The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces shoot at Palestinian farmers working close to the perimeter fence nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 2 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nearby, and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem and Ramallah at night; patrols in Hebron and al-‘Arub r.c. in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces escort 24 Jewish Israelis at Haram al-Sharif, prompting clashes with worshippers. (MNA 12/1; PCHR 12/5)

An anonymous official in Israeli PM Netanyahu’s office says that the govt. will not be proceeding with the preliminary planning procedures for 24,000 settlement homes, as previously indicated on the Housing Ministry’s website. Israeli TV reports that the PA directly appealed to U.S. Secy. of State Kerry about the matter, threatening to quit the negotiations if the tenders were not cancelled. Meanwhile, PA Pres. Abbas meets with opposition leader MK Isaac Herzog in Ramallah, and tells him he is keen to reach an agreement with Israel. In a statement released after the meeting, Herzog says, “We have a partner that is ready to go the distance for peace and take original, brave steps on core issues.” (HA, JP 12/1) 

Iranian pres. Ruhani says construction will soon start on a 2nd nuclear power plant, according to local media reports. Meanwhile, Iranian FM Zarif meets with his Kuwaiti counterpart Shaykh Sabah Khaled al-Sabah, on his 1st official visit to a Gulf Arab country. Following the meeting, Zarif says that the 6-mo. interim deal with the West is in the Gulf states’ interests. (AFP, JP 12/1)

Egyptian security forces violently disperse anti-govt. demonstrators in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, as the cmte. charged with amending the constitution approves changes to the text in the 2nd day of discussions. The new constitution give women and Christians “suitable representation” and also stipulates there must be elections, either parliamentary or presidential, within 90 days of the document’s adoption. The use of military tribunals for civilians is also scaled back, to be permitted only in cases of attacks on military personnel or property. However, the armed forces are given the exclusive right to name the defense minister for the next 2 presidential terms. The draft constitution is now handed over to Egyptian interim pres. Adly Mansour who has 1 mo. to call a national referendum. (AP, REU 12/1)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinians who were close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya r.c., injuring 2. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and at night in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jericho, and Ramallah. The night raid in Ramallah provokes clashes, leaving 1 Palestinian injured with live ammunition. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in (1 wounded by a bullet) and Kafr Qaddum (2 struck by tear gas canisters). Meanwhile, around 200 Jewish settlers gather outside Yabad village nr. Jenin and burn tires, blocking a road. In East Jerusalem, IDF troops open fire on Palestinians protesting against the occupation nr. Abu Dis, in Qalandia, and in Issawiyya, injuring dozens with rubber-coated metal bullets and stun grenades. Palestinians respond by throwing stones and burning tires. (MNA 11/22; PCHR 11/28)

Israel’s Labor Party elects former minister Isaac Herzog as its new leader, defeating incumbent Shelly Yachimovich with 58.5% of the vote compared to the latter’s 41.5%. Herzog announces in his victory speech that the Labor Party will not join the governing coalition led by PM Netanyahu. (REU, YA 11/22)

Russian FM Lavrov arrives in Geneva to join diplomats struggling to finalize a deal between Iran and the P5+1 powers, with remaining disputes including Iran’s right to produce nuclear fuel, the fate of the Arak heavy-water reactor project, and the extent of sanctions relief. (AP, REU 11/22)

Six large Islamist opposition groups in Syria declare a new Islamic Front, the biggest alliance of rebel fighters to date. The group is distinct from both the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and the al-Qa‘ida-linked factions. (REU 11/22)

Muslim Brotherhood supporters hold protest rallies across Egypt to mark 100 days since the mass killings by security forces in 8/2013 (see the QU in JPS 169). Clashes with Muslim Brotherhood opponents leave 2 dead, 1 in Cairo and 1 in Suez. Meanwhile, Hamas PM Haniyeh says that his organization is not breaking ties with Egypt, despite the recent conflict with Cairo’s military rulers. (AP, MNA 11/22)