PALESTINIANS EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT RISING TENSION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 000697 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA. NSC FOR SHAPIRO/KUMAR E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2024 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS ASEC KWBG SUBJECT: PALESTINIANS EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT RISING TENSION LEADING TO INCREASED VIOLENCE REF: A. JERUSALEM 691 ¶B. JERUSALEM 686 ¶C. JERUSALEM 679 ¶D. JERUSALEM 661 ¶E. JERUSALEM 648 ¶F. JERUSALEM 629 ¶G. JERUSALEM 615 ¶H. JERUSALEM 565 ¶I. 07 JERUSALEM 2259 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Palestinian contacts explained a recent increase in violent incidents in Jerusalem and the West Bank as resulting from increased tension brought on by Palestinians' growing sense of insecurity. In conversations with PolOff, Palestinian contacts pointed to the new Israeli government, the new Jerusalem mayor, aggressive Israeli policies in Jerusalem, and the continuing sense of confinement as adding to Palestinians' frustration. The PA Governor of Jerusalem warned that seemingly small issues -- such as evictions in Shaykh Jarrah or demolitions in al-Bustan -- could spark larger-scale violence and eventually lead to a "third intifada". End summary. UPTICK IN VIOLENCE IN MARCH/APRIL -------------- ¶2. (C) Post observed an increase in violent incidents in Jerusalem and the West Bank in late March and April. Typical incidents -- such as Palestinian demonstrations and scuffles between settlers and Palestinians -- led to several light and moderate injuries, but several significant incidents, some of which are listed below, resulted in serious injuries and deaths. UN officials in mid-April described these events as a clear "increase in tension" over the previous few months. A story in Ha'Aretz April 20 noted that many of the perpetrators of these incidents appear to have been operating independently of organized terrorist groups. -- A Palestinian armed with an ax killed one settler child and injured another at the Bat Ayin settlement on April 2 (ref G). -- Israeli police providing security for a home demolition shot and killed a Palestinian driver who, they said, threatened them with his car April 7 in Jerusalem (ref F). -- Settlers from Bat Ayin and Palestinians clashed near the village of Khirbat Safa April 8, leaving a total of at least 17 wounded -- including one settler -- in an incident that Palestinians described as retribution for the April 2 ax attack, and that settlers called an unprovoked Palestinian attack (ref E). -- An IDF soldier shot a Palestinian in the stomach near the village of Hizma April 8, saying the Palestinian was trying to steal his gun, according to Palestinians and Israeli press. -- A Palestinian man died after being struck in the chest by an IDF-fired teargas canister during a weekly anti-barrier protest on April 17 in Bil'in (ref A). -- A 16-year-old Palestinian was killed and another wounded by IDF gunfire while throwing Molotov cocktails near the Beit El settlement April 17. -- An 18-year-old Palestinian was arrested after stabbing a tourist and attempting to stab others in Jerusalem's Old City April 17, according to press. The perpetrator was determined to be mentally unstable. -- A Palestinian taxi driver reportedly admitted malicious intent after hitting two Israeli policemen with his car near Hizma checkpoint April 18. PALESTINIANS SAY ISRAELI POLICIES INCREASING TENSION -------------- ¶3. (C) PA Governor of Jerusalem Adnan Husseini told PolOff April 23 that Palestinian hopes for a negotiated solution have diminished following the establishment of the "Netanyahu/Lieberman government." He said that Israeli national and municipal policies disenfranchise Palestinians, and will lead to increased violence. Husseini said that the issue of home demolitions and evictions resonates with all Palestinians, and further Israeli moves could provoke violent reactions throughout the territories. He counseled PolOff JERUSALEM 00000697 002 OF 002 not to ignore other sensitive but less urgent sites, like the Shepherds Hotel (ref H) and the Mufti's Grove (ref I). He said Israeli settlement construction in E-1 would end the chances for a peace agreement. Husseini compared the current level of tension to summer 2000, saying that the slightest incident could spark an escalation of violence, and that a "third intifada" is a realistic concern. ¶4. (C) Head of the Arab Studies Society's Mapping and GIS Department Khalil Tufakji told PolOff April 22 that PM Netanyahu and Mayor Barkat's policies on Jerusalem contribute to a Palestinian sense of hopelessness. He said specifically that home demolitions provoke the strongest reaction among Palestinians, but, like Husseini, he said the international community should not ignore other long-standing issues like the Shepherds Hotel and Mufti's Grove. Tufakji said the growing list of grievances creates pressure that will reduce Palestinians' willingness to negotiate with Israel. ¶5. (C) Riad Yassir Hamad, a local leader in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiya, told PolOff April 23 that Palestinians perceive the Netanyahu government as bad for them and said that Israeli FM Lieberman will "kill the chance for peace." He said Palestinians are losing hope as the situation deteriorates. The most visible sign of this deterioration, he said, is Israeli control of Palestinian access and movement, both throughout the West Bank and to/from Jerusalem. He said Jerusalem neighborhoods, like Issawiya, are beginning to resemble "refugee camps" because of the crowded and poor living conditions. Hamad echoed Husseini's comments that E-1 provides the last link between the West Bank and Jerusalem, and that Israeli construction there would be "the last straw." WALLES