FRUSTRATION GROWING WITH ABU MAZEN WITHIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 003561 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WATERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2016 TAGS: PREL KPAL KWBG PHUM IS SUBJECT: FRUSTRATION GROWING WITH ABU MAZEN WITHIN PALESTINIAN CIRCLES REF: JERUSALEM 03516 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. Criticism is growing within Palestinian circles over President Abbas' (Abu Mazen) political strategy. ConGen contacts within Fatah and the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) have also expressed frustration with Abu Mazen's decision to conduct a multiple country tour in the midst of the deteriorating situation on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the conflict in Lebanon. A group of Fatah Revolutionary Council (FRC) members met recently to voice their discontent on these issues and reportedly intend to raise them directly with Abu Mazen upon his return to Ramallah (expected August 12). PLC member Salam Fayyad echoed similar concerns, noting to the Consul General that Abu Mazen has shown more interest in his own "personal business affairs" than issues facing the Palestinians. End summary. Abu Mazen's Extended Absence Raises Fatah Ire -------------- ¶2. (C) ConGen Palestinian contacts have taken a critical view of Abu Mazen's extended absence from the West Bank and Gaza in the past two and a half weeks. Since his July 26 departure from Ramallah, Abu Mazen has traveled to capitals across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. During the time he has been gone, Israeli military operations in Gaza and the West Bank have resulted in over 50 Palestinians killed, including many civilians, and the conflict in Lebanon has grown more intense. ¶3. (C) Approximately 30 Fatah Revolutionary Council (FRC) members gathered in closed session in Ramallah the week of July 31 to discuss the current situation and voice concerns over Abu Mazen's performance. In separate conversations with ConGen Political Specialist, FRC member Muhammad al-Madani and Fatah Tanzim leader Husayn al-Shaykh, both of whom attended the FRC gathering, reported that participants were increasingly frustrated by the lack of leadership by Abu Mazen. ¶4. (C) Al-Madani reported that the gathering covered several key elements, including: -- Abu Mazen's strategy toward the Hamas-led government, which FRC members perceive as too accommodating. FRC members noted that Abu Mazen had consented to the appointment of 36 
Director Generals, Deputy Ministers, and Assistant Deputy Ministers submitted for the president's approval by the Hamas-led government. FRC members complained that the appointments have transferred key leadership positions, previously under Fatah's control, to Hamas. -- FRC members highlighted Abu Mazen's extended absence from the Palestinian territories in the midst of the deteriorating security situation in Gaza and the West Bank. -- FRC members also criticized Abu Mazen's decision not to convene the FRC in emergency session in response to the current crisis. ¶5. (C) Al-Shaykh said that a number FRC participants intended to request a meeting with Abu Mazen upon his return to Ramallah to raise these issues. (Note: Abu Mazen is reportedly scheduled to return to Ramallah from Amman late August 12. End note.) In particular, the FRC members would request more access to Abu Mazen, arguing that his circle of advisors is currently limited to one or two individuals. Fayyad Sees a "Disengaged" Abu Mazen -------------- ¶6. (C) Echoing similar criticism of Abu Mazen's performance, PLC member Salam Fayyad told the Consul General on August 9 that Abu Mazen's two-week absence from Ramallah has only increased the president's disconnect from the political realities facing the West Bank and Gaza. Instead of working to undermine the Hamas-led PA, Fayyad sensed that Abu Mazen is moving toward strengthening his relationship with Hamas PM Isma'il Haniyyah. Fayyad did not expect Abu Mazen to resign as president. On the contrary, he saw Abu Mazen's improving working relationship with Haniyyah as a sign he wants to hold on to his position. However, Fayyad had the impression that Abu Mazen is more interested in personal business affairs related to his family rather than the current political/security crisis in the Palestinian areas. By way of example, Fayyad recounted the readout he received of Abu Mazen's recent meeting in Amman with the UAE Foreign Minister. According to Fayyad's readout, Abu Mazen excluded all of his aides from the meeting and included only his son Yasser. Rather than asking for assistance of the PA, Abu Mazen sought help only for Yasser's private sector activities in the Gulf. Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Abu Mazen's extended absence from the West Bank and Gaza in the midst of ongoing IDF military operations has clearly riled many within Fatah. Upon his return, Abu Mazen is likely to face tough questions as to how he intends to deal with the deteriorating security and political situation. WALLES