ABBAS SPEECH TO PLO CENTRAL COUNCIL AND REACTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001297

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2017
TAGS: KPAL KWBG PGOV PREL PTER IS
SUBJECT: ABBAS SPEECH TO PLO CENTRAL COUNCIL AND REACTION

REF: A) JERUSALEM 01283 B) GMP20070621620001

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: President Abbas's speech to the PLO
Central Council on June 20 condemned HAMAS's actions in the
Gaza Strip in unambiguous terms and called for a revival of
the PLO without HAMAS. Consulate contacts expressed support
for the clear direction that Abbas offered in spite of
continued apprehension about the situation in Gaza. PLC
member Sabella emphasized the need for sustained action to
prove to Palestinians that Abbas can make improvements in
daily life and the political situation. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) President Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) addressed the PLO
Central Council (PLO-CC) on June 20 condemning HAMAS for its
take-over of the Gaza Strip and rejecting any dialogue with
HAMAS. (Full text of speech at ref B.) Abbas criticized
HAMAS for committing crimes against the Palestinian people,
and referred to HAMAS as "coupists", "murderous terrorists",
and "Takfiris". (NOTE: Takfiri is a term used to describe
Islamic extremists such as al-Qaeda. END NOTE.) Abbas
accused HAMAS of attempting to assassinate him, described the
current conflict as one between nationalists and militias,
and called for the dissolution of the HAMAS Executive Force
(EF). Abbas also called for a reactivation of the PLO, to
include all Palestinian factions with the exception of HAMAS.


3. (C) West Bank Palestinian contacts have welcomed the
speech. Majdi Khaldi, former MFA official now working in
President Abbas's office, told PolOff that the speech
effectively emphasized that HAMAS's self-proclaimed
government is illegal and illegitimate, and drove home the
point that Salam Fayyad's cabinet is the only Palestinian
government. Nizar Farsakh, a member of the PLO Negotiations
Support Unit (NSU),said Palestinians are grateful that Abbas
gave the Palestinian Authority (PA) a clear direction. He
said the issue of whether Abbas violated the Basic Law by
forming a new government that is not endorsed by the PLC is
less important to Palestinians than seeing movement on
political and security issues. He added that the leftist
parties also agree with Abbas's speech, which could place
HAMAS in a more difficult political position.


4. (SBU) Jerusalem Fatah PLC member Bernard Sabella said he
is cautiously optimistic after the speech, noting the need
for follow-up to undermine HAMAS's support without appearing
to bully Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. He said the speech
leaves no doubt about Abbas's position. Although all
Palestinians are upset with HAMAS's actions, some West
Bankers and Gazans blame the international restrictions for
driving HAMAS to desperate action, according to Sabella. He
said near-term Israeli confidence-building measures will
weaken sympathy for HAMAS, and Abbas could increase his
support by introducing new leadership into Palestinian
organizations. Sabella warned that overwhelming U.S. backing
for Abbas will undercut his popularity if Palestinians
perceive the U.S. as supporting a favorite leader rather than
supporting a democratic process.
WALLES