ANGRY REACTIONS TO BEIT HANUN DEATHS AND U.S. VETO

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 008408 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC JO SUBJECT: ANGRY REACTIONS TO BEIT HANUN DEATHS AND U.S. VETO REF: AMMAN 6335 Classified By: Ambassador David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) Most Jordanians reacted with anger to full-page photos in local papers of dead Gazan women and children, and to Arab satellite media coverage of the story. Israel's announcement that it would investigate the incident, and the USG's expression of regret, were received by the public and media with considerable cynicism. ¶2. (SBU) A legal protest march organized by the Islamic Action Front drew at least 3,000 after Friday prayers November 10. In addition to denunciations of Israeli actions in the Palestinian territories, the marchers praised "resistance" in Lebanon and on the part of Syria. The march, which took place before the U.S. veto of the UNSC draft resolution on Beit Hanun, also featured denunciations of the USG for supporting Israel, and praise for Saddam Hussein, according to media. The demonstration was non-violent. ¶3. (C) MFA chief of staff Thamer Adwan and palace advisor Abdullah Woreikat both expressed concern November 10 to poloff that the Beit Hanun violence would reinforce the domestic unpopularity of Jordan's ties with Israel, but reiterated GOJ commitment to efforts to lower regional temperatures. ¶4. (C) A number of contacts expressed frustration at the U.S. veto. University of Jordan political science professor Muhammad Kheir Mustafa told POLOFF he was familiar with UNSC brinkmanship and had expected a veto, but was nevertheless "bewildered that the U.S. can so reliably ignore its own interests." Media commentary on Beit Hanun has been prominent all week and highly critical of Israel, the U.S. and Arab governments. ¶5. (C) Comment: The public mood, sour since this summer's fighting between Israeli and Hizballah (reftel),was further darkened by this week's events. When parliament returns November 28, we expect opposition and pro-government deputies alike to queue up for the chance to speak out against Israel, the USG, and by implication, the GOJ's cooperation with both. Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ HALE