Cablegate: Jerusalem Media Reaction (10/14): Egypt Continues to Work

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SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (10/14): Egypt continues to work
with Fatah and Hamas for national reconciliation

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Main Stories:
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News on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas inaugurating a
number of developmental projects at the Arab American University in
Jenin governorate receives prominent coverage in all dailies. Abbas
reiterated in his remarks during the visit that the Israeli
government must halt all settlement activities, particularly in
Jerusalem, in order to pave the way for resuming final status
negotiations. He also added that the PA is determined to achieve
national reconciliation. Abbas skeptically inquired about Hamas'
position on the Goldstone report and urged them not to use it as an
excuse to avoid national reconciliation.

The dailies continue to report on Palestinian national
reconciliation efforts. An Egyptian official noted yesterday that
Fatah and Hamas will sign the national reconciliation agreement
separately in light of Hamas' refusal to attend the signing ceremony
that was originally scheduled for October 25. Fatah leader Muhammad
Dahlan and Secretary General of the Palestinian Liberation
Organization Executive Committee Yasser Abed Rabbo noted in a press
conference yesterday that Fatah agreed to sign the national
reconciliation agreement separately. Dahlan and Abed Rabbo also
urged President Abbas to issue a presidential decree that sets
January 25, 2010 as the date for holding presidential and
legislative elections if Hamas continues to avoid national
reconciliation.

The dailies quote State Department Spokesperson Philip Crowley
saying that the US supports the Palestinian reconciliation if it
adheres to the Quartet principles, including the recognition of
Israel, respecting previously signed agreements between Israel and
the PA, and the renunciation of violence. In related news, an
Egyptian official denied reports in the Israeli daily Ha'aretz
stating that the US did not support the reconciliation agreement
between Fatah and Hamas because it may hinder the negotiations with
Israel, according to reports.

News on tomorrow's UN Human Rights Council emergency session
receives front page coverage in all dailies. Citing AFP, the dailies
report that among many other agenda items, the Goldstone report will
be discussed in this session. Yasser Abed Rabbo noted that the PA
has been working hard to ensure the necessary votes in support of
the report.

The dailies report on an Israeli plan to demolish 150 homes in
various neighborhoods of East Jerusalem by the end of 2009.
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BLOCK QUOTES:
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1) Al-Quds independent daily runs an editorial under the title
"Harmful positions to the homeland" (10/14): "The Palestinians are
surprised that the Goldstone report has evoked the hatred between
the two parties [Fatah and Hamas] and jeopardized the national
reconciliation efforts. Instead of punishing the Israelis for its
actions ... it seems that the two parties are happy with the state
of division. They are not serious about overcoming obstacles and
bridging the gaps."

2) Dr. Ibrahim Abrash opines in Al-Ayyam independent daily under the
title "Policy is not measured by intentions but by practices"
(10/14): "Obama has been awarded the Nobel Prize before he completed

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his first year in office, and before the world saw his real
intentions or capabilities to achieve peace in the world. He has not
succeeded so far in solving any of the problems in the world and has
not fulfilled any of his promises. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
are still going on, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is getting more
complicated ... and the problems with Iran and North Korea are still
pending. So, on what basis was he awarded the prize?"

RUBINSTEIN

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