The Palestine Chronology

In Israel, security forces in Petah Tikva shoot and kill a Palestinian worker from a village nr. Nablus, during a police-led search for Palestinians without permits. In the West Bank, IDF troops clash with residents in 1 village nr. Jenin during a raid. In 1 village nr. Ramallah, Jewish settlers attack property and residents who in turn fight back with stone-throwing. As a result, Israeli forces fire tear gas grenades at the Palestinian villagers, causing no serious injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Jenin at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village each nr. Qalqilya and Ramallah at night. In Sur al-Bahir, East Jerusalem, a Palestinian family demolishes 3 apartments in an effort to avoid the charges associated with a demolition conducted by the municipality. (MNA 11/30; PCHR 12/5)

Thousands of demonstrators protest against the proposed Prawer Plan in several locations across Israel, including the Negev village Hura, Haifa, nr. Highway 444 in the “Triangle,” Jerusalem, and Jaffa, with a total of 34 arrests nationwide. The largest protest is in Hura, where protesters throw stones and the police retaliate. Israeli FM Lieberman harshly attacks the protesters, and says the govt. is “fighting for the lands of the Jewish people.” Solidarity protests also take place nr. Ramallah, where Palestinians clash with Israeli forces nr. Beit El settlement, and in Gaza City. (HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 11/30; ToI 12/2)

Egypt’s 50-mbr. constituent assembly votes on 138 articles of the 247-article draft constitution, limiting the scope of Shari‘a law and allowing the army to try civilians in military tribunals. Meanwhile U.S. Defense Secy. Chuck Hagel calls DM Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to express concern about a new law curbing protests, according to a statement by Dept. of Defense spokesperson Carl Woog. Also in Egypt, security forces kill 3 mbrs. of al-Tawhid walJihad, a militant group, in the n. Sinai nr. Shaykh Zuweid. (AP, NYT, MNA 11/30)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. Also, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion nr. Gaza City to level land close to the border fence. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Tubas in the morning, and in 2 villages nr. Salfit, and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Ramallah at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin and Salfit in the afternoon, and in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin and Ramallah, and in Qalqilya at night. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli security guard is stabbed in Silwan, prompting Israeli security forces to patrol the community and clash with residents. (MNA 10/21; PCHR 10/24)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry says that IsraeliPalestinian talks are intensifying with “core issues . . . on the table.” He makes the remarks in a joint press conference with Qatari FM Khaled al-Attiyah after meeting with Arab League officialsin Paris. It is also announced that Qatar has agreed to provide $150 million in debt relief to the PA. Kerry praises what he calls the Arab League’s “remarkable commitment” to advancing the peace process. (AFP, REU 10/21)

Syrian pres. al-Asad says that “the factors are not yet in place” for an international peace conference known as “Geneva 2” intended to secure a political transition and settlement to the civil war. Asad, talking to Lebanese television, questions what groups will be present and their claims to be legitimate reps. of the Syrian people. Meanwhile, chief of the OPCW Sigrid Kaag says in Damascus that the Syrian govt. has thus far “fully cooperated” in the destruction of its chemical weapons arsenal. (AFP 10/21–22)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a rocket from Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. IDF forces and Palestinians clash across the West Bank and East Jerusalem on Nakba Day, with 25 Palestinians arrested and 6 Israeli security forces injured in and around Jerusalem’s Old City. In al-‘Aqba village nr. Hebron, unidentifed Palestinians throw a Molotov cocktail at an IDF jeep, destroying it and injuring 4 soldiers. In another incident in the nearby village of al-Tabaqa, IDF forces briefly detain more than 45 children. As part of Nakba Dayrelated protests, IDF forces violently disperse Palestinian demonstrators at Qalandia and Bitunia nr. Jerusalem, Ofer nr. Ramallah, Kufor Kaddoum nr. Qalqilya, and open fire on Palestinians in al-Khader nr. Bethlehem (injuring 12). In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in al- ‘Arub r.c. in the morning, and in Tulkarm at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron and in Tubas at night. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, YA 5/15; PCHR 5/16)

Palestinian pres. Mahmud Abbas arrives in Cairo for talks with Egyptian pres. Mohamed Morsi about the Arab League’s recent visit (4/29) to Washington and Palestinian national reconciliation moves. (MNA 5/15)

After 2 years of internal discussions, senior Fatah members operating in their own personal capacity issue a document calling for the establishment of one democratic country between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. (HA 5/17)

Mortars fired from inside Syria land in the Mount Hermon area of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no damage or injuries. (HA 5/15)

Israel’s Justice Minister Tzipi Livni meets with U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry in Rome, following a meeting last week in Washington that discussed the possibility of reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. U.S. Pres. Barack Obama speaks with PM Benjamin Netanyahu by phone to discuss the peace process. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities approve construction of 296 new settlement housing units in Beit El settlement nr. Ramallah. (JP 5/8; JP, MNA 5/9)

In Jerusalem, Jewish settlers accompanied by Israeli security forces enter the al-Aqsa Mosque compound for the second consecutive day, preventing Muslim worshippers from freely accessing the site. Meanwhile, Israeli police detain Jerusalem Mufti Mohammed Hussein for a few hours over his role in clashes the previous day.

In the West Bank, IDF forces demolish 3 Palestinian homes in al-Auja village nr. Jericho. IDF undercover units conduct a raid nr. Jenin, arresting PA Preventive Security officer Mohammed Ahmed Zakarna, who received an amnesty a few years ago for his participation in the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night. IDF troops conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin and in Tulkarm at night. IDF forces make 2 brief incursions into Gaza to level land and clear lines of sight along the border nr. Jabaliya and Bayt Hanun. (AFP, MNA 5/8; PCHR 5/9)

Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem publishes a report that says Israel killed 87 Palestinian civilians in Operation Pillar of Defense in 11/2012, 80% of whom died in the second half of the operation. (JP 5/9)

Egyptian theologian and prominent Islamist cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi enters the Gaza Strip on a high-profile official visit to the Hamas government, welcomed and hosted by PM Ismail Haniyeh (AFP 5/8)

Jordan’s parliament votes in favor of petitioning the government to expel Israeli amb. Daniel Nevo and recalling Jordan’s amb. to Israel to protest recent unrest involving Jewish settlers entering the al-Aqsa Mosque compound (see 5/7) Ultimately, Jordan’s Interior Min. Hussein al-Majali only summons Nevo to convey an official protest. (AFP 5/8)

Professor Stephen Hawking of Cambridge University pulls out of a conference in Israel in 6/2013 hosted by Pres. Shimon Peres, citing the Palestinian boycott call. Israeli FM spokesman Yigal Palmor says that ‘‘never has a scientist of this stature boycotted Israel.’’ (NYT 5/8)

The UN relocates peacekeepers from an observation post in the al-Jamla area of the Golan Heights cease-fire zone, following the most recent abduction of Filipino troops on 5/7. (AFP 5/8)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel will only accept a peace agreement with the Palestinians ‘‘that will prevent Israel from becoming a binational state, but will provide stability and security.’’ Meanwhile, Palestinian FM Riyad al-Maliki confirms that the PA has promised the U.S. that it will freeze efforts to join United Nations agencies or turn to the International Criminal Court as a ‘‘gesture’’ for the peace process. (HA, JP 5/1)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into southern Gaza to level land and clear lines of site along the border fence nr. Khan Yunis. Israeli naval vessels twice open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast, once nr. Rafah and once nr. Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Hebron in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon. At night, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jericho, and 1 village nr. Salfit. (MNA 5/1; PCHR 5/2)

Hamas reports that PA security forces have arrested 5 Hamas members in Hebron, Ramallah and Qalqilya. (MNA 5/1)

U.S. Pres. Barack Obama arrives in Israel and holds talks with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. At their news conference, Obama says that a ‘‘strong and secure Jewish state’’ is key to a lasting peace, ‘‘alongside a strong Palestinian state.’’ Obama also promises to do ‘‘what is necessary’’ to stop Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, the New York Times reports on a leaked document from the Palestinians’ Negotiations Affairs Department that indicates an apparent willingness by Pres. Mahmud Abbas to soften the demand that Israel publicly pledge to halt settlement construction before resumption of negotiations, instead accepting a secret, or de facto, freeze. (AP, MNA, REU 3/20)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF soldiers open fire in two locations nr. Khan Yunis from positions along the border fence, causing no casualties. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Hebronin the morning (briefly detaining over a dozen Palestinian children for throwing stones at troops) and in al-Bireh at night. (PCHR 3/21)

To mark Obama’s visit, around 100 Palestinian activists set up a tent camp east of Jerusalem to draw attention to Israeli settlement activities. Israeli security forces immediately surround the camp. Palestinians also rally in Ramallah, ahead of the U.S. president’s visit. (MNA, REU, JP 3/20)

Fatah sources in Gaza report that Hamas security services have summoned 7 Fatah members for interrogation (but they are not arrested). (MNA 3/20)

White House spokesperson Jay Carney says that Pres. Obama will visit Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan in the spring, but states that Obama will not present a new peace initiative on the trip. (NYT 2/5, HA 2/6)

Israeli security forces demolish a Palestinian-owned home in the Bayt Hanina neighborhood of East Jerusalem, leaving 4 families (30 people) homeless. IDF troops make 2 brief incursions into Gaza nr. Rafah and an area in c. Gaza to level lands and clear lines of sight along the border fence. The IDF opens fire on Palestinians gathered close to the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun and on Palestinians collecting gravel close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya, causing no injuries in either incident. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Tulkarm in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Bethlehem, al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, and Aida r.c. in Bethlehem at night. Jewish settlers set fire to 2 cars in a village nr. Ramallah and leave ‘‘price-tag’’ slogans. (WAFA 2/5; MNA 2/6; PCHR 2/7)

Bulgarian interior min. Tsvetan Tsvetanov accuses Hizballah of being behind a bomb attack on a bus of Israeli tourists in Burgas on 7/18/12. In response, U.S. secy. of state John Kerry and White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan say that the EU must take ‘‘proactive action’’ in opposing the Lebanese organization. (AP, REU 2/5)