The Palestine Chronology

The IDF fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Nablus; conducts arrest raids nr. Nablus. On the last Friday of Ramadan, Muslims across the Middle East hold Jerusalem Day rallies in support of the Palestinian claim to Jerusalem. In Tehran, 10,000s of Iranians demonstrate; some 10,000 rally in Bahrain; 1,000s rally in Beirut; Iraqis in Baghdad, Najaf hold rallies for the 1st time in yrs., chanting “Sharon is God’s enemy! America is God’s enemy!” and “No to America!”; in the West Bank, Gaza 1,000s of Palestinians protest against the Geneva Accord. (HA 11/21; IRNA, VIRI 11/21 in WNC 11/25; NYT 11/22; PCHR 12/4)

In Gaza, 1 Palestinian teenager is killed, 6 are wounded in a mysterious explosion. The IDF searches Palestinian homes in Dayr al-Balah; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis. Arafat orders the PSF to detain 17 AMB mbrs. who have taken refuge in his Ramallah compound to evade Israeli capture; the PA is negotiating with Israel to move the AMB mbrs. to a PA jail in Jericho; 5 AMB mbrs. agree to go, while the other 12 resist, saying they would resume attacks on Israel if the transfer occurs. (XIN 8/2 in WNC 8/5; NYT, WP, WT 8/3; MM 8/4, 8/5; PCHR 8/7)

Hizballah mbr. Ali Hussein Saleh, a driver for the Iranian emb., and a passerby are killed by a car bomb in Beirut. Hizballah blames Israel. (Islamic Republic News Agency, MENA 8/2 in WNC 8/5; NYT, WP, WT 8/3; HA 8/4; MEI 8/8; NHR 8/8 in WNC 8/12; HA, WT 8/11; MA 8/12 in WNC 8/14)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate again. In Ramallah, 2 IDF reservists--"at least partially in uniform," driving a private vehicle, most likely armed--stray deep into area A, cross paths with a funeral procession. The crowd, assuming the soldiers are on an undercover operation, attack them and set their car afire. (Some reports say a body burned beyond recognition, possibly a 3d IDF soldier, is found in the vehicle.) PA police intervene and take the 2 reservists into protective custody, removing them to a nearby police station. When news of the incident spreads, 1,000s of Palestinians descend on the station (manned by 21 officers), break in, and kill the soldiers, injuring 15 policemen in the process. Declaring that the PA has "crossed the line," Barak seals borders with Egypt and Jordan, authorizes IDF air strikes against Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah and Gaza, the Palestinian Broadcasting Center in Ramallah, the Gaza port, various PA police stations, including those in Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah. When the strikes occur, Arafat is in his Gaza office waiting for CIA Dir. Tenet to arrive to discuss the possibility of convening the U.S.-Israeli-PA trilateral security comm. (formed in 1998) to explore ways of halting the violence. Neither Arafat nor Tenet is injured, but 43 Palestinians are wounded. In Gaza City, Palestinians pack belongings into cars, prepare to flee. In Jericho, Palestinians set fire to a 6th-century synagogue. Jewish settlers attack, fire on Palestinian cars nr. Bethlehem, Jinin. In retaliation, IDF helicopters fire rockets at the PA police academy in Jericho. During the Israeli air strikes, the PA releases around 60 Hamas, Islamic Jihad prisoners for their safety. (ADM, AP, LAW, MM, NYT 10/12; ATL, AYM, IRNA, LPA, MENA, XIN 10/12 in WNC 10/13; MENA, XIN 10/12, SA 10/13 in WNC 10/16; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/13; WP, WT 10/14; MENA 10/16 in WNC 10/17; WJW 10/19; JP 10/20; MEI 10/27; MA 11/6 in WNC 11/9)

In Yemen's port of Aden, a small, explosive-laden boat rams the USS Cole, an Aegis destroyer in port for refueling, killing 17 U.S. servicemen, injuring 35. (AP, MM 10/12; AFP [Internet], CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/13; NYT, WP, WT 10/14, 10/15, 10/16; MEI 10/27)

In the U.S., the primary concern of the public, government, and media is the attack on the USS Cole, while Israel's attacks on the Palestinian infrastructure, PA offices are viewed as a limited military response to the death of Israeli soldiers in PA custody, if not at the hands of the PA. Clinton, Albright express outrage over the murder, call on both sides to halt the violence. Clinton says he appreciates Palestinian frustration, but "there can be no possible justification for mob violence." 96 senators send Clinton a letter urging him to express solidarity with Israel "at this critical moment." (NYT, WP, WT 10/13; MEI, MM 10/27; MEI 11/10) (see Doc. D4)

Mubarak invites Arafat, Barak, Clinton to Sharm al-Shaykh for a summit. Mubarak also meets with King Abdallah of Jordan on the escalating crisis, upcoming Arab summit. (MENA 10/12 in WNC 10/13; MM, NYT, WP 10/13)

In Biarritz, France, Pres. Chirac convenes an emergency EU mtg. to discuss the escalation of Israeli-Palestinian violence, implores both sides to halt the fighting. (MM 10/13; AFP, EFE [Madrid] 10/13 in WNC 10/16; WP 10/14; SA 10/15 in WNC 10/17)

UN Secy.-Gen. Annan, in Lebanon to discuss the Hizballah kidnapping of 3 IDF soldiers, cuts short his visit, returns to Israel to try to calm the situation. (WP 10/13)

The Arab League denounces the Israel air strikes, warns that "all options" are open to the Arab world if the escalation continues. In Cairo, angry crowds march through the streets demanding Egypt take military action against Israel. In Beirut, demonstrations break out on university campuses. Elsewhere in Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria--including in the Palestinian camps--the streets are quiet; the governments release no official statements on events but heighten visibility of police, military. Anti-Israeli, anti-U.S. demonstrations are noted in Indonesia, South Africa. In the U.S., demonstrations are held in Boston, Dearborn, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, San Diego, Washington. In France, numerous acts of anti-Jewish vandalism, including attacks on synagogues, are noted in Lille, Paris, Rouen. (AP 10/12; AFP [Internet], WP 10/13; JT 10/13 in WNC 10/16; WP 10/14)

At the UN, U.S. Amb. Holbrooke warns Arab, nonaligned diplomats they may "jeopardize" relations with the U.S. if they push for a special session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to censure Israel, for a UNSC res. calling on Israel to cease hostilities. (TT 10/12 in WNC 10/13; MM 10/13; NYT, WP 10/14)

This morning, the IDF begins pulling back reinforcements fr. the West Bank, Gaza after reaching a new agmt. with the PA. Initially, clashes abate, but fighting continues at old hot spots (e.g., Hebron, Nablus, Netzarim Junction, Ramallah, Tulkarm). Within hrs., the IDF sends reinforcements back in, firing antitank missiles and deploying helicopter gunships, tanks against Palestinians, killing 3, injuring 40. In Nablus, 27 Palestinians are injured when and IDF helicopter fires rockets at an apartment building. 1 Palestinian injured last wk. dies. Inside Israel, massive demonstrations continue across the Galilee following 2 funerals for Israeli Arabs killed by the Israeli police earlier in the wk. (MM 10/3; AFP, IRNA, MENA 10/3, JT, Le Monde 10/4 in WNC 10/6; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/4; AYM 10/4 in WNC 10/10; MEI 10/13)

Barak meets with Israeli Arab leaders to "ease concerns about the neglect of their community," agrees to set up a special cabinet comm. to address Arab concerns. Under pressure fr. Israeli Arab MKs, he bans police fr. using live ammunition against Israeli protesters unless there is "clear and immediate danger to life." The Israeli government also releases plans to improve roads in schools in Israeli Arab towns, raise the standard of living of the Arab minority. (MM 10/3; NYT, WT 10/4; MEI 10/13)

In Beirut, 20,000 Palestinians, Lebanese march to UN House to protest Israeli actions. Some 10,000 Palestinian refugees demonstrate in camps in Rashidiyya, Sidon, and Tyre. In Amman, Jordanians observe a strike in solidarity with the Palestinians, and Jordanian riot police wield clubs against 100s of stone-throwing demonstrators marching on the Israeli emb. In Norway, some 100 Norwegians take part in a violent protest outside the Israeli emb. in Oslo, burning flags, throwing bottles, breaking windows. Rallies are also reported in Egypt, Greece, Oman, Pakistan, the UAE. In the U.S., anti-Israeli protests are held in Austin, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Raleigh, San Francisco, Washington, and outside the CNN offices in Atlanta, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Toronto. (JP [Internet], MM 10/4; JT 10/4 in WNC 10/6; Daily Star [Internet] 10/5; MM 10/6; MEI 10/13)

The IDF admits that its soldiers fired the shots that killed a Muhammad al-Dura at Netzarim Junction on 10/1 but blames Palestinians for the "cynical use" of children in confrontations with IDF troops. (WP 10/4; NYT 10/5) (see 10/2)

UN cartographers begin tracing the blue line to determine whether Israel's withdrawal is complete. (MM 5/26; NYT, WP 5/27; JP, MEI 6/2)

In Beirut, Iranian FM Kanal Kharrazi meets separately with Lebanese Pres. Emile Lahoud, PM Salim al-Huss, Hizballah's Nasrallah to discuss Israel's withdrawal fr. Lebanon. (IRNA 5/26 in WNC 5/30)

The PSF arrests without charge Ahed Yusif, a human rights activist with the Palestinian organization Addameer who has previously criticized the PA. (B'Tselem press release 6/1)

In retaliation for Israeli attacks on 5/3 that killed and injured a number of civilians, Hizballah fires rockets into n. Israel, killing 1 IDF solider; 28 civilians are lightly injured by flying glass. (MM, NYT, WP 5/5; Interfax, IRNA 5/5 in WNC 5/8; al-Quds 5/7 in WNC 5/10; WJW 5/11)

In Beirut, UN special envoy Larsen holds talks with Lebanese pres. Lahoud, PM Huss regarding Israel's planned unilateral withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. (MEI, MM, WP 5/5; al-Safir 5/9 in WNC 5/15; MEI 5/19)

In Cairo, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the PA hold a technical comm. mtg. on displaced persons. (AYM 5/6 in WNC 5/10)

In Beirut, UN special envoy Larsen meets with Lebanese pres. Lahoud, PM Huss to discuss a new mandate for UNIFIL following an Israeli withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. (Le Monde 5/6 in WNC 5/10)

In Shiraz, numerous foreign diplomats, observers fr. international human rights groups attend the opening of the trial of 13 Iranian Jews accused of spying for Israel. (8 Muslims were also arrested on the same charges but will be tried separately.) 1 defendant confesses to the court and on national television, but human rights groups are skeptical of the validity of his statement. (CSM 5/1; IRNA 5/1 in WNC 5/2; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/2; WP, WT 5/3; NYT, WJW, WP, WT 5/4; JP 5/5; WP, WT 5/9; NYT, WJW, WT 5/11; IRNA 5/15 in WNC 5/16) (see 3/17)

Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails begin a hunger strike to protest their conditions. (WT 5/3)

For the 2d day, IDF troops forcibly remove settlers fr. a makeshift encampment in the Palestinian section of Hebron. (NYT 5/2)

The IDF presents Barak with a proposal called "Morning Twilight," under which the IDF would withdraw fr. all but 8 strategic sites in s. Lebanon in 7/00. When the gist of the plan is leaked by the Israeli press, Lebanon, Syria, UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) term it a "doomsday option" (UNIFIL adviser Timur Goksel's term) that would exacerbate instability and violence. (MM 3/13, 3/15; MEI, MM 3/24; MEI 4/7)

At the close of the 2-day Arab League mtg. in Beirut, FMs declare their support Lebanon's right to resist Israeli occupation, urge Arab states to unite and resist normalization with Israel until a comprehensive peace is achieved. Israel considers the statement extremist, hostile to the peace process. (NYT, WP, WT 3/12; IRNA, MENA 3/12 in WNC 3/13, 3/14; MM, NYT 3/13; MENA 3/13 in WNC 3/15; MM 3/14; AYM 3/14 in WNC 3/20; WJW 3/16; MEI 3/24) (see Doc. B3)

10s of Palestinians demonstrate outside the PC in Ramallah to protest the PA's decision to raise fuel prices given worldwide gas price hikes. (MENL 3/12; AYM 3/14 in WNC 3/20)

Israeli PM Barak, Syrian FM Shara` resume substantive peace talks in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Pres. Clinton, Secy. Albright both meet separately with Barak, Shara`; these mtgs. run long, forcing the cancellation of a 3-way mtg. among Barak, Clinton, Shara`. Talks focus on Israel's demand that talks start with security issues, Syria's demand that they start with the extent of Israel's withdrawal fr. the Golan. The U.S. convinces them to discuss all issues simultaneously. (AFP, IRNA 1/3 in WNC 1/4; AYM 1/3, DUS, al-Quds 1/4 in WNC 1/5; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/4; WP 1/5; Tehran Times 1/5 in WNC 1/6; WJW 1/6; MEI 1/14)

During their private mtg., Barak asks Clinton for a $17-b. military assistance package to ensure Israeli security in the event of a Golan withdrawal. (MM 1/4; MM, WP 1/5; NYT, WJW, WT, WP 1/6; SA 1/6 in WNC 1/7; MM 1/7; MEI 1/14)

In Beirut, Ahmad Raja Abu Kharub, a Palestinian refugee angered by Russia's war in Chechnya, fires 4 grenades at the Russian emb., killing a policeman, injuring 7 civilians before being killed by security forces. (ITAR-TASS, RL 1/3 in WNC 1/4; MM, WT 1/4; Interfax, ITAR-TASS, RL 1/4 in WNC 1/5; ITAR-TASS 1/5 in WNC 1/6; MM 1/6; RL 1/10 in WNC 1/11; MEI 1/14) (see 12/8)

Lebanese soldiers storm a village in the Diniyya region, where mbrs. of Takfir wa al-Hijra, on the run from authorities following their 12/31 attack, are hiding out. 11 Takfir mbrs., 2 civilians, 1 soldier taken hostage on 12/31, 3 other soldiers are killed in the clash. (SA 1/3 in WNC 1/4; MM, WP 1/4; AFP 1/4 in WNC 1/5; al-Nahar 1/5 in WNC 1/6; RL 1/7 in WNC 1/10; MEI 1/14; al-Safir 1/21 in WNC 2/1)

In Ramallah, a group of armed Palestinian youths fr. al-Amari refugee camp close off the Jerusalem-Ramallah road, roam downtown Ramallah, occasionally fire into the air in an attempt to pressure the PA into releasing a camp resident serving a life sentence in a PA jail. PA security forces disperse the youths, reopen the road, take up positions downtown to ensure residents safety. (AYM 1/4 in WNC 1/6)

Citing the "murky political situation" surrounding final status talks with Israel, Arafat postpones until 1/15 a crucial PLO Central Council (PLOCC) mtg., which was to take place on 12/20. (JT, al-Quds 12/19 in WNC 12/21; AYM 1/5 in WNC 1/6)

Pres. Clinton renews 6-mo. waiver of the Jerusalem Embassy Act, which calls on the U.S. to move its emb. in Israel fr. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem or face cuts to the State Dept. budget. (MM 12/22; WJW 12/30; JP 12/31)

Iraq rejects the UNSC plan for resuming arms inspections, easing sanctions. (NYT, WP, WT 12/19; MM 1/5; MEI 1/14)

In Beirut, Iran, Lebanon hold talks on expanding tourism, scientific, cultural exchanges. (IRNA 12/18 in WNC 12/20)

On the last leg of his regional tour, French FM Vedrine meets with Egyptian FM Musa in Cairo. Talks focus on resuming talks btwn. Israel, Syria. (MENA, RFI 11/13 in WNC 11/15)

In Beirut, Iranian, Lebanese officials hold talks on expanding bilateral relations. (IRNA 11/13 in WNC 11/15)

In the 3d such incident in a month, a bomb explodes in a church in Tripoli, Lebanon, causing damage but no injuries. No one claims responsibility. (RL 11/14 in WNC 11/15)

SLA shells a village in s. Lebanon, killing 1 Lebanese civilian. In response, Hizballah fires 12 rockets into n. Israel, causing no injuries. In retaliation, outgoing PM Netanyahu orders the IDF to strike bridges along Lebanon's coastal highway, main power station in Beirut, power substation in Baalbeck, in total killing 8 civilians, wounding 62, causing a blackout in Beirut. 5 of the dead are fire fighters killed during a 2d IDF raid on the Beirut power plant, where they were trying to contain a blaze started by the 1st attack. (Netanyahu informs PM-elect Barak of the operation after it has begun.) Hizballah strikes back, firing 36 rockets into n. Israel, killing 2 Israeli civilians, injuring 5--the 1st civilian deaths in n. Israel related to the Lebanon conflict in 4 yrs. (AFP, RL, VOL 6/24 in WNC 6/25; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/25; AFP, IDF Radio, IRIB Television, IRNA, JTV, KSC Television [Kuwait], MENA, RJ, RL, RMC, Saudi Arabia Kingdom Radio, VIRI, VOL 6/25, AFP, Iran News, IRNA, MBC, Petra-JNA, RL, RMC 6/26, IRNA, AFP 6/27 in WNC 6/28; NYT, WP, WT 6/26; al-Quds 6/27, ATL, IRA, IRNA, QA, RMC 6/28 in WNC 6/29; AYM 6/27 in WNC 7/1; WP 6/28; WT 6/30; WJW 7/1; JP, MEI 7/2; MEI 7/16) (see 6/23)

Israeli, PA teams hold mtg. on civil issues, including advancing tourism in the framework of Bethlehem 2000. (YA 6/25 in WNC 6/28)

The Israeli daily Ma'ariv reports that the IDF is renovating, fortifying positions along the n. border with Lebanon, suggesting that the IDF mat be making plans for a withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. (MA 6/24 in WNC 6/25)

In his 1st major statements since elections, PM-elect Barak reiterates promise to seek withdrawal of IDF fr. s. Lebanon within a yr. (MM 5/20; YA 5/20 in WNC 5/21; al-Sinnara 5/20 in WNC 5/25; NYT, WP, WT 5/21; NYT 5/23; MM 6/3)

Turkey sentences to death top aide to Abdallah Ocalan, head of the Turkish separatist group the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK). The aide, Semdin Sakik was convicted of treason for masterminding 191 PKK attacks that killed 283 people. (WP 5/21; Zaman 5/26 in WNC 5/28) (see 3/11)

In Paris, Jordanian Finance M Michel Martu meets with the Paris Club, which agrees to reschedule $1.15 b. of Jordan's debt. (RJ 5/20 in WNC 5/21; JTV 5/27 in WNC 6/1; MEI 6/18)

Jordan, Syria sign agricultural cooperation agmt. (SANA 5/20 in WNC 5/21)

In Beirut, Iranian, Lebanese officials discuss expanding bilateral relations, resuming direct flights btwn. Tehran, Beirut. (IRNA 5/21 in WNC 5/25)

At the end of Khatami's 2 day visit, Iran, Qatar sign 8 cooperation agmts. (IRNA 5/20 in WNC 5/21; IRNA 5/22 in WNC 5/28; MM 5/24)

In Latakia, Syria's Pres. Asad, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak hold day of talks on the peace process, including Israeli proposals for withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon; upcoming London mtgs. 5/4. (MENA 4/24 in WNC 4/27, 4/28; MENA 4/26, RE 4/28 in WNC 4/30) (see 4/15)

In Baden-Baden, King Hussein meets with Arafat, fmr. Israeli PM Peres for talks on the peace process. (RJ 4/25 in WNC 4/28; JTV, Tunis-7 Television, Tunisian Republic Radio Network 4/29 in WNC 5/1; JTV 4/30 in WNC 5/5)

In Beirut, Lebanese FM Buwayz briefs the heads of the Australian, Asian, Iranian, Italian diplomatic missions on Lebanon's position regarding Israel's proposal for conditional withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon, interpretation of UN Res. 425. (IRNA, VOL 4/24 in WNC 4/27)

U.S special envoy Ross holds final unsuccessful mtg. with PM Netanyahu. State Dept. says that since no gaps were closed during Ross's tour, it is not considering a Washington summit; says that "one option has always been for us to disengage from this kind of direct catalytic role." Ross goes to Sharm al-Shaykh to brief Egyptian pres. Mubarak. (MM 3/30; IDF Radio, MENA 3/30 in WNC 3/31; ITV, QY 3/30, al-Dustur, IDF Radio, ITV, JT, QY 3/31 in WNC 4/2; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/31; CSM, MM 4/1; SA 4/1 in WNC 4/3; WJW 4/2; MENA 4/2 in WNC 4/4; MM 4/3; MEI 4/10; JP 4/11)

In Riyadh, Egyptian FM Musa, Syrian FM Shara`, Saudi Arabian FM Prince Sa'ud al-Faisal open surprise 2-day mtg. to discuss peace process, possibly convening larger Arab summit. (RE 3/30 in WNC 3/31; MM 3/31; MENA, RE 3/31 in WNC 4/2; MM 4/1; al-Ittihad [Abu Dhabi] 4/2 in WNC 4/3)

Iranian FM Kharrazi arrives in Lebanon for 3-day visit, meets with Pres. Hrawi. (IRNA, RL, VOL 3/30 in WNC 3/31; IRNA 3/30, IRNA, RL 3/31 in WNC 4/2; IRNA, RL, VIRI 4/1 in WNC 4/3; al-Ahd [Beirut] 4/3 in WNC 4/13)

Jordan, Israel hold 1-day naval exercise in the Gulf of Aqaba. This is the 1st such joint exercise. (RJ 3/30, JT 3/31 in WNC 4/2)

Jordan receives last 3 F-16s fr. the U.S. (al-Ra'i 3/31 in WNC 4/2; JT 4/4 in WNC 4/7)

Palestinians across the West Bank, Gaza mark Land Day, the anniversary of the 1976 incident in which the IDF opened fire on Palestinians protesting Israeli land confiscations, killing 6. Clashes with IDF are reported in Bethlehem, al-Bireh, Hebron, Jinin, Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah; 17 Palestinians are injured. Israeli Arab leaders order general strike. (NYT 3/29; MM 3/30; al-Dustur 3/31 in WNC 4/2; MA 4/6 in WNC 4/7; JP 4/11)

Israeli High Court rejects appeal to prevent demolition of mosque in Jordan Valley, school and home nr. Nablus, home nr. Tulkarm. (LAW 3/31)

50 Christian evangelical groups make unprecedented promise not to carry out missionary activity in Israel, saying that they "rejoice in the presence of the Jewish people in this country of their ancestors" and they will avoid "activities which . . . alienate them from their tradition and community." (WT 3/31)

Saudi Arabia ends its inquiry into the 6/96 Khobar barracks bombing, says bombers cannot be positively identified. U.S., which suspects Iranian involvement and has complained that Saudi Arabia has not been forthcoming with information, says its investigation is still open. (NYT 3/31; WT 4/1)

Regarding the assertion concerning Mega (see 5/7), an unnamed senior U.S. official confirms that special envoy Ross read Netanyahu the U.S. letter of assurances to the PA but did not give him a copy to keep. (WP 5/8; CSM 5/9)

In Geneva, the UN Comm. Against Torture summons Israel for a 3-day extraordinary hearing to face accusations that its practices against Palestinian prisoners violate international conventions. (NYT, WT 5/8; IGPO 5/8 in WNC 5/13; NYT, WP 5/10)

Austrian FM Wolfgang Schuessel arrives in Israel on 1st leg of a regional tour to acquaint himself with the issues of the peace process in advance of his assumption of the EU presidency in 1998; meets with FM Levy, Labor mbr. Ehud Barak. (Neue Kronen Zeitung [Vienna] 5/8 in WNC 5/12)

Israeli inner cabinet holds mtg. on evacuation of settlers nr. Nablus 5/6. Ms Rafael Eitan, Zevulun Hammer, Ariel Sharon accuse PM Netanyahu of making a gesture to the PA, prompting Netanyahu to apologize for the evacuation. (IDF Radio 5/7 in WNC 5/8)

Jordan, Tunisia sign agmt. to form comm. to study the creation of a common free trade zone; discuss joint tourism, investment projects. (JT 5/7 in WNC 5/8)

In Beirut, Iranian FM Velayati meets PM Hariri. Velayati then goes to Damascus to discuss Israeli-Turkish military cooperation with Pres. Asad, FM Shara`; then heads to Yemen. (IRNA, RMC, VOL 5/7 in WNC 5/8; SATN 5/7, IRNA, RMC 5/8 in WNC 5/9; MM 5/8) (see 5/3)

ILMG meets to discuss Israeli complaint regarding 5/5 Hizballah attack, Lebanese complaint regarding 5/6 bombing. (RL 5/7 in WNC 5/8; RL 5/7, 5/8 in WNC 5/9)

FBI begins investigating whether a "senior U.S. government official" has been passing highly sensitive information to Israel. U.S. officials say that in 1/97, the National Security Agency intercepted a transmission btwn. 2 Israeli intelligence officers in Washington and Tel Aviv, discussing a request by Israeli Amb. to the U.S. Eliahu Ben-Elissar to activate a alleged mole code-named Mega to obtain the secret letter of assurances fr. fmr. Secy. of State Christopher to Arafat, which was attached to the Hebron protocol and has never been made public. The transmission suggests that Mega has provide information to Israel in the past. Israel denies spying. (WP 5/7; NYT, WP 5/8; MM 5/8; IDF Radio, ITV, YA 5/8 in WNC 5/9; MM, WP, WT 5/9; SANA 5/12 in WNC 5/13; MEI 5/16; JP 5/17)

Arafat, Israeli pres. Weizman meet in advance of U.S. special envoy Ross's arrival 5/8. (MM, WT 5/6; ITV 5/6 in WNC 5/7; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 5/7; AFP, YA 5/7 in WNC 5/8; WJW 5/8; JP 5/10; MM 5/12)

After Arafat-Weizman mtg., an Israeli-PA-U.S. security mtg. is held to discuss resuming coordination. (MM 5/7; ITV 5/7 in WNC 5/8)

Egyptian pres. Mubarak accepts Iran's invitation to attend the 12/97 OIC mtg. in Tehran but says that Egypt is not considering resuming diplomatic relations with Iran (severed after Egypt signed its peace treaty with Israel in 1979). (WT 5/7)

Iran's FM Velayati arrives in Beirut for mtg. with FM Buwayz. (VOL 5/6 in WNC 5/7; IRNA 5/7 in WNC 5/8)

Israeli police forcibly evacuate 30 Jewish settlers fr. a shack they had set up nr. Nablus in an attempt to expand Yitzhar settlement. (MM, NYT 5/7; IDF Radio 5/7 in WNC 5/8; PR 5/16)

IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Jerusalem, Ramallah for being constructed without a permit. (LAW 5/6; PR 5/16) (see 5/5)

A bomb explosion in s. Lebanon blamed on Israel kills 2 civilians, injures 2. A 2d bomb at the same site is dismantled. In a separate incident, Israeli planes attack suspected Hizballah targets in the Biqa` Valley, injuring 1 civilian. (RL, VOL 5/6 in WNC 5/7; WP 5/7)

Israeli dep. housing M Me'ir Porush says that despite government promises to build Arab housing to offset Har Homa construction, his min. has no plans to build homes for Arabs in Jerusalem. (IDF Radio 3/26 in WNC 3/27) (see 3/20)

Palestinian protests continue throughout the West Bank. In Bethlehem, demonstrators throw stones at IDF soldiers, who respond with tear gas and rubber bullets, injuring 20. In Bethlehem, protesters burn U.S., Israeli flags. (NYT, WT 3/27)

In Beirut, Lebanon's PM Hariri, Iran's Dep. FM Morteza Sarmadi discuss ways of expanding cultural, economic, political, press relations. (IRNA 3/26 in WNC 3/27)

In Paris, U.S. special envoy Ross, UN Coordinator Terje Larsen open 2 days of mediation aimed at scheduling a Netanyahu-Arafat mtg., reaching a firm timetable for Israeli redeployment in Hebron (see 8/22). Ross also meets with Netanyahu adviser Gold, Egypt's Baz. (MM 8/27; MA, YA 8/27 in WNC 8/30; MM 8/28; HA, QY 8/28 in IL 8/28; NYT, WP 8/29; WT 9/5; JP 9/7 WT 9/10)

Israeli police hoist bulldozer over Old City walls into East Jerusalem, demolish Palestinian building which they claim was being constructed without a permit. Israel says building was to be a social club for the PA. Palestinians say it was to be a clinic for the disabled, home for the elderly, funded by $30 m. fr. Canada, Sweden. (LAWE, MM 8/27; NYT, WT 8/28; MM, NYT, WP 8/29; MM 8/30; MEI, PR 9/6; PR 9/13)

Israel approves construction of new 1,806-unit neighborhood inside the West Bank settlement of Kiryat Sefer. 1st stage of construction will incl. 900 housing units and bring as many as 15,000 new settlers. (MA 8/27 in WNC 8/30; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 8/28; NYT, WP 8/29; PR 8/30; MEI 9/20)

PA released al-Damir Exec. Dir. Muhammad Dahman, who was arrested 8/12 on charges of fabricating a news story about the death in custody of Naher Dahlan 8/11. (PR 8/30)

In Beirut, U.S. Amb. to Lebanon Richard Jones, Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group (ILMG) U.S. coordinator David Greenlee meet with Lebanese Speaker Nabih Birri to discuss Lebanon's assessment of the 1st ILMG sessions 8/8, 8/15. (RL 8/27 in WNC 8/29; RL 8/29 in WNC 9/3)

In Beirut, fmr. Lebanese Forces leader Samir Ja`Ja` is charged with killing PM Rashid Karami in 1987. (NYT 8/28) (see 7/13)

Delegation led by Iranian Trade M Yahya Al-e-Eshaq begins 3-day visit to Syria. (IRNA 8/28, 8/29 in WNC 9/3) (see 8/18)

In Izmir, Turkey, Iraq discuss developing trade, industrial cooperation. (INA [Baghdad] 8/27 in WNC 8/30) (see 8/22)

In Jerusalem, PA, Israel begin 4 days of talks on Rafah airport. (VOP 5/19 in FBIS 5/21; PR 5/24; NYT 8/15)

Syrian, Lebanese FMs brief Syrian Pres. Asad in Latakiyya, Lebanese Pres. Ilyas Hrawi in Beirut on cease-fire monitoring group draft. Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri discusses the draft with French Pres. Jacques Chirac in Paris. (RL, SARR, VOL 5/19 in FBIS 5/20) (see 5/16)

In Beirut, Iranian FM Dir. Gen. for Middle East and North Africa Sayyid Muhammad Kazim Khonsari meets with Lebanese Speaker Nabih Birri to discuss ways Iran could assist with Lebanon's reconstruction. (IRNA [Tehran] 5/20 in FBIS 5/21)

Hamas issues leaflet, threatening to continue attacks against Israelis. (ITV 5/19 in FBIS 5/20) (see 5/18)

Hizballah attacks IDF targets inside the Israeli self-declared security zone, killing 2 soldiers, wounding 1. In response, Israel shells civilian areas in s. Lebanon for the 1st time since the 4/26 cease-fire agmt. took effect, injuring 1 woman. Syria accuses Israel of violating the agmt. Israel says Hizballah is to blame for operating fr. a "built-up area," withdrawing to a village. (IDF Radio, MBC, QY, RL 5/19 in FBIS 5/20; SARR 5/19 in FBIS 5/22; MM, NYT, WP 5/20)