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)

Round of Israeli-Palestinian self-rule negotiations scheduled for today is postponed to 11/6 because of timing conflict with Casablanca conference. (RE 10/31 in FBIS 10/31)

Responding to Lebanese Pres. Hrawi's 10/29 statement, PM Rabin says Israel will not promise to withdraw fr. Lebanon to get stalled peace talks moving. (IDF Radio 10/31 in FBIS 10/31; AFP 10/31 in FBIS 11/1; MM, WP 11/1; MM 11/2; WJW 11/3)

Palestinian police take up posts at Rafah crossing point to Egypt. (MM 10/31; VOP 10/31 in FBIS 11/1; WT 11/2)

Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty is signed on Israel-Jordan border by PM Rabin, King Hussein. Agmt. removes trade sanctions, opens border btwn. the countries, gives Jordan special rights to holy cities in Jerusalem. Clinton attends, but neither Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, Arafat are invited. PLO factions, Hamas order general strike in Israeli o.t., autonomous areas to protest signing. (MM 10/26; VOP 10/26 in FBIS 10/26; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/27; JP 11/5)

Pres. Clinton addresses joint session of Jordanian parliament; outlines Middle East economic plan; says U.S. will help establish a Middle East Development Bank, provide $75 m. for new private investment in Jordan. (MM 10/27)

Multilaterals on environment end. Mbrs. agree on "Codes of good conduct and cooperation," need to prevent industrial pollution and toxic dumping, creation of regional environmental protection center in Manama. Gulf states refuse to work with Israel on Aqaba cleanup project. (AFP 10/26 in FBIS 10/27)

Hizballah shells Israeli positions in southern Lebanon. IDF, SLA respond, shelling Hizballah camps. No damage reported. (QY 10/26 in FBIS 10/26; NYT, WP, WT 10/27; JP 11/5)

PM Rabin asks Arafat to tell Hamas Israel is willing release movement's spiritual leader, Shaykh Yasin, in exchange for kidnapped IDF soldier. Hamas gives no definitive response. (QY 10/14 in FBIS 10/17; JP, WT 10/15)

U.S. Secy. of State Christopher arrives in Damascus fr. Kuwait for 2 days of talks with Pres. al-Asad. (SARR 10/13 in FBIS 10/14)

Senior Hamas official, Ibrahim al-Yazuri, says kidnappers of IDF soldier are acting without approval from leadership, Izzeddin al-Qassam brigades "belong to Hamas but operate alone. No one gives them instructions . . . ." (HA 10/13 in FBIS 10/14)

Hamas delegation meets with Lebanese Chamber of Deps. Speaker Nabih Birri to discuss Palestinian-Israeli peace process, Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. (RL 10/13 in FBIS 10/14)

Arafat recalls PSF head Col. Rajub fr. Egypt to help deal with Hamas, kidnapping. (QY 10/13 in FBIS 10/14)

U.S. envoy Dennis Ross arrives in Jerusalem, talks with PM Peres and FM Rabin, says "real gaps" remain btwn. Israeli, Syrian positions. Later meets with Arafat, discusses aid, elections. (MM 9/21; WT 9/22; VOP 9/22 in FBIS 9/22)

PLO Pol. Dept. head Faruq al-Qaddumi, Jordanian PM al-Majali meet in Jordan, agree to resume PLO-Jordanian contacts at the "ministerial level" before end of the month. (JT 9/24 in FBIS 9/26)

Al-Qaddumi vows to fight new U.S. position in UN, strengthen language of resolutions presented. Egypt, Jordan say they will also oppose U.S. moves. (Reuters 9/21; RJ 9/26 in FBIS 9/26)

Israeli PM Rabin holds consultations on Palestinian elections with FM Peres, MK Shahal, MK Sarid, Chief of Staff Barak, IDF, police officials. Rabin, Barak want negotiations on elections only, talks on extending autonomy later. Peres, others say there is no choice but to discuss all issues simultaneously. (ITV, QY 9/21 in FBIS 9/22)

Jordan's Crown Prince Hasan, Likud head Binyamin Netanyahu meet in London, discuss Jordanian, Likud views on negotiations. Netanyahu suggest Jordan, Israel reach a "strategic consensus" opposing PLO; Hassan gives no reaction. (JTV 9/21 in FBIS 9/22; MM 9/22; JP 10/1)

Arafat meets with Hamas mbrs. inc. spokesmen Mahmud al-Zahhar, Isma'il Haniyah; discusses ways to enhance national unity, safeguard security in autonomous areas; releases 3 Hamas mbrs. detained after shooting 9/17. (VOP 9/22 in FBIS 9/22; AFP 9/22 in FBIS 9/23)

IDF imposes curfew on village of Biddu nr. Ramallah after riot sparked by death 9/18 of Palestinian by IDF at roadblock. (QY 9/21 in FBIS 9/21)

Arafat approves license of pro-Islamist daily newspaper, Al-Istiqlal to be run by `Ala' al-Saftawi, `Adnan `Abu-Hasnah. (VOP 9/21 in FBIS 9/22)

Israeli border police arrests 7 Palestinian policemen for being in Jerusalem area without permits. (ITV 9/21 in FBIS 9/22)

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)

Arafat, Rabin end 2 days of mtgs. in Paris, both sides agreeing to continue talks on expanding Palestinian self-rule.  Talks to resume 7/11 in Cairo.  2 sides plus Jordan and Egypt to organize conference on 1967 refugees.  Arafat pledges to convene PNC in Gaza "in the very near future" to repeal PLO charter provisions calling for Israel's elimination.  (MM 7/7; CSM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/8)

17-yr.-old Israeli girl killed, father wounded by Palestinian gunmen in drive-by shooting nr. Hebron; IDF soldier found shot, stabbed to death in Kufr Aqab, West Bank, north of Jerusalem, in separate incident.  (MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/8; JP 7/16)

Israeli PM Rabin, FM Peres, and PLO Chmn. Arafat awarded UNESCO Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Award at Paris ceremony.  Prize presented by frmr. Secy of State Henry Kissinger, who praises honorees for their "leap of faith."  During talks on expanding Palestinian self-rule, Arafat demands more Palestinians be released, including Hamas leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, urges Jerusalem be designated an open city, and pledges elections "as quickly as possible."  Both Rabin and Arafat tell reporters mtg. was successful.  (MM 7/6; NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/7; TJT 7/8)

Jordan's King Hussein, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak meet in Alexandria to discuss planned Jordan-Israel peace talks.  Jordanians stress need for comprehensive solution to Arab-Israeli conflict, deny differences with Syria over talks.  (Jordan TV 7/6 in FBIS 7/7; NYT 7/7)

IDF officer killed, SLA soldier wounded during artillery, mortar exchanges with Hizballah nr. Rihan in "security zone."  (MM, WP 7/7)

Rawhi al-Khatib, Jordanian Mayor of Jerusalem 1957-67, dies at 82.  Khatib was expelled by Israel in 1968 after being deposed and refusing to work with Israeli Jerusalem municipality.  (TJT 7/8; NYT 7/9; WP 7/10)

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)

Israeli authorities arrest more than 300 Hamas and Islamic Jihad mbrs. in o.t. in crackdown ordered by PM Rabin. Rabin says govt. will fight terrorism "with all the means available to us." (MM 4/19; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 4/20)

6 Fateh mbrs., fugitives fr. Gaza Strip, allowed to return fr. Egypt. Among those returned is "Black Panther" leader Salim Shurafa, 28. PM Rabin pledges to allow return of 20-30,000 Palestinians, mostly relatives of Palestinian police, after agreement with PLO reached. (WP, WT 4/20)

Israeli AG Michael Ben-Yair tells Jerusalem Bar Assoc. that Israeli law does not apply in o.t. "unless the Knesset expressly states this," and that settlers are as subject to military law as Palestinians. Ben-Yair says that in criminal cases "parallel" authority applies to settlers, so they are tried by Israeli law in Israeli courts, not military courts. Settlers' council criticizes Ben-Yairemarks, calls for mtg. (MM 4/20)

Hamas Damascus political office head Musa Abu Marzuq, in interview with Jordanian Islamist weekly al-Sabil, says Hamas would make peace with Israel in return for complete Israeli withdrawal fr. o.t., dismantlement of all settlements. Statement expands on hint of compromise in 4/17 statements by Hamas reps. in Jordan. (WT 4/20; CSM 4/21)