The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm, Ramallah, and Hebron. During a raid in ‘Askar r.c., residents throw stones at the Israeli soldiers, and 1 Palestinian is injured by rubber-coated metal bullets. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raid the home of a former prisoner in Jabal Mukabir and arrest her. (MNA 12/17; PCHR 12/18, 12/25)

Following 2 rounds of negotiations with reps. of the Arab Group at the UN, Jordanian diplomats officially submit a Palestiniandrafted res. to the UNSC. It is based on the French draft, but with substantial changes based on the Palestinians’ input, including the removal of a passage calling on the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. (AFP, HA, MDW, MNA, NYT, TOI 12/17; AFP, HA 12/18)

After 3 days of negotiations, the Israel Prison Service (IPS) pledges to, among other things, phase out the use of solitary confinement “without cause,” leading over 100 Palestinian prisoners to suspend their hunger strike started on 12/9. (MNA 12/17; EI 12/19)

Israeli DM Ya’alon orders the evacuation of 2 military bases to expand nearby settlements, a move delayed on 11/25 when then-Fin. Min. Lapid refused to authorize the funds. (PM Netanyahu authorizes funding for the relocation on 1/4.) (HA 12/17)

The European Parliament passes a nonbinding motion expressing support for the recognition of Palestinian statehood “in principle,” which should complement a new round of peace talks. Meanwhile, Luxembourg’s parliament adopts a similar nonbinding motion calling on its govt. to recognize Palestine. (HA, MNA, WAFA 12/17)

In Geneva, 126 of the 196 signatories of the Fourth Geneva Convention convene to discuss Israel’s noncompliance with its strictures. They adopt a declaration by consensus that calls for investigations into all serious violations of international humanitarian law, including Israel’s. (AP, TOI, WAFA 12/17)

The Gen. Court of the EU, the body’s 2d highest court, removes Hamas from the EU’s list of designated terrorist organizations on the procedural grounds that the status was determined by media reports rather than by “acts examined and confirmed in decisions of competent authorities.” (HA, JP, MEMO, MNA, NYT, REU, TOI 12/17)

In the Gaza Strip, 1,000s of Palestinians attend a Hamas military parade through Gaza City to mark its 27th anniversary. During the festivities, Hamas demonstrates a drone aircraft’s capabilities, prompting the Israeli Air Force (IAF) to fly 2 jets over Gaza. Meanwhile, the pharmacists’ union threatens to stop paying to import medicine after the PA Ministry of Finance decides to collect 2.5% of the total costs as a payment toward the Value Added Tax, which was recently raised from 14.5% to 16%. In the West Bank, Israeli authorities declare 100s of acres of land nr. Salfit as a nature reserve. The IDF delivers demolition notices to 6 Palestinians in a village s. of Hebron; conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Jenin, Tulkarm, and Salfit. Separately, Israeli troops arrest a Palestinian woman at Kisaout prison where she was visiting her incarcerated husband. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police and municipal officials deliver demolition notices to residences in Silwan and the Old City. Separately, Israeli security forces detain 2 Palestinians on raids in Shu‘fat r.c. and the Old City, as well as 3 Palestinian children for throwing stones at a bus. Israeli troops accompany a group of right-wing Jewish activists on a tour of Haram al-Sharif. (AP, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 12/14; MNA 12/15; PCHR 12/18)

Joining the 70 current participants, 30 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails go on hunger strike against Israel’s use of solitary confinement, its treatment of sick prisoners, and the treatment of Nahar al-Sa‘adi, who has been in solitary confinement and on hunger strike for 1 mo. (IMEMC, WAFA 12/14)

Senior PLO and Fatah leaders meet in Ramallah to discuss possible responses to the death of a senior PA official on 12/10, including ending security coordination with Israel. After the meeting, Pres. Abbas says that reconstruction of Gaza is the PA unity govt.’s primary concern, and the PLO announces that the Palestinian draft UNSC res. will be submitted on 12/17. (JP, MNA 12/14; WAFA 12/15)

In Rome, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets with Russian FM Lavrov about the French and Palestinian draft UNSC res. (MNA, REU 12/14)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troopsstationed along the n. border open fire on a group of stonethrowing Palestinians, injuring 4. A Palestinian is injured in an explosion nr. the French Cultural Center in Gaza City. (A small armed group takes responsibility for the attack on 12/18.) In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation, as well as the recent death of a senior PA official on 12/10 nr. Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, and 1 village nearby (Bayt Umar), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). Two Palestinians are hit by tear gas canisters in Bil‘in and 7 are shot with rubbercoated metal bullets elsewhere. Meanwhile, a Palestinian man throws vinegar at a family of 5 Israeli settlers nr. Bethlehem, lightly injuring all of them. (The Israeli press 1st reported the story as an acid attack.) Another Israeli settler hits the Palestinian man with his car and shoots him in the leg, moderately injuring him. Shin Bet officers arrive soon after to detain the Palestinian man. The IDF then conducts a raid of his home. Separately, Palestinians throw stones at IDF troops on a patrol of Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, sparking clashes in which 3 Palestinians are injured with rubber-coated metal bullets. The IDF also patrols in the n. Jordan Valley, where they assault a Palestinian farmer and lightly injure him. IDF troops fire tear gas at dozens of Palestinians throwing stones at the soldiers; 1 Palestinian youth and 1 Israeli officer are injured. Israeli soldiers also conduct a raid s. of Bethlehem; patrol in Tulkarm. Following a march marking Hamas’s 27th anniversary, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli police increase their patrols and deploy additional officers around Haram al-Sharif. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WP, YA 12/12; MNA, TOI 12/13; IMEMC 12/14; AFP, PCHR 12/18; EI 12/22)

The Israel Prison Service threatens to move the 70 Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike since 12/9 to criminal sections of their prisons, which would decrease their quality of life, if they continue their strike. (MNA 12/12)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry phones Russian FM Sergey Lavrov and PA Pres. Abbas separately to discuss the French and Palestinian draft UNSC res. Kerry pressures Abbas not to end security coordination with Israel in response to the 12/10 death of senior PA official Ziad Abu Ein. Following the call, senior PLO and Fatah officials postpone their meeting to discuss a response until 12/14. (JP, MNA 12/13)

The Portuguese parliament adopts a recommendation calling on the govt. to recognize Palestinian statehood “in coordination with the EU.” (AFP, TOI 12/12; HA, IMEMC, WAFA 12/13)

In the Gaza Strip, a bomb explodes outside a Fatah-affiliated charity, lightly injuring 2 bystanders. Shipments of domestic-use gas into Gaza resume after a dispute between local officials and the PA unity govt. is resolved on 12/10. All public institutions, ministries, and charities go on strike in protest of the PA unity govt.’s failure to pay civil servants. Several civil society organizations coordinate cleaning campaigns in Gaza’s hospitals, as the sanitation workers’ strike continues for a 10th day. IDF troops stationed along the border e. of al-Bureij arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel. In the West Bank, 1,000s of Palestinians attend the funeral of Ziad Abu Ein in Ramallah. Palestinians gathered for the funeral clash with IDF troops in al-Bireh; 19 are injured from rubber-coated metal bullets. Meanwhile, over 100 Palestinians gather in c. Hebron to protest Abu Ein’s death, leading to 2 separate clashes with IDF soldiers. There are also demonstrations in Turmus ‘Ayya. During the day, Israeli soldiers arrest Palestinians at a checkpoints nr. Ramallah and Hebron. The IDF conducts arrest raids nr. Jenin and Hebron; patrols in Tulkarm and n. of Jenin. Late at night, unidentified assailants open fire on the home of an imprisoned Hamas MP in Hebron, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse 100s of Palestinians gathered to protest Abu Ein’s death in Shu‘fat r.c., Issawiyya, al-‘Izzariya, and Silwan. They conduct late-night arrest raids and house searches in Jabal Mukabir, Wadi al-Juz, Ras al-Amud, and Issawiyya. Meanwhile, 75 new security guards are added to the security detail at Haram al-Sharif in response to King Abdullah of Jordan’s request. (MNA 12/10; HA, JP, MNA, NYT 12/11; IMEMC, MNA 12/12; TOI 12/13; PCHR 12/18)

UN Special Coordinator Serry holds talks with senior Hamas official Abu Marzuq at the UN building in Gaza City. Serry calls on the PA unity govt. to take on its responsibilities stipulated in the cease-fire agreements, specifically staffing the border crossings. Outside the UN building, dozens of Palestinians gather for a sit-in protest in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. (MNA, TOI 12/11)

Egyptian pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi travels to Jordan to hold talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah. They discuss the draft UNSC res. that Jordan plans to introduce on behalf of the Palestinians before 12/25. Meanwhile, Jordan’s House of Deps. votes to cancel its 9/2014 gas agreement with U.S. company Noble Energy. The MPs oppose increasing Jordan’s economic ties with Israel, despite Jordan’s ongoing energy crisis. (JT, MNA 12/11; JP 12/12; NYT 12/14)

The French Senate passes a nonbinding res. inviting the govt. to recognize Palestinian statehood. The French parliament previously passed a similar res. on 12/2. Meanwhile, the Swiss govt. invites all states party to the Fourth Geneva Convention, which includes every UN mbr. and Palestine, to attend a summit on 12/17 to discuss the situation in the oPt. (AFP, AP, HA 12/11; WAFA 12/13)

In the Gaza Strip, the Union of Civil Servants announces that all govt. employees will go on strike on 12/11, and that school workers will strike on 12/14, in protest of the PA unity govt.’s failure to pay civil servants in Gaza who were hired after Hamas came to power in 2007. An IDF tank stationed along the border e. of al-Bureij r.c. fires on agricultural land, causing damage. Hours later, 4 IDF tanks and 3 armored bulldozers cross the border fence in e. Gaza, leveling land and firing live ammunition toward Palestinian property. In the West Bank, IDF troops detain 2 Palestinians as they approach the Tekoa settlement nr. Bethlehem. Israeli forces confiscate 3 Palestinian-owned tractors while patrolling in a bedouin village in the n. Jordan Valley. They also stop work on a UN Development Program project nr. Salfit, detain 2 Palestinian workers, and confiscate 1 tractor. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Jenin. Israeli settlers cut the wires to 4 electricity poles and chop down several olive trees nr. Burin village s. of Nablus, clearing the area for the expansion of 2 nearby settlements. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police raid the Silwan home of Ahmad al-Ghoul, head of the Fatah Youth Movement in Jerusalem, and arrest him. He was recently attacked by Israeli settlers on 11/21. Israeli authorities deliver demolition notices to several residences and commercial buildings in Silwan, al-Tur, Issawiyya, and Jabal Mukabir. Israeli police detain 2 Palestinian women at Haram al-Sharif. They also conduct arrest raids around East Jerusalem; deliver demolition notices in Silwan, al-Tur, Issawiyya, and Jabal Mukabir. (IMEMC, JP, MNA, WAFA 12/9; PCHR 12/10)

After threatening a mass action on 12/6, 70 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons launch a hunger strike in protest of Israel’s treatment of a fellow prisoner and its use of solitary confinement. (MNA 12/9; WAFA 12/10)

The Knesset Finance Comm. approves a series of public funds transfers, including PM Netanyahu’s 12/8 request for around $20 m. to support the West Bank settlements. (AFP, TOI, YA 12/9)

The Lower House of the Irish Parliament unanimously passes a nonbinding res. calling on the Irish govt. to recognize Palestinian statehood, similar to the 1 passed by the Upper House on 10/23. (REU 12/9; HA 12/11)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops e. of al-Bureij r.c. arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross the fence into Israel after firing warning shots. Off the coast nr. al-Sudaniyya, Israeli naval forces detain 12 Palestinian fishermen and confiscate 5 of their boats. Around 20 Palestinian youth volunteer to help clean up the European Hospital in Khan Yunis as the hospital sanitation workers continue their strike for a 4th day. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian homes in Hebron while Israeli soldiers stand by. At the al-Karama crossing into Jordan, the IDF arrests a Palestinian Al-Quds University prof. The IDF conducts arrest raids and house searches nr. Hebron, Ramallah, and Bethlehem; patrols in Hebron and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, 5 Israeli settlers board an Egged bus and assault its Palestinian driver, causing him moderate injuries before Israeli police intervene. (MNA, WAFA 12/6; MNA 12/7; IMEMC 12/9; PCHR 12/10)

Palestinian prisoners threaten to go on a hunger strike if the Israeli Prison Service does not meet demands of a fellow prisoner, Nahar al-Sa‘adi, who has been on hunger strike since 11/20 in protest of a lack of family visits and his year-long solitary confinement; 70 of them begin a strike on 12/9. (MNA 12/6, 12/9)

In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse a protest nr. Ofer detention center outside Ramallah in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners and administrative detainees on hunger strike, shooting rubber-coated metal bullets and wounding 3. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Jenin at night; patrols in 3 villages nr. Jericho, and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Ramallah at night. Jewish settlers set fire to dozens of olive trees in 2 Palestinian villages nr. Nablus. (MNA 6/4; PCHR 6/5)

Secy. of State Kerry says that the U.S. will work with the new Palestinian unity govt. “as is appropriate” and will monitor it “very closely” to make sure it upholds its commitments to cooperate with Israel and the peace process. Meanwhile, Quartet Rep. Tony Blair calls PA PM Hamdallah to congratulate him on the formation of the govt. Pres. Abbas officially informs the head of the central elections commission to start preparing for presidential and legislative elections in 6 mos. Hamdallah urges the international community to pressure Israel to allow elections in East Jerusalem. (MNA, YA, WAFA 6/4)

Syria’s parliament speaker Jihad Lahan announces that Pres. al-Asad won 88.7% of the vote, winning him another 7-year term. Al-Nouri and Hajjar won 4.3% and 3.2%, respectively. Voter turnout was recorded at 73.42%. (AP, REU 6/4)

In a statement, the White House urges Egyptian pres.-elect al-Sisi to adopt democratic reforms and expresses concern about the “restrictive political environment.” (AP 6/4)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on armed Palestinians close to the border fence nr. Bayt Lahiya, wounding 1. Subsequently, a rocket is fired from Gaza into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In 3 further, separate incidents, IDF troops open fire on Palestinians collecting straw close to the border fence nr. Dayr al-Balah, wounding 1; violently disperse Palestinians throwing stones nr. Jabaliya, causing no injuries; and, open fire on Palestinians collecting raw materials nr. Bayt Hanun, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops open fire on Palestinians demonstrating outside Ofer prison nr. Ramallah in solidarity with prisoners on hunger strike, wounding 3. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Tubas and 1 village nr. Nablus at night; patrols in Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Qalqilya and Ramallah in the afternoon, and in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jericho, and in Qalqilya at night. Also, 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), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers attack 2 Palestinians on a road nr. Ramallah, causing moderate injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces enter Issawiyya and lightly injure 6 Palestinians during a raid on a bakery. (MNA 5/23; PCHR 5/29)

The IAEA announces in a quarterly report that Iran has cut its stockpile of higher-enriched uranium by around 80%, in compliance with earlier agreements. The report also says Iran is meeting its other obligations. (AP, REU 5/23)

In the n. Sinai Peninsula nr. al-Arish, unknown persons blow up a gas pipeline, disrupting the natural gas supply to an industrial zone. (AP 5/23; MNA 5/24)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Khan Yunis, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Nablus and 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in Salfit and 1 nearby village, al-Fawar r.c. and 3 villages nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Jericho and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem and Ramallah at night. Jewish settlers destroy 35 olive trees in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc s. of Jerusalem, leaving “price tag” graffiti at the scene. Meanwhile in Israel, a Palestinian citizen’s car is vandalized in Acre with “price tag” graffiti. (HA, MNA 5/4; PCHR 5/8)

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society says that the number of prisoners on hunger strike against their detention without trial has reached 120, with participating prisoners being held in solitary confinement in the Negev, Ofer, and Megiddo jails. (MNA 5/3)

Senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzuq says that Hamas will not accept the conditions demanded by the Quartet, including recognition of Israel, in remarks made at a press conference in Gaza City. Abu Marzuq also says that it is likely Hamas will participate in the proposed Palestinian presidential elections. (AFP, MEMO 5/3)