JEWS BEGIN MOVE TO SANA'A AFTER STONINGS IN REYDA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000009 FOR NEA/ARP AMACDONALD FOR SEAS S/E GRICKMAN FOR PRM/A TRUSCH E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2019 TAGS: PHUM PREF KIRF YM SUBJECT: JEWS BEGIN MOVE TO SANA'A AFTER STONINGS IN REYDA REF: A. 08 SANAA 2057 ¶B. 08 STATE 110175 Classified By: CDA Angie Bryan for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. After anti-Israel demonstrations turned into a violent episode of stone-throwing on January 4, the Reyda Jews began moving to government housing in Sana'a on January 5. Several people were injured as a result of the violence and at least one man was hospitalized for his injuries. Post initiated the P-1 process for several Jewish families who applied for refugee admission to the U.S. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) On January 4, sporadic stone-throwing targeted at Yemeni Jews and their property occurred in connection with the Israeli ground invasion of Gaza. Several Jews were injured, and at least one, Zaher al-Kafri, was hospitalized. Rashousha al-Garadi, a Jewish woman living in Reyda, told PolOff on January 4, "The children are sent to throw stones, and they say we deserve to die." Rabbi Yahya Yaish told PolOff on January 4 that the Jews again felt too scared to leave their homes. According to community leader Haim Yaish, the community called Reyda's security director, who immediately sent security personnel to protect Jewish homes. Yaish said that the situation in Reyda was calm as of 6 PM local time, and added that at least four men had been arrested in connection to the stone-throwing. ¶3. (C) On January 4, ruling party Member of Parliament (MP) and prominent tribal sheikh Mohamed Naji al-Shaif told PolOff that President Saleh had signed an order to rent apartments in Sana'a for the Reyda Jews (reftel A). Al-Shaif said the housing would be in "Labor City," a development located in northern Sana'a between the U.S. Embassy and Sana'a International Airport. The ROYG plans to build a wall around the compound for security. A delegation of community leaders from Reyda was scheduled to inspect the houses on January 5. (Note: PolOff will accompany them. End note.) Multiple contacts confirmed that the entire community was packed and ready to move to Sana'a. The CDA requested a meeting with Minister of Human Rights Huda al-Ban to stress the need for the ROYG to provide protection for the Jews currently moving to Sana'a. Pointing out recent press reports detailing where the community will be housed in the capital, the CDA requested the Minister's assistance in pressing for immediate and additional security for the Jews in order to avoid more violence. Al-Ban agreed to telephone Minister of Interior Rashad al-Masri immediately to "ensure that this threatened community is protected." ¶4. (SBU) Several Reyda families indicated their desire to be resettled in the U.S. via the P-1 process (reftel B). Two obstacles have slowed this process: a lack of passports and difficulty in obtaining the necessary biographic information from the Reyda Jews. Minister of Human Rights al-Ban assured the CDA on January 5 that the ROYG would ensure passport issuance for any individual who applies. PolOff will gather the necessary biographic information in person at the earliest possible date in order to expedite the P-1 process. (Note: Post is awaiting approval from the ROYG to travel to Reyda on January 10 if needed. End note.) COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (C) Yesterday's violent stoning episode serves as additional evidence that the situation of the Reyda Jews has become untenable. Post believes the move from Reyda to Sana'a is a necessary first step in increasing their security. However, the move to Sana'a is not enough to guarantee protection for the Reyda Jews; the ROYG must also provide adequate security in the capital. For at least some of the Reyda families, resettlement to a third country (such as the U.S. or Israel) might prove the only option. Post will continue to monitor this rapidly developing situation closely and report details soonest. END COMMENT. BRYAN