In Kiryat Motzkin, nr. Haifa, a Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device outside a cafe, wounding 15 Israelis. Islamic Jihad takes responsibility. (The bomber, Muhammad Nasr, was a fmr. PSF...
New Israeli government is sworn in, with PM Barak's 7-party governing coalition--comprising the Center party, Meretz, National Religious party, One Israel, Shas, United Torah Judaism, Yisrael Ba'...
Rep. David Obey (R-WI), chmn. of House appropriations subcomm., suggests that Israel and Egypt may "one day" see their aid cut, as Pres. Clinton seeks to cut foreign aid by $2b over 5 years while...
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In Kiryat Motzkin, nr. Haifa, a Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device outside a cafe, wounding 15 Israelis. Islamic Jihad takes responsibility. (The bomber, Muhammad Nasr, was a fmr. PSF guard who quit his job at the Jinin jail after Islamic Jihad leader Iyad Hardan, who had befriended Nasr during his incarceration there, was assassinated on 4/5.) Afterward, Israeli Jews attack, severely beat an Israeli-Arab family in Haifa. Meanwhile, the IDF directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Hebron, fatally shooting a 7-yr.-old Palestinian girl in her home, wounding 19 others; on hearing the news of the girl's death, the child's grandmother has a fatal heart attack. The IDF also occupies the Palestinian Telecommunications (Paltel) building in Abu Dis, which handles Palestinian telephone service in the Jerusalem area; Israel says Paltel may continue operations in coordination with IDF officers posted on site. The IDF directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bethlehem; demolishes a Palestinian home, bulldozes agricultural land in al-Qarara. Jewish settlers uproot a Palestinian olive grove nr. Ma'ale Shomron settlement. Demonstrations continue outside Orient House. Peace Now sponsors a protest vigil outside the PM's office in Jerusalem. Israeli police set up a new police post at Damascus Gate, new security cameras in several areas in the Old City. (AFP [Internet], IDF press release 8/12; HP, NYT, WP, WT 8/13; MENA, al-Ra'i 8/13 in WNC 8/14; NYT 8/14; MA 8/14 in WNC 8/15; MEZ 8/15; Independent [Internet] 8/16)
Sharon authorizes Peres to open security talks with senior PA officials but requires him seek special permission to meet with Arafat. (FMin. press release 8/12; AP, HP, WT 8/13; AYM 8/13 in WNC 8/14; WT 8/14; al-Ra'i 8/16 in WNC 8/17)
In Cairo, FM Maher, Mubarak's senior adviser Osama Baz meet with Oslo architect and fmr. Israeli MK Yossi Beilin to discuss ways achieving an Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire, renewing negotiations. (MENA 8/13 in WNC 8/14)
New Israeli government is sworn in, with PM Barak's 7-party governing coalition--comprising the Center party, Meretz, National Religious party, One Israel, Shas, United Torah Judaism, Yisrael Ba'Aliya--will give him control of 75 of the 120 Knesset seats. One Israel's David Levy, who resigned as Netanyahu's FM 18 mos. ago, resumes the FM position. Fmr. Labor PM Shimon Peres is given the new position of regional development minister, which aims to promote economic integration btwn. Israel, Arab states. Oslo architect Yossi Beilin (One Israel) will hold the justice portfolio; Yossi Sarid (Meretz), education; Natan Sharansky (Yisrael Ba'Aliya), interior; Avraham Shohat (One Israel), finance. Barak will serve as DM as well as PM. Shas party mbrs. are given heath, infrastructure, labor, religious affairs portfolios. Barak says he will make peace process his priority; wants to hold simultaneous negotiations with PA, Syria and withdraw troops fr. s. Lebanon. Arafat, Asad issue statements saying they are willing to work with Barak for peace. (MM 7/6; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/7; AFP, France-Info Radio, IDF Radio, JT, JTV 7/7 in WNC 7/8; WJW 7/8; Interfax, MA 7/8 in WNC 7/9; MM 7/9; MEI 7/16)
Arafat makes 1-day trip to Cairo to discuss the peace process with Pres. Mubarak. (WT 7/7)
Syrian pres. Asad leaves Russia after 2 days of talks. Russia, Syria agree to step up technical, military cooperation but do not finalize arms deal. U.S. warns Moscow that it might cancel $50 m. in aid to Russia if it completes a deal with Damascus. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/7; Interfax 7/8 in WNC 7/9; MM 7/9; MEI 7/16)
Palestinian High Court orders the PA to release Hamas mbr. Muhammad Jadallah, who has been detained without charge since 3/24/96. (al-Quds 7/8 in WNC 7/12)
In the West Bank, IDF storms Palestinian homes in 3 villages nr. Hebron, arrests 5 alleged Hamas, Islamic Jihad mbrs. on charges of planning an attack in Israel. At least 36 Palestinian have been arrested in similar raids in the Hebron area over the past mo. (MM, WP 7/7; AYM 7/7 in WNC 7/12)
Rep. David Obey (R-WI), chmn. of House appropriations subcomm., suggests that Israel and Egypt may "one day" see their aid cut, as Pres. Clinton seeks to cut foreign aid by $2b over 5 years while increasing aid to Russia next year by $300m. Clinton has pledged to maintain current levels. (WT 3/9)
Israeli Dep. FM Yossi Beilin protests to British amb. in Israel over UK decision to upgrade PLO contacts. (IDF Radio 3/8 in FBIS 3/8)
Haydar'Abd al-Shafi calls on Hamas and Islamic Jihad to behave "in a responsible way" after 3/7 clash inside Gaza mosque. (al-Fajr 3/9 in FBIS 3/9)
Jerusalem Post reports on quota for Arab pop. of Jerusalem set by govt. in 1973, consistently enforced through housing plans-in 1967, Arab pop. was 26% of total, today is 27%. City council may appeal the legality of the discriminatory quota to the High Court. (MM 3/8)
Elections at Hebron U. are postponed because of Ramadan and IDF's impeding access to campus (acc. to PLO supporters), or because PLO was afraid of defeat and wants more of its supporters inthe admin. (acc. to Islamists). PLO-Islamist fights ensue. Islamists have consistently won past elections. (MM 3/9)
Israel reopens Gaza checkpoints to Palestinian workers; 30,000 travel to jobs (see 3/2). Two Palestinians kill settler as he was driving them to work; Fateh Eagles claim responsibility. Settlers angrily protest, killing 1 Palestinian. (Qol Yisra'el 3/8 in FBIS 3/8; MM 3/8; WP 3/9)
IDF shoots Palestinian youth dead near Tulkarm. (ITV 3/8 in FBIS 3/9)
PLO official Khalid Muhammad al-Jassem is convicted of attempting to bomb three Israeli targets in New York City in 1973. (NYT 3/9)
