WEST BANK REACTIONS TO START OF IDF GROUND

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000037

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA; NSC FOR
ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/PASCUAL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS KWBG KPAL IS GZ
SUBJECT: WEST BANK REACTIONS TO START OF IDF GROUND
OPERATIONS IN GAZA

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. Since IDF ground operations began in the
Gaza Strip on January 3, the West Bank has seen continued
demonstrations. Faction leaders, including jailed Fatah
leader Marwan Barghouti, are calling for unity and joint
protests. PA security forces (PASF) continue to prevent
clashes with IDF forces. The PLO Executive Committee on
January 4 called for an end to the Israeli military operation
and urged Arab support for a UN Security Council Resolution
(UNSCR). End Summary.

Demonstrations Continue;
Calls for Factional Unity
--------------


2. (C) Demonstrations have continued in West Bank cities and
villages since IDF ground operations in Gaza began January 3.
The PA has permitted protests, but insisted that no
factional flags be displayed. On instructions from PM
Fayyad, PASF have used overt and covert officers to control
demonstrations, and have prevented crowds from marching to
checkpoints and other areas of potential friction with IDF
soldiers. Students demonstrated January 5 at Birzeit
University, prompting a suspension of classes. They tried to
march to the 'Atara checkpoint, but were stopped and
dispersed by PASF shooting live ammunition in the air.


3. (C) Jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti released a
January 4 statement from prison, urging Palestinian national
unity to counter the on-going IDF operations in Gaza. He
applauded local and international demonstrations against
Israeli actions and urged Fatah and other factions to "join
forces in combating the Israeli occupation." A West Bank
member of the Fatah youth organization (al-Shabiba) told
Poloff January 5 that Fatah youth will continue to
demonstrate in solidarity with Gazans and support of a
ceasefire.


4. (C) The National and Islamic Forces, which includes
Fatah, Hamas, PIJ, PFLP, PFLP-GC, DFLP, PPP, PPSF, FIDA, and
other PLO and non-PLO factions, called for commercial strikes
and a closure of the universities in Hebron on January 5.
Head of the ICRC Hebron office Matteo Benatti told Poloff
that 200-300 demonstrators from a mix of pro-PA factions
staged a peaceful sit-in and delivered a letter to ICRC
expressing concern over the situation in Gaza.

Hebron: Commercial Strikes
--------------


5. (SBU) The Mayor of Hebron's economic advisor told Econoff
January 5 that all of the city's shops were closed in Hebron
in a "complete commercial strike." He said the city was
quiet, with few trucks on the streets. The mood in Hebron is
negative, he said, with "highly frustrated" residents
participating in periodic demonstrations. He noted that
Hebron's settlers have generally avoided confrontations and
remain "quiet."

PLO-Executive Committee
--------------


6. (SBU) Abu Mazen convened the PLO Executive Committee on
January 4 to address the ground operation. According to PLO
officials, Hamas was invited to the leadership meeting, but
did not attend. The committee condemned the Israeli
operation as "a massacre" and called on Arab countries to
help foster Palestinian national unity and work towards a
UNSCR to end the hostilities.

IDF Operations in the West Bank:
Skirmishes and Increased Tensions
--------------


7. (SBU) Skirmishes have continued at Qalandiya checkpoint,
north of Jerusalem, on a near daily basis since airstrikes
began. Several incidents of rock throwing or Molotov
cocktail attacks on vehicles were reported after dark on
January 4 near Qalqiliya along a road connecting the Ariel
and Qedumim settlements with Israel. The mayor of Jayyus, a
village near Qalqiliya, told PolOff that continued IDF
incursions into the village contribute to increased tensions.
WALLES