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
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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