The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Biddu, injuring 1 Palestinian when a tear gas canister hit his back. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Sheikh Jarrah, physically assaulting 2. Israeli forces assaulted several Palestinians during a house raid in Jabal Mukaber; 4 were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli navel forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (PCHR 10/28)

Islamic Jihad said its members had ended a mass hunger strike against Israeli collective punitive measures put in place in the wake of 6 Palestinians fleeing Gilboa prison on 9/6. An Islamic Jihad official said Israel had lifted the measures against the Islamic Jihad prisoners that first prompted the prisoners to start the hunger strike on 10/12. An Israeli security official told the Times of Israel that the Israel Prison service had not made any concessions to the hunger-striking prisoners. (ALM 10/22)

Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz signed an order declaring 6 Palestinian rights groups terrorist organizations: Addameer, al-Haq, the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, the Bisan Centre for Research and Development, the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, and Defense for Children International – Palestine. Defense Minister Gantz alleged that the 6 groups are “part of a network of organizations operating under cover in the international arena” on behalf of the political party the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which Israel considers a terrorist organization. Israel’s evidence for the allegations was classified and Israel did not state any plans to prosecute individual members. The general director of al-Haq Shawan Jabarin called the accusations “nonsense” and said Israel’s “occupation has no limits to its injustice and insanity.” The PA called the designation “a strategic assault on Palestinian civil society.” The U.S. did not officially criticize the move but said it was not informed of it prior to the announcement and said it would like to review the evidence. Israel claimed that the U.S. had been informed. Several U.S. congresspeople condemned the Israeli government for its attack on the Palestinian organizations, including Betty McCollum (D-MN), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and Mark Pocan (D-WI). Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch released a joint statement calling the designation “appalling and unjust” and said that the international community must respond. Later, on 10/24, Israeli officials said members of the Shin Bet and the Israeli military would travel to Washington to present evidence of the 6 organizations’ links to the PFLP. (AJ, AP, CNN, HA, HA, HRW, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/22; AJ, AP, HA, MEE, NPR, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/23; AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, JP, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/24; AHQ, ALM, MEE, MEMO, WAFA 10/25; AP 10/26; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/27; AJ 10/28; AHQ 11/1)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett met with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia. The 2 were said to talk about Iran, Syria, and economic relations. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, MEMO 10/22; HA, HA 10/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers leveled Palestinian agricultural land near Deir ‘Ammar before Israeli forces removed them from the area. Israeli forces sealed off Sabastia for the 2d day in a row and closed Palestinian stores. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp, Bani Na‘im, Bayt Awa, Ya‘bad, and Beit Sira. In East Jerusalem, some 600 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 6 Palestinians were arrested in Silwan, al-Tur, Isawiya, and at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land north of Beit Lahiya and east of Dayr al-Balah. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis and Beit Hanun; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fisherman within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/23; PCHR 9/30)

2 Palestinians who had been missing after going fishing on 9/3 off the coast of Gaza were reported detained at a prison in Egypt. (MEE 9/23)

The PA commission of detainees’ affairs said in a statement that 1 39-year-old Palestinian who died of leukemia 7 months after being released from an Israeli prison perished because of medical neglect while he was incarcerated by Israel. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 9/23)

The PLO rejected an agreement made between the U.S. and UNRWA to keep the U.S. providing funds to the agency, saying that the agreement is an attempt to abolish the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees. (WAFA 9/23)

It was reported that Sudan had seized a number of companies and bank accounts belonging to Palestinians. According to the reporting, the assets belong to Hamas as a means to generate revenue for the organization. Later, on 9/24, Hamas said that it did not have links to the companies and individuals targeted by Sudan. 1 day later, on 9/25, the PA urged Sudan to hand over the assets to the PA. A Hamas official said the seizing of the funds by Sudan was a way for the new government to win the support of the U.S by slandering Hamas. (HA, REU, TOI 9/23; AA, HA, MEMO, REU, TOI, WAFA 9/25; ALM 9/30)

The U.S. house of representatives passed a bill 420-9-2, providing Israel with another $1 billion of military aid to allegedly restock Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system after Israel’s attack on Gaza in May. The $1 billion was removed from a stopgap government-funding bill on 9/21, prompting Democratic majority leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) to present the funding as a stand-alone bill. The 9 representatives to vote against the bill were Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), André Carson (D-IN), Marie Newman (D-IL), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Cori Bush (D-MO), And Thomas Massie (R-KY). Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Hank Johnson (D-GA) voted present. Representative Tlaib gave a speech before the vote calling Israel an apartheid state, drawing ire from several pro-Israel Democrats, including Ted Deutch (D-FL) who said that calling Israel an apartheid state was anti-Semitic. Later, Israel’s envoy to the UN Gilad Erdan said that the 9 representatives who voted against the bill were “either ignorant or antisemitic.” It is estimated that the deployment of the Iron Dome during May cost Israel a maximum of $120 million. (AJ, AP, FOX, FOX, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, NYT, REU, TOI 9/23; CNN 9/24; WAFA 9/25; HA 9/26; HA 9/27; JCUR, MEE 9/28)

Also in the house of representatives, representative Andy Levin (D-MI), supported by more than 24 Democrats, introduced the Two-State Solution Act, aimed at preserving the feasibility of a 2-state solution. Among its provisions, the bill aims at distinguishing between Israel and occupied Palestinian territory, defined as the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. The authors of the bill want the U.S. to label products from occupied Palestine as such and not as Israeli products. It also aims at pushing the U.S. administration to reopen the PLO mission in D.C. and U.S. consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem. Lastly, the authors want the PA to end its payments to Palestinian prisoners and their families convicted of terrorism by Israeli military courts. (POL 9/22; AJ, HA, JP, MEE 9/23; TOI 9/24)

Texas’s state comptroller Glenn Hegar said that Ben & Jerry’s had been added to the state’s list of companies that boycott Israel and that Texas will start to divest from the company. Texas is the 4th state to divest from Ben & Jerry’s over its decision to stop selling ice cream in West Bank settlements and to move its franchise regional office from Israel. (NWK 9/23; JP 9/24)

Denmark and the PA signed an agreement for Denmark to provide $72 million in grants over the next 5 years to help development in, among other areas, local government, agriculture, and civil society. (WAFA 9/23; MEMO 9/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers opened fire at 1 Palestinian-owned house in Hebron, causing damage, and vandalized 3 Palestinian-owned vehicles. Israeli settlers also uprooted 50 olive seedlings in Kisan. Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Beita, injuring 1 journalist with a rubber-coated bullet. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Beit Umar; no serious injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also arrested in Arrabah 3 siblings of 1 of the 6 Palestinians who escaped the Gilboa prison on 9/6 and 2 cousins of another escapee in Bir al-Basha. 3 others were arrested during late-night raids in and around al-Arroub refugee camp, Hebron, and al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler opened fire at Palestinians in al-Ram; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man by the Lion’s Gate in the Old City, claiming that he had tried to stab an Israeli soldier; 1 Israeli soldier was lightly injured by a stray bullet fired by another Israeli soldier. Israeli forces let the man bleed to death without providing aid. Israeli forces also forcefully removed Palestinians during a sit-in protest at the Haram al-Sharif compound, arresting 3. In Gaza, 1 rocket was launched at Israel and was intercepted, after 2 of the Palestinian escapees were arrested. Israel subsequently conducted air strikes at 3 different locations in Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah; causing damage. In Israel, 2 of the 6 Palestinian prisoners who escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6, Mahmoud Aradeh and Yakub Kadari, were arrested near Nazareth. (AJ, ALM, AP, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEMO, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/10; AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA 9/11; AJ 9/13; PCHR 9/16)

Qatar’s ambassador to Gaza Mohammed al-Emadi said that the PA no longer will partake in facilitating getting Qatari aid to Palestinians in Gaza because of fears that banks in the West Bank could be exposed to lawsuits as Hamas is considered a terrorist organization in several countries. (HA, REU 9/10; MEMO 9/11 HA 9/12)

Lebanese president Michel Aoun and prime minister-designate Najib Mikati said that a Lebanese government had been formed and that the new government would hold its 1st meeting on 9/13. It is Lebanon’s 1st government in more than 1 year. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, WAFA 9/10; REU 9/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinian vehicles traveling near a checkpoint in Tayasir, causing damage to both. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian man near Bayt Dajan, causing the man to be hospitalized. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet, 4 with tear gas canisters, and 50 with tear gas. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Bayt Jala and Yatta, and 2 in the vicinity of Beit Fajjar. In Israel, Israeli prison forces raided a section of the Ktzi’ot prison, assaulting Palestinian prisoners. (WAFA, WAFA 8/8; MEE, WAFA, WAFA 8/9; PCHR 8/12)

Peace Now reported that the Israeli government is moving ahead with a plan to create a new settlement with 9,000 housing units at the Atarot airport between Jerusalem and Ramallah. The plans are set to be discussed on 12/6/2021. Peace Now called on the government to shelve the plans for the new settlement immediately. (TOI 8/2; PCN 8/8; AJ 8/17)

Israeli national security officials met with Egyptian security officials in Cairo to discuss the details for a long-term ceasefire with Hamas. (MEMO 8/9)

According to Haaretz, IDF chief of staff Aviv Kochavi met with IDF central command officials, asking them to take steps to reduce lethal shootings of Palestinians in the West Bank as the death toll of Palestinians in the West Bank since May had risen to 40 on 8/6. Haaretz called on Chief of Staff Kochavi in an editorial to dismiss head of IDF central command Tomer Yadai in response to the many killings. (HA, HA 8/10)

Bahrain’s undersecretary for political affairs Shaykh Abdullah bin Ahmed al-Khalifa met with Israel’s president Isaac Herzog and foreign minister Yair Lapid in Jerusalem, where he announced plans to start direct flights between the 2 countries. Foreign Minister Lapid also said he would be visiting Bahrain soon. The 2 countries formalized a normalization deal in September 2020. (HA 8/8; ALM 8/10)

A Saudi Arabian court handed sentences of up to 22 to years in prison to a large number of Palestinian and Jordanian residents of the country who were charged with being linked to unnamed terrorist organizations. A total of 69 Palestinians and Jordanians received either prison sentences or were acquitted. It was unclear how many of the 69 were acquitted; all were detained in March 2018. Among the Palestinians to receive prison sentences was Hamas representative to Saudi Arabia Mohammed al-Khodari, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Hamas condemned the rulings, calling the sentences “harsh and undeserved.” (AJ, MEMO, MEMO 8/9; ALM, MEMO 8/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers planted trees near al-Farisya and ‘Ain al-Hilweh. Israeli forces delivered a stop-work order to 1 Palestinian for his agricultural fields and seized 1 bulldozer. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Beit Fajjar, al-Bireh, Dura, Bayt Liqya, Bayt Rima, and Jaba‘. In East Jerusalem, around 100 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound for the 2d day in a row. 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Isawiya and Shu‘fat. (WAFA, WAFA 7/19; PCHR 7/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz spoke on the phone. According to Gantz’s office, the 2 discussed trust-building steps between Israel and the PA and Gantz gave Abbas best wishes on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. Their conversation was the 1st between Abbas and an Israeli minister since 2017, when Abbas spoke to then prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli president Isaac Herzog also called President Abbas to wish him a happy Eid al-Adha. (JP, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA 7/19; ALM 7/22)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted air strikes in as-Safira, south of Aleppo, killing 5 people. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA 7/20)

A freedom of information request revealed that the director general of the Israeli interior ministry lives in a house in the illegal settlement outpost Keida, which has had a demolition order against it since 2008. The interior ministry said in a statement that its minister Ayelet Shaked “is pleased that the director-general of her ministry lives in Keida.” (HA 7/20)

King Abdullah II of Jordan met with U.S. president Joe Biden in the White House. King Abdullah II was the 1st Middle Eastern leader to visit President Biden in Washington, as the U.S.-Jordanian relationship was tarnished during the Donald Trump administration due to the 1-sided peace proposal made by the administration. A read-out of the meeting said that the 2 discussed the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and Jordan’s relationship to Israel. (AJ, HA, JP, JP, MEE, NBC, NYT, REU, TOI, TOI 7/19; MEMO, WAFA 7/20)

The ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s issued a statement declaring it will end sales of its ice cream in Israeli settlements, saying that selling its ice cream in the occupied Palestinian territory “is inconsistent with our values.” Ben & Jerry’s also announced it would not renew its licensing agreement with manufacturers of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in Israel but that the ice cream will still be available in Israel. Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett said that Ben & Jerry’s had decided to brand itself as an “antisemitic ice cream.” Foreign minister Yair Lapid, who weeks ago said his government would not call all criticism of Israel anti-Semitic, said the company was surrendering to BDS and anti-Semitism and that he would ask 35 U.S. states with anti-BDS laws to enforce them against the U.S. company. On 7/20, Prime Minister Bennett called the CEO of Unilever, the parent company of Ben & Jerry’s, to criticize the decision and Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. Gilad Erdan urged states with anti-BDS laws to take legal action against Ben & Jerry’s. The Israeli president Isaac Herzog likened the Ben & Jerry’s decision to terrorism. Ben & Jerry’s is known to engage publicly on progressive issues. Both founders of the company are Jewish-Americans. (AJ, ALM, AX, BenJerry, FOX, GDN, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, NBC, REU, TOI, TOI, TOI, TOI, Twitter 7/19; AJ, AP, BBC, CNN, HA, HA, JP, JP, JP, MEE, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA 7/20; HA, MEMO 7/21; AJ, AP, MEMO 7/22; GDN 7/23; HA 7/26; AX 7/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian farmer working his land near Qalqilya. Israeli forces uprooted some 100 olive trees while razing some 30 dunams (7.4 acres) of land in Jayyus. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 10 houses in Ni‘lin and Dayr Qaddis in Area B. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 2 residential tents and 2 agricultural tents, displacing 15 Palestinians in al-Buwayb in the Masafer Yatta area. Palestinians protested Israeli attacks on Palestinian and international journalists at the office of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate in Ramallah. 11 Palestinians were arrested, including 10 during raids in and around Bethlehem, Nablus, al-‘Arub refugee camp, Bayt Umar, Hebron, Dayr Abu Mash‘al, Idhna, al-‘Amari refugee camp, Dayr Balut, and Surayf, and 1 was arrested at a checkpoint in Huwwara. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested in al-Tur, Silwan, and the Old City. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian was found dead in rubble resulting from Israeli air strikes in Gaza City, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 260 to 261, including 67 children and 3 pregnant women. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/31; PCHR 6/3)

In Gaza, electricity remained limited to 6 hours followed by blackouts for 12 hours despite repairs made to power lines that were damaged during the most recent escalation between Israel and Hamas. It was reported that the power shortages were due to Israel continuing to withhold fuel transfers to Gaza’s power plant. It was also reported that Israel continues to prevent Palestinians in need of cancer treatment from traveling to East Jerusalem for chemotherapy. (HA, HA 5/31; MEMO 6/1)

Palestinian prisoners started an open-ended hunger strike for the Israel Prison Service allow family visits, which has been prohibited since March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (WAFA 5/31)

2 Palestinians were charged with terrorism for allegedly throwing stones at 1 Jewish family traveling by car in East Jerusalem on 5/9, a day where more than 330 Palestinians were injured by Israeli settlers and police. (HA 5/31)

Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar said Hamas was ready to negotiate the terms of releasing Israeli captives and the bodies of 2 Israeli soldiers held by the organization. The deputy head of Hamas in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, had earlier that day warned Israel not to tie the issue of Israeli captives to aid to Gaza or to Israeli policy on Jerusalem. Israel’s foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi made the opposite demand during a meeting with Egypt’s foreign minister Sameh Shoukry on 5/30. Head of Egyptian general intelligence Abbas Kamel also met with Sinwar in Gaza to discuss a long-term ceasefire with Israel. (HA 5/29; AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 5/31; MEMO, MEMO 6/1)

Israeli public security minister Amir Ohana backed a call by Lydda councilman Amichai Langfeld to have armed Jewish-Israeli civilians patrol the streets of the city to “protect the Jewish community” there. Jewish-Israeli member of Knesset from the Joint Arab List Ofer Cassif said such calls were incitement. (HA 6/1)

Israel and the UAE signed a tax treaty. (HA, MEMO, REU 5/31)

Israel summoned the ambassador of Mexico to Israel because of the country’s vote at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 5/27 to investigate potential Israeli war crimes. On 5/30, Israel also summoned the ambassador the Philippines over his country’s vote at the UNHRC. (JP 6/1)

More than 50 former prime ministers, foreign ministers, and senior international officials wrote an open letter calling for protecting the independence of the ICC and condemning attacks on the court. The letter mentioned Israel-Palestine as a place where, without the ICC, there “is no accountability for grave human rights violations, it is the victims seeking justice and people longing for lasting peace who are paying the price.” The letter also called allegation of anti-Semitism waged against the ICC “unfounded.” (GDN, GDN 5/31; MEMO, WAFA 6/1)

The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report that Iran has failed to explain why traces of uranium were found at undeclared sites. (REU 5/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole some 100 Palestinian-owned hay bales in Burin. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians while traveling in the same car near al-Bireh. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Kafr Na‘im, al-Bireh, Askar refugee camp, and Sa‘ir; 2 Palestinian children were injured by rubber-coated bullets during a confrontation with soldiers in Askar refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Jabal al-Mukabir and al-Tur. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian injured in Israeli air strikes in al-Bureij on 5/17 succumbed to his injuries, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 259 to 260, including 67 children and 3 pregnant women. In Israel, 1 Palestinian guard at a construction site was severally beaten by 10 Jewish-Israelis in Binyamina. 1 firebomb was thrown at a house occupied by Jewish-Israelis in Lydda; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/27; HA, WAFA 5/28; PCHR 6/3)

Israel approved 560 new settlement units in the Mtsad settlement near Kisan. (WAFA 5/27; MEMO 5/28)

According to Middle East Eye, the PA has been arresting at least 14 critics of the government in the West Bank since 5/1, with the largest arrest campaign on 5/22. (MEE 5/27; AJ 5/28)

At a meeting in the Knesset, it was revealed that 1,892 Israelis had been arrested in protests and in confrontations and clashes between Palestinian-Israelis and Jewish-Israelis, and that only 183 of them are Jewish-Israelis. Israeli police dubbed its arrest campaign “Operation Law and Order.” Palestinian-Israeli lawmakers called the operation racist, saying it only targets Palestinian-Israelis. (AJ, HA 5/28; MEMO 5/29; AJ 6/1)

1 Palestinian-Israeli imam Shaykh Kamal Khatib, the deputy leader of the northern faction of the Islamic Movement in Israel, was charged with incitement to terrorism and identification of a terrorist organization. Shaykh Khatib was arrested on 5/16. Khatib’s lawyer called the charges a political persecution. (HA, MEE 5/27)

An Egyptian official said that Egypt had invited Israeli, Hamas, and PA officials to Egypt for separate talks about reinforcing the ceasefire and accelerating the rebuilding of Gaza. A Hamas official said that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh would visit Cairo next week and that Hamas is ready to talk about a prisoner swap. The Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi is expected to meet the Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry as part of the talks. (ALM, AP, HA, HA 5/27)

Israel summoned the French ambassador to Israel after the French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on 5/23 said, about Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, that the “risk of apartheid is strong if we continue to follow a logic of one state, or of status quo.” (HA, MEMO 5/26; ALM, HA, HA 5/27)

A public opinion poll released by the Arab American Institute said that 51% of Americans are for restricting U.S. military aid to Israel. 62% of Democrats supported restricting U.S. military aid to Israel. The poll was conducted on 5/20, the day the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was announced. (MEE 5/27)

The UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution to investigate the latest escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas and Israeli attacks on Palestinians in East Jerusalem. 9 countries voted against the resolution, including Austria, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Czech Republic, Germany, Malawi, the Marshall Islands, U.K., and Uruguay. 14 countries abstained. Israel said it would not cooperate with the investigation. Hamas said its actions during the 11 days of violence were “legitimate resistance.” The U.S. said it opposed the investigation. The UN high commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet stated that Israeli attacks on Gaza may be war crimes and that rockets fired from Gaza were a violation of international law. Separately, the UN appealed countries to raise $95 million in aid to Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. (AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, VOA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/27; ALM, MEMO, MEMO 5/28)

Japan announced $10 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza. (WAFA 5/27)

More than 600 prominent international musicians signed a calling Israel a “settler-colonial project committed to the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian population” and calling for a boycott of Israel. (HA 5/28; MEMO 5/29; WAFA 5/30)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor using rubber-coated bullets in al-Janiya. Israeli settlers also damaged and uprooted 130 olive seedings in al-Rihaya south of Hebron. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition in Far‘un. 19 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bayt Umar, Yatta, Bethlehem, al-Walaja, Kaubar, Silwad, Tell, Qabalan, ‘Azun, al-Twana, and Jenin; during a house raid in al-Twana, 1 Palestinian 5-year-old got a black eye during the raid on her home. In East Jerusalem, around 120 Israeli settlers with military escort raided the Haram al-Sharif compound for the 2d day in a row. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian after he allegedly stabbed and injured 1 settler and 1 soldier near Shaykh Jarrah. 26 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan, Jabal al-Mukabir, Shu‘fat, and the Old City. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians injured in Israeli air strikes on Bayt Hanun on 5/11 succumbed to their injuries and 4 Palestinians were found dead in rubble from Israeli air strikes in Khan Yunis, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 253 to 259, including 67 children and 3 pregnant women. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/24; HA, MEMO, WAFA 5/25; PCHR 5/27)

3 Jewish-Israelis were charged with terrorism after severely beating 1 Palestinian-Israeli man on 5/12 in Bat Yam. The Palestinian man was pulled from his car and beaten by a large mob of Jewish-Israelis while an Israeli TV crew filmed the incident as it was unfolding. 6 people were for the attack, while TV footage show the faces of several others beating the man who have not been arrested. (HA 5/24; HA 5/26)

The Palestinian Prisoners Society said Israel had issued 155 administrative detention orders since the beginning of May. (WAFA 5/24)

AP reported that 17 journalists in Gaza had their WhatsApp accounts blocked since 5/21. WhatsApp is owned by Facebook, which has been accused of silencing Palestinian voices. WhatsApp is considered an important tool for sharing information among journalists and activists. (AP 5/24; AJ, F24, NAT, TOI 5/25; AJ, MEMO 5/26)

Iran said it would allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to continue monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities for 1 additional month after a previous agreement expired. (AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU 5/24)

U.S. president Joe Biden spoke to Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, thanking him for his role in mediating the Hamas-Israel ceasefire that went into effect on 5/21. The 2 also discussed rebuilding Gaza. (HILL, REU 5/24; AJ, NAT 5/25)

A U.S. federal court ruled a 2016 Georgia law, prohibiting state contracts with people who engage in boycotts of Israel, unconstitutional. The lawsuit was brought by 2 U.S. rights organizations on behalf of journalist Abby Martin. (MEMO 5/25)

In an attempt to deflect from international outcry, Belarus said it had forced a Ryanair plane traveling from Athens to Vilnius to land in Minsk because a bomb threat in the name of Hamas was made against it. Hamas denied the allegation. In the incident, which happened on 5/23, Belarusian warplanes forced the commercial jet to land in Minsk for Belarusian forces to arrest a passenger who runs a website for opponents of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. (HA 5/24; MEMO 5/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at 1 Palestinian man, who was hospitalized for his injuries, in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near al-Mughayyir and Madama, causing damage. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Tubas and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Shaykh Jarrah demonstrating against Israeli threats of evictions to several families in the neighborhood; 22 were injured, including 6 by rubber-coated bullets. At a counter-protest, the Kahanist lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir from Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) had set up an outdoor office protected by dozens of Israeli police officers. In a video of the counter-protest, the deputy mayor of Jerusalem Aryeh King was filmed yelling to a Palestinian activist, while standing next to Ben-Gvir, “Abu Hummus [the Palestinian activist], how is your ass? Did they take the bullet out of your ass? Did they take it out already? It is a pity it did not go in here,” pointing to his head. Nearby, 1 Israeli settler-owned vehicle was set on fire, to which 3 Israeli settlers armed with live ammunition fired at unarmed Palestinians; no injuries were reported. 1 Israeli settler also used pepper spray on Palestinians eating an iftar meal near 1 of the houses Palestinians are threatened with eviction; clashes subsequently broke out. In a separate incident, 1 Israeli settler stabbed 1 Palestinian at his workplace, who was hospitalized for his injures. 15 Palestinians were arrested in Shaykh Jarrah. 1 Palestinian Waqf guard was also arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya, damaging 1 boat; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israel said 6 incendiary balloons from Gaza had started fires in Israel. (AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA 5/6; HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 5/7; HA 5/10; PCHR 5/11)

The lawyer representing the Palestinian families under the eviction threat in Shaykh Jarrah said the families reached an agreement with the Israeli settlers supposed to take over their homes, as was asked of them by an Israeli judge. The lawyer also said he had asked the court to allow more data to be presented on behalf of the Palestinians proving their ownership. The judge of the Israeli court subsequently ruled to postpone the decision until 5/10. (WAFA, WAFA 5/6; ALM, MEMO 5/7)

1 Palestinian reporter said that she was beaten by a Hamas police officer for not wearing a headscarf while working on a news story on 4/25. The Hamas interior ministry said it would present an apology to the reporter, as the police officer had acted in violation of policy. (AP 5/6; ALM 5/11)

Foreign minister of Jordan Ayman Safadi called on Israel to protect the ownership rights of the Palestinians facing eviction in Shaykh Jarrah, saying that Jordan has provided the PA with documents that proves “beyond doubt” that the Palestinians own the homes. The Arab League also condemned Israel for evicting Palestinians in East Jerusalem. (MEMO 5/6; HA 5/7)

At a military court in the West Bank, Israel charged a Spanish woman with financially aiding the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which Israel considers a terrorist organization. The woman lives in the West Bank and works for a Palestinian health NGO. (AP 4/6)

For the 2d day in a row, Israeli forces attacked Syria. In this attack, an Israeli helicopter fired near Quneitra; there were no reports of damage nor injuries. (REU 5/5; HA 5/6)

A group of 185 Israelis, including prize winners, professors, authors, activists, and military personnel wrote a letter to the ICC, saying not to trust Israel’s own conclusions from investigations into war crimes, suggesting that the ICC instead work with Israeli human rights organizations. (HA, MEE 5/6)

In a joint statement, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK urged “Israel to reverse its decision to advance the construction of 540 settlement units in the Har Homa E area of the occupied West Bank, and to cease its policy of settlement expansion across the Occupied Palestinian Territories.” (REU 5/6; AJ, ALM, HA, JP, WAFA, WAFA 5/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers opened fire at 2 Palestinian children near Yatta; no injuries were reported. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Dura, Bayt Ula, Sa‘ir, and Dheisheh refugee camp; during the raid in Dheisheh refugee camp, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians with live ammunition. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Johor al-Dik; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 3/11; PCHR 3/18)

PA health minister Mai al-Kaila said that the PA will receive a donation of 100,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine from China. Health Minister al-Kaila also said she had urged COVAX to stand by its initial promise of providing vaccines for Palestinians. According to al-Kaila, COVAX had originally promised vaccines to arrive in mid-February but now they are scheduled for May, and the number of vaccines earmarked for the PA is reduced to 168,000 down from 240,000. A shipment of 40,000 Sputnik V vaccine doses arrived in Gaza donated by the UAE. The former Fatah politician Mohammad Dahlan claimed responsibility for the shipment as he is a close advisor to the UAE crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 3/11)

Israeli authorities banned PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith from communicating with 50 Palestinians in the West Bank, including PA president Mahmoud Abbas and all members of the Fatah Central Committee. (WAFA 3/11)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas, in his capacity as leader of Fatah, ejected Nasser al-Kidwa from the Fatah party because al-Kidwa had announced he would run on his own electoral list in the upcoming Palestinian elections. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, YNET, WAFA 3/11)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly canceled a trip to the UAE, where he was to meet with UAE crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed, because his wife Sara Netanyahu was hospitalized with appendicitis. Other reports suggested that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s trip was canceled due to a political conflict with Jordan over the cancelation of the Jordanian crown prince Hussein bin Abdullah’s visit to the Haram al-Sharif compound on 3/10, which was canceled because Israel and Jordan could not agree on security arrangement. In turn, Jordan is said not to have allowed Netanyahu to use Jordanian air space to get to the UAE. It was later reported that Netanyahu had ordered Israeli air space closed to Jordan in retaliation, but that the Israeli transportation ministry had stalled the order, which was eventually canceled. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, HA, JP, REU, REU, REU 3/11; WAFA 3/12; HA 3/14)

Prime minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babiš and prime minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán visited Israel to discuss cooperation in vaccine research and development with Prime Minister Netanyahu. During the trip, Prime Minister Babiš also opened a diplomatic office in Jerusalem. The Czech Republic received a donation of COVID-19 vaccines from Israel earlier this month. The PA and the Arab League condemned the Czech Republic’s decision to open the office in Jerusalem. (REU 3/9; HA, HA 3/11; ALM 3/12; AJ, HA, WAFA 3/13; HA, WAFA 3/14)

The Israeli state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries and the UAE state-owned weapons maker EDGE announced that they would develop an advanced drone defense system together. (ALM, REU 3/11; HA 3/12; JP 3/13)

Israel said it had concluded a military drill with Greece, Cyprus, and France in the Mediterranean Sea. (AJ, ALM, AP 3/12)

The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel has attacked at least 12 Iranian ships carrying oil and other goods en route to Syria since 2019, according to U.S. sources. 1 of the U.S. sources said that the Trump administration had tacitly supported the attacks. (HA, WSJ 3/11; ALM 3/15; HA 3/20)

Representatives from the UN, EU, Egypt, Jordan, Germany, and France met to discuss reviving talks between Israel and Palestine after the 2 countries’ elections this year. (AP 3/11)

A Los Angeles judge ruled to deny pro-Israeli lawyer David Abrams’s request to publicize the list of 64 presenters at a 2018 conference sponsored by Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA). Abrams, who works for the Zionist Advocacy Center, claimed he was looking for information related to “anti-Israel terrorists” but was ultimately not allowed to dox the pro-Palestinian activists. The UCLA police had concluded that none of the speakers were “terrorists.” (PalLegal 3/11; LAT 3/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 1 electrical panel in Asira. 1 Israeli settler rammed his car into a Palestinian-owned flock of sheep in the northern Jordan Valley, killing 4 of the sheep and injuring several others; according to the Palestinian owner of the sheep, he was forced to pay for the repairs to the settler’s car by Israeli forces. Israeli forces seized 1 Palestinian-owned tractor in Birin and demolished 2 agricultural barracks in Fasayil. 19 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Hizma, Bayt Kahil, Hebron, Jenin, and Abu Dis. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers set fire to the Romanian Church Monastery in the Old City, causing damage. Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Issawiyya and 1 Palestinian family demolished their own house in Silwan to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. 1 Palestinian minor was arrested in Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/1; PCHR 3/4)

Israel sentenced the Palestinian lawmaker Khalida Jarrar to 2 years in prison for holding a position in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which Israel considers a terror organization. Jarrar will serve 7 months of the sentence, as she has been held in administrative detention since October 2019. Jarrar has served several years in Israeli prison for her membership to the PFLP. (ADM, HA, WAFA 3/1; AP 3/2)

Several Palestinian NGOs called on the PA to investigate rumors that some PA officials have been getting COVID-19 vaccines ahead of their turn in the formal vaccination scheme. There were also rumors about a black market for COVID-19 vaccines smuggled from Israel and available for purchase in the West Bank. (HA 3/3)

The Israeli government approved a plan to combat gun violence in Palestinian towns in Israel, allocating $45.5 million to 5 police stations and a special police unit to combat crime in the Palestinian community. Palestinian-Israeli members of Knesset criticized the plan for deferring the larger portion of it to after the Israeli elections and said that the government approvals were “crumbs” of the Israeli police budget. (HA 3/2)

Prime minister elect of Kosovo Albin Kurti said he might change the location of Kosovo’s future embassy to Israel from Jerusalem to another city after meeting with the Turkish ambassador in Pristina. Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has warned Kosovo about the repercussions of opening an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. (AP 3/1; HA 3/2)

In the West Bank, large groups of Israeli settlers chanted racist slogans at Palestinians in Hebron and Israeli forces closed off large portions of the city for its Palestinian residents. Israeli forces assaulted and arrested 1 Palestinian minor in Jayyous. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian minor with stones in the French Hill neighborhood, causing severe injuries to his face. Some 230 Israeli settlers also stormed the Haram al-Sharif compound; the PA and Jordan condemned Israel for allowing the settlers access. Israeli forces raided Silwan leading to clashes with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur and Issawiyya. In Israel, Israelis attacked a transport van and its Palestinian driver in West Jerusalem after yelling that the driver was “Arab,” when the Palestinian driver tried to escape the mob he inadvertently killed 1 Israeli man with his vehicle; Israeli police initially arrested the Palestinian man but released him 36 hours and started rounding up 12 Israelis who had attacked the Palestinian man; the Palestinian man’s lawyer said in court that the attack was “a lynching.” (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/28; JP 3/1; HA, PCHR 3/4)

All checkpoints to Gaza and the West Bank were closed by Israel for the Purim holiday. Closures ended at midnight. (HA 2/25)

The Israeli cabinet approved starting to vaccinate Palestinians from the West Bank holding Israeli work permits and Palestinians working in Israeli settlements. Vaccination centers will be set up at West Bank crossings. The decision came days after the PA said that Israel and the PA had agreed that Israel would vaccinate Palestinian workers. (AP, HA, NYT, REU, TOI, TOI 2/28)

8 of 9 judges on the Israeli supreme court voted to overturn the Israeli central elections committee’s decision to disqualify the Palestinian-Israeli Labor party candidate Ibtisam Mara’ana from running in the Israeli elections. The Israeli central elections committee disqualified Mara’ana from running upon request by the racist far-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party on 2/17. (HA 2/28)

Israel designated the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity organization a terrorist organization for its ties to the Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine. (JP 2/28)

The Syrian army said Israel fired rockets at southern Damascus from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights; there were no reports of casualties or damage. (AP, HA 2/28; AJ, JP 3/1)

Iran rejected an invitation to discuss reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) at an informal meeting with the U.S. and European stakeholders, saying that European and American parties have made actions and statements in the recent past that do not make the timing right for Iran. Iran later said that the U.S. should lift the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration before the parties can begin to engage on reviving the JCPOA. (AJ 2/28; REU 3/1)

Some 450 lawmakers in European countries and in the EU parliament signed a letter to EU High Representative Josep Borrell and European foreign ministers urging them to pressure Israel to stop the “de facto annexation” of the West Bank. (HA 2/28; WAFA 3/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian family in Iraq Burin, firing rubber-coated bullets and stones at the family and injuring the mother and 2 children; the settlers also stole olive saplings. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian in Luban al-Sharqiyya, causing their hospitalization. 1 Palestinian child was injured after a stun grenade left behind by Israeli forces exploded in his hands in ‘Aqabat Jabir refugee camp. Israeli forces delivered stop-work notices for 3 houses in al-Khadir. 20 Palestinians were arrested, including 19 during late-night raids in and around Balata, al-Ram, Hebron, al-Fawar refugee camp, Qabatiya, Surda, Jenin, ‘Azun, Aida refugee camp, and Dayr Nidham; 1 was arrested at a military checkpoint near al-Fawar refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinian families demolished their own homes in Shu‘fat and Sur Bahir and 1 other family demolished their own animal shed in Silwan, all in order to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled farmland east of Jabaliya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Jabaliya; no injuries were reported. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/15; PCHR 2/18)

An Israeli court in West Jerusalem upheld the eviction of 4 Palestinian families from their homes in Shaykh Jarrar. The court said the Palestinians had until 5/2 to leave their homes so Israeli settlers can move in. (WAFA 2/16)

Israel stopped a shipment of 2,000 vaccine doses sent from the PA in the West Bank to Gaza. The PA health minister Mai al-Kaila called the Israeli move arbitrary and contravening international law. Knesset foreign affairs and defense committee chairman Zvi Hauser said, “I don’t see Yahya Sinwar giving his vaccine to a merciful nurse. I assume they will go first to Hamas leaders, those who are responsible for the kidnapping of Israelis.” Another MK Avi Dichter argued that Israel should not be willing to help out Palestinians in Gaza because “Gaza has been detached and isolated from Israel . . . the considerations are totally different [than the West Bank].” PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said that the PA is awaiting more vaccine shipments before it starts vaccinating the general public. All 1st responders in the West Bank are said to have been vaccinated. (AP, HA, JP, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA 2/15; AJ, HA, PCHR 2/16)

Israeli forces arrested 3 Israelis on suspicion of terrorism against Palestinians, it is unclear which attacks the arrests were related to. (HA 2/15)

Israel said it will conduct a military drill near the Lebanon border. The drill is expected to last until 2/17. (AJ 2/15)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot 1 Palestinian man near Ras Karkar; according to Israeli authorities, the Palestinian man was unarmed and was shot at a settlement outpost near Ras Karkar; Israeli forces subsequently raided the deceased Palestinian’s house. Israeli settlers also raided Luban al-Sharqiyya, leading to confrontations between Palestinians and the settlers’ military escort; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Malik, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Bayt Dajan, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 5 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinians near Silwad, injuring 1 with live ammunition. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid near Nablus. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Abasan and al-Showka; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/5; HA 2/11; PCHR 2/11)

The ICC ruled that it has territorial jurisdiction to persecute alleged war crimes committed in the occupied Palestinian territories, as it found Palestine to be “a State Party to the [Rome] Statute.” The ICC defined the occupied Palestinian territories as the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza. Israel has argued that the ICC does not have jurisdiction to prosecute matters pertaining to Israel and Palestine because Israel is not party to the Rome Statute and because Palestine is not a state. The latter 2 of the 3 ICC judges ultimately disagreed with erasing the final hurdle to start a formal investigation, 6 years after the ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda started her preliminary investigation into alleged war crimes made by Israel and Hamas. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the ruling “pure anti-Semitism” and said, “[w]e will fight this perversion of justice with all our might.” The PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh praised the decision. The U.S. State Department’s spokesperson said the U.S. has “serious concern about the ICC’s attempts to exercise its jurisdiction over Israeli personnel. We have always taken the position that the court’s jurisdiction should be reserved for countries that consent to it or that are referred by the UN Security Council.” Haaretz reported that Israel has started briefing military personnel on potential implications for them if the proceedings move to a trial. (AJ, AX, DOS, HA, ICC, NYT, WAFA, WAFA 2/5; AJ, AP, HA, HA, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/6; AX, HA, HA, HA, MDW, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/7; WAFA 2/8)

An UNRWA spokesperson said that the UAE’s contributions to the agency dropped from $51.8 million in 2018 and in 2019 to $1 million in 2020. (AJ, HA 2/6)

The U.S. Biden administration notified Congress that it will remove the Houthi group from the list of foreign terrorist organizations. The Houthis were declared a terrorist organization by the Trump administration shortly before the Trump presidency ended. (REU 2/5; AJ 2/6; AJ 2/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers brought their cattle to graze on Palestinian-owned agricultural land east of Yatta, damaging crops. Israeli settlers also vandalized 15 cars and 3 houses in Kafr Haris. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Huwwara. Israeli forces demolished and seized 25 structures, displacing 55 Palestinians, including 32 children, in Khirbet Humsa. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian who was trying to enter Israel for work near Barta‘a. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during raids in and around al-Mughayyir, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Hebron; 2 were arrested at checkpoints near Jit and ‘Azun. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested during a raid in al-Tur; clashes broke out during the raid, leading to tear-gas related injuries. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/1; PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 2/2; REU 2/3; AP, HA, NBC, PCHR, WAFA 2/4)

The Rafah crossing was temporarily open for the 1st of 4 days. The last time the Rafah crossing was open was 11/26/2020. (GISHA, WAFA 1/31)

Israel delivered 2,000 COVID-19 vaccination doses to the PA intended for medical staff. Israel said it intends on sending the PA 5,000 doses. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said the PA expects to have received 50,000 COVID-19 doses from 4 different companies by the middle of February. Prime Minister Shtayyeh also announced that the COVID-19-related lockdown of the West Bank was extended by 2 weeks. The WHO announced that Palestine will start receiving 37,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine around the middle of February though the COVAX program. PA president Mahmoud Abbas extended the COVID-19-related state of emergency for another 30 days. (AP, AP, HA, HILL 1/31; AP, HA, HA, NBC, WAFA, WAFA 2/1; WAFA 2/3)

1 Israeli settler from the Yitzhar settlement, Rabbi Yosef Elitzur, was convicted of inciting violence against Palestinians in 2 opinion pieces written by him. (HA 2/3)

The U.S. Joe Biden administration made its 1st official contact with Palestinian officials. The newly appointed deputy assistant secretary for Israel-Palestine Hady Amr spoke to several Palestinian officials. This marked the 1st official contract between Palestinian and U.S. officials since December 2017. (AX, HA 2/1)

A Biden administration official also said the administration is using and supporting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism, which has been widely critiqued for conflating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. For more about the IHRA working definition of anti-Semitism, see the IPS publication Zionism, Israel, and Anti-Semitism: Dangerous Conflation. (PCN 2/2; MDW 2/3; EI 2/4; HA 2/28)

Kosovo’s foreign minister Meliza Haradinaj and Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi signed an agreement between the 2 countries, which include Kosovo opening an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem and designating Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. In September, Kosovo, Serbia, the U.S., and Israel signed an agreement to have the 2 Balkan countries open embassies to Israel in Jerusalem in return for financial incentives. Serbia’s foreign minister said Serbia has “invested serious efforts in our relations with Israel in recent years and we are not happy with this decision.” Serbia is displeased that Israel as part of the agreement recognized Kosovo as an independent state. The PA, Turkey, the Arab League, and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation also publicly criticized Kosovo because of the country’s decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem. (HA, REU, TOI 2/1; AJ 2/2; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/3)

Hezbollah said it shot down an Israeli drone flying over Lebanese air space. (AP, HA 2/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Palestinian lands near Bethlehem before being fended off by Palestinians. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian teen, claiming he tried to stab 2 Israeli soldiers with a knife at a checkpoint near Nablus; none of the Israeli soldiers were injured. When Israeli forces raided the deceased Palestinian’s family home in Qarawat Bani Hassan, clashes erupted. Israeli forces also seized 1 agricultural structure in al-Burj and razed Palestinian-owned farmland in Luban al-Sharqiyya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Tubas, leading to clashes; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 Palestinian near Husan who was later taken to a hospital for his injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Hizma. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Bayt Fajjar, Tulkarm, Jenin refugee camp, Nablus, and Qalqilya; during the raids in Jenin refugee camp, clashes erupted and 1 Palestinian was shot with live ammunition, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Shu‘fat refugee camp. (HA, ALM, AP, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/26; AJ 1/27; PCHR 1/28)

At the UN security council, PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki criticized Israel for not providing vaccines for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, saying that Israel is evading its responsibility to do so. (TOI 1/26)

Acting U.S. ambassador to the UN Richard Mills said at the UN security council that the Biden administration will restore U.S. aid to programs in the West Bank and Gaza and reopen diplomatic missions for Palestinians in East Jerusalem and Washington. He further stated the administration’s commitment to a mutually agreed upon 2-state solution and asked both Israelis and Palestinians to refrain from committing unilateral actions that goes against the viability of a 2-state solution, including “Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank and annexation plans, demolitions, incitement to violence and providing compensation for individuals imprisoned for acts of terrorism.” Acting Ambassador Mills also expressed support for the normalization deals brokered by the Trump administration. (AJ, ALM, AP, AX, HA, HILL, NYT 1/26)

Also at the UN security council, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov backed PA president Mahmoud Abbas’s call for an international conference to promote peace between Palestine and Israel. Foreign Minister Lavrov said the conference should be held in the spring or summer and that it should include participants from Israel, Palestine, Russia, the UN, the U.S., the EU, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. (TOI, WAFA 1/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted dozens of almond trees and grapevines in Bayt Umar and threatened the Palestinian landowners with guns. Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land in ‘Ayn Bus and seized 1 greenhouse in Bethlehem. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition as he was trying to enter Israel for work through the separation barrier near Far‘un. Elsewhere, Israeli forces dismantled and seized 1 agricultural structure in Tuqu‘. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian at the Qalandia checkpoint, claiming he wanted to stab a soldier with a screwdriver. 15 others were arrested during raids in and around Qabatiya, Jenin refugee camp, Burqin, Ramallah, Kafr Malik, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Nablus. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 7 nautical miles northwest of Rafah. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/12; PCHR 1/14)

The Israeli government told its high court of justice that it had delivered 100 COVID-19 vaccine doses to the PA and that more doses would arrive in some 10 days. The PA health ministry denied having received any doses of COVID-19 vaccines from Israel. (HA, WAFA 1/13)

The Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem released a position paper “A regime of Jewish supremacy from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea: this is apartheid,” calling Israel an apartheid state. B’Tselem argued that the distinction between Israel proper, East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza has been obfuscated so that “the entire area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River is organized under a single principle: advancing and cementing the supremacy of one group—Jews—over another—Palestinians.” B’Tselem said it no longer could treat the occupied Palestinian territories as distinct from Israel as it has in the past and therefore needs to treat the area as 1 entity operating as an apartheid state. 2 particular developments led B’Tselem to change its viewpoint: the Nation-State law and the threats of annexation of Area C. Several Palestinian human rights organizations including al-Haq and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights have already called Israel an apartheid state. (AQ 11/12/2019; +972, AJ, AP, B’Tselem, CNN, GDN, HA, IN 1/12)

Israel attacked several places in Dayr al-Zur and Abu Kamal in eastern Syria with airstrikes, killing 57 people and wounding at least 37. According to a U.S. intelligence official, the strikes were made with intelligence from the U.S.; U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo had discussed the airstrikes with Mossad director Yossi Cohen at a D.C. restaurant on 1/11. Secretary Pompeo also announced that the terrorist group Al Qaeda has a home base in Iran without providing any evidence, a charge the Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called “warmongering lies.” On 1/10, Secretary Pompeo said that the Houthi rebels in Yemen would be added to the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations, a designation many humanitarian organizations lambasted as it will make it impossible to deliver aid to the civilian population living in Houthi-controlled areas who are heavily hunger stricken. (REU 1/10; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, REU 1/11; AJ, AJ, REU, REU 1/12; AA, AJ, FOX, HA, HA, HA, JP 1/13; HA 1/15; HA, HA 1/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles at several places in the Nablus area. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian near Bethlehem, claiming that he threw a knife at an Israeli soldier; Israeli forces later raided his hometown Bayt Umar, leading to clashes; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure in al-Khadir, delivered a stop-work notice for an agricultural road east of Tubas, demolished and uprooted 3,400 olive and grape trees in Dayr Balut, and delivered demolition notices for 13 commercial structures near Jenin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently removed Palestinian and international activists planting olive tree saplings east of Halhul. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during raids in Nabi Saleh, Tulkarm, and Nablus; 1 was arrested by the separation barrier west of Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian-owned vehicles in the Old City. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya and Silwan. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/5; PCHR 1/7)

At a Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia reconciled with Qatar after a 3.5-year dispute where the quartet of countries claimed that Qatar is sponsoring terrorism, an allegation Qatar has denied. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 1/5; REU 1/6; AJ, AJ, REU 1/7; REU 1/8)

Iran put out a “red notice” request through Interpol for the arrest of U.S. president Donald Trump and 47 other U.S. officials in connection with the assassination of Iranian general Qassim Soleimani, who was killed on 1/3/2020 at the Baghdad airport by U.S. forces. (AJ 1/5)

A newly elected republican congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL) said that she would fly an Israeli flag outside her office because Palestinian American Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) has an office next to hers. A spokesperson for Rep. Tlaib called it a publicity stunt said that Tlaib hopes Rep. Cammack would focus on solving issues for her constituents. (FOX, FWD, MEMO, TOI 1/7; JP 1/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at vehicles and houses in Sarta and threw stones at Palestinian-owned vehicles traveling near Rawabi. Israeli settlers also razed Palestinian-owned agricultural land in Khirbet al-Farisiyya. Israeli forces punitively razed agricultural lands in Dayr Nidham after an Israeli settler was injured by a stone-thrower on 1/3. Israeli forces also blocked all entrances and exits to Dayr Nidham for the 2d day in a row. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians, including 2 with live ammunition and 1 with a rubber-coated bullet in ‘Aqabat Jabir during a raid; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also raided a hospital in Tulkarm, firing stun grenades. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians trying to enter Israel for work by the separation barrier west of Ya‘bad. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure in al-Khadir and demolished 1 agricultural structure, 1 water well, and 6 fences in Anabta. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Surayf, Nablus, Bethlehem, and Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers made roadblocks and vandalized Palestinian-owned cars near the Old City. 6 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of al-Maghazi, Bayt Hanun, and al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/4; PCHR 1/7)

Iranian forces seized a South Korean tanker headed to the UAE from Saudi Arabia. An Iranian government official also said that Iran had resumed 20% uranium enrichment at the Fordow nuclear facility. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU 1/4; HA 1/10)

Ahead of the Gulf Cooperation Council summit on 1/5, Saudi Arabia reopened its land border with Qatar, and Kuwait reopened air space and sea borders to the country. This comes after a 3.5-year dispute between Qatar and Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, where the quartet of countries claimed that Qatar is sponsoring terrorism, an allegation Qatar has denied. (AJ, ALM 1/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed a 14-year-old Palestinian using live ammunition during a protest against a settlement outpost in al-Mughayyir; 4 were shot by rubber-coated bullets and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a seed planting event in Bayt Dajan, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protests in Kafr Qaddum and a similar protest in Salfit; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in Hebron, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 at a checkpoint in the Jordan Valley near Jenin and 1 during a late-night raid in Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler tried to set fire to the Church of All Nations, but only managed to cause moderate damage before being stopped by church guards; the settler was arrested by Israeli forces shortly after. PA president Mahmoud Abbas called the incident a terror attack. 1 Palestinian was arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers near Bayt Lahiya and Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 4 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/4; AJ, HA, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/5; AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/6; GDN 12/7; PCHR 12/10; +972 12/14)

The Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud said at a virtual meeting that Saudi Arabia’s demand before normalization with Israel is a “peace deal that delivers a Palestinian state with dignity and with a workable sovereignty that Palestinians can accept.” (AJ 12/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians during a raid in Bayt Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also seized 8 sanitation trucks in al-‘Izzariya, destroyed a vending stall in al-Fawar refugee camp, and demolished 1 agricultural shed and seized 1 mobile home southeast of Hebron. 8 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Biddu, Qatanna, Balata refugee camp, Bayt Dajan, and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Sur Bahir. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan, Issawiyya, and the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmers and shepherds southeast of Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/1; PCHR 12/3)

Hamas said that its political leader Yahya Sinwar had contracted the COVID-19 virus and would be working during self-isolation. (HA 12/1)

The New York Times reported that Sudanese officials said that the country will not move forward with normalization of ties with Israel unless the U.S. Congress grants the country immunity from future terrorism lawsuits. (HA, NYT 12/1)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler attacked 1 Palestinian in Asira, leading to hospitalization of the Palestinian. Israeli forces raided Bayt Umar, leading to clashes with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces also halted work on a water line in Atuf. Israeli authorities closed al-Ibrahimi Mosque for Muslim worshippers for more than 24 hours, ending on 10 p.m. on 9/28, citing the Jewish Yom Kippur holiday. (WAFA, WAFA 9/27; WAFA 9/28; PCHR 10/1)

PA authorities announced that government employees only will receive 50% of their salaries for September, marking the 4th month in a row that civil servants will receive reduced pay from the PA due to its financial crisis. (WAFA 9/27; WAFA 9/28)

The New York Times reported that Sudan wants between $3-4 billion from the U.S. in addition to being removed from the state sponsors of terrorism list if the country is to normalize ties with Israel. According to a Sudanese official, the country had been offered $800 million in direct aid and investment to be paid by the UAE, the U.S., and some $10 million from Israel. The Sudanese transitional government prime minister Abdalla Hamdok is said to have rejected the link between Sudan’s removal from the U.S. terrorism list with normalizing ties with Israel. (AJ, HA, REU 9/26; NYT, TOI 9/27)

In the West Bank, Palestinians in Kafr Malik forced Israeli settlers to leave their property after they set up caravans on their land; as the confrontation ensued, Israeli forces intervened on behalf of the settlers, injuring 2 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at construction workers in Burqa. Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land in Haris. 12 Palestinians in the Ofer prison tested positive for COVID-19, raising the number of Palestinian prisoners testing positive for the virus to 29. 43 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Dura, Hebron, Yatta, Bani Na‘im, al-‘Arub refugee camp, Bayt Umar, Bethlehem, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing 2 floors of their home in the Old City. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/8; PCHR 9/10)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized for the killing of a Palestinian-Israeli man who Israeli police shot during the demolition of the Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran in the Negev in January 2017. Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israeli police, after the shooting, falsely had claimed the man was a terrorist. Chairman of the Joint List Ayman Odeh accused Netanyahu of having created the idea that the Palestinian-Israeli man was a terrorist when he was killed in 2017. Netanyahu’s comments fell after Haaretz reported on an internal document from the Shin Bet saying there was no evidence or indication of a terror attack. (HA 9/8; HA 9/9; TOI 9/10)

The son of Chadian president Idriss Déby, Abdelkarim Déby, represented his country during a visit to Israel and meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, the 2 discussed possibly exchanging embassies, including a Chadian embassy in Jerusalem. The Chadian foreign ministry “categorically” denied having any intentions to open an embassy in Jerusalem. (HA 9/8; WAFA 9/9)

The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah expressed concern over Israel’s demolitions of Palestinian structures in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. (WAFA 9/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque and wrote racist graffiti on walls in al-Bireh. Israeli forces razed Palestinian farmland to expand an Israeli settlement near Burqin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 4 animal barns in Nahalin. 11 Palestinians were arrested, including 9 during late-night raids in and around Anata, Hebron, Shu‘fat, and Jenin; 2 were arrested at a military checkpoint near Nablus. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Rafah. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/27; PCHR 7/29)

In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants were said to have exchanged fire near the Lebanese border; no casualties were reported. Israel claimed that Hezbollah operatives had entered Israel, leading to an exchange of fire. Hezbollah, however, said that it had not opened fire on Israeli forces and that the Israeli claims were a publicity stunt. The Lebanese prime minister Hassan Diab later said that Israel’s conduct was a dangerous military escalation in violation of Lebanese sovereignty. (REU, REU 7/27; AJ, HA, HA, HA, REU 7/28)

The U.S. Democratic Party finalized its platform for the 2020 elections. While the platform states opposition to Israeli annexation of West Bank settlements and calls for a 2-state solution, it also dismissed progressive amendments to dealing with Israel, such as conditioning military aid and calling for an end to the occupation of the West Bank. The amendments were voted down 117-34. The platform also recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Jewish Voice for Peace called the platform “wildly out of touch with the Democratic base.” (HA 7/27; JVP Action 7/28; WAFA 7/29)

The EU said it was “deeply concerned” about the detention of PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith and called for “full respect of bilateral agreements between Israel and the PLO” with regard to East Jerusalem. Governor Gheith was arrested on 7/19 during a house raid; it was the 18th time he has been arrested since becoming governor 2 years ago. (WAFA 7/28)

The EU contributed with $27 million to the PA to help pay for the June salaries for PA civil servants. The PA has only paid civil servants half their salaries, citing the refusal to receive tax revenue payments collected by Israel because it would include coordination between the PA and Israel. (WAFA, WAFA 7/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in al-Khadir. Israeli forces raided Jenin, dismantling a PA COVID-19 checkpoint and injuring 1 Palestinian using live ammunition during clashes at Jenin refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces injured 1 Palestinian using live ammunition during clashes at Jalazun refugee camp. Israeli forces seized a Byzantine-era baptismal font from a church in Tuqu‘. Israeli forces also seized 700 dunams (173 acres) of Palestinian-owned land for an Israeli national park near Bethlehem. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Yatta, Bethlehem, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Shu‘fat ad Wadi al-Juz. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen northwest of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of al-Bureij, no injuries were reported. (TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/20; PCHR 7/23)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with the Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukri in Ramallah. (WAFA, WAFA 7/20)

An Israeli court remanded the PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith for 7 days. Governor Gheith was arrested on 7/19; it was the 17th time he has been arrested by Israeli forces since being named governor in 2018. Gheith had previously been released after 2 days but this time his lawyer told Agency French Presse that he is being probed over “planning an act of terrorism.” (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, YAHOO 7/20)

Syrian state media reported that Israel fired missiles from Israel-occupied Golan Heights toward Damascus, but that the missiles were intercepted. Israeli media later reported that some missiles had not been intercepted and 5 people had been killed and 11 injured in the attacks. Hezbollah later said that 1 of their members had been killed in attacks. (HA, REU 7/20; HA, HA, JP 7/21; AJ, HA 7/23)

Austria contributed with $8.8 million for UNRWA programs. Separately, the EU donated $4.6 million to UNRWA to help deal with the agency’s COVID-19 response. (WAFA, WAFA 7/20)

In the West Bank, Palestinians protested the U.S. administration’s peace plan in several places throughout the West Bank, leading to clashes with Israeli forces, causing 41 injuries, including 3 Palestinians shot by live ammunition in Ramallah and others suffering injuries from rubber-coated bullets and tear gas. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in and around Bayt Umar and Dura; and 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Qalandia. In East Jerusalem, the gates to the Haram al-Sharif compound were closed by Israel temporarily after 2 Palestinians were arrested at the compound. Another 4 Palestinians were arrested in the vicinity of the compound, including a Waqf guard. In Gaza, Palestinians observed a general strike in protest over the U.S. administration’s peace plan. Israeli forces struck targets in Dayr al-Balah and Khan Yunis, causing damage and minor injuries to 2 Palestinian minors. Israeli officials claimed that the attacks were in response to incendiary balloons sent toward Israel. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/29; PCHR, WAFA 1/30)

Israel’s Central Elections Committee voted to prevent the Palestinian-Israeli politician Heba Yazbak from the Joint List from running during the Israeli elections in March. The committee claimed that she had expressed support for terrorists. Yazbak called the campaign against her a plot of the right wing in “trying to hide the real injustice of the occupation and the blockade.” The Israeli high court of justice will issue a final ruling. (HA 1/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinians during raids in and around Bethlehem. Israeli forces also violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum; 3 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets, including 1 minor. Elsewhere, in al-‘Arub refugee camp, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli settlers cut down 17 olive trees in al-Sawiya. In East Jerusalem, several Palestinians were injured, including 5 by rubber-coated bullets, when Israeli forces raided the Haram al-Sharif compound; 7 Palestinians were arrested during the raid. A Palestinian family demolished their own home to avoid exorbitant Israeli-imposed demolition fees in Jabal Mukabir, displacing 6 people. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmlands on 2 separate occasions east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 1/17; PCHR 1/23)

After deeming Hezbollah’s military arm a terrorist organization in 2019, the UK designated Hezbollah in its entirety a terrorist organization. (HA 1/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished a shack housing 11 people east of Yatta. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bayt Umar, al-Shuyukh, and Dahaysha refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith during a house raid in Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmland on 2 separate occasions east of Khuza‘a and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen on 2 separate occasions off the shore of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 11/21; PCHR 11/28)

Israel’s attorney general Avichai Mendelblit announced that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in the corruption cases 1000, 2000, and 4000. (HA, HA, NYT 11/21; CNN 11/22)

107 members of U.S. congress signed a letter sent to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticizing the decision to no longer consider Israeli settlements illegal under international law, announced on 11/18. The letter was initiated by Andy Levin (D-MI) and expressed “strong disagreement with the State Department’s decision to reverse decades of bipartisan U.S. policy on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.” The members of congress further warned that the U.S. administration’s policies have “discredited the United States as an honest broker between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.” (HA 11/23)

The Netherlands announced that it will stop paying $1.5 million yearly in aid to the PA because of the stipends the PA pays to families of Palestinian prisoners and families of Palestinians killed by Israel. Israel frames these payments as “terrorist salaries.” The head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Association said, “From a Palestinian perspective, the payments are meant to assist the families of Palestinians who are imprisoned by Israel for various political charges.” Pro-Israel lobbies in the Netherlands have tried to persuade the country from contributing to the PA. (AJ, HA 11/21)

The United Arab Emirates announced a new $12.5 million contribution to UNRWA. (WAFA 11/21)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian journalist was injured by Israeli forces while covering a protest organized by students from Birzeit University at a checkpoint north of Ramallah. Later in a separate incident, a Palestinian child was injured by a rubber-coated bullet to the chest fired by Israeli forces in Bayt Rima; 1 Palestinian was arrested during the incident. An additional 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Hebron, Ramallah, and Nablus. Israeli forces also demolished an agricultural building near Tarqumiyya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian turned himself in to the police after Israeli forces had raided his home and handed his family an arrest summons. 2 other Palestinians were arrested during daytime raids in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural land on 2 separate occasions; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions to level land east of al-Bureij refugee camp. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/9; WAFA 9/10; PCHR 9/12)

Israel’s high court of justice ruled that Israel is permitted to hold the bodies of accused terrorists for the purpose of negotiating with terrorist organizations, overturning a previous ruling by the court. (HA, WAFA 9/9)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israel had uncovered sites of Iran’s nuclear program. Iran refuted Netanyahu’s accusation. (HA 9/9; AJ, HA 9/10)

In the West Bank, 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Tulkarm, Hebron, and Jericho. During a raid in Hebron, surveillance camera recordings were confiscated and solar panels were damaged. East of Ramallah, Israeli forces uprooted 120 olive trees. In ‘Urif, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian high school by throwing stones at the building, causing moderate damage. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested; 2 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and 1 near the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli shelling continued for the 3d day in a row, killing 19 Palestinians and wounding 29. Several buildings in Gaza were completely destroyed and others were damaged. 3 Israelis were killed by rockets from Gaza and 4 people were wounded in Israel, including a Thai national. This makes the comprehensive death toll from the Israeli attack on Gaza on 4/5-5/5 30 Palestinians total. By the end of 5/5 (U.S. eastern time), it was reported that a cease-fire agreement had been reached. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/5; MNA, WAFA, WAFA 5/6; PCHR 5/9)

Israel indicated that it had resumed its policy of executions, what Israeli authorities refer to as target killings. Israel killed a Palestinian man in Gaza alleged to facilitating transfers of funds from Iran to Hamas during its attack on Gaza. Chief of the Israeli forces southern command Hertzi Halevy said that the Israeli executions of Palestinians alleged to be involved in terror activity “is expected to continue.” (HA 5/5)

U.S. president Donald Trump tweeted, “Once again, Israel faces a barrage of deadly rocket attacks by terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. We support Israel 100% in its defense of its citizens . . . To the Gazan people—these terrorist acts against Israel will bring you nothing but more misery. END the violence and work towards peace—it can happen!” Member of the PLO executive committee Hanan Ashrawi called Israel’s attack on Gaza “criminal and morally reprehensible.” (Twitter, WAFA 5/5)