The Palestine Chronology

Israeli naval commandos raid a Liberian ship off the Gaza coast, suspecting of carrying weapons for “antiIsraeli militants,” but releases it after finding no arms. Unidentified Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF stages a morning raid into Kafr Ra’i village nr. Jenin, photographing and ordering residents to abandon a protest tent they recently set up to show solidarity with hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners. The IDF also conducts morning patrols in Jericho and 1 nearby village, 2 villages nr. Jenin (in 1 instance firing tear gas and stun grenades at stonethrowing youths who confront them), and 1 each nr. Qalqilya and Ramallah; afternoon patrols in Qalqilya and 3 villages nr. Jenin, Jericho, and Ramallah; late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin; and late-night patrols in Jericho (firing tear gas and stun grenades at stone-throwing youths who confront them) and 1 nearby village. (JP 4/22; WP 4/23; PCHR 4/26; OCHA 4/27)

Israeli PM Netanyahu appoints a small ministerial panel (himself, DM Barak, Vice PM Moshe Ya’alon, and Minister-without-Portfolio Benny Begin) intended to legalize 3 unauthorized settlement outposts (Bruchin, Rachelim, and Sansanna) located on what Israel has classified as “state land” in the West Bank. Netanyahu previously pledged to bring the issue of the 3 outposts (which received initial approval from previous governments in the 1980s and 1990s but were never given final approval or permits for construction) “to the government for approval.” Netanyahu says the panel will deal only with these 3 outposts and has no relation to a separate committee, headed by Judge Edmund Levy, that was created earlier in 2012 to “examine the legal issues” of all the unauthorized outposts. However, the wording of the panel’s written mandate is potentially broader, stating its role is to “resolve the issues” of “settlements that are now unauthorized outposts and which were constructed years ago on state land with state funds or with initial agreements from state bodies.” By this definition, two-thirds of the 105 unauthorized outposts could be retroactively legalized. (JPI 5/4)

The state-operated Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company terminates its 2005 contract to ship gas to Israel, stating that Israel has not paid its bill in 4 mos. and that the decision to suspend shipments immediately “has nothing to do with anything outside o the commercial relations.” Israel denies this, calling the move politically motivated. (NYT, WP 4/23; JPI 5/4)

In Washington, Pres. Obama tours the Holocaust Memorial with Jewish-American Holocaust survivor Elie Weisel, stating in an address afterward that: “Too often the world has failed to prevent the killing of innocents . . . , and we are haunted by the atrocities that we did not stop and the lives we did not save.” Weisel follows with comments highly critical of Obama, asking: “How is it that [Syrian pres.] Asad is still in power. How is it that the Holocaust’s No. 1 denier, [Iranian pres. Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad, is still a president?” (WT 4/24)

In the morning, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction materials in the abandoned Erez industrial zone, forcing them to flee. Later in day, the same IDF unit fires live ammunition and then 2 artillery shells into the zone, causing no reported injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts morning patrols in Kafr Qaddum and 1 village nr. Ramallah; afternoon patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Jericho; and late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Jenin. The IDF also conducts an arrest raid and house search nr. Qalqilya. (PCHR 4/26; OCHA 4/27)

The IDF demolishes 4 agricultural storehouses, 6 barnyards, and 3 wells in Rafat village nr. Salfit; bulldoze 3 wells, a water network, and 2 d. of agricultural land in Dura village nr. Hebron to expand an IDF post to better protect local Jewish settlers; patrols in Qalqilya in the morning (see 4/15) and in 4 nearby villages in the evening and late at night. (PCHR 4/19; OCHA 4/20)

Israel detains all but a few of 100s of pro-Palestinian protesters attempting to enter Israel through Ben-Gurion Airport to attend an anti-occupation rally in Bethlehem. Organizers claim that more than 1,500 supporters booked tickets to Israel, but only 3 make it to Bethlehem. Israel says most were stopped at their point of departure after it gave foreign governments no-fly lists identifying suspected activists. (NYT, WP, WT 4/16; JPI 4/27)

Israeli naval vessels detain a fishing boat that approaches the 3 naut. mi. boundary off the Gaza coast, detaining and questioning 3 fishermen onboard, releasing them by the end of the day, but confiscating their boat. Unidentified Palestinians fire at least 1 Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Late at night, an Israeli warplane makes an air strike on an open area nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts morning patrols inside Jericho and Qalqilya (normally the PA security forces have security control during daylight hours and the IDF stays away), as well as in 1 village nr. Ramallah; conducts afternoon patrols in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya (synchronized), 2 nr. Ramallah, and 1 nr. Jericho; and conducts late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah. Jewish settlers fr. Nachliel settlement nr. Ramallah uproot around 250 olive trees on a nearby plot of Palestinian land. Jewish settlers fr. Ma’on settlement nr. Hebron fire at several Palestinian farmers and shepherds working nearby, causing no reported injuries. (JP, YA 4/15; PCHR 4/19; OCHA 4/20)

The New York Times reports that around this date, the PASF detains 2 prominent Palestinians for posting comments critical of the PA on Facebook: Palestinian blogger Jamal Abu Raihan for posing a satirical column depicting PA Pres. Abbas as a donkey and complaining of PA corruption; and Palestinian journalist Tareq Khamees for posting a comment in support of others who have recently been arrested for criticizing the PA (also seizing his laptop). By this date, the PA Atty. Gen. Ahmad al-Mughni has also ordered PA authorities to block several websites supportive of Abbas rival, former Gaza security chief Muhammad Dahlan. (NYT 5/7) (see 4/5/12 and Quarterly Update in JPS 164 for details)

PRC mbrs. fire a rocket fr. Gaza towards Israel, which explodes prematurely inside Gaza, causing no reported injuries. In the West Bank, 200 Palestinians and international activists taking part in a bike along the Jordan Valley intended to draw attention to Israeli restrictions on Palestinian movement are blocked by IDF as they leave Ouja village to enter Route 90; at least 1 IDF soldier, an officer, is caught by news cameras beating a Danish activist with his M16 and is dismissed from his post and demoted by the Defense Min. “on moral grounds.” (In total, 2 Palestinians, including a woman, and 3 internationals, including the Dane, are injured.) A small group of Palestinians and international activists hold a weekly nonviolent demonstration in Bayt Umar protesting settlement expansion; the IDF beats and fires stun grenades at the protesters, hitting 1 Palestinian woman with a stun grenade, moderately injuring her. The IDF also conducts morning patrols in `Aqabat Jabir r.c., Jericho and 1 nearby village, 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, and 1 each nr. Jenin and Qalqilya; conducts afternoon patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Jericho; and conducts latenight patrols in Tulkarm an 2 nearby villages, 3 villages nr. Qalqilya, 2 nr. Ramallah, and 1 nr. Jenin. (MNA 4/15; NYT, PCHR 4/19; OCHA 4/20)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts morning patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Qalqilya, afternoon patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm and 1 nr. Jenin; and late-night patrols in 3 villages nr. Jenin, 2 nr. Salfit, and 1 nr. Qalqilya. Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil’in, Kafr Qaddum, Nabi Salih, and Ni’lin; protests in Bil’in and Ni’lin also call for solidarity with prisoners and national unity. IDF soldiers fire live ammunition (Nabi Salih only), rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters; 13 Palestinians (5 in Bil’in, including 1 child; 8 in Nabi Salih, including 1 child) and 2 Israeli activists (in Nabi Salih) were injured. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba in Hebron violently beat 2 Palestinians working their land nearby (1 requires hospitalization) and uproot 10s of olive trees. (PCHR 4/19; OCHA 4/20)

Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat responds to Israel PM Netanyahu’s 4/11/12 call for an immediate resumption of talks without preconditions by stating that talks would be meaningless unless Israel halted settlement construction, which creates facts on the ground that could supersede a negotiated settlement. He calls on the Quartet to find “a mechanism to compel Israel to stop settlement and to act on the twostate solution.” (AFP 4/12; WT 4/13)

The IDF conducts morning patrols in 3 villages nr. Jericho (synchronized), 3 villages nr. Ramallah (2 synchronized), and 1 nr. Qalqilya; conducts afternoon patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya; and conducts late-night patrols in Jericho and Nabi Salih. Jewish settlers fr. Itamar settlement nr. Nablus attack 5 Palestinian farmers working their land nearby, moderately injuring them; the IDF observes and intervenes, detaining the Palestinians for questioning. (PCHR 4/19; OCHA 4/20)

IDF troops make 2 brief incursions into c. Gaza e. of Bureij r.c. and s. Gaza e. of Khan Yunis to leveling land and clear lines of sight along the border fence. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts morning patrols in 3 villages nr. Jericho, Qalqilya, and Ramallah; afternoon patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Ramallah; and late-night patrols in Jericho, Kafr Qaddum, 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, and 1 nr. Qalqilya. (PCHR 4/12; OCHA 4/13)

Egypt’s natural gas pipeline to Israel is attacked and damaged for the 14th time since the Arab Spring uprising began in 1/2011. (WJW 4/12)

In response for the Israeli air strike on Gaza on 4/7, unidentified Palestinians fire 3 rockets (including 1 manufactured Grad) fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Gaza City fire warning shots at a Palestinian scavenging for scrap metal nr. the border fence, lightly wounding him. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Qalqilya (twice), 1 village nr. Jenin (where troops fire stun grenades at stone-throwing youths who confront them, causing no injuries), and 1 village nr. Salfit in the morning; patrols in 1 village nr Jenin and 1 nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; patrols in Aqabat Jabir r.c., Jericho and 1 nearby village, Kafr Qaddum, Nablus, and Salfit late at night; conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches in Nabi Salih. Hamas authorities in Gaza hang 3 Palestinians, 1 convicted of collaborating with Israel and 2 convicted of murder. (JP, YA 4/8; WT 4/9; PCHR 4/12; OCHA 4/13)

The New York Times runs a special investigative report on the decades-long relationship between Israeli PM Netanyahu and U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R-MA) that began when both worked as corporate advisers at Boston Consulting Group in 1976 and attended weekly brainstorming sessions together. The relationship has continued to the present with the men routinely engaging in “unusually frank exchange[s] of advice on topics like politics, economics, and the Middle East.” Of the friendship, Romney says: “We can almost speak in shorthand. We share common experiences and have a perspective and underpinning which is similar.” Netanyahu also notes their “easy communication.” (NYT 4/8)

The IDF makes an air strike on a Palestinian rocket-launching team e. of Rafah, injuring 2 armed Palestinians. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 6 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Qalqilya in the morning and early afternoon; patrols in Kafr Qaddum in the evening; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin and nr. Qalqilya. (PCHR, WJW 4/12; OCHA 4/13)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Kafr Qaddum (temporarily occupying 1 house as an observation post) and 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning; patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; patrols in Kafr Qaddum, Tulkarm. The IDF units patrolling nr. Jenin, nr. Qalqilya, and in Tulkarm fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at Palestinian youths who confront them, causing no serious injuries. Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil’in, Kafr Qaddum, Nabi Salih, and Ni’lin; protests in Bil’in and Ni’lin also call for solidarity with prisoners, while the Bil’in protest additionally calls for national unity. IDF soldiers beat and fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, injuring 3 Palestinians in Nabi Salih. (PCHR 4/12; OCHA 4/13)

Early in the morning, the IDF drops leaflets from helicopters over n. Gaza border areas nr. Bayt Lahiya warning that the IDF will use deadly force against anyone approaching the border fence. Late at night, IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire on residential areas of Khan Yunis, damaging a house but causing no injuries. On the Rafah border, 1 Palestinian is killed and 2 are injured in a smuggling tunnel collapse. In the West Bank, Israel’s Shin Bet arrests 13 Palestinians fr. al-Am’ari r.c. (including 2 Palestinian Red Crescent Society employees, the goalie of Palestine’s Olympic soccer team, and a senior PA intelligence officer) for plotting a series of attacks on IDF soldiers nr. Ramallah, claiming that the prominent mbrs. of the group intended to use their status to perpetrate attacks. The IDF seals off a plot of land in the al-Ja’wana area Bayt Furik village (nr. Nablus), confiscating 6 tents and 2 water tanks belonging to local Palestinians; patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (synchronized) and 1 nr. Qalqilya in the morning; patrols in 3 villages nr. Jenin, Qalqilya, and Ramallah in the afternoon; and conducts late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Tulkarm. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Qalqilya and nr. Nablus. A Palestinian shot during an arrest raid nr. Ramallah on 3/26 dies of his injuries. (OCHA, PCHR 4/5; JPI 4/13)

The IDF issues an eviction order to several Jewish settler families who moved into a house in Hebron, near the al-Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs, several days ago that they claim to have purchased fr. the Palestinian owner (who claims the deeds were forged). The IDF cites the settlers for failing to secure the proper permits from the Israeli military to reside in the West Bank, calling their presence “a risk to public order,” and ordering them to vacate the building by 3:00 p.m. local time on 4/3. (NYT 4/4, 4/5)

Israel releases administrative detainee Hana Shalabi, who spent more than 40 days on hunger strike to protest her detention without trial, and deports her to Gaza (she is from the West Bank). The Palestinian Prisoners Society in Ramallah says that several other Palestinians being held in administrative detention in Israel are now on hunger strike, 2 of them fasting for over a month. (NYT, WP 4/2; OCHA, PCHR 4/5)

In Gaza, Palestinians stage a nonviolent protest march to the border fence e. of Abassan to protest Israel’s imposition of a no-go zone; the IDF fires warning shots forcing them to flee, causing no injuries. The IDF also makes a brief incursion into c. Gaza, searching border areas e. of al-Bureij r.c. for several hours. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning; patrols 2 villages nr Ramallah (firing rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at stonethrowing youths who confront them in 1 instance, causing no injuries) and 1 nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; and conducting synchronized late-night patrols in Qalqilya and 4 nearby villages; conducting additional late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah; and conducting late-night arrest raids and house searches in Nablus and Tubas, and nr. Jenin and Ramallah. (OCHA, PCHR 4/5)

Tunisia’s new government, elected in 10/2011 and led by a coalition headed by the Islamist Ennahda party, says that it cannot normalize relations with Israel, stating that “Tunisians’ problem is with Zionism, not with Judaism.” (WT 4/2)

IDF troops on the s. Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers who stray too near the border fence, forcing them to flee. Late at night, IDF troops on the c. Gaza border e. of al-Maghazi r.c. fatally shoot a lone armed Palestinian digging nr. the border fence. In addition, 4 Palestinians scavenging for scrap metal nr. Rafah are injured when the accidentally trigger unexploded IDF ordnance. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning; in Tulkarm and 2 nearby villages, 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and an open area nr. Jenin (firing in the air, causing no damage or injuries) in the evening; and in 4 villages nr. Qalqilya and 1 nr. Hebron late at night. Jewish settlers wielding iron bars attack 4 Palestinians traveling nr. Ramallah, moderately injuring them. Masked Jewish settlers fr. Bat Ayin settlement nr. Hebron attack and beat a Palestinian farmer and his family working their land nearby. OCHA, (PCHR 4/5)

Weekly Palestinian protests against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion this week coincide with Land Day, the annual event to protest Israel’s discriminatory land policies. Israel seals the Erez crossing for 2 days (3/30–31), citing security concerns. Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold their weekly nonviolent demonstrations in Bil’in, Kafr Qaddum, Nabi Salih, and Ni’lin (with protests in Bil’in and Ni’lin also calling for reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas). IDF soldiers fire live ammunition (Nabi Salih only), rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at these protesters, injuring 11 Palestinians (including a child) and 1 international (4 Palestinians are wounded by live fire in Nabi Salih; the rest are hit by tear-gas canisters in Kafr Qaddum). Palestinians hold at least 5 other Land Day rallies in the West Bank (outside Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem, outside Ofer Prison and at 2 points along the separation wall nr. Ramallah, and at the Qalandia crossing n. of Jerusalem). IDF soldiers fire live ammunition (Ofer and Qalandia only), rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at these protesters, injuring 19 (including 2 children; at least 7 are hit by live fire and 1 is seriously injured by a tear-gas canister to the head). In Gaza, Hamas authorities allow 1,000s of Palestinians to conduct a nonviolent demonstration nearly a mile from the Erez crossing, deploying police to prevent the protesters from marching to the border. Nonetheless, IDF troops on the Gaza border fire on the demonstration, killing 1 Palestinian and wounding 37 (1 seriously; including 16 children). A major protest planned for East Jerusalem does not materialize. Inside Israel, some 2,000 Israeli Palestinians demonstrate in the Galilee, with no violence reported. (NYT, WP 3/31; OCHA, PCHR 4/5)

Nonviolent Land Day protests are also held in Jordan and Lebanon. In Lebanon, 100s of Palestinians and Lebanese gather at Beaufort castle, 9 miles fr. the Israeli border, where Lebanese military forces deploy to prevent them fr. marching to the border. In Jordan, some 20,000 Palestinians march toward the West Bank border but stop 4 miles. No violence is reported in either case. (NYT, WP 3/31)

The IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Jericho in the morning; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin (firing stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them, causing no injuries) and 1 nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; conducts late-night patrols in Jericho and nearby `Ayn al-Sultan r.c., 1 village nr. Hebron, and 1 nr. Ramallah. (PCHR 4/5)

The IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya. (PCHR 3/29; OCHA, PCHR 4/5)

The IDF makes a brief early morning incursion into c. Gaza, searching and firing on residential areas in Bureij r.c., but entering no buildings and making no arrests. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 4 tents, 3 barnyards, and 3 residential barracks in a bedouin encampment in al-Maleh in the Jordan Valley; demolishes 2 barnyards nr. Tubas. The IDF also patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon, and 1 village nr. Ramallah in the evening; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, nr. Bethlehem, and nr. Ramallah (firing on the occupants of 1 raided home, wounding 3 Palestinians); conducts late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fr. Brakha settlement nr. Nablus attack Palestinian farmers working their land nearby; the IDF observes but does not intervene. Jewish settlers escorted by IDF troops begin leveling a large area of Palestinian agricultural land in Kafr Lakif village nr. Qalqilya; local Palestinian gather to protest and are informed by the IDF that the area has been approved for construction of an industrial zone; the soldiers agree to suspend the digging until the matter is clarified but bar Palestinians from the site. (PCHR 3/29; OCHA 3/30)

Jailed Fatah tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti issues a statement on the 10th anniversary of his arrest by Israel that is read to a crowd of supporters in Ramallah, stating that “the launch of large-scale popular resistance at this stage serves the cause of our people.” He also calls for “stopping all forms of security and economic coordination [with Israel] in all areas immediately.” (JPI 4/6)

Israel severs working relations with the UNHRC over the 3/22/12 res. calling for an investigation into settlements, calling the council biased against Israel. (NYT, WP, WT 3/27; JPI 4/6)

The U.S. Supreme Court orders a lower court to decide whether Americans born in Jerusalem can claim Israel as their birthplace on their passports. Congress approved legislation in 2002 allowing this, but the executive branch has claimed Congress overstepped its authority by attempting to override the president’s right to set foreign policy. The U.S. officially recognizes Jerusalem as occupied Palestinian territory and does not recognize Israel’s claim to united Jerusalem as its capital. (NYT 3/27; WJW 3/29)

J Street holds its annual conference. Fmr. Israeli PM Ehud Olmert gives the keynote speech at the gala dinner, emphasizing that PA pres. Abbas “wants peace with Israel and he accepts the existence of Israel as Israel declares itself to be.” (JPI 4/6)

The Israeli High Court rejects the state’s 3/11/12 request to delay the evacuation of the unauthorized settlement outpost of Migron until a new housing at a new site is completed in 2015, ordering it to be dismantled by 8/1/12. An anonymous Israeli official says that the evacuated Migron settlers will likely move to the new site near Psagot immediately and begin work to fulfill the long-term government plan as laid out on 3/11/12. A settlement supporter says, “People close to Netanyahu teased the Peace Now movement [which brought the case on behalf of the Palestinian land owners], we should actually bless them because now we’re going to build another settlement which is not disputed legally, and it’s going to be much, much larger.” (NYT, WP, WT 3/26; WP 3/31; JPI 4/6)

Gaza’s power plant shuts down for lack of fuel (see 3/23/12). The IDF issues evacuation orders for several Palestinian homes in Hebron that are deemed too close to Susia settlement; patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 nr. Jenin, and 1 in Tulkarm in the morning; patrols in Qalqilya and 2 nearby villages (synchronized), and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm in the afternoon; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Bireh (nr. Bethlehem) and nr. Qalqilya; conducts late-night patrols in Salfit and 1 village nr. Jenin. (PCHR 3/29; OCHA 3/30)

The IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Tulkarm, 2 nr. Ramallah, and 1 each nr. Jericho and Qalqilya in the morning; 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon; and Jericho and 1 village nr. Qalqilya late at night. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Nabi Salih, and Nablus. Palestinian and international activists hold a nonviolent demonstration in Bayt Umar to protest nearby settlement expansion; IDF soldiers beat protesters with their gun butts, injuring 1 Palestinian and 3 internationals. Jewish settlers fr. Kefar Etzion nr. Bethlehem uproot 85 olive trees on a nearby plot of Palestinian land. Jewish settlers fr. Givat Assaf settlement outpost nr. Ramallah attack and beat 3 Palestinian shepherds from a nearby village, sparking a clash with local villagers who come to the shepherds’ rescue; 1 settler opens fire, seriously wounding 1 Palestinian; the IDF intervenes, firing tear gas to disperse the Palestinians. (PCHR 3/29; OCHA 3/30)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts morning patrols in 2 villages each nr. Jenin and Ramallah in the morning and afternoon patrols in Qalqilya and in 2 villages each nr. Jenin, Qalqilya (synchronized), and Tulkarm; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Nablus. (JP 3/19; PCHR 3/22; OCHA 3/23)

In Toulouse, France, a gunman on a motor scooter opens fire on a Jewish school, killing a rabbi and 4 students (all dual French-Israeli citizens), wounding another 6 students (1 seriously). Authorities say the shooting appears linked to 2 recent shootings of 3 French soldiers in and nr. Toulouse. In those attacks, an assailant believed to be targeting French soldiers of Arab extraction to punish them as traitors for participating in the French military given its involvement in Afghanistan allegedly lured and shot 3 soldiers; 2 of North African origin were killed, whereas a black soldier was wounded. (NYT, WP, WT 3/20)

British FM Hague meets with Israel’s Vice PM Dan Meridor on a 2-day official visit to Israel. Talks cover Iran but focus on economic cooperation. (JPI 3/30)

The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and 1 nr. Ramallah in the morning, 1 village nr. Jenin and 1 nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon, and in Qalqilya and 1 village nr. Jenin late at night. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Nabi Salih (in 1 instance, photographing a house an all mbrs. of 1 family but making no arrests) and Salfit and nr. Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yisrael settlement outpost in Hebron violently beat a Palestinian teenager who passes nearby, also stealing his glasses and cell phone; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (PCHR 3/22; OCHA 3/23)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast twice today, forcing them to return to shore. In the evening, IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire on Palestinian residential and agricultural areas e. of Rafah, seriously wounding a 6-yr.-old Palestinian boy inside his home. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Qalqilya in the morning and in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm late at night. Palestinians and international activists hold a nonviolent demonstration in Bayt Umar to protest nearby settlement expansion; IDF soldiers beat several protesters with their gun butts, moderately injuring 2. (PCHR 3/22; OCHA 3/23)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF raids and searches the home of a PASF officer in Qalqilya in the morning, confiscating several cell phones; patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Qalqilya in the morning and in 1 village in Qalqilya in the afternoon; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron; conducts latenight patrols in Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Jenin. Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil’in, Kafr Qaddum, and al-Ma’sara nr. Bethlehem; demonstrations in Bil’in also call for solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, causing no reported injuries; 2 Palestinians are arrested. Jewish settlers fr. Esh Kodesh settlement nr. Nablus uproot 220 olive trees on a nearby plot of Palestinian land. (YA 3/16; PCHR 3/22; OCHA 3/23)

Retaliating for Palestinian rocket fire on 3/14, the IDF carries out 2 air strikes on training sites in Gaza. Unidentified Palestinians fire at least 2 rockets in response. No injures are reported in the exchange. IDF soldiers at the Qalandia crossing detain a Palestinian leaving Jerusalem for the West Bank, suspecting him of involvement in the stabbing and wounding of an IDF soldier on Jerusalem’s light rail train earlier in the day. The IDF also demolishes a Palestinian home and animal farm in Qalqilya; uproots olive and almond trees on 30 d. of confiscated Palestinian agricultural land nr. Hamra settlement (nr. Nablus); patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah (synchronized), 1 nr. Qalqilya, and 1 nr. Tulkarm in the morning; and in 3 villages nr. Jenin (synchronized) and 1 nr. Ramallah late at night. Palestinian rights activists report that the health of administrative detainee Hana Shalabi is deteriorating after 30 days on hunger strike (see 2/16/12). Dozens of Palestinians rally outside Ofer prison in solidarity with her; IDF troops fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, stun grenades to disperse them. (JP, YA 3/15; WP, WT 3/16; PCHR 3/22; OCHA 3/23)

After Syrian pres. Asad issues a statement reiterating his position that opposition forces must first halt their fire before his forces would cease fire, Hizballah chief Nasrallah issues a statement saying that both sides should cease fire simultaneously. The statement is seen as Hizballah’s 1st cautious attempt to tone down its support for the Asad regime since Arab Spring protests in Syria began in 1/2011. Days after this, Nasrallah calls on Asad to undertake “serious and genuine” reform efforts, stating that it is the duty of all “whose hearts are throbbing with sympathy for the Syrian people” to seek a political solution to the problem (a statement seen as a rebuke to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, which wanted to arm the Syrian opposition forces to overthrow Asad). (NYT 4/6)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts morning patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Qalqilya, afternoon patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm and 1 nr. Jenin; and late-night patrols in 3 villages nr. Jenin, 2 nr. Salfit, and 1 nr. Qalqilya. Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil’in, Kafr Qaddum, Nabi Salih, and Ni’lin; protests in Bil’in and Ni’lin also call for solidarity with prisoners and national unity. IDF soldiers fire live ammunition (Nabi Salih only), rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters; 13 Palestinians (5 in Bil’in, including 1 child; 8 in Nabi Salih, including 1 child) and 2 Israeli activists (in Nabi Salih) were injured. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba in Hebron violently beat 2 Palestinians working their land nearby (1 requires hospitalization) and uproot 10s of olive trees. (PCHR 4/19; OCHA 4/20)

Israeli drones makes an air strike on a car in Gaza City, assassinating Zuhair al-Qaissi, top military cmdr. the Popular Resistance Comms. (PRCs) and senior PRC mbr. Mahmoud Hanani, and seriously wounding 1 civilian bystander. Israel accuses Qaissi of plotting a cross-border attack similar to the 8/2011 Elat attack from Egypt. In response, Islamic Jihad and the PRCs fire at least 6 Qassam rockets, 4 Grads, and 2 mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Later, Israel carries out 2 more air strikes on a rocket-launching team e. of Gaza City, killing 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs. Late in the evening Israeli warplanes make 3 air strikes on separate targets nr. Gaza City, striking a residential area (lightly injuring 2 civilians inside their home), targeting a garage under an apartment building (injuring 3 civilians, including a child), and targeting a group of armed Palestinians, killing 1 Islamic Jihad mbr. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 6 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning; 3 villages nr. Jenin in the evening (firing tear gas and stun grenades at stone-throwing youths who confront them in 1 instance, causing no injuries); and 1 village nr. Tulkarm late at night. Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil’in, Nabi Salih, and Ni’lin; demonstrations in Bil’in and Nabi Salih also call for solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Similar protests area also held in Bayt Dajan nr. Nablus and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya. IDF soldiers fire live (Nabi Salih only) and rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, causing no reported injuries; 1 American activist is arrested. Jewish settlers fr. Eli settlement nr. Nablus uproot 40 nearby Palestinian olive trees. Jewish settlers fr. Metzad settlement nr. Hebron uproot 240 newly planted Palestinian olive and fruit trees nearby. (JP 3/9; NYT, WP, YA 3/10; PCHR 3/15; OCHA 3/16)

As the armed conflict in Syria escalates, Hamas officials in Lebanon meet with Hizballah leaders to urge them to back away from supporting the Asad regime, warning that continued support for a regime that kills innocent civilians would undermine Hizballah’s reputation. (NYT 4/6)

Obama and Netanyahu meet at the White House to discuss Iran. Obama reiterates that the U.S. wants time for diplomacy to work but has left all options, including a military strike, on the table. He also says that Israel has the right to act in its own national interests. Afterward, Netanyahu tells a cheering AIPAC audience that sanctions have done nothing to slow Iran’s progress toward achieving a nuclear weapon and warns that time for diplomacy is running out. Observers say (WP 3/6) Obama’s statement “could easily be considered green light for Israeli action. And if Obama is flashing a green light, Israel’s advocates in Congress are waving a starter’s flag.” (NYT, WT 3/6; MA, Raidió Teilifís Éireann, REU, WJW 3/8; OCHA 3/9)

After 6 mos. of negotiation with the UN, Israel permits the 1st 2 truckloads of Palestinian exports to the West Bank (date bars for distribution to needy children through the UN’s World Food Program) since the beginning of the siege in mid-2007; the UN notes that this does not mark the resumption of regular trade between Gaza and the West Bank. The IDF patrols in `Ayn al-Sultan r.c. and 2 villages nr. Jericho, 3 villages nr. Jenin, and 2 nr. Qalqilya during the date; patrols in Tulkarm town and r.c., 2 nearby villages late at night; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron (including Bayt Umar) and Nablus. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights notes (3/8) that 45 Bayt Umar residents (including 20 children) have been arrested by the IDF since 1/1/2012. Dozens of Palestinians march to the IDF’s Atara checkpoint outside Ramallah to mark the 2d anniversary of the death of a local Palestinian family when a IDF jeep collided with their taxi; IDF troops at checkpoint fire tear gas and stun grenades at the marchers who respond by throwing stones; during the exchange, an IDF soldier fires a tear gas canister at a Palestinian teenager 20 meters away, hitting him in the head and fracturing his skull, critically injuring him. (PCHR 3/8)

The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Jericho and 2 nr. Ramallah in the morning; 1 each nr. Jenin (firing tear gas and percussion grenades at stone-throwing youths who confront them, causing no serious injuries), Salfit, and Ramallah in the afternoon; and in 2 villages nr. Jenin and 1 each nr. Qalqilya and Tulkarm late at night. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Arroub r.c., Nablus, 1 village nr. Hebron, and 1 nr. Ramallah. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus stone a Palestinian taxi traveling the Tulkarm–Ramallah, causing damage but no injuries.(PCHR 3/8; OCHA 3/9)

AIPAC opens its annual 3-day conference in Washington, which focuses this on putting pressure on Obama to take a harder stance toward Iran and to be more supportive of Israel vis-àvis Iran, including supporting a U.S. military strike. It is AIPAC’s largest conference to date, with 13,000 attending (including 1,600 students from 500 campuses and more than 200 college presidents from all 50 states). Obama, in his address, states that “now is not the time for bluster.” Though he is willing to use “all elements of American power” to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, “diplomacy backed by pressure” (i.e., sanctions) must be allowed time to succeed. Obama also reiterates his support for creation of a Palestinian state and a negotiated 2-state solution, but otherwise does not discuss the peace process. (NYT 3/4; NYT, WP 3/5; WJW 3/8)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 4 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Jenin in the morning; 1 nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; and in Jenin and 1 nearby village, Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, and 1 village each nr. Jericho, Qalqilya, and Ramallah late at night. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Qalqilya and nr. Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Havat Gilad nr. Qalqilya uproot 35 nearby Palestinian olive trees. (JP 3/3; PCHR 3/8; OCHA 3/9)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 each nr. Jenin, Qalqilya, and Salfit in the morning; patrols in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; and patrols in Nabi Salih, Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, and 1 village nr. Salfit late at night. Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil’in and Nabi Salih; demonstrations in Bil’in also call for solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. IDF soldiers fire live (Bil’in only) and rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, causing no reported injuries. (YA 3/2; PCHR 3/8; OCHA 3/9)