The Palestine Chronology

The Israeli crackdown continues amid the ongoing wave of violence in the oPt. IDF troops clash with and violently disperse Palestinians protesting w. of Tulkarm, outside a settlement nr. Ramallah, and in a village nr. Hebron; 3 Palestinians are injured (1 will succumb to his injuries on 11/13). Israeli forces demolish 2 agricultural structures and a water well nr. Hebron; shoot and injure a Palestinian in a village nr. Hebron. The IDF conducts late-night raids nr. Hebron, arresting 1 Palestinian; patrols during the day in 1 village each nr. Tulkarm and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces fire tear gas canisters at Palestinian students crossing a checkpoint in Shu‘fat r.c.; there are no serious injuries. Israeli forces deliver a punitive demolition order to the Jabal Mukabir home of 1 of the Palestinians who killed 3 Israelis on a bus on 10/13. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 11/12; HA, MNA 11/13; PCHR 11/19)

Israel’s High Court of Justice rejects petitions calling for the suspension of the govt.’s orders to punitively demolish the Nablus- and Ramallah-area homes of 6 Palestinians accused of recent attacks on Israelis. The court accepts 1 petition, suspending the punitive demolition order for the home of the Palestinian who shot and killed an Israeli settler on 6/29. Today’s decision lifts the temporary injunction that the court imposed on 10/22. (JP, TOI, YA 11/12)

A delegation of Jordanian officials arrives in Jerusalem for meetings with their Israeli counterparts on the implementation of the 10/24 Israeli-Jordanian agreement to install cameras at Haram al-Sharif. (HA, TOI 11/13)

The wave of small-scale violence continues in Israel and the West Bank. Israeli police open fire on 2 Palestinians, killing 1 and injuring the other, after they stab and moderately injure an Israeli civilian in Beit Shemesh, w. of Jerusalem. An Israeli settler and an IDF soldier open fire on a Palestinian youth in c. Hebron after he allegedly attempts to stab an Israeli in the area; there are no serious injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 10/22; PCHR 10/29)

Elsewhere in the oPt, IDF troops stationed along Gaza’s border violently disperse Palestinians protesting e. of Gaza City and e. of al-Bureij r.c., injuring 3. They also conduct an overnight raid in Qalandia r.c. nr. Ramallah, arresting 3 Palestinians, assaulting 1, and sparking a brief firefight with armed Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. Throughout the day, IDF troops clash with and violently disperse Palestinians protesting at a checkpoint nr. Qalqilya and w. of Tulkarm, injuring 4 Palestinians. The IDF conducts raids nr. Ramallah, sparking clashes with stonethrowing Palestinians (4 Palestinians are injured and 2 are arrested). Israeli forces also conduct late-night house searches and raids and patrols across the West Bank. Israeli settlers throw stones and glass bottles at Palestinian homes e. of Hebron, causing damage. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/22; PCHR 10/29)

Israel’s High Court of Justice issues an injunction temporarily freezing the punitive demolitions of 7 West Bank homes of Palestinians accused of serious crimes against Israelis in recent mos. The demolition orders were delivered on 10/14 (the court will reject petitions calling for indefinite suspension of 6 of the demolitions on 11/12, effectively allowing them to go forward). (HA, JP, TOI, YA 10/22)

U.S. secy. of state Kerry meets with Israeli PM Netanyahu in Berlin to discuss a series of proposals to quell the ongoing violence in Israel and the oPt. Kerry says he is “cautiously optimistic” about the proposals discussed, and says that he will bring them to Jordan’s King Abdullah and PA pres. Abbas on 10/24. (HA, JP, NYT, TOI 10/22)

Around 500 members of the Israeli security forces forcibly evacuate some 100 Palestinians from the Bab al-Shams protest camp in the E1 area nr. Jerusalem (see 1/11). The Israeli Supreme Court had issued an injunction to prevent the removal for 6 days, and a police spokesperson claims that the court order allowed for the evacuation of protesters, if not the tents. Israeli newspaper Ha’Aretz reports that the tents were put up on private Palestinian land, according to the state’s own plan for development in E1. (HA, REU 1/13)

Also in the West Bank, the IDF fatally shoots an unarmed Palestinian man nr. Hebron as he attempts to cross into Israel without a permit for work. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron and 3 villages nr. Bethlehem at night. (MNA 1/12; PCHR 1/17)

Israeli vice premier Moshe Ya’alon of the ruling Likud party rules out the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state alongside Israel in a speech at a regional cultural event. (JP 1/12)

Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert claims that PM Netanyahu wasted around $3 b. preparing for a war on Iran that never took place. (Observer 1/13)

In East Jerusalem, an IDF soldier on a passing commuter bus shoots, seriously wounds a Palestinian motorcyclist scuffling with an Israeli traffic policeman over a traffic incident. An Israeli dies of injuries received in 7/31 bombing, bring that toll to 9. The IDF demolishes Palestinian homes, 2 belonging to relatives of Palestinian militants (in Dahiriyya, Dura), 2 others (nr. Bethlehem, nr. Hebron); bulldozes 40 dunams of agricultural land in Khuza, also damaging a school. (NYT, WP 8/14; PCHR, WJW 8/15; PCHR 8/16)

Overriding a military court ruling(see 8/12), the Israeli High Court issues a 15-day injunction against the forced transfer to Gaza of 3 relatives of Palestinian militants, demanding that the government show cause why it would be permitted to carry out the expulsions. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/14; MA 8/14 in WNC 8/15; WJW 8/15)

10s of Christian TV stations air a 5-hr. telethon in support of "Israeli victims of terrorism," with half of the money raised earmarked for a fund organized by the United Jewish Communities, half funding production of daily news segments on Israel for Christian TV stations. (HA 8/11) (see 7/10)

Hamas holds rally at Birzeit University to mark the 1996 Yahya Ayyash assassination. (ITV 1/10 in WNC 1/14; WT 1/12)

The Israeli cabinet approves Roni Bar-On's nomination as atty. gen. Labor places an injunction against the appointment, saying Bar-On, an obscure Jerusalem lawyer known as a Likud activist, was selected for political reasons, not his abilities. (ITV 1/10 in WNC 1/14; JP 1/18; MEI 2/7) (see 12/4)

A Saudi Arabian Islamist group, the Islamic Movement for Change, says it carried out the Damascus bus bombing 1/2 in retaliation for Syria's execution of a mbr. of its group fr. participation in the 6/25/96 Khobar barracks bombing. Syria discounts the claim. (MM 1/10; AFP 1/10 in WNC 1/13; al-Nahar 1/10 in WNC 1/16; NYT 1/11; WT 1/12)

ILMG meets to discuss an Israeli complaint concerning the launching of a rocket into n. Israel 1/8; issues statement saying that 1 rocket was fired in violation of the 4/96 understanding, but that the group could not determine who fired it. (RMC 1/10 in WNC 1/13; RL 1/11 in WNC 1/14; IGPO 1/12) (see 12/16)

The Iranian Fencing Federation invites the Israeli Hadar Yosef fencing association to participate in a world cup competition in Tehran 2/12+n14. Although invitations to the international meet are traditionally sent by the host country, the invitation was sent with the knowledge of the Iranian government. (YA 1/12 in WNC 1/14)

PM Netanyahu speaks before joint session of Congress. Rep. Benjamin Gilman (R-NY), noted for holding up Middle East Peace Facilitation Act aid to the PLO, calls speech "an eloquent and visionary tour de force." Netanyahu then hold talks with congressional leaders, representatives fr. Arab embassies, CIA Dir. John Deutch. (ITV, QY, SARR 7/10, QY, YA 7/11 in FBIS 7/11; MM, NYT, WJW, WP, WT 7/11; CSM 7/12; QY 7/14 in FBIS 7/15; MM 7/16; WJW 7/18; MEI 7/19; JP 7/20)

In Hebron, Palestinians clash with Israeli police after PM Netanyahu fails to set a date for redeployment in the city; IDF seals area, imposes curfew. Palestinians had hoped Clinton would have pressured Netanyahu to set a timetable for redeployment, easing of closure. (QY 7/20 in FBIS 7/10; QY, RE, SARR 7/10, al-Hayat, QY, RE, SARR, VOP 7/11 in FBIS 7/11; CSM, MM, WP, WT 7/11; RMC 7/10, al-Hayat, QY 7/11, VOP 7/12 in FBIS 7/12; MM 7/15)

Bowing to pressure fr. ultraorthodox Jews, Israeli Transportation Min. agrees to close Bar Ilan Street, 1 of Jerusalem's main roads, for most of the Jewish Sabbath for a 4-mo. trial period. Israeli High Court overrides his order with a temporary injunction to keep the road open. Israeli police expect demonstrations, violent classes btwn. orthodox, secular Jews. (WT 7/11)

After Organization of African Unity gives near unanimous backing to UN Secy. Gen. Butros-Ghali in his bid for a 2d term. U.S. again says it will veto him if he runs. (WT 7/11) (see 6/23)

Hizballah releases 2 SLA prisoners, proposes to exchange 17 other SLA mbrs. in its custody for 200 Lebanese nationals held in al-Khiyam prison in s. Lebanon. (MENA, VOL 7/10 in FBIS 7/11; MM 7/17)

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators resume in Cairo talks to implement 9/13 agreement. Talks center on size of IDF force around Gaza settlements, extent of Palestinian authority in Jericho, and control of border crossings. (NYT 11/16)

Multilateral talks Environment Comm. holds session attended by delegates fr. over 40 countries in Cairo. (MENA 11/15 in FBIS 11/16)

Hebron settler kills Palestinian attacking him with hatchet; 2d attacker flees with settler's rifle. PFLP claims responsibility for attack fr. Beirut, names dead Palestinian as Muhammad Badawi Burkan, 26, of Hebron. Settlers riot, burning Palestinian vegetable stands and stoning Palestinian cars. In separate incident, Palestinian badly wounded in attack by Beit El settlers. (MM 11/15)

Hamas issues statement condemning PLO Chmn. Arafat's condemnation of 10/29 killing of settler Haim Mizrachi, calling it evidence of his "disgraceful submissiveness" and of his "readiness to liquidate the cause of our people." (MM 11/15)

Israeli Econ. Min. Shimon Shitreet says scope of support [for DoP] has diminished" due to recent killings of settlers. (CSM 11/16)

Qatar announces establishment of direct phone service to o.t., 1st Gulf state to do so. (MM 11/15)

U.S. Pres. Clinton assures Syrian Pres. al-Asad that U.S. and Israel support continued efforts for Syrian-Israeli agreement. Assurance transmitted in letter given Syrian FM al-Shara' by U.S. coordinator Dennis Ross, which also states Secy. of State Christopher will tour Middle East in early Dec. to pursue Arab-Israeli talks. (NYT, WP 11/16)

U.S. Dept. of Defense offers to sell Israel 20 modified F-15E (F-151) fighter-bombers, valued at $1.8 b. Israeli PM Rabin, after meeting with Secy. of Defense Les Aspin, says offer under consideration. (NYT, WP 11/16)

At meeting with journalists in Washington, Israeli PM Rabin identifies Ilam as major threat to Middle East peace, accuses Iran of supporting Somali militia leader Mohamed Farah Aideed. (WP 11/16)

Lt. Col. Muin Shabaita, 2d in command of Fateh militia in 'Ayn al-Hilwah refugee camp, Sidon, Lebanon, killed by unknown gunmen. Fateh security chief at 'Ayn al-Hilwah, Abi Husayn Farhud, blames FRC ("Abu Nidal" faction) for killing. (NYT, WP 11/16)

Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith (ADL) agrees to San Francisco court injunction not to use illegal means to gather information. ADL was found to have access to police files on Arab Americans, among other groups, and was accused in criminal investigation of providing information to South Africa and Israel. Civil suits by targets of ADL investigations remain open. (WP 11/16)

45th session of the UN Gen. Assembly opens; French Pres. Mitterrand denounces Iraq, but outlines 4-stage plan to solve conflicts in Middle East (including Arab-Israeli and Lebanese). Iranian F.M. Velayati says Iran will abide by Sec. Council sanctions [LAT, NYT, WP, WT, MEM 9/25].

Pres. Mubarak meets with Saudi F.M. Prince Saud al-Faisal to discuss Gulf crisis [MENA 9/24 in FBIS 9/25; MET 10/2].

West German gov't says it will donate nearly $500 million worth of East German military equipment to U.S. forces in Gulf; South Korea announces a contribution of $220 million in cash, goods, and services to support multinational force [LAT 9/25].

Saudi Arabia expels 14 Iraqi, 56 Yemeni, and 10 Jordanian diplomats, accusing them of spying; action is seen primarily as retaliation for Jordan and Yemen stand on Gulf crisis [WT 9/25].

IDF prepares to demolish more than 20 Palestinian houses and shops around area in Bureij camp where Israeli soldier was killed 9/20. Supreme Court issues temporary restraining order after half the buildings are destroyed [NYT, WP, LAT, WT 9/25; MET 10/2].

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 5th anniversary of signing of Egypt-Israel peace treaty. Abu Ali Shahin wins temporary injunction against proposed expulsion from Gaza, Palestine. 4 American Jews formally charged with attack on Arab bus near Ramallah (3/4/84). 3 Alignment MKs walk out of Constitution Com. mtg. as Kach leader Kahane arrives uninvited. Tel Aviv U. pres. and Alignment candidate for Finance Min. Ben-Shahar alerts economics conference that Israeli GNP growth is slower than Arab neighbors.

Arab World: UK's Queen Elizabeth arrives in Jordan for state visit. Shlomo Ilya, recently dismissed from post as "civil administration" head in West Bank for misconduct, appointed IDF commander in S. Lebanon.

Other Countries: Commemorating Egypt-Israel treaty anniversary, US & Israel reaffirm March 1979 memorandum, extending (for 5 more years) and expanding Israel's prospects for arms sales in US.