NSC APPLAUDS U.S. SUPPORT IN TERRORISM

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 002333 SENSITIVE SIPDIS TREASURY/OFAC FOR ORI LEV, EEB/ESC/TFS FOR CHRIS BACKEMEYER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KTFN EFIN ECON IS SUBJECT: NSC APPLAUDS U.S. SUPPORT IN TERRORISM DESIGNATIONS, WELCOMES INPUT ¶1. (SBU) The Ministerial Committee on National Security Affairs (the Security Cabinet) designated 50 Al Qaida and Taliban-affiliated groups as terrorist organizations during a discussion of "Global Jihad" on 20 October. These designations come as a result of reporting, monitoring and enforcement actions as per Israeli laws against money-laundering and the financing of terrorism. Gil Avriel, a legal advisor at the National Security Council (NSC),said that these designations "are a direct outcome of the long and fruitful relationship with both Embassy Tel Aviv and the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)." Avriel thanked the U.S. and OFAC for providing the "indispensable" documentation and statements of case that his office utilized in preparing designation packages for the Cabinet. ¶2. (SBU) Avriel said that the NSC will now work on preparing designations of individuals. (Note: According to GOI law, the NSC can present international designations of Al Qaida and Taliban-related entities, such as those of the UN or U.S., for domestic adoption with minimal additional supporting evidence. The NSC chose to first seek designations of groups--a process which this latest round of designations completes--before moving onto individuals. End Note.) ¶3. (SBU) Avriel suggested that if the USG could provide a prioritized list of Al Qaida and Taliban-affiliated individuals for GOI designation, the NSC would pursue its future designations accordingly. CUNNINGHAM