The Palestine Chronology

10s of right-wing Israelis protesting outside Orient House stone Palestinian vehicles, homes, stores; attempt to storm Orient House when PLO's Faisal Husseini arrives. (VOP 7/30 in FBIS 7/31; JP 7/31 in FBIS 8/2; MEI 8/4) (see 7/26)

Nr. Tel Aviv, suicide bomber kills 5 Israelis, injures 33 in bus bombing, marking 1st attack inside Israel since 1/22. Hamas is suspected. IDF seals Gaza, West Bank. PM Rabin temporarily halts negotiations but vows they will continue; both sides suggest continuing talks outside Israel. (MM 8/25; IDF Radio, QPAR, QY, SARR, VOP 7/24 in FBIS 7/24; QY, VOP 7/24 in FBIS 7/25; CSM, FT, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/25; NYT, WT 7/26; CSM, WJW 7/27; PR 7/28; MEI 8/4; JP 8/5) (see 7/12)

PA demands return of part of the Golan to Palestinian control in bid to improve their position in water negotiations with Israel; says Syria gave area to PLO in 1964. Unofficially, Syria disputes this, saying the Arab League gave the area to Syria after the 1948 war, sovereignty was affirmed under 1949 armistice agmt. (AFP 7/24 in FBIS 7/26; MM 7/25; VOP 7/26 in FBIS 7/27; AFP 7/26 in FBIS 7/28; MM 7/31)

At Erez checkpoint, PA Social Affairs M Intisar al-Wazir, Israeli Labor and Welfare M Ora Namir hold 1st talks on ways of cooperating on labor, social security, welfare; discuss economic importance of Palestinians working in Israel. (QY 7/24 in FBIS 7/25)

UN endorses 6-mo. extension of UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon but recommends 10% cut in size. (WT 7/26; RL 7/29 in FBIS 7/31)

Israeli Civil Administration gives eviction order to settlers occupying Givat Hatamar hill nr. Efrat. (QY 7/26 in FBIS 7/27)

Israel releases 3 Americans detained 7/22. (WP 7/25)

Suha Arafat gives birth to baby girl, Zahwa, in Paris. (NYT, WT 7/25; WSJ 7/26; MM 7/27; PR 7/28)

PA, Israeli talks resume in `Ayn Jidi nr. Dead Sea--a more remote location than Zichron Ya'acov that will hopefully attract fewer demonstrators. (VOP 7/23 in FBIS 7/24; MM 7/24) (see 7/19)

PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud Abbas arrives in Ramallah to take up permanent residence, says he will not work with the PA. (QY 7/23 in FBIS 7/25)

Frmr. Labor party chmn. Eli Dayan replaces Beilin as dep. FM. (QY 7/23 in FBIS 7/26) (see 7/18)

PA releases 7 of 11 PFLP mbrs. arrested 7/21. (JP, QY 7/23 in FBIS 7/24)

In Alexandria, Arafat, Pres. Mubarak, FM Peres discuss transfer of authority negotiations; agree to divide accord on 2d stage of DOP into 2 agmts: 1st dealing with points of accord (to precede elections), 2d with differences (to be discussed later). (MM, WT 7/19; RE, VOP 7/19 in FBIS 7/19; ITV, MENA, QY, VOP 7/19, JP, QY 7/20 in FBIS 7/20; MM 7/20; HA 7/20 in FBIS 7/21; al-Quds 7/20 in FBIS 7/25; PR 7/28)

One day after PA prohibits coverage of "security issues," Al-Quds cancels series of articles on how Palestinian informers for Israel have infiltrated the PLO, apologizes for running 1st installment. (WT 6/20)

Israel's Moledet party merges with Tehiya to become Moledet, Tenu'at Ne'emney Eretz Yisra'el Yotz'ey Hatehiya [Movement of Eretz Yisra'el Faithful Formerly of Tehiya]. (QY 7/19 in FBIS 7/20)

2,000 settlers hold antigovernment protest outside hotel in Zichron Ya'acov where PA, Israel are holding talks. (HA 7/20 in FBIS 7/21)

U.S. envoy Ross makes unexpected return trip to Damascus to meet with FM al-Shara`, unsuccessfully tries to set date and agenda of next round of Syrian-Israeli military talks. (MM 7/13; MBC, SARR 7/13 in FBIS 7/14; MM 7/14)

PA charge d'affaires to Jordan `Umar al-Khatib announces Israel, PA have agreed that "PA nationals" abroad, whose travel permits were valid when they left but have expired, may return to the PA areas at any time without having to renew the permits, no matter how long they were abroad. (al-Ra'y 7/13 in FBIS 7/13)

Delegates fr. Egypt, the EU, Israel, Jordan, the PA hold land transport infrastructure working group mtg. in Amman; discuss need for regional highway system, construction of bridges in Jordan. (JTV 7/13 in FBIS 7/18)

PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. and frmr. top negotiator Mahmud Abbas meets with Arafat in Gaza to discuss the Palestinian stand on negotiations with Israel. (VOP 7/13 in FBIS 7/13)

Heads of 4 leading U.S. rabbinical movements present Congress mbrs. with signatures of 600 U.S. rabbis supporting continued aid to the PLO. (MM 7/14)

Israeli Civil Administration appoints Lt. Col. Barukh Nagar, convicted several yrs ago of attacking 2 Palestinians, as governor of Hebron. (QY 7/13 in FBIS 7/14)

PM Rabin says hill nr. Efrat occupied by settlers 7/12 has been zoned for settlement for more than a yr., says he will approve requests that mobile homes be set up at the site. (QY 7/13 in FBIS 7/14)

Hamas-PFLP coalition wins al-Najah student elections by vote of 43-28, marking 1st time in 14 yrs. that Fatah has lost the election. (PR 7/28)

Jordanian FMin. says FM Kabariti has held several mtgs. with the Kuwaiti charge d'affaires in Amman, numerous Jordanian officials have met with their Kuwaiti counterparts in an attempt to normalize relations, which soured during the Gulf War. (al-Dustur 7/13 in FBIS 7/14)

FM Peres says 7/4 agmt. calls for phased Israeli pullout fr. West Bank over 2 yrs, starting with 4 towns (Jenin, Nablus, Qalqiliyya, Tulkarm), adding Ramallah, Bethlehem after bypass roads are built; elections to be held end of 1995. PA official says initial pullout will begin 4 wks after agmt. is signed, end 25 days before elections. IDF would temporarily pullout of Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah during voting. PLO will amend charter. Peres warns 7/25 date for signing agmt. might be delayed several wks. Israel's Savir, PA's Qurai` meet in Jerusalem to compose subcomms. to address individual issues. (MM 7/5; HA, VOP 7/5 in FBIS 7/6; WP, WSJ, WT 7/6; PR 7/9) (see 6/27)

In Cairo, technical comm. on Palestinian refugees opens 2d mtg. (MENA 7/4 in FBIS 7/5)=

Arafat, UN Sec. Gen. Butros Butros Ghali meet in Jericho to discuss international presence, joint Israeli-PA patrols in West Bank during interim phase, possibility of Arafat speaking at UN's 50th anniversary conference. (VOP 7/6 in FBIS 7/7)

Addressing the Israeli-American Chamber of Commerce in Tel Aviv, U.S. Amb. to Israel Indyk demands Israel abolish import barriers that discriminate against U.S. imports; notes that, while the U.S. gives Israel $3 b./yr. in loans, grants, $10 b./5 yrs in loan guarantees as incentive to by U.S. products, Israel last yr. ran $1-b. trade surplus with the U.S. and a $7.5-b. trade deficit with the EU. (MM, WSJ 7/6; MM 8/2)

In protest over 7/4 agmt., Jewish settlers begin work on new 600 unit West Bank settlement 6 miles w. of Ramallah. (WT 7/6)

100s of women march in Ramallah, demanding Israel free Palestinian prisoners. Clashes erupt with Israeli border police. (WP 7/6)

Israeli Dep. FM Beilin arrives in Russia for talks aimed at dissuading Russia fr. concluding nuclear arms deal with Iran. (QY 7/5 in FBIS 7/6)

PA Planning M Shaath meets with Israelis to discuss prisoner release, demands specific timetable that would have all prisoners freed before elections, makes no progress. (MBC 6/30 in FBIS 7/3)

Roadside bomb explodes in s. Lebanon, wounding 1 SLA mbr. IDF shells area in response, killing 1 Hizballah mbr., wounding 1 civilian. (RL, VOL 6/30 in FBIS 7/3)

Congress extends for 90 days the PLO's presidential waiver omitting it fr. the ban on aid to "terrorist" groups, which expires today. (MM 6/16) (see 6/23)

Syrian-Israeli talks end with sides agreeing on general needs but, to the U.S.'s chagrin, not discussing specifics. Pres. Clinton briefly meets with Syrian, Israeli generals at the White House. (WT 6/28; QY 6/29 in FBIS 6/29; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/30; AFP, Davar 6/30, SARR 7/1 in FBIS 7/3; SATN 6/29, AFP 6/30 in FBIS 7/5; MEI 7/7; JP 7/8)

In Cairo, Israeli-PA talks on transfer of authority, elections, redeployment close. In transfer talks, sides agree on principle of giving PA control of all civilian spheres before elections, but talks stick on agriculture, electricity. Elections talks stick on size of council, Jerusalem. (MM 6/29; MENA 6/29 in FBIS 7/3)

A 2d briefing paper prepared by the IDF Planning Branch for the Israeli-Syrian talks is leaked to the press. (ITV 6/29, HA, IDF Radio, ITV 6/30 in FBIS 7/3; SARR 7/5 in FBIS 7/5; Davar 6/29 in FBIS 7/7)

Jerusalem City Council passes Mayor Ehud Olmert's decision to give PLO 2 wks. to request rezoning for Orient House or face legal action for violating the building code by running an office in a building zoned for a hotel. (JP 6/30 in FBIS 7/3)

In Hebron, Israeli border police kill wanted Hamas mbr. Taher Kapisha. IDF then orders neighboring Palestinian families to leave their homes, bulldozes their houses, destroys 100s of trees. (MM 6/29; QY 6/29 in FBIS 6/30; MEI 7/7; JP 7/8; PR 7/9)

Jordan, Israel joint security comm. announces agmt. on cooperation btwn. air forces. (ITV 6/26 in FBIS 6/27)

After 2-day mtg. at the Dead Sea Hotel, Jordanian-Israeli joint trade comm. clears up all but minor points of a trade agmt. on exports, research, development. Jordanian Trade M says agmt. should be signed in 1 mo. (JTV 2/26, QY 6/27 in FBIS 6/27)

Arafat attends Organization of African Unity conference in Ethiopia, calls on African nations to take part in joint development projects in the self-rule areas. Before mtg., assassination attempt is made on Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, PLO amb. to Ethiopia Yusuf Rajab is wounded. (VOP 6/26 in FBIS 6/27; MM 6/27)

Senate votes for 45-day extension of U.S. assistance to the PLO, scheduled to expire 6/30, based on the MEPFA; reinstates original MEPFA, overturning Sen. D'Amato's proposed amendments. (Near East Report 7/3) (see 6/12)

Hizballah fires 10 rockets into n. Israel, hitting Club Med resort, wounding 9 tourists, killing 1 French chef. (MM 6/23; HA, QY 6/23 in FBIS 6/23; WP 6/24; MM 6/26; JP 7/1)

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)

PA signs contract with Islamic Waqf to lease the Allenby camp in west Jerusalem for 99 yrs. Israel already has leased the site to the U.S. for a future embassy. Palestinians claim the land is Waqf land that was illegally confiscated by Israel. (HA 7/11 in FBIS 7/11)

Israeli Pres. Ezer Weizman visits SLA troops in s. Lebanon, promises Israel will not abandon them; says government is willing to withdraw to international border of Golan (see 4/18, 4/20) in exchange for peace, only sticking point on extent of withdrawal is over four small enclaves within 1967 Syrian border. (VOL 6/12 in FBIS 6/12; WP 6/13)

4 mbrs of Jordan's Liberal party arrive in Jerusalem for mtgs. with Pres. Weizman, FM Peres, Police M Shahal, other FMin. officials. (QY 6/12 in FBIS 6/13)

VP Gore swears in Harriet Zimmerman, AIPAC's VP, as board mbr. of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). USIP is an independent federal organization created and funded by Congress to promote international peace. (USIP News 6/12)

In advance of the probable renewal (6/30) of the waiver permitting U.S. aid to the PLO, Sen. Alfonse D'Amato (R-NY) introduces bill to amend MEPFA so as to halt direct aid to the PA, limit aid to humanitarian assistance channeled through federal agencies or volunteer groups. World Zionist Organization applauds bill; AIPAC denounces it. (WP 6/14; MM 6/19, 6/20; WJW 6/22; MEI 6/23)

Anti-Arafat Fatah mbrs allied with Khalid al-Shayib attempt to drive Arafat supporters out of `Ayn al-Hilwa r.c. in Lebanon. 2 Palestinians killed, 10 wounded in clashes. (VOL 6/12, AFP 6/13 in FBIS 6/13; MM 6/13)

Secy. of State Christopher arrives in Jerusalem on 1st leg of Middle East tour focused on advancing the Syrian-Israeli track, setting agenda for upcoming Washington talks; meets with PM Rabin. (WP 6/7; MM, WT 6/8; QY 6/8 in FBIS 6/9; MEI 7/21)

Arafat meets with U.S. special envoy Ross in Jericho to discuss peace process, industrial zones, Christopher visit. (MM 6/8; VOP 6/8 in FBIS 6/8)

Jordanian parliament opens extraordinary session to address lifting Israeli boycott. (WP 7/14)

Frmr. PLO negotiator Haidar `Abd al-Shafi announces establishment of new Movement for Democratic Construction. Group calls for democratic elections that "produce legitimate representatives of the Palestinians people."(al-Manar 6/12 in FBIS 6/15; JP 6/17; PR 6/25)

House approves foreign affairs bill (222-192) that would cut aid by $1 b. next yr. and $500 m. in 1997; preserve $3 b. for Israel, $2.1 b. for Egypt; bring USAID, USIA, Arms Control and Disarmament Agency under State Dept. The House Appropriations Subcomm. sets allocations for 1996 (incl., $3 b. for Israel, $80 m. for refugee resettlement in Israel). (WP 6/8; WT 6/9; Near East Report 6/19)

Israel rejects PA proposal for Israel to hand over Tubas area to create geographic link with Jericho, joint patrol of Jericho-Tubas road as part of redeployment. (QY 6/2 in FBIS 6/5)

PLO Exec. Comm. closes 2-day meeting in Tunis, vows to fight Israeli land seizures, calls on international community to pressure Israel to meet 7/1 deadline on extending self-rule, gives Arafat mandate to continue negotiations. (VOP 6/3 in FBIS 6/5; WP, WT 6/4) (see 3/17)

Arafat announces that 3 senior PLO mbrs. will be returning to self-rule areas fr. Jordan in the next few wks to take over security operations: `Atallah `Atallah to head West Bank security; Mahmud al-Natur to head Force 17; 'Abbas Zaki to oversee Fatah operations. (MA 6/9 in FBIS 6/14)

IDF shells house in Hebron, killing Palestinian suspected of being a Hamas mbr. who killed several Israelis in West Bank. (QY 6/2 in FBIS 6/2; QY, VOP 6/2, QY 6/3 in FBIS 6/5; NYT 6/6; MEI 7/21)

IDF sets 11/1 date for starting withdrawal fr. West Bank, clashing with PA plans to hold elections by late 9/95. PA rejects Israeli proposal to pull troops out of only six West Bank towns (Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Qalqiliyya, Ramallah, Tulkarm). (MM 6/1; CSM 6/3) (see 3/28, 5/6)

State Dept. issues semiannual compliance report evaluating PA performance as required by the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act (MEPFA). (WJW 6/8; JP 6/10; WP 6/14)

In Tunis, Fatah Central Comm., chaired by Arafat, approves continued PA negotiations with Israel in light of 7/1 deadline. Arafat then briefs PLO Exec. Comm. on talks, economy, relations among Palestinian factions. PPP boycotts. (al-Quds 5/31, ITV, VOP 6/1 in FBIS 6/2; MENA, QY 6/2 in FBIS 6/5; WT 6/3)

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)

At Israeli-PA economic comm. mtg., PA demands changes in Paris protocol given Israeli separation plan, closure; demands maintenance of free trade with Israel, based on free movement of goods btwn. Israel, self-rule areas without security or technical hindrances, gradual dissolution of united tax system with Israel. (QY 5/21 in FBIS 5/22; PR 5/28; JP 6/15 in FBIS 6/16)

Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the PA, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the UAE announce minisummit on Jerusalem to be held in Morocco 5/27. PLO Political Dept. head Faruq al-Qaddumi heads to Damascus to coordinate position with Syrian FMin. Fatah urges Arafat to suspend talks with Israel in light of veto on UN land confiscation resolution 5/17. (AFP, RMC, SATN 5/21 in FBIS 5/22; CSM, MM, WT 5/22; SARR 5/22 in FBIS 5/23; JP 5/27)

Bashar al-Asad (son of the Syrian pres.), Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Safi (cmdr. of Syrian forces in Lebanon), Brig. Ghazi Kanaan (head of Syrian Intelligence) meet with Lebanese Pres. Hrawi in Beirut. After mtg., Hrawi reappoints Hariri as PM, asks him to form new cabinet. (RL, VOL 5/21 in FBIS 5/22; MM, WT 5/22; MM 5/23, 5/24; MEI 5/26) (see 5/19)

Syria rejects latest U.S. proposal for breaking deadlock in Syrian-Israeli negotiations; says U.S. position adopts Israeli security arrangements, is designed to put Israel at ease. (WP 5/21; 5/26) (see 5/15)

In midnight trial, PA military court sentences 3 alleged Hamas mbrs. to 6 mo. each for incitement, carrying unlicensed weapons. (QY 5/20 in FBIS 5/22; AI Index 6/95)

PM Rabin bars poet, frmr. PLO official Mahmud Darwish fr. entering Israel, self-rule areas. (AFP 5/20 in FBIS 5/22)

In Montreux, Multilateral steering comm. mtgs close without progress. (QY 5/18 in FBIS 5/18; MBC 5/18 in FBIS 5/19)

Arab leaders condemn U.S. for veto of UN resolution on Israeli land confiscations; say veto is detrimental to peace process, voids U.S. claims of neutrality. Jordan permits previously banned antinormalization rally to be held 5/29. (CSM 5/18; QY, RJ, SARR 5/18 in FBIS 5/18; JTV, RJ, SARR 5/18, RMC 5/19 in FBIS 5/19; WP, WT 5/19)

Israeli Police M Moshe Shahal presents PA Planning M Nabil Shaath with list of 4 Palestinian organizations allegedly operating in East Jerusalem, asks PA to shut them. (QY 5/19 in FBIS 5/19)

Reacting to recently declassified CIA responses to Senate Intelligence Comm. 4/3, Morton Klein, pres. of Zionist Organization of America, says CIA, State Dept. are "whitewashing" PLO violations, calls for creation of bipartisan subcomm. to provide pres. with reports on PLO violations. (WJW 5/18) (see 5/3)

3-days of elections talks close in Cairo. Sides agree PA will be in charge of maintaining security during elections, joint patrols will be used. PM Rabin says Palestinians fr. Jerusalem will not be allowed to run; Israel, not the PA, will carry out population census using 5,000 Palestinian teachers (see 4/28). A tripartite (EU, Israel, PA) comm. will be set up to discuss international monitors during elections. (AFP, IDF Radio, MENA, VOP 5/16, MENA 5/17 in FBIS 5/17; AFP, MENA, QY, VOP 5/17 in FBIS 5/18; PR 5/21)

2-day multilateral steering comm. mtgs on peace process open in Montreux, Switzerland. Syria, Lebanon boycott. Working groups on water, arms control, refugees, economic development, environment meet. (HA, QY 5/17 in FBIS 5/18)

For 1st time since 1990, U.S. vetoes UN resolution criticizing Israel. U.S. Amb. Madeline Albright calls veto "a matter of principle." Last-minute Russian proposal for UNSC presidential letter reproving Israel is rejected by U.S. as too strong, by PLO as too weak. Resolution would have invalidated Israel's 4/27 seizure of 134 acres of Arab-owed land in East Jerusalem. (MENA, VOP 5/17, MENA, QY, VOP 5/18 in FBIS 5/18; MM, NYT, WT 5/18; AFP, ITV, MENA, RE, RMC, VOP 5/18, MENA, VOP 5/19 in FBIS 5/19; MM, WT 5/19; MEI 6/9, 6/26) (see Doc. D7 in JPS 96)

PM Rabin says Israel would not object to having Syria deploy an early warning station on Israeli territory if Israel can maintain an equivalent system on Syrian soil. (MM 5/17)

60 of 80 mbrs. of the Jordanian parliament, incl. deputies who had approved the Jordan-Israel treaty, ask the government to freeze or cancel the treaty, recall Jordan's amb. to Israel, expel the Israeli amb. in protest over Israel's land confiscations. (MM 5/18; QY, RJ, SARR 5/18 in FBIS 5/18; SA 5/19 in FBIS 5/23; JP 5/27)

In Rabat, Arab League Secy. Gen. Ismat `Abd al-Majid talks with King Hassan on holding summit to discuss Israeli confiscations of Palestinian land in Jerusalem, leaves for Cairo to confer with Pres. Husni Mubarak. Mubarak, Syria's Pres. Hafiz al-Asad discuss plans by phone. (MKR, RE 5/18, RE 5/19 in FBIS 5/19; RMC 5/19, AFP, RMC 5/21 in FBIS 5/22)

PA police raid 5 Gaza mosques in search of "inflammatory material," tear pro-Hamas placards off walls; issue order banning "provocative actions in mosques." (QY 5/17 in FBIS 5/17)

MK `Abd al-Wahhab Darawshah, head of Israel's Arab Democratic Party (ADP), says Arafat has urged him to withdraw ADP's no confidence motion over the Jerusalem land confiscation. Arafat's office denies it, saying PA does not interfere in Israeli domestic affairs. (QY 5/17 in FBIS 5/17; QY 5/17 in FBIS 5/18) (see 5/15)

1 IDF soldier, 1 Hizballah mbr. are killed, 7 Hizballah mbrs, 3 IDF soldiers, 1 SLA mbr. are wounded in 2 clashes in s. Lebanon. (MM 5/17; CSM, MM 5/18; JP 5/27; MEI 6/9)

PA-Israeli Joint Liaison Comm. meets for 2d day in Cairo. FM Peres offers PA Planning M Shaath sudden concessions to Palestinians at negotiating table in light of Jerusalem issue). Sides agree to set up unofficial Jerusalem Comm. to address expropriation issue. Israel offers to broaden PA autonomy in West Bank, Gaza but dispute over land confiscation in Jerusalem prevents agmt. (MENA 5/7, QY, RE 5/8 in FBIS 5/8; MENA, VOP 5/8 in FBIS 5/9; WT 5/9; MEI, WP 5/12)

At AIPAC conference, Sen. Dole announces he will submit legislation to force U.S. to move embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Israel reacts coolly. Jordan, Morocco, UAE criticize  initiative, urge UNSC action. (ITV 5/8, QY 5/9 in FBIS 5/9; CSM, MM, WP 5/10; NYT, WT 5/11; MEI, WP 5/12)

Syria refuses Jordan's request to name amb. to Jordan, host visit of Jordanian FM Kabariti to Damascus to try to improve bilateral relations. (MM 5/9; al-Bilad 5/10 in FBIS 5/9 [dates as printed]; al-Quds 5/9 in FBIS 5/12) (see 12/14/94)

Rabin meets with mbrs. of Congress; presses them not to reduce foreign aid, aid to Israel, Arab partners in peace effort; discusses Iranian threat, talks with  Syria, PA about efforts to end attacks against Israeli targets; backs away fr. supporting Dole initiative to move embassy to Jerusalem. (NYT, WT 5/9)

In Amman, Jordan, Israel initial draft agmts. on regulating agriculture, energy, environmental cooperation; postpone initialing draft trade accord that will give Israel preferential tariffs for Jordanian goods. The accord would be 1st by Arab country to give preferential treatment to Israel. (WT 5/9)

Jordan's amb. to Israel Muasher warns Dep. FM Beilin that Jordan will chill relations with Israel if it does not reverse land confiscations in Jerusalem. (WP 5/12, CSM 5/15)

Jordan reportedly gives 2 Hamas mbrs. residing in Amman 1-mo. notice to leave country. (MM 5/9) (see 4/13)

IDF closes al-Quds office in Nablus, claiming it materials there linking the paper to Hamas. (HA, JP 5/10 in FBIS 5/11) (see 1/16)

Israel releases 250 pro-Fatah Palestinian prisoners, lifts curfew on Hebron (see 4/19) as goodwill gesture for Id al-Adha. (QY 5/8 in FBIS 5/8; NYT 5/9; CSM 5/10)

PLO Tokyo mission closes due to lack of funds. (al-Manar 5/8 in FBIS 5/11)

In Morocco, OPIC announces creation of Middle East and North Africa Investment Fund. Capital for fund will come fr. U.S. private firms, be guaranteed by OPIC. Fund will encourage private sector investment in self-rule areas, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia; will focus on tourism, real estate, communications, consumer products, pharmaceuticals, high tech; will not replace Middle East Development Bank. (MM 4/27; al-Hayat 4/30)

PA begins training 6,000 teachers on census taking, verifying and updating voter lists received fr. Israel 4/4. (VOP 4/26 in FBIS 4/26)

PLO files official protest with UN over Israeli confiscation of 134 acres in Jerusalem. (VOP 4/29 in FBIS 5/1) (see 4/27)

497 Islamist and nationalist leaders fr. around the Muslim world issue "Statement of Support and Solidarity" for Hamas in its struggle to "liberate Palestine," warn Arafat not to detain Islamists. Statement run twice on 2-page ad in al-Hayat. (MM 5/5)

1 Scottish, 2 Israeli pathologists say Palestinian who died in Shin Bet custody 4/25 is "first absolutely clear-cut case where there can be no debate that this is a death as the result of torture and nothing else." Shin Bet official comments: "As much as it is unpleasant . . . we don't need to change the general rules." (MM 4/28; WP 4/29; NYT 5/1; WP 5/4; JP 5/6; MEI 5/12)

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)

For 1st time since 12/94, PLO, Hamas, Islamic Jihad mbrs. meet to discuss ways of ending anti-Israeli attacks fr., inside self-rule areas. Hamas, Islamic Jihad demand release of prisoners, review of new military court. Arafat refuses, asks Islamists to drop opposition to Oslo Accord, renounce violence. Sides agree to keep talking. (WT 4/15; NYT, WT 4/17; MM 4/18; MEI 4/28)

In 1st border infiltration attempt fr. Jordan in 2 yrs, 1 armed Palestinian trying to cross into West Bank is wounded by IDF. (QY 4/15, ITV 4/16 in FBIS 4/18; JP 4/22) (see 3/26)

King Hussein, U.S. VP Gore meet in Amman. King criticizes congressional decision to cut Jordan's debt forgiveness. Gore promises U.S. will forgive all debt. (JTV, RJ 3/21, RJ 3/22 in FBIS 3/22; WP, WT 3/22; JP 4/1) (see 3/3, 3/13)

Israeli Dep. FM Beilin, Egyptian FM Musa meet in Cairo, say relations have improved since Knesset delegation visit 3/19. Beilin says Egypt now better understands Israel's security needs, NPT argument has abated. (QY 3/21 in FBIS  3/22)

In Beersheba, Israeli police arrest 2 Hamas mbrs., 1 Israeli bedouin with explosives-rigged truck with Gaza plates. Pair confesses to planning suicide attack. PM Rabin cancels mtg. with PA scheduled for 3/22 to discuss release of Palestinian prisoners, bans all vehicles with Gaza license plates fr. entering Israel. (MM 3/21; QY 3/21 in FBIS 3/21; CSM, MM, WP 3/22; NYT 3/23; IDF Radio 3/23 in FBIS 3/23; PR 3/26; MM 3/27; JP 4/1)

10 Damascus-based Palestinian opposition groups close 2-day mtg. to assess peace process, PA administration, possible relations with PNG (see 2/21). PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. al-Qaddumi says he will head delegation to Damascus in next wk. to try to reach a conciliation agmt. with these groups. (al-Ray 3/23, QY 3/24 in FBIS 3/24)

At PLO Executive Comm. mtg. in Tunis, Arafat narrowly defeats vote calling for suspension of talks with Israel; promises to offer hard-liner Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) position of chief negotiator with Israel in return. Comm. mbrs. give Arafat until June to make progress in negotiations. Abbas promptly rejects idea of phased Israeli withdrawal fr. West Bank towns. Al-Qaddumi publicly accuses Arafat of embezzlement. (RMC 3/19 in FBIS 3/20; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 3/20; MM, WJW 3/23; JP 3/25; PR 3/26; MEI 3/31)

Israeli Police M Shahal submits plan for "national separation" to PM Rabin, calling thin buffer zone, or "military area," with 8 crossing points along border btwn. Israel, West Bank. Estimated cost $340,000. (MM 3/21; NYT 3/23; WJW 3/23; WP 4/6)

Secy. of State Christopher meets with Arafat in Gaza; discusses Israeli security, redeployment; promises to push donors to fulfill aid pledges; announces gift of 200 military trucks; says teams fr. Agricultural Dept., Pentagon will be sent to advise PA on medical, humanitarian, agricultural issues. Arafat promises to prosecute, punish "terrorists." (MM 3/10; VOP 3/10 in FBIS 3/13; WP, WT 3/11; MM 3/13; JP 3/18)

Likud leader Netanyahu meets with Secy. of State Christopher, says if he wins 1996 election he will not expand Palestinian self-rule, bargain with Syria for the Golan. (NYT 3/11)

UNRWA Commissioner-General Ilter Türkmen arrives in Gaza for 1-wk. visit, briefs Arafat on donor mtg. (UNRWA News 3/22)

Matti Peled, one of the 1st Israeli officials to call for talks with the PLO (1975), dies in Jerusalem. (JP 3/18)

Arafat postpones Fatah Central Comm. mtg., PLO Executive Comm. mtg. until middle of mo., citing upcoming visit by U.S. Secy. of State Christopher. (MM 3/6; al-Sharq al-Awsat 3/6 in FBIS 3/6)

Hamas' Imad Faluji offers Israel cease-fire in exchange for Israeli withdrawal fr. West Bank, East Jerusalem within 10 yrs, elections in which Hamas could compete with PLO. Israel rejects idea, says PLO is Israel's only negotiating partner. (MENA 3/5 in FBIS 3/6; MM 3/6; WT 3/8)

Commenting on upcoming visit to the region by U.S. Secy. of State Christopher, Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad warns he would make no concessions to Israel; criticizes Jordan, PLO for signing separate agmts., not remaining united. (WT 3/1)

CNN says it has been briefed on secret Syrian-Israeli talks by Syrian official (rumors say Amb. to U.S. Walid Mu`allim), who claims Syria has foregone demands for symmetrical demilitarized zones, will exchange embassies. Israelis, Syrians deny report, but Israel's Amb. Itamar Rabinovitch says it "has all the markings of a Syrian plant." (HA, QY, RMC 3/2 in FBIS 3/2)

2d mtg. of donor country's Local Aid Coordination Committee (LACC) is held in Jericho. (VOP 2/28 in FBIS 3/1; VOP 3/1 in FBIS 3/2)

At request of PA, Arab states, UNSC debates Israeli settlement activity but refuses to adopt a resolution or council statement. (QY 2/28 in FBIS 3/1; VOP 3/2 in FBIS 3/3; MM 5/2)

PA Justice M Frayh Abu-Midyan says PA military court will try 17 alleged collaborators over next mo. Hamas urges executions. (QY 3/1 in FBIS 3/1)

Rabin government wins no-confidence vote filed 2/20 by vote of 59 to 48 with Shas voting with the opposition. (QY 2/27 in FBIS 2/28; MM 3/7)

IDF wounds 16 Palestinians in clash in Hebron. (VOP 2/28 in FBIS 2/28)

U.S. renews travel ban on Lebanon for 6 mos. (MM 3/1; RL 3/1 in FBIS 3/1; RL 3/1 in FBIS 3/2; MEI 4/14; MEI 4/28)