The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya r.c., wounding 1. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, 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 Tulkarm in the morning, and in Tubas and in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Salfit at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin and in Qalqilya and 1 nearby village at night. Separately, Israeli forces notify Bedouin families nr. Bethlehem that they must evacuate their homes before military exercises are conducted. (MNA 12/16; PCHR 12/19)

Israel opens Kerem Shalom crossing with Gaza to allow for entry of fuel and goods, and exit for 7 truckloads of strawberries and flowers bound for Europe. Israel also allows cement and gravel for UN projects to enter. (WAFA 12/16)

The EU’s Foreign Affairs Council announces that Israelis and Palestinians will be offered an unprecedented assistance package in the event of a final status peace deal. The incentives, under the bracket of “Special Privileged Partnership,” include political, economic, and security support. The EU also says that it is ready to contribute to post-conflict arrangements as part of ensuring any deal’s long-term viability. (HA 12/13; WAFA 12/16)

Israeli, Lebanese, and UN military officers meet to defuse tension following fatal crossborder gunfire the previous day. A statement from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) says that the Lebanese soldier who killed an Israeli soldier was acting alone. Israeli DM Ya’alon says that the Lebanese authorities promised to punish the shooter. (AFP, AP, REU 12/16)

UN emergency relief coordinator Valerie Amos issues an appeal at a meeting of donor countries in Geneva for $6.5 billion for Syria and its neighbors, including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey, each of which host significant populations of Syrian refugees. Separately, UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres cites Turkish officials’ estimate that the number of Syrian refugees in the country will reach 1.5 m. by the end of 2014. (REU 12/16)

The Muslim Brotherhood-led Anti-Coup Alliance in Egypt announces that it will call for a boycott of the constitutional referendum scheduled for 1/2014. Spokesperson Hamza alFarawy says that the group rejects “any vote under military rule.” (AFP 12/16)

EU foreign ministers release a statement pledging to suspend some sanctions on Iran as soon as the IAEA verifies that Tehran has begun limiting its nuclear activities, in accordance with the 6-mo. interim agreement signed in 11/2013. Meanwhile, Iranian FM Zarif calls U.S. Secy. of State Kerry to protest the expansion of sanctions on 12/12. (AP, REU 12/16)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya, wounding 1. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in Bethlehem and 1 nearby village, 1 village each nr. Jenin and Ramallah, and in Nablus and Tulkarm at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, and in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Jenin in the afternoon. (PCHR 11/14)

Israel’s cabinet approves the destruction of a Bedouin village in the Negev to be replaced by a religious Jewish settlement Hiran. The cabinet also approves the return of Avigdor Lieberman to the position of FM following his acquittal on corruption charges. (HA, ToI 11/10)

U.S. officials led by Undersecy. of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman arrive in Jerusalem to brief the Netanyahu govt. on the latest developments with regard to talks with Iran. Netanyahu tells his cabinet that over the weekend he spoke with Pres. Obama, Russian pres. Putin, French pres. Francois Hollande, German chancellor Angela Merkel, and British PM David Cameron to lobby them on the Israeli position vis-à-vis Iran. (HA, ToI 11/10)

Gunmen kill 2 Egyptian soldiers in an attack on a military facility nr. Ismailia. (JP 11/11)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian with live ammunition during clashes prompted by soldiers raiding the village of Jaba‘ nr Jenin. There are also clashes but no injuries during an IDF raid of Jenin r.c. The IDF conducts additional house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 nearby village, Qalqilya and Jenin in the afternoon, and in Nablus at night, patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon, and in 1 village each nr. Qalqilya and Tulkarm at night. The IDF also demolishes 11 residential tents home to more than 50 Bedouin Palestinians in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Bayt Hanina. (MNA, WAFA 8/19; PCHR 8/22)

Pres. Mahmud Abbas meets with U.S. peace process envoy Martin Indyk in Ramallah to discuss the latest developments. (WAFA 8/19)

An Egyptian court orders the release of former pres. Husni Mubarak after he was cleared by a prosecutor in a corruption case. However, there is an outstanding retrial on charges of complicity in the murder of protesters during the 2011 revolution that deposed him. Meanwhile, Egyptian security forces arrest Muslim Brotherhood head Mohamed Badie, who was charged in 7/2013 with inciting the murder of protesters. UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon calls for the release of Pres. Morsi and says that“the political space for the Muslim Brotherhood should be expanded.” (NYT, REU 8/19)

Unnamed diplomats accredited to the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) say that Iran seems to be continuing to convert quantities of uranium gas into reactor fuel, thus holding back growth of the stockpile deemed most sensitive by the international community. (REU 9/18)

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)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning, and in Salfit, Nablus, Qalqilya, Jenin, and 1 village each nr. Nablus, Tulkarm, and Hebron at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, and in Jenin and 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night. (PCHR 6/27)

By a vote of 43–40, Israel’s Knesset passes the 1st reading of the Prawer Law for the development of the Negev, which will mean the forced displacement of an estimated 40,000 Bedouin citizens (see the Quarterly Update in JPS 169 for more on the Prawer Law). (JP 6/24)

In the West Bank, the IDF opens fire on Palestinians who threw stones at a routine patrol in al-Khadir village nr. Bethlehem, wounding an 11-year-old with a rubber-coated metal bullet. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron at night; patrols in 1 village each nr. Jenin, Qalqilya and Tulkarm in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, and in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Hebron, and Tulkarm and 1 village nearby at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces clash with Palestinians in the Abu Dis and Eizariya neighborhoods while conducting arrest raids, detaining 29. Meanwhile, in Israel, security forces demolish 11 structures and tents in Attir and 3 homes in Beer al-Mashash, 2 Bedouin villages in the Negev. In the latter case, Israeli police officers fire rubber-coated plastic bullets and tear gas at residents, injuring 5. (MNA 5/30; PCHR 6/5)

Israel’s Housing Ministry releases a tender for the construction of 300 new homes in Ramot, a settlement in East Jerusalem, and also confirms a decision to sell 797 housing units in Moradot Gilo, another East Jerusalem settlement. A U.S. State Dept. spokesperson describes the move as “counterproductive,” while Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat says that the announcement sabotages U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry’s efforts to restart peace talks. Israeli officials stress that the announcement is not new construction but a republication of a tender previously issued. (AP, HA 5/30)

Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad says during an interview with Al-Manar TV that Russia is still committed to supplying his country with S-300 air defense missiles. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council agrees to add Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qa‘ida-linked rebel group operating in Syria, to a UN sanctions blacklist that imposes an assets freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo on the associated individuals and entities. (AP, REU 5/30)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip, 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. Hebron and 2 villages nr. Jenin at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the morning and in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm at night. (PCHR 5/23)

Kidnappers release 7 Egyptian security officialsin the Rafah area of the Sinai, following talks mediated by Bedouin tribal leaders. Subsequently, Egyptian authorities reopen the Rafah crossing. (MNA, REU 5/22)

The U.S. House of Representative’s Foreign Affairs Cmte. unanimously approves the “Nuclear Iran Prevention Act of 2013” which both strengthens existing sanctions on Iran and imposes new sanctions. It is expected to pass the full 435-member chamber where it already has over 300 cosponsors. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports that Tehran is pressing ahead with the construction of a research reactor in Arak. U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Patrick Ventrell responds to that report with the claim that Iran is “advancing its enrichment programme in blatant violation of its international obligations.” (AP, REU 5/22)

In Washington, U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry and VP Joe Biden meet with senior Arab officials including the Bahraini, Egyptian, Jordanian and Qatari FMs, and representatives from the PA, Arab League, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia for talks on the peace process. Qatari PM Shaykh Hamad Bin Jassem al-Thani, speaking on behalf of the Arab League delegation, cites the possibility of a border agreement that includes mutually agree and minor land swaps between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Kerry affirms the importance of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative that promised full normalization for Israel’s complete withdrawal from the occupied territories (including the Golan). (AP, REU 29/4)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 rocket from Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In response to recent rocket fire (see also 4/27), Israel closes the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing, further restricts movement through the Erez crossing to ‘‘humanitarian cases,’’ though it cancels visits for Gazan families of Palestinians jailed in Israel (VIPs were the only others allowed to cross Gaza). Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishermen off the south Gaza coast east of Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF soldiers evict several hundred Bedouin from Wadi al-Malih village in the Jordan Valley after declaring the area a live fire training zone (see 4/24). Meanwhile, Israel demolishes 4 Palestinian apartments in the al-Tur neighborhood of East Jerusalem, as well as a water well and utility room in the al-Fawar r.c. in Hebron. The IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Tulkarm in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Jenin in the afternoon. At night, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in Dahaysha r.c. in Bethlehem, in Hebron, in 5 villages nr. Hebron, in Nablus, and in 1 village nr. Ramallah. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians in Bayt Furik village nr. Nablus, injuring 2. (AFP, MNA REU 4/29; PCHR 5/2)

UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon urges the Syrian government to allow experts into the country to investigate reports of alleged use of chemical weapons. Damascus wants any investigation limited to a 3/2013 incident nr. Aleppo while Ban wants to also include a 12/2012 incident in Homs. (see 4/24) (AP 4/29)

The Israeli cabinet approves (16–3, with 1 abstention) a plan for the Bedouin communities in the Negev that would see thousands of so-called unrecognized villages destroyed and their populations forcibly relocated to governmentapproved towns. The plan covers landownership issues, compensation, and investment in the region. The PM’s Office calls it a ‘‘compromise,’’ but Bedouin activists and human rights campaigners denounce it entirely. (JP 1/27, JP 1/28)

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 2 villages nr. Jenin and 1 nr. Salfit in the afternoon, and in Tulkarm at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Tubas at night. (PCHR 1/31)

Tunisian pres. Moncef Marzouki postpones his visit to the Gaza Strip (see 1/20) until 3/2013, following discussion with Palestinian pres. Abbas, in order to ‘‘allow the path of reconciliation to progress.’’ Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Palestinian reconciliation comm., Abdul Aziz Qudaih, says that Morocco has pledged $500 m. to support reconciliation efforts, money to be used for compensation payments for those injured or who suffered property damage during Hamas-Fatah fighting in 2007. (MNA 1/27)

Turkish media report that the country’s dep. min. for energy and natural resources, Murat Mercan, has told Israeli Foreign Ministry official Michael Lotem that Israel’s energy cooperation with Cyprus would stand in the way of any proposed Israel-Turkey natural gas pipeline. The unofficial conversation took place during the Eurasian Economic Summit held in Istanbul. (REU 1/27)