The Palestine Chronology

Palestinian chief negotiator Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi, in "A Second Open Letter to the Palestinian Masses," published in the East Jerusalem newspaper al-Quds, calls on the PLO to "adopt the principle of collective leadership on a democratic and logical basis." He says that Palestinian leaders "have failed over and over in concentrating our own potential in the name of our cause," and advocates a "comprehensive national dialogue" as the solution to Palestinian difficulties. (al-Quds 7/10 in FBIS 7/15; full text in al-Fajr 7/19)

Pro-PLO bloc wins Arab Journalists' Association elections in Jerusalem, delayed 7 months due to internal dissension. (al-Fajr 7/19)

Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa meets with U.S. Special Coordinator Ross in Cairo. (MENA 7/10 in FBIS 7/12)

King Hussein orders first Jordanian multiparty elections since 1956 to be held in November. (NYT 7/1 1)

U.S. delegation led by Dennis Ross meets with PM Rabin, FM Peres at start of tour of Israel, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. Ross says trip is to "narrow the gaps" in Israeli, Arab positions. (NYT 7/9)

Arafat and King Hussein at meeting in Amman establish Palestinian-Jordanian joint committee made up of Jordanian ministers, PLO Exec. Comm. mbrs., peace delegates. (al-Dustur 7/8 in FBIS 7/9)

Fateh Cent. Comm. mbr. Khalid al-Hasan proposes Swiss-style cantonal solution to Palestinian-Israeli conflict. (AFP 7/8 in FBIS 7/9)

IDF kills wanted Palestinian in Rafah, Gaza Strip. (Qol Yisra'el 7/8 in FBIS 7/8; NYT 7/9)

PFLP-GC fighters ambush IDF patrol in southern Lebanon, killing 2 and wounding 3. (WP 7/12)

7 Islamic fundamentalists, followers of Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahman, hanged in Cairo. (NYT 7/9)

Likud Knesset delegation submits no-confidence motion against government. Likud motion and those submitted 7/6 by Tsomet and NRP to be debated 7/12. (Qol Yisra'el 7/7 in FBIS 7/7)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak meets with Syrian Pres. al-Asad in Latakia, Syria to discuss peace process. (SANA 7/7 in FBIS 7/8)

Arab info. mins. open 2-day meeting at Arab League H.Q. in Cairo. (MENA 7/6 in FBIS 7/9)

FM Peres briefs diplomats before 2-day visit to Cairo, stating, "I personally believe that we are nearer to have an agreement with the Palestinians than most people think." He denies advocating talks with PLO, but adds that in the event of an agreement "I would like to see first the signature and then the signatories." (Qol Yisra'el 7/5 in FBIS 7/6; MM 7/5)

PLO rejects U.S. working paper, Arafat stating in Amman that "it overstepped the basis of the peace process ... the Madrid terms of reference." (MM 7/6; Jordan Times 7/6 in FBIS 7/7)

21 Palestinian families, survivors of 1982 Sabra-Shatilla massacre, evicted from Cite Sportive stadium in Beirut. (WT 7/6)

Libyan pilgrims' spokesman Daw Salim al-Tajuri tells Cairo news conference decision to visit Jerusalem "personal," that delegation "does not represent any official party," and that trip does not constitute recognition of Israel. (MENA 6/3 in FBIS 6/4)

Chmn. Arafat meets with advisors, PNC and delegation mbrs. in Amman to decide on resumption of talks. (MM, WP 4/21)

Arab League Ministerial Council ends 2- day meeting in Cairo. (MENA 4/18 in FBIS 4/20)

IDF destroys 4 houses, shoots armed Palestinian dead in Gaza Strip. (MM 4/20; NYT 4/21; WP 4/22)

Islamic Resistance clash with IDF, SLA in 4 separate attacks, killing 2and kidnapping 2 SLA gunmen in "security zone." Israel, SLA shell villages north of zone. (Radio Lebanon, VOL 4/20 in FBIS 4/21)

Pres. Mubarak meets with, receives list of demands from Chmn. Arafat, Faisal Husseini in Cairo. Meeting with PM Rabin 4/14, Mubarak hopes to shore up gaps between Israel and Palestinians as 4/20 date for talks nears. (NYT 4/14, 4/15)

Hizballah roadside bomb kills 3 IDF soldiers on northern edge of "security zone"-heaviest IDF casualties in Lebanon since 10/25/92. Israel unleashes up to 200 shells on villages north of zone. (VOL 4/13 in FBIS 4/13; IDF Radio 4/13 in FBIS 4/14; MM 4/13, 4/14)

FMs of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and the PLO end 2-day meeting in Damascus, delay decision on resuming talks with Israel 4/20 in their final statement. (Radio Lebanon 3/29 in FBIS 3/30; NYT, WP 3/30)

Hanan Ashrawi says Palestinians rejected 3/26 U.S. offers, adds that such assurances are basic rights, "not issues for blackmail, negotiations, or pressure." (MM 3/30)

PLO amb. in Cairo Said Kamal says Pres. Asad and Chmn. Arafat have entrusted Pres. Mubarak to negotiate a solution to the deportees and raise new peace talks ideas during his 4/6 talks with Pres. Clinton in Washington. (MM 3/29)

Jordanian PM Sharif Bin-Shakir tells MPs that his govt. does not accept Israeli-Jordanian draft agenda negotiated by the respective delegations and publicized 10/27/92. It is missing some key points, particularly on Jerusalem. (MM 3/30)

IDF shoots 1 Palestinian dead in Jalazun camp, West Bank. Palestinian worker kills settler near Khan Yunis. Settlers burn down mosque in Gaza Strip. (IDF Radio 3/29 in FBIS 3/30; Qol Yisra'el 3/30 in FBIS 3/31; WP 3/30)

Pres. Mubarak meets with Chmn. Arafat in Cairo. (MM 3/29)

Two Palestinians stab Gaza settler to death, settlers riot; Israel seals Strip as of 3/29. Palestinians fire on IDF from car in Gaza City; IDF shoots 1 dead, wounds 2. (Qol Yisra'el 3/28 in FBIS 3/29; MM 3/29; WP 3/29)

New York Times prints letter from the "Liberation Army Fifth Battalion" claiming responsibility for 2/26 World Trade Center bombing. The letter, received by the Times 4 days after the bombing, says U.S. aid to Israel is the bombers' main grievance. (NYT 3/28)

Pres. Mubarak meets with Pres. Asad in Cairo. (MM 3/29)

Hamas gunman shoots Border Policeman dead in Tulkarm. (NYT 3/28; AFP 3/29 in FBIS 3/29; MM 3/29)

Israel/SLA shell villages north of "security zone," killing 1. SLA lose 1 in clashes/roadside bombing near Jezzin. (AFP, VOS 3/27 in FBIS 3/30)

Speaking in Germany, FM Peres says Israel will stop deportations if Palestinians renounce and halt violence. (Qol Yisra'el 3/11 in FBIS 3/12)

Jordanian paper reports that Fateh Cent. Comm. mbr. Nasr Yusuf recently presented Syria with 111-page memo from PLO leadership seeking to restore Syrian-PLO relations. (al-Dustur 3/11 in FBIS 3/11)

Pres. Mubarak meets with Syrian FM al-Shara' in Cairo, accepts message from Pres. Asad. Shara' and Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa then draft and send Egyptian-Syrian memo of joint proposals to Secy. of State Christopher. Shara' approves of phased Israeli withdrawal from the Golan over 7 years. (MENA 3/11 in FBIS 3/11; al-Ahram, RMC 3/13 in FBIS 3/15)

Angering the Kuwaiti govt., opposition-affiliated Kuwaiti Assn. for the Defense of War Victims has enlisted PLO help to account for 600 persons missing since the Gulf war. (MM 3/11)

Israeli for. min. announces Kyrgyzstan will not open an embassy in Jerusalem (as was announced 1/20/93), or anywhere in Israel, for the time being. Ministry blames the diplomatic muddle on Israel's amb. to Kazakhstan, a Labor political appointee. (Qol Yisra'el 3/11 in FBIS 3/12)

U.S. and Russia invite parties to resume peace talks 4/20. Palestinian delegation refuses to accept letter of invitation in Jerusalem. Multilateral water talks are scheduled for Geneva 4/27. (AFP 3/10 in FBIS 3/10; MM 3/10; NYT, WP 3/11)

PLO pol. dept. head Faruq al-Qaddumi meets with Syrian FM Shara' in Damascus. Qaddumi says Arab states may go to the talks without the Palestinians to "test U.S. intentions." PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud Abbas meets with Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa in Cairo. (RMC, SARA 3/10 in FBIS 3/10; MENA 3/10 in FBIS 3/11; MM 3/11)

Hamas and Fateh agree to establish intifada "joint command," other committees to enhance cooperation. (WT 3/11)

Israel lodges formal complaint with UNRWA over an official's alleged negligence during 3/2 incident in Gaza Strip (see 3/6). (Qol Yisra'el 3/10 in FBIS 3/11)

IDF shoots Palestinian youth dead near Jerusalem. IDF soldier stabbed, critically wounded in Nazareth. (Qol Yisra'el 3/11 in FBIS 3/11; WT 3/11)

Fateh official assassinated in Tyre, Lebanon. (Radio Lebanon 3/10 in FBIS 3/11)

New Jersey resident and chemical engineer Nidal Ayyad is arrested in connection with 2/26 World Trade Center bombing. (WP 3/11)

Hamas rep. in Amman Muhammad Nazzal reassures PLO that its diplomatic contacts (with U.S., among others) are not meant to establish Hamas as an alternative leadership. (Jordan Times 3/2 in FBIS 3/2)

MK Benyamin Netanyahu, other Likud MKs, tour Golan Heights, brief Jewish mayors on 2-stage Israeli withdrawal "plan." (HaAretz 3/1 in FBIS 3/1)

West Bank settlement guards have been granted "limited policing powers" allowing them to search, detain, and arrest any Palestinian on specified grounds of suspicion- a "far-reaching amendment" to existing laws. Agreement is result of appeal by Ariel "mayor" Ron Nachman to the High Court againsthe IDF. (Yedi'otAharonot 3/1 in FBIS 3/3)

Kuwaiti FM Shaykh Sabah al-Ahmad "rules out" restoration of ties with Arab states that opposed the war against Iraq, singling out Jordan and the PLO, who still support "false claims." (MM 3/1)

Italian TV runs interview (taped 2/13) with Pres. Saddam Hussein, who says if an Israeli-Palestinian settlement is "arrived at that satisfies the Palestinians, I will accept it," and recognize Israel. He is doubtful of such a settlement, though. (MM 3/1; Baghdad INA 3/4 in FBIS 3/5)

U.S. issues warning to travelers of a "heightened threat of terrorism" in Jordan. Jordanian ministers are "astonished" by the warning, asserting that Americans are safer in Jordan than back home. (MM 3/2, 3/3)

Pres. Mubarak meets with Conf. of Presidents of Major American Jewish Orgs. in Cairo. (MM 3/2, 3/5)

Gazan Islamic Jihad mbr. stabs 2 Israelis to death, wounds 9, in Tel Aviv. Israel seals Gaza Strip. (WP 3/2; NYT 3/3; AFP, Qol Yisra'el, IDF Radio 3/1 in FBIS 3/2)

Secy. of State Christopher meets with Pres. Mubarak, FM 'Amr Musa in Cairo. Mubarak accepts Christopher's invitation to meet with Pres. Clinton in April. Christopher appeals to Israel to speed up the review process for deportees' individual cases. (NYT, WT 2/19, 2/20; MENA 2/19 in FBIS 2/19)

Chmn. Arafat meets with Pres. Hussein in Baghdad, delivers message from Pres. Mubarak. Egypt and the PLO are leading the effort tobring Iraq back into the "Arab fold." (Jordan Times 2/18-19)

IDF shoots Palestinian youth dead near Tulkarm. (MM 2/19)

Faisal Husseini and 40 delegation associates visit area in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip, where homes were leveled by IDF 2/11 to offer sympathy, rally support for negotiations. Hamas and PLO supporters chant allegiance. (MM 2/17)

Pres. Mubarak meets with Chmn. Arafat in Cairo. (WT 2/20; MENA 2/17 in FBIS 2/17)

Israeli Aircraft Industries announces U.S. Def. Dept. has awarded them and American co. TRW a $240m contract to build 56 unmanned airplanes. Sen. Daniel Inouye (DHI) announces U.S. has budgeted $57m to improve Haifa port, which will serve as U.S. Navy's major regional anchorage. But as chmn. of Senate def. appropriations subcomm., he tells Israeli officials that they should prepare for a possible cut in U.S. foreign aid. (MM 2/17; WT 2/18)

Jordan appoints Shaykh Sulayman al-Jabari Mufti of Jerusalem. (MM 2/19)

Israeli justice min. announces that Shin Bet agent in charge when Mustafa 'Akkawi died under 2/4/92 interrogation has been disciplined. (WT 2/18)

IDF shoots 2 Palestinian youths dead in West Bank; another shot dead, while fleeing, 10 minutes after curfew, in Gaza City. (NYT 2/19)

Hizballah and Israeli, SLA forces engage in largest artillery battle of the year, killing 3 Islamic fighters, 2 other Lebanese. Israel shells up to 30 villages, including Nabatiyya. (MM, NYT 2/18)

PLO announces that Palestinians will not participate in negotiations until UNSCR 799 is implemented in full, regardless of Arab states' participation. (MM 2/16)

FM Peres meets with Def. Secy. Les Aspin, Secy. of State Christopher, and VP Gore in Washington. (ITV 2/16 in FBIS 2/17)

Speaking in Washington, FM Peres says he sees no reason why Jews cannot "lead normal lives under non-Jewish sovereignty" in addressing permanent arrangements with the Palestinians. (HaAretz 2/17 in FBIS 2/17)

Arab League Council holds emergency meeting in Cairo, issues statement strongly condemning repressive Israeli measures in o.t. (MENA 2/16 in FBIS 2/17)

Israel grants temporary visas to arriving group of 84 Bosnian Muslims. Palestinian Israelis at first welcomed the idea and agreed to settle the refugees in their villages, but now see their arrival as an attempt by Israel to improve its image in the wake of the Palestinian deportations, and have withdrawn their offer. (MM 2/16, 2/17; NYT 2/18)

Hizballah fires rockets at SLA post in southern Lebanon; Israel, SLA shell target villages north of "security zone." (NYT 2/17)

Israel releases list of 101 deported Palestinians who may return immediately to the o.t. Deportees refuse to accept the list and pledge that none will return until all are allowed back. (Qol Yisra'el 2/5 in FBIS 2/5; Radio Lebanon 2/5 in FBIS 2/8; NYT 2/6)

Palestinian UN rep. Nasir al-Kidwa meets with UN Secy.-Gen. Butrus-Ghali, informs him of the PLO's decision not to participate in any peace talks until UNSCR 799 is implemented. (Sanaa VOP 2/5 in FBIS 2/8)

Chmn. Arafat meets with King Hussein in Amman, then flies to Cairo for 3-day visit. Talks with Pres. Mubarak focus on the deportees and peace talks, as well as arranging a Secy. of State Christopher-Arafat visit when the former visits the region beginning 2/17. (MENA, RJN, RMC 2/5 in FBIS 2/8)

Two polls find 61% and 54% of Israeli Jews are against the U.S.-Israeli package deal to allow 100 deportees back. (MaAriv, Yedi'ot Aharonot 2/5 in MM 2/5)

IDF shoots 3 armed Palestinians dead in a car in the Gaza Strip. IDF shoots 2 dead, wounds 30 more Palestinians in ensuing demonstrations. (NYT 2/6; MM 2/8)

PM Rabin declines Chmn. Arafat's 1/21 invitation to a meeting, adding that "the PLO in Tunis is not a party to the negotiations." (NYT, WT 1/23)

IDF shoots, wounds up to 40 during protests in the Gaza Strip. (WT 1/23; Qol Yisra'el 1/22 in FBIS 1/26)

Higher Council of Islamic Affairs ends 3- day conf. in Cairo, issues statement condemning Islamic violence as well as the tendency in the West to stigmatize Islam as a violent religion, and calling for equal enforcement of UN resolutions. (MM 1/22)

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)

Faisal Husseini sends letter to acting Secy. of State Eagleburger informing him that the Palestinian delegation will not participate in any bilateral or multilateral peace talks until Israel allows back the 12/17 deportees. (AFP 1/12 in FBIS 1/12)

Pres. Mubarak meets with Chmn. Arafat, then with UN Secy.-Gen. Butrus-Ghali in Cairo. (MENA 1/7 in FBIS 1/7)

Israel agrees to allow 2 Red Cross officials access to 415 deported Palestinians to ascertain their medical situation. (NYT, WP 1/8)

Knesset approves appointment of Meretz MK Yossi Sarid to be environment minister by vote of 56-34. (JP 1/9)

FMs of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, PLO, conclude meeting in Cairo, issue statement urging UN to give Israel a deadline to repatriate 12/17 Palestinian deportees, imply peace talks in jeopardy. (NYT 12/25)

Chmn. Arafat says "I would have caught the murderer of the soldier [kidnapped 10/13 by Hamas and found dead 10/15] and killed him!" in interview on deportations, peace talks. (Davar 12/27 in FBIS 12/28)

Palestinian-Israeli delegation including MKs and local council heads, makes deportees-solidarity visit to Red Cross HQ in Gaza, which turns into large demonstration. (ITV 12/24 in FBIS 12/30)

Palestinians demonstrate throughout o.t on 4th anniv. of declaration of the State of Palestine, are dispersed by IDF using tear gas and gunfire in Ramallah, Gaza, and Jerusalem. (Qol Yisra'el 11/15 in FBIS 11/16)

IDF uses antitank missiles to destroy 9 houses near Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip. (Hadashot 11/16 in FBIS 11/19) 

Israeli FM Shimon Peres meets with Pres. Mubarak, FM 'Amr Musa in Cairo. (MENA, Qol Yisra'el 11/15 in FBIS 11/16)

Likud Cent. Comm. votes to hold primary to elect its leader and next PM candidate next March. Move is seen as a political gain for Benyamin Netanyahu and David Levy, who campaigned for the primary, at the expense of Benny Begin. (WT 11/17) 

Israel begins withdrawal of armor and artillery from "security zone," S. Lebanon. (Qol Yisra'el, Radio Lebanon 11/15 in FBIS 11/16)

Israeli delegation walks out of multilateral talks on refugees in Ottawa, because Palestinian delegation head Muhammad Hallaj is a PNC mbr. Elie Sanbar, head of delegation at earlieround, had already been barred as a member of the PLO Cent. Council (see 10/8). (MM, WP, WT 11/12)

Palestinian delegation presents report on o.t. human rights conditions to Israeli delegation, which has now agreed to discuss the issue. (MM 11/13; Qol Yisra'el 11/13 in FBIS 11/13) 

PM Rabin tells cabinet he must first consult U.S. Pres.-elect Bill Clinton on implications of amending 1986 law to legalize meetings with the PLO. (Qol Yisra'el 11/11 in FBIS 11/13)

Chmn. Arafat meets with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo. (MENA 11/11 in FBIS 11/12)

IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian in W. Bank, 3 in Gaza Strip, where demonstrations, clashes and a general strike following 11/10 gunbattle caused over 20 injuries. (MM 11/11; Qol Yisra'el 11/11 in FBIS 11/13; NYT, WP 11/12)

Israel builds up armored presence in "security zone" to the highest levels since 1985, and attacks Hizballah targets near Tyre, Lebanon. (NYT, WP 11/12)

PLO Central Council meeting ends in Tunis, issues statement giving "green light" to peace delegates. Unity prevailed as opposition figures either did not attend, or did not voice proposals made earlier in public. Only the DFLP (Hawatima wing) rejected the majority recommendations, and withdrew from the final sessions. The PFLP voiced reservations but signed the final statement. (MM 10/19; Sawt al-Sha'b 10/20 in FBIS 10/20)

Four Palestinian factions participating in PLO Cent. Council meeting-DFLP (Hawatima wing), PFLP, PLF, PPSF-submit memorandum to Cent. Council rejecting all self-rule proposals and urging a pullout from peace talks. (QPAR 10/17 in FBIS 10/19)

Chmn. Arafat conveys condolences to Pres. Mubarak over recent earthquake in Cairo, then meets with Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa and PLO officials. Musa tells them he has received an Israeli "promise" to work toward finding an interpretation of UNSC 242 "satisfactory to all parties." (MENA 10/17 in FBIS 10/19; Sawt al-Sha'b 10/19 in FBIS 10/19)

One Israelis killed and 9 injured in roadside bomb attack outside a settlement near Ramallah, W. Bank. (Qol Yisra'el 10/18 in FBIS 10/19; WP 10/18; MM 10/19)

Three suspected collaborators shot dead in Nablus, W. Bank, reportedly by the Black Panthers. (NYT 10/18)

Funeral in E. Jerusalem for Palestinian prisoner who died after hunger strike, and a cousin shot at a protest supporting the hunger strike turns into multi-factional nationalist demonstration. (NYT 10/18)

Settlers stone Arab cars during second day of demonstrations iouthern Galilee after death of Israeli farmer 10/15. (MM 10/17)

Chmn. Arafat and Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa meet in Cairo, accompanied by many PLO and Egyptian officials. Arafat then travels to Amman to meet with King Hussein. (MENA, Radio Jordan 10/6 in FBIS 10/7

French FM Roland Dumas meets with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo, then meets separately with PM Rabin and FM Peres in Jerusalem. The U.S. has reportedly sent word to Israel that the Dumas initiatives, centered on arranging a Rabin-Asad summit, do not advance the peace process. Palestinian and Jordanian sources are "suspicious" of Dumas' efforts, as he has made no effort to meet with the PLO, and appears to be working toward only a partial settlement. (Ha'Aretz al-Quds, al-Dustur 10/5 in MM 10/5)

Al-Sharq al-Awsat reports that Chmn. Arafat has solicited the help of Pres. Mubarak in curbing Syrian support of oppositionist Palestinian factions. Ten such orgs. signed a statement attacking the peace process 9/18 in Damascus. Mubarak reportedly promised to speak to Pres. Asad on the matter. (al-Sharq al-Awsat 10/4 in FBIS 10/8)

Hizballah gunmen attack Bayt Yahun crossing point in central "security zone," S. Lebanon, kill SLA security chief Hussein 'Abd al-Nabi, 1 other SLA militiaman. Hizballah loses 2 in the fighting. Israel shells and strafes the area. (Radio Lebanon, AFP 10/4 in FBIS 10/5; al-Nahr 10/5 in MM 10/5

Secy. of State Baker meets with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo, then travels to Damascus to meet with Pres. Asad, FM Faruk al-Shara'. (Syrian Arab Republic Radio 7/22 in FBIS 7/22; WP 7/23)

Peace Now reports there are 10,443 housing units under construction in W. Bank and Gaza Strip, 8,000 of which are in advanced stages. Population of these units could add 50,000 settlers to the current total of about 120,000. (WP 7/23)

Political committees in o.t. headed by Sari Nusseibeh issue statement warning against "excessive optimism" in Palestinian approach to negotiations. (ITV 7/22 in FBIS 7/24)

Mahmud Abu Hasan al-Zarini, "no. 2 fugitive in the o.t." and leader of Fateh-affiliated Black Panthers in Janin, is shot dead by undercover Border Police in Janin. Suspected collaborator and his father are killed in Kafr Ra'i, near Janin, by Palestinian militants. (MM 7/23; Qol Yisra'el 7/23 in FBIS 7/24)

IDF squad breaks into, searches Gaza home of Palestinian delegation mbr. Zakariya al-Agha. IDF later states that his home was not searched, but that the roof was needed as a temporary lookout post. (Al-Agha, who lives on the 2nd floor of a 4-story building, asserted that soldiers entered and remained only in his apartment.) (Qol Yisra'el 7/22 in FBIS 7/23)

IDF upholds restriction of Gazan laborers under the age of 20 from travelling to Israel for work, stating most violence is committed by those under 20. (Ha'Aretz 7/22 in FBIS 7/24)

After meeting with Gaza Strip farmers, Israeli ag. min. upholds ban on marketing Palestinian goods in Israel, but says Israel must better facilitate Gazan exports to EC. (HaAretz 7/23 in FBIS 7/24)

United Torah Jewry submits motion of no-confidence in Rabin govt. to protest appointment of Shulamit Aloni as education min. (Qol Yisra'el 7/22 in FBIS 7/22)

General Electric Co. pleads guilty to charges of fraud and corrupt business practices in connection with its sale of military jet engines to Israel in the 1980s, agreeing to pay nearly $70 million in fines. A GE manager had conspired with Israeli Gen. Rami Dotan to divert $27 million in U.S. military aid with fraudulent vouchers. Dotan is now serving 13 years in Israel, which refuses to hand him over to U.S. investigators. (WP 7/23)

PM Rabin meets with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo, first meeting of Egyptian and Israeli heads of state in 6 years. Leaders exchange views on the peace process, bilateral relations; Mubarak accepts invitation to visit Israel. (WP 7/22)

Housing Min. Benyamin Ben-Eliezer and Fin. Min. Avraham Shochat expand 7/16 settlements freeze to cancel plans for total of 6,681 settlement units "in blueprint stage," but will proceed with construction of 10,467 units in more advanced stages. Work will definitely continue on the 1,686 of these that are in the "Greater Jerusalem" area, and the other 8,781 will be subject to "further review." Work was also halted on several "political roads"; no mobile homes may be moved into the o.t., nor may they be moved from current sites in the o.t. (Ha'Aretz 7/21 in FBIS 7/21; Davar 7/22 in FBIS 7/22; NYT, WP 7/24)

King Hussein meets with Secy. of State Baker in Amman, denies Jordan is shipping supplies to Iraq in defiance of UN sanctions. Leaders also discuss peace process. Baker says the U.S. opposes all settlements, but that "security installations are something different." (WP 7/22, 23)

Palestinian leadership continues meeting in Tunis, criticizes Rabin's "partial step" settlement halt; leadership sends messages regarding peace process to Pres. Mubarak and Asad, King Hussein. (Tunisian Republic Radio, MENA 7/21 in FBIS 7/22; Algiers VOP 7/22 in FBIS 7/23)

Palestinian man is killed by Border Police near Janin. (Qol Yisra'el 7/22 in FBIS 7/23)

Activists slated for deportation 1/2 appeal to PLO leadership to mobilize int'l condemnation of Israel's "voluntary exile" rulings used against them, as well as against 6 activists in al-Najah University siege compromise. Families of the 11 deportees have sent similar message. Israel's state attorney has asked High Court to delay appeal hearings of 11 deportees untilate August. (MM 7/30)

One IDF soldier is killed, 3 wounded as Islamic Resistance bomb explodes under an Israeli tank near north-central "security zone" border village of Bayt Yahun. Three nearby SLA outposts are mortared as fighting escalates in Bra'shit, Haddathah areas. Israel shells Wadi al-Akhdar, Jabal Safi, Malita areas. (VOL 7/21 in FBIS 7/22; Radio Lebanon 7/21, 22 in FBIS 7/22; IDF Radio 7/21 in FBIS 7/22; NYT 7/24)

As part of effort to disarm all factions in Lebanon, min. of state Nazih al-Bizri states that "time is not right" to collect weapons from the Palestinians. Palestinians in Lebanon possess mostly light weapons. (Radio Lebanon 7/21 in FBIS 7/22)

Israeli govt. declares 1-week freeze on signing contracts for govt.-subsidized housing, including those affecting construction i the o.t. Freeze also is called on planning and early proceedings of new roads in o.t. About 3,000 units in early stages in o.t. are affected by the freeze, and govt. is still unsure about what to do with 4,000 completed units unattached to infrastructure, 12,000 in various stages of construction, and about 500 completed units that have been populated in the o.t. About 60% of these 16,500 scheduled units are in "political settlements." Financial incentives encouraging settlement will be ended. (Qol Yisra'el, HaAretz 7/16 in FBIS 7/16; MM, NYT, WP 7/17)

The Jerusalem Report states that 100 of the 142 settlements in the o.t. are "political settlements" according to PM Rabin, and can therefore expect significant cuts in govt. aid. These include all 16 settlements inthe Gaza Strip, as well as large W. Bank settlements of Qedumim, Elqana, and possibly Ariel. (Likud MK and Ariel mayor Ron Nahman claims freeze will have "opposite result" in his settlement, plans to increase its pop. from 11,000 to 20,000 in a year.) (Al Hamishmar 7/16 in FBIS 7/16; HaAretz 7/17 in MM 7/17)

Fateh gunman shoots, wounds 3 unarmed Hamas supporters in Rafah, Gaza. Hamas gunmen shoot, wound 1 unarmed Fateh supporter. Some 1,000 Fateh supporters then raid mosque in Yibna camp, Hamas gunmen inside open fire, wound 8. IDF troops impose curfew on Yibna. Two-week total for Fateh-Hamas violence is 1 dead, about 150 wounded. (MM, WP 7/17)

Palestinians throughout o.t. stage commercial strike called for by PLO-backed UNLU to protest seige at al-Najah University. Palestinian-Israeli leaders including all 6 MKs meet to discuss strategy, form delegation to meet with PM Rabin concerning al-Najah. Some 250 prominent Palestinians begin hunger strike in Nablus to protest siege. (MM 7/16, 17; Qol Yisra'el 7/16 in FBIS 7/17)

U.S. State Dept. calls for "restraint" from Israel in its handling of situation at al-Najah University, Nablus. IDF soldiers continue to surround campus, searching all students who leave; students refuse to leave until army withdraws. (WP 7/17)

Faisal Husseini announces Israeli defense establishment proposal to deport wanted men in al-Najah University for 3 years as step to lifting siege; Palestinians are drafting counter-proposal, and have sent a letter to PM Rabin to lift siege and curfew of Nablus. (Qol Yisra'el 7/16 in FBIS 7/17)

PLO representative calls on UN Secy. Gen. Butrus Ghali to provide int'l. protection for Palestinians in o.t., implementation of res. 681 to deal with siege at al-Najah University. (Radio Algiers Network 7/16 in FBIS 7/17)

PM Rabin agrees to meet with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo after U.S. Secy. of State Baker's upcoming visit; meeting would be first such visit since 1986. (WP 7/17)

Palestinian "rejectionist" groups - Hamas and the Palestine National Salvation Front (PFLP-GC, Fateh Uprising, Communist Revolutionary Party, and Sa'iqa) - meet in Damascus to discuss strategy of blocking the peace process and escalating the intifada. (MM 7/16)

King Hussein arrives in Damascus for visit with Pres. Asad. (Syrian Arab Republic Radio 7/16 in FBIS 7/16)

Islamic Resistance attacks Israeli, SLA roadblock in Kafr Huna, S. Lebanon. Israel overflies Arqub region, strengthens positions in al-Qantara, al-Tayyiba with armored vehicles. (Radio Lebanon 7/16 in FBIS 7/17)

Syrian VP 'Abd al-Halim Khaddam says Syria will not withdraw to eastern Lebanon in September, states that Taef accord requires withdrawal within 2 years of constitutional adoption of political reforms. (VOL 7/16 in FBIS 7/16)

PM-designate Rabin announces new cabinet to the Labor party Cent. Comm. He named himself DM, Mordechai Gur dep. DM (in charge of "day-to-day" affairs), Avraham Shochat fin. min., Benyamin Ben-Eliezer construction and housing min., Shulamit Aloni education min. Labor has 13 minister portfolios, Meretz 3, and Shas 1-interior. (NYT 7/13)

Labor issues separate letters of commitment on social and political matters to HADASH (Democratic Front) and Arab Democratic Party, two Arab parties supporting but not part of new coalition who have a total of 5 Knesset seats. (ITV 7/12 in FBIS 7/13)

Chmn. Arafat meets with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo. (MM 7/13)

PLO political advisor and delegation advisory comm. mbr. Nabil Shaath says Egypt is "the" Arab state capable of restoring Arab solidarity and boosting Palestinian negotiating strength, aswell as materially aiding the Palestinan people. (MENA 7/12 in FBIS 7/14)

Palestinian delegation spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi is detained for several hours upon crossing the Allenby bridge from Jordan, regarding the delegation's 6/18 public meeting with PLO Chmn. Arafat. (Qol Yisra'el 7/12 in FBIS 7/13; NYT 7/13)

Israel, SLA heavily shells Iqlim al-Tuffah region in S. Lebanon, reportedly in retaliation for bomb attack on Israeli patrol. (MM 7/13)

UNLU issues addendum to call no. 84 (issued 7/4) commending and supporting efforts to end intra-Palestinian violence in Gaza Strip.