DEFMIN MOFAZ DISCUSSES ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 002639

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2015
TAGS: PREL MARR KPAL KWBG IS ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS MILITARY RELATIONS
SUBJECT: DEFMIN MOFAZ DISCUSSES ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN
NEGOTIATIONS WITH A/S WELCH AND DEPUTY NSA ABRAMS


Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Gene A. Cretz; Reasons: 1.4 (B)
and (D).


1. (C) Summary: In a meeting with NEA Assistant Secretary
David Welch, Deputy National Security Advisor Elliott Abrams,
Lieutenant General William Ward and the Charge on April 21,
Israel's Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said the GOI is taking
steps to strengthen Palestinian Authority President Mahmud
Abbas, but is concerned by what Mofaz termed his
ineffectiveness and the lack of progress on security issues.
A/S Welch discussed Abbas's views on ways to consolidate his
political support, including equipping PA security services,
deploying the Badr brigade from Jordan, and releasing
prisoners from Israeli jails. Mofaz stressed the
difficulties of such actions without progress on security.
He said he is coordinating disengagement with PA Minister of
Civil Affairs Muhammad Dahlan and dismissed suggestions that
Interior Minister Nasir Yusif also has a role. Mofaz
stressed the importance of dealing with Palestinian
fugitives, saying that Israel is prepared to hand over
control of additional towns if this issue is resolved. He
was joined in the meeting by MOD Director General Amos Yaron,
Director of the MOD's Military-Political Division Amos Gilad
and Brigadier General Eitan Dangot. End Summary.

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Mofaz: Positive Israeli Moves on Civil Issues ...
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2. (C) Mofaz said that the GOI wants to strengthen PA
President Mahmud Abbas, but sees him as a well-intentioned --
but thus far ineffective -- "one man show." A/S Welch asked
what the GOI had done to respond to the Secretary's request
to ease the everyday life for Palestinians. Mofaz replied
that he had received a paper from President Abbas listing
desired steps, adding, "I believe we will fulfill all of them
or most of them." He claimed that COGAT (the MOD's
Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories) has
been responsive to recent Palestinian requests, i.e.,
extending hours and beginning night operations at crossing
points, granting work permits for Palestinians in Israel,
providing freedom of movement for Palestinians VIPs, and
easing border-crossing procedures in Gaza. Mofaz insisted
that the GOI is "ready to do more" in these areas.

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... not Matched by Palestinian Moves on Security
-------------- ---


3. (C) Mofaz stressed that the GOI wants to see the PA take
parallel moves on the "main issue" of security, but does not
believe the Palestinians "have the courage or the power to
deal with Hamas or the heads of the terrorist organizations."
In Mofaz's assessment, Palestinian reform of the security
services consists of "lots of planning but no results."
Deputy NSA Abrams agreed that progress has been slow, but
noted the significance of President Abbas's intention to
retire many senior PA commanders. Mofaz cautioned that
terrorist groups have gained strength since the IDF pulled
back from Palestinian towns. He said that the PA is not
moving quickly enough to implement the Sharm al-Shaykh
agreement and build trust, a claim he supported with a list
of the 271 Palestinian attacks that took place following the
Sharm al-Shaykh summit. He also noted what he called the
PA's inability, despite orders from President Abbas, to stop
the firing of over 100 mortar rounds at Gush Katif on April

9. Mofaz warned that a repetition of these attacks or
similar major event "could stop all of the dialogue between
us and the Palestinians," endanger disengagement, and
necessitate IDF action in Gaza.


4. (C) In response to a question by Deputy NSA Abrams, Mofaz
said the GOI had provided threat information and names of
terrorists to the Palestinians, but such steps had not
resulted in any action. He claimed that when Israel
identified the individual responsible for smuggling four
surface-to-air missiles into Gaza, the PA had warned the
suspect but made no arrest. According to Mofaz, one PA
security force uncovers smuggling tunnels while another
(military intelligence) does the smuggling.

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Palestinian Requests
--------------


5. (C) A/S Welch told Mofaz that during a meeting on April 20
President Abbas had listed three steps that would assist him
to consolidate political support: equipping the PA security
services with weapons, ammunition, and Russian APCs;
deploying the Badr brigade from Jordan; and -- most
importantly - releasing additional prisoners from Israeli
jails. Mofaz replied that all three issues could only be
addressed by the cabinet. He stressed that he would not
recommend allowing the PA to import new weapons, reiterating
his belief that the Palestinians suffer from structural, not
logistical, deficits. General Ward noted that the GOI and PA
appear to be stuck in a "do loop" construct, or vicious
circle, whereby the Israelis claim they cannot assist the PA
until the PA action on security and the Palestinians claim
they cannot take action until they receive assistance.


6. (C) Mofaz insisted that the Badr brigade would become
"part of the anarchy" if removed from direct control of the
Jordanian forces. He said that he had asked the Jordanians
to consider training PA personnel instead, noting that any
outside interference would merely relieve the PA's security
forces from responsibility and further complicate the reform
process. On prisoners, Mofaz claimed he had pushed hard for
900 releases in two stages. He expressed confidence that the
last 400 of these prisoners would eventually be released, but
noted that the problems with fugitives and the recent barrage
of mortar attacks made it difficult for the GOI to make
concessions.


7. (C) A/S Welch asked Mofaz whether it would be accurate to
say that the GOI has already taken certain steps, is planning
others, but implementation depends upon Palestinian actions.
Admitting that "I hope we have better news in the next
meeting," Mofaz offered the more positive assessment that the
GOI continues to take new steps to ease restrictions on the
Palestinians. He added that he still believes that "there is
a chance to move forward with the Palestinians," and called
the PA's willingness to coordinate disengagement the "main
test."


8. (C) A/S Welch categorized security reform and coordination
of disengagement as the two key tests facing the PA. He
noted that on April 20 PA officials had discussed their plans
for security reform and for assuming responsibility for Gaza
settlements and for the four West Bank settlements that will
be vacated by Israel as part of the disengagement plan. The
Palestinians also appeared more organized in their other
plans for disengagement than they earlier appeared, he said.
A/S Welch and Deputy NSA Abrams mentioned that Special Envoy
for Gaza Disengagement James Wolfensohn would arrive in
Israel on May 2 to coordinate non-security aspects of the
process.

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GOI Coordinating Disengagement with Dahlan
--------------


9. (C) Mofaz acknowledged that the Palestinians now
understand that they should coordinate disengagement. He
said that he would discuss security issues with PA Minister
of Civil Affairs Muhammad Dahlan late on April 21, while Vice
PM Shimon Peres would meet with PM Ahmad Quraya' on civil
issues. General Ward and Deputy NSA Abrams urged the GOI to
also work with Interior Minister Nasir Yusif, noting that a
failure to deal with the MOI might undermine Yusif. Mofaz
demurred, maintaining that the PA had designated Dahlan as
the coordinator, that Dahlan could include whomever he wanted
to on his team, and that the GOI must focus its efforts on
the individuals capable of producing results. Mofaz claimed
that Yusif has never produced results and does not command
the allegiance of security personnel in Gaza.

-------------- --------------
Fugitive Issue Key to Progress on Handover of Cities
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10. (C) Mofaz stressed the importance of dealing with
Palestinian fugitives, saying that Israel is prepared to hand
over control of additional towns if this issue is resolved.
He insisted that first Dahlan, and later President Abbas and
Yusif, had agreed that the fugitives would disarm, cease
terrorist activity, place themselves under PA supervision,
and remain in their current locations. Mofaz complained that
the PA is integrating the fugitives into the Palestinian
security services, stressing that the PA could not expect the
terrorists of yesterday to be in charge of security today.
He cautioned that if the fugitives continue to be involved
with terrorist activities, "we will target them." General
Ward asked about the status of joint Palestinian and Israeli
efforts to resolve this issue. Mofaz replied that he and
Dahlan would address the issue on April 21.


11. (U) A/S Welch and Deputy NSA Abrams have cleared this
message.

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