REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF VISA INELIGIBILITY FINDING

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001202 NOFORN SIPDIS NEA FOR WELCH/FELTMAN; NEA/IPA FOR GOLDBERGER/HANKINS; CA FOR DAS EDSON AND CA/VO/L/C, L FOR THESSIN E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2018 TAGS: CVIS CLOK PTER EFIN KWBG KPAL SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF VISA INELIGIBILITY FINDING (JIHAD AL-WAZIR) Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C/NF) Post requests department review the finding of ineligibility under INA 212(a)(3)(B) for Jihad al-Wazir (DPOB: 20 July 1963, Gaza),the Governor of the Palestine Monetary Authority. We understand the ineligibility results from claims that al-Wazir currently is a member of Fatah. We have no evidence that al-Wazir is a member of Fatah or has ever been a member of Fatah. He is in none of the official Fatah structures and did not participate in the last Fatah Congress. In addition, when informed of his ineligibility, al-Wazir categorically denied being or having ever been a member of Fatah. ¶2. (C/NF) Post based al-Wazir's most recent SAO (that did indicate Fatah membership) on a biography that assumed Fatah membership in connection with his family's history with the organization. Al-Wazir's father, a founding member of Fatah, was killed by Israeli commandos in 1988 and his mother is currently a member of the Fatah Central Committee. Post has since confirmed with multiple sources that there is no information available that would lead us to believe he has ever held Fatah membership. ¶3. (C/NF) Post requests that Department review the information that led to the finding of ineligibility for al-Wazir. Based on information available to us and our regular contact with al-Wazir, we have no reason to believe that he should be subject to this finding of ineligibility. Al-Wazir is a close and continuing contact of the USG, a strong proponent of the two-state solution and has traveled repeatedly to the United States for personal and official business over many years without any complications. ¶4. (C/NF) Aside from the issue of al-Wazir's membership in Fatah, Post notes that Fatah is not included on any USG list of terrorist organizations. We will address issues associated with visa ineligibility and the PLO/Fatah in a separate message. WALLES