HANIYAH'S SPEECH SEEKS TO BOLSTER HAMAS

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 001329 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAL KWBG PGOV PREL PTER IS SUBJECT: HANIYAH'S SPEECH SEEKS TO BOLSTER HAMAS LEGITIMACY, BLAMES OUTSIDE ACTORS FOR PALESTINIAN PROBLEMS REF: A. GMP20070624643002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In a speech on June 24, former HAMAS PM Ismail Haniyah blamed Israel and the U.S. for problems between HAMAS and Fatah and criticized the planned Sharm al-Sheikh summit. Haniyah reassured Gazans that they are safe. He blamed a "trend" in Fatah for undermining the political partnership and proposed reconciliation between Fatah and HAMAS. A Gaza-based PLO Executive Committee member commented to PolOff that Gazans were very attentive to the speech and hope for movement in a political process soon. End summary. Haniyah's Speech -------------- ¶2. (U) Former Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah on June 24 spoke for nearly two hours at a rally in Gaza and told Palestinians that their main conflict is with Israel. He accused Israel of working to deepen the divide between Palestinian factions by restricting movement from Gaza and by releasing clearance revenues only to the West Bank. He dismissed the June 25 Sharm al-Sheikh summit among President Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen),Israeli Prime Minister Olmert, Jordanian King Abdullah, and Egyptian President Mubarak and insisted only resistance will restore Palestinians' rights and lands. Haniyah extended his criticism to the U.S. when he suggested that the Palestinians who undermined the national unity government (NUG) are working toward U.S. objectives. ¶3. (U) Haniyah said the problem is not between HAMAS and Abbas or HAMAS and Fatah, but he blamed a "trend" in Fatah for emphasizing its own interests over general Palestinian well-being. (NOTE: Palestinian press are linking this "treasonous trend" with Muhammad Dahlan, but Haniyah did not name names in his speech. END NOTE.) He reiterated that Fatah members and institutions in Gaza are not at risk from HAMAS, but said HAMAS intends to prosecute criminals, regardless of their factional affiliation. Haniyah said HAMAS's take-over of Gaza was a preemptive strike in response to the pressure on HAMAS related to international restrictions, the arrest of PLC members, and Fatah attacks against HAMAS personnel and interests. He displayed at the rally a letter that he said had sent to Abbas detailing violations of the Mecca Agreement and warning of Fatah's "planned explosion," which he said HAMAS's take-over of Gaza was intended to prevent. ¶4. (U) Haniyah praised HAMAS's refusal to surrender to the international financial blockade and willingness to work with other Palestinian factions in the NUG. He rejected the word "coup" to describe HAMAS's actions. HAMAS came to power through elections, Haniyah stated, and HAMAS acted to protect its legitimacy in Gaza. Since the take-over, Gaza has become more secure than before, Haniyah said. He reassured Gazans that their isolation will end and HAMAS will seek to pay PA employee salaries. He denied reports that HAMAS intends to establish an independent Islamic emirate in Gaza, criticized Abbas's decree to form a new government as illegal and claimed that Abbas's actions will deepen the divide between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. ¶5. (U) Haniyah read a ten point proposal to end the current crisis, which included establishing a new NUG for all the Palestinian territories, restructuring the security services, ending the anti-HAMAS practices in the West Bank, and holding those who committed crimes during the clashes accountable. He also reassured Christians that HAMAS will look after their interests and denied that HAMAS was responsible for the looting of a Christian school in Gaza. Additionally, Haniyah described the "Dayton Plan" as undermining security reform efforts. He also criticized Abbas for using PLO committees to rubber stamp his policies and denied that HAMAS had formed an axis with Iran and Syria. PLO-EC Member in Gaza -------------- ¶6. (SBU) PLO Executive Committee (PLO-EC) member Riad al-Khodary told PolOff in a telephone conversation from Gaza that Gazans had listened to Haniyah's speech with great interest. Palestinians had hoped for more concrete steps, and everyone in Gaza wonders what will happen next. Khodary said business seems to have returned to normal and people are moving safely through the streets, but he does not believe the situation is tenable. He said he feels that Gazans are on edge, waiting to see what Haniyah and HAMAS will do after the speech. WALLES