The Palestine Chronology

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah says Catholic Church will insist that Israel stop barring Palestinians fr. entering Jerusalem, notes "Jerusalem is still to be discussed" between Vatican, Israel. (NYT 1/1)

Polls show that 1/3 of Israeli settlers in West Bank and Gaza Strip would leave if offered compensation in cash or housing in Israel proper. (NYT 1/1)

Frmr. Israeli negotiator Yossi Olmert says private, unofficial Syrian-Israeli talks were held 5/93-10/93 in Germany, Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey under auspices of Initiative for Peace and Cooperation in the Middle East, a branch of Washington, DC-based Search for Common Ground. (WT 1/1; Yediot Aharonot 1/2 in FBIS 1/3; MM 1/4)

Fateh Hawks hold rally in Gaza attended by hundreds. (WP 1/1)

2 Israelis killed in Ramla by Palestinian attackers. (MM 1/4)

Vatican Undersecy. for Foreign Relations Msgr. Claudio Celli and Israeli Dep. FM Yossi Beilin sign 15-point "fundamental agreement" establishing diplomatic relations. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/31)

PLO Chmn. Arafat meets in Cairo with Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa, refuses to accept Israeli proposals on Gaza-Jericho agreement. Arafat flies to Amman for consultations with Jordan's King Hussein. (RJ 12/20 in FBIS 1/3; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/31)

3 Fateh-Uprising guerrillas killed by IDF while crossing Lebanon-Israel border. IDF rockets village in southern Lebanon in retaliation. (Qol Yisra'el 12/30 in FBIS 12/30; CSM, NYT, WT 12/31)

Demonstrations in Gaza mark anniversary of founding of Fateh. (WP, WT 12/3)

Syrian Chief Rabbi Ibrahim Hamra confirms govt. is issuing exit visas to Jews at rate of 25-30 a day. Hamra says community numbers 1,250 and that not all who receive visas will leave. (WP 12/31)

30 Japanese businesses announce plans to form Japan-Israel Business Club to promote Japanese-Israeli trade. (WT 12/31)

WP reports that National Security Advisor Anthony Lake and CIA Dir. R. James Woolsey share Secy. of Defense Aspin's opposition to clemency for Jonathan Pollard, while Dep. AG Philip Heymann leads faction supporting commutation. (WP 12/29)

Israeli FM Peres, PLO official Mahmud 'Abbas say "constructive" results reached in Cairo mtg., but negotiations on implementation of Gaza-Jericho accord continue. (MENA 12/29 in FBIS 12/30; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/30)

Syrian Jewish sources report that hundreds of exit vias have been issued in recent days to Jews wishing to leave Syria, fulfilling commitment given to Secy. of State Christopher by Syrian Pres. al-Asad. (NYT 12/30)

Dep. Asst. AG Mark Richard urges that convicted spy Jonathan Pollard's life sentence be commuted to 20 yrs., according to admin. officials. Richard also recommends criminal cases against Pollard's unindicted Israeli coconspirators be dropped. (WT 12/29)

IAF airstrikes in Lebanon kill 3 Hizballah mbrs. Hizballah responds with katyusha barrages, raids on "security zone." (RL 12/28 in FB1S 12/28; CSM 12/31)

PLO-Israel talks on Gaza-Jericho withdrawal resume in Cairo. Israeli delegation led by FM Peres; PLO, by PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud 'Abbas. (CSM, WP, WT 12/27; NYT, WP, WT 12/28)

IDF fires on Norwegian UNIFIL patrol in southern Lebanon, killing 1 and wounding another. IDF Northern Command investigates incident. (Qol Yisra'el, VOL 12/27 in FBIS 12/27; CSM, WP, WT 12/28)

4 PLO figures in Gaza, including Fateh leader Sami Abu Samhadanah and his deputy, resign in protest of pace of peace talks, Chmn. Arafat's leadership. (WT 12/27; CSM, NYT 12/28)

PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli PM Rabin selected, along with South African leaders F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela, as Time magazine's "Men of the Year." (WP, WT 12/26)

Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem attended by 20,000, largest attendance since start of intifada. In nearby Bayt Sahur, 1,000 Israelis and Palestinians hold torchlight parade for peace, call for release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. (WP 12/26)

Christmas Eve celebrated in Bethlehem with display of Palestinian flag, message fr. PLO Chmn. Arafat. (NYT, WP, WT 12/25)

IDF It. col. killed, 2 IDF soldiers wounded in ambush by Palestinians, presumed mbrs. of Hamas, in Gaza Strip. In separate incident, masked Palestinian stonethrower killed by IDF in Bayt 'Umar, nr. Bethlehem. (Qol Yisra'el 12/24 in FBIS 12/27; NYT, WP, WT 12/25)

Arab League Sec.-Gen. Ismat 'Abd al-Majid sends letter to U.S. Congress saying boycott of Israel will be lifted only after Israeli withdrawal fr. o.t. (MENA 12/24 in FBIS 12/27)

Versailles talks btwn. Israel and PLO adjourn, with both sides reporting progress but no breakthrough. Negotiations to reconvene 12/27 in Cairo. (NYT, WP 12/24)

AG Janet Reno says no decision reached on recommendationn case of Jonathan Pollard. WT publishes statements by Pollard indicating he has no remorse for his espionage on behalf of Israel. Meanwhile, Secy. of Defense Les Aspin tells the White House Pollard has tried to pass classified information in 14 letters sent fr. prison. (WT 12/24; NYT 12/28)

Aeroflot flight lands at Jerusalem airport, marking start of international service to city. (WT 12/25)

Israeli officials report that Russian politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky, widely regarded as anti-Semitic, was sent an invitation to immigrate to Israel in 1983. (WP 12/24; NYT 12/28)

PLO-Israel talks continue at Versailles, France, with participation of Norwegian officials. Progress on border security reported. (NYT, WP, WT 12/23)

Drive-by shooting in Baytuniya, West Bank, kills 2 Israelis. Hamas claims responsibility. (MM 12/22; NYT, WP, WT 12/23)

Settlers in Hebron reportedly asked to surrender their guns as part of investigation into 12/4 murder of Talal al-Bakri. (WP 12/23)

Pres. Clinton says he will have an announcement on case of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard "soon," as administration sources say Dep. AG Philip Heymann will recommend that Pollard's sentence be reduced. (WP 12/23)

Israeli delegation under FM Peres meets PLO delegation headed by Yasir 'Abd-Rabbuh in Paris in effort to break deadlock over withdrawal fr. Jericho, Gaza. Sides remain divided over size of area around Jericho to be evacuated, security arrangements at border crossings. (CSM, NYT, WP 12/22)

Bethlehem municipality prepares for 1st official Christmas celebrations since 1986, saying observance will go on despite dispute with occupation authorities over display of Palestinian flag at city hall. Israeli authorities bar erection of Christmas tree donated by Norway, citing concerns over plant diseases. (WT 12/22; NYT, WP 12/23)

IDF permits 1,000 settlers to carry Torah scroll to yeshiva in Nablus. Ceremony attended by 4 MKs. IDF had blocked similar attempt 12/16. (MM 12/22)

Pope John Paul II announces plan to visit Lebanon in spring 1994, intention to visit Jerusalem. (MM 12/21; WP, WT 12/22)

Reps. of Israel, PLO, and donor countries hold talks in Oslo on creation and funding of Palestinian police force. PLO official Nabil Shaath says $100 m. needed for task. (MM 12/21)

UNGA passes resolution supporting peace process and calling for Israeli withdrawal fr. "the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, and fr. the other occupied Arab territories." Resolution, which calls settlements "illegal and an obstacle to peace," adopted by vote of 92 for and 5 against, with 51 abstentions. (MM 12/21)

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Monsignor Michel Sabbah, in interview, urges Israel to "rethink" position on sovereignty over Jerusalem, free Hamas leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin as a goodwill gesture. (MM 12/20; WT 12/21)

Israeli govt. official confirms that govt. intends to annex "several hundred" dunums of West Bank land to extend Givat Ze'ev settlement toward Jerusalem. Settlers' council says 136,415 Israelis live in o.t. (MM 12/21)

Fateh Uprising, in statement fr. Damascus, warns Christian pilgrims they may not be safe if they visit Jerusalem or other holy sites in o.t. during Christmaseason. (AFP 12/20 in FBIS 12/21; WT 12/21)

3 Hamas mbrs. returned fr. exile 12/15- 'Abd al-'Aziz Rantisi, 'Abd Allah Dukan, and Muhammad Sham'a-placed under administrative detention for 6 mos. (Qol Yisra'el 12/20 in FBIS 12/21)

Israeli and PLO delegations complete 2 days of talks in Norway on implementation of DoP. No progress reported. (NYT, WP, WT 12/20)

Frmr. Israeli Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren says IDF soldiers must disobey any orders to evacuate settlements in o.t. Justice M. David Libai reviews Goren's remarks to see if he should be charged with sedition. (Qol Yisra'el 12/19 in FBIS 12/21; MM, NYT, WT 12/20)

Israel-PLO talks on withdrawal held in Norway. Israeli delegation headed by FM Peres, includes Environment M. Yossi Sarid and IDF Dep. Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Amnon Shahak. PLO side includes Yasir 'Abd-Rabbuh, Nabil Shaath, Ahmad Qurai'. (WP, WT 12/19)

Anti-DoP protests in Ramallah lead to IDF-Palestinian clashes in which 4 Palestinians wounded. (WP, WT 12/19)

PM Rabin, in comments to journalists, says he may postpone mtg. with PLO Chmn. Arafat scheduled for 12/20 because Israel-PLO disagreements are so severe they would make mtg. unsuccessful. (MM 12/17; NYT, WP 12/18)

World Bank VP Caio Koch-Weser announces donors have pledged $570 m. for aid to Palestinians in 1994, allowing all lst-yr. projects to be fully funded. (MM 12/17)

Israeli police arrest 6, including 5 Americans, on suspicion of caching weapons and planning attacks on Palestinians. Those arrested are followers of the late U.S.-born Rabbi Meir Kahane. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/20)

IDF seals off 4 settlements nr. Nablus and prevents procession of settlers fr. bringing Torah scrolls to Jewish religious center in Nablus. 15 settlers arrested. New orders, issued 12/12 but only made public today, permit IDF to place Jewish settlements as well as Palestinian towns and villages under curfew, take "strong action" against law-breaking settlers. (NYT, WT 12/17)

FM Peres, in Paris, says Israel and PLO have agreed to open economic market btwn. Israel and Palestinian self-governing areas, allowing Palestinians to freely export farm produce to Israel and import goods fr. Arab states. Disagreements over currency, ties with Jordan remain. (MM 12/16)

Unnamed PLO, Israeli officials meet privately at undisclosed locations to try to bridge differences preventing implementation of Gaza-Jericho withdrawal. PLO-Israel talks in al-Arish on civil issues recess. (CSM 12/17; MENA 12/16 in FBIS 12/17)

Syrian Pres. al-Asad meets U.S. congressional delegation made up of Sens. DeConcini (D-AZ), Specter (R-PA), Grassley (RIA), and Graham (D-FL) and Rep. Richardson (D-NM). Talks focus on overcoming impediments to peace process. (SARR 12/16 in FBIS 12/16; MM 12/17)

197 Palestinian mbrs. of Hamas and Islamic Jihad return fr. Lebanon at end of 1-yr. exile. The Islamist activists will be processed through Israeli prisons before returning to homes in o.t. PM Rabin, touring Gaza settlement, promises "tough measures" if "we have even the slightest suspicion that [the returnees] intend or are involved" in attacks on Israelis. (NYT, WP, WT 12/16)

Israel-PLO talks on civil issues related to Gaza-Jericho self-rule resume in al-Arish, Sinai. (MM 12/15)

Working group of Middle East Multilateral Talks Economic Development Comm. ends mtg. in Cairo, approves 4 agricultural projects, pollution control project for Gulf of Aqaba, and joint tourism project for Egypt, Israel, and o.t. (MENA 12/15 in FBIS 12/16)

Ashraf Muhammad Halil, 18, killed by IDF when he attacks soldiers with ax during search of his tool bag in Jabaliya camp, Gaza. (WT 12/16)

UNGA passes resolution drafted by Israel, PLO, and U.S., expressing "full support" for Israel-PLO peace talks. Resolution 1st in 2 decades on Middle East peace not to criticize Israel. 2 other resolutions, calling Israeli rule over Jerusalem and Golan Heights illegal, also pass, 85 countries abstaining on Golan resolution. (MM, NYT, WP 12/15)

Israeli Industry and Trade M. Micha Harish announces Morocco has been removed from list of "hostile" countries barred from trade with Israel. Harish says he expects Tunisia to be taken from list next. (MM 12/15)

PLO Chmn. Arafat begins 1st official visit to Britain, lasting 2 days, with mtgs. with PM Major, frmr. PM Thatcher, Archbishop of Canterbury, MPs, and Foreign Office officials. (MM 12/14; NYT 12/16)

1 Hamas mbr. killed, 2 escape when Israeli border police stop stolen car rigged with explosives in Gaza City. Husam al-Bakri, 20, fatally wounded when IDF opens fire on stone-throwers at Hamas mbr.'s funeral. (MM 12/14; WP, WT 12/15)

PM Rabin heckled by right-wing protesters at dedication of Modi'in, a new planned city. Demonstrators call Rabin "traitor," throw bottles, coffee at him. (WP, WT 12/15)

Conference in Tripoli, Libya grouping Arab radical groups opens. Invited are PFLPGC and FRC ("Abu Nidal" faction). (WT 12/16)

Deadline for start of Israeli withdrawal fr. Gaza, Jericho passes. PM Rabin tells reporters, "There are no sacred dates, and I cannot give a commitment that the implementation of the agreement will be finished by April 13th." Rabin also announces that remaining Palestinians expelled 12/17/92 to Lebanon will be allowed to return this week. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/14)

PLO Chmn. Arafat addresses European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, appealing for EU financial support to Palestinian development and noting financial crisis will limit size of Palestinian police force. (MM 12/14)

IDF announces it has been holding a "dialogue" with Hamas leaders in Gaza Strip. (IDF Radio 12/13 in FBIS 12/13)

Islamic Jihad mbr. Anwar Aziz hijacks ambulance btwn. Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya camp, Gaza Strip, for suicide-bomb attack. Aziz killed, IDF soldier wounded when Aziz drives explosives-filled ambulance into IDF jeep. 2 other Palestinians, said to be mbrs. of either Islamic Jihad or PFLP's Red Eagles, shot dead by IDF in Rafah. (MM 12/13; NYT, WP, WT 12/14)

41 Palestinian police trained in Jordan take up duty at Orient House, East Jerusalem hq. of Palestinian delegation to peace talks. (WP 12/14)

PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli PM Rabin meet in Cairo but fail to reach agreement on Israeli withdrawal fr. Gaza and Jericho, due to begin 12/13. The 2 leaders agree to meet again in 10 days, and say delay does not endanger DoP or 4/13/94 deadline for end of withdrawal. (NYT, WP, WT 12/13)

Lebanese Pres. al-Hirawi meets Syrian Pres. al-Asad in Damascus to discuss Secy. of State Christopher'secent tour and coordinate positions for next round of talks with Israel. (RL, VOL, SARR 12/12 in FBIS 12/13; MM 12/13)

U.S. officials say Morocco and Israel have reached a package of agreements, including El Al flights to Morocco and Royal Air Maroc flights to Israel, direct Moroccan-Israel telephone and postalinks, exchanges of visits by religious and business leaders, joint banking arrangements, and more frequent direct political contacts. (NYT 12/13)

Morton Klein, an opponent of Israel-PLO accord, elected pres. of Zionist Organization of America by vote of 144-127, and his slate of 10 candidates elected to top ZOA posts. Observers call election "clear victory for opponents" of DoP. (MM 12/14; WJW 12/16)

Palestinian gunmen attack Israeli bus in Hebron, West Bank, seriously wounding its driver. (NYT, WT 12/13)

Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi publicly invites Sabri al-Banna ("Abu Nidal") and Ahmad Jibril of PFLP-GC for a conference in Tripoli. (WT 12/13)

2,000 Israelis hold march in Jerusalem in support of DoP and to protest settler vigilante actions. 300 right-wing counterdemonstrators kept separated fr. peace marchers by police. (WT 12/12)

Hamas leads march in Gaza City to mark intifa adanniversary, protest Israel-PLO accord. IDF opens fire, wounding 1 Palestinian. Similar march held by Islamic Jihad in Jabaliya camp. (WP, WT 12/12)

IDF officer killed, soldier wounded in antitank missile attack on IDF patrol in "security zone," southern Lebanon. (Qol Yisra'el 12/11 in FBIS 12/13)

Secy. of State Christopher meets PLO Chmn. Arafat in Tunis, 1st visit by a U.S. secy. of state to PLO hq. Christopher delivers invitation fr. PM Rabin to Arafat for mtg. in Cairo, says both should reach "agreement so the accord will move forward." Christopher also says he is "impressed" by PLO plans for economic development ino.t. Later Christopher meets in Rabat with Moroccan King Hassan II. (NYT, WP, WT 12/11; NYT 12/13)

3 Palestinians killed by settlers in ambush nr. Hebron. Kach movement claims responsibility for attack. (NYT, WP, WT 12/11)

Palestinian spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi resigns fr. her PLO posts to form Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights. Ashrawi had earlier been nominated to head PLO office in Washington, D.C. (NYT, WP, WT 12/11)

PFLP mbr. Zaki Ahmad Najar killed in Jabaliya camp, Gaza Strip. PFLP says he died in gun-cleaning accident; other sources blame factional fighting or IDF undercover units. (NYT 12/14

Israeli FM Peres, PLO Chmn. Arafat meet in Granada, Spain, in effort to remove barriers to implementation of DoP. Arafat calls mtg. "very important," while an Israeli source describes it as "tense," says PM Rabin "not happy" with mtg. No details revealed by either side, but Peres calls it "a tour d'horizon," not "negotiations." (NYT 12/10)

Secy. of State Christopher meets again in Damascus with Syrian Pres. al-Asad, announces Syria will resume negotiations with Israel and that al-Asad will meet U.S. Pres. Clinton in Geneva 1/94. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/10)

Mansur Shawwa, son of frmr. Gaza City mayor Rashad Shawwa, named by PLO to be 1st mayor of Gaza under Palestinian autonomy. (MM 12/9)

Palestinian farmer Khamis Abu Awad, 51, shot dead by settler from Shiloh settlement nr. Ramallah in West Bank after being ordered off his tractor. (WP, WT 12/10)

PLO and Israeli negotiators in Cairo exchange proposals to bridge disagreements on implementing Gaza-Jericho withdrawal. (NYT 12/9)

Secy. of State Christopher meets Egyptian Pres. Mubarak in Cairo, says U.S. does not object to delay in Gaza-Jericho withdrawal if Israel and PLO feel they need "a few more days or whatever period of time to work out some existing problems." (CSM, NYT, WT 12/9)

Settler shot and wounded by Palestinian in Bethlehem. IDF imposes curfew, searches Palestinian homes, detains several suspects. IDF reportedly reinforces troops in o.t. and detains dozens of Palestinian opponents of DoP as preventative measure before anniversary of intifada. (CSM, NYT, WT 12/9)

Secy. of State Christopher meets PM Rabin, reports on talks with Syrian, PLO leaders. Christopher reportedly tells Rabin Syria ready to resume negotiations. Rabin says 1st priority is implementing Israel-PLO DoP. Christopher calls that priority "entirely appropriate," but notes U.S. seeks "comprehensive solution in the region." Christopher also meets Palestinian delegation including Faisal Husseini, Ghassan al-Khatib, Zakariya al-Agha, and Hanan Ashrawi. (NYT, WP, WT 12/8; Qol Yisra'el 12/7 in FBIS 12/8)

PLO Chmn. Arafat, in Bonn, says 12/13 deadline for start of Israeli withdrawal "a sacred date," but a PLO source says Arafat told PLO Central Council and Exec. Comm. to expect a delay of 1 to 2 weeks. (NYT 12/8)

Thousands turn out for funeral procession fr. Tel Aviv through Jerusalem to Hebron of settlers killed 12/6. Settlers shoot at Palestinian houses and break car windows in Hebron. (NYT, WT 12/8; WT 12/9)

Shaykh Khalid Zakaria Sakallah, 45, killed by masked gunmen in Gaza. Both Hamas and Fateh condemn killing. (MM 12/8)

Secy. of State Christopher meets PLO Chmn. Arafat at U.S. embassy in Amman. At press conference after 2-hr. mtg., Arafat appeals for U.S. pressure on Israel to meet 12/13 deadline for withdrawal fr. Jericho, Gaza. Christopher declines to get involved in Israel-PLO talks, but calls for "timely implementation" of DoP schedule and pledges "non-lethal assistance" to Palestinian police. Christopher also meets separately with Jordan's King Hussein. PM Rabin claims there is "a tacit understanding" with PLO that deadline not firm. FM Peres says he will meet Arafat 12/9 at UNESCO conference in Spain. (NYT, WP, WT 12/7)

PM Rabin calls Syrian agreemento allow U.S. investigators to search for missing IDF soldiers in Lebanon "an important step forward" and "a big window of hope for the families" of the Israeli MIAs. (NYT 12/7)

Israeli Finance M. Avraham Shohat and PLO official Ahmad Qurai' resume Paris talks on economic issues. (Qol Yisra'el 12/6 in FBIS 12/7)

Palestinian gunmen attack settler van in Qiryat Arba, Hebron, killing 2 and wounding 3. Hamas claims responsibility for attack. Settlers riot, attacking Palestinian homes and cars. (NYT, WP, WT 12/7)

IDF undercover unit kills Hamas mbr. 'Abd al-Rahman Aruri, 31, on his front porch in Arura, nr. Ramallah. (MM 12/7)

Time magazine reports that convicted spy Jonathan Pollard passed a National Security Agency listing of foreign intelligence frequencies to Israel that later was received by Soviets, ruining several b. dollars' work and compromising lives of U.S. informants. Justice Dept., security officials reportedly advising AG Janet Reno against a pardon for Pollard. (WT 12/6, 12/7; NYT 12/7)

Israel, Laos reestablish diplomatic relations in agreement signed in New York. (Qol Yisra'el 12/7 in FBIS 12/8)

Secy. of State Christopher meets in Damascus with Syrian Pres. al-Asad, who agrees to let U.S. investigators search for 7 Israelis missing in Lebanon and to grant exit permits to Syrian Jews by end 12/93. Christopher calls talks "positive and constructive," al-Asad's moves "important humanitarian gestures." U.S. agrees to allow Kuwait to transfer 3 U.S.-made aircraft to Syria in a relaxation of sanctions on Damascus. (NYT, WP, WT 12/6; NYT 12/7)

Israel-PLO talks in Cairo and al-'Arish, Sinai, on Palestinian autonomy resume. (WT 12/6)

Jordanian, Israeli govts. sign accord on economic cooperation, initialed by negotiators in Washington 12/1. (MM 12/7)

Palestinian grocer Talal al-Bakri, shot 12/4 in Hebron by settlers, dies. 5 settlers arrested in connection with killing. (NYT, WP, WT 12/6)

Israeli AG Ben-Yair calls settlers' council a "seditious" organization, while Ag. M. Yaacov Tsur calls 12/4 shooting of Talal al-Bakri an incident of "Jewish terror." (MM 12/6)

Armed Palestinian, Khalid Awad Shihada, attacks Israelis on suburban Tel Aviv bus, killing reserve IDF soldier before being killed himself. Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for attack. Israelis demonstrate at attack site, some shouting "Death to Arabs!" (NYT, WP, WT 12/6)

Frmr. Israeli PM Shamir tells Zionist Organization of America mtg. in Baltimore that Israeli govt. has made a pact with "terrorists and murderers" in signing DoP, says agreement reflects "an Arab plan to destroy Israel in stages." (WT 12/7)

Secy. of State Christopher opens talks with PM Rabin, says "I don't know that there is an appropriate role for me.... I certainly don't want to interpose myself" in Israel-PLO negotiations. (NYT, WT 12/5)

PLO Exec. Comm. establishes committee to oversee negotiations with Israel. Names of mbrs. are not made public. (NYT 12/5)

Hamas list wins 81% of votes, all 9 seats in Gaza Islamic College student council elections. Fateh list wins 11%, Islamic Jihad 6%, and DFLP 2%. (Qol Yisra'el 12/4 in FBIS 12/6)

Settlers continue rioting in Hebron, firing submachine guns at Palestinian cars. 3 Palestinians wounded. Palestinian homes also fired upon, stoned. (NYT, WT 12/5)

Secy. of State Christopher arrives in Israel at start of Middle East tour. PM Rabin tells U.S. to stay out of Israel-PLO talks, saying "we do not need uncles, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers." (NYT, WT 12/4)

PLO Political Dept. head Faruq al-Qaddumi meets in Washington with U.S., World Bank officials to discuss economic development of o.t. (San'a' VOP 12/3 in FBIS 12/7)

Settlers rampage in Hebron, wounding 4 Palestinians. IDF does nothing to stop gunbearing settlers, but detains 20 Palestinian stone-throwers. In Gaza, alleged Fateh mbrs. open fire on 2 IDF posts; no casualties reported. (MM 12/3; NYT, WP, WT 12/4)

Israel Antiquities Authority's "Operation Scroll" scheduled to end. Search for ancient Hebrew and Jewish artifacts, started 11/14, involved 30 archaeologists and 300 workers, examined 350 sites, and cost $350,000. Operation protested by Palestinians, who say it violated 1954 UN convention on cultural artifacts and was intended to strip o.t. sites before Palestinian autonomy. (WP 12/4)

Settlers block roads, riot in o.t. after 2d victim of 12/1 al-Birah attack dies. 2 Palestinians wounded by IDF in Gaza. (MM, WT 12/3)

Israeli AG Michael Ben-Yair issues order to chief of police, IDF that "Hashomer" settlement guard units are illegal, "contradict th[e] authority of the security forces." Police IG Rafi Peled later says Civil Guard units will be set up in settlements, police will not oppose establishment of Hashomer "within the framework of the law." (MM 12/2, 12/3)

PLO Exec. Comm. statement says Cairo, al-Arish talks at "an impasse." (MM 12/2; WT 12/3)