The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Jenin, injuring 1 Palestinian with live ammunition and arresting 1. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work notices to 2 families for several structures in Humsa. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Nil‘in, Burqa, Qalqilya, Aida refugee camp, Hebron, and Kuseis. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level agricultural land east of Dayr al-Balah. Israeli forces also opened fire east of Khan Yunis and al-Bureij refugee camp; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/10; PCHR 11/17; UNOCHA 11/25)

Israel ended the trial program to extend the hours at the Allenby Bridge crossing. The trial program ran from 11/6 to 11/10 and was initiated under U.S. pressure during President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel in July. The U.S. had announced that Israel would open the crossing 24 hours a day from September, but Israel insisted on carrying out the trial before changing the operating hours. The Times of Israel reported that Israel is preparing to open the Allenby crossing 24 hours a day between Sunday morning and Friday afternoon and on Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. starting from 2 April 2023. (AN 11/13; TOI 11/24)

Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir attended an event commemorating the 22nd anniversary of the death of Israeli American terrorist Meir Kahane. Ben-Gvir, who is expected to become a minister in the incoming Benjamin Netanyahu-led government, was jeered when he said that unlike Kahane he does not support expelling all Palestinians from Israel. Ben-Gvir said “Kahane’s main characteristic was love.” At the event, participants burned Palestinian flags. U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price called Ben-Gvir’s attendance “abhorrent.” (HA 11/9; AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, REU 11/10; MEE, MEMO 11/11)

Adalah and the Center for Constitutional Rights wrote a letter to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken and ambassador to Israel Tom Nides urging them not to move forward with plans to build an embassy in Jerusalem on lands confiscated from Palestinians. The letter, written on behalf of the Palestinian landowners, stated “[s]hould the US proceed with this plan, it would not only be complicit with Israel's illegal confiscation of Palestinian-owned land, but it would also become an active participant in the seizure of the land of US citizens.” (MEE, WAFA 11/11; WAFA 11/14; MDW 11/17)

The Israeli government and the world soccer federation FIFA announced that direct flights between Israel and Qatar would be available for World Cup ticket holders. Palestinian ticket holders were said to be allowed to use Ben-Gurion International Airport if they receive a special permit. (AJ, AP, ALM, HA, MEMO, REU 11/10; REU 11/17; HA 11/18; AJ, MEE, REU 11/20)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: The L.A. Times reports that in May only 86 of 1,145 Soviet Jewish emigres with visas for Israel arrived in Israel. Most went to U.S. [LAT 6/3]. Palestinians start a 3-day strike to protest the arrival of Sec. of State George Shultz in the region [NYT 6/4].

Arab World: Sec. of State George Shultz visits Cairo to promote his peace proposals [NYT 6/4].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: A 20-year-old Arab is shot, killed by Israeli settlers near Hebron [NYT 6/4 Fl 6/5]. Ma'ariv reports the attack was carried out by members Meir Kahane's Kach in retaliation for 6/2 stabbing death of an Israeli religious student in West Jerusalem [FJ 6/12]. In Safa a Palestinian man is shot, killed by Israeli officer. Several areas in the West Bank and Gaza are declared closed military areas [FJ 6/5].

Arab World: Amal announces that it is disbanding its military apparatus in all but the south of Lebanon. Amal leader, Nabih Berri, told the fighters they should go south to fight Israel [NYT 6/4]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli army announces it has arrested Yusuf Muhammad Abu Armanah, 22, and Sa'id Fakhri Ibrahim Afanah, 23, both from Rafah, who have allegedly confessed to the 9/5 stabbing of an Israeli truck driver in Gaza. Their families' tar-paper residences have been destroyed [LAT 9/7; FJ 9/13]. MK Meir Kahane's Kach movement forms new group "Hatzala" (Parents for their Children) to oppose Min. of Education's plans to sponsor meetings between Israeli and Palestinian children. Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef strongly opposed the Ed. Min.'s plan last week, saying he would urge religious parents to remove their children from the national religious school network if it is implemented [JWP 9/6].

Arab World: Jerusalem Post reports 6 kidnapped members of the Lebanese Jewish community are being held by the Hizballah group [JP 9/61.

Other Countries: Congressional sources say administration has tentatively decided not to propose selling advanced F-15 fighter planes to Saudi Arabia. U.S. Sec. of State George Shultz announces U.S. is releasing the first $750 million of $1.5 billion in special economic aid approved last month by Congress for Israel. $250 million is going to Egypt, $53 million to Jordan, and $3 million is planned for aid to Palestinians in the occupied territories [WP 9/7]. Jewish Press reports the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council (NJCRAC) in the U.S. called on major Jewish groups and federations to condemn MK Meir Kahane during his upcoming visit to the U.S. and is putting pressure on the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. and television shows to cancel their invitations to Kahane to speak while here [JWP 9/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bomb explodes seriously wounding the man trying to place it in an Israeli market; 20 Palestinians are detained [LAT 9/7].

Arab World: Palestinian and Shi'ite gunmen battle for the 4th straight day around Burj al-Barajinah camp in south Beirut; 23 killed and 70 wounded ovemight. Shi'ite militia is backed by Soviet T-54 tanks. The DFLP issues a statement from Damascus accusing Amal militia of executing 17 Palestinian civilians in the street. The Druze and Murabitun militias have joined forces with the Palestinians against Amal militia [NYT, DT, WP, LT 9/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defense Min. official Nachman Shai admits Israel obtained US-made krytron timing devices in violation of US export laws (devices can be used for nuclear weapons) [NWK 5/12, WP 5/14]. Border Police fine, dismiss officer for granting privileges to Jewish underground defendants; MK Meir Kahane states he will pay officer's fine [NYT 5/13, LT 5/14, JP 5/24]. Jewish underground defendant Yehuda Etzion admits participation in 1980 bombing against Nablus Mayor Bassam Shak'a; describes plot to destroy al-Haram al-Sharif as "cleansing" of a Jewish holy site [JTA 5/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 3 bombs explode in Jerusalem; no injuries. Police defuse 4th bomb near hotel in which US Sec. of State Shultz is residing; Abu Musa faction of Fateh, pro-Arafat Force 17 [based in S. Yemen] both claim responsibility [LAT MG 5/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Mounted police with riot sticks break up demonstration at US Consulate, E. Jerusalem by 20 Palestinians protesting Jnaid prison conditions. Davar reports vegetable exports to Lebanon (10/83-9/84) total $14 million.

Other Countries: Israeli FM Shamir discusses conditions for IDF withdrawal from Lebanon with US Sec. of State Shultz; Shultz tells Lebanese FM Karami all sides must be more flexible before US can mediate Israeli withdrawal. 2 US House subcommittees jointly approve resolution calling for US embassy move to Jerusalem.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: MK Kahane (using Knesset privilege) & 300 armed Gush Etzion & Kiryat Arba settlers enter & raid Dheisheh camp [pop. 6,000], setting up roadblocks on Bethlehem-Hebron road, firing shots at houses and water reservoirs; Israeli soldiers later ordered settlers out of camp confines, but not from camp surroundings; troops arrest journalists Ali Qa'dam (al-Awda) & Marsha Hamilton (AP) on visit to camp. Military authorities break into student council mtg. in Bir Zeit U. Board of Trustees office and abduct student Marwan Barghouti; no charges filed.

Arab World: Mine explodes as IDF patrol car passes in S. Lebanon; no injuries reported. Self-styled "People's Court" organization claims responsibility for killing Palestinian woman found guilty of collaboration with IDF at 'Ain al-Hilweh camp, S. Lebanon.