Summary and Analysis

VOP gave very low-key coverage to the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak Saturday night. The late-night news broadcasts covered the resignation in very terse, matter-of-fact style, without commentary or analysis. (This was in keeping with the low-key response to the first passing of the election law in late November, when Arafat and other PA officials were careful to say that the matter was an internal Israeli affair.)

Yet beginning Sunday morning VOP began covering Israeli election developments in depth, hinting that Israeli election developments-though an internal matter– would definitely have an impact on the “peace process.”

VOP quoted Barak saying he was trying to seek a new mandate in a special election that would be held in 60 days.

Morning Headlines

  • “Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak officially submits his resignation today to Israeli President Moshe Katsav, and Israeli parties hold hectic meetings to discuss Barak’s sudden announcement;
  • Barak avoids facing Netanyahu (in election) because Basic Law says that only members of Knesset can run for prime minister;
  • Voices in the Likud call for making a special law to enable Netanyahu to run;
  • In reaction, the Palestinian Authority says that the Barak resignation is an internal Israeli matter;
  • The United States says the resignation is an internal affair but is likely to affect the peace process;
  • A child is martyred in Rafah…;
  • His Excellency President Yasser Arafat meets the Saudi King Fahd Ben-Abdel-Aziz in Riyadh…;
  • Foreign Ministerial meeting in Damascus today in wake of Arab summit…”

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