127-11

The Meir Amit Intelligence

and Terrorism Information Center

News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

June 1-6, 2011

Syrian demonstrators at the Israeli border near Majdal Shams (Al-Jazeera TV, June 5, 2011).

This past week events focused on Naksa Day, June 5, which marked the defeat of the Arab

armies in the Six Day War in 1967. Near Quneitra and Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights

hundreds of rioters tried again to invade Israeli territory, as had been tried previously on Nakba

Day (May 15). They confronted the IDF forces deployed to defend Israel's sovereignty. The

Syrian regime, in an attempt to draw attention away from its internal crisis, did not prevent the

rioters from reaching the border or their efforts to break through the border fence and invade

Israel.

In Lebanon, the Lebanese army contained the demonstrations and prevented the

demonstrators from reaching the border. In Judea and Samaria the focal point of the

demonstrations was the Qalandia crossing in northern Jerusalem. Small demonstrations were

Overview

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Rockets

Mortar Shells

also held in the regions of Nablus and Bethlehem. In the Gaza Strip there were several

demonstrations but the de facto Hamas administration prevented the demonstrators from

reaching the border crossings.

This week Israel's south was quiet and no rocket or mortar shell hits were identified.

Rockets and mortar shells fired into Israeli territory1

1 The statistics do not include the rockets and mortar shells which fell inside the Gaza Strip.

Important Terrorism Events

Since the end of Operation Cast Lead 373 rocket hits have been identified and 333 mortar shells have been fired into Israel.

3

0

20

40

60

114

15

311 9 7

511

3

13 1115

6

23

69

1 0

Rockets

0

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120

1 0 1 0 06

04

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28

1712

74

67

0 0

Rocket Fire -- Monthly Distribution

Mortar Shell Fire -- Monthly Distribution

** Rocket and mortar shell hits identified in Israeli territory, not the Gaza Strip.

* As of June 6, 2011.

Since the beginning of 2010, 217 rocket hits have been

identified in Israeli territory.

Since the beginning of 2010, 223 mortar shell hits have been identified in Israeli territory. Additional mortar shells were fired at IDF forces engaged in counterterrorism activities and fell inside the Gaza Strip.

4

Protests along the Israeli-Syrian Border

Overview

Events marking Naksa Day, the anniversary of the defeat of the Arab armies in the Six Day

War, focused on the Syrian border. Along the Lebanese border, in Judea, Samaria and the

Gaza Strip the events were less violent, and the security forces in each sector contained the

demonstrations and kept them under control.

Syria

In Syria, Naksa Day events were focused on the Israeli-Syrian border. Palestinian

and Syrian rioters attempted to invade Israeli territory in the regions of Majdal Shams

(northern Golan Heights) and Quneitra (central Golan Heights). The Syrian media (which in

our assessment wanted to exaggerate the number of rioters killed) reported 24 dead. In

general, the Syrian regime enabled the rioters to reach the area, and its media

reported the events live for propaganda capital and to draw local and international attention

away from the country's internal crisis.

In Syria there were extensive preparations before the riots, especially on Internet social

networks, including a program for several days' worth of activities. About 1000 Syrians and

Palestinians gathered along the Israeli-Syrian border near Majdal Shams and Quneitra. They

repeatedly tried to break through the security fence along the border and invade

Israeli territory, and were driven back by IDF forces.

In Quneitra rioters threw stones and Molotov cocktails at IDF forces. The soldiers, who had

been briefed in advance, responded with riot control measures, warning the rioters a number of

times not to cross the border. After all options for issuing warnings had been exploited, IDF

soldiers fired at the legs of rioters who tried to break through the fence and invade Israel. In

addition, mines exploded in minefields entered by the rioters, causing casualties. Several Majdal

Shams residents joined them, throwing stones at the Israeli security forces and waving

Palestinian and Syrian flags.

Naksa Day Events

5

Demonstrations near Majdal Shams (Wafa News Agency, June 5, 2011)

At one point the Israeli forces allowed teams of Syrian Red Crescent workers to evacuate

the wounded, but rioters captured the Red Crescent flags and waved them as they continued

their rampage (Al-Jazeera TV, Facebook and Syrian TV, June 5; Haaretz, June 6, 2011). The

riots and demonstrations continued into the morning of June 6, although to a lesser

degree.

Other Locations

Lebanon: In south Lebanon, as opposed to Syria, the demonstrations were not

violent, since the Lebanese army prevented the demonstrators from reaching the

border. Between several dozen and several hundred Lebanese participated in demonstrations.

They were held in the eastern sector, Maroun al-Ras (where a Nakba Day demonstration had

also been held) and at the border crossing near Metulla (the Fatma Gate). The Iranian

ambassador to Lebanon and other Iranian VIPS visited Maroun al-Ras during the

demonstrations (Al-Intiqad, June 5, 2011).

The Iranian ambassador to Lebanon and other Iranian VIPs tour the border during the Naksa Day demonstrations (Daily Star, Lebanon, June 5, 2011).

Judea and Samaria: There were relatively small demonstrations throughout Judea and

Samaria, primarily at three sites:

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The city of Tubas (near Nablus): A demonstration was held, attended by

commanders of the Palestinian security forces and senior Palestinian Authority figures

(Wafa News Agency, June 5, 2011).

Deir al-Hatab (east of Nablus): Palestinians marched to the nearby

settlement of Elon Moreh. They confronted the Israeli security forces and set

an olive grove on fire. The Israeli security forces responded with riot control measures

(Wafa News Agency, June 5, 2011).

Bethlehem: A march was held, attended by dozens of Palestinians who confronted

the Israeli security forces. The Israeli security forces responded with riot control

measures (Ma'an News Agency, June 5, 2011).

A masked Palestinian youth uses a sling to hurl a stone at Israeli security forces during a demonstration in Bethlehem on Naksa Day (Wafa News Agency, June 5, 2011).

Left: Masked Palestinians attempt to cross the security fence (Safa News Agency, June 5, 2011). Right:

Palestinian demonstrators confront IDF forces near Bethlehem (Wafa News Agency, June 5, 2011).

Jerusalem: Hundreds of Palestinian rioters confronted Israeli security forces at the

Qalandia checkpoint in northern Jerusalem. They tried to break through the

checkpoint and threw stones as the Israeli security forces, which responded with riot

control measures. A stone hit an IDF soldier, inflicting minor injuries. The Palestinian

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media reported 90 wounded rioters. A peaceful demonstration was held at the

Damascus gate (IDF Spokesman, Safa News Agency and Wafa News Agency, June 5,

2011).

Masked Palestinian rioters throw stones at the Israeli security forces at the Qalandia checkpoint in Jerusalem (Left: Palestine-info website, June 5, 2011. Right: Safa News Agency, June 5, 2011).

The Gaza Strip: A number of demonstrations were held in the Gaza Strip; the

largest were in Khan Yunis (central Gaza Strip) and Beit Hanoun (northern Gaza Strip).

The demonstrators marched toward the Israeli border, but were stopped by the

internal security forces of the de facto Hamas administration (Wafa News

Agency, June 5, 2011).

Hamas' internal security forces stop Palestinian demonstrators attempt to reach the Erez crossing (Hamas' Safa News Agency, June 5, 2011)

Internal Dissention among Palestinians in Syria over Organizing

Naksa Day Events

On June 6 Palestinian Authority TV interviewed Amal Shahin, a correspondent from the

Yarmouk refugee camp near Damascus. She said people were angry with the various

organizations because they were not doing enough to prevent local youths from going to

Majdal Shams. She added that there was a serious argument, because most of the Palestinian

organizations and many of the independent young people from the High Coordinating

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Committee were not satisfied with the marches. She also said that they tried to prevent the

young people from going to Majdal Shams "so that Palestinian blood would not be

shed," and because they were concerned that "to a great extent it is [regarded as]

an adventure" because of Israel's strict security measures.

The Crossings

This past week between 187 and 298 trucks carrying merchandise entered the Gaza Strip

every day. Transportation continued during Naksa Day (Website of the Israeli government

coordinator for the territories, June 6, 2011).

The Rafah Crossing

On Saturday, June 3, Egypt closed the Rafah crossing without previously coordinating with

the Palestinians. In response, dozens of Palestinians demonstrated at the crossing.

According to one report, demonstrators broke through to the Egyptian side and were halted by

Egyptian security forces. A number of hours later the crossing was reopened (Ma'an News

Agency and the Italian News Agency, June 4, 2011).

Palestinians confront the Egyptian army soldiers blocking the Rafah crossing (Hamas' Safa News Agency, June 4, 2011).

Palestinian sources reported that the Egyptian authorities are expected to consider the cases

of 300 Palestinians who are barred entrance into Egypt, or who want to enter for medical

treatment (Al-Wafd portal, June 1, 2011).

Developments in the Gaza Strip

9

A New French Initiative for the Peace Process

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé announced that France had a new peace initiative

which would enable Israel and the Palestinians to reach an agreement before

September 2011. According to the announcement, the basis for negotiations would be the

1967 lines, but with agreed territorial exchanges and assured Israeli and

Palestinian security. The issues of Jerusalem and the Palestinian refugees would be settled

within a year after the negotiations began. He said France was prepared to hold a

conference in June 2011 to deliberate the issue, and called on Hamas to abandon the

path of violence and terrorism and to recognize Israel (Wafa News Agency and the website of

the French Foreign Ministry, June 4, 2011).

Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Authority chairman, expressed his agreement with the

plan and reiterated that "the first…second…[and third] option is negotiations, [but] if they fail,

we will go to the UN." Saeb Erekat, member of the PLO's executive committee, also said that

the Palestinians agreed to the initiative (Reuters, June 3; Kuwaiti News Agency, June 4 2011).

However, the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip opposed the French

initiative. Senior Hamas figure Salah al-Bardawil attacked Mahmoud Abbas claiming that by

agreeing to it the Palestinian Authority was "caving in" and returning to "the absurd whirlpool of

negotiations." Senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad figure Khader Habib claimed that the initiative

did not present an genuine solution to the core issues, among them Jerusalem, and that it

"recognized the Jewishness of Israel" (website of Hamas' information office and Al-Aqsa TV,

June 4, 2011).

The Palestinian Authority Continues Seeking Recognition for a Palestinian State

Riyad Mansour, Palestinian observer in the UN, said that the Palestinian objective was

to increase the number of countries supporting the Palestinian UN move to 130 or 140. He said

that as part of the overall effort to receive support, the Palestinians were prepared to

"take to the streets" the way they had in 1987 (the outbreak of the first intifada),

similar to the way people had in Tunisia and Egypt. He also hinted that if a "peaceful

The Peace Process

Palestinian Political Moves

10

protest" was not enough, the Palestinians had "additional tactics in their quiver" which

would make life hard for anyone who wanted to foil their UN move (AP, June 1, 2011).

Saeb Erekat, member of the PLO's executive committee, prepared an official

document mapping the steps the Palestinians will take leading up to September

2011 (Ma'an News Agency, May 31, 2011):

In the middle of July the Palestinian Authority will lodge a request with the

Secretary-General, asking that Palestine be admitted as a member state in the

UN. Its borders will be the 1967 lines and its capital, East Jerusalem. That will put into

motion the process which will lead to the issue's being deliberated in the UN

General Assembly in September.

At the same time, a dialogue will be initiated with the United States about a

vote in the UN in view of its objection to the Palestinian move in the UN.

Committees will be appointed to undertake activities for the Palestinian state to

be recognized by various world countries, dividing them into geographical areas.

Mahmoud Abbas will send communiqués to countries around the globe explaining that

the recognition he expects to receive from the UN does not contradict holding

negotiations.

If the UN move fails, Erekat suggests "seriously threatening" to dismantle the

Palestinian Authority.

Preparations Continue to Launch the Flotilla at the End of June

Preparations continue to launch Freedom Flotilla 2 in the third week of June. Anouar al-

Gharbi, a member of the European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza (ECESG), announced

that the first, joint German-Swiss ship, would set sail on June 20. Irish Ship to Gaza, which

is organizing an Irish ship, announced that it would be the second ship to sail, departing

on June 24 or 25 (IRNA News Agency, May 31, 2011).

The Canadian foreign minister joined the UN and various countries calling for the flotilla not

to sail, and on May 30 urged Canadian citizens not to participate in it. He claimed that the

flotilla was a provocation, and in the end would not benefit the Gazans. He called for those

wanting to send humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip to do so through established

channels (JTA, May 31, 2011). The Canadian Boat to Gaza network organizing the

Convoys and Flotillas to the Gaza Strip – Update

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Canadian ship denounced the statement and expressed its determination to join the

flotilla. The remarks of the minister, claimed the network, were slanted to "justify the crimes

Israel is likely to commit" against the flotilla, even before it sailed (Agence France-Presse, May

31, 2011).

In preparation for the flotilla's arrival, the de facto Hamas administration's naval police, in

collaboration with civil defense forces and the interior ministry's military medical administration,

carried out a simulation of the arrival of the Mavi Marmara in the Gaza Strip after it

had been attacked by IDF forces. The simulation was observed by international

representatives, among them the IHH representative in the Gaza Strip. Boats were

prepared to receive the flotilla on the high seas, their entrance into Gaza's territorial waters was

simulated, as were an evacuation of wounded from the boats to dry land and "a struggle

against the Israeli navy" (Hamas' Safa News Agency, May 26, 2011).

Demonstrations in Jordan, Judea and Samaria to Mark the Anniversary of the Mavi Marmara

May 31 marked the anniversary of the Israeli Navy takeover of the Mavi Marmara flotilla. In

Jordan it was marked by dozens of Jordanian civilian activists in the LifeLine committee, which

organizes convoys to the Gaza Strip. They demonstrated in front of the Israeli and Turkish

embassies in Amman. Salem Al-Falahat, formerly general guide of the Muslim Brotherhood in

Jordan, praised the shaheeds and wounded of the flotilla, and expressed his appreciation for

those demonstrating for Turkish government support of the flotilla (Al-Sabil, May 31, 2011).

On June 2 dozens of Palestinian demonstrated in front of UN headquarters in Ramallah to

protest the UN Secretary-General's statement that Freedom Flotilla 2 should be stopped. The

demonstrators denounced the UN and its Secretary-General, who, they said, was

collaborating with Israel and the United States in the Middle East, and claimed that

hunger and suffering continued in Gaza because of the "siege" (Palestine-info website, June 2,

2011).

A Pro-Palestinian French Organization Plans to Send Volunteers to Demonstrate at Ben-Gurion Airport at the Beginning of July

A French network calling itself Bienvenue en Palestine announced that between July 8 and

16, 2011, it would send "air convoys" to Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport to

carry out protests. The network reported that 500 tickets to Israel had already been

purchased by interested parties2 (organization website, June 5, 2011).

2 For further information, see the June 1 ITIC bulletin, " Anti-Israeli organizations examine implementing propaganda displays based on flying large numbers of activists to Ben-Gurion Airport on commercial flights.

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They seek to express solidarity with the Palestinians, embarrass Israel and impress the "right of return" on international public opinion. Hamas urged "Palestinian refugees" to fly to Israel's airports for Naksa Day" at http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/ipc_e197.pdf