The Palestine Chronology

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)

Citing Hizballah Katyusha attacks 12/23, Israel adopts "more aggressive" policy toward Lebanon that will include attacks on Hizballah bases deep inside Lebanon, preemptive strikes on units planting roadside bombs, destruction of Lebanese infrastructure if n. Israel is attacked. Lebanon fears Israel is planning an unprovoked attack during run-up to 5/99 elections. (IDF Radio 1/1, IRNA, al-Quds, RL 1/2, YA 1/3 in WNC 1/5; WT 1/2; RL 1/11 in WNC 1/12; MA 1/24 in WNC 1/26)

U.S. temporarily closes emb. in Israel after receiving a "credible" threats. (ITV 12/31 in WNC 1/4, 1/5; NYT, WP, WT 1/1)

The Israeli Housing Min. issues tenders for construction of 1,051 new housing units in West Bank settlements including 651 units in Beitar Ilit nr. Jerusalem, where 10,000 ultra-Orthodox settlers live. (NYT 1/1; JP 1/11)

Under IDF protection, Jewish settlers move trailers to hills nr. Nablus, confiscating additional Palestinian land to expand Elon Moreh settlement. (al-Hayat al-Jadida 12/31 in WNC 1/5)

10s of Jordanians stage sit-in outside the U.S. emb. in Amman to protest U.S.-led attack on Iraq. (al-Dustur 1/1 in WNC 1/5)

U.S. stages 2d strike on Iraq, having hit more than 50 targets with over 200 Tomahawk missiles 12/16. Democratic congressmen accuse Republicans, many of whom questioned the timing of the attacks, of being unpatriotic. Russia recalls its ambs. fr. Washington (for the 1st time since World War II), London; the Duma accuses the U.S. of "international terrorism." Lebanon denounces the operation. Jordan expresses regret. Syria opposes U.S. "double standards" in its Iraq, Israel policy. (MM 12/17; AFP, IRNA, MENA, Petra-JNA, RJ 12/17 in WNC 12/21; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/18; al-Thawra, Tishrin 12/18 in WNC 12/28; NYT, WP, WT 12/19; MENA 12/19, SATN 12/20, al-Ahram 12/21 in WNC 12/22; MEI 12/25)

Across the West Bank and in Gaza City, Palestinians protest the U.S.-led attack on Iraq. The largest demonstration, attended by 3,000 Palestinians, is held in Nablus. In el-Bireh, the IDF shoots, kills 1 Palestinian, injures 16 others. (WP, WT 12/18; MEI 12/25)

In Egypt, the government expresses its "regret" over the U.S.-led strike on Iraq; the Arab League, al-Azhar's chief cleric denounce use of military force; Cairo University students go on hunger strike to protest; Egyptian police lock American University in Cairo students on campus to keep them fr. demonstrating. (MENA, RE 12/17 in WNC 12/21)

Palestinians across the occupied territories stage most violent protests in 7 mos. to mark the 11th anniversary of the beginning of the intifada. PM Netanyahu claims PA is deliberately escalating violence ahead of Clinton's visit. IDF responds with percussion grenades, rubber-coated bullets, live ammunition, leaving 1 Palestinian dead, some 200 injured. The worst clashes are in Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah. In Jericho, Palestinians throw rocks through the windows of the new Oasis casino. Settlers threaten to stage their own demonstrations; ask IDF permission to open fire on Palestinians who approach their border fences. Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin joins prisoners' hunger strike (see 12/5). (CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/10; YA 12/10 in WNC 12/14)

Israel's High Court unanimously votes to overturn 50-yr.-old statue exempting Ultraorthodox Jews fr. serving in the IDF. (NYT, WP, WT 12/10)

IDF court-martials soldier who was ambushed, beaten by Palestinians in Ramallah 12/3 for not carrying a loaded weapon, leaving his post without permission. Top IDF cmdrs. say that he should have shot his attackers. (WP, WT 12/10; PR 12/11; JP 12/14)

Acting on Israeli complaints, PA police raid a Palestinian factory in Hebron manufacturing counterfeit compact discs of Israeli artists. (YA 12/9 in WNC 12/14)

Over 80% of settlers in Ganim sign draft bill prepared by Labor, saying that they would to evacuate the settlement in exchange for financial compensation. (ITV 12/9 in WNC 12/14) (see 12/8)

Iraq refuses to accommodate UN Special Comm. (UNSCOM) weapons inspectors demanding access to a Ba`th party offices. (CSM, WT 12/10; WP 12/11)

In Washington, Israeli FM Sharon informs Pres. Clinton, Secy. Albright that Israel will not carry out the 2d stage of the FRD by 2/18, claiming PA has violated "every paragraph" of Wye; warns Clinton not to raise Palestinian expectations during his upcoming visit. Sharon asks CIA Dir. George Tenet to reconsider his opposition to spy for Israel Jonathan Pollard's release. (MM 12/8; WJW 12/10)

Knesset postpones no-confidence vote on Netanyahu to 12/21 in light of Pres. Clinton's trip to the region this weekend. (MM 12/7; MM, NYT, WT 12/8; MA 12/8, IDF Radio 12/9 in WNC 12/11; WJW 12/10; MEI 12/11)

In Nablus, PA police clash with 100s of Palestinians demonstrating against Israel's refusal to release political prisoners, injuring 19. Demonstrators set fire to 2 police cars, a bus. 50 Palestinians are injured, 1 is killed in other West Bank clashes with the IDF. 4 Israeli border policemen, 2 settlers are also injured. (NYT, WP, WT 12/8; MM 12/9; PR 12/11)

U.S. Health Secy. Donna Shalala arrives in Lebanon on an official visit. Shalala, the highest ranking Arab American in the U.S. government, is also the highest ranking U.S. official to visit Lebanon in yrs. (MM 12/9)

The U.S. drops Iran fr. list of major drug-producing countries, saying it has largely eliminated the illegal opium trade. (WT 12/8)

3-day Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) mtg. opens in Abu Dhabi. FMs fr. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE discuss recent mtgs. with U.S. Secy. of State Albright in Washington, where Albright asked them to come up with new ideas on how to deal with the Iraqi government, how the Iraqi opposition could be used. (MM 12/7, 12/8, 12/10, 12/16) (see 11/24)

Egypt's Pres. Mubarak arrives in Ankara for 2-day talks with Turkey's Pres. Demirel on boosting political, economic cooperation. (MM 12/7; MENA 12/9 in WNC 12/11)

Arafat attends ceremony in Sweden to mark the 10th anniversary of his 1988 Stockholm visit in which he "renounced terrorism," sought to revive the peace process. In his speech, Arafat says that he has not set a deadline for declaring a state, that any Palestinian state wound not make alliances with parties hostile to Israel. (WP 12/7)

Nr. Ramallah, IDF breaks up demonstration by 300 Palestinians protesting Israel's release of criminals 11/20, new conditions to Wye implementation issued 12/2; injures 14. 5 Palestinians are injured in similar clashes in Bethlehem. PA Prisoners' Affairs M Hisham `Abd al-Raziq, 1,700 Palestinian prisoners begin hunger strike. (WT 12/6; WP, WT 12/7; MM 12/9; MEI 12/11; PR 12/18)

IDF demolishes 5 Palestinian homes, animal pens in Jiftlik nr. Nablus. (PR 1/8)

In Washington, Israeli Finance M Yaakov Neeman, DMin. Dir. Gen. Ilan Biran meet with senior U.S. officials to assure them that the $1.2-b. aid that the U.S. plans to give Israel will not be used directly for settlements. An Israeli-U.S. team is formed to complete details of the aid package within 1 mo. for submission to Congress in mid-1/99. (Globes [Internet] 11/22; MM 11/23; Globes [Internet] 11/23 in WNC 11/30) (see 11/19)

Israel, Jordan discuss bilateral trade issues, Israeli obstacles to Jordanian trade with the occupied territories. (JT 11/23 in WNC 11/30)

Jordan, Syria open 2-day mtg. on Yarmuk River water. (JT, Petra-JNA 11/23 in WNC 11/24; JT 11/24, 11/26 in WNC 11/30; WT 11/25)

Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails begin hunger strike to protest Israel's release of criminals, rather than political prisoners. (CSM 11/23; MM 11/25; IDF Radio 11/26 in WNC 11/30; MEI 12/11) (see 11/20)

Israel approves construction of high-tech industrial center, engineering school at the Kiryat Arba settlement. (AFP [Internet] 11/22; PR 11/27)

Jewish settlers demand that the Israeli government provide armored busses for schoolchildren, build lookout posts along key roads, construct helicopter landing pads, issue military equipment (e.g., machine guns, tear gas, rubber-coated bullets) to settlements. (MM 11/23)

Jewish settlers occupy abandoned rail station at Sebastia in the West Bank; demand government permission to open a religious seminary, museum there. Settlers also occupy hilltops nr. Bethlehem, nr. Nablus. (ITV 11/22 in WNC 11/24)

IDF demolishes Palestinian home in Taybeh nr. Hebron. (PR 1/8)

A wk. after avoiding U.S. airstrikes by resuming cooperation with the UN (see 11/15), Iraq rebuffs a UN request for documents. U.S. warns that withholding documents alone could trigger airstrikes. (NYT 11/23; WT 11/24)

With government permission, Jordanian women's groups, opposition parties stage 2d pro-Iraq rally in Amman. (JT 11/23 in WNC 11/24) (see 11/17)

PA submits security work plan to the U.S. in keeping with the Wye timetable. PM Netanyahu, however, says he cannot implement the agmt. because it has not been ratified (see 10/27). The cabinet is now set to debate ratification 11/3+n4, the Knesset 11/11+n12. (MM 11/2; AFP, ITV 11/2 in WNC 11/6; NYT, WP, WT 11/3; al-Ahram, MA 11/3 in WNC 11/6; NYT, WT 11/4)

PM Netanyahu's government survives no-confidence motion by one vote in the Knesset, due to support fr. Israeli Arab MKs. (NYT 11/3)

PA president's office issues order regulating accreditation, movement of press correspondents. PA Information Min. denounces the president's office for acting outside its jurisdiction, claims new measures are null and void. (PR 11/6; PCHR 11/8)

Israel increases the number of Palestinian workers allowed into Israel fr. 47,000 to 60,000. (WT 11/4)

In East Jerusalem, fights break out btwn. Israeli police, Palestinians protesting Jewish settlers' continued preparations for a new settlement in Ras al-Amud. (MM, WP, WT 11/3) (see 11/1)

A Jewish settler wanted for killing a Palestinian nr. Nablus 10/26 surrenders to Israeli police, who order him held for 6 days. (NYT 11/3; WT 11/4; JP 11/9)

PM Netanyahu cancels 10/29 Knesset vote on the Wye agmt. (which is expected to pass easily), predicting that the PA will not meet a 11/2 deadline to present the U.S. with a security work plan. (NYT, WP, WT 10/28; al-Ahram 10/28, VOA 10/29 in WNC 10/30; MM 10/29, 10/30; ITV 10/31, AFP 11/1 in WNC 11/6)

Israel begins construction of water reservoir for Almon settlement, Anaton IDF camp nr. Ramallah that will require confiscation of 100s of dunams of Palestinian land. Nr. Hebron, settlers place 3 trailers on 100 dunums of confiscated land for establishment of new Yatta settlement. (PR 11/6)

PA police arrests 2 Palestinians for 10/26 settler murder in Hebron. Israelis have not found killers of Palestinian slain in reprisal attack nr. Nablus, where today Palestinian protesters clash with IDF soldiers, leaving 9 injured. In addition, Fatah enforces general strikes in Bethlehem, Nablus to protest the PA's 10/25 raid on its Ramallah office. (AFP [Internet] 10/27; IDF Radio, ITV 10/27 in WNC 10/29; NYT, WP 10/28; PR 10/30; JP 11/9)

In Sidon, a car bomb explodes, killing an Islamic Jihad official, wounding 3. An SLA mbr. is killed in a Hizballah attack in s. Lebanon. (VOL 10/27 in WNC 10/28; MA 10/28 in WNC 10/29; RL 10/28 in WNC 10/30; RL 10/31 in WNC 11/6)

Israel seals borders with the occupied territories to prevent what DM Mordechai claims are plans for an "unprecedented, horrific" attack by Hamas. (MM 10/2; ITV 10/2 in WNC 10/6; WT 10/3)

Syria calls for dialogue with Turkey on security issues, accuses Israel of being behind Turkey's recent belligerent tone. (MM 10/2; SANA 10/2 in WNC 10/5; Sabah, SATN 10/2, ATL, JT, SA, SATN 10/3 in WNC 10/6; WP, WT 10/3; NYT 10/4; Anatolia 10/5 in WNC 10/7) (see 10/1)

A British analysts claims that Israel is the government referred to in a passage of the Starr report (see 9/19) in which Lewinsky testified that Clinton said that he suspected a foreign emb. of tapping his phones. The analyst claims that Mossad installed the tap after the FBI began looking into reports of an Israeli mole, Mega, in the administration (see 5/6/97); used its recordings of more than 30 sexually explicit calls btwn. Lewinsky, Clinton to force Clinton to call off the Mega investigation. A Washington source confirms that Israeli bugging, blackmail halted the FBI hunt. (MEI 10/2; see also MM 9/18)

In Hebron, 7 Palestinians are injured as clashes with the IDF continue. (WT 10/3)

Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus fire on Palestinians in the neighboring village of Burin. In East Jerusalem, settlers throw molotov cocktails at a Palestinian home causing light damage. (PR 10/9)

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 2 days of heated debate, PC approves (55-28, with 3 abstentions) Arafat's new EA. (WP 8/9; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 8/10; JP 8/15)

PM Netanyahu turns down invitation fr. Norway to attend 5th anniversary commemoration of the Oslo accords scheduled to be held in Oslo 8/23-24. Fmr. Israeli PM Peres, Arafat plan to attend. (HA [Internet] 8/10, 8/18)

Jordanian FM Anani arrives in Iran for 2 days of talks on bilateral cultural, economic, political ties; meets with Majles speaker Ali Akbar Nateq-Nuri. (JTV 8/8, IRNA 8/9, JT 8/10 in WNC 8/11; MM 8/14)

Jordan's new amb. to Iraq, Hammud Katarneh, presents his credentials to Iraqi VP Taha Yassin Ramadan. Both men express desire to boost bilateral cooperation. (MM 8/12)

Israel's Atty. Gen. Elaykim Rubenstein, State Prosecutor Edna Arbel, National Chief of Police Yehuda Vilk meet to finalize new regulations for the IDF, police, Shin Bet that will eliminate special treatment for Jewish settlers who break the law in the occupied territories, especially in cases involving attacks on Palestinians. (HA [Internet] 8/11)

10s of Jewish settlers fr. settlements along the Lebanese border demonstrate outside PM Netanyahu's office to protest government plans to rescind the benefits granted the border settlements after Israel's assault on Lebanon 4/11-26/96. (HA [Internet] 8/10)

Palestinian prisoner Walid Qawasmeh dies en route to a Nablus hospital after 10 days in PA custody. PA says that he died of heat stroke. Autopsy today concludes that he had been tortured. (WP 8/11; LAW 8/12)

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 Latakia, Lebanese PM Hariri, Pres. Ilyas Hrawi, Speaker Nabih Birri meet with Syria's Pres. Asad to coordinate action plan against Israel's offer for conditional implementation of UN Res. 425. (RL 4/13 in WNC 4/15; RL 4/14 in WNC 4/16; al-Safir [Beirut] 4/15 in WNC 4/16; MEI 4/24)

In Amman, King Hussein receives Israel's Meretz party chmn. Yossi Sarid, who proposes forming Arab-Israeli group to promote peace process. (JTV 4/13 in WNC 4/16)

Israel detains PSF officer Yahya Qaddus on charges of spying for Syria. (PR 4/17)

PA police arrest more than 12 Hamas supporters who took part in an anti-Israeli rally in Nablus 4/11. (MM 4/14)

Turkey receives new Iranian amb. (IRNA 4/11 in WNC 4/15) (see 4/5)

PA police arrest 10s of Hamas mbrs., including Imad Awadallah, who is the 6th suspect in 3/29 Sharif killing and has been wanted by Israel for over a yr.; Senior Izzeddin al-Qassam figure Ibrahim Muqadima, also on Israel's most wanted list; and Islamic Jihad spokesman `Abdallah al-Shami. (NYT, WT 4/12; IDF Radio 4/13 in WNC 4/15; MM 4/14; LAW 4/15; MEI 4/28) (see 4/10)

In Nablus, 5,000 Palestinian students hold demonstration calling for revenge against Israel over Sharif's murder. (WT 4/12; CSM 4/13; MEI 4/28) (see 4/10)

Arafat, on visit to Amsterdam, tours Anne Frank House. (MENA 3/31 in WNC 4/2; IDF Radio 4/1 in WNC 4/3; WJW 4/9)

Lebanese FM Buwayz arrives in Rome for mtg. with the Pres. Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, PM Romano Prodi discusses Lebanon's demand for Israel's unconditional adherence to UN Res. 425. (RL 4/1 in WNC 4/3)

Nr. Nablus, IDF opens fire with rubber bullets on Palestinians protesting Israeli land confiscations, injuring 1. (WT 4/1)

Suspected Hizballah roadside bomb explodes in the Jazzin enclave in s. Lebanon, killing 6 civilians, wounding 1. IDF urgently contacts SLA to dissuade them fr. retaliating, which could spark fierce clashes similar to those that occurred in 8/97. (ITV 3/31 in WNC 4/1; MM, WP 4/1)

U.S special envoy Ross holds final unsuccessful mtg. with PM Netanyahu. State Dept. says that since no gaps were closed during Ross's tour, it is not considering a Washington summit; says that "one option has always been for us to disengage from this kind of direct catalytic role." Ross goes to Sharm al-Shaykh to brief Egyptian pres. Mubarak. (MM 3/30; IDF Radio, MENA 3/30 in WNC 3/31; ITV, QY 3/30, al-Dustur, IDF Radio, ITV, JT, QY 3/31 in WNC 4/2; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/31; CSM, MM 4/1; SA 4/1 in WNC 4/3; WJW 4/2; MENA 4/2 in WNC 4/4; MM 4/3; MEI 4/10; JP 4/11)

In Riyadh, Egyptian FM Musa, Syrian FM Shara`, Saudi Arabian FM Prince Sa'ud al-Faisal open surprise 2-day mtg. to discuss peace process, possibly convening larger Arab summit. (RE 3/30 in WNC 3/31; MM 3/31; MENA, RE 3/31 in WNC 4/2; MM 4/1; al-Ittihad [Abu Dhabi] 4/2 in WNC 4/3)

Iranian FM Kharrazi arrives in Lebanon for 3-day visit, meets with Pres. Hrawi. (IRNA, RL, VOL 3/30 in WNC 3/31; IRNA 3/30, IRNA, RL 3/31 in WNC 4/2; IRNA, RL, VIRI 4/1 in WNC 4/3; al-Ahd [Beirut] 4/3 in WNC 4/13)

Jordan, Israel hold 1-day naval exercise in the Gulf of Aqaba. This is the 1st such joint exercise. (RJ 3/30, JT 3/31 in WNC 4/2)

Jordan receives last 3 F-16s fr. the U.S. (al-Ra'i 3/31 in WNC 4/2; JT 4/4 in WNC 4/7)

Palestinians across the West Bank, Gaza mark Land Day, the anniversary of the 1976 incident in which the IDF opened fire on Palestinians protesting Israeli land confiscations, killing 6. Clashes with IDF are reported in Bethlehem, al-Bireh, Hebron, Jinin, Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah; 17 Palestinians are injured. Israeli Arab leaders order general strike. (NYT 3/29; MM 3/30; al-Dustur 3/31 in WNC 4/2; MA 4/6 in WNC 4/7; JP 4/11)

Israeli High Court rejects appeal to prevent demolition of mosque in Jordan Valley, school and home nr. Nablus, home nr. Tulkarm. (LAW 3/31)

50 Christian evangelical groups make unprecedented promise not to carry out missionary activity in Israel, saying that they "rejoice in the presence of the Jewish people in this country of their ancestors" and they will avoid "activities which . . . alienate them from their tradition and community." (WT 3/31)

Saudi Arabia ends its inquiry into the 6/96 Khobar barracks bombing, says bombers cannot be positively identified. U.S., which suspects Iranian involvement and has complained that Saudi Arabia has not been forthcoming with information, says its investigation is still open. (NYT 3/31; WT 4/1)

U.S. special envoy Ross meets again with PM Netanyahu, insists that Israel add another 4% to its FRD proposal. Netanyahu refuses, also says that Israel must have a role in monitoring PA security compliance in an FRD agmt. Ross then meets with Arafat. (WT 3/29; MA 3/29 in WNC 3/30; JP 4/4)

In Washington, Secy. Albright meets with Israeli DM Mordechai, warns him that the U.S. is reaching the point where it would simply let Israel, the PA work things out themselves. Mordechai briefs Albright on Israel's proposal for conditional withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. (MM 3/30;RMC 4/12 in WNC 4/15)

Iranian FM Kamal Kharrazi arrives in Syria for 2-day visit, meets with Pres. Asad. One focus of talks is Israel's s. Lebanon withdrawal offer, which is opposed by both states. (IRNA, SANA 3/28, IRNA, SATN, VIRI 3/29, IRNA, VIRI 3/30 in WNC 3/31)

Iran's Culture and Islamic Guidance M Atollah Mohajerani says that if Israel withdraws fr. s. Lebanon with guarantees for a fixed border, "there will be no further need for Hizballah's resistance operations there." (MM 4/1, 4/2)

1,000s of Israeli Arabs hold march nr. Shaykh Danun, Israel, to mark the destruction of 418 Arab villages destroyed by Jewish forces in 1948. (NYT 3/29; MM 4/6)

In Nablus, IDF opens fire with rubber bullets on Palestinians holding antisettlement demonstration. (NYT 3/29)

In Tehran, Iran, Syria discuss expanding transportation cooperation. (IRNA 3/13 in WNC 3/16)

West Bank demonstrations against over death of 3 Palestinians 3/10 continue for 4th day. In Dura, 7 Palestinians are injured in clash with IDF, which is broken up by PA police; settlers stone Palestinian home. In Nablus, PA police, IDF fire tear gas at 1,000s of Palestinians to break up riot; 200 PA police keep protesters fr. reaching Jewish seminary at Joseph's tomb. (NYT, WT 3/14)

A bomb explodes in East Jerusalem, wounding 4 Palestinians as they leave Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque. PA claims package bomb was placed by settlers. Israel claims it was being carried by Palestinians on their way to West Jerusalem, prematurely detonated. (MM 3/13; NYT 3/14; PR 3/20)

In Hebron, 40 armed Jewish settlers march into PA-controlled area of Hebron, sparking riot. IDF fires on Palestinians with rubber bullets to break up clash, injuring 14 Palestinians, 8 journalists. Observers forming the Temporary International Presence in Hebron fault the IDF for allowing the settlers to get past them and into the PA sector. (QY 3/13 in WNC 3/16; NYT 3/14; WP 3/15; WP 3/16; LAW, MM 3/17; WJW 3/19; PR 3/20; MEI 3/27; JP 3/28)

Coinciding with the opening of Israel's 50th anniversary celebrations, Arafat threatens to "cross out" the peace agreements, declare a Palestinian state next yr. if the deadlock in negotiations continues. (ITV 2/12 in WNC 2/15; WP, WT 2/13)

In Cairo, Arafat adviser Abbas briefs Egyptian FM Musa on latest round of follow-up talks taking place in Washington. (MENA 2/12 in WNC 2/15)

EU Pres. Santer arrives in Lebanon for 2-day stay, meets with PM Hariri. (VOL 2/12 in WNC 2/15; RL 2/13 in WNC 2/17)

In Amman, PM Majali discusses status of peace process with Israeli FMin. Dir Gen. Eytan Bentzur, urges Israel to implement Oslo agmts. (RJ 2/12 in WNC 2/15)

In Gaza, PA police try to tear down fence erected by Jewish settlers on disputed land outside Neve Dalim settlement. IDF troops intervene, scuffle with PA police, leaving 1 soldier injured. PA police cmdrs. arrive, break up fight. (WT 2/13) (see 1/23)

Despite 2/10 ban, 300 Palestinians in Hebron, 1,500 in Nablus stage rallies against attack on Iraq. (WT 2/13)

In mtg. with Defense Secy. Cohen in Moscow, Russian DM Igor Sergeyev strongly criticizes U.S.'s "uncompromising" stand on Iraq; warns against hasty judgement, short lived military victories; expresses "deep concern" regarding U.S.-Russia relations if the U.S. strikes Iraq. (WP, WT 2/13)

PM Netanyahu arrives in Washington, holds separate mtgs. with American Jewish groups, Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson, House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA), Moral Majority leader Jerry Falwell; gives speech to Voice United for Israel, a coalition dominated by Christian fundamentalists. Falwell tells Netanyahu that he will mobilize evangelical churches to oppose any FRD. (MM, WP, WT 1/20; IDF Radio 1/20 in WNC 1/21; ITV 1/20 in WNC 1/23; NYT, WP, WT 1/21; MM, WT 1/26; MEI 1/30)

Israel receives fr. the U.S. 1st 2 of 25 F-15I aircraft, which have a 2,400-mi. range--enough to hit Iran, Iraq, Libya without refueling--and ability to carry 11 tons of weapons. (Der Standaard [Groot-Bijgaarden] 1/20 in WNC 1/21; MENA 1/21 in WNC 1/23; MEI 1/30; JP 1/31)

In advance of his mtg. with Clinton 1/22, Arafat arrives in Cairo for 2 days of talks on the peace process with Mubarak. (MENA 1/19, 1/20 in WNC 1/21; PR 1/23)

In under 3 hrs., PA security court tries, sentences to 15 yrs. 2 Hamas mbrs. on charges of masterminding the 7/30, 9/4 suicide bombings. Jassir Samara, Nasim Abu Rus were arrested in a raid in Nablus 1/12. (LAW 1/19; WP, WT 1/20)

At the start of 3 days of mtgs. in Bucharest, Syria, Romania sign 4 cooperation agmts. covering transportation, trade, health and the environment, youth and sports. (Rompres [Bucharest] 1/19, Radio Romania Network [Bucharest] 1/20 in WNC 1/21)

Arafat briefs EU special envoy Moratinos on the status of the peace process, urges EU to put more pressure on Israel. (PR 1/16)

French FM Vedrine arrives in Jordan, meets with King Hussein, then heads to Damascus. (RFI, RJ 1/12 in WNC 1/13; JT, RFI 1/12 in WNC 1/14)

Shin Bet extends for 3 mos. permission for interrogators to use "moderate physical pressure" (including shaking, sleep deprivation, noise exposure hooding) when questioning Hamas suspects. (PCHR 1/15)

In Nablus, Israeli, PA security teams raid alleged Hamas bomb factory, seize 300 kg. of explosives. (MM 1/13; WP, WT 1/14; PR 1/23)

Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group (ILMG) holds 1st mtg. of the year to discuss 3 Lebanese, 3 Israeli complaints; urges greater caution to protect civilians. ILMG held 25 mtgs. in 1997. During 1997 40 Lebanese were killed, 120 Lebanese and 1 Israeli were wounded in violations of the 4/96 understanding. (VOL 1/12 in WNC 1/13; RL 1/13 in WNC 1/14)

In Tel Aviv, Jordan, Israel hold talks on Jordan Valley development, water desalination project, protecting Jordan River fr. salt water pollution. (JT, JTV 8/26 in WNC 8/27; al-Dustur 8/27 in WNC 8/28; JT 8/28 in WNC 8/29)

More than 500 Jewish leaders, scholars fr. around the world gather in Basel, Switzerland, for 3-day commeoration of the 100th anniversary of the 1st Zionist Congress that launched the drive to create a Jewish homeland. The congress convened 22 times btwn. 1897  and 12/46. (WT 8/27; NYT 8/29; MM 9/2; WJW 9/4; JP 9/6)

Arafat says that he has resumed security cooperation with Israel to an extent that would permit U.S. Secy. of State Albright to visit the region next mo. Israel says the PA has not done enough, is enouraging demonstrations against the closure. (NYT 8/27)

In Bethlehem, Palestinians protest continued internal closure, clash with IDF troops at checkpoints leading out of town. PA police stand by but do not intervene. An elementary school is evacuated, 10s of girls are taken to the hospital when 7 IDF teargas canisters land in the schoolyard. (Interfax [Moscow] 8/26 in WNC 8/27; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/27; PR 8/29)

Israel releases 1 of the PA policemen arrested 7/15 on suspicion of plotting anti-Israeli attacks. (NYT 8/28)

IDF demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in the Ras al-Amud neighborhhod of Jerusalem; 2 in Qusra, 1 in Beita, both nr. Nablus. (LAW 8/26; PR 9/5) (see 7/26)

The Israeli Justice Min. agrees to free a Palestinian, Imad Sabih, who has been jailed without charge for 2 yrs., to let him study in the Netherlands. Sabih will not be allowed to return to Israel or the occupied territories for 4 yrs. (NYT, WT 8/27; LAW 8/28; al-Ayyam 8/28 in WNC 9/4)

Iranian parliament passes bill allowing all foreign firms, excluding U.S. and Israeli firms, to register in Iran. Registered firms may engage in all lawful business activities in economic, commericial, industrial fields. (IRNA 8/26 in WNC 8/27)

U.S. special envoy Ross announces that Israel, the PA have resumed security cooperation, result will make or break long-term peace efforts. (MM 8/12; AFP 8/12 in WNC 8/13; MM, WP, WT 8/13; MM, CSM, NYT 8/14)

In Nablus, 10,000 Palestinians march to protest U.S., Israeli efforts to press Arafat to crack down on anti-Israeli militants in the West Bank, Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza stage a smaller rally. (CSM, WP, WT 8/13)

Syria formally rejects an Israeli proposal for a new formula to resume negotiations. (MM 8/13; YA 8/13 in WNC 8/14; YA 8/14 in WNC 8/15)

MEPFA expires, forcing the PLO to close its office in Washington. The U.S. will continue diplomatic contacts with the PA. U.S. assistance to Palestinian projects will not be interrupted. (NYT, WP, WT 8/13; MM, WP 8/14; PR 8/15) (see 8/1)

PA military court finds 3 Force 17 mbrs. guilty of treason for "spying for the Israeli intelligence service"; condemns 1 to death, 1 to life with hard labor, 1 to 15 yrs. with hard labor. (NYT, WP, WT 8/13) (see 7/19)

Israel eases restrictions on produce crossing fr. the West Bank and Gaza, allowing 3 trucks of eggplants into Israel. (IDF Radio 8/12 in WNC 8/13; WT 8/13)

Nr. Bethlehem, 2 Palestinian cousins sneak through the IDF blockade of the city--1 to get heart medication, 1 to get money owned him by his employer nr. Jerusalem. They are caught, severely beaten by the IDF, sent back to a hospital in Bethlehem. (WP 8/16)

Palestinian woman gives birth at an IDF checkpoint outside Ramallah after soldiers refuses to let her into the PA-controlled city to reach a hospital. (WT 8/13)

SLA vacates 7 Lebanese villages s. of Sidon, turning them over to the Lebanese army. (RL 8/12 in WNC 8/13)

Israel releases Joseph, Jean Nahra, who were kidnapped in s. Lebanon by the IDF 7/9, taken to al-Khiyam prison. Israel has never explained their detention. (WT 8/13) (see 8/7)

U.S. special envoy Ross arrives in Jerusalem for talks with PA, Israel aimed at easing tensions, resuming security contacts that would pave way for visit by Secy. of State Albright, resumption of negotiations. (NYT 8/9; Radio France Internationale 8/9 in WNC 8/12; NYT, WT 8/10; JP 8/16)

Arafat calls emergency session of the PC to discuss conditions in the territories since the 7/30 bombings. (NYT, WT 8/10)

Nearly 2 wks. after the 7/30 bombings, Israel is still unable to identify the bombers. While some Israeli news reports claim that unnamed government officials have determined that the bombers were Palestinians fr. Nablus or Surif, other unnamed Israeli, PA officials claim that several indicators (the labels on the bombers clothing had been cut off, their finger prints are not on file, their bombs left no chemical residue, they carried Jordanian dinars) suggest that the bombers came fr. abroad, perhaps fr. Lebanon. Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz says that Israel is propagating these rumors to justify its recent intensification of attacks on Lebanon. (RL 8/9, al-Hayat al-Jadida 8/10 in WNC 8/12; WP 8/11, WT 8/18)

Israel eases the "inner closure" to allow Palestinian movement btwn. Janin, Qalqilya, Tulkarm. Bethlehem, H1 in Hebron, Ramallah are still sealed. Palestinians are permitted to cross the border into Jordan, but the overall ban on Palestinians entering Israel remains in effect. (WT 8/10, 8/13)

PA police uncover a cache of weapons, explosives in Qalqilya, arrest several Palestinians. (NYT 8/10; YA 8/10 in WNC 8/12; NYT 8/11; LAW 8/20)

Israeli Air Force (IAF) stages 2 attacks targeting Hizballah, PFLP-GC training camps in the Biqa` Valley, killing 1 Hizballah mbr. and 1 PFLP-GC mbr., wounding 4 Hizballah mbrs. 1 SLA mbr. is wounded in a separate clash with Hizballah. (RL 8/9 in WNC 8/12; NYT, WT 8/10; MM 8/11)

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)

In Washington, PA Local Government M Erakat meets with Undersecy. of State Thomas Pickering; says that the U.S. is working on a new initiative, based on a "package deal," to help restart peace talks. Pickering later meets with PM Netanyahu's political adviser Uzi Arad to discuss issues pertaining to Iran, Syria. (MM, WT 7/21; MM 7/22; WJW 7/24; MEI 7/25)

In Nablus, PA court opens the trial of 3 mbrs. of Force 17, 1 civilian on charges of kidnapping, collaboration with Israel. The prosecution charges that the 4 men, under orders fr. Israeli intelligence, kidnapped, assaulted several Nablus residence in a bid to "wreck the reputation of the [PA] security forces." Evidence is not made public. (AFP 7/19 in WNC 7/29) (see 7/3)

Syria halts broadcasts, closes offices of the Voice of Iraq Iraqi opposition radio, which has operated in Damascus for 17 yrs. (AFP 7/20 in WNC 7/29; SA 7/24 in WNC 7/25; MEI 8/8) (see 7/13)

Jordanian military court finds Daqamsa guilty of killing 7 Israeli girls, wounding 7 on 3/13 but rules out premeditation (which caries the death penalty); sentences him to life in prison with hard labor. (NYT, WT 7/20; MM 7/21; JP 7/26) (see 6/16)

Jordan's CPPA adopts decision to boycott 11/97 elections. All assn. reps. attending (Agronomists Assn., Bar Assn., Engineers Assn., Dentists Assn., Contractors Assn., Geologists Assn., Nurses Assn., Veterinarians Assn., Pharmacists Assn., Physicians Assn., Writers League) approve the decision. Reps. of the Auditors Assn., Press Assn. do not attend. (al-Ra'i 7/20 in WNC 7/22; MM 7/22) (see 7/15)

In Washington, PA Local Government M Erakat meets with special envoy Ross. (MM, WT 7/22; WJW 7/24)

In Gaza, Arafat, Shin Bet head Ami Ayalon discuss Israel's arrest of 3 PA policemen 7/15. Later, Egyptian amb. Basyuni hosts mtg. btwn. Israeli DM Mordechai, PA Planning M Shaath to discuss tensions surrounding arrest. The policemen have reportedly "confessed" under interrogation, prompting the IDF to detain the head of the PA forces in the Nablus area. (IDF Radio, ITV, QY 7/17 in WNC 7/18; MM, WT 7/18; ITV 7/18, MA 7/19, 7/20, Hatzofe 7/21 in WNC 7/22; JP 7/26) (see 7/9)

In Bir Nabala, IDF demolishes 19 Palestinian homes housing 47 persons. Soldiers do not let residents remove their belongings fr. the homes before destroying them. (LAW 7/7)

In Bayt Sahur, 2,000 Palestinians attend the funeral of boy killed by IDF 7/14. (WT 7/17)

World Bank grants Jordan a $50 m. loan for upgrading the kingdom's health care system. (JTV 7/17 in WNC 7/18)

In Cairo, Egyptian FM Musa receives an Israeli Peace Now delegation headed by Mordechai Bar-On. (RE 7/14 in WNC 7/16)

Following talks 7/13, 200 PA policemen resume joint patrols with the IDF in Hebron in an attempt to quell riots. IDF allows some shops in the downtown area to reopen (see 7/12). (MM 7/14; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 7/15; MM 7/16; MEI 7/25)

IDF claims that the PA is paying protesters $8+n$11 for every day that they participate in disturbances against the IDF in Hebron. PA denies this. (MM 7/14; IDF Radio, MA 7/14 in WNC 7/16)

IDF arrests 3 PA policemen who were allegedly planning an attack on the Jewish settlement of Har Bracha nr. Nablus. This is the 1st time that the IDF has arrested any mbr. of the PA security services. (YA 7/15 in IL 7/15; ITV 7/16 in WNC 7/17; PR, WT 7/18; ITV 7/18 in WNC 7/22; MEI 7/25)

In Bayt Sahur, an explosion in an apartment kills 1 Palestinian man, wounds a woman. IDF claims that the man, Issa Khalil Shukah, was a mbr. of Hamas. (PR 7/18)

Palestinians clash with IDF in the West Bank town of Bayt Sahur. 1 Palestinian boy is killed by rubber bullet to the head. (WT 7/17; PR 7/18)

In East Jerusalem, IDF demolishes Palestinian home allegedly built without a permit. (YA 7/14 in WNC 7/16)

Iraqi trade delegation postpones indefinitely a visit to Lebanon planned for next mo. (INA 7/14 in WNC 7/16) (see 7/11)

In s. Lebanon, 2 Lebanese civilians are killed, 1 is wounded by Israeli shelling. (RL 7/14, 7/15 in WNC 7/16)

In Nablus, a bomb explodes nr. an IDF vehicle passing by Joseph's Tomb, injuring 2 soldiers. The IDF closes the main roads to the nearby villages of Bayt Furik, Bayt Dajan. (PR 7/18)

In Hebron, 25 Jewish settlers start stone-throwing riot with Palestinians, prompting the IDF to intervene, wounding 9 Palestinians. IDF also places cement barriers along Shalala Street, which divides the PA-, Israeli-controlled enclaves; closes 50 Palestinian shops in Israeli-controlled downtown Hebron in retaliation for nearly 2 wks. of Palestinian protests, clashes. (NYT, WT 7/13; LAW 7/14)

In Ramallah, mbrs. of the PLO Exec. Comm. join in demonstrations to protest the expansion of Jewish settlements, anti-Muslim posters in Hebron. (PR 7/18)

The IAF Executive Bureau discusses whether it should follow the Muslim Brotherhood's lead and boycott 11/97 Jordanian elections, does not come to a final decision. Muslim Brotherhood issues formal statement outlining reasons for its decision to boycott. (al-Aswaq 7/12, al-Dustur, JT, al-Ra'i 7/13, RJ 7/14 in WNC 7/16; MM 7/14, 7/15; al-Quds al-Arabi 7/16 in WNC 7/18) (see 7/9)

In Ankara, PM Yilmaz's new government wins (281-256) its first vote of confidence. (WP 7/13)

Claiming they saw suspicious movements, IDF soldiers in s. Lebanon fire a shell at a 70-yr.-old Lebanese man collecting fodder for his cattle, killing him. Israel apologizes for the "accident." (RL 7/12 in WNC 7/16)