The Palestine Chronology

Palestinian pres. Abbas says that if Israel continues with its settlement plans, then the Palestinian side will consider taking the Jewish state to the ICC. Abbas makes his remarks at a news conference in Ankara with Turkish pres. Abdullah Gul, who says that Israel is ‘‘playing with fire’’ in its latest move to construct settlement units in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman responds by saying that ‘‘If the Palestinians want peace—they’ll get peace. If they want war—they’ll get war.’’ Lieberman also says that any future rocket fire from the Gaza Strip would prompt a full-scale invasion of the territory and that tax revenues will be withheld from the PA until at least 3/2013 in response to the UN decision to upgrade Palestine’s observer status. Israeli media reports that Lieberman has instructed the Foreign Ministry to pursue an international diplomatic campaign portraying Abbas and Hamas leader Mishal as fellow rejectionists. (AFP, JP, YA 12/11; REU 12/12)

Israel issues tenders for the construction of 92 homes in Ma’ale Adumim settlement in the West Bank nr. Jerusalem. In occupied East Jerusalem, Israeli police demolish a Palestinian home in al-Tur neighborhood on the grounds it was built without a permit. The house was home to 11 residents and had been inhabited for over 4 yrs. In the West Bank, the IDF opens fire on protesters in Ni‘lin village nr. Ramallah, wounding 1 civilian in the leg. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jericho and 1 area nr. Jenin in the morning, and in al-Fawar r.c. and 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jericho, and Tulkarm at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron and al-‘Arub r.c., also nr. Hebron, at night. (AFP, WAFA 12/11; PCHR 12/13)

The Pentagon notifies Congress that it wants to sell Israel around 6,900 tail kits used to convert free-fall bombs into satellite-guided ordnance, a resupply deal worth around $647 m. (Bloomberg 12/11)

The IDF carries out air strikes on a number of targets in the Gaza Strip, killing 1 armed Palestinian and wounding a number of civilians. Palestinian groups fire around 100 rockets and mortars into Israel, causing 3 injuries and structural damage. Israeli PM Netanyahu tells the weekly cabinet meeting that the army is prepared to intensify its attacks; a number of ministers urge an escalation in military operations (such as assassinations), as well as other measures, like cutting off electricity. A source in Netanyahu’s office says that the PM is preparing international public opinion for a military operation in Gaza. (AP, HA 11/11; JP 11/12; PCHR 11/14)

U.S. pres. Barack Obama tells PA pres. Abbas that his administration opposes a Palestinian bid for non-state membership of the UN. Abbas tells a rally in Ramallah marking the anniversary of Yasir Arafat’s death that the PA is under huge pressure to stop the UN initiative, but that they would continue regardless, as it is intended to save the two-state solution. (AFP, JP 11/11)

PA pres. Abbas announces that Russia will join an international investigation into whether Yasir Arafat was murdered. French and Swiss experts will exhume the late Palestinian leader’s body later in the month, after an Al Jazeera report in July suggested he was murdered with polonium. (REU 11/11)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (firing rubber bullets and tear gas at children going to school) in the morning; patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 village nr. Ramallah. Israeli police deliver notices to 13 Israeli activists, banning them from taking part in weekly demonstrations in West Bank villages. (972mag 11/11; PCHR 11/14)

Israeli forces fire into Syria in what the military calls a warning, after stray munitions from fighting between Syrian troops and rebels hit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The incident, described by Israel Radio as the 1st direct engagement of the Syrian military on the Golan since the countries’ 1973 war, highlights international fears that Syria’s civil war could ignite wider regional conflict. An Israeli security source said the military fired in the direction of a Syrian army mortar crew that had launched a shell that overshot the Golan disengagement fence on Sunday, exploding near a Jewish settlement without causing casualties. (REU 11/11)

In a meeting with Russian FM Sergey Lavrov, PA pres. Abbas says that the bid for non-member status at the UN will go ahead. Israeli PM Netanyahu convenes his inner cabinet to discuss measures against the PA in response to the UN bid. These punitive actions are reported to include freezing funds to the PA and revoking privileges of senior Palestinian leaders. (JP, ToI 11/6)

A Turkish court in Istanbul opens the trial in absentia of 4 former Israeli military commanders over charges related to the killing of 9 Turkish citizens on the Gaza-bound international aid ship Mavi Marmara in 2010 (see QU in JP 164). (REU 11/5)

Israel publishes tenders for over 1,200 new homes in settlements in occupied East Jerusalem. The housing units are set for Pisgat Ze’ev and Ramot, with another 72 units re-offered in Ariel settlement in the n. of the West Bank. European governments condemn the move as a hindrance to the peace process. EU foreign policy chief Ashton expresses ‘‘regret’’ at the publication. (AFP 11/6; HA 11/7; MNA 11/8)

A bomb explodes along the Gaza Strip-Israel border fence, injuring 3 IDF soldiers on patrol. Unidentified Palestinians fire a rocket into Israel, causing no injuries. Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya in the morning, causing no injuries, and shell areas nr. Khan Yunis while leveling an area nr. the border fence; the IDF also clears land by the border fence nr. Gaza Valley village at night. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes and agricultural property in villages nr. Hebron, and hands over demolition orders for 4 other homes; conducts late-night house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police conduct an arrest operation in Shu‘fat r.c., clashing with local residents; 9 police officers are injured, including 1 who is stabbed. (JP 11/6; MNA 11/7; MNA, PCHR, WAFA 11/8)

An Israeli military court sentences Palestinian activist Bassem Tamimi to 4 mos. in prison for his participation in a 10/24 demonstration at an Israeli-owned supermarket in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc. (BBC 11/6)

A demonstration after Friday prayers at the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem devolves into clashes with Israeli police, who use stun grenades against stonethrowing protesters.

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the morning, 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, 1 village nr. Hebron (firing stun grenades), and 3 villages nr. Jenin at night; conducts house searches and issues summonses in 2 villages nr. Salfit at night. The IDF also attacks a weekly nonviolent protest against settlements and the separation wall in Kufr Qaddum village nr. Qalqilya, causing no serious injuries. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians harvesting olives in 1 village nr. Qalqilya and destroy olive trees and vineyards in 1 village nr. Bethlehem. (IMEMC, MNA, NYT 10/5; PCHR 10/11)

PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erakat reveals that the PA is in consultations with Arab countries and others over the text of a draft resolution requesting the UNGA accept Palestine as a non-member state. Erakat reiterates that the UN bid is intended to complement rather than harm the peace process. Reports indicate that the U.S. government is lobbying European countries to oppose the Palestinian initiative on the basis that it would be counterproductive and lead to negative consequences, such as sanctions, for the PA. (Guardian, MNA 10/1)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a rocket from the Gaza Strip into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, the IDF conducts house searches in Ras al-Amud neighborhood after clashes with local Palestinian youths; troops fire tear gas during the searches, moderately injuring a Palestinian woman. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Hebron in the morning, 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and 2 villages nr. Qalqilya at night. (AFP, IMEMC 10/1; PCHR 10/4; OCHA 10/5)

Palestinian citizens of Israel hold protests across Israel, including a 2,000- strong march in Sakhnin, to mark the 12th anniversary of the killing of 13 Arabs by Israeli police during demonstrations in solidarity with the 2d intifada then underway. (AFP 10/1)

Freedom Theater director and former AMB commander Zakaria Zubeidi is freed from PA prison after having been charged in connection to a 1/5/12 attack that resulted in the death of former Jenin governor Qaddura Musa from a heart attack (see QU in JPS 164). (MNA 1/10)

Syrian state television attacks Hamas leader Khalid Mishal, accusing him of ‘‘selling out’’’ and being ungrateful for Syria’s years of patronage. Hamas closed its headquarters in Damascus earlier in 2012 after refusing to support the regime’s attacks on Syrian protesters and the opposition. (NYT 10/2)

Kadima head Shaul Mofaz arrives in Washington for his 1st official visit as Israel’s vice PM in charge of overseeing peace process issues. He meets with U.S. secy. of state Hillary Clinton and U.S. security officials and urges the U.S. to support reviving peace talks with the Palestinians, stating that the greatest threat to Israel is not Iran but a Palestinian demographic majority. He presents his own peace plan (1st unveiled in 2009 and not endorsed by Netanyahu), which calls for the creation of an interim Palestinian state with temporary borders on 60% of the West Bank, land swaps making up for the other 40%, and Israel’s permanent control over most settlement areas. (WP 6/20)

Israeli drones and warplanes carry out another 5 air strikes across Gaza, leaving at least 2 armed Palestinians and 1 Palestinian child dead and 10 Palestinians (2 armed, 8 civilian) wounded. The strikes include (1) an air strike on Gaza City targeting 2 members of the Salafist Tawhid and Jihad (TAJ) group whom Israel now alleges were involved in the 6/18 attack on Israel from the Sinai (1 TAJ member is killed, 1 is wounded; a family picnicking nearby is also hit, leaving a 13-yr.-old Palestinian boy dead, and 4 mbrs. of his family, including 3 children, seriously injured); (2) 2 missiles fired at a rocket-launching team in Rafah (1 armed Palestinian killed, 1 wounded); (3) air strikes on 2 IQB training camps in Jabaliya r.c. and Nussayrat r.c. (injuring 5 bystanders in nearby homes). Meanwhile, Palestinians fire more rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, damaging a house but causing no injuries. Since 6/17, Israel has carried out at least 17 air strikes on Gaza, and Palestinians have fired more than 100 rockets and mortars. By late evening, Hamas officials in Gaza say that Gaza’s factions have agreed to an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire with Israel to end 3 days of cross-border violence. In addition, Israeli naval vessels fire on and detain 3 Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza shore, questioning 6 fishermen (all released on 6/21). In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Salfit, and nr. Hebron and Jenin; conducts late-night patrols in Jericho. (YA 6/20; NYT, PCHR, WP 6/21; PCHR 6/28; OCHA 6/29)

Overnight, the YESHA settlers’ council reaches a deal with the Israeli government to peacefully evacuate Ulpana outpost in exchange for a promises that 300 new housing units will be built in neighboring Beit El settlement and that the deal would not be used as a precedent for deciding the fate of other unauthorized settlement outposts. Meanwhile, some 1,000 Israeli police officers undergo special training to prevent violence and injuries during the Ulpana evacuation. (NYT 6/20)

Several U.S. representatives from both parties testifying before the House Armed Services Comm. recommend that the Pentagon begin preparing for military action against Iran, including expediting deployment of bunker-busting munitions that could target Iran’s underground facilities. (WP 6/21)

Israeli pres. Shimon Peres says he has met with Palestinian pres. Mahmud Abbas and other Palestinian officials several times in recent months to discuss resuming peace talks. The Palestinians do not comment. (WT 6/20) A previously unknown group calling itself the Mujahiddin Shura Council of Jerusalem (which claims ties to alQa‘ida) releases a video claiming responsibility for the 6/18 cross-border attack on Israel from Egypt. The video shows the 2 assailants killed by the IDF, identifying them as an Egyptian and a Saudi. (WP 6/20; NYT 6/21)

Responding to recent Israeli air strikes and cross-border shootings in Gaza that killed 6 Palestinians, Hamas’s IQB for the 1st time in more than a year fires a barrage of at least 45 rockets (including at least 10 Grads) fr. Gaza into Israel; 1 rocket damages an Israeli police barracks and injures 2 police officers, but the others land in open areas. The IQB says it is aiming predominantly at open areas to minimize the severity of its rocket fire and to ‘‘send a message’’ to Israel. Expecting retaliation, Hamas security officials vacate their bases. Israel initially issues a stern warning and carries out 1 air strike on a Palestinian rocketlaunching team nr. Dayr al-Balah, wounding 1 armed Palestinian. Late at night, however, Israeli warplanes and drones carry out 7 air strikes on Hamas targets across Gaza, seriously wounding 1 IQB mbr. The targets include a garage and a group of armed Palestinians in Gaza City, a vacant house in al-Bureij r.c., and 2 IQB training camps nr. Bayt Lahiya and Rafah. (HA 6/19; NYT, YA 6/20; PCHR 6/21; OCHA 6/22)

In the West Bank, Jewish settlers set fire to a mosque in the village of Jaba nr. Bethlehem and spray graffiti on its walls warning the Israeli government against evacuating the unauthorized settlement outpost of Ulpana (5 buildings, 30 families). This is the 12th mosque vandalized by Jewish settlers since 1/2011. Jewish settlers also vandalize the car of the settler leader negotiating the terms of Ulpana’s evacuation with the Israeli government. OCHA reports that in the previous week, the IDF carried out several significant demolitions in Israelicontrolled Area C: 14 residential structures and 11 animal pens in the al-Hirma bedouin community near Bethlehem (64 displaced, including 37 children); 6 seasonal residential structures in the Jordan Valley (20 displaced); 1 residential structure nr. Qalqilya; and 2 animal pens nr. East Jerusalem. (NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 6/20; OCHA 6/22)

The P5+1 and Iran close 2 days of ‘‘intense and tough’’ nuclear talks in Moscow. Both sides say that the talks were so detailed and so heated that they need a break to digest all that has been discussed and to confer with their governments. Iran reportedly offers to halt enrichment of uranium to 20% purity if the international community acknowledges Iran’s right to enrich uranium and immediately rolls back sanctions. The P5+1 refuses to delay or waive sanctions until Iran meets specific benchmarks of compliance. Ashton announces that the sides plan to send technical experts to Istanbul on 7/3 ‘‘to make sure all clearly understood the nature of both sides’ proposals’’ and to gauge the prospects for narrowing gaps and holding more negotiations. Meanwhile, the next round of EU and U.S. sanctions are scheduled to go into effect as scheduled on 7/1. (NYT 6/19; NYT, WP 6/20; NYT 7/2; WT 7/4; NYT 7/5)

Unidentified U.S. and Western officials confirm to the Washington Post (6/20) that the U.S. and Israel jointly developed the Flame virus to map and monitor Iran’s computer networks in preparation for a major cyberwarfare campaign. They said, however, that Israel deployed the virus unilaterally, without consulting the U.S., leading to its premature detection by Iran and to development of critical Iranian countermeasures. U.S. intelligence officials had hoped that Flame would reside undetected on Iran’s networks for years sending back valuable information. Computer experts said (WP 6/20) that Flame contained ‘‘DNA-like evidence’’ linking it to the Stuxnet virus (see QU in JPS 158). This would make the Stuxnet and Flame attacks the first recorded sustained cyber-sabotage campaign against a state. (WP 6/20)

Lebanon releases 9 Islamists (7 Lebanese, 1 Palestinian, 1 Saudi) tied to Fatah al-Islam who were among the approximate 180 people detained during the 2007 clashes between Fatah al-Islam and the Lebanese army in Nahr al-Barid r.c. in n. Lebanon (see QU in JPS 145–46). (WT 6/20)

Israeli and Palestinian officials issue opposing statements on the content of Israel’s principles on borders presented in the Jordanian-sponsored exploratory talks last quarter. Israeli officials say the principles “effectively means a withdrawal from 90% of the West Bank,” similar to proposals made by Israel at the 2008 Annapolis conference. Palestinian officials counter that Israel never presented maps or discussed percentages, stating “If they wanted to say 90% they should have said 90%.” (WT 2/24)

Jerusalem Post reports that Naftali Bennett, former head of PM Netanyahu’s office and a former head of the YESHA settlers council who has recently launched a new group called One State Israel, has started circulating his proposed solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict to Israel’s political and military elites, who reportedly give it “high praise.” His “Israel Stability Initiative,” which he describes as “a practical plan for managing the . . . conflict,” calls for: (1) Israel unilaterally extending sovereignty over West Bank area C (60% of the West Bank); (2) granting citizenship to the 50,000 (by his estimate; as of 8/2011, OCHA put the figure at 150,000) Palestinians in Area C; (3) full PA “autonomy” in and freedom of movement among West Bank areas A and B; (4) no right of return for Palestinian refugees and no access for Palestinian refugees to areas under PA control; (5) a “full Israeli security umbrella” covering all of the West Bank; (6) the permanent separation of Gaza from the West Bank; and (7) heavy Israeli investment in economic projects in the West Bank that reinforce separation, such as joint industrial zones and separate road networks. (JP 2/23; YA 2/24; Foreign Policy online 5/1; see also OCHA, “Displacement and Insecurity in Area C of the West Bank,” 8/2011)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In retaliation, Israeli warplanes and IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire on open areas e. of Khan Yunis, causing no reported injuries. Late at night, after unidentified Palestinians fire another 2 Qassam rockets into Israel (causing no damage or injuries), Israeli warplanes make 3 air strikes on a group of armed Palestinians operating nr. Gaza City and on a Hamas training base in n. Gaza, causing no reported injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops nr. Hebron uproot 690 trees and bulldoze 22 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of agricultural land, a well and water tank, and 800 meters (m) of fence surrounding the fields, located in Surif village; and demolish a mosque, a school, and 19 shelters in Khirbat Janba bedouin community; conducts daytime patrols in Qalqilya, Tulkarm, 4 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 nr. Jenin (accidentally damaging 1 home and a water network when an IDF vehicle gets stuck); conducts afternoon and evening patrols in Qalqilya and 1 nearby village, Tulkarm and 3 nearby villages, and 1 village nr. Salfit; conducts late night patrols nr. Qalqilya. In Jerusalem, Israeli police arrest 7 Palestinians for jeering a group of Jews touring the Temple Mount/alAqsa Mosque compound. (JP 2/23; JP, WT, YA 2/24; PCHR 3/1; OCHA 3/2)

PA pres. and Fatah head Abbas holds separate meetings in Cairo with Hamas leader Mishal and Hamas’s acting PM in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh (marking their 1st meeting since 2007). Afterward, Fatah officials stated (Jerusalem Post 2/26) that Abbas has agreed to Mishal’s request to suspend talks on implementation of the 5/2011 Fatah-Hamas unity deal until Hamas resolves its internal disputes. (REU 2/23; JP 2/26)

UN Secy.-Gen Ban meets with Jordan’s King Abdallah and FM Judeh in Amman to discuss the latest round of Israeli-Palestinian exploratory talks and prospects for continuing discussions. (JPI 2/10)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at a group of Palestinians and international activists marching to the Bayt Hanun crossing to protest Israel’s imposition of a no-go zone, causing no serious injuries. IDF troops on the c. Gaza border fire warning shots at a group of Palestinians trapping birds nr. the border, wounding 1. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, firing tear gas, stun grenades at stonethrowing youths who confront them, causing no serious injuries; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron; conducts late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin. Palestinians and international and Israeli activists stage a nonviolent protest march to an IDF checkpoint outside Bayt Umar nr. Hebron to mark the 1-yr. anniversary of the killing of a local Palestinian by a settler; IDF troops beat and fire stun grenades at the demonstrators, moderately injuring 2 Palestinians and 1 Israeli journalists. Israeli police in East Jerusalem issue an order banning Palestinian journalist and Jerusalem resident Rasim Ubeidat fr. entering the West Bank until 7/9/2012; no cause is given. (PCHR 2/2; OCHA 2/3)

Israeli PM Netanyahu wins the Likud primaries with 75% of the vote. Some analysts (e.g., WP 2/2) see the move to hold a snap primary as strengthening Netanyahu’s base in preparation for possibly calling early elections in 10/2012 (a year ahead of schedule) to give the opposition less time to organize. However, others note (e.g., WP 2/1) that Netanyahu’s only challenger, ultranationalist settler Moshe Feiglin, made a strong showing, indicating that many Likud supporters feel Netanyahu is “too soft on peacemaking with the Palestinians.” (WP 2/1, 2/2)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into demolished Dahaniyya airport site in s. Gaza, arresting 2 Palestinians (including 1 Fatah mbr.). The IDF conducts morning patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 nr. Tulkarm, and 1 nr. Jericho; conducts afternoon patrols in Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, plus 1 village nr. Ramallah; conducts late-night patrols in al-Bireh, Jericho, 1 village nr. Qalqilya, and 1 nr. Ramallah; conducts late-night house searches nr. Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police seal for 30 days a Palestinian charity and a kindergarten with alleged ties to Hamas. (PCHR 2/2; OCHA 2/3)

Hamas leader Mishal arrives in Amman with Qatar’s crown prince Shaykh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and senior Hamas delegation (including his deputy, Musa Abu Marzuq, and 4 other senior officials) to meet with King Abdallah. Mishal says Hamas is eager to establish “unique relations” with Jordan, would “respect the limits and ceilings of any relationship determined by the two sides,” and would seek to maintain the security and stability of Jordan, but he does not say whether Hamas has asked to reopen a Hamas office in Jordan. Most analysts believe (e.g., NYT 1/30) that Hamas will not centralize in 1 new location but will diversify. Cambridge expert Khaled Hroub says, “with newly emerging governments in the post-Arab Spring era, many of them Islamist, Hamas wants to be hosted and embraced and have offices in these countries.” He also argues that this marks a “paradigm shift” in Hamas led by Mishal to embrace the Arab Spring’s promotion of nonviolence, which would make it easier for new governments to embrace and support Hamas. (NYT, WP 1/30)

Israel charges 5 Jewish settlers for (1) orchestrating the 12/13/11 riot at an IDF base to prevent the removal of Mitzpe Yitzhar outpost and (2) operating a hotline to collect tips on IDF and Israeli police movements in the West Bank and using the information to direct settlers to interfere with IDF operations; they could face 5 yrs. in prison if convicted; 4 of the 5 had restraining orders against them barring their entry to the West Bank. Prosecutors allege that some of the tips received (including regarding the planned evacuation of Mitzpe Yitzhar) were received fr. active- duty IDF soldiers and included classified aerial photos and maps. The charges are brought in a civil court in Jerusalem, despite a recent decision to allow military courts in the West Bank to try such cases. (NYT, WP 1/9)

The IDF conducts synchronized morning patrols in Tulkarm and 1 nearby village; conducts other morning patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 nr. Qalqilya; conducts afternoon and evening patrols in 3 villages nr. Qalqilya, 2 nr. Ramallah, and 1 nr. Jenin (firing tear gas and stun grenades at stonethrowing youths, causing no injuries); conducts late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin (synchronized) and 2 nr. Qalqilya; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Salfit. (PCHR 1/12; OCHA 1/13)