The Palestine Chronology

On the 2d Friday of Ramadan and the 13th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1st intifada, Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate sharply, leaving 7 Palestinians, 2 Jewish settlers, 1 IDF soldier dead. 5 of the Palestinians are killed when IDF tanks open fire on a PSF post nr. Jinin; 15,000 Palestinians march in Jinin to protest. The soldier, 2 settlers are killed in separate incidents nr. Hebron and Jericho in which Palestinian gunmen fire on their vehicles. In response, Barak tightens the blockade on Palestinian villages, which had been eased slightly for Ramadan. 50 Jewish settlers rampage through the Arab section of Hebron, damaging Palestinian property, occupying a Palestinian home. Settlers also attempt to occupy 3 Palestinian homes in Banidar, Musharqat al-Fawqan. The IDF bars West Bank Palestinians fr. reaching East Jerusalem to attend prayers. Tensions erupt into clashes after services, with Israeli police in Jerusalem opening fire on worshipers with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, killing at least 1. Serious clashes are also reported in Ramallah. (AP, IDF Radio [Internet], LAW, REU 12/8; NYT, WP, WT 12/9; LAW, NYT 12/10)

For the 1st time in 6 yrs., Israel places an Israeli Arab, Ghassan Athamla of Nazareth, under administrative detention on charges of incitement stemming fr. clashes btwn. Israeli Jews and Arabs in Nazareth in 10/00. Barak personally signs the order, which is based on secret evidence. (HA 12/8; Adalah press release 1/15)

As Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, Israel tightens its blockade of Palestinian towns in the West Bank. During the day, 3 Palestinians are shot dead by the IDF. A 4th Palestinian is killed by a Jewish settler. A 5th dies of complications fr. inhaling tear gas when the IDF bars an ambulance fr. taking him to a hospital. A 6th dies of injuries received earlier. Nr. Ramallah, several Palestinians are wounded by Jewish settlers in a drive-by shooting. Beginning this evening and continuing overnight, IDF troops search, ransack at least 20 homes in area B nr. Nablus, Qalqilya, and Ramallah, arresting 15 Fatah mbrs. "suspected of carrying out terrorist attacks." Nr. Qalqilya, the IDF bulldozes several greenhouses. In a closed mtg., Arafat tells his security officials to prevent individuals fr. firing fr. areas A and Palestinian populated areas so as to reduce civilian casualties resulting fr. Israeli reprisals. (EU press release, LAW, MEZ 11/14; MENA 11/14 in WNC 11/16; LAW, MEZ, NYT, WP, WT 11/15; MA [Internet], MM, NYT 11/16; AYM 11/16 in WNC 11/17)

In Doha, the OIC issues a special nonbinding resolution on the clashes, urging mbrs. to cut ties with Israel; the U.S. to revise its "biased stance" in favor of Israel; the UN to send a peacekeeping force in the West Bank, Gaza. (MA [Internet], MM, OIC press release 11/14; AYM, IRNA 11/14 in WNC 11/15; MENA 11/14 in WNC 11/16; MM 11/15, 11/16; IRNA 11/16 in WNC 11/17; MM 11/17; JP, MEI 11/24)

Lebanon reports that IDF overflew Baalbek, Bint Jubayl, Iqlim al-Tuffah, Marja'uyun, Nabatiyya and reinforced troops in the Shaba` Farms area. UNIFIL adviser Timur Goksel says UNIFIL recorded 123 Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace btwn. 10/8 and 11/8, has protested to Israel to no avail. (AFP [Internet] 11/14; RL 11/14 in WNC 11/16)

The Clinton administration submits to Congress a request for a $750 m. supplemental aid package for Israel, Egypt, Jordan. (WP 11/15; HA [Internet], WJW 11/16)