Israel News Daily 13/03/2010

The main item of Israel-related coverage in the UK media today is the visit by US Vice President Joe Biden, his speech in Tel Aviv yesterday, the impact of the announcement of planned construction in an ultra-orthodox neighbourhood in East Jerusalem, and Palestinian threats not to participate in the talks. In other news the Daily Telegraph notes a US report on the growth of anti-Semitism worldwide. The paper also has an article on the attitude of Gulf countries to the Iranian nuclear programme, and a piece on the Palestinian Authority's attitude to the peace process. The Independent runs an opinion piece recommending a unilateral Palestinian declaration of independence, and has a piece on Palestinian protests against the Security Barrier. The Economist runs an article on the Israeli coalition, and looks at the possibility of containing a nuclear Iran. Several papers note the release of the British journalist in Gaza. The Spectator notes the latest Iranian threats to destroy Israel. BBC Online notes criticism of Israel by a UN official over conditions in Gaza.

In the Israeli media, all papers focus on Vice President Biden's speech in Tel Aviv yesterday, and its implications for the planned proximity talks with the Palestinians and for US-Israel relations. Haaretz notes a statement by Interior Minister Eli Yishai on the central importance of maintaining Israeli-US ties, and an article on increasing Egyptian pressure on Hamas. The Jerusalem Post notes the planned commencement of the third phase of the settlement freeze next week, and reports on Israeli 'relief' after Biden's speech. Ynetnews notes predictions that proximity talks will begin next week, and has a piece on new footage revealed of IDF prisoners in Lebanon in the 1980s, and an article on criticism of Israel's stance toward Gaza by a UN official. Several papers note the ordering of a closure on the West Bank, following reports of expected increased unrest over the weekend.

The Speech of a Friend

Haaretz, ()

"In his speech at Tel Aviv University yesterday, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden outlined the American approach to the Middle East in its broadest sense, from the Israeli-Arab conflict to the Persian Gulf.

This is President Barack Obama's line, and Biden made sure to mention that it was the president who instructed him to denounce the decision to build 1,600 housing units in the East Jerusalem neighborhood Ramat Shlomo. Even if a Republican takes over the White House after Obama, this basic line is not expected to change."

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Israel believes East Jerusalem row won't stop Mideast talks - (Haaretz)

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1155897.html

Egypt stepping up pressure against Hamas - (Haaretz)

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1155894.html

Stage 3' of moratorium next week - (Jerusalem Post)

http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=170814

Biden wants direct talks by summer - (Jerusalem Post)

http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=170815

Joe Biden attempts to salvage Middle East peace talks - (Guardian)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/11/joe-biden-middle-east-talks

Israel's unfair 'law of return' - (Guardian)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/11/israel-return-jews-palestinians

Anti-semitism rising worldwide, US report finds - (Daily Telegraph)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7424685/Anti-Semitism-rising-worldwide-US-report-finds.html

There is a reason Israel doesnt roll over when Mahmoud Abbas bats his eyelashes - (Daily Telegraph)

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/stephaniegutmann/100029421/theres-a-reason-israel-doesnt-jump-for-joy-when-mahmoud-abbas-bats-his-eyelashes/

Gulf states wary of Iran nukes and of sanctions - (Daily Telegraph)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatnews/7421827/Gulf-states-wary-of-Irans-nukes-and-of-sanctions.html

Video: Joe Biden calls for Middle East talks to resume - (Daily Telegraph)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/7422689/Joe-Biden-calls-for-Middle-East-talks-to-resume.html

Israeli-Palestinian peace talks break down over settlement row - (Daily Telegraph)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/7419607/Israel-Palestine-peace-talks-break-down-over-settlement-row.html

David Kimche: Mossad intelligence chief and Israeli diplomat - (Times)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article7058739.ece

Israeli admen turn to ‘Mossad chic' to puff shop's killer prices - (Times)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7059030.ece

Joe Biden makes parting plea for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks - (Times)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7059009.ece

British journalist Paul Martin released by Hamas in Gaza Strip - (Times)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7058987.ece

07.03.10 Jerusalem - (Times)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/the_tls/Subscriber_Archive/Social_Studies_Archive/article7058322.ece

The Jewish 'natio' - (Times)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/the_tls/Subscriber_Archive/Letters_to_the_Editor_Archive/article7058262.ece

Will investors take a punt on Palestine? - (Times)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article7058900.ece

Palestinians should now declare their independence - (Independent)

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-palestinians-should-now-declare-their-independence-1920130.html

West Bank rises up in a new 'white' intifada - (Independent)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/west-bank-rises-up-in-a-new-white-intifada-1920120.html

Palestinians threaten to quit talks over settlements - (Independent)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/palestinians-threaten-to-quit-talks-over-settlements-1920121.html

Palestinians resist efforts to start Middle East talks -  (Financial Times)

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/179fcbac-2d77-11df-a262-00144feabdc0.html

Settlements rift sheds light on dysfunctional Israeli coalition -  (Financial Times)

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5153568e-2d77-11df-a262-00144feabdc0.html

Obama's lack of Mideast muscle - (Financial Times)

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4f41f0be-2d48-11df-9c5b-00144feabdc0.html

Red tape ties up Middle East peace process -  (Financial Times)

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a84200d2-2d2a-11df-9c5b-00144feabdc0.html

- Militants warn Bar

More than just a charade? - (Economist)

http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15663616

Can the coalition hold together? - (Economist)

http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15675691

Containing Iran - (Economist)

http://www.economist.com/world/na/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15663292

Palestinians pull out of talks after Israeli settlement announcement - (New Statesman)

http://www.newstatesman.com/2010/03/israel-talks-abbas-east

Why the US has let Israel off the hook again - (New Statesman)

http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2010/03/israel-biden-obama-friend

Journalist Paul Martin released from Gaza - (Jewish Chronicle)

http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/29278/journalist-paul-martin-released-gaza

Peace talks cancelled over East Jerusalem homes - (Jewish Chronicle)

http://www.thejc.com/news/israel-news/29350/peace-talks-cancelled-over-east-jerusalem-homes

David Cameron: I will banish extremists from Britain - (Jewish Chronicle)

http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/29303/david-cameron-i-will-banish-extremists-britain

BIDEN AND MITCHELL KICK-START PEACE TALKS - (Jewish News)

http://www.totallyjewish.com/news/world/c-13631/biden-and-mitchell-kick-start-peace-talks/

Buy Mahsaney, join Mossad - (Spectator)

http://www.spectator.co.uk/cappuccinoculture/5834763/buy-mahsaney-join-mossad.thtml

Iran threatens genocide yet again - (Spectator)

http://www.spectator.co.uk/melaniephillips/5835531/iran-threatens-genocide-yet-again.thtml

Biden appeals for Mideast peace talks without delay - (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62A1HV20100311

UN's humanitarian chief criticises Israel over Gaza - (BBC Online)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8563569.stm

Biden tries to ease Mid-East row - (BBC Online)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8561998.stm

US and Israel dodge settlement confrontation - (BBC Online)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8562857.stm

Hamas releases British journalist - (BBC Online)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8561705.stm

Peace talks in doubt over housing - (BBC Online)

http://search.bbc.co.uk/click/p/4/ds/main/t/Peace%2520talks%2520in%2520doubt%2520over%2520housing/id/17231391443481268373478958111280000/sp/29e7f75fea6003b9dcbc00f8dc5ec123/-/http%253a%252f%252fnews%252ebbc%252eco%252euk%252f1%252fhi%252fworld%252fmiddle%255feast%252f8561441%252estm

Interior Minister Yishai: Israel's relations with U.S. is above all else - (Haaretz)

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1155886.html

Israel relieved after Biden speech - (Jerusalem Post)

http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=170812

'Blockade very frustrating' - (Ynetnews)

http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=170812

Israel: Indirect talks with PA next week - (Ynetnews)

http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=170812

Rare footage shows ex-POWs - (Ynetnews)

http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=170812

US Vice President Joe Biden (Jerusalem Post)

The United States will continue to hold both sides accountable for any statements or any actions that inflame tensions or prejudice the outcome of these talks. The most important thing is for these talks to go forward and go promptly and go forward in good faith. We can't delay, because when progress is postponed, extremists exploit our differences and they sow hate.