PASF ELEMENTS ATTACK PLC BUILDING IN KHAN YUNIS

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001565 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/MUSTAFA; DS/IP/NEA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2016 TAGS: KPAL KWBG PREL IS MOPS SUBJECT: PASF ELEMENTS ATTACK PLC BUILDING IN KHAN YUNIS REF: JERUSALEM 01524 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In the latest in a series of attempts by Fatah loyalists to embarrass and discredit the HAMAS-led Palestinian Authority (PA),gunmen attacked and occupied the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) building in Khan Yunis on April 15 to protest the PA's failure to pay March salaries. Presidential Security sources reported that many of the gunmen responsible for the attack were members of the Preventive Security Organization (PSO) and the Civil Police. HAMAS Interior Ministry spokesmen blamed the Israeli occupation for the delay in salary payments and criticized elements in Fatah for trying to destabilize the situation. In response to recent high-profile attacks on PA institutions, HAMAS officials have escalated their criticism of Fatah and called for Palestinians to embrace austerity. END SUMMARY. -------------- PASF Members Attack PLC -------------- ¶2. (C) Approximately 50 gunmen broke into the offices of the PLC in Khan Yunis at 0900L on April 15 and occupied the building for half an hour to protest the PA's failure to pay March salaries. Eyewitnesses and Presidential Security sources reported that the gunmen were members of the PSO and Civil Police. The gunmen published a statement accusing HAMAS of paying salaries to its own members in the PA while the PASF have not received salaries since March 15. (NOTE: The ConGen has not received any information to corroborate persistent rumors that HAMAS has discriminated against Fatah in the disbursement of salaries. END NOTE) An al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades spokesmen identified as Abu Mohammad said that the PLC break-in by members of the Security Forces is just a "first step" and added that Fatah will escalate protests by attacking PA ministries and departments if HAMAS continues to ignore demands by Fatah. -------------- HAMAS Tries to Shift Blame to Israel, Fatah -------------- ¶3. (C) Following the attack on the PLC offices in Khan Yunis, PA Interior Ministry spokesmen Khaled Abu Hilal called on the Palestinian people to protest peacefully against the delay in the payment of salaries and not to support attacks on PA institutions saying, "We should be clear that it is the Israeli occupation, not the PA, that has caused this delay in the payment of salaries." In an implicit criticism of Fatah, Abu Hilal said that there are "elements who collude with the occupation" to cause instability and infighting. Abu Hilal warned that those who pursue this strategy will be exposed and punished at the right time. -------------- Hanniyah: Palestinians Should Accept Hardships -------------- ¶4. (C) Prime Minister Isma'il Hanniyyah responded to attacks by Fatah militants on the Prime Minister's office and the Transportation Ministry in Ramallah during an April 14 sermon at a Jabalya mosque (reftel). Hanniyyah urged Palestinians to embrace austerity saying, "Palestinians won't give up on their government and it doesn't matter how much they have to sacrifice for it. We are ready to eat only zatar, salt and olives." Hanniyah expanded on his comments by criticizing the previous government for leaving the PA with an empty treasury. HAMAS PLC member Yunis al-Astal veered into violent rhetoric following Hanniyah's comments and suggested that the only alternative for Palestinians should the democratically elected PA fail would be al-Qaida style violence saying, "If the HAMAS government is pushed to fail, they (Israelis) have to expect Zarqawi style bombings deep inside Israel." WALLES