The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole 18 residential tents in Beit Furik. Israeli forces razed land planted with 210 olive and almond trees in Birin. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Nablus, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/18; PCHR 7/19; UNOCHA 7/29)

Medical Aid for Palestinians said it will provide the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) helmets and bulletproof vests worth $24,000 to help protect medical workers in the West Bank. PRCS said medical teams had been put in danger by Israeli forces on 193 separate occasions in the first half of 2023, an increase of 310% compared to the same period in 2022. (MAP, WAFA 7/18; GDN 7/19)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant signed an order to place 3 Israeli settlers in administrative detention for attacks on Palestinians in Umm Safa and al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya in June. (HA 7/18)

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring that “the State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state” by 412 votes to 9. Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Summer Lee (D-PA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Andre Carson (D-IN), Cori Bush (D-MO), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Delia Ramirez (D-IL) voted against. The resolution was presented by August Pfluger (R-TX). (AJ, HA, NYT 7/18; HA, MDW 7/19)

U.S. president Joe Biden met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog at the White House. After the meeting, Biden told New York Times columnist Tom Friedman that he urged Israeli leaders to stop the judicial overhaul and not pass reforms without a broad consensus. (ALM, MEE, NYT, NYT, REU 7/18; HA, HA, HA 7/19)

60 prominent human rights and press freedom organizations signed a letter addressed to the U.S. Congress urging representatives to pass the Justice for Shireen Act, which would require the U.S. government to investigate the Israeli killing of Shireen Abu Akleh. (AJ, MEE 7/18; WAFA 7/19)

The U.S. Department of Commerce added the Israel-owned Intellexa and Cytrox spyware companies to its blacklist of companies acting against U.S. interests. The list already includes NSO Group and Candiru. (HA, MEE, NYT 7/18)

The University of Maryland Critical Issues survey showed that 73% of Americans would favor Israel as a democracy over Israel’s as a Jewish state in the absence of a two-state solution. (Brookings 7/18; HA 7/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor in Aida refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, tens of thousands of Israelis marched through the Old City, including the Muslim Quarter for the so-called Flag March, attacking Palestinians and Palestinian property and yelling genocidal and racist slogans such as “Death to Arabs,” “May your village burn down,” and profanities against the Prophet Muhammad. 3 journalists and 3 Palestinians were assaulted by the marchers. Israeli police also assaulted several journalists, including CNN correspondent Ben Wedeman. The U.S. condemned the behavior at the march as “outrageous and unacceptable.” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir took part in the march. Thousands of Israeli settlers, including Negev and Galilee development minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf and MKs Dan Illouz, Amit Halevi, and Ariel Kallner toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Later Israeli forces also prevented the call to prayer before the sunset prayer from al-Aqsa Mosque. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting against the Flag March along the Gaza fence, injuring 5 with baton rounds and causing tear-gas related injuries. (HA 5/16; AJ, AP, MEE, WAFA 5/17; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/18; HA, MDW, MDW, WAFA, WAFA 5/19; WAFA 5/20; MDW 5/22; PCHR 5/25; UNOCHA 6/2)

The Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant ordered Israeli Central Command chief Yehuda Funch to authorize entry of Israeli settlers to the Homesh settlement outpost and to grant the Shomron Regional Council a plot of land to create a Yeshiva on. The move was made to prevent Palestinian landowners from successfully appealing to the Israeli High Court of Justice to have the settlers cleared from Homesh and for them to regain access to their land. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the U.S. was “deeply troubled” by the Israeli decision, noting that the order contravened promises made by then Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon in 2004 to the Bush administration and by the Netanyahu government to the Biden administration. The French foreign ministry also condemned the move, saying it contravened commitments made by Israel at the Aqaba and Sharm El Sheikh summits in February and March. According to Axios, Israeli officials had told the Biden administration that Israel does not intend to turn Homesh into a new settlement. (WAFA 5/18; HA 5/21; AJ, ALM, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA 5/22; AX, HA, TOI 5/23; HA, WAFA 5/24)

Haaretz reported that Israeli finance minister and de facto governor of the West Bank, Bezalel Smotrich, has stressed at closer door meetings that it is Israeli policy to improve infrastructure in Israeli settlements and outposts to prepare for an additional 500,000 Israeli settlers moving to the West Bank. Smotrich also instructed government officials to draw up plans for more checkpoints between Israel and the West Bank for settlers. The U.S. responded to the reporting saying that “we view the expansion of settlement as an obstacle to peace.” The Israeli government later said that Smotrich’s statements did not represent the policies of the Netanyahu-led government. (HA 5/18; HA 5/23)

6 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives held a press conference outside of the Capitol building criticizing the Biden administration and their colleagues for not holding Israel accountable for the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh last year and for human rights violations against Palestinians in general. The 6 members, Andre Carson (D-IN), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), and Cori Bush (D-MO), spoke alongside members of Abu Akleh’s family. (AJ, HA 5/18)

In Gaza, 7 Palestinians were killed, including at least 4 by Israeli airstrikes, and 36 were injured on the second day of the Israeli assault on Gaza. 2 Palestinians were killed in an airstrike on a field in Abasan al-Kabira, while 2 Palestinians were killed and 2 injured in an airstrike on a field in al-Shuka east of Rafah. 8 Palestinians, including 3 children and 3 women, were injured in airstrikes on al-Salem near Rafah. 1 Palestinian was killed and 1 woman seriously injured when a missile fell on their house in Beit Lahiya, 2 minors were killed and 12 others were injured when a missile fell on a house in Gaza City, and 13 were injured after a missile fell on a house in Beit Hanun. PCHR said its initial investigation raised suspicion that these 3 incidents could be from rockets misfired from Gaza. Islamic Jihad started firing rockets at Israel 35 hours after Israel assassinated 3 of their members and after 3 separate rounds of airstrikes. In Israel, rockets launched from Gaza caused damage in Ashkelon and Sderot, injuring 1 Israeli. 2 Israeli Channel 13 journalists were assaulted by an Israeli man using pepper spray while reporting in Tel Aviv. The TV channel has been attacked by Israeli politicians for airing a chyron reading “Green light from the prime minister: Women and children killed overnight in Gaza.” In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Qabatiya, killing 3 Palestinians. Israeli forces escorting Israeli settlers also shot and injured 2 Palestinians near Deir Dibwan. Elsewhere, Israeli forces uprooted olive tree saplings in Wadi Fukin and uprooted hundreds of olive trees and destroyed 20 water tanks in Tarqumiyah. Israeli forces also raided Tubas; 1 Israeli soldier was injured. Meanwhile, Israeli forces seized 1 digger in Maeen. Israeli forces also demolished 3 Palestinian-owned homes in Ein ad-Duyuk al-Foqa. 28 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, Jericho, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces demolished 2 apartments in Jabel Mukaber, displacing 10. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AX, BBC, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, NYT, QDS, REU, TOI, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/10; AJ, AP, HA, PCHR, PCHR, REU, WAFA 5/11; UNOCHA 5/19)

Israel handed over the body of 1 Palestinian man killed by Israeli forces in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp on 4/24 to the PA. (WAFA 5/10)

UN secretary-general António Guterres condemned the civilian deaths caused by Israeli attacks in Gaza and said, “Israel must abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law.” Guterres also condemned the launching of rockets at Israel. The Arab League called Israel’s attacks on Gaza “barbaric” in a statement after an emergency session. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 5/10)

The UAE, France, and China called a closed-door emergency meeting at the UN Security Council on the Israeli attacks on Gaza. The U.S. prevented a statement critical of Israel from being published. (HA 5/10; HA 5/11)

The Palestinian Journalist Syndicate condemned Israeli restrictions on press crews entering Gaza to cover the Israeli assault. (WAFA 5/10)

Al-Mayadeen TV and Al Jazeera reported that Palestinian factions in Gaza agreed to a ceasefire but insisted that Israel commit to stopping assassinations, which Israel refused to do. (HA, REU 5/10; AJ 5/11)

Haaretz reported that based on UN data Israeli settlers had vandalized around 5,000 trees in the West Bank in the past 5 months. (HA, MEE 5/10)

PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh met with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. (QDS 5/10)

U.S. congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced a resolution to recognize the Nakba, cosponsored by Betty McCollum (D-MN), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Ilhan Omar (D-MN). Coinciding with introduction of the resolution and the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, Tlaib had arranged an event to commemorate the Nakba in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, but the event was canceled on the day by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VA) then facilitated the event to take place in a nearby Senate office building. (MDW, MEE 5/10; AJ, ALM, HA, MDW, MEE 5/11)

In the West Bank, 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-‘Awja, Hebron, Beit Umar and Beitin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Bayt Hanina. (WAFA 4/13; UNOCHA 4/20; PCHR 4/27)

The Israeli state prosecutor closed a probe into the Israeli police’s killing of 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel near the Haram al-Sharif compound on 3/31. Israeli police claimed that no cameras caught the incident as the police officers’ body cameras were turned off and that the incident happened in a blind spot for surveillance cameras. Palestinians have contested the police’s narrative and several organizations have questioned the notion that no camera would have caught the incident given that the area is heavily surveilled. (AP, HA, WAFA 4/13)

An Israeli court ruled that Israel’s interior minister does not have the authority to revoke residency status and citizenship from relatives of Palestinians who are accused of attacking Israelis as a means of deterrence. (HA 4/13)

Human Rights Watch reported that the PA refused to renew the registration of the rights organization Lawyers for Justice that represent Palestinians detained by the PA. (HRW, TOI 4/13; AP 4/14)

Syria and Saudi Arabia reestablished diplomatic ties, reopening embassies and resuming flights between the two countries for the first time since 2012. Syria also reestablished ties with Tunisia on 4/12. (AJ, AP, HA, REU 4/12; AJ, AP, HA 4/13)

13 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, headed by Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and Bernie Sanders (D-VT) in the Senate wrote a letter to U.S. president Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging them to shift U.S. policy on Israel-Palestine. The letter mentioned the worsening violence, Israel’s “further annexation of land, and denial of Palestinian rights.” The group also said that U.S. taxpayer money should not be used for Israeli settlement projects and the U.S. should investigate if U.S. military aid violates the Leahy Law. (AJ, HA, MDW, WAFA 4/14; HA 4/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinians in Kisan, injuring 2 who were treated at a hospital. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, entering al-Aqsa Mosque. (WAFA, WAFA 3/29; PCHR 3/30; UNOCHA 4/20)

Khalil Awawdeh, who in 2022 suspended a 172-day hunger strike after Israel promised to end his administrative detention on 10/2/2022, was sentenced to 16-months in prison for using a smuggled mobile phone while on hunger strike. Israel never released Awawdeh from administrative detention despite its promise to do so. (WAFA 3/29) 

Israel launched a spy satellite. The launch was overseen by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, despite Gallant being fired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 3/26. (GDN 3/28; REU 3/29; NYT 3/30)

Jewish Currents reported that progressive Democratic representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) circulated a letter, addressed to the Biden administration, urging it to “undertake a shift in U.S. policy in recognition of the worsening violence, further annexation of land, and denial of Palestinian rights. Only by protecting democracy, human rights, and self-determination for all Palestinians and Israelis can we achieve a lasting peace.” Democrats further called for U.S. aid not to support Israeli settlements or violate the Arms Export Control Act. The letter was co-signed by representatives Cori Bush (D-MO), Andre Carson (D-IN), Summer Lee (D-PA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). (HA 3/29)

U.S. senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) told CNN that he has been in talks with the White House about introducing measures to hold Israel accountable, including reversing the Trump administration’s blurring of the lines between Israel and the West Bank. (HA 3/29)

The U.S. rejected Prime Minister Netanyahu’s claim that Israel had met all requirements for entering the U.S. visa waiver program. (HA, HA, MEE, REU 3/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces prevented Palestinian farmers from working their land in al-Diyouk al-Tahta and Khirbet Humsa, confiscating 1 tractor in Khirbet Humsa and demolishing 1 fence and 1 storage room in al-Diyouk al-Tahta. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 3 poultry sheds in Ya‘bad. 16 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beitunia, al-Bireh, Jenin, Halhul, Tulkarm refugee camp, Qalqilya, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed the funeral procession for 1 Palestinian man who, on 5/14, succumbed to injuries sustained by Israeli forces at the Haram al-Sharif compound on 4/22; 1 Palestinian man was resuscitated after being shot by Israeli forces using a baton round, some 70 were injured, including 13 that were taken to hospitals, and 20 were arrested. 11 journalists were prevented from covering the event. Israel said 6 police officers were lightly injured by stone throwing. Israeli forces also arrested 1 of the pallbearers who was attacked by Israeli police during the funeral procession for Shireen Abu Akleh on 5/13. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction and 3 agricultural structures in Isawiya. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/16; MDW, WAFA 5/17; AJ, MEE, WAFA 5/18; AJ, REU 5/18; PCHR 5/19; UNOCHA 6/4)

U.S. congressperson Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced a resolution to the U.S. House to recognize the Nakba. The resolution was co-sponsored by Betty McCollum (D-MN), Marie Newman (D-IL), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and Cori Bush (D-MO). (AJ 5/16; MDW, MEMO, WAFA 5/17; AJ, JP 5/18; TOI 5/19)

The Intercept reported that 2 U.S. congresspeople André Carson (D-IN) and Lou Correa (D-CA) were circulating a letter demanding that the FBI investigate the 5/11 killing of Abu Akleh, who was an American citizen, in the West Bank. By 5/19, the letter had received 57 signatures from members of the U.S. House. (INT 5/16; AJ 5/19; HA, MEE, WAFA 5/20; MDW 5/26)

The EU announced a donation of $26 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza. (WAFA 5/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and critically injured a 3d after claiming that the 3 had opened fire at Israeli soldiers at an Israeli military installation near Jenin; no Israeli was reported injured. Israeli forces also assaulted Palestinian journalists trying to cover the incident and smashed 1 camera. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 1 with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also raided the home of an alleged attacker in Turmus ‘Ayya and took measurements for a punitive demolition. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in and around Aida refugee camp and al-‘Arub refugee camp, and 4 at checkpoints in Qalandia and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces attacked Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound, wounding 205 Palestinians, including 88 who were hospitalized and 3 who lost eyes; 17 Israeli police officers were also reported injured. Israeli forces threw stun grenades inside of al-Aqsa Mosque. 17 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Shaykh Jarrah. In Gaza, Israel said incendiary balloons from Gaza had started 7 fires in Israel. (AA, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEE, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/7; AJ, MEE, PCHR 5/8; HA 5/10; PCHR 5/11; MEE 5/21; HA 5/31)

The High Follow-up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel called on Palestinians in Israel to support Palestinians in East Jerusalem after the Israeli attacks on worshipers at the Haram al-Sharif compound and on protesters in Shaykh Jarrah. (MEMO, WAFA 5/8)

The Kahanist lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir from the Otzma Jehudit (Jewish Power) party closed his makeshift office on the opposite side of the street from where Palestinians have been eating iftar meals in protest over Israeli threats of evicting Palestinian families in Shaykh Jarrah. Ben-Gvir said he closed the office after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had requested he do so. (HA 5/7)

Palestinians reported that information shared about Shaykh Jarrah had been censored by social media companies like Instagram and Twitter and in some instances, Palestinian accounts sharing information about Shaykh Jarrah had been closed by the companies. Instagram and Twitter later blamed technical errors for the problem. (AJ, MEE 5/7; HA 5/10; AJ 5/11; HUFF 5/12)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas condemned the Israeli aggression in Jerusalem, saying he has called on the PA ambassador to the UN to request an emergency session at the UN security council. (WAFA 5/7)

A Saudi official confirmed that Iran and Saudi Arabia are in direct talks to resolve the issues between the 2 countries. (HA 5/7; MEMO 5/8)

The U.S. issued a statement saying that the country “is extremely concerned about ongoing confrontations in Jerusalem, including the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount and in Sheikh Jarrah, which have reportedly resulted in scores of injured people . . . It is absolutely critical that all sides exercise restraint, refrain from provocative actions and rhetoric, and preserve the historic status quo on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount—in word and in practice.” The UN also warned Israel that forced evictions of Palestinians in East Jerusalem could amount to war crimes. (AJ 5/7; HA, WAFA 5/8)

U.S. senators Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) and representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Andy Levin (D-MI), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) called on Israel not to evict Palestinians from their homes in Shaykh Jarrah. Representatives Marie Newman (D-IL) and Mark Pocan (D-WI) circulated a letter in congress calling on secretary of state Antony Blinken to pressure Israel not to move forward with the eviction and to stop home demolitions in al-Bustan. (HA, MEE 5/7; HA 5/8; WAFA 5/9)