US embassy cable - 05TELAVIV649

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000649 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD/DIBBLE; 
NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR 
DS/IP/NEA; 
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN; USAID FOR DCHA, DCHA/FPP, PRM FOR 
DEWEY/GREENE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KWBG, PHUM, PREL, PTER, ASEC, CASC, GZ, IS, SItrep, Sitrep 
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: ISRAELI POLICEMAN INJURED AND FIVE 
PALESTINIANS ARRESTED IN THE WEST BANK; IN THE GAZA STRIP, 
FIVE MORTAR SHELLS EXPLODED, BUT NO INJURIES OCCURRED. 
FEBRUARY 2, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL) 
 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary: An Israeli policeman in the Old City was 
injured trying to prevent Jewish youth from stoning Arabs, 
and eight international activists were injured while 
protesting construction of the separation barrier, on 
February 1.  Five Palestinians were arrested by the IDF in 
the West Bank February 1.  In the Gaza Strip, five mortar 
shells exploded February 1-2.  No injuries were reported. 
End Summary. 
 
--------- 
West Bank 
--------- 
 
2.  (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
-- Injury: According to Israeli and Palestinian sources, an 
Israeli policeman was injured while preventing Jewish youths 
from throwing stones at Arab youths in the Old City of 
Jerusalem on February 1. 
-- Injuries: According to Israeli and Palestinian media, 
eight international activists were lightly injured in clashes 
with the IDF while protesting the construction of the 
separation barrier near Hebron on February 1. 
-- Shootings: According to Palestinian sources, shots were 
fired at an IDF jeep in the Nablus area.  No injuries were 
reported. 
-- Arrests: According to Palestinian reports, IDF units 
arrested five Palestinians in the Balata refugee camp near 
Nablus and in Jenin on February 1. 
-- Arrests: According to Israeli and Palestinian reports, 
four foreign activists were detained by the IDF during 
protests against the construction of the separation barrier 
west of Hebron on February 1 (see "Injuries"). 
3.  (SBU) CLOSURES 
-- According to Palestinian sources, the IDF is still 
operating in the village of Saida near Tulkarm on February 2, 
sporadically entering the village and searching the houses. 
---- 
Gaza 
---- 
 
4. (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: Nil. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: According to the IDF, Palestinians fired 
five mortar shells February 1-2, but no injuries occurred. 
Three mortar shells exploded in Gan Or and one in Netzarim. 
-- Shootings: The IDF reported that a shooting took place 
overnight on February 2 near Khan Yunis. 
 
-- Explosions: Nil. 
 
5. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil. 
 
6. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic 
artery, was open at Abu Khouli February 2. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and diplomats, 
but not for Palestinians on February 2. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone remained closed February 2. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was open for Palestinian laborers February 
2, but was open for the import of aggregates used in 
construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was closed February 2. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures 
February 2.  However, according to UNRWA, Palestinians 
leaving the Gaza Strip through Rafah need to be over 35 with 
a residency outside of the Gaza Strip or a medical reason in 
order to leave. 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed February 2.  Toufah 
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi to depart, 
but were not allowed to return. 
 
********************************************* ******************** 
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