PSO FORCES HAMAS LEADERS TO LOSE FACE IN TWO

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001467

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MUSTAFA;
DS/IP/NEA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2016
TAGS: KPAL KWBG PREL IS
SUBJECT: PSO FORCES HAMAS LEADERS TO LOSE FACE IN TWO
SEPARATE INCIDENTS

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: In two separate incidents, Preventive
Security Organization (PSO) officers in Gaza initiated
symbolic confrontations with HAMAS Prime Minister Isma'il
Hanniyah and Interior Minister Said Siam. In both cases, the
HAMAS officials backed down rather than escalate the
altercation with the PSO. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) On April 8, PSO officers refused to allow PM Isma'il
Hanniyah's convoy to pass through the Gaza City street where
the PSO Gaza headquarters is located. PM Hanniyah was
returning home following his meeting with President Abbas.
PM Hanniyah ordered his guards to change course rather than
escalate the situation into an open confrontation with the
PSO. ConGen contacts in the President's office in Gaza City
reported that the PSO Chief Rashid Abu Shabak apologized to
PM Hanniyah privately and promised to take measures to ensure
that no such incidents occurred in the future.


3. (C) In a separate incident on April 9, PSO officers
refused to allow Interior Minister Said Siam to enter PSO
headquarters with his bodyguards. The PSO officers
reportedly refused to allow Siam's armed guards to enter the
facility on legal grounds, stating that the bodyguards were
armed civilians and not affiliated with any security
apparatus. Siam reportedly relented, entering the facility
without his security escorts.


4. (C) COMMENT: The PSO is manned by Fatah members, many of
whom are close to the former Gaza PSO Chief, Muhammad Dahlan.
They appear to be sending a message to their new nominal
leadership that they have a mind of their own and are a force
to be reckoned with. END COMMENT.

WALLES