The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized 9 camels from 2 herders near Bethlehem; according to the owners, they were told they could retrieve the camels if they paid $1,050 for each. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a rally on the 16th anniversary of the death of Yasir Arafat in Tuqu‘; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor harvesting olives near ‘Azun ‘Atma using rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in al-Fawar refugee camp and Bayt Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries and 2 minors were hit by rubber-coated bullets in Bayt Umar. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Kaubar, al-Bireh, al-Fawar refugee camp, Sa‘ir, and al-‘Arub refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned house in Sur Bahir, displacing 5 Palestinians, including 4 children. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 senior Fatah officials. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian bird hunters east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/11; PCHR 11/12)

Secretary-general of the PLO Saeb Erakat was laid to rest in his native Jericho after a memorial ceremony in the Mukata’a in Ramallah attended by senior PA officials. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 11/11; WAFA 11/12)

The International Atomic Energy Agency, an arm of the UN, said that Iran has now stockpiled 12 times the amount of low-enriched uranium set as the limit under the JCPOA agreement which the U.S. abandoned in May 2018. (AJ 11/11)

The prime minister of Bahrain, Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, died at the age of 84. Salman Al Khalifa had been prime minister since Bahrain’s independence in 1971. Crown prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was appointed as the new prime minister. (AJ, HA, REU 11/11)

Islamic Relief USA donated $2.44 million to UNRWA for programming in Gaza. (WAFA 11/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 8 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Tubas, Nablus, Jericho, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was shot and injured during a confrontation with Israeli forces that was sparked by a demolition of a 5-story Palestinian-owned building in Jabal Mukabir. In Gaza, incendiary balloons were sent toward Israel from Gaza, causing fires, and 1 rocket was launched at Israel. Israel fired missiles at Gaza near Rafah, Gaza City, Bayt Hanun, and Bayt Lahiya, causing damage; no injuries were reported. Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya on 2 occasions; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/18; AJ, HA, PCHR, WAFA 8/19)

The Gaza power plant stopped producing electricity as Israel stopped all deliveries of fuel to Gaza on 8/13. Palestinians in Gaza only have between 3-4 hours of electricity a day, as opposed to 8-12 hours, because of the power plant closure. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 8/18)

Secretary general of the PLO Saeb Erakat attacked the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for not condemning the UAE’s move toward normalization, violating the Arab countries’ consensus of not making agreements with Israel until Israel and Palestinians have negotiated a peace agreement. PA president Mahmoud Abbas called the UAE-Israel deal nonsense and said that the UAE “have turned their backs on everything: the rights of the Palestinian people, the Palestinian state, the two-state solution, and the holy city of Jerusalem.” At the meeting, attended by officials from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Abbas praised the steps toward Palestinian organizational unity. (HA, REU, WAFA 8/18)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied reports that Israel would support U.S. sales of advanced weapons to the UAE as part of the normalization deal between the 2 countries. A spokesperson for the Sudanese foreign ministry said that Sudan is looking at normalizing relations with Israel; however, after Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed the news and said the dialogue had been going on since 2/2020, the Sudanese foreign ministry walked back the announcement, saying that normalization had not been discussed. The prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan said that Pakistan would not recognize Israel until the establishment of a Palestinian state acceptable to Palestinians. (HA, HA, REU 8/18; AJ 8/20)

Approximately 1,000 Palestinians gather along Gaza’s northern shore to continue the Great March of Return and to cheer on 20 Palestinian boats sailing in a symbolic challenge to the Israeli blockade. IDF troops and Israeli naval forces violently disperse the demonstrations; 23 Palestinians are injured (1 critically). The Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza states that the critically injured Palestinian was a farmer working in the area, and not a protester. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers chase a number of Palestinian shepherds off their land near Jericho. IDF troops arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids near Jenin, Hebron, Ramallah, and Nablus; and patrol near Hebron and Bethlehem. Israeli forces dismantle and confiscate 2 makeshift Palestinian residential structures near Bethlehem. (WAFA 1/29; PCHR 1/31)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when IDF troops opened fire on protesters along Gaza’s border fence on 1/25. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 200. (MNA, WAFA 1/29; PCHR 1/31)

PA prime minister Rami Hamdallah submits on behalf of his government his resignation to PA president Mahmoud Abbas. “[Hamdallah and his government] will continue to serve our people wherever they are and shoulder all its responsibilities until a new government is formed,” according to a PA statement. Abbas later accepts Hamdallah’s resignation, requesting that he continue to serve until a new government is formed. It’s unclear when that will be. (JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 1/29; MNA 1/30)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for passage in both directions for the first of 2 planned days. They have largely kept the crossing closed since 1/5. (ALM 1/31)

One day after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intention not to renew the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH)’s mandate, PLO secretary-general Saeb Erakat calls on the UN to deploy a permanent international force in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The UN should “guarantee the safety and protection of the people of Palestine” until “the end of Israel’s belligerent occupation,” he says. Separately, Norway’s Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide says that Netanyahu’s “one-sided” decision to not renew the TIPH’s mandate is “worrying” and that if could “mean that the implementation of an important part of the Oslo Accords is discontinued.” (AP, YA 1/29; TOI 1/30)

Widely seen as one of the greatest challenges to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former head of the IDF Benny Gantz officially launches his campaign ahead of the 4/9 Israeli elections. “Under my leadership, the government will strive for peace and will not miss an opportunity to bring about regional change,” he says, pledging to strengthen the “settlement blocs and Golan Heights” and build a “united Jerusalem.” Netanyahu later criticizes Gantz’s speech as just “another speech by [Yesh Atid leader Yair] Lapid. Whoever says he’s neither right nor left, is left.” (HA 1/29; YA 1/30)

A senior Japanese official pledges $341,348 in support of 4 humanitarian projects in Gaza. (MNA 1/31)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against Israel’s separation wall, occupation, and settlements, as well as U.S. president Trump’s 12/6/17 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in Hebron, Jericho, Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, 2 areas near Nablus (Beita village and the Huwwara checkpoint), 5 villages near Ramallah (al-Janiya, al-Bireh, Nabi Salih, Ni‘lin, and Bil‘in), and along Gaza’s border near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabaliya refugee camp. At least 31 Palestinian are injured and 2 are arrested. In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 3 Palestinian minors during clashes sparked by an IDF raid near Nablus. IDF troops also arrest 3 Palestinians and assault 1 during late-night raids near Hebron and Bethlehem, and patrol near Hebron and Tulkarm. Israeli settlers throw stones at, and open fire on, Palestinian homes in Burin village near Nablus, causing no major damage or injuries. The attack sparks minor clashes; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian during late-night raids in Issawiyya. In 4 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, NYT, WAFA, YA 2/23; PCHR 3/1)

The U.S. State Department announces that the new U.S. embassy in Israel will open in Jerusalem in 5/2018, implementing President Trump’s 12/6/17 pledge to move the embassy from Tel Aviv. The embassy is set to open with ambassador David Friedman and a skeleton staff working out of an existing U.S. facility in the Arnona neighborhood. “This decision will turn the 70th anniversary of Israeli independence into an even bigger celebration,” says Israeli PM Netanyahu. “Thank you, President Trump, for your leadership and your friendship.” Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) secretarygeneral Saeb Erakat says, “The U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and now to move its embassy on the eve of marking 70 years since the Nakba [. . .] shows the determination of the U.S. administration to violate international law, destroy the 2-state solution, and provoke the feelings of the Palestinian people, as well as of all Arabs, Muslims, and Christians around the globe.” (AP, HA, JP, TOI, WAFA 2/23)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian during a raid in c. Nablus. Less than an hour later, they shoot and injure a Palestinian photojournalist attempting to cover the story. The IDF also conducts raids in a village nr. Jenin, confiscating property and arresting 2 Palestinians; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jericho and 1 nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 13 Palestinians on raids in the Old City and Ras al-Amud. (HA, MNA, WAFA 7/23; PCHR 7/30)

Israeli chief negotiator, Dep. PM Shalom meets with PLO secy.-gen. Erakat for “trustbuilding” talks in Amman. They present initial proposals for restarting peace negotiations. The meeting will be 1st reported on 7/26. (MNA, TOI 7/26; HA, MNA 7/28)

Israel’s Civil Admin. grants permits for the construction of 1,065 new residences in various settlements around the West Bank, including infrastructure developments that will connect 296 residences to utilities in the Beit El settlement. (HA, TOI, YA 7/22; PCN 7/23; MNA 7/24)

UNRWA issues an urgent appeal for contributions, reaffirming that it is running at a budget deficit of around $100 m. and that if it does not receive sufficient pledges, UNRWA schools will be forced to close throughout the Middle East. (AFP, UNRWA 7/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shut down a major checkpoint nr. Nablus; patrol during the day in 3 villages nr. Hebron, 2 nr. Ramallah, and 1 nr. Jericho; conduct late-night raids in Hebron and 1 nearby village, as well as 1 village nr. Bethlehem, arresting 4 Palestinians. IDF troops also violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists gathering in Kafr Qaddum village nr. Qalqilya to protest the Israeli occupation; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, right-wing Jewish activists throw stones at Palestinian vehicles, injuring 1 woman. Palestinian youths in the area clash with the Jewish activists; there are no serious injuries. (MNA 7/4; JP, MNA 7/5; PCHR 7/9)

PA pres. Abbas appoints Saeb Erakat secy.- gen. of the PLO, replacing Yasser Abed Rabbo, who Abbas fired on 6/30. The secy.-gen. is the 2d most powerful position in the PLO. Erakat will take office on 7/13. (JP 7/4)

In the West Bank, the IDF closes the entrance to Burin village nr. Nablus after Palestinians throw Molotov cocktails at Israeli settlers’ cars nearby. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin, 2 nearby villages, and Hebron; patrols in 2 villages each nr. Jenin and Ramallah, and in 1 village nr. Jericho. Israeli settlers set up 2 new outposts nr. Aqraba in the n. West Bank. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 6 Palestinian structures in al-Tur, including 3 homes. (AFP, MNA 10/21; PCHR 10/23)

PLO chief negotiator Erakat says that if the U.S. vetoes the Palestinians’ draft UNSC res. for a timetable to end Israeli occupation, then the Palestinian leadership will seek membership in hundreds of international organizations, in addition to the ICC. (MNA 10/21)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron and in Qalqilya; patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 village each nr. Jericho and Qalqilya, and in al-Bireh. (PCHR 10/23)

The Fatah Central Comm. issues a statement supporting PA Pres. Abbas’s plans to go the UNSC for a res. establishing a time line to end occupation. During the meeting, Abbas thanks Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Egypt for supporting his plan. Meanwhile, PLO chief negotiator Erakat says that “it is really difficult to convince at least 9 mbrs. in the UNSC to vote in favor.” Unnamed Palestinians officials say that 7 mbrs. of the council have already agreed to support such a res. (JP, YA 10/18)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF continues its assault, launching air strikes on approximately 47 targets, killing 38 Palestinians and injuring dozens. Among the 38 are 3 high-ranking commanders in al-Qassam Brigades, who are killed overnight by Israeli fighter jets in Rafah. Five Palestinian civilians are also killed in the strike and at least 40 are injured. The armed Palestinian groups fire 109 rockets and mortars into Israel, with 7 landing in built-up areas and 13 intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. One Israeli man is injured with mortar shrapnel nr. Eshkol. Meanwhile, Hamas executes 3 alleged collaborators with Israel, and arrests 7 others. In the West Bank, IDF troops level land nr. Salfit to clear space for an Israeli settlement to expand. Also, the IDF conducts house searches and raids in 4 villages nr. Hebron, Dayr Istya, ‘Askar r.c., al-Bireh, and Bayt Liqya, arresting 9 and issuing summons to 2. Clashes break out with Palestinians in Bayt Liqya, and the Israeli soldiers open fire with live ammunition, tear gas canisters, and sound bombs. Separately, the IDF conducts 4 separate incursions into Hebron and 3 villages n. of Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces and municipal officials enter Silwan to hand demolition notices to the owners of 2 apartment buildings where 19 Palestinians live. (MNA 8/21; HA 8/22; PCHR 8/28)

There is no major diplomatic progress as disagreements that led to the breakdown of talks on 8/19 remain between the Palestinian factions and the Israeli negotiators. Mishal says in an interview with Turkish Anadolu News Agency that Hamas will keep fighting until Israel meets its terms for a permanent truce, while Israel’s Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai says that Israel will not hold cease-fire negotiations as long as rocket fire from Gaza continues. PA Pres. Abbas travels again to Doha where he will meet with Qatari emir Bin Hamad al-Thani and Hamas leader Mishal to discuss the continued Israeli assault and possible future cease-fire negotiations. Also present are head of the Palestinian delegation in Cairo Azzam al-Ahmad, PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erakat, and PA intelligence chief Majid Faraj. (AA, HA 8/21; MEMO, MNA 8/22)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 3 rockets into s. Israel, causing no damage or casualties. Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion nr. Khan Yunis to level land. Israeli forces at the border fence also open fire on land nr. al-Qarara village, causing no injuries. There are also 3 separate incidents of Israeli naval vessels opening fire on Palestinian fishermen off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF opens fire with live ammunition on al- ‘Arub r.c. residents during clashes sparked by a raid, wounding 1. Meanwhile, IDF troops uproot around 120 palm trees nr. Jericho because they were not allowed to be planted in Area C. Separately, the Red Cross announces it has suspended the supply of tents to Palestinians displaced by Israel in the Jordan Valley, in protest at the IDF’s confiscation of the materials. The IDF patrols in 4 villages nr. Tulkarm in the morning, in Hebron and nearby al-‘Arub r.c., and 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Nablus at night. Jewish settlers attack Palestinian farmers in Qusra village nr. Nablus, causing no injuries. (JP, MNA, WAFA 2/6; PCHR 2/13)

Palestinian chief negotiator Erakat meets with U.S. envoy Martin Indyk in Jericho, but no details about the contents of discussions are made public. Meanwhile, EU foreign affairs chief Ashton expresses “deep concern” about Israel’s decision to build 558 new settlement housing units in East Jerusalem. (HA, MNA 2/6)

In the West Bank the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, and in 1 village each nr. Qalqilya, Salfit, and Tulkarm; patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Jericho at night. IDF troops also bulldoze Palestinian-owned agricultural land in al-Khadir village nr. Bethlehem as a prelude to expanding a nearby settlement. (WAFA 11/21; PCHR 11/28)

An anonymous Palestinian official says that senior negotiator Mohammed Shtayyeh will not be returning for future talks with Israel, and that Saeb Erakat will remain chief Palestinian negotiator. Both men resigned on 11/13 in protest of the lack of progress in the talks; however, Erakat stayed on when Pres. Abbas requested. (MNA 11/21)

The Palestinian High Court of Justice rules that the strike launched by the General Union of Palestinian Teachers on 11/17 is legal, despite the attempt by the PA on 11/19 to have the court temporarily abrogate their right to strike. Minister of Education Ali Muhana calls on the teacher’s union to abide by the last agreement with the PA, reached in 9/2013 (see the QU in JPS 171 for more on the teacher’s strike). (MNA 11/21)

A 2nd day of talks in Geneva between reps. from Iran and the P5+1 ends without a breakthrough, as discussions continue about a potential interim accord. Iranian FM Mohammad Javad Zarif tells reporters that the talks are going well but “differences of views” remain. Iran’s Dep. FM Abbas Araghchi suggests that differences amongst the 6 world powers were complicating efforts. Meanwhile, U.S. Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV) says that lawmakers will seek to impose new sanctions on Iran in 12/2013 if there is no deal. (AFP, AP, HA, REU 11/21)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion close to the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun, and level land before withdrawing. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill 3 Palestinian civilians and wound 18 others including 5 children during an arrest raid in Qalandia r.c. nr. Jerusalem. One of those killed was an UNRWA employee, the agency reveals. The IDF claims that its forces were met by a rioting crowd of some 1,500 camp residents throwing stones and petrol bombs. In Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, IDF troops shoot and wound 2 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets during protests against the deaths in Qalandia. Meanwhile, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night, patrols in Tulkarm in the morning, and in 2 villages nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Jericho in the afternoon, and in Jenin at night. In a raid on Sanur village nr. Jenin, IDF troops clash with residents, shooting and wounding 2 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 2 homes in al-Tur. (AFP, HA, MNA, REU 8/26; PCHR 8/29)

In response to the killings in Qalandia, an unnamed Palestinian official tells news agencies that talks scheduled for today are canceled. However, U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Marie Harf categorically denies that any meeting was canceled. Israeli television subsequently reports that Israeli and Palestinian officials had met in the morning before the news broke of the Qalandia raid. An unnamed Palestinian official also subsequently confirms to Xinhua News Agency that the 2 teams met in Saeb Erakat’s house in Jericho. Meanwhile, Egyptian FM Nabil Fahmi holds talks with Pres. Abbas in Ramallah, and relays a message from interim Egyptian pres. Adly Mansour, thanking Abbas for supporting the military coup that ousted Morsi. (HA, JP, REU 8/26; MNA 8/28)

An Israeli delegation headed by outgoing National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror arrives in Washington for high-level talks with U.S. officials. Discussions are expected to focus on Syria, the Iranian nuclear program and future talks with Tehran, and the role of Hizballah in the Syrian civil war. U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice is coordinating talks on the U.S. side. (HA 8/26)

UN chemical weapons inspectors visit 1 of the sites in Syria allegedly targeted last week by chemical weapons. The convoy came under sniper fire on the initial attempt, but the team successfully visited the Damascus suburb Ghouta. The UN team’s work includes collecting samples of munitions fragments and debris and taking testimonies. Meanwhile, U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry says that Pres. Obama believes there must be “accountability” for those using “the world’s most heinous weapons,” and that the pres. is consulting with allies about how best to act. (AP, REU, WP 8/26)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinians collecting wood alongside the border nr. Bayt Hanun, injuring 1. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning, and in 3 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Salfit at night. There are clashes in Nablus and Jenin r.c., when Israeli forces enter, with a number of injuries in both cases. In East Jerusalem, Jewish extremists vandalize cars in the Shaykh Jarrah neighborhood. (MNA, PNN, WAFA 7/25; PCHR 8/1)

Israel’s Energy and Water Resources Minister Silvan Shalom says that negotiations between Israelis and the Palestinians will resume on Tuesday in Washington, in remarks made to reporters in Jericho after meeting with Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat for the dedication of a joint industrial zone funded by the Japanese govt. (HA 7/25)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry makes his 1st official visit to the UN, where he discusses Africa’s Great Lakes, Syria, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (NYT 7/25)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Nablus, Tulkarm, 1 village nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Ramallah, 1 village nr. Bethlehem and Aida r.c. in Bethlehem at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Bethlehem in the morning, in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Jericho and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Meanwhile, Jewish settlers set fire to Palestinian-owned land nr. Nablus. (WAFA 6/30; PCHR 7/4)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry makes one more visit to Ramallah in the morning, holding brief talks with Palestinian pres. Mahmud Abbas, their 3d meeting in 3 days. Afterward, Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat says that there had been no breakthrough. Kerry, speaking to reporters in Ben-Gurion Airport on his way to Brunei, sounds a more positive note and cites unspecified “real progress.” Kerry departs after 4 days and 13 total hours of talks with Abbas and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Meanwhile, Netanyahu tells a cabinet meeting that any future agreement with the Palestinians will be submitted for approval in a national referendum. (AFP, HA 6/30)

Israeli media reports that the Jerusalem Municipality will advance plans to build 930 new housing units in Har Homa settlement, a development that Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat condemns in a Ramallah press conference. (JP 6/30)

Millions of demonstrators take to the streets across Egypt on a planned day of protest against the govt. of Pres. Mohamed Morsi. As night falls, violent clashes break out between opponents and supporters of Morsi, resulting in 4 deaths. Assailants storm the Cairo headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood, setting it on fire. (REU, WP 6/30)

In the West Bank, the IDF bulldozes 4 houses and 4 barracks nr. Jericho. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron in the morning and in 1 village nr. Hebron at night. In East Jerusalem, Jewish settlers attack Palestinian vehicles in al-Tur neighborhood, causing damage but no injuries. (PNN 6/4; MNA, PCHR 6/5)

Palestinian pres. Mahmud Abbas says that he wants to return to direct talks with the Israelis as soon as possible, speaking at a news conference in Ramallah with Maldivian pres. Mohammed Waheed Hassan. However, senior PA officials Hussein al-Sheikh, minister for civilian affairs, and chief negotiator Saeb Erakat warn that failure to recommence negotiations will mean Palestinians returning to international bodies to prosecute Israel, or even dismantling the PA itself. An anonymous senior Israeli official is quoted in Ha’Aretz as saying that Abbas has given U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry 2 more weeks to formulate a specific proposal. Meanwhile, Kerry meets with Israeli justice minister Tzipi Livni in Washington to discuss efforts to resume talks. (AP, MNA 6/4; HA, JP, YA 6/5)

Fatah officials Nabil Shaath and Faisal Abu Shahla meet with Hamas officials Imad Alami and Ghazi Hamada in Gaza City to discuss national reconciliation. (MNA 6/4)

Likud-Yisrael Beiteinu begins talks with Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid party over a possible coalition, with the latter expected to present a lengthy list of demands. (HA 3/2)

Chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erakat says that the PA will not return to negotiations until Israel stops settlement construction and releases Palestinian prisoners. He also says that there would be no EU initiative to resume peace talks without U.S. involvement. Meanwhile, PM Netanyahu’s aide Yitzhak Molho announces he will be stepping down from the Likud-Yisrael Beiteinu coalition negotiation team in order to remain as the PM’s special envoy for peace negotiations with the Palestinians. (JP 2/4; HA 2/3)

Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast nr. al-Waha, causing no injuries. The IDF also opens fire on Palestinians collecting gravel close to the border fence in the n. Gaza Strip, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, Nablus governor Jibril al-Bakri says that the IDF has reopened several roads in Nablus that had been closed for 13 yrs. The IDF patrols in Jenin in the morning, in 1 village nr. Qalqilya and 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 village nr. Jericho, 3 villages nr. Salfit, and 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Silwan neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem and 1 village nr. Nablus in the afternoon, and in Qalqilya, Nablus and 3 nearby villages, Bethlehem and 3 nearby villages, al-Bireh. Tulkarm, and Hebron and 3 nearby villages at night. The IDF detains 20 Hamas mbrs., including an individual involved in national reconciliation efforts. (MNA 2/3; AP 2/4; PCHR 2/7)

Israeli DM Ehud Barak tells a security conference in Munich that Israel means what it says with regard to threats to take preemptive action against its enemies. The comment is taken as hint of admission that Israel was behind the air strike in Syria. U.S. officials now say that the attack targeted a weapons shipment bound for Lebanon but also caused collateral damage to a nearby research center, an explanation for the discrepancy between accounts of the target (see 1/30, 1/31). Meanwhile, UK newspaper the Sunday Times reports that Israel is considering establishing a 10-mi. buffer zone inside Syria to protect itself from rebels. (AP, JP, WP 2/3)

The EU criticizes Israel’s settlement expansion plans in a statement released at a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels. Sweden’s FM Carl Bildt says European governments are increasingly frustrated by the settlement policy. The ministers also emphasize that the EU’s agreements with Israel only apply to the pre-1967 territory, which a diplomatic source tells the Israeli media could be a sign of future action related to settlement products. (JP, REU 12/10)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says that construction plans for the E1 area e. of Jerusalem do not prevent the eventual emergence of a Palestinian state, and repeats the offer of direct talks with Mahmud Abbas ‘‘without preconditions.’’ Meanwhile, Palestinian cheif negotiator Saeb Erakat outlines 3 conditions for a return to talks: (1) agreement that the goal of the peace process is a withdrawal to the 1967 borders; (2) restarting negotiations from the point they were halted; and (3) setting a 6-mo. timetable for agreement on all final-status issues. He adds that Israel should halt settlement activity, but does not list it as a condition. (AFP, JP 12/10)

Israel’s Finance Ministry deducts more than $71 m. from VAT taxes Israel collects and holds on the PA’s behalf and transfers it to Israel’s Electric Corporation to cover 37% of the PA’s electricity debt. (YA 12/10)

Independent politician Khalil Assaf says that the PA has officially agreed to allow Hamas to hold a festival in Nablus commemorating the movement’s 25th anniversary. (MNA 12/10)

In the West Bank, the IDF, citing military exercises, compels 6 Palestinian families to leave their homes in a village in the n. Jordan Valley. The IDF also notifies Palestinian farmers nr. Salfit that the road connecting the village to their fields will be demolished in the next 2 weeks. The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon, in 1 village each nr. Jericho and Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Bethlehem in the afternoon, and in Ramallah and nearby Qaddura r.c. at night. The Ramallah raid targets prisoner support NGO Addameer and the Palestinian NGO Network, as well as the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees. In all 3 cases, soldiers ransack the offices and confiscate equipment, including computer hardware. (WAFA 12/10; MNA 12/10; PCHR 12/13; AP 12/11)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that Iran is getting closer to being able to build a nuclear bomb and that 2013 will be the year to confront the issue. Western diplomats say that Israel is suspected to be behind a series of leaks, intended to increase pressure, about Iranian nuclear weapon experiments. Diplomats say that the P5+1 world powers expect to hold a fresh round of talks with Tehran in early 2013. (JP, Guardian, REU 12/10)

PA res. Abbas gives an interview to Israeli television in which he says there will be no 3d intifada and that he will not seek a return to inside Israel’s pre-1967 borders. His comments are welcomed by Israeli pres. Shimon Peres but criticized by both Israeli PM Netanyahu (who states that Abbas’s words do not match his actions) and by Gaza Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who calls the remarks ‘‘dangerous.’’ Abbas later clarifies through an adviser that he was not giving up the Palestinian refugees’ right of return, but was being ‘‘realistic.’’ (HA 11/1; AP 11/2; HA, WAFA 11/3)

PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erakat warns that the U.S. and Israel may impose economic restrictions on the PA after a successful upgrade at the UNGA in 11/2012. (JP 11/1)

In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 2 structures in a settler outpost nr. Yitzhar settlement and claims that that Jewish settlers attacked them with stones. The IDF also patrols in 7 villages nr. Jenin in the morning, in Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 1 village each nr. Jenin, Jericho, and Ramallah at night; conducts late-night house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron and 1 nr. Qalqilya. (PCHR 11/8; JP 11/1)

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)

Jordan announces that Israel and the Palestinians have agreed to send their chief negotiators to Jordan on 1/3 to meet with Quartet officials. Though the parties stress that the meeting will not be a formal negotiating session, it will mark the 1st time the negotiators have met since 9/2010. The Quartet hopes that Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat and Netanyahu’s personal emissary Yitzhak Molcho will present their positions on security and borders and agree on the agenda for future direct talks, technically relaunching negotiations by the Quartet’s selfimposed 1/26/12 deadline (see QU in JPS 162 for background). Erakat says the Palestinian demand for a settlement freeze still stands and that the Palestinians have agreed to attend out of respect for Jordan. (HA 1/1; NYT, WP, WT 1/2)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries; Israel claims the mortars carried white phosphorous that Palestinians would have scavenged fr. Israeli munitions fired into Gaza during OCL. The IDF conducts morning patrols in 3 villages northwest of Jenin (firing rubber-coated steel bullets at stonethrowing youths in 1 instance, causing no serious injuries); conducts synchronized afternoon patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah; conducts evening patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah (firing rubbercoated steel bullets at stone-throwing youths in 1 instance, causing no serious injuries), and 1 each nr. Jericho and Salfit; conducts late-night patrols in Jericho, Birzeit, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Tulkarm; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Jenin, Nablus. (JP 1/1, 1/2; OCHA, PCHR 1/5)

Ross and Hale meet with Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat. Quartet special envoy Tony Blair is also in the region. (Bloomberg 9/6; NYT, WP 9/9)

The IDF makes a predawn raid into Tulkarm r.c., arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin, Qalqilya; conducts late-night patrols in Jericho. Militant Jewish settlers vandalize IDF base nr. Ramallah, damaging 13 vehicles and breaking windows in apparent retaliation for the 9/5 razing of structures at Migron outpost. (PCHR, WP 9/8; PCHR 9/15; OCHA 9/16)

The Obama admin. invites Palestinian officials to Washington to discuss conditions under which they might drop their UN statehood bid. The PA says chief negotiator Saeb Erakat and Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina will head to Washington soon. (JP 8/4)

As a gesture to the PA to mark the start of Ramadan, Israel releases 200 Palestinian prisoners who were set to complete their sentences soon, including senior Hamas official Shaykh Hassan Yousef (arrested in 2006 and set for release in 9/2011). At the same time, however, Israel’s Interior Min. gives final approval for the construction of 930 new settlement housing units in East Jerusalem’s Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghunaym. Meanwhile, the PA orders its security forces to prevent violence after the UN vote in 9/2011 and informs Israel of its intention to keep the peace and avoid confrontation. In Gaza, unidentified Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF retaliates late at night with 2 artillery shells and 7 air strikes on 5 Hamas sites in c. and s. Gaza, injuring 2 Hamas mbrs. and killing 500 chicks at a poultry farm. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, 2 nr. Ramallah, and 1 nr. Jericho; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Tulkarm. (AFP, HA, JTA, MNA, WAFA, YA 8/4; PCHR 8/11; OCHA 8/12)

Overnight, the IDF fatally shoots 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. who allegedly attempted to attack an IDF patrol in central Gaza. During the day, the IDF halts Operation Eastern Step outside Gaza City; demolishes 5 Palestinian homes in Walaja nr. Bethlehem, begins bulldozing land for a new road; fires on residential areas of Jenin town and r.c.; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron and Ramallah, and in Bayt Hanun, Bayt Jala, Bayt Lahiya, Jericho, Tulkarm r.c. and town. The PRCs fire 2 Nasir 3 rockets fr. n. Gaza toward Sederot, 1 lands inside Gaza, the other inside Israel; neither causes damage or injuries. Hamas fires 3 mortars at Nisanit, 1 mortar at Aley Sinai, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MM 1/17; VOI, VOP 1/17, JTA, NYT, WT 1/18; VOI, VOP 1/18 in WNC 1/20; OCHA 1/19; PR 1/20; PCHR 1/27)

After holding emergency sessions with the PA national security council and cabinet, Abbas orders the PA security forces to make “maximum efforts” to stop Palestinian attacks on Israelis, to investigate the 1/13 Qarni attack. PA Negotiation Affairs M Saeb Erakat says that security forces in Gaza would “create security zones and road blocks” to prevent rocket and mortar fire. Israel says the steps are “a small but positive sign.” (VOP 1/17 in WNC 1/20; NYT, WP, WT 1/18; PR 1/20)

Peres meets with PA Local Government M Erakat, PC speaker Qurai` in Tel Aviv to discuss the cease-fire implementation. Each side accuses the other of failing to fulfill agmts. PA, Israeli regional cmdrs. for Jericho, Qalqilya, Tulkarm also meet on security cooperation. (MENA 9/30 in WNC 10/1; JP [Internet] 10/1)

The IDF fatally shoots 3 Palestinians. The PSF uses tear gas to disperse Palestinian demonstrators in Gaza. Late this evening, the IDF sends troops into Khan Yunis, responding to reports (denied by the PA) that mortars were fired fr. the camp toward Netzarim. (HP, LAW, MM, WT 10/1; LAW 10/10)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes increase sharply, leaving 3 IDF soldiers dead, 4 wounded in gunfights with Palestinians and 6 Palestinians dead, 140 wounded by the IDF. A small bomb explodes in West Jerusalem, lightly injuring 2 Israelis. Barak orders missile attacks on the PSF training center nr. Jericho, Jericho's Oasis Casino, a marble factory in Bethlehem, residential areas around Bayt Jala and Bethlehem. The IDF also directs fire fr. tanks, heavy machine guns, grenade launchers at Palestinian residential areas in Bayt Jala, Bayt Sahur, Bethlehem, Beitunia, Jericho, al-Khadir, Mentar crossing, Tulkarm. Jewish settlers shoot, seriously wound 2 Palestinians nr. Nablus; open fire on Palestinian homes in al-Khadir. Israel, however, reopens the Rafah border crossing to individuals, though trade is still barred. (ADM, IsRN, LAW, MA [Internet], MM, PCHR 11/1; AFP [Internet], AIC, HA [Internet], NYT, REU, WJW, WP, WT 11/2; MENA 11/2 in WNC 11/3; MEI 11/10)

Following a mtg. with Albright in Washington, Israeli acting FM Ben-Ami says Israel must address the clashes "not as a civilian uprising but as a military confrontation." (PA negotiator Erakat was to have met with Albright as well but could not leave Jericho because of IDF air strikes.) With the violence escalating, MK and fmr. PM Shimon Peres makes a low-key trip to Gaza very late this evening to meet with Arafat. (ADM, IsRN, LAW, MA [Internet], MM, PCHR 11/1; al-Quds, RMC 11/1 in WNC 11/3; AFP [Internet], AIC, HA [Internet], NYT, REU, WJW, WP, WT 11/2; YA 11/5)

In Jericho, Eran and Erakat, the Israeli and PA interim affairs negotiators, discuss PA-Israeli relations in the wake of the Camp David summit, agree to hold more mtgs. this wk. to try to move final status negotiations forward. (WT 7/31)

The Israeli and PA senior negotiators on security affairs, Israel's Internal Security M Ben-Ami and the PA's Gaza PSF head Muhammad Dahlan meet in Gaza to review security arrangements discussed at Camp David, discuss the release of more Palestinian prisoners. (Associated Press [Internet] 7/30; JP [Internet] 7/31)

The PA police arrest senior Hamas official `Abd al-`Aziz Rantisi on charges of incitement for criticizing the PA's handling of the Camp David talks. (al-Quds 7/31 in WNC 8/2; LAW 8/3; HJ 8/3 in WNC 8/4; al-Quds 8/10 in WNC 8/14)

UNIFIL resumes its deployment in s. Lebanon, setting up bases at 4 points along the blue line. (WT 7/31; WJW 8/3) (see 7/28)

After receiving assurances for his safety fr. pres. Lahoud, Fmr. pres. Amin Gemayel, a Christian leader who was forced into exile over his alliance with the U.S. against Syria during the Lebanese civil war, returns to Lebanon for the 1st time in 8 yrs. Some 3,000 supports rally to welcome him in his hometown of Bikfayya. (WP 7/31; MM 8/3; see also MM 7/19)

Jewish settlers erect 30 mobile homes on 3 sites (Qaryat, Jaloud, Lubban) nr. Nablus, and confiscate 50 dunams of Palestinian land in Mawasi nr. Rafah, begin constructing 50 greenhouses. (PA Information Min. press release 7/30; LAW 8/10)

In Jericho, PA interim issues negotiator Saeb Erakat, Israeli chief negotiator Oded Eran hold talks on Palestinian prisoners. Erakat reportedly threatens to suspend talks unless Israel agrees to release more prisoners, improve their living conditions. After Barak, Arafat discuss the issue by phone, Eran announces that Israel agrees in principle to carry out another release, still plans to carry out the 3d further redeployment (FRD) by 6/23, as required by the Wye II accord. (AYM 5/31 in WNC 6/2)

Israel's Interior M Sharansky sends a letter to PM Barak asking him to respond to rumors of a secret deal almost completed btwn. Israel, the PA that would eventually give the PA control of more than 90% of the West Bank. Barak dismisses the substance of Sharansky's letter as "nonsense." (IMRA [Intemet], MA [Internet], YA [Internet] 5/31; NYT 6/24)

As of this date, Hizbalah has taken control of providing services in s. Lebanon, including running hospitals previously supported by the IDF, dispatching mobile clinics, sending architects to plan reconstruction of Lebanese homes damaged (1,200) or destroyed (1,600) by the IDF and SIA, trucking in drinking water to compensate for the IDF shutting off a pipeline fr. Israel, clearing debris, repairing roads, sending veterinarians to check livestock, and spraying insecticides. (NYT 5/31)

Israel agrees to accept temporary membership in the UN's Western Europe and Other Group while it works toward permanent membership in its natural regional bloc, the Asian Group. (WP, WT 5/31; NYT, WW 6/1)

The PSF shuts al-Nasr and al-Manara TV stations without giving cause. (LAW 5/30; WP 6/16) (see 5/24)

Palestinian econ. report is released, shows PNA has received only $90 m. of $2.4 b. allocated by donor countries; PNA will need $11.2 b. to finance autonomous areas until 2000. (TJT 9/16 in FBIS 9/20)

PNA Local Affairs M Erakat says Israel has blocked preparations for elections by not releasing population records for West Bank, halting survey to determine polling locations. (WP 9/16)

PNA Econ. M Qurai` tenders resignation citing dissatisfaction with Arafat's economic approach, refusal to delegate authority. Arafat does not accept the resignation. (ITV, QY, VOP 9/16; FT, NYT, WP 9/17)

UNRWA announces following donations: Luxembourg, $1.2 m. for 2 medical centers in Gaza; Netherlands, $840,000 for women's centers in Gaza; Australia, $179,055 for 2 health centers in Gaza. (UNRWA News 9/21)

Benjamin Kahane, head of Kahane Chai, says 150 of his U.S. supporters will leave for Jordan to set up a settlement on the East Bank. Jordanian FMin. asks Israeli govt. to curb group. (IDF Radio 9/16, QY 9/17 in FBIS 9/19)

Israeli Police M Moshe Shahal announces Israeli police want to question PSF's West Bank head Col. Jibril Rajub about charges 10 PSF mbrs., inc. 3 of his bodyguards, kidnapped a Jordanian national in Jerusalem 9/9 and are detaining him in Jericho. (QY 9/16 in FBIS 9/16; JP 10/8)

IDF Lt. Oren Edri, arrested 9/2 for "anti-Arab activities," is formally charged with illegally holding and transferring arms, passing classified information on locations IDF arms depots to settlers. (MM 9/16; JP 9/17)

2 settlers fatally shoot Palestinian nr. Hebron, claiming he threw stones at their car. Court releases the pair on bail, saying they shot in self-defense. (JP 9/24)