The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian in Huwwara; he was treated at a hospital for his injuries. Israeli settlers with military escort also attacked Palestinian homes in Hebron; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian shepherds and farmers in the Masafer Yatta area, causing several injuries. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian using rubber-coated bullets near the separation barrier in the Jenin area. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from farming their land in Jalud. 1 man alleged to be Palestinian threw a Molotov cocktail at an Israeli soldier at a checkpoint near Jit before driving away in his car; the soldier was unharmed. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Kisan and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian shepherds east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/19; TOI, WAFA 12/20; PCHR 12/24)

In Israel, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the 1st to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the COVID-19 virus. Israel does not plan to offer vaccinations to Palestinians in the West Bank. The PA says it has secured the Russian-made vaccine Sputnik V, which will arrive in 2021. 20 percent of the Palestinian vaccinations are expected to be delivered for free from the World Health Organization as part of a scheme to deliver vaccinations to poorer countries. (AJ, AP 12/17; REU 12/18; AJ, REU 12/19; HA 12/20)

Israeli protesters demonstrated against Prime Minister Netanyahu for the 26th Saturday in a row in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Netanyahu resign due to his COVID-19 response, the Israeli economy, and the corruption cases against him. (HA 12/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized 1 tractor south of Hebron. 17 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Qalqilya, Hebron, Ramallah, Jenin, Tulkarm, Salfit, and Shu‘fat refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya. (WAFA, WAFA 12/2; PCHR 12/3)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas extended the COVID-19-related state of emergency for another 30 days as cases continued to rise in the West Bank. (WAFA 12/2)

The PA said it would pay its civil servants their full salaries for November plus an additional 50 percent as the PA starts repaying its civil servants who have only received 50 percent of their salaries for months. The announcement came as the PA also said it received more than $1 billion from Israel, which had been withheld by Israel since February. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA 12/2; ALM 12/3)

The Israeli Knesset voted, in a preliminary vote, to dissolve itself, paving the way for a 4th Israeli election in 2 years. Among the votes to dissolve the Knesset was Kahol Lavan party leader Benny Gantz, who is currently serving as deputy prime minister and minister of defense. The bill was proposed by Yesh Atid and supported by Meretz and Labour, and eventually supported by Gantz’s party, which is part of the government it seeks to dissolve. 3 of the 4 parties that constitute the Joint Arab List also voted for the bill. The last party, United Arab List, was not present for the vote. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, TOI 12/2; HA 12/3)

The foreign ministry of the Czech Republic released a statement saying the country will open a branch of its embassy in Jerusalem, which will be manned by a diplomat. The country’s main embassy will remain in Tel Aviv. The president of the Czech Republic is a proponent of moving the country’s embassy to Jerusalem. The PA summoned the Czech Republic’s representative to Palestine to protest the decision, demanding it be reversed. (HA, REU 12/2; WAFA 12/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 2 elderly Palestinians south of Jenin, leading to the hospitalization of both Palestinians. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinians driving near Burqa, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized dozens of olive trees in Jalud and 25 olive trees in ‘Ayn Bus. Israeli forces demolished the Palestinian village Khirbet Humsa in the Jordan Valley, including 18 residential tents, displacing 74 people, including 41 minors. Agricultural structures and water tanks were also demolished, and 3 vehicles were seized. The village is located in what Israel deems a firing zone. Israeli forces also seized 9 tractors, 5 water tanks, 2 vehicles, and solar panels near Tubas. 12 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Tulkarm, Ya‘bad, Jenin, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces razed a plot of land in Bayt Hanina and demolished 1 horse shed in Jabal Mukabir. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level farmland east of al-Bureij. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/3; AJ, PCHR, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, +972 11/4; BBC, B’Tselem, CNN, EI, GDN, PCHR, REU 11/5; HA, WAFA 11/6; WAFA, WAFA 11/7)

The foreign minister of Malawi Eisenhower Mkaka and Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi released a joint statement saying Malawi would open an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem by the end of 2021. (HA, MEMO, REU 11/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers destroyed electric poles in al-Zawiya. Israeli forces violently dispersed protests in Bayt Dajan against settler encroachment; 3 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinian minors at a checkpoint near Jenin using live ammunition; all 3 were rushed to a hospital. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians during the weekly anti-settlement protests in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 mother and her son before arresting the son in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, thousands of Muslim worshippers prayed at the Haram al-Sharif compound despite COVID-19 restrictions; 3 Palestinians were arrested. The mass prayer happened after a legal protest against French president Emmanuel Macron’s recent attacks on Islam. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/30; HA 11/1; PCHR 11/5)

The foreign ministry of the Dominican Republic announced that the country is considering moving its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. (HA, REU 10/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Surayf, leading to clashes with Palestinians; 1 Palestinian minor was shot in his chest and taken to a hospital. Israeli forces also uprooted dozens of Palestinian-owned olive trees in Husan and demolished 3 rooms, 1 residential tent, 2 shacks, and 1 oven east of Yatta. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bayt Umar, Hebron, Bayt Fajjar, and Jalazun refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 2 Palestinian-owned houses in Ras al-Amud. 5 Palestinians were arrested in and around the Old City, al-Tur, and Bayt Hanina. Israel also summoned PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith for questioning. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/30; PCHR 10/1)

The U.S. received the 1st of 2 Israeli-made Iron Dome missile defense batteries purchased in 2019. (HA 9/30)

The EU contributed $12.31 million to the PA budget to help the PA pay for pensions and salaries for civil servants for August. The EU also called on Israel to hand over its owed taxes to the PA without any conditions. (WAFA 9/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians during a raid in al-‘Arub refugee camp, leading to tear-gas related injuries; no arrests were reported. Israeli forces also seized 1 bulldozer in Dura. For the 2d day in a row, Israeli authorities closed al-Ibrahimi Mosque for Muslim worshippers during the Jewish New Year holiday. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 2 Palestinians were arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/20; PCHR 9/24)

Haaretz reported that an Israel association Kedma, which receives funding from the Israeli government, requires students who receive scholarships through the organization to guard settlement outposts in the West Bank. According to Haaretz, Kedma received around $1 million from the Israeli government in 2018. (HA 9/22)

In a tweet, the president of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernández said that he and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed that Honduras would open an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem by the end of the year if the COVID-19 crisis does not prevent it. Honduras would be the 3d country to open an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. (REU 9/20; AJ, HA, JP 9/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land in Khirbat Zanuta and razed land and demolished water pipes in al-Twana. Elsewhere, Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed in al-‘Izzariya after Israeli forces stormed a cemetery; 1 Palestinian-owned house was damaged by a fire ignited by sound bombs. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during raids in and around Shu‘fat, Hebron, Qalandia, Ramallah, and Jericho, and 2 were arrested at checkpoints in Hebron and near Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli court issued an eviction order for an extended Palestinian family living in an apartment complex in Silwan; the eviction order affects 28 people. The court ruled in favor of the settler organization Ateret Cohanim. 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and al-Tur; 1 Algerian tourist was arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Khan Yunis. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya within the allocated fishing zone; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 9/7; PCN 9/9; PCHR 9/10; HA 9/15)

The UN launched a temporary service via the WHO to facilitate transfers of Gaza medical patients to Israel, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank in lieu of Israel and the PA’s ceased cooperation. (HA 9/8)

The EU warned Serbia and Kosovo that moving their embassies to Jerusalem as announced by U.S. president Donald Trump on 9/4 would undermine their hopes to gain membership in the union. (HA 9/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians trying to enter Israel for work; 2 were shot in the foot and 1 in his mouth. Israeli forces also injured 2 Palestinians during clashes in Dayr Abu Mash‘al; 1 was shot with a rubber-coated bullet and 1 was hit by a tear gas canister. PA president Mahmoud Abbas extended the state of emergency related to COVID-19 in the West Bank for another 30 days. Almost 200 Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories have died due to COVID-19. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid in Taqqua, 3 during a raid in Hebron, and 1 at a military checkpoint near Dayr Sharaf. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/4; PCHR 9/10)

U.S. president Donald Trump announced that the U.S. had brokered a deal between Kosovo and Serbia which includes Kosovo and Israel normalizing ties and both Kosovo and Serbia establishing embassies in Jerusalem. Secretary-general of the PLO Saeb Erakat said that the U.S. is committed to pressure other countries to violate international law in order to satisfy “Israel’s expansionism.” The PA foreign ministry called the U.S.-brokered deal “blackmailing.” The secretary-general of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit also condemned the 2 countries’ promise to establish Israeli embassies in Jerusalem. Later, sources close to the Serbian president said Serbia would not move its embassy to Jerusalem if Israel recognizes Kosovo. (AJ, GDN, HA 9/4; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/5; JP 9/9; TOI 9/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers rammed into a flock of Palestinian-owned sheep near Yatta, killing and injuring several. Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed during a raid in al-‘Arub refugee camp. 6 Palestinians were arrested in late-night raids in and around Jenin, Ramallah, Tulkarm, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Jabal Mukabir. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired missiles and shells east of Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah, causing damage. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 8/30; WAFA 8/31; PCHR 9/3)

The PA announced that, due to its financial crisis, government employees would only receive 50 percent of their July salaries. (WAFA 8/30)

At a press conference with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, U.S. senior advisor to the president Jared Kushner said that the U.S. administration’s peace plan is a “very gracious, realistic offer,” and that Palestinians should come to the negotiating table. Prime Minister Netanyahu said that if the U.S. and Israel had to wait for the Palestinians to come to the table they would “wait forever.” (HA 8/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with Israeli military escort toured a spring near al-Walaja. Israeli forces violently dispersed protests against the UAE-Israel normalization deal in Kafr Qaddum, Salfit, Hebron, ad Ni‘lin, causing tear-gas related injuries, and 2 were hit by rubber-coated bullets in Kafr Qaddum. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 on a street in the Old City and 1 during a late-night raid in Wadi al-Juz. In Gaza, 12 rockets were fired toward Israel, 1 causing damage to a house after it was intercepted. Israeli forces fired missiles at Gaza east and west of Gaza City and near Bayt Lahiya, causing damage and moderate injuries to 1 minor who was hit by shrapnel. Israeli forces also opened fire on agricultural lands east of Rafah and Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen on 2 separate occasions west of Bayt Lahiya and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Israel, thousands of protesters outside of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence continued their calls for him to step down. (HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/21; HA 8/22; HA 8/23; PCHR 8/27)

In an apparent response to U.S. president Donald Trump’s claim that Saudi Arabia would follow the UAE and normalize ties with Israel, a senior member of the Saudi royal family, Prince Turki al-Faisal, said in an op-ed that “[t]he Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has set a price for concluding peace between Israel and the Arabs—it is the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as capital, as provided for by the initiative of the late King Abdullah.” According to the London-based newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadid, the head of the Mossad, Yossi Cohen, met with the deputy head of Sudan’s sovereignty council general Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo in a meeting brokered by the UAE. Sudan denied the claim. (AJ, HA, REU 8/21; HA 8/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a tractor and wrote racist graffiti in ‘Urif and slashed tires on several vehicles and wrote racist graffiti on buildings in Yasuf. Israeli settlers also threw stones and paint at an Israeli border police vehicle near the Yitzhar settlement. Israeli settlers also set fire to Palestinian agricultural lands in Asira; subsequently, local Palestinians and Israeli forces clashed in the area, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also razed land east of Tulkarm. Separately, Israeli forces injured 3 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets as they were seeking to enter Israel via the separation wall near Far‘un. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hizma, Bethlehem, Salfit, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished part of their house built to accommodate their disabled son in Sur Bahir. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and the Old City, and 1 Waqf guard at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israel fired missiles at Gaza City, Bayt Hanun, and Dayr al-Balah, causing damage; incendiary balloons were launched from Gaza toward Israel, sparking fires. 1 unexploded Israeli shell was found at an UNRWA school west of Gaza City. Israel announced that it would stop all imports of fuel into Gaza as collective punishment for incendiary balloons landing in Israel. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/13; HA, HA 8/14; PCHR 8/16; PCHR 8/17; PCHR 8/19)

Russia announced that it would open trade representation offices in Bethlehem, Hebron, and Nablus. (WAFA 8/13)

U.S. president Donald Trump announced that Israel and the UAE had agreed to establish full diplomatic ties and that Israel, as part of the agreement, had decided to suspend annexation of parts of the West Bank. In a joint statement from the 3 parties, it said that “Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President’s Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.” Later, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that annexation is “still on the table” and a promise he is committed to. Subsequently, President Trump said, “Israel agreed not to annex parts of the West Bank. It is more than taking it off the table—they agreed not to do it. This is a very smart concession by Israel. It is off the table now.” U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman later said that annexation is “off the table now but it’s not off the table permanently. You can’t have peace and annexation at the same time.” PA president Mahmoud Abbas called the deal a “betrayal of Jerusalem, al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian cause.” The PA also recalled its ambassador to the UAE. Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum said of the deal: “[t]his announcement is a reward for the Israeli occupation’s crimes . . . The normalization is a stabbing in the back of our people.” U.S. officials also said that Bahrain and Oman are likely to soon normalize relations with Israel. (HA, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 8/13; AJ, AJ, REU, REU, REU 8/14; HA 8/15; REU 8/16; AJ 8/17)

In the West Bank, 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In the East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound; the Jordanian ministry of foreign affairs denounced the violation of the Status Quo agreement. 6 Palestinians were arrested as the Israeli settlers toured the compound. In Israel, Palestinian activists and members of the Israeli Knesset demonstrated outside the Israeli magistrate court in support of the PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith who has been detained by Israel since 7/19. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. Outside of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, more than 1,000 protesters demanded Netanyahu’s resignation; pro-Netanyahu counter-protesters attacked 1 Palestinian bus driver and 2 photojournalists. ( HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/30; PCHR 8/13)

The EU and 15 European countries delivered a letter to the Israeli foreign ministry expressing “grave concern regarding the advancement of settlement construction in Givat Hamatos and potentially in the E1 area.” (TOI 7/31)

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 settlers razed Palestinian-owned land near the villages of Jalud and Qaryut. Israeli forces closed an agricultural road, forced Palestinian farmers to leave their land, and demolished a house under construction south of Tulkarm. Israeli forces also delivered a stop-work notice for a barn south of Hebron. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided several areas of Ramallah, arresting 4 Palestinians and seizing a car. During 1 of the raids, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians, leading to tear-gas related injuries In East Jerusalem. PA security forces entered Kafr ‘Aqab within the Israeli municipal boundaries of Jerusalem, but on the West Bank side of the separation barrier to address friction over a roadblock between residents and members of Fatah to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 1 Palestinian was hit by a bullet from an unknown perpetrator. The PA said it had informed Israeli authorities about the intervention. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Issawiyya; it was reported that several Palestinians were beaten and 1 Palestinian was arrested. Later, 6 other Palestinians were arrested in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/31; PCHR 4/2)

Syrian media reported that Israeli jets fired missiles at targets in western Syria from Lebanese air space, but that the missiles were intercepted. (AJ, HA 3/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian house in Burqa, causing damage to the house; and raided Madama, leading to a confrontation with local Palestinians; no injuries or damage were reported. Separately, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians protecting their land northwest of Ramallah; at least 2 sustained injuries. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor west of Ramallah, alleging that he had thrown stones at Israeli settler-owned vehicles. Elsewhere, Israeli forces closed metal gates to the Hebron area villages of al-Fawar, Yatta, and Dura; and razed Palestinian-owned land near Jalud. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during a raid in ‘Ayn al-Hilwa and 2 at a checkpoint near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Khuza‘a. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/24; PCHR 3/27)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Jerusalem to request that the ICRC work to protect Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons from the COVID-19 virus. Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons started returning their food portions in response to Israel’s lack of help in protecting them from the virus. Prime Minister Shtayyeh also called on all Palestinians from the West Bank working in Israel to return to the West Bank, citing Israel’s reckless response to Palestinians showing signs of the COVID-19 virus (see 3/23). (WAFA, WAFA 3/24; WAFA 3/25)

The EU donated $88 million to UNRWA projects. (WAFA 2/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land in Huwwara in preparation to build a 5-mile-long settler-only road. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest against Israeli annexation plans east of Tubas, firing live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, and tear gas canisters at the protesters, injuring 1 with live ammunition and 2 with rubber-coated bullets; others sustained tear-gas related injuries. 26 Palestinians, including a PA official, were arrested during raids in and around Hebron, Qalandia, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire and sprayed water on Palestinian fishermen west of Dayr al-Balah, causing damage to 1 boat; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/25; PCHR 2/27)

For the 3d time since 2/20, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced new settlement expansion. In this new round, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that had given instructions to “publish for deposits the plan to build 3,500 housing units in E-1." E-1 is an area next to the Ma’ale Adumim settlement and would connect the settlement to Jerusalem. E-1 was shelved in 2012 because of pressure from the U.S. Obama administration and the EU as it would split the West Bank in 2. The PA said that Netanyahu’s announcement “crossed all red lines.” (JP, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces razed 5 dunams (1.2 acres) of land and demolished an agricultural shack in Tarqumiyya; razed 50 dunams (12 acres) of land east of Salfit; and destroyed a water piping system in Jiftlik. Israeli settlers attacked 5 Palestinian shepherds in al-Mughayyir; 3 of the victims needed medical attention for the injuries. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, al-Bireh, Hebron, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the offices of the Palestinian organization Volunteer for Hope in Bayt Hanina, seizing 4 computers, and summoned its director for questioning. Separately, 3 Palestinians were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to raze agricultural lands north of Bayt Lahiya. Israeli forces also fired at Palestinian shepherds east of Khan Yunis; there were no reports of injuries. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/17; PCHR 2/20)

Israel’s transportation ministry said it had approved a 2-mile tunnel extending the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem high-speed railway to the Western Wall. The Jordanian foreign ministry called the plan a “fragrant violation of international law.” (BBC 2/18)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian school in ‘Ayn Bus was set on fire, damaging classrooms, and racist Hebrew graffiti was painted on the building. Israeli forces seized tracts of land north of Hebron to expand an Israeli settlement. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Biddu, Bethlehem Tubas, Tulkarm, Hebron, and Jenin. During a raid in Jenin, Israeli forces confiscated a vehicle and cash. Palestinians protested the U.S. administration’s version of a peace plan in several places throughout the West Bank; at least 12 Palestinians were reported injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned store in Wadi al-Juz. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during raids in Silwan and the Old City, and 5 at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Palestinians also protested the U.S. administration’s peace plan. (AJ, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; PCHR 1/30)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted in the 3 corruption cases against him. Prime Minister Netanyahu had earlier on that day, before the indictment, withdrawn his request for immunity from prosecution. (AJ, HA 1/28)

U.S. president Donald Trump, flanked by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, presented the U.S. administration’s version of a peace plan, which on all contentious issues took maximalist Israeli positions. The plan presented a vision for 2 states; however, the map of these 2 “states” presented with the plan showed a carved-up West Bank where the majority of Israeli settlements and the Jordan Valley were annexed by Israel. A swath of land in Israel, where some 250,000 Palestinian citizens of Israel live, would be annexed to the Palestinian “state.” Some land in Israel along the Egyptian border would also be part of the Palestinian state. Jerusalem would become part of Israel and the Palestinian capitol would be east of Jerusalem on the West Bank side of the separation border. Gaza and the West Bank would be connected by a bridge or a tunnel. The Palestinian state would be demilitarized, including disarming Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine (PIJ). Israel would control all of Palestine’s international borders. There would be no right of return for Palestinians as “[t]heir Arab brothers have the moral responsibility to integrate them into their countries as the Jews were integrated into the State of Israel.” Furthermore, the peace plan would allow Jews to pray on Haram al-Sharif and the PA would have to stop paying stipends to families of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Palestinians, according to the plan, would have 4 years after the “peace deal” was signed to achieve the right to their own state. (BBC, NPR, NYT, REU 1/28; AJ, HA 1/29; HA 1/30)

The Palestinian leadership’s response to the U.S. administration’s vision of a peace plan was condemnation. PA president Mahmoud Abbas said that “Trump and Netanyahu declared the slap of the century, not the deal. And we will respond with slaps.” At President Abbas’s speech were representatives from Hamas and PIJ. Hamas said Abbas had spoken with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and that the 2 had agreed to stand together in unity on the matter. Abbas also called for an urgent session at the Arab League to discuss the U.S. peace plan. (AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28)

Shortly after the U.S. peace plan was released, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that he would convene the Israeli cabinet on 2/1 to start annexing Israeli settlements, the Jordan Valley, and the northern Dead Sea. Jared Kushner, senior advisor to President Trump, said shortly after Netanyahu’s announcement that he did not believe that Israel would start annexing West Bank settlements on 2/1, contradicting the Israeli prime minister. (HA, HA, HA 1/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished a blacksmith shop in Hizma and handed demolition notices for Palestinian-owned homes in the northern part of the Jordan Valley. 19 Palestinians were arrested, including 17 during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Tubas, Jericho, Bayt Fajjar, and Hebron; and 2 at different flying checkpoints near Jerusalem. In Gaza, Israelis flew crop dusters that sprayed herbicide over Palestinian farmland. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/14; PCHR, WAFA 1/16; HA 1/22)

A talk by a Palestinian citizen of Israel at the Hecht Museum at Haifa University was canceled by the Hecht Museum because the artist was “Palestinian,” which would displease the Hecht Foundation. The Haifa University condemned the decision and relocated the talk elsewhere on campus. (HA 1/16)

Israel carried out air strikes against a Syrian military base in Homs, killing 3 people and injuring several others. (AJ, HA 1/15)