The Palestine Chronology

In the worst fighting since the peace process began, Palestinians, IDF clash in Ramallah. IDF shoots rubber bullets, stun grenades, live ammunition at protesters. IDF, PA security forces engage in firefight. 7 Palestinians are killed, 100s (incl. 2 EA mbrs., the mufti of Jerusalem) wounded; 8 IDF soldiers are injured by rocks, bottles; Ramallah is declared closed military zone; West Bank, Gaza are sealed. Clashes also occur in Bethlehem (wounding 12 Palestinians, 2 Israelis), East Jerusalem. In Ramallah, Bethlehem fighting dies down when officers fr. IDF, PA negotiate cease-fire, pullback. PM Netanyahu, Israel officials accuse PA of instigating violence. PA says outbursts were spontaneous reaction to 9/24 tunnel opening, months of closure. (MM 9/25; IDF Radio, IGPO, ITV, JTV, al-Quds al-Arabi, RMC 9/25 in WNC 9/27; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 9/26; MM 9/27; TJT 9/27 in WNC 10/1; MEI, PR 10/4)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak receives phone calls fr. Arafat, Netanyahu, appealing to Egypt to intervene to calm the situation in the territories; suggests holding Arafat-Netanyahu mtg. in Cairo. Mubarak adviser Baz holds urgent phone conversations with U.S. special envoy Ross. (RE 9/25, 9/26 in WNC 9/27; MBC 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

PM Netanyahu arrives in Paris, meets with Pres. Jacques Chirac, leaves for Bonn. (WP 9/26)

At the UN, Israeli FM Levy signs Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, briefs U.S. special envoy Ross on events in West Bank, Gaza. Ross says U.S. demands that Israel "make a gesture" concerning the tunnel. (ITV 9/25 in WNC 9/27; ITV 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak invites fmr. PM Peres to visit Cairo. Peres accepts but sets no date. (IDF Radio 9/25 in WNC 9/27)

Tel Aviv district court extends for 3 mos. the remand of Hizballah's Shaykh `Abd al-Karim Obeid (abducted fr. Lebanon in 7/89), fmr. Amal leader     Mustafa al-Dirani (abducted fr. Lebanon 5/21/94). (ITV 9/25 in WNC 9/27) (see 2/23)

ILMG opens 3d day of mtgs. to discuss issues raised 9/24 and new Lebanese complaints concerning Israel's expulsions 9/22, repeated Israeli attacks; releases statement stressing that firing fr. populated areas endangers civilians, Hizballah should refrain fr. carrying out attacks fr. or nr. villages. Lebanese FM Buwayz complains of U.S. bias toward Israel in ILMG. (RL 9/25, 9/26 in WNC 9/27; RL 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

In Damascus, Iranian, Syrian cultural attachés discuss expanding cultural ties. (IRNA 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

In Tel Aviv, PA, Israeli teams discuss safe-passage routes. (VOP 6/11, QY 6/12 in FBIS 6/12)

Likud's Roni Milo, Arafat adviser Husseini hold get acquainted mtg. in Tel Aviv. (ITV, VOP 6/11, QY 6/12 in FBIS 6/12; MM 6/12; QY 6/12, HA 6/13 in FBIS 6/13; MM 6/13)

In Ankara, Israel's Pres. Weizman meets with Turkey's Pres. Demirel. (MM 6/12) (see 6/4)

In a private mtg., PM-elect Netanyahu promises Qatzrin Local Council head Sami Bar-Lev that some 14,000 housing units will be built in Qatzrin settlement during his current term. (IDF Radio 6/13 in FBIS 6/13)

Fatah Central Comm. forms a 12-mbr. "emergency council" to revitalize the movement's activities in the West Bank, Gaza. In addition to Arafat, the council comprises: Tayyib `Abd al-Rahim, Uthman Abu Gharbiyya, Salwa Abu Khadra, Zakhariyya al-Agha, Hakam Bal'awi, Mustafa Barghouti, Rawhi Fattuh, Sakhr Habash, Faisal Husseini, Salah al-Qudwa, Abbas Zaki. (VOP 6/11 in FBIS 6/11)

PA police claim to have found drugs in the search of Sarraj's office 6/10. Sarraj's lawyers say drugs were planted. (NYT 6/11; WT 6/12; MEI 6/21)

In response to the 6/10 Hizballah attack, PM-elect Netanyahu reinforces troops in s. Lebanon, says that once he forms his government he will act against Hizballah. His chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Amnon Shahak, says IDF would not hesitate to strike at Hizballah targets in s. Lebanon villages even if it meant civilians would be hurt. Strong tone of statements worries Arab leaders. (RL 6/11 in FBIS 6/12; CSM, NYT, WT 6/12)

PM Rabin tells cabinet he will not suspend talks with Syria despite Hizballah attacks 3/31, only a diplomatic solution to the conflict is possible, Israel will not attempt a military solution; says Syria has promised Secy. of State Christopher it will restrain Hizballah. (MM 4/3)

Jordanian FM al-Kabariti, Syrian Amb. Mu`allim meet in Washington to discuss Syria's stand in talks with Israel. Mu`allim leaves for Syria to prepare for Ross visit. (RJ 4/2 in FBIS 4/4)

Russian FM Kozyrev meets with PM Rabin, Pres. Weizman, FM Peres in Jerusalem, discusses Israeli-Lebanese border tensions, NPT, Iran, peace process. (QY 4/2, HA 4/3 in FBIS 4/3)

Arafat advisor Husseini meets with Russian Dep. FM Viktor Posuvalyuk at Orient House to discuss Israeli obstacles to implementing DOP. (VOP 4/2 in FBIS 4/3)

PM Rabin approves 2,000 more work permits for Palestinian workers to enter Israel, bringing total to 27,000. (ITV 4/1 in FBIS 4/4)

Kamal Kahil, sr. mbr. of Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades and no. 15 on Israel's most-wanted list, 7 others die, 30 are wounded in explosion in Gaza allegedly triggered when Kahil, 1 other Hamas mbr. accidently detonate bomb they are making. Hamas accuses Israel of assassinating Kahil, plotting to turn public opinion against Hamas. (QY, RMC, VOP 4/2 in FBIS 4/3; MM, WP, WT 4/3; AFP, ITV, QPAR, QY, VOP 4/3 in FBIS 4/4; MM, NYT 4/4; NYT 4/7; VOP 4/8 in FBIS 4/10; MEI, 4/14; JP 4/15)

PA says it is holding 3 Palestinian policemen after frmr. collaborator is found dead in Gaza. (AFP 4/2 in FBIS 4/4) (see 4/1)

Hizballah, Amal hold mtg. in s. Lebanon to coordinate efforts against Israel. (RL 4/2 in FBIS 4/3)

FM Peres, Arafat meet to discuss PA plan for elections; agree to continue talks on 2 levels: btwn. Arafat and Rabin on troop withdrawal, transfer of power, security and btwn. Cairo teams to discuss implementation of 2d stage of DOP, elections, Palestinian detainees, borders, economy. (MM 12/21; ITV, QY, VOP 12/21, VOP 12/22 in FBIS 12/22; WT 12/22)

PM Rabin's office announces it will prevent an economic comm. workshop planned by PECDAR fr. being held in East Jerusalem, says PA is trying to create facts. (QY 12/21 in FBIS 12/21; PR 12/24)

PA begins issuing license plates for Palestinian vehicles. Cars with new plates are not yet allowed to cross into Israel, Egypt, Jordan. (PR 12/24)

Jordanian, Israeli tour operators hold conference in Amman, discuss developing tour packages in light of peace treaty. (JT 12/22 in FBIS 12/22)

Israeli Police M Moshe Shahal accuses PSF under direction of Col. Rajub of operating, conducting investigations secretly in Jerusalem. (Ma'ariv 12/21 in FBIS 12/22)

Car bomb explodes in Beirut, killing 3 (incl. 1 high-ranking mbr. of Hizballah), wounding 11. Hizballah, Lebanese PM Hariri blame Israel. (RL 12/21 in FBIS 12/22; NYT, WP, WT 12/22; RL 12/22 in FBIS 12/23; MEI 1/6)

Palestinian is shot dead in Tulkarm, West Bank. Kach takes responsibility. (IDF Radio 12/21 in FBIS 12/22)

Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Shaykh `Abd al-`Aziz Bin Baz issues fatwa saying it is permissible for Muslims to make permanent peace with Israel as long as it serves Islam, hence it would be sinful for anyone to oppose Saudi Arabia's steps toward normalized relations with Israel. (Al-Sha`b 12/25 in FBIS 1/9; NYT 1/31; MM 2/14)

Jordanian security court sentences 11 Islamists to death for plotting to destabilize the government through a series of bombings, assassinate leading officials. (RJ 12/21, JT 12/22 in FBIS 12/22; NYT 11/22)

PM Rabin addresses new Knesset, offering to travel to Arab capitals, inviting Palestinian delegation and Arab country leaders to Jerusalem, and calling for Palestinian acceptance of autonomy. Yitzhak Shamir addresses Knesset, offers praise for old admin., warnings and criticism for the new. Knesset approves new cabinet by a vote of 67 to 53, 17 new cabinet mbrs. sworn in. Pres. Bush congratulates Rabin, invites him to Kennebunkport, Maine, announces Secy. of State. Baker will travel to the region to meet with Rabin, Arab leaders. (ITV 7/13 in FBIS 7/14; NYT, WP 7/14)

Faisal Husseini, not considered part of the Palestinian negotiating team by PM Rabin because he is from Jerusalem, and therefore not among Rabin's 7/13 "invitees," offers counter-invitation fr Rabin to call him at home in Jerusalem. Husseini's position is seen as direct challenge to Syria, which sees Rabin as "carbon copy" of Shamir. (MM 7/14)

Fateh and Hamas sign new, more elaborate agreement to end violence in Gaza Strip as a result of NRC mediation (see 7/8, 10). Eightteen committees have been set up to enforce the agreement. (Qol Yisra'el 7/14 in FBIS 7/14)

Israeli undercover unit disguised as Arabs infiltrate, join 20 Hamas marchers in Gaza city. Hamas activist attacks 1 soldier, IDF opens fire; in ensuing confusion, 1 Hamas activist dies (from IDF bullets) as Hamas reportedly believes undercover IDF are Fateh activists. (Qol Yisra'el 7/13 in FBIS 7/14; MM 7/22)

Pres. Asad meets with Lebanese Pres. Ilyas al-Hirawi, joined later by VP 'Abd al-Halim Khaddam and FM Faruk al-Shara' in Damascus. (Syrian Arab TV 7/13 in FBIS 7/14)

SLA commander Antun Lahd categorically rejects Lebanese elections given current circumstances. (MM 7/14)

Israel, SLA shells Hizballah target, UNIFIL village of Yatar killing 1 civilian, in response to Islamic Resistance mortaring of "security zone" village of Bayt Lif. (MM 7/13; Radio Lebanon 7/13 in FBIS 7/14; WP 7/14)