The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinians in Kisan, injuring 2 who were treated at a hospital. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, entering al-Aqsa Mosque. (WAFA, WAFA 3/29; PCHR 3/30; UNOCHA 4/20)

Khalil Awawdeh, who in 2022 suspended a 172-day hunger strike after Israel promised to end his administrative detention on 10/2/2022, was sentenced to 16-months in prison for using a smuggled mobile phone while on hunger strike. Israel never released Awawdeh from administrative detention despite its promise to do so. (WAFA 3/29) 

Israel launched a spy satellite. The launch was overseen by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, despite Gallant being fired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 3/26. (GDN 3/28; REU 3/29; NYT 3/30)

Jewish Currents reported that progressive Democratic representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) circulated a letter, addressed to the Biden administration, urging it to “undertake a shift in U.S. policy in recognition of the worsening violence, further annexation of land, and denial of Palestinian rights. Only by protecting democracy, human rights, and self-determination for all Palestinians and Israelis can we achieve a lasting peace.” Democrats further called for U.S. aid not to support Israeli settlements or violate the Arms Export Control Act. The letter was co-signed by representatives Cori Bush (D-MO), Andre Carson (D-IN), Summer Lee (D-PA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). (HA 3/29)

U.S. senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) told CNN that he has been in talks with the White House about introducing measures to hold Israel accountable, including reversing the Trump administration’s blurring of the lines between Israel and the West Bank. (HA 3/29)

The U.S. rejected Prime Minister Netanyahu’s claim that Israel had met all requirements for entering the U.S. visa waiver program. (HA, HA, MEE, REU 3/29)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian man succumbed to wounds sustained during an Israeli raid in Nablus on 2/13. An Israeli settler shot and injured 1 Palestinian woman after she allegedly attempted to stab a person near the Ma‘ale Adumim settlement. Israeli settlers also opened fire at buildings in Nabi Salih; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also demolished commercial structures near al-Jalama. In Gaza, 6 rockets were launched at Israel from Gaza; no damage was reported. Israeli forces conducted airstrikes hitting 2 sites in Gaza and causing damage; no injuries were reported. (NYT, REU 2/22; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, GDN, HA, HA, IN, MEE, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/23; AJ, HA, MEE, WAFA 2/24; PCHR 3/2; UNOCHA 3/4)

A day after advancing plans for 3,144 new settlement housing units, the Civil Administration’s Higher Planning Council advanced plans for a further 4,013 new settlement units, including 1,135 in Ma’ale Adumim. The total number of settlement units advanced on 2/22 and 2/23 was 7,157, of which 1,900 were given final approval and the rest were advanced for deposit. Israel advanced 4,427 settler housing units in 2022 and 3,645 in 2021. (AP, HA, PCN, PCN 2/23; ALM, AP 2/24; WAFA 2/25)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu granted Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich authority over the Civil Administration, which was previously under the defense minister’s authority, and allowed Smotrich to create a settlement authority that will seek to improve services and infrastructure in Israeli settlements. The move was described as de jure annexation as Israel transferred the authority of the occupation from the military to a civilian entity. A Haaretz editorial described the move as creating “a formal, full-fledged apartheid regime.” (HA, REU 2/23; MEE 2/24; MDW 2/25; HA 2/26; HA 2/27)

The PA Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling the international community’s response to the Israeli massacre in Nablus on 2/22 “shy and weak.” A general strike was observed throughout the West Bank in protest against the event in Nablus. (WAFA, WAFA 2/23)

The Arab League condemned Israel’s deadly raid in Nablus on 2/22 after an extraordinary meeting was convened in Cairo. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation also condemned the Israeli actions. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/23)

Oman announced that it had opened its airspace to all carriers, allowing Israeli airlines to enter its airspace. (AJ, ALM, AP, AX, HA, MEE, REU, REU 2/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 2 Palestinians in Beir al-‘Ad in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces raided Nablus after Israeli settlers toured Joseph’s Tomb, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians; 2 were injured, including 1 who was hit by a tear gas canister and 1 who was rammed by a military vehicle. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house in ‘Arab al-Frijat, displacing 3, and 2 residential structures in al-Jiftlik. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided al-Majaz and Khallet ad-Dabi‘ in the Masafer Yatta area to count the residents of the 2 villages. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beit Duqqu, Bayt Awa, Ya‘bad, Jenin, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in al-Tur. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/18; MEMO, PCHR 1/19; UNOCHA 2/3)

An Israeli court upheld the decision to demolish an EU-funded school in Badawiya in the Masafer Yatta area. (WAFA 1/18; WAFA 1/19)

35 EU representatives met with the director general of the Islamic Waqf, Azzam Khatib, at the Haram al-Sharif compound for a briefing on Israeli attempts to alter the status quo. (WAFA 1/18)

The Israeli High Court of Justice ruled 10-1 to disqualify Israel’s health and interior minister Arye Dery of Shas from serving as a minister due to his criminal conviction last year, ordering Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to dismiss Dery. (ALM, AP, AX, BBC, GDN, HA, HA, MEE, NYT, REU 1/18; AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, NYT 1/19; ALM 1/20)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog during the first day of his two-day visit to Israel. Ahead of the meeting, the Jerusalem municipality’s planning and building committee postposed discussing the expansion of the Nof Zion settlement in Jabel Mukaber. (AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, REU 1/18; HA 1/19)

U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides said that free passage in the West Bank for Palestinian Americans is a requirement for Israel being added to the U.S. Visa Waiver program. (MEMO, REU 1/18; MEE 1/19; HA 1/30)

UN Security Council members discussed the punitive Israeli sanctions imposed on the PA in response to the UN General Assembly resolution asking the International Court of Justice to provide a legal opinion on the legality of the Israeli occupation. PA UN envoy Riyad Mansour urged the members to assert their influence to have Israel reverse its sanctions. U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that the U.S. opposes unilateral actions that undermines the 2-state solution, including changes “to the historic status quo at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, this includes settlement building and the legalization of outposts, and this includes, annexation, acts of terrorism, and incitement.” (AP, HA 1/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Huwwara, leading to a confrontation between Palestinians and Israeli forces; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians seeking to enter Israel through the separation wall near ‘Anin, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians in Tulkarm, causing tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Israel, Israeli forces shot and arrested 1 Palestinian man who had entered a checkpoint at Ben Gurion International Airport. Israeli police said that the man had taken a wrong turn from the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway and did not intend to carry out an attack. Palestinian citizens of Israel protested Israeli inaction in addressing gun violence in Taybeh. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/4; WAFA, WAFA 12/5; PCHR 12/8; UNOCHA 12/16)

Israel started dismantling the Karni crossing east of Gaza City to extend the Gaza Fence. The Karni crossing, for movement of commercial goods, was closed by Israel in 2007. (MEMO 12/5; AP 12/6)

Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party and the Religious Zionism Party agreed to change the procedure for how the coordinator of the activities in the territories and the head of the Civil Administration are appointed. The 2 positions will in the next government be filled by Israeli politicians rather than by the military chief of staff and defense ministry. Outgoing Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid condemned the agreement. (HA 12/4; HA 12/5)

Speaking at the J Street conference in Washington D.C., U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken said that the U.S. expects to work with the next Israeli government in the same manner it has with previous governments, but warned about potential threats to the 2-state solution, including settlement expansion, annexation, and changes to the status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem. Secretary Blinken also noted that Israelis and Palestinians “do not enjoy equal measures of freedom,” which he said they are entitled to. (AJ, AP, F24, HA, REU, WAFA 12/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Khirbet Zanuta, assaulting Palestinians and causing damage to houses. Israeli settlers also seized an old Jordanian army building in Arab al-Rashayida near Bethlehem. Israeli forces raided the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent in Tubas, firing 29 tear gas canisters at the building, causing tear-gas related injuries and starting a fire. Israeli forces also assaulted a man at the Hamra checkpoint near Nablus. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around al-Bireh, Jenin, and Tayassir. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters demonstrating against Israeli-planned evictions of Palestinians in Batn al-Hawa, injuring 1 minor before arresting him. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian for gesturing his middle finger at Israeli forces in the Old City; the man’s lawyer said he was beaten by Israeli police while in detention; it was the 2d man in 2 days arrested for making the gesture. In Israel, 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel demolished his own home in Taibe to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/26; PCHR 5/27)

Israel opened an investigation into why Israeli forces shot 1 girl and her father in their house in Shaykh Jarrah on 5/25. The girl was shot in the back with a rubber-coated bullet, fracturing her spine. Her father was hit in his leg and with a stun grenade. 1 Israeli soldier was suspended while the investigation was ongoing. (AP 5/26; HA 5/27)

Israel revoked social and health benefits for 16 Palestinian families in East Jerusalem as a punitive measure because at least 1 member in each family is seen as a political activist for Palestinian rights to live in Shaykh Jarrah or against Israeli attacks on the Haram al-Sharif compound. It was also reported that 11 Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem were placed in administrative detention for periods of 3-6 months. (HA, MEMO, WAFA 5/27)

An Israeli court in Jerusalem postponed making a judgment on the eviction of 86 Palestinian families from their homes in Batn al-Hawa in Silwan. 15 European diplomats were present at the court during the postponement. (AJ, MEE, MEMO, WAFA 5/26; ALM, WAFA 5/27; HA 5/28; AJ 5/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met the British foreign minister Dominic Raab in Ramallah, calling for the revival of the International Quartet’s engagement in a peace process. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 5/26)

Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar threatened Israel with a more intense attack if Israel continues to attack the Haram al-Sharif compound. Sinwar also said that Hamas would not touch “a single cent” of international aid for rebuilding Gaza. (AJ, HA 5/26)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken met with Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and other senior Egyptian officials discussing the Egyptian brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Secretary Blinken also met with Jordanian king Abdullah II in Amman. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU 5/26)

After the government of Ireland recognized Israel’s settlement activity as de facto annexation of Palestinian lands on 5/25, the Irish parliament passed a motion to condemn Israel’s “de facto annexation” of Palestinian lands. (AJ 5/26; AP, GDN, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/27)

The EU increased its financial support for Palestinians by $9.75 million to help rebuild Gaza. (WAFA 5/26)

Qatar announced it would donate $500 million to help rebuild Gaza. (AJ, AX, HA, REU 5/27; MEMO, WAFA 5/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted dozens of almond trees and grapevines in Bayt Umar and threatened the Palestinian landowners with guns. Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land in ‘Ayn Bus and seized 1 greenhouse in Bethlehem. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition as he was trying to enter Israel for work through the separation barrier near Far‘un. Elsewhere, Israeli forces dismantled and seized 1 agricultural structure in Tuqu‘. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian at the Qalandia checkpoint, claiming he wanted to stab a soldier with a screwdriver. 15 others were arrested during raids in and around Qabatiya, Jenin refugee camp, Burqin, Ramallah, Kafr Malik, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Nablus. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 7 nautical miles northwest of Rafah. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/12; PCHR 1/14)

The Israeli government told its high court of justice that it had delivered 100 COVID-19 vaccine doses to the PA and that more doses would arrive in some 10 days. The PA health ministry denied having received any doses of COVID-19 vaccines from Israel. (HA, WAFA 1/13)

The Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem released a position paper “A regime of Jewish supremacy from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea: this is apartheid,” calling Israel an apartheid state. B’Tselem argued that the distinction between Israel proper, East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza has been obfuscated so that “the entire area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River is organized under a single principle: advancing and cementing the supremacy of one group—Jews—over another—Palestinians.” B’Tselem said it no longer could treat the occupied Palestinian territories as distinct from Israel as it has in the past and therefore needs to treat the area as 1 entity operating as an apartheid state. 2 particular developments led B’Tselem to change its viewpoint: the Nation-State law and the threats of annexation of Area C. Several Palestinian human rights organizations including al-Haq and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights have already called Israel an apartheid state. (AQ 11/12/2019; +972, AJ, AP, B’Tselem, CNN, GDN, HA, IN 1/12)

Israel attacked several places in Dayr al-Zur and Abu Kamal in eastern Syria with airstrikes, killing 57 people and wounding at least 37. According to a U.S. intelligence official, the strikes were made with intelligence from the U.S.; U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo had discussed the airstrikes with Mossad director Yossi Cohen at a D.C. restaurant on 1/11. Secretary Pompeo also announced that the terrorist group Al Qaeda has a home base in Iran without providing any evidence, a charge the Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called “warmongering lies.” On 1/10, Secretary Pompeo said that the Houthi rebels in Yemen would be added to the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations, a designation many humanitarian organizations lambasted as it will make it impossible to deliver aid to the civilian population living in Houthi-controlled areas who are heavily hunger stricken. (REU 1/10; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, REU 1/11; AJ, AJ, REU, REU 1/12; AA, AJ, FOX, HA, HA, HA, JP 1/13; HA 1/15; HA, HA 1/17)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was shot and injured by Israeli forces at the Qalandia checkpoint. The man, who is hearing and speech impaired, did not hear that he was ordered to stop. Elsewhere, 1 Palestinian man was shot and injured in Bethlehem after he allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail near Rachel’s Tomb. 9 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Hebron, Salfit, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was killed by Israeli forces after allegedly stabbing 1 Israeli police officer in the Old City. Israeli settlers set fire to 13 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Bayt Safafa. 1 Palestinian started demolishing his own 3 shops in Jabal Mukabir. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired shells at Gaza, causing damage in Bayt Hanun and Khan Yunis. Incendiary balloons were launched at Israel; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Gaza City; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/17; HA 8/18; PCHR 8/19)

1 Israeli soldier received 3 months of community service and was demoted to the rank of private by a military court after entering a plea deal for the murder of a Palestinian whom Israeli forces acknowledged posed no danger. (HA 8/17)

Egyptian officials arrived in Gaza to negotiate a de-escalation of tension between Israel and Hamas and other Palestinian factions in Gaza. (HA, HA 8/17)

Israeli officials told Haaretz that, despite normalizing relations with the UAE, Israel is still opposed to the U.S. selling advanced weapons such as F-35 fighter jets to the UAE. However, Haaretz reported that some Israeli officials believe that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had promised to support the sale of weapons to the UAE as part of the normalization deal. In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that both Israel and the UAE are “advanced democracies.” (AJ, HA, HA 8/18)

U.S. senior advisor to president Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, said that the U.S. will not permit Israel to annex parts of the West Bank “for some time” and said that “Israel has agreed with us that they will not move forward [on annexation] without our consent.” (AJ, HA 8/17)

At a rally in Wisconsin, U.S. president Donald Trump said that he moved “the capital of Israel [U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel] to Jerusalem . . . for the Evangelicals.” He continued that “the Evangelicals are more excited by that than Jewish people.” (HILL 8/17; IN 8/18; HA 8/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a tractor and wrote racist graffiti in ‘Urif and slashed tires on several vehicles and wrote racist graffiti on buildings in Yasuf. Israeli settlers also threw stones and paint at an Israeli border police vehicle near the Yitzhar settlement. Israeli settlers also set fire to Palestinian agricultural lands in Asira; subsequently, local Palestinians and Israeli forces clashed in the area, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also razed land east of Tulkarm. Separately, Israeli forces injured 3 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets as they were seeking to enter Israel via the separation wall near Far‘un. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hizma, Bethlehem, Salfit, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished part of their house built to accommodate their disabled son in Sur Bahir. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and the Old City, and 1 Waqf guard at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israel fired missiles at Gaza City, Bayt Hanun, and Dayr al-Balah, causing damage; incendiary balloons were launched from Gaza toward Israel, sparking fires. 1 unexploded Israeli shell was found at an UNRWA school west of Gaza City. Israel announced that it would stop all imports of fuel into Gaza as collective punishment for incendiary balloons landing in Israel. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/13; HA, HA 8/14; PCHR 8/16; PCHR 8/17; PCHR 8/19)

Russia announced that it would open trade representation offices in Bethlehem, Hebron, and Nablus. (WAFA 8/13)

U.S. president Donald Trump announced that Israel and the UAE had agreed to establish full diplomatic ties and that Israel, as part of the agreement, had decided to suspend annexation of parts of the West Bank. In a joint statement from the 3 parties, it said that “Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President’s Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.” Later, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that annexation is “still on the table” and a promise he is committed to. Subsequently, President Trump said, “Israel agreed not to annex parts of the West Bank. It is more than taking it off the table—they agreed not to do it. This is a very smart concession by Israel. It is off the table now.” U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman later said that annexation is “off the table now but it’s not off the table permanently. You can’t have peace and annexation at the same time.” PA president Mahmoud Abbas called the deal a “betrayal of Jerusalem, al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian cause.” The PA also recalled its ambassador to the UAE. Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum said of the deal: “[t]his announcement is a reward for the Israeli occupation’s crimes . . . The normalization is a stabbing in the back of our people.” U.S. officials also said that Bahrain and Oman are likely to soon normalize relations with Israel. (HA, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 8/13; AJ, AJ, REU, REU, REU 8/14; HA 8/15; REU 8/16; AJ 8/17)

In the West Bank, 13 Palestinians were arrested in and around Ramallah, Jenin, Qalqilya, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested in during raids in Issawiyya and Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA 7/9; PCHR 7/16)

In a phone conversation, French president Emmanuel Macron urged Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to annex parts of the West Bank. (AJ, HA, WAFA 7/10)

In the West Bank, PA governors imposed lockdowns of several governates and cities, including Hebron city, Abu Falah village, and Nablus governate for 5 days, and several towns and villages in the Bethlehem governate for 7 days, to curb the spread of COVID-19. Later, the PA said it would impose a 5-day lockdown in the West Bank starting 7/3. Palestinians protested in Ramallah against Israel’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank. Israeli settlers razed land in ‘Ayn Bus and southeast of Qalqilya. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Jalazun refugee camp, Birzeit, Kafr al-Dik, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Jabal Mukabir and 1 residential shack in Issawiyya. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around al-Tur, Silwan and Bayt Hanina. In Gaza, Palestinians in Gaza City protested the planned Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank. (AJ, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/1)

According to Haaretz sources in Gaza, Hamas’s military wing tested long-range missiles. (HA 7/1)

Israel’s foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi told Israel’s Army Radio that, “[i]t seems unlikely to me that this [announcement of plans for annexation of parts of the West Bank] will happen today . . . I reckon there will be nothing today.” Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously announced that annexation of parts of the West Bank would begin on 7/1. (AJ, HA, REU 7/1)

The Syrian, Russian, and Turkish president issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s attacks on Syria and U.S. president Donald Trump’s decision to recognize the occupied Golan Heights as part of Israel. (AJ, HA 7/1)

In an op-ed in the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, UK prime minister Boris Johnson warned Israel against annexation of parts of the West Bank, saying that it would be a violation of international law and that the “UK will not recognize any changes to the 1967 lines, except those agreed between both parties.” (HA, YNET, REU, WAFA 7/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian-owned fields near Burin. Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from entering Bardala for a planned protest against annexation of parts of the West Bank. 1 Palestinian was beaten and arrested at a checkpoint in Qalandia. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands west of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA 6/27; PCHR 7/2)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh ordered a full ban of all forms of public gatherings due to a rise in COVID-19 virus cases throughout the West Bank. The governor of Bethlehem declared a 2-day lockdown of Bethlehem city and surrounding areas starting 6/29. (WAFA, WAFA 6/27)

U.S. assistant to the president and special representative for international negotiations Avi Berkowitz met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss annexation of parts of the West Bank. (Axios 6/29)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israel conducted air strikes in the Syrian city Dayr al-Zur, killing 6 people, including 4 Syrian nationals. (HA 6/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for residential structures, 1 stable, and 1 stone wall; a stop-work notice for a water well and fencing in al-Walaja; and demolished and seized 5 tin structures in Sawahara al-Sharqiyya. 19 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Hebron, al-‘Arub refugee camp, al-Fawar refugee camp, Nahalin, Nablus, and Bardala. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Silwan, displacing a family of 9. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters demonstrating against the killing of an unarmed Palestinian man on 5/30; 6 people were arrested. Another 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya. In Israel, Israeli forces violently dispersed hundreds of Palestinian citizens of Israel protesting against the planned demolition of an 18th-century Muslim burial ground in Jaffa. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/9; TOI 6/10; PCHR 6/11)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh told journalists that if Israel moves forward with annexing West Bank territory, the PA would declare an independent state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital. Prime Minister Shtayyeh further stated that the PA had sent a counterproposal to the U.S. peace plan to the Quartet. (AJ, HA, REU 6/9)

The Israeli high court of justice ruled the “Law for the Regularization of Settlement in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank]” unconstitutional. The law was approved in 2017 and allowed use of Palestinian-owned land to build settlements and legalize settlement outposts. (HA, NYT, REU 6/9; WAFA 6/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers razed 350 dunams (86.5 acres) of land northwest of Jericho and prevented farmers in Kisan from plowing their land. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian homes in Burin; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces handed a demolition notice for a house southwest of Hebron. 17 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Nablus, Salfit, Tulkarm, Abu Dis, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 6 structures (2 of which were residential): 5 in Jabal Mukabir and 1 in Silwan. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during house raids and 1 Waqf guard at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza City; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/2; PCHR 6/4)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told settler leaders during a meeting that Israeli annexation of the West Bank will be promoted independently of the U.S. peace plan, according to Haaretz sources. (HA 6/2)

The Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi told members of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee that Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank would “not go unanswered” and would “diminish all chances for a lasting and comprehensive regional peace.” (HA 6/2)

The French government contributed $9 million to the PA 2020 budget. (WAFA 6/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces prevented the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee from doing restoration work in al-Ibrahimi Mosque. Israeli forces also delivered demolition orders for 6 Palestinian-owned homes in al-Tira. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided al-‘Arub refugee camp, firing tear gas and sound bombs at Palestinians; no injuries were reported. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ya‘bad, Jalazun refugee camp, Hebron, and Qabatiya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian shepherds east of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/28; PCHR 6/4)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israel Hayom newspaper in an interview that Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley “will remain Palestinian subjects” after Israel’s impending annexation. There are over 50,000 Palestinians living in the parts of the West Bank that Israel is planning to annex. Netanyahu also said that he does not consider what the Trump administration calls a Palestinian state an actual state as it will remain under Israeli control. (HA, Israel Hayom, TOI 5/28)

The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah expressed concern over the rise in demolitions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 2020 compared to the number of demolitions in the same period in 2019. (WAFA 5/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers and Israeli forces leveled some 15 dunams (3.7 acres) of land planted with olive trees southeast of Tulkarm. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin, Jericho, and Abu Dis. During a raid in Bayt Umar, Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler stabbed 1 Palestinian minor in the Old City, causing moderate injuries. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Palestinians protested the killing of a mentally disabled Palestinian citizen of Israel on 5/13. The man had pulled out a knife while at the hospital for an examination but did not use it; when he got in a car, hospital security guards pulled him out and he lightly injured 1 guard, to which guards responded by shooting him 5 times while he was lying incapacitated on the ground. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/18; PCHR 5/21)

1 Israeli settler was indicted for creating fake military checkpoints in the West Bank, using them to carjack Palestinian drivers. According to the indictment, he managed to steal 3 Palestinian-owned vehicles. (TOI 5/18)

The Israeli Prison Service transferred 1 Palestinian hunger-striker held in administrative detention to solitary confinement. (WAFA 5/18)

The PA foreign ministry summoned the head of the Austrian representative to Palestine for questioning after an Austrian representative questioned the legality of prosecuting Israel at the International Criminal Court. (WAFA 5/18)

In a statement congratulating Israel with the formation of its new government on 5/17, the EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell also reaffirmed the EU position that the union does not and will not recognize any changes to the 1967 borders unless agreed to by both parties, including maintaining that East Jerusalem will be the future capital of Palestine and that annexation of West Bank territory would be in violation of international law. Meanwhile, the Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau similarly stressed Canada’s commitment to international law in his congratulations to Israel on their new government. (EEAS, HA 5/18; WAFA 5/19)

Germany donated $760,000 to the Augusta Victoria hospital in East Jerusalem, which treats Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza. Separately, India provided $2 million to UNRWA core programming. (WAFA, WAFA 5/18)

In the West Bank, 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Bayt Umar: 1 at a checkpoint near Ramallah and 3 during a raid in Beitunia. Israeli forces also razed an area used as a sheep market near Hebron. Israeli settlers with military escort toured Awarta and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Nabi Salih, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian family of 5 was forced to demolish their own home in Jabal Mukabir. In Gaza, Israel conducted air strikes on targets in Gaza and reported that 1 rocket was launched from Gaza toward Israel; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinian farmland east of Juhur al-Dik; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 2/9; HA, WAFA 2/10; PCHR 2/13)

After Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government was drawing up maps for annexation on 2/9, U.S. ambassador David Friedman warned that unilateral action by Israel to annex parts of the West Bank would result in withdrawal of U.S. support for Israel annexing West Bank settlements in the future. Prime Minister Netanyahu also said that Israel would hit Gaza with a “crushing blow” if rockets toward Israel continued. (HA, HA, REU 2/9)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian school in ‘Ayn Bus was set on fire, damaging classrooms, and racist Hebrew graffiti was painted on the building. Israeli forces seized tracts of land north of Hebron to expand an Israeli settlement. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Biddu, Bethlehem Tubas, Tulkarm, Hebron, and Jenin. During a raid in Jenin, Israeli forces confiscated a vehicle and cash. Palestinians protested the U.S. administration’s version of a peace plan in several places throughout the West Bank; at least 12 Palestinians were reported injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned store in Wadi al-Juz. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during raids in Silwan and the Old City, and 5 at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Palestinians also protested the U.S. administration’s peace plan. (AJ, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; PCHR 1/30)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted in the 3 corruption cases against him. Prime Minister Netanyahu had earlier on that day, before the indictment, withdrawn his request for immunity from prosecution. (AJ, HA 1/28)

U.S. president Donald Trump, flanked by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, presented the U.S. administration’s version of a peace plan, which on all contentious issues took maximalist Israeli positions. The plan presented a vision for 2 states; however, the map of these 2 “states” presented with the plan showed a carved-up West Bank where the majority of Israeli settlements and the Jordan Valley were annexed by Israel. A swath of land in Israel, where some 250,000 Palestinian citizens of Israel live, would be annexed to the Palestinian “state.” Some land in Israel along the Egyptian border would also be part of the Palestinian state. Jerusalem would become part of Israel and the Palestinian capitol would be east of Jerusalem on the West Bank side of the separation border. Gaza and the West Bank would be connected by a bridge or a tunnel. The Palestinian state would be demilitarized, including disarming Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine (PIJ). Israel would control all of Palestine’s international borders. There would be no right of return for Palestinians as “[t]heir Arab brothers have the moral responsibility to integrate them into their countries as the Jews were integrated into the State of Israel.” Furthermore, the peace plan would allow Jews to pray on Haram al-Sharif and the PA would have to stop paying stipends to families of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Palestinians, according to the plan, would have 4 years after the “peace deal” was signed to achieve the right to their own state. (BBC, NPR, NYT, REU 1/28; AJ, HA 1/29; HA 1/30)

The Palestinian leadership’s response to the U.S. administration’s vision of a peace plan was condemnation. PA president Mahmoud Abbas said that “Trump and Netanyahu declared the slap of the century, not the deal. And we will respond with slaps.” At President Abbas’s speech were representatives from Hamas and PIJ. Hamas said Abbas had spoken with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and that the 2 had agreed to stand together in unity on the matter. Abbas also called for an urgent session at the Arab League to discuss the U.S. peace plan. (AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28)

Shortly after the U.S. peace plan was released, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that he would convene the Israeli cabinet on 2/1 to start annexing Israeli settlements, the Jordan Valley, and the northern Dead Sea. Jared Kushner, senior advisor to President Trump, said shortly after Netanyahu’s announcement that he did not believe that Israel would start annexing West Bank settlements on 2/1, contradicting the Israeli prime minister. (HA, HA, HA 1/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 16 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Nablus. In Israel, 3 Palestinians from Gaza who had breached the Gaza fence were shot dead by Israeli forces. The Israeli military alleged that the 3 threw improvised explosives at the Israeli forces. (REU, WAFA, WP 1/21; AJ, HA, WAFA 1/22; PCHR 1/23)

Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennett said that Israel would annex the West Bank if the PA acted to erase the distinction between Areas A, B, and C. Chairperson of the Kahol Lavan party Benny Gantz separately said that he would work to advance annexation of the Jordan Valley if elected prime minister. (HA 1/21)

In Lebanon, a new government was formed under the new prime minister Hassan Diab. Prime Minister Diab described his 20 new ministers as a technocratic “rescue team.” Despite the formation of the new government, the protest that started in 2019 continued in Lebanon. (HA 1/21; AJ 1/22)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man was rushed to a hospital in Ramallah after being beaten by Israeli forces at a checkpoint outside of Ramallah. Israeli forces also arrested 19 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, Salfit, and Ramallah. Israeli settlers slashed tires and sprayed racist graffiti on walls in Duma village. Israeli forces razed land and demolished 1 house and 2 greenhouses in al-Walaja. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Khan Yunis. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian at the Erez crossing. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/16; PCHR 9/19)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with the Israeli Army Radio that he “intends to extend [Israeli] sovereignty on all the settlements and the [settlement] blocs . . . sites that have security importance or are important to Israel’s heritage.” PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said in response that the “Jordan Valley is part of Palestinian lands and any settlement or annexation is illegal,” further stating that the PA will sue Israel in international courts. (AJ, WAFA 9/16)

In the West Bank, Jewish settlers attack Palestinian-owned vehicles in between Bethlehem and Hebron. Settlers also damage around 250 olive trees southeast of Nablus, and later cut down 12 olive trees in Basalta nr. Nablus. In the latter case, Palestinians throw stones at the settlers, who are subsequently protected by IDF soldiers, who fire rubbercoated steel bullets and injure 3 Palestinians. The IDF also opens fire with live ammunition and rubber-coated steel bullets on Palestinians in Tamoun village nr. Jenin during clashes sparked by an arrest raid, injuring 30. The IDF also opens fire on stone-throwing Palestinian youths who challenge troops entering ‘Urif village nr. Nablus. The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning, in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 3 villages nr. Tulkarm and 2 nr. Jenin at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron at night. (MNA 1/1, PCHR 2/1)

Israel’s High Court of Justice gives the state an extended deadline for the demolition of unauthorized settler outpost Amona in the c. West Bank, delaying removal until the end of 4/2013. The outpost was set up on the site of a previous outpost of the same name that was evacuated in 2006, and had been slated for evacuation in February. (ToI 1/1)

Israeli newspaper Ha’Aretz reports that around 50 residents of Issawiyya in East Jerusalem have been arrested over the last month in clashes with security forces. Tensions are linked to the hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner Samer Issawi, who comes from the village. (HA 1/1)

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) registers its opposition to the 12/27 Hamas-imposed ban on Palestinian journalists in the Gaza Strip working with the Israeli media. (Guardian 1/1)

Palestinians demonstrate in Nablus against a recent decision to end refugees’ exemption from electricity costs. Around 200 protesters clash with PA security forces, angry that a debt-exemption clause is not applicable to non-refugees. (MNA 1/1)

Senior Likud officials speak at a conference in Jerusalem on a ‘‘one-state solution,’’ including Min. Yuli Edelstein, who voices support for the annexation of Area C of the West Bank. Likud politician and Knesset candidate Moshe Feiglin outlines his plan to pay Palestinian families in the West Bank $500,000 each to emigrate abroad. (Guardian, ToI 1/1)

A report in JTA indicates that 2 major American Jewish groups—the American Israel Public Affairs Comm. (AIPAC) and the Reform movement—are in disagreement about how to respond to the Palestinians’ successful UN bid. AIPAC has supported 2 congressional bids to shut down the PLO office in Washington, D.C., while the Reform movement has urged Obama not to punish the Palestinians for the initiative. Both groups, however, are apparently waiting to see if the Palestinians will use their new status to bring Israel before the ICC before backing penalties. (JTA 1/1)

Arafat makes 1-day trip to Cairo to consult with Pres. Mubarak on the peace process in light of the resumption of Syrian-Israeli talks. (MENA 12/14 in WNC 12/15)

Before departing for Washington, PM Barak meets with Golan settler leaders. Barak's entire cabinet, which is divided on negotiations with Syria, sees him off at the airport. (MM 12/14; NYT 12/15)

On the anniversary of the annexation of the Golan Heights, Druze residents of Majdal Shams, on the Golan, hold a rally in support of Syria in the upcoming negotiations with Israel. (WP, WT 12/15)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At inner cabinet meeting ministers Yitzhaq Modai and Ariel Sharon call for Israeli annexation of occupied territories; ministers from Labor party counter that annexation of 850,000 W. Bank Palestinians would dilute the Jewish character of Israel [WP 8/4]. In Nablus total strike is observed [FJ 8/7].

Arab World: In Baghdad the PLO announces it will perform duties of legitimate representative of Palestinian people; it gives little indication how it will carry out its new duties in territories [WP 8/4].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF destroys 10 homes, seals 2 of families of people suspected of throwing Molotov cocktails at army patrols, settlers [WP 8/4, FJ 8/7]. In Nablus Israeli troops use rubber bullets, helicopters to quell demonstrators. In Irtas, near Bethlehem, troops arrest 11. Clashes occur in Salfit, Jabalya, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Gaza City, Beach, Bayt Hanun, and Bayt Lahiya [FJ 8/7].

Other Countries: Negotiations in U.S. Congress clear way for Kuwait to buy sophisticated weapons from U.S.; restriction will be placed on the weapons to ensure Israeli security [WP 8/4].

Military Action:

Tripoli cease-fire breaks down soon after visiting Syrians depart; grenades and sporadic sniper fire; artillery duels and ambush in Chouf, as Druze and Christian leaders try to restore cease-fire; Haddad militia commander Ahmed Sheet blown up by car bomb in Nabatiyeh; other sabotage acts in recent weeks in Nabatiyeh reportedly aimed at IDF forces.

Casualties:

3 killed, 10 wounded in Tripoli; 1 killed, 3 wounded in Chouf; 21 others wounded in Nabatiyeh explosion.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin, in speech to World Zionist Congress, sees good chance of pullout agreement soon, reaffirms settlements are essential; Begin meets with Habib and Draper, who carry proposals to skirt issue of Jerusalem as venue for talks; Israeli military authorities close down Construction and Public Institutions Employees Union headquarters in Ramallah for two months, confiscate union files, arrest union secretary.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Foreign Minister Salem, in meeting with Shultz, warns that lengthy occupation would lead to Israeli annexation of South Lebanon, Syrian/PLO protectorate in North Lebanon.

Arab Governments: Syrian Presidents Assad and Foreign Minister Khaddam meet with Gemayel special emissary Jean Obeid, express openness to partial, simultaneous withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, provided this is linked to a total withdrawal of IDF forces, affirm that Lebanese security forces should patrol Tripoli; Egyptian President Mubarak, in Vienna, calls on PLO to recognize Israel and declares support for Reagan peace plan.

US and Other Countries: Reagan sends letter to Begin urging Israel to agree to withdrawal timetable hours after Habib and Draper meet in Jerusalem with Begin; US announces $5 m. grant, $15 m. loan to Lebanon to help rebuild damaged homes; State Department sources say Israel is offering to sell Central American countries stocks of weapons captured from PLO; over 175 Representatives sign a letter to Reagan asking him to deny advanced weapons to Jordan unless Jordan participates in peace process; in Senate, Kennedy has almost 60 co-sponsors for resolution opposing more aid to Jordan if it continues to boycott peace talks.

UN: Israel and Lebanon join in unanimous General Assembly condemnation of September massacre, but Israel votes against another provision that calls massacre act of genocide; four other resolutions passed which demand that Israel rescind annexation of Golan Heights, support Lebanese efforts to restore its authority throughout its territory, deplore destruction of Palestinian cultural heritage during invasion and ask Israel for restitution.

Military Action:

IDF jeeps and APCs come under RPG attack near Shuweifat; artillery, machine gun exchanges between Druze and Phalange in Aley, IDF rushes 50 APCs and tanks, 500 troops to area, imposes curfew and cuts traffic between Chouf villages; IDF forces withdraw from Yarze area housing Lebanese Army command and home of US Ambassador Dillon.

Casualties:

UNRWA begins distributing cement and stoves in Ain el-Hilweh; 1 attacker killed, 1 IDF soldier wounded in Shuweifat.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Sharon tells Knesset committee Israel will withdraw to 40 miles above border only after PLO and Syria withdraw troops and Israeli prisoners are returned, but will stay there until Lebanon signs security agreement allowing direct IDF involvement in security arrangements; Shamir tells US Jewish leaders in Israel that multinational peacekeeping force is unnecessary for ensuring safety of South Lebanon; Jerusalem Post poll shows Sharon support dropping since massacre; Commission of Inquiry interviews Yiram Yair, IDF commander in area of camps during massacre, behind closed doors; Statistics Bureau puts price rise at 106 percent since start of year, and inflation rate may reach 138 percent by end of year; two week old memo revealed which ordered Israeli military governors to "neutralize to the maximum" pro-Jordanian elements among West Bank Arabs and to step up support for Village Leagues, in apparent attempt to block options for peace settlement involving Jordan; Likud MK Dror Zeigerman says government initiative in issuing memo would imply plan for ultimate annexation of occupied territories, and warns such a plan would turn the West Bank into "Israel's Viet Nam"; Peace Now issues statement condemning Civil Administrator for implementing "corrupt colonialist policies"; heads of Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian churches in Jerusalem threaten to close holy places over Christmas unless expulsion order against Armenian Deputy Patriarch Karanjian is rescinded, but Interior Ministry refuses to reveal basis for decision to not renew visa; Tehiya Party, at annual meeting, demands that Israel annex West Bank and Gaza; Nahal plans five outposts, three settlements in West Bank in coming year; Bethlehem University student council leader put under town arrest for six months.

US and Other Countries: French President Mitterrand, in Paris meeting, tells Arab League delegation headed by King Hussein that Arabs and PLO should recognize Israel; State Department issues unusually strong 2 page statement that Israel's deportation of teachers from West Bank universities (which are partly funded by US foreign aid) undermines peace negotiations.