THE AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH INTERNAL SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 002432

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KPAL EG IS
SUBJECT: THE AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH INTERNAL SECURITY
MINISTER DICHTER: ACTION AGAINST SETTLER VIOLENCE,
SECURITY COOPERATION WITH PA, CONCERN ABOUT HAMAS' GROWING
STRENGTH IN GAZA

Classified By: Ambassador James B. Cunningham, Reason 1.4 (b) (d)


1. (C) Summary. The Ambassador called on Internal Security
Minister Avi Dichter October 30. They discussed the GOI's
plans for dealing with extremist settler violence, Israeli
security cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, and
Hamas' ongoing efforts to develop its military capabilities
in Gaza. On stopping settler violence, Dichter said the GOI
was improving the cooperation among the IDF, police and
border police. A key issue was training IDF soldiers to
develop hard evidence against settlers that could be used in
Israeli courts. Dichter noted that the Shin Bet had
destroyed the so-called "settler underground" in the 1980s
and might have to do the same again. On cooperation with the
PA, Dichter agreed that PA security capabilities were
increasing rapidly. He praised the role of USSC Lt. General
Dayton in this regard. Dichter said the resignation of PA
general intelligence commander Tirawi was an important step
forward, but noted that the PA needed to develop an
"integrated chain" of security under a unified command.
Dichter complained that Egypt was still not doing enough to
stop smuggling into Gaza, adding that he now calls Hamas an
"army of terrorists" rather than a terrorist organization
because of the marked improvement in their conventional
military capabilities. The Ambassador stressed the
importance of the rule of law for both Palestinians and
Israelis, noting that we are glad to see the GOI taking
action against settler violence. He noted the international
community's new emphasis on assisting the PA in developing a
functioning legal system as an essential part of the security
equation. He said we are providing Egypt with some technical
assistance in dealing with smuggling, but noted that we agree
on the need for greater Egyptian cooperation in keeping Hamas
isolated. End Summary.

Dealing with Settler Violence
--------------


2. (C) The Ambassador, accompanied by PolCouns, called on
Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter October 30. Dichter
was joined by his office director Mati Gill, director of the
ministry's international relations department Natan
Rotenberg, and intelligence coordinator Zachi Chefetz. The
Ambassador began by asking Dichter about a coordinating
meeting organized by Defense Minister Barak earlier that week
to coordinate the security services' response to increasing
acts of violence by settler extremists. Dichter agreed there
has been an increase in settler violence against Palestinians
and also against IDF soldiers and Israeli police. The IDF,
Israeli national police, and border police who report to the
Minister of Defense all operate in the West Bank. The key is
to coordinate their different roles.


3. (C) Dichter said the main problem was developing hard
evidence against the settlers in order to make charges stand
up in Israeli courts. Even if the IDF catches a settler
red-handed in an act of violence, if there is no witness to
testify, the courts will release the culprit. In the last
year the number of extremist settlers who were arrested
doubled over the previous year, but it was still not enough
to deter them. The new coordination initiated by Barak will
help, as will efforts to train IDF soldiers in how to gather
evidence. There was some push-back, however, particularly
from reservists who felt that this was not part of their
duties. The third element is an effort by the State Attorney
to explain to Israeli judges the special circumstances
surrounding the phenomenon of settler violence, which will
hopefully lead to more convictions. Dichter noted that the
MOD has powers in the West Bank that the GOI lacks inside
Green Line Israel, and therefore the GOI can use
administrative bans and administrative detentions if
necessary, but he added that the government's strong
preference is to deal with settler violence through the
courts.


4. (C) Dichter explained that violent extremists are a small
minority of settlers, but they are capable of attacking
anyone. They now pose a threat to the leaders of the West
Bank settlers themselves, who are intimidated from standing
up to the extremists. Dichter noted that the GOI had brought
down the so-called "settler underground" in the 1980s, but
the "underground" appears to have returned in the past year
or so. Dichter complained that there are also almost daily
"provocations" by extreme left wing activists, some of them
Israelis and some Americans and Europeans. Actions such as
marching in the middle of Hebron or attempting to tear down
the security fence amounted to pouring gas on the fire. The
Ambassador noted that the rule of law is important for both
Palestinians and Israelis, adding that we are pleased to see
the GOI taking action to stop settler violence.

TEL AVIV 00002432 002 OF 002



Need Unified Palestinian Security
--------------


5. (C) Dichter said that despite uncertainty about whether
there will be a clash between Fatah and Hamas over the
legitimacy of Mahmoud Abbas' mandate after January 9, the
West Bank security situation is improving, especially in
Jenin and Hebron. While it is clear that Hamas is
responsible if a rocket is launched from Gaza the situation
is ambiguous in the West Bank. Israelis are aware that
unlike Qassam rockets, which rarely kill, one suicide bomber
can kill as many as thirty people. Hamas is continuing to
try to send suicide bombers into Israel through Sinai. The
Israeli security services are thwarting attempted suicide
bombings every few days. Dichter praised the efforts of USSC
Lt General Dayton, noting that due to the "great job"
performed by Dayton, the PA is starting to have an effective
security force.


6. (C) The Ambassador noted that we have made a lot of
progress during the past few months working with Israel and
the PA on security and economic development in the West Bank.
We are aware, however, that the situation can change
quickly. Dichter commented that the resignation a few days
earlier of PA general intelligence head Tawfiq Tirawi was an
important development that would serve the interests of Abbas
and PM Fayyad first, but also those of Israel. Tirawi's
resignation was not enough, however. What is needed is a
unified chain of command for all the Palestinian security
forces, and a credible system of justice. Only when there
is a unified chain of command will there be a possibility
that Israel will hand over security responsibility to the PA.
Dichter added that crime is also a factor, pointing out that
sixty percent of cars stolen in Israel end up in the West
Bank. Criminals cannot be allowed to feel that the PA is
their sanctuary. The Ambassador said that the concept of
building Palestinian security institutions is at the core of
international efforts. The PA needs a functioning legal
system, courts, and jails as well as effective security
services, which are being trained to have a sense of
responsibility to civilian authorities. This will take time.

Hamas Now a Terrorist Army
--------------


7. (C) Dichter said that for the past seven years, Hamas has
copied Hizballah's role in Lebanon. Since Israel's
withdrawal from Gaza in December 2005, Hamas has been able to
maintain direct contact with Iran by traveling through Egypt.
In only three years, Hamas has transformed itself from a
terrorist organization to an "army of terrorists" based on
the Hizballah model. At the time of the Gaza withdrawal,
Israel thought that Egypt would block smuggling, but Egypt
has not done so effectively. The main center of smuggling,
the area around Rafah, is only 4 kilometers. Egypt should be
able to block the smuggling easily, but Egypt does not want
to fight Hamas unless it has to. Dichter said that Egyptian
Intelligence Minister Omar Soliman once asked him what Israel
wants. Dichter said he replied that all Israel wants is for
Egypt to fight the smuggling from Sinai into Gaza the same
way it would fight smuggling from Sinai into Egypt. The
Ambassador agreed this was a difficult problem. He noted
that the U.S. is providing Egypt with technical assistance
to help them combat smuggling, but the Egyptians want to keep
U.S. support at a low profile. We need more Egyptian
cooperation in isolating Hamas physically as well as
politically.


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