The Palestine Chronology

2 MKs request that the Israeli High Court block work at Har Homa until it hears petitions against the construction project on 3/20. (YA 3/17 in WNC 3/19)

Palestinian protesters erect tents nr. Har Homa. IDF snipers take up positions nearby to watch them. (CSM, WT 3/18; PR 3/21)

Netanyahu defeats (54-46) a no-confidence vote. (WT 3/16)

In Damascus, Syrian pres. Asad, Italian PM Romano Prodi discuss the peace process. (RAI Televideo [Rome], SATN 3/17 in WNC 3/19; SATN 3/18 in WNC 3/20)

Jordanian police ban 200 activists (incl. 21 opposition deputies) fr. visiting home of Pvt. Ahmad Daqamsa, the soldier who shot 13 Israeli girls on 3/13, to express their solidarity. The deputies condemn the killings but demand a fair trial for Daqamsa, oppose Israeli intervention in the investigation (see 3/15) (AFP, RMC 3/17 in WNC 3/19; JT 3/19 in WNC 3/20; MEI 3/21)

Lebanon bans potato imports fr. Egypt. Egypt threatens economic retaliation. (RL 3/17 in WNC 3/19) (see 3/8)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P. M. Shamir says releasing Arab prisoners in accord with demands of Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine is "out of the question." Other Israeli officials said SLA may release some of its prisoners [PI 2/6].

Other Countries: Italian officials end year-long investigation of terrorist attack at Rome's' Leonardo Da Vinci airport and request indictment of Sabri al-Banna (Abu Nidal) and 2 other Palestinians [WP, NYT 2/6]. U.S. announces abandonment of plans for meeting on counterterrorism strategy. U.S. also announces reduction in naval force in Mediterranean [WP 2/6].