Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JERUSALEM1084
2008-06-25 09:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
PA GEARING UP FOR ANOTHER BATTLE WITH HAMAS OVER
how-toVZCZCXRO2618 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #1084 1770939 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 250939Z JUN 08 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1901 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001084
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV KWBG KISL PREL EG SA IS JO
SUBJECT: PA GEARING UP FOR ANOTHER BATTLE WITH HAMAS OVER
HAJJ PILGRIMS
REF: 07 JERUSALEM 2453
Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Thomas M. Duffy, for reasons
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001084
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV KWBG KISL PREL EG SA IS JO
SUBJECT: PA GEARING UP FOR ANOTHER BATTLE WITH HAMAS OVER
HAJJ PILGRIMS
REF: 07 JERUSALEM 2453
Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Thomas M. Duffy, for reasons 1.
4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Deputy Waqf/Religious Affairs Minister Salah Zuhaykah
told PolOff June 25 that Hamas is again obstructing PA Waqf
Ministry efforts to register Hajj pilgrims in Gaza and
transport them to Saudi Arabia via Erez Crossing and Jordan.
He said Hamas has announced competing arrangements and is
strong-arming Gaza-based banks and courier services to force
Gaza's Hajj aspirants to register through Hamas' "Waqf
Ministry." Most companies in Gaza have been forced to refund
deposits and Saudi visa applications accepted on the PA Waqf
Ministry's behalf, Zuhaykah said, due to Hamas pressure. He
added that while the PA is looking at options such as
internet and telephone registration and payment, "most
Gazans, and especially the elderly, are not so sophisticated
with technology to be able to take advantage of such
services."
2. (C) Zuhaykah said the decisive actions in the PA's battle
with Hamas over pilgrim registration are in Saudi and
Egyptian hands. He said the PA felt undercut and betrayed by
Saudi issuance of Hajj visas in Cairo last year to thousands
of Hamas-registered pilgrims, and by Egyptian complicity in
opening Rafah Crossing and providing transportation (Reftel).
He alleged that GOE and Saudi authorities coordinated their
actions with Hamas. He said most of Gaza's pilgrims would
register with the PA, not Hamas, given the choice, and said
the PA is asking Saudi authorities to only issue Hajj visas
to PA-registered pilgrims.
DUFFY
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV KWBG KISL PREL EG SA IS JO
SUBJECT: PA GEARING UP FOR ANOTHER BATTLE WITH HAMAS OVER
HAJJ PILGRIMS
REF: 07 JERUSALEM 2453
Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Thomas M. Duffy, for reasons 1.
4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Deputy Waqf/Religious Affairs Minister Salah Zuhaykah
told PolOff June 25 that Hamas is again obstructing PA Waqf
Ministry efforts to register Hajj pilgrims in Gaza and
transport them to Saudi Arabia via Erez Crossing and Jordan.
He said Hamas has announced competing arrangements and is
strong-arming Gaza-based banks and courier services to force
Gaza's Hajj aspirants to register through Hamas' "Waqf
Ministry." Most companies in Gaza have been forced to refund
deposits and Saudi visa applications accepted on the PA Waqf
Ministry's behalf, Zuhaykah said, due to Hamas pressure. He
added that while the PA is looking at options such as
internet and telephone registration and payment, "most
Gazans, and especially the elderly, are not so sophisticated
with technology to be able to take advantage of such
services."
2. (C) Zuhaykah said the decisive actions in the PA's battle
with Hamas over pilgrim registration are in Saudi and
Egyptian hands. He said the PA felt undercut and betrayed by
Saudi issuance of Hajj visas in Cairo last year to thousands
of Hamas-registered pilgrims, and by Egyptian complicity in
opening Rafah Crossing and providing transportation (Reftel).
He alleged that GOE and Saudi authorities coordinated their
actions with Hamas. He said most of Gaza's pilgrims would
register with the PA, not Hamas, given the choice, and said
the PA is asking Saudi authorities to only issue Hajj visas
to PA-registered pilgrims.
DUFFY