The Palestine Chronology

Jordanian FM Kabariti, Secy. of State Christopher meet in New York, discuss peace talks, NPT, bilateral relations. (RJ 4/18 in FBIS 4/18)

Israel expels 2 Palestinian political prisoners, mbrs. of Fatah, to Lebanon. Lebanon refuses pair entry, leaving them stranded in Israel's self-declared security zone, under UN protection. (WT 4/19; JP 4/29) (see 2/27)

In trial lasting fr. midnight to 3 a.m., PA military court sentences Hamas mbr. to 7 yrs for smuggling explosives to attack Israelis. (QY 4/17 in FBIS 4/18; CSM 4/18; NYT 5/3)

Representatives fr. 177 nations meet in New York for start of month-long talks on renewing NPT. Israel's amb. to the UN defends Israel's decision not to sign agmt., saying "We are the only state directly threatened in the Middle East by other states . . . ." (WT 4/17; MM, WT 4/18)

2d Jordanian trying to cross into West Bank fr. Jordan is shot dead by IDF. (QY 4/15 in FBIS 418; JP 4/22) (see 4/14)

PA releases 30 Hamas, Islamic Jihad, DFLP mbrs. arrested in recent days in connection with 4/9 bombings. (QY 4/15 in FBIS 4/18)

For 1st time since 12/94, PLO, Hamas, Islamic Jihad mbrs. meet to discuss ways of ending anti-Israeli attacks fr., inside self-rule areas. Hamas, Islamic Jihad demand release of prisoners, review of new military court. Arafat refuses, asks Islamists to drop opposition to Oslo Accord, renounce violence. Sides agree to keep talking. (WT 4/15; NYT, WT 4/17; MM 4/18; MEI 4/28)

In 1st border infiltration attempt fr. Jordan in 2 yrs, 1 armed Palestinian trying to cross into West Bank is wounded by IDF. (QY 4/15, ITV 4/16 in FBIS 4/18; JP 4/22) (see 3/26)

Rabin says he would accept a Palestinian state in Gaza if Palestinians would drop claims to rest of o.t.; PA Planning M Shaath rejects idea. Rabin also calls on Arafat to arrest all Palestinians who assist or incite anti-Israeli attacks, incl. religious leaders. (MM 4/13; JP 4/13 in FBIS 4/13; MM 4/20, 4/21)

IDF confiscates 4,080 Palestinian passports issued to West Bank, Jerusalem residents leaving to perform hajj; says passports are "a muscle-flexing move on the part of the PA, as it tries to show it has authority" in West Bank, only Palestinians fr. self-rule areas can have them. (QY 4/13 in FBIS 4/14; JP 4/29) (see 3/30)

Jordanian Interior Min. officials question Hamas spokesman Ibrahim Ghawshah about making "press statements against another state," following PA complaints 4/12. Government says Hamas mbrs. live in, but Hamas does not operate as a group fr. Jordan. (AFP, RMC, VOP 4/13 in FBIS 4/13; ITV 4/13 in FBIS 4/14)

Arafat orders closure of al-Hayat al-Jadid, which began publishing in Gaza 11/20/94, citing breech of loyalty agmt. reached with its owner Nabil `Amr, editor Hafiz Barghouti. (al-Ahali 4/13 in FBIS 4/20)

After Hamas-run al-Watan criticizes PA arrest of Hamas mbrs. following 4/9 bombings, PA police raid paper's Gaza offices, detain editors Sayyid Abu Musamih, Ghazi Hammad; release them hours later. (QY 4/13 in FBIS 4/14)

Israel puts curfew on Hebron, closes borders with Gaza, West Bank to prevent violence during, keep Palestinians out of Israel through Passover. (QY 4/12 in FBIS 4/12; MM, NYT 4/13; QY 4/13, 4/14 in FBIs 4/14; WT 4/14, 4/15)

Rabbi Ido Elba, spiritual leader of Kiryat Arba arrested in 8/94 in connection with Hebron massacre, is sentenced to 2 yrs for inciting racism for saying "thou shalt not kill" commandment does not apply to Jews killing non-Jews. (JP 4/22)

PA continues crackdown on Hamas, Islamic Jihad in Gaza, bringing number of alleged mbrs. in custody to more than 300, gives Palestinians until 5/11 to register weapons with police or have them confiscated. PA Atty. Gen. al-Qidra say 35 Palestinians are scheduled to go before military court. (VOP 4/11, QY 4/12, VOP 4/12 in FBIS 4/12; MM 4/12; VOP 5/12 in FBIS 5/13; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/13; JP 4/22)

PA approves appointment of Ziyad al-Majali as Jordan's diplomatic representative in the self-rule areas. PA M Jamil al-Tarifi delivers message fr. Arafat to King Hussein, expressing PA's desire to coordinate with Jordan on all aspects of negotiations. (RJ 4/12, JT 4/13 in FBIS 4/13)

Arafat asks Jordan to crack down on Hamas elements in kingdom, prevent them fr. publishing leaflets. (MENA, VOP 4/12 in FBIS 4/13; MM 4/13)

FBI sends team to Gaza to investigate death of 1, wounding of 3 Americans in 4/9 bombing. Under 1986 law, U.S. can investigate crimes against its citizens overseas, prosecute defendants in U.S. courts. (NYT 4/12; MM, WP, WT 4/13; CSM 4/14)

Jordan's 1st amb. to Israel, Marwan Muasher, arrives in Tel Aviv to assume his duties. Israel's 1st amb.to Jordan, Shimon Shamir, arrives in Amman to take his post. (MM, WT 4/6; RJ, JT 4/6 in FBIS 4/6; JP 4/15; WJW 4/20)

U.S. envoy Ross arrives in Israel for brief shuttle btwn. Israel, Syria; meets with PM Rabin, military Chief of Staff Shahak, senior IDF officials to discuss security arrangements within framework of agmt. with Syria. Israelis present demand for 1:9 geographical ratio for demilitarized zones. Ross will transmit Israeli suggestions, concerns to Syria 4/7. (MM 4/6; IDF Radio 4/7 in FBIS 4/7; MA 4/7 in FBIS 4/10)

Israeli, Egyptian FMs meet in Paris to try to solve NPT conflict . Egypt says it is willing to sign a ban on chemical weapons in exchange but no final compromise is reached. Sides agree to continue discussions within Multilateral Working Group on Arms Control, upgrade working group talks to FM level. (WP 4/5; CSM 4/6; MBC, MENA 4/6 in FBIS 4/7; HA 4/19 in FBIS 4/20)

Israeli Housing M Binyamin Ben-Eliezer says he will present plan to ministerial comm. for additional 5,600 homes beyond Green Line, incl. 1,300 units in Matityahu settlement, 3,000 units in Ma'ale Adumim, finishing work on 800 units in Giva'at Ze'ev. (MM 4/7; QY 4/6, JP 4/7 in FBIS 4/7)

Arafat decides to replace editorial board of Jericho-based al-Aqsa newspaper with journalists who are Fatah mbrs. Decision is criticized as interference with freedom of press. (ITV 4/6 in FBIS 4/7)

Congressional hearings open on Clinton's Omnibus Counterterrorism Bill to speed deportation of illegal immigrants suspected of terrorism, prohibit fundraising for organizations the pres. deems dangerous, grant FBI broader authority to investigate, order wiretaps. Arab-American, Muslim groups protest bill, fearing it will be used to discriminate against them, curb legitimate fundraising. (WP 4/7)

Bomb explodes on Gaza border as IDF foot patrol passes, wounding 1 soldier. No one claims responsibility. (JP 4/6 in FBIS 4/7; NYT 4/7)

Pres. Mubarak meets with Pres. Clinton, assures him Egypt will not lobby against U.S. efforts to renew NPT but still wants assurances fr. Israel. Clinton promises to push for nuclear-free Middle East after Israel makes peace with all its neighbors.  (WP 4/5; MENA, RE 4/5 in FBIS 4/6; CSM, NYT 4/6; MM 4/7; RE 4/7, 4/8 in FBIS 4/10; MEI 4/14)

Jordan's King Hussein meets with UN Secy. Gen. Butros Ghali, permanent UNSC mbrs. in New York, discusses NPT, peace process. Butros Ghali praises Jordan's role in negotiations. (JTV 4/5 in FBIS 4/6)

Raji Sourani is fired fr. Gaza Center for Rights and Law after he fails to comply with PA requests to stop criticizing Arafat. (MM 4/5; JP 4/5 in FBIS 4/5; WP 4/11; JP 4/17) (see 2/17)

PA arrests 5 mbrs of its intelligence service for 4/1 killing of prisoner accused of informing for Israel. (NYT 4/6)

PA arrests al-Nahar journalist Tahir al-Nunu after he publishes article suggesting 4/2 explosion could have been carried out by Israel, supported by PA. Also arrests 6 Hamas mbrs. in connection with explosion. (QY 4/5 in FBIS 4/6; CSM 4/6; al-Nahar 4/6 in FBIS 4/7; NYT 4/7)

PA arrests 10 Hamas mbrs. in connection with 4/2 bombing. (AFP, QY 4/5 in FBIS 4/5)

Israel launches 1st spy satellite to monitor Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria. Syria condemns launch, says talks will suffer as a result. (QY 4/5 in FBIS 4/5; QY 4/5 in FBIS 4/6; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/6; JP 4/8; RMC 4/10 in FBIS 4/10; JP 4/15; JP 4/22; MM 4/28)

PA-Israeli talks on elections resume in Cairo. Sides discuss updating Palestinian census for voter registration. Israel turns over magnetic tapes of census information, aerial photos of o.t. to help draw up voter districts. (QY, VOP 4/4 in FBIS 4/5; MM 4/5)

Jordan, Israel sign tourism agmt. at Dayr Alla. (JT 4/5 in FBIS 4/5)

Donors' Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) close informal 2-day mtg. in Washington. PA submits FY 1995 budget. Donors agree to cover PA operating costs through April, pending donor plenum 4/27. (HA 3/31 in FBIS 3/31; RE 4/6 in FBIS 4/6; VOP 4/6 in FBIS 4/6; JP 4/8)

Following donor mtg., mbrs. of Palestinian delegation meet with World Bank, IMF, U.S. Dept. of Commerce officials to discuss free Palestinian trade, with U.S. delegations interested in starting joint U.S.-Palestinian development projects in o.t. (VOP 4/6 in FBIS 4/7)

Egypt's Pres. Mubarak visits mbrs. of Congress, lobbies for continuation of aid; holds 2d mtg. with Secy. of State Christopher, discusses NPT, Egypt's economy, methods of expanding peace btwn. Israel, Arab states; receives assurances the administration will push Congress to maintain $2.1 b. aid package. Christopher reportedly blasts Mubarak for Egypt's "lack of support" on NPT issue. (WT, NYT 4/4; MENA 4/4 in FBIS 4/5; MENA 4/4 in FBIS 4/6; WT 4/5; CSM 4/6; MM 4/7; MEI 4/14)

Knesset delays bill that would allow government to transfer tax funds to the PA to ease its financial burden after Tsomet asks to turn vote into no-confidence motion. (JP 4/4 in FBIS 4/4)

PM Rabin tells Knesset Foreign Affairs Comm. that Israel has retracted its demand Syria cut its standing army as part of a peace agmt.; Syria realizes Israel has special security needs, no longer demands geographical "symmetry" in security arrangements, instead emphasizes overall "equality"; sides are deadlocked on principles underlying security arrangements. (MM 4/4; JP 4/4 in FBIS 4/4) (see 2/28)

Egypt's Pres. Mubarak has preliminary mtg. with Secy. of State Christopher to discuss NPT, peace process, bilateral relations. Christopher gives Mubarak report on Israel's nuclear program. (RE 4/3 in FBIS 4/4)

In response to queries by Senate Intelligence Comm., CIA reports that presently there is no clear successor to Arafat should he be removed, no evidence PA is involved in anti-Israeli attacks, little danger of Israel being attacked by outside power. (MM 5/4)    

Israeli Amb. to the UN Gad Ya'aqobi says he has requested the UN remove its Truce Supervision Organization observer force fr. the Jordan-Israel border now that a treaty has been signed. (HA 4/3 in FBIS 4/5; WJW 4/13)

Fatah issues statement condemning Hamas for 4/2 explosion in Gaza, obstructing peace, dividing Palestinians. (al-Aqsa 4/4 in FBIS 4/7)

Despite PA ban on unapproved demonstrations, some 10,000 Hamas supporters rally in Gaza, claiming Israel, PA are behind 4/2 explosion. (NYT, WT 4/4; QY 4/5 in FBIS 4/6)