HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

HA’ARETZ:1. US TO NETANYAHU: DON’T IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY

Americans concerned over demand by Government ministers to react sharply to Palestinian attempt to be accepted as UN member. PM: Palestinian move expected to fail.

 

1. Prestigious New York institution gives in to pressure from bereaved families.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TO BAR AHMADINEJAD FROM ITS GROUNDS

Festive dinner for Iranian President cancelled due to threats of lawsuits from Israeli terrorism victims. Ahead of UNGA: US and Quartet making final efforts to formulate compromise.

 

1. NETANYAHU: THE PALESTINIANS WILL FAIL

PM convinced that Palestinians’ request to recognize them as a state will not win Security Council majority. Intends to boycott traditional photo of leaders so as not to be photographed with Ahmadinejad.

 

1. Hamas: Appeal to UNGA – empty adventure.

PM: ABU MAZEN WILL FAIL AT UN

Feverish efforts in attempt to formulate compromise with the Palestinians. Netanyahu holding consultations ahead of meeting with Obama on Wednesday. Police Inspector General estimates: There will be no violent clashes.

 

2. WikiLeaks documents reveal:

„ISRAEL NEGOTIATED WITH IRAN REGARDING SHALIT”

2009 cable reveals: Israeli Embassy in London asked local rabbi to contact an Iranian source in attempt to advance deal to release the abducted soldier.

 

1. ABU MAZEN: „AFTER TURNING TO THE UN, THE SITUATION WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT”

Ahead of his arrival in New York and participation in UNGA, PA Chairman admitted that he has been under heavy pressure to change his decision and give up on turn for diplomatic recognition from the UN.

 

2. IDF PREPARED FOR POSSIBLE CLASHES: „WE WILL MONITOR FACEBOOK”

Israeli intelligence community prepared ahead of Palestinian appeal to UN and has heightened alert over possible violence between settlers and Palestinians. IDF will – inter alia – monitor Palestinian bloggers and Facebook groups.

 

1. QUARTET DOES NOT ACHIEVE COMPROMISE: „THERE MUST BE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS”

Meeting of Quartet representatives ends without statement on compromise that would break diplomatic stalemate between Israel and the Palestinians. Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon: „Palestinian appeal is irresponsible on the part of the PA leadership.”

 

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Yediot Ahronot comments on the Government’s efforts to curtail the influence of Israel’s ‘tycoons’ on the Israeli economy and the preliminary reports on the recommendations of the Government’s committee on cartelization. „The moment one believes in ‘free competition’, that generally leads to cartelization, and there is no choice other than to forego supervision. And as long as that is not done, everything will be just talk. Not just talk which will have a small effect on the public and on the economy. It will create great benefits for lawyers who will earn well establishing corporations which will be wolves, but will appear, legally, as sheep.”

 

Ma’ariv suggests that, „Relations between us and Turkey have been susceptible to ups and downs and Israel has never had a hand in it. Their source has always been at Turkey’s initiative as a result of internal Turkish changes, as well as changes in regional and international circumstances.”

 

Yisrael Hayom, argues that, „The expected vote in the UN on the recognition of a Palestinian state will not be a ‘diplomatic tsunami’, but rather a ‘tempest in a teacup’. According to the UN Charter, a country that wants to be accepted into the organization must turn to the Secretary General, who passes the request on to the Security Council. But first it must be a country. Not only has Mahmoud Abbas not declared the establishment of a state, but the Palestinian Authority does not fulfill all of the criteria under international law in order to be considered a state (permanent population, defined territory, a government and the ability to conduct foreign affairs). The Palestinian Authority does not have territory with defined borders, but rather territory under dispute: A sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza has never existed, there has never been a border between Israel and the West Bank, but rather a temporary ceasefire line which was defined as such in the Rhodes agreement; UNSC Resolution 242 does not demand that Israel withdraw to the 1949 ceasefire lines. The Palestinian Authority does not have a government, but rather governments: The PLO government in Ramallah and the Hamas government in Gaza (remember that Abbas’ attempts to form a united government have failed).” The author concludes, „Therefore, the expected vote in the UN General Assembly will only be another empty declaration, and the Palestinians are liable to pay a heavy price for their UN step.”