GOE FRUSTRATED BY GAZA ESCALATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 000103 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR PASCUAL; USUN FOR MOLLY PHEE E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2018 TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS EG SUBJECT: GOE FRUSTRATED BY GAZA ESCALATION Classified By: Minister Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs William R. Stewart for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. Egyptian MFA and MOD contacts expressed concern on January 22 over the current Gaza crisis. They tell us that the recent Israeli closures, and subsequent pressure at Rafah crossing, has put the GOE in a very difficult position, facing criticism both at home and from Arab states. We advised that we are working with the GOI to improve the humanitarian situation. End summary. ¶2. (C) Ambassador told FM Aboul Gheit January 22 that we were working with the GOI to improve the humanitarian situation, and that it was important to focus on improving the situation on the ground; a debate at the U.N. now would be a distraction. Aboul Gheit replied that he was still reading in on the crisis, but did not push back. ¶3. (C) In a follow up meeting that day, MFA Director of Palestinian Affairs Badr Abdelatty told us that the tone toward the U.S. had been extremely hostile at the January 21 Arab League Emergency meeting. The GOE had tried to tone down the Arab League Gaza resolution, but the prevailing view at the meeting was to harshly criticize Israel, and to call for U.N. Security Council action. Some Arab League members criticized Egypt for hosting President Bush on January 16, claiming that the President had given a "green light" to the Israelis to take strong measures in Gaza. ¶4. (C) At the same time, the GOE is being criticized at home by the political opposition. Abdelatty told us he had attended a January 21 meeting at the People's Assembly committee on Arab Affairs, and that it was essentially a shouting session in which members blamed the USG for the current Gaza situation. On January 21 the Muslim Brotherhood held a press conference in Cairo and called on Arab foreign ministers to immediately intervene to "lift the blockade imposed by Israeli occupation forces," and to cut off all contacts with Israel. A planned MB march from the People's Assembly to Arab League headquarters was reportedly pressured by hundreds of riot police. ¶5. (C) A Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) contact told us that over a thousand Palestinians demonstrated on the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing and attempted to force their way into Egypt on January 22. He said that after throwing stones at Egyptian security forces "for hours," a group of Palestinians broke through the Rafah gate but only 20 Palestinian women entered Egypt before Egyptian security forces closed the gate. GOE security, including Border Guard Forces and Central Security Forces, used water cannons and fired their weapons into the air to control the crowd. According to press reports, a number of Palestinians allegedly injured in the incident were taken away in ambulances to Gaza hospitals. Another contact reported separately that it appeared that as Egyptian security forces drove the Palestinians away from the border. Contacts predict that the border demonstrations will resume again on January 23 and continue until the blockade ends. (Note: Live Al Jazeera coverage of January 22 showed crowds on both sides of Rafah crossing, with ambulances and stretchers entering from Gaza. At one point, Hamas members could be seen firing their rifles, apparently in the direction of the Egyptian border guard force.) ¶6. (C) Cabinet Advisor for Israeli Affairs Ahmed Hafez told us that in his opinion, the Gaza crisis has damaged the positive atmosphere created by the President's visit. He said that the GOE recognizes that Israel faces a continuing problem with the Kassam rockets, but expects the Israelis to meet their commitments as the occupying force in Gaza (i.e. to allow fuel and humanitarian supplies to enter freely). When we pointed out to Abdelatty that fuel and humanitarian supplies had reportedly resumed, he responded that the damage had been done. "If it is Israeli domestic politics and it is all about who gets to be prime minister, then fine. But we have domestic politics too, and your President was just here, and now both our governments are being embarrassed by this idiotic Israeli decision," he said. Nevertheless, Abdelatty met later in the day with Israeli Ambassador Shalom Cohen, and reported to us that they had a "constructive" meeting, and had agreed that the current situation only benefits Hamas. Ricciardone