The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers damaged Palestinian property in the old vegetable market in the old city of Hebron, which has been closed to Palestinians by Israel since 2000. Israeli settlers also slashed tires of 25 Palestinian-owned vehicles and wrote racist graffiti on nearby walls in Salfit. Israeli forces forced Palestinian vendors in Huwwara to close their shops. Israeli forces also raided the home of a former Palestinian prisoner in Zeita, informing him that they will temporarily seize 2 floors of his home for a military outpost. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tubas, Ramallah, ad-Doha, Zeita, and Deir Sammit. In East Jerusalem, 119 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 1 Palestinians was arrested in Isawiya. In Israel, 1 Israeli man who was shot during an attack in Tel Aviv on 3/9 succumbed to his wounds. (TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/20; HA 3/21; PCHR 3/23; UNOCHA 3/31)

The Knesset repealed part of the 2005 Disengagement Law, allowing Israelis to enter the Homesh, Sa-Nur, Ganim, and Kadim settlements that were evacuated in 2005 and potentially buy or be allocated land to repopulate the settlements. U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel called the law inconsistent with Israeli commitments made in Sharm El Sheikh on 3/19 and stated that the bill contradicts commitments made by Ariel Sharon to George Bush when the law first passed. PA presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh said the bill “goes against all decisions of the international community.” (AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, MDW, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA 3/21; HA, PCN 3/22; HA, WAFA 3/23; WAFA 3/24)

The UN independent commission of inquiry began 5 days of public hearings in relation to its investigation into human rights violations in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. This round of hearings, held in Geneva, will commence on 3/24. (AJ 3/24)

In Cairo, Egyptian pres. Mubarak, Israeli PM Netanyahu hold tense, inconclusive talks, marked by disagreement over Israeli settlement plans. (MM 3/5; RE 3/5 in WNC 3/7; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 3/6; ITV 3/7 in WNC 3/13; WJW 3/13; MEI 3/21)

After New York, Arafat heads to Georgia to meet with fmr. Pres. Jimmy Carter and Houston to meet with fmr. Pres. George Bush, fmr. Secy. of State James Baker III before returning to Gaza. (MM, NYT 3/6; WT 3/7)

UNSC begins debate on Israel's Har Homa plan. (MM, WT 3/5; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/6; MEI 3/7; WJW 3/13)

After 4 days of talks in Tehran, Jordan, Iran sign memorandum of understanding on health issues, medicine, medical training. (IRNA, VIRI 3/2 in WNC 3/4)