19 / 15150 Results
  • August 11, 1996

    In Cairo, Fatah Central Comm. ends 2-days of talks on conditions in the West Bank, Gaza; discusses plans for promoting candidates in upcoming municipal elections; rejects proposal to effect...

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  • July 24, 1996

    Israeli High Court passes resolution, allowing small groups of Temple Mount Faithful to enter the al-Aqsa mosque courtyards 7/25 to perform Jewish religious rites for fast day. PA, Jordan, Syria...

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  • July 18, 1996

    On his 1st visit to an Arab capital since his election, Israeli PM Netanyahu meets with Egyptian Pres. Mubarak in Cairo. (MM 7/18; MENA, QY 7/18 in FBIS 7/18; IDF Radio, ITV, MENA, RE 7/18, MENA 7...

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  • July 10, 1996

    PM Netanyahu speaks before joint session of Congress. Rep. Benjamin Gilman (R-NY), noted for holding up Middle East Peace Facilitation Act aid to the PLO, calls speech "an eloquent and visionary...

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  • June 27, 1996

    Arafat, Netanyahu adviser Gold meet in Gaza. (MM 6/28; QY 6/28 in FBIS 6/28; QY 6/28, MENA 6/29 in FBIS 7/1; MEI, PR 7/5; JP 7/6)

    Syria strongly denounces Israeli PM Netanyahu's 6/26...

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  • June 26, 1996

    PC opens weekly 2-day session in Gaza. (VOP 6/26 in FBIS 6/27)

    In his strongest attack on Syria since the 5/29 elections, Israeli PM Netanyahu accuses Syria of being a base for terror, says...

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  • June 22, 1996

    First Arab Summit since August 1990 opens in Cairo. (WP, WT 6/22; AFP, JTV, MENA, RE, RL 6/22 in FBIS 6/24; MENA 6/23 in FBIS 6/25; PR 6/28; JP 6/29; MEI 7/5)

    EU leaders meet in Florence...

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  • June 8, 1996

    In Damascus, Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia close 2 days of talks to show unity, support for peace process. Secy. of State Christopher warns Arabs not to "prejudge" Israel, "close doors." Arab states...

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  • June 7, 1996

    Joint EA, PLO Exec. Comm. meeting convenes. (QY 6/7 in FBIS 6/7; VOP 6/8 in FBIS 6/10; PR 6/14)

    Local Aid Coordination Comm. meets in Gaza. (VOP 6/7 in FBIS 6/10)

    In Hebron, settlers...

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  • June 5, 1996

    2-day PC mtg. opens. (QY 6/7 in FBIS 6/7; PR 6/14)

    In Aqaba, Jordan's King Hussein, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, PA's Arafat hold follow-up mtg. to their 5/11+n12 unity summit to focus on ways of...

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  • May 30, 1996

    With all regular ballots in the Israeli elections counted, Netanyahu is ahead by 21,399 votes (0.7 percent); Likud, Labor are losing Knesset seats; religious parties are gaining seats. 150,000...

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  • March 27, 1996

    Confessed Rabin assassin Yigal Amir is found guilty of murder, is sentenced to life in prison. In Israel, the death penalty is reserved for Nazi war crimes, espionage. (MM 3/27; QY 3/27 in FBIS 3/...

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  • March 13, 1996

    1-day Antiterrorism summit is held in Sharm al-Shaykh. (CSM, MM, WP 3/13; MENA, RE, RJ, SARR 3/13 in FBIS 3/13; ITV, MENA, PBC, SARR 3/13, HA 3/14 in FBIS 3/14; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/14; MEI, MM 3/15...

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  • March 8, 1996

    PLO's Faruq Qaddumi arrives in Beirut fr. Damascus, meets with Lebanese FM Buwayz, announces he is making a tour of Arab states (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria) to gain support for a "council to...

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  • February 28, 1996

    Third round of Syrian-Israeli "exploratory" talks convene in Maryland. (MM, WT 2/28; JP, MA, SARR 2/28 in FBIS 2/28; NYT 2/29; QY 2/29 in FBIS 2/29; MA, QY 3/1 in FBIS 3/1)

    Arafat demands...

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  • February 26, 1996

    In Jerusalem, car driven by a Palestinian-American rams into a crowded bus stop, killing 1, injuring 23. 2 Israeli settlers shoot, kill the driver. Israeli police are unsure whether the man lost...

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  • February 13, 1996

    In Oslo, Israel, Jordan, PA initial agmt. on managing scarce water resources. (QY 2/13, JP 2/14 in FBIS 2/14; WT 2/14)

    Egypt-Israel-Jordan-PA technical comm. on refugees opens 2-day mtg. in...

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  • February 6, 1996

    At close of a 2-day mtg. in El Arish, Egypt, PLO Exec. Comm. mbrs. delay indefinitely setting date for PNC mtg. to amend 12 articles of the PLO charter. (MM 2/6; MENA, RE, RMC 2/6 in FBIS 2/6; VOP...

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  • January 16, 1996

    Oslo II bill passes its 2d and 3d readings (48-44) in the Knesset. (MM 1/16, 1/17) (see 1/8)

    Jerusalem mayor Ehud Olmert, Arafat adviser Faisal Husseini confirm that Israel (under the...

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In Cairo, Fatah Central Comm. ends 2-days of talks on conditions in the West Bank, Gaza; discusses plans for promoting candidates in upcoming municipal elections; rejects proposal to effect partial redeployment in Hebron. (MENA, RMC 8/11, VOP 8/12 in FBIS 8/12; VOP 8/12 in FBIS 8/13)

Palestinian Naher Dahlan dies while in PA custody. PA says he committed suicide. Adameer human rights organization says he died as a result of abuse during interrogation. (MM 8/15; PR 8/16) (see 8/10)

Turkish Pres. Erbakan arrives in Iran for 3-day official visit; holds talks on political, economic ties with Pres. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. U.S. is angered. (MM 8/12) (see 8/5)

Israeli High Court passes resolution, allowing small groups of Temple Mount Faithful to enter the al-Aqsa mosque courtyards 7/25 to perform Jewish religious rites for fast day. PA, Jordan, Syria protest. 10's of Jews immediately try to storm the mosque but are blocked by Israeli police. (QY 7/24, QY, al-Ra'i, SARR, VOP 7/25, RMC 7/26 in FBIS 7/26; MENA 7/31 in FBIS 8/1; RJ 7/31 in FBIS 8/2; MEI, PR 8/2)

PA policeman shoots at suspicious car nr. checkpoint outside Qalqilya, slightly wounding girl; is held by PA for questioning. IDF puts closure on Qalqilya. (QY 7/25 in FBIS 7/26; QY 7/28 in FBIS 7/29)

On his 1st visit to an Arab capital since his election, Israeli PM Netanyahu meets with Egyptian Pres. Mubarak in Cairo. (MM 7/18; MENA, QY 7/18 in FBIS 7/18; IDF Radio, ITV, MENA, RE 7/18, MENA 7/19 in FBIS 7/19; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/19; MENA 7/20, YA 7/22 in FBIS 7/23; CSM 7/22; WP 7/23; NYT 7/31; MEI 8/2)

Israeli DM Mordechai meets with YESHA settlers' council mbrs., who ask that mbrs. of their civil guard be attached to the regular army patrols in the West Bank, Gaza; more land be zoned for settlement expansion. (QY 7/18 in FBIS 7/18)

Mayor of Ma'ale Adumim settlement presents plans to link the settlement with Jerusalem through construction of 2,000 housing units, 3,000 hotel units on state-owned land stretching fr. Ma'ale Adumim to Pisgat Ze'ev settlement, thereby doubling Ma'ale Adumim's population to 40,000. (MA 7/18 in FBIS 7/18)

In Gaza, ceremony is held to establish the Islamic Renaissance Party (IRP). `Abd al-Halim al-Sutari, the party's sec. gen., says the IRP will participate in the PA. (al-Quds 7/20 in FBIS 7/29)

PM Netanyahu speaks before joint session of Congress. Rep. Benjamin Gilman (R-NY), noted for holding up Middle East Peace Facilitation Act aid to the PLO, calls speech "an eloquent and visionary tour de force." Netanyahu then hold talks with congressional leaders, representatives fr. Arab embassies, CIA Dir. John Deutch. (ITV, QY, SARR 7/10, QY, YA 7/11 in FBIS 7/11; MM, NYT, WJW, WP, WT 7/11; CSM 7/12; QY 7/14 in FBIS 7/15; MM 7/16; WJW 7/18; MEI 7/19; JP 7/20)

In Hebron, Palestinians clash with Israeli police after PM Netanyahu fails to set a date for redeployment in the city; IDF seals area, imposes curfew. Palestinians had hoped Clinton would have pressured Netanyahu to set a timetable for redeployment, easing of closure. (QY 7/20 in FBIS 7/10; QY, RE, SARR 7/10, al-Hayat, QY, RE, SARR, VOP 7/11 in FBIS 7/11; CSM, MM, WP, WT 7/11; RMC 7/10, al-Hayat, QY 7/11, VOP 7/12 in FBIS 7/12; MM 7/15)

Bowing to pressure fr. ultraorthodox Jews, Israeli Transportation Min. agrees to close Bar Ilan Street, 1 of Jerusalem's main roads, for most of the Jewish Sabbath for a 4-mo. trial period. Israeli High Court overrides his order with a temporary injunction to keep the road open. Israeli police expect demonstrations, violent classes btwn. orthodox, secular Jews. (WT 7/11)

After Organization of African Unity gives near unanimous backing to UN Secy. Gen. Butros-Ghali in his bid for a 2d term. U.S. again says it will veto him if he runs. (WT 7/11) (see 6/23)

Hizballah releases 2 SLA prisoners, proposes to exchange 17 other SLA mbrs. in its custody for 200 Lebanese nationals held in al-Khiyam prison in s. Lebanon. (MENA, VOL 7/10 in FBIS 7/11; MM 7/17)

Arafat, Netanyahu adviser Gold meet in Gaza. (MM 6/28; QY 6/28 in FBIS 6/28; QY 6/28, MENA 6/29 in FBIS 7/1; MEI, PR 7/5; JP 7/6)

Syria strongly denounces Israeli PM Netanyahu's 6/26 statement, urges U.S. to force Israel to adhere to land-for-peace principle. (WT 6/28)

PA releases Palestinian human rights activist Sarraj. Gaza City court dismisses his drug possession charges (6/11); he must still face PA military court charges that he struck an officer (6/12). Sarraj says he believes he was arrested 6/10 because of a letter he sent to Arafat, criticizing the PA's human rights record. (WP 6/27; PR 6/28) (see 6/12)

Israeli atty. gen. clears Agriculture M Eitan of charges of bribery, is pursing charges of misuse of classified material. 2d charge is considered a "lesser offense," conviction would not require Eitan to retire fr. Knesset. (QY 6/27 in FBIS 6/28) (see 6/12)

PC opens weekly 2-day session in Gaza. (VOP 6/26 in FBIS 6/27)

In his strongest attack on Syria since the 5/29 elections, Israeli PM Netanyahu accuses Syria of being a base for terror, says peace efforts with Damascus depend on its ending its "indirect war" with Israel; warns he may seek international economic sanctions against Syria. (MM 6/26; QY 6/26 in FBIS 6/27; CSM, WT 6/27)

In Cairo, U.S. Secy. of State Christopher meets separately with Arafat, Pres. Mubarak. In mtg. with Mubarak, Christopher acknowledged Palestinians right to self-determination as laid out in UN Res. 242 (see 6/25). (CSM, MM 6/26; MENA, RE 6/26 in FBIS 6/26; RE 6/26 in FBIS 6/27; CSM 6/27; MEI 7/5)

Alleged Palestinian assailants infiltrate border fr. Jordan, ambush IDF patrol nr. Jericho, killing 3 soldiers, wounding 2. Jordan permits IDF to cross border in pursuit; coordinates search for wanted men btwn. IDF, Jordanian army. Jordan's King Hussein calls PM Netanyahu to express his condolences. DM Mordechai blames the Jordanian army for not preventing the attack. Syrian-based group Fatah-Uprising takes responsibility, says its West Bank cell carried out the attack. (QPAR 6/26 in FBIS 6/26; JTV, QY, RMC 6/26, JP, YA 6/27 in FBIS 6/27; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/27; JP 7/6)

Iraqi security forces arrest, allegedly execute 100 INA mbrs. in n. Iraq. (WP 9/10) (see 6/23)

First Arab Summit since August 1990 opens in Cairo. (WP, WT 6/22; AFP, JTV, MENA, RE, RL 6/22 in FBIS 6/24; MENA 6/23 in FBIS 6/25; PR 6/28; JP 6/29; MEI 7/5)

EU leaders meet in Florence issue policy statement on the peace process, Middle East. (MENA 6/23 in FBIS 6/25; MM 6/25; WJW 6/27; JP 6/29)

In Damascus, Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia close 2 days of talks to show unity, support for peace process. Secy. of State Christopher warns Arabs not to "prejudge" Israel, "close doors." Arab states, particularly Syria, call warning one sided, insulting. (WP 6/8; MENA, RMC, SARR 6/8 in FBIS 6/10; NYT, WP, WT 6/9; CSM, WT 6/10; MM 6/12)

Hizballah attacks 2 Israeli patrols in s. Lebanon, wounding 2 IDF soldiers. (CSM 6/10)

Joint EA, PLO Exec. Comm. meeting convenes. (QY 6/7 in FBIS 6/7; VOP 6/8 in FBIS 6/10; PR 6/14)

Local Aid Coordination Comm. meets in Gaza. (VOP 6/7 in FBIS 6/10)

In Hebron, settlers move building materials into Palestinian home near bathhouse seized 6/5, begin renovating it for their occupation. (WT 6/8; MENA 6/8 in FBIS 6/10)

UN votes to ask Secy. Gen. Butros Butros-Ghali to fix a dollar amount on damages caused by Israel's 4/96 offensive in Lebanon; U.S., Israel are the only countries to vote against. The figure is necessary to establish claims against Israel by victims' families. (WT 6/8)

Turkish PM Yilmaz resigns in hopes of averting the no-confidence vote, affording his party the chance to form a new government. (CSM, NYT 6/7) (see 6/3)

2-day PC mtg. opens. (QY 6/7 in FBIS 6/7; PR 6/14)

In Aqaba, Jordan's King Hussein, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, PA's Arafat hold follow-up mtg. to their 5/11+n12 unity summit to focus on ways of supporting the Palestinians when peace talks resume. (MM 6/5; MENA, RJ 6/5 in FBIS 6/5; JT, JTV, SARR 6/5 in FBIS 6/6; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 6/6)

Israel's dep. mayor of Jerusalem, Shmuel Meir, urges PM-elect Netanyahu to approve a plan to tear down 2,000 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem that were built without permits, build 50,000 houses for Jews. (QY 6/6 in FBIS 6/6)

Israel's Justice Min. rejects an appeal demanding that blank ballots be counted in the PM elections. Were the blank ballots counted, neither Peres nor Netanyahu would have gained the 50% needed to win the premiership. (QY 6/5 in FBIS 6/6) (see 5/31)

IDF eases closure on West Bank, Gaza, allowing 22,000 married Palestinians over the age of 35 to attend their jobs in Israel. 350 Palestinian merchants are also allowed in. (QY 6/5 in FBIS 6/5) (see 6/2)

In Hebron, Jewish settlers seize, occupy Palestinian owned bathhouse. 1,000s of settlers hold street party to celebrate Netanyahu win. (MM 6/6, WT 6/8; MENA 6/8 in FBIS 6/10; PR 6/14)

In s. Lebanon, heads of Hizballah, the Higher Islamic Shiite Council meet to discuss local, regional developments arising fr. the Israeli elections. (RL 6/6 in FBIS 6/6)

With all regular ballots in the Israeli elections counted, Netanyahu is ahead by 21,399 votes (0.7 percent); Likud, Labor are losing Knesset seats; religious parties are gaining seats. 150,000 absentee and military ballots, which in the past have gone overwhelmingly to Likud, have yet to be counted. The Israeli stock market drops 5 percent, value of the shekel falls. (MM, WP 5/30; IDF Radio, QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/30; MENA, QY, SARR 5/30, JP, QY 5/31 in FBIS 5/31; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 5/31; MEI, PR 6/7)

Netanyahu says that if he wins he will work to strengthen peace btwn. Israel, "Arab states with whom Israel already has peaceful relations." (QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; NYT 5/31)

Aides describe Pres. Clinton as "crestfallen" over Netanyahu's probable win, believing it to be a setback to his image as a peacemaker. Yet, Clinton says that, whatever the results, the U.S. will continue its support for Israel. (MM 5/30; NYT, WP, WT 5/31) (see 5/28)

PA says it will deal with any election outcome; if Likud wins, it must still continue the peace process. (JMCC, ITV 5/30 in FBIS 5/31)

Hamas says Netanyahu win would be a declaration of war against Palestinians, Arabs. (QY, RMC 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; AFP 6/2 in FBIS 6/3)

In Tel Aviv, Labor's M Ehud Barak, Finance M Avraham Shohat, Housing M Binyamin Ben-Eliezer meet to discuss party's future. Some see mtg. as an attempt to oust PM Peres from the party; others see it as an attempt to outflank Interior M Hayim Ramon's bid for party leadership, assuming Peres will resign. Peres is furious with Barak for holding the mtg. (IDF Radio, QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/30; IDF Radio, ITV 5/31, IDF Radio 6/1 in FBIS 6/3; NYT 6/4; IDF Radio 6/5 in FBIS 6/7)

Likud opens unofficial contacts with ultraorthodox parties regarding formation of a coalition government. PM Peres says he would not consider joining a Likud-led coalition; other Labor mbrs. say they would. (QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; WP 5/31)

Tsomet leader Rafael Eitan says Oslo agmts. must be reopened, because the winning camp's views differ from those of the previous government. PA denounces his statement. (IDF Radio 5/30 in FBIS 5/30) (see 3/12)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates 2 roadside bombs, killing 4 IDF soldiers, wounding 7 IDF soldiers, 2 journalists, 1 SLA mbr. (VOL 5/30 in FBIS 5/30; ITV, VOL 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; MM, NYT, WT 5/31; JP 6/8)

Confessed Rabin assassin Yigal Amir is found guilty of murder, is sentenced to life in prison. In Israel, the death penalty is reserved for Nazi war crimes, espionage. (MM 3/27; QY 3/27 in FBIS 3/27; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 3/28)

3 Egyptians hijack a plane fr. Egypt to Libya; release passengers; surrender; ask for audience with Egyptian, Libyan, U.S. leaders to present "a message fr. God" to help the Palestinians. (AFP, MENA 3/27, MENA 3/28 in FBIS 3/28; NYT, WT 3/28)

1-day Antiterrorism summit is held in Sharm al-Shaykh. (CSM, MM, WP 3/13; MENA, RE, RJ, SARR 3/13 in FBIS 3/13; ITV, MENA, PBC, SARR 3/13, HA 3/14 in FBIS 3/14; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/14; MEI, MM 3/15; MM 3/18; WJW 3/21; VOA 3/21 in FBIS 3/21; UNRWA News 3/27; MEI 3/29)

Israel opens some official channels with the PA; agrees to increase the number of trucks transporting foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals into the West Bank, Gaza to 75/day from 35/day; partially lifts wk.-long naval blockade on Gaza, allowing fishermen to operate within 4 mi. of the coast. (MM 3/13; CSM, NYT 3/15; WT 3/16)

In Beirut, Lebanon, an appeals court frees 2 fmr. PFLP mbrs. convicted of 1976 kidnapping, killing if U.S. Amb. Francis Meloy his economic counselor, and his driver. Judges rule that killings were covered under the 1990 amnesty for political crimes. U.S. denounces verdict. (NYT, WP 3/14; al-Nahar 3/14, MENA, VOL 3/18, RL 3/19 in FBIS 3/19; WP, WT 3/19; RL 3/19, 3/20 in FBIS 3/20; MM 3/20, 3/22)

U.S. offers $2-m. reward for the capture of escaped Abu-Abbas hijacker Molqi. (WT 3/14) (see 2/26)

To protest the antiterrorism summit in Sharm al-Shaykh, Hizballah attacks several IDF, SLA posts in s. Lebanon, loosing 2 cadres, inflicting no casualties. (MM 3/13; WT 3/15)

PLO's Faruq Qaddumi arrives in Beirut fr. Damascus, meets with Lebanese FM Buwayz, announces he is making a tour of Arab states (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria) to gain support for a "council to look after Palestinian refugees abroad." (al-Hayat, al-Nahar 3/9 in FBIS 3/12; al-Nahar 3/31 in FBIS 4/3)

Lebanon puts its forces on alert, fearing either Israel will deport Palestinians to its territory or attack s. Lebanon. Israeli puts its forces in s. Lebanon on alert, fearing a Hizballah attack as a demonstration of support for recent bombings. (IDF Radio, RL 3/8 in FBIS 3/8; RL, VOL 3/10 in FBIS 3/11) (see 3/5, 3/7)

PA amb. to Ankara Fu'ad Yasin says 8 Palestinians have disappeared in Turkey, apparently for political reasons, since the recent bombings in Israel; says the PA is following the issue closely with Turkish officials. (MENA 3/8 in FBIS 3/8)

To prevent suspects connected to recent bombings fr. fleeing by sea, Israel bans all fishing off the Gaza coast. PA condemns the action as collective punishment, violation of Oslo accords. (IDF Radio 3/8 in FBIS 3/8; NYT 3/9; WT 3/11)

In Burqa, West Bank, IDF blows up house rented by family of the 3/3 bomber. In Jerusalem, the IDF serves the Conference of Sciences and Islamic Education offices in n. Jerusalem with closure, partial confiscation orders, saying offices are used as a Hamas base. (VOP 3/8 in FBIS 3/11; WT 3/9; MM 3/20)

PA police detain Hamas spokesman Zahhar in Gaza City. (AFP 3/8 in FBIS 3/11)

PSF West Bank head Col. Jibril Rajub is forced to resign after refusing to carry out Arafat's orders to arrest Hamas leaders. Hussayn Shaykh, current head of Ramallah security, is appointed to replace him. (ITV, QY, RMC 3/9, HA 3/11 in FBIS 3/11; WT 3/10; QY 3/10 in FBIS 3/12)

Third round of Syrian-Israeli "exploratory" talks convene in Maryland. (MM, WT 2/28; JP, MA, SARR 2/28 in FBIS 2/28; NYT 2/29; QY 2/29 in FBIS 2/29; MA, QY 3/1 in FBIS 3/1)

Arafat demands Islamists turn in unlicensed weapons, explosives before the PA security forces begin house-to-house searches 3/1 or risk 15-yr. sentences for possession. PA detains 70 more Hamas supporters in Gaza. (VOP 2/28 in FBIS 2/29; WP, WT 2/29; QY 2/29 in FBIS 2/29)

Arafat convenes military field court comprising the heads of Nablus security branches to try the Qalqilya PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) head Col. `Abd al-Rahim Abu `Awn, PA police head Col. Musa Jadallah for actions in violation of the Oslo agmts. for attending memorial rally for Yahya Ayyash. (QY, VOP 2/28 in FBIS 2/29)

Israel eases the closure on the West Bank, Gaza, allowing produce to cross the borders. (IGPO 2/28 in FBIS 3/1; NYT 2/29)

In Damascus, Iranian VP Habibi meets with Palestinian rejectionist leaders, incl. Hamas, Islamic Jihad officials. Habibi then heads to Beirut to meet with Lebanese Pres. Ilyas Hrawi, who tells him that Lebanon supports Hizballah, but Hizballah must conform to Lebanon's political stance. (MM 2/28; RL, VOL 2/28 in FBIS 2/29; MM 2/29; SARR 2/29, RL, SA 3/1 in FBIS 3/1; MENA 3/1 in FBIS 3/6)

In Jerusalem, car driven by a Palestinian-American rams into a crowded bus stop, killing 1, injuring 23. 2 Israeli settlers shoot, kill the driver. Israeli police are unsure whether the man lost control of the auto or deliberately crashed it. (IDF Radio, ITV, QY 2/26, HA 2/27 in FBIS 2/27; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 2/27; WP, WT 2/28; MEI, PR 3/1)

PM Peres convenes a special session of the Knesset to discuss recent attacks, vows to wage war on Hamas; hints that if there are any more attacks, Israel might delay its withdraw fr. Hebron. (ITV 2/26 in FBIS 2/27; NYT 2/27)

IDF raids the Hebron homes of the families of 2 missing men suspected in the 2/25 bombings. Hebron is still under Israeli military control. (NYT 2/28)

2 IDF soldiers are slightly wounded when Hizballah shells their outpost in s. Lebanon. (QY, RL 2/26 in FBIS 2/26)

Israel says Lebanese military intelligence officers have kidnapped a Lebanese national allegedly working for Mossad in s. Lebanon. Lebanon tried and convicted the man, Ahmad Hallaq, in absentia for the 12/21/94 bombing that killed the brother of a Hizballah leader. (ITV, MENA 2/26 in FBIS 2/27) (see 12/28/94)

Yusif Maggid Molqi, sentenced to 30 yrs. for killing Leon Klinghoffer during the 1985 hijacking of the Achille Lauro, disappears while on furlough fr. an Italian prison. (WT 3/6)

In Oslo, Israel, Jordan, PA initial agmt. on managing scarce water resources. (QY 2/13, JP 2/14 in FBIS 2/14; WT 2/14)

Egypt-Israel-Jordan-PA technical comm. on refugees opens 2-day mtg. in Cairo. (MENA 2/13 in FBIS 2/13; MENA 2/13 in FBIS 2/14; MENA, QY 2/14 in FBIS 2/15)

EU troika meets with Pres. Asad in Damascus. (MM 2/14) (see 1/22)

Arafat receives Congressional delegation in Jericho. (VOP 2/13 in FBIS 2/14) (see 2/8)

PA police arrest 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. in the West Bank on charges of plotting a bombing inside Israel. (QY 2/13 in FBIS 2/14)

Israeli gunboats fire on Lebanese fishing vessels off the coast of Tyre, s. Lebanon, sinking 1 boat. (RL 2/12 in FBIS 2/12) (see 2/5)

In Saudi Arabia, King Fahd resumes his full duties. (MM 2/13) (see 1/1)

At close of a 2-day mtg. in El Arish, Egypt, PLO Exec. Comm. mbrs. delay indefinitely setting date for PNC mtg. to amend 12 articles of the PLO charter. (MM 2/6; MENA, RE, RMC 2/6 in FBIS 2/6; VOP 2/6 in FBIS 2/7; CSM, WP 2/7; WT 2/8)

In Damascus, Secy. of State Christopher, Pres. Asad hold 3 hrs. of talks after which Asad agrees to hold 3d round of talks with Israel in Maryland 2/26. (MM 2/6; SARR 2/6 in FBIS 2/6; SARR 2/6 in FBIS 2/7; NYT, WP, WT 2/7; WT 2/8)

PM Peres visits SLA Cmdr. Lahd in Marja'uyun, s. Lebanon, to check on the status of troops in the self-declared security zone. (QY 2/6 in FBIS 2/7; MM, WT 2/7) (see 1/23)

Lebanese military prosecutor files lawsuit against 89 fmr. Lebanese army soldiers for collaborating with Israel. (WT 2/7) (see 1/16)

Jordan's state security court sentences Atta Abu Rushteh, spokesman of the banned Islamic Liberation Party, to 3 yrs. in jail for slandering King Hussein by giving a statement critical of Jordan's normalization with Israel. (WP 2/7) (see 12/19)

Oslo II bill passes its 2d and 3d readings (48-44) in the Knesset. (MM 1/16, 1/17) (see 1/8)

Jerusalem mayor Ehud Olmert, Arafat adviser Faisal Husseini confirm that Israel (under the direction of M Beilin), the PA (under Husseini) have been holding informal discussions for some time regarding the principles on which to negotiate Jerusalem's final status. (Davar 1/17 in FBIS 1/17; VOP 1/18 in FBIS 1/19; QY 1/26, VOP 1/27, MENA 1/28 in FBIS 1/29)

Jordan, Israel sign transportation agmt. (QY 1/16 in FBIS 1/17; MM 1/17; JP 1/27)

U.S. VP Gore meets PM Peres, FM Barak in Israel, then meets with Arafat in Jericho. (MM 1/16; QY 1/16 in FBIS 1/16; VOP 1/16 in FBIS 1/17)

In 1st fatal attack since redeployment, 2 IDF soldiers are shot, killed in Hebron. The previously unknown Mujahidin of Islam claims it carried out the attack in retribution for Ayyash slaying 1/5. IDF puts curfew on surrounding villages for several hours to search for gunmen. (MM, NYT, WP 1/17; QY 1/17 in FBIS 1/17; CSM 1/18: JP 1/27)

In an address to the German parliament, Israeli Pres. Ezer Weizman says Israel cannot forgive Germany for the Holocaust though it is grateful for current strong bilateral ties. Germany announces plans to provide monthly pensions (of around $400; estimated $1.5 b. over next 10 to 15 yrs.) to German, German-speaking Jews who survived the Holocaust. Most now live in Israel, U.S. (NYT, WT 1/17)

Lebanese military prosecutor issues warrant for SLA Cmdr. Antoine Lahd on charges of collaboration with Israel, usurping state sovereignty, kidnapping, murder. (RL 1/16 in FBIS 1/17)