The Palestine Chronology

Donor countries promise to release $125 m. of promised aid to PA immediately to help self-rule transition. Arafat says money will go to improving Gaza slums. (VOP 11/30 in FBIS 12/1; CSM, MM, WP, WT 12/1; Le Soir 12/1 in FBIS 12/2; JP 12/3; WJW 12/8; MEI 12/16)

Labor MK Ori Orr suggests Israel postpone troop withdrawal fr. West Bank but uproot some settlements ahead of schedule. Similar statements made separately by Environmental M Sarid. Comments widely thought to be "trial balloons" sent up by Rabin government. (JP, QY 11/30 in MM 11/30; MM 12/2)

Israel, Palestinians, donor countries sign "memorandum of understanding" outlining PA's needs for next 4 mos., issues of taxation, Israeli aid, contributions fr. donor countries. (QY 11/30 in FBIS 12/1)

Joint Jordanian-Israeli borders comm. ends 2nd 2-day round of talks in Aqaba. Each side delegates 3 teams to carry out primary delineation of border, to be completed 12/6. (PETRA 11/30 in FBIS 12/1)

Joint Jordanian-Israeli comm. on treaty implementation creates 2 subcommittees comprising representatives fr. armed forces and Mins. of Interior, Agriculture, Water respectively to implement Jordanian law in al-Ghamar, Baqurah areas by 1/95, in keeping with Jordan-Israel treaty annexes. (PETRA 11/30 in FBIS 12/1)

ITV reports Israeli Amb. Itamar Rabinovitch, Syrian Amb. Walid Mu`allim recently held talks in Washington on security arrangements in which senior army officers fr. both sides participated; some progress was made. (ITV 11/30, HA 12/1 in FBIS 12/1)

UNRWA approves $163,810 in new small-business loans for projects in Gaza, bring number of UNRWA loans to Gaza to 157. (UNRWA News 11/30)

IDF soldier is axed to death by Palestinian in Afula, northern Israel; IDF arrests 40 Hamas mbrs. in West Bank. (IDF Radio 11/30 in FBIS 12/1; MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/1; PR 12/4; WJW 12/8; JP 12/10)

2-day mtg. of donor countries begins in Brussels. World Bank grants PA $58 m., tells Arafat only $240 m. of $700 m. promised by donors is likely to arrive this yr.; cites donors' desire to finance prestige projects, not day-to-day needs, delays in implementing autonomy, lack of guarantees fr. Arafat. Donors ask Israel to ease restrictions on Palestinian workers. (MM 11/29; La Une Radio, Brussels 11/29, QY 11/30, VOP 11/30 in FBIS 12/1; WT 11/30; NYT, WP 12/1; Le Soir 12/1 in FBIS 12/2; PR 12/4)

PM Rabin tours Tomb of the Patriarchs. Says he will ask for Palestinian elections without Israeli withdrawal fr. West Bank towns during upcoming talks in Cairo; seeks to separate Israelis fr. Palestinians but will not remove settlements now; wants to create jobs in West Bank to keep Palestinian workers out of Israel. (WT 11/30; NYT 12/5)

Islamic Conference Organization (ICO) issues statement expressing solidarity with Palestinians, supporting peace process. (SPA, Riyad 11/29 in FBIS 11/29)

Israeli FM Dir. Gen. Uri Savir says Israel will no longer block imports of materials to, impede economic development in Gaza. (NYT 12/1)

Israeli FM Peres, Arafat meet on sidelines of European Union (EU) mtg. in Brussels to discuss elections, self-rule; urge donor countries to transfer aid. (QY 11/28, 11/29 in FBIS 11/29; MM, NYT 11/29; PR 12/4)

International Labor Organization signs agmt., providing PA with $500,000 for technical and scientific equipment, training classes, vocational workshops. (VOP 11/28 in FBIS 12/1)

PA bans 4 newspapers (al-Quds, al-Nahar, JP, al-Manar) because of their coverage of Islamist opposition. PA Culture M `Abid Rabbu says decision came fr. highest level of PA. (MM 11/28; QY 11/28 in FBIS 11/28; RJ 11/28, QY 11/29 in FBIS 11/29; WT 11/29; MM 11/30; NYT 12/1; PR 12/4; JP 12/10)

EU lifts 8-yr. arms embargo on Syria, grants PA $12 m. for new housing. Israeli FM Peres criticizes move, says it should only be done after Syrian signs agmt. with Israel. (MM 11/28; RJ QY 11/28 in FBIS 11/28; NYT, WT 11/29; SARR 11/29 in FBIS 11/29; IDF Radio 11/30 in FBIS 12/1; MM 12/6; JP 12/10; MEI 12/16)

Reports say that 300-400 Hamas supporters have been arrested by IDF in the West Bank since Tel Aviv bus bombing 10/19. Most have been questioned and released. (Ma`ariv 11/28 in FBIS 11/29; MM 11/30)

Israel, Jordan establish full diplomatic relations. Jordan appoints Marwan Muasher, head of U.S. Jordan Information Bureau and of Jordan's negotiating team, amb. (MM 12/23; RJ, SARR 11/27 in FBIS 11/28; NYT 11/28; JP 12/3)

IDF, PA oppose Rabin's suggestion for 3-day pullout during Palestinian elections. IDF says temporary withdrawal would pose security risk; PA says it violates DOP. (MM 11/28; Ma`ariv, QY 11/27 in FBIS 11/28) (see 11/25)

PA Finance Min. says it has hired 176 employees in anticipation of transfer of taxation 12/1. Offices will be opened in Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqiliyya; each will have 2 divisions, VAT and income tax. (PR 11/27)

Rabbi killed, soldier wounded in West Bank shooting. Hamas claims responsibility. (QPAR, QY 11/27 in FBIS 11/28; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/28; WJW 12/1; MEI 12/2; PR 12/4; JP 12/10)

Rabin aide says Rabin is willing to consider 3-day IDF withdrawal fr. West Bank so Palestinian elections may be held. (IDF Radio 11/25 in FBIS 11/25; MM 11/28)

10 Palestinians killed, 25 injured in clashes btwn. pro-, anti-Arafat groups in `Ayn Hilwa r.c. in Lebanon. (MM 11/25; AFP, MENA, VOL 11/25 in FBIS 11/25; RL, VOL 11/25 in FBIS 11/28; RL 11/26 in FBIS 11/29; NYT, WT 11/26; JP 12/3; MEI 12/16; NYT 12/20)

Hamas demands PA take responsibility for deaths 11/18. PA refuses, blames "third parties" for igniting clashes, claims 9 Fateh mbrs. were killed during riots by shots fired at close range fr. guns not used by PA police. (VOP 11/19 in FBIS 11/21; NYT 11/20, 11/21, 11/22)

4 Palestinians killed in clashes with IDF in West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem while protesting Palestinian police actions 11/18. (NYT, WP, WT 11/20)

Israeli Arabs mediate 1-day truce btwn. Arafat, Hamas; Arafat agrees to form commission of inquiry into 11/18 clashes. (MENA, VOP 11/19 in FBIS 11/21; NYT, WP, WT 11/20)

IDF soldier killed in drive-by shooting outside Netzarim settlement in Gaza. Hamas takes responsibility. (QY 11/19, 11/20 in FBIS 11/21; QPAR 11/20 in FBIS 11/22; NYT 11/21; MEI 12/2)

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)

Arafat appoints 1st 2 Hamas mbrs. to official posts in PNA. Hamid Bitawi, Mahmud Salamah become deputy justices to supreme religious courts. (AFP 11/12, JP 11/13 in FBIS 11/15)

Israel's Ministerial Comm. on General Security Services permits interrogators greater leeway in pressuring detainees during questioning. Decision to be reviewed after 3-mos. (QY 11/13 in FBIS 11/15; NYT 11/17; CSM 11/22)

Fateh High Council postpones its West Bank elections until after general elections, implementation of autonomy in West Bank, withdrawal of IDF forces. (JP 11/13 in FBIS 11/15)

First busload of Israeli tourists enters Jordan. (WT 11/14)

SLA, IDF exchange heavy fire with Hizballah in southern Lebanon, no casualties reported. (QY, RL 11/13 in FBIS 11/14)

Arafat telephones King Hussein, briefs him on talks with PM Rabin 11/8, both agree to continue contacts on common issues. (MENA 11/9 in FBIS 11/10)

PNA Econ. M Qurai`, Israeli Finance M Shohat meet in Jerusalem to discuss implementation of economic agmt. signed in Paris 4/93. (QY, VOP 11/9 in FBIS 11/14)

Reports note frequent mtgs. btwn. Syrian, Israeli ambs. in Washington, with U.S. moderation. (ITV 11/9 in FBIS 11/10; MM 11/17)

Top Israeli police official admits Palestinians are setting up a police force in occupied West Bank to deal with traffic, intra-Palestinian disputes, says government will not oppose the units unless they interfere with Israeli police duties. (JP 11/9 in FBIS 11/9)

Morocco opens liaison office in Gaza. (AFP 11/9 in FBIS 11/10)

Knesset passes bill making anyone conducting unauthorized political activity in Jerusalem liable to 15 yrs. in jail. Bill targets PNA diplomatic activity at Orient House. (MM 11/10; WJW 11/17; JP 11/19)

Lebanese Judiciary reopens 1983 U.S. Marine barracks bombing case. Move seen as government attempt to show U.S. it is serious about security, nudge talks with Israel, gain leverage against Hizballah. (RL 11/9 in FBIS 11/9; MM 11/16)

Saudi FM Prince Sa'ud al-Faysal arrives in Damascus to deliver letter fr. King Fahd to Pres. al-Asad, confers with al-Asad regarding peace talks. (SARR 11/9 in FBIS 11/10)

IDF searching for wanted men clash with Palestinians in Tulkarm. Palestinians suffer 1 wounded, call general strike. (QY 11/9 in FBIS 11/10)

Reports say Israel wants U.S. to suspend shuttle missions btwn. Israel and Syria, U.S. Secy. of State Christopher to cancel trip to region planned for end of month, talks to stay on ambassadorial level since Pres. al-Asad will not soften position. (Al-Hamishmar 11/7 in FBIS 11/7)

PNA Econ. M Qurai`, Palestinian officials boycott Jerusalem business conference in protest over continued partial closure of Gaza, West Bank. (QY 11/7 in FBIS 11/8)

Syrian FM al-Shara` arrives in Cairo for talks with Pres. Mubarak on peace process, Clinton visit. (MENA 11/7 in FBIS 11/7; SARR 11/8 in FBIS 11/8)

Tomb of the Patriarchs, site of the Hebron massacre, reopens with metal detectors, electronic gates, cameras. Jews, Muslims completely segregated by partitions. (MM 11/7; QY 11/7 in FBIS 11/7; CSM, NYT, WP 11/8; JP 11/19)

Jordanian parliament ratifies Israel-Jordan treaty by 55-23 vote. (WP 11/7)

Hamas leaders in Egypt, Jordan offer to negotiate with Israel, halt attacks on civilians. Israeli officials are skeptical. (WT 11/11)

Israeli West Bank military governor modifies order to remove monument to Baruch Goldstein after settlers protest; says work must stop, but monument is almost complete. (NYT 11/7) (see 11/2)

Gazans eject Arafat from funeral of Hani Abed as 1000's protest Arafat's leadership, blame Israel for car bombing. (MM 11/3; IDF Radio, QY 11/3 in FBIS 11/4; CSM, WP, WT 11/4; JP 11/5)

More than 3,500 Palestinians return to work in Israel as closure of West Bank, Gaza is lifted further. Rabin approves permits for 5,000 others. (QY 11/3 in FBIS 11/3; QY 11/3 in FBIS 11/4)

Arafat meets with delegation fr. Hamas, Islamic Jihad to discuss Abed assassination. (VOP 11/4 in FBIS 11/7)

Israeli Housing Min. notes largest ever rise in number of people moving to Qatzrin settlement in Golan--345 in past 3 mos.; says Min. will sell 120 remaining apartments within weeks, will provide buyers with government subsidized mortgages. (Yedi'ot Aharonot 11/3 in FBIS 11/4)

Fateh Central Comm. holds elections, elects younger men more critical of PNA, rejects Arafat's proposal to hold regular mtgs. in Gaza despite PM Rabin's approval for mbrs. to enter autonomous areas. Arafat displeased. (Al-Sharq al-Awsat 11/3 in FBIS 11/4; VOP 11/6, JP 11/7 in FBIS 11/9)

Casablanca economic summit ends. Saudi Arabia, other Arab states say they support peace, but cannot finance regional development bank proposed by U.S., will not end boycott on Israel. (MM 11/1; MM, NYT, WJW, WP, WT 11/2; CSM 11/3)

PM Rabin tells Knesset UN Res. 425 calling for Israeli withdrawal fr. Lebanon "does not exist as far as I am concerned," causing uproar. Lebanon appeals to U.S. to pressure Israel. (MM 11/2, MM 11/9)

Russian FM Andrey Kozrev arrives in Damascus for talks with Pres. al-Asad, FM al-Shara` regarding peace process. (SARR 11/1, 11/2 in FBIS 11/2; SARR 11/2 in FBIS 11/3)

Palestinian police take up posts at Allenby Bridge crossing point into Jordan. (QY 11/1 in FBIS 11/1; NYT, WT 11/2)

Israel begins gradual reopening borders with Gaza, West Bank closed since bus bombing 10/19. (WT 11/2; WJW 11/3; JP 11/12)