The Palestine Chronology

PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli PM Rabin meet in Cairo but fail to reach agreement on Israeli withdrawal fr. Gaza and Jericho, due to begin 12/13. The 2 leaders agree to meet again in 10 days, and say delay does not endanger DoP or 4/13/94 deadline for end of withdrawal. (NYT, WP, WT 12/13)

Lebanese Pres. al-Hirawi meets Syrian Pres. al-Asad in Damascus to discuss Secy. of State Christopher'secent tour and coordinate positions for next round of talks with Israel. (RL, VOL, SARR 12/12 in FBIS 12/13; MM 12/13)

U.S. officials say Morocco and Israel have reached a package of agreements, including El Al flights to Morocco and Royal Air Maroc flights to Israel, direct Moroccan-Israel telephone and postalinks, exchanges of visits by religious and business leaders, joint banking arrangements, and more frequent direct political contacts. (NYT 12/13)

Morton Klein, an opponent of Israel-PLO accord, elected pres. of Zionist Organization of America by vote of 144-127, and his slate of 10 candidates elected to top ZOA posts. Observers call election "clear victory for opponents" of DoP. (MM 12/14; WJW 12/16)

Palestinian gunmen attack Israeli bus in Hebron, West Bank, seriously wounding its driver. (NYT, WT 12/13)

Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi publicly invites Sabri al-Banna ("Abu Nidal") and Ahmad Jibril of PFLP-GC for a conference in Tripoli. (WT 12/13)

Secy. of State Christopher meets in Damascus with Syrian Pres. al-Asad, who agrees to let U.S. investigators search for 7 Israelis missing in Lebanon and to grant exit permits to Syrian Jews by end 12/93. Christopher calls talks "positive and constructive," al-Asad's moves "important humanitarian gestures." U.S. agrees to allow Kuwait to transfer 3 U.S.-made aircraft to Syria in a relaxation of sanctions on Damascus. (NYT, WP, WT 12/6; NYT 12/7)

Israel-PLO talks in Cairo and al-'Arish, Sinai, on Palestinian autonomy resume. (WT 12/6)

Jordanian, Israeli govts. sign accord on economic cooperation, initialed by negotiators in Washington 12/1. (MM 12/7)

Palestinian grocer Talal al-Bakri, shot 12/4 in Hebron by settlers, dies. 5 settlers arrested in connection with killing. (NYT, WP, WT 12/6)

Israeli AG Ben-Yair calls settlers' council a "seditious" organization, while Ag. M. Yaacov Tsur calls 12/4 shooting of Talal al-Bakri an incident of "Jewish terror." (MM 12/6)

Armed Palestinian, Khalid Awad Shihada, attacks Israelis on suburban Tel Aviv bus, killing reserve IDF soldier before being killed himself. Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for attack. Israelis demonstrate at attack site, some shouting "Death to Arabs!" (NYT, WP, WT 12/6)

Frmr. Israeli PM Shamir tells Zionist Organization of America mtg. in Baltimore that Israeli govt. has made a pact with "terrorists and murderers" in signing DoP, says agreement reflects "an Arab plan to destroy Israel in stages." (WT 12/7)

PLO rep. in Jordan Tayib 'Abd al-Rahim announces that 2 plots to kill PLO Chmn. Arafat have been foiled. 1 attempt was by Arafat bodyguards suborned by FRC ("Abu Nidal"), 2d by unidentified group that sought to bomb Arafat's plane. (WT 10/10)

2 Israeli hikers fr. Jerusalem stabbed and shot to death in Wadi Qilt, near Jericho in the West Bank. "Al-Aqsa Brigade" of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, in statement released in Amman, claims responsibility, says 3 killed. Statement declares, "We will never surrender or accept any concessions on the land of Palestine which will become a graveyard for the Jews." PFLP also claims responsibility. (NYT 10/10; MM, NYT, WT 10/11)

PFLP guerrilla killed by Israeli soldiers as he sails jet ski off Lebanese coast near Israeli border. UN sources report 2 killed, not 1. (NYT 10/10, 10/11)

Palestinian factions opposed to DoP-including DFLP (Hawatmah faction), PFLP, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad-announce in Damascus establishment of National Islamic Front to counter PLO. Alliance fails to call congress to elect new PLO leadership due to reluctance of Islamic groups to identify with secular PLO. Front's declaration calls Palestinian police to be set up under PLO-Israel accord "a traitor force, and an oppressive enemy force." (CSM 10/14)

Jordan denounces 9/23 Israeli court ruling on status of Haram al-Sharif, says it will continue with restoration work on Dome of the Rock regardless of Israeli stance. (MM 10/11)

19-year-old alleged Hamas mbr. killed in abortive car-bomb attack in Gaza Strip. (NYT, WT 9/27)

PLO Chmn. Arafat concludes 2-day visit to Turkey, appealing for Ankara's continued support of Palestinians. (MM 9/27)

Jordanian King Hussein affirms that Palestinians holding Jordanian citizenship will lose political rights in Jordan if they vote in elections for Palestinian autonomous authority in o.t., but will retain civil rights as Jordanian citizens if they remain in the country. Jordanian Info. Min. Ma'an Abu Nuwar adds that Jordan will not accept Palestinian refugees who might be expelled fr. Syria and Lebanon, saying "our land and our economy cannot take it anymore." (NYT 9/27; CSM 9/28)

Official Syrian media, responding to call by Israeli FM Peres for Arabs to lift boycott of Israel, urge Arab states to maintain, tighten boycott. Damascus Radio says Peres's statements mean "Israel wants everything in return for nothing," while govt. newspaper Tishrin carries same message. (WT 9/27)

19-year-old alleged Hamas mbr. killed in abortive car-bomb attack in Gaza Strip. (NYT, WT 9/27)

PLO Chmn. Arafat concludes 2-day visit to Turkey, appealing for Ankara's continued support of Palestinians. (MM 9/27)

Jordanian King Hussein affirms that Palestinians holding Jordanian citizenship will lose political rights in Jordan if they vote in elections for Palestinian autonomous authority in o.t., but will retain civil rights as Jordanian citizens if they remain in the country. Jordanian Info. Min. Ma'an Abu Nuwar adds that Jordan will not accept Palestinian refugees who might be expelled fr. Syria and Lebanon, saying "our land and our economy cannot take it anymore." (NYT 9/27; CSM 9/28)

Official Syrian media, responding to call by Israeli FM Peres for Arabs to lift boycott of Israel, urge Arab states to maintain, tighten boycott. Damascus Radio says Peres's statements mean "Israel wants everything in return for nothing," while govt. newspaper Tishrin carries same message. (WT 9/27)

PLO Chmn. Arafat, in Washington, breakfasts with 20 U.S. senators, appeals for U.S. loan guarantees for Palestinian entity and end to legislation restricting PLO activities in U.S. He then speaks to National Press Club luncheon and travels to New York for 1st visit to UN since 1974. (NYT 9/15)

Jordanian Amb. to U.S. Fayez Tarawneh and Israeli negotiator Eliakim Rubinstein, in Washington, sign "common agenda" for further negotiations. (NYT 9/15)

Israeli PM Rabin, returning fr. U.S., stops in Morocco for surprise meeting with King Hassan II. After 2 hours of talks, Rabin calls visit "a step toward diplomatic relations"; Hasan, head of ICO's Jerusalem Comm., calls PLO-Israel agreement "astep toward abetter future." (MM 9/14; NYT, WP 9/15)

PLO Pol. Dept. head Faruq Qaddumi holds talks in Baghdad with Iraqi Dep. PM Tariq 'Aziz, other Iraqi officials. Meanwhile, PFLP chief Habash meets in Damascus with Syrian VP Khaddam, who promisesupport for Palestinian "national righto a state with Jerusalem asits capital." (MM 9/15)

PFLP-GC, "unified leadership" of PFLP and DFLP, ALF all issue statements rejecting DoP. (QPAR, SANA, INA 9/14 in FBIS 9/14)

Baha al-Din al-Najr, 19, presumed Hamas activist, dies in suicide bomb attack on Gaza City police station. Also in Gaza, Ismail Sheber, 21, attempts to stab IDF soldier and is shot dead. Closure imposed on Gaza Strip by IDF 9/15-19. (IDF Radio 9/14 in FBIS 9/14; NYT, WP 9/15)

In Beirut, 15,000 (Hizballah claims 150,000) attend funeral of 8 Hizballah mbrs. killed 9/13 by Lebanese soldiers during demonstration against PLO-Israel accord. Hizballah leader Shaykh Hasan Nasrallah calls for resignation ofPM Rafiq Hariri's govt. over incident. (MM 9/14; NYT 9/15)

PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. 'Abd Allah Hurani resigns in protest of DoP, Israel-PLO recognition, calls for emergency PNC meeting. (MENA 9/11 in FBIS 9/13)

IDF shoots 2 Palestinians dead, wounds 8 in Ramallah during PFLP/Hamas-led march against Israel-PLO agreement. Other Palestinians wounded in clashes during demonstrations in Gaza, Jerusalem. 20,000 participate in 4 demonstrations in support of accord. (NYT, WP 9/12)

World Bank releases 6-volume report, prepared at request of Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, saying West Bank and Gaza Strip require at least $3 b. in aid over next decade. (NYT 9/12)

White House announces Israeli PM Rabin, PLO Chmn. Arafat will attend 9/13 signing of DoP. (NYT 9/12)

Pres. Clinton speaks by telephone with Saudi King Fahd, Syrian Pres. al-Asad, Jordanian King Hussein, and Israeli PM Rabin in effort to secure support for agreement. Clinton pledges Israel "additional guarantees" for its security, in part to keep Israeli public opinion supportive of peace process. (NYT, WP 9/12)

Damascus-based Palestinian opposition factions call for general strike in o.t., Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria 9/13 to protest Israel-PLO accord. Demonstrations against accords held in al-Wahdat, al-Baq'a refugee camps in Jordan. Jordan Times 9/11 in FBIS 9/13; NYT 9/12)

GCC states vote to support PLO-Israel agreement, calling it 1st step toward "just, lasting and comprehensive peace." (MM 9/6; WP 9/6, 9/9; NYT 9/7)

U.S. Pres. Clinton sends letters to leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen urging Arab support for DoP. (NYT 9/6)

Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood calls DoP "humiliating," warns it could spark a "Palestinian civil war." (MM 9/6)

PLO Chmn. Arafat meets Syrian Pres. al-Asad in Damascus to explain the "contents of the agreement and the circumstances that surrounded it," according to al-Asad's spokesman. DFLP's Hawatmah, PFLP's Habash refuse to meet Arafat, Habash calling DoP a "sellout," (MM, WP 9/6; WP, WT 9/7)

Oslo talks btwn. PLO, Israel on mutual recognition adjourn. (NYT, WP 9/2)

Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz arrives in Damascus for talks with Pres. al-Asad, FM al-Shara' concerning DoP. (MM 9/1)

Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa holds talks with Israeli officials in Jerusalem on text of Israel-PLO mutual recognition, forwards draft to PLO in Tunis. (MM 9/2)

PLO Chmn. Arafat flies to Rabat for consultations with Moroccan King Hassan on follow-up to Israel-PLO agreement. (MM 9/2; NYT 9/3)

PFLP head Habash tells French TV Arafat no longer represents Palestinians, vows PFLP will fight DoP "with all its might" because it ignores rights of diaspora Palestinians. DFLP chief Hawatmah, on RMC, calls DoP "sad, tragic," says it will allow Israel to "liquidate the intifada." (MM 9/2)

Pro-DoP rally at al-Najah University attended by 4,000, addressed by Arafat by telephone. Faisal Husseini meets in Jerusalem with opposition figures, who maintain anti-DoP position, while 15 injured in Gaza Strip when Hamas mbrs. stone pro-DoP rally. (MM 9/2)

Palestinian o.t. figures issue statement denouncing DoP, Arafat's leadership. (al-Ra'y 9/1 in FBIS 9/2)

King Hussein tells Ghassan Tueni of al-Nahar that "We in Jordan do not accept the imposition on us of any agreement to which we are not a party" in remarks excerpted on JTV. Hussein demands Arab summit to discuss consequences of PLO-Israel accord. (MM 9/2; NYT, WP 9/3)

Israeli Police Min. Moshe Shahal says Palestinian police to be set up under Oslo agreement "will not have authority to halt Israelis." (MM 9/2)

PLO Pol. Dept. head Faruq Qaddumi holds talks with Syrian FM al-Shar'a, other Syrian leaders in Damascus. (RMC, SARR 8/25 in FBIS 8/26)

Sources in Israeli PM Rabin's office quoted by JP say Rabin told Secy. of State Christopher Israel will withdraw fr. southern Lebanon 6 to 9 mos. after an agreement with Lebanon is signed and implemented. Rabin tells Knesset comm. Israeli conditions include integration of SLA into Lebanese army, security arrangements to be reached by bilateral comm., and disarming of Hizballah. Rabin also asserts that Israel will withdraw on, but not fr., the Golan to reach accord with Syria. Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz rejects Israeli conditions, saying Israel must withdraw fr. southern Lebanon as a precondition for any agreement. (MM 8/25; VOM, VOL 8/25 in FBIS 8/26; MM 8/26)

Israeli High Court rejects Peace Now petition challenging legality of Israeli settlements in o.t. (WT 8/26)

Settler leaders establish new settlement of 7 families, 20 individuals, Dor Golan, near Moshav Shaal in Golan. PM Rabin's office does not regard site as settlement, while FM Peres says it may be dismantled. Settlement leaders say 8,000 new settlers will come to Golan in coming year. (Qol Yisra'el 8/25, IDF Radio 8/26 in FBIS 8/26; MM 8/26)

Lebanese and Syrian leaderships hold summit meeting in Damascus to discuss common stance on peace talks, deployment of Lebanese army in south, and Lebanese cabinet appointments. Lebanese delegation includes Pres. Hirawi, PM Hariri; Syrian side includes Pres. al-Asad, VP Khaddam. Lebanese DM Dallul quoted by Reuter as saying no security deals will be made with Israel until Israeli withdrawal fr. southern Lebanon. (MM 8/16; RL, SARR 8/16 in FBIS 8/17)

State Dept. spokesman says Israeli contacts with North Korea over Korean missile exports "not helpful." Israeli FMin. later announces Israel will suspend contacts with Pyongyang. (Qol Yisra'el 8/16 in FBIS 8/17; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/17)

7 Palestinians wounded by IDF gunfire in Jabalya refugee camp, Gaza. In separate incident, IDF arrests 3 mbrs. of "Red Panthers" in Bayt Lahiya, Gaza. 3 homes damaged by IDF grenades during arrest. (ITV 8/16 in FBIS 8/17)

Palestinian negotiators continue meetings with PLO leaders in Tunis in efforto end rift over negotiating positions and delegation's authority. (NYT 8/10)

Lebanese army deploys approximately 500 troops in Qana, Dirghaya, Jouaya, and Bir al-Salassel, near Tyre in the Fijian and Ghanaian sectors of the UNIFIL zone. Deployments, first in south since 1982, are within 9 miles of IDF and SIA positions. (MM 8/9; NYT, WT 8/10)

Lebanese PM al-Hariri holds talks with Syrian Pres. al-Asad and other Syrian leaders in Damascus. (MM 8/10)

Secy. of State Christopher returns to Damascus for further meetings with Syrian leadership, tells press conference he is "more encouraged than I thought I would be" for progress in peace talks. (MM 8/6)

Hizballah again fires on SIA positions in "security zone." IDF retaliatory fire causes several hundred refugees to flee toward Tyre. U.S. amb. Ryan Crocker signs agreement with Lebanese health min. for $1 m in U.S. medical assistance to victims of "Operation Accountability." (WP, WT 8/7)

3 Palestinian gunmen open fire at IDF roadblock at Dayr Balut in West Bank, killing 2 Israeli soldiers. 1 gunman killed, 2d wounded in exchange of fire. 3d gunman escapes by car. Another Israeli soldier, kidnapped 8/5 near Ramallah, is found dead. (NYT, WP, WT 8/7)

Secy. of State Christopher meets in Damascus with Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad, FM Faruq al-Shara', says peace process has been "salvaged" but that progress requires "much, much hard work," and cautions that "I don't want to encourage any false expectations." He then pays visit to Zahle, Lebanon, for meeting with Lebanese Pres. Ilyas al-Hirawi, PM Rafiq Hariri, FM Faris Buwayz. Christopher says visit is "to reaffirm the fact that the United States cares about Lebanon," announces U.S. will send hospital to aid victims of previous week's fighting. (CSM, NYT 8/5)

Jordan announces first multi-party elections since 1956 will be held 8 November. (WP 8/5)

Sixth day of Israeli attack on Lebanon. Lebanese police report 17 killed, 47 wounded in day's fighting. UN sources report IDF fired 1,300 shells in 9 hours. Hizballah responds with katyusha barrages, attacks on IDF/SLA positions in "security zone." Kuwait, France, and Egypt send relief supplies to Beirut, as Arab FMs discuss situation in Damascus. Israeli FM Peres states Israel will not expand "security zone" or send ground forces to Lebanon. Ireland demands immediate cease-fire out of concern for Irish battalion of UNIFIL. (NYT, WT 7/31)

Criticism of Israel mounts as "Operation Accountability" enters 5th day. IDF moves reinforcements into Lebanon as shelling rate reaches 9 rounds per minute. Lebanese PM Hariri attends Arab League emergency meeting in Damascus after meeting with Hizballah security chief Hadi Hamadi. UN Secy.-Gen. Butrus-Ghali calls for immediate cease-fire, states "the policy of deliberately forcing people to abandon their homes must be stopped forthwith." Lebanese Health Min. Marwan Hamadeh calls situation a "human catastrophe of tragic magnitude." US efforts to broker cease-fire continue. (NYT, WP, WT 7/30)

U.S. Special Coordinator Ross arrives in Damascus for talks with Syrian leadership on peace process. (NYT 7/12)

3-day multilateral seminar on regional arms control opens in Cairo. Seminar focuses on verification of accords to be reached by multilateral arms control talks of the Middle East peace process. (MENA 7/11 in FBIS 7/13)

IDF reinforces artillery batteries in southem Lebanon following PFLP-GC and Hizballah attacks the previous week (see 7/8, 7/9). Israeli negotiator Uri Lubrani charges that recent clashes in southern Lebanon are a "planned escalation" that "would not happen if Syria did not want it." (NYT, WP 7/12)

FMs of Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and the PLO end 6 days of meetings in Damascus, agree to resume talks 4/27, a 1-week delay (see 4/17). Haydar 'Abd al-Shafis "surprised" by the PLO decision to resume. (SARR 4/21 in FBIS 4/21; JTV 4/21 in FBIS 4/22; MM 4/21; NYT, WP 4/22)

Israel announces it has "no plans" to deport Palestinians, while reserving the right to do so, allows East Jerusalemite Faisal Husseini to head Palestinian delegation. (NYT, WP 4/22)

Palestinian Peoples' Party mbr. and delegate Ghassan al-Khatib announces he and fellow PPP mbr. Samir Abdallah will boycott the next round of talks. (RMC 4/21 in FBIS 4/22; WT 4/22)

At news conf., Secy. of State Christopher calls Palestinian decision to resume talks "courageous"; through negotiations, Palestinians 'can see occupation give way to selfgovernment." (MM, NYT, WP 4/22)

Fateh issues warning against attacks on Palestinian negotiators. (Jordan Times 4/24 in FBIS 4/26)

Hamas spokesman Ibrahim Ghawshah rules out violence against Palestinian negotiators, calls resumption of talks a "cheap sellout," the PLO's "biggest historic mistake" which will have to be corrected because of popular opposition; because of its stand, Hamas is gaining popularity in o.t. (MM 4/21; Jordan Times 4/24 in FBIS 4/26)

IDF shoots 2 Palestinians dead, wounds over 50 in Gaza Strip in worst clashes since o.t. were sealed 3/31. (MM 4/21; WP 4/22; Qol Yisra'el 4/21, 4/22 in FBIS 4/22)

Arab Monetary Fund reports Arab states lost $676 billion during Gulf crisis and war. (MM 4/21)

U.S. State Dept. sends letter to Intl. Steering Comm. on Freedom of Trade with Israel stating that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have pledged to lift their boycott of companies doing business with Israel. (MM 4/30; WT 5/5)

IDF rains over 100 shells on villages north of "security zone" as resistance fighters launch over 50 rockets into northern Israel from Lebanon. (MM 4/21, 4/22; Qol Yisra'el 4/21, 4/22 in FBIS 4/22)

Hamas Amman rep. Muhammad Nazzal says Hamas supports Palestinian state in West Bank and Gaza as first step toward liberating all of Palestine; recognition of or dialogue with Israel is "out of the question." PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud 'Abbas calls the statement "political chicanery," but "a kind of retreat." (RMC 3/13, 3/14 in FBIS 3/15; MM 3/15)

Fateh issues statement accusing Fateh Revolutionary Council (Abu Nidal) of carrying out assassinations in southern Lebanon and promoting intra-Palestinian discord. Fateh "will not allow this to happen." (RMC, VOL 3/13 in FBIS 3/16)

Pres. Asad meets with Pres. Hirawi in Damascus. (SARA 3/13 in FBIS 3/15)

PM Hariri says Lebanon will not disarm resistance groups fighting Israel in the south until Israel withdraws from Lebanese territory. (Radio Lebanon 3/13 in FBIS 3/16)

IDF fires at car in Hebron, killing 3-year-old Palestinian girl. (Qol Yisra'el 3/14 in FBIS 3/15; WT 3/15)