Friday, July 24, 2009

Netanyahu says he seeks peace with Palestinians

Reuters, By Dan Williams (23/7/2009) * Israeli prime minister says he seeks peace; no specifics * Netanyahu welcomes Bahrain call for "action in good faith" * Abbas aide says talks could resume "immediately" (Recasts with new quotes, details and background) HERZLIYA, Israel, July 23 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday he hoped to forge peace with the Palestinians and welcomed Arab overtures as a possible starting point, but offered no details on how it could be done. The right-wing Israeli leader's comments came shortly before U.S. President Barack Obama's peace envoy, George Mitchell, visits the region for a new push to resume negotiations, stalled for months over controversy about settlement building... Click here for full story Click here for transcript of the PM's press conference

'Hamas may get its claws into Gaza reconstruction funds'

The Jerusalem Post, By Yaakov Katz and Herb Keinon (24/7/2009) Increasingly concerned that Hamas will steal money donated for Gaza's rehabilitation, the Defense Ministry distributed a document this week revealing that unions affiliated with the terrorist group have set up joint committees with UN agencies that dispense humanitarian aid.

The document was distributed to the Foreign Ministry, Finance Ministry and the Israeli intelligence community, and was also sent to the United States to warn it that the $900 million it has pledged to help rebuild the Gaza Strip could fall into Hamas hands.

"All humanitarian aid sent into the Gaza Strip today needs to receive Hamas clearance," a senior defense official told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday. "Hamas uses violence against international organizations, including UNRWA, if they do not cooperate."

Hamas recently published an ad in a Palestinian newspaper warning that "whoever does not follow its orders will be forced to leave Gaza."

Click here for full story Other Hamas Articles: "Hamas Shifts From Rockets to Public Relation," The New York Times, By Ethan Bronner (23/7/2009) "Italian FM: Hamas Influence Holding up ME Peace," Arutz Sheva (23/7/2009)

Israel government wins praise for steps to boost Arab sector businesses

Haaretz, By Nadav Shemer (23/7/2009) The head of Israel's Center for Jewish-Arab Economic Development believes that Benjamin Netanyahu's government has undergone a welcome policy shift on boosting business ventures in the Arab sector, citing the creation of a private equity fund precisely for that purpose. CJAED executive chairman Eytan Biderman and director Helmi Kittani praised the launch of the fund, saying that the need to integrate Arab sector into the Israeli workforce - which their organization has been promoting for over two decades - "is now recognized as national policy." Click here for full story

Israeli FM starts Latin America tour to counter Iran

Agence France Press, By Marc Burleigh (22/7/2009) SAO PAULO — Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Tuesday began a 10-day tour of Latin America aimed at countering growing Iranian influence in the region...

Brazil, the region's biggest economy, is seen as the most important leg of the Latin America trip, according to the Israeli ambassador to the country, Giora Becher.

While bilateral trade is meager though growing -- amounting to 1.6 billion dollars last year, according to the Brazilian government -- the political dimension is increasingly important...

Click here for full story

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Arab Affairs

Palestinian Affairs: "Amman revoking Palestinians' citizenship" The Jerusalem Post, By Khaled Abu Toameh (20/7/2009): Jordanian authorities have started revoking the citizenship of thousands of Palestinians living in Jordan to avoid a situation in which they would be "resettled" permanently in the kingdom, Jordanian and Palestinian officials revealed on Monday. The new measure has increased tensions between Jordanians and Palestinians, who make up around 70 percent of the kingdom's population... "Ma'aleh Adumim, Gilo are no different" The Jerusalem Post, By Khaled Abu Toameh (20/7/2009): The Palestinian Authority is hoping that the intervention of the US State Department with Israel to halt a construction project in Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood would be the first step toward taking action against new homes in Jewish neighborhoods established in the parts of the city annexed after 1967..."These attempts [by Israel] will fail and east Jerusalem will become the eternal capital of our Palestinian state," Fayad said, calling for an end to settlement construction in all the Palestinian territories, "including Jerusalem and its surroundings." "Blast injures 50 at wedding for nephew of Fatah leader" CNN (21/7/2009): A large explosion late Tuesday at a wedding party for relatives of a Fatah leader injured at least 50 people in Gaza, Palestinian medical sources said... Syrian and Lebanese Affairs "Honour killings in Syria - The law changes. Will attitudes?" The Economist (16/7/2009): BASHAR ASSAD, Syria’s president, has made it a bit harder for men to kill their daughters and sisters for the sake of “honour”. The crime had previously carried no minimum sentence; the maximum was a year. Now, a presidential decree has made a small but significant change: honour-killers must face at least two years in prison... "Lebanese army says suspects were planning foreign attacks" CNN (21/7/2009): The Lebanese army has arrested 10 suspected members of a terrorist network who the military believes were planning to attack targets abroad, the army said.Most of the suspects are not from Lebanon, said the army...

Obama's first six months, Reuters Video

Jul 22 - In his first six months in the White House, President Barack Obama has seen his approval ratings slip about 10 percentage points as he takes on a battered U.S. economy.

Jon Decker reports.

Reports: Iran reactor to be switched on this year

The Associated Press (22/7/2009)

MOSCOW (AP) -- Russian news agencies quote the country's nuclear agency chief as saying a Russian-built nuclear power reactor in Iran is still set to be switched on this year.

State-run RIA-Novosti and ITAR-Tass quote Sergei Kiriyenko as saying plans remain for a start-up of the reactor near the Iranian city of Bushehr by the end of the year.

Russia is helping Iran build its first nuclear power plant as part of a program Iran says is purely peaceful. The United States and Israel say it is meant to develop atomic weapons.

Officials in Russia and Iran had previously announced plans to switch the reactor on this year. But that was cast in doubt last month when reports quoted the head of the Russian company building the plant as saying there had been problems with financing.

Click here for link

ANALYSIS-Iran's hardline leaders failing to stem discontent

Reuters, By Alistair Lyon, Special Correspondent (21/7/2009) * Iran's post-election power struggle persists * Turmoil dims prospects for nuclear dialogue with West * Rafsanjani sermon emboldens opposition * Khamenei faces unprecedented challenge to authority "I fear Ahmadinejad's presence serves as an insurmountable obstacle to confidence-building with the United States," Carnegie's Sadjadpour said of the prospects for engagement. "It's going to be impossible for Tehran to reassure us that its nuclear ambitions are purely peaceful as long as Ahmadinejad remains so outspokenly belligerent towards Israel." (Editing by Jon Hemming) Click here for full story

US pledges to defend Gulf against Iran (Financial Times, NY Times, Al Jazeera, Reuters)

Financial Times, By Daniel Dombey and Tim Johnston (22/7/2009)

Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday that the US was ready to guarantee the safety of its Gulf allies against Iran and would increase pressure on North Korea, as she set out Washington’s strategy to tackle nuclear proliferation from Tehran and Pyongyang.

Speaking on a visit to Thailand, the US secretary of state sought to counter recent setbacks to the Obama administration’s plans for negotiations with Iran by insisting that the US could “extend a defence umbrella over the [Gulf] region” if Tehran developed a nuclear weapon.

In the face of recent missile and nuclear tests by North Korea and worries about its military and possibly nuclear links with Burma, she also argued that Pyongyang would be subjected to “unrelenting” sanctions unless it irreversibly ended its nuclear weapons programme...

But her remarks were immediately attacked by Israel. Dan Meridor, intelligence service minister, said Mrs Clinton’s remarks made it seem as if the US were “already resigned” to a nuclear-armed Iran. “This is a mistake,” he said, according to Reuters. “We cannot act now by assuming that Iran will be able to arm itself with a nuclear weapon, but to prevent such a possibility.”

Click here for the Financial Times, "Us pledges to defend Gulf against Iran"

The New York Times, "Clinton Warns North Korea and Iran"

Al Jazeera, "US mulls Gulf defences against Iran"

Reuters, "Clinton outlines how US might deal with nuclear Iran"

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Israel to Lebanon: stop border violations

The Associated Press, By Edith M. Lederer (20/7/2009) UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- Israel urged the Lebanese government and U.N. peacekeepers on Monday to prevent Hezbollah militants and their supporters from violating its territory and jeopardizing the fragile stability along the border.

The resolution, which ended the inconclusive 34-day war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006, put the zone under the control of 15,000 Lebanese troops and a 13,300-member U.N. peacekeeping force. It prohibited Hezbollah from engaging in military activities in south Lebanon and banned weapon smuggling to the group...

Israeli Ambassador Gabriela Shalev cited three recent incidents that she said were "severe violations" of the U.N. resolution.

In the first, on July 14, a Hezbollah arms cache exploded...

Three days later, 15 Lebanese civilians crossed the U.N.-drawn Blue Line...

The July 17 incident took place near a position manned by U.N. peacekeepers, but Shalev said the force, known as UNIFIL, "refrained from taking any action to prevent the crossing of these individuals into Israeli territory."

...A third serious incident took place the following day, July 18...

Click here for full story

Israel to demolish 23 illegal settlements in one day

The Guardian, By Ian Black (21/7/2009) Israel is planning to remove 23 "illegal outposts" from the West Bank in the course of a single day in response to mounting US demands that it halt all settlement activity, it was reported today.

These outposts are defined as illegal by the Israeli government because they have not received planning permission. But under international law all settlements built on occupied territory are illegal. According to the Ha'aretz newspaper the outposts, housing 1,200 people, will all be evacuated and dismantled simultaneously following a decision by the Likud prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu...

Click here for full story

'US, Israel rift on settlement issue to be resolved soon'

The Jerusalem Post (22/7/2009) Israel's Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren said that the disagreement between America and Israel on the settlement issue would be resolved soon. In an interview with Israel radio Wednesday, Oren claimed that there was no confrontation and no tension between the two countries... Click here for full story

From Israel to the N.B.A., Missing the Hummus

The New York Times, By Howard Beck (18/7/2009) LAS VEGAS — The first Israeli in the N.B.A., Omri Casspi, is busily trying to adapt to life in the United States...

Then there are weightier adjustments, like getting used to being the greatest hope in Israeli basketball history.

No Israeli has ever played in the N.B.A. Until last month, none had ever been drafted in the first round.

When the Kings took Casspi with the 23rd pick, he became the first Israeli to secure a guaranteed contract, which will almost assuredly make him the first to play in an N.B.A. game...

Casspi’s arrival has energized Jews in Sacramento. A large contingent — many wearing jerseys with Casspi’s name spelled in Hebrew — turned out for a postdraft rally. They have taken Casspi on tours of the city and offered assistance in finding a house, a car and, naturally, some good restaurants.

“I feel blessed, really, to be in this situation,” Casspi said.

He is, however, still searching for a good Israeli restaurant and a worthy tub of hummus.

Click here for full story

Czech, Israel seek more cooperation in science, technology

Ceske Noviny (22/7/2009) Jerusalem/Prague - Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer is on visit to Israel to seek further possibilities of cooperation in science and technology between the two countries, Fischer´s spokesman Roman Prorok told CTK after Fischer´s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today...

Trade between the two countries is five times higher now than in 2003, or one year before the Czech Republic joined the European Union, Hovorka recalled.

Peres and Fischer agreed that their countries have a very great cooperation potential, particularly in science and the economy.

Click here to read full story

Monday, July 20, 2009

Ziosweat Israel International Media Monitoring (July 12-19, 2009)

Sources Monitored: CNN, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Jerusalem Post, Haaretz, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, BBC News, The Associated Press, Reuters

The Iranian Threat and the Disputed Presidential Election After-Math:

Recent intensification of coverage of Israel’s preparation for a potential war with Iran continues to hit the international media. The Associated Press (AP) reports on a successful Israeli anti-missile live fire test, while The Times reports that two Israeli missile class warships on Tuesday sailed through the Suez Canal 10 days after an Israeli submarine capable of launching nuclear missile strikes also sailed through the Suez Canal.

Ziosweat Analysis: The reason behind the sudden increase in exposure of the Israeli Defense Forces’ activities in international media may be directly linked with failing U.S. policies in Iran. President Barack Obama has preached about “exhausting diplomatic efforts” since his campaign, and continues to do so. Since the widespread police and militia brutality against the election protesters in Iran, the world and the U.S. public are starting to understand that perhaps these are not the kind of leaders that you can have constructive, diplomatic talks with. So far the Iranian leaders (Ali Khamenei and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad) have not implied in any way a halt to their nuclear ambitions or an interest in serious talks with the Obama Administration. Moreover, “if Obama now spoke with Ahmadinejad, it would be as if he were granting legitimacy to an oppressive and violent regime.“ Yaakov Katz, a journalist for The Jerusalem Post continues, “This is where Israel comes into play. Biden can use Israel to threaten Iran that if it doesn't settle down at the negotiating table, who knows what the Netanyahu government might do.” Katz mentions U.S. Vice President Biden because Biden has recently said in an ABC interview that “Israel can determine for itself - it's a sovereign nation - what's in their interest and what they decide to do relative to Iran and anyone else.”

Troublesome news from both the AP and Haaretz state that Iran could have a nuclear bomb within six months. Al Jazeera and AP articles analyze U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s address to the Council of Foreign Relations in Washington on Wednesday. Her address was described by Al Jazeera as a “strong message to Iran, saying it is running out of time to engage in dialogue over its nuclear programme to avoid further isolation or even military action.”

Political instability continues to be the theme in Iranian news, as a key Iranian cleric, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani warned Iranian leaders and called on Friday for the release of people arrested after last month’s disputed presidential election, CNN reports. He warned: "The system cannot lose them. If the system reproaches them they will come back to us." The Guardian published an article revealing Iran’s next move: intimidation, as Iranian police officers publicly hanged 13 “convicted terrorists” in south-eastern Iran this week. Ian Black, the Middle East editor for The Guardian writes: “Analysts believe this spate of executions is meant to assert the regime's authority amid the worst unrest Iran has seen since the 1979 revolution.”

IDF Soldiers’ claims of irregularities during Cast Lead

This week there has been widespread international media focus on a group of (unidentified) IDF soldiers who claim that there were “irregularities” during the operation Cast Lead in Gaza six months ago. These anonymous soldiers claim that Palestinians were used as human shields, CNN reports, or that there were “no clear red lines” (AP). Al Jazeera, who also covered the scoop stated that “the Israeli military has rejected the criticisms leveled against it, saying in a statement the they were ‘based on hearsay’.”

Ziosweat Analysis: Besides what a small group of unidentified people are claiming, it is an indisputable fact that the IDF is one of the world’s most moral armies. More on this coming up on Ziosweat. The reason such loose accusations (no information whatsoever was provided about the so-called “irregularities” or the people involved) receive so much international media attention is because of its clear bias to report news that shed light on Israel in an unflattering way. I have heard this phenomenon in first person from a local journalist who is one of the first people international media contacts in the event of a story in the West Bank or Gaza. He said to me that if there was an IDF soldier shouting at a Palestinian it is possible that CNN would send a helicopter to cover the incident. But if there are public executions of several Arab journalists in the middle of a public square in Ramallah, international journalists do not view it as an adequate story.

Lebanon: Hezbollah Explosion, Rearming

International media widely reported on an explosion of a two-story building that held Hezbollah arms cashe in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. The UN called it a “serious violation” (AP) while Haaretz reported that the UN learned of the Hezbollah arms cache months ago. The New York Times noted how this incident is “evidence of Hezbollah’s rearming” and how “this epitomizes the problem that we are facing in south Lebanon,” Brig. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, head of the Israeli military’s operations branch, said in a telephone briefing for foreign journalists. “This non-state terror organization is growing and becoming a semi-military organization. It poses a major threat to the state of Israel.”

Following the incident the AP reported later in the week that Lebanese villagers threw stones at U.N. peacekeeping troops, lightly injuring 14 soldiers, in an attempt to prevent an investigation near the site of the recent explosion. AP continues, “under the U.N. resolution, a 13,300-member U.N. peacekeeping force from 28 nations was deployed along Lebanon's border with Israel to help 15,000 Lebanese government troops extend their authority into the south for the first time in decades and create a buffer zone free of Hezbollah fighters.”

Ziosweat Analysis: This so-called U.N. peacekeeping troops is one of the biggest security liabilities in the modern history of peacekeeping. Three years after the war ended with Hezbollah, they have now managed to rearm from about 3,000 rockets to almost 50,000 rockets that now have the capabilities of reaching most of Israel, including Tel Aviv. Right under the nose of over 13,000 U.N. troops. This was highlighted in an article published earlier this month by Maariv with the headline “Hezbollah can hit Tel Aviv with 600 rockets daily, for 60 days.” Hezbollah has claimed that their goal is to reach 1,000 rockets daily, for 60 days.

Jewish Settlements

Ziosweat Analysis: One of the biggest issues since U.S. President Obama took office earlier this year has been the Jewish Settlements in the West Bank. No other topic receives such diverse coverage in the international press. Most coverage condemns the continuous building of settlements, while domestic coverage tries to, as always, focus on the real obstacle to peace which is the Palestinian leadership’s refusal to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish State and the threat of a nuclear Iran.

A prominent journalist who explains this issue with both clarity and blatancy is Khaled Abu Toameh, an Israeli-Arab journalist with a Palestinian mother. He says, “I wish the settlements were the problem” because it can be solved by the Israelis. If settlements were the problem, he argues, then Gaza would now be at peace. After all, the Israelis pulled out in 2005. But the result has been war — war among the Palestinians, war with Israel. “The real obstacle to peace is not a Jew building a settlement but the failure of the Palestinians to have a government. Is there a partner on the Palestinian side for peace talks? No.”

Moreover, Mr. Abu Toameh accurately claims that the “high-profile controversy over Israel's policy of building new homes for Jewish settlements has in fact facilitated Hamas's mission.”

Palestinian Leadership: Hamas, Fatah, PA, PLO

The Jerusalem Post reports that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated last Sunday his refusal to resume peace talks with Israel unless Binyamin Netanyahu's government accepted the two-state solution and agreed to freeze all construction in the settlements in the West Bank. One week later the newspaper reports that Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salaam Fayad has made a fresh appeal to the United States for a plan and a timetable aimed at resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. "I call anew on the United States to come up with a plan and a timetable for its application that will contribute to put an end to Jewish settlements and Israeli offensives, and lead to serious negotiations," Fayad was quoted by AFP as saying on Saturday.

In foreign media BBC News reported last Monday a direct response to Abbas’ demands for resuming peace negotiations. Israel Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Mr Abbas “was not exactly legitimate” and was therefore in no position to make demands on the Israeli leadership. Mr. Lieberman also rejected a call by outgoing EU foreign policy Chief Javier Solana for the United Nations to recognize a Palestinian state if Israel and the Palestinians fail to reach a peace agreement by a certain deadline.

"With all due respect to Solana, he's about to retire ... and we should not overstate the importance of his statement," Mr. Lieberman said.

An article published by The Jerusalem Post last Sunday reinforced Mr. Lieberman’s statement. Written by a well-respected Arab-Israeli journalist, Mr. Abu Toameh reports that Egypt has decided to temporarily suspend its efforts to mediate between Hamas and Fatah after the two rival parties rejected Cairo's latest proposals for ending the conflict.

Azzam al-Ahmed, a senior Fatah official closely associated with Abbas, said that the Egyptian team did not bring new proposals for solving the conflict…He said differences over the status of the Palestinian security forces and the possibility of forming a joint Hamas-Fatah police apparatus in the Gaza Strip were among the main reasons for the mediation efforts' failure. The two parties have also failed to resolve their differences on most of the outstanding issues, such as the political agenda of a unity government and holding new presidential and parliamentary elections, Ahmed said.

CNN submitted an article and video (from the archives of PMW) regarding a kids TV-show that praises Gaza mom’s suicide bombing.

The Jerusalem Post also reports on the first Qassam rocket to be launched at Israel in over a month.

Ziosweat Analysis: As opposed to Prime Minister Netanyahu, Mr. Abbas paradoxically rejects to resume peace negotiations. I say paradoxically because Mr. Netanyahu has everything to offer Mr. Abbas, whereas Abbas has nothing to offer Netanyahu. As seen from previous articles, Mr. Abbas barely controls half of the Palestinian population after having fled the Gaza Strip after Hamas out-gunned Fatah. Moreover there seems to be no progress made between Hamas and Fatah, so who would Netanyahu actually hand the Palestinian state to? Certainly not Hamas who will never recognize Israel’s right to exist (and are very open about it). How about Fatah and Mr. Abbas? Once the West Bank and Gaza Strip will be joined by a thin strip of land cutting Israel in half, won’t history repeat itself and Hamas will overthrow once again a weak Fatah? If the status quo remains, this is certainly the assumption of most Middle Eastern experts and governments.

So what does the “not exactly legitimate” leader of the Palestinian people? He knows he cannot handle a Palestinian State today, and therefore rejects talks based on a completely new issue (or excuse?): the total freezing of Jewish Settlements. An excuse to refuse peace talks handed to the Palestinian leadership by Mr. Obama. While the Obama administration increases the pressure on Netanyahu to accept a two-state solution and a total freeze on settlements, the Palestinian leadership can sit back and enjoy the show. Why should they offer anything they don’t want to give up when the Americans will do the dirty work (negotiations) for them?

These articles clearly show that President Obama has (unintentionally) given the Palestinian leaders another ace up their sleeve.

While Palestinians are killing each other over power, money and territory, spreading hate propaganda via kids TV shows, firing Qassam rockets at Israeli civilians; apparently the real obstacle to peace is the Jewish father isolating his garage so his mother can move in with the family.

Financial Coverage

There was promising international financial coverage this week as Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer told Fox News, “Israel remained relatively free from severe damage in the worldwide financial crisis and stands to be one of the world’s safest places for investors.” Fischer noted that several foreign companies, such as Microsoft, Yahoo and Google have recently opened production and development centers in the Jewish state. “Americans tend to be very concerned about pictures on TV of the violence. In terms of capital investment, exporting and importing, that part of business is relatively easy. [Israel has] a highly-skilled work force that’s highly motivated. It’s an exciting place, but most impressive is the talent and the interesting people.”

Sports – The 18th Maccabiah Games

International media briefly covered the opening ceremony of the 18th Maccabiah Games that will include almost 8,000 athletes from 56 countries. The New York Times published an article about one of the U.S. Olympic gold medallists, Jason Lezak, the swimmer who finished the relay that allowed Michael Phelps to break the all-time gold medals count in the same Olympic Games. Lezak chose the Maccabiah over the World Championships in Rome, justifying his decision by saying “This is the perfect time in my career to do something like this…Finally I’ve gotten to a point in my career where I have done enough.”

Immigration (Aliyah)

One of the underlying reasons behind Israel’s success as a Jewish State over the past 60 years is largely due to its ability to handle mass immigration. This issue continues to receive favourable domestic and international coverage.

The Jerusalem Post reports on The Immigrant Absorption Ministry celebrating a milestone by helping its 30,000th newcomer find a job in Israel. Claudia Katz, the director of employment in Immigrant Absorption Ministry was quoted saying "We have a 76% success rate [employment of 12 consecutive months]. Roughly 38,350 people have been admitted to our centers, out of which slightly over 30,000 have found jobs. The project costs NIS 12 million a year at a cost of NIS 3,130 per immigrant and is the most cost-efficient employment program in the ministry." She showed that government income from taxes generated by workers placed by the centers came to well over NIS 1 billion.

International media reports that “Israel may admit 3,000 Ethiopia migrants if Jews” (Reuters) and that “around 2,000 French Jews to move to Israel this year” (Agence France Press). Earlier this month Haaretz reported that Israel expects to absorb 15 percent more new arrivals this year compared to last year. This would be the first year of an increase in rate of Aliyah, after years of decline in immigration.

Other Categories

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was mentioned extensively in international media as he invited Abbas for peace talks (The Financial Times), reaffirmed that “Palestinian recognition of Jewish state [is] ‘key’ to peace,” (The Jerusalem Post) and is considering to speak to the United Nation’s General Assmbly in September which will be attended by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (Arutz Sheva)

Barack Obama coverage has been relatively limited this week, even though he starred in a feature article for The Financial Times, “The Middle East chess game Obama needs to win.” The Jerusalem Post reported that the U.S. is gaining ground (partly as a result of Obama’s well received June 4 speech in Cairo) among the Arab public following a survey where approximately half of the Arabs questioned agree that “if Iran does not accept new restrictions and more international oversight of its nuclear program, the Arabs should support stronger sanctions against Iran around the end of this year.”

Ultra-Orthodox protests in Jerusalem: The Associated Press reports, “In recent weeks, ultra-Orthodox Jews and authorities have clashed repeatedly over a decision by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat to open a municipal parking lot on the Sabbath. Ultra-Orthodox Jews oppose the idea because driving is forbidden on the Sabbath. Police and ultra-Orthodox protesters have clashed nightly since Tuesday, and smoldering trash cans and broken glass still littered Jerusalem streets Friday after overnight battles.”

Gilad Shalit – 1,121 Days and Counting: The Jerusalem Post reports, “Hadas ends first round of Schalit talks in Cairo” after last weeks announcement by Egyptian President Mubarak that Schalit was in good condition and expressed hope he would be released soon. A Hamas official later dismissed Mubarak’s comments as “wishful thinking.”

In other news: “The Legal Assault on Israel is Gathering Speed,” The Jerusalem Post; “Saudis Step Up Efforts to Repair Syria Ties,” The Wall Street Journal; “Britain Says Israel Misused U.K. Arms,” The Wall Street Journal; “Fugitive U.S. white supremacist captured in Israel,” CNN; “World Bank to give Palestinians $33.5m in aid,” The Jerusalem Post; “PA suspends Al-Jazeera in West Bank,” The Jerusalem Post and Al Jazeera; “Saudis Step Up Efforts to Repair Syria Ties,” The Wall Street Journal.

Monitoring Results (19/7/2009) and Sources Referenced:

*To find these articles copy and paste the title (and source) to Google News or Yahoo News.

The Iranian Threat and The Disputed Presidential Election After-Math:

  • “Analysis: Is the PM shifting the Obama administration's attention from the Palestinian issue to Iran?,” The Jerusalem Post, By Yaakov Katz (6/7/2009)
  • “Diplomats: Iran has means to test bomb in 6 months,” The Associated Press, By George Jahn (17/7/2009)
  • “Analysis: The nucleus of an opportunity,” The Jerusalem Post, By Helit Barel (12/6/2009)
  • Israel anti-missile system passes live fire test,” The Associated Press, By Steve Weizman (15/7/2009)
  • Israel to hold missile test in US,” Al Jazeera (15/7/2009)
  • ”Report: Israel preparing Iran attack,” Jewish Telegraphic Agency (16/7/2009)
  • Iran names new head of atomic energy body,” Reuters (17/7/2009)
  • Clinton warns Iran on engagement,” The Associated Press, By Matthew Lee (15/7/2009)
  • “US tells Iran 'time running out',” Al Jazeera (16/7/2009)
  • “Execution of 13 for terror attacks reveals Iran's next move: intimidation,” The Guardian, By Ian Black (16/7/2009)
  • “Clashes as key Iranian cleric warns leaders,” CNN (18/7/2009)

IDF Soldiers’ claims of irregularities during Cast Lead

  • “IDF soldiers give testimonies to counter Gaza war crimes claims,” Haaretz, By Cnaan Lipshiz (16/7/2009)
  • “Report claims Israelis used Palestinians as human shields,” CNN, By Kevin Flower and Paula Hancocks (15/7/2009)
  • “Israeli soldiers: 'No clear red lines' in Gaza war,” The Associated Press, By Steve Weizman (16/7/2009)
  • Israel troops speak out on Gaza war,” Al Jazeera (15/7/2009)

Lebanon: Hezbollah Explosion, Rearming

  • “Israel Sees Evidence of Hezbollah’s Rearming in Explosion,” The New York Times, By Ethan Bronner (15/7/2009)
  • Israel informed UN of Hezbollah cache months ago,” Haaretz, By Barak Ravid, Zvi Bar’el, Amos Harel and Jack Khoury (19/7/2009)
  • Israel: Lebanon blast shows Hezbollah stocking weapons,” CNN (15/7/2009)
  • “IDF: Hizbullah hiding rockets in homes,” The Jerusalem Post, By Yaakov Katz (15/7/2009)
  • “UN says south Lebanon weapons cache a violation,” The Associated Press, By Zeina Karam (15/7/2009)
  • “Lebanese stone UN peacekeepers, injure 14, The Associated Press, By Bassem Mroue (18/7/2009)

Jewish Settlements

  • "Arab Writer: Obama Focus on Settlements Benefits Hamas," Arutz Sheva, By Hillel Fendel (9/7/2009)
  • "How to Achieve a Lasting Peace," The Washington Post, By Ehud Olmert (17/7/2009)
  • "Defending the indefensible settlements," The Guardian, By Richard Silverstein (13/7/2009)
  • U.S. tells Israel to halt East Jerusalem building,” Haaretz, By Avi Issacharoff (19/7/2009)
  • “Abbas: Israel not respecting int'l law with settlement building,” The Jerusalem Post and AP (18/7/2009)

Palestinian Leadership: Hamas, Fatah, PA, PLO

  • “Abbas says he won't meet Netanyahu,” The Jerusalem Post, By Khaled Abu Toameh and Haviv Rettig Gur (12/7/2009)
  • “Israel FM queries Abbas authority,” BBC News (13/7/2009)
  • Egypt calls off Hamas-Fatah mediation,” The Jerusalem Post, By Khaled Abu Toameh (12/7/2009)
  • “Kids TV praises Gaza mom's suicide bombing,” CNN, By Paula Hancocks (16/7/2009)
  • “PLO calls estranged leader Qaddoumi 'deranged',” The Jerusalem Post, By Khaled Abu Toameh (15/7/2009)
  • “Fayad calls on US for new plan to promote peace talks with Israel,” The Jerusalem Post (19/7/2009)
  • “Palestinians fire Kassam after long lull,” The Jerusalem Post (16/7/2009)

Financial Coverage

  • “Fischer: Israel One of World’s Safest Places for Investors,” Arutz Sheva, By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu (19/7/2009)
  • “June CPI shocks with 0.9% leap,” Haaretz, By Tal Levy and Moti Bassok (17/7/2009)

Sports – The 18th Maccabiah Games

  • "Drawn to Israel for Maccabiah Games," The New York Times, By Dina Kraft (11/7/2009)
  • "Israel stun Russia to reach Davis Cup semis," CNN (11/7/2009)
  • "NBA Hall-of-Famer says games in Israel forged his Jewish identity," Haaretz, By Steve Klein (18/7/2009)

Immigration

  • "Immigrant employment centers mark successful decade," The Jerusalem Post, By Ron Friedman (19/7/2009)
  • "Around 2,000 French Jews to move to Israel this year," Agence France Press (16/7/2009)
  • "Israel braces for influx of new immigrants this summer," Haaretz, By Jonathan Lis (5/7/2009)

Other

  • Britain Says Israel Misused U.K. Arms,” The Wall Street Journal, By Charles Levinson and Alistair Macdonald (14/7/2009)
  • “Fugitive U.S. white supremacist captured in Israel,” CNN (14/7/2009)

Benjamin Netanyahu

  • “Netanyahu invites Palestinian leader for peace talks,” The Financial Times, By Dina Kraft (13/7/2009)
  • “Netanyahu: Palestinians could achieve more if they cooperated,” Haaretz, By Barak Ravid (15/7/2009)
  • “Netanyahu: Palestinian recognition of Jewish state 'key' to peace,” The Jerusalem Post (12/7/2009)
  • “Netanyahu Considering UN Speech,” Arutz Sheva (16/7/2009)

Barack Obama

  • “The Middle East chess game Obama needs to win,” The Financial Times, By Philip Stephens (16/7/2009)
  • “Analysis: 'Arab street' polls: US gaining ground, Iran losing,” The Jerusalem Post, By David Pollock (12/7/2009)
  • U.S. Agrees to Resettle Palestinians Displaced by Iraq War,” The Wall Street Journal, By Miriam Jordan (17/7/2009)

Ultra-Orthodox protests in Jerusalem

  • “Authorities hope court deal will end ultra-Orthodox protests,” CNN (17/7/2009)
  • Jerusalem court and ultra-Orthodox reach deal,” The Associated Press, By Steve Weizman (17/7/2009)

Gilad Shalit – 1,121 Days and Counting

  • Hadas ends first round of Schalit talks in Cairo,” The Jerusalem Post and Associated Press (14/7/2009)

The West Bank and Gaza

  • West Bank boom,” The Jerusalem Post, By Khaled Abu Tomaeh (17/7/2009)
  • “Signs of Hope Emerge in the West Bank,” The New York Times, By Ethan Bronner (16/7/2009)
  • “IMF: West Bank economy can grow if Israel eases up,” The Associated Press (15/7/2009)
  • “World Bank to give Palestinians $33.5m. in aid,” The Jerusalem Post, By Tovah Lazaroff (14/7/2009)
  • “PA suspends Al-Jazeera in West Bank,” The Jerusalem Post, By Khaled Abu Toameh (15/7/2009)
  • Al Jazeera West Bank ban 'revoked',” Al Jazeera (18/7/2009)

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Ziosweat meets prominent Israeli-Arab/Palestinian journalist working for The Jerusalem Post

I had the great pleasure of meeting Khaled Abu Toameh, a journalist writing for The Jerusalem Post and formerly for the PLO. He is one of the first journalists international media contacts about a story from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Mr Abu Toameh is a very courageous, intelligent and soft-spoken man, claiming to be a journalist above all. He says he is not pro-Israel, pro-Palestine, pro-America or pro-Russia, but believes in reporting the facts. After meeting him I looked up some of his articles published in worldwide media, and I can confirm that what he says in the interviews is exactly what he told me. Selected quotes from sources at the bottom of the page: Abu Toameh on being objective and his views: "People say, 'You work for a Jewish paper, why should we believe you?' If I worked for a Hamas paper, you'd believe me more?" he says, adding, "I said all the same things when I worked for a PLO newspaper." Abu Toameh on living in Israel as an Israeli-Arab: "Israel can be a Jewish state for all its citizens . . . I would choose to be a third-class citizen in Israel than a first class citizen in Cairo or Amman."On the security barrier Israel built to keep out suicide bombers, a fence which has stirred ugly cries of "apartheid" among Canadian protesters: "I don't believe in walls. I wish it weren't there. But if I were Israel, I'd go write on it, 'Made By Hamas and Yasser Arafat.' Jews didn't wake up one morning and say, 'We're bored. Let's spend billions of dollars and build a wall' . . . For three years I was scared to take my children to the mall, afraid to stop at a red light next to an Israeli bus. More than 50 Arabs have died in suicide bombings in Israel. They (the suicide bombers) don't care (who they kill)." "I meet many Palestinians in Ramallah who say they wish the occupation would come back; it was better under the Jews. Some want the Jordanians back," he says.

Palestinians have "always admired the freedom of expression in Israel" and they say "we hope we'll have a free media like the Jews have."

Abu Toameh on democracy and Israel: This yearning for democracy is a theme that runs through Abu Toameh's revelations about what ordinary Palestinians want. They envy Israel and they "want to build something like what the Jews have." Under the occupation, the Palestinians got a taste of "democracy, prosperity and stability. We were exposed under Israel to all these things."He adds: "We Arabs are trying to become like the Jews. We see how much they've achieved. The Jews are moving forward and we're moving backward." Moreover, the ordinary Palestinians know who's responsible for their miseries: "They know the Jews did not prevent Arafat from establishing good government."

Abu Toameh on Fatah and Hamas: Fatah, of course, is considered the “moderate” Palestinian force, as opposed to radical Hamas. Abu Toameh thinks neither of them could be called moderate by any sensible Arabic speaker. Fatah makes moderate sounds in English but in Arabic sounds as anti-Semitic and anti-American as Hamas. Abu Toameh sees no moderates on either side. Both factions suppress moderate opinion wherever it raises its head, which is apparently not often.

“This is not a power struggle between good guys and bad guys,” he said in a recent speech. “It is a struggle between bad guys and bad guys.” He wishes they were fighting over what would be best for Palestinians. “But they’re only fighting over money and power.”

Abu Toameh on Jewish Settlements: Most of the world believes, often with passionate intensity, that Jewish settlements on land claimed by Arabs limits the chances for peace. Abu Toameh disagrees. “I wish the settlements were the problem,” he says, because it can be solved by the Israelis. If settlements were the problem, he argues, then Gaza would now be at peace. After all, the Israelis pulled out in 2005. But the result has been war — war among the Palestinians, war with Israel. “The real obstacle to peace is not a Jew building a settlement but the failure of the Palestinians to have a government. Is there a partner on the Palestinian side for peace talks? No.”

What is to be done? He thinks Israel should simply wait until the Palestinians stop killing each other and create a credible political entity that can make a deal. Peace will then become possible.

Below you will find several interesting articles regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the eyes of someone who has interests on both sides: "Palestinian sheds light on who's right in Middle East," Calgary Herald, By Naomi Lakritz (27/5/2009) "A Palestinian struggle between bad guys and bad guys," National Post, By Robert Fulford (11/7/2009) "Arab Writer: Obama Focus on Settlements Benefits Hamas," Arutz Sheva, By Hillel Fendel (7/9/2009) "Telling the Truth about the Palestinians," Middle East Forum, A briefing by Khaled Abu Toameh (27/4/2004) Khaled Abu Toameh Wikipedia Entry

Friday, July 17, 2009

The Middle East chess game Obama needs to win

Financial Times, By Philip Stephens (16/7/2009) Simultaneous chess offers a useful metaphor for Barack Obama’s approach to foreign policy. The US president might have chosen to take a cautious, sequential approach to the lengthy list of global challenges: Iraq first; then Afghanistan, Pakistan and al-Qaeda; Iran next; climate change, Russia and nuclear proliferation some way down the track; the Israeli-Palestinian conflict towards the end of his term. Instead, Mr Obama has sprinted from continent to continent with the speed and confidence of a grandmaster. He has made the opening moves in almost all of the important games. In each instance, he has opted for boldness over caution, pushing out his pawns to deploy his bishops and knights at the centre of the board... For their part, Palestinians are divided between Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza. Arab leaders worry about the reaction on the street to anything that looks like a concession to Israel. After talking to senior Palestinian officials during a recent visit to Ramallah, I was not left with the impression of a leadership ready to take big risks for peace. The paradox on the Israeli side is that most people accept the logic of a two-state solution – if only because in the long term it is the only way Israel can retain its character as a Jewish and democratic state. But in voting for a government led by Mr Netanyahu, the same people have voiced profound doubts that a peace accord is possible without sacrificing security. Hamas’ control of Gaza casts a long shadow... Click here for full story

Kids TV praises Gaza mom's suicide bombing

CNN, By Paula Hancocks (16/7/2009)

GAZA CITY (CNN) -- It's meant to be a children's program, but "Young Pioneers" on Hamas-run television is well-known for pushing the boundaries of what most people would deem suitable content for children.

One episode raised eyebrows when it first aired two years ago on al Aqsa TV, featuring two young Palestinian children being shown a re-enactment of their mother's preparations for and execution of a suicide bombing.
The show was recently aired for the children of the bomber and other youths in a studio audience.
The young anchor sounds a defiant note: "And here we say to the occupier that we will follow her doctrine, the doctrine of the martyr mujahida Reem Riyashi, until we liberate our homeland from your illegitimate hands."
Riyashi killed four Israelis in a 2004 attack at the Erez crossing between Gaza and Israel...

Click here for full story

Iran names new head of atomic energy body

Reuters (17/7/2009) Iran's government has named a former envoy to the U.N. nuclear watchdog as new head of the country's Atomic Energy Organization after its head for 12 years resigned, Iranian media reported on Friday. The Organization leads a nuclear program that has put Tehran at odds with the West, which fears it is aimed at making bombs. Tehran says it is for peaceful power purposes. Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's former representative to the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency, was named to replace Gholamreza Aghazadeh as head of the Atomic Energy Organization at a cabinet meeting late on Thursday... "Salehi's appointment is a positive signal to the West. Salehi is a logical and soft spoken person who is trusted by the IAEA," said the analyst, who asked not to be named... Ahmadinejad, who has signaled he will make changes in his next government that is expected to take office in August, has appointed a new first vice president, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie, to replace Parviz Davoudi, Iranian media reported. Mashaie was previously one of at least seven vice presidents and in charge of a culture and tourism body. He came under fire last year for attending a ceremony that involved actions deemed insulting to the Koran, Islam's holy book. He also created a storm in 2008 by saying Iran was friendly even to the people of Israel, Iran's sworn foe. Ahmadinejad had said those comments by his vice-president were misrepresented... Click here for full story

Israel may admit 3,000 Ethiopia migrants if Jews

Reuters, By Allyn Fisher-Ilan (16/7/2009) *Israeli envoys in Ethiopia to check would-be emigrants *Interior Minister wants to renew influx Israel has sent envoys to Ethiopia to examine the applications of 3,000 Ethiopians who claim to be descended from Jews and are waiting in transit camps to emigrate to Israel, an official said on Thursday. Some 100,000 Jews from Ethiopia already live in Israel. Many arrived in airlifts in the 1980s and 1990s in times of hunger and political strife in Ethiopia. Thousands more Falash Mura people, who claim they were forced to convert to Christianity in Ethiopia, have also immigrated in smaller groups, but Israel largely halted the flow about two years ago. Some Israeli officials cited financial concern and questions about the applicants' Jewish origins as reasons for the halt... Israel grants automatic citizenship to Jews who immigrate. Most Falash Mura must undergo a conversion ritual before receiving citizenship papers. Click here for full story

Execution of 13 for terror attacks reveals Iran's next move: intimidation

Guardian, By Ian Black (16/7/2009)

Hanging of Baluch rebels sends stark message to opponents and reasserts regime's crumbling legitimacy, say analysts

Iranian police officers and other officials look on as five convicted criminals are hanged in public Photograph: AP

It's a long way from Tehran to Zahedan, in Iran's remote south-east, but the hanging of 13 convicted terrorists this week sent out a chilling message about the readiness of the Islamic Republic to act ruthlessly to defend its core interests.
On the face of it, there was no link between the mass execution and last month's disputed presidential election, in which Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won a second term. But these and other recent judicial killings may be designed to intimidate at a time of unprecedented unrest and uncertainty about Iran's future.
The 13 men who mounted the gallows early on Tuesday morning were not supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi...

Saudis Step Up Efforts to Repair Syria Ties

The Wall Street Journal, By Margaret Coker (17/7/2009) Saudi Arabia is accelerating its effort to lure Syria from Iranian influence, Saudi officials said, a move they hope will improve chances for a renewed peace initiative in the region. Saudi Arabia, the Middle East's largest economy and the world's biggest oil exporter, is offering economic incentives to Syria, including the promise of increased investment in Syria's moribund economy. It has also moved aggressively to repair the nations' strained diplomatic ties...
The Saudi royal adviser said the planned bilateral meeting between King Abdullah and Mr. Assad will seek to cement the two leaders' cooperation in forming the Lebanese government.

U.S. Agrees to Resettle Palestinians Displaced by Iraq War

The Wall Street Journal, By Miriam Jordan (17/7/2009)
The U.S. agreed to resettle 1,350 Palestinians displaced by fighting in Iraq, marking the largest resettlement ever of Palestinian refugees in the nation.
The decision appears to signal a shift in Washington's previous position against resettling Palestinians out of concern about the potential impact on U.S. relations with Israel and the Arab world. The resettlement, which is slated to begin this fall, is likely to illicit strong reactions from people on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict...
The U.S. committed to absorb the largest number of Iraqi Palestinians. Sweden, the Netherlands and the U.K. also joined the effort, he said. So far, 24 Palestinian refugees have been resettled in the U.S. The remainder are expected to arrive by early 2010.