Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09JERUSALEM243
2009-02-05 09:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
PALESTINIANS SEEK USG ASSISTANCE IN REOPENING
how-toVZCZCXRO3546 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #0243 0360933 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 050933Z FEB 09 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4039 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000243
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, IPA AND SELVA. NSC FOR
SHAPIRO/PASCUAL.
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2024
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: PALESTINIANS SEEK USG ASSISTANCE IN REOPENING
INSTITUTIONS IN EAST JERUSALEM
REF: A. 08 JERUSALEM 01432
B. 08 JERUSALEM 00316
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000243
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, IPA AND SELVA. NSC FOR
SHAPIRO/PASCUAL.
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2024
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: PALESTINIANS SEEK USG ASSISTANCE IN REOPENING
INSTITUTIONS IN EAST JERUSALEM
REF: A. 08 JERUSALEM 01432
B. 08 JERUSALEM 00316
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. Palestinian contacts have asked the USG to
encourage the GoI to allow eight Jerusalem-based Palestinian
institutions to reopen this month. The institutions were
originally closed in 2001, and the closures have been renewed
every six months since then. End Summary.
PALESTINIANS SEEK HELP TO REOPEN JERUSALEM INSTITUTIONS
-------------- --------------
2. (C) Orders to close eight Jerusalem-based Palestinian
institutions will expire February 8, 2009. The GoI Ministry
of Interior originally closed the eight institutions in 2001,
saying they were operating on behalf of the PA in Jerusalem
in violation of the Oslo accords. The GoI has renewed the
closure every six months since then, most recently in August
2008. (Note: The eight institutions are listed in Ref B.
The Roadmap calls on the GoI to reopen the "Palestinian
Chamber of Commerce and other closed Palestinian institutions
in East Jerusalem." End note.)
INSTITUTION DIRECTORS DISCUSS EFFORTS TO REOPEN
-------------- --
3. (C) General Manager of the Arab Studies Society Ishaq
Budeiri told PolOff that he has seen no change in GoI policy
toward Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem, and he does not
expect the GoI to reopen the institutions without USG
encouragement. He said the GoI never gave clear guidance on
what the institutions need to do to reopen in Jerusalem. He
said that the GoI suggested the Arab Studies Society relocate
to the West Bank, which he refused to do.
4. (C) Director of the Chamber of Commerce Azzam Abu Saoud
asked the USG to press the GoI not to renew the closure
orders. He told EconOff January 28 that the GoI asked in
August 2008 for a letter from the Chamber requesting
permission to reopen and pledging to operate independently of
the PA. Abu Saoud submitted the letter in November 2008 but
said he has not heard back from the GoI. (Note: A copy of
this letter can be found at the Consulate General's
classified website at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/jerusalem/ind ex.cfm by
clicking on the link for Political Reporting Attachments.
End note.)
5. (C) Note: The issue of East Jerusalem institutions was
raised repeatedly by President Abbas in meetings with PM
Olmert in 2008.
WALLES
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, IPA AND SELVA. NSC FOR
SHAPIRO/PASCUAL.
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2024
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: PALESTINIANS SEEK USG ASSISTANCE IN REOPENING
INSTITUTIONS IN EAST JERUSALEM
REF: A. 08 JERUSALEM 01432
B. 08 JERUSALEM 00316
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. Palestinian contacts have asked the USG to
encourage the GoI to allow eight Jerusalem-based Palestinian
institutions to reopen this month. The institutions were
originally closed in 2001, and the closures have been renewed
every six months since then. End Summary.
PALESTINIANS SEEK HELP TO REOPEN JERUSALEM INSTITUTIONS
-------------- --------------
2. (C) Orders to close eight Jerusalem-based Palestinian
institutions will expire February 8, 2009. The GoI Ministry
of Interior originally closed the eight institutions in 2001,
saying they were operating on behalf of the PA in Jerusalem
in violation of the Oslo accords. The GoI has renewed the
closure every six months since then, most recently in August
2008. (Note: The eight institutions are listed in Ref B.
The Roadmap calls on the GoI to reopen the "Palestinian
Chamber of Commerce and other closed Palestinian institutions
in East Jerusalem." End note.)
INSTITUTION DIRECTORS DISCUSS EFFORTS TO REOPEN
-------------- --
3. (C) General Manager of the Arab Studies Society Ishaq
Budeiri told PolOff that he has seen no change in GoI policy
toward Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem, and he does not
expect the GoI to reopen the institutions without USG
encouragement. He said the GoI never gave clear guidance on
what the institutions need to do to reopen in Jerusalem. He
said that the GoI suggested the Arab Studies Society relocate
to the West Bank, which he refused to do.
4. (C) Director of the Chamber of Commerce Azzam Abu Saoud
asked the USG to press the GoI not to renew the closure
orders. He told EconOff January 28 that the GoI asked in
August 2008 for a letter from the Chamber requesting
permission to reopen and pledging to operate independently of
the PA. Abu Saoud submitted the letter in November 2008 but
said he has not heard back from the GoI. (Note: A copy of
this letter can be found at the Consulate General's
classified website at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/jerusalem/ind ex.cfm by
clicking on the link for Political Reporting Attachments.
End note.)
5. (C) Note: The issue of East Jerusalem institutions was
raised repeatedly by President Abbas in meetings with PM
Olmert in 2008.
WALLES