FM Peres criticizes some settlements in Gaza Strip as "totally illogical," saying Netzarim "has no agricultural importance, no economic importance, no security importance." (MM 2/22)
Four IDF soldiers wounded in bazooka attack in Hamra district of West Beirut; Israel begins trucking half of captured PLO weapons to Israel despite Habib Agreement...
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EU special envoy Moratinos discusses peace process with PA Local Government M Erakat. (al-Ra'i 2/5 in WNC 2/11)
Arafat arrives in Spain for 2-day visit, to be followed by trip to the Netherlands. (PALDEV Digest [Internet] 2/4)
In Cairo, Egypt, PA sign custom exemption agmt. (MENA 2/4 in WNC 2/6) (see Peace Monitor)
Netanyahu spokesman Bar-Ilan says that government will override Interior Min.'s 1/22 approval of "Jewish sector" construction plans for Ras al-Amud. (MM, NYT, WP 2/5)
Palestinians living nr. Efrat settlement protest Israeli plans to confiscate their land to build road for local settlers. (PR 2/13)
Jordan's Interior Min. announces it has approved establishment of new Jordan Labor Party, which advocates building relations btwn. Jordanian, Israeli peoples but opposes polices of current Likud government. (JT 2/4 in WNC 2/6; JT 2/10 in WNC 2/11)
Congress debates resolution allowing Pres. Clinton to launch attack on Iraq. White House prefers diplomatic solution with resort to targeted attack on military facilities, sites of suspected violations if there is no progress. Mbrs. of Joint Chiefs of Staff say list of targets belies lack of strategy, White House is only interested in "putting on a show"; recommend concentrated attacks on Republican Guard, facilities housing security details, mbrs. Saddam Hussein's inner circle. Conservative lawmakers--including Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS), Rep. Steven Solarz (D-NY)--say attack should aim to remove Saddam Hussein fr. power. (WT 2/4; NYT, WP, WT 2/5)
FM Peres criticizes some settlements in Gaza Strip as "totally illogical," saying Netzarim "has no agricultural importance, no economic importance, no security importance." (MM 2/22)
15 settler families, most fr. Ariel, sign petition for Knesset assistance to help them leave o.t. MKs Yossi Katz (Labor) and Avraham Poraz (Meretz) submit Knesset bills calling for comprehensive compensation plan for settlers leaving o.t., while Labor MKs Haggai Merom and Avraham Burg set up "hot line" for settlers who wish to leave. (MM 2/23)
Lebanese govt. officials, responding to U.S. concerns over violence in southern Lebanon, agree to restrain actions of guerrilla groups in south. Int. M Bishara Mirhaj says "We will not approve of any operation that undermines the responsibility of the state in south Lebanon." (NYT 2/25)
Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics puts Israeli population at end 1993 at 5.325 m., compared to 5.196 m. in 1992. CBS says settlements' population at 115,000 compared to 105,000 in 1992, Palestinian population in o.t. 1.9 m. (MM 2/23)
Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu meets in Washington with VP Al Gore, Senate Minority Leader Robert Dole. Gore expresses both personal and official Clinton admin. opposition to Palestinian state, according to Netanyahu, while Dole says Senate would oppose posting U.S. troops on Golan. (MM 2/23)
Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan expresses "respect and appreciation" for Saudi fund-raising drive for Islamic holy places in Jerusalem. (RJ 2/22 in FBIS 2/23)
Senate confirms Strobe Talbott as dep. secy. of state by 66-31 vote. Opponents had charged Talbott was overly critical of Israel while a journalist for Time magazine, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) calling Talbott's articles "insulting, immature and incorrect," Sen. Minority Leader Robert Dole (R-KS) accusing Talbott of "clear anti-Israel bias." (MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/23)
Military Action:
Four IDF soldiers wounded in bazooka attack in Hamra district of West Beirut; Israel begins trucking half of captured PLO weapons to Israel despite Habib Agreement specifying all captured arms to be turned over to Lebanese Army; IDF dividing rest of arms between Lebanese Army and pro-Israeli Phalange.
Casualties:
ICRC estimates 293 bodies recovered to date in Shatila, still others buried in rubble of bulldozed homes and in mass grave 300 yards from IDF observation post.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Sharon, testifying before parliament, says IDF coordinated entry of Phalangists into Shatila camp, let them pass through IDF lines around camp, fired flares to illuminate camp during massacre, says Gen. Drori, suspicious of Shatila events, temporarily suspended Phalangist activities but let them stay after meeting later in day; Likud Bloc defeats opposition motion to set up independent board of inquiry 48-42 after reluctantly agreeing to allow internal investigation; West Bank Civil Administrator Menachem Milson resigns over failure to investigate the massacre; Knesset defeats Labor motion to initiate full debate on decision to send IDF into West Beirut; Peace Now protesters expelled from Knesset gallery; general strike halts activities of 400,000 Palestinians in Israel; 64 are injured, at least 12 shot, during protests in Nazareth.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Army denies Eitan charge they refused to enter camps, assert they were to move into camps on schedule drafted by Wazzan; Army also denies IDF claim that many PLO fighters still in camps; Arafat, in first public appearance since the massacre, says Reagan betrayed him, claims IDF troops directly involved in killings by providing bulldozers to militia groups.
Arab Governments: Arab League, after 5-hour emergency meeting, accuses US of moral responsibility for massacre, issues PLO more financial backing.
US and Other Countries: Amnesty International asks UN to investigate massacre, asks Israel and Lebanon to cooperate; strong criticism of Israel in Congress, Senator Helms (D.-NC) says it would be "beneficial" if Begin resigns; congressional mail is strongly anti-Israel and beginning to call for US to use aid to force Israel to withdraw; Bnai Brith, American Jewish Committee, and American Jewish Congress call for inquiry into massacre.
