PA SECURITY NEXT STEPS: READYING SHIFT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002519 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2017 TAGS: KWBG PINS IS PTER PGOV SUBJECT: PA SECURITY NEXT STEPS: READYING SHIFT TO BETHLEHEM; TULKARM CRACKDOWN UNDERWAY Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. National Security Forces (NSF) officers report the MoI has directed them to plan security operations in Bethlehem starting mid-December to encourage Christmas tourism and move ahead on Roadmap Phase One obligations. An Israeli undercover unit shot and killed an NSF soldier in Bethlehem December 5 when the NSF attempted to stop the unit's Palestinian-plated van after it ran an NSF checkpoint. Impressed by PA security operations in Nablus, Tulkarm's Governor and NSF Commander developed their own security campaign that started December 2, with 500 security personnel from different security branches. NSF contacts say Tulkarm's campaign is a locally-planned effort that had the sanction of, but limited support from, the Interior Ministry (MoI) and NSF headquarters. The PA is negotiating with the GOI MoD to import armored vehicles and rifles donated by Russia. End summary. PASF Readying Bethlehem Security Drive; Israeli Undercover Unit Kills NSF Troop -------------- ¶2. (C) According to NSF staff officers, the MoI has directed them to plan security operations in Bethlehem (400-500 personnel from the NSF and Presidential Guard) starting mid-December. The deployment is intended to improve security for Christmas tourism, fulfill the PA's Roadmap security obligations and make a case for the PA to assume more security responsibility. They said operations in Bethlehem will have a different focus than in Nablus. While they will not hesitate to arrest militants or criminals, they will focus on supporting civilian ministries' (especially the Tourism Ministry) activities. ¶3. (SBU) According to NSF contacts and local press, an undercover Israeli unit shot and killed NSF officer Muhammad Salah in Bethlehem and injured another December 5. According to all accounts, the Israeli unit was operating without uniforms, driving a Palestinian-plated vehicle and failed to stop at an NSF checkpoint looking for stolen vehicles and illegal weapons. The NSF began to pursue the Israeli vehicle, and Israeli troops opened fire on the NSF, killing Salah. Local press report that PASF commanders and IDF Etzion Division commander BG Nir Solomon met after the shooting and agreed a joint committee would investigate the incident and discuss ways to avoid future clashes. NSF staff officers commented that the shooting highlights the need for a security handover, since IDF and police arrest squads routinely operate in Area A without PASF coordination. Tulkarm Governor/NSF Create Own Security Operation -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Tulkarm Governor Talal Dwaykat and NSF Commander BG Abd al-Shukri Hamid Lafi (Abu Usama) developed their own local security campaign that started December 2, according to NSF staff officers and Palestinian press. NSF staff officers said Dwaykat is portraying Tulkarm security efforts as the "second big PA security effort after Nablus," but it is largely a local effort, and MoI/central NSF support has been limited to a few dozen NSF troops and some supplies. Dwaykat told local press that Tulkarm's efforts involve 500 security personnel from different branches who are seizing stolen vehicles and illegal weapons. BG Lafi claimed the NSF have a list of 210 criminal/security suspects subject to arrest. NSF staff contacts report that NSF soldiers are patrolling Tulkarm's streets on December 5 and conducting presence patrols in Nur Shams refugee camp and Shwaykah and Bala' villages outside the city. President's Office Dealing with Armored Vehicles Issue -------------- ¶5. (C) The MoI said the President's Office is dealing with possible importation of armored vehicles. (Note: BRDMs have been discussed in recent weeks, rather than the BTR-70s originally offered by Russia to then-MoI Nasser Yusif in ¶2005. Negotiations on importation reportedly involve whether the vehicles should be allowed to carry armaments authorized the PA by the Interim Agreement, and whether there will be geographical restrictions on the vehicles' use. End note). WALLES