The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 3 Palestinians and injured 6 others during a late-night raid in Balata refugee camp. PA presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh called the killings a massacre. Al-Aqsa Martyr’s Brigades said the 3 were members of the organization. Israeli forces also notified 4 Palestinian families in Khirbet Humsa that they will be forced to leave their homes overnight for Israeli military drills on 5/23, 5/31, and 6/13. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house and 1 residential tent in Maeen and 1 house in Umm Safa. (AJ, AN, AP, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/22; PCHR 5/25; UNOCHA 6/2)

178 Palestinians in Ein Samia left their homes to relocate elsewhere due to persistence settler violence in their area and Israeli demolitions of their property. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called the events leading to the relocation of the community ethnic cleansing. The EU called the demolitions and the settler violence in the area appalling. (QDS 5/22; HA, WAFA 5/24; AJ, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 5/25; MDW 5/31; AJ 6/4)

The Israeli state prosecutor announced that it will oppose granting Palestinian prisoner Walid Daqqa parole ahead of a hearing on 5/24. Daqqa, who was convicted for killing an Israeli soldier in 1986, is terminally ill with bone marrow cancer. He was set to be released this year, but 2 years were added to his sentence in 2017 for allegedly smuggling cell phones. Daqqa was moved to a hospital for treatment on the same day as the prosecutor made its announcement. The hearing was postponed from 5/24 to 5/31 due to Daqqa’s treatment. (HA 5/23; AJ, MEE 5/24; QDS 5/25; AJ 5/30)

The UAE invited Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog to the UAE for the COP 28 conference in November. (HA 5/22; AP, ALM 5/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 60 olive saplings in Jalud. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian vehicles traveling on the Nablus-Qalqilya road, leading to 1 injury and damage. Israeli forces shot and injured 7 Palestinians trying to enter Israel for work through the separation barrier near Far‘un. Israeli forces also seized heavy machinery used to rehabilitate a road in Kardala. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bayt Umar, Sabastiyya, Qabatiya, Jalazun refugee camp, and Nahalin. In East Jerusalem, 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/11; PCHR 1/14)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israeli defense ministry and the civil administration’s higher planning committee will approve 800 new settlement units in the Itamar, Beit El, Shavei Shomron, Oranit, Givat Ze’ev, Tal Menashe, and Nofei Nehemia settlements and settlement outposts. Prime Minister Netanyahu also said on Facebook that “[w]e’re here [in the West Bank] to stay. We’re continuing to build the Land of Israel.” Leader of the Israeli opposition Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid party called the announcement of the new settlement units “irresponsible,” citing the U.S. presidential transition on 1/20. France’s foreign ministry, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the PA denounced the settlement expansion. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz also approved a small number Palestinian construction projects in al-Walaja, Hizma, Bethlehem, and Bayt Jala. All the projects need secondary approval. (ABC, AJ, AP, HA, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA 1/11; REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/12)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and a member of the PLO executive committee condemned the UAE for allowing Israeli settler products to be imported to its market after the 1st shipment of Israeli settler goods arrived in the UAE. (WAFA 1/11; REU 1/14)

The PA health ministry said it had approved the Russian-made COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V for emergency use. (WAFA 1/11)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas issued 3 presidential decrees, 2 of which critiques say serves to bolster the power of the PA presidency ahead of potential elections later this year. 1 decree allows the PA president to select judges instead of approving judges, who would be selected based on seniority. The decree also allows the president to force Palestinian judges to retire 5 years before the set retirement age of 70. A 2d decree establishes administrative courts, which can hear petitions against officials and institutions, previously a duty of the High Court of Justice. The president of the administrative court is appointed by the PA president. (HA 1/28)

An Israeli court in Lod ruled that screening or distributing the movie Jenin Jenin from 2002 by Mohammad Bakri should be banned and copies of the movie destroyed. Bakri was also ruled to pay $55,000 to an Israeli soldier who appears in archival footage used for the movie and $16,000 for the cost of the trial. The Israeli judge said that Bakri did not do enough research to label the movie a documentary. The PA ministry of culture condemned the ruling. (HA 1/11; AJ, TOI, WAFA 1/12; WAFA 1/13)

Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that he regretted forming a coalition with Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying that Netanyahu “cheated me and cheated you [the Israeli public].” He then called on all opposition leaders, including the Joint Arab List’s Ayman Odeh, to join him in sending “Bibi [Netanyahu] home” in the upcoming election. (HA 1/11)

The foreign ministers of Germany, France, Jordan, and Egypt met in Cairo to discuss reviving peace talks between Israel and Palestine. The quartet expressed willingness to work closely with the U.S. to map steps toward peace. In a statement, the 4 called for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. According to the Jerusalem Post, the 4 countries had tried to invite the Israeli and PA foreign ministers to the meeting, but both were unable or unwilling to travel for the meeting. (HA, WAFA 1/11; JP 1/12)

U.S. billionaire and mega-donor to Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, and Israeli settlements Sheldon Adelson died. Adelson had recently flown the convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard to Israel from the U.S. so he could immigrate after being released from parole, and he bought the U.S. ambassador’s house in Tel Aviv from the U.S. state department earlier in 2020. Adelson was known to have had a large influence on U.S. president Donald Trump’s aggressively pro-Israel policies during his presidency. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU 1/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian near Jericho. Israeli forces uprooted 300 olive trees and razed farmland in al-Jaba‘. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinians with live ammunition as they were trying to enter Israel through the separation barrier for work near Ya‘bad. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided al-‘Arub refugee camp, clashing with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. 9 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah and al-‘Arub refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinians in the Old City, including 2 maintenance workers at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/30; PCHR 12/31)

Jonathan Pollard, the former U.S. navy intelligence analyst who spied on the U.S. for Israel, arrived in Tel Aviv on a private jet belonging to the mega donor to Israeli settlements and U.S. Republicans, Sheldon Adelson. He was received by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who handed him and his wife Israeli passports. Pollard, who have been living under strict restrictions in New York City after being granted parole in 2015, was able to move freely when his parole was lifted in November. Pollard received a life sentence after being convicted of spying in 1987; Israel had since that time lobbied consecutive U.S. presidents to have him released to Israel. (AJ, GDN, HA, IN, JP, MEE, NYT, REU, TOI, WP 12/30)

Israel launched an air strike on Syria near Damascus, killing 1 and injuring 3 according to the Syrian state media outlet SANA. (AJ 12/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers leveled Palestinian-owned land near Kisan. Israeli forces detained and severely beat 3 Palestinians at a flying checkpoint near Bayt Fajjar; all 3 were later taken to a hospital in Bayt Jala. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Malik during an anti-settlement demonstration, injuring 1 Palestinian with a tear-gas canister; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum; 1 Palestinian was hit with a rubber-coated bullet to his face. Israeli forces also seized construction materials in al-Walaja. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 paramedic during the protest in Kafr Malik, 1 during a raid in Hebron, and 6 at checkpoints near Nablus, Qalandia, and Bethlehem. (WAFA, WAFA 11/20; WAFA 11/21; PCHR 11/26)

The U.S. department of justice said that the Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard finished his parole and is now free to move to Israel. It had been uncertain if Pollard would have his parole extended since U.S. national security officials have objected to allowing Pollard’s parole to expire. Pollard was arrested in 1985 for spying on the U.S. on behalf of Israel and was handed a life sentence. He was released in 2015 but with limitations on his movement and he was banned from making public statements as part of his parole. Pollard was given Israeli citizenship in 1995 and Israeli prime ministers have long sought to have him released to Israel, where he is perceived as a hero. (NYT 11/20; HA, REU 11/21; HA, HA, HA, LAT 11/22)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of al-Bureij r.c. fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers approaching the border fence, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct late-night raids in Hebron and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Jenin, arresting 5 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 3; patrol during the day in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 nr. Jericho, and 1 nr. Jenin. They also violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli and international activists at a demonstration against the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, injuring 2 Palestinians. Israeli settlers fill an agricultural well with stones and earth nr. Salfit. In East Jerusalem, right-wing Jewish activists assault a Palestinian child outside Haram al-Sharif. A group of Palestinians intervenes and the activists flee the scene. (MNA, WAFA 7/25; MNA 7/26; PCHR 7/30)

Israel’s Justice Min. Ayelet Shaked says that the proposed release of Israeli spy Pollard from U.S. prison in 11/2015 is not connected to Israel’s complaints about the nuclear deal announced by Iran and the P5+1 on 7/14. Meanwhile, U.S. atty. gen. Loretta Lynch says that the Justice Dept. “will not interfere” in Pollard’s case, meaning that she will not seek to accelerate or delay his release beyond the standard parole procedures. (HA, MNA 7/26; TOI 7/27)

Late at night in the West Bank, Israeli soldiers open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. the separation wall n. of Tulkarm, injuring 2. The IDF conducts late-night raids and house searches in 2 villages each nr. Qalqilya and Bethlehem, issuing arrest summons to 10 Palestinians; patrols during the day in al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 nr. Jenin. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against the Israeli occupation in 5 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, Silwad, and outside Ofer Prison) and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 2 Palestinians are injured with live ammunition. Israeli settlers attempt to attack al-Ibrahimi Mosque in c. Hebron, but Israeli soldiers intervene and secure the site. (MNA 7/24; WAFA 7/26; PCHR 7/30)

U.S. officials say that they do not plan on opposing convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard’s scheduled parole in 11/2015, denying recent reports that some Obama admin. officials have been pushing for his early release as a means of improving relations with Israel. (HA, NYT 7/24; MNA 7/25)

Residents of the Israeli town of Metulla, nr. the Lebanese border, observe a general strike and demonstrate to protest government plans to withdraw fr. s. Lebanon. (NYT 5/12; WJW 5/18)

Israel's High Court overturns a decision to parole a Jewish settler who had initially been sentenced to life imprisonment for the execution-style slaying of a Palestinian. (NYT 5/12) (see 3/6)

In Amman, 50 University of Jordan students stage a sit-in outside parliament to protest the government's 4/4 decision to appoint half of their student council. (JT 5/12 in WNC 5/15) (see 4/10)