Relations between the Israelis and Palestinians showed no sign of improvement in 2018. But the event which arguably had the greatest impact was Washington's decision to move its embassy to the holy city of Jerusalem, causing outrage in the Arab world, and stoking condemnation in many parts of the world. CGTN'S Stephanie Freid looks back on a quite stirring year in the region.

AHED TAMIMI ISRAELI OCCUPIED WEST BANK "Facing that soldier and expressing my rejection of him, my rejection of the occupation. It was worth a lot. I have no regrets for the eight months I spent in jail or for slapping a soldier or for anything."

Ahed Tamimi was the iconic Palestinian figure of 2018. As video of her slapping an Israeli soldier went viral she became a symbol of strength and self determination to Palestinians amidst another year without progress towards independence.

BASSEM TAMIMI ISRAELI OCCUPIED WEST BANK "We live with a snake called occupation; the right thing is to train our kids to face the snake - not fear it."

In Gaza protests that started last Spring against Israel's land, sea and air blockades are ongoing. 170 Palestinians have been killed and almost 10,000 injured during weekly demonstrations - mostly by Israel army live ammunition. Thousands of acres of forest and crops in Israel have been incinerated by flaming devices sailed across from Gaza. Gaza and Israel tried to work out a long-term ceasefire deal during the year but a November escalation threatened to descend into full scale engagement.

KOBY MICHAEL MIDEAST ANALYST, ISRAEL NATIONAL SECURITY INSTITUTE "The Israeli prime minister said that he doesn't want to be occupied in a military campaign in the Gaza Strip because he wants to be able to devote all the efforts and to concentrate on the northern arena."

Syria and Lebanon continued presenting Israel with military challenges - Israel's intelligence reports that Iran's influence and hardware are expanding in both countries.

STEPHANIE FREID NEBI SALEH, ISRAELI OCCUPIED WEST BANK "In 2018, as in the past, local events were influenced and sometimes controlled by regional and international players who have a definite interest in what happens here."

The year's iconic "outside" influencer: U.S. President Trump whoser decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capitol and move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem prompted a wave of protests worldwide and spurred widespread criticism. Palestinians who view East Jerusalem as the capitol of their future state, were isolated by the move and by a U.S. five hundred million dollar funding cut to Palestinian refugees. As 2018 exits into history, Israel's government is dismantling and the Palestinian Authority faces an uncertain future as the threat of radical takeover looms.

AHED TAMIMI ISRAELI OCCUPIED WEST BANK "I became well known under abnormal - not ordinary or positive - circumstances. It's a big responsibility - a very big one. If I hadn't done what I did I wouldn't be in my current position. And I wouldn't have this responsibility."

Ahed Tamimi is no accidental icon. She accepts the burden of responsibility because after decades of stagnation, her actions spurred dialogue about the gaping divide between Palestinians and Israelis while reviving dormant hope on both sides for resolution. STEPHANIE FREID, CGTN, NEBI SALEH IN THE ISRAELI OCCUPIED WEST BANK.