7 / 15150 Results
  • February 16, 1998

    Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Mahmud Abbas, adviser to PA head Yasir Arafat, and Palestinian Council (PC) Speaker Ahmad Qurai`. In separate mtg., Arafat meets with...

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  • December 4, 1994

    Israeli cabinet debates possible changes to basic agmts. outlined in DOP during next stage of Palestinian self-rule; many Ms oppose withdrawal of troops, fearing inability to protect settlers. (...

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  • April 30, 1984

    Social/Economic/Political:

    Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 more suspects arrested (one Kiryat Arba security officer) in connection with bus bombing plot (4/27/84). When asked in interview if ...

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  • December 25, 1983

    SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

    Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ansar prisoner, Othman Raafat Said Hamdan, scheduled for release in November prisoner exchange, discovered still held in Israel's Atlit military...

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  • October 19, 1982

    Military Action:

    IDF postpones withdrawal from Chouf to prevent massacre of Druze; Lebanese Army sends 3 tanks, 20 soldiers to join 30 soldiers stationed in Kfar Matta.

    Casualties:...

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  • September 2, 1982

    Military Action:

    ICRC plans to evacuate 56 wounded PLO guerrillas by sea to Greece tomorrow, two days after official end of evacuation; IDF officer wounded by light fire from passing car...

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  • July 6, 1982

    Military Action:

    In the fourth day of the blockade, IDF armored units are concentrated near checkpoints, move to port road as well; new fight-ing erupts, with Presidential Palace, US...

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Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Mahmud Abbas, adviser to PA head Yasir Arafat, and Palestinian Council (PC) Speaker Ahmad Qurai`. In separate mtg., Arafat meets with Netanyahu adviser Yitzhak Molho. (QY, YA 2/17, YA 2/18 in WNC 2/21; IGPO 2/18)

Israel's Ciechanover Comm., charged with investigating Mossad's attempted assassination of Hamas mbr. Khalid Mishal in Amman 9/25/97, reports its findings to PM Netanyahu. (MM, WP, WT 2/16; ITV 2/16, JT 2/17 in WNC 2/21; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 2/17; IGPO 2/17 in WNC 2/24; NYT 2/18; WJW 2/19; JP 2/21)

Jordan announces arrest of 5 Hizballah mbrs. who infiltrated fr. Syria, allegedly to carry out attacks on Israeli, U.S. targets in Amman. (MM 2/17)

PA police in Bethlehem force closure of Shepherds Television station for airing report on pro-Iraqi demonstrations in West Bank. (LAW 2/19; NYT 2/20; IGPO 3/1) (see 2/14)

Israeli, Palestinian activists hold demonstration outside U.S. consulate in Jerusalem to protest U.S. threats to strike Iraq. (PR 2/20)

Following talks with UK and France 2/14, U.S. cabinet mbrs. draw up guidelines to limit any diplomatic compromise UN Secy. Gen. Kofi Annan might offer Iraqi pres. Saddam Hussein. U.S. Amb. to the UN Bill Richardson carries U.S. position to the UN, where Annan holds 3d mtg. with UN Security Council (UNSC) permanent mbrs., who fail to reach consensus on substance of the message that Annan should carry to Iraq. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy David Newton arrives in Cairo on 1st leg of regional tour to explain the U.S. position on Iraq; he will also visit Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan. (MM 2/16; MENA 2/16 in WNC 2/21; MM, NYT 2/17; MM 2/19)

Israeli cabinet debates possible changes to basic agmts. outlined in DOP during next stage of Palestinian self-rule; many Ms oppose withdrawal of troops, fearing inability to protect settlers. (NYT, WP 12/5)

CIA chief James Woolsey arrives in Israel to brief PM Rabin on Iranian, North Korean nuclear capability. (HA 12/22 in FBIS 12/23)

Arafat meets with U.S. Consul General Edward Abington, discusses peace talks, gives him letter for Pres. Clinton. (VOP 12/4 in FBIS 12/5)

PR reports that 16 Palestinian homes were totally demolished, 3 sealed by IDF in West Bank during November. (PR 12/4)

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 more suspects arrested (one Kiryat Arba security officer) in connection with bus bombing plot (4/27/84). When asked in interview if practice of demolishing homes of terrorists will be applied to Jews, DM Arens refuses comment, but admits existence of "legal anomoly."

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat tells Kuwait newspaper al-Qabas of hopes to establish base in Egypt. Lebanon announces formation of new national unity gov't.; Shi'ite leader Berri refuses to join cabinet, criticizing lack of important Druze and Shi'ite role.

Other Countries: Swiss Socialist Party issues May Day statement of full support and sympathy for the PLO and its struggle (as well as freedom movements in El Salvador, Turkey & for Polisario); Zionist MP Hurvitz resigns from Swiss parliament and Socialist Party in protest. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ansar prisoner, Othman Raafat Said Hamdan, scheduled for release in November prisoner exchange, discovered still held in Israel's Atlit military prison. Israeli Cabinet accuses Egypt of violating spirit of Camp David by Mubarak's meeting with Arafat. Railroad workers in North strike for 3 days to protest erosion of salaries. Estimated 12,000 tourists visit Bethlehem at Christmas.

Arab World: Egypt's FM Butros Ghali urges resumption of talks between Jordan and PLO.

MILITARY ACTION: Arab World: 30 killed (mostly civilians) and 50 wounded in Beirut fighting; LAF gain control of 3 key positions near Sabra & Shatila after French withdrawal.

Military Action:

IDF postpones withdrawal from Chouf to prevent massacre of Druze; Lebanese Army sends 3 tanks, 20 soldiers to join 30 soldiers stationed in Kfar Matta.

Casualties:

600 IDF soldiers reportedly suffered mental breakdowns during Lebanon invasion (100 still undergoing treatment); Israeli Minister Meridor, inspecting camps at Sidon and Tyre, charges UNRWA rejects Israeli offers to help prepare refugee camps in south for winter.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli Parliament backs Begin's West Bank policy with 56-50 vote of confidence; Commission of Inquiry formally launches probe into role of IDF and Cabinet; Attorney-General Zamir says Uri Avnery will not be prosecuted for interview with Arafat; Israeli officials reportedly dismayed at Gemayel's UN speech calling Israel withdrawal prerequisite for peace in Lebanon, endorsing Palestinian self-determination, and appealing for UNIFIL to remain; hundreds of Israeli Druze protest outside Begin's home claiming Israeli attempt to create massacre of Druze in Chouf region.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel, in 2 hour meeting with Reagan, requests increase in size of US peacekeeping unit, strongly endorses peace initiative (later meets with Shultz, World Bank head Clausen, and Weinberger); Lebanese official says official investigation of massacre continuing.

UN: USSR backs effort to expel Israel from UN agencies but not General Assembly; vote on Israeli expulsion delayed.

Military Action:

ICRC plans to evacuate 56 wounded PLO guerrillas by sea to Greece tomorrow, two days after official end of evacuation; IDF officer wounded by light fire from passing car north of Tyre.

Casualties:

Lebanese police assumed control of West Beirut for first itme since 1975-76 civil war (Wazzan opens Green Line; only light army/police presence noted in East Beirut; Lebanese Army limited to barracks, defense of public buildings, can only act by order of Wazzan); Israeli planes continue to use Beirut airport, but Lebanese government resists Israeli demands that Israelis remain in control tower and check aircraft manifests, that El Al be allowed to open airport, and that Israeli military facilities be maintained there; Israelis advised to stay out of Beirut.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Cabinet meets in extraordinary session, angrily and unanimously rejects Reagan initiative as "worse than Rogers Plan"; Begin meets Weinberger, says Reagan initiative outside Camp David agreement; West Bank, Gaza reactions slightly positive after Kaddoumi response; Peres welcomes initiative; Nahum Goldmann buried on Mt. Herzl; West Bank Village League leaders invited to meet Weinberger at reception; residents of five refugee camps hold sit-in at Jerusalem UNRWA operations to protest cutoff of supplies; Jerusalem Post poll indicates over 50 percent of Israelis favor territorial compromise on occupied territories.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO studies Reagan proposals (Kaddoumi says proposals supplement Camp David; PLO Executive Committee plans meeting within 48 hours); Bourguiba receives Arafat on arrival in Tunisia; PLO, Syria warn Gemayel against signing treaty with Israel; Habib leaves Lebanon on vacation; Sarkis urges Reagan to allow Habib to negotiate withdrawal of Syrian, Israeli troops; Cabinet announces Lebanon will attend Fez Arab summit meeting, votes $1 m. to clean, repair Beirut streets.

Arab Governments: Most Arab governments withhold immediate comments on Reagan proposals, await Fez meeting; Jordan's Foreign Ministry says they have some positive aspects.

US and Other Countries: Weinberger, in Israel, visits Israeli weapons factories; Shultz expresses regret at Israeli rejection, says Hussein seriously studying proposals; proposals welcomed by Britain; former President Carter endorses intiative

Military Action:

In the fourth day of the blockade, IDF armored units are concentrated near checkpoints, move to port road as well; new fight-ing erupts, with Presidential Palace, US embassy hit; shelling begins in afternoon, continues into night; IDF bombardment by tanks/ artillery hits PLO ammunition dump in Burj al-Barajneh camp, also target near UNESCO building; USSR compound badly damaged (Syrian outpost nearby); cease-fire called at end of day.

Casualties:

Political and military groups organize garbage removal, flour deliveries to small bakeries, creation of small clinics (only 10 days of flour on hand in W. Beirut; oxygen in short supply, gas almost unavailable); World Council of Churches says hundreds of Lebanese civilians have disappeared, apparently to Israeli internment centers (also charges obstruction of relief efforts, delaying shipping, documentation, unloading and distribution of supplies); after initial denial, IDF admits cutting water/ electricity to W. Beirut (only revealed after journalists found IDF soldiers inside switching station); Lebanese Red Cross calls for intervention to spare the people of Beirut; International Commission of Jurists calls on Israel to grant POW status to estimated 4000 Palestinians taken prisoner; Israeli government considers appointment of Arye Eliav to head rehabilitation efforts for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon (Eliav tentatively accepts pending government decision); suffering of Lebanese civilians from IDF invasion reportedly significantly higher than PLO; danger of cholera/ typhoid epidemics grow in W. Beirut; 3 IDF soldiers wounded at Baabda by PLO shelling.

Political Responses:

Israel/Occupied Territories: Israeli sources report US willingness to station US troops in Beirut (US government later agrees "in principle" to send US troops as PLO escort, but opposition from Congressional leaders grows); Telem faction joins Begin government, giving Likud Bloc one more vote; government reportedly sets July 9 as deadline for diplomatic solution; Sharon, in speech near Tel Aviv, says invasion pre-empted Syrian war plans against Israel; Cabinet rejects 2 parts of US plan (continued PLO political role and 2 PLO units to be attached to Lebanese Army); government dismisses elected mayor and towni council of Jenin (sixth pro-PLO West Bank mayor ousted since November 1981), reportedly for failure to cooperate with new Israeli administrators; tear gas used to disperse Bir Zeit students protesting invasion; curfew imposed on Balata refugee camp near Nablus after bus carrying IDF soldiers stoned; 3 people in Idna near Hebron detained on suspicion of inciting workers to strike.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat rejects PLO evacuation under US supervision or via Sixth Fleet (however, other PLO spokespeople say US/French troops will separate PLO and IDF units, allow PLO evacuation to east); Arafat refers to Habib's "blackmail"; Phalange calls up 2500-3000 high school graduates of 1982 to boost armed strength; Greek Catholic bishop and two priests abducted in the Bekaa area (apparent retaliation for ab-duction of Iranian charge d'affaires on Sunday).

Arab Governments: Syria rejects participation in US plan.

US and Other Countries: Reagan agrees "in principle" to US troops being sent to Lebanon, key Congressional leaders voice concern, opposition to plan; US appeals for restoration of water, electricity to Beirut.

UN: Discussion of French/Egyptian resolution continues.