The Palestine Chronology

Israeli media, citing anonymous government officials, reports that issuance of tenders for construction of 1,500 new settlement housing units in Ramat Shlomo settlement in East Jerusalem have been delayed for at least 3 weeks for ‘‘political reasons’’ related to the peace process. (JP 5/13)

In the West Bank, Jewish settlers attack Palestinian property and agricultural lands in 2 villages nr. Nablus, causing damage but no injuries. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Jericho at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron at night. (MNA 5/13; PCHR 5/16)

Turkish media report that Ankara is close to agreement with Israel over joint energy projects involving the natural gas discoveries off Israel’s coast. (JP 5/13)

The Israeli cabinet approves (16–3, with 1 abstention) a plan for the Bedouin communities in the Negev that would see thousands of so-called unrecognized villages destroyed and their populations forcibly relocated to governmentapproved towns. The plan covers landownership issues, compensation, and investment in the region. The PM’s Office calls it a ‘‘compromise,’’ but Bedouin activists and human rights campaigners denounce it entirely. (JP 1/27, JP 1/28)

Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast nr. al-Waha, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and 1 nr. Salfit in the afternoon, and in Tulkarm at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Tubas at night. (PCHR 1/31)

Tunisian pres. Moncef Marzouki postpones his visit to the Gaza Strip (see 1/20) until 3/2013, following discussion with Palestinian pres. Abbas, in order to ‘‘allow the path of reconciliation to progress.’’ Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Palestinian reconciliation comm., Abdul Aziz Qudaih, says that Morocco has pledged $500 m. to support reconciliation efforts, money to be used for compensation payments for those injured or who suffered property damage during Hamas-Fatah fighting in 2007. (MNA 1/27)

Turkish media report that the country’s dep. min. for energy and natural resources, Murat Mercan, has told Israeli Foreign Ministry official Michael Lotem that Israel’s energy cooperation with Cyprus would stand in the way of any proposed Israel-Turkey natural gas pipeline. The unofficial conversation took place during the Eurasian Economic Summit held in Istanbul. (REU 1/27)