SETTLERS PROTEST AT FORMER IDF BASE NEAR BEIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000315 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA. NSC FOR SHAPIRO/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2019 TAGS: KWBG PHUM ASEC IS PREL EAID SUBJECT: SETTLERS PROTEST AT FORMER IDF BASE NEAR BEIT SAHOUR REF: 07 JERUSALEM 2021 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Settlers continue weekly protests near the former IDF base of Shdema where the Beit Sahour municipality is developing a park and plans to build a hospital. The park is heavily-used by Beit Sahour residents, and USAID is funding improvements to it. Gush Etzion Regional Council Chairman Shaul Goldstein told PolOffs that the council is lobbying the Civil Administration and Knesset leaders to end development at the park and to prevent construction of the hospital. End summary. Mayor of Beit Sahour Describes Problem with Settlers -------------- ¶2. (C) Mayor of Beit Sahour Hani al-Hayek told PolOffs February 2 that settlers from Gush Etzion demonstrate weekly near the former IDF base of Shdema where the Beit Sahour municipality is developing a park and plans to build a children's hospital. He said the settlers harass residents and take photos from the adjoining hilltop. He said IDF soldiers monitor the protests and have prevented the settlers from damaging the park. ¶3. (C) Al-Hayek said USAID is funding improvements to the park, which has been well-used by Beit Sahour residents. PolOffs observed on-going construction of two buildings in the park - a dining facility and administrative offices and restrooms - that are funded by USAID. Al-Hayek said MK Avigdor Lieberman (a resident of the nearby settlement of Nokdim) has recently complained to the Civil Administration about the construction, which Lieberman said is proceeding without a permit. The Mayor said the construction is based on a letter of committment from the Israeli Civil Administration indicating that permits will be issued once the transfer of land ownership documents is completed. Settler Regional Council Chairman Protesting Peace Park and Hospital -------------- ¶4. (C) Gush Etzion Regional Council Chairman Shaul Goldstein told PolOffs on February 2 that Gush Etzion settlers, himself included, protest at Shdema every Friday because they believe the Palestinian presence there threatens the nearby Har Homa settlement and Israeli cars on the "Lieberman Road" (route 398). He said settlers are lobbying the Civil Administration and the Knesset to block construction of the hospital, which he said "would give Palestinian snipers a better vantage point." He added that the GOI should not cede the area to Palestinians when settlers have so little land to build on. WALLES