The Palestine Chronology

PM Netanyahu arrives in China for 3-day visit. (MM 5/26)

In Cairo, Arafat attends Arab League mtg. called to commemorate the 50th anniversary of al-Nakba; calls for Arab summit on the peace process. (MENA, RE 5/26 in WNC 5/27)

Egyptian FM `Amr Musa arrives in Amman for talks with King Hussein on Mubarak's trip to France, possible Arab summit; says Pres. Mubarak is discussing summit idea with other Arab leaders, including Morocco's King Hassan, who arrived in Cairo today for 3-day official visit, and Syria's Pres. Asad. (MENA, RE, RJ 5/26 in WNC 5/27; MM 5/27, 5/28)

In Tel Aviv, Israel's DM Yitzhak Mordechai meets with Turkey's dep. chief of staff, Gen. Cevik Bir, for talks on the peace process, furthering military cooperation, possible joint arms projects. (WT 5/27)

Saudi Arabia's FM Prince Saud al-Faisal arrives in Iran for 2-day talks on improving bilateral ties. (WT 5/27)

Hamas's Shaykh Yasin visits Syria's Yarmuk refugee camp, where he receives warm welcome fr. Palestinian refuges. (WP 6/11) (see 5/25)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli border policemen clash with Palestinians protesting illegal construction by Jewish settlers (see 5/25). To halt violence, Israel's Jerusalem mayor Ehud Olmert bans the construction in the name of Israel's Antiquities Dept., orders the demolition of the settlers' illegal dwellings. (ITV 5/26 in WNC 5/27; MM, NYT 5/27; WJW 5/28; MM 6/3; MEI 6/5; WT 6/9)

Yemen reports that over the past 2 days, Saudi troops have seized the island of Harim in the Red Sea as part of an attempt to pressure Sana' to make territorial concessions in the 2 countries' border demarcation negotiations, which just resumed last wk. The island is 1 of 3 uninhabited but strategically significant Red Sea islands in dispute. (MM 5/26)

3 SLA mbrs., 3 Hizballah mbrs. are killed in 2 clashes in s. Lebanon. 4 civilians are injured, over 100 flee their homes. (ITV, RL, VOL 5/26 in WNC 5/27)

30 Jewish settlers from the Ateret Cohanim group accompanied by Israeli police and guard dogs evict a Palestinian woman fr. her rented home in East Jerusalem, lay foundations for 9 new buildings on adjacent 2,000-sq.-m. plot (apparently without permits). (IDF Radio 5/25 in WNC 5/27; LAW, NYT 5/26; MM, NYT 5/27; PR 5/29; ITV 6/3 in WNC 6/4; MEI 6/5; PR 7/3)

Arafat returns to Cairo to meet with Pres. Mubarak. (MENA 5/25 in WNC 5/27) (see 5/24)

Iran, Syria sign mining cooperation agmt. for development of phosphorus, ferrous mines in Syria. (IRNA 5/25 in WNC 5/27)

Jordan refuses to grant entry to Hamas's Shaykh Yasin, who planned to arrive 5/27. Meanwhile in Damascus, Yasin meets with Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) leader George Habash on ways to strengthen relations btwn. their groups. (AFP, MENA 5/25, AFP, RJ 5/26 in WNC 5/27; WT 5/26; al-Sabil 6/2 in WNC 6/3; MEI 6/5; JP 6/6; Shihan 6/6 in WNC 6/8) (see 5/24)

At the owner's request, PA security forces evict tenants of a Palestinian house in Ramallah and demolish the building, which has been the focus of a rent dispute. (Birzeit press release 5/25; JP 6/6)

In s. Lebanon, 1 Hizballah mbr. is killed, 1 SLA mbr. and 4 civilians are injured in several clashes. (VOL 5/25, RL 5/26 in WNC 5/27)

PM Netanyahu, Arafat adviser Mahmud Abbas meet secretly at Netanyahu's home for brief talks on the peace process before Netanyahu leaves for China. (MM 6/12)

To mark Jerusalem Day, Israel stages largest military parade (13,000 troops) through West Jerusalem since 1973, attended by U.S. congressional delegation. Groups of right-wing Israelis try to enter al-Aqsa Mosque, march on Orient House. IDF bans Palestinian entry into Jerusalem for the day, sparking clashes btwn. IDF, Palestinians in Bethlehem. (al-Dustur, RJ 5/24 in WNC 5/27; WT 5/25; PR 5/29; MEI 6/5)

In Amman, Israeli FMin. Dir. Gen. Eytan Bentzur, Jordanian FM Fayiz Tarawnah discuss Israeli proposal for conditional withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. Jordan stresses need for Israel to unconditionally implement UN Res. 425. (JT, al-Quds, al-Ra'i 5/25 in WNC 5/27)

In Cairo, Pres. Mubarak briefs Arafat on his trip to France. Arafat then heads to Saudi Arabia to discuss possible Arab summit. (MENA 5/24, RE 5/26 in WNC 5/27)

Syria asks Iran's help in constructing steel mills. Both countries agree to expand cultural, art exchanges to pave way for closer bilateral relations. (IRNA 5/24, 5/25 in WNC 5/27)

In Damascus, Hamas's Shaykh Yasin meets with Pres. Hafiz al-Asad. (AFP, al-Majd 5/25 in WNC 5/27) (see 5/23)

1st Lebanese municipal elections since 1963 begin. Elections are held on 4 consecutive Sundays. (RL 5/25, 5/26 in WNC 5/27; MM 5/26; al-Safir 5/27 in WNC 6/1; WP 6/1; MEI 6/5)

House Speaker Gingrich, House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO) lead a congressional delegation to Israel to celebrate Israel's 50th anniversary and Jerusalem Day, marking Israel's capture of the eastern half of the city in 1967. (WP 5/23; WT 5/25; MM 5/26; NYT 5/28; PR 5/29; MEI, MM 6/5; JP 6/6)

In Damascus, Hamas's Shaykh Yasin meets with the leaders of the 10 Damascus-based Palestinian opposition groups. (al-Majd 5/25 in WNC 5/27) (see 5/20)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates roadside bomb, killing 2 SLA mbrs. (VOL 5/23 in WNC 5/27)

PA Planning M Nabil Shaath arrives in Amman on 4-day visit, holds talks with Jordanian FM Anani on economic cooperation, creation of free trade zone. (RJ 5/19 in WNC 5/23; RJ 5/22 in WNC 5/27)

PA Elections Appeals Court cancels the Gaza by-election set for 5/29 to fill Haidar `Abd al-Shafi's seat on the Palestinian Council (PC). (PCHR 5/21; PR 5/29)

Israeli DM Yitzhak Mordechai discusses with Russian special envoy Viktor Posuvalyuk Israel's conditional withdrawal proposal for s. Lebanon, Russian military assistance to Iran. Posuvalyuk then heads to Amman for talks with Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan. (IDF Radio, QY, RJ 5/19 in WNC 5/21; JTV 5/19 in WNC 5/27)

The American Israel Public Affairs Comm. (AIPAC) holds rally on Capitol Hill to commemorate Israel's 50th anniversary. Speakers addressing the rally include Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS), Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA), House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO). (MM 5/20; Near East Report 6/1)

Kuwait releases last 3 of 13 Jordanian detainees pardoned 4/26. (JTV 5/19 in WNC 5/21) (see 5/13)

Jordanian court pardons opposition leader Laith Shubailat, sentenced 5/12 to 9 mos. in prison for inciting anti-U.S. riots in Ma'an in 2/98, pending withdrawal of his appeal. Shubailat is already free on appeal. (RJ 5/19, JT 5/20 in WNC 5/21)

Roadside bomb explodes in s. Lebanon, killing 2 civilians. SLA, Hizballah blame each other. (RL 5/19 in WNC 5/21)

In the 3d straight day of clashes sparked by Palestinian marches commemorating al-Nakba--the dispossession of the Palestinians as a result of Israel's creation in 1948--the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) wounds 10 Palestinians in Hebron, East Jerusalem. In Amman, 1,500 Jordanian students hold commemorative rally at University of Jordan campus. (NYT, WP, WT 5/17; JT 5/17 in WNC 5/19; PR 5/22)

In Amman, Jordan's King Hussein, PA head Yasir Arafat discuss foundering peace process, latest outbreak of violence. (JTV, RJ 5/16 in WNC 5/19; WP, WT 5/17; al-Bilad 5/20 in WNC 5/21) (see 5/14, 5/15)

In Cairo, Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak discusses peace process with Jordanian FM Jawad al-Anani, who brings Mubarak a message fr. King Hussein. (JTV, MENA, RJ 5/16, al-Quds 5/17 in WNC 5/19)

In Damascus, Jordan, Syria open 2-day talks on exploiting Yarmuk River waters, joint construction of al-Wahda Dam. (al-Ra'i, RJ 5/17 in WNC 5/19; al-Ra'i 5/19 in WNC 5/21)

Labor Chmn. Ehud Barak visits settlements of Ofra, Beit El, where he promises that settlements will "remain forever." (MEI 6/5)

In s. Lebanon, Amal, Hizballah discuss need to coordinate. (VOL 5/16 in WNC 5/19) (see 5/10)

In the 3d straight day of clashes sparked by Palestinian marches commemorating al-Nakba--the dispossession of the Palestinians as a result of Israel's creation in 1948--the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) wounds 10 Palestinians in Hebron, East Jerusalem. In Amman, 1,500 Jordanian students hold commemorative rally at University of Jordan campus. (NYT, WP, WT 5/17; JT 5/17 in WNC 5/19; PR 5/22)

In Amman, Jordan's King Hussein, PA head Yasir Arafat discuss foundering peace process, latest outbreak of violence. (JTV, RJ 5/16 in WNC 5/19; WP, WT 5/17; al-Bilad 5/20 in WNC 5/21) (see 5/14, 5/15)

In Cairo, Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak discusses peace process with Jordanian FM Jawad al-Anani, who brings Mubarak a message fr. King Hussein. (JTV, MENA, RJ 5/16, al-Quds 5/17 in WNC 5/19)

In Damascus, Jordan, Syria open 2-day talks on exploiting Yarmuk River waters, joint construction of al-Wahda Dam. (al-Ra'i, RJ 5/17 in WNC 5/19; al-Ra'i 5/19 in WNC 5/21)

Labor Chmn. Ehud Barak visits settlements of Ofra, Beit El, where he promises that settlements will "remain forever." (MEI 6/5)

In s. Lebanon, Amal, Hizballah discuss need to coordinate. (VOL 5/16 in WNC 5/19) (see 5/10)

In New York, PM Netanyahu meets with UN Secy. Gen. Annan, restates plans to withdraw fr. s. Lebanon but gives no time frame. (NYT, WP, WT 5/16)

Jordanian PM Anani arrives in Cairo to give FM Musa a message fr. King Hussein to Pres. Mubarak regarding their next steps in the peace process. (VOA 5/13 in WNC 5/14) (al-Ahram 5/14 in WNC 5/15)

In Geneva, UN Committee Against Torture convenes to discuss Israel's use of torture against Palestinian detainees. (Human Rights Watch press release 5/15)

Responding to the 5/14 violence, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Mary Robinson calls on Israel to respect the Palestinians' right of peaceful assembly, avoid excessive use of military force. (WP, WT 5/16)

Reacting to 5/14 clashes, Palestinians leaving Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque throw stones fr. the mosque compound at Jews at the Wailing Wall below, causing no injures. In Hebron, IDF troops open fire on stone-throwing Palestinians along the dividing line btwn. PA, Jewish sectors, wounding an Israeli newspaper photographer. Similar clashes occur in Nablus. In Gaza, 100s of Palestinians attend funeral for nurse killed 5/14 while trying to evacuate the injured. In the Galilee, Israeli Arabs hold peaceful march to mark al-Nakba (see 4/14). (MM 5/15; ITV 5/15 in WNC 5/18; NYT, WP, WT 5/16)

Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon observe general strike to commemorate al-Nakba. (RL 5/15 in WNC 5/18)

In Cairo, 800 Egyptians hold rally at al-Azhar Mosque to mark 50th anniversary of al-Nakba, protest Israeli policies toward the Palestinians. (AFP, MENA 5/15 in WNC 5/18)

Israel's Cabinet Secy. Dani Nave visits Pollard to inform him of Netanyahu's 5/11 decision to recognize him as an Israeli agent. (ITV 5/15 in WNC 5/18; WP 5/17)

In Washington, Secy. Albright, PM Netanyahu hold 2d day of fruitless talks aimed at restarting peace talks. Lower-level teams headed by U.S. special envoy Ross, Israeli Cabinet Secy. Nave will work over the weekend. Netanyahu spends rest of day making courtesy calls to mbrs. of Congress, attending lunch in his honor hosted by the Comm. on International Relations; does not lobby mbrs. to pressure administration to moderate its position. (MM 5/14; NYT, WP, WT 5/15)

100,000s of Palestinians across the West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem turn out for 2-minute moment of silence, nonviolent "March of 1 Million" to mark 50 yrs. of dispossession (known as al-Nakba). Marches in several areas (including, Bethlehem, Gaza, Hebron, Jericho, Jerusalem, Jinin, Nablus, Ramallah) devolve into clashes with IDF, which fires live ammunition, rubber bullets, killing 5 Palestinians, wounding 200-400, making this the worst day of violence in the territories since 9/25/96. 20 Israeli soldiers, policemen and 2 civilians are also injured. Netanyahu calls demonstrations a PA "pressure tactic." (LAW, MM 5/14; IDF Radio, ITV 5/14 in WNC 5/15; NYT, WP, WT 5/15; JTV 5/14, Anatolia [Ankara], Corriere della Sera [Milan] 5/15 in WNC 5/18; LAW 5/18; WP 5/19)

50,000 Palestinians in Syria hold march in Yarmuk refugee camp to commemorate al-Nakba. (JP 5/23)

In Jerusalem, fire damages one of the wooden doors of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Israel police suspect Jewish extremists. (RJ 5/14 in WNC 5/15; WP 5/15)

In Ankara, Iran, Turkey hold talks on expanding ties. (IRNA 5/14 in WNC 5/18) (see 5/4)

In Ankara, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey hold follow-up discussions on the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project. (Anatolia [Ankara] 5/14 in WNC 5/15) (see 4/26)

IDF expels 3 Lebanese civilians fr. s. Lebanon security zone for celebrating release of relative fr. SLA custody. (AFP 5/14 in WNC 5/15; RL 5/15 in WNC 5/18)

In Washington, Secy. Albright meets with PM Netanyahu but fails to overcome differences keeping Israel fr. reaching an FRD agmt., resuming talks with the PA. Netanyahu again raises escrow idea. In a couched criticism of Israel, Clinton expresses suspicions that "some of the actors in th Middle East drama" are carrying out "a deliberate strategy of delay." Netanyahu is at the start of a 5-day U.S. visit to meet with congressional leaders, attend AIPAC, American Jewish Comm. mtgs. (MM, NYT 5/13; NYT, WP, WT 5/14; MA 5/14 in WNC 5/15)

Russian special envoy Posuvalyuk arrives in Beirut for 2 days of talks with PM Hariri on peace process, Israel's s. Lebanon withdrawal offer. (RL, VOL 5/13 in WNC 5/14; RL 5/14 in WNC 5/15)

Kuwait releases 4 of the 13 Jordanian detainees pardoned 4/26. (JTV 5/13 in WNC 5/15) (see 5/7)

In Jerusalem, a Palestinian is stabbed to death by an Ultraorthodox Jew. He is the 6th Palestinian to be stabbed in Jerusalem since 2/17, the 1st to die of his injuries. (NYT, WP 5/14)

In the deadliest attack in more than 2 yrs., Israeli air force (IAF) bombards Fatah-Uprising training camp in s. Lebanon, killing 10 Palestinians, wounding 26. IAF also targets nearby PFLP-GC camp, causing damage but no injuries. France condemns the attacks. (MM 5/13; AFP, RL, VOL 5/13 in WNC 5/14; NYT, WP, WT 5/14)

PM Netanyahu meets with inner cabinet to discuss U.S. proposal for Washington talks 5/11, asks the U.S. to send special envoy Ross back to Israel for further talks before 5/10 cabinet mtg. (ITV 5/6, 5/7 in WNC 5/8; MM, NYT, WP 5/7)

House mbrs. led by Rep. Gingrich condemn the administration for pressuring Israel to accept its 13.1% FRD plan. Letter signed by 221 of 435 reps. is sent to Clinton urging him change course. Pres. Clinton says that his purpose was to revive the peace talks while giving Netanyahu what he wants--immediate accelerated final status negotiations. (MM, WP, WT 5/7; ITV 5/7 in WNC 5/8; MEI 5/8; WP 5/14)

In 3.5 hr. conference call, CPMAJO censures Secy. Albright for giving an "ultimatum" to Israel, "micromanaging" the peace process, breaking fmr. Secy. of State Warren Christopher's pledge to let Israel decide when and how far to redeploy. Albright denies issuing diktat. (WP 5/7; WJW 5/14)

1st lady Hillary Clinton states in television interview that the creation of an independent Palestinian state would hasten peace in the Middle East. White House says statement reflects personal opinion, not policy. (MM, WP 5/7; MM, NYT, WT 5/8; IDF Radio 5/8 in WNC 5/11; WT 5/10; MENA 5/11 in WNC 5/12; Tishrin 5/12 in WNC 5/15; WJW 5/14; JP 5/16; WP 5/19)

In Paris, PA Local Government M Erakat briefs French FM Vedrine on 5/4-5 London talks. France calls on Israel to adopt the U.S. formula. (Radio France Internationale 5/7 in WNC 5/8)

In Washington, Israeli Finance M Neeman ends 2-days of talks on restructuring U.S. aid to Israel. (Globes [Internet] 5/7 in WNC 5/8; JP 5/9)

PA Atty. Gen. Fayiz Abu Rahma resigns. (PCHR 5/6; MEI, PR 5/8; JP 5/9)

In n. Israel, an IDF soldier shoots, wounds a 22-yr.-old Jordanian tourist. Jordan, Israel say incident is under investigation, offer no details. (al-Dustur 5/8 in WNC 5/11)

In East Jerusalem, a rabbinical student is stabbed to death by unknown assailant. Israeli police suspect a Palestinian attacker. In a separate incident nr. the West Bank settlement of Eli, a settler shoots and kills a Palestinian who allegedly tried to stab him. (MM 5/6; WP 5/7; LAW 5/8; JP 5/16)

After mtg. with Arafat late 5/2, VP Gore holds unscheduled 2-a.m. mtg. with Netanyahu to discuss peace process; then heads to Cairo for pre-dawn mtg. with Pres. Mubarak regarding London talks, bilateral economic relations. Later in the day, Arafat flies to Cairo to meet with Mubarak before heading to London mtgs. (WP 5/3; ESC Television, MENA, RE 5/3 in WNC 5/6; NYT, WP, WT 5/4)

Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan travels to Turkey to participate in mtg. of new Atlantic Initiative Group, which stresses human rights as the basis for security, stability in the Middle East. Conferences discusses peace process, Iraq. (JTV 5/3 in WNC 5/6)

Group of 17 German army cadets arrives in Israel for 1st joint training program. (NYT, WT 5/4; ITV 5/4 in WNC 5/8)

Iran calls on Turkey to expand bilateral economic relations. (IRNA 5/3 in WNC 5/6)

Jordan Information Min. says that police have detained 50+n60 suspects for questioning in connection with 4/29, 4/30 bombings. (AFP 5/3, al-Quds al-Arabi, al-Ra'i 5/4 in WNC 5/6; al-Hadath 5/4, al-Hayat al-Jadida, JT, al-Sabil 5/5, RJ 5/6, al-Ra'i 5/7 in WNC 5/8; RJ 5/10 in WNC 5/12; al-Hadath 5/11 in WNC 5/13)

Israeli military court convicts, sentences Palestinian Riyad Abu Hamdiyya to 4 life terms in prison for participation in 1/9/97, 3/21/97 bombings in Tel Aviv. (NYT 5/4)