The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 7 during late-night raids in and around Hebron and Hizma and 1 at a flying checkpoint near Qalqilya. Israeli settlers razed 6 dunams (1.5 acres) of Palestinian-owned land in Turmus ‘Ayya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen on 2 separate occasions; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions to level land east of al-Bureij. 1 Palestinian was arrested while applying for a travel permit at the Erez crossing. In Israel, Israeli authorities demolished a Palestinian-owned house under construction in Qalansawe. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/22; PCHR 9/26)

The Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) said it would cut electricity in some areas of the West Bank, arguing that the PA owes the company $484 million. The chairman of the Palestinian Energy Authority said that the debt is less than half of what the IEC claims. PA officials called the decision collective punishment and called on the international community to protest the decision. (HA 9/22)

The Joint Arab List, which won 13 seats in the Knesset at the Israeli elections on 9/17, recommended Blue and White leader Benny Gantz as the next Israeli prime minister, giving Gantz’s coalition 2 more votes than Likud’s 55. Blue and White still needs 4 more votes to be able to form a governing coalition. Joint Arab List leader Ayman Odeh explained in an op-ed in The New York Times that the Joint Arab List is not endorsing Gantz’s policy proposals, but is rather voting to unseat Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (NYT 9/22; HA 9/23)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Knesset approves measure giving concession for Jewish settlements to Israel Electric Company, restricting concession of JEC [FJ 11/1]. Israeli authorities lift Gaza Strip travel ban [FJ 11/1].

Other Counties: In New York, 2 Jewish Defense League members are sentenced for their roles in 1984-86 bombings [WP 10/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shortly after curfew is lifted at Dahayshah refugee camp, soldiers again raid camp [FJ 11/1].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Knesset defeats bills recognizing as Jews only those converted to Judaism by Orthodox rabbis and restricting Israeli citizenship to Jews converted by Orthodox rabbis [PI 7/9]. Inner cabinet votes to grant concessions for Jewish settlements, including Jerusalem's Jewish quarter, to Israel Electric Company (IEC); Jerusalem Electric Company (JEC) will be allowed to continue serving only its Arab customers [FJ 7/12]. U.S. Consulate in Jerusaleni registers complaint regarding treatment of Arab Americans visiting Israel, demands equal treatment for all Americans [LAT 7/9]. Villagers from 'Ubaydiyya hold peaceful 1-hour demonstration outside Jerusalem offices of the International Com. of the Red Cross to publicize continuing land dispute and recent violence in the Bethlehem-area village [FJ 7/12]. Authorities close Jerusalem's Hakawati theater for 24 hours, preventing commemoration of 15th anniversary of Ghassan Kanafani's murder [FJ 7/12]. Kidnappers of Muhammad Walid Naji, 3-yearold Gaza boy kidnapped 30 June, are apprehended by police; boy is found safe in citrus orchard [FJ 7/12].