Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JERUSALEM1831
2008-10-02 14:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
FATAH AND HAMAS RELEASE PRISONERS FOR EID AL-FITR
how-toVZCZCXRO7126 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #1831 2761437 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 021437Z OCT 08 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2936 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001831
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/PASCUAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2017
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: FATAH AND HAMAS RELEASE PRISONERS FOR EID AL-FITR
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001831
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/PASCUAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2017
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: FATAH AND HAMAS RELEASE PRISONERS FOR EID AL-FITR
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. On September 30, the Palestinian Authority
(PA) released 38 West Bank HAMAS activists, reciprocating
HAMAS's release September 29 of roughly 30 Fatah members in
the Gaza Strip. PASF officials report that the released
activists have no proven ties to the HAMAS military wing.
End Summary.
PA RELEASES 38 HAMAS ACTIVISTS FOR EID AL-FITR
-------------- -
2. (C) The PA on September 30 released 38 HAMAS activists
from West Bank prisons to reciprocate HAMAS's release of
roughly 30 Fatah activists from prisons in the Gaza Strip on
the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. PA officials told PolSpec that
the activists had no proven ties to HAMAS's military wing and
had not been charged with any crime; most were arrested over
the past few weeks in an effort to collect information on
HAMAS activities in the West Bank. The PA published the
names of the 38 activists after HAMAS denied that the release
had occurred.
HAMAS RELEASES 30 FATAH ACTIVISTS
BUT REFUSES TO PUBLISH NAMES
--------------
3. (C) HAMAS released roughly 30 Fatah members from prisons
in the Gaza Strip on September 29, but an Istikhbarat officer
told PolSpec that at least some of the 30 were told to report
back to prison after the holiday. HAMAS withheld the
passports and IDs of some high-profile Fatah members, such as
Khan Younis Governor Osama al-Fara, as collateral against
their return. HAMAS refused to release the names or status
of the 30 Fatah members.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (C) The PA traditionally releases a limited number of
criminals from prison prior to Eid al-Fitr, but the release
of political activists this year is related to on-going
reconciliation efforts between Fatah and HAMAS. President
Abbas ordered the release of HAMAS members, but PASF officers
determined who and how many to release.
WALLES
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/PASCUAL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2017
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: FATAH AND HAMAS RELEASE PRISONERS FOR EID AL-FITR
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. On September 30, the Palestinian Authority
(PA) released 38 West Bank HAMAS activists, reciprocating
HAMAS's release September 29 of roughly 30 Fatah members in
the Gaza Strip. PASF officials report that the released
activists have no proven ties to the HAMAS military wing.
End Summary.
PA RELEASES 38 HAMAS ACTIVISTS FOR EID AL-FITR
-------------- -
2. (C) The PA on September 30 released 38 HAMAS activists
from West Bank prisons to reciprocate HAMAS's release of
roughly 30 Fatah activists from prisons in the Gaza Strip on
the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. PA officials told PolSpec that
the activists had no proven ties to HAMAS's military wing and
had not been charged with any crime; most were arrested over
the past few weeks in an effort to collect information on
HAMAS activities in the West Bank. The PA published the
names of the 38 activists after HAMAS denied that the release
had occurred.
HAMAS RELEASES 30 FATAH ACTIVISTS
BUT REFUSES TO PUBLISH NAMES
--------------
3. (C) HAMAS released roughly 30 Fatah members from prisons
in the Gaza Strip on September 29, but an Istikhbarat officer
told PolSpec that at least some of the 30 were told to report
back to prison after the holiday. HAMAS withheld the
passports and IDs of some high-profile Fatah members, such as
Khan Younis Governor Osama al-Fara, as collateral against
their return. HAMAS refused to release the names or status
of the 30 Fatah members.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (C) The PA traditionally releases a limited number of
criminals from prison prior to Eid al-Fitr, but the release
of political activists this year is related to on-going
reconciliation efforts between Fatah and HAMAS. President
Abbas ordered the release of HAMAS members, but PASF officers
determined who and how many to release.
WALLES