The Palestine Chronology

Anonymous Israeli officials say that 2 wks. ago, Abbas, under heavy Quartet pressure (especially fr. the U.S.), submitted a proposal for restarting talks that dropped demands that Israel halt settlement construction but demanded that Israel release in exchange 100 Palestinian prisoners jailed since before the Oslo process began. Israel rejected this on the grounds that (1) it would replace 1 precondition with another, and (2) it was vague about whether the talks that would result would be preparatory talks or direct negotiations between Abbas and Netanyahu. There is no official Palestinian, U.S., or Quartet comment on this. Another Israeli official says that Israel is concerned that if talks do not resume by 1/26/12, Abbas would resume Palestinian statehood efforts at the UN, including seeking membership in various UN organizations. (HA 12/28, 1/1)

Late at night, unidentified Palestinians fire 4 Qassam rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In response, Israeli warplanes carry out 3 air strikes on a smuggling tunnel on the Rafah border and 1 air strike on a Hamas training site s. of Gaza City; damage but no injuries are reported. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches in Azariyya nr. East Jerusalem, in Hebron, and nr. Tulkarm. Israeli municipal officials in Jerusalem approve construction of another 130 housing units in Gilo settlement, s. of Jerusalem. (PCHR 12/29; YA 12/30; OCHA, PCHR 1/5)

As of this date, Congress has freed up only $40 m. of the $192 m. in humanitarian aid to the Palestinians that was frozen in light of the UN bid (see QU in JPS 162). USAID and the White House are pressuring Congress to release the rest of the money, calling it “in the interest of the Palestinians, Israel and the United States” to ensure continued development “vital to the establishing and strengthening the foundations necessary for a future Palestinian state.” (WP 12/29)

The IDF patrols in 5 villages nr. Jenin and 2 nr. Tulkarm during the day; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Tulkarm and nr. Hebron. (PCHR 12/29; OCHA 1/5)

With the completion of a section of the separation wall bordering Shu’fat r.c. in East Jerusalem, the IDF closes its Shu’fat checkpoint into Jerusalem and redirects traffic to a new modern checkpoint (begun in 2009 to serve as a future international crossing into Jerusalem). The move leaves more than 50,000 Palestinians living in Shu’fat r.c. and several surrounding Jerusalem suburbs (Ras Shihada, Ras Khamis, al-Salam, and part of ‘Anata) who hold Jerusalem IDs completely isolated fr. Jerusalem. In the West Bank, the IDF clashes with mourners taking part in the funeral for Palestinian activist Mustafa Tamimi (see 12/10), causing no serious injuries; conducts daytime patrols in 3 villages nr. Salfit, 2 nr. Qalqilya, and 1 nr. Jenin; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, in Bethlehem, and in Tulkarm; conducts late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya. (PCHR 12/12, 12/15; OCHA 12/16; JPI 12/23)

The Israeli cabinet unanimously approves $160 m. for the next stage of construction of the security fence along the border with Egypt, expansion of detention centers, and increased policing of companies that hire illegal workers. Since 1/2006, nearly 50,000 illegal workers, mostly fr. Eritrea and Sudan, have entered Israel via the Sinai, raising concerns among Israelis that the mounting influx of illegal African workers could undermine Israel’s Jewish character. (NYT, WP 12/12)

Overnight, Jewish settlers set fire to the entrance of a mosque, a car, and a construction vehicle in Burqin village nr. Salfit, moderately damaging the mosque and destroying the 2 vehicles. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction material in the demolished Erez industrial zone, forcing them to flee. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids and house searches nr. Hebron, Tulkarm. (PCHR 12/8, 12/15; OCHA 12/16)

Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and New Gingrich address the conservative Republican Jewish Coalition, criticizing U.S. Pres. Barack Obama for his weak and confused foreign policy and mistreatment of Israel. Neither endorses a 2-state solution, even though the Republican Party platform officially supports this. Romney pledges that his 1st trip as pres. would be to Israel. Gingrich promises that he would move the U.S. emb. fr. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Republican candidates Michele Bachmann, John Huntsman, Rick Perry, and Rick Santorum also address the forum and promise new approaches to the Middle East but do not go into detail. (NYT, WP 12/8)

Late in the evening, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border nr. Bayt Hanun fire across the border into open areas in the no-go zone, causing no reported damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a Palestinian factory nr. Qalqilya and 2 Palestinian homes nr. Hebron; raids the Tulkarm offices of the Hamas-affiliated Change and Reform Party late in the evening, confiscating 3 computers and some documents; conducts daytime patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Qalqilya; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Kafr Qaddum; conducts late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and 1 nr. Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli municipal officials demolish 2 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanina and Silwan and level a Palestinian barnyard in al-Bustan. (PCHR 12/8; OCHA 12/9)

U.S. Dep. Secy. of State William Burns meets with PA Pres. Mahmud Abbas to urge him to revive peace talks with Israel and delay formation of a unity government with Hamas. (CNN 11/21)

The IDF conducts morning patrols in Qalqilya, Salfit, 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 village each nr. Jericho and Tulkarm; fires tear gas, stun grenades to disperse a funeral procession nr. Hebron, causing no serious injuries; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin and in Salfit; conducts late-night patrols in Jericho, 2 villages each nr. Ramallah and Tulkarm, and 1 nr. Salfit. Jewish settlers in Hebron attack the home of a Palestinian released in the prisoner swap deal that freed captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit in 10/2011, hang posters urging that he be killed, vandalize a grocery store owned by a relative; the Palestinian, Hani Jaber, had been sentenced to life in prison for fatally stabbing a settler in 1993. The incidents spark several clashes between the settlers and local Palestinians in which settlers attack and vandalize several more Palestinian homes; the IDF intervenes, separating the sides. (WP 11/21; PCHR 11/24; OCHA 11/25)

The IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning; makes a morning raid into Tulkarm city to search the homes of at least 2 mbrs. of the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces; raids Dura nr. Hebron in the afternoon, rearresting a Palestinian released in the 10/2011 prisoner swap for IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit (see Quarterly Update [QU] in JPS 162); patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon. Late at night, the IDF conducts synchronized patrols and 1 arrest raid in 3 villages s. of Jenin late at night; separate patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah; and an arrest raid nr. Hebron. (PCHR 11/24; OCHA 11/25)

A Hamas-appointed lower court in Gaza rules that 2 major banks in Gaza, the Bank of Palestine and Palestine Islamic Bank, must pay 10s of millions of dollars in fines and back fees for refusing to recognize the Hamas authority’s power to levy tax, instead remitting taxes to the West Bank PA. Bank officials boycott the hearings and say they may simply shut down to avoid paying. The ruling is seen as precedent setting and possibly applicable to Gaza’s 6 other banks, as well as companies that import fuel and electricity and operate cell phones. (NYT 11/18)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers working their land nr. the border fence, forcing them to flee. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts daytime patrols in Tulkarm, 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 nr. Ramallah; conducts late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya; conducts other late-night arrest raids nr. Hebron. The IDF also conducts late-night raids on the homes (in al-Nabi Salih and 2 nr. Ramallah) of 3 Palestinians released in the Shalit prisoner swap, summoning them for questioning. (PCHR 11/17; OCHA 11/18)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries; in response the IDF carries out an air strike on a Hamas training post in Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF confiscates 4 d. of Palestinian agriculture land nr. Hebron for expansion of a settlers-only bypass road; raids a house in Hebron, firing stun grenades and live ammunition, wounding and arresting 1 Palestinian; searches several abandoned houses and photographs an old mosque in Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; conducts 3 synchronized morning patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, and 3 nr. Jenin; conducts other morning patrols in 1 village nr. Salfit and late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, 2 nr. Ramallah, and 1 nr. Salfit. Jewish settlers in Hebron set fire to 3 Palestinian vehicles. (PCHR 11/17; OCHA 11/18)

Obama Middle East adviser Ross announces at a lunch with Jewish leaders that he will resign effective 12/2011 to return to work at the pro-Israel Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Sources say his decision reflects “the diminishing chances for a breakthrough in either Iran or the Arab-Israeli peace process” before the 2012 presidential elections. (NYT, WP 11/10)

In retaliation for Israeli air strikes on 11/8, unidentified Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Israeli naval vessels detain a Palestinian fishing boat off the c. Gaza coast, confiscating the boat, detaining 1 man who is a mbr. of the Palestinian naval police, questioning and releasing 2 others. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts afternoon patrols in 1 village nr. Jericho and 2 nr. Ramallah (firing rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, and tear gas at stone-throwing youths in 1 case, causing no serious injuries); patrols in Tulkarm late at night; conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. (XIN 11/9; PCHR 11/17; OCHA 11/18)

IDF troops make a brief incursion into n. Gaza nr. Bayt Lahiya for unknown reasons and are engaged by a Hamas border patrol unit, causing no initial casualties; the IDF troops call in artillery fire, directing at least 4 shells at the surrounding area (forcing local farmers to flee, injuring 2 civilians, and damaging a civilian vehicle), and deploy drones and helicopters to chase and fire missiles at Hamas mbrs., firing at least 3 missiles that kill 2 IQB mbrs. and cause some collateral damage. In the West Bank, the IDF takes down several electricity poles supplying bedouin encampments nr. Havat Maon unauthorized settlement outpost nr. Hebron, stating that no permit was obtained to expand electricity services; patrols in Tulkarm in the morning and 1 village nr. Ramallah late at night. (PCHR 11/17; OCHA 11/18)

In a rare interview with Israeli TV, Abbas states, “It was our mistake. . . . It was an Arab mistake as a whole” to reject the 1947 UN partition plan to divide historic Palestine into a Jewish and a Palestinian state. (NYT 10/29)

The IDF conducts daytime patrols in Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, Dura nr. Hebron (firing percussion grenades and unleashing attack dogs to chase off stone-throwing youths; 1 dog attacks a man outside his home, moderately injuring him), 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 nr. Ramallah; conducts late-night patrols in Beitunia nr. Ramallah. The weekly demonstrations by Palestinians and international activists in Bil‘in for a 4th week express solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, calling for the release of Fatah’s Barghouti and the PFLP’s Sa‘adat. In al-Nabi Salih and Ni‘lin, Palestinians and international activists rally in support of the Palestinian statehood bid at the UN. Demonstrations by Palestinians in Kafr Qaddum protest Israeli land seizures. In all 4 cases, IDF soldiers fire rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, injuring 1 Palestinian in Bil‘in. (PCHR 11/3; OCHA 11/4)

The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm in the morning (setting up a flying checkpoint and randomly checking Palestinian IDs in 1 village); raids a car repair shop in Barta‘a village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, confiscating 10s of cars with Israeli license plates; conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches in Hebron. (PCHR 10/20; OCHA 10/21)

Palestinians rally in solidarity with prisoners in Israeli jails, and clash with the IDF at a demonstration outside Ofer military prison nr. Ramallah; no serious injuries are reported. Palestinian students and teachers fr. Cordoba Elementary School in Hebron hold a sit-in at an IDF checkpoint on al-Shuhada Street to protest new IDF demands that they submit to searches before proceeding to the school (see 10/13); the IDF fires tear gas and beats the protesters to disperse them, lightly injuring 3 children. The IDF conducts predawn patrols in Qalqilya and 1 village nr. Tulkarm; patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; conducts latenight patrols in open areas e. of Qalqilya, in Jenin, and in nearby Burqin village. (WP 10/17; PCHR 10/20; OCHA 10/21)

In Hebron, Palestinians protesting the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails throw stones at IDF troops, who respond with rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and percussion grenades; during the mêlée Israeli undercover units grab and beat a Palestinian teenager, shooting and wounding him with live ammunition as he attempts to flee. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids in and around Hebron, in Tulkarm and nearby Nur Shams r.c., and nr. Jenin. (PCHR 10/13, 10/20; OCHA 10/21)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into s. Gaza to level land and clear lines of sight along the border e. of al-Qarara. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers working their land nr. the border fence, forcing them to flee but causing no injuries. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a Palestinian house under construction nr. Bethlehem; patrols in Tulkarm in the morning; patrols in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron (including in al-‘Arrub r.c.), Jenin, and Qalqilya (arresting 4 Palestinian children ages 15–17). In 2 separate incidents, Jewish settlers fr. Karnei Shomron nr. Qalqilya chase off Palestinians harvesting olives nearby; the IDF intervenes both times, removing the settlers but barring the Palestinians fr. resuming the harvest. (PCHR 10/13; OCHA 10/14)

In 2 separate incidents, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers working fields nr. the border fence, forcing them to flee but causing no injuries. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the c. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF bars Palestinian farmers fr. reclaiming a plot of agricultural land northwest of Hebron, confiscating a bulldozer; the Dutch government had funded the project by the Agricultural Development Association to develop the land. The IDF also conducts 2 sets of synchronized patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon and in 3 villages e. of Qalqilya in the evening; conducts late-night patrols in w villages nr. Jenin and Qalqilya. (PCHR 10/13; OCHA 10/14)

The IDF makes a day-long incursion into n. Gaza to level land and clear lines of sight along the border fence nr. Bayt Lahiya. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a Palestinian home and well northwest of Hebron before an Israeli court hears the appeal filed by the owner contesting the demolition orders; bulldozes another 12-d. area of Palestinian agriculture land northwest of Hebron, uprooting and confiscating at least 250 olive and almond trees; patrols in Tulkarm in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Tulkarm in the afternoon, and 4 villages nr. Qalqilya and 1 nr. Tulkarm late at night. Jewish settlers fr. Esh Kodesh nr. Nablus uproot at least 210 olive and fig trees fr. nearby Palestinian land. Jewish settlers fr. Gil’ad settlement nr. Qalqilya chase Palestinians harvesting a nearby olive grove; the IDF intervenes to remove the settlers. Israeli police arrest an 18-yr.- old rabbinical student tied to a radical Jewish settler group in connection with the 10/3 Tuba-Zangaria mosque arson. A Palestinian hospitalized since being wounded in an Israeli air strike on Khan Yunis on 5/13/03 dies of his injuries. (WP 10/7; PCHR 10/13; OCHA 10/14)

Inside Israel, Jewish extremists set fire to a mosque in the Israeli Palestinian village of Tuba-Zangaria and scrawl graffiti reading “price tag,” “revenge,” and “Palmer” (in reference to Asher Palmer, the Jewish settler killed in a traffic accident that Jewish settlers claimed was caused by stone-throwing Palestinians; see 9/23). Some 200 angry Palestinian residents march toward a neighboring Jewish town but are blocked by Israeli police who fire tear gas to disperse them; protesters set fire to tires and throw stones at police in response; no serious injuries are reported. Netanyahu denounces the arson, and Israeli pres. Peres and Israel’s 2 chief rabbis visit the mosque in a show of solidarity with the village. IDF troops on the c. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction materials in a landfill nr. the border, wounding 1. In the West Bank, the IDF razes at least 5 d. of Palestinian agricultural land and uproots at least 95 olive and oak trees for construction of an IDF access road in preparation for construction of a new segment of the separation wall in al-Walaja; patrols in Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in 1 village nr. Jericho in the afternoon, and inside Jericho late at night; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. (NYT, WP 10/4; PCHR 10/6; OCHA 10/7; PCHR 10/27)

Abbas arrives back in Ramallah to a hero’s welcome. (WP 9/15; NYT 9/26)

The IDF conducts late-night patrols in Nur Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm, an open area nr. Tulkarm, and 2 villages nr. Qalqilya and Ramallah. In revenge for clashes on 9/23, Jewish settlers fr. Esh Kodesh outpost uproot a total of 550 Palestinian olive trees from 2 nearby plots. Jewish settlers in Hebron beat Palestinians and vandalize Palestinian property in at least 3 separate incidents. (MNA 9/25; PCHR, WP 9/29; OCHA 9/30)

Abbas addresses the UNGA and officially submits the papers requesting full UN member-state status. UN secy.-gen. Ban Ki-Moon immediately sends the application to the UNSC. Rotating UNSC head, Lebanese amb. Nawaf Salam, says he will distribute it to UNSC mbrs. on 9/26. (NYT, WP, WT 9/24)

Netanyahu also addresses the UNGA session, calling on Abbas to resume talks immediately in New York, again without giving details on the basis or goal of talks. (WP 9/24) Within 3 hrs. of Abbas’s speech, the Quartet issues a vague statement calling on Israel and the Palestinians to return to talks within a month, with the objective of reaching a final agreement within a year. While Quartet special envoy Blair heralds this as “breakthrough,” UN and U.S. officials say the idea is to delay UNSC consideration of the Palestinian application to the UN on the assumption that if talks are “underway and making progress,” the UNSC would put off a vote in hopes that the parties could reach negotiated agreement. (State Dept. press release 9/23; NYT, WP, WT 9/24)

In the West Bank, 1,000s of Palestinians gather in Ramallah’s Clock Tower Square after dark to watch Abbas’s UN address televised live and celebrate the application for statehood. Similar rallies are held across the West Bank, but are banned in Gaza by Hamas authorities, who are angry that Abbas did not consult with Hamas over the process. Observers note (e.g., NYT, WP 9/24) that the “festive mood was tempered with resentment at . . . Obama’s firm stance against the initiative.” One Palestinian on the street states (WP 9/24): “We are choking on the American double standard. America supported the movements for freedom in Egypt, Tunis, Libya and Yemen, but this stops when it comes to the Palestinian people. We are asking, why?” During the day, the regular weekly protest against the separation wall in Bil‘in, al-Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin are turned into rallies in support of the UN statehood initiative; in al-Nabi Salih, Palestinian demonstrators burn Israeli flags and posters of Obama. Similar small rallies are held at Qalandia r.c. The IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and percussion grenades at the demonstrators, causing no serious injuries. (NYT, WP 9/24; PCHR 9/29; OCHA 9/30)

Meanwhile, nr. Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron, a Palestinian boy is killed in a hit-and-run by a vehicle with Israeli plates. Later in the day in the same area, a Jewish settler man and his infant son, residents of Kiryat Arba, die in a car crash; the IDF says it was an accident, but local settlers accuse the army of covering up a murder, claiming that vengeful local Palestinians stoned the vehicle causing it to crash. The IDF denies the claims and expresses concern that settlers are attempting to provoke violence on the eve of Abbas’s UN speech. Meanwhile, unarmed Palestinians patrolling the outskirts of Qusra village in the n. West Bank (subject of numerous recent attacks by Jewish settlers fr. Esh Kodesh outpost) throw stones at a group of armed Jewish settlers that try to enter the village, sparking a clash; the IDF intervenes, firing tear gas and live ammunition at the Palestinians, killing 1 Palestinian and wounding 7. The IDF also patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and Salfit in the morning, in Jericho in the afternoon, and in al-Bireh, 2 villages nr. Salfit, and 1 nr. Tulkarm late at night. (NYT, WP 9/24; PCHR 9/29)

U.S. admin. sources say Pres. Barack Obama’s admin. has “launched a last-ditch diplomatic campaign” to convince the Palestinians to abandon their statehood initiative at the UN by making it clear that the U.S. will veto and by presenting (soon, via the Quartet) a proposal for renewed talks as an alternative. The sources say that the Quartet proposal is aimed primarily at swaying UN member states to vote against a Palestinian statehood resolution and is not expected to result in a resumption of serious peace talks. (NYT 9/4).

The IDF conducts afternoon and evening patrols in Jenin and 4 nearby villages, 2 village nr. Tulkarm, and 1 nr. Hebron; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Hebron. In Israel, as many as 400,000 Israelis turn out nationwide (more than 300,000 in Tel Aviv) for protests calling for social justice. July 14th movement organizers had called for a million-person march today to revive the Saturday protests, which fell off after the 8/18 Elat attack. After the rally, demonstrators begin taking down tent camps, as organizers switch attention to forming local committees to press for social reforms. (WP 9/4; PCHR, WJW 9/8; OCHA 9/9; Foreign Policy [Internet] 9/12; see also NYT 9/1)

Egypt, in effort to improve relations with Israel by strengthening border security, begins an operation to close smuggling tunnels under the Rafah border. Meanwhile, the Israeli emb. in Cairo hires contractors to erect a 12-ft. wall around the emb. in effort to deter the 100s (and sometimes 1,000s) of Egyptian who have gathered outside since the 8/18 Elat incident to protest the deaths of 3 Egyptian soldiers. (WP 9/4, 9/5)

The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Jericho in the morning, and in al-Bireh, 3 villages nr. Tulkarm, 3 nr. Jenin, and 1 nr. Ramallah late in the evening; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and al-Nabi Salih. IDF soldiers beat and fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, causing no serious injuries. (PCHR 9/8; OCHA 9/9)

The UN’s Palmer commission releases its long-delayed investigative report on the 5/2010 Gaza flotilla raid in which 9 Turkish activists attempting to break the siege of Gaza were killed in the IDF raid on the Mavi Marmara. The report concludes that Israel had the legal right to impose a naval blockade of Gaza and to stage an armed raid of the boat, but that the force used by IDF soldiers to subdue protesters was “excessive and unreasonable.” In response, Turkey expels Israel’s amb. and several other senior diplomats, suspends military agreements with Israel, and vows to expand its naval presence in the Mediterranean to protect its ships. (NYT, WP 9/2; HA, NYT, WP 9/3; WP 9/5; NYT, WP 9/7)

The IDF conducts late-night patrols in the same 2 villages nr. Jenin and Tulkarm that it entered on 8/27. Jewish settlers fr. Beit Hadasah in Hebron vandalize nearby Palestinian homes. (PCHR 9/8; OCHA 9/9)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries; Israel does not respond. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Tulkarm late at night, randomly stopping residents and checking their IDs. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai in Hebron beat a Palestinian passerby. (JP 8/28; PCHR 9/8; OCHA 9/9)

In Doha, PA pres. Mahmud Abbas meets with Arab League FMs and Arab League secy.-gen. Nabil Elaraby to discuss plans to seek recognition of Palestinian statehood at the UN in 9/2011. Abbas meets on the sidelines with U.S. asst. secy. of state Jeremy Feltman. (WAFA 8/23)

The IDF carries out a late-night drone missile strike on a car nr. Rafah, assassinating the head of Islamic Jihad’s military wing Isma’il Asmar, injuring a girl nearby. Islamic Jihad responds by firing 4 Qassam rockets and several mortars into Israel, lightly wounding an Israeli infant. (Egyptian officials say that a Palestinian rocket fired fr. Rafah landed on the Egyptian side of the border, in Egyptian Rafah, injuring 1 woman.) Israel responds with 2 drone missile strikes on a suspected rocket-launching team nr. Dayr al-Balah, wounding 2 armed Palestinians. In the West Bank, IDF soldiers enter Tulkarm, randomly stopping Palestinians and checking their IDs; conduct late-night arrest raids, house searches in Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Bet Ayn nr. Hebron uproot 10s of olive and plum trees on nearby Palestinian land. The Israeli High Court rejects an appeal by residents of al-Walaja who challenged the separation wall route on the grounds that it would cut off the village from Bethlehem, holding that the residents did not prove that the planned route would severely harm the village. (JP, JTA, WAFA, WP, WT 8/24; PCHR, WP 8/25; OCHA 8/26; PCHR 10/27)

The Gaza cease-fire generally holds, though unidentified Palestinians fire 4 rockets into Israel during the day, causing damage in 1 instance but no injuries. The PRCs now say (see 8/21) that they will abide by the cease-fire because it “serves the interests of the Palestinian people.” In the West Bank, the IDF raids and searches 15 houses in Hebron, arresting 1 Palestinian; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin, 1 each near Qalqilya and Tulkarm. (JTA, YA 8/22; WP 8/23; PCHR 8/25; OCHA 8/26)

The IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Tulkarm, in 1 instance firing rubber-coats steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinians who confront them; sends troops into Bayt Umar to break up a peaceful rally in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, sparking stone-throwing clashes and arresting 5 Palestinians. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba beat 2 Palestinian teenagers nr. the settlement; the IDF observes but does not intervene. Later, other Jewish settlers in Hebron attack 2 other Palestinian teenagers. (PCHR 8/11; OCHA 8/12)

For the 3d Saturday in a row, Israelis hold massive popular protests across Israel calling for “social justice.” As many as 320,000 Israelis take part, making it the largest demonstration in Israel’s history. For the first time, some Israeli Palestinian communities take part, calling for “social justice for all.” (ICAHD 8/7; WP 8/8; JPI 8/12)

Unidentified assailants attack and damage Egypt’s national gas pipeline to Israel for the 3d time in a month and the 5th time since unrest in Egypt erupted in 2/2011 (see 7/11). IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers working nr. the border fence, grazing 1. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts synchronized morning patrols in 4 villages nr. Jenin; patrols in 3 villages nr. Tulkarm, 2 nr. Salfit, and 1 each nr. Jericho and Ramallah; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, the IDF enters Silwan at midday, raiding a home and arresting a Palestinian. (JTA 7/31; PCHR 8/4; OCHA 8/5)

As many as 150,000 Israelis in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Beersheba, and 6 other cities protest the high cost of living, demanding economic reforms, “social justice,” and “a welfare state now.” In previous days, the Histadrut, Israel’s labor federation, said it strongly supports the demonstrations. (WP 7/31; NYT, WP, WT 8/1)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF drops troops from helicopters into an open area nr. Jenin, searching the area for some time before withdrawing; patrols in 4 villages nr. Jericho, Ramallah, and Tulkarm; enters a village nr. Hebron to arrest 2 Palestinian children for hurting cattle on a nearby Jewish settlement; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Tubas, detaining Hamas-affiliated PC mbr. Khalid Abu Tous. A day after a PA court rejected an appeal challenging Fatah’s 6/12 decision to expel Dahlan from the party, PA security forces raid Dahlan’s Ramallah home, arresting 23 guards and assistants and confiscating 16 guns, a computer, and 2 cars; Dahlan is currently in Jordan. (AFP, MNA, WAFA, YA 7/28; WP 7/29; PCHR 8/4; OCHA 8/5; see also AFP 7/27)