General Information

Events in east Jerusalem: This past week hostilities in east Jerusalem escalated, peaking on May 10, 2021, when Israel celebrated Jerusalem Day. Terrorist attacks: This past week Border Police fighters prevented a shooting attack at the Salem Crossing (west of Jenin), planned by three armed, shooting Palestinians. The Israeli security forces exposed a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) network in Judea and Samaria which financed terrorist activities with funds sent by humanitarian aid agencies and NGOs operating mainly in Europe. The international arena: This past week Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki visited Moscow and Ankara and met with the foreign ministers. Coronavirus: This past week there was a decrease in the extent of Covid-19 cases in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip. Read more...

Terrorist attacks: This past week three terrorist attacks were attempted or carried out in Judea and Samaria. Palestinian Authority (PA) elections: At a meeting of the Palestinian leadership Mahmoud Abbas announced the postponement of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections, which were supposed to be held on May 22, 2021. East Jerusalem: Media coverage continues of east Jerusalem and the "victory" of the Palestinians who struggled to have the barriers removed. The international arena: The EU parliament voted to condemn UNRWA for the incitement to hatred and violence in textbooks used in its schools in the Palestinian territories. Read more...

Coronavirus: The incidence of active coronavirus cases in the Gaza Strip declined this past week although the rate of infection remains high. Medical sources say they can cope with the situation and call on Gazans to be vaccinated. In Judea and Samaria the decline in the number of coronavirus cases continues. Clashes in Jerusalem: This past week tension in east Jerusalem between the Palestinians and Israeli security forces rose, mainly near the Damascus Gate. On April 25, 2021, the Israeli police announced they would remove the barriers; since then relative quiet has prevailed, although the situation is still volatile. Palestinian Authority (PA) elections: After Fatah splintered into three political factions with separate election slates, and the public opinion polls do not predict a landslide victory for any candidate put forward by Mahmoud Abbas, the PA is currently weighing the possibility of cancelling the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections. Read more...

Coronavirus: In the Gaza Strip the scope of the infection decreased although the rate of positive tests is high (37%), and the number of Gazans hospitalized, including those in serious or critical condition, is very high. Increasing the strictness of preventive measures is under consideration. In Judea and Samaria there has been a decrease in infection but medical sources note it does not indicate an improvement in the situation. The Gaza Strip: This past week rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel territory, one on each of two consecutive days. No casualties or damage were reported. Judea and Samaria: There was relatively quiet this past week, with the exception of Palestinians who rioted against police at the Nablus Gate in east Jerusalem. Read more...