PASF SUPPORT TO CONGEN DURING JERICHO CRISIS

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001080 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MUSTAFA E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/15/2016 TAGS: KPAL ASEC CASC MOPS IS PTER PGOV SUBJECT: PASF SUPPORT TO CONGEN DURING JERICHO CRISIS REF: A. JERUSALEM 1059 ¶B. JERUSALEM 1060 ¶C. JERUSALEM 1061 ¶D. JERUSALEM 01078 Classified By: Deputy Principal Officer Chris Stevens, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Despite widespread anger over rumors of USG complicity in the March 14 IDF attack on the Jericho prison, PA Security Forces (PASF) worked closely with the ConGen to mitigate violence against AmCits over the course of March 14. ConGen officers were able to enlist Interior Ministry and PASF contacts for informational and security support throughout the crisis. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Instances of PASF support for the ConGen during the Jericho siege and resulting unrest in Gaza and the West Bank included the following (For details on these incidents see refs A-D): -- At 1445L on March 14, RSO received a phone tip that several AmCits were under attack by a pro-PFLP mob at the campus of the American International School in Gaza. Following telcons with RSO and FSNIGA, units affiliated with the Presidential Guard and forces associated with PLC member Muhammad Dahlan engaged militants attacking the school compound, preventing a mob from ransacking the school and taking several AmCit hostages. RSO was able to coordinate a PASF convoy to evacuate the AmCits, who transited Erez crossing into Israel at 1620L. -- Following the March 14 abduction and release of American Arab University professor, Doug Johnson, in Jenin, Preventive Security Organization (PSO) and National Security Forces (NSF) contacted the ConGen to say that it would not be safe for AmCits to remain in Jenin overnight. PSO and NSF officers escorted 14 foreigners -- including ten AmCits -- to the border with Israel. -- MOI officials provided extensive informational support on the security situation in the West Bank and Gaza, including a tip on a threat to USG officials made by purported PFLP militants during a rally in Ramallah,s Manar Square. Working level MOI contacts were sometimes even able to provide real-time information on events occurring within the Jericho compound. -- International media sources reported several instances of Palestinian Civil Policemen protecting foreigners working at relief agencies in the West Bank and Gaza from attack by militants. WALLES