Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04AMMAN8544
2004-10-14 15:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

ISLAMISTS BURN ISRAELI, U.S. FLAGS; KING EXTOLS

Tags:  ASEC PREL PTER KISL KPAL IS IZ JO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 008544 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2014
TAGS: ASEC PREL PTER KISL KPAL IS IZ JO
SUBJECT: ISLAMISTS BURN ISRAELI, U.S. FLAGS; KING EXTOLS
VIRTUES OF MODERATE ISLAM

Classified By: Charge d'Affaries David Hale for Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)

-------
SUMMARY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 008544

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2014
TAGS: ASEC PREL PTER KISL KPAL IS IZ JO
SUBJECT: ISLAMISTS BURN ISRAELI, U.S. FLAGS; KING EXTOLS
VIRTUES OF MODERATE ISLAM

Classified By: Charge d'Affaries David Hale for Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)

--------------
SUMMARY
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1. (U) Islamic Action Front (IAF) leaders organized a
peaceful demonstration October 8 in Amman protesting Israeli
actions in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the U.S.
presence in Iraq. Protesters called for "unfreezing" assets
of ostensible Palestinian charities. Separately, King
Abdullah publicly praised moderate Muslim leaders' efforts to
promote tolerance and peaceful dialogue with the West. End
Summary.

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ISLAMISTS ON THE MARCH
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2. (SBU) The IAF organized a peaceful demonstration October
8 in the Nezzal area of Amman. The Amman city government and
the Public Security Directorate (PSD) approved a permit for
the rally after refusing two earlier permit requests. The
demonstration began after Friday prayers, with participants
gathering at a mosque and then walking through a closed-off
street for a little over one hour. Demonstrators protested
Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank and perceived U.S.
support for the them, as well as the presence of Western
(i.e., American) forces in Iraq. Media reports of the number
of participants varied widely from "hundreds" to 10,000.
According to the PSD, 3,000 people demonstrated. A PSD
official told RSO the Islamists had wanted to march from the
Professional Associations compound to the UN building -- the
"traditional" protest route -- but that police rejected this
request. The official also said that demonstrators focused
their ire on events in the West Bank and Gaza, rather than
Iraq.


3. (U) The local media characterized the demonstration as a
peaceful show of solidarity with "brothers under occupation."
No injuries or violence were reported, although
demonstrators torched both Israeli and U.S. flags. According
to the press, IAF MP Azzam Al-Hunaidi (West Banker, Amman -
1st District) said the recent terrorist bombings in Taba,
Egypt were a reaction to Israeli PM Sharon's "crimes" in Gaza
and that "the resistance" was capable of reaching "anyone,
anywhere." IAF Secretary General Hamza Mansour called on
Arab governments to release frozen funds donated by
"societies and communities" to support the Palestinian
people, and to refrain from stopping "volunteers" from
entering the West Bank and Gaza in support of the Palestinian
cause. A Muslim Brotherhood statement issued prior to the
rally condemned "Zionist-U.S. aggression" against the people
in Palestine and Iraq as "the epitome of terrorism."

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EMBRACING TOLERATION
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4. (U) In keeping with his efforts to promote moderate
Islam, King Abdullah met October 12 with Secretary General
Abdullah Abdul Muhsen Turki of the Muslim World League (MWL).
The King highlighted openness to other cultures, respect of
human dignity, and justice as major characteristics of the
"true nature of Islam." He also commended the MWL's decision
to form an Islamic delegation to tour foreign countries as
positive step for "building bridges" and promoting dialogue
in an atmosphere of moderation and toleration.

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COMMENT
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5. (C) Islamist and Arab nationalist critics here of USG
policy (and by implication of the GOJ's) routinely seek to
link images of Palestinians under Israeli occupation, and
Iraqis clashing with U.S.-led forces. The IAF, as the only
well-organized critic of GOJ policy, continues its strategy
of peacefully remaining in public view, voicing discontent
that many share but are reluctant to express themselves.


6. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
HALE