" raising skepticism regarding the Israeli Prime
Minister's readiness to resume peace talks. The writer is
pessimistic that Prime Minister Netanyahu will compromise to support
the negotiations. He also notes that President Obama's promises have
all disappeared and that his positions now are very similar to
Israel's official positions.
--------------------
Palestine Cyberspace:
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This week, Palestinian cyberspace focused on the "Viva Palestina"
freedom march to Gaza and the first anniversary of the Gaza War.
Many social media sites carried an interview with the Gaza Freedom
March Steering Committee member and English Language Professor in
Al-Azhar University in Gaza, Dr. Haider Eid. When asked about his
message to Israel, Dr. Eid said "Peace without justice is not
peace."
RUBINSTEIN
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