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