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
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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
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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