The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 8 structures in a bedouin village north of Ramallah and delivered demolition notices for 2 houses near Bethlehem. 11 Palestinians were arrested in and around Tulkarm, Jenin, Bethlehem, and Ramallah; during the raid in Tulkarm, 2 Palestinians were shot by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets; during the raid near Jenin, 1 Palestinian was shot by live ammunition. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian-owned home was demolished in Silwan and 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Sur Bahir to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. 4 Palestinians were arrested. In Gaza, Hamas authorities initiated a 48-hour curfew after 4 members of the same family tested positive for the COVID-19 virus on 8/24; these were the 1st people to test positive in Gaza outside of designated quarantine facilities. Israeli forces attacked buildings east of Rafah, causing damage; incendiary balloons were sent toward Israel, causing fires. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/25; PCHR 8/27)

Both PA president Mahmoud Abbas and PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met separately with the British foreign secretary Dominic Raab in Ramallah. President Abbas told Secretary Raab peace cannot be achieved by bypassing the Palestinians through normalization of relations with other Arab countries. (WAFA, WAFA 8/25)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz and the defense minister of the UAE Mohammed al-Bawardi spoke during a phone call where the 2 discussed shared security interests. (HA, REU 8/25)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo spoke to the Republican National Convention from Jerusalem while on an official trip to the Middle East. Secretary Pompeo’s performance at the Republican National Convention was a violation of the Hatch Act and a congressional investigation was initiated shortly after his speech was broadcasted. In his speech, Pompeo touted U.S. president Donald Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, saying “this very city of God, Jerusalem, the rightful capital of the Jewish homeland.” Secretary Pompeo also met with the prime minister of Sudan Abdalla Hamdok to discuss normalizing ties between Sudan and Israel, among other issues. A Sudanese spokesperson said that the transitional government was not mandated to normalize ties with Israel. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA 8/25; HA 8/27)

The Democratic candidate for vice president Kamala Harris said in a call with Jewish supporters that a Biden administration will not condition U.S. military aid to Israel. (HA 8/26)

The director of UNRWA affairs in Gaza, Matthias Schmale, called on Israel to start allowing fuel into Gaza as Gaza’s only power plant had remained closed for 1 week due to lack of fuel as Israel blocked the entrance of fuel to Gaza. (WAFA 8/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided and surveyed a bedouin community adjacent to the Israeli settlement Ma’ale Adumim in preparation for annexing the area. 1 Palestinian woman died of the COVID-19 virus, marking the 8th COVID-19-related death in the Palestinian territories and 4th in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem. The district of Bethlehem started a 48-hour lockdown to combat the rise in COVID-19 cases. 9 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around al-‘Arub refugee camp, Jenin, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/29; PCHR 7/2)

U.S. assistant to the president and special representative for international negotiations Avi Berkowitz and U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman met with Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz to discuss annexation of parts of the West Bank. According to Haaretz sources, Defense Minister Gantz told the 2 that 7/1 “is not a sacred date” for moving forward with annexation. Shortly after those details were reported, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “The issue [annexation] is not up to Kahol Lavan [Gantz’s Blue and White party]. They are not a factor either way.” (Axios, HA, HA, REU 6/29)

A letter by 4 progressives in the U.S. House, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Betty McCollum (D-MN), to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo being circulated among other representatives was obtained by the Jewish Insider. The letter warns the State Department that the 4 will “pursue conditions on the $3.8 billion in U.S. military funding to Israel.” (Jewish Insider 6/29; HA 6/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces dismantled and seized a shack in Ras Karkar, and handed a punitive demolition order for a house in Jenin. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, ‘Azun, and Kafr Labad. Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians at a checkpoint in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli settlers vandalized 80 olive trees and ignited a different olive field, burning another 30 olive trees in al-Sawiya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians were arrested while trying to enter Israel by the Gaza fence. (WAFA, WAFA 1/9; PCHR 1/16)

Lebanese newspaper al-Mayadeen reported that Israel was behind an air strike that killed 8 people in Syria near the Iraqi border. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that no Syrian citizens were killed and that the air strikes had targeted Iran-backed militias. (HA 1/10)

The U.S. administration rejected a request made by Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi for the U.S. troops to leave Iraq. The request was made during a phone call between Prime Minister Mahdi and U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo. (AJ 1/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 9 Palestinians, including 8 during late-night raids in and around al-‘Arub refugee camp, Nablus, Jenin, and Ramallah; and 1 at a military checkpoint in Hebron. During the raid in al-‘Arub refugee camp, Israeli forces confiscated 2,000 NIS ($578). Israeli forces also razed some 100 dunams of agricultural land near Hebron and delivered demolition notices for 4 homes in Yatta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 11 Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound, including 5 in the morning and 6 in the evening. The 6 arrested in the evening were taken into custody because they were chanting “nationalistic slogans” at Israeli police. A video of the incident shows Israeli forces kicking 1 of the Palestinians in the head during the arrest. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire northeast of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/7; HA 1/8; PCHR 1/9)

An Israeli soldier who placed a snake inside a Palestinian family’s car during a search on 12/23/2019 in Bayt Furik received 18 days of prison. His continued employment for the IDF will be reevaluated by the end of his sentence. (TOI 1/7)

Iran retaliated to the U.S. assassination of Qasem Soleimani on 1/2 by striking 2 U.S. military bases in Iraq, causing damage; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AJ, AJ, CNN, FOX, HA, WP 1/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole olive harvests from Palestinian farmers near Awarta. Elsewhere, in Rujib, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians harvesting olives. Israeli settlers also flooded Palestinian-owned farmland with sewage discharge in Dayr al-Hatab. Israeli forces detained 12 Palestinians on their way to work in Israel at the Barta‘a crossing. Israeli forces also prevented Palestinian farmers access to their land on the other side of the separation wall near Salfit. In East Jerusalem, 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/27; PCHR 10/31)

U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman attended the opening of the Ariel settlement’s new medical school partly financed by American casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. Ambassador Friedman said at the opening, “A new medical school has opened in Samaria [the West Bank] . . . How many people had ever thought that those words would ever be spoken? We at the State Department are very proud to work so closely with Ariel University, along with other universities in Israel.” (JP, TOI 10/27; HA 10/28)

U.S. president Donald Trump announced that U.S. troops had killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the Idlib province of Syria. (HA 10/27)

The wave of violence and the corresponding Israeli crackdown continue across the oPt. IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian woman at a checkpoint nr. Qalqilya as she approaches them with a knife. IDF troops conduct a raid on the campus of a university nr. Tulkarm, sparking clashes with Palestinian students; 18 Palestinians are injured. Palestinian youths throw stones at IDF troops in a village nr. Qalqilya, sparking clashes; 1 Palestinian is injured. Israeli soldiers assault and arrest 3 Palestinian students s. of Nablus. The IDF conducts a series of late-night raids in Hebron, 3 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, 1 village each nr. Tulkarm and Bethlehem, in and around Qalqilya, and ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c. nr. Jericho, arresting 35 Palestinians, issuing arrest summons to 8, and confiscating over NIS 35,000 (around $9,000). An Israeli settler opens fire on Palestinian farmers harvesting olives nr. Nablus, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raid a hospital in al-Tur, searching for the medical records of a Palestinian patient (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/9; YA 11/10; PCHR 11/12)

Israeli PM Netanyahu meets with U.S. pres. Barack Obama in Washington to discuss U.S. military aid to Israel, the lack of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, and how to deescalate the recent tension in Israel and the oPt. (AP, HA, JP, NYT 11/9; HA, JP 11/10; JTA 11/11)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Jenin at night; patrols in Hebron and 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night. (PCHR 9/19)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry and Russian FM Sergey Lavrov conclude a deal on the removal of Syrian pres. Asad’s chemical arsenal as a means of averting a U.S. military strike on regime targets. The agreement obliges Asad to account for his stockpile within a week, and permit international inspectors destroy the weapons by mid-2014. Head of the Free Syrian Army Gen. Selim Idriss rejects the deal. Meanwhile, the Syrian National Council elects Ahmad Tomeh to be the opposition’s provisional PM. (AFP, NYT, REU 9/14)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli authorities partially open the Kerem Shalom crossing to allow entry of 220 truckloads of goods for the commercial, agricultural, and aid sectors. Cooking gas is also pumped through the crossing. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts an arrest raid in 1 village nr. Nablus including the participation of undercover forces. (MNA 6/9; PCHR 6/13)

Israeli NGO Peace Now reveals official govt. figures showing that building of West Bank settlement homes hit a 7-year high in the 1st quarter of 2013, with 865 housing starts compared to 313 for the same period in 2012. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu emphasizes at a cabinet meeting that his govt. is committed to reaching an agreement that would see the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state. (AFP, AP 6/9)

U.S. troops begin military exercises in Jordan, with more than 4,500 U.S. soldiers, some 3,000 Jordanians, and 500 British soldiers participating. The drills also involve the deployment of Patriot missiles and fighter jets, which may be kept by Jordan after the exercises finish. (REU 6/9)

Unidentified assailants shoot and kill an Egyptian counterterrorism officer in al-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula. (AP 6/9)

Overnight and during the day, the IDF makes air strikes on 6 Hamas and ESF targets across Gaza, killing at least 2 Hamas mbrs. and wounding 5 bystanders at a rocket launching site in n. Gaza, and hitting a guard post nr. Haniyeh’s Shati‘ r.c. residence for a 2d day (wounding 3 bystanders); other targets are located in Jabaliya r.c., Khan Yunis, and Nussayrat r.c. (leaving a total of 7 bystanders wounded). A 7th IDF air strike targets a PA presidential guard post nr. Gaza City, causing no casualties. The IDF also shoots, wounds a Palestinian woman who strays nr. the border fence nr. Bayt Lahiya. Hamas fires 6 rockets toward Israel, lightly injuring 3 Israelis, causing light damage. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in Qabatya; raids areas of Hebron, Jericho, withdrawing without making arrests; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists demonstrating in Bil‘in against the separation wall, injuring 6 and also barring journalists fr. reaching the site. (NYT, WP, WT 5/26; OCHA 5/30; PCHR 5/31)

Expedited U.S. military aid (including munitions, night-vision gear, body armor) begins reaching Lebanon, with 5 U.S. military transport planes landing in Beirut. The Lebanese army occasionally shells, fires on FI positions inside Nahr al-Barid r.c., but the undeclared cease-fire generally holds. (At least 70% of residents have vacated the camp, with the Lebanese government and army encouraging the remainder to leave.) (BBC 5/25; WP, WT 5/26)

IDF troops and Shin Bet agents abduct Change and Reform Palestinian Council (PC) mbr. and PC secy. Mahmud Ramahi nr. Ramallah. Also in the West Bank, the IDF fires on a taxi attempting to bypass Hawara checkpoint nr. Nablus, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 2; raids, searches an Islamist charity nr. Hebron, confiscating computers, a fax, some files; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Tulkarm r.c., nr. Nablus. In Gaza, the IDF shells residential areas nr. Dayr al-Balah, damaging a house and car, wounding 2 Palestinians; fires on Palestinians collecting scrap metal nr. Erez industrial zone, wounding 1; fires on Palestinian farmers working a field nr. al-Bureij r.c., wounding 2; bulldozes 20 d. of Palestinian olive groves in Rafah. A Palestinian is injured in an exchange of gunfire btwn. rival Fatah factions in Gaza’s al-Maghazi r.c. A Palestinian woman dies of injures received fr. IDF fire in al-Shuka on 8/5. (NYT, WP, WT 8/21; OCHA 8/23; PCHR 8/24)

The UN reports that Lebanon has deployed only about 3,000 troops to s. Lebanon (2,000 along the border with Syria, 1,000 along the coast). Israel continues daily overflights of Lebanon in violation of the 8/14 truce, IDF troops are still in s. Lebanon, and the Israeli air and naval blockade are still in place, but no new clashes btwn. IDF and Hizballah forces in Lebanon are reported. (AP, NYT, WP, WT 8/21)

In Gaza, IDF troops occupy the Dahaniyya airport, seal the Rafah crossing (reopened on 8/10), raze large areas of agricultural land, destroy several greenhouses and sites used by the PA security forces, blow up what it says is a smuggler’s tunnel. In the West Bank, the IDF raids 2 hospitals in Hebron, conducts random ID checks on the streets in search of wanted Palestinians, but makes no arrests; patrols in, fires on residential areas of Azun, Jenin; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c., nr. Bethlehem. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba attack Palestinian homes in Hebron. Unidentified gunmen shoot, wound a PA General Intelligence officer in Gaza City. (OCHA 8/16; PCHR 8/17)

Hizballah, the Lebanese government endorse UN Res. 1701, Hizballah says it will maintain its “natural right to resist” in keeping with international law as long as IDF troops “are practicing an occupation and acts of aggression” inside Lebanon. Meanwhile, the IDF continues heavy air and artillery strikes across Lebanon, mostly targeting infrastructure and roads, including destroying electricity plants nr. Sidon, a Lebanese army base in the Biqa‘ Valley, 2 homes nr. Bint Jubayl (killing at least 15 Lebanese civilians); air strikes are concentrated around Sidon and Tyre (cutting electricity to Tyre), in the north btwn. Akkar and Arida, and in central s. Lebanon nr. Bint Jubayl. The IDF also rapidly expands ground offensives in the south, sending in additional troops and artillery, with heavy clashes reported in the Bint Jubayl area, in Ghanduriyya and Dayr Sirin s. and w. of Marja’uyun, and s. of Tyre. Hizballah continues to fire rockets into n. Israel (hitting targets in Kiryat Shimona, Ma’alot, Safad and nearby Amirim) and downs an IDF helicopter, killing 5 IDF soldiers (including Israel’s 1st female combat fatality). The casualty toll during the day includes 24 IDF soldiers dead (2 when an IDF tank rolls over them) and 70 wounded, and at least 26 Lebanese civilians, 1 Lebanese soldier killed; the IDF claims to have killed 50 Hizballah mbrs. in the previous 24 hrs. (al-Manar TV 8/12; NYT, WP, WT 8/13)

The IDF assassinates wanted AMB mbr. ‘Abd al-Hadi Natsha in Hebron, local PFLP military cmdr. Ahmad ‘Atiya in Qalqilya; bulldozes 20 dunams of land, fires a flechette shell at Palestinian houses nr. Qarni crossing, leaving 1 Palestinian brain dead; conducts arrest raids, blows up a Palestinian home nr. Hebron; beats up a Palestinian AP cameraman filming soldiers vandalizing Palestinian cars at the Salim roadblock. A car explodes in Balata r.c., killing 1 Hamas mbr., injuring 2; the IDF says the men suffered a “work accident”; Hamas claims it was an IDF assassination. A Palestinian gunman infiltrates Tal Rumayda settlement, shoots and wounds 2 Jewish settlers before being shot dead; the IDF places curfews on nearby Palestinian villages. Palestinians also fire a Qassam rocket at Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. Late in the evening, the IDF sends troops into al-Qarara, Satar al-Gharbiyya, conducting arrest raids, razing 49 dunams of land. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in the IDF attack on Nussayrat r.c. on 10/20, bringing that toll to at least 8; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received in Ramallah on 10/21. (HA, PR 10/22; HA, MM, PCHR 10/23)

Ward Boston, a fmr. Navy lawyer who helped lead the military investigation into Israel’s 1967 attack on the USS Liberty that killed 34 U.S. soldiers, files a signed affidavit that Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson and Defense Secy. Robert McNamara ordered those heading the naval inquiry to “conclude that the attack was a case of ‘mistaken identity’ despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.” (AP 10/22; NYT 10/23)

Hamas mbrs. fire 2 Qassam rockets toward Sederot (1 lands near the town, the other inside Gaza), causing no damage or injuries. The IDF then sends tanks into Bayt Hanun, sparking stone-throwing protests by Palestinians; the IDF fires on demonstrators, killing 5 Palestinians, wounding at least 10. The IDF also raids Nur al-Shams r.c.; detains all men, arresting 16, busing others outside the camp; conducts house-to-house searches, breaking through walls; demolishes 1 Palestinian home. The IDF also demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Silwan, 1 in Ramallah; detains, beats 2 Palestinian cameramen working for AFP and Reuters for filming troops in Hebron forcing Palestinians to close their stores; conducts arrest raids in Abud. In Jaba‘, a bomb explodes in a Palestinian high school, wounding 19 students; although the Jewish militant group Revenge of the Innocent Babes, which has staged at least 1 (3/5/02, possibly 9/17/02) similar bombing, claims responsibility for the attack, the IDF says it is “confident” that a Palestinian brought the bomb to school. A 12-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (AFP, HA 4/9; HA, LAW, NYT, PCHR, PM 4/10; QA 4/10 in WNC 4/11; al-Quds 4/11 in WNC 4/14; PR 4/16; LAW, PCHR 4/17)

Coalition forces secure control of most of Baghdad. By evening, the U.S. declares that Hussein’s government has “collapsed,” but warns that the military struggle may continue for some time, as troops continue to meet significant resistance in some areas. Looting is pervasive in Basra and Baghdad, mostly targeting government buildings, state-owned companies, hotels. (BBC, MM 4/9; NYT, WP, WT 4/10; XIN 4/10 in WNC 4/11; MA 4/11, XIN 4/13 in WNC 4/14; MM 4/14; MEI 4/18; MM 4/22; NYT 4/24)

The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Rafah r.c., killing 6 Palestinians (including 2 women, 2 teenagers, a 9-yr.-old girl) and wounding 50; the IDF says it was responding to Palestinian gunfire on an IDF bulldozer working build an observation tower with an overview of the camp, causing no injuries. The IDF also bulldozes 2.5 dunams of Palestinian land and an irrigation system nr. Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids in Tal; shells, destroys a closed Palestinian summer resort nr. Aley Sinai settlement. The IDF removes Jewish settlers, trailers fr. Havat Gilad; late in the evening, some 300 Jewish settlers retake the site. Settlers voluntarily leave a 2d enclave, allowing the IDF to dismantle it, bringing to 22 the number of enclaves removed in recent days. Jewish settlers assault Palestinians, Israeli peace activists attempting to harvest olives nr. Yasuf village; the IDF presses settlers to leave the area, allow harvesting to continue. Jewish setters nr. Hebron confiscate 90 dunams of Palestinian land. A PA security court sentences 1 Palestinian, a fmr. Hamas mbr., to death for collaborating with Israel. (REU 10/17; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/18; AFP, al-Quds 10/18 in WNC 10/21; WP 10/19; LAW, PCHR 10/23; MEI 10/25; JPI 11/8)

A fmr. U.S. defense official corroborates rumors that Israeli special forces recently conducted a covert reconnaissance mission in w. Iraq to determine Iraq's capacity to strike Israel with Scud missiles. Military analyst and fmr. Pentagon official Anthony Cordesman says that Baghdad is estimated to have only 12+n25 Scuds; by comparison, during the 1991 Gulf War, Iraq fired 39 Scuds at Israel alone. (WP 10/18) (see 9/29)

Before dawn, the IDF reoccupies Amari r.c., al-Bireh, Qadura r.c., and Ramallah, surrounding Arafat's offices (placing Arafat under de facto house arrest), arresting 13 PSF officers, meeting no resistance; imposes 24-hr. curfews on Aqaba, Dura, Iktaba, Tamun, Taysir, Tubas, Yatta; fires shells at residential areas of Khan Yunis; continues operations in Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus (fatally shooting 1 Palestinian), Qalqilya, Tulkarm areas; lifts curfews in Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilya for 3 hrs. The IDF assassinates 2 Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades leaders, Yasir Raziq and `Amr Kufa, in Rafah, firing missiles at their taxis, also killing 2 passengers, 2 drivers, injuring 13 bystanders. Jewish settlers stone an ambulance nr. Tulkarm. In Gaza, Hamas supporters clash with PSF officers enforcing Shaykh Yasin's house arrest, leaving 1 Hamas supporter dead. (BBC, MM, NYT, PRCS press release, WP, WT 6/24; XIN 6/24 in WNC 6/25; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/25; LAW 6/26; PCHR, WJW 6/27; MEI 6/28)

After a wk.'s delay, Bush gives a major speech outlining the new U.S. policy toward the peace process. Without mentioning Israel's military escalations, Bush says in effect that the Palestinians must remove Arafat and create a Western-style democracy before the peace process can move forward. The U.S. halts direct dealings with Arafat. Bush's decision to call for Arafat's ouster was reportedly influenced heavily by an Israeli intelligence report he received last wk. (uncorroborated by the CIA) claiming that Arafat authorized a $20,000 payment to the AMB, which carried out the 6/19 suicide bombing. (AP, MM, NYT, WP 6/24; MA 6/24 in WNC 6/25; GS, MM, NYT, WP, WT, YA 6/25; AFP, ATL, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, MENA 6/25 in WNC 6/26; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/26; AFP, JT, Le Monde 6/26 in WNC 6/27; NYT, WJW, WP 6/27; JT, al-Nahar 6/27 in WNC 6/28; MEI, MM 6/28; NYT, USIS Washington File 6/30; WP, WT 7/1; AN 7/1 in WNC 7/2; JPI 7/5)

Arafat sends the U.S., Arab states a 6-page memorandum outlining an ambitious 100-day reform plan, including plans for presidential and legislative elections in 1/03 and municipal elections in 3/03. (MM 6/24; NYT 6/25; MM 6/26; El Pais 6/26 in WNC 6/27;NYT, WP, WT 6/27; XIN 6/27 in WNC 6/28; AYM 7/1 in WNC 7/3; AYM 7/10, 7/17, 7/21 in WNC 7/23)

Israeli atty. gen. Elyakim Rubinstein says he will not take legal action against those calling for the "voluntary transfer" of Arabs fr. Israel, saying "voluntary transfer" is "immoral" not illegal. (The 13 Palestinians deported to Cyprus in 5/02 were "voluntarily exiled" as part of a deal brokered by Israel and the PA; see 5/22) (HA 6/24; MM 6/27)

In response to Israeli appeals to local satellite channels to drop coverage of BBC World and CNN International because of their "pro-Palestinian bias" (1 channel replaced CNN with Fox News coverage on 6/20), CNN chief news exec. Eason Jordan arrives in Israel to apologize publicly on behalf of the network, to unveil a special 5-part series on Israeli victims of violence (aired 6/24-28) and a Web "memorial" to Israeli victims of Palestinian violence. (WT 6/24; NYT 6/25; WJW 6/27; MEI 6/2; see also JTA 6/20, MSNBC 6/21)

The IDF conducts a predawn arrest raid in Nablus's Askar refugee camp, detaining at least 3 Palestinians, seizing 1 Palestinian apartment as an observation post, and exchanging gunfire with residents, leaving 1 soldier wounded. The IDF conducts another predawn arrest raid in Dayr al-Balah, shelling residential areas, occupying 2 Palestinian homes as observation posts. In Beersheba, 2 Hamas gunmen open fire outside an IDF base, killing 2 IDF soldiers, wounding 4 before being shot dead by troops. In response, the IDF F-16s drop bombs on a PSF headquarters in Gaza and Ansar 2 prison; helicopter gunships fire missiles on targets around Gaza City and Jabaliya, injuring 20 Palestinians, including employees of the UN Special Coordinator's Office (UNSCO), which is damaged in the attack. UNSCO protests. Later, Palestinians fire 2 objects fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no injuries; at least 1 of the devices leaves a 7-ft. hole, leading the IDF to suspect that it was a Qassam-2 rocket, rather than a mortar, which would mark the 1st time Palestinians have fired one of the homemade missiles. The IDF later reports it has confiscated 3 empty rocket launchers in Gaza. Jewish settlers severely beat a Palestinian teenager nr. Tal Rumayda; beat, rob another teenager nr. Nablus; bulldoze 12 dunams of olive groves nr. Antalia settlement. (MEZ, WP 2/10; XIN 2/10 in WNC 2/11; MM, NYT, WP 2/11; CSM 2/12; JT 2/12 in WNC 2/13; LAW, PCHR 2/13; MEI 2/22)

Sharon returns fr. the U.S., immediately calls for a mtg. of his inner cabinet to discuss how to respond to recent Palestinian attacks. (NYT 2/11)

The State Dept. confirms that Powell has received correspondence fr. Arafat regarding the Karine A affair, saying he was not involved but that as leader of the PA, he will take responsibility for the incident, punish those responsible. (WT 2/11; NYT 2/12, 2/14)

An IDF autopsy performed in the presence of a Palestinian doctor confirms that the 14-yr.-old Palestinian who died in Jerusalem on 2/8 was killed by an IDF bullet. (LAW 2/10, 2/13)

The U.S. says it has more evidence linking Bin Laden to the 9/11 attacks. Laying the groundwork for a military response, Bush labels the attacks "acts of war," begins to rally "an international coalition to combat terrorism." The U.S. presses Pakistan in particular to cooperate with any U.S. military action against neighboring Afghanistan, Bin Laden's base of operations. Congress adopts (100-0 in the Senate, 408-0 in the House) a joint resolution that the admin. says frees the White House from having to seek a formal declaration of war to carry out military action. (AP 9/12; NYT, WP, WT 9/13; MENA, al-Ra'i 9/13 in WNC 9/14; Dawn [Islamabad] 9/17; MM 9/19; MEI 9/28)

Israel sends 22 tanks into Jinin and nearby Arraba and Tamun. Tanks shell targets while F-15s, F-16s drop bombs, killing 8 Palestinians, wounding 50, leveling the PSF headquarters and 2 Force 17 office in Jinin, 2 PSF offices in Arraba and Tamun. Among the dead are 3 suspected Islamic Jihad mbrs. who barricade themselves in a building in Arraba during an IDF arrest sweep, are killed when the IDF shells the building. IDF soldiers also open fire on 2 taxis nr. Gaza's al-Mahatin Junction, killing 2 Palestinians, injuring 8; arrest Palestinian Council (PC) mbr. Ahmad Zagayr (Fatah) in his Jerusalem office, take him to the Russian Compound prison; direct heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of al-Khadir, Khan Yunis; bulldoze Palestinian land for a new settler bypass road to Gush Katif; reinforces troops around Nablus; conduct arrest raids in Arraba, Hizma. A Jewish settler is killed by a Palestinian sniper nr. Qalqilya. (HP, MEZ, MM 9/12; AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/13; MENA 9/13 in WNC 9/14; al-Quds 9/13, SA 9/14, al-Majallah 9/16 in WNC 9/17; WP 9/14; PMC 9/15; MEI 9/28)

In Washington, 23 retired U.S. generals publish a letter opposing any U.S. military or civilian aid to Syria as part of a Syrian-Israeli peace agmt. (MM 3/29)

In Nablus, PA police arrest 2 Palestinians suspected of plotting bombings, confiscate 88 lbs. of explosives. (NYT 3/18)

Arafat goes to Amman to brief Crown Prince Hassan on the peace process. Hassan later receives a delegation fr. the Arab Democratic Party of Israel. (al-Ra'i, RJ 8/31 in WNC 9/1; JTV 8/31 in WNC 9/2)

Bipartisan Senate comm. report on Gulf War Syndrome questions government assertion that exposure to nerve gas sickened U.S. soldiers who fought in Iraq; concludes that evidence is insufficient in all but 1 case to prove troops were exposed to any chemical agents. (WP 9/1; WT 9/2)

Amal attacks 3 IDF posts in s. Lebanon, wounding 5 soldiers. (RL, VOL 8/31 in WNC 9/1)

Pres. Clinton accepts in principle the new terms of the agmt. reached btwn. the UN and Iraq, but reserves "the unilateral right to respond" if Iraq does not adhere to requirements. U.S. will maintain current level of forces in the region indefinitely. Although Joint Chiefs chmn. Gen. Henry Shelton says the military is pleased "to see the cup pass. . . . We had a tough time seeing where this thing was going to take us." Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS), who has led the call in Congress for a military overthrow of Saddam Hussein, accuses Clinton of having "subcontracted" U.S. foreign policy to the UN. (MM 2/23; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 2/24; JT 2/24 in WNC 2/26; WT 2/25; NYT, WT 3/2)

PM Netanyahu proposes Israel, the PA hold Camp David-style summit under U.S. auspices to discuss "core issues" in the stalled peace process. (WT 2/24; La Libre [Brussels] 2/25 in WNC 3/3)

PISMC cochairs meet in Jericho. (IGPO 2/23; WJW 2/26; PR 3/6) (see 2/18)

Federal judge in Manhattan jails Abdelhaleem Ashqar, a Palestinian in the U.S. on a student visa, for refusing to testify before a secret grand jury investigating Hamas fundraising in the U.S. No further information is available as all documents in the case are sealed. (NYT 4/18)

1 SLA mbr. is injured in a clash with Hizballah in s. Lebanon. (IDF Radio 2/23 in WNC 2/26)

Secy. of State Albright leaves for tour of Europe and the Middle East to build support for U.S. military attack on Iraq if it does not comply with UN inspections. State Dept. says that U.S. Defense Secy. William Cohen, Amb. to the UN Bill Richardson also plan to travel abroad. (WT 1/28; MM 1/29) (see 1/13)

In Washington, Israeli Finance M Yaakov Neeman discusses with House Appropriations Comm. mbrs. Sonny Callahan (R-AL), Bob Livingston (R-LA) phasing out the $1.2 b. in U.S. economic aid to Israel. (NYT, WJW, WP 1/29; Globes [Internet] 1/29 in WNC 2/3; WJW 2/5; JP 2/7; MEI 2/13)

PM Netanyahu decides not to fire Amb. to the U.S. Ben-Elissar. Instead he appoints his long-time personal friend Leonard Davis, fmr. head of AIPAC's Jerusalem office, to be the embassy's no. 2 man. Davis, a dual citizen who has never held a diplomatic position or worked with the FMin., will give up his U.S. citizenship. (WT 5/30) (see 5/19)

Jordanian PM `Abd al-Salam al-Majali announces plans to open a Human Rights Unit under his office. (RJ 5/29 in WNC 5/31) (see 11/30/96)

Al-Azhar head, Shaykh Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi sanctions the death penalty against those who sell Palestinian land to Jews. (VIRI 5/29 in WNC 5/31)

U.S. intelligence says that Egypt hopes to buy advanced SAM missiles fr. Russia, which would give Egypt the best tactical anti-ballistic-missile capability in the world, very good antiaircraft and anti-cruise-missile defenses. Congress is concerned Egypt will use its U.S. military aid to purchase the SAMs, which would be illegal. 90% of U.S. aid is tied to purchases of U.S. goods. (WT 5/30)

Brother of the Hamas suicide bomber who carried out the 3/21 attack, Omar Ghanimat, who has been detained without charge since the bombing, appeals to the Israeli High Court to stop his interrogation, charging that Shin Bet agents have tortured him. The High Court rejects the appeal, orders the Justice Min. to investigate. (WP 5/30; LAW 6/1)

UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) complains that 7 Hizballah gunmen halted and damaged a UN vehicle in s. Lebanon, performed mock executions on the 2 UNIFIL soldiers. In a separate incident nr. Tyre, 5 Hizballah gunmen stop, interrogate 2 UNIFIL soldiers driving in a marked UN truck. It is the 1st time in 10 yrs. that Hizballah has harassed UNIFIL soldiers. (AFP, RL 5/30 in WNC 6/2)

Turkey urges Iraqi Pres. Saddam Hussein to impose his authority over the Kurdish enclave in n. Iraq; say if Hussein could drive the PKK out of n. Iraq, Turkey would drop plans to create a "security zone" there. Though this policy clashes with U.S. attempts to limit Hussein's power in the n., Turkey says it will continue to allow the U.S. to patrol the n. no-fly zone fr. bases in its territory. (NYT 9/21) (see 9/13)

U.S. troops begin arriving in Kuwait. (NYT, WT 9/20)

Secy. of State Christopher meets with Netanyahu. Then discusses with FM Levy a CIA report that says N. Korea recently has supplied Egypt with military equipment that could be used to build Scud-C surface-to-surface missiles. Egypt says it has only bought spare parts for earlier make of Scud. PA, Arab states are "not encouraged" by mtg., see Christopher as parroting Netanyahu, criticize him for not mentioning UN Res. 242. (QY, YA 6/25, JP 6/26 in FBIS 6/26; CSM, MM, WP, WT 6/26; SARR 6/26 in FBIS 6/27; Syria Times 6/26 in FBIS 7/1; MM 6/27; MEI 7/5; JP 7/6; WT 7/31)

PC mbr. `Abbas Zaki (F-Hebron) is detained at the Allenby Bridge crossing for 6 hrs.; IDF temporarily confiscates his passport, VIP card before allowing him to leave to attend a mtg. in Vietnam. (ITV 6/25 in FBIS 6/26; PR 7/5; NYT 8/15)

2-day PA-EU partnership and cooperation mtg. begins in Brussels. (Le Soir [Brussels] 6/26 in FBIS 6/28)

Outside the al-Khobar U.S. military barracks nr. Dahran, Saudi Arabia, truck bomb detonates, killing 23 Americans, wounding more than 100. No one claims responsibility. (MM 6/25; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/26, 6/27)

PC ends 2-day session in Ramallah. (VOP 6/20 in FBIS 6/21; PR 6/28)

Israel further eases closure, permitting Palestinian trucks to enter Israel for the 1st time in 3 mos., Palestinian prisoners to receive visitors. (CSM 6/21) (see 6/5)

PSF, Israeli officials meet in Gaza. PSF head Muhammad Dahlan says he can prevent Hamas attacks during 1st 100 days of new Israeli government but is rapidly losing support on the street for the PA's continued crackdown on Hamas; after 100 days he can make no guarantees. (QY 6/21 in FBIS 6/21)

After talks with the PA, the Qassam Brigades offers Israel a freeze on military action "for a specific period, which is renewable," in exchange for a halt to Israel's crackdown on Hamas. (QY 6/20 in FBIS 6/20; AFP, JMCC 6/20 in FBIS 6/21; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 6/21)

State Dept. hands Israeli defense officials an intelligence report, containing classified CIA information, alleging Israel has transferred U.S. military avionics--incl. advanced radar-detection system, electronic warfare equipment--to China. Israel denies transaction. (WT 6/19; QY 6/20 in FBIS 6/21; WJW 8/22) (see 1/8/95)

Arafat calls emergency mtg. of PA Ms to discuss Israeli settlement issues; cabinet issues appeal to EU, U.S., Russia, Egypt, Norway, UN to intervene to stop settlement construction. (VOP 12/28, 12/29 in FBIS 12/29; MEI 1/6)

Arafat announces appointment of Fu'ad Hamdi Busaysu as governor of Palestinian Monetary Authority. The monetary authority will function as central bank, overseeing all banks in autonomous areas. (Al-Dustur 12/28 in FBIS 12/28) (see 12/20)

Palestinians present draft of local government law covering council elections to Arafat, PA, bar association. Law would divide territories into regions; each area with 1,000+ people would be a municipality; each municipality would have a council, headed by a mayor to coordinate btwn. town, central government. Municipal elections would be held every 4 yrs. following general elections. Until then, PA is negotiating with opposition to form 16 temporary municipal councils. (QY 12/28 in FBIS 12/28)

Jordanian-Israeli joint comms. on water, health, energy, telecommunications, economics meet. (RJ 12/27 in FBIS 12/28)

PM Rabin orders temporary halt to Efrat construction. (QY 12/28 in FBIS 12/28) (see 12/27)

Los Angeles Times reports Israel has given China information on U.S. military technology to help in joint Israeli-Chinese development of a fighter jet. (JP, QY 12/29 in FBIS 12/29)

Lebanese army says it has detailed information proving Israel is responsible for Beirut bombing 12/21; names Ahmad Hallaq--Lebanese recruited by Mossad, trained in explosives in Israel--as bomber; says 4 accomplices, incl. Hallaq's wife, have been arrested, confessed. (AFP 12/27 in FBIS 12/28; VOL 11/28 in FBIS 11/29; WP 12/29; RL 12/30 in FBIS 1/3; WT 1/11)

Israel says it is returning to Egypt 800 cartons of artifacts taken by the Israel Antiquity Authority during the 15-yr. occupation of the Sinai. These are the last of the artifacts Israeli promised to return under the 1979 peace accord. (NYT 12/29; MENA 12/30 in FBIS 1/6)

Al-Ahram poll of Egyptians shows that, after 15 yrs. of peace with Israel, 71% would not buy Israeli goods; 75% would disapprove of Israeli factories in Egypt; 63% would not visit Israel; 53% would not like Israelis to visit Egypt. (JP 1/7)

1 killed, 1 wounded in clashes btwn. Fateh, PFLP in `Ayn Hilwa camp in southern Lebanon. (RL 12/28 in FBIS 12/28; VOL 12/28 in FBIS 11/29)

PM Rabin and Secy. of Defense Cheney meet, agree to transfer $700 million worth of surplus U.S. military hardware to Israel, including training aircraft, attack and transport helicopters. Rabin later meets with Democratic candidates Clinton and Gore. Rabin expresses his opposition to proposed U.S. sale of F-15s to Saudi Arabia. (MM, WP 8/13; MM 8/14)

Israeli housing min. halts all govt. purchase, renovation, and settlement of properties in East Jerusalem; private purchase is still allowed. (NYT 8/13; Qol Yisra'el 8/12 in FBIS 8/12)

Israeli fin. min. announces that loans raised with U.S. guarantees will be deposited in special bank account, will not be used to augment regular budgets. (Qol Yisra'el 8/13 in FBIS 8/13)

Settlements in occupied outskirts of Jerusalem-Ma'ale Adumim, Giv'at Ze'ev, Etzion Bloc, Efrat, Betar, Kfar Adumim, and Adamorganize "Greater Jerusalem" forum to safeguard their interests, encourage govt. to annex greater Jerusalem area to Israel. (Davar 8/13 in FBIS 8/13)

MK 'Abd al-Wahhab Darawsha leads delegation of Arab Democratic Party to Egypt to express FM Peres' desire to visit Egypt, negotiate lifting of Arab boycott. (MM 8/12)

Israel reports that Syria test fired 2 North Korean Scud-C missiles recently. (IDF Radio 8/12 in FBIS 8/13; WP 8/14)

Fateh mbr. Hamzah Mubarak is assassinated in 'Ayn al-Hilwa camp, Lebanon. (VOL 8/12 in FBIS 8/13)

IDF shells, overflies Iqlim al-Tuffah region, S. Lebanon. (VOL 8/13 in FBIS 8/13)

Meeting in Beirut, for. ministers of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, PLO approve Arab participation in upcoming round of peace talks in Washington. (MM 4/2)

U.S. Congress passes foreign aid bill for rest of fiscal year which does not include $10 billion in loan guarantees to Israel. (MM 4/3)

State Dept. inspector general issues report stating that the department has failed to heed intelligence reports suggesting that an important U.S. ally-widely understood to be Israel-was making unauthorized transfers of U.S. military technology since about 1983. (NYT 4/2, WP 4/3)

EC "troika" arrives in Beirut for talks with Lebanese leaders on regional issues, upcoming multilateral economic talks [Lebanon has already announced it will not participate in multilateral talks]. (Radio Monte Carlo 4/1 in FBIS 4/2)

Security forces kill at least 4 Palestinians and wound 50 in Rafah, Gaza-most serious clash in o.t. in months. Rafah is curfewed shortly thereafter. In separate incident, 13 year-old boy is killed during confrontation with IDF in Tarqumiya, near Hebron. (NYT, MM 4/2; IDF Radio 4/5 in FBIS 4/6)

U.S. military begins to transfer responsibility to the UN for major Kurdish relief effort as separate violent incidents involving allies, Iraqi troops, and Kurdish demonstrators occur [MEM 5/13; WP, NYT, LAT 5/14].

Meeting in Cairo, Soviet F.M. Bessmertnykh tells Sec. Baker that Moscow would be reluctant to support larger UN security role to protect Kurdish refugees [WP, NYT, LAT, MEM 5/14; MENA 5/13 in FBIS 5/13]. Bessmertnykh then flies to Saudi Arabia for meeting with King Fahd [SPA 5/13 in FBIS 5/14].

Washington Post reports on West Bank village of Artas, the villagers of which, while under curfew during the Gulf war, had most of their agricultural lands confiscated by Israeli authorities [WP 5/14].

Bush admin. has prepared arms control plan that would ban Israel from producing nuclear material for weapons and would require Arab nations in Middle East to give up chemical weapons, according to admin. officials [NYT 5/14].

U.S. military sends troops and helicopters into northern Iraq to secure large sites for refugee camps; camps are to be built near Kurdish cities and as deep as 60 miles inside Iraq as part of effort to lure refugees home. Sec. Baker defends plan at EC meeting in Luxembourg [NYT, WP, LAT, MEM 4/18; MET 4/30].

Suspicious of U.S. motives, Iran refuses to comment on U.S. camp-building operation [WP, LAT 4/18].

At Luxembourg meeting, EC foreign ministers tell Sec. Baker that Europe wants role in any Middle East peace conference [WP, LAT 4/18; CSM 4/19].

Iraq says it has promised to return to Kuwait more than $1 billion in gold bars, bank notes, and silver coins taken during occupation [LAT 4/18].

Palestinian leaders from o.t. submit to U.S. consul in Jerusalem a list of 11 questions, the American answers to which would help Palestinians decide whether to accept invitation to meet with Sec. Baker on 4/20 [MEM 4/18].

Two armed guerrillas cross into Israel from Jordan, shoot 4 farmers in border kibbutz, killing 1, wounding 3 [NYT, WP, LAT 4/18; MET 4/30].

Arab trying to swim from Egypt to Israel is shot dead by IDF in Rafah [JDS 4/17 in FBIS 4/18].