SENIOR GAZA PLO LEADER: GAZANS SEE "NO FUTURE";

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002284

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV KWBG EAID PTER IS
SUBJECT: SENIOR GAZA PLO LEADER: GAZANS SEE "NO FUTURE";
DAMASCUS "ANTI-CONFERENCE" THREATENS TO DIVIDE PLO


Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. PLO Executive Committee (ExComm) member
Riyad al-Khudari told PolOff by phone that Hamas has built a
mini-state in Gaza with strong security forces, and cannot be
effectively challenged if Gazans are too desperate to
consider political alternatives. He said the near-total
closure of Gaza has benefited Hamas, whose core supporters
are the religious poor who do not need the crossings.
Al-Khudari said Gazans are increasingly out of the job market
altogether and survive on family support or international
humanitarian assistance, without hope for the future.
Rejectionist factions' planned "anti-conference" to rival the
Annapolis meeting will undermine the PLO if held, al-Khudari
said, destroying PLO discipline and undercutting the status
of PA President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). End summary.

Al-Khudari: Hamas Unshaken by
Demonstrations, Benefits from Closure
--------------


2. (C) PLO ExComm member Riyad al-Khudari (Independent) said
Hamas has built a mini-state in Gaza with strong security
forces, and it cannot be effectively challenged as long as
Gazans are too desperate to consider political alternatives.
He said the near-total closure of Gaza has hurt businessmen
and reduced moderates' contacts with the international
community, but it has benefited Hamas, whose core supporters
are the religious poor who do not need the crossings. He
said GOI restrictions on students' travel abroad for
university studies and U.S./EU exchange programs will deprive
universities of fresh ideas and likely increase radicalism.


3. (C) Al-Khudari estimated that only 10-15 percent of
Gazans are members or supporters of Hamas, but they form a
disciplined group who will not shift their loyalties no
matter how desperate conditions become in Gaza. He said
Hamas pays full salaries to its security forces and
stipends/benefits to its supporters from unknown (presumably
foreign) sources. He added that Hamas does not exhibit signs
of financial stress despite Gaza's dismal economic situation.

"No Tomorrow for People in Gaza"
--------------


4. (C) Al-Khudari said Gazans are increasingly out of the
job market altogether and survive on family support or
international humanitarian assistance. He said most Gazans
see no hope for the future, have no faith in the PA or the
peace process, and are uninterested in the agendas of Fatah
or Hamas.


Al-Khudari: "Anti-Conference" Will
Undermine PLO; Factions to Delay Mtg
--------------


5. (C) Rejectionist factions' planned "anti-conference" to
rival the Annapolis meeting will undermine the PLO if held,
al-Khudari said, destroying PLO discipline and undercutting
the status of Abbas as PLO Chairman and the ExComm as the
PLO's chief policymaking body. Al-Khudari said Abbas' PLO
emissaries persuaded Syria to delay a planned
"anti-conference," but opposition factions plan to hold the
meeting in late November. He said the "anti-conference"
should be met by a strong Annapolis statement that
Palestinians will see as a breakthrough on core issues.
WALLES