The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank 1 Palestinian teen was killed by Israeli forces at a checkpoint east of Bethlehem. Another Palestinian was wounded in the incident. 4 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets during the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum; other Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces after an alleged stabbing attack in the Old City. 2 Israelis were reported to be wounded by the Palestinian. Thousands of Muslim worshippers prayed at the Haram al-Sharif compound for the last Friday of Ramadan. Males between 13 and 40 were prohibited from entering East Jerusalem from the West Bank. In Gaza, at least 7 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets fired by Israeli forces at protesters during the weekly Great March of Return demonstrations. (AJ, HA, HA, QUDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/31)

In the West Bank, 3 Israeli settlers were arrested; 2 of them for hate crimes against Palestinians and 1 for the attack on Israeli forces on 5/25. All 3 settlers were from the Yitzhar settlement. Israeli forces also arrested 8 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Jericho, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinians during late-night raids. Separately, 3 Palestinians were arrested in the al-Aqsa Mosque when a group of Israeli settlers toured the mosque, leading to a verbal confrontation with Muslim worshippers. (HA, WAFA 5/26)

Israeli authorities expanded the Gaza fishing zone from 10 nautical miles to 15. (HA 5/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted Israeli soldiers and slashed the tires of 2 of their vehicles near the Yitzhar settlement. Israeli forces made no arrests. Israeli settlers also assaulted a Palestinian shepherd, forcing them to leave in the Jordan Valley. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 7 Palestinians in late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarm, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. Israeli forces also assaulted a number of Palestinians near the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Israel, Palestinian citizens of Israel held multiple demonstrations against police negligence while fighting crime and collecting illegal weapons in Palestinian communities inside Israel. (HA, WAFA, QUDS 5/25; HA, WAFA, WAFA 5/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Jenin, Tubas, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 employees of the Islamic Waqf were released after being arrested; they were both banned from the Haram al-Sharif compound for 15 days. Israeli minister of agriculture Uri Ariel toured the Haram al-Sharif compound with a group of Israeli settlers. In Israel, Israeli authorities issued a demolition order for a playground in Rakhama Bedouin village in southern Israel. (WAFA 5/19; WAFA, WAFA 5/20, HA 5/21)

The Israeli high court of justice rejected a petition to bar the Israeli Jerusalem Day flag march from walking through the Muslim Quarter of the Old City. The petition was filed by Ir Amim and argued that since the day of the flag march coincides with the final days of the Ramadan, it should not be passing through the Muslim Quarter. (HA 5/21)

The White House reported that the economic component of the U.S. president Donald Trump’s peace plan will be released in late June at an international summit in Bahrain. The summit will be named Peace to Prosperity. (AJ, HA 5/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to dozens of dunams of farmland south of Nablus and threw stones at Palestinian-owned houses. Israeli settlers and Israeli forces had initially accused Palestinians of starting the fire; however, a video showed that it was the Israeli settlers that ignited the farmland. The video also showed 4 Israeli soldiers watching as the settlers attacked without intervening. 4 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets at the weekly anti-settlement demonstrations in Kafr Qaddum. Other protesters in Kafr Qaddum and in Ni‘lin suffered from tear gas inhalation. In East Jerusalem, thousands of Palestinians worshipped at the Haram al-Sharif compound for the 2d Friday of Ramadan. Males between 13 and 40 from the West Bank were banned from entering East Jerusalem by the Israeli authorities. A 63-year-old Palestinian man died of a stroke at an Israeli checkpoint on his way for the Friday prayer at Haram al-Sharif. His stroke was assessed to be caused by overcrowding at the checkpoint. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/17; HA 5/20; HA 5/26)

Syrian state news reported that the Syrian military had intercepted a number of Israeli missiles fired toward Damascus from the Golan Heights. (HA 5/17)

The German parliament passed a motion condemning the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement as anti-Semitic and called for the German government to cut funding to projects supporting boycotts of Israel. Both Israeli lawmakers and academics called on German politicians not to support the motion prior to the vote. (HA 5/16; HA 5/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscated a residential tent in Susiya near Hebron. Israeli settlers painted racist graffiti on several Palestinian-owned vehicles near Salfit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces sealed off the main entrance to Issawiya. Israeli forces also assaulted 2 Palestinians, resulting in hospitalization for medical treatment. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces fired at Palestinian fishermen. Israeli authorities also reduced the fishing zone from 12 nautical miles to 5 nautical miles. (MNA, WAFA, WAFA 5/16; MNA, WAFA 5/17)

Facebook announced that it had closed 65 Facebook accounts, 161 Pages, 23 Groups, 12 events, and 4 Instagram accounts originating from “Israel and focused on Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, Angola, Niger and Tunisia,” along with some countries in Latin America and Southeast Asia. The social media activity sought to influence politics in these countries. Facebook said that $812,000 had been spent on ads promoting related material. (Facebook 5/16)

In the West Bank, thousands of Palestinians marched to commemorate the 71st Nakba Day in Bethlehem and Ramallah. Israeli forces also arrested 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli civil administration delivered 20 demolition notices to Palestinian buildings in Issawiya and 2 for buildings in Shu‘fat refugee camp. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. Also in East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian teen was hospitalized after being assaulted by Israeli settlers, who during the assault, was yelling “Death to Arabs.” In Gaza, thousands of people commemorated Nakba Day along the Gaza fence. Israeli forces suppressed the commemoration protest using live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, tear gas, and skunk spray, injuring 65 people. 16 Palestinians were wounded by live ammunition and 14 by rubber-coated bullets. One Palestinian was arrested trying to cross into Israel. Israeli officials reported 9 fires in Israel as a result of incendiary balloons. No injuries were reported in relation to the fires. Off the coast of Gaza, a Palestinian fishermen was injured by Israeli naval forces. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/15; HA, MNA, WAFA 5/16)

The Israeli high court of justice rejected a petition by a Gaza company producing snacks to allow it to sell its products in the West Bank. The high court sided with the Israeli states argument that it was the PA’s fault that the company could not sell its products in the West Bank. According to Haaretz, there is no clear procedure to how a request the exporting of goods from Gaza to the West Bank. (HA 5/15)

Official data on Israeli government spending on Israeli settlements in the West Bank obtained by AP news agency shows that spending on settlements rose from $330 million in 2016 to $459 million in 2017, the year Donald Trump became the U.S. president. (AJ 5/15)

PA foreign minister Riyad Maliki submitted a memorial to the international court of justice regarding the U.S. relocation of its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May 2018. (WAFA 5/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli civil administration approved the construction of 941 settlement units. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Issawiya and Jabal al-Zeitoun. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land between Khan Yunis and Rafah. (MEMO, MNA, MNA 5/14; WAFA 5/15)

In Syria, at least 10 Palestinian refugees were killed and more than 30 were wounded during rocket fire in the Palestinian refugee camp of Neirab near Aleppo. (MNA, WAFA 5/17)

In a speech to American evangelicals, U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman said that 1 of the reasons why Israel is growing “stronger” is that “Israel has one secret weapon that not too many countries have, Israel is on the side of God, and we don’t underestimate that.” PLO executive committee member Hanan Ashrawi said in response, “I can’t believe this extreme fundamentalist ideologue is an ambassador.” PLO secretary-general Saeb Erakat said of Ambassador Friedman’s comment, “What ambassador Friedman is telling Palestinians, Christian and Muslims . . . [is] that God is against them (or that they’re enemies of God). This was never an American position.” (NYT 5/14)

The EU and Ireland announced contributions of $23 million to 108,000 Palestinian families in the West Bank and Gaza. 77 percent of the families who will receive funds live in Gaza. (MNA, WAFA 5/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from making a road to their agricultural land east of Nablus. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 11 Palestinians in and around Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilya, and Bethlehem. The raid in Jenin triggered confrontations with local Palestinians, wounding 3 of them; 2 from live ammunition, and 1 from being hit by an Israeli military vehicle. Others suffered from tear gas inhalation. An additional 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah, and Jenin. Israeli settlers chopped down dozens of Palestinian-owned almond trees near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police evicted Muslim worshippers from the al-Aqsa Mosque for the 3d day in a row. Israeli settlers with military escort also stormed the Haram al-Sharif compound to perform prayers. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Bayt Hanun. (MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA 5/13; MNA, WAFA, WAFA 5/14)

The Israeli civil administration approved 2 roads to isolated Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The construction of the roads requires the Israeli government to seize 807 dunams (200 acres) of Palestinian-owned land. The construction is scheduled to start in July. (HA 5/13)

A Qatari envoy headed by Mohammed al-Emadi arrived in Gaza to hold meetings with UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh about the transfer of $30 million in aid. (HA 5/13)

Israeli president Reuven Rivlin granted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 2 additional weeks to form the next government. The extension allows Netanyahu until 29 May to form a government. (JPOST, TOI 5/13)

PLO executive committee member Hanan Ashrawi wrote on Twitter that her U.S. visa application had been rejected without any reason. In February, U.S. special representative for international negotiations Jason Greenblatt invited her to meet him at the White House as Ashrawi and Greenblatt exchanged tweets about the U.S. peace plan. (HA, Twitter 5/13)

The UNRWA released a statement urging donors to contribute, as UNRWA needs an additional $60 million to continue providing food for 620,000 Palestinians in Gaza. (AJ 5/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces detained 7 journalists and 1 activist from al-Haq, who were all covering an Israeli temporary eviction of Palestinian residents in the Jordan Valley for military drills in the area. Elsewhere in the West Bank, 11 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces in late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Jenin, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided and evicted Muslim worshippers from the al-Aqsa Mosque for the 2d day in a row. Off the coast of Gaza, Egyptian naval forces arrested 4 Palestinian fishermen and confiscated 2 boats. (WAFA 5/12; MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 5/13)

Israel reopened the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings between Israel and Gaza for the 1st time since Israel’s latest large-scale attack on Gaza on 3-5 May. The crossings were closed on 5/4. (HA, WAFA 5/12)

An Israeli minor charged with planning the murder of 3 Palestinians in the West Bank village of Duma in 2015 entered a plea deal admitting to aiding in the planning. The prosecution team agreed not to ask for more than 5 ½ years in prison in return for his confession. The 3 Palestinians—an 18-month-old boy and his parents—were killed when Israeli settlers set their house on fire. (HA 5/12)

The Israeli public defense office issued a report severely criticizing the Israeli prison service for running prisons that are “unfit for human residence.” Among the critiques in the report are harsh conditions, poor sanitation, prisoners sleeping on the floor due to overcrowding, prisoners having their hands shackled above their heads as punishment, and random strip-searches. The public defense office also found that mold, bedbugs, cockroaches, rats, and mice were found in the prisons and that prisoners had to shower in the same space as squat toilets. Several of the prisons mentioned in the report hold Palestinian prisoners. (HA 5/12)

The foreign ministry of the United Arab Emirates said in a statement that 4 commercial vessels were sabotaged near its territorial waters. There were no injuries or any specific details about the incidents. (HA 5/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up a new settlement outpost on Palestinian-owned land east of Nablus. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces evicted Muslim worshippers from al-Aqsa Mosque following midnight prayers. The eviction led to confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinians, at least 1 Palestinian was arrested and others suffered from tear gas inhalation. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen, arresting 3 of them and confiscating 1 boat. (WAFA 5/11; MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 5/12; WAFA 5/13)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party Likud said that Netanyahu will ask Israeli president Reuven Rivlin for an extension to form the next government. Likud cited Israeli holidays and the attack on Gaza as reasons for the delay. (HA 5/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided an archeological site near Bethlehem to perform prayers. During the raid, Israeli forces sealed off the area, impeding traffic for local Palestinians. In East Jerusalem, some 90 Israeli settlers with military escort stormed the Haram al-Sharif compound. (MNA, MNA, WAFA 5/9)

All Gaza and West Bank crossings into Israel were closed except for medical and other emergencies for the 4th day in a row. Israeli authorities announced the closure on 5/6, citing Israeli celebrations of Memorial Day and Independence Day. Additionally, Israeli forces closed a road between Nabi Salih and Ramallah in the West Bank. (HA 5/6; MNA, WAFA 5/9)

Palestinians in Israel commemorated the Nakba on Israel’s Independence Day by marching to 1 of the villages that was depopulated during the Nakba. Each year, Palestinians in Israel march to 1 of the more than 140 villages that was depopulated during the Nakba. This year, they marched to Khubbayza. (HA 5/9)

At the UN, PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki called the U.S. peace plan “conditions for surrender” and not a plan for peace. U.S. special representative for international negotiations Jason Greenblatt was at the UN meeting. Greenblatt has been actively debunking rumors on Twitter about the U.S. peace plan and criticizing the Palestinian leadership for not engaging with the U.S.. Al-Maliki told Mondoweiss at the UN that he urged European nations to start thinking about putting sanctions on Israel, as calls for stopping settlement expansions have proven ineffective. (AJ, HA, MDW, MNA 5/10)

An Egyptian security delegation arrived in Gaza to meet with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other officials from Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine. The officials discussed demonstrations on Nakba Day held on 15 May and efforts to ensure a relative calm. (HA 5/9)

The Lebanese president Michel Aoun said, during a meeting with a delegation from the Middle East Council of Churches, that “Lebanon would never survive if half a million Palestinian refugees and 1.6 million Syrian refugees remained in the country.” (MNA 5/10)

Canada announced that it contributed $2.4 million to the UN World Food Programme for vulnerable Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. New Zealand pledged $2 million for the UNRWA. (MNA, WAFA5/9)

In the West Bank, dozens of Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation near a school in Hebron after Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Nablus and 1 Palestinian was arrested at a checkpoint near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested after a fight broke out between Palestinians and Israeli settlers. There were also reports of Israeli forces harassing Palestinians making their way out of the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA 5/8; MNA, MNA, WAFA 5/9)

All Gaza and West Bank crossings into Israel were closed except for medical and other emergencies for the 3d day in a row. Israeli authorities announced the closure on 5/6, citing Israeli celebrations of Memorial Day and Independence Day. (HA 5/6)

The PA announced that it sent 15 truckloads of medical supplies to Gaza. (WAFA 5/8)

UN humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories Jamie McGoldrick told reporters that 1,700 people in Gaza are in risk of needing amputations due to lack of funds to undertake complicated operations. He further stated that the high number was due to Israeli lethal response to the Great March of Return, where 29,000 Palestinians were wounded in 2018; 7,000 of the wounded were hit by gunshots from Israeli snipers. (HA 5/9)

In Jordan, all cabinet ministers tendered their resignations as Jordan’s King Abdullah prepares to reshuffle the government after he fired several security officials reported to be plotting against the regime. King Abdullah said that the security officials were replaced because of incompetence and some used their position for personal gain. (HA 5/8)

U.S. president Donald Trump imposed further sanctions on Iran via executive order. The U.S. move follows Iran’s announcement that it would begin to enrich uranium in 60 days if the signatories of the Iran nuclear deal did not uphold their commitments. (AJ 5/7; HA 5/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers using bulldozers razed Palestinian-owned land in Madama south of Nablus. Israel arrested 9 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bayt Safafa, Qalqilya, and Jenin. In Gaza, 2 bodies were found under the rubble of an apartment building destroyed by Israeli missiles in Bayt Hanun; this brings the comprehensive death toll to 32 Palestinians from the weekend’s violence. (MNA, WAFA, WAFA 5/6; MNA, WAFA 5/7)

The Israeli army announced that all Gaza and West Bank crossings into Israel will be closed from midnight (Israeli time) 5/6 to midnight 5/9 for the Israeli celebrations of Memorial Day and Independence Day. Palestinians will be prohibited from entering Israel except for medical and other emergencies. (HA 5/6)

After the cease-fire reached between Hamas and Israel in the late hours of 5/5, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement, “the battle is not over and requires patience and level-headedness. We are prepared to carry on.” The comment indicates that the Israeli bombing campaign is not over. A Hamas spokesperson said in response to Netanyahu’s statement: “Netanyahu’s declarations are ridiculous. The resistance factions have succeeded in deterring and humiliating his military. Our message is that this round is over, but the conflict will not be until we get our rights.” (HA 5/6)

The Israeli supreme court overturned Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to prevent 181 Palestinians from the West Bank to partake in a joint Memorial Day ceremony in Tel Aviv. However, only 100 Palestinians will be allowed to attend the Memorial Day ceremony. The event is organized by Combatants for Peace, a group of Israelis and Palestinians working for reconciliation. Netanyahu’s decision was 1st made public on 5/1. (HA 5/6)

U.S. acting secretary of defense Patrick Shanahan said that the U.S. was sending an aircraft carrier to the Middle East because of indications of a “credible threat by Iranian regime forces.” (AJ 5/6)

In the West Bank, 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Tulkarm, Hebron, and Jericho. During a raid in Hebron, surveillance camera recordings were confiscated and solar panels were damaged. East of Ramallah, Israeli forces uprooted 120 olive trees. In ‘Urif, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian high school by throwing stones at the building, causing moderate damage. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested; 2 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and 1 near the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli shelling continued for the 3d day in a row, killing 19 Palestinians and wounding 29. Several buildings in Gaza were completely destroyed and others were damaged. 3 Israelis were killed by rockets from Gaza and 4 people were wounded in Israel, including a Thai national. This makes the comprehensive death toll from the Israeli attack on Gaza on 4/5-5/5 30 Palestinians total. By the end of 5/5 (U.S. eastern time), it was reported that a cease-fire agreement had been reached. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/5; MNA, WAFA, WAFA 5/6; PCHR 5/9)

Israel indicated that it had resumed its policy of executions, what Israeli authorities refer to as target killings. Israel killed a Palestinian man in Gaza alleged to facilitating transfers of funds from Iran to Hamas during its attack on Gaza. Chief of the Israeli forces southern command Hertzi Halevy said that the Israeli executions of Palestinians alleged to be involved in terror activity “is expected to continue.” (HA 5/5)

U.S. president Donald Trump tweeted, “Once again, Israel faces a barrage of deadly rocket attacks by terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. We support Israel 100% in its defense of its citizens . . . To the Gazan people—these terrorist acts against Israel will bring you nothing but more misery. END the violence and work towards peace—it can happen!” Member of the PLO executive committee Hanan Ashrawi called Israel’s attack on Gaza “criminal and morally reprehensible.” (Twitter, WAFA 5/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 8 cars, 4 trucks, and several buildings with graffiti in Hebrew and with the Star of David in Huwwara; several cars also had their tires slashed. In a separate incident near Huwwara, Israeli settlers threw stones on Palestinian vehicles traveling on Route 60; several Palestinian-owned vehicles were damaged. In Kafr Qaddum, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest, injuring at least 7 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets; Israeli forces also raided several homes during the protest. Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation in Ni‘lin and Bayt Sira when Israeli forces violently dispersed a similar protest there. Elsewhere in the West Bank, 2 Palestinians were arrested in Asira south of Nablus. The 2 were arrested after clashes had erupted during an Israeli raid on the village. In Gaza, 5 Palestinians were killed and more than 51 injured. 3 of the killed had died in Israeli airstrikes; the 2 others were killed and the many injured were due to Israeli firing of live ammunition toward the protesters partaking in the Great March of Return. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 220. Two Israeli soldiers were lightly injured by gunfire fired from the Gaza side of the fence. (HA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/3; AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 5/4)

UN humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territories Jamie McGoldrick said in a statement that demolitions in East Jerusalem “[h]ave increased at a staggering pace over the last month” and that “[t]his must stop.” (WAFA 5/3; MDW 5/4)

The EU announced that it had contributed $16.8 million to help pay the salaries and pensions of Palestinian civil servants in the West Bank. (MNA, WAFA 5/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces destroyed a water pipeline supplying the village of Bayt Dajan east of Nablus. Israeli forces also demolished an animal barn near Yatta in a confrontation with local Palestinians protesting the demolishing; several Palestinians were injured. Late at night, Israeli settlers with Israeli military escort stormed ‘Urif near Nablus. Several Palestinians were injured, and 1 Palestinian-owned vehicle was vandalized. Israeli forces imposed a curfew on Huwwara after a Palestinian allegedly attempted to stab an Israeli settler; Palestinian teens were also reported to have been throwing rocks at an Israeli settler vehicle. (WAFA, WAFA 5/2; MNA, MNA 5/3)

The PA returned the full amount of the deducted tax revenue Israel transferred to the PA. The PA have on several occasions reiterated that it would not accept any tax revenue transfer that is not the full amount. Israel has deducted the PA tax revenue because the PA pays stipends to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and their families. (HA, MNA 5/3)

PA minister of Information Nabil Abu Rudayna reiterated that the PA leadership would not partake in any conference related to a peace plan that is not within the framework of international law and the Arab Peace Initiative. (WAFA 5/2)

The PA minister for Women’s Affairs Amal Hamad was refused entry to Jordan by Israeli authorities. She was traveling to Jordan to attend a Euro-Mediterranean conference for regional cooperation for zero tolerance for violence against women and girls. (MEMO, WAFA 5/2; MNA 5/3)

Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine (PIJ) condemned the Israeli attack on Gaza on 5/1. A PIJ official warned that any further aggression would be responded to with hits on Israel’s “biggest cities.” (HA 5/2)

In an interview at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, U.S. president Donald Trump’s son in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner said in response to a question of why the U.S. administration had not taken a position on the 2-state solution, that, “[i]f you say ‘two-state’, it means one thing to Israelis and another to Palestinians, so we told ourselves—let’s try not to say it.” (AJ, HA 5/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces dismantled and confiscated a residential tent housing 10 Palestinians in Susiya near Hebron for the 3d time since 4/16. Israeli forces also demolished the home of a Palestinian family near Yatta south of Hebron. Israeli settlers under protection of Israeli forces chopped down at least 150 olive trees in Burqa east of Jerusalem. 17 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces during late-night raids in and around Hizma, Nablus, Jenin, Tubas, Ramallah, and Hebron. In Gaza, Israeli forces conducted limited incursions to perform land leveling east of Gaza City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire of Palestinian fishermen, injuring 1 and detaining 2 others off the shore of al-Sudaniyya. Late at night, Israeli forces fired 5 missiles at targets in Bayt Lahiya, causing damage but no injuries were reported. Israeli authorities claimed that the strikes were in response to incendiary balloons sent from Gaza and landing on Israeli fields, igniting a fire. After the Israeli missiles fired at Bayt Lahiya, Islamic Jihad in Palestine, fired 2 missiles at Israel; no injuries or damage were reported. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA 5/1; AJ, HA, MNA, MNA, PNN, WAFA, WAFA 5/2)

The PA rejected a proposal put forward by the EU on 4/30 to accept the Israeli offer of reduced PA tax revenue. Israel is withholding parts of the PA tax revenue, the part that Israel believes the PA spends on Palestinian prisoners and their families. The PA have on several occasions rejected any Israeli transfer that is not the full tax revenue. (HA, 5/1)

Haaretz reported that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally ordered a ban on 181 Palestinian applications from the West Bank wanting to attend a joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony in Tel Aviv. The event is organized by Combatants for Peace, a group of Israelis and Palestinians working for reconciliation. (HA 5/1)