The Palestine Chronology

Citing Hizballah Katyusha attacks 12/23, Israel adopts "more aggressive" policy toward Lebanon that will include attacks on Hizballah bases deep inside Lebanon, preemptive strikes on units planting roadside bombs, destruction of Lebanese infrastructure if n. Israel is attacked. Lebanon fears Israel is planning an unprovoked attack during run-up to 5/99 elections. (IDF Radio 1/1, IRNA, al-Quds, RL 1/2, YA 1/3 in WNC 1/5; WT 1/2; RL 1/11 in WNC 1/12; MA 1/24 in WNC 1/26)

U.S. temporarily closes emb. in Israel after receiving a "credible" threats. (ITV 12/31 in WNC 1/4, 1/5; NYT, WP, WT 1/1)

The Israeli Housing Min. issues tenders for construction of 1,051 new housing units in West Bank settlements including 651 units in Beitar Ilit nr. Jerusalem, where 10,000 ultra-Orthodox settlers live. (NYT 1/1; JP 1/11)

Under IDF protection, Jewish settlers move trailers to hills nr. Nablus, confiscating additional Palestinian land to expand Elon Moreh settlement. (al-Hayat al-Jadida 12/31 in WNC 1/5)

10s of Jordanians stage sit-in outside the U.S. emb. in Amman to protest U.S.-led attack on Iraq. (al-Dustur 1/1 in WNC 1/5)

U.S. stages 2d strike on Iraq, having hit more than 50 targets with over 200 Tomahawk missiles 12/16. Democratic congressmen accuse Republicans, many of whom questioned the timing of the attacks, of being unpatriotic. Russia recalls its ambs. fr. Washington (for the 1st time since World War II), London; the Duma accuses the U.S. of "international terrorism." Lebanon denounces the operation. Jordan expresses regret. Syria opposes U.S. "double standards" in its Iraq, Israel policy. (MM 12/17; AFP, IRNA, MENA, Petra-JNA, RJ 12/17 in WNC 12/21; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/18; al-Thawra, Tishrin 12/18 in WNC 12/28; NYT, WP, WT 12/19; MENA 12/19, SATN 12/20, al-Ahram 12/21 in WNC 12/22; MEI 12/25)

Across the West Bank and in Gaza City, Palestinians protest the U.S.-led attack on Iraq. The largest demonstration, attended by 3,000 Palestinians, is held in Nablus. In el-Bireh, the IDF shoots, kills 1 Palestinian, injures 16 others. (WP, WT 12/18; MEI 12/25)

In Egypt, the government expresses its "regret" over the U.S.-led strike on Iraq; the Arab League, al-Azhar's chief cleric denounce use of military force; Cairo University students go on hunger strike to protest; Egyptian police lock American University in Cairo students on campus to keep them fr. demonstrating. (MENA, RE 12/17 in WNC 12/21)

In Paris, Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak, Arafat discuss Wye implementation. (MENA 11/25 in WNC 11/30)

To cement his majority in the Knesset and cabinet, PM Netanyahu strikes tentative deal with Gesher party head David Levy, who resigned as FM in 1/98 after denouncing Netanyahu's government, to rejoin the cabinet. Both Netanyahu, FM Sharon cancel trips abroad shore up coalition. (MM 11/25; NYT, WP, WT 11/26; WT 11/27; MA 11/29, 11/30 in WNC 12/1; MM 12/4; JP 12/7)

Government of Turkish PM Mesut Yilmaz falls in a no-confidence vote over corruption allegations. (MM, NYT, WP 11/26; MEI 12/11)

Iranian Majles delegation visits Lebanon. (IRNA 11/25 in WNC 11/30) (see 11/23)

As the Knesset begins debate on ratification of the 10/23 Wye River Memorandum, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu suspends the agmt.'s implementation, saying he will not carry out the 1st of 3 stages of further redeployment (FRD) required by Wye until PA head Yasir Arafat retracts his 11/15 threat to stage an uprising against Israel if Palestinian access to Jerusalem is blocked. (MM 11/16; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 11/17; WJW 11/19)

U.S. special envoy Dennis Ross meets with Arafat in Jericho. (ITV 11/16 in WNC 11/18; WT 11/17)

In Cairo, Netanyahu political adviser Uzi Arad discusses Wye agmt. with Egyptian FM `Amr Musa, who criticizes Israeli implementation delays. (MENA 11/16 in WNC 11/17, WNC 11/18)

In Gaza, Israel, Jordan, the U.S. meet to discuss the Irbid industrial zone project. (Petra-JNA 11/17 in WNC 11/19; JT 11/23 in WNC 11/24; Petra-JNA 11/23 in WNC 11/30)

In Cairo, Russia, Egypt hold high-level experts mtg. on defense cooperation. Russian DM hopes deepening military ties "will become an important factor of peace and stability in the Middle East." (Interfax, ITAR-TASS, MENA 11/16 in WNC 11/17; MENA 11/17 in WNC 11/18)

After 3 days of talks, Oman, Iran reach military cooperation agmt. to enhance Gulf security, which will include joint exercises. (IRNA 11/16 in WNC 11/17)

PM Netanyahu announces creation of Birthright Israel program, which will pay for any Jew aged 15+n26 to visit Israel in hopes of rebuilding Jewish identity of youth, who more frequently marry non-Jews, are nonpracticing. The program, expected to cost $300 m., will be funded by the Israeli government, major North American Jewish donors, the Council of Jewish Federations. (NYT 11/16; WJW 11/19, 11/26, 1/7)

Citing Israeli FM Ariel Sharon's 11/15 call for settlers to "grab" disputed West Bank land, 30 settlers fr. Keddumim set up "presettlement" on nearby hilltop. (MM 11/17; MA 11/17 in WNC 11/18; WT 11/19)

Palestinians in al-Khader protest confiscation of land for bypass road. (CSM 11/17)

Israel Defense Force (IDF) convoy triggers roadside bomb in s. Lebanon, killing 3 soldiers, wounding 4. Hizballah claims responsibility. (AFP, ITV, RL 11/16 in WNC 11/17; MM, WP 11/17; WT 11/18; MEI 11/27; JP 11/30)

Israeli FM Sharon sends envoy to Cairo with message for FM Musa on Wye implementation. No details are released. (MENA 11/9 in WNC 11/12)

Despite U.S. opposition, Turkey begins work on pipeline that will carry natural gas fr. Iran, Turkmenistan to Europe. (IRNA 11/9 in WNC 11/13) (see 10/29)

After a brief 3-way mtg. at the White House, Pres. Clinton, Arafat, PM Netanyahu, their delegations head to Wye Plantation in Maryland for negotiations. (MM, WJW 10/15; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/16; YA 10/16 in WNC 10/19; al-Akhbar 10/16 in WNC 10/20)

Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, Jordan's King Hussein discuss Wye talks by phone. In Cairo, Jordanian PM Tarawnah briefs Mubarak on Crown Prince Hassan's mtgs. with Arafat (10/12), Netanyahu (10/14). (MENA 10/15 in WNC 10/16; JTV 10/15 in WNC 10/19)

Lebanese parliament elects (118-0, with 10 absentees, including Druze leader Junblatt, his bloc) Gen. Lahoud as Lebanon's new pres. He will take office 11/24. (MM 10/15; RL 10/15 in WNC 10/16; SATN 10/15 in WNC 10/19; al-Nahar 10/15, RL 10/18 in WNC 10/20; NYT, WP, WT 10/16; RL 10/16 in WNC 10/19; al-Ittihad 10/18 in WNC 10/23; IRNA 10/19 in WNC 10/21; MM 10/28) (see 10/13)

Turkey rejects Syrian offer to discuss water sharing, says Syria must first drop support for Kurdish separatists. (NYT, WP 10/16; HUR 10/16 in WNC 10/19) (see 10/14)

PSF detains 2 Israelis outside PA negotiator Abbas's home in al-Bireh. The Israelis, who turn out to be settler security guards dressed in civilian clothes, claim they entered th PA area to pursue stone-throwers. (PR 10/23)

30 Jewish settlers led by a Molodet party MK occupy a vacant Palestinian home in East Jerusalem, sparking scuffles with Palestinians. 100 Israeli policemen are brought in to quell the disturbances. (IDF Radio 10/15 in WNC 10/19; NYT 10/16; PR 10/23)

Unidentified assailants fire bomb several Palestinian homes in Bethlehem, seriously damaging 1. Palestinians blame local Jewish settlers. (AFP [Internet] 10/17)

PM Netanyahu, FM Sharon stop in Amman to brief Crown Prince Hassan on talks with the PA before heading to Washington. (MM 10/14; RJ 10/14 in WNC 10/15; NYT 10/14; JTV, al-Dustur 10/15 in WNC 10/17; YA 10/18 in WNC 10/20; MM 10/19; al-Watan al-Arabi 11/6 in WNC 11/12)

1,000s of right-wing Israelis outside PM Netanyahu's home demonstrate against FRD. (ITV 10/14 in WNC 10/16)

Turkey announces preparations for talks with Syria. (MENA 10/14 in WNC 10/15; MIL, Sabah 10/14 in WNC 10/16; IRNA 10/19 in WNC 10/20) (see 10/13)

The UN secures the Taliban's agmt. to hold talks with Iran in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, toward ending the military standoff along their common border. (WP 10/17) (see 10/8)

Nr. Nablus, a Palestinian boy is critically injured, his mother lightly wounded when a munition fr. an IDF firing range 700 meters away that had landed unexploded in the family's olive grove detonates. (Infopal News Bulletin [Internet] 10/14)

Construction begins on 1,200 new houses for Jewish settlers in the West Bank. Contractors claim the new buildings are an expansion of Alei Zahav settlement, which is over a mile away. Alei Zahav has 330 residents (90 families). (Infopal News Bulletin [Internet] 10/15)

In Amman, Arafat consults with Crown Prince Hassan on upcoming Washington talks. (RJ 10/12, al-Dustur 10/13 in WNC 10/14)

Egyptian FM Musa shuttles btwn. Ankara, Damascus to mediate their dispute. Turkey, Syria say that they see signs of defusing the crisis. (MM 10/12; ATL, al-Hadath, MENA, SATN 10/12, MENA 10/13 in WNC 10/14; WP, WT 10/13; AFP, MENA, Sabah 10/13, SA 10/14 in WNC 10/15; MEI 10/16)

In Tehran, Iran, Turkey set up comm. to demarcate their common border. (IRNA 10/12 in WNC 10/14)

PM Netanyahu appoints current Infrastructures M Sharon as FM and chief negotiator with the Palestinians to head upcoming Washington talks, final status negotiations. He also keeps his position as infrastructures M. (MM 10/9; ITV, RMC 10/9, JT, MENA, al-Nahar, al-Ra'i 10/10, al-Akhbar, Petra-JNA, al-Ra'i, VOA 10/11 in WNC 10/14; NYT, WP, WT 10/10; WT 10/11; MM 10/12; CSM 10/14; MM, WJW 10/15; MEI, PR 10/16; MA 10/16 in WNC 10/19; JP 10/17, 10/29) (see 10/8)

In Ankara, Iranian FM Kharrazi discusses Turkish-Syrian tensions with Turkish FM Cem, then phones Egyptian FM Musa to brief him on his mediation efforts. (IRIB Television, IRNA, MENA, SANA 10/9 in WNC 10/14; IRNA 10/15 in WNC 10/16)

Yemen, Eritrea accept ruling of a London-based international arbitration panel that Eritrea should return most islands in the disputed Red Sea Hanish Archipelago that it occupied in 1995. (MM 10/12; JT 10/13 in WNC 10/14)

In continuing clashes in Hebron, 32 Palestinians are wounded by rubber bullets fired by the IDF. (NYT 10/10)

A Palestinian stabs to death an IDF soldier as she gets off a bus in Tomer settlement nr. Jericho. (MM 10/9; NYT, WP 10/10; PR 10/16)

A Palestinian woman dies of complications during labor when the IDF refuses to let her through a checkpoint to reach the Hebron hospital due to the ongoing closure. (PR 10/16) (see 9/22)

PM Netanyahu meets with his security cabinet to discuss upcoming Washington talks; for the 1st time presents Ms with 2 2d FRD maps. (ITV 10/8 in WNC 10/14; NYT 10/10)

U.S. envoy Ross, Palestinian-Israeli Steering and Monitoring Comm. (PISMC) heads Saeb Erakat and Dani Nave discuss security at Gaza airport. (ITV 10/8 in WNC 10/14)

U.S. Asst. Secy. Indyk phones Syrian FM Shara` fr. Cairo to discuss crisis btwn. Syria, Turkey. Shara` calls on the U.S. to adopt a clear stand, back mediation efforts. Indyk publicly calls on Turkey to exercise self-restraint, then heads to Jordan to brief Crown Prince Hassan on Albright trip. (MENA 10/8 in WNC 10/9; SATN 10/8, RJ 10/9 in WNC 10/14)

In Moscow, Arafat briefs Russian Pres. Boris Yeltsin, PM Yevgeny Primakov, Duma Chmn. Gennady Seleznev on his recent mtgs. with Pres. Clinton, Secy. Albright. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS 10/8 in WNC 10/14)

Iran reports clash with Taliban troops along the border with Afghanistan, marking the 1st significant military incident in their 2-mo.-old standoff. Taliban denies any clash took place. 270,000 Iranian troops are facing 10,000 Taliban troops along the border. (NYT, WP, WT 10/9; MEI 10/16) (see 9/12)

Iranian FM Kharrazi arrives in Syria for talks with senior officials on lowering tensions with Turkey. (IRNA, SANA 10/8 in WNC 10/9; MM 10/9; IRNA, SANA 10/9 in WNC 10/14)

In a ceremony attended by Israeli mayor of Jerusalem Ehud Olmert and 50 mbrs. of the Ateret Cohanim settler group, 3 Jewish settler families move into a home in East Jerusalem. Israel also announces that 150 new housing units will be added to Ma'ale Mikhmas settlement nr. Ramallah. (AFP 10/9 [Internet])

In continuing clashes in Hebron, IDF troops open fire, killing a Palestinian protester, seriously wounding a news photographer, 20 other Palestinian protesters. (MM 10/8; CSM, NYT, PR, WT 10/9; WP 10/10; MEI, PR 10/16; JP 10/29)

Secy. Albright, envoy Ross, Asst. Secy. of State Martin Indyk arrive in the Middle East to prepare for talks in Washington beginning 10/15. Albright meets with Netanyahu, then travels to Gaza to meet with Arafat. (MM 10/5; HA [Internet], WT 10/6)

Turkish pres. Demirel postpones mtg. with Egyptian pres. Mubarak that was set for today. Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan phones Demirel to urge him to find a diplomatic solution to crisis with Syria. (MM 10/5; ATL, JT, RJ, RL 10/5 in WNC 10/6; IRIB Television, JTV, Petra-JNA, SATN 10/5, IRNA, Petra-JNA, Sabah 10/6 in WNC 10/7; CSM 10/6; MEI 10/16) (see 10/4)

In a mtg. with outgoing Lebanese pres. Ilyas Hrawi in Damascus, Syrian pres. Asad taps army chief Gen. Emile Lahoud as the next Lebanese pres. Lahoud is widely considered to be an incorrupt, popular "new face," untainted by politics and unlikely to draw the military into the government. (RL, SANA 10/5 in WNC 10/6; AFP, RL al-Safir, SANA 10/5, RL, VOL 10/6 in WNC 10/7; MM, WP, WT 10/7; RL 10/7 in WNC 10/8; RL, RMC 10/8 in WNC 10/9; al-Watan al-Arabi 10/9 in WNC 10/15; Petra-JNA 10/11 in WNC 10/14; MM 10/12; MEI 10/16)

In s. Lebanon, Amal detonates 2 bombs as an IDF-SLA patrol passes, killing 1 IDF soldier, wounding 4. (AFP, RL, VOL 10/5 in WNC 10/6)

In Jerusalem, Turkish PM Yilmaz, Israel PM Netanyahu hold talks on trade ties. (MM 9/7; IDF Radio 9/7 in WNC 9/9; MM 9/8; IRNA 9/9 in WNC 9/11; JP 9/19)

Saying it would be "useless," Arafat cancels scheduled mtg. with Israeli negotiator Molho. (HA [Internet] 8/18; WJW 8/20)

Hamas mbr. Imad Awadallah, jailed by the PA for the 3/29 murder of Hamas mbr. Muhieddin Sharif, escapes fr. PA jail in Jericho. PA police conduct house-to-house search in Jericho, Ramallah; place curfew on central Jericho, marking the 1st time the PA has placed a curfew on Palestinians. (CSM, WP, WT 8/17)

Jordan's parliamentary speaker arrives in Iran for 3-day visit; discussions on expanding bilateral economic, political, cultural relations. (IRNA, RJ 8/15, IRNA, JT 8/16, IRNA 8/17 in WNC 8/18)

Pakistan hands over to Kenya a suspect, Muhammad Saddiq Odeh, in the 8/7 U.S. embassy bombing in Nairobi, claiming that he admitted during interrogation that he helped carry out the Kenya, Tanzania bombings for Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden. In Nairobi, Kenyan, FBI officials question Odeh. (WP, WT 8/17; NYT 8/17)

The Israeli daily Ma'ariv reports that PM Netanyahu, Labor Chmn Barak recently held (beginning 7/12) a series of detailed secret talks at a Mossad location in central Israel on possibility of forming a unity government. (MM 8/10, 8/14)

In Tel Aviv, Israel, Russia open talks on establishing bilateral consular relations. (ITAR-TASS 8/10 in WNC 8/11; Vesti 8/13 in WNC 8/14; Interfax 8/28 in WNC 8/20) (see 8/8)

U.S. gives Jordan a $54.3-m. grant to help cover costs of Jordan's international debt, economic reform programs, employment generation. (RJ 8/10 in WNC 8/12)

In Tehran, Jordan, Iran discuss expanding technical, industrial cooperation. After mtgs., Jordanian FM Anani leaves for Bahrain. (IRNA, RMC 8/10 in WNC 8/11; JTV 8/11, VOA 8/12 in WNC 8/13) (see 8/9)

An IDF soldier, 1 Hizballah mbr. are injured during a clash in s. Lebanon. (RL 8/10 in WNC 8/11)

After 2 days of heated debate, PC approves (55-28, with 3 abstentions) Arafat's new EA. (WP 8/9; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 8/10; JP 8/15)

PM Netanyahu turns down invitation fr. Norway to attend 5th anniversary commemoration of the Oslo accords scheduled to be held in Oslo 8/23-24. Fmr. Israeli PM Peres, Arafat plan to attend. (HA [Internet] 8/10, 8/18)

Jordanian FM Anani arrives in Iran for 2 days of talks on bilateral cultural, economic, political ties; meets with Majles speaker Ali Akbar Nateq-Nuri. (JTV 8/8, IRNA 8/9, JT 8/10 in WNC 8/11; MM 8/14)

Jordan's new amb. to Iraq, Hammud Katarneh, presents his credentials to Iraqi VP Taha Yassin Ramadan. Both men express desire to boost bilateral cooperation. (MM 8/12)

Israel's Atty. Gen. Elaykim Rubenstein, State Prosecutor Edna Arbel, National Chief of Police Yehuda Vilk meet to finalize new regulations for the IDF, police, Shin Bet that will eliminate special treatment for Jewish settlers who break the law in the occupied territories, especially in cases involving attacks on Palestinians. (HA [Internet] 8/11)

10s of Jewish settlers fr. settlements along the Lebanese border demonstrate outside PM Netanyahu's office to protest government plans to rescind the benefits granted the border settlements after Israel's assault on Lebanon 4/11-26/96. (HA [Internet] 8/10)

Palestinian prisoner Walid Qawasmeh dies en route to a Nablus hospital after 10 days in PA custody. PA says that he died of heat stroke. Autopsy today concludes that he had been tortured. (WP 8/11; LAW 8/12)

PA Higher Education M Hanan Ashrawi, Agriculture M `Abd al-Jawad Salih resign in protest over Arafat's new cabinet. (MM 8/6; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/7) (see Peace Monitor, Doc. B2)

Israeli DM Mordechai briefs U.S. Amb. Walker on talks with the PA. (IGPO 8/6)

In Amman, PA Local Government M Erakat briefs Crown Prince Hassan on talks with Israel. Crown Prince Hassan later meets with Israeli Internal Security M Kahalani. (RJ 8/6 in WNC 8/7; JTV, RJ 8/6 in WNC 8/10)

In Washington, delegation of Labor MKs headed by party chmn. Barak meets with Secy. Albright. (MA 8/6 in WNC 8/7)

PM Netanyahu accuses the Vatican of bending to political pressure fr. the PLO in appointing a Palestinian, Pierre Mouallem, as archbishop of the Melchite (Greek Orthodox) church in the Galilee. (NYT 8/8)

In Damascus, Iran, Syria discuss expanding cooperation in the judicial sphere. (MM 8/6; IRNA 8/6 in WNC 8/10) (see 8/5)

Arafat presents new cabinet to the PC. (MM 8/5; MM, NYT 8/6; LAW, MM, PR 8/7)

By phone, Secy. Albright tells PM Netanyahu that the freeze in the peace process is harming U.S. interests in the Middle East, is affecting the U.S.'s ability to forge a coalition against Iraq (see 8/4). Netanyahu asks Albright to send special envoy Ross back to the region, but she refuses. (MA 8/6 in WNC 8/7)

In Damascus, Iran, Syria hold talks on financial cooperation, joint investments, elimination of double taxation. (IRNA 8/5 in WNC 8/7) (see 8/2)

2 Jewish settlers on patrol around Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus are shot, killed. IDF places curfew on nearby Palestinian villages, search for attackers but do not find them. PM Netanyahu authorizes expansion of Yitzhar; settlers say that they will start work immediately. (MM, NYT 8/5; CSM, MM, WP, WT 8/6; MM 8/7; YA 8/7 in WNC 8/11; JP 8/15)

In s. Lebanon, 1 Hizballah mbr. is killed, 1 is wounded by IDF shelling. (RL 8/5 in WNC 8/6; VOL 8/5, RL 8/6 in WNC 8/7)

PA warns that talks set for 8/3 will be the last mtg. with Israel unless the Israeli team offers new ideas. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/3)

The Israeli FMin. says that it has rebuffed overtures by Cuban contacts seeking closer ties btwn. the 2 countries. (YA 8/2 in WNC 8/10)

In Damascus, Iran, Syria hold talks on economic cooperation, expanding commercial ties. (IRNA 8/2 in WNC 8/10)

Israeli military police arrest 1 IDF tracker, 1 SLA mbr. suspected of smuggling 10 M-16 rifles, 5 handguns fr. Lebanon into Israel. (MA 8/2 in WNC 8/10)

The UN Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of the International Criminal Court approves (120-7, with 21 abstentions) draft statute to create an international war crimes court. (MM, WT 7/20; MM, WT 7/21; IRNA 7/22 in WNC 7/23; MM 7/27; MEI 7/31)

IDF forces the evacuation of 40 bedouin families fr. the area nr. Tubas, where they have lived for decades. (PR 7/24)

PC grants Arafat's request to give him until 7/25 to appoint a new cabinet. (WT 7/15; PR 7/17) (see 6/24)

State Dept. announces that despite fact that gaps on FRD have not narrowed, senior Israeli, PA officials have agreed to meet soon face to face for the 1st time in mos. to renew peace talks. Washington will not host the talks, and Secy. Albright is not optimistic about the outcome. (MM, USIS Washington File, WP, WT 7/14; al-Akhbar, YA 7/14 in WNC 7/15; WJW 7/16; PR 7/17)

King Hussein discusses peace process with fmr. Israeli PM Shimon Peres, who is in Amman to attend an international leadership conference. (RJ 7/13, JT 7/14 in WNC 7/15)

UNSC issues nonbinding statement urging Israel to not implement the plan or take any other steps which would prejudice the outcome of the peace process. (MM, NYT, WT 7/14; MENA 7/14 in WNC 7/15; WT 7/15; IRNA 7/15 in WNC 7/16; al-Ba`th 7/15 in WNC 7/20; PR 7/17; JP 7/25) (see 6/30)

A bomb explodes 100 feet from Orient House in East Jerusalem, slightly injuring 1 Palestinian. No one claims responsibility, although Jewish extremists are suspected. (IDF Radio 7/13 in WNC 7/15; WP 7/14; PR 7/17)

 In s. Lebanon, 1 Lebanese civilian, 2 UNIFIL soldiers are injured by IDF shelling. (RL 7/13, 7/14 in WNC 7/15)

PM Netanyahu's security cabinet holds session to discuss the "growing Palestinization and religious radicalization among Israeli Arabs." (MA 7/7 in WNC 7/13)

Israeli pres. Weizman, PM Netanyahu meet for 1st time in over a mo., agree to halt their public debate over the peace process. (MM 7/1; CSM, MM, WP 7/2; JP 7/11) (see 6/30)

Israeli air force (IAF) cmdr. Eytan Ben-Eliyahu says that most of the present aircraft fleet is outdated, the IAF needs 100 modern fighter jets. (YA 7/1 in WNC 7/6) (see 6/28)

1st civil guard is formed in the Jewish settlement of Beitar Ilit. Other guard centers are being set up in Kiryat Arba, Ma'ale Adumim, Givat Ze'ev settlements. Units are planned in Efrat, Har Hadar, Oranit settlements. (PR 7/10) (see 6/11)

Syrian FMin. Undersecy. Adnan Umran arrives in Turkey for 2-day visit to discuss normalizing diplomatic relations. (WT 7/1; Anatolia 7/1 in WNC 7/2; Anatolia 7/1, 7/2 in WNC 7/6; WT 7/3; Milliyet 7/4 in WNC 7/7; MEI 7/31)

In Cairo, Egypt, Iran discuss enhancing media cooperation. (IRNA 7/1 in WNC 7/6)

Group representing 800 U.S. finance officials threatens to boycott Swiss banks unless they settle Holocaust era claims. U.S. administration opposes the threat of sanctions, which could disrupt U.S.-Swiss relations, trigger free trade dispute. (WT 7/3)

Israel reinforces troops in s. Lebanon, sending in more than 20 vehicles, including Merkava tanks, 175-mm. guns, surveillance cameras. (RL 7/1 in WNC 7/2)

At special session, PC approves the 1998 budget (37-22, with 6 abstentions), notes that budget deficit to day is still $36 m. (PR 7/3; JP 7/11)

UNSC hold day-long debate (42 reps. speak) on a resolution condemning Israel's recent plan to extend Jerusalem's municipal boundaries. U.S. Amb. to the UN Bill Richardson calls plan "unhelpful." (WT 6/30; MM, NYT, WT 7/1; al-Quds, RJ, SANA 7/1 in WNC 7/2; Petra-JNA, al-Quds, SANA 7/1 in WNC 7/6)

In Bethlehem, the PA, Vatican hold preliminary talks on establishing official status for the activities of the Roman Catholic church in the PA self-rule areas. (JT 7/1)

In an escalating row, PM Netanyahu accuses Pres. Weizman of "siding with the Arabs" on the peace process. Weizman says that Netanyahu is "cut off from reality," has deceived him repeatedly over peacemaking with the PA. (MM 6/30; YA 6/30 in WNC 7/1; ITV 6/30 in WNC 7/2; WP, WT 7/1) (see 6/29)

Israel takes delivery of the 1st of 3 German submarines capable of carrying nuclear-armed cruise missiles, which will make its nuclear arms less vulnerable to preemptive strike. Israel ordered the subs fr. Germany after failing to find a U.S. firm that would build what it wanted. Following disclosure that German companies supplied material to Iraq's chemical weapons program, Germany agrees to pay for 2 of the 3 subs, which are the most technically advanced of their kind in the world. (WT 7/1; JT 7/4 in WNC 7/7; WT 7/5; JP, WT 7/11; Die Welt 7/11 in WNC 7/15; JP 7/18)

U.S. fires on Iraqi radar station in s. Iraq after it locks radar on a British plane patrolling the southern no-fly zone. The missile misses the station, hits a nearby reservoir. This is the 1st time since 11/96 that Iraq threatened to shoot at an allied plane. (MM 6/30; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 7/1; WT 7/2)

Yemen's official news agency reports that 34 persons have been killed, 102 injured in violence that has been ongoing since the 6/19 decision to raise fuel prices. Nongovernment sources put the casualty figures twice as high. (MM 6/30; WP 7/1; MM 7/9; MEI 7/17) (see 6/20)

Egypt, Iran sign cooperation agmt. on health, cooperation. (IRNA 6/30 in WNC 7/2)9 jul

In Amman, Iran, Jordan hold talks on expanding trade cooperation, agree to set up joint venture comm. in Amman. (IRNA 6/30 in WNC 7/2)

Arafat visits Qatar, Bahrain; secures backing for Arab summit to be held "as soon as possible." (MEI 7/3)

Outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Matan Vilnai says that the current Israeli defense doctrine is obsolete, incapable of meeting contemporary threats. (MM 6/29; IDF Radio 6/29 in WNC 6/30; GIU 6/30; MM 7/3)

In Abu Dhabi, Iran, Oman hold talks on expanding bilateral relations. (IRNA 6/28 in WNC 6/30)

After wks. of debate, PM Netanyahu, senior advisers make final decision not to hold a national referendum on the FRD issue, despite polls that found that 62% of the public support such a vote. Netanyahu says that he will decide on holding a referendum only after an FRD agmt. has been reached. (CSM 6/25; ITV 6/25 in WNC 6/29; MM 6/26; ITV 6/28 in WNC 6/30; NYT 6/30)

In Cairo, the Arab League holds an emergency session to discuss Israel's plan for to expand Jerusalem's municipal boundaries, urges EU intervention. (RE 6/15 in WNC 6/16

In Amman, Iran, Jordan discuss expanding bilateral relations. (IRNA 6/25 in WNC 6/26)

Israel airlifts last 60 (of 3,900) Ethiopians of Jewish descent fr. Addis Ababa to Tel Aviv. (WP 6/26)

After 10 mos. of negotiations, Hizballah turns over body of IDF soldier killed in a raid on s. Lebanon 9/5/97. In exchange, Israel returns to Lebanon the bodies of 40 Amal, Hizballah mbrs. (including body of Hizballah leader Shaykh Hassan Nasrallah's son Hadi). (MM, WT 6/25; AFP, RL, RMC 6/25 in WNC 6/26; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/26; al-Watan al-Arabi 6/26 in WNC 6/29; AFP 6/26 in WNC 6/29; WJW 7/2; MEI 7/3; JP 7/4)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates a roadside bomb, killing 2 IDF soldiers, wounding 4. (MM 6/25; AFP, VOL 6/25 in WNC 6/26; NYT, WP 6/26)

At a speech to the Asia Society in New York, Secy. Albright unveils a new policy initiative on Iran that could lead to normalized relations. Sanctions will remain in place for now, but U.S. plans to make confidence building gestures. (NYT, WP, WT 6/18; CSM, MM 6/19; ITV 6/21 in WNC 6/23; MEI 7/3)

Cyprus terminates contract with an Israeli company to replace the security system protecting the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority, saying it has learned that several technicians working on the project are fmr. Mossad agents. Israel calls accusations baseless. (Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation Radio 6/17, O Filelevtheros 6/18 in WNC 6/19; I Simerini 6/24 in WNC 6/25)

After 2 days of talks, Iran, Turkey sign border security agmt. (IRNA 6/17 in WNC 6/18; IRNA 6/18 in WNC 6/19)

Jordanian PM Majali ends 2-day visit to Morocco after signing several agmts. including a free trade agmt., protocols on building cultural, social, economic ties; leaves for Libya. (JTV 6/17, JT, SA 6/18 in WNC 6/19; JANA [Tripoli] 6/19 in WNC 6/22; RJ 6/20 in WNC 6/23)

After 2 days of talks in Baghdad, Egypt, Iraq agree to expand trade relations. Trade M Ahmad Gueily's visit is the 1st to Iraq by an Egyptian official since the Gulf War. (WP 6/18)

State Dept. says that it is planning new effort funded by Congress to build up opposition to Iraqi pres. Saddam Hussein by working with 73 opposition groups outside Iraq. (WP 6/18) (see 2/18)

2 Israeli teenagers fr. settlement nr. Hebron are jailed for killing a Palestinian farmer by hitting him with a wooden pole fr. a passing van. (MM, NYT 6/18; PR 6/19)

IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanina, n. of Jerusalem, for being built without a permit in an area zoned as "open space." (LAW 6/17) (see 6/15)

Israeli court convicts Israeli businessman Nahum Manbar, arrested 3/27/97, of selling chemical weapons equipment to Iran fr. 1990 to 1995. (WP 6/18; WT 6/19; IRNA 6/19 in WNC 6/23; JP 6/27)

In Cairo, Pres. Mubarak, Saudi FM Prince Saud al-Faysal discuss peace process, possible Arab summit. (MENA 6/10 in WNC 6/11; MENA 6/12 in WNC 6/15)

In Gaza, Arafat, Jordanian PM Majali discuss peace process, possible Arab summit. Majali hands Arafat a letter fr. King Hussein, outlining Netanyahu's position on FRD as transmitted to the king via Israeli DM Mordechai on 6/7. (JTV 6/10 in WNC 6/12; Shihan 6/27 in WNC 6/30; al-Dustur 7/1 in WNC 7/2) 

Syrian FM Shara` meets with PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. and Arafat adviser on refugee affairs As`ad `Abd al-Rahman to reopen discussion on refugee issues. (RMC 6/12 in WNC 6/15)

During their 2d day of talks, Iran, Turkey sign memorandum of understanding on setting up a joint chamber of commerce, beginning engineering and technical cooperation on natural gas. (IRIB Television 6/10, MENA 6/11 in WNC 6/12; IRNA 6/11, 6/13 in WNC 6/17)

In Hebron district, IDF bulldozes 70 dunams of Palestinians orchards, saying it has warned Palestinians not to farm "state land." Trees on the land were 5+n10 yrs. old. (Christian Peacemaker Teams press release 7/14)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli peace activists protesting settlement activity clash with Israeli police. (CSM 6/11)

Some 50 Christian human rights activists stage sit-in to protest settler's occupation of Silwan homes 5/8. (WT 6/11)

PC gives Arafat until 6/15 to reshuffle the Executive Authority (EA; the PA's cabinet) or face no-confidence vote (he has not faced a no-confidence vote since the 1996 elections). (WP 6/12; MEI 7/3)

In Cairo, U.S. Asst. Secy. of State for Near East Affairs Martin Indyk briefs Pres. Mubarak on U.S. efforts to persuade Israel to accept the U.S. FRD proposal. (MENA, RE 6/9 in WNC 6/10; ITV, MENA 6/9 in WNC 6/11; MENA 6/9 in WNC 6/17)

In Vienna, Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan discusses peace process with Chancellor Viktor Klima, who assumes the presidency of the EU on 7/1. (RJ 6/9 in WNC 6/10, 6/11; Der Standard 6/12 in WNC 6/15)

In Tel Aviv, Jordan, Israel discuss import of Jordanian agricultural goods, farm products to Israel, PA self-rule areas. (JT 6/11 in WNC 6/12)

Iran, Turkey convene economic summit in Tehran. (IRIB Television 6/9 in WNC 6/11; IRNA 6/10 in WNC 6/12)

In keeping with UN Res. ES-10/5 of 3/17, Switzerland opens in Geneva a 3-day experts-level mtg. btwn. Israel, the PLO, with the International Comm. of the Red Cross, to examine measures that would contribute to the effective application of the Fourth Geneva Conventions in the occupied territories. (Palestine and the UN 6/98)

Israeli Interior Min. approves construction of 58 housing units for Jewish settlers nr. the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem. (Palestine and the UN 6/98)

U.S. government arrests without charge Muhammad Salah, a naturalized U.S. citizen once arrested in Israel for being a mbr. of Hamas; seizes his home, bank accounts worth $1.4 m.; hopes its investigation will lead to an indictment on charges of funding Hamas "terrorism." (NYT 6/14; JP 6/20; Shihan 7/11 in WNC 7/14)

30 Jewish settlers from the Ateret Cohanim group accompanied by Israeli police and guard dogs evict a Palestinian woman fr. her rented home in East Jerusalem, lay foundations for 9 new buildings on adjacent 2,000-sq.-m. plot (apparently without permits). (IDF Radio 5/25 in WNC 5/27; LAW, NYT 5/26; MM, NYT 5/27; PR 5/29; ITV 6/3 in WNC 6/4; MEI 6/5; PR 7/3)

Arafat returns to Cairo to meet with Pres. Mubarak. (MENA 5/25 in WNC 5/27) (see 5/24)

Iran, Syria sign mining cooperation agmt. for development of phosphorus, ferrous mines in Syria. (IRNA 5/25 in WNC 5/27)

Jordan refuses to grant entry to Hamas's Shaykh Yasin, who planned to arrive 5/27. Meanwhile in Damascus, Yasin meets with Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) leader George Habash on ways to strengthen relations btwn. their groups. (AFP, MENA 5/25, AFP, RJ 5/26 in WNC 5/27; WT 5/26; al-Sabil 6/2 in WNC 6/3; MEI 6/5; JP 6/6; Shihan 6/6 in WNC 6/8) (see 5/24)

At the owner's request, PA security forces evict tenants of a Palestinian house in Ramallah and demolish the building, which has been the focus of a rent dispute. (Birzeit press release 5/25; JP 6/6)

In s. Lebanon, 1 Hizballah mbr. is killed, 1 SLA mbr. and 4 civilians are injured in several clashes. (VOL 5/25, RL 5/26 in WNC 5/27)

PM Netanyahu, Arafat adviser Mahmud Abbas meet secretly at Netanyahu's home for brief talks on the peace process before Netanyahu leaves for China. (MM 6/12)

To mark Jerusalem Day, Israel stages largest military parade (13,000 troops) through West Jerusalem since 1973, attended by U.S. congressional delegation. Groups of right-wing Israelis try to enter al-Aqsa Mosque, march on Orient House. IDF bans Palestinian entry into Jerusalem for the day, sparking clashes btwn. IDF, Palestinians in Bethlehem. (al-Dustur, RJ 5/24 in WNC 5/27; WT 5/25; PR 5/29; MEI 6/5)

In Amman, Israeli FMin. Dir. Gen. Eytan Bentzur, Jordanian FM Fayiz Tarawnah discuss Israeli proposal for conditional withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. Jordan stresses need for Israel to unconditionally implement UN Res. 425. (JT, al-Quds, al-Ra'i 5/25 in WNC 5/27)

In Cairo, Pres. Mubarak briefs Arafat on his trip to France. Arafat then heads to Saudi Arabia to discuss possible Arab summit. (MENA 5/24, RE 5/26 in WNC 5/27)

Syria asks Iran's help in constructing steel mills. Both countries agree to expand cultural, art exchanges to pave way for closer bilateral relations. (IRNA 5/24, 5/25 in WNC 5/27)

In Damascus, Hamas's Shaykh Yasin meets with Pres. Hafiz al-Asad. (AFP, al-Majd 5/25 in WNC 5/27) (see 5/23)

1st Lebanese municipal elections since 1963 begin. Elections are held on 4 consecutive Sundays. (RL 5/25, 5/26 in WNC 5/27; MM 5/26; al-Safir 5/27 in WNC 6/1; WP 6/1; MEI 6/5)

In Washington, Secy. Albright, PM Netanyahu hold 2d day of fruitless talks aimed at restarting peace talks. Lower-level teams headed by U.S. special envoy Ross, Israeli Cabinet Secy. Nave will work over the weekend. Netanyahu spends rest of day making courtesy calls to mbrs. of Congress, attending lunch in his honor hosted by the Comm. on International Relations; does not lobby mbrs. to pressure administration to moderate its position. (MM 5/14; NYT, WP, WT 5/15)

100,000s of Palestinians across the West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem turn out for 2-minute moment of silence, nonviolent "March of 1 Million" to mark 50 yrs. of dispossession (known as al-Nakba). Marches in several areas (including, Bethlehem, Gaza, Hebron, Jericho, Jerusalem, Jinin, Nablus, Ramallah) devolve into clashes with IDF, which fires live ammunition, rubber bullets, killing 5 Palestinians, wounding 200-400, making this the worst day of violence in the territories since 9/25/96. 20 Israeli soldiers, policemen and 2 civilians are also injured. Netanyahu calls demonstrations a PA "pressure tactic." (LAW, MM 5/14; IDF Radio, ITV 5/14 in WNC 5/15; NYT, WP, WT 5/15; JTV 5/14, Anatolia [Ankara], Corriere della Sera [Milan] 5/15 in WNC 5/18; LAW 5/18; WP 5/19)

50,000 Palestinians in Syria hold march in Yarmuk refugee camp to commemorate al-Nakba. (JP 5/23)

In Jerusalem, fire damages one of the wooden doors of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Israel police suspect Jewish extremists. (RJ 5/14 in WNC 5/15; WP 5/15)

In Ankara, Iran, Turkey hold talks on expanding ties. (IRNA 5/14 in WNC 5/18) (see 5/4)

In Ankara, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey hold follow-up discussions on the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project. (Anatolia [Ankara] 5/14 in WNC 5/15) (see 4/26)

IDF expels 3 Lebanese civilians fr. s. Lebanon security zone for celebrating release of relative fr. SLA custody. (AFP 5/14 in WNC 5/15; RL 5/15 in WNC 5/18)