Arab press slam 'US-UK collusion'

Newspapers in the Palestinian territories and the wider Arab world almost universally point the finger at the UK and US over the Israeli raid on the Jericho prison on Tuesday.

Commentators accuse the British and Americans of "collusion" with Israel and believe this seriously compromises any efforts to bring peace to the Middle East.

Headline in Palestinian Al-Hayat al-Jadidah

Occupation forces kidnap Saadat and dozens of wanted men and security personnel with Anglo-American collusion.

Headline in Palestinian Al-Ayyam

[Israeli Defence Minister Shaul] Mofaz admits there was week-long British-Israeli coordination to overrun Jericho prison - He confirmed that Israel had prior knowledge the monitors would be pulled out.

Editorial in Palestinian Al-Quds

Britain, in coordination with the US, has repeated its collusion with Israel, the same behaviour it implemented for the first time in May 1948 when its forces pulled out from Palestine and handed over bases and arms depots to the Jewish militias... Yesterday, the British and US governments made lame excuses for pulling out the monitors from the Jericho prison.

Comment in Al-Hayat al-Jadidah

It had been agreed that the brothers would be held under British and US supervision until there was a decision on them. The withdrawal of the British and US guards cannot be excused in any way. The allegation by the British foreign ministry spokesman that they were pulled out in coordination with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is an attempt to divide Palestinian ranks. This is a crime by all moral, legal, security and political standards.

Commentary in Al-Hayat al-Jadidah

It was a scandal for Great Britain - the mother of Israel - and the US because they were deeply involved in the conspiracy and underline everyday their enmity to the Palestinian people.

Comment in Syria's Tishrin

Yesterday's events are regrettably piracy par excellence which took place with American-British collusion.

Columnist in Lebanon's Al-Nahar

If yesterday's action in Jericho with clear American-British involvement was not to eliminate the Palestinian Authority, then what was it? A preemptive strike against any government Hamas may form.

Editorial in Egypt's Al-Ahram

The operation represents a dangerous escalation of the situation. The USA and Britain must assume responsibility.

Editorial in Egypt's Al-Jumhuriyah

The Israeli piracy was no surprise to anyone. But the surprise lay in the disgraceful connivance by the American and British forces in charge of guarding and monitoring the prison in accordance with an international agreement.

Editorial in Saudi Arabia's Al-Riyad

Premeditated collusion between Britain and America on the one hand and Israel on the other.

Editorial in Qatar's Al-Watan

The main responsibility falls on the USA and Britain rather than Israel. The Palestinian people would thus be justified in doubting any international guarantees issued by Washington, and London in particular.

Editorial in Libya's Al-Jamahiriyah

Israeli soldiers did not only open fire on the prisoners, they set fire to the last page of the American-British guarantees plan.

Editorial in UAE's Al-Khalij

What happened yesterday in Jericho is a scandal. There was a conspiracy between the Zionist entity and its patrons Washington and London which preceded the Jericho prison crime.

Editorial in UAE's Al-Bayan

The attack of betrayal and collusion. The strange and repulsive circumstances surrounding the aggression took the form of collusion by the Americans and the British... In consequence, neither they nor Israel has the right to ask the Palestinians under Hamas to recognize Israel or establish any peaceful understandings with it.

BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad.