The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers closed off a street in Huwwara and threw stones at Palestinian-owned vehicles. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles in Dayr Sharaf. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers fenced off a tract of Palestinian-owned land in Khirbat Makhul. Israeli forces uprooted 350 olive trees and demolished 3 residential structures south of Jericho. Israeli forces also delivered a stop-work notice for 1 house in al-Khadir and delivered a demolition notice against 1 greenhouse near Jenin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house and uprooted 1 olive tree in Salfit. Israeli forces also demolished 1 storage structure east of Yatta, leading to clashes with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian near the separation wall in Barta‘a. 16 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Jenin, and Qarawat Bani Hassan in East Jerusalem; 5 Palestinians were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/29; WAFA 12/30; PCHR 12/31)

Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and several other smaller armed resistance groups in Gaza carried out a joint military drill, including launching 8 rockets into the sea. (HA, REU 12/29)

After the U.S. state department refused to disclose who the buyer of the ambassador’s residence in Tel Aviv was, an Israeli newspaper disclosed that it was U.S. casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who had paid $67 million for the seaside property. The U.S. will continue to lease the property until the spring of 2021. The property was sold as part of the Trump administration’s push to cement the move of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. It was also reported that the U.S. state department had approved the sale of 3,00 guided munitions to Saudi Arabia. (HA, WP 12/29; HA 12/30; TOI 1/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up 1 tent and 1 water tank on Palestinian-owned land east of Ramallah. Israeli settlers with military escort also toured Sabastiyya, closing off parts of the town to Palestinians. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers razed a tract of land near Awarta. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 who was shot and injured by Israeli forces while near Bani Na‘im, and 6 others during raids in and around Salfit, Tuqu‘, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, and Jenin; during the raid in Salfit, 2 Palestinians were assaulted and 1 car was damaged. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/23; PCHR 12/24)

The Jordanian foreign ministry condemned continued Israeli excavations of al-Shuhada’ cemetery in the Old City of Jerusalem. (WAFA 12/24)

A new Federal Registration Notice by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said that all products from Area C of the West Bank must be labelled as originating in Israel, while goods from Areas A and B must be labelled “product of West Bank.” The change was, according to the notice, made to reflect the “guidance from the U.S. Department of State that the country of origin marking requirements for goods produced in certain areas of the West Bank be updated to reflect the fact that producers in these areas operate within the economic and administrative framework of Israel.” (HA 12/23; WAFA 12/24; WAFA 12/26)

The EU contributed $22.5 million and Spain $1.22 million to the PA Ministry of Social Development for the distribution of cash aid to 115,000 vulnerable families in the West Bank and Gaza. (WAFA 12/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling south of Nablus, east of Bethlehem, and near Ya‘bad, damaging several cars and causing at least 3 injuries. 1 of the Israeli settlers was killed when Israeli forces chased after them and the car flipped over; 4 other settlers suffered injuries and were released without charges. Israeli settlers subsequently attacked a police compound in East Jerusalem, leading to clashes and 50 arrests. Later, 1 Palestinian bus driver from East Jerusalem was attacked near the settlement where the Israeli settler, who died earlier, was buried; 2 Israeli settlers used pepper spray and stones and threatened him with a gun as they yelled “Death to Arabs.” Israeli settlers also slashed the tires of Palestinian cars near Hebron and blocked roads near Kafr Qaddum. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian man near Nablus, causing him to need treatment at a hospital. Israeli forces shot and injured 5 Palestinians using live ammunition during raids in Nablus. Israeli forces also demolished 2 Palestinian-owned houses, 1 water well, and 1 agricultural structure in al-Samou, displacing 20 Palestinians, and delivered 1 stop-work order for a water well in Dhariyya. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Jenin refugee camp, Jenin, Nablus, al-Mughayyir, and Dahaysha refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor, who had opened fire on Israeli forces near the Haram al-Sharif compound; he was killed as he was fleeing the scene and 1 Israeli soldier was injured as he fell during the pursuit. Israeli forces also raided 3 Palestinian-owned stores in Bayt Hanina, seizing tobacco products with PA labels. 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Silwan to avoid an Israeli-imposed demolition fee of 70,000 NIS ($22,000). 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan and Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands on 3 separate occasions east of Bayt Hanun and al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions and levelled 48 acres of farmland planted with peas and potatoes belonging to 7 Palestinian families. In Israel, Palestinian citizens of Israel protested Israeli police inaction in addressing violence in their communities. More than 100 Palestinian citizens of Israel have been killed in communal violence and Israeli police are largely inactive in solving the issue. The protesters drove a caravan from Kafa Qara to the Knesset. (WAFA 12/19; HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/21; AJ, WAFA 12/22; HA 12/23; PCHR 12/24)

Special advisor to U.S. president Donald Trump Jared Kushner met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of a joint trip by Israeli and U.S. officials to Morocco on 12/22 as part of the 2 countries’ normalization deal. (HA 12/21)

As part of the normalization deal between Israel and Sudan, President Trump signed a bill giving immunity to the state of Sudan for future U.S. lawsuits by victims of the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in East Africa. The bill also provides Sudan close to $1 billion in aid and loans. (AJ, AX 12/22)

Canadian foreign minister Karina Gould said Canada would provide the UNRWA with $70 million over the next 3 years. (AJ 12/22)

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 forces raided and surveyed a bedouin community adjacent to the Israeli settlement Ma’ale Adumim in preparation for annexing the area. 1 Palestinian woman died of the COVID-19 virus, marking the 8th COVID-19-related death in the Palestinian territories and 4th in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem. The district of Bethlehem started a 48-hour lockdown to combat the rise in COVID-19 cases. 9 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around al-‘Arub refugee camp, Jenin, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/29; PCHR 7/2)

U.S. assistant to the president and special representative for international negotiations Avi Berkowitz and U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman met with Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz to discuss annexation of parts of the West Bank. According to Haaretz sources, Defense Minister Gantz told the 2 that 7/1 “is not a sacred date” for moving forward with annexation. Shortly after those details were reported, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “The issue [annexation] is not up to Kahol Lavan [Gantz’s Blue and White party]. They are not a factor either way.” (Axios, HA, HA, REU 6/29)

A letter by 4 progressives in the U.S. House, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Betty McCollum (D-MN), to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo being circulated among other representatives was obtained by the Jewish Insider. The letter warns the State Department that the 4 will “pursue conditions on the $3.8 billion in U.S. military funding to Israel.” (Jewish Insider 6/29; HA 6/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian herders in al-Twana, injuring 1 who was treated at a hospital. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians during the weekly anti-settlement protests in Kafr Qaddum; 1 Palestinian was injured by a rubber-coated bullet, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. In Gaza, Israel struck targets belonging to Hamas after a rocket was fired at Israel. Israeli authorities said it believed that Hamas operatives did not fire the rocket. Israeli forces also opened fire on agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 2 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 3/27; WAFA 3/28; HA 3/29; PCHR 4/2)

In a letter to the U.S. State Department, 6 senators from the Democratic Party urged the Trump administration to release the funds allocated to humanitarian aid for Palestinians by U.S. congress to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Congress had allocated $75 million in aid to Palestinians for the 2020 fiscal year. The 6 senators who signed the letter were Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Tom Carper (D-DE), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Bernie Sanders (D-VT). (WAFA 3/28; HA, HILL 3/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces killed 1 Palestinian in Beita using live ammunition and injured another 18 using rubber-coated bullets during a protest against Israeli settler encroachment in the area. Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinians in Huwwara; both were transferred to a hospital. In a separate incident in Hebron, 2 Palestinians were attacked by Israeli settlers. 16 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Ramallah, and Nablus. During a late-night raid in Ramallah, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians. (AJ, HA, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/11; PCHR 3/18)

In the U.S. State Department’s annual global human rights report, Palestinians living in East Jerusalem were referred to as “Arab residents” and “non-Israeli citizens,” as opposed to “Palestinian residents” as the descriptor used in previous reports. The PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki condemned the change. (REU 3/11; HA, JP, WAFA 3/12)

The UK announced that it had donated $100,000 to the World Health Organization in Palestine to help fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the West Bank. (WAFA 3/11)