Mideast Press Sceptical on US Embargo Lift

Jun 20, 08:49 AM

Current Headlines: Press review by BBC Monitoring Multimedia on 20 June 2007

The decision by the US and the EU to lift the embargo on direct aid to the new Palestinian government in the West Bank is greeted with scepticism and suspicion by commentators in the Arab world.

Most see it as an opportunistic move on the part of the West, one which will entrench the divisions between the warring Palestinian factions and benefit Israel. Iranian newspapers, which are strongly supportive of Hamas, voice similar views.

The Israeli press meanwhile highlights Fatah's weak position following Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip, and President Mahmud Abbas' struggle to re-assert his authority.

Editorial in pan-Arab AL-QUDS AL-'ARABI

The resumption of financial aid after a suspension of more than15 months will be interpreted as a financial bribe offered to President Abbas and the group rallying around him... The financial and moral support offered by the United States, Europe, and Israel cannot be free and without them receiving something in return... It is obvious that the first task of the emergency government and the security forces that are being reorganized is to stage a counter military coup against the HAMAS Movement in the Gaza Strip in particular.

Daud Al-Shurayan in pan-Arab AL-HAYAT

The announcement by the US Department of State to lift the political and economic embargo on the Palestinian emergency government...resuming direct funding and talks on starting "normal" relations between Washington and the Palestinian Authority...all this represents a late gesture of US generosity and a blatant US withdrawal from promises of so called "democracy".

Editorial in Egypt's AL-JUMHURIYAH

The US-Israeli alliance now finds a good opportunity to beat the drums of civil war between Palestinians of Gaza and the West Bank ... It is neither in Arab, nor in Palestinian interest, to support a Palestinian side against the other, thus leading to adding more fuel fire. This is a US-Israeli wish which we hope will not be achieved by Arab or Palestinian hands.

Umar Jaftali in Syria's TISHRIN

It is extremely clear that the Palestinian people's cause cannot be divided. It is also clear that what the US Administration is promising to the Palestinians is no more than an exacerbation in the division of the Palestinian ranks in the interest of Israel, first and foremost.

Nabil al-Sharif in Jordan's AL-DUSTUR

We should not forget that what happened was a result of an Israeli-US scheme. What happened was a natural result of the unjust embargo imposed on Gaza Strip over the past months.

Ibrahim Mansur in Egypt's AL-DUSTUR

It is a strange stance for Egypt to declare its support for a party in the Palestinian Authority at the expense of another party (which was elected by the people) ... Since the Egyptian regime hates anything elected, it found that the Palestinian internal fighting is a good chance to support the formation of an emergency government, instead of inviting the conflicting parties to come to Cairo immediately to bring the Palestinians together.

Editorial in Iran's RESALAT

In a calculated plot against Hamas, the Israel and the Fatah movement orchestrated certain confrontations that have claimed the lives of hundreds of Palestinians... Disrespecting the votes of the people and parliament on the one hand and the illegal appointment of Salam Fayyad on the other as the new Prime Minister for Palestine cannot be called anything but a coup against the people's votes.

Editorial in Iran's JOMHURI-YE ESLAMI

The new prime minister's appointment is in fact a part of an orchestrated scenario designed by Israel and America. Unfortunately, Hamas leaders were unaware of the scenario's details and optimistically got involved with this pre-planned game without paying attention to the fact that Mahmud Abbas is the illegal child of Yaser Arafat's compromise with Israel... The only solution of the Palestinian crisis is what the late Khomeyni said: Israel should be whipped off the map.

Hilary Leila Krieger in Israel's JERUSALEM POST

Abbas is still struggling to consolidate control over the West Bank... he has already indicated that a renewed flow of dollars and euros to Palestinian Authority coffers is insufficient, and is said to be eyeing other gestures, such as increased arms, a prisoner exchange and the implementation of a US benchmark proposal on Palestinian freedom and access, to increase Fatah's popularity and control in the West Bank.

Nahum Barnea in Israel's YEDIOT AHARONOT

The US president and Israeli prime minister's new vision of Palestinian issues is a tower built in the air. It is doubtful that both believe in it The talk about negotiations on a permanent settlement with the government of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmud Abbas is no more than talk. The gaps in the positions remain, but the Palestinian partner is getting weaker from one act to another.

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