In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse a Palestinian demonstration in Hebron, injuring 7 in the process. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in Jenin and 1 nearby village, and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. In East Jerusalem, hundreds of Israeli forces raid Haram al-Sharif and fire rubber-coated metal bullets at worshippers after Palestinians throw stones at a group escorted by Israeli police. (JP, MNA, REU 4/16; PCHR 4/17)
PA Pres. Abbas meets with a small group of Knesset mbrs. (3 Labor, 2 Meretz) in Ramallah, telling them that he is willing to extend negotiations with Israel for another 9 mos., but would want the 1st 3 mos. to focus on defining the borders of the Palestinian state, during which time there would be a settlement construction freeze. Meanwhile, PA Religious Affairs Minister Mahmud al-Habash says that discussions are taking place about the potential dismantling of the PA, and “giving the keys to Israel.” (HA, JP, MNA 4/16)
