BOSNIA - GAZA REACTION REVEALS UGLY SIDE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SARAJEVO 000040 SIPDIS SENSITIVE EUR/SCE FOR FOOKS, STINCHCOMB; NSC FOR HELGERSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM GZ BK PREL SUBJECT: BOSNIA - GAZA REACTION REVEALS UGLY SIDE ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Several incidents of anti-Semitic graffiti, biased press coverage, and irresponsible comments by Islamic Community head, Reis Mustafa Ceric (who labeled events in Gaza "genocide"),have contributed to an undercurrent of anti-Semitism in the Bosnian reaction to events in Gaza. While the Jewish Community's response to these incidents has been careful and correct, the Islamic Community's statements have been irresponsible. We have engaged with the Jewish Community to discuss their concerns about the tenor of public response, and have directly expressed our deep displeasure and opposition to the Reis' false characterization of the events as a "genocide." End Summary. Anti-Semitism Rears its Head -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In the wake of the beginning of Israeli military action in Gaza, media reported the appearance of anti-Semitic graffiti in Mostar. On the nights of January 7 and 8, graffiti equating the star of David and the swastika (and the words "Kill Jews") was found in three locations in Mostar. Initially, the only reaction was from the Jewish community. In a carefully-worded statement, Sarajevo Jewish Community President Boris Kozemljakin condemned the incident, and noted that "Jews of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) are loyal citizens and should not be equated with anyone's politics." Kozemljakin condemned the suffering of civilians in both Gaza and Israel. Privately, Kozemljakin told us he was saddened by the appearance of such graffiti in Bosnia, and specifically Mostar, which had a long and positive history of respecting the Jewish Community. He told us the Jewish Community had no specific threats to it, and no desire to increase security at this point. Protesters Tie USG, Israel, Jewish Community to Gaza -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) On January 8, the Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa Enclaves coordinated a small (50-person) protest in front of the U.S. Embassy, opposing USG support for Israel. One protester was quoted in the January 9 Oslobodenje calling on the international community to "stop the genocide in Gaza." Also, in an interview published January 9, Party for Democratic Action (SDA) Vice President and Member of Parliament Bakir Izetbegovic likened the scenes from Gaza to the war-time scenes of Sarajevo, saying it was time to speak �00A;the truth and condemn this (i.e. Israel's) bad behavior. (Comment: While he did not directly cross the line by equating Jews with Nazis or labeling them as perpetrators of genocide, by indirectly comparing the actions of Israelis to Serbs, he further fed ethnic and religious mistrust. End Comment.) ¶4. (SBU) Then, on January 10, the NGO Democratic Youth Movement organized a protest in central Sarajevo, where an estimated 1,500 people attended. Media report the protesters focused on civilian casualties of the conflict, with the Democratic Youth Movement chairman called for peace in Gaza, and compared the situation to that which BiH faced during the 1992-1995 war. While the organizers said the aim of the protest was not to blame either side, a small group of demonstrators carried posters which equated the star of David and the swastika, accompanied by shouts of "Allah-u Akbar." BiH Jewish Community President Jakob Finci noted his distress at the signs, arguing that the line between expressions of support for Palestinian civilians and racial hatred was being crossed. Reis Ceric Claims "Genocide" in Gaza -------------- ¶5. (SBU) While the first incidence of claiming Israelis were committing genocide in Gaza appeared in an inflammatory January 7 Dnevni Avaz article, this line of argument took added strength from Reis Mustafa Ceric's January 11 appearance on Hayat TV. In course of a long interview, Ceric criticized the Bosnian government for not taking strong enough action in response to "the genocide being carried out in Gaza." Ceric additionally praised al-Jazeera English for presenting a view which differs from the Western one. The Ambassador called Reis Ceric January 12 to protest his characterization of events in Gaza as genocide. Ceric was evasive in offering reasons for his use of the term genocide, SARAJEVO 00000040 002 OF 002 suggesting a strong impression left on him by graphic media images. When the Ambassador made clear the strong U.S. opposition to the use of such a term that carries clear legal and moral implications, Ceric demurred, suggesting his comments had been "premature," but were based on Israeli actions nearing genocide, in his view. The Ambassador quickly noted that the term was completely inaccurate in the Gaza context, and was an especially loaded one in the Bosnian context. He called upon Ceric, valuing his good relations with the United States, to cease the use of the word "genocide," especially in light of recent anti-Semitic incidents here. Ceric acknowledged the USG position but did not further comment on the matter. ¶6. (SBU) During his Hayat interview, Ceric quickly segued from claims of genocide in Gaza, to "Islamophobia" generally, to an attack on those media and politicians who would criticize him and his administration. In doing so, Ceric undoubtedly sought to build on, and blur, ideas of Muslim solidarity at home and abroad. (Note: Gaza-related news takes up the top two spots on the Islamic Community's website. End Note) We will continue to stress publicly and privately that attempting to "score points" in this manner will bring no good to the political development of Bosnia and direct opposition from the U.S. government. ENGLISH