The Palestine Chronology

Hamas activists disrupt meeting in Tulkarm called to discuss peace and featuring Faisal Husseini. Militants throw rocks, bottles at Husseini and members of the audience. Fight ensues between supporters of Hamas, PLO afterwards. Hamas had earlier called for a strike in Tulkarm to stop Husseini, who decided to speak anyway. (MM 1/2)

SLA imposes curfew on Rashaf, S. Lebanon, following accusations that villagers participated in 12/29 attack which killed SLA soldier. UNIFIL later demands that SLA end the siege. Both SLA, UNIFIL maintain presence in village. (MM 1/14)

Tzomet party quits Israeli cabinet. (ITV 12/29 in FBIS 12/30)

Kuwaiti cabinet announces extension of deadline by which non-Kuwaitis residing in Kuwait must obtain new residency documents to 5/31/92 instead of 12/31 [see 12/16]. (MM 1/2)

Conference supporting intifada ends in Beirut following address by PFLP-GC Gen. Secy. Ahmadjibril. (Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran 12/27 in FBIS 12/27)

PM Shamir chairs ministerial meeting to discuss formation of Jewish "civil guard" in o.t. (ITV 12/25 in FBIS 12/26)

Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek leads demonstration against settlers who moved into contested homes in Silwan. (MM 1/2)

Shiite cleric Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah addresses Beirut conference on intifada. Representatives from Fateh-Revolutionary Council [Abu Nidal], PFLP, Iranian Revolutionary Guards also speak. (Voice of Oppressed 12/26 in FBIS 12/27)

GCC ends summit, reaffirms commitment to "Damascus Declaration." Meeting also issues "Kuwait Declaration" supporting peace talks based on UN Sec. Council resolutions 242, 338, 425, affirming GCC support of multilateral talks with Israel. (MM 1/2)

Israel, Zambia renew diplomatic ties broken since 1973. (Qol Yisra'el 12/25 in FBIS 12/31)

Third International Conference in Support of the Islamic Intifada in Palestine opens in Beirut. Speakers include Fateh-Uprising's Sa'id Musa Muragha (Abu Musa), Hizballah Gen. Secy. 'Abbas Musawi, representatives from Islamic Jihad [in o.t.], Hizballah Palestine. (Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran 12/24 in FBIS 12/26)

DM Arens warns settlement leaders that IDF will not tolerate settlers taking law into their own hands. (Qol Yisra'el 12/23 in FBIS 12/27)

Chinese vice FM arrives in Israel, most senior Chinese official to visit Israel to date. (ITV 12/23 in FBIS 12/24)

Body left alongside road in Beirut 12/21 is identified as that of American hostage William Higgins, whom Organization of the Oppressed on Earth claimed it executed in July 1989 but whom UN officials believed died of torture in December 1988. (WP 12/23, 12/24)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) begins annual summit in Kuwait. (MM 1/2)

Shell fired by Israeli tank hits Irish UNIFIL unit near al-Tiri, S. Lebanon, but causes no casualties. (Qol Yisra'el 12/23 in FBIS 12/24)

Israeli finance, housing ministries sign agreement by which the latter will cut its building plan by 50% during upcoming fiscal year. Agreement settles dispute caused by Housing Min. Sharon's ambitious building programs which exceeded budget limitations. (Qol Yisraz'el 12/21 in FBIS 12/24)

Israel releases three men abducted from S. Lebanon 12/20. (Qol Yisra'el 12/21 in FBIS 12/23)

Some 3,000 Israelis, Palestinians demonstrate against 12/12 occupation of six homes in Silwan by settlers. (NYT 12/21)

Press reports, citing Palestinian and Israeli sources, claim Fateh has decided to dissolve its military forces in Lebanon. (al-Hayat 12/20 in FBIS 12/24)

Israeli commandos seize three men near Jibshit, S. Lebanon, take them to Israel for questioning. One of the detainees works part-time for Reuters. (MM 12/20)

Jerusalem civil court orders family to leave their house in Silwan, but police once again refuse to evict the family [see 12/16]. (MM 12/20)

Settlers block traffic on Nablus-Jerusalem road to protest recent attacks on Israeli cars. Settlers later damage Palestinian cars in Halhul, Hebron in reprisal for stoning of Israeli bus in Hebron. IDF clamps curfew on area of Hebron where stone attack occurred, declares other areas "closed military zones" to curb settler violence. (MEM 12/20)

After several days of talks with Syrian, Lebanese delegations but stand-off with Palestinian, Jordanian delegates, Israeli negotiators end current round of talks and leave Washington. New round scheduled for January. (MM 12/19)

As friction between IDF, settlers escalates over how to respond to Palestinian attacks on settlers, DM Arens meets with settlement leaders in Jerusalem, calls for halt to violent responses to such attacks. In a separate incident, representatives from settlements meet and decide to defy IDF roadblocks recently established to forestall intercommunal violence. Meeting also decided to establish "security patrols" to guard settlers. (Qol Yisra'el, HaAretz 12/18 in FBIS 12/18)

IDF troops encounter masked suspect amid large gathering of demonstrators in Gaza. Ensuing chase leaves one IDF officer, at least 10 Palestinians wounded. (NYT 12/19)

Turkey announces intent to improve diplomatic relations with Israel by replacing its charge d'affaires with an ambassador. Turkey also states intent to exchange ambassadors with Palestine. (MM 12/19)

Israeli aircraft destroy PFLP-GC base near Sultan Ya'qub, S. Lebanon. (NYT 12/18)

UN Gen. Assembly votes to repeal resolution 3379, passed in 1975, which characterized Zionism as a "form of racism and racial discrimination." Vote was 111 in favor, 25 against, 13 abstentions (six Arab countries-Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Tunisia, Oman, Bahrain-did not vote). (NYT, WP 12/17)

Stand-off between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators continues in Washington. (MM 12/17)

Israeli court allows Palestinian family to move back into Silwan shortly before a second court ruling overturns the decision and orders the family re-evicted. Police, however, decide to allow family to stay pending clarification. Courts are currently hearing five cases involving title to homes in Silwan. (MM 12/17)

U.S. State Dept. urges Israel to halt provocative actions by settlers [see 12/15]. (MM 12/17)

Knesset mbr. Yossi Sand presents reply by state attorney's office to high court of justice which implies that legal status of settlements is temporary. Court had requested state's opinion in response to appeal on settlements question lodged before court by Peace Now movement. (Qol Yisra'el 12/16 in FBIS 12/17)

Israel, EC sign agreement by which Israel will receive 7-year, $205 mill. loan. Israel will receive a further $36 mill. in interest subsidies. (Davar 12/18 in FBIS 12/18)

Israeli authorities claim two infiltrators were found drowned off the Gaza coast. (NYT 12/18)

Kuwaiti immigration dept. announces that Palestinian, Jordanian residents can renew their residency permits if they prove they did not collaborate with Iraqi forces during occupation of Kuwait. (MM 12/16)

IDF bans W. Bank Palestinians from approaching within 150 meters of roads lying outside towns and villages at night. IDF ends round-the-clock curfew of Ramallah, al-Bira, but nighttime curfew [after 5:00 P.M.] still applies. Settlers enter Ramallah, al-Bira, Halhul, Hebron and break shop windows, damage automobiles. (Qol Yisra'el 12/15 in FBIS 12 16; WP, MM 12/16)

Israeli state prosecutor indicts 10 Jerusalem police officers for "abusing" Palestinian detainees. (Qol Yisra'el 12/15 in FBIS 12/16)

Kuwait orders top PLO official Khalid al-Hasan and his family stripped of Kuwaiti citizenship. Kuwait News Agency states this was done because al-Hasan, although known for opposing Iraqi invasion, had not condemned the invasion "at the time" it occurred. (MM 12/16)

Settlers in Kiryat Arba decide to create self defense patrols to chase Palestinian suspects after attacks on Jewish targets. (LAT 12/16)

Police evict settlers from one of the homes they occupy in Silwan following Jerusalem court ruling. (MM 12/16)

Palestinian, Israeli delegates continue meeting in corridor at State Dept. (MM 12/12)

Following recent decisions allowing them to move into disputed homes in Silwan, settlers from El Ad group move into six homes under police escort. Settlers evict Palestinian family from one of the houses, but are later removed themselves by police. (MM 12/12)

81 international banks sign agreement extending $5.5 billion loan to Kuwait, largest loan ever borrowed by a country. (MM 12/12)

Israeli-Syrian, Israeli-Lebanese talks continue in Washington, but Israelis, Palestinians still disagree over whether they will meet separately from Jordanians. While both sides agreed to a "two-track" approach which would allow Israel to talk with Palestinian component of joint delegation about Israeli-Palestinian issues and with Jordanians about issues of Israeli-Jordanian concern, Israel insists on negotiating with joint delegation to avoid appearances of recognizing separate Palestinian delegation. Both parties have been meeting in a corridor at State Dept. during talks. (WP 12/12)

Israeli atty. gen. rules settlers hold legal title to disputed homes in Silwan. (MM 12/12)

ICO meeting ends in Dakar. For first time in years, call for jihad against Israel is omitted from resolution. Chmn. Arafat walks out in anger when gathering passes resolution but later returned. (WP, MM 12/12)

Jordan protests Israel's 12/10 decision to establish direct dial telephone service to Jordan, other Arab countries, claiming one-way service violates International Telecommunications Union agreements. Jordan asks foreign communications companies not to connect calls originating from Israel. (MM 12/11, 12/13)

UNRWA announces European Commission will donate $16.7 million to build 232- bed hospital in Gaza, to open in 1994. (MM 12/11)

Bilateral Israeli-Syrian, Israeli-Lebanese peace talks resume in Washington. But talks between Israel, Jordanians, Palestinians fail to take place when Israel rejects 2-track approach of meeting separately with Palestinian and Jordanian components of joint J-P delegation and insists on meeting only with combined delegation in one room. (WP 12/11)

At Islamic Conference Organization (ICO) meeting in Dakar, Senegal, Saudi Crown Prince 'Abdallah bin 'Abd al-'Aziz underscores continued Saudi anger at PLO and Jordan by shaking hands but refusing to embrace Chmn. Arafat in traditional Arab greeting of friendship, and avoiding greeting King Hussein altogether. (WP 12/1 1)

Israel decides to establish direct dialing telephone service to 11 Arab countries (Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Yemen, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates) [see 12/5]. Calls will be completed by satellite connection which routes them through U.S. (MM 12/11)

Israel releases videotape interview of Shaykh 'Abd al-Karim 'Ubayd, Shiite cleric kidnapped by Israeli commandos in July 1989. Move seen as attempt to keep issue of Israel-Lebanese prisoner exchange alive after release of all American, British hostages. (WP 12/10)

IDF imposes curfew on 800,000 Palestinians in o.t. to prepare for demonstrations associated with fourth anniversary of intifada. (MM 12/10)

Israeli govt. states settlers can move into Silwan, despite recommendations from atty. gen. and police to the contrary. (MM 12/9)

HaAretz reports Israel has told U.S. it will not negotiate with Palestinian delegation if Sa'ib 'Urayqat is a member. Israel objects to 'Urayqat's presence after his statement last fall that he and delegation were representing the PLO. (Ha'Aretz 12/6 in FBIS 12/6)

U.S. refuses Arab demand to reschedule negotiations due to Israeli refusal to attend 12/4 talks in Washington. (WP 12/6)

Islamic Resistance Movement fires rockets into Marjayun, S. Lebanon in retaliation for Israeli, SLA shelling of Shiite villages. (NYT 12/9)

Israeli communications ministry and telephone company Bezek end several days' experiment by which selected customers were allowed to call unnamed Arab countries directly through American installations. Experiment came in order to prepare Israel in the event that peace talks lead to agreement on direct communications between Israel, Arab world. Palestinian negotiator Faisal Husseini was among those who called, speaking to his brother in Jordan. (MM 12/5, 12/6)

Syrian, Lebanese, and joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegations arrive at State Dept. in Washington for peace talks; Israel holds fast to its decision not to attend. (NYT 12/5)

U.S. State Dept. criticizes 12/2 establishment of new settlement in W. Bank. (MM 12/5)

IDF lifts round-the-clock curfew of Ramallah-Bira region [see 12/1] for four hours to allow residents to buy supplies. IDF officials tell Knesset it has seized homes it claims from which gunmen killed settler. (MM 12/5)

Undercover Israeli agents kill resident of Zawiya, W. Bank, after entering village looking for another man. (MM 12/5)

Islamic Jihad releases Terry Anderson, last and longest-held American hostage in Lebanon. Since escalation of UN-brokered negotiations for comprehensive hostage-prisoner exchange in August, 91 Arab prisoners have been released by Israel or the SLA in return for 10 Western hostages, body of one Israeli soldier, confirmation of deaths of two other Israelis. (NYT 12/6)

Islamic Jihad releases American hostage Alann Steen in Beirut. (NYT 12/4)

After meeting Syr. Pres. Asad, PLO Chmn. Arafat meets with Palestine National Salvation Front (PNSF) head Khalid al-Fahum in Damascus. (Radio Monte Carlo, SANA 12/3 in FBIS 12/4)

Palestinian delegates finally join Jordanians in leaving for peace talks in Washington after 10-hour delay at Amman airport during which negotiations continued between Palestinians and U.S. officials over whether or not certain PLO officials would be allowed visas to enter U.S. along with delegation. Palestinians eventually dropped the matter and left for Washington. (Jordan Times 12/3 in FBIS 12/3)

American hostage Joseph Cicippio released in Beirut by Revolutionary Justice Organization. (NYT 12/3)

Arafat holds talks with King Hussein in Amman. Usama Baz, advisor to Pres. Mubarak and most senior Egyptian leader to visit Jordan since Gulf war, also arrives for talks. Arafat later flies to Damascus. (MM 12/2)

IDF establishes Rachelim, a paramilitary Nahal camp, at site where two settlers were ambushed and killed 10/28. (MM 12/5)

UN Secy. Gen. Perez de Cuellar calls for UNIFIL troops to replace Israeli, SLA forces at certain locations in S. Lebanon to avoid future clashes like 11/15 incident in which Irish UNIFIL soldier died in a clash between UNIFIL, SLA. (MM 12/3)

Israeli cabinet reaffirms refusal to attend beginning of bilateral talks in Washington 12/4. (WP 12/2)

Arafat holds talks with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo, later flies to Jordan. (Jordan TV 12/1 in FBIS 12/2; MM 12/2)

Shots fired at Israeli car near al-Bira wound two settlers; one later dies of his injuries. IDF imposes round-the-clock curfew on 70,000 residents of Ramallah-Bira region. (Qol Yisra'el 12/1 in FBIS 12/3; Israel TV 12/3 in FBIS 12/4; MM 12/5)

SLA releases 25 Lebanese prisoners as moves toward comprehensive hostage-prisoner release intensify. (NYT 12/3)

PFLP, DFLP activists issue communique in o.t. calling for 12/4 strike to protest reconvening of peace talks. (AFP 11/30 in FBIS 12/2)

Some 50 anti-nuclear activists demonstrate outside Israeli nuclear reactor at Dimona. Demonstration, organized by supporters of Mordechai Vanunu, Israeli nuclear technician imprisoned five years ago after he leaked details of the top-secret plant to European press, was first such demonstration ever held at site. (MM 12/2)

Iranian sources claim UN convenes secret, multilateral meeting in Damascus to discuss comprehensive hostage-prisoner exchange. (NYT 12/4)

IDF issues order closing Birzeit University for another three months. (MM 12/3)

Chinese FM Qian Qichen indicates China and Israel will eventually establish diplomatic ties, also noting that speed with which ties are established will depend upon progress of peace talks. (NYT 11/29)

Villagers in Tayr Diba, S. Lebanon, demonstrate against plans to remove Lebanese army troops from village [see 11/27]. (MM 11/29)

U.S. agrees to pay Iran $278 million in compensation for undelivered military equipment bought by Iran before 1979 hostage crisis. Both Iran and U.S. deny connection between agreement and current efforts to reach comprehensive prisoner-hostage exchange in Middle East. (WP, MM 11/29)