The Palestine Chronology

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, IDF troops shoot and injure 3 Palestinians amid clashes sparked by a raid in Tuqu‘ near Bethlehem. They also assault an elderly Palestinian woman and destroy some furniture during a raid in Hebron; shoot and injure a Palestinian minor who allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at an IDF post near Bethlehem; assault and injure a Palestinian minor outside an abandoned Israeli settlement near Jenin; arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids near Tulkarm and Jenin; and patrol near Hebron. Israeli settlers assault a number of Palestinian farmers working near Jericho, forcing them from their fields. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a residential building in Silwan, displacing 14 Palestinians. In southern Israel, Israeli forces demolish the Bedouin village al-Araqib for the 139th time since 2010. (MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/31; MNA 2/1; PCHR 2/7)

Al-Monitor reports that the Egyptian authorities decided to largely close the Rafah border crossing on 1/5 in part due to the PA’s withdrawal from the Palestinian side of the crossing, as was previously reported, but also in part out of displeasure with the Qatari transfers of money to Gaza. According to a Hamas source, the Egyptians were “furious” about Qatar’s growing influence in Gaza and wanted to punish Hamas. The Egyptian authorities reportedly only opened the crossing on 1/29 after pressure from the Israelis. (ALM 1/31)

Israel’s Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan signs an order extending the ban on several Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem, including the Palestinian Prisoner’s Club, the Center for Palestinian Studies, and the Orient House, which once housed the PLO’s headquarters in East Jerusalem. “The PA has recently been trying to strengthen its presence in East Jerusalem in sophisticated ways, including the transfer of significant funds for activities,” Erdan says. “I will continue to strengthen Israeli sovereignty throughout Jerusalem, and prevent any Palestinian attempt to create a foothold in the eastern part of the city.” (JP, TOI 1/31)

The EU announces a new €2.37 million (approximately $2.7 million) to support Palestinian farmers and agricultural businesses in the West Bank. The donation is set to benefit 241 farmers and businesses repair critical machinery, acquire new equipment, and improve their infrastructure. (MNA, WAFA 1/31)