EAST JERUSALEM PALESTINIAN HOUSING COUNCIL

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 002321 SIPDIS SENSITIVE NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWBG IS PREL PBTS PGOV SUBJECT: EAST JERUSALEM PALESTINIAN HOUSING COUNCIL RE-OPENS AFTER CLOSURE ¶1. (SBU) On December 31, the East Jerusalem-based Palestinian Housing Council (PHC) reopened after a six-month closure. The Israeli Ministry of Internal Security closed the PHC on July 2, 2008, claiming that it was a Palestinian Authority (PA) agency operating illegally in Jerusalem. The Council filed suit to revoke the closure order, and the Israeli government failed to submit evidence to support renewing it, according to local press. ¶2. (SBU) PHC Chairman Ibrahim Shaaban told PolOff that the PHC is registered with Israeli authorities and has paid all required fees since 1991. Shaaban commented that the closure was for political reasons and Israeli authorities decided not to renew the closure order because they had no evidence linking the PHC to the PA. In 2001, eight East Jerusalem Palestinian institutions (including the Orient House),were closed by the GOI using the same justification. These eight remain closed. (Comment: While the PHC's opening is positive, it is unlikely to influence reopening of other closed East Jerusalem institutions. Jerusalem Palestinian political interlocutors say their Israeli counterparts tell them decisions on the primary East Jerusalem institutions are reserved for the Israeli Prime Minister, and reopenings are not being actively considered. End comment). WALLES