PA REPORTS MAJOR INCREASE IN IDF WEST BANK

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001192 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2018 TAGS: KWBG IS PGOV PINS PTER KISL SUBJECT: PA REPORTS MAJOR INCREASE IN IDF WEST BANK INCURSIONS, SAYS IDF UNDERMINING ANTI-TERRORISM EFFORTS REF: TEL AVIV 1411 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) Summary. PA officials and security commanders report a marked increase in the number of IDF incursions in the West Bank since mid-June. On July 6-8, there were IDF raids in every Palestinian city except Jericho. Nablus officials told PolOff and POL FSN that the IDF entered Nablus on July 6-7 and raided 12 offices and mosques, seizing computers, documents and office equipment at each location. The IDF also raided al-Birah's Municipal offices early July 8, seizing computers and documents. PMA Governor Jihad al-Wazir told EconOff July 8 that the PA is able and willing to take action against FTO-affiliated charities, if the GOI shares information. End summary. Major Uptick in Number of IDF Incursions; General Expansion of Raids -------------- ¶2. (SBU) PA Ministry, Governorate and security officials told PolOff and POL FSN July 8 that there have been 60-70 percent more IDF raids weekly in the West Bank since mid-June compared to the previous several months. These officials said there has been a further expansion since July 5 in the number and type of IDF incursions. Israeli press has characterized recent IDF operations in the West Bank as targeting Hamas charities and organizations. On July 6-8, there were IDF raids in every Palestinian city except Jericho, with PA contacts reporting that the IDF entered seven charity offices, twelve houses and two mosques and arrested 26 Palestinians. There have been almost nightly IDF incursions into Nablus and Jenin. PA contacts also report multiple IDF raids in Bethlehem and Ramallah and increased closures in Hebron July 6-8. IDF Raids Waqf Offices, Mosques, Charities -------------- ¶3. (C) Nablus Governor Jamal Muhaysin and National Security Forces (NSF) operations center liaison Haj Mashkur al-Jahil told POL FSN July 8 that the IDF entered Nablus on July 6-7 and searched Rawda Mosque, the Nablus Mall, Nafhfa Prisoners' Society, the Scientific Society, the Solidarity Society and girls' school, Tadamun and Kafil Yatim charities and several business and Zakat (Islamic charity) offices, seizing computers, documents and office equipment at each location. Deputy Waqf/Religious Affairs Minister Salah Zuhaykah told PolOff July 8 that the IDF raided two mosques in Nablus, seizing computers and documents from the Quranic Study Center. Muhaysin complained that closing the Mall will negatively affect Nablus' economy. He commented that "while the PA acts against Hamas and other radical factions, these incursions constitute a systematic destruction of the city's economy and will strengthen the radicals, not the PA." ¶4. (SBU) The IDF also raided al-Birah's Municipal offices (adjacent to Ramallah) early July 8, seizing computers and documents according to local press. (Note: Al-Birah's city council is run by Hamas. End note). Ramallah security contacts complained that recent raids have disrupted their investigations of Hamas institutions and harmed efforts to infiltrate militant groups. ¶5. (C) PM Fayyad expressed concern to the Consul General July 7 about the increased number of GOI incursions in the West Bank. Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) Governor Jihad al-Wazir told EconOff July 8 that the PMA and the PA have the capacity and willingness to move against FTO-affiliated charities, if the GOI shares necessary information. He added that there has been no effort to coordinate with the PMA on recent operations. WALLES