Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TELAVIV4043
2006-10-13 15:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:
PRESS REPORTS PORTEND DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL
how-tonull Carol X Weakley 10/16/2006 03:10:21 PM From DB/Inbox: Carol X Weakley Cable Text: C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 04043 SIPDIS CXTelA: ACTION: ECON INFO: IPSC SCI DCM IMO AMB CONS RES POL AID ADM FCS PD DISSEMINATION: ECON CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: CDA:GCRETZ DRAFTED: ECON:MJEREOS CLEARED: ECON:WWEINSTEIN, ECON: RRUFFER, POL:MSIEVERS VZCZCTVI750 OO RUEHC RUEHXK DE RUEHTV #4043 2861507 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 131507Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6925 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 004043
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KWBG IS
SUBJECT: PRESS REPORTS PORTEND DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL
OUTPOST CONSTRUCTION
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, Gene A. Cretz for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 004043
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KWBG IS
SUBJECT: PRESS REPORTS PORTEND DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL
OUTPOST CONSTRUCTION
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, Gene A. Cretz for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)
1. (C) The "Ha'aretz" Hebrew edition reported on October 13
that Defense Minister Amir Peretz instructed the IDF to
expedite the evacuation of illegal outposts in the West Bank.
The article stated that Peretz ordered the demolition of a
total of 86 structures--47 Israeli, 39 Palestinian. The
Israeli structures slated to be demolished are primarily in
the Havat Ma'on outpost in the southern Hebron hills,
however, other structures would also be destroyed in outposts
throughout the West Bank, near the settlements of Yitzhar,
Efrata, and Kiryat Arba. Ministry of Defense Senior Advisor
Haggai Alon confirmed to EconCouns that these demolition
orders were previously planned and the legal requirements to
undertake the demolitions were arranged prior to the
announcement. Alon previously told Emboffs that the
demolitions would take place in mid-October, after the end of
the Jewish holidays. (Note: Israeli press reports from
September stated that Peretz instructed the IDF to prepare
for the evacuation of the Skali's Farm, Arusi's Farm, Hilltop
725, and Havat Ma'on outposts prior to the outbreak of the
military confrontation in Gaza and the conflict in Lebanon
with Hizballah. According to press reports, the structures
in question are mostly mobile homes and foundations for a few
permanent structures. End Note.)
2. (C) Comment: While we welcome GOI actions to combat
illegal settlement construction in the West Bank, it is still
unclear whether the demolition of these 47 Israeli structures
will result in the full evacuation of illegal outposts. As
part of the U.S.-sponsored roadmap, Israel committed to
remove "unauthorized outposts" that were established after
March 2001 when then Prime Minister Sharon took office.
Peretz's alleged move comes in the middle of intensive
political maneuvering as Avigdor Leiberman and his Yisrael
Beitenu party negotiate to join Olmert's coalition. Some
newspapers assert that Peretz's move was intended to pressure
Olmert not to affect the current coaltion by making it
impossible for Lieberman to join if the move on outposts and
settlements was to take place. End comment.
********************************************* ********************
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.
********************************************* ********************
CRETZ
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KWBG IS
SUBJECT: PRESS REPORTS PORTEND DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL
OUTPOST CONSTRUCTION
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, Gene A. Cretz for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)
1. (C) The "Ha'aretz" Hebrew edition reported on October 13
that Defense Minister Amir Peretz instructed the IDF to
expedite the evacuation of illegal outposts in the West Bank.
The article stated that Peretz ordered the demolition of a
total of 86 structures--47 Israeli, 39 Palestinian. The
Israeli structures slated to be demolished are primarily in
the Havat Ma'on outpost in the southern Hebron hills,
however, other structures would also be destroyed in outposts
throughout the West Bank, near the settlements of Yitzhar,
Efrata, and Kiryat Arba. Ministry of Defense Senior Advisor
Haggai Alon confirmed to EconCouns that these demolition
orders were previously planned and the legal requirements to
undertake the demolitions were arranged prior to the
announcement. Alon previously told Emboffs that the
demolitions would take place in mid-October, after the end of
the Jewish holidays. (Note: Israeli press reports from
September stated that Peretz instructed the IDF to prepare
for the evacuation of the Skali's Farm, Arusi's Farm, Hilltop
725, and Havat Ma'on outposts prior to the outbreak of the
military confrontation in Gaza and the conflict in Lebanon
with Hizballah. According to press reports, the structures
in question are mostly mobile homes and foundations for a few
permanent structures. End Note.)
2. (C) Comment: While we welcome GOI actions to combat
illegal settlement construction in the West Bank, it is still
unclear whether the demolition of these 47 Israeli structures
will result in the full evacuation of illegal outposts. As
part of the U.S.-sponsored roadmap, Israel committed to
remove "unauthorized outposts" that were established after
March 2001 when then Prime Minister Sharon took office.
Peretz's alleged move comes in the middle of intensive
political maneuvering as Avigdor Leiberman and his Yisrael
Beitenu party negotiate to join Olmert's coalition. Some
newspapers assert that Peretz's move was intended to pressure
Olmert not to affect the current coaltion by making it
impossible for Lieberman to join if the move on outposts and
settlements was to take place. End comment.
********************************************* ********************
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.
********************************************* ********************
CRETZ