The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up a settlement outpost outside of the Metzad settlement near Wadi Sa‘ir. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Israeli soldier near the Separation Wall west of Tulkarm; the killing was described as “friendly fire.” Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Lid. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 3 agricultural structures in Burqa, Kafr ad-Dik, and Battir, and seized water pipelines and agricultural tools in Ras al-Ahmar. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Qalandia checkpoint, causing tear-gas related injuries. 21 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Deir Abu Mash‘al, Birzeit, Beit Fajjar, Dheisheh refugee camp, Asira ash-Shamaliya, Silat ad-Dhahr, and Zabbuba. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man in Kafr ‘Aqab during a late-night house raid; eyewitnesses said the man was standing in his doorway when he was shot from close range, while Israeli police claimed that the man was attempting to stab a police officer. Israeli authorities also delivered a demolition notice for a house in Isawiya. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/15; ALM, MEE, MEMO, WAFA 8/16; PCHR 8/18; UNOCHA 8/19)

An Israeli military judge rejected an appeal to release Khalil Awawdeh from administrative detention. Awawdeh, who is hospitalized in critical condition, has been on hunger strike for 155 days in protest over his administrative detention. Awawdeh’s lawyer said he would appeal the decision to the Israeli high court of justice. (AJ, HA, WAFA 8/15; AJ, MEMO 8/16)

Iran responded to the EU draft text to reinstate the Iran Nuclear Deal by asking the U.S. to show flexibility on 3 issues. It was unclear what the 3 issues were, but Iran said that if the 3 issues were resolved, an agreement could be made this week. (HA 8/16; AX, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU 8/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort harassed students on their way to school in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, preventing some from reaching the school. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians and Israeli activists protesting a visit by Israeli president Isaac Herzog to Hebron (see below). Israeli forces also demolished water pipelines supplying Atuf with water. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Ramallah, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Kaubar and al-Arroub refugee camp, and 1 near al-Jaba‘. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in Isawiya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/28; PCHR 12/2)

President Herzog visited Hebron for a Hanukkah ceremony in al-Ibrahimi Mosque, drawing condemnation and protest from Palestinians and Israeli left-wing activists. The PA foreign ministry said that President Herzog was breaking international law and “embracing the settlement enterprise.” The religious advisor to PA president Mahmoud Abbas, Mahmoud Habbash, compared Herzog’s participation in the ceremony with that of Ariel Sharon visiting the Haram al-Sharif compound in 2000. The OIC, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Arab League also issued statements of condemnations criticizing the visit. (HA, MEE 11/26; AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA 11/28; +972, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA 11/29; ALM, MEMO 11/30)

The Israeli high court of justice denied Palestinian appeals against demolitions of 58 homes in Wadi Yasoul in Silwan, which would lead to the displacement of 725 Palestinians. (HA 11/28; WAFA 11/29; PCHR 12/2)

1 Palestinian prisoner held on administrative detention ended his hunger strike after Israel set a date for his release. The man had been hunger-striking for 49 days and was admitted to a prison hospital on 11/24 as his condition deteriorated. (WAFA 11/28)

President Abbas extended the COVID-19-related state of emergency for another 30 days. The state of emergency has been in effect since March 2020, when the pandemic hit Palestine. (WAFA 11/28)

Israel’s and the UK’s foreign ministers Yair Lapid and Liz Truss wrote an article in the Telegraph, saying the 2 countries will work together in preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons. Foreign Minister Lapid was in London meeting UK officials before heading to France for meetings on 11/29. The article was published 1 day before talks began in Vienna to revamp efforts to reenter a new Iran nuclear agreement. (DT, GDN, REU 11/28; AJ, DT, HA, JP, TOI 11/29)

Japan donated $10 million to the PA in support of its budget and Cyprus donated $113,000 to the UNRWA. (WAFA, WAFA 11/28; MEMO 11/29)