YATIR OUTPOST NOT REMOVED DESPITE CLAIMS

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000530 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2018 TAGS: KWBG PBTS PREL PHUM IS SUBJECT: YATIR OUTPOST NOT REMOVED DESPITE CLAIMS REF: TEL AVIV 538 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On a March 25 visit to the southern West Bank settlement of Yatir, PolOff observed that the four caravans at the Yatir South outpost, which the GOI claimed (reftel) were removed remain in place and inhabited. Yatir settlers told PolOff that they know the GOI is discussing the caravans' removal, but no action has been taken. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) PolOff visited Yatir March 25 to verify reports that the GOI had removed caravans from an outpost near the southern West Bank settlement of Yatir. Accompanied by settlers, PolOff visited the four caravans that are adjacent to two livestock buildings. Despite GOI claims that two of the four caravans were removed, PolOff observed that all four caravans remain in place, and according to Yatir settlers, are still inhabited. Vehicles were parked adjacent to the caravans, and settlers were present at the site. ¶3. (C) Yatir settlers told PolOff the caravans were brought in "five or six years ago" after several chicken thefts in which neighboring Bedouins were suspected, and are typically inhabited by young newlyweds who do not pay rent in exchange for providing security for the livestock. Settlers told PolOff they know the GOI is talking about moving the caravans, but no action had been taken. They added that the caravans' occupants grew up in Yatir and paying no rent "is a good deal for them". WALLES