PLO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CRITICIZES ISRAELI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001354 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2018 TAGS: PGOV KWBG IS PREL SUBJECT: PLO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CRITICIZES ISRAELI INCURSIONS AND CLOSURES, SLAMS HAMAS DETENTION OF EXCOMM MEMBERS BUT SUPPORTS "NATIONAL DIALOGUE" Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. The PLO Executive Committee (ExComm) met in Ramallah on July 23 and released a statement that criticized Israeli settlement activity and incursions, slammed Hamas for harassing PLO/Fatah leaders, and welcomed national dialogue based on the Yemeni Initiative. The statement also called on Arab countries and other donors to fulfill their financial pledges to the PA. Gaza-based ExComm member Riyad al-Khudari (independent),detained by Hamas security forces near the Erez crossing, told PolOff in multiple phone conversations that Hamas seeks to control all activity in Gaza and to obtain dialogue with President Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) "for free" and without conditions. ExComm Secretary-General Yasser Abd Rabbo demanded former Hamas Interior Minister Sa'id Siyam be arrested for preventing ExComm members in Gaza from attending the Ramallah meeting. End summary. PLO ExComm Meets, Releases Statement Critical of Israel, Hamas -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In a July 23 PLO ExComm meeting attended by PLO Chairman/PA President Abbas (Fatah),ExComm Secretary-General Yasser Abd Rabbo (independent),Ghassan Shaka'a (Fatah), Bassam Salhi (People's Party),Saeb Erekat (Fatah),Abd al-Rahim Maluh (PFLP),Taysir Khalid (DFLP),Salih Rafat (FIDA),Samir Ghushih (Popular Struggle Front),Ali Ishaq (PLF) and Mahmud Ismayil (ALF),the ExComm agreed on the following points: -- To condemn Israeli settlement activities that it said undermined the peace process and prospects for reaching a two-state solution; -- To condemn IDF incursions and raids, especially in Nablus, and Israeli closure of commercial centers and confiscation of goods and equipment; -- To support merchants and residents affected by the IDF raids, urging Nablus residents to consider the closure order null and void; -- To call on Arab countries and other donors to fulfill their financial pledges to the PA without delay, noting the PA's critical budget requirements and need to pay salaries; -- To note that the ExComm was briefed on recent developments in negotiations with the GOI and meetings with the U.S. Secretary of State, stressing that so far none of the permanent status issues have been resolved, and the ExComm will consider steps in response to Israeli settlement policies; -- To condemn Hamas for arrests and harassment of PLO and Fatah members, and preventing travel by Gaza-based PLO ExComm members Riyad al-Khudari (independent) and Zakariya al-Agha (Fatah); -- To support national dialogue between the PLO and all Palestinian factions on the basis of the Yemeni Initiative with the goal of creating an interim PA government to prepare for PLC and Presidential elections and rebuilding PA security forces with Arab support. ExComm Discussions Stall on Response to Israeli Settlement Activity, Incursions -------------- ¶3. (SBU) PLO contacts told PolOff and POL FSN July 23-25 that several ExComm members pushed for a harsh response to Israeli settlement plans and increased IDF incursions, but no consensus developed to include this in the statement. Measures discussed included unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood if negotiations do not succeed, a UNSC resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity and large public protests against Israeli closures and settlements, according to these contacts. Hamas Blocks Exit of Gaza's ExComm Members; ExComm Calls for Arrest of Hamas Security Head -------------- - ¶4. (SBU) In a July 23 conversation with PolOff, ExComm member al-Khudari confirmed local press reports that he and Zakariya al-Agha were detained in Bayt Hanun, near the Erez Crossing, by Hamas security forces, who prevented them from leaving Gaza and took their IDs. Press quoted Hamas "Interior Ministry" spokesman Ihab al-Ghusayn saying the two were stopped "for failing to abide by the law and 'Interior Ministry' orders to notify relevant authorities before entering or exiting the Gaza Strip through Erez Checkpoint." Al-Ghusayn said the two could reclaim their IDs if they JERUSALEM 00001354 002 OF 002 "commit to following 'Interior Ministry' orders, since all must respect the rule of law." Gaza-based Fatah spokesman Fahmi al-Za'rir said Hamas' detention of the ExComm members is "imitation of Israeli occupation measures and reflects Hamas' escalation of its aggressive campaign against Palestinian leaders, cadres and citizens since the ceasefire went into effect." ¶5. (SBU) Yasser Abd Rabbo sent a letter in the name of the PLO ExComm to PA Attorney General Ahmad al-Mughanni on July 24, requesting that Mughanni issue a warrant for the arrest of former Hamas Interior Minister Sa'id Siyam and others involved in the ExComm members' detention. PA contacts told POL FSN that Abd Rabbo also sent a letter to Egyptian authorities requesting they arrest Siyam if he crosses into Egypt. (Comment: As Siyam will not enter the West Bank and the GOE is unlikely to arrest senior Hamas leaders, the letters are symbolic protests. End comment). WALLES