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 JERUSALEM 00002153 002 OF 002 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