Friday, July 21, 2023

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized some 50 olive trees in al-Khader. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor and injured 1 other with live ammunition while others suffered tear-gas related injuries during a raid in Umm Safa. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian man traveling near Sebastia and injured a passenger, claiming shots were fired from the vehicle. The mayor of Sebastia said more than fifty bullets were fired at the car. The PA called for an international investigation, calling the killing an “execution.” Israeli forces also violently dispersed a funeral procession in Beit Umar, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians holding a sit-in protest in Silwan against Israeli displacement in the neighborhood. In Umm al-Fahm, Palestinian citizens of Israel protested against the Israeli police’s inaction in solving crime in Palestinian towns. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, REU WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/21; AJ, AN, AP, HA, MEE, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/22; PCHR 7/27; UNOCHA 7/29)

The Portuguese parliament passed a resolution recognizing the Nakba and condemning Israeli expansionism. (QDS, WAFA 7/21; MEMO, NA 7/22; MEE 7/23)

U.S. ambassador Tom Nides ended his tenure as ambassador to Israel. Nides was replaced by acting U.S. ambassador to Israel Stephanie Hallett. Nides had resigned to spend time with his family. (QDS 7/21)