The Palestine Chronology

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)

PFLP, DFLP announce they are exploring reuniting 2 leftist factions, split since 1969. Fateh Cent. Comm. mbr. Hani al-Hasan, an opponent of DoP, meets in Damascus with PFLP's Habash, DFLP's Hawatmah, and Khalid al-Fahum of PNSF. (AFP, RMC 9/28 in FBIS 9/29)

IDF raids Islamic center-comprising mosque, kindergarten, and public library-in Gaza City. 30 Israeli soldiers search female teachers, frighten schoolchildren, and defile mosque by not removing boots upon entry. (WT 9/29)

Israeli newspapers HaAretz, Ma'a nv, Davar report that Israeli PM Rabin and Jordanian King Hussein met 9/26 in Aqaba to discuss future relations in wake of PLO-Israel accord. Both Rabin's spokesman and Palace officials in Amman deny meeting. Ma'aniv publishes list of 22 meetings Hussein held with Israeli leaders between 1963 and 1991. (MM 9/28; NYT, WP 9/29)

Senate Foreign Relations Comm. approves by voice vote Middle East Peace Facilitation Act. Bill waives ban on U.S. relations with and aid to PLO. Measure passes full Senate next day. (WP, WT 9/29)

American Jewish Comm. poll shows 90% of American Jews believe Israel will gain fr. recognizing PLO; 57% favor establishment of a Palestinian state; 42% believe PLO cannot be trusted to honor commitments on terrorism; 47% oppose continued settlement activity in o.t.; 43% support it. (WP 9/28)

Nayif Hawatmah of DFLP, George Habash of PFLP meet in Tripoli with Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi. Libya and Iraq are only Arab states to explicitly oppose PLO-Israel agreement. (NYT 9/16, 9/17)

U.S. Pres. Clinton, in telephone conversation with Jordan's King Hussein, discloses U.S. will release $30 m. in aid to Amman frozen due to Jordan's position in 1990-91 Gulf crisis. Release is due to signing of Jordan-Israel common agenda. Clinton also calls Syrian Pres. al-Asad, urges him to rein in Damascus-based Palestinian factions opposed to PLO-Israel agreement. (NYT 9/16; CSM, NYT 9/17; NYT 9/18)

U.S. joins with Russia, Egypt, and Israel to eliminate, revise, or defer 32 UNGA resolutions critical of Israel. Resolutions to be changed or discarded include those establishing Comm. on Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, criticizing Israeli human rights practices, examining Israeli-South African relations, and calling on Israel to renounce nuclear weapons. (NYT 9/16)

Hamas issues statement in Amman denouncing "behind-the-scenes moves" by Palestinian negotiators "chosen by Rabin and Christopher" in "flagrant violation of the national will," regarding efforts to resume peace talks. (MM 4/13)

In interviewith al-Hayat, Kuwaiti FM Shaykh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah says that Kuwait can not mend fences with the PLO, differentiating between the Palestine cause and Yasir Arafat, "whose name the people of Kuwait can't bear to hear." Reconciliation with Jordan will be easier; hints at possible lifting of parts of Arab boycott of Israel. (MM 4/13)

Israeli shoots Palestinian dead near Jerusalem. (Qol Yisra'el 4/12 in FBIS 4/12)

Hamas Amman rep. Muhammad Nazzal denies PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud Abbas's 3/13 statement that Hamas position on Palestinian state in o.t. is a retreat; position has been consistent since 1988. (al-Sharq al-Awsat 3/15 in FBIS 3/17)

Israeli Env. Min. Yossi Sarid calls for PLO-led Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip. (IDF Radio, Qol Yisra'el 3/14 in FBIS 3/15)

Israeli National Police Commissioner Yaacov Temer calls on Israelis to carry handguns for self-defense, to increase public security. Police Min. Moshe Shahal criticizes the appeal. (Qol Yisra'el 3/14 in FBIS 3/15; WP 3/15)

King Hussein meets with PLO Exec. Comm. mbrs. Faruq al-Qaddumi and Mahmud Abbas, in course of 2 days of Jordanian-Palestinian meetings. FM Kamil Abu Jaber says the deportees issue "should be resolved" by 4/20. (JTV 3/14 in FBIS 3/15; MM 3/15)

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)