Israeli naval vessels halt a Palestinian fishing boat off the s. Gaza coast, detaining 2 Palestinians onboard (released on 5/28) and ordering a 3d to sail the boat back to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF raids and searches a secondary school in Kafr Qaddum while classes are in session, firing tear gas; soon after, several Jewish settlers attempt to enter the school but are blocked by Palestinians. The IDF also patrols in 2 villages nr. Jericho and 2 nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in Jericho and Tulkarm in the evening; patrols in Kafr Qaddum, and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Tulkarm late at night; and conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c. and nr. Ramallah. (PCHR 5/31; OCHA 6/1)
Following up on his independent ‘‘Blue White Future’’ initiative last quarter (see QU in JPS 164), former Israeli Shin Bet head Ami Ayalon says, ‘‘The paradigm of direct negotiations that was a cornerstone of the [peace] process during the last 20 years is over. It does not work, and it will not work unless we change something,’’ recommending instead that Israel take unilateral action to create a 2-state solution on its own terms. (WT 5/28)