The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli undercover forces shot and killed 3 Palestinians, including 2 PA security officers, and injured 2 others, including 1 PA officer near the PA intelligence headquarters in Jenin. Israel said that its anti-terror unit was in Jenin to arrest 2 Islamic Jihad members when they shot the 4 Palestinians; the PA presidency condemned the killing of the 3 Palestinians and the PA prime minister called the Israeli actions an act of state terrorism. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during a raid in al-Fawar refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids and around Bethlehem, Jaba‘, Silwad, and Izzariya; 4 were arrested at checkpoints near Jenin and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting a visit to the Old City by Itamar Ben-Gvir from the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party at the Damascus Gate plaza, using stun grenades; 30 Palestinians were arrested. Ben-Gvir was banned by Israeli police from marching through the Old City on 6/9. Palestinians also protested against evictions of Palestinians from Batn al-Hawa, outside of an Israeli court holding a hearing on the matter (see below); 3 were arrested. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 shed and razed land in Issawiyya. 1 was arrested during a house raid in Batn al-Hawa. (AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, BBC, HA, HA, JP, JP, MEE, MEMO, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/10; MEMO 6/11; PCHR 6/17)

An Israeli court delayed a hearing on an eviction case against 2 Palestinian families in Batn al-Hawa. The hearing was postponed to 8/7. (AJ 6/10)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz approved the construction of an elevator at al-Ibrahimi Mosque, which is also a shine for Jewish people, allowing Israeli settlers with walking disabilities to enter the mosque. The approval violates the 1997 Hebron protocol signed by the PA and Israel. (ALM 6/23)

A video from 3/24/2019 surfaced showing Israeli prison guards at the Ketzion Prison in the Negev abusing 55 shackled Palestinian prisoners. The video shows that the prisoners were piled on top of each other and beaten with batons and kicked by the prison guards, even as they lie still on the concrete ground. (HA, MEE, WAFA 6/10; HA 6/11)

Former Mossad director Yossi Cohen implied in an interview with Israeli Channel 12 that Israel was behind attacks on Iran’s nuclear facility Natanz and on Iranian scientists. (AP, TOI 6/11)

In an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth, former secretary of state Mike Pompeo said that the sale of U.S. F-35s to the UAE was “crucial” to a normalization deal between the UAE and Israel. (HA, TOI 6/10)

China donated $1 million to the PA for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines. (WAFA 6/10)

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

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

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

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

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles 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 threw stones at 2 Palestinian farmers tending their land in Shushahla near Bethlehem. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians who were trying to force settlers to leave their land near Susiya. Israeli forces raided a high school east of Qalqilya. Israeli forces also delivered a stop-work order for a water well and seized a drill in al-Khadir. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided 1 high school in Qalqilya; no arrests were made. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during house raids in the Old City and Issawiyya; 1 was arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/22; PCHR 11/26)

A member of Gaza’s pandemic task force warned that Gaza was inching toward inability to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic as 79 of 100 ventilators in Gaza are in use. (REU 11/22)

Axios reported that Israeli officials said Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to the Saudi Arabian city Neom to meet with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo for a secret meeting. Neither side confirmed the meeting, but a public flight radar showed a private plane flying from Tel Aviv to Neom. It was also reported that the director of the Mossad Yossi Cohen took part in the meeting. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Netanyahu said at a memorial for David Ben-Gurion that U.S. president-elect Joe Biden should not rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. (AX, HA, REU 11/22; AJ, AP, AX, BBC, FT, GDN, HA, HA, REU 11/23; HA 11/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Silat al-Dahir, vandalizing Palestinian-owned houses and vehicles. Israeli settlers also razed Palestinian-owned land and planted their own crops in ‘Urif. Israeli forces delivered 1 demolition order for 1 agricultural shed in al-Walaja and 1 commercial barrack in Qalqilya, and delivered 1 stop-work order for 1 house under construction in Bayt Awa. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in Bayt Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid in Yatta and 2 at checkpoints near Nablus and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in the Old City and Bayt Hanina. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/19; PCHR 11/26)

PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh said, after a meeting with Israeli officials, that Israel has agreed to pay the PA the money it owes in tax revenue, about $890 million. (NYT, WAFA 11/19; HA 11/20)

The U.S. state department issued new guidelines of how to refer to products produced in Gaza and the West Bank as secretary of state Mike Pompeo was visiting Israel and Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Under the new guidelines, products imported to the U.S. from Area C of the West Bank would have to be labeled “Made in Israel.” Products can no longer be labeled “Made in West Bank/Gaza,” so products made in Gaza should be labeled “product of Gaza” and products made in Area A and B of the West Bank should be labeled “product of West Bank.” In a statement by Secretary Pompeo, he said that the U.S. is adhering to a “reality-based” approach, which would indicate that the new guidelines are a way for the U.S. administration to recognize Israel’s annexation of Area C. The statement also stipulated that “Gaza and the West Bank are politically and administratively separate and should be treated accordingly.” Secretary Pompeo also made another policy announcement during a press conference with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At the press conference, Pompeo announced that the State Department regards the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement as anti-Semitic and that the U.S. would start identifying organizations that support BDS to penalize them. The BDS movement released a statement reiterating that it rejects “all forms of racism, including anti-Jewish racism” and said it would resist “these McCarthyite attempts to intimidate and bully Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights defenders into accepting Israeli apartheid and settler-colonialism as fate.” The American Civil Liberties Union responded to Pompeo’s announcement that “[c]riticism of Israel, or any government, is fully protected by the First Amendment. Threatening to block government funds to groups that criticize Israel is blatantly unconstitutional.” Secretary Pompeo also visited the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and was the 1st secretary of state to do so. Pompeo’s visit to Israeli settlements in the West Bank was also a 1st for a U.S. secretary of state. Pompeo also tweeted, “Anti-Zionism is Anti-Semitism” (AJ, AJ, Amnesty, AX, BBC, BBC, DT, DW, HA, IN, IN, MDN, MEE, NYT, REU, REU, SKY, TOI, TOI, Twitter, Twitter, Twitter, U.S. State Department, WAFA, WAFA, WP 11/19; AJ, BBC, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP 11/20)

The EU told Serbia and Kosovo that if the countries still desire to become member states of the EU, they will have to follow EU policy, including not moving their Israeli embassies to Jerusalem as this would undermine EU policy and international law. A statement released conveying the message referenced the White House meetings held on 9/5-9/7 in which U.S. president Donald Trump announced the embassy moves. (EU Commission 11/19)

At the UN general assembly, 163 countries voted for a resolution recognizing “the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine.” 5 countries—Israel, the U.S., Micronesia, Nauru, and the Marshall Islands—voted against. (HA 11/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers toured Sabastiyya, closing off areas to Palestinians. Israeli forces closed off agricultural roads east of Yatta, preventing farmers from accessing their land. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for 4 houses under construction in Kisan. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed protesters in al-Bireh demonstrating against U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo’s upcoming visit to a nearby Israeli settlement; tear-gas related injuries were reported. 8 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Tulkarm, Dheisheh refugee camp, and Safa. Elsewhere, Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinians entering Israel for work near Rummana. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces summoned PA minister of Jerusalem affairs Fadi Hidmi for interrogation. 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Fukhari; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/18, PCHR 11/19)

The PA announced that it was sending its ambassadors back to the UAE and Bahrain after recalling them due to the 2 countries’ normalization deals with Israel. (REU 11/18; TOI 11/19)

On the 1st day of a 3-day trip to Israel, U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo held a press conference with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the foreign minister of Bahrain Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani, saying that the 3 normalization deals with Israel have further isolated Iran. Foreign Minister al-Zayani called for negotiations between Israel and Palestinians, saying the “conflict must be solved.” Bahrain and Israel announced they would open embassies in each other’s countries and establish an online visa system as well as direct weekly flights between the 2 countries. (AJ, AJ, HA, TOI, REU 11/18; TOI 11/19)

A group of 3 bipartisan senators introduced 4 resolutions of disapproval of the U.S. administration’s plans to sell F-35 fighter jets, Reaper drones, and munitions to the UAE. The 3 senators initiating the disapproval resolutions were Rand Paul (R-KY), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Chris Murphy (D-CT). (HA 11/18)

At the UN, a resolution supporting Palestinian sovereignty in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, passed the general assembly with a 156-6 vote with Canada, Israel, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, and the U.S. voting against. The resolution is approved annually. (JP, WAFA 11/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian minor and his father in Hebron. Israeli settlers also set up tents in Battir near Bethlehem. Israeli forces delivered demolition orders for 1 residential structure and 1 garden in Sabastiyya, 1 pool used for irrigation in Bayt Dajan, and a number of structures east of Yatta. Israeli forces also demolished 1 residential structure near Tubas and dismantled and seized 1 wooden shed in Umm al-Jamal. Israeli forces also shot and injured 6 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets during raids in Qalandia refugee camp; 1 Israeli soldier was also injured during the clashes, which lasted some 2 hours; 9 Palestinian-owned vehicles were damaged. 12 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Nablus, Birzeit, Bayt Umar, Qalandia, Hebron, and Jenin. 7 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and razed farmland east of Khan Yunis. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/17, PCHR 11/19)

The PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh announced that the PA would resume coordination with Israel, including security coordination, after suspending ties in May. Civil Affairs Minister al-Sheikh said that Israel had promised to respect its agreements with the PA during “international negotiations conducted by the president [Mahmoud Abbas].” Hamas and Islamic Jihad condemned the PA’s move, saying it undermines reconciliation efforts. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said during a Zoom conference organized by the Council of Foreign Relations that the COVID-19 pandemic played a part in the decision as the PA have struggled to find the resources to fight it. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, TOI, WAFA 11/17; HA, TOI 11/18; HA 11/19)

Israeli said it defused explosive devices in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights near the de facto border of Syria. Israel later attacked Syria, striking 8 targets. According to the Syrian state media SANA, 3 were killed, 1 wounded, and Syria intercepted Israeli missiles over Damascus. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 10 people were killed in the strikes. Israel acknowledged to have attacked Syria, saying it was responding to the explosive devices and claiming that it had hit Iranian and Syrian forces in Syria. (HA, REU 11/17; AJ, HA 11/18; BBC 11/19)

Both Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and president Reuven Rivlin congratulated U.S. president-elect Joe Biden via phone. (HA 11/17)

1 Jewish-Israeli was given a 7-year prison sentence for smuggling metals into Gaza and selling them to Hamas. He was also fined $60,000. (TOI, HA 11/17)

41 Democrats in congress cosigned a letter to U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo, expressing concern about Israel’s demolition of the village Khirbet Humsa on 11/3, demanding that Secretary Pompeo condemn Israel’s actions. (Mark Pocan’s Office 11/17; HA, WAFA 11/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole 20 Palestinian-owned sheep in Taybeh. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians during clashes that unfolded as Israeli forces raided several neighborhoods in Ramallah; 1 was hit by live ammunition and 2 were hit by rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets and 2 by tear-gas canisters; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Bayt Dajan, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also started paving a settler road east of Yatta and seized 1 tractor in Tuqu‘. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Nablus, Qalqilya, and Qaryut. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/13; PCHR 11/19)

The NYT reported that Israeli Mossad agents assassinated a senior al-Qaeda member, Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, in Tehran on 8/7. According to the reporting, 2 Mossad agents on a motorcycle shot the al-Qaeda member while he was walking the streets of Tehran. The assassination is said to have been carried out on the behest of the U.S. Iran denied the reporting, calling it false. Al-Qaeda has not said whether Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, who also is known as Abu Muhammad al-Masri, has been killed. (GDN, NYT, REU 11/13; AJ, AJ, HA, WP 11/14; HA, LAT 11/16)

CNN reported that top U.S. official Douglas Macgregor, during an interview in 2019, said that Mike Pompeo “has his hands out for money from the Israeli lobby, the Saudis and others” and that “[John] Bolton has become very, very rich and is in the position he’s in because of his unconditional support for the Israeli lobby.” Macgregor further stated that AIPAC has “enormous quantities of money that over many years have cultivated an enormous influence in power in Congress.” (HA 11/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces assaulted 1 77-year-old Palestinian man who refused to leave his land near Bayt Umar. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house, 1 retaining wall and a number of sheds in al-Walaja, and the foundations of 1 house in Bayt Jala. Elsewhere, Israeli forces leveled Palestinian land in Yanuh to expand a nearby settlement. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians during a late-night raid in Kaubar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 8 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Qalandia, Tulkarm, Yatta, Nablus, and Beita. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in al-Tur and Wadi Juz. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/12; PCHR 11/19)

1 Israeli soldier who had been missing since 11/10 was found dead near the Hizma checkpoint in the West Bank. Israel did not provide any further details. (HA 11/12)

The Israeli attorney general Avichai Mendelblit announced that Israel will freeze enforcement of the Kaminitz Law, which aims at punishing Israeli residents who build without a permit. While the law does not single out Palestinian-Israelis explicitly, it disproportionately effects Palestinian-Israelis because the time it takes to obtain a construction permit in Palestinian areas of Israel is much longer than in Israeli-Jewish areas. According to Haaretz, it is estimated that 50,000 Palestinian-owned houses in Israel are built without a permit. The freeze, which lasts until 2023, was seen as a win for the Joint Arab List whose politicians have been working with Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz and justice minister Avi Nissenkorn to get it through. (HA 11/12)

Axios reported that U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo will visit Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Golan Heights. During his trip, Secretary Pompeo is scheduled to visit a settler winery in Psagot near al-Bireh, which announced it will make a new series of wine named after him. The winery is built on 80 dunams (20 acres) of privately-owned Palestinian land seized by Israel. Pompeo will be the 1st U.S. secretary of state to visit both the Golan Heights and West Bank settlements. Pompeo was also the 1st secretary of state to visit the Wailing Wall. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said in a tweet, “[w]e deplore US Sec. of State Mike Pompeo’s intent to visit the illegal settlement of Psagot, built on lands belonging to Palestinian owners in Al-Bireh city, during his visit to Israel next week. This dangerous precedent legalizes settlements& a blot to int’l legitimacy/ UN res’s.” (AX, HA 11/12; AJ, Twitter 11/13; WAFA 11/15)

The NYT reported that U.S. president Donald Trump, in a meeting with U.S. military officials, requested options for attacking Iran’s nuclear site in Natanz. According to NYT sources, he was ultimately dissuaded by the military officials not to launch an attack on Iran. (NYT, REU 11/16)

The prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan said in an interview that the U.S. and at least 1 other unnamed country have been pressuring him to recognize Israel. Prime Minister Khan said he would not normalize relations with Israel until a peace agreement is made with Palestine. Khan, when pressed on what the 2d country was, said, “[l]eave this. There are things we cannot say.” (HA 11/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 car wash in Anata. Israeli forces also razed Palestinian-owned land near Hebron. 13 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ya‘bad, Jenin, Nablus, Beitunia, Halhul, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during raids in Issawiyya; clashes erupted during the raids. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level farmland east of Dayr al-Balah. Israeli forces also opened fire at agricultural lands east of Qarara; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/10; PCHR 11/12)

The secretary-general of the PLO Saeb Erakat succumbed to the COVID-19 virus after battling the infection since 10/8. Secretary-General Erakat was moved to a hospital in West Jerusalem on 10/18 and reported to be in critical condition on 10/19. PA president Mahmoud Abbas declared a 3-day mourning period. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, LAT, MEE, NBC, NPR, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP 11/10)

1 Palestinian prisoner, 46 years old and suffering from throat cancer, died at an Israeli hospital. According to the Palestinian Human Rights Centre, medical neglect and a COVID-19 illness contributed to his early death. (PCHR 11/12; PCHR 11/11)

The Israeli Knesset approved the Bahrain normalization deal 62-14. All 14 nay votes were cast by members of the Joint Arab List. (HA 11/10)

Israeli claimed to have shot down a drone belonging to Hezbollah over Israeli airspace. (HA 11/10)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced that he had authorized the sale of 50 F-35 fighter jets, 18 Reaper drones, and air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions to the UAE, citing the normalization deal the country made with Israel. (AP, HA 11/10; DT 11/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces attacked Palestinian worshippers in al-Ibrahimi Mosque during morning prayers at the advent of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Bayt Sahour, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 2 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 10/29; PCHR 11/5)

The PA requested help from the UN to get a baptismal font back that was seized by Israel near Bethlehem on 7/20 this year. The baptismal font dates back to the 5th century. (WAFA 10/29)

A large Israeli military drill in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights caused massive damage with some 1,500 dunams (400 acres) burned by fires sparked from the drill. (TOI 10/29; HA 10/30)

U.S. secretary of defense Mark Esper visited Israel, meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz. Haaretz reported on 10/27 that Israel has requested F-22 fighter jets from the U.S., which are currently only used by the U.S. military. Meanwhile, the White House notified Congress of its intent to sell 50 F-35 fighter jets to the UAE as part of the normalization deal between Israel and the UAE. (AJ, HA, HA 10/29; LT 10/30)

The CEO of Golan Heights Winery in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights said in a statement that his wines will be sold in the UAE starting this week. The UAE does not recognize Israeli sovereignty in the occupied Golan Heights. (HA, REU 10/29)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced that U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem will be able to list Israel as the place of birth. The spokesperson for PA president Mahmoud Abbas condemned the U.S. decision. (HA 10/28; HA, REU, WAFA 10/29; AJ, IN, REU 10/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 1 house in Taqqua. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house in al-Khadir and seized construction material. Elsewhere, Israeli forces punitively sealed off the room of an alleged attacker in his family house. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Qalandia refugee camp, Bethlehem, Hebron, Kafr Qaddum, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a and east of al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/21; PCHR 10/22)

The Israeli public radio channel Kan reported that an Israeli delegation was in Sudan to talk about a normalization deal between the 2 countries. (REU 10/21; AJ 10/22)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo said, when asked if he had any comment about the Palestinian prisoner on administrative detention who has been hunger striking for 87 days, that he would not comment on 1 particular case, and that “Israel has the right to defend itself.” (IMEU – Twitter 10/21)

According to reporting by Politico, the Trump administration is mulling over declaring human rights organizations and other NGOs such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Oxfam anti-Semitic. According to the reporting, Secretary of State Pompeo is seeking to get through the declaration to gain favor among evangelical voters for a future run for president. The reporting cites allegations of support for the BDS movement as the justification for labeling the organizations anti-Semitic. (MRJ, POL 10/21; GDN, HA, JTA, TOI 10/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up caravans on Palestinian-owned land in the northern part of the Jordan Valley. Israeli forces handed stop-work orders for 7 houses south of Hebron. Israeli forces also seized 1 bulldozer and 1 truck near Tubas. 12 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Qalqilya, and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided Shu‘fat, firing tear gas at Palestinians. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya; during the raids, clashes ensued between Palestinians and Israeli forces; tear-gas related injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/15; PCHR 10/22)

Israel’s civil administration’s supreme planning council approved 3,071 new settler units in 19 different settlements throughout the West Bank. On 10/14, the same planning council approved 1,877 settler units, making the total of 4,948 settler units for the 2 days combined. According to Peace Now, 2020 has surpassed all other years in approved settler units since Peace Now began counting in 2012. The total amount of settler units approved in 2020 is 12,159. The UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Nickolay Mladenov condemned Israel’s settlement expansion, as did the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy in a joint statement. (AJ, HA, PCN, WAFA 10/15; AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 10/16; WAFA 10/17)

The Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud said during an event with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy that “the only thing that can deliver lasting peace and lasting stability is an agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis,” suggesting that Saudi Arabia is not close to normalizing relations with Israel. He also said that Saudi Arabia does not have an opinion about other countries that normalize relations with Israel as the UAE and Bahrain have done. U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo had said 1 day earlier during a press conference with Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan that “[w]e hope that Saudi Arabia will consider normalizing its relationships as well. We want to thank them for the assistance they’ve had in the success of the Abraham Accords [the normalization deals made with Bahrain and UAE] so far.” (AJ, HA, REU 10/14; REU 10/15)

The PA received 2 grants from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and Al Aqsa Fund of the Islamic Development Bank, amounting to $11 million for hospitals in the West Bank and Gaza. (WAFA 10/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers injured 4 Palestinians, including 1 pregnant woman while they were traveling by car northeast of Ramallah; 2, including the pregnant woman, were described as in critical condition. 1 Palestinian was shot and wounded at a checkpoint south of Nablus after allegedly ramming 2 Israeli soldiers who sustained “minor wounds”; according to the Israeli army, the suspect tried to stab the soldiers after crashing his vehicle. Israeli forces also injured 2 Palestinians using live ammunition near Bethlehem and Jenin. 1 45-year-old Palestinian prisoner died of a heart attack at Ofer prison near Ramallah. Israeli forces demolished 2 houses and 1 shack and handed demolition notices for 5 Palestinian-owned houses near Yatta. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 3 tents in a Bedouin community near Ramallah. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Yatta, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian photojournalist was arrested during a house raid in Issawiyya; Israeli forces seized his equipment during the raid. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level agricultural lands. Israeli forces also opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis and Khuza‘a. (HA 9/1; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/2; PCHR, WAFA 9/3; WAFA 9/4)

Chairman of the Hamas politburo Ismail Haniyeh embarked for Beirut for a week-long visit, where he is expected to meet with leaders of other Palestinian factions, Lebanese officials, and Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah. According to the spokesperson for PA president Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian factions will discuss “Palestinian unity to defeat conspiracies against Palestine.” President Abbas and other West Bank officials will be connected to the factions in Beirut via video conference. (AJ, WAFA 9/2)

Senior advisor to U.S. president Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, met with the Qatari emir Shaykh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Qatar to discuss potential Qatari normalization with Israel. According to Emir al-Thani’s cabinet, al-Thani informed Kushner that Qatari normalization of ties with Israel is dependent on a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as the capital. (AJ, HA 9/2)

Syrian state news said Israeli fighter jets fired missiles near the T-4 airbase in Homs province, causing damage. According to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 16 people were killed in the attacks. (HA, TOI 9/3)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. administration had sanctioned ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and head of the ICC’s Jurisdiction, Complementarity, and Cooperation Division Phakiso Mochochoko. Secretary Pompeo said that the U.S. had made the move “because the ICC continues to target Americans.” The UN secretary-general António Guterres expressed concern about the U.S.’s renewed attack on the ICC. Besides ICC’s investigation into potential war crimes committed by the U.S. in Afghanistan, the court is also investigating potential war crimes committed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories. (BBC, Guardian, ICC, 9/2; WAFA 9/3; REU 9/15)

The EU contributed $10.65 million to the PA to help pay salaries and pensions for the month of July for civil servants in the West Bank. (WAFA 9/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up 4 caravans on Palestinian-owned property north of ‘Abwayn; the outpost was dismantled by Israeli forces the same day. Israeli forces raided the family house of an alleged Palestinian attacker near Nablus and took measurements in preparation for a punitive demolition of the property. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house under construction and delivered 1 demolition order for a carpentry shop in ‘Araba. 13 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah, Qalqilya, Biddu, and Qatanna; during a raid in al-Fawar refugee camp, Israeli forces assaulted 2 Palestinians, fracturing the nose of 1 of them; they also claimed that Israeli forces stole 5,800 NIS ($1,700). In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Rafah. In Israel, Israeli forces demolished the bedouin village al-‘Araqib for the 177th time since 2000. (HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/27; PCHR 9/3)

The Israeli high court of justice ruled that 1 Israeli settler outpost with some 50 homes, Mitzpeh Kramim, is to be evacuated. The court found that the settler outpost was built in bad faith as the authorities knew it was being built on Palestinian-owned land. (AJ, HA, REU 8/27)

Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi said in a news conference with German foreign minister Heiko Maas that, “I think it’s very clear and it’s very tangible that Israel government policy moved from annexation to normalization.” (HA 8/27)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo met with Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said in Oman to advocate for the Gulf state to normalize ties with Israel. Oman was the 5th stop on Secretary Pompeo’s Middle East trip, having visited Israel, Sudan, Bahrain, and the UAE prior. (HA, REU 8/27)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was shot and injured by Israeli forces near the separation wall adjacent to Jenin. Israeli forces handed demolition notices for 3 houses and 2 houses under construction, and 5 others received stop-work orders for the houses in Nahalin. 17 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Burin, Madama, Tulkarm, and Jenin; tear-gas related injuries were reported during a raid in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees in Sur Bahir, displacing 11 people. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids. In Gaza, Israeli forces attacked buildings and infrastructure east of Khan Yunis, causing damage. Hamas authorities extended the COVID-19-related lockdown until 8/29. According to Gaza health officials, 26 people have tested positive and 2 people have died of the virus. In Israel, 1 Israeli was stabbed to death in Petah Tikva; Israeli police arrested 1 Palestinian from Nablus who they investigated as the perpetrator. (HA 8/25; BBC, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/26; HA, PCHR 8/27)

The Prisoner’s Affairs Commission reported that several Palestinians in Ofer prison have tested positive for COVID-19. (WAFA 8/26)

Israeli forces attacked Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon, claiming that shots were fired from Lebanon toward Israeli troops the day before. Lebanon’s supreme defense council said it would file a complaint to the UN. Earlier in the day, Israel had proposed changes to the UNIFIL mandate, which Lebanon rejected. (HA, REU 8/25; HA, HA 8/26; LT 8/27)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo met with senior members of the royal family in Bahrain to discuss “the importance of building regional peace and stability,” including normalizing ties between Bahrain and Israel. According to Bahrain state news, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa told Pompeo that Bahrain is committed to the Arab Peace Initiative and the creation of a Palestinian state before normalizing relations with Israel. Later, Secretary Pompeo met with senior officials in the UAE to discuss, among other subjects, the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the UAE. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 8/26)

China donated personal protective equipment to UNRWA to help fight against the spread of COVID-19. (WAFA 8/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 8 structures in a bedouin village north of Ramallah and delivered demolition notices for 2 houses near Bethlehem. 11 Palestinians were arrested in and around Tulkarm, Jenin, Bethlehem, and Ramallah; during the raid in Tulkarm, 2 Palestinians were shot by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets; during the raid near Jenin, 1 Palestinian was shot by live ammunition. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian-owned home was demolished in Silwan and 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Sur Bahir to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. 4 Palestinians were arrested. In Gaza, Hamas authorities initiated a 48-hour curfew after 4 members of the same family tested positive for the COVID-19 virus on 8/24; these were the 1st people to test positive in Gaza outside of designated quarantine facilities. Israeli forces attacked buildings east of Rafah, causing damage; incendiary balloons were sent toward Israel, causing fires. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/25; PCHR 8/27)

Both PA president Mahmoud Abbas and PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met separately with the British foreign secretary Dominic Raab in Ramallah. President Abbas told Secretary Raab peace cannot be achieved by bypassing the Palestinians through normalization of relations with other Arab countries. (WAFA, WAFA 8/25)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz and the defense minister of the UAE Mohammed al-Bawardi spoke during a phone call where the 2 discussed shared security interests. (HA, REU 8/25)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo spoke to the Republican National Convention from Jerusalem while on an official trip to the Middle East. Secretary Pompeo’s performance at the Republican National Convention was a violation of the Hatch Act and a congressional investigation was initiated shortly after his speech was broadcasted. In his speech, Pompeo touted U.S. president Donald Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, saying “this very city of God, Jerusalem, the rightful capital of the Jewish homeland.” Secretary Pompeo also met with the prime minister of Sudan Abdalla Hamdok to discuss normalizing ties between Sudan and Israel, among other issues. A Sudanese spokesperson said that the transitional government was not mandated to normalize ties with Israel. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA 8/25; HA 8/27)

The Democratic candidate for vice president Kamala Harris said in a call with Jewish supporters that a Biden administration will not condition U.S. military aid to Israel. (HA 8/26)

The director of UNRWA affairs in Gaza, Matthias Schmale, called on Israel to start allowing fuel into Gaza as Gaza’s only power plant had remained closed for 1 week due to lack of fuel as Israel blocked the entrance of fuel to Gaza. (WAFA 8/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up a caravan on Palestinian-owned land in Bil‘in. Israeli forces forced the village of Sabastiyya to remove a newly installed flagpole carrying a Palestinian flag; the flagpole was installed at a site frequently toured by Israeli settlers. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Tulkarm, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and al-‘Arub refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a raid in the Old City, and 5 at 1 of the gates to the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired missiles at southern Gaza, causing damage in Khan Yunis and east of Rafah; incendiary balloons were sent toward Israel, causing fires; 1 Palestinian-owned house in Abasan sustained severe damage. Israeli forces also opened fire on agricultural lands; no injuries were reported. 4 people from the same family also tested positive for the COVID-19 virus in the 1st instance of community spread of the virus in Gaza; prior positive tests have only occurred in quarantine facilities. 4 Palestinians died in an explosion in a house east of Gaza City; the reason for the explosion remained unclear. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/24; AJ, HA, WAFA 8/25; +972 8/26; PCHR 8/27)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo landed in Israel for meetings with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi. Secretary Pompeo is expected to travel to Sudan, Bahrain, and the UAE to talk with senior officials about, among other subjects, normalizing ties with Israel. (REU 8/22; AJ, HA 8/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided and surveyed a bedouin community adjacent to the Israeli settlement Ma’ale Adumim in preparation for annexing the area. 1 Palestinian woman died of the COVID-19 virus, marking the 8th COVID-19-related death in the Palestinian territories and 4th in the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem. The district of Bethlehem started a 48-hour lockdown to combat the rise in COVID-19 cases. 9 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around al-‘Arub refugee camp, Jenin, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/29; PCHR 7/2)

U.S. assistant to the president and special representative for international negotiations Avi Berkowitz and U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman met with Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz to discuss annexation of parts of the West Bank. According to Haaretz sources, Defense Minister Gantz told the 2 that 7/1 “is not a sacred date” for moving forward with annexation. Shortly after those details were reported, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “The issue [annexation] is not up to Kahol Lavan [Gantz’s Blue and White party]. They are not a factor either way.” (Axios, HA, HA, REU 6/29)

A letter by 4 progressives in the U.S. House, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Betty McCollum (D-MN), to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo being circulated among other representatives was obtained by the Jewish Insider. The letter warns the State Department that the 4 will “pursue conditions on the $3.8 billion in U.S. military funding to Israel.” (Jewish Insider 6/29; HA 6/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from reaching a rally against annexation and Palestinian officials from reaching a meeting in Fasayil in the Jordan Valley, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house under construction in Bayt Sira and 1 house in Beitunia. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered an eviction notice to 1 Palestinian in al-Khadir. Israeli settlers destroyed 85 Palestinian-owned olive trees near Bardala. 22 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, ‘Azun, Jenin, Awarta, Nablus, Baytin, Ramallah, Hebron, and Qalandia. In East Jerusalem, Israeli setters seized a tract of Palestinian-owned land in Issawiyya. Israeli forces also demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Bayt Hanina. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/24; PCHR 6/25)

The Jerusalem district court denied a request by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate to void the sale of its property in the Old City to the settler group Ateret Cohanim, ending a 16-year-long legal battle. (HA 6/26)

U.S. president Donald Trump aide Kellyanne Conway told reporters that President Trump will have “a big announcement” about the U.S. position on Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank after White House officials met for a 2d day in a row to discuss the issue. Conway also characterized concerns over potential reactions in the Middle East to Israeli annexation as overblown. (AJ 6/24; HA 6/25)

At a virtual UN Security Council meeting, the UN secretary general António Guterres called on Israel “to abandon its annexation plans.” After the meeting, the current and incoming EU members of the UN security council—Germany, Ireland, France, Estonia, Belgium, and France, as well as the UK and Norway—released a joint statement supporting Secretary General Guterres’s “grave concern.” Separately, more than 1,000 European parliamentarians from 25 counties signed a letter denouncing Israel, saying “[a]cquisition of territory by force has no place in 2020 and must have commensurate consequences.” Meanwhile, U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo told reporters that decisions about annexations are “for Israelis to make.” (AJ, BBC, German Foreign Ministry, HA, REU, REU, WAFA 6/24; AJ 6/25)

At an extraordinary meeting hosted by Sweden and Jordan to fundraise for UNRWA, 75 governments and non-governmental organizations pledged $130 million to the UNRWA budget. (WAFA 6/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian man in Susiya. Israeli forces made Jiftlik a temporary military zone and seized an irrigation system, 2 bulldozers, 1 tractor, and 1 water tank. 21 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bayt Umar, Hebron, al-Fawar refugee camp, Ramallah, Jericho, Nablus, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested. The Israeli Jerusalem municipality ordered some 200 Palestinian-owned industrial buildings in Wadi al-Juz to be evicted and demolished. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/1; JP, WAFA 6/2; PCHR 6/4)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz said he had instructed the Israeli army’s chief of staff to accelerate the army’s preparations for “the upcoming diplomatic changes in the Palestinian area.” Defense Minister Gantz was referring to the potential fallout from Israel’s upcoming plans to annex parts of the West Bank. (HA, REU 6/1)

UAE’s minister of foreign affairs Anwar Gargash tweeted that “[c]ontinued Israeli talk of annexing Palestinian lands must stop. Any unilateral Israeli move will be a serious setback for the peace process, undermine Palestinian self determination & constitute a rejection of the international & Arab consensus towards stability & peace.” The tweet comes after the PA on 5/21 rejected COVID-19-related aid flown directly from the UAE to Tel Aviv. The direct flight was seen as another step toward normalizing ties between the UAE and Israel. (AJ, HA, REU 6/1)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo said in a podcast that the U.S. government would make announcements this week “push[ing] back against what the ICC is up to.” The ICC is currently investigating possible war crimes committed by the U.S. in Afghanistan and by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories. (HA 6/2)

The World Bank warned that the Palestinian economy could shrink up to 11 percent in the coming year, citing COVID-19’s impact on the tourism industry and PA-enhanced spending on health. (HA 6/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished vending stalls in ‘Ayn al-Bayda and Bardala; demolished 3 agricultural structures and razed land east of Hebron; demolished 1 house under construction in Bayt Dajan; handed demolition orders for 3 tents south of Yatta; handed stop-work orders for construction in al-Walaja; and demolished 2 tourist facilities under construction in Sabastiyya. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Tulkarm and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished part of their own house in Silwan to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/27; PCHR 5/28)

The U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo said that the U.S. would not extend waivers for 3 of 4 sanctions allowing Russian, Chinese, and European companies to work on Iranian nuclear sites in the interest of non-proliferation. (AJ 5/30)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian minor was killed and 4 others wounded by Israeli forces using live ammunition during a late-night raid in al-Fawar refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Nabi Salih and Ya‘bad throughout the day, leading to 1 Palestinian being wounded by live ammunition and others suffering tear-gas related injuries; 1 Israeli soldier was killed during a raid in Ya‘bad on 5/12. Israeli settlers sprayed racist graffiti on walls in Bil‘in. 22 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ya‘bad, Bethlehem, Hebron, Bayt Furik, and Jericho. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and seized their boat 3 nautical miles west of Gaza City. In Israel, 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel, who suffered from mental illness, was killed by hospital security guards. The man had pulled out a knife while at the hospital for an examination but did not use it; when he got in a car, hospital security guards pulled him out and he lightly injured 1 guard, to which guards responded by shooting him 5 times while he was lying incapacitated on the ground. (AJ, HA, HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/13; HA, PCHR 5/14; HA 5/18)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo visited Israel, where he met with Benjamin Netanyahu, Benny Gantz, Gabi Ashkenazi, and Director of the Mossad Yossi Cohen. The new Israeli government is set to be sworn in on May 14 with Netanyahu as prime minister, Benny Gantz as defense minister, and Gabi Ashkenazi as foreign minister. It was reported that Pompeo discussed Iran, COVID-19, and the Trump administration’s peace plan, as Israel is gearing up to discuss annexation of parts of the West Bank in June. (AJ, HA 5/13)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was shot dead after he attacked 1 Israeli soldier at a checkpoint near Abu Dis. Israeli forces later raided the home of the Palestinian man and arrested his parents in al-Sawahara. During the raid, Palestinians and Israeli forces clashed; 1 Palestinian was hospitalized after being cut by broken glass from his windshield, which was hit by a projectile. Elsewhere, Israeli forces blocked a main access road to Qusra village, leading to clashes with Palestinians. Israeli forces demolished a settlement outpost outside of Yitzhar settlement. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bayt Awa, Hebron, Jalazun refugee camp, and Ramallah. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Rafah. In Israel, 1 23-year-old Palestinian prisoner died in a hospital after being found unresponsive in his cell on 4/21. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/22; PCHR 4/23)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo said during a press briefing that, “[a]s for annexation of the West Bank, the Israelis ultimately make those decisions, so that’s an Israeli decision,” in response to questions about the Netanyahu-Gantz Israeli government, which will decide on annexation in July. PA president Mahmoud Abbas said that if Israel annexes land in the West Bank, all agreements made between the PA and Israel, and the PA and the U.S., would be “completely canceled.” (AJ, HA, JP, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 4/22; WAFA 4/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted around 50 vine trees south of Bethlehem near the Gush Etzion settlement. After a 2d person tested positive for the COVID-19 virus in Tulkarm, the governor of the Tulkarm governorate issued a lockdown order for the city, banning entry and exit. In East Jerusalem, 9 Palestinians were arrested, including 8 workers sanitizing areas in Silwan and the Old City; 1 was arrested during a late-night raid. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 3/16; PCHR 3/19)

In a letter to U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo, more than 60 members of U.S. congress urged the administration to ensure that Israel is complaint to the Arms Export Control Act, which stipulates that U.S.-supplied equipment cannot be used to demolish Palestinian homes and forceful transfer of people. (Rep. Ro Khanna 3/16; WAFA 3/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces dismantled and seized a shack in Ras Karkar, and handed a punitive demolition order for a house in Jenin. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, ‘Azun, and Kafr Labad. Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians at a checkpoint in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli settlers vandalized 80 olive trees and ignited a different olive field, burning another 30 olive trees in al-Sawiya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians were arrested while trying to enter Israel by the Gaza fence. (WAFA, WAFA 1/9; PCHR 1/16)

Lebanese newspaper al-Mayadeen reported that Israel was behind an air strike that killed 8 people in Syria near the Iraqi border. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that no Syrian citizens were killed and that the air strikes had targeted Iran-backed militias. (HA 1/10)

The U.S. administration rejected a request made by Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi for the U.S. troops to leave Iraq. The request was made during a phone call between Prime Minister Mahdi and U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo. (AJ 1/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers cut down 50 olive trees in al-Sawiya south of Nablus. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bayt Awa, Bayt Fajjar, Ramallah, al-‘Arub refugee camp, and Abu Dis. During a raid in Jericho, 6 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets and others suffered tear-gas related injuries after clashes broke out between Israeli forces and Palestinians. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/8; PCHR 1/9)

Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennett told reporters that he had created a task force to develop plans for the future of Area C, to which he said, “[t]he State of Israel’s policy is that the land in Area C belongs to [Israel].” (HA 1/9)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo said via video during a Jerusalem policy forum that changing U.S. policy on the Israeli settlements in the West Bank was returning to a “balanced and sober” approach to the peace process and reiterated the administration’s position that Israeli “settlements don’t inherently violate international law.” (REU 1/8)

U.S. president Donald Trump responded to the Iranian strikes on U.S. bases in Iraq on 1/7 by announcing additional sanctions on Iran. (AJ 1/8)

In the West Bank, 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 7 during late-night raids in and around Bayt Awa, Yatta, and Bethlehem; 1 at a flying checkpoint near Jenin. 1 Palestinian teenager was hospitalized after being beaten by Israeli forces during a daytime raid near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during daytime raids in the Old City and Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 12/1; PCHR 12/5)

Israel’s defense minister Naftali Bennett ordered the “planning processes to be advanced” for new settler housing in Hebron. The plan includes development of a closed fruit and vegetable market for settler housing. According to Defense Minister Bennett, the new settlement housing “will create territorial continuation from the Cave of the Patriarchs [al-Ibrahimi Mosque] to the Avraham Avinu neighborhood, and double the number of Jewish residents in the city.” PLO’s secretary general Saeb Erakat said in a tweet that Bennett’s announcement was the “first tangible result of the U.S. decision to legitimize colonization,” referring to U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo’s announcement from 11/18 that the U.S. no longer considers the Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law. Defense Minister Bennett also sent a letter to the Palestinian municipal government of Hebron demanding consent for the demolition of the fruit and vegetable market, threatening that Bennett would start legal proceedings to lift the municipality’s protected status over the site. (AJ, AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA 12/1; HA 12/8)

The Israeli cabinet approved an allocation of 40 million shekels ($11.5 million) for construction of 1st-aid stations and security in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The chairperson of the Joint Arab List Ayman Odeh subsequently sent a letter to the Israeli attorney general demanding an examination of the constitutionality of the allocation, saying that the approval “raise[s] a grave suspicion of a budget allocation in exchange for a political favor.” (HA 12/1)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. president Donald Trump spoke on the phone and, according to Prime Minister Netanyahu, the 2 discussed recognizing the Jordan Valley as Israel’s official eastern border in addition to a defense pact and Iran. (HA, TOI 12/2)

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

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

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

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

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

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 2 houses in al-‘Arub refugee camp. 10 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned house in Jabal Mukabir. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA 11/19; PCHR 11/21)

Israel said it had intercepted 4 missiles launched from Syria at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel subsequently hit more than 20 targets in Syria, killing 23 people, according to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (AJ, HA 11/19; AJ, HA 11/20; HA 11/22)

In a significant departure from previous votes at the UN, Canada voted for a resolution supporting Palestinians’ right to self-determination. Canada has since 2006 voted with Israel and the U.S. or abstained on issues pertaining to Palestine. A Canadian official told Canadian media that the country was sending a message to the U.S. that it does not agree with the U.S. change of policy in stating that it no longer considers Israeli settlements illegal under international law as announced by U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo on 11/18. (CBC, MEMO 11/20)