The Palestine Chronology

Arafat says final status talks with Israel are deadlocked, accuses Israel of using talks as a cover for settlement expansion, urges U.S. intervention. (WP, WT 12/4) (see 12/2)

In Nablus, 100s of Palestinians rally in support of PC mbr. Masri, who was wounded by masked gunmen on 12/1. (WP 12/4; WJW 12/9)

Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops clash with 200 Palestinians demonstrating against Israeli settlement expansion, leaving 4 injured. (NYT 12/4)

Israel submits to Jordan a proposal that would allow direct ("door-to-door") transportation of goods fr. Jordan to the West Bank as of mid-1/00. (JT [Internet] 12/4)

In Irbid, 100s of Jordanians participate in a rally organized by the Islamic Action Front to urge the government to reconsider its deportation of 4 Hamas leaders on 11/21. (JT 12/4 in WNC 12/6) (see 11/26)

Several high-ranking Iranian clerics traveling to Washington on special State Dept. visas to participate in a Georgetown seminar are halted by U.S. customs officials in New York, who fingerprint, photograph, and subject them to racist insults. The delegation returns to Iran in protest. The State Dept. says only that mistakes were made. (WT 12/4) (see 11/22)

Israeli FM Levy arrives in Moscow for 2 days of talks with PM Putin on the peace process. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS 12/1 in WNC 12/2; Interfax, ITAR-TASS 12/2 in WNC 12/3)

The PC holds emergency session to discuss the Petition of the 20. Those attending pass (33-8, with 3 abstentions) a resolution condemning the 9 PC mbrs. who signed the statement for seeking to divide the Palestinian people, but do not act to strip the 9 mbrs. of their immunity fr. prosecution. (CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/2; AYM 12/2 in WNC 12/6; AYM 12/4 in WNC 12/8; MEI 12/10)

To date, 100s of Palestinians inside the territories and around the world have signed two solidarity statements in support of the Petition of the 20, opposing the PA crackdown on the signers. (LAW 12/2)

On the way home fr. attending the PC session, PA legislator Muawiya Masri, who signed the Petition of the 20, is shot and wounded by masked men in Nablus. (LAW, MM, NYT, WT 12/2; CSM, MM 12/3; SA 12/3 in WNC 12/6; WJW 12/9; JP, MEI 12/10)

In reaction to the Petition of the 20, 1,000s of Arafat supporters hold a rally in Ramallah supporting the PA. (WT 12/2)

The PA issues a statement saying that it "distances itself from statements made by Suha Arafat" made during Hillary Clinton's visit to Ramallah on 11/11, saying the criticisms of Israel were her own and not the PA's. The announcement was made immediately after U.S. Consul General John Herbst met with Arafat in Gaza to demand an apology. (WT 11/25, 11/28)

The Vatican criticizes Israel for its handling of the Nazareth dispute (see 11/22), saying Israel is laying the "groundwork for future contradictions and tensions" btwn. Christians, Muslims. Muslims hold a ceremony to lay the cornerstone for the new mosque. 100s of Israeli riot police deploy around Nablus, but no demonstrations or clashes are reported. (ANSA 11/23, AYM 11/24 in WNC 11/26; NYT, WP, WT 11/24; WJW 12/2; JP 12/3; ANSA 12/3 in WNC 12/6; MEI 12/10)

Jordanian police shoot, wound, arrest a man who fired a toy gun at security guards outside the Israeli emb. in Amman. (AFP 11/23 in WNC 11/24; NYT, WP 11/24; JT 11/24 in WNC 11/26)

IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem. (LAW 11/23)

Overnight, Jewish settlers set up 4 tents on a hill nr. Bethlehem. Israel says the IDF will dismantle the unauthorized enclave if the YESHA settlers council cannot persuade the settlers to leave voluntarily. (MM 11/23)

In Amman, 2,000 Jordanians attend solidarity rally organized by Hamas and professional unions in support of Hamas mbrs. deported on 11/21, call on the Jordanian government to step down. (JT 11/24 in WNC 11/26)

Israeli settlers attack a Jordanian parliamentary delegation visiting the PA-controlled sector of Hebron. An IDF detachment guarding the Tomb of the Patriarchs reportedly observes the incident but does not intervene. (MM 10/13; MEI, NYT 10/15; SA 10/15 in WNC 10/18; JP 10/29)

An explosion in an apartment building in Nablus kills a Palestinian man with ties to Islamic Jihad. Police suspect he was in the process of building a bomb. (WP 10/10)

Lebanese security reports note that IDF troops are moving equipment and digging up devices around their military posts at Hasbayya, Biqa` Gharbiyya, Nabatiyya, and Beaufort Castle, suggesting they may be pulling back. (RL 10/9 in WNC 10/12)

Yugoslavia accepts an international peace plan negotiated by Russia, Finland (acting for NATO) for ending Kosovo conflict. The plan provides "substantial autonomy" for Kosovo, return of all 850,000 ethnic Albanian refugees. U.S. expresses cautious optimism, says air war, which began 3/24, will continue until treaty is fully implemented. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/4; WP 6/5; GIU 6/7; MM 6/11; GIU 6/14)

In Damascus, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdallah holds a 2d round of talks with Pres. Asad before leaving for Amman, where he meets with King Abdallah. (`Ukaz 6/2 in WNC 6/8; MM 6/4)

SLA completes withdrawal fr. Jazzin. Lebanese government says it will not grant amnesty to the 203 SLA mbrs. who elected to surrender to Lebanese authorities rather than evacuate. (MM 6/3; RL 6/3 in WNC 6/8; NYT, WT 6/4; JP 6/11)

Fewer than 3,000 Palestinians across the territories observe the PA's "day of rage" to protest Israeli settlement expansion. In Bethlehem, Gaza, Hebron, Nablus, and Tulkarm, demonstrators clash with IDF soldiers, who respond with tear gas and rubber bullets, in total injuring 36 Palestinians, killing 1. (MM 6/3; HJ 6/3 in WNC 6/8; al-Akhbar, al-Quds 6/3 in WNC 6/9; CSM, NYT 6/4; al-Quds 6/4 in WNC 6/11; LAW 6/6; MM 6/7; JP 6/11; MEI 6/18) (see 5/30)

At a roadblock nr. Yattir settlement in the West Bank, an IDF soldier fatally shoots a Palestinian motorist who allegedly tried to run him over. (CSM, NYT 6/4)

High-level Israeli, PA security officials discuss ways of facilitating movement of Palestinian goods and people though checkpoints, border crossings. (AYM 5/27, al-Majd 5/31 in WNC 6/1)

Israel's Peace Now says that Jewish settlers have established 3 new settlement enclaves nr. Nablus since 5/17 elections in a race to grab occupied Palestinian land before PM-elect Barak takes office. (NYT, WT 5/26)

Hizballah, South Lebanon Army (SLA) clash in s. Lebanon, leaving 2 Hizballah mbrs. 1 SLA mbr. dead. (AFP 5/26 in WNC 5/27)

In Gaza, the PLO Central Council (PCC) opens debate on statehood declaration, with 96 of 124 mbrs. attending. Arafat opens the mtg. by affirming Palestinians' right to independence, but recommending against declaring a state on 5/4. Hamas sends a 4 mbr. observer group led by Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, marking 1st time it has participated in a PLO mtg.; the move is criticized by Hamas political leaders in Jordan. Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine boycott. (MM 4/27; AFP, IDF Radio, JT 4/27 in WNC 4/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/28; IDF Radio, MBC 4/28 in WNC 4/29; al-Ayyam 4/28, 4/29 in WNC 5/3; PR 4/30; MEI 5/7; al-Istiqlal 5/7 in WNC 5/17; CSM 5/17)

In Nablus, 1,000 Fatah mbrs. march in support of a statehood declaration on 5/4. (WT 4/28)

A Palestinian arrested by Israeli police on burglary charges on 4/27 is admitted to a Tel Aviv hospital having been beaten so severely that one of his kidneys stopped functioning. (Reuters [Internet] 5/6)

Without explanation, the GIS orders the Hamas weekly newspaper al-Risala closed "until further notice." Under pressure fr. unnamed PA officials, the paper is allowed to reopen several hrs. later. (AFP 4/27 in WNC 4/28; al-Hayat al-Jadida 4/29 in WNC 5/3; PR 4/30)

In Geneva, the UN Human Rights Commission passes (52-1) a resolution reaffirming the Palestinians' right to self-determination, right to return. The U.S. votes against. (ADC press release 4/28; Xinhua 4/28 in WNC 4/29; Prime Minister's Report 4/30) (see 4/23)

Israel claims that the PA has released 3 Hamas prisoners involved in attacks in which Israelis were killed. PA, Hamas deny the story. (IDF Radio 4/27 in WNC 4/28; NYT, WP 4/28; al-Ayyam 4/28 in WNC 4/29; PR 4/30; JP 5/7)

In Washington, Israeli DM Moshe Arens meets with Secy. of State Albright, NSA Berger, Secy. of Defense Cohen for talks on Arrow missile program, Israeli receipt of 60 new F-16D fighters, regional issues. Albright, Berger criticize Israeli settlement policy. (USIS Washington File 4/27; MM 4/28; IDF Radio, MA 5/3 in WNC 5/4; WJW 5/6; JP, MEI 5/7)

Lebanese security personnel arrest an Israeli woman, Mary Vizeman, on suspicion of spying after she is found in Tyre without a passport. Vizeman, who speaks Arabic well, claims that she came fr. Nazareth to visit a friend in Beirut. (VOL 4/28 in WNC 4/29; JP 5/7)

Hizballah attempts to capture 2 IDF/SLA posts in s. Lebanon, wounding 8 IDF soldiers, 3 SLA mbrs. IDF shells Hizballah targets in response, wounding 2 civilians. (VOL 4/27 in WNC 4/28; MM 4/28)

Arafat meets with Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak in Cairo. (MENA 2/20 in WNC 2/22)

PA High Court orders the PA General Intelligence Service (GIS) to release Wael Farraj, jailed without charge since 4/25/96. GIS refuses to release him. (PR 2/26; PCHR 3/1; MEI 4/23)

In Amman, King Abdallah meets with Chmn. of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Henry Shelton on cementing security ties, boosting bilateral aid. (WP 2/21; MEI 2/26)

Jewish settlers seize 100 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Nablus for settlement expansion. (al-Hayat al-Jadida 2/21 in WNC 2/22)

Arab League condemns Turkey's latest incursion into n. Iraq, calls for immediate withdrawal. (RE 2/20 in WNC 2/22) (see 2/18)

Arafat appoints PC comm. to study file of each political prisoner held in PA jails, recommend which prisoners should be released. (MEI 2/26)

Labor holds party primaries. By common consent, Barak is given slot for PM candidate, fmr. PM Shimon Peres is given 2d slot. Top vote getters are Shlomo Ben-Ami, a Sephardim; Yossi Beilin, an architect of the Oslo agreements; fmr. Dep. Cheif of Staff Matan Vilnai, and Avraham Burg, chmn. of the Jewish Agency. (MM, WT 2/16)

Belgium, Israel, the PA sign accord on trilateral health sector project under which Israeli professionals will train Palestinian professionals in applied epidemiology. (La Libre Belgique 2/16 in WNC 2/18)

DFLP leader Hawatmah is thrown out of the Damascus-based coalition of Palestinian rejectionist groups for shaking hands with Israeli pres. Weizman at King Hussein's funeral 2/8. (NYT, WP 2/16)

In Nablus 3,500 Fatah supporters hold rally to mark Fatah's 24th anniversary. (AFP [Internet] 2/15)

IDF demolishes 3 Palestinian homes under construction in nr. Nablus, bring to 21 the number of homes demolished since the Wye agmt. was signed 10/23. (MEI 2/26)

2 Lebanese civilians are wounded by IDF shelling in s. Lebanon. (RL 2/16 in WNC 2/17)

After a 5 wk. trial, the Senate, voting along party lines, acquits Pres. Clinton on both articles of impeachment (45-55; 50-50). (NYT, WP, WT 2/13)

Arafat resurrects idea of Palestinian confederation with Jordan in a final peace arrangement. (NYT, WP, WT 2/13; `Ukaz 2/13 in WNC 2/17; al-Ayyam 2/13, al-Hayat al-Jadida 2/14 in WNC 2/18)

200 Palestinian protesters storm PA jail in Jericho, demanding release of 5 Islamists held there without charge. The 5 are among the 48 political prisoners who have been on hunger strike since 1/24. Protesters scuffle with PA police but eventually leave the building peacefully. In Nablus, 1,000 Palestinians hold rally in solidarity with prisoners. (WP 2/13; MEI 2/26)

In keeping with its 1/30 decision, the UN creates a panel to review Iraq's disarmament record, recommend ways of ensuring Iraq fulfills agmt. to abandon unconventional weapons. 20-mbr. panel contains 12 UNSCOM mbrs., including the ranking American UNSCOM inspector but not chmn. Butler. UN also creates 2 other panels on humanitarian affairs, prisoners of war and Kuwaiti property. (NYT 2/13)

Israel declines U.S. invitation to hold trilateral mtg. with the PA in Washington in 2/99 to discuss Wye implementation. Israeli FM Sharon says time is not right. (YA 1/25 in WNC 1/26) (see 1/17)

Ousted DM Mordechai joins the new Shahak-Meridor party. Netanyahu terms Mordechai "immoral" for consorting with centrists. (NYT, WP, WT 1/25; MA 1/25 in WNC 1/26) (see 1/23)

Israelis of Rumanian origin establish new political party, the Progressive Center Party. 14 requests to form new parties have been submitted since the last Knesset elections. Only 3 have been approved. (MA 1/25 in WNC 1/26)

Arab League mtg. on Iraq convenes in Cairo. Iraq attends but walks out in protest of what it calls a biased final statement that could give the U.S. a pretext to launch more airstrikes. The statement expresses "deep concern" over, but does not denounce, 12/98 U.S.-led attack; insists Iraq recognize Kuwait, comply with UN resolutions as a prelude to sanctions relief. Participants agree to set up ministerial comm. to work toward lifting economic sanctions on Iraq in accordance with a specific UN compliance time table. (WP 1/24; AFP, MENA, RE 1/24, al-Ayyam, al-Dustur, MENA, SANA 1/25 in WNC 1/26; MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/25; MENA, al-Quds al-Arabi 1/25, al-Safir 1/26 in WNC 1/27; MM, WT 1/26; MENA 1/28 in WNC 1/29; MEI 1/29)

48 Hamas, Islamic Jihad prisoners in the PA's Nablus, Jericho, Jneid jails begin hunger strike to protest the PA's failure to adhere to the PC's 1/13 call to free political prisoners held without charge at the end of Ramadan. (LAW, MEI, PR 1/29) (see 1/17)

Jewish settlers bulldoze Palestinian land nr. Bethlehem, including property of a historic monastery, to expand Efrat settlement. (INFOPAL 1/25)

U.S. planes attack 2 more Iraqi missile sites in the n. no-fly zone. (NYT, WP 1/25)