ISRAEL DEFMIN PERETZ SAYS HE WILL ASSIST, AS MUCH

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 001950 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA (MAHER) STATE FOR PRM (PDAS GREENE) PENTAGON FOR OSD ISRAEL DESK OFFICER (ANDERSON) DIA FOR DHO-6 NSC FOR DPNSA ABRAMS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2016 TAGS: PREL PHUM PREF KWBG IS ICRC GOI INTERNAL SUBJECT: ISRAEL DEFMIN PERETZ SAYS HE WILL ASSIST, AS MUCH AS HE CAN, ON MDA ISSUES Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Gene A. Cretz. Reasons: 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (C) New Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz told Ambassador Jones May 17 that, per the Ambassador's request, he will use his influence as a cabinet member to support efforts to resolve outstanding issues and clear the way for Magen David Adom's (MDA) incorporation into the international Red Cross movement. He said he will look into MDA's charter to see whether there are ways to make it independent from the GOI, but cautioned that there is a security dimension to the issue, and noted that MDA draws on the GOI budget. Peretz said he will also look into the matter of Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulance drivers being detained at checkpoints with an eye to preventing further hindrance of approved PRCS drivers: "If it falls within my power, I will do what I can." ¶2. (C) Other issues covered in the meeting, including Palestinian humanitarian issues, Iran, terrorism, and trafficking in persons, are reported in septels. ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** JONES