The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian shepherd in Ein al-Beida. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 man protesting soldiers beating his son who was arrested during a house raid in Qalandia. The Palestinian man’s wife said her husband had gone outside to stop the soldiers’ assault on their son when he was shot and killed. Israeli forces also shot and killed 2 Palestinians and injured 7 others during a raid in Qabatiya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 agricultural structure in Duma. Israeli forces also issued an eviction notice to a family in Hajja in preparation for a punitive demolition. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Qalandia refugee camp, Dheisheh refugee camp, ad-Doha, al-Baqa‘a, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers wrote hateful graffiti aimed at Christians on the walls of the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate building in the Old City. Israeli forces raided the home of PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith, informing him that his ban on contacting PA officials and entering the West Bank had been extended for 6 months. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/12; AP, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR 1/13’ ; UNOCHA 2/16; PCHR 1/19; UNOCHA 2/3)

Peace Now and Bimkom said that a clause in the Likud Party and Religious Zionism Party coalition agreement could see Israel seize 13,000 dunams (3,250 acres) of Palestinian-owned land in the West Bank and 70 buildings in Hebron transferred to settlers as Israel claims that the land and buildings were owned by Jewish people before 1948. The land Israel intends to seize is located near Bethlehem, Nabi Samwil, Battir, and Beit Furik, including land in Area B. (HA 1/12)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh met with U.S. special representative for Palestinian affairs Hady Amr in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh urged the U.S. to act quickly to end Israeli measures to weaken the PA and undermine the 2-state solution. (WAFA 1/12)

The head of the Hamas political bureau Ismail Haniyeh met with UN Middle East peace process envoy Tor Wennesland in Doha, Qatar. (MEMO 1/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers fenced off a Palestinian pasture near Khirbet al-Farisiyya. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Qalandia checkpoint, injuring 1 with a baton round, 2 with a tear-gas canister, and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with a baton round during a raid in al-Arroub refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces fired tear gas near a school in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries to students. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure and uprooted 15 olive trees near Dura and seized agricultural machinery in Khirbet Umm al-Jamal near Tubas. 24 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Beitin, Nablus, Bayt Ibia, Jaba‘, and Dahariya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers and police seized and fenced off 5 dunams (1.2 acres) of land in Silwan, owned by the Greek Orthodox church and leased to Palestinians. 3 Palestinians were arrested in Silwan. (MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/27; MEMO, WAFA 12/28; PCHR 12/29; WAFA 12/30; WAFA 12/31; UNOCHA 1/16)

Israel said it had arrested 1 Palestinian man on 11/29 who the Shin Bet suspect carried out the 2 bombing attacks in Jerusalem on 11/23, which killed 1 man. The Palestinian man is said to be a supporter of Islamic State and to have acted alone. (AJ 12/27)

The Hamas-affiliated media outlet Shehab News Agency leaked a 3-minute audio clip of PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh criticizing PA president Mahmoud Abbas and other leaders in the PA. In the clip Secretary-General al-Sheikh says that President Abbas “is a partner in the chaos and has an interest for it to remain.” Al-Sheikh told Al-Araby al-Jadeed that the recording was fabricated. (AP 12/27; MEMO 12/28; MEMO 12/29)

The Knesset approved amendments to the Basic Law on the Government to allow 2 ministers at the defense ministry. The amendment, which was part of the Religious Zionism Party’s coalition deal with the Likud Party, allows 2 ministers to serve in 1 government office and paves the way for Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich to appoint a minister at the defense ministry in charge of the administration of the West Bank. The IDF chief of staff Aviv Kochavi expressed his concern about the changes to the defense ministry to prime minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu. Another amendment to the Basic Law allows Shas leader Arye Dery to serve as a minister in the government, despite being convicted of tax offenses. (HA, HA 12/26; AJ, HA, MDW, MEE, REU 12/27; MEMO 12/28; HA, HA 12/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at cars traveling near Burqa, leading to clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians confronting the Israeli settlers. Israeli settlers also physically assaulted 2 Palestinians near al-Ibrahimi Mosque. Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land planted with almond trees west of Ramallah. Israeli forces also razed land in Bruqin and Nil‘in. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during raids in Jenin refugee camp and Hebron, and 3 at a checkpoint near Jit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinian minors in Issawiyya; no serious physical injuries were reported. Israeli forces violently dispersed protests in Bayt Hanina, leading to clashes, and arrested 4 Palestinians. Israeli forces also briefly dispersed Palestinians celebrating by the Damascus Gate but allowed the celebrations to carry on shortly after. 2 Palestinians were charged with hate crimes after throwing coffee on an Israeli settler and putting a video of the incident on social media on 4/22. In Gaza, Israel closed the Gaza fishing zone, citing 3 days of rocket fire toward Israel; Israel claimed that 4 Israelis were injured due to the rocket fire, all from tripping while seeking shelter. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting at the Gaza fence for the 3d day in a row, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested for crossing into Israel. Israeli forces also opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (HA 4/25; HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/26; HA, WAFA 4/27; HA 4/28; PCHR 4/29)

The PA announced it will build a new city near Jericho, to be named Sama Qarantal. The city will accommodate between 15,000 and 20,000 people. (WAFA 4/26)

2 Egyptian officials said they had been briefed that PA president Mahmoud Abbas will postpone the Palestinian elections this week, citing Israeli unwillingness to let Palestinians in East Jerusalem partake in the elections. A Palestinian source said that a final decision will be made on 4/29, after a meeting between all Palestinian parties. (AJ, AP, HA 4/27)

Israeli member of Knesset, former minister, and leader of HaTzionut HaDatit (Religious Zionist Party) Bezalel Smotrich threatened that “Arabs are citizens of Israel, for now at least, and they have representatives at the Knesset, for now at least” during a party meeting. Smotrich further said that Palestinian-Israelis can only be “legitimate partners” if they accept Israel as a Jewish state. (HA 4/26)

The U.S. said it fired warning shots at an Iranian navy ship for being too close to 2 U.S. military vessels in the Persian Gulf. (AJ 4/27; AP 4/28)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler struck and killed 1 Palestinian woman with their car near al-Samu’; it was unclear if the settler had rammed the woman intentionally. Israeli settlers with military escort raided Kafr Haris and Sabastiyya, closing off areas of both towns for Palestinians. Israeli forces issued demolition orders against 64 Palestinian-owned structures in Ras al-Ahmar. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 2 residential structures and 2 agricultural structures in al-Jiftlik. 19 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ras Karkar, Dayr Jarir, Bayt Umar, Yatta, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 car repair shop, 1 garage, 2 rooms in Issawiyya, and seized vending stalls near the Haram al-Sharif compound. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in Ras Khamis. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/7; PCHR, WAFA 4/8)

Hamas declared a total lockdown of Gaza to curb the COVID-19 virus, which has been spreading at unprecedented levels. The lockdown will last until the morning of 4/16. Only food vendors and pharmacies will be allowed to remain open. In the 24 hours before the announcement, 6 people had succumbed to the virus in Gaza and 38 percent of tests were positive. 150 people were receiving care for the illness at a hospital. (HA 4/7)

An Israeli planning commission approved 540 new settlement units in Har Homa in East Jerusalem between the city and Bethlehem. The Jerusalem District Planning Committee will need to give the final approval to 540 units on 4/21. The PA condemned the decision. (HA, WAFA 4/7; MEMO, TOI 4/8)

1 Palestinian prisoner in administrative detention suspended his 47-day-long hunger strike after being promised that Israel would set a date for his release. (WAFA 4/7)

Palestinian human rights activist Issa Amro was acquitted of all charges in a Palestinian court. He had been charged with insulting higher authorities, causing public strife, and disturbing public order after writing criticism about the PA. (Twitter 4/7; Twitter 4/8)

Right-wing Israeli politician and leader of HaTzionut HaDatit (Religious Zionist Party) Bezalel Smotrich wrote on Twitter, “I heard that after Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, may he live a long life, said that a true Muslim must know that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish People, Ahmad Tibi opened his mouth against him. So, Ahmad, a true Muslim must know that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people, and over time Arabs like you, who do not recognize that, will not remain here. Rabbi Shmuel and tens of thousands of his students, including us, will make sure that happens.” Smotrich’s comments about Palestinian-Israeli politician Ahmad Tibi drew condemnation from pro-Israel organizations in the U.S., including the Anti-Defamation League and AIPAC offshoot Democratic Majority for Israel. (HA, HA 4/7)

Jordanian king Abdullah II said that “the sedition has been buried,” in reference to the alleged plot against him from 4/3, where his half-brother Prince Hamzah bin Hussein was placed under house arrest for steering the plot. The Jordanian government has banned all national outlets from covering the issue. U.S. president Joe Biden assured Abdullah II of his support in a call. (AJ, AP, REU 4/6; AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 4/7)

The U.S. announced that it will resume providing aid to the UNRWA, which has been cut since 2018. In its 1st aid package, the U.S. will provide $150 million to the UNRWA, $75 million in economic and development assistance to the West Bank and Gaza, and $10 million for “peacebuilding programs” through the USAID. The U.S. also sent $15 million in assistance to the West Bank and Gaza to help with their COVID-19 response in March. The Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Gilad Erdan condemned the U.S. decision to resume aid to UNRWA, saying that Palestinian refugees are not “real” refugees. (AJ, ALM, AX, HA, NYT, REU, USAID, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/7; GDN, WAFA, WAFA 4/8; WAFA 4/12)

The U.S. also said it was ready to lift “sanctions that are inconsistent with the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]” on Iran. The announcement came as indirect talks about the U.S. rejoining the Iran nuclear deal, brokered by the EU, were underway in Vienna. (HA 4/8)

Axios reported that the U.S. has asked Israel to provide the water to Jordan it requested last month, but that Israel is said to withholding due to prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s personal feud with King Abdullah II, which has been growing in recent months and straining the 2 countries’ relationship. (AX 4/7)

PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli PM Rabin meet in Cairo for final negotiations on Gaza-Jericho self-rule agreement. Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa mediates. (NYT, WP, WT 5/4)

Qatari FM Shaykh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabr al-Thani, in opening remarks to 5th round of multilateral Middle East peace talks on arms control in Doha attended by 43 countries, rules out normal diplomatic or economic relations with Israel pending comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace. (WT 5/4)

Rabbinical Conference of the Religious Zionist Rabbis Association issues halachic ruling saying Israeli govt. "not empowered by Jewish law, tradition or heritage to relinquish the rights of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel," calling Gaza-Jericho agreement "not recognized as binding." (MM 5/4)

Military Action:

Car bomb explodes outside Fateh military intelligence office in East Lebanon town of Chtoura; car bomb in Beirut's Hamra street.

Casualties:

53 wounded in Chtoura; 5 wounded in Hamra street.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli trade with Lebanon in last half of 1982 valued at $50 million; Sharon invites Soviet Union to have talks with Israel; Army central commander Orr denies the existence of a policy of harassment and severe punishment of West Bank Palestinians while testifying at trial of seven Israeli soldiers in Jaffa; new religious Zionist movement Netivot Shalom ("Paths to Peace") reportedly formed with goal that peace is more important than land, against settlements in densely populated areas of West Bank; Hebron area Village League chairman Mohammed Nasser tells Israel Bonds meeting that Leagues now represent the silent majority.

Arab Governments: King Hussein, on diplomatic trip to gain support for peace, visits Belgium and Spain.