The Palestine Chronology

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces shoot and fatally injure a Palestinian fisherman working near Gaza City. They arrest the injured man and his 2 colleagues. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian minor amid clashes in Jericho. They also arrest 19 Palestinians and issue 4 arrest summons during late-night raids near Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron. Israeli settlers take over 120 dunams (approximately 30 acres) of Palestinian land near Nablus and plant it with wheat and grapes. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 2/25; EI 2/26; PCHR 3/1)

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre closes down indefinitely to protest a “systemic campaign” to persecute Jerusalem’s Christian community, according to a church official. The Jerusalem Municipality recently implemented a new policy of collecting taxes on church-owned property not being used for worship (see JPS 47 [3]), and the Knesset is set to take up a bill allowing the state to confiscate church property under certain circumstances. After the church shuts its doors, the Knesset committee set to debate that measure today postpones the proceedings to a later date. (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA 2/25)

Israel’s Ministerial Committee for Legislation approves a new bill that would strengthen the Israeli settlement enterprise by allowing the Jerusalem District Court to hear some cases related to property rights, building and construction, freedom of information, and restraining orders filed by Palestinians in Area C. (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA 2/25)

In the West Bank, the IDF allows Palestinians in 3 villages nr. Nablus to reopen roads leading to their villages after a week of closures. The Israeli authorities closed the villages on 9/4 in response to reports of stonethrowing in the area. Meanwhile, Israeli forces reopen the entrance to a junction nr. Hebron, after keeping it sealed for nearly a year. IDF troops arrest 1 Palestinian during late-night raids nr. Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, around 50 Israeli settlers escorted and guarded by 30 Israeli intelligence officers tour Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in Silwan and Issawiyya. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian homes nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA 9/11; PCHR 9/22)

Israel’s High Court of Justice upholds the 7/30/2015 law allowing Israeli authorities to force-feed hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners if the atty. gen., a district court pres., and a doctor agree that the hunger strike is causing irreparable health damage or threatening the prisoner’s life (see JPS 45 [1]). (JP, MNA, TOI 9/11)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P. M. Shimon Peres denounces Arafat's offer of "land for peace," characterizes the PLO as "talking peace in Jordan [while] killing people in Israel" [JP 9/9]. Soldiers fire rubber bullets and tear gas on a group called An End to Occupation as they demonstrate in Ramallah to protest Israeli deportation and administrative detention practices; 21 protesters are detained. Army declares the area a closed military zone [GU 9/18]. Ariel Sharon begins suit against Time magazine in a Tel Aviv court. Under Israeli law, Sharon need not prove malice to substantiate his claim [JP 9/9]. Charges have been filed against Israeli joumalist Amnon Kapeliouk for visiting Jordan in March and April. Under the 1948 Emergency Defense Regulations, Kapeliouk could receive up to a year in prison for entering acountry in a state of war with Israel [JP 9/8].

Other Countries: New York Times reports the Soviet Union has begun a new campaign to encourage Palestinians to reject American-sponsored efforts at Arab-Israeli peace talks. In recent weeks George Habash, Nayef Hawatmeh, Khaled al-Fahoum, and close Arafat aide Salah Khalaf (Abu lyad) have visited Moscow. Soviet leaders have expressed "total opposition" to the 11 February accord between Arafat and King Hussein [NYT 9/8].

Military Action

Arab World: Fighting continues for the 6th straight day between 2,500 Palestinian fighters inside Burj al-Barajinah refugee camp and Amal militiamen outside [NYT 9/9]. Lebanese officials meet with Syrian Vice Pres. 'Abd al-Halim Khaddam in Damascus to ask for Syrian military intervention to stop the fighting [LT 9/9].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF reports $3 million in stolen army property returned by citizens during November "month of grace" [JTA 12/7]. 5 members of Gaza "Islamic military group" sentenced from 9 to 13 yrs. for membership, arms and currency violations [JP 12/7]. Defense Ministry announces plan to double police force in occupied territories [JP 12/7]. Umm al-Fahm attorney Hussein Abu Hussein arrested on political charges based on "secret testimony"; supporters cite his activity in Abna' al-Balad movement and defense of W. Bank prisoners as true reason [FJ 12/14]. IDF officer in charge of W. Bank judiciary sends letter to W. Bank prosecutor general stating W. Bank civil courts cannot try Israeli identity card holders in criminal or traffic cases [FJ 1/11].

Military Action

Arab World: Black September claims responsibility for 12/4 assassination of Jordanian diplomat 'Azmi al-Mufti in Bucharest [JP 12/7].