At Erez crossing, Arafat, Netanyahu hold their longest face-to-face mtg. to date to try to final issues preventing a Hebron deal. (IDF Radio, RMC 12/24 in WNC 12/27; NYT, WP, WT 12/25; CSM 12/27;...
-
December 24, 1996
-
September 27, 1996
Netanyahu deploys 6,000 police throughout Israel, 4,000 in East Jerusalem. After morning prayers at...
-
July 23, 1996
Weekly PC mtg. begins 1 day early in Ramallah. (JMCC 7/17 in FBIS 7/18; PR 8/2)
PA's Arafat, Israeli FM Levy hold 1st mtg. at Erez checkpoint. Arafat presents list of Israeli violations. (...
-
March 25, 1996
Israeli Maj. Gen. Shahor complains to the PA that it has ignored Israeli approval to reactivate a loading station at Erez crossing which would allow construction materials to enter Gaza; has not...
-
March 21, 1996
Israel allows more Palestinian workers to resume their jobs in the Erez industrial zone; permits 30 doctors to leave West Bank, Gaza for their jobs in East Jerusalem hospitals. (QY 3/21 in FBIS 3/...
-
March 16, 1996
At Erez crossing point, Palestinians pelt IDF soldiers with rotting potatoes, flowers, spoiled because they could not be moved to marketplaces in Israel because of the closure. (WT 3/17)
...
-
March 9, 1996
German FM Kinkel meets with Arafat in Gaza. On his return to Israel, IDF soldiers at Erez checkpoint demand to search his car to ascertain that no "extremist elements" are "using" his entourage to...
-
February 27, 1996
Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Amnon Shahak meets with Arafat at Erez checkpoint, gives him list of 13 wanted Hamas men, instructs the PA to break the movement's organization, warns IDF may...
At Erez crossing, Arafat, Netanyahu hold their longest face-to-face mtg. to date to try to final issues preventing a Hebron deal. (IDF Radio, RMC 12/24 in WNC 12/27; NYT, WP, WT 12/25; CSM 12/27; MA 12/27 in WNC 12/30; JP 1/4)
In Hurghada, Egypt, Pres. Mubarak discusses PA-Israeli talks with Israeli DM Mordechai. (RE 12/24 in WNC 12/27; WT 12/25; JP 1/4)
Israel permits Islamic University of Hebron, which was closed in 3/96, to reopen within 2 days; lifts curfew on Hebron; reopens to Palestinian traffic a road in Gaza that runs by Netzarim settlement. (NYT 12/25; CSM, WT 12/27; JP 1/4) (see 11/24)
Iraqi oil M arrives in Turkey for 4-day visit to discuss boosting bilateral trade in light of the oil-for-food deal. (INA 12/24 in WNC 12/27; INA 12/26, 12/27 in WNC 12/30) (see 12/9)
In s. Lebanon, roadside bomb explodes, killing 2 mbrs. of the IDF's Egoz unit, wounding 2. Hizballah claims responsibility. In separate incident in s. Lebanon, a Lebanese child is wounded by IDF shelling. (ITV, QY, RL 12/24, ITV 12/25 in WNC 12/27; WP 12/25; WJW 1/23) (see 12/14)
Netanyahu deploys 6,000 police throughout Israel, 4,000 in East Jerusalem. After morning prayers at al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, several youths throw stones at IDF troops and police surrounding the site. IDF storms the compound, fires on Palestinians, killing 3, wounding 50. Fewer clashes take place than on 9/26, but fighting, particularly in Rafah and Tulkarm, where IDF helicopters fire on Palestinian crowds, continues. In Balata, Erez, Jenin, Ramallah, PA police, officials form cordons to prevent Palestinians fr. attacking Israeli targets. Israeli Arabs observe a general strike in support of the Palestinians. A total of 52 Palestinians, 14 Israelis have been killed over the past 3 days. The tunnel opened 9/24 is closed for the Jewish holiday. (MM 9/27; IDF Radio, RE, RL 9/27 in WNC 9/30; ITV, TJT 9/27 in WNC 10/1; RE 9/27 in WNC 10/2; NYT, WP, WT 9/28; CSM, MM 9/30; MEI, PR 10/4; JP 10/5)
PM Netanyahu rejects his security chiefs' assessment that clashes are a result of Palestinian frustration, Arafat is unable to control them; calls recent violence a "deliberate incitement" by Arafat; vows to "take every measure available to us to protect our troops." (NYT, WT 9/28)
In New York, Secy. of State Christopher says talks are still underway to secure an Arafat-Netanyahu mtg.; Netanyahu has told special envoy Ross that he believes concessions to the PA at this time would encourage the Palestinians to commit further violence, cause his government to fall because of defections fr. hard-line coalition mbrs.; Netanyahu has refused suggestions that Christopher or Ross make a trip to the region. (NYT, WP 9/28; CSM 9/30)
Despite U.S., Israeli protests, the UN Security Council (UNSC) begins debate of a possible resolution that would criticize Israel severely, demand closing of the 9/24 tunnel. (NYT, WP, WT 9/28; MEI 10/4)
In Tel Aviv, 1,000s of Israelis led by Meretz MKs protest Netanyahu, call for his resignation. (IDF Radio 9/27 in WNC 9/30)
1,000s of Palestinian refugees in s. Lebanon camps continue anti-Israeli demonstrations. Israel continues to reinforce troops in s. Lebanon. (RL 9/27 in WNC 10/1) (see 9/26)
Weekly PC mtg. begins 1 day early in Ramallah. (JMCC 7/17 in FBIS 7/18; PR 8/2)
PA's Arafat, Israeli FM Levy hold 1st mtg. at Erez checkpoint. Arafat presents list of Israeli violations. (MM 7/23; QY, al-Ra`i 7/23 in FBIS 7/23; IDF Radio, PBC, QY, VOP 7/23 in FBIS 7/24; al-Hayat, JP, MA, SA, YA 7/24 in FBIS 7/25; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/24; MM 7/25; MEI 8/2)
IDF eases closure on West Bank, allowing several 1,000 more Palestinian workers into Israel. (QY 7/23 in FBIS 7/23) (see 7/16)
UN spokeswoman Sylvana Foa (an American citizen) denounces U.S.'s Rubin for accusations made 7/22; says U.S.'s "bully tactics, threats, and blatant attempts at intimidating staff mbrs. have a very disconcerting odor of the McCarthy era." (WP 7/24)
In s. Lebanon, 2 Amal mbrs. are wounded in shootout with IDF patrol. (QY, RL 7/24 in FBIS 7/25)
Israeli Maj. Gen. Shahor complains to the PA that it has ignored Israeli approval to reactivate a loading station at Erez crossing which would allow construction materials to enter Gaza; has not improved security at Qarni crossing point as agreed by erecting fences, increasing guards, reducing sized of loads so they may be searched more easily. He complains the PA is not cooperating with Israeli efforts to lift the closure. (JP 3/26 in FBIS 3/26)
Israel's Labor party holds its 1st ever primary to select its slate of MK candidates, excluding candidate for PM, for the 5/29 elections. In a sign of party unity, current Tourism M Uzi Baram is selected over FM Barak and Interior M Haim Ramon to head the list. (MM 3/25, 3/26; QY 3/26 in FBIS 3/27; CSM, MM 3/27; MM, NYT 3/28; WJW 4/4; MEI 4/12)
U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv turns down a visa request from Rabin assassin Yigal Amir's brother and sister, who requested entry to the U.S. to fund-raise for Yigal and Hagai Amir's defense. (QY 3/25 in FBIS 3/26)
Convicted spy Jonathan Pollard cuts short a prison meeting with an Israeli diplomat because he feels the visitor is not high-ranking enough, says U.S. will not deal seriously with his case until Israel does. (WT 3/26) (see 1/24)
Bank of Israel's annual report shows that the government is subsidizing private sector loans with the U.S. loan guarantees. By the end of 1995 $1.7 b. was transferred to private companies, 86 percent of which went to 1 company. (HA 3/25 in FBIS 3/25)
Israel allows more Palestinian workers to resume their jobs in the Erez industrial zone; permits 30 doctors to leave West Bank, Gaza for their jobs in East Jerusalem hospitals. (QY 3/21 in FBIS 3/21)
In Abu-Dis, the IDF bulldozes the home of Palestinian involved in attacks on Israelis in 10/94 and 12/94. Nr. Nablus, IDF demolishes home of 3d Palestinian connected with 8/21/95 bus bombing. (QY 3/21 in FBIS 3/21; CSM 3/22) (see 3/20)
IDF bans entry to Gaza of vaccines, other medicines through Hanun checkpoint. (PBC 3/21 in FBIS 3/21)
PA police arrest several Hamas mbrs. during a raid aimed at arresting Muhammad Daif, the new head of the Qassam Brigades following the assassination of Yahya Ayyash. (CSM 3/22)
Influential Lebanese Shi`ite figure Riyad `Abdallah announces formation of the Movement of Democratic Reformers, the Foundation Movement. Party will be based in s. Lebanon, have the objective of making "peace with Syria and Israel on the grounds of geographical continuity." Hizballah accuses `Abdallah of being an SLA agent. (AFP, MBC 3/21 in FBIS 3/22)
World Bank bars U.S. fr. bidding on $2.1 b. in International Development Association contracts after the U.S. falls $934 m. behind in meeting its pledges. (WT 3/22)
Hizballah Sec. Gen. Hassan Nasrallah says that since the beginning of the yr., Israeli shelling in Lebanon has left 2 civilians dead, 24 wounded, 92 homes and buildings (incl. a church and hospital) damaged. (MM 3/21)
At Erez crossing point, Palestinians pelt IDF soldiers with rotting potatoes, flowers, spoiled because they could not be moved to marketplaces in Israel because of the closure. (WT 3/17)
Allenby Bridge crossing is opened for 7 hrs.; Gaza residents are not allowed to cross. (RJ 3/15 in FBIS 3/18)
PA security forces arrest 35 Islamic Jihad mbrs., inc. spokesman `Abdallah al-Shami and top mbr. Muhammad al-Hindi, in continuing crackdown on Islamists. (JTV 3/16 in FBIS 3/18; WT 3/17)
German FM Kinkel meets with Arafat in Gaza. On his return to Israel, IDF soldiers at Erez checkpoint demand to search his car to ascertain that no "extremist elements" are "using" his entourage to carry out attacks inside Israel, delay car for half hr. before letting it pass unchecked. Kinkel protests to the Israeli FMin. Israeli officials complain the diplomats "failed to show understanding for Israel's security problems." (QY 3/9 in FBIS 3/11)
PA security forces expand crackdown on Hamas, raiding Islamic organization, clubs, welfare organizations; confiscating equipment; detaining anyone on hand. PA says it has arrested over 600 individuals in Gaza alone over the last wk. (NYT 3/10)
Hamas spokesman in Lebanon says Qassam Brigades will not disarm or halt attacks on Israel. (AFP 3/9 in FBIS 3/11) (see 3/5)
In Qalqilya, IDF delays ambulance at checkpoint for 1 hr., allowing Palestinian infant to die. IDF officials say officer in charge will be tried. (NYT 3/14)
Hizballah attacks IDF, SLA positions in s. Lebanon, killing 1 IDF soldier, 1 SLA soldier; wounding 2 IDF soldiers. IDF, SLA fire back, killing 2 Hizballah mbrs. (NYT 3/11)
Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Amnon Shahak meets with Arafat at Erez checkpoint, gives him list of 13 wanted Hamas men, instructs the PA to break the movement's organization, warns IDF may not withdrawal fr. Hebron if action is not taken. Arafat says he has no intention of attacking Hamas leaders or institutions not linked to the armed wing. (MM 2/27; Davar, IDF Radio, QY 2/27, JP, QY 2/28 in FBIS 2/28; MM, NYT, WT 2/28; WP 2/29)
In Gaza, 2 more leaflets signed by Hamas's Qassam Brigades are issued, 1 claiming and 1 denying responsibility for the 2/25 bombings, increasing speculation that there is a split within the movement. (AFP, PBC, RMC 2/27 in FBIS 2/28) (see 2/25)
In a ceremony televised on Israeli networks, a conservative MK awards a plaque of gratitude to one of the settlers who shot, killed Palestinian-American 2/26. (NYT 2/28)
A Palestinian woman dies when the ambulance taking her to a hospital outside Gaza is delayed at Erez checkpoint for 5 hrs. (MM 3/20)
In Damascus, Pres. Asad, Iranian VP Hassan Habibi discuss boosting bilateral ties. Habibi expresses Iran's support for armed struggle against Israel by Palestinian rejectionist groups, incl. Hamas. (MM 2/27; Voice of Iran 2/27 in FBIS 2/27; RMC, SARR 2/27, SARR 2/28 in FBIS 2/28; WT 2/28; AFP, SARR 2/28 in FBIS 2/29; WT 4/25)
The Lebanese Cabinet passes decree outlawing gatherings and demonstrations "in order to prevent any acts that could disturb security and public safety." (RL 2/28 in FBIS 2/29)
U.S. extends its travel ban on Lebanon for 6 mos. Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz protests. (RL 2/27 in FBIS 2/28; WT 3/2)
In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates a roadside bomb nr. an SLA patrol, killing 1 SLA mbr. (RL 2/27 in FBIS 2/28)