The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops on the n. border open fire on 2 Palestinian men trying to enter Israel, injuring and detaining 1. In the West Bank, the IDF arrests 15 Palestinians nr. Qalqilya on charges relating to the 12/25 Molotov cocktail attack. Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 4 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets during clashes nr. Tulkarm and Hebron. Later, Israeli settlers clash with stonethrowing Palestinians in Bayt Umar, injuring 1 Israeli. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin) and Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), injuring 4. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jalazun r.c.; patrols nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Jericho, and Tulkarm. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers accompanied by IDF troops enter a village nr. Jenin to perform religious rites. PA security forces shoot and injure a Palestinian teenager during overnight clashes with stone-throwing residents in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian man stabs 2 Israeli border police guards nr. the Old City, injuring them both. Separately, Israeli forces arrest a Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) leader at a mobile checkpoint between Jerusalem and Jericho, and a Palestinian youth in Ras alAmud. Israeli forces also conduct a raid in Wadi al-Juz, sparking clashes with stonethrowing residents; 1 Palestinian is injured and arrested. (JP, MNA, TOI, YA 12/26; IMEMC 12/27; PCHR 12/31)

In the Sinai Peninsula, Egyptian authorities complete a survey of the 1,200 homes between 500 and 1,000 m of the border with Gaza and prepare to begin demolitions, as announced on 11/17. (MNA 12/27; DNE 12/29; ALM 12/30)

In retaliation for Israeli air strikes on 12/18, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) and the PRCs claim responsibility for firing 4–9 mortars fr. Gaza toward IDF targets just inside the Israeli border, with at least 4 landing inside Israel, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire on Palestinian shepherds who stray nr. the border fence, wounding 1. In the West Bank, IDF troops raid and search homes in Bayt Umar, searching for Palestinians who threw stones at an IDF checkpoint into the village, arresting 1 Palestinian man; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Hebron and nr. Nablus. Palestinians accompanied by Israeli and international activists hold a nonviolent demonstration against settlement expansion in Bayt Umar. IDF soldiers fire tear gas and stun grenades at the protesters (causing no injuries) and arrest 3 Israelis. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities force a Palestinian to demolish his own home or pay the government nearly $5,500 for doing the job; the owner had already been fined more than $26,000 for building without a permit. Inside Israel, Israeli police find the body of American tourist Kristine Luken stabbed to death in a nature area southwest of Jerusalem, inside Israel, nr. the West Bank border. The woman’s friend, American Kaye Susan Wilson, escaped, telling police that she and Luken were ambushed by 2 knife-wielding Arabs who bound and stabbed them. Police say they are classifying the attack as political but have not ruled out criminal motives. (JP 12/19; MNA, NYT, WP, WT 12/20; OCHA, PCHR 12/23)

The IDF continues operations in n. Gaza, exchanging fire with Palestinians (who fire at least 1 RPG, causing no injuries), killing 1 DFLP mbr. and 1 Islamic Jihad mbr., wounding 3 Palestinians, bulldozing land; fires a missile fr. a drone at a group of Islamic Jihad mbrs. n. of Bayt Hanun suspected of having fired a rocket, causing no injuries; sends tanks, bulldozers into areas nr. Khan Yunis to level land. In the West Bank, the IDF raids a school, an Islamic organization, a house, a factory in Bayt Sahur nr. Bethlehem, conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron and Jenin town and r.c., in Balata r.c. and Nablus, and nr. Nablus, Ramallah, Salfit. The IDF also dismantles a low wall (not part of the separation wall) running 25 mi. along roads s. of Hebron, in keeping with a 2/06 Israeli High Court decision that it impeded daily life for Palestinians in 21 rural communities. Jewish settlers in Jerusalem attack a Palestinian family in Bayt Safafa, injuring 5 Palestinians, vandalizing their home. In Gaza City, several Fatah mbrs. take refuge in the home of an Islamic Jihad mbr. while trying to evade arrest by the ESF for firing in the air at a wedding; the ESF surrounds the home leading to a clash btwn. ESF officers and Islamic Jihad mbrs. that leaves 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs., 1 ESF mbr. dead and 8 Palestinians wounded; PRC mbrs. intervene to stop the fighting and secure the surrender of the Fatah and Islamic Jihad gunmen. (NYT, PCHR, WP 8/2; NYT 8/3; OCHA 8/8; PCHR 8/9)

The IDF makes a predawn raid on Mughraqa in s. Gaza, sending in troops backed by more than 20 armored vehicles to search houses; raids al-Quds University campus in East Jerusalem, arresting Palestine National Council mbr. Ali Abu Hilal, dir. of the university’s Center for Democracy and Human Rights; imposes a curfew on ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron and al-Ram nr. East Jerusalem, nr. Nablus; patrols in Araba nr. Jenin, Ubaydiyya nr. Bethlehem, Tulkarm town and r.c. (firing on stone-throwing youths, wounding 1), Za‘tara nr. Bethlehem; fires on unarmed Palestinians attempting to sneak into Israel w. of Hebron to find work, wounding 2. The AMB, DFLP fire mortars at the IDF post at Erez crossing, causing no injuries. The Fatah offshoot Abu Rish Brigades fires a rocket at Neve Dekalim, causing no damage or injuries. Palestinians fire on an IDF patrol nr. Tulkarm r.c., causing no injuries but prompting troops to enter the camp, return fire, injuring 1 Palestinian bystander. Jewish settlers fr. Beit Hadasah severely beat a 16-yr.-old Palestinian in Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba severely beat a 14-yr.-old Palestinian boy in Hebron. A Jewish settler driving nr. Hebron chases, fires on a carload of Palestinian workers returning fr. their jobs in Israel, seriously wounding 1, lightly wounding a 2d. In Jerusalem, 20 Jewish settlers try to force their way into the al-Aqsa Mosque but are barred by Palestinian guards. PA judges go on strike and demonstrate outside the main court headquarters in Gaza. PA High Court chief justice Surani (whose home was attacked on 8/2) resigns to protest inadequate security (he retracts the resignation on 8/8). (HA, REU, XIN 8/6; REU 8/8; OCHA, PR 8/10; PCHR 8/11)

Abbas, Sharon hold their 1st talks in Sharm al-Shaykh, then each meets separately with Mubarak, King Abdallah of Jordan. Afterward, Abbas announces that “Palestinian will stop all acts of violence against all Israelis everywhere,” Sharon vows to “cease all military activity against all Palestinians anywhere,” including assassinations, to the extent that the Palestinians halt violence. Sharon announces a package of gestures to be implemented if quiet is maintained, including Israel’s turnover of security control for 5 West Bank cities, a prisoner release, easing restriction on Palestinian movement. Hamas, Islamic Jihad say that they will not officially sign onto the cease-fire, but will not abrogate it. (BBC, HA, MM, NYT, REU, WP, WT 2/8; AFP, ATL, AYM, HJ, ITAR-TASS, JAZ, MENA, QA, VOI, VOP 2/8, XIN 2/9 in WNC 2/9; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/9; al-Quds 2/12 in WNC 2/13; PR 2/16; MEI 2/18)

The IDF reopens Qarni commercial crossing after a 4-wk. closure, allowing only about one-third of normal traffic through, limiting imports to basic goods and exports to flowers, tomatoes; raids, searches a secondary school in al-Khadir; conducts arrest raids in al-Mawasi; confiscates a strip of land 2 d. long and 350 m. wide to create a corridor linking Hebron’s Tal Rumayda settlement with Shuhada Street. Late in the evening, after the Sharm al-Shaykh summit, AMB gunmen fire on a Jewish settler vehicle in the West Bank, throw Molotov cocktails at IDF jeeps that arrive on the scene, causing no injuries. PA security forces find, seal 2 smugglers’ tunnels in Rafah. The NIHC protests the PA security forces’ arrest of 3 DFLP central comm. mbrs. on 2/5; demands the immediate release of Issam Abu Duqqah, who is still in custody. (HJ, VOI, YA 2/8 in WNC 2/9; WT 2/9; PCHR 2/10; PR 2/16)

The IDF conducts arrest raids in al-Bireh, Ramallah. (PM 6/30; PCHR 7/3)

Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad formally announce cease-fires against all Israelis everywhere for a minimum of 3 mos. The DFLP, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) say they will abide by the truce. Hrs. after the announcement, the IDF begins redeploying fr. Bayt Hanun. (AYM 6/29, AYM, al-Quds, SFR 6/30, AFP, MENA, QA, al-Ra’i 7/1, AYM, MENA, NHR, SFR 7/2, AYM, HA, SFR 7/3, MA 7/4 in WNC 7/10; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/30; PR 7/2; AYM 7/5 in WNC 7/11; MEI 7/11)

A day after Hamas detonated a roadside bomb under a tank, killing 4 Israeli soldiers, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announces plans to crack down on Hamas in Gaza. In Gaza City, 6 senior Hamas mbrs. are killed, 3 bystanders are wounded when a car laden with explosives blows up; Hamas accuses Israel of remote detonating the device, assassinating the men. The IDF clashes with Palestinians in Nablus during a raid on an office building, leaving 3 Palestinians dead, 23 wounded; senior Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) mbr. and PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Taysir Khalid, three other Palestinians are arrested in the raid. The IDF also fires on Palestinians in Jabaliya, killing 2 Palestinians, wounding 9; conducts arrest raids in Beitunia (targeting Hamas), Tulkarm (targeting Islamic Jihad, the tanzim); bulldozes 42 dunams (4 dunams 1 acre) of Palestinian land, 3 structures nr. Aley Sinai settlement. The Palestinian Authority (PA) says that Palestinians in n. Bethlehem have received notices fr. the IDF that 14 dunams of their land, including the Rachel’s Tomb area and 40 Palestinian homes, will be annexed to Jerusalem as part of the security fence construction. (AP, HA, REU 2/16; VOI 2/16, AYM 2/17 in WNC 2/19; HA, MM, NYT, PM, WP 2/17; LAW, WT 2/18; HA, LAW, PR, WT 2/19; LAW, PCHR 2/20; MEI 2/21; MM 2/24, 2/25; HA 2/28)

Palestinian gunmen disguised as IDF soldiers ambush a bus nr. the West Bank settlement of Emmanuel, setting off a roadside bomb disabling the bus, then firing on passengers, killing 7 Jewish settlers, wounding 16; the attackers escape; AMB, DFLP, Hamas, Islamic Jihad take responsibility, though military analysts believe Hamas was responsible. Israel places nearby Palestinian villages under curfew. Israeli police arrest 4 IDF soldiers, 1 Jewish settler living in settlements nr. Hebron, 1 IDF soldier living in Israel on suspicion of stealing 60,000 rounds of IDF ammunition, selling 1,000s of rounds to Palestinian militants; the IDF also arrests a Palestinian fr. Tarkumiyya as the middleman. The IDF demolishes a Palestinian store under construction in Jerusalem; bulldozes 29 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Qarni crossing; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids nr. Jaba'. (HA, REU 7/16; AFP 7/16 in WNC 7/17; LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WP 7/17; WJW 7/18; AYM 7/18 in WNC 7/22; NYT, WP 7/19)

In New York, Powell hosts a senior-level Quartet mtg. to discuss ways of creating momentum for peace talks in light of Bush's 6/24 speech; holds separate mtg. with the FMs of Egypt, Jordan. The Arab FMs then dine with EU, Russian, UN Quartet reps. (MM 7/16; ITAR-TASS 7/16 in WNC 7/17; MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/17; MM 7/18; Interfax, ITAR-TASS, MENA 7/18 in WNC 7/19; MM 7/19)

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device on a bus in Jerusalem during morning rush hr., killing 18 Israeli Jews, 1 Israeli Arab, injuring 50. Late in the evening, as the IDF sends tanks troops into Jenin town and r.c. in response, imposing a curfew and firing on Palestinians who resist, the Israel cabinet convenes to discuss what further action to take. Afterward, Israel announces the launching of Operation Determined Path, under which "Israel will respond to acts of terror by capturing PA territory. . . . Additional acts of terror will lead to the taking of additional areas," which would be held indefinitely. During the day, the IDF assassinates Islamic Jihad student leader Yusif Bisharat in Hebron; raids the Nablus home of PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. and DFLP mbr. Taysir Khalid; shells residential areas of Gaza City, injuring 8; conducts arrest raids in villages around Jenin; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land nr. Kefar Darom settlement. An elderly Palestinian dies of a heart attack when troops enter her Jenin home. An ailing Palestinian dies when the IDF bars his ambulance fr. crossing a checkpoint. Jewish settlers under the protection of IDF troops take over a building nr. the old city of Jerusalem. (AP, JP, LAW, MM 6/18; AFP, ATL, Interfax 6/18 in WNC 6/19; ATL 6/18, JT, al-Quds 6/19 in WNC 6/20; HP, LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, UPMRC, WP, WT 6/19; WP 6/20; NYT 6/21; AYM 6/23 in WNC 6/26; MM 6/24, MEI 6/28; New Haven Register 7/3)

In light of the Jerusalem bombing, Bush postpones a speech outlining U.S. policy on the peace process, which he had planned to give today. (WP 6/19; NYT 6/20; AYM 6/20 in WNC 6/24)

The IDF reports Palestinian attacks have dropped 50% since Arafat's 12/16 cease-fire call, are down to an average of 11 incidents/day. Sharon, however, is still calling for 7 days of complete quiet before negotiations can resume. Israeli officials say the reduction since 12/16 does not warrant an easing of restrictions on Palestinians. (NYT 12/31; AKH, AYM, al-Quds 12/31 in WNC 1/2)

The IDF fatally shoots a total of 6 Palestinians in 2 separate incidents nr. Jewish settlements in Gaza. Among the dead is Ismail Abu al-Qumsan, a senior mbr. of the popular resistance comms. The IDF also shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes a sewerage network, telephone cables in Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids in Qalqilya, Tulkarm. The PSF says it has arrested 3 DFLP mbrs., 2 Hamas mbrs., a PFLP mbr. for planning attacks on Israeli targets. The PA also says it has tried 5 PSF officers for involvement in attacks on Israelis, sentenced them to 18 mos.; has fired 2 other PSF officers, sentenced 1 of them to a yr. in prison for "anti-Israeli activities." Jewish settlers confiscate Palestinian farmland, uproot an olive grove to expand Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus. (HA 12/30; NYT, PMC, WT 12/31; LAW, PCHR 1/2; al-Quds 1/2 in WNC 1/3; PR 1/9; MEI 1/11)

The IDF declares the Kefar Etzion settlement checkpoint a closed military zone until 1/9 so as to prevent a delegation of 300 foreign nationals from traveling to Hebron on a solidarity visit to meet with Palestinians there. (EU parliament press release 12/30)

Bush prepares the U.S. for a long, sustained "war on terrorism." Admin. officials say they are considering lifting the 25-yr.-old ban on U.S. involvement in foreign assassinations, loosening restrictions on FBI surveillance and detention of foreigners. Iran, Hizballah spiritual leader Shaykh Fadlallah denounce the 9/11 attacks. (NYT, WP, WT 9/17; WP 9/18; MM 10/4)

The IDF announces that it is establishing an 18-mi.-long "closed military area," or buffer zone, along the Green Line btwn. Jinin and Tulkarm. In response to the 9/15 DFLP shooting, the IDF sends tanks into Bayt Hanun, al-Qarara, and Ramallah, shelling residential areas while helicopters fire missiles; 2 Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier are killed, 26 Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier are wounded before Israeli forces withdraws fr. areas A 4 hrs. later. In al-Qarara, the IDF confiscates 200 dunams of Palestinian land for a new settler bypass road to Gush Katif (see 9/12), confiscates a Palestinian home as an military post. The IDF also conducts an arrest sweep in Ramallah. (AFP, LAW, WP, WT 9/16; HP, NYT, PMC, WP, WT 9/17; NYT, WP, WT 9/18)

Arafat says he is ready to hold talks with Israel "any time, any place," but Sharon says he will only allow cease-fire talks to resume after 48 hrs. without a Palestinian attack. Sharon reiterates Israeli support for the U.S. effort to build a coalition but is "not prepared to pay the price" if it involves concessions to the PA. Arafat publicly reiterates his call on Palestinians to adhere to a cease-fire. (al-Quds 9/16, XIN 9/17 in WNC 9/18; MM 9/17; NYT, WT 9/18; AFP 9/18 in WNC 9/19; NYT 9/19; ATL 9/19 in WNC 9/20; MM 9/20; AYM 9/22 in WNC 9/26; MEI 9/28)

Israel initiates land, sea, air strikes against PA targets in the West Bank and Gaza, leaving 3 Palestinians dead and destroying the PA intelligence headquarters in Gaza City, the naval headquarters in Nussayrat, a PA police station in Rafah. Israel claims the action is in response to mortar attacks staged fr. those areas. In East Jerusalem, DFLP gunmen ambush a Jewish settler vehicle, killing 1 settler, wounding 1. IDF troops guarding Har Homa settlement direct shells, heavy machine gun fire at Bayt Sahur, injuring at least 8 Palestinians. Troops continue to bombard the town as Red Crescent medical workers attempt to reach the wounded, killing a Palestinian paramedic, destroying 3 ambulances. The IDF also arrests PC vice chmn. Bishara Daoud on his way to Jerusalem to participate in the coronation of the new Greek Orthodox patriarch, detain him for interrogation. (AP, HP, WP 9/15; LAW, PMC, WP, WT 9/16; NYT 9/20; LAW 9/29)

The IDF apparently attempts to assassinate DFLP West Bank head Qays Samurai (Abu Layla) by planting an explosive device in his home in Ramallah; tanzim mbr. Anwar Aliya in an ambush by undercover units in Tulkarm. Samurai is not home at the time; Aliya is wounded. The IDF completes its withdrawal fr. Bayt Jala, taking up positions just outside the town and warning it will reenter if shooting at Gilo resumes. Clashes in Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarm leave a total of 1 Israeli civilian, 3 Palestinian dead, 40 Palestinians wounded. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at Qarni crossing and residential areas of Bayt Wazan, al-Bireh, Brazil refugee camp, Yatta; demolishes 6 Palestinian homes in Rafah; blocks a marked UN convoy fr. entering Rafah to inspect the demolished Palestinian homes; sets up new roadblocks at the entrance to Tulkarm, on 3 roads to Jerusalem; reinforces troops around Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Ni'lin, confiscating papers fr. the local Fatah office, arresting 3 Palestinians; opens the main Gaza road that was sealed on 8/28. (HP, JP [Internet], MM, PMC 8/30; MENA 8/30 in WNC 8/31; HA, JT, NYT, WP, WT 8/31)

After several more hrs. of talks among Arafat, Barak, Clinton, Mubarak, King Abdallah, Annan, and Solana, Clinton announces that Arafat, Barak have agreed on steps toward halting the clashes. No details are released. The agmts. are oral and reportedly are vague, not giving an order of who is to take what step 1st. The sides agree that Clinton will appoint an international inquiry comm. to investigate the recent clashes. The U.S. for the 1st time acknowledges that Arafat "may not have control of everything" but still says it expects a cessation of violence "within hours." (AFP [Internet], MM, REU 10/17; ATL, Interfax, MENA, RL 10/17 in WNC 10/18; LAW, NYT, WP, WT, YA 10/18; JT, al-Quds, SA 10/18, Le Monde 10/19 in WNC 10/19; WJW 10/19; JP 10/20; MEI 10/27; MA 11/6 in WNC 11/9)

Meanwhile, Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate. Nr. Itamar settlement, Jewish settlers open fire on a Palestinian family harvesting their olive crop, killing 1, wounding 3. A PA policeman is killed by IDF fire in Gaza. A 3d Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. Palestinian gunmen fire at Gilo settlement, critically wounding an Israeli border policeman. IDF tanks fire on the neighboring Palestinian village of Bayt Jala in retaliation. Settlers fr. Itamar fire on Palestinian homes in neighboring Hawara village, attack a Palestinian ambulance driver. (ADM, LAW, MM, PCHR, REU 10/17; MENA 10/17, al-Quds 10/18, MA 10/19 in WNC 10/19; ADM, Bahrain Tribune [Internet], CSM, HA [Internet], LAW, NYT, WP, WT 10/18; WJW 10/19; HJ 10/24, MENA 10/25 in WNC 10/30)

Hamas's Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, West Bank Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti say their supporters will continue the uprising despite the Sharm agmts. The DFLP, Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine issue similar statements. Palestinians in Bethlehem, Gaza City, Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah demonstrate against the Sharm mtg. 1,000s of Egyptian students in Cairo, 7,000 Palestinian refugees in Tripoli, Lebanon, hold similar demonstrations. A rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people is held in New York. (ADM, LAW, MM, PCHR, REU 10/17; RMC 10/17 in WNC 10/18; MENA 10/17, al-Quds 10/18, MA 10/19 in WNC 10/19; ADM, Bahrain Tribune [Internet], CSM, HA [Internet], LAW, NYT, WP, WT 10/18; WJW 10/19; HJ 10/24, MENA 10/25 in WNC 10/30)

In advance of the PLO Central Comm. (PLOCC) mtg. 9/9 and 10, 10s of Palestinian refugees in Beirut, Sidon attend demonstrations calling for the right of return. (Daily Star [Internet] 9/9)

In Bayt Furik in the West Bank, reps. of the Arab Liberation Front (ALF), Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Fatah, Hamas, the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front discuss the final status of Jerusalem; unanimously call on the PA to uphold the demand for Palestinian sovereignty over all of East Jerusalem. (AYM 9/9 in WNC 9/14)

In New York, Egyptian FM Musa holds a 2d 4-way mtg. on the final status of Jerusalem and inter-Islamic coordination with the FMs of Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia. Musa also discusses Jerusalem separately with FM Shara` of Syria, Pres. `Abd al-Rahman Wahid of Indonesia. (MENA 9/8 in WNC 9/12)

Pres. Clinton announces that Arafat, Barak will come to Camp David, MD, on 7/11 to hold 3-way summit on final status issues. Talks are expected to end before Clinton leaves for a G-8 mtg. in Japan on 7/19. U.S. officials say that the PLOCC's 7/3 "threat" to declare a state as of 9/13 influenced Clinton's decision to hold the summit now. (MM 7/5; MENA 7/5 in WNC 7/6; XIN 7/5, ITAR-TASS, al-Quds, XIN 7/6 in WNC 7/7; NYT, WP, WT 7/6; AYM, XIN 7/6, ITAR-TASS, Le Monde, al-Quds, SA 7/7, DUS 7/8, JT, SA 7/9 in WNC 7/10; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 7/7; MEI 7/14)

In London, PM Barak urges British PM Tony Blair to press Arafat not to declare unilaterally a Palestinian state. Barak then leaves for Paris to hold similar talks with French pres. Chirac. (CNN [Internet], MM 7/5; MM 7/6)

Arafat invites the Palestinian opposition parties to accompany the PA delegation to the Camp David summit, participate on the sidelines. Hamas, the PFLP decline. DFLP, Palestinian People's Party (PPP), Palestinian Popular Struggle Front (PPSF) accept. (AYM 7/8, 7/9, DUS 7/11 in WNC 7/17; SA 7/9 in WNC 7/11 al-Quds 7/14 in WNC 7/18)

The Knesset lifts the immunity of MK Yitzhak Mordechai so he may face sexually assault charges. (NYT 7/6) (see 5/25)

In Moscow for a 2-day visit, Arafat holds talks with Russian PM Vladimir Putin on the peace process; bilateral relations in education, culture, communications, transportation; developing a regular flight route btwn. Gaza, Moscow. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS 11/29 in WNC 11/30; Interfax, ITAR-TASS 11/30 in WNC 12/1)

PM Barak says that he will insist that the FAPS, due to be completed by 2/00, contain a PA promise that the refugees' right of return will not be raised again at a later time; reiterates that no refugees will be allowed to return to inside the Green Line. (MM 11/30; MM, WT 12/1)

In Jerusalem, Israeli, PA final status teams hold their 6th mtg. PA team hands Israelis a letter urging PM Barak to end Jewish settlement expansion. (AFP 11/30 in WNC 12/1; AYM 11/30 in WNC 12/2; MM, WT 12/1; MENA 12/4 in WNC 12/6) (see 10/26)

As the final status mtg. is taking place, the IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes, a store in al-Khader, in the West Bank, apparently as part of the expansion of Efrat settlement. (LAW 11/30; WT 12/1; MM 12/2) (see 11/26)

PA intelligence officers arrest another 3 Palestinians who signed the 11/27 statement criticizing PA corruption. (CSM, NYT, WP 11/30; SA 12/1 in WNC 12/2; MEI 12/10)

In Gaza, 35 opposition leaders representing the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine hold mtg. in support of the Petition of the 20, call on the PA to release the detainees and allow the freedom of expression. (AFP 11/29 in WNC 11/30; SA 12/3 in WNC 12/6)

A day before PA-Israeli final status negotiations are to begin, 3 pipe bombs explode in Netanya, Israel, lightly injuring 27 people, including a number treated for shock; a 4th pipe bomb is dismantled. Israeli police arrest and later releases 2 Palestinians on suspicion of planting the devices; no group claims responsibility for the act. Israeli authorities think the crude bombs mark the work of individual Arabs, not Hamas or Islamic Jihad; PA suggests Israel's Russian mafia may be to blame. PM Barak, PA negotiator `Abid Rabbuh condemns the bombing but says talks will not be delayed. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/8; WP 11/9; WJW 11/11; MEI 11/12)

PM Barak tells his cabinet that UN Res. 242 is not applicable to the West Bank, Gaza on the grounds that the res. deals with sovereign states and not organizations. Arafat protests. DFLP head Hawatimah urges the PA to halt talks with Israel in response. (AFP 11/8 in WNC 11/9; al-Quds 11/9 in WNC 11/12; MEI 11/12)

In Paris on his 1st high-level official visit, Syrian heir-apparent Bashar al-Asad meets with Pres. Chirac, discusses resuming Israeli-Syrian talks. (AFP 11/7 in WNC 11/8; MM, WT 11/8; SA 11/10 in WNC 11/12; MM 11/11; MEI 11/12)

In Oslo, Pres. Clinton meets with Arafat, Barak together to nudge them to move forward with talks on a framework agmt. on final status. Barak, Arafat pledge to meet regularly before the 2/00 deadline; Clinton says he will send special envoy Ross to the region every couple of wks., Secy. of State Albright at least once before 2/00. (MM 11/2; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/3; JT, Le Monde 11/3 in WNC 11/4; WJW 11/4; DUS 11/4 in WNC 11/5; al-Quds 11/4 in WNC 11/8; MEI 11/12)

While in Oslo, Russian PM Putin also meets privately with Israeli PM Barak, proposes setting up a joint commission to exchange information on cooperation with Iran and expanding cooperation in economics, culture, law enforcement, counterterrorism. (Interfax 11/2 in WNC 11/3)

In Damascus, PLO political dept. head Faruq Qaddumi meets heads of the DFLP, PFLP for talks on final status negotiations. (WT 11/3; al-Quds 11/7 in WNC 11/9)

The Jordan Bar Association threatens to expel 2 of its mbrs. unless they drop their defense of 3 Jordanians accused of illegally selling Palestinian land to Israelis. (JT 11/3, 11/4 in WNC 11/5) (see 10/17)

Heads of the Israeli, PA final status teams hold their 1st mtg. since the 9/13 official ceremony reopening talks, set 11/7 as the start date for permanent status negotiations. (AFP 10/29 in WNC 11/2; WP 10/30; NYT 10/31; AYM 11/1 in WNC 11/3)

PM Barak reinstates a ban, lifted 4 days ago, on DFLP leader Hawatimah's return to the occupied territories after he voices support for armed struggle against Israeli occupation. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/30; AYM 10/31, 11/2 in WNC 11/4; MM 11/2; JP 11/5)

The PC's Refugee and Displaced Persons Affairs Comm. warns Lebanon against arresting Fatah official Abu al-`Aynayn, who was sentenced to death in absentia by a military court on 10/27. (AYM 10/30 in WNC 11/3; DUS, al-Nahar, SA 11/6 in WNC 11/8; al-Quds 11/7, al-Safir 11/8 in WNC 11/9; al-Safir 11/11 in WNC 11/12; MEI 11/26)

In Irbid, Jordanians emerging fr. Friday prayers gather to express solidarity with Hamas mbrs. detained by the government. (DUS 10/30 in WNC 11/2)

Some 300 Iranian businessmen attend an Iranian exhibition in Cairo, marking a boost in Iranian-Egyptian economic relations. (MENA 10/29 in WNC 11/2)

In New York, the Iraqi National Congress (INC; an opposition umbrella organization set up in 1992, many of whose member groups have since broken away) opens 4-day assembly mtg., funded with $3 m. fr. Congress, to elect a new leadership to serve as a credible alternative to the Saddam Hussein regime. The mtg. opens with an address by U.S. Amb. at Large for War Crimes Issues David Scheffer, will close 11/1 with a speech by Asst. Secy. of State Pickering. (NYT 11/1; WP, WT 11/2)

In Washington, King Abdallah, Pres. Clinton hold talks on the peace process, bilateral economic ties. Previously, Abdallah said he would bring with him a message for Clinton fr. Iraqi pres. Saddam Hussein (see 10/4); the U.S. says Abdallah brought no message, though one might exist. Some reports maintain that U.S. officials told Jordan that Abdallah should not pass the message to Clinton, since the U.S. was not interested in a dialogue with Iraq. (WP 10/13; DUS 10/13 in WNC 10/15; MEI 10/15; AYM 10/18 in WNC 10/19; WT 10/20; SA 10/20 in WNC 10/21)

Barak orders 15 of the 42 unauthorized settlements constructed after the Wye accord to be dismantled; allows 11 others to stay; says remaining 16 may remain for now, but new building is forbidden. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/13; JT, MENA 10/13 in WNC 10/15; CSM 10/14; AYM, al-Quds 10/14 in WNC 10/18; JP 10/22) (see 10/10)

Israel says it will let DFLP head Hawatimah into the occupied territories now that he has expressed support for the peace process. (WP 10/13; MEI 10/29)

The Israeli High Court rules that Muhammad Abbas, head of the Palestine Liberation Front, is immune from trial in Israel for the 1985 Achille Lauro hijacking during which hijackers shot dead U.S. citizen Leon Klinghoffer. (WP 10/13)

In Ramallah, Palestinian nationalist and Islamist organizations (including, ALF, DFLP, Fatah, FIDA, Hamas, the Palestine Liberation Front, PFLP, PPP, PPSF) hold unity talks aimed at drawing up a list of principles for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Participants call on Arafat to approve the PC's law on the independence of the judiciary, release political detainees fr. PA prisons. (al-Quds 10/14 in WNC 10/18)

The Israeli cabinet releases a statement saying that "in the absence of agreed-upon changes, the countdown for implementation of the [Wye] agreement will begin on September 1." Arafat welcomes Israel's plan to resume implementation in 9/99, but still does not approve of Barak's plan to draw out the Wye schedule. (CSM, MM, WT 8/9; CSM 8/10)

At the request of Israeli PM Barak and after consulting with Arafat and Asad, Secy. of State Albright postpones her trip to the Middle East, which was to start next wk. (IDF Radio 8/8 in WNC 8/9; MM, WP, WT 8/9; MM, NYT, WP 8/10; WJW 8/12; JP 8/13) (see 8/6)

Shaykh Hamad Bin-Khalifa al-Thani, emir of Qatar, meets with Arafat in Gaza, making him the 1st Gulf leader to visit the occupied territories since the PA was established. The emir is on a regional tour, which will also take him to Lebanon (8/8-9), Algeria (8/9-10), Morocco (8/11). (RL 8/8 in WNC 8/9; al-Quds 8/9, MAP [Rabat], TT 8/11 in WNC 8/13)

In Damascus, the PFLP briefs 8 Syrian-based opposition groups on its reconciliation talks with Arafat in Cairo 8/1-2; some groups recommend halting contacts with the PFLP if it holds further mtgs. Fatah, the PA. DFLP is not invited to the briefing; it has been banned fr. opposition mtgs. since Nayif Hawatimah shook hands with Israeli pres. Weizman at King Hussein's funeral in 2/99. (AFP, MBC, 8/9 in WNC 8/10) (see 8/6)

IDF lifts curfew on Palestinians in the Israeli-controlled sector of Hebron. (LAW 8/8) (see 8/4)

PA announces that it has arrested 3 Hamas leaders in Gaza. Israel has pressured the PA to crack down on Hamas since the Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for shooting 2 Jewish settlers in Hebron on 8/3. (WP 8/9) (see 8/7)

Arab Liberation Front, Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Fatah, FIDA, Palestinian Liberation Front, Palestinian People' Party (PPP), Palestinian Popular Struggle Front (PPSF), Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) hold unity mtg. in Ramallah, call on PA to hold municipal elections before the end of the yr., urge Palestinians to confront Israeli settlement construction. (HJ 6/10 in WNC 6/14)

Israeli mayor of Jerusalem Ehud Olmert announces bid to lead the Likud party. Other contenders to replace Netanyahu as party head are outgoing FM Sharon, outgoing Finance M Meir Shitreet. (WP, WT 6/9; MM 6/10; JP 6/18; MM 6/30)

Israel, the U.S. call on Iran to immediate release of 13 Iranian Jews who have been jailed since 4/99 on charges of spying for Israel. (MM 6/8; MM, NYT, WT 6/9; IRIB Television, IRNA, TT 6/9 in WNC 6/10; NYT 6/10; WT 6/11, 6/13; JP, MEI, NYT 6/18; GIU, WP 6/22; WP 6/23, 6/29; IRNA 6/30 in WNC 7/1; WJW 7/1; WP 7/3)

In an unprecedented attack, unidentified gunmen open fire on a Lebanese courtroom in Sidon, killing 3 judges, a prosecutor, wounding 5 others, but not freeing any of the defendants in the room. (NYT, WP, WT 6/9; RL, al-Safir 6/9 in WNC 6/10; NYT 6/11; RL 6/11 in WNC 6/14; al-Riyad, Tishrin 6/12 in WNC 6/15; al-Thawra 6/12 in WNC 6/16; MM 6/14; MEI 6/18, 7/16) (see 5/24)

Israel claims that during his international tour, Arafat has been urging nations to support UN Res. 181 as the basis of a peace agreement; says that the 1947 res., calling for partitioning Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, was nullified by the Arab side and cannot be invoked now by Palestinians. (WT 4/1; MENA 4/2, 4/4 in WNC 4/5; al-Quds 4/2, al-Ahram 4/4, MENA 4/6 in WNC 4/7; JP, PR 4/9)

Israel celebrates passover, leaving borders with occupied territories open rather than sealing them as it usually does on Jewish holidays. (WT 4/1)

PA releases 11 political detainees, all mbrs. of Hamas or Islamic Jihad, to mark Id al-Adha. (PR 4/9)

The IDF places a blockade on the West Bank village of Dayr Abu Mishal, nr. Ramallah, after a Jewish settler claims that Palestinians threw stones at him fr. the direction of the village. Israeli soldiers arrest 21 teenagers. (LAW 4/5)

2 mbrs. of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine are wounded in a clash with mbrs. of Fatah Uprising in al-Baddawi refugee camp in s. Lebanon. (VOL 4/1 in WNC 4/2; SA 4/2 in WNC 4/5)

Car bomb explodes in Jerusalem market, wounding 21. The 2 suicide bombers were jailed previously as mbrs. of Islamic Jihad. Israeli cabinet puts off vote on Wye agmt. PM Netanyahu suspends implementation until he is satisfied that the PA is taking sufficient steps against terrorism. (MM 11/6; AFP, IDF Radio, ITV 11/6, JT, MENA, al-Ra'i 11/7, ITV, SA 11/8, ITV, al-Majd, VIRI, VOA 11/9 in WNC 11/12; NYT, WP, WT 11/7; NYT, WP 11/8; CSM, MM 11/9; al-Akhbar, YA 11/10 in WNC 11/13; MM 11/11; JP, MEI 11/16)

PA arrests 7 DFLP, PFLP mbrs. who speak out against the Wye agmt. 3 are released later in the day. (PCHR 11/8)

Israel confirms that its citizens were stealing topsoil fr. s. Lebanon, says IDF will prevent future thefts. (NYT, WP 11/7; RL 11/7 in WNC 11/12; RL 11/10 in WNC 11/13; WT 11/11) (see 11/3)

U.S. Asst. Secy. Indyk briefs ambs. of Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE on the Wye agmt. (al-Akhbar, al-Ba'th, al-Jumhuriyya, MENA, RL 10/26, AFP 10/27 in WNC 10/28; MM, NYT, WP 10/27; MM 10/28; al-Ba'th 10/28 in WNC 11/2; al-Quds 10/28, SA 10/30, al-Ahram 11/2 in WNC 11/6; MM 10/29, 10/30; MM 11/2; WP 11/6)

In the Knesset, PM Netanyahu survives no-confidence motion, but Knesset Law Comm. agrees (9-7) to hear 1st reading of bill calling for the dissolution of parliament, new elections in 100 days. MKs criticize Netanyahu for linking Pollard with the peace process. (CSM, WP, WT 10/27)

In Gaza, the Arab Liberation Front, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Islamic National Salvation Party, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) issue statement denouncing the Wye agmt. (MENA 10/26 in WNC 10/27; PR 10/30)

200 Jewish settlers hold rally outside PM Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem, protesting the Wye agmt. At least 24 are detained by Israeli police. (ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/27; WP 10/27; YA 10/27 in WNC 10/28; MM 10/28)

Jordan, Israel begin long-delayed $1.65-m. joint project to build the `Adasiyya diversion wall to diver Yarmuk River water. (JT, RJ 10/27 in WNC 10/28; JP 211/9)

An Israeli settler is killed in Israeli-controlled Hebron in an apparent attack by Palestinians. IDF places curfew on Palestinians in Hebron's Israeli-controlled zone. Later, the body of a Palestinian is found outside Itamar settlement nr. Nablus. An anonymous caller claims Palestinian was killed to avenge the settler's death. (IDF Radio, ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/27; ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/28; CSM, LAW, MM, NYT, WP 10/27; MM 10/28; WJW 10/29; PR 10/30)

In Ramallah, Palestinians observe general strike, 100s of Fatah mbrs. march to protest 10/25 events, call on Arafat to punish security services. (NYT, WP 10/27; PR 10/30)

International experts submit final report Iraqi missile fragments to the UNSC, say results are inconclusive. Tests by Switzerland show no traces of VX; 1 sample in the 3d test by France shows traces of nerve agent that could be VX. French, Swiss, U.S. tests all show traces of unknown compound that could mask biological agents. (NYT, WP 10/27; MEI 10/30) (6/22)

U.S. says that a UN proposal to try the Pan Am bombing suspects in the Hague under Scottish law, tentatively agreed to by all parties, is in jeopardy because of Libyan demands that the 2 suspects not be imprisoned in Scotland if found guilty. (WP 10/27; WT 10/28) (see 9/29)

King Hussein meets with Pres. Clinton at the White House to express concern over U.S. hard-line policy on Iraq, stalled peace process. (al-Ra'i, RJ 6/15, al-Dustur, JTV, al-Ra'i, RJ 6/16 in WNC 6/17; NYT, WT 6/16; WP 6/17; al-Ra'i 6/17 in WNC 6/19)

In Cairo, Pres. Mubarak meets with Labor Chmn. Barak. Mubarak comments that he has lost faith in PM Netanyahu. Netanyahu tells the press "this pronouncement is typical of Arab leaders who don't get what they want." (IDF Radio 6/15 in WNC 6/17; MENA, RE 6/15 in WNC 6/17)

PC grants Arafat's request to delay no-confidence motion for 10 days to give him a chance to form new cabinet. Hamas, Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine say that they will not join the EA. (MM 6/15; WP 6/16; WT 6/17; MEI 6/19; JP 6/20; PR 6/26; MEI 7/3)

Israeli Interior Min. demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Jerusalem, saying that they were build without permits on areas zoned as "open space." U.S. calls on Israel to refrain fr. such "provocative acts." (LAW, MM, NYT 6/16; JTV 6/16 in WNC 6/17; ITV 6/19 in WNC 6/23; PR 6/26; JP 6/27)

In Rabat, Jordan's PM Majali, Morocco's King Hassan set up joint higher comm. for coordination in all fields; discuss peace process, possible Arab summit. (MKR 6/15, MAP 6/16 in WNC 6/17)

Jordanian Information M Mu`asher meets with PM Netanyahu. (JT, RJ 12/13 in WNC 12/16)

Israeli cabinet reinstates large subsidies (incl. tax brakes, business grants) for West Bank settlers. The U.S. says the move is "troubling," "clearly complicates the peace process." (MM 12/13; MA 12/13 in WNC 12/16; IGPO 12/13, ITV 12/16 in WNC 12/17; LAWE, NYT, WP, WT 12/14; IGPO, WP 12/15; CSM, MM, WT 12/16; MEI, PR 12/20; JP 12/21)

In Gaza, 15,000 Palestinians attend antisettlement rally called by Hamas and approved by the PA. Hamas spokesman Mahmud Zahhar announces that Hamas soon will open political offices in Gaza (with PA permission) as a transitional step for "greater participation in public life"; West Bank offices are planned. (NYT 12/14; CSM 12/16; ITV 12/17 in WNC 12/19; MEI, PR 12/20; al-Quds 12/20 in WNC 12/26; JP 12/21)

After France drops its threat to veto him, UNSC chooses Ghana's Annan, current undersecy. gen. for peacekeeping operations, for secy. gen. The full UN General Assembly (UNGA) is expected to officially elect him 12/17. (NYT, WP, WT 12/14; CSM 12/16; MEI 12/20) (see 12/6)

Katayusha rockets are fired fr. s. Lebanon into n. Israel, in the first crossborder attack since the wide-scale Israeli-Lebanese fighting in 4/96. No one is injured, but a cow is killed. Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Hizballah, PFLP, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) deny responsibility. (RL 12/13, RL, RMC 12/14, RL 12/15 in WNC 12/17; NYT, WP 12/14; RMC 12/15 in WNC 12/16; RL 12/15 in WNC 12/17; RL 12/16 in WNC 12/18; JP 12/21)

CEC calls on PA officials running for the Palestinian Council to resign their posts. (VOP 12/24 in FBIS 12/26)

Fatah warns that any Fatah mbr. who runs in opposition to the Fatah list will be removed fr. the organization. (al-Nahar 12/24 in FBIS 12/27; NYT 1/6; WP 1/16)

NISP announces that, based on 12/18-21 Cairo talks, it will not field candidates in the 1/20 elections. (al-Nahar 12/24 in FBIS 12/27)

DFLP, PFLP call for direct elections based on proportional representation, 1 district. (al-Quds 12/24 in FBIS 12/27)

At Qarni crossing point in Gaza, IDF soldier is wounded by gunman firing fr. within the self-rule area. (QY 12/24 in FBIS 12/26)