US embassy cable - 05TELAVIV969

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000969 
 
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: FEBRUARY 17, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL) 
-- SETTLERS INJURE ITALIAN AND AMCIT NGO ACTIVISTS NEAR 
HEBRON 
 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary: On February 16, settlers west of Hebron 
attacked a group of Amcit (Christian Peacemakers) and Italian 
peace activists who were escorting Palestinian shepherds 
grazing animals, beating up and injuring two activists, 
according to humanitarian NGOs.  PA Labor Minister Ghassan 
Khatib closed down the Labor Ministry,s Jenin office on 
February 16 after several attacks on the office by 
Palestinians demanding unemployment benefits.  In Khan Yunis, 
three Palestinians were injured overnight February 16-17 when 
a bomb they were carrying exploded after IDF soldiers caught 
sight of them and opened fire.  End Summary. 
 
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West Bank 
--------- 
 
2.  (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: On February 16, settlers west of Hebron attacked 
a group of Amcit (Christian Peacemakers) and Italian peace 
activists who were escorting Palestinian shepherds grazing 
animals, beating up and injuring two activists, according to 
humanitarian NGOs. 
 
-- Arrests: The IDF entered Nablus and arrested three Fatah 
activists on February 16, according to Palestinian sources. 
 
3.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- PA Labor Minister Ghassan Khatib closed down the Labor 
Ministry,s Jenin office on February 16 after several attacks 
on the office by Palestinians demanding unemployment 
benefits, according to Palestinian sources. 
 
---- 
Gaza 
---- 
 
4.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: UNRWA reported that three Palestinians were 
injured overnight February 16-17 in the Khuza'a area of Khan 
Yunis, when a bomb they were carrying exploded after IDF 
soldiers caught sight of them and opened fire. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF did not report any rocket fire 
overnight February 16-17.  UNRWA, however, reported that 
Palestinian militants fired one Qassam rocket towards Ganei 
Tel settlement in the early morning hours February 17.  No 
injuries were reported. 
 
-- Shootings: Nil. 
 
5.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic 
artery, was open February 17, with a major detour at Netzarim 
Junction.  Abu Khouli remains open for public transportation 
only; no private vehicles are allowed to cross. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and for a 
limited number of Palestinians February 16, and 503 laborers 
and 83 merchants crossed into Israel. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was partially open February 16, 
and 305 laborers entered the zone. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers February 
17, but was open for the import of aggregates used in 
construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was partially open February 17. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures 
February 17, except for male Palestinians between the ages of 
16-35, who were not allowed to cross in either direction. 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed February 17.  Toufah 
checkpoint was open for female residents of al-Mowassi, and 
for male residents under 16 and over 35 years of age. 
 
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KURTZER