PALESTINIAN REACTION TO FOREIGN MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000600 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA. NSC FOR SHAPIRO/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KWBG KPAL IS SUBJECT: PALESTINIAN REACTION TO FOREIGN MINISTER LIEBERMAN'S DISAVOWAL OF ANNAPOLIS PROCESS Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. In response to an April 1 statement by Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman that Israel is not obligated by the Annapolis process, PA officials labeled Lieberman "an obstacle to peace" and called on the U.S. to ensure that the new Israeli government commits to previous agreements. One Fatah leader said the new Israeli government's policies will weaken the PA and bolster Hamas. End summary. ¶2. (C) Responding to reports that the new Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, disavowed the Annapolis process, PLO Executive Committee Secretary General Yasser Abed Rabbo told the press that Palestinians would not sit around a negotiating table with "a racist like Lieberman," adding, "this minister is an obstacle to peace." Advisor to the Prime Minister on Jerusalem Affairs Hatem Abdul Qader told Polspec on April 2 that Lieberman's statements were "provocative" and "might put the entire region in serious danger." Abdul Qader called on the USG to ensure that the new Israeli government abides by previous agreements and accepts the principles of the peace process. He commented that the new Israeli government shows the international community that Hamas is not the only obstacle to peace. ¶3. (C) Qadora Faris, a grassroots Fatah leader close to jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, described Lieberman's statements to Polspec on April 2 as "racist and extremist." Faris predicted that the new Israeli "hardliner" government will fail to achieve its goals and will weaken the PA's credibility, bolstering Hamas. He commented that the Quartet insists that the PA government meet certain conditions in order for international recognition, and said the Israeli government must be similarly accountable. WALLES