Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TELAVIV5213
2005-08-23 14:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

SPIEGEL AND OCHA DISCUSS LOCATIONS TO EASE

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 SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 005213 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KWBG IS SETTLEMENTS ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS GOI EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: SPIEGEL AND OCHA DISCUSS LOCATIONS TO EASE
CLOSURES IN THE WEST BANK

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Gene Cretz for reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 005213

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KWBG IS SETTLEMENTS ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS GOI EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: SPIEGEL AND OCHA DISCUSS LOCATIONS TO EASE
CLOSURES IN THE WEST BANK

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Gene Cretz for reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d)


1. (SBU) Summary: Brigadier General (res.) Baruch Spiegel,
Israeli Ministry of Defense (MOD) advisor, and David Shearer,
head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA),on August 17 discussed the progress made by
their technical teams on bridging the gap between the two
organizations' count of IDF roadblocks and checkpoints in the
West Bank. Spiegel and Shearer both reported that they are
now within "40 roadblocks" of each other, and both have
modified their counting methodologies. Shearer told Spiegel
that there is still some difficulty of movement for
Palestinians in some parts of the West Bank, and Spiegel
offered to a do "pilot program" which would ease the closures
regime in a part of the West Bank and allow the Palestinians
to take over the security of that area. There was some
disagreement, however, on which area of the West Bank would
have the most impact, and Spiegel and Shearer decided to meet
at a future date to negotiate a location. End summary.

--------------
GOI Wants to Ease Obstacles
--------------


2. (SBU) Brigadier General (res.) Baruch Spiegel, Ministry
of Defense (MOD) advisor, met with David Shearer, head of the
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA),on August 17 to discuss the technical work the IDF
and OCHA have done on roadblocks, checkpoints, and other
obstacles in the West Bank, and to determine where to go from
here. Spiegel started off the meeting noting that the GOI is
interested in easing the Palestinians' movement from the West
Bank to the Gaza Strip, and within the West Bank. He said
this was important for the economic development and
humanitarian status of the West Bank, but emphasized that the
easing of closures depends on the security situation and the
"day after" atmosphere, referring to the disengagement plan.
Spiegel cited as an example the recent Netanya bombing to
show the impact of the security environment, and explained
that the IDF had increased closures around Tulkarm as a

result of the bombing. He explained that the closures regime
in the West Bank is under the control of the IDF Central
Commander, who must respond immediately to alerts, and said
that the connection between checkpoints, roadblocks, and
access is "affected by the noise." Spiegel added that it is
important for the IDF to have 100 percent transparency,
however, and that he would be willing to explain why there
have been increases in obstacles at any given time.

--------------
Differences in Methodology
--------------


3. (SBU) Spiegel explained that prior to the technical
meetings between OCHA and the IDF, the GOI's defense
establishment had not counted empty watch towers,
agricultural gates, open gates, back-to-back sites such as
Beituniya, or external checkpoints. He commented that since
the IDF has been meeting with OCHA, the IDF's numbers have
increased to take these differences into account, and the
disparity between OCHA's internal checkpoints and roadblocks
is now about 40. As of July 2005, the IDF counts 270
roadblocks, nine "flying" checkpoints, 13 internal
checkpoints, and 29 external checkpoints.


4. (SBU) Shearer responded that OCHA's new counting
methodology had decreased OCHA's numbers significantly, and
that he never thought they would get to within 40 checkpoints
of each other. He explained to Spiegel that OCHA's numbers
had been reduced by about 20 percent just by not counting
staggered roadblocks on a road individually, and counting
them as one roadblock instead. Shearer also said that OCHA
had stopped counting trenches and ditches because people
cross them anyway, and they do not serve the purpose of
preventing movement. According to the map Shearer provided
econoff, OCHA counted 364 roadblocks and checkpoints, and 20
"earth walls" as of July 30, 2005. (Note: The map does not
specify exact numbers of roadblocks, or "flying," internal,
or external checkpoints. End note). Sheared suggested one
final technical meeting to try to bridge the small difference
between the IDF and OCHA, to which Spiegel agreed.

--------------
Movement in Some Areas Still a Problem
--------------


5. (SBU) Shearer continued that OCHA had noted a marked
decrease in the number of closures in the Tapuach Junction
area west of Ramallah because of the construction of the
separation barrier, but remarked that movement around Nablus
remains problematic, and that there is a significant
disparity in OCHA's and the IDF's figures along Routes 5 and

465. Shearer commented that movement through Abu Dis to
Bethlehem was also difficult, and that he expects the number
of obstacles to decrease in the Gush Etzion bloc as the
barrier is constructed there, as well as in the Yattah area
south of Hebron. He said that while movement between
villages and towns is better, the "key question is from big
city to big city."

--------------
GOI Suggests Locations to Ease Closures,
OCHA Has Different Ideas
--------------


6. (SBU) Spiegel confirmed that there will be a reduction in
closures in the Hebron area as the barrier is built there,
and added that now that the technical work is almost
finished, the GOI is ready to move on to the next stage and
"speak about access." He offered the idea of a "pilot
program" where the IDF would ease closures and expect the
Palestinians to take responsibility for that particular area
and coordinate with the IDF. "Let's be a little bit more
optimistic that Abu Mazen can take responsibility," he said.
Spiegel told Shearer he wants to work with the Palestinian
Authority (PA),and help foster an environment where the
Palestinians can take responsibility for an area because the
PA must play a role.


7. (SBU) Spiegel suggested an easing of movement in the
areas of Tarqumiya or Janin -- for easier access to the Gaza
Strip and Tulkarm, respectively -- but said that,"to be
realistic," there would not be a dramatic change around
Nablus in the short-run. He explained that there would be a
lot of changes in Jerusalem when the separation barrier is
completed, and that the GOI would try to find a connection
between Hebron, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Nablus,
but in the near future they have to work on practical steps.


8. (SBU) Shearer suggested that a joint team sit down
together to come up with ideas of places where closures could
be eased for the Palestinians to take control. He explained
that settlement roads were still a problem and maybe
something around the Ariel bloc would work. Spiegel rejected
this idea, saying that perhaps there are easier places to
start, such as Jalameh, Reihan, or Tulkarm. Shearer pointed
out that the economic impact in these areas would not be
significant because Palestinian towns in the northern West
Bank trade mostly with towns further north, around Afula, and
the economic impact would be bigger if closures eased around
Ramallah.

--------------
Agree to Disagree, For Now
--------------


9. (SBU) Spiegel again said this would be problematic, "to
do it in a big way." He explained that "to give it a chance
of success from the beginning," the easing of closures should
be done in a place like Janin where there is less friction
with settlers, or perhaps south of Gush Etzion. Shearer said
OCHA would consider this and would present Spiegel with ideas
of where to go from here because OCHA wants the most economic
impact and needs to study and compare locations around the
West Bank. He said he would be in touch with Spiegel's
office soon to set a meeting to discuss further removal of
obstacles.

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