IDF AGREES TO REFRAIN FROM INCURSIONS IN FOUR WEST

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001078

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND NEA/IPA; NSC FOR SHAPIRO/KUMAR;
JOINT STAFF FOR LTG SELVA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINS MOPS PTER KWBG IS
SUBJECT: IDF AGREES TO REFRAIN FROM INCURSIONS IN FOUR WEST
BANK CITIES FOR ONE WEEK

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles for reasons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (C) Summary: Senior PA security officials told Post that
the IDF informed them on June 24 of a halt to incursions into
four West Bank cities -- Ramallah, Bethlehem, Qalqilia, and
Jericho -- for one week, except in extreme cases. As of June
25, PA officials confirmed there had been no overnight
incursions into these four cities. PA security officials
asked Shin Bet for quicker responses on amnesty requests for
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade fugitives currently held by the PA,
and the two sides agreed to discuss security arrangements for
the Fatah Sixth Party Congress at a later date. End Summary.

A One-Week "Offer":
No IDF Incursions In Four Cities
--------------


2. (C) PA security chiefs met June 24 in Bethlehem with IDF
West Bank Commander Noam Tivon, Civil Administration head
General Yoav (Poli) Mordachei, and a Shin Bet representative.
PA security contacts called the meeting "comfortable," and
said the IDF officers traveled in civilian cars to the
meeting site. According to NSF Commander Diab al-Ali,
General Tivon said that the IDF would refrain from entering
four West Bank cities -- Ramallah, Bethlehem, Qalqilia, and
Jericho -- for one week beginning the night of June 24,
except in extreme cases, such as hot pursuit. (Note: PA
contacts confirmed on June 25 that there had been incursions
the previous night. End Note.) Al-Ali reported that he
"accepted" this move as a first step toward restoring PA
control in Area A. Several of the PA chiefs reported to
PolSpec that the IDF gave the impression that this one-week
trial may be extended.

PA Requests Amnesty Assistance
--------------


3. (C) The PA security chiefs report that they sought Shin
Bet assistance to speed up the review of amnesty requests for
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade fugitives currently in PA custody,
primarily in Nablus. The Israeli representatives agreed to
convey the request, according to the PA officials, with a
favorable recommendation. The two sides also discussed the
upcoming Fatah Sixth Party Congress, now anticipated to take
place in Bethlehem on August 4. The PASF and IDF reportedly
agreed to coordinate security arrangements at a later date,
but noted that access for delegates from abroad would require
"higher-level discussions."

Comment
--------------


4. (C) If implemented, a one-week halt to IDF incursions into
these Palestinian cities would be an important step in
responding to PM Fayyad's primary request of the GOI. Fayyad
told the Consul General June 25 that he hopes this
arrangement will be expanded, to encompass more cities with
no time limit.
WALLES