CODEL KING'S MEETING WITH GOI SECURITY MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 004883

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2015
TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV ECON IS GAZA DISENGAGEMENT GOI EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: CODEL KING'S MEETING WITH GOI SECURITY MINISTER
GIDEON EZRA

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Gene A. Cretz for reasons 1.4 (b
) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Codel King met with Minister of Public
Security Gideon Ezra where discussions focused on
disengagement, anti-disengagement protests, and related
security concerns. Ezra stressed the importance of
intelligence gathering and sharing as a necessary tool in
combating terrorism, both in the U.S. and Israel. Ezra
underscored GOI concerns about the growing danger of Iran's
extremist ideology and its historical support for Hizballah.
End Summary.

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Security Officials: Disengagement Top Priority
-------------- -


2. (C) U.S. Representatives Peter King, Charlie Dent, Michael
McCaul, and Donna Christensen, accompanied by staff members
Steve Devine, Tom Dilenge, Josh Weerasinghe, Margaret
Peterlin, Sue Ramanathan, Tom Finan, and Air Force House
Liaison Officer Colonel Darrell Adams met with Minister of
Public Security Gideon Ezra on August 3. Ezra was
accompanied by Rani Falk, Director General, Ministry of
Public Security; Major General Yohanan Danino, Head of
Operational Staff Unit; Natan Rotenberg, Director,
International Relation Department; and Colonel Yehoshua
Bauer, ministry spokesman. Econoff (notetaker) accompanied
Codel King. Falk said security remains a major concern for
the GOI as pullout opponents seek to disrupt settlement
evacuations from the Gaza Strip.


3. (C) Disengagement opponents have shown support for the
Gaza settlers by demonstrating in various towns and cities in
Israel, Falk noted. He said recent demonstrations in places
like Sderot and Ofakim have numbered in the several
thousands. Falk said protesters want to enter Gaza to
interrupt security operations and bolster support for
settlers who may resist evacuation. He said there are
approximately nine thousand settlers living in Gaza in 21
settlements. When disengagement begins, Falk said he
believes that 50 percent of these settlers will depart
without causing any problems.


4. (C) Falk said that 25,000 security personnel will
implement the evacuation plan. According to Falk, evacuation
opponents might smuggle weapons into Gaza in order to support
the settlers. Falk indicated, however, that he remains
confident that Israeli forces are able to tackle this hurdle.
Bauer said the issue of security personnel refusing orders
is not a major concern because there have only been four
cases where police officers have refused to carry out their
disengagement-related duties.


5. (C) Falk said that the GOI has built three-to-four hundred
homes for Gaza settlers in Ashdod, Askelon and Tel Aviv for
approximately 1,700 families. As of August 2, only 23 or 24
families have moved into these homes. He said Gaza settlers
are "angry and unhappy" because of uncertainties after their
relocation. The GOI has offered Gaza settlers many benefits
to ease the transition, he noted. He said Jewish communities
across Israel have and continue to offer assistance to the
settlers.


6. (C) The GOI and the Palestinian Authority (PA) are
cooperating on the disengagement plan. Falk said officials
from both sides meet daily to address security-related
issues. He said cooperation between the GOI and Egypt on the
disengagement plan is positive, citing agreement for the
eventual placement of 750 Egyptian border guards on the
Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt.

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Ezra: Intelligence Sharing Is Important
--------------


7. (C) Ezra said the relationship between the GOI and the
U.S. is very important for both nations. He said he hopes
that this relationship will continue to grow and become
stronger over time. Ezra said good intelligence is needed to
thwart possible threats and that Israel has been able to
respond effectively because of good intelligence. He said if
police officials were not able to gather information about a
pending terrorist attack, there would be more casualties in
Israel. Ezra said the U.S. must also gather intelligence by
monitoring Muslim communities and try to recruit informants,
if it wants to ensure its security.


8. (C) Israel has problems because its borders, especially
with Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon are not secure. Ezra said
smuggling of weapons into Israel remains a concern. He said
security capabilities are becoming more enhanced in Israel
because private companies and other security experts are
sharing ideas which help the GOI to take effective security
measures. He said the U.S. and GOI must also share ideas
regarding new technologies that can benefit both countries.

9. (C) Surveillance of mass transit is difficult, but doable,
Ezra noted. He said that the USG should focus more on
placing surveillance equipment on trains and subways, instead
of on buses. He said GOI security forces have had little
success preventing terrorists from bombing buses because of
the difficulty in monitoring or responding in time.

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Ezra: Hizballah, Hamas, and Iran, Threaten the World
-------------- --------------


10. (C) Ezra underlined that Hizballah is a major threat to
the world and Hamas is a threat to Israel. He said Hizballah
is supported by Iran, which is "enemy number one now." Iran
has proved to the world that an extremist Muslim state can
exist, he noted. It would be good if the Iranian system did
not succeed, said Ezra.


11. (U) Codel King did not clear this cable.

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