Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
04TELAVIV1389 | 2004-03-05 14:19:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Tel Aviv |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. |
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 001389 |
1. (SBU) Summary: ACS Chief, ARSO, Conspec and RSO investigator met with newly-elected Mayor of Dimona, Meir Cohen on March 2, 2004 to discuss the Embassy's ongoing investigation into criminal activity by the Hebrew Israelite Community (HIC). Also present at the meeting was ex-Deputy Mayor, Albert Assaf, who also served under Mayor Cohen's predecessor and is well known to post. The new Mayor, especially, was shocked by Emboffs' account of the results of the Embassy's ongoing investigation of the HIC and appeared eager to cooperate. End summary. 2. (SBU) The meeting began with few formalities, as the Mayor, an independent elected with Labor support, immediately guessed at the purpose of the meeting and launched into an overview of the relationship between the City of Dimona and the Hebrew Israelite Community (HIC) from his perspective. He added that after being elected, he had visited the Community and advised them that he wanted to be open to their needs. He told us that he was aware the HIC had supported his opponent in the electoral campaign, but he had wanted to offer an olive branch to the Community by approaching them. He said that he knew that there had been problems in the community, but that he had a duty to ensure that all people living in Dimona had some guarantee of at least the basic human necessities, including food and shelter. As part of this effort, he mentioned that a plot of land had been allocated to the HIC but the project was on hold pending financial support. The banks, he said, are refusing to grant mortgages to the HIC despite the assurances of HIC leader Ben Ammi Carter, who advised the Mayor several weeks ago that USAID had approved a 4 million dollar grant to them. (Note: Embassy is not aware of any such grant.) The Mayor also said that he had spoken with the Prime Minister urging him to give the HIC the same status as enjoyed by the Ethiopians. 3. (SBU) After an introduction by the ACS Chief regarding the U.S. government's concern over the safety and welfare of American citizens within the HIC, ARSO presented a summary of the major allegations of wrongdoing that members and leaders of the HIC are accused of committing, including reported child abuse, fraud, drug trafficking and even murder (see reftels). The mayor seemed genuinely shocked by what ARSO presented, and reacted for a moment as if the chair legs had been kicked out from under him. He said that he had no idea of how serious the level of criminal activity really was. He added that, as a result of the presentation, he would put his program of outreach on hold. He promised to assist in any way possible. 4. (SBU) Early in his presentation the Mayor had mentioned that 37 HIC students were scheduled to be enlisted into the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) in August 2004, and that all expressed enthusiasm for serving in the army and wanted to serve in a front line fighting unit. As a result of the revelations described above, the Mayor suggested that the Embassy should consider discussing its investigation with the IDF, pointing out that the introduction of automatic weapons to the HIC community might not be a positive development. 5. (SBU) ARSO also briefed the Mayor on the recent visit to the Dimona garbage dump described in reftel A and showed him the photographs of fresh mounds in several areas of the site. The Mayor said he would look into the possibility of obtaining a court order to disinter the remains, which he said was logistically possible (Note: RSO and Consular requested to be present during the disinterment and subsequent autoposy of remains. The Mayor agreed and advised that he would notify post accordingly.) He expressed concern at the thought of the HIC still burying their dead in that dump. The Mayor noted Deputy Finance Minister Shitrit's statement earlier this week that there were two factions in Israel who were not reporting deaths while continuing to claim national insurance benefits. The Finance Ministry estimates that the National Insurance is currently paying 15 million shekels ($3.3 million USD), in effect to deceased recipients. 6. (SBU) The Mayor informed us that the HIC owe the municipality half a million shekels ($2.2 million USD) for unpaid water and municipal taxes. He said that he had spoken to HIC leader Carter, and the HIC are now paying off their debt in bi-monthly payments of 25,000 Israeli shekels ($5,700 USD), which community leaders always pay in cash. In addition, the Israeli Welfare Ministry sends the City of Dimona 17,000 ($3,900 USD) Israeli shekels each month to purchase vegetables for the HIC. It is the Mayor's understanding that one of the sources of this money is USAID. Finally, a Trust Fund for the School still exists, run by an Israeli Attorney (ex-Ministry of Education officer with whom Post worked closely while dealing with the HIC in the early 90's). Two HIC members also preside on that Committee. 7. (SBU) Albert Assaf, the ex-Deputy Mayor who has long worked with the Embassy on issues regarding the HIC, was not as shocked about these revelations. While he expressed some surprise about the allegations of drug trafficking, he indicated that his greatest surprise was that U.S. authorities had waited so many years to do anything about it. He said that he had heard of most of the allegations raised, even the most severe child abuse cases, involving the amputation of fingers and thumbs, but only anecdotally, without names and dates. 8. (SBU) Comment. The meeting was extremely productive and encouraging, in dramatic contrast to others with GOI officials on this issue. The Mayor appeared genuinely interested and eager to assist the Embassy with its investigation. Whether or not he will follow through and whether he is actually able to mobilize resources is another question. Mayors do not oversee police forces in Israel, and it is among the Israeli police where the main resistance to an active investigation has been encountered. End Comment. KURTZER |