CIA working with Palestinian security agents

[ProgressiveMuslim]

US agency co-operating with Palestinian counterparts who allegedly torture Hamas supporters in West Bank


Palestinian security agents who have been detaining and allegedly torturing supporters of the Islamist organisation Hamas in the West Bank have been working closely with the CIA, the Guardian has learned.

Less than a year after Barack Obama signed an executive order that prohibited torture and provided for the lawful interrogation of detainees in US custody, evidence is emerging the CIA is co-operating with security agents whose continuing use of torture has been widely documented by human rights groups.

The relationship between the CIA and the two Palestinian agencies involved – Preventive Security Organisation (PSO) and General Intelligence Service (GI) – is said by some western diplomats and other officials in the region to be so close that the American agency appears to be supervising the Palestinians' work.

One senior western official said: "The Agency consider them as their property, those two Palestinian services." A diplomatic source added that US influence over the agencies was so great they could be considered "an advanced arm of the war on terror".

While the CIA and the Palestinian Authority (PA) deny the US agency controls its Palestinian counterparts, neither denies that they interact closely in the West Bank. Details of that co-operation are emerging as some human rights organisations are beginning to question whether US intelligence agencies may be turning a blind eye to abusive interrogations conducted by other countries' intelligence agencies with whom they are working. According to the Palestinian watchdog al-Haq, human rights in the West Bank and Gaza have "gravely deteriorated due to the spreading violations committed by Palestinian actors" this year.

Most of those held without trial and allegedly tortured in the West Bank have been supporters of Hamas, which won the Palestinian elections in 2006 but is denounced as a terrorist organisation by the PA – which in turn is dominated by the rival Fatah political faction – and by the US and EU. In the Gaza Strip, where Hamas has been in control for more than two years, there have been reports of its forces detaining and torturing Fatah sympathisers in the same way...

read on:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/17/cia-palestinian-security-agents

[oberliner]

1. Under Cover of War: Hamas Political Violence in Gaza

This 26-page report documents a pattern since late December 2008 of arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, maimings by shooting, and extrajudicial executions by alleged members of Hamas security forces. The report is based on interviews with victims and witnesses in Gaza and case reports by Palestinian human rights groups.

http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2009/04/20/under-cover-war-0

Excerpt:

Hamas security forces have also used violence against known Fatah members, especially those who had worked in the Fatah-run security services of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Of particular concern is the widespread practice of maiming people by shooting them in the legs, which Hamas first used in June 2007, when it seized control inside Gaza from Fatah. According to the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), the human rights ombudsman organization of the Palestinian Authority, unidentified gunmen in masks deliberately inflicted bullet wounds to the legs of at least 49 people between December 28, 2008 and January 31, 2009.

In January and February 2009 Human Rights Watch interviewed three men who had been shot in the legs, apparently by Hamas security forces, as described below. Two of them were Fatah supporters; one was a former member of the Fatah-led Preventive Security force of the PA. The third man had been overheard on the street criticizing Hamas.

Abductions and severe beatings are another major concern. According to ICHR, unidentified perpetrators physically abused 73 Gazan men from December 28 to January 31, causing broken legs and arms. Human Rights Watch documented three such cases of Fatah supporters assaulted during and after the Israeli offensive, as well as one case of what appeared to be a politically motivated house arrest.

The attacks by Hamas security forces against other Palestinians during and since the recent major hostilities with Israel marked the worst outbreak of internal violence since Hamas took control inside Gaza in June 2007. But the types of violations are not new. Human Rights Watch has previously documented similar abuses by Hamas police and the Internal Security Force, including arbitrary detentions accompanied by severe beatings and gunshots to the legs, and torture, sometimes leading to death.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

2. Did you mean to post this as an OP? Care to expound on relevance?

You're oddly attached to the PA, Oberliner.

I actually do have a memo from the Israeli consulate in Philly. Israel has declared that the "Palestinians Refuse to Negotiate Peace."

I think you can stop working so hard to paint the PA in a positive light.




Israel Update:

The Palestinian Refusal to Negotiate Peace


I. Introduction

A commitment to peace has been a central goal of every Israeli government. While Israeli efforts aimed at attaining peace have resulted in the conclusion of peace treaties with both Egypt and Jordan, Israel's endeavors to achieve an equitable negotiated peace agreement with its Palestinian neighbors have been repeatedly rebuffed by the Palestinian leadership.

The most recent example of this enigmatic pattern of Palestinian behavior is the refusal by the Palestinians to even renew peace negotiations with the new Israeli government since the Israeli elections in early 2009.

The consistent rejection by Palestinians of Israeli peace initiatives and its current refusal to negotiate leaves Israel questioning whether its neighbors are in fact committed to peace.


II. Peace Initiatives of the New Israeli Government (April 2009 - Present)

Since its inauguration in April of this year, the present Israeli Government has sought ways to re-engage the leadership of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in peace negotiations, which were unilaterally suspended by the Palestinians following Israeli elections.



a. Political Developments: Two States for Two Peoples



Israeli Initiatives

International Praise

Palestinian Rejection

In a speech given at Bar-Ilan University on June 14, 2009, PM Netanyahu clearly stated his acceptance of a Palestinian nation-state, living alongside a Jewish nation-state, in peace and security. In his speech, the PM made clear that a Palestinian state would have to be demilitarized so as not to endanger Israel's security. The PM called for the PA to begin negotiations immediately and without conditions in order to realize the vision of two states for two peoples.



World leaders praised this significant Israeli step. The American administration welcomed the speech, calling it "an important step," (White House website, June 14).

Similar sentiment was expressed by Bernard Kouchner, French foreign minister (AFP, June 15).



Netanyahu's speech was rejected by the Palestinians. Saeb Erekat, Senior Palestinian Negotiator stated that: "The peace process has been moving at the speed of a tortoise. Tonight, Netanyahu has flipped it over on its back,"(Al-Jazeera TV, June 14).

Similarly, PA Spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah, stated: "Netanyahu's remarks have sabotaged all initiatives, paralysed all efforts being made." (Jerusalem Post, June 14).

Ahmed Bahar, acting chairman of the Palestinian Legislative Council, said that the speech proved that "'resistance' was the only way for Palestinians to receive the rights they deserved," (Al-Intiqad, June 15).

Following the speech, the sixth Fatah Conference, resolved to "totally reject recognition of Israel as a Jewish state", to "adopt all legitimate forms of struggle" against Israel, and "to be creative in finding new forms of struggle and resistance " (Fatah Political Program, al-Ayyam, 11 Aug)



Despite these repeated rejections, PM Netanyahu has specifically reiterated his call for peace with the Palestinians several times since June. PM Netanyahu is yet to receive a positive response from the PA.



b. Israeli Initiatives to Improve the Political Climate vs. Palestinian Delegitimization



Recognizing that calls for a Palestinian state are necessary, but not sufficient, for the realization of peace, extensive measures have been implemented by the current Israeli government in order to improve the political climate in the region, and to create facts on the ground which advance reconciliation.

The steps that Israel has taken include measures to enhance freedom of movement both within the West Bank, and between the West Bank and Israel. These moves not only improve the quality of life of Palestinian civilians, but also promote economic development. These measures have contributed to the impressive and encouraging World Bank statistics that show an 8% annual growth in the West Bank economy, and the projection by Quartet Representative Tony Blair in an interview with the New York Times of double digit annual rates of growth.

In addition, recognizing the ease with which terror activities can torpedo progress on the ground and in the negotiating room, and can result in increased security restrictions in Palestinian areas, Israel has taken steps to promote security cooperation with the Palestinians.

Although life in the West Bank has improved significantly as a result of these combined Israeli efforts, Palestinian leaders continue to pursue an international campaign to delegitimize Israel, hurt its economy, and undermine its ability to defend itself.



Israeli Initiative

Palestinian Rejection

The measures taken by the Israeli government to enhance freedom of movement within the West Bank and between the West Bank and Israel include:

The removal of checkpoints and roadblocks: Israel has decreased the number of checkpoints from 41 to fourteen; twelve of which are manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to facilitate movement. In addition, as of August 2009, Israel removed 147 unmanned road blocks;

The extension of operating hours at crossing points between Israel and the West Bank, including the Allenby Bridge Border Crossing to Jordan; and

The upgrade of the Gilboa/Jalama crossing to allow for vehicles and not simply pedestrians to use the crossing. This has led to a significant increase in traffic, and retail activity.

In addition, in order to further ease restrictions, and still preclude, to the extent possible, disruptions of the peace process by terrorist elements, Israel has closely cooperated with the PA in building the capacity of the Palestinian civil security forces and in improving coordination between the Israeli and Palestinian security services.

For example since 2008 there has been intensive ongoing coordination IDF and the Palestinian Police Forces; and, Israel has worked closely with U.S. General Dayton and his team in their efforts to organize, train and upgrade the PA's National Security Forces battalions.

Despite Israeli confidence building measures, the PA has orchestrated a campaign in international fora to delegitimize Israel and undermine its economy and security. For example, the PA is a driving force behind the establishment of the politically motivated Goldstone Mission by the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), and has led the campaign to implement its one-sided conclusions both in the HRC (16 Oct), and the UNGA (5 Nov 09), in order to delegitimize the actions taken by Israel to protect its citizens.

Simultaneously, Palestinian groups are leading campaigns to arrest Israeli leaders abroad through the abuse of 'universal jurisdiction' clauses -- the latest such incident being the arrest warrant issued in the UK (14 Dec) against former FM Livni.

Moreover, the PA is leading a political initiative aimed to foster support in the UN Security Council for the unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood, thus allowing the Palestinians to both bypass negotiations and unilaterally dictate its position regarding future borders.

A further international campaign involves introducing PA-sponsored resolutions condemning Israel at UN professional bodies such as the Commission on the Status of Women and the World Health Organization, where no other nation is singled out for criticism.

The PA is also leading an international effort to boycott, divest and sanction Israel. Indeed, at the sixth Fatah Conference a platform was adopted calling "to boycott the Israeli products inside the territories and abroad through popular moves...and work to escalate an international campaign towards boycotting Israel and its products and its institutions." (Fatah Political Program, al-Ayyam, 11 Aug)





c. Israeli Restraint of Settlement Activity



Israeli Initiatives

International Praise

Palestinian Rejection

On November 25, 2009, the Israeli government announced an unprecedented ten month moratorium on new residential housing construction in the West Bank, which PM Netanyahu described as a step "designed to encourage the resumption of peace talks" and as "an opportunity to move forward in the path of peace."

The Israeli move was welcomed by the US. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated that the decision was a "helpful move toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,"(State Dept. website 25 Nov).

The US special envoy for Mideast peace, former Senator George Mitchell, also welcomed the move, stating stated that:"it is more than any Israeli government has done before and can help movement toward agreement between the parties," (State Dept. Website 25 Nov)

Similar sentiment was expressed by France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who welcomed the move and called it a "step in the right direction," (EJPress, 26 Nov)

Palestinian spokesmen rejected the moratorium even before the official Israeli announcement (Fox News, November 25, 2009).

The Fatah Central Committee claimed that PM Netanyahu was trying to avoid peace, stated that the Israeli decision showed Netanyahu was: "continuing to avoid the peace process and ignore all opportunities to achieve peace," (Jerusalem Post, 26 Nov)





III. Consistent Palestinian Rejection of Israeli Initiatives

The Palestinians rejections of PM Netanyahu's many initiatives in pursuit of peace are not unique: they are just the latest in a string of Palestinian rejections of Israeli peace initiatives in the past decade.



Israeli Initiatives

International Praise

Palestinian Rejection

Oslo (1993): The Oslo Accords constituted a series of interim agreements, intended to bring peace between Israel and her Palestinian neighbors.

US President Clinton referred to Oslo as "the peace of the brave" (BBC, September 13, 1993).

The Palestinians fundamentally breached their obligations under the Oslo Accords, responding to the Israeli implementation of Oslo with a wave of suicide terrorism in Israel's cities.

Camp David: In 2000, at Camp David, then Israeli PM Ehud Barak offered PA Chairman Arafat a series of far-reaching Israeli concessions as part of a comprehensive peace offer. In exchange, Arafat was asked to put an end to the conflict.



Then U.S. President Bill Clinton described PM Barak's actions as "courageous".

The Palestinians rejected the Israeli offer out-of-hand - no counter-offer was even made. In response to the Israeli offer of peace, the PA launched (Sep 2000) a pre-planned wave of violence, known as the Second Intifada, and characterized by unprecedented terrorist attacks killing 1,184 Israelis.

Disengagement: The Israeli government, under PM Sharon advanced a plan to disengage Israeli forces and remove settlements from the Gaza Strip and Northern Samaria. The plan was implemented in August 2005. Israel saw the disengagement as an initiative towards peace.

US President Bush praised The Israeli people for their "courageous and painful step" and stated: "now that Israel has withdrawn, the way forward is clear. The Palestinians must show the world that they will fight terrorism and govern in a peaceful way," (Radio Address, August 27, 2005).

UK PM Tony Blar called the disengagement a "historic step," stating: "I would like to reiterate the British government's full support. I greatly admire the courage with which you have developed and implemented this policy. I believe you are right to see disengagement as an historic opportunity to pursue a better future for Israelis and Palestinians," (Letter from Blair to PM Sharon, August 16, 2005).



Similar praise emanated from the U.N., Turkey, Morocco, Italy, South Africa and Norway.

Despite Israel's disengagement, Palestinians continued to fire rockets on Israel from the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, rather than using disengagement as an opportunity to achieve peace, the Palestinians elected the Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas to power. In June 2007, Hamas seized full control of the Gaza Strip in a violent coup. Under Hamas, the constant barrage of rocket fire on Israel's southern communities increased dramatically with over 10,000 rockets and mortar shells fired at Israeli populated areas by Hamas and other terror groups.

2008: Israeli PM Ehud Olmert made PA President Abbas a sweeping and unprecedented peace offer.



Abbas rejected the offers and explained to the Washington Post's Jackson Dhiel that he had rejected Olmert's proposals because "the gaps were too wide," Abbas continued: " l will wait for Israel to freeze settlements...until then, in the West Bank we have a good reality...the people are living a normal life," (Washington Post, May 2009).





Conclusion



Israel has achieved negotiated peace agreements, which have turned previous avowed enemies, such as Jordan and Egypt, into peace partners. These agreements were made possible by the courageous leadership of Anwar Sadat and King Hussein, who prepared their people for peace, and made the compromises necessary to achieve peace at the negotiating table. The Palestinians, however, expect somehow to achieve peace, solely on their own terms, without even sitting down to talk.



Israel's current government has already demonstrated, in word and in deed, its commitment to advance peace and, like all Israeli governments in the past, is willing to make the compromises needed to reach that peace. Yet the Palestinians refuse to compromise or even to negotiate. It would be a tragedy if the Palestinian leadership once again choose the "all or nothing" approach and reject the possibility of forging an historic peace agreement.

[oberliner]

3. It addresses the issue of torture being used against Palestinians

The Human Rights Watch Report that I've linked to in response to your post does not portray the PA in a positive light at all. In fact, it documents some of the many human rights violations that they have also been responsible for.

It does portray Hamas in a negative light; however, I cannot imagine that would be something you would object to.

I have no idea what the relevance of the lengthy item you've posted from the Israeli consulate in Philadelphia is to any of this.

I thought the report would be of interest in light of the issues raised in the OP as it provides additional information regarding torture in the West Bank and Gaza.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

4. The point of the OP was CIA INVOLVEMENT.

[Violet_Crumble]

5. Yes, I'd like to see Oberliner address that rather than try to change the subject n/t