HAMAS REPEATS CALLS FOR THE END OF ABBAS' TERM ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000076 SIPDIS S/ES-O FOR THE SECRETARY'S TRAVELING PARTY; NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2019 TAGS: PGOV PTER ASEC KWBG KPAL IS SUBJECT: HAMAS REPEATS CALLS FOR THE END OF ABBAS' TERM ON JANUARY 9; WEST BANK SECURITY CHIEFS PLAN FOR DEMONSTRATIONS REF: 07 JERUSALEM 2254 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. Hamas broke its recent silence on the duration of PA President Abbas' term, with its representative in Lebanon, Osama Hamdan, reiterating that it will end January 9. He argued that Abbas' ineffectual handling of the crisis in Gaza, in addition to Hamas' previous legal arguments, leaves Abbas without legitimacy after January 9. After Friday prayers January 9, Hamas plans West Bank-wide demonstrations against Israeli actions in Gaza and against Abbas. PA security forces (PASF) are preparing to disrupt any pro-Hamas or anti-PA demonstrations that may occur. End Summary. ¶2. (C) On January 7, Hamas reiterated its claim that the term of PA President Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) ends January 9. Hamas' representative in Lebanon, Osama Hamdan, issued a press statement on January 7 that Hamas' position on the end of the President's term has not changed. He pointed to Abbas' handling of the current crisis in Gaza as further "evidence" that his term should end. Abbas "did not carry out what is expected of him in terms of supporting the Palestinian people in Gaza against the Israeli aggression... (and) unfortunately, he has not made any positive steps to benefit Gaza that would merit a reassessment of our opinion" on the term's end date, he said. According to PA security contacts, Hamas has distributed leaflets in Hebron and Ramallah condemning the PA ban on Hamas demonstrations in the West Bank, and saying that Abbas' term expires on January 9. ¶3. (C) PASF contacts told PolFSN January 8 that the PASF has canceled all leave and recalled additional personnel in anticipation of Hamas demonstrations January 9. They described a PASF plan to deploy around central mosques in Hebron, Nablus, Tulkarm and Ramallah and monitor developments in Bethlehem, Qalqiliya, and Jenin. PASF chiefs met with PM Fayyad at 1300 local to review preparations. PASF have been ordered to prevent the display of pro-Hamas banners or chanting of anti-PA slogans at demonstrations. PM Fayyad told the press January 8 that Hamas should not raise the issue of Abbas' term and that legal questions about the term were already resolved. "The debate was wrong before, and today, in light of the Gaza situation, it is a must to stop talking" about this issue, he said. (Note: Abu Mazen will not be in the West Bank January 9. End note.) WALLES