NOTE TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL JUL - 3 2014 (through Ms. Malcorra) I Lt-ocs:-81-~ EXECtrrTVE OFFTCB DPI Weekly Press Review OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL This week the press review focuses on the tensions in the Middle East in the aftermath of the conflffi1ed abduction and killing of Israeli and Palestinian teenagers. Tt also examines coverage of the political and humanitarian consequences of the ongoing conflict in Iraq. The deaths in the Middle East, on both sides, drew global attention. The media was quick to highlight your statements - as well as those of the Security Council - condemning the murders. Turning to Iraq, the civilian death toll figures provided by the United Nations this week were widely reported. Journalists continue to convey a sense of widespread chaos within the country and an apparent lack of strategy within the international community on how to combat the Islamic State ofTraq and the Levant (TSTL). Looking ahead, the Department of Public Information is working with partners across the UN to roll out a global, multilingual communications effort in support of Monday' s launch ofthe Millennium Development Goals Report 2014. Drawing in part on our global network of UN Information Centres, there will be at least 15 separate launch events around the world. Interest has been particularly strong in Europe. DPI is disseminating infographics and original social media content about the MDGs in all six official UN languages, and additional materials in other languages as well. Meanwhile, the first video from your interview with Linkedin at the Empire State Building last month was aired on Tuesday and has already been viewed more than 80,000 times. A post announcing the launch has received the most re-Tweets of any message by Linkedln. A second video from the interview will be published next week. Thank you. Peter Launsky-Tie enthal 3 July2014 cc: The Deputy Secretary-General I Mr. Amdur I Ms. Amos I Mr. Dujarric I Mr. Feltman I Ms. Haq I Mr. foll(i..w.~imowt.L-----------..... Mr. Ladsous I Mr. Orr .. ..... .............. J3f;C_f;lVEO JUL - 9 201 4 con/ os-1 oo2- EOSG/CENTRAL PRESS RE.VIEW. Thursday, 3 July 2014 Produced by News and Media Division, Department of Public Infor mation MIDDLE EAST The news of the deaths of the m1ssmg Israeli teenagers and the apparent retaliatory killing of a Palestinian boy spread like wildfire in the media, with the United Nations and its public reactions close to the centre ofthe story. The statements of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, other UN officials and the Security Council were widely covered, as were the rising tensions on the ground between Palestinians and Israelis. Many commentaries and analytical columns discussed what might happen next. An outpouring of condemnation, condolences and calls for calm The Secretary-General's response to the murders drew immediate headlines, including "United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon slams killings of Israeli teens" (Voice of Russia) and "UN Chief Condemns Murders, Calls to Find Terrorists" (Israel National News). According to AFP, in his statement Ban condemned the killings of the Israelis as a "heinous act by enemies of peace" that "must not be allowed to succeed." The BBC reported that the Secretary-General had urged both sides to "refrain from any actions that could further escalate this highly tense situation." Beirut's Daily Star noted Ban's hope that the perpetrators would be brought swiftly to justice. After the killing of the Palestinian, his statement was exemplified by the Xinhua headline: "UN chief slams murder of Palestinian teenager in Jerusalem." The Irish Independent observed that Ban issued similar condemnations for both incidents, but had also called on all sides to "refrain from any actions that could further escalate this highly tense situation": The Jordanian-based Middle East North Africa Financial Network reported that Ban condemned the killing of the Palestinian as "despicable," while Spanish news agency Europa Press reiterated Ban's call "to ensure that tensions do not rise and lead to further loss of life." KUNA (Kuwait) reported that Security Council members expressed their outrage. UN envoy Robert Serry' s statements denouncing both murders were carried by Bloomberg, France's La Nouvelle Republique, India Blooms News Service and Xinhua, among numerous others. Reuters flagged that the UN human rights office had urged Israelis and Palestinians to exercise "maximum restraint." The Secretary-General's meeting last weekend with Israeli President Shimon Peres also drew headlines, with most stories focusing on the kidnapping issue. The Jerusalem Post and The Times of Israel emphasized that Peres pressed Ban "to lead a global outcry against terror." The settler-run Israeli National News covered the story as "Ban to Peres: We Take Kidnapping Very Seriously." Meanwhile, the Jewish Press (US) pointed out that Peres praised the UN as "an imp01tant organization which represents the world." Turkey's Cihan news agency reported that Ban said he remained inspired by Peres' vision and leadership, which was "much needed to bridge the gap and differences in the world." Deaths channel public rage in Israel The news of the Israeli boys' fate sparked an avalanche of stories about Israelis' furious reaction and demands for reprisals. Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he would avenge the teens' death. CNN stated that Israel stepped up air strikes on aza, vowmg amas WI pay. e a ree ourna an e as mg on ost ran s1m1 ar stories on the theme oflsrael vowing revenge against Hamas. The New York Times reported that as the news spread, Israeli TV channels halted World Cup broadcasts and cancelled prime-time shows, for hours of discussions on the discovery of the bodies, while radio stations played sad songs. Deutsche ··········1····-·· ........ Welle .and.Theindependent{London)...carriedHamas'- statemenLthatJsrael.would ... ~'open the .gatesof.... r- hell" if it tried to conduct reprisal attacks. I Netanyahu's response was the subject of much discussion. Oslo's Dagbladet reported that "with the abduction and killing of the three Israeli teens, Netanyahu has received a gift basket, which will strengthen his position further." In Yedioth Ahronoth, Alex Fishman opined that the Prime Minister's "handling of the next few days will determine whether we are heading for another bloody round of conflict or not." The Irish Independent said he was in a difficult position, caught between public rage over the deaths and international calls for restraint. Yet an Irish Times editorial deduced that Netanyahu was eager to twist the screw, suggesting he had little interest in dialogue. Within Israel, the press focused largely on what actions the Government might take next. According to Yedioth Ahronoth and the settler-run news service Arutz Sheva, an argument between the hawkish ministers and their more dovish counterparts during a Cabinet session prevented a final decision from being taken. Ha'aretz highlighted that there were several reported incidents of immediate Jewish reprisal attacks against Arabs. In Israel Hayom, Yoav Limor maintained that Israel's response would be harsh and focus on Hamas and its operatives in both Gaza and the West Banl(. In Makor Rishon, Ariel Kahane reckoned that violence and bloodshed were an integral part of modern Arab society and that "the Jews must build a solid and impenetrable wall" for self-protection. An editorial in Ha'aretz reasoned that "the very tragedy of the murdered teens ought to make the Government realize that bolstering [Mahmoud] Abbas is not just a Palestinian interest, but first and foremost a supreme Israeli interest." Jerusalem Post columnist Gershon Baskin argued that "we need to help the people of Gaza replace Hamas by providing them with hope and a better future, something Hamas has never provided." According to Sky News Arabia, cited by Maariv (Tel Aviv), Abbas had been conducting "feverish" communications with the US and other countries to pressure Israel not to launch a large-scale operation. Israel Radio reported that Abbas would convene a meeting in Ramallah to discuss possible Israeli responses, anticipating a demand that the Palestinian Authority end its unity pact with Hamas. In the Jordanian daily al-Ghad, Ahmad J amil 'Azm pondered the circumstances of the killing and concluded that "the only real answer to the security problem on the West Bank is to end the Israeli occupation." Paul Whitefield opined in the Los Angeles Times that, in addition to Iraq and Syria, a new Israeli­ Palestinian confrontation should be added "to your worry list." An editorial in the Palestinian daily ai­ Quds noted that Abbas publicly denounced the kidnapping, adding that the failure to achieve peace based on international norms, laws and treaties would only lead to further instability and violence. Alan Johnson asserted in a commentary in The Daily Telegraph that the Palestinians had a choice between supporting Hamas' terror and destruction versus Abbas' negotiations and efforts towards statehood. In his commentary in The Guardian (London), Ha'aretz journalist Anshel Pfeffer contended that polls revealed Israeli support for the settlers had declined, with more asking why the Government is not trying to end a dangerous situation ... "and they won't be blaming only the Palestinians." An eruption ofviolence Later in the week, tensions rose further after Palestinian teenager was fmmd burned to death in Jerusalem, with most outlets describing it as a reprisal attack. The Reuters headline, "Suspected Israeli revenge killing of Palestinian triggers clashes," captured a common theme found in numerous outlets - including USA Today, Australia's ABC TV and radio network and the Los Angeles Times. According . er police found the body. Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported that Israeli forces demolished the Hebron home of a suspect linked to the April murder of a police officer, provoking still more clashes.