The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settlement security guard was shot and killed by 2 assailants at the entrance to the Ariel settlement. Israel said it arrested the alleged attackers on 4/30 in Qarawat Bani Hassan and identified them as Palestinians. Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ brigade took responsibility for the attack. Israeli settlers razed farmland in al-Farisiya. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 9 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also placed dirt mounds at the northern entrance to Salfit, blocking access. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Dajan, causing tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Bil‘in and Tulkarm and 1 at the Qalandia checkpoint. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers threw stones and bottles at a bus carrying Palestinians in the French Hill neighborhood. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Haram al-Sharif compound, injuring 42 with baton rounds and tear gas; 22 were hospitalized for their injuries. 1 Palestinian was arrested in the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 1 mosque in Jaffa was vandalized with spray paint depicting the Star of David and the Israeli flag. (AJ, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/29; AJ, AP, AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/30; PCHR 5/12; UNOCHA 5/13)

The head of Bisan Center for Research and Development Ubai Aboudi said Israel had prevented him from traveling to a conference in Mexico via the Allenby bridge. Aboudi, who is a U.S. citizen, said the Israeli officers refused to tell him why they prevented him from traveling abroad. The Bisan Center is 1 of 6 Palestinian rights organizations that was placed on Israel’s terrorism list in October. 1 day later, on 4/30, Israel prevented the director of Addameer, Sahar Francis, from traveling to the same conference from Ben Gurion airport. (MDW 4/29; AA, AP 5/1; TOI 5/2)

Israel charged 2 Palestinians from Umm al-Fahm for having prior knowledge of an attack in Hadera on 3/27, in which 2 were killed by a Palestinian citizen of Israel. (HA 4/29)

The student newspaper at Harvard University, The Harvard Crimson, endorsed the BDS movement in an editorial. (JDF 4/29; MDW, TOI 4/30; HA, MEMO 5/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed a funeral procession for a Palestinian child killed by Israeli forces on 7/28 near Beit Umar, killing 1 Palestinian man and injuring 5 others with rubber-coated bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the Evyatar settlement outpost in Beita, injuring 8 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces later returned to disperse Palestinians protesting in Beita, injuring 10 with rubber-coated bullets and causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided the offices of Defense for Children International in al-Bireh, confiscating computers and client files. Israeli forces also raided the Bisan Center for Research and Development in Ramallah, seizing computers and posting a notice to shut the offices down for 6 months. Meanwhile, Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 4 residential structures belonging to 4 families in ‘Ain al-Hilweh and seized 1 tractor in Khirbet ar-Ras al-Ahmar. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Bayt Jala, Dura, and Tell. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians demolished their own homes in al-Tur. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and confiscated their boat within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya. (AA, AJ, HA, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/29; ALM, MEE, MEE, WAFA 7/30; PCHR 8/5; WAFA 8/14)

Haaretz reported that Israel had allocated 8,500 dunams (2,100 acres) of Palestinian land to 6 Israeli settlement farms and 1 grazing outpost in the southern Hebron Hills. (AA, HA, WAFA 7/29; MEMO 7/30)

1 Japanese-owned vessel managed by an Israeli-run company was attacked off the coast of Oman, resulting in the death of 1 Romanian and 1 British national. The U.S., Israel, and the UK blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was carried out by a drone. Iran denied the accusation. (AJ, ALM, HA, REU 7/30; MEMO 7/31; AJ, AX, MEMO, REU, REU 8/1; AJ, ALM, AX, HA, MEMO, REU, REU, REU 8/2; ALM, MEMO, MEMO, REU 8/3; HA, MEMO 8/4; MEMO 8/5; AX 8/6; REU 8/7; HA 8/10)

An investigative report based on declassified documents revealed that Israel built 2 detention camps in the Sinai Peninsula in 1971 for Palestinian prisoners from Gaza. The 2 detention camps, Abu Zenima and Nekhel, were closed 1 year later. The investigation showed that many of the Palestinians sent to the detention camps were not suspected of any crimes. (HA 7/29)

In a 7-hr. operation, the IDF evacuates the 1st inhabited unauthorized settlement outpost, Mitzpe Yitzhar, a particularly militant outpost nr. Nablus, housing 2 settler families: An initial contingent of around 25 unarmed soldiers attempting to remove 2 tents, a few tin shacks, and 1 concrete block building is obstructed by around 100 Jewish settler youths. The IDF calls in unarmed reinforcements, places closures on surrounding settlements, as 100s of settlers converge on the outpost during the day, scuffling with troops, leaving 30 settlers and soldiers injured; settlers also set fire to Palestinian wheat fields, olive groves in the area in an attempt to disrupt the IDF operation. The IDF also bulldozes 15 dunams of land in Bayt Hanun, 5 dunams in Bayt Lahia, 1 dunam in al-Mughraqa. An Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device inside a small store in Baysan, inside Israel, killing 1 Israeli. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MM 6/19; VOI, YA 6/19 in WNC 6/21; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/20; MM 5/23; PR 6/25; MM, PCHR 6/26; MEI 6/27; MA 6/11 in WNC 6/13)

The IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians nr. Atzmona settlement; conducts arrest raids (targeting Hamas, Islamic Jihad, PFLP) in Bethlehem, al-Fahs, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, al-Qarara, Ramallah, Tufah; demolishes a Palestinian home in Ras al-Amud, 1 in `Aqbat Tafuh. Late in the evening, IDF helicopters fire missiles at the Gaza City home of senior Hamas mbr. Muhammad Atil, killing his 2 teenage children, wounding 11. The IDF reports that it has removed fr. his post an intelligence officer who “disrupted” a planned air strike in retaliation to the 1/5 Tel Aviv bombing in order to “prevent harm to innocent Palestinians”; the officer was in possession of, refused to share intelligence information critical to the mission. The IDF begins work on a 45 km stretch of the separation fence btwn. Kafr Salim and Beit She’an, nr. Jenin. (HA, REU 1/27; HA, NYT, WT 1/28; MA 1/28 in WNC 1/29; LAW, PCHR, PR 1/29; PR 2/5)

Palestinian factions close 4-days of talks in Egypt without reaching an agmt. on a cease-fire and national unity platform. (HA, MM 1/27; MENA 1/27 in WNC 1/28; MENA, SA, XIN 1/28 in WNC 1/29; PCHR, PR 1/29; MM 1/30; MEI 2/21)

International Atomic Energy Agency, UN inspectors report that Iraq has generally cooperated with inspections but has not been proactive; they have found no evidence of biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons but say some questions remain. (MM 1/27; MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/28; MM 1/31)

In Mombassa, Kenya, a previously un-known group called the Government of Universal Palestine in Exile–Army of Palestine, thought to be connected to al-Qa‘ida, stages a dual attack marking the 55th anniversary of the 1947 UN partition res., firing 2 missiles at an Israeli charter jet carry-ing 261 Israeli tourists leaving Mombassa airport, missing the plane; simultaneously, 3 suicide bombers detonate a car bomb outside the lobby of an Israeli-owned hotel, killing 3 Israeli tourists, 10 Kenyans (an 11th dies on 12/18), injuring 80, causing extensive damage. Hrs. later in Beit She’an in n. Israel, 2 AMB mbrs open fire on, toss grenades at a crowd of voters outside the local Likud polling station, killing 6 Israelis, wounding 20 before being fatally shot by Israeli police. Sharon convenes a security mtg. to discuss responses; once again does not invite Netanyahu (see 11/21). In Hebron, a 4-yr.-old Palestinian is fatally wounded by IDF gunfire in his home. The IDF also shells residential areas of Rafah r.c.; conducts arrest raids in al-Qarara, Tulkarm. In a Tel Aviv court, Israeli Arab Nissim Nasser pleads guilty to spying for Hizballah in exchange for a reduced sentence. (AP, CNN, HA, MM 11/28; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/29; HA, NYT, WP, WT 11/30; AYM 12/2 in WNC 12/6, 12/9; LAW, PCHR 12/3; JT 12/4 in WNC 12/5; JPI, MEI 12/6; WT 12/7; JTA 12/18)

Likud primaries go on despite the day’s attacks, with Sharon winning (56% to 40%) over Netanyahu. (MM 11/28; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/29; NYT 11/30; MEI 12/6; AYM 12/13 in WNC 12/16)

Unidentified gunmen reportedly fire across the Jordanian border into Israel, n. of Beit Shean, wounding 2 Israeli border patrolmen. The assailants then fire on, throw grenades at IDF soldiers who respond to the scene, killing 1 IDF soldier, wounding 2. IDF helicopters strafe the border area and no-man's-land, killing 2 gunmen, entering Jordanian territory only after obtaining the permission of the Jordanian security liaison. No group claims responsibility. Amman denies the gunmen are Jordanian, saying there is no proof they infiltrated fr. the kingdom. (BBC, CNN, REU 12/25; NYT, WP, WT 12/26; AYM 12/27 in WNC 12/28; QA 12/27, JT 12/28 in WNC 12/31; WJW 1/3)

Meanwhile, some 20 IDF tanks, armored personnel carriers (APCs) temporarily enter Tamun in area A to arrest 7 Hamas mbrs. The IDF also fires on Palestinian fishing boats off Gaza, on residential areas of Rafah; but lifts the encirclement of Jericho, reporting a drop in violence there. (BBC, CNN, REU 12/25; NYT, PCHR, WT 12/26; AP, WT 12/27)

UN opens its 50th session in New York. On sidelines of the mtgs, FM Peres with local rabbis; discusses settler issue, future amendments to PLO covenant. (QY 10/2 in FBIS 10/4)

Before leaving the U.S., PM Rabin tells reporters American Jews are not giving Israel sufficient financial assistance to help absorb immigrants, criticizes "fringe groups" which lobby Congress against official Israeli policy. (MM 10/3) (see 9/28)

On his return fr. the U.S., PM Rabin meets with Pres. Weizman to discuss presidential pardons for Palestinian women prisoners. (MM 10/3)

106 more Palestinian families arrive at detention camps on the Libyan-Egyptian border, joining 300 Palestinians awaiting their deportation. United Nations Human Rights Comm. calls on Libya to halt the expulsions. (MBC, MENA, VOP 10/1, MENA 10/2 in FBIS 10/2)

Likud submits bill calling for territorial continuity in the Jordan Valley fr. Beit She'an to the Dead Sea. (QY 10/1 in FBIS 10/2; MM 10/2)

In Nablus, Palestinian nationalist, Islamist personalities (incl. PA officials) hold conference, ratify a national honor charter to build civil society, avoid militarization of the society and national institutions. (PR 10/13)

100 settlers march across Israeli border into Jordan in protest of Oslo II, ask King Hussein prevent the enlargement of the Jericho enclave, show support for Likud bill submitted 10/1. IDF does not stop them. (QY 10/1, JP, QY 10/2, JT 10/3 in FBIS 10/3; CSM 10/2; WP, WT 10/3; JP 10/7; JP 10/24)

In New York, jury convicts Egyptian cleric Shaykh Omar `Abd al-Rahman, 9 others on 48 of 50 charges of conspiring to carry out a terrorist campaign of bombings, assassinations intended to destroy the , New York landmarks and force the U.S. to abandon its support of Israel, Egypt. (MENA 10/1 in FBIS 10/2; MM, NYT, WT 10/2)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Pres. Chaim Herzog pardoned 2 more members of Jewish settler underground last week, Boaz and Ya'acov Heinemann UP 2/16]. Israel was third world's largest arms producer, producing $1.342 billion worth, between 1980-84, according to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute [JP 2/16].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat begins talks with Egyptian Pres. Husni Mubarak on stalled M.E. peace efforts [JP 2/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers shot and killed Gaza resident yesterday when he fled after being detained for questioning; a second man escaped [NYT, WP 2/16]. West Bank shepherd Ziyad Muhammad Yunis was wounded on 2/13 while resisting arrest near Hebron [JP 2/17]. Israeli soldiers arrested several other Palestinians, confiscated a herd of sheep in the incident [FJ 2/21]. Bombs go off in Haifa, Afula, Beit She'an, causing no injuries or damage [JP 2/17].

Arab World: Lebanese police find severely beaten body of Lebanese Jewish hostage Ibrahim Benesti; Organization of the Oppressed of the Earth issues statement saying he was executed for spying for Israel [BG 2/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem police arrest 4 IDF soldiers suspected in 10/28 bus attack; main suspect (18-yr.-old American David Ben-Shimol) confesses to grenade attack on Palestinian cafe (9/22), claims acts in retaliation for killing Jews. Supreme Muslim Council calls for general strike to protest Israeli border police stationed in al-Haram al-Sharif.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Katyusha rockets fall near Kibbutz Yosef in Bisan Valley, presumably launched from Jordan.