TWO JERUSALEM PLC MEMBERS OFFER DISSENTING VIEWS

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001652 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/WATERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/09/2017 TAGS: IS KPAL KWBG PGOV PREL SUBJECT: TWO JERUSALEM PLC MEMBERS OFFER DISSENTING VIEWS ABOUT THE NEW PA GOVERNMENT Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Begin Summary. Independent PLC member Bernard Sabella told StafDel Makovsky August 8 that continued closure of Gaza is a mistake that could lead to the PA government's failure. He said Palestinian Authority PM Fayyad should look to end the blockade without giving HAMAS any political benefit. He warned that HAMAS retains considerable popularity and advised that Fayyad and PA President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) should avoid attacking HAMAS and stay above the political conflict. That, he argued, will strengthen the PA and Presidency's legitimacy and potentially position Fayyad to replace Abbas. Fatah PLC member Jihad Abu Zneid said Fayyad is moving too quickly and promising too much, which she warned could undermine his government. She also complained that Fayyad's technocratic government has only representatives of "any party but Fatah and HAMAS" and said that other Fatah leaders, including Abu Ala'a, share her critique. End Summary. Open Gates of Gaza -------------- ¶2. (C) Independent PLC Deputy Bernard Sabella warned StafDel Makovsky August 8 that the continued closure of Gaza for raw material imports endangers the PA government. He said the Palestinian people will withdraw their support for the government if they believe that Israel is keeping Gaza closed at PA behest. He noted that, so far, the PA has not been questioned closely on its position, and said Fayyad should take the initiative to call for the crossings to be opened before the situation worsens. Sabella added that Fayyad should also ensure that the PA, not HAMAS, gets credit for opening Gaza in order to strengthen PA claims to be the government of all Palestinians. He also warned that the PA will face overwhelming pressure to break all ties with the GOI if the IDF begins a major military offensive in Gaza. Beware HAMAS Bashing -------------- ¶3. (C) Sabella said he has found a great deal of respect and support for HAMAS in his own informal canvassing of Palestinians resident in Jerusalem. He said he told PA Minister of Information Riad Malki that the PA should stop attacking HAMAS. He advised that Fayyad should be a technocrat and avoid political disputes. Sabella also criticized Abbas for not maintaining a "presidential" image and for engaging in fierce political attacks on HAMAS. Sabella noted that Fayyad has managed to win the respect of West Bank HAMAS supporters and said if Fayyad seems apolitical, he may be a strong Presidential candidate. On Fayyad -------------- ¶4. (C) Fatah PLC Deputy Jihad Abu Zneid told StafDel Makovsky in a separate August 8 meeting that she supports Fayyad, but fears he is moving too fast and promising too much. She said raising people's hopes too high is dangerous and it will take time to make meaningful progress on security reform and a political track. Abu Zneid criticized Fayyad for bringing into his government ministers from "any party but Fatah and HAMAS." She said there is resentment from Fatah of the government, because it was supposed to be technocratic, but, in fact, it includes "seven ministers from Fayyad's Third Way party and several others from small left wing parties." Abu Zneid said Fatah members are especially angry that Secretary Rice saw Fayyad before she saw Abbas and that the Prime Minister "took" her to Abbas. She claimed that former PM and Fatah Central Committee (FCC) leader Ahmed Qurei (Abu Ala'a) is voicing the same concern. She also complained that PLO Secretary General Yasir Abed Rabbo, who is not a member of Fatah, is Fayyad's closest advisor. She blamed Abed Rabbo for the loss of Gaza, a criticism also voiced by Sabella. ¶5. (U) StafDel Makovsky did not have the opportunity to clear this cable. WALLES