FAYYAD MEETS PA SECURITY CHIEFS IN HEBRON; PASF

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 002153

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, IPA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/RAMCHAND

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2018
TAGS: KWBG IS PINS PGOV PTER
SUBJECT: FAYYAD MEETS PA SECURITY CHIEFS IN HEBRON; PASF
CLAIM PROGRESS IN GOVERNORATE SECURITY CAMPAIGN

REF: A. JERUSALEM 1952

B. JERUSALEM 1942

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


1. (C) Summary. PA security forces (PASF) commanders told
ConGenOffs that they met with PM Salam Fayyad in Hebron on
November 26 to review progress and discuss challenges. The
National Security Forces (NSF) commander said PASF have
arrested 110 security and criminal suspects in/around Hebron
since the deployment began. PA intelligence forces closed
several Hamas-linked NGOs in the Hebron area, forcing them to
change their managing boards and operations. Settler youth
rampaged through Hebron on November 26, causing thousands of
dollars in damage to Palestinian cars, homes, and business.
End summary.

Fayyad Visits Hebron, Discusses
Progress and Obstacles with PASF
--------------


2. (C) NSF commander MG Thiab Mustafa Ali (Abu al-Fatah) and
police and Preventive Security Organization (PSO) contacts
told ConGenOffs that they met PM Fayyad and Hebron Governor
Hussayn al-Araj in Hebron on November 26 and discussed
progress in the PA's Hebron Governorate security operations.
They said Fayyad commended them for successes to date and for
avoiding clashes with Israeli settlers and security forces,
and issued guidance as the PA continues the third phase of
its deployment. (Note: Per Ref B, the IDF required the PASF
to conduct successive area sweeps, reserving central Hebron
(H1) for the third phase. IDF restrictions against firing
weapons in H1 or operating in areas near H2 remain in place.
End note).

PA Cites Progress in Arrests
--------------


3. (S) MG Ali said PASF have arrested 110 security and
criminal suspects in/around Hebron since the PA received
permission to deploy. He said progress has been slow, partly
due to the IDF requirement that PASF coordinate all actions
with the IDF in advance, but there are already noticeable
improvements. He added that security actions in Hebron are
not new, as the PA had almost 2,000 security men in the area
before the security deployment, but the additional troops
have allowed greater coverage. He said many Hamas suspects
are hiding in H2, where the IDF does not permit
uniformed/armed PASF to operate, but the PA has apprehended
some suspects in H2 with undercover forces.


4. (C) Ali and other NSF staff said PASF continue
smaller-scale, intelligence-driven rural operations. NSF
officers said NSF, police, and PA intelligence raided
buildings in Yatta (Area A, south of Hebron) late November 25
and arrested gang suspects Muthir al-Masri, Ahmad al-Tardi,
Rasmi Khamaysah, Sa'id Yusif Muhammad, Mazin al-Natshah, and
Muhannad Taha. Security contacts told PolFSN November 26
that PSO and intelligence agents are investigating the
torching of PSO officer Musa Abu Fara's car in Surif (Area B,
northwest of Hebron) and shots fired against PASF joint
patrols in the past two weeks. The PSO is also concentrating
on seizing expired and counterfeit medicines and food items,
these contacts said.

Hamas-linked NGOs Closed,
Managing Boards Replaced
--------------


5. (S) Security contacts cite PA closure of several
Hamas-linked NGOs in the Hebron area, including the al-Aqsa
Charitable Society in Yatta, and Qatar Charitable Society,
Scientific Message Organization, and Charitable Action
Society, all in Hebron. Security contacts said these
organizations will be allowed to re-open with different
managing boards and operating documents. Security contacts
also report recent raids on al-Itimad Hospital in Yatta and
Lughin Print House in Hebron for suspected Hamas links.

PA: Settler Violence, IDF
Restrictions Hinder Security Progress
--------------


6. (C) Palestinian contacts in Hebron told PolOff that
settler youth rampaged through the city on November 26,
causing thousands of dollars in damage to Palestinian cars,
homes, and business. Israeli press reported November 26 that
settlers threw hundreds of stones at Palestinians, slashed
car tires, broke windows, and spray-painted graffiti on

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buildings. MG Ali and Hebron NSF commander BG Samih Jamil
al-Sayfi said this settler violence impedes efforts to build
public support for the PA's security campaign. MG Ali
commented that Israeli actions continue to focus on
protecting settlers and preventing Israeli-Palestinian
disturbances. If Palestinians acted like the settlers, he
said, the IDF would shoot them without hesitation.
WALLES