The Palestine Chronology

In Jerusalem, Acting PM Peres says he will not call early elections. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 11/8)

Shin Bet gives cabinet a preliminary report on security guarding PM Rabin at the peace rally; says there were not enough bodyguards, guards failed to form a phalanx around Rabin, intelligence had inadequate information on Jewish extremists. (WP, WT 11/8; MM, NYT, WT 11/9)

In television, press interviews, Leah Rabin, Rabin's widow, accuses Netanyahu, Likud of inciting violence; blames them for Rabin's death. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/8)

Justice M Liba'i says the government is writing legislation to crack down on militants, tightening restrictions against inciting violence and perhaps banning demonstrations outside elected officials' homes. (IDF Radio, YA 11/7 in FBIS 11/8; WP 11/8)

Israeli police search Kfar Tapuah, a settlement nr. Nablus which has a large Kahane Chai following, looking for links btwn. the Amir brothers and the banned movements Kahane Chai, Kach. 4 rightist nationalists who praised Rabin's assassination are arrested, questioned, but released for lack of evidence. (MM 11/7; IDF Radio, QY 11/7 in FBIS 11/8; NYT, WP, WT 11/8)

Eyal, Kach leaders go underground, fearing their arrest by the IDF. Eyal head Avishai Raviv admits Yigal Amir was a mbr. of his organization. (NYT, WP 11/8) (see 11/4)

IDF eases closure, allowing Gaza laborers over 35 yrs old, West Bank laborers over 30 yrs old into Israel. (IDF Radio 11/7 in FBIS 11/7; NYT, WT 11/8) (see 11/4)

Arafat, Peres continue talks in Taba. PA, Israel agree on timetable for Israeli withdrawal fr. parts of the West Bank after PA agrees to allow IDF until 2/97 to complete redeployment. IDF would withdraw fr. some towns 6 mos after elections, give up control of roads 1 yr. after elections (which would ideally be held in 12/95). (MM 8/8; VOP 8/8 in FBIS 8/8; MENA, QY 8/8 in FBIS 8/9; CSM, NYT, WT 8/9; WT 8/10)

In more than 20 Israeli cities, settlers block roads during rush hour, clash with Israeli police in their 1st protests inside the Green Line against expanded Palestinian self-rule. 130 are arrested; primary organizer Moshe Reiglin is fined IS10,000 ($3,300). (MM 8/8; QY 8/8 in IL 8/8; QY 8/8 in FBIS 8/9; MM, NYT, WT 8/9; WT 8/10; PR 8/18)

In the West Bank, settlers set up encampments nr. Alfe Menashe, Hebron, Elon Moreh, Ofra, al-Nabi Samu'il bringing to 15 the number of new sites occupied by right-wing Jews in recent days. (QY 8/8, 8/9 in FBIS 8/9)

PM Rabin holds follow-up mtg. settler leaders (see 8/4), refuses their request to see maps of the planned IDF redeployment fr. the West Bank. Leaders vow to continue antigovernment protests. (MM 8/8; QY 8/8 in IL 8/8; Davar 8/8 in FBIS 8/8; QY 8/8 in FBIS 8/9; MM 8/10)

5 dissident PFLP-GC mbrs hold reconciliation talks with Arafat; ask him to allow 100 PFLP-GC mbrs. to return to Gaza, hold mtg. to oust Ahmad Jibril as leader. Arafat says he will consider the request. (AFP 8/8 in FBIS 8/9)

U.S. formally arrests Hamas's Abu Marzuq, begins extradition proceedings that could result in his being deported to Israel on charges of terrorism, conspiracy to commit murder. (NYT, WP 8/9; WT 8/10) (see 7/31)

AHLC meets in Paris. Israel, PA, donors sign agmt. recognizing for 1st time Israel's "right" to impose restrictive measures (incl. closure) to ensure security.  Comm. approves $60 m. to help cover PA's $136 m. deficit for rest of 1995, agrees to encourage financing for Gaza harbor, industrial parks. Israel says it will ease flow of goods fr. o.t. into Israel. (Currently only several dozen produce trucks are allowed to enter each day.) Kuwait announces $4 m. grant to PA. (MENA, QY 4/27, HA 4/28 in FBIS 4/28; CSM, MM, NYT 4/28; MM 5/1; MEI 5/12) (see 3/30, 4/4)

In largest confiscation in Jerusalem in 15 yrs, Israeli officials approve plan to take 134 acres of mostly Arab-owned land for new Jewish neighborhoods, police headquarters. Housing Min. anticipates 800-900 new apartments. Rabin says no-confiscation promise does not apply to East Jerusalem, he personally approved plan. Arafat criticizes Israelis for acting in bad faith, violating DOP. (QY 4/27 in FBIS 4/27; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 4/28; MM 5/1; CSM 5/2; WJW 5/4; JP 5/6; WJW 5/11)

Syria rejects FM Peres's 4/18 proposal move negotiations forward, says problem lies in Israel's position not in structure of talks. (MM 4/19)

In New York, Lebanese FM Buwayz concludes 2 days of mtgs. with Secy. of State Christopher, Asst. Secy. of State Robert Pelletreau regarding Syrian-Israeli talks, future of Lebanese track, NPT, Arab boycott, U.S. travel ban. (RL 4/20 in FBIS 4/20)

Representatives of all Palestinian factions meet in Gaza, agree to set up joint comm. to discuss security in the self-rule areas. (IDF Radio 4/20 in FBIS 4/20)

Car bomb explodes at federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 31, leaving some 200 unaccounted for. Authorities begin search for 2 "Middle Eastern looking" men who left scene in pickup truck. Hizballah, Islamic Jihad, Hizballah, Lebanon's Higher Shi`ite Islamic Council condemn attack. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/20; QPAR, QY, RL 4/20 in FBIS 4/20; JTV, MENA, RE, RL, VOL 4/20, AFP 4/21 in FBIS 4/21; AFP 4/21 in FBIS 4/24)

Hebron settlers say they will erect building in city to house 10 new Jewish families, increasing settler population in Hebron by 25%. Plan has not been approved by Israeli government. IDF lifts daytime curfew on Palestinians, dusk-to-dawn curfew continues. (WP 4/20)

Yitzhak Magen, Israel's chief archaeologist for West Bank, announces plans to begin ripping up parts of 5th-century Byzantine church on Mount Gerizim to uncover 2,000-yr.-old replica of Jerusalem temple. (WT 4/19; JP 4/29)

PA Planning M. Shaath holds informal mtg. with donor states' representatives in Gaza, discusses $244-m. budget for FY 1996, says World Bank is ready to disburse to the PA $600 m. of outstanding loans the EU has pledged. (VOP 3/30 in FBIS 3/30)

In Washington, Jordan's King Hussein meets with U.S. Defense Secy. Adm. William Perry, discusses Jordan's strategic needs, role in preserving peace, security in the Middle East. (RJ 3/31 in FBIS 3/31)

Russian FM Kozyrev, Syrian Pres. al-Asad meet in Damascus, discuss Russian participation in peace process, NPT, sign 5-yr. cultural, scientific cooperation agmt. Rumors suggest al-Asad gives Kozyrev letter to take to PM Rabin 3/31. (SARR 3/30 in FBIS 3/31; MM 3/31)

Saudi Arabia says it will allow Israeli Arabs to enter kingdom for hajj only if they bear Palestinian passports, changes hajj quotas so Israeli Arabs fall under Palestinian, not Jordanian, quota. Israel refuses to permit passports' use. (YA 3/30 in FBIS 3/30; QY 3/30, AFP 3/31 in FBIS 3/31; QY 4/2 in FBIS 4/3) (see 3/29)

Arafat received delegation of Jewish U.S. Congress mbrs., discusses obstacles to implementation of DOP. (VOP 3/30)

IDF forbids PA Justice M Abu-Midyan fr. leaving Gaza for Jericho. PA protests. (VOP 3/30 in FBIS 3/31)

1 IDF soldier killed in s. Lebanon during clash with Hizballah. Israeli vessel patrols north, south of Tyre; gunboats fire warning shots at ports in continuation of blockade. (WT 4/1)

Arafat meets with representatives fr. the donor states and UNRWA in Gaza to discuss PA financial problems (VOP 3/6 in FBIS 3/7)

PA Local Government M Erakat gives Council of Ms draft law on Palestinian local rule for review. (VOP 3/6 in FBIS 3/6)

UK rejects Israeli request not to hold high-level mtgs. at Orient House in East Jerusalem during PM John Major's visit next wk. (QY 3/6 in FBIS 3/7; Times of London 3/8 in FBIS 3/8; QY 3/9 in FBIS 3/9; MM 3/10)

U.S. Christian leaders send letter to Clinton, urging him to press Israel to stop annexing land in Jerusalem. Letter angers Israel leaders, U.S. Jewish groups. (MM 3/8, 3/14)

Labor MK Avigdor Kahalani arrives in U.S. to lobby congressmen against stationing U.S. troops in Golan in framework of Syrian-Israeli peace agmt. (MM 3/6)

Tourism Ms fr. Israel, Egypt, Jordan hold joint press conference at ITB conference, the largest annual tourism conference, announce plans to launch joint marketing campaign in Europe. (HA 3/7 in FBIS 3/9; JP 3/18)

2 Israeli tour buses are stoned as they pass through Karama, Jordan, injuring 1 Israeli. (al-Majd 3/6 in FBIS 3/10)

Arafat announces he is establishing a military court system to try people suspected of security offenses. Human rights groups, several PNC mbrs. say decision undermines Palestinian democracy. (MM 2/13; Al-Majd 2/13 in FBIS 2/14; MM 2/15; NYT 2/16; MEI 2/17; PR 2/20)

Talks on elections resume in Cairo after 4-wk. break to try to draft agmt. on elections before Rabin-Arafat mtg. 2/9. (MM 2/7; MENA, VOP 2/7 in FBIS 2/8; WP 2/8)

FM Peres meets with leading mbrs. of Congress in Washington, incl. Rep. Gingrich, Sen. Helms, discusses foreign aid, peace process; then addresses heads of U.S. Jewish organizations. (MM 2/8)

2-day U.S.-Lebanese security talks headed by Asst. Secy. of State Pelletreau, Lebanese Amb. Riad Tabbarah end in Washington; parties say mtg. was successful, they will meet again but give no date. U.S. should make decision on travel ban later this mo. (MM 2/8)

PSF raids, confiscates materials fr. DFLP offices, arrests over 60 DFLP supporters in Gaza in search for those who shot Israeli security guards 2/6. Those arrested incl. Wa'il Khalaf, DFLP representative in negotiations with PA on municipal councils. (MM, NYT, WT 2/8; MEI 2/17)

PSF arrests 20 Islamic Jihad mbrs., closes down offices of pro-Islamic Jihad paper al-Istiqlal. (MEI 2/17; PR 2/20)

U.S. Commerce Secy. Brown meets with Arafat in Gaza to discuss Palestinian economic conditions, development. (VOP 2/7 in FBIS 2/8; WT 2/8)

Donor countries close mtg. in Gaza, announce plan to speed transfer of aid to PA, give priority to creating jobs, developing roads, utilities. Conferees approve $695 m. for employment projects, infrastructure development, $500 m. of which was promised for last yr. (NYT 2/1)

Syrian FM al-Shara` gives U.S. Amb. to Syria Christopher Ross letter fr. Pres. al-Asad to Pres. Clinton, informs Ross that Syrian Amb. to U.S. Mu`allim will return to his post in Washington 2/6 after 2-mo. absence. (SARR 2/1 in FBIS 2/1; MM, WT 2/2)

Palestinian, Jordanian businessmen agree to establish Islamic Palestinian bank in autonomous areas. Bank will have initial capital of $10 m. (Al-Aswaq 1/31 in FBIS 2/3)

Israeli officials report that initial, low-level contacts have been made with Saudi Arabia, discussions held on possibilities for cooperation. (IDF Radio 1/31 in FBIS 2/1)

Gallup poll is released, showing 67.2% of Israelis polled believe talks with PA should be suspended; 17.8% say talks should be ended completely. (IMRA press release 1/31)

Israeli settlers seize West Bank outpost evacuated by IDF previous day. Soldiers immediately return to site, declare it a closed military area. (QY 1/30, 1/31 in FBIS 1/31)

IDF bans Jews fr. Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron during Ramadan, fearing violence btwn. Muslims, Jews at the site. (WT 2/1)

IDF, Hizballah exchange gunfire in southern Lebanon. 1 IDF soldier, 3 Hizballah mbrs. killed. New IDF Northern Command cmdr. Maj. Gen. 'Amiram Levin says attack was part of new IDF policy of initiating pinpointed raids against "terrorist" bases north of self-declared security zone. (ITV 1/31; HA 2/1 in FBIS 2/3)

Israel criticizes Jordan for presenting "impossible" positions in trade, aviation negotiations; rejects Jordanian demands for free exports to Israel regardless of products' country of origin, low altitude flight requirements. (Ma'ariv 1/30 in FBIS 1/30)

Israeli cabinet discusses national separation idea, approves import of 6,000 more foreign laborers to replace Palestinians, extends closure of West Bank, Gaza by 1 wk., announces IDF will begin stationing dogs at crossing points for crowd control. PA protests. (QY 1/29 in FBIS 1/30; MM, WT 1/30; WT 2/1)

Centre for Jewish-Arab Economic Development releases study, showing 59% of raw materials needed for Palestinian industries are imported fr. Israel; 50% of Palestinian producers are dependent on Israeli market for sale of goods. (JT 1/29 in FBIS 2/1)

Israeli Atty. Gen. approves extension of administrative detentions to 1 yr., based on security services requests following 1/22 bombings. (ITV 1/29 in FBIS 1/31)

7,000 Israelis, incl. 44 mayors and local council heads, gather at Beyt Lid, call for suspension of peace talks. (HA 1/29 in FBIS 1/31)