The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian man after he allegedly stabbed and injured 1 other Israeli settler near the Mitzpe Eshtemoa outpost south of Hebron. Israeli settlers also vandalized 30 olive tree saplings in Qusra. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a late-night raid in Balata refugee camp. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house and 1 house under construction in Bireen, displacing 8, demolished 3 houses under construction in al-Baqa‘a, issued a demolition notice for 1 house and 1 agricultural structure in al-Juwaya, and issued stop-work orders for 3 agricultural structures in Jayyus. 23 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Nil‘in Beit Duqqu, Sur Baher, Tuqu‘, Dheisheh refugee camp, al-Khader, Yatta, Surif, Bayt Awa, Fahma, and Jericho. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/11; ALM, HA, MDW, PCHR 1/12; UNOCHA 2/16; UNOCHA 2/3)

Israeli media reported that the Israeli military began to prepare the eviction of more than 1,000 Palestinians from the Masafer Yatta area 2 months ago and that it had presented the plans to the new Israeli government after it was sworn in at the end of December. The Israeli Supreme Court greenlit the evictions in May last year, accepting the government’s position that there were no permanent structures in the area when Israel declared it a firing zone. (AN, HA 1/11)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki met with UK minister for the Middle East Lord Tariq Ahmad in Ramallah. (WAFA, WAFA 1/11)

The Knesset approved the preliminary reading of 7 draft laws that will revoke citizenship and residency status from Palestinians living in Israel that receive funds, directly or indirectly, from the PA after being convicted of terrorist acts. (HA 1/11)

The Israeli justice ministry released a draft of its proposed overhaul of the relations between the judicial and legislative branches of the Israeli government. If enacted the Knesset will be able to amend Basic Laws without Supreme Court interference and allow the government to freely appoint Supreme Court justices. (AX, GDN, HA, MEMO, NYT, TOI 1/11; IN, TOI 1/12)

The new Turkish ambassador to Israel Şakir Özkan Torunlar presented his credentials to Israeli president Isaac Herzog in a ceremony in Jerusalem. The previous Turkish charge d’affaires in Israel was recalled by Turkey in 2018 due to Israel’s deadly response to the Great March of Return protests in Gaza. (ALM 1/11)

EU commissioner for crisis management Janez Lanericic said that Israel must pay reparations for structures it demolishes that are funded by the EU. Commissioner Lanericic said that the EU “repeatedly requested that Israel compensate for the loss of European taxpayers' money,” but that diplomatic efforts have been ineffective. (HA, WAFA 1/11; MEMO 1/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort toured Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus; 5 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets and others by tear gas as Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the incursion. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 41-year-old Palestinian plumber who was returning home from work near Beita; the Israeli military said it would investigate why the man was killed as Israeli forces initially reported that he was advancing toward Israeli soldiers with an iron bar. Israeli forces subsequently injured 1 with live ammunition, 19 with rubber-coated bullets, and 72 with tear gas as they violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the killing of the man. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in ‘Ain al-Hilweh against the creation of a settlement outpost, injuring 4 with pepper spray, and 1 was arrested. 3 others were arrested during late-night raids in Beit Fajjar and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian started demolishing part of his house in al-Tur. 3 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Sheikh Jarrah. (REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/27; AJ, ALM, AP, HA, MEE, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 7/28; PCHR 7/29; HA 8/6)

The AP reported that PA president Mahmoud Abbas had fired the director of Ramallah’s national library Ehab Bseiso on 6/27 because of Bseiso’s criticism of the killing of Nizar Banat by PA forces on 6/24. PA forces also shut the office of J-Media in Ramallah. The director of J-Media Alaa al-Rimawi was previously arrested by PA forces after he gave a sermon at Banat’s funeral. (HA 7/27; MEMO, MEMO 7/28)

The Jerusalem Post reported that the Israeli government will not evict Palestinians living in Sheikh Jarrah for the time being if the high court of justice rules the evictions permissible on 8/2. According to a government official, the government is concerned about the optics given the international campaign and general opposition to the forced expulsions of Palestinians from East Jerusalem and the potential for causing a situation akin to the escalation of tensions between Gaza and Israel in May. (JP 7/27; MEMO 7/28)

The Knesset approved an amendment to the Basic Law of Government allowing the 2 government leaders Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid to rotate the prime minister position amongst them during the government’s 4-year term. (HA 7/28)

Iranian officials claimed that Iran had arrested members of a Mossad cell and seized weapons it had stored to allegedly use against Iranian forces during protests over water shortages in Iran. (ALM, HA 7/27; MEMO 7/28)

The U.S. arms company Lockheed Martin and the Israeli Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced an agreement in principle to develop a laser air defense system to combat rockets. (JP 7/27; ALM 7/28)

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) released an investigation into Israel’s Operation Guardian of the Walls from May, in which the organization found that Israel committed war crimes. The investigation focused on 3 specific Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians in which 62 were killed, the majority children. The HRW concluded that there were no military targets at or near the attacked areas, despite Israeli claims. HRW also concluded that Israel used U.S.-made munitions in at least 2 of the 3 attacks it investigated. HRW said it would release a report on potential war crimes committed by Palestinian militant groups in August. (AJ, AP, BBC, HA, HRW, MEE, WAFA 7/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 450 Palestinian-owned grapevines in al-Khadir. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested in Issawiyya. (WAFA 5/7; PCHR 5/14)

The Knesset approved amendments to 2 Israeli basic laws, allowing Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz to fulfill their coalition agreement and to rotate the role of prime minister between them. (HA 5/7)

Unidentified parties fire a rocket from the Khan Yunis area toward Israel. It lands in an open area near Eshkol, causing no damage or injuries. The IAF conducts air strikes on a Hamas military site north of Khan Yunis late at night, destroying it and causing minor damage to the surrounding buildings. Earlier, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land along Gaza’s border near Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Jenin, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Nablus; and patrol in the Hebron district. They also assault a Palestinian at a checkpoint near Hebron, claiming that he had a knife. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during a latenight raid in Anata refugee camp. (HA, TOI 1/1; MNA, WAFA, YA 1/2; PCHR 1/4)

Israel’s Knesset passes into law an amendment to Israel’s Basic Law on Jerusalem that strengthens Israeli control over the city. The law requires 80 of 120 members of Knesset (MKs) to approve any proposal that would cede Israeli territory to a “foreign party,” which would be likely in any future peace agreement with the Palestinians. Previously, Israeli law required only a simple Knesset majority to approve such a transfer. (KNE, NYT 1/1; HA, JP, NYT, REU, TOI 1/2)

An Israeli military court indicts Ahed Tamimi, the teenaged Palestinian activist whose confrontation with IDF troops on 12/15 sparked a wave of protests and international solidarity, on 12 charges related to her slapping and shoving of an Israeli soldier on 12/15 and her past activism. (HA, MNA 1/1; EI 1/2)

In the West Bank, IDF troops patrol nr. Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 1 Palestinian is injured. They conduct further patrols nr. Hebron and Ramallah; and arrest 9 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Hebron, Ramallah, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Palestinian schools go on strike to protest the closure of al-Nukhba School on 2/23 and the Jerusalem Municipality’s 12/2016 decision to align its vacation calendar with the Israeli school calendar. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home under construction in Issawiyya as well as 2 rooms in a Palestinian home in Silwan; arrest 7 Palestinians during raids in Hizma and Issawiyya; and shut down a dept. of the Arab Studies Society in Bayt Hanina because of alleged affiliation with the PA (it will be reopened on 3/16). Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In West Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians protesting Israeli demolitions of Palestinian property outside the finance ministry’s headquarters; there are no serious injuries. In s. Israel, the Israel Land Authority (ILA) demolishes crops in a Bedouin-owned field nr. Beersheba. (HA, MNA, PLONAD, TOI, WAFA 3/14; PCHR 3/16; MNA 3/17)

The Israeli Knesset approves amendments to the Basic Law barring politicians from running for office if they are known to “support terrorism,” if they do not recognize Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, or if they incite racism or support armed resistance against Israel. In response, Joint List MK Ahmad Tibi says “there is a tendency in recent Knessets in which MKs from the right wing compete with themselves over which bill they can present to exclude authentic representatives of the Arab population.” (KNE, WAFA 3/15)

PA pres. Abbas meets with U.S. special representative for international negotiations Greenblatt in Ramallah. Abbas tells him that “under [U.S.] pres. Trump’s leadership a historic peace deal is possible,” according to a U.S. statement. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Netanyahu comments on his 3/13 meeting with Greenblatt, saying that “we’re in a process, but it’s a process of mutual dialogue, authentic and honest in the positive sense.” The process is “not yet visible to the media,” he adds. (MNA, NYT, HA, TOI 3/14)

In the Gaza Strip, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops stationed nr. the border open fire on an unarmed 10-year-old Palestinian boy, critically injuring him. Later, the IDF arrests 3 Palestinians who cross the border fence into Israel nr. the Kerem Shalom crossing. In the West Bank, Palestinians gather nr. ‘Askar refugee camp (r.c.) to throw stones at Israeli military vehicles, sparking clashes with the IDF that leave 1 Palestinian injured. IDF troops deliver demolition orders to 5 Palestinian families n. of Qalqilya and temporarily seal all entrances to ‘Azun village e. of Qalqilya; patrol nr. Bethlehem and Hebron. Late in the evening, the IDF conducts arrest raids and house searches in Bil‘in, detaining mayor Basil Mansur, sparking clashes with stone-throwing local residents; conducts arrest raids nr. Hebron and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 10s of Palestinian women refuse to submit their ID cards to Israeli security officers outside Haram al-Sharif, defying a new Israeli access restriction; Israeli security forces beat several of the women with rifle butts to disperse them. Meanwhile, Israeli security forces escort 30 right-wing Jewish activists into Haram al-Sharif. Separately, IDF troops conduct arrest raids and house searches in 3 other areas of East Jerusalem. At an Israeli cabinet meeting, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu reiterates his pledge to maintain the status quo at Haram al-Sharif, meaning that he intends to respect Jordan’s custody of the area. In West Jerusalem, a Palestinian stabs a Jewish Israeli with a screwdriver, injuring him; Israeli police set up roadblocks around the area in effort to capture the assailant, but he escapes. Late at night, a Palestinian bus driver is found hanged in his bus in West Jerusalem. Israeli authorities allege suicide, but the man’s family believes that Israeli settlers killed him in retaliation for the earlier stabbing. Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces break out in al-Tur, East Jerusalem, in response to the bus driver’s death. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 11/16; AFP, IMEMC, JP, MNA 11/17; PCHR 11/20)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry calls Palestinian Authority (PA) Pres. Mahmoud Abbas and tells him the U.S. will veto any UN Security Council (UNSC) res. on ending the Israeli occupation within 2 years. Abbas has been circulating such a res. since his speech at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on 9/26/ 2014. (AP 11/18)

Israeli justice minister Tzipi Livni postpones until 11/23 a debate in her comm. over a new “nation-state” bill, which would enshrine Israel’s status as the national homeland of the Jewish people in the Basic Laws. Netanyahu says that he may sidestep the comm. debate and introduce the bill in the Israeli cabinet. (JTA, REU 11/16)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 1 rocket into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. An IDF spokesperson says more than 100 projectiles have hit Israel from Gaza this year. IDF troops conduct a limited incursion to level land close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis. Off the coast nr. Rafah, 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 6 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Bethlehem, and Nablus and Balata r.c. at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the morning, and in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 village and ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c. nr. Jericho, and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. Jewish settlers uproot 50 olive tree saplings nr. Bethlehem, while separately, settlers also stone Palestinian vehicles nr. Hebron. (AFP, MNA, WAFA 5/1; PCHR 5/8)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry tells reporters on a trip to Ethiopia that he intends to “pause” and “take a hard look” at the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, given the current impasse. He says he is “convinced that, as each [side] sort of works through the reasons that things began to become more difficult in the final hours, there may be quiet ways within which to begin to work on next steps.” He also claims that genuine “progress” was made during the previous 9 mos. (HA, REU 5/1)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says he intends to seek a new Basic Law anchoring Israel’s status as “the nation-state of the Jewish people.” Livni, leader of the Hatnua party and Israeli chief negotiator, criticizes the move, but the Jewish Home party, another coalition-mbr., welcomes it. (HA, REU 5/1)

In Jerusalem, Israeli and Turkish officials reach an unspecified draft agreement in to end the diplomatic stand off. The Turkish delegation, headed by FMin. undersecretary Feridun Sinirliog˘lu, is the most senior such delegation since Israel’s 2010 attack on the Mavi Marmara aid flotilla to Gaza (see QU 157). Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s office publishes a statement saying further clarifications are required on certain subjects, though gives no further details (HA 5/5; JP 5/6)

Israel’s Ministerial Committee on Legislation approves a bill for the development of the Negev, known as the Prawer-Begin plan, which would result in the forced displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinian Bedouin citizens of Israel. (MNA 5/6)

The Yesh Atid party, the second largest in the ruling coalition, decides to oppose Economy and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett’s proposal, first offered at the end of April, to pass a Basic Law requiring a referendum before any peace treaty with the Palestinians is signed. (YA 5/6)

Israeli naval vessels twice open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the north Gaza coast, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Jenin, 1 village nr. Ramallah and 2 villages nr. Salfit at night. Also at night, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in Aida r.c. in Bethlehem, 1 village nr. Bethlehem and 3 villages nr. Hebron. (PCHR 5/9)

Israeli media report that Israel’s Economy and Trade Min. Naftali Bennett is pushing for a Basic Law to be passed requiring a national referendum on any potential future peace treaty with the Palestinians. (JP 4/28)

Israel’s Supreme Court grants the government’s 3/24 request to postpone the evacuation of unauthorized settler outpost Amona, and sets the new date for 7/15. In the Gaza Strip, the IDF fires warning shots at a group of Palestinians close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya r.c., injuring 1. Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the coast nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Ramallah at night, and 1 village each nr. Hebron, nr. Jenin, nr. Qalqilya at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in Dahaysha r.c. in Bethlehem at night. (HA, PCHR 4/28)

At 9:30 P.M. EST (3:30 A.M. on 11/11 local time), Arafat dies in a Paris hospital. The PA declares a 40-day mourning period; immediately begins preparations to hold a state funeral in Cairo on 11/12, followed by his “temporary” burial in his Ramallah compound (the Muqata) later in the day. Earlier this afternoon, in anticipation of Arafat’s passing, the PLO Exec. Comm., the PA national security council, Fatah Central Comm., senior PC mbrs. meet in Ramallah to discuss leadership transitions, intentions to hold elections within 60 days of Arafat’s death, in keeping with the unratified Basic Law. (MM 11/10; AFP, JAZ, MENA, VOP 11/10 in WNC 11/12; BBC, CSM, HA, JAZ, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/11; AFP, ATL, DS, Interfax, IRNA, ITAR-TASS, JAZ, JT, MENA, VOI, VOP, XIN 11/11 in WNC 11/13; NYT, WP 11/12; PCHR 11/18; JPI 11/19)

The IDF reinforces troops around, further restricts Palestinian access to East Jerusalem; raids, kills 2 Palestinian gunmen in an exchange of fire nr. Bayt Hanun; fatally shoots a Palestinian swimming in a prohibited zone off the coast of Gaza; bulldozes 50 d. nr. Khan Yunis. Palestinians fire 3 mortars at Neve Dekalim, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, VOI, VOP 11/10 in WNC 11/12; PRCS, WP 11/11)

The IDF fatally shoots an 11-yr.-old Palestinian girl in her home; fires on stone-throwing Palestinian children in Qalandia r.c., injuring 2 bystanders; conducts arrest raids in Jenin. Under pressure fr. the U.S., the IDF also evicts 200 Jewish settlers fr. a new enclave established in Hebron on the site of the 11/15 Islamic Jihad attack; settlers vow to reestablish the site. An IDF APC deliberately rams a Palestinian van nr. Maithalun, killing 1 Palestinian, injuring a 2d. (MM 12/19; WP 12/20, 12/21; LAW, PCHR 12/25; WJW 12/26; PM 12/27)

Israeli atty. gen. Elyakim Rubinstein asks the Central Elections Comm. to bar MK Azmi Bishara’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) fr. participating in the 1/03 elections on the grounds that they advocate that Israel should be a state for all its citizens, which implicitly contradicts Israel’s founding principle as a Jewish state, and because they support armed attacks against Israel (a charge Bishara, NDA deny). Section 7(A) of the Basic Law: The Knesset allows the barring of candidates and political parties that deny “the existence of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.” (JTA l2/19; ADL 12/21)

U.S. Secy. of State Colin Powell announces that although the U.S. has not finished reading the document, it believes that Iraq’s 12,000-page declaration “totally fails” to meet UN requirements for full disclosure and constitutes “another material breach” of UN res. 1441. (NYT, WP, WT 12/20)

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Knesset passes 8th Basic Law (Justice System); Justice Minister Nissim speculates Israel will have a constitution of 11 Basic Laws within next 10 years.

Other Countries: 7 Canadian MPs meet Arafat in Amman while on Middle East tour sponsored by Arab League. Reagan admin. turns down appeal from Gemayel for increased use of US air and naval power in direct support of Beirut government.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 grenades explode in West Jerusalem, injuring 21; in Damascus, PFLP claims responsibility as retaliation for recent raids by Zionist settlers on Muslim shrines.