The Palestine Chronology

The IDF issues a military order confiscating 29 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of Palestinian land in Dayr Istya village nr. Salfit for ‘‘security and military purposes and to combat terrorist attacks.’’ The IDF patrols in Tulkarm and 2 villages nr. Qalqilya in the morning; stages synchronized patrols in 3 villages nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; conducts other patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Salfit in the afternoon; and undertakes late-night patrols in Tulkarm and neighboring Nur Shams r.c. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus set fire to a small plot of crop land and attack Palestinians in nearby Madama village. (PCHR 5/31; OCHA 6/1)

Washington Jewish Week reports that in the previous wk., a U.S. court awarded the family of an American teenager killed in a 2006 Islamic Jihad suicide bombing in Tel Aviv (his father was seriously injured in the attack) $332 m. in damages from Iran and Syria. The family’s lawyers argued that Islamic Jihad was sheltered by Syria and funded by Iran. The family is unlikely to collect the money. (WJW 5/24)

After a 2d day of P5+1 talks with Iran, EU foreign policy chief Ashton announces that ‘‘significant differences’’ remain, but enough ‘‘common ground’’ existed to schedule a 3d round of meetings in Moscow on 6/18–19. (NYT, WP, WT 5/25)

The New York Times runs a special report on a congressional race for a House seat representing Queens, NY, that has been dubbed ‘‘Israelapalooza’’ for the way in which the candidates have touted their pro-Israel credentials in effort to win the endorsement of Ed Koch, former Democratic mayor of New York City, and the votes of Jewish constituents who make up 20% of the district’s population. For example, candidate Grace Meng, who built her political career as an advocate for Chinese Americans and yet has never visited China, made a recent trip to Israel that she has highlighted during her campaign. (NYT 5/24)

The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Qalqilya in the morning; in 1 village nr. Nablus at midday (firing rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them, causing no serious injuries); in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon; and in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya and 1 each nr. Jericho and Ramallah late at night. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Bireh. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus set fire to Palestinian crops and attack homes in nearby Asira village, then stone and open fire on local Palestinians who intervene, seriously wounding 1 Palestinian with live ammunition, lightly injuring 5 others with stones; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (PCHR 5/23; OCHA 5/25)

IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire toward residential and agricultural areas e. of Rafah, wounding a Palestinian who is 1,000 m. from the border (well beyond the no-go zone). In the West Bank, the IDF conducts daytime patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Jenin, and late-night patrols in Tulkarm. Palestinians rally outside Ofer prison nr. Ramallah to show solidarity with hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners; IDF troops fire on the demonstrators, wounding 4. For the 2d time in a week (see 4/24), Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus, escorted by IDF troops, throw stones at a Palestinian elementary school in nearby Ourif village; when local Palestinians throw stones back at the settlers, IDF soldiers fire tear gas at them to force them to disperse, causing no serious injuries. Jewish settlers accompanied by IDF troops raid and occupy a plot of Palestinian land in Imatin village nr. Qalqilya, arresting 2 Palestinian shepherds on the land. Jewish settlers block Palestinian traffic on the Nablus–Ramallah road nr. the IDF’s Za’atra checkpoint s. of Nablus. (PCHR 5/3; OCHA 5/4)

PA Communications M Mashhour Abudaka resigns, citing unspecified personal reasons, though many insiders believe (see NYT 5/7) that he is strongly opposed to the recent string of arrests of journalists and public commentators who have criticized Abbas’s administration, particularly the 2/2012 arrest of journalist Rami Samara for criticizing him personally; Samara was released after 2 weeks. (NYT 5/7) (see 4/5/12, 4/15/12, and Quarterly Update in JPS 164 for details)

Jordan’s reformist PM, Awn alKhasawneh, suddenly resigns after only 6 mos. in office in a move seen (e.g., WP 4/27) as reflecting his differences with King Abdullah over the pace and extent of government reforms. Abdullah replaces him with veteran politician and close ally Fayiz Tarawnah. (WP 4/27)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops make a brief incursion into n. Gaza to level land and clear lines of sight along the border fence n. of Bayt Hanun, occasionally firing on the surrounding area to keep Palestinians away (no injuries reported). In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian water tanks serving Palestinian agricultural land in area C; bulldozes 1 d. of agricultural land nr. Qalandia (n. of Jerusalem) that was previously confiscated for construction of the separation wall; conducts morning patrols in Qalqilya and 1 nearby village, 2 villages each nr. Ramallah and Tulkarm, and 1 nr. Jericho; afternoon patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Jenin; late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron; and late-night patrols in Bayt Umar, Birzeit, Jericho and 1 nearby village, Tulkarm, and 2 villages nr. Hebron and Ramallah (firing tear gas and stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them). Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus, escorted by IDF troops, throw stones at a Palestinian elementary school in nearby Ourif village; when local Palestinians throw stones back at the settlers, IDF soldiers fire tear gas at them to force them to disperse, causing no serious injuries. (JP, YA 4/23; PCHR 4/26; OCHA 4/27)

A Turkish official says that Turkey has blocked NATO from inviting Israel to participate in a NATO summit planned for Chicago in 5/2012 as part of a NATO outreach program to boost ties with nonmember states. NATO officials deny that the issue was ever discussed. Israel does not comment. (WP 4/24)

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)

In Jerusalem UN Secy.-Gen. Ban urges Israeli PM Netanyahu to draft a package of goodwill gestures (including a settlement frees) to offer in exchange for the Palestinians’ agreeing to resume direct talks. He then meets with PA Pres. Abbas and PA officials in Ramallah. (NYT, WP 2/2; NYT 2/3; JPI 2/10)

In the evening, unidentified Palestinians fire 8 Qassam rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Late at night, the IDF directs artillery (2 shells) and helicopter gunfire at open areas northeast of Bayt Hanun, causing no reported injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus stone a Palestinian vehicle driving nearby, breaking a window and hitting a passenger in the head, leaving injuries requiring hospitalization. (HA, JP, YA 2/1; PCHR 2/2; OCHA 2/10)

The New York Times reports that for the past 2 weeks, Palestinians (including the private sector, unions, elements of Fatah, and youth groups) have been holding demonstrations against PA PM Salam al-Fayyad in Ramallah and other cities to protest soaring prices and proposed PA austerity measures, including tax increases, cutbacks on services, and a plan to force retirement on 20,000 civil servants. (Electricity costs, for example, have nearly tripled in the past year.) Protesters demand salary increases and subsidies to compensate for inflation, but the PA faced a $350 m. budget shortfall for 2011. Even with Israeli transfers of VAT taxes restored, the foreign aid received by the PA is not enough to cover recurrent expenses. The demonstrations have been so heated that Fayyad has suspended imposition of the tax hike until mid2/2012 and dropped the early retirement proposal, pending talks to ease tensions. (NYT 2/1)

Israel charges 5 Jewish settlers for (1) orchestrating the 12/13/11 riot at an IDF base to prevent the removal of Mitzpe Yitzhar outpost and (2) operating a hotline to collect tips on IDF and Israeli police movements in the West Bank and using the information to direct settlers to interfere with IDF operations; they could face 5 yrs. in prison if convicted; 4 of the 5 had restraining orders against them barring their entry to the West Bank. Prosecutors allege that some of the tips received (including regarding the planned evacuation of Mitzpe Yitzhar) were received fr. active- duty IDF soldiers and included classified aerial photos and maps. The charges are brought in a civil court in Jerusalem, despite a recent decision to allow military courts in the West Bank to try such cases. (NYT, WP 1/9)

The IDF conducts synchronized morning patrols in Tulkarm and 1 nearby village; conducts other morning patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 nr. Qalqilya; conducts afternoon and evening patrols in 3 villages nr. Qalqilya, 2 nr. Ramallah, and 1 nr. Jenin (firing tear gas and stun grenades at stonethrowing youths, causing no injuries); conducts late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin (synchronized) and 2 nr. Qalqilya; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Salfit. (PCHR 1/12; OCHA 1/13)

Overnight the IDF removes 2 structures at the unauthorized settlement outpost of Mitzpe Yitzhar. In retaliation, Jewish settlers set fire to and spray racist graffiti on a mosque in Burqa village nr. Ramallah. The IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Qalqilya in the morning and in 5 villages nr. Jenin in the afternoon and late evening. (NYT, WP 12/16; PCHR 12/22; OCHA 12/23; NYT 1/9)

Quartet officials open 2 days of meetings in Israel and Ramallah aimed at reviving peace talks. Palestinian advocacy groups note “a growing disconnect between the Quartet talks and the situation on the ground.” (NYT 12/14)

Jewish settlers take over several abandoned churches in a closed military zone nr. the Jordanian border to protest Jordan’s efforts to intervene with the Israeli government over its 12/12 closure of a footbridge used by nonMuslims to reach the Haram al-Sharif/ Temple Mount; IDF troops remove them and arrest 17. Other settlers block a main West Bank road and stone passing Palestinian vehicles. Later, about 50 Jewish settlers with inside information of IDF plans to remove the Mitzpe Yitzhar settlement outpost nr. Nablus that evening attempt to prevent the evacuation by breaking into an IDF base in the West Bank, setting fires, vandalizing vehicles, clashing with troops, and stoning a senior officer; troops detain 2. PM Netanyahu vows to “act aggressively against those harming Israeli soldiers and their commanders”; DM Ehud Barak condemns both incidents as “home-grown terror.” Late at night, Jewish settler youths enter Nablus to pray at Joseph’s Tomb, but they do so without the usual coordination with and escort of the IDF and deface a mosque. Meanwhile, IDF troops make a brief incursion into c. Gaza to level land and clear lines of sight along the border fence e. of Bureij r.c., firing on surrounding areas to keep Palestinians away, wounding a farmer working his field nearby. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinian and international activists staging a nonviolent protest march to the border nr. Bayt Hanun to protests Israel’s imposition of a no-go zone, causing no injuries; also fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction material in the demolished Erez industrial zone, wounding a 14-yr.-old boy. In the West Bank, the IDF makes a latenight raid on the home of Change and Reform PC mbr. Ayman Daraghmeh, arresting him (making him the 24th Hamas-affiliated PC mbr. now in detention); conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Salfit. (NYT, WP, WT 12/14; PCHR 12/15; OCHA 12/16; JPI 12/23)

The PA Tourism Min. launches a campaign in Bethlehem coinciding with Christmas called “Palestine Celebrating Hope.” Tourism M Kholoud Daibes says the intention is to convey to the estimated 50,000 foreigners visiting Bethlehem for Christmas “that we have hope of having our own independent state, and we need international support for that.” The initiative includes special tours of the separation wall around Bethlehem and free postcards of the Church of the Nativity, which tourists can mail at the Manger Square post office with Palestinian stamps. (WT 12/14)

IDF spokesman Maj. Guy Inbar acknowledges that Israel plans to relocate some 2,000 Bedouin fr. 20 encampments in the hills e. of Jerusalem (in area C) to clear the way for the expansion of Ma’ale Adumim settlement into the E1 zone to link it with Jerusalem. Officially, the government says the relocation plans are part of its broader initiative to “provide the bedouin across the West Bank with sites where they can build legally with access to water, electricity, and government services.” Construction in the E1 zone and settlers’ preparations for expansion of Ma’ale Adumim into the area have been planned since 2009, but this marks the 1st admission that the government has started logistical planning to remove the Bedouin population fr. the area. Meanwhile, Israeli DM Ehud Barak approves establishment of a new 40-unit settlement neighborhood and farm nr. Efrat settlement to expand the Gush Etzion settlement block s. of Bethlehem; the new settlement, to be called Givat Hadagan, was approved for development in the 1990s, with plans to build 500 housing units. Israel closes the old wooden Mughrabi footbridge (deemed unsafe) used by non-Muslims to reach the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount; the PA and Waqf officials protest, saying Israel plans to build a larger permanent structure to assert its control over the site, which is holy to both Muslims and Jews. Also in East Jerusalem, the IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in Bayt Hanina. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Qalqilya twice in the afternoon; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem and Jenin. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus vandalize nearby Palestinian homes and cars twice during the day, including throwing a Molotov cocktail at a home. Jewish settlers fr. Karnei Shomron nr. Qalqilya stone passing Palestinian vehicles, injuring 3 Palestinians. (HA 12/12; NYT, WP 12/13; PCHR 12/15; OCHA 12/16; HA 12/18)

Israel’s new amb. to Egypt, Ya’akov Amitai, arrives in Cairo. Israel withdrew its former ambassador for safety reasons on 9/9/11, when Egyptian protesters ransacked the Israeli embassy (see QU in JPS 162). (WP 12/13)

In retaliation for the Israeli air strikes on 11/5, unidentified Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, injuring a Thai laborer. On the 1st day of ‘Id alAdha, Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus uproot 25 olive trees on nearby Palestinian land, spray painting on the branches “Happy‘Id” and “revenge.” (HA, YA 11/6; PCHR 11/17; OCHA 11/18)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into n. Gaza nr. Bayt Lahiya, firing indiscriminately but causing no apparent damage or injuries. 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 3 villages w. of Ramallah in the evening. The IDF imposes a curfew on Kafr Haris village nr. Salfit and escorts 100s of Jewish settlers into the village to pray at a Jewish shrine; settlers vandalize Palestinian homes as they leave. In 2 separate incidents, the IDF prevents 10s of Jewish settlers protesting against the Palestinian statehood bid fr. entering Palestinian villages—Ya‘bad nr. Jenin and Asira Qibliyya nr. Nablus (see 9/19). In the Asira Qibliyya incident, settlers fr. Yitzhar clash with local Palestinians; the IDF intervenes, firing tear gas at the Palestinians, hitting a 14-yr.-old Palestinian in the back with a canister, moderately injuring him. Dozens of Palestinians march to the Qalandia crossing to Jerusalem, where they rally in support of the Palestinian statehood bid at the UN; they burn tires and throw stones and bottles at IDF soldiers, who reply with tear gas; a Palestinian teenager is hit in the head with a tear gas canister and moderately injured. (WT 9/21; PCHR 9/22; OCHA 9/23)

Netanyahu announces a last-minute decision to lead the Israeli delegation to the UNGA session. He calls on Abbas to restart negotiations with him in New York that would be continued in Jerusalem and Ramallah upon their return, giving no details on the basis for relaunching talks. Senior Palestinian official Hussam Zumlut reiterates that the Palestinian leadership is ready to consider any “serious and credible” proposal to resume talks, meaning it must include a settlement freeze and acceptance of the terms of reference of the previous agreements. (HA, WP 9/20)

Obama begins a 3-day diplomatic push at the UN in NY, meant to “express our support for a negotiated, two-state solution.” (AFP, WP 9/19)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore and confiscating several nets left behind. A 14-yr.-old Palestinian child dies of injuries sustained in an 8/19/11 Israeli air strike on Gaza City. In the West Bank, the IDF uproots 500 olive, fig, and almond trees in Dayr Istya village nr. Salfit, saying they were planted on state land (see 9/14); patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Qalqilya in the morning; conducts late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Jericho and Salfit; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Nur Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm. Jewish settlers attempt to set up tents on the evacuated Homesh settlement site, but are removed by the IDF. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus burn 10s of dunams of Palestinian agricultural land nr. Asira Qibliyya village. (WT 9/21; PCHR 9/22; OCHA 9/23)

The Israeli emb. in Cairo reopens after a 10-day shutdown, but the amb. has not returned. (NYT 9/20)

Ross and Hale return to the U.S., having failed to secure a last-minute postponement of the Palestinian statehood bid. U.S. officials say they are “at a loss” for how a U.S. veto can now be avoided. Quartet efforts to broker a resumption of talks continue, however. (NYT, WP 9/9)

IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire toward al-Qarara village, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts daytime patrols in 4 villages nr. Qalqilya, 3 villages northwest of Salfit, and 2 villages southwest of Ramallah; conducts synchronized late-night patrols in 4 villages nr. Tulkarm and additional late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah. In Ramallah, 10s of Palestinians hold the 1st small demonstration in support of the statehood bid, marching to the UN’s local headquarters. Jewish settlers fr. Shvut Rachel settlement nr. Nablus set fire to 2 Palestinian cars and vandalize a mosque in nearby Yatma village to protest the IDF’s 9/5 removal of structures at Migron outpost. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar nr. Nablus uproot 17 olive trees in nearby Hawara village. (NYT, WT 9/9; PCHR 9/15; OCHA 9/16)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Jericho, 3 villages nr. Qalqilya, and 2 villages nr. Ramallah during the day; in 1 instance (in Bayt Liqya nr. Ramallah), troops fire live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, and tear gas at stonethrowing Palestinian youths who confront them, causing no serious injuries. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus beat a Palestinian shepherd grazing his flock nr. the settlement, severely injuring him. (PCHR 6/2; OCHA 6/3)

Overnight and during the day, Palestinians fire another 65 projectiles fr. Gaza into Israel, including at least 15 Grads (5 of which are intercepted by the Iron Dome system), damaging 1 house and a water main, but causing no injuries. The IDF carries out 4 more air strikes (3 dropped fr. warplanes, 1 drone strike), killing at least 1 senior Hamas mbr. and 1 PRC mbr., and wounding 3 militants (1 Hamas, 2 PRC). In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Qalqilya and Tulkarm during the day and 1 nr. Ramallah late at night; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem. In 2 separate incidents Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar nr. Nablus vandalize Palestinian homes and stone a Palestinian woman in nearby Asira village, and stone laborers and vandalize cars in nearby ‘Urif village. (JP 4/9; HA, IFM, IsRN, NYT 4/10; PCHR 4/14; OCHA 4/15)

Israeli officials announce that PM Benjamin Netanyahu, in consultation with DM Ehud Barak and Israel’s atty. gen. Yehuda Weinstein, have asked Israel’s High Court to respond to 15 petitions filed by Peace Now demanding the immediate removal of Israel’s unauthorized settlement outposts by ordering the dismantling of outposts built on privately owned Palestinian land before the end of 2011 (with the exception of a house owned by a fallen IDF officer) but authorizing the legalization of those built on state land. This would mean that 6 outposts would be removed, of which 5 are inhabited (47 homes), while more than 100 others would be legalized. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 3 structures at the Havat Gilad unauthorized settlement outpost; Jewish settlers stone Israeli border police overseeing the demolition, who respond with tear gas and rubber bullets, leaving 15 persons lightly injured and 17 settlers under arrest. Afterward, Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus exact their “price-tag doctrine” attack in nearby Hawara village, fire-bombing a house, injuring 2 children, and damaging other property. Separately, Jewish settlers fr. Halmish nr. Ramallah block a road leading to Nabi Salih and stone passing Palestinian vehicles; the IDF observes but does not intervene. Later, Jewish settlers fr. Gilad occupy a plot of Palestinian land nr. Qalqilya, setting up tents and mobile homes, but are evacuated by the IDF later in the day. The IDF also patrols in 4 villages nr. Hebron, Jenin, and Qalqilya; enters Kafr Laqif village nr. Qalqilya and fires stun grenades, claiming local youths stoned passing Jewish settler vehicles; no injuries are reported. In Gaza, the IDF shells the abandoned Dahaniyya airport site in s. Gaza, wounding 1 Hamas mbr. and destroying a nearby vacant home. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction materials in the fmr. settlement sites, killing 1 Palestinian. IDF troops on the c. Gaza border shell open areas e. of Jabaliya, forcing farmers in the area to leave their plots but causing no injuries. Hamas authorities arrest 4 of 20 Palestinians responding to an online call by Palestinian student groups to rally in Gaza City for national unity. (MNA 2/28; HA 3/1; JP, WT 3/2; PCHR 3/3; OCHA 3/4; AFP 3/7; JTA 3/8; UNIS 3/22)

In the West Bank, a Jewish settler opens fire on a group of Palestinian youths who throw stones at him as he passes nr. Iraq Burin village nr. Nablus, killing 1 Palestinian teenager. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar nr. Nablus set fire to a Palestinian car and vandalize a Palestinian home in the nearby village of ‘Ayn Abous. The IDF prevents Palestinian farmers guarded by solidarity activists (including PA officials and a rep. of the U.S. consulate) fr. reaching their agricultural land nr. Bet Ayn and Karme Tzur settlements nr. Hebron; patrols in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, 1 nr. Jenin, and 1 nr. Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem Jewish settlers harass Palestinians in Silwan. In Gaza, 2 Palestinian brothers tending sheep nr. Shuka village accidentally trigger IDF UXO, killing 1 Palestinian boy and 2 sheep. (OCHA, WP 1/28; PCHR 2/3; OCHA 2/4)

More than 10,000 Yemenis rally in Sana’a and 1,000s in other cities around the nation, taking inspiration from antigovernment protests in Tunisia and Egypt. The government deploys riot police, but little violence is reported. Government spokesmen state that the regime “strongly respects the democratic right for a peaceful assembly.” Unlike Tunisia and Egypt, where demonstrations were spontaneous and broad based, those in Yemen seem to be made up mostly of students organized by opposition parties. While all protesters highlight poverty, corruption, and lack of jobs among their grievances, they seem divided on other key goals, with some prioritizing secession for the south and others calling on Pres. Saleh to resign after being in power for more than 30 yrs. (NYT, WP, WT 1/28)

In Tunisia, after a spike in violence in the week following Ben Ali’s departure on 1/14 (mostly involving desperate Ben Ali loyalists making a final attempt to reassert control) and days of low-level demonstrations (1,000 or fewer protesters) denouncing the high number of Ben Ali loyalists in the new interim government, demonstrations taper off. By this date, the interim government has reduced the curfew and released at least 1,800 political prisoners, with more to be freed soon. Today, a reshuffled interim government with the “clear mission” of guiding “a transition to democracy” is announced and begins work to redraft the constitution and prepare for elections in 6 mos. While most mbrs. of Ben Ali’s old cabinet have now stepped down, Ghannouchi retains his post as interim PM but vows he will not run in elections. (NYT 1/27, 1/28; NYT 2/14; see also NYT, WP, WT 1/17; NYT, WP, WT 1/18; NYT 1/19; WP 1/20; WT 1/21; WP 1/26)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Tulkarm and in 5 villages nr. Qalqilya, 2 each nr. Jenin and Salfit, and 1 each nr. Jericho, Nablus, Ramallah, and Tulkarm; conducts a late-night raid on the Hebron home of Hamas-affiliated PC mbr. Muhammad al-Tal, arresting him. Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists march to the IDF’s Beit El checkpoint outside Ramallah and demand its removal; IDF soldiers fire tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets, and stun grenades at the protesters, seriously injuring 1 Palestinian. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus burn and uproot at least 20 Palestinian olive trees nr. Madama village. (PCHR 12/30; OCHA 12/31)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Salfit. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar escorted by IDF troops enter Hawara, vandalize 3 Palestinian homes. (OCHA, PCHR 5/6)

Palestinians protesting Netanyahu’s 2/21 decision to add sites in Bethlehem and Hebron to Israel’s national heritage roster clash with IDF troop in Hebron; no serious injuries are reported. IDF troops conduct late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Fara‘a r.c. s. of Tubas and nr. Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah. In Gaza, the IDF makes a day-long incursion to level land along the n. Gaza border nr. Bayt Lahiya to clear lines of sight. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus uproot 45 Palestinian olive trees in nearby Burin village; the IDF imposes a curfew on the village while the settlers work. Palestinians report (PCHR 2/24) that in the previous wk. Israel’s Jerusalem planning comm. convened to discuss a plan to build 549 settlement housing units on 153 d. of Bayt Safafa land s. of Jerusalem as part of a 4-stage settlement expansion plan, though no decisions were taken; the plan (several parts of which were approved before Netanyahu declared a temporary settlement freeze in 11/09) is aimed at reinforcing the separation of Jerusalem from the s. West Bank. (NYT, WT 2/23; PCHR 2/24; OCHA 2/25)

In the West Bank, the IDF stages synchronized late-night house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c., arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas and nr. Hebron, Ramallah. A Jewish settler is fatally shot while driving nr. Nablus; a caller to a Palestinian radio station claims the attack was carried out by the Fatah-offshoot al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (AMB). Jewish settlers, implementing their “price-tag doctrine” of retaliation, vandalize Palestinian homes and block Palestinian traffic nr. Yitzhar settlement s. of Nablus; bar Palestinian traffic, stone and vandalize Palestinian vehicles, and uproot 100s of Palestinian trees nr. Shavei Shomron settlement, home to the deceased settler; attempt to prevent a Palestinian bus fr. passing through the Einav checkpoint nr. Tulkarm. (NYT 12/25; PCHR 12/30; OCHA 1/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians and nonviolent international (and, in the case of Bil‘in, Israeli) activists taking part in protests against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer tear gas inhalation) and Ni‘lin (moderately injuring 1 Palestinian); fires stun grenades and tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent protest against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara, also beating several protesters (moderately injuring 1 Palestinian); conducts late-night house searches in and around Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar attempt to occupy 2 Palestinian homes nearby but are fended off by stonethrowing Palestinians. (OCHA 12/9; PCHR 12/10)

For a 3d day, Israeli naval vessels off the n. Gaza coast fire on Palestinian fishing boats that approach the boundary of the permitted fishing zone, causing no reported injuries. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border also make a brief incursion e. of Jabaliya r.c. to level land along the border fence to clear lines of sight. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts rare daytime arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron. Some 50 Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar nr. Nablus, escorted by IDF troops attack a group of Palestinians gathering olive trees that had been uprooted by settlers 3 wks. before, vandalize a nearby Palestinian home. (PCHR 12/3; OCHA 12/9)

In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 12 partially built Palestinian homes and 1 poultry farm in Rujib nr. Nablus; issues demolition orders for 17 other Palestinian civilian structures (including 9 homes housing 57 people, of whom 39 are children) in Umm al-Khayr nr. Hebron’s Carmiel settlement; and conducts latenight raids, house searches in Tulkarm, summoning 4 Palestinians for interrogation. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar uproot nearly 100 olive trees fr. nearby Palestinian land. (OCHA 11/12; PCHR 11/19)

IDF troops on the Gaza border nr. the Erez crossing fire on a group of Palestinians scavenging building materials fr. the rubble of commercial buildings in the Erez industrial zone previously bulldozed by the IDF; fire on a Palestinian farmer working on his land nr. the border, causing damage but no reported injuries. (PCHR 11/5)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian shepherd is severely beaten nr. Yitzhar settlement either by Jewish settlers or IDF troops posted outside the settlement; other IDF troops arrive on the scene and take the shepherd into custody, later transferring him to a hospital in Israel. The IDF conducts late-night raids, house searches in Tubas, nr. Jenin and Qalqilya, arresting 4 Palestinians (including 1 teenager). (OCHA, PCHR 11/5)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home in the Jabal Mukabir neighborhood. (PCHR 11/5)

The IDF makes an air strike on Gaza City’s al-Tuffah neighborhood, killing 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs., possibly injuring 1 Islamic Jihad mbr. and 3 bystanders. (NYT, WP 9/26; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 9/09; PCHR 10/1; OCHA 10/2)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring 6 Palestinians, including 1 teenager) and at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 1 Palestinian, arresting 1 Palestinian and 2 Israelis); fires sound bombs and violently beats Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara (2 are badly injured); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, sound bombs at Palestinians and international activists protesting in Burin nr. Nablus against the confiscation of land to be razed and annexed by Yitzhar settlement. The IDF also arrests 2 Palestinians teenagers nr. Qalqilya for stone-throwing. (PCHR 10/1)

The IDF makes an incursion into c. Gaza and searches farmland nr. al-Bureij r.c., arresting 3 Palestinians. (PCHR 9/17)

In the West Bank, the IDF arrests a Palestinian nr. Pdu’el settlement; conducts latenight raids, house searches nr. Ramallah and Jenin, arresting 3 Palestinians (including a woman). More than 30 Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement set fire to a field in Far‘ata village nr. Nablus. In a separate incident, Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar shoot at 2 Palestinian shepherds nr. the settlement, wounding 1. (OCHA, PCHR 9/17)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Askar r.c. and Nablus. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar vandalize nearby Palestinian homes; the IDF intervenes to fire tear gas to disperse Palestinians who gather to defend their homes, also severely beating a 10-yr.-old Palestinian boy. Israeli developers report that the first occupants have moved into the new, upscale East Jerusalem settlement Nof Zion, which straddles the Palestinian neighborhood of Jabal Mukabir. The settlement has 91 units, selling for $400,000 to $580,000, a bloc of which has been sold to a group of American Jews fr. Miami. (WJW 7/23; OCHA, PCHR 7/30)

IDF troops briefly enter s. Gaza to bulldoze land along the border fence e. of Abasan, firing on nearby residential areas, wounding 1 Palestinian. Israeli naval vessels detain a Palestinian fishing boat off the Bayt Lahiya coast, interrogating and releasing the fishermen. The UN reports that 2 Palestinians were killed and 6 were injured in tunnel collapses on the Rafah border in the previous wk.; in addition, the body of a Palestinian missing since 7/1 has been found in a collapsed smuggling tunnel. In the West Bank, IDF undercover units enter Yatta village in a vehicle with Palestinian license plates, raid an auto mechanics shop, arresting 1 Palestinian. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus and neighboring ‘Askar r.c., and nr. Hebron, Jenin. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar cut down 24 Palestinian olive trees in nearby Burin village. Jewish settlers fr. Gilad settlement stone Palestinian cars on the Qalqilya–Nablus road. In Khan Yunis, a bomb explodes at the wedding of a fmr. Fatah-affiliated PA security officer, injuring 42 Palestinians; no group claims responsibility. (OCHA, PCHR 7/23)