The Palestine Chronology

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya. The IDF also imposes a curfew on, conducts searches in the villages of ‘Azmut, Dayr al-Hatab, Salim nr. Nablus. Palestinian gunmen fire on an Israeli security vehicle patrolling the perimeter of Menorah settlement nr. Modi’in, wounding 2 settler security guards. An Israeli wounded in the 2/25 Tel Aviv bombing dies of her injuries. Several armed Palestinians break into a Jenin prison, free a relative jailed for robbery. (HA, VOI 2/28; OCHA 3/2; PCHR 3/3)

The IDF tightens roadblocks btwn. Jerusalem, Ramallah; imposes a curfew on Silwad nr. Ramallah; shoots, wounds a mentally handicapped Palestinian who strays into a closed military zone nr. Morag; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, and in Aida r.c., Balata r.c., Bayt Rima and Dayr Ghassana nr. Ramallah, Madama nr. Nablus, Salfit; begins work on new segments of the separation wall running s. of Hebron and btwn. East Jerusalem and the Qalandia checkpoint s. of Ramallah, bulldozing 500 d.; reportedly bulldozes large areas in Wadi al-Malih in the n. Jordan Valley. Palestinians in Nablus report that the IDF is digging a trench 3 m deep and 4 m wide to encircle Salim, Azmut, Dayr Hatab, Bayt Dajan, and Bayt Furik villages (combined population 30,000); 3 km have been completed. Armed Palestinians calling themselves the Fatah Fighters kidnap the PA’s security dir. for the Rafah checkpoint Saad al-Sayfan, accusing him of corruption. 15 armed Palestinians occupy the Khan Yunis governate building for 2 hrs., demand that the PA compensate local Palestinians who have lost their homes to IDF bulldozing. Palestinians fire 5 mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. A PA court in Gaza opens a trial against 7 alleged collaborators, including Muhammad and Rami Abu Qaynas, accused of providing Israel with information used to assassinate Hamas leader ‘Abd al-‘Aziz Rantisi on 4/17/04. ( JAZ 9/5; MENA 9/5 in WNC 9/7; VOI 9/6 in WNC 9/8; PR 9/8; PCHR 9/9; PR 9/15)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: The Knesset defeats two bills that would give Orthodox Jewish authorities the power to decide who is eligible for the right of return [NYT 6/15].

Other Countries: The U.S. criticizes Israeli policy allowing Israeli civilians to shoot on sight Palestinians carrying firebombs. State Dept. calls deportation of Mubarak 'Awad "unjustifiable" [WT 6/15]. 'Awad reiterates his willingness to convert to Judaism in order to return to Jerusalem [NYT 6/15].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 IDF officers are severely injured in firebomb attack in the village of Bayt 'Umar; the village is placed under curfew [NYT 6/16]. Curfews are issued for 11 locations in the occupied territories [FJ 6/19]. Israel announces the establishment of a new police team to combat the outbreak of brush and forest fires [CSM 6/15]. Clashes are reported in Nablus, Bayt Furik, Bayt Dajan, 'Azmut, Salim, and throughout the Gaza Strip [FJ 6/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U.S. Ambassador to Israel Thomas Pickering attacks Israel's policies in the occupied territories UP 5/22]. Arab local councils in Israel launch 2-day strike protesting authorities' refusal to help relieve educational and financial crises [FJ 5/24]. Military administration imposes curfew on Nablus-area villages of Salim, Dayr al-Hatab, and 'Azmut after discovery of body of murdered 8-year-old Israeli boy [WP 5/22].

Arab World: Lebanon's parliament votes to annul 1969 Cairo Agreement and U.S.- sponsored 1983 mutual recognition agreement with Israel [WP 5/22].

Other Countries: Former U.S. Sec. of State Henry Kissinger says international peace conference is certain to end in deadlock. Israeli F.M. Peres and MK Simha Dinitz voice disagreement UP 5/22]. Israeli government complains that subpoena served on former Foreign Ministry official David Kimche violates agreement between Israeli and U.S. governments [BG 5/22]. Viennese court sentences 2 Palestinians to life imprisonment for December 1985 airport attack [PI 5/22]. U.S. District Court in Los Angeles rules that it lacks authority to decide constitutionality of McCarren-Walter Act, under which 7 Palestinians and 1 Kenyan are threatened with deportation [LAT 5/22].