The Palestine Chronology

In n. Gaza, a mbr. of Hamas’s armed wing, Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades (IQB), dies in a tunnel collapse nr. Bayt Lahiya. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and raids in and around Hebron, al-‘Arub r.c., 2 villages nr. Jenin, 1 nr. Bethlehem, and al-Fara‘a r. c. near Tubas, arresting 15 Palestinians and issuing an arrest summons to 1. Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian agricultural lands nr. Hebron, destroying 250 olive trees. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority security forces (PASF) conduct raids in and around Hebron, Nablus, Bethlehem, and Tubas, arresting 4 Palestinians affiliated with Hamas and issuing arrest summons to 3 others. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli police officer assaults a Palestinian tour guide after an argument at Haram al-Sharif. Late at night, Israeli forces demolish 3 Palestinian-owned stores and a home under construction in Silwan. (MNA 5/18; JP 5/19; PCHR 5/21)

The Israeli PM’s office confirms that Dep. PM Silvan Shalom has been appointed to oversee any resumption of negotiations with the Palestinians. Former justice min. Tzipi Livni (Zionist Union) filled this role in the previous govt. (AFP, HA, JP, TOI 5/18; AFP 5/19)

PA pres. Mahmoud Abbas’s spokesperson calls PM Netanyahu’s 5/17 remarks about Jerusalem a clear violation of UN res. and states that there will be no peace in the Middle East unless the Palestinians have a capital in East Jerusalem. (HA, TOI 5/18)

After a meeting of the European Union (EU) FMs in Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini says that the EU is “ready and willing” to play a major role in a new round of peace negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians. Mogherini will be traveling to the region to meet with Netanyahu and Abbas on 5/20–21. (JP, REU 5/18; TOI 5/19; HA 6/7)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops on the e. border fence twice open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands, causing no injuries. Late at night, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the coast nr. alSudaniyya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, PA security forces enter the H2 area of c. Hebron and arrest 2 Palestinians. IDF troops deliver demolition orders to several homes, tents, and other residential structures in 2 bedouin communities s. of Hebron. The IDF conducts house searches in Jalazun r.c., as well as nr. Hebron and Bethlehem; patrols nr. Salfit, Hebron, Tulkarm, Jenin, and in al-‘Arub r.c. An IDF raid in ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus sparks clashes with stone-throwing residents; 1 Palestinian is injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces enter Shu‘fat r.c. and clashes break out with residents, causing no injuries; conduct house searches in Ras al-Amud and Jabal Mukabir. An unknown assailant throws a firebomb at a bus nr. the Old City, causing some damage. (IMEMC, JP, MNA 12/2; MNA 12/3; PCHR 12/4)

Israeli PM Netanyahu fires Fin. Min. Lapid and Justice Minister Livni from his cabinet. Netanyahu criticizes the 2 ministers for disloyalty, citing their opposition to his “nation-state” bill, and tells the press that he will soon call for the 19th Knesset to be dissolved. Meanwhile, reps. of the 4 nonZionist parties in the Knesset, Balad, Hadash, Ra’am, and Ta’al, meet to discuss running as a joint list in the upcoming elections. (AFP, FP, HA, JP 12/2; AFP, REU, YA 12/3)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry holds talks with European FMs at a NATO meeting in Brussels. They discuss France’s draft UNSC res., which sets a timetable on IsraeliPalestinian peace negotiations. (AFP, REU 12/2; AFP, HA 12/3)

The UNGA passes a res. introduced by Egypt, which calls on Israel to give up its nuclear weapons and put its nuclear facilities under international oversight. (YA 12/2; EI 12/4)

The French parliament passes a symbolic res. that facilitates recognition of Palestinian statehood. The res. “invites the French govt. to use the recognition of the State of Palestine as an instrument to gain a definitive res. of the conflict,” and sets a 2-year deadline for the creation of an independent Palestinian state. (AFP, IMEMC, MEMO, REU, RT 12/2; WAFA 12/3)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces clash with residents in Nabi Salih village nr. Ramallah during a patrol, wounding 2 (1 with rubber-coated metal bullets, 1 struck by a tear gas canister). The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the morning, and in al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, Qalqilya, Jenin, and Jalazun r.c. n. Ramallah at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 3 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night. Jewish settlers uproot around 1,200 olive and almond tree seedlings in Sinjil village nr. Ramallah. Meanwhile, activists establish a new protest encampment, named “al-Awda,” in the Jordan Valley 2 days after activists set up something similar at ‘Ayn Hiljeh. (MNA 2/2; PCHR 2/6)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry and Israeli PM Netanyahu talk on the phone about the ongoing negotiations, especially in light of controversy surrounding Kerry’s reference to boycotts at the Munich Security Conference on 2/1. Still in Munich, Kerry meets with Israel’s Justice Minister Livni and Special Envoy Molcho to discuss his framework deal. Meanwhile, PA Pres. Abbas calls for a U.S.-led NATO presence in a future Palestinian state to secure the borders. (HA, NYT 2/2)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry holds a meeting with Iranian FM Zarif on the sidelines of the Munich conference, a rare face-to-face encounter that focuses on the ongoing nuclear talks. No details are released about the contents of the discussions. (AFP, AP 2/2)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian children close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya r.c., wounding 2. The IDF also opens fire on Palestinian fishermen working nr. Gaza City, injuring none but causing damage to their boats. In the West Bank, the IDF shoots and kills 1 Palestinian and wounds 2 others in Jenin r.c. after opening fire in clashes sparked by an arrest raid. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin, 1 village nr. Nablus, and in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem. During clashes in Dahaysha, the IDF wounds 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated metal bullet. IDF troops also demolish 15 structures of Bedouin residents in the n. Jordan Valley, including residential sheds and animal barns. (MNA, REU, WAFA 8/20; PCHR 8/22)

Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams meet in Jerusalem to continue discussions taking place following the resumption of official peace talks. U.S. envoy to the peace process Martin Indyk joins the teams, following the previous session that lacked a U.S. presence. The Israeli delegation is headed by Tzipi Livni and Yitzhak Molcho, while the Palestinian side is led by Saeb Erakat and Mohammed Shtayyeh. Livni tells Israeli media that both sides have agreed on not sharing details of their discussions to build trust. (AFP, AP, HA 8/20)

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abbas Araqchi hints that Tehran’s FM Mohammad Javad Zarif is poised to take over as negotiator in talks over the country’s nuclear program. Previous negotiator Saeed Jalili was one of the more conservative candidates defeated in the June 14 presidential election. (AP, NYT 8/20)

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses Israel of being involved in the military coup that removed Pres. Morsi in Egypt, though offers only a reference to a meeting between French intellectual Bernard-Henri Levy and Tzipi Livni as evidence of his claim. The Egyptian cabinet rejects the comments as baseless, and Erdogan’s remarks are also condemned by White House spokesperson Josh Earnest as “offensive.” (AP, REU 8/20)

Following a successful evening of talks, U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry holds a press conference in Washington, flanked by Tzipi Livni and Saeb Erakat, and announces the official resumption of peace negotiations (see document D2 in JPS 169 for more). Kerry praises the 2 sides for their engagement and leadership, and announces that there will be a further round of talks within the next 2 weeks. Kerry also says that both sides have agreed to keep the contents of the meetings confidential. (AP, HA 7/30)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 1 rocket into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-‘Arub r.c. and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Jenin at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning, 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in Jenin and 1 nearby village and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. (AFP 7/30; PCHR 8/1)

EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton flies to Cairo and visits ousted pres. Mohamed Morsi, the 1st outsider to see him since the coup. (REU 7/30)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry announces at a press conference in Amman that direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations will begin as early as the following week in Washington. Kerry says details are still being finalized, but that Israeli justice minister Tzipi Livni and Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat will travel to the U.S. to hold preliminary talks. Kerry made no mention of any conditions or framework for the talks. UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon welcomes the news and commends Kerry for his efforts, as does EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton. (HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/19)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 2 nearby villages, and 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin and al-‘Arub r.c. at night. Israeli soldiers clash with protesters at 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), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), causing no serious injuries, except in Nabi Saleh, where 1 person is shot and wounded by a rubbercoated metal bullet. (MNA 7/19; PCHR 7/25)

Pro-Muslim Brotherhood demonstrators take to the streets across Egypt, and 3 people die in clashes between supporters and opponents of ousted pres. Morsi. Meanwhile in the Sinai, gunmen launch attacks on Egyptian army posts and police stations, killing 3 civilians when a rocket-propelled grenade struck their home. (AFP, MNA, REU 7/19)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian in Qalandia r.c. nr. Ramallah, during clashes sparked by an IDF arrest raid in the camp. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 4 villages nr. Hebron at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, and in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Salfit 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 in Bil‘in (1 injury from tear gas canister) and Kafr Qaddum (2 injuries from rubber-coated metal bullets). (MNA 6/28; PCHR 7/4)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry conducts further shuttle diplomacy, holding talks in Amman with Palestinian pres. Mahmud Abbas followed by discussions in Jerusalem with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, which are also attended by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, National Security Adviser Ya’akov Amidror, and Special Envoy Yitzhak Molcho. Kerry meets separately with Israeli pres. Shimon Peres. Meanwhile, director of the Palestinians’ High Coordination Cmte. for Prisoners’ Release Amin Shuman says that Israelis and Palestinians have held secret talks about freeing prisoners detained before 1993. (AFP, HA, MNA, REU 6/28)

Three people are killed and hundreds injured as violent clashes take place between supporters and opponents of Egyptian pres. Mohamed Morsi, with the Muslim Brotherhood office ransacked in Alexandria. (NYT 6/28)

Israel’s Justice Minister Tzipi Livni meets with U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry in Rome, following a meeting last week in Washington that discussed the possibility of reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. U.S. Pres. Barack Obama speaks with PM Benjamin Netanyahu by phone to discuss the peace process. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities approve construction of 296 new settlement housing units in Beit El settlement nr. Ramallah. (JP 5/8; JP, MNA 5/9)

In Jerusalem, Jewish settlers accompanied by Israeli security forces enter the al-Aqsa Mosque compound for the second consecutive day, preventing Muslim worshippers from freely accessing the site. Meanwhile, Israeli police detain Jerusalem Mufti Mohammed Hussein for a few hours over his role in clashes the previous day.

In the West Bank, IDF forces demolish 3 Palestinian homes in al-Auja village nr. Jericho. IDF undercover units conduct a raid nr. Jenin, arresting PA Preventive Security officer Mohammed Ahmed Zakarna, who received an amnesty a few years ago for his participation in the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night. IDF troops conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin and in Tulkarm at night. IDF forces make 2 brief incursions into Gaza to level land and clear lines of sight along the border nr. Jabaliya and Bayt Hanun. (AFP, MNA 5/8; PCHR 5/9)

Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem publishes a report that says Israel killed 87 Palestinian civilians in Operation Pillar of Defense in 11/2012, 80% of whom died in the second half of the operation. (JP 5/9)

Egyptian theologian and prominent Islamist cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi enters the Gaza Strip on a high-profile official visit to the Hamas government, welcomed and hosted by PM Ismail Haniyeh (AFP 5/8)

Jordan’s parliament votes in favor of petitioning the government to expel Israeli amb. Daniel Nevo and recalling Jordan’s amb. to Israel to protest recent unrest involving Jewish settlers entering the al-Aqsa Mosque compound (see 5/7) Ultimately, Jordan’s Interior Min. Hussein al-Majali only summons Nevo to convey an official protest. (AFP 5/8)

Professor Stephen Hawking of Cambridge University pulls out of a conference in Israel in 6/2013 hosted by Pres. Shimon Peres, citing the Palestinian boycott call. Israeli FM spokesman Yigal Palmor says that ‘‘never has a scientist of this stature boycotted Israel.’’ (NYT 5/8)

The UN relocates peacekeepers from an observation post in the al-Jamla area of the Golan Heights cease-fire zone, following the most recent abduction of Filipino troops on 5/7. (AFP 5/8)

An Israeli official tells the media that U.S.-Israeli efforts to soften the wording of the Palestinians’ resolution for the UNGA have failed, though reports indicate that the U.S. is still trying to convince key countries not to support it. Other reports suggest that the UK will back the bid if Abbas agrees not to use the upgrade to take Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague. France says it will vote in favor. (Guardian, HA, JP, REU 11/27)

Investigators exhume the remains of Yasser Arafat in Ramallah in order to seek possible traces of poison. A Palestinian medical team worked with Swiss, French, and Russian forensic teams, before the tomb is resealed. French magistrates opened a murder inquiry into Arafat’s death in August, following findings by a Swiss institute of high levels of polonium on Arafat’s clothing supplied by his widow Suha, as part of an Al Jazeera investigation. (AFP, REU 11/27)

Former Israeli FM Tzipi Livni announces that she is leaving the Kadima party and will run in the forthcoming elections as the head of a new party, Hatnua. A handful of Kadima MKs resign from the party and are expected to join her new party. (YA 11/27)

In Gaza, a Fatah delegation joins Hamas PM Ismail Haniyeh for a ceremony to honor families bereaved in Operation Pillar of Defense. Meanwhile, Palestinian factions hold a meeting in Gaza Strip and agree to hold a joint rally raising Palestinian flags to support the UN bid. (MNA 11/27)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF opens fire on farmers and civilians nr. Jabalya at the border fence, causing no injuries. The IDF opens fire nr. Rafah at Palestinians nr. the border, wounding 1. The IDF also fires warning shots at Palestinians collecting scrap metal nr. Bayt Hanun, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Jenin, and conducts house searches and arrest raids in Tulkarm at night. Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails launch a 1-day hunger strike in solidarity with long-term hunger strikers Ayman Sharawna and Samer Issawi. (MNA 11/27; PCHR 11/29)

IDF makes an air strike demolishing an AMB building in Gaza City; blows up a Palestinian home in Jenin that allegedly stored explosives; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin and in Bethlehem, Hebron, Tulkarm. Palestinians fire a rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Abbas dispatches mbrs. of Force 17, the presidential guard, to take control of PA operations at the Rafah crossing, relieving PA security forces controlled by the Interior Min. (MM 4/11; MM, NYT 4/12; PCHR 4/13)

Israel’s acting FM Tzipi Livni says that any Palestinian “fighting against Israeli soldiers is an enemy and we will fight back, but I believe that this is not under the definition of terrorism,” only those “who take the lives of civilians are terrorists.” Says that the international community should “stop calling terrorists those who are freedom fighters.” (AFP, IFM 4/11)