The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 1 Palestinian house in Silat ad-Dhahr. Israeli forces demolished 1 agricultural structure in Deir Balut, 1 house in Bayt Jala, and 1 house in al-Walaja. Israeli forces also notified Palestinian residents of Khirbet Humsa that they have to leave their homes on 10 separate days between 5 and 28 February due to Israeli military drills in the area. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction in Wadi Hummus and part of 1 house in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/1; PCHR, WAFA 2/2; UNOCHA 2/21)

Israel Hayom reported that Israel’s national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had instructed the Israel Prison Service to not allow Palestinian prisoners to make their own flatbread. (MEE 2/1; HA 2/2)

The Israeli government requested an extension from the Israeli High Court of Justice on making a decision on the forced displacement of Palestinians from Khan al-Ahmar, pushing the decision to 6/1. The government said that it “remain firm” in its commitment to displace the 250 or so Palestinians living in Khan al-Ahmar. (AJ, HA 1/31; AP, HA 2/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Turmus ‘Ayya. Israeli settlers also set fire to 2 Palestinian-owned cars and wrote racist graffiti in Sinjil. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint in Hebron. Israeli forces also issued 6 stop-work notices for houses in Deir Balut and a demolition notice for 1 residential structure in Bayt Jala. Representatives from a dozen of countries visited Palestinians threatened by forced displacement in Khan al-Ahmar. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli municipal workers demolished a commercial structure and leveled land in Jabel Mukaber and demolished a wall in Silwan. (AJ, AP, GDN, HA, MEE, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/30; WAFA 1/31; MEE 2/1; PCHR 2/2; UNOCHA 2/3)

A bill that will see residency permits and citizenship revoked for Palestinians who receive money from the PA after being accused of attacking Israelis passed the first reading in the Knesset with 89 votes in favor and 8 against. (HA 1/31; MEE 2/7)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel. The U.S. State Department said that the 2 spoke about Israeli-Palestinian relations and the need for a diplomatic solution. Secretary Blinken met with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi earlier in the day in Cairo. According to Yediot Ahronot, the U.S. offered Netanyahu help with normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia and curbing Iran’s nuclear program if Netanyahu reigns in his far-right coalition partners, ends his plans to weaken the judiciary, and maintain the status quo at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (AJ, HA, MEE 1/29; AJ, ALM, ALM, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, MDW, REU 1/30; HA, HA, HA, NYT 1/31; AJ, HA, MEE 2/3)

Adalah filed an objection to the U.S. plans to build a new embassy to Israel on land in Jerusalem that was seized from Palestinian landowners. The objection was accompanied by letters to U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides and U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken. (MEE, WAFA 1/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in Huwwara, injuring 6. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles outside of the Yitzhar settlement, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized some 40 olive tree saplings in al-Khader. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and injured 1 other during a late-night raid in Jalazun refugee camp. Israel claimed the 3 attempted to ram Israeli soldiers with a car, but this was disputed by Palestinians present at the scene. Israeli forces also fired tear gas near a high school in Tell during a raid, causing tear-gas related injuries among students and staff. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house and 2 storage facilities in al-Rifaya in the Masafer Yatta area, 1 house in Beit Einun, displacing 11, and 1 house near Jabal Johar, displacing 8. Israeli forces also raided Khirbet ad-Deir, injuring 1 Palestinian with a baton round and others with tear gas. 17 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun, Beit Sira, Safa, al-Jib, Dheisheh refugee camp, Jericho, Nablus, Barta‘a, and Silat al-Harithiya. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and al-Tur. (ABC, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, JP, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEMO, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/3; PCHR 10/5; PCHR 10/6; UNOCHA 10/16)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh warned UK prime minister Liz Truss that if the UK moves its embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, it would be seen by the PA as a recognition of the Israeli annexation of Jerusalem. The UK political parties Labour, Scottish National Party, and Liberal Democrats told Middle East Eye that they oppose moving the UK embassy to Jerusalem. (REU, TOI 10/3; HA, MEE, MEE 10/4; MEE, MEE, WAFA 10/5; MEMO 10/6; MEE 10/7; AJ 10/9; MEE, MEE, MEE, MEMO 10/11; MEE 10/19)

The EU-Israel association council convened for the 1st time since 2012. Addressing the EU representatives, Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid said that “Palestinians need to put an end to terrorism and incitement” in order for a 2-state solution to happen. After the meeting, EU ministers published a paper hailing cooperation with Israel, condemning Hamas, and criticizing Israel for its settlement policies, mentioning settlements in East Jerusalem and plans for E1. The minister also criticized Israeli policies of evictions and forced transfer of Palestinians and demolitions of EU-funded projects. (AJ, ALM, HA, MEMO 10/3)

The Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem appealed to ICC prosecutor Karim Khan to have the ICC act to protect Palestinian residents of Masafer Yatta from expulsion by Israel. (BTselem 10/3; HA, MEE 10/6; MEMO, WAFA 10/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian family in their home in Burin, causing injuries. Israeli forces delivered a stop-work order for 1 house in Khirbet Atuf. Officials from the EU and UN visited the Masafer Yatta area, meeting with Palestinians threated by forced displacement. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces razed a plot of land and a car wash shop in Nabi Samwil. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Maghazi refugee camp. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/7; PCHR 7/21; UNOCHA 7/22)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz in Ramallah. According to sources familiar with the meeting, the 2 spoke about U.S. president Joe Biden’s upcoming visit to the 2 countries, easing Israeli restrictions on the West Bank, and Israel’s killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA 7/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided an anti-displacement protest in Masafer Yatta, causing injuries to Palestinians and Israeli activists, including 1 journalist. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian using a baton round at a checkpoint in Hebron; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 7 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 3 with baton rounds and 12 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 1 with a baton round and 4 with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces fired flare bombs near the separation wall in Rumana, sparking a fire that damaged Palestinian olive trees. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Izbit al-Tayyah. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/10; PCHR 6/16; UNOCHA 6/17)

1 Palestinian who has been protesting his administrative detention by hunger striking by more than 100 days was taken to a hospital as his condition deteriorated. (WAFA 6/10)

Israeli forces conducted air strikes at Damascus International Airport, causing damage and forcing Syrian authorities to suspend flights in and out of the airport. The London-based Syrian opposition group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said that Iranian personnel were injured. Syrian media reported that civilian injuries occurred. Later reporting said that the Israeli air strikes damaged several runways at the airport. It was suggested that the airport will remain closed until 6/20. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE, REU, REU, TOI, TOI 6/10; AJ, AP, F24 6/11; HA, TOI 6/12; AP 6/14)

The PA and the German development bank KfW signed an agreement worth $10.5 million to improve the PA health sector. (WAFA 6/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 4 houses, 8 water wells, and 1 agricultural structure in a-Tabban in the Masafer Yatta area and stop-work notices for 2 water wells and 1 agricultural structure in Zif. Israeli forces also sealed a well in Beit Lid. Elsewhere, Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from working their land in Qusra. Israeli forces also fired tear gas at Palestinians trying to enter Israel for work at the separation wall near Jenin. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, representatives from the EU and UN visited Palestinians in Silwan who are threatened by Israeli demolitions and displacement. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 minors with baton rounds on the Jerusalem-Ramallah street. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids. In the Naqab, Israeli forces demolished al-Araqib for the 202d time since 2000. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/7; PCHR 6/9; UNOCHA 6/17)

The PA finance ministry said it would pay PA employees 80% of their wages as it continues to be unable to pay its employees in full due to Israel’s withholding of parts of the PA tax revenue. (REU 6/7)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with German vice chancellor and economy and energy minister Robert Habeck in Ramallah. The 2 discussed German support for energy projects in Palestine. Prime Minister Shtayyeh briefed Vice Chancellor Habeck on Israeli violations against Palestinians. Shtayyeh also called on the international community to create a political horizon for ending the Israeli occupation and for Germany to exert pressure on Israel to allow the PA to hold elections in East Jerusalem. (WAFA 6/7)

UN human rights council’s commission of inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, released its 1st report since receiving its mandate on 5/27/2021. In its report, it pointed to Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian territory and discrimination against Palestinians as a key factor in recurrent tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. 2d, the report noted Palestinian resentment is fueled by lack of consequences for Israeli human rights violations. A commissioner working on the report said that “Israel clearly has no intentions of ending the occupation. In fact, it has established clear policies to ensure complete permanent control over the Occupied Palestinian Territory.” The report also criticized the PA and Hamas for using the occupation as justification for human rights violations against their own people. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, UNOCHR, WAFA 6/7; MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 6/8)

Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan was elected vice president of the 77th session of the UN general assembly (UNGA), along with 20 others. The appointment will see Ambassador Erdan chair UNGA meetings and being part of agenda selection. Erdan will serve for 1 year, starting in September. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said that the PA leadership was “surprised by and deplore the election of Israel's ambassador to the United Nations for the position of Vice President of the United Nations General Assembly, which we consider an attempt to promote and legitimize the colonial occupation regime on the land of the State of Palestine.” (JP 6/7; TOI 6/8; MEE 6/9; WAFA 6/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction in Aqabah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers raided the Haram al-Sharif compound, closing off parts of it to Muslim worshippers. 16 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Isawiya, al-Tur, and Hizma. (MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/30; PCHR 2/3)

Israeli Palestinian Bedouins protested outside of the official residence of Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett against neglect of the Bedouin communities in Israel and the Jewish National Fund’s displacement by forestation project. The protesters also demanded that Israel release all people detained during the protests in the Naqab against the forestation project. The protest was organized by the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee and the National Council for Arab Mayors. Palestinians also demonstrated outside of the Jerusalem municipality building against demolitions in East Jerusalem. (HA, WAFA 1/30)

The PFLP reaffirmed that it will not participate in the upcoming PNC meetings, citing fears that the meetings will deepen the divide amongst Palestinian parties. (MEMO 1/31)

Israeli media reported that PA president Mahmoud Abbas asked Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz to release 25 Palestinian prisoners during their meeting at Gantz’s home on 12/28/2021. The reporting said that the 25 prisoners have been detained before 1993 but did not name who President Abbas was asking to have released. Gantz, reportedly, did not give Abbas a firm answer on whether he would help with the request. (TOI, WAFA 1/30; MEMO 1/31)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog met with UAE crown prince Mohammed Bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. (HA 1/29; AJ, AP, MEE, MEMO, REU 1/30; AJ, REU 1/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home near al-Ramadin. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Araqah, Beit Umar, Jaba‘, and Burqin. In East Jerusalem, some 100 Israeli police officers raided the Salhiya family home in Sheikh Jarrah, throwing stun grenades and beating family members, including minors, before escorting them out and demolishing their home, displacing the family of 18; 18 Palestinians were arrested, including family members. The family members were released on 1/20 under the condition that they do not return to Sheikh Jarrah for 1 month. Israel had attempted to displace the family since 1/17, but was unable due to resistance from the family and a large presence of international diplomats and local activists. The PA called the eviction a war crime, calling on the U.S. to protect Palestinians in East Jerusalem, and the EU condemned the displacement of the family. The U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at a UN security council meeting that Israel must refrain from “demolitions, and evictions—like what we saw in Sheikh Jarrah.” At the meeting, PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki also called on the international community to end Israeli impunity. A representative for the Salhiya family said the family is referring the case to the ICC. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Wadi al-Juz, displacing 8. In Jerusalem, Israeli police violently dispersed activists in front of Mayor Moshe Leon’s home protesting forced displacement of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah; 5 were arrested. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, CNN, EI, F24, GDN, HA, HA, HA, I24, JDF, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEMO, NAT, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, TOI, VICE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP 1/19; HA, HA, IN, JP, JP, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/20; MEMO, MEMO 1/21; MEE, TOI 1/22; ALM, WAFA 1/23)

Israeli police arrested 3 Jewish Israeli men for attacking 2 Palestinian Israeli men in Bat Yam on 11/14/2021. The 3 Jewish Israeli men were charged with racially motivated violence prompted by the 2 Palestinians socializing with Jewish Israeli women. (HA 1/20; HA 1/21)

Hamas officials concluded a visit to Algeria, presenting the group’s vision for national unity and reconciliation with Fatah. The delegation arrived in Algeria on 1/17. Members of the DFLP, PFLP-GC, and Islamic Jihad are expected to visit Algeria soon. PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Algerian officials on 1/15. (MEMO 1/18; MEMO 1/20; ALM 1/24)

The Citizenship Law bill, created to prevent family unifications between Palestinians and Israeli citizens, was sent back to the Israeli cabinet after the Meretz party filed an objection to the legislation in the Knesset. The Citizenship Law is being pushed by Israeli interior minister Ayelet Shaked. (HA 1/20)

A delegation of Israeli officials arrived in Sudan for meetings with Sudanese officials, according to Israeli and Saudi Arabian media. (HA 1/19; MEMO 1/20)

The UNRWA called on the international community to donate $87.5 million to help the agency with programming in Lebanon, where the financial crisis is further impeding its work to assist Palestinian refugees. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, WAFA 1/19; WAFA 1/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 900 olive and apricot saplings and stole olive harvests in Sabastia. Israeli settlers also uprooted 70 trees in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian man with live ammunition during a late-night raid in Tammun. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor in Silwad before arresting him. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 structure in Haris and 1 house in Abu Nawwar, displacing 8 Palestinians, and delivered a stop-work notice for a house under construction in Deir Balut. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Kobar, Beita, ‘Azzun, al-Shuyukh, and Beit Umar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli police officer was filmed hitting 1 Palestinian teenager at the Damascus Gate plaza. The teenager was filmed approaching the officer to complain that he was beaten by another officer. As the officer asked the Palestinian which of his colleagues had beaten him, the officer started beating the Palestinian with his club. Later, on 10/14, the officer was suspended for 5 days. 3 Palestinian minors were arrested in Silwan and al-Tur. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces confiscated 1 Palestinian fishing boat anchored some 6 nautical miles west of Gaza. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/12; HA, MEMO, WAFA 10/13; HA, PCHR 10/14; AJ 10/17)

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a statement that 9,300 olive trees had been destroyed in the West Bank from August 2020 to August 2021. The ICRC further stated that Palestinians growing olives face 3 challenges: impediments to their movement and access, harassment and violence by settlers, and impacts of climate change. (ICRC 10/12; MEMO 10/13)

The Palestinian prisoner administration said that some 400 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons soon will start an open-ended hunger strike to protest new restrictions imposed after 6 prisoners escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6. Most of the prisoners going on hunger strike are said to be affiliated with Islamic Jihad. (HA 10/12; AJ, AP 10/13)

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) canceled a meeting with FIFA president Gino Infantino due to his participation in an event hosted by former U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman at the Israeli Museum of Tolerance, built on a Muslim cemetery in East Jerusalem that dates back to the 11th century. The PFA said in a statement that it views Infantino’s participation in the event “as a total affront to the values of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, both endorsed by the FIFA statutes.” (WAFA 10/12; WAFA 10/13)

The commander of an Israeli military unit that was attacked by Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement on 10/11 said they did not respond violently because his unit was in a Jewish community. The commander said that “the core of Yitzhar are good people.” (HA 10/12)

Israel’s justice minister Gideon Saar said at a conference that the U.S. consulate to Palestinians will not reopen in Jerusalem, saying, “It needs Israeli approval . . . We will not compromise on this issue.” (REU 10/12; MEMO 10/13)

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid met with U.S. vice president Kamala Harris in Washington D.C. Foreign Minister Lapid is scheduled to meet with secretary of state Antony Blinken on 10/13. (REU 10/12; ALM, HA 10/13)

90 Google employees and more than 300 Amazon employees wrote an open letter published in the Guardian calling on the 2 companies to “pull out of Project Nimbus [a cloud server sold to Israel for $1.2 billion] and cut all ties with the Israeli military.” The employees complained that the 2 companies’ cooperation with Israel will “make the systematic discrimination and displacement carried out by the Israeli military and government even crueler and deadlier for Palestinians.” (NA 6/22; GDN, MEE 10/12; HA, MEMO, WAFA 10/13)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning, and in Salfit, Nablus, Qalqilya, Jenin, and 1 village each nr. Nablus, Tulkarm, and Hebron at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, and in Jenin and 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night. (PCHR 6/27)

By a vote of 43–40, Israel’s Knesset passes the 1st reading of the Prawer Law for the development of the Negev, which will mean the forced displacement of an estimated 40,000 Bedouin citizens (see the Quarterly Update in JPS 169 for more on the Prawer Law). (JP 6/24)

In Jerusalem, Israeli and Turkish officials reach an unspecified draft agreement in to end the diplomatic stand off. The Turkish delegation, headed by FMin. undersecretary Feridun Sinirliog˘lu, is the most senior such delegation since Israel’s 2010 attack on the Mavi Marmara aid flotilla to Gaza (see QU 157). Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s office publishes a statement saying further clarifications are required on certain subjects, though gives no further details (HA 5/5; JP 5/6)

Israel’s Ministerial Committee on Legislation approves a bill for the development of the Negev, known as the Prawer-Begin plan, which would result in the forced displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinian Bedouin citizens of Israel. (MNA 5/6)

The Yesh Atid party, the second largest in the ruling coalition, decides to oppose Economy and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett’s proposal, first offered at the end of April, to pass a Basic Law requiring a referendum before any peace treaty with the Palestinians is signed. (YA 5/6)

Israeli naval vessels twice open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the north Gaza coast, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Jenin, 1 village nr. Ramallah and 2 villages nr. Salfit at night. Also at night, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in Aida r.c. in Bethlehem, 1 village nr. Bethlehem and 3 villages nr. Hebron. (PCHR 5/9)

IDF tanks fire shells at 2 Palestinians “moving suspiciously” near Brakha settlement, killing them. The IDF raids a Palestinian radio station in Nablus, confiscating all equipment; demolishes a Palestinian house in Rafah without warning, while its residents are sleeping (6 are injured before they manage to flee); fires on residential areas of Ramallah; raids, demolishes an Islamic charitable society orphanage in Bayt Awla nr. Hebron that houses 300 children under 12. Jewish settlers seize a Palestinian house in East Jerusalem, nr. Jabal Mukabir, claiming they own the structure, which will be the basis of a new enclave. (JTA 9/3; LAW, PCHR, Radio Tariq al-Mahabbeh [Ramallah], WP 9/4; MEI 9/13)

The Israeli High Court rules that the government can banish to Gaza the West Bank relatives of Palestinians accused of staging attacks on Israelis only in "extreme cases" where "that person, by his own deeds, constitutes a danger to the security of the state." The ruling argues that such forced transfer constitutes "assigned residence" under Articles 41 + n43 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, is there for legal under international law. The court thus upholds an 8/12 military court order to expel to Gaza for 2 yrs. the brother, sister of senior AMB mbr. Ali Ajuri (assassinated 8/6/02) for allegedly aiding in the staging of the 7/17/02 Tel Aviv bombing; overrules an order to expel another Palestinian for lending a car, food to his brother, Naseer Assida, without knowing he was (allegedly) plotting the 7/16/02 ambush of a settler bus; Assida has not been captured. (HA, JP, MM 9/3; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/4; MM, WJW 9/5)

After several hours of talks btwn. Arafat, Netanyahu at Erez, the PA, Israel chief negotiators initial a Hebron protocol with attached U.S. "Note for the Record," "Agreed Minute." Letters of assurance to Arafat, Netanyahu fr. Secy. of State Christopher are also exchanged. (MM 1/14; IDF Radio, RJ 1/14 in WNC 1/15; al-Quds al-Arabi 1/14, AFP, IDF Radio, QY, RE, RJ, RL, YA 1/15 in WNC 1/16; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/15; CSM, WJW 1/16; NYT, PR 1/17; WJW 1/23; MEI 1/24)

YESHA settlers' council holds an emergency session to discuss the Hebron protocol, resolve to start treating Netanyahu's government as a political foe. (WP 1/15; WJW 1/16)

IDF begins forced transfer of bedouin fr. their homes nr. Jahalin, West Bank, in preparation for expansion of Ma'ale Adumim settlement. Some 45 bedouin families have lived on the site for 40 yrs. They are being sent to a new site outside of Jerusalem, nr. the municipal garbage dump. They will be given freight containers as alternative housing. (NYT 1/15, WJW 1/16; PR 1/31; LAWE 2/13)

Mtg. of the Jordan Rift Valley Development Comm. opens at the Dead Sea. (JT 1/15 in WNC 1/23)

In s. Lebanon, an SLA mbr. is injured when he sets off a explosive device planted along a road. (RL 1/15 in WNC 1/16)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: The Defense Ministry's coordinator of occupied territories affairs, Shmuel Goren, leaves for U.S. in effort to raise $500 million for Israeli scheme to "improve the quality of life" in the West Bank and Gaza; Palestinians oppose the objective of the trip, calling it a "prelude to autonomy" [FJ 3/21]. Ariel Sharon begins to mediate between Yitzhak Shamir and David Levy, rivals for control of the Herut party [NYT, TS 3/17].

Other Countries: U.S. State Dept. Counselor Edward Derwinski, returning from trip related to refugee affairs, states Palestinians displaced in the Arab-Israeli wars are "permanent refugees" and should be absorbed by the Arab world [JP 3/16; JTA 3/17]. Americans for a Safe Israel holds 1986 national conference [JW 3/28].

Military Action:

IDF reportedly spent lS215 m. in past 4 months building new roads linking military installations to Lebanese roads in South Lebanon; US Sixth Fleet soldiers on shore leave in Haifa for first time since June.

Casualties:

Israel reportedly seeking alternative homes for 640 non-Arab detainees it wants to free from Ansar, but whose home countries refuse to admit them.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin, in first public appearance since his wife's death, meets Haig in Tel Aviv; Sharon confers in Israel with US General Starry, urges US to provide arms, IDF training for Lebanese Army; Economics Minister Meridor tells Knesset committee South Lebanon, refugee camps will be back to preinvasion conditions in one month, says UNRWA will give each displaced refugee family $450; Tehiya MK protests resettlement of refugees so near border; Haaretz publishes poll showing Likud support down to 30 percent from 41.5 percent before Beirut massacre, but Labor Party support rises only marginally; Jaffa Arabs protest new housing plan and relocation; Sulha (peace-making meeting) held between Nablus Chamber of Commerce and Elon Moreh settlers; Colonel Yigal Karmon meets with heads of three West Bank universities to clarify wording of new work permit for foreign lecturers (several West Bank lecturers dismiss change as "cosmetic"; Israeli official indicates those deported may return to teaching after signing new work permits); Karmon directive to pressure "extremist mayors" and neutralize pro-Jordanian West Bank Palestinians published in greater detail (dated October 29, it contains notes from October 24 conference and is signed by Ravi Avisar).

Palestinians/ Lebanese: West Bank Mayors Mohammed Milhem and Fahd Qawasme meet with Shultz in Washington, reportedly float two proposals for negotiations-one would have joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation with Palestinians not directly identified with PLO but authorized by them to negotiate, other would have same forces within broader Arab delegation; Lebanese foreign ministry asserts Iranian revolutionary guards involved in yesterday's attack on Baalbek city hall, as Foreign Minister Elie Salem meets Iranian ambassador to protest.

Arab Governments: Syria criticizes US role as Habib arrives for talks on troop withdrawals from Lebanon; Egyptian Foreign Minister Hassan Ali and Israeli Ambassador Sasson meet on bilateral issues, including Taba; on eve of Mitterrand's visit Mubarak says France and Egypt will give Reagan plan precedence over their own initiatives; reports that Egypt extradited 5 Palestinian students to Israel in early November after alleging their involvement in Sadat's assassination.

US and Other Countries: US official says Shultz needs more information on new work permit requirements to ensure that his concerns have been resolved; over 400 academics from 20 colleges and universities nation-wide sign petition to Congress to suspend military and economic aid to Israel; French President Mitterrand, in interview, says Palestinians should have their own state; EEC sends Danish envoy to Israel to seek halt to settlements.

UN: Arab governments fail to unseat Israel at special UNESCO session in Paris.