The Palestine Chronology

PM Rabin, FM Peres, Arafat end 4 days of talks in Stockholm on elections, Israeli security. Rabin tells Arafat to choose btwn. early elections, no redeployment or protracted negotiations on both issues, delaying elections for 1 yr.; Arafat rejects both. Israel says it no longer rejects Hamas mbrs. participation in elections, only al-Qassam Brigade mbrs. (QY 12/11 in FBIS 12/12; CSM, MM 12/12; CSM, WT 12/13; HA 12/14 in FBIS 12/16; MEI 12/16; JP 12/16 in FBIS 12/19; JP 12/24)

Israeli Atty. Gen. orders Finance M to withhold transfer of Israeli funds to PA until law on implementation of Gaza-Jericho agmt. is enacted. PM Rabin fears delay may affect continuation of talks because large sums are involved. (QY 12/13 in FBIS 12/12) (see 11/23)

Joint Jordanian-Israeli transportation comm. meets at Dead Sea Hotel to discuss investment projects. (RJ 12/12 in FBIS 12/13; RJ 12/13 in FBIS 12/14)

Representatives fr. Israel, Jordan, Egypt, PA meet in Aqaba to discuss linking electricity grids. (JTV 12/12 in FBIS 12/13)

Israeli-Palestinian Center for Research and Information opens 2-day conference on environment in Jerusalem, attended by Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, Egyptian representatives. Parties announce establishment of joint Eco-Peace Task Force to monitor effects of increased development on environment. (JP 12/13 in FBIS 12/13)

PA calls on Mubarak to pressure Libya to let into the country 200 Palestinians stranded on Egyptian, Tunisian borders. 2 children have already died awaiting entry. (ITV 12/12 in FBIS 12/13; VOP 12/13 in FBIS 12/14) (see 12/11)

PA refuses Israeli request to extradite 2 Palestinian policemen who killed settler; says murder occurred before DOP was signed. (AFP 12/12 in FBIS 12/13; QY 1/1 in FBIS 1/4; WJW 1/5)

Israel hands over responsibility for tourism, social services in West Bank to PNA. Tourism dept. has no control over religious, archeological sites outside Jericho; can only issue licenses to hotels, tour guides, supervise souvenir shops. Soc. services dept. can issue welfare checks, run rehab. programs, treatment centers, but IDF will prevent transfer of money to Islamist groups. (MM 11/15; QY 11/15 in FBIS 11/16; NYT 11/16)

Israeli FMin. Dir. Gen. Uri Savir says mtg. was held recently at undisclosed location btwn. Israeli, Lebanese officials to discuss curbing Hizballah, Islamic Jihad. (MM 11/16)

PNA requests gas, electricity links with Egypt, opening of Rafah border point to Egyptian goods in hopes of breaking Palestinian dependence on Israel. (MENA 11/15 in FBIS 11/16)

Israeli-Jordanian committees on security, tourism convene to discuss implementation of peace agmt. (QY, RJ 11/15 in FBIS 11/16)

PLO Exec. Comm. is canceled after 10 of 18 mbrs. fail to show. (RMC 11/15, QY 11/16 in FBIS 11/16; AFP, QY, VOP 11/16 in FBIS 11/17; MM 11/17)

PM Rabin accuses Chmn. Arafat of doing little to prevent attacks on Israelis, says Israel-PLO accord may collapse, adds that arrest of 180 Islamic Jihad mbrs. is not enough of a reaction to bombing 11/11. (WT 11/16)

Turkish PM Tansu Ciller ends 3-day visit to Israel; meets with Arafat in Gaza City, pledges $50 m. to autonomous areas; causes conflict with Israelis by holding mtg. with PLO's Faisal Husseini at Orient House in East Jerusalem. (MM 11/4; WT 11/5, 11/6; QY, RMC, VOP 11/6 in FBIS 11/7; MM 11/7; MM 11/8; JP 11/12)

Syrian Pres. al-Asad, Lebanese Pres. Hrawi meet in Damascus to discuss Israeli PM Rabin's 11/1 remarks on southern Lebanon. (SARR 11/5 in FBIS 11/7; JP 11/12)

Israeli Dep. DM Gur says Israel will consider direct talks with Lebanon on phased pullout fr. southern Lebanon if Lebanese present viable plan ensuring total cessation of violence. (JP 11/12)

PNA announces Egypt will open representative office in Gaza, consulate in Jericho; Arafat names Zuhdi al-Qidrah as PNA representative to Cairo. (MENA 11/5 in FBIS 11/7)

Israeli study shows Fateh has not made any lethal attacks on Israelis since autonomy agmt. was signed in May. (QY 11/6 in FBIS 11/8; WT 11/8)

Jericho Mayor Khalaf steps down, turns over power to transitional municipal comm. (VOP 8/28 in FBIS 8/29; WP 8/29) (see 8/25)

Jordanian-Israeli technical comms. meet to discuss borders, water. US-Israeli-Jordanian trilateral grp. convenes to discuss development of Jordan Rift Valley. (RJ 8/28 in FBIS 8/29)

IDF prevents Pakistani Amb. to Egypt and delegation from entering Gaza to prepare for PM Bhutto's visit. (QY 8/29 in FBIS 8/29; NYT 8/30)

Al-Nahar newspaper announces it will close down indefinitely after being barred fr. distribution in Palestinian self-rule areas.  (WT 8/1)

PNA announces it will send 5-mbr. delegation under Faisal Husseini to Jordan to discuss strains in relations caused by Washington Declaration.  (Jericho VOP 7/31 in FBIS 8/1; NYT 8/2)

PM Rabin, Egyptian Pres. Mubarak meet at Taba, Sinai.  Rabin says Israel understands there are "certain requirements" for peace with Syria, asks for gestures fr. Damascus.  (MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/1)

Pro-Iran Lebanese militants pledge to "bombard" northern Israel if Israel carries out threat of "painful response" to recent bombings.  UN sources say 5% of southern Lebanon's 300,000 inhabitants have fled.  (WT 8/1)

Israel lifts ban on entry of PNA officials into Gaza, Jericho after 4 Palestinians it holds responsible for 1974 Maalot massacre return to Egypt.  Due to enter are Yasir `Abd-Rabbuh, Ahmad Qurai`.  (MM 7/14)

PLO Chmn. Arafat, U.S. AID Administrator J. Brian Atwood cut ribbon on U.S.-funded $6.9 m. apt. complex in Jabaliya r.c., Gaza Strip, marking start of international aid to Palestinian self-rule areas.  Atwood also tours U.S.-funded sewage, urban-renewal projects.  (MM 7/14; WP, WT 7/15)

Association of Israeli-Palestinian Physicians for Human Rights petitions PM Rabin to allow ICRC access to Khiyam prison in southern Lebanon's "security zone."  (MM 7/14)

Israeli FM Peres tells United Kibbutz Movement "Israel recognized Syrian sovereignty over the Golan Heights,"  saying an agreement with Syria would entail withdrawal to international border, demilitarization of Golan, and unrestricted flow of Jordan River.  (Qol Yisra'el 7/14 in FBIS 7/14; MM 7/14, 7/15)

Israel expels fr. Gaza 4 frmr. PLO guerrillas, including 2 linked to 1974 Maalot massacre, for past attacks on Israelis.  Officials charge PLO Chmn. Arafat tried to infiltrate them with his 13-mbr. entourage 7/12.  A 5th is sought; Israel bars entry of further PNA officials until he is found.  Israel closes Gaza-Egypt, West Bank-Jordan crossings; Gaza-Israel, Jericho-Israel crossings remain open.  (MM 7/13; CSM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/14; TJT 7/15)

PLO, ICRC sign memorandum of understanding on ICRC role in Palestinian self-rule areas.  MOU, signed by PLO Political Dept. head Faruq al-Qaddumi and ICRC Pres. Cornelio Sommaruga, permits ICRC to visit prisoners held by Palestinian police.  (ICRC release 7/13; MM 7/14)

Multilateral talks steering comm. completes 6th mtg. in Tabarka, Tunisia.  (Jordan TV 7/14 in FBIS 7/15)

Federal District Court in NY sentences Jordanian Bilal Alkaisi, 5th and final defendant in 2/93 World Trade Center bombing, to 20 mos.' imprisonment for lying to immigration officials.  (NYT 7/14)

Arafat arrives in Jericho fr. Gaza on Egyptian helicopter that overflies Israel.  Palestine National Authority, including Arafat and 12 cabinet members, sworn in, holds 1st official mtg.  Arafat pledges establishment of Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital.  1 PNA appointee, Labor Min.-designate Samir Ghawsha, not sworn in due to Israeli objections.  Crowd estimated at 5-10,000.  Israel denies barring Palestinians fr. Jericho.  (MM 7/5; Israeli Govt. Press Office release 7/5 in FBIS 7/6; CSM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/6; TJT 7/8)

Nazareth Mayor and Hadash MK Tawfiq Ziyad killed in car crash while returning fr. mtg. Arafat in Jericho.  (MM 7/6; TJT, WP 7/8; JP 7/16)

Palestinian prisoner held by PLO police in Gaza Central Prison on suspicion of collaboration with Israel dies in custody after being beaten.  (NYT 7/10; CSM 7/11)

Israel and Morocco establish official direct telephone link.  (Qol Yisra'el 7/5 in FBIS 7/6)

Palestinian police take over Dayr alBalah town and al-Maghazi police station in Gaza Strip. Police cmdr. Maj. Gen. Nasr Yusuf says priority of Gaza force will be disarming Palestinian civilians. 2d group of 150 officers later crosses into Gaza fr. Egypt. (MM 5/11; NYT, WP, WT 5/12)

PLO police cmndrs. tour Jericho with IDF officers to prepare for next day's initial deployrnent. IDF closes Jericho to journalists, fires rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrating Palestinians. (NYT 5/12)

Knesset approves Gaza-Jericho agreement by vote of 52-0 after stormy debate in which 2 Likud MKs ejected fr. chamber for interrupting FM Peres. (MM 5/11; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/12)

Israeli. govt. agrees to guarantee Gaza municipality's $12 m. debt to Israel's electric company. Power authority had threatened to cut off Gaza's power. (CSM 5/11; MM, WP 5/12)

Asst. Secy of State Robert Pelletreau, in Bahrain, says U.S. has pledged $500 m. to Palestinian National Authority and is providing Palestinian police with vehicles. Later in Kuwait, reasserts U.S. opposition to Arab boycott of Israel and says he is "satisfied" with Gulf response to his efforts on boycott. (MM 5/11, 5/12)

157 Palestinian police cross into Gaza Strip fr. Egypt at Rafah crossing, greeted by 1,000s of Gaza residents. IDF uses water cannon, rubber bullets to restrain crowds. PLO and Israeli officials meet in Jericho to discuss entrance of police, transfer of power. Israeli National Parks Authority instructed to turn over 3 Jericho archaeological sites to Palestinians, including Hisham Palace and Shalom Al Yisrael synagogue. (MM 5/10; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 5/11)

PLO, Jordan open economic talks in Amman to reconcile 1/7 PLO-Jordan "letter of intent" with 4/29 Israel-PLO economic protocol. PLO delegation led by Ahmad Qurai'. (MM 5/10)

Gunmen attack settler bus nr. Beit El settlement, West Bank, wounding 3. (WT 5/11)

IAF fires rockets on PFLP-GC bases nr. Naamah, Lebanon. Lebanese police say at least 2 killed, 8 wounded. (MM 5/10; NYT, WT 5/11)

PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli PM Rabin sign 186-page Gaza-Jericho self-rule accord after 6-hr. negotiating session. Cairo ceremony presided over by Egyptian Pres. Husni Mubarak; 2,500 attendees include Secy. of State Christopher, Russian FM Andrei Kozyrev, Norwegian FM Bjorn Tore Godal, FMs of Japan, South Korea, Morocco, and Jordan. Arafat balks at signing maps accompanying accord, saying size of Jericho area not agreed upon, and ceremony stops for 35 minutes until Arafat reassured issue subject to further negotiation. Arafat asks for 3-week delay in withdrawal to allow PLO to prepare for taking power. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/4, 5/5; CSM 5/5)

Simultaneous with signing, Israel permits return of 15 Palestinian exiles, releases over 200 Palestinian prisoners, and allows entry into Gaza of 19 PLO police cmndrs. (MM 5/4; NYT, WP, WT 5/5)

Settlers attempt to occupy Shalom Al Yisrael synagogue in Jericho, staging prayer vigil. IDF remove settlers, detains 400 at Jericho base. Palestinian celebration in Jericho broken up by IDF with tear gas, percussion grenades. PLO officials arriving in Jericho in IDF jeeps stoned by local youths. (MM 5/4;NYT, WT 5/5; NYT 5/6)

Hamas spokesman Ibrahim Ghawsha says group will not use force against Palestinian supporters of Gaza-Jericho agreement, but says Palestinian police should not try to stop attacks by opposition factions on settlers, IDF. (MM 5/4)

DFLP head Nayif Hawatmah, PFLP chief George Habash issue statements rejecting Gaza-Jericho accord, calling for continued resistance to occupation and new elections to PNC. (MM 5/4)

PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli PM Rabin meet in Cairo for final negotiations on Gaza-Jericho self-rule agreement. Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa mediates. (NYT, WP, WT 5/4)

Qatari FM Shaykh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabr al-Thani, in opening remarks to 5th round of multilateral Middle East peace talks on arms control in Doha attended by 43 countries, rules out normal diplomatic or economic relations with Israel pending comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace. (WT 5/4)

Rabbinical Conference of the Religious Zionist Rabbis Association issues halachic ruling saying Israeli govt. "not empowered by Jewish law, tradition or heritage to relinquish the rights of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel," calling Gaza-Jericho agreement "not recognized as binding." (MM 5/4)

23 Palestinians expelled by Israel for resistance activities return to Gaza Strip fr. Egypt via Rafah crossing, 27 others to West Bank at Allenby Bridge. (NYT, WP, WT 4/6)

9 Palestinians wounded by IDF in clashes as Israelis continue evacuation of Jericho, Gaza IDF HQs. 3 of the wounded are in Jericho. (WT 4/6)

Danish, Italian, and Norwegian officials go to Israel from Cairo to discuss role of Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) contingents. (MM 4/5)

Pres. al-Asad holds 3d mtg. with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo, returns to Syria. (MM 4/5)

PLO-Israel security comm. resumes talks in Cairo to settle details of Gaza-Jericho autonomy plan.  Civilian affairs comm. also expected to resume sessions.  (MENA 2/21 in FBIS 2/22; CSM 2/23)

UN holds talks in Geneva with France, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom on training Palestinian police force.  (MM 2/24)

FM Peres, speaking to Knesset Economics Comm. names Egypt, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, and Tunisia as Arab countries working to end Arab boycott of Israel.  Peres observes "the Arab boycott is the Arab world's problem, no less than ours."  (MM 2/21; Qol Yisra`el 2/21 in FBIS 2/24)

Syrian Interior M Muhammad Harba, speaking to Damascus conference on drug trafficking, says Syria rejects Israeli proposal for secret negotiations, calls Israeli proposal for referendum on Golan Heights an obstacle to peace.  (MM 2/21)

Settlers block West Bank roads with rocks, burning tires in continuing protests over killing of Zipporah Sasson.  Blockade coincides with "rush hour" of Palestinians going to work in Israel.  IDF prevents clashes by turning away Palestinian cars before they reach settler roadblocks.  Ballistics tests reportedly link weapon in Sasson killing to killing of Shin Bet officer previous week and 4 Israelis in 12/93.  (MM 2/21; CSM 2/22)

Lawyer for imprisoned Hamas leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin says his client's "life is under threat," but Israeli Prisons Authority spokesman says "there is no deterioration" in Yasin's condition.  Yasin is serving 15-yr. sentence in prison nr. Netanya for ordering killings of collaborators.  (MM 2/21)

Hamas issues leaflet warning Druze, Bedouin citizens of Israel to leave IDF "which has killed the sons of your people."  Hamas claims IDF replacing Jewish units in Gaza with Druze- and Bedouin-manned units.  (MM 2/21)

Israel-PLO Civilian Affairs Comm., mtg. in Taba, postpones work to 1/31, awaiting results of Arafat-Peres mtg. Gaza-Jericho talks resume in Cairo under PLO official Nabil Shaath, Israeli FMin. DG Uri Savir. (MENA 1/25 in FBIS 1/25, 1/26)

PLO and Egypt sign 5-yr. economic and technical cooperation agreement giving each side most-favored-nation status, supporting local industry, and exploring joint projects, including free zone at Rafah. (MM 1/25)

Molodet figure Shaul Gutman announces formation of breakaway body, called "Peace Guard," to pursue platform of "transfer." (Qol Yisra'el 1/25 in FBIS 1/25)

PLO-Israel talks resume in Taba, Egypt. Israeli delegation led by IDF Maj. Gen. Amnon Shahak, PLO by Nabil Shaath. Shaath estimates 3 weeks required for sides to reach Gaza-Jericho withdrawal agreement (MENA 1/10 in FBIS 1/10; NYT, WT 1/10; CSM, WP 1/11)

"Kahane Chai" mbrs. assault U.S. journalist Robert Friedman, visiting West Bank settlement of Tapuah. Group holds Friedman responsible for "witch hunt" against late Rabbi Meir Kahane, murdered in New York in 1990. (WP 1/11; WT 1/12)

3 U.S. congressional staffers tour villages nr. Sultan Ya'qub, Lebanon, in search for evidence of IDF soldiers missing since 1986. (RL, VOL 1/10 in FBIS 1/10; WT 1/11)

U.S.-Israel Joint Political-Military Group begins 20th session of talks on U.S.-Israel strategic cooperation with mtg. of military affairs. subcomm. Plenum, chaired by Israeli DMin. DG David Ivry and U.S. Asst. Secy. of State Robert Galluci, to meet 1/12. (MM 1/10)

"Damascus Declaration" countries (GCC states, Egypt, Syria) issue statement on upcoming Clinton-al-Asad summit "affirming their strong backing for Pres. Asad." (MM 1/10)