The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian property in Burin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers marched through the Old City, waving Israeli flags and chanting anti-Palestinian slogans. In Israel, Israeli police arrested 3 Israeli activists from Peace Now in Rosh HaAyin and blocked several other activists from entering the West Bank as the group had rented a bulldozer and intended to demolish the partly evacuated Homesh settlement outpost. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 5/28; +972 6/1; UNOCHA 6/4)

Forensic Architecture and Al Haq released an investigation into an Israeli attack on 5/15/2021 that concluded that an Israeli artillery shell hitting the Khudair Pharmaceuticals and Agricultural Tools Company in Beit Lahiya in Gaza amounted to the “indirect deploying of chemical weapons.” The shell set fire to hundreds of tons of pesticides, fertilizers, plastics, and nylons, causing health issues and environmental damage in Gaza. (AHQ, FA, WAFA 5/28; HA 5/29; GDN 5/30)

Fusako Shigenobu, cofounder of the Japanese Red Army, was released after serving more than 20 years in prison in Japan. (HA 5/27; AP, AJ 5/28)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion to level land close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Qalqilya, and Salfit at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Nablus, Ramallah, and Salfit at night. Israeli settlers use bulldozers to level Palestinian-owned land nr. Salfit. (MNA 5/22; PCHR 5/29)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that “the idea of taking unilateral steps is gaining ground” among Israel’s political class, particularly in light of the collapse of U.S.-led negotiations, in an exclusive interview published by Bloomberg View. Netanyahu’s office subsequently clarifies that this is not a reference to any intention to evacuate settlements. Economy Minister Naftali Bennett welcomes the remarks and urges the adoption of his plan, which would include the annexation of parts of the West Bank. Meanwhile, senior Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) official Hanan Ashrawi condemns talk of unilateral steps as a way to bypass talks, while U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Marie Harf responds to Netanyahu’s remarks by emphasising that “no one should take any steps that undermine trust, including unilateral.” (Bloomberg, HA, YA 5/23)

China and Russia veto a UN Security Council (UNSC) res., drafted by France, referring the Syrian crisis to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for an investigation into possible war crimes. The 13 other mbrs. of the UNSC vote in favor. It is the 4th time that China and Russia have blocked Western-drafted resolutions on Syria since spring 2011. Meanwhile, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) says that the last 100 tons of Syria’s declared stockpile of precursors for poison gas and nerve agents are ready for transport, but Syrian authorities say it is too dangerous to move them for the time being. (AFP, AP 5/23)

Gunmen kill Shadi al-Manaei, leader of Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, along with 3 other mbrs. of the Egypt-based militant group, in a drive-by shooting in c. Sinai. Egyptian officials say that the attack is likely revenge for the group’s killing of local tribesmen as “collaborators.” (AP 5/22)

Lawmakers allied with Hizballah boycott a session of Lebanon’s parliament, blocking the body from electing a new pres. This is the 5th failed attempt in the past mo. Lebanon’s current pres., Michael Suleiman, is scheduled to leave office on 5/24, the last day of his 6-year term. (AP 5/22)

In 1st broadcast since 26 February, Saddam Hussein appeals for support from Iraqi people, promising to move ahead with democratic reforms as soon as his forces defeat rebels [NYT, WP 3/17; BADS 3/16 in FBIS 3/18; CSM 3/18].

Kuwaitis are reportedly deeply upset with returning gov't.'s efforts to restoressential services, including water and electricity [NYT 3/17].

Kuwaiti military commanders acknowledge soldiers' abuses in campaign of detention and deportation against suspected Iraqi collaborators, but say they are powerless to stop abuses [WP 3/17].

International team of doctors, after visiting Iraq, say that hospitals are desperately short of electricity, medical supplies, and water, and have been forced to turn away patients [NYT 3/17].

In Bermuda, Pres. Bush and P.M. Major outline stiff terms for permanent cease-fire in Gulf war, including supervised destruction of Iraq's chemical and biological weapons and the use of Iraq's oil revenues to pay reparations to Kuwait [WP 3/17].

U.S. officers who debriefed Iraqi POWs say Iraqi units suffered desertion rates from 20 to 50 percent, totaling nearly 100,000 soldiers, before allied ground war began. Officers say most of these deserters simply went home [WP 3/17].

Senior U.S. admin. officials say military plans to use air strikes against any Iraqi military unit that uses poison gas or chemical weapons against rebels [NYT, WP 3/10].

Palestinians in o.t. mark 39 months of intifada with general strike; at least 55 Gazans are wounded in clashes with IDF; clashes are largest since before Gulf war [NYT, WP 3/10; JDS 3/9 in FBIS 3/11; FJ 3/18; MET 3/19].

On quick visit to Kuwait, Sec. Baker is told by gov't. officials that they intend to democratize their country in near future, but insist that until Saddam Hussein is removed from power, there will not be peace or stability in Gulf region [NYT, WP 3/10; MET 3/19].

Israeli military begins handing out gas masks and chemical warfare defense kits that it plans to distribute to Israelis over next 2 months. Palestinians in O.T. will not be given kits but will be allowed to purchase them [NYT, WP 10/2; NYT, LAT, WP 10/8].

Facing dwindling oil reserves and commercial imports, Jordan orders austerity measures to save fuel to begin on 10/13. Measures call for reduced work days, mandatory closing times for shops, and decreased electrical use [NYT 10/8].

EC foreign ministers agree that there could be "no compromise" with Iraq over UN resolutions on the Gulf, and that pressure must be kept up on Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait [LAT 10/8].

At inauguration of new E. Jerusalem Jewish religious school, P.M. Shamir announces plans for major new housing project in E. Jerusalem built for Orthodox Jews on undeveloped ridge between Mt. Scopus and the Mount of Olives [LAT, WP, MEM 10/8].

Yasir Arafat meets with Soviet envoy Primakov in Baghdad to discuss Gulf crisis [SVP 10/7 in FBIS 10/9].

Maj. Gen. Ali Habib, commander of Syrian forces in Gulf, tells Saudi newspaper that his troops will only defend Saudi Arabia, not attack Iraq (cf. 10/8) [MEM 10/8; WP 10/9]. 

Iraq extends administrative border of Bas- rah several kms. south into Kuwait and declares the rest of Kuwaiti territory its 19th province, renaming it after Saddam [MEM 8/28; INA 8/28 in FBS 8/28; LAT, WT 8/29; MET 9/11].

Saddam decrees foreign women and children may leave Iraq beginning 8/29 (cf. 8/29, 8/30) [INA 8/28 in FBIS 8/29; NYT, LAT, WT, WP 8/29; MET, MEM 9/11].

Morocco elects to keep its Kuwaiti embassy open, says personnel there have become "hostages like a number of other foreigners"; Morocco expels 2 Iraqi diplomats in response to Iraq's measures against foreign embassies in Kuwait [MAP 8/29 in FBIS 8/30].

Jordan informs Iraq that it will abide by UN resolutions and enforce embargo to protest invasion of Kuwait [AFP 8/29 in FBIS 8/30].

On visit to N. Africa, Pres. Asad arrives in Alexandria and meets with Pres. Mubarak to discuss Gulf crisis [MENA 8/28 in FBIS 8/28; MET 9/11]. 

Unnamed U.S. official says small guerrilla bands in Kuwait have killed or wounded "a couple of hundred" Iraqi troops and have destroyed handful of tanks and trucks [NYT 8/30; MET 9/11].

Saudi civil defense authorities order more than 2 million gas masks for distribution to population in event of Iraqi chemical attack [LAT 8/29; WP 8/31]. 

Casualties:

PLO says it has moved 8 Israeli POWs from Lebanon to undisclosed location because it had information a military operation was being planned to free them.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Senior IDF officers receive Peace for Galilee campaign ribbon, Yesh Gvul (There's a Limit) movement holds demonstration, calls ribbon mark of Cain; Sharon attacks Arens' Lebanon negotiating position in Cabinet meeting, says Israel is conceding too much for too little, other ministers call for unilateral withdrawal to Awali river; foreign and defense ministers tell Habib there can be no agreement unless Haddad forces play key security role; 300-480 children, mostly girls, in 5 Jenin schools taken ill with dizziness, headaches, fainting spells and stomach pains, Jenin Mayor SI wki suspects settlers of spreading poison gas, government accuses radical Palestinian factions, Civil Administration medical officer says victims definitely inhaled poison gas; Jenin under curfew after stone-throwing demonstrations; border police jeep assaulted near Sakhnin, 4 youths arrested.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat postpones visit to Amman, has talks with King Fahd in Riyadh.

Arab Governments: Saudi Arabia says it will support any PLO-Jordanian agreement.

US and Other Countries: NY businessman creates special legal defense fund, supported by private American contributions, for settlers accused of violating Israeli law when retaliating against attacks by Palestinians.