Occupied Palestine/Israel: P. M. Shamir reiterates his opposition to international Middle East peace conference [NYT 2/12]. Shamir also states U.S. should continue...
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In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Burqa, causing damage. Israeli forces razed farmland in Battir, uprooting dozens of olive tree saplings. 26 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Qalqilya, Jenin, Nablus, and Hebron. PA forces assaulted 4 journalists covering a sit-in protest at Hebron University against the arrest of the university’s students by PA forces. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen, injuring 1 with a baton round. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/3; PCHR 8/5 PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/11)
HaMoked and the Center for Defense of the Individual obtained data from the Israel Prison Service showing that a quarter of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel are in administrative detention. 1,201 Palestinians are held in administrative detention, the highest number since at least 2001. Less than half of the 5,014 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel have received a prison sentence. (AP 8/1; ALM 8/2; HA 8/3)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with acting Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati, who told him that Lebanese troops may intervene in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp if the violence that broke out on 7/29 does not stop. The situation was reportedly improving before Mikati and Abbas spoke. (AJ, AP, HA, WAFA 8/3)
PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki criticized the Biden administration to members of the Foreign Press Association, calling it weak on Palestine for not reversing Trump administration measures to undermine Palestinians’ right to statehood and inadequately addressing Israeli violations against Palestinians. Al-Maliki also said he is open to peace talks that include China as the mediator and hoped that Saudi Arabia would not “yield to any kind of pressure or intimidation coming from the Biden administration” regarding normalizing ties with Israel. (AP, MEE 8/3)
A Palestinian American man visiting family in Gaza told Reuters that Israel rejected his request to return to the U.S. via Ben Gurion Airport. Another Palestinian American said Israel denied him entry at Ben Gurion Airport forcing him to return to Dubai, despite being told by the Israeli embassy in the UAE that he would be allowed to enter Israel with his Gaza ID. Israel has said that new procedures relevant to Palestinians with Gaza ID cards will be published on 9/15 as part of the country’s trial to become part of the U.S. Visa Waiver program. The trial period ends on 9/30. (MEE, REU 8/3)
Haaretz reported that Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency and police units in the country have used UFED hacking tools made by the Israeli company Cellebrite. Pakistan’s use of Cellebrite spyware technology was first reported in 2012. (HA, MEE 8/3)
Germany donated $30 million to UNRWA through the KfW Development Bank. (WAFA 8/3)
Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Between 70 and 100 Jewish settler vigilantes raid Dahayshah refugee camp, vandalizing homes, cars and attacking camp residents, who charge soldiers in camp did nothing to prevent violence [WP 6/9; FJ 6/14]. Israeli soldiers open fire on demonstrators at Abu Dis College of Science and Technology, wounding 1 student; student protesters at Hebron University clash with Israeli troops [FJ 6/7].
Other Countries: Israeli reports indicate U.S. court has agreed to postpone hearing on subpoena of Al Schwimmer, Israeli businessman involved in U.S. arms sales to Iran [BS 6/7]. Former USS Liberty crewmen gather in Washington for memorial service marking 20th anniversary of Israeli bombing of ship, call for new investigation of attack [PI 6/8].
Military Action
Arab World: Israeli and SLA troops join in late night attack on Amal patrol 6 miles north of security zone; 2 Amal fighters killed, 3 wounded [PI 6/8].
Social/Economic/Political
Arab World: Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine withdraws offer to trade U.S. hostages for 400 Arab prisoners held in Israel [BS 2/15].
Other Countries: Lebanese Pres. Jumayyil arrives in London after EEC ministers deny his request for financial support [LT 2/15].
Military Action
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli patrols use tear gas, rubber bullets to break up demonstrations in Nablus and Ramallah, arrest 18 students during protest at Hebron University. In Majdal Shams, hundreds of Druze youths gather for rally marking 5th anniversary of imposition of Israeli law on Golan Heights; 13 are arrested following violent clashes with Israeli police, 5 Israeli police injured UP 2/21; SG 2/15].
Arab World: Amal temporarily halts siege of Rashidiyyah refugee camp, south of Tyre, to permit UNRWA food trucks and ambulance to enter camp [CSM 2/17; NYT 2/15].
Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: P. M. Shamir reiterates his opposition to international Middle East peace conference [NYT 2/12]. Shamir also states U.S. should continue effortso reestablish contact with Iran, indicates disapproval of Israel's role in shipping U.S. arms to Iran [WP 2/12].
Other Countries: Two of the 6 Arabs arrested in Los Angeles 1/26 on charges of membership in PFLP claim prison officials are denying them basic rights [LAT 2/12].
Military Action
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops use tear gas and rubber bullets to break up group of approximately 120 women marching to Nablus. The women are relatives of Balatta camp youths arrested 1/20. Students at Nablus' al-Rawda College blockade campus-area roads, pelt Israeli soldiers with stones and empty bottles. Troops respond with tear gas and live ammunition; district military commander orders college closed for 2 weeks. Israeli troops arrest 30 Hebron University students after violent campus confrontation [FJ 2/13].
Arab World: Amal forces refuse to allow trucks of food to enter Burj al-Barajinah refugee camp in Beirut [IN 2/12].
