Israel's History:
2002

2002:
by Noah Mencow, 2002-2003 NERUSY Israel Affairs VP

• January 4th:
  Israel seizes arms shipment Israel has intercepted a boat in the Red Sea carrying 50 tons of weapons for the Palestinian Authority. Israel accuses Arafat of directly paying to the multi-million dollar shipment.
• January 31st:
  Sharon says, of Arafat, "In principle, I'm sorry that we didn't liquidate him".
• February:
  Support grows for the Saudi peace plan. The basics of the plan say that Arab countries will formally recognize Israel as a country in return for a Palestinian state. Think it sounds good? "Nobody does Israel any service by proclaiming its 'right to exist.' Israel's right to exist, like that of the United States, Saudi Arabia and 152 other states, is axiomatic and unreserved. Israel's legitimacy is not suspended in midair awaiting acknowledgement... There is certainly no other state, big or small, young or old, that would consider mere recognition of its 'right to exist' a favor, or a negotiable concession." - Abba Eban
• March:
  March was the month that saw the most Israeli's killed in the conflict: near 125. Suicide bombings were at an all time high rate. On March 27th, over 20 were killed in Netanya when a suicide bomber attacked a Passover Seder where dozens of grandparents were dining.

  In late March and most of April, IDF troops re-take much of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and place it under military control in response to the constant suicide terrorism of March. Arafat's Ramallah compound is placed under siege; he is isolated to one building. 100 armed Palestinian police run to a Bethlehem church, where they are holed up by the army.

  Also in April, Palestinians claim there was a massacre at Jenin. Later it is found out that less then a couple dozen civilians died in fierce combat. At the end of April, IDF troops slowly start to pull out. IDF troops were successful in stopping suicide bombers for a month; when they begin to pull out a bomber kills 16 in Tel Aviv (May 7th).

• June 5th:
  Suicide bombing kills 16.
• June 17th:
  Suicide bombing kills 19.
• June 22nd:
  14 Palestinians killed as part of collateral damage when the Israeli Air force strikes and kills Hamas leader and founder Salah Shehadeh.
• June 24th:
  Bush urges the Palestinian people to replace Arafat, with a leader 'not compromised by terror'.
• July 31st:
  Suicide bombing at Hebrew University kills 7 students.
• September 21-29:
  IDF lays siege to Arafat's Ramallah compound.
• October 30th:
  Sharon's coalition government collapses.
• November 15th:
  15 Jews killed in Hebron on their way to Kabbalat Shabbat services.
• November 27th:
  12 killed at Israeli-owned hotel 4-wheel drive vehicle crashed through a barrier outside the Hotel Paradise and blew up when it hit the lobby (in Kenya).
• November 28th:
  Sharon re-wins Likud leadership vote.
• December 22nd:
  Palestinians will be postponing their promised leadership elections.