CONSUL GENERAL'S MEETING WITH JERUSALEM MAYOR NIR

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000337 SIPDIS NEA FOR IPA, EX, FRONT OFFICE, AND OBO. NSC FOR SHAPIRO/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2019 TAGS: PHUM ASEC IS PBTS KWBG ABLD PREL SUBJECT: CONSUL GENERAL'S MEETING WITH JERUSALEM MAYOR NIR BARKAT REF: 08 JERUSALEM 2035 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Recently-elected Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat described his "businesslike" approach to municipal governance to the Consul General during a February 23 meeting, saying that he hopes to develop Jerusalem into a tourist haven using the "Disney World" model. Barkat said he wants to include all the city's residents in this project, as well as private investment, but that Palestinians will have to "pull their own weight" by paying their taxes and municipal fees. Mayor Barkat committed his administration to supporting Consulate General obtain permits and approvals for ConGen construction projects. End summary. Barkat's "Business" Approach to Municipal Governance -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) In a meeting February 23, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat told the Consul General that he intends to take a "businesslike" approach to running Jerusalem, and committed to bringing greater transparency and efficiency to operations than did his predecessor, Uri Lupolianski. Barkat said he is focused on development as a means to attract greater numbers of tourists to the city and boost Jerusalem's economy, and that he is committed to working with the East Jerusalem population to make that happen. ¶3. (C) Barkat said that his administration "moved fast" after coming to power in December to improve services such as waste disposal in Palestinian neighborhoods. However, Barkat argued, it is hard to "invest in the street" in East Jerusalem because residents do not reliably pay taxes or fees for municipal services. He suggested that private investment, rather than the state, provide services in East Jerusalem. (Note: Palestinians make up roughly one third of the city's population, but they received only ten percent of the city's budget in 2007. End note.) In response, the Consul General noted that East Jerusalem's residents do not believe their interests are taken into account, and they will cooperate with the Mayor's plans only if they are treated with respect. Jerusalem Development: the "Disney World" Model -------------- -- ¶4. (C) Barkat said he wants to increase the number of annual visitors to Jerusalem from two million per year to ten million. Jerusalem "needs to be like Disney World," according to Barkat, with "more pedestrians and less cars." He suggested that U.S. planners assist in this effort, saying that improvement of Jerusalem's sites and public transportation "must be planned wisely, like Disney World." He touted his administration's transparency, saying that he has created twenty committees that meet on a monthly basis in open sessions -- again contrasting his administration to that of former Mayor Lupolianski. Conflict in Gaza -------------- ¶5. (C) While discussing the impact of IDF operations in the Gaza Strip, Barkat complained that the world has a "triple standard" regarding casualties inflicted by IDF forces in Gaza, and that it holds Israel to a higher standard than Fatah or Hamas. He said that "no soldier intended to kill innocent civilians -- it's part of war. We are peace-seekers, but if put to the wall, we will retaliate, and it will hurt." Barkat said the Jerusalem Municipality understands that East Jerusalem residents were "upset" during the December 2008-January 2009 fighting in Gaza. He said Jerusalem police were able to contain and conclude protests peacefully, making some arrests. ConGen Construction Projects: "We'll Make it Happen" -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) Regarding the Consulate General's pending and ongoing construction projects, Mayor Barkat said, "No problem, we'll make it happen." Specifically, he said that his staff would cooperate with planned construction at Agron Road (Post 1), and that his staff would help obtain the municipal development agreement and occupancy permit for the Arnona construction project (the nearly-completed consular section offices). (Note: Municipal staff subsequently followed up on details of the projects with GSO. End note.) Barkat Comments on USG Policy, Requests Meeting in DC -------------- ¶7. (C) Barkat asked if the Embassy would be moved to Jerusalem, and the Consul General explained that the move is not likely to happen until there is peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Barkat disagreed with this premise, saying, "I don't understand why you need to wait for peace." Barkat said he will be in Washington, D.C., for meetings on March 27, and was open to ConGen recommendations on meetings there. (Note: PolOff subsequently passed Acting NEA A/S Feltman's offer to meet to the Mayor. End note.) WALLES