A/PM OLMERT AND CONGRESSMAN BERMAN DISCUSS HAMAS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000876

SIPDIS

CODEL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV KWBG KPAL IR IS ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS GOI EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: A/PM OLMERT AND CONGRESSMAN BERMAN DISCUSS HAMAS
AND IRAN

Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: Alternate Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met
with Representative Howard Berman and the Ambassador on
Sunday, February 26 to discuss Hamas, Iran, and the future of
the Jordan Valley. Olmert stressed that Israel will not deal
with a Hamas government and that only a unified, strong
commitment on the part of the international community can
possibly alter the Hamas stance. Israel, in the meantime,
will continue to provide humanitarian assistance in any way
that does not support Hamas. Regarding Iran, Olmert
reiterated that Israel is the "first target," and insisted
that the Iranian threat must be confronted. Olmert conveyed
a sense of urgency about Iran's nuclear program, stressing
the importance of a unified approach by the U.S., EU, and
Russia. Olmert praised the steadfast U.S. policy against
terror, and talked briefly about his government's intentions
in the interim period before the election. End summary.

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Hamas
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2. (C) When questioned by Congressman Berman as to how
Israel will deal with a Hamas government, Olmert was emphatic
that unless Hamas changes, Israel will not deal with Hamas.
He added that "once we compromise on this basic principle, we
have lost." Israel, he said, would be willing to deal with
the PA if Hamas were to accept the Quartet's conditions.
Olmert said he refuses to deal with a Hamas-led government,
or a government that is a "figurehead when we all know what
stands behind it." He repeatedly stated that the only way to
achieve a change in the Hamas position is a "unified front of
the international community that will not compromise."
According to Olmert, Israel believes Russia will stand by the
Quartet's position, although Israel is displeased by the
Russian government's willingness to meet with Hamas. Olmert
stressed that Hamas must agree to Israel's right to exist and
make drastic changes to its charter, which Olmert called a
"most anti-Semitic, intolerant, brutal" document. Olmert
pointed out that Hamas will never make peace with Israel, and
is willing to negotiate only a cease-fire agreement. Olmert
praised the consistency of U.S. policy against terror.


3. (C) Olmert insisted that Israel will respect the
humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people. The GOI cannot
afford chaos in the West Bank or the collapse of the PA.
Olmert reassured the Congressman that Israel will continue to
provide basic needs such as water and electricity, but said
Israel will not give any funding to infrastructure because
money "allocated for this cannot be controlled." He urged
the international community to agree on what constitutes
humanitarian aid versus assistance for the PA.

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Iran
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4. (C) Congressman Berman asked Olmert for Israel's
assessment of the timeframe in which Iran will be able to
build a nuclear weapon. Olmert responded that the "real
question is how long it will take them once they start an
enrichment process." He claimed that Iran's nuclear
facilities are already operating a number of cascades.
Olmert said that "it has to be the task of the superpowers,"
i.e. U.S., EU, and Russia, to provide the solution to the
Iranian nuclear problem. He went on to say that, while the
GOI cannot tolerate an Iran with nuclear weapons, Israel does
not want to endanger international efforts by open
interference.

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The Future of the Jordan Valley
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5. (C) Congressman Berman asked Olmert about the future of
the Jordan Valley. Olmert responded that the issue is how to
ensure Israeli security while respecting the Jordanian
perception that Israel poses a potential threat to Jordan,
adding that the situation needs to be carefully monitored and
analyzed. He called King Abdullah a "very strategic ally of
Israel," with whom the Israeli government is in constant
contact.


6. (U) MFA Deputy Director for North America Yoram Ben
Ze'ev, PMO Foreign Policy Adviser Shalom Tourgeman, Military
aide MG Gadi Shamni, and MFA Congressional Affairs Deputy
Iris Sapir also participated in the meeting. Congressman
Berman was accompanied by the Ambassador and an embassy
notetaker.


7. (U) Codel Berman did not have the opportunity to clear
this message prior to departing post.

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