The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers used pepper spray to assault 3 Palestinian women picking gundelia flowers near Kisan. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near the Homesh settlement outpost. Later, when Israeli forces tried to intervene, the Israeli settlers threw stones at the Israeli forces. (WAFA 3/12; HA 3/16; PCHR 3/17; UNOCHA 3/25)

The Israeli Jerusalem municipality’s planning and building committee approved a plan to build 730 new Israeli settlement units in the Pisgat Ze’ev settlement in East Jerusalem. The PA and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned the plan approval. (WAFA, WAFA 3/12; WAFA 3/13)

In response to an Israeli attack in Syria that killed 2 members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on 3/7, Iran fired 12 missiles at Irbil in Iraq targeting Israeli “strategic centers,” according to Iranian state media. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard released a statement saying it would continue to respond to Israeli attacks on Iranians in the future. Lebanese media reported that 4 Israeli officers were killed in the attack, while Iraqi and American sources said that there were no casualties. U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan condemned the Iranian attack and said that the U.S. is working with Iraq to help it gain missile defense capabilities. The New York Times later reported that the Iranian attack was also a response to a secret Israeli attack on an Iranian drone facility in Kermanshah on 2/12, which allegedly was carried out from Iraq with the use of 6 suicide quadcopter drones. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, MEMO, REU, REU, REU 3/13; AJ, AP, AP, MEE, MEMO, MEMO 3/14; ALM, HA, MEMO 3/15; HA, HA, NYT 3/16; HA, MEMO 3/17)

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv that he would like to have a top-level meeting with Russia in Jerusalem to end the war, pointing out that early Israeli leaders were from Ukraine. Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett has presented himself as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, but he has been criticized by some Ukrainian officials for trying to persuade Ukraine into give up territory to Russia to end the war. Others have criticized Prime Minister Bennett for avoiding to take a hard stance against Russia and supporting Ukraine by trying to mediate. (ALM, AX, HA 3/11; HA, HA, MEMO, REU, REU 3/12; HA 3/13; ALM 3/15; HA 3/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Israeli soldiers and 1 Palestinian man with tear gas when the 2 soldiers were asking the Palestinian about settler vandalism at al-Mughayyir near the Adei Ad settlement outpost. Israeli settlers from the Ariel settlement also vandalized Palestinian property in Marda, spraying racist graffiti on walls and vehicles and puncturing tires. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers stole olive harvesting equipment in Burin. Israeli forces issued a demolition notice for a newly built road connecting Ya‘bad and Khirbat Emreha. Israeli forces also delivered notices for the seizure of 40 dunams (9.9 acres) of land in Yasuf. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around ‘Azzun, Beita, Burqa, Nawawrah, Beit Umar, and Hebron; during the raid in Beit Umar, Israeli forces damaged 2 vehicles and fired tear gas at Palestinians confronting the soldiers. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians from the Damascus Gate plaza, forcing them to leave the area. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/13; HA, PCHR 10/14; AJ 10/17)

The Jerusalem local planning committee approved the expropriation of land in the planned East Jerusalem Israeli settlement of Givat Hamatos, where 1,257 housing units are planned, along with filing plans to expand Pisgat Ze’ev. (AJ, HA, MEE, MEMO 10/14; AP, TOI 10/15)

Some 400 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons started an open-ended hunger strike to protest new restrictions imposed after 6 prisoners escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6. (MEMO, WAFA 10/14)

In Syria, Syrian officials said Israel had conducted an air strike near Palmyra, targeting a telecommunications tower and causing damage. Russia said that the Syrian air defense system did not engage the Israeli-fired missiles because the Israeli jets firing them were using civilian airplanes as cover. 9 people were killed in the attack, according to the London-based Syrian opposition group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (AP 10/13; TOI 10/15)

Chairman of the Religious Zionist party Bezalel Smotrich told Palestinian Israeli lawmakers during a Knesset discussion that they are only in Israel because “Ben-Gurion didn’t finish the job and throw you out in 1948.” Smotrich also called the lawmakers “terror supporters.” (HA 10/13; MEMO 10/14)

Israel’s regional cooperation minister Issawi Frej and deputy minister of foreign affairs Idan Roll met with Sudanese justice minister Nasredeen Abdulbari in Dubai. They talked about promoting future projects between the 2 countries and how to further their normalization deal. (AP 10/13; ALM 10/14)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken met with Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid and later had a trilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Lapid and foreign minister of the UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Washington D.C. During a press conference, Secretary Blinken said that the U.S. is moving forward with reopening the U.S. consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem, despite Israeli opposition. Lapid also later confirmed that the U.S. had raised the issue of Israeli settlement expansion during his meetings with U.S. officials. (AJ, ALM, AX, HA, HA, MEE, REU, REU 10/13; AP, REU 10/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a slaughterhouse and 3 other structures in Barta‘a village near Jenin. Meanwhile, IDF troops patrol near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a print shot in Silwan, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents of the neighborhood; 8 Palestinians are injured and 3 are arrested. Palestinians throw stones at Israeli settlers on a bus near the Pisgat Ze’ev settlement, injuring 1. (MNA, WAFA 8/29; MNA, PCHR 8/30)

Overnight in the West Bank, IDF troops assault the Hebron-area home of a Palestinian, allegedly a mbr. of PIJ involved in the killing of an Israeli on 7/1. After declaring the village a closed military zone, they cut the Internet and electricity, fire anti-tank missiles and other artillery at his 3-story residential building for 7 hours, and eventually demolish it, killing the man and injuring a 2d Palestinian. The operation sparks clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians in the area; 5 Palestinians are injured and 3 are arrested. (BBC, MNA, WAFA 7/27; PCHR 8/4)

After the major IDF operation nr. Hebron overnight, the PA announces that the IDF has agreed to begin lifting its general closure of Hebron and the surrounding district, which it put in place in the wake of a Palestinian’s shooting of a settler on 7/1. Tension remains high in Hebron, as the IDF patrols the region throughout the day. (JP 7/27)

Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids in Nablus and nr. Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police arrest 2 mbrs. of the Islamic Waqf after they allegedly assault 2 Israeli archaeologists at Haram al-Sharif, and arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Silwan. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces confront a Palestinian fishing party late at night, damaging 1 boat and arresting 5 Palestinians. Meanwhile, a Gazan succumbs to injuries sustained in a confrontation with Israeli forces on 11/23/2001. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish several structures in the bedouin village of al-Araqib for the 101st time since 6/2010. The demolitions spark minor clashes, and several Palestinians are arrested. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/27; EI, MNA, PCHR, WAFA 7/28; PCHR 8/4)

Israeli NGO Peace Now announces that the Israeli govt. has opened tenders for the construction of 323 housing units in Israeli settlements nr. Jerusalem, including 89 in Gilo, 36 in Neve Ya’acov, 68 in Pisgat Ze’ev, and 130 in Har Homa. Meanwhile, the Israeli Knesset’s Ministerial Comm. for Legislation gives preliminary approval to a bill that would make some West Bank settlements eligible for special tax breaks in connection with the severity of their security situation. (MNA, PNOW 7/27; HA, TOI 7/28)

In the West Bank, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops violently disperse hundreds of Palestinian and international activists marching through a village nr. Nablus to commemorate Nakba Day, injuring 2 international journalists and 1 Palestinian. The IDF also conducts latenight raids and house searches in Hebron, Bethlehem, and 1 village nr. Jenin, arresting 1 Palestinian and issuing arrest summons to 2; patrols in 2 villages and al-Fawar refugee camp (r.c.) nr. Hebron, 3 nr. Ramallah, and 1 each nr. Tulkarm and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raid a home in Issawiyya late at night, arresting 2 Palestinians. Earlier in the day, 2 synagogues in Pisgat Ze’ev are damaged in suspected arson attacks by Palestinians. A Palestinian throws a molotov cocktail at Israeli settlers in Ras al-Amud, causing no injuries. Israeli settler youths then throw stones at Palestinians in the area. (MNA, WAFA 5/16; TOI 5/17; PCHR 5/21)

In Gaza, a Palestinian man is killed in a tunnel collapse nr. Rafah. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and critically injure a Palestinian youth by the separation wall nr. Jenin. The young man will succumb to his injuries late at night. They also conduct house searches and raids in Tulkarm, 1 village and al- ‘Azza r.c. nr. Bethlehem, and 1 village nr. Nablus, arresting 6 Palestinians; patrols in 5 villages nr. Jenin, al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Ramallah, Qalqilya, and Tulkarm. Overnight, Israeli forces demolish 4 residential structures in the n. Jordan Valley and a home nr. Jenin; conduct a large drill nr. Tubas that leads to fire damage on 3,000–4,000 dunams of farmland. Israeli settlers chop down over 100 almond, grape, and olive trees outside Hebron. Unknown Palestinians throw Molotov cocktails at an Israeli settler’s car nr. Nablus, injuring 1 and causing damage. In East Jerusalem, hundreds of Palestinians gather in al-Tur for the funeral of the Palestinian youth killed by Israeli forces on 4/24, defying the Israeli attempt to restrict the funeral to 70 mourners. Minor clashes break out with Israeli forces, but there are no serious injuries. (The Israeli authorities withheld the teen’s body until early this morning and they required his family to pay approximately $5,000 to get it back.) Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinian women nr. Haram al-Sharif. (WAFA 4/26; JP, MNA, WAFA 4/27; HA, MNA, WAFA 4/28; PCHR 4/29)

The Israeli govt. invites tenders for the construction of 77 residences in Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem—36 in Neve Yaakov and 41 in Pisgat Ze’ev. (AFP, JTA, REU, WAFA 4/27)

UN Secy.-Gen. Ban publishes a summary of a report compiled by an official UN board of inquiry on OPE. The board found that the 7 documented attacks on UN schools during Israel’s assault on Gaza in 7–8/2014 led to 44 Palestinian deaths and 227 injuries. It also found that 3 UN facilities were used by Palestinian groups for weapons storage. (HA, MNA 4/27; EI 4/28)

Iranian FM Zarif meets with U.S. Secy. of State Kerry to continue their negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, on the sidelines of a UN nonproliferation conference in New York. (REU 4/27; AP 4/28)

In the West Bank, the IDF expels 35 Palestinian Bedouin families from their homes in the n. Jordan Valley. The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-‘Arub. r.c. nr. Hebron in the afternoon. Jewish settlers destroy around 100 olive trees in Wadi Yanun nr. Nablus. Separately,settlers assault a Palestinian in the village of Turmus ‘Ayya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 3 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanina, Sur alBahir, and Jabal Mukabir, and compel another man to demolish his own home, leaving 28 homeless. Clashes erupt in Jabal Mukabir, leaving 15 Palestinians injured and 7 arrested. (MNA, WAFA 2/5; PCHR 2/6)

The Jerusalem municipality approves plans for 558 new housing units in East Jerusalem settlements Har Homa, Neve Ya’acov and Pisgat Ze’ev. The U.S. State Dept. condemns the decision, with spokesperson Jen Psaki telling the daily press briefing that they oppose “any unilateral actions” that prejudice the creation of “a positive atmosphere for the negotiations.” (JP, REU 2/5)

U.S. Under Secy. of State Wendy Sherman tells the Senate Foreign Relations Cmte. that the Obama administration is warning businesses heading to Iran that “Tehran is not open for business” because the “sanctions relief is quite temporary, quite limited, and quite targeted.” Meanwhile, a French business delegation with 116 mbrs. visits Tehran. (AFP 2/5)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops also open fire on open land nr. Bayt Hanun, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF shoots and wounds a student in al-Khadir village nr. Bethlehem with a rubber-coated metal bullet. Jewish settlers set fire to agricultural land nr. Nablus and then attack a school in nearby Qaryut village, causing no injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus and 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols 1 village nr. Bethlehem in the morning, and in Hebron and 1 nearby village at night. (MNA 10/9; PCHR 10/10)

Jerusalem municipality approves the construction of 58 housing units in Pisgat Ze’ev settlement, an announcement slammed by the PA as a further “obstacle on the road to peace.” (JP, MNA 10/9)

The Obama administration announces a freeze on military assistance to Egypt, with the aid being withheld including Apache helicopters and tank kits, as well as cash assistance to the govt. There is no precise figure given for the value of the cuts, but it is several hundred million dollars. (JP, REU 10/9)

Two IDF soldiers are hurt when 2 mortar shells fired from Syrian territory lands in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. In response, the IDF destroys a Syrian cannon, though also say that the shelling was errant rather than intentional. (ToI, YA 10/9)

In a meeting with Russian FM Sergey Lavrov, PA pres. Abbas says that the bid for non-member status at the UN will go ahead. Israeli PM Netanyahu convenes his inner cabinet to discuss measures against the PA in response to the UN bid. These punitive actions are reported to include freezing funds to the PA and revoking privileges of senior Palestinian leaders. (JP, ToI 11/6)

A Turkish court in Istanbul opens the trial in absentia of 4 former Israeli military commanders over charges related to the killing of 9 Turkish citizens on the Gaza-bound international aid ship Mavi Marmara in 2010 (see QU in JP 164). (REU 11/5)

Israel publishes tenders for over 1,200 new homes in settlements in occupied East Jerusalem. The housing units are set for Pisgat Ze’ev and Ramot, with another 72 units re-offered in Ariel settlement in the n. of the West Bank. European governments condemn the move as a hindrance to the peace process. EU foreign policy chief Ashton expresses ‘‘regret’’ at the publication. (AFP 11/6; HA 11/7; MNA 11/8)

A bomb explodes along the Gaza Strip-Israel border fence, injuring 3 IDF soldiers on patrol. Unidentified Palestinians fire a rocket into Israel, causing no injuries. Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya in the morning, causing no injuries, and shell areas nr. Khan Yunis while leveling an area nr. the border fence; the IDF also clears land by the border fence nr. Gaza Valley village at night. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes and agricultural property in villages nr. Hebron, and hands over demolition orders for 4 other homes; conducts late-night house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police conduct an arrest operation in Shu‘fat r.c., clashing with local residents; 9 police officers are injured, including 1 who is stabbed. (JP 11/6; MNA 11/7; MNA, PCHR, WAFA 11/8)

An Israeli military court sentences Palestinian activist Bassem Tamimi to 4 mos. in prison for his participation in a 10/24 demonstration at an Israeli-owned supermarket in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc. (BBC 11/6)

Debate over moving toward a universal draft threatens to split Netanyahu’s newly expanded coalition. UltraOrthodox groups, angry over calls to remove their exemption from service based on religious reasons, raise the issue of service waivers for Palestinian citizens of Israel. The 2002 Tal Law exempting ultra-Orthodox Jews engaged in religious studies was invalidated by the High Court in 2/2012 and is set to expire at the end of 7/2012. (NYT 6/30)

Israel’s Housing Min. publishes tenders for the construction of 171 housing units in Gilo and Pisgat Ze’ev settlements in East Jerusalem. IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Bureij r.c. catch and arrest 3 Palestinians (including 2 teenagers) attempting to sneak into Israel to find work. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages each nr. Ramallah and Salfit in the morning; and in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm and 1 each nr. Qalqilya and Ramallah late at night. Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Kafr Qaddum, al-Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin. IDF soldiers fire live ammunition (al-Nabi Salih only), rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters; 5 Palestinians are lightly injured by tear gas canisters (4 in Kafr Qaddum, including a child; 1 in Bil‘in). (PCHR 7/5; OCHA 7/13)

UNESCO’s World Heritage Comm. approves (13–6) a Palestinian request to place Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on its list of world heritage sites at risk because of its urgent need for repairs. The U.S. strongly opposed the request, stating the church was not imperiled. Israel denounces the vote, saying, ‘‘UNESCO is motivated by political and not cultural considerations.’’ (WP 6/30)

During a regular security briefing to the Knesset, IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz says that Israel may need to strike Gaza if rocket fire continues, stating that Israel would initiate an operation before it would allow itself to be “dragged into” one. Later in the day, unidentified Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, damaging an empty kindergarten but causing no injuries. Late at night, the IDF carries out 2 air strikes (warplane and drone) targeting a smuggling tunnel on the Rafah border and a group of armed Palestinians nr. Jabaliya, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 4 Palestinian homes n. of Jericho; patrols in al-Bireh and 3 villages nr. Ramallah during the day; conducts late-night house searches nr. Nablus, confiscating computers but making no arrests. Taking inspiration from the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1960s, 6 Palestinian peace activists, dubbed the Freedom Riders, board an Israeli commuter bus linking the West Bank Jewish settlements with Jerusalem and are arrested at an IDF checkpoint outside the city. The Israeli Housing Min. launches a major advertising campaign selling 277 subsidized apartments in Ariel settlement nr. Salfit, 743 in Ramot and 130 in Har Homa settlement in Jerusalem, and 164 in Mod’in nr. Ramallah, as well as leasing 213 plots of land zoned for construction in Efrat settlement nr. Bethlehem, 207 in Mod’in, 168 in Har Homa, and 18 in Pisgat Ze’ev in Jerusalem. (JP, WP 11/16; PCHR 11/17; OCHA 11/18)

Israel’s Interior Min. gives final approval for the construction of the 1,600 new housing units in Ramat Shlomo settlement in East Jerusalem that were first announced during U.S. VP Joe Biden’s visit to Israel in 3/2010 (see Quarterly Update in JPS 156). The ministry says it also intends to give final approval to another 2,700 new units in East Jerusalem’s Givat HaMatos and Pisgat Ze’ev settlements in response to the recent popular protests in Israel that have demanded, among other things, more and cheaper housing. The U.S. says “unilateral action of this kind works against our [peace] efforts.” Israel’s Peace Now accuses the government of “exploiting the housing crisis in Israel to promote its settlement policy” with the intention of undermining the peace process. (NYT, WP 8/12; PCHR 8/18; OCHA 8/19)

In Gaza, a mbr. of Hamas’s Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades is killed in a “mysterious explosion” in Rafah. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning and in 1 nr. Jericho late at night; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Ramallah and Tubas. In Nablus, 1,200 international activists fr. 22 countries take part in a peace rally in solidarity with the Palestinians; the event was organized by Los Angles Cable International Center in coordination with Nablus’s governor. (AFP 8/11)

U.S. pres. Barack Obama gives a major speech on the Middle East meant to reassess U.S. priorities in the region, particularly in light of the recent prodemocracy uprisings (the “Arab Spring”). He speaks extensively about the peace process at the close of the address (including denouncing the Palestinian statehood initiative, urging against Hamas participation in a national unity government, and endorsing the 1967 lines with agreed land swaps as the basis of border negotiations) but does not offer a new U.S. peace initiative. Netanyahu immediately denounces the reference to 1967 lines, saying they would jeopardize Israeli security. (HA, MNA, MA, NYT, WP, YA 5/19; NYT, WP, WT 5/20)

Israel’s Jerusalem planning commission approves construction of 1,600 new settlement housing units in East Jerusalem (Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghunaym and Pisgat Ze’ev). In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Tulkarm, 3 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Jenin during the day and in Jericho and Birzeit nr. Ramallah late at night; conducts arrest raids nr. Bethlehem (targeting stone-throwing youths) and Qalqilya. (WAFA, YA 5/19; PCHR 5/26; OCHA 5/27)

Through UN and Egyptian emissaries, Israel and Gaza’s factions agree to a new cease-fire ending 4 days of heavy violence. Before the agreement is announced in the evening, Palestinians fire around 20 rockets and mortars (including 1 Grad) fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries; Israel does not immediately respond; 1 rocket is fired after the announcement. In the West Bank, the IDF declares Awarta a closed military zone, then raids 10s of homes arresting 20 Palestinian youths and 3 women. The IDF patrols in Tulkarm and 2 neighboring villages, 3 villages nr. Qalqilya, and 3 nr. Ramallah. During a morning patrol in Zabbuba village nr. Jenin, IDF troops raid an Internet café in search of stonethrowing youths who confronted them, arresting 4 children age 11–17. Israeli interior M Eli Yishai, under pressure fr. Netanyahu, postpones a meeting of Jerusalem’s planning committee (set for later this wk.) until 5/5 (after Passover) to discuss building 980 settlement housing units in Jabal Abu-Ghunaym and 600 units in Pisgat Ze’ev. (AP, HA, IsRN, JP, REU, XIN 4/10; JTA, NYT, WP 4/11; PCHR 4/14; OCHA 4/15)

In Syria, after heavy clashes with protesters after Friday prayers on 4/8 and with mourners after funerals on 4/9, Pres. Bashar al-Asad deploys soldiers and tanks for the 1st time to surround and cut off towns where protests are being held. Instead of quelling protests, clashes continue and casualties slowly but steadily mount through the end of the quarter. Nationwide Friday protests (4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, and 5/12) steadily grow more massive (into the 10,000s) and the regime’s response more extreme. Shelling, sniper fire, and arrest raids became routine. In between Friday protests, Syrian forces raid areas where protests or funerals are the largest; Baniyas, Dara‘a, Homs, Latakia, and the Kurdish region remain frequent targets. Still, the various protests seem isolated, with little overarching organization. As of this date, human rights groups in Syria believe that at least 170 Syrians have died and some 800 have been detained since clashes began. The govt. has also expelled many media organizations and cut Internet and phone access to keep news of the clashes sparse. (NYT, WP, WT 4/11; NYT, WP 4/12; NYT, WP, WT 4/12–13; NYT, WP 4/14NYT, WP 4/15–16; WP 4/18; NYT, WP 4/19; NYT, WP, WT 4/19–20; NYT, WP 4/21; NYT 4/22)

Israel’s Jerusalem planning comm. approves construction of 92 housing units in Talpiot settlement and 32 apartments in Pisgat Ze’ev settlement. Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts patrols in 3 villages nr. Qalqilya, 2 nr. Salfit, 1 nr. Jenin, and 1 nr. Ramallah during the day and evening; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches, and patrols nr. Hebron, Salfit, and Tulkarm. (YA 1/17; PCHR, WJW 1/20; OCHA 1/21)

Israeli DM Ehud Barak resigns as head of the Labor party, taking 4 rightleaning party mbrs. with him to form a “new centrist independence faction” within Netanyahu’s governing coalition. The 8 remaining Labor MKs immediately withdraw fr. the coalition, leaving Netanyahu with a smaller but more stable coalition, controlling 66 of 120 Knesset seats. (NYT, WP, WT 1/18; WJW 1/20; JPI 1/28)

Israel’s Interior Min. reports for the first time that preliminary approval for construction of 625 housing units in East Jerusalem’s Pisgat Ze’ev was quietly granted in 11/2010. During the day, the IDF makes another incursion into the Gaza area e. of Jabaliya that was shelled on 12/1, firing on the surrounding area but causing no reported injuries. A Palestinian is fatally electrocuted in a smuggling tunnel accident on the Rafah border. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Izbal Jaloud village nr. Qalqilya during the day; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Nablus. Jewish settlers fr. Halamish settlement nr. Ramallah attempt to storm Nabi Salih village but are removed by IDF troops; later in the day, Palestinian youths throw stones at IDF troops patrolling the area, who respond with tear gas and stun grenades, causing no serious injuries. In n. Israel, 1,000s of Israelis flee their homes as a major forest fire brought on by drought tears through the Mount Carmel forest; at least 36 Israelis are left dead, most of them prison guards racing to evacuate inmates fr. a jail. (NYT, WP 12/3; PCHR 12/9; OCHA 12/10)

Israel announces plans to build 238 new settlement housing units in Pisgat Ze’ev and Ramot settlements in East Jerusalem. The PA and U.S. denounce the move as contrary to peace. Also in East Jerusalem, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and water with a colored dye at Palestinians holding a sit-in in the al-Bustan area of Silwan after Friday prayers to protest Israel’s plans (announced in 3/2010) to demolish homes and businesses in the area to create the City of David, an archeological park to accommodate settlers; local Jewish settlers join in, stoning Palestinians and vandalizing Palestinian homes; 15 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, the IDF conducts synchronized daytime patrols in 2 villages and 1 open area nr. Jenin, making no arrests. Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists in some locations) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih/Dayr Nizam. IDF soldiers fire rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters; 10s suffer tear gas inhalation; 2 Israeli and 3 Palestinian activists are arrested (the Israelis are quickly released). Jewish settlers fr. Elon Moreh nr. Nablus fire on and chase off Palestinian farmers harvesting olives nr. the settlement, causing no reported injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Zohar settlement e. of Qalqilya set fire to Palestinian olive groves and prevent Palestinian fire engines fr. reaching the area, allowing 100 d. to burn. (NYT, WP 10/16; PCHR 10/21; OCHA 10/22)

The Israeli human rights group Peace Now issues an 8-mo. assessment of Israel’s temporary settlement construction freeze documenting that: (1) construction of at least 600 housing units in over 60 different settlements has begun during the freeze, with at least 492 of those units being constructed in direct violation of the freeze; (2) some 2,000 housing units started before the freeze was implemented on 11/26/09 are currently under construction; and (3) new construction starts during the freeze constitute approximately half of the normal settlement construction pace. (Peace Now press release 8/2)

Unidentified assailants fire 5–7 modified Grad-type rockets apparently fr. the Egyptian desert toward the Aqaba-Elat resort; 1 rocket lands harmlessly nr. the entrance to the Israeli resort town, 2 land inside Jordan (1 harmlessly, the other striking a taxi outside the InterContinental hotel in Aqaba, killing 1 Jordanian and wounding 3), 2 land in the Red Sea. Israel believes the rockets were all intended to strike Elat and calls Hamas “responsible” for the rocket fire; Hamas denies involvement. (JP 8/2; YT 8/3; WT 8/4; KUNA 8/5; HA 8/6; JPI, OCHA 8/13)

Israel’s Jerusalem municipal authority approves construction of 40 settlement housing units in Pisgat Ze’ev settlement in East Jerusalem. In the West Bank, the IDF dismantles and confiscates a Palestinian irrigation network nr. Hebron; patrols in 2 villages nr. Salfit at midday, making no arrests; arrests 3 Palestinian children (ages 13–14) nr. the separation wall nr. Bil‘in; sends undercover units in Jafna village nr. Ramallah late in the evening, raiding 2 Internet cafes and arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Qalqilya. In Gaza, unidentified Palestinians apparently mishandle explosives in a home in Dayr al-Balah, triggering an explosion that injures 58 Palestinians (including 13 children, 9 women) and damages several surrounding homes. (AP 8/3; PCHR 8/5)

Israel’s Jerusalem Planning Commission grants preliminary approval for the rezoning and demolition of 22 Palestinian homes in Silwan neighborhood to create an archaeological park, a 1,000-unit Jewish residential area, and tourist zone; the rezoning measure would also retroactively approve Jewish settlers’ Beit Yonatan construction, reaffirmed as illegal by Israel’s Jerusalem District Court on 5/25 (see above). The State Dept. denounces the move as undermining proximity talks. Meanwhile, the IDF begins large-scale bulldozing of land between Pisgat Ze’ev and Neve Ya’acov settlements just n. of Jerusalem for construction of 600 new settlement housing units that will link the 2 settlements, which it intends to keep under final status. The IDF also makes a major late-night incursion into Dayr Samit village nr. Hebron, surrounding and detonating stun grenades around a Palestinian home, blowing off the door, and firing at the windows and roof before raiding the home, beating the residents, and arresting 2 men. Troops then raid and search several surrounding homes, in total arresting 25 mbrs. of the extended al-Adam/al-Hroub clan. The IDF also conducts late-night raids and searches nr. Jenin, summoning 7 Palestinians for interrogation. (NYT, WT 6/22; NYT 6/23; PCHR 6/24; OCHA 6/25)

Biden wraps up his trip to Israel with a big speech to the Israeli public at Tel Aviv University, underscoring American solidarity with Israel. He reiterates U.S. disapproval of the Ramat Shlomo housing plan because it “undermined the trust required for productive negotiations,” but accepts what he calls “significant” assurances from Netanyahu that the construction will not break ground for years, expressing hope that negotiations would “resolve this and other outstanding issues” before construction could begin. He then heads to Jordan. Separately, Netanyahu issues a statement apologizing for the “unfortunate timing” of the Ramat Shlomo announcement, but notably not apologizing for the construction itself. At the same time, Israel’s Jerusalem municipality announces plans to build 1,000s of settlement housing units e. and s. of Jerusalem in areas Israel intends to keep under final status, including 3,000 units each in Gilo and Givat Matosim, 1,500 units each in Har Homa and Pisgat Ze’ev, 1,200 units in Ramot, 600 in Armona Netseev, 450 in Neve Ya’acov, and 144 in Olive Mount. The U.S. does not comment. Abbas warns Biden by phone that the PA cannot start proximity talks until Israel reverses the construction approval. (JTA 3/11; NYT, WP, WT 3/12)

In Ramallah, at least 1 PA security official and 1 Fatah Central Comm. member take part in a ceremony in Ramallah naming a public square after Dalal Mughrabi, a 19-yr.-old Fatah member who in 1978 led a squad from Lebanon that sailed to Israel where they staged attacks killing 1 American and 38 Israelis before being shot dead; Netanyahu denounces the official Fatah and PA participation as incitement undermining the peace process. Late in the evening, the IDF patrols in Ramallah, firing rubber-coated steel bullets at stonethrowing Palestinian youths who confront them, causing no injuries; carries out latenight house searches in Jenin town and r.c., making no arrests. In Gaza, the littleknown Salafist group Ansar al-Sunna fires a Qassam rocket into Israel, causing no damage or injuries but marking the 1st incidence of rocket fire since 2/12. Later in the day, unidentified Palestinians fire 2 more Qassams toward Israel, but they land harmlessly inside Gaza. Late at night, the IDF makes an air strike on a smuggling tunnel on the Rafah border, causing no injuries. Hamas authorities in Gaza release British journalist Paul Martin, held for 25 days on suspicion of security offenses (see 3/1). (NYT, YA 3/12; OCHA, PCHR 3/18)

Israel announces approval of 692 new settlement housing units in East Jerusalem (Har Homa, Neve Ya’acov, Pisgat Ze’ev); the EU, U.S., and PA criticize the move. IDF troops make a brief incursion into Gaza n. of Bayt Hanun to level land along the border fence to clear lines of sight. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats approaching the boundary of the permitted fishing zone, wounding 1 Palestinian. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late night arrest raids, house searches in Bil‘in and nr. Nablus. (PLONAD 12/28; NYT, WP, WT 12/29; PCHR 12/30; WJW 12/31; OCHA 1/6)

Overnight in Gaza, the IDF sends troops, bulldozers into Bani Suhayla nr. Khan Yunis, bulldozing 125 d. of agricultural land, several greenhouses, 1 Palestinian home before withdrawing in the morning; during the operation, troops fire a tank shell at armed Palestinians approaching the area (wounding 3) and detain 11 Palestinians (including 1 child) for questioning. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem, Qabatya, and nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police and intelligence officers break up a memorial service for the late Palestinian political figure Faisal Husseini, declaring it an illegal political gathering, arresting 4 Palestinians. A Jewish settler deliberately drives into a flock of Palestinian sheep nr. Hebron, killing 3 sheep, injuring 2. The Israeli Housing Min. says it is moving ahead with previously announced plans to build 884 new Jewish settler housing units in East Jerusalem’s Pisgat Ze’ev (763 units) and Har Homa (121 units) settlements. Meanwhile, in Bayt Furik, angry Palestinians demonstrate, throw stones at a Palestinian Authority (PA) police station in Nablus, denouncing the PA’s recent confiscation of 86 unlicensed and stolen vehicles, injuring 3 policemen; the PA police fire live ammunition and percussion grenades at the protesters and beat several, injuring 8 Palestinians and causing an elderly Palestinian woman to have a fatal heart attack. In Gaza’s al-Maghazi r.c., unidentified gunmen fire on a group of Hamas mbrs., who return heavy fire; no injuries are reported. In Gaza’s Shati’ r.c., a bomb explodes outside a store, causing damage but no injuries; no group takes responsibility. (NYT 6/2; OCHA 6/4; PCHR 6/5; REU 7/14)

The IDF makes an air strike on a workshop in Rafah, assassinating Islamic Jihad’s al-Quds Brigade leader ‘Awad al-Qiq (whom the IDF attempted to assassinate on 10/5/07), injuring 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs., 2 children; sends tanks, bulldozers into Juhur al-Dik to level land. The Israeli navy fires on Palestinian fishing boats off the Rafah coast, forcing them to return to shore, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in, fires on residential areas in Fahama and Yabad nr. Jenin; imposes a curfew on Kafr Haris nr. Salfit to allow Jewish settlers to conduct ceremonies at a religious site in the village; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Aza r.c. nr. Bethlehem, Jenin town and r.c. In East Jerusalem, scores of Israeli Jewish teenagers gather at the Pisgat Ze’ev mall, summoned by an instant message to their cell phones urging those “with Jewish blood” to meet up to form a mob to attack local Israeli Arabs who allegedly “hang in our area” and “whistle at the girls, curse, threaten little kids”; the mob beats and stabs 2 Palestinian teenagers, seriously injuring them; around 20 teenagers take part in the beating, while 80–100 others watch; police arrest and charge 11. (AP 4/30; OCHA 5/7; PCHR 5/8; HA 5/29)

In Gaza, IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dayr al-Balah, exchanging fire with local gunmen, killing 2 armed Palestinians, wounding a 3d, arresting 14 Palestinians; helicopter gunships fire on agricultural areas nr. Khuza; later, the IDF sends bulldozers into the area to level 193 d. of cropland, also destroying an irrigation network, 200 beehives. The UN reports that in 3/08, at least 4 ailing Palestinians died as a direct result of Israel’s closure on Gaza barring access to adequate medical treatment. In the West Bank, the IDF arrests 4 Palestinian teenagers (ages 13–17) who stray nr. the separation wall nr. Tulkarm; raids a construction site in Marda nr. Salfit, checking workers’ IDs but making no arrests; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c. (including raiding an Islamic charity, confiscating a computer and documents). Israel’s Jerusalem Planning Comm. gives preliminary approval for construction of 600 new Jewish settler housing units in Pisgat Ze’ev settlement. Jewish settlers fr. Rachel settlement nr. Nablus beat an 80-yr.-old Palestinian farmer working his nearby land. A 15-yr.- old Jewish settler fr. Shiloh settlement nr. Hebron fatally shoots a Palestinian who approaches him at a bus stop outside the settlement; says the Palestinian was acting suspiciously, carrying a knife. At Gaza’s al-Azhar University, pro-Fatah students beat a group of pro-Hamas students rallying to mark the 4th anniversary of Israel’s assassination of Shaykh Ahmad Yasin; Hamas-affiliated police intervene, using clubs to break up the fights, injuring several students. (NYT 4/1; OCHA 4/2; PCHR 4/3; OCHA 4/18)

Israel announces plans to build 750 new houses in East Jerusalem’s Pisgat Ze’ev settlement and 350 homes in Givat Ze’ev settlement just n. of Jerusalem, stating that the construction “is consistent with our long-standing position that building within the large settlement blocs, which will stay part of Israel in any final status agreement.” Israel’s Jerusalem Municipality approves construction of a new settlement neighborhood of 400 housing units in the Nabi Yaqub neighborhood n. of East Jerusalem. The Israeli DMin. reaches a deal with Jewish settler leaders for the removal of several unauthorized settlement outposts in exchange for approval of new construction in approved settlements. Jewish settlers fr. Hebron rally in East Jerusalem, calling for revenge against Palestinians for the 3/6 Mercaz Harav attack and threatening to raid Jabal Mukabir, where the gunman lived; Israeli police intervene to prevent a rampage. Meanwhile, the IDF raids a Palestinian elementary school in Hawara, nr. Nablus, while classes are in session, claiming that students threw stones at an IDF patrol; raids the PA civil defense headquarters in Ramallah, arresting an AMB mbr. staying there overnight as part of the 7/07 amnesty deal btwn. Israel and the AMB; conducts latenight arrest raids in and around Bethlehem, in Nablus town and r.c., nr. Tulkarm. An IDF soldier dies of injuries sustained in a 3/6 roadside bombing inside Gaza. (NYT, WT 3/10; OCHA 3/12; PCHR 3/13)

The IDF sends troops into, fires on residential areas of Bayta nr. Nablus; patrols, conducts random security checks of Palestinians in Aida r.c. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Hebron seize and fence off 160 d. of Palestinian land outside Carmiel settlement for a new unauthorized outpost. Palestinians fire a rocket toward Sederot, causing no damage or injuries; throw Molotov cocktails at a house in Pisgat Ze’ev, causing moderate damage but no injuries. Residents of Dayr al-Balah in central Gaza issue a statement calling on Hamas to halt rocket fire on Israel fr. their vicinity after a rocket damaged a Palestinian home earlier in the wk., urge the PA security forces to halt lawlessness in Gaza. (IMEMC 11/11; PCHR 11/17)

Israel’s Interior M Ophir Pines-Paz signs an order declaring Gaza foreign territory and the 4 Israeli checkpoints leading into the Strip international crossings; Israelis and foreign nationals will henceforth have to use passports to cross. The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Aida r.c., nr. Hebron. A Jewish settler fr. Pisgat Ze’ev in Jerusalem is reportedly kidnapped in Ramallah, where he has business dealings. (HA, JT, REU 9/23; YA 9/26; NYT 9/27; PCHR 9/29)

A Palestinian worker in the West Bank settlement of Efrat attempts to detonate a suicide bomb in a supermarket, but is shot dead by armed customers. IDF soldiers mistakenly fire on a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Ramallah, wounding 1 settler they believed was shooting at them; the settler was shooting at nearby Palestinians. Palestinian gunmen fatally shoot a Jewish settler driving nr. Pisgat Ze'ev. The IDF conducts arrests raids in Tamun; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas nr. Qarni crossing. (HP 2/22; NYT, WP, WT 2/23; WT 2/25)

The IDF attempts to assassinate Fatah tanzim mbr. Ahmad Bisharat in Jenin, phoning him to set up a bogus mtg., attempting to shoot him when he leaves his home. The IDF also shells residential areas of Beitunia, Khan Yunis; fires on a taxi parked at an IDF checkpoint, seriously wounding a Palestinian infant. Jewish settlers fire on a Palestinian bus nr. Pisgat Ze'ev, injuring 2 Palestinians; stone a car nr. Hebron, causing an accident that kills the Palestinian driver. (al-Quds 8/18 in WNC 8/21; HP 8/19; LAW 8/22)

Nr. Jinin, an explosion kills 6 Fatah mbrs., 3 of whom are on Israel's most-wanted list, 1 of whom is a PA military intelligence officer. Fatah says they were assassinated by IDF tank fire; Israel claims they were assembling a bomb when it exploded. After Palestinians fire a mortar at Kefar Darom settlement in Gaza, injuring 1 girl, IDF helicopters fire shells at the main PSF headquarters in Gaza City, destroying a building that Israel claims was a mortar factory, injuring 7 PSF officers. The IDF also fatally shoots a PSF officer and an Islamic Jihad mbr. nr. Qarni crossing; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Hebron, Rafah. A small bomb explodes in a supermarket in Pisgat Ze'ev, and a roadside bomb explodes nr. a Jewish settler school bus nr. Ofra, neither causing injuries. Nr. Tulkarm, Palestinian gunmen fire across the Green Line at an Israeli border police car, injuring 3 officers. (AFP [Internet], BBC, NYT, REU, WP, WT 7/30; NYT, WP 7/31; SA 7/31 in WNC 8/1; LAW 8/6; MEI 8/10)