The Palestine Chronology

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

Alleged Hamas mbr. Shadi Muslih 'Isa, 18, attacks Israeli police officer, civilian at Erez crossing point, Gaza Strip, and is shot dead. (MM 11/16)

16-yr.-old Palestinian student Rami Ghazzawi killed when IDF fires on youths stoning settler cars in al-Birah. 3 other students wounded. (MM 11/16)

Settlers in Hebron riot, overturning stalls at fruit and vegetable market and attacking Palestinian cars. (MM 11/16)

Israeli Justice M. David Libai, at Maale Ephraim settlement, warns settlers that no one could "take the law into his own hands," says govt. "will have to subdue any attempt to have influence by illegal means." IDF states it will act "firmly and aggressively" to stop settler assaults, will use "reasonable force." (MM 11/16; NYT 11/17)

PM Rabin tells Secy. of State Christopher 12/13 deadline for implementation of DoP may not be met. (MM 11/16, 11/17)

Israeli-Palestinian talks on implementation of Gaza-Jericho provisions of DoP resume in Cairo. Israeli delegation led by IDF Dep. Chief of Staff Amnon Shahak, Palestinian by PLO official Nabil Shaath. (Cairo TV 11/16 in FBIS 11/17)

Israel-PLO economic talks in Paris chaired by Fin. M. Avraham Shohat and PEDRA DG Ahmad Qurai' establish 3 subcomms. on trade and labor, taxation and banking, and currency. Subcomms. are to meet 11/23-25 in Paris, heads of delegations on 11/25. (Qol Yisra'el 11/16 in FBIS 11/17; MM 11/17)

Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) Gov. Muhammad al-Nabulsi says agreement reached with Palestinians to retain Jordanian dinar as o.t. currency, have CBJ supervise and monitor banking. (JTV 11/16 in FBIS 11/17)

Multilateral talks on Middle East environment end in Cairo with Israeli-Arab agreement on Gulf of Aqaba oil spills, dispute on Israeli nuclear waste, Jordan Valley land reclamation. Delegates fr. 40 countries, in 4th mtg., agree on 20 environmental projects. (MENA 11/16 in FBIS 11/17; MM 11/17)

Palestinian leaders in o.t., Jordan, "and elsewhere" submit memorandum to PLO Chmn. Arafat criticizing PLO performance, demanding reforms. (MM 11/17, al-Ray 11/18 in FBIS 11/18)

Knesset Golan caucus considers bill fr. Likud and NRP mbrs. to amend law annexing Golan to require majority of 80 MKs for any change in law. Labor mbrs. of caucus express sympathy with bill, which given current Knesset divisions would effectively bar negotiations with Syria. (MM 11/17)

Syrian VP Khaddam tells foreign correspondents PLO Chmn. Arafat "fell into a big trap" in signing DoP, notes "There are 4 million Palestinian refugees living outside the territories covered by the 'Gaza-Jericho First' agreement." Khaddam claims Arafat "abandoned coordination with the Arab parties," states "I believe the majority of the Palestinian people do not support the agreement." (MM 11/16; SARR 11/16 in FBIS 11/17)

Hizballah offensive on IDF and SLA; Katyusha barrages fired in "security zone," assaults on 2 IDF, 6 SLA posts. 12 SLA mbrs. taken prisoner, at least 2 IDF soldiers and 2 SLA mbrs. wounded. 1 Hizballah mbr. killed in attack. IAF bombs 3 Hizballah bases nr. Ba'labakk, knocks out radio antenna. "Black September 13 Brigades," Fateh group opposed to DoP, claims responsibility for katyusha barrage on Qiryat Shemona. (MM 11/16, 11/17; IDF Radio, AFP 11/16 in FBIS 11/17)

Turkish FM Hikmet Cetin, in interview with JP, says Syria behind Kurdish attacks in Turkey, Israel and Turkey should cooperate on counter-terrorism. (MM 11/16)

Israel Archaeologists Society calls for end to govt. Antiquities Authority search for scrolls in West Bank ("Operation Scroll"), saying search aims at denying Palestinian scholars access to materials and will complicate future Israeli cooperation with Palestinians and Jordan. (WT 11/17)

Palestinian-Israeli talks on implementation of 9/13 agreement resume at undisclosed location in Cairo. Talks had been in hiatus since PLO walkout 11/2 over Israeli withdrawal proposals. (NYT 11/9)

Multilateral working group on regional economic cooperation opens 2-day meeting in Copenhagen. Meeting comes up with "Copenhagen Action Plan" for 35 ventures in 10 different economic areas. (MM 11/11)

Israeli settlers in West Bank and Gaza Strip block roads at 49 locations in protest of 11/7 attack on Rabbi Haim Druckman. Palestinian and his son shot and wounded near Tapuah settlement in Nablus area; "Committee for Security on the Roads" claims responsibility. Palestinian leader Faisal Husseini denounces settler violence, demands IDF "take full responsibility for the settlers," international buffer force. Israeli PM Rabin calls on settlers to "stop the avenging rioters and disturbers of the peace, in order to prevent deterioration and disorder that will harm us." (NYT, WT 11/9)

PLO Chmn. Arafat meets EC FMs in Brussels on trip to gain economic support for o.t. Visit coincides with reported resignation of Yusuf Sayegh fr. Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Construction. (MM 11/8)

Spain's King Juan Carlos arrives in Tel Aviv for 1st visit by a Western monarch to Israel. (MM 11/8)

Undercover IDF unit kills fugitive Palestinian in Gaza Strip. PLO sources identify him as Nael Reefi, 24, mbr. of "Fateh Hawks" group. Witnesses say he dropped his weapon and shouted "I surrender" before being shot. In separate incident, mbr. of Islamic Jihad killed in clash with soldiers while crossing fence separating Israel from Gaza Strip. (MM, WP, WT 10/6)

Syrian FM al-Shara' meets in Washington with Secy. of State Christopher in 1st visit to U.S. by such a senior Syrian official in 2 decades. Al-Shara' relays proposal fr. Syrian Pres. al-Asad for meeting with U.S. Pres. Clinton in effort to break deadlock in Syrian-Israeli talks. Al-Shara' says such a meeting "would help very much the peace process." Christopher declines to comment on proposal. (NYT, WP 10/6)

Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan, speaking to UNGA, says Jordan cannot accept portions of PLO-Israel accord dealing with water, energy, security, and refugees, stating, "Some issues cannot be addressed by any two parties to the exclusion of others. The questions of regional security, water, and above all the refugees, cannot be resolved without direct reference to the neighboring states." (CSM 10/13)

Clinton administration recommends to Congress that $437 m. be cut fr. the $2 b. in U.S. loan guarantees to Israel in FY 1994. Cut is dollar-for-dollar penalty for Israeli spending on settlements in o.t. (NYT, WP 10/6)

World Bank VP Caio Koch-Weser, in briefing to Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Qutlines plan for assistance to Palestinian entity. Major priorities of scheme include building infrastructure, upgrading tax system, and strengthening public administration. Estimated costs of project are $300 m. per year for 5 years plus $125 m. in relief funds. World Bank is to send 40 experts to Tunis for consultations with PLO before survey of conditions on ground in o.t. (WT 10/6)

PM Rabin issues statement after cabinet meeting saying Palestinian self-government may be instituted in Gaza upon reaching an agreement in principle. (IDF Radio 5/23 in FBIS 5/24; MM 5/24)

ICRC pres. meets with PM Rabin, charges Israel with violations of Fourth Geneva Convention in o.t., says use of live ammunition by IDF "serious problem," particularly against children. (Qol Yisra'el 5/23 in FBIS 5/24; MM 5/24)

Israeli cabinet approves providing 20,000 menial jobs for Palestinians from the o.t. over next few months, in addition to 10,000 jobs in infrastructure created since o.t. closed. (MM 5/24)

U.S. presents 2-page draft joint statement of principles on self-rule to Israeli and Palestinian delegations. Palestinians criticize U.S. for consulting Israel before presenting them with the draft, do not attend informal trilateral meeting to accept the document. (MM 5/13; IDF Radio, MENA, Qol Yisra'el 5/13 in FBIS 5/13; NYT 5/14)

Israelis and Palestinians agree to put family reunification at top of agenda during 2-day multilateral meeting on refugees in Oslo. (MM 5/13)

IDF shoots dead 2 Palestinians, 1 of them handicapped since being wounded early in intifada, in Gaza Strip. Two Palestinians stab, seriously wound 2 IDF soldiers in Nablus. (MM 5/12, 5/13)

Lebanon orders daily al-Safir closed for 1 week for printing the Israeli proposal in its 5/11 edition (see 5/4). (MM 5/12; VOL 5/12 in FBIS 5/12)

Hizballah kills 2 SLA militiamen istring of clashes inside "security zone." Israel unleashes up to 300 shells on Lebanese villages. (AFP, VOL, VOO 5/12 in FBIS 5/12)

U.S. State Dept. announces plans to fund $14m o.t. job-creation program. (MM, WT 5/5; WP 5/6)

At econ. devt. multilateral meeting in Rome, Palestinian delegate Samir Hulayleh says World Bank is studying a $ lb. o.t. aid package, to be implemented as part of autonomy agreement. (MM 5/4, 5/5; Ha'Aretz 5/5 in FBIS 5/6)

Israel presents Palestinians with proposal for mutual water usage, which head delegate Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi terms "an encouraging opening." (MM 5/5)

Four Nablus notables close to Fateh meet with Israeli Police Min. Moshe Shahal to discuss o.t. police force, recommend Jordanian-based Palestine Liberation Army for the job. (IDF Radio 5/4, Hadashot 5/5 in FBIS 5/5)

Israel presents Lebanon with first-ever proposal linking withdrawal according to UNSCR 425 with a peace treaty. Political powers are proposed for the joint military workingroup (a long-standing Israeli request). (MM 5/5; Davar 5/12 in FBIS 5/12; al-Safir 5/11 in FBIS 5/17)

UNLU calls on Palestinians to seal off o.t. from Israelis and settlers in retaliation for the unilateral cosure, in call no. 95. (Al Hamishmar 5/5 in FBIS 5/6)

DFLP chief Nayif Hawatima and Pres. Saddam Hussein meet in Baghdad, discuss opposition to Arab-Israeli peace talks. (RMC 5/5 in FBIS 5/6; Sawt al-Sha'b 5/9 in FBIS 5/10)

IDF shoots 3 Palestinians dead, wounds over 40, in the Gaza Strip. (MM 5/4; NYT, WP 5/5)

Israel, SLA shell Lebanese villages. (RFL, VOM 5/4 in FBIS 5/4)

In the working group on self-rule, Palestinian delegation proposes to discuss formnulation of joint statement of principles on the substance of self-rule. (Qol Yisra'el 5/3 in FBIS 5/4)

Palestinians celebrate the return of another 14 post-1967 deportees, among them former Jerusalem mayor Ruhi al-Khatib (see 4/30). (MM, NYT 5/4; Qol Yisra'el 5/3 in FBIS 5/4)

Some 15,000 Russian immigrants outside Knesset protest absorption conditions. (ITV 5/4 in FBIS 5/5)

Israeli Border Police open fire on car running a roadblock, killing all 4 "wanted" Palestinian men inside, in the Gaza Strip. (Qol Yisra'el 5/4 in FBIS 5/6; NYT 5/5)

IDF kills 2 Hizballah gunmen in clash inside "security zone." (RFL 5/4 in FBIS 5/4)

FMs of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and the PLO end 2-day meeting in Damascus, delay decision on resuming talks with Israel 4/20 in their final statement. (Radio Lebanon 3/29 in FBIS 3/30; NYT, WP 3/30)

Hanan Ashrawi says Palestinians rejected 3/26 U.S. offers, adds that such assurances are basic rights, "not issues for blackmail, negotiations, or pressure." (MM 3/30)

PLO amb. in Cairo Said Kamal says Pres. Asad and Chmn. Arafat have entrusted Pres. Mubarak to negotiate a solution to the deportees and raise new peace talks ideas during his 4/6 talks with Pres. Clinton in Washington. (MM 3/29)

Jordanian PM Sharif Bin-Shakir tells MPs that his govt. does not accept Israeli-Jordanian draft agenda negotiated by the respective delegations and publicized 10/27/92. It is missing some key points, particularly on Jerusalem. (MM 3/30)

IDF shoots 1 Palestinian dead in Jalazun camp, West Bank. Palestinian worker kills settler near Khan Yunis. Settlers burn down mosque in Gaza Strip. (IDF Radio 3/29 in FBIS 3/30; Qol Yisra'el 3/30 in FBIS 3/31; WP 3/30)

Hamas Amman rep. Muhammad Nazzal denies PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud Abbas's 3/13 statement that Hamas position on Palestinian state in o.t. is a retreat; position has been consistent since 1988. (al-Sharq al-Awsat 3/15 in FBIS 3/17)

Israeli Env. Min. Yossi Sarid calls for PLO-led Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip. (IDF Radio, Qol Yisra'el 3/14 in FBIS 3/15)

Israeli National Police Commissioner Yaacov Temer calls on Israelis to carry handguns for self-defense, to increase public security. Police Min. Moshe Shahal criticizes the appeal. (Qol Yisra'el 3/14 in FBIS 3/15; WP 3/15)

King Hussein meets with PLO Exec. Comm. mbrs. Faruq al-Qaddumi and Mahmud Abbas, in course of 2 days of Jordanian-Palestinian meetings. FM Kamil Abu Jaber says the deportees issue "should be resolved" by 4/20. (JTV 3/14 in FBIS 3/15; MM 3/15)

Secy. of State Christopher meets in Israel with PM Rabin, FM Peres, then with Palestinians led by Faisal Husseini, who tell him that all deportees must be returned for talks to resume. Palestinians read the secy. a letter from Chmn. Arafat, present 5-point memo assessing peace process. (NYT 2/24; Sanaa VOP 2/25 in FBIS 2/26)

Some 7,000 march against territorial compromise on the Golan Heights in Jerusalem. (MM 2/24)

Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies (Tel Aviv U.) publishes poll of non-settler, non-kibbutz mbr. Israeli Jewish pop. showing 58% believe the Arabs want peace, 95% of Israelis want peace; 29% favor Palestinian autonomy, 20% favor returning o.t. to Jordan; favor of a Palestinian state, annexation, and annexation with transfer each garnered 13%. 46% refuse to give back any of the Golan Heights, 33% would give back a small part. 75% believe military action can stop the intifada and terrorism, 60% feel the govt. has been too soft on this. (Davar 2/23 in FBIS 2/25)

Police Min. Moshe Shahal has set up team of jurists to work out a plan for o.t. police force to operate under the autonomy, one which will be a "clear expression of Palestinian self-rule." Historical models include British-French policing of the Hebrides. (Davar 2/23 in FBIS 2/26)

Israeli National Planning and Building Council subcomms. approve plan to build school for handicapped children in East Jerusalem, ending former Housing Min. Ariel Sharon's plan to build 200 Jewish housing units on the site. (Qol Yisra'el 2/26 in FBIS 2/26)

IDF shoots dead UN nurse watching demonstrations from his roof in Rafah, Gaza Strip-50th Palestinian killed by IDF since 12/17/92. (WT 2/24)

U.S. House Republican Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare releases "The New Islamist International," a report asserting Iranian backing of attacks on UN and Muslims in Bosnia while throwing blame on the Serbs, as well as other actions of intl. radical Islamist agenda. Report follows up similar 10/3/92 report. (WJW 4/22)

Knesset votes 39-20 to revise 1986 law to legalize contacts with all factions of the PLO. (MM 1/13, 1/19; NYT, WP 1/20)

U.S. State Dept. releases its annual human rights report, noting 62% rise in IDF killings of Palestinians during 1991. (MM 1/20)

Pres.-elect Clinton transition team announces Edward Djerejian will retain his post as Asst. Secy. of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs; Dennis Ross, of Policy Planning, will become a consultant to the State Dept. on the peace process; Martin Indyk, exec. dir. of AIPAC-affiliated Washington Institute for Near East Policy, will become chief advisor on Arab-Israeli issues at the Nat'l. Security Council. (NYT 1/19)

Settlers open fire on Palestinian youths stoning their car, killing a 12-year-old boy, in Gaza City. Since 1/14, 5 Palestinians under the age of 15 have been killed in the Gaza Strip. (MM 1/19)

Kyrgyzstan's Pres. Askar Akayev, during a visit to Jerusalem, calls for "independence for the Palestinians." He is the 1st Muslim head of state to visit Jerusalem since Anwar Sadat. (MM 1/20)