The Palestine Chronology

Israel announces it will turn over $8.3 m. of tax money to PA. (MM 11/23; PR 11/27; QY 11/23 in FBIS 11/29; NYT 11/24) (see 11/20)

Jordanian Council of Ms approves creation of 4 comms. to address implementation of Jordan-Israel treaty: a Jordanian Consultants Steering Comm., a Jordanian comm. to follow up on implementation decisions, the Jordanian delegation to the joint Jordanian-Israeli comm. on implementation, the Jordanian delegation to the joint comm. on Jordan Rift development. (RJ 11/23 in FBIS 11/25)

4 Fateh Central Comm. mbrs. (al-Qaddumi, Abu-Mahir Gunaym, Sakhr Habash, Muhammad Jihad) meet in Tunis; issue statement, objecting to Arafat's attempts to involve Fateh in PA's battles with Islamist opposition. (Al-Majd 11/28 in FBIS 12/2; CSM 12/7) (see 11/22)

Argentine Pres. Carlos Menem ends visit to Syria; announces he brought message fr. Israeli FM Peres to Pres. al-Asad, expressing Israel's willingness to withdraw fully fr. Golan. Peres denies Menem's remarks. (Telam 11/21 in FBIS 11/22; MM 11/24; QY, SATN 11/23 in FBIS 11/25; WT 11/24; JP 12/3) (see 9/27)

1st shipping agmt. btwn. Israel, Jordan reached; allows free passage of small vessels on both sides of Gulf of Elat, shipping licenses, radio communications. (QY 11/23 in FBIS 11/23; RJ 11/23 in FBIS 11/25)

3,000 rally in Jericho in support of Arafat, peace process. PA Preventative Security Forces (PSF) men, inc. Col. Jibril Rajub, get into fistfight with mbrs. of Arafat's presidential guard over which group is allowed to carry arms at rally. (MM, NYT, WP 11/24; CSM 11/28)

PA, Islamist opposition reach agmt. to avoid future clashes, pursue mediation, reconciliation in wake of 11/18 incident. Agmt. is signed by Arafat adviser, Ahmad al-Tibi, leader of Islamic Movement inside Green Line, Shaykh `Abdullah Nimr Darwish. (MM 11/24; AFP 11/23, VOP 11/24 in FBIS 11/29)

Arab League "strongly denounces" Israeli PM Rabin's decision to build new housing in West Bank settlement, calling it a "flagrant violation" of the DOP. (MENA, RE 9/27 in FBIS 9/28)

Israeli FM Peres meets with Argentinean Pres. Carlos Menem in New York, asks him to help arrange mtg. btwn. PM Rabin, Syrian Pres. al-Asad. (QY 9/27 in FBIS 9/29)

Jordan renounces religious links to West Bank, reaffirms spiritual authority in Jerusalem in move to avoid conflict with PLO. PNA says it will assume administrative, financial duties for West Bank religious institutions next mo. (JTV 9/27 in FBIS 9/28; NYT 9/28; MM 9/28; QY 9/28 in FBIS 9/28; AFP 9/28 in FBIS 9/29; MEI 10/7; JP 10/8)

Hamas calls on its mbrs. to avoid clashes with Palestinian police. (VOP 9/27 in FBIS 9/28; WT 9/28) (see 9/24)

U.S. envoy Dennis Ross arrives in Jerusalem, talks with PM Peres and FM Rabin, says "real gaps" remain btwn. Israeli, Syrian positions. Later meets with Arafat, discusses aid, elections. (MM 9/21; WT 9/22; VOP 9/22 in FBIS 9/22)

PLO Pol. Dept. head Faruq al-Qaddumi, Jordanian PM al-Majali meet in Jordan, agree to resume PLO-Jordanian contacts at the "ministerial level" before end of the month. (JT 9/24 in FBIS 9/26)

Al-Qaddumi vows to fight new U.S. position in UN, strengthen language of resolutions presented. Egypt, Jordan say they will also oppose U.S. moves. (Reuters 9/21; RJ 9/26 in FBIS 9/26)

Israeli PM Rabin holds consultations on Palestinian elections with FM Peres, MK Shahal, MK Sarid, Chief of Staff Barak, IDF, police officials. Rabin, Barak want negotiations on elections only, talks on extending autonomy later. Peres, others say there is no choice but to discuss all issues simultaneously. (ITV, QY 9/21 in FBIS 9/22)

Jordan's Crown Prince Hasan, Likud head Binyamin Netanyahu meet in London, discuss Jordanian, Likud views on negotiations. Netanyahu suggest Jordan, Israel reach a "strategic consensus" opposing PLO; Hassan gives no reaction. (JTV 9/21 in FBIS 9/22; MM 9/22; JP 10/1)

Arafat meets with Hamas mbrs. inc. spokesmen Mahmud al-Zahhar, Isma'il Haniyah; discusses ways to enhance national unity, safeguard security in autonomous areas; releases 3 Hamas mbrs. detained after shooting 9/17. (VOP 9/22 in FBIS 9/22; AFP 9/22 in FBIS 9/23)

IDF imposes curfew on village of Biddu nr. Ramallah after riot sparked by death 9/18 of Palestinian by IDF at roadblock. (QY 9/21 in FBIS 9/21)

Arafat approves license of pro-Islamist daily newspaper, Al-Istiqlal to be run by `Ala' al-Saftawi, `Adnan `Abu-Hasnah. (VOP 9/21 in FBIS 9/22)

Israeli border police arrests 7 Palestinian policemen for being in Jerusalem area without permits. (ITV 9/21 in FBIS 9/22)

PLO Chmn. Arafat, Israeli FM Peres, Norwegian FM Bjørn Tore Godal meet in Gaza to mark 1st anniversary of Oslo accords, present plan for funds transfers fr. donor nations to PNA. Peres announces release of 249 Palestinian prisoners, says control over education will be given to PNA within the wk. (WP 8/20; WT 8/21; QY 8/19 in FBIS 8/22; JP 8/27)

Round of Israeli-Jordanian talks concludes. Jordanian negotiator Fayiz Tarawnah, Israeli negotiator Elyaqim Rubenstein sign agmts. to link electricity, telephone grids. Subagendas set on water, borders, security. Tentative agmt. set for Israel to buy Iraqi oil fr. Jordan. (RJ 8/18 in FBIS 8/19; JTV 8/19 in FBIS 8/22; MEI 8/26; JP 8/27)

Israeli FM Peres gives okay for Palestine National Council (PNC) to convene in Gaza, temporarily removing several PNC members fr. Israel's blacklist, to pressure Arafat to amend PLO charter. (AFP 8/21 in FBIS 8/22; MM 8/22; HA 8/23 in FBIS 8/24; CSM 8/25)

Islamic Conference Organization (ICO) passes statement supporting PNA, peace process. (MENA 8/19 in FBIS 8/23)

Israeli FM Shimon Peres says Israeli-Palestinian Liaison Comm. agreed to international temporary force for deployment in West Bank. Troops to be fr. Australia, Turkey, Norway, Finland, 2 European countries. Palestinians to man Gaza, Jericho crossing pts. Israel to issue 35,000 new work permits to Gaza Palestinians. (MENA 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; JP 8/27)

Israel freezes plans for IDF withdrawal fr. o.t., ties extension of self-rule to a halt in Hamas attacks on Israelis. PM Yitzhak Rabin calls current steps by PNA to curb Hamas a publicity stunt. 5 of 40 Hamas mbrs. arrested by Palestinian police 8/15 still held. (QY 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; NYT 8/18)

Jordan's Tourism M Muhammad Al-Idwan arrives in Israel for joint talks, 1st high-level Jordanian official to publicly visit Israel. (Near East Report 8/22)

IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Ehud Barak meets Defense Secy. William Perry, JCS Chmn. Gen. John Shalikashvili, National Security Advisor Anthony Lake in Washington; stresses Israel should hold onto all of Golan for security purposes. (ITV 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; WT 8/19)

PNA M of Trade and Econ. Ahmad Qurai` protests to Jordan that its trade agmt. with Israel (see 8/16) violates existing agmts. btwn. Israel, PLO. (ITV 8/17 in FBIS 8/18)

Hamas, Islamic Jihad, DFLP, PFLP issue leaflet saying Arafat's recent crackdown on Hamas is pushing Palestinians to "the edge of civil war." (AFP 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; MM 8/22)

IDF kills Palestinian trying to enter Israel fr. Gaza nr. Rafah. (QY 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; UNRWA News 8/24))

Secy of State Christopher proceeds to Syria fr. Israel after mtg. PM Rabin, FM Peres, saying of recent fighting in southern Lebanon that "comprehensive peace is the answer."  Mtg. Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad for 5 hrs., Christopher bears "decisive request" fr. Israeli FM Peres to Syrian and Lebanese leaderships urging restraint of Hizballah.  (SARR 8/7 in FBIS 8/8; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 8/8)

U.S. officials announce in Jerusalem that conference on Middle East economic development will be held in Casablanca, Morocco, 10/30-11/1.  (NYT 8/8)

Direct Jordan-Israel telephone links inaugurated with call fr. Israeli Pres. Ezer Weizman to Jordan's King Hussein.  (Qol Yisra'el 8/7 in FBIS 8/8; CSM 8/9; WT 8/10)

Jordan, Israel draft joint statement on ending state of belligerency, to be released 7/25 at Rabin-Hussein summit.  Israeli delegation to summit, including PM Rabin and FM Peres, arrives in Washington.  (NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/25)

Israeli Finance M Avraham Shohat, PNA Economy M Ahmad Qurai` hold talks on Israeli-Palestinian economic cooperation.  Shohat says Israel willing to give PNA NIS 7 m. as repayment for taxes collected fr. Palestinian workers.  (Qol Yisra'el 7/24 in FBIS 7/25; Israeli Govt. Press Office release 7/25 in FBIS 7/27; JP 8/6)

Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad meets Egyptian Pres. Husni Mubarak in Damascus, says talks with Israel still at "exploratory stage" and that he is uncertain peace with Israel will be reached in 1994.  (NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/25)

Israeli PM Rabin, FM Peres, and PLO Chmn. Arafat awarded UNESCO Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Award at Paris ceremony.  Prize presented by frmr. Secy of State Henry Kissinger, who praises honorees for their "leap of faith."  During talks on expanding Palestinian self-rule, Arafat demands more Palestinians be released, including Hamas leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, urges Jerusalem be designated an open city, and pledges elections "as quickly as possible."  Both Rabin and Arafat tell reporters mtg. was successful.  (MM 7/6; NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/7; TJT 7/8)

Jordan's King Hussein, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak meet in Alexandria to discuss planned Jordan-Israel peace talks.  Jordanians stress need for comprehensive solution to Arab-Israeli conflict, deny differences with Syria over talks.  (Jordan TV 7/6 in FBIS 7/7; NYT 7/7)

IDF officer killed, SLA soldier wounded during artillery, mortar exchanges with Hizballah nr. Rihan in "security zone."  (MM, WP 7/7)

Rawhi al-Khatib, Jordanian Mayor of Jerusalem 1957-67, dies at 82.  Khatib was expelled by Israel in 1968 after being deposed and refusing to work with Israeli Jerusalem municipality.  (TJT 7/8; NYT 7/9; WP 7/10)

2 PFLP guerrillas killed by SLA 2 mi. fr. Israeli border.  3d guerrilla captured, says mission was to take hostages in northern Israel.  In separate incident, Lebanese soldier killed nr. Nabatiya by howitzer shell fired fr. "security zone."  (WP 6/24)

Hamas mbr. kidnapped day before found dead in Bayt Lahiya, Gaza Strip, presumably killed by family mbrs. of collaborators he had killed.  (MM 6/23; TJT 7/1; JP 7/2)

PLO Chmn. Arafat sets new conditions for his move to Jericho.  (WSJ 6/24)

18 dunams confiscated fr. Waljah village, nr. Bayt Jala, for construction of 18,000 housing units for Israelis.  (TJT 7/1)

Israeli FM Peres, on Israeli radio, says new proposals to Syria include "security, peace, and withdrawal."  Peres says contacts must take place "away fr. the eye of the media."  PM Rabin, on IDF radio, says Israel ready for "painful compromises" with Syria, criticizes rightists who claim Arabs lack military option by referring to 1973 war.  (CSM 6/24)

U.S. Pres. Clinton offers to sponsor Washington summit mtg. btwn. Israeli PM Rabin, Jordan's King Hussein.  (WSJ 6/24)

Frmr. Saudi diplomat Mohammed al-Khilewi, who defected to U.S. 6/14, claims to have documents proving Saudi support for Hamas, Saudi surveillance of U.S. Jewish groups, including JDL.  (WSJ 6/24)[defected 6/1--WT 6/2][filed for asylum 5/31--WT 6/4]

Israeli FM Peres acknowledges letter of assurances to PLO on Jerusalem, claimed by PLO Chmn. Arafat in Johannesburg speech 5/10 but denied by Israel.  Letter, sent to then-Norwegian FM Johan Jørgen Holst 10/11/93, promises to preserve status quo of "all the Palestinian institutions" in East Jerusalem.  Text of document printed in all Israeli newspapers.  (MM, WP 6/7; WJW 6/9; JP 6/18) 

Palestine Broadcast Authority conducts 1st experimental TV broadcast in Jericho, showing test pattern in Arabic and English, Palestinian flag.  (MM 6/7; TJT 6/10)

Palestinian leaders fr. o.t. meet at Orient House in Jerusalem, issue statement asserting rights to live, work, in Jerusalem, reject Israeli "political cordon" around city.  (MM 6/7)

Trilateral U.S.-Israel-Jordan economic talks resume in Washington.  (MM 6/6)

U.S. Secy. of State Christopher, Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, Israeli FM Peres, and PLO Chmn. Arafat meet in Cairo, announce breakthrough on Gaza-Jericho agreement. Reportedly size of Jericho, duties of Palestinian police at border crossings, telephone and postal service remain to be resolved. Arafat and PM Rabin are to meet in Cairo 5/3 to resolve outstanding issues, sign self-rule accord 5/4. Christopher agrees to extend stay in region until signing, proceeds to Tel Aviv to discuss Israeli negotiations with Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria with PM Rabin. (MM 4/28; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 4/29)

Jerusalem District Court finds settler guilty of premeditated murder in 3/93 killing in Susia settlement nr. Hebron of Palestinian. Victim was bound hand and foot; settler shot him 9 times at point-blank range. Settler is sentenced to life in prison. (NYT 4/29, WT 5/4)

PFLP-GC figure Mustafa Khamis announces formation of "PFLP-Islamic General Command." (al-Sharq al-Awsat 4/28 in FBIS 4/29)

Washington, opened 1/24, adjourns without reported progress. (Qol Yisra'el 2/3 in FBIS 2/3; MM 2/4)

Multilateral Working Group on Arms Control and Regional Security ends Cairo mtg. opened 1/30 after discussing Russian-U.S. working paper, IAEA proposals. (MENA 2/3 in FBIS 2/4)

IDF soldier in truck, firing at stone-throwers in Shatti camp, Gaza Strip, critically wounds 13-yr.-old Mahmud Abu Hajar. IDF spokesman admits soldier's action violates IDF rules of engagement. (MM 2/3; NYT, WP 2/4)

IDF undercover unit disguised as women and old men kills Fateh Hawks' leader Salim Muafi, 29, in surprise attack in Rafah, Gaza Strip. Hawks announce they will no longer obey PLO Chmn. Arafat's orders, escalate "armed struggle." IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Ehud Barak calls Muafi's killing a "great achievement." (WP 2/4)

IDF arrests 15 settlers attempting to establish new settlement nr. Maale Adumin, West Bank. (Qol Yisra'el 2/3 in FBIS 2/4)

Israeli Ag. Min. program comm. approves expansion of Moshav Ramot, Maale Gamla settlements in Golan Heights. (MM 2/4)

U.S. Agency for International Development releases $7 m. in aid to Palestinian Housing Council in East Jerusalem to fund 192 apartments in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip. Money is 1st installment of $500 m. pledged to support Israel-PLO DoP. (MM, WT 2/4)

Jordan reduces staff of Iranian embassy in Amman by 21 in move interpreted as Jordanian disapproval of Tehran's support for anti-DoP groups. (AFP 2/3 in FBIS 2/3; WP 2/4)

Zionist Organization of America, National Jewish Coalition circulate Time magazine columns by Dep. Secy. of State-designate Strobe Talbott criticizing Israeli policy in campaign to stop his nomination. Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs issues news release saying Talbott's views are reason he "should be disqualified" fr. post. Other Jewish groups, led by Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, meet with Talbott and refuse to condemn him as anti-Israel. (MM, NYT 2/4)

"Seeds of Peace" organization presents awards to Israeli FM Peres, PLO UN Observer Muhammad Nasir al-Kidwa, and Egyptian UN amb. Nabil al-'Arabi. Group put together Israeli, Arab children for summer camp, was present at 9/13 DoP signing. (NYT 2/5)

Jordan's King Hussein, on private visit to U.S., meets Pres. Clinton at White House, discusses Arab-Israeli peace talks. (WT 1/22)

Basil al-Asad, presumed heir-apparent of his father, Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad, dies in a car crash in Damascus. (NYT, WP, WT 1/22)

Secy. of State Christopher arrives in Oslo for funeral of Norwegian FM Johan Jorgen Holst, mtgs. with Israeli FM Peres, PLO Chmn. Arafat. State Dept. sources travelling with Christopher say U.S. will not insert self into Israel-PLO talks. (WP, WT 1/22)

Arab League Sec.-Gen. Ismat 'Abd al-Majid, after mtg. with Secy. of Commerce Brown, says 3/94 mtg. of Arab League FMs will discuss lifting secondary and tertiary boycotts of Israel. (NYT, WP, WT 1/22)

Israeli farmer Moshe Becker, 60, stabbed to death in orchard nr. Rishon le-Zion, Israel. 3 Palestinians fr. Gaza Strip arrested for attack. (Qol Yisra'el 1/21 in FBIS 1/25; NYT 1/22)

Delegation of 80 American Reform rabbis leaves Jordan after brief tour following visits to Egypt, Israel. (JT 1/22 in FBIS 1/25)