The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 50 olive saplings in Kafr ad-Dik. A contractor working for the Israeli military intentionally rammed a 75-year-old Palestinian man, who was said to be in critical condition; the man was standing in front of a tow truck to prevent it from seizing cars from his village Umm al-Khair, when the truck driver plowed into him. Israeli soldiers at the scene did not assist the man after he was hit and instead left the area with the cars. Israel said that stones had been thrown at the truck leading up to the incident and that the driver had been hit by 1 of the stones. The man succumbed to his injuries on 1/17. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Burqa, Beita, and Abu Dis. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Silwan, displacing 6. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah and al-Fukhari; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of the shore; no injuries were reported. In Israel, a right-wing Israeli protester assaulted 1 Palestinian journalist interviewing him outside of the hospital where a Palestinian prisoner is being treated in relation to his hunger strike. (MEE, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/5; HA, MEMO, PCHR 1/6; HA 1/14; HA, MEMO, WAFA 1/17)

A local committee in Israel approved more than 3,500 new settlement units in East Jerusalem. The plans will be discussed further at a municipal committee meeting on 1/17. (AP 1/5; MEMO, MEMO 1/6; MEMO, WAFA 1/7)

The Israeli government postponed discussions of a new settlement in the E-1 area north of Abu Dis and between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim indefinitely. (HA 1/5)

The Knesset passed legislation to connect homes constructed without permits to the electric grid in the Naqab desert. The legislation was put forward by Mansour Abbas of the United Arab List. It passed 61-0 as the Israeli opposition boycotted the vote due to the legislation being fast-tracked. During discussions of the legislation, Walid Taha of the United Arab List gave a speech in Arabic, angering members of the Likud party and leading Abbas to ask Taha to continue in Hebrew. (HA 1/4; HA 1/5; ALM 1/7)

1 Palestinian American man was sentenced by an Israeli military court to 2 life sentences and $820,000 in fines, in addition to having his home demolished, for the killing of 1 Israeli settler and injuring 2 other settlers near Za’tara on 5/2/2021. (HA, MEE 1/5)

1 Jewish Israeli man was sentenced to 1 year in prison for partaking in a mob attack in Bat Yam that in May 2021 caused serious injury to 1 Palestinian man. The Palestinian man was pulled out of his car and beaten by at least a dozen Israelis. The Jewish Israeli man was not charged with incitement to terror and theft with racist motives after entering a plea deal. (AP, HA 1/5)

In Syria, Israeli tanks opened fire at Syria from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel said it had fired warning shots at 6 suspicious people in Syria. (MEMO, REU, REU 1/5)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz met with Jordanian king Abdullah II in Amman, discussing security issues. (AP, ALM, HA, REU 1/5; ALM 1/6)

Haaretz reported that, due to a technical error, the Israeli state archive had revealed censored material from the Israeli cabinet meeting during the Nakba in the summer of 1948. Amongst the information accidentally released was agricultural minister Aharon Zisling’s statement to other high-level Israeli leaders that he “can forgive instances of rape” by Jewish militants against Palestinian women, which he considered less severe than stealing from Jews. In another instance, Israel’s prime minister David Ben-Gurion told the cabinet that he is against “wholesale demolition of villages . . . but there are places that constituted a great danger and constitute a great danger, and we must wipe them out. But this must be done responsibly, with consideration before the act.” (HA 1/5; MEE, WAFA 1/6)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Islamic Waqf officials at Haram al-Sharif, alleging that they refused to comply with orders related to Israeli restoration efforts at the sanctuary. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 15 Palestinians during raids nr. Hebron, Salfit, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Ramallah. They also temporarily detain U.S.-Israeli anti-occupation activist Jeff Halper at the Ma’ale Adumim settlement, following a complaint that he possesses “materials related to [the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement].” Halper, a cofounder of the Israeli Comm. Against House Demolitions, was leading a tour of the oPt. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (WAFA 3/8; PCHR 3/9; PCHR 3/16)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 3d of 3 planned days. (WAFA 3/8; HA 3/14)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Hebron and Nablus. They also patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 9 Palestinians during late-night raids in Ras al-Amud, Issawiyya, and the Old City. (MNA 1/22; PCHR 1/26)

The Jerusalem Municipality’s Local Planning and Building Comm. approves the construction of 566 new residences in Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem. Israeli PM Netanyahu reportedly ordered the plans to be put on hold until Donald Trump was sworn in as U.S. pres. on 1/20. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 1/22; MNA 1/23)

At the Israeli cabinet’s weekly meeting, Netanyahu says that he no longer supports the so-called regulations bill, which would retroactively authorize hundreds of illegal settlement outposts in the West Bank. He says “it’s possible” that the bill led to the UNSC’s res. condemning settlements on 12/23, and that it would be “irresponsible” to advance it further. Netanyahu also argues that a vote on a bill annexing the Ma’ale Adumim settlement bloc should be postponed until at least after he meets with U.S. pres. Trump. Jewish Home ministers agree to the postponement only after Netanyahu says he supports lifting restrictions on settlement construction in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. (HA, JP, MNA, YA 1/22)

PA pres. Abbas meets with Jordan’s King Abdullah in Amman to discuss U.S. pres. Trump’s campaign pledge to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. They agree to “take a number of measures” if the embassy is relocated, according to the official PA news site. (JP, WAFA, YA 1/22)

A Hamas fighter dies in a tunnel collapse in s. Gaza. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya r.c., injuring 1 fisherman. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian homes nr. Khan Yunis, injuring 1 youth. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uproot around 10 olive trees nr. Ramallah. Dozens of Palestinians confront 3 off-duty IDF soldiers and 1 armed Israeli settler in Qusra village nr. Nablus, preventing them from assaulting any residents. PASF troops intervene and escort the Israelis from the village. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah; there are no serious injuries. Palestinians and solidarity activists also set up a protest tent village nr. the Ma’ale Adumim settlement, which some Israeli lawmakers want to annex now that Donald Trump is the U.S. pres. The IDF violently dismantles and evacuates the village hours later. Late at night, IDF troops arrest 1 Palestinian and issue 1 arrest summons during raids nr. Hebron and Tubas, and patrol nr. Hebron and Salfit. (MNA,TOI, YA 1/20; PCHR 1/26)

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th pres. of the U.S. Thousands gather outside the U.S. Capitol to protest or support Trump during his inaugural address, including a handful of Israeli settlers who flew to Washington for the occasion. (HA, JP, YA 1/20)

Massive fires continue to rage across Israel and the oPt for the 5th consecutive day. New fires break out in some West Bank Palestinian communities, including Qusin village nr. Nablus. Twelve Israeli settlers are moderately injured by fire in Ma’ale Adumim settlement nr. Jerusalem. There are reports that many of the fires in Israel are under control. After new raids and arrests, the Israeli police are detaining 23 suspects in connection with alleged arson; they have questioned 30 so far. Most are West Bank Palestinians and some are Palestinian citizens of Israel. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/26; MNA, WAFA, YA 11/27)

Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces close off the environs of al-Ibrahimi Mosque in c. Hebron, clearing space for thousands of Israeli settlers to celebrate a religious holiday at the site. The IDF announces that the area will be closed to Palestinians for 1 week. IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians and brutally assault 1, causing serious injuries, during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, and Nablus; and patrol nr. Salfit and Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians nr. Eshkol who had crossed the border illegally. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 11/26; MNA, WAFA 11/27; PCHR 12/1)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas, arresting 1 Palestinian and sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths; 1 Palestinian is injured. They conduct further raids nr. Jenin, Bethlehem, and Hebron, arresting 3 Palestinians; and patrol nr. Nablus, Hebron, and Tulkarm. At a flying checkpoint nr. Jenin, Israeli soldiers stop a group of Palestinians on motorcycles, arrest 1 and assault another, causing moderate injuries. They also confiscate 3 of the motorcycles. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians and issue arrest summons to 6 during raids in Jabal Mukabir and Hizma. (PCHR 8/25)

The Israel Land Authority and Ma’ale Adumim Economic Development Company open 4 tenders for leasing land, establishing a hotel, and constructing a new park in the settlement. (MNA 8/20)

In Gaza, a Palestinian child is killed and a 2d is injured when they accidentally detonate a piece of unexploded Israeli ordnance nr. Jabaliya r.c. Off the coast late at night, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. Meanwhile, employees of the Hamas-run govt. go on strike to protest unpaid salaries (they have not been regularly paid since 6/2/2014, when the PA consensus govt. was sworn in). In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 8 Palestinian agricultural structures nr. Ramallah early in the morning; prevent Palestinian laborers from carrying out renovations at a home in the Old City of Hebron; take measurements and photographs of a Palestinian home nr. Jenin, threatening punitive demolition. IDF troops conduct raids in a village nr. Hebron, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 2 Palestinians are injured. They conduct further raids and house searches nr. Jenin, Bethlehem, and Hebron, arresting 2 Palestinians, issuing an arrest summons to 1, and confiscating a vehicle; patrol in 1 village nr. Qalqilya and 4 nr. Hebron. Late at night, a Palestinian stabs and critically injures an Israeli security guard at the Ma’ale Adumim settlement nr. Jerusalem. The IDF then bars Palestinian workers from the settlement until at least 2/28 (the same day the alleged attacker will be arrested). In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians and issue 1 an arrest summons on raids in and around the Old City. (MNA, WAFA 2/25; HA, JP, MNA, YA 2/26; MNA 2/28; PCHR 3/3)

In the Gaza Strip, the union of hospital sanitation workers goes on a full strike following weeks of partial strikes protesting the govt.’s failure to pay them since 6/2. Off the coast nr. Gaza City, Israeli naval forces open fire on a Palestinian fishing boat, critically injuring 1 fisherman. IDF troops along the e. border open fire on agricultural lands, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, a Palestinian man enters a supermarket in Mishor Adumim, an Israeli industrial zone in the Ma’ale Adumim settlement bloc, and stabs 2 Israeli settlers, lightly injuring them. An off-duty Israeli security officer shoots him in the leg and the Israeli police detain him. Later, 2 Palestinian men are arrested in connection with the incident and IDF troops raid the injured man’s home in al-‘Izzariya. Separately, IDF troops shut down a secondary school nr. Nablus after a group of Palestinians throws stones at Israeli vehicles on a nearby road on 12/2. IDF troops patrol in ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus and 1 area in the e. part of the city, sparking clashes with residents and shooting 1 Palestinian in the foot. Israeli forces deliver demolition orders and stop-work notices to Palestinians in 2 villages nr. Bethlehem. The IDF conducts arrest raids and house searches nr. Nablus, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces enter the Jabal Mukabir neighborhood, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians nr. the homes of the 2 Palestinian men who were killed after they attacked a West Jerusalem synagogue on 11/18. During the clashes, Israeli forces detain 1 Palestinian boy and injure others with tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. Separately, Israeli forces arrest another Palestinian boy in Silwan. Meanwhile, around 300 Israeli security officers escort multiple construction vehicles into Shu‘fat r.c., and they demolish around 20 stores and the abandoned Cola building for the expansion of an Israeli checkpoint. None of the Palestinian proprietors were notified prior to the demolition. Also, Israeli forces raid the home of a Palestinian reporter with Ma‘an News Agency. The soldiers detain his brother and father and tell the reporter that they will not be released until he turns himself in, which he does soon after. (AnA, AP, HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 12/3; MEMO, MNA, PCHR 12/4; PCHR 12/11)

Reps. of all the parties in the Knesset meet and agree to hold elections on 3/17/2015. Following the meeting, the full body votes in favor of dissolving the 19th Knesset. This vote constitutes a 1st reading, and like any bill it must pass 2 more (both scheduled for 12/8) before being implemented. (AFP, IHY, JP, TOI, YA 12/3)

The Jerusalem City Council announces its plans to use NIS 50 m. to fund new construction projects in the Har Homa settlement in East Jerusalem. (AFP 12/3; JP 12/4)

The U.S. House of Reps. passes the U.S.- Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014, after the Senate passed it on 9/19. U.S. Pres. Barack Obama will sign it into law on 12/19. (AFP 12/3)

The Israeli navy fires on a Palestinian fishing boat off the Rafah coast, arrests 3 fishermen. IDF troops on the central Gaza border fire on 3 unarmed Palestinians attempting to sneak into Israel to find work, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding and arresting 2; sends bulldozers, tanks 150 m into Gaza e. of Dayr al-Balah to level, excavate land. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a Palestinian barn killing animals inside, an irrigation system, and heavily damages 3 greenhouses nr. Nablus; conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Azun, Bayt Fajjar. Jewish settlers fr. Ma’ale Adumim severely beat a 16-yr.-old Palestinian. Some 40 masked Palestinian gunmen raid a vacant beach resort at a fmr. Israeli settlement site in Gaza owned by Fatah strongman Dahlan, overpowering the few Palestinian security guards watching the site, blowing up a reception hall, stating, without being specific, that they are sending Dahlan a message; no one is injured. ESF, Fatah mbrs. exchange fire outside the Bayt Hanun hospital, causing no injuries. In Gaza City, gunfire erupts btwn. guards outside the Palestinian Electricity Company offices and some 50 Palestinians demonstrating against recent power outages, leaving 1 Palestinian wounded. In Nablus, AMB mbrs. temporarily detain a French diplomat and his 2 body guards, set fire to their car initially suspecting them of being an IDF undercover unit. (OCHA, WT 1/24; PCHR 1/25)