The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers and American activists from the American Evangelical Archeological Institute carried out excavations at an archeological site at Jabal ‘Aybal in Area B and transferred soil and artifacts to the Shavei Shomron settlement. Israeli settlers also attacked 2 homes and let their cattle graze on Palestinian crops in Arab al-Kaabneh. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to crops and olive trees in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya. Israeli settlers also demolished parts of the Old Market in Hebron, which has been closed off to Palestinians since 1983. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Nablus, Hebron, Yatta, and Turmus ‘Ayya. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli settler shot and injured a 60-year-old Palestinian woman at a light rail station north of Sheikh Jarrah, claiming she had tried to stab him with a knife. Israeli settlers also toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Shu’fat refugee camp. (HA, HA, MEE, TOI, WAFA ,WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/9; PCHR 7/13; UNOCHA 7/29)

Israel released senior Hamas member in the West Bank Sheikh Hasan Yousef from administrative detention after 21 months. (MEMO 7/10)

U.S. president Joe Biden criticized the Israeli government for being too extreme in its West Bank policies in an interview with CNN, saying that the U.S. is in regular contact with Israel to “tamp down what is going on,” and calling the Netanyahu government the “one of the most extreme” he has seen. Biden also said that the PA had lost its credibility. On normalization, he said Israel and Saudi Arabia are “a long way from” normalizing relations, saying that normalization depends on “what is asked of us for them [Saudi Arabia] to recognize Israel,” confirming that Saudi Arabia is asking for a civilian nuclear program and security guarantees. Haaretz reported that the Biden administration is seeking measures from Israel to strengthen the PA to help the normalization process. But U.S. officials told Haaretz that they think the far-right ministers in the Israeli government would oppose any gestures toward the Palestinians. The officials also said that the PA does not trust the U.S. to follow through on ensuring that the promises are kept. (CNN, HA, HA, REU 7/9)

The Israeli security cabinet approved measures to “act to prevent the collapse of the Palestinian Authority,” but did not detail how Israel would prevent this. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich abstained in the vote and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir voted against the measures. In return for preventing the PA from collapsing, Israel is demanding that the PA “[r]efrain from acting against Israel in the international legal and political arena . . . from paying the families of terrorists and murderers, and from illegal building in Area C.” PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called the Israeli demands unacceptable. (HA, REU 7/9; MEE, QDS, QDS, WAFA 7/10)

In the West Bank, Palestinian militants shot and killed 1 Israeli soldier near the Shavei Shomron settlement; the soldier was accompanying Israeli settlers to Sabastia. Israeli forces seized 1 excavator and 2 trucks in Shufa. In East Jerusalem, more than 1,000 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. The PA condemned the incursion. Israeli forces assaulted 1 Palestinian man at the Shu‘fat checkpoint, causing injuries. (AJ, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/11; WAFA 10/12; PCHR 10/13; UNOCHA 10/16; UNOCHA 11/1)

Representatives from 14 Palestinian factions, including Fatah and Hamas, met in Algeria for a 2-day conference on reconciliation. (AJ 10/11)

Israel and Lebanon announced that both countries were satisfied with the final draft of the maritime border agreement made by the U.S. The Israeli security cabinet is scheduled to convene on 10/12 to discuss the agreement. (AJ, ALM, ALM, AX, CNN, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, NYT, REU, REU, REU 10/11; MEMO 10/12; AJ 10/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 60 olive saplings in Jalud. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian vehicles traveling on the Nablus-Qalqilya road, leading to 1 injury and damage. Israeli forces shot and injured 7 Palestinians trying to enter Israel for work through the separation barrier near Far‘un. Israeli forces also seized heavy machinery used to rehabilitate a road in Kardala. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bayt Umar, Sabastiyya, Qabatiya, Jalazun refugee camp, and Nahalin. In East Jerusalem, 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/11; PCHR 1/14)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israeli defense ministry and the civil administration’s higher planning committee will approve 800 new settlement units in the Itamar, Beit El, Shavei Shomron, Oranit, Givat Ze’ev, Tal Menashe, and Nofei Nehemia settlements and settlement outposts. Prime Minister Netanyahu also said on Facebook that “[w]e’re here [in the West Bank] to stay. We’re continuing to build the Land of Israel.” Leader of the Israeli opposition Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid party called the announcement of the new settlement units “irresponsible,” citing the U.S. presidential transition on 1/20. France’s foreign ministry, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the PA denounced the settlement expansion. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz also approved a small number Palestinian construction projects in al-Walaja, Hizma, Bethlehem, and Bayt Jala. All the projects need secondary approval. (ABC, AJ, AP, HA, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA 1/11; REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/12)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and a member of the PLO executive committee condemned the UAE for allowing Israeli settler products to be imported to its market after the 1st shipment of Israeli settler goods arrived in the UAE. (WAFA 1/11; REU 1/14)

The PA health ministry said it had approved the Russian-made COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V for emergency use. (WAFA 1/11)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas issued 3 presidential decrees, 2 of which critiques say serves to bolster the power of the PA presidency ahead of potential elections later this year. 1 decree allows the PA president to select judges instead of approving judges, who would be selected based on seniority. The decree also allows the president to force Palestinian judges to retire 5 years before the set retirement age of 70. A 2d decree establishes administrative courts, which can hear petitions against officials and institutions, previously a duty of the High Court of Justice. The president of the administrative court is appointed by the PA president. (HA 1/28)

An Israeli court in Lod ruled that screening or distributing the movie Jenin Jenin from 2002 by Mohammad Bakri should be banned and copies of the movie destroyed. Bakri was also ruled to pay $55,000 to an Israeli soldier who appears in archival footage used for the movie and $16,000 for the cost of the trial. The Israeli judge said that Bakri did not do enough research to label the movie a documentary. The PA ministry of culture condemned the ruling. (HA 1/11; AJ, TOI, WAFA 1/12; WAFA 1/13)

Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that he regretted forming a coalition with Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying that Netanyahu “cheated me and cheated you [the Israeli public].” He then called on all opposition leaders, including the Joint Arab List’s Ayman Odeh, to join him in sending “Bibi [Netanyahu] home” in the upcoming election. (HA 1/11)

The foreign ministers of Germany, France, Jordan, and Egypt met in Cairo to discuss reviving peace talks between Israel and Palestine. The quartet expressed willingness to work closely with the U.S. to map steps toward peace. In a statement, the 4 called for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. According to the Jerusalem Post, the 4 countries had tried to invite the Israeli and PA foreign ministers to the meeting, but both were unable or unwilling to travel for the meeting. (HA, WAFA 1/11; JP 1/12)

U.S. billionaire and mega-donor to Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, and Israeli settlements Sheldon Adelson died. Adelson had recently flown the convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard to Israel from the U.S. so he could immigrate after being released from parole, and he bought the U.S. ambassador’s house in Tel Aviv from the U.S. state department earlier in 2020. Adelson was known to have had a large influence on U.S. president Donald Trump’s aggressively pro-Israel policies during his presidency. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU 1/12)

As massive fires rage nr. Jerusalem for the 3d day in a row, the PA sends 4 teams of Palestinian fire fighters to assist Israeli disaster relief efforts. Meanwhile, new fires break out in the Galilee, Haifa, and nr. the Shavei Shomron settlement in the West Bank. Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians in n. Israel on suspicion of arson. Around 60,000 people are evacuated from Haifa. The Israeli authorities declare a state of emergency in Haifa and evacuate 13 neighborhoods. (HA, JP, TOI, YA 11/24)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during arrest raids nr. Ramallah and Bethlehem, and patrol nr. Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Issawiyya. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/24; HA 11/25; JTA 11/26; PCHR 12/1)

The French govt. publishes new regulations governing goods imported from the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt). They require labels denoting whether or not the goods originated in Israel’s settlements, rather than just the West Bank. (HA, JP, TOI 11/24)

The IDF continues its assault on the Gaza Strip by land, air, and sea, killing 79 Palestinians. In the most deadly incident of the day, an Israeli air strike hits a family home in Nussayrat r.c., killing 11 Palestinians. Armed Palestinian groups fire over 90 projectiles into Israel, with Iron Dome batteries intercepting 17 projectiles. The rocket fire injures 2 Israeli civilians. In the West Bank, armed Palestinians open fire on Israeli settlement Shavei Shomron nr. Nablus, causing no casualties. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin and in Tubas at night. Jewish settlers shoot and injure a Palestinian nr. al-Khadir in the Bethlehem region. (AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/31; PCHR 8/1)

During the day, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest says the shelling of a UN school the previous day is “totally indefensible” and that “it does not appear there is a lot of doubt about whose artillery was involved in this incident.” (AFP, AP, MNA, 7/31)

 In Cairo, a Palestinian delegation including Hamas and Islamic Jihad reps. discuss a ceasefire agreement with Fatah reps. and Egyptian authorities. (AP, HA, JP, MNA, 7/31)

In the evening, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry and UN Secy.-Gen. Ban release a joint statement announcing a 72-hour cease-fire agreed to by all parties, to begin 8/1 at 8:00 A.M. local time. During that time, negotiators from all sides will discuss a longer-term agreement in Cairo. The IDF intends to continue searching for and destroying tunnels during the truce. Also, they call up a further 16,000 reservists. (AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/31)

Israel deports to the Gaza Strip 2 Gazans found living illegally in Beersheba; the IDF sends them through the Israeli side of the Erez crossing but the men refuse to move through to the 150-m transit area to the Palestinian side, demanding they be allowed to return to Israel; IDF troops fire warning shots at them for more than 2 hrs. before forcing them to enter Gaza. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the Bayt Lahiya coast, forcing them to return to shore. The UN reports that since 4/28, 1 Palestinian has been killed in a tunnel collapse and 4 Palestinians have been killed and 9 injured when they were overcome by gas fumes while smuggling fuel through a tunnel. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 1 Palestinian home nr. the separation wall southwest of Bethlehem, leaving 8 Palestinians homeless; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Nablus. Jewish settlers set a fire destroying a mosque in Luban al-Sharqiyya nr. Nablus, an act Abbas says may jeopardize proximity talks. Jewish settlers also set fire to a Palestinian olive grove outside Hawara. The attacks are thought to be in response to the IDF demolition of structures in Shavei Shomron settlement on 5/2—part of the settlers price-tag doctrine to retaliate against Palestinians (and occasionally the IDF) in reaction to any attempt to curb settlement activity. (NYT, WP 5/5; OCHA, PCHR 5/6)

U.S. special envoy Mitchell arrives in the region to secure formal PA-Israeli agreement to open proximity talks, but the PA says Israel must halt all new settlement construction and evictions of Palestinians during the 4-mo. duration of negotiations, while Israel says the PA must halt all incitement, especially its boycott of settlement-made goods. (NYT, WT 5/4; WJW 5/6)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the Bayt Lahiya coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF destroys several structures in Shavei Shomron settlement built in violation of the 10-mo. settlement freeze; conducts synchronized late-night arrest raids, house searches in 3 villages nr. Hebron. (NYT 5/5; OCHA, PCHR 5/6)

Mbrs. of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) claim responsibility for firing 2 manufactured Grad rockets fr. Gaza into Israel; the missiles hit nr. Netivot, causing no damage or injuries. Egypt allows a token delegation of around 85 international activists to cross into Gaza to demonstrate with Gazans for an end to Israel’s siege, while in Cairo, Egyptian authorities disperse another 1,000 international activists calling on Egypt and Israel to open the Gaza border. Inside Israel, about 1,000 Israeli Palestinian and Jewish peace activists march to the Erez crossing in solidarity with the internationals in Egypt. Israeli police arrest a Jewish settler teenager connected to the outlawed right-wing group Kahane Chai suspected in the 12/11 arson of a mosque in Yasuf. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 2 animal shelters on a Palestinian farm located nr. an unauthorized Israeli settlement outpost northeast of Hebron, saying they had been erected illegally; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Shavei Shomron and Einav settlements set up an outpost on a hill nr. Nablus overlooking the spot where a settler was ambushed and killed on 12/24. Jewish settlers at another settlement outpost northwest of Hebron raze 1,500 d. of surrounding Palestinian agricultural land, saying they plan to build a park and swimming pools. (JP 12/31; NYT, WP 1/1; HA 1/2; OCHA, PCHR 1/6; WJW 1/7)

In the West Bank, the IDF stages synchronized late-night house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c., arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas and nr. Hebron, Ramallah. A Jewish settler is fatally shot while driving nr. Nablus; a caller to a Palestinian radio station claims the attack was carried out by the Fatah-offshoot al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (AMB). Jewish settlers, implementing their “price-tag doctrine” of retaliation, vandalize Palestinian homes and block Palestinian traffic nr. Yitzhar settlement s. of Nablus; bar Palestinian traffic, stone and vandalize Palestinian vehicles, and uproot 100s of Palestinian trees nr. Shavei Shomron settlement, home to the deceased settler; attempt to prevent a Palestinian bus fr. passing through the Einav checkpoint nr. Tulkarm. (NYT 12/25; PCHR 12/30; OCHA 1/6)

The IDF conducts military exercises in the Golan Heights. Meanwhile, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border make a brief incursion to detain 2 Palestinian teenagers scavenging for scrap metal from destroyed buildings nr. the border fence n. of Bayt Hanun, holding them for 12 hrs. of interrogation before releasing them. Israel allows Gazans to export 1 truckload of carnations (30,000 flowers), marking the first exports permitted since 4/27/09. In the West Bank, the IDF raids Khirbat Tana village, located in area C northeast of Nablus and w. of Mehola settlement, early in the morning, searching several homes and confiscating 4 tractors, stating the area is a closed military zone (see Quarterly Update for details). The IDF also shuts the Shavei Shomron checkpoint on the Jenin–Nablus route for road repair work that is expected to take 9 mos.; the closure creates long delays for Palestinians traveling between Jenin and the s. West Bank. Jewish settlers fr. Revava northwest of Salfit brutally beat a 13-yr.-old Palestinian child; the IDF evacuates the child to an Israeli hospital. (NYT 12/11; OCHA, PCHR 12/16)

In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 1 Palestinian home and an addition to a 2d home in East Jerusalem, displacing 15 Palestinians (including 8 children), with 1 family fined $3,000 for unlicensed construction; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Nablus and neighboring ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’, and Hizma village northeast of Jerusalem (arresting 3 12-yr.-old Palestinians and a 14-yr.-old), and nr. Jenin. The UN reports that in the previous wk., the IDF vacated 3 checkpoints around Qalqilya (including completely dismantling 1: Izbat Jalud) and increased the operating hours of 4 main checkpoints around Nablus (Asira al-Shamaliyya, Bayt Iba, Hawara, Shavei Shomron) to 24 hrs./ day 7 days/wk., significantly easing Palestinian travel btwn. Qalqilya and Nablus. The UN also reports that since the 5/31 and 6/4 Fatah-Hamas clashes in Qalqilya, Hamas police have arrested 73 Fatah-affiliated Palestinians on charges of “seeking to undermine internal security in Gaza.” Meanwhile, the PASF has arrested at least 74 Palestinians in the West Bank, making this the 2d wk. that the PASF has arrested more Palestinians than the IDF. (OCHA, PCHR 6/11)

U.S. special envoy Mitchell begins a 2-day visit to Israel and Ramallah (his 4th trip to the region) to follow up with Israeli and PA leaders regarding Obama’s 6/4 speech. (IFM 6/9; NYT, WT 6/10; NYT, WJW, WT 9/11) 

Israeli warplanes drop boxes of leaflets across Gaza announcing that the IDF is expanding its self-declared “buffer zone” fr. 150 to 300 meters along most of the Gaza border, making more agricultural land inaccessible; 1 box hits a house, injuring a child. In the West Bank, the IDF shoots, seriously wounds an unarmed Palestinian teenager who strays nr. Shavei Shomron settlement nr. Nablus; patrols in Nur Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm, firing on stone-throwing youths who confront them, wounding 3; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Jenin. Jewish settlers fr. Elkana settlement nr. Salfit vandalize a Palestinian home and intimidate the residents. (OCHA, PCHR 5/28; OCHA 6/1)

n the West Bank, the IDF begins leveling 78 d. of Palestinian land w. of Nablus for the creation of a new settler-only bypass road to Shavei Shomron settlement. At least 8 Jewish settlers severely beat a Palestinian man outside his Silwan home in East Jerusalem. A Gazan woman fr. Bayt Lahiya dies in an Egyptian hospital fr. white phosphorus injuries sustained during OCL. (OCHA 3/31, 4/1; PCHR 4/2)

Israel agrees to transfer $25 m. in shekels to Gaza, an amount less than what the PA needs to pay its Gaza salaries, meaning banks are unlikely to reopen, still fearing a run on cash. In the West Bank, the IDF sends troops into Marda village nr. Nablus in the afternoon, arresting 2 Palestinians; returns to Marda late in the evening to search several homes, arresting 5 Palestinians; conducts additional late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c. Jewish settlers fr. Shavei Shomron settlement nr. Nablus enter nearby Sebastia village, fire on residential areas (causing damage but no injuries), leave when the IDF arrives. (WP 12/11; PCHR 12/18)

The IDF fires a surface-to-surface missile at central Bayt Lahiya in an attempt to assassinate 3 Hamas mbrs., missing them but injuring 3 bystanders, damaging 2 homes and a car. The Israeli navy fires on 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. in a boat off the Gaza coast, killing them. The IDF also withdraws troops from a strip of land northeast of Bayt Lahiya occupied on 10/19. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah; raids and searches homes, checks IDs of residents in Bayt Jala nr. Bethlehem. Jewish settlers fr. Shavei Shomron nr. Nablus, escorted by IDF troops, attack Palestinians harvesting olives nearby. Jewish settlers fr. Beitar Ilit nr. Bethlehem beat a Palestinian passing by the settlement. Jewish settlers fr. Karnei Shomron steal a harvest of olives fr. a Palestinian farmer nr. Qalqilya. In Gaza City, mbrs. of a Fatah-affiliated clan fire on a car of Hamas mbrs., sparking clashes that leave 3 Palestinians dead (1 clan member, 2 bystanders), 35 wounded. In Rafah, ESF officers attempt to confiscate a vehicle fr. armed Islamic Jihad mbrs., sparking an exchange of fire that leaves 1 Palestinian bystander dead and 16 Palestinians (including bystanders) injured. (WP, WT 10/21; OCHA 10/24; PCHR 10/25)

The IDF makes an air strike on Islamic Jihad mbrs. in Gaza who fired rockets into Israel (no damage or injuries), killing Islamic Jihad mbrs. Habib Ashur and Imad Yasin, wounding several bystanders; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, in Nablus, and nr. Jenin, Ramallah; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land nr. Shavei Shomron settlement. (PNN, WT 6/17; PCHR 6/22)

The IDF shells n. Gaza, wounding a 7- yr.-old Palestinian in Um al-Nasser nr. Bayt Lahiya; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes nr. Nablus for being built without permits; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Nablus and in Balata r.c. (clashing with local gunmen, wounding 2), Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, Qabatya, Qalqilya; razes 2 poultry farms in Walaja nr. Bethlehem for construction of the separation wall. The High Court of Israel approves the route of a wall segment around Shavei Shomron settlement northwest of Nablus that will require confiscating 53 d. of Palestinian land, uprooting 350 olive trees. In Nablus, AMB gunmen kill 2 Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel in the assassination of 2 AMB mbrs. in 3/06. In Ramallah, 1,000s of mbrs. of the PA Government Employees Union (predominantly Fatah) march in protest of the PA’s failure to pay salaries. (MM 5/30; NYT, PCHR 5/31; PCHR 6/8)

An Islamic Jihad suicide bomber fr. al-Til detonates a device at a checkpoint nr. Tulkarm, killing 1 IDF soldier, 2 Palestinians and wounding 3 IDF soldiers, 7 Palestinians. A Palestinian stabs, injures an Israeli in the Atarot industrial zone nr. Jerusalem, flees. The IDF seals Qalqilya, Tulkarm; continues to shell the n. Gaza nogo zone, targeting 6 main access roads; sends troops into Jenin town and r.c., patrolling streets, firing on residential areas, occupying several homes as observation posts, then raiding and searching the PA General Intelligence headquarters; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c. (firing on residential areas, wounding 2 Palestinians), al-Til and nr. Hebron, Jenin, Ramallah; begins to bulldoze Palestinian land east of Shavei Shomron settlement nr. Nablus to install a fence around the settlement. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba vandalize Palestinian homes, steal chickens in Hebron. Mbrs. of a Palestinian clan angry over the arrest of a relative on drug and auto theft charges storm a PA police station in Gaza City, exchange gunfire with police, leaving 1 PA policeman, 1 gunman dead. Unidentified Palestinian gunmen fire on Abbas’s Gaza City home, causing no injuries; Abbas is not there. (HA, IMEMC, JAZ, YA 12/29; HA, IMEMC, NYT, WP, WT 12/30; PCHR 1/5)

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah (also firing on residential areas). IDF undercover units conduct arrest raids in Surif nr. Hebron. Palestinians report that in the previous wk., the IDF had issued military orders confiscating 60 d. northwest of Nablus for creation of a buffer zone around Shavei Shomron settlement, cutting off another 100 d. from Palestinian access, and declaring the whole area a closed military zone. (PCHR 10/13, 10/20)

After mos. of IDF operations in which an Islamic Jihad leader was assassinated on 3/10, another leader survived an attempted assassination on 7/10, and more than 300 cadres were arrested following the 2/25 suicide bombing carried out by a renegade Islamic Jihad mbr., an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber fr. al-Til outside Tulkarm detonates a device outside a mall in Netanya, killing 3 Israelis, wounding up to 48, marking the 1st suicide bombing since 2/25/05 (1st inside Israel since 11/1/04); Islamic Jihad at first denies, then confirms responsibility. Israel suspends all contacts with the PA regarding disengagement, seals the West Bank and Gaza, vows to respond harshly against the group. Abbas states, “We condemn this terrorist attack. It’s a crime against the Palestinian people. Those traitors are working against the Palestinian interest. . . . They did a stupid thing that they should be punished for,” though he notes Islamic Jihad’s denial. At almost the same time as the bombing, a stolen car breaks through the fence of Shavei Shomron settlement in the West Bank and explodes, injuring the driver but causing no other casualties; the IDF says the driver was an Islamic Jihad mbr. who had been working as an informant for Israel; he had been handcuffed to the wheel of the car and the bomb he was carrying was detonated by cell phone, suggesting an attempt to assassinate him for collaboration. The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes built without permits in Issawiyya and Silwan, East Jerusalem, where Israel intends to construct a park; conducts house searches, detains Palestinians for interrogation in Bayt Fajjar nr. Bethlehem. Palestinians detonate aroadside bomb under an IDF jeep outside Netzer Hazani settlement in s. Gaza, injuring 2 soldiers. Masked Palestinian gunmen fire on senior PA Interior Min. Ibrahim Salama as he drives in Ramallah, force his car to stop, severely beat him; no group takes responsibility. (AP, BBC, HA, IMEMC, XIN 7/12; VOI, VOP 7/12 in WNC 7/13; NYT, OCHA, PR, WP, WT, YA 7/13; HA, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JP, MA, XIN, YA 7/13 in WNC 7/14; PCHR 7/14; al-Safir 7/16 in WNC 7/17; PR 7/20; XIN 7/21)

The IDF moves into al-Fara‘ r.c., Tubas, Tamun nr. Jenin; erects temporary checkpoints, searches Palestinian vehicles for several hrs. before pulling back. The IDF also stops, searches, severely beats 2 Palestinians at a checkpoint in Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Shavei Shomron settlement nr. Nablus throw stones at passing Palestinian vehicles, causing damage but no injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai vandalize several Palestinian homes in Hebron; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (PR 5/21)

The IDF continues operations in Ramallah, Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Furik, Rafah, Tubas (demolishing 2 PSF posts, 2 Palestinian homes, a kindergarten); sets fire to 300 dunams of olive groves nr. Shavei Shomron settlement, bulldozes 50 dunams of land nr. Khan Yunis. In Gaza, 8 Palestinians are killed by the IDF; a 9th Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. In the evening, the IDF withdraws fr. most of Ramallah, including removing a cordon around Arafat's offices, lifts curfew for 3 hrs. but reimposes it; more than 80 Palestinian have been arrested in Ramallah since 6/9. (HP, PR, PRCS press release, UPMRC 6/12; NYT, PCHR, WP 6/13; LAW 6/19)

Nr. Beersheba, Israeli authorities bulldoze 17 bedouin homes, bulldozes bedouin land to expand the Omer municipal district. (WAFA 6/13)

MK Uriel Ariel (National Union and Yisrael Beitainu) proposes that the Knesset establish a committee of inquiry into how the secret Oslo talks came about in 1993. Israeli FM Shimon Peres in protest suspends the Labor party's membership in the governing coalition, but the motion fails to pass by a vote of 34-26. (INN 6/13; HA 6/17)

State Dept. senior adviser on the Arab-Israeli negotiations Aaron Miller gives a private briefing to a Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) group, during which some ZOA mbrs. yell "Wrong!" when he says there can be no "military solution" to the conflict, groan audibly when he mentions Seeds of Peace camps for Israeli and Palestinian children, walk out, slamming the door, when he says that Palestinians seek a "democratic, pluralistic, humanistic" government. ZOA head Morton Klein says the group found Miller "frustrating" after just having come from a Congressional reception that made an "incredible show of support" for Israel. (Forward 6/21)

In Louisville, U.S. Secy. of State Colin Powell gives the 1st major policy speech on the Middle East by the George W. Bush admin., announcing plans to send 2 envoys (retired Gen. Anthony Zinni, Asst. Secy. of State for Near East Affairs William Burns) to the region to help broker an Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire based on the 6/11/01 Tenet cease-fire plan and the 5/20/01 Mitchell Comm. recommendations, which calls for a halt to violence, confidence building measures, a return to negotiations. (HA, MM 11/19; XIN 11/19 in WNC 11/20; AFP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/20; AYM, DUS, MENA, al-Quds, al-Ra'i, SA 11/20 in WNC 11/21; AYM 11/20, IRNA, QA 11/21, ATL, SA 11/22 in WNC 11/23; AYM 11/22 in WNC 11/28; MEI, MM 11/23; WP 11/25) (see Doc. D3 in JPS 122)

The IDF kills 2 Palestinians planting a roadside bomb in the West Bank; sends tanks into Rafah refugee camp to bulldoze 4 Palestinian homes, injuring 1 Palestinian; sends tanks, bulldozers into Bayt Hanun for several hrs. Palestinian gunmen fire on a vehicle nr. Shavei Shomron settlement, injuring 3 Jewish settlers. (NYT, WT 11/20; LAW 11/26)

Palestinian snipers kill a Greek monk driving nr. Ma'ale Adumim settlement, wound an IDF soldier nr. Shavei Shomron settlement. Palestinians also fire mortars at Jewish settlements in Gaza, causing no damage. The IDF shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Rafah. Jewish settlers seize 800 dunams of Palestinian land btwn. Hebron, Israel. (MM, HP, WP, WT 6/13)

IDF officials confirm that flechette shells fired fr. IDF tanks killed the 3 bedouin women on 6/9. Flechette weapons are banned under international law. (WP 6/14)

After another round of security talks this morning, Sharon accepts the U.S. cease-fire plan with reservations. Tenet continues bilateral mtgs. with the PA team, while outside the Ramallah venue, 100s of Palestinians demonstrate against a cease-fire. Late this evening (EST; early morning 6/13 Jerusalem time), after hrs. of talks during which Egyptian pres. Mubarak reportedly phoned 3 times to press the PA, Arafat also accepts Tenet's proposal with reservations. (AFP [Internet], AP, MM, PMC, UPI 6/12; NYT, PMC, WP, WT 6/13; QA 6/13 in WNC 6/15; WP, WT 6/14; SA 6/14 in WNC 6/18; MEI 6/15; AKH 6/15 in WNC 6/20; NYT 6/16; MEI 6/29)

Expressing concerns of possible mass expulsions of West Bank Palestinians by Israel, Jordan toughens its immigration rules, making it harder for Palestinians to enter. (al-Quds 6/11 in WNC 6/12; HA 6/12; JT, al-Quds 6/12 in WNC 6/13; NYT 6/13; JT 6/15 in WNC 6/18; HJ 6/18 in WNC 6/21; Economist [Internet] 6/21)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. Jewish settlers attack, beat up several Palestinian farmers nr. Aqraba; fire on Palestinians nr. Hawara, causing no injuries; throw stones at Palestinian cars nr. Shavei Shomron settlement. The IDF shells residential areas in Bayt Hanun. (HJ 5/4; PCHR 5/10; LAW 5/11)

In Washington, Bush, Peres discuss the Jordanian-Egyptian initiative. This evening, the 2 leaders address the American Jewish Comm., where Bush says the U.S. and Israel "see eye to eye on how to handle the peace process," that the U.S. will be "steadfast in supporting Israel against terrorism." (AP, NYT 5/4)

---- The U.S. is voted off the UNCHR for the 1st time since the comm. was established in 1947. (NYT, WP 5/4; NYT, WT 5/5; MM 5/8; WJW 5/10; JT 5/13 in WNC 5/14; MM 5/14; MEI 5/18)

Lebanon sends a letter to UN Secy.-Gen. Annan protesting his 5/2 proposal to the UNSC to reduce the size of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) contingent when the UNIFIL mandate comes up for renewal in 7/01, arguing that the troops are necessary while tensions in the region remain high. (RL 5/3 in WNC 5/4; MEI 5/4; WT 5/10; MEI 5/18)