The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized an irrigation pond in Bayt Dajan. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in al-Fara‘a refugee camp, claiming he threw an incendiary device at the forces during the raid. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian riding a motorbike in Nablus. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished agricultural structures in ‘Anata and delivered demolition notices against a wedding hall, a ceramic shop, a factory, and 2 car repair shops in Deir Sharaf. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Kafr Ein, Dura, Hebron, Nablus, Beita, al-Fara‘a refugee camp, Ya‘bad, Qalqilya, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/7; PCHR 9/8; UNOCHA 9/16)

In response to U.S. requests for Israel to change its rules of engagement as a measure of accountability for the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh on 6/11, Israel’s prime minister Yair Lapid said “no one will dictate open fire regulations to us when we are fighting for our lives.” Prime Minister Lapid further said of the killing of Abu Akleh that he would “not allow them to put an IDF soldier on trial who defended himself against fire from terrorists, just to receive a round of applause from the world.” Several independent investigations have found that no gunfire was detected around the Israeli soldiers who killed Abu Akleh. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, REU, TOI 9/7; HA, HA, MEMO 9/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Ya‘bad. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 5 Palestinians with live ammunition during a late-night raid in Balata refugee camp while securing the Joseph’s Tomb site for a settler incursion; others sustained tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 4 agricultural structures in Kafr ad-Dik and 1 agricultural structure in Bruqin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered stop-work notices for 1 mosque and 4 homes in Khashem al-Karam and seized 6 vehicles in al-Twana in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also uprooted 120 citrus and palm tree saplings and damaged water pipes in al-‘Awja. 40 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tuqu‘, Ya‘bad, Nablus, Balata refugee camp, Kobar, Beit Sira, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in al-Thawri. (AP, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/17; AJ, HA, MDW, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA 8/18; UNOCHA 8/19; UNOCHA 9/2)

Commander of the PA security forces Nidal Abu Dukhan met with Russian deputy defense minister Alexander Formin during a security conference in Moscow, discussing military and security cooperation. (REU 8/17; MEMO 8/18)

Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid and Türkiye president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed to restore full diplomatic ties during a phone call, reinstating ambassadors and consuls. Diplomatic ties between the 2 countries were severed in 2018 in the wake of the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU 8/17; ALM, HA 8/18)

Axios reported that U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken asked Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz to review Israel’s rules of engagement in the West Bank as a measure of accountability in relation to Israel’s killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. (AX 8/17; MEE 8/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Turmus ‘Ayya, damaging 2 vehicles. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Tulkarm, Tubas, Nablus, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities informed 1 Palestinian of their intention to remove his residency rights, giving him 30 days to appeal. 2 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA 9/3; PCHR 9/10; HA 9/15)

Palestinian factions, including the PA, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad, held a meeting via videoconference to discuss Palestinian unity across political factions. In a final communique, the factions stated that they are united against efforts to normalize the occupation, discussed rules of engagement with Israel, and confirmed their “commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state on the entire Occupied Palestinian Territory, with Jerusalem as its capital, and . . . that there will be no state in Gaza, and no state without Gaza.” (AJ, REU, WAFA 9/3; WAFA 9/4)

The Israeli high court of justice ruled that 1 Israeli soldier who shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor who had thrown a stone at the soldier’s car in July 2015 would not be tried in court despite a petition to do so. (HA 9/3)

In an unusual incident in Ramallah, 9 Israelis try to visit a Palestinian’s home for a fastbreaking meal, but stone-throwing Palestinian youths block them and set their vehicle on fire. PASF and IDF troops secure the group’s departure from the oPt. Meanwhile, the IDF arrests 3 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem and Tulkarm and patrols nr. Hebron and Ramallah throughout the day. Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to 2 residential buildings under construction and demolition notices to 4 structures nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 15 Palestinians during late-night raids in Ras al-Amud, Silwan, Qalandia r.c., and Wadi al-Juz. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish the bedouin village of al-Araqib for the 100th time in 6 years. (MNA, TOI 6/29; JP, PCHR 6/30; PCHR 7/14)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 1st of 5 planned days over the course of the next week. (OCHA 7/5)

Israel’s security cabinet approves the reconciliation deal with Turkey announced officially on 6/27. Only 3 ministers vote against it: DM Lieberman, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked. During a debate over the deal in the Knesset, MK Haneen Zoabi (Joint List) calls the IDF soldiers who raided the Mavi Marmara in 5/2010 “murderers,” sparking a heated confrontation with several right-wing MKs. Later, PM Netanyahu pledges to expel Zoabi from the Knesset. (HA, JP, YA 6/29).

Following pressure from the Israeli NGO Adalah, Israeli police make public portions of their new rules of engagement, approved by Israel’s atty.-gen. in 9/2015 amid the surge of violence. The new rules authorize the police to respond to stone- or firecracker-throwing with live fire. (JP 7/4; HA 7/5)

For the 4th day in a row, hundreds of Gazans gather along the s. border with Israel to protest the recent Israeli crackdown, and the IDF violently disperses them, injuring 2 and detaining 1 of dozens who briefly break through the border fence. In a related development, an Israeli military source says that the IDF’s Southern Command has ordered soldiers to focus on using tear gas and firing warning shots in the air in their efforts to disperse groups of Palestinians nr. the border fence. The source says there has been no official change in the rules of engagement, but that the IDF’s commanders hope to reduce the number of Palestinians killed in similar confrontations. Separately, off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 10/12; JP, 10/13; PCHR 10/15)

Small-scale attacks and stabbings continue amid the ongoing wave of violence in the oPt and Israel. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian man outside the Old City overnight after he allegedly attempts to stab a border police officer, according to the Israeli police, but Palestinian witnesses contest the claim. Later, 2 Palestinian youths attack a group of Israeli settlers nr. Shu‘fat, stabbing and seriously injuring 2. Israeli police shoot the attackers, killing 1 and injuring the other. Around the same time, Israeli police shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian youth after she stabs and injures 2 Israelis in Shaykh Jarrah. In West Jerusalem, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian on a bus nr. Chords Bridge after he attempts to stab 1 of them and take a gun. Meanwhile, IDF troops clash with and violently disperse Palestinians throwing stones and protesting in various neighborhoods in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, injuring 29 Palestinians. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in 1 village each nr. Salfit and Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths in both cases; 2 Palestinians are injured. Late at night, Israeli forces raid a village nr. Ramallah, surrounding a Palestinian’s home, firing live rounds through the windows, and sparking clashes with Palestinian stone-throwers, injuring 1 Palestinian and arresting 3. They arrest another Palestinian on a late-night raid nr. Hebron. In Israel, Israeli police arrest a senior official of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in Rahat on charges related to incitement. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/12; JP, MNA, YA 10/13; PCHR 10/15)

The Israeli Knesset passes, 41–11, the 1st reading of 2 bills designed to deter stone-throwing, including mandatory minimum sentences and the imposition of penalties on parents of minors convicted for such crimes. The 2 bills comprise several measures agreed to by the security cabinet on 9/24 and the full cabinet on 10/11 (key provisions of the measures will pass into law on 11/2). (JP, KNE 10/13)

Israel’s High Court of Justice reaffirms its 2014 order to demolish a synagogue in the West Bank settlement Givat Ze’ev, rejecting a petition from settler leaders. The court orders the synagogue’s demolition within 1 week (the demolition deadline will be delayed to 11/19, following another petition). (JP 10/13)

Marking the 3d such attack in 3 days, Sarayat al-Shaykh Umar Hadid fighters fire a rocket from Gaza into Israel nr. Ashqelon, causing no damage or injuries. Earlier in the day, the IDF deploys an Iron Dome missile defense battery nr. Sderot. Meanwhile,Israeli naval forces open fire on Gazan fishing boats, causing no damage. In the West Bank, around 2,000 Israeli settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus under an IDF escort, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 1 IDF soldier is lightly injured. Palestinians throw stones at Israeli cars nr. Hebron and Jerusalem, and later at an Egged bus nearby, causing minor damage. In Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, PASF troops disperse around 300 Palestinians protesting the PASF’s alleged use of excessive force in recent confrontations, including on 9/18. Israeli soldiers assault 2 Palestinian women during a raid nr. Hebron, demolish 5 Palestinian stores n. of Jerusalem, and patrol nr. Hebron and Qalqilya. Israeli forces conduct a series of raids throughout East Jerusalem neighborhoods, arresting 21 and sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians (1 is injured) (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 9/20; HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/21; PCHR 10/1)

In response to a statement released by PM Netanyahu’s office on 9/19, Israeli atty. gen. Weinstein says that he has not approved increasing minimum sentences for those convicted of throwing stones or Molotov cocktails and that he opposes changing the Israeli police’s rules of engagement in East Jerusalem. After meeting with Weinstein and the security cabinet, Netanyahu backs off his proposal. According to a statement released by his office, Netanyahu is “leaning toward the idea raised in the meeting to stiffen penalties— setting mandatory minimum penalties for stone-throwers by means of a temporary provision that would be in place for a year at the first stage.” (HA, JP, TOI, YA 9/20)

During clashes sparked by a raid in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiyya, Israeli forces shoot a 13-year-old Palestinian in the head with a rubber-coated bullet, seriously injuring him and arresting 7 Palestinians. Enforcing PM Netanyahu’s pledge to crack down on stone-throwers, Israeli forces arrest at least 20 Palestinians during night raids in Issawiyya, Silwan, and Jabal Mukabir. Throughout several other East Jerusalem neighborhoods, Israeli forces clash with Palestinians throwing stones and protesting the recent access restrictions at Haram al-Sharif, injuring several Palestinians and arresting 11. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians protesting restrictions in East Jerusalem and at Haram al-Sharif, injuring a 14-year-old Palestinian with live ammunition nr. Qalqilya. They also patrol in Jenin and Jenin r.c., arresting 3 Palestinians and sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths (another Palestinian is seriously injured, then arrested). Israeli forces patrol during the day around Hebron and Qalqilya. Nr. Nablus, an Israeli settler opens fire on a Palestinian vehicle, causing no injuries. Israeli settlers also clog a Palestinian water well nr. Bethlehem with dirt and rocks to prevent its use. For a 2d day, unknown persons launch a rocket from Gaza toward Israel, and it lands short of the border fence. (MNA, WAFA 9/19; JP, MNA, WAFA 9/20; PCHR, WAFA 10/1)

PM Netanyahu’s office releases a statement saying that the Israeli police are working on a new proposal to change their rules of engagement in East Jerusalem and to increase penalties on those convicted of throwing stones or Molotov cocktails. (TOI 9/19; JP, YA 9/20)

Following 3 days of clashes in East Jerusalem, Israeli PM Netanyahu announces that “a modification of the rules of engagement will be examined as well as the establishment of a minimum penalty for those who throw stones”. Netanyahu also speaks with U.S. secy. of state John Kerry by phone and assures him that Israel intends to maintain the status quo at Haram al-Sharif. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, 9/16; YA 9/17; HA 9/19)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli police assault 2 Islamic Waqf guards and a number of Palestinian women at Haram al-Sharif after they attempt to confront several right-wing Jewish activists in the sanctuary. They also arrest 3 Palestinians in the Old City. In Gaza, unknown assailants fire a rocket toward Israel, and it falls short of the border nr. Dayr al-Balah. Meanwhile, the Israeli authorities permit 500 Palestinian farmers to access their land (3,500 to 4,000 dunams, or 863 to 988 acres) along the border with Israel, from which they have been barred for 15 years. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct late-night raids and house searches in and around Hebron, arresting 6 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 1; patrol nr. Hebron and Ramallah during the day. Israeli forces deliver a stop-work order to a home under construction in a village nr. Hebron. (TOI, WAFA 9/16; MNA, PCHR 9/17; PCHR 10/1)

In the West Bank, the IDF orders temporary alterations to its rules of engagement, responding to the increased tensions since the 7/31 arson attack. Israeli soldiers are now required to hold their fire unless their lives are in immediate danger, and are only permitted to fire shots in the air toward a fleeing suspect rather than at the lower body. Israeli forces demolish multiple residential units in the n. Jordan Valley overnight. IDF troops conduct raids in c. Hebron and a nearby village, arresting 1 Palestinian and assaulting and lightly injuring 2; patrol in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Qalqilya, and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces deny a group of Palestinian youths entrance to Haram al-Sharif for the 2d day in a row, then they detain a Palestinian woman and youth suspected of assaulting Israeli officers in the sanctuary. Israeli forces also demolish a store in al-Tur and a commercial building in the Qalandia industrial zone n. of the city; patrol in Silwan and Issawiyya, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths. (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/11; HA, JP, TOI 8/12; PCHR 8/13)

The IPS says talks broke down today with the Palestinian prisoners who declared a campaign of disobedience in the Nafha and Ramon Prisons on 8/10. IPS reportedly offered to lift the restrictions after 6 mos. while the prisoners demanded they be lifted immediately. (MNA 8/11)

Chile recognizes “a sovereign Palestine,” but says the borders must be agreed with Israel. (JP 2/5)

In the West Bank, the PASF releases fr. a Hebron jail 6 Hamas mbrs. who had been on hunger strike for 43 days, protesting their detention without charge. Hrs. later, late at night, IDF undercover units raid Hebron to detain 5 of the 6 men. Storming 1 apartment, undercover units fatally shoot a 66-yr.-old Palestinian man asleep in his bed, mistaking him for the most wanted of the 5 Hamas mbrs. they sought, who lived in another apartment in the same building. The IDF initially says the man ran at soldiers when they entered and soldiers shot in self-defense, but the blood-stained pillow and mattress confirm his wife’s story that he was asleep when soldiers entered firing, raising questions about the IDF’s rules of engagement. Hamas accuses the PA of colluding with Israel to rearrest the men. IDF troops also patrol in villages nr. Ramallah and Tulkarm. Meanwhile, IDF troops on the Gaza border shell armed Palestinians laying a roadside bomb nr. the border fence, causing no Palestinian injuries; at least 1 mortar goes astray hitting an IDF unit, killing 1 Israeli soldier and wounding 4. Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 mortar fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. West Bank Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists in some areas) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Dayr Nizam/ Nabi Salih. Fmr. EU official Luisa Morgantini and 5 observers from the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights take part in the Bil‘in demonstration. IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters; 4 Palestinians are lightly injured and 1 is arrested. (AFP 1/7; NYT, WP 1/8; PCHR 1/13; OCHA 1/14)

In the morning, members of the Palestinian Popular Resistance Comm. (PRCs), retaliating for the death of an Islamic Jihad mbr. on 8/16, fire 2 mortars across the s. Gaza border at IDF troops operating inside Israel, lightly injuring 2; the IDF returns fire but no injuries are reported. Late in the evening, the IDF responds with 6 air strikes targeting a deserted house near the c. Gaza border e. of Gaza Valley village (destroying it, a well, and damaging a nearby factory) and several smuggling tunnels on the Rafah border, causing no injuries. During the day, IDF troops make a brief incursion in to s. Gaza to level lands e. of Abassan to clear lines of sight; fire warning shots at Palestinians staging a nonviolent march to the Erez crossing to protest Israel’s imposition of a no-go zone along the border, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, Jewish settlers fr. Karnei Shomron settlement nr. Qalqilya stone passing Palestinian vehicles, causing no injuries. An Israeli court rules that Israel is responsible for the 1/2007 death of a 10-yr.-old Palestinian girl who was fatally shot by Israeli border police while observing a Palestinian demonstration from a distance; the border police alleged she was hit by a rock thrown by protesters, but the court finds that “there cannot be any dispute . . . that Abir was hit by a rubber bullet fired by border police, meaning the fire was conducted either due to negligence or violation of the rules of engagement.” (JP 8/17; AFP 8/18; PCHR 8/19; OCHA 8/20)

Lebanon passes a law granting the country’s approximately 400,000 Palestinian refugees the same rights to work as other foreigners and giving them access to social security benefits, easing decades of restrictions that had barred them from all but menial jobs. (NYT 8/18) 

In Vienna, Arafat meets Austrian chancellor Victor Klima. (Oesterreich Eins Radio Network 3/21 in WNC 3/22)

First lady Hillary Clinton, daughter Chelsea arrive in Egypt for 5 day visit on 1st leg of N. African tour. (MENA 3/21 in WNC 3/22)

PM Netanyahu arrives in Kiev for brief talks with Ukrainian pres. Leonid Kuchma on bilateral economic relations, preventing flow of nuclear know-how to Iran. He then heads to Moscow for 2 days of similar talks with Russian officials. (ITAR-TASS 3/21 in WNC 3/22; MM 3/22, 3/25; MEI 3/26; Zerkalo Nedeli [Kiev] 3/27 in WNC 4/7)

Israel's High Court rules that the more than 600 bedouin who entered Israel fr. Egypt and requested asylum face no danger fr. the Egyptian government, clearing the way for their deportation. (WP 3/22; CSM, NYT 3/23; PR 3/26) (see 3/15)

King Abdallah of Jordan issues royal decree naming his wife, Rania, queen. Queen Nur, wife of the late King Hussein, will be known as "queen mother." (NYT, WP 3/22)

Israeli judge quashes atty. gen.'s request to review the High Court's decision not to extradite Sheinbein to the U.S., allowing Sheinbein to be formally indicted on murder charges on 3/22. Even if convicted in Israel, Sheinbein would face prosecution if he returned to the U.S. (WP 3/22, 3/23; WJW 3/25; WP 3/28; JP 4/2)

Saudi Arabia acknowledges that it refuses to allow U.S. planes based in the kingdom to take part in raids on Iraq, that it objects to loosened rules of engagement. (NYT 3/22)

Protest by Palestinian political prisoners against their detention in Israel's Megiddo jail turns into riot, injuring 3 Israeli policemen. Meanwhile, 44 Palestinians held in PA jails without charge end mo.-long hunger strike (see 2/12), claiming that they have reached an agmt. with the PA to resolve their case. (AFP [Internet] 3/1; PR 3/5)

A Palestinian is shot, wounded by IDF when he tries to avoid a road block nr. Ramallah. (PR 3/5)

Jordanian, Israeli water officials meet in Amman to prepare funding proposals to the EU for joint water projects in the Jordan Valley. (JT 3/2 in WNC 3/4; al-Ayyam 3/3 in WNC 3/5)

Jordanian FM `Abdallah Khatib makes 1st high-level Jordanian visit to Kuwait since the 1990+n91 Gulf conflict. Kuwait says that bilateral relations have returned to normal. (Petra-JNA, Radio Kuwait 3/2, JT 3/3 in WNC 3/4; MM, WP 3/3; Xinhua 3/3 in WNC 3/5)

Pentagon confirms that the U.S., Britain, Turkey have signed their 1st agmt. on technical rules of engagement for air operations in n. Iraq, broadening rules of engagement for pilots for 2d time since 1/25. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/2)

Israel's atty. gen. files formal request for a larger group of High Court justices to reconsider the 2/25 decision not to extradite Sheinbein. (WP 3/2; WJW 3/4, 3/11)

Results of Iran's 2/26 local elections show that reform candidates allied with moderate Pres. Mohamed Khatami won a sweeping victory, taking all seats in Tehran, most seats nationwide. (WP, WT 3/2; NYT, WP, WT 3/3; MM, NYT, WP 3/8)

Lebanese brace for escalation in Israeli attacks following 2/28 incident. Israel's security cabinet threatens future strikes, but under strong international pressure, the IDF stages no attacks. (RL 3/1 in WNC 3/2; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 3/2; ITAR-TASS, MA 3/2 in WNC 3/4)

Washington, opened 1/24, adjourns without reported progress. (Qol Yisra'el 2/3 in FBIS 2/3; MM 2/4)

Multilateral Working Group on Arms Control and Regional Security ends Cairo mtg. opened 1/30 after discussing Russian-U.S. working paper, IAEA proposals. (MENA 2/3 in FBIS 2/4)

IDF soldier in truck, firing at stone-throwers in Shatti camp, Gaza Strip, critically wounds 13-yr.-old Mahmud Abu Hajar. IDF spokesman admits soldier's action violates IDF rules of engagement. (MM 2/3; NYT, WP 2/4)

IDF undercover unit disguised as women and old men kills Fateh Hawks' leader Salim Muafi, 29, in surprise attack in Rafah, Gaza Strip. Hawks announce they will no longer obey PLO Chmn. Arafat's orders, escalate "armed struggle." IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Ehud Barak calls Muafi's killing a "great achievement." (WP 2/4)

IDF arrests 15 settlers attempting to establish new settlement nr. Maale Adumin, West Bank. (Qol Yisra'el 2/3 in FBIS 2/4)

Israeli Ag. Min. program comm. approves expansion of Moshav Ramot, Maale Gamla settlements in Golan Heights. (MM 2/4)

U.S. Agency for International Development releases $7 m. in aid to Palestinian Housing Council in East Jerusalem to fund 192 apartments in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip. Money is 1st installment of $500 m. pledged to support Israel-PLO DoP. (MM, WT 2/4)

Jordan reduces staff of Iranian embassy in Amman by 21 in move interpreted as Jordanian disapproval of Tehran's support for anti-DoP groups. (AFP 2/3 in FBIS 2/3; WP 2/4)

Zionist Organization of America, National Jewish Coalition circulate Time magazine columns by Dep. Secy. of State-designate Strobe Talbott criticizing Israeli policy in campaign to stop his nomination. Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs issues news release saying Talbott's views are reason he "should be disqualified" fr. post. Other Jewish groups, led by Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, meet with Talbott and refuse to condemn him as anti-Israel. (MM, NYT 2/4)

"Seeds of Peace" organization presents awards to Israeli FM Peres, PLO UN Observer Muhammad Nasir al-Kidwa, and Egyptian UN amb. Nabil al-'Arabi. Group put together Israeli, Arab children for summer camp, was present at 9/13 DoP signing. (NYT 2/5)