French media slam Israel's 'repeated provocations'

While international media downplays clashes in Jerusalem, French newspapers criticize Netanyahu's government, say increased violence may signal beginning of third intifada

Gilad Halpern|Published: 03.17.10 , 19:27

PARIS - Amid violent clashes across greater Jerusalem, the world media continues to focus on the deepening crisis between Israel and the United States.

The confrontations between Arabs and security forces in the capital have only managed to attract secondary attention in the international media, which revolves mainly around visual images of masked persons hurling stones on the backdrop of flaming tires.

Most American and British newspapers, such as The New York Times and The Guardian published laconic reports, which only counted the number of demonstrators, casualties and people detained.

Most reports ascribed the riots to the "Day of Rage" declared by Palestinians following the rededication of the Hurva Synagogue in the Old City's Jewish Quarter.

Jerusalem on fire (Photo: AFP)

A BBC news reporter, who conducted interviews with some of the protestors, concluded that they all feel as if Israel is trying to push them out of the city.

Meanwhile, in France reports focused on whether Israel is on the verge of a third intifada. As in previous uprisings, fingers were pointed toward provocations created by Israel's administration.

French publication L'Express reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet ignored international calls when they announced their un-compromising intention to continue building in Jerusalem, despite the existing unrest.

French daily Libération criticized Israel's government for its repeated provocations, while mentioning the current dispute over east Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah and Ramat Shlomo neighborhoods, as well as the inauguration of Hurva Synagogue.

Libération was the only major French publication that dedicated a detailed commentary piece to the subject, and noted that the current riots are sporadic and lack authoritative guidance, as opposed to the situation during the first intifada.

3rd Intifada?

French reporter Charles Enderlin of France 2 TV network, who captured the death of Gazan boy Muhammad al-Dura from alleged IDF fire in 2000, toured the Naalin area with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and planted olive trees in place of those uprooted by Israeli defense forces.

The French channel described Fayyad as the face of the Authority's future – a promising, honest and western figure who objects violent struggle and is trying to boost his public image as a politician – not only a technocrat.

In an article published by French magazine Nouvel Observateur under the title "Toward a third intifada?," the author wrote that the escalating violence in the Middle East constituted a new challenge for the American administration.

Meanwhile, deputy head of the Islamic Movement's northern branch Sheikh Kamal Khatib explained the root cause for the clashes in an interview with London-based publication al-Sharq al-Awsat.

Khatib said that the masses that gathered at the al-Aqsa Mosque prevented the radical Jewish groups from invading it. Khatib also refereed to the inauguration of the Hurva Synagogue in the Old City earlier this week, and said that "extremists" were planning on breaking into the mosque during the third day of the inaugural celebrations.

"On the first day they brought in the Torah scroll, On the second day they rededicated it and on the third day they wanted to break into al-Aqsa Mosque," Khatib said, adding that clashes with security forces in Jerusalem will continue "as long as there is an intention to invade the mosque."

The Islamic Movement senior figure emphasized that "the Jewish extremists issued a request with the police to allow them to bring Pesach offerings into al-Aqsa Mosque at the end of March."

Khatib added that this move will "reignite the situation," and that Jews should "worship their god their own way, but not on our lands."