Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JERUSALEM2262
2008-12-18 15:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
BETHLEHEM OFFICIALS COMPLAIN ABOUT IDF INCURSIONS
how-toVZCZCXRO9771 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #2262 3531540 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 181540Z DEC 08 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3546 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002262
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, IPA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/RAMCHAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2018
TAGS: KWBG IS PGOV PTER ASEC
SUBJECT: BETHLEHEM OFFICIALS COMPLAIN ABOUT IDF INCURSIONS
REF: JERUSALEM 2154
Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Greg Marchese, for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002262
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, IPA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/RAMCHAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2018
TAGS: KWBG IS PGOV PTER ASEC
SUBJECT: BETHLEHEM OFFICIALS COMPLAIN ABOUT IDF INCURSIONS
REF: JERUSALEM 2154
Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Greg Marchese, for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
1. (C) Bethlehem's Governor and Mayor complained to
ConGenOffs that the IDF used Bethlehem's main streets three
times over 24 hours en route to raids in towns in Bethlehem
Governorate. Governor Salah Tamari said the IDF entered Bayt
Sahur and detained Sa'id Awad Shibat early December 18, and
entered Harmalah (southeast of Bethlehem) twice December
16-17, detaining 16 Palestinians. In each case, Tamari said
the IDF used main roads near tourist sites to reach their
targets.
2. (C) Bethlehem Mayor Victor Batarsah told PolFSN December
18 that the IDF movements through Bethlehem were small and
did not themselves pose a threat to tourism. However, he
said, continued IDF incursions, especially this close to
Christmas, could frighten overnight tourists and cause
disturbances that disrupt Christmas celebrations.
3. (SBU) According to PA Police contacts, public order
police and civil defense officers have conducted extensive
response drills in recent days to prepare for emergency
responses, crowd control, and evacuations. Mayor Batarsah
told local press that the PA is ready to deal with
emergencies or disruptions without Israeli intervention.
Large numbers of tourists are already arriving in Bethlehem
in what is expected to be a record-breaking year for visitors
to the city, he said.
MARCHESE
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, IPA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/RAMCHAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2018
TAGS: KWBG IS PGOV PTER ASEC
SUBJECT: BETHLEHEM OFFICIALS COMPLAIN ABOUT IDF INCURSIONS
REF: JERUSALEM 2154
Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Greg Marchese, for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)
1. (C) Bethlehem's Governor and Mayor complained to
ConGenOffs that the IDF used Bethlehem's main streets three
times over 24 hours en route to raids in towns in Bethlehem
Governorate. Governor Salah Tamari said the IDF entered Bayt
Sahur and detained Sa'id Awad Shibat early December 18, and
entered Harmalah (southeast of Bethlehem) twice December
16-17, detaining 16 Palestinians. In each case, Tamari said
the IDF used main roads near tourist sites to reach their
targets.
2. (C) Bethlehem Mayor Victor Batarsah told PolFSN December
18 that the IDF movements through Bethlehem were small and
did not themselves pose a threat to tourism. However, he
said, continued IDF incursions, especially this close to
Christmas, could frighten overnight tourists and cause
disturbances that disrupt Christmas celebrations.
3. (SBU) According to PA Police contacts, public order
police and civil defense officers have conducted extensive
response drills in recent days to prepare for emergency
responses, crowd control, and evacuations. Mayor Batarsah
told local press that the PA is ready to deal with
emergencies or disruptions without Israeli intervention.
Large numbers of tourists are already arriving in Bethlehem
in what is expected to be a record-breaking year for visitors
to the city, he said.
MARCHESE