RAMALLAH, May 25, 2011 (WAFA) – The speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the US Congress on Tuesday occupied the main headlines in Wednesday’s three Arabic dailies.
“Netanyahu repeats his nos and conditions … and the Congress applauds,” said Al-Ayyam main headline that went across the front page.
“Netanyahu repeats his position from Jerusalem, borders, refugees, and calls on Abbas to ‘tear up’ the reconciliation agreement,” was the headline in Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, also going across the front page.
“Netanyahu: The Jews in the West Bank are owners of the land, not occupiers, and the settlements will stay,” said Al-Quds main front page headline.
Al-Quds also quoted Tayeb Abdul Rahim, President Mahmoud Abbas’ secretary, as criticizing the reception the US Congress gave to Netanyahu. “We felt watching this reception that we were at a dictatorship’s parliament,” he said.
He said that “while we did not expect much from the US Congress, we did not expect it to appear so pathetic.”
The papers also highlighted the official Palestinian reaction to Netanyahu’s speech.
They also highlighted news about differences between Hamas leaders and charges by Mahmoud Zahhar against Hamas leader Khaled Mishaal. Zahhar had accused Mishaal of not representing Hamas position when he expressed support for Abbas’ negotiations.
Al-Ayyam said the Prime Minister Salam Fayyad had left Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas, after undergoing heart catheterization following a minor heart attack. It said Fayyad had returned to his normal schedule and that he will return home in the next few days. Fayyad was in Texas to attend his son’s college graduation.
News from the Arab revolts continued to occupy a good space on the front pages.
The editorial in Al-Quds had the headline: “Netanyahu disappoints Obama, again.” It said that the speech Netanyahu gave to the joint session of Congress “was another disappointment by Netanyahu to US President Barack Obama.” It said that this shows that Netanyahu is going to proceed with the occupation and settlement building, which requires a response from the international community.
The opinion articles in Al-Ayyam did not yet tackle Netanyahu’s speech, but continued to focus on Obama’s speeches and the future Palestinian government.
M.A.
