The Palestine Chronology

In Alexandria, Arafat, Mubarak discuss the Jerusalem issue, Arafat's planned mtg. with Pres. Clinton on the sidelines of the UN millennium summit in New York on 9/6. (MENA 8/26 in WNC 8/28)

In area B outside Jerusalem, 3 IDF soldiers are killed, 1 is wounded by friendly fire in a botched raid on the hideout of Palestinian Mahmud Abu Hanud, wanted for allegedly staging a 1997 Hamas bombing in Jerusalem that killed 21 Israelis. Abu Hanud is wounded but escapes to Nablus, where he is arrested by the PSF. The PA, angry that Israel did not give it advance notice of the raid, says it will try Abu Hanud in a PA court, not extradite him to Israel. (NYT 8/27; CSM, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 8/28; MM, NYT 8/29; MM, Palestine Report [Internet] 8/30; JP [Internet], MM, WJW 8/31; JP, MEI, NYT, WP 9/1; WJW 9/7; JP, MM, NYT, WP 9/8; JP 9/15)

In Alexandria, Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak holds separate talks with Arafat, Meretz MK Yossi Sarid on the Jerusalem impasse; with Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara` on the Syrian, Palestinian tracks and possibly holding a mini-Arab summit on the peace process. (MENA 8/21 in WNC 8/22; MM 8/22; MENA 8/23 in WNC 8/24; WJW, WP 8/24)

Arafat arrives in Paris on the 1st leg of a multination tour of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia to brief leaders on the Camp David summit, seek backing for PA positions, assess support for a unilateral declaration of statehood. After he meets with Arafat, Pres. Chirac phones Egyptian pres. Mubarak to discuss the summit. (MENA 7/29 in WNC 7/31; WP, WT 7/30; Le Monde 7/30 in WNC 8/1; CSM, JP [Internet] 7/31; al-Quds 7/31 in WNC 8/1; Le Monde 8/1 in WNC 8/2)

Over 500 Palestinian children fr. refugee camps in the West Bank, Lebanon travel to Fatima Gate, Israel's fmr. border crossing into s. Lebanon, to meet and call for the right of return. (BDL 8/3)

Low-key PA-Israeli talks continue at Camp David, with Secy. of State Albright shuttling btwn. negotiating teams. (MM, State Dept. press briefing 7/21; NYT, WP 7/22; al-Quds 7/22 in WNC 7/24)

Egyptian pres. Mubarak receives a call fr. Israeli PM Barak fr. Camp David. He then phones Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad and Jordan's King Abdallah to exchange views on the latest developments at the summit. (MENA 7/21 in WNC 7/24)

Police in Charlotte, NC, arrest 18 people for a money laundering scheme in which they allegedly skimmed cigarette taxes, funneled the profits of upward of $1 m. to Hizballah in Lebanon. Hizballah denies any connection to those arrested. (WP, WT 7/22; NYT 7/24)

In the morning, PM Barak goes to Cairo to discuss the final status talks with Pres. Mubarak. He then returns to Israel and narrowly survives a Knesset vote on 2 no-confidence motions, freeing him to depart for Camp David late tonight. (Arafat left earlier in the day. (MM 7/10; MENA 7/10 in WNC 7/11; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 7/11; CSM 7/12; Le Monde 7/12 in WNC 7/13; MEI 7/14)

Israel's Ezer Weizman steps down as pres. The timing has nothing to with Barak's coalition crisis; indeed, Weizman's last act is to urge Barak to forge ahead with the Camp David summit. Weizman decided in 5/00 to retire today after a police investigation concluded on 4/6 he was guilty of fraud but that statute of limitations for prosecution had run out. The Knesset will choose a new pres. on 7/31 (NYT, WP 7/11; MM, WJW 7/13; JP 7/21)

Bashar al-Asad, the sole candidate, is elected pres. of Syria with 97% of the vote. Some 210,000 Syrians working in Lebanon returned home for the election. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/11; Interfax, MENA, SA 7/11, JT 7/12 in WNC 7/13; CSM, WP, WT 7/12; MEI 7/14)

PM Barak delays his departure for Camp David after 3 coalition parties--National Religious party, Shas, Yisrael Ba'Aliya--quit the government. In addition, FM Levy announces he will not attend summit because Barak has failed to consult with him on planned concessions. The opposition schedules 2 no-confidence votes for 7/10. Yet, public opinion polls show that 61% of Jewish Israelis support the talks with the PA. The U.S. says the summit must go ahead or Palestinian-Israeli tensions will rise further. (CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/10; AYM 7/11, Le Monde 7/12 in WNC 7/13; JP, MEI 7/14) (see 7/5)

In Washington, Secy. of State Albright holds mtgs. with the Israeli, PA peace teams sent in advance of Barak, Arafat to prepare for the Camp David summit, which is scheduled to begin on 7/11. The PA vows to hold a popular referendum of Palestinians inside and outside the territories on any agmt. that emerges fr. the talks. (JP [Internet], Reuters [Internet] 7/9; XIN 7/9 in WNC 7/11; WP 7/10)

In Cairo, Arafat meets with Pres. Mubarak on his way to the Camp David summit. Arafat then heads to London for a similar mtg. with PM Blair. (MENA 7/9 in WNC 7/10; Associated Press [Internet] 7/10; MENA 7/10 in WNC 7/11; MENA 7/11 in WNC 7/13)

Although the U.S. plans to have a media blackout surrounding the Camp David talks, PM Barak dispatches a media information team that will operate fr. New York, Washington during the summit. MKs Rabbi Michel Melchoir, Yuli Tamir will head the team. (Prime Minister's Office press release 7/9; MA 7/10 in WNC 7/11; SA 7/14 in WNC 7/18; MA 7/24 in WNC 7/25)

Jordanian PM Abu al-Raghib says Jordan has informed Israel, the PA, the U.S. of Jordan's "firm refusal" to absorb any additional Palestinian refugees "under any pretext," including a final status agmt. (JT [Internet], MM 7/10; JT 7/14 in WNC 7/18)

IDF soldiers open fire on a Palestinian car nr. Kafr Darom settlement in Gaza, killing a woman, wounding 5 others. The IDF says the shooting was an accident. (NYT 7/10; WJW 7/13; MEI 7/14)

Secy. of State Albright meets with Syrian FM Shara' during a stopover in Cairo to brief Pres. Mubarak on her talks with Barak, Arafat. Albright exchanges ideas with Shara' on possible formulas for renewing Syrian-Israeli talks but tells both him and Mubarak that the Clinton administration's priority in its remaining mos. will be the Israeli-PA track (MENA 6/7 in WNC 6/8; CSM, NYT, WJW, WP 6/8; MENA 6/8 in WNC 6/9; MEI 6/16)

UNIFIL begins patrolling s.Lebanon to ensure that the IDF is behind the blue line. (WT 6/7; NYT 6/8)

The donors' Ad Hoc Liaison Comm. (AHLC) opens a 2-day mtg. in Lisbon. (AYM 6/7 in WNC 6/8; AHLC press release, MENL 6/8; PR 6/28; UN press release 7/28) 

The Knesset passes (61-48, with 11 absent) a preliminary motion to dissolve parliament, call new elections. (CSM, IsRN, MA [Internet], MM 6/7; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/8; CSM 6/9; NYT 6/10; AYM 6/10 in WNC 6/13; MEI 6/16) (see 6/5) 

In Cairo, Arafat, Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak discuss Israel's withdrawal fr. Lebanon, the Stockholm talks with Israel. (MENA 5/27 in WNC 5/30)

PA-Israeli teams hold a final round of FAPS talks before recessing 5/9+n10 while Israel marks its memorial and "independence" days. U.S. special envoy Ross returns to Washington to brief Pres. Clinton and the U.S. peace team on the Elat round talks. He reportedly sees a lot of hard work ahead but also a "potential for progress." (MM, NYT 5/9)

In the wake of recent crossborder clashes with Hizballah, Israel says it may make its unilateral withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon before 7/00. (NYT 5/9)

Syrian pres. Asad flies to Cairo to meet with Pres. Mubarak to coordinate positions on Lebanese, PA, Syrian negotiations with Israel and on Israel's planned withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. (MENA 5/8, IRNA 5/9 in WNC 5/10; MENL, MM 5/9)

Israeli PM Barak phones Egyptian pres. Mubarak to discuss the various tracks of the peace process, briefs him on his mtg. with Arafat on 5/7. (MM 5/8; MENA 5/8 in WNC 5/10)

Palestinian students clash with IDF troops in Bethlehem during PA-organized demonstrations for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. 6 Palestinians are injured by rubber bullets fired by the IDF. (MENL 5/8; NYT 5/9)

Syrian FM Shara` flies to Paris to hand Pres. Chirac a letter fr. Pres. Asad and to discuss Israel's planned withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. (JP [Internet], MM 4/25; MM 4/27, 4/28; Le Monde 5/6 in WNC 5/10) (see 4/16)

King Abdallah of Jordan flies to Ramallah to meet with Arafat for talks on the PA-Israeli track of the peace process, bilateral relations. (MM 4/25; JT [Internet] 4/26; DUS 4/26 in WNC 4/27; NYT 4/27)

Israeli PM Barak phones Egyptian pres. Mubarak to discuss recent developments in the peace process. (MENA 4/25 in WNC 4/26)

UN special envoy Larsen arrives in Israel to meet with senior officials regarding Israel's withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. (MM 4/25, 4/27)

In Tehran, 100s of university students at Khajeh Naseer Technical University cut classes to demonstrate against the Tehran court's crackdown on pro-Khatami newspapers. (NYT, WP, WT 4/26) (see 4/23)

Arafat arrives in Cairo on his way home fr. Washington to brief Pres. Mubarak on his talks with Pres. Clinton. (MENA 4/22, 4/23 in WNC 4/24)

En route to Washington, Arafat holds talks on the peace process with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo. (MENA 4/19 in WNC 4/20)

The UNSC adopts a statement fr. Secy. Gen. Annan informing the council of Israel's intentions to withdraw fr. s. Lebanon in keeping with UN Res. 425 and 426 and initiating preparations to enable the UN to carry out its responsibilities under those resolutions in order to avoid a deterioration of the situation in Lebanon. (XIN 4/20 in WNC 4/24) (see 4/17)

Israel releases 13 Lebanese detainees, returns them to Lebanon. 2,000 friends, relatives, supporters greet them at the border. The remaining 2, Obeid and Mustafa Dirani, will be held at least until a hearing on 5/8 to determine whether they pose a security threat to Israel. (MM, NYT, WP 4/19; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 4/20; WJW 4/27; JP 4/28)

At Bolling, the Israeli, PA teams exchange papers on the components of a FAPS agmt., discuss the 3d FRD. U.S. special envoy Ross sits in. (AYM 4/11 in WNC 4/12; AYM 4/12 in WNC 4/14; AYM 4/15 in WNC 4/17, 4/18)

On his way to Washington, Barak stops in Cairo to meet with Pres. Mubarak on the peace process. (MENA 4/10 in WNC 4/11; HA [Internet], MM 4/11; al-Musawwar 4/14 in WNC 4/17)

Israel says it has been briefed on Syria's response to Clinton's 3/26 proposals and that the "detailed answers" fr. Damascus are "very negative." (MM 4/10) (see 4/8)

Israel lifts the construction freeze in the Golan Heights, allowing work to begin on 200 new housing units in Qatzrin; also announces resumption of work on 12 West Bank bypass roads, which has been suspended for the past few mos. The U.S. does not comment. (LAW, MM 4/11; NYT 4/12; AYM, MENA 4/12 in WNC 4/13; MM, WJW 4/13; WP 4/14; JT 4/14 in WNC 4/17; MM 4/27; JP, MEI 4/21)

In Amman, Jordanian riot polices, plain-clothes police surround the headquarters of the Islamic Action Front, where a rally is taking place in support of the University of Jordan students who clashed with police on 4/4. (MM 4/12; MEI 4/21)

The White House announces that Arafat, Barak will come to Washington separately to meet with Clinton on final status talks. Clinton-Barak talks will also address the Syrian track. (NYT, WT 4/9; XIN 4/9 in WNC 4/11)

Syrian FM Shara` arrives in Cairo with a message to Pres. Mubarak fr. Pres. Asad regarding Israel's proposed unilateral withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon; says publicly that Syria would welcome a withdrawal, even if unilateral. (MENA 4/8 in WNC 4/11; NYT 4/10; USIS Washington File [Internet] 4/12; WP 4/14; al-Musawwar 4/14 in WNC 4/17; AYM 4/18 in WNC 4/20)

In an editorial in the London-based daily al-Hayat, British journalist and Asad biographer Patrick Seale offers an independent proposal, which Israel interprets as floated by Syria, for a compromise solution to the Golan withdrawal issue. (MM 4/8; NYT 4/10; see also MM 4/7)

In the 1st major public event on the Palestinian refugee issue, 100s of activists, students, scholars fr. around the world attend a conference in Boston aimed at developing an international action plan to support Palestinians' right of return. 100s more are turned way due to limited space. Speakers are respected senior academics and political analysts, including Edward Said, Noam Chomsky. (BDL 4/19; al-Safir [Internet] 5/1)

Egyptian pres. Mubarak phones Syrian pres. Asad to brief him on his meeting with Pres. Clinton in Washington on 3/28. (MENA 3/31 in WNC 4/5)

Iraq gives Palestinians who have lived in Baghdad since 1948 (totalling some 30,000 individuals) the right to own property, but stresses that rights cannot be passed on. (JT [Internet] 3/31)

The 1st round of PA-Israeli FAPS talks at Bolling ends. The State Dept. says the teams spent this round "attempting to achieve a better understanding of each other's needs and requirements." No progress was made on narrowing the gaps in their positions. Teams agree to open a 2d round of talks at Bolling on 4/6. (NYT, WP, WT 3/29; AYM, al-Quds 3/29 in WNC 3/30; AYM 4/1 in WNC 4/6)

Barak phones Egypt's Mubarak in Washington to brief him on Israel's views on the 3/26 Clinton-Asad mtg. in Geneva. Egyptian FM Musa phones Syrian FM Shara` to discuss Syria's view of the 3/26 mtg. (MENA 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MEI 4/7)

In Washington for talks on bilateral relations, Pres. Mubarak meets with Pres. Clinton to discuss the peace process. Clinton calls for "intensifying" PA-Israeli negotiations, says that "the ball is in [Asad's] court" regarding movement on the Syrian-Israeli track. (MENA 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/29; MENA 3/29 in WNC 3/30; MM 3/30; DUS, MENA 3/30 in WNC 3/31; MM 4/3; MEI 4/7)

Jordan indicts 28 Arabs allegedly linked to Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden on terrorism charges for conspiring to attack U.S., Israeli targets during New Year's celebrations. 15 suspects are in custody; 13 others are at large. Most of the suspects are Jordanian, others are Algerian, Iraqi, Palestinian, Yemeni. (DUS 3/28 in WNC 3/29; NYT, WP 3/29; DUS 3/29 in WNC 3/30; NYT 4/11)

After a 7-mo. investigation, Israeli police recommend that fmr. PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara be indicted on criminal charges of fraud, bribery, theft of 700 state gifts worth $100,000, obstruction of justice. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/29)

Bowing to Washington, OPEC agrees to boost oil output. (Iran refuses to sign the agmt. in protest to the U.S. but agrees to comply in effect.) Clinton calls the move "good news . . . for the American consumer," but many OPEC officials complain that the heavy-handed U.S. pressure (especially fr. Energy Secy. Bill Richardson, who hopes to be chosen as VP Al Gore's running mate for the 11/00 U.S. elections) makes their own political and economic situations more awkward. (CSM, NYT, WP 3/29; WP 3/30; MEI 4/7) (see 3/24)

In Sharm al-Shaykh, Arafat, Mubarak discuss the peace process. Mubarak also discusses the peace process by phone with Barak. (MENA 3/6 in WNC 3/7)

Lebanon welcomes Israel's 3/5 decision to withdraw its troops but says it will not give any guarantees for peace until Israel comes to an agmt. with Syria over the Golan Heights. (MM 3/6; WT 3/7; MEI 3/10)

Israel paroles a Jewish settler sentenced to life in jail for the execution-style slaying of a Palestinian in the West Bank 7 yrs. ago. (NYT 3/7; WT 3/8)

In Cairo, Russian FM Igor Ivanov, Egyptian FM Musa discuss the peace process, bilateral and regional issues. Ivanov also meets with Pres. Mubarak in Sharm al-Shaykh, Arab League secy.-gen. Ismat `Abd al-Majid. (Interfax, MENA 3/4, ITAR-TASS, MENA 3/5 in WNC 3/6)

Some 100 prominent Palestinian diaspora figures issue a statement emphasizing the importance to the PA-Israeli negotiations of the refugee issue, the concerns of diaspora Palestinians. (MM 3/15, 3/22)

Hizballah shells an IDF outpost in s. Lebanon, wounding 1 IDF soldier. (WT 3/5)

On his way home fr. the Vatican (see 2/15), Palestinian Authority (PA) head Yasir Arafat stops in Amman to meet with King Abdallah of Jordan. (MM 2/16)

Israel PM Ehud Barak phones Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak to discuss obstacles blocking the Palestinian, Syrian tracks of the peace process. (MENA 2/17 in WNC 2/18)

Reacting to the flare-up of violence in s. Lebanon in the past 3 wks., Israel empowers a 3-man team comprising PM Barak, FM David Levy, Transportation M Yitzhak Mordechai to authorize immediate reprisals for attacks on Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldiers, reiterates intention to hit civilian targets. 2,000 Lebanese students block Hamra street in Beirut's main shopping district to protest against Israel for its recent air strikes, the U.S. for allegedly giving Israel the "green light" to attack. (MM 2/16, 2/17; RL 2/17 in WNC 2/18; AYM 2/17 in WNC 2/22; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/18; NYT 2/19; MM 2/21; MEI 2/25)

U.S. Secy. of State Madeleine Albright tells the House International Relations Comm. that she is exploring ways to help victims of state-sponsored terrorism collect on judgements returned by U.S. courts even though Pres. Bill Clinton has blocked collection, citing foreign policy concerns and worries that other countries could use the precedent to seize U.S. properties abroad. (WP 2/17; Guardian Weekly 2/24)

PA General Intelligence questions Palestinian journalist Khaled Amayreh for the 2d time in a wk. regarding his new weekly paper, Hebron Times, which is critical of the PA. (Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group press release 2/21) (see 2/15)

PM Barak says Israel has prepared a list of economic targets in Lebanon to hit if fatal attacks on IDF troops in s. Lebanon continue. (RL 2/13 in WNC 2/14)

Egyptian pres. Mubarak urges Israel to stop blocking the peace process, denounces FM Levy's threats against Lebanon (see 2/9). (AFP 2/12, MENA 2/13 in WNC 2/14; MM 2/14)

The PA cancels a planned mtg. btwn. Arafat, Barak; suspends negotiations with Israel to wait for U.S. proposals to get talks back on track. (WT 2/7; AFP 2/7 in WNC 2/8; CSM 2/8) (see 2/5)

PM Barak goes to Jordan to discuss the peace process with King Abdallah, outlines Israel's positions on resuming talks with Syria. (NYT, WT 2/7; MEI 2/11; DUS, JT 2/7 in WNC 2/8)

Arafat makes brief visit to Cairo to meet with Mubarak on the peace process. (MENA 2/6 in WNC 2/7; NYT, WT 2/7; MENA 2/6, JT 2/7 in WNC 2/8)

Also in Cairo, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the PA convene high-level quadripartite talks on the future of 1967 Palestinian refugees. (MENA 2/6 in WNC 2/7; MENA 2/6, 2/7 in WNC 2/8; NYT 2/7; MENA 2/8 in WNC 2/10)

In retaliation for the IDF's 2/4 assassination attempt, Hizballah attacks another IDF patrol in s. Lebanon, killing 1 IDF soldier, wounding 7. The battle is broadcast on Israeli television, causing a public uproar. Barak calls an emergency mtg. of his security cabinet. (RL 2/6 in WNC 2/7; AFP 2/6 in WNC 2/8; MM, NYT, WT 2/7; MEI 2/11; JP 2/18)

In Israel, Turkey, Israel open 4-day joint economic comm. mtg. on expanding bilateral trade volume. (ATL 2/6 in WNC 2/7; ATL 2/8, 2/9 in WNC 2/10; ATL 2/11 in WNC 2/14)

In Elat, Israel, the PA begin 10 days of intensive FAPS talks. (WT 1/30; AFP, AYM 1/30 in WNC 1/31; al-Quds 1/30 in WNC 2/1; NYT, WP, WT 1/31; MM 2/3)

At Pres. Clinton's recommendation, Barak goes to Cairo to discuss with Mubarak ways to speed the multitrack peace process. Mubarak briefs Barak on his recent mtgs. with Arafat, Asad, King Abdallah. (MENA 1/30 in WNC 1/31, 2/7; MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/31; MM 2/1; WJW 2/3) (see 1/22)

In Davos, Secy. of State Albright meets separately with PA's Arafat, Jordan's King Abdallah, Egypt's FM Musa, Israel's Regional Cooperation M Peres for talks on the peace process. Peres also meets with Bahrain's crown prince Shaykh Salman Bin-Hamad al-Khalifa. (AFP 1/30 in WNC 1/31; MM, NYT 1/31; MM 2/1, 2/2)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates a large roadside bomb, killing the SLA's 2d in command Col. `Aql Hashim. Israel considers the assassination a significant blow since Hashim was the only likely successor to SLA Cmdr. Antoine Lahd, who is expected to retire soon. The IDF makes a limited counterattack on Hizballah targets, killing 1 civilian. (RL 1/30 in WNC 1/31; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 1/31; MM 2/2; WJW 2/3; al-Safir 2/3 in WNC 2/4; MEI 2/11)

PM Barak tells his cabinet that if asked, he will not make any written pledge to withdraw fr. the Golan to resume peace talks with Syria. (MM, WP 1/24; WJW 1/27)

In Amman, Egyptian pres. Mubarak, King Abdallah discuss the peace process, inter-Arab coordination. (JT, MENA 1/23 in WNC 1/24; MM 1/24; al-Quds 1/24, AYM 1/25 in WNC 1/27)

Martin Indyk assumes his post as U.S. amb. to Israel. Indyk left his post as asst. secy. of state to serve as amb. to Israel for the 2d time. His 1st term was 1995+n97. (WT 1/25; MM, NYT 1/26; WJW 1/27)

Hizballah spiritual leader Shaykh Hassan Nasrallah says Hizballah is "working very assiduously" to ascertain the fate of IDF airman Arad. He doubts Arad is alive but hopes to find his remains, so they can be exchanged for Hizballah mbrs. jailed by Israel. (Der Spiegel, SA 1/24 in WNC 1/27; MEI 1/28; MM 2/4) (see 1/23)

Egyptian pres. Mubarak makes a surprise trip to Damascus to discuss the peace process with Pres. Asad. Mubarak urges Syria to coordinate its peace track with the PA, recommends holding an Arab summit. (MENA 1/22, JT, MENA 1/23 in WNC 1/24; MENA, SA 1/23, MENA 1/24, Tehran Times 1/25 in WNC 1/27; MM 1/24; AYM 1/25, 1/26 in WNC 1/28; MEI 1/28)

In Hebron, Jewish settlers throw stones at Palestinian taxis on Shuhada street to protest Palestinian access to the road. (Hatzofe 1/23 in WNC 1/24)

Syrian FM Shara` says Damascus will not resume negotiations with Israel until Tel Aviv pledges to agree to withdraw fr. the Golan to the 6/4/67 borders. (MM 1/19; RL 1/19 in WNC 1/21; al-Safir 1/19 in WNC 1/24; WT 1/30)

Arafat stops in Cairo to meet with Pres. Mubarak before heading to Washington to meet with Pres. Clinton. (WT 1/19; MENA 1/19 in WNC 1/21; al-Quds 1/20 in WNC 1/24)

Fearing that the peace process could collapse, more than 300 U.S. rabbis associated with Peace Lobby issue a statement calling on Israel, the PA to share sovereignty over Jerusalem. (NYT 1/20; WJW, WP 1/27)

In Israel's 1st official recognition of non-Orthodox Judaism, the Education Min. agrees to finance Reform and Conservative Jewish educational programs. (NYT 1/20; JP 1/28)

Arafat arrives in Cairo for 2 days of talks with Pres. Mubarak, FM Musa on the peace process. (MENA 12/28 in WNC 12/29; MENA 12/28, 12/29 in WNC 12/30)

Qatar recalls its envoy to the occupied territories to protest the PA's handling of the Abu Issa embezzlement dispute. (WT 12/29; JP 1/7; MEI 1/28) (see 12/24)

In another gesture before resuming talks with Syria, Israel hands over to Lebanon the bodies of 2 Hizballah mbrs. killed 12/9 in fighting in s. Lebanon. (NYT 12/29; JP 1/7) (see 12/27)

Shas agrees not to quit the governing coalition after Barak budgets $13 m. for its religious schools. (CSM, NYT, WP 12/29; JP 1/7) (see 12/27)

Arafat makes 1-day trip to Cairo to consult with Pres. Mubarak on the peace process in light of the resumption of Syrian-Israeli talks. (MENA 12/14 in WNC 12/15)

Before departing for Washington, PM Barak meets with Golan settler leaders. Barak's entire cabinet, which is divided on negotiations with Syria, sees him off at the airport. (MM 12/14; NYT 12/15)

On the anniversary of the annexation of the Golan Heights, Druze residents of Majdal Shams, on the Golan, hold a rally in support of Syria in the upcoming negotiations with Israel. (WP, WT 12/15)

Secy. of State Albright says that mos. of behind-the-scenes contacts have narrowed gaps btwn. Syria, Israel on issues of territory, security, and future diplomatic, cultural, trade relations; the cumulative effect of the exchanges made each side confident that they now have a real chance to reach an agmt. (WP 12/13)

In Damascus, Syrian FM Shara` says that he is "so optimistic [as] to say that a few months could be enough to reach a peace agreement" with Israel. In Israel, PM Barak tells his cabinet he thinks an agreement could we reached in a few wks. (NYT, WT 12/13)

Egyptian FM Musa makes 1-day trip to Damascus to give Syrian FM Shara` a message fr. Pres. Mubarak to Pres. Asad, to discuss the peace process. (MENA 12/12 in WNC 12/13; NYT 12/13)

Vowing to block efforts by PM Barak to trade land for peace with Syria, Jewish settlers inaugurate new 390 unit neighborhood in Qatzrin, the largest Golan settlement. There are 17,000 settlers on the Golan. (CSM, WT 12/13)

Israel informs the PA that it will not release any Palestinian prisoners to mark Ramadan until Barak returns fr. talks with Shara` in Washington. Almost 2,000 Palestinians are still in Israeli jails. (AFP 12/12 in WNC 12/13)

In Beirut, Russian dep. FM Sredin holds talk with Lebanese PM Huss on the resumption of Syrian-Israeli talks. (ITAR-TASS 12/12 in WNC 12/13)

The donors' Local Aid Coordination Comm. meets in Gaza. (World Bank press release 2/1)

Secy. Albright ends her visit to the Middle East with a mtg. with Egyptian pres. Mubarak in Sharm al-Shaykh. Afterward, Albright says that the U.S., Egypt are in agreement that multilateral talks should resume quickly. (MENA 12/9 in WNC 12/10; JP 12/17)

PM Barak says he thinks that a peace agmt. with Syria could be completed in a few mos. (NYT 12/10)

In s. Lebanon, 2 Hizballah mbrs. are killed in a clash with the IDF. (RL 12/9 in WNC 12/13)