US embassy cable - 05TELAVIV5219

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 005219 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, MOPS, KWBG, KPAL, IS, GAZA DISENGAGEMENT, GOI INTERNAL, ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS 
SUBJECT: IDF DEPUTY COS KAPLINSKY UPDATES A/S WELCH ON 
DISENGAGEMENT AND THE WAY AHEAD 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Daniel C. Kurtzer for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) 
. 
 
1. (C) Summary: In an August 22 meeting, IDF Deputy Chief of 
Staff MG Moshe Kaplinsky told Assistant Secretary Welch, the 
Ambassador, and Security Coordinator General Ward that 
disengagement is proceeding ahead of schedule.  Kaplinsky 
praised ongoing GOI-PA security coordination and expressed 
hope that it will continue after disengagement is completed. 
Kaplinsky and his staff expressed concern about whether the 
PA can maintain calm as the IDF prepares to leave Gaza and 
suggested that international pressure might help.  The 
Israelis discussed the possibility of creating positive 
momentum from disengagement, and A/S Welch and the Ambassador 
noted the importance of the border crossings, especially 
Rafah.  Kaplinsky said the GOI plans to maintain the region 
vacated by settlers in the northern West Bank as "area C" so 
that it can be used as a concession in future negotiations. 
Kaplinsky said that Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz had told PA 
Interior Minister Nasir Yusif that the issue of ammunition 
and firearms for PA security forces could be discussed after 
disengagement is completed.  End summary. 
 
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Disengagement Ahead of Schedule 
------------------------------- 
 
2. (C) A/S Welch commended the IDF for its role in the 
disengagement process.  Kaplinsky noted that the mission had 
been difficult for the troops, but careful planning had 
permitted the security forces to accelerate the timetable and 
clear Gaza of settlers in less than one week.  He predicted 
that Homesh and Sa Nur in the northern West Bank would be 
evacuated by the evening of August 23 despite the presence of 
2,000 infiltrators. 
 
3. (C) According to Kaplinsky, 50 percent of the settlers in 
Gaza had left some of their personal belongings behind.  A 
private company will pack these effects and transport them to 
Israel within a week.  Working in all of the former 
settlements simultaneously, the IDF will then destroy housing 
units and remove military equipment, a process Kaplinsky 
estimated would be completed nearly three weeks earlier than 
planned, i.e., by September 15.  In the West Bank, the IDF 
will also remove the rubble. 
 
4. (C) Col. Zohar Palti, the deputy director for military 
affairs in the IDF intelligence branch, expressed concern 
that the Palestinians will attempt to enter the settlements 
before the IDF departs.  Kaplinsky indicated that the GOI is 
aware of planned PIJ attacks in the southern West Bank (note: 
far from the settlements being evacuated, but on the route 
used by Israeli personnel redeploying from Gaza to the north) 
and is uneasy about incitement and unhelpful rhetoric during 
Palestinian celebrations in Gaza.  He stressed the importance 
of "continuing the pressure" on the Palestinians to maintain 
calm until the last IDF soldier departs Gaza, specifically 
mentioning the constructive role that Egypt can play. 
 
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IDF Wants Coordination With PA to Continue 
------------------------------------------ 
 
5. (C) Thanking General Ward for U.S. assistance, Kaplinsky 
described coordination between the IDF and PA forces as 
"very, very, very good" at all levels.  He expressed hope 
that this cooperation will continue after disengagement is 
complete.  Gen. Ward said he had told PA Interior Minister 
Yusif that coordination must continue. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
Security is Key to Progress on the "Day After" 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
6. (C) Palti stressed the importance of the "day after" in 
Gaza, adding that the Palestinians have much to prove if they 
want to move to the roadmap.  Kaplinsky and Palti both 
questioned how long the convergence of interests between the 
PA and extremist groups will last once disengagement is 
completed and campaigns for the PA assembly begin.  Palti 
charged that the PA has taken few concrete steps to maintain 
the calm, has not arrested extremists, and lacks the 
political will -- but not the capabilities -- to confront 
radical groups.  He noted recent remarks by President Mahmud 
Abbas on continuing the jihad and statements by Hamas leaders 
that they intend to continue attacks. 
 
7. (C) Chief of Strategic Planning BG Udi Dekel was more 
positive in his assessment, saying that the current situation 
demonstrates that the PA can create an atmosphere unfavorable 
to attacks.  Kaplinsky suggested using both incentives and 
pressure to maintain the calm.  He hoped that Egypt, the 
United States and others can influence the Palestinian 
factions, but noted that Israel remains prepared to respond 
to any attack.  A/S Welch said that newly changed Egyptian 
views on security in Sinai offer a basis for closer 
counterterrorism cooperation with Israel.  General Ward 
agreed that maintaining security after disengagement is key 
and can be addressed through a number of separate channels. 
 
8. (C) Dekel stressed the importance of creating positive 
momentum from disengagement, listing withdrawal from 
Philadelphi, improvements in border crossings, and resumption 
of mutual steps under the Sharm el-Sheikh commitments as ways 
to promote a positive atmosphere.  A/S Welch agreed, noting 
the effect that such steps would have on public opinion. 
Kaplinsky replied that the GOI will only be able to move 
forward on the peace process if the security situation 
remains calm. 
 
9. (C) The Ambassador noted that the Palestinians 
consistently tell USG officials that Rafah is their highest 
non-security priority.  Kaplinsky said that he sees the focus 
on Rafah as a tactic; the Palestinians' main concern is 
freedom of movement between the West Bank and Gaza, as well 
as within the West Bank.  Suggesting a flexible policy on the 
highly symbolic issue of Rafah, A/S Welch noted that controls 
on the Gaza-Egyptian line and on the Gaza-Israel border 
reinforce each other.  He requested that the GOI consult with 
Embassy Tel Aviv to ensure that the USG fully understands 
Israel's needs and interests, especially if the GOI decides 
to pursue options involving third parties. 
 
------------------------------------- 
Northern West Bank to Remain "Area C" 
------------------------------------- 
 
10. (C) A/S Welch asked about GOI plans to maintain the 
region vacated by settlers in the northern West Bank as "area 
C."  Speaking candidly, Kaplinsky replied that he believed 
the area would eventually be turned over to PA control, but 
the GOI wants to retain this concession for use in future 
negotiations.  He noted that the IDF plans to vacate the area 
and only reenter in response to direct security threats. 
Kaplinsky added that DefMin Mofaz had told Nasir Yusif that 
"now is not the time" to discuss changing the status of 
additional areas, but that the two sides could meet after 
disengagement to discuss the issue. 
 
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Equipping the PA Security Forces 
-------------------------------- 
 
11. (C) At the end of the meeting, General Ward mentioned 
that he would see COGAT commander General Yosef Mishlev to 
discuss the transfer of equipment to the PA security forces. 
A/S Welch said that the Palestinians continue to insist that 
they need ammunition and firearms.  Kaplinsky responded that 
Mofaz had told Yusif that the subject could be addressed 
after disengagement is completed. 
 
12. (U) A/S Welch has cleared this message. 
 
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KURTZER