VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJM #2309/01 3571605
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 231605Z DEC 09
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7077
INFO RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 5072
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 8725
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 5324
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002309 
 
NOFORN 
SIPDIS 
 
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND NEA/IPA; PRM FOR FRONT OFFICE AND 
PRM/ANE; NSC FOR KUMAR; JOINT STAFF FOR LTG SELVA; DEPT 
PLEASE PASS TO USAID FOR ANE/MEA: NANDY/BORODIN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2019 
TAGS: PTER EAID PGOV PHUM GZ
SUBJECT: HAMAS INTERFERENCE WITH USG ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 
 
Classified By: A/PO Greg Marchese for reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (SBU)  On December 21, Hamas confiscated two truckloads of 
USG-funded humanitarian shipments to Gaza, following a 
pattern of increased interference with USG assistance 
programs there.  Over the last several weeks, Hamas has 
confiscated other shipments and otherwise harassed NGOs 
operating in Gaza.  Some of the shipments, but not all, have 
been returned.  In addition, Hamas now requires Palestinians 
to obtain "exit permits" before departing through Erez.  End 
summary. 
 
 
 
 
Confiscation of Supplies 
------------------------ 
 
¶2. (SBU)  On December 21, representatives of the 
Hamas-controlled "Ministry of National Economy" (MoNE) in 
Gaza confiscated two truckloads of USAID supplies along with 
the two trucks carrying them.  They subsequently released the 
trucks, but kept the supplies, following a pattern of Hamas 
interference with USAID's assistance programs in Gaza.  One 
truckload included supplies for the American International 
School in Gaza (AISG), such as text books, water tanks, and 
science lab materials.  The second truckload included relief 
supplies, principally household items, intended for Save the 
Children and CHF humanitarian assistance programs.  The total 
value of the supplies amounted to USD 211,500. 
 
¶3. (SBU)  According to USAID's implementing partner, ARD, the 
MoNE justified its actions by stating that the shipment had 
not been properly coordinated.  However, according to the 
Hamas-controlled "Ministry of Social Affairs" (MoSA) in Gaza 
-- as relayed to USAID through the UN Office of Humanitarian 
Affairs (OCHA) -- the responsible body for the coordination 
of humanitarian relief shipment into Gaza is MoSA, from which 
ARD received verbal clearance on December 21. 
 
¶4. (SBU) On December 22, Hamas authorities released the items 
for AISG.  However, MoNE continued to hold the CHF and Save 
the Children supplies (totaling 20 pallets).  As a result of 
these confiscations, USAID has temporarily suspended new 
humanitarian shipments into Gaza under its ARD Civic 
Education Program. 
 
¶5. (SBU)  In previous weeks, MoNE confiscated two pallets in 
a December 9 USAID-funded shipment by Save the Children. 
Despite the fact that Save the Children verified with MoSA 
its previous approval for the shipment, MoNE continues to 
hold the two pallets.  On December 1, the MoNE confiscated 
two pallets destined for CHF and six pallets for Mercy Corps 
(out of a total of 68).  CHF and Mercy Corps's pallets were 
released after the NGOs submitted documents, including a MoNE 
"no objection" letter and letters from two other Hamas 
agencies acknowledging the shipment of supplies. 
 
Further Demands for Coordination 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (C)  Hamas's efforts to interfere with donor programs go 
beyond interfering with shipments.  On December 8, the 
Hamas-controlled "Ministry of Local Government" (MoLG) in 
Gaza issued a letter to all Gazan municipalities stating that 
all NGOs must obtain written approval from the MoLG before 
implementing projects.  The impact of this requirement on USG 
programming in the few remaining non-Hamas municipalities is 
not clear.  Although the MoLG is not known to be a 
particularly powerful or well-resourced ministry, the letter 
was signed by Ziad al Zaza, who is the Hamas "Minister of 
Local Governance" as well as "Minister of National Economy" 
and "Deputy Prime Minister." 
 
Exit Permit Policy 
------------------ 
 
¶7. (SBU)  Following the November 25 announcement of a new 
policy requiring exit permits for all Palestinians departing 
Gaza, the Hamas-controlled "Ministry of Interior" (MOI) in 
Gaza opened a permit office on December 7.  Registration is 
 
required for any Palestinian traveling through Erez 
(including medical referrals, local staff for international 
organizations, and businessmen).  Only Palestinian staff of 
the UN who have UN identification cards are currently exempt. 
 Travelers are required to fill out a form with personal and 
travel information, in addition to providing photos and 
copies of ID and passport.  The traveler, however, does not 
need to submit the permit request in person.  No fee is 
required. 
 
Threats and Harassment 
---------------------- 
 
¶8. (C)  In other acts of harassment, Mercy Corps's youth 
program in Gaza (which is not USG-funded) has been subject to 
increasing interference from Hamas authorities (or 
affiliates) over the last several months, with the apparent 
intention of segregating boys and girls in its youth program 
activities.  In August, Mercy Corps reported that men without 
identification appeared at its offices asking questions about 
the program.  These visits became routine at Mercy Corps's 
offices. 
 
¶9. (C/NF)  In the first week of December, men without 
identification appeared at the Mercy Corps offices again. 
The Mercy Corps deputy head of operations (a female U.S. 
citizen) refused to allow the men to enter.  She said that 
only officials with proper identification would be allowed 
into Mercy Corps's offices.  The unidentified men did not 
return but arrested two male youth participants in the 
program later in the week.  According to Mercy Corps, the 
youths were asked to report to police headquarters in Gaza 
City.  On December 10, one 20-year-old was detained for six 
hours and, according to Mercy Corps officials, pressed to 
collaborate with Hamas while being kicked and forced into 
humiliating positions. 
 
¶10. (SBU) CHF reported that an Irish staff member had been 
held in detention for six hours by Hamas officials on 
December 16.  CHF was told by Hamas security officials that 
the arrest was because the international staff member entered 
Gaza without Hamas-controlled MOI approval.  NGO contacts 
believe the action was taken because the CHF Gaza Office 
Director had refused to meet with MOI officials when they 
showed up unexpectedly at their office. 
 
MARCHESE