GOI WILLING TO DISCUSS PACKAGE APPROACH TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 001085

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER ECON KWBG KPAL ASEC EG IS ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS GOI EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: GOI WILLING TO DISCUSS PACKAGE APPROACH TO
RESOLVING KARNI CLOSURE

Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Brig. General Baruch Spiegel expressed
interest in a proposal to resolve the humanitarian crisis
caused by the closure of Karni that would open Kerem Shalom
to humanitarian shipments from both Israel and Egypt to Gaza
and improve security at the crossings. The Ambassador plans
to host a meeting on March 19 with GOI, PA, Egyptian, and
EU-BAM officials to discuss the plan. Spiegel predicted that
GOI policy on whether to continue to allow Gazan workers to
enter Israel would be set after the upcoming Knesset
elections. He also reported that construction on the
separation barrier continues as does the building of a new
highway on the West Bank that would allow Palestinians to
travel point to point from Ramallah to Bethlehem without
obstacles. End summary.

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Meeting to Resolve Karni Crisis
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2. (C) During a meeting with the Ambassador on March 17,
Brig. General (Res.) Baruch Spiegel expressed interest in a
proposal to ameliorate the humanitarian impact on Gaza of the
continued closure of Karni crossing due to terrorist threats.
This approach includes opening Kerem Shalom for humanitarian
shipments from Israel and Egypt to Gaza, using Erez as a
back-up to Karni, and improving the security of the crossings
against potential terrorist attacks. The Ambassador offered
to host a meeting at his Residence on March 19 with Israeli,
PA, Egyptian, and EU-BAM officials to discuss this plan.
Spiegel said that prior to opening Kerem Shalom for the
passage of goods between Egypt and Gaza, GOI and Egyptian
officials need to discuss procedures and security issues. He
said the Egyptians did not want to proceed without GOI-PA
agreement on Kerem Shalom. He added that while the EU-BAM is
not involved in humanitarian crossings, it would be important
to include them to aid in confidence building between the
parties. Spiegel asked the U.S. to encourage PA and Egyptian
participation in the meeting.

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Policy on Entry of Palestinian Workers
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3. (C) Spiegel said on March 18 the GOI will re-assess the
security situation and decide whether to lift the current
closures on Gaza and the West Bank on Sunday, March 19. He
said construction is continuing on the Erez terminal, which
will have capacity for 15,000-20,000 Gazan workers with
permits to enter Israel. Spiegel predicted that a final GOI
policy on whether to maintain the Erez Industrial Zone and
permit entry of Gazan workers will be set following the March
28 Knesset elections. The Ambassador reminded Spiegel that
it is essential to maintain economic activity in the West
Bank and Gaza and avoid humanitarian suffering. He noted
that those who are gainfully employed are less likely to be
involved in terrorist activity.

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Separation Barrier and Movement
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4. (C) Spiegel said the GOI is building a highway between
Ramallah and Bethlehem that would allow Palestinians to
travel from point to point without stopping (although it
would have exits) and avoid all contact with Israelis. He
noted that construction has been delayed in some places while
the GOI awaits High Court decisions regarding the separation
barrier. Spiegel said that despite numerous appeals in the
High Court, the GOI is making rapid progress in the
construction of the planned 769-kilometer barrier, especially
in the southern part from near Hebron to the Dead Sea. He
said that 310 kilometers have already been completed. The
fence is under MOD administration, said Spiegel, but the
construction subcontractors work independently. Spiegel said
that when the separation barrier is completed, most of the
present checkpoints in the West Bank can be removed.


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