WEST BANK SETTLEMENT LEADERS FULMINATE ABOUT U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001606

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2019
TAGS: PGOV PBTS PREL KPAL KWBG IS KPAO
SUBJECT: WEST BANK SETTLEMENT LEADERS FULMINATE ABOUT U.S.
POLICY

Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Greg Marchese
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. Local West Bank settlement leaders
expressed anger over a possible construction freeze in
separate meetings with PolOff on September 2. Gush Etzion
Regional Council Chairman Shaul Goldstein said he gave up on
the YESHA Council after Gaza disengagement and is now
organizing meetings and protests with other West Bank mayors.
While he objected to any freeze on construction, Goldstein
left open the door to negotiations over outpost removal.
Ariel Mayor Ron Nachman was equally categorical in his
rejection of a freeze, and urged USG and GOI leaders to come
see the "reality" of Ariel firsthand. "If you don't
recognize me, I don't recognize you," he added. A Jerusalem
Post journalist appeared at the meeting with Nachman
unannounced. PolOff limited her comments to pleasantries and
to noting that the USG routinely meets with and listens to a
broad range of interlocutors on settlement issues. End
Summary.

Longtime Leader "Gives Up" On YESHA Council
--------------


2. (C) In separate meetings with PolOff on September 2,
local settlement leaders expressed anger over the possibility
of a freeze on settlement construction. Gush Etzion Regional
Council chairman Shaul Goldstein said he gave up on the YESHA
Council after Gaza disengagement, and because "it is not
doing enough to stop a freeze (on settlement activity)."
Instead, he said he has organized an initial meeting of
regional mayors to protest a possible freeze, as well as
outpost removal. Twelve of 24 West Bank settlement mayors
attended the meeting, Goldstein said, and he expects that
more will participate in future meetings and activities. The
next event will be a protest in support of Ma'ale Adumim
Mayor Benny Kashriel's planned E-1 cornerstone laying
ceremony on September 7. Then, this informal group plans to
attend a reception with Israeli Minister of Defense Barak and
other GOI officials. "It will not just be a toast,"
Goldstein said, "we will make noise."


3. (C) Efforts continue to pressure the GOI, Goldstein said.
In an August meeting between PM Netanyahu and four
settlement leaders (Ma'ale Adumim mayor Benny Kashriel, Beit
El's Moshe Rosenbaum, Ariel mayor Ron Nachman, and
Goldstein),Goldstein said, "I told Bibi that we voted for
him and he has to respect our needs. We can't afford a
freeze - it is a declaration against our future."


4. (C) "If (Israeli and American politicians) come and talk
to us, maybe we can negotiate," Goldstein added. He noted
that the IDF and those GOI officials in charge of home
evacuations do not talk to him or Gush Etzion residents
directly when they decide to issue demolition orders. "They
just send messages before dismantling." Goldstein added that
he and his constituency do not want a confrontation with the
IDF. In the past, he noted, Gush Etzion residents agreed to
voluntary dismantle some outposts that were served demolition
orders.

Ariel Mayor: USG Should Focus On Other Issues
--------------


5. (C) In a separate meeting on September 2, Ariel Mayor Ron
Nachman said pointedly, "We are angry about the freeze. We
will use all measures to fight it." Nachman accused Israeli
and American politicians of formulating policies without
understanding realities on the ground. "They should come and
see, then they will understand." (Note: A Jerusalem Post
journalist joined the discussion with Nachman at his
invitation -- Nachman gave PolOff no notice that he would do
so -- and plans to report on the meeting. Consequently,
Poloff was in receive mode only, except for pleasantries and
to note that the USG routinely meets with and listens to a
broad range of interlocutors on settlement issues. End
Note.)
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