The Palestine Chronology

Hundreds of right-wing Jewish activists visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinian residents of the area; 1 Palestinian journalist and 1 paramedic are injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops fire tear gas at Palestinian students leaving a high school in Tell village near Nablus, causing no serious injuries. They also patrol during the day near Nablus, Hebron, and Bethlehem. Israeli forces uproot or otherwise damage 50 olive trees in a Palestinian grove near Salfit. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles driving near Ramallah, causing minor damage to 1 windshield. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmland near Rafah and shepherds near Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, YA 1/3; MNA 1/4; PCHR 1/10)

Israeli forces surround and prepare to dismantle 2 makeshift residential structures that Israeli settlers established at the site of the former illegal settlement outpost Amona on 12/14/18. When approximately 300 settler-activists barricade themselves inside the structures and throw stones at the demolition crews, IDF troops use riot dispersal tactics to take control of the area and proceed with the evacuation and dismantlement (4 settlers and 23 Israeli troops are injured and 7 settlers are arrested in the ensuing clashes). Hours later, the Israeli press reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is claiming that he ordered the indefinite postponement of the evacuation this morning, but that his order was not carried out. Netanyahu later calls on IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot to hold a disciplinary hearing for the officer reportedly responsible for failing to relay his order quickly enough, Colonel Avi Bluth. (JP, HA, HA, JP, TOI, YA, YA 1/3)

Hours after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu departs Brasilia, where he attended Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro’s inauguration yesterday, Bolsonaro confirms that he intends to uphold his campaign promise to move the Brazilian embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. “The decision is taken,” Bolsonaro says. “It’s only a matter of when it will be implemented.” (JP, REU 1/3; TOI 1/4)

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Arab World: Lebanese Shi'ite and Druze leaders call for Pres. Gemayel's resignation.

Other Countries: US Senate Finance Committee begins hearings on issue of establishing free trade relations with Israel. US Sec. of State Shultz, in Brazilia, accuses Syria of "trying to dominate Lebanon by force." Pres. Reagan orders use of air and naval forces against anti-gov't. positions around Beirut. Late American journalist Fred Sparks' $25,000 bequest to PLO diverted to Red Cross for work with Palestinians; decision results from protest suit taken up by 3 American Zionist organizations. Speaking in Melbourne, former Pres. Carter calls for US withdrawal from Lebanon. European Parliament Pres. Dankert criticizes Israeli policy in Middle East before Knesset and in mtg. with PM Shamir.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nisreen Ahmed Shrouf, 5 years old, killed, 2 brothers and 2 sisters wounded in Bethlehem when grenade explodes in hand; grenade suspected planted by "TNT."

Arab World: Shi'ite and Druze forces take over most of West Beirut from LAF/Phalange; demand Gemayel's resignation. 2 Israelis wounded when grenades hit IDF patrols south of Zahrani River; grenade attacks on IDF patrols in Sidon and Nabatiya market. US gunships Garcia and JF Kennedy and A-6 Intruder bombers pound mountain positions near Beirut.