The Palestine Chronology

U.S. Secy. of State Albright, special envoy Ross arrive in Israel for 2 days of meetings with Israeli, PA officials that the U.S. hopes will pave the way for a 3-way summit among Arafat, Barak, Clinton by the end of 6/00. (MM, WT 6/5; CSM, NYT, WP 6/6; XIN 6/7 in WNC 6/9; MEI 6/16)

Sensing that secret final status negotiations with the PA have reached the endgame, MKs of Barak's governing coalition, led by Interior M Sharansky, request that Barak convene an emergency session to brief them on what is really happening in the talks, warning that they might quit the government if he does not begin to include them in his decision making. (NYT 6/6; MA [Internet] 6/6)

Barak survives (38-33, with 13 abstentions) a no-confidence motion in the Knesset based on the concessions he is presumed to have made to the Palestinians in secret final status talks. (NYT 6/6)

In Umm al-Faham, 500 Israeli Arabs attend a rally organized by MK Azini Bishara to celebrate "Hizballah's victory over Israel" in s. Lebanon. (MA 6/6 in WNC 6/7; MM 6/14, 6/19)

The IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem. (PR 6/7)

2 Americans file a claim in Israeli court against Arafat, Palestine Liberation Front (PLF) head Muhammad Abbas (Abu Abbas), seeking $5 m. in damages for their suffering in the 1985 Achille Lauro hijacking. Lawyers acted after learning Abbas had been in Jerusalem to attend Palestinian mtgs. In early 1999, Abbas dropped his opposition to the Oslo process, reconciled with Arafat. On that basis, the Israeli High Court decided on 10/12/99 against prosecuting him for the raid. (NYT 6/6; WJW 6/8; JP 6/16)

In the West Bank and Gaza, sporadic clashes btwn. Palestinians, IDF continue for the 4th day. No injuries are reported. (NYT 5/18)

U.S. special envoy Ross returns to Washington. (State Dept. press briefing 5/17)

In the Knesset 2 opposition bills that would limit PM Barak's margin of maneuver in the peace talks with the PA pass initial readings. MKs approve, however, the cabinet's 5/15 decision to transfer 3 Palestinian villages nr. Jerusalem (Abu Dis, Azariyya, Sawahara al-Sharqiyya) to full PA control, which is expected to take place before PM Barak leaves for the U.S. (MENL, MM 5/17; Hatzofe 5/17 in WNC 5/22; MM, NYT 5/18; al-Quds 5/23 in WNC 5/24; al-Quds 5/26 in WNC 5/31)

The Acting Council of the Palestinian Bar Association revokes the accreditation of a 38th Palestinian lawyer working for a human rights organization in Jerusalem. (LAW 5/18) (see 5/9)

Palestinian teachers cancel their strike and return to classrooms to express solidarity with Palestinians injured in recent clashes with the IDF. They have still not reached a settlement with the PA regarding their salaries. (MENL 5/17)

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)

At Bolling AFB, Secy. of State Albright meets with PA, Israeli negotiating teams. (WT 3/28)

U.S. special envoy Ross arrives in Israel to brief Barak on Clinton's 3/26 mtg. with Asad. Afterward Barak tells the Knesset that Asad is "not ready for the type of decisions that are necessary to reach a peace agreement." (WP 3/27; MM, WP, WT 3/28; WJW 3/30)

Syrian FM Shara` says that the Israeli proposals Pres. Clinton brought to Geneva not only were not new or better but worse than previously. (MM 3/27; WP 3/28, 3/29; WT 3/31; MEI 4/7)

In an unprecedented move, Israel's Interior M Natan Sharansky announces that he will restore to the Israeli Arab village of Kafr al-Qasim 250 acres of its land that had been taken to develop the neighboring Jewish town of Rosh Ha'ayin. The step is intended to promote democracy, social justice, and equal opportunities for all citizens. (NYT 3/28; MM 3/30)

Israel's atty. gen. opens a criminal investigation of Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef to determine whether to charge him with incitement for a 3/18 sermon in which he said that Education M Sarid's should be "extirpated" and his memory obliterated for recommending Palestinian poetry be included in Israeli curricula (see 3/13). (MM 3/27; NYT, WP 3/28; JP 3/31; CSM 4/4)

In the Knesset, 5 no-confidence votes against the Barak government fail. The most serious motion attacked Bark's presumed intent to give away Arab neighborhoods abutting Jerusalem. (NYT 3/28)

Barak narrowly wins a no-confidence vote (47-42, with 3 abstentions) in the Knesset, which was called after heated public debate over Education M Yossi Sarid's decision to include 5 poems by Palestinian nationalist poet Mahmud Darwish in school curricula. (MM 3/13; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/14; AYM 3/14 in WNC 3/15; NYT 3/15; MENL, WJW 3/16; MEI 3/24)

In apparent response to the Arab League's 3/12 statement), Israel steps up bombing campaigns against Amal, Fatah-Uprising, Hizballah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC), Lebanese army targets in s. Lebanon and nr. the Lebanese-Syrian border, killing 1 Lebanese soldier, 1 civilian, wounding several others. The attacks on Fatah-Uprising and PFLP-GC are the first since 1986. (MM 3/13, 3/14; MENA 3/14 in WNC 3/15; MM, NYT 3/15)

Prince Hassan of Jordan says that he will not be able to make a previously arranged trip to Israel to day to receive an honorary doctorate. (DUS 3/14 in WNC 3/15)

PA Social Affairs M Intisar al-Wazir resigns to protest cuts to her budget for stipends to families of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces or jailed in Israel, the PA's failure to fund pay raises for civil servants. Arafat refuses her resignation, appoints a panel to investigate ways of meeting these budget needs. (MENL 3/21; MEI 3/24; PR [Internet] 3/29; MENL 4/3)

As a goodwill gesture before Id, Arafat orders the PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) to release 18 Hamas activists being held as administrative detainees. (al-Quds 3/13 in WNC 3/16)

Syrian PM Miru presents his new government. FM Faruq al-Shara`, DM Mustafa Tlas, Interior M Muhammad Harba, Finance M Muhammad Khalid al-Mahaini, Economics M Muhammad Imadi, 8 other Ms retain their posts; 22 new mbrs. are all technocrats. (MM, WT 3/15; MM 3/20; MEI 3/24)

Lebanese Shi`i leader Mustafa al-Dirani, jailed in Israel since being abducted fr. Lebanon by the IDF in 5/94, files a $1.5-m. law suit against the Israeli government, alleging that he was raped and tortured during interrogations. (WP 3/14; WT 3/15; IRNA 3/15 in WNC 3/16; WJW 3/16)

Arafat receives Knesset speaker Avraham Burg, marking the highest-level PA-Israeli mtg. in 1 mo. Burg presents Arafat with Barak's "full commitment" to achieve a permanent agmt., but PA says the mtg. does not represent a resumption of talks. (NYT 3/4)

The Knesset, including much of Barak's governing coalition, approves (60-53) a draft bill designed to block a Golan withdrawal by requiring a referendum on a peace agmt. with Syria win support of 61 of the 120 MKs and 62.5% of all eligible voters, whether or not they actually vote. Justice M Yossi Beilin denounces the bill as racist, because it would neutralize the votes of Israeli Arabs, who make up just over 10% of the electorate. The draft is sent to comm., is unlikely to become law soon. (MM 3/1; MM, NYT, WP 3/2; al-Quds 3/2 in WNC 3/6; JP, MEI 3/10)

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdallah arrives in Damascus for a 2-day visit to discuss with Syrian pres. Hafiz al-Asad the peace process, convening an Arab summit. Rumors hint that Abdallah may deliver a message conveying guarantees from Washington, proposing a Clinton-Asad mtg. in Geneva. (MM 3/1, 3/3; NYT 3/4; MENA 3/4 in WNC 3/6)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah attacks an SLA patrol, killing 5 SLA mbrs. 3 SLA mbrs. are injured in a separate Hizballah mortar attack. An exchange of shelling btwn. the 2 groups afterward kills a Druze cleric, injures 2 civilians. (MM 3/1; ANSA [Rome] 3/1 in WNC 3/2; NYT 3/2; JP, MEI 3/10)

U.S. special envoy Ross makes 1-day trip to Cairo to consult with Egyptian FM `Amr Musa. (MENA 2/24 in WNC 2/28)

PM Barak defends FM Levy's speech to the Knesset on 2/23, saying he is a voice of moderation, "his words illustrate the weighty responsibility we feel for Israel's security in the face of dangers that lie in wait for us when we enter the decisive stage of the peace process." (MM, NYT 2/25; WP 2/26; AYM 2/26 in WNC 2/29; MEI 3/10)

The Arab League announces that its next regular FMs mtg. will be held 3/11+n12 in Beirut, instead of Cairo, as a gesture of solidarity in support for Lebanon's "steadfastness in the face of ongoing Israeli aggression." (MM 2/24; al-Musawwar 3/3, MENA 3/5 in WNC 3/6; MM 3/8)

Pope John Paul II arrives in Egypt for 3-day visit, meets with Pres. Mubarak, calls for unity and tolerance among all religious groups. Meanwhile in Israel, a group of senior rabbis asks the pope to cancel plans to hold a daytime Saturday mass when he visits Nazareth in 3/25, saying it would cause "massive desecration "of the Jewish sabbath. Far-right Jewish groups put up posters in Jerusalem calling the pope "the wicked one," saying prayer service would be an act of "mass idolatry in the heart of Jerusalem." (ANSA [Rome], MENA 2/24, MENA 2/25 in WNC 2/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/25; MENA 2/26 in WNC 2/29; WT 2/27, 2/29; JP 3/3)

After a mtg. with Barak in Jerusalem, French PM Lionel Jospin says that "France condemns Hizballah's [recent attacks on the IDF in s. Lebanon], and all types of terrorist attacks which may be carried out against soldiers or possibly Israel's civilian population." French pres. Jacques Chirac reprimands Jospin. (MM 2/25; WT 2/27; WP 2/28; Le Monde 2/28 in WNC 2/29; AYM 2/28 in WNC 3/1; al-Quds 2/29 in WNC 3/3; WJW 3/9; JP, MEI 3/10)

In a speech to the Knesset, Israeli FM Levy, using particularly violent language, threatens Lebanon that if n. Israel is attacked, the IDF will retaliate "blood for blood, soul for soul, child for child." Israeli Arab and leftist MKs, Arab leaders denounce his statements. (MM, NYT 2/24; MENA 2/24 in WNC 2/28; WP 2/26; AYM 2/26 in WNC 2/29; JP, MM 3/3; JP, MEI 3/10) (see 2/16)

Israeli security officials say that in recent wks., Israel and the PA have arrested several Hamas mbrs. on charges of plotting to blow up a building in Jerusalem. Some of those arrested are also charged with planning the failed attacks in Natanya (11/7), Hadera (1/17). (MM 2/23; NYT 2/24)

Israel carries out airstrikes on Lebanon for 3d day. Israeli FM Levy warns that if Hizballah responds by firing rockets into n. Israel, "the soil of Lebanon will burn. . . . Vital interests of Lebanon will go up in flames, and it will take many years to restore them." Disputing Barak's 2/8 claims, UN monitors in s. Lebanon say they observed all but 1 of the recent Hizballah strikes on IDF/SLA targets and none was staged fr. a civilian area. UN cmdr. Goksel says that "it looks to me that [the Israelis] are creating an atmosphere to do what they wanted to do already." (AFP, RL, SA 2/9 in WNC 2/10; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 2/10; MM 2/11; JP 2/18)

Israel releases the summary of an official report that says that during the intifada, Shin Bet interrogators committed systematic abuses against Palestinian detainees. The report was submitted to the Knesset subcomm. on intelligence in 1995 but was kept secret until the High Court ordered it to be released. (NYT 2/10; LAW 2/11; Guardian Weekly 2/17)

Just before U.S. special envoy Ross arrives in Israel to oversee intensive FAPS talks, the Israeli cabinet approves the 3d stage of the 2d FRD, which was to haven take place by 1/20. (MM 2/2, 2/3, 2/4)

In Gaza, the PLOCC opens a 2-day national dialogue mtg. to discuss unilateral declaration of statehood, red lines for negotiations with Israel, PLO directions and strategy. (AYM 2/2 in WNC 2/4; AYM 2/3 in WNC 2/7)

The Knesset holds its 1st public debate on Israel's nuclear policy. The request for the debate, made by Israeli Arab MK Issam Mahoul, was initially rejected on security grounds, but Speaker Avraham Burg reversed the decision when Mahoul took the petition to the High Court. The debate last less than 1 hr.; most MKs walk out in protest, 6 are ejected for disrupting the proceedings. (NYT, WT 2/3; WJW 2/10; JP, MEI 2/11)

Israeli police raid Shu`afat refugee camp n. of Jerusalem, arrest 4 Palestinians for possessing illegal weapons. Several days ago, police carried out a similar raid on Qalandiyya refugee camp. (al-Quds 2/3 in WNC 2/4)

Iran releases on bail 3 of the 13 Iranian Jews arrested last yr. on charges of spying for Israel, the U.S. (IRNA 2/3 in WNC 2/4; WJW 2/10; JP 2/11) (see 6/8/99)

In s. Lebanon, an SLA mbr. is killed in a Hizballah attack. The SLA responds with indiscriminate fire, hitting 5 UN posts, several homes, a mosque. Senior adviser to the UN forces, Timur Goksel, warns that exposed UN positions may have to be abandoned if they continue to be endangered by random SLA fire, the launching of Hizballah attacks fr. nearby sites. (AFP 2/2 in WNC 2/3; MM 2/3; MENA 2/3 in WNC 2/4; MEI 2/11)

Israel's State Comptroller Eliezer Goldberg fines PM Barak's One Israel/Labor party $3.4 m. and places it under criminal investigation for allegedly carrying out a "systematic and massive" illegal fundraising scheme that netted more than $2 m. for Barak's spring 1999 campaign. In total, 12 of the 31 parties that took part in the 5/99 elections (and 10 of the 15 parties now in the Knesset) are charged with campaign finance violations. (MM 1/27; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 1/28; WP 1/29; WT 1/30; WJW 2/3; JP 2/4)

Israel rejects plans for construction of a new terminal for the joint Aqaba-Elat airport project with Jordan, citing environmental concerns. (JT 1/28 in WNC 1/31)

In Ankara, Turkey, Iran close a 2-day session of their joint economic commission, which focused on expanding trade ties, particularly in the energy sector. The sides sign a memorandum of understanding on construction of a natural gas pipeline. (ATL, IRNA 1/26 in WNC 1/27; ATL 1/27 in WNC 1/28)