The Palestine Chronology

Anti-Arab riots continue for unprecedented third day in Bat Yam as thousands of Jews rampage, attack police. 11 persons are injured in the melee, including 2 policemen. Over 100 rioters are arrested. Palestinian negotiator Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi condemns the girl's killing. (Qol Yisra'el 5/26, 5/27 in FBIS 5/27)

Representatives from Jordan, UNESCO meet in Amman to discuss proposed repairs to Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem. UNESCO promises that no steps will be taken without first consulting Jordan. (Radio Jordan 5/26 in FBIS 5/27)

Israel, Belarus establish diplomatic relations. (Qol Yisra'el 5/26 in FBIS 5/27)

Israeli jets bomb Islamic Resistance positions in Iqlim al-Tuffah region in S. Lebanon. 2 Israeli planes flying over Ba'labakk in E. Lebanon are fired on by Lebanese, Syrian, and Hizballah anti-aircraft guns. Attacks are most significant Israeli air raids in years. (WP 5/27)

IDF declares state of alert in "security zone" and N. Israel as artillery and rocket attacks continue between Hizballah-led Islamic Resistance Movement and IDF, SLA forces in S. Lebanon. (MM 5/20)

International Committee of the Red Cross calls on Israel to halt mistreatment of detainees in o.t. (MM 5/21)

Jordan's acting PM notifies UNESCO that it has historical responsibility for maintaining Islamic shrines in East Jerusalem, states that all funds must be channeled through Jordan. Political battle deepens between Jordan and Saudi Arabia over which country will fund repairs to Islamic sites in Jerusalem (see 5/16, 5/18). Jordan also announces that Chmn. Arafat sent letter to King Hussein thanking him for pledging funds to restore the shrines. (AFP, Radio Jordan 5/20 in FBIS 5/21; MM 5/21)

Strike observed in o.t. to commemorate May 1990 killing of 7 Palestinians workers in Rishon le Zion by an Israeli soldier. (MM 5/20)

Chmn. Arafat sends letter to King Fahd thanking him for recent Saudi pledge to pay for renovation of Islamic shrines in East Jerusalem. Arafat also urged Fahd to use his influence to "close the ranks of our Arab nation." (Saudi offer has been met with hostility by Jordan, which has traditionally held responsibility for maintaining the shrines) (Sanaa VOP 5/17 in FBIS 5/21)

3,000 Palestinians in al-Shaja'iyya district of Gaza City demonstrate against internecine killings. (Qol Yisra'el 5/17 in FBIS 5/20)

Multilateral talks on refugees open in Ottawa with Palestinians asserting that solution for Palestinian refugees should be made through implementation of UN Gen. Assembly Res. 194, which calls for repatriation of refugees or compensation. Israel boycotts talks. (MM 5/12)

Responding to 5/12 U.S. statement regarding right of Palestinian refugees to return, PM Shamir states "There is only a Jewish 'right of return' to the Land of Israel." State Dept. clarifies 5/12 statement, reaffirming U.S. support for Res. 194 and Sec. Council Res. 237 (adopted 14 June 1967) regarding return of Palestinian refugees but adding that this remains a matter to be negotiated between Palestinians and Israel. (NYT, MM 5/14)

Multilateral talks on water open in Vienna with more than 30 delegations attending. (WP 5/14)

Palestinian negotiators Zakariyal-Agha, 'Abd al-Rahman Hamad are refused entry into Gaza by Israeli authorities at Rafah border crossing point for a second time after they again refused to allow border guards to search documents they were carrying [see 5/12]. (MM 5/15)

Annual assembly of World Health Organization passes resolution criticizing Israel for health conditions in o.t. (MM 5/14)

In Jerusalem, Jordanian-controlled Higher Islamic Council warns against intervention by "foreign or international bodies" in repair work to Islamic holy sites in E. Jerusalem, an apparent reference to Saudi attempts to finance repairs of shrines in coordination with UNESCO [Jordan has traditionally been responsible for shrines' maintenance] [see 4/29, 5/5, 5/11, 5/12]. (MM 5/13; NYT 5/14)

Shaykh Ishaq Idris Sakhouta, head of Cairo-based and Saudi-financed World Islamic League, begins visit to Israel and o.t. After praying at al-Aqsa mosque in E. Jerusalem, Sakhouta praises Israel's handling of Islamic shrines in Jerusalem during meeting with Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek [Sakhouta's visit is being financed by an Israeli tourist company which seeks to increase Muslim tourism to Islamic holy sites in o.t.] (MM 5/14)

IDF kill "wanted" Palestinian in Immatin, near Tulkarm. Separate gun battle between IDF and 3 Palestinians leaves 1 Palestinian wounded. (Qol Yisra'el 5/14 in FBIS 5/14

State Dept. says U.S. supports UN Gen. Assembly Res. 194, passed 11 December 1948, which upholds right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes. Israel demands explanation. (NYT 5/13)

Multilateral talks on economic development end in Brussels. (MM 5/13)

Palestinian negotiators Zakariya al-Agha, 'Abd al-Rahman Hamad are denied entry at Rafah border crossing by Israeli authorities after they refuse to submit to a search of documents they were carrying as they returned from recent round of bilateral talks in Washington. (MM 5/15)

As Saudi-Jordanian tension mounts over which country's monarch will assume responsibility for paying for repairs to Islamic shrines in E. Jerusalem, Saudi television reasserts Saudi Arabia's intention [made 4/29] to finance repairs to sites such as al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock [Jordan has stated it will assume repair costs. See 5/5, 5/11]. (NYT 5/14)

Israeli jets, helicopters attack Islamic Resistance positions in Iqlim al-Tuffah region of S. Lebanon. Raids were first Israeli air attacks in S. Lebanon since 2/16. (Voice of the Mountain, Radio Free Lebanon 5/13 in FBIS 5/13

Multilateral talks on economic development open in Brussels. Only Palestinian and Jordanian delegations attend [Palestinians include representatives from diaspora]. Syria and Lebanon, which had earlier stated that they would boycott multilateral talks due to lack of progress in bilateral Arab-Israeli talks, fail to attend. Israel also follows through on its threats to boycott any talks which include Palestinians from outside o.t. by staying away from session. Talks on arms control open in Washington. Syria, Lebanon once again refuse to participate. Palestinians do not participate, even as part of Jordanian delegation, because only states with militaries were invited. 20 other nations send observers to talks. (NYT, WP 5/12)

Fateh candidates win all 9 contested seats in elections to staff union of al-Najah University, defeating pro-Hamas candidates. Pro-PLO figures also defeated Hamas supporters in elections for the workers' union at Muttali' Hospital (Augusta Victoria Hospital) in Jerusalem. (MM 5/12)

PLO Central Council concludes meeting in Tunis after heated discussions over whether Palestinians should continue participating in peace process. Council eventually issues resolution expressing support for continuing participation but linking participation in multilaterals with progress in bilateral negotiations. Council also decides that Palestinians will reevaluate participation in the peace process in October 1992. In wake of criticism of PLO leadership, Council also creates committee to study internal PLO structures. Nayif Hawatima, head of one faction of DFLP and who had been pushing for reevaluation of PLO policy toward peace talks and for reforms within PLO, expresses dissatisfaction with results of meeting [DFLP-Hawatima faction, PFLP, Arab Liberation Front voted against the resolution]. (Tunisian Republic Radio, Radio Monte Carlo 5/10 in FBIS 5/11; Voice of Palestine 5/11 in FBIS 5/13; MM 5/11)

Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa states no progress can be made in multilateral talks until bilateral talks lead to peace treaties. (MM 5/11)

King Hussein announces he will personally donate $8.25 million to restore al-Aqsa mosque in E. Jerusalem. Hussein intends to sell a country home in Britain to raise the funds [see 5/5]. (Radio Jordan 5/11 in FBIS 5/13; NYT 5/14; Radio Jordan 5/20 in FBIS 5/21)

Chmn. Arafat, Fateh leaders meet with Nayif Hawatima, leader of one faction of DFLP, and other DFLP officials to discuss differences in advance of PLO Central Council meeting [see 5/4 for similar talks between Fateh, PFLP]. (al-Ray 5/6 in FBIS 5/6)

PFLP leader Riyad Malki and DFLP-Hawatima faction leader 'Ali Abu Hilal, hold joint press conference in Jerusalem at which they state their conditional support for municipal elections, which have been proposed in different form by Israel but rejected by Fateh and Palestinian delegation to peace talks [PFLP, DFLP-Hawatima and Hamas have now called for supporting municipal elections if held under international supervision, a condition which Israel has rejected. See 4/27, 4/28, 4/30]. PFLP, DFLP also issue joint statement in o.t. calling for unified Arab position regarding participation in multilateral talks [PFLP had formerly opposed the talks]. (al-Ray 5/6 in FBIS 5/6)

Following 4/29 Saudi disclosure that King Fahd will pay for repairs to Islamic sites in E. Jerusalem, Jordanian cabinet announces Jordan will pay for repairing Dome of the Rock [Jordan has traditionally assumed responsibility for shrine's maintenance]. (Jordan Television 5/5 in FBIS 5/6; MM 5/6)

Amnesty International issues report criticizing conditions in al-Khiyam prison camp run by SLA in Israel's "security zone." (MM 5/5)

4 Israeli citizens arrested by Egypt in February on charges of espionage are released, deported to Israel [see 3/10]. (Qol Yisra'el 5/6 in FBIS 5/6; MENA 5/6 in FBIS 5/7)

3 IDF troops injured by a Palestinian wielding a knife at a roadblock. The attacker is killed. (Qol Yisra'el 5/6 in FBIS 5/6)

'Abd aI-Fattah Hamayil, appointed member of Palestinian delegation to peace talks by Faisal Husseini while imprisoned [see 4/12], crosses into Jordan under terms of agreement by which he is forbidden to return to o.t. for 28 months. (Qol Yisra'el 5/1 in FBIS 5/1)

Israeli press reports U.S. officials have placed Israel on list of 20 nations carrying out espionage against U.S. companies. (MM 5/1)