The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian minor succumbed to injuries sustained by Israeli forces during a raid in Kafr Dan on 4/14. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qarawat Bani Hassan, injuring 1 Palestinian minor with live ammunition and others with tear gas; the minor was also arrested. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 3 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qaryut, Beita, and Bazariya, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound, including inside al-Aqsa Mosque, injuring more than 152 Palestinians with baton rounds, batons, and tear gas, including 8 who were admitted into intensive care facilities. Several Palestinian journalists at the compound were violently beaten by Israeli police, causing broken limbs. 3 Israeli police officers were lightly injured. Some 470 Palestinians were arrested at the compound before noon prayers, where some 50,000 worshippers were praying, about half from the West Bank. Around 440 were released within 24 hours, some of whom were banned from entering the compound until after the end of Ramadan. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, NYT, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/15; MEMO, REU 4/16 HA 4/18; PCHR 4/21; UNOCHA 4/23)

Hamas, the PA, Jordan, Morocco, UAE, Bahrain, the United Arab List, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned the Israeli-led violence at the Haram al-Sharif compound (see above). The U.S. state department released a statement urging “all sides to exercise restraint, avoid provocative actions and rhetoric, and preserve the historic status quo on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount.” The spokesperson for UN secretary general António Guterres expressed grave concern about the situation in Jerusalem. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/15; HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/16)

Palestinians in the West Bank are under an Israeli-imposed curfew for the Jewish holiday of Passover, beginning at 4 P.M. and continuing until 4/17. Crossings between Gaza and Israel are closed. (HA 4/14; HA 4/15; HA 4/16)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh spoke to Arab League secretary general Ahmed Aboul Gheit about the Israeli attacks on Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Haniyeh also spoke with Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and speaker of the Kuwaiti parliament Marzouq al-Ghanim in separate calls. (MEMO 4/16)

At a Passover seder hosted by U.S. vice president Kamala Harris and 2nd gentleman Doug Emhoff, the couple served wine made by the settler winery Psagot Winery in the West Bank. The senior advisor for communications to Vice President Harris said in a tweet that “the wine served at the Seder was in no way intended to be an expression of policy.” (HA, MDW 4/17; MEE 3/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians, including 1 minor by live ammunition as they were protesting the Psagot settlement east of al-Bireh; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli municipality demolished a staircase leading to the Lion’s Gate at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinians as they were headed to the funeral of 1 Palestinian killed by Israeli forces on 11/25 at a checkpoint in the West Bank, near East Jerusalem. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 11/29; WAFA, WAFA 11/30; PCHR 12/3)

The WHO delivered 15 ventilators to Gaza hospitals as the COVID-19 virus continues to challenge the Gazan health system. The ventilators were paid for by Kuwait. (REU 11/29; HA 11/30)

An Israeli court rejected a petition filed by Palestinians to reclaim their land that had been seized by Israel and used by settlers to build settlement outposts south of Jerusalem in the West Bank. The ruling paves the way for Israel to legalize the settlement outposts. (HA 11/30)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with the King Abdallah II of Jordan in the Jordanian city of Aqaba. In a statement released by Jordan after the meeting, Jordan reaffirmed its commitment to a Palestinian state. President Abbas later traveled to Egypt, meeting with secretary-general of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit and the Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry. Abbas is scheduled to meet with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on 11/30. This marked the 1st time Abbas left the West Bank in 2020. (WAFA 11/28; HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 11/29; WAFA, WAFA 11/30)

The Israeli security cabinet approved the transfer of $756 million to the PA in tax funds but continues to withhold $181.5 million that the PA pays to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons and their families. (HA 11/29)

According to Iraqi officials, 1 Iranian senior commander of the Revolutionary Guard, Muslim Shahdan, had been killed in an air strike along with 3 others as they entered Syria from Iraq in a car. There were no reports of who carried out the air strike, but Israel has frequently been carrying out air strikes in Syria and Iraq and is believed to have assassinated an Iranian nuclear scientist on 11/27. (HA, TOI 12/1)

UN secretary-general António Guterres said in a statement commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People that “the question of Palestine remains distressingly unresolved,” and criticized Israel for continuing to make a 2-state solution less viable. (WAFA 11/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces assaulted 1 77-year-old Palestinian man who refused to leave his land near Bayt Umar. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house, 1 retaining wall and a number of sheds in al-Walaja, and the foundations of 1 house in Bayt Jala. Elsewhere, Israeli forces leveled Palestinian land in Yanuh to expand a nearby settlement. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians during a late-night raid in Kaubar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 8 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Qalandia, Tulkarm, Yatta, Nablus, and Beita. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in al-Tur and Wadi Juz. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/12; PCHR 11/19)

1 Israeli soldier who had been missing since 11/10 was found dead near the Hizma checkpoint in the West Bank. Israel did not provide any further details. (HA 11/12)

The Israeli attorney general Avichai Mendelblit announced that Israel will freeze enforcement of the Kaminitz Law, which aims at punishing Israeli residents who build without a permit. While the law does not single out Palestinian-Israelis explicitly, it disproportionately effects Palestinian-Israelis because the time it takes to obtain a construction permit in Palestinian areas of Israel is much longer than in Israeli-Jewish areas. According to Haaretz, it is estimated that 50,000 Palestinian-owned houses in Israel are built without a permit. The freeze, which lasts until 2023, was seen as a win for the Joint Arab List whose politicians have been working with Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz and justice minister Avi Nissenkorn to get it through. (HA 11/12)

Axios reported that U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo will visit Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Golan Heights. During his trip, Secretary Pompeo is scheduled to visit a settler winery in Psagot near al-Bireh, which announced it will make a new series of wine named after him. The winery is built on 80 dunams (20 acres) of privately-owned Palestinian land seized by Israel. Pompeo will be the 1st U.S. secretary of state to visit both the Golan Heights and West Bank settlements. Pompeo was also the 1st secretary of state to visit the Wailing Wall. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said in a tweet, “[w]e deplore US Sec. of State Mike Pompeo’s intent to visit the illegal settlement of Psagot, built on lands belonging to Palestinian owners in Al-Bireh city, during his visit to Israel next week. This dangerous precedent legalizes settlements& a blot to int’l legitimacy/ UN res’s.” (AX, HA 11/12; AJ, Twitter 11/13; WAFA 11/15)

The NYT reported that U.S. president Donald Trump, in a meeting with U.S. military officials, requested options for attacking Iran’s nuclear site in Natanz. According to NYT sources, he was ultimately dissuaded by the military officials not to launch an attack on Iran. (NYT, REU 11/16)

The prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan said in an interview that the U.S. and at least 1 other unnamed country have been pressuring him to recognize Israel. Prime Minister Khan said he would not normalize relations with Israel until a peace agreement is made with Palestine. Khan, when pressed on what the 2d country was, said, “[l]eave this. There are things we cannot say.” (HA 11/17)

In the Gaza Strip, the 72-hour cease-fire ends at 8:00 A.M. local time and hostilities resume. The IDF continues its assault with aerial and naval bombardment, killing 5 Palestinians. The IAF strikes around 50 targets across Gaza. Armed Palestinian groups fire dozens of rockets into Israel, attacks claimed by Islamic Jihad and the PRC, injuring 3. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian during clashes nr. Psagot settlement close to Ramallah. IDF troops also shoot a Palestinian in clashes nr. Hebron, who later dies of his injuries. In the clashes, 25 are injured with live ammunition and 15 with rubber-coated metal bullets. There are further clashes in Safa village nr. Ramallah, where IDF troops shoot and injure 7 Palestinians, as well as outside Ofer prison, where IDF troops injure 6 Palestinians. 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), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries, except in Kafr Qaddum, where 4 are injured by live ammunition. The IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah and 2 villages nr. Jericho during the day. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/8; PCHR 8/9)

Egyptian officials call for a resumption of the cease-fire, saying that only a few points remain to be agreed, but Israeli officials say that they are unprepared to negotiate under fire. Israeli officials accuse Hamas of firing a few rockets before the cease-fire even ended. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/8)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces kill a senior Islamic Jihad operative in an air strike on Jabaliya r.c., wounding 2 (including a child). The Israeli military claims the targeted operative was responsible for rocket fire. Two other Israeli air strikes cause some damage but no injuries. Islamic Jihad say that strikes on Gaza may lead to the end of the cease-fire broadly observed since 11/2012. Separately, Israeli forces open fire on Palestinian farmers close to the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun, causing no injuries. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Ramallah, Jenin and 1 nearby village, and in Nablus at night; patrols in 3 villages nr. Jenin in the morning, and in Hebron and 2 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nearby, and in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm at night. (MNA, REU 1/19; PCHR 1/23)

Israel’s Justice Minister Livni and Special Envoy Yitzhak Molcho depart for Washington to meet with U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry, to discuss details of his draft framework for a peace agreement. Other attendees of their meeting include Israeli amb. to the U.S. Ron Dermer and U.S. mediator Martin Indyk. Meanwhile, Israeli radio reports that Netanyahu has told Kerry that he intends to annex a 4th bloc of settlements, adding Beit El-Ofra-Psagot to the Etzion, Ma’ale Adumim and Ariel blocs. (AFP, HA, JP 1/19)

UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon says that he invited Iran to the Syria peace talks in Switzerland and held discussions with Iranian FM Zarif about the constructive role the country could play. In response, the U.S. says the invitation should be withdrawn unless Tehran states its support for the 2012 agreement establishing a Syrian transition govt. (i.e., the 6/30/12 Geneva Communiqué). Meanwhile, the Islamic Front opposition alliance rejects participation in the talks. (AP, HA, REU 1/19)

In the West Bank, Palestinian gunmen open fire on Psagot settlement nr. al-Bireh, wounding 1 child. Israeli soldiers and settlers attack residents in Burin village nr. Nablus, and in a patrol in al-Bireh, IDF troops shoot and injure 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated metal bullet. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Bethlehem at night; in al- ‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Jewish settlers damage 120 olive trees nr. Nablus, while in a separate incident, settlers throw stones at Palestinian houses nr. Ramallah. (HA, MNA 10/5; PCHR 10/10)

PA security forces raid Jenin r.c. and arrest a number of residents, including Islamic Jihad activists. (JP 10/5)

Egypt allows Hajj pilgrims from the Gaza Strip to exit through the Rafah border crossing, and around 100 Palestinians are permitted to return to Gaza from the Egyptian side. Meanwhile, Egypt’s Maj.-Gen. Ahmad Ibrahim says that the military has demolished 1,055 smuggling tunnels under the border with Gaza since 1/2011, with 794 of them destroyed in 2013. (MNA 10/5)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gives his support to Pres. Ruhani’s diplomatic opening to the U.S., but says he does not trust Washington as a negotiating partner. (REU 10/5)

With Israel’s suspension of fuel shipments to Gaza since 8/5, rolling blackouts across Gaza increase fr. 8–10 hrs./day to 12 hrs./day. An uncorroborated report says that unidentified Palestinians fire 1 Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning; conducts arrest raids, house searches in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning and 2 villages nr. Hebron and Jenin late at night. OCHA reports that since 8/1, the IDF has demolished 3 structures in the Bethlehem area: a restaurant, part of another building, and a local road used by Palestinian farmers to access their crop land. (Mivzak Live [Internet] 8/7; PCHR 8/9; OCHA 8/10)

Israel’s Finance Comm. allocates nearly $1.8 m. to move some structures at Migron settlement outpost to the site near Psagot where Migron settlers are to relocate. (JPI 8/17)

The Israeli High Court rejects the state’s 3/11/12 request to delay the evacuation of the unauthorized settlement outpost of Migron until a new housing at a new site is completed in 2015, ordering it to be dismantled by 8/1/12. An anonymous Israeli official says that the evacuated Migron settlers will likely move to the new site near Psagot immediately and begin work to fulfill the long-term government plan as laid out on 3/11/12. A settlement supporter says, “People close to Netanyahu teased the Peace Now movement [which brought the case on behalf of the Palestinian land owners], we should actually bless them because now we’re going to build another settlement which is not disputed legally, and it’s going to be much, much larger.” (NYT, WP, WT 3/26; WP 3/31; JPI 4/6)

Gaza’s power plant shuts down for lack of fuel (see 3/23/12). The IDF issues evacuation orders for several Palestinian homes in Hebron that are deemed too close to Susia settlement; patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 nr. Jenin, and 1 in Tulkarm in the morning; patrols in Qalqilya and 2 nearby villages (synchronized), and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm in the afternoon; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Bireh (nr. Bethlehem) and nr. Qalqilya; conducts late-night patrols in Salfit and 1 village nr. Jenin. (PCHR 3/29; OCHA 3/30)

Cross-border fighting in Gaza enters its 3d day. Palestinians fire 10s of rockets and mortars into Israel, damaging an empty school but causing no injuries. Israel carries out at least 7 air strikes on 7 targets (1 in Abassan, 3 in Gaza City, 3 in Jabaliya), killing 2 Palestinian civilians and wounding 33 Palestinians (2 armed Palestinians and 31 civilians, including 12 children and 5 women). Egypt unsuccessfully attempts to mediate a cease-fire. Israeli DM Ehud Barak acknowledges that Hamas has not taken part in the fighting, but notes that Hamas has not tried to rein in Islamic Jihad or the PRCs. As the fighting continues Islamic Jihad publicly accuses Hamas of failing to protect Gaza. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts morning patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Jenin (firing tear gas, stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them, causing no injuries); patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin (again firing tear gas, stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them, causing no injuries) and 1 nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon; and conducts late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah and latenight arrest raids and house searches nr. Jenin. Meanwhile, residents of the illegal settlement outpost of Migron (49 families; some 300 settlers), who were informed by Israel’s High Court in 2011 that they must vacate and dismantle the outpost (on private Palestinian land nr. Ramallah) by 3/31/12, sign a deal with the government to move the outpost to a plot of state land 2 miles away, near Psagot settlement, where they will be allowed to build permanent homes, effectively creating a new Jewish settlement in Jerusalem’s environs. The government then requests that the High Court delay the evacuation until the new homes on the new site are completed (target date 2015). (JP, YA 3/11; JP, WP, WT 3/12; PCHR 3/15; OCHA 3/16; JPI 3/23)

IDF helicopters fire 2 missiles 2 cars in Gaza City in its 4th attempt to assassinate most-wanted Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades mbr. Muhammad Dayif; 2 Hamas mbrs. are killed, Dayif escapes with moderate wounds, some 30 bystanders (including 15 children) are injured. The IDF intercepts an explosives-packed Palestinian car at al-Ram checkpoint nr. Tulkarm, allegedly en route to stage a car bombing in Jerusalem. In Kefar Labid nr. Tulkarm, IDF commandos conduct an arrest raid, prompting an exchange of gunfire that leaves senior Hamas mbr. Nashat Abu Jabara, 1 IDF officer dead; then demolish Abu Jabara's home. The IDF also arbitrarily imposes a curfew in Hebron then fires tear gas, rubber bullets at Palestinians in Hebron's market, killing a Palestinian infant; fatally shoots another Palestinian Gaza; demolishes 1 Palestinian home, bulldozes more than 60 dunams of agricultural land nr. Bayt Hanun; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Qabatya; bulldozes 20 dunams of agricultural land nr. Bayt Lahia; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis. Palestinian gunmen fire on a settler vehicle nr. Hebron, injuring 4 Jewish setters. Jewish settlers dedicate the new HaGefen neighborhood of 1,150 housing units in Beitar Ilit; the new enclave of Migron nr. Psagot, comprising 30 families. (AP, CNN, HA 9/26; HA, LAW, MM, NYT, PRCS press release, WP, WT 9/27; NYT 9/28; MM 9/30; QA 9/30 in WNC 10/1; LAW, PCHR, PR 10/2; PCHR 10/3; MEI 10/11)

In Gaza, IDF helicopters fire rockets at a car driven by most-wanted Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades leader Muhammad Dayif, his aide Adnan Ghul; both escape unhurt but an accompanying vehicle is hit, killing Ghul's son and a bodyguard. Nr. Rafah, the IDF opens fire on Palestinians inspecting a building just bulldozed by Israeli soldiers; 1 PSF officer is killed. In response to Palestinian gunfire directed at Psagot settlement, which causes no injuries, the IDF enters PA-controlled Ramallah and bulldozes a PSF office. After Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, damaging 1 home, the IDF fires 2 missiles at a PSF post, destroying it and wounding 7 PSF officers. Palestinians also fire on an Israeli truck leaving a Jewish settlement, wounding 2 Israelis. (LAW 8/22; NYT, WP, WT 8/23; MM, WT 8/24; MEI 8/31)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes abate further due to heavy rains, cold weather. During the day, 2 Palestinians are killed; a 3d dies of injuries received earlier. Barak sends top security aide Yossi Ginnosaur to Gaza to discuss security coordination with PSF head Dahlan. The IDF shells areas around Bayt Jala, Hebron, Jericho, Rafah, and Tulkarm, severely damaging more than 6 Palestinian homes, killing 1 man, wounding at least 8. The IDF uproots Palestinian olive groves nr. Netzarim Junction. IDF tanks in Psagot settlement fire into al-Bireh camp outside Ramallah in response to sniping. Barak allows Jewish settlers to go back to Mitzpe Hagit, one of the illegal settlement enclaves evacuated in 1999. (Gush Shalom press release 10/24; LAW, NYT, WT 10/25)

Pres. Clinton phones Arafat to urge him to halt Palestinian demonstrations, arrange a time to come to Washington to discuss resuming peace talks. Arafat gives no assurances. The White House says Clinton also phoned Barak, to urge Israeli restraint and invite him to a separate mtg. in Washington, but the leaders were "unable to speak." (MM, NYT, WT 10/25; NYT, YA 10/26; AYM 10/26 in WNC 10/30)

In Washington, Pres. Clinton, King Abdallah of Jordan sign a free trade agmt. (AP, BBC, MM 10/24; WJW 10/26; WP 10/27; JT 10/30, 10/31 in WNC 11/1; JT 11/8 in WNC 11/9; JT 11/9 in WNC 11/13; WP 11/10)

In a coordinated event, groups of West Bank Palestinians, 10,000s of Jordanians fr. across the kingdom march toward Jerusalem in a nonviolent demonstration of support for the right of return. While Palestinians are stopped at IDF checkpoints, the Jordanians are halted nr. Allenby Bridge by Jordanian riot police and security forces, with helicopter support. The Jordanian authorities beat back marchers with batons, water cannons, and tear gas, injuring 100s. (AP, BBC, MM 10/24; WJW 10/26; WP 10/27; JT 10/30, 10/31 in WNC 11/1; JT 11/8 in WNC 11/9; JT 11/9 in WNC 11/13; WP 11/10)

100s of Yemenis march to the UN offices in Sana' to protest Israeli violence against the Palestinians. In the U.S., a rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people is held in Chicago. (Bernama-IINA [Internet] 10/24)

Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the West Bank and Gaza abates slightly but escalates again this evening, leaving at least 3 Palestinians dead. The most serious incident is in Nablus, where the IDF, implementing the Sharm agmts., turns over Joseph's Tomb to the PSF. Palestinians celebrating the IDF pullback overrun the PSF, destroy the tomb. In response, armed Jewish settlers roam areas around West Bank settlements, stoning and firing at Palestinian cars, killing 1 Palestinian. Inside Israel, Jews fr. Upper Nazareth rampage through Arab Nazareth throwing stones at Israeli Palestinians, sparking a riot; when Israeli Arabs start to fight back, Israeli riot police intervene, using tear gas and live ammunition, shooting dead 2 Israeli Arabs. In Tiberias, Jews vandalize a historic mosque. The IDF moves tanks into the West Bank to guard the Jewish settlement of Psagot, which has been the target of Palestinian sniping. At Rafah airport, Palestinians fire on a bus Israeli airport workers, injuring 8. Israel shuts the airport. (LAW 10/7; MENA, RL 10/7, al-Quds 10/8, AFP, Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; ADM, NYT, WP, WT 10/8; MM, NYT, WT 10/9; AYM 10/9, MA 10/10, 10/11 in WNC 10/12; NYT 10/10; WJW 10/12; MEI 10/13; WJW 10/19; WP 10/28)

Barak calls up IDF reservists, sets an ultimatum of 48 hrs. for Palestinians to halt their assaults on IDF outposts, Jewish settlements or "we will regard this as a cessation by Arafat of the peace process, and we will order the army to use all means at its disposal." Barak also says he is considering forming a "unity government" with Likud MK Sharon. (AYM 10/7, al-Quds 10/9 in WNC 10/12; NYT, WP, WT 10/8; AYM 10/8 in WNC 10/13; MM 10/9; Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/11; JP, MEI 10/13)

Nr. Shaba` Farms, IDF soldiers fire across the blue line into Lebanon at 100s of Palestinian refugees staging a protest, killing 2, wounding 15. In response, Hizballah guerrillas cross into Golan Heights, kidnap 3 IDF soldiers; fire rockets at the IDF's Shaba` outpost, injuring 6 soldiers. Barak reinforces the border area, sends Israeli warplanes and attack helicopters into Lebanon to strike Hizballah targets, injuring 4 Lebanese civilians. U.S.'s Albright phones Lebanese pres. Lahoud, Syrian pres. Asad to urge them to intercede with Hizballah to release the IDF soldiers. France, Germany, the Red Cross, Russia, the UN open channels with Hizballah, which demands Israel release at least 19 Lebanese political prisoners (kidnaped by the IDF in Lebanon, held without trial for as long as 20 yrs.) in exchange for the soldiers. (CNN [Internet] 10/7; RL 10/7, AYM 10/8, Interfax 10/9, Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; NYT, WP, WT 10/8; Manar TV [Internet], MM, NYT, WT 10/9; al-Quds 10/9, DUS, al-Safir 10/10 in WNC 10/12; MM, NYT, WP 10/10; NYT, WJW, WP 10/12; JP, MEI 10/13; JP 10/27, 11/3)

After 6 days of debate, the UNSC passes (14 to 0, with the U.S. abstaining) a watered down resolution that condemns the "excessive use of force" against the Palestinians but does not mention Israel by name. U.S. Amb. Richard Holbrooke threatened to veto stronger language. (AP 10/7; NYT, WP, WT 10/8; AYM 10/8 in WNC 10/13; MM, NYT, WT 10/9; CSM, WP 10/10; MEI 10/13)

In Amman, Jordanian police open fire on Palestinian refugees demonstrating for the closure of the Israeli emb., killing 1, arresting 97. Demonstrations condemning Israeli violence, U.S. support of Israel are held in Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, France, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, the UAE, and Yemen. In the U.S., rallies are held in Albuquerque, Dearborn, New York. (BBC, al-Jazeera TV [Internet] 10/7; AFP, ATL, MENA 10/7, JT 10/8 in WNC 10/10; Daily Star 10/12 in WNC 10/13; Gulf News [Internet], NYT 10/8; MM 10/11; AYM 10/11 in WNC 10/12; MEI 10/13)

Jordanian-Israeli joint comm. on education, science, culture meets in Israel. Comm. mbrs. tour vocational, technical schools, discuss possible joint programs. (IGPO 1/18 in FBIS 1/19)

Israeli Housing Min. report leaked to Israeli press shows government authorized construction of 1,833 homes in West Bank in 1994, 3,230 for 1995, with emphasis on expanding areas around Jerusalem. (WT 1/18)

Jerusalem Comm. of the ICO ends 2-day mtg. in Morocco; issues statement criticizing Israel for law passed 12/26, calling on Israel to withdraw fr. occupied territories, incl. Jerusalem, demanding peace agmts. be based on UN Res. 242, 338, 425. Parties report high degree of coordination btwn. Jordanian FM al-Kabariti, Arafat. (RTM 1/17 in FBIS 1/18; MM 1/18)

Palestinians protest construction around 3 West Bank settlements. At Psagot, IDF troops fire rubber bullets, stun grenades at protestors led by PA Ms, injuring 3; detain, rough up PA M `Azmi al-Shu`aybi, Arafat advisors Ahmad Tibi, Marwan Barghouti. (CSM 1/17; QT 1/17 in FBIS 1/17; WT 1/18)

PFLP announces it will be closing some offices in Damascus, ceasing publication of paper, moving as many mbrs. as possible to home bases in West Bank, Gaza because of financial crisis. DFLP is taking similar steps. (Al-Bayan, Shihan 1/17 in FBIS 1/20)

Egyptian clerics, Muslim Brotherhood officials criticize Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Shaykh Bin Baz's fatwa permitting peace with Israel. (al-Sha`b 1/17 in FBIS 1/25; MM 2/14) (see 12/21)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Prime Minister Peres announces last stage of IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon will be completed by 6 June; but unspecified number of soldiers will remain in "security zone" [NYT 6/3]. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Samuel Lewis ends 8-year tour of duty [JTA 6/3]. Council of Jewish Settlements in West Bank calls for official action to deport Palestinians released 20 May [JTA 6/3]. Council Chair Yisrael Har'el says harassment tactics used againsthem by settlers igenerating sympathy for Palestinians among some Israelis. Wives of Jewish underground defendants end 13-day hunger strike after receiving order from rabbi to desist and assurances Knesset bill will be introduced to grant defendants clemency. Defendants tell court attempted Temple Mount sabotage was intended only "to frighten," not kill. Summer visiting season for relatives to West Bank residents begins. 2,500 visitors will be allowed to cross Allenby Bridge per day, up from 1,250; 1,100 over Damiya Bridge, up from 800 [JP 6/3]. Israeli settlers in West Bank and Gaza meet at Pesagot near Ramallah to discuss how to torpedo the envisaged peace talks with Jordan and how to force out of the country Arabs freed May 20 [JP 6/3]. Rejecting Hussein Plan and U.S. overtures, Shamir and Likud want direct talks with non-PLO/PNC-Jordanian or Jordanian-Palestinian delegation. Peres and Labor party take "wait and see" position on delegation that includes PNC members.

Arab Countries: Red Cross evacuates 29 from Burj al-Barajinah [FT 6/3]. 93 Palestinians taken to hospitals in Druze-held mountain town of Shuwayfat. Shi'a militiamen take 5 Palestinians from ambulances, later let them be evacuated.

Other Countries: Sec. of State Shultz sends message to P. M. Peres seeking Israeli backing for projected American talks with Jordanian-Palestinian delegation as step toward direct talks with Israel [NYT 6/3]. U.S. accepts PNC representation idelegation. Shultz says he is glad PLO has accepted UN resolutions 242 and 338 but says U.S. needs public statement before considering talking to PLO [JTA 6/3]. He opposes Hussein's proposal of Soviet participation in peace talks.