The Palestine Chronology

PLO Exec. Comm. rejects resignations of negotiators Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi, and Sa'eb Erakat, appoints them and 4 other mbrs. of delegation to official PLO steering committee. (NYT, WP, WT 8/13)

U.S. and Russia issue invitations for 11th round of Arab-Israeli peace talks, to be held in Washington at end of August. (NYT, WP, WT 8/13)

Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa, at press conference, claims there has been unfair criticism by Palestinians of Egyptian "interference" with Palestinian response to U.S. document, warns if it continues Egypt will reveal details of Palestinian dealings with Israel. PLO delivers message to Musa saying "Egypt did not exert any kind of pressure on the Palestinian leadership." Meanwhile, al-Sharq alAwsat publishes purported excerpts from Palestinian delegation's meeting before going to Tunis for consultations with PLO. "Excerpts" claim delegation protested PLO leadership's decision-making monopoly and "interference in everything," Egyptian "tutelage over the PLO leadership." Delegation spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi denies reports, saying "We have never criticized the Egyptian position." (MM 8/12; Cairo Voice of the Arabs 8/15 in FBIS 8/16)

Syrian Pres. al-Asad, in interview with al-Safir, says "there was no deal" to end "Operation Accountability." He maintains there was "no sellout of the [Lebanese] resistance," and asserts the necessity "to preserve the resistance and to protect it." (MM 8/12)

Pres. Clinton, in meeting with Pope John Paul II in Denver, CO, expresses his "commitment and his support for full diplomatic relations" between the Vatican and Israel, according to U.S. amb. to Vatican Raymond W. Flynn. (WP 8/13)

Israeli settlers wind up 5 days of demonstrations against Rabin govt. with rally in Tel Aviv attended by "several thousand." Settlers' slogans include "Giving up the territories means katyushas on Tel Aviv," and "We won't move from the Golan." (JP 8/21)

Spokesman for PM Rabin confirms that Environment Min. Yossi Sarid notified Rabin before meeting with PLO official Nabil Shaath in Cairo in late July. Rabin approved, but did not endorse, meeting, spokesman says. Rabin states he "will not prevent a minister from meeting someone from the PLO, even though I don't think it's positive." Israeli PM does not rule out himself meeting with PLO, but asked if he would meet Chmn. Arafat, says "I hope not." (see 8/5) (MM 8/11, 8/12)

Israel grants visa to PNC mbr. and senior adviser to Palestinian peace delegation Hasan 'Abd al-Rahman, former PLO representative in U.S. and Canada, to visit his home village of Surda in the West Bank for his mother's funeral. (MM 8/11; WT 8/12)

Secy. of State Christopher arrives in Jerusalem on 2d leg of Middle East trip, meets with PM Rabin, FM Peres, Palestinian representatives. Negotiator Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi boycotts session. Christopher says Lebanon cease-fire is"an indication of the fact that Israel, Lebanon and Syria are able to work together on a problem and, I think, take a step in trying to ensure that the peace process is not derailed." FM Peres says Israel believes "that Syria and its President made a strategic decision to move toward peace." (NYT, WP, WT 8/4)

U.S.-brokered cease-fire takes effect in Lebanon, ending a week of fighting. Negotiated over telephone by Secy. of State Christopher with Israeli, Lebanese, and Syrian leaders, agreement conditions end of Israeli shelling with cessation of Hizballah rocket attacks on northern Israel. Lebanese army establishes checkpoints to prevent entry of weapons into southern area. Arab FMs pledge $500m in aid to Lebanese refugees. Total casualties: 127 dead, 496 wounded, mostly Lebanese civilians. Lebanese PM Hariri says 10,000 homes destroyed by shelling, 20,000 damaged. U.S. State Dept. says recent fighting "only underscore[s] the necessity for all the parties to the peace process making every effort now to engage in serious negotiations to narrow their differences." (State Dept. release 7/31; NYT, WP, WT 8/1; MM 8/2)

Sixth day of Israeli attack on Lebanon. Lebanese police report 17 killed, 47 wounded in day's fighting. UN sources report IDF fired 1,300 shells in 9 hours. Hizballah responds with katyusha barrages, attacks on IDF/SLA positions in "security zone." Kuwait, France, and Egypt send relief supplies to Beirut, as Arab FMs discuss situation in Damascus. Israeli FM Peres states Israel will not expand "security zone" or send ground forces to Lebanon. Ireland demands immediate cease-fire out of concern for Irish battalion of UNIFIL. (NYT, WT 7/31)

Israeli attack on Lebanon enters 4th day as international condemnation mounts. Refugees from south estimated at 500,000; casualties total 90 dead, 400 wounded. UN Secy.-Gen. Butrus Butrus-Ghali calls attack "deplorable" while UN Security Council, renewing UNIFIL mandate, expresses "regret" over loss of life and urges "restraint" on all parties. US State Dept. says "Military activities directed against all civilians should ... stop... The refugees from south Lebanon must be allowed to return to their homes immediately." Secy. of State Christopher telephones PM Rabin, Syrian FM al-Shara', and Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri, urging Israel to end fighting before Christopher comes to region and Syria not to permit arms to reach Hizballah. PM Rabin vows to "chase down" Hizballah, tells Knesset, "The civilian Lebanese population in southern Lebanon will be distanced-northward-from the villages in which Hizballah terrorists operate." Pres. Clinton says "I think Hizballah should stop its attacks. I think Israel should stop its bombardments. I think that Syria should go from showing restraint to being an active participant to try and stop the fighting, and we ought to do whatever we can to stop the fighting as quickly as possible." (NYT, WP, WT 7/29)

Responding to continued financial crisis, PLO closes three departments-information, culture, and social affairs. (al-Sharq al-Awsat 7/28 in FBIS 7/30)

Israeli assault on Lebanon continues. Refugee flow from southern Lebanon reaches over 100,000. Casualties reach 55 dead and 280 wounded since 7/25, including 4 Nepalese UNIFIL soldiers wounded. PM Rabin tells Knesset committee that "Israel aims to cause a mass flight of residents" from area, and that "We expect the Lebanese government, and those backing it, to control the rockets fired by Hizballah." Secy. of State Christopher cuts short visit to Singapore to address crisis, telephones Rabin, Syrian FM al-Shara', and Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri to urge restraint. Pres. Clinton praises Syria's "commendable restraint," accuses Hizballah of attempting to "derail" peace talks. White House says "Iran and Hizballah are responsible" for the fighting. (White House daily briefing, MM 7/27; NYT, WP 7/28)

Turkish FM Hikmet Cetin postpones visit to Israel due to continued fighting in Lebanon. (MM 7/28)

IDF opens "Operation Settling Accounts," using airpower, artillery, and gunboats to bombard towns and villages in southern Lebanon and the Biqa' allegedly used as bases by Hizballah and PFLP-GC. Attacks kill 3 Syrian soldiers, 1 Palestinian, and 10 Lebanese. Hizballah responds with katyusha attack on Israel, killing 2 Israelis in Qiryat Shemona. PM Rabin announces, "If there will be no quiet for the northern settlements, there will be no quiet and safety for south Lebanon residents north of the security zone." Secy. of State Christopher calls the violence "counterproductive," reaffirms urgency of peace process. Lebanese cabinet meets, decides to complain to UN Security Council over "Israeli aggression." (MM, NYT, WP 7/26)

Turkish FM Hikmet Cetin arrives in Amman on first visit to Jordan by Turkish FM in 13 years. Tour is to include visit to Israel, first ever by senior Turkish official. (MM 7/26)

Hamas supporters defeat joint Fateh-PFLP slate in elections for Gaza Strip accountants' association. (MM 7/26)

Hizballah katyushas hit northern Israel; IDF shells launch area in retaliation. (MM 7/23)

Palestinian-American Muhammad Jarad, arrested by Israel for allegedly providing finances for Hamas, released from Ramallah jail after a 6-month term. (WT 7/25; Qol Yisra'el 7/24 in FBIS 7/27)

Jerusalem's Arabic daily newspaper al-Fajr closes after 22 years of publication due to lack of funds. The paper's weekly English edition continues. (WT 7/24)

SLA positions at Shumariyeh and Alman, southern Lebanon, attacked with katyushas and mortars. (MM 7/20)

Lebanese army and Hizballah fire SAM-7 missile at overflying Israeli plane. (VOL 7/21 in FBIS 7/21)

Hadashot reports that a secret Israeli envoy has met with the PLO in Tunis in an effort to bridge gaps in Israeli and Palestinian negotiating positions. Both PM Rabin and FM Peres deny the story. (MM 7/20)

10-year-old Izzat Matar, shot 7/18 by IDF, dies of his wounds in Gaza. (MM 7/21)

Kuwaiti govt., responding to confusion and controversy over its adherence to boycott of Israel, issues statemento Kuwait National Assembly saying it obeys boycott, but that "consequences of the Iraqi aggression" required "reexamination" of rules on secondary boycott of foreign companies dealing with Israel. Statement reiterates Kuwaiti adherence to all Arab League and GCC boycott rules, says end of Israeli settlements precondition for ending direct boycott (see 6/7, 6/11). (KUNA 7/20 in FBIS 7/21)

Israeli cabinet issues statement warning guerrillas in southern Lebanon that Israel will retaliate for recent attacks in "security zone." Lebanese Pres. al-Hirawi replies that "lf peace is not achieved in the south, the entire Lebanese people will join the resistance in fighting Israel." (Qol Yisra'el 7/18 in FBIS 7/19; CSM, WT 7/19)

Israeli warplanes overfly lqlim al-Tuffah and Beirut as tensions on Lebanon-Israel border mount. (MM 7/19)

IDF wounds 6 Palestinians, including a 10-year-old shot in the head, in clash at Jabalya refugee camp in Gaza. (WT 7/19)

Fateh Central Committee and Revolutionary Council meet in Tunis. (Sawt al-Sha'b 7/20 in FBIS 7/21)

Israel continues reinforcement of artillery in southern Lebanon. (MM 7/19)

Palestinian delegation head Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi warns that unless Israel concedes Palestinian rights in Jerusalem "it will kill the peace process." (NYT 7/17)

Secy. of State Christopher announces he will travel to Middle East 8/1-5 to pursue "role of honest broker" in peace talks. (USIA Wireless File 7/19)

Dahaf Institute poll indicates 42% of Israelis favor talks with PLO, 57% oppose. (Yediot Aharonot 7/16 in MM 7/16)

Syrian FM al-Shara' rejects Israeli warning to curb guerrilla activity in southern Lebanon. (MM 7/16)

Fateh delegation led by 'Abbas Zaki meets with 7 Palestinian factions opposed to peace process in Damascus. Organizations represented are PPSF, PLF, PFLP, DFLP, PFLPGC, al-Sa'iqah, and Islamic Jihad. Delegation is to proceed to Amman for meeting with Hamas. (Algiers VOP, al-Rayv 7/14 in FBIS 7/15)

FM Peres proposes opening negotiations on final status based on Palestinian-Jordanian confederation in meeting with U.S. envoy Ross. (Ha Aretz 7/15 in FBIS 7/15)

U.S. delegation holds 2d meeting with Israeli leadership. Official statements are terse, but it is speculated discussions included tensions between Israel and Syria following escalation of violence in southern Lebanon. (MM 7/13)

2d U.S.-Palestinian meeting held at U.S. consulate in Jerusalem. (Qol Yisra'el 7/13 in FBIS 7/14)

Israeli rights group B'Tselem says 232 Palestinians under 17 killed by IDF since start of intifada, 38 in last 6 months. IDF calls such deaths "unavoidable," claims intifada casualties have declined, saying 166 Israelis, 1,859 Palestinians killed since outbreak of uprising. Report also states 100,000 Palestinians detained, 60,000 incarcerated over same period. (MM 7/13; Qol Yisra'el 7/13 in FBIS 7/15; WT 7/14)

Israeli police arrest 4 teenage members of "Kahane Lives" for the 11/92 grenade murder of a Palestinian in Jerusalem. (NYT 7/14)

Palestinian motorist shot dead by Border Police, second wounded in Hebron. (ITV 7/14 in FBIS 7/15)

PLO reconciliation meeting held in Damascus grouping representatives of Fateh, PFLP, and DFLP (Hawatmah faction). (al-Dustur 7/13 in FBIS 7/13)

PLO joins with Bangladesh, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Tunisia, and Turkey in offer to send peacekeepers to Bosnia. (WP 7/14)

U.S. coordinator Ross delivers message from Pres. Clinton to Syrian Pres. al-Asad at meeting in Damascus. (SANA 7/12 in FBIS 7/13)

U.S. delegation meets Jordanian Crown Prince Hasan, PM al-Majali and Palestinian negotiator Faisal Husseini in Amman (Radio Jordan, JTV 7/12 in FBIS 7/13)

U.S. coordinator Ross meets Palestinian negotiators in Jerusalem. Palestinians present 4-point statement on negotiations, Palestinian interim self-government to U.S. delegation. Delegate Ghassan al-Khatib boycotts session. (Qol Yisra'el 7/13 in FBIS 7/13, 7/14; Jordan Times 7/15-16 in FBIS 7/15)

Arafat claims 2 meetings were held between PLO and Israeli officials during Washington peace talks in June. FM Peres denies any meetings took place, saying "this information is baseless." Arafat later states PLO attempted to meet Israelis but meeting did not take place. (Ha Aretz 7/12 in FBIS 7/12; MENA 7/13 in FBIS 7/13; NYT 7/13, 7/14)

Palestinian-Jordanian joint committee holds first meeting, establishes subcommittees on Jerusalem, refugees, security and borders, economic affairs, water, and legislation and laws. (Radio Jordan 7/12 in FBIS 7/12)

IDF kills 2 19-year-old Palestinians during tire-burning incident at Balata refugee camp in Nablus. (Qol Yisra'el 7/12 in FBIS 7/13)

Israel establishes diplomatic relations with Vietnam in agreement signed in Jerusalem. (WT 7/13)

Knesset defeats no-confidence motions 57-42 (see 7/6, 7/7). (MM 7/13)

PM Rabin tells Jewish Agency meeting "Jerusalem will remain as it is, united, under Israeli sovereignty and our capital . . . forever. . . It's part of Israel. It is so. It will remain so." (MM 6/28)

FM Peres publicly endorses "Gaza first" proposal-withdrawing from most of the Strip and transferring power to Palestinians as soon as possible as part of self-rule negotiations. (WP 6/29)

Fateh Cent. Comm. mbr. Hani al-Hasan, in an interview with al-Sharq al-Awsat, says, "the Hamas movement is a patriotic organization," and defends his contacts with it and other organizations. (MM 6/28)

"Several" rockets land in the Galilee; Israel shells Lebanon. IDF shoot 2 Hizballah mbrs. dead in clash. (Qol Yisra'el 6/28 in FBIS 6/28, 6/29 in FBIS 6/30)

Jordan's King Hussein meets Secy. of State Christopher and congressional leaders. (Radio Jordan 6/25 in FBIS 6/25)

Al-Fajr reports Palestinian delegation's clarification of trainees in Jordan: they are not connected with proposed police force, but will guard Palestinian institutions in the transitional period (see 6/20). (al-Fajr 6/25 in FBIS 6/28)

PFLP delegation led by Sec.-Gen. Habash meets with Yemeni V.P. 'Ali Salim al-Bid in San'a' (Yemeni Republic Radio 6/25 in FBIS 6/25)

Israel allows all o.t. residents over 50 to cross green line without special permits. (ITV 6/25 in FBIS 6/28)

Israeli helicopters fire rockets at Palestinian guerilla office near Tyre, Lebanon, wounding one. (MM 6/28)

Israeli Deputy FM Yossi Beilin tells interviewer, "We will not and cannot make any concessions on the issue of Jerusalem.... we have no intention of making any concessions whatsoever." (ITV 6/24 in FBIS 6/25)

Fateh Cent. Comm. concludes meetings in Tunis. (VOP 6/24 in FBIS 6/25)

Arab delegations to peace talks hold coordinating meeting at Syrian mission in Washington, focusing on U.S. role as "full sponsor" and pressure on Israel to meet terms of reference. (JTV 5/24 in FBIS 5/25)

Lebanese delegation proposes partial Israeli withdrawal from "security zone" to test Lebanese government's ability to maintain security in south. Israeli negotiator Uri Lubrani rejects proposal, saying Israel "does not engage in experiments with the safety of its civilians." (Qol Yisra'el 6/25 in FBIS 6/25)

U.S. FBI arrests 8 in New York on suspicion of plotting assassinations and bombings of UN HQ, FBI building, and 2 Manhattan tunnels. (NYT, WP, 6/25)

U.S. House of Representatives passes 273-144 H.R. 2333, the "State Department, USIA, and Related Agencies Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995." Bill, passed on to Senate, includes $80m per year to Israel in FY 1994 and 1995 for refugee resettlement out of an annual $593.5m in global U.S. refugee aid. Bill passed despite $10b. in U.S. loan guarantees to Israel made in 1992 and against evidence Israel does not need such aid (see 6/9). (MEPARC 6/93; WP 8/3)

Pres. Clinton meets with King Hussein in Washington. (NYT, WP, WT 6/19)

U.S. appoints Edward Djerejian amb. to Israel, Dennis Ross special Middle East coordinator. Ross had previously been designated head of Washington Institute for Near East Policy, to replace Martin Indyk. (MM 6/21)

Palestinian-American arrested in Israel 1/25/93 on suspicion of distributing funds to Hamas pleads guilty, receives 6-month prison sentence, 5 months of which he has already served (see 1/31). (NYT 6/17)

On opening day of 10th round of talks, Palestinian and Israeli negotiators form working group to discuss joint declaration on o.t. self-rule. (NYT, WT 6/16)

Secy. of State Christopher, after meeting FM Peres in Geneva, offers U.S. security role on Golan Heights if Israel withdraws. (JP 6/15 in MM 6/16; WP 6/16)

Speaking in Qiryat Shemona, PM Rabin reiterates unwillingness for full withdrawal from Golan Heights, saying "We are prepared for a withdrawal on the Golan Heights to secure and recognized boundaries. We won't discuss the geographical scope of a withdrawal, however, until we receive a satisfactory response from our point of view of [Syria's] meaning of peace." (MM 6/16)

Chmn. Arafat meets Russian FM Kozyrev in Tunis, discusses peace process. (Algiers VOP 6/16 in FBIS 6/17)

Secy. of Defense Aspin tells AIPAC that "Israel has never been safer," speaks of "commitment" to "strengthen U.S.-Israeli strategic partnership." (MM 6/16)

PM Rabin, speaking to Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Comm., states, "I have made it known to Syria that I would not agree to withdraw from all of the Golan Heights even if Syria agrees to a full peace.... I will not leave security arrangements for the Golan in American hands." (MM 6/15)

PLO Exec. Comm. meets in Tunis to discuss delegation meetings with U.S. officials in Washington. (Tunisian Republic Radio 6/13 in FBIS 6/14)

Al-Shuruq reports that PNC speaker Shaykh 'Abd al-Hamid al-Sa'ih has withdrawn his resignation. (MENA 6/13 in FBIS 6/14)

Damascus Declaration FMs, meeting in Abu Dhabi, reiterate support for peace process and urge U.S. to act as full partner. (UAE Radio 6/13 in FBIS 6/14)

Egypt hangs lawyer convicted 5/92 of spying for Israel, 1st execution for espionage in many years. (al-Ahram 6/14 in MM 6/14)

PM Rabin holds lst-ever interview with o.t. newspaper al-Quds, says Israel would allow U.S. senators to monitor o.t. elections, East Jerusalemites would be allowed to vote (but not run). (al-Quds 6/10 in FBIS 6/11; MM 6/10; NYT 6/11)

SLA member killed in "security zone" bomb attack. SLA and IDF shell villages in southern Lebanon; 2 Hizballah members killed by IDF patrol. (Qol Yisra'el 6/11 in FBIS 6/11)

PM Rabin cited as favoring $10b in U.S. loan guarantees, approved in 1992, on political, not economic grounds. Washington Post quotes him as saying, "I came to the conclusion that the issue of guarantees had turned into a test of Israeli-US. relations." Report notes that Israeli economists and former govt. officials believe Israel no longer needs the U.S. money. Funds obtained through loan guarantees are being spent on infrastructure and building foreign currency reserves, not assisting Russian immigrants, report says (see 6/23). (WP 6/9)

FM Peres says Israel and Jordan have "agreed on all the items, practically," for a peace treaty; "what is missing . .. is a pen" (see 6/4). (NYT, WT 6/8)

Al-Hayat reports PLO has reduced monthly payments to o.t. from $1 1m to $1.6m; report coincides with visit to Abu Dhabi by PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud 'Abbas and Palestinian peace negotiator Faisal Husseini. (al-Hayat 6/7 in MM 6/7)

"Movement for Jewish Autonomy in Judaea, Samaria, and Gaza" issues a statement that it will resist IDF if it tries to evacuate settlements in the event of a peace treaty. (Ha'Aretz 6/7 in FBIS 6/8)

Kuwaiti FM Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah announces that Kuwait "and other Arab countries" have "absolved" themselves of the secondary boycott of Israel out of national interest (see 6/11, 7/20). (KUNA 6/7 in FBIS 6/8; NYT, WT 6/9)

Libyan pilgrims' spokesman Daw Salim al-Tajuri tells Cairo news conference decision to visit Jerusalem "personal," that delegation "does not represent any official party," and that trip does not constitute recognition of Israel. (MENA 6/3 in FBIS 6/4)

Libyan pilgrims leave, cutting short their visit by 1 day after being denounced by PLO, Hamas, Arab nations, and increasingly by their Israeli hosts. (NYT 6/3)

Jersualem Mayor Teddy Kollek, 82, announces he will seek another 5-year term. (NYT 6/3)

Israel announces an army intelligence officer has been imprisoned for 6 years after a secret trial convicted him of spying for an unidentified country. The officer, Maj. Yosi 'Amit, was sentenced to a 12-year term in 1986, the sentence upheld by the Israeli Supreme Court in 1989. (Qol Yisra'el 6/2 in FBIS 6/4; MM, WT 6/3; WP 6/4)

IDF rebuts 5/27 Amnesty International report, calls human rights org.'s conclusions "hasty." (MM 6/1)

Libyan pilgrims call on Muslims to "topple the Zionist leadership" and establish Jerusalem as capital of democratic Palestinian state. (WT 6/2)

King Fahd tells heads of pilgrimage delegations Saudi Arabia "will spare no effort in helping to achieve all-out peace" between Arabs and Israel. (SPA 6/1 in FBIS 6/2, MM 6/2)

Lebanese Pres. Ilyas al-Hirawi visits Msaileh, 1st visit to southern Lebanon since 11/89 election; visit coincides with tour of "security zone" by Israeli Lebanon coordinator Uri Lubrani. (MM 6/2)