The Palestine Chronology

Hundreds of Israeli settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus late at night, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinians from nearby Balata refugee camp; 3 Palestinians are injured. IDF troops also arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Jenin, Hebron, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Qalqilya, Salfit, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians during raids in al-Ram, Silwan, Wadi al-Juz, and al-Suwana. A Palestinian demolishes his own home in Silwan to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians protesting U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital near Jabaliya refugee camp; there are no serious injuries. Israeli forces also conduct limited incursions along the border to level land near Dayr al-Balah and Khan Yunis, and open fire on agricultural lands near Bayt Hanun, causing no damage. (MNA 12/19; MNA, WAFA 12/20; PCHR 12/21)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 4th and final day in a row, allowing passage in both directions. (WAFA 12/19; PCHR 1/4)

Approximately 1,000 Israeli settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and stone-throwing Palestinians from nearby Balata refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Palestinians steal and torch the car of 3 Israeli settlers in central Nablus, prompting the IDF to escort the settlers out of the city. IDF troops also arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron and Salfit. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (IMEMC, TOI, WAFA 11/21; PCHR 11/23)

Representatives of Hamas, Fatah, and 11 other Palestinian factions meet in Cairo for the 1st of 2 planned days of reconciliation talks. (TOI, WAFA 11/21)

PA FM al-Maliki says that the Trump administration is reconsidering its threat, 1st reported on 11/17, to shutter the PLO office in Washington, following the Palestinians’ refusal to comply with their demands. He says that in the meantime, the Palestinians have decided to freeze contacts with the U.S. “In practice, by closing the office they are freezing all meetings and we are making that official.” A State Dept. spokesperson responds, “In our view, communications are not frozen.” She says that Trump administration officials are in contact with Palestinian officials “about the status of that PLO office in Washington, as well as having conversations with them about our larger efforts on the part of a lasting and comprehensive peace process.” (HA, TOI 11/21)

IDF troops open fire on 2 Palestinian siblings outside Halamish settlement near Ramallah, killing 1 and injuring the other. The IDF claims the victims were operating their car in a “suspicious” manner and that they looked like they were planning a ramming attack. The PA Foreign Ministry condemns the shooting as an “extrajudicial execution.” Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a stone-cutting workshop near Jenin. IDF troops arrest 12 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Nablus, and patrol near Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Hebron. Hundreds of Israeli settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb late at night, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinians from nearby Balata refugee camp; 2 Palestinians are injured. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 10/31; EI, MNA, WAFA 11/1; PCHR 11/2)

In the West Bank, hundreds of Israeli settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb outside Nablus late at night, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinians from nearby Balata refugee camp; 3 Palestinians are injured. IDF troops also arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, and patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles outside the Huwwara checkpoint near Nablus, causing minor damage. In East Jerusalem, approximately 628 Israeli settlers tour Haram al-Sharif for a 3d day in a row, marking the Jewish holiday Sukkot. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Jabaliya refugee camp, and violently disperse stone-throwing Palestinian youths gathering near Jabaliya refugee camp later in the day (1 Palestinian is injured). (MNA 10/10; MNA, WAFA 10/11; PCHR 10/12)

Hamas and Fatah officials resume talks on a possible national reconciliation agreement under the oversight of Egyptian intelligence officials in Cairo. They discuss ways that the PA can effectively administrate in Gaza, including the operation of the border crossings and issues related to the economy and security. In the evening, the 2 sides issue a joint statement: “We thank Egypt for its sponsorship in achieving reconciliation and ending division and we look forward to continuing talks [. . .] in the same high spirits.” Talks are expected to continue all week. (AFP, HA, MNA, NYT, WAFA, YA 10/10; MNA 10/11)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shut down the main road in Biddu, a village near Jerusalem, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; 7 Palestinians are injured (Biddu is 1 of the 9 Jerusalem-area villages still under lock-down following the deadly shooting at Har Hadar on 9/26). In the northern Jordan Valley, Israeli forces demolish water pipes and raze a road in a rural area outside Atuf. IDF troops then violently disperse Palestinian farmers, human rights activists, and religious leaders marching through Atuf in protest; 1 Palestinian is arrested and 1 is injured. They also arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron and Ramallah, and patrol near Nablus, Jenin, and Salfit. Approximately 1,500 Israeli settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus late at night, sparking minor clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinians from nearby Balata refugee camp; there are no serious injuries. In Israel, police arrest a Palestinian laborer at a construction site in Tel Aviv claiming that he was planning a stabbing attack. (MNA, WAFA 9/27; MNA, PCHR, TOI, WAFA 9/28; PCHR 10/5)

In a meeting with top settler leaders, Israeli PM Netanyahu says that Israel must honor its commitment to the Trump administration to limit settlement construction and not be “piggish.” He also boasts that he had convinced the Trump administration to ignore any distinction between the settlement blocs and isolated settlements. Earlier in the day, Netanyahu reviews with U.S. special representative Greenblatt and U.S. ambassador David Friedman the Israeli government’s pending plans for settlement growth. (HA 9/27; HA 9/28)

Interpol announces that its general assembly has approved Palestine’s petition for full membership, with 75 countries voting in favor, 24 against and 34 abstaining. “The State of Palestine considers this membership and the responsibilities that it entails as an integral part of its responsibility toward the Palestinian people and a moral commitment to the citizens of the world,” the PA says in a statement. (HA, MNA, REU, TOI, WAFA, YA 9/27; AP 9/28)

Leader of the messianic Temple Mount movement and ultranationalist MK Yehuda Glick (Likud) and MK Shuli Moalem-Refaeli (Jewish Home) visit Haram al-Sharif under heavy police protection. Their visit follows Israeli PM Netanyahu’s decision to temporarily lift his ban on MKs and ministers visiting the sanctuary for 1 day only (Netanyahu initially imposed the ban in 10/2015 amid escalating violence across the oPt; see JPS 45 [2, 3]). Israeli forces plan to assess today’s visit and to make a recommendation about the ban’s future. A spokesperson for the Islamic Waqf says the decision to lift the ban is “unacceptable” and shows that “extremist right-wing entities are in control of the Israeli occupation’s government.” Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian in the Old City and another during a raid in Abu Dis. In the West Bank, IDF troops escort hundreds of Israeli settlers to visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus overnight, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths from nearby Balata refugee camp; 2 Palestinians are injured. IDF troops also arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron and Bethlehem, and patrol in and around Qalqilya and Hebron. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian Bedouin homes near Hebron, causing minor damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 8/29; TOI 8/30; PCHR 9/1; PCHR 9/14)

Israeli ambassador to Egypt Govrin flies to Cairo to resume his post. Along with 8 staffers, he will work out of his home rather than in the Israeli embassy, which was evacuated due to security concerns in 12/2016. (AP, TOI 8/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian homes in c. Hebron for the 2d night in a row, causing no damage or injuries. Late at night, hundreds of Jewish settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus, sparking minor clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinians from nearby Balata r.c.; there are no serious injuries. IDF troops conduct a raid in Yabad village nr. Jenin, arresting 5 Palestinians and sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths; there are no serious injuries. They arrest 6 more Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Hebron; and patrol nr. Hebron. The IDF violently disperses Palestinians demonstrating against the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 2 Palestinians are injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in the Old City. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, WAFA 8/5; MNA 8/6; PCHR 8/10)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 20 Jewish settlers attempting to enter Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus late at night. They also arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem and Ramallah. Jewish settlers cut down 10 Palestinian olive trees nr. Ramallah. (WAFA 6/24; MNA, TOI 6/25; PCHR 7/6)

After approximately 10 errant projectiles fired from Syria land in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israeli fighter jets launch air strikes on the supposed sites of origin, reportedly killing 2 Syrian soldiers. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 6/24)

Palestinians in the West Bank, Israel, and across the world join in a general strike in solidarity with the 1,500-plus Palestinian prisoners’ Dignity Strike. IDF troops violently disperse protesters at the Qalandia checkpoint, Nabi Salih nr. Ramallah, ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya, outside Dayr Sharaf nr. Nablus, and along Gaza’s border nr. al-Bureij r.c.; at least 10 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Bethlehem. No Israelis are injured. They also arrest 5 Palestinian youths throwing stones at an Israeli settlement nr. Jericho; and patrol nr. Hebron during the day. Approximately 4,000 Jewish settlers, as well as former Arkansas gov. Mike Huckabee, visit Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and stone-throwing Palestinians; 2 Palestinians are arrested. IDF troops also conduct raids in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Jabal Mukabir, Silwan, and Ras al-Amud. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Khan Yunis and agricultural areas nr. al-Maghazi r.c. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah twice, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/22; PCHR 5/25)

Upon his arrival in Israel, U.S. pres. Trump gives a short speech on the tarmac at Ben Gurion Airport to a crowd of Israeli leaders, including PM Netanyahu. (The Israeli PM reportedly orders his ministers to greet Trump on the tarmac after many, including several party heads, said they were not planning to attend). “We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace to this region and to its people, defeating terrorism and creating a future of harmony, prosperity, and peace,” Trump says, referencing the peace initiative he hopes to advance during his visit to Israel. “But we can only get there working together. There is no other way.” Trump then meets with Israeli pres. Reuven Rivlin and visits the Western Wall, the first time a sitting U.S. pres. has done so. In his major policy speech of the day, Trump links the fight against Iran with Israeli-Palestinian peace, saying that the Arab states are willing to work with Israel to normalize relations, if Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian lands. (HA, NYT, TOI 5/22; HA 5/23)

Israeli forces shell a Hamas military post along Gaza’s border nr. Dayr al-Balah, causing no injuries, in response to shots fired at an IDF patrol in the area earlier in the day. In the West Bank, hundreds of Israeli settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinian youths from nearby Balata r.c.; there are no serious injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers assault and moderately injure a Palestinian nr. Jenin and damage his car. Israeli forces demolish water pipelines serving Bardala village in the n. Jordan Valley as well as 3 structures in illegal settlement outposts nr. Ramallah. IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem and Jenin, and patrol nr. Hebron during the day. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/27; PCHR 5/4)

Public and private Palestinian institutions across the West Bank and Gaza observe a general strike in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners who have been on hunger strike since 4/17. Approximately 500 mbrs. of PIJ declare a 1-day hunger strike in solidarity as well. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers open fire on Palestinian protesters marching through al-Bireh in solidarity with the prisoners; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians at a sit-in in Issawiyya and a solidarity march in Shu‘fat r.c.; there are no serious injuries. (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/27; MNA 4/28)

The PA informs the Israeli govt. that it will no longer be paying for the electricity that Israel supplies to the Gaza Strip, marking a major change in the PA’s policy toward Hamas’s control over Gaza. The move comes amid an escalating electricity shortage in Gaza, and also follows reports that PA pres. Abbas has been planning to increase pressure on Hamas to give up control of the Gaza Strip. The PA generally pays Israel about NIS 40 m. (approx. $11 m.) per mo. to provide Gaza with around 30% of the electricity it requires. Israel takes the electricity fees out of the taxes it collects on behalf of the PA. Meanwhile, UN coordinator for humanitarian aid and development activities Robert Piper approves the release of $500,000 to buy emergency power for hospitals in the Gaza Strip. (BBC, HA, JP, MNA, TOI 4/27)

Five missiles strike ammunition depots nr. the Damascus International Airport overnight, causing damage but no reported injuries. Syria’s official news agency blames Israel for the strike. The IDF does not comment. Later in the day, Israeli forces shoot down an unmanned aircraft that flew into Israeli airspace from Syria. (HA, JP, NYT 4/27)

Around 1,200 Jewish settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb outside Nablus in the morning, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and stonethrowing Palestinians from nearby Balata r.c.; 2 Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier are injured. Another IDF soldier is injured when unidentified assailants throw an explosive device at his patrol nr. Joseph’s Tomb. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid nr. Ramallah and patrol nr. Hebron and Ramallah during the day. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya and again nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct 2 limited incursions to level land nr. Dayr al-Balah and Khan Yunis. In East Jerusalem, Israeli education ministry officials shut down the 1-year-old al-Nukhba School in Sur al-Bahir due to its alleged ties with Hamas. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 2/23; PCHR 3/2)

In a press conference following his meeting with Israeli PM Netanyahu, U.S. pres. Trump says “I like the 2-state solution,” marking the first time he has explicitly supported the traditional U.S. approach to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. “But I am satisfied with whatever both parties agree with,” he adds. (HA, REU, TOI 2/24)

Israeli forces conduct raids in the bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran nr. Beersheba overnight to prepare for demolitions during the day. The raids spark clashes with residents and solidarity activists, including Joint List MKs; 1 bedouin and 1 Israeli police officer are killed. (The Israeli police shoot and kill the bedouin after his vehicle strikes the police officer, killing him. An autopsy of the driver will reveal that he was struck in the leg by a police bullet, causing him to depress the accelerator pedal and strike the officer.) Later, Israeli forces demolish 8 homes and 7 agricultural buildings in the village, leading to renewed clashes throughout the day; a number of Palestinians are injured, including Joint List chair Odeh. (HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, YA 1/18)

Dozens of Israeli settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is injured. Israeli settlers also damage 12 olive trees outside Turmus ‘Ayya village nr. Ramallah, leaving racist graffiti at the site. IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Tulkarm, Hebron, Nablus, and Qalqilya. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Gaza City and agricultural lands nr. Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City. There are no injuries reported in any of the day’s incidents. (HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA, YA 1/18; MNA, PCHR 1/19; PCHR 1/26)