The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers seized a tract of land near Bayt Jala and placed barbed-wire fencing around it. Near Hebron, Israeli forces prevented Palestinian farmers from farming their land. (WAFA, WAFA 6/6)

A leaked document showed that the PA in 2017 secretly increased the salaries of PA ministers by 67 percent. The UN special coordinator for the Middle East Nickolay Mladenov criticized the pay increases in light of the Palestinian economy and said that he had spoken to PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh who committed to end the practice and investigate the salary increases. (AJ 6/6)

A group of Democratic senators in the U.S. congress introduced a draft resolution opposing possible Israeli annexation of the West Bank. The resolution stipulated that, “[u]nilateral annexation of portions of the West Bank would jeopardize prospects for a two-state solution, harm Israel’s relationship with its Arab neighbors, threaten Israel’s Jewish and democratic identity and undermine Israel’s security.” (Axios 6/6)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Dayr al-Balah fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers approaching the border fence, causing no injuries. Off the coast nr. Dayr al-Balah, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, damaging 1. In the West Bank, IDF troops detain a Palestinian singer while he is shooting a music video at a checkpoint nr. Nablus; patrol in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Ramallah. Overnight, Israeli forces demolish a power network in a village nr. Hebron, sparking minor clashes with youth in the area. They also demolish an auto repair shop in a village nr. Bethlehem; set up explosive mines and barbed wire around a water source nr. Hebron. Later, Israeli forces confiscate a Palestinian man’s car nr. Salfit after detaining him for 3 hours. Israeli settlers throw stones at a senior PA official’s car nr. Nablus, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces deliver demolition orders to 3 Palestinian homes. Light Rail guards assault a Palestinian woman. (MNA, WAFA 5/7; MNA 5/9; PCHR 5/14)

Hours after Israeli PM Netanyahu announced the new ruling coalition on 5/6, Jerusalem municipal authorities approve construction of 900 new homes in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood of East Jerusalem. U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Jeff Rathke says that the Obama admin. is “disappointed” and “concerned” with the announcement. The White House, however, releases a statement congratulating Netanyahu on forming a new govt. Meanwhile, EU amb. to Israel FaaborgAndersen says there is a growing frustration within the EU about the lack of progress between Israel and the Palestinians. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 5/7; AP 5/8; TOI 5/9)

An EU observer delegation arrives in Gaza to monitor the Rafah border crossing. (MNA 5/7)

The U.S. Senate passes the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act by a vote of 98–1. The bill, which will allow Congress to review and either approve or disapprove of any final agreement made between the P5+1 and Iran, now goes to the House for consideration. AIPAC and other major pro-Israel groups laud its passage. (JP, TOI 5/7; TOI 5/8)