The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and arrested 1 Palestinian trying to enter Israel for work at the separation wall near Zeita. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces arrested PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith during a house raid in Silwan. Governor Ghaith was later placed in house arrest on 8/4. 2 others were arrested, including 1 in the Hadassah hospital and 1 at the Damascus Gate plaza. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/31; MEMO, WAFA 8/1; WAFA 8/3; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/4; MEMO 8/5; PCHR 8/4; UNOCHA 8/5)

The Israeli security cabinet voted to deduct $176 million from its yearly transfer of PA taxes collected by Israel to the PA, saying it is the amount the PA pays to Palestinian militants in Israeli prisons and their families. Meretz leader Nitzan Horowitz abstained from voting, calling the vote a charade as Israel makes up the money in other payments to the PA to alleviate its financial issues. PA presidential spokesperson Nabil Rudeineh called the decision “robbery” and said the PA will not change its policy. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 7/31; MEMO 8/1)

The Israeli cabinet approved plans for the construction of a joint industrial park with Jordan. The $59 million plan will see Israeli and Jordanian factories on the Jordanian side while a logistics wing will be built in Israel above the West Bank. The agreement was reportedly made during Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid’s visit to Amman on 7/27. (HA, JP, TOI 7/31; AJ, MEMO 8/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor at the Tekoa settlement, claiming that he was armed with a knife. Israeli settlers also set fire to a car parts workshop in Beit Umar, causing around $15,000 worth of damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers uprooted some 20 olive trees in al-Twana. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man at the separation barrier near Tulkarm as he attempted to enter Israel. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 4 houses in the Masafer Yatta area and demolished 1 home in al-Twana, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians; light injuries were reported. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 Palestinian journalist covering an Israeli force raid in al-Twana. The journalist was hospitalized for his injuries. Israel said it had arrested 2 Palestinians in Rummana, who Israel suspects killed 3 Israelis in Elad on 5/5. 13 others were arrested during late-night raids in Qarawat Bani Hassan, Balata refugee camp, al-Walaja, Bayt Rima, Bil‘in, ‘Azun, Qatanna, and Hizma. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian man at the Damascus Gate plaza, saying that the man had stabbed and wounded 1 Israeli police officer. Israeli forces also delivered a demolition notice for 1 2-story apartment building in Silwan. (+972, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/8; HA, HA, PCHR, WAFA 5/9; PCHR 5/12; UNOCHA 5/13)

Israel said that on 5/9 it would reopen the crossings to the West Bank, allowing Palestinian workers and merchants to enter Israel after closing the crossings on 5/3. An exception was made in Rumana, where Israel said the Elad attackers were from. Crossings between Israel and Gaza remained closed. (HA 5/8; HA 5/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Sabastia, throwing stones at 2 Palestinian homes. Israeli settlers with military escort raided Burqa, leading to a confrontation between Israeli forces and Palestinians protecting their land; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles outside of Burqa. Some 1,200 Israeli settlers visited the evacuated Homesh settlement outpost, bypassing Israeli checkpoints without incident. Israeli forces blocked a road between Nablus and Jenin near Sabastia. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid in Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, head of the Anti-Judaization Committee Naser al-Hidmi received a notice that he was banned from traveling for 5 months. 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 minor during a late-night raid in Silwan and 1 while present at the Damascus Gate plaza. In Israel, Palestinians protested in Beersheba in support of the about 130 Palestinians who have been arrested while protesting displacement of Bedouin communities in the Naqab in the past week. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/16; HA, WAFA 1/17; PCHR 1/20)

The town of Kafr ‘Aqab in East Jerusalem experienced severe flooding after heavy rainfall overnight, causing damage. Kafr ‘Aqab, which is within the Israeli-annexed Jerusalem municipal boundaries but is on the West Bank side of the separation wall, lacks municipality services, causing issues like the severe flooding. (HA 1/17)

The Knesset ministerial committee for legislation approved a bill that would bar Palestinians married to Israeli citizens from getting residency rights in Israel. The bill, which must still pass in the Knesset, builds on a temporary ban on Palestinian family unification, which expired in July 2021. Interior minister Ayelet Shaked has acted as if the ban did not expire in July and has been ordered by the Israeli supreme court to pass legislation justifying her policy. (HA, JP, TOI 1/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized dozens of olive trees and stole harvesting equipment and olives in Salem. Israeli settlers also stole olive harvesting equipment in Yatma. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to agricultural lands near Burqa, causing damage to olive trees. Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from harvesting olive crops in the seam zone near Qalqilya. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house under construction in Sika, displacing 7 people; Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinians protesting the demolition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian woman, accusing her of attempting to stab a soldier near Beit Surik. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during late-night raids in al-Bireh, Turmus Ayya, Beit Fajjar, al-Tira, and Qabatiya; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Damascus Gate plaza, assaulting 2 minors and 1 journalist; 9 were arrested. 3 others were arrested during house raids in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/18; PCHR 10/21)

In Israel, 1 Palestinian Israeli man was shot dead in Ba’ana, marking the 100th member of the Palestinian Israeli community to be killed in what is described as intra-communal violence in 2021. Some Palestinians in Israel have complained that Israeli police are uninterested in solving murders in the community. The issue is said to be addressed in the upcoming Israeli budget negotiations as more money will be allocated to policing in Palestinian towns and cities. The Israeli police solve 71% of murders in the Jewish community, but only 23% within the Palestinian communities in Israel. 83 of the 100 Palestinians killed had died in cases that involved firearms. (AJ 10/16; HA 10/17; HA, TOI 10/18)

Israel revoked the East Jerusalem residency rights from a 36-year-old Palestinian man who had lived in the city his entire life. Israel claimed that the man, an attorney for Addameer, failed to show allegiance to Israel. The man had spent 7 years in Israeli prison. (WAFA 10/18; MDW, MEE 10/19)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called on the UN to send monitors to the West Bank to help prevent Israeli settler attacks, as the frequency of the attacks on Palestinians has been rising in recent months. A sharp escalation during the olive harvesting season has been recorded. (WAFA 10/18; MEMO 10/19)

Swedish foreign minister Ann Linde visited Israel in an effort to mend ties between the 2 countries, which have been cold since Sweden recognized the State of Palestine in 2014. Foreign Minister Linde met with Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid and president Isaac Herzog. Israel conveyed to Linde’s predecessor Margot Wallström that she was not welcome in Israel after she pointed out that Israel was committing extrajudicial killings in 2016. (AP 10/18; HA 10/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Burin, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid in Dheisheh refugee camp and 1 at a checkpoint. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 minors in Silwan and 1 at the Damascus Gate plaza. (WAFA 10/17; WAFA 10/18; PCHR 10/21)

Israel denied a Palestinian citizen of Israel, who had been released after 6 years in Ramon prison, entry into Gaza where her husband and 7 children live. Israel said it denied her entry because she is an Israeli citizen and is therefore not allowed to enter Gaza. The woman was charged with spying on Israel. The woman was later reunited with her family in Gaza on 10/20. (MEE, MEMO 10/18; WAFA 10/20)

An Israeli court in Jerusalem upheld the Israeli municipality’s decision to demolish al-Yusufiya Muslim cemetery in East Jerusalem to make space for a settler Bible park project. Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces last week over the demolition as human remains were found in the rubble of the demolition. (MEMO 10/18)

The Israeli high court of justice postponed the evacuation of settlers cultivating Palestinian land in the Shiloh Valley near Turmus ‘Ayya upon request by Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz. The settlers will be allowed to work the land until 9/25/2022, when they will receive a plot of land within the Green Line. The justices said the settlers would not be allowed to work the land “except for essential agricultural work to preserve the existing situation.” The high court of justice accepted Defense Minister Gantz’s request, citing the Jewish sabbatical year shmita prohibiting agricultural labor in the ‘Land of Israel’ every 7 years. (HA 10/17)

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), and the Palestinian People’s Party (PPP) said in a joint statement that the PA had stopped paying the 3 parties their monthly stipends to stifle their criticism of the PA. the PFLP, DFLP, and PPP are all members of the PLO. The 3 parties have all publicly criticized the PA’s increase in dialogue with Israel and repression of dissent. (MEMO 10/18)

Israeli authorities said that the military had reprimanded a soldier who used excessive force against 1 Israeli activist demonstrating with Palestinians on 9/17. The soldier will be barred from promotion for 3 years and from attending a commander’s course. (ABC, AP, TOI 10/17)

Israel, Germany, Italy, the UK, France, India, Greece, and the U.S. began a military air exercise dubbed “the Blue Flag.” The exercise is scheduled to run through 10/28. (HA 10/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian olive trees and threw stones at Palestinian property near Burin. Israeli settlers with military escort also prevented Palestinians from reaching their olive trees to harvest near Yatta. Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinians harvesting olives near Zabbuba. Israeli forces also delivered demolition orders for 3 structures under construction in al-Meniya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished parts of their own home in Silwan. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians gathered at the Damascus Gate plaza, firing sound bombs and spraying skunk water at protesters and property; 3 minors were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (HA 10/15; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/16; PCHR 10/21)

In Syria, Syrian state media said an Israeli sniper, shooting from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, had assassinated a former Syrian lawmaker, Madhat Saleh, in Ein el-Tinneh. Israeli media had reported that Saleh was an agent operating for Iran. Saleh, who was from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, was imprisoned by Israel for 12 years until he was released in 1997. Saleh’s relatives denied he had any connection to Iran. (HA, WAFA 10/16; AJ, MEMO 10/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 900 olive and apricot saplings and stole olive harvests in Sabastia. Israeli settlers also uprooted 70 trees in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian man with live ammunition during a late-night raid in Tammun. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor in Silwad before arresting him. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 structure in Haris and 1 house in Abu Nawwar, displacing 8 Palestinians, and delivered a stop-work notice for a house under construction in Deir Balut. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Kobar, Beita, ‘Azzun, al-Shuyukh, and Beit Umar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli police officer was filmed hitting 1 Palestinian teenager at the Damascus Gate plaza. The teenager was filmed approaching the officer to complain that he was beaten by another officer. As the officer asked the Palestinian which of his colleagues had beaten him, the officer started beating the Palestinian with his club. Later, on 10/14, the officer was suspended for 5 days. 3 Palestinian minors were arrested in Silwan and al-Tur. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces confiscated 1 Palestinian fishing boat anchored some 6 nautical miles west of Gaza. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/12; HA, MEMO, WAFA 10/13; HA, PCHR 10/14; AJ 10/17)

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a statement that 9,300 olive trees had been destroyed in the West Bank from August 2020 to August 2021. The ICRC further stated that Palestinians growing olives face 3 challenges: impediments to their movement and access, harassment and violence by settlers, and impacts of climate change. (ICRC 10/12; MEMO 10/13)

The Palestinian prisoner administration said that some 400 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons soon will start an open-ended hunger strike to protest new restrictions imposed after 6 prisoners escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6. Most of the prisoners going on hunger strike are said to be affiliated with Islamic Jihad. (HA 10/12; AJ, AP 10/13)

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) canceled a meeting with FIFA president Gino Infantino due to his participation in an event hosted by former U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman at the Israeli Museum of Tolerance, built on a Muslim cemetery in East Jerusalem that dates back to the 11th century. The PFA said in a statement that it views Infantino’s participation in the event “as a total affront to the values of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, both endorsed by the FIFA statutes.” (WAFA 10/12; WAFA 10/13)

The commander of an Israeli military unit that was attacked by Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement on 10/11 said they did not respond violently because his unit was in a Jewish community. The commander said that “the core of Yitzhar are good people.” (HA 10/12)

Israel’s justice minister Gideon Saar said at a conference that the U.S. consulate to Palestinians will not reopen in Jerusalem, saying, “It needs Israeli approval . . . We will not compromise on this issue.” (REU 10/12; MEMO 10/13)

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid met with U.S. vice president Kamala Harris in Washington D.C. Foreign Minister Lapid is scheduled to meet with secretary of state Antony Blinken on 10/13. (REU 10/12; ALM, HA 10/13)

90 Google employees and more than 300 Amazon employees wrote an open letter published in the Guardian calling on the 2 companies to “pull out of Project Nimbus [a cloud server sold to Israel for $1.2 billion] and cut all ties with the Israeli military.” The employees complained that the 2 companies’ cooperation with Israel will “make the systematic discrimination and displacement carried out by the Israeli military and government even crueler and deadlier for Palestinians.” (NA 6/22; GDN, MEE 10/12; HA, MEMO, WAFA 10/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized dozens of olive trees in Burin. Israeli settlers also stole olives from a Palestinian farmer near Salfit. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Balata refugee camp, Kobar, al-Bireh, Ni‘lin, and Kafr Ein. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished fencing in Silwan, leading to a confrontation with its owners, 2 were injured by Israeli forces assaulting them with their rifles, including 1 minor. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Bayt Hanina. 2 Palestinians were arrested near the Damascus Gate plaza. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/3; WAFA 10/4 PCHR 10/7)

Israel charged the 6 Palestinian prisoners who escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6 with offenses related to their escape, potentially carrying additional sentences of up to 7 years. 5 other Palestinian prisoners were charged with helping them escape, also risking 7 more years. Israeli police had initially said that the 6 had planned to carry out attacks; however, no such charges were filed against them. (AJ, HA, MEMO 10/3)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with 2 Israeli ministers from the Meretz (Vigor) party: health minister Nitzan Horowitz and regional cooperation minister Issawi Frej. The meeting took place in Ramallah to “boost” cooperation between the PA and parts of the Israeli government and to ensure that steps to hurt the 2-state solution are curbed. President Abbas said he invites all Israeli ministers to come to Ramallah and engage with the PA, saying “[w]e don’t have to agree, but we need to talk.” (ALM 10/1; HA 10/2; HA, MEE 10/3; ALM, MEMO, WAFA 10/4)

The PA urged the international community to intervene as settler violence against Palestinians continued to rise in the West Bank. (WAFA 10/3)

A delegation of Hamas officials met with Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel to discuss a long-term ceasefire with Israel and intra-Palestinian relations. Hamas later released a statement, saying that the organization did not reach an agreement with Egypt about a long-term ceasefire with Israel despite media reports on the contrary. It was also reported that 19 members of the Hamas political bureau from Qatar, Turkey, and Gaza would meet in Egypt. (MEMO 10/3; ALM 10/12)

Palestinian officials told Haaretz that the U.S. is planning to reopen its consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem after the Israeli government passes its budget in the Knesset. (HA 10/3; MEMO 10/4)

King Abdullah II of Jordan spoke to Syrian president Bashir al-Assad for the 1st time since the start of the Syrian Civil War in 2011. (REU 10/3; MEMO 10/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers opened fire at Palestinian-owned shops near Dayr Sharaf; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also raided al-Twana, injuring 1 Palestinian by throwing stones. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers spray-painted insults at the Muslim Prophet Muhammad on a road between Jericho and the Dead Sea. Israeli forces raided Jaba‘, leading to confrontations with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli forces continued blocking the main road to ‘Azun for the 4th day in a row. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Damascus Gate plaza, injuring 2 and arresting 3. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians in Shaykh Jarrah and Silwan, causing tear-gas related injuries. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinians gathered near the Gaza fence east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Israeli forces raided a wedding celebration in Dayr al-Asad after a celebratory gunshot was fired in the air; during the raid, clashes broke out, and 1 Palestinian Israeli was critically injured and 2 Israeli officers were moderately and lightly injured; 2 police cars were set on fire and 11 were arrested. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/19; HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 6/20; WAFA 6/21; PCHR 6/24)

In Iran, Ebrahim Raisi won the presidential elections after the lowest voter turnout in Iran’s history. President-elect Raisi is subject to U.S. sanctions for alleged human rights abuses of overseeing the executions of political prisoners in the 1980s. Raisi is said to be much more conservative than the current outgoing president Hassan Rouhani. (AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, HA 6/19; AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, REU 6/20; REU 6/21)

EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said, during a trip to Beirut, that EU aid to Lebanon is conditioned on political reforms in the country. (MEMO 6/20)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Great March of Return protesters gathering near Jabaliya refugee camp and Gaza City; 7 Palestinians are injured. Israeli forces conduct 3 limited incursions to level land near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Jabaliya refugee camp. During the late-night incursion near Khan Yunis, they also open fire on Palestinians in the area; 3 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, the IAF drops leaflets across Gaza warning protesters not to approach the border fence during the planned demonstrations on 5/ 14. In East Jerusalem, approximately 1,000 right-wing Jewish activists visit Haram alSharif in the morning, commemorating the Israeli conquest of Jerusalem and sparking minor confrontations between the Israeli police and Islamic Waqf guards; there are no serious injuries. Outside the sanctuary, Israeli police arrest 6 Palestinians gathering at an Islamic cemetery in the Old City to protest ongoing Israeli excavations at the site. In the afternoon, tens of thousands of right-wing Jewish activists march through the Old City in the annual Flags March, commemorating the Israeli conquest of Jerusalem in 1967; a number of Palestinians are arrested when they throw stones at the demonstrators at the Damascus Gate. Late at night, Israeli settlers vandalize 28 Palestinian-owned cars and spray-paint racist graffiti on nearby walls in Shu‘fat. Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Silwan. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 9 Palestinians during late-night raids near Tulkarm, Jenin, Hebron, and Nablus; and patrol near Hebron and Tulkarm. (HA, JP, WAFA, YA 5/13; HA, WAFA 5/14; PCHR 5/17)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing in both directions for a 2d day. (AHR 5/14)

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)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces kill 2 Palestinians in separate incidents. First, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian after he stabs and injures an Israeli police officer nr. the Damascus Gate to the Old City. Israeli forces then temporarily shut down all entrances to Nablus, home of the alleged attacker. In the evening, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians protesting the morning’s killing, in Ras al-Amud, firing at protesters with live ammunition. A 17-year-old Palestinian is shot and taken to a medical center in Silwan, where he succumbs to his injuries; Israeli forces raid the center in an attempt to retrieve the boy’s body and question the Palestinian medical staff. Also nr. Ras al-Amud, Israeli police arrest a Palestinian after he allegedly stabs and injures a Nepalese woman on a bus. Meanwhile in the West Bank, IDF troops violently clash with Palestinians protesting outside a settlement nr. Ramallah, in a village nr. Hebron, in Bethlehem, and at Palestine Technical University in Tulkarm; at least 12 Palestinians are injured. The IDF conducts a raid in a village nr. Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwers wherein 3 Palestinians are injured. Israeli forces take pictures and measurements of the Hebron-area homes of Palestinians who were shot and killed on 11/22 and 11/23 during confrontations with Israeli settlers and the IDF. They also conduct late-night raids and house searches in 2 villages nr. Jenin, 3 nr. Hebron, 1 each nr. Tulkarm and Nablus, arresting 9 Palestinians; patrol in Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and 2 villages and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers spray racist graffiti on a Palestinian car nr. Bethlehem. Off Gaza’s coast nr. Jabaliya r.c., Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/29; JP, MNA, WAFA 11/30; PCHR 12/3)

In response to the EU’s new labeling guidelines for products imported from Israel’s settlements (11/11), the Israeli govt. announces that PM Netanyahu has ordered all Israeli contacts with EU bodies involved in the peace process to be suspended, including EU-sponsored projects for the Palestinians and all Foreign Ministry contacts with the EU. (HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 11/29)

In Gaza, the IDF bars a Palestinian journalist from passing through the Erez border crossing, despite the fact that he was issued a permit on 6/20. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian structures nr. Salfit. IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, confiscating property and arresting 3 Palestinians. Israeli settlers spray price-tag graffiti on walls in Tiberius; assault Palestinians in c. Hebron; cut down 70 olive trees nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian stabs and seriously injures an Israeli border policeman nr. Damascus Gate of the Old City. The policeman then shoots the Palestinian man multiple times, leaving him in critical condition. Israeli forces consequently raid the Palestinian man’s home nr. Hebron. Israeli forces later clash with Palestinians gathering nr. Damascus Gate and separately with Palestinians leaving Haram al-Sharif; 4 Palestinians are injured. They conduct late-night raids in Silwan, Jabal Mukabir, and Issawiyya, arresting 3 Palestinians. In n. Israel, thousands of Christians attend a protest rally to condemn the 6/17 arson attack on a nearby church. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 6/21; MNA 6/22)

In response to the 6/19 shooting nr. Ramallah and today’s stabbing in East Jerusalem, Israeli PM Netanyahu and DM Ya’alon annul the 6/16 announcement permitting 500 Palestinians to fly abroad via Ben Gurion Airport during Ramadan. Additionally, they instruct the Defense Ministry to revoke the work permits of all Palestinian residents of the village nr. Hebron where today’s perpetrator is from, and say they will consider further punitive restrictions. (HA, TOI 6/22)

In Ramallah, French FM Fabius meets with PA pres. Abbas to discuss the French initiative to restart the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, including a French-drafted UNSC res. Fabius then meets with Netanyahu in Israel to discuss the same issues. Ahead of the meeting, Netanyahu opposes the French initiative, saying “we will forcibly reject any attempt to force upon us international dictates”. (JP 6/17; HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA 6/21)

The Egyptian govt. announces the appointment of a new amb. to Israel, Hazem Khairat, who will travel to Tel Aviv in the coming mos. Egypt has not had an amb. to Israel since 2012, when Atef Salem was recalled in the midst of Israel’s Operation Pillar of Defense. (HA, YA 6/21)

Israeli mbr. of Knesset (MK) Basel Ghattas (Joint List) announces his plans to join the Freedom Flotilla III, an international activist effort to deliver aid to Gaza and call attention to the Israeli blockade (the flotilla will set sail on 6/25). He calls on Netanyahu and the IDF to allow the flotilla to reach Gaza without their interference. (HA 6/21; MEE, MNA, WAFA 6/22)

Iranian parliamentarians approve amendments to the bill introduced on 6/17 to increase oversight on implementation of any agreement made with the P5+1. The amendments shift oversight responsibilities, and the power to end the deal, from parliamentarians to the Supreme National Security Council, which is chaired by Pres. Hassan Rouhani and controlled by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The bill must still be approved by the parliament and ratified by the Khamenei-controlled Guardian Council to become law. (AFP, REU 6/21)

In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 11 Palestinian homes (housing 50 individuals, including 30 children), 3 classrooms, 3 barnyards, and 2 tents deemed too close to the separation wall in Yatta village nr. Hebron; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Tulkarm r.c. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities arrest 3 Palestinian teenagers taking part in a sit-in protest against Israeli Judaization efforts in the al-Bustan quarter of Silwan; demolish a Palestinian vendor’s semipermanent stand (in place for 11 yrs.) on Sultan Suleiman Street nr. Damascus Gate, confiscating his goods. (PCHR 1/13; OCHA 1/14; PCHR 1/20; OCHA 1/21)

While Lebanese PM Sa‘ad Hariri is in Washington meeting with U.S. Pres. Barack Obama, 11 cabinet ministers representing Hizballah and its allies (the March 8 coalition) resign in protest over Hariri’s refusal to convene an emergency cabinet session to discuss pending indictments by the UN special tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of Hariri’s father, fmr. PM Rafiq Hariri, which are expected to be issued before the end of the month. They call on Pres. Michel Suleiman to form a new government headed by the March 8 alliance. The move plunges Lebanon into its worst political crisis since 5/2008 (when Qatar brokered an agreement to end sectarian clashes that killed 81 Lebanese). (NYT, WP, WT 1/13)