OFRA: A "FLAGSHIP" PESSIMISTIC AND ANGRY ABOUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002431 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2017 TAGS: KWBG PBTS PREL PHUM IS SUBJECT: OFRA: A "FLAGSHIP" PESSIMISTIC AND ANGRY ABOUT ANNAPOLIS Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Thomas M. Duffy, per reasons 1. 4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Residents of the West Bank settlement of Ofra told Poloffs November 16 that convening Annapolis is a mistake and they will stay in Ofra regardless of USG policy or political developments. Six long-time residents of this settlement movement "flagship" said the USG ignores lessons from previous failed peace initiatives and Annapolis will only result in more violence. They criticized the activities of more radical "settler youth" and said the movement should focus on strengthening existing "communities." END SUMMARY ¶2. (C) Poloffs met November 16 with six long-time residents of the northern West Bank settlement of Ofra. They described the settlement, founded in 1975, as a "flagship" for the movement. Interlocutors were professionals. They included a well known Hebrew University geologist, a Hadassah doctor, and a former resident of Gaza settlement Gush Katif. Violence Doomed to Follow Annapolis -------------- ¶3. (C) The Ofra settlers said they are frustrated that the GOI is moving forward on negotiations without any public discussion of that decision. They said the timing is wrong for Annapolis, and they anticipate that forcing the meeting will produce intense violence. They said the GOI should not negotiate with the Palestinians, given Hamas' election to the PLC, and these negotiations risk Israel's security. They expressed concern that in post-Annapolis violence, Ofra will be on the front lines and said Ofra is crucial to Israel's security. However, they said they will remain in Ofra regardless. They urged the U.S. to be realistic in thinking about the region and asked "Why has the U.S. not learned its lesson from similar failed peace efforts of the past?" ¶4. (C) The settlers said Ofra's neighboring Palestinians are "not ready" for statehood. They said they "don't want to throw the Palestinians out," but they also do not want to govern them, and "there is no room for two states." The settlers said they accept the principle of "land for peace," but that scenario is no longer possible, noting that "endless rockets into Sderot" followed Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. They lamented that Israel did not annex the West Bank in 1967 and indicated that Jordan should be the Palestinian homeland. Looking at a 1950's map of Israel, the settlers noted that Tulkarm is only 15km to the sea, which they believe means that giving up the West Bank means giving up Israel. They said fundamentally the conflict is not about land, but rather the inability of Israelis and Palestinians to live together. They said the Palestinians should recognize Israel specifically as a Jewish state and expressed nostalgia for the 1980's when they shopped in Ramallah. Grabbing hilltops unproductive -------------- ¶5. (C) The settlers criticized the activities of settler youth, noting that the "hilltop youth" undermine the image of settlers, especially with secular urban Israelis. The settlement movement, they said, should expend resources on "strengthening real communities, not grabbing additional hilltops." DUFFY