Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07JERUSALEM2206
2007-10-25 13:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
BANK OF PALESTINE DENIES PASSING CASH TO PALESTINE
how-toVZCZCXRO9216 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #2206 2981354 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 251354Z OCT 07 ZDK FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9394 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002206
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR
GOLDBERGER/SHAMPAINE/BELGRADE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/WATERS;
TREASURY FOR SZUBIN/GRANT/HARRIS/NUGENT/HIRSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2017
TAGS: ECON EFIN KFTN KWBG IS
SUBJECT: BANK OF PALESTINE DENIES PASSING CASH TO PALESTINE
ISLAMIC BANK AND HAMAS
REF: JERUSALEM 2200
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 002206
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR
GOLDBERGER/SHAMPAINE/BELGRADE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/WATERS;
TREASURY FOR SZUBIN/GRANT/HARRIS/NUGENT/HIRSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2017
TAGS: ECON EFIN KFTN KWBG IS
SUBJECT: BANK OF PALESTINE DENIES PASSING CASH TO PALESTINE
ISLAMIC BANK AND HAMAS
REF: JERUSALEM 2200
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Bank of Palestine (BoP) General Manager Hashim Shawa
vehemently denied allegations contained in a September 27
Reuters report that BoP branches in Gaza transferred cash to
the Palestine Islamic Bank (PIB),which in turn deposited the
funds into accounts held by Hamas Executive Force members.
Shawa told Econoff October 23 that cash distributions among
banks are rare and are always coordinated with the Palestine
Monetary Authority (PMA). Given public knowledge of PIB
"problems," Shawa continued, BoP "would be shooting ourselves
in the foot," by engaging in the alleged activity. Shawa
reiterated that BoP did not distribute any portion of cash it
received to PIB.
2. (C) Shawa stated that the Reuters report contained
numerous factual errors, including the assertion that BoP
received the suspect cash shipment from the Israeli Discount
Bank, when Bank Hapoalim is the sole source of BoP cash
shipments originating in Israel. He also denied claims that
Hamas's Executive Force provides protection for cash
shipments after they enter Gaza. Shawa said the report's
author apologized to him for not discussing the allegations
with BoP prior to running the story. Shawa said he is
considering legal action against the reporter.
3. (C) Shawa touted BoP's long-standing adherence to CIF/AML
procedures and ongoing relationships with highly reputable
foreign banks, including JP Morgan, Citibank Group, and
Israel's Bank Hapoalim. Although Bank Hapoalim announced
that it would sever ties with banks operating in Gaza, Shawa
said Bamk Hapoalim continues to work with BoP, and recently
facilitated a cash transfer to Gaza (reftel).
4. (C) Note: BoP has recently completed the transfer of its
headquarters from Gaza City to Ramallah, a move recommended
by PMA to thicken the firewall between bank management and
Hamas. BoP maintains that the move was always intended as
part of its "long-term business plan". End Note.
WALLES
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR
GOLDBERGER/SHAMPAINE/BELGRADE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/WATERS;
TREASURY FOR SZUBIN/GRANT/HARRIS/NUGENT/HIRSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2017
TAGS: ECON EFIN KFTN KWBG IS
SUBJECT: BANK OF PALESTINE DENIES PASSING CASH TO PALESTINE
ISLAMIC BANK AND HAMAS
REF: JERUSALEM 2200
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Bank of Palestine (BoP) General Manager Hashim Shawa
vehemently denied allegations contained in a September 27
Reuters report that BoP branches in Gaza transferred cash to
the Palestine Islamic Bank (PIB),which in turn deposited the
funds into accounts held by Hamas Executive Force members.
Shawa told Econoff October 23 that cash distributions among
banks are rare and are always coordinated with the Palestine
Monetary Authority (PMA). Given public knowledge of PIB
"problems," Shawa continued, BoP "would be shooting ourselves
in the foot," by engaging in the alleged activity. Shawa
reiterated that BoP did not distribute any portion of cash it
received to PIB.
2. (C) Shawa stated that the Reuters report contained
numerous factual errors, including the assertion that BoP
received the suspect cash shipment from the Israeli Discount
Bank, when Bank Hapoalim is the sole source of BoP cash
shipments originating in Israel. He also denied claims that
Hamas's Executive Force provides protection for cash
shipments after they enter Gaza. Shawa said the report's
author apologized to him for not discussing the allegations
with BoP prior to running the story. Shawa said he is
considering legal action against the reporter.
3. (C) Shawa touted BoP's long-standing adherence to CIF/AML
procedures and ongoing relationships with highly reputable
foreign banks, including JP Morgan, Citibank Group, and
Israel's Bank Hapoalim. Although Bank Hapoalim announced
that it would sever ties with banks operating in Gaza, Shawa
said Bamk Hapoalim continues to work with BoP, and recently
facilitated a cash transfer to Gaza (reftel).
4. (C) Note: BoP has recently completed the transfer of its
headquarters from Gaza City to Ramallah, a move recommended
by PMA to thicken the firewall between bank management and
Hamas. BoP maintains that the move was always intended as
part of its "long-term business plan". End Note.
WALLES