The Palestine Chronology

In Amman, Netanyahu adviser Gold briefs King Hussein on diplomatic developments. The king urges Israel to implement agmts. signed with the Palestinians. (MA 9/24 in IL 9/24; MM 10/9)

After United Torah Judaism threatens to quit the Likud coalition unless housing problems of its ultraorthodox constituents are solved, PM Netanyahu promises that land will be unfrozen for the construction of an additional 580 apartments in Kiryat Sefer (above the 1,806 approved 9/18), additional 200 in Beitar (above the 900 previously approved). (ITV 9/24 in WNC 9/27; MM 9/25)

ILMG meets in Naqura to discuss Lebanon's complaints about Israel's recent attacks on the south, especially the 8/29 clash which killed 2 civilians. Lebanon also submits a complaint about Israel's expulsion fr. s. Lebanon of 2 Lebanese families 9/21. (RL 9/22, 9/23 in WNC 9/24; CSM 9/23) (see 9/1)

Fearing an IDF attack, Lebanese army sends reinforcements to the western Biqa` valley. (MBC, RL 9/22 in WNC 9/24; MM 9/23)

7 of the 23 local council heads making up the YESHA settlers' council break away to form their own group. The 7 are Likud mbrs., representing settlements close to the Israeli-West Bank border (or 60% of the West Bank settler population), who are considered more likely than other YESHA mbrs. to accept a permanent agmt. with the PA that would annex to Israel those settlements nr. the Green Line. (MM 7/23)

Spokesman for the U.S. delegation to the UN, James Rubin, says the U.S. is concerned by signs that some UN officials are working to promote Butros-Ghali's reelection as secy. gen.; U.S. intends to look into "how UN personnel are being used by the sec. gen. for this purpose." (WP 7/24) (see 7/15)

CIA accuses Chinese manufacturer of M-11 missiles of sending a shipment of military cargo to Syria in 6/96, contravening China's 1994 pledge to the U.S. not to export missiles, missile components that violate the Missile Technology Control Regime. (WT 7/23)

2-day technical mtg. of the Multilateral Working Group on Refugee Affairs opens in Oslo. (Article 74 7/96)

2-day Syrian-European Cooperation Council mtg. closes in Luxembourg. (SATN 6/11, SARR 6/12, SARR 6/13 in FBIS 6/13)

U.S. says it is not insisting that Israel redeploy its troops in Hebron by today, the deadline set by PM Peres before the 5/29 elections. (MM, WP 6/12)

Netanyahu postpones trip to U.S. scheduled for 6/25 until 7/96. (NYT 6/12; WT 6/13)

Israeli Atty. Gen. Mikhael Ben-Ya'ir informs Netanyahu that 3 candidates for cabinet positions may not legally be qualified: Jerusalem mayor Ehud Olmert is under investigation by the Justice Min. for concealing illegal contributions to Likud in 1988; Shas MK Aryeh Deri is on trial for misusing party funds; Tsomet MK Eitan is under investigation for bribery, misusing classified IDF information. (NYT 6/13, 6/20)

Palestinian human rights groups say Sarraj has been beaten by PA police while in custody. PA military court accuses him of striking an officer. Sarraj's lawyers have still not been permitted to see him. (NYT, WP 6/13; PR 6/21; WT 6/22; WP 6/26) (see 6/11)

In light of the Netanyahu win, Israel's Peace Now decides to shelve its campaign to encourage an Israeli withdrawal fr. the Golan in favor of the "less ambitious" goal of blocking new Jewish settlements in the West Bank. (WP 6/12)

In Tel Aviv, PA, Israeli teams discuss safe-passage routes. (VOP 6/11, QY 6/12 in FBIS 6/12)

Likud's Roni Milo, Arafat adviser Husseini hold get acquainted mtg. in Tel Aviv. (ITV, VOP 6/11, QY 6/12 in FBIS 6/12; MM 6/12; QY 6/12, HA 6/13 in FBIS 6/13; MM 6/13)

In Ankara, Israel's Pres. Weizman meets with Turkey's Pres. Demirel. (MM 6/12) (see 6/4)

In a private mtg., PM-elect Netanyahu promises Qatzrin Local Council head Sami Bar-Lev that some 14,000 housing units will be built in Qatzrin settlement during his current term. (IDF Radio 6/13 in FBIS 6/13)

Fatah Central Comm. forms a 12-mbr. "emergency council" to revitalize the movement's activities in the West Bank, Gaza. In addition to Arafat, the council comprises: Tayyib `Abd al-Rahim, Uthman Abu Gharbiyya, Salwa Abu Khadra, Zakhariyya al-Agha, Hakam Bal'awi, Mustafa Barghouti, Rawhi Fattuh, Sakhr Habash, Faisal Husseini, Salah al-Qudwa, Abbas Zaki. (VOP 6/11 in FBIS 6/11)

PA police claim to have found drugs in the search of Sarraj's office 6/10. Sarraj's lawyers say drugs were planted. (NYT 6/11; WT 6/12; MEI 6/21)

In response to the 6/10 Hizballah attack, PM-elect Netanyahu reinforces troops in s. Lebanon, says that once he forms his government he will act against Hizballah. His chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Amnon Shahak, says IDF would not hesitate to strike at Hizballah targets in s. Lebanon villages even if it meant civilians would be hurt. Strong tone of statements worries Arab leaders. (RL 6/11 in FBIS 6/12; CSM, NYT, WT 6/12)

Netanyahu says Arafat should stop making statements that "break faith" btwn. Arabs, Jews (see 6/5); start taking actions that building trust. (WT 6/7)

U.S. says little progress can be made on the Syrian-Israeli track if Netanyahu refuses to discuss concessions on the Golan. (MM 6/7; JP 6/7 in FBIS 6/7)

Haggling over Israeli cabinet positions begins. Current Labor FM Barak says he would joint coalition government in exchange for DM portfolio. Likud's Sharon threatens to not participate in the government if he does not get the Finance M or DM position. Tsomet's Eitan threatens not to participate if he does not get the DM position. Religious party leaders vie for housing, education, religion portfolios. (NYT 6/7; QY 6/6, HA, QY 6/7 in FBIS 6/7)

In Gaza, IDF soldier shoots, kills Palestinian who runs at army checkpoint. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli border policeman shoots at 3 Palestinians he mistakenly believes to be armed, killing 1, wounding 1. (MM, NYT 6/6; QY 6/6 in FBIS 6/6; VOP 6/6 in FBIS 6/7; CSM 6/7)

In his 1st public reaction to Netanyahu's win, Arafat demands the new Israeli government stick to the agmts. signed by fmr. PM Yitzhak Rabin, caretaker PM Peres, particularly by withdrawing fr. Hebron. (MM 6/3)

After 3-hr. mtg. with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo, Syrian Pres. Asad says resuming peace talks with Israel is impossible until the policies of the Netanyahu government become clear. Mubarak echoes his wait-and-see position. (MM 6/3; MENA, RE 6/3 in FBIS 6/4; NYT, WP, WT 6/4; SARR 6/4 in FBIS 6/5)

Amb. to Israel Martin Indyk says U.S. will make sure Netanyahu redeploys troops in Hebron. (CSM, WT 6/4)

U.S. special envoy Ross phones PM-elect Netanyahu, offers to fly to Israel to brief him on the negotiations. Netanyahu say mtg. would be premature. (NYT 6/7)

Likud's Sharon threatens to resign his Knesset seat if Netanyahu does not offer him a senior cabinet position. (IDF Radio 6/3 in FBIS 6/4; YA 6/5 in FBIS 6/5)

In Hebron, Palestinians clash with IDF after troops detain a number of PA policemen, search their vehicle. (MM, WP, WT 6/4)

In the West Bank, 4 Israeli phone company workers are slightly injured when a bomb explodes in an olive grove as they enter it to repair a phone line. (CSM, WP 6/4)

NISP says it is holding talks with Hamas to bring the two groups' positions closer together, calls on all factions to end armed operations. (al-Hayat al-Jadida 6/3 in FBIS 6/5)

In Lebanon, British FM Jeremy Hanley, Lebanese PM Hariri, FM Buwayz discuss European economic assistance to Lebanon for reconstruction, following Israel's 4/96 offensive. (VOL 6/3 in FBIS 6/4)

Political infighting prompts Turkish opposition to call for a no-confidence vote on PM Yilmaz that will likely topple his 3-mo.-old government. (WT 6/4; CSM 6/5)

With all regular ballots in the Israeli elections counted, Netanyahu is ahead by 21,399 votes (0.7 percent); Likud, Labor are losing Knesset seats; religious parties are gaining seats. 150,000 absentee and military ballots, which in the past have gone overwhelmingly to Likud, have yet to be counted. The Israeli stock market drops 5 percent, value of the shekel falls. (MM, WP 5/30; IDF Radio, QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/30; MENA, QY, SARR 5/30, JP, QY 5/31 in FBIS 5/31; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 5/31; MEI, PR 6/7)

Netanyahu says that if he wins he will work to strengthen peace btwn. Israel, "Arab states with whom Israel already has peaceful relations." (QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; NYT 5/31)

Aides describe Pres. Clinton as "crestfallen" over Netanyahu's probable win, believing it to be a setback to his image as a peacemaker. Yet, Clinton says that, whatever the results, the U.S. will continue its support for Israel. (MM 5/30; NYT, WP, WT 5/31) (see 5/28)

PA says it will deal with any election outcome; if Likud wins, it must still continue the peace process. (JMCC, ITV 5/30 in FBIS 5/31)

Hamas says Netanyahu win would be a declaration of war against Palestinians, Arabs. (QY, RMC 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; AFP 6/2 in FBIS 6/3)

In Tel Aviv, Labor's M Ehud Barak, Finance M Avraham Shohat, Housing M Binyamin Ben-Eliezer meet to discuss party's future. Some see mtg. as an attempt to oust PM Peres from the party; others see it as an attempt to outflank Interior M Hayim Ramon's bid for party leadership, assuming Peres will resign. Peres is furious with Barak for holding the mtg. (IDF Radio, QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/30; IDF Radio, ITV 5/31, IDF Radio 6/1 in FBIS 6/3; NYT 6/4; IDF Radio 6/5 in FBIS 6/7)

Likud opens unofficial contacts with ultraorthodox parties regarding formation of a coalition government. PM Peres says he would not consider joining a Likud-led coalition; other Labor mbrs. say they would. (QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; WP 5/31)

Tsomet leader Rafael Eitan says Oslo agmts. must be reopened, because the winning camp's views differ from those of the previous government. PA denounces his statement. (IDF Radio 5/30 in FBIS 5/30) (see 3/12)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates 2 roadside bombs, killing 4 IDF soldiers, wounding 7 IDF soldiers, 2 journalists, 1 SLA mbr. (VOL 5/30 in FBIS 5/30; ITV, VOL 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; MM, NYT, WT 5/31; JP 6/8)

PM Peres, Likud's Netanyahu spend the last day of the campaign in Ashkelon, courting the Russian immigrant vote. The Russians, along with the Israeli Arabs, are expected to be the significant swing voters in the 5/29 election. (NYT 5/29)

Likud's Netanyahu says that, if elected, he would not discuss the issue of Jerusalem in the final status talks. (MM 5/28; JP 6/1)

In press statement, U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton tells Israelis they "have to make the decision whether they want to pursue the peace process or not" when they vote tomorrow. (NYT 5/31)

In Brussels, Lebanese PM Hariri meets with the pres. of the European Commission to discuss the functioning of the consultative comm. on the reconstruction of Lebanon, mentioned in the 4/26 cease-fire agmt. (RL 5/29 in FBIS 5/30)

PM Peres, Likud leader Netanyahu hold their only televised debate before the Israeli elections. Commentators generally feel Netanyahu has better on-camera skills, but Peres has more substance. Opinion polls say race is still too close to call. (ITV 5/26, HA, ITV, JP, MA, SATN 5/27 in FBIS 5/28; NYT, WP, WT 5/27; VOP 5/27 in FBIS 5/29; WP 5/28; PR 5/31)

IDF tightens closure on West Bank, Gaza, forbidding all Palestinians entry into Israel in advance of the 5/29 elections. (NYT 5/28) (see 5/23)

PA releases Sarraj fr. custody 3 days after his family releases a letter, bearing his signature, which disavows the comments attributed to him. (NYT, WP 5/27; PR 5/31; MEI 6/7; JP 6/8) (see 5/21)

In Damascus, Lebanese PM Hariri, Syrian VP `Abd al-Halim Khaddam discuss cease-fire monitoring group. (SARR 5/27 in FBIS 5/28) (see 5/21)

IDF tightens closure, forbidding Palestinians to attend their jobs in West Bank settlements. (QY 5/23 in FBIS 5/23) (see 5/18)

Turkey's PM Yilmaz says military cooperation pact with Israel has done more harm than good, provoking domestic and Arab opposition. Turkish FMin., however, says it is satisfied with the pact. (MM 5/23, MM 5/28) (see 5/20)

Lebanon sends Palestinian to Germany to stand trial for 1986 Berlin discotheque bombing. (VOL 5/23 in FBIS 5/24; NYT 5/24) (see 5/14)

American Israel Public Affairs Comm. (AIPAC) exec. dir. Neil Sher resigns to pursue work related to securing restitution for Holocaust survivors fr. Swiss banks. Howard Kohr, who, unlike Sher, is a Likud supporter skeptical of the peace process, takes over as interim dir. (WJW 5/30; JP 6/1; WT 6/4)

At a time when Likud's PM Benjamin Netanyahu is presenting himself as a "mainstream" candidate for PM, Likud's Ariel Sharon writes a strongly-worded article for JP outlining Likud's hard-line views. He says Israel should not accept Oslo; IDF should be allowed to operate anywhere in the West Bank, Gaza; negotiations with Syria should be postponed until Pres. Hafiz al-Asad is out of power; Golan should never be returned. (NYT 5/25)

In an interview published simultaneously in Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, PM Peres calls on Gulf states to join forces with Israel against Iran. (MM 5/17)

IDF shoots, wounds most-wanted Hamas mbr., Hassan Salameh, as he flees fr. a vehicle inspection point nr. Hebron; later captures him at the Hebron hospital; also arrests passenger in Salameh's car, Raziq Rajub, a relative of PA Preventive Security Forces (PSF) head Jibril Rajub. Salameh is suspected of ordering, planning 3 of the 4 2+n3/96 suicide bombings. (QY, VOP 5/18 in FBIS 5/20; NYT, WT 5/19; PR 5/24; JP 5/25)

Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades issue leaflet, calling for national unity dialogue with the PA. (JMCC 5/17 in FBIS 5/20)

3,000 Palestinians attend National Islamic Salvation Party (NISP) rally in Gaza in support of Hamas political leader Musa Abu Marzuq, currently detained in the U.S. Speaking at the rally, Hamas leader Mahmud Zahhar calls on Qassam Brigades not to take any violent actions before the Israeli elections 5/29, calls on leaders abroad to be sensitive to conditions in the territories. (VOP 5/17, AFP, QY, RMC, VOP 5/18 in FBIS 5/20) (see 11/18/95, 3/7)

Arab Parliamentary Union Council closes its 27th session in Qana, Lebanon; issues statement condemning Israel's attack on Lebanon, refusal to sign Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, occupation of s. Lebanon. (RL 5/17 in FBIS 5/20)

Israel's Likud party holds its 1st ever primary to select its slate of MK candidates, excluding candidate for PM, for the 5/29 elections. Retired Gen. Yitzhak Mordechai is selected to head the list, with fmr. DM Ariel Sharon 2d, Oslo opponent Benjamin Begin 3d, party veteran Dan Meridor 4th. Combined with the coalition agmt. with Gesher, Tsomet (see 3/12), the slate suggests a Likud government would have security-oriented hardliners in its top posts. (MM 3/26, 3/27; QY 3/27 in FBIS 3/27; MM, NYT 3/28; WJW 4/4; MEI 4/12)

PSF head Muhammad Dahlan claims the PSF has discovered a secret group within the Qassam Brigades that is controlled by the Hamas leadership in Jordan; says the PA has detained all but 2 mbrs. (Muhammad Daif, Yahya al-Ghoul) of the Qassam Brigades and a total of 70 percent of Hamas mbrs. overall. (WT 3/27; CSM 4/8)

IDF arrests 10 additional alleged Hamas mbrs. in the Bethlehem, Hebron, Janin, Tulkarm areas. To date Israel has arrested over 400 persons suspected of hostile anti-Israeli activities. (QY 3/26 in FBIS 3/26)

Fmr. U.S. Pres. George Bush meets with Syrian Pres. Asad in Damascus; then drives to Beirut to meet with Pres. Hrawi. Bush is on a regional tour to thank Gulf War allies (incl., Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain) for their support during that conflict. (RL, SARR, VOL 3/26 in FBIS 3/26; RL 3/26, 3/27 in FBIS 3/27; MM 3/27; WT 3/27; NYT 4/5)

Fmr. negotiator, current PC mbr. Hanan Ashrawi (I-Jerusalem) says that she will meet lawyers' requests to submit an affidavit in defense of Hamas political leader Musa Abu Marzuq for his extradition hearing, scheduled for 4/2 in New York. (AFP 3/26 in FBIS 3/26)

PSF bulldozes a monument in Khan Yunis commemorating Yahya Ayyash. (QY 3/12 in FBIS 3/12)

Likud's Benjamin Netanyahu, Gesher's Levy, Tsomet's Rafael Eitan sign deal creating an alliance btwn. their parties in the upcoming elections. Levy, Eitan will not challenge Netanyahu for the PM position. (QY 3/12 in FBIS 3/13; WT 3/13; CSM 3/20; WJW, WP 3/21)

A bill proposed by the Likud and other right-wing parties that would require a 2/3 majority vote to change the status of Jerusalem fails in the Knesset (52-55, with 2 abstentions). (QY 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; MM, WP, WT 2/22)

After further negotiations with the Israeli parties, PM Peres changes the date of elections to 5/29. (QY 2/20 in FBIS 2/21; MM, WP 2/21; NYT 2/22) (see 2/19)

Fmr. Likud mbr. and fmr. FM David Levy formally announces he will run for PM and his Gesher party will put up a list for parliament. This election will mark the 1st time Israelis will vote separately for the PM. (QY 2/20, JP 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; MM, WT 2/21)

Fearing a backlash after the Rabin assassination, Israel's YESHA settlers' council decides not to hold militant demonstrations before the elections. (WT 2/21)

Lt. Gen. Hussein Kamel and family return to Iraq, are met at the border by Uday Hussein, Saddam's son. (MM 2/20; WP, WT 2/21; MM 2/23)

Israeli security sources say a Hizballah mbr. attempted to hang glide into n. Israel fr. Lebanon today but crashed just n. of the Israeli self-declared security zone. Hizballah denies responsibility. (ITV, RL 2/20, IDF Radio, QY, RL 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; MM 2/21; QY 2/24 in FBIS 2/26)

In celebration of Id al-Fitr, Hizballah releases 3 SLA soldiers in s. Lebanon. 2 of the men were captured in 1992, the 3d in 1986. (VOL 2/20 in FBIS 2/20; WT 2/21)

First Lady Hillary Clinton hosts prominent Muslim-Americans for Id al-Fitr reception at the White House to mark the end of Ramadan. (MM 2/21; WJW 2/22)

U.S. Secy of State Christopher meets with PM Peres in Israel. (MM 2/5; IDF Radio, ITV 2/5 in FBIS 2/6; NYT, WP, WT 2/6)

As the likelihood of PM Peres calling an early election rises, Tsomet leader Rafael Eitan agrees to abandon his run for PM, endorses Netanyahu in exchange for no. 2 spot on Likud's ticket (usually considered a promise of the DM position if the slate wins). (MM 2/5; ITV 2/5 in FBIS 2/6; CSM, MM, WT 2/6; JP 2/6 in FBIS 2/7; MM 2/7, 2/8)

Israeli naval forces release 3 Lebanese fishermen detained 2/4, fire on other fishing boats off coast of s. Lebanon. (RL 2/5 in FBIS 2/6)

PM Peres demands Lebanon stop "mistreating" the SLA, warns no peace can be made with Lebanon without a full agmt. for integrating the SLA in to the Lebanese army, says warrant on SLA Cmdr. Lahd is "an insult to . . . a great Lebanese patriot, and we will not ignore it." (IGPO 1/17 in FBIS 1/18; MM 1/30) (see 1/16)

Knesset rejects bill to expand Jerusalem jurisdiction to include Beitar, Givat Ze'ev, Gush Etzyon, Ma'ale Admunim. Bill was sponsored by Likud and supported by 42 MKs fr. Likud, Moledet, National Religious Party, Shas, Tsomet, United Torah Judaism. 48 MKs fr. Labor, Meretz, Arab parties vote against. (JP 1/18)

Meretz leader MK Shulamit Aloni announces she is leaving the party but says she will remain active in politics. (ITV 1/17 in FBIS 1/18; MM 1/18; QY 1/28 in FBIS 1/30)

Israel transfers 90 Palestinian prisoners to the custody of the PA in Jericho, releases 40 fr. Gaza. (MM 1/10)

Likud plasters posters throughout East Jerusalem, threatening to revoke the Jerusalem ID cards of Palestinians who vote in the 1/20 elections. Arafat protests. (AFP, JMCC 1/15 in FBIS 1/16)

U.S. VP Al Gore arrives in Tel Aviv for official visit, meets with Likud's Netanyahu. (IDF Radio 1/15 in FBIS 1/16; MM, WT 1/16; Davar 1/17 in FBIS 1/17)