The Palestine Chronology

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)

UN opens its 50th session in New York. On sidelines of the mtgs, FM Peres with local rabbis; discusses settler issue, future amendments to PLO covenant. (QY 10/2 in FBIS 10/4)

Before leaving the U.S., PM Rabin tells reporters American Jews are not giving Israel sufficient financial assistance to help absorb immigrants, criticizes "fringe groups" which lobby Congress against official Israeli policy. (MM 10/3) (see 9/28)

On his return fr. the U.S., PM Rabin meets with Pres. Weizman to discuss presidential pardons for Palestinian women prisoners. (MM 10/3)

106 more Palestinian families arrive at detention camps on the Libyan-Egyptian border, joining 300 Palestinians awaiting their deportation. United Nations Human Rights Comm. calls on Libya to halt the expulsions. (MBC, MENA, VOP 10/1, MENA 10/2 in FBIS 10/2)

Likud submits bill calling for territorial continuity in the Jordan Valley fr. Beit She'an to the Dead Sea. (QY 10/1 in FBIS 10/2; MM 10/2)

In Nablus, Palestinian nationalist, Islamist personalities (incl. PA officials) hold conference, ratify a national honor charter to build civil society, avoid militarization of the society and national institutions. (PR 10/13)

100 settlers march across Israeli border into Jordan in protest of Oslo II, ask King Hussein prevent the enlargement of the Jericho enclave, show support for Likud bill submitted 10/1. IDF does not stop them. (QY 10/1, JP, QY 10/2, JT 10/3 in FBIS 10/3; CSM 10/2; WP, WT 10/3; JP 10/7; JP 10/24)

In New York, jury convicts Egyptian cleric Shaykh Omar `Abd al-Rahman, 9 others on 48 of 50 charges of conspiring to carry out a terrorist campaign of bombings, assassinations intended to destroy the , New York landmarks and force the U.S. to abandon its support of Israel, Egypt. (MENA 10/1 in FBIS 10/2; MM, NYT, WT 10/2)