The Palestine Chronology

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue to escalate. In Rafah, the IDF assassinates Islamic Jihad activist Muhammad `Abd al-Al, firing wire-guided missiles fr. helicopter gunships at his truck. (2,000 Palestinians attend his funeral later in the day.) After an Islamic Jihad sniper kills an IDF soldier nr. Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem in retaliation, the IDF fires missiles, tank shells, machine guns, grenades at Palestinian residential areas of the city, damaging 15 homes and wounding 8 Palestinians, including a 2-yr.-old girl, 3-mo.-old baby. The IDF also eases open-fire regulations; shells residential areas of Aida camp, Bayt Jala, Nablus; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in al-Khadir, 1 in al-Tur. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) detonates a car bomb nr. an IDF patrol outside Qeddumim settlement, causing no injuries. In Hebron, Jewish settlers blow up 4 Palestinian shops; afterward, the IDF bulldozes the buildings, surrounding area to create a buffer around the Abraham Avino settlement. Palestinians fire homemade mortars at the Qarni industrial zone. In Jerusalem, a Palestinian attacks, injures an IDF soldier, steals her M-16. (JP [Internet] 4/2; AFP, MA 4/2 in WNC 4/3; MA 4/2, QA 4/4 in WNC 4/5; HP, JP [Internet], LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/3; NYT 4/4; MEI 4/6; NYT 4/7)

In Washington, Mubarak briefs Bush on the Jordanian-Egyptian "nonpaper" (see 4/1), urges him to support the proposal and to become more involved in the peace process. Bush says the nonpaper ideas should be discussed; the U.S. can "facilitate" talks btwn. Israel, the PA, but it "can't force a peace." Bush also urges Egypt to return its amb. to Israel. (MM 4/2; MENA 4/2, JT, MENA, al-Quds 4/3, MENA, al-Ra'i 4/4 in WNC 4/5; JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/3; WJW 4/5; MEI 4/6; MENA 4/6 in WNC 4/9; MENA 4/11 in WNC 4/12; WJW 4/12)

The State Dept. certifies PLO compliance with the Oslo agmts. for the period 6/16/00+n12/15/00, saying PA security coordination with Israel was very high prior to 9/28/00, it is uncertain to what degree PLO or PA officials were actively involved in starting or encouraging violence after 9/28. (JP [Internet] 4/4; MM 4/10; MM 5/2)

New Israeli government is sworn in, with PM Barak's 7-party governing coalition--comprising the Center party, Meretz, National Religious party, One Israel, Shas, United Torah Judaism, Yisrael Ba'Aliya--will give him control of 75 of the 120 Knesset seats. One Israel's David Levy, who resigned as Netanyahu's FM 18 mos. ago, resumes the FM position. Fmr. Labor PM Shimon Peres is given the new position of regional development minister, which aims to promote economic integration btwn. Israel, Arab states. Oslo architect Yossi Beilin (One Israel) will hold the justice portfolio; Yossi Sarid (Meretz), education; Natan Sharansky (Yisrael Ba'Aliya), interior; Avraham Shohat (One Israel), finance. Barak will serve as DM as well as PM. Shas party mbrs. are given heath, infrastructure, labor, religious affairs portfolios. Barak says he will make peace process his priority; wants to hold simultaneous negotiations with PA, Syria and withdraw troops fr. s. Lebanon. Arafat, Asad issue statements saying they are willing to work with Barak for peace. (MM 7/6; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/7; AFP, France-Info Radio, IDF Radio, JT, JTV 7/7 in WNC 7/8; WJW 7/8; Interfax, MA 7/8 in WNC 7/9; MM 7/9; MEI 7/16)

Arafat makes 1-day trip to Cairo to discuss the peace process with Pres. Mubarak. (WT 7/7)

Syrian pres. Asad leaves Russia after 2 days of talks. Russia, Syria agree to step up technical, military cooperation but do not finalize arms deal. U.S. warns Moscow that it might cancel $50 m. in aid to Russia if it completes a deal with Damascus. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/7; Interfax 7/8 in WNC 7/9; MM 7/9; MEI 7/16)

Palestinian High Court orders the PA to release Hamas mbr. Muhammad Jadallah, who has been detained without charge since 3/24/96. (al-Quds 7/8 in WNC 7/12)

In the West Bank, IDF storms Palestinian homes in 3 villages nr. Hebron, arrests 5 alleged Hamas, Islamic Jihad mbrs. on charges of planning an attack in Israel. At least 36 Palestinian have been arrested in similar raids in the Hebron area over the past mo. (MM, WP 7/7; AYM 7/7 in WNC 7/12)