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.

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PASF Members Attack PLC
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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.

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HAMAS Tries to Shift Blame to
Israel, Fatah
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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.

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Hanniyah: Palestinians
Should Accept Hardships
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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