The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles driving on Route 60 near the Yitzhar settlement, causing damage. Israeli settlers also started construction on a pool near a water spring in Khirbet al-Farisiya. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, killing 1 Palestinian man with a shot to his head; 68 others were injured, including 4 with rubber-coated bullets. The PA foreign ministry called in the ICC to take action against Israel’s killing of Palestinian protesters. The man was the 9th victim of Israeli gunfire related to the weekly anti-settlement protest in Beita since May. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 6 with rubber-coated bullets, including 2 minors. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beitunia and al-Bireh. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in Isawiya and Jabel Mukaber. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and confiscated their boat. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian bird hunters near the Gaza fence; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/10; MEMO, PCHR 12/11; WAFA 12/12; HA, MDW 12/13; PCHR 12/16; HA 12/24)

In Lebanon, an explosion killed 1 and injured 4 others in the Burj el-Shamali refugee camp. Sources in the camp said the explosion happened in a Hamas weapons depot; however, Hamas denied the claim, saying the explosion was due to an electrical fault in a warehouse storing oxygen and gas cylinders for COVID-19 patients. (AJ, AP, HA, REU 12/10; AP, MEMO 12/12)

The New York Times reported that Israel consulted with the Biden administration before it struck 2 targets in Iran in June and September this year. (NYT 12/10; HA 12/11)

In promotional material for the upcoming book Trump’s Peace: The Abraham Accords and the Reshaping of the Middle East by Israeli journalist Barak Ravid, it was revealed that former U.S. president and likely candidate for the Republican presidential ticket in 2024, Donald Trump, made significant U.S. policy changes to help former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu win elections in Israel. Former President Trump told Ravid that he recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel and, separately, announced plans to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem to help Netanyahu, who was struggling in the Israeli elections. Trump also told Ravid that he left the Iran Nuclear deal because of Israel and dismissed the idea that it was due to Israeli intelligence, mocking the idea that Israel had presented anything new at the time. Ravid further reports in his book that Trump believes that Netanyahu never had any interest in making peace with the Palestinians. Trump explained to Ravid that PA president Mahmoud Abbas “was almost like a father” and that he thought Abbas wanted to make peace more than Netanyahu. Trump acknowledged to Ravid that his strategy of pressuring the Palestinian leadership back to negotiations after recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel had failed, saying “[t]hese are hardened people.” Netanyahu and Trump had a significant personal fallout due to Israel’s push to annex most of the West Bank, outside of the framework of the Trump administration’s plan for a peace deal. It was also revealed that Trump now holds a grudge against Netanyahu because Netanyahu congratulated U.S. president Joe Biden on his election win in 2020, which Trump has falsely claimed to be fraudulent and has never officially conceded. Trump said he had not talked to Netanyahu since losing the election and said to Ravid during the interview, “fuck him [Netanyahu].” (AP, AX, AX, HA 12/10; FWD, HA, HA 12/12; AX, HA, IN, MEE, MEMO 12/13; TOI 12/14; GDN 12/20)

In Ravid’s book Trump’s Peace, new details about the normalization agreement between Israel and the UAE are also revealed. According to Ravid, Avi Berkowitz, aide to senior advisor to the president Jared Kushner, suggested to Netanyahu on 6/30/2020 that he normalize relations with the UAE instead of moving ahead with annexation of parts of the West Bank. The UAE ambassador to the U.S. Yousef Otaiba had been in talks with the U.S. about normalization since March 2019 and had been pushing normalization with Israel. Ravid also writes in his book that UK ambassador to the UN Karen Elizabeth Pierce warned Berkowitz and U.S. special envoy to Iran Brian Hook that the UK and other countries would recognize the State of Palestine if Israel moved forward with annexing parts of the West Bank. (FWD 12/12; AX, HA 12/13; MEMO 1/4)

Germany contributed with $23.75 million to the UNRWA. (WAFA 12/10)

In Geneva, Pres. Clinton presents Syrian pres. Asad, FM Shara` with a maximalist proposal fr. Israeli PM Barak for a Golan withdrawal that would place the final border east of the 1923 international border around Lake Tiberias. Asad rejects the proposal outright. After the mtg., the U.S. says that it would not be productive for Israel, Syria to resume talks now, since "it's not obvious that . . . differences can be bridged." (WP 3/26; al-Quds 3/26 in WNC 3/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/27; al-Quds 3/27, DUS, Le Monde 3/28 in WNC 3/29; XIN 3/27 in WNC 4/12; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/28; AYM, al-Quds 3/28 in WNC 3/30; WP 3/29; WJW 3/30, 4/6; al-Quds 4/6 in WNC 4/11; JP, MEI 4/7)

The pope ends his Middle East trip by holding Sunday mass at the Basilica of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, joining worshipers at the Western Wall, visiting with the grand mufti of Jerusalem, meeting with Latin patriarchs and bishops. (NYT, WP, WT 3/27; WJW 3/30; JP 3/31)

The donors' Joint Liaison Comm. convenes in Gaza. (World Bank press release 2/1)

The Israeli-Syrian talks resumes with a welcoming ceremony at the White House for Israeli PM Barak, Syrian FM Shara` hosted by Pres. Clinton. While Clinton and Barak speak briefly and optimistically of possibility of accord, Shara` gives a prepared address welcoming talks but listing Syria's grievances (see Doc. A5). Afterward, Clinton meets with Barak, Shara` together and then separately. Both men also meet privately with Secy. Albright, who then takes them to Blair House, where they discuss procedural matters, with Albright and special envoy Ross on hand. (CSM, MM 12/15; SA, XIN 12/15 in WNC 12/16; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/16; al-Quds 12/16 in WNC 12/20; AYM 12/16, IRIB Television [Tehran] 12/20 in WNC 12/21; MM 12/20, 12/21; JP, MEI 12/24)

At a cabinet mtg., Lebanese PM Huss says that Dep. PM Michel al-Murr will head the Lebanese delegation in talks with Israel when needed. (RL 12/15 in WNC 12/16; RL 12/16 in WNC 12/17; RL 12/18, 12/19 in WNC 12/20; MEI 1/14)

Interior M Natan Sharansky's Yisrael Ba'Aliya party, Housing M Yitzhak Levy's National Religious Party say the may pull out of Israel's coalition government if Barak agrees to return the Golan to Syria. Their departure would leave Barak with control of 59 of 120 Knesset seats. (NYT 12/16)

In Amman, King Abdallah, Russian dep. FM Sredin discuss the peace process. Sredin then leaves for Israel, where he meets with Israeli pres. Weizman. (ITAR-TASS 12/15 in WNC 12/16; ITAR-TASS 12/16 in WNC 12/17)

Jordan announces that the 13 Arabs (11 Jordanians, an Iraqi, an Algerian) recently arrested for plotting attacks against U.S. targets in the Middle East (see 12/13) were detained in the kingdom. Several others are wanted for questioning. (WP, WT 12/16; AFP, JT, SA 12/16 in WNC 12/17; CSM, WP 12/17; SA 12/17, JT 12/18, SA 12/19 in WNC 12/20; JT 1/6 in WNC 1/7)

Last IDF troops leave Gaza Strip self-rule areas, Palestinian civilians throwing stones at them as they leave.  IDF fires tear gas in response.  PLA police attempt to restrain stone-throwers by firing in air.  Firing turns to celebration after IDF leaves, with estimated 25,000 rounds shot.  (NYT, WP, WT 5/19; TJT 5/20)

Last day for inhabitants of collaborator village of Duhaynah in southern Gaza Strip to go to Palestinian self-rule area.  Under 5/4 accord, village will remain under Israeli control.  Reportedly, 55 collaborator families have already left.  (TJT 5/20)

Settler wounded by unidentified Palestinian in drive-by shooting in Gaza Strip.  In Jericho, armed settlers enter synagogue, raise Israeli flag.  Settlers leave after joint Israeli-PLO patrol arrives.  (WP 5/19)

TIPH "strongly" protests continued IDF closure of Hebron.  (MM 5/18; WP 5/19)

IDF, Israeli police demolish Palestinian home in Bayt Hanina, nr. Jerusalem, for being built without a permit.  (TJT 5/20)

Secy of State Christopher completes latest Middle East trip with courtesy call on Egyptian Pres. Husni Mubarak in Cairo, says "decisive action" on Syrian-Israeli agreement on Golan Heights withdrawal not likely in "near future."  (NYT, WP, WT 5/19)

PLO Chmn. Arafat, Israeli FM Shimon Peres hold joint news conference in Oslo.  Arafat claims "jihad" remarks in South Africa were about "a jihad to achieve real peace," reiterates personal and PLO rejection of violence.  Peres accepts Arafat's explanation, offers handshake.  (MM 5/18; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/19)

Jerusalem Post reports PLO is paying $500,00 to Nabil Shaath's Team International company for setting up computer system to transfer population records to self-government.  Shaath denies that contract, carried out by son `Ali, represents conflict of interest.  (MM 5/18)

PM Rabin, speaking to United Kibbutz Movement leaders in Jerusalem, says "if we need to evacuate settlements [on the Golan Heights] for the sake of peace, I was in favor of that and I will be in favor of it," adding, "for me, peace is a more important value for the future of Israel's security than one group of settlements or another." Rabin argues 'whoever says 'peace with the whole Golan' says 'no' to peace." Committee of Golan Settlements criticizes Rabin's remarks, leader Eli Malka calling speech "a terrorist attack." (MM 4/21; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/22)

Current round of Israel-PLO talks in Cairo ends. (WP 4/22)

PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli FM Peres meet in Bucharest, Romania. Arafat tells Crans Montana Forum conference on Middle East economic prospects Palestinians "need a Marshall Plan." (MM 4/21; NYT, WT 4/22)

11 Fateh activists, fugitives fr. Gaza Strip, return fr. exile, some fr. Libya. (WP 4/22)

4 Palestinians wounded in clashes with IDF during demonstrations in Gaza Strip. (WP 4/22)

IDF soldier reported missing 4/20, found dead in abandoned car in garbage dump in Hizmeh, nr. Jerusalem. (WP, WT 4/22)

Israeli-Arab community starts general strike to protest NIS 450 m. budget deficit of the 56 Arab local councils. (JP 4/23)

UNGA passes resolution drafted by Israel, PLO, and U.S., expressing "full support" for Israel-PLO peace talks. Resolution 1st in 2 decades on Middle East peace not to criticize Israel. 2 other resolutions, calling Israeli rule over Jerusalem and Golan Heights illegal, also pass, 85 countries abstaining on Golan resolution. (MM, NYT, WP 12/15)

Israeli Industry and Trade M. Micha Harish announces Morocco has been removed from list of "hostile" countries barred from trade with Israel. Harish says he expects Tunisia to be taken from list next. (MM 12/15)

PLO Chmn. Arafat begins 1st official visit to Britain, lasting 2 days, with mtgs. with PM Major, frmr. PM Thatcher, Archbishop of Canterbury, MPs, and Foreign Office officials. (MM 12/14; NYT 12/16)

1 Hamas mbr. killed, 2 escape when Israeli border police stop stolen car rigged with explosives in Gaza City. Husam al-Bakri, 20, fatally wounded when IDF opens fire on stone-throwers at Hamas mbr.'s funeral. (MM 12/14; WP, WT 12/15)

PM Rabin heckled by right-wing protesters at dedication of Modi'in, a new planned city. Demonstrators call Rabin "traitor," throw bottles, coffee at him. (WP, WT 12/15)

Conference in Tripoli, Libya grouping Arab radical groups opens. Invited are PFLPGC and FRC ("Abu Nidal" faction). (WT 12/16)

Returning from Middle East, and acknowledging deep mutual distrust between Israelis and Arabs, Sec. Baker says both sides must move simultaneously to adopt "confidence-building measures" because neither side can be expected to make the initial concession [LAT, WT 3/18; CSM 3/19].

Tel Aviv district court sentences cashiered soldier Ami Popper to 7 consecutive life sentences plus 20 years in prison for the shooting deaths of 7 Palestinians in Rishon le Zion last May [NYT, LAT, WP 3/18; JDS 3/17 in FBIS 3/19; MET 3/26; JPD 3/30].

Palestinian workers are allowed to return to Jerusalem for 1st time since recent stabbings; workers are also allowed back to Tel Aviv and Haifa for 1st time since 17 January [NYT, LAT, CSM 3/18; JDS 3/17 in FBIS 3/18; MET 3/26]; general strike is observed in o.t. to mark beginning of Gulf war [FJ 3/25].

U.S. and international human rights officials say bodies of 20 to 30 people have been found tortured or shot, and many more are presumedead in what appear to be reprisal killings by Kuwaiti military against suspected pro-Iraqi collaborators [LAT 3/18].

Moving to mollify vocal democracy movement, Kuwaiti gov't. announces it will hold elections for new parliament within 6 months to a year [WP, WT, CSM 3/18; MET 3/26].

Insurgents in Iraq report fierce fighting between rebels and Iraqi troops in many parts of the country [NYT, WT 3/18]; Baghdad's daily newspapers carry accounts of widespread death and destruction in southern Iraq and say rebellion there has been crushed [WP 3/18].

Speaking at AIPAC conference, Israeli Health Min. Ehud Olmert says Israel is willing to begin peace negotiations with all Arab states and to discuss future of o.t. and Golan, but only with Arab delegation that excludes PLO (cf. 3/18) [WP 3/18; JDS 3/17 in FBIS 3/18; CSM 3/19].

Meeting with Sec. Baker in Riyadh, representatives of the 8 Arab countries allied with U.S. in Gulf war give general endorsement to Pres. Bush's Middle East peace initiative; but press for concessions and flexibility from Israel [NYT, WP, LAT, CSM 3/11; KUNA 3/10 in FBIS 3/11].

On eve of Sec. Baker's visit to Israel, Palestinian fatally stabs 4 Israeli women at bus stop outside Jerusalem; police say assailant meant his action as "message" to Sec. Baker; Jewish bystanders throw stones at Palestinian cars and shout for revenge; Palestinians are barred from Jerusalem until further notice [NYT, LAT, WP, WT 3/11; IDF, JDS 3/10 in FBIS 3/11; CSM 3/12; FJ 3/18; MET 3/19; JPI 3/23].

18-truck convoy of medicine, food, and water leaves Jordan for Iraq. Relief officials say they are "fighting against time to try to prevent another health catastrophe" as warming weather raises threat of cholera and typhoid [LAT 3/11; MET 3/19].

Jerusalem radio reports that Ariel Sharon has submitted to P.M. Shamir his resignation as chrmn. of Ministerial Committee on Aliyah, saying he could not operate without additional powers or Shamir's support (cf. 3/13) [JDS 3/10 in FBIS 3/11].

Internal report from Israel's Housing Ministry indicates more than 10,000 new housing units are to be located in o.t., despite previous pledges by gov't. to Bush admin. to place all homes in Israel [WP, LAT 3/11].

Yasir Abd Rabbo says PLO has authorized Palestinian figures in o.t. to meet with Sec. Baker during his visit to Israel [AFP, ADS 3/10 in FBIS 3/11; AVP, TDS 3/11 in FBIS 3/12].

Israeli Inner Cabinet meets and reaffirms its adherence to its May 1989 peace plan; various ministers says Israel will not discuss Golan Heights [IDF, JDS 3/10 in FBIS 3/11]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U.S. says Israel cannot veto list of Palestinians for talks [NYT 7/19]. State Department says chief criterion for deciding to procede with negotiations is "whether it would help promote direct Arab-Israeli negotiations" [WP 7/19]. East Jerusalem newspaper al-Quds publishes list of 7 names for proposed joint delegation: Khaled al-Hasan, head of the PNC's foreign affairs committee; Fayez Abu Rahmeh, ex-head of Gaza Bar Association; Hatim al-Husseini, professor at Shaw University, Raleigh, N.C.; Salah al-Ta'amari, member of the PLO's Supreme Military Council; Nabil Sha'th, PNC member; Hanna Siniora, editor of al-Fajr newspaper; and Muhammad Subayh, PNC member. Henry Cattan, Paris-based lawyer and historian, is also mentioned as alternate [NYT 7/19, LAT 7/19]. Modi'in Ezrahi poll finds 12.7 percent of Israelis favor peace talks, regardless of which Palestinians participate; 33 percent oppose talks with any Palestinians [JP 7/19]. U.S. military delegation headed by Undersecretary of State William Schneider and General Philip Gast begins annual talks in Tel Aviv on scope of future U.S. military aid to Israel [JTA 7/19]. Orthodox Jews hold mass pray-in at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City to protest construction of Mormon center they fear will be used to convert Jews. Israel's two chief rabbis endorse the event [LAT 7/19].

Arab World: Office of Arab Boycott of Israel, at biannual meeting in Damascus, removes Ford, Bayer, Colgate Palmolive, and 6 companies and individuals from other countries from its blacklist; 28 new companies added [FT, LAT 7/19].

Other Countries: Bomb explodes, wrecking house and car of the PLO's acting chief representative in Cyprus, Malath 'Abdu; no injuries reported [WP 7/18]. The Guardian reports 2 Palestinians were arrested by police in Madrid last week while allegedly planning to blow up Syrian embassy and assassinate ambassador. Suspects allegedly belong to Fateh's Force 17; police discovered TNT, arms, ammunition, a detonator, and a time fuse when they raided a flat in connection with the arrests [MG 7/19].

Other Countries: Soviet spokesman denies Moscow would make deal with Israel on increased Jewish emigration to Israel [DT 7/19]. Israel Radio reports Soviets want emigration guaranteed to Israel, not to other countries; want anti-Soviet propaganda stopped in the West [CT 7/21]. Moscow states goal as progress on Golan Heights [NYT 7/20]. U.S. officials state U.S. would welcome Soviet resumption of ties with Israel as constructive behavior in Middle East [LT 7/20].

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Prime Minister's office reacts angrily to reports that US may postpone Begin's visit if no progress is made in Lebanon peace talks; Eitan is criticized by Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for comments on Lebanon yesterday; former military intelligence chief Shlomo Gazit, now President of Ben Gurion University in Beersheba, says Arafat's success is the large number of men Israel keeps mobilized to prevent terrorism, that security forces should not be kept on alert in the West Bank; El Al airlines resumes operations after 4 month strike over issue of flights on Sabbath and Jewish holidays; Minister for Science and Development Yuval Ne'eman, acting chair of Cabinet settlement committee, issues communique that settlements in West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights will continue despite US criticism; Israeli military experts reported organizing Zairian army; military roadblock around Najah University effectively implementing Order 854 which requires students from other districts to have special permit to attend university; Civil Administration says it is not involved in land dispute over Hebron municipality electricity pylons torn down by Kiryat Arba residents, that IDF is responsible; military authorities declare Hebron closed military area to prevent 50 Peace Now members from assisting Hebron residents re-erect and guard electricity pylons.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Chairman Arafat meets with CPSU Secretary-General Yuri V. Andropov and Foreign Minister Andrei A. Gromyko, Arafat and Andropov declare that US shares full responsibility for Israel's criminally aggressvie actions because it gives Israel all the assistance it needs; Lebanese Government states preference for expanded role for UNIFIL throughout Lebanon after withdrawal of Israeli, Syrian and Palestinian forces; Dany Chamoun visits Saad Haddad in Marjayoun and Christian notables in Klea.

Arab Govemnments: King Fahd confers in Riyadh with Walid Jumblatt; Morocco retracts announcement on Arab League delegation, saying no decision will be made until Arab foreign ministers meet in Marrakesh; President Assad tells visiting Arab news agencies' directors that Syria rejects current Middle East peace plans, but would attend an Arab summit to map out collective action.

US and Other Countries: 500 at United Jewish Appeal luncheon addressed by Israeli President Navon, who says both Labor and Likud parties agree that a return to 1967 borders is not acceptable, PLO is a terrorist organization, a West Bank Palestinian state would be a security threat to Israel and base for Soviet intervention in the region, that Jerusalem is the undivided capital of Israel, but he says that Israel would take into consideration any change in the PLO covenant; Italian General Confederation of Labor meets with leaders of Rome's Jewish community to formulate plans to combat anti-Semitism.