The Palestine Chronology

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Rafah, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no injuries, but arresting 2. Demonstrations take place across the West Bank in protest of the killing of 3 Palestinians in Yatta the previous day. Demonstrations in Hebron and outside Ofer detention center nr Ramallah lead to clashes with IDF troops. Outside Ofer, Israeli forces fire live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters, while demonstrators throw stones and set fire to tires. No serious injuries are reported. In Hebron, stone-throwing Palestinians are met with tear gas from Israeli soldiers. Also in the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Jenin at night; patrols in Tulkarm in the morning, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night. (MNA, WAFA, YA 11/27; PCHR 11/28)

Palestinian chief negotiator Erakat says that Israeli policies, including continued settlement construction and arrest raids have led him to believe that there is no room for progress, hence his resignation on 11/13. Erakat says that the most recent meeting of the Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams took place on 11/5. Erakat also says that he believes the Russians would become more involved, pointing to Pres. Abbas’ scheduled visit to Moscow next month. (HA 11/27)

The Syrian govt. announces that it will attend the UN-sponsored negotiations in 1/2014 (announced 11/25), according to a report by state news agency SANA, but will also resist demands for Pres. Bashar al-Asad to step down. Meanwhile, the Syrian National Coalition pres. Ahmad Jarba, declares that the group will participate in the conference; he hopes it will facilitate the emergence of a transitional govt. (AP, NYT, REU 11/27)

Iranian FM Mohammad Javad Zarif says that construction on building projects at the Arak nuclear facility is allowed as part of the nuclear agreement. U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Jen Psaki says in response that, while road or building work might be permissible, any kind of nuclear fuel production or reactor work is not allowed. Meanwhile, U.S. Pres. Obama briefs Saudi Arabia’s King Abdallah on the recent deal with Iran, with the White House saying that the 2 leaders agreed to consult regularly on the efforts of the P5+1 countries to secure a long-term agreement. Separately, Israeli strategic affairs minister Yuval Steinitz meets with British officials in Jerusalem to discuss recent developments and Israel’s concerns with a potential deal between Iran and the P5+1. (AP 11/27)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion nr. Jabaliya r.c. and level land close to the border zone, and also open fire on farmers, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops kill 2 Palestinians in separate incidents at checkpoints; 1st, at Za’atra nr. Nablus, where a Palestinian shoots fireworks at soldiers and is shot dead, and 2d, at Container checkpoint nr. Bethlehem where Israeli soldiers say a Palestinian attempted to attack them. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkam in the afternoon, and in 2 villages and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron at night. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian cars nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces close 2 offices of charities it says are cover for Hamas activities. (JP, MNA 11/7; PCHR 11/14)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry heads to Amman, Jordan, and holds talks with King Abdallah and FM Nasser Judeh, with the king praising the “trust” Kerry has among all sides in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. At a joint press conference with Judeh, Kerry says that Israeli and Palestinians leaders had reaffirmed to him their commitment to negotiations. Later that day, Kerry holds another round of talks with Abbas, in Amman. In media interviews, he also reveals he will return the next day for another meeting with Netanyahu, an unplanned addition to the trip. In an interview broadcast on Israeli television, Kerry warns that without a peace deal, Israel could face a 3d intifada and “increasing isolation” and “delegitimization.” (AFP, AP, REU 11/7)

Swiss scientists say that tests show Yasir Arafat died with high levels of radioactive polonium in his body, but do not say that this was definitively the cause of death. Palestinian officials demand an international investigation into the “killing” of their former leader, according to PLO official Wassel Abu Yousef. (AFP, BBC, REU 11/7)

Diplomats from Iran and the P5+1 group begin talks in Geneva, coordinated by the EU’s Catherine Ashton, in an attempt to work out the details of a deal to end the dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program. (HA, REU 11/7)

An unnamed diplomat says that Jordan will replace Saudi Arabia on the UNSC for a 2-year term, after Riyadh rejects the position out of anger with the body’s inability to take what it deems appropriate action with regard to issues like Syria and Israeli-Palestinian relations. (AP 11/8)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, 1 village nr. Qalqilya, and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin in the afternoon and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Jewish settlers attack Palestinian shepherds and farmers s. of Hebron. (WAFA 7/20; PCHR 7/25)

Israel’s Minister for International Relations Yuval Steinitz announces that Israel will release some Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal for the resumption of direct talks. The releases will be in stages, but no precise numbers are given at this time. Steinitz also says that Israel has not agreed to resume talks on the basis of any territorial framework. Yet, at the same time, anonymous Palestinians officials brief the media that the U.S. had offered a guarantee that negotiations would be conducted on the basis of the 1967 borders. Israeli PM Netanyahu welcomes the resumption of peace talks, which he calls“an essential strategic interest for Israel.” Meanwhile, Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum says that the return to talks is a “disaster” and endangers the prospects for Palestinian national reconciliation. (AP, HA, MNA, REU 7/20)

Egyptian interim pres. Adly Mansour picks a 10-member committee of judges and law professors to propose amendments to the constitution drafted by the ousted Muslim Brotherhood-dominated govt. The team of experts has 30 days to make their proposals, after which a 2d committee of 50 public figures will review the amendments. Following the review, the new constitution will be put to a referendum. Meanwhile, Jordan’s King Abdallah II visits Cairo, the 1st head of state to visit Egypt since the army took power. (AFP, AP 7/20)

In the West Bank, the Israeli military distributes stop work orders in the s. Hebron hills, including for construction on tents and a solar panel provided by the EU for humanitarian reasons. Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers carry out demolitions of Palestinian property in Tammun village nr. Jericho, assaulting 2 shepherds defending their property in the latter incident. IDF troops shoot and injure 4 Palestinians during clashes sparked by an incursion into Qalandia r.c. nr. Ramallah. In another raid, the IDF arrests 2 al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades members. in Nablus, on the grounds that weapons prohibited in an amnesty agreement were found in their possession. IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin, 3 villages nr. Qalqilya, Qalqilya, 1 village nr. Salfit, 1 village nr. Ramallah; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin in the morning, and at night in 2 villages nr. Jenin, 1 village nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Tulkarm, and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night. (HA, MNA, WAFA 6/27; PCHR 7/4)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry meets with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, but no announcement of progress is made; he then goes to Jerusalem for a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdallah II. (WP 6/27)

The UN Security Council renews UNDOF’s mission in the Golan Heights for 6 mos. and also votes to increase both the forces’ equipment and its numbers, from around 900 to 1,250. (REU 6/27)

A UNHRC investigation into Israel’s settlements in the West Bank publishes its conclusions, declaring such activity a contravention of the Geneva Convention and thus a potential war crime under the jurisdiction of the ICC. The investigators, led by French judge Christine Chanet, call on Israel to halt settlement expansion and withdraw all settlers. Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejects the report, calling it counterproductive and the result of a ‘‘one-sided and biased approach towards Israel.’’ PLO Executive Comm. member Hanan Ashrawi welcomes the report, saying that the Palestinians are encouraged by its ‘‘candid assessment of Israeli violations.’’ (JP, REU 1/31)

Area council head for the Gush Etzion settlement bloc Davidi Perl says that the Israeli Defense Ministry has moved forward plans to build 346 housing units in Tekoa and Nokdim settlements. (JP 1/31)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c. nr. Jericho and 1 village each nr. Jericho and Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Bethlehem and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Jenin at night. (PCHR 2/7)

Senior Hamas official Yahya Moussa denies recent reports (see 1/30) that Khalid Mishal told Jordan’s King Abdallah to inform U.S. pres. Barack Obama that Hamas accepts the two-state solution. (MNA 1/31)

Syria and its allies condemn the presumed Israeli attack on a site close to the Lebanese border, which the Syrian military says struck a research center and which Western officials stated was a convoy of anti-aircraft batteries headed toward Lebanon for Hizballah. Israeli officials refuse to comment. Syrian amb. to Lebanon Ali Abdul-Karim Ali says that the country may choose a ‘‘surprise’’ response to Israeli ‘‘aggression,’’ while Syria also summons the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Golan Heights to formally protest the raid. Russia says that if reports are confirmed, then the Israeli attack is a violation of the UN Charter and is ‘‘unacceptable.’’ The Arab League condemns what it calls Israel’s ‘‘cruel aggression,’’ while Hizballah releases a statement expressing ‘‘solidarity’’ with Syria and calling the strike ‘‘barbaric aggression.’’ (AFP, AP, FT, REU 1/31)

Iran writes a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency to announce its plans to install and operate advanced uranium-enrichment machines. The U.S. says that installation of new Iranian centrifuges would be a ‘‘provocative step.’’ (REU 1/31)

Pres. Barack Obama’s nominee for defense secretary, Republican Chuck Hagel, is questioned at a Senate Armed Services Comm. hearing, and is attacked by Republic lawmakers over his record on Israel and Iran. Hagel repeated his apology for his previous use of the term ‘‘Jewish lobby’’ in a 2006 interview with Aaron David Miller, and says it was wrong to suggest that pro-Israel groups ‘‘intimidate’’ Congress into doing ‘‘dumb things.’’ (AP, JTA, REU 1/31)

The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah release a statement expressing deep concern over the number of Palestinians killed recently in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and also the ongoing incursions by the IDF into West Bank Area A (under full PA control). UN humanitarian coordinator in the occupied Palestinian territories James W. Rawley says he is ‘‘seriously concerned’’ about Palestinian civilian casualties resulting from live fire by IDF soldiers. (EU Press Office, UNNC 1/30)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning and in Bethlehem at night. (PCHR 1/31)

Saudi newspaper al-Sharq reports that in discussions with King Abdallah of Jordan, Hamas chief Khalid Mishal accepted the idea of a two-state solution, which would mark a significant change in official Hamas policy if reiterated publicly (claims subsequently denied (1/31) by Hamas officials. Previously, Hamas had expressed willingness to observe longterm truce with Israel, but not to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. (HA 1/30)

Anonymous U.S. officials say that Israeli warplanes conducted an air strike inside Syria targeting a convoy believed to be transporting anti-aircraft weaponry to Hizballah in Lebanon. The Syrian government claims that the planes struck a military research center. The Lebanese military say that Israeli warplanes have increased their activity over s. Lebanon in the past week, including at least 12 sorties in the previous 24 hours. (AP, NYT, REU 1/30)

Israeli pres. Shimon Peres meets with Jordanian King Abdallah II at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss restarting peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. (JP 1/25)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF opens fire on Palestinians close to the border fence in 3 separate incidents nr. Jabalya (twice) and nr. Bayt Lahiya, wounding a total of 5. Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast nr. al-Waha, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, Palestinian activists occupy the site of demolished protest village al-Karamah nr. Jerusalem to perform weekly prayers, re-erect tents, and plant olive trees. Activists also stage a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails at the entrance to Elazar settlement nr. Bethlehem and are removed by IDF soldiers. The IDF also patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Hebron at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Qalqilya in the afternoon, and in Bethlehem and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. Israeli soldiers attack weekly nonviolent demonstrations held by Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, al-Nabi Salih, Budrus), 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). In total, 5 Palestinians are hit and injured by tear-gas canisters (4 in Bil‘in and 1 hit in the head in al-Nabi Salih). (MNA 1/25; PCHR 1/31)

White House spokesperson Jay Carney responds to a question about the consequences of the Israeli election for peace efforts by restating the administration’s call for a resumption of direct negotiations on final-status issues. Meanwhile, the UN’s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Robert Serry, tells a UNSC meeting that courageous steps by Israeli and Palestinian leaders are required to save the two-state solution. At the meeting, Palestinian FM Riyad al-Maliki sits behind a ‘‘State of Palestine’’ nameplate, drawing criticism from U.S. amb. Susan Rice, who says that the U.S. does not recognize the UNGA vote in 11/2012 (see Quarterly Update in JPS 166). After the meeting, Maliki says that the Palestinians’ decision about whether to go to the ICC over Israel’s settlement construction will depend on what the Israeli government does in the E1 area nr. Jerusalem. (AP, REU, UNNC 1/23)

Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast nr. al-Waha, causing no injuries. The IDF also makes a brief incursion into Gaza to a distance of 200 m from the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun to level land. In the West Bank, IDF soldiers open fire on Palestinians at the entrance to al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, killing 1 woman with a shot to the head. Eyewitnesses say the soldiers were traveling in a civilian car. Also, a Palestinian teenager shot by the IDF during clashes in Aida r.c. on 1/18 dies in the hospital. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Jenin at night. (MNA, PCHR, WAFA 1/23)

Human rights NGO the Palestinian Center for Human Rights publishes a list of media workers in the Gaza Strip arrested by Hamas security services over the previous 48 hours. Meanwhile, dep. head of Hamas politburo Musa Abu Marzuq says that there is no disagreement within Hamas about Mahmud Abbas heading a unity government. (MNA 1/23)

PA fin. min. Nabil Qassis says that the government’s financial crisis is structural, requiring systematic changes in the budget and culture. He reveals that the deficit has now exceeded $1.4 b. (MNA 1/23)

Jordan holds parliamentary elections, which are boycotted by the Muslim Brotherhood–affiliated Islamic Action Front. The boycott is based on claims that the electoral system is biased in favor of rural tribal areas where pro-regime sentiment is highest, in contrast to large, more densely populated urban areas, where pro-Brotherhood views are strong among poor Palestinians. In the election, 1,425 candidates compete for 150 seats, up from 120, in the lower house. King Abdallah has agreed to cede some powers to the new legislature, such as choosing the PM and running day-to-day affairs. There are numerous reports of vote-buying and small-scale clashes in Karak governorate and some districts of Amman. The results see pro-government candidates maintain their dominance of the parliament, though 37 Islamist and other government critics win seats in the legislature. (AKH, AP, NYT, REU 1/23; AP, REU 1/24)

The Lebanese army states that 12 Israeli warplanes violated Lebanese airspace overnight, claiming that the breach of Lebanon’s sovereignty is a violation of UN Res. 1701, which was accepted as the basis for the cease-fire that ended the Israeli-Lebanon war of 2006. (Daily Star 1/23)

Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi says that a ‘‘new approach’’ to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict is needed, following talks with the pres. of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy. Arabi says that the focus should be ending Israel’s occupation, ‘‘not signing temporary agreements.’’ Meanwhile, Jordan’s King Abdallah tells an AIPAC delegation that the failure to revive peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians is adding to regional tensions. UN secy.- gen. Ban Ki-moon also renews his criticism of Israel’s plans for settlement construction in the E1 area nr. Jerusalem and calls for the proposed construction to be rescinded. (AFP, AP 1/14)

The Israeli government announces that it is advancing plans to invest in socalled national heritage sites, including 9 located in the West Bank. (AP 1/14)

Egyptian authorities resume the shipment of Qatari fuel into the Gaza Strip via an Israeli-controlled crossing after 2 mos. of disruption due to the political unrest. (MNA 1/14)

In Gaza, the IDF shoots a Palestinian farmer in the head nr. Bayt Lahiya, killing him; the Israeli army denies involvement. The IDF makes a brief incursion into Gaza e. of Khan Yunis in what the IDF described as ‘‘routine activity.’’ The IDF later reports finding a tunnel leading from the Gaza Strip into Israel. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a number of structures in 3 locations s. of Hebron, including a family home and shacks used for agricultural work. The IDF also patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and Qalqilya at night. (MNA, REU, WAFA 1/14; MNA 1/15; PCHR 1/17)