RENEWAL OF CLOSURE ORDERS FOR PALESTINIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001432 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2017 TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS SUBJECT: RENEWAL OF CLOSURE ORDERS FOR PALESTINIAN INSTITUTIONS IN EAST JERUSALEM REF: A. JERUSALEM 01170 ¶B. JERUSALEM 00316 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. The Israeli Ministry of Internal Security (MoI) renewed closure orders in early August against eight East Jerusalem Palestinian institutions. The General Manager of the Arab Studies Society (closed in 2001) told PolOff August 6 that the closure leaves a vacuum in Palestinian leadership in Jerusalem. The Chairman of the Palestinian Housing Council (PHC) told PolOff August 6 that the PHC will contest the closure in Israeli courts. Both rejected claims of PA involvement in their institutions. The renewed closure order by the GoI is inconsistent with its obligations under the Roadmap. End Summary. ISRAELI MOI RENEWS CLOSURE AGAINST PALESTINIAN INSTITUTIONS IN EAST JERUSALEM -------------- ¶2. (C) In early August, the Israeli MoI renewed closure orders against eight Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem. The MoI originally ordered the institutions closed in August 2001, saying they were operating on behalf of the PA in Jerusalem in violation of the Oslo accords. The GoI has renewed the closure every six months since then, most recently in February. (Note: The eight institutions are listed in Ref B. End note) This step by the GoI is inconsistent with the Roadmap, which calls on the GoI in Phase I to reopen the "Palestinian Chamber of Commerce and other closed Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem." ¶3. (C) Ishaq Budeiri, General Manager of the Arab Studies Society (one of the eight institutions) told PolOff August 6 that the Society has never been affiliated with the PA. He said no new Palestinian leadership has emerged in East Jerusalem to replace the Orient House. Budeiri said the GoI allows the Arab Studies Society to operate out of an office just outside Jerusalem. PALESTINIAN HOUSING COUNCIL BUILDING ITS CASE TO FIGHT CLOSURE IN COURTS -------------- ¶4. (C) The GoI closed the PHC in early July, claiming it was PA-affiliated (Ref A). PHC Chairman Ibrahim Shaaban told PolOff August 6 that the PHC had scrupulously maintained its distance from the PA and politics, and the Israeli MoI has no evidence against it. PHC lawyers are reviewing the PHC's files to bring a case against the closure to Israeli courts in "about a month," Shaaban said. He said the PHC has one chance to prove its innocence, but he does not expect Israeli courts to rule in the PHC's favor. He said the PHC helps Palestinians construct homes legally in Jerusalem, and he believes the closure is part of an attempt to limit Palestinians' housing options in the city. OTHER EVENTS BLOCKED -------------- ¶5. (C) In addition to closing these institutions, the Israeli MoI has prevented a number of Palestinian events in East Jerusalem, most recently a celebration for high school graduates on August 3. The GoI claims PA involvement as the reason behind the closures, but Budeiri and Shaaban, along with other East Jerusalem Palestinians, deny that the PA has a hand in these events. WALLES