The Palestine Chronology

Reps. of 29 countries gather in Paris for a French-organized conference aimed at establishing a framework for a new round of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Conference participants agree to push for another international conference by the end of 2016, release a joint statement reaffirming the 2-state solution as their goal, express “alarm” at the current situation, and state that“the status quo is not sustainable.” The nonbinding statement also acknowledges both Israeli settlements and acts of violence as obstacles to peace (see Update). (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 6/3; HA, JP 6/4)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlement in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Silwad, and Nabi Salih), 1 nr. Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border; 3 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, the IDF arrests 1 Palestinian and issues 2 arrest summons during raids in Bethlehem and Hebron; and patrols nr. Hebron throughout the day. In 3 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya and Rafah, injuring 2 fishermen. (MNA 6/3; MNA, WAFA 6/6; PCHR 6/9)

The Egyptian authorities keep the Rafah border crossing in Gaza closed. It had been open on 6/1–2.

Amid continuing heightened tension across the oPt during Passover, Israeli forces escort hundreds of Israeli settlers to Joseph’s Tomb outside Nablus and to Solomon’s Pools outside Bethlehem in the morning, sparking clashes in Nablus with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 1 Palestinian is injured. Also, around 200 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif; 5 are removed from the area when they attempt to perform religious rites. Israeli authorities close the Kerem Shalom crossing with Gaza, indicating that they plan to keep it closed through 4/30. Elsewhere along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Ramallah after he and another Palestinian allegedly attempt to stab an Israeli soldier. They also conduct raids nr. Bethlehem, issuing arrest summons to 3 Palestinians; patrol nr. Hebron, Salfit, and Jericho. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/28; PCHR 5/5)

Israeli PM Netanyahu’s office releases a statement formally rejecting the French peace initiative, including the peace conference planned for 5/30 in Paris. “Israel is ready immediately to begin direct negotiations with the Palestinians without any preconditions,” it reads, adding that “any other diplomatic initiative distances the Palestinians from the table of direct negotiations.” Meanwhile, a U.S. State Dept. spokesperson reiterates that the Obama admin. has not yet taken a position on the French initiative. (HA, TOI, USSD 4/28; MNA 4/29)