This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 005849 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PASS TO R, P, NEA/PI, NEA/PPD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2015 
TAGS: PREL KDEM KPAO EAID PHUM KMPI GAZA DISENGAGEMENT ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS COUNTERTERRORISM
SUBJECT: GAZA: COMBATING EXTREMISM 
 
REF: A. JERUSALEM 02054 MAY 05 
     ¶B. STATE 159129 
     ¶C. TEL AVIV 04766 AUG 05 
     ¶D. TEL AVIV 3338 JUNE 05 
     ¶E. TEL AVIV 3788 JUNE 05 
 
Classified By: Classified by DCM Gene A. Cretz for reasons 1.4 (b) and 
(d). 
 
¶1.  (C) Gaza, the stronghold of the radical Islamist 
terrorist organization HAMAS, presents exceptional challenges 
for USG efforts to combat violent extremism.  Our strategic 
approach is to promote Palestinian democracy, strengthen the 
rule of law, reform the security sector, offer economic 
alternatives, and encourage progress toward a peaceful 
resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  To this end, 
we have in place USAID programs, funded at $1.7 billion since 
1993 for the West Bank and Gaza; the US Security Coordinator 
mission, led by General Ward; the Wolfensohn economic reform 
mission; and the full range of MEPI and public diplomacy 
programs, exchanges, and grants.  Ref A details the USG 
democracy strategy for the West Bank and Gaza.  SEPTEL gives 
CONGEN Jerusalem,s response to Ref B, SECSTATE 159129. 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  Within this strategic approach, Post would like to 
highlight the following FY05 achievements in response to Ref 
B as significant, direct contributions to strengthening local 
traditions of tolerant faith, intellectual exchange, and 
scientific learning. 
 
-- In cooperation with the US Consulate General in Jerusalem, 
Post sent three moderate Islamic leaders from Gaza with their 
West Bank counterparts on a tailored International Visitors 
Leadership program.  As detailed Ref C, the trio returned 
with a renewed commitment to promoting religious tolerance 
and specific ideas for advancing this agenda. 
 
-- Post awarded a $44K public diplomacy grant to the UK-based 
International Centre for Reconciliation, which has 
established centers for inter-religious cooperation in Gaza, 
Jerusalem, and the West Bank.  Details are available Ref D. 
 
-- Using a variety of public diplomacy and representational 
events, and in cooperation with CONGEN Jerusalem, Post 
midwifed the formation of an inter-religious group of 
prominent Palestinian and Israeli women advocating 
non-violence.  Several women from Gaza participate. 
 
-- Through Palestinian NGOs in Gaza, USAID funds media and 
youth outreach programs that advocate non-violence.  Funding 
for the West Bank and Gaza totals $2M. 
 
-- A $15K MEPI small grant to the Islamic University of Gaza 
supports workshops in training women to work as leaders in 
NGOs.  HAMAS dominates the charitable sector in Gaza, and 
providing a moderate Islamic alternative is a concrete 
counter to extremism.  USAID,s Tamkeen project also trains 
moderate NGO leaders, including women. 
 
-- Under the ACCESS program, Post provided 120 non-elite 
teen-aged Gazans with English-language micro-scholarships and 
an introduction to American culture.  Per Ref E, many 
students noted that the program had opened their minds and 
changed their world-view at least as much as it had improved 
their English.  ACCESS will serve 360 Gazans in FY06. 
 
-- Gazan Fulbright scholars, with their West Bank colleagues, 
this year formed the first-ever Palestinian Fulbright alumni 
association.  ECA,s alumni office provided a start-up grant 
of $9K. Gazan Fulbright scholars, and the graduates of 
USAID,s Presidential Scholars Program, which also has an 
alumni association, consistently provide tolerant 
intellectual leadership in the academic community. 
 
-- A Gazan NGO, in cooperation with an Israeli NGO and a US 
university, developed and is instituting a balanced civic 
education curriculum that promotes tolerance and 
understanding of &the other.8  This multi-year effort is 
funded by ECA. 
 
-- USAID in FY05 completed the integration into the 
established school curriculum of its &psychosocial support 
activities,8 which teach school children non-violent 
responses to conflict. 
 
¶3.  (C)   The people of Gaza and their leaders have responded 
to the death of Yasser Arafat and the GOI disengagement with 
an intense debate on the future of their society and its 
institutions of governance.  The influence that violent 
extremists exert is at the center of this public and 
political discourse.  The ability that these groups have to 
impact negatively the lives of Gazans was seen the weekend of 
September 23-24 when Hamas' mishandling of explosives led to 
a cycle of violence with the IDF.  Despite the images of 
gun-waving militants that dominate the international media, a 
portion of this debate is, however, being conducted through 
the democratic process of elections.  There is also at least 
some evidence that the extremist groups are attuned to public 
opinion and that Gazans have tried to convince extremists not 
to undertake provocations against Israelis.  The outcome of 
the legislative elections in January 2006, in which HAMAS 
will participate, will provide us with additional information 
to shape future programs to continue to advance the goals of 
the President,s freedom agenda. 
 
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JONES