The Palestine Chronology

At 9:30 P.M. EST (3:30 A.M. on 11/11 local time), Arafat dies in a Paris hospital. The PA declares a 40-day mourning period; immediately begins preparations to hold a state funeral in Cairo on 11/12, followed by his “temporary” burial in his Ramallah compound (the Muqata) later in the day. Earlier this afternoon, in anticipation of Arafat’s passing, the PLO Exec. Comm., the PA national security council, Fatah Central Comm., senior PC mbrs. meet in Ramallah to discuss leadership transitions, intentions to hold elections within 60 days of Arafat’s death, in keeping with the unratified Basic Law. (MM 11/10; AFP, JAZ, MENA, VOP 11/10 in WNC 11/12; BBC, CSM, HA, JAZ, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/11; AFP, ATL, DS, Interfax, IRNA, ITAR-TASS, JAZ, JT, MENA, VOI, VOP, XIN 11/11 in WNC 11/13; NYT, WP 11/12; PCHR 11/18; JPI 11/19)

The IDF reinforces troops around, further restricts Palestinian access to East Jerusalem; raids, kills 2 Palestinian gunmen in an exchange of fire nr. Bayt Hanun; fatally shoots a Palestinian swimming in a prohibited zone off the coast of Gaza; bulldozes 50 d. nr. Khan Yunis. Palestinians fire 3 mortars at Neve Dekalim, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, VOI, VOP 11/10 in WNC 11/12; PRCS, WP 11/11)

The IDF exchanges gunfire with 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. nr. Gush Katif settlement, leaving the 2 Palestinians dead, 2 soldiers wounded; fires on residential areas of, conducts arrest raids in Tulkarm; reopens PLO Jerusalem affairs rep. Nusseibeh's offices at al-Quds University. Late in the evening, the IDF assassinates Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades founder and head Shaykh Salah Shihada, no. 1 on Israel's most wanted list, sending an F-16 to fire a 1-ton guided missile at a building where he is staying in Gaza City, collapsing 3 buildings, heavily damaging 20 others, killing 14 Palestinian bystanders (including 9 children, 4 women), injuring 140. Palestinians across Gaza take to the streets to demonstrate against the assassination, which comes hrs. after the AMB, tanzim, Hamas, Islamic Jihad agreed to declare a unilateral cease-fire after wks. of intra-Palestinian talks. (HA, JP, MM, REU 7/22; AFP 7/22 in WNC 7/23; AP, B'Tselem press release, HA, MEZ, MM, NYT, PCHR, UN press release, WP, WT 7/23; ATL 7/23 in WNC 7/24; HA, LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT, YA 7/24; ITAR-TASS, MENA al-Quds 7/24 in WNC 7/25; Gulf Times 7/24, AFP, JT, MA, al-Quds, SA, XIN 7/25 in WNC 7/26; HA, MM NYT, WJW, WP, WT 7/25; MEI 7/26; JT, al-Nahar 7/26 in WNC 7/29; MM 7/29, 7/30; JPI, MM 8/2; MA, SA 8/2 in WNC 8/5; MEI 8/16) (see 5/14/00)

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device at a crowded West Jerusalem pizzeria, killing 13 Israelis, 1 American, 1 Brazilian and wounding at least 90. Afterward, angry Israelis in Jerusalem, Jewish settlers in Hebron attack Palestinians in the streets, with little intervention fr. Israeli police, soldiers. Fearing a massive Israeli strike, Palestinians throughout the occupied territories close offices and stores, take refuge in their homes. Meanwhile, Palestinian gunmen fire on a vehicle nr. Jinin, killing 1 Jewish settler, wounding 3. The IDF directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Lahia, Jericho, Khan Yunis, Nablus, Rafah; bulldoze a Palestinian home in Gaza. (AP, BBC, HA 8/9; ITAR-TASS, MENA 8/9 in WNC 8/10; NYT, PMC, WP, WT 8/10; JT 8/10 in WNC 8/13; WP 8/11)

Immediately after the bombing, the IDF senior command, Israeli cabinet convene separately to discuss response scenarios. The cabinet agrees to a new strategy of hitting PA targets only with the aim of forcing Arafat to choose btwn. a full cease-fire, destruction of the PA. This evening, Sharon meets with his security cabinet, which also decides to set up new police stations in East Jerusalem. (HA 8/9; CNN, HA, JP [Internet], LAW, NYT, REU, WP, WT 8/10; MENA 8/10 in WNC 8/13; WT 8/11; Times [London] 8/13; WT 8/15)

Late tonight (2:00 a.m. local time), Israel sends F-16s to destroy a PSF post in Ramallah; sends more tanks into Gaza, bulldozing 1 PSF post. Israeli security forces occupy 10 unofficial PLO offices in East Jerusalem, including Orient House (the symbolic PLO FMin.); also detain 8 Orient House employees for questioning, confiscate files, remove the Palestinian flag, raise an Israeli flag. The IDF takes over the Abu Dis mayor's residence, several surrounding homes Israel claims are used as PA security command centers, marking the 1st reoccupation of sites in area B. Sharon declares that "Orient House will not open again. Ever. We will not leave Abu Dis." The State Dept. says the actions mark a "political escalation." Russia warns Israel has crossed a "dangerous line." In response, Israel removes the Israeli flag fr. Orient House. (HA 8/9; CNN, HA, JP [Internet], LAW, NYT, REU, WP, WT 8/10; MENA 8/10 in WNC 8/13; WT 8/11; JT, al-Quds 8/12 in WNC 8/14; Times [London] 8/13; AYM 8/13, SA 8/14 in WNC 8/15; ATL 8/15 in WNC 8/16)

A PA security court in Nablus sentences another Palestinian to death for collaborating with Israel in the 2/19 assassination of Hamas mbr. Mahmud Madani. (Independent [Internet] 8/10)

Overnight, international leaders press Israel, the PA to show restraint, deescalate tensions in light of the 6/1 suicide bombing. Powell phones Arafat to warn him to declare a cease-fire and immediately arrest Hamas and Islamic Jihad mbrs., or the U.S. would sever all relations with the PLO and would not intervene with Israel to prevent a massive retaliation. German FM Joschka Fischer, in Israel on other matters, races to Ramallah to meet with Arafat, whom he warns to make a statement in is own words calling for a halt to violence or lose all EU political and economic support to the PA. During a heated session, Fischer, UN special coordinator Terje Larsen work with Arafat to draft a statement condemning the bombing and ordering an immediate and unconditional cease-fire, which Arafat reads publicly this morning. (MENA 6/2, AFP, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, MENA 6/3 in WNC 6/4; NYT, WT 6/3; MM, NYT, WP 6/4; WP 6/5; XIN 6/5 in WNC 6/6; al-Ahram [Internet] 6/9; JP, MEI 6/15)

Meanwhile, Sharon holds a 7 hr. mtg. with his security cabinet to discuss how to respond to the 6/1 bombing. According to an anonymous U.S. admin. official, they draw up plans to "carry out a massive, full-force invasion" of PA-controlled territory lasting up to a wk. After Arafat reads his cease-fire call, the security cabinet places its strike plan in reserve but declares that the IDF will resume instigating actions against Palestinians (see 5/22). (NYT, WT 6/3; JT 6/3 in WNC 6/4; MM, NYT, WP 6/4; Interfax 6/4 in WNC 6/5; MM, WP 6/5; al-Ahram [Internet] 6/9; UPI 6/12 JP, MEI 6/15)

The U.S. ambs. to Egypt, Israel, Jordan send an urgent cable to Powell, appealing to him to come to the region to firmly urge against violence, in favor negotiations. Powell says the time is not right. (NYT 7/5)

Meanwhile, 2 Israelis injured in the 6/1 bombing die, bringing the Israeli toll to 18. Nr. the site of the bombing, 100s of Israeli Jews surround a mosque, chanting "Death to Arabs!" stoning the mosque, breaking windows, trapping some 20 worshipers inside, attacking journalists, setting fire to 2 cars outside. Although the situation builds for hrs., Israeli police look on but do not intervene, saying, "We don't have enough manpower, and we won't use tear gas against Jews." Israelis also gather at the disco where the bombing occurred, carrying signs saying, "Enough passivity. We want war." In Jaffa, a mob of Israeli Jews sets fire to a restaurant owned by Israeli Arabs. The IDF tightens internal closures on PA areas, reports only a handful of incidents of sniping at Jewish settlements. Hamas says it will not abide by Arafat's cease-fire. (HA, NYT, WT 6/3; AN 6/3 in WNC 6/4; NYT, WP 6/4; WP 6/5; HA 6/7; al-Ahram [Internet] 6/9; JP, MEI 6/15)

The EU dispatches up to 24 security experts to Bayt Jala, Rafah to monitor the PA's cease-fire compliance. The experts, coordinated by Alistair Crooke, security adviser to EU special envoy Miguel Moratinos. (MA 6/6 in WNC 6/7; NYT 6/8; AFP 6/8 in WNC 6/11; MA 6/11 in WNC 6/12)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue at a high level, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. In Jinin, senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Iyad Hardan, wanted by Israel, is assassinated when a bomb planted in a public phone he frequently uses explodes. In response to Palestinian mortar fire nr. Nahal Oz crossing and nr. Netiv Haasara kibbutz inside the Green Line that causes no damage, the IDF fires rockets at PSF posts and a power station in Gaza, wounding at least 5 Palestinians, destroying 4 buildings, damaging 10 homes, causing blackouts. The IDF also bulldozes 100 dunams of Palestinian land in Shaykh Ajlin; begins work on a new settler bypass road linking Beit El settlement with Jerusalem; raids Burqa village, arrests 2 Palestinians. Sharon announces plans to build another 708 housing units in the Jewish settlements of Ma'ale Adumim, Alfe Menashe; the State Dept. criticizes the move as "provocative." Reportedly to ease tensions over the Erez shooting on 4/4, Israel reopens the Rafah border with Egypt, says it will allow 3,000 Palestinian workers into Israel. (LAW 4/5; AFP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/6; MENA, al-Quds 4/6, ITAR-TASS 4/7 in WNC 4/9; MM 4/9; AYM 4/9 in WNC 4/11; al-Quds 4/11 in WNC 4/12; LAW, WJW 4/12; MA 4/17 in WNC 4/18; MEI 4/20)

Sharon orders the Israeli security services to find ways to let Jews visit the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount. (MENA 4/10 in WNC 4/11; WT 4/11)

In Washington, Bush receives 2 letters signed by 87 Senators, 209 House mbrs. calling on him to reconsider U.S. ties with the PLO. (REU, WP 4/6; al-Quds 4/8, HJ, MENA 4/9 in WNC 4/10; MM 4/9; SA 4/13 in WNC 4/16; HA 4/16; MM 4/18; JP 4/20)

Israel announces it will close PLO offices at Orient House, calling 4/21 briefing for diplomats a PA "provocation." PA accuses PM Netanyahu of trying to ignite an incident in Jerusalem before the 5/17 Israeli elections; claims that mtg. was a PLO event, not a violation of the ban on PA diplomatic activity in Jerusalem. (MM, WP, WT 4/23; AFP 4/23 in WNC 4/26; al-Quds 4/23, MENA, RJ 4/24, MENA 4/25 in WNC 4/27; WJW 4/29; PR 4/30)

In Damascus, Jordan's King Abdallah holds final round of talks on bilateral ties, regional issues with Pres. Asad before returning to Amman. (MM 4/22; JT, JTV 4/22 in WNC 4/23; WT 4/23; al-Ra'i 4/23 in WNC 4/26; Petra-JNA 4/25 in WNC 4/27; JP 4/30; MEI 5/7; MM 5/12; al-Watan al-Arabi 5/14 in WNC 5/18)

Russian FM Ivanov arrives in Israel on 1st leg of regional tour aimed at reviving the peace process. Israeli candidates, vying for votes fr. Israel's Russian immigrants, who make up 14% of the electorate, queue to meet him. (MM 4/22; ITAR-TASS 4/22 in WNC 4/23; WT 4/23; AFP 4/23 in WNC 4/26; JP 4/30; MEI 5/7; WP 5/8)

IDF closes Palestinian school nr. Ariel settlement in the West Bank following stone throwing incidents nearby. (IDF Radio 4/22 in WNC 4/23)

 Clinton flies into Gaza airport by helicopter to attend the PNC session on the PLO charter, becoming the 1st sitting president to set foot on Palestinian soil. PNC mbrs., other officials approve the nullification of clauses of the PLO charter by show of hands. PM Netanyahu says he is satisfied but still will not carry out the next stage of the FRD on 12/18. U.S. says it will not press Netanyahu on the issue because of the upcoming Knesset no-confidence vote 12/21. In a luncheon speech, Pres. Clinton refers the Palestinian people's "chance to determine their own destiny on their own land," but does not speak of the right to self-determination or statehood directly. Palestinians view his visit to Gaza as tacit U.S. acknowledgement of their right to sovereignty. (CSM, MM 12/14; al-Aswaq, al-Dustur, IDF Radio, ITV, JT, MENA, al-Ra`i RE, al-Safir 12/14 in WNC 12/15; IDF Radio, ITV 12/14, AFP, JT, MA, RE 12/15 in WNC 12/16; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/15; WJW 12/17; ITAR-TASS 12/17 in WNC 12/21; Tishrin 12/16, al-Thawra 12/17 in WNC 12/28; PR 12/18; JP 12/21; MEI 12/25)

Hillary Clinton visits a Palestinian refugee camp in Gaza, the Israeli-Palestinian town of Neve Shalom. (CSM 12/14; WP, WT 12/15; PR 12/18)

U.S. Commerce Secy. William Daley attends the official opening of th Qarni industrial zone. Coca Cola will be the first U.S. company to open operations in the zone. A total of 22 factories in the zone are ready for operation; 14 have been leased. (JP 12/21, 12/28)

Secy. Albright meets with Israeli DM Mordechai to discuss Wye implementation, Lebanon. (IDF Radio 12/14 in WNC 12/15)

Palestinians in Lebanese, Syrian refugee camps demonstrate against Wye agmt., amendment of the PLO charter. (VOL 12/14 in WNC 12/15; SATN 12/14 in WNC 12/16)

Jordan confirms that it recently deported, but did not turn over to the IDF, 3 Palestinians carrying PA passports fr. the kingdom because they are mbrs. of Hamas's Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, pose a security threat. (JT 12/15 in WNC 12/16; al-Dustur 12/15 in WNC 12/17)

In the West Bank, 2 Palestinians are wounded in clash with IDF. (AFP [Internet] 12/15)

Iran announces it has signed a deal with Anglo-Dutch Royal Dutch/Shell and the British Lasmo to explore Caspian Sea oil reserves. The $19.8-m. deal is just below the threshold set by the U.S. under its Iran-Libya Sanctions Act, which threatens economic reprisals against any company investing more than $20 m. in those countries oil industries. (WT 12/16)

Israeli soldiers thwart 2 boats off Tel Aviv coast carrying guerrillas of Palestine Liberation Front (PLF); 4 attackers are killed in firefight, 12 captured [WP, LAT, WT, NYT 5/31]; Israel calls on U.S. to end dialogue with PLO [WP 5/13]; U.S. State Dep't., White House issue sharp criticism; continuance of U.S.-PLO dialogue is questioned [LAT 5/13].

Concluding 3-day meeting, Arab League issues statement condemning emigration of Soviet Jews to Israel, finding U.S. responsible because of aid to Israel [TASS 5/30; WP, NYT, LAT, WT 5/31; CSM 6/1]; Sec.-Gen. Chedli Klibi delivers to U.S. ambassador to Tunisia Robert Pelletreau Arab League memorandum responding to earlier U.S. memorandum [MEM 6/8; QNA 6/8 in FBIS 6/13].

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak stops in Syria after Baghdad summit; meets with Pres. Asad to discuss summit resolutions [MENA 5/30 in FBIS 5/31].