The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort raided al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya, vandalizing property. Israeli settlers also erected vending stalls on a highway near al-Farisiya. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers stole 14 Palestinian-owned sheep in Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli forces issued demolition notices for a residential structure near Tubas and 3 homes in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Kafr Dan; 4 were arrested. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 6 Palestinians during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound; some settlers were seen openly praying on the compound. In Umm al-Fahm, Israeli authorities demolished several Palestinian-owned agricultural structures. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/7; PCHR, WAFA 6/8; UNOCHA 6/18)

An Israeli bulldozer nearly plowed into a Lebanese protester before UNIFIL soldiers convinced the Israeli soldier manning to bulldozer to move back. Israeli forces have been working on constructing a barrier in the area south of Kfar Chouba near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. (AP, HA 6/9)

Fatah deputy chairperson Mahmud Aloul told reporters that Fatah’s decline in popularity is linked to the party’s inability to deliver on promises made when Fatah adopted a peaceful resistance. Aloul also said he would not seek to succeed Mahmoud Abbas as Fatah chairperson, saying the party needs someone from the younger generation. (ALM, QDS 6/7; ALM 6/10)

U.S. special representative for Palestinian affairs Hady Amr met with members of the family of the 2-year-old boy Israeli forces shot on 6/1 and who succumbed to his wounds on 6/5. On 6/6, Amr’s office called on the Israeli government to “evaluate all use of deadly force that involves civilian casualties.” Amr also met with PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh. (TOI, WAFA 6/7; WAFA 6/8)

Israeli national security advisor Tzachi Hanegbi met with Moroccan officials, including Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, in Rabat, discussing possible Israeli recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. In return for recognition of sovereignty Morocco is reportedly willing to upgrade the 2 countries’ diplomatic missions to embassies and enter a free-trade agreement. (ALM, HA, MEE, REU, TOI 6/7; HA, MEE, REU 6/8; ALM 6/10; HA 6/11)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken met with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah. According to a U.S. official, the 2 discussed Israel normalization, Yemen, Sudan, and human rights. Blinken also met with Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and GCC ministers at a GCC ministerial meeting in Riyadh. The GCC nations and the U.S. issued a joint statement after the meeting calling for a “2-state solution along 1967 borders with mutually agreed swaps consistent with internationally recognized parameters and the Arab Peace Initiative.” Iran reopened its embassy in Riyadh and bin Salman met with Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro a day prior to Blinken’s meetings. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, REU, TOI 6/7; DoS, NYT, REU 6/8; NYT 6/10)

The IDF bulldozes 63 shops, market stalls in Nazlat Issa, 1 of the only thriving Palestinian commercial centers, located very close to the West Bank border with Israel; maps of Israel’s planned security fence show the fence running e. of Nazlat Issa, which would cut off the village fr. the rest of the West Bank. The IDF also beats 2 Palestinian photographers for international agencies as they try to photograph an IDF jeep driving through Nablus with 2 Palestinian youths clinging to the hood, threaten to kill the journalists if they see the photo published; fires on residential areas of Bayt Lahia; conducts arrest raids (targeting Hamas, Islamic Jihad) in Hebron, Jenin r.c., Jericho, Nablus, Ramallah; demolishes a Palestinian home in Yatta, nr. Hebron. Islamic Jihad says that 2 of its low-ranking mbrs. have escaped fr. the IDF’s Ofer detention center in the West Bank. Israeli border police halt a suspicious van nr. Umm al-Fahm, just inside the Green Line; the 4 occupants of the car flee (2 into Israel, 2 into the West Bank); police find 300 kg. of explosives inside. Shin Bet arrests the wife of jailed PFLP leader Saadat at the Allenby border crossing, on her way to Jordan to fly to Brazil for a conference; gives no reason for her detention. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 3/4/02. (BBC, HA 1/21; HA, LAW, NYT, PCHR, PM, PR, WT 1/22; PM 1/23)

Reversing an 8/18/02 decision, the Israeli High Court rules that the IDF’s "neighborhood procedure" (i.e., sending a Palestinian to warn a wanted individual to surrender to IDF troops waiting nearby) is legal, saying the IDF may not force Palestinians to act as human shields, but it may use them if they “volunteer.” (HA, WT 1/22)

As U.S. envoy Zinni meets with PA officials, an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device on a bus in Hadera, Israel, killing 3 Israelis, wounding 7. The bomber reportedly boarded the bus in the Israeli Arab town of Umm al-Fahm. A Palestinian gunman also kills 1 IDF soldier in a drive-by shooting at a West Bank checkpoint. The IDF opens fire on a Palestinian car at a Jordan Valley checkpoint, killing 2 Palestinians that "acted suspiciously" by making a U-turn to avoid the congested crossing. The IDF also opens fire on a French delegation (135 politicians, journalists, intellectuals) touring homes demolished by the IDF in Khan Yunis; seals Hebron; sets up more roadblocks, especially on the road to Bethlehem; tightens the closure on Tulkarm, bulldozing areas along the Green Line; raids a Palestinian factory nr. Qarni crossing, confiscating electrical equipment; directs heavy machine gun fire on residential areas of Jinin; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis. Jewish settlers, under IDF protection, place caravans on a new settlement site nr. Dayr al-Balah. (AFP, HP 11/29; AFP, AP, HP, MM, NYT, WT 11/30; al-Quds 11/30 in WNC 12/3; LAW 12/5)

Sharon arrives in the U.S. on an official visit, accuses Arafat of having built a "coalition of terror" against Israel. (MM 11/30; NYT 12/1)

Israeli negotiators indicate willingness to negotiate new borders with Syria but state Israel will not accept a return to 1967 borders. Syrian delegates insist on recovering entire Golan region. (LAT 2/27)

Police arrest 3 Palestinian citizens of Israel from Mushayrifa village near Umm alFahm in connection with recent killing of 3 soldiers in Ramot Maneshe [see 2/15]. (Israel Television Network 3/4 in FBIS 3/5)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Herut party ends convention after electing P. M. Shamir party chairman, Ariel Sharon chairman of the party central committee, Moshe Arens party secretary, and David Levy deputy party chairman [NYT 3/31]. Inside the green line, marches and rallies in 'Arrabah, Umm al-Fahm, and Rahat mark Land Day [FJ 4/3]. Israeli forces are unsuccessful in attempt to break almost total commercial strikes in cities throughout the W. Bank and Gaza Strip [FJ 4/3]. Lydda military court sentences to life imprisonment 2 Palestinians convicted of being members of Fateh and carrying out a series of bombings [FJ 4/3]. Israeli Ministry of Defense coordinator of activities for W. Bank and Gaza, Shmuel Goren, threatens imposition of strict restrictions on exports to Jordan if weapon smuggling continues [FJ 4/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 1 Palestinian is wounded by army gunfire during Land Day demonstration at Jabaliyyah; in Janin another is shot in the leg by Israeli civilian who shot at crowd that was stoning his car [BG 3/31; FJ 4/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ariel Sharon accuses P.M. Shimon Peres of "withholding information about important diplomatic talks from the govemment" [BG 10/18]. Knesset votes 39-22 to limit partially MK Muhammad Mi'ari's parliamentary immunity following speech he made in E. Jerusalem in which he expressed solidarity with Fahd Qawasmeh and Yasir Arafat [JP 11/7]. Nazareth district court finds Golan Heights Druze man Rafik Kalani, 20, guilty of giving information on Israeli army strength to Syria; Kalani allegedly confessed to the charges UP 10/16]. Galilee Palestinians demonstrate outside P.M. Shimon Peres' office while members of the Regional Committee of Arab Local Council Heads meet with Interior Ministry officials over $8 million in budget deficits plaguing the Arab councils inside the green line; Umm al-Fahm town has not been able to pay municipal employees for 5 months [FJ 11/18].

Arab World: King Hussein states there is "no truth at all" to PLO claims that last minute changes had been introduced toa statement Britain said 2 PLO delegates had agreed to sign; Hussein acknowledges that PLO rep. Muhammad Milham "was not aware, apparently, ofthe details" in the statement, negotiated by Jordan on behalf of the PLO, until it was shown to him in London [WP 10/16]. About 1,000 Sudanese demonstrators march on the U.S. embassy in Khartoum, buming the U.S. flag, after speech there by Yasir Arafat [NYT 10/16].

Other Countries: Pres. Reagan states he will "never" apologize to Pres. Mubarak for the interception of the Egyptian plane [NYT, WP 10/16]. British cabinet ministers have categorically denied the U.S. exerted any pressure to have the joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation meeting cancelled [CSM 10/16]. Italian Defense Ministry spokesman states U.S. evidence allegedly implicating Muhammad 'Abbas in the Achille Lauro affair arrived in Italy 30 minutes after 'Abbas had already been allowed to leave and it originally came from Israeli intelligence sources [WP 10/16]. Italy announces arrest and charging of 2 additional Palestinians for alleged involvement in the Achille Lauro hijacking [CT 10/16]. U.S. federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. begins hearings on Achille Lauro hijacking [LAT 10/17]. Friends and family of Leon Klinghoffer announce formation of memorial fund in his name to "fight international terrorism" [LAT 10/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gasoline bomb thrown at Israeli bus causes no injuries [JP 10/16].

Arab World: 2 Palestinians killed in clash with Israeli troops in security zone; no Israeli casualties reported [JP 10/16]. 2 Arabs on flight from Iraq are arrested in Rome airport carrying suitcase bombs; they carry false Moroccan passports [CT 10/16].