The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Palestinians protested in Hebron and Bethlehem against high consumer prices. Israeli forces started razing 30 dunams (7.5 acres) of Palestinian land in Kisan to expand a nearby settlement. 3 Palestinians, including 2 minors, were arrested during late-night raids in Beit Fajjar. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Sheikh Jarrah. (MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/7; PCHR 2/10; UNOCHA 2/11)

The PLO Central Council convened for its 31st session in Ramallah. PA president Mahmoud Abbas said he seeks to hold presidential and legislative elections as soon as they can hold them in all the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. The session was titled “Developing and activating the Palestine Liberation Organization, protecting the national project, and popular resistance.” It was the 1st PLO Central Council meeting in 4 years. The meeting was attended by 2 Palestinian Israeli politicians: MK Ayman Odeh and former MK Mohammad Barakeh. (WAFA 2/5; HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/6; MEMO, TOI 2/7)

The Israeli cabinet approved legislation to bar Palestinians married to Israeli citizens from obtaining permits to live with their family in Israel. Meretz and the United Arab List (UAL) opposed the bill, while centrist parties in the government coalition such as the Blue and White party and Labor supported it. Lawmakers from both UAL and Meretz called the bill racist. The bill will be voted on in the Knesset next week. (HA, WAFA 2/6; MEMO 2/7)

U.S. president Joe Biden spoke with Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, discussing Iran and the U.S. discussions to reenter the Iran Nuclear deal. (AP, AX, CNN, HA, REU 2/6)

The African Union (AU) suspended debating the issue of Israel’s status as an observer state to the AU until the next AU summit in 2023. The new AU Chairperson Macky Sall of Senegal told reporters that a committee had been set up to discuss the issue to avoid a conflict about Israel’s membership amongst the AU nations. Officials said that 6 countries will be represented in the committee, including South Africa, Algeria, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Cameroon, and Nigeria. South Africa and Algeria have both been vocal opponents of granting Israel observer status, while Rwanda and the DRC have been proponents. (F24, JP, MEE, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 2/6; AJ, ALM, MEMO 2/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also leveled agricultural land near Bethlehem. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Shufa, Dheisheh refugee camp, al-Khader, Beit Fajjar, ‘Anata, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in al-Tur. In West Jerusalem, 5 Jewish Israelis attacked 1 Palestinian man, stabbing and beating him while he was on his way home after work. 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. (WAFA 8/19; MEMO, MEMO 8/20; PCHR 8/26; TOI 8/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke to South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, thanking him for his support of Palestine. South Africa has been 1 of the most vocal opponents of the African Union decision to readmit Israel as an observer state on 7/22. (WAFA 8/19)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with UN special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh stressed that all aid to Palestine must go through the PA. Later, Qatar announced that an agreement to transfer Qatari aid to Palestinian families had been made and that the process does not involve the PA. The agreement that will remain in effect until the end of 2021 will see some 100,000 Palestinian families in Gaza receiving a monthly stipend of $100 from Qatar, which will be transferred to banks in Gaza via a UN bank account in New York. The UN World Food Programme provides ATM cards to the Palestinians in Gaza for the aid and Israel will approve the list of Palestinian families eligible. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz said a separate mechanism would be set up for Palestinians in the West Bank where the PA will distribute funds. Haaretz sources said that part of the reason the PA was circumvented in the process of providing aid to Gaza was due to the possible legal procedures against the PA if aid money was provided to people affiliated with Hamas. Hamas later praised the agreement. (HA 8/17; AJ, ALM, AP, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 8/19; AJ, HA, JP, MEE, MEMO 8/20)

Israel’s foreign and alternate prime minister, Yair Lapid, told Israeli Channel 11 that there will not be a 2-state solution during the current government. Foreign Minister Lapid said that a 2-state solution is his preferred outcome, but that there is not any agreement for it within the current government. (JP 8/20)

Israeli forces used Lebanese air space to attack areas surrounding Damascus and Homs in Syria, allegedly killing 8, including 4 civilians. Lebanese defense minister Zeina Akar condemned Israel for violating its air space and flying at low altitudes. (AJ, AP, HA, TOI 8/19; MEE 8/20)

A shipment of Iranian fuel embarked toward Lebanon after a group of Shiite businessmen with help from Hezbollah bought the fuel. Lebanon has suffered a severe fuel shortage in recent months as its economy continues to deteriorate. Lebanese president Michel Aoun said that the U.S. will help Lebanon with its fuel shortage by providing electricity through Egyptian natural gas via Jordan and Syria. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, REU, REU 8/19; HA, MEMO 8/20)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Hebron; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Salfit and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Also in the West Bank, Jewish settlers from Yitzhar settlement destroy around 100 olive trees nr. Nablus. (MNA 5/25; PCHR 5/30)

Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court rules against elements of an election law passed by the Muslim Brotherhood-dominated legislature, sending the bill back to the Upper House for review. Meanwhile, U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry meets Pres. Mohamed Morsi on the sidelines of an African Union summit and urges the Egyptian govt. to implement economic reforms necessary to secure a $4.8 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan. (AP, REU 5/25)

Four more people die in clashes between residents of the Sunni Bab el-Tebbaneh district and Alawite area Jabal Mohsen, bringing the death toll over 6 days of fighting in Tripoli to 28, with over 200 wounded. Meanwhile, Hizballah head Hassan Nasrallah broadcasts a televised speech saying that the fall of the Bashar al-Asad govt. in Syria would be a disaster for the “resistance” and for Palestine and a victory for U.S. and Israeli interests. (AFP, HA 5/25)