| Office of Research Issue Focus Foreign Media Reaction |
November 28, 2005
SECRETARY RICE LOOSENED GAZA 'LOG-JAM'
KEY FINDINGS
** Secretary Rice effectively pressured the "recalcitrant interlocutors" to open the Rafah border.
** The PA's actions to check militant actions can impact upcoming elections in Israel.
** Gaza must become an "economically stable" state, shedding its "big prison" image.
** Given the fragile conditions, "tiny steps" forward in the region are welcome and "useful."
MAJOR THEMES
Rice 'struggled to relaunch dialogue' with success-- Rice employed "hardball diplomacy" from her Jerusalem hotel suite, accomplishing an "exhausting success" in brokering a "lifeline" through Rafah into Gaza. An Israeli outlet stated that without the "pressure exerted by Rice" with Bush's backing, "the agreement would not have been reached." Italy's center-right Il Giornale stated that Rice urged Israel to "respect the roadmap," and a Russian writer proclaimed Rice made a "decisive contribution to the accord." Germany's right-of-center Die Welt praised the "cordial and powerful pressure" of her "successful mission."
Spurred into 'militancy through despair and resentment'-- Many writers discussed the "explosive situation" in Gaza--spotlit by Special Envoy and former World Bank head, James Wolfensohn. They noted that Gaza's economic conditions "breed despair" and "open the door to violence." On the other hand, the UK's conservative Daily Telegraph deemed justifiable Israel's "fear that opening borders could facilitate arms smuggling." One Italian observer judged that in the midst of these events, there was "anguish for Sharon" who confronts the "nightmare of early elections," facing "ultimatums from Peretz, and barbs from Rice."
'Gaza...a gigantic prison undermined by poverty'-- Ahead of the signed agreement, Arab and pro-Islamic papers expressed displeasure over the "soft diplomacy" Washington uses with Israel as opposed to the "fangs and thick stick" it uses when dealing with Palestinians and those labeled as terrorists. A majority of editors sympathetically recognized Israel's security concerns but worried also about "Palestinian territories [that] had become a prison in which hatred and anger were dangerously rising." Some referred to Wolfensohn's assertion that "as long as Israel controls passages, international waters in front of Gaza and its air space, the withdrawal is not completely done." An Egyptian outlet judged that Gaza's "isolation" confirmed "its status as a big prison" with a "moribund economy."
Since 'intifada...poisoned the region' the EU will monitor-- Euro papers called attention to the monitoring role Europe will play under the agreement. They agreed that the "right balance between Israeli security needs and Palestinian freedom of movement is important." Europe becomes responsible for overseeing "all information about comings and goings" that will be supplied to a joint Israeli-Palestinian-European monitoring center. In light of existing "highly fragile relations that are currently being renewed with the Arab and Islamic world," an analyst for pluralist mass-circulation Yediot Aharonot opined that lessons from the intifada should lead Israel to undertake actions "without arrogance, brass bands, fanfares or festive summits."
Prepared by Media Reaction Division (202) 203-7888, rmrmail@state.gov
EDITOR: Rupert D. Vaughan
EDITOR'S NOTE: Media Reaction reporting conveys the spectrum of foreign press sentiment. Posts select commentary to provide a representative picture of local editorial opinion. Some commentary is taken directly from the Internet. This report summarizes and interprets foreign editorial opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government. This analysis was based on 52 reports from 17 countries over November 15-17, 2005. Editorial excerpts are listed from the most recent date.
EUROPE
BRITAIN: "A Glimmer Of hope"
An editorial in the left-of-center Independent expressed the view (11/16): "If the Palestinians are to attract foreign investment they must stamp out the corruption prevalent in the West Bank and Gaza. They must also act to prevent arms being brought over the newly opened borders. As for the Israeli government, it must resist the temptation to shut the borders at the first provocation from militants.... To many Palestinians the greatest frustration in their lives is...the lack of employment prospects. They are drawn into militancy through despair and resentment. A more economically stable Gaza strip will make Israel itself more secure.
"Hopeless In Gaza"
An editorial in the conservative Daily Telegraph (11/16): "It is encouraging to see a Secretary of State in the Bush Administration burning the midnight oil in order to bring these recalcitrant interlocutors together. Once again, direct intervention by Washington has proved the only way to break the log-jam.... The Israeli government is right to fear that opening borders could facilitate arms smuggling. Against that, however, must be set the hopelessness of a territory cut off from its main market, Israel, and ravaged by unemployment. Such conditions breed despair, which, in turn opens the way to violence. Ariel Sharon...has committed himself to the creation of a Palestinian state, but his grudging concessions to Gaza, which will barely revive its moribund economy, suggest that his heart is not in it."
"The Man Who Could Bring About A Revolution In Israeli Politics"
A commentary by columnist Jonathan Freedland in the left-of-center Guardian (11/16): "Peretz presents a clear alternative to the Thatcherite, neo-liberal economics pursued under Sharon--which have exacted a desperate social cost, casting huge numbers of Israelis into poverty. At the same time, he sets out a stark choice between himself and Sharon on the conflict with the Palestinians: a negotiated deal or more of the same.... He argues that defence spending and the occupation have drained too much money for too long. He wants the cash currently spent on settlements to go towards Israel's poor instead: for him economic security is part national security.... Peretz has defied the odds before--and all those who yearn for peace in the Middle East should pray he defies them again."
FRANCE: "Rice Struggles To Re-Launch Dialogue"
Patrick Saint-Paul commented in right-of-center Le Figaro (11/15): "Just as Israel was commemorating the tenth anniversary of Yitzak Rabin’s assassination it seemed that reviving the peace process was a difficult endeavor. Until the end Secretary Rice waited for an agreement so that she might not leave empty-handed.... The Quartet representative James Wolfenson previously warned that the Gaza strip could become a gigantic prison undermined by poverty.... The U.S. Secretary of State violently opposed Ariel Sharon on the issue of Hamas participation in the legislative elections. She expressed the feeling that 'it would be easier to disarm Hamas after the elections' and called on Israel once again to stop the settlements in the West Bank. There is very little chance that she will be heard."
GERMANY: "Europe Trains"
Clemens Wergin commented in centrist Der Tagesspiegel of Berlin (11/17): "Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has never before gotten so intensively involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, although this only happened after the interference of the special envoy for the Mideast quartet, James Wolfensohn, and European and Arab governments. And for the first time Europe plays an important role in a security matter, because the group of European observers is supposed to make sure that Israel's interests will be respected without the presence of the Israelis. More than this successful crisis management is not possible in the Mideast at the moment, because Abbas and Sharon face elections next year. However, this will be an important test for the Europeans."
"Europe On The Path To Power"
Gerold Büchner noted in left-of-center Berliner Zeitung (11/17): "The excitement in Europe calmed down quickly, because its responsibility grew with the greater influence in the region. The EU must also play its new role in the more difficult issues of the West Bank and Syria, but Brussels foreign policy is badly funded and understaffed. And it remains to be seen how great the U.S. interest in cooperation is in the long run. Iran could become the litmus test. Without Washington's approval, Europe remains powerless. If the harmony continues, it would boost the EU foreign policy. Europe's path to a grown-up and responsible foreign policy goes via the Philadelphia Road."
"Gaza Needs Freedom Of Movement"
Jacques Schuster commented in right-of-center Die Welt of Berlin (11/16): "After the withdrawal from Gaza, it has taken Israel too long to improve the living conditions of Palestinians. Due to Washington's cordial and powerful pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Sharon agreed on giving Palestinians more freedom to move.... If more money flows into the Gaza Strip and people can find more work, the number of attacks will decline. Sharon has understood this principle, but he still believes he must play the role of a hardliner to stay in power, and he easily plays this role. The daily terror attacks and attempts by Palestinians have contributed to the though decisions Israel made after the Gaza withdrawal, which gives credit to the Israeli concern that al-Qaida cells might infiltrate Gaza via the Egyptian border, but there is no alternative to the limited freedom of movement for the people in the Gaza Strip. Neither is there an alternative for Israel to accept Abbas. The Palestinian President will not be able to disarm the militant groups, as Sharon intensely demands. If Abbas would move militarily against Hamas today, he would be dead tomorrow. That cannot be in Israel's interest. The U.S. increasingly emphasizes this view. Condoleezza Rice's successful mission lets us to believe that U.S. President Bush is now more actively intervening in the conflict. Washington's greater role in the region is desirable. The recent success in the opening of the borders shows how much the U.S. can achieve."
"Success For Rice"
Godehard Uhlemann argued in right-of-center Rheinische Post of Düsseldorf (11/16): "Condoleezza Rice scored some points. The U.S. Secretary of State achieved an accord for the Gaza Strip's border control, which the Israelis and Palestinians tried to hammer out in vain for some weeks. Now, it must be achieved that both sides stick to the agreement. The agreement opens a small gate from the Gaza Strip to the world after the Palestinian territories had become a prison, in which hatred and anger were dangerously rising.... Israel's policy is guided by short-term security thinking and not by the dangers a long-term Palestinian isolation would pose. Israel remains a target for terrorists, but there will never be absolute security. The right balance between Israeli security needs and Palestinian freedom of movement is important."
"Hallucinating Democracy"
Heiko Flottau commented in center-left Sueddeutsche Zeitung of Munich (11/15): "After George Bush proclaimed the democratization of the Middle East on November 6, 2003 as the goal of his policy, it quickly became clear that the new strategy is the new ideological counterpart of his 'war on terror.' Two years later, the U.S. must painfully realize that it has embarked on a thorny path. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice embodies this painful experience best. During her current mission from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian territories, Rice could hardly make progress with the autocratic Arab rulers.... Saudi Arabia is an example for the political bending the U.S. must make in its democracy offensive. Stuck between American oil interests and the necessity of the counterterrorism fight, a politician like Rice must chose her words.... The Arab regimes will continue to reject Washington's democracy offensive, and the U.S. will adjust the power of its initiative to its political and economic interests. Arab democracy remains a hallucination."
"Israel Has The Choice"
Jörg Bremer argued in center-right Frankfurter Allgemeine (11/15): "In the likely upcoming election campaign, Israel's policy on the PA will be mainly defined by whether it increases the number of votes. This will also increase the influence the Palestinians have on the election. Every suicide attack in Israel will get Sharon more votes. The better the PA manages to control militant groups, the greater will be the chances for the Labor Party. In the future, Sharon will only bow to the international peace plan under extreme pressure. He did not see Arafat as a partner and neither does he see President Abbas as one. A new PA parliament, which might be elected on January 25, will not change this unless the Islamists will be disarmed. But Abbas cannot achieve this. If Peretz wins, he will no longer need the roadmap. He wants to return to the bilateral negotiations of the Oslo model, which ended in the second intifada during the time of his successor Barak. Peretz election could also have an impact on the international donor community and their Mideast policy."
ITALY: "Gaza, Border Opened"
Lorenzo Bianchi expressed the view in conservative, top-circulation syndicate Quotidiano Nazionale (11/16): “Tired, but satisfied, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice tells of her exhausting success, an agreement reached at the end of a whole night spent writing, editing and refining texts on her computer. The U.S. diplomacy leader admitted that this agreement over the opening of Rafah passage, the passage that opens a door to Egypt for the Palestinians, is a very fragile baby. Progress will not continue, she warned, if, at the same time, ‘no further steps ahead are made’.... UN Secretary Kofi Annan hailed Rice’s difficult achievement as ‘a positive step forward in the construction of trust between both parties [Israel and Palestinians].”
"Condoleezza And Sharon Divided Over Hamas’ Role And The West Bank"
Unsigned editorial by elite, center-left Il Riformista (11/15): "The 'iron lady' of U.S. diplomacy lived up to her reputation, even in Jerusalem, and even with her Israeli friends. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was immediately aware of it, and yesterday tested Condoleezza Rice’s direct, clear tones on two key points of the Israeli-Palestinian issue: Hamas’s presence in upcoming Palestinian legislative elections and an expansion of Israeli settlements in West Bank. Their difference of opinion over Hamas especially inflamed the atmosphere during the meeting between the young U.S. Secretary of State and the old General.... Sharon is convinced...the presence of Hamas in the January elections would be a serious mistake.... According to Rice, only after Hamas participates in the elections, will it become easier to convince the Islamic organization to disarm.... The U.S. position on Hamas and Palestinian legislative elections has never been as firm or as distant from the Israeli position.”
"Sharon Tough With Rice: Hamas Excluded From The Vote"
Gian Micalessin remarked in pro-government, leading center-right Il Giornale (11/15): "This time, Condoleezza had to put away her sweetness and show her claws. The American Secretary of State lived a Monday of passion. A day marked by a bitter dispute with Israeli PM Ariel Sharon related to Hamas’s possible participation in the Palestinian elections, and by difficult bilateral meetings for the reopening the Rafah passage, the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, closed since the Israeli withdrawal."
"Rice: Agreement Over Rafah Looming Ahead"
Roberto Bongioni’s analyzed in leading business-oriented Il Sole-24 Ore (11/15): "Rice is determined to exert pressure on both parties in order to get them reach an agreement on the reopening of the border [of Rafah]. Also the team accompanying EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Javier Solana didn’t deny that he could remain longer than scheduled for the issue of Gaza after the [Israeli] withdrawal, as well as James Wolfensohn, special envoy of the Quartet including U.S., Europe, Russia and the UN. Thus, a moderately positive picture.... There is a lot at stake. As James Wolfensohn explained, the economic situation is becoming explosive in Gaza. As long as Israel controls passages, international waters in front of Gaza and its air space, the withdrawal is not completely done.... Current negotiations are, however, encouraging."
"Sharon’s Nightmare Of An Early Vote"
Gian Micalessin opined in pro-government, center-right Il Giornale (11/14): "It was a day of anguish for Ariel Sharon. Sunday, which began with the ultimatums from the new Labor Party leader Amir Peretz...ended with the barbs of the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who as soon as she arrived, began pressuring Israeli and Palestinian leaders to resume negotiations. So, while Sharon is dealing with the nightmare of possible early elections, the United States is...asking him to facilitate the birth of a 'Palestinian state that-in Rice’s words-will increase security in Israel.' Sharon, instead, seems to only want to flee from...Peretz who is chasing him for an agreement on his exit from government.... For the U.S. Secretary of State, the need for a resumption of negotiations is part of the general framework of change in the Middle Eastern scenario characterized by the Libyan renouncement to nuclear plans and Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon. After reminding Palestinians that there can be no democratic state if armed organizations are not dismantled, Rice told Israel to respect the road map."
"Sharon’s Government At The End Of The Line"
Aldo Baquis stated in centrist, influential La Stampa (11/14): "The days of Ariel Sharon’s bi-color Likud-Labor government are numbered.... In this climate of growing polarization, yesterday U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Jerusalem. Rice is more interested than ever in giving impetus to the 'road map' and particularly in identifying an understanding that will allow the reopening of the Gaza passage, which has been closed for over two months. According to the Quartet, the situation in the Gaza Strip is once again explosive. But the abrupt removal of Shimon Peres (who coordinated contacts with the Palestinians) from the political scene certainly does not facilitate its task."
RUSSIA: "A Palestinian-Israeli Accord"
Mariya Grishina filed from Jerusalem for reformist Vremya Novostey (11/16): “U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s mission to the Middle East has been a success. Yesterday Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz officially announced that Israel and the PA had reached an agreement on border terminals in Gaza. Ms. Rice made a decisive contribution to the accord. Last Monday she changed her tour schedule to go from Jordan back to Jerusalem for more talks, instead of flying on to South Korea."
"Israel Poised For Early Elections"
Gabriel Volfson wrote from Jerusalem for centrist Nezavisimaya Gazeta (11/16): "An accord with the Palestinians on a Gaza check-point may become the Ariel Sharon government’s last accomplishment. The idea behind the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice-forced agreement is that, with the Israelis not present at the checkpoint, as demanded by the Palestinians, all information about comings and goings will be supplied to a joint Israeli-Palestinian-European monitoring center.... The above diplomatic successes, however, don’t make Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s life any easier: his elder son Omri Sharon, a Knesset deputy, who stood trial in a Tel Aviv district court on fraud charges, has pleaded guilty."
CZECH REPUBLIC: "A Tiny Step On A Tightrope"
Adam Cerny commented in the business-oriented Hospodarske noviny (11/16): "The problems accompanying what would seem like a straightforward technical agreement over the opening of a crossing between Gaza and Egypt show that even tiny progress in the Middle East costs a lot of energy and even these tiny steps can be upset in a matter of weeks. Why is the crossing so important? For the Palestinians, it is a symbol of sovereignty...and the means of expanding trade and employment opportunities. The high unemployment rate in Palestine is a breeding ground for young extremists and that is why Condoleezza Rice is so heavily involved in the issue.... On the other hand, the Israelis are understandably worried that an unguarded crossing may develop into an open passage for suicidal attackers.... Every step forward in the Middle East is very useful. But each step is a step on a tightrope."
HUNGARY: "The Second Line"
Columnist Endre Aczel declared in center-left Nepszabadsag (11/15): "For the time being, the Gaza area is a 'huge prison.' Its inhabitants, the goods produced by them and the services they consume do not have free movement either towards Egypt or to the larger part of the Palestinian state, the West Bank. The Israelis want to control all movements and, to tell the truth, they do less than their utmost for the realization of Palestinian self-reliance at one of the smallest, but definitely the most populated part of the world that is struggling with seventy percent of unemployment."
IRELAND: "Rice Plays All-night 'Hardball'"
Stephen Farrell in Jerusalem wrote in the center right, populist Irish Independent (11/16): “All-night talks led by Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. Secretary of State, produced a surprise resolution yesterday to the Israeli-Palestinian deadlock over Gaza's borders. The impasse had threatened to reverse the momentum of Israel's pullout. After weeks of deadlock, Dr. Rice forced a compromise by what observers described as 'hardball' diplomacy in her hotel suite overlooking the Old City in Jerusalem, where both sides were repeatedly pressed to amend drafts on a laptop until they reached consent. The agreement was a significant achievement for Dr. Rice, who delayed her departure from the Middle East and had staked considerable personal credibility on it. Smiling after the agreement was completed after dawn, she revealed that it had been hard going and she had managed only two hours' sleep.”
"Rice Brokers Gaza Strip Border Deal"
Anne Gearan in Jerusalem wrtoe in the left-of-center Irish Examiner (11/16): "Prodded by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Israel and the Palestinians agreed yesterday on details for opening the borders of the Gaza Strip and allowing freer movement for Palestinians elsewhere. It is regarded as a significant step toward an eventual peace deal between historic enemies. The agreement, which gives the Palestinians control over a border for the first time, took all-night negotiations and a strong diplomatic shove from Ms. Rice. The basic elements of the deal had been in the works for weeks."
“ Gaza Crossings To Open After Deal
Nuala Haughey in Jerusalem wrote in the center-left Irish Times (11/16): Gazans have been given hope of a brighter economic future after a long-awaited deal on opening the Palestinian enclave's border crossings was clinched yesterday following the intervention of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.... This was the major sticking point for Palestinians, who viewed it as a breach of their sovereignty. Yesterday's compromise means Israel will receive live video transmissions and can raise objections about travellers, but the Palestinians will be in charge of the crossing, working alongside a team of up to 70 EU monitors headed by a general from the Italian carabinieri."
"Rice In Last-ditch Talks To Broker Gaza Deal"
Nuala Haughey wrote from Jerusalem in the center-left Irish Times (11/15): "U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice was last night involved in last-ditch efforts in Jerusalem to broker an Israeli-Palestinian agreement on a deal to reopen Gaza's borders. Dr. Rice delayed a scheduled departure for Asia yesterday to attend meetings in Jerusalem late last night with officials from both sides who were working on issues of security and authority involving routes in and out of the Gaza Strip, which Israel evacuated last September. There was optimism earlier in the day when Dr. Rice, following a meeting with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, said an agreement was 'in sight.' That sense of hope faded as the day progressed.... Dr. Rice's trip is also aimed at resuscitating the moribund peace process, with meetings with leaders on both sides in which she mixed praise with pressure."
"Rice Stays On In Middle East To Break Gaza Stalemate"
Stephen Farrell remarked from Jerusalem in the center-right Irish Independent (11/15): "Rice, the U.S. Secretary of State, prolonged her trip to the Middle East last night in the hope of breaking the deadlock over border controls at Gaza. The Palestinians claim that Gaza's economy is being slowly strangled by Israel's continued control over the strip from which it evacuated 8,500 Jewish settlers in the autumn. The two sides have reached an impasse over the movement of goods and people through Israel's 45-mile razor fence that surrounds the 1.3m Palestinians. International mediators had hoped that Dr. Rice's visit would help to resolve the situation at the Rafah passenger crossing into Egypt--which has been largely closed since September--and the sole goods crossings at Karni. After meetings with Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Prime Minister, and Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority President, Dr. Rice spoke of the need for 'greater freedom of movement' for Palestinians, while calling on the Authority to control militants."
SPAIN: "Rabin And Arafat"
Centrist La Vanguardia wrote (11/15): "It has been ten years since Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was murdered, and one year since Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat died in a hospital in Paris.... The commemoration of Rabin's death has...made the fear of another assassination apparent in Israel, because part of Israeli society considers Sharon a 'traitor'... On the other side, the death...of Yasser Arafat...seems to have opened the possibility of negotiation with Tel Aviv.... The action of his successor, Mahmud Abbas, corroborates the impression that it has been possible to advance in peace without him."
MIDDLE EAST
ISRAEL: "The Third Party And The Next Step"
Independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz editorialized (11/17): "Had it not been for the pressure exerted by Rice, with the clear backing of President George Bush, the Agreement [on Movement and Access] would not have been reached. The Israelis and Palestinians failed in their efforts to compromise, as did Israel's two cabinet ministers, Shimon Peres and Shaul Mofaz. Only the understanding that it would be better not to ignore Rice's insistent demands caused Sharon to impose his will on the security establishment. The border crossing agreement thus reflects growing involvement by outside parties in the conduct of day-to-day negotiations between Israel and the PA, as well as a growing American role in this involvement, in which Europe and Egypt also have a share. General Keith Dayton, who was appointed yesterday as America's security coordinator in the region following William Ward's transfer to another military posting, will be umpiring not the internal Palestinian game--the merger of its security services--but
the competition between Israel and the PA. The organization under his command will determine whether Israel's demands to deny entry to specific individuals who 'arouse concern,' in the agreement's words, are justified. He will also decide whether the Palestinians' behavior at the border terminals accords with the agreement.... The third party ... must move on without delay to the next step: pressuring the Palestinians to disarm the terrorist organizations and Israel to dismantle the West Bank outposts."
"The Palestinians Will Look For A Hole In The Net"
Veteran op-ed writer and assistant to the late prime minister Yitzhak Rabin Eytan Haber opined in the lead editorial of mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot (11/17): "Let there be no understandings: the crossings agreement for Palestinians and their vehicles from Gaza to Jerusalem and vice-versa, the construction of a port, and the passage of goods to Israel will cause a great security headache and perhaps big trouble to Israel. The Palestinians will look for any way, any opportunity, and any 'hole in the net,' in order to breach agreements and score gains on the ground."
"The Rafah Deal"
The conservative, independent Jerusalem Post editorialized (11/17): "So now the deal to open up the Rafah crossing is done. That was the easy part, even though it took months of wrangling. The hard part will be for the Palestinian leadership to summon the determination to confront terrorism, without which no such agreement can work.... Only Israeli military actions against terrorism, and not signed documents, have ever consistently provided a disincentive for the PA's cooperation with, and tolerance of, terrorist groups. Among the lessons from the failure of the
Oslo Accords is that, no matter how detailed an agreement is, it is worthless if it not backed by international support for holding the parties accountable. In simple terms: a deal without consequences is an inconsequential deal. If the Palestinian leadership truly decides to confront and expunge the terrorists, this agreement will prove largely redundant and will be easily implemented. Absent such a decision, this agreement will be added to the heap of previously signed dead letters."
"The Rafah Precedent"
Very liberal columnist Meron Benvenisti wrote in Ha'aretz (11/17): "Now that Condoleezza Rice decided to show [Israeli Defense Minister Shaul] Mofaz who the real boss is, he has capitulated, but he is trying to explain his capitulation as a concession to America's need for an achievement. The Palestinians do not interest him. After all, if he wanted a confidence-building relationship with them, he would have agreed long ago to the arrangements laid out in the Rafah Agreement, without massive American pressure. The Palestinians also do not interest the Americans, and were it not for Rice's desperate need for some kind of achievement for public relations purposes, this agreement would never have been reached. The last thing that the President of the U.S. wants is to nurture the illusion that in the wake of the Rafah precedent, other American initiatives to advance the process will be forthcoming. And the Israeli public is already being reassured that the Rafah agreement is 'the last move' before the start of a lengthy campaign season.... Indeed, one can be pleased that American pressure led to an agreement that is significant on the level of principle. But one could also ask the following question: if massive pressure and personal intervention by Rice were necessary to achieve a meager technical agreement, what are the chances of real progress in the peace process?"
"Less Is More"
Middle East affairs commentator Guy Bechor, a lecturer at the Interdisciplinary Center, wrote in mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot (11/17): "Disengagement from the Gaza Strip undoubtedly brought with it the first contacts and signals in years from Arab and Islamic countries towards Israel. As of now, this is at a level of quiet meetings and cooperative ventures. These contacts can be characterized as practical activity, though without the official-diplomatic seal of approval.... Working relations are the most that Israel can get from the Arab world today, certainly after five years of Intifada that have poisoned the region. Unfortunately, Israel's reputation in Arab and Muslim public opinion is worse today than ever before.... Perhaps it is time to learn from the failed 1990s and to understand that in our region it is necessary to conduct oneself modestly, without any declarations, Nobel Prizes, vision or festive promises. The greater the public Israeli aspiration, the greater the resistance in the Arab public will be, accordingly.... The rule with regard to the highly fragile relations that are currently being renewed with the Arab and Islamic world should therefore be: without arrogance, brass bands, fanfares or festive summits; without ceremonies and formalism, undue statements or provocations; but with quiet and productive economic, commercial and diplomatic work on the ground. We should not perceive this practical work as a prelude to the main thing. It is the main thing in and of itself."
"Why Rice Pushed So Hard On Rafah"
Diplomatic correspondent Herb Keinon wrote in the conservative, independent Jerusalem Post (11/16): "It is not every day that the U.S. Secretary of State changes her schedule, rolls up her sleeves and gets into the nitty-gritty--on two hours of sleep--of very technical negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.... While during another period the U.S. may have tolerated this foot dragging for a bit longer, the country's newfound political instability, brought about by Amir Peretz's stunning defeat of Shimon Peres in the Labor party primary last week, has jolted the Administration into action.... The growing political instability here made it clear to the U.S. that the window of opportunity to close a deal such as this was narrowing quickly. And this deal, with its call for enhanced cargo capacity at Karni and a target [date] to begin passenger and truck convoys from Gaza to the West Bank, was considered by the U.S. and Quartet envoy James Wolfensohn as critical to attracting the investment and donor dollars into Gaza necessary for the region's economic development. The Rafah deal was the first agreement between the PA and Israel since disengagement, and it is likely, with elections looming so large, to be the last until the country goes to the polls. Rice had to strike while the irons were still hot because, once Labor and Likud agree on an election date, the diplomatic irons will cool down significantly for a number of months."
"Rafah Deal Is Sharon's Last Act On The PA Stage"
Diplomatic correspondent Aluf Benn wrote in independent, left-leaning Ha'aretz (11/16): "The Rafah agreement reached Tuesday to operate the Gaza Strip's border crossings is probably the last political act by the Sharon government on the Palestinian stage. It may be seen as the final chapter of the disengagement in which Israel is pulling out the cork that has blocked the Strip from the rest of the world until now.... Sharon went much further here than Ehud Barak's proposals in Camp David and even further than Yossi Beilin's Geneva Accord, which dealt with an Israeli presence of several years on the borders of the Palestinian state. However, with the IDF pullout from Rafah, it transpired that Israel can no longer control Gaza's gates. The Palestinians also conducted a successful public opinion campaign, claiming the Israeli occupation was continuing around it, and that the Strip was 'the world's largest prison.'"
"Rafah Deal Will Only Have Marginal Impact On Security"
Military correspondent Arieh O'Sullivan wrote in The Jerusalem Post (11/16): "Officials in Israel's defense establishment] maintain that Israel has long known that it would have to give up control of the international border as part of the disengagement. The attempts to keep a semblance of overall rule were part of the Middle East negotiation bazaar. The 'concessions' paid were to portray to the Americans a sense of how difficult it was for Israel. Palestinians made no concessions apart from the fact that they now have a camera over their shoulder, and European supervision. But whether or not the monitors have teeth able to bite into the flow of terrorism remains to be seen. Military and security officials point out that the impact on Israeli security of this deal was marginal since the Gaza Strip itself was still sealed off from Israel and the West Bank.... The danger of the Rafah precedent will be apparent when the Palestinians open their sea and airport where [Katyusha rockets and artillery] could be more readily imported. It will be difficult for Israel to insist on a veto here after giving it up on the land crossing to Egypt."
WEST BANK: "Rice And The Rafah Crossing...A Mountain Giving Birth To A Mouse"
Abdul Rahim Mallouh opined in independent Al-Ayyam (11/16): "The foreign policy of the Bush administration has suffered lately from failure at various occasions and places where it used to succeed.... In Bahrain, Secretary Rice failed to finalize an agreement on the so-called Future Convention with countries of the region, industrial states and NGOs.... To compensate for such [and other] failures, Rice, along with a group of leaders led by Solana and Wolfensohn, paid attention to solving the Rafah crossing [issue] to show interest in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.... How can it be rational that the Secretary of a super power stays up all night -- leaving aside world policy and security to dedicate her time to solving the issue of movement at the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings and the number of departing vehicles at Erez and Karni -- if she were not in desperate need to show some success of U.S. foreign policy? Can't Rice and those involved with her in partial solutions see that it is not possible to condense the national Palestinian cause and the movement at the Rafah crossing together, which will only lead to sustained conflict and another explosion [of the situation]?"
"Opening The Crossings And Closing The Roadmap!"
Hani Habib commented in independent Al-Ayyam (11/16): "Secretary Rice delayed her visit to South Korea to allow for a better opportunity for negotiations on the crossings to reach an agreement that was hard to reach the past few weeks.... Obviously, this is a big effort by the U.S. administration to close this portfolio by reaching a minimal agreement, which would result every now and then in a 'clash' between the two parties on how to explain it [the agreement], and thus allow Washington again and again to intervene to solve it. The U.S. State Department wants to keep playing the role of a 'fire fighter' who rushes to put out fires for which he could very well be the cause."
"Failure"
Official Al-Hayat Al-Jadida ran a commentary by Hafez Barghouthi (11/16): "Now, after an agreement has been reached on the crossings issue, we find it [the agreement] maintains Israeli control over the crossings. Goods will still be controlled by Israeli customs, where brokers and beneficiaries in this business will increase. The occupation's eye will continue to monitor whoever comes and goes and there will be no guarantee that Israel will not interfere militarily, such as threatening to shell the crossing and close down other such crossings in the West Bank and Israel."
"The Crossing Agreement And Its Margins"
Hasan El-Batal opined in independent Al-Ayyam (11/16): "Bush delegated the Palestinian-Israeli portfolio to Miss Rice, something he did not do with [former] Secretary Powell. We would like to tell Miss Rice: Thank you... [but] we want to tell her that her answer to a question on her attendance at the Rabin [assassination] anniversary while failing to attend Arafat's [death] anniversary was not right. She needs to learn to respect the feelings of the Palestinian people and not just their interests and rights."
"Operating The Rafah Crossing Is Not An End By Itself"
Independent Al-Quds remarked (11/15): "During her contacts with both the Israelis and Palestinians yesterday, Secretary Rice’s efforts mainly focused on ensuring the necessary atmosphere for the operation of the Rafah crossing.... There is no doubt that Secretary Rice’s emphasis on the need to reach an agreement for the crossing, as was clear in her remarks in Ramallah and her shuttle diplomacy between Ramallah and Jerusalem, is justified, especially since it would resolve one of the outstanding post-disengagement problems.... However, the operation of the Rafah crossing, in spite of its significance and urgency, should not be at the expense of ensuring the needed attention to the rest of the peace process issues and the Roadmap."
"Frank Talk To The U.S."
Yahya Rabah commented in official Al-Hayat Al-Jadida (11/15): “Everyone knows that the political and diplomatic language used by the U.S. with Israel for many years, especially during the first and second terms of President George W. Bush, has proven to be ineffective and impracticable. An example of this language is the statement that the U.S. is interested in seeing the Israelis and Palestinians reach an agreement... By the same token, the question of ‘why do they hate us?’ keeps popping up. The answer for this question is that the U.S. has appointed Israel to be the judge and the executor while the vulnerable Palestinian people are facing all sorts of torture, agony and humiliation on a daily basis. All of this is taking place while the U.S., the world’s superpower, is uttering a few soft words of blame at Israel, which are always met with a smile of carelessness by the Israelis.”
"True Measure For The Success Of Rice's Tour"
Independent Al-Quds editorialized (11/14): "Upon her arrival to Israel last night, she [Secretary Rice] stated that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is one of the U.S. administration's top priorities. Nonetheless Washington has not shown so far any serious indication proving her statement.... If the United States were serious about its position to end Palestinian-Israeli conflict and achieve peace, it would have made a quarter of the effort it made with the United Nations and the Security Council...in lobbying against Syria in the case of Hariri [assassination].... Such American stances do not look encouraging, even though Rice, who will talk today to Palestinian and Israeli leaders, says the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is at the top of the U.S. administration's agenda.... Thus, we say that the measure for the success of Rice's tour in the region neither lies in her glowing rhetoric nor in the meetings she is holding as much as it lies in a serious stance Washington needs to show regarding the Roadmap and the two-state vision. What should be said to the U.S. Secretary is that our people are fed up with words that do not translate into real [progress] on the ground and are also looking for a more balanced effective effort that ends the occupation, achieves peace and builds true democracy."
"Washington's Promises"
Abdel Hakim Salah commented in semi-official Al-Hayat Al-Jadida (11/14): "American diplomacy is active nowadays--embodied by the visit of Secretary Rice who will arrive in Palestinian Territories after she meets with Israeli leadership. Based on the U.S. administration's behavior and our own experience, this proves that this visit comes under the framework of public relations.... In Jerusalem, we will sense the outcome of the meetings [with Israelis] and what has been agreed upon with the Americans even before the guest leaves. Here [in the West Bank], however, we will hear the same words regarding armed groups and disarming them.... All we will get is promises that will be added to a pile of American wishes. The delegation will fly [leave] and nothing will be changed: closed crossing points, a stagnant economy, prisoners behind bars and a rising number of unemployed people [will remain]."
EGYPT: "Imminent Signing Of The Rafah Crossing Agreement"
Leading pro-government, state-owned Al-Ahram opined (Internet version 11/15): "President Mahmud Abbas (Abu-Mazin) and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have announced that an agreement would soon be signed between Israel and the PA to reopen the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel.... This agreement will end the isolation of the Gaza Strip and its status as a big prison, which the Israelis have created after their withdrawal from it. In addition to the positive impact this agreement will have on the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, it would create a greater degree of security and stability on the Egyptian-Palestinian-Israeli border and define the responsibilities of the various parties for any violation in the areas adjacent to the border that lie in the territories of the three parties. Defining the security and political responsibilities in these important areas has become an indispensable necessity in the light of the increasing cases of security violations and the smuggling of arms and narcotics that could undermine the security and political situations in them. There is no doubt that the participation of the international community, represented by the Quartet Committee, in drafting and implementing this agreement is an essential demand for monitoring the parties' abidance by it and specifying the responsibility of the party that violates it in the future."
SAUDI ARABIA: "Palestine, Condi And Hillary"
Abha’s moderate Al-Watan editorialized (11/16): "Pessimists were right in their expectations about the consequences of the disengagement plan ... Fears of turning Gaza into a big prison have become a fact... The coincidence of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s with Hillary’s visits to the region support this view. The visits have an obscure and common agenda. Both of them agreed on Israel’s security. Each one of them seeks to gain the support of the influential Zionist lobby to support their future political ambitions.... Such biased visits will not stop blood shedding , killing and destruction against the Palestinians. The Palestinians will not stop their struggle until they have complete rights... The struggle shall continue as long as there is no justice and as long as the U.S. continues with a double standard policy... All peace efforts will fail as long as political offers do not meet the ambitions of the Palestinians."
"Peace Requirements And Conditions"
Jeddah’s conservative Al-Madina editorialized (11/16): "Although small compared to the size of the legitimate Palestinian rights, it is considered a great achievement for the U.S. Secretary Rice who had to postpone her departure to Asia to conclude an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. This would not have been achieved without the efforts of the U.S. who is working hard to activate the peace process and the European Union who has been given a prime role in supervising the crossing."
"Aborted Future"
Jeddah's English pro-government Saudi Gazette editorialized (Internet version 11/15): "U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was in Bahrain recently at a Forum for the Future conference attended by leaders from the Arab world.... The question that has emerged from this abortive meeting is whether Egypt's objections are meant as a sign to Washington to rein in its democratic ambitions in the Gulf and North Africa.... In the aftermath of 9/11, the United States introduced tough measures to restrict funding to organizations that it deemed might be in some way be associated with terrorism. Many charitable Islamic institutions were caught up in this net and ended up as proscribed organizations. Numerous prominent Arab dignitaries and businessmen were also tarred with the same brush. It is interesting that Rice appears to discern no parallels between money flowing from Arab countries to the U.S. and funds from the U.S. to Arab countries. The furor if Arab governments were to fund political entities in the United States, especially those that took an anti-government stance, and the ensuing media frenzy can scarcely be imagined. Yet when Washington wants to implement such a proposal it cannot hide its displeasure at being challenged."
"Common Interests And Dissonant Voices"
Jeddah's moderate Okaz commented (Internet version 11/15): "The U.S. administration displays concern for fostering bilateral ties with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and for serving the common interests of both countries. Despite this, those who follow the statements made by some U.S. congressmen and certain advisers in the U.S. administration notice that they seek to harm Saudi Arabia's policy and to underestimate its war on terrorism and its persevering efforts to root out terrorism both through its own security agencies and through the joint collective efforts and cooperation with all countries of the world that strive to eliminate this serious phenomenon that menace the whole world. During her news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister His Highness Prince Sa'ud al-Faysal, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pointed out that the voices that criticize Saudi Arabia do not express the views of the U.S. administration, stressing the U.S. administration's appreciation of Saudi Arabia's role in extirpating terrorism. Notwithstanding our realization of Rice's assertions, the continuing criticism and hostility of these voices, which rise as Saudi-U.S. rapprochement increases, would harm both countries and their common interests, which the Saudi and U.S. leaderships seek to foster to fulfill the aspirations of the Saudi and American peoples. The impact of these voices, coupled with the media outlets that propagate their claims, would, in the long run, reflect negatively on the consciousness of U.S. voters and cast doubt on the credibility of their administration. The policy that the U.S. administration pursues, which realizes the deep friendship and common interests linking Washington and Riyadh, exposes the falsity of these voices. The U.S. administration, which affirms that these voices do not represent it, also exposes the falsity of these voices. This is what the U.S. citizen should understand, which would provide him with real protection from these voices that work against his interest."
"A Bloody Display In Rice's Presence"
Riyadh's moderate Al-Jazirah noted (Internet version 11/15): "Rice's visit to Palestine comes in the middle of an intensive Israeli suppressive campaign in the West Bank and Gaza against Palestinian activists. The U.S. Secretary of State began her visit with statements in which she said that peace requires the Palestinians to rid their ranks of 'terrorists' and requires Israel to freeze settlement building activities.... As for the U.S. goals proclaimed by Washington and enunciated in Rice's remarks, the United States focuses a lot on what is required of the Palestinians. To accomplish this, the United States uses its fangs and its thick stick to prepare the groundwork to deal a blow to the Palestinian organizations that it labels as terrorist organizations and puts them on the terrorism lists. Thus, anyone may now strike at and destroy these organizations and in the U.S. mindset, Israel is always the best that can do that. As for what is required of Israel, the thick stick is not used. Instead, soft diplomacy is the most appropriate in dealing with Washington's favored ally.... Rice is visiting Israel while it continues to build the separation wall. She is visiting Israel while it has not done anything to evacuate the settlements in the West Bank. In other words, most of the land of the West Bank is under Israeli occupation and more land is bound to be annexed for the building of the wall has not been completed. Despite this, Rice has repeatedly stressed that the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel will bring stability to the region. However, no one knows exactly where this state will be established since Israel has already swallowed most of its lands."
ASIA PACIFIC
AUSTRALIA: "A Lifeline To Gaza"
An editorial in the national conservative Australian stated (11/17): "Dr. Rice delayed her departure [to APEC] for all-night talks on the Gaza issue. And she succeeded in uncorking the bottle. All four crossings into Gaza from Egypt and Israel will be reopened…. The breakthrough comes in the nick of time, as the Palestinian growers who took over the hothouses in abandoned Israeli settlements prepare to harvest. The local market for their produce is tiny. Dr. Rice's efforts have deep symbolic as well as economic importance…. Mr Sharon and Mr Abbas still look by far the most likely partners for a resumption of the so-called 'road map' for peace, but it could be only a matter of months before each is outflanked from the Left and the moment, and momentum, are lost. What the marathon negotiations in Dr. Rice's suite at Jerusalem's David Citadel Hotel demonstrate is that there is simply no substitute for direct involvement by the world's only superpower in the Middle East peace process. And any progress along the peace road will deprive Islamists in Iraq and elsewhere of at least one of their rallying cries. Preoccupied with other worries at home and abroad, Mr. Bush must not forget the Palestinian problem."
INDONESIA: "Like A Prison, Gaza Starts To Collapse"
Leading independent Kompas commented (11/17): “Although Israel has pulled out of the Gaza Strip, Palestinians in Gaza continue to feel pressure because access in and out remains under the strict control of Israel and Egypt. Hopes for freedom after Israel’s withdrawal cannot be achieved, and this has increased their frustration. This situation has led James Wolfenson, former President of the World Bank, to warn that the Gaza Strip has the potential of becoming a giant prison if access in and out of that region is not given soon. This warning should be taken seriously because it was issued by someone with a respected reputation who was appointed to be Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs. His opinion on Gaza is regarded as rational and objective, considering his own Jewish background.”
WESTERN HEMISPHERE
CANADA: "In And Out Of Gaza"
The leading Globe and Mail opined (11/16): "What a difference a day makes. On Monday, weeks of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations over the Gaza Strip's borders had reached such an impasse that conciliator James Wolfenson threw up his hands.... But yesterday, after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stayed an extra day to lean on both sides, the parties reached a deal. Within months, buses and trucks from Gaza will be allowed to travel through Israel to the West Bank under army escort. And on Nov. 25, Palestinians will tentatively be given more control over the crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which remains the international border between Israel and Egypt even if Israel has withdrawn its troops.... Is this progress? Yes. That farmers in Gaza will be better able to export their goods is welcome news as harvest season approaches. And a failure to reach agreement even on basic questions of mobility after Israel's September withdrawal from Gaza would have sent a terrible message about the prospects of getting Israelis and Palestinians back to the larger peace talks.... Still, tiny steps are better than no steps. On that score, optimism is easier with yesterday's pact in place."
ARGENTINA: "Rice Wants To Force Peace Agreement Between Arabs And Israelis"
Conservative La Prensa commented (11/15): "Secretary Rice, who tries to re-launch the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, postponed yesterday her departure from the Middle East to Asia in the hope to announce an agreement for the re-opening of the Rafah passage, which joins the Gaza Strip with Egypt. Yesterday, Rice exercised strong pressure to reach an agreement, during the meetings she held with Israeli Prime Minister Sharon, and NPA President Abbas. The re-opening of the Rafah passage, which according to Palestinian sources will take place today, removes the obstacle that blocks Gaza from the rest of the world, after the withdrawal of Israel from the region two months ago.... Rice spoke to Israeli and Palestinian leaders on the possible resumption of the peace process in the region, the role that each State must play in it and the Palestinian elections in 2006."
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