The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, the IDF opens fire on Palestinians throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at an army position in n. Bethlehem, wounding 1. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin, Jericho, and Qalqilya at night. Israeli soldiers also attack regular demonstrations by Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and the occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum) and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara), causing no serious injuries except 4 in Bil‘in, all struck with tear gas canisters. In East Jerusalem, Jewish extremists target Dormition Abbey with “price-tag” graffiti. (YA 5/31; PCHR 6/5)

The Lebanese parliament postpones elections, extending its term until 11/2014. Ninety-seven of the 128 total legislators voted in favor of postponing polls scheduled for 6/2013, in light of deteriorating security conditions and political deadlock. (AP, REU 5/31)

The U.S. Treasury Dept. imposes sanctions on Iranian companies in the petrochemical industry and punishes 5 businesses in 4 other countries for helping to evade the sanctions regime targeting Tehran. (NYT 5/31)