The Palestine Chronology

Secy. of State Christopher arrives in Jerusalem on 1st leg of Middle East tour focused on advancing the Syrian-Israeli track, setting agenda for upcoming Washington talks; meets with PM Rabin. (WP 6/7; MM, WT 6/8; QY 6/8 in FBIS 6/9; MEI 7/21)

Arafat meets with U.S. special envoy Ross in Jericho to discuss peace process, industrial zones, Christopher visit. (MM 6/8; VOP 6/8 in FBIS 6/8)

Jordanian parliament opens extraordinary session to address lifting Israeli boycott. (WP 7/14)

Frmr. PLO negotiator Haidar `Abd al-Shafi announces establishment of new Movement for Democratic Construction. Group calls for democratic elections that "produce legitimate representatives of the Palestinians people."(al-Manar 6/12 in FBIS 6/15; JP 6/17; PR 6/25)

House approves foreign affairs bill (222-192) that would cut aid by $1 b. next yr. and $500 m. in 1997; preserve $3 b. for Israel, $2.1 b. for Egypt; bring USAID, USIA, Arms Control and Disarmament Agency under State Dept. The House Appropriations Subcomm. sets allocations for 1996 (incl., $3 b. for Israel, $80 m. for refugee resettlement in Israel). (WP 6/8; WT 6/9; Near East Report 6/19)

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)

Tunisian police arrest 'Adnan Yasin, aide to PLO security chief and rep. in Tunisia Hakam Balawi, for spying for Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. Also arrested is his son Hani. Yasin had apparently been subomed by Mossad during 1991 visit to France. Arrest is not announced for 1 week. Israeli officials refuse comment. (NYT 11/3, 11/5)

4th round of multilateral talks on Middle East water resources convenes in Beijing, involving 43 nations and international organizations. 2-day session to focus on conservation, sharing of resources. (WT 10/27)

White. House announces intention to nominate Thomas A. Dine, former AIPAC executive director, assistant administrator of U.S. Agency for International Development for Europe and the Newly Independent States. Statement calls Dine "experienced in [his] field," citing his experience as a Peace Corps volunteer and Senate staffer as qualification for appointment to head AID's largest program. (White House release 10/26; WT 10/29)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak arrives in Washington for meeting with U.S. Pres. Clinton on peace process, U.S. aid to Cairo. (WT 10/23, 10/24

PNC Dep. Speaker Taysir Qubba'a of PFLP resigns to protest DoP, failure of PLO leadership to put it to PNC vote. (MM 10/8)

Arab Lawyers' Union condemns DoP. In statement released in Cairo, group says accord denies legitimate Palestinian rights, urges world to press Israel to release Palestinian prisoners, allow return of 1967 refugees. (MM 10/8)

U.S. officials say that U.S. assistance to Palestinian autonomous entity will amount to $500 m. over 5 years, $375 m. fr. U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) and $125 m. in guarantees by Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC). AID funds for FY 1994 will amount to $75 m., $48 m. fr. Economic Support Fund and $14 m. in development assistance, food aid grants, housing guarantees, and private-sector loan guarantees. (WT 10/9)

10,000 spectators attend soccer match between Palestinian and French teams in Jericho. Palestine wins, 1-0, at playing field decorated with Palestinian flags. Game features playing of Palestinian national anthem. (NYT 10/9; MM 10/11)

Following new defense ministry policy, Israeli army has not been seen in Rafa district in Gaza since late May; reports say violence in Rafa has stopped and Palestinian flags fly from almost every high point [NYT 7/13].

Knesset rejects motion to investigate charges that former D.M. Yitzhak Rabin ordered soldiers to break bones of Palestinians at start of intifada. Charges stem from admission by many soldiers that they were following orders in beating Palestinians [NYT 7/12].

In Cairo on part of Middle East visit, Chrmn. of Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell tells Egypt and other U.S. aid recipients that Congress is pushing to hold down arms assistance. Powell meets with Pres. Mubarak [WT 7/12]; and later he flies to Amman to meet with King Hussein [ATS 7/11 in FBIS 7/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Bethlehem area village of Rashaydah, 200 dunams are expropriated [FJ 9/20].

Arab World: Lebanese politician and journalist Elie Ma'luf is injured in assassination attempt in Beirut [LAT 9/20]. Officials from U.S. Agency for International Development arrive in Jerusalem [FJ 9/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Hebron University is ordered closed for 2 weeks. In Balatah and Dahayshah refugee camps, soldiers fire on silent marchers, wounding 4 [FJ 9/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: W. Bank lawyers group announces intention to challenge extensive Israeli "Road Plan 50" before World Court; plan would expropriate 46,000 dunums, freeze development of further 78,000 [JP 12/20].

Other Countries: Israeli delegation in Washington seeks record $4.85 billion in US aid [PI 12/20]; US indicates Irael will not receive full amount [JTA 12/20]. US Defense Sec. Weinberger, State Dept. official Dam defend Reagan Plan as basis for future initiatives [JP 12/20]. US Commerce Dept. states 59 US firms fined $1.6 million for complying with Arab boycott of Israel [JP 12/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Press reports indicate Israeli security forces seize 6 Gaza residents with grenade, target list including US embassy [LAT 12/19].

Arab World: Toura, S. Lebanon villagers claim IDF killed woman, girl in raid previous week [MG 12/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 4th Jewish terror suspect sentenced to 6 yrs. for plot to destroy Dome of the Rock. Acre magistrate sentences Hashem Bushnaq to 4 mos. for raising Palestinian flag. Nazareth singer Fawzi al-Sa'adi barred from entering West Bank for 1 yr.

Arab World: Last US Marine combat troops leave Beirut at dawn.

Other Countries: USAID report says financial aid to Lebanon should be deferred until country reunites.

Military Action

Arab World: 2 IDF troops wounded by light arms fire from resistance near Kfar Kuk, Beqaa Valley.

Military Action:

IDF tank detonates mine in Bekaa, no injuries reported; radio-controlled bomb explodes as IDF vehicle passes near Nabrah, in Chouf.

Casualties:

3 IDF soldiers wounded in Chouf attack; ICRC delegates visit 2 Israeli POWs held in Syria.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Lawyers representing Bidya residents send protest telegram to Defense Minister Arens, say border police failed to protect residents who held court orders enjoining developers from working on the land; Supreme Court refuses appeal by Ziad Abu Ein, extradited to Israel from US in December 1981, against conviction and life imprisonment for bomb attack in Tiberias in 1979.

Palestinians/ Lebanese-PLO Chairman Arafat and Syrian President Assad meet formally for first time since September, reportedly agree to coordinate military resources against IDF in Bekaa Valley; Haddad says he will accept no post other than commander of Lebanese forces in South Lebanon.

Arab Governments: Jordan restricts West Bank Palestinians entering Jordan to one month permits.

US and Other Countries: Shultz continues talks in Jerusalem, then returns to Beirut, says he thinks agreement possible by end of week, meets with Gemayel, Salem; Senate subcommittee hearing on US aid to Syria postponed after Reagan Administration expresses concern it could complicate Shultz mission.

UN: At WHO congress in Geneva, Israel blocks Kuwaiti-Libyan motion to put issue of mass illness on West Bank on agenda for full scale plenum debate.