In this edition of our monthly digest MEMO identifies five issues which received extensive media coverage in Britain throughout February; the verbal exchanges and threats between Israeli and Syrian officials; Mossad's murder of Mahmoud Al Mabhouh in Dubai and the resultant passport scandal; Israel's continued efforts to lobby for a change of British laws on universal jurisdiction (ostensibly to protect its officials); attempts by Israeli lobbyists to bar pro-Palestinian academics from speaking on British campuses; and the financial/sex scandal that engulfed the upper strata of the Palestinian Authority following disclosures by a former anti-corruption chief.
In addition, we take a look at how the New York Times has been covering events in Palestine-Israel, and focus on what the Israeli media reported - or chose not to report - to enlighten their readers, including the first known mainstream media reference to MEMO in the Zionist state.
The 60 Year Face-off Continues; Renewed Tensions between Syria and Israel
Tensions between long time adversaries Syria and Israel came to a head this month following an outburst of incendiary remarks and threats by the ultra-nationalist Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. This development has led to speculation of the region being plunged into another war.
Commenting on the remarks Syria's foreign minister, Walid Moallem, stated that should war break out at this particular point in time, even if it were waged just against Syria or Southern Lebanon, it would become widespread.
Israeli Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, in an apparent attempt to diffuse the situation asked all ministers to refrain from commenting on the Syrian issue. His office also released a statement reiterating Israel's interest in pursuing peace and carrying out diplomatic negotiations with Syria without preconditions. It also stated that Israel will continue to act decisively against any threats.
The recent spat has brought a number of key regional issues to the fore. Israel's political leadership and defence establishment are deeply divided over the methods of securing peace with Syria. While senior members in the military believe it can be achieved through a deal to include the return of Syria's Golan Heights and thereby remove it from its current alliance with Iran and Hezbollah, others, such as Avigdor Lieberman, are of the opinion that force should be used to break the alliance. Although the Prime Minister would like a peace deal, he does not want to return the Golan Heights. The alternative to a peace deal appears to be a very risky war for Israel on three fronts; Lebanon, Syria and Iran. Syria is prepared to go to the negotiating table with Israel providing it accedes to its demand but is equally prepared to go to war.


Israel's 'rescue mission' to Haiti
