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 cov

ered
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