In the West Bank, Israeli forces ordered a Palestinian family to leave their 2 mobile homes and stop further construction north of Jericho. Separately, Israeli forces seized a mobile home in Bayt Dajan. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired an artillery shell and flare bombs east of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Israeli forces shot and injured a man crossing from Jordan to Israel south of the Sea of Galilee. Israeli authorities said another man managed to flee and that Israeli police found a bag containing 9 handguns, 6 rifles, and NIS 500,000 ($143,000). (HA, WAFA, WAFA 5/20; PCHR 5/21)
The Israeli Prison Service transferred 1 Palestinian hunger-striker being held in administrative detention to solitary confinement. (WAFA 5/20)
At the UN Security Council (UNSC), the UN envoy to the Middle East Nikolay Mladenov told the council that Israel annexing part of the West Bank “would constitute the most serious violation of international law . . . [and] close the door to a renewal of negotiations.” He further stated that “Israel must abandon its treat of annexation.” Mladenov also called on the Quartet to take up a more active role. EU representatives at the UNSC also called Israel’s plans a violation of international law, expressing concern. In turn, Israel’s envoy to the UN Danny Danon told the council that “[a]ny decision on the topic of sovereignty will be made solely by the Israeli government with coordination with the American administration.” Separately, the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov told the new Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi that Russia opposes Israel’s annexation plans during a call. (AJ, HA, REU 5/20)
The EU, Italy, and Finland pledge to contribute $18.6 million to the PA for payments of medical referrals to East Jerusalem hospitals. (WAFA 5/20)