The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols in Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Salfit in the morning, in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 4 villages nr. Hebron, Nablus and 1 village and Balata r.c. nearby, 2 villages nr. Qalqilya and Tulkarm at night. Jewish settlers from Yitzhar chop down an estimated 60 olive trees nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinian demonstrators in al-‘Izzariya, a protest in support of defending al-Aqsa mosque from Jewish extremists. There are no serious injuries. (MNA 4/27; PCHR 4/30)

The PLO Central Council in Ramallah adopts a plan to pursue efforts to join 63 UN bodies and international treaties, according to a public statement issued on the final day of a 2-day meeting. Separately, PA Pres. Abbas issues a statement to mark Holocaust Day, denouncing the Nazi genocide. Israeli PM Netanyahu dismisses the comments during an interview with U.S. television network CBS, and says that Israel will not negotiate with a Palestinian govt. backed by Hamas. Meanwhile, IDF Maj.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai tells a meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Subcmte. on Judea and Samaria that construction plans for 19 Palestinian villages in Area C of the West Bank have been frozen in response to the reconciliation deal. In addition, U.S. Dep. National Security Adviser Tony Blinken tells CNN that the U.S. is ready to suspend aid to the PA if a unity govt. backed by Hamas fails to recognize Israel. U.S. Special Envoy Indyk leaves Israel for consultations in Washington. EU foreign affairs chief Ashton releases a statement expressing concern over the latest developments in the peace process, and reiterates EU support for the U.S.-led peace talks. She also welcomes the Palestinian unity govt., affirming that it must abide by the principles of nonviolence, recognition of Israel, and commitment to previous agreements. (AFP, JP, REU, WAFA, YA 4/27; HA 4/28)

Remarks made by U.S. Secy. of State Kerry on 4/25 at a private meeting in Washington are published by the Daily Beast, in which he says that without a 2-state solution soon, Israel risks becoming an “apartheid state.” In response, pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC says it is “deeply troubled” by the comments. (HA, NYT 4/28)

19-yr-old Palestinian fr. Shatti r.c., Gaza Strip, attacks Israeli bus with stolen Uzi submachine gun nr. Ashdod, killing 1 passenger and wounding 4. IDF, Israeli civilian shoot him dead. Islamic Jihad claims responsibility. (MM, WP 4/7; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 4/8)

2 Israelis stabbed and wounded at Gaza Strip entrances. Hamas claims responsibility, threatens series of attacks on Israelis in reprisal for Hebron massacre. Leaflet says Afula bombing 1st of 5 attacks to come. (MM 4/7; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 4/8)

Total closure imposed on o.t. for 1 week in response to Afula, Ashdod attacks. (MM 4/7; NYT, WP, WT 4/8)

5,000 attend funeral of 4 victims of Afula bombing, broadcast nationwide. Dep. Education M Micha Goldman, representing Rabin govt., booed by mourners. Funeral coincides with observances of Holocaust Day. 300 Israeli youths clash with police in tire-burning incidents. PLO in Cairo issues statement expressing regret over Afula bombing, but U.S. State Dept. spokesman Michael McCurry says U.S. wants stronger condemnation. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 4/8)

IDF denies permit to conference scheduled 4/9-10 at which Jesse Jackson was to have spoken to 100s of Palestinian academics. IDF says conference, marking 30th anniversary of PLO and organized by Hebron Islamic University, cannot be held in Hebron or Jerusalem but could be held in Nablus or Ramallah. (WP, WT 4/8)

Car bomb explodes at bus stop in Afula, northern Israel, killing 8, including bomber, and wounding 44. Hamas claims responsibility in calls to news agencies, announcements on Gaza Strip mosque loudspeakers. Demonstrations against attack erupt in Afula and other towns; Israeli police deploy in Israeli-Arab villages to protect Palestinian citizens of Israel. Complete closure imposed on o.t. Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu demands govt. suspend talks with PLO. PLO Chmn. Arafat, asked by State Dept. to condemn bombing, refuses comment when asked about it at Cairo news conference. (MM 4/6; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 4/7)

6 IDF soldiers wounded, none seriously, in grenade attack on patrol in Shatti r.c., Gaza Strip. (NYT 4/7)

Israeli delegation to talks with PLO in Cairo takes 3-day break to observe Holocaust Day. PLO officials decline to take over Gaza police station evacuated by Israel, postpone entry of Palestinian police into Gaza, Jericho. (MM 4/6; NYT, WP, WT 4/7)

PM Rabin testifies to closed session of commission of inquiry into Hebron massacre, last of 94 witnesses. Rabin's testimony not made public. (MM 4/6; NYT 4/7, 4/9)