The Palestine Chronology

Israeli-Palestinian clashes intensify slightly, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. Palestinians ambush a car outside Ma'ale Levona settlement nr. Ramallah, injuring 2 Jewish settlers. (IsRN, MEZ 11/5; LAW, NYT, WP 11/6; HJ 11/6 in WNC 11/7; AYM 11/6 in WNC 11/9)

The NIHC issues leaflets in the West Bank and Gaza, calling on Palestinians to focus their confrontation on IDF soldiers and Jewish settlers, to form local committees to organize mass activities, to boycott Israeli and U.S. goods. (HJ 11/6 in WNC 11/7)

The White House announces that Arafat, Barak have accepted invitations to meet with Pres. Clinton in Washington--Arafat on 11/9, Barak on 11/12. (XIN 11/5 in WNC 11/6; HJ, IRNA 11/5, AYM, DUS, al-Quds 11/6 in WNC 11/7; MM, NYT, WP 11/6)

At Fatima Gate, 100s of Lebanese throw stones across the blue line at IDF troops, who fire warning shots in return, causing no injuries. Rallies in support of the Palestinians are held in Ottawa, outside Senate candidate Lazio's campaign headquarters in Babylon, NY. (AFP [Internet] 11/5, 11/10)

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)

In Paris, U.S. Secy. of State Albright, CIA Dir. Tenet meet with Arafat, Barak. After 12 hrs. of talks, joined at times by UN Secy.-Gen. Annan and French pres. Chirac, the sides reach an arrangement under which Barak agrees to withdraw troops to their positions before 9/28, Arafat agrees to try to curb Palestinian rioting, both sides agree to keep people away fr. 3 hot spots (Netzarim Junction in Gaza, Joseph's Tomb in Nablus, and the "circle area" nr. Ramallah). The U.S. had hoped Arafat and Barak would sign a document outlining the agmts., but the Arafat would do so only if the text included provisions for an international inquiry, which Barak rejected. After the mtg. Albright, Arafat leave for Sharm al-Shaykh. Barak returns to Israel, saying there no point in meeting with Mubarak. (MM, REU 10/4; AFP, ATL, Interfax, IRNA, ITAR-TASS, MENA, Yonhap [Seoul] 10/4, AFP, IDF Radio, Interfax, JT, MA, MENA, al-Quds, SA, VOI 10/5 in WNC 10/6; AP, CSM, LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/5; Arab News 10/5, AYM, HJ, MENA 10/6, SA 10/7, MENA 10/9 in WNC 10/10; MM, WP 10/6; AYM, Le Monde 10/11 in WNC 10/12; MM, WP 10/12; JP, MEI 10/13)

Meanwhile, Palestinian-Israeli clashes continue in the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel, leaving 9 Palestinians dead, 10s wounded; 2 Palestinians die of wounds received earlier. An Israeli Arab is killed in a clash Israeli police in Kefar Manda in the Galilee. The IDF eases open-fire regulations, permitting soldiers to fire on any vehicles approaching checkpoints and continues to use heavy weapons, but overall the fighting is less intense than in previous days. The most serious clashes are nr. Bethlehem, Jaffa, Nablus, Netzarim Junction. (MM 10/4; ANSA, IRNA 10/4 in WNC 10/6; LAW, NYT, WP, WT 10/5; HJ, Daily Star 10/5 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/9)

Protests against Israel's actions are held in Damascus, where 1,000s of students demonstrate outside the U.S. emb.; in Cairo, where 1,500 students demonstrate outside the Israeli emb.; and in Amman, where riot police fire tear gas to disperse 800 protesters marching toward the Israeli emb., injuring 62. In Copenhagen, 5,000 attend a Palestinian solidarity rally. Smaller rallies are staged in Istanbul, London, Rome. In the U.S. demonstrations are staged in Dearborn, Detroit, Madison, Miami, New Haven, Portland. (MENA 10/4 in WNC 10/5; ATL 10/4, JT 10/5 in WNC 10/6; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/5; MENA 10/5, HJ 10/6 in WNC 10/10; MENL 10/11)

The PA releases 12 Hamas political prisoners who had been held without charge in PA jails. Israel says the PA is giving a "green light for terrorism." (HJ 10/5 in WNC 10/6; WP 10/6)

The PC convenes an emergency session in Ramallah, denounces Israel's aggression, calls for an Arab summit. (WP 10/5)

Citing "compelling national security interests," the State Dept. sends Amb. Indyk back to Israel to maintain contact with Israeli officials during the clashes. (WT 10/5) (see 9/22)

After Shas agrees to stay in the coalition if Meretz cabinet mbrs. leave, Trade M Ran Cohen, Agriculture M Haim Oron, Education M Sarid resign their posts. Meretz, which holds 10 Knesset seats, vows to continue to support Barak's peace policy. (MM, WJW, WT 6/22; CSM, JP, MM, WP, WT 6/23; MA 6/23, IRNA 6/24 in WNC 6/27; MA 6/23, al-Quds 6/24, MA 6/25 in WNC 6/29; MM 6/27; JP 6/30)

In Ramallah, the PSF arrests Ghlem, Arafat's adviser for refugee affairs, for criticizing the PA's handling of the refugee issue. (MENL 6/25; LAW 6/26; MEI 6/30; LAW 7/4, 8/1) (see 6/20)

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)