The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night. (PCHR 11/21)

At a conference in Sderot, Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman declares that a peace deal with the Palestinians is impossible in the foreseeable future. He also claims that ties with the U.S. are “deteriorating,” and that Israel must “seek other allies with common interests.” Dep. FM Ze’ev Elkin, speaking in Moscow on a trip for talks with Pres. Vladimir Putin, subsequently tries to downplay his boss’ remarks, affirming that “there is no one who can take the place of the Americans.” Meanwhile, senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath says that Palestinian negotiators Saeb Erakat and Mohammed Shtayyeh will remain on a temporary basis until a new team can be formed. (HA, MNA, REU, YA 11/20)

Negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group of powers resume in Geneva, with hopes of reaching an interim accord on confidence-building steps. Optimism is expressed publicly by the likes of Britain’s Foreign Secy. William Hague, and Russian FM Sergey Lavrov. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a speech in Tehran, in which he says that Iran will not retreat “one iota” from its nuclear rights but says that his country seeks friendly relations with the U.S. Also in his speech, Khamenei describes Israel as “a rabid dog,” which provokes an angry response from Israeli PM Netanyahu who is in Russia to appeal for tougher terms in a nuclear agreement with Iran. (AP, JTA, REU 11/20)

Israel’s “David’s Sling” missile defense system, co-developed with the U.S. and designed to protect the country from potential attack by Syrian and Hizballah-held missiles, passes a 2nd live test. Israeli defense officials say that the system could be deployed in 2014, a year ahead of the Israeli Air Force’s official deadline. (HA, REU 11/20)

A suicide car bomb attack kills 11 Egyptian soldiers nr. al-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula, wounding 37. Separately, a grenade attack on a checkpoint in Cairo injures 4 policemen. Meanwhile, Egyptian authorities close the Rafah crossing with Gaza due to a technical fault with the terminal’s computers. (AP, MNA, REU 11/20)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct 2 separate, limited incursions nr. Khan Yunis, leveling land along the border fence before withdrawing. In the West Bank, the IDF shoots and kills a Palestinian in Jenin r.c., and wounds 4 others in subsequent clashes. Islam al-Tubasi was killed when Israeli soldiers raided his house and shot him. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Ramallah and Nablus at night; patrols in 1 village and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron, and in 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. (MNA 9/17; PCHR 9/19)

For the 1st time in 6 years, Israel will allow entry into the Gaza Strip of a limited quantity of construction materials intended for private projects, according to separate reports by crossings director Nazmi Muhanna and an unnamed Israeli defense official. Three hundred and fifty trucks of cement, steel and concrete will cross into the territory weekly. (REU, WAFA 9/17)

PA Pres. Abbas meets in Ramallah with U.S. peace process envoy Martin Indyk, where the 2 assess the outcome of previous rounds of negotiations (8 meetings in total). Meanwhile, PLO Secy.-Gen. Yasir ‘Abid Rabbuh tells Palestinian media that the “indicators” of the talks have thus far been negative. (JP 9/17)

Diplomats from the U.S., Britain, Russia, France, and China begin talks in New York on a draft res. that will implement the proposed plan to rid Syria of chemical weapons. U.S. Secy. of State Kerry insists that the agreement with Moscow must be backed up by the threat of force in the case of noncompliance, talking to reporters on Capitol Hill. Russia, meanwhile, says that a res. will not allow the use of force. (AP, REU 9/17)

In the s. Gaza Strip, IDF troops confiscate 2 fishing boats nr. Rafah. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron, Tulkarm, and 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night; patrols in Jenin and 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night. In al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, IDF troops detain 13 Palestinians. In East Jerusalem, suspected Jewish extremists vandalize 3 buses and leave “price-tag” graffiti in Silwan, while separately dozens of Jewish right-wing activists enter the al-Aqsa mosque compound under police protection. (MNA 9/10; PCHR 9/12)

Israeli Foreign Ministry officials meet with senior EU officials to discuss the new settlement guidelines, and end by resolving to meet again to continue the discussions. Following the meeting, both sides issue upbeat assessments of the dialogue. (JP 9/10)

U.S. Pres. Obama says in a speech at the White House that he has asked Congressional leaders to postpone a vote authorizing force while a “diplomatic path”is pursued, a reference to a Russian proposal to achieve the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile. In response to Moscow’s proposal, France pushes for a UN res. that would be under Chapter 7 and threaten “serious consequences” for non-compliance—a framework immediately rejected by Russia. The Syrian govt., meanwhile, accepts the Russian idea. (AFP, AP, NYT, REU 9/10)