ISRAELI POLICE PREPARING FOR POSSIBLE CLASHES IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 003357 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WATERS, PASS TO DS/IP/NEA E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2016 TAGS: PREL KPAL KWBG PHUM IS SUBJECT: ISRAELI POLICE PREPARING FOR POSSIBLE CLASHES IN JERUSALEM REF: JERUSALEM 03316 Classified By: Consul Gneral Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Israeli police in Jerusalem are preparing for possible confrontations with Jewish and Muslim protesters on August 3 in the wake of the August 2 Israeli High Court decision to allow members of the Temple Mount Faithful (TMF) to enter the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount (reftel). Visitation of non-Muslims to the site is restricted to the hours of 0730-1030. The court ruling will enable TMF members to visit the site; however, ConGen contacts in the Israeli police indicate that the Israeli security services have the authority to restrict access to the site to limit the possibility of violence. ¶2. (C) Islamic organizations have announced plans to converge on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount on August 3 in order to "defend the Haram." The Islamic organizations have reportedly organized busloads of supporters to travel to Jerusalem on August 3 in an attempt to enter the site. The Fatah Central Committee released a statement August 2 calling on all Muslims to protest the court decision. The statement also held the Government of Israel responsible for any consequences stemming from the ruling. (Note: The IDF had previously announced the total closure of the West Bank for the remainder of the week, a move that will prevent West Bank Palestinian residents from entering Jerusalem. End note.) The police are expected to have 2,500 officers in and around the Old City to handle any disturbances. ¶3. (C) Adnan Husseini, the head administrator of the Jerusalem Waqf responsible for the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, told ConGen Poloff August 2 that he preferred that the Mughrabi entrance to the site -- the lone entrance for non-Muslims to enter the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount -- remain closed on August 3 to prevent entry by the TMF and their supporters. Husseini described the situation as "very sensitive," and warned that the group's entry onto the site could spark a reaction from Muslims. Husseini noted that the police have previously handled the situation well, but expressed concern that the police may come under "political pressure" to allow the TMF to enter the site. Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) In light of the potential for violent clashes between the Israeli police and Jewish and Muslim demonstrators, Post has restricted access to the Old City and its environs until August 5. WALLES