US embassy cable - 04AMMAN8544

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 008544 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2014 
TAGS: ASEC, PREL, PTER, KISL, KPAL, IS, IZ, JO 
SUBJECT: ISLAMISTS BURN ISRAELI, U.S. FLAGS; KING EXTOLS 
VIRTUES OF MODERATE ISLAM 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaries David Hale for Reasons 1.4 (b), (d) 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1.  (U) Islamic Action Front (IAF) leaders organized a 
peaceful demonstration October 8 in Amman protesting Israeli 
actions in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the U.S. 
presence in Iraq.  Protesters called for "unfreezing" assets 
of ostensible Palestinian charities.  Separately, King 
Abdullah publicly praised moderate Muslim leaders' efforts to 
promote tolerance and peaceful dialogue with the West.  End 
Summary. 
 
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ISLAMISTS ON THE MARCH 
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2.  (SBU) The IAF organized a peaceful demonstration October 
8 in the Nezzal area of Amman.  The Amman city government and 
the Public Security Directorate (PSD) approved a permit for 
the rally after refusing two earlier permit requests.  The 
demonstration began after Friday prayers, with participants 
gathering at a mosque and then walking through a closed-off 
street for a little over one hour.  Demonstrators protested 
Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank and perceived U.S. 
support for the them, as well as the presence of Western 
(i.e., American) forces in Iraq.  Media reports of the number 
of participants varied widely from "hundreds" to 10,000. 
According to the PSD, 3,000 people demonstrated.  A PSD 
official told RSO the Islamists had wanted to march from the 
Professional Associations compound to the UN building -- the 
"traditional" protest route -- but that police rejected this 
request.  The official also said that demonstrators focused 
their ire on events in the West Bank and Gaza, rather than 
Iraq. 
 
3.  (U) The local media characterized the demonstration as a 
peaceful show of solidarity with "brothers under occupation." 
 No injuries or violence were reported, although 
demonstrators torched both Israeli and U.S. flags.  According 
to the press, IAF MP Azzam Al-Hunaidi (West Banker, Amman - 
1st District) said the recent terrorist bombings in Taba, 
Egypt were a reaction to Israeli PM Sharon's "crimes" in Gaza 
and that "the resistance" was capable of reaching "anyone, 
anywhere."  IAF Secretary General Hamza Mansour called on 
Arab governments to release frozen funds donated by 
"societies and communities" to support the Palestinian 
people, and to refrain from stopping "volunteers" from 
entering the West Bank and Gaza in support of the Palestinian 
cause.  A Muslim Brotherhood statement issued prior to the 
rally condemned "Zionist-U.S. aggression" against the people 
in Palestine and Iraq as "the epitome of terrorism." 
 
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EMBRACING TOLERATION 
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4.  (U) In keeping with his efforts to promote moderate 
Islam, King Abdullah met October 12 with Secretary General 
Abdullah Abdul Muhsen Turki of the Muslim World League (MWL). 
 The King highlighted openness to other cultures, respect of 
human dignity, and justice as major characteristics of the 
"true nature of Islam."  He also commended the MWL's decision 
to form an Islamic delegation to tour foreign countries as 
positive step for "building bridges" and promoting dialogue 
in an atmosphere of moderation and toleration. 
 
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COMMENT 
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5.  (C) Islamist and Arab nationalist critics here of USG 
policy (and by implication of the GOJ's) routinely seek to 
link images of Palestinians under Israeli occupation, and 
Iraqis clashing with U.S.-led forces.  The IAF, as the only 
well-organized critic of GOJ policy, continues its strategy 
of peacefully remaining in public view, voicing discontent 
that many share but are reluctant to express themselves. 
 
6.  (U) Baghdad minimize considered. 
HALE