The Palestine Chronology

PC reconvenes after summer recess, opens 2d term of 2d session. (PR 9/16)

PM Netanyahu cancels a trip to Romania, planned to begin 9/18, in order to defuse a crisis over Ras al-Amud. Israeli Internal Security M Avigdor Kahalani confirms that Netanyahu, the cabinet knew of the planned action nearly 2 wks. before it occurred. (MM 9/16; IDF Radio 9/16, ITV 9/17 in WNC 9/17; CSM, NYT, WT 9/17; MEI 9/26) (see 9/15)

Israel eases the closure on the West Bank, Gaza, allowing 7,300 Palestinians to return to their jobs in Israel. (PR 9/19)

Israeli High Court authorizes the Shin Bet to use force to interrogate a Palestinian, Raghi Mahmud Saba, who was arrested 3 wks. ago on suspicion of being a mbr. of the Qassam Brigades. (YA 9/16 in WNC 9/17; WT 9/17)

On the eve of her departure, the State Dept. says it has abandoned hope that Secy. of State Albright will make progress during her tour of the Middle East; says she will not offer any new proposals for resuming PA-Israeli talks. (WT 9/9)

Local Aid Coordiation Comm. (LACC) meets in Gaza. (PR 9/12)

Egyptian Trade Union Federation, the Central Comm. of the International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions hold emergency mtg., decides to halt normalization with Israel indefinately due to the status of the peace process. (MENA 9/8 in WNC 9/9)

1 Israeli injured in the 9/4 bombings dies, bringing death toll to 8, including the 3 suicide bombers. (WP, WT 9/9)

The PA says that it has arrested 35 suspected Hamas mbrs. since the 9/4 bombings. Netanyahu says arrests are only "cosmetic." (MM 9/8; CSM, WP, WT 9/9; NYT 9/10; PR 9/12; WP 9/13)

After they post bail, Israel releases Ilham Abu Salih, a Druze arrested 8/25 on suspicion of spying for Syria, and Nadia Fouad, an Israeli Arab held sine late 8/97 on suspicion of spying for Iraq. (WP 9/9)

11 Jordanian opposition parties led by the Muslim Brotherhood call on the government to release Hamas spokesman Ghawshah. (AFP 9/8 in WNC 9/9) (see 9/7)

3 suicide bombers detonate explosive devices in Ben Yehuda market in Jerusalem, killing 4 Israelis, injuring 192. A faction of Hamas's military wing, the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, claims responsibility. PM Netanyahu cancels a security mtg. with PA, CIA  officials, saying "we're sick of talks"; reseals borders with the West Bank, Gaza; reimposes the internal closure on PA-controlled cities; gives PA a list of 10s of Palestinians it wants arrested. PA arrests 2 Hamas leaders, 8 Hamas mbrs.; shuts Hamas newspaper in Gaza. (MM 9/4; AFP, IDF Radio, ITV, JTV, MENA, VOL 9/4, VOA 9/5 in WNC 9/8; NYT, WP, WT 9/5; AFP, IDF Radio, YA 9/5 in WNC 9/9; WP, WT 9/6; NYT 9/7, 9/9; WJW 9/11; LAW, MEI, PR 9/12; JP, WP 9/13; CSM 9/24)

State Dept. says that Secy. of State Madeleine Albright will go ahead with her trip to the region next wk.; that while there has been increased security coordination, the U.S. has "not been satisfied with the degree of unilateral efforts to crack down on terrorist infrastruture." (MM 9/4; NYT, WP, WT 9/5; WT 9/7)

As part of the plan to "unify Jerusalem," Israel sets up 2 new police stations in East Jerusalem. Each station will have 130 officers. (YA 9/4 in WNC 9/9)

12 Sephardic Jews fr. Israel arrive in Jericho, ask the PA for political asylum, accuse Israeli authorities of trying to kill them. PA puts them up in a local hotel. (WT 9/10)

A delegation of 46 Israeli Arabs, incl. 7 MKs, arrives in Syria for an unprecedented 12-day visit to show their support for the Syrian position on talks with Israel. (RMC 8/8 in WNC 8/11; SATN 8/9, IDF Radio, MA 8/11 in WNC 8/12; MM 8/11, 8/12) (for background see RMC 8/3, SA 8/4 in WNC 8/5; MM 8/4)

Italian PM Romano Prodi meets with PM Netanyahu in Israel, then flies to Beirut to give PM Rafiq Hariri a message fr. Netanyahu. (ANSA [Rome] 8/8 in WNC 8/11)

Israel eases the "inner closure," allowing Palestinian movement btwn. Jericho, Nablus; reopens the Rafah border crossing btwn. Gaza, Egypt. (WT 8/10)

Katyusha rockets hit Kiryat Shimona in n. Israel, damaging a synagogue, injuring 1 woman. DM Mordechai blames Hizballah for the attack; IDF responds by shelling PFLP-GC bases outside Beirut. Hizballah denies responsibility. (AFP, RL, VOL 8/8 in WNC 8/11; WP, WT 8/9; WT 8/10; YA 8/10 in WNC 8/12)

Jordanian police arrest 5 men connected to the outlawed Bayt al-Imam group, who were allegedly plotting anti-Israeli attacks in Israel, the occupied territories. (AFP, RMC 8/17, JT 8/18 in WNC 8/19)

U.S. Secy. of State Albright endorses PM Netanyahu's plan for accelerated final status talks with the PA, stresses that no progress can be made until Israel is certain that the PA is making 100% effort to fight "terrorism"; says that she will travel to the region at the end of the mo. (MM 8/6; ITV, QY 8/6 in WNC 8/7; NYT, WP, WT 8/7; IDF Radio, IGPO, ITV, MA, YA 8/7, Hatzofe 8/8 in WNC 8/8; MM, NYT 8/8; NYT 8/9; al-Thawra 8/9, IDF Radio 8/10 in WNC 8/12)

Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan, PM Majali meet with PM Netanyahu in Jerusalem. The crown prince terms the Israeli-Palestinian situation a "very dangerous crisis," recommends Israel adopt a softer line with the Palestinians, invites Netanyahu to visit Amman next wk. (MM, NYT 8/6; ITV, JTV, RJ, YA 8/6 in WNC 8/7; CSM 8/7; MA 8/7 in WNC 8/8; al-Ra'i 8/7 in WNC 8/11)

In Amman, King Hussein meets delegation fr. Israel's Histadrut Labor federation. (JTV 8/6 in WNC 8/8)

The U.S. group Builders for Peace, initiated by VP Al Gore to promote economic development in the territories, announces it is closing its doors, saying that "political conditions in the region . . . render the prospects of success for any given project remote." (Builders for Peace press release 8/6)

For the first day since the 7/30 bombings, Israel allows flour, vital goods, medical supplies to enter the West Bank, Gaza. (NYT 8/7; WT 8/8)

A delegation fr. the Syrian Chamber of Commerce travels to Iraq to discuss trade contracts under the UN oil-for-food agmt. (SA 8/7 in WNC 8/8; al-Quds al-Arabi 8/8 in WNC 8/11) (see 8/3)

IDF sends reinforcements to s. Lebanon. (RL 8/6 in WNC 8/7)

5 UNIFIL soldiers are killed when their helicopter crashes in s. Lebanon. UN suspects mechanical failure. (AFP, London Press Association 8/6, RL 8/7 in WNC 8/8; WP 8/7; JP 8/16)

In s. Lebanon, 1 SLA soldier is killed when Hizballah detonates a roadside bomb as his car passes. Hizballah also fires several katyushas toward n. Israel, but they land in s. Lebanon, causing no injuries. (MM 8/7; Voice of the South 8/7 in WNC 8/8; MM 8/8)

Lebanon files claim with ILMG regarding death of a civilian in s. Lebanon 8/5. (VOL 8/6 in WNC 8/7)

PM Netanyahu tells his cabinet that Israel will not honor its peace agmts. with the PLO unless Arafat cracks down on Islamists. (MM 8/4)

14-mbr. Knesset Internal Affairs Comm. delegation representing almost all Israeli parties (except Moledet, Shas, Tsomet) arrives in Amman for a 2 day visit to discuss the current impasse in PA-Israeli talks resulting fr. the 7/30 bombings; encourages King Hussein to personally mediate btwn. the sides. Jordanian parliamentary mbrs. boycott the delegation. (RJ 8/3, 8/4 in WNC 8/5; JT 8/5 in WNC 8/6; SA 8/5 in WNC 8/7)

Israel continues arresting Palestinians following the 7/30 bombings, bringing the total arrested to 116; also demolishes 3 Palestinian homes allegedly built without permits nr. Jerusalem. (WP 8/4; LAW 8/5; PR 8/8)

Israeli authorities prevent a delegation of 20 young campers fr. Qatar, UAE (who just completed a summer program sponsored by the PA Youth and Sports Min.) fr. leaving Gaza for Egypt. (al-Quds 8/4 in WNC 8/5; PR 8/8)

Nr. the West Bank Jewish settlement of Karmel, a Palestinian is fatally shot fr. a passing car bearing Israeli license plates. (ITV 8/3 in WNC 8/5; MM, WP 8/4; NYT 8/5)

Iraq, Syria form a joint tourism company, which will run 2 daily trips to transport businessmen btwn. the countries. (RMC 8/4 in WNC 8/5) (see 8/1)

2 suicide bombers dressed as ultra-Orthodox Jews detonate explosives in a crowded market in Jerusalem, killing 13 Israelis, wounding more than 170 Israelis, Palestinians. IDF immediately seals the West Bank, Gaza, preventing even town-to-town movement; suspends recognition of Palestinian passports; sends troops to seal the PA-controlled cities. A letter signed by Hamas's military wing, Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, takes responsibility, but Israeli security question its authenticity, Hamas political leader `Abd al-Aziz Rantisi says Hamas was not involved. (MM 7/30; IDF Radio, ITV, RE 7/30 in WNC 7/31; IDF Radio, ITV, JTV 7/30, MA, RAI Uno Television [Rome], RE, YA 7/31 in WNC 8/1; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 7/31; ITV 7/31 in WNC 8/6; CSM, WT 8/1; AFP, MAP [Rabat], VOA 8/1 in WNC 8/4; NYT 8/3; al-Dustur, al-Majd 8/4 in WNC 8/7; CSM 8/5; WJW 8/7; MEI, PR 8/8; JP 8/9; CSM 8/11)

In the wake of the bombings, PM Netanyahu, FM Levy phone Secy. of State Albright, demand that the U.S. put pressure Arafat. The Israeli cabinet suspends all contacts with the PA until Arafat acts against Islamists "with determination," destroys their infrastructure. However, 1 mtg. btwn. Israeli, PA security officials is held. Over night, an IDF helicopter hovers over Arafat's Gaza headquarters, an Israeli warplane circles the Gaza Strip. (MM 7/30; ITV 7/30 in WNC 7/31; MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/31; YA 7/31 in WNC 8/4; WT 8/1)

As a result of the bombings, U.S. special envoy Ross cancels plans to leave today for the Middle East to meet with Arafat, Netanyahu. (MM, WT 7/30; NYT, WP, WT 7/31)

In Amman, King Hussein receives Israeli Knesset "Coalition Bloc for Peace," comprising Gesher, Third Way, Yisra'el B'Aliya, Shas MKs and the dir. of Israel's International Center of Peace in the Middle East. (JTV 7/30 in WNC 7/31)

State Dept. lifts the 12-yr.-old ban forbidding Americans to travel to Lebanon after that government agrees to take new steps to improve security at various locations, pledges to ratify an international convention against hostage-taking. The decision does not include lifting the ban on flights by Lebanese carriers to the U.S. or by U.S. carriers to Lebanon. (MM, WP 7/30; RL, RMC 7/30 in WNC 7/31; WT 7/31; al-Safir 7/31 in WNC 8/1; RL 8/4 in WNC 8/5; WT 8/6; al-Safir 8/6 in WNC 8/8; MEI 8/8)

Saudi Arabian dissident Sayigh backs out of a plea agmt. with the FBI to cooperate in the al-Khobar bombing case; says that he is innocent of any wrongdoing; was pressured by Canadian immigration officials to make statements on the bombing to avoid being deported to Saudi Arabia, where he faces execution. (NYT, WT 7/31) (see 6/30)

ILMG opens 2-day mtg. to discuss 1 Lebanese, 3 Israeli complaints. (VOL 7/30, RL 7/31 in WNC 8/1)

UN extends the UNIFIL mandate for 6 mos. (RL 7/30 in WNC 8/1)

Israeli naval forces detain 5 Lebanese fishermen off the coast of s. Lebanon, interrogate them before releasing them. (RL 7/29 in WNC 7/30) (see 7/28)

Mtg. at Egyptian amb. Muhammad Basyuni's home in the presence of U.S. Amb. Martin Indyk, Israeli DM Mordechai, PA Planning M Nabil Shaath make some progress toward expediting operations at Rafah airport; resuming talks on construction of Gaza port, safe passage. (MM 7/10; PR 7/18; JP 7/19)

PA police use tear gas to break up a brawl at a soccer match in al-Bireh, the cause of which was not known. (PR 7/18)

Having concluded that Jordan's new voting system, increasingly authoritarian executive, and recent curbs on freedom of expression make it "futile" for the opposition to try to use parliament to influence state policy, the Muslim Brotherhood announces that it will boycott the 11/97 parliamentary elections. The Brotherhood's political affiliate, the IAF, will decide whether or not it will follow suit at its next session 7/12. (al-Dustur, JT, 7/9 in WNC 7/10; RJ 7/9, al-Dustur, JT, al-Ra'i 7/10 in WNC 7/11; MM 7/10, 7/14; MEI 7/25)

Under pressure fr. the Gulf states (which have poured millions of dollars into rebuilding Beirut's stadium, and Lebanon in general, after its civil war), Lebanon denies visas to Iraqi athletes due to compete in the 8th Arab Games, which open in Beirut 7/12. (MM 7/9, 7/11; AFP 7/11 in WNC 7/14; MM 7/14)

IDF abducts Lebanese journalist Roger Nahra, 2 relatives fr. Nahra's home in s. Lebanon. Netanyahu adviser Bar-Ilan says Nahra has been taken to Israel for interrogation on suspicion of participating in "terrorist" activity. The 2 relatives are taken to al-Khiyam prison. (MM 7/10; WT 8/13)

The UNSCO in Gaza closes an annual 2-day mtg., attended by over 20 UN agencies active in the West Bank and Gaza, to coordinate future plans, strategies. Participants drafted a UN Program of Cooperation, due to be made public later in 8/97. (UNSCO press release 7/3)

In advance of congressional debate on renewal of the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act, which permits U.S. aid to the PLO, Netanyahu's director of policy planning David Bar-Ilan endorses the distribution to congressmen of video tapes showing Arafat calling for jihad, praising anti-Israeli attacks. The tapes are distributed by Reps. Jim Saxton (R-NJ), Robert Andrews (D-NJ). (WJW 7/3)

PA military court sentences 3 Force 17 officers to death for the fatal beating, allegedly over a personal dispute, of Nasir Radwan. 2 other officers are sentenced to 5 yrs. in prison, 1 is given 6 mos., 2 are acquited. Arafat must approve the death penalties. (LAW, WP 7/4; JP 7/12) (see 7/1)

DM Mordechai, the Chief Sephardi Rabbi Baqshi-Doron apologize on Israel's behalf for the anti-Muslim posters placed around Hebron by a settler 6/28. (ITV 7/3 in WNC 7/7)

Israeli special forces infiltrate a group of Palestinian protesters in the PA-controlled section of Hebron, draw weapons to make series of violent arrests. In plain view of reporters, 1 Palestinian is beaten unconscious, dragged 100s of yards over asphalt covered by broken glass. (MM 7/3; WP 7/5; JP 7/12)

Lebanon lodges complaint with ILMG regarding shelling of civilian areas 7/2, which left 1 wounded. (RL, VOL 7/3 in WNC 7/7)

Hizballah fires several rockets fr. s. Lebanon toward n. Israel. The rockets land along the Israeli-Lebanese border, causing no damage or injuries. (RL 7/3 in WNC 7/7)

U.S. special envoy Ross meets with Arafat in Gaza, then meets with PM Netanyahu, Pres. Weizman, FM Levy. (WJW 5/8; ITV, QY 5/8 in WNC 5/9; MM, WP 5/9; MEI, PR 5/16; JP 5/17)

Israel's PM Netanyahu, Jordan's King Hussein meet in Aqaba to discuss water issues, ways of resuming Israeli-PA negotiations. (MM 5/9; QY, RJ, YA 5/9 in WNC 5/12; JTV 5/9, RJ 5/10, JT 5/11, RJ 5/12 in WNC 5/13; NYT 5/10; JP 5/24) (see 5/6, Peace Monitor for details)

U.S. special envoy Ross, EU special envoy Moratinos meet in Israel to discuss the peace process. (IDF Radio 5/8 in WNC 5/9; AFP 5/9 in WNC 5/12; MEI 5/16)

Austrian FM Schuessel holds separate mtgs. with Israel's Netanyahu, PA's Arafat, EU's Moratinos. (Die Presse [Vienna] 5/9 in WNC 5/12)

Israeli cabinet secy. Nave admits that the intelligence transmission intercepted by the NSA in 1/97 was made. An unnamed Israeli intelligence official claims that "Mega" does not refer to a person but to something else. A 3d official claims "Mega" was a mistranslation of "Elga," the term used by Mossad for the CIA. U.S. declines to comment. (WP 5/9; MA, YA 5/9 in WNC 5/13; MM 5/13; YA 5/13 in WNC 5/14) (see 5/6)

U.S. special envoy Ross arrives in the Middle East; holds talks in Gaza with Arafat, in Jerusalem with Netanyahu. (WP 4/15; CSM, WP 4/16)

EU-Mediterranean business conference opens in Malta. Arafat, Israeli FM Levy meet on the sidelines in the highest level contact since talks broke down in 3/97. (CSM, MM, WT 4/15; Radio France Internationale [Paris] 4/15 in WNC 4/16; CSM, MM 4/16; De Volkskrank [Amsterdam], SANA 4/16 in WNC 4/17; CSM, NYT, WP 4/17; MEI, PR 4/18)

On the sidelines of the Malta conference, Jordanian FM Tarawnah, Syrian FM Shara` discuss improving bilateral relations. (al-Dustur 4/23 in WNC 4/24)

In Surif, 3 critically ill Palestinians die when IDF troops enforcing curfew deny them access to medical treatment. (NYT 4/16)

Israeli police recommend felony indictments in the Bar-On affair be sought against Justice M Hanegbi, chief of staff Avigdor Lieberman, Netanyahu political ally and Shas head Arye Deri. (ITV 4/15 in WNC 4/16; MM, WP, WT 4/16; YA 4/16 in WNC 4/17) (see 2/28)

In Mina, Saudi Arabia, an estimated 210 Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani pilgrims participating in the Hajj are killed, 800 are injured when canisters of cooking fuel ignite tents. At least 70,000 tents are destroyed, leaving 100,000s of pilgrims temporarily without shelter. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 4/16; MM 4/22, 4/24; MEI 5/2)

SLA releases 7 detainees fr. al-Khiyam prison in s. Lebanon to mark the end of Ramadan. (RL 4/15 in WNC 4/16)

In Gaza, the EA, PLO Exec. Comm., PC ratify the Hebron protocol. (NYT, WP, WT 1/16; PR 1/24)

Israeli cabinet begins debate on Hebron protocol. (ITV 1/15 in WNC 1/17)

PA police begin entering Hebron. Redeployment should be completed by 1/17. (NYT 1/15, 1/16)

Syria terms the new Hebron agmt. an "enslavement of [the] Palestinians." (WP 1/16)

Netanyahu policy adviser Bar Ilan says that he believes that, under the new Hebron agmt., Israel could stay in control of 50% of the West Bank after the 3d stage of further redeployment. (WT 1/16)

Jordanian delegation arrives in Baghdad for talks with Iraq on an economic agmt. encompassing an oil deal, trade protocol. (RJ 1/15 in WNC 1/17)

The U.S. warns Pres. Nelson Mandela that it might withdraw millions of dollars in aid to South Africa if Mandela approves a $641-m. arms sale to Syria. Mandela angrily rejects the warning, noting that 3 EU states are trying to sell Syria the same equipment, and the U.S. has not issued warnings to them. Israel summons the South African amb. to express its "deep concern" over the sale. (South Africa Radio [Johannesburg] 1/15 in WNC 1/15; IGPO 1/15 in WNC 1/17; al-Safir 1/15, SANA in WNC 1/21; MM, NYT, WT 1/16)

In Cairo, Pres. Mubarak meets separately with Arafat, U.S. special envoy Ross. Arafat then returns to Gaza to meet with the EA. (RE 1/11 in WNC 1/14; NYT, WP 1/12; JP 1/18)

Jordan's King Hussein phones Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, Israeli PM Netanyahu, U.S. Secy. of State Christopher to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian track. (RJ 1/11 in WNC 1/14)

In s. Lebanon, an SLA patrol triggers a land mine, wounding 1 mbr. (RL 1/11 in WNC 1/14)

Al-Hayat's Riyadh bureau receives, defuses a 2d letter bomb. (NYT 1/14; WT 1/15) (see 1/4)