The Palestine Chronology

Arafat inaugurates Abu Ammar Naval Base in Gaza. (PR 1/1)

Israel's prominent parties set 5/17 as date for early elections; run-off for PM will be held 6/1 if necessary. In response, Arafat backs down on declaring state on 5/4/99, fearing it would provide "political ammunition" to Netanyahu or others. Prominent Likud MK Benjamin Begin quits the party to mount a right-wing challenge for the premiership. (YA 12/28 in WNC 12/29; NYT, WP, WT 12/29; MA 12/29 in WNC 12/30; WP 12/30; WJW 12/31; PR 1/1; MM 1/5; JP 1/11; MEI 1/15)

At the request of the Gulf States, chiefly Saudi Arabia, the Arab League postpones emergency session on Iraq set for 12/30 to 1/24. (MENA 12/28 in WNC 12/29; CSM 12/30; MM 1/4, 1/28) (see 12/22)

Israel extends 5%+n20% income tax breaks to settlements until 2000. (Globes [Internet] 12/29 in WNC 12/30)

IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Kafr Harith, West Bank, injuring the owner, his infant son. (LAW 12/30; PR 1/8)

Iraq fires antiaircraft missiles at U.S. planes over the n. no-fly zone. U.S. strikes the missile battery in response, killing 4 Iraqi soldiers, wounding 7. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/29; JTV 12/29 in WNC 12/31; GIU 1/5, 1/6) (see 12/26)

 The U.S. calls on the PA to halt hunger strikes, criticisms of the prisoner release; speed confiscations of illegal weapons, reduction in number of PA police. (NYT 12/12)

Israel rejects U.S. compromise formula for release of Palestinian political prisoners, reaffirms it will not implement 2d stage of FRD unless the full Palestine National Council (PNC) votes to annul the PLO charter. Nr. Qalqilya, the IDF opens fire on Palestinians demonstrating for the release of political prisoners, killing 2, wounding 27. (MM 12/11; ITV 12/11, 12/12 in WNC 12/15; LAW, WP, WT 12/12)

One of Israel's most wanted, Hamas mbr. Yahya al-Gul, escapes fr. a PA prison in Gaza, where he had been held since 3/98. PA places his family under house arrest. (PR 1/15)

In Gaza, 200 mbrs. of Palestinian opposition parties, Hamas, 8 Palestinian Council mbrs. hold conference to denounce the Wye agmt., annulment of the PLO charter; call on PLO mbrs. to boycott 12/14 PNC mtg. (WT 12/12)

UNSCOM carries out 14 surprise inspections without Iraqi interference. (WP 12/12) (see 12/9)

Lebanon files protest with the UN Security Council (UNSC) against repeated Israeli mock raids over Beirut since 12/9. (RL 12/11 in WNC 12/14)

Arafat arrives in Washington, meets with Secy. of State Albright, calls on U.S. to pressure Israel to fulfill withdrawal agmts. as outlined in Oslo accords. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/22)

American Jewish leaders (fr. such groups as American Jewish Congress, Anti-Defamation League) criticize Netanyahu for courting Christian Right. Netanyahu gives interview to Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network. (WP 1/22; MM 1/26) (see 1/19)

In Mecca, Jordan's King Hussein, Saudi Arabia's King Fahd discuss joint efforts to support the peace process. King Hussein is in Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser pilgrimage (al-`Umra). (RJ 1/21 in WNC 1/23; `Ukaz [Jiddah] 1/22 in WNC 1/27)

Dir. Gen. of the Israeli Cabinet Ariel Shomir travels to Cairo to deliver a letter fr. Pres. Weizman to Egypt's Pres. Mubarak. (MENA 1/21 in WNC 1/23)

World Bank secures financing for first export-oriented industrial estate at al-Muntar, Gaza. (World Bank press release 1/21)

IDF begins bulldozing Palestinian land nr. Neve Dalim settlement in Gaza as 1st step to expanding the settlement. (PCHR 1/24)

Jordan receives last installment of U.S. military equipment under the $1-m. 1996 draw-down agmt. (JTV 1/21 in WNC 1/23; al-Ra'i 1/26 in WNC 1/27)