The Palestine Chronology

As massive fires rage nr. Jerusalem for the 3d day in a row, the PA sends 4 teams of Palestinian fire fighters to assist Israeli disaster relief efforts. Meanwhile, new fires break out in the Galilee, Haifa, and nr. the Shavei Shomron settlement in the West Bank. Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians in n. Israel on suspicion of arson. Around 60,000 people are evacuated from Haifa. The Israeli authorities declare a state of emergency in Haifa and evacuate 13 neighborhoods. (HA, JP, TOI, YA 11/24)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during arrest raids nr. Ramallah and Bethlehem, and patrol nr. Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Issawiyya. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/24; HA 11/25; JTA 11/26; PCHR 12/1)

The French govt. publishes new regulations governing goods imported from the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt). They require labels denoting whether or not the goods originated in Israel’s settlements, rather than just the West Bank. (HA, JP, TOI 11/24)

In the West Bank, the IDF reopens the entrance to Bayt ‘Aynun village nr. Hebron, having kept it closed for nearly a year following a surge of violence in the Hebron area in 10/2015. IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids and house searches nr. Jenin and in Nablus, Hebron, and Bethlehem; and patrol nr. Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 3 homes in Bayt Hanina and a multi-unit building in Silwan. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Silwan and Issawiyya. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct limited incursions to level lands nr. Gaza City and al-Bureij r.c. In Israel, Israeli forces deliver demolition orders to several homes in Bir Hadaj village nr. Beesheba, sparking clashes with the residents of the bedouin village; several bedouins are arrested. (MNA, WAFA 10/26; MNA, PCHR 10/27; PCHR 11/3)

Unidentified assailants driving along the Israel-Lebanon border in s. Lebanon open fire on Israeli forces across the border, injuring 1. The Israeli soldiers return fire, causing an unknown amount of damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, YA 10/26)

UNESCO’s World Heritage Comm. passes a res. condemning Israel’s discriminatory administration of Haram al-Sharif and reaffirming the sanctuary as a Muslim holy site. The wording is similar to that in the res. passed by UNESCO’s executive board on 10/18, but does not refer to Israel as an “occupying” power and also includes Jewish names for the Western Wall/al-Buraq Plaza. (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA 10/26)

In the West Bank, IDF troops assault Palestinians harvesting olives nr. Nablus, causing no injuries. They also conduct raids nr. Nablus, Tulkarm, and Ramallah, arresting 6 Palestinians and sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents of Sabastiya village (there are no serious injuries). The IDF patrols nr. Hebron and Salfit during the day. In East Jerusalem, unidentified youths throw stones at an Israeli car in al-Tur, lightly injuring 2 Israelis. Later, stonethrowers injure a 3d Israeli outside the Old City. Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians leaving the Old City and 17 more during raids in al-Tur, Silwan, and Wadi al-Juz late at night. Meanwhile, more than 200 rightwing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif for a 2d straight day, while Israeli forces seize the ID cards of a number of Palestinians attempting to gain access to the sanctuary. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 10/18; PCHR 10/20)

UNESCO’s Exec. Board approves the Palestinian-backed “Occupied Palestine” draft res. about Israel’s discriminatory administration of Haram al-Sharif that was approved by a separate UNESCO body on 10/13. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA 10/18)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Silwad, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border nr. al-Bureij r.c. and Jabaliya r.c.; 1 Palestinian is injured. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmland nr. Khan Yunis, causing no serious damage. Elsewhere in the West Bank, they demolish property and threaten demolitions during late-night raids nr. Nablus and Hebron; and patrol nr. Hebron throughout the day. Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian farmlands nr. Qalqilya, destroying 50 olive trees. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian from Silwan while he is walking n. of the city. (MNA 10/14; PCHR 10/20)

At Egypt’s request, the UNSC holds a special meeting to discuss Israeli settlement building in the oPt, particularly the obstacles it presents to a 2-state solution. Two major anti-occupation groups, B’Tselem and Americans for Peace Now, address the UNSC. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 10/14; AP 10/15)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya on 2 separate occasions, causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscate several mobile residences nr. Jericho and demolish a road leading to Khirbat al-Hadidiya village nearby. IDF troops remove flags and banners from Palestinian homes during a raid in Hebron; arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in and around Nablus; and patrol nr. Qalqilya, Salfit, and Hebron during the day. Two Israeli security troops are injured in an alleged car ramming attack outside Jerusalem. The driver involved is not identified before he or she flees the scene. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinian worshippers outside a mosque in Issawiyya, and then conduct raids in a neighboring village, arresting 4 Palestinians. Later, they violently disperse Palestinians at a funeral in Silwan, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 10/13; PCHR 10/20)

A UNESCO commission approves a Palestinian-backed draft res., titled “Occupied Palestine,” condemning Israel’s discriminatory administration of Haram al-Sharif that, according to Israeli officials, ignores Jewish connections to the site. (HA, TOI 10/13; MNA 10/14)

The IDF keeps al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron closed to non-Jews and maintains the general closure of the oPt during Rosh Hashanah. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Hebron, Bethlehem, and Nablus; and patrol nr. Nablus, Salfit, and Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, 73 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Silwan. (MNA 10/4; HA 10/5; PCHR 10/6)

PA FM Riyad al-Maliki says that Arab states have agreed to begin consultations in New York in support of a UNSC res. condemning Israeli settlements. He says, “We agreed that Arab ambs. to the UN would start consultations on the draft res. before the end of [10/2016].” (WAFA 10/4)

After a cabinet meeting, PA PM Rami Hamdallah announces that the PA has decided to postpone municipal elections by 4 mos., to 2/2017. Earlier in the day, the Central Elections Commission criticized the High Court’s 10/3 decision to cancel the vote in Gaza, saying that excluding Gaza would only compromise the political situation further and recommending a postponement. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri criticizes the postponement, saying, “We consider the govt.’s decision to postpone the election as an attempt to evade the election to serve Fatah’s interests.” (HA, MEE, MNA, TOI, WAFA 10/4)

The ship Zaytouna approaches Gaza with an all-female crew of 13 solidarity activists. They plan to test the Israeli blockade of Gaza on either 10/5 or 10/6 to focus international attention on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. The International Comm. for Breaking the Siege of Gaza releases a statement supporting the women’s mission and calling on Israel to guarantee their safe arrival. Meanwhile, the Israeli navy is preparing to intercept the ship. (MNA 10/4; JP, TOI 10/5)

The IDF closes al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron to non-Jews and maintains the general closure of the oPt during Rosh Hashanah. Meanwhile, a group of settler children harass a Palestinian family picking olives nr. Hebron. They attempt to steal some olives before a local chapter of Youth Against Settlements intervenes. IDF troops raid a village nr. Nablus late at night and patrol nr. Hebron and Ramallah during the day. In East Jerusalem, 45 right-wing Jewish activists visit Haram al-Sharif. A Palestinian family demolishes part of its own home in the Old City to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest a young Palestinian after he cuts through the border fence in an attempt to enter Israel nr. Eshkol. (MNA, WAFA 10/3; MNA 10/4; PCHR 10/6)

The Palestinian High Court of Justice rules that the municipal elections, which were set for 10/8 before being indefinitely delayed on 9/8, will go forward on 10/8 only in the West Bank because the courts operating in Gaza are “illegal.” The court previously said it favored holding elections across all Palestinian territory, including Gaza and East Jerusalem. Hamas rejects the court’s decision; a spokesperson says that the decision “divides the Palestinian people.” (HA, JP, MEE, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/3; MNA 10/4)

IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian youth at a checkpoint nr. Qalqilya as she is walking home from school. The Israeli soldiers reportedly thought she was planning a stabbing attack (she will be released from detention on 9/22). Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops raid the Bil‘in homes of several leaders in the activist groups that organize the Friday protests in the Ramallah-area village, confiscating a number of cell phones and computers. Late at night, 2 Israeli soldiers torch a Palestinian-owned lumber warehouse in Nablus, and IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during raids and house searches nr. Tulkarm, Jenin, Bethlehem, and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces continue targeting Shu‘fat r.c., arresting 5 Palestinians during raids in the camp and in Abu Dis. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian homes nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 9/21; MNA, PCHR 9/22; HA 9/25; PCHR 9/29)

Following a request from the public prosecutor’s office, the Palestinian High Court of Justice postpones until 10/3 its decision regarding the municipal elections that were initially set for 10/8. The elections had been postponed indefinitely on 9/8 because of challenges to their legitimacy. (AFP, MNA 9/21)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing to allow Palestinian pilgrims to return from their trip to Saudi Arabia. They are set to open it again on 9/22 and 9/23. (MNA 9/23)

While in New York for the UN General Assembly (UNGA) meeting, Israeli PM Netanyahu meets with U.S. pres. Obama. They reportedly do not discuss the push for Israeli-Palestinian peace that the Obama admin. is rumored to be planning after the U.S. election in 11/2016. Netanyahu tells Obama he will always be welcome in Israel, and Obama responds, “We’ll set up a tee time.” (AFP, EI, NYT, REU, YA 9/21; HA 9/25)

IDF troops raid al-Sanabel radio station in Dura village nr. Hebron overnight, shutting it down on the grounds of alleged incitement and arresting 5 journalists. They also destroy and confiscate some broadcasting equipment. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids and house searches in and around Tulkarm, Jenin, and in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem; and patrol nr. Nablus. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault and arrest 5 Palestinian youths as they leave a soccer field in the Old City, demolish a blacksmith shop in the southeast corner of the city, and arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Ras al-Amud. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 8/31; PCHR 9/1; PCHR 9/8) 

The Egyptian authorities keep the Rafah border crossing open for the 2d of 3 planned days. (PCHR 9/1; OCHA 9/8)

The High Planning Comm. of Israel’s Civil Admin. advances plans for the construction of 463 settler residences in the West Bank, including approval for 234 units in the Elkana settlement, 31 in Bet Arye, and 20 in Givat Ze’ev. The comm. also retroactively legalizes 178 units built in Bet Arye in the 1980s. (AFP, HA, MNA 8/31)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats and arrest 2 fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya. In Gaza, armed assailants assault and temporarily kidnap a Fatah official working to coordinate the municipal elections on 10/8 nr. Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 6 residential structures and 2 barns in a village in the E1 area nr. Jerusalem, and confiscate heavy machinery Palestinians are using to repair a road nr. Hebron. IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in 1 village each nr. Nablus, Salfit, and Hebron, arresting 5 Palestinians. (MNA, WAFA 8/29; PCHR 9/1)

Responding to reports about Russian efforts to host a peace summit on 8/28, PA pres. Abbas’s office releases a statement reaffirming that Abbas is willing to take part in any peace initiative aimed at a “comprehensive and fair solution.” A Russian spokesperson says that there is “nothing concrete” yet. (TOI 8/29)

Israeli forces return the body of a Palestinian killed outside the Old City on 3/9 to his family. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 2 agricultural structures and part of a stone wall nr. Nablus, patrol nr. Ramallah and Hebron during the day, and arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Hebron and Jenin. In Israel, hundreds of Palestinian citizens demonstrate outside a police station in Ramla to protest the 7/28 killing of Palestinian a during a drug raid in Tel Aviv. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/17; JP, MNA, PCHR 8/18; PCHR 8/25)

Israeli DM Avigdor Lieberman outlines his new “carrot-and-stick” policy for administering the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt), saying he favors more arrests, restrictions on construction, and collective punishment of Palestinian villages whose residents resist the occupation, while granting permits for “civilian projects” to villages whose residents are more docile. In that vein, Lieberman recently approved the construction of a hospital in Beit Sahour. The DM has reportedly divided the West Bank into problem areas that he plans to punish, and calmer areas, which will be rewarded with infrastructure projects like the one in Beit Sahour. (HA, JP, TOI 8/17)

A Gazan farmer is injured when he accidentally detonates a piece of unexploded Israeli ordnance nr. Dayr al-Balah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian youth allegedly planning to carry out a stabbing attack in Shu‘fat. They also arrest 6 Palestinians during raids in Silwan, Jabal Mukabir, al-Tur, and Issawiyya. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Salfit. (MNA, WAFA 5/19; PCHR 5/27)

A day after offering him the defense portfolio, Israeli PM Netanyahu agrees to Yisrael Beytenu chair Lieberman’s main demand for bringing his party into the ruling coalition: support for new legislation lowering the bar for death penalty sentences for Palestinians found guilty of serious crimes in military courts, meaning it would only affect Palestinians living in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt). (HA, JP, TOI 5/19)

U.S. secy. of state Kerry confirms that he plans to attend the upcoming Paris peace summit, which the French have now rescheduled for 6/3 to accommodate his schedule. Russian FM Sergey Lavrov is also set to attend. (HA, JP 5/19)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 1st of 2 planned days, allowing Palestinians to enter and exit Egypt for the 1st time since 2/2016. Elsewhere in the oPt, the IDF implements a “general closure” of the West Bank and Gaza ahead of Israel’s so-called Independence Day. Only humanitarian and medical cases are permitted to use border crossings. In the West Bank, IDF troops raid a village n. of Jerusalem overnight, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 2 Palestinians are injured (1 seriously). They also confiscate surveillance tapes during a raid of a supermarket nr. Bethlehem; conduct further raids and house searches nr. Ramallah and Salfit, arresting 2 Palestinians; patrol nr. Hebron. (JP, MNA, WAFA 5/11; MNA 5/13; PCHR 5/19)

Amid continuing heightened tension across the oPt during Passover, Israeli forces escort hundreds of Israeli settlers to Joseph’s Tomb outside Nablus and to Solomon’s Pools outside Bethlehem in the morning, sparking clashes in Nablus with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 1 Palestinian is injured. Also, around 200 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif; 5 are removed from the area when they attempt to perform religious rites. Israeli authorities close the Kerem Shalom crossing with Gaza, indicating that they plan to keep it closed through 4/30. Elsewhere along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Ramallah after he and another Palestinian allegedly attempt to stab an Israeli soldier. They also conduct raids nr. Bethlehem, issuing arrest summons to 3 Palestinians; patrol nr. Hebron, Salfit, and Jericho. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/28; PCHR 5/5)

Israeli PM Netanyahu’s office releases a statement formally rejecting the French peace initiative, including the peace conference planned for 5/30 in Paris. “Israel is ready immediately to begin direct negotiations with the Palestinians without any preconditions,” it reads, adding that “any other diplomatic initiative distances the Palestinians from the table of direct negotiations.” Meanwhile, a U.S. State Dept. spokesperson reiterates that the Obama admin. has not yet taken a position on the French initiative. (HA, TOI, USSD 4/28; MNA 4/29)

Across the oPt, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Silwad, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and 2 areas along Gaza’s border; 7 Palestinians are injured and at least 4 are arrested. On Gaza’s border, an explosive device detonates under an armored Israeli bulldozer, causing damage but no injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on 2 Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah, injuring 2 fishermen, arresting 4, and then confiscating the boats. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct house searches and raids nr. Hebron and Bethlehem, arresting 2 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 4; patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces disperse Palestinians conducting a sit-in in Silwan in protest of Israeli efforts to Judaize the city; 6 Palestinians are arrested and a tent is confiscated. Israeli police arrest a Palestinian for allegedly planning a stabbing attack outside the Old City, and temporarily detain a shaykh at Haram al-Sharif, accusing him of “incitement.” (JP, MNA, TOI, YA 4/8; PCHR 4/14)

A U.S. State Dept. spokesperson says that the Obama admin. has not decided whether or not to support the draft UNSC res. condemning Israel’s settlements that the Palestinians circulated earlier in the week (a U.S. veto would scuttle the effort). Separately, 394 mbrs., or 90%, of the House of Representatives sign onto a letter calling on U.S. pres. Obama to “oppose and, if need be, veto one-sided UNSC resolutions,” inter alia. (USSD 4/8; TOI 4/9; JP 4/10; JTA 4/15)

IDF troops shoot and kill 2 Palestinians outside a settlement nr. Hebron after they allegedly open fire on a group of Israeli soldiers at a bus stop, injuring 1. The IDF then raids the 2 Hebron-area homes of the alleged attackers, damaging doors and interrogating their families; and closes a road leading to a village nearby (it will be reopened on 4/12). IDF troops also shoot and kill a Palestinian driver nr. the same settlement after he allegedly rams and injures 2 Israeli soldiers. Another IDF soldier is injured by friendly fire. Elsewhere in the oPt, a Hamas mbr. dies in a tunnel collapse e. of Gaza City. An armed group fires a rocket from Gaza into s. Israel, which lands in an open area along the border, causing no injuries or damage. IDF troops arrest 16 Palestinians during late-night raids and house searches in and around Tulkarm, Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, Jenin, and Ramallah; patrol during the day nr. Hebron and Qalqilya. Israeli forces deliver a stop-work order to a construction site nr. Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians allegedly planning a stabbing attack in Abu Dis and 2 Palestinians in late-night raids in Jabal Mukabir. In Israel, the Israeli authorities order the closure of a construction site in Haifa for 21 days for harboring Palestinian workers who entered Israel illegally. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 3/14; HA, JP, WAFA 3/15; PCHR 3/17)

Citing senior Israeli officials, Haaretz reports that the Israeli govt. and the PA have been holding secret negotiations over the past mo. with the goal of gradually restoring PA security control over cities in the West Bank and ensuring continued security coordination. In response, 2 mbrs. of Netanyahu’s cabinet— Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Immigration Absorption Minister Zeev Elkin—say they had not been informed of the talks and that they oppose them. (HA, TOI 3/14)

Israel’s Knesset passes the 2d and 3d readings of an amendment designed to deter Israelis who transport, employ, or otherwise accommodate Palestinians who work in Israel illegally. The measure, advanced by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, passes by a vote of 44–16. (TOI 3/14)