The Palestine Chronology

The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus and Balata r.c. at night; patrols in Hebron and 3 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nearby, and in 2 villages nr. Ramallah at night. In East Jerusalem, Palestinians demonstrate at Haram al-Sharif against Israeli restrictions on worshippers’ access. (MNA 6/10; PCHR 6/12)

Reuven Rivlin is elected pres. of Israel by a vote in the Knesset of 63–53, defeating Meir Sheetrit. The 74-year-old mbr. of Likud replaces Peres. (REU 6/10)

Iranian pres. Rouhani says that Tehran will “do its best” to secure a deal over its disputed nuclear program. After further U.S.-Iranian discussions in Geneva on 6/9, Iran’s chief negotiator and dep. FM Araghchi says that the talks were “fruitful” but that “divergences remain and the consultations are going to continue.” (AFP, REU 6/10)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: The treasurer of Jewish. Agency, Meir Shitrit, says organization will have to turn its immigrant-absorption services over to Israeli government unless Americans contribute more money [NYT 12/21].

Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University publishes annual report on military balance in Middle East. Study says Israeli military strong-arm tactics have not reduced protests in O.T. [WP 12/21; FBIS 12/28].

Arab World: Asad will visit USSR and is planning meeting with Mubarak in what political analysts in Damascus describe as reappraisal of Syrian policy in light of changing international and regional conditions [NYT 12/21].

Other Countries: Responding to NBC news report of 12/18, State Dep't says Israel informed U.S. about a month ago that it had purchased oil from Iran [NYT 12/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Israeli electric company cuts electricity to Tulkarm village of Azzun [FJ 12/25].

Lydda military court sentences Khalid al-Amuri to life in prison for affiliating with PLO and throwing Molotov cocktails [FJ 12/25].

IDF declares Ramallah and al-Bireh market areas closed military zone, orders merchants to close shops [FJ 12/25].