The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up a mobile home on Palestinian land east of Nablus. IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Tubas, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish the foundation of a building under construction in Shu‘fat refugee camp. They also arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Bayt Hanina and al-Tur. (WAFA 12/5; PCHR 12/7)

After days of speculation and rumors, U.S. pres. Trump calls PA pres. Abbas to tell him that he plans to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and to invite the Palestinian leader for a meeting at the White House before the end of the month. According to a PA spokesperson, Abbas warns Trump of the “dangerous repercussions.” Trump also calls Israeli PM Netanyahu, Saudi king Salman bin Abdulaziz, Jordanian king Abdullah, Russian pres. Vladimir Putin, and Egyptian pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to inform them of his decision. (AP, HA, MNA, NYT, REU, TOI, WAFA 12/5)

In response to Pres. Trump’s plan to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to move the U.S. embassy there, several Palestinian factions and Islamist groups jointly declare 3 “days of rage” to begin on 12/6. Later, the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem issues a travel warning calling on U.S. citizens to avoid the West Bank and the Old City of Jerusalem. (HA, TOI 12/5)

Lebanese PM Saad Hariri formally rescinds his resignation, which threw Lebanon and much of the Middle East into turmoil when he announced it on Saudi television on 11/4 (see JPS 47 [2]). (AA, REU, TOI 12/5)

Along Gaza’s border late at night, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Bayt Lahiya. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish parts of the outer wall of a Palestinian cemetery outside the Old City. In the West Bank, an IDF raid in Tuqu‘ near Bethlehem sparks clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is injured. IDF troops also arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya, and patrol near Jenin throughout the day. Israeli settlers confront Palestinians at the elementary school in Jubbet al-Dhib inaugurated on 9/10, but Palestinians drive them away nonviolently. Separately, racist anti-Arab graffiti pops up overnight in east Nablus. (MNA, PNN, WAFA 9/11; MNA 9/12; PCHR 9/14)

The Egyptian authorities partially open the Rafah border crossing, allowing Muslim worshippers to return from their pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. (OCHA 9/29)

 After a 2d day of meetings in Cairo, Hamas’s top officials release a statement expressing willingness to “immediately” sign a new national reconciliation agreement with Fatah and disband the administrative committee set up in Gaza earlier this year. They reportedly tell Egyptian intelligence officials that they would allow the PA to take charge in Gaza and carry out new elections only if all Palestinian factions participated in a follow-up conference to elect a new national government. (HA 9/11; MNA, TOI 9/12)

The PASF issues a press release explaining that the 9/4 arrest of Youth Against Settlement founder Amro stemmed from his engagement in “actions that would cause internal strife” and his “contacting foreign parties to undermine the work of the PA.” Amro was released on bail on 9/10. (WAFA 9/11)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in 3 villages near Ramallah (Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, and Ni‘lin), Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border near Jabaliya refugee camp; 4 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, the IDF arrests a Palestinian in central Hebron, allegedly for carrying a knife, arrests 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid near Tulkarm, and patrols near Hebron, Nablus, and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police violently disperse Palestinians protesting outside the Sheikh Jarrah home where a Palestinian family was evicted on 9/5; 3 Palestinians are arrested. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, WAFA 9/8; PCHR 9/14)

The Egyptian authorities partially open the Rafah border crossing, allowing Muslims to return from their pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. (MEMO 9/8; OCHA 9/14)

IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian as he attempts to cross the separation wall into Israel nr. Bethlehem. Elsewhere in the West Bank, the IDF arrests 14 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya; and patrols nr. Hebron. Israeli soldiers also assault and arrest a Palestinian attempting to stop them from arresting his mentally handicapped daughter. Israeli forces demolish 3 homes and a livestock barn in a small Bedouin village nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, dozens of Jewish settlers tour Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids in Silwan and the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. (MNA, WAFA 8/14; PCHR 8/17)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for a limited period, allowing 800 Palestinians from Gaza to embark on the pilgrimage to Mecca. (WAFA 8/14; OCHA 8/17)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at al-Jaba‘ checkpoint nr. Ramallah after he allegedly attempts to stab 1 of them. After the incident, the IDF raids the alleged attacker’s home in al-‘Izzariya and arrests his father. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces begin leveling land nr. Nablus to expand settlement infrastructure in the area. IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces briefly detain an Islamic Waqf guard at Haram al-Sharif and summon 3 other guards for interrogation. (HA, MNA 6/20; EI, MNA 6/21; PCHR 6/22)

A day after the Israeli authorities began cutting the electricity supply to Gaza, a Hamas-affiliated source says that the Egyptian govt. has agreed to ship diesel fuel into the region via the Rafah border crossing to allow Gaza’s sole power plant to resume operations for a limited time. It’s unclear if the shipments are linked to a rumored agreement between Egypt and Hamas earlier this mo. (HA, TOI 6/20)

Israeli forces begin construction on Amichai, a new settlement to house residents of the illegal Amona outpost, which was demolished in early 2/2017 (see JPS 46 [3, 4]). Amichai is reportedly the 1st settlement built officially by the Israeli govt. in 25 years. (HA, MNA, TOI 6/20)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, an Israeli settler driver rams an elderly Palestinian nr. Nablus, causing moderate injuries. The IDF delivers confiscation orders to the Palestinian owners of 169 dunams (42 acres) of farmland nr. Qalqilya and stop-work orders to 7 Palestinian homes under construction in Kafr al-Dik nr. Salfit. IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians and confiscate a tractor during raids nr. Ramallah, Jericho, and Tubas; and patrol nr. Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 2 residential buildings in Jabal Mukabir. (MNA, WAFA 3/ 20; MNA, WAFA 3/21; PCHR 3/23)

PA pres. Abbas meets with Egyptian pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo to discuss regional affairs and the prospect of holding a regional peace conference to kick off a new round of peace talks. Al-Sisi reportedly tells Abbas that the Palestinian question will remain a high priority in Cairo. (TOI, WAFA 3/ 20; MNA, WAFA 3/21)

The U.S. State Dept. announces that the U.S. will be boycotting the UNHRC’s discussion of Israel at its 34th session this week, also known as Agenda Item 7. “The U.S. strongly and unequivocally opposes the existence of the UNHRC’s Agenda Item 7,” the State Dept. statement reads. (JP, TOI, USSD 3/20)

IDF troops conduct a raid on a house in al-Bireh nr. Ramallah in which they shoot and kill Basel al-Araj, a prominent Palestinian activist. Two other Palestinians are injured in confrontations with Israeli forces following the raid. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops shut down a workshop nr. Nablus, arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Jenin, and patrol nr. Salfit and Hebron. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home under construction in s. Hebron. Israeli settlers assault Palestinian farmers nr. Nablus, injuring 2. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct overnight raids in Issawiyya, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing youths; 5 Palestinians are arrested and 3 are issued arrest summons. Meanwhile, Palestinian youths gather outside the Jerusalem Municipality complex nr. the Old City to protest the Israeli authorities’ closure of their school in Sur al-Bahir on 2/23. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nearby. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/6; PCHR 3/9)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the first of 3 planned days, allowing Palestinians to enter and exit Gaza. (MNA 3/6)

Israel’s Knesset passes a law barring foreign nationals who call for economic, cultural, or academic boycotts of Israel or “area under its control,” such as Israel’s settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt), from receiving entry visas or residency rights. The interior minister is granted the right to make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. (HA, JP, NYT 3/7)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya. There are no injuries in either incident. In the West Bank, Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to a Palestinian home and a water pipeline under construction in Kardala village nr. Tulkarm. They also weld shut a car wash nr. Bethlehem. IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians and issue 2 arrest summons during late-night raids nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Nablus, and patrol during the day nr. Qalqilya and Hebron. (MNA, WAFA 1/31; PCHR 2/2)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 4th and final day in a row. (MNA 1/31; MNA 2/1)

The PA cabinet announces that municipal elections will be held in the West Bank and Gaza on 5/13 (they were originally set for 10/8/16; see JPS 46 [2]). A Hamas spokesperson criticizes the announcement, saying that “elections should take place after disagreements are ended, reconciliation is achieved, and Palestinian institutions in Gaza and the West Bank are united.” (AP, JP, MNA, TOI 1/31)

The IDF delivers a notice to the illegal Amona settlement outpost overnight, ordering residents to evacuate within 48 hours (midnight on 2/1 is the deadline). Israel’s High Court of Justice previously ordered the outpost demolished by 2/8. During the day, hundreds of settler youths flock to Amona to demonstrate in solidarity with its residents. Many of Amona’s residents are planning to resist the IDF’s order because the govt. has failed to implement its side of their 12/22 deal trading a pledge to peacefully evacuate for sanctioned relocation to a nearby plot of land. (HA, JP, MNA, YA 1/31)

Israeli PM Netanyahu and DM Lieberman approve the construction of 3,000 residences in Israel’s West Bank settlements. Hours earlier, a joint Knesset comm. approves the so-called regulations bill, clearing it for a 2d and 3d reading in the full plenum on 2/6. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 1/31; MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA 2/1)