HAJ PILGRIMS IN GAZA; GOE AWAITING HUMANITARIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 002476

SIPDIS

NSC FOR PASCUAL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL IS QA EG
SUBJECT: HAJ PILGRIMS IN GAZA; GOE AWAITING HUMANITARIAN
AID; DEMONSTRATIONS INCREASE

REF: A. CAIRO 2429

B. CAIRO 3498 (2007)

C. CAIRO 2438

Classified By: MINISTER COUNSELOR WILLIAM R. STEWART
REASONS: 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (C) Summary. The GOE has opened Rafah crossing for
approximately 3100 inbound Haj pilgrims (reftel a),but the
MFA reports that Hamas continues to block movement of the
pilgrims inside Gaza, and that so far none have crossed into
Egypt. The GOE is increasing public criticism of Hamas over
the Haj impasse, as well as for the stalled intra-Palestinian
reconciliation talks. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations on
college campuses and outside mosques throughout Egypt have
sprung up over the past ten days, with approximately 60,000
total participants. These demonstrations have mostly been
organized by the Muslim Brotherhood. End summary.


2. (C) MFA Deputy Director for Palestinian Affairs Barakat
Leithy told us December 4 that although Rafah crossing has
been open for five days to allow for Haj pilgrims, so far
none have entered Egypt. Busses are standing by at Rafah to
transport the pilgrims to the coastal town of Nuweiba, where
the pilgrims will take ferries to Saudi Arabia. Leithy said
that Hamas is currently blocking 3100 pilgrims with valid
Saudi Arabian visas because these pilgrims are sponsored by
the Palestinian Authority, whereas other pilgrims, sponsored
by Hamas, have had their visa applications denied by Saudi
Arabia. Leithy noted that the Saudi Arabian government has
made clear that non-visa holders will not be allowed to make
the Haj.


3. (C) Leithy acknowledged that this is an extremely
sensitive matter, and that the Egyptian public will look very
unfavorably on any party that is perceived to have blocked
Haj pilgrims. To that end, he said that the GOE is stepping
up its effort to ensure the Egyptian public does not blame
the GOE, but rather Hamas, for the current situation.
However, he worried that Hamas, or perhaps domestic
opposition, may be able to publicly spin the issue against
the GOE. Grand Mufti Tantawi took an implicit swipe at Hamas
on December 3, saying that "whoever prohibits a Muslim from
performing the duty of pilgrimage commits an atrocious
crime." On December 4, the Egyptian Cabinet issued a
statement blaming the "Palestinian leadership" for the
humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as the blockage of Haj
pilgrims; the statement continued that "Egypt rejects lies
about its role toward the Palestinian cause."


4. (SBU) With respect to the November 26 Arab League
resolution calling for Arab states to coordinate shipments of
humanitarian supplies to Gaza with Egypt and Jordan (reftel
c),Leithy said that as of December 4, no shipments have been
received. He noted media reports that the Qataris were
planning to send a ship with humanitarian supplies, but had
no further information.


5. (C) Leithy did not know when the next intra-Palestinian
reconciliation meeting would be hosted by the Egyptians, but
was not optimistic that it would happen in the coming weeks,
given Hamas' current posture. Egyptian FM Aboul Gheit told
local newspaper al Ahram December 3 that Egyptian efforts for
Palestinian reconciliation have been frustrated by Hamas,
lack of enthusiasm.


6. (SBU) Meanwhile, for the first time in over a year, there
has been a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations,
specifically against the "Gaza siege," on college campuses
and at mosques throughout Egypt. Most of these
demonstrations have reportedly been organized by the Muslim
Brotherhood, with the liberal "April 6" movement, Labor Party
and Nasserite students joining in. According to media
reports, an approximate total of 60,000 Egyptians
participated in these demonstrations from November 24 to
December 4. Dozens of students have been injured in clashes
with police. On December 4, approximately 60 MB members were
arrested in connection with the demonstrations, according to
a media report.


7. (C) Comment. The Egyptians maintained control of the
(albeit stalled) intra-Palestinian reconciliation process and
solidified Arab support for Abbas at the November 26 Arab
League ministerial, notwithstanding a rough three week period
that included a flare-up in Hamas rocket launches, Israeli
closure of crossings into Gaza, and the issue of Haj
pilgrims. Over the past year, we have observed a decline in
attention to the Palestinian issue relative to domestic
economic and political concerns, especially among young
people (reftel b). However, the recent demonstrations

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indicate that Egyptians can be mobilized quickly to
demonstrate for the Palestinian cause, especially when Gaza
humanitarian conditions come into public focus.
SCOBEY