The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Madama, assaulting 2 Palestinians and vandalizing 1 home and 40 olive trees. Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinians trying to fend off the settlers. Israeli settlers also uprooted 40 olive trees and vandalized agricultural structures in Tuqu’. Israeli forces seized 1 tractor in ‘Azzun. Israeli forces also smashed windows in a mosque during a raid in Hebron. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 5 Palestinians during a raid in Tulkarm refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of al-Sudaniya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/27; PCHR 8/31; UNOCHA 9/11)

The Israeli government allocated additional Palestinian land to the Mevo’ot Jericho and Amichai settlements through the Settlement Division. Peace Now said the decision to allocate land to the 2 settlements through the non-governmental Settlement Division was a means for the government to expand settlements away from public scrutiny. (PCN 8/30)

Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich agreed to unfreeze $53 million promised to Palestinian communities by the previous Israeli government. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 8/28)

Libyan prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh suspended Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush after Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen said he had met with her last week in Rome, discussing possible cooperation. The Libyan foreign ministry maintained that it had rejected an invitation for a meeting with Israel, that Cohen and Mangoush’s meeting was “unplanned and incidental,” and that Libya “outright rejects” normalization. Mangoush later fled Libya on a private plane as demonstrators blocked roads and burned tires near the foreign ministry in Tripoli. (AP, HA, MEE 8/27; AJ, ALM, AP, BBC, GDN, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, NYT, REU, REU, TOI 8/28; AJ, ALM, AP, MEE 8/29; AJ 8/30; ALM, HA 8/31; HA 9/1; AJ, AP 9/2; HA, REU 9/3; AJ 9/4)

In the West Bank, unidentified gunmen opened fire at an Israeli settler vehicle near Qalqilya. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians with batons, pepper spray, and stone at a spring near Tubas. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Jericho. Israeli forces also leveled land and uprooted olive trees in Kafl Haris and razed an agricultural road in Zanuta. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during a raid in Dheisheh refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished a water cistern serving 6 Palestinian families in al-Baqa’a. 16 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Jericho, Tulkarm, Hebron, Ramallah, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the home of Islamic Waqf Department deputy director Najeh Bkeirat in Sur Bahir, detaining him. Israeli forces also demolished a retaining wall in al-Tur and a pergola in Wadi al-Juz. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Silwan, damaging a house and causing tear-gas related injuries. (QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/12; MEE, PCHR, WAFA 7/13; BTselem 7/19; UNOCHA 7/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas visited Jenin for the first time in 12 years, giving a speech in Jenin refugee camp. Abbas praised the steadfastness of the Jenin residents in light of Israel’s attacks. The visit followed Israel’s large-scale attack on Jenin refugee camp on 7/3 and 7/4. Around 1,000 PA troops secured the area for Abbas. Abbas also canceled a meeting with representatives of different Palestinian factions without giving a reason. (AJ, ALM, AN, AP, BBC, HA, MEE, NYT, QDS, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 7/12; MEE 7/13; MDW 7/14)

2 Israeli settlers, including an off-duty soldier, were charged with terrorism, 1 for vandalizing a mosque in ‘Urif and the other for placing a chair in front of the door of a Palestinian home in Umm Safa and setting the chair on fire. Both incidents occurred in June. (AJ, HA, REU, TOI 7/12)

In Lebanon, Israeli forces opened fire at people approaching the border fence to Israel near Metula; 3 members of Hezbollah were said to be injured. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, MEE, REU 7/12; HA 7/13)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant visited Azerbaijan, discussing strategic, diplomatic, and security ties with President Ilham Aliyev, Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov, and other officials. (ALM 7/12; HA 7/13; ALM 7/14)

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) said she would not attend Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s address to Congress, citing Israel’s ban on Omar and representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) from entering Israel and Palestine in 2019, Israel’s increase in its killing of Palestinians in the West Bank, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement that he wants to crush Palestinians’ hope of statehood. Later on 7/13 and 7/14, Omar was joined in her boycott by Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Cori Bush (D-MO). Omar and Bowman also boycotted a speech by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in June. (AX, HA, HA, MEE 7/13; HA, MEE 7/14; HA 7/15; WAFA 7/16)

A U.S. national security council spokesperson said that “[t]here is no talk of some kind of formal reassessment. The United States and Israel share a special bond, and our enduring commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad.” The statement followed a New York Times column by Thomas Friedman, who said a U.S. reassessment of its ties to Israel was inevitable. (NYT 7/11; HA, HA 7/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up 6 mobile homes on Palestinian-owned land in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, creating a new settlement outpost. It was reported Israeli forces leveled land in preparation for the settlers to create the outpost. Israeli settlers also set up caravans near Mukhmas. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers also raided ‘Urif, setting fire to homes and a mosque and vandalizing the electric panel supplying the town, cutting power for hours. Security footage also showed the settlers tearing apart a Quran outside of the mosque. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Nahalin, Yasuf, and Ras Karkar. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers with a military escort also attacked Palestinians in Jalud, injuring 1 Palestinian with live ammunition and others with stones. Israeli settlers also raided Sinjil and Umm Safa before being repelled by Palestinians. Separately, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in Khirbet Tuba in the Masafer Yatta area, causing bruises and damage to property. Israeli forces raided Nablus, punitively demolishing the family home of 1 Palestinian man who allegedly took part in the killing of an Israeli soldier in October 2022; 33 Palestinians were injured by tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Dheisheh refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 4 residential structures in al-Maleh. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers assaulted 5 Palestinians in Silwan. Israeli authorities demolished 1 agricultural structure, uprooted trees, and razed a plot of land in Umm Tuba. (ABC, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEE, NYT, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/22; PCN 6/23 HA, HA 6/24; PCN 6/29; PCHR 7/6; UNOCHA 7/8)

The Jerusalem District Planning Committee approved proposed plans to build a new American embassy on a plot of land known as the Allenby complex, which is privately owned by several Palestinian families. It is still undetermined if the U.S. will move ahead with its plans to build the embassy on the plot of land because it was seized by Israel from the Palestinian families after the Nakba. (HA 6/22)

U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides said at a Geneva Initiative event in Tel Aviv that the U.S. does “not stand and watch settler violence. I have been very clear and very specific that we will not stand by, and we are pushing the Israelis to take whatever action they need to take to stop those people.” The Saudi foreign ministry also issued a statement condemning the settler attacks. (HA, WAFA 6/22)

The annual UN report on the treatment of children in conflict zones left out Israel on the list of shame for the killing and mistreatment of Palestinian children. According to the report, 42 Palestinian children were killed and 933 were injured during 2022. Human Rights Watch and the PA expressed disappointment that Israel was left off the list. (AJ 6/23; HRW 6/27; WAFA, WAFA 6/28 AJ 6/29)

The chair and deputy chair of the Elders, Mary Robinson and Ban Ki-moon, issued a statement after visiting Israel and Palestine, warning that the “one-state reality is now rapidly extinguishing the prospect of a two-state solution.” The statement said that Robinson and Ban did not hear a “detailed rebuttal of the evidence of apartheid. On the contrary, the declarations and policies of the current Israeli Government . . . clearly show an intent to pursue permanent annexation rather than temporary occupation, based on Jewish supremacy.” (AP, ELDERS 6/22; MEE 6/23; HA 6/26; HA 7/2)  

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian man at the Dorot Illit settlement farm near Qalqilya. Israel claimed the Palestinian man was armed with knives and explosives. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a raid in Qalqilya. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 10 with tear gas. Israeli forces also took measurements in Ni’lin for a punitive demolition of the family home of the Palestinian man who shot and injured 3 Israelis in Tel Aviv on 3/9. (AA, AN, AP, HA, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/10; PCHR 3/16; UNOCHA 3/19)

The Washington Post published an investigation into the 2/22 raid on Nablus in which 11 Palestinians were killed and 102 were injured, saying that Israeli forces fired at least 14 shots at unarmed Palestinian civilians taking cover outside of a mosque, 2 of whom were killed and 3 of whom were injured. The investigation used 3D modeling to show that the shots were fired despite the soldiers having a clear view of the civilians. (WP 3/10; HA, WAFA 3/11)

Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to reopen embassies in each other’s countries within 2 months after meetings brokered by China in Beijing. It was reported that China will host a Gulf Cooperation Council summit where Iran will be participating. (AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, ALM, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, MEE, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, WAFA 3/10; AJ, AJ, AP, AP 3/11; AP, HA, HA 3/12; AJ 3/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 30 olive tree saplings in Qarawat Bani Hassan. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Dheisheh refugee camp, 6 others were wounded. Israeli forces also arrested, Yahya al-Saadi, the son of senior Islamic Jihad commander Bassam al-Saadi during a raid in Jenin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 mosque in Dura, 3 agricultural structures in Tarqumiyah, and issued a stop-work notice for 3 stores in Bayt Rima. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Khader and Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israel said that 2 Israeli soldiers were injured by an explosive device thrown at them near Aida refugee camp, causing light injuries. 16 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ni’lin, al-Bireh, Dheisheh refugee camp, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Shu’fat refugee camp. In the Naqab, Israeli forces demolished the Palestinian village al-Araqib for the 210th time since 2010. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/5; MEMO 12/6; PCHR 12/8; UNOCHA 12/16)

An Israeli court upheld a demolition order for an apartment building in Wadi Qaddum in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, giving the resident until 12/7 to demolish the building. Approximately 100 Palestinians reside in the building. (WAFA 12/5)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh welcomed the EU and UN’s criticism of the 12/2 killing of a Palestinian in Huwwara but urged the organizations to take tangible action to hold Israel accountable. (WAFA 12/5)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki met with ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan, providing materials about Israeli war crimes against Palestinians. Chief Prosecutor Khan said that he aims to visit Palestine, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2023. (WAFA 12/5; MEMO, WAFA 12/6; TOI 12/7)

The U.S. weapons manufacture Lockheed Martin joined Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in developing a laser-based anti-missile system, dubbed the Iron Beam. (HA 12/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Ya‘bad. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 5 Palestinians with live ammunition during a late-night raid in Balata refugee camp while securing the Joseph’s Tomb site for a settler incursion; others sustained tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 4 agricultural structures in Kafr ad-Dik and 1 agricultural structure in Bruqin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered stop-work notices for 1 mosque and 4 homes in Khashem al-Karam and seized 6 vehicles in al-Twana in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also uprooted 120 citrus and palm tree saplings and damaged water pipes in al-‘Awja. 40 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tuqu‘, Ya‘bad, Nablus, Balata refugee camp, Kobar, Beit Sira, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in al-Thawri. (AP, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/17; AJ, HA, MDW, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA 8/18; UNOCHA 8/19; UNOCHA 9/2)

Commander of the PA security forces Nidal Abu Dukhan met with Russian deputy defense minister Alexander Formin during a security conference in Moscow, discussing military and security cooperation. (REU 8/17; MEMO 8/18)

Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid and Türkiye president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed to restore full diplomatic ties during a phone call, reinstating ambassadors and consuls. Diplomatic ties between the 2 countries were severed in 2018 in the wake of the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU 8/17; ALM, HA 8/18)

Axios reported that U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken asked Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz to review Israel’s rules of engagement in the West Bank as a measure of accountability in relation to Israel’s killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. (AX 8/17; MEE 8/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 1 mosque in Kisan and placed an Israeli flag on top of the mosque. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor near Silwad, claiming he had thrown stones at vehicles traveling on Route 60. The PA called the killing an execution. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 9 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition and injured others with tear gas during a late-night raid in Jenin. Israeli forces also delivered a demolition notice for 1 house under construction in al-Farra in the Masafer Yatta area. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles west of the shore; no injuries were reported. (AP, JP, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/24; AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/25; PCHR 6/26; PCHR 6/30; UNOCHA 7/2)

The UN human rights office said it had found that the bullet that killed Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on 5/11 was fired by Israeli forces and not during crossfire with Palestinian militants as Israel has claimed. A representative of the UN human rights office said that “[i]t is deeply disturbing that Israeli authorities have not conducted a criminal investigation” into the killing of Abu Akleh. The UN representative called the bullets fired by the Israeli forces “well-aimed” at journalists wearing flak jackets with “PRESS” markings. (AJ, AP, AX, GDN, HA, MEE, NBC, NPR, OHCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WSJ 6/24; IN 6/25)

Amnesty International criticized the PA for its response to the killing of PA critic Nizar Banat in June 2021. The regional director for the Middle East of North Africa Heba Morayef said that “[t]he flawed military trial of 14 low-ranking security officers will not bring about justice” in the case. The family of Banat is no longer partaking in the PA trial, as it does not believe it will bring justice; it is preparing a civil lawsuit instead. (MEE 6/23; AP 6/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Halhul, vandalizing 1 mosque; Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians with live ammunition and others with baton rounds and tear gas when the Palestinians confronted the settlers. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinian farmers in Shufa, causing injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers chased Palestinian herders off their land in al-Juwaya in the Masafer Yatta area and let their cattle graze on Palestinian crops. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers with Israeli police escort attacked 3 Palestinians in Silwan, causing hospitalizations, and vandalized 1 vehicle. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 8 Palestinian fishermen and seized 2 boats within 3 nautical miles northwest of the Rafah seaport; 6 of the 8 fishermen were released on 6/1. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/31; PCHR 6/1)

Hamas’s military judicial authority sentenced 2 Palestinians for spying for Israel. 1 of the Palestinians was sentenced to life in prison while the other received a 7-year sentence. (JP 5/31)

An Israeli military court sentenced 1 Palestinian man to life in prison plus 25 years for the killing of an Israeli soldier in the West Bank on 8/2019 and ordered him to pay $450,000 to the family of the soldier. The Palestinian man was not present at the killing, but the court claimed that he had formed a cell that incited the murder of the Israeli man. (HA 5/31)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in a phone call. According to Axios reporting, President Abbas pressed Secretary Blinken on Israeli attempts to change the Status Quo at the Haram al-Sharif compound, the lack of a political horizon, the Israeli settler march on 5/29, and the Biden administration’s failure to act on its campaign promises on Palestine. Abbas also asked the U.S. to remove the PLO from the U.S. list of terror organizations and to reopen the PLO mission in Washington D.C. Abbas also met with Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi in Ramallah. (WAFA 5/31; AX, WAFA 6/1)

Haaretz reported that an Israeli plan to reduce the economic gaps between Palestinians and Israeli Jews living in Israeli cities had been postponed due to failure to fund the program. The plan was finalized in October 2021 in response to tensions between Palestinians and Israeli Jews in cities in which both populations reside. Additionally, some local governments have opposed earmarking funds exclusively for Palestinian communities in the cities they govern. (HA 5/31)

Israel and the UAE signed a free trade agreement removing tariffs on food, agriculture, cosmetics, medical equipment, and medicine. The agreement also defines tax rates, imports and intellectual property. The free trade agreement was part of the Israeli-UAE-U.S. normalization agreement. (REU 5/30; ABC, AJ, ALM, BB, HA, JP, MEMO, NBC, REU, TOI, WSJ 5/31; CNN 6/1; ALM, HA 6/2)

U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters that the Biden administration remains committed to reopening the U.S. consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem. The statement comes after reporting in the Times of Israel that the U.S. had given up on its plans due to the instability in the Israeli government coalition. (REU 5/31; MEMO 6/1; AX 6/4)

15 Democratic members of the U.S. house of representatives, led by Cori Bush (D-MO), wrote a letter to Secretary Blinken urging him to send the “strongest message possible” to prevent Israel from evicting more than 1,000 Palestinians from the Masafer Yatta area, calling the displacement of Palestinians “a war crime.” (HA, MEE 5/31; WAFA 6/1)

Lebanese parliament reelected Nabih Berri of the Amal Movement as speaker at the 1st parliamentary session of the newly elected parliament. Speaker Berri, who received 65 of 128 votes, has been the speaker of the parliament since 1992. (AJ, HA, MEMO, REU, REU 5/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 1 Palestinian vehicle near the Za‘atra checkpoint. Israeli settlers also vandalized homes, a mosque, and a bulldozer in ‘Urif. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with military escort stormed Huwwara, leading to a confrontation between Palestinians and Israeli forces; 1 was injured by a baton round and 6 by tear gas. Israeli settlers also removed Palestinian flags in the town. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor while escorting Israeli settlers to Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus; 19 other Palestinians were injured by baton rounds and 67 by tear gas. Israel claimed that Palestinians threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the Israeli forces escorting the settlers. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished a 2-story apartment building in Beit Safafa, displacing 13 Palestinians from 2 families. (ABC 5/24; AJ, AP, CBS, HA, JP, MDW, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/25; PCHR 5/26; UNOCHA 6/4)

An Israeli appeals court overturned a lower magistrate court’s decision from 5/23 to allow 3 Israeli Jews access to the Haram al-Sharif compound after they performed prayers at the compound, effectively upholding that Jews are not allowed to pray at the compound. The judge cited “safeguarding of public order” as a decision for the ruling. (AJ, HA, MEE, REU 5/26)

Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu toured East Jerusalem in what was described as a private visit to prevent a chance for the public to see him accompanied by Israeli officials. The Waqf was responsible for his security at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu also met with Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid and Israel’s tourism minister Yoel Razvozov. Çavuşoğlu said that he believes Israeli Turkish normalization will have a positive impact on finding a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. (HA 5/24; AA, AJ, ALM, HA, HA, REU, REU, WAFA 5/25)

MK Michael Biton of the Blue and White Party announced that he would no longer vote with the Israeli government coalition until an agreement has been made on public transportation reform. Biton said he would make an exception in the case of a no-confidence vote on the Israeli coalition. (TOI 5/25)

The New York Times reported that 1 Iranian engineer, Ehsun Ghadbeigi, was killed and 1 other person was injured in a suicide drone attack on the Parchin military base near Tehran. According to the reporting, a U.S. official confirmed that Ghadbeigi was assassinated but did not say who conducted the attack. The NYT said the attack fit a pattern of Israeli strikes on Iran. (HA 5/26; HA, NYT 5/27; HA 6/6)

In the West Bank, 3 Israeli settlers, including 2 minors, were injured by Palestinians throwing stones at their vehicle near Huwwara. Israeli settlers vandalized 140 olive and almond trees and water tanks in Qaryut. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians, including a minor during a raid in Jenin; 1 Palestinian security officer was also arrested during the raid. Israeli forces also demolished 2 agricultural structures in the Masafer Yatta villages of al-Twana and al-Juwaya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces erected a watchtower in Hebron. Israeli forces also demolished 1 mosque under construction in Arab al-Ramadin, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians; 3 were injured with live ammunition and baton rounds, and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Abu Dis, Ras Karkar, Harmala, Surif, Dura, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and confiscated their boats within 6 nautical miles northwest of Rafah; the 2 were released through the Erez crossing on 5/25. (JP, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/24; AJ, HA, PCHR, TOI 5/25; PCHR 5/26; UNOCHA 6/4)

A CNN investigation confirmed eyewitness reports and other independent investigations that Israeli forces shot and killed Palestinian American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on 5/11 in Jenin refugee camp and that her killing was likely deliberate. CNN’s investigation was based on 11 video clips, forensic findings at the scene of the murder, audio analysis of the gunshots, and 8 eyewitness testimonies. Explosive weapons expert Chris Cobb-Smith found in his analysis that the markings from the shots near the body of Abu Akleh indicated that the murder was deliberate as they did not suggest they were a result of a burst of automatic fire, but intentionally targeted. CNN further confirmed through eyewitness accounts that there was no crossfire in the area where Abu Akleh was killed, as Israel continues to claim. Israel has refused to open a criminal investigation into the killing. (AP, CNN, HA, MDW, TOI 5/24; HA, JP, MEMO, WAFA 5/25)

Israel’s civil administration retroactively legalized the Mitzpe Lachish settlement outpost and approved construction of 158 new settlement units near Dura. (WAFA 5/24; MEMO 5/25)

The U.S. announced sanctions against 1 individual alleged to have raised money for Hamas and on Hamas’s Investment Office, which holds assets in Sudan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and the UAE. (ALM, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU 5/24)

Referencing the U.S. decision to delist Kahane Chai from its list of foreign terrorist organizations on 5/13, the PA called on the U.S. Biden administration to remove the PLO from the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations. (WAFA 5/24; MEMO 5/25)

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) slammed the EU for withholding aid from the PA due to 1 Hungarian Commissioner’s dissatisfaction with PA school textbooks. The NRC said the withholding of aid is jeopardizing the life of more than 500 cancer patients that have been unable to access proper treatment at the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem and have led to salary cuts and cuts in aid to the most vulnerable Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The EU is withholding some $230 million in aid. (AJ, WAFA 5/24; MEMO 5/25)

Former Israeli foreign minister and prominent MK of the Likud party Israel Katz boasted that he had threatened Palestinian students in Israel with a 2d Nakba if they continue to wave Palestinian flags at universities. Katz said, “Remember our independence war and your Nakba, don’t stretch the rope too much. [. . .] If you don’t calm down, we’ll teach you a lesson that won’t be forgotten.” (MDW 5/24; HA 5/26)

Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu arrived in Israel for a 2-day visit to Israel, Jerusalem, and the West Bank. Turkey’s and Israel’s normalization efforts were reported as a way for Turkey to strengthen its relations with the UAE and Egypt, for Israel and Turkey to cooperate in Syria to build a gas pipeline between the 2 countries, and for Israel to incentivize Turkey to take a tougher stance on Hamas. During the 1st day of his trip, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu met with PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki in Ramallah, voicing support for a 2-state solution and criticizing Israeli settlements. Çavuşoğlu also met with PA president Mahmoud Abbas. The Turkish and Palestinian officials signed 9 cooperation agreements, including on economics, trade and infrastructure, and for developing an industrial area in Jenin. (AJ, ALM, AP, F24, HA, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 5/24; HA, HA 5/25)

President Abbas met with president of the EU parliament Roberta Metsola in Ramallah. (WAFA 5/24)

Politico reported that U.S. president Joe Biden, in a 4/24 phone call to Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, had assured him that the U.S. administration would not take Iran’s Revolutionary Guard off the U.S. list of terrorist organizations. President Biden’s decision was seen as an obstruction in finding common ground between the U.S. and Iran with the U.S.’s reentering the Iran Nuclear Deal. Prime Minister Bennett’s office confirmed the reporting. (HA, JP, POL 5/24; AX, MEMO 5/25; HA 5/26)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settlement security guard was shot and killed by 2 assailants at the entrance to the Ariel settlement. Israel said it arrested the alleged attackers on 4/30 in Qarawat Bani Hassan and identified them as Palestinians. Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ brigade took responsibility for the attack. Israeli settlers razed farmland in al-Farisiya. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 9 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also placed dirt mounds at the northern entrance to Salfit, blocking access. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Dajan, causing tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Bil‘in and Tulkarm and 1 at the Qalandia checkpoint. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers threw stones and bottles at a bus carrying Palestinians in the French Hill neighborhood. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Haram al-Sharif compound, injuring 42 with baton rounds and tear gas; 22 were hospitalized for their injuries. 1 Palestinian was arrested in the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 1 mosque in Jaffa was vandalized with spray paint depicting the Star of David and the Israeli flag. (AJ, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/29; AJ, AP, AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/30; PCHR 5/12; UNOCHA 5/13)

The head of Bisan Center for Research and Development Ubai Aboudi said Israel had prevented him from traveling to a conference in Mexico via the Allenby bridge. Aboudi, who is a U.S. citizen, said the Israeli officers refused to tell him why they prevented him from traveling abroad. The Bisan Center is 1 of 6 Palestinian rights organizations that was placed on Israel’s terrorism list in October. 1 day later, on 4/30, Israel prevented the director of Addameer, Sahar Francis, from traveling to the same conference from Ben Gurion airport. (MDW 4/29; AA, AP 5/1; TOI 5/2)

Israel charged 2 Palestinians from Umm al-Fahm for having prior knowledge of an attack in Hadera on 3/27, in which 2 were killed by a Palestinian citizen of Israel. (HA 4/29)

The student newspaper at Harvard University, The Harvard Crimson, endorsed the BDS movement in an editorial. (JDF 4/29; MDW, TOI 4/30; HA, MEMO 5/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers and forces seized 5 vegetable stands along Route 90 in the Jordan Valley. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting raids in Ras Karkar and al-Janiya, firing tear gas. Israeli forces also punitively demolished 2 Palestinian-owned homes belonging to Palestinian prisoners in Silat ad-Dhahr; 6 Palestinians were injured during the demolitions, including 1 by live ammunition and 5 with rubber-coated bullets. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Nablus, Rujeib, and Biddu, and 1 who crashed his car into a military vehicle during a demolition in Silat ad-Dhahr. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Sheikh Jarrah and Bayt Hanina. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmers east of Dayr al-Balah and al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/8; PCHR 3/9; PCHR 3/10; UNOCHA 3/11; UNOCHA 3/25)

The Israeli government asked the Israeli high court of justice for an additional 30 days to inform the court about the government’s stance on evacuating the Palestinian village Khan al-Ahmar in the West Bank. The Israeli government cited Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett’s current preoccupation with “the crisis involving the fighting in Europe [Russia’s invasion of Ukraine].” (HA 3/8; MEMO 3/9)

Haaretz reported that Israel’s defense ministry has imposed further restrictions on who can teach at Palestinian institutions of higher education in the West Bank. Among the new requirements were that the lecturer needs to be teaching in a field designated by Israel as essential, that the lecturer is accomplished and that the lecturer has a PhD. Only 100 foreign lecturers will receive a permit from Israel to teach in the West Bank. (HA, MEE 3/8; WAFA 3/12)

Israel’s state prosecutor dropped terror charges against 6 Israeli Jews who attacked 1 Palestinian man at a mosque in Herzliya in May 2021. The 6, who had beaten the man after confirming that he was Palestinian, were instead convicted of intentional and racially motived assault. (HA 3/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers placed a large menorah on the roof of a mosque in Nabi Samwil. Israeli settlers with military escort blocked an entrance to al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian homes in Burqa. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian, physically assaulted 1, and injured others by tear gas suffocation during a late-night raid in Silwad. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Surif, Tubas, Silat al-Harithiya, Nablus, and ‘Asira. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces delivered a demolition notice for an apartment and office building in Silwan. Israeli forces also arrested and interrogated PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith before releasing him to house arrest and renewing his ban on contacting PA officials. 16 others were arrested during late-night raids in Isawiya and Qalandia refugee camp. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah and north of Beit Lahiya; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/25; MEMO 11/26; WAFA 11/27; PCHR 12/2)

Egypt announced that it had signed an agreement with Israel to increase the amount of natural gas it receives from Israel. Egypt exports the gas it buys from Israel to the European market using its liquefied gas terminals. (MEMO 11/26)

Germany, through its development bank, donated $33 million to the UNRWA in support of programing in Lebanon and Gaza, including rebuilding the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp. (MEMO, WAFA 11/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers beat 1 Palestinian child after stopping him at a checkpoint in Hebron when he was on his way to school. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for 1 mosque and 9 houses under construction in Nahalin. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beita and Rujeib. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished parts of a Palestinian-owned house in Jabel Mukaber. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan and al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest east of Khan Yunis, injuring 3 with live ammunition and 3 with tear gas. In Israel, 1 Israeli soldier who was shot while violently dispersing a Palestinian protest in Gaza succumbed to his injuries inflicted on 8/21. (AJ, HA, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA 8/30; PCHR 9/2)

As part of its COVID-19 vaccination efforts, the PA started offering vaccines to 16-18-year-olds in the West Bank. Only 16% are fully vaccinated and 30% have received 1 shot of vaccine, despite having received a total of 2.8 million doses. In both the West Bank and Gaza, there are mandates for vaccines for public employees and students over 16. As an incentive, people over 50 in Gaza can win $200 if they get their vaccine; 10 winners are drawn daily. (ALM 8/28; HA 8/31; HA, MEMO 9/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinians in Ma’in, causing light injuries. Israeli settlers also set fire to a Palestinian-owned vehicle in Rujeib. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling between Jenin and Nablus. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians in Burin, demolished parts of a house, and set fields on fire. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian child during a late-night raid in Tubas and injured 1 other by running him over. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in al-Fawar refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint near Huwwara, claiming he had tried to attack 2 Israeli soldiers. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 2, including 1 with live ammunition. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Yatta, injuring 1 with live ammunition and 2 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Umar, injuring 1 minor with live ammunition and 3 others with rubber-coated bullets. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Bethlehem, Harmala, al-Khadir, and Dayr Sharif, resulting in tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 3 using rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tulkarm, injuring 3 with live ammunition. 40 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, al-Fawar refugee camp, Nablus, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 2 Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian with a sharp tool, slicing her face as she was leaving the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Tur, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet; others suffered tear-gas related injuries and 2 were arrested. 6 other Palestinians were arrested during house raids in the Old City, Jabal Mukabir, Silwan, and Shu‘fat. In Gaza, 34 Palestinians were killed, including 6 children, and dozens injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 30 to 64, including 16 children. The casualties included: 4 in a drone strike on a car east of Bayt Lahiya; 8, including 3 children, in 3 air strikes on apartment buildings in Gaza City; 1 child in an air strike on a butcher in Gaza City; 6 in a drone strike on a car in Gaza city, including 3 inside the car and 3 passersby; 1, and 1 wounded, in another air strike on a vehicle in Gaza City; 1 in an air strike in Khan Yunis; 1 in an air strike on agricultural lands near Khuza‘a; 4, and 2 injured, in a drone strike on Nuseirat refugee camp; 2, and 1 child injured, in an air strike on a liquefied petroleum gas distribution vehicle in Khan Yunis; 2, and 3 wounded, including 1 child, in an air strike on a house in Khan Yunis; 2, and 2 wounded, all children, after a helicopter fired missiles at a gas station in al-Fukhari; and the body of 1 Palestinian was found in rubble near Bayt Hanun, it was assessed that he was killed in an air strike on 5/10; the body of 1 Palestinian was found near a mosque in Rafah, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights said it was unclear if he had been killed by debris from an intercepted rocket or in an Israeli air strike. Hamas reported that the interior ministry and the passport office along with other government buildings had been hit by Israeli air strikes. Israeli air strikes also demolished 2 high-rise buildings, the 10-story al-Jawhara building, and the 14-story al-Shorouq building, which housed news outlets and other offices, and the headquarters of the interior ministry and UNRWA schools. In Israel, 1 Israeli soldier was killed and 2 injured from an anti-tank missile fired from Gaza and 1 child succumbed to injuries sustained in Sderot, raising the Israeli death toll to 7. Dozens of rockets were also fired at Israel from Gaza, most of them intercepted. A mob of Jewish-Israelis pulled 1 Palestinian-Israeli out of his car and beat him while tv cameras were rolling in Bat Yam; the man was said to be in serious condition. A mob of Jewish-Israelis also raided a number of Palestinian-owned businesses in Tel Aviv, causing severe damage. 1 Jewish-Israeli man was attacked by 5 Palestinian-Israelis in ‘Akka; he was said to be in serious condition. Jewish-Israelis also attacked a tent set up to mourn the death of 1 Palestinian-Israeli who was shot by a Jewish-Israeli on 5/10 in Lydda, throwing stones at the mourners. Elsewhere in Lydda, 1 Jewish-Israeli was shot and injured and 2 more were injured in stabbings, 21 Palestinian-Israelis were injured, including 1 by gunshot. Israeli police announced a nighttime curfew in Lydda from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. 1 Palestinian-Israeli man was injured when rammed by a car­ and beaten near Or Akiva. 1 Palestinian-Israeli was lightly injured by a mob of Jewish-Israelis while driving in Tiberias. 1 Jewish-Israeli was injured in a stabbing incident in Tamra. A mob of Jewish-Israelis also attacked 1 Palestinian-Israeli in Haifa. (AJ, NYT 5/11; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, AP, BBC, CNN, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/12; AP, CNN, HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 5/13; PCHR 5/14; TOI 5/16; HA 5/18; WAFA 5/19; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; HA, NYT 5/26; HA 5/27)

1 Palestinian prisoner suspended a 56-day-long hunger strike as Israel promised not to renew his administrative detention after 7/17. (WAFA 5/12)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas discussed the current situation with EU high representative Josep Borrell, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Iraqi president Barham Salih. A White House statement also said that U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke with President Abbas and they discussed “the violence in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, and the Secretary expressed his condolences for the lives lost as a result. The Secretary condemned the rocket attacks and emphasized the need to de-escalate tensions and bring the current violence to an end.” (HA, WAFA 5/12)

At a security cabinet meeting, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other ministers decided not to accept a potential ceasefire and continue its attack on Gaza for the time being. (HA 5/13)

Israeli president Reuven Rivlin condemned what he called a “pogrom” by “an Arab mob” on 5/11, despite the majority of the violence in Israel being perpetrated against Palestinian-Israelis. (HA 5/12)

Turkey said that its president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russia’s president Vladimir Putin had discussed the situation in Jerusalem and Gaza, and that Turkey had called for international action against Israel. (AJ, AP, REU 5/12)

U.S. president Joe Biden said, during a press conference, that he believes that “Israel has a right to defend itself when you have thousands of rockets flying in your territory,” and that his “hope is that we’ll see this coming to conclusions sooner than later.” President Biden also spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu, where he gave his “unwavering support for Israel’s security and for Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself and its people, while protecting civilians,” according to the readout. The Biden administration also dispatched deputy assistant secretary of state for Israel and Palestine Hady Amr to Israel for talks with Palestinian and Israeli officials. The White House said that senior officials have had more than 25 calls with officials from Israel, the PA, Qatar, Tunisia, Jordan, and Egypt about the situation. (HA 5/12; NYT 5/13)

25 house democrats signed a letter circulated by Marie Newman (D-IL) and Mark Pocan (D-WI) urging secretary of state Antony Blinken to condemn the planned evictions of Palestinian families from Shaykh Jarrah. (HA 5/13)

ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said that she was following the situation in Gaza and Jerusalem with concern. (MEE, REU, WAFA 5/12)

The UN security council held a 2d meeting in 3 days to discuss the escalation of the conflict between Palestine and Israel. (TOI 5/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 2 vehicles and sprayed racist graffiti in Bayt Iksa. Israeli settlers also attacked 1 Palestinian man in Susiya, causing moderate injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers toured a site near Luban al-Sharqiyya, leading to clashes between the settlers’ military escort and Palestinians, causing tear-gas related injures. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a protest in Bayt Dajan; the man, who is an imam at a local mosque, was shot in the head. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in ‘Ayn al-Bayda, causing injuries from physical assault with rifle butts. 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a house raid in Tura and 1 at a checkpoint near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed an anti-eviction protest in Shaykh Jarrah, causing injuries. Off the coast of Gaza, Israel naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Palestinians continued their weekly protest against gun violence and Israeli police inaction in Umm al-Fahm and Qalansawe. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/19; PCHR, WAFA 3/20; PCHR 3/25; HA 3/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Kafr Malik, leading to clashes with Palestinians; 1 Palestinian was shot by a rubber-coated bullet, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also razed hundreds of olive trees near Tubas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 residential structure and 1 agricultural structure in Sawahara al-Sharqiyya, seized 2 agricultural structures in Khan al-Ahmar, and demolished 1 mosque in a Bedouin community near Yatta. Palestinians protested the PA presidential decrees published on 1/11, which critics say serve to bolster the PA presidency at the expense of the judicial branch of government; the protests were held in front of the court complex in Ramallah. 18 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Qabatiya, Madama, Sabastiyya, Hizma, Hebron, and Birzeit. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/27; HA, PCHR 1/28)

The PA announced it had decided to close the Allenby border crossing with Jordan to prevent the spread of new COVID-19 virus variants. The closure is in effect until 2/3. (WAFA 1/28)

After Israel refused to allow restoration work on the Dome of the Rock and other holy places in the Haram al-Sharif compound, Jordan’s foreign minister Ayman Safadi said Israel had agreed to retract its objections and allow the restoration work. (WAFA 1/27; WAFA 1/28)

Member of the Palestinian-Israeli Balad party Mtanes Shehadeh said after a meeting among members of the Arab Joint List that the list will likely be dissolved before the next election due to “fundamental political differences.” 1 of the reasons the Arab Joint List is having irreconcilable differences is that Mansour Abbas, the leader of the United Arab List, is seeking closer ties with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Another reason is the United Arab List’s more conservative values compared to the 3 other parties. Parties running for the Israeli elections have until 2/4 to submit their composition of candidates. (HA 1/25; HA, TOI 1/27)

Large protests broke out in Tripoli in Lebanon, leading to confrontations between police and protesters. 1 protester was reported dead and 226 people injured, including 26 police officers. The protesters started taking to the street on 1/25, demonstrating against the COVID-19-related lockdown measures and deteriorating living conditions. (AP 1/27; AP 1/28)

The new U.S. administration said it would freeze the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the UAE and munitions to Saudi Arabia to review the transactions. U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken said the practice of new administrations reviewing pending sales of weaponry is not uncommon. The sale of the F-35 fighter jets to the UAE was part of the Israel-U.S.-UAE normalization deal announced in August 2020. Secretary Blinken also spoke with the Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi over the phone to discuss, among other issues, expanding the Trump administration’s normalization efforts. (AJ, AX, HA, HA, TOI 1/27)

At her confirmation hearing, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. president Joe Biden’s nominee for UN ambassador, said that she finds the BDS movement “unacceptable” and that it is on “the verge of antisemitism.” Thomas-Greenfield also said she was looking forward to combatting “anti-Israel bias” at the UN and hoped to see more countries join normalization deals with Israel and the U.S. (HA, MEE, TOI 1/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles traveling near Sinjil. Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in Jaba‘, causing tear-gas related injuries. PA forces arrested a number of attendants at a party held in the Nabi Musa mosque near Jericho; it was later revealed that the PA had approved the party as part of a promotional video intended to increase tourism. However, several attendees, including famous Palestinian DJ Sama Abdulhadi, were still detained days later. 1 Palestinian was arrested at a checkpoint near Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers clashed with Israeli police and attacked Palestinian passersby during a demonstration against the police because of the death of an Israeli settler during a police pursuit on 12/21; chants of “Death to Arabs” were filmed during the protest. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians, including a minor, were wounded by Israeli forces during air attacks in Gaza City and substantial damage was reported in al-Bureij refugee camp and Dayr al-Balah, including to a mosque, a children’s hospital, a sports club, and a warehouse; Israel said it had intercepted 1 missile from Gaza prior to its attack. Israeli forces also opened fire at agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah and al-Bureij refugee camp; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 2 Christmas trees belonging to Catholic and Orthodox churches in Sakhnin were set on fire. (AJ, GDN, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; PCHR, WAFA 12/27; HA 12/28; ALM 12/30; PCHR 12/31)

Israeli protesters demonstrated against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the 27th Saturday in a row in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Netanyahu resign due to his COVID-19 response, the Israeli economy, and the corruption cases against him. (HA 12/26; WAFA 12/27)

According to reports in Le Monde, UAE and Israeli officials are working to eliminate the UNRWA and have been working toward that goal since the 2 countries’ normalization agreement in August. (JP, MEE, YNET 12/27)

In the West Bank, 14 Palestinians were arrested, including 11 during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Jericho; 3 were arrested at flying checkpoints near Qalqilya. During a raid in Ramallah, 1 Palestinian paramedic was injured by gunfire as Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. In Israel, a Palestinian village was raided by Israeli extremists, slashing the tires of some 20 Palestinian-owned vehicles and writing racist graffiti like “Muhammad is a pig” on buildings, including a mosque. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 12/12; PCHR 12/19)

A spokesperson for Israel’s military liaison said that none of the around 1,000 Palestinian Christians in Gaza would be allowed entry to the West Bank to celebrate Christmas or visit family. (REU 12/12; WAFA 12/13; HA 12/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 25 vehicles and wrote racist graffiti on Palestinian-owned buildings, including a mosque, in Qarawat Bani Hassan. Israeli forces ordered Palestinians southeast of Tubas to evacuate 28 dunams of land, uproot olive trees, and demolish a structure. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Bethlehem, leading to 30 Palestinians suffering tear-gas related injuries. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested in Issawiyya; he was badly beaten by Israeli police. Some 200 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, 9 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes, including a family of 8 in Dayr al-Balah with 5 children; 12 others were wounded. This brings the comprehensive death toll of the Israeli attack on Gaza starting on 11/12 to 33, with at least 111 Palestinians reported injured. Israel later admitted that killing the family in Dayr al-Balah was a mistake and that they believed the house was empty. Despite the ceasefire early in the morning, bombings continued throughout the day. (AJ 11/13; AJ, HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/14; HA, HA 11/15; HA 11/17; PCHR 11/21)

The Faroe Islands’ foreign minister Jenis av Rana said that the country wants to open a diplomatic representation to Israel in Jerusalem against the wishes of the Danish government. Earlier in the year, the Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen said that Greenland and the Faroe Islands would have more independence in foreign policy during her government. (Politiken 11/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian-owned vehicles and defaced buildings with racist graffiti in Yatma. Israeli forces also fired sound bombs and tear gas during a raid on a wedding ceremony east of Hebron. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid in Tulkarm, and 2 were arrested during clashes in Hebron. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 Palestinian photojournalist covering a raid in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian minor at a mosque in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on a Palestinian sanitation truck, causing damage. In Gaza, 95 Palestinians were injured during the 80th weekly Great March of Return protest, including 36 by live ammunition; others were injured by rubber-coated bullets and tear gas. (PCHR, WAFA 10/25; PCHR 10/31)

Malaysia announced that the country would open an embassy to Palestine in Jordan. Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said, “[w]e know that Israel will not allow Malaysia to open an embassy in the Occupied Territory. As such, we will open the embassy in Jordan.” (WAFA 10/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces entered Bardala in the Jordan Valley and shut down the village’s water pipes. Israeli settlers with military escort entered a mosque in Halhul, leading to clashes with Palestinians; several Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets and from tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces raided several buildings in Ramallah, including the Addameer office, and confiscated documents and computers. The raid led to clashes with Palestinians; several Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets and from tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for 5 residential structures and animal barns in the Jordan Valley. Israeli forces arrested 18 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Nablus, Jenin, Salfit, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid and 1 Palestinian was handed a summons for interrogation. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/19; PCHR 9/26)

Israel returned to their families the corpses of 2 Palestinians killed in East Jerusalem and the West Bank in April and August. (WAFA 9/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 10 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Ramallah. In Ramallah, Israeli forces also stormed an office of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, seizing documents, and stormed several stores, seizing surveillance cameras. The raids in Ramallah led to confrontations with local residents; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces uprooted 250 olive trees and destroyed 5 water wells near Tammun. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces entered a mosque in Issawiyya and fired tear gas canisters inside, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Kaft ‘Aqab. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. According to Israeli forces, machine gun fire in Israel activated the Iron Dome system which fired a rocket, ultimately landing in Israel. Reporting was unclear from where the machine-gun fire emanated. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/12; PCHR 9/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers sprayed racist graffiti on several structures, including a mosque, and punctured the tires of 3 vehicles in Kafr Malik near Ramallah. Israeli settlers also uprooted 30 olive trees near Bani Na‘im. Israeli forces arrested 16 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, and Ramallah. Israeli authorities also approved cutting down around 2,000 olive trees south of Bethlehem. In Gaza, 5 Palestinians were hospitalized after suffering from tear gas inhalation east of Rafah. In the Israeli city of Afula, local Jewish Israelis, including the city’s mayor, protested the sale of a home to a Palestinian-Israeli family. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/16; HA, WAFA, WAFA 6/17)

The Israeli Jerusalem municipality approved naming streets in the Silwan neighborhood in East Jerusalem after Jewish rabbis. (HA 6/17)

The chairman of Qatar’s National Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza Mohammed al-Emadi met Israeli and Palestinian officials in Israel and Gaza to discuss the implementation of the cease-fire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas in May. The Qatari delegation also delivered $20 million for vulnerable Palestinians in Gaza and for humanitarian projects. Some 108,000 families will receive $400 in 4 $100 payments. (HA 6/16; HA 6/17)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a sign for a planned community in the Golan Heights called Trump Heights, named after U.S. president Donald Trump. Netanyahu decided to dedicate a settlement construction project to President Trump after Trump unilaterally recognized Israel’s annexation of the Syrian Golan Heights. (HA 6/16)

U.S. special representative for international negotiations Jason Greenblatt told The Jerusalem Post that the U.S. administration may delay the unveiling of the U.S. peace plan until November 2019 because of the upcoming Israeli elections in September. In the interview, Greenblatt also said that he supports U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman’s statement from 6/8 that Israel has a right to annex parts of the West Bank. (AJ, HA 6/16)

Approximately 8,000 Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Rafah, Khan Yunis, al-Bureij refugee camp, Jabaliya refugee camp, and Gaza City; 2 Palestinian minors are killed and at least 17 are injured. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 203. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working near Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. 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, after Israeli settlers confront Palestinian farmers working outside Bayt Fajjar near Bethlehem, IDF troops violently disperse the Palestinians with tear gas; no serious injuries are reported. Israeli settlers open fire on Palestinians outside al-Mughayyir near Ramallah; there are no reports of serious injuries. Near Hebron, settlers claim ownership of a Palestinian home outside al-Arub refugee camp, sparking a violent confrontation between their IDF escort and the Palestinian family that lives there; 1 Palestinian is arrested. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct raids in al-Bireh, damaging a mosque and sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 2 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid near Hebron; and patrol near Hebron and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces remove a Palestinian flag and the photo of a Palestinian prisoner from a mosque in Issawiyya. A Palestinian demolishes his own home in Jabal Mukabir in order to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (EI, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/8; MNA, MNA 2/9; PCHR 2/14)

A Palestinian prisoner in Israel is found dead in his cell, according to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society. The circumstances surrounding his death are unclear. (WAFA 2/8)

PLO secretary general Saeb Erakat says that Polish officials recently invited the Palestinians to attend the upcoming security conference in Warsaw, where U.S. officials are reportedly set to unveil some details about their long-awaited Palestinian-Israeli peace plan. “Our position remains clear,” he says. “We are not going to attend this conference and reiterate that we have not mandated anyone to talk on behalf of Palestine.” (TOI 2/8; MNA 2/10)

A senior Dutch official says that his government has decided to allow Palestinians living in the Netherlands to register the West Bank or Gaza as their birthplace on official documents. “The Dutch viewpoint that Israel has no sovereignty over these areas,” he says. (HA 2/8; YA 2/11)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF continues its assault with attacks on 41 targets, killing 11 Palestinians and injuring dozens. Israeli fighter jets and drones strike targets in n. Gaza, as well as nr. Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah, while IDF troops fire smoke bombs and live ammunition across the Israel-Gaza border in 1 location and Israeli artillery shelling hits 2 others. The armed Palestinian groups fire over 100 projectiles into Israel; of which, 3 land in urban areas, 73 land in open areas, and 17 are intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. Meanwhile, Hamas executes 4 alleged collaborators with Israel in the courtyard of a mosque in Jabaliya r.c. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts patrols in Hebron and 2 nearby villages, as well as 1 village nr. Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clash with a group of Palestinian youth outside a checkpoint nr. Shu‘fat, and 1 Palestinian is wounded when the soldiers open fire with tear gas and rubbercoated metal bullets. (AFP, AP, HA, MNA 8/23; PCHR 8/28)

Following talks between Hamas leader Mishal and PA Pres. Abbas in Doha on 8/21 and 8/22, Hamas publicly agrees to support Abbas’s application to join the ICC. According to PLO chief negotiator Erakat, only Islamic Jihad has not yet approved the document Abbas is asking all Palestinian factions to sign before he moves forward. (AFP, AP, MNA 8/23)

On the diplomatic front, Abbas travels to Cairo for talks with Egyptian pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. After their meeting, Abbas says “my main goal is for the truce talks to resume in Egypt as soon as possible.” In an interview on Egyptian television, Abbas says that he is planning a major diplomatic initiative and that he will present the plan to U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry, who is scheduled to visit the region in the coming days. The plan reportedly includes asking the UN to set a timetable for the Israeli occupation and signing the Rome Statue on behalf of the PA, which would give the ICC jurisdiction over cases relating to the occupation. For its part, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry releases a statement after the Abbas/al-Sisi meeting inviting the Israelis and Palestinians to return to Cairo for further cease-fire negotiations. (AJ, HA, WSJ 8/23)

Israeli PM Netanyahu holds talks with UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon. Netanyahu compares Hamas to ISIS, in reference to the group’s 8/22 execution of collaborators, and blames the group for the latest escalation in violence. (AJ, HA, REU 8/23)

In the evening, 2 rockets are fired from Lebanon into n. Israel. No group claims responsibility for the attack, though Lebanese military officials suspect a small, local Palestinian group. Late at night, 5 rockets are fired from Syria into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israeli military officials say that a Palestinian group, not Syrian govt. forces, is responsible. Between the 2 sets of rocket attacks, 8 Israelis are lightly injured. (DS, JP, REU 8/23; AFP, HA, YA 8/24)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces open fire on Palestinians collecting scrap metal close to the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun, wounding 1. In the West Bank, the IDF wound 1 Palestinian during clashes in Nablus during a patrol designed to protect the movement of Jewish settlers. IDF troops demolish 2 houses in al- ‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, prompting clashes with residents. Three are injured by rubber-coated metal bullets. IDF troops also fire tear gas into the grounds of 2 schools in al-Khadir, nr. Bethlehem. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 2 nearby villages, and in 1 village nr. Jenin at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron, in Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, and 1 village nr. Jericho at night. In Israel, a car owned by a Palestinian citizen is vandalized, the 6th such hate crime in the town over the last mo. Meanwhile, residents of Furaydis hold a general strike to protest the “price tag” attack on 4/29, where racist graffiti was sprayed on a mosque. Israeli PM Netanyahu condemns the attack and says that the govt. is tackling those responsible. (HA, MNA, WAFA 4/30; PCHR 5/8)

Senior Palestinian official Shaath says that the Palestinian leadership will look to take action at the international level, in light of the breakdown in negotiations he says were foiled by Israel. (WAFA 4/30)

Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad says that PA Pres. Abbas will issue a presidential decree to convene the Palestinian Legislative Council— which has not convened since 2007—while elections will not take place for another 6 mos. Hamas and Fatah officials reactivate a subcmte. on civil liberties, as part of the implementation of the reconciliation agreement. Topics for the new subcmte. to deal with include the end of a ban on West Bank newspapers in Gaza. Meanwhile, around 1,000 Hamas supporters march through Ramallah, marking the return of the remains of 2 Hamas fighters killed by Israel in 1998. Speaking to mourners by telephone, Hamas leader Khalid Mish‘al affirms that the organization’s “path is resistance and the rifle,” and that Palestinians were in need of a joint, unified strategy to secure the “liberation of our lands and holy sites.” (AFP, JP, MEMO, MNA, REU 4/30)

The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Tulkarm during the day; and in 1 village nr. Jenin and 1 nr. Ramallah late at night. The IDF also halts construction of a mosque in Yatta village nr. Hebron. Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Kafr Qaddum, and al-Nabi Salih. IDF soldiers fire live ammunition (al-Nabi Salih only), rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters; no serious injuries are reported. (PCHR 6/14; OCHA 6/15)

The House votes down (185–233) a Democratic procedural motion concerning the energy appropriations bill that would have provided an additional $1 m. to the $2 m. already proposed for the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation programs for FY 2013 (see QU in JPS 164). The vote fell along party lines, with Republicans defeating the motion, accusing Democrats of adding money that Israel had not requested to deflect attention from their last minute inclusion of funding for pork barrel projects sought by Democratic constituents. Analysts noted (Jewish Telegraphic Agency [JTA] 6/8) that this was ‘‘at least the fourth attempt this Congress by Democrats to add pro-Israel language to a bill at the last minute’’ in order to push through approval. (JTA 3/8)

Inside Israel, Jewish extremists set fire to a mosque in the Israeli Palestinian village of Tuba-Zangaria and scrawl graffiti reading “price tag,” “revenge,” and “Palmer” (in reference to Asher Palmer, the Jewish settler killed in a traffic accident that Jewish settlers claimed was caused by stone-throwing Palestinians; see 9/23). Some 200 angry Palestinian residents march toward a neighboring Jewish town but are blocked by Israeli police who fire tear gas to disperse them; protesters set fire to tires and throw stones at police in response; no serious injuries are reported. Netanyahu denounces the arson, and Israeli pres. Peres and Israel’s 2 chief rabbis visit the mosque in a show of solidarity with the village. IDF troops on the c. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction materials in a landfill nr. the border, wounding 1. In the West Bank, the IDF razes at least 5 d. of Palestinian agricultural land and uproots at least 95 olive and oak trees for construction of an IDF access road in preparation for construction of a new segment of the separation wall in al-Walaja; patrols in Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in 1 village nr. Jericho in the afternoon, and inside Jericho late at night; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. (NYT, WP 10/4; PCHR 10/6; OCHA 10/7; PCHR 10/27)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians and international activists taking part in a nonviolent march to the border fence to protest Israel’s imposition of a no-go zone, moderately injuring 1 Palestinian. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts separate synchronized morning patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm and in 2 villages nr. Salfit; also patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning and in Jericho and 2 villages nr. Salfit late at night; fires live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them in Nabi Salih, causing no serious injuries; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in ‘Azun. Jewish settlers set fire to a mosque in al-Mughayyir nr. Ramallah, spray graffiti that says “Price Tag—Aley Ayin,” indicating the attack was in retribution for the IDF’s removal of structures at Aley Ayin outpost on 6/2. Jewish settlers fr. Carmiel settlement nr. Hebron prevent local Palestinians farmers and shepherds from reaching their land nr. the settlement, stoning the Palestinians and killing several sheep; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (AP, REU 6/7; WP, WT 6/8; PCHR 6/9; OCHA 6/10)