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
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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
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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