US embassy cable - 04TELAVIV1354

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TEL AVIV 001354 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/04/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KWBG, IS, GOI INTERNAL, GOI EXTERNAL, ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS 
SUBJECT: LIKUD POWER BROKER -- AND REPUTED PARTY BULLY -- 
EYES JORDAN AND A MEETING WITH PRESIDENT BUSH 
 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Richard LeBaron for reason 1.4 ( 
b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary and Comment: Likud's outspoken rightist 
Central Committee member Uzi Cohen and some of his what could 
only be described as political henchmen presented an 
alternative peace plan to Poloff and Pol/FSN on March 3 
wherein the Palestinians would have their own state -- in a 
carved-out northern portion of Jordan.  Cohen touted Likud's 
Central Committee -- with himself as core leader -- as the 
real powerhouse behind Likud policy, and advocated that the 
USG bypass regular GOI channels and meet with Central 
Committee members on peace process issues.  Cohen claimed 
that he received an unofficial "green light" from PM Sharon 
to promote his plan, and that Jordan's King Abdullah knows 
about the plan and had relayed inquiries about the plan's 
details.  Cohen and his colleagues asserted that there is 
support for the plan by a majority in Likud's Central 
Committee, in the Knesset and among moderate Israeli Arabs. 
He pressed for a meeting with Ambassador Kurtzer to present 
the plan, and brazenly promised that he would find a way to 
arrange a meeting with President Bush.  Comment: At worst, 
many within Likud and the Israeli public view Cohen as an 
obnoxious thug, who elbows his way into and disrupts Knesset 
meetings, exploits political connections for family favors, 
and panders to the right-wing elements of Likud.  At best, he 
is an unabashed self-promoter.  Sharon may be putting up with 
Cohen's shenanigans, but we have no indication that he agrees 
with Cohen's approach.  End Summary and Comment. 
 
------------------------- 
Redrawing the Middle East 
------------------------- 
 
2.  (C) Uzi Cohen, Deputy Mayor of Ra'anna, a Tel Aviv 
suburb, and a powerful right-wing Likud Central Committee 
power broker, along with several colleagues, met with Poloff 
and Pol/FSN March 3 in Cohen's small municipal office, 
plastered with photographs of Cohen and prominent Israeli 
political figures.  The meeting was arranged in response to a 
letter Cohen had written to Ambassador Kurtzer requesting a 
meeting to "brief" the Ambassador on his "proposition for a 
peaceful solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict." 
Joining Cohen were Mark Gal, the author of the "peace plan;" 
Dr. Menahem Eldor, an attorney who interpreted for Mr. Cohen; 
and Shlomo Madmon, a hanger-on. (Note: It was obvious during 
the meeting that Eldor took liberties to expound generously 
on what Cohen was saying.  It appeared, however, as Cohen sat 
back comfortably in his chair, that Cohen was confident that 
Eldor would represent him accurately.  End note.) 
 
3.  (C) Cohen's plan, entitled "Three States for Three 
Nations," calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state 
"in a region north of Jordan," although the presentation and 
maps actually depicted a region in the northern part of 
Jordan.  According to Gal, the West Bank is too small an area 
to accommodate all of the Palestinian refugees who would 
converge on an independent Palestinian state, as well as the 
expanding population of resident Palestinians.  The area 
proposed in the plan would accommodate a much larger 
population.  According to an amateurish map with hand-printed 
labels illustrating Cohen's plan, a large part of northern 
Jordan would be partitioned for the Palestinian state.  A 
handout on the plan stated that "final borders of said state 
are to be negotiated by Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Saudi 
Arabia."  It was not clear whether territory from Iraq would 
also be included.  Palestinians remaining in the West Bank -- 
no mention of Gaza was made -- would have limited autonomy 
under a "Municipal Palestinian Authority," but would be 
"encouraged" to emigrate to the Palestinian state.  The 
handout states that, "the plan would be carried out under the 
auspices of the United States...." 
 
-------------------------------------- 
Cohen on his Plan: What's Not to Like? 
-------------------------------------- 
 
4.  (C) Cohen claimed that a Likud Central Committee majority 
supports the plan.  He claimed that most Central Committee 
members are against the roadmap and that at least 1,000 of 
the 3,000 members had supported his campaign against the 
roadmap before the cabinet had approved it with the 14 
reservations.  Eldor asserted that Cohen could get 70 MKs to 
support the plan.  Cohen noted that he met with FM Silvan 
Shalom four times to discuss the plan.  (Note: Cohen's 
brother serves as an assistant to Shalom.  End Note.) 
Shalom, Cohen claimed, told him that Jordan's King Abdullah 
is aware of the plan and had "inquired about its details." 
Cohen claimed he met with the head of Jordanian intelligence, 
Mansour, about the plan.  (Note: The head of intelligence in 
Jordan is General Sa'ad Kheir.  Cohen is most likely 
referring to retired Jordanian General and peace activist 
Mansour Abu Rashid.  End note.)  He said that he sent the 
plan to Labor leader Shimon Peres and is awaiting a meeting 
with him.  He also asked Russian immigrant and MK Natan 
Sharansky to help him set up a meeting with Russian President 
Putin.  When asked what PM Sharon thought about Cohen openly 
and vigorously promoting his own peace plan, Cohen replied 
that Sharon had given him an unofficial "green light" to 
promote the plan. 
 
5.  (C) Cohen claimed that the mayor of the Israeli Arab 
village of Taybeh and moderate Israeli Arabs support his plan 
as well, but Cohen could not remember the mayor's name. 
Cohen and his colleagues noted that it was difficult to 
debate the plan since it provides for a Palestinian state -- 
an even larger one than the Palestinians would have now. 
Eldor asserted that the idea "is sound."  He suggested that 
the United States be "a leader in promoting the plan." 
 
 
------------------------ 
Uzi: I've Got the Power 
------------------------ 
 
6.  (C)  Uzi Cohen and his colleagues repeatedly stressed the 
importance of the Likud Central Committee in determining 
Likud policy and in electing Likud representatives, including 
the prime minister.  Madmon noted that Sharon is not always 
"in line" with the Likud rank and file and that the Central 
Committee influences Likud and the public.  Eldor added that 
the Central Committee wields influence on Sharon, the Israeli 
public and even the United States.  Cohen advocated that U.S. 
government officials bypass normal GOI channels and meet with 
members of the Central Committee on peace process issues.  He 
underlined that "in Israel, politics is different..." and 
that the United States should start a dialogue with the 
Central Committee, even if only unofficially.  Eldor 
repeatedly turned to Poloff to stress Cohen's stature in the 
Central Committee, his influence over members and his 
"charisma."  At one point, Eldor declared that Cohen could 
call any minister any time and receive an appointment the 
next day.  Madmon suggested that Cohen lead a group of 
Central Committee members to meet with President Bush. 
 
--------------------------- 
Who's Afraid of Uzi Cohen? 
--------------------------- 
 
7.  (C)  Aside from U.S. government meetings with the Central 
Committee, Cohen stressed the importance of his meeting with 
U.S. officials, beginning with Ambassador Kurtzer, to discuss 
his plan.  He noted that he was planning to meet with the 
ambassadors from a number of countries.  Eldor said that 
Cohen would like to meet with President Bush.  Cohen produced 
a letter from the PM's office responding to his request for 
assistance in arranging for a meeting with the President. 
The PM's office politely explained that this was not 
possible.  Eldor asked for Embassy assistance in arranging 
for Cohen to meet the President and, noting "the type of man" 
Cohen is, declared that "by hook or by crook," and with or 
without Embassy support, Cohen would see the President. 
Poloff said these requests would be conveyed to the Embassy. 
Cohen stressed that timing was crucial and complained that 
setting up meetings through the proper channels goes slowly. 
As if to highlight competition for President Bush, Cohen 
pointed out that an American colleague had offered to arrange 
a meeting for him with Senator John Kerry, but that Cohen had 
declined.  Cohen asked Poloff if he could issue a press 
release that he had met with U.S. Embassy officials about the 
plan.  Poloff replied she would prefer the meeting not be 
publicized as it was an informal discussion. 
 
------- 
Comment 
------- 
 
8.  (C) Uzi Cohen is undoubtedly a strong Likud Central 
Committee operator, and, as described by the major daily 
"Ma'ariv," a Likud "power broker."  He defies conventional 
channels of political debate and has no compunction in 
inserting himself into any and every forum of public 
discussion.  In February, Cohen's permanent pass to the 
Knesset was revoked after he reportedly threatened Knesset 
Speaker and Likud member Reuven Rivlin with "a political 
death certificate."  This threat followed Rivlin's decision 
to ban Likud Central Committee members from Knesset committee 
debates, complaining that they disrupted the meetings.  Early 
in 2004, Cohen had demanded that he accompany Sharon to meet 
with President Bush.  When the visit did not materialize, it 
appears that Cohen decided to promote his own plan, both in 
the media and in Likud.  Many in Likud and the public at 
large cringe from his tactics and persona.  When Cohen 
accused Rivlin of acting out of revenge in revoking his 
Knesset pass, Rivlin remarked to Ma'ariv: "Who is he anyway, 
that I should take revenge on him?  Why should I pay him any 
attention?  He should never have been given a permanent pass 
to begin with."  PM Sharon, on the other hand, may benefit 
indirectly from Cohen.  When compared to the likes of Cohen 
and others in Likud's Central Committee, Sharon appears 
moderate, reasonable, and benevolent. 
 
********************************************* ******************** 
Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv 
 
You can also access this site through the State Department's 
Classified SIPRNET website. 
********************************************* ******************** 
KURTZER