ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE: MAZUZ DECISION UNLIKELY

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 000664

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/03/2015
TAGS: PREL PHUM KWBG IS JE GOI INTERNAL ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS
SUBJECT: ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE: MAZUZ DECISION UNLIKELY
TO BE CHALLENGED

REF: TEL AVIV 652

Classified By: Economic Counselor William Weinstein for Reasons 1.4 (b,
d)


1. (C) In a conversation with Deputy Economic Counselor
February 3, Deputy Attorney General Blass discounted the
possibility of a serious challenge to AG Mazuz's January 31
decision on the Absentee Property Law. Although he was
unaware that Finance Minister Netanyahu had told Ha'aretz
February 3 that he planned to "speak with" Mazuz about the
decision, Blass said that as far as he knew all was set to
implement the AG's decision with no changes. He also doubted
that the AG would "change his mind, since his decision was
based on the actions of his predecessors." Furthermore,
Blass found concerns that the Knesset would change the
decision through legislative means unrealistic: "Knesset
members know we have a Supreme Court and have to take that
into account."


2. (C) When asked about the level of progress being made on
developing a permit system to allow West Bank Palestinians to
access their land on the Jerusalem side of the seamline
barrier, Blass said planning was just at the initial stages.
He emphasized, however, that the AG aimed to create a fair
system that would allow those with a bona fide connection to
property to access it.

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Comment
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3. (C) Mission will follow up with the Attorney General to
urge rapid development of the new permit system.

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KURTZER