The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military protection raided Qaryut; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also razed 10 dunams (2.5 acres) of Palestinian-owned land in al-Farisiya. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers stole 35 olive tree saplings near Azmut. Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land in Burin. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian man trying to enter Israel for work by the separation barrier near Tulkarm. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/24; PCHR 4/28; UNOCHA 5/13)

The Israeli high court of justice denied a petition to reopen an investigation into the killing of 4 Palestinian children by Israeli forces in 2014. The justices said the petitioners did not point to sufficient flaws in the attorney general’s decision to close the investigation. The petition was filed by Adalah, Al Mezan, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. (AP, HA, PCHR 4/24; WAFA 4/25; MDW 4/26; PCHR 4/27; AJ 4/30)

1 Palestinian man was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 1 Israeli man in Israel in 2020. The Palestinian man was also ordered to pay $79,000 to the family of the Israeli man. (HA, TOI, WAFA 4/24)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett spoke to U.S. president Joe Biden, who said he would be visiting Israel in the coming months. The 2 also discussed potential U.S. plans to delist the Iranian Revolutionary Guard from its list of terrorist organizations—a move Israel opposes—and violence in Jerusalem. (ABC, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HILL, JP, MEE, REU, TOI 4/24)

Jordanian king Abdullah II, Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, and UAE crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met in Cairo, discussing trilateral ties and the situation at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (NAT, TOI 4/24)

In the West Bank, 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Awa, Beit Umar, al-Twana, Nablus, and Birin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Damascus Gate plaza, detaining and assaulting 2 and arresting 3 others. Former MK Yehuda Glick led a group of Israeli settlers touring the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA 4/6; PCHR, WAFA 4/7; UNOCHA 4/23)

An Israeli court ordered a punitive demolition against the family home of 1 Palestinian in Silat ad-Dhahr accused of killing 1 Israeli settler on 20 December 2021. (WAFA 4/7)

3 Palestinian citizens of Israel were indicted on charges of smuggling pistols and hashish from Lebanon into Israel. According to the indictment, the 3 were going to sell the pistols to a man in Hebron. (HA 4/6)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with 15 conservative members of the UK Parliament in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh called on the MP to recognize the State of Palestine, citing the UK’s historical responsibility for the current situation. Shtayyeh also asked the politicians to help facilitate elections being held in Jerusalem. (WAFA 4/6)

The 6 Palestinian rights organizations deemed terrorist organizations by Israel in October 2021—al-Haq, Addameer, Bisan Center for Research and Development, Defence for Children International – Palestine, the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, and the Union of Agricultural Work Committees—issued a joint statement calling for international help to have their terror designations rescinded. The organizations said that verbal condemnation of the designations had not helped their situation. (AHQ 4/6; MDW 4/12)

Idit Sliman of Yamina said she would leave the Israeli government coalition after striking a deal with former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sliman’s departure from the coalition ended the coalition’s majority in the Knesset that is now split 60-60. Sliman commented that “the time has come to form a national, Jewish and Zionist government.” Sliman was promised, by Netanyahu, the role of health minister if he wins the next election. Joint List chairperson Ayman Odeh rejected calls for him and his party to join the government to restore the majority, saying that “we will not be a lifeline for [Prime Minister Naftali] Bennett and [Interior Minister Ayelet] Shaked.” (AJ, ALM, AX, CNN, GDN, HA, HA, HA, WSJ 4/6; MDW, TOI 4/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 8 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp and 1 at a checkpoint near Zabbuba. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers raided Ras al-Amud, leading to a confrontation between Palestinians and Israeli police; 3 were arrested. 2 other Palestinians were assaulted and arrested near the Damascus Gate plaza. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/18; MEMO 3/19; PCHR 3/24; UNOCHA 3/25)

Middle East Eye reported that Israel has been spraying herbicides from crop dusters near the Gaza fence for 4 days this week, damaging crops. (MEE 3/18)

The Israeli state prosecutor’s office charged 4 Palestinians from Sur Baher with acts of terrorism and supporting Hamas. Israel claimed that they were tasked by Hamas to “establish and operate a military and organizational infrastructure in Jerusalem.” (HA, JP 3/18)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian who was shot by Israeli forces during a protest in Burqa on 3/1 succumbed to his wounds. Israeli settlers uprooted and stole grape saplings and damaged a stone wall and barbed wire fence in Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli settlers also razed a plot of land near Battir. Israeli forces violently dispersed a memorial service held for a Palestinian killed by Israeli forces on 3/1 at the Khadouri Technical University campus north of Hebron, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also confiscated 2 water pumps and electric cables in Birin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Khallet al-Eideh near Hebron and assaulted 2 Palestinians resisting the demolition. Israeli forces also delivered a demolition order for a residential structure in the Abu al-Nuwwar Bedouin community east of Jerusalem. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp, al-Ram, Deir Abu Mash‘al, Tuqu‘, Hebron, Yatta, al-Zawiya, Jenin, and Fahma. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian house under construction in Shu‘fat refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Beit Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian famers east of Beit Hanun and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Israel, anti-Palestinian graffiti was sprayed on 1 Palestinian vehicle and the tires of 30 vehicles were slashed in Jaljulia. (HA, HA, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/9; MEMO, PCHR 3/10; UNOCHA 3/11; UNOCHA 3/25)

Israel’s police commissioner Kobi Shabtai instructed the Israeli police to halt Palestinian home evictions and demolitions in East Jerusalem and the Naqab during the month of Ramadan. (HA 3/9)

The Israeli civil administration said, after having to respond to a freedom of information petition from HaMoked, that during 2021 it had banned 10,594 Palestinians from the West Bank from traveling abroad. According to a source in the civil administration, travel bans can be applied to Palestinians by Israel automatically, for example, in cases where the person is a relative of someone deemed by Israel to be involved with terrorism. (HA, MEE 3/9; MEMO 3/10)

PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh met with Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid. Civil Affairs Minister al-Sheikh said he stressed to Lapid the need for a political horizon and an end to Israeli settlement expansion. (WAFA 3/9)

The Jewish Agency said that “[i]f all goes well, we will bring tens of thousands [of Ukrainians] to Israel in the coming year,” referring to the refugee crisis in Ukraine as Russia has declared war on the country. (HA 3/9)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara. President Erdoğan told reporters after the meeting that he believes the 2 countries are entering an era of mutual ties. (AJ, ALM, AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU 3/9; HA, TOI 3/10)

Former U.S. vice president Mike Pence toured Hebron, including al-Ibrahimi Mosque, with Israeli settler activists MK Itamar Ben-Gvir and Baruch Marzel, who were both leaders of the Kach movement. Vice President Pence also received an honorary degree from the settler university in Ariel and met with former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, current prime minister Naftali Bennett, president Isaac Herzog, and foreign minister Yair Lapid. (AX 3/9; AP, HA, WAFA, WP 3/10; MEMO 3/11)

Belgium signed a cooperation agreement with the PA worth $77 million over 5 years. The funding is earmarked for education, vocational training, job creation, and climate issues in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. (WAFA 3/9; MEMO 3/10)

China donated 200,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines to UNRWA to help inoculate Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. (WAFA 3/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers and forces seized 5 vegetable stands along Route 90 in the Jordan Valley. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting raids in Ras Karkar and al-Janiya, firing tear gas. Israeli forces also punitively demolished 2 Palestinian-owned homes belonging to Palestinian prisoners in Silat ad-Dhahr; 6 Palestinians were injured during the demolitions, including 1 by live ammunition and 5 with rubber-coated bullets. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Nablus, Rujeib, and Biddu, and 1 who crashed his car into a military vehicle during a demolition in Silat ad-Dhahr. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Sheikh Jarrah and Bayt Hanina. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmers east of Dayr al-Balah and al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/8; PCHR 3/9; PCHR 3/10; UNOCHA 3/11; UNOCHA 3/25)

The Israeli government asked the Israeli high court of justice for an additional 30 days to inform the court about the government’s stance on evacuating the Palestinian village Khan al-Ahmar in the West Bank. The Israeli government cited Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett’s current preoccupation with “the crisis involving the fighting in Europe [Russia’s invasion of Ukraine].” (HA 3/8; MEMO 3/9)

Haaretz reported that Israel’s defense ministry has imposed further restrictions on who can teach at Palestinian institutions of higher education in the West Bank. Among the new requirements were that the lecturer needs to be teaching in a field designated by Israel as essential, that the lecturer is accomplished and that the lecturer has a PhD. Only 100 foreign lecturers will receive a permit from Israel to teach in the West Bank. (HA, MEE 3/8; WAFA 3/12)

Israel’s state prosecutor dropped terror charges against 6 Israeli Jews who attacked 1 Palestinian man at a mosque in Herzliya in May 2021. The 6, who had beaten the man after confirming that he was Palestinian, were instead convicted of intentional and racially motived assault. (HA 3/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers erected tents and sheds on Palestinian-owned land expropriated for an Israeli nature reserve near ‘Ayn al-Hilweh in the Jordan Valley. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at a flying military checkpoint in Hebron, killing 1 13-year-old Palestinian and injuring 3 others with live ammunition, including 2 minors; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 20 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 6 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Qabatiya, Burqin, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Bayt Hanina, displacing 4. 3 Palestinian protesters were arrested in Sheikh Jarrah. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/4; MEMO 3/5; HA 3/6; PCHR 3/10; UNOCHA 3/11)

Australia formally listed Hamas in its entirety as a terrorist organization. Australia had already listed Hamas’s military wing as a terrorist organization. (MEMO, REU 3/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort, for the 3d day in a row, tried to prevent Palestinian students from reaching their school in al-Lubban al-Sharqiya. Israeli forces violently dispersed the funeral procession for a 14-year-old boy who was killed by Israeli forces on 2/22, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also prevented Palestinians from digging a water well in Thaher al-‘Abed near Ya‘bad. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 4 residential structures and 1 agricultural structure in Lasifer, displacing 30 Palestinians, and demolished 4 residential structures in Shaab al-Batm in the Masafer Yatta area, displacing 40 Palestinians. Israeli forces also delivered a punitive demolition notice against the home of 1 Palestinian prisoner in Silat al-Harithiya. 22 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Arroub refugee camp, Salfit, Nablus, Jenin, and Deir Jarir. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers led by MK Itamar Ben-Gvir toured Sheikh Jarrah in protest over the 2/22 Israeli court decision to freeze the eviction of the Salem family. 14 Palestinians from the West Bank were arrested near the Damascus Gate plaza for being in East Jerusalem without a permit. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/23; PCHR 2/24; UNOCHA 3/11)

In Syria, Israeli forces fired missiles at Syria from Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing material damage in the province of Quneitra. (AJ, AP, HA 2/23)

Minister at the negotiations affairs department of the PLO Dr. Shaddad Attili spoke at the Israel Climate Change Conference in Jerusalem, saying that Israelis and Palestinians, along with others in the region, have to cooperate on climate change. Dr. Attili said that Palestinians have pushed back on climate initiatives because of the economic crisis in the PA. 1 of the issues Attili pointed to was the lack of water security and the inequity in distribution of water between Israel and Palestine. The climate conference was organized by Haaretz and Hebrew University. (HA, HA 2/23)

At the UN security council, a French representative said that France will continue to support the 6 Palestinian rights organizations that Israel deemed terrorist organizations in October 2021, citing a lack of evidence. Also at the security council meeting, the PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour charged Israel with crimes of apartheid, listing a number of violations committed by Israel, while wearing a mask with the text “End Apartheid.” (MEMO, TOI 2/23; AJ, MEE, MEMO 2/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 5 agricultural structures in Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home in Silat al-Harithiya of 1 Palestinian accused of killing an Israeli settler on 12/16/2021 near the Homesh settlement outpost by detonating explosives placed in the house; Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the demolition, killing 1 minor with live ammunition and injuring 17. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure and uprooted olive trees in Beit Umar and demolished 1 agricultural structure in Halhul. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police violently dispersed Palestinians with stun grenades, skunk water and rubber-coated bullets who were protesting the reopening of a makeshift outdoor office in Sheikh Jarrah by Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Religious Zionism party; 31 Palestinians were injured, including 6 by rubber-coated bullets and 1 by a stun grenade, and 12 were arrested including Palestinians and settlers. Ben-Gvir and other Israeli settlers declared that they are the “landlords” of Sheikh Jarrah and danced in front of the home of the Salem family who are threatened by eviction in the neighborhood while throwing various objects at the family. Israeli forces also closed off Sheikh Jarrah to Palestinians and pro-Palestinian activists. Israeli forces also removed MK Ahmed Tibi from the home of the Salem family while he was visiting their home in solidarity. Hamas and the PA condemned Ben-Gvir for his provocative acts. The EU expressed concern about the situation in Sheikh Jarrah. 2 Palestinian families demolished their own homes in Sur Baher, displacing 13. (AJ, HA, JP, MEE, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/13; AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 2/14; TOI 2/15; WAFA 2/16; PCHR 2/17; UNOCHA 2/28)

The Ofer military court convicted the director of the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, Khitam Saafin, of being a member of the PFLP in a plea deal, but dropped all other charges, including the accusation that she had helped funnel donor money to the PFLP through the organization. The later charge was part of the “evidence” leveled by Israel against 6 Palestinian rights organization that were placed on Israel’s list of terror organizations in October 2021. Saafin was sentenced to 16 months in prison but will be released in May, as the sentence included time served. (HA, JP, TOI 2/22)

Israeli prison forces assaulted Palestinian prisoners in Megiddo and Ofer Prisons while raiding prison cells. (WAFA 2/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered a punitive demolition notice for a house in Silat al-Harithiya belonging to a family in which 2 are charged with the killing of 1 Israeli settler on 12/20/2021 near the Homesh settlement outpost. Israeli forces razed a tract of land in Jalud in preparation for expanding the nearby Ahiya settlement. 11 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in Qabatiya, Qalandia, al-Ram, ‘Azzun, Beit Fajjar, Biddu, and Beit ‘Anan. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/20; MEMO 1/21; PCHR 1/27)

Palestinian Israeli Bedouins in several Naqab villages said they had been experiencing prolonged electricity blackouts for 2 weeks. The Israeli Electricity Corporation (IEC) blamed the blackouts on cold weather and illegal electricity hookups. In a recording of a conversation between an IEC representative and a resident, the representative is heard saying that the Israeli police is preventing them from conducting work to mend the situation, a claim the Israeli police denies. (HA 1/20)

The UN agencies UNWRA, UNICEF, and OHCHR called on Israel to release 1 Palestinian teenager held on administrative detention who is seriously ill due to an autoimmune disease and has been held without charges for more than 1 year. (MEMO, WAFA 1/20)

16 Palestinian Israeli Bedouins were indicted for alleged crimes committed during protests against a forestation program meant to displace Bedouins in the Naqab last week. A total of 155 protesters were arrested over several days of protesting. The protesters are accused of throwing stones and burning tires. (HA 1/20)

A PA court in Nablus sentenced 1 Palestinian journalist to 3 months in prison for defaming the PA. (MEMO 1/21)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki criticized the U.S. Biden administration for not working to reverse the Trump administration’s one-sided policies against Palestinians during a meeting at the UN security council. Foreign Minister al-Maliki also called on the U.S. to pressure Israel into reversing its rejection of a 2-state solution. Al-Maliki also said that the EU, UN, and Russia had agreed to a ministerial meeting about the Palestinian-Israeli situation but that the U.S. had not. Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan accused al-Maliki of ignoring “terror attacks” by Palestinians, holding up a stone that allegedly had been thrown at Israeli forces. (AP, HA, WAFA 1/20)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, during a meeting with UN humanitarian coordinator in Palestine Lynn Hastings, urged the international community to pressure Israel to release tax funds withheld from the PA. (WAFA 1/20)

Former Israeli soldiers acknowledged that there is a mass grave of Palestinians killed during the Nakba in 1948 on a beach in the depopulated village of Tantura, where Israeli forces and militants massacred Palestinian prisoners of war. The Israeli government has denied the existence of the mass grave despite it being published in a thesis in 2000. The mass grave site is now a parking lot for the Dor beach built on the depopulated village. The PA foreign ministry called for an international investigation into the massacre aimed at punishing Israeli officials and institutions covering crimes committed by Israel. (HA 1/20; WAFA 1/21; AJ, JDF, WAFA 1/22)

Israel and Germany signed a deal for Israel to buy 3 submarines from the Germany company ThyssenKrupp. Germany agreed in 2017 to cover $680 million of the price Israel will have to pay. ThyssenKrupp recently raised the price of the submarines from $2 billion to $3.4 billion. (ALM, AP, HA, MEMO, REU 1/20)

Israeli Channel 13 aired a program showing NSO Group employees training Ghanaian officials in using NSO’s Pegasus software. Ghana’s government bought the Pegasus software in 2016 to use against political opponents ahead of the 2017 elections. (HA 1/20)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler rammed by car 1 Palestinian man walking at the Beit Sira checkpoint, killing the man; it was unclear whether the settler rammed the man intentionally. Israeli settlers also tried to attack a car repair shop in Bazariya, but were repelled by Palestinians. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a late-night raid in Balata refugee camp; Israel claimed the man had opened fire at Israeli soldiers raiding the camp; no Israelis were injured. Israeli forces also seized 1 excavator in Dura. 8 Palestinian minors were killed in a traffic accident in the Jordan Valley; PA president Mahmoud Abbas declared a day of national mourning after the accident. 21 Palestinians were arrested in Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, al-Far‘a refugee camp, and Tulkarm; during the raid in al-Far‘a refugee camp, Israeli forces injured 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated bullet and others with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah and Maghazi; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/6; PCHR 1/13)

Israeli deputy economy minister Yair Golan from the Meretz party called Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians a pogrom, in relation to attacks near at the Homesh settlement outpost. Deputy Economy Minister Golan was condemned by many Israeli politicians for his comments, and for calling the settlers “subhuman,” including by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett who said Golan’s remarks were “bordering blood libel” and that “[s]ettlement activity in the West Bank represents modern-day pioneering.” (AP, HA, TOI 1/6; HA, MEMO 1/7; HA, MEMO 1/8)

The Dutch government announced that it will no longer provide funding to the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC). Israel put UAWC, along with 5 other Palestinian rights organizations, on its terror list on 10/22/2021, claiming that the organizations are linked to the PFLP. The international community, including the EU, has criticized the terror designations for the organizations, saying Israel have not provided any evidence to support its claims. The Dutch government’s decision follows an external review predating the Israeli terror designation, which found that UAWC employees have personal ties to members of the PFLP, but that no funding has been used for PFLP purposes and that there are no organizational links between the PFLP and UAWC. The PA condemned the Netherlands’ decision to end funding, calling it pandering to anti-Palestinian sentiments. (AJ, ALM, AP, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 1/6; AJ, WAFA 1/10; MEMO 1/11)

The Israeli military attorney told Adalah that it would not hand over the alleged evidence against the 6 rights organizations deemed terrorists by Israel, saying that the evidence is classified. (Adalah, WAFA 1/6)

Israeli Walla News reported that Israel’s director of European affairs at the foreign ministry, Aliza Bin Noun, shouted at European diplomats during a meeting where the Europeans complained about Israeli plans to build new settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. (MEE, MEMO 1/7)

A U.S. district judge in New York dismissed a lawsuit brought against the PLO and PA for the stabbing of 1 American man in an Israeli settlement in the West Bank in 2018. The judge called the U.S. law the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act of 2018, that allows individuals to sue the PLO and the PA, unconstitutional. (REU 1/7; WAFA 1/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 50 olive saplings in Kafr ad-Dik. A contractor working for the Israeli military intentionally rammed a 75-year-old Palestinian man, who was said to be in critical condition; the man was standing in front of a tow truck to prevent it from seizing cars from his village Umm al-Khair, when the truck driver plowed into him. Israeli soldiers at the scene did not assist the man after he was hit and instead left the area with the cars. Israel said that stones had been thrown at the truck leading up to the incident and that the driver had been hit by 1 of the stones. The man succumbed to his injuries on 1/17. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Burqa, Beita, and Abu Dis. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Silwan, displacing 6. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah and al-Fukhari; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of the shore; no injuries were reported. In Israel, a right-wing Israeli protester assaulted 1 Palestinian journalist interviewing him outside of the hospital where a Palestinian prisoner is being treated in relation to his hunger strike. (MEE, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/5; HA, MEMO, PCHR 1/6; HA 1/14; HA, MEMO, WAFA 1/17)

A local committee in Israel approved more than 3,500 new settlement units in East Jerusalem. The plans will be discussed further at a municipal committee meeting on 1/17. (AP 1/5; MEMO, MEMO 1/6; MEMO, WAFA 1/7)

The Israeli government postponed discussions of a new settlement in the E-1 area north of Abu Dis and between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim indefinitely. (HA 1/5)

The Knesset passed legislation to connect homes constructed without permits to the electric grid in the Naqab desert. The legislation was put forward by Mansour Abbas of the United Arab List. It passed 61-0 as the Israeli opposition boycotted the vote due to the legislation being fast-tracked. During discussions of the legislation, Walid Taha of the United Arab List gave a speech in Arabic, angering members of the Likud party and leading Abbas to ask Taha to continue in Hebrew. (HA 1/4; HA 1/5; ALM 1/7)

1 Palestinian American man was sentenced by an Israeli military court to 2 life sentences and $820,000 in fines, in addition to having his home demolished, for the killing of 1 Israeli settler and injuring 2 other settlers near Za’tara on 5/2/2021. (HA, MEE 1/5)

1 Jewish Israeli man was sentenced to 1 year in prison for partaking in a mob attack in Bat Yam that in May 2021 caused serious injury to 1 Palestinian man. The Palestinian man was pulled out of his car and beaten by at least a dozen Israelis. The Jewish Israeli man was not charged with incitement to terror and theft with racist motives after entering a plea deal. (AP, HA 1/5)

In Syria, Israeli tanks opened fire at Syria from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel said it had fired warning shots at 6 suspicious people in Syria. (MEMO, REU, REU 1/5)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz met with Jordanian king Abdullah II in Amman, discussing security issues. (AP, ALM, HA, REU 1/5; ALM 1/6)

Haaretz reported that, due to a technical error, the Israeli state archive had revealed censored material from the Israeli cabinet meeting during the Nakba in the summer of 1948. Amongst the information accidentally released was agricultural minister Aharon Zisling’s statement to other high-level Israeli leaders that he “can forgive instances of rape” by Jewish militants against Palestinian women, which he considered less severe than stealing from Jews. In another instance, Israel’s prime minister David Ben-Gurion told the cabinet that he is against “wholesale demolition of villages . . . but there are places that constituted a great danger and constitute a great danger, and we must wipe them out. But this must be done responsibly, with consideration before the act.” (HA 1/5; MEE, WAFA 1/6)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian houses and vehicles in Kafr Qaddum, causing damage. Israeli forces raided the homes of 4 of the Palestinians accused of participating in the killing of an Israeli settler on 12/16 and took measurements for punitive demolitions in Silat al-Harithiya; the forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the raids, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting an Israeli incursion near Ramallah, inuring 1 with live ammunition and 1 minor with a rubber-coated bullet. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided al-Lubban Ash-Sharqiya, assaulting the mayor of the village and several students. 13 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in Birzeit, Dura, al-Bireh, Kafl Haris, Abu Dis, Qatanna, Beit Umar, and Dahariya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities handed eviction orders to 2 families living on a plot of land in Sheikh Jarrah that Israel wants to construct a school on. The families were given until 1/25/2022 to leave their property, displacing 12 people. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of al-Fukhari. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinian bird hunters east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Israeli forces demolished the Bedouin village al-‘Araqeeb for the 196th time since 2000. (TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/20; MEMO 12/21; PCHR 12/23)

In East Jerusalem, EU representative to Palestine Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff led an EU delegation, meeting Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah threatened by Israeli forced evictions. (MEMO 12/21)

1 Palestinian prisoner in the Israeli Nafha prison allegedly stabbed 1 Israeli prison guard, lightly wounding the guard. There were subsequent reports of collective punishment of Palestinian prisoners in the same ward, including beatings and outdoor confinement in cold weather. (HA 12/20; WAFA 12/21)

Representatives for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel on administrative detention said the prisoners have decided to boycott sessions in Israeli military courts and in the supreme court from 1/1/2022 because of Israel’s arbitrary use of administrative detention on Palestinians. (HA 12/20)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said during the weekly cabinet meeting that the PA has sent a letter to the UN urging it to intervene against Israeli settler violence. (WAFA 12/20)

Palestinian member of the Knesset for United Arab List and chairperson of Knesset’s interior committee Walid Taha said he had canceled all official meetings for the week in protest over Israel’s interior minister Ayelet Shaked’s opposition to a bill that would provide electricity to Palestinian homes built in Israel without a permit. (HA 12/20)

Israel’s ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan wrote a letter to UN secretary-general António Guterres demanding that he acts to prevent UN funding from going to Palestinian rights organizations deemed terrorist organizations by Israel. The UN OCHA agency had mentioned its partnership with Health Work Committees in its plan for 2022, a Palestinian organization deemed illegal by Israel. (HA 12/20)

Israeli NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware was found on a Tunisian national’s phone. The man is part of a UN-mandated investigation into crimes committed in relation to the Saudi-led war in Yemen. (HA 12/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized some 600 almond and olive trees in Deir Sharaf. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Kafr Qalil. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinian families demolished their own apartment building in Silwan, displacing 20 Palestinians. 2 Palestinians were arrested in Isawiya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian bird hunters north of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 12/11; PCHR 12/16)

Municipal elections were held for representatives in 154 village councils in Area C of the West Bank. Some 400,000 Palestinians were eligible to vote in the elections. There were no elections held in Gaza, as Hamas boycotted the elections. A Hamas spokesperson said that Hamas refuses to “participate in partial elections that are tailored to Fatah, and conducted by the PA.” The Central Election Committee said the voter turnout was 65%. The 2d phase of the municipal elections is scheduled to take place on 3/26/2022, when Palestinians in towns and cities will vote. It was later reported that Fatah was perceived as a marginal winner of the election. (WAFA 12/10; AJ, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/11; ALM 12/15)

Israeli mayor of Jerusalem Moshe Leon demanded that the Israeli police in Jerusalem stop using skunk water as a protest dispersal method after it was used to disperse pro-settlement activists, marking the 1-year anniversary of the death of a settler minor who died during a car chase with Israeli forces in the West Bank. (HA 12/12)

9 UN special rapporteurs wrote to EU high commissioner for foreign policy Josep Borrell, urging him to set a short and defined time frame for receiving evidence from Israel that the 6 Palestinian rights organizations deemed terrorist by Israel on 10/22 are linked to terrorism. (JP 12/12; MEMO 12/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized some 70 olive trees in Khillat al-Dabe in Masafer Yatta. The Hebron Rehabilitation Committee said Israeli forces prevented its workers from renovating 12 Palestinian-owned homes in the al-Jabari area of Hebron. 12 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Bethlehem, Tuqu‘, Beit Fajjar, Beit Sahour, al-Am‘ari refugee camp, Beita, Bayt Dajan, and Rujeib. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian minor, facing eviction by Israeli settlers, allegedly stabbed an Israeli settler in her neighborhood in Sheikh Jarrah; the settler was lightly injured. The Palestinian girl was found in a nearby school 1 hour later and was arrested by Israeli forces; she denied involvement. Israeli forces also arrested 3 other people at the school and raided the girl’s home, arresting her mother. Israeli settlers toured Sheikh Jarrah, chanting “death to Arabs.” Israeli forces later closed off Sheikh Jarrah, preventing activists and journalists from entering the neighborhood. 5 Palestinians were arrested in Isawiya. In Israel, Israeli right-wing activists vandalized a mosque in Umm al-Fahm by spraying racist graffiti and drawing the Star of David on it. (AJ, HA, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/8; ALM, HA 12/9; HA 12/10; PCHR 12/16)

The Israeli Jerusalem municipality advanced early-stage plans for a new Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem near Bayt Safafa, to be called Givat Shaked. The plans for the new settlement include 473 settler units, 2 schools, and synagogues. The settlement was 1st proposed by former Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, but shelved after international outrage, including from the U.S. (HA, MEE 12/6; MEMO 12/7; TOI 12/8)

Members of the Hamas political bureau visited Moscow for meetings with Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov. (MEMO 12/8)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Tunisian president Kais Saied in Tunis. (WAFA 12/7; WAFA, WAFA 12/8)

Jordan rescinded its submission to the Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, and apologized after pressure from Palestinians who called the film Amira offensive. The film depicts a Palestinian girl who is ostracized from her community after she discovers that she was conceived by sperm from an Israeli prison guard and not the Palestinian prisoners she thought was her father. The PA and Hamas were among those lobbying against the movie. (HA, MEE, MEMO 12/9)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz claimed, in response to a formal query by members of the Meretz party, that the 6 rights organizations he had declared terrorist organizations on 10/22 had PFLP members who did not work for them on their payroll. He also claimed that PFLP members controlled the organizations. (HA 12/8)

Lebanon’s labor minister Mustafa Bayram said Lebanon would ease restrictions on what professions Palestinian refugees in the country are allowed to work. Labor Minister Bayram’s office quickly sought to clarify that the changes would be within the confines of the current Lebanese legislation. The legislation does not allow much leeway for substantial changes to the rules banning Palestinians from certain jobs. Bayram, who is from the Amal party, was quickly shunned by Lebanese politicians from other parties, who said he does not have the authority to make any changes on the issue. Gebran Bassil of the Free Patriotic Movement called the comments “‘naturalization in disguise’ of the Palestinians . . . there shouldn’t be any stealing of jobs from Lebanese under the current circumstances.” Bayram eventually completely retracted his initial statement, saying that there will be no changes. (AA, JP 12/9; HA 12/13)

Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 6 with rubber-coated bullets, including 2 minors, while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed protesters in Bayt Dajan, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 1 journalist with a rubber-coated bullet and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Aida refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Dheisheh refugee camp, Husan, and Kafr al-Labad, and 3 at checkpoints near Salfit and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Sheikh Jarrah, physically assaulting protesters and confiscating Palestinian flags; 2 were arrested. 1 other was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and seized 1 boat after detaining 5 on the same boat, claiming it was sailing beyond the Israeli-imposed fishing area; the 2 were released on 11/27. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/26; MEMO 11/27; PCHR 12/2)

In Jordan, thousands of Jordanians protested the Jordan-Israel deal to swap energy for water in Amman. The agreement was signed on 11/22 in the UAE and witnessed by U.S. climate envoy John Kerry. (AJ, HA, MEMO 11/26; TOI 11/27)

Israel’s transportation minister Merav Michaeli of Labor said she opposes the Jerusalem Cable Car project in East Jerusalem. The project has been condemned by Palestinians and Israelis and is set to have its final hearing of petitions against it at the Israeli high court of justice on 11/28. Transportation Minister Michaeli said the project does more scenic and political harm than it does good. (HA 11/26)

A bipartisan group of members of the House of Representatives led by Ritchie Torres (D-NY) sent a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission chairperson Gary Gensler asking him to review if Unilever is complying with US regulation after its subsidiary Ben & Jerry’s chose not to sell its products in West Bank settlements. (NYP 11/27; FOX 11/28)

The UK parliament approved UK home secretary Priti Patel’s decision to designate Hamas, in its entirety, as a terrorist organization. The UK said the designation was part of the country’s fight against anti-Semitism. The inclusion of Hamas in the Terrorism Act means that people expressing support for Hamas could face 10 years in prison. Both Hamas and the PA condemned Home Secretary Patel’s decision. (HA, MEMO, TOI 11/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones and other objects at Palestinian vehicles near al-Mughayyir, causing 1 Palestinian driver to lose control of his car, injuring him and his son. The driver was flown to a hospital and was said to be in critical condition. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Duma, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones and opened fire on Palestinians near Burqa; no injuries were reported. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Jalazun refugee camp, Bayt Rima, Zeita, and Deir Sharaf; Israeli forces injured 3 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets during the raid in Jalazun refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested the deputy director of Islamic Waqf, Sheikh Najeh Bakirat, at the Haram al-Sharif compound; Bakirat was later released on 11/28 on the condition that he does not visit the Haram al-Sharif compound for 20 days and the West Bank for 30 days. 2 others were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan and Jabal Mukaber. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; MEE, PCHR, WAFA 11/25; MEMO 11/29)

The Jerusalem district planning and building committee advanced plans for a new settlement in East Jerusalem at the abandoned Qalandia Airport, called Atarot airport by Israel. The plan entails 9,000 new settler units intended for ultra-Orthodox Jews. It was later reported that the Israeli government told the U.S. that it would not advance plans for the settlement and had explained that the committee’s work is independent of the government. (TOI, WAFA 11/24; AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO 11/25; MEMO, WAFA 11/26; MEMO 11/27; ALM 11/29)

Israel said it would allow 500 Christians living in Gaza—about half of Gaza’s Christian population—to enter Jerusalem and the West Bank for Christmas celebrations. Additionally, 200 Christians in Gaza will be allowed to travel to Jordan for journeys abroad. (HA 11/25)

Israel transferred 1 Palestinian prisoner to a prison hospital in Ramle. The man has been on hunger strike for 47 days to protest his administrative detention. (MEMO 11/25)

The Israeli supreme court rejected an appeal from a Palestinian man whose 3 daughters and 1 niece were killed when Israeli tanks fired shells at his apartment in Gaza in 2009. The court held that the Israeli military is not liable for wartime actions, including killings of civilians. (AP, HA, MEMO 11/24)

According to Syrian media, Israeli air strikes killed 2 civilians and injured 1 civilian and 6 soldiers in the Homs region. According to Syrian officials, Israeli fighter jets fired the missiles from Lebanese air space. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, TOI 11/24)

Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz met with his Moroccan counterpart Abdellatif Loudiyi in Morocco, signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for joint intelligence sharing, research, and military training. Morocco announced on 11/22 that its military had bought anti-drone systems from the Israeli company Skylock Dome. The PLO executive committee condemned the MoU, saying it contravenes agreements made at Arab League summits and the Area Peace initiative. The PFLP and Hamas also publicly condemned Morocco for inviting Defense Minister Gantz. (AJ, AP, MEMO 11/23; AJ, ALM, AP, AX, HA, MEMO, MEMO, TOI 11/24; MEMO 11/25; ALM, MEMO, WAFA 11/26; MEMO 11/27)

Israeli newspaper Calcalist reported that the Israeli government had limited the number of countries that can buy Israeli-made cyber technology, from 102 to 37. Among the countries said to be excluded are Mexico, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The report follows a decision by the U.S. to place bans on 2 Israeli spyware companies earlier this month. (HA 11/25; MEMO 11/26; MEMO 11/27)

Belgium announced that it will label Israeli settlement products by their settlement origin and not as made in Israel. The Israeli government condemned the decision and canceled planned meetings with Belgian officials. (HA, JP, WAFA 11/24; MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA 11/25)

Australia announced that it intends to add all Hezbollah entities as terrorist organization. Australia added Hezbollah’s External Security Organization as a terrorist organization in 2003. The declaration of intent follows the UK’s move to designate all of Hamas as a terrorist organization. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, TOI 11/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers started building structures on Palestinian land near ‘Ayn al-Auja. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles driving in Turmus ‘Ayya, injuring 1 minor. Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction in Khirbet Ma‘in, displacing 8, including 6 minors. Israeli forces also seized 3 agricultural tents in Ras al-Tin, 1 bulldozer in Deir Balut, and 1 residential structure in ‘Ayn Samia, displacing 8, including 6 minors. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed 500 meters of newly paved road and placed 7 dirt mounds on the road near ‘Asirah al-Shamaliyah. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beitunia, al-Mughayyir, al-Bireh, Biddu, Bethlehem, Jaba‘, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 3 buildings, displacing 6 Palestinians in Wadi Hummus. 1 Palestinian was arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Gaza City. In West Jerusalem, 5 Israelis attacked 1 Palestinian man after hearing him speaking Arabic at the site of the Mamilla Cemetery, which now serves as a park; the man suffered multiple fractures and was treated at Hadassah Hospital for his injuries. (MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/23; BTselem, WAFA 11/24; HA, PCHR 11/25)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia. Members of Fatah said that President Abbas was seeking more Russian involvement in the peace process as part of his push to move from U.S. mediation to international conferences. (MEMO, WAFA 11/23; ALM 11/24)

The Jerusalem Media and Communications Center released a survey conducted in October with 715 participants from the West Bank and East Jerusalem and 485 from Gaza. The survey found that support for a 2-state solution had dropped from 39% in April to 29% and support for a 1-state solution had increased from 21.5% to 26%. A large discreptency was found between the West Bank and Gaza. In the West Bank, 30% supported a 1-state solution—more than the support of a 2-state solution—while in Gaza, 20% supported a 1-state solution and 38%, a 2-state solution. The survey also found 70% of respondents wanted a new date for general elections and 42% said that they did not plan to participate. 34% would vote for Fatah at PLC elections (highest among Palestinians in Gaza), 10% for Hamas, and some 34% said that they would not vote. Support for PA president Abbas was down to 35% from 50% in April. (JMCC 11/23; JP 11/25; MEMO 11/26)

Israel’s president Isaac Herzog met with UK prime minister Boris Johnson in London. During their meeting, Prime Minister Johnson said that the UK’s decision to designate all of Hamas as a terrorist organization “was a difficult and controversial decision,” but right. (HA 11/23)

The tech company Apple said it had filed a lawsuit against NSO Group and its parent company OSY Technologies for its hacking of Apple users’ phones with the Pegasus software. It was reported on 11/22 that NSO Group is at risk of defaulting on $500,000,000 worth of debt. (AP, HA, HA, NYT 11/23; MEMO, MEMO 11/24)

The German Development Bank signed an agreement worth $11.2 to support infrastructure projects in the West Bank. (WAFA 11/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet and 14 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 7 with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 1 minor with a rubber-coated bullet and 1 with a tear-gas canister, while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tulkarm and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers punctured tires on Palestinian-owned vehicles in Sheikh Jarrah. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians during a late-night raid in Isawiya, injuring 17 with rubber-coated bullets, 11 with concussion grenades, and 95 with tear gas. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA 11/19; PCHR 11/25)

Israel handed over the corpse of a Palestinian boy to the PA. It later recognized that it mistakenly handed over a corpse it did not intend to and would deliver the intended body soon. The deceased Palestinian it intended to hand over to the PA was a Palestinian minor who was shot and killed by Israeli forces on 10/14. Israel said it would return intended corpse on 11/20. (WAFA 11/19; AJ, HA, WAFA 11/20)

UK home secretary Pitri Patel announced that she had “taken action to proscribe Hamas in its entirety” as a terrorist organization. The decision will mean that anyone expressing support for Hamas or holding a meeting for the group can receive up to 10 years in prison. Home Secretary Patel’s decision still needs parliament approval. Patel said the decision was linked to combatting anti-Semitism in the UK. Hamas criticized the decision, saying that the UK chose to align itself with Israel’s occupation rather than apologizing for the Balfour Declaration and British imperialism. The PA said the decision will make Palestinians’ reconciliation efforts more complicated and undermines Palestinian democracy. The UK along with the EU had already designated Hamas’s military wing as a terrorist organization. The UK follows Israel, Canada, and the U.S. in designating its political wing as a terrorist organization. (AJ, ALM, AP, GDN, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEMO, MEMO 11/19; HA, MEMO, MEMO 11/20; MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO 11/22; MEE 11/24; AJ 11/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers and Israeli forces prevented Palestinian farmers from working their lands in at-Tabaqa. Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinian pupils heading to a school in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, for the 3d day in a row, injuring dozens with tear gas. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bethlehem and Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Isawiya, causing tear-gas related injuries and arresting 1 minor. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Silwan during a raid, causing tear-gas related injuries. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/18; PCHR 11/25)

1 Palestinian prisoner ended his hunger strike to protest his administrative detention after 103 days as Israel and his attorney entered an agreement to end his detention. (WAFA 11/18)

Israeli sources said that Israel retroactively edited an intelligence file about al-Jalaa high rise in Gaza, that Israel bombed in May, before handing the file to the U.S. The edited file was given to the U.S. after it demanded a justification for the bombing of the building that housed media offices for the AP and Al Jazeera. (HA 11/18)

Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz said, during a meeting, that settler violence against Palestinians is “a grave phenomenon” and must be “uproot[ed].” Defense Minister Gantz was speaking after being presented with data of recent settler attacks on Palestinians during the olive harvest season. The data showed an increase of around 150% in settler violence against Palestinians compared to 2 years ago. (HA 11/19; GDN 11/28 WP 11/29)

Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett spoke with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan after Turkey released 2 Israelis it had detained for 1 week for taking pictures of the presidential palace. The call between the 2 was the 1st between President Erdoğan and an Israeli prime minister since 2013. Erdoğan also spoke with Israel’s president Isaac Herzog. (AJ, TOI 11/18)

The Middle East Quartet released a statement after an in-person meeting in Oslo, calling for alleviating the PA fiscal crisis, easing access of people and goods coming in and out of Gaza, and curbing Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Quartet envoys also urged respect for civil society groups, hinting criticism at Israel’s decision to designate 6 Palestinian rights groups as terrorist organizations. (WAFA, WAFA 11/18; AP, HA, MEMO 11/19)

The 2d committee of the UNGA passed a draft resolution reaffirming the rights of the Palestinian people over their natural resources in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem and the Arab population in the occupied Golan Heights. 157 voted in favor, 14 abstained, and 7 voted against, including Canada, Israel, and the U.S. (WAFA 11/18; MEMO, MEMO 11/19; WAFA 11/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near the Beit El settlement, causing damage. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians employed by the Land Settlement Authority with stones and clubs in al-Shuyukh, injuring 1 with injuries to his head. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers clashed with Israeli forces as the latter evacuated the Geulat Zion settlement outpost near the Shiloh settlement. Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinian pupils heading to a school in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya for the 2d day in a row, injuring dozens with tear gas. Israeli forces also seized 2 residential structures and 5 agricultural structures in az-Za‘ayyem. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Bil‘in, Jaba‘, Tulkarm, Sanniriya, Nablus, al-Ibayyat, and Deir Sammit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor after he allegedly stabbed and wounded 2 Israeli soldiers in the Old City. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 2 agricultural structures in Isawiya. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Isawiya and Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 2-5 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (AP, HA, JP, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/17; PCHR 11/18)

1 39-year-old Palestinian prisoner died in an Israeli hospital of issues related to a heart condition. Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies said he died due to medical neglect by Israel. (AJ, JP, MEMO, PCHR, WAFA 11/18)

B’Tselem released footage that 1 of its activists had recorded in September, showing Israeli soldiers in Hebron rounding up 13 Palestinian children in the middle of the night and taking photos of them, asking them to say “cheese” for the camera. Many of the very young children are seen crying in the video. (HA, MEMO 11/17; AP, TOI 11/18)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Greenfield-Thomas. Ambassador Greenfield-Thomas urged the PA to end its payments to Palestinian prisoners and their families and to respect human rights issues. (HA, TOI 11/17; TOI, WAFA 11/18)

In Syria, Israeli forces fired 2 missiles from Israeli-occupied Golan Heights at Damascus, hitting 1 empty building. 1 of the missiles was intercepted by Syrian air defense. (AJ, AP, HA 11/17)

EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell told the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee that Israel has not provided the EU with any evidence proving their accusations that 6 Palestinian rights organizations are terrorist entities. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh was also present at the meeting and criticized the new Israeli government’s approach to Palestinians and stance against a 2-state solution. He also said Israel had to stop dealing with Palestinians in Gaza differently than it does West Bank Palestinians. (WAFA, WAFA 11/16; HA, WAFA, WAFA 11/17)

Qatar and Egypt signed a deal to supply fuel and building supplies to Gaza during the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting. The deal will see Qatar pay Egypt for oil and gasoline which will be given to Hamas and distributed at gas stations in Gaza and some funds will be directed at vulnerable families in Gaza and to help pay civil servants. The deal was reported to include a monthly transfer from Qatar to Egypt for distribution in Gaza of $30 million. (AJ, REU 11/17; MEMO 11/18; ALM 11/23; HA 11/27; HA 11/29; MEMO 11/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers from Bat Ayin attacked, with clubs and stones, Israeli activists guarding Palestinians harvesting olives in Surif; according to 1 of the activists, the Israeli forces that arrived at the scene did not intervene until the settlers fled. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters, shooting and injuring 2 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets in Kafr Qaddum; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Biddu, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet. (HA, WAFA 11/12; PCHR 11/18)

U.S. House representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to denounce Israel’s decision to designate 6 Palestinian rights organizations as terrorist, calling the Israeli decision misguided. (HA 11/13)

The state of New York put Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company Unilever on a 90-day notice in advance of divesting from the companies due to Ben & Jerry’s decision not to sell its ice cream in West Bank settlements, ending its franchise agreement in Israel. (HA 11/12)

A UK government watchdog charged with assessing that UK companies meet OECD guidelines on human rights charged the company JBC with failing to address human rights violations in Israel’s use of its tractors to demolish Palestinian homes. (GDN, MEE 11/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and injured 2 Palestinians and injured 5 others with stones near Khalat al-Daba; 3 cars were also damaged. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beit Ur al-Tahta, al-Bireh, Jenin, Bethlehem, Husan, Dura, and Fawwar refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the home of 1 Palestinian prisoner in Wadi al-Juz and ordered its occupants to demolish it; municipality workers demolished parts of the inside of the home before leaving. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 11/10; HA, PCHR, WAFA 11/11)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh told reporters during a press conference in Ramallah that if Israel does not embrace a 2-state solution, it will result in a 1-state reality of “apartheid.” Prime Minister Shtayyeh reiterated his charge against Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, accusing him of a 3-no mantra: no to meeting PA president Abbas, no to peace negotiations, and no to a Palestinian state. (AP, HA 11/10)

Palestinian politician, nephew of Yasir Arafat, and former chairman of the Arafat Foundation Nasser al-Kidwa charged PA president Mahmoud Abbas with destroying the Arafat Foundation in an advance statement for the anniversary of Arafat’s death. Al-Kidwa said that President Abbas is destroying the foundation by dismissing its board and canceling its independence from the PA. (MEMO 11/11)

Israel claimed to have new evidence against the 6 Palestinian rights organizations recently deemed terrorist organizations by the state, based on a plea deal from a Spanish citizen who worked for Health Work Committee, which is not 1 of the 6 rights organizations in question. According to the indictment, some money raised by the woman was transferred to the PFLP without her knowledge. The woman, however, only said that she had suspected the organization acted on behalf of the PFLP. (AP, HA, JP, TOI 11/10; +972, MEE 11/11)

Israel, the U.S., Bahrain, and the UAE participated in a joint military drill in the Red Sea. The naval drill is scheduled to last for 5 days. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO 11/11)

6 progressive-leaning members of U.S. congress, including Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Mondaire Jones (D-NY), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Barbara Lee (D-CT), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), and Mark Pocan (D-MN) met with Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett during a J Street-sponsored trip to Israel and Palestine. Representatives Bowman and Pocan also visited Hebron and Susiya with Palestinian activist Nasser Nawajah and the executive director of Breaking the Silence Avner Gvaryahu. A bipartisan group of House representatives and senators led by Chris Coons (D-DE) also met with Prime Minister Bennett and PA prime minister Shtayyeh. Senator Coons said the group had asked Israel to provide more evidence against the 6 Palestinian rights organizations (see above). Members of the Democratic Socialists of America, of which Bowman is a member, debated whether to expel Bowman due to his participation in the meeting with Naftali Bennett and his association with J Street. In the end, the Democratic Socialists of America did not expel Bowman but said that it expected to see significant movement from him on Palestine if it was to endorse him for the 2022 elections. (HA, TOI, WAFA 11/10; HA, MEMO 11/11; FOX, HA, MDW 12/1; HA 12/3)

The U.S. Biden administration reverted to the voting pattern of the Obama administration on UNGA resolutions pertaining to UNRWA. The U.S., Cameroon, Canada, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Uruguay abstained on 1 resolution in support of Palestinian refugees’ right of return, while Israel was the only country that voted against. The U.S. and Israel were the only 2 countries to vote against a resolution calling for Israel to end its occupation of the Golan Heights. The U.S., Canada, Hungary, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, and Israel also voted against a resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity and evictions in East Jerusalem. (MEMO, WAFA 11/10; FOX, JNS, JP 11/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian property in al-Bireh, drawing the star of David and writing racist slogans on a building and a vehicle. Israeli forces demolished 3 houses in al-Walaja and 1 agricultural structure in al-Khader. Israeli forces also sprayed herbicides on olive crops in Battir, damaging 70 olive seedlings. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Ya‘bad, Husan, Bayt Awa, and Hebron; Israeli forces shot 1 Palestinian with live ammunition protesting the raid in Husan. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Jabel Mukaber. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles from the coast; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/9; PCHR 11/11)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said during a cabinet meeting that the PA had only received 10% of the usual contributions to its economy that it receives from foreign donors, leading to a very difficult financial situation. Prime minister Shtayyeh also pointed to Israeli deductions in the PA’s tax revenue and the COVID-19 pandemic as contributing to the PA’s financial hardship. (WAFA 11/9; MEMO 11/10)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas and EU representatives inaugurated a new headquarters built for the Palestinian Central Elections Commission, funded by the EU, in Ramallah. (WAFA, WAFA 11/9)

Jordanian king Abdallah II and foreign minister Ayman Safadi met with head of the United Arab List Mansour Abbas in Amman, to discuss the 2-state solution and King Abdallah’s custodianship of the holy places in Jerusalem. Abbas also told reporters that PA president Mahmoud Abbas has requested meeting him but that he has opted not to, fearing the response from the government coalition. (HA 11/9; ALM, ALM, MEMO 11/10)

Israel’s environmental protection minister Tamar Zandberg of Meretz (Vigor) said that the Israeli government was violating the coalition agreement by continuing to expand settlements in the West Bank. Environmental Protection Minister Zandberg also said she was dismayed by the targeting of Palestinian rights organizations in the West Bank. (HA 11/9)

Colombia’s president Iván Duque Márquez opened a trade office to Israel in Jerusalem, during a visit. The PA condemned the move and called on Colombia to reverse the decision. (TOI 11/9; WAFA 11/10)

UN humanitarian agencies and the Association of International Development Agencies, representing more than 80 NGOs, issued a statement in support of the 6 Palestinian rights organizations that were declared terrorist organizations by Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz on 10/22. (HA, OCHA, WAFA 11/9; MEMO 10/10)

The Qatar Fund for Development pledged $25 million to UNRWA after meetings between UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini and Qatar officials in Doha. (MEMO, WAFA 11/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians driving near Silat ad-Dhahr. Israeli forces delivered stop-work notices for 9 houses in al-Ramadin and Arab Abu Farda near Qalqilya and demolished 2 agricultural structures in Tarqumiyah. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp, Beitunia, Silwad, Rantis, Tulkarm, Jannatah, and Beit ‘Anan; Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the raid in Beit ‘Anan with live ammunition and tear gas and no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israel said it had downed a drone belonging to Hamas, which crashed into the sea. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 2 and 6 nautical miles from the coast; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/8; PCHR 11/11)

Islamic Jihad charged the PA with creating division among Palestinians by arresting its members in the West Bank. It was unclear when and how many members of Islamic Jihad the PA had arrested. (MEMO 11/9)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with a bi-partisan group of senators led by Chris Coons (D-DE) in Ramallah. The group discussed reopening the consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem and U.S. aid to Palestinians. (WAFA 11/8; TOI 11/10)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted air strikes in Homs and Tartus, injuring 2 Syrian soldiers and causing damage. (HA 11/8)

Haaretz reported that the Israeli military did not know that AP and Al Jazeera had offices in al-Jalaa high-rise in Gaza before deciding to level it on 5/15. Top officials in the Israeli military, including chief of staff Aviv Kochavi, were alerted to the fact after the decision was made to target the building, but before the strike was carried out, and nevertheless decided to go ahead with the strike. Israel never publicly released any evidence to back its claim that Hamas operated out of al-Jalaa building. (HA, MEMO 11/8)

The Washington Post reported that Israel has a secret program called Blue Wolf that includes a large database of pictures of Palestinians taken by Israeli soldiers incentivized with prizes. The pictures are then used to enhance Israel’s facial recognition technology, allowing the occupation to monitor the movements of Palestinians in the West Bank. The sources told The Post that Israeli soldiers have an app on their phone called Wolf Pack, which contains pictures, family history, education, and a security rating for “virtually every Palestinian in the West Bank.” As part of the surveillance program, Israel has installed face-scanning cameras in Hebron. 1 former Israeli soldier told the Post that in some cases, Israel can see into Palestinian private homes. (HA, MEMO, WP 11/8; MEE 11/9)

Front Line Defenders published an investigation showing that the Israeli NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware had been used to spy on 6 Palestinian human rights activists, including 1 field researcher working for Al-Haq, the executive director of Bisan Center for Research and Development—a U.S. citizen—1 Palestinian lawyer who works for Addameer and had his permanent residency in East Jerusalem revoked on 10/18, and 3 unidentified Palestinians. Front Line Defenders investigated 75 iPhones and found 6 were infected with Pegasus spyware, later confirmed by Citizen Lab and Amnesty International. The 3 named victims work for organizations deemed to be terrorist groups by Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz on 10/22 for alleged connections with the PFLP. NSO Group was blacklisted by the U.S. on 11/3 for facilitating attacks on human rights activists and journalists. AJ, ALM, AP, Front Line Defenders, GDN, HA, HA, IT, MEMO, REU 11/8; HA 11/9; MEMO 11/11)

6 progressive-leaning members of U.S. congress, including Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Mondaire Jones (D-NY), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Barbara Lee (D-CT), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), and Mark Pocan (D-MN) met with Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid during a J Street-sponsored trip to Israel and Palestine. (HA 11/8)

A U.S. court rejected NSO Group’s claim of immunity in a lawsuit brought by Facebook, also known as Meta Platforms Inc., about the hacking of its WhatsApp servers. (HA 11/8; MEMO 11/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers physically assaulted 3 Palestinians, with 1 Palestinian suffering a fractured arm, near al-Tha‘ala in the Masafer Yatta area; Israeli forces that intervened gave 1 of the Israeli settlers the club back to him that he used to attack the Palestinians after separating the 2 sides. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor with a rubber-coated bullet in Beit Umar. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinian minors during a late-night raid in al-Bireh. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Sa‘ir and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in Silwan. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 11/7; HA 11/8; PCHR 11/11; GDN 11/28)

Israel’s Central Command extended defense minister Benny Gantz’s order to declare 6 Palestinian rights organizations “terror groups,” from 10/22, to the West Bank. The extension to the West Bank, where the 6 Palestinian rights organizations operate, means that the Israeli military will be able to arrest their employees, raid their offices, and confiscate their equipment. (HA 11/7; MEMO 11/8)

According to statistics from the Israeli ministry of defense, 8 Palestinians have been killed in 2021 during protests in the West Bank by Israeli soldiers using the Ruger rifle, which Israel uses as a crowd-dispersal tool. In comparison, 1 Palestinian was killed by Israeli soldiers using the Ruger rifle in 2020 and a total of 12 were killed by soldiers using the rifle between 2016 and 2021, according to the Israeli  data. The statistic was released as part of a parliamentary question by Gaby Lasky of Meretz (Vigor), who argued that Israeli forces should stop using the weapon at Palestinian demonstrations. (HA 11/7)

In Iraq, unknown perpetrators tried to assassinate Iraq’s prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi at his residence in Baghdad. Prime Minister al-Kadhimi was unharmed, but 6 members of his security force were injured. (AJ, ALM, AP, MEE, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA 11/7; MEMO, REU 11/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Surif; 1 Palestinian was injured by a stone to his head. Israeli settlers also tried to attack Palestinians in Kafr Qaddum before they were repelled by Palestinians. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized 45 olive trees in Burin. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor while violently dispersing a protest in Deir al-Hatab. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called the killing an instance of state terrorism. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 6 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron and Burqa, causing tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces raided al-Bireh, violently dispersing Palestinian protesters; 1 was shot with a rubber-coated bullet, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/5; PCHR, WAFA 11/6; WAFA, WAFA 11/8; HA, PCHR 11/11)

The Finnish Christian missionary group Felm said it had stopped funding Defense for Children International-Palestine because of Israel’s announcement on 10/22 that the organization is 1 of 6 to be declared a terrorist organization. Felm is the 1st to publicly take action based on the Israeli terror designation. Felm’s executive director said it had done so due to concerns of banking sanctions. The director said his group had not seen evidence to back Israel’s claim that the 6 rights organizations are financing or supporting terrorism. (MEMO, REU 11/5)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini told the Guardian that the UNWRA was close to collapsing, in part due to UK budget cuts to the agency by more than 50%. Commissioner-General Lazzarini said UNRWA is short $100 million for its budget for 2021. Lazzarini was in London to urge the Foreign Office to rethink its cuts to the UNRWA. (GDN, WAFA 11/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 mosque and 1 agricultural structure, and uprooted 60 olive trees in Duma. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during house raids in Idhna, Abu Dis, Beit ‘Anan, al-Jib, Bayt Jala, and ‘Urif; 1 was arrested at the Container checkpoint. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces stormed the Dome of the Rock to prevent electric work from carrying out. Israeli forces also delivered evacuation and demolition notices to 10 Palestinian families living in 1 building in al-Tur. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in the Old City. (MEE, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA 11/4; PCHR 11/11)

The Intercept, +972 Magazine, and Local Call jointly published an article based on a leaked 74-page Israeli-made dossier presented to European countries in May that purport to show evidence that the 6 Palestinian rights organizations deemed terrorist by Israel defense minister Benny Gantz on 10/22 are linked to the PFLP. The reporting was also based on hundreds of pages of leaked summaries from interrogations by the Shin Bet and Israeli police of 2 Palestinian accountants who are the basis of the dossier against the 6 NGOs. The 2 accountants never worked for any of the organizations and allegations against the 6’s connection to the PFLP was based on hearsay and testimony that 1 of the accountants had seen receipts used for PFLP activities like cultural events. The fact that the allegation of financing was for cultural events was omitted by Israel in the dossier. The EU alluded to the dossier in a statement from last week where it said past allegations against the organizations were never substantiated. The dossier had also been sent to member of the U.S. congress. (HA 11/2; +972, HA, HA, INT, JP, MEE, MEMO 11/4; FP, NYT 11/5; AP 11/6)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Pope Francis in the Vatican. (MEMO, WAFA 11/4; TOI 11/5)

Israel’s Knesset passed its 1st state budget in over 3 years. (ALM 11/2; ALM, AP, HA 11/3; AJ, ALM, AP, AP, HA, MEMO, NYT, TOI 11/4; HA, REU 11/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian man trying to enter Israel for work by the separation wall near al-Yamun. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Dura and in al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered demolition orders for 2 houses in Abu Nawwar and a stop-work order for a house in Nahalin. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Qalqilya and Ras al-Far‘a. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/28; PCHR 11/4)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Swiss president Guy Parmelin in Ramallah. (WAFA 10/28)

New York state comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said that a review of Unilever had found that its subsidiary Ben & Jerry’s is engaged in BDS activity, leading the state’s pension fund to divest from Unilever due to New York’s anti-BDS law. Ben & Jerry’s announced on 7/19 that it would no longer sell its ice cream in Israeli settlements and that it would not renew its licensing agreement with an Israeli company to produce Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Arizona, New Jersey, and Florida have also divested from Ben & Jerry’s since the announcement. The New York state pension fund is said to have $111 million in investments in Unilever. (REU 10/28; NYP 10/29; MEMO 11/1)

U.S. house democrat Betty McCollum (D-MN) introduced a resolution condemning Israel’s terror designation of 6 Palestinian rights groups. The resolution calls the decision repressive and anti-democratic. The resolution was cosponsored by representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Cori Bush (D-MO), Chuy García (D-IL), Marie Newman (D-IL), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), and André Carson (D-IN). (TOI 10/28; MEMO 10/29)

The EU released a statement saying that it wants to see evidence from Israel that the 6 Palestinian rights groups that were designated terrorist organizations on 10/22 are in fact involved in terrorism. The EU noted that Israel in the past has misled the EU in saying it was funding terrorist-supporting rights groups. 12 European countries, including Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and Norway released a joint statement, calling on Israel to reverse its decision from 10/27 to advance plans for new Israeli settlement units in the West Bank. Russia said in a tweet that it was disappointed by Israel’s decision. The UK urged Israel to reverse its decisions from 10/24 and 10/27 to expand settlements. (AJ, ALM, CNN, HA, HA, MEMO, MEMO, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/28; WAFA 10/29)

The president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo told Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett that he intends for his country to open an economic diplomatic mission in Jerusalem during a meeting. (JP, MEMO 10/28)

In the West Bank, 6 Israeli settlers attacked 3 Red Cross workers monitoring the olive harvest with pepper spray in Burin. Israeli settlers also uprooted 25 olive saplings in al-Masara. Israeli forces demolished 4 Palestinian stores under construction in Deir Qaddis. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for 4 houses under construction in Idhna. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during late-night raids in Dheisheh refugee camp, Hebron, Beit Umar, and Dura; 1 was arrested at the Container checkpoint and 1 in his shop in Arrabah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the demolition of graves at al-Yusufiya Muslim cemetery; 1 was arrested. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/26; MEMO 10/27; PCHR 10/28)

Israel’s public security minister Omer Bar-Lev ordered a ban on a cultural festival put on by the Catholic Church, claiming it was connected to the PA. The festival funded by Austria and France was set to take place for 3 days at Beit Abraham at the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem. Israeli forces closed a performance attended by the French consulate general. The organizer Bernard Thibaud said he was shocked by the Israeli behavior and would speak to the French foreign ministry to complain and possibly take Israel to court. (HA 10/26; I24 10/27; WAFA 10/28)

The U.S. state department said it was “deeply concerned about the Israeli government’s plan to advance thousands of settlement units, many of them deep in the West Bank. In addition, we are concerned about the publication of tenders on Sunday [10/24] for 1,300 settlement units in a number of West Bank settlements.” Haaretz reported that U.S. officials secretly had conveyed to Israel that the main concern for the U.S. is construction deep within the West Bank. When asked about the state department’s harsher tone toward Israel, state department spokesperson Ned Price said, “our public messaging on this is consistent with what we are seeing transpire so far. It only stands to reason that our public messaging may shift over time.” It was later reported by Axios that secretary of state Antony Blinken had a “tense” phone call with Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz over the issue of settlements. According to an Israeli official, the Israeli understanding was that the U.S. gave Israel a “yellow card,” a soccer reference for a warning. (AJ, AX, DW, FOX, HA, HILL, REU, TOI, TOI 10/26; ALM, AX, MDW, TOI 10/27)

Israel rebuked the U.S. statement that the U.S. had not been informed about Israel’s decision, from 10/22, to designate 6 Palestinian rights organizations as terrorists. The Israeli deputy director-general of strategic affairs in the foreign ministry Joshua Zarka said that he had told the U.S. about the Israeli decision when he visited the U.S. the week of the announcement. Deputy Director Zarka said that Spokesperson Price probably had not been updated on the issue. UN human rights commissioner Michelle Bachelet also condemned the terrorist designations by Israel, saying they should be overturned immediately. The Swedish foreign ministry said Israel had made such allegations before but never provided evidence. (HA 10/25; HA, HA, MEMO, WAFA 10/26)

An Israeli private jet landed in Saudi Arabia, marking the 1st time a direct flight from Israel landed in the country. On 10/25, the 1st ever direct flight from Saudi Arabia landed in Israel. It was an aircraft registered in the UAE. (JP, MEMO 10/27)

Israel launched a 2-day military drill, Southern Storm, simulating war with Hamas in Gaza. (TOI 10/26)

The U.S. secretary of homeland security Alejandro Mayorkas said Israel was among 4 countries the U.S. is considering for its visa waiver program. The subject of an Israeli visa waiver was discussed when Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett met President Joe Biden in August. (REU 10/26; HA, TOI 10/27)

It was announced by Israel that the country will join the EU Horizon Europe research program. The program provides funding for research and innovation and has a budget of $110 billion. Israel will be prohibited from using program funds to invest in East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, and the West Bank, according to the deal with the EU. Israel will formally join the EU program in December. (HA 10/26; MEMO 10/27)

Republican senators in the U.S. congress introduced a bill co-sponsored by 35 senators seeking to block the Biden administration from reopening the U.S. mission to Palestinians in Jerusalem. The bill “Upholding the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Law of 2021” was introduced by Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN). (TOI 10/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole olive harvesting equipment in Jalud. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians harvesting olives near Aqraba, disturbing their harvest. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with Israeli military escort attacked Palestinians harvesting olives and a member of Rabbis for Human Rights in Awarta, using pepper spray against the member of Rabbis for Human Rights, who was hospitalized. Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 12 houses in Duma. Israeli forces also denied Palestinian farmers entry to their lands in Jalud. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized a tent set up by solidarity activists in Khirbet al-Mufqara and dismantled part of a school in al-Maleh. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Ya‘bad, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Bireh, al-Am’ari refugee camp, al-Zawiya, Beita, and Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities continued to raze Muslim graves at al-Yusufiya Muslim cemetery to make space for an Israeli park near the Haram al-Sharif compound; a video showed Israeli forces ripping a grieving Palestinian mother off her son’s grave before demolishing it. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of al-Fukhari. (HA, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/25; MEMO, REU 10/26; PCHR 10/28; MEE 10/29)

A hearing at the Israeli supreme court did not yield a decision on the eviction case of the Dweik family in Silwan. The family of 26 is under threat of eviction by the Israeli settler organization Ateret Cohanim, which claims to own the family’s homes. The Palestinian family has lived on the property for more than 50 years, from when Silwan was controlled by Jordan. (AJ, HA 10/25)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas promised a delegation from the 6 Palestinian rights organizations that were classified, by Israel, as terrorist organizations on 10/22 that the PA would take action against the decision. The head of the Israeli Labor party and transportation minister Merav Michaeli also criticized the Israeli government’s decision. Transportation Minister Michaeli’s main criticism was the manner in which the classifications were announced and that it could damage Israel’s relations with its allies. (HA 10/25; MEMO, WAFA 10/26)

Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid criticized the Israeli government’s decision to publish tenders for 1,300 new settler units in the West Bank. Meretz MK Mossi Raz also criticized the decision. (MEMO 10/26)

The 1st ever direct flight from Saudi Arabia to Israel completed its flight. The aircraft was registered in the UAE. (AA, JP 10/25; JP, MEMO 10/27)

In Sudan, the prime minister of the transitional government Abdalla Hamdok was placed in house arrest and 4 cabinet ministers were arrested in a military coup. Sudan’s interim government made moves to normalize relations with Israel in 2020 after a deal was made with the U.S. to take the country off the list of state sponsors of terror and to erase state debt to the U.S. Later in the day, the U.S. announced that it would freeze $700 million in aid for Sudan and that the normalization deal with the U.S. and Israel will have to be reevaluated. Israel did not comment on the coup. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU 10/25; MEMO 10/26)