Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIRUT1806
2008-12-30 17:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
LEBANON: GAZA REACTIONS: HIZBALLAH MOST VOCAL
how-toVZCZCXRO7289 PP RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHLB #1806/01 3651700 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 301700Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3880 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 3320 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 3527 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIRUT 001806
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA
ALSO FOR IO A/S HOOK, PDAS WARLICK
P FOR DRUSSELL AND RRANGASWAMY
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/GERMAIN/SCHEDLBAUER
NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/YERGER/MCDERMOTT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR UNSC MARR MOPS KPAL IS
EG, LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: GAZA REACTIONS: HIZBALLAH MOST VOCAL
REF: BEIRUT 1814
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIRUT 001806
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA
ALSO FOR IO A/S HOOK, PDAS WARLICK
P FOR DRUSSELL AND RRANGASWAMY
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/GERMAIN/SCHEDLBAUER
NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/YERGER/MCDERMOTT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR UNSC MARR MOPS KPAL IS
EG, LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: GAZA REACTIONS: HIZBALLAH MOST VOCAL
REF: BEIRUT 1814
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) The most vocal critic in Lebanon against Israeli
action in Gaza, Hizballah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah,
blamed Arab states for "collaborating with Israel" and urged
these states to stand up to Israel. He also called for
demonstrations, most of which have been held without
incident. President Michel Sleiman, with cabinet approval,
agreed to attend an emergency Arab summit to address the
issue. The Cabinet also approved on December 30 $1 million
in relief to destitute Palestinians in Gaza and declared
December 31 a national day of mourning in solidarity with
Gaza. March 14 members also condemned Israeli action and
organized a demonstration. Meanwhile, the "Dignity," a
private boat carrying humanitarian aid, was reportedly
prevented from reaching Gaza by an Israeli naval ship. The
"Dignity" was damaged in the encounter and entered the port
of Tyre in southern Lebanon, where it remains at this time.
Among those on board were former U.S. Representative Cynthia
McKinney. Separately, the Lebanese Armed Forces on December
25 discovered eight Katushya rockets in southern Lebanon. An
Embassy contact interpreted this as a message from a
Palestinian group, rather than a direct threat from
Hizballah. End summary.
NASRALLAH HARSH
AGAINST EGYPTIANS
--------------
2. (SBU) In a December 28 televised address, Hizballah
Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah implied that Arab states
were collaborating with Israel in its raids on Gaza, singling
out Egypt. Nasrallah called on Egypt to allow aid through
the border crossing at Rafah, adding, "If you do not open the
crossing, then you are partners in the crime." It is unclear
what led to Nasrallah's decision to urge Egyptians to take to
the streets over Gaza. He further urged all Arab states to
protest the Israeli military strikes, pointing out that these
states had the financial and political clout to put a halt to
the raids.
3. (C) Stressing that the Palestinians in Gaza face a threat
against the "fate of Palestine," and not only against Hamas,
Nasrallah called on the Palestinians to unite in a "third
intifada." (Comment: It struck us and many of our Lebanese
interlocutors that Nasrallah's speech was not particularly
inflammatory by local standards, nor did he call on Hizballah
to take up arms against Israel. In the days since the Gaza
crisis began, Hizballah's overt actions have been limited to
rhetoric and the mobilization of demonstrators. End comment.)
4. (SBU) Meanwhile, Free Patriotic Movement leader and
Hizballah ally Michel Aoun echoed Nasrallah by criticizing
Arab states and accusing them of "repeating the scenario of
the July 2006 war." He further condemned the "barbaric
Israeli aggression."
SLEIMAN TO ATTEND ARAB SUMMIT;
HUMANITARIAN AID, URGING CALM IN THE CAMPS
--------------
5. (C) In response to a proposed emergency Arab summit to
address Gaza, President Michel Sleiman expressed regret at
the absence of Arab solidarity and said he would attend the
summit. He presided over a previously scheduled cabinet
session on December 30 during which the cabinet agreed to
send a delegation to the summit. The Cabinet spokesman,
Information Minister Tariq Mitri called for an "immediate and
unconditional ceasefire and lifting of the blockages imposed
on Gaza" and expressed hope that the Arab Summit conference
would be the "summit of Arab solidarity." The cabinet also
reportedly discussed how to send humanitarian aid to Gaza and
agreed to offer $1 million in aid.
BEIRUT 00001806 002 OF 003
6. (C) Earlier, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora had convened a
meeting on December 28 to discuss the logistical challenge to
sending humanitarian aid. Palestinian representatives,
including PLO Ambassador to Lebanon Abbas Zaki and Hamas
representative in Lebanon Oussama Hamdan, and a number of
Lebanese ministers formed a joint working committee to
organize the provision of assistance. According to
presidential advisor Nazem Khoury, President Sleiman also met
with Palestinian representatives on December 29 (the Muslim
New Year Al Hejra holiday),urging them to help maintain calm
in the Palestinian camps in Lebanon.
MARCH 14 CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE,
TRIES NOT TO BE OUTDONE BY HIZBALLAH
--------------
7. (C) The March 14 alliance issued a statement on December
27 that called for Arab and international action to deter
Israel and for Palestinian unity. Condemning the raids,
March 14 member and MP Boutros Harb said Israel's action was
"almost akin to genocide." March 14 Secretary General Fares
Suaid told EmbOff that his alliance had organized its own
demonstration on December 28, explaining that March 14 would
not allow itself to be outshone by Hizballah on this issue.
8. (C) Suaid also downplayed the possibility that Hizballah
would pursue military actions in southern Lebanon, on the
grounds that Israel's actions were actually furthering
Hizballah's political goals. However, Suaid posited that
Nasrallah could "yield to Iranian pressure to open the
southern front."
SUNNI MUFTIS WARN AGAINST
INTRA-ARAB RIFTS
--------------
9. (C) Following a meeting of the Shari'a Council on December
28, Lebanon's Sunni muftis issued a statement responding to
Nasrallah's criticism against Arab states, warning against
inciting Arabs against Arabs. (Comment: Reportedly, the
Sunni muftis in Lebanon perceive Hamas to be
Iranian-influenced and so are less sympathetic than others in
the region to the situation in Gaza. End comment.)
PROTESTS SMALL IN NATURE,
LIKELY TO STRENGTHEN OVER TIME
--------------
10. (U) A series of demonstrations, most of them peaceful,
have been organized by various groups since December 27
(reftel). The December 27 protests were primarily staged in
front of the Egyptian Embassy, as well as in the Hizballah
stronghold Dahiyeh and in front of the UN Economic and Social
Cooperation for Western Asia (ESCWA) offices in downtown
Beirut.
11. (U) On December 28, protests continued in front of ESCWA,
attended mostly by Palestinians, and in front of the Egyptian
Embassy, organized by the Communist Party. The Internal
Security Forces (ISF) riot police resorted to using water
cannons and tear gas in front of the Egyptian Embassy to
disperse the crowd when the participants attempted to move
police barricades. There were reported injuries among both
ISF and demonstrators.
12. (U) In addition to those in Beirut, demonstrations have
occurred in Tripoli, Sidon, the Bekaa, and Palestinian camps
throughout Lebanon, and another demonstration is scheduled
for December 31 in downtown Beirut in front of the Arab
League offices.
SHIP CARRYING AID CLASHED WITH
ISRAELIS, NOW DOCKED IN LEBANON
--------------
13. (SBU) On December 30, the "Dignity," a vessel contracted
by the organization "Free Gaza Movement" was at sea heading
to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid when it made physical
BEIRUT 00001806 003 OF 003
contact with an Israeli naval ship. The boat was en route to
Gaza from Cyprus. The boat proceeded to the Lebanese
southern port of Tyre, where it will undergo repairs. The
Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF),with UNIFIL assistance were on
hand to assist the "Dignity." Hizballah also reportedly met
the boat at the port. At least one AmCit, former
Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, is on board. (Consular Chief
spoke with Ms. McKinney in Tyre; she requested no assistance.)
KATUSHYA ROCKETS FOUND
AIMED AT ISRAEL
--------------
14. (SBU) On December 25, the LAF discovered eight Katushya
rockets in Naqoura in southern Lebanon. The rockets were
rigged with timers, purportedly set to go off several hours
from the time they were found. There has been no claim of
responsibility. According to Timor Goksel, former UNIFIL
spokesman, the short-range rockets were an older model, 30 or
40 years old. He dismissed the likelihood that the rockets
belong to Hizballah. Goksel speculated that the rockets
could have been a "message of solidarity" to the Palestinians
in Gaza. Presidential aide Nazem Khoury also doubted that
Hizballah was behind the incident, telling us this was not
"Hizballah's style."
COMMENT
--------------
15.(C) Hizballah has taken advantage of recent events in Gaza
to organize demonstrations, mobilize protesters, and call for
Arab action, but the rhetoric used thus far has been
relatively non-inflammatory. We will continue to monitor
developments closely. End Comment.
SISON
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA
ALSO FOR IO A/S HOOK, PDAS WARLICK
P FOR DRUSSELL AND RRANGASWAMY
USUN FOR KHALILZAD/WOLFF/GERMAIN/SCHEDLBAUER
NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/YERGER/MCDERMOTT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR UNSC MARR MOPS KPAL IS
EG, LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: GAZA REACTIONS: HIZBALLAH MOST VOCAL
REF: BEIRUT 1814
Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) The most vocal critic in Lebanon against Israeli
action in Gaza, Hizballah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah,
blamed Arab states for "collaborating with Israel" and urged
these states to stand up to Israel. He also called for
demonstrations, most of which have been held without
incident. President Michel Sleiman, with cabinet approval,
agreed to attend an emergency Arab summit to address the
issue. The Cabinet also approved on December 30 $1 million
in relief to destitute Palestinians in Gaza and declared
December 31 a national day of mourning in solidarity with
Gaza. March 14 members also condemned Israeli action and
organized a demonstration. Meanwhile, the "Dignity," a
private boat carrying humanitarian aid, was reportedly
prevented from reaching Gaza by an Israeli naval ship. The
"Dignity" was damaged in the encounter and entered the port
of Tyre in southern Lebanon, where it remains at this time.
Among those on board were former U.S. Representative Cynthia
McKinney. Separately, the Lebanese Armed Forces on December
25 discovered eight Katushya rockets in southern Lebanon. An
Embassy contact interpreted this as a message from a
Palestinian group, rather than a direct threat from
Hizballah. End summary.
NASRALLAH HARSH
AGAINST EGYPTIANS
--------------
2. (SBU) In a December 28 televised address, Hizballah
Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah implied that Arab states
were collaborating with Israel in its raids on Gaza, singling
out Egypt. Nasrallah called on Egypt to allow aid through
the border crossing at Rafah, adding, "If you do not open the
crossing, then you are partners in the crime." It is unclear
what led to Nasrallah's decision to urge Egyptians to take to
the streets over Gaza. He further urged all Arab states to
protest the Israeli military strikes, pointing out that these
states had the financial and political clout to put a halt to
the raids.
3. (C) Stressing that the Palestinians in Gaza face a threat
against the "fate of Palestine," and not only against Hamas,
Nasrallah called on the Palestinians to unite in a "third
intifada." (Comment: It struck us and many of our Lebanese
interlocutors that Nasrallah's speech was not particularly
inflammatory by local standards, nor did he call on Hizballah
to take up arms against Israel. In the days since the Gaza
crisis began, Hizballah's overt actions have been limited to
rhetoric and the mobilization of demonstrators. End comment.)
4. (SBU) Meanwhile, Free Patriotic Movement leader and
Hizballah ally Michel Aoun echoed Nasrallah by criticizing
Arab states and accusing them of "repeating the scenario of
the July 2006 war." He further condemned the "barbaric
Israeli aggression."
SLEIMAN TO ATTEND ARAB SUMMIT;
HUMANITARIAN AID, URGING CALM IN THE CAMPS
--------------
5. (C) In response to a proposed emergency Arab summit to
address Gaza, President Michel Sleiman expressed regret at
the absence of Arab solidarity and said he would attend the
summit. He presided over a previously scheduled cabinet
session on December 30 during which the cabinet agreed to
send a delegation to the summit. The Cabinet spokesman,
Information Minister Tariq Mitri called for an "immediate and
unconditional ceasefire and lifting of the blockages imposed
on Gaza" and expressed hope that the Arab Summit conference
would be the "summit of Arab solidarity." The cabinet also
reportedly discussed how to send humanitarian aid to Gaza and
agreed to offer $1 million in aid.
BEIRUT 00001806 002 OF 003
6. (C) Earlier, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora had convened a
meeting on December 28 to discuss the logistical challenge to
sending humanitarian aid. Palestinian representatives,
including PLO Ambassador to Lebanon Abbas Zaki and Hamas
representative in Lebanon Oussama Hamdan, and a number of
Lebanese ministers formed a joint working committee to
organize the provision of assistance. According to
presidential advisor Nazem Khoury, President Sleiman also met
with Palestinian representatives on December 29 (the Muslim
New Year Al Hejra holiday),urging them to help maintain calm
in the Palestinian camps in Lebanon.
MARCH 14 CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE,
TRIES NOT TO BE OUTDONE BY HIZBALLAH
--------------
7. (C) The March 14 alliance issued a statement on December
27 that called for Arab and international action to deter
Israel and for Palestinian unity. Condemning the raids,
March 14 member and MP Boutros Harb said Israel's action was
"almost akin to genocide." March 14 Secretary General Fares
Suaid told EmbOff that his alliance had organized its own
demonstration on December 28, explaining that March 14 would
not allow itself to be outshone by Hizballah on this issue.
8. (C) Suaid also downplayed the possibility that Hizballah
would pursue military actions in southern Lebanon, on the
grounds that Israel's actions were actually furthering
Hizballah's political goals. However, Suaid posited that
Nasrallah could "yield to Iranian pressure to open the
southern front."
SUNNI MUFTIS WARN AGAINST
INTRA-ARAB RIFTS
--------------
9. (C) Following a meeting of the Shari'a Council on December
28, Lebanon's Sunni muftis issued a statement responding to
Nasrallah's criticism against Arab states, warning against
inciting Arabs against Arabs. (Comment: Reportedly, the
Sunni muftis in Lebanon perceive Hamas to be
Iranian-influenced and so are less sympathetic than others in
the region to the situation in Gaza. End comment.)
PROTESTS SMALL IN NATURE,
LIKELY TO STRENGTHEN OVER TIME
--------------
10. (U) A series of demonstrations, most of them peaceful,
have been organized by various groups since December 27
(reftel). The December 27 protests were primarily staged in
front of the Egyptian Embassy, as well as in the Hizballah
stronghold Dahiyeh and in front of the UN Economic and Social
Cooperation for Western Asia (ESCWA) offices in downtown
Beirut.
11. (U) On December 28, protests continued in front of ESCWA,
attended mostly by Palestinians, and in front of the Egyptian
Embassy, organized by the Communist Party. The Internal
Security Forces (ISF) riot police resorted to using water
cannons and tear gas in front of the Egyptian Embassy to
disperse the crowd when the participants attempted to move
police barricades. There were reported injuries among both
ISF and demonstrators.
12. (U) In addition to those in Beirut, demonstrations have
occurred in Tripoli, Sidon, the Bekaa, and Palestinian camps
throughout Lebanon, and another demonstration is scheduled
for December 31 in downtown Beirut in front of the Arab
League offices.
SHIP CARRYING AID CLASHED WITH
ISRAELIS, NOW DOCKED IN LEBANON
--------------
13. (SBU) On December 30, the "Dignity," a vessel contracted
by the organization "Free Gaza Movement" was at sea heading
to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid when it made physical
BEIRUT 00001806 003 OF 003
contact with an Israeli naval ship. The boat was en route to
Gaza from Cyprus. The boat proceeded to the Lebanese
southern port of Tyre, where it will undergo repairs. The
Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF),with UNIFIL assistance were on
hand to assist the "Dignity." Hizballah also reportedly met
the boat at the port. At least one AmCit, former
Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, is on board. (Consular Chief
spoke with Ms. McKinney in Tyre; she requested no assistance.)
KATUSHYA ROCKETS FOUND
AIMED AT ISRAEL
--------------
14. (SBU) On December 25, the LAF discovered eight Katushya
rockets in Naqoura in southern Lebanon. The rockets were
rigged with timers, purportedly set to go off several hours
from the time they were found. There has been no claim of
responsibility. According to Timor Goksel, former UNIFIL
spokesman, the short-range rockets were an older model, 30 or
40 years old. He dismissed the likelihood that the rockets
belong to Hizballah. Goksel speculated that the rockets
could have been a "message of solidarity" to the Palestinians
in Gaza. Presidential aide Nazem Khoury also doubted that
Hizballah was behind the incident, telling us this was not
"Hizballah's style."
COMMENT
--------------
15.(C) Hizballah has taken advantage of recent events in Gaza
to organize demonstrations, mobilize protesters, and call for
Arab action, but the rhetoric used thus far has been
relatively non-inflammatory. We will continue to monitor
developments closely. End Comment.
SISON