The Palestine Chronology

IDF troops shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian youth, allegedly after he drives his car into Israeli civilians, first at the Efrat junction, and later at the Gush Etzion junction near Bethlehem, injuring 2. After the first collision, the Palestinian drove on to Gush Etzion, where he hit and moderately injured the 2d Israeli. He was shot when he exited his vehicle. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in 3 villages near Ramallah (Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, and Ni‘lin) and Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; no Palestinians are seriously injured. Two Palestinians are injured during clashes with IDF troops in ‘Azun village near Qalqilya, and the IDF patrols near Salfit and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian farmers working their lands outside Burin village; 1 Palestinian is injured. Settlers also throw stones at Palestinian homes and pepper-spray 2 Palestinian children east of Hebron and burn a small swath of Palestinian land near Nablus. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/17; PCHR 11/23)

The Associated Press reports that the U.S. State Dept. recently notified the Palestinians that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) diplomatic office in Washington could be forcibly closed unless they enter peace negotiations with Israel (see Update). Secy. of State Rex Tillerson reportedly told the Palestinians that the decision stemmed from Palestinian Authority (PA) pres. Mahmoud Abbas’s expressions of support for the International Criminal Court investigating and prosecuting Israelis in his 9/20 speech to the UN General Assembly (UNGA). (AP, HA, TOI 11/17)

IDF troops kill 4 Palestinians in alleged stabbing attacks in the s. West Bank. First, IDF troops shoot and kill 3 Palestinians after they allegedly attempt to stab Israeli soldiers at the Gush Etzion junction nr. Bethlehem, where a similar incident took place on 1/5. IDF troops shoot and kill a 4th Palestinian n. of Hebron after he allegedly attempts to stab an Israeli soldier. No Israelis are injured in any of the day’s incidents. Meanwhile, Israeli forces confiscate a bulldozer from a Palestinian agricultural project nr. Nablus. Late at night, IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Jenin, arresting 2 Palestinians. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian youth amid clashes with stonethrowing Palestinians in Issawiyya; demolish a 2-story building and part of an apartment in Silwan, and part of a restaurant in Bayt Safafa; arrest a Palestinian youth in Shu‘fat r.c. for allegedly planning to attack Israelis and 2 Palestinians on late-night raids nr. Qalandia r.c. and in Jabal Mukabir. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA 1/7; JP 1/8; PCHR 1/14)

Israeli security officials praise the PA’s efforts to address violence since early 12/2015, saying that security coordination between the IDF and PASF has been “exceptionally good” in recent weeks and that PA pres. Abbas has stopped mbrs. of Fatah’s military wing from participating in demonstrations and protests. (HA, MNA 1/7; TOI 1/8)