The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raze a swath of Palestinian land nr. Bethlehem, demolishing several olive trees. IDF troops conduct latenight raids nr. Ramallah, Hebron, and Tulkarm, arresting 5 Palestinians and confiscating 1 car; and patrol nr. Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces continue targeting Shu‘fat r.c., raiding the camp for the 6th day this week and arresting at least 13 residents. They arrest 2 more Palestinians during raids in Qalandia r.c. and al-‘Izzariya. Two Palestinian families demolish their own homes in Bayt Hanina to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (MNA, WAFA 9/28; PCHR 10/6)

Former Israeli pres. Shimon Peres dies at the age of 93. (HA, JP, NYT 9/28)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian in the Old City after she allegedly draws a knife with the intent to stab 1 of them. Israeli police shoot and kill a 2d Palestinian nr. the Old City after he opens fire on them with an automatic weapon, injuring 2 (1 seriously). Israeli forces then raid the alleged attacker’s home in Issawiyya, issue arrest summons to his father and uncle, take measurements in preparation for possible punitive demolition, and spark minor clashes with stone-throwing youths. In Israel, Israeli police shoot and kill a 3d Palestinian nr. Petah Tikva after he allegedly stabs and moderately injures an Israeli; shoot and kill a 4th Palestinian in Jaffa after he stabs several people, killing 1 U.S. citizen and injuring at least 10 Israelis (5 seriously). Later, a video of the incident in Jaffa circulates on social media, apparently showing an Israeli police officer shooting the Palestinian attacker execution-style. After the attacks in Petah Tikva and Jaffa, the IDF seals the Qalqilya and Salfit-area villages of the alleged attackers, blocking residents from entering or exiting. (HA, INT, JP, MNA, NYT 3/8; PCHR 3/10)

Elsewhere, Israeli forces confiscate a tractor from a village nr. Nablus and level farmland outside a bedouin village in the Negev. They also conduct raids nr. Hebron, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Jericho, Tulkarm, and Jenin, as well as in 1 neighborhood in East Jerusalem, arresting 16 Palestinians and demolishing some property; patrol in 4 villages nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers raze a large area of land nr. Bethlehem. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 3/8; PCHR 3/10)

U.S. VP Joe Biden arrives in Israel, meets with former Israeli pres. Shimon Peres in Jaffa, and pledges “total, unvarnished commitment” to Israel. Meanwhile, a White House official denies a 3/7 Wall Street Journal report that the Obama admin. plans to change policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: “There has been no change to our policy or strategy with regard to this issue.” (HA, JTA, TOI 3/8; JP 3/9)

Israeli pres. Shimon Peres authorizes Livni to form a new government. Israeli law gives her 42 days to complete the task or step aside for the pres. either to authorize another party to form a coalition or to call early elections. Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams will continue to hold their regular mtgs., and Olmert and Abbas will continue to meet biweekly to discuss the teams’ progress, but no major agreements are expected until a new government is formed. (IFM 9/22; WT 9/23)

A 19-yr.-old Palestinian resident of Jabal Mukabir in East Jerusalem drives his car into a group of IDF soldiers in the Old City, injuring 19 before being shot dead; Israeli police believe the man acted intentionally and alone, though the family believes the incident was an accident. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in, fires on residential areas of Jenin town and r.c., causing no injuries; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Nablus and Tulkarm, nr. Bethlehem and Jenin. A Palestinian woman (apparently the same who staged a similar attack on 9/8) sprays an acid-like substance on an IDF soldier checking IDs at Hawara checkpoint, blinding him and injuring 3 Palestinians nearby; she is captured, arrested. (JP, YA 9/22; NYT, WP 9/23; OCHA 9/24; PCHR 9/25)

The donors’ Ad Hoc Liaison Comm. (AHLC) meets in New York to discuss the PA’s financial crisis and how to better target aid to PA security reform efforts. (IMF, “Macroeconomic and Fiscal Framework for the West Bank and Gaza: Second Review of Progress,” 9/22; UNOSC, “UN Report to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committees,” 9/22; World Bank, “Palestinian Economic Prospects: Aid, Access and Reform,” 9/22; IFM 9/22, 9/23)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In W. Bank town of Baytin, 2 prominent Jewish settlers open fire on demonstrators whose barricade blocks road, killing 1 and wounding another [CSM, WP 1/12]. F. M. Shimon Peres meets with UN Undersec. Gen. Marrack Goulding [WP 1/12]. Rafah resident shot 1/8 and Khan Yunis resident also wounded in earlier clash die in Israeli hospital [FJ 1/17]. General strike is observed in E. Jerusalem, W. Bank, and Gaza Strip [FJ 1/17]. Reports indicate 4 Palestinians ordered deported have withdrawn their appeals because their lawyers have been denied access to files [FJ 1/17]. Heads of private schools decide to remain closed until 1/18 [FJ 1/17].

Other Countries: Abraham Sofaer, legal adviser to U.S. State Dept., says closing PLO's UN observer mission would violate international law [NYT 1/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops clash with 20 Palestinian women protest ng in front of Qalandiya refugee camp UN office [CSM 1/12]. Khan Yunis demonstrator who allegedly tried to grab soldier's gun is shot dead [WP 1/12]. Balatah refugee camp and Nablus-area village of Bayt Hilma are placed under curfew. Soldiers use tear gas and rubber bullets against crowds waving Palestinian flag at Qalandiya refugee camp. Clashes are also reported in Duhayshah and Tulkarm camps, Bethlehem and 'Azzariyyah (Bethany) [WP 1/12; FJ 1/17]. Palestinian sources report a Khan Yunis resident is beaten to death. Demonstrations are reported in Gaza City, Bayt Hanun, and Jabalya camp. Curfews are imposed on 5 Gaza Strip refugee camps: Khan Yunis, Dayr al-Balah, Maghazi, Nusayrat, and Burayj. Strip is declared closed military zone [FJ 1/17]. Military imposes curfew on 'Askar camp [FJ 1/17].