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