The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian boy and vandalized homes in Hebron. Israeli forces shot and injured 8 Palestinians during a late-night raid in Qabatiya, including 7 who were hit with live ammunition and 1 with a baton round. Israeli forces also razed more than 100 olive trees near Sa‘ir for expansion of the Asfar settlement. Elsewhere, Israeli forces confiscated a vehicle carrying 8 teachers to their workplace in the Masafer Yatta area, forcing the teachers to return home on foot. 2 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Silwad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities delivered demolitions against 2 homes under construction in Silwan. Israeli forces arrested 4 Palestinians during raids in al-Tur, Jabel Mukaber, and Silwan. (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/29; MEMO 8/30; PCHR 9/1; UNOCHA 9/2)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli soldier was lightly injured with a shot to his hand during a late-night raid in Bruqin. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Aida refugee camp. Israeli forces also razed 4 dunams (1 acre) of land planted with olive trees in as-Samu. 18 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Jenin, Silwad, and Nablus. In Tel Aviv, Israeli employees of Israel Railways denied an Israeli woman entry to the train platform because she was wearing a t-shirt from the organization Looking the Occupation in the Eye. (JP, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/25; HA 8/28; PCHR 9/1; UNOCHA 9/2)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas declared a 30-day state of emergency to combat the Covid-19 pandemic as cases started to rise. (WAFA 8/25)

The Israeli state prosecutor closed an investigation into the killing of 1 Palestinian man who was stabbed to death by an Israeli settler on 6/21 at a settlement outpost outside of the Ariel settlement, claiming that the settler could have acted in self-defense. (HA 8/25; AJ, MEMO 8/26)

Israel indicted Islamic Jihad leader in the West Bank Bassam al-Saadi on charges of membership, support, and activity in a terrorist organization. (HA, REU, WAFA 8/25)

PA representative to the UN Riyad Mansour told reporters that his team is having talks with members of the UN security council about renewing the PA bid for full membership at the UN. (MEE 8/26; AX 9/7)

In Syria, Syrian state media and Russian forces reported that the Syrian air defense had intercepted 2 of 4 Israeli-fired cruise missiles and 7 of 16 guided aerial bombs in Syria. The Israeli aerial attack reportedly damaged a research facility and injured 2 civilians in Masyaf. (HA, REU 8/25; REU 8/26; AJ, AP 8/28)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini told the UN security council that the UNRWA is facing an existential threat given its chronic underfunding and coordinated attacks to delegitimize the agency. (MEE 8/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 3 Palestinian-owned vehicles and sprayed “Jews wake up, Arabs leave” and the Star of David on a wall near the vehicles in Marda. Israeli forces violently dispersed a funeral procession in Abu Dis for a Palestinian woman who was killed in June 2021 and whose body was handed to her family on 8/23; 1 was injured by a baton round to his head. Israeli forces demolished 1 agricultural structure and 1 carwash in Huwwara and residential and agricultural structures belonging to 8 families near Fasayil. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Bireh, Jalazun refugee camp, Beit Rima, Silwad, Qatanna, al-Azza refugee camp, Husan, Beit Sahour, Nablus, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Silwan, displacing 10. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/24; PCHR 8/25; UNOCHA 9/2)

1 6-year-old Palestinian boy died in Gaza after being denied exit permits for medical treatment at the Hadassah medical center in Jerusalem. The boy was unable to attend 2 appointments for medical treatment on 1/12 and 8/10, as the request for his exit permit remained “under review.” (HA 9/1)

The Israeli army suspended 4 soldiers of the Ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda Battalion after a video surfaced of them beating 2 Palestinians near Ramallah. The 4 soldiers had detained the 2 Palestinians after stopping their car. A statement from the Israeli military said that the soldiers used “unnecessary force.” (AP, HA, MEMO 8/24)

Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad al-Nakhala met with Hezbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, discussing Israel’s latest offensive against Islamic Jihad in Gaza. (ALM 8/24)

Axios reported that the U.S. is pressuring Israel to keep its promise to open the Allenby Bridge crossing to Jordan 24/7, rather than the current limited hours of operations. (AX 8/24)

In response to U.S. air strikes in Syria on 8/23, groups said to be affiliated with Iran attacked the U.S. Mission Support Site Conoco in Syria, lightly injuring 1 U.S. soldier. The U.S. responded by attacking militants with helicopters, killing at least 2 people. (REU, REU 8/24; AJ, HA, MEE 8/25)

In the West Bank, Israel claimed that 8 shots had been fired at a bus carrying Israeli settlers near Silwad. Separately, Israel claimed to have arrested 3 Palestinian women earlier in the evening at a checkpoint near Qalqilya, alleging that they had a submachine gun in the vehicle they were traveling in. (HA, TOI 8/20; PCHR 8/25; UNOCHA 9/2)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with the leader of the 7 Palestinian rights organizations who had their offices raided by Israeli forces on 8/18, calling the raids unacceptable. (WAFA 8/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 5 Palestinians with live ammunition during a raid in Dheisheh refugee camp. Israeli forces also ordered Palestinian farmers near Jenin to stop drilling water wells for irrigation, delivered stop-work orders for 4 houses under construction in al-Karmel, and demolished 4 residential structures in al-Jiftlik. 17 Palestinians were arrested, including 16 during late-night raids in Silwad, Ras Karkar, Deir Jarir, Dheisheh refugee camp, and Hebron, and 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 banquet hall in Isawiya and delivered a demolition notice against 1 apartment building in the neighborhood. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Isawiya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 4 Palestinian fishermen and seized their boat west of al-Sudaniyya. (MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/16; PCHR 8/18; UNOCHA 8/19; UNOCHA 9/2)

An Israeli court extended the solitary confinement of Palestinian prisoner Ahmad Manasra to November. Manasra, who is now 21 years old, has been held in Israeli prison since he was 13 and suffers from mental health issues. Manasra was arrested in 2015 after his cousin allegedly stabbed 2 Israeli settlers in East Jerusalem while with Manasra. (AJ, MEMO, WAFA 8/16; MDW 8/17; WAFA 8/18)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with German chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. During a press conference, President Abbas responded to a question of whether he would apologize for the 1972 Munich Olympics killing of Israeli hostages by remarking that “[f]rom 1947 to the present day, Israel has committed 50 massacres in Palestinian villages and cities. 50 massacres, 50 Holocausts, and until today, and every day there are casualties killed by the Israeli military.” Abbas’s Holocaust remark drew widespread condemnation, including from Chancellor Scholz, who issued a statement on the matter after the press conference. On 8/17, the PA released a statement saying that Abbas’s remarks were “not intended to deny the singularity of the Holocaust,” and that Abbas condemns the Holocaust “in the strongest possible terms,” calling it the “most heinous crime in modern human history.” (AP, HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/16; AP, AX, MEE, NYT, REU, WAFA 8/17; AJ, AP, CNN, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, MEMO 8/18; AP, WAFA 8/19; WAFA 8/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces punitively demolished the homes of 2 Palestinians in Rumana accused of killing 3 Israelis in Elad on 5/5, displacing 14 Palestinians. Israeli forces also demolished 5 residential structures and 4 agricultural structures in Arab al-Ka‘abneh. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed 12 dunams (3 acres) of farmland planted with olive trees in Tarqumiyah. Israeli forces also issued notices that it will seize land near Sa‘ir to expand a settler road. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raid in Ramallah, Silwad, Marda, Beit Furik, Jamma‘in, Ya‘bad, Bethlehem, Halhul, and Beit Kahel. In Lebanon, unknown perpetrators killed 1 Palestinian security official in Ein El-Hilweh refugee camp. (ALM, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/8; MEMO 8/9; PCHR 8/11; UNOCHA 8/19)

Israel partially reopened crossings into Gaza for humanitarian aid after closing all crossings on 8/2 in anticipation of its assault on Gaza. New shipments of fuel also allowed the Gaza power plant to resume operations. (HA 8/7; AP, HA, MEMO, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA 8/8)

Israel’s civil administration told an Israeli court that it demolished the home of a Palestinian family in the West Bank by mistake. The family of 5’s home was demolished in July by Israeli forces despite the family’s pleas that there was a court order protecting their home. The Civil Administration said that the family’s home was thought to be the home of a different Palestinian family, whose home had already been demolished and blamed the mistake on “human error.” (HA 8/10)

U.S. president Joe Biden thanked Egypt for mediating the ceasefire that went into effect on 8/7 between Israel and Islamic Jihad. (HA 8/7)

The Honduran foreign ministry said that the country is considering moving its embassy to Israel back from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv. The new Honduran government that took office in January this year said in a statement that president Xiomara Castro wants to maintain a balanced relationship with Israel and Arab countries. PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki discussed the Honduran consideration with Honduran foreign minister Enrique Reina in Columbia on 8/7. (HA, MEMO 8/8)

The UN envoy for the Middle East peace process warned the UN security council that the ceasefire between Islamic Jihad and Israel was fragile and that the only way to secure longtime peace is through a 2-state solution based on the 1967 lines. PA UN envoy Riyad Mansour called on members of the Security Council to protect Palestinian lives and pressure Israel to end its blockade of Gaza. The Security Council emergency session was called by France, China, Norway, Ireland, and the UAE in response to Israel’s attacks on Gaza over the weekend, dubbed Operation Breaking Dawn. (AJ, AP, HA, TOI 8/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers seized 1 Palestinian-owned home in Hebron. Israeli forces confiscated 3 Palestinian-owned vehicles in the Masafer Yatta area. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Qarawat Bani Zaid, Jalazun refugee camp, Silwad, Ya‘bad, Burqin, and Dheisheh refugee camp. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/28; MEMO 7/29; PCHR 8/4; UNOCHA 8/5)

Israel’s minister of education Yifat Shasha-Biton revoked the permanent licenses to operate for 6 Palestinian schools in East Jerusalem, saying their textbooks “incite against the State of Israel and the Israeli Army.” The 6 schools were granted temporary licenses allowing them to operate for 1 year and amend the school curricula. Director of the Jerusalem affairs unit at the PA ministry of education Dima al-Samman said Israel was trying to “eliminate the national awareness of the children of Jerusalem and create a sense of inferiority within them.” (TOI 7/28; MEE 7/29; ALM 8/12)

1 Palestinian prisoner ended his hunger strike of 113 days after he was promised by Israeli authorities that his administrative detention would not be renewed. (WAFA 7/28)

3 Jewish Israeli men were charged with terrorism for throwing Molotov cocktails at Palestinians at a beach in Hadara in June. (HA 7/29)

Hamas denied Israeli charges that it hides military sites in civilian areas of Gaza. A Hamas spokesperson said Israel is seeking to justify targeting civilians. (HA 7/27; MEE 7/29)

Democratic members of the House of Representatives André Carson (D-IN), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Marie Newman (D-IL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) held a press conference with members of Shireen Abu Akleh’s family, demanding a U.S.-led investigation into the killing of Abu Akleh. Separately, members of the senate appropriations subcommittee on state and foreign operations Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) included language in the State and Foreign Operations report giving the U.S. state department 170 days to submit a report on the steps taken to ensure an independent investigation into the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh is carried out. (AJ, HA 7/28; MDW 7/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 200 olive trees and saplings and 250 almond, plum, peach, and grape trees in Turmus ‘Ayya and al-Mughayyir. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bani Na‘im, assaulting several and firing tear gas. Israeli forces also confiscated 1 tractor in Deir Balut. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during a late-night raid in Silwad and 1 near the separation wall. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/11; PCHR 7/21; UNOCHA 7/22)

An Israeli court sentenced 1 Israeli man to 2.5 years in prison for the assault on 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel in May 2021. The Israeli man entered a plea deal to have charges related to terrorism removed, which would have doubled his sentence. (HA 7/11)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed that president Joe Biden will seek to facilitate a normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel during his trip to both countries this week and that President Biden will partake in a virtual summit with India, Israel, and the UAE during his Middle East trip. (REU, REU 7/11)

Axios reported that the U.S. had rejected Israeli requests for Israeli officials to join Biden on his planned visit to the Augusta Victoria hospital in East Jerusalem. Biden is expected to visit the East Jerusalem hospital on 7/15 before heading to the West Bank for a meeting with PA president Mahmoud Abbas. According to Axios, the Biden administration told Israel that his visit to the hospital is private and not political. (AX 7/11)

Pew Research Center released a poll finding that 56% of Americans between the age of 18-29 hold unfavorable views of Israel, while the overall number among the people polled was 41%. The poll also found that 71% of Republicans hold favorable views of Israel while 44% of Democrats do. The Pew polling also found that 84% of Americans had little to no knowledge about the BDS movement. (AX, PEW 7/11)

In its annual report “Children and Armed Conflict,” the UN found that Israel killed 78 Palestinian children during 2021, injured 982, and detained 637. In response, UN secretary-general António Guterres said that if Israel repeats the high number of killings of Palestinian children in 2022, it should be added to the list of parties committing grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict. (UN 6/23; AJ, REU, UN 7/11; WAFA 7/12; WAFA 7/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a late-night raid in Jaba‘; the PA called the killing a “summary execution.” Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Jenin refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces held military drills in the Masafer Yatta area, hitting 1 home with live ammunition. 42 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Ni‘lin, Tarqumiyah, Hebron, Jayyus, Nur Shams refugee camp, and Jenin refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Jabaliya; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/6; PCHR 7/7; HA 7/13; UNOCHA 7/22)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke to Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid in a phone call. According to Axios, Secretary Blinken told Prime Minister Lapid that the Biden administration expects to see accountability in the killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. (AX 7/7)

In Syria, 1 person was killed in an Israeli air strike on Hader near the Quneitra province. (HA 7/6)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian man working his land near Kafr al-Labad; the man was hospitalized for treatment of his injuries. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian at the al-Hamra checkpoint in Jericho. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work notices for 2 houses under construction near Yatta. 11 Palestinians were arrested, including 10 during late-night raids in Silwad, Yabrud, and Nabi Salih; 1 was arrested after returning from Jordan at the Allenby Bridge crossing. In Gaza, Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinians for attempting to cross into Israel via the Gaza fence. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/3; PCHR 7/7; UNOCHA 7/22)

Israel announced that it will allow 400 Palestinians living in Gaza—only men over the age of 55 and women over 50—to visit Jerusalem for the celebration of Eid al-Adha, and 500 Palestinians in the West Bank will be given permits to travel through Ben-Gurion airport. (HA 7/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers and soldiers violently dispersed Palestinian and Israel activists during a tree-planting event in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Jenin. Israeli forces also demolished 2 agricultural structures and razed a road used for agricultural purposes in Anzah, vending stalls near the al-Jalamah checkpoint, and 4 shacks and 3 agricultural structures in ‘Anata. Elsewhere, Israeli forces notified 6 Palestinian families in Khirbet Humsa that they must leave their homes from 7/4 to 7/7 between 7am and 11pm while Israeli forces conduct military exercises in the area. 13 Palestinians were arrested, including 12 during late-night raids in Silwad, Nablus, Jenin, and Azza refugee camp, and 1 at a flying checkpoint in ‘Azzun. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/29; PCHR 6/30; UNOCHA 7/22)

Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett told members of his party Yamina that he will not be running for the next Israeli elections. Interior minister Ayelet Shaked will lead Yamina in the Israeli elections in the fall. The Knesset is expected to dissolve in the coming days. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU 6/29)

The parent company of Ben & Jerry’s, Unilever, said it had sold its Israeli business interests to the Israeli company American Quality Products Ltd, allowing the Israeli company to use the Ben & Jerry’s name to sell ice cream in Israel and Israeli settlements. Ben & Jerry’s released a statement saying it disagreed with Unilever’s decision. American Quality Products had earlier this year announced that it was suing Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever over Ben & Jerry’s decision to stop selling its ice cream in Israeli West Bank settlements and ending its licensing deal with American Quality Products to produce its ice cream in Israel. (AP, AX, CNN, HA, JP, MDW, MEE, MEMO, NYT, REU 6/29; AJ, HA, REU 6/30; MEE 7/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Yatma before being repelled by Palestinians. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Jenin. Israeli forces also demolished 1 residential structure, 1 village council building, 1 agricultural structure, and 1 water reservoir in Khirbet Izbek, and 1 irrigation pond in Birzeit. 22 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp, Silwad, Dheisheh refugee camp, Hebron, Jenin, and Kafr Qaddum. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/27; PCHR 6/30;  UNOCHA 7/2)

Representatives from the U.S., Israel, the UAE, Egypt, Morocco, and Bahrain met in Manama to discuss the establishment of the Negev Forum based on a meeting between the parties in Israel in March. According to Axios, sources present at the meeting said Morocco and Egypt pushed for the inclusion of the PA in the plan regional cooperation; however, it is unclear if the PA wants to take part in the normalization-based cooperation. (AX 6/29; MEMO 6/30)

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 forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a late-night raid in al-Bireh. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting a raid in Jalazun refugee camp, injuring 1 minor with a baton round. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian home under construction in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. Israeli forces also demolished 1 Palestinian home and delivered a stop-work notice to another in al-Twana in the Masafer Yatta area. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Bireh, Silwad, ‘Askar refugee camp, Beita, Qabatiya, al-Arroub refugee camp, Hebron, al-Ubeidiya, Beitunia, Silwad, and Fasayil. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers raided Silwan, leading to a confrontation between Palestinians and Israeli police; 3 were injured by shrapnel from tear gas canisters and 2 were arrested. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/13; PCHR 6/16; UNOCHA 6/17)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Nicosia, Cyprus, for a 3-day trip. President Abbas is scheduled to meet Cypriot president Nicos Anastasiades, other government officials, and church leaders. (WAFA 6/13; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/14; WAFA, WAFA 6/15)

An Israeli public opinion poll conducted by Channel 12 found that 56% of Israelis are opposed to having a Palestinian party as a member of the Israeli government coalition, while 31% was found to be in favor. (HA 6/13)

The U.S. White House announced that president Joe Biden will visit Palestine, Israel, and Saudi Arabia on 7/13-7/16, after the trip was postponed. The trip was originally scheduled for June. During his trip, President Biden is scheduled to meet with PA president Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, and Saudi crown price Mohammed bin Salman. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, REU, REU, REU 6/14; WAFA 6/15)

Iran’s Fars News reported that 1 employee at the Semnan Space Center was killed while on a mission. The reporting followed the death of an Iranian aerospace expert working for the Revolutionary Guard on 6/12. The initial reporting said the man was killed in a car accident. Several Iranians linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, nuclear, and missile programs have been killed or mysteriously died in the past weeks. The New York Times reported that Iranian officials believe that Israel poisoned 2 Iranian scientists who died earlier this month after falling ill in May. (AJ, HA, HA, NYT 6/13; HA 6/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 3 Palestinians in Burqa and threw stones at vehicles and homes in the town. Israeli forces closed the main road between Nablus and Qalqilya, impeding Palestinian movement. Israeli forces also leveled 3 dunams (0.75 acres) of land planted with olive trees near Wadi Rahal. 24 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Ramallah, Huwwara, Qalqilya, Ya‘bad, Yatta, Sa‘ir, and Bani Na‘im. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinians east of Khuza‘a and Maghazi; no injuries were reported. (MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/26; UNOCHA 6/4)

The PA announced it had finished its investigation into the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, concluding that Israel deliberately killed her. The PA findings are aligned with investigations made by AP and CNN, and with eyewitness accounts. Israel called the PA conclusion “a blatant lie.” The investigation found that the bullet that hit Abu Akleh was a 5.56 mm round used by NATO forces and that it was fired from 186 yards. The PA will not hand over the bullet to Israel, as Israel had requested. The PA handed a copy of its investigation to the U.S. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 5/26)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas appointed PA minister for civil affairs Hussein al-Sheikh the new secretary-general of the PLO Executive Committee. The position of secretary-general had been vacant since Saeb Erakat passed due to complications from the COVID-19 virus on 11/10/2020. (HA, MEE, WAFA 5/26)

Al Jazeera said it was preparing a file to be sent to the ICC pertaining to the Israeli killing of its journalist Abu Akleh and the Israeli bombing their offices in Gaza in May 2021. (AJ, MEE, REU 5/26; AP, HA 5/27)

The Iraqi parliament approved a law criminalizing the normalization of Israel, with 275 out of 329 votes in favor. The law applied to all Iraqi citizens, state and independent institutions, and foreigners working in Iraq. Violations of the law can be punishable by death sentences or life imprisonment. (AJ, HA, WAFA 5/26; NYT 5/27; MEMO 5/30)

83 Democrats in the U.S. house and senate signed a letter to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken urging him to intervene against Israeli plans to forcefully displace more than 1,000 Palestinians living in Masafer Yatta, an area Israel has converted into a firing zone. The letter underscored that the Israeli move “could further undermine efforts to reach a two-state solution” and contravenes international law. (ALM, HA 5/26; MDW, MEE, WAFA 5/27; TOI 5/31)

The U.S. company Meta, which operates Facebook, turned down an Israeli request to block a Facebook page Israel claims is “clearly linked to Hamas.” Meta said that the Israeli claim did not hold any merit. (HA 5/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole 1 residential tent and vandalized a fence in Khirbet Martaba. Israeli also settlers assaulted 2 Palestinian minors in Qusra, leading to the hospitalization of 1 of them. Israeli forces subsequently violently dispersed Palestinians in Qusra protesting the settler attack, injuring 22 with baton rounds and tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 7 Palestinians with baton rounds during a raid in Jifna; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Ras Karkar, Beit Fajjar, and al-‘Ain refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, dozens of Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces assaulted and detained 4 Palestinians in the Old City. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/22; WAFA 5/23; PCHR 5/26; UNOCHA 6/4)

A Jerusalem court overturned an Israeli police decision to bar 3 Jewish people from entering the Haram al-Sharif compound after they violated the ban on praying at the Muslim site. PA president Mahmoud Abbas called the court decision “a grave assault against the historic status quo,” and Jordan said the ruling violates international law. Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett’s office issued a statement saying that there had been no policy change at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Hamas said that the court decision crossed “all red lines and is a dangerous escalation.” Israeli police appealed the decision on 5/23. (AJ, HA, MEMO, REU, TOI 5/22; CNN, HA, JP, MEE, TOI, WAFA 5/23)

The 6 Palestinians who escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6/2021 were sentenced to 5 years in prison for their escape and each fined $1,487. 5 other Palestinian prisoners were sentenced to 4 years for assisting in their escape. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, WAFA 5/22)

Hamas imposed a 16.5% tax on 24 products from the West Bank, including bottled water and soft drinks. PA economy minister Khaled al-Osaily called the new taxes “illegal and not permissible within the same nation.” (ALM 6/1)

Hamas and the PA warned Israel, in separate statements, against carrying out the right-wing flag march through East Jerusalem on 5/29. (HA, MEMO 5/22)

Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi, who on 5/19 announced that she was leaving the Israeli government coalition, said she would resume supporting the coalition after meetings with foreign minister Yair Lapid and several mayors. Rinawie Zoabi’s reversal brought the government coalition back to an equal number of Knesset members to that of the opposition. Rinawie Zoabi told her colleagues on 5/19 that she was leaving the coalition due to Israeli attacks on Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound and at the funeral for Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. She further stated that the government coalition is not a government of change but a right-wing government. (AP, AX, HA, MEMO, NYT, REU 5/22; HA 5/23)

In Iran, a colonel in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Forces, Hassan Sayyad Khodaei, was assassinated in front of his house in Tehran by 2 people on a motorbike. Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi said on 5/23 that the assassination is being investigated and that Iran will revenge the killing. The New York Times reported later, on 5/25, that Israel had told the U.S. that it was behind the assassination of Khodaei. (AA, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, TOI 5/22; AP, GDN, HA, IN, JP, MEE, REU 5/23; AJ, ALM, AP, HA 5/24; HA, NYT 5/25; HA 5/26; REU 5/29; REU 5/30)

Chairperson of the EU parliament’s relations with Palestine Manu Pineda was forced to cancel a trip to the occupied Palestinian territories with a group of other EU parliamentarians after Israel refused to allow him entry to Israel and his delegation access to Gaza. President of the EU parliament Roberta Metsola said on Twitter that she regretted the decision but that she would continue her visit to Israel. (HA, TOI 5/21; AJ, JP, TOI 5/22; HA, MEMO, WAFA 5/23; MEMO 5/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed Shireen Abu Akleh, a prominent Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist, while her and colleagues, wearing press uniforms, were covering a raid in Jenin refugee camp, 1 other journalist was injured (for more see below). Israeli forces subsequently raided the home of Abu Akleh in East Jerusalem, where her friends and family were gathered; the Israeli forces confiscated Palestinian flags. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian with a baton round in al-Bireh; several others were also injured with baton rounds. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 19 structures in Masafer Yatta, including 9 residential structures and delivered demolition notices for another 19 structures, including 6 homes. The demolitions followed a high court of justice ruling on 5/4, allowing Israel to displace more than 1,000 Palestinians in the area. Israeli forces also demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in al-Walaja and 1 Palestinian-owned home in al-Twana. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Nur Shams refugee camp, Beita, and Silwad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian in the Old City, claiming that the man had charged at Israeli police; Israel did not say whether the man was armed. Israeli forces also demolished a commercial structure in Jabel Mukaber. (AA, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, INT, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, NYT, PCHR, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/11; +972, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, HA, IN, MEE, MEE, MEMO, NYT, PCHR, WAFA, WP 5/12; HA, UNOCHA 5/13; AJ 5/19; AJ, MEE 5/20; UNOCHA 6/4)

After Israeli forces killed Abu Akleh, Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett said it was Palestinian gunfire that killed her. Later, after B‘Tselem, among others, had proved that it could not have been the Palestinians Israel claimed had hit Abu Akleh; Israel later acknowledged that it may have been their soldiers that killed Abu Akleh with a shot to the head, as her colleagues and other eyewitnesses had said. Israel said it would investigate the incident and offered that the PA join their investigation, which the PA rejected, calling for an international investigation and referring the case to the ICC. According to the PA, Israel claimed that the PA had rejected the joint investigation before Israel had offered it as a possibility to the PA. PA civil affairs minister Hussein Sheikh said that Israel deliberately had targeted her for assassination. The Israeli diaspora minister Nachman Shai acknowledged in an interview “that Israel’s credibility is not very high in such events.” Several countries called for an investigation into Abu Akleh’s death. Israel later said that its initial investigation into the death of Abu Akleh was inconclusive. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, ALM, AX, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, INT, MEE, MEE, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/11; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, CBS, CNN, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA. HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, NYT, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP, WSJ 5/12; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, JP, LT, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, REU, TIME, WAFA, WAFA 5/13; REU, WAFA 5/14; AP 5/16; MEE 5/19)

400 members of the Nachala settler movement gathered at a conference in the West Bank, discussing plans to erect 10 new settlement outposts on 20 July later his year. (HA 5/14)

Israel’s interior minister Ayelet Shaked signed an order to merge the unrecognized village of Dahmash with the city of Ramle, despite opposition to the merger from the village’s Palestinian residents. The residents of Dahmash had begun making their own plans for merging with Sdot Dan Regional Council because the council includes several farming communities like Dahmash, but the interior ministry advised against this due to Sdot Dan being predominantly Jewish. (HA 5/12)

United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas told reporters that his party would give the Israeli government coalition another chance after temporarily suspending its membership of the coalition last month after days of Israeli-led violence at the Haram al-Sharif compound during the month of Ramadan. (AP, AX, HA, JP 5/11; ALM 5/12; TOI 5/13)

Syria said Israel had attacked 1 target in Khader in the Quneitra province; no injuries were reported. (AJ. HA, REU 5/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers prevented an Israeli road company from carrying out work to reopen a road for Palestinians connecting the village of Azzariyeh to Bethlehem. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a raid in Husan, saying he had thrown a Molotov cocktail at the Israeli forces; 4 others were injured by live ammunition. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Silwad; 6 others were injured. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Nablus and injured 16 others. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Beita. Meanwhile, Israeli forces raided Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus, violently dispersing Palestinian protesters; 2 were injured with baton rounds. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during a raid in al-Khader, injuring 1 elderly Palestinian man who was sitting on his balcony with a concussion bomb to his face; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Separetly, Israeli forces raided the Palestine Technical University in Tulkarm, injuring 3 Palestinians with baton rounds. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Umar, injuring 2 with baton rounds. Palestinians threw stones at 1 Israeli settler who entered Husan; no injuries were reported in relation to that incident. 28 Palestinians were arrested, including 26 during late-night raids in Hebron, Kobar, Beit Umar, al-Bireh, Beita, al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, ‘Urif, Qabatiya, Kafr Rai, Jaba‘, Jenin, Tubas, and Silwad, and 2 were arrested at checkpoints near Jericho and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur and Isawiya. (AJ, AP, F24, GDN, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, PCN, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/13; ABC, AJ, HA, MEE, PCHR, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/14; HA 4/18; HA 4/21; UNOCHA 4/23)

Commander of the Samaria Brigade Roi Zweig told his soldiers, in a televised speech, that they had to “restore the honor to this land and the people of Israel,” before the troops entered Nablus to guard the site of Joseph’s Tomb, which is undergoing restoration work after it was vandalized on 4/9. Zweig made many references to the Hebrew Bible and the promises made to the people of Israel in his speech. (HA 4/13; HA 4/14; HA 4/18)

Turkish foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told Israeli journalists in Ankara that Israel must respect “the international law on the Palestinian issue” to normalize ties with Turkey. Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu said that Turkey condemns the recent attacks in Israel and the killing of 1 unarmed Palestinian woman on 4/10. (AX, HA, TOI 4/13)

Qatar donated $1.5 million to UNRWA, earmarked for food assistance programs in Gaza. (MEMO 4/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles west of Ramallah and south of Hebron, causing damage. Israeli settlers also threw stones at 1 Palestinian vehicle near Silwad, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian American man working his land in Mukhmas near the Ramat Migron settlement outpost, causing severe injuries. The man was arrested by Israeli soldiers before being released after showing proof that he owns the land during his interrogation. Israeli settlers also opened fire at 1 Palestinian vehicle traveling in Tarqumiyah, injuring 1. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians during a late-night raid in Turmus ‘Ayya. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians during a late-night raid near Tulkarm. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Ram, injuring 1 Palestinian minor who lost 1 of his eyes after being hit with a baton round. In East Jerusalem, between 50,000-80,000 Muslim worshippers prayed at the Haram al-Sharif compound on the 1st Friday in the month of Ramadan. Some 25,000-40,000 of them were from the West Bank. Israel only allowed Palestinians 50 years or older to enter East Jerusalem from the West Bank for Friday prayers. Past years have seen more than 200,000 Muslim worshippers pray at the compound on the 1st Friday of Ramadan. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Damascus Gate plaza, injuring 2 with baton rounds and arresting 2 others. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces detained 6 Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles northwest of Rafah in 2 separate incidents before confiscating their 3 boats. (AP, HA 4/5; ALM 4/6 HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/8; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/9; PCHR 4/10; +972 4/13; PCHR 4/14; UNOCHA 4/23; HA 5/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp; injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also demolished 1 fence in Jericho. 24 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Beitin, Ein Yabrud, Bayt Rima, Qalqilya, Jaba‘, Dayr Abu Da‘if, Dheisheh refugee camp, and As-Samu; Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the raid in Dheisheh refugee camp, injuring 1 with live ammunition. In East Jerusalem, Palestinians in Jabel Mukaber held a general strike in protest against planned Israeli demolitions in the neighborhood. (WAFA, WAFA 3/10; PCHR 3/17; UNOCHA 3/25)

The Knesset passed a bill amending the citizenship law to ban Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza married to Israeli citizens from obtaining Israeli residency or citizenship. The bill passed 45–15, with the United Arab List and Meretz in the government coalition opposing it. Interior minister Ayelet Shaked who spearheaded the efforts to pass the bill called the passage a victory for Israel as a “Jewish and democratic state” rather than a “state for all its citizens.” (HA, JP, TOI, TOI, WAFA 3/10; AJ, AP, EI, HILL, MDW, MEMO, WAFA 3/11; HA, HA, MEMO 3/12; ALM, MEMO, WAFA 3/14; MEMO, WAFA 3/17)

Prominent Palestinian lawyer and activist Salah Hamouri was placed in administrative detention after arrest on allegations of being a member of the PFLP. Hamouri, who lives in East Jerusalem, was 1 of the 6 Palestinians who in November 2021 discovered that his phone was infected with Pegasus spyware from the Israeli NSO Group. (MEMO 3/8; HA 3/13; WAFA 3/28)

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid met with Jordan’s king Abdullah II in Amman. King Abdullah II called for Israel to preserve the status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem and to establish a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as the capital along the 1967 borders. (ALM, AP, HA, MEMO, REU 3/10)

The U.S. Senate passed a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill, including $1 billion of “emergency” Iron Dome missile defense system funding to Israel. The House and Senate tried to pass the standalone bill for the Iron Dome funding to Israel, but the military aid was consistently blocked from being fast-tracked by senator Rand Paul (R-KY). Also in the omnibus spending bill was an additional $3.3 billion in military aid on top of the $1 billion for Iron Dome spending, and $500 million for missile-defense partnerships between the U.S. and Israel. Additionally, the bill included funding for the Israel Relations Normalization Act, $219 million in aid to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza via the Economic Support Fund, $40 million in security assistance to the PA, and $50 million for the Middle East Partnership Act. (AP, HA, MEMO 3/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort threatened Palestinian students headed to school in al-Lubban al-Sharqiya, leading to a confrontation between the students and Israeli forces; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also razed Palestinian agricultural land near Qaryut. Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 5 agricultural structures in Kafr ad-Dik. 30 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ya‘bad, Jenin, Deir Abu Mash’al, Silwad, al-Arroub refugee camp, al-Fawar refugee camp, and Yatta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently removed 1 Palestinian man with Down’s syndrome while he was peacefully sitting during a protest in Sheikh Jarrah; others were beaten, causing fractures and bruises. 13 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Isawiya, including 3 minors. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land northeast of Rafah. In the Negev, Israeli authorities delivered a demolition notice against the home of a 95-year-old woman in Wadi al-Na‘am. (HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/21; AA 2/22; HA 2/23; PCHR 2/24; UNOCHA 2/28)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with members of the U.S. house of representatives, including House minority leader Kevin McCarthy, in Ramallah. (WAFA 2/21; MEE, WAFA 2/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 110 olive saplings from 2 different groves in Burqin. Israeli settlers with military escort also toured Sabastia, closing parts of the town for Palestinians. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized 3 Palestinian vehicles in Kifl Haris. Israeli forces damaged agricultural lands planted with onions and garlic and a water pipeline during a military drill in Bardala. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Silwad, Kafr Ni’ma, Qaddura refugee camp, Nablus, ‘Anata, Burqa, Kafr Qud, and al-Khader. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Ras al-Amud. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/10; PCHR 2/17; UNOCHA 2/28)

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society said in a statement that Palestinian prisoners held by Israel refuse to leave their cells in protest over the Israeli prison service’s decision to decrease the time prisoners have in the prison yards by more than half. (MEE, WAFA 2/10; AJ 2/13)

Israel indicted the mother of 1 Palestinian charged with killing an Israeli settler on 12/16/2021 for not having prevented the attack on the settler. (HA 2/10)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas and PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh called on Germany to recognize the state of Palestine and to pressure Israel to respect agreements made with the PA. (WAFA, WAFA 2/11)

Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said at a joint press conference that the 2 countries will cooperate to find ways for Germany to fund projects in the West Bank without allowing funds to go to the 6 Palestinian rights organizations deemed terror organizations by Israel. The 6 organizations outlawed by Israel’s defense ministry in October 2021 are al-Haq, Addameer, Defense for Children International-Palestine, Bisan Center for Research and Development, the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, and the Union of Agricultural Work Committees. (HA 2/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians protesting the incursion; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian farmers with pepper spray east of Hebron. Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 1 mosque, 3 houses, and 1 commercial structure in Marda. Israeli forces also forced Palestinian business owners to close their shops in Huwwara, claiming that stones had been thrown at Israeli settlers near the shops. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 4 water wells in Khallet al-Dabe. Israeli forces also demolished 1 commercial structure in ‘Anata. Israeli military said that shots were fired from a car at Israeli soldiers near Nablus; no injuries were reported. 13 Palestinians were arrested, including 10 during late-night raids in Dahariya, Za‘atra, Silwad, and Zeita; 3 were arrested at checkpoints near Bethlehem and Nablus. (TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/2; MEMO, MEMO, PCHR 2/3)

Haaretz reported that Israeli attorney general Avichai Mendelblit authorized establishing an Israeli settlement on the evacuated Evyatar settlement outpost near Beita. Attorney General Mendelblit is leaving office this week. Palestinians have held weekly protests at the site since the outpost was erected in May 2021. The outpost was evacuated in June 2021, but the houses erected remained as the settlers struck a deal with the Israeli government that they could move back if Israel deemed that the land is state-owned. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz will have to declare the area state-owned, after which there will be a 45-day period to file objections. Several Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the past year while protesting the outpost. In a letter from Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid to Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, Lapid warned that if the Israeli government legalized the Evyatar settlement outpost, it “could have serious diplomatic consequences and damage foreign relations, first and foremost from the United States,” saying that the U.S. has already made this clear to him. Labor and Meretz publicly opposed legalizing the settlement outpost. (AP, HA, IN 2/2; HA, JP, MEE, TOI, TOI, TOI 2/3; HA, HA, HA 2/4; UNOCHA 2/11)

The Shin Bet admitted to having threatened random Palestinians in Israel that it would “settle the score” if they had participated in protests related to the May 2021 uprising in Israel that coincided with Israeli attacks on Gaza and eviction threats against Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah. (HA, MEE 2/3)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Amnesty International’s secretary-general Agnès Callamard in Ramallah, discussing the report Amnesty released on 2/1 that charged Israel with the crime of apartheid. (WAFA 2/2)

Defense Minister Benny Gantz said, at a conference in Tel Aviv, that the Israeli military on 4 occasions had offered assistance to Lebanon. According to Gantz, the offers were made to strengthen the Lebanese army in facing “the strengthening of Hezbollah under Iran’s support.” Israeli military sources later denied that Israel had made such offers and that Israel had only offered humanitarian aid following the explosion in the Beirut port. (HA 2/2; MEMO 2/3)

Israel, Oman, and Saudi Arabia all took part in the International Maritime Exercise 2022, led by the U.S. and with the participation of nearly 60 countries. It was the 1st time that Saudi Arabia and Oman partook in a naval exercise with Israel, which they have no formal relations with. (AJ, ALM 2/2)

The FBI confirmed reporting from the New York Times published on 1/28 that the agency had bought the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware, but claimed to never have used it. The FBI further stated that it had bought the spyware for “product testing and evaluation.” (ALM, AP, HA, REU 2/2; MEMO 2/3)

In the West Bank, 2 Israeli soldiers were injured during a training accident near the Ma’ale Adumim settlement. Israeli settlers with military escort marched near al-Bireh. Israeli settlers also uprooted and stole some 30 olive saplings on a fenced plot of land in the Masafer Yatta area. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with military escort marched toward Beita, leading to clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces; 28 were injured by tear gas. The settler march was organized by the Samaria Regional Council and advertised with the slogan “We want a Jewish state.” Israeli forces delivered an eviction notice to 1 Palestinian family in Kafr ad-Dik, telling them to vacate 5 dunams (2.5 acres) of land planted with 60 olive trees. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure in Nabi Ilyas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided a school in Deir Nidham, arresting 2 students. 15 others were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Ein Yabrud, Tuqu‘, and Beit Umar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Bayt Hanina, displacing 7. 4 Palestinians were arrested in Kafr ‘Aqab and Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled farmland north of Beit Lahiya and east of Khuza‘a. In the Naqab, Israeli police arrested more than 30 Palestinian Bedouins who allegedly took part in the demonstrations against the forestation program meant to displace Bedouins in the Naqab last week. Activists later protested in front for a court in Beersheba, demanding their release. (HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/18; MEMO 1/19; MEMO, PCHR 1/20)

Israel released Palestinian lawmaker Nayef Rajoub of Hamas after 8 months of administrative detention. Rajoub was arrested on 5/20/2021. (MEMO 1/19)

The Fatah Central Committee voted unanimously to elect Rawhi Fattouh as the new chairperson of the PNC after Salim Zanoun retired from the post. (WAFA 1/19)

Israel and the U.S. tested the Arrow 3 Weapons System in Israel. The Arrow 3 system is designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles. (HA 1/18; ALM 1/20)

Israeli newspaper Calcalist reported that Israeli police have been using the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware to surveil Israeli citizens, including activists protesting against former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli mayors, and other politicians. The spyware was said to have been used without a warrant or court order. The Israeli police bought the spyware from NSO Group in 2013 for $859,500, according to an invoice. The police have subsequently bought upgrades to the system, adding to the initial price tag. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, MEMO, REU 1/18; AJ, AP, HA 1/19; AJ, ALM, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, MEMO, TOI 1/20; REU 1/21; HA 1/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor after he allegedly rammed a car into the Jabara checkpoint near Tulkarm; 1 Israeli soldier was moderately injured. Israeli forces temporarily evicted Palestinian families from their homes in Ibziq for 10 days, saying the Israeli military will carry out drills in the area. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned house east of Yatta, displacing 5, and started installing a concrete structure near the entrance of Fawwar refugee camp. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Burqa, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own apartment in Silwan, displacing 6. 4 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Isawiya, including 1 minor. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/6; MDW 12/7; PCHR 12/16)

The Israeli-run Jerusalem municipality announced that construction of an Israeli settlement in the Qalandia (Atarot) airport area was postponed on environmental grounds. The decision follows pressure from U.S. officials for Israel to drop the plans, which would create 9,000 new settlement units in East Jerusalem. The environmental survey is expected to take 1 year to complete. Regional cooperation minister Issawi Frej spoke at the committee meeting discussing the plan, arguing for reestablishing the airport for joint Israeli and Palestinian usage, but his suggestion was rejected. (AJ, ALM, ALM, HA, MEE, REU 12/6; MEMO, WAFA 12/7)

The PA said it would cut wages by 25% as it continues to financially struggle. The PA blamed the wage cuts on Israel’s continued deduction of PA tax revenue, which Israel says amounts to what the PA pays in stipends to Palestinian prisoners and their families. (HA, REU 12/6)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Algiers. President Tebboune announced that Algeria will grant the PA $100 million in financial aid and that Algeria will host a meeting between Palestinian factions. (WAFA 12/5; HA, MEMO, WAFA 12/6)

Israel formally joined the EU research and development program 2021-2027 Horizon Europe, which has a $108 billion budget. Israel will not be allowed to use EU-granted funds in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. (ALM 12/8)

The national security advisors of Iran and the UAE met in Tehran, discussing ways to overcome the 2 countries’ differences. (HA, MEMO 12/6)

14 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwad, Kafr Ni‘ma, Meithalun, Biddu, Tuqu‘, Halhul, Beit Kahal, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tried to place a large menorah on top of a Palestinian-owned home in Sheikh Jarrah that settler organizations are trying to seize; the settlers were repelled by Palestinians before placing the menorah. Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian home in Silwan, displacing 5. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Shuka; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions and leveled land north of Beit Lahiya. (WAFA, WAFA 11/30; PCHR 12/2)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha. (WAFA 11/30)

Haaretz reported that Israel sold $22 million’s worth of “suicide” drones to Morocco as part of the 2 countries’ normalization deal. (HA 11/30)

U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during a meeting at the UNSC on Israel and Palestine that the UN is “intrinsically biased against Israel,” saying the UN should spend more time focusing on other areas. (MEMO 12/1)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said his agency was unable to pay its 28,000 employees on time this month due to a funding crisis, as many countries have reduced their contributions to the agency. Commissioner-General Lazzarini said he did not know when the UNRWA employees would be paid. (AJ, HA 11/30; MEMO 12/1)

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 forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting a raid in Beit Iksa; no injuries were reported. 5 Palestinians were arrested including 4 during raids in Hebron and 1 at a flying checkpoint near Silwad. In Israel, Israeli forces raided Nafha prison, causing injuries to Palestinian prisoners. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/14; PCHR 11/18)

B‘Tselem accused Israel of using Israeli settler violence to take over some 11 square miles of Palestinian lands in the West Bank. B‘Tselem also said in the report that the Israeli government claims that settler violence is carried out by a small minority is incorrect and that Israeli forces do very little to stop it. B‘Tselem said that in some instances, soldiers participate in the attacks against Palestinians. (AP, B’Tselem, MEE, TOI, WAFA 11/14; MEMO 11/16)

Haaretz reported that the Israeli military has told the high court of justice that it no longer allows its soldiers to force Palestinians to answer questions in cases they are not directly involved in. The decision follows a petition by 40 Palestinians to the court to end the practice. (HA 11/14)

The U.S. treasury department announced that Israel and the U.S. have created a partnership in combatting ransomware. The announcement was made after U.S. deputy secretary of the treasury Wally Adeyemo met with Israel’s finance minister Avigdor Lieberman in Israel. (HA 11/14)

The South African government said it had withdrawn its support for the South African Miss Universe contestant because she and her team refused to boycott the Miss Universe event to be held in Eliat, Israel. The South African government cited “atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians” as the reason. (AJ, TOI , WAFA 11/14; HA 11/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians driving near Silat ad-Dhahr. Israeli forces delivered stop-work notices for 9 houses in al-Ramadin and Arab Abu Farda near Qalqilya and demolished 2 agricultural structures in Tarqumiyah. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp, Beitunia, Silwad, Rantis, Tulkarm, Jannatah, and Beit ‘Anan; Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the raid in Beit ‘Anan with live ammunition and tear gas and no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israel said it had downed a drone belonging to Hamas, which crashed into the sea. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 2 and 6 nautical miles from the coast; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/8; PCHR 11/11)

Islamic Jihad charged the PA with creating division among Palestinians by arresting its members in the West Bank. It was unclear when and how many members of Islamic Jihad the PA had arrested. (MEMO 11/9)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with a bi-partisan group of senators led by Chris Coons (D-DE) in Ramallah. The group discussed reopening the consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem and U.S. aid to Palestinians. (WAFA 11/8; TOI 11/10)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted air strikes in Homs and Tartus, injuring 2 Syrian soldiers and causing damage. (HA 11/8)

Haaretz reported that the Israeli military did not know that AP and Al Jazeera had offices in al-Jalaa high-rise in Gaza before deciding to level it on 5/15. Top officials in the Israeli military, including chief of staff Aviv Kochavi, were alerted to the fact after the decision was made to target the building, but before the strike was carried out, and nevertheless decided to go ahead with the strike. Israel never publicly released any evidence to back its claim that Hamas operated out of al-Jalaa building. (HA, MEMO 11/8)

The Washington Post reported that Israel has a secret program called Blue Wolf that includes a large database of pictures of Palestinians taken by Israeli soldiers incentivized with prizes. The pictures are then used to enhance Israel’s facial recognition technology, allowing the occupation to monitor the movements of Palestinians in the West Bank. The sources told The Post that Israeli soldiers have an app on their phone called Wolf Pack, which contains pictures, family history, education, and a security rating for “virtually every Palestinian in the West Bank.” As part of the surveillance program, Israel has installed face-scanning cameras in Hebron. 1 former Israeli soldier told the Post that in some cases, Israel can see into Palestinian private homes. (HA, MEMO, WP 11/8; MEE 11/9)

Front Line Defenders published an investigation showing that the Israeli NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware had been used to spy on 6 Palestinian human rights activists, including 1 field researcher working for Al-Haq, the executive director of Bisan Center for Research and Development—a U.S. citizen—1 Palestinian lawyer who works for Addameer and had his permanent residency in East Jerusalem revoked on 10/18, and 3 unidentified Palestinians. Front Line Defenders investigated 75 iPhones and found 6 were infected with Pegasus spyware, later confirmed by Citizen Lab and Amnesty International. The 3 named victims work for organizations deemed to be terrorist groups by Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz on 10/22 for alleged connections with the PFLP. NSO Group was blacklisted by the U.S. on 11/3 for facilitating attacks on human rights activists and journalists. AJ, ALM, AP, Front Line Defenders, GDN, HA, HA, IT, MEMO, REU 11/8; HA 11/9; MEMO 11/11)

6 progressive-leaning members of U.S. congress, including Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Mondaire Jones (D-NY), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Barbara Lee (D-CT), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), and Mark Pocan (D-MN) met with Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid during a J Street-sponsored trip to Israel and Palestine. (HA 11/8)

A U.S. court rejected NSO Group’s claim of immunity in a lawsuit brought by Facebook, also known as Meta Platforms Inc., about the hacking of its WhatsApp servers. (HA 11/8; MEMO 11/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole harvesting equipment in Qaryut and tried to steal olive crops before being chased away by Palestinians. Israeli forces razed 10 dunams of agricultural land in Wadi Rahal. 18 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Iskaka, Silwad, Ein Yabrud, Jalbun, Hebron, and Atuf. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/20; PCHR 10/21)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett ordered 2 companies of Israeli “Border Police” soldiers to be deployed to fight violence in Palestinian populated areas of Israel. The decision follows debates among Israeli politicians on how to address the many killings in Palestinian-majority towns and villages, which has so far reached 102 in 2021. (HA 10/20)

Israeli authorities said that it had increased the number of work permits for Palestinians in Gaza, from 7,000 to 10,000, starting on 10/21. (ALM, AP, HA 10/20; HA 10/21)

Israel said it will require Palestinians working in Israel and in Israeli settlements to show proof of vaccination against the COVID-19 virus, starting on 11/1. (HA 10/20)

An Israeli military court allowed the publication of a 2016 conviction of an Israeli civil administrations major who was sentenced to 11 years in prison for raping 1 Palestinian woman and for receiving a bribe of a sexual nature. The Israeli soldier was also convicted of sexual harassment. (HA 10/20; MEMO 10/22)

Axios reported that U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan discussed the possibility of normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel during a meeting with Saudi crown prince Muhammad bin Salman in Neom, Saudi Arabia, on 9/27. According to Axios, 3 U.S. and Arab sources said Crown Prince bin Salman did not immediately reject the idea. It was unclear what the U.S. administration is offering Saudi Arabia for a normalization deal with Israel. The U.S., during the Trump administration, made big concessions to the UAE and Morocco in exchange for their normalization with Israel, including sales of advanced weaponry to the UAE and recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara to Morocco. The Saudi-led Arab Peace Initiative from 2002 laid out the parameters under which Saudi Arabia will normalize ties with Israel. (AX, HA 10/20)