The Palestine Chronology

Israeli cabinet discusses removing settlers fr. Hebron. Frmr. Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren issues ruling saying ending Jewish presence in Hebron "requires us to resist it to the death, all of us, every Jew." FM Peres says closing Hebron settlement "not necessary," but tells CNN curfews will be applied to Jewish settlers as well as to Palestinians. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/7)

British Foreign Secy. Douglas Hurd, after mtg. with PLO official Nabil Shaath, says Britain agrees to take part in "international presence" to protect Palestinians in o.t. Foreign Office later says UK contingent would be civilian, not military. Norway also agrees to participate. EU Commissioner Hans van den Broeck calls for prompt Israeli action to enhance Palestinians' security. PLO "FM" Faruq Qaddumi says PLO still insisting on international protection, but not necessarily as part of UNSC resolution. (WP, WT 3/7)

Israeli and PLO delegations complete 2 days of talks in Norway on implementation of DoP. No progress reported. (NYT, WP, WT 12/20)

Frmr. Israeli Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren says IDF soldiers must disobey any orders to evacuate settlements in o.t. Justice M. David Libai reviews Goren's remarks to see if he should be charged with sedition. (Qol Yisra'el 12/19 in FBIS 12/21; MM, NYT, WT 12/20)