NABLUS, QALQILIYA OPEN TO ISRAELI ARAB CARS FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001730 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2018 TAGS: PREL PBTS ECON KPAL KWBG IS SUBJECT: NABLUS, QALQILIYA OPEN TO ISRAELI ARAB CARS FOR RAMADAN; JENIN REMAINS CLOSED TO VEHICLES REF: JERUSALEM 1340 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. Since early September, the IDF has allowed Israeli-plated vehicles driven by Israeli Arabs to enter the cities of Nablus and Qalqiliya, providing some economic benefits in the cities. Jenin remains closed to Israeli vehicular traffic, but open for pedestrians. End summary. Israeli Arabs Drive to Nablus and Qalqiliya -------------- ¶2. (C) Nablus Governor Jamal Muhisen told Political Specialist September 15 that Israeli Arabs have been able to drive their cars into Nablus since the week of September 8. He added that the IDF commander in the area informed him that the arrangement is only for Ramadan. Governor Muhisen said he hopes the order will be extended beyond Ramadan, because shopping by Israeli Arabs in Nablus benefits the local economy. He noted that the potential economic benefits are limited, however, by lengthy delays at checkpoints when shoppers depart Nablus. Long-term economic improvements depend on the IDF "taking concrete steps to end the siege and restrictions imposed on Nablus," Muhisen said. (Note: The Governor was likely alluding to Huwwara checkpoint, which Nablus businessmen repeatedly say is the single biggest obstacle to the movement of commercial goods. End Note.) ¶3. (C) Qalqiliya Governor Rabi Khandaqji told PolSpec September 15 that the IDF allowed Israeli-plated cars driven by Israeli Arabs to enter Qalqiliya as of September 12. He said the impact thus far has been limited, but he welcomed the measure and expressed hope it will remain in place beyond Ramadan to allow "hundreds" of Israeli Arabs to patronize local merchants weekly. He recalled that, before the Second Intifada, Israeli Arabs commonly shopped in Qalqiliya. Jenin: Closed to Vehicles Driven by Israeli Arabs -------------- --- ¶4. (C) Jenin Governor Qadora Mousa told PolSpec September 12 that he renewed his request to the IDF to allow Israeli Arab-owned vehicles to enter Jenin through Jalameh crossing. (Note: Israeli Arabs are currently permitted to cross Jalameh on foot only, limiting the economic benefit to Jenin (reftel). End note.) Mousa pointed to the arrangements provided for Nablus and Qalqiliya as examples of the relief he seeks for Jenin. West Bank NSF Commander Diab al-Ali told PolSpec September 15 that the IDF told him they are working to open Jenin for vehicle traffic, but it will take time before the necessary "technical equipment" is in place. He added that the IDF had told him they are also looking into a request to allow Israeli Arab children to accompany their parents on family visits to Jenin. (Note: Foot traffic across Jalameh is limited to adults. End note.) Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) The easing of restrictions on Israeli Arabs entering certain West Bank cities has been done quietly, in part to avoid a potential legal challenge in Israel on grounds that it is discriminatory. Other areas in the West Bank, including Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Jericho, have generally been open to Israeli Arabs in recent years, but Nablus, Qalqiliya, Jenin and Tulkarem were historically the most dependent on commerce with Israeli Arabs. End comment. WALLES