Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JERUSALEM2152
2008-11-26 15:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

HAMAS INTENSIFIES CRACKDOWN ON FATAH IN GAZA;

Tags:  KWBG IS PGOV PTER PHUM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0419
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHJM #2152 3311511
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 261511Z NOV 08
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3389
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002152 

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2018
TAGS: KWBG IS PGOV PTER PHUM
SUBJECT: HAMAS INTENSIFIES CRACKDOWN ON FATAH IN GAZA;
CLASHES AT UNIVERSITY IN KHAN YUNIS

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002152

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2018
TAGS: KWBG IS PGOV PTER PHUM
SUBJECT: HAMAS INTENSIFIES CRACKDOWN ON FATAH IN GAZA;
CLASHES AT UNIVERSITY IN KHAN YUNIS

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. Fatah and PLO officials in Gaza told PolOff
by phone November 26 that Hamas has intensified its campaign
against Fatah activists, PLO officials, and non-Hamas NGOs,
accusing them of "subversive activities." Gaza Governor
Muhammad al-Qidwa commented to PolOff that Hamas maintains an
iron grip on everything in Gaza and is not interested in
compromise. Thirty students were injured on November 25 in
interfactional clashes at al-Aqsa University in Khan Yunis.
End summary.

Governor: Hamas Increases Arrests,
Is Not Interested in Compromise
--------------


2. (C) Gaza Governor Muhammad al-Qidwa told PolOff by phone
November 26 that Hamas has stepped up harassment and
arbitrary detention of Fatah leaders and activists in the
Gaza Strip. He said Hamas monitors the phones and movements
of even low-level Fatah activists, and detains Fatah members
for interrogation if they call Ramallah-registered landline
or mobile phone numbers. Al-Qidwa, himself jailed by Hamas
for six weeks recently, said Hamas maintains an iron grip on
Gaza and immediately cracks down on peaceful demonstrations
or Fatah political gatherings. He commented that Hamas has
no real interest in compromise and only seeks to preserve and
expand its control.


3. (C) PLO officials in Gaza told PolOff November 26 that
they have experienced similar harassment and said their
movements are watched and restricted. They said Hamas
security forces have prevented them from attending recent PLO
meetings in Ramallah.

University Clashes in Khan Yunis:
30 Students Injured
--------------


4. (U) Fatah student leaders told press that 30 people were
injured in clashes at al-Aqsa University in Khan Yunis on
November 25, triggered by Hamas-imposed "double-standards in
permitting student gatherings for Hamas and Fatah student
organizations." Fatah leaders said Hamas security men fired
at Fatah demonstrators and joined Hamas students in beating
Fatah-affiliated students. Hamas security spokesman Islam
al-Shahwan denied that Hamas police fired at students and
downplayed the incident as a minor scuffle between female
Fatah and Hamas students. The campus closed for the day
after the fighting.
WALLES