The Palestine Chronology

Netanyahu gives a major policy speech on Israeli peace and security, drafted as a rebuttal to Obama’s 6/4 Cairo address and intended to inject a Zionist narrative (see Doc. C1). In an effort to appease Obama, he for the 1st time agrees to support the creation of a Palestinian state, but only under a host of conditions that would essentially redefine Palestinian sovereignty. (IFM 6/14; NYT, WP, WT 6/15; WJW 6/18; JPI 6/26)

The badly decomposed body of a Palestinian shepherd missing since 4/21/09 is found 50 m fr. the n. Gaza border fence nr. Bayt Hanun, raising speculation that he was fatally shot by the IDF when he strayed nr. the border. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin (firing on residential areas, causing no injuries), Jerusalem. Jewish settlers attack a 10-yr.-old Palestinian boy in Silwan nr. Jerusalem; when the boy’s family intervenes, 30 settlement guards fr. settlements in the area join in the attack, beating another 4 Palestinians. A Palestinian dies in an Egyptian hospital of injuries received in an IDF drone strike on Jabaliya r.c. during OCL. (OCHA, PCHR 6/18)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli political parties begin negotiating for coalition partners. Kach party members celebrate Meir Kahane's win, stage violent march through Jerusalem, toting pistols and shouting "death to the Arabs." Arab press editorials express pessimism over election as augur of Zionist extremism.

Arab World: IDF reopens single road between Beirut & S. Lebanon; IDF governor at Sidon links S. Lebanon blockade policy to Karami's decision to close IDF liaison office.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 bombs hurled at IDF patrols in Jabaliya refugee camp, Gaza; no injuries.