The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided the Palestine Technical University in Tulkarm, leading to a confrontation with students; 2 were injured by baton rounds and 16 suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also seized 1 residential tent, demolished an agricultural structure, and seized agricultural equipment in Beit Samia. 17 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Nablus, Bethlehem, Hebron, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Shu‘fat. In Israel, Israeli police shot and killed 1 Palestinian man from Hebron who was working at a construction site in Ashkelon after he stabbed a police officer. The Israeli police officer approached the Palestinian man who was working at the construction site without a permit before he lightly wounded the officer. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/12; WAFA 4/13; PCHR 4/14; UNOCHA 4/23)

The Israeli Civil Administration signed an order declaring 22,000 dunams (5,445 acres) of land in Area C south of Jericho an Israeli nature reserve. The nature reserve, dubbed Nachal Og Nature Reserve, is situated on 6,000 dunams (1,483 acres) of privately-owned Palestinian land. The nature reserve designations means that Palestinians will not be allowed to cultivate the land or have their livestock graze on it, without approval from the Israeli nature reserve officer. (PCN 5/24; HA, WAFA 5/25)

The office of the Israeli attorney general approved connecting Israeli settlement outposts built on Israel-declared state lands in the West Bank to the electrical grid. In the decision, the attorney general’s office also said that Palestinian villages in Area C, not recognized by Israel, should be given equal consideration in being connected to the electrical grid, citing international law of non-discrimination. (HA 4/12; MEMO 4/13)

Representatives from Ireland, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden signed a letter to EU enlargement commissioner Olivér Várhelyi of Hungary, urging him to disburse EU aid to the PA. Commissioner Várhelyi has been withholding the aid, saying that the PA needs to reform its schoolbooks to conform with a pro-Israeli narrative. (WAFA 4/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces sealed off the entrances to Nabi Salih and Abud. 1 Palestinian was lightly wounded by an explosive ordinance in Kafr Qaddum; Israeli forces later acknowledged that a Nahal reconnaissance battalion had planted 3 explosive devices in Kafr Qaddum as “deterrence.” Israeli forces also demolished 1 sheep barn near Tubas. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen northwest of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 8/20; HA, WAFA 8/26; PCHR 8/27)

Iran’s foreign ministry said that Iran had seized a ship from the UAE that had entered Iranian waters on 8/17 and that the UAE had killed 2 Iranian fishermen that same day. According to the ministry, the UAE apologized for killing the Iranian fishermen and offered compensation. (AJ, HA, REU 8/20)

The IDF pulls troops back fr. Gaza City ending a 5-day incursion that left at least 19 Palestinians (including 7 civilians) dead, saying troops found 2 smugglers tunnels nr. Qarni crossing. In the West Bank, the IDF fatally shoots AMB field cmdr. Fadi Qaffisha, wounds 6 others (including 2 medics trying to aid Qaffisha) in Nablus in what may be an assassination; sends undercover units into Tulkarm r.c. in a car with Palestinian license plates, arresting 1 wanted Palestinian, shooting and wounding 2 bystanders; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Tulkarm. Also in Gaza, unidentified gunmen ambush, assassinate Popular Resistance Committee (PRC) district cmdr. Ra’id Nahal in Shatti r.c.; the PRCs blame Israel, but other Palestinian sources say the killing could be the result of intra-Palestinian rivalries. Palestinians fire 7 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In Tel Aviv, 10,000s of Israelis rally for the release of 3 IDF soldiers captured by Hamas, Hizballah. (NYT, WP 9/1; OCHA 9/6; PCHR 9/7)

The IDF turns over a small, 12-sq.-mi. border area of s. Lebanon nr. Metula to UNIFIL, Lebanese army troops in a symbolic gesture of withdrawal. (WP, WT 9/1)

The IDF closes the Qarni crossing, citing intelligence that Palestinians are digging a tunnel nearby; raids Dahariyya nr. Hebron, occupies positions and patrols nr. a campaign rally for candidates in the 1/25 elections; arrests 3 campaign workers for independent candidate Fadwa Khadir, releases them later but confiscates their campaign materials; conducts arrest raids and house searches nr. Hebron (occupying a home as an observation post), in Jenin r.c. and town (arresting senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Muhammad Tawalba). In Hebron, the IDF prepares to remove 15 settler families fr. 11 Palestinian stores they have occupied in the old market area since 2/94 by the DMin.’s 1/15 deadline; some 200 Jewish settlers riot in Hebron to protest, clashing with soldiers attempting to prevent them fr. vandalizing and occupying more Palestinian shops in the market (leaving 1 IDF soldier injured), torching a Palestinian home; DM Mofaz extends the deadline for the evacuation to 1/31. Separately, 100s of Jewish settlers fr. Avraham Avino rampage through Palestinian areas of Hebron, vandalizing buildings, slashing car tires. Jewish settlers fence off 150 d. of Palestinian land nr. Dura to expand the unauthorized settlement outpost of Mitzpe Lakhish nr. Nahal Negohot settlement. More than 100 armed Palestinians, including off-duty policemen, block Gaza’s 2 main north–south roads for several hrs., demanding retribution for the 1/11 death of a police officer fr. injuries received during a 1/7 drug raid, the resignation of Interior M Nasr Yusuf. (HA, IMEMC 1/14; NYT, WT 1/15; PCHR 1/19; PLO Negotiation Affairs Dept. press release 1/23; NYT 1/29)

In the 2d such incident in a wk. (see 12/2), an IDF naval patrol fires on a Palestinian boat nr. the Egyptian border, suspecting it of being involved in smuggling arms; 1 Palestinian is killed, 1 is missing. The IDF fires tear gas, rubber bullets at the car of UN special rapporteur on human rights John Dugard when he visits Bil‘in village to observe the weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Nablus and nr. Qalqilya, Tulkarm; enters, fires on residential areas of Jenin; issues confiscation orders for Palestinian land west of Dura for construction of 5 observation towers surrounding Nahal Negohot settlement. A 17-yr.-old Palestinian girl attempts to stab an IDF soldier in Hebron, is arrested. (YA 12/9; AP, HA, IMEMC 12/10; NYT 12/11; PCHR 12/15)

The IDF makes a major raid on Dayr al-Balah, firing on stone-throwing youths, searching homes, demolishing 1 Palestinian home, bulldozing 12 d. of agricultural land, killing 4 Palestinians (including a 14-yr.-old boy), wounding 52 Palestinians. The IDF also raids, searches several kindergartens, schools run by the Muslim Youth Association in Hebron; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus, nr. Hebron, and in Ramallah and Tulkarm r.c.; fires on residential areas nr. Nablus; burns 10 d. of olive groves west of Hebron to create open space btwn. Nahal Negohot settlement and settlements further west. Some 3,000 Palestinian prisoners end an 18-day hunger strike, achieving few of their goals; prisoners acknowledge that their strike was poorly timed, gained little international coverage, was slowly dissolving. (REU 9/2; MENA, VOI, VOP, YA 9/2 in WNC 9/4; MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 9/3; VOP 9/3 in WNC 9/7; HJ, SA 9/7 in WNC 9/9; PR 9/8; PCHR 9/9)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. A 2d, ailing Palestinian dies at an IDF checkpoint after soldiers bar him fr. crossing to reach a hospital in Ramallah. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire on residential areas of Hebron, Qalqilya, Tulkarm. Jewish settlers bulldoze Palestinian land around Ashkalot settlement, place new caravans on the site. Settlers are also reportedly moving boundary fences, adding trailers, bulldozing Palestinian land around Beit Hagay, Gush Etzion, Karme Tzur, Nahal Najhout, Tene settlements. (HP 2/26; HJ 2/26 in WNC 2/27; LAW 3/1)

U.S. Secy. of State Powell meets with Sharon in Israel, PA head Yasir Arafat in Ramallah (marking only the 2d time Israel has allowed Arafat into the West Bank since 9/28/00); urges them to halt violence, resume security cooperation, improve Palestinian economic conditions in the West Bank, Gaza; ensures Sharon that the U.S. commitment to Israel's security will remain solid under the Bush administration. Powell then stops in Amman to meet King Abdallah of Jordan, heads on to Kuwait for celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the end of the Gulf War. (AP, HA, REU 2/25; MM, NYT, WP 2/26; JT, MA 2/26 in WNC 2/27; AYM 2/26 in WNC 3/5; HA 2/27; MM 2/28; QA 2/28 in WNC 3/1; MA 3/1, SA 3/4 in WNC 3/5; JP, MEI 3/9)

Emergency meeting of Fateh Central Comm. convenes in Tunis to discuss agreement with Israel. (al-Ra'y 9/2 in FBIS 9/2; WP 9/3)

Former Nablus mayor Bassam al-Shak'ah criticizes accord, calling those who negotiated it "connected to foreign interests that have nothing to do with the Palestinian-Israeli struggle." (MM 9/2)

Israeli FM Peres visits EC hq. in Brussels, asks for European aid to implement PLO-Israel accord. EC Pres. Jacques Delors pledges both financial and political support. (MM 9/2, 9/3)

Palestinians in Jordan estimated to number 1.8 m., roughly 40% of population. (JTV 9/2 in FBIS 9/3)

IDF Nahal soldier killed in ambush by Palestinians near Hebron. (MM 9/3)

Palestinian delegates finally join Jordanians in leaving for peace talks in Washington after 10-hour delay at Amman airport during which negotiations continued between Palestinians and U.S. officials over whether or not certain PLO officials would be allowed visas to enter U.S. along with delegation. Palestinians eventually dropped the matter and left for Washington. (Jordan Times 12/3 in FBIS 12/3)

American hostage Joseph Cicippio released in Beirut by Revolutionary Justice Organization. (NYT 12/3)

Arafat holds talks with King Hussein in Amman. Usama Baz, advisor to Pres. Mubarak and most senior Egyptian leader to visit Jordan since Gulf war, also arrives for talks. Arafat later flies to Damascus. (MM 12/2)

IDF establishes Rachelim, a paramilitary Nahal camp, at site where two settlers were ambushed and killed 10/28. (MM 12/5)

UN Secy. Gen. Perez de Cuellar calls for UNIFIL troops to replace Israeli, SLA forces at certain locations in S. Lebanon to avoid future clashes like 11/15 incident in which Irish UNIFIL soldier died in a clash between UNIFIL, SLA. (MM 12/3)

One Palestinian killed, over 25 wounded in most violent confrontation between Palestinians in Gaza and Israeli forces since the Gulf war [a second youth died of his wounds 8/9]. (MEM 8/6, 8/12)

Israeli army allows Gush Emunim movement to transform Eshkolot, a paramilitary Nahal base 15 km. s. of Hebron, into newest Israeli settlement in occupied territories. Israel has now established 137 settlements. (MEM 8/6)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gov't. orders Palestinian money-changers in Jerusalem stop trading in US dollars. Ramallah military court fines Fatmeh Ja'afari IS 20,000 for possessing "illegal literature" [purchased in Jerusalem]. DM Rabin meets with Mayor Freij, approves $700,000 Saudi grant for Bethlehem development projects. FM Shamir calls for creation of new UN including "only democratic countries." Nahal inaugurates 4 settlements: Rotem in Jordan Valley, Heahzut near Gush Etzion, Amitai & Ye'elon in Negev. Morechet Benyamin Co. dumps truckloads of rubble on jib village land, rendering it unusable for farming. FM Shamir expresses alarm to visiting US congressmen at apparent Jordanian-PLO rapprochement.

Arab World: PNC Chrmn. Khalid Fahoum declines to issue invitations to PNC mtg. called by Chrmn. Arafat pending further unity talks. Christians & Muslim unite in general strike through S. Lebanon to protest Israeli kidnapping of Amal Shi'ite leaders; Phalangist Joseph Ghanem sends letter of solidarity with demonstrators in Sidon.

Other Countries: 9th anniversary of UN resolution equating Zionism with racism. Special UN panel publicizes findings on Israeli activity in occupied territories; reports Israel continues to disregard Geneva Convention on civilian rights under occupation. In New York Federal Court, hearings begin for Ariel Sharon's libel suit against Time magazine.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfew imposed on Dheisheh camp after Border Policeman hit with thrown rock; boys' school raided by Border Police; area declared closed military zone.

Arab World: 2 Israeli soldiers wounded by light arms fire in Jibsheet; 2 wounded by RPG fire in Ghaziya village, S. Lebanon.

Other Countries: Bomb explodes in El AL office, Vienna; no injuries.

Military Action:

IDF jeeps and APCs come under RPG attack near Shuweifat; artillery, machine gun exchanges between Druze and Phalange in Aley, IDF rushes 50 APCs and tanks, 500 troops to area, imposes curfew and cuts traffic between Chouf villages; IDF forces withdraw from Yarze area housing Lebanese Army command and home of US Ambassador Dillon.

Casualties:

UNRWA begins distributing cement and stoves in Ain el-Hilweh; 1 attacker killed, 1 IDF soldier wounded in Shuweifat.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Sharon tells Knesset committee Israel will withdraw to 40 miles above border only after PLO and Syria withdraw troops and Israeli prisoners are returned, but will stay there until Lebanon signs security agreement allowing direct IDF involvement in security arrangements; Shamir tells US Jewish leaders in Israel that multinational peacekeeping force is unnecessary for ensuring safety of South Lebanon; Jerusalem Post poll shows Sharon support dropping since massacre; Commission of Inquiry interviews Yiram Yair, IDF commander in area of camps during massacre, behind closed doors; Statistics Bureau puts price rise at 106 percent since start of year, and inflation rate may reach 138 percent by end of year; two week old memo revealed which ordered Israeli military governors to "neutralize to the maximum" pro-Jordanian elements among West Bank Arabs and to step up support for Village Leagues, in apparent attempt to block options for peace settlement involving Jordan; Likud MK Dror Zeigerman says government initiative in issuing memo would imply plan for ultimate annexation of occupied territories, and warns such a plan would turn the West Bank into "Israel's Viet Nam"; Peace Now issues statement condemning Civil Administrator for implementing "corrupt colonialist policies"; heads of Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian churches in Jerusalem threaten to close holy places over Christmas unless expulsion order against Armenian Deputy Patriarch Karanjian is rescinded, but Interior Ministry refuses to reveal basis for decision to not renew visa; Tehiya Party, at annual meeting, demands that Israel annex West Bank and Gaza; Nahal plans five outposts, three settlements in West Bank in coming year; Bethlehem University student council leader put under town arrest for six months.

US and Other Countries: French President Mitterrand, in Paris meeting, tells Arab League delegation headed by King Hussein that Arabs and PLO should recognize Israel; State Department issues unusually strong 2 page statement that Israel's deportation of teachers from West Bank universities (which are partly funded by US foreign aid) undermines peace negotiations.