The Palestine Chronology

Israeli attack on Lebanon enters 4th day as international condemnation mounts. Refugees from south estimated at 500,000; casualties total 90 dead, 400 wounded. UN Secy.-Gen. Butrus Butrus-Ghali calls attack "deplorable" while UN Security Council, renewing UNIFIL mandate, expresses "regret" over loss of life and urges "restraint" on all parties. US State Dept. says "Military activities directed against all civilians should ... stop... The refugees from south Lebanon must be allowed to return to their homes immediately." Secy. of State Christopher telephones PM Rabin, Syrian FM al-Shara', and Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri, urging Israel to end fighting before Christopher comes to region and Syria not to permit arms to reach Hizballah. PM Rabin vows to "chase down" Hizballah, tells Knesset, "The civilian Lebanese population in southern Lebanon will be distanced-northward-from the villages in which Hizballah terrorists operate." Pres. Clinton says "I think Hizballah should stop its attacks. I think Israel should stop its bombardments. I think that Syria should go from showing restraint to being an active participant to try and stop the fighting, and we ought to do whatever we can to stop the fighting as quickly as possible." (NYT, WP, WT 7/29)

Responding to continued financial crisis, PLO closes three departments-information, culture, and social affairs. (al-Sharq al-Awsat 7/28 in FBIS 7/30)

IDF opens "Operation Settling Accounts," using airpower, artillery, and gunboats to bombard towns and villages in southern Lebanon and the Biqa' allegedly used as bases by Hizballah and PFLP-GC. Attacks kill 3 Syrian soldiers, 1 Palestinian, and 10 Lebanese. Hizballah responds with katyusha attack on Israel, killing 2 Israelis in Qiryat Shemona. PM Rabin announces, "If there will be no quiet for the northern settlements, there will be no quiet and safety for south Lebanon residents north of the security zone." Secy. of State Christopher calls the violence "counterproductive," reaffirms urgency of peace process. Lebanese cabinet meets, decides to complain to UN Security Council over "Israeli aggression." (MM, NYT, WP 7/26)

Turkish FM Hikmet Cetin arrives in Amman on first visit to Jordan by Turkish FM in 13 years. Tour is to include visit to Israel, first ever by senior Turkish official. (MM 7/26)

IDF and Hizballah exchange artillery fire, killing 1 Israeli soldier and wounding 2 SLA members. IDF claims Lebanese army involved in incident. (MM 7/22; NYT 7/23)

87 Palestinians among those deported to Lebanon 12/92 march toward Israeli border, demanding medical care. They return to their camp after reportedly being repulsed by IDF and SIA gunfire. (NYT 7/23)

Lebanon requests UN Security Council renew UNIFIL mandate for another 6-month term. (Radio Lebanon 7/22 in FBIS 7/22)

Egypt, PLO request UNSC meeting to consider "the serious situation in the o.t." (Qol Yisra'el 3/23 in FBIS 3/23; MM 3/23)

Israel expands police force from 18,000 to over 20,000, tightens security at o.t. checkpoints. (NYT 3/22; MM 3/23)

Pres. Mubarak concludes 2-day visit to Saudi Arabia. (SPA 3/21 in FB1S 3/22)

Fateh Hawks fire on IDF in Khan Yunis. IDF shoots 2 dead, wound 15 Palestinians in Gaza Strip. (MM. WT 3/22)

PM Rabin declares the UNSC's 2/12 action on the deportations as a "formal conclusion" that now "paves the way for resumption of the peace talks." (NYT 2/14)

Islamic resistance gunmen attack SLA patrol, killing 1 and wounding 9. Israel, SLA retaliate by bombing target villages north of "security zone." (WP 2/14)

UNSC Pres. urges Israel to implement "as soon as possible" UNSCR 799, stresses the importance of resuming the peace talks. Palestinian UN delegate Nasir al-Kidwa called "completely meaningless" the UNSC's "rubber-stamp" (Hanan Ashrawi's word) of the 2/1 U.S.-Israel "100" offer. (WP 2/13)

Undercover IDF soldiers raid Palestinian wedding party in West Bank, shoot and wound the bride's father and arrest her brother. (WT 2/13)

On 1st day of 8-day visit to the U.S., FM Peres meets with UN Secy.-Gen. Butrus-Ghali, UNSC Pres. Ahmad Senoussi (Morocco), terms Israel's "100" offer "rather consistent" with UNSCR 799. Senoussi agrees not to convene UNSC for the time being. (MM 2/11; Qol Yisra'el 2/11 in FBIS 2/12)

Chmn. Arafat blames U.S. for surging violence in the o.t. (Algiers VOP, AFP 2/11 in FBIS 2/12)

Press reports that Israeli o.t. military commanders recently issued a "sweeping and comprehensive" decree forbidding settlers from construction (including additional rooms), drawing up master plans for settlements, or any preconstruction activities. (HaAretz 2/11 in FBIS 2/12)

Israel releases 1 of 3 detained Palestinian-Americans on insufficient evidence. The detainee consistently denied any connections with Hamas, and accuses his interrogators of beating him during his 3 weeks in captivity. (MM 2/11; WT 2/12)

While capturing 4 wanted Hamas suspects, 200 IDF soldiers stage 12-hour raid in Khan Yunis, firing automatic weapons and anti-tank rockets at houses after ordering families out, badly damaging 20 homes of up to 35 families. Palestinian gunmen wound 2 IDF soldiers in separate drive-by shootings in Gaza Strip. (MM 2/12; WT 2/13)

Poll of 1,140 Jordanians reveals that 54.2% oppose any form of confederation with a Palestinian entity in the event of Israeli withdrawal, 44.6% favor; 23% support Jordanian withdrawal from the peace talks if progress is not made on other tracks, 72% oppose; and 72.5% supporthe military option if talks fail. (al-Nahar 2/11 in FBIS 2/12)

Addressing the Knesset, PM Rabin says that his "100" offer and U.S. acceptance of it preserves Israel's "ability to remove for a limited time hundreds of inciters, leaders, organizers." (NYT 2/4)

Chmn. Arafat announces Pres. Saddam Hussein encouraged him to continue the peace talks with Israel during their 2/1-2 meeting. (MM 2/3)

Great Britain denounces Israel's "100" offer, urging full compliance with UNSCR 799, but saying sanctions "would not be helpful." (MM 2/3)

UN diplomats announce France has drafted a UNSC statement declaring that Israel has not satisfied UNSCR 799 with its "100" offer. (WT 2/4)

As part of U.S.-brokered deal, Israel offers to allow 100 Palestinian deportees to return, to reduce the exile period to 1 year and allow relief to the remaining 296. U.S. Secy. of State Christopher says "further action by the UNSC is unnecessary"; Israel's offer came with a U.S. pledge to block any sanctions. (MM, NYT, WP 2/2)

PLO, Palestinian spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi reject Israel's "100" offer. (Algiers VOP 2/1 in FBIS 2/2; WP 2/2)

Chmn. Arafat meets with King Hussein in Amman, then leaves for Baghdad. (Radio Jordan 2/1, Jordan Times 2/2 in FBIS 2/2)

Israel announces it has arrested a 3rd Palestinian-American connected to Hamas (see 1/31). (Qol Yisra'el 2/1 in FBIS 2/1)

EC FMs meeting in Brussels welcome Israel's "100" offer, but have yet to determine whether it is sufficient to resume negotiations on extending economic cooperation with Israel. FM Peres is attending. (NYT 2/2)

U.S. announces it will include the actions of Hamas in its annual global terrorism report, officially labelling the org. as "terrorist." (WT 2/3)

Israeli High Court annuls overall expulsion decree, but upholds each individual expulsion order, and orders govt. to hear individual appeals. Deportees reject the call for individual appeals. (WP 1/29; MM 1/28)

PLO condemns the High Court rulings, calling for "urgent UNSC meeting" to impose sanctions on Israel. (AFP 1/28 in FBIS 1/28)

PM Rabin says any "operative steps" the UN takes against Israel would "wipe out the chances for peace in the Middle East." (NYT 1/30)

PM Rabin rejects UN Secy.-Gen. Butrus Ghali's 1/25 report as it "totally ignores terrorism"; Foreign Ministry says there is "no room" for intl. observers in the o.t. (WT 1/27)

PLO submits draft UNSC res. imposing sanctions on Israel-restrictions on foreign companies doing business with Israeli firms in the o.t., and a ban on Israel's participation in any UN-sponsored human rights meetings-designed to force Israel to comply with UNSCR 799. (NYT 1/27)

U.S. amb. to Israel William Harrop says the U.S. does not want to see sanctions imposed on Israel, nor does it want to use its veto in the UNSC, which it hasn't used in 2 1/2 years. (NYT 1/27)

Hadashot finds 78% of Jewish Israelis favor the deportations. (NYT 1/30)

UN Secy.-Gen. Butrus-Ghali issues report calling on UNSC to take "whatever measures are necessary" to make Israel comply with res. 799 (calling for the return of the 12/17 Palestinian deportees), and discussing plans to station UN observers in the o.t. (NYT, WT 1/27)

U.S. Secy. of State Warren Christopher calls PM Rabin, emphasizes need to solve the deportations issue to reinvigorate the peace process. (NYT 1/26; Qol Yisra'el 1/26 in FBIS 1/26)

PM Rabin calls format of peace talks "not a successful one," as Israel has never reached agreements when it negotiates with more than one Arab party, but adds that it would be a "waste of time" to try and change it. (MM 1/25; NYT 1/26)

Palestinian delegation to bilateral peace talks, reps. of Saudi Palestinian community send separate cables of thanks for continuing support to King Fahd, receive cables of thanks from the king. (Saudi Arabian TV 1/25 in FBIS 1/26; MM 1/27)

Five-mbr. World Bank comm. meets with Palestinian chambers of commerce heads, as part of research for the economic and regional devt. multilateral talks. (MM 1/26)

Between meetings with FM Peres and PM Rabin in Jerusalem, UN special envoy Chinmaya Gharekhan says the UNSC "cannot wait any longer" for Israel to repatriate the 12/17 deportees. Israel formally asks the UN to delay further action until the High Court ruling (see 1/17). (MM 1/20; WT 1/21)

Jordan Times reports that the PLO "kitchen cabinet" (the "American lobby") of pol. advisor Nabil Shaath, Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud 'Abbas, and Yemen-based Bassam Abu-Sharif believe that linkage between the deportations and the peace talks is "not necessary." (Jordan Times 1/20 in FBIS 1/21)

EC Commission says it plans no sanctions or downgrading of Israel's trade status despite its objections to the deportations. (MM 1/22)

Israel announces that the mostly Muslim former Soviet Republic of Kyrgyzstan will open an embassy in Jerusalem. (NYT 1/21)

Bill Clinton is inaugurated 42nd president of the U.S. (NYT 1/21

U.S. and coalition warplanes strike nuclear production plant, other targets in northern and southern Iraq. (NYT, WP 1/19)

PLO issues statements condemning U.S. attacks on Iraq "at a time when the U.S. administration ad Pres. Bush are obstructing the execution of UN resolutions concerning Israel." (Algiers VOP 1/18 in FBIS 1/19)

Saudi cabinet issues statement urging UNSC to enforce resolutions on Israel and Serbia as it does in the case of Iraq. (MM 1/19; NYT 1/20)

FMs of 20 Arab countries end 2-day Arab League meeting, issue statement calling on UNSC to impose sanctions on Israel, implement Chapter 7 of UN charter (authorizing force) if it refuses to allow back the 12/17 deportees. FMs also demand protection of o.t. Palestinians by a UN force. (MM 1/12; NYT 1/13; MENA, RFL 1/12 in FBIS 1/13)

Palestinian delegation issues statement outlining " basic requirements for reviving a genuine peace process". (al-Quds 1/13 in FBIS 1/14)

Al-Fajr reports that PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Yasir 'Abd-Rabbuh has said that statements by Palestinian delegation steering comm. head Nabil Shaath on the deportees issue (see 12/31) do not express the PLO's position. (al-Fajr 1/12 in FBIS 1/13)

UNLU and Hamas issue 2 joint statements in the o.t. (Sanaa VOP 1/12 in FBIS 1/14)

At Islamic Conference Org. mini-summit in Dakar, Senegal, Chmn. Arafat states Palestinians will not participate in upcoming peace talks unless UNSCR 799 is implemented. At Arab FMs meeting in Cairo, PLO FM Faruq al-Qaddumi and Exec. Comm. mbr. Yasir 'Abd-Rabbuh reaffirm this stand. (MENA 1/11 in FBIS 1/11; MM 1/12)

At Arab FMs meeting in Cairo, Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara' says the bilateral talks are in the Arabs' interest and should not be stopped, while "Israel wants many things" in the multilateral talks, so it is those that should be suspended. (Syria and Lebanon have boycotted the multilaterals from the outset). (Reuters in MM 1/12)

U.S. State Dept. announces "strong desire to avoid having the UNSC face the Chapter 7 sanctions issue" regarding the 12/17 Palestinian deportees. (MM 1/12)

Saudi press downplays diplomatic importance of PLO official Mahmud Abbas' visit, saying he has "no other objectives" than to attend a Fateh anniversary celebration in Riyadh (see 1/9). In evening speech, Abbas regrets Palestinian Gulf crisis stand, hopes that "this event . . . will not remain a barrier" between Palestinians and the Gulf states. Prince Salman bin 'Abd al-'Aziz says Saudi Arabia is committed "at all levels" to the Palestinian cause, a stand that has never changed. (SPA 1/11 in MM 1/11; RMC 1/12 in FBIS 1/13)

Arab League unanimously votes to boycott chemical weapons talks in Paris 1/13- 14 to protest Israel's continued refusal to sign the 1967 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. (MENA 1/11 in FBIS 1/12; NYT 1/14)

PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend acelebration at the Palestinian embassy 1/11, the first official visit to Saudi Arabia by a PLO official since the Gulf crisis. Abbas says he hopes to start restoring ties between the PLO and the Gulf. (al-Hayat 1/10 in MM 1/11)

UN special envoy Chinmaya Gharekhan meets with Palestinian reps., headed by Faisal Husseini, in East Jerusalem. (Qol Yisra'el 1/9 in FBIS 1/11)

Israeli amb. to the U.S. Zalman Shoval says State Dept. assured him that "in no case" will U.S. allow the UNSC to pass a res. leading to sanctions against Israel for theirefusal to implement res. 799. (NYT 1/10; MM 1/11)

Red Cross reps. visit deportees. Two deported Palestinians are evacuated; 1 for health problems, the other, a 16-year-old who was deported by mistake. Lebanon allows the 1-time airlift from UNIFIL-controlled territory, but says 9 deportees allowed to return must go back the way they came (see 12/31, 1/1). (NYT, WP 1/10; Qol Yisra'el 1/9, 1/10 in FBIS 1/11)

Israel has information on Palestinian and Islamic elements in the U.S. that funnel supporto Hamas in Israel and the o.t., and will pass it on to the U.S. if U.S. will "take action againsthese elements." (Davar 1/10, 1/11 in FBIS 1/12)

UN Secy.-Gen. Butrus-Ghali says that if new UN mediation mission (beginning 1/7) fails, the UNSC should consider further measures against Israel. Israeli amb. to UN Gad Yaacobi terms statement "unacceptable." (MM 1/6; Qol Yisra'el 1/6 in FBIS 1/6)

Israeli Justice Min. David Libai. calls the 12/17 deportations a "grave step"; tells mayor of W. Bank settlement ofAriel (Likud MK Ron Nahman) that Israel cannot apply its law to settlements, that settlers must live under military govt. as do the Palestinians. (ITV 1/5, Hadashot 1/6 in FBIS 1/6).

Ten Palestinians are injured in major clashes in Gaza City. One thousand Hamas supporters, some armed, march in Shati' camp. (Hadashot 1/6 in FBIS 1/6)