The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces forced Palestinian farmers off their lands in Bayt Umar. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in Hebron; 1 Palestinian minor was hit by a rubber-coated bullet. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Kafr Qaddum; 1 Palestinian was hit by a rubber-coated bullet, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 2 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 10/31; PCHR 11/5)

In Israel, thousands of protesters continued the weekly demonstrations against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding his resignation. This marked the 19th Saturday in a row that thousands of Israelis have protested outside of Netanyahu’s official residence. (HA 10/31; WAFA 11/1)

Haaretz published official figures from the Israel government which shows that only 22 percent of murders of Palestinian citizens of Israel were solved by the Israeli police while 53 percent of murders of Israeli Jews in Israel were solved. Palestinian citizens of Israel have long complained about the lack of Israeli authorities’ involvement in fighting crime in their community. (HA 10/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces attacked Palestinian worshippers in al-Ibrahimi Mosque during morning prayers at the advent of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Bayt Sahour, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 2 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 10/29; PCHR 11/5)

The PA requested help from the UN to get a baptismal font back that was seized by Israel near Bethlehem on 7/20 this year. The baptismal font dates back to the 5th century. (WAFA 10/29)

A large Israeli military drill in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights caused massive damage with some 1,500 dunams (400 acres) burned by fires sparked from the drill. (TOI 10/29; HA 10/30)

U.S. secretary of defense Mark Esper visited Israel, meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz. Haaretz reported on 10/27 that Israel has requested F-22 fighter jets from the U.S., which are currently only used by the U.S. military. Meanwhile, the White House notified Congress of its intent to sell 50 F-35 fighter jets to the UAE as part of the normalization deal between Israel and the UAE. (AJ, HA, HA 10/29; LT 10/30)

The CEO of Golan Heights Winery in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights said in a statement that his wines will be sold in the UAE starting this week. The UAE does not recognize Israeli sovereignty in the occupied Golan Heights. (HA, REU 10/29)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced that U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem will be able to list Israel as the place of birth. The spokesperson for PA president Mahmoud Abbas condemned the U.S. decision. (HA 10/28; HA, REU, WAFA 10/29; AJ, IN, REU 10/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole ladders, cloth, and saws used for olive harvesting in Jalud. Israeli forces demolished 3 residential structures near Abu Dis. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Kafr Malik and Bethlehem; during raids in Kafr Malik, Tammun, and Jab‘a, confrontations with Palestinians erupted, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 store and 1 apartment in Sur Bahir. 3 Palestinians were arrested in and around the Old City, al-Tur, and Shu‘fat refugee camp. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/28; PCHR 10/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas sent a letter to UN secretary-general António Guterres urging him to convene an international conference for Middle East peace. (WAFA 10/29)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman signed an agreement on scientific cooperation, which extends the area that the U.S. considers Israel to Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the Golan Heights. In a statement, Ambassador Friedman said that the agreement “remove[s] geographic restrictions . . . These geographic restrictions are no longer consistent with U.S. policy.” According to Haaretz, the American casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who is a major donor for U.S. president Donald Trump and the Ariel University in the Ariel settlement, where the signing ceremony was held, has been pressuring the U.S. administration to fast-track the agreement. Member of the executive committee of the PLO Hanan Ashrawi said that President Trump is seeking to bolster his position in the presidential race by making “a clear recognition of Israel’s annexation of Palestinian territory,” calling the U.S. an active participant in war crimes. (AX, JNS, JP, REU 10/27; HA, REU, U.S. Embassy in Israel, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 nursery in al-Samou and 1 house south of Hebron. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around al-‘Arub refugee camp, Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, 1 minor was arrested during a raid in al-Tur. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/27; PCHR 10/29)

Haaretz reported that Israel had asked the U.S. to approve sales of F-22 fighter jets to Israel so Israel can preserve its quantitative military edge in light of U.S. sales of F-35 fighter jets to the UAE as part of the normalization deal. The U.S. is the only country that operates F-22 fighter jets. (HA 10/27)

U.S. president Donald Trump told reporters that up to 10 other countries are in talks to normalize ties with Israel, saying “We have five, but we really have probably nine or 10, that are right in the mix. We have a lot. I think we’ll have all of them . . . It will be after the election. We’re doing a lot of work right now.” (HA, TOI 10/27)

The Islamic Development Bank contributed $6.58 million to a number of PA projects in the health sector. The German government donated 50 ventilators to the PA to help it treat COVID-19 patients. (WAFA, WAFA 10/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers razed tracts of Palestinian-owned land near ‘Urif. Israeli forces demolished 2 residential structures, 2 agricultural structures, and damaged water pipes near Yatta. 1 Palestinian was arrested at a checkpoint near al-‘Arub refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya and al-Tur. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 4 nautical miles off the shore of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/18; PCHR 10/22)

PLO secretary-general Saeb Erakat was transferred from his home to a hospital in West Jerusalem for treatment of COVID-19. Secretary-General Erakat had been reported to be in stable condition since testing positive for the virus but his condition had deteriorated and called for hospitalization. Erakat had a lung transplant 3 years ago, making him more vulnerable to the virus. Several Israeli MKs complained that Israel did not seek concessions from the Palestinians in return for treating Erakat. (AJ, BBC, WAFA 10/18; HA, TOI 10/19)

An Israeli delegation signed a joint declaration with Bahraini officials in Manama. U.S. secretary of the treasury Steven Mnuchin and U.S. envoy for the peace process Avi Berkowitz were also present during the signing. According to unnamed Israeli officials who spoke to Haaretz, Israel had anticipated signing a “peace declaration” during the trip, but it was decided to scale back the language due to protests in Bahrain against the normalization deal with Israel. (AJ, HA, BBC, REU 10/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Rafat, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets and tear-gas related injuries were reported. 20 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Hebron, Tubas, Jenin, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers harassed Palestinians praying on the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces raided Issawiyya, leading to clashes with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported and 2 were arrested. 1 other Palestinian was arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/10; PCHR 10/15)

In Israel, Israeli protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clashed with police in several places throughout Israel. According to Haaretz, tens of thousands protested throughout Israel, including in front of Netanyahu’s official residence for the 16th Saturday in a row. (AJ, HA 10/10; HA, WAFA 10/11)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with the president of the World Jewish Congress Ron Lauder in Ramallah. The meeting lasted some 3 hours and Lauder arrived in a Jordanian helicopter. It is unclear what the meeting was about. The World Jewish Congress said that Lauder was in Ramallah “for a private visit at Abbas’ invitation, to discuss a range of issues regarding Palestine and the Middle East.” (HA, WAFA 10/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in Huwwara, causing bruises. Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces blocked a road between Qusra and Jalud. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya; during a raid, clashes ensued, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Fukhari; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, 10/3; PCHR 10/8)

Crossings from Gaza and the West Bank to Israel and East Jerusalem were closed due to the Israeli Sukkot holiday. (PCHR 10/8)

In Israel, Israeli protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clashed with police in several places throughout Israel. 38 people were arrested and hundreds were fined as the Israeli government had sought to ban the protests, citing COVID-19 transmission concerns. According to Haaretz, tens of thousands protested throughout Israel, including in front of Netanyahu’s official residence for the 15th Saturday in a row. (AJ, HA, WAFA 10/4)

King Abdullah II of Jordan accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Omar al-Razzaz, but asked him to stay as a caretaker prime minister until King Abdullah appoints a new prime minister. (AJ 10/3)