TFLE01: PUBLIC PROTESTS, EMOTIONAL STATEMENTS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001317 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER BA REGION POL SUBJECT: TFLE01: PUBLIC PROTESTS, EMOTIONAL STATEMENTS ON LEBANON REF: A. MANAMA 1305 ¶B. MANAMA 1288 Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Between five and 15 thousand men, women, and children marched July 18 to express their support for Lebanon and Hizballah. Protesters chanted pro-Hizballah and anti-American statements. Leading Shia political society Secretary General Shaikh Ali Salman spoke at the rally SIPDIS stating that Israel targets civilians, while Hizballah targets military sites. A pre-march release from the Council of Islamic Clerics (Shia) demanded pressure on Israel to cease the attacks on Lebanon. It regretted some Arab and Islamic reactions that have described the "Islamic resistance" as a "miscalculated adventure." In a July 18 meeting with journalists, Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid said that Israel should compensate Lebanon for the damage and loss of life and called on super powers to commit themselves to finding a just and viable peace. With an eye clearly to his domestic (majority Shia) audience, he said the world can blame Hizballah's misjudgment but cannot doubt its loyalty and good intentions. Comment: While the government would welcome a weakening of Hizballah, it is watching with apprehension as the latest events send the country's Shia into the streets with Hizballah banners. End summary. -------------- The Public Hits the Streets -------------- ¶2. (U) Estimates of between five and 15 thousand people, including a large number of clerics, representatives of political (Shia and Sunni) and civil society groups, women and children, gathered and marched near downtown Manama July 18 to express their solidarity with Lebanon and Hizballah. Protesters carried a wide range of flags including those of Lebanon, Palestine, Hizballah, Iran, and Bahrain. Protesters also carried pictures of Hizballah leader Hasan Nasrallah and banners that read "Down with Israel" and chanted the slogans "God Bless Nasrallah," "Hizballah is the Victor," and "Death to America." A spokesperson from Wa'ad political society (secular) stated, "We must stand with Lebanon. We will support Hizballah by donating five percent of our salaries (to them)." ¶3. (U) At the protest, leading Shia political society Al �A;Wifaq Secretary General Shaikh Ali Salman spoke to the crowd saying that statements from the U.S. administration and the international community represent a political setback for resolving developments in the region. He stated that Israel's war focuses on killing civilians by targeting school, hospitals, Islamic community centers, while Hizballah targets military sites and makes efforts to stay away from civilian locations. Israel is trying to pull Iran and Syria into the conflict, but "these two countries have nothing to do with the tension." Shaikh Ali pledged that demonstrations would continue until captives are released and all Arab lands are liberated. ¶4. (U) A statement released by the Council of Islamic Clerics (Shia) distributed prior to the march, demanded that the UN Security Council and the international community put pressure on the "Zionist entity" to cease military actions. It also demanded that the international community denounce American and British diplomatic efforts to protect Israel's right to self defense and to prevent condemnation of Israel. The release expressed regret at official Arab and Islamic statements that describe the "Islamic resistance" as a "miscalculated adventure," claiming that these statements incite the public. -------------- The FM Talks with the Press -------------- ¶5. (U) In a meeting with journalists at the Correspondents Club July 18, Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said that Israel's actions in Lebanon and Palestine were a flagrant violation of international law and human rights. He advocated Israel's compensating Lebanon for the loss of civilian life, damage to the infrastructure, and losses to the national economy. He called for an immediate cease-fire and exchange of prisoners and urged the super powers to be committed to a just and viable peace in the Middle East, establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. ¶6. (U) When asked about Hizballah, Shaikh Khalid said that this was an internal matter and the Lebanese government would deal with it. Hizballah is like any Arab party that calls for the liberation of Arab lands. He added, "The Arab world can blame the misjudgment of Hizballah but cannot doubt its good intentions and loyalty to Lebanon and the region." Asked about Saudi influence on Bahraini statements and actions toward Lebanon, the FM said, "Bahrain is an independent country and is not influenced by others. Our rejection of the war on Lebanon is based on our beliefs as well as obligations toward all Arab countries." ¶7. (U) The FM downplayed rumors of arguments between Arab foreign ministers in Cairo July 15, saying that although there were disagreements on some matters, "different opinions always enrich deliberations." Regarding Yemen's offer to host an Arab summit, Shaikh Khalid said that leaders were discussing the matter to determine what outcomes might result, and that Bahrain was ready to participate provided concrete objectives could be realized. -------------- Well-known Businessman Goes Public -------------- ¶8. (U) Wealthy Shia businessman (and Al-Wifaq member) Faisal Hassan Jawad took out a half page advertisement in Arabic daily Al Wasat in which he released the following statement. "I add my voice to those of the sons of our Arab and Islamic nations, in denouncing the international and regional silence over the crisis of the Lebanese people. I appeal to the Arab and Muslim countries to withdraw their ambassadors from America and the European Union in condemnation of the savage attacks in Lebanon that are reaching innocent civilians without mercy." -------------- GOB Donation to Lebanon -------------- ¶9. (U) Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa issued a directive July 18 to donate five million Bahraini dinars ($13.3 million) to a fund that will support Lebanese victims of Israeli attacks. The PM affirmed Bahrain's full support to Lebanon. -------------- Columns Continue -------------- ¶10. (U) Columnist Sayed Zahra of Akhbar Al Khaleej wrote July 19 that statements by Secretary Rice and other high-level officials indicate that a cease-fire should only be declared after Hizballah and other groups are no longer capable of threatening Israel. This shows the super powers' bias in allowing Israel time to eliminate the resistance without considering the massacre of the Lebanese people. Columnist Aqeel Swar calls attention in his commentary to the sense of defeat that will be felt by the Arab peoples if Israel wins the war. ¶11. (C) Comment: While the government clearly would welcome a weakening of Hizballah, which would also mark a setback for Iran in its regional aspirations, it is also watching with some apprehension as the Israeli attacks on Hizballah galvanize the country's Shia majority population. Not only are prominent Shia political leaders like Shaikh Ali Salman and leading Shia businessmen like Faisal Jawad taking up the Hizballah banner, but Shia are once again taking to the streets carrying pictures of Hassan Nasrallah and waving the yellow Hizballah flags. Because the issue is Israeli attacks on Hizballah as well as the reported destruction of Lebanese infrastructure, it is more difficult for the government to react strongly against this latest manifestation of Shia activism. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE