The Palestine Chronology

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue to abate, though 2 Palestinians are killed and a 3d Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. To mark Ramadan, Israel partially reopens Rafah crossing, says it will transfer some of the money owed the PA. In Gaza, 2 roadside bombs explode nr. IDF patrols, causing no injuries; after 1 explosion, IDF soldiers open fire on nearby Palestinians, injuring 15. The IDF shells residential areas of Aida, Bayt Jala, Hebron, Khan Yunis, and Rafah, injuring 30 Palestinians; bulldozes around 150 dunams of Palestinian agricultural land nr. Gush Katif settlement, Khan Yunis, Kissufim crossing, and Qarni crossing in Gaza, leveling a total of 8 homes, an irrigation network. Jewish settlers set fire to Palestinian crop land nr. Jinin, fire on a PSF post nr. the bypass road to Keddumim settlement. (HA, LAW, MM 11/28; MENA 11/28 in WNC 11/29; JP [Internet], PCHR, WP 11/29; HJ, al-Quds 11/29 in WNC 12/1; WJW 11/30)

The Knesset convenes to vote on 5 no-confidence motions. Expecting to lose the votes given the expiration of Shas's safety net, Barak opens by announcing his willingness to hold new elections as early as spring 2001. MKs overwhelmingly approve the 1st readings of the motions. (AFP [Internet], MM 11/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/29; WJW 11/30; JT 11/30 in WNC 12/1; AYM , al-Quds 11/30 in WNC 12/7; WJW 12/7; MEI 12/8) (see 11/20)

PM Barak delays his departure for Camp David after 3 coalition parties--National Religious party, Shas, Yisrael Ba'Aliya--quit the government. In addition, FM Levy announces he will not attend summit because Barak has failed to consult with him on planned concessions. The opposition schedules 2 no-confidence votes for 7/10. Yet, public opinion polls show that 61% of Jewish Israelis support the talks with the PA. The U.S. says the summit must go ahead or Palestinian-Israeli tensions will rise further. (CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/10; AYM 7/11, Le Monde 7/12 in WNC 7/13; JP, MEI 7/14) (see 7/5)

In Washington, Secy. of State Albright holds mtgs. with the Israeli, PA peace teams sent in advance of Barak, Arafat to prepare for the Camp David summit, which is scheduled to begin on 7/11. The PA vows to hold a popular referendum of Palestinians inside and outside the territories on any agmt. that emerges fr. the talks. (JP [Internet], Reuters [Internet] 7/9; XIN 7/9 in WNC 7/11; WP 7/10)

In Cairo, Arafat meets with Pres. Mubarak on his way to the Camp David summit. Arafat then heads to London for a similar mtg. with PM Blair. (MENA 7/9 in WNC 7/10; Associated Press [Internet] 7/10; MENA 7/10 in WNC 7/11; MENA 7/11 in WNC 7/13)

Although the U.S. plans to have a media blackout surrounding the Camp David talks, PM Barak dispatches a media information team that will operate fr. New York, Washington during the summit. MKs Rabbi Michel Melchoir, Yuli Tamir will head the team. (Prime Minister's Office press release 7/9; MA 7/10 in WNC 7/11; SA 7/14 in WNC 7/18; MA 7/24 in WNC 7/25)

Jordanian PM Abu al-Raghib says Jordan has informed Israel, the PA, the U.S. of Jordan's "firm refusal" to absorb any additional Palestinian refugees "under any pretext," including a final status agmt. (JT [Internet], MM 7/10; JT 7/14 in WNC 7/18)

IDF soldiers open fire on a Palestinian car nr. Kafr Darom settlement in Gaza, killing a woman, wounding 5 others. The IDF says the shooting was an accident. (NYT 7/10; WJW 7/13; MEI 7/14)

In a scathing 4-page letter, `Abid Rabbuh publicly announces his resignation as PA chief negotiator for the final status, revealing the secret Stockholm talks. (MENL 5/15; MENA 5/15 in WNC 5/16; MM, NYT, WT 5/16; AYM 5/16 in WNC 5/18)

U.S. special envoy Ross arrives in Israel fr. Stockholm, along with the new PA, Israeli final status teams. All parties refuse to comment on the success or failure of the Stockholm talks. The State Dept. does not even confirm or deny that Ross was in Sweden, says only that the PA and Israel "are talking to each other in different ways at different levels." (State Dept. daily press briefing 5/15; MM, NYT, WT 5/16; State Dept. daily press briefing, WT 5/17; al-Quds 5/17 in WNC 5/18)

Across the West Bank and Gaza, 1,000s of Palestinians commemorating the Nakba and protesting the stalled peace process and Israel continued detention of Palestinian prisoners clash with IDF troops and border police in the worst fighting since 9/96. 2 PA policemen and 1 Palestinian civilian are killed and 100s are injured by rubber bullets, live ammunition, and tear gas; 14 Israeli soldiers and police officers are also injured. Some exchanges of gunfire are btwn. PA police, Israeli security forces. Arafat, Barak are in contact via their advisers throughout the day, speak by phone in the evening. (LAW, MM 5/15; BDL, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 5/16; ITAR-TASS 5/15, MENA 5/16 in WNC 5/17; AYM, al-Quds 5/16 in WNC 5/18; WJW 5/18; MEI 5/19)

Despite clashes, the Israeli cabinet votes (15-6) to transfer 3 Palestinian villages outside Jerusalem (Abu Dis, Azariyya, Sawahara al-Sharqiyya) fr. area B to area A. Later in the day, the Knesset approves (56-48, with 1 abstention) the cabinet decision. Barak, however, says he will not turn over the villages until he receives an explanation fr. the PA for today's clashes in the territories. (MM 5/15; MENA 5/15 in WNC 5/16; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/16; MM 5/17; WJW 5/18; MEI 5/19)

10,000s of Jewish settlers rally in Jerusalem's Zion Square to protest further territorial concessions to the Palestinians. The rally was planned by Shas last wk., before today's Knesset vote was announced. (MM 5/15; MM, NYT, WP 5/16; WJW 5/18)

In s. Lebanon, the IDF turns over its Taybiyya post to the SLA, marking the 1st step in a withdrawal fr. Lebanon. (MM, WT 5/17; NYT 5/18)

FM Peres arrives in Cairo for brief mtg. with FM Musa on NPT issue, stresses Israel will not change position. Musa says Israel's refusal to sign NPT is fueling regional stability; its failure to abide by DOP has caused recent violence; says Egypt will pressure Israel to state a date for troop withdrawal fr. West Bank in emergency summit 2/1. (MENA 2/1 in FBIS 2/2; MM, NYT 2/2)

U.S. State Department releases annual human rights report on Israel and the o.t.; criticizes PA for 11/18 violence; Israel for abusing detainees, treatment of Israeli Arabs. Israelis say report is balanced. (MM 2/2; WJW 2/9)

UN Human Rights Comm. (UNHRC) monitor in Israel, Rene Felber, quits his position; suggests position be eliminated since Israel does not act on his reports, he believes condemning Israel for abuses does not help peace talks. UNHRC expresses shock. (WT 2/4)

Israel, PA reach final agmt. on Gaza port, announce construction will begin within 1 mo. (ITV 2/1 in FBIS 2/6)

Jerusalem Planning and Construction Comm. approves construction of 6,500 houses for new neighborhood in southern Jerusalem. 2,000 dunums of Palestinian land will be confiscated for the project. (QY 2/1 in FBIS 2/1)

1000's of Israelis gather in Tel Aviv to protest continuation of peace process. MKs fr. Likud, Tsomet, Moledet, Yi'ud, Shas participate. (MM 2/2)

IDF raids Hamas charities in West Bank, confiscates files, says charities are funneling money for military operations. (QY 2/1 in FBIS 2/1)