Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CARACAS2485
2006-08-21 19:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:
THE STATE OF VENEZUELAN-ISRAELI RELATIONS
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CARACAS 002485
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER
DEPT PASS TO DRL/SEAS FOR GRICKMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF VE
SUBJECT: THE STATE OF VENEZUELAN-ISRAELI RELATIONS
CARACAS 00002485 001.2 OF 003
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Dan Lawton,
for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
-------
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CARACAS 002485
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER
DEPT PASS TO DRL/SEAS FOR GRICKMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF VE
SUBJECT: THE STATE OF VENEZUELAN-ISRAELI RELATIONS
CARACAS 00002485 001.2 OF 003
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Dan Lawton,
for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) President Chavez has been exploiting violence in the
Middle East to seek international media attention and to
burnish his pro-Arab and "anti-Empire" credentials. Chavez's
inflammatory and extreme anti-Israel rhetoric first
headlines while he was in Iran, and has continued since his
return. Both the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) and
Israel have recalled their respective top diplomats for
consultations, although Israel's Charge believes the
recently-concluded cease-fire agreement could lead to an
improvement in bilateral relations. Jewish leaders believe
the anti-Israeli rhetoric emanating from government officials
and mouthpieces is already having a deleterious effect on the
small Jewish community in Venezuela. END SUMMARY
--------------
CHAVEZ'S VERBAL ASSAULTS
--------------
2. (SBU) Following Chavez's whirlwind world tour in July,
including a stop in Iran where Chavez embraced President
Ahmadinejad following his call for the destruction of the
Israeli state, Chavez's first act upon returning to Venezuela
was to recall on August 3 his top diplomat in Israel. In the
wake of Israel's military response to Hezbollah incursions,
Chavez has launched repeated and vitriolic verbal assaults on
Israel, some of which were made in Tehran, with President
Ahmadinejad at his side. He has said Israel's actions ar "a
dagger to the heart of the peace process" an a "new
Holocaust." Chavez even compared the acions of the Israeli
government to those of Hitle. Such rhetoric prompted Israel
to recall itsAmbassador for consultations on August 7. The
fllowing day, Chavez publicly announced he would not rule
out the possibility of severing diplomatic relations with
Israel.
--------------
BRV-ARAB SOLIDARITY
--------------
3. (SBU) Chavez has also gone to great lengths to show
solidarity with Arab states. On July 17, the Arab League
bestowed observer status on Venezuela, while a BRV National
Assembly delegation traveled in early August to Syria.
Newly-installed Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro met August 18
with Arab community leaders in Venezuela, where he announced
the opening of two bank accounts into which Venezuelans could
make deposits for war reconstruction, as part of the national
campaign of "solidarity" with the Lebanese and Palestinian
peoples. Chavez reiterated this call for "solidarity" in his
August 20 "Alo Presidente" program and certain BRV ministries
are circulating announcements "encouraging" government
employees to contribute.
--------------
THE ISRAELI EMBASSY'S VIEW
--------------
4. (C/NF) The Israeli Charge Livia Link (a Second Secretary)
is putting the best face on the recent downward spiral of
Venezuelan-Israeli relations. In an August 17 meeting with
Poloff, Link mentioned nothing of a drawdown of personnel
save the recall of the Ambassador, Shlomo Cohen. Separate
CARACAS 00002485 002.2 OF 003
sensitive reporting indicates the Israeli Embassy mandated
non-essential personnel to leave the country. (NOTE: The
Israeli Embassy in Caracas maintains a very small staff of
only three diplomats and a military attache. END NOTE) The
Israeli Defense Attache has been instructed to remain in
Miami and will continue to remain there until recalled to
Caracas. His family returned to Israel on August 13.
Requests from Israeli security personnel for increased BRV
police forces during protests were reportedly not met to the
satisfaction of the Israelis, prompting the mandatory
evacuation of non-essential personnel.
5. (C) Link stressed that the two countries' diplomatic
missions are not symmetrical. Venezuela does not have an
Ambassador in Israel and has not for years. Accordingly,
Israel's decision to call Ambassador Cohen for consultations
was not a completely reciprocal maneuver. Neither country
has "withdrawn" its Ambassador, as Chavez has said
repeatedly. Israel's Diplomatic Note also stated the move
was temporary. Link believes Chavez's fallacious assertions
that he had withdrawn his Ambassador to Israel is deliberate
diplomatic misdirection, designed to demonstrate bravado to
his allies, while ensuring on a separate level that his
actions are not permanent.
6. (C) Link indicated that Cohen would likely be back in
Caracas by the end of August. She said such a decision would
not be contingent on a reciprocal move from the BRV, although
she suspects the Venezuelan Charge, Hector Quintana, will
also return to Tel Aviv in the near future. Link indicated
Quintana is neither a Chavista nor a major player. In fact,
according to Link, Quintana was not even aware he was called
back for consultations until notified at his home by a
reporter.
7. (C) Link also told Poloff she is encouraged that Chavez's
anti-Israel rhetoric has abated for the time being. Other
news has pushed Chavez's threat to break relations with
Israel from the front pages. The cease-fire has also had a
calming influence on the BRV, according to Link, although
Chavez did comment on August 20 on Israeli incursions since
the cease-fire. Link said Chavez's threats of breaking
diplomatic relations are empty and characteristic of Chavez's
saber-rattling (such as in the cases of Peru, Mexico, and the
United States). Link is, however, concerned that new Foreign
Minister Maduro has a pro-Arab bent and could be an irritant
in Venezuelan-Israeli relations.
--------------
EFFECT ON THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
--------------
8. (C) Freddy Pressner and David Bachenheimer, President and
Head of the Political Commission of the Confederation of
Israelite Associations in Venezuela, respectively, told
Poloffs August 14 they had met recently with Vice President
Rangel to urge the BRV to stop fomenting a climate hostile to
the Jewish community in Venezuela. The 15,000-strong Jewish
community in Venezuela has historically maintained good
relations with Venezuela's much larger Arab community, but
Pressner and Bachenheimer are wary of the BRV importing
conflicts from the Middle East. Pressner said he
acknowledged to Rangel that the BRV had been responsive to
the community's security concerns, at times deploying
National Guard and police, but urged Rangel to create a more
positive climate that makes special protection unnecessary.
Rangel reportedly listened but did not hear, asserting that
he had "limitations" in what he could do with regard to
regular anti-Israeli pieces in government media.
CARACAS 00002485 003.2 OF 003
9. (C) Pressner remains concerned about the security of the
Jewish community in Venezuela. He noted that many are dual
nationals, and if the tension escalates to violence, many may
choose to leave. Barring significant violence, most will
stay, Pressner says, and continue to be vulnerable to
anti-Semitic sentiment. The Romanian Ambassador recently
told poloff that his Embassy is experiencing a "run" on
citizenship claims, particularly from the Jewish community.
Pressner provided Poloffs with examples of recent incidents
of anti-Semitic and pro-Hezbollah graffiti. He expressed a
real concern that such incidents as well as anonymous threats
could quickly escalate to violence. Citing the government's
heated anti-Israel rhetoric, Pressner expressed concern that
extremists may perceive that they can act against the Jewish
community with impunity. (NOTE: Embassy pouched August 17 to
DRL's Special Envoy on Anti-Semitism a packet of materials
Pressner provided detailing numerous incidences of
anti-Semitic graffiti and inflammatory media pieces. END NOTE)
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
10. (C) The BRV has no real stake in the conflict between
Israel and Hezbollah, beyond its desire to be supportive of
its closely ally in the Middle East, Iran. President Chavez
appears to subscribe to the maxim "my enemy's enemy is my
friend." His verbal assaults and diplomatic tussle with
Israel are probably primarily motivated by a desire to
confront a close (and conveniently far away) U.S. ally.
Chavez may also be trying to capitalize on anti-Israel
sentiment in support of the BRV's bid for a non-permanent
UNSC seat. Nevertheless, in the wake of the recent
UNSC-brokered cease-fire, Chavez now lacks the pretext to do
what he probably was not prepared to do anyway - sever
diplomatic relations with Israel.
WHITAKER
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER
DEPT PASS TO DRL/SEAS FOR GRICKMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF VE
SUBJECT: THE STATE OF VENEZUELAN-ISRAELI RELATIONS
CARACAS 00002485 001.2 OF 003
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Dan Lawton,
for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) President Chavez has been exploiting violence in the
Middle East to seek international media attention and to
burnish his pro-Arab and "anti-Empire" credentials. Chavez's
inflammatory and extreme anti-Israel rhetoric first
headlines while he was in Iran, and has continued since his
return. Both the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) and
Israel have recalled their respective top diplomats for
consultations, although Israel's Charge believes the
recently-concluded cease-fire agreement could lead to an
improvement in bilateral relations. Jewish leaders believe
the anti-Israeli rhetoric emanating from government officials
and mouthpieces is already having a deleterious effect on the
small Jewish community in Venezuela. END SUMMARY
--------------
CHAVEZ'S VERBAL ASSAULTS
--------------
2. (SBU) Following Chavez's whirlwind world tour in July,
including a stop in Iran where Chavez embraced President
Ahmadinejad following his call for the destruction of the
Israeli state, Chavez's first act upon returning to Venezuela
was to recall on August 3 his top diplomat in Israel. In the
wake of Israel's military response to Hezbollah incursions,
Chavez has launched repeated and vitriolic verbal assaults on
Israel, some of which were made in Tehran, with President
Ahmadinejad at his side. He has said Israel's actions ar "a
dagger to the heart of the peace process" an a "new
Holocaust." Chavez even compared the acions of the Israeli
government to those of Hitle. Such rhetoric prompted Israel
to recall itsAmbassador for consultations on August 7. The
fllowing day, Chavez publicly announced he would not rule
out the possibility of severing diplomatic relations with
Israel.
--------------
BRV-ARAB SOLIDARITY
--------------
3. (SBU) Chavez has also gone to great lengths to show
solidarity with Arab states. On July 17, the Arab League
bestowed observer status on Venezuela, while a BRV National
Assembly delegation traveled in early August to Syria.
Newly-installed Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro met August 18
with Arab community leaders in Venezuela, where he announced
the opening of two bank accounts into which Venezuelans could
make deposits for war reconstruction, as part of the national
campaign of "solidarity" with the Lebanese and Palestinian
peoples. Chavez reiterated this call for "solidarity" in his
August 20 "Alo Presidente" program and certain BRV ministries
are circulating announcements "encouraging" government
employees to contribute.
--------------
THE ISRAELI EMBASSY'S VIEW
--------------
4. (C/NF) The Israeli Charge Livia Link (a Second Secretary)
is putting the best face on the recent downward spiral of
Venezuelan-Israeli relations. In an August 17 meeting with
Poloff, Link mentioned nothing of a drawdown of personnel
save the recall of the Ambassador, Shlomo Cohen. Separate
CARACAS 00002485 002.2 OF 003
sensitive reporting indicates the Israeli Embassy mandated
non-essential personnel to leave the country. (NOTE: The
Israeli Embassy in Caracas maintains a very small staff of
only three diplomats and a military attache. END NOTE) The
Israeli Defense Attache has been instructed to remain in
Miami and will continue to remain there until recalled to
Caracas. His family returned to Israel on August 13.
Requests from Israeli security personnel for increased BRV
police forces during protests were reportedly not met to the
satisfaction of the Israelis, prompting the mandatory
evacuation of non-essential personnel.
5. (C) Link stressed that the two countries' diplomatic
missions are not symmetrical. Venezuela does not have an
Ambassador in Israel and has not for years. Accordingly,
Israel's decision to call Ambassador Cohen for consultations
was not a completely reciprocal maneuver. Neither country
has "withdrawn" its Ambassador, as Chavez has said
repeatedly. Israel's Diplomatic Note also stated the move
was temporary. Link believes Chavez's fallacious assertions
that he had withdrawn his Ambassador to Israel is deliberate
diplomatic misdirection, designed to demonstrate bravado to
his allies, while ensuring on a separate level that his
actions are not permanent.
6. (C) Link indicated that Cohen would likely be back in
Caracas by the end of August. She said such a decision would
not be contingent on a reciprocal move from the BRV, although
she suspects the Venezuelan Charge, Hector Quintana, will
also return to Tel Aviv in the near future. Link indicated
Quintana is neither a Chavista nor a major player. In fact,
according to Link, Quintana was not even aware he was called
back for consultations until notified at his home by a
reporter.
7. (C) Link also told Poloff she is encouraged that Chavez's
anti-Israel rhetoric has abated for the time being. Other
news has pushed Chavez's threat to break relations with
Israel from the front pages. The cease-fire has also had a
calming influence on the BRV, according to Link, although
Chavez did comment on August 20 on Israeli incursions since
the cease-fire. Link said Chavez's threats of breaking
diplomatic relations are empty and characteristic of Chavez's
saber-rattling (such as in the cases of Peru, Mexico, and the
United States). Link is, however, concerned that new Foreign
Minister Maduro has a pro-Arab bent and could be an irritant
in Venezuelan-Israeli relations.
--------------
EFFECT ON THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
--------------
8. (C) Freddy Pressner and David Bachenheimer, President and
Head of the Political Commission of the Confederation of
Israelite Associations in Venezuela, respectively, told
Poloffs August 14 they had met recently with Vice President
Rangel to urge the BRV to stop fomenting a climate hostile to
the Jewish community in Venezuela. The 15,000-strong Jewish
community in Venezuela has historically maintained good
relations with Venezuela's much larger Arab community, but
Pressner and Bachenheimer are wary of the BRV importing
conflicts from the Middle East. Pressner said he
acknowledged to Rangel that the BRV had been responsive to
the community's security concerns, at times deploying
National Guard and police, but urged Rangel to create a more
positive climate that makes special protection unnecessary.
Rangel reportedly listened but did not hear, asserting that
he had "limitations" in what he could do with regard to
regular anti-Israeli pieces in government media.
CARACAS 00002485 003.2 OF 003
9. (C) Pressner remains concerned about the security of the
Jewish community in Venezuela. He noted that many are dual
nationals, and if the tension escalates to violence, many may
choose to leave. Barring significant violence, most will
stay, Pressner says, and continue to be vulnerable to
anti-Semitic sentiment. The Romanian Ambassador recently
told poloff that his Embassy is experiencing a "run" on
citizenship claims, particularly from the Jewish community.
Pressner provided Poloffs with examples of recent incidents
of anti-Semitic and pro-Hezbollah graffiti. He expressed a
real concern that such incidents as well as anonymous threats
could quickly escalate to violence. Citing the government's
heated anti-Israel rhetoric, Pressner expressed concern that
extremists may perceive that they can act against the Jewish
community with impunity. (NOTE: Embassy pouched August 17 to
DRL's Special Envoy on Anti-Semitism a packet of materials
Pressner provided detailing numerous incidences of
anti-Semitic graffiti and inflammatory media pieces. END NOTE)
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
10. (C) The BRV has no real stake in the conflict between
Israel and Hezbollah, beyond its desire to be supportive of
its closely ally in the Middle East, Iran. President Chavez
appears to subscribe to the maxim "my enemy's enemy is my
friend." His verbal assaults and diplomatic tussle with
Israel are probably primarily motivated by a desire to
confront a close (and conveniently far away) U.S. ally.
Chavez may also be trying to capitalize on anti-Israel
sentiment in support of the BRV's bid for a non-permanent
UNSC seat. Nevertheless, in the wake of the recent
UNSC-brokered cease-fire, Chavez now lacks the pretext to do
what he probably was not prepared to do anyway - sever
diplomatic relations with Israel.
WHITAKER