The Palestine Chronology

PA, EU sign a free trade agmt., called the "provisional association agmt.," which will go into effect in 1/97. The EU parliament will review the document for "final ratification" in 3/97. (PR 12/13)

EU special envoy Moratinos meets with Israeli FM Levy. Moratinos and Arab, Israeli leaders have agreed to set up a "red phone" to Moratinos to be used in case of any misunderstandings, emergencies among the parties. (ITV, QY 12/12 in WNC 12/16; MEI 1/24)

Arab League issues statement strongly condemning Israel's settlement activities, plans to build 132 units in East Jerusalem. (RE 12/12 in WNC 12/16) (see 12/11)

At the funeral for 2 settlers killed 12/11, Netanyahu vows to "deepen" Jewish settlements on the West Bank. PA says it has arrested 10 PFLP mbrs. in Ramallah. (MM 12/12; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/13; PR 12/20; JP 12/28; MEI 1/10)

In Kiryat Gat in s. Israel, an Israeli shoots, kills a Palestinian worker fr. Gaza, whom he claims was trying to break into his home. Palestinians say the man, Samir Abu Shaqfa, was killed to avenge the death of 2 settlers 12/11. IDF detains the settler for questioning. (MM 12/12; NYT, WP 12/13; MM, PR 12/20; JP 12/21)

The World Bank approves a $120-m. loan to Jordan to support economic reforms. The variable-rate loan is for 17 yrs., incl. a 4-yr. grace period. (World Bank press release 12/12)

ILMG says that the IDF is responsible for the 12/7 attack on 2 s. Lebanon villages that left 6 Lebanese civilians wounded,; for using internationally banned flechette shells, which spray steel darts. Israel rejects the decision. (RL 12/12 in WNC 12/13; IDF Radio 12/12 in WNC 12/16; MM, WP 12/13) (see 12/9)

Hot line btwn. U.S., Israeli defense chiefs begins operation. The new direct link is aimed at providing a "private and dedicated means for the defense chiefs of the two countries to discuss matters of mutual interest." (JP 12/28)

In Baghdad, unidentified assailants use machine guns, grenades to attack car carrying Saddam Hussein's eldest son and heir apparent, Uday. The extent of Uday's injuries is not known, though he is alive. (al-Quds al-Arabi 1/6 in WNC 1/8; WP 1/29)

In Tel Aviv, Israeli DM Mordechai briefs Jordanian Information M Marwan Mu`asher on negotiations with the PA. Mu`asher warns Israel on expanding settlements, raising fears of a military conflict with Syria. (ITV, JTV 12/11, IGPO, RJ 12/12 in WNC 12/13)

In Cairo, Netanyahu adviser Gold discuses peace process with Pres. Mubarak. (RE 12/11 in WNC 12/12)

Israeli Justice Min. defends Shin Bet's use of moderate physical pressure in questioning Palestinians suspected of having knowledge of imminent anti-Israeli attacks; claims that 90 incidents (incl. 15 kidnapings of Israeli soldiers and civilians, 10 suicide bombings, 7 car bombings) have been averted over the past 2 yrs. as a result of such pressure. (IDF Radio 12/11 in WNC 12/12; MM 12/20) (see 11/14)

Two settlers are killed, 5 wounded in a drive-by shooting nr. Ramallah, which the IDF immediately seals off along with several surrounding villages. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) claims responsibility as a response to Israel's plans to build 132 Jewish houses in East Jerusalem (see 12/8). PA condemns the attack, saying it will give Israel a pretext to further delay negotiations. (MM 12/11; IDF Radio, ITV 12/11, RMC 12/12 in WNC 12/13; MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/12; MA 12/12 in WNC 12/16; WT 12/13; CSM 12/16; QY, YA 12/18 in WNC 12/19; MEI, PR 12/20; JP 12/21, 12/28; MEI 1/10; WJW 1/23)

Egyptian, Jordanian, PA delegations to the quadripartite refugee comm. meet in Bethlehem. Israeli delegation refuses to attend. (PR 12/13) (see 12/2)

Israel says it is considering plan, approved by the Jerusalem planning commission. to build 132 houses for Jews in East Jerusalem. (CSM, MM 12/9; MM, NYT, WP 12/10; WT 12/11; CSM 12/12; PR 12/13; JP 12/21; MEI, PR 1/10)

Netanyahu deploys 6,000 police throughout Israel, 4,000 in East Jerusalem. After morning prayers at al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, several youths throw stones at IDF troops and police surrounding the site. IDF storms the compound, fires on Palestinians, killing 3, wounding 50. Fewer clashes take place than on 9/26, but fighting, particularly in Rafah and Tulkarm, where IDF helicopters fire on Palestinian crowds, continues. In Balata, Erez, Jenin, Ramallah, PA police, officials form cordons to prevent Palestinians fr. attacking Israeli targets. Israeli Arabs observe a general strike in support of the Palestinians. A total of 52 Palestinians, 14 Israelis have been killed over the past 3 days. The tunnel opened 9/24 is closed for the Jewish holiday. (MM 9/27; IDF Radio, RE, RL 9/27 in WNC 9/30; ITV, TJT 9/27 in WNC 10/1; RE 9/27 in WNC 10/2; NYT, WP, WT 9/28; CSM, MM 9/30; MEI, PR 10/4; JP 10/5)

PM Netanyahu rejects his security chiefs' assessment that clashes are a result of Palestinian frustration, Arafat is unable to control them; calls recent violence a "deliberate incitement" by Arafat; vows to "take every measure available to us to protect our troops." (NYT, WT 9/28)

In New York, Secy. of State Christopher says talks are still underway to secure an Arafat-Netanyahu mtg.; Netanyahu has told special envoy Ross that he believes concessions to the PA at this time would encourage the Palestinians to commit further violence, cause his government to fall because of defections fr. hard-line coalition mbrs.; Netanyahu has refused suggestions that Christopher or Ross make a trip to the region. (NYT, WP 9/28; CSM 9/30)

Despite U.S., Israeli protests, the UN Security Council (UNSC) begins debate of a possible resolution that would criticize Israel severely, demand closing of the 9/24 tunnel. (NYT, WP, WT 9/28; MEI 10/4)

In Tel Aviv, 1,000s of Israelis led by Meretz MKs protest Netanyahu, call for his resignation. (IDF Radio 9/27 in WNC 9/30)

1,000s of Palestinian refugees in s. Lebanon camps continue anti-Israeli demonstrations. Israel continues to reinforce troops in s. Lebanon. (RL 9/27 in WNC 10/1) (see 9/26)

In the worst fighting since the peace process began, Palestinians, IDF clash in Ramallah. IDF shoots rubber bullets, stun grenades, live ammunition at protesters. IDF, PA security forces engage in firefight. 7 Palestinians are killed, 100s (incl. 2 EA mbrs., the mufti of Jerusalem) wounded; 8 IDF soldiers are injured by rocks, bottles; Ramallah is declared closed military zone; West Bank, Gaza are sealed. Clashes also occur in Bethlehem (wounding 12 Palestinians, 2 Israelis), East Jerusalem. In Ramallah, Bethlehem fighting dies down when officers fr. IDF, PA negotiate cease-fire, pullback. PM Netanyahu, Israel officials accuse PA of instigating violence. PA says outbursts were spontaneous reaction to 9/24 tunnel opening, months of closure. (MM 9/25; IDF Radio, IGPO, ITV, JTV, al-Quds al-Arabi, RMC 9/25 in WNC 9/27; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 9/26; MM 9/27; TJT 9/27 in WNC 10/1; MEI, PR 10/4)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak receives phone calls fr. Arafat, Netanyahu, appealing to Egypt to intervene to calm the situation in the territories; suggests holding Arafat-Netanyahu mtg. in Cairo. Mubarak adviser Baz holds urgent phone conversations with U.S. special envoy Ross. (RE 9/25, 9/26 in WNC 9/27; MBC 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

PM Netanyahu arrives in Paris, meets with Pres. Jacques Chirac, leaves for Bonn. (WP 9/26)

At the UN, Israeli FM Levy signs Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, briefs U.S. special envoy Ross on events in West Bank, Gaza. Ross says U.S. demands that Israel "make a gesture" concerning the tunnel. (ITV 9/25 in WNC 9/27; ITV 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak invites fmr. PM Peres to visit Cairo. Peres accepts but sets no date. (IDF Radio 9/25 in WNC 9/27)

Tel Aviv district court extends for 3 mos. the remand of Hizballah's Shaykh `Abd al-Karim Obeid (abducted fr. Lebanon in 7/89), fmr. Amal leader     Mustafa al-Dirani (abducted fr. Lebanon 5/21/94). (ITV 9/25 in WNC 9/27) (see 2/23)

ILMG opens 3d day of mtgs. to discuss issues raised 9/24 and new Lebanese complaints concerning Israel's expulsions 9/22, repeated Israeli attacks; releases statement stressing that firing fr. populated areas endangers civilians, Hizballah should refrain fr. carrying out attacks fr. or nr. villages. Lebanese FM Buwayz complains of U.S. bias toward Israel in ILMG. (RL 9/25, 9/26 in WNC 9/27; RL 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

In Damascus, Iranian, Syrian cultural attachés discuss expanding cultural ties. (IRNA 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

Palestinians observer 4-hr. general strike in West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem. (MM 8/29; CSM, NYT, PR, WP, WT 8/30; MEI 9/6)

To dispel tensions with the PA, Israeli PM Netanyahu dispatches his personal atty. Yitzhak Molho to meet with Arafat in Ramallah; authorizes adviser Gold to meet later in day with Arafat adviser Abbas. Senior Israeli negotiator IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Dan Shomron holds 1-hr. talk with PA counterpart PA Local Government M Saeb Erakat in Jerusalem, agrees to resume PISMC mtgs. next wk. (RMC 8/29 in WNC 8/30; NYT, WP, WT 8/30; MBC 8/30 in WNC 9/4; MM 9/2)

In Rome, Egypt's Baz, Italy's FM Lamberto Dini discuss peace process, 8/27-28 mtgs. in Paris. (RE 8/29 in WNC 9/3)

Israeli government approves construction of 2,000 new housing units in West Bank settlements around Jerusalem. (CSM, WP 8/30)

Deputy Jerusalem Mayor Shmuel Meir says the government has issued demolition orders for 70 Palestinian homes in the city that have been constructed without permits. (YA 8/30 in WNC 9/5; PR 9/6)

Israel blames Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) for shooting at bus 8/28, arrests 1 suspect. (HA 8/29 in IL 8/29)

Jordanian police raid JPD headquarters in Karak, arrest a number of party leaders. (SATN 8/29 in WNC 9/3) (see 8/18)

Hizballah ambushes IDF patrol in s. Lebanon, killing 1 soldier. Both sides then exchange gunfire, wounding 2 Lebanese civilians. (RL 8/29 in WNC 9/3; MM 8/30; QY 8/30 in IL 8/30; JP 9/7)

U.S.-brokered cease-fire goes into effect in n. Iraq. PUK, KDP agree to hold peace talks in London 8/30. (MM 8/29) (see 8/28)