The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces issued a demolition order for 1 house under construction in Burin. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Burqa, al-Mughayyir, Bayt Rima, Beit Furik, Jenin, al-Khader, and Beit Fajjar; 1 of the arrested was injured during the settler attack on Burqa on 8/4. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur and Shu’fat refugee camp. (WAFA, WAFA 8/7; PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/11)

In Syria, Israeli forces launched airstrikes killing 4 Syrian soldiers and injuring 4 others near Damascus. (AJ, AP, BBC, HA, JP, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA 8/7)

Israel said it had accepted a U.S. demand to allow Americans living in Gaza to use Ben Gurion Airport and to grant them tourist visas to Israel for 3-month periods. The change in policy will start on 9/15. The policy change is part of Israel’s efforts to be included in the U.S. Visa Waiver program. (ALM, HA, MEE, REU 8/7)

After receiving a letter from Israeli interior minister Moshe Arbel demanding that $85 million earmarked to Palestinian municipalities in Israel be released by the Finance Ministry, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he would not provide the funding, calling it a bribe to MK Mansour Abbas. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said Smotrich was only “mistreat[ing] Arab citizens simply because they are Arabs,” saying that “racism has become an official policy of the state of Israel.” Smotrich also canceled funding for preparatory programs for Palestinians living in East Jerusalem who want to study in Israel. (HA 8/7; MEE, REU 8/8 ALM, HA, HA 8/9; HA 8/10)

24 U.S. Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) met with PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh in Ramallah. Shtayyeh called on the delegation to recognize the State of Palestine, warned that the 2-state solution was slipping away due to Israeli actions, and asked that they pressure Israel to allow Palestinian elections in East Jerusalem. The congressional delegation also met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem earlier in the day. Jeffries claimed he had brought up the issue of settler violence with Netanyahu. The Democrats’ visit to Israel was arranged by AIPAC. (HA, HA, HA, WAFA 8/7; MDW 8/10; HA 8/13)

In an interview with Bloomberg, Prime Minister Netanyahu called reported Saudi demands for Israeli concessions on Palestine as a condition for normalization a “checkbox” he has to tick off but not a hinderance for Israel. Netanyahu also said he would not accept limits on settlement expansion as part of the deal. (BB, HA 8/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor with live ammunition during a raid in al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a late-night raid in Qabatiya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces rammed 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Zababdeh. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure and stone walls, sealed a water well, and uprooted some 250 olive tree saplings in al-Mughayyir, demolished 1 agricultural structure in Nabi Ilyas, and 1 agricultural structure in al-Khader. Meanwhile, Israeli forces issued demolition notices for 1 house in Susiya in the Masafer Yatta area. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp, Deir Abu Mash‘al, Bayt Rima, Beit Fajjar, Nablus, Deir al-Hatab, Tulkarm, and Qabatiya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian home in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/4; PCHR 1/5; UNOCHA 2/16)

Israel returned the bodies of 2 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in August 2020 and February 2021 to their families in East Jerusalem and Hebron. (WAFA 1/4; MEMO 1/6)

Axios reported that Morocco is demanding that Israel formally recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara before the country opens an embassy to Israel in Tel Aviv as part of the normalization deal between the 2 countries. (AX 1/4; AJ, MEMO 1/5)

Referring to the evacuated Homesh settlement outpost, U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. call on the Israeli government “to refrain from unilateral steps certainly includes any decision to create a new settlement, to legalize outposts or allowing building of any kind deep in the West Bank, adjacent to Palestinian communities or on private Palestinian land.” (HA, MEMO 1/5)

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

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

In the West Bank, a 14-year-old Israeli settler was shot in the head by a stray bullet in the Kiryat Arba settlement. It was reported that the bullet was assumed to have been fired during a wedding celebration. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Sa‘ir, causing damage. Israeli settlers also vandalized 23 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Beit Iksa, slashing tires and writing racist graffiti. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian family harvesting olives near al-Shuyukh with clubs, pipes, and stones, hospitalizing 5 members of the family. Israeli settlers also raided Burin, throwing stones at Palestinian homes, causing damage. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians, including a 14-year-old, and injured 4 others during a raid in Jenin refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Beit Duqqu. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 residential structure and sealed 2 water wells in Arab al-Feihat and demolished 2 residential structures in Bruqin. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beit Sira, Bayt Rima, al-Mughayyir, Aida refugee camp, Fawwar refugee camp, Nablus, Jenin, Kufeirit, and Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian after he allegedly stabbed 1 Israeli police officer in the Old City; 2 Israeli police officers were lightly injured by shots fired by other police officers. After the incident Israel closed the Haram al-Sharif compound to Palestinians, only allowing Jewish visitors. In Gaza, 4 rockets were fired by Palestinian militants toward Israel, 3 landing inside of Gaza and a 4th being intercepted; causing no injuries or damage. Israel subsequently conducted air strikes on Gaza hitting sites in Maghazi refugee camp, causing damage. It was later reported that Hamas authorities had arrested 2 Palestinians suspected of having fired the 4 rockets. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/3; AA, AJ, AP, MDW, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, TOI, WAFA 11/4; HA, MEE, TOI 11/6; PCHR 11/10; ALM, UNOCHA 11/13; HA 11/18)

Israel said it had lifted all restrictions on movement in and out of Nablus after a 3-week siege of the city. Subsequently, PA prime minister Muhammad Shtayyeh toured the city with 30 representatives from foreign countries. Prime Minister Shtayyeh called the siege imposed on Nablus collective punishment. (HA, WAFA 11/3; ALM 11/4; MEMO 11/5)

Outgoing Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid spoke with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in a phone call. The U.S. State Department said Blinken “underscored the need for all parties to urgently de-escalate the situation” in the West Bank. (HA 11/5)

128 scholars signed a statement urging the UN not to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism, calling it “divisive and polarizing. The IHRA working definition of anti-Semitism has been criticized for conflating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. The statement suggested the UN instead use the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism. (JDF, JP 11/1; AJ 11/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers re-erected a settlement outpost near al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya; the settlement outpost was dismantled by Israeli forces on 6/7. 18 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ni‘lin, al-Mughayyir, Bayt Rima, Balata refugee camp, Rujeib, Bayt Dajan, Ya‘bad, Jenin, Tulkarm, Tubas, Fawwar refugee camp, and Beit Fajjar. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities took measurements for the demolition of a 4-story apartment building in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and seized their boat within the fishing zone. (PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/8; PCHR 6/9; UNOCHA 6/17)

The Israeli supreme court rejected a petition for a retrial in a case where the Israeli settler group Ateret Cohanim allegedly purchased 3 buildings in the Old City from the Greek Orthodox church, allowing the settler organization to evict the Palestinian tenants. The Greek Orthodox church called the ruling “unfair” and without “any legal logical basis.” The EU voiced concern about the supreme court ruling. (HA, YNET 6/9; MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/10; MEMO, WAFA 6/11)

Israel extended its antiquities authority to the West Bank. The Israel Antiquities Authority will replace the Coordinator on Government Activities in the Territories in managing archeological sites in the West Bank. (HA 6/8)

Speaking, via phone link at a conference on the holy sites in Jerusalem, dubbed “Property Documentation and the Historical Status of the Holy al-Aqsa Mosque,” PA president Mahmoud Abbas said that the PA would not accept any changes to the status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem, saying all Islamic and Christian holy sites are Palestinian. (WAFA, WAFA 6/8; WAFA 6/9)

Israeli media reported that members of a Liberian delegation in Israel headed by minister of state for presidential affairs Nathaniel McGill told Israeli journalists that Liberia will open a trade office in Jerusalem that eventually will become Liberia’s embassy to Israel. The delegation was meeting Israeli officials, including president Isaac Herzog. (ALM 6/9)

Axios reported that last week, Israel refused a proposal for a White House summit with the PA, U.S., Egypt, and Jordan to create a political horizon for ending the occupation. (AX 6/8)

Axios also reported that the White House is sending the newly appointed assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs, Barbara Leaf, to Israel and Ramallah for meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials. (AX 6/8)

Haaretz reported that the EU commission’s anti-fraud office will not open an investigation into the 6 Palestinian rights organizations Israel deemed terrorist organizations in October 2021, saying that it had not seen sufficient evidence from Israel against the 6 organizations. EU diplomats told Haaretz that the evidence handed to EU countries by Israel was not compelling and did not meet the threshold of proof. (HA 6/8)

In a visit to the Buraq Wall/Western Wall, Bosnia and Herzegovina parliament speaker Dragan Čović told reporters that the Old City is part of Israel. (JP 6/10)

The World Bank approved a grant of $30 million for PA reforms in transparency, inclusion, and green economy and a $7 million grant for social services and online employment oppounities for Palestinians in Gaza. (WAFA 6/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces opened a new settler-only road near Wadi Fukin. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians confronting settlers near ‘Azun, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 2 houses under construction in Bayt Dajan and 2 houses under construction in Khirbet al-‘Ayn. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Rumana, Nablus, Salfit, Hebron, Bayt Jala, Bayt Rima, al-Mughayyir, and Qatanna. In Israel, the tires of 17 vehicles were slashed and racist anti-Palestinian graffiti was spray-painted on houses in Jisr al-Zarqa. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/9; PCHR 5/12; UNOCHA 5/13)

The Israeli supreme court postponed the trial for Just Vision aid worker Mohammad al-Halabi, who has been held in Israeli detention since 2016 without a trial. Al-Halabi is accused, by Israel, of funneling aid money to Hamas. (WAFA 5/9)

Israeli forces began a monthlong military exercise dubbed “Chariots of Fire.” (HA 5/9; ALM 5/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones and other objects at Palestinian vehicles near al-Mughayyir, causing 1 Palestinian driver to lose control of his car, injuring him and his son. The driver was flown to a hospital and was said to be in critical condition. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Duma, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones and opened fire on Palestinians near Burqa; no injuries were reported. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Jalazun refugee camp, Bayt Rima, Zeita, and Deir Sharaf; Israeli forces injured 3 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets during the raid in Jalazun refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested the deputy director of Islamic Waqf, Sheikh Najeh Bakirat, at the Haram al-Sharif compound; Bakirat was later released on 11/28 on the condition that he does not visit the Haram al-Sharif compound for 20 days and the West Bank for 30 days. 2 others were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan and Jabal Mukaber. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; MEE, PCHR, WAFA 11/25; MEMO 11/29)

The Jerusalem district planning and building committee advanced plans for a new settlement in East Jerusalem at the abandoned Qalandia Airport, called Atarot airport by Israel. The plan entails 9,000 new settler units intended for ultra-Orthodox Jews. It was later reported that the Israeli government told the U.S. that it would not advance plans for the settlement and had explained that the committee’s work is independent of the government. (TOI, WAFA 11/24; AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO 11/25; MEMO, WAFA 11/26; MEMO 11/27; ALM 11/29)

Israel said it would allow 500 Christians living in Gaza—about half of Gaza’s Christian population—to enter Jerusalem and the West Bank for Christmas celebrations. Additionally, 200 Christians in Gaza will be allowed to travel to Jordan for journeys abroad. (HA 11/25)

Israel transferred 1 Palestinian prisoner to a prison hospital in Ramle. The man has been on hunger strike for 47 days to protest his administrative detention. (MEMO 11/25)

The Israeli supreme court rejected an appeal from a Palestinian man whose 3 daughters and 1 niece were killed when Israeli tanks fired shells at his apartment in Gaza in 2009. The court held that the Israeli military is not liable for wartime actions, including killings of civilians. (AP, HA, MEMO 11/24)

According to Syrian media, Israeli air strikes killed 2 civilians and injured 1 civilian and 6 soldiers in the Homs region. According to Syrian officials, Israeli fighter jets fired the missiles from Lebanese air space. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, TOI 11/24)

Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz met with his Moroccan counterpart Abdellatif Loudiyi in Morocco, signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for joint intelligence sharing, research, and military training. Morocco announced on 11/22 that its military had bought anti-drone systems from the Israeli company Skylock Dome. The PLO executive committee condemned the MoU, saying it contravenes agreements made at Arab League summits and the Area Peace initiative. The PFLP and Hamas also publicly condemned Morocco for inviting Defense Minister Gantz. (AJ, AP, MEMO 11/23; AJ, ALM, AP, AX, HA, MEMO, MEMO, TOI 11/24; MEMO 11/25; ALM, MEMO, WAFA 11/26; MEMO 11/27)

Israeli newspaper Calcalist reported that the Israeli government had limited the number of countries that can buy Israeli-made cyber technology, from 102 to 37. Among the countries said to be excluded are Mexico, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The report follows a decision by the U.S. to place bans on 2 Israeli spyware companies earlier this month. (HA 11/25; MEMO 11/26; MEMO 11/27)

Belgium announced that it will label Israeli settlement products by their settlement origin and not as made in Israel. The Israeli government condemned the decision and canceled planned meetings with Belgian officials. (HA, JP, WAFA 11/24; MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA 11/25)

Australia announced that it intends to add all Hezbollah entities as terrorist organization. Australia added Hezbollah’s External Security Organization as a terrorist organization in 2003. The declaration of intent follows the UK’s move to designate all of Hamas as a terrorist organization. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, TOI 11/24)