ENGAGING THE GOI ON PROCEDURES AT WEST BANK

UNCLAS STATE 117652 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ODIP KREC KTIA ASEC EAID KWBG PREL IS SUBJECT: ENGAGING THE GOI ON PROCEDURES AT WEST BANK CROSSINGS REF: JERUSALEM 1966 ¶1. (U) This message includes an action request for Embassy Tel Aviv in para 3. ¶2. Per reftel, the crossing procedures currently employed by the GOI,s Crossing Points Authority at the Jalameh crossing between Israel and the West Bank are inconsistent with prior practice at Jalameh and current practice at other check-points between Israel and the West Bank and within the West Bank. The lack of clear and consistent procedures pose a potential security concern for USG personnel, and need to be clarified. Although this is not an issue of legal obligation under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, it has been GOI past practice to treat consulate vehicles as having diplomatic protection. ¶3. (SBU) Action Request for Embassy Tel Aviv: Post is requested to approach the GOI at appropriate level to ask that the GOI clarify the procedures employed at West Bank crossings and check-points. Post should accomplish the following objectives: -- Request clarification from the GOI on the security procedures employed at West Bank crossings and check-points. -- Obtain GOI commitment to employ uniform procedures at all crossings and check-points. -- Express concern that disparate and unpredictable security procedures may impact the safety and security of USG personnel. Request that crossing procedures do not jeopardize the ability for USG personnel to travel to the West Bank. CLINTON