The Palestine Chronology

On the 4th day of Palestinian-Israeli clashes, another attempt to secure a cease-fire fails, and rioting spreads to Israeli cities, including Acre, Jaffa, Nazareth, Tel Aviv, and Israeli Arab towns across the Galilee. In Umm al-Fahm, 1 Israeli Arab is shot dead by Israeli police, sparking massive rioting. In the West Bank and Gaza, the IDF rolls out heavy weapons--including tanks, antitank missiles, attack helicopters, grenades--to combat stone-throwing Palestinians, resulting in another 12 Palestinian fatalities, over 200 Palestinians wounded. The 1st IDF soldier is killed in street clashes (see 9/29). Jewish settlers in Jerusalem open fire on a Palestinian car, killing a toddler. The 1st confirmed incidents of Palestinians shooting at IDF troops take place in Gaza and Ramallah, but no IDF injuries are reported. The IDF places a 24-hr. curfew on Palestinians in Hebron. Israel states that its troops have "exercised restraint," accuses the PA of "orchestrating a campaign of spreading violence for political gain." Clinton phones Arafat to urge him to halt the violence; says that once the fighting stops, he will convene PA, Israeli security officials for a fact-finding session "to figure out what went wrong." (PCHR 10/1; IRNA, MENA 10/1 in WNC 10/2; AFP 10/1, IRNA 10/2 in WNC 10/3; AP, CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/2; HA [Internet], MM, NYT 10/3; MEI 10/13)

On his 1st official visit abroad as head of state, Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad arrives in Cairo to meet with Pres. Mubarak. Talks touch on bilateral relations, the peace process, Jerusalem. (MENA 10/1 in WNC 10/2, 10/3)

In Amman, Jordanians, Palestinians demonstrate against Israel's use of excessive force against Palestinians. (JT 10/5 in WNC 10/6)

The PA issues a statement saying that it "distances itself from statements made by Suha Arafat" made during Hillary Clinton's visit to Ramallah on 11/11, saying the criticisms of Israel were her own and not the PA's. The announcement was made immediately after U.S. Consul General John Herbst met with Arafat in Gaza to demand an apology. (WT 11/25, 11/28)

The Vatican criticizes Israel for its handling of the Nazareth dispute (see 11/22), saying Israel is laying the "groundwork for future contradictions and tensions" btwn. Christians, Muslims. Muslims hold a ceremony to lay the cornerstone for the new mosque. 100s of Israeli riot police deploy around Nablus, but no demonstrations or clashes are reported. (ANSA 11/23, AYM 11/24 in WNC 11/26; NYT, WP, WT 11/24; WJW 12/2; JP 12/3; ANSA 12/3 in WNC 12/6; MEI 12/10)

Jordanian police shoot, wound, arrest a man who fired a toy gun at security guards outside the Israeli emb. in Amman. (AFP 11/23 in WNC 11/24; NYT, WP 11/24; JT 11/24 in WNC 11/26)

IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem. (LAW 11/23)

Overnight, Jewish settlers set up 4 tents on a hill nr. Bethlehem. Israel says the IDF will dismantle the unauthorized enclave if the YESHA settlers council cannot persuade the settlers to leave voluntarily. (MM 11/23)

In Amman, 2,000 Jordanians attend solidarity rally organized by Hamas and professional unions in support of Hamas mbrs. deported on 11/21, call on the Jordanian government to step down. (JT 11/24 in WNC 11/26)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: A-Sha'b editor Salah Zuhaykah begins 2d consecutive town arrest order [FJ 9/20]. Prisoners at Tulkarm Prison launch hunger strike, refuse to see visitors to protest harsh treatment [FJ 9/27]. Curfew on Dahayshah refugee camp is lifted [FJ 9/27]. Unidentified arsonists attempt to burn 27 Israeli cars in French Hill section of Jerusalem. Residents extinguish fires [FJ 9/27]. Body of murdered Nadir al-Zu'bi is found in Nazareth [FJ 9/27]. U.S. company negotiating to drill new well near Bethlehem withdraws from project [FJ 9/27]. U.S. consul in Jerusalem visits home of Walid Zurba [FJ 9/27]. Israeli crews bulldoze 120 dunams of grapevines and fig trees on Arab-owned land in Gaza's al-Zaytun quarter [FJ 9/27]. Israeli court decides in favor of Mahmud Jarallah in 10-year-long dispute with Israeli company over ownership of 1,000 dunams of land in Yallo, near Ramallah [FJ 9/27]. Mustafa 'Abd al-Nabi Natshah, former mayor of Hebron, is prevented from traveling to Britain [FJ 9/27].

Arab World: Businesses throughout Lebanon close in 1-day strike to demand government take action to stabilize economy [CSM 9/23]. Dr. Nabil al-Ja'bari, chairman of board of trustees of Hebron U., and Mukhlis al-Hamuri, director of public relations, arrive in Amman [FJ 9/27].

Other Countries: Accused hijacker Fawwaz Yunis is denied bail in U.S. court [WP, NYT 9/23].