The Palestine Chronology

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry calls Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to express disapproval over plans for new construction in Ramat and Gilo settlements. Meanwhile, Jordanian FM Nassar Judeh, in a joint press conference in Ramallah with PA FM Riyad Malki, announces that Kerry will shortly be in Amman for a 4th visit to Jordan to discuss peace efforts. (AFP, HA 6/2; JP 6/3)

Rami Hamdallah, president of an-Najah University, announces that Pres. Abbas has asked him to replace Salam Fayyad as prime minister and form a new govt., adding that most ministers will remain in post. Fayyad resigned on 4/13 and has been serving as a caretaker. U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry welcomes the appointment, but the decision is denounced by Hamas, whose spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum says that Abbas should have implemented the reconciliation deal achieved in Cairo in 5/2013, rather than name his own appointee. Meanwhile, senior Fatah leaders Nabil Shaath and Othman Abu Gharbieh arrive in Gaza to take part in talks with representatives of all factions about national reconciliation. (AFP, MNA, REU 6/2; JP 6/3)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian workers, injuring one farmer with live ammunition as he picks watermelons. Following the incident, an IDF spokesperson says that soldiers shot at Palestinians attempting to damage the border fence. Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the coast of the Gaza Strip, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron in the morning, and in Hebron, 1 village nr. Qalqilya, 1 village nr. Bethlehem and Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, 1 village nr. Jenin, 1 village nr. Qalqilya, and 1 village nr. Bethlehem in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Ramallah in the afternoon, and in Jenin, Tulkarm, and 1 village each nr. Ramallah, Jericho, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya at night. (MNA 6/2; PCHR 6/5)

Israeli Air Force planes conduct low-altitude fly-overs in the Bekaa Valley and other parts of e. Lebanon. (DS 6/3)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry, on his last day in the region, meets with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss reviving negotiations. Afterward, some sources say that Israel has agreed to silently adopt construction freeze outside of the major settlement blocs, while other Israeli government sources say that Israel has refused to adopt any confidence building measures at all prenegotiations. One anonymous Israeli official says that Netanyahu opposed Kerry’s proposal to resume talks based on initially discussing border and security issues only. (HA, YA 4/11)

A scheduled meeting between Palestinian pres. Mahmud Abbas and PM Salam Fayyad to discuss the latter’s 4/10 resignation is postponed under European and American pressure, according to Palestinian officials. An anonymous U.S. State Department official dismisses the idea that Fayyad is really resigning. (AFP, JP 4/11; HA 4/12)

IDF forces make a brief incursion into Gaza nr. Khan Yunis to level land and clear lines of sight. In the West Bank, the IDF shoots and injures a disabled Palestinian man in Hebron during an arrest operation in the city. The IDF shoots and injures 4 Palestinians with rubbercoated metal bullets in al-Khader nr. Bethlehem during clashes. Jewish settlers from Netzah Binyamin outpost nr. Efrat settlement seriously assault a Palestinian man working on his land in Silwad village, sparking clashes between residents and settlers. IDF forces violently disperse the Palestinians, shooting and injuring 1 Palestinian with rubbercoated metal bullets. Jewish settlers cut down or damage around 100 olive trees and grape vines on Palestinian-owned land nr. Hebron. The IDF patrols in 1 village each nr. Jericho and Ramallah in the morning, 2 villages each nr. Jenin, and Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Salfit in the afternoon, and 2 villages nr. Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Salfit at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 each nr. Bethlehem and Hebron at night. (HA, MNA, WAFA 4/11; PCHR 4/18)

A delegation of Israeli security and diplomatic officials arrives in Egypt for discussions with their Egyptian counterparts on the situation in Sinai and indirect talks with Hamas. (MNA 4/11)

Israeli newspaper Yedi’ot Aharonot reports that the EU is preparing a new plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, to be presented following the forthcoming Israeli elections. The plan reportedly will be detailed and aim to complete negotiations on core issues during 2013. The initiative is sponsored by the British and French foreign ministries, but could be adopted by the whole EU. The PA subsequently says it is unaware of such a plan. Meanwhile, Jordan’s King Abdallah tells the French media that his country is working with European countries to restart the stalled negotiations. (AFP, JP 1/13; JP 1/14)

Israeli NGO Peace Now says that Israel’s Defense Ministry has published plans for around 200 new housing units in the West Bank settlement of Rotem in the Jordan Valley. Meanwhile, PM Netanyahu tells the cabinet that the government will ‘‘not allow anyone to harm the contiguity between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim,’’ referring to the removal of Palestinian activists from the Bab al-Shams protest camp in the E1 area. (AFP, JP 1/13)

Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast nr. al-Waha, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning and in 1 village each nr. Qalqilya and Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin in the afternoon, and in Nablus, Qalqilya, and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, and Nablus at night. (PCHR 1/17)

Armed Palestinians protest in Jenin r.c., demanding the PA security forces return confiscated weapons to the resistance. The PA vows (1/14) to investigate the demonstration. (MNA 1/14)

Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad meets Arab League mbrs. to discuss the PA’s cash crisis and ways of raising the $100 m. promised by Arab countries but as yet undelivered. Fayyad claims that the situation may push 1.5 m. Palestinians into poverty. The Arab League agrees to form a delegation to press mbr. states to meet their financial obligations to the PA. (AP, MNA 1/13)

Senior IDF officers brief Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu that Syrian armed opposition groups have taken up positions along the border of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. (JP 1/13)

The Pentagon is sending briefings to senators in order to rebut what it calls ‘‘myths’’ about Defense Secretary–designate Chuck Hagel in the face of opposition to his appointment, in particular by pro-Israel groups. (WT 1/13)

Unidentified Israeli officials tell the Jerusalem Post that unofficial, informal talks under EU auspices are taking place between Israeli and Palestinian academics and former political and military leaders. These discrete dialogues are looking at final-status issues like Jerusalem in order to come up with recommendations for steps that could be taken by both sides. (JP, REU 1/8)

Israel’s Jerusalem municipality demolishes a Palestinian home in Silwan in East Jerusalem on the basis that it was built without a permit. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c. nr. Nablus, and 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night. (WAFA 1/8; PCHR 1/10)

Israel’s education min. Gideon Sa’ar convenes an unscheduled meeting of the Council for Higher Education in order to officially endorse the university status of Ariel settlement’s college. Speaking at Ariel University on the same day, PM Netanyahu says the settlement will ‘‘always remain under Israeli sovereignty.’’ (HA, JP 1/8)

Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad says that the PA is on the verge of bankruptcy, but that he is not afraid of popular protests against the PA similar to those that took place in 9/2012 (see Quarterly Update in JPS 166). Fayyad points out that international aid to the PA dropped from $1.8 b. in 2008 to $1 b. in 2011. (JP 1/8)

PA pres. Abbas appoints the new leadership of the Fatah comm. in the Gaza Strip, a group tasked with increasing the movement’s membership in Gaza. (MNA 1/8)

A military court in Gaza City sentences Fatah military leader Zaki al-Sakani to 15 yrs. in jail on charges of terrorism and illegal possession of explosives and weapons. Fatah denounces the verdict. (MNA 1/8)

Pro-Asad Palestinian factions in Damascus call for a cease-fire after a month of fighting in Yarmuk r.c. A statement signed by the PFLP–GC, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Nidal Front says that Palestinians in Syria must remain ‘‘neutral.’’ (AJE, Guardian 1/8)

Armed Palestinians fire around 80 rockets and mortars into Israel, injuring 5 Israelis. The IDF retaliates with air strikes, killing 3 armed Palestinians and 1 civilian. Israel closes the Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings in both directions. A number of Israeli ministers and politicians urge a full-scale attack on the Gaza Strip. (Arutz Sheva, CNN, JP, MNA, REU 10/24)

EU foreign policy chief Ashton begins a visit to Israel and the West Bank, with planned meetings with Israeli PM Netanyahu and other officials, as well as with PA PM Fayyad and pres. Abbas. Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman warns Ashton of the ‘‘consequences’’ of the Palestinians’ UN bid. Meanwhile, Abbas says he would be ready for negotiations with Israel immediately after the UN recognizes Palestine as a non-member state. (ToI 10/23; HA, REU 10/24; MNA 10/25)

Palestinians and international activists protest in a supermarket in Sha’ar Binyamin, a Jewish settlement in the southern West Bank, calling for a boycott of Israeli products. (972mag 10/24)

In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes agricultural facilities and wells in a village nr. Jenin and an area nr. Hebron; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron. (MNA, WAFA 10/24; PCHR 11/8)

The Sudanese government accuses Israel of carrying out an air strike on an arms factory in Khartoum that killed 2 people. (Guardian 10/24; AFP 10/25)

On the 2d day of his trip to Israel, Republican presidential candidate Romney prays at the Western Wall and gives a public address to 300 select supporters in Jerusalem (calling Jerusalem the capital of Israel). He vows to support Israel’s right to defend itself and calls for Israel and the U.S. to use ‘‘any and all means’’ to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He does not repeat the comment his foreign policy aide, Dan Senor, made en route to Israel that Romney would ‘‘respect’’ an Israeli decision to strike Iran unilaterally, nor does he mention the Palestinians or the peace process. Romney meets with his former business colleague PM Netanyahu, who makes kind remarks but is seen (e.g., WP 7/30) as being careful not to take sides in the election. He also meets with Israeli pres. Peres and PA PM Salam Fayyad; the Romney camp cancels at the last minute a planned meeting with Labor party officials. In an interview with CNN later in the day, Romney says that the U.S., in consultation with Israel, should move its embassy to Jerusalem. In response, White House spokesman Josh Earnest says: ‘‘The view of this administration is the capital should be determined in final status negotiations between the parties. That’s the position held by the previous administrations, both Democratic and Republican.’’ (NYT, WP, WT 7/30; WP 7/31; WJW 8/2)

Timed with Romney’s visit to Israel, the Obama admin. leaks a story to the Israeli daily Ha’Aretz that NSA Donilon briefed an Israeli official (some say PM Netanyahu, though Israel explicitly denies this) over dinner in Israel earlier in 7/2012 on ‘‘U.S. contingency plans for any attack on Iran,’’ emphasizing that the U.S. is making serious preparations for a military strike if such action is deemed necessary. A Netanyahu spokesman says Donilon did not share any operational plans. Donilon’s office says it does not comment on private meetings. (WT 7/30)

In Tunis en route to Israel, U.S. defense secy. Leon Panetta says Israel and the U.S. are united in support of strong sanctions against Iran. (NYT, WP 7/30)

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 patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Jenin in the morning; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Ramallah in the evening. Jewish settlers block roads and stone Palestinian cars nr. the evacuated settlement of Homesh nr. Jenin. (PCHR 8/2; OCHA 8/3)

U.S. secy. of state Clinton meets with Israeli leaders (including PM Netanyahu, Pres. Peres, DM Barak, FM Avigdor Lieberman) and Quartet special envoy Tony Blair in Jerusalem and with PA PM Salam Fayyad in Ramallah. Though the main purpose of her visit is to discuss Iran, Syria, and other regional changes brought by the Arab Spring, she tells the Israeli and Palestinian sides that they must resume peace talks soon and avoid all unilateral actions. She emphasizes that while the international community is ready to offer ample support for a return to negotiations, the hard work must be done by the parties themselves. (WP 7/17)

Israel allows 40 Palestinian prisoners held in its Ramon prison to receive visits from family members from Gaza, marking the 1st time Israel has allowed family visits for Gazan prisoners since Hamas seized control of the Strip in 6/2007. Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts evening arrest raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin; and conducts late-night patrols in al-Nabi Salih. (TOI 7/16; WP 7/17; PCHR 7/19; OCHA 7/20)

Christians United for Israel (CUFI) opens its 7th annual conference in Washington. At least 5,600 participants attend. Organizers note that CUFI now has 1.1 m. members, 754,000 Facebook fans, and 96 college chapters. The conference theme is ‘‘Defend America; Vote Israel.’’ CUFI founder James Hagee focuses on the importance of Christian Zionism and supporting Israel as part of ‘‘living out God’s mandate.’’ Other speakers include Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), fmr. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations head Malcolm Hoenlein, and Zionist Organization of America pres. Morton Klein. The speakers focus on Iran, U.S.-Israel security cooperation, and halting Palestinian incitement. (WJW 7/19)

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney announces plans for a 2-day visit to Israel before he formally accepts the Republican nomination. He plans to meet with Israeli PM Netanyahu, PA PM Salam Fayyad, U.S. amb. to Israel Daniel Shapiro, and leaders of Israel’s Labor party. He has visited Israel 3 times previously, most recently in 1/2011. (NYT, WP 7/3)

An Israeli drone makes a predawn air strike on a Palestinian rocket-firing team nr. Dayr al-Balah, missing them and causing no injuries, but damaging 2 homes. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya during the day; raids and searches a Palestinian home nr. Jenin in the afternoon; and conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches in Tulkarm, and nr. Bethlehem and Qalqilya. (PCHR 7/5; OCHA 7/13)

Hamas authorities suspend the CEC’s work a day before voter registration is scheduled to open across Gaza, accusing Fatah authorities of having intimidated Hamas supporters in the West Bank to keep them from registering there. Fatah spokesman Fayiz Abu Aita calls the Hamas action a ‘‘suspension of the reconciliation process.’’ (NYT 7/3)

In Israel, public debate intensifies regarding a 2/2012 High Court decision to order the 2002 Tal Law, exempting ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students from military service, to expire on 7/31 and to move toward a universal draft. Fearing a coalition split over the issue, Israeli PM Netanyahu disbands a committee he had charged with forming the new policy on national military service. Instead, he orders the leaders of the parties in his coalition to draft the policy proposal, stating that if no agreement can be reached by 7/31, he will instruct the IDF to ‘‘draft according to its needs’’ but take ‘‘into consideration the various publics so as to prevent a rift in the nation.’’ Kadima head Mofaz, who joined the coalition based on a pledge by Netanyahu to move toward a universal draft, calls the move a ‘‘crass’’ violation of their coalition agreement. (NYT 7/3; WT 7/4; WP 7/5)

Israeli and Palestinian officials confirm that discussions are underway for a high-level meeting between Israeli PM Netanyahu and PA PM Salam al-Fayyad after Passover ends on 4/13. Fayyad plans to hand Netanyahu a letter from Abbas, which in its current draft includes Palestinian conditions for a return to negotiations (including Israel halting settlement expansion and accepting 1967 lines the basis for talks) and an enumeration of Israeli actions that the Palestinians find counterproductive to peace. (NYT 4/5)

Israeli security forces evict Jewish settler families fr. a house in Hebron that they occupied ca. 4/2/12. Meanwhile, Netanyahu calls on Israel’s atty. gen. to “find a solution” for the unauthorized outpost of Ulpana (which he terms a neighborhood of Beit El settlement) in Hebron that an Israeli court ordered demolished by 5/1/12. He also says that he plans to convene a meeting with DM Barak to seek the permits retroactively to legalize 3 other unauthorized settlement outposts (Bruchin, Rachelim, and Sansanna). Separately, Israel’s Housing Min. issues bids for construction of 800 new settlement housing units in Har Homa settlement in East Jerusalem. (NYT, PCHR, WT 4/5; OCHA 4/13)

Israel allows a small shipment of diesel fuel for Gaza’s power plant allowing 1 turbine to restart for the 1st time since 3/25/12, but rolling blackouts remain up to 16 hrs./day across the Strip. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire into the abandoned Erez industrial zone late at night, causing no reported injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning and another late at night; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Kafr Qaddum (arresting 20) and nr. Tulkarm. (PCHR 4/5; PCHR 4/12)

Fatah PA pres. Abbas and Hamas leader Mishal end 2 days of talks in Qatar on forming by Fatah-Hamas consensus a transitional government of independent technocrats with a limited mandate to take the Palestinians to new presidential and parliamentary elections and to lead reconstruction of Gaza, as agreed under the 5/2011 national unity deal. To overcome international concerns about Hamas’s participation and differences between Fatah and Hamas regarding who should serve as PM (Hamas strongly opposed current PA PM Salam al-Fayyad), the sides agree that Abbas would lead the transitional government, serving as both pres. and PM. They stress that the new government “will be a technical one more than a political one” and that diplomacy will rest with the PLO. A meeting of all Palestinian factions is set for 2/18 to endorse the plan. Israeli PM Netanyahu immediately denounces Abbas for “joining forces with the enemies of peace.” The EU and U.S. say they look forward to continuing their support of the PA, provided the new government is committed to the Quartet principles of nonviolence, recognition of Israel, and adherence to existing peace agreements. (NYT, WP 2/6; AP, NYT, WP 2/7; see also MNA 2/5)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In response, Israeli warplanes make late-night air strikes on open areas nr. the Gaza border n. of Bayt Hanun, causing no reported injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Salfit; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Tulkarm and nr. Jenin and Nablus. Just outside East Jerusalem nr. al-Tur, Israeli border police and an undercover unit bulldoze 20 d. of Palestinian land, demolishing 2 walls, 3 natural caves, and a water network supplying several Palestinian homes. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron escorted by IDF troops begin planting trees on 150 d. of nearby Palestinian agricultural land that the IDF previously declared a closed military zone. (PCHR 2/9; OCHA 2/10)

Netanyahu addresses AIPAC, leaving aside discussion of the peace process to praise areas of bilateral cooperation. (IFM 5/23; JTA 5/24)

PA PM Salam Fayyad suffers a heart attack while visiting the U.S. for his son’s college graduation. He is given immediate catheterization to open a clogged artery and is discharged on 5/25 after 2 days of observation. (NYT, WP 5/24)

A Palestinian is killed and another is injured when a smuggling tunnel on Gaza’s Rafah border with Egypt collapses. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts synchronized patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm in the morning; raids and searches a business in Silat al-Dahir nr. Jenin, without giving cause; conducts late-night patrols in Nabi Salih, firing tear gas and warning shots at stone-throwing youths who confront them, causing no serious injuries. Jewish settlers attempt to set up a new settlement outpost in Jerusalem’s E1 development area. (HA 5/23; PCHR 5/26; OCHA 5/27)

In his first statement since the 10/8 Arab League decision, Netanyahu, at the opening of the fall session of the Knesset, publicly offers a “limited” extension of its partial settlement freeze if the Palestinians recognize Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people. Abbas rejects this as a key concession that Israel seeks as a basis to reject Palestinian refugees’ right of return to their homes in Israel, noting that the PLO formally recognized the State of Israel in an exchange of letters before signing the 1993 Oslo Accord. The State Dept. suggests that Abbas make a counter offer to keep the process going. (AFP, NYT, WP 10/11; AFP, HA 10/12)

Meanwhile, Israel’s ministerial comm. on legislation sends a bill to the Knesset for a second reading that would require a national referendum before any territory could be ceded in a peace agreement. (JTA, NYT 10/11)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, IDF undercover units make an incursion into Silwan in East Jerusalem, arresting 4 Palestinian boys (ages 12–13), firing rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades at stone-throwing youths who confront them, seriously wounding a 14-yr.-old Palestinian boy; all 4 boys arrested are released on 10/12. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya. An Israeli military court sentences Abdullah Abu Rahma, head of the Popular Committee Against the Wall in the West Bank village of Bil‘in who organizes the weekly demonstrations against the separation wall, to 1 year in jail (including time served) and a $1,250 fine; Abu Rahma was arrested in 12/09 and convicted in 8/2010 of incitement and participating in illegal demonstrations. PA PM Salam Fayyad holds a groundbreaking ceremony to inaugurate a new agroindustrial park in the Jordan Valley, which is expected to create 10,000 new Palestinian jobs. (JTA 10/12; Israel National News, WT 10/13; PCHR 10/14; OCHA 10/15; Irish Times 10/21; UNSCO 10/22)