The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces conducted 10 airstrikes on Jenin before beginning a large-scale ground force invasion with more than 1,000 soldiers, killing 8 Palestinians, injuring at least 50 others, and causing extensive damage to infrastructure and homes. The Israeli forces also shot at clearly marked Palestinian journalists, destroying their equipment, and used bulldozers to make streets in Jenin refugee camp impassable to vehicles. At night, 3,000 Palestinians fled Jenin refugee camp after Israeli loudspeakers were said to order them to leave them camp, an order the Israeli military denied. Jenin suffered widespread power, internet, and water outages as a result of the Israeli damage. The Palestinian Red Crescent said it was having trouble reaching the many injured in the camp. Israel dubbed the attack ‘Operation House and Garden.’ Palestinians protested the Israeli attack in many towns and cities throughout Palestine. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a protest in Ramallah against the Israeli attack in Jenin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinian minors with live ammunition in Beit Umar. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition near Hebron. Meanwhile, Israeli forces uprooted 45 grape tree saplings in Jawarish near Nablus. Israeli settlers stole 3 sheep from Palestinians in Aqraba. Israeli settlers also vandalized a Palestinian home in Burqa, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family was forced to demolish parts of their home in Jabel Mukaber. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, BBC, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, IN, LT, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEE, NYT, PCHR, PCHR, QDS, REU, SKY, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/3; AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, MDW 7/4; AJ, HA, HA 7/5; AJ, HA, PCHR, UNOCHA 7/6; HA, UNOCHA 7/8)

The PA called the Israeli attack on Jenin refugee camp (see above) a war crime and said it had suspended security coordination with Israel. Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan condemned the Israeli attack. The Arab League issued a statement saying the Israeli attack was “tantamount to a war crime” and called on the UN Security Council to intervene. The U.S. national security council spokesperson said that the U.S. supported “Israel’s security and right to defend its people against Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist groups.” U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides also attended a U.S. embassy event with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the attacks were unfolding. UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese said the Israel attack amounted “to egregious violations of international law and standards on the use of force and may constitute a war crime.” UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called the airstrikes and use of violence in Jenin the worst in the West Bank in years and said Israel, as an occupying power, has an obligation to protect civilians. (AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/3; AJ, MDW, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/4; HA, WAFA 7/5; AP, GDN, HA, WAFA 7/6; AJ, WAFA, WP 7/7; AJ, AP, HA 7/8)

Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen linked Israel’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara to Morocco hosting the Negev Forum normalization summit, which has been repeatedly postponed by Morocco. (AJ, MEE, REU 7/3)

The UK parliament passed a second reading of the anti-BDS Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill. (HA, MEE 7/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor with live ammunition during a raid in al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a late-night raid in Qabatiya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces rammed 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Zababdeh. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure and stone walls, sealed a water well, and uprooted some 250 olive tree saplings in al-Mughayyir, demolished 1 agricultural structure in Nabi Ilyas, and 1 agricultural structure in al-Khader. Meanwhile, Israeli forces issued demolition notices for 1 house in Susiya in the Masafer Yatta area. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp, Deir Abu Mash‘al, Bayt Rima, Beit Fajjar, Nablus, Deir al-Hatab, Tulkarm, and Qabatiya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian home in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/4; PCHR 1/5; UNOCHA 2/16)

Israel returned the bodies of 2 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in August 2020 and February 2021 to their families in East Jerusalem and Hebron. (WAFA 1/4; MEMO 1/6)

Axios reported that Morocco is demanding that Israel formally recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara before the country opens an embassy to Israel in Tel Aviv as part of the normalization deal between the 2 countries. (AX 1/4; AJ, MEMO 1/5)

Referring to the evacuated Homesh settlement outpost, U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. call on the Israeli government “to refrain from unilateral steps certainly includes any decision to create a new settlement, to legalize outposts or allowing building of any kind deep in the West Bank, adjacent to Palestinian communities or on private Palestinian land.” (HA, MEMO 1/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinians with pepper-spray near Huwwara. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Salem during an arrest raid, causing tear-gas related injuries; 1 Palestinian was arrested. Israeli forces also demolished 1 commercial structure near Ya‘bad and assaulted the owner who tried to prevent the demolition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 agricultural structure in Ein al-Balad. 22 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Mughayyir, Biddu, Hebron, Dura, Sa‘ir, Zawata, Nablus, Rujeib, Beita, Tulkarm, Nur Shams refugee camp, Qalqilya, Kafr Ra’i, and Tura. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/14; PCHR 12/15; UNOCHA 12/22)

A poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found that 72% of the 1,200 Palestinians surveyed in the West Bank and Gaza supported forming armed resistance groups in the West Bank. 32% of the respondents supported a diplomatic solution to the occupation, based on the 2-state framework. (HA 12/15)

Turkish media reported that 7 people in Turkey had been arrested by Turkish police in coordination with the National Intelligence Organization for spying on Palestinians in the country on behalf of the Mossad. (HA, MEE 12/14)

In Lebanon, 1 Irish UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) soldier was killed and another injured during a routine patrol in al-Aqbieh in southern Lebanon. It was reported that UNIFIL vehicles had hit a resident of the town before the convoy was hit by small arms fire. Hezbollah said it was not involved in the incident. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, NYT, REU, REU 12/15; AP 12/18; AP 12/21)

The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution, “Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources,” calling on Israel to end its exploitation of the natural resources of the lands it occupies. The resolution passed with 159 votes in favor, 8 against, and 10 abstentions. (UN 12/14; MEMO, WAFA 12/15)

The European Parliament passed a resolution calling for an international conference to facilitate a 2-state solution to the Israeli occupation. The PA expressed dissatisfaction with the resolution not calling for the recognition of the State of Palestine, labeling of settlement products, and accountability for Israeli crimes against Palestinians. (WAFA, WAFA 12/15)

Norway donated $15 million through the World Bank Trust Fund to the Palestinian Umbrella for Resilience Support to the Economy in support of PA transparency, inclusivity, and the economy. (WAFA 12/14)

In the West Bank, the Israeli military said that 1 Palestinian tried to ram a group of soldiers at a checkpoint near Ya‘bad and that a gun fell from the car as it passed the soldiers; no injuries were reported. 1 Israeli settler struck an Israeli soldier near the Kedumim settlement. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles on the Nablus-Ramallah and Qalqilya-Nablus roads, damaging some; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians at a checkpoint in Hebron, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during late-night raids in and around Qaryut, al-Twana, Luban al-Sharqiyya, Ramallah, and Balata refugee camp; 2 were arrested at checkpoints near Tubas and Nablus. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 4 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Bureij refugee camp and Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (HA 1/9; JP 1/11; PCHR 1/14)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with the head of the Palestinian Central Election Commission Hanna Nasser to discuss dates for general Palestinian elections. President Abbas said a date would be set no later than 1/20. (WAFA 1/9)

Israeli protesters demonstrated against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the 29th Saturday in a row in Jerusalem. The protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Netanyahu resigns due to his COVID-19 response, the Israeli economy, and the corruption cases against him. (AJ, WAFA 1/10)

The U.S. embassy in Rabat said the assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs David Schenker had made “a historic visit” to the Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara. The U.S. recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in December 2020 was part of the Moroccan-Israeli normalization deal. (AJ 1/9; AP 1/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Luban al-Sharqiyya and at a house in the village. Israeli settlers also uprooted 35 Palestinian-owned olive trees in al-Twana. 8 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Tura al-Ghabiyya, Nablus, and Hebron; 1 Palestinian was assaulted by the raiding Israeli forces in Tura al-Ghabiyya and was treated at a hospital. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed a Christmas celebration caravan in Bayt Hanina. 1 Palestinian family of 4 was handed a demolition order for their 2-story house in Silwan. 4 Palestinians were arrested in and around the Old City and Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/24; WAFA 12/25; PCHR 12/31)

Israel arrested 1 Palestinian man suspected of killing 1 Israeli settler on 12/20. (HA, TOI 12/24)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. was inaugurating “a virtual presence post effective immediately” as the U.S. continues work to establish a physical consulate in the Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara. The U.S. announced on 12/10 that it recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara in return for Morocco normalizing ties with Israel. (AJ, HA 12/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers clashed with Palestinians while touring an evacuated settlement outpost south of Jenin. Israeli forces raided the headquarters of the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, an office of the PFLP, and the Abu Judeh Print Shop. Israeli forces also seized 1 coffee shop cart in Huwwara. 26 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around al-‘Arub refugee camp, Bayt Umar, Tubas, Kaubar, Abu Dis, and Jericho. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler attacked a 6-year-old boy in Silwan. 1 Palestinian began demolishing his grocery store in Jabal Mukabir and 1 Palestinian family received a demolition order for their house in Silwan. 2 Palestinians were arrested in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 12/10; PCHR 12/17)

The Tulkarm, Nablus, Bethlehem, and Hebron, governorates entered a week-long lockdown to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. (WAFA 12/10)

U.S. president Donald Trump announced that Morocco had decided to normalize relations with Israel in a deal where the U.S. reverses decades of policy to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara. As part of the deal, Morocco will open a diplomatic office in Tel Aviv and Israel in Rabat, which eventually will be turned into embassies; both will also grant overflight rights to each other. The UN recognizes the legitimate rights of the Sahrawi people to self-determination as it does the Palestinian people. U.S. officials later told Reuters that the U.S. is negotiating with Morocco to sell 4 sophisticated drones to the country. According to the prime minister of Morocco Saad-Eddine El Othmani, the king of Morocco Mohammed VI and PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke on the phone after the announcement of the normalization deal. Prime Minister El Othmani also said Morocco still rejects the U.S. peace plan and remains “supportive of the Palestinian cause.” Hamas called the normalization deal a betrayal while the PA has been silent. Moroccans protested the normalization in several cities after the announcement. It was reported by the New York Times that the U.S. also promised Morocco to facilitate an investment of $3 billion over 3 years as part of the deal. (AJ, AP, AX, BBC, GDN, HA, POL, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU 12/10; AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, REU 12/11; AJ, AJ, REU, TOI 12/12; AJ, GDN, HA 12/13)

India contributed $2 million to the UNRWA. (WAFA 12/10)

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, Palestinians fended off Israeli settlers trying to seize their land in Birin. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian using live ammunition near the separation wall north of Jenin. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Nablus, Anata, Kisan, and Hebron; 1 was arrested by undercover Israeli forces while working at a gas station near Kafr Qaddum. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians started demolishing their own homes to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. Israeli forces summoned 3 members of Fatah for interrogation in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA 8/31; PCHR 9/3)

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar announced that Hamas and Israel had reached an understanding to de-escalate the conflict after nearly a month of daily attacks on Gaza and incendiary balloons launched toward Israel. The understanding was facilitated by Qatari mediators. As part of the de-escalation, the Kerem Shalom border crossing would be reopened on 9/1 and the fishing zone would be reopened up to 15 nautical miles. Sources in Hamas told Haaretz that Israel would allow Qatari aid to enter Gaza again, and that Qatar was granted approval by Israel to build a gas pipeline and operate a power station in Gaza. (AJ 8/31; HA 9/1)

A delegation of senior Israeli and U.S. officials arrived in the UAE to discuss the details of the UAE’s normalization deal with Israel. The delegation arrived in the UAE on an El Al plane flying directly from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi using Saudi Arabian airspace. In Israel, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a press conference that he would discuss sales of U.S. F-35s and other advanced weaponry to the UAE with U.S. president Donald Trump while stressing that U.S. sales of weapons to the UAE was not part of the normalization deal. In a joint statement released by the 3 parties, the language between the English and Arabic releases differed on Israel’s commitment not to annex parts of the West Bank as part of the normalization deal. In the Arabic version it said the agreement had “stopped” Israel’s plans while the English said it had led to “the suspension of Israel’s plans to extend sovereignty.” (HA, REU 8/31; AJ 9/1; REU 9/2)

Syrian officials said that Israel fired missiles at military installments south of Damascus, killing 2 Syrian soldiers and wounding 7. The London-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights later said that the number of deaths was 10, most of them foreign. (HA 8/31; HA 9/1)

A former Lebanese ambassador to Germany Mustapha Adib was announced as the new prime minister of Lebanon after the government resigned earlier this month. The announcement came as French president Emmanuel Macron was en route for Beirut. Reuters reported that Adib was President Macron’s preferred choice. (AJ, HA 8/31)

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, 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 injured 2 Palestinians while throwing stones at a Palestinian-owned house in Yatma. Separately, Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian-owned agricultural lands east of Tulkarm, damaging olive and almond trees. Israeli forces also confiscated 1 residential caravan in Bayt Dajan. 26 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bayt Umar, Dura, Hebron, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Ya‘bad, Jenin, Nablus, and Qalqilya. During a raid near Ramallah, 1 Palestinian was injured by a rubber-coated bullet; 1 other Palestinian was injured by gunfire in Qalqilya, and clashes erupted during a raid in Ya‘bad; no injuries were reported there. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were injured in 2 separate attacks by unidentified perpetrators; 1 4-year-old girl was hit in the head by a bullet in Issawiyya and 1 man and his child were shot while working in a store in Shu‘fat. 1 Palestinian was arrested in Issawiyya. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 5/21; PCHR 5/28)

The PA formally informed Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories and the CIA that it was no longer participating in security coordination and intelligence sharing. PA forces also left Area B which, like Area C, is under Israeli military control. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh also said that the PA would not accept COVID-19-related aid sent from UAE on a direct plane to Israel landing on 5/20, noting that the PA had not been informed about the shipment before it took off. All the COVID-19 material will instead go to Gaza, which witnessed 29 new confirmed COVID-19 cases today. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 5/21)

18 Democratic senators signed a letter addressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, warning that annexation of parts of the West Bank “would betray our shared democratic values by denying Palestinians’ right to self-determination in a viable, sovereign, independent and contiguous state.” It further stated that annexation would likely erode the American people’s support for the U.S.-Israeli special relationship. (HA 5/21; WAFA 5/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces uprooted some 400 olive tree saplings west of Bethlehem and seized a residential tent, a generator, and an animal barn in al-Mughayyir. Israeli forces also arrested 15 Palestinians during raids in and around al-‘Arub refugee camp, Ramallah, Baytin, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Nablus. In Gaza, the death toll from the fire in a bakery on 3/5 rose to 13 after 2 more people succumbed to their injuries. Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian shepherds east of al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 2 miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/9; PCHR 3/18)

Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennett announced that the Israeli government had approved to build a separate road for Palestinians to connect the northern and southern parts of the West Bank as Israel is moving forward with building 3,500 settler units in E-1 near East Jerusalem. Defense Minister Bennett said that Israel is “applying sovereignty [over the West Bank] in deed, not words.” The PA foreign Ministry said in a statement that, with the move, Israel is seeking to close the door for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. (HA, JP, WAFA 3/9; AJ 3/10)

Qatar donated $10 million worth of medical equipment to help the PA combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the West Bank. There are 25 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the West Bank. (WAFA, WAFA 3/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided a Palestinian-owned house in Kaubar and took measures to punitively demolish it; 2 of the house’s occupants are detained by Israel. Israeli forces also arrested 11 Palestinians, including 4 during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Jenin, and Ramallah; 1 on a street near Nablus; and 7 during daytime raids in and around Ramallah, Nablus, ‘Ayn al-Hilwa, and Hebron. During a daytime raid in Nablus, Israeli forces confiscated a tractor, and separately during a different raid in Nablus, Israeli forces seized carpentry equipment. 1 Palestinian was shot by Israeli forces after he allegedly attempted to carry out a stabbing by the Gush Etzion junction. Israeli forces also seized and impounded a PA health ministry vehicle providing medical services to 1,500 Palestinians in rural areas south of Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces fired tear gas and arrested 3 Palestinians at Bab al-Rahma in the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/2; WAFA 1/3; HA 1/7; PCHR 1/9)

9 Palestinians from Issawiyya in East Jerusalem were placed under nighttime curfew between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. 6 of the men were told that they were facing a nighttime curfew on 12/29, but the curfew did not take effect until 1/2. The Israeli military cited a 1945 Mandate-era regulation to justify placing the 9 under nighttime curfew. (HA 1/2)

The U.S. assassinated Iranian major general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and commander of the IRGC’s special forces Quds Force Qasem Soleimani and the deputy chairman of the Iraqi government-sanctioned militia Popular Mobilisation Forces, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, along with several other Iranian and Iraqi officials at Baghdad International airport. The assassinations were carried out by an American MQ-9 drone that fired missiles at the officials’ convoy as it was leaving the airport. The Pentagon released a statement saying that the strike was directed on behest of U.S. president Donald Trump and was aimed at “deterring future Iranian attack plans.” Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement that Iran would have 3 days of mourning followed by a retaliation. The speaker of the Iraqi parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi condemned the assassination, calling it “a flagrant breach of sovereignty and violation of international agreements.” (DOD, NYT, REU 1/2; AJ, AJ, AP, CNN, HA, WP 1/3; HA 1/4)

In the West Bank, 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Nablus, Salfit, Jericho, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces struck several targets, causing damage; no injuries were reported. An IDF spokesperson said that the attack was in response to a rocket fired at Israel on 12/25. Israeli forces also made incursions east of Rafah. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; HA, HA 12/27; PCHR 1/2)

The organizing committee of the Great March of Return announced the suspension of the weekly Great March of Return protest to the end of March 2020. The announcement also declared that from April 2020, the protest would be monthly instead of weekly. (AJ, HA 12/26)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu won the Likud leadership primary over his rival Gideon Sa’ar with 72.5 percent of the vote. Netanyahu said in his victory speech that he would work toward U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and all Israeli settlements in the West Bank. (AJ 12/26; AJ, HA 12/27)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man was rushed to a hospital in Ramallah after being beaten by Israeli forces at a checkpoint outside of Ramallah. Israeli forces also arrested 19 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, Salfit, and Ramallah. Israeli settlers slashed tires and sprayed racist graffiti on walls in Duma village. Israeli forces razed land and demolished 1 house and 2 greenhouses in al-Walaja. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Khan Yunis. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian at the Erez crossing. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/16; PCHR 9/19)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with the Israeli Army Radio that he “intends to extend [Israeli] sovereignty on all the settlements and the [settlement] blocs . . . sites that have security importance or are important to Israel’s heritage.” PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said in response that the “Jordan Valley is part of Palestinian lands and any settlement or annexation is illegal,” further stating that the PA will sue Israel in international courts. (AJ, WAFA 9/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces closed a major artery connecting Hebron and Bethlehem with central and northern West Bank. Israeli forces also arrested 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Jericho, Tulkarm, and Bethlehem. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Huwwara south of Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan and Issawiyya. In Israel, 1 Palestinian woman was killed and 2 of her relatives were injured when an unknown perpetrator opened fire on them in Jaffa. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/25; HA 8/27; PCHR 8/29)

 Israeli drones were shot down over Beirut in a Hezbollah-dominated neighborhood. 1 of the drones was carrying explosives. A Hezbollah spokesperson denied that Hezbollah had shot down the drones. Lebanon’s prime minister Saad Hariri called the drones an open attack on Lebanon’s sovereignty and an attempt to foment regional tensions. (AJ, AJ, HA 8/25; HA 8/26)

Commenting on Israel’s strikes in Syria on 8/24, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a speech that Israel did not hit Iran’s Quds Force but Hezbollah forces, killing 2 Hezbollah members. 1 commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard also denied that Israel had hit the Quds Force. (HA 8/25; HA 8/26)

An Iraqi group claimed that Israel killed 1 of its members in Iraq near the Syrian border in a drone attack. (AJ 8/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 10 vehicles and sprayed graffiti reading “non-Jews=enemies” on private homes in Sarta near the settlements of Barkan and Revava. Israeli forces demolished a structure under construction in Anata northeast of Jerusalem. The demolition led to clashes with local Palestinians, causing tear gas inhalation injuries. In Dayr Balut near Salfit, Israeli forces demolished 2 caravans and a car wash. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Ramallah, Nablus, and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA 6/26; HA, WAFA 6/27)

The Israeli foreign ministry reprimanded the Chilean ambassador to Israel after the Chilean president Sebastián Pinera visited the Haram al-Sharif compound with PA officials on 6/25. The Israeli foreign minister Yisrael Katz called the tour of the East Jerusalem holy site a “violation of Israel’s sovereignty on the Temple Mount.” (HA 6/26)

The Omani foreign ministry announced that Oman will open an embassy in Ramallah. (AJ, WAFA 6/26)

For the 2d day in a row, officials and businesspeople from the Middle East, Europe, and the U.S. met in Bahrain for the Peace to Prosperity workshop. It was reported that 15 Palestinian businesspeople showed up despite the Palestinian-announced boycott. 1 Palestinian spoke at the conference. The Lebanese prime minister Saad al-Hariri said that his government and the Lebanese parliament oppose the U.S. peace plan. It is believed that $6 billion is set aside for Lebanon to permanently settle Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Hariri stipulated that, “our constitution bans naturalization.” No Lebanese representative participated in the workshop. (HA, HA, HA 6/26)

The EU pledged $23.8 million for the UNRWA. (WAFA 6/27)

In the West Bank, over 20,000 Israeli settlers visited the al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron while the holy site was sealed off for Muslim worshippers. In Sabastiyya, Israeli settlers escorted by Israeli forces stormed an archeological site. Meanwhile, the village was sealed off by Israeli forces impeding the movement of its Palestinian residents. Elsewhere in the West Bank, 11 Palestinians were injured when Israeli settlers escorted by Israeli forces stormed Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus. Israeli forces arrested 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces injured a Palestinian in Silwan. (MNA, MNA 4/23; MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 4/24)

During a meeting with the Norwegian representative to the PA in Ramallah, PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called on Norway to assert pressure on Israel to release the full withheld Palestinian tax revenues. (WAFA 4/23; MNA 4/24)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he is planning to name a town in the occupied Golan Heights after U.S. president Donald Trump. Netanyahu said that it was a gesture of appreciation for the U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. (MNA 4/24)

At a Time magazine event, President Trump’s senior adviser and son in-law Jared Kushner indicated that the U.S. “peace plan” does not include a sovereign Palestinian state. Kushner said that past negotiations over a 2-state solution had failed and that “New and different ways to reach peace must be tried.” When asked directly if 2 states are part of the U.S. plan, Kushner responded, “If people focus on the old traditional talking points, we’re never going to make peace.” (HA 4/24)

In the West Bank, for the 2d day in a row, Israeli forces fired tear gas in and around schools in Hebron, causing dozens of students and teachers to suffer from tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces arrested 12 Palestinians in late-night raids in and around the West Bank Jerusalem district, Bayt Ula, Hebron, Nablus, Salfit, and Ramallah. (WAFA, 4/15; WAFA 4/16)

The hunger strike organized by Palestinian prisoners in Israel ended after 8 days when the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) agreed to install public phones, allowing prisoners to make calls to relatives up to 3 times a week. An Israeli security official said that Palestinian prisoners promised to hand over all smuggled cellphones to the IPS. (HA, WAFA 4/15; EI 4/16; MDW 4/17)

In a letter to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, 37 former European officials called on the EU to reject any U.S. peace proposal that does not create a sovereign, territorial contingent, and economically viable Palestinian state. (HA, WAFA 4/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces gave evacuation notices for land seizure to several Palestinians in Bittir near Bethlehem and Halhul and Bayt Umar near Hebron. Israeli forces also gave notice to Palestinians in 7 villages in the Nablus area that 406 dunams (100 acres) will be seized by Israel for a settler-only road and 384 dunams (94 acres) for a military road in the northern Jordan Valley. In Hebron, several Palestinian students, a teacher, and a janitor suffered from tear gas inhalation when Israeli forces fired tear gas into the school yard. The teacher and janitor were taken to a hospital for treatment. Israeli forces also halted construction of a road west of Yatta near Hebron. South of Bethlehem, a Palestinian was hospitalized after an Israeli settler rammed his car. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were injured and 3 arrested by Israeli police after a confrontation with Israeli settlers. Israeli settlers also sealed the door to the Shaykh Makki Mosque in the Old City for a 3d time (2 previous sealings happened in March). An Israeli court released 5 Palestinians who had been detained since March but banned them from returning to their homes in Silwan for 30 days. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces fired at Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles offshore from al-Sudaniyya. Israeli forces also razed farmland and fired at Palestinians near Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/8)

After the postponement of the Palestinian prisoners’ hunger strike reported on 4/7, Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails started an open-ended hunger strike to protest their treatment by the Israelis. (HA, WAFA 4/8)

A French employee at the French consulate in Jerusalem was sentenced to 7 years in prison by an Israeli court for smuggling arms from Gaza to the West Bank. He confessed to having smuggled 30 guns, receiving $7,200 for his services. (HA 4/8; MEMO 4/9)

Russian president Vladimir Putin said weeks after U.S. president Donald Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty of the Golan Heights that the U.S. change of policy is “a violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions.” (MNA 4/9)

In response to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comment on 4/6 that he would extend Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank, the Arab League’s assistant secretary-general Saeed Abu Ali said that such actions would lead to “dangerous repercussions” and called for an “immediate official investigation” by the International Criminal Court of “the ongoing settlement crimes in the Palestinian territories.” (MEMO 4/9)

In a White House statement, President Trump announced that the U.S had decided to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization. Prime Minister Netanyahu later tweeted on his Hebrew language account, “Thank you for the answer to another important request that serves the interests of our country and the region,” implying that the terror designation was made upon request by Netanyahu. On Netanyahu’s English language Twitter account, the word “request” was omitted. (NPR 4/8; HILL 4/9; HA 4/10)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on a group of Palestinian minors congregating near al-Bureij refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is injured. The Israeli press reports that the Palestinians were launching incendiary balloons into southern Israel. Later in the day, an Israeli tank shells a Hamas post in southern Gaza, injuring 7 Palestinians. The IDF says that the strike was retaliation for the launching of incendiary balloons into Gaza earlier in the day. In the West Bank, an Israeli settler driver rams and moderately injures a Palestinian in central Hebron. The settler then flees the scene. Separately, settlers throw stones at Palestinian homes in Urif near Nablus, causing damage and sparking a minor confrontation with residents of the village. Unidentified assailants throw a firebomb at an Israeli vehicle near Nablus, lightly injuring the 2 settler occupants and damaging the vehicle. Meanwhile, IDF troops patrol near Nablus, Hebron, and Ramallah. Israeli forces shut down a number of streets in central Hebron to make room for Israeli settlers to celebrate Purim. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces disperse an event at the French Cultural Center on the grounds that it was co-sponsored by the PA. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Ras al-Amud. (HA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 3/21; MNA 3/22; PCHR 3/28)

U.S. president Donald Trump tweets, “After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!” His tweet reverses decades of U.S. policy and runs counter to several UN Security Council resolutions and international law. It comes in response to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for the international community to recognize Israeli control over the Golan Heights, and it is widely seen as a boon for Netanyahu’s chances the upcoming Israeli election on 4/9. Trump later says, in an interview with Fox Business Network, that his tweet was not an effort to support Netanyahu’s re-election campaign. “I hear [Netanyahu] is doing okay,” he says. “Whoever’s against him is also in favor of what I just did.” In response to Trump’s tweet, an EU spokesperson says that the EU has no plans to change its position on the Golan Heights. “The EU, in line with international law, does not recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967, including the Golan Heights, and does not consider them to be part of Israel’s territory.” (HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, YA 3/21; HA 3/22)

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near al-Bureij refugee camp. IDF troops then arrest 4 Palestinian minors attempting to cross into Israel near the site of the incursion, and violently disperse Palestinian protesters throwing stones at the border fence near the main Great March of Return tent camp outside Khan Yunis (1 Palestinian is injured). Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces carry out the punitive demolition of the Jenin home of a Palestinian imprisoned in connection with the 1/9/18 killing of an Israeli settler. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers damage 20 Palestinian vehicles and spray-paint “Death to Arabs” on a nearby wall in Bayt Iksa. Some of the same settlers vandalize more Palestinian property in Rammun village near Ramallah later in the day. IDF troops arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Bethlehem, and patrol near Nablus, Hebron, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians during raids in Silwan, Issawiyya, and the Old City. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/23; PCHR 4/26)

A deaf Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained on 4/1 when the IDF violently dispersed peaceful protesters along Gaza’s border. A Palestinian witness to the shooting says that the deceased was walking away from the border fence when an Israeli sniper shot him in the back of the head. His death brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 36. (HA, MNA, WAFA 4/23; EI 4/24; PCHR 4/26; HQ 5/5)

A mortar fired from Syria lands in the Israelioccupied Golan Heights, causing no damage or injuries. IDF artillery then shell the area from which the mortar was fired, causing an unclear amount of damage or injuries. “The IDF sees the Syrian civil regime as responsible for all that happens on its territory, and will not tolerate any attempt to harm the sovereignty of the State of Israel or the security of its citizens,” the IDF states after the exchange. (HA, YA 4/23)

Palestinian diplomats file a formal complaint against Israel with the UN office in Geneva responsible for monitoring the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The complaint alleges that Israel has violated the convention in a variety of ways, including the parallel justice systems for Palestinians and settlers in the West Bank. “Not only is the purpose of the settlement regime discriminatory in itself, it is further maintained by a system of discriminatory measures, severely depriving Palestinians of their fundamental rights,” one diplomat says. (MNA 4/24)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Dayr Nizam, al-Bireh, and Beitunia near Ramallah, sparking minor clashes with Palestinian youths in each village; 3 Palestinians are arrested. They arrest 21 more Palestinians and issue arrest summons to another during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Salfit, Tulkarm, Bethlehem, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Issawiyya. (PCHR 1/4)

Following the rocket fire from Gaza on 12/29, PM Netanyahu reiterates that Israel holds Hamas accountable for any rockets fired toward Israel, and says that Israeli forces have struck Hamas sites 40 times in recent weeks. He is responding to Labor Party leader Avi Gabbay’s 12/30 criticism. (TOI, WAFA 12/31)

The Likud Central Committee unanimously approves a resolution calling on the party’s leaders, including PM Netanyahu, to extend Israeli sovereignty to West Bank settlements: “On the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the regions of Judea and Samaria [the West Bank], including Jerusalem our eternal capital, the Likud Central Committee calls on the Likud’s elected officials to act to allow free construction and to apply the laws of Israel and its sovereignty to all liberated areas of Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria.” (TOI 12/31; HA, NYT 1/1)

Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian activist during a raid in Issawiyya. They open fire when he refuses their order to stop photographing them. Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, 82 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, sparking clashes with stonethrowing Palestinian residents; 4 Palestinians are injured. They also confiscate personal property and issue 3 arrest summons during raids nr. Ramallah and in Qalqilya and Nablus, and patrol nr. Hebron throughout the day. Israeli forces confiscate an irrigation network nr. Hebron. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City; there are no injuries or damage. (MNA, WAFA 12/12; MNA 12/13; PCHR 12/15)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 3d of 3 days. (MNA, WAFA 12/12; MNA 12/13; OCHA 12/15)

Palestinian officials and their counterparts at the U.S. State Dept. meet in Washington and reaffirm their shared commitment to a negotiated 2-state solution, “which is the only way to achieve an enduring peace that meets Israeli and Palestinian security needs and Palestinian aspirations for statehood and sovereignty, end the occupation that began in 1967, and resolve all permanent status issues,” according to a joint statement. There is no official mention of the Palestinians’ push for a UNSC res. censuring Israeli settlements, but it is widely suspected that such a res. was the main topic of conversation. (JP, MNA, WAFA 12/13)

Israel’s Edu. Min. Bennett says that he has reached a new deal with PM Netanyahu and Atty. Gen. Mandelblit that will allow residents of the Amona settlement outpost to “remain on their hilltop,” although they will still be relocated to a nearby plot of land. They will only be given temporary permits to live on the new land, however, with options to renew every 2 years, and the govt. will ask for a 1-mo. postponement of Amona’s evacuation to make time for the relocation. (HA, JP, YA 12/12)

Peru recognizes “a sovereign Palestine,” but says the borders must be agreed with Israel. (JP 2/5)

In Gaza, 1,000s of Hamas supporters burn effigies of Abbas and other PA officials, calling them traitors in light of al-Jazeera’s leak of the Palestine Papers. In the West Bank, shortly after al-Najah University prof. ‘Abdul Sattar Qassem is interviewed by al-Jazeera in the Palmedia offices in Nablus regarding the Palestine Papers leak, 5 plain-clothes men (1 armed, 4 unarmed) believed to be PA General Intelligence units raid the office looking for Qassem; informed he has already left, the men vandalize the office and damage video equipment. Also in the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night patrols in Kharabatha al-Misbah and arrest raids and house searches in Nabi Salih, both nr. Ramallah. Israeli authorities say they have arrested 4 West Bank Palestinians for the murder of an American tourist on 12/19, alleging the murder was in revenge for Israel’s assassination of Hamas’s Mahmud Mabhuh in 1/2010. (NYT, PCHR 1/27; PCHR 2/3; OCHA 2/4)

PA-Israeli talks continue at Camp David. In his 1st comments since talks began, Pres. Clinton says there has been some progress toward an agmt., "but I can't say I know we will succeed." Today, Clinton meets with both delegations. In Emmitsburg, the PA, Israeli technical comms. on noncore issues meet; some sessions are held with U.S. reps. present. (White House press briefing 7/16; NYT, WP, WT 7/17; al-Quds, SA 7/17 in WNC 7/19)

 In Tel Aviv, some 100,000 Israelis, many of them Jewish settlers bussed in fr. the West Bank, protest against the Camp David talks. In Nablus, some 1,000 Palestinians hold a rally in support of the summit. Another 1,000 Palestinians in Jinin call on the PA to secure Palestinian sovereignty over East Jerusalem as part of an agmt. (JP [Internet], MA [Internet], NM, NYT, WP, WT, YA [Internet] 7/17; CSM 7/18; MA 7/21 in WNC 7/25)

For a 2d day in Hebron, Jewish settlers throw stones at Palestinians and attack Palestinian property. (al-Quds 7/22 in WNC 7/24; MEI 7/28) (see 7/15)

Jewish settlers confiscate 50 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Salfit. (LAW 8/10)

In Qalqilya, West Bank Palestinians clash with Palestinian migrant laborers fr. Gaza. Gazans have streamed into the West Bank looking for work since 10/99, when the safe-passage route linking the two PA-controlled areas was opened. (WP 7/18)

In Markaba, 2 Hizballah mbrs. are killed in a shootout with Amal mbrs.; up to 9 individuals fr. both sides are wounded. Both groups regret the incident, give no explanation of the cause. Reports suggest that Amal mbrs. picked a fight with Hizballah mbrs. hanging campaign posters for upcoming parliamentary elections, and the incident devolved into a shooting match. (MM 7/17; MEI 7/28)

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: A letter signed by 51 U.S. senators calls upon State Dept. to deny Yasir Arafat a visa if he is invited to speak at the UN [NYT 9/30]. An intemational arbitration panel finds in favor of Egypt in its dispute with Israel conceming sovereignty over Taba, a resort on the Gulf of Aqaba [WP 9/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza troops use tear gas in confronting over 1,000 Palestinians attending the funeral of Rashad al-Shawwa. Troops shoot Palestinians in Bethlehem, Nablus, Artas, and al-Maghazi [FJ 10/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shops in W. Bank remain closed for second day in protest against deportations of Palestinians [WP 8/3]. Left-wing legislators call special meeting of the Knesset to discuss King Hussein's severing of ties with W. Bank; right-wing legislators will ask for extension of Israeli law to territories [NYT 8/3].

Arab World: In Baghdad PLO spokesman announces emergency session of Palestine National Council will be held to discuss King Hussein's surrendering of sovereignty over the W. Bank [WP 8/3]. Jordanian interior minister Raja'i Dajani says it is too early to comment on effects of King's move on administration of West Bank [WP 8/3].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus troops kill 18-year-old Palestinian, wound 2 more [WP 8/3, FJ 8/7]. In Kafr Thulth 100 olive trees are destroyed. Tear gas is used to break up riots in Bethlehem and Beach camp. Clashes also occur in Burayj, Jabalya, Qalqiliyyah camps [FJ 8/7]. Arab World: Lebanese fighters attack South Lebanon Army position killing 1 SLA fighter [FJ 8/7]. 

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Former Stern Gang leader PM Shamir publicly denounces terrorism by Jewish settlers, and tells Knesset Israeli gov't. will not surrender its sovereignty over West Bank, but is ready to talk peace with any Arab leader. Reiterating that Israel considers Camp David only formula for settlement, PM Shamir rejects Chrmn. Arafat's call for peace conference under UN auspices.

Arab World: Lebanese amb. to Libya Farhat [dismissed by Libya when his gov't. signed agreement with Israel May 17, 1983] returns to his post. Egypt's FM Hassan Ali summons Israeli amb. Sassoon to protest Israel's "inhuman and illegal practices in occupied Arab territories".

Other Countries: In UN Security Council session, Zehdi Terzi accuses Israel of killing or wounding 60 refugees in its recent attack on Ain al-Hilweh camp, S. Lebanon. In effort to monitor Arab influence in US, American Jewish Congress pres. Mann announces nationwide push for legislation compelling colleges & universities to report sources of grants over $100,000 a year. Meeting with Israel's Science Minister, Thai Science Min. Lathopitat says he wants stronger industrial ties with Israel. After rash of complaints, British mail order house Freemans issues apology after accidentally shipping Israeli-made bras to Abu Dhabi.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: EL-OP unveils new ship-board air defense system Spirtas. Military court sentences 7 Nablus men charged with murder of Hebron settler; 4 get life, 3 get 20-25 years.

Arab World: 2 Katyushas fall in IDF-occupied territory near Ba'loul, east of Lake Karoun.

Military Action:

Car bomb explodes near pro-Israel Voice of Hope television station studio on Lebanese side of border near Metulla.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Municipal park in Jerusalem dedicated to memory of Emil Grunzweig, Peace Now demonstrator killed by grenade on February 10; guarded by 850 police, 1000 supporters of Committee Against the War in Lebanon march in Jerusalem for freedom of expression and against political violence; Foreign Minister Shamir says Israel will do utmost to strengthen ties with African regimes, is grateful to Zaire for being first Black African nation to resume diplomatic ties with Israel; Likud MK Y. Hurwitz says Israel has no choice but to sell arms to any country willing to buy them; 9 yeshiva students arrested after windows of Arab-owned stores smashed in Jerusalem's Old City, 5 charged; police fire shots and teargas, arrest 94, during protests against Carter visit in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, Tulkarm, Yatta, Halhoul, BeitJala, Ramallah, Jenin and Nablus; 3 women soldiers, 1 settler injured by stones in Hebron during protests against Defense Minister Arens visit; bombs discovered in two Hebron schools; Halhoul girls' high school closed until April; Jewish settlers fire on stone-throwing youths at Dheisheh camp and in Bethlehem.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat has talks with King Hussein at New Delhi Non-Aligned summit.

Arab Governments: Mubarak says he is in no hurry to resume diplomatic relations with Arab states that cut ties after 1979 peace treaty with Israel; Information Minister Iskander says Syria has no objection to withdrawing its troops from Lebanon if Israel does so at same time and if Lebanese authority and sovereignty over all Lebanon are established.