26 / 15150 Results
  • December 31, 1992

    Israel offers to allow back 10 Palestinians mistakenly deported. The 10 say they would like to return immediately, but that the only crossing point has been mined by Israel. Israel offers to allow...

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  • December 4, 1992

    FM reps. of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and PLO hold coordination meeting in Lebanon, agree to participate in negotiations beginning 12/7. (MM 12/4; Radio Lebanon 12/4 in FBIS 12/7)

    ...

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  • November 12, 1992

    Israeli delegation rejoins refugee talks in Ottawa, after receiving written U.S. assurances that Palestinian delegation head Muhammad Hallaj is no longer a member of the PNC. Palestinians begin...

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  • November 8, 1992

    PLO officials led by Faruq al-Qaddumi and Syrian officials led by Faruq al-Shara' meet in Damascus, discuss U.S. election, Israeli-Jordanian draft agenda, upcoming round of negotiations. (RMC 11/7...

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  • November 7, 1992

    In interview with al-Hayat, Chmn. Arafat urges Pres.-elect Bill Clinton to resume dialogue with the PLO. He also strongly criticizes Hamas, warning of "retaliation" if acts of violence continue in...

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  • October 17, 1992

    PLO Central Council meeting ends in Tunis, issues statement giving "green light" to peace delegates. Unity prevailed as opposition figures either did not attend, or did not voice proposals made...

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  • October 10, 1992

    IDF and Border Police clash with Palestinian demonstrators throughout o.t., wounding 62 and killing 1 (in Bayta, W. Bank). Thousands march from Red Cross headquarters to the Civad building in Gaza...

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  • October 7, 1992

    Several thousand Palestinians demonstrate in Rafah and Mughazi, Gaza Strip, in solidarity with 11-day-old prisoners' hunger strike. IDF shoot and wound at least 90 in trying to disperse crowds....

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  • September 9, 1992

    PM Rabin implies Israel is willing to return part of the Golan Heights to Syria, expresses tacit acceptance of "land-for-peace" regarding Golan in speech to Knesset. (NYT 9/10)

    PFLP, PLF,...

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  • September 5, 1992

    DFLP (Nayif Hawatima wing), PFLP hold press conference in Damascus, distribute full text of Palestinian delegation's plan for interim self-rule including responses to Israeli proposals. The...

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  • August 18, 1992

    PLO spokesman Yasir 'Abd Rabbuh says Palestinians will "postpone their participation" in the upcoming (8/24) round of talks unless the Arab parties receive assurances from the U.S. that all...

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  • August 5, 1992

    Israeli Police Min. Moshe Shahal says changes are not necessary to 8/5/86 amendment to antiterror law outlawing meetings with the PLO; clause should be deleted completely as rest of law already...

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  • August 4, 1992

    IDF patrol on Jordanian border shoots, kills 3 armed infiltrators from Jordan. Israel "holds Jordan responsible" for the unauthorized border crossing (Jordan denies); Hizballah-Palestine claims...

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  • August 3, 1992

    PM Rabin, apparently giving increased priority to Syrian-Israeli negotiations, names Tel Aviv University professor Itamar Rabinovich as chief negotiator with Syria. (WP 8/4)

    Fateh Cent....

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  • July 8, 1992

    EC grants ECU 29 million (about $35 million) for o.t. housing projects to Palestinian delegation's Housing Council. Accord sets precedent of intl. actor dealing directly with the o.t. as a...

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  • July 1, 1992

    Meretz negotiating team rejects Labor's guidelines for new govt., criticizes lack of substance on res. 242, autonomy, elections, settlement freeze. (Qol Yisra'el 7/1 in FBIS 7/1)

    IDF raids...

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  • May 27, 1992

    Steering committee of multilateral peace talks begins meeting in Lisbon to discuss results of 5 sets of talks held during May. (Qol Yisra'el 5/27 in FBIS 5/28)

    France announces it will...

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  • May 10, 1992

    PLO Central Council concludes meeting in Tunis after heated discussions over whether Palestinians should continue participating in peace process. Council eventually issues resolution expressing...

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  • May 5, 1992

    Chmn. Arafat, Fateh leaders meet with Nayif Hawatima, leader of one faction of DFLP, and other DFLP officials to discuss differences in advance of PLO Central Council meeting [see 5/4 for similar...

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  • May 4, 1992

    Chmn. Arafat, Fateh leaders meet with PFLP Asst. Gen. Secy. Abu al-'Ali Mustafa and other PFLP leaders in Tunis to discuss differences in advance of upcoming PLO Central Council meeting. (al-Ray 5...

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  • March 30, 1992

    State Dept. announces Secy. of State Baker has sent letters to Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and the Palestinians inviting them to resume fifth round of peace talks 4/27 in Washington and to...

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  • March 18, 1992

    In a move destined to change the Israeli political system, Knesset votes to allow direct election of prime minister beginning with first Knesset elections after the upcoming 6/23 vote [first...

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  • February 4, 1992

    After meeting with German officials, leaders of the American Jewish Committee state Germany will eventually provide loan guarantees for Israel to compensate for E. Germany's failure to pay...

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  • February 1, 1992

    PFLP leader Habash leaves France for Tunis. (NYT 2/2)

    Syria protests to Germany over 1/29 seizure of shipment of tanks it purchased from Czechoslovakia. (MM 2/3)

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  • January 26, 1992

    PLO issues statement authorizing participation in multilateral talks in Moscow but only if Palestinians from E. Jerusalem, diaspora are included in delegation. (Radio Monte Carlo 1/26 in FBIS 1/30...

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  • January 22, 1992

    FM Levy arrives in Beijing as prelude to previously-announced decision that Israel, China will soon establish diplomatic relations. China announces it will attend multilateral talks scheduled to...

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Israel offers to allow back 10 Palestinians mistakenly deported. The 10 say they would like to return immediately, but that the only crossing point has been mined by Israel. Israel offers to allow an intl. org. to escort them back through 1 of 3 Lebanese-controlled crossing points. (NYT 1/1; Qol Yisra'el 12/31 in FBIS 12/31, 1/4)

Lebanon rejects 12/30 French proposal to place the deported Palestinians under the provisional care of UNIFIL in Lebanese-controlled territory. PM Rafiq al-Hariri meets with Russian then U.S. amb. to Lebanon. (NYT 12/31; VOL 12/31 in FBIS 1/4)

Al-Quds reports that the Palestinian delegation to peace talks has unanimously rejected PM Rabin's 12/27 invitation to an informal meeting. (al-Quds 12/31 in FBIS 1/5)

Four Palestinian factions (PFLP, DFLP-Hawatima faction, PPSF, PLF) issue statement criticizing Palestinian leadership's 12/27 statement for its lack of a plan of political action to counter the 12/17 deportations. (QPAR 1/2 in FBIS 1/4)

PLO advisor and Palestinian delegation steering comm. head Nabil Shaath says the deportations and the peace process are "two battles which have to be led separately," and the Palestinians may have to "bring it [the deportations] to the table of negotiations." (AFP 12/31 in FBIS 1/4)

Ha'Aretz reports that the o.t. security service Shin Bet initially gave PM Rabin a list of 6 Hamas leaders to be deported, and came up with 1 more name when asked to expand the list. Shin Bet was later surprised at the scope of expulsions the IDF was then ordered to carry out. (WP 1/1; Ha'Aretz 12/31 in FBIS 1/4)

FM reps. of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and PLO hold coordination meeting in Lebanon, agree to participate in negotiations beginning 12/7. (MM 12/4; Radio Lebanon 12/4 in FBIS 12/7)

Steering comm. overseeing multilateral talks ends 2-day meeting in London. Progress limited on most contentious isuesgreater Palestinian participation, and formation of working groups on Jerusalem and human rights. The 5 existing working groups are scheduled to meet in February. (MM 12/4)

Al-Fajr reports that the EC has allocated 4 million ECU ($6.5 million) for operation of hospitals in o.t., and will exempt Palestinian agricultural exports from EC states' import duties. (FBIS 12/8)

PFLP leader George Habash urges solidarity with the PLO in statement to Egyptian newspaper. (MENA 12/4 in FBIS 12/4)

Israeli delegation rejoins refugee talks in Ottawa, after receiving written U.S. assurances that Palestinian delegation head Muhammad Hallaj is no longer a member of the PNC. Palestinians begin talks with demand for discussion of right of return for all refugees, including those from 1948. (Qol Yisra'el 11/12 in FBIS 11/13; WP 11/13)

Bir Zeit University (near Ramallah, W. Bank) holds student council elections. Pro-Fateh faction "shelved their differences" over the peace talks with a pro-PFLP faction and a pro-DFLP (Hawatima wing) faction, to form a united pro-PLO front, which defeated the pro-Hamas candidates by 66% to 33% of the vote. In winner-take-all election, 5 seats go to Fateh, 3 to PFLP, 1 to DFLP. (WP 11/12)

Hizballah lose 1 gunman, kill 1, wound 3 IDF soldiers, kill 1 UN soldier, in rocket and machine-gun attacks in "security zone." Israel attacks from the air and heavily shells Hizballah target villages north of "security zone." (Qol Yisra'el 11/12 in FBIS 11/12; Radio Lebanon 11/12 in FBIS 11/13; WT, WP 11/13)

U.S. Amb. to Israel William Harrop delivers message to PM Rabin urging "continue[d] restraint" vis-a-vis Hizballah, as long U.S. diplomatic efforts to quell the violence continue in Beirut and Damascus. (MM 11/13)

IDF fatally shoots Palestinian youth in Hebron, W. Bank. IDF opens fire on Khan Yunis demonstrators, injuring 19; 2 suspected collaborators are killed in Gaza Strip, under curfew since 11/11 (MM 11/13)

King Hussein announces amnesty in honor of his 58th birthday (11/14) that will free 140 political prisoners, including those sentenced 11/10. (WP 11/13)

PLO officials led by Faruq al-Qaddumi and Syrian officials led by Faruq al-Shara' meet in Damascus, discuss U.S. election, Israeli-Jordanian draft agenda, upcoming round of negotiations. (RMC 11/7, SARA 11/8 in FBIS 11/9)

PFLP and DFLP (Hawatima wing) issue joint statement rejecting Israeli-Jordanian agenda. (MM 11/9)

Chmn. Arafat issues "strict instructions" forbidding the killing, kidnapping, or threatening of any person in o.t., for whatever reason. (al-Sha'b 11/9 in FBIS 11/10; NYT 11/10)

Knesset subcomm. dealing with o.t. Civil Admin. matters tours Gaza Strip, meets with PLO officials and settlers. Opposition MKs boycott the tour because of its emphasis on meetings with Palestinian inhabitants. (Qol Yisra'el 11/8 in FBIS 11/9)

Israeli warplanes attack Hizballah base in Lebanon, killing 7, prompting Islamic Resistance to fire rockets into "security zone" and northern Israel. (Qol Yisra'el 11/9 in FBIS 11/9; NYT 11/11)

In interview with al-Hayat, Chmn. Arafat urges Pres.-elect Bill Clinton to resume dialogue with the PLO. He also strongly criticizes Hamas, warning of "retaliation" if acts of violence continue in the o.t. (AFP 11/7 in FBIS 11/9; NYT 11/10)

PLO Exec. Comm. mbrs., as well as Palestinian delegation head Faisal Husseini, meet with Jordanian FM Kamil Abu Jaber to discuss draft Israeli-Jordanian agenda for negotiations (see 11/1). Palestinians seek definite reference in the agenda to UNGA 194 (the right of return), and clarifications on wording of references to Palestinian o.t. (Jordan Times 11/8 in FBIS 11/9; MM 11/9)

PFLP Red Eagle gunmen shoot, kill suspected collaborator in Shabura camp, Gaza Strip. (Qol Yisra'el 11/7 in FBIS 11/10)

Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood parliamentary bloc issues statement rejecting draft Israeli-Jordanian agenda as a retreat from declared peace principles, calling on govt. to not ratify it. Hamas issues similar statement. (Jordan Times 11/8 in FBIS 11/9)

King Hussein says it is time for Iraqis to end the rule of Saddam Hussein, install govt. of "pluralism, democracy." (NYT 11/8)

Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics releases latest figures showing that the Jewish birthrate has dropped to its lowest rate since 1948-2.6 children per woman. The Muslim rate is 4.7, slightly higher than last year, but much lower than the 1948 figure. Influx of immigrants kept the Jewish majority steady at 81.9%. (NYT 11/8)

PLO Central Council meeting ends in Tunis, issues statement giving "green light" to peace delegates. Unity prevailed as opposition figures either did not attend, or did not voice proposals made earlier in public. Only the DFLP (Hawatima wing) rejected the majority recommendations, and withdrew from the final sessions. The PFLP voiced reservations but signed the final statement. (MM 10/19; Sawt al-Sha'b 10/20 in FBIS 10/20)

Four Palestinian factions participating in PLO Cent. Council meeting-DFLP (Hawatima wing), PFLP, PLF, PPSF-submit memorandum to Cent. Council rejecting all self-rule proposals and urging a pullout from peace talks. (QPAR 10/17 in FBIS 10/19)

Chmn. Arafat conveys condolences to Pres. Mubarak over recent earthquake in Cairo, then meets with Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa and PLO officials. Musa tells them he has received an Israeli "promise" to work toward finding an interpretation of UNSC 242 "satisfactory to all parties." (MENA 10/17 in FBIS 10/19; Sawt al-Sha'b 10/19 in FBIS 10/19)

One Israelis killed and 9 injured in roadside bomb attack outside a settlement near Ramallah, W. Bank. (Qol Yisra'el 10/18 in FBIS 10/19; WP 10/18; MM 10/19)

Three suspected collaborators shot dead in Nablus, W. Bank, reportedly by the Black Panthers. (NYT 10/18)

Funeral in E. Jerusalem for Palestinian prisoner who died after hunger strike, and a cousin shot at a protest supporting the hunger strike turns into multi-factional nationalist demonstration. (NYT 10/18)

Settlers stone Arab cars during second day of demonstrations iouthern Galilee after death of Israeli farmer 10/15. (MM 10/17)

IDF and Border Police clash with Palestinian demonstrators throughout o.t., wounding 62 and killing 1 (in Bayta, W. Bank). Thousands march from Red Cross headquarters to the Civad building in Gaza City in solidarity with prison hunger strikers; ensuing clash wounds 41. Similar clashes erupt in Janin and E. Jerusalem. (MM 10/12; Qol Yisra'el 10/11 in FBIS 10/13)

Chmn. Arafat meets with King Hussein in Amman. (Radio Jordan 10/10 in FBIS 10/13)

The PFLP, DFLP, Popular Struggle Front, and Arab Liberation Front call for postponement of PLO Central Council meeting, scheduled to convene 10/15 in Tunis. (Algiers VOP 10/11 in FBIS 10/13

Several thousand Palestinians demonstrate in Rafah and Mughazi, Gaza Strip, in solidarity with 11-day-old prisoners' hunger strike. IDF shoot and wound at least 90 in trying to disperse crowds. Nearly 500 students at Bir Zeit University embark on indefinite hunger strike until detainees' demands are met. (MM 10/7, 10/8; NYT, WP 10/8)

In Amman, Chmn. Arafat meets with PNC mbrs., then with PFLP head George Habash, the leading PLO opposition figure, to discuss the peace process. (Radio Jordan, RMC 10/7, 10/8 in FBIS 10/8; al-Hayat in MM 10/9)

PM Rabin implies Israel is willing to return part of the Golan Heights to Syria, expresses tacit acceptance of "land-for-peace" regarding Golan in speech to Knesset. (NYT 9/10)

PFLP, PLF, DFLP (Nayif Hawatima wing), and Palestinian Popular Struggle Front reiterate 9/5 rejection of Palestinian autonomy plan in Damascus. (RMC 9/10 in FBIS 9/10)

Israeli undercover forces open fire on group of Palestinians near Janin, kill masked youth reading nationalist statement over a loudspeaker. (MM 9/9)

Gulf Cooperation Council ends 2-day meeting in Jidda, issues final statement strongly condemning Iranian claim of sovereignty over island of Abu Musa, which is UAE property. Statement also criticizes Iraq, offering tacit support of Western imposed "no-fly zone." The 6 GCC members then meet in Doha, Qatar, with FMs from Egypt and Syria to discuss their March 1991 Damascus Declaration. Egypt is taking the lead in calling for an Arab joint military command and rapid deployment force for the Gulf war coalition members. (MM 9/9; SPA 9/9 in FBIS 9/10)

DFLP (Nayif Hawatima wing), PFLP hold press conference in Damascus, distribute full text of Palestinian delegation's plan for interim self-rule including responses to Israeli proposals. The factions, along with Hamas, state their rejection of the plan. (RMC 9/5 in FBIS 9/8)

PLO spokesman Yasir 'Abd Rabbuh says Palestinians will "postpone their participation" in the upcoming (8/24) round of talks unless the Arab parties receive assurances from the U.S. that all settlement activity in the o.t. will cease as a condition of U.S. provision of loan guarantees to Israel. (Reuters 8/16 in MM 8/24)

Fin. Min. Avraham Shochat orders settler group Ateret Cohanim to return within 10 days a NIS 5.6 million loan given it 4 years ago to finance mortgages in Jerusalem, as it has failed to provide any names of mortgage recipients as required under the terms. (MM 8/18)

IDF captures commander of PFLP-affiliated Red Eagles in Rafah camp, Gaza, last of 8-member group to be arrested in recent crackdown. (Qol Yisra'el 8/18 in FBIS 8/19)

Israeli Police Min. Moshe Shahal says changes are not necessary to 8/5/86 amendment to antiterror law outlawing meetings with the PLO; clause should be deleted completely as rest of law already deals with "those who endanger Israeli security." (Qol Yisra'el 8/5 in FBIS 8/6)

Israel Lands Admin. orders temporary freeze on all new private settlement construction in o.t. while scope of private construction is assessed. (Qol Yisra'el 8/5 in FBIS 8/6; MM 8/5)

Palestinian, Jordanian delegation mbrs. meet in Amman. Sa'ib 'Urayqat and Zakariya al-Aghannounce that their delegation will arrive in Amman 8/20 to travel with the Jordcanian delegation to Washington. PLO pol. advisor Nabil Shaath arrives in Amman for 5-day working visit. (Radio Jordan, JTV 8/5, Al-Ray 8/6 in FBIS 8/6)

Labor MK Avigdor Kahalani, a tank commander on the Golan Heights during the 1967 war, is named to head the Golan Heights lobby in the Knesset; says with the voting power of the expected 70 adherents to the lobby's principles, only minor border adjustments are possible through negotiations. (Qol Yisra'el 8/5 in FBIS 8/5)

Islamic Resistance fighter is killed in clash with SLA patrol in eastern "security zone." SLA, Israel shell, seriously damage PFLP target in Rashidiyya region. (Voice of the People 8/5 in FBIS 8/5; Qol Yisra'el 8/5 in FBIS 8/6)

IDF patrol on Jordanian border shoots, kills 3 armed infiltrators from Jordan. Israel "holds Jordan responsible" for the unauthorized border crossing (Jordan denies); Hizballah-Palestine claims responsibility. Israeli navy fires on, kills 4 "terrorists conducting naval training" off Lebanese coast north of Beirut. Islamic Jihad Org. claims operation. (Qol Yisra'el 8/4 in FBIS 8/4; Radio Free Lebanon, Radio Monte Carlo 8/4 in FBIS 8/5; MM 8/4; Qol Yisra'el 8/6, VOL 8/7 in FBIS 8/7)

Detained and interrogated in a W. Bank jail 8/3, Mustafa Mahmud Abdul Hadi Barakat dies of an asthma attack "brought about by conditions in detention" according to an American examiner present at the Israeli army autopsy. (NYT 8/11)

Israeli Police Min. Moshe Shahal orders Ateret Cohanim mbrs. to move out of 2 East Jerusalem houses settled 18 months ago. (Qol Yisra'el 8/4 in FBIS 8/4)

Israeli Radio announces formation of new radical Palestinian-Israeli group, the National Front for the Struggle Against Zionism, which calls for separating the Arab population from Israeli administration and infrastructure, eventually liberating all lands from Zionist control. (Qol Yisra'el 8/4 in FBIS 8/4)

Red Eagles (close to the PFLP) and Black Panthers (close to Fateh) issue joint communique in o.t. (Algiers VOP 8/4 in FBIS 8/5)

Malta, historically in solidarity with Arab nations, lifts its economic boycott on Israel and South Africa. (Qol Yisra'el 8/4 in FBIS 8/4)

PM Rabin appoints Housing Min. Benyamin Ben-Eliezer to serve also as labor and social affairs min., Tourism Min. Uzi Baram to serve also as religious affairs min. (Qol Yisra'el 8/4 in FBIS 8/4)

PM Rabin, apparently giving increased priority to Syrian-Israeli negotiations, names Tel Aviv University professor Itamar Rabinovich as chief negotiator with Syria. (WP 8/4)

Fateh Cent. Comm. meets in Tunis (AlFajr 8/5 in FBIS 8/6)

One of 3 IDF soldiers wounded in 8/1 Khan Yunis clash dies. (Qol Yisra'el 8/3 in FBIS 8/5)

Hamas, PFLP, and DFLP reject o.t. elections if ceiling of authority is administrative self-rule, and not 1-year transition to independence. (Al-Ray 8/4 in FBIS 8/6)

Israeli air force raids Jabal Safi region, S. Lebanon (6th air raid in 2 weeks), shells Kafr Rumman, Nabatiyya, Iqlim al-Tuffah areas. (Qol Yisra'el, VOL 8/3 in FBIS 8/3)

EC grants ECU 29 million (about $35 million) for o.t. housing projects to Palestinian delegation's Housing Council. Accord sets precedent of intl. actor dealing directly with the o.t. as a distinct political entity. EC rep. Thomas Dupla meets with Dani Rothschild, coordinator of Israeli govt. activities in the o.t., who indicated that state-owned lands may be for the firstime allocated for Palestinian housing needs. (Al Hamishmar 7/9 in FBIS 7/9; MM 7/9)

Ten Palestinians are hospitalized in Gaza Strip as a result of Hamas-Fateh violence. IDF imposes curfew on Rafah. (WP 7/10)

Reps. of National Reconciliation Committee (NRC-4 Fateh and Hamas mbrs. each, 3 W. Bank leaders, 3 Palestinian Israelis) meet with Hamas leaders at Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi's home in Gaza, meet later with Fateh leaders at Red Crescent Society to investigate and halt violence in Gaza Strip. (MM 7/9)

Undercover IDF soldier is killed accidently by another undercover unit near Barta, W. Bank. (Qol Yisra'el 7/9 in FBIS 7/9)

Outgoing Fin. Min. Yitzhak Modai rejects all demands by housing min. officials to expedite his signature on 1,000's of new o.t. contracts-does not want to "impose a fait accompli" on new govt. Move rescinds 7/5 agreement with housing min. (IDF Radio 7/8 in FBIS 7/8)

Islamic World League issues statement in Mecca urging end to Fateh-Hamas violence in Gaza Strip. (SPA 7/8 in FBIS 7/9)

Fateh, PFLP, Arab Liberation Front, DFLP, and Palestinian People's Party issue statement warning Hamas to halt "attacks and excesses." (Algiers VOP 7/9 in FBIS 7/10; Sanaa VOP 7/10 in FBIS 7/13)

Number of military officers purged and/or executed by Iraqi Pres. Saddam Hussein since 6/29 reported coup attempt estimated at 200. (NYT 7/9)

Meretz negotiating team rejects Labor's guidelines for new govt., criticizes lack of substance on res. 242, autonomy, elections, settlement freeze. (Qol Yisra'el 7/1 in FBIS 7/1)

IDF raids PFLP target near al-Rashidiyya, S. Lebanon with assault helicopters and navy boats. Four rockets were fired with no injuries caused. (Qol Yisra'el 7/1 in FBIS 7/2)

Steering committee of multilateral peace talks begins meeting in Lisbon to discuss results of 5 sets of talks held during May. (Qol Yisra'el 5/27 in FBIS 5/28)

France announces it will provide $500 million in loan guarantees to Israel to assist in infrastructural development. (MM 5/28)

Police arrest 150 Jewish rioters in Bat Yam as anti-Arab riots continue. Rioters burn tires in the streets, attack police; 7 persons are injured. Faisal Husseini denounces 5/24 killing of Jewish girl which sparked the riots. (Qol Yisra'el 5/27, 5/28 in FBIS 5/28)

Gazan from Dayr al-Balah stabs and kills settler in Kfar Darom, Gaza. Settlers later rampage in Dayr al-Balah, damaging Palestinian crops and attacking residents. IDF evacuates schoolchildren after settlers besiege an elementary school. More than 100 settlers are arrested. IDF imposes curfew on Dayr al-Balah and extends travel ban imposed 5/24 for another 3days. (WP 5/28)

Bomb attack on IDF convoy near Arnun, S. Lebanon (near Beaufort Castle), kills 1 Israeli soldier. 3 guerrillas killed in subsequent gunbattle. Lebanese National Resistance Front claims associated fighters from PFLP, Syrian Social Nationalist Party-Higher Council (Da'ud Baz faction) carried out attack. IDF continue shelling S. Lebanese villages. (ITV 5/27, Radio Lebanon, AFP 5/27 in FBIS 5/28; WP 5/28)

Fateh, Hamas supporters clash in Qalqiliya, W. Bank. (Qol Yisra'el 5/28 in FBIS 5/28) Israel, Sierra Leone reestablish diplomatic relations. (Qol Yisra'el 5/27 in FBIS 5/27)

PLO Central Council concludes meeting in Tunis after heated discussions over whether Palestinians should continue participating in peace process. Council eventually issues resolution expressing support for continuing participation but linking participation in multilaterals with progress in bilateral negotiations. Council also decides that Palestinians will reevaluate participation in the peace process in October 1992. In wake of criticism of PLO leadership, Council also creates committee to study internal PLO structures. Nayif Hawatima, head of one faction of DFLP and who had been pushing for reevaluation of PLO policy toward peace talks and for reforms within PLO, expresses dissatisfaction with results of meeting [DFLP-Hawatima faction, PFLP, Arab Liberation Front voted against the resolution]. (Tunisian Republic Radio, Radio Monte Carlo 5/10 in FBIS 5/11; Voice of Palestine 5/11 in FBIS 5/13; MM 5/11)

Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa states no progress can be made in multilateral talks until bilateral talks lead to peace treaties. (MM 5/11)

King Hussein announces he will personally donate $8.25 million to restore al-Aqsa mosque in E. Jerusalem. Hussein intends to sell a country home in Britain to raise the funds [see 5/5]. (Radio Jordan 5/11 in FBIS 5/13; NYT 5/14; Radio Jordan 5/20 in FBIS 5/21)

Chmn. Arafat, Fateh leaders meet with Nayif Hawatima, leader of one faction of DFLP, and other DFLP officials to discuss differences in advance of PLO Central Council meeting [see 5/4 for similar talks between Fateh, PFLP]. (al-Ray 5/6 in FBIS 5/6)

PFLP leader Riyad Malki and DFLP-Hawatima faction leader 'Ali Abu Hilal, hold joint press conference in Jerusalem at which they state their conditional support for municipal elections, which have been proposed in different form by Israel but rejected by Fateh and Palestinian delegation to peace talks [PFLP, DFLP-Hawatima and Hamas have now called for supporting municipal elections if held under international supervision, a condition which Israel has rejected. See 4/27, 4/28, 4/30]. PFLP, DFLP also issue joint statement in o.t. calling for unified Arab position regarding participation in multilateral talks [PFLP had formerly opposed the talks]. (al-Ray 5/6 in FBIS 5/6)

Following 4/29 Saudi disclosure that King Fahd will pay for repairs to Islamic sites in E. Jerusalem, Jordanian cabinet announces Jordan will pay for repairing Dome of the Rock [Jordan has traditionally assumed responsibility for shrine's maintenance]. (Jordan Television 5/5 in FBIS 5/6; MM 5/6)

Amnesty International issues report criticizing conditions in al-Khiyam prison camp run by SLA in Israel's "security zone." (MM 5/5)

4 Israeli citizens arrested by Egypt in February on charges of espionage are released, deported to Israel [see 3/10]. (Qol Yisra'el 5/6 in FBIS 5/6; MENA 5/6 in FBIS 5/7)

3 IDF troops injured by a Palestinian wielding a knife at a roadblock. The attacker is killed. (Qol Yisra'el 5/6 in FBIS 5/6)

Chmn. Arafat, Fateh leaders meet with PFLP Asst. Gen. Secy. Abu al-'Ali Mustafa and other PFLP leaders in Tunis to discuss differences in advance of upcoming PLO Central Council meeting. (al-Ray 5/6 in FBIS 5/6)

Israel, Nigeria restore diplomatic relations suspended by Nigeria in 1973. (MM 5/5)

Disturbances break out in Dayr al-Balah refugee camp in Gaza after IDF arrests 3 "wanted" suspects. At least 9 Palestinians were injured. (HaAretz 5/5 in FBIS 5/6)

Responding to attacks from Islamic resistance, IDF, SLA artillery barrages kill 5, wounds 4 in Mashghara, S.Lebanon, northeast of Israeli "security zone." Bombardment of 5 villages in Iqlim al-Tuffah region wounds additional 11. (NYT 5/5)

State Dept. announces Secy. of State Baker has sent letters to Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and the Palestinians inviting them to resume fifth round of peace talks 4/27 in Washington and to make a commitment to moving the negotiations to a venue closer to Middle East. (WP 3/31)

Israel's Palestinian citizens mark annual commemoration of Land Day with a "national holiday" instead of the traditional protests and strikes. Rally is staged in Ramiya, a village which the government does not officially recognize and whose inhabitants face eviction [see 3/22]. Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) organizes Land Day strikes in Gaza, but security forces curfew most areas. (MM 3/30)

EC "troika" arrives in Amman for discussions with Jordanian, PLO officials on peace talks, upcoming multilateral economic talks. (Radio Jordan 3/31 in FBIS 4/1)

PFLP, DFLP-Hawatima faction, Palestine Liberation Front, and Palestinian Popular Struggle Front issue statement in Damascus confirming their support for 1988 Palestine National Council decision calling for confederation between Jordan and an independent Palestinian state. (Radio Monte Carlo 3/30 in FBIS 3/31)

Israeli peace activist Abie Nathan is released from prison [see 3/291. (MM 3/31)

In a move destined to change the Israeli political system, Knesset votes to allow direct election of prime minister beginning with first Knesset elections after the upcoming 6/23 vote [first scheduled elections after that would be in 1996]. The law also lowers number of votes needed to bring down government from 70 to 61, and gives Knesset authority to approve cabinet. (WP, MM 3/19)

State Dept. announced Bush administration has issued a proposal to Israel whereby U.S. would grant $10 billion in loan guarantees over six years providing that Israel restrict settlement activity to completing housing started before 1/1/92. $300 million would be provided immediately under the plan, but the rest would be contingent upon a settlement freeze. Announcement also indicated that the administration is calling for a freeze on settlements throughout 1967 territories, the first time that the administration has used language suggesting that it seeks to halt settlement activity in E. Jerusalem as well as in W. Bank and Gaza. (WP 3/19)

In Beirut, Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for 3/17 bombing of Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires to avenge Israel's 2/16 assassination of Hizballah leader 'Abbas Musawi. (WP 3/19)

Leaflet allegedly distributed in Ramallah by PFLP calls for inclusion of Hamas in Unified National Command of the Intifada (Al Hamishmar 3/19 in FBIS 3/20)

IDF kills 3 Palestinians in three incidents in Gaza, West Bank. (MM 3/19)

After meeting with German officials, leaders of the American Jewish Committee state Germany will eventually provide loan guarantees for Israel to compensate for E. Germany's failure to pay reparations to Israel after World War II as W. Germany did. (MM 2/5)

Following agreement between Labor, Likud on date for new elections, Knesset passes law dissolving itself effective 3/17/92. New elections set for 6/23. (Qol Yisra'el 2/4 in FBIS 2/5; MM 2/5)

Mustafa 'Abdallah 'Akkawi, E. Jerusalem resident carrying Israeli identity card who was arrested 1/22 on charges of membership in PFLP, dies at Shin Bet detention center in Hebron. He had complained to a military court 2/3 that he was being tortured while in detention. (WP 2/6)

PFLP leader Habash leaves France for Tunis. (NYT 2/2)

Syria protests to Germany over 1/29 seizure of shipment of tanks it purchased from Czechoslovakia. (MM 2/3)

PLO issues statement authorizing participation in multilateral talks in Moscow but only if Palestinians from E. Jerusalem, diaspora are included in delegation. (Radio Monte Carlo 1/26 in FBIS 1/30; MM 1/27)

PFLP-GC, DFLP, PPSF, PLF, Fateh-Uprising [Abu Musa], al-Sa'iqa, Hamas, Islamic Jihad in Palestine, Palestinian Revolutionary Communist Party meet in Damascus to urge Arab boycott of Moscow talks. PFLP was reported ready to attend, but decided not to. DFLP abstains from signing communique issued by the meeting. (al-Quds Palestinian Arab Radio 1/26 in FBIS 1/27; MM 1/27)

PM Shamir rules out any freeze on settlement activity aspart of compromise to obtain U.S. loan guarantees. (WP 1/27)

Delegation of American Jewish leaders which has been touring Middle East holds press conference in Israel, states that U.S. decision to provide loan guarantees to Israel is dependent upon freeze in settlement activity. (MM 1/27)

Seven-hour battle near Bayt Layf, inside "security zone," leaves one IDF soldier, two Islamic Resistance Movement fighters dead. IDF artillery afterwards shells numerous villages in s. Lebanon. (NYT, MM 1/27; Ha'Aretz 1/27 in FBIS 1/29)

FM Levy arrives in Beijing as prelude to previously-announced decision that Israel, China will soon establish diplomatic relations. China announces it will attend multilateral talks scheduled to be held shortly in Moscow; China had been previously barred from attending because it did not recognize Israel. (NYT 1/23, 1/24)

U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy outlines to Senate his proposal for U.S. response to loan guarantees to Israel whereby new settlement halted and amount requested is reduced by the amount spent by Israel to complete settlements under construction. (NYT 1/23)

IDF, Border Guards, police, and Shin Bet (internal security service), raid Ramallah, al-Bira, Nablus, and surrounding refugee camps in early morning hours, arrest 130 alleged PFLP activists. (MM 1/22)

Peace Now issues report on settlement activity in o.t. (NYT 1/23, MM 1/22)