Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09JERUSALEM1360
2009-08-06 14:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
GOI RENEWING CLOSURE ORDERS ON EAST JERUSALEM
how-toVZCZCXRO6420 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #1360 2181414 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 061414Z AUG 09 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5668 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JCS WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001360
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA, NSC FOR SHAPIRO/KUMAR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL KWBG SCUL IS
SUBJECT: GOI RENEWING CLOSURE ORDERS ON EAST JERUSALEM
INSTITUTIONS
REF: A. JERUSALEM 293
B. 08 JERUSALEM 2321
Classified By: DPO Greg Marchese, for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001360
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA, NSC FOR SHAPIRO/KUMAR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL KWBG SCUL IS
SUBJECT: GOI RENEWING CLOSURE ORDERS ON EAST JERUSALEM
INSTITUTIONS
REF: A. JERUSALEM 293
B. 08 JERUSALEM 2321
Classified By: DPO Greg Marchese, for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C) ConGen contacts report that at least one of eight
Jerusalem-based Palestinian institutions closed by the GOI in
2001 has received another six-month renewal of the closure
order, and others expect to receive similar notices in the
coming days. Taher Hussayni, the caretaker of the Arab
Studies Society (Orient House) and part owner of the
building, reported that, on August 4, he received a closure
renewal notice, signed by the GOI on August 1. (Note: The
World Health Organization began renting the second floor of
the Orient House building in June, and around 25 WHO
employees have set up offices. They report that the ISRAEL
National Police (INP) conduct daily inspections to ensure
that the first floor -- the former Orient House -- remains
sealed.) Azzam Abu Soud, Director of the Chamber of Commerce
in East Jerusalem, said on August 4 that he has not yet
received a notice, but said he expects the plans to continue
the practice of renewing the closure order.
2. (SBU) The original closure orders were issued by the
Israeli Ministry of Internal Security in August 2001, on the
grounds that the institutions were operating on behalf of the
Palestinian Authority (PA) in Jerusalem, in violation of the
Oslo accords. The closure has been renewed every six months
since 2001, most recently in late January 2009.
3. (SBU) Contacts also report that the Nidal Center for
Community Development, a Palestinian institution in the Old
City that provided youth services, was ordered closed by the
GOI in July 2009. Press and contacts reported that the INP
closed at least ten cultural events in East Jerusalem --
including a balloon launching, a Mother's Day party, and a
press conference -- between March and July 2009, on the
grounds that these events were sponsored by the PA as part of
the "Arab Cultural Capital 2009" festivities. The Palestine
Housing Council, an East Jerusalem institution closed by the
GOI in mid-2007, was permitted to re-open in December 2008
(ref B).
WALLES
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA, NSC FOR SHAPIRO/KUMAR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL KWBG SCUL IS
SUBJECT: GOI RENEWING CLOSURE ORDERS ON EAST JERUSALEM
INSTITUTIONS
REF: A. JERUSALEM 293
B. 08 JERUSALEM 2321
Classified By: DPO Greg Marchese, for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C) ConGen contacts report that at least one of eight
Jerusalem-based Palestinian institutions closed by the GOI in
2001 has received another six-month renewal of the closure
order, and others expect to receive similar notices in the
coming days. Taher Hussayni, the caretaker of the Arab
Studies Society (Orient House) and part owner of the
building, reported that, on August 4, he received a closure
renewal notice, signed by the GOI on August 1. (Note: The
World Health Organization began renting the second floor of
the Orient House building in June, and around 25 WHO
employees have set up offices. They report that the ISRAEL
National Police (INP) conduct daily inspections to ensure
that the first floor -- the former Orient House -- remains
sealed.) Azzam Abu Soud, Director of the Chamber of Commerce
in East Jerusalem, said on August 4 that he has not yet
received a notice, but said he expects the plans to continue
the practice of renewing the closure order.
2. (SBU) The original closure orders were issued by the
Israeli Ministry of Internal Security in August 2001, on the
grounds that the institutions were operating on behalf of the
Palestinian Authority (PA) in Jerusalem, in violation of the
Oslo accords. The closure has been renewed every six months
since 2001, most recently in late January 2009.
3. (SBU) Contacts also report that the Nidal Center for
Community Development, a Palestinian institution in the Old
City that provided youth services, was ordered closed by the
GOI in July 2009. Press and contacts reported that the INP
closed at least ten cultural events in East Jerusalem --
including a balloon launching, a Mother's Day party, and a
press conference -- between March and July 2009, on the
grounds that these events were sponsored by the PA as part of
the "Arab Cultural Capital 2009" festivities. The Palestine
Housing Council, an East Jerusalem institution closed by the
GOI in mid-2007, was permitted to re-open in December 2008
(ref B).
WALLES