The Palestine Chronology

IDF declares Jericho a closed military zone after a settler is slightly injured by rocks thrown at his car. (QY 2/18 in FBIS 2/20)

Hizballah initiates a series of cross border raids into Israel fr. s. Lebanon. IDF attacks Hizballah positions in retaliation. (WT 2/18)

In Damascus, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan meets with Pres. Hafiz al-Asad. Farrakhan is on a controversial 27-day tour of the Middle East and Africa. Stops include, Libya, Iraq, Iran, the Sudan. State Dept. threatens to confiscate his passport upon his return. (WP, WT 2/18)

U.S. State Dept. says it will keep Syria on its 1996 list of nations supporting terrorism, due out in April. (MM, WP 2/16)

IDF eases closure on West Bank, allowing residents over age 30 to enter Israel. (NYT 2/16) (see 2/12)

Arafat is sworn in as pres. of the PA; takes his oath on the Qur'an in front of PNC head Salim Za'nun, while PA police band plays Palestinian national anthem. (CSM, NYT, WT 2/13; WJW 2/15)

U.S. State Dept. says start date of next round of Syrian-Israeli talks has been moved to 2/28 because of scheduling conflicts. (MM 2/13)

After 1st banning Palestinians fr. Qalqilya, Ramallah fr. entering Israel, the IDF seals the West Bank, Gaza until further notice, citing security concerns related to the end of the 40-day mourning period for Ayyash, coming end of Ramadan. (QY, VOP 2/12 in FBIS 2/12; VOP 2/12, 2/13 in FBIS 2/13; CSM, MM 2/13; NYT 2/14)

200 Palestinians protests IDF construction at Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem. (WT 2/13)

2 SLA soldiers are killed, 1 wounded in roadside bombing in s. Lebanon. (QY, VOL 2/12 in FBIS 2/13)