E-1 AND RAS AL-AMUD UPDATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000996 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2018 TAGS: KWBG PGOV PBTS IS SUBJECT: E-1 AND RAS AL-AMUD UPDATE REF: JERUSALEM 775 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) E-1: MOVE COMPLETE -------------- ¶1. (C) Danny Poleg, spokesman for the West Bank police headquarters in E-1, told PolOff June 11 that the police completed their move into the E-1 facility, which serves as their new headquarters for the West Bank. Poleg said he did not know if the police still have minor offices at Ras al-Amud. ¶2. (C) PolOff visited E-1 on June 11 and observed normal traffic and activity at the police station. Ma'ale Adumim Mayor Benny Kashriel's caravan was removed from the E-1 scenic overlook following Israeli Independence Day. PolOff observed no land clearing or other indicators of impending residential construction beyond that previously reported. RAS AL-AMUD: POLICE OUT; YESHIVA STUDENTS IN -------------- ¶3. (C) A security guard at the former Ras al-Amud police station told PolOff June 11 the police have completed the move out of Ras al-Amud and will relinquish control of the compound on June 25. No police activity was visible at the Ras al-Amud building on June 11 except removal of weapons from the armory. The guard said about ten yeshiva students moved into the compound's southern buildings in late May and intend to live there during the planned construction. Across the street from the site, PolOff observed ongoing construction of 60 new residential units at the Ma'ale HaZeitim. WALLES