Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TELAVIV5723
2005-09-16 15:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

GAZA STRIP: EUPHORIA OR ANARCHY?

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UNCLAS TEL AVIV 005723 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG KPAL PREL ECON EAID PINS IS GAZA DISENGAGEMENT
SUBJECT: GAZA STRIP: EUPHORIA OR ANARCHY?

REF: TEL AVIV 5661

Consulate General Jerusalem has cleared this message.

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE TREAT ACCORDINGLY.

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 005723

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG KPAL PREL ECON EAID PINS IS GAZA DISENGAGEMENT
SUBJECT: GAZA STRIP: EUPHORIA OR ANARCHY?

REF: TEL AVIV 5661

Consulate General Jerusalem has cleared this message.

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE TREAT ACCORDINGLY.


1. (SBU) A PA Ministry of Interior contact told poloff
September 16 that the situation in Rafah remains "a big
mess," with movement of Egyptians and Palestinians across the
border through up to seven openings. The MOI contact, who
visited Rafah on September 15 and remained in touch with his
contacts throughout the day on September 16, said that
Palestinian security forces are planning with their Egyptian
counterparts to control border crossings as of Monday,
September 19. ConGen contacts say that Palestinian security
forces are making efforts to seal up breaches and prevent new
visitors from crossing, but that a motivation for the delay
in sealing the borders is to allow Palestinians and Egyptians
who have already crossed to return to their respective
countries. Israeli DMI officers also told DATT today that
they believed the Egyptians were bringing their border guards
forward to replace police and would be deploying next week.


2. (U) Most Gaza contacts report that the huge flow of people
back and forth through Rafah was an innocent outpouring of
pent up interest in making the crossing after decades of
being denied the trip. Most made the crossing because they
finally could. In some cases, families had been separated
for years, so some Gazans jumped at the first opportunity to
see family members. A business contact reported that no
taxis were available in Gaza City on September 15 because
"every adult in Gaza had gone to Rafah."


3. (U) Among the day travelers were profit seekers and/or
savvy consumers who took the opportunity to purchase cheaper
Egyptian products. According to one Gaza businessman, over
$30 Million in Egyptian goods made their way into Gaza during
this period, with buyers stocking up on cigarettes,
medicines, cheese and livestock. The same Gaza businessman
said that his son made the trip through Rafah to the Egyptian
town of El-Arish (about 100 km south of Gaza) on September
14, only to find nothing left to buy there. One Gazan
businessman reportedly turned a 50,000 dollar profit in one
day by selling cigarettes. Egyptian Bedouin from the Sinai
reportedly entered Gaza to conduct business there.


4. (U) USAID local staff and other observers on the ground
report that there has been no more than ten percent
structural damage to greenhouses purchased with the support
of a private foundation and private individuals in the U.S.
Some of the greenhouses likely suffered the loss of pumps,
pipes and other equipment during the looting that occurred in
the days immediately following the IDF withdrawal. A detailed
assessment of the greenhouses is underway.


5. (SBU) An NGO contact from Gaza City, who visited family
property near Netzarim and toured the central Gaza Strip
September 16, reported to poloff what he termed thousands of
militia members from Hamas, PIJ and the Al-Aqsa brigades
brandishing weapons and patrolling in groups -- particularly
in the Nusayrat refugee camp and vicinity. Aside from
sporadic firing in the air, there has been no militia
violence of note, but neither Fatah, the PA nor its police
force appear to have any influence on the street, he added.


6. (SBU) A PLC vote of no confidence in the PA cabinet,
called by 16 Palestinian legislators on September 15, may
take place as early as September 17, according to contacts.
ConGen contacts believe the session will not be held until
Thursday, September 22. Under PLC rules, ten or more
legislators can request a session to hold a vote of no
confidence. However, it takes a simple majority plus one
(i.e., 45 votes) to actually bring down the government. None
of our contacts believe a vote of no confidence will actually
prevail. According to one contact, PA PM Quraya' will travel
to Cairo and hold talks with President Mubarak on the issue
of Rafah.

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