The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Nablus, in 1 village and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron, and in Tulkarm at night; patrols in 1 village and al- ‘Arub r.c. nr. Nablus and 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night. (PCHR 11/7)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets Palestinian pres. Abbas in Bethlehem and subsequently urges Israel to limit settlement construction. Kerry affirms that the position of the U.S. is that the settlements are “illegitimate,” and also announces a contribution of $75 million in aid to the Palestinians, with a focus on job creation. Both before and after the talks with Abbas, Kerry meets Netanyahu where the Israeli PM accuses Palestinians of creating “artificial crises.” (AFP, AP, JP, REU 11/6)

Yisrael Beitainu leader Avigdor Lieberman is acquitted of corruption charges, with Netanyahu quickly congratulating him and welcoming him back to the govt. It is expected that Lieberman will resume his position as FM next week. (JP, REU 11/6)

Widow of Yasir Arafat, Suha Arafat, says her late husband was poisoned with radioactive plutonium, after she receives the results of Swiss forensic tests conducted on the Palestinian leader’s corpse. (REU 11/6)

National Security Council spokesperson Bernadette Meehan announces that the Obama administration will look to a “phased approach” in relation to the negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, offering “limited and reversible” sanctions relief in exchange for steps being taken by Tehran. (HA 11/7)

The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning; and conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in 2 villages nr. Jenin. (PCHR 7/5; OCHA 7/13)

In a television interview in Beirut, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine–General Command (PFLPGC) leader Ahmad Jibril states that his faction, along with Hizballah and Iran, would fight to defend Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad if foreign forces intervene in Syria. Jibril claims to have discussed the matter with Hizballah leader Hasan Nasrallah, but Hizballah does not comment. (WT 7/4)

Al-Jazeera satellite TV airs a special investigative report in which it claims to have uncovered new evidence that Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat did not die of natural causes in 11/2004 but was assassinated. The station funded scientific tests of Arafat’s clothing (kept by his widow, Suha Arafat) by a Swiss forensic institute that found unusually high traces of the radioactive substance polonium21. Suha Arafat immediately calls for Arafat’s body to be exhumed and tested. The PA says only that it would not ‘‘stand in the way of an exhumation.’’ (JAZ 7/3; NYT, WP 7/5)

Iran and the P5þ1 end 2 days of talks in Istanbul. Though the sides do not comment on progress, they say that deputies to Ashton and Jalili will soon meet to discuss how to reduce gaps in their positions and move negotiations forward. The meeting is later set for 7/24 in Turkey. (NYT 7/5, 7/10)

The PA issues a statement saying that it "distances itself from statements made by Suha Arafat" made during Hillary Clinton's visit to Ramallah on 11/11, saying the criticisms of Israel were her own and not the PA's. The announcement was made immediately after U.S. Consul General John Herbst met with Arafat in Gaza to demand an apology. (WT 11/25, 11/28)

The Vatican criticizes Israel for its handling of the Nazareth dispute (see 11/22), saying Israel is laying the "groundwork for future contradictions and tensions" btwn. Christians, Muslims. Muslims hold a ceremony to lay the cornerstone for the new mosque. 100s of Israeli riot police deploy around Nablus, but no demonstrations or clashes are reported. (ANSA 11/23, AYM 11/24 in WNC 11/26; NYT, WP, WT 11/24; WJW 12/2; JP 12/3; ANSA 12/3 in WNC 12/6; MEI 12/10)

Jordanian police shoot, wound, arrest a man who fired a toy gun at security guards outside the Israeli emb. in Amman. (AFP 11/23 in WNC 11/24; NYT, WP 11/24; JT 11/24 in WNC 11/26)

IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem. (LAW 11/23)

Overnight, Jewish settlers set up 4 tents on a hill nr. Bethlehem. Israel says the IDF will dismantle the unauthorized enclave if the YESHA settlers council cannot persuade the settlers to leave voluntarily. (MM 11/23)

In Amman, 2,000 Jordanians attend solidarity rally organized by Hamas and professional unions in support of Hamas mbrs. deported on 11/21, call on the Jordanian government to step down. (JT 11/24 in WNC 11/26)

Israeli negotiators present Arafat with the map for the 11/15 FRD, but Arafat refuses to sign it, saying some areas are too thinly inhabited, areas do not link existing islands of PA control. (AFP 11/12 in WNC 11/15; WP 11/13)

In Ramallah, Eran, `Abid Rabbuh resume final status meetings, continue work on drafting an agenda for talks. (MM, NYT 11/11)

French FM Vedrine arrives in Damascus to follow up with Pres. Asad on Bashar al-Asad's 11/7 mtg. with Chirac regarding Israeli-Syrian negotiations. (AFP 11/11 in WNC 11/12; MM 11/12; RFI 11/12 in WNC 11/15)

First Lady Hillary Clinton visits Ramallah briefly to attend a grant-giving ceremony hosted by Suha Arafat, who gives a speech condemning Israel's occupation of the West Bank for causing ecological and health disasters. Israeli and American Jews condemn Clinton for failing to denounce Arafat's statements on the spot. Palestinians criticize Clinton's refusal to repeat her 5/98 statement supporting establishment of an independent Palestinian state. (MM 11/12; NYT, WP, WT 11/12; NYT, WP, WT 11/13)

Nr. Tel Aviv, suicide bomber kills 5 Israelis, injures 33 in bus bombing, marking 1st attack inside Israel since 1/22. Hamas is suspected. IDF seals Gaza, West Bank. PM Rabin temporarily halts negotiations but vows they will continue; both sides suggest continuing talks outside Israel. (MM 8/25; IDF Radio, QPAR, QY, SARR, VOP 7/24 in FBIS 7/24; QY, VOP 7/24 in FBIS 7/25; CSM, FT, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/25; NYT, WT 7/26; CSM, WJW 7/27; PR 7/28; MEI 8/4; JP 8/5) (see 7/12)

PA demands return of part of the Golan to Palestinian control in bid to improve their position in water negotiations with Israel; says Syria gave area to PLO in 1964. Unofficially, Syria disputes this, saying the Arab League gave the area to Syria after the 1948 war, sovereignty was affirmed under 1949 armistice agmt. (AFP 7/24 in FBIS 7/26; MM 7/25; VOP 7/26 in FBIS 7/27; AFP 7/26 in FBIS 7/28; MM 7/31)

At Erez checkpoint, PA Social Affairs M Intisar al-Wazir, Israeli Labor and Welfare M Ora Namir hold 1st talks on ways of cooperating on labor, social security, welfare; discuss economic importance of Palestinians working in Israel. (QY 7/24 in FBIS 7/25)

UN endorses 6-mo. extension of UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon but recommends 10% cut in size. (WT 7/26; RL 7/29 in FBIS 7/31)

Israeli Civil Administration gives eviction order to settlers occupying Givat Hatamar hill nr. Efrat. (QY 7/26 in FBIS 7/27)

Israel releases 3 Americans detained 7/22. (WP 7/25)

Suha Arafat gives birth to baby girl, Zahwa, in Paris. (NYT, WT 7/25; WSJ 7/26; MM 7/27; PR 7/28)