SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE WORK UNDERWAY NEAR NEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 004909

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR
WILLIAMS/SHAMPAINE/STEINGER; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WATERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2026
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON ETRD KWBG KPAL IS
SUBJECT: SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE WORK UNDERWAY NEAR NEW
E-1 POLICE STATION

REF: JERUSALEM 4075

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


1. (C) Summary: A Palestinian foreman working at the
construction site of the new Israeli police station located
in the E-1 area east of Ma'ale Adumim told poloff December 6
that he had seen plans for the construction of a 600-unit
housing complex adjacent to the police station. The foreman
said that construction on the police station is expected to
be completed by May 2007. Poloff saw significant construction
of roads and leveled areas beyond the police station where
the foreman said the housing units would be located. The
foreman said his crews have been working night and day on the
project so that it could be completed quickly. End summary.


2. (C) On December 6, poloff observed construction at the
four-story West Bank District Police Headquarters in the E-1
area east of Ma'ale Adumim. Poloff spoke with a Palestinian
foreman at the site who identified himself as Abu Firas
(strictly protect). Although initially fearful of talking to
poloff, Abu Firas later said seen plans for the construction
of a 600-unit housing complex adjacent to the police station.
Poloff witnessed considerable construction of roads and
leveling of the grounds in the area west of the station where
Abu Firas indicated the residential complex would be
constructed. At least two roads, both leading further up the
hill where Abu Firas indicated the housing units would be
constructed, have already been graded but have not yet been
paved. Several areas, both in the vicinity of the police
station and on the adjacent hill, have been leveled and
presumably are being prepared for construction. A second
building approximately 50 feet from the police station
building is nearing completion, although Abu Firas said that
building is part of the police complex.


3. (C) Abu Firas stated that he knows the international
community does not want construction in the E-1 area and that
he had been instructed to have crews work night and day to
make certain the police station would be completed quickly.
He said he expects work on the housing, if approved, would be
carried out in the same manner.


4. (C) Danny Seideman, advocate for the Israeli human rights
organization Ir Amim, told poloff November 27 that the
construction of the E-1 police station was financed by an
organization linked to the Bukharan Jewish Community in
Jerusalem. He said that in July 2005, this organization
agreed to finance construction of the E-1 Police Station in
exchange for property rights to the Ras al-Amud Police
Station complex in East Jerusalem, hich will be vacated once
the E-1 police stationis operational. Seideman indicated
that the areaaround that evacuated police station in Ras
al-Aud would be converted into residential housing.

. (C) Seideman told poloff November 27 that he doe not
expect further construction in the E-1 areabeyond the police
station for the time being. Hait Ofra, Settlement Watch
officer with the Israei NGO Peace Now, similarly told poloff
December 4that she is aware of older plans to build a
3500unit housing complex in E-1 but believes internatinal
pressure has stopped these plans for the tim being. However,
both noted that past experienceindicates that when security
installations are esablished in the West Bank, the
construction of cvilian infrastructure often follows. They
pointed out the completion of the police station could
foreshadow future residential and commercial building in E-1.


6. (C) Comment: We are not surprised that there are plans on
the drawing board for residential uits in E-1, even if the
GOI has not authorized sch construction there. However, we
are more trouled by the infrastructure work underway, which
goes beyond what is necessary for the police station. In our
view, this construction contradicts GOI assurances to the USG
that there would be no work in E-1 beyond the police station.
We recommend that the GOI be asked for an explanation.

WALLES