The Palestine Chronology

Quartet reps. work late into the evening to draft a statement outlining a path to resuming Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. (NYT, WP 9/23)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Tulkarm in the evening and in Birzeit and 5 villages s. of Jenin late at night. Jewish settlers fr. Ofra settlement nr. Nablus set fire to 40 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of Palestinian olive and fig trees nearby. (PCHR 9/29; OCHA 9/30)

Speaking on the 1st day of the UNGA session, Obama rejects the Palestinian statehood bid and gives what some analysts (e.g., WP 9/22) call “his clearest statement of support and sympathy for Israel” and “a retreat from his early ambitions to help broker an enduring peace.” Obama and Clinton each meet separately with Abbas and Netanyahu later in the day. Abbas repeats that the statehood bid is not meant to preclude negotiations, and that the Palestinians hope to resume negotiations as soon as possible, with a settlement freeze and agreement on 1967 lines as the basis of talks. Details of talks with Netanyahu are not released. (NYT, WP, WT 9/22; WP 9/23)

French pres. Nicholas Sarkozy puts forward a last-minute proposal to avert a crisis at the UN, offering to host immediate Israeli-Palestinian talks with broad international mediation and the goal of reaching a comprehensive final status agreement within 1 year, provided that the Palestinians accept observer-state status at the UN and pledge not to “undertake actions incompatible with the continuation of negotiations.” (NYT, WT 9/22)

As the UNGA session opens in New York, 1,000s of Palestinians rally in Ramallah and Nablus in the 1st of 2 big rallies in support of statehood (the other is planned for 9/23). IDF undercover units enter Bayt Umar village nr. Hebron at midday, raiding a carpentry workshop and arresting 1 Palestinian. The IDF blocks at least 30 armed Jewish settlers fr. Mevo Dotan settlement nr. Jenin attempting to enter nearby ‘Araba village. (PCHR 9/22; OCHA 9/30)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into n. Gaza nr. Bayt Lahiya, firing indiscriminately but causing no apparent damage or injuries. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 3 villages w. of Ramallah in the evening. The IDF imposes a curfew on Kafr Haris village nr. Salfit and escorts 100s of Jewish settlers into the village to pray at a Jewish shrine; settlers vandalize Palestinian homes as they leave. In 2 separate incidents, the IDF prevents 10s of Jewish settlers protesting against the Palestinian statehood bid fr. entering Palestinian villages—Ya‘bad nr. Jenin and Asira Qibliyya nr. Nablus (see 9/19). In the Asira Qibliyya incident, settlers fr. Yitzhar clash with local Palestinians; the IDF intervenes, firing tear gas at the Palestinians, hitting a 14-yr.-old Palestinian in the back with a canister, moderately injuring him. Dozens of Palestinians march to the Qalandia crossing to Jerusalem, where they rally in support of the Palestinian statehood bid at the UN; they burn tires and throw stones and bottles at IDF soldiers, who reply with tear gas; a Palestinian teenager is hit in the head with a tear gas canister and moderately injured. (WT 9/21; PCHR 9/22; OCHA 9/23)

Netanyahu announces a last-minute decision to lead the Israeli delegation to the UNGA session. He calls on Abbas to restart negotiations with him in New York that would be continued in Jerusalem and Ramallah upon their return, giving no details on the basis for relaunching talks. Senior Palestinian official Hussam Zumlut reiterates that the Palestinian leadership is ready to consider any “serious and credible” proposal to resume talks, meaning it must include a settlement freeze and acceptance of the terms of reference of the previous agreements. (HA, WP 9/20)

Obama begins a 3-day diplomatic push at the UN in NY, meant to “express our support for a negotiated, two-state solution.” (AFP, WP 9/19)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore and confiscating several nets left behind. A 14-yr.-old Palestinian child dies of injuries sustained in an 8/19/11 Israeli air strike on Gaza City. In the West Bank, the IDF uproots 500 olive, fig, and almond trees in Dayr Istya village nr. Salfit, saying they were planted on state land (see 9/14); patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Qalqilya in the morning; conducts late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Jericho and Salfit; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Nur Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm. Jewish settlers attempt to set up tents on the evacuated Homesh settlement site, but are removed by the IDF. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus burn 10s of dunams of Palestinian agricultural land nr. Asira Qibliyya village. (WT 9/21; PCHR 9/22; OCHA 9/23)

The Israeli emb. in Cairo reopens after a 10-day shutdown, but the amb. has not returned. (NYT 9/20)

Hundreds of Israeli and Palestinian supporters of the UN statehood bid hold a peaceful joint rally on their respective sides of the Qalandia crossing. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Nablus in the morning; conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches in Jenin. Jewish settlers fr. Efrat nr. Bethlehem stone a passing Palestinian car, causing serious damage but no injuries. (NYT 9/18; PCHR 9/22; OCHA 9/23)

After meetings with the U.S. and EU envoys and Arab FMs, Abbas declares in a televised address that the Palestinians will ask for full member-state status at the UN, not simply observerstate status. Insiders say Abbas was debating which tack to take until he met again with Ross and Hale who offered no incentives and only threats to get him to drop the plan; outraged by the U.S. posturing, he decided to go for full membership. (NYT 9/17)

The IDF patrols in 9 villages between morning and late evening (4 nr. Ramallah, 2 nr. Tulkarm, 1 each nr. Jenin, Jericho, and Salfit). A Hamas mbr. dies of injuries received in a 1/8/09 IDF drone missile strike on his vehicle in Khan Yunis, during Operation Cast Lead. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bayt Umar, Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and al-Nabi Salih. IDF soldiers beat and fire rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, moderately injuring 1 Palestinian; 1 Palestinian is arrested and 2 Palestinian journalists are forcibly removed. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Esh Kodesh outpost nr. Nablus attempt to swim in a pond on nearby Palestinian land in Qusra-Jaloud village and open fire on villagers who confront them, wounding 1 before the IDF intervenes, firing tear gas at the Palestinians to disperse them. (PCHR 9/22; OCHA 9/23)

The IDF patrols in 8 villages during the day and evening (2 each nr. Jenin, Ramallah, Salfit, and Tulkarm); conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in 5 villages (2 each nr. Jenin and Qalqilya, 1 nr. Tulkarm). Unidentified Jewish settlers burn 2 Palestinian cars in Bayt Furik village nr. Nablus. Jewish settlers fr. Gil’ad settlement burn 150 trees and agricultural land nr. Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fr. Ariel settlement nr. Salfit damage a nearby Palestinian olive grove. Jewish settlers attempt to place a mobile home on the evacuated Homesh settlement site nr. Jenin, but are removed by the IDF. (PCHR 9/22; OCHA 9/23)

Ross and Hale return to the region 9/14–15 to meet with Netanyahu and Abbas. They propose that the Palestinians drop their UN bid in exchange for “some attributes of a state” (e.g., getting aid directly from the World Bank, which gives only to states) or for restarting talks based on 1967 lines but without a settlement freeze (already rejected by Abbas as insufficient). Separately, EU foreign policy chief Ashton and Quartet special envoy Blair suggest that the Palestinians drop their bid in exchange for a Quartet statement outlining a return to peace talks and a UNGA res. endorsing the idea of Palestinian statehood without granting the status of a state. Abbas rejects these as too little too late. (NYT 9/14; NYT, WP 9/16)

The IDF cuts down 135 olive trees in Dayr Istya village nr. Salfit, saying they were planted on state land; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Bireh (raiding the home of Hamas-affiliated PC mbr. Fadil Hamdan, arresting him) and Nablus; conducts late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin. (PCHR 9/15, 9/22; OCHA 9/23)

EU foreign policy chief Ashton extends her regional visit through at least 9/15 for more talks with Palestinian, Israeli, U.S., and Arab officials regarding the Palestinian statehood bid at the UN and a possible Quartet statement on reviving talks. (Independent, Turkish Weekly [Internet] 9/15)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes an auto parts store and a Palestinian home under construction nr. Hebron; patrols in 1 village nr. Salfit in the evening; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fr. Gil’ad settlement stone Palestinian vehicles on the Nablus–Qalqilya road, injuring 1 Palestinian. One of 2 Palestinians who confessed to the 3/11/11 murder of a Jewish family in Itamar is sentenced to life in prison. PA police release on bail Palestinian journalist George Cantawi pending his trial in 10/2011; Cantawi was recently arrested and charged with defamation and slander for criticizing medical services in Bethlehem after PA governor of Bethlehem ‘Abd al-Fattah Hamayil filed the complaint and suit against him. (PCHR 9/15; OCHA 9/16; JPI 9/23)

villages nr. Salfit, 1 nr. Qalqilya (firing percussion grenades to intimidate residents), and 1 nr. Ramallah; detains 4 Palestinian children nr. Qalqilya for stone throwing; conducts late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah (fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinians who confront them, causing no serious injuries) and 1 nr. Jenin; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and al-Nabi Salih. IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, causing no serious injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Esh Kodesh settlement nr. Nablus uproot 45 olive trees on nearby Palestinian land. (PCHR 9/15; OCHA 9/16)

After Friday prayers, 1,000s of Egyptian protesters besiege the Israeli emb. in Cairo, tear down the wall recently built outside (see 9/3), scale the building to rip down the flag, gain access to the offices, and throw documents into the street. Egyptian security forces collect the ambassador, his family, and other staff who are away from the emb. and secure them at the airport for evacuation to Israel. The 6 employees inside the emb. lock themselves in an office and await rescue. Egyptian riot police arrive in 50 APCs and fire tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters, who respond with stones and Molotov cocktails. Heavy clashes continue overnight, with riot police unable to secure the embassy. (WP 9/10; NYT, WP 9/11)

Ross and Hale return to the U.S., having failed to secure a last-minute postponement of the Palestinian statehood bid. U.S. officials say they are “at a loss” for how a U.S. veto can now be avoided. Quartet efforts to broker a resumption of talks continue, however. (NYT, WP 9/9)

IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire toward al-Qarara village, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts daytime patrols in 4 villages nr. Qalqilya, 3 villages northwest of Salfit, and 2 villages southwest of Ramallah; conducts synchronized late-night patrols in 4 villages nr. Tulkarm and additional late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah. In Ramallah, 10s of Palestinians hold the 1st small demonstration in support of the statehood bid, marching to the UN’s local headquarters. Jewish settlers fr. Shvut Rachel settlement nr. Nablus set fire to 2 Palestinian cars and vandalize a mosque in nearby Yatma village to protest the IDF’s 9/5 removal of structures at Migron outpost. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar nr. Nablus uproot 17 olive trees in nearby Hawara village. (NYT, WT 9/9; PCHR 9/15; OCHA 9/16)

Abbas tells a group of 20 left-leaning Israeli intellectuals that the Palestinians want above all to resume negotiations, stating that “no matter what happens at the [UN], we have to return to negotiations,” but also that even if there is a last-minute deal to resume talks, the UN bid will proceed. He confirms that in recent months he met 3 times secretly with Israeli pres. Shimon Peres in Amman, London, and Rome to discuss reviving talks. He also reveals that he met secretly on 8/27/11 with Israeli DM Ehud Barak, who asked him to drop the statehood bid. (NYT 9/6; WJW 9/8; OCHA 9/9)

The IDF carries out an air strike on a house in Nussayrat r.c. in c. Gaza, seriously injuring 1 Palestinian woman. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts morning house searches in Sirris village nr. Jenin, summoning several Palestinians for interrogation; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya and Ramallah (arresting Hamas-affiliate PC mbr. Muhammad Abu Tair). The IDF razes 3 buildings in Migron outpost, ordered removed by Israel’s High Court; settlers scuffle with the IDF, which arrests 6. Soon after, Jewish settlers set fire to a mosque in a nearby Palestinian village and spray graffiti saying “Migron.” In other apparent reprisals, Jewish settlers fr. Beitar Ilit nr. Bethlehem pump wastewater on agricultural lands in nearby Husan and Nahalin villages, damaging 100s of trees and crops; Jewish settlers vandalize a Palestinian home in Hebron; Jewish settlers fr. Shilo settlement set up a roadblock on the Nablus–Ramallah road and stone passing vehicles, seriously damaging 1 car and injuring 1 Palestinian; Jewish settlers fr. Keddumim settlement stone Palestinian vehicles on the Qalqilya– Nablus road, causing light damage but no injuries. In addition, Jewish settlers accompanied by IDF soldiers and border police uproot 88 trees on confiscated Palestinian land in al-Walaja nr. Bethlehem. (NYT, WP 9/6; PCHR 9/8)

The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah during the day; conducts latenight patrols in 3 villages nr. Salfit; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, nr. Hebron, and nr. Ramallah. A Palestinian is killed in a smuggling tunnel accident on the Rafah border. (PCHR 9/8; OCHA 9/9)