רמה כ ז מל ו תשר מה ו ד י ע י ן ( למ מ" ) כרמ ז מה י עד מל ו ד י ע י ן ו ל רט ו ר

News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

(July 21 – 27, 2021)

Overview

Judea and Samaria: This past week clashed with Israeli security forces in the Bayta and Nabi Saleh regions. One Palestinian was killed and several were wounded. In the meantime, Palestinians continued throwing rocks and a large number of Molotov cocktails at Israeli civilians, communities and vehicles driving on the roads in Judea and Samaria. The Gaza Strip: On July 25, 2021, the Gazan incendiary balloon-launching units renewed their activities, causing three fires in the Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian media described the renewal of balloon launching, after three weeks of quiet, as "escalation to counter Israeli measures." In response, IDF aircraft attacked targets. So far the Egyptian mediation efforts have neither advanced reinforcing the establishment of the May 21, 2021 ceasefire nor lifted the restrictions on the Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources reported that the Palestinian terrorist organizations were progressing with gradual escalation, beginning with a renewal of incendiary balloon launches. Weapons cache explosion: On July 22, 2021, there was an explosion on Omar al-Mukhtar Street near the al-Zawiya market, in one of the most densely populated neighborhoods of . One man was killed and 14 were wounded, six of them children. The IDF spokesman in reported that the explosion took place in a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) weapons storehouse located in the heart of a popular market. The PIJ said it would take responsibility for the explosion and examine, along with all the relevant parties, the details of the "unfortunate incident." A mourning tent was erected in Gaza City where a PIJ banner was hung. PIJ operatives helped clear the rubble after the explosion. UN international commission of inquiry: On July 22, 2021, the UN Human Rights Council announced the formation of the international commission of inquiry, established "to investigate violations of international humanitarian law and all alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law leading up to and since 13 April 2021, and all underlying

122-21 2 root causes of recurrent tensions."1 The commission will be headed by Navi Pillay, a jurist from South Africa, who is an International Criminal Court judge and was formerly the UN high commissioner for human rights. Judea and Samaria

Palestinian demonstrations and clashes with Israeli security forces

This past week there were violent clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli security forces in the region of Jabal Sabih, south of . The Palestinians rioted to protest the Eviatar outpost, throwing rocks and injuring two IDF soldiers. Nine Palestinians were injured. On July 20, 2021, the night harassment unit called on the Palestinian public to participate in "resistance" activities against the "occupation" as part of celebrating the Muslim religious holiday of Eid al-Adha (al-Istaqlal, July 20, 2021).

Right: Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces in Jabal Sabih, south of Nablus, to protest the Eviatar outpost. Left: Residents of the village of Ni'lin demonstrate to protest the expropriation of land (Wafa, July 23, 2021).

On July 23, 2021 a young Palestinian was seriously wounded when Palestinians rioted against Israeli security forces in the region of Nabi Saleh, near ; he later died (Filastin al-Yawm, July 24, 2021). The IDF reported he was throwing rocks and endangering the life of one of the soldiers, adding that the incident would be investigated (IDF spokesman, July 24, 2021). The Palestinian media reported he was Muhammad al-Tamimi, 17, from the village of Dir Nidham, northwest of Ramallah. He went to the site to participate in the weekly riot protesting the settlements (Ma'an, July 24, 2021). His body was wrapped for burial in a Palestinian flag. flags were hung near his house and a Fatah mourning notice was hung in Ramallah (Watan TV, July 24, 2021).

1 https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=27119&LangID=E

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Right: The funeral held in the village of Dir Nidham for Muhammad al-Tamimi (Wafa, July 24, 2021). Left: Mourning notice issued by Fatah for Muhammad al-Tamimi (Watan TV, July 24, 2021).

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem expressed sorrow over his death, saying it showed the willingness of the Palestinian people for sacrifice in defense of their territory and holy sites, as well as their adherence to every form of the path of "resistance" [i.e., anti- terrorism and violence] (Hamas website, July 24, 2021). The PIJ issued a statement expressing sorrow at al- Tamimi's death and support for all those clashing with the IDF. The PIJ called the clashes proof of the seriousness of the Palestinian people and their willingness to sacrifice to defend their territory and holy sites (PIJ website, July 24, 2021). On July 26, 2021, the death of a young Palestinian was reported, two months after he was wounded during clashes with IDF forces in Ramallah during Operation Guardian of the Walls (Sawa, July 26, 2021). Rocks, Molotov cocktails and other events

In Judea and Samaria Palestinians continued throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israeli civilians, communities and vehicles driving on the roads. A large number of Molotov cocktails were used in attacks this past week. The more prominent events were the following:2 July 26, 2021: A Molotov cocktail was thrown at an Israeli vehicle northwest of Ramallah. No casualties were reported. The vehicle was damaged. July 26, 2021: Two Molotov cocktails were thrown at an Israeli vehicle on the Jerusalem-Gush Etzion Tunnel Road. No casualties or damage were reported. July 26, 2021: A Molotov cocktail caused a fire in a field near Eviatar (south of Nablus). No casualties were reported.

2 All information and reports are from Rescue Without Borders in Judea and Samaria unless otherwise noted.

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July 25, 2021: A Molotov cocktail was thrown at an Israeli bus at the Tapuah Junction southwest of Nablus. No casualties or damage were reported. July 25, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle northeast of Ramallah. No casualties were reported. The front windshield of the vehicle was damaged. July 25, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus carrying IDF soldiers near . No casualties or damage were reported. July 24, 2021: IDF forces identified three Palestinians throwing Molotov cocktails at Israeli vehicles southwest of Jenin. The Palestinians were detained. During their apprehension one of the Palestinians was wounded and later died. The other two were apprehended after a chase (IDF spokesman, Ynet, July 25, 2021). July 24, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus northeast of Ramallah. No casualties or damage were reported. July 24, 2021: A group of Israelis visiting the al-Malih Hot Springs in the Jordan Valley was attacked by several dozen Palestinians. An IDF soldier and two Israelis were injured. July 24, 2021: Two Molotov cocktails were thrown at the Ni'lin Junction north of Modi'in. No casualties or damage were reported. July 24, 2021: Rocks were thrown at a Border Guard vehicle west of Hebron. No casualties were reported. The vehicle was damaged. July 22, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus south of Jerusalem. No casualties or damage were reported. Rocks were thrown at an Israeli bus near the Reihan Crossing (south of Umm al-Fahm). No casualties were reported. The bus was damaged.

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The bus damaged by rocks (Rescue Without Borders in Judea and Samaria, July 22, 2021).

July 21, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle southwest of Nablus. No casualties were reported. The vehicle was damaged. July 20, 2021: Rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle north of Modi'in. No casualties were reported. The vehicle was damaged. Significant Terrorist Attacks in Judea and Samaria since January 20203

20 18 16 14

14 12 10 7 8 6 6 6 6 4 4 3 3 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 0 0 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 ------Jul Jul Jan Jan Jun Jun Oct Feb Apr Sep Feb Apr Dec Aug Nov Mar Mar May May

Perpetrator of shooting attack apprehended

A joint Israeli security force activity recently led to finding the perpetrator of the June 2, 2021 shooting attack targeting the vehicle of an IDF reservist near Alon Moreh in Samaria. The

3A significant attack is defined by the ITIC as involving shooting, stabbing, a vehicular attack, the use of IEDs, or a combination of the above. Stones and Molotov cocktails thrown by Palestinians are not included.

122-21 6 shooter, who came from the village of Salem near Jenin, used a Carlo improvised machine gun. After the attack IDF forces searched for the shooter and eventually apprehended him. During interrogation he was revealed as a Hamas operative who had carried out the attack in revenge for Operation Guardian of the Walls and the death of a friend who had been killed during a riot in Judea and Samaria (Ynet, July 22, 2021). Israel's South

Rocket and mortar shell fire into Israel

Since the ceasefire ending Operation Guardian of the Walls no rockets or mortar shell launchings have been identified from the Gaza Strip. Monthly Distribution of Rocket and Mortar Shell Fire since January 2020 3,319 400 350 300 261 250 200 122 150 100 25 43 50 15 1 0 1 3 3 15 4 4 2 3 0 1 0 0 0

-20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -20 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 -21 Jul Jul Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

"Guardian of the Walls" Annual Distribution of Rocket Hits

4000 3,852

3500 3319

3000 2500

2000 1,403 1500 1,159 1,119 974 925 1000 783 787 845

375 373 308 500 158 196 103 39 24 15 29 0

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Operation "Cast Lead" Operation "Eitan Cliff" Operation "Cloud Pillar" "Guardian of the Walls" 122-21 7

Arson terrorism

On July 25, 2021, the Israeli fire and rescue services put out three brush fires in a relatively small area in the western Negev near the Gaza Strip. A fire inspector determined they had been caused by incendiary balloons from the Gaza Strip (Israeli Fire and Rescue, southern district spokesman's unit, July 25, 2021). A balloon-launching unit in the Gaza Strip issued videos of incendiary balloon launches into Israeli territory. The balloons were launched after Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif al- Qanua warned Israel that continuing the so-called "siege" of the Gaza Strip and the restrictions Israel imposed would lead to an explosion, and after the several days of threats from the Hamas-affiliated Sons of al-Zawari balloon launching unit (Sons of al-Zawari Telegram channel, July 22 and 25, 2021).

The Popular Resistance Committees-affiliated Descendants of al-Nasser balloon-launching unit in the Gaza Strip display an incendiary balloon before launching it into Israeli territory. The Arabic reads, "Time is running out...the Descendants of al-Nasser" (Twitter account of journalist Hassan Aslih, July 25, 2021).

In response to the incendiary balloons the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced the immediate reduction of the fishing zone off the Gaza coast to six nautical miles, until further notice (al-Munsaq website, July 25, 2021). The Israeli Air Force attacked a number of Hamas targets in the region and western Gaza City. The targets included a military camp and several buildings, as well as means and ways used by Hamas for its terrorist activities (IDF spokesman, July 26, 2021). The Palestinian media reported an attack on a Hamas post in eastern Khan Yunis and an "agricultural area" in the northwestern Gaza Strip. Anti-aircraft fire was also reported, as well as the interception of

122-21 8 an IDF quadcopter, brought down by machinegun fire in eastern Khan Yunis (Shehab Twitter account, July 25, 2021).

Right: One of the terrorist targets attacked by the IDF (IDF spokesman, July 26, 2021). Left: The Israeli Air Force attack in eastern Khan Yunis (Twitter account of journalist Hassan Aslih, July 25, 2021).

The Palestinian media described the renewal of incendiary balloon launchings, after three weeks of relative quiet, as escalation in return for Israel's measures constricting the activities of the Gaza Strip. According to the Palestinian media, the Palestinian [terrorist] organizations intend to renew their "popular activities" along the Gaza Strip border, especially launching incendiary balloons and renewing the activities of the night harassment units. The Palestinian media reported that Israeli attacks on Hamas facilities and sites in response to balloon launches, and not only to rockets, introduced a new element [into the "equation"] which could lead to a military confrontation (al-Araby al-Jadeed, July 25, 2021). Developments in the Gaza Strip

Restricting the fishing zone off the Gaza Strip coast

Al-Ghad TV aired a program about the reduction of the fishing zone off the Gaza Strip coast, calling it "collective punishment" affecting the livelihood of 4,000 fishermen. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem, interviewed for the program, condemned the measure, claiming Israel was trying to blackmail Hamas and improve its image after the most recent operation in the Gaza Strip. He claimed the reduction of the fishing zone would only serve to increase tensions and Israel would be responsible for the consequences (al-Ghad TV, July 26, 2021).

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Right: Gazan fishing boats. Left: Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem interviewed by al-Ghad TV, July 26, 2021). Foreign aid for the Gaza Strip

Mohammed al-Emadi, chairman of Qatar's National Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza, said deliberations for the transfer of money from Qatar to the Gaza Strip would be renewed after the Eid al-Adha holiday, which ended on Friday, July 16, 2021, because, he claimed the PA refused to transfer the money through its own banks. The Palestinian terrorist organizations sent a strong message to Israel through the mediators warning Israel not to cross red lines, especially regarding Jerusalem and the situation in the Gaza Strip (al-Akhbar, July 20, 2021). Reportedly, while contacts were being held in , the delegation of Egyptian engineers returned to the Gaza Strip to evaluate the damages and how to repair them. The Gazan ministry of public works said clearing the rubble would be completed in about a month, but the second phase was stalled because for the past two and a half months Israel had prevented the delivery of raw and building materials to the Gaza Strip (al-Akhbar, July 26, 2021). Mediation efforts for a lull

So far no progress has been made in the Egyptian-mediated efforts to anchor the ceasefire and lift the restrictions on the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians threaten that if no progress is made they will exert pressure on Israel. Palestinian sources reported that the terrorist organizations are moving towards a gradual escalation, beginning by launching incendiary balloons. They are also weighing the possibility of holding return marches again. According to reports, Egypt recently renewed talks with Hamas but Hamas wants to keep Israel from imposing conditions by tightening the "siege" on the Gaza Strip. Hamas also

122-21 10 rejects Israel's linking rebuilding the Gaza Strip and improving its economy to the issue of the Israeli MIAs and prisoners (al-Akhbar, July 26, 2021). Senior Hamas and PIJ figures said the following: Hamas spokesman Abd al-Latif al-Qanua said they would not allow Israel to evade dealing with the results of the operation, adding that the Palestinian people would not be patient forever. He said the postponement of rebuilding coupled with continuing the restrictions on the Gaza Strip would lead to an explosion (QudsN, July 25, 2021). Hamas "external" spokesman Husam Badran said the change in the Israeli government did not interest Hamas. Every time, he said, [Hamas] saw hesitation or the postponement of negotiations regarding the anchoring of the ceasefire and lifting the "siege" of the Gaza Strip it would use "various tools" to exert pressure on Israel (Hamas website, July 25, 2021). Senior PIJ figure Khader Habib said the continuation of the "siege" would lead to escalation and Israel would bear responsibility for the consequences. He said the negotiators should not pander to Israel but rather do their jobs (QudsN, July 25, 2021). Statements from Hamas

Isma'il Haniyeh, head of Hamas' political bureau, said on the eve of Eid al-Adha that during the "Sword of Jerusalem" [Operation Guardian of the Walls] the "resistance" had instituted a "golden equation" and showed Jerusalem was not beyond its reach. He thanked the shaheeds [sic] and hoped the Palestinian people would continue to sacrifice the necessary victims. He promised the [so-called] "right of return" was close to fulfillment and that any agreement violating the "right" was "null and void" (al-Aqsa, July 19, 2021). According to a short filler segment called "The weapon that struck the occupation's soldiers," broadcast by Hamas' al-Aqsa TV, the best way to release Hamas prisoners from Israeli jails was to abduct IDF soldiers. Since the founding of Hamas military-terrorist wing it has adopted abducting soldiers as a strategy to release all Hamas prisoners from Israeli jails. Therefore, squads of the military wing carried out showcase activities, such as the abduction of Gilad Shalit and the prisoner exchange deal that followed it (al-Aqsa, July 25, 2021). Explosion of a house near the Gaza City market

On July 22, 2021, the third day of the Eid al-Adha Muslim religious holiday, there was a powerful explosion on Omar al-Mukhtar Street near the al-Zawiya market, one of the oldest and most densely populated neighborhoods in the center of Gaza City. One man was killed

122-21 11 and 14 were wounded, six of them children. Pictures show the severity of the explosion. It set off secondary explosions which caused considerable collateral damage. The IDF spokesman in Arabic reported the initial site was a PIJ weapons storehouse located near a popular market in the heart of a crowded neighborhood (IDF spokesman in Arabic, July 22, 2021). According to Iyad al-Buzum, spokesman for the ministry of the interior in Gaza, the explosion took place in a three-story building causing parts of it to collapse and damage to buildings and stores nearby. Reports from the Shifaa Hospital in Gaza City stated that victims who arrived at the hospital were critically injured. The Gazan civil defense forces claimed the explosion had taken place in "a store for gas balloons" located in the basement of a three- story building (Ma'an, July 22, 2021). Palestinian social media users raised questions about the cause of the explosion, some claiming it had occurred in a weapons storehouse of one of the Palestinian [terrorist] organizations.

The aftermath of the explosion in the center of Gaza City (Twitter account of journalist Ashraf Abu Amra, July 22, 2021).

The aftermath of the explosion in the al-Zawiya market in the center of Gaza City (Twitter account of journalist Hassan Aslih, July 22, 2021).

The Gazan who died in the explosion was Atta Ahmed Abd al-Rahman Saqallah, 68, a neighborhood resident (al-Ayn, July 26, 2021). The PIJ sent its condolences to the family and wished the wounded a speedy recovery, expressing solidarity with local residents and the

122-21 12 owners of buildings and stores that were damaged. The PIJ claimed it would take responsibility and with the relevant parties, examine the "tragic event" (Filastin al-Yawm, July 22, 2021). PIJ leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah called the family of the deceased to offer his condolences (Paltoday website, July 24, 2021). PIJ leaders paid a condolence call to the family, and a PIJ mourning notice was hung in the morning tent. In addition, PIJ operatives helped clear the rubble from the scene of the explosion (Paltoday website, July 26, 2021). Hamas also sent its condolences to the family (Sawa, July 22, 2021).

Right: PIJ leaders pay a condolence call to the family of Atta Ahmed Abd al-Rahman Saqallah. Left: PIJ operatives wearing yellow organization vests help clear the rubble (Paltoday, July 26, 2021).

The Independent Commission for Human Rights4 in Ramallah called for the causes of and those responsible for the explosion to be exposed. It demanded an examination of procedures for storing explosives in densely populated civilian concentrations. Calls were also heard for appointing a committee to investigate the storage of explosives in the heart of civilian concentrations, endangering lives (al-Hayat al-Jadeeda, July 25, 2021). The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) in Gaza issued its initial investigation of the explosion. It found it had been caused by large IEDs which had been stored in an apartment in the region of the market and could have caused a much higher number of deaths had it occurred at a later hour. The PCHR said that using civilian locations to store or manufacture weapons violated international law, especially the 1949 Fourth Geneva

4 The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) was founded in 1993 by an edict issued by . Its mission was to monitor and deal with human rights issues. Its first chairperson was Hanan Ashrawi. Since 2015 its director has been Amar al-Dweik. The organization's stated objective is "to follow-up and ensure that different Palestinian laws, by-laws and regulations, and the work of various departments, agencies and institutions of the [sic] and the Palestine Liberation Organization meet the requirements for safeguarding human rights" (https://www.ichr.ps/en/1/1/84/About-Us.htm). The organization claims full independence of action. It is supported and financed by various international bodies in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland.

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Convention. It also said it violated the right to live, as stated in Article Six of the International Convention for Civil and Political Rights, which "Palestine" joined in 2014. The PCHR added that In the past it had warned of the danger of armed Palestinian operatives in the Gaza Strip hiding weapons and explosives in concentrations of civilian populations, and that similar events had previously occurred (Palestinian Center for Human Rights, July 23, 2021). The terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip called on the PCHR to retract its statements because they were harmful to the "resistance" (al-Quds al-Arabi, July 25, 2021). Zaher Jabarin appointed deputy head of Hamas for Judea and Samaria

A Palestinian source reported the Hamas leadership had appointed Zaher Jabarin, who is in charge of the organization's finances, as deputy head of Hamas for Judea and Samaria for 2021 to 2025 (second in command to Saleh al-'Arouri). Isma'il Haniyeh congratulated both Saleh al-'Arouri and Zaher Jabarin (Hamas website, July 20, 2021). Zaher Jabarin comes from the village of Salfit. . During the he spent several months in an Israeli jail. At the beginning of the 1990s, as one of the founders of the Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, he recruited Yahya Ayyash ("the engineer") to its ranks. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in directing terrorist attacks in Judea and Samaria, released in the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal in 2011, and exiled to Turkey. While Turkey he was put in charge of Hamas' finances and today launders money and orchestrates smuggling funds to the organization. For the past few years he has lived in . According to the United States Treasury Department website, he is Hamas' CFO. He directs the organization's annual budget and is responsible for dealing with Hamas' income, funds which reach it from around the globe. In recent years he has transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to Judea and Samaria to finance Hamas' terrorist activities. He also liaises between Hamas and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps' Qods Force. On September 10, 2019, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on him (website of the United States Treasury Department, September 10, 2021).5

For further information, see the September 19, 2019 bulletin, "New designations recently published 5 by the US Department of State and Department of the Treasury reveal Turkey’s central role as a hub from which Hamas handles its financial matters, including funding terrorist networks in Judea and Samaria."

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Zaher Jabarin (al-Aqsa, May 17, 2021). The Palestinian Authority (PA)

Palestinian reactions to renewed American-UNRWA cooperation

On July 17, 2021, the United States announced the transfer of $135.8 million to UNRWA in addition to the $150 million transferred in April 2021, after the renewal of United States support for the agency. In May 2021, following Operation Guardian of the Walls, the United States transferred $33 million for humanitarian assistance. The funding was part of an agreement signed by the United States and UNRWA, both sides committing themselves to the UN's humanitarian principles, including neutrality (UNRWA website, July 17, 2021). It is essentially the same agreement the United States had with UNRWA between 2005 and 2018, revoked by Trump in January 2018. Ahmed Abu Houli, a member of the PLO's Executive Committee and chairman of its refugee affairs department, said the current American administration was repairing the damage Trump did to UNRWA. He said American aid was very important because it enabled UNRWA to continue providing services to refugees and encouraged the countries which had stopped supporting the agency to support it again. He called on the foreign ministers of the Arab states to meet their commitment to fund 7.8% of UNRWA's budget, helping it overcome its financial crisis (Chinese News Agency in Arabic, July 18, 2021). Adnan Abu Hasna, UNRWA media advisor in the Gaza Strip, said United States-UNRWA cooperation had returned to its pre-Trump status quo. He said Washington had sent a positive signal, recognizing the importance of UNRWA's role and continued operations (al- Ghad TV, July 18, 2021).

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Adnan Abu Hasna, UNRWA media advisor in the Gaza Strip, interviewed by al-Ghad TV, July 18, 2021.

Abd al-Hadi Muslam, spokesman for the Gazans who were injured in Operation Protective Edge, called on UNRWA to keep its promises to pay reparations and give grants to the relevant families. He said UNRWA had promised them several times that the money would be paid as soon as UNRWA's budget had been restored (Ma'an, July 19, 2021). UN Human Rights Council appoints investigatory commission

On July 22, 2021, the UN Human Rights Council announced the names of the members it had appointed to an international commission of inquiry, which will be headed by South African jurist Navi Pillay. She is currently an International Criminal Court (ICC) judge. Between 2008 and 2014 she was the UN high commissioner for human rights. She was also the president of the Rwanda criminal court. During Operation Protective Edge (2014) she said the number of fatalities in the Gaza Strip raised concerns about Israelis violation of human rights (, July 12, 2014). She also accused Israel not sharing the Iron Dome aerial defense system with Hamas to protect Palestinian civilians (Human Rights Council website, July 31, 2014).

Navi Pillay (UN Human Rights Council Twitter account, July 23, 2021).

Other members of the commission are Miloon Kothari, from India, a professor at the Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in Geneva; and Chris Sidoti, from Australia, an expert on international human rights law, a former human rights

122-21 16 commissioner and a former commissioner of the Australian Law Reform Commission. Both are known for their hostility to Israel. The commission will investigate violations of international humanitarian law and all alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law leading up to and since 13 April 2021, and all underlying root causes of recurrent tensions. The appointment of the commission was approved on May 27, 2021, after Operation Guardian of the Walls. The commission has the mandate to conduct investigations in the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria, east Jerusalem and Israel. The mandate is not limited to the events of Operation Guardian of the Walls and is expected to investigate the circumstances leading to it. The initial report of its findings is supposed to be published on June 22, 2022. The Palestinian foreign ministry welcomed the commission and the appointment of Pillay to chair it (Sawa, July 22, 2021). Palestinian reactions to Ben and Jerry's decision to stop marketing its products to the settlements

Ben and Jerry's announced it would stop marketing its ice cream to the Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria at the end of 2022, when its franchise with the current Israeli retailer ends. The announcement was welcomed by the Palestinians, who in turn called on other companies to do the same. The PA foreign ministry praised the "moral, legal" stand taken by the company (Wafa, al-Quds, July 20, 2021). PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh welcomed the announcement, calling it "courageous" and supportive of the Palestinians. He called on the Arab-Muslim states to support Ben and Jerry's in light of the [alleged] "threats and pressures" Jewish lobbies were exerting on the company. He also called on other international companies to follow in Ben and Jerry's footsteps (Muhammad Shtayyeh's Facebook page, July 26, 2021). Ahmed al-Majdalani, a member of the PLO's Executive Committee, said the decision expressed the company's "moral political position against the illegitimacy of the settlements." He praised the company for making its decision, despite the campaign being waged by the Israeli embassy in the United States and the pressure of the "Zionist lobby." He said he hoped Ben and Jerry's would set an example for other American companies.

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Right: From Iyad al-Buzum's Facebook page, July 21, 2021. Left: From Alaa' al-Laqta's Facebook page, July 23, 2021.

Fatah spokesman Jamal Nizal called on the governments of Europe to pass international and national EU laws ending commercial ties with the Israeli settlements. He claimed economic pressure was a legitimate tool and would strengthen the new administration in Washington, cause the new Israeli government to abandon its predecessor's policies, which opposed peace, and give Europe a more important regional role (Wafa, July 21, 2021) Mustafa Barghouti, secretary general of the National Initiative party, praised Ben and Jerry's, calling it a "new victory" for the BDS movement (Dunia al-Watan, July 21, 2021). Hussein al-Sheikh interviewed by American media Hussein al-Sheikh, minister of civilian affairs and a confidant of , was interviewed by an American website. He claimed the PA was in daily contact with the American administration, which had given the Palestinians "new hope." Regarding negotiations with the Israeli government, he said direct negotiations were the shortest way to end the [so-called Israeli] "occupation." He claimed the Palestinian people's greatest aspiration was to construct a stable, free, democratic Palestinian state living side by side with Israel. Regarding the death of political activist Nizar Banat, who was killed while detained by the PA security forces, he said he wanted to express his condolences to the family, adding that it was a tragedy and they "apologized" for it (The Media Line, July 23, 2021). The Banat family rejected the apology (Filastin al-Yawm, July 24, 2021). Fatah leader Jibril Rajoub condemns Israel during a visit to Tokyo Jibril Rajoub, a member of Fatah's Central Committee and chairman of the Palestinian football6 association and the PA Olympic committee, while on a visit to Japan, met in Tokyo with the chairman of the Japanese football association. They examined ways to strengthen cooperation. Rajoub told him about sports in the PA while stressing the activities

I.e., soccer.6

122-21 18 of Israel and the "settlements" against Palestinian athletes and sports facilities. The chairman of the Japanese football association expressed his willingness to help develop Palestinian teams and sports facilities (Wafa, July 26, 2021).

Jibril Rajoub meets with the chairman of the Japanese football association (Wafa, July 26, 2021).

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