The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Palestinian militants handed the body of a Druze citizen of Israel to Israel after negotiations between the PA and the militant group. Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and the PA all called for the release of the body. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling west of Ramallah, causing damage. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinian students with live ammunition during a raid at the Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie in Tulkarm; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 3 agricultural structures in Kafr ad-Dik. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor before arresting him in Nil’in. Israeli forces also seized 2 caravans, demolished 1 agricultural structure, and razed land in Atara. 14 Palestinians were arrested, including 12 during late-night raids in al-Mughayyir, Bayt Rima, Qaddura refugee camp, ‘Anata, Arab ar-Rashayida, Beit Umar, Dura, Khirbet Qilqis, Azzun, and Huwwara. 2 were arrested at a flying checkpoint near the Halamish settlement. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian fisherman west of al-Sudaniyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired tear gas at agricultural lands east of Gaza City and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 3 Palestinians from Hebron were kidnapped in Yarka by Druze citizens of Israel seeking revenge for the kidnapping on 11/22 (see above). The 3 Palestinians were hospitalized after they were released. (HA, HA 11/23; AP, CNN, HA, HA, MEMO, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; ALM, MEMO, UNOCHA 11/25; MEMO 11/27; PCHR 12/1; UNOCHA 12/16)

Israel revoked 200 of the 15,500 work permits for Palestinians in Gaza, saying that a laborer had admitted that he planned to plant a bomb on a bus on behalf of Islamic Jihad. The man was arrested on 10/30. (REU 11/24)

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 the West Bank, Israeli settlers started building structures on Palestinian land near ‘Ayn al-Auja. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles driving in Turmus ‘Ayya, injuring 1 minor. Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction in Khirbet Ma‘in, displacing 8, including 6 minors. Israeli forces also seized 3 agricultural tents in Ras al-Tin, 1 bulldozer in Deir Balut, and 1 residential structure in ‘Ayn Samia, displacing 8, including 6 minors. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed 500 meters of newly paved road and placed 7 dirt mounds on the road near ‘Asirah al-Shamaliyah. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beitunia, al-Mughayyir, al-Bireh, Biddu, Bethlehem, Jaba‘, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 3 buildings, displacing 6 Palestinians in Wadi Hummus. 1 Palestinian was arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Gaza City. In West Jerusalem, 5 Israelis attacked 1 Palestinian man after hearing him speaking Arabic at the site of the Mamilla Cemetery, which now serves as a park; the man suffered multiple fractures and was treated at Hadassah Hospital for his injuries. (MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/23; BTselem, WAFA 11/24; HA, PCHR 11/25)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia. Members of Fatah said that President Abbas was seeking more Russian involvement in the peace process as part of his push to move from U.S. mediation to international conferences. (MEMO, WAFA 11/23; ALM 11/24)

The Jerusalem Media and Communications Center released a survey conducted in October with 715 participants from the West Bank and East Jerusalem and 485 from Gaza. The survey found that support for a 2-state solution had dropped from 39% in April to 29% and support for a 1-state solution had increased from 21.5% to 26%. A large discreptency was found between the West Bank and Gaza. In the West Bank, 30% supported a 1-state solution—more than the support of a 2-state solution—while in Gaza, 20% supported a 1-state solution and 38%, a 2-state solution. The survey also found 70% of respondents wanted a new date for general elections and 42% said that they did not plan to participate. 34% would vote for Fatah at PLC elections (highest among Palestinians in Gaza), 10% for Hamas, and some 34% said that they would not vote. Support for PA president Abbas was down to 35% from 50% in April. (JMCC 11/23; JP 11/25; MEMO 11/26)

Israel’s president Isaac Herzog met with UK prime minister Boris Johnson in London. During their meeting, Prime Minister Johnson said that the UK’s decision to designate all of Hamas as a terrorist organization “was a difficult and controversial decision,” but right. (HA 11/23)

The tech company Apple said it had filed a lawsuit against NSO Group and its parent company OSY Technologies for its hacking of Apple users’ phones with the Pegasus software. It was reported on 11/22 that NSO Group is at risk of defaulting on $500,000,000 worth of debt. (AP, HA, HA, NYT 11/23; MEMO, MEMO 11/24)

The German Development Bank signed an agreement worth $11.2 to support infrastructure projects in the West Bank. (WAFA 11/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers opened fire at Hizma, causing damage. Israeli settlers also attacked a Palestinian TV crew near Hebron covering the killing of 1 Palestinian woman (see below). Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian near Hebron, claiming that she had opened fire at soldiers and settlers with an M16 rifle; no Israelis were injured. Israeli forces seriously wounded 1 Palestinian near Jaba‘. Israeli forces also sealed off the entrances to Silwad and Kafr al-Dik. Elsewhere, Israeli forces fired tear gas and stun grenades at a car repair shop near al-Za‘ayyem, causing a fire damaging several vehicles. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets and 15 with tear gas. Separately, Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qalqilya, al-Arqa, and al-Bireh, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 29 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bani Na‘im, al-Dhariyya, al-Ubaydiyya, Tuqu‘, al-Ram, Birzeit, Bil‘in, Beita, Madama, Tell, Qabatiya, Silat al-Harithiyya, al-Tamun, Tubas, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers assaulted church officials at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, causing injuries and 1 hospitalization. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Shu‘fat and Shaykh Jarrah. In Gaza, 13 Palestinians were killed, including 2 children and 1 pregnant woman, and many were injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 219 to 232, including 65 children and 3 pregnant women. The casualties included: 4, including 1 pregnant woman and 1 child, and 2 were wounded in air strikes on 2 houses in Dayr al-Balah; 2, including 1 child, during air strikes in Jabaliya; 2 in air strikes on apartment buildings in Gaza City; 1, and 1 child wounded in artillery shelling in Bayt Hanun; 1 by live ammunition while on agricultural lands east of Juhur al-Dik; 1 Palestinian succumbed to wounds sustained on 5/13 during an air strike on Bayt Hanun; 2 bodies of unidentified Palestinians arrived at al-Shifa Hospital. 7 residential buildings and 1 youth center were demolished in Israeli attacks on Khan Yunis. In Israel, 1 Palestinian-Israeli minor who was shot and injured by Israeli police while sitting in a car with friends in Umm al-Fahm on 5/18 succumbed to his injuries. 1 Israeli man stabbed and injured 1 Palestinian worker from the West Bank in Holon. 58 Palestinian citizens of Israel were reported arrested after the general strike and mass protest on 5/18. 1 Israeli was lightly wounded by a rocket from Gaza in Sderot, 2 other rockets caused damage. 4 rockets were fired at the Haifa and ‘Akka areas from Lebanon; no damage or injuries were reported. Israel subsequently shelled areas of Lebanon; no damage or injuries were reported. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/19; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, MEMO, PCHR, PCHR, WAFA 5/20; HA, MEE, MEMO 5/21; NYT 5/26)

Hamas said it estimated that $92 million’s worth of damage was sustained to residential buildings and non-governmental offices since 5/10. $22 million’s worth of damage was sustained to the power grid as people in Gaza only are receiving 3-4 hours of electricity a day. Hamas also said that Gaza’s water supply is hard hit with 95% of the water unfit for drinking. (HA 5/20)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas said in a speech that his efforts to hold elections are ongoing, and that he is “ready to form an internationally accepted unity government.” President Abbas also discussed the situation in Gaza and East Jerusalem with UN secretary-general António Guterres. (WAFA, WAFA 5/19; ALM 5/21)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh spoke with EU representative Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff in Ramallah, calling on the EU to pressure Israel to stop its aggression in East Jerusalem and Gaza. Prime Minister Shtayyeh also spoke with Facebook executives about Facebook’s censuring of Palestinian voices on its platforms. (WAFA, WAFA 5/19)

An Israeli court ruled that Israeli forces had violated international law when they shot and killed 1 Palestinian 14-year-old in 2004 near Rafah, but that the family was not entitled to compensation, citing a wartime action principle. The Israeli soldiers shot her after she ran away from them as they fired warning shots. After she ran from the soldiers, they fired at her back and the commander shot her again as she lie dead on the ground. The commander was acquitted of all charges at an Israeli military court the year after. (HA 5/20)

A spokesperson for the Israeli military said that it had been trying to assassinate the head of Hamas’s military division Mohammed Deif throughout the duration of the ongoing attack on Gaza. Hamas later told AP that Deif is still alive and in charge of its military operations. (HA 5/19; AP 5/20)

1 Israeli journalist from Channel 20 was fired after saying, during a live broadcast, that “[o]ne [rocket] has fallen on a soccer field in a large Arab community [Shefa-Amr, a Palestinian-Israeli community]. Regretfully for us, it did not result in mass deaths there.” The rocket that the Israeli journalist Kobi Finkler was referring to was fired from Lebanon. (AJ, HA 5/20)

Haaretz reported that applications for gun licenses in Israel had risen 7-fold in the past weeks as violence had been rising in Israel. (HA 5/19)

The UNRWA appealed to have the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings opened for humanitarian access. (AJ 5/19)

U.S. president Joe Biden spoke to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to de-escalate the violence, according to a White House readout. It was the 4th time the 2 spoke in a week. Prime Minister Netanyahu said later in a statement that he was “determined to carry on with the attacks until calm and security are restored to Israeli citizens.” It was also reported that Egypt had secured a ceasefire agreement in principle between Hamas and Israel. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said calm could only be restored if Israel stopped its attack on Jerusalem and Gaza. Netanyahu also told some 70 foreign diplomats that he is considering sending group troops to Gaza to “conquer” it. (AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AX, HA, HA, MEE, REU 5/19; AP, AP, AX 5/20) 

A letter circulated among House Democrats by Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) called for the U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken to work toward a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, and to provide humanitarian relief to Gaza. The letter also called for more than doubling the U.S. funding to the UNRWA, bringing the U.S. funding back to the level it was before the Trump administration ended all funding. Separately, more than 130 members of the House called on an immediate ceasefire. 3 Democrats in the House, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Mark Pocan (D-WI), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) also introduced a resolution aimed at blocking the $735 million’s worth of arms to Israel. In the Senate, senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, saying that every Palestinian and Israeli life matters; 8 other Democrats later co-sponsored the resolution. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, REU, Twitter 5/19; AJ 5/20)

Facebook said it has set up a center to monitor Arabic and Hebrew content deemed inflammatory or otherwise violating Facebook’s policies. Facebook has been criticized for silencing Palestinian voices on its social media platforms, including Instagram and WhatsApp. (WAFA 5/19; HA 5/20)

250 employees at Alphabet, the parent company of Google, wrote an open letter calling for Alphabet to review all business contracts, terminating those “with institutions that support violations of Palestinian rights,” including the Israeli military. The letter also called for not stifling free speech on Palestine. (AJ, HA, MEE, WAFA 5/19)

At the UN, the U.S. again refused to support a UN security council (UNSC) statement calling for an immediate ceasefire after intensified pressure from France. This was the 4th time the UNSC had met to discuss the escalation between Hamas and Israel since it began and the 4th time that the U.S. has blocked a statement. (AX 5/18; AJ, REU 5/19; HA 5/20)

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa said to France24 that the situation in Gaza, particularly the bombing of homes and confinement to the strip, reminded him of apartheid in South Africa. When asked if Israel was an apartheid state, President Ramaphosa said that the country is an apartheid type of state. (F24 5/19; MEMO, WAFA 5/20; AM 5/21)

Norway’s wealth fund divested from 2 companies, Shapir Engineering and Industry Ltd. and Mivne Real Estate KD Ltd., due to the companies’ involvement in Israeli settlement activity. (AJ 5/20; MEMO 5/21)

Ireland announced $1.83 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza. (WAFA 5/20)

The Iranian Red Crescent said it would donate $100,000 to the Palestinian Red Crescent to help treat the wounded in Gaza. (WAFA 5/19)

UNRWA called for extra funding of $38 million to help the organization with its humanitarian efforts after the attacks on Gaza. (WAFA 5/19; AJ 5/20)

In the West Bank, the Palestinian Water Authority said that Israeli settlers had vandalized a reservoir in Asira, soiling the water supply for 6,000 Palestinians. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in Tulkarm and Jericho, and 1 at a checkpoint east of Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police arrested 6 Israeli settlers suspected of attacking Palestinians; the 6 had been part of a larger group asking people on the street questions and attacking those who responded in Arabic or with an Arabic accent. Israeli forces also attacked Palestinian protesters with stun grenades and water cannons at the Damascus Gate plaza, for the 7th night in a row. 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Jabal Mukabir. 3 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City, Issawiyya, and al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a refugee camp; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 4/19; HA, WAFA 4/20; HA 4/21; PCHR 4/22)

The Palestinian central elections committee said it provided polling stations for about 150,000 Palestinians in East Jerusalem who live in neighborhoods on the West Bank side of the separation barrier. There are still some 150,000 Palestinians in East Jerusalem who do not know if Israel will allow them to participate in the upcoming Palestinian elections, as Israel has not responded to the PA’s request to let them participate. According to Haaretz, the PA leadership discussed postponing the elections if Israel doesn’t allow all Palestinians in East Jerusalem to participate. (WAFA 4/19; ALM, HA, WAFA 4/20; WAFA 4/21)

The PA said that the Israeli president Reuven Rivlin had called PA president Mahmoud Abbas to offer him best wishes on Ramadan. (WAFA 4/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort toured shines in Kafr Haris and Sabastiyya, closing the areas to Palestinians. Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinian children aged 8-12 in al-Rakiz near an Israeli settlement outpost; a video shows that the children were foraging vegetables when Israeli settlers started chasing them, leading to the Israeli forces arresting them. Israeli forces also demolished Palestinian-owned shops near Nablus, leading to confrontations with Palestinians, and delivered a demolition notice for a house under construction in Wadi Hummus in Area B. 9 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around al-Khadir, Bayt Fajjar, Aida refugee camp, Jenin, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 66 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces arrested the former Mufti of Jerusalem Shaykh Ikrima Sabri at his home. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire and sprayed water at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles west of Gaza, causing damage to 1 boat; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of al-Bureij and Dayr Balah. (AJ, HA, JP, MEE, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/10; AJ, AP, MEE, PCHR, WAFA 3/11; WAFA 3/12; NBC 3/13; HA 3/14)

Mohammad Dahlan, a political rival of PA president Mahmoud Abbas, said the UAE would send another 40,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine to Gaza. The UAE had previously sent 20,000 doses to Gaza in February. Dahlan, who is an advisor to the UAE crown price Mohammed bin Zayed, said the vaccines would arrive on 3/11. (TOI, TOI 3/10)

Yahya Sinwar won an internal Gazan election to retain his position as political leader of Hamas in Gaza. Sinwar narrowly defeated Nizar Awadallah, a founder of Hamas. Awadallah is said to represent the more conservative wing of Hamas. (AP 3/9; AJ, ALM, AP, HA, REU, TOI 3/10; HA 3/11)

An investigation by the Fake Reporter project showed that many of the 5,000 followers of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Arabic language Facebook page were fake. On 2/1, Prime Minister Netanyahu launched an Arabic language Facebook page as part of his push to convince parts of the Palestinian-Israeli population to vote for him in the upcoming Israeli elections, but some 20% of the surveyed followers were reported to be fake. (HA 3/10)

The Israeli Museum for Islamic Art canceled plans to sell 268 items after the Al Thani Collection promised to provide sponsorship to the museum for 10 years. (AJ, AP 3/10)

An Iranian container ship was hit by an explosion said to be from an explosive device while in the Mediterranean. Iran later said Israel was behind the attack. Israeli officials denied commenting on Israeli involvement. (AJ, REU 3/12; HA, REU 3/13; HA 3/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces conducted military drills in the Masafer Yatta area, damaging crops. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 3 houses and 1 agricultural structure west of Yatta and seized some 40 vegetable and fruit stalls and their contents near Jenin. 25 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, al-‘Arub refugee camp, Hebron, Tubas, Barta‘a, Jenin refugee camp, and Tura; 2 Palestinians were shot and wounded during a confrontation in Kafr Malik. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler attacked an Orthodox church in the Old City, causing damage. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Ras al-‘Amud, displacing 4, including 2 children, and 1 Palestinian demolished his own car repair shop. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in al-Tur and Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Maghazi and Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 2 people were killed by Israeli police, including 1 Palestinian passerby, and 2 were wounded during a shootout in Tamra; some 10,000 people later attended the funeral of the Palestinian passerby killed. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/2; HA, MEE, WAFA 2/3 HA, PCHR, WAFA 2/4; WAFA 2/5)

The PA administered its 1st COVID-19 vaccinations after receiving 2,000 vaccination doses from Israel on 2/1. The Palestinian minister of health Mai al-Kaila and several health workers were among the 1st Palestinians in the West Bank to receive the 1st of 2 shots. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, WAFA 2/2; WAFA 2/3; NYT 2/4)

The Israeli ministry of education reversed its decision not to allow high school students to submit their research proposals in Arabic, despite allowing the final exam papers to be written in Arabic. (HA 2/3)

The U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said during his 1st press briefing that normalization deals are “not a substitute for Israeli-Palestinian peace.” Spokesperson Price also said the U.S. would resume aid to Palestinians “very quickly.” Price praised the finalization of the Kosovo-Israeli normalization deal on 2/1. (HA 2/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort threw stones at Palestinians protesting settlement expansion west of Salfit; Israeli forces also beat several Palestinian protesters. Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 3 Palestinian-owned homes in Ya‘bad and demolished 1 house in al-Khadir; 1 house under construction and 1 well near Halhul; and 2 shacks in Qalqilya. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Izzariya, Anata, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jericho, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Jabal Mukabir to avoid paying exorbitant Israeli demolition fees; 6 people were displaced. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level agricultural lands east of al-Bureij. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinians near the Erez crossing; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/30; WAFA 12/1; PCHR 12/3)

PA and Israeli officials met to discuss the details of transferring the $756 million to the PA in taxes owed. (WAFA 11/30)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo. According to WAFA, President al-Sisi confirmed Egypt’s support of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. (WAFA 11/30; WAFA 12/1)

A court in Israel rejected a lawsuit brought by 1 Palestinian-Israeli on behalf of his nephew and niece who have to travel outside the city of Carmiel to go to school as there are no Arabic-speaking schools in their city. The suit asked for the city to pay their expenses for traveling to the Arabic-speaking school, but the Israeli court dismissed the suit, citing the Jewish Nation-State Law saying the city’s Jewish character had to be preserved. The judge wrote in his ruling, “Carmiel, a Jewish city, was meant to establish Jewish settlement in the Galilee . . . Establishing an Arabic-language school . . . [and] funding school rides for Arab students . . . could change the demographic balance and damage the city’s character.” (Adalah, HA, HA 11/30)

Saudi Arabia allowed Israeli airlines to fly over their airspace for commercial flights 1 day before the 1st commercial flight between Israel and the UAE was set to happen. The flight was said to be at risk of being canceled; however, according to a U.S. official, U.S. special advisor to the president Jared Kushner and Saudi officials were able to “reconcile the issue.” Special Advisor Kushner is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar this week. (AJ, HA 11/30; MEE 12/1)

The EU donated $11.15 million to the PA to help pay for medical transfers to East Jerusalem hospitals. (WAFA 11/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces ordered 1 Palestinian family to demolish an agricultural structure in the northern Jordan Valley and ordered stop-work on 1 poultry farm and retaining walls in al-Walaja. Israeli forces also seized 1 water tank east of Tubas. PA security forces arrested 7 supporters of exiled Palestinian leader Mohammed Dahlan, accused of having aided in the UAE-Israel normalization deal. Israeli forces also arrested 4 Palestinians during raids in and around Tulkarm and Hebron; during a raid near Tulkarm, clashes erupted between Palestinians and Israeli forces; 1 Palestinian was injured by a tear gas canister. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested in Issawiyya. (REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/21; HA 9/22; PCHR 9/24)

BBC News Arabic reported that, according to leaked documents, Russian-Israeli citizen Roman Abramovich has donated more than $100 million to Elad, the Israeli settler group seeking to evict Palestinians in East Jerusalem to replace them with Israeli settlers. Abramovich is said to have used shell companies to make sure the donations could not be traced to him. (BBC, GDN, HA 9/21; AJ, DT, WAFA 9/22)

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

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

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

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

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

Along Gaza’s border fence, IDF troops open fire on a group of Palestinians congregating near the Great March of Return tent camps outside Gaza City; 2 Palestinians are injured. Later, an incendiary balloon reportedly flown from Gaza lands on a street in Beersheba, causing no damage. Israeli firefighters put out 6 small fires allegedly sparked by similar devices closer to the border fence throughout the day. In two separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 12 Palestinians and issue 4 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Jenin, Ramallah, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron and Nablus. Israeli settlers slash the tires of 8 Palestinian cars and leave racist graffiti on nearby walls in al-Mughayyir village near Ramallah. Separately, Israeli settlers assault and injure a Palestinian in central Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during raids in Silwan and Issawiyya. (MNA, WAFA, YA 7/30; MNA 7/31; PCHR 8/2)

Thousands of Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel attend a massive Arabic language lesson in the streets of Tel Aviv in protest of the new Nation-State Law, which the Knesset passed on 7/19 and which downgraded Arabic from an official language to one with “special status." (HA, JP 7/30)

Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian youth in the Old City of Jerusalem after she allegedly attempts to stab an Israeli police officer at Damascus Gate, causing no injuries. Palestinian witnesses say that she did not pose a threat to the police, and that she was “executed in cold blood.” Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, the Israeli police open a new station in Shu‘fat r.c. It’s the first of 5 new stations planned across East Jerusalem as part of the NIS 1 b. plan to increase security announced in 8/2016 (see JPS 46 [1]). Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in Silwan and the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct limited incursions to level land nr Dayr al-Balah and Khan Yunis. 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, Israeli settlers assault Palestinian farmers protesting the expansion of a settler bypass road nr. Ramallah; there are no serious injuries. IDF troops confiscate surveillance tapes, arrest 8 Palestinians, and issue 2 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Qalqilya, and Hebron; and patrol nr. Nablus and Hebron during the day. (HA, MNA 5/7; MNA 5/8; PCHR 5/11)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 2d of 3 planned days. They also announce that the crossing will be open an additional day on 5/9. (WAFA 5/7)

The IPS releases footage, taken on 4/27 and 5/5, purportedly showing Marwan Barghouti eating cookies and candy in his prison cell. Barghouti, the Fatah leader who organized the Dignity Strike, is currently being held at Kishon Prison. Some IPS sources say that they provided him with the food to see if they could get him to break his strike. Barghouti’s lawyer and various Palestinian leaders dismiss the videos as forgeries. (JP, NYT, TOI 5/7; HA 5/8)

Israel’s Ministerial Comm. for Legislation approves a new version of the so-called nation-state bill, which would cancel Arabic’s status as an “official language” of Israel and codify Israel’s status as the “national home of the Jewish people”. Disagreements over previous drafts of this bill led to the dissolution of the Knesset and national elections in 3/2015 (see JPS 44 [3, 4]). Unlike earlier drafts, the version approved today does not subordinate Israel’s democracy to its Jewish character. (HA, JP, TOI 5/7)

An unidentified assailant armed with a gun and a knife attacks a group of Israelis in a market in Petah Tikva; 6 Israelis are injured. A group of Jewish Israeli bystanders assault a Palestinian bystander who is shouting in Arabic during the incident. Hours later, the Israeli police arrest a Palestinian from the Nablus area in connection with the initial attack. Late at night, the IDF conducts raids in the Nablus area, arresting 4 Palestinians related to the alleged Petah Tikva attacker and confiscating several of their work permits. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Ramallah and Nablus; and patrol during the day nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers uproot around 400 olive saplings nr. Bethlehem. Palestinian youths throw a small explosive device at an IDF post in Aida r.c., sparking clashes with IDF troops in the area; there are no serious injuries and 2 Palestinians are arrested. (HA, MNA, WAFA 2/9; MNA, TOI, WAFA 1/10; MNA 11/11; PCHR 2/16)

PA intelligence chief Faraj wraps up 2 days of talks with U.S. security and intelligence officials in Washington. (AP 2/9; HA, TOI 2/10)

In response to reported stone-throwing incidents in the area, the IDF reopens a checkpoint nr. Nablus that they had closed on 7/9. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure 3 Palestinians and arrest 4 others during clashes sparked by a raid in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem. They conduct further raids and house searches nr. Nablus, arresting 2 Palestinians, and patrol nr. Hebron throughout the day. In Israel, the Israeli police announce that they have arrested 10 Palestinians working in Israel without proper permits and demolished their camp nr. Tamra. It is unclear when the raid took place. (MNA, WAFA 7/28; MNA 7/29; PCHR 8/4)

The PA Foreign Ministry releases a statement, in Arabic only, “relieving” the international community from “issuing useless condemnations against Israeli settlement” activities. The statement follows a week of Israeli settlement growth announcements and rote condemnations from the U.S., EU, and UN. (MO, PAMFA 7/29)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian man at the Erez border crossing. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian man in Hebron after he tries to grab a soldier’s gun. The IDF patrols nr. Hebron and Jenin, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; 2 Palestinians are injured. At night, they conduct a raid in the village nr. Jenin and arrest 1 Palestinian. Israeli forces also detain 2 Palestinians collecting steel outside a settlement nr. Qalqilya. Israeli settlers spray olive trees nr. Qalqilya with chemicals, completely destroying 5; establish a new settlement outpost s. of Nablus, erecting movable houses, water tanks, and a fence. An Israeli settler hits a Palestinian youth with his car in s. Hebron, causing minor injuries, then flees the scene. PA security forces patrol in Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, sparking a firefight with armed Palestinian residents; 3 PA officers are injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police remove a prominent right-wing Jewish activist from Haram al-Sharif after he confronts a group of Muslim worshippers. In n. Israel, Jewish Israelis assault a Druze Palestinian IDF soldier in a nightclub nr. Haifa after they overhear him speaking Arabic. (JP, MNA, TOI 2/5; TOI 2/7; MNA 2/10)

In the Gaza Strip, Egyptian authorities keep the Rafah border crossing open for a 3d day. Meanwhile, unknown assailants blow up the car of a local Fatah leader using a flammable liquid. Off the coast nr. al-Sudaniyya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage. Meanwhile, IDF troops e. of Rafah open fire on agricultural land along the border fence, causing damage. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish several residential and storage structures owned by Palestinians nr. Jerusalem and deliver a stop-work order to a construction site nr. Hebron. The IDF patrols nr. Hebron and Jenin; raids 3 homes in Tulkarm overnight belonging to friends and family of the Palestinian man who stabbed 13 Jewish Israelis in Tel Aviv on 1/21, arresting 2. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct arrest raids in al-Tur. In West Jerusalem, around 10 Jewish Israelis attack a Palestinian Druze university student, severely injuring him, after they hear him speaking in Arabic. (MNA, WAFA 1/22; HA 1/23; PCHR 1/29)

PA PM Hamdallah meets with Swedish consul-gen. Ann-Sofie Nilsson in Ramallah. Hamdallah calls on the international community to pressure Israel into unfreezing the transfers of tax revenue to the PA, which have been held since 1/2. Meanwhile, reps. of the PA and Russia meet and sign 2 bilateral agreements, which will establish joint comms. to supervise economic cooperation between them. (MNA 1/22, 1/23)

In Israel, the major non-Zionist parties— Hadash, Balad, Ta’al, and Ra’am—announce that they have agreed to run on a joint list in the 3/17 election. Ayman Odeh, newly elected chair of Hadash, will lead the list. Earlier in the day, the Knesset House Comm. approved the request to split the Ra’am and Ta’al parties, which were joined at the United Arab List in the current Knesset under Ahmad Tibi’s leadership. (HA, TOI 1/22; +972, HA, NYT 1/23)

The State Dept. announces that neither Pres. Obama nor Secy. of State Kerry will meet with Israeli PM Netanyahu when he visits Washington to address a special session of Congress on 3/3. A State Dept. spokesperson cites “long-standing practice and principle” when explaining why the pres. would not meet with another head of state 2 weeks ahead of his or her national election. (HA, JP 1/22; JTA 2/1)

Sixty-three of the 751 mbrs. of the EU parliament send a letter to foreign affairs chief Mogherini asking her to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which has governed the trade relationship since 2000. The 63 MEPs cite serious violations of international law committed during OPE. (WAFA 1/27; EI 2/4)

The UNSC refers the Palestinian application for membership to a special comm. (1 diplomat fr. each of the 15 states) for review. The comm. schedules its 1st mtg. for 9/30. If the Palestinians can secure the backing of at least 9 of the 15 UNSC members, the application can proceed via the UNGA even if the U.S. vetoes. At this stage, 6 UNSC mbrs. plan to vote in favor, 5 plan to abstain, 1 (the U.S.) plans to vote against, and 3 are undecided. (NYT 9/29)

In advance of the Jewish New Year, Jewish settlers put up banners on roads leading to settlements that say in Hebrew and Arabic “Next year, Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria” and “This is the Land of Israel.” Meanwhile, the IDF praises the PA security forces for their close coordination to prevent violence surrounding the UNGA session. The IDF also confiscates 148 d. of Palestinian agricultural land in Battir village nr. Bethlehem. (PCHR, WP 9/29; OCHA 10/7)

In the afternoon, IDF troops make an incursion into s. Gaza, leveling agricultural land 250 m fr. the border fence in Khuza village, firing on residential areas but causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF fires tear gas, stun grenades to break up a tree-planting ceremony in Burin village attended by PA Agriculture Min. officials. The IDF also delivers military orders to several Palestinian families in Bayt Umar village nr. Hebron declaring 150 d. of village land as off-limits state-owned land; Jewish settlers fr. nearby Bet Ayn have repeatedly attempted to seize the same lands. (OCHA, PCHR 2/4)

In an interview with al-Jazeera, a BenGurion University doctoral student shares his dissertation research on Israel’s confiscation and destruction of Palestinian books during the 1948 war. The researcher estimates that Israeli authorities collected 10,000s of Arabic books from Palestinian homes and towns conquered during the war, selling or giving away around half of them and destroying some 27,000 others as a “security threat” to the new state. Hebrew University was given 1,000s of the texts, some 6,000 of which are available through the university library, while 1,000s others may be in the library’s warehouses, uncatalogued and inaccessible to the public. (al-Jazeera, YA 1/28)

Overnight, the IDF sends troops back into central Gaza, engaging in heavy clashes with armed Palestinians in al-Maghazi r.c. that last throughout the day, occupying houses as sniper posts, cutting electricity to central Gaza, conducting air and artillery strikes, leaving 5 Hamas mbrs., 4 Palestinian bystanders dead and 5 IDF soldiers, 93 Palestinians wounded (mostly militants, most with shrapnel fr. tank fire; also including 20 children). The IDF also continues to shell n. Gaza fr. land and sea. In the West Bank, the IDF sends around 50 armored vehicles into Nablus in a major raid allegedly to search for Palestinian militants “activated by Hizballah” to stage attacks on Israel, laying siege to the Nablus governorate building, the government compound (mostly destroyed during Operation Defensive Shield in 2002), 3 security force buildings, the central prison; forcing out and detaining around 150 Palestinians (many PA security officers); killing 3 armed AMB mbrs. and 2 bystanders (including a medic), wounding 33 (including 16 children, 2 Palestinian); demolishing the main PA security compound, at least 6 other PA buildings; occupying the Palestinian Red Crescent Society offices, preventing the movement of ambulances. The IDF also patrols in, fires on residential areas of Anabta nr. Tulkarm. (NYT, WP, WT 7/19; Guardian, ICRC press release, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 7/20; NYT 7/21; IFM, NYT 7/22; PCHR 7/27)

The IDF continues to escalate air and artillery strikes across Lebanon. At least 58 Lebanese (including at least 35 civilians) and 4 Israelis (2 soldiers, 2 civilians) are killed during the day, bringing the comprehensive toll to at least 310 Lebanese (overwhelmingly civilian) and 29 Israelis (at least 15 civilians, 13 soldiers). Sites hit include Srifa nr. Tyre, where air strikes level at least 20 buildings, killing at least 21 Lebanese, wounding 30, leaving as many as 80 unaccounted for; a Christian neighborhood in e. Beirut, hitting 2 well-drilling machines mistaken for rocket launchers in Ashrafiyya, causing no injuries; a bunker in s. Beirut believed to be housing Hizballah leaders, hit with 23 tons of explosives according to the IDF (Hizballah says the site was vacant); 2 PFLP-GC bases in the Biqa‘ Valley. The IDF also makes ground incursions into s. Lebanon, engaging Hizballah fighters; 2 Hizballah mbr. and 2 IDF soldiers are reportedly killed, 9 IDF soldiers injured, and 1 Israeli tank destroyed nr. Naqura. The IDF also clashes with Hizballah mbrs. who try to cross into n. Israel nr. Metula, chasing them back across the border, killing 2 Hizballah mbrs. Hizballah retaliates by launching more than 100 rockets on n. Israel, hitting Haifa and, for the 1st time, Nazareth, where 2 Israeli Palestinian boys are killed and 8 are wounded; 10s of light injuries occur elsewhere. Residents in s. Lebanon begin receiving tape-recorded phone messages fr. the IDF ordering them in Arabic to evacuate. Israel also interrupts Lebanese radio broadcasts to warn that any truck, including pickups, traveling s. of the Litani River would be assumed to be transporting weapons and targeted. (AP, REU 7/19; NYT, WP, WT 7/20)

Before dawn, the IDF sends troops into Palestinian areas in and around Hebron, storming the local PA headquarters, demolishing 1 building in the compound, killing 4 PSF officers, wounding 7, arresting around 200. With the reoccupation of Hebron, 700,000 West Bank Palestinians are under 24-hr. curfew. Curfews are lifted for several hrs. in Bethlehem, Jenin, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Tulkarm. The IDF also makes an incursion into Araba, shooting and seriously wounding an 8-yr.-old Palestinian girl; conducts arrest raids in Rafah, demolishing 2 Palestinian homes completely, 3 partially; fatally shoots a Palestinian who allegedly threw a grenade at an IDF post nr. Qarni crossing, causing no damage or injuries; halts an ambulance transporting 2 wounded Palestinians to a Ramallah hospital, forcing the driver, 1 patient to exit the ambulance for a search. (LAW, UPMRC, WP, WT 6/25; LAW, NYT, PRCS press release, WP, WT 6/26; MM, PCHR 6/27)

Israel begins broadcasting an Arabic language satellite channel. (MEI 6/28; MM 7/10)

The IDF attempts to assassinate senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Muhammad Sidir by firing missiles at his car in Hebron; Sidir is injured, 2 Palestinian children are killed, 6 others are injured. (1 of the dead, 5 of the injured are bystanders.) A 3d Palestinian is killed in al-Bireh by an IDF tank shell. The IDF also shells, destroys a PSF headquarters in n. Gaza; enters Rafah to bulldoze 3 Palestinian homes; uproots 200 olive trees in Sinjil. Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, lightly injuring 1 Jewish settler. Jewish settlers in Hebron severely beat 2 Palestinian girls. Palestinians, Israeli peace activists stage a nonviolent protest at an IDF roadblock in Qalandia. (HP, LAW, MM 12/10; AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/11; WT 12/12; AYM 12/12 in WNC 12/13; HA, LAW 12/13)

Arafat, Sharon meet separately with Zinni, urge him not to cut his trip short. Powell says that Zinni will indeed stay, that he never really intended to leave but just wanted to pressure the sides to act. (AP, MM, NYT, WT 12/11) (see 12/9)

In Washington, Bush hosts the White House's 1st menorah-lighting and Hanukkah party. Speaking privately with American Jewish leaders, Bush reportedly assails Arafat and the State Dept., identifies with Sharon, says that winning the war on terror means getting rid of groups like Hamas, Hizballah. (MM 12/12; MM, WJW 12/13; NYT 12/14; AYM 12/14 in WNC 12/17; WP 12/15; JT [Internet] 12/19; JP 2/1)

In Brussels, EU FMs call on Arafat to dismantle the "terrorist networks" of Hamas and Islamic Jihad; to declare, in Arabic, the end to the "armed intifada." Also call on Israel to halt assassinations, settlement expansion, attacks on the Palestinian infrastructure. (AFP 12/10; NYT, WT 12/11; IRNA, MA, SA 12/11 in WNC 12/12; AFP, MM, WT 12/12; Le Monde 12/12 in WNC 12/13; DUS 12/12 in WNC 12/14; MEI 12/21)

A car bomb explodes in Or Yehuda, outside Tel Aviv, lightly injuring 4 Israelis. The PFLP claims responsibility (see 4/2). In the West Bank and Gaza, Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 1 Palestinian dead; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. The PSF claims to fire antitank weapons at 7 IDF tanks, 2 bulldozers, foiling their attempt to reenter Rafah to demolish more homes (see 4/14). A roadside bomb explodes outside Ariel settlement, causing no damage. At a funeral for a PSF officer in Gaza, a 12-yr.-old Palestinian boy is shot dead, 14 Palestinians are wounded when settlers, IDF soldiers at a nearby settlement open fire thinking the PA's 21-gun salute is gunfire aimed at them. The IDF also directs heavy machine gun fire at Gaza airport. (AP 4/23; Interfax 4/23, MENA, al-Quds 4/24 in WNC 4/25; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/24)

PA and Israeli security officials hold a round of "constructive" talks at the U.S. amb.'s residence in Israel, with CIA participation (see 4/4). Arafat makes a public statement in Arabic that he does not "agree to any form of attack on Israeli or Palestinian civilians." (AP 4/23; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/24; AP, NYT 4/25; SA 4/25 in WNC 4/26; DUS 4/27 in WNC 4/30; WJW 5/3)

Iran sponsors an NGO conference in support of Palestinians' human rights in Tehran. Attendees call on states to take actions in support of the Palestinians (such as providing aid, boycotting Israel) instead of making statements of support. (IRNA 4/23 in WNC 4/25)

In Gaza, the PLO Central Council (PCC) opens debate on statehood declaration, with 96 of 124 mbrs. attending. Arafat opens the mtg. by affirming Palestinians' right to independence, but recommending against declaring a state on 5/4. Hamas sends a 4 mbr. observer group led by Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, marking 1st time it has participated in a PLO mtg.; the move is criticized by Hamas political leaders in Jordan. Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine boycott. (MM 4/27; AFP, IDF Radio, JT 4/27 in WNC 4/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/28; IDF Radio, MBC 4/28 in WNC 4/29; al-Ayyam 4/28, 4/29 in WNC 5/3; PR 4/30; MEI 5/7; al-Istiqlal 5/7 in WNC 5/17; CSM 5/17)

In Nablus, 1,000 Fatah mbrs. march in support of a statehood declaration on 5/4. (WT 4/28)

A Palestinian arrested by Israeli police on burglary charges on 4/27 is admitted to a Tel Aviv hospital having been beaten so severely that one of his kidneys stopped functioning. (Reuters [Internet] 5/6)

Without explanation, the GIS orders the Hamas weekly newspaper al-Risala closed "until further notice." Under pressure fr. unnamed PA officials, the paper is allowed to reopen several hrs. later. (AFP 4/27 in WNC 4/28; al-Hayat al-Jadida 4/29 in WNC 5/3; PR 4/30)

In Geneva, the UN Human Rights Commission passes (52-1) a resolution reaffirming the Palestinians' right to self-determination, right to return. The U.S. votes against. (ADC press release 4/28; Xinhua 4/28 in WNC 4/29; Prime Minister's Report 4/30) (see 4/23)

Israel claims that the PA has released 3 Hamas prisoners involved in attacks in which Israelis were killed. PA, Hamas deny the story. (IDF Radio 4/27 in WNC 4/28; NYT, WP 4/28; al-Ayyam 4/28 in WNC 4/29; PR 4/30; JP 5/7)

In Washington, Israeli DM Moshe Arens meets with Secy. of State Albright, NSA Berger, Secy. of Defense Cohen for talks on Arrow missile program, Israeli receipt of 60 new F-16D fighters, regional issues. Albright, Berger criticize Israeli settlement policy. (USIS Washington File 4/27; MM 4/28; IDF Radio, MA 5/3 in WNC 5/4; WJW 5/6; JP, MEI 5/7)

Lebanese security personnel arrest an Israeli woman, Mary Vizeman, on suspicion of spying after she is found in Tyre without a passport. Vizeman, who speaks Arabic well, claims that she came fr. Nazareth to visit a friend in Beirut. (VOL 4/28 in WNC 4/29; JP 5/7)

Hizballah attempts to capture 2 IDF/SLA posts in s. Lebanon, wounding 8 IDF soldiers, 3 SLA mbrs. IDF shells Hizballah targets in response, wounding 2 civilians. (VOL 4/27 in WNC 4/28; MM 4/28)

U.S. special envoy Ross continues shuttling btwn. Netanyahu, Arafat; says that as the 1st step toward salvaging the peace talks, Israel, the PA must work together to determine the identity of the 2 men responsible for the 7/30 bombings; says some progress has been made toward this end. In the evening, U.S., PA, Israeli security officials meet. (MM 8/11; ITV 8/11 in WNC 8/12; CSM, NYT, WP 8/12; MA 8/12 in WNC 8/12; JP 8/16)

During a brief confrontation, Palestinian youths angry over the closure clash with IDF troops at a checkpoint in Ramallah. (NYT 8/12)

1 Israeli injured in the 7/30 bombing dies, bringing death toll to 16, including the 2 bombers. (WP 8/12)

In Jerusalem, 150 Conservative, Reform Jewish men, women attempt to pray together at the Western Wall. They are jeered by Orthodox Jews, who call them "terrorists," "Hamas," "Christians"; are forcibly removed fr. the wall by Israeli police. (NYT 8/12)

Israel encourages Germany to take action against Hamas supporters suspected of operating in Berlin, Aachen. Israel charges that some 70 Hamas supporters have been fundraising in Germany since 1994. (Der Spiegel 8/11 in WNC 8/12)

Fmr. Jordanian FMin. official Muhammad al-Khalili announces the founding of Voice of Peace, a new newspaper to be published in Arabic, English, Hebrew. Israeli authors will be among the contributors. (al-Quds 8/11 in WNC 8/14)

IDF prevents an Amnesty International team fr. visiting al-Khiyam prison in s. Lebanon. (RL, VOL 8/11 in WNC 8/12)

After 40 hrs. of talks, ILMG recesses without taking a decision, plans to resume discussions 8/12. (RL 8/12 in WNC 8/13)

Israeli FM Peres acknowledges letter of assurances to PLO on Jerusalem, claimed by PLO Chmn. Arafat in Johannesburg speech 5/10 but denied by Israel.  Letter, sent to then-Norwegian FM Johan Jørgen Holst 10/11/93, promises to preserve status quo of "all the Palestinian institutions" in East Jerusalem.  Text of document printed in all Israeli newspapers.  (MM, WP 6/7; WJW 6/9; JP 6/18) 

Palestine Broadcast Authority conducts 1st experimental TV broadcast in Jericho, showing test pattern in Arabic and English, Palestinian flag.  (MM 6/7; TJT 6/10)

Palestinian leaders fr. o.t. meet at Orient House in Jerusalem, issue statement asserting rights to live, work, in Jerusalem, reject Israeli "political cordon" around city.  (MM 6/7)

Trilateral U.S.-Israel-Jordan economic talks resume in Washington.  (MM 6/6)

Israel closes off Jericho self-rule area for 1 day after Palestinian police disarm 2 settlers.  Closure ostensibly to allow Palestinian police to organize.  (Qol Yisra'el 5/24 in FBIS 5/24; MM 5/24; NYT, WP, WT 5/25)

PM Rabin tours Gaza Strip to inspect IDF redeployment, new security fence.  IDF Chief of Staff Amnon Shahak tells Knesset comm. Rabin has ordered IDF to draft contingency plans in event agreements with PLO are broken.  (Qol Yisra'el 5/24 in FBIS 5/25; MM 5/24, 5/25)

East Jerusalem Arabic newspapers publish decree by PLO Chmn. Arafat reinstating pre-1967 laws in areas under Palestinian control.  Decree signed in Tunis 5/20.  Israeli F Min Legal Adviser Joel Singer calls decree violation of Gaza-Jericho agreement. (al-Quds 5/24 in FBIS 5/25; CSM, MM, WP 5/24)

PLO appoints Morgan Stanley Asset Management to manage foreign aid for development and admin. of West Bank and Gaza Strip.  (Algiers VOP 5/24 in FBIS 5/25; MM 5/24; NYT 5/27)

Israeli FM Peres arrives in Washington for 2-day working visit, including talks with VP Gore, Secy of State Christopher, National Security Advisor Lake, EPA Director Browner, and AFL-CIO officials.  (WT 5/24)

U.S. District Court in NY sentences 3 Palestinians, 1 Egyptian to 240-yr. prison terms in 2/23/93 bombing of World Trade Center.  (MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/25)

Hamas supporters defeat joint Fateh-PFLP slate in elections for Gaza Strip accountants' association. (MM 7/26)

Hizballah katyushas hit northern Israel; IDF shells launch area in retaliation. (MM 7/23)

Palestinian-American Muhammad Jarad, arrested by Israel for allegedly providing finances for Hamas, released from Ramallah jail after a 6-month term. (WT 7/25; Qol Yisra'el 7/24 in FBIS 7/27)

Jerusalem's Arabic daily newspaper al-Fajr closes after 22 years of publication due to lack of funds. The paper's weekly English edition continues. (WT 7/24)

Gunbattle breaks out between Palestinians and IDF undercover troops posing as Hamas activists in Rafah refugee camp, Gaza. The troops, wearing captured Hamas uniforms, were challenged by suspicious residents who demanded that the group speak to them in Arabic. At least 1 IDF soldier was wounded. Clash breaks out between Israeli settlers and residents of Husan, W. Bank, after settlers rampage through village, smashing automobile windows and attacking villagers. (MM 5/20)

Hizballah-led Islamic Resistance fighters capture SLA position inside Israeli "security zone" in 'Alman-Shumariya region of S. Lebanon - first time SLA position has been overrun in 4 years. 2 SLA troops killed, 4 others captured; 2 attackers died. Islamic Resistance forces later withdraw. IDF, SLA shell Jabal al-Safi, several villages in Iqlim al-Tuffah and Nabatiyya region, S. Lebanon. Hizballah forces fire rockets into "security zone." (MM 5/20, 5/21)

Israeli television broadcasts document confirming existence of undercover military units in which soldiers dress like Palestinian civilians in order to arrest activists in occupied territories. Israeli public in an uproar over possible compromise of unit's security. (NYT 6/24; LAT 6/21, 6/26)

Ramallah resident Kamil Tawanja announces formation of Palestinian National Unity Party. Party claims to support PLO, but renounces violence, favors independent West Bank-Gaza state affiliated with Jordan. Party reportedly made up of Palestinians released from Israeli prisons in 1985. (MEM 6/12; Israel Television [Arabic] in FBIS 6/21; NYT 6/23)

In Cairo, Sec. Baker meets with Pres. Mubarak; F.M. Abdel Meguid says Egypt is prepared to consider American proposal for Arab-Israeli peace conference sponsored by Washington and Moscow, and would treat Israel's conditions for such a conference with an open mind [MEM 4/10; NYT, WP, LAT 4/11; MENA 4/10, 4/11 in FBIS 4/11; MET 4/23].

Housing Minister Ariel Sharon says that he intends to continue efforts to accelerate settlements in o.t., despite Sec. Baker's reported criticism of Sharon's policy at 4/9 meetings [NYT 4/11].

Pres. Bush signs emergency appropriations bill into law; it authorizes $650 million for Israel, $200 million for Turkey, and cuts off economic and military, but not humanitarian, aid to Jordan. Provision allows pres. to resume aid if he feels it will facilitate Middle East peace process [NYT 4/11].

Yasir Arafat delivers speech to mark 41st month of intifada outlining PLO's recent diplomatic activity [AVP 4/10 in FBIS 4/11].

Ha'Aretz reports that about 3% of some 223,000 new immigrants to Israel since January 1989 have settled in o.t., most in Jerusalem neighborhoods [HAA 4/11 in FBIS 4/12].

In interview with Paris-based Arabic-language weekly, Khaled al-Hassan, Fateh Central Committee member and PNC committee chair, calls for election of Palestinian provisional gov't. capable of ending PLO's isolation [MEM 4/11].

Israel releases 240 Palestinian prisoners for end of Ramadan; D.M. Arens promises to release more [FJ 4/15; MET 4/23].