Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JERUSALEM2919
2006-07-13 15:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

AMID PALESTINIAN JUBILATION, ABU MAZEN CALLS FOR

Tags:  PREL ASEC CASC KPAL KWBG PHUM 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJM #2919 1941521
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 131521Z JUL 06
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3390
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002919 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2016
TAGS: PREL ASEC CASC KPAL KWBG PHUM
SUBJECT: AMID PALESTINIAN JUBILATION, ABU MAZEN CALLS FOR
RESTRAINT

REF: JERUSALEM 2902

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002919

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2016
TAGS: PREL ASEC CASC KPAL KWBG PHUM
SUBJECT: AMID PALESTINIAN JUBILATION, ABU MAZEN CALLS FOR
RESTRAINT

REF: JERUSALEM 2902

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


1. (C) Summary. Palestinian public reaction to the July
12 Hezbollah attack and kidnapping of two IDF soldiers was
immediate and overwhelmingly positive. Hamas praised the
Hezbollah attack and called for a unification of efforts to
attain the release of Palestinian and Arab prisoners. The
Palestinian "street" has taken the kidnappings as a sign that
a more robust prisoner release may be in the works. Fatah
members attending a July 12 meeting with President Abbas (Abu
Mazen) reacted with applause to the kidnapping. Abu Mazen,
however, chided them and urged restraint. End summary.

Hamas Offers Praise
--------------


2. (C) Following the July 12 capture of two IDF soldiers
by Hezbollah, Hamas issued a statement praising the attack
and describing it as a "legitimate" means of resistance to
secure the release of Palestinian and Arab prisoners. The
statement also called on Israel to conduct negotiations to
end the current crisis and exchange prisoners. Hamas PA
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmud al-Zahar told al-Jazeera
television July 12 that Israel should respond to "reason and
wisdom" on the issue of the captured soldiers, adding that
talks with Egyptian officials were ongoing to reach a
mechanism for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

The "Street" Reacts With Delight
--------------


3. (C) Palestinian public reaction to the kidnappings was
swift, as gunmen and prisoners' families in Gaza and in many
parts of the West Bank expressed their approval. Many were
optimistic that the kidnappings would speed up efforts to
secure the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
In some areas of Gaza, Nablus, and Jenin, Palestinian
activists reportedly distributed sweets to the public.

Abu Mazen Urges Restraint
--------------


4. (C) A July 12 statement from Abu Mazen's presidential
office expressed concern over the situation and warned
against the spreading of the violence to other areas.
Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaynah urged the
international community to intervene at once to prevent any
further escalation. Commenting on the anticipated Israeli
military response, Abu Rudaynah said that no amount of force
by the Israeli side will resolve the conflict.


5. (C) Speaking on July 12 in Ramallah before a crowd of
Fatah supporters -- some of whom reacted with applause upon
hearing the news of the captured IDF soldiers -- Abu Mazen
urged restraint. He commented that Palestinians should focus
on specific categories of prisoners -- female prisoners, sick
prisoners, and/or prisoners who have served more than 20
years -- rather than escalating demands. He also expressed
concern over the ramifications for Palestinians if Gilad
Shalit died while in captivity.

Comment
--------------


6. (C) The capture of the two Israeli soldiers and the
subsequent Israeli military response into Lebanon
overshadowed the killing of 26 Palestinians in Israeli
military operations on July 12 (reftel). Despite the high
casualty rates and the likelihood of increased Israeli
military activity in Gaza and in Lebanon, the demand from the
Palestinian public for a more robust prisoner exchange is
likely to grow in the wake of the July 12 kidnappings.

WALLES