The Palestine Chronology

The Israeli crackdown on protests in East Jerusalem continues as the Israeli authorities restrict Palestinians’ access to Haram al-Sharif; only men over 40 and women are permitted to enter the sanctuary. Meanwhile, Israeli forces clash with Palestinian protesters across the city for the 2d day in a row (nr. the Old City and in Jabal Mukabir, Silwan, Issawiyya, Shu‘fat r.c., al-Tur, Abu Dis, al-‘Izzariya, and Wadi al-Juz); at least 4 Israeli police and 4 Palestinians are injured, and 11 Palestinians are arrested. Israeli forces also conduct raids and house searches in Silwan, Jabal Mukabir, Shaykh Jarrah, and the Old City, arresting 16 Palestinians and sparking minor clashes. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 9/18; PCHR 10/1)

As violence and tension spread from Jerusalem across the oPt, unknown persons launch a rocket from Gaza into Israel that lands in Sderot, damaging a bus. Iron Dome missile defense batteries intercept a 2d rocket fired toward Ashqelon. At night, IAF jets launch retaliatory air strikes on 3 Hamas military sites in n. Gaza, causing 2 minor injuries and serious damage. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage. Israeli forces e. of al-Bureij r.c. arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at Friday demonstrations against the Israeli occupation and recent restrictions at Haram al-Sharif in 7 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, outside Ofer Prison, Silwad, ‘Abwayn, and Jalazun r.c.), and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and nr. Bethlehem; 8 Palestinians are injured and at least 13 Palestinians are detained. Israeli forces also patrol in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 nr. Jenin. Meanwhile, Palestinian police officers assault 2 young Palestinian protesters in Bethlehem (a video taken of the incident will proliferate on Palestinian media in the next few days). The PASF reportedly blocked a group of demonstrators from approaching an Israeli military post to protest the recent Israeli restrictions on access at Haram al-Sharif. (AJA, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 9/18; JP, MNA, YA 9/19; MNA 9/24; WAFA 9/27; PCHR 10/1)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis fire warning shots at Palestinians approaching the border fence, injuring 3. Off the coast nr. Jabaliya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 6 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, Silwad, outside Ofer Prison, and Jalazun r.c.), and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 4 Palestinians and 1 international are moderately injured and dozens suffer from tear gas inhalation. The IDF patrols in 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Jericho, and in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians in the Old City. After Israeli forces bar a group of rightwing Jewish activists from entering a school in Haram al-Sharif, a leader of the activists writes a letter to the Israeli authorities calling for the school to be officially recognized as a synagogue under the Protection of Holy Places Law and for Jews to be allowed to worship there. (MNA 4/3, 4/4; WAFA 4/7; PCHR 4/9)

Israeli PM Netanyahu convenes his security cabinet to discuss the 4/2 agreement between the P5+1 and Iran, and the cabinet unanimously opposes the deal. Netanyahu says, “This is a bad deal not just for Israel, this is a bad deal for the region and for the world,” and calls for any final deal to require Iran to recognize Israel’s right to exist. (AFP, HA, JP, TOI 4/3; REU, TOI 4/4)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops e. of Jabaliya open fire on a group of Palestinian youth nr. the border fence, injuring 1. Off the s. coast, Egyptian naval forces open fire on a Palestinian fishing boat, injuring 1 fisherman and arresting the other. In the West Bank, 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), injuring 4 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets and gas canisters in Bil‘in. Israeli soldiers also violently disperse protests outside Ofer detention center and Silwad nr. Ramallah, injuring 4 Palestinians, as well as in Susiya village nr. Hebron, where they assault Mustafa Barghouti, secy.-gen. of the Palestinian National Initiative. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Ni‘lin; patrols nr. Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Jericho. An Israeli settler attempts to hit a Palestinian child with his car nr. Tulkarm. Separately, unknown assailants throw stones at Israeli settlers’ cars nr. the Ofra settlement, lightly injuring 2 women. In East Jerusalem, IDF troops clash with Palestinians in Wadi al-Juz, al-Tur, al-‘Izzariya, and Abu Tor, firing tear gas and stun grenades and detaining 5 Palestinian youths. The Israeli police arrest 3 Palestinian women as they exit Haram al-Sharif and ban 4 others from entering the area for 3 days, following their release from detention late on 1/22. (MNA, TOI 1/23; MNA, WAFA 1/24; PCHR 1/29)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops e. of Jabaliya r.c. open fire on a group of Palestinians, moderately injuring 1. Also, 100s of Palestinians pray outside the Rafah border crossing, protesting its closure since 12/23. Meanwhile, police officers dismantle a 1,000 kg piece of unexploded Israeli ordnance left in Gaza City after OPE. Late at night, unknown persons vandalize the French Cultural Center, leaving slogans criticizing French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo’s recent publication of a cartoon featuring a likeness of the Prophet Muhammad. Also, the Gaza power plant resumes operation of a 3d turbine (out of 4 total), following the receipt of aid from the Qatari govt. for additional fuel. Daily scheduled power outages in Gaza decrease from 18 to 12 hours. In the West Bank, 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), and nonweekly demonstrations in Surayf village nr. Hebron and outside Ofer detention center. In total, 10 Palestinians are seriously injured (2, Bil‘in; 7, Kafr Qaddum; 1, Surayf). Also, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids nr. Ramallah, Qalqilya, and in al-‘Arub r.c.; patrol nr. Jenin; arrest a Palestinian man at a border crossing n. of Jenin. Separately, a Palestinian throws stones at Israeli settlers’ vehicles between Jerusalem and Ramallah, injuring 1. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian in al-‘Izzariya. Meanwhile, 100s of Palestinians gather at Haram al-Sharif after Friday prayers to protest the Charlie Hebdo cartoon. In s. Israel, Palestinian bedouin residents of Rahat observe a general strike called for by the Arab High Follow-Up Comm. in protest of the 1/14 killing of Sami al-Ajar by Israeli police. The comm. also called for a strike on 1/18. (MNA 1/16; AFP, TOI 1/17; +972 1/19; PCHR 1/22; OCHA 1/23)

ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda opens a preliminary examination into the situation in Palestine to cover the time period since 6/13. Meanwhile, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women Rashida Manjoo cancels her fact-finding mission to the oPt because Israeli authorities refused to give her a visa. (MNA, TOI 1/16; EI, MNA, WAFA 1/17)

Speaking at a joint press conference, U.S. Pres. Obama affirms that he will veto any new sanctions legislation that the new Republicanled Congress may pass, and UK PM David Cameron criticizes the sanctions proposals. Meanwhile, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets with Iranian FM Zarif in Paris and discusses the negotiations over Iran’s disputed nuclear program, as U.S. and Iranian officials meet in Geneva for bilateral talks. Zarif also meets with French FM Fabius. (AFP, AP, MNA, TOI 1/16)