The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian near Jericho. Israeli forces uprooted 300 olive trees and razed farmland in al-Jaba‘. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinians with live ammunition as they were trying to enter Israel through the separation barrier for work near Ya‘bad. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided al-‘Arub refugee camp, clashing with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. 9 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah and al-‘Arub refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinians in the Old City, including 2 maintenance workers at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/30; PCHR 12/31)

Jonathan Pollard, the former U.S. navy intelligence analyst who spied on the U.S. for Israel, arrived in Tel Aviv on a private jet belonging to the mega donor to Israeli settlements and U.S. Republicans, Sheldon Adelson. He was received by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who handed him and his wife Israeli passports. Pollard, who have been living under strict restrictions in New York City after being granted parole in 2015, was able to move freely when his parole was lifted in November. Pollard received a life sentence after being convicted of spying in 1987; Israel had since that time lobbied consecutive U.S. presidents to have him released to Israel. (AJ, GDN, HA, IN, JP, MEE, NYT, REU, TOI, WP 12/30)

Israel launched an air strike on Syria near Damascus, killing 1 and injuring 3 according to the Syrian state media outlet SANA. (AJ 12/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settler set up a mobile home on Palestinian land east of Hebron. Israeli forces violently dispersed an anti-settlement protest in al-Mughayyir, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed anti-settlement protests in Kafr Qaddum, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at an olive tree planting event in Bayt Dajan, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets while 15 others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also denied Palestinians access to their land near Salfit. Palestinians clashed with PA security forces during several demonstrations against COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in and around Hebron, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Nablus, al-Bireh, al-‘Izzariya, Luban al-Sharqiyya, and Huwwara. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in the Old City and Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Fukhari; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/11; HA 12/12; PCHR 12/17)

1 Palestinian man died of wounds sustained after being shot by Israeli forces at the Qalandia checkpoint on 8/16. The man, who had a hearing disability, was shot after he did not stop when told by Israeli forces. (WAFA 12/11; PCHR 12/17)

A member of Hezbollah was sentenced to 5 consecutive life sentences for killing former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri and 21 others in 2005. The man, Salim Jamil Ayyash, was sentenced in absentia by the UN-backed Lebanon Tribunal. (AJ, HA, REU 12/11)

A group of 22 Republican members of the U.S. House sent a letter to U.S. president Donald Trump urging the president to declassify a State Department report mandated by Congress in 2012 that distinguishes between Palestinian refugees born in Palestine before 1948 and those born outside of Palestine. The 22 Republicans said in the letter that they do not believe that descendants of Palestinian refugees born in Palestine before 1948 can be considered refugees and called the Right of Return a “fiction” that should “end.” (Rep. Doug Lamborn 12/11, MDW 12/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted olive and fig saplings in Dayr Istya and Haris and uprooted 30 olive saplings in al-Khadir. Israeli undercover forces shot and injured 5 Palestinians using live ammunition during a raid in Qalandia refugee camp; 2 were said to be in critical condition and Israel also said 6 of the Israeli undercover soldiers were lightly injured. Later, 1 other Palestinian was shot and injured by Israeli forces at the Qalandia checkpoint between the West Bank and East Jerusalem; according to Israeli sources, he was shot because he used the vehicle lane to try to pass through the checkpoint on foot. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians and arrested 4 others during raids in Dheisheh refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 2 structures near Bethlehem and delivered 1 demolition order for 1 tent in the Jordan Valley. 21 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Qalandia refugee camp, al-‘Izzariya, and Yatta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers threatened Palestinians with a gun on the Palestinians’ property in Silwan. 3 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Silwan. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/7; PCHR 12/10)

The PA health ministry said that the World Health Organization is sending 5,000 COVID-19 testing swabs to Gaza, as Gaza is facing a severe shortages on COVID-19 testing material. (WAFA 12/7)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said that the districts of Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Tulkarm would be placed on a 1-week lockdown from 12/10 to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus in those districts. (WAFA 12/7)

A member of the UAE’s ruling family, son of the UAE president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Nahyan bought a 50 percent stake in Beitar Jerusalem, a soccer team known for extreme racism among its supporters. Beitar Jerusalem is the only team in the top tier of Israeli soccer not to have employed an Arab soccer player and its fans regularly chant “Death to Arabs” and verbally degrade the Prophet Muhammad during games. (AJ, HA 12/7; ALM, BBC, TOI, SKY 12/8)

Spain donated $485,000 to the World Food Programme to help provide food for some of the most vulnerable families in Gaza. (WAFA 12/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers cut down 42 olive trees and demolished 1 Palestinian-owned wall in Yasuf. Israeli settlers also set up caravans on Palestinian-owned land in the northern Jordan Valley. Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians during raids in Beita; injuries from rubber-coated bullets and tear gas were reported. Israeli forces also prevented Palestinians from working their land in Atuf and seized 2 bulldozers. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Jenin, Tulkarm, Yatta, Nablus, and Dheisheh refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians in Issawiyya; 1 Palestinian child was shot in his face with a rubber-coated bullet. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in al-Tur, Issawiyya, and the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/6; PCHR 12/10)

Saudi prince and former ambassador to the U.S. and the UK Turki al-Faisal al-Saud criticized Israel harshly during his remarks at the Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain. He called Israel a “Western colonizing” power and said Palestinians were “incarcerated in concentration camps under the flimsiest of security accusations.” Prince Turki al-Faisal’s remarks came right before the Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi, who joined the conference via video link. Foreign Minister Ashkenazi expressed regret toward Prince Turki al-Faisal’s remarks and said that he did not “believe that they reflect the spirit and change taking place in the Middle East.” While Prince Turki al-Faisal does not hold an official position in Saudi Arabia, his comments were perceived as surprisingly harsh given Israel’s normalization deals with Bahrain and the UAE, which is suspected of having the tacit approval of Saudi Arabia and given the all-but-confirmed rumors about Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu flying to Saudi Arabia to meet with Saudi crown prince Muhammed bin Salman on 11/23. (AJ, BB, FT, HA, Twitter 12/6)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole ladders, cloth, and saws used for olive harvesting in Jalud. Israeli forces demolished 3 residential structures near Abu Dis. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Kafr Malik and Bethlehem; during raids in Kafr Malik, Tammun, and Jab‘a, confrontations with Palestinians erupted, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 store and 1 apartment in Sur Bahir. 3 Palestinians were arrested in and around the Old City, al-Tur, and Shu‘fat refugee camp. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/28; PCHR 10/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas sent a letter to UN secretary-general António Guterres urging him to convene an international conference for Middle East peace. (WAFA 10/29)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman signed an agreement on scientific cooperation, which extends the area that the U.S. considers Israel to Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the Golan Heights. In a statement, Ambassador Friedman said that the agreement “remove[s] geographic restrictions . . . These geographic restrictions are no longer consistent with U.S. policy.” According to Haaretz, the American casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who is a major donor for U.S. president Donald Trump and the Ariel University in the Ariel settlement, where the signing ceremony was held, has been pressuring the U.S. administration to fast-track the agreement. Member of the executive committee of the PLO Hanan Ashrawi said that President Trump is seeking to bolster his position in the presidential race by making “a clear recognition of Israel’s annexation of Palestinian territory,” calling the U.S. an active participant in war crimes. (AX, JNS, JP, REU 10/27; HA, REU, U.S. Embassy in Israel, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling between Bethlehem and Hebron; 1 Palestinian child was injured by broken glass in his eye. Israeli settlers also uprooted dozens of Palestinian-owned olive saplings east of Yatta. Israeli forces opened fire at a vehicle with 5 Palestinians inside at a military checkpoint near Jenin, causing damage to the vehicle; no injuries were reported. 7 Palestinians were arrested in and around Hebron, Qalqilya, and Nablus; during a raid in Tammun, Israeli forces seized mobile phones, leading to confrontations with Palestinians; no injuries were reported. During a different raid in Sabastiyya, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces detained the secretary of Fatah in Jerusalem Yasser Darwish and banned him from entry to the West Bank for 3 months. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya, the Old City, and al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Shawka; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 4 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/8; WAFA 10/9; PCHR 10/15)

An Israeli court ruled that Israel can demolish 1 school east of Ramallah under the pretext that it was built without a permit. The school enrolls 50 students and was financed by donations from France, Finland, Luxembourg, Ireland, Spain, the UK, and Sweden. (WAFA 10/8; WAFA 10/9)

Secretary-general of the PLO Saeb Erakat said that he had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. (AJ, JP, TOI, WAFA 10/9)

Israel and Jordan signed a deal allowing airlines from each country to fly over each other’s airspace. (HA 10/8)

Lebanon’s former prime minister Saad Hariri, who resigned after prolonged protests at the end of 2019, said that he is a possible candidate to head the new Lebanese government. (REU 10/8; AJ 10/9)

The U.S. Trump administration announced new sanctions on Iran that effectively shuts off the country from the global financial system. The new sanctions are expected to halt flows of food, medicine, and humanitarian aid to Iran. (AJ, REU 10/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian-owned olive and almond trees near Huwwara. Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians in Qalqilya during a raid; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinians trying to enter Israel through the separation wall near Dayr Balut; no injuries were reported. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid in Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was shot dead in Kafr ‘Aqab and 2 apartments were set on fire; it is believed that the fire was set in the apartment of the alleged perpetrators. Israeli police did not investigate the incident as it happened on the West Bank side of the separation wall but still within the Israeli-drawn borders of the East Jerusalem municipality. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Issawiyya; 4 were arrested during raids in the Old City and Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 7/25; HA 7/27; PCHR 7/29)

In Israel, the protest against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued outside his official residence. (AJ, WAFA 7/26)

According to Hezbollah, Israel told the party that it did not intend to kill 1 of its members during an attack in Damascus on 7/20. The message from Israel to Hezbollah was made via the UN. (HA 7/25; HA 7/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from reaching a rally against annexation and Palestinian officials from reaching a meeting in Fasayil in the Jordan Valley, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house under construction in Bayt Sira and 1 house in Beitunia. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered an eviction notice to 1 Palestinian in al-Khadir. Israeli settlers destroyed 85 Palestinian-owned olive trees near Bardala. 22 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, ‘Azun, Jenin, Awarta, Nablus, Baytin, Ramallah, Hebron, and Qalandia. In East Jerusalem, Israeli setters seized a tract of Palestinian-owned land in Issawiyya. Israeli forces also demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Bayt Hanina. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/24; PCHR 6/25)

The Jerusalem district court denied a request by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate to void the sale of its property in the Old City to the settler group Ateret Cohanim, ending a 16-year-long legal battle. (HA 6/26)

U.S. president Donald Trump aide Kellyanne Conway told reporters that President Trump will have “a big announcement” about the U.S. position on Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank after White House officials met for a 2d day in a row to discuss the issue. Conway also characterized concerns over potential reactions in the Middle East to Israeli annexation as overblown. (AJ 6/24; HA 6/25)

At a virtual UN Security Council meeting, the UN secretary general António Guterres called on Israel “to abandon its annexation plans.” After the meeting, the current and incoming EU members of the UN security council—Germany, Ireland, France, Estonia, Belgium, and France, as well as the UK and Norway—released a joint statement supporting Secretary General Guterres’s “grave concern.” Separately, more than 1,000 European parliamentarians from 25 counties signed a letter denouncing Israel, saying “[a]cquisition of territory by force has no place in 2020 and must have commensurate consequences.” Meanwhile, U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo told reporters that decisions about annexations are “for Israelis to make.” (AJ, BBC, German Foreign Ministry, HA, REU, REU, WAFA 6/24; AJ 6/25)

At an extraordinary meeting hosted by Sweden and Jordan to fundraise for UNRWA, 75 governments and non-governmental organizations pledged $130 million to the UNRWA budget. (WAFA 6/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers and Israeli forces leveled some 15 dunams (3.7 acres) of land planted with olive trees southeast of Tulkarm. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin, Jericho, and Abu Dis. During a raid in Bayt Umar, Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler stabbed 1 Palestinian minor in the Old City, causing moderate injuries. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Palestinians protested the killing of a mentally disabled Palestinian citizen of Israel on 5/13. The man had pulled out a knife while at the hospital for an examination but did not use it; when he got in a car, hospital security guards pulled him out and he lightly injured 1 guard, to which guards responded by shooting him 5 times while he was lying incapacitated on the ground. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/18; PCHR 5/21)

1 Israeli settler was indicted for creating fake military checkpoints in the West Bank, using them to carjack Palestinian drivers. According to the indictment, he managed to steal 3 Palestinian-owned vehicles. (TOI 5/18)

The Israeli Prison Service transferred 1 Palestinian hunger-striker held in administrative detention to solitary confinement. (WAFA 5/18)

The PA foreign ministry summoned the head of the Austrian representative to Palestine for questioning after an Austrian representative questioned the legality of prosecuting Israel at the International Criminal Court. (WAFA 5/18)

In a statement congratulating Israel with the formation of its new government on 5/17, the EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell also reaffirmed the EU position that the union does not and will not recognize any changes to the 1967 borders unless agreed to by both parties, including maintaining that East Jerusalem will be the future capital of Palestine and that annexation of West Bank territory would be in violation of international law. Meanwhile, the Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau similarly stressed Canada’s commitment to international law in his congratulations to Israel on their new government. (EEAS, HA 5/18; WAFA 5/19)

Germany donated $760,000 to the Augusta Victoria hospital in East Jerusalem, which treats Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza. Separately, India provided $2 million to UNRWA core programming. (WAFA, WAFA 5/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 car wash under construction and a plant nursery near Bethlehem. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian near Tulkarm by the separation wall before arresting him. Another 6 Palestinians were arrested in raids in and around Tulkarm, Jenin, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Jericho. Israeli settlers vandalized 14 Palestinian-owned vehicles and wrote graffiti on walls near Nablus. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers destroyed 24 olive trees north of Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinian minors were arrested and beaten in the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces attacked Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/30; PCHR 5/7)

Members of the Arab League condemned Israel’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank, calling it a new war crime against Palestinians. (REU 4/30)

The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC) Fatou Bensouda reiterated her position that Palestine is a state under the court’s jurisdiction, which would allow investigations of alleged war crimes committed in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza. 3 ICC judges must now decide on the matter. (ICC, JP, TOI 4/30; WAFA 5/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces handed stop-work notices to Palestinians near Tubas installing solar panels donated to them by an NGO in Italy; and closed the entrances to Qusra. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinian farmers near Tulkarm, leading to clashes; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli settlers damaged 10 olive trees and 40 grape trees in al-Khadir. Separately, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian shepherds south of Hebron. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 6 Palestinians were arrested in raids in and around the Old City and Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 2 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; 1 boat was damaged, but no injuries were reported. In Israel, 1 Palestinian prisoner set fire to a room used by Israeli guards in Nafha prison in defiance of Israeli measures against spreading the COVID-19 virus in Israel, such as sending most prison doctors and nurses home. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/25; PCHR 3/27)