US embassy cable - 05TELAVIV5213

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 005213 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KWBG, IS, SETTLEMENTS, ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS, GOI EXTERNAL 
SUBJECT: SPIEGEL AND OCHA DISCUSS LOCATIONS TO EASE 
CLOSURES IN THE WEST BANK 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Gene Cretz for reasons 1.4 (b) a 
nd (d) 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary:  Brigadier General (res.) Baruch Spiegel, 
Israeli Ministry of Defense (MOD) advisor, and David Shearer, 
head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian 
Affairs (OCHA), on August 17 discussed the progress made by 
their technical teams on bridging the gap between the two 
organizations' count of IDF roadblocks and checkpoints in the 
West Bank.  Spiegel and Shearer both reported that they are 
now within "40 roadblocks" of each other, and both have 
modified their counting methodologies.  Shearer told Spiegel 
that there is still some difficulty of movement for 
Palestinians in some parts of the West Bank, and Spiegel 
offered to a do "pilot program" which would ease the closures 
regime in a part of the West Bank and allow the Palestinians 
to take over the security of that area.  There was some 
disagreement, however, on which area of the West Bank would 
have the most impact, and Spiegel and Shearer decided to meet 
at a future date to negotiate a location.  End summary. 
 
--------------------------- 
GOI Wants to Ease Obstacles 
--------------------------- 
 
2.  (SBU) Brigadier General (res.) Baruch Spiegel, Ministry 
of Defense (MOD) advisor, met with David Shearer, head of the 
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 
(OCHA), on August 17 to discuss the technical work the IDF 
and OCHA have done on roadblocks, checkpoints, and other 
obstacles in the West Bank, and to determine where to go from 
here.  Spiegel started off the meeting noting that the GOI is 
interested in easing the Palestinians' movement from the West 
Bank to the Gaza Strip, and within the West Bank.  He said 
this was important for the economic development and 
humanitarian status of the West Bank, but emphasized that the 
easing of closures depends on the security situation and the 
"day after" atmosphere, referring to the disengagement plan. 
Spiegel cited as an example the recent Netanya bombing to 
show the impact of the security environment, and explained 
that the IDF had increased closures around Tulkarm as a 
result of the bombing.  He explained that the closures regime 
in the West Bank is under the control of the IDF Central 
Commander, who must respond immediately to alerts, and said 
that the connection between checkpoints, roadblocks, and 
access is "affected by the noise."  Spiegel added that it is 
important for the IDF to have 100 percent transparency, 
however, and that he would be willing to explain why there 
have been increases in obstacles at any given time. 
 
-------------------------- 
Differences in Methodology 
-------------------------- 
 
3.  (SBU) Spiegel explained that prior to the technical 
meetings between OCHA and the IDF, the GOI's defense 
establishment had not counted empty watch towers, 
agricultural gates, open gates, back-to-back sites such as 
Beituniya, or external checkpoints.  He commented that since 
the IDF has been meeting with OCHA, the IDF's numbers have 
increased to take these differences into account, and the 
disparity between OCHA's internal checkpoints and roadblocks 
is now about 40.  As of July 2005, the IDF counts 270 
roadblocks, nine "flying" checkpoints, 13 internal 
checkpoints, and 29 external checkpoints. 
 
4.  (SBU) Shearer responded that OCHA's new counting 
methodology had decreased OCHA's numbers significantly, and 
that he never thought they would get to within 40 checkpoints 
of each other.  He explained to Spiegel that OCHA's numbers 
had been reduced by about 20 percent just by not counting 
staggered roadblocks on a road individually, and counting 
them as one roadblock instead.  Shearer also said that OCHA 
had stopped counting trenches and ditches because people 
cross them anyway, and they do not serve the purpose of 
preventing movement.  According to the map Shearer provided 
econoff, OCHA counted 364 roadblocks and checkpoints, and 20 
"earth walls" as of July 30, 2005.  (Note:  The map does not 
specify exact numbers of roadblocks, or "flying," internal, 
or external checkpoints.  End note).  Sheared suggested one 
final technical meeting to try to bridge the small difference 
between the IDF and OCHA, to which Spiegel agreed. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
Movement in Some Areas Still a Problem 
-------------------------------------- 
 
5.  (SBU) Shearer continued that OCHA had noted a marked 
decrease in the number of closures in the Tapuach Junction 
area west of Ramallah because of the construction of the 
separation barrier, but remarked that movement around Nablus 
remains problematic, and that there is a significant 
disparity in OCHA's and the IDF's figures along Routes 5 and 
465.  Shearer commented that movement through Abu Dis to 
Bethlehem was also difficult, and that he expects the number 
of obstacles to decrease in the Gush Etzion bloc as the 
barrier is constructed there, as well as in the Yattah area 
south of Hebron.  He said that while movement between 
villages and towns is better, the "key question is from big 
city to big city." 
 
---------------------------------------- 
GOI Suggests Locations to Ease Closures, 
OCHA Has Different Ideas 
---------------------------------------- 
 
6.  (SBU) Spiegel confirmed that there will be a reduction in 
closures in the Hebron area as the barrier is built there, 
and added that now that the technical work is almost 
finished, the GOI is ready to move on to the next stage and 
"speak about access."  He offered the idea of a "pilot 
program" where the IDF would ease closures and expect the 
Palestinians to take responsibility for that particular area 
and coordinate with the IDF.  "Let's be a little bit more 
optimistic that Abu Mazen can take responsibility," he said. 
Spiegel told Shearer he wants to work with the Palestinian 
Authority (PA), and help foster an environment where the 
Palestinians can take responsibility for an area because the 
PA must play a role. 
 
7.  (SBU) Spiegel suggested an easing of movement in the 
areas of Tarqumiya or Janin -- for easier access to the Gaza 
Strip and Tulkarm, respectively -- but said that,"to be 
realistic," there would not be a dramatic change around 
Nablus in the short-run.  He explained that there would be a 
lot of changes in Jerusalem when the separation barrier is 
completed, and that the GOI would try to find a connection 
between Hebron, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Nablus, 
but in the near future they have to work on practical steps. 
 
8.  (SBU)  Shearer suggested that a joint team sit down 
together to come up with ideas of places where closures could 
be eased for the Palestinians to take control.  He explained 
that settlement roads were still a problem and maybe 
something around the Ariel bloc would work.  Spiegel rejected 
this idea, saying that perhaps there are easier places to 
start, such as Jalameh, Reihan, or Tulkarm.  Shearer pointed 
out that the economic impact in these areas would not be 
significant because Palestinian towns in the northern West 
Bank trade mostly with towns further north, around Afula, and 
the economic impact would be bigger if closures eased around 
Ramallah. 
 
-------------------------- 
Agree to Disagree, For Now 
-------------------------- 
 
9.  (SBU) Spiegel again said this would be problematic, "to 
do it in a big way."  He explained that "to give it a chance 
of success from the beginning," the easing of closures should 
be done in a place like Janin where there is less friction 
with settlers, or perhaps south of Gush Etzion.  Shearer said 
OCHA would consider this and would present Spiegel with ideas 
of where to go from here because OCHA wants the most economic 
impact and needs to study and compare locations around the 
West Bank.  He said he would be in touch with Spiegel's 
office soon to set a meeting to discuss further removal of 
obstacles. 
 
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