The Palestine Chronology

Reversing his 7/16 decision, PM Rabin promises Rachel's tomb will remain under full Israeli control, Jews will have access to Machapela Cave (Hebron), Joseph's tomb (Nablus), comm. of MKs fr. religious parties will be set up to advise Israeli negotiators on holy sites in West Bank. (MM 7/25; JP 7/25 in FBIS 7/25; MA, QY 7/26 in FBIS 7/26; JP 8/5)

U.S. Amb. to Israel Indyk holds prescheduled mtg. with MKs Arye Deri, David Levi, Moshe Qatzav, Nisim Zvili, Gedalya Gal. (MM 7/26; HA 7/28 in FBIS 7/30)

At Tulkarm checkpoint, Palestinian workers upset by delays in entering Israel despite their permits begin riot. IDF shoots, wounds 2. (PR 8/4)

PA police arrest 20 Hamas mbrs. in connection with 7/24 attack. (AFP 7/25 in FBIS 7/26)

Knesset approves establishment of 1-man breakaway faction fr. Moledet named Right of Israel. Party head MK Sha'ul Gutman will keep his seat, likely align with Kach. (JP 7/25 in FBIS 7/26) (see 7/19)

U.S. immigration (INS) officials detain, strip search Hamas mbr. Abu Marzuq, his wife, and 6 children on entry to the U.S. at Kennedy airport. While out of the country, Abu Marzuq, a permanent U.S. resident who has lived in Virginia for 14 yrs., was placed on the INS terrorism watch list on suspicion of being a Hamas decision maker, fund-raiser for Hamas. He may either be tried in the U.S., extradited to Israel (if requested), or deported to the UAE (his point of departure for the U.S.). (WP 7/27; NYT, WT 7/28; MEI 8/4) (see 5/31)

In s. Lebanon, 1 SLA mbr. killed, 3 wounded when Hizballah mbrs. detonate roadside bomb.

PA Economics M Qurai` says 7/25 target date for signing accord will be missed, intensive talks will continue; cites water, redeployment, security as major sticking points. (WT 7/23; CSM, NYT 7/24)

At weekly PA cabinet mtg., Planning M Shaath says Israel has agreed to release 2,541 Palestinian prisoners in 2 groups: 1st when interim agmt. is signed, 2d 2 mos later. 2,200 of those prisoners will be Hamas, Islamic Jihad mbrs. (VOP 7/22 in FBIS 7/24) (see 7/20)

Israeli Civil Administration expropriates 18 dunums of Palestinian farm land nr. Jenin for construction of military bases following IDF redeployment. (HA 7/23 in FBIS 7/26)

IDF detains 3 American peace activists after they force open gates to the Islamic College of Hebron. Army reseals gates, which were welded shut following Palestinian antioccupation demonstrations in 1988. (WP, WT 7/23; JP 7/29)

PM Rabin says Syria is proposing that an ambassadors mtg. be held with military experts on site to participate as needed; calls this a violation of the 4-stage U.S. formula that Israel, Syria agreed to 3/22; says Israel will continue ambassadorial talks but will not allow Rabinovitch to discuss detailed security issues. (QY 7/17 in FBIS 7/17; QY 7/17 in FBIS 7/18; MM 7/18, 7/20)

Arafat receives Cypriot FM Alexandros Mikhailidhis, discusses Cypriot role in monitoring Palestinian elections. (VOP 7/17 in FBIS 7/20)

With PM Rabin's consent, settlers move 1st 6 of 18 mobile homes onto Hazayit hill nr. Efrat. 12 other families occupy empty apartments in Kiryat Arba to "stake their claim" before the IDF redeploys. (JP 7/18 in FBIS 7/18) (see 7/13)

Israel, PA begin intensive, week-long negotiations to finalize West Bank deal by 7/25. In Zichron Ya'acov, 150 Israeli, Palestinian negotiators break into 4 negotiating committees (on redeployment and security, water, elections, transfer of authority) to begin drafting self-rule accord. (WT 7/16; QY, VOP 7/16 in FBIS 7/17; CSM, MM, NYT 7/17)

PM Rabin announces that partial control for Jewish religious sites such as Rachel's tomb in Bethlehem, Joseph's tomb in Nablus, the Altar of Joshua on Mount Ebal, the Herodian mountain, the Qumran caves, other archaeological sites in West Bank eventually will be turned over to the PA. PA will have total control of access roads to the sites. (QY 7/16 in FBIS 7/17; MM 7/17; WJW 7/20) (see 7/10)

Israeli cabinet meets to discuss methods of financing redeployment, projected costs. (QY 7/16 in FBIS 7/18)

Russian Dep. FM Posuvalyuk meets with Syrian FM al-Shara` in Damascus, discusses bilateral relations, peace process. (SARR 7/16 in FBIS 7/17; MM 7/17)

Israeli Dep. DM Gur, best known for capturing Temple Mount fr. Jordan during the 1967 war, commits suicide nr. Tel Aviv. He was suffering fr. inoperable cancer. (QY 7/16 in FBIS 7/17; MM, WT 7/17, JP 7/22)

Syria says it will not send military chief of staff Gen. Shihabi to upcoming talks with Israel in Washington unless Israel drops demands for early warning station on the Golan, use of IDF soldiers in a multilateral observer force. FM Peres says talks have reached a crisis point, fault lays entirely with Syrians. (MM 7/17; CSM 7/17, 7/18; WJW 7/20; JP 7/22)

In East Jerusalem, Austrian Secy. of State Benita-Maria Gerrero-Waldner attends opening of clinic build with Austrian funds, visits Orient House; says she supports PA demands for sovereignty over East Jerusalem, has no plans of mtg. with Israeli officials. (QY 7/15 in FBIS 7/20)

IMF Dep. Dir. Stanley Fischer says Israel no longer needs financial aid, would serve itself better by demonstrating economic independence; notes Israel has had greater export growth since 1948 than Japan. (JP 7/15)

Israel, PA reach tentative accord on transfer of West Bank agriculture, labor, local administration spheres; agree to table water issues for now. (CSM 7/13)

Israel, PA scrap idea of moving talks fr. Egypt to Italy because of Egypt's protests, Arafat's strong preference to keep negotiations in the region; say talks will resume in Egypt or Israel 7/14. PA Economic M Qurai` thanks Italy for hosting "three sessions of negotiations [that] have taken place in Italy in recent days, far from the media"--leading to speculation secret talks are being held. (QY 7/12 in FBIS 7/12; AFP, VOP 7/12 in FBIS 7/13; AFP 7/13 in FBIS 7/17; al-Majd 7/17 in FBIS 7/18) (see 7/10, 7/11)

In Damascus, U.S. envoy Ross holds follow-up mtg. with Syrian FM al-Shara`; returns to Israel, briefs PM Rabin; meets with Arafat in Gaza, assures him U.S. attaches importance to the conclusion of an agmt. on the next stage of self rule. (SARR 7/12, QY 7/13 in FBIS 7/13; al-Hayat 7/14 in FBIS 7/17)

Arafat meets with Russian charge d'affaires on Russia's decision to open a liaison mission to the PA; briefs Turkish consul general on current status of talks with Israel. (VOP 7/12 in FBIS 7/13)

PA Local Government M Saeb Erakat meets with EU rep. Thomas Dupla about EU supervision of elections; briefs U.S. Consul Gen. Abington on latest events in the peace process. (VOP 7/12 in FBIS 7/13)

15 prominent Orthodox rabbis call on IDF soldiers to disobey any orders to redeploy, remove army bases fr. the West Bank. PM Rabin says appeal is a call for "anarchy," asks atty. gen. to see whether rabbis should be prosecuted. (MM 7/12; QY 7/12 in FBIS 7/13; MM, NYT, WP 7/13; CSM, WT 7/14; CSM 7/17; WJW 7/20; MEI 7/21; JP 7/22)

Shin Bet tells PM Rabin that Hamas has shown no signs of trying to carry out attacks for 3 wks, they suspect the slowdown is a product of Hamas aspirations to take part in elections. (IDF Radio 7/12 in FBIS 7/14)

In keeping with call by settler leaders 7/10, 100s of settlers block West Bank highway, try to move trailers into Hazayit hill to expand Efrat settlement; 42 are arrested by IDF. (MM 7/12; QY 7/12 in FBIS 7/12; NYT 7/13; JP 7/22)

In Jerusalem, U.S. special envoy Ross meets with Israeli leaders, incl. PM Rabin, to prepare for 2d phase of talks btwn. Syrian, Israeli military experts. Ross also participates in a PA-Israeli session on redeployment at an undisclosed location. (MM 7/10; MENA, QY 7/10 in FBIS 7/10; CSM 7/11; al-Hayat 7/14 in FBIS 7/17)

Syria says Ross visit must achieve "progress in the right direction" on 4 demands if military experts are to join the next round of talks in Washington: Israeli withdrawal to 1967 border; no Israeli early warning sites on Syrian territory; equal and balanced security arrangements; Israeli withdrawal before normalization. (MM 7/10)

Israel, PA say they will move talks on widening self-rule to a military base in Florence, Italy this week; hope that keeping talks out of the limelight will help them reach an accord by 7/25. (NYT 7/11; WT 7/12)

PM Rabin, FM Peres tell cabinet mbrs. they are planning to set up 18 PA police stations in areas under IDF control, transfer responsibility for several religious sites to the PA. (ITV 7/10 in FBIS 7/11)

Australian FM Evans meets with FM Peres, insists Israel back down from its positions on Jerusalem, NPT. Peres says requests are "totally out of the question." (QY 7/10, HA 7/11 in FBIS 7/11)

PM Rabin meets with right-wing settler leaders to discuss transfer of power in the West Bank to the PA, guarantees their security under any agmt. Settlers threaten civil insurrection; make plans to "lay siege" to Rabin's office, permanently block roads in West Bank, clash with PA police at every opportunity. (WT 7/12; JP 7/22)

Israeli negotiator Savir says Israel will keep control of West Bank security after it redeploys. (WT 7/9)

5 Palestinians, 1 Israeli wounded in clashes in Jenin, Jerusalem. (WT 7/9)

IDF fires antipersonnel shells at alleged Hizballah positions in s. Lebanon, killing 3 Lebanese children, wounding 5. UN protests use of the shells, which are banned by international conventions. (CSM, WT 7/10; QY, RL 7/9, IDF Radio 7/10 in FBIS 7/10; MM 7/10; RL 7/11 in FBIS 7/11; JP 7/15; MEI 7/21)

In Cairo, mtg. of the technical comm. on refugees closes without any progress. (VOP 7/6 in FBIS 7/11)

Israeli Interior Min. reports that an unprecedented number of Jerusalem Arabs are requesting Israeli citizenship: 687 heads of households in 1st 6 mos of 1995 in comparison with 430 in all of 1994; 260 in 1993; 170 in 1992. (JP 7/6 in FBIS 7/6)

Palestinian prisoners end hunger strike after an announcement that the Israel-PA deal extending self-rule in the West Bank will include a staged prisoner release. (VOP 7/6 in FBIS 7/6; PR 7/9; QY 7/9 in FBIS 7/10; CSM, WP, WT 7/10)

Settlers block Qalqiliyya-Nablus road, move mobile homes onto hill nr. Kedumim settlement in protest over planned IDF redeployment. (MM 6/7)

IDF raids Jenin Waqf office, confiscates alleged Hamas material. (QY 7/9 in FBIS 7/12)

In Gaza, Arafat, FM Peres sketch out principles of deal on West Bank self-rule, elections; overcome most differences on security for Zone B areas; agree to form comm. to discuss future of Hebron; appoint new, expanded teams (led by PA Economics M Qurai`, Israeli FMin. Dir. Gen. Uri Savir) to hammer out agmt. by 7/25. Deal will include prisoner release. (AFP, ITV, VOP 7/4, QY 7/5 in FBIS 7/5; NYT, WP, WT 7/5; HA, ITV, QY, VOP 7/5, al-Hayat 7/6 in FBIS 7/6; CSM 7/6; JP 7/7 in FBIS 7/11; PR 7/9; WP 7/10)

IDF says number of anti-Israeli attacks in s. Lebanon has increased by 50% since beginning of 1995, while incidents in West Bank, Gaza have dropped by 50%. Number of incidents in Jerusalem have remained unchanged. (QY 7/4 in FBIS 7/7)

King Hussein initiates mtg. with David Levy in Paris, discusses peace process, says Levy has "an important role" to play on the Israeli political scene. (IDF Radio 7/4 in FBIS 7/5)

Knesset debates bill presented by Matza that would force PA to close 14 institutions operating in Jerusalem. Matza is only able to provide evidence of activity for 4. Of those, the PA agrees to close 3: the statistics, housing, and information bureaus. (JP 7/4 in FBIS 76) (see 2/10)

In Kfar Sava, 25,000 right-wing Israelis led by Likud's Netanyahu demonstrate against planned IDF redeployment. (MM 7/4)

In 2 clashes btwn. Hizballah, IDF in s. Lebanon, 2 IDF soldiers are killed, 5 wounded. IDF responds by shelling suspected Hizballah positions n. of self-declared security zone. (RL 7/3 in FBIS 7/3; MM, WP 7/4; JP 7/15)

Arafat, FM Peres meet for 8 hrs. at Erez in unsuccessful last-minute attempt to reach an agmt. before 7/1 deadline passes. Peres rejects PA demand for control of security in villages, refugee camps nr. Jewish settlements, joint patrols on roads to settlements; says Israel must maintain "overriding responsibility" for all security. Arafat calls for redeployment over 2 mos fr. all major West Bank towns, incl. Hebron, to be completed 3 wks before elections. (WP, WT, NYT 7/2; IDF Radio, ITV, QY 7/2 in FBIS 7/3; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 7/3; al-Quds 7/3 in FBIS 7/5; MEI 7/7; JP 7/8)

In several towns throughout the West Bank, IDF clashes with Palestinians demonstrating in support of prisoners; 150 Palestinians are injured, 1 killed. Israel says it is willing to quickly release over 1,000 prisoners but is arguing with the PA over precise numbers, timing, conditions for release. (ITV 7/1 in FBIS 7/3; NYT, WP 7/2)

Hamas accuses the PA of shaving off the hair, beards of 3 leaders (Mahmud Zahhar, Ahmad Bahar, Salama Safadi) who have been detained since 6/25 explosion. (NYT 7/2, 7/10)

Syrian-Israeli talks end with sides agreeing on general needs but, to the U.S.'s chagrin, not discussing specifics. Pres. Clinton briefly meets with Syrian, Israeli generals at the White House. (WT 6/28; QY 6/29 in FBIS 6/29; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/30; AFP, Davar 6/30, SARR 7/1 in FBIS 7/3; SATN 6/29, AFP 6/30 in FBIS 7/5; MEI 7/7; JP 7/8)

In Cairo, Israeli-PA talks on transfer of authority, elections, redeployment close. In transfer talks, sides agree on principle of giving PA control of all civilian spheres before elections, but talks stick on agriculture, electricity. Elections talks stick on size of council, Jerusalem. (MM 6/29; MENA 6/29 in FBIS 7/3)

A 2d briefing paper prepared by the IDF Planning Branch for the Israeli-Syrian talks is leaked to the press. (ITV 6/29, HA, IDF Radio, ITV 6/30 in FBIS 7/3; SARR 7/5 in FBIS 7/5; Davar 6/29 in FBIS 7/7)

Jerusalem City Council passes Mayor Ehud Olmert's decision to give PLO 2 wks. to request rezoning for Orient House or face legal action for violating the building code by running an office in a building zoned for a hotel. (JP 6/30 in FBIS 7/3)

In Hebron, Israeli border police kill wanted Hamas mbr. Taher Kapisha. IDF then orders neighboring Palestinian families to leave their homes, bulldozes their houses, destroys 100s of trees. (MM 6/29; QY 6/29 in FBIS 6/30; MEI 7/7; JP 7/8; PR 7/9)

Senate votes for 45-day extension of U.S. assistance to the PLO, scheduled to expire 6/30, based on the MEPFA; reinstates original MEPFA, overturning Sen. D'Amato's proposed amendments. (Near East Report 7/3) (see 6/12)

Hizballah fires 10 rockets into n. Israel, hitting Club Med resort, wounding 9 tourists, killing 1 French chef. (MM 6/23; HA, QY 6/23 in FBIS 6/23; WP 6/24; MM 6/26; JP 7/1)

8th round of multilateral talks open in Amman. Multilateral Working Group on the Environment meets. (IGPO 6/19)

Irish FM Spring meets with Faisal Husseini at Orient House in East Jerusalem, discusses 7/1 deadline for agmt. on transfer of authority. Israeli Pres. Weizman cancels scheduled mtg. with Spring in protest; 100s of Israelis demonstrate. (QY 6/18 in FBIS 6/19; MM 6/19; VOP 6/19, QY 6/20 in FBIS 6/20)

Arafat arrives in Turkey for 2-days of talks with Pres. Sulayman Demirel, PM Tansu Ciller; encourages Turkey to give PA economic aid, put pressure on Israel. (VOP 6/19 in FBIS 6/19; VOP 6/20, MENA 6/21 in FBIS 6/21)

Jordanian Bar Association orders lawyer Ahmad al-Zu'bi to appear before disciplinary board for possible disbarment for leading Liberal party delegation on visit to Israel 6/12. (al-Majd 6/19 in FBIS 6/20)

After wks of negotiations btwn. Arafat and Imad al-Faluji, al-Faluji's pro-Hamas weekly al-Watan is permitted to reopen. Editor Sayyid Abu Musamih remains jailed. (HA 6/20 in FBIS 6/21; PR 7/25) (see 5/14)

Israeli lawmaker Avraham Burg is elected new chairman of Jewish Agency, calls assimilation the biggest threat facing the Jewish people. (WT 6/21; JP 7/15)

For 2d day, IDF moves reinforcements into Biqa` valley, raising tensions in s. Lebanon. (RL 6/19 in FBIS 6/20)

Monthly 2-day mtg. of the  task force of the Multilateral Working Group on Economic Development opens in Cairo. (al-Hayat, MM 5/16; al-Sha`b 5/19 in FBIS 5/23)

In Tel Aviv, PA, Israel hold 1st talks on expanding self-rule, marking 1st time talks have been held inside Israel. Sides agree to transfer 5 more spheres (energy, insurance, labor, postal services, trade and industry) by 7/1. (AFP, MENA, VOP 5/16 in FBIS 5/17; JP 5/27)

In Washington, Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara`, Amb. to U.S. Walid Mu`allim meet with special Middle East envoy Dennis Ross, National Security Council (NSC) adviser Mark Parris; discuss peace process. (RMC, SARR 5/16 in FBIS 5/17)

In continuing crackdown, PA arrests 10 Hamas mbrs., bringing total detained in past 48 hrs. to 20. (AFP 5/16 in FBIS 5/17; MM 5/17)

Steve Abrams, frmr. dep. council for the House Comm. on International Relations, becomes AIPAC's senior lobbyist on economic and trade issues. "For me," he says, "this is coming home." (JP 7/27)