Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TELAVIV826
2006-02-27 16:37:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:
ISRAELI MILITARY INTEL CHIEF'S 2/23 MEETING WITH
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000826
SIPDIS
NOFORN
DEPT FOR S/CT AMB. CRUMPTON, NEA/IPA (MAHER)
PENTAGON FOR OSD ISRAEL DESK OFFICER ANDERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2016
TAGS: PREL PINR PTER PINS PGOV KWBG KPAL MARR MCAP MOPS ASEC EG IS JO COUNTERTERRORISM GOI EXTERNAL ISRAEL RELATIONS
SUBJECT: ISRAELI MILITARY INTEL CHIEF'S 2/23 MEETING WITH
S/CT COORDINATOR CRUMPTON
Classified By: Amb. Richard H. Jones. Reasons: 1.4 (b, d).
-------
SUMMARY
-------
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000826
SIPDIS
NOFORN
DEPT FOR S/CT AMB. CRUMPTON, NEA/IPA (MAHER)
PENTAGON FOR OSD ISRAEL DESK OFFICER ANDERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2016
TAGS: PREL PINR PTER PINS PGOV KWBG KPAL MARR MCAP MOPS ASEC EG IS JO COUNTERTERRORISM GOI EXTERNAL ISRAEL RELATIONS
SUBJECT: ISRAELI MILITARY INTEL CHIEF'S 2/23 MEETING WITH
S/CT COORDINATOR CRUMPTON
Classified By: Amb. Richard H. Jones. Reasons: 1.4 (b, d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (S/NF) In a February 23 meeting at the MOD, Israeli
Director of Military Intelligence (DMI) Major General Amos
Yadlin discussed with State Department Coordinator for
Counterterrorism (CT) Henry Crumpton (A) USG and GOI
priorities in the war on terror; (B) ways to coordinate
between the intelligence and policy realms; (C) bilateral CT
cooperation, and (D) regional geopolitical concerns. Other
Israeli participants in the meeting included the Israeli
Prime Minister's CT advisor, General Dani Arditi; Eynat
Shlein from the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C.; and LTC
Assaf Naaman. Ambassador Crumpton was joined by the
Ambassador, S/CT Regional Officer Patrick Worman, the embassy
Pol-Mil Officer and a representative from the Defense
Attache's Office. END SUMMARY.
-------------- -
YADLIN ON INTELLIGENCE IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM
-------------- -
2. (S/NF) Yadlin said that the GOI is trying to strengthen
the link between intelligence and policy, and to integrate
the actions of various intelligence agencies with CT
responsibilities. In support of this, he noted that in the
CT war, the lines of authority and responsibility are
beginning to blur. Whereas Shin Bet, DMI, and Mossad
responsibilities had historically been clearly delineated,
that is not so now. As an example, Yadlin noted that the
three major GOI concerns at the moment -- Iran, the
Palestinian issue, and global jihad -- require all of
Israel's intelligence services to contribute, with no single
service able to cover all the requirements. When Ambassador
Crumpton asked how the USG could do more to assist, Yadlin
noted that improved intelligence transparency among all the
services is paramount. He added that the USG and GOI need to
improve cooperation on intelligence in the Middle East,
especially against the global jihad target. He said that he
raised this with the NSA and DoD while in Washington, D.C.
Yadlin also emphasized that there are many ways that the GOI
and USG could assist one another. As an example, the GOI
could help with training, given Israel's expertise in Arabic
language and culture. Yadlin said that the USG has better
global reach and far more resources than the GOI.
3. (S) Yadlin said that what the U.S. faces in Iraq now is
what Israel faced in March 2002, specifically in the
challenges posed by suicide bombers. The Israelis were able
to turn the tide through their intelligence and military
success in finding and attacking terrorists. Yadlin stressed
that having good intelligence was key to this success. He
said that better observation systems (e.g., signals, human
and imagery intelligence) and the security fence played key
roles. Ambassador Crumpton emphasized the importance of
integrated action when confronting the challenge of
terrorism. He noted the current need to integrate the
instruments of statecraft at a policy level in order to
provide the context for operations to succeed. He added that
new rules are necessary in the current threat environment.
--------------
YADLIN ON HAMAS AND THE NEW PALESTINIAN GOV'T
--------------
4. (S) Yadlin claimed that Hamas intends to undertake an
extreme approach towards Israel, and is using the current
ceasefire to build up its forces. Yadlin compared Hamas to
the Muslim Brotherhood, and suggested that the Brotherhood
poses a similar challenge to Egypt and Jordan. He also
assessed the current GOJ and GOE positions on Hamas as trying
to postpone difficult decisions. Regarding Egypt, Yadlin
emphasized that the GOE played a part in the Hamas victory,
by maintaining a policy of treating Hamas leader Khaled
Mishal on a level equal to that of Palestinian Authority (PA)
President Mahmud Abbas.
5. (S) Moving to the current situation with the Palestinians
and the PA, Yadlin noted his disappointment with Abbas.
Yadlin said that the GOI understands that the USG believes
that Abbas has put conditions to Hamas leader Ismail Haniya.
He stressed, however, that the situation is actually the
other way around -- that Haniya is putting conditions to
Abbas. Yadlin said that Abbas has strong views but chooses
not to push them very hard, as he wishes to be the "leader of
all Palestinians." Yadlin said that Abbas's discussions with
Haniya of "common goals" have made the GOI uncomfortable, and
that Abbas's strategy of co-opting Hamas has created a
situation where Fatah has been tamed by Hamas, and risks
becoming irrelevant or disappearing altogether.
--------------
YADLIN ON GOI COLLECTION PRIORITIES
--------------
6. (S/NF) Responding to Ambassador Crumpton's question about
how the GOI sets intelligence collection priorities, Yadlin
said that the GOI divides them to address the Palestinian
territories, Hizballah and Syria, and Iran. Yadlin noted
that the GOI utilizes three main sources to collect: aerial
vehicles (UAVs),SIGINT, and HUMINT. Decisions on allocating
these resources sometimes shift on an annual basis -- and
often times daily -- based on analyses of where the enemy
will or would like to attack. Regarding cooperation between
the Israeli services, Yadlin noted that the GOI has a good
strategic model, and the papers that are produced are shared
among the services before going to the Prime Minister.
7. (S) Yadlin offered praise for Egyptian efforts in the
border regions with Gaza, and said, citing recent statements
by EGIS Suleiman as an example, that the GOE is beginning to
align itself more closely with Quartet positions. He noted,
though, that there is a gap between declarations and deeds.
8. (S) Yadlin closed by mentioning his upcoming visit to
Washington in April, at which time he hopes to meet with
Ambassador Crumpton again.
9. (S) Ambassador Crumpton will address a number of other,
more sensitive topics directly with the Secretary and DNI.
10. (U) This cable was cleared by S/CT Coordinator Ambassador
Henry Crumpton.
********************************************* ********************
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
NOFORN
DEPT FOR S/CT AMB. CRUMPTON, NEA/IPA (MAHER)
PENTAGON FOR OSD ISRAEL DESK OFFICER ANDERSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2016
TAGS: PREL PINR PTER PINS PGOV KWBG KPAL MARR MCAP MOPS ASEC EG IS JO COUNTERTERRORISM GOI EXTERNAL ISRAEL RELATIONS
SUBJECT: ISRAELI MILITARY INTEL CHIEF'S 2/23 MEETING WITH
S/CT COORDINATOR CRUMPTON
Classified By: Amb. Richard H. Jones. Reasons: 1.4 (b, d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (S/NF) In a February 23 meeting at the MOD, Israeli
Director of Military Intelligence (DMI) Major General Amos
Yadlin discussed with State Department Coordinator for
Counterterrorism (CT) Henry Crumpton (A) USG and GOI
priorities in the war on terror; (B) ways to coordinate
between the intelligence and policy realms; (C) bilateral CT
cooperation, and (D) regional geopolitical concerns. Other
Israeli participants in the meeting included the Israeli
Prime Minister's CT advisor, General Dani Arditi; Eynat
Shlein from the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C.; and LTC
Assaf Naaman. Ambassador Crumpton was joined by the
Ambassador, S/CT Regional Officer Patrick Worman, the embassy
Pol-Mil Officer and a representative from the Defense
Attache's Office. END SUMMARY.
-------------- -
YADLIN ON INTELLIGENCE IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM
-------------- -
2. (S/NF) Yadlin said that the GOI is trying to strengthen
the link between intelligence and policy, and to integrate
the actions of various intelligence agencies with CT
responsibilities. In support of this, he noted that in the
CT war, the lines of authority and responsibility are
beginning to blur. Whereas Shin Bet, DMI, and Mossad
responsibilities had historically been clearly delineated,
that is not so now. As an example, Yadlin noted that the
three major GOI concerns at the moment -- Iran, the
Palestinian issue, and global jihad -- require all of
Israel's intelligence services to contribute, with no single
service able to cover all the requirements. When Ambassador
Crumpton asked how the USG could do more to assist, Yadlin
noted that improved intelligence transparency among all the
services is paramount. He added that the USG and GOI need to
improve cooperation on intelligence in the Middle East,
especially against the global jihad target. He said that he
raised this with the NSA and DoD while in Washington, D.C.
Yadlin also emphasized that there are many ways that the GOI
and USG could assist one another. As an example, the GOI
could help with training, given Israel's expertise in Arabic
language and culture. Yadlin said that the USG has better
global reach and far more resources than the GOI.
3. (S) Yadlin said that what the U.S. faces in Iraq now is
what Israel faced in March 2002, specifically in the
challenges posed by suicide bombers. The Israelis were able
to turn the tide through their intelligence and military
success in finding and attacking terrorists. Yadlin stressed
that having good intelligence was key to this success. He
said that better observation systems (e.g., signals, human
and imagery intelligence) and the security fence played key
roles. Ambassador Crumpton emphasized the importance of
integrated action when confronting the challenge of
terrorism. He noted the current need to integrate the
instruments of statecraft at a policy level in order to
provide the context for operations to succeed. He added that
new rules are necessary in the current threat environment.
--------------
YADLIN ON HAMAS AND THE NEW PALESTINIAN GOV'T
--------------
4. (S) Yadlin claimed that Hamas intends to undertake an
extreme approach towards Israel, and is using the current
ceasefire to build up its forces. Yadlin compared Hamas to
the Muslim Brotherhood, and suggested that the Brotherhood
poses a similar challenge to Egypt and Jordan. He also
assessed the current GOJ and GOE positions on Hamas as trying
to postpone difficult decisions. Regarding Egypt, Yadlin
emphasized that the GOE played a part in the Hamas victory,
by maintaining a policy of treating Hamas leader Khaled
Mishal on a level equal to that of Palestinian Authority (PA)
President Mahmud Abbas.
5. (S) Moving to the current situation with the Palestinians
and the PA, Yadlin noted his disappointment with Abbas.
Yadlin said that the GOI understands that the USG believes
that Abbas has put conditions to Hamas leader Ismail Haniya.
He stressed, however, that the situation is actually the
other way around -- that Haniya is putting conditions to
Abbas. Yadlin said that Abbas has strong views but chooses
not to push them very hard, as he wishes to be the "leader of
all Palestinians." Yadlin said that Abbas's discussions with
Haniya of "common goals" have made the GOI uncomfortable, and
that Abbas's strategy of co-opting Hamas has created a
situation where Fatah has been tamed by Hamas, and risks
becoming irrelevant or disappearing altogether.
--------------
YADLIN ON GOI COLLECTION PRIORITIES
--------------
6. (S/NF) Responding to Ambassador Crumpton's question about
how the GOI sets intelligence collection priorities, Yadlin
said that the GOI divides them to address the Palestinian
territories, Hizballah and Syria, and Iran. Yadlin noted
that the GOI utilizes three main sources to collect: aerial
vehicles (UAVs),SIGINT, and HUMINT. Decisions on allocating
these resources sometimes shift on an annual basis -- and
often times daily -- based on analyses of where the enemy
will or would like to attack. Regarding cooperation between
the Israeli services, Yadlin noted that the GOI has a good
strategic model, and the papers that are produced are shared
among the services before going to the Prime Minister.
7. (S) Yadlin offered praise for Egyptian efforts in the
border regions with Gaza, and said, citing recent statements
by EGIS Suleiman as an example, that the GOE is beginning to
align itself more closely with Quartet positions. He noted,
though, that there is a gap between declarations and deeds.
8. (S) Yadlin closed by mentioning his upcoming visit to
Washington in April, at which time he hopes to meet with
Ambassador Crumpton again.
9. (S) Ambassador Crumpton will address a number of other,
more sensitive topics directly with the Secretary and DNI.
10. (U) This cable was cleared by S/CT Coordinator Ambassador
Henry Crumpton.
********************************************* ********************
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