Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TELAVIV3782
2006-09-21 15:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR PROPOSES OPENING RAFAH FOR HAJJ PILGRIMS
how-tonull Carol X Weakley 09/22/2006 04:11:17 PM From DB/Inbox: Carol X Weakley Cable Text: C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 03782 SIPDIS CXTelA: ACTION: AMB INFO: RES DAO ECON POL DCM DISSEMINATION: AMB CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: AMB:RHJONES DRAFTED: POL:MJSIEVERS CLEARED: DCM:GCRETZ VZCZCTVI640 OO RUEHC RUEHXK DE RUEHTV #3782 2641526 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 211526Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6518 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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.
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
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