The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli troops open fire on agricultural areas nr. Khan Yunis, causing no casualties. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in addition to 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Israeli forces also demolish Palestinian-owned structures in the n. Jordan Valley. In East Jerusalem, around 100 newly-recruited Israeli soldiers enter Haram alSharif escorted by police officers. (MNA, PCHR 12/10)

In Israel, attackers vandalize a dozen cars and leave racist graffiti in Akbara village nr. Safed. (MNA 12/10)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry tells the House Foreign Affairs Cmte. that the Obama administration is requesting that negotiators be given time to do their jobs in talks with Iran, and for Congress to hold off on passing any new sanctions-related bills. Kerry affirms that it is a “very delicate diplomatic moment.” U.S. Senate Banking Cmte. chmn. Tim Johnson (D-SD) says he will not back new sanctions legislation at this time. Meanwhile in Geneva, Iranian delegation head Hamid Baeedinejad says that talks with the IAEA are going smoothly. The meeting is also attended by officials from the U.S., China, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and the EU. (JP, REU 12/10)

U.S. Defense Secy. Hagel meets with the Qatari emir Shaykh Tamim bin Hamad and DM Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah, and signs a 10-year defense cooperation agreement that will govern interaction between U.S. and Qatari forces. (REU 12/10)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces open fire on agricultural lands nr. Khan Yunis, causing no casualties. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot a Palestinian civilian with live ammunition in c. Hebron during a raid. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in Hebron at night; patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron at night. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, Ni‘lin), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries except in Kafr Qaddum with 2 injured by tear gas canisters. Meanwhile, Jewish settlers vandalize property in a village nr. Nablus, leaving “price-tag” graffiti. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinian worshippers at Haram al-Sharif, using tear gas, rubber-coated metal bullets, and stun grenades, injuring around 40. (MNA 12/6; PCHR 12/12)

As he departs Israel, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry says that Israel and the Palestinians are closer than they have been in years to achieving a peace deal. Speaking to reporters at Ben Gurion Airport, Kerry issues an upbeat assessment following 2 days of meetings with Netanyahu (who he met on 3 separate occasions) and Abbas (who he met once). Kerry says that 160 experts were involved in preparing a security plan presented by Gen. John Allen during the trip to both Netanyahu and Abbas (the details of which are not revealed). Separately, Israeli FM Lieberman tells the annual Saban Forum at the Brookings Institution in Washington that a deal is unlikely but talks are positive if only for the sake of conflict management. (HA, JTA 12/6)

An explosion targets IDF troops patrolling the border fence between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Syria, causing no injuries or damage. Army investigations conclude that the blast was from a bomb remotely-detonated as troops passed by. (YA 12/6; AFP 12/7)

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons announces in a statement that it has verified the destruction of Syria’s unfilled munitions, as well as the destruction of parts of buildings at weapons production facilities. (AP 12/6)

The UNGA approves Jordan’s 2-year term on the UNSC, taking the place that Saudi Arabia rejected on 10/18 as a protest over the UN’s response to the civil war in Syria. Jordan will assume its role on 1/1, having secured 178 votes from the body’s 193 mbrs. (AFP 12/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin and 2 nearby villages, and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. In East Jerusalem, Jewish right-wing activists enter Haram al-Sharif, provoking clashes with Palestinian worshippers. (MNA 12/4; PCHR 12/5)

Israeli media reports that the Ministry of Defense is preparing to hand over 20,000 dunams of land in Area C to the PA, to be used for agricultural and commercial projects. (MNA 12/4)

Hizballah commander Hassan al-Laqqis is shot and killed outside his home in Beirut by unknown assailants. Laqqis had fought in Syria’s civil war. A previously unknown group, Ahrar al-Sunna Baalbek Brigade, claimed responsibility for the assassination on Twitter, but the claim could not be verified. In a statement broadcast on al-Manar TV, Hizballah accuses Israel of being behind the killing. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs then issues a denial. (AFP, DS, REU 12/4)

Israeli television reports that construction of the 245-km (152-mi.) border fence between Israel and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula has been completed, 3.5 years after work began. (JP 12/4)

Israel’s Environmental Affairs Minister Amir Peretz flies to Istanbul to attend a 4-day UN-sponsored conference on Mediterranean marine and coastal environment issues. He is the 1st Israeli cabinet minister to visit Turkey since the Mavi Marmara raid in 2010. (REU 12/4)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces shoot at Palestinian farmers working close to the perimeter fence nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 2 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nearby, and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem and Ramallah at night; patrols in Hebron and al-‘Arub r.c. in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces escort 24 Jewish Israelis at Haram al-Sharif, prompting clashes with worshippers. (MNA 12/1; PCHR 12/5)

An anonymous official in Israeli PM Netanyahu’s office says that the govt. will not be proceeding with the preliminary planning procedures for 24,000 settlement homes, as previously indicated on the Housing Ministry’s website. Israeli TV reports that the PA directly appealed to U.S. Secy. of State Kerry about the matter, threatening to quit the negotiations if the tenders were not cancelled. Meanwhile, PA Pres. Abbas meets with opposition leader MK Isaac Herzog in Ramallah, and tells him he is keen to reach an agreement with Israel. In a statement released after the meeting, Herzog says, “We have a partner that is ready to go the distance for peace and take original, brave steps on core issues.” (HA, JP 12/1) 

Iranian pres. Ruhani says construction will soon start on a 2nd nuclear power plant, according to local media reports. Meanwhile, Iranian FM Zarif meets with his Kuwaiti counterpart Shaykh Sabah Khaled al-Sabah, on his 1st official visit to a Gulf Arab country. Following the meeting, Zarif says that the 6-mo. interim deal with the West is in the Gulf states’ interests. (AFP, JP 12/1)

Egyptian security forces violently disperse anti-govt. demonstrators in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, as the cmte. charged with amending the constitution approves changes to the text in the 2nd day of discussions. The new constitution give women and Christians “suitable representation” and also stipulates there must be elections, either parliamentary or presidential, within 90 days of the document’s adoption. The use of military tribunals for civilians is also scaled back, to be permitted only in cases of attacks on military personnel or property. However, the armed forces are given the exclusive right to name the defense minister for the next 2 presidential terms. The draft constitution is now handed over to Egyptian interim pres. Adly Mansour who has 1 mo. to call a national referendum. (AP, REU 12/1)

In the West Bank, residents of Qusra village nr. Nablus defend their land from settlers uprooting seedlings. IDF troops intervene and open fire on the Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets, injuring 8. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Jenin at night. In East Jerusalem, around 80 Israeli security officers enter Haram al-Sharif and tour the area. (MNA 11/18; PCHR 11/21)

French pres. Hollande meets with PA Pres. Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah and later with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. In a joint press conference with Abbas, Hollande calls for a complete halt to Israeli settlement activity. In a speech to the Knesset in honor of the French leader’s visit, Netanyahu invites Abbas to address the Israeli parliament and to recognize Israel as a “Jewish state.” He also thanks Hollande for his opposition to a deal with Iran earlier in the month. (AFP, HA, MNA 11/18)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. al-Waha, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries, but temporarily detaining 2. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin and 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols in Tulkarm in the morning, in 3 villages nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 3 villages each nr. Hebron and Jenin, 1 village nr. Qalqilya, and in Tulkarm at night. In Abu Dis, East Jerusalem, an IDF raid sparks clashes, which lead to Israeli forces opening fire on students with rubber-coated metal bullets, injuring 40. Also in East Jerusalem, around 100 Jewish Israelis enter Haram al-Sharif, led by nationalist activist Yehuda Glick. (MNA 11/17; PCHR 11/21)

The General Union of Palestinian Teachers launches a limited strike in the West Bank in protest at the failure of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to implement previous agreements. The union’s secy.-gen., Ahmad Sahwil, says the union is prepared to begin a full, open-ended strike should the PA not meet its demands. They had threatened a strike in early 9/2013, but called it off following an agreement with the PA on 9/5 to raise teachers’ salaries by 10%. (MNA 11/17)

Three days before the onset of the 2nd round of negotiations in Geneva over Iran’s nuclear program, French pres. François Hollande, along with a delegation of senior officials including FM Laurent Fabius, arrives in Tel Aviv for his 1st official visit to Israel and the o. t. since taking office. (HA 11/18)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Jericho at night. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara). There are no serious injuries. (PCHR 10/24)

PA Pres. Abbas tells Palestinian television that the PA is considering an appeal to the UNSC in light of what he describes as “serious Israeli violations, especially in Jerusalem and at the Temple Mount.” Abbas also expresses concern that the PA would be unable to pay the salary for all its employees for 11/2013, without further international aid. (HA 10/11; MNA 10/12)

There are protests in Egypt as Muslim Brotherhood supporters continue to demonstrate against the military-backed interim govt. There is 1 reported death, in the Nile Delta province, with clashes also reported in Alexandria and Cairo. (REU 10/12)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in al-‘Arub r.c., al-Fawar r.c., and 1 village nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Salfit at night. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara). There are no serious injuries (except in Kafr Qaddum where 3 are struck by tear gas canisters). In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces raid the al-Aqsa compound and disperse worshippers with stun grenades, after Palestinians threw stones at plainclothes policemen who entered the area. Fifteen Palestinians are arrested, while Israeli police say 2 officers are injured while an al-Aqsa medical official says 55 injuries were treated among Palestinians. (MNA, REU 9/6; PCHR 9/12)

PA Minister of Prisoner Affairs Issa Qaraqe announces that the remaining prisoner releases by Israel will take place on 10/29, 12/29, and 03/28. (MNA 9/6)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry travels to Europe on a trip intended to lobby for support for a strike on Syria, as well as discuss the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and meet with PA Pres. Mahmud Abbas in London, before returning to Washington. The itinerary also takes him to Lithuania—current holder of the presidency of the Council of the EU—and France. (AFP 9/5; AP 9/6)

U.S. Pres. Obama persuades 10 other leaders from the G20 nations to co-sign a statement urging a strong international response to the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Syrian govt., though the text does not explicitly endorse military action. Meanwhile, an unnamed State Dept. official tells the media that a strike on Syria would not fundamentally alter the balance of forces on the ground in the country’s civil war. (NYT, REU 9/6)

Supporters of ousted pres. Morsi clash with security forces and those who back the military in protests across Egypt. Two are killed nationwide, and dozens injured. There are demonstrations in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez, Fayoum, Damanhour, and a number of other towns and cities. (AFP, REU 9/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron at night. In East Jerusalem, there are clashes in Abu Dis between Palestinians and Israeli forces who conduct a raid and enter the Al-Quds university campus. Meanwhile, right-wing Jewish extremists enter the al-Aqsa compound, prompting clashes with Palestinians, with Israeli security forces dispersing the crowds and arresting 7 Palestinians. Separately, Shaykh Raed Salah is released on bail, though Salah says he does not intend to respect the order banning him from Jerusalem. (HA, MNA 9/4; PCHR 9/5)

According to an anonymous Palestinian official speaking to the Associated Press, Israel intends to leave numerous settlements and military bases in the West Bank to set up a provisional Palestinian state. Meanwhile, aide to Pres. Abbas, Yasir ‘Abid Rabbuh tells Palestinian media that the talks are proving pointless and making no progress, and will fail to do so, without serious U.S. pressure. (AP, REU 9/4)

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Cmte. narrowly backs, 10–7, a compromise res. authorizing the use of military force in Syria. The full Senate will vote next week, and the House of Representatives must also approve the measure. Meanwhile, Russian pres. Putin says Moscow does not rule out approving a strike against Syria if there is clear evidence of the Asad regime’s culpability for the use of chemical weapons. (AP, REU 9/4)

Pres. Obama’s national security aides have recommended that the U.S. suspend military and economic assistance to Egypt in response to the military coup, according to unnamed U.S. officials speaking to the media. (AP, REU 9/4)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the afternoon and in 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Salfit at night, patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and 1 village each nr. Jericho, Ramallah and Tulkarm in the morning, in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Salfit at night. Israeli bulldozers level privately-owned Palestinian land nr. Nablus to enlarge an illegal settlement outpost. In Jerusalem, dozens of right-wing Jewish activists enter the al-Aqsa compound and held discussions on the possibility of building a Jewish temple there. (MNA 8/25, PCHR 8/29)

The Jerusalem Municipality approves a budget for a NIS 62.4 million extension of the Ramat Shlomo settlement, adding some 1,600 housing units. Other projects approved include a NIS 20 million budget for developing a national park at the settlerowned “City of David” project in the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan. Half of that latter budget will come from the prime minister’s office. Meanwhile, Israel’s Housing and Construction Minister Uri Ariel dedicates 2 new neighborhoods of 160 homes in the West Bank settlement Keddumim and says that a two-state solution will never happen. (AP, HA, JP 8/25)

Israel’s cabinet unanimously approves the appointment of Yossi Cohen as the new head of the National Security Council (NSC). Cohen, who spent 3 decades working for Mossad, replaces Yaakov Amidror. (YA 8/25)

Syria agrees to allow UN inspectors to visit the site of a suspected chemical weapons attack in Ghouta, a Damascus suburb. The U.S. State Dept. says that Secy. of State John Kerry told his counterparts in Britain, France, Russia, and Canada in a round of phone calls that there is “very little doubt” the Syrian govt. is responsible for gassing its own citizens. An unnamed administration official tells the media that despite this near certainty in Washington, the pres. still hasn’t decided how to respond. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alexander Lukashevich says that the U.S. and its allies should await the findings of the UN inspection team and avoid military action. (AP, REU, 8/25)

Three leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, including the organization’s Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie did not appear in court on the 1st day of their separate trials, apparently due to security reasons. The judge adjourns proceedings until 10/29. The charges are of inciting lethal violence during the events leading up to the military coup. (REU 8/25)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Hebron, Tulkarm, and 1 nearby village, Nablus, Tubas, and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in Jenin and 1 nearby village, and 1 village each in Bethlehem and Hebron. Jewish settlers attack Palestinian-owned vehicles nr. Nablus, causing damage but no injuries. Settlers also set fire to olive trees nr. Hawara village. (MNA 6/26; PCHR 6/27)

The Israeli army reopens Kerem Shalom and Erez border crossings into the Gaza Strip, closed on 6/23 as a punitive measure following rocket fire. (AFP 6/26)

The Jerusalem municipality approves construction permits for 69 new homes in East Jerusalem settlement Har Homa, a day before U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry is due to arrive for talks in Israel and the West Bank. (AFP, JP 6/26)

UNESCO’s World Heritage Cmte. in Phnom Penh passes a Jordanian-sponsored resolution in an 8–3–10 vote condemning Israeli actions in Jerusalem, such as developments of the Western Wall and Temple Mount site, and resolving to maintain the places of the Old City and Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on its World Heritage Sites in Danger list. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes the resolution, saying it is a “dark day for UNESCO.” (ToI 6/26)

Austria completes the withdrawal of its UNDOF peacekeepers from the Golan Heights, with the remaining 70 departing via Israel. (HA 6/26)

Unidentified gunmen kidnap 2 Egyptian police officers in the s. Sinai, reportedly in revenge for an earlier assault on a Bedouin man by a police officer during a dispute at a petrol station. (Ahram 6/26)