AMBASSADOR PROPOSES OPENING RAFAH FOR HAJJ PILGRIMS

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 003782 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2016 TAGS: PREL PHUM KPAL IS SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PROPOSES OPENING RAFAH FOR HAJJ PILGRIMS Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) During a September 20 meeting with MFA Deputy Director General for North America Yoram Ben Zeev, Ambassador raised the Rafah crossing. Ambassador noted that Ramadan was approaching and would coincide with the Jewish High Holidays this year. Gaza Hajj pilgrims are already preparing to travel to Egypt on their way to Mecca, and a proactive Israeli stance in facilitating the Hajj by opening Rafah could not fail to have a positive impact on Palestinians. Ambassador went on to suggest that since Muslim governments often release prisoners during Ramadan, an Israeli decision to open Rafah might encourage a Palestinian decision to release Corporal Shalit. Ambassador urged Ben Zeev that Israel act quickly rather than wait for pressure to build for it to open Rafah. ¶2. (C) Ben Zeev was initially skeptical, noting that Prime Minister Olmert was currently "under siege" politically and could not afford to appear to be making concessions to the Palestinians unless they gave him something first. The IDF might respond negatively to opening Rafah since arms smuggling attempts into Gaza were still ongoing almost daily, and the security situation was chaotic. Ben Zeev then suggested that the Ambassador discuss his idea with MFA Director General Abramovitch later that morning. Ambassador noted that if Israel began implementing General Dayton,s plan for the Karni crossing, which combined access with effective security measures, it would contribute to stabilizing Gaza. Israel, he stressed, should do everything possible to keep Karni open while also taking the initiative on Rafah. ¶3. (C) Subsequent to this meeting, Ambassador gained a more positive reception on Rafah from Abramovitch. Later in the day, Defense Minister Peretz, advisers Haggai Alon and Baruch Spiegel phoned the Ambassador to say that Peretz was poised to open Rafah, possibly as early as September 22. ********************************************* ******************** 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