Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07JERUSALEM2453
2007-11-29 16:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
HAMAS AND PA DUEL FOR CONTROL OF HAJJ PILGRIMAGE
how-toVZCZCXRO9333 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #2453 3331656 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 291656Z NOV 07 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9808 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002453
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2017
TAGS: PGOV KWBG PBTS IS PREL PTER JO EG
SUBJECT: HAMAS AND PA DUEL FOR CONTROL OF HAJJ PILGRIMAGE
ARRANGEMENTS
Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Thomas Duffy, for reasons 1.4 (
b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002453
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2017
TAGS: PGOV KWBG PBTS IS PREL PTER JO EG
SUBJECT: HAMAS AND PA DUEL FOR CONTROL OF HAJJ PILGRIMAGE
ARRANGEMENTS
Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Thomas Duffy, for reasons 1.4 (
b) and (d)
1. (C) Deputy Waqf/Religious Affairs Minister Salah Zuhaykah
told POLOFF November 29 that Hamas is obstructing PA efforts
to move Hajj pilgrims out of Gaza through Erez Crossing in an
effort to force the use of Rafah crossing and avoid Israeli
screening of pilgrims. He said only 200 (out of over 2000)
Hajj applicants have applied for Hajj visas through the PA
because of Hamas intimidation of Gaza's Arab Bank branches
that accept processing fees for the PA and courier companies
and threats to punish pilgrims who apply through the PA.
Zuhaykah said Gazans who exit through Erez will be
transported to Allenby Bridge and Amman as of December 2.
Hamas Planning Major "Border Demonstration"
--------------
2. (C) Contacts in the Gaza Governor's office (Fatah) report
that 2,200 Gazans have applied for the Hajj through ex-PM
Ismayil Haniyah's Hamas-controlled Waqf offices. They say
Hamas is pressuring the GOE to open Rafah Crossing and plans
a demonstration at the Gaza-Egypt border near Rafah Crossing
December 5 or 6 with thousands of prospective pilgrims and
Hamas security escorts. Hamas outlets are publicly
announcing that pilgrims will exit Gaza through Rafah
Crossing, will receive Saudi visas in Egypt and transit to
Medina/Mecca. (Note: Zuhaykah said the Saudi MFA will not
issue visas to Palestinian pilgrims outside the PA-sanctioned
process, and told him they will only issue Hajj visas to
Palestinians in Amman. End note).
Comment
--------------
3. (C) Hamas leaders are unlikely to accept GOI screening of
Hajj pilgrims, and apparently want to use the Hajj as an
opportunity to challenge the GOI closure of Rafah and PA
ministries' authority in Gaza. Hamas controls the
Israeli-constructed border wall and Philadelphi Corridor, and
Hamas border police prevent individual Palestinians from
crossing the Gaza-Egypt border fence. However, Hamas has
moved small groups through the fence in recent months and
may/may assist a mass exfiltration if pilgrims cannot use
Rafah.
DUFFY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2017
TAGS: PGOV KWBG PBTS IS PREL PTER JO EG
SUBJECT: HAMAS AND PA DUEL FOR CONTROL OF HAJJ PILGRIMAGE
ARRANGEMENTS
Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Thomas Duffy, for reasons 1.4 (
b) and (d)
1. (C) Deputy Waqf/Religious Affairs Minister Salah Zuhaykah
told POLOFF November 29 that Hamas is obstructing PA efforts
to move Hajj pilgrims out of Gaza through Erez Crossing in an
effort to force the use of Rafah crossing and avoid Israeli
screening of pilgrims. He said only 200 (out of over 2000)
Hajj applicants have applied for Hajj visas through the PA
because of Hamas intimidation of Gaza's Arab Bank branches
that accept processing fees for the PA and courier companies
and threats to punish pilgrims who apply through the PA.
Zuhaykah said Gazans who exit through Erez will be
transported to Allenby Bridge and Amman as of December 2.
Hamas Planning Major "Border Demonstration"
--------------
2. (C) Contacts in the Gaza Governor's office (Fatah) report
that 2,200 Gazans have applied for the Hajj through ex-PM
Ismayil Haniyah's Hamas-controlled Waqf offices. They say
Hamas is pressuring the GOE to open Rafah Crossing and plans
a demonstration at the Gaza-Egypt border near Rafah Crossing
December 5 or 6 with thousands of prospective pilgrims and
Hamas security escorts. Hamas outlets are publicly
announcing that pilgrims will exit Gaza through Rafah
Crossing, will receive Saudi visas in Egypt and transit to
Medina/Mecca. (Note: Zuhaykah said the Saudi MFA will not
issue visas to Palestinian pilgrims outside the PA-sanctioned
process, and told him they will only issue Hajj visas to
Palestinians in Amman. End note).
Comment
--------------
3. (C) Hamas leaders are unlikely to accept GOI screening of
Hajj pilgrims, and apparently want to use the Hajj as an
opportunity to challenge the GOI closure of Rafah and PA
ministries' authority in Gaza. Hamas controls the
Israeli-constructed border wall and Philadelphi Corridor, and
Hamas border police prevent individual Palestinians from
crossing the Gaza-Egypt border fence. However, Hamas has
moved small groups through the fence in recent months and
may/may assist a mass exfiltration if pilgrims cannot use
Rafah.
DUFFY