The Palestine Chronology

In Gaza, the IDF confiscates, evacuates, bulldozes an area of land where 9 Palestinian families live in tents. The PSF releases 50 Palestinians arrested during the 10/8 Gaza clashes. PC, NIHC reps. meet again to discuss the 10/8 clashes, ways of preventing similar incidents in the future. The PC agrees to appoint an inquiry comm. to investigate PSF actions. (NYT 10/11; AYM 10/11 in WNC 10/15; LAW 10/13)

Fearing the case could set precedent on the Palestinian right of return, the Israeli inner cabinet decides against upholding a 1951 Israeli High Court ruling to allow the return of Arab families to 2 Palestinian villages, Iqrit and Bir'am, fr. which they were "temporarily evacuated" by the Israeli government in 11/48. The families are all currently Israeli citizens. Today, the village lands, located in n. Israel, are owned and worked by Jewish farmers. (AP 10/10; BDL 10/11; HA 10/15)

In Doha, the OIC holds an emergency session on the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. strikes on Afghanistan, the Palestinian issue. Participants condemn the 9/11 incidents; demand that the U.S. provide "irrefutable evidence against the perpetrators" and differentiate btwn. "terrorism" and legitimate "resistance to occupation"; condemn Israel's actions against the Palestinians as "state terrorism." (IRNA, JT, VIRI 10/10 in WNC 10/11; SAF 10/10 in WNC 10/15; MM, NYT, WP 10/11; ATL 10/11 in WNC 10/12; MEI 10/12)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes diminish. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) detonates a car bomb in West Jerusalem, causing no injuries. (NYT, WP, WT 5/27; MM 5/29; MEI 6/1)

The Organization of the Islamic Conference calls on members to suspend diplomatic relations with Israel until it lifts the siege on Palestinian areas. (ATL, IRNA 5/26, IRNA, MENA 5/27 in WNC 5/29; IRNA 5/26, SA 5/28 in WNC 5/30; WP, WT 5/27; HJ 5/27 in WNC 6/1)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 1 Palestinian dead; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. After Palestinians fire 3 mortars at Gaza's Gadid settlement, causing no injuries, the IDF shells the PA naval headquarters, military intelligence headquarters in Gaza, killing 1 PSF doctor at the naval clinic, wounding 18 PSF mbrs., destroying the clinic and an ambulance. Citing the rare daylight strikes on occupied buildings, the PA again refuses to attend a U.S.-brokered security mtg. with Israeli officials (rescheduled fr. 4/9). Sharon asks Israelis questioning his security strategy to trust him, saying, "We know exactly what we're doing. I have a very clear plan. The plan will be executed, and security will be restored." The IDF directs heavy machine gun fire at a Force 17 building in Jinin, destroying it. (AFP [Internet], AP, MM, PCHR 4/10; XIN 4/10 in WNC 4/11; HP, NYT, WP 4/11; MA 4/11 in WNC 4/12; QA 4/11 in WNC 4/16; LAW, WJW 4/12; JT 4/12 in WNC 4/13; NYT 4/13)

The PA, the Organization of the Islamic Conference warn Sharon not to allow Jews access to the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, saying it would be perceived as an attack on Islam and could precipitate a dangerous escalation in violence. 100 mbrs. of the Temple Mount Faithful, an ultranationalist Jewish group, attempt to force their way into the site but are blocked by Israeli police. (AP 4/10; MENA 4/10 in WNC 4/11; WT 4/11; JT 4/12 in WNC 4/13; MENA 4/13 in WNC 4/16; QA 4/26 in WNC 4/30) (see 4/5)

In Washington, Bush receives King Abdallah, who urges the U.S. to become more involved in the peace process, to actively support the Jordanian-Egyptian nonpaper. Bush reiterates that the U.S. will not become more involved in the peace process, that Israel and the PA must take parallel, reciprocal steps to halt violence before negotiations can resume. (MM 4/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/11; JT 4/11 in WNC 4/12; WJW 4/12; JT 4/13 in WNC 4/16)