The Palestine Chronology

On the recommendation of 111 of 120 MKs, Israeli Pres. Weizman gives Peres 21 days to form a new government as PM. (NYT, WP, WT 11/16)

Israeli police arrest 8 suspect, Margalit Harshefi, a 20-yr.-old law student fr. Beit El settlement, for conspiracy in aiding Yigal Amir; issue 48-hr detention orders for Kach mbrs Baruch Marzel, Noam Federman; release Eyal's Raviv on bail, place him under house arrest, forbid him to enter West Bank; also arrest 2 ultraorthodox seminary students for desecrating Rabin's grave. (NYT, WP, WT 11/16)

Arafat cancels speech at Gaza rally after PA police arrest 5 Abu Nidal followers fr. Algeria, Libya on suspicion of plotting his assassination. All 5 were detained after arriving in Gaza last wk. (MENA, QY 11/15 in FBIS 11/15; NYT, WT 11/16)

Israel, Jordan sign agricultural agmt. (IL 10/26; JP 11/4)

In Gaza, Arafat receives U.S. Consul Gen. Abington, condemns Congress's vote on U.S. embassy legislation. (VOP 10/26 in FBIS 10/26)

EU delegation arrives in Beirut on 1st leg of regional tour. (RL 10/26 in FBIS 10/27)

PA submits request to Arab League for summit to discuss U.S. embassy issue. Secy. Gen. `Abd al-Majid rules out possibility, says Arab FMs can discuss matter on sidelines of Amman economic summit. (MENA, VOP 10/26, VOA 10/27 in FBIS 10/27)

In Jerusalem, Jewish Agency's Board of Governors meets to discuss its "most severe fiscal crisis to date," plans to cut $110 m. in social services, educational projects in the next 2 yrs. Board chmn. Charles Goodman says restructuring is needed, fears irrelevancy. Pres. of the United Israel Appeal (UIA), which funnels money fr. United Jewish Appeal to the agency, says UIA is facing "monumental debt," must make "massive, massive cuts." (WJW 10/26; JP 11/11)

Islamic Jihad leader Fathi Shiqaqi is assassinated in Malta, en route to Damascus fr. a mtg. in Libya to persuade Qaddafi fr. deporting more Palestinians. Islamic Jihad blames Mossad. (WT 10/29; AFP 10/29, QY 10/30 in FBIS 10/30; MM, WP, WT 10/30; WP 11/1; MEI 11/3; JP 11/4)

Syrian FM Shara` meets with Egyptian FM Musa, Lebanese FM Buwayz, Saudi FM Prince Sa'ud al-Faysal on the sidelines of the UN mtgs. (RL, SARR 10/4 in FBIS 10/5)

On the sidelines of the UN mtgs., Arab FMs agree to support Libya's nomination for the rotating position UN Security Council. (MENA 10/5 in FBIS 10/6)

9 PLO Exec. Comm. mbrs (Mahmud Darwish, `Abdallah Hurani, Shafiq al-Hut, Muhammad Isma'il, Taysir Khalid, Iliya Khuri, `Abd al-Rahim Malluh, Sulayman al-Najjab, Faruq al-Qaddumi) release joint statement rejecting Oslo II accord. 2 others, Samir Ghawshah, Jamal al-Surani endorse the statement. Only 9 Exec. Comm. mbrs approved the agmt. (see 9/26) (SANA 10/4 in FBIS 10/5)

Visiting Palestinians detained in camp on Egypt's border, Libyan leader Col. Muammar Qaddafi calls on Arab leaders to "send home" all Palestinians in protest over the Oslo II agmt. Islamists, nationalist Palestinians jointly condemn the call. (NYT, WP, WT 10/5) (see 9/27)

Al-Watan publisher Imad al-Faluji signs PA pledge to respect the press and publication law, allowing publication of his pro-Hamas paper to resume. (Al-Nahar 10/5 in FBIS 10/6) (see 8/6)

In Gaza, Israeli policeman is wounded by shots fired at a joint Israeli-PA patrol. Group calling itself the Islamic Salvation Front takes responsibility. (ITV 10/4 in FBIS 10/5)

IDF extends closure on West Bank, Gaza to 10/8. (QY 10/4 in FBIS 10/5) (see 9/30)

FM Peres meets with Arafat before, after PA-Israeli "drafting comm." mtg. Both say they are closer to reaching preliminary self-rule agmt. Meanwhile, 10 comms meet in Elat to work out differences on specific issues blocking a final agmt. (MM, WT 8/10; AFP, ITV, MENA, QY, VOP 8/10, VOP 8/11 in FBIS 8/11)

2d group of 150 Palestinians is deported fr. Libya. Libya says it will continue expelling Palestinians to the self-rule areas via Egypt. PA says it has no agmt. with Libya to accept the deportees but PA, Israel have agreed to let them into Gaza. [Over the past 2 days, some 2,500 Egyptians have also been expelled. There are 40,000 Palestinians, 800,000-900,000 Egyptians in Libya.] (AFP, MENA 8/10 in FBIS 8/11; MM 8/11; PR 8/18) (see 8/9)

Jordan gives asylum to Iraqi defectors Lt. Gen. Hussein Kamel Hassan, Lt. Col. Saddam Kamel Hassan (both sons-in-law of Pres. Saddam Hussein), their families, 15 other army officers. Lt. Gen. Kamel headed Iraq's weapons program; Lt. Col. Kamel was chief of security. (NYT, WP, WT 8/11; CSM 8/14)

PA police arrest 5 Hamas mbrs. in Gaza, IDF arrests 17 West Bank Palestinians; all are accused of plotting attacks for Hamas. IDF orders West Bank, Gaza closure extended until 8/13. (QY 8/10 in FBIS 8/10; YA 8/11 in IL 8/11; WP 8/12) (see 8/9)

At Neve Ilan nr. Jerusalem, Israel, PA hold talks on transferring 8 new spheres of power, establishing 9 industrial parks. (QY 6/13 in FBIS 6/13) (see 5/22, 5/29)

Arafat meets with Norwegian FM Bjørn Godal in Gaza, discusses current status of negotiations with Israel. (QY 6/14 in FBIS 6/14)

U.S. Asst. Secy. of State Robert Pelletreau arrives in Cairo for talks with FM Musa on bilateral relations, peace process. (MENA 6/13 in FBIS 6/13)

Shin Bet reports that number of anti-Israeli incidents has reached its lowest point since the beginning of the intifada; most incidents take place in Israeli occupied territory, very few come fr. Gaza. (ITV 6/13 in FBIS 6/15)

IDF changes requirements for Palestinian workers to enter Israel, rescinds permits of 4,000 single men under 30; henceforth only married men over 30 will be allowed in. PA protests. (MA 6/14 in FBIS 6/15)

IDF halts demolition of Palestinian house in East Jerusalem after clash btwn. troops, Palestinians injures 12. (QY 6/13 in FBIS 6/14; CSM, NYT 6/15; PR 6/18; MEI 6/23)

Settlers take over 13 abandoned buildings at Barquan, West Bank, begin laying water pipes and electrical lines. IDF calls action "possibly illegal" but does not halt it. (MM 6/13; NYT 6/15; WP 6/26)

In East Jerusalem, settlers open fire on home of Arafat adviser Faisal Husseini. (ITV 6/13, VOP 6/13, 6/14 in FBIS 6/14)

In Lebanon, fighting btwn. pro-, anti-Arafat groups at `Ayn al-Hilwa erupts anew. 7 Palestinians, 1 Lebanese are killed, 20 Palestinians are wounded in the heavy exchange of mortar, rocket, and machine-gun fire. Lebanese army deploys troops around `Ayn al-Hilwa, camps nr. Tyre. (MM 6/13; AFP, VOL 6/13 in FBIS 6/13; QPAR, VOL 6/13, RL 6/14 in FBIS 6/14; MEI 7/21)

In Washington, several dozen orthodox rabbis meet with Congressmen, deliver 30,000 signatures fr. constituents urging an end to U.S. aid to PLO. (WP 6/14; MM 6/26)

In Gaza, FM Peres, Arafat discuss industrial parks. In a gesture of goodwill in light of land conflict, Peres increases number of Palestinians allowed to work in Israel to 35,000, says PA will be allowed to take over 8 more spheres (5 agreed upon 5/16 plus agriculture, census and statistics, local administration) before 7/1. (MM 5/22; IDF Radio, QY, VOP 5/22 in FBIS 5/23; NYT 5/23; PR 5/28)

PM Rabin suspends confiscation of 134 acres of land in Jerusalem, killing no-confidence vote brought by Arab and rightist MKs that could have collapsed the government (see 5/17). Arab nations postpone minisummit on Jerusalem (see 5/21). (MM 5/22; ESC Television, IDF Radio, MENA, QY, VOP 5/22, MA, MENA, QY, VOP 5/23 in FBIS 5/23; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/23; CSM, MM 5/24; WJW 5/25; MEI 5/26; PR 6/28; JP 6/3; WSJ 6/6; MEI 6/9)

FM Peres tells Arafat that Israel will loan the PA $125 m.--the sum Israel should hand over for tax collection on behalf of PA but cannot due to delays in Knesset legislation. (QY 5/22 in FBIS 5/23)

PLO's Qaddumi meets with heads of Palestinian opposition groups in Damascus, incl. DFLP's Nayif Hawatmeh, Islamic Jihad's Fathi Shiqaqi, Palestinian National Grouping's (PNG) Bassam al-Shak'a, a Hamas rep. (RMC 5/23 in FBIS 5/24)

UNRWA Commissioner Gen. Ilter Türkman meets with Arafat in Gaza to discuss UN activities in Gaza, Jericho. (UNRWA News 6/2)

IDF soldier opens fire on, throws grenades into Jaffa church, causing extensive damage but no casualties. 11 Palestinians are injured when clashes erupt outside church btwn. Palestinians, Israeli police. (ITV, QY 5/22 in FBIS 5/23; WT 5/23; MM, WT 5/24)

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)

Syrian, Israeli ambs. resume talks on security issues in Washington. Mtg. is attended by Secy. of State Christopher but does not include military advisers. (QY 4/26 in FBIS 4/26; MM 4/27; WT 4/28)

PA, Israel resume talks on elections in Cairo, focus on allowing East Jerusalem Palestinians to vote, nature, structure, jurisdiction of projected legislative council. (MENA 4/25, MENA, VOP 4/26 in FBIS 4/26; WT 4/26; MENA, QY, VOP 4/26 in FBIS 4/27)

Preliminary donor mtg. opens in Paris. PA Planning M Shaath suggests donor states commit to timetable for meeting pledges for 1 yr., but several states (Shaath refuses to say which) oppose. (RMC 4/26 in FBIS 4/28)

In 1st such incident since signing of DOP, Palestinian arrested 4/22 on charges of being a sr. military leader in Hamas dies of injuries sustained during interrogation by Shin Bet. (MM 4/25; QY 4/25 in FBIS 4/25; CSM, NYT, WP 4/26; WP 5/4)

Jordan's amb. to Israel Muasher meets with Arafat advisor Husseini, frmr. PLO negotiator Hannan Ashrawi at Orient House in East Jerusalem, says Jordan, PA have resolved their differences over Jerusalem. (QY 4/25 in FBIS 4/25; QY 4/25 in FBIS 4/26; MM 4/26)

PA signs $65 m. contract with OPIC, Washington-based General Resources and Design Group to build Marriott hotel in Gaza. Hotel will have independent infrastructure (incl. water desalinization, communications, electricity). (MM 4/27)

Jordan's Dentists' Association bans mbrs. fr. treating Israelis, who have been coming to Jordan for cheaper medical attention since signing of peace treaty. Move seen as part of growing disenchantment with normalization with Israel. (MM 4/26, 5/2)

In retaliation for Yassin killing 3/31, Hizballah suicide bomber crashes explosive-rigged car into IDF, SLA convoy in s. Lebanon, wounding 9 IDF soldiers, 1 SLA mbr., 12 civilians. IDF reinforces troops in south, sweeps area, arrests 40 Lebanese. IAF overflies Beirut, is fired on by Lebanese Army again. (AFP, IDF Radio, QY, RL, VOL 4/25, RL 4/26 in FBIS 4/26; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/26; VOL 4/26 in FBIS 4/27; JP 5/6; MEI 5/12)

PA continues crackdown on Hamas, Islamic Jihad in Gaza, bringing number of alleged mbrs. in custody to more than 300, gives Palestinians until 5/11 to register weapons with police or have them confiscated. PA Atty. Gen. al-Qidra say 35 Palestinians are scheduled to go before military court. (VOP 4/11, QY 4/12, VOP 4/12 in FBIS 4/12; MM 4/12; VOP 5/12 in FBIS 5/13; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/13; JP 4/22)

PA approves appointment of Ziyad al-Majali as Jordan's diplomatic representative in the self-rule areas. PA M Jamil al-Tarifi delivers message fr. Arafat to King Hussein, expressing PA's desire to coordinate with Jordan on all aspects of negotiations. (RJ 4/12, JT 4/13 in FBIS 4/13)

Arafat asks Jordan to crack down on Hamas elements in kingdom, prevent them fr. publishing leaflets. (MENA, VOP 4/12 in FBIS 4/13; MM 4/13)

FBI sends team to Gaza to investigate death of 1, wounding of 3 Americans in 4/9 bombing. Under 1986 law, U.S. can investigate crimes against its citizens overseas, prosecute defendants in U.S. courts. (NYT 4/12; MM, WP, WT 4/13; CSM 4/14)

Israel-PA talks on elections close without progress in Cairo. PA negotiator Local Government M Saeb Erakat gives Israeli delegation 6 proposal papers on international supervision of elections. (IDF Radio, MENA 2/22 in FBIS 2/23; WP 2/23; JP 3/4; MEI 3/17)

PLO Executive Comm. mtg. closes without suspending talks with Israel. Arafat calls for emergency Arab summit, says PLO will send delegations to China, EU, Japan, Russia, U.S. in diplomatic effort to pressure Israel to set date for troop withdrawal, elections. Arafat begins by meeting with Pres. Mubarak, flying to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj, coordinate with King Fahd. (MENA, VOP 2/22 in FBIS 2/22; MENA, VOP 2/22 in FBIS 2/23; CSM, FT, NYT 2/23; MEI 3/3; JP 3/4)

U.S. House Appropriations subcommittee increases Jordan's debt forgiveness fr. $99 m. to $149 m. for its support of peace process. (WT 2/23)

Clinton administration submits draft of FY 1996 budget, incl. $44.2 m. military, economic aid to Jordan. (JT 2/25 in FBIS 2/28)

PA Atty. Gen. Khalid al-Qidra says Palestinian security services are detaining 6 mbrs. of Abu Nidal Organization found in Gaza for "disturbing national security." (QY, VOP 2/22 in FBIS 2/23)

Israeli Labor Bureau says number of foreign workers replacing Palestinians in Israel has reached 70,695--860% more than last yr. PA estimates unemployment in Gaza to be 52%. (NYT, WT 2/22)

IDF says it will open 20 houses in Nablus that were sealed because of security offenses by owners. (QY 2/22 in FBIS 2/23)

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)

FMs fr. Egypt, Syria, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE close 2-day mtg. in Cairo; issue statement, condemning Israeli refusal to sign NPT, supporting Syria's demands in peace talks. (MENA 2/5, SARR 2/6 in FBIS 2/6; MENA 2/6 in FBIS 2/7; WT 2/7)

Joint Jordanian-Israeli Comm. on treaty implementation meets in Jordan, assess progress of trade, transportation, military comms. Parties initial agmt. on tourism. (MM 2/7; JP 2/7 in FBIS 2/8)

"Direct" postal service btwn. Israel, Jordan begins. No mail will go by land. All mail will be routed through Cyprus until Jordan, Israel reach aviation agmt. (JT 2/6 in FBIS 2/6)

FM Peres arrives in U.S. for 3 days of mtgs.; meets with UNSC in New York, briefs mbrs. on status of negotiations. Later, Peres, Jordanian envoy to U.S. Fayiz al-Tarawinah host mtg. with 60 American businessmen to discuss potential projects in region. (QY 2/6, JP 2/7 in FBIS 2/7; MM 2/8)

U.S. Commerce Secy. Brown, Israeli Energy M Gonen Segev meet, announce agmt. to allow American power companies to enter Israeli market, supply 1/5 of Israel's electricity needs. (WT 2/8) 

1 Israeli security guard is killed, 1 wounded while escorting Israeli gas trucks in Gaza, nr. Israeli border. DFLP claims responsibility. Arafat denounces attack. Israel suspends fuel deliveries by Israeli convoys. (MM 2/6; VOP 2/6 in FBIS 2/6; QY, VOP 2/6 in FBIS 2/7; MM, NYT, WP 2/7; NYT 2/8; WJW 2/9; MEI 2/17)

Israel withdraws fr. 132 sq. mi. of Jordanian territory it captured in 1967, in compliance with peace treaty. Remaining 17 sq. mi. to be returned before 2/10. Likud criticizes PM Rabin for withdrawing without explicit legislative approval. (MM 1/30; QY, RJ 1/30 in FBIS 1/31; NYT, WP, WT 1/31; JTV 1/31 in FBIS 2/1; JTV 2/3 in FBIS 2/7; JP 2/11; MEI 2/17)

Representatives of 30 donor countries hold 1st mtg. in Gaza to address last yr.'s problems, plans for improvement. Israeli delegation does not show up. Parties note that only $64 m. of $125 m. emergency funds promised to PA at Brussels mtg. 11/30 have arrived. (JP 1/31)

U.S. Consul General Eddington delivers letter fr. Pres. Clinton regarding peace process, U.S.-Palestinian relations to Arafat in Gaza. Arafat gives Eddington written reply for Clinton. (VOP 1/30 in FBIS 1/31)

PA opens 2 comptrollers offices in Gaza, Ramallah to oversee PA Ms, municipal and rural councils, general associations but not security branches; investigate, resolve corruption cases. Gaza office headed by `Abd al-Karim al-`Aqluq, Ramallah office by Ziyad `Abu `Ayn, both senior Fateh mbrs. PA says Ramallah office has already received 50 complaints fr. the public. (QY 1/30 in FBIS 1/31)

New Palestinian group, National Movement for Change, announces its establishment in Gaza; accepts DOP as fait accompli, calls for removal of Israeli settlements, withdrawal of Israeli security forces fr. o.t., rejects linking Palestinian, Israeli economy, asks Arab nations to reject normalization with Israel. (MENA 1/30 in FBIS 1/31)

UN Security Council (UNSC) extends mandate of UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for 6 mos. (VOL 1/30 in FBIS 1/31)

Arafat, PM Rabin meet at Erez checkpoint; agree on recognition of Palestinian passports, release of prisoners, routes linking autonomous areas. Men over 50, women over 35 will begin using safe-passage routes. (MM 1/9; AFP, QY, VOP 1/9 in FBIS 1/9; QY 1/9 in FBIS 1/10; NYT, WP, WT 1/10; CSM 1/12; PR 1/15; MEI 2/3) (see 1/6)

Israeli-PA talks on procedures and mechanisms for elections, expanding self-rule reopen in Cairo. Parties defer discussion on redeployment, review events of previous 8 mtgs. (MM 1/9; MENA 1/9 in FBIS 1/9; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 1/10; RE 1/9, MENA 1/10 in FBIS 1/10; MENA 1/10 in FBIS 1/11)

PA holds conference on settlements in Jericho. Participants, incl. 4 PA mbrs. and Hamas mbrs., call on PA to suspend talks, step up protests, reconsider peace process in light of Israeli settlement violations. (MM 1/9; QY 1/9 in FBIS 1/10; NYT 1/10; Al-Quds 1/10, QY 1/11 in FBIS 1/11; CSM 1/12; PR 1/15)

PA, German officials meet in East Jerusalem to discuss development projects. Israeli FMin. complains it did not receive prior notice of mtg. (QY 1/9 in FBIS 1/10) (see 12/26)

U.S. Defense Secy. Perry receives briefing on Golan fr. IDF, say U.S. anticipates being asked to provide monitors for the area (as opposed to security forces). (MM 1/9; AFP, JP, QY 1/9 in FBIS 1/9; ITV 1/9 in FBIS 1/10; WP, WT 1/10; CSM 1/11; MEI 1/20; JP 1/21)

Poll released by Center for Palestine Research Studies shows that majority of Palestinians favor suspending (31.5%) or completely halting (20.6%) talks with Israel. (MM 1/9)

HA reports Iraq is ready to recognize Israel since Israel has reconciled with PLO, has asked Morocco to mediate; claims Iraqi official Ismat Katani visited senior FMin. official Yitzhak Lior in Israel. Lior admits mtg. took place but says Israeli-Iraqi relations were not discussed. (HA 1/9 in FBIS 1/9; WT 1/10)

Rigged donkey cart explodes in Gaza as bus of Jewish settlers passes. No injuries, no one takes responsibility. (NYT, WT 1/10)