Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07JERUSALEM2096
2007-10-05 15:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
PALESTINIANS WELCOME PRISONER RELEASE, HOPE FOR
how-toVZCZCXRO8182 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #2096 2781538 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 051538Z OCT 07 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9228 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002096
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2017
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER IS KDEM PHUM
SUBJECT: PALESTINIANS WELCOME PRISONER RELEASE, HOPE FOR
MORE
REF: JERUSALEM 01554
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002096
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2017
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER IS KDEM PHUM
SUBJECT: PALESTINIANS WELCOME PRISONER RELEASE, HOPE FOR
MORE
REF: JERUSALEM 01554
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: ISRAEL released 87 Palestinian prisoners
October 1-2, including members of most Palestinian factions
other than HAMAS. Palestinians welcomed the release and
urged that the GoI release larger numbers and coordinate with
the Palestinian Authority on which prisoners will be
released. End summary.
ISRAEL RELEASES 87 PALESTINIAN PRISONERS
--------------
2. (U) In an initial tranche, the GoI released 57 prisoners
from the West Bank on October 1. The remaining 30 prisoners
(29 from the Gaza Strip and one from the West Bank) were
released October 2, after Israeli President Peres signed
their release orders. The released prisoners included
members of several Palestinian factions, but none were
members of HAMAS.
PALESTINIANS WELCOME RELEASE, CALL FOR COORDINATION
-------------- --------------
3. (C) All Palestinian factions, including HAMAS, welcomed
the prisoners' release, but also said the number released
falls well short of resolving the issue of the 11,000
Palestinians being held in Israeli jails. A HAMAS spokesman
noted that the IDF arrests more Palestinians than they
release each year. PLO Secretary General Yassir Abed Rabbo
told ConGen Political Specialist that the release is a
symbolic gesture that requires follow up. Fatah grassroots
leader Hussayn al-Shaykh emphasized to PolChief that the
Palestinian leadership did not discuss the prisoners' release
with the GoI and did not weigh in on the names of prisoners
selected. He said the issue of Palestinian prisoners cannot
be resolved by unilateral Israeli action. Al-Shaykh and
other Fatah leaders met the West Bank prisoners at Beitunia
and accompanied them to the Muqatta in Ramallah where they
were received in a public ceremony presided over by the
Secretary General of the Presidency, Tayeb Abdel Rahim. West
SIPDIS
Bank governors also held welcome receptions for returning
prisoners. Prisoners returning to Gaza were met by the local
Fatah leadership there.
WALLES
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2017
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER IS KDEM PHUM
SUBJECT: PALESTINIANS WELCOME PRISONER RELEASE, HOPE FOR
MORE
REF: JERUSALEM 01554
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: ISRAEL released 87 Palestinian prisoners
October 1-2, including members of most Palestinian factions
other than HAMAS. Palestinians welcomed the release and
urged that the GoI release larger numbers and coordinate with
the Palestinian Authority on which prisoners will be
released. End summary.
ISRAEL RELEASES 87 PALESTINIAN PRISONERS
--------------
2. (U) In an initial tranche, the GoI released 57 prisoners
from the West Bank on October 1. The remaining 30 prisoners
(29 from the Gaza Strip and one from the West Bank) were
released October 2, after Israeli President Peres signed
their release orders. The released prisoners included
members of several Palestinian factions, but none were
members of HAMAS.
PALESTINIANS WELCOME RELEASE, CALL FOR COORDINATION
-------------- --------------
3. (C) All Palestinian factions, including HAMAS, welcomed
the prisoners' release, but also said the number released
falls well short of resolving the issue of the 11,000
Palestinians being held in Israeli jails. A HAMAS spokesman
noted that the IDF arrests more Palestinians than they
release each year. PLO Secretary General Yassir Abed Rabbo
told ConGen Political Specialist that the release is a
symbolic gesture that requires follow up. Fatah grassroots
leader Hussayn al-Shaykh emphasized to PolChief that the
Palestinian leadership did not discuss the prisoners' release
with the GoI and did not weigh in on the names of prisoners
selected. He said the issue of Palestinian prisoners cannot
be resolved by unilateral Israeli action. Al-Shaykh and
other Fatah leaders met the West Bank prisoners at Beitunia
and accompanied them to the Muqatta in Ramallah where they
were received in a public ceremony presided over by the
Secretary General of the Presidency, Tayeb Abdel Rahim. West
SIPDIS
Bank governors also held welcome receptions for returning
prisoners. Prisoners returning to Gaza were met by the local
Fatah leadership there.
WALLES