“Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in remarks aired on Wednesday that his administration would regard agreements with Israel and the United States “completely cancelled” if Israel annexes land in the occupied West Bank. ‘We have informed the relevant international parties, including the American and the Israeli governments, that we will not stand hand-cuffed if Israel announces the annexation of any part of our land,’ Abbas said on Palestine TV.“ Also see: Times of Israel – Abbas threatens to rip up accords with Israel and US if annexation plans proceed & Arutz Sheva – PA spokesman: The US has no right to decide our fate

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday it was an Israeli decision whether to annex parts of the West Bank and that the United States will offer its views on this to the new Israeli government in private. ‘As for the annexation of the West Bank, the Israelis will ultimately make those decisions,’ Pompeo told a press conference. ‘That’s an Israeli decision. And we will work closely with them to share with them our views of this in (a) private setting.’”

“The European Union warned Israel Thursday against applying sovereignty over portions of Judea and Samaria, vowing to ‘closely monitor’ Israeli moves in the area… [EU foreign affairs chief Josep] Borrell warned that the EU would strongly oppose Israel’s application of sovereignty in parts of Judea and Samaria – despite the move being supported by the US as part of the Trump administration’s peace plan – warning that such a step would be a major violation of international law. ‘The European Union reiterates that any annexation would constitute a serious violation of international law. The European Union will continue to closely monitor the situation and its broader implications, and will act accordingly.’” Also see: EU Observer – EU: Israeli annexation would ‘not be left unanswered’ and Times of Israel – Ireland warns against annexation of parts of West Bank

“We do not recognize any precedent anywhere in the world in which a political agreement to form a government coalition stipulates a commitment to violate international law. Israel’s annexation of the occupied West Bank – which this coalition agreement seeks to advance – constitutes another step toward abolishing the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an apartheid regime. This section of the agreement cannot stand the test of international or Israeli law, and we will continue to take action against it.” 

“Israel has been exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and apply its sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea area, the National Office for the Defence of Land and Resistance of Settlement has said. The body which is affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) explained that the Israeli government intends to link the Israeli settlements around the occupied city of Jerusalem using a light railway. The report quoted the Arab Centre for Alternative Planning as saying that Israel is planning to construct two railways linking the Jewish communities with the Al-Aqsa Mosque, pointing out that one of them will be an underground line which connects West Jerusalem with the Mughrabi Gate which leads to the Muslim holy site.”

Since the start of the corona crisis, Israeli settlers have ramped up attacks against Palestinians throughout the West Bank, with full state backing. The attacks have increased despite the movement restrictions, lockdowns and social distancing measures introduced to battle the pandemic. During the first three weeks of this month (through 22 April), B’Tselem documented 23 settler attacks against Palestinians. In all of March, 23 incidents were documented, 11 of them after the severe restrictions on movement and social gatherings were imposed (mid-March). In comparison, 11 attacks were recorded in January and 12 in February. In these violent incidents, settlers, some of them carrying firearms, physically assaulted Palestinians with the aid of clubs, axes, electroshock weapons, stones and assault dogs, in some cases causing severe injury. Settlers also attacked homes, torched cars, vandalized and uprooted olive trees and other crops, and stole livestock.”

“…’The reason we stopped providing assistance previously was that these resources weren’t getting to the place they needed to — to the Palestinian people,’ Pompeo said at a press briefing after a reporter asked him about the lower amount of aid….Pompeo presented no evidence that US assistance for the West Bank and Gaza was not reaching the Palestinian people. The United States provides no direct budgetary support for the Palestinian Authority, and USAID — its foreign assistance agency — had worked with nongovernmental organizations to implement its aid programs on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza.”

“Israel’s Health Ministry has reportedly provided a single ventilator, 2,000 face masks and just 50 testing kits to an East Jerusalem hospital’s coronavirus unit for Palestinians, and paid out only half of the sum it pledged to help finance the medical project. The Catholic St. Joseph Hospital in East Jerusalem also received a donation of three ventilators from the Vatican, and two from Christian organizations, according to the Catholic News Service. But medical staff at the hospital were warning they would deplete their face mask supply in two weeks and were down to their last four coronavirus swabs. According to the report, the Health Ministry pledged $563,000 to the virus unit, but has only paid half of that sum.” Also see: Catholic News Service – East Jerusalem Catholic hospital gets coronavirus unit for Palestinians

“Health workers are warning of a potential COVID-19 upsurge in occupied East Jerusalem with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan set to begin on Friday. Israel is doing too little, too late to stem the virus in the city’s Palestinian neighborhoods, critics say, while the government simultaneously prevents the Palestinian Authority from taking actions to prevent a possible outbreak….Without a concerted awareness campaign and sufficient prevention guidelines in Arabic to inform the community, a virus outbreak could be imminent during Ramadan, say Palestinian health experts.”

“An Israeli Border Police force enters the East Jerusalem village of Kfar Akeb this morning to enforce emergency regulations to curb the spread of coronavirus. The village, some two kilometers southeast of Ramallah, is inside the Jerusalem municipal boundaries, but lies beyond the West Bank security barrier. According to Hebrew media reports, Border Police officers entered the area after Palestinian security forces that had been enforcing restrictions in coordination with the IDF withdrew earlier this week.”

“Israeli security forces on Wednesday demolished six illegal structures near the flashpoint Yitzhar settlement in the northern West Bank. The Civil Administration officials said four of the buildings were located in the Kipa Sruga and Tekuma outposts in Area C, while two others were in Kumi Ori in Area B.” Also see: Jerusalem Post – Residents report Border Police violently evacuate Yitzhar outpost

“A 23-year-old Palestinian prisoner died in Israel’s Ketziot prison overnight on Tuesday under what rights groups are calling “suspicious” circumstances. The prisoner, Nour al-Barghouthi, a resident of Abdoud village in the northern West Bank, was allegedly in the bathroom of Section 25 of the prison in the Negev when he suddenly fell unconscious, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said. ‘His fellow prisoners heard a crashing in the bathroom and saw that he had fallen down,’ PPS spokesman Abdullah Zghari told Middle East Eye….Zghari said the PPS has demanded Israeli authorities perform an autopsy on Barghouthi’s body to determine the cause of death, and open an investigation into why it took the guards so long to respond.” Also see: Middle East Monitor – Palestinian prisoner dies after medical neglect in Israel prison

“In an unprecedented move, the Palestinian ruling Fatah faction has published the names and photos of three Israeli journalists, accusing them of “incitement” against the Palestinian Authority leadership.In a post on its Facebook page, Fatah called on Palestinians to be wary of: Yoni Ben-Menachem, former director-general of the Israel Broadcasting Authority and analyst for the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs; Gal Berger, Palestinian affairs correspondent for KAN, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation; and Ehud Ya’ari, Arab affairs analyst for Channel 12. The post includes a video clip by Fatah that describes the three journalists as “Israeli war generals masquerading as media people.” The photos of the journalists appear next to a tank, implying that they are part of the Israeli military establishment.The post apparently came in response to Israeli accusations that some senior Palestinian officials have been using the coronavirus pandemic to incite against Israel. PA officials have denied the charges.”

“A Palestinian man was shot and killed by Israeli forces after he stabbed an Israeli police officer at a checkpoint in the occupied West Bank. The man was identified by the Palestinian Authority (PA) as Ibrahim Halsa, 25, from the village of Sawahra. His body has been detained by Israeli forces. Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the attack took place near the Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim, near occupied East Jerusalem, and a sweep of the area found a pipe bomb at the scene. The Israeli policeman was moderately wounded, he said. Video footage of the incident shows a white van veering off a road onto the curb and ramming into the police officer by the Container Checkpoint, hurtling him several feet back. Halsa can then be seen jumping out of the vehicle with what looks like a pair of scissors and lunging at the injured policeman. A scuffle ensues with the policeman retreating and the assailant giving chase before other officers on the scene pursue him off-camera. Police said the other officers on the scene eventually shot and killed Halsa. Palestinian local media reported that Halsa’s village and home were raided by Israeli forces, and his parents were taken away for interrogation.” Also see: Times of Israel – Police: Border guard hurt in ramming-stabbing attack outside Jerusalem

“Some Palestinians are convinced that the oil-rich Saudi Arabia is responsible for a hashtag that has recently been trending on Twitter titled, ‘Palestine is not my cause.’ Others believe that some Israelis may also be involved with the anti-Palestinian smear campaign. Recently, similar anti-Palestinian accounts and posts have also popped up on Facebook. ‘There’s no doubt that several people from Saudi Arabia are behind this campaign,’ said a Palestinian political analyst in Ramallah. ‘It’s also obvious they are receiving help from Israeli activists.’” Also see: Middle East Monitor – Palestine artist attacked over anti-Bin Salman caricature

“Hamas sources said that the ‘chances for progress have increased’ in prisoner exchange talks with Israel, an article published Thursday in Lebanon’s Al-Akhbar newspaper reported. The potential deal would be implemented in two stages and talks are being mediated by Egypt, the source told the newspaper. The sources were quoted as saying that Cairo sees that Israel is willing to move ahead in talks, and that Egypt made a goodwill gesture by releasing four Gazan doctors who were detained in the country. The sources also said that according to their assessments, finalizing the deal is dependent in part on the makeup of Israel’s new cabinet.” Also see: Times of Israel – TV report: Israeli officials confirm prisoner swap talks underway with Hamas

“The Gaza Fishermen’s Association reports an increase in the frequency of incidents in which the Israeli navy fires at fishermen in Gaza’s territorial waters. Yesterday, April 21, two incidents of firing were recorded. In the morning hours, a fisherman was injured in his head after being shot with a rubber bullet, and a boat’s engine was damaged. In the late evening there was heavy fire towards fishing boats at sea. According to Gaza-based Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, 67 incidents of gunfire by the Israeli navy have been recorded within Gaza’s “fishing zone” since the beginning of 2020, resulting in injuries to fishermen and heavy damage to boats. For years, methods used by the navy to enforce Israel’s restrictions on access to Gaza’s sea space, including the use of live fire and boat seizures, have put the lives and livelihoods of fishermen at risk.”

“The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) discovered a hand grenade and a military vest in a vacant school in the Gaza Strip, the organization announced on Wednesday night.“As soon as the items were discovered, they were removed and UNRWA informed the de facto authorities in Gaza and in Israel. ‘UNRWA strongly and unequivocally condemns the individual or group responsible for this flagrant violation of the inviolability of its premises under international law and calls on the de facto authorities in the Gaza Strip to ensure that this inviolability is respected and upheld,’ UNRWA said.

“A Gaza court has sentenced a Palestinian man to six months in jail for escaping from a coronavirus quarantine facility on the Egyptian border, the Interior Ministry said on Thursday….He had been in the facility for less than a week and tested negative for the novel coronavirus after being apprehended, the ministry said. In addition to the prison term handed down on Tuesday by a Hamas-run military court, the man was fined $700. It was the first time a jail term has been imposed in Gaza for violating restrictions aimed at stemming coronavirus infection.”

“Israeli security forces arrested three Palestinian men last month who are suspected of planning to carry out terror attacks in Jerusalem and the West Bank, including a bombing in the capital’s Teddy Stadium, the Shin Bet security service said Wednesday.”

“The agreement includes a number of changes in the Basic Law on the Government, but analysts believe it will also require changes to the Basic Law on the Knesset. A legal figure who saw Likud and Kahol Lavan’s plans for legislation said there is no way that the changes would be applied before the deadline for a formation of a new coalition, which if not met would mean the dissolution of the Knesset. Therefore, the source said, this might be a ploy. ‘The chances of completing legislation in time are nil,’ the figure said. ‘Netanyahu’s goal might be to play for time, to keep the Knesset busy with complex legislation instead of moving ahead on legislation against him, and will lead in the end to a blowup and the dissolution of the Knesset.’” Also see: Times of Israel – As top court watches, MKs launch legislative blitz to cement coalition deal

“Legislation passed by the United States Congress in 2019 came into effect this week, exposing the Palestinian Authority to potentially disastrous lawsuits over its support of terrorism…The legislation that came into effect this week – the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act of 2019 – seeks to impose US court jurisdiction on Palestine so that American citizens can target the PA with lawsuits for suicide attacks in the early 2000s…Brig. Gen.(ret.) Yossi Kuperwasser, a senior intelligence and security expert and a fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affair, told Israel Hayom that the legislation was another step in the pressure the US is exerting on the Palestinian Authority to make it suspend its ‘pay-for-slay’ policy.”

“New IDF legislation is set to crack down on terror-financing in the West Bank on May 9 – and Palestinian Media Watch threw down the gauntlet on Monday before Palestinian banks who may find themselves in the law’s crosshairs.Combining the legislation with threat letters and potential legal actions could significantly hamper the ability of West Bank terror groups to maintain the loyalty of imprisoned Palestinian terrorists, presuming the government does not hold up the effort based on diplomatic considerations. On February 9, the IDF Central Command issued amendment No. 67 to a key security order. This transformed facilitating the PA’s payment of monthly salaries to terrorists imprisoned by Israel into a prohibited terror-financing action.” Also see: Palestine Media Watch – PMW warning letter to Palestinian banks: Stop allowing salaries to be transferred to terrorists or face dire consequences

“…one of the worst, even dangerous, scenes occurs towards the end of the third season, when an Arab physiotherapist, as he’s starting a therapy session in an Israeli hospital attempts to kill the head of a Shin Bet branch in the West Bank. It’s worth deconstructing this plot: 17 percent of Israel’s physicians, 24 percent of its nurses and 47 percent of its pharmacists are Arabs. There has never been a single incident in history where Arab medics in Israel have betrayed their Hippocratic oath and harmed a patient. It is beyond ridiculous to platform a character and plotline that marks Arabs working inside the Israeli health care system as untrustworthy and disloyal, and capable of violent attacks. It can only create further mistrust between people. To promote such an image is completely deceitful and false – and worse, it feeds those voices, including at the top of Israel’s government, who constantly demean Israel’s Arab citizens, legislate their inequality and incite against them.”

“We used to tell you that Israelis were hiding among us, learning our habits, speaking our language, insinuating themselves into our lives so they could watch our every move. You called us anti-Semites. Now you love Fauda. The series, the third season of which recently went live on Netflix, is all about mista’arvim, Israeli intelligence operatives who dress up as Arabs. Those infiltrators of our nightmares are now heroes on Netflix, characters romanticized and beloved by the same people who never believed us, who silenced us for broaching the subject.”