The Palestine Chronology

Netanyahu sends Cabinet Secy. Nave to Washington to present U.S. special envoy Ross with "bridging proposals" for resuming PA-Israeli talks. (MA, YA 7/21 in WNC 7/22; NYT, WT 7/22; ITV 7/22 in WNC 7/23; WT 7/23; WJW 7/24; YA 7/25 in WNC 7/28)

Israel's Labor faction forms an unofficial "shadow cabinet," assigning party mbrs. to monitor, react to the activities of each ministry (e.g., MK Beilin on FMin., MK Ori Or on DMin., MK Binyamin Ben-Eliezer on Housing Min.). After 6 mos. the assignments will rotate, though party chmn. Barak will remain the "shadow PM," tracking Netanyahu. (YA 7/21 in WNC 7/29)

Labor Chmn. Barak flies to Amman at King Hussein's invitation to discuss ways of restarting Israeli-PA talks. (IDF Radio 7/21 in WNC 7/22; NYT 7/22)

Netanyahu loses (49-44) a no-confidence vote in the Knesset but is not deposed under the direct-election law. (MM 7/22) (see 7/20)

The `Abd al-Rahim comm. to investigate the PA GCO report on financial corruption submits its final report to Arafat. (NYT 7/22)

Israeli Interior M Eli Suissa, Jerusalem Mayor Olmert say marketing of Har Homa to developers will begin in 3 mos. (MA 7/22 in WNC 7/23)

PA police announce that based on inquiries into Shukah's death 7/14, they have uncovered a Hamas bomb-making factory in Bayt Sahur, containing 66 lbs. of explosives, IDF uniforms, Jewish prayer shawls and caps. (MM 7/21)

PA police arrive at the home of al-Azhar's Dr. Subuh, confiscate the student answers to the exam he gave 6/21. The PSF is still detaining Subuh. (LAW 7/24; Palestine Center for Human Rights press release 7/26; NYT 8/16) (see 7/2)

Israel, Poland sign free trade agmt. under which customs tariffs on industrial goods will be lifted by 1998, on all other goods by 2001. (PAP [Warsaw] 7/21 in WNC 7/22; MA 7/23 in WNC 7/24)

In Nablus, a bomb explodes nr. an IDF vehicle passing by Joseph's Tomb, injuring 2 soldiers. The IDF closes the main roads to the nearby villages of Bayt Furik, Bayt Dajan. (PR 7/18)

In Hebron, 25 Jewish settlers start stone-throwing riot with Palestinians, prompting the IDF to intervene, wounding 9 Palestinians. IDF also places cement barriers along Shalala Street, which divides the PA-, Israeli-controlled enclaves; closes 50 Palestinian shops in Israeli-controlled downtown Hebron in retaliation for nearly 2 wks. of Palestinian protests, clashes. (NYT, WT 7/13; LAW 7/14)

In Ramallah, mbrs. of the PLO Exec. Comm. join in demonstrations to protest the expansion of Jewish settlements, anti-Muslim posters in Hebron. (PR 7/18)

The IAF Executive Bureau discusses whether it should follow the Muslim Brotherhood's lead and boycott 11/97 Jordanian elections, does not come to a final decision. Muslim Brotherhood issues formal statement outlining reasons for its decision to boycott. (al-Aswaq 7/12, al-Dustur, JT, al-Ra'i 7/13, RJ 7/14 in WNC 7/16; MM 7/14, 7/15; al-Quds al-Arabi 7/16 in WNC 7/18) (see 7/9)

In Ankara, PM Yilmaz's new government wins (281-256) its first vote of confidence. (WP 7/13)

Claiming they saw suspicious movements, IDF soldiers in s. Lebanon fire a shell at a 70-yr.-old Lebanese man collecting fodder for his cattle, killing him. Israel apologizes for the "accident." (RL 7/12 in WNC 7/16)

Israel approves operation of PA buses btwn. Gaza, West Bank to allow "freer passage." (HA, YA 7/8 in WNC 7/9; Hatzofe 7/10 in WNC 7/11; PR 7/18)

PM Netanyahu survives no-confidence motion by vote of 48-39. In an agmt. signed before the vote, Netanyahu promises FM Levy control in talks with the PA in exchange for his support on the no-confidence motion. (MM, WT 7/8) (see 6/24)

ILMG  blames Israel shelling for injuring Lebanese civilians 7/2, 7/6; determines 1 Hizballah rocket landed inside Israeli territory 7/3; urges both sides to adhere to the 4/97 agmt. (VOL 7/7 in WNC 7/8; RL 7/8 in WNC 7/9)

2 Hizballah mbrs. are killed in clash with IDF in s. Lebanon. (Radio Free Lebanon 7/7 in WNC 7/9)

Egyptian FM Musa arrives in Amman for talks with Jordanian PM Majali, FM Fayiz Tarawnah on the peace process, bilateral relations. (JTV, RJ 6/24 in WNC 6/25; al-Ra'i 6/25 in WNC 6/26)

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah arrives for 3-day visit to Syria to coordinate positions on the peace process. (MM 6/24; Saudi Arabian Kingdom Radio 6/24, 6/25 in WNC 6/26; MM 6/25; SA 7/1 in WNC 7/2)

PM Netanyahu wins (55-50) no-confidence vote. 15 MKs, including 11 mbrs. of his coalition (most notably FM Levy) stay away or abstain. (CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/25; MA 6/25 in WNC 6/26; WJW, WP, WT 6/26; CSM 6/27) (see 6/23)

Israeli communications M Limor Livnat resigns her job as coordinator btwn. the government, parliament, saying she cannot defend Netanyahu's administration in a no-confidence vote 6/24. She does not resign her cabinet seat. (ITV 6/21 in WNC 6/24; WT 6/22; WT 6/24; WP 6/26)

In Hebron, IDF wounds 24 Palestinian demonstrators. In Nablus, 1,000s of Palestinians hold anti-U.S./Israel rally to protest the 6/10 House decision on Jerusalem. (NYT, WT 6/22; MEI 6/27)

6 Irish UNIFIL soldiers are wounded while trying to clear Israeli mines fr. a road leading to their post on the edge of Israel's self-declared security zone. Israel has mined all roads in the area to "protect" an SLA post from resistance attacks, forcing the UN to communicate with its base solely by helicopter. (RL, RTE Radio One Network [Dublin] 6/21 in WNC 6/24; MEI 6/27) (see 6/14)

Turkish MP Yildirim Aktuna of the True Path party resigns, leaving the Erbakan government with 275 seats in the 550-mbr. parliament, 1 short of those needed to win a confidence vote. (2 seats are vacant.) Early elections may be called. (WT 5/31)

In the Golan, 2 Austrian UN soldiers are shot dead most likely, according to the UN, by smugglers traveling btwn. Lebanon, Syria. Syria accuses the Mossad; Israel denies involvement. (Der Standard [Vienna] 6/1 in WNC 6/3; RMC 6/5 in WNC 6/6; Wiener Zeitung [Vienna] 6/10 in WNC 6/11; Kurier [Vienna] 6/19 in WNC 6/23)

IDF soldier is killed in a Hizballah mortar attack in s. Lebanon. (VOL 5/30, 6/1 in WNC 6/3; JP 6/7)

In a 3d incident, 7 Hizballah gunmen halt 2 UNIFIL vehicles in s. Lebanon; disarm, threaten the UN soldiers. (AFP, RL 5/30 in WNC 6/2) (see 5/29)

The Israeli navy removes 2 Lebanese fishermen fr. their boat off the coast of s. Lebanon, interrogates them for several hours before releasing them. (RL 5/30 in WNC 6/2)

2 MKs request that the Israeli High Court block work at Har Homa until it hears petitions against the construction project on 3/20. (YA 3/17 in WNC 3/19)

Palestinian protesters erect tents nr. Har Homa. IDF snipers take up positions nearby to watch them. (CSM, WT 3/18; PR 3/21)

Netanyahu defeats (54-46) a no-confidence vote. (WT 3/16)

In Damascus, Syrian pres. Asad, Italian PM Romano Prodi discuss the peace process. (RAI Televideo [Rome], SATN 3/17 in WNC 3/19; SATN 3/18 in WNC 3/20)

Jordanian police ban 200 activists (incl. 21 opposition deputies) fr. visiting home of Pvt. Ahmad Daqamsa, the soldier who shot 13 Israeli girls on 3/13, to express their solidarity. The deputies condemn the killings but demand a fair trial for Daqamsa, oppose Israeli intervention in the investigation (see 3/15) (AFP, RMC 3/17 in WNC 3/19; JT 3/19 in WNC 3/20; MEI 3/21)

Lebanon bans potato imports fr. Egypt. Egypt threatens economic retaliation. (RL 3/17 in WNC 3/19) (see 3/8)

At weekly PC session, mbrs. threaten the executive with a no-confidence vote if it does not take firm action on behalf of prisoners, says the leadership is "not dealing seriously" with the prisoner issue in negotiations with Israel. (PR 12/13)

Responding to PM Netanyahu's 12/4 suggestion, Arafat says that he is willing to take part in a bilateral summit to finalize terms of an Israeli redeployment in Hebron. (WP 12/6)

Jordan, PA hold trade talks in Amman; discuss holding future trilateral economic mtgs. with Israel on provisions for Jordanian exports to/imports fr. the PA self-rule areas. (RJ 12/5 in WNC 12/9)

IDF says that 17 mos. ago, after 5 mos. of preparation, a special forces unit named Egoz began operating against Hizballah in s. Lebanon. To date Egoz mbrs., chosen fr. Golani Brigade recruits, have killed 16 Hizballah fighters or officials. 2 Egoz mbrs. have been killed. (MM 12/5; JP 12/14)

In New York, donors pledge $133 m. to the annual UNRWA pledging conference for regular programs, operations for 1997. (UNRWA press release 12/9; JT 12/13 in WNC 12/16)

Pres. Clinton nominates Amb. to the UN Albright for secy. of state, Sen. William S. Cohen (R-ME) for secy. of defense, National Security Adviser (NSA) Anthony Lake for CIA dir., Dep. NSA Samuel Berger for NSA. (ITV 12/5, MA 12/6 in WNC 12/9; MM, NYT, WP, WP 12/6; VIRI 12/6, RMC 12/7, al-Dustur 12/8 in WNC 12/10; MM 12/9; JT, RL 12/10 in WNC 12/11; WJW 12/12; MEI 12/20; WJW 12/26, 1/2)

PA announces it will make an official inquiry into Fityani's death in PA custody 12/3. (NYT 12/6; PR 12/13)

PA team walks out of talks with Israel over issues of Hebron security arrangements. U.S. special envoy Ross's announcement that he is returning to Washington today as planned brings the sides back to the table. After several hrs. of talks, Ross decides to stay on, saying the PA, Israel are "in the midst of the most promising discussions to date." (MM 10/21; ITV 10/21 in WNC 10/23; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/22; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/23; WJW 10/24; MEI, PR 10/25; JP 11/2)

French Pres. Chirac visits Israel; gives speech at Techion University; makes last-minute visit to the Knesset, but does not address it. Health Secy. Hervé Gaymard visits Orient House. (MM 10/21; LCI 10/21 in WNC 10/22; JP, YA 10/21 in WNC 10/23; NYT, WP, WT 10/22; MM, WP 10/23; MEI, PR 10/25; NYT, WT 10/27; JP 11/2)

Israeli High Council of Planning refuses building permits for 5 Palestinian families, clearing the way for the demolition of their West Bank homes. (LAWE 10/21)

In the Knesset, Netanyahu government loses (43-45) vote of confidence on its economic policy. (ITV 10/21 in WNC 10/23; WP 10/22)

Outside Ofra settlement nr. Ramallah, settlers kill Palestinian in drive by shooting. (LAWE 10/23)

Joint EA, PLO Exec. Comm. mtg. convenes. (VOP 6/29 in FBIS 7/1; PR 7/12)

IDF changes its open-fire rules for the West Bank, Gaza, permitting soldiers to shoot PA policemen if they feel their lives are threatened. (QY 6/28 in FBIS 6/28)

Turkey's Islamic Welfare Party leader, Necmettin Erbakan, becomes PM, head of ruling coalition with fmr. PM Tansu Ciller's True Path party. The parliament has 2 wks. to give the government a vote of confidence. Erbakan has vowed previously to annul Turkey's military pact with Israel. (WP, WT 6/29; NYT, WP, WT 6/30) (see 6/11)

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)

In his 1st public reaction to Netanyahu's win, Arafat demands the new Israeli government stick to the agmts. signed by fmr. PM Yitzhak Rabin, caretaker PM Peres, particularly by withdrawing fr. Hebron. (MM 6/3)

After 3-hr. mtg. with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo, Syrian Pres. Asad says resuming peace talks with Israel is impossible until the policies of the Netanyahu government become clear. Mubarak echoes his wait-and-see position. (MM 6/3; MENA, RE 6/3 in FBIS 6/4; NYT, WP, WT 6/4; SARR 6/4 in FBIS 6/5)

Amb. to Israel Martin Indyk says U.S. will make sure Netanyahu redeploys troops in Hebron. (CSM, WT 6/4)

U.S. special envoy Ross phones PM-elect Netanyahu, offers to fly to Israel to brief him on the negotiations. Netanyahu say mtg. would be premature. (NYT 6/7)

Likud's Sharon threatens to resign his Knesset seat if Netanyahu does not offer him a senior cabinet position. (IDF Radio 6/3 in FBIS 6/4; YA 6/5 in FBIS 6/5)

In Hebron, Palestinians clash with IDF after troops detain a number of PA policemen, search their vehicle. (MM, WP, WT 6/4)

In the West Bank, 4 Israeli phone company workers are slightly injured when a bomb explodes in an olive grove as they enter it to repair a phone line. (CSM, WP 6/4)

NISP says it is holding talks with Hamas to bring the two groups' positions closer together, calls on all factions to end armed operations. (al-Hayat al-Jadida 6/3 in FBIS 6/5)

In Lebanon, British FM Jeremy Hanley, Lebanese PM Hariri, FM Buwayz discuss European economic assistance to Lebanon for reconstruction, following Israel's 4/96 offensive. (VOL 6/3 in FBIS 6/4)

Political infighting prompts Turkish opposition to call for a no-confidence vote on PM Yilmaz that will likely topple his 3-mo.-old government. (WT 6/4; CSM 6/5)

PA assumes control of Ramallah, al-Bireh. (WT 12/27; QY, VOP 12/27 in FBIS 12/28; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/28; NYT 12/31; JP 1/6)

After a 6-mo. hiatus, 3 days of initial talks btwn. Syria, Israel open in Maryland. Israeli team is headed by FM Dir. Gen. Uri Savir, incl. Amb. to the U.S. Itamar Rabinovich, head of IDF planning branch Maj. Gen. Uzi Dayan. Syrian team is led by Amb. to the U.S. Walid Mu`allim, FMin. Political Dept. head Juwayjati. (CSM, WP, WT 12/27; HA, MA, QY, SARR, VOL, YA 12/28 in FBIS 12/28; NYT, WJW, WT 12/28)

Israeli cabinet criticizes PM Peres for increasing the number of seats on the Palestinian Council without its approval. (IDF Radio 12/27 in FBIS 12/28) (see 12/25)

PM Peres's coalition government defeats 2 no-confidence motions against returning the Golan Heights to Syria. (CSM 12/28)

Preventive Security Force (PSF) arrests editor Maher al-`Alami after he ignores Arafat's request to run an article on Arafat's mtg. with the Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem on the front page of al-Quds. (NYT, WT 12/28; WT 1/1; MM 1/2; FT 1/3; MM, WJW 1/4)

Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) says Arrow missile project has overrun its budget by millions of dollars because of problems in the early stages of development. IAI may ask project cofunders, the U.S. and Israeli DMin., to cover the unanticipated costs. (HA 12/27 in FBIS 12/27)

In Gaza, FM Peres, Arafat discuss industrial parks. In a gesture of goodwill in light of land conflict, Peres increases number of Palestinians allowed to work in Israel to 35,000, says PA will be allowed to take over 8 more spheres (5 agreed upon 5/16 plus agriculture, census and statistics, local administration) before 7/1. (MM 5/22; IDF Radio, QY, VOP 5/22 in FBIS 5/23; NYT 5/23; PR 5/28)

PM Rabin suspends confiscation of 134 acres of land in Jerusalem, killing no-confidence vote brought by Arab and rightist MKs that could have collapsed the government (see 5/17). Arab nations postpone minisummit on Jerusalem (see 5/21). (MM 5/22; ESC Television, IDF Radio, MENA, QY, VOP 5/22, MA, MENA, QY, VOP 5/23 in FBIS 5/23; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/23; CSM, MM 5/24; WJW 5/25; MEI 5/26; PR 6/28; JP 6/3; WSJ 6/6; MEI 6/9)

FM Peres tells Arafat that Israel will loan the PA $125 m.--the sum Israel should hand over for tax collection on behalf of PA but cannot due to delays in Knesset legislation. (QY 5/22 in FBIS 5/23)

PLO's Qaddumi meets with heads of Palestinian opposition groups in Damascus, incl. DFLP's Nayif Hawatmeh, Islamic Jihad's Fathi Shiqaqi, Palestinian National Grouping's (PNG) Bassam al-Shak'a, a Hamas rep. (RMC 5/23 in FBIS 5/24)

UNRWA Commissioner Gen. Ilter Türkman meets with Arafat in Gaza to discuss UN activities in Gaza, Jericho. (UNRWA News 6/2)

IDF soldier opens fire on, throws grenades into Jaffa church, causing extensive damage but no casualties. 11 Palestinians are injured when clashes erupt outside church btwn. Palestinians, Israeli police. (ITV, QY 5/22 in FBIS 5/23; WT 5/23; MM, WT 5/24)

3-days of elections talks close in Cairo. Sides agree PA will be in charge of maintaining security during elections, joint patrols will be used. PM Rabin says Palestinians fr. Jerusalem will not be allowed to run; Israel, not the PA, will carry out population census using 5,000 Palestinian teachers (see 4/28). A tripartite (EU, Israel, PA) comm. will be set up to discuss international monitors during elections. (AFP, IDF Radio, MENA, VOP 5/16, MENA 5/17 in FBIS 5/17; AFP, MENA, QY, VOP 5/17 in FBIS 5/18; PR 5/21)

2-day multilateral steering comm. mtgs on peace process open in Montreux, Switzerland. Syria, Lebanon boycott. Working groups on water, arms control, refugees, economic development, environment meet. (HA, QY 5/17 in FBIS 5/18)

For 1st time since 1990, U.S. vetoes UN resolution criticizing Israel. U.S. Amb. Madeline Albright calls veto "a matter of principle." Last-minute Russian proposal for UNSC presidential letter reproving Israel is rejected by U.S. as too strong, by PLO as too weak. Resolution would have invalidated Israel's 4/27 seizure of 134 acres of Arab-owed land in East Jerusalem. (MENA, VOP 5/17, MENA, QY, VOP 5/18 in FBIS 5/18; MM, NYT, WT 5/18; AFP, ITV, MENA, RE, RMC, VOP 5/18, MENA, VOP 5/19 in FBIS 5/19; MM, WT 5/19; MEI 6/9, 6/26) (see Doc. D7 in JPS 96)

PM Rabin says Israel would not object to having Syria deploy an early warning station on Israeli territory if Israel can maintain an equivalent system on Syrian soil. (MM 5/17)

60 of 80 mbrs. of the Jordanian parliament, incl. deputies who had approved the Jordan-Israel treaty, ask the government to freeze or cancel the treaty, recall Jordan's amb. to Israel, expel the Israeli amb. in protest over Israel's land confiscations. (MM 5/18; QY, RJ, SARR 5/18 in FBIS 5/18; SA 5/19 in FBIS 5/23; JP 5/27)

In Rabat, Arab League Secy. Gen. Ismat `Abd al-Majid talks with King Hassan on holding summit to discuss Israeli confiscations of Palestinian land in Jerusalem, leaves for Cairo to confer with Pres. Husni Mubarak. Mubarak, Syria's Pres. Hafiz al-Asad discuss plans by phone. (MKR, RE 5/18, RE 5/19 in FBIS 5/19; RMC 5/19, AFP, RMC 5/21 in FBIS 5/22)

PA police raid 5 Gaza mosques in search of "inflammatory material," tear pro-Hamas placards off walls; issue order banning "provocative actions in mosques." (QY 5/17 in FBIS 5/17)

MK `Abd al-Wahhab Darawshah, head of Israel's Arab Democratic Party (ADP), says Arafat has urged him to withdraw ADP's no confidence motion over the Jerusalem land confiscation. Arafat's office denies it, saying PA does not interfere in Israeli domestic affairs. (QY 5/17 in FBIS 5/17; QY 5/17 in FBIS 5/18) (see 5/15)

1 IDF soldier, 1 Hizballah mbr. are killed, 7 Hizballah mbrs, 3 IDF soldiers, 1 SLA mbr. are wounded in 2 clashes in s. Lebanon. (MM 5/17; CSM, MM 5/18; JP 5/27; MEI 6/9)

PA, Israeli teams arrive in Cairo for round of elections talks. Parties will try to come to an agmt. that would permit PA to conduct a "quasi-census" in o.t. to update population registry, prepare voter registry. (IGPO 5/14; MENA, VOP 5/15 in FBIS 5/16; CSM 5/16)

At White House, Pres. Clinton, Secy. of State Christopher hold talks with Syrian FM Shara` on Golan, confidence-building measures, reportedly present Shara` with U.S. "bridging" proposal to spur talks btwn. Syria, Israel. Christopher says Syria, Israel have narrowed differences over security arrangement, discusses possible shuttle mission to Middle East at end of June. (SATN 5/15, SARR 5/16 in FBIS 5/16; NYT, WP, WT 5/16; YA 5/16 in FBIS 5/17; WT 5/17; WP 5/21)

PM Rabin tells Knesset that most of Syria's demands are unacceptable, talks are effectively deadlocked. (WT 5/16, 5/17)

UN begins debate on recent Israeli land confiscations. Arab states call for united front against Israel's seizures. (CSM 5/15; WT 5/17, 5/18)

Israel's Arab Democratic Party, HADASH each file no confidence motion over Jerusalem land seizures. (QY 5/15 in FBIS 5/15)

Israeli FMin. bars Swedish Dep. PM Mona Sahlin fr. mtg. with Arafat advisor Husseini at Orient House. In protest, Sahlin cancels all mtgs. with Israelis and PA, returns home. (JP, QY 5/15 in FBIS 5/15)

In s. Lebanon, 7 IDF soldiers are wounded in roadside bombing by Hizballah. (CSM 5/16)

PA-Israeli talks on elections resume in Cairo. Sides discuss updating Palestinian census for voter registration. Israel turns over magnetic tapes of census information, aerial photos of o.t. to help draw up voter districts. (QY, VOP 4/4 in FBIS 4/5; MM 4/5)

Jordan, Israel sign tourism agmt. at Dayr Alla. (JT 4/5 in FBIS 4/5)

Donors' Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) close informal 2-day mtg. in Washington. PA submits FY 1995 budget. Donors agree to cover PA operating costs through April, pending donor plenum 4/27. (HA 3/31 in FBIS 3/31; RE 4/6 in FBIS 4/6; VOP 4/6 in FBIS 4/6; JP 4/8)

Following donor mtg., mbrs. of Palestinian delegation meet with World Bank, IMF, U.S. Dept. of Commerce officials to discuss free Palestinian trade, with U.S. delegations interested in starting joint U.S.-Palestinian development projects in o.t. (VOP 4/6 in FBIS 4/7)

Egypt's Pres. Mubarak visits mbrs. of Congress, lobbies for continuation of aid; holds 2d mtg. with Secy. of State Christopher, discusses NPT, Egypt's economy, methods of expanding peace btwn. Israel, Arab states; receives assurances the administration will push Congress to maintain $2.1 b. aid package. Christopher reportedly blasts Mubarak for Egypt's "lack of support" on NPT issue. (WT, NYT 4/4; MENA 4/4 in FBIS 4/5; MENA 4/4 in FBIS 4/6; WT 4/5; CSM 4/6; MM 4/7; MEI 4/14)

Knesset delays bill that would allow government to transfer tax funds to the PA to ease its financial burden after Tsomet asks to turn vote into no-confidence motion. (JP 4/4 in FBIS 4/4)

Commenting on upcoming visit to the region by U.S. Secy. of State Christopher, Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad warns he would make no concessions to Israel; criticizes Jordan, PLO for signing separate agmts., not remaining united. (WT 3/1)

CNN says it has been briefed on secret Syrian-Israeli talks by Syrian official (rumors say Amb. to U.S. Walid Mu`allim), who claims Syria has foregone demands for symmetrical demilitarized zones, will exchange embassies. Israelis, Syrians deny report, but Israel's Amb. Itamar Rabinovitch says it "has all the markings of a Syrian plant." (HA, QY, RMC 3/2 in FBIS 3/2)

2d mtg. of donor country's Local Aid Coordination Committee (LACC) is held in Jericho. (VOP 2/28 in FBIS 3/1; VOP 3/1 in FBIS 3/2)

At request of PA, Arab states, UNSC debates Israeli settlement activity but refuses to adopt a resolution or council statement. (QY 2/28 in FBIS 3/1; VOP 3/2 in FBIS 3/3; MM 5/2)

PA Justice M Frayh Abu-Midyan says PA military court will try 17 alleged collaborators over next mo. Hamas urges executions. (QY 3/1 in FBIS 3/1)

Rabin government wins no-confidence vote filed 2/20 by vote of 59 to 48 with Shas voting with the opposition. (QY 2/27 in FBIS 2/28; MM 3/7)

IDF wounds 16 Palestinians in clash in Hebron. (VOP 2/28 in FBIS 2/28)

U.S. renews travel ban on Lebanon for 6 mos. (MM 3/1; RL 3/1 in FBIS 3/1; RL 3/1 in FBIS 3/2; MEI 4/14; MEI 4/28)

Arafat meets with French Pres. François Mitterrand, FM Alain Juppé in Paris, calls on EU to pressure Israel to break impasse in talks. (WP, WT 2/21; MEI 3/3)

Arafat flies to Tunis to prepare for PLO Executive Comm. mtg. 2/21. In what is largely seen as snub to Arafat, no sr. PLO mbrs. meet him at airport; Mahmud Abbas leaves country hours before arrival; Faruq al-Qaddumi forces Arafat to come to his office for mtg. (WT 2/22; MM 2/28)

1,000 Palestinians are allowed to return to jobs in Israel. PM Rabin says 10,000 will eventually be allowed back in. (MM 2/2)

Israeli Atty. Gen. Mikhael Ben-Ya'ir confirms IDF reports Israeli undercover police have been carrying out joint patrols around Jericho with armed settlers for past 2 wks; says patrols exists, are a problem, but will continue. (IDF Radio 2/20 in FBIS 2/23; HA 2/27 in FBIS 2/28)

Israel's West Bank Border Police Cmdr. Yitzhak Aharonovitz says joint Israeli-PA patrols have assumed many IDF duties in Jenin, Nablus, Hebron, will soon be given responsibilities in Bethlehem, Tulkarm as part of separation plan being finalized by army. (JP 2/21 in FBIS 2/23)

Likud files no-confidence motion against Rabin government for deciding to ease closure on o.t. to reduce tension with PA, says it threatens Israeli security. (QY 2/20, JP 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; QY 2/22 in FBIS 2/23)

U.S. Secy. of State Christopher hints U.S. will improve ties with Syria if Pres. al-Asad signs agmt. with Israel, calls for international ban on financial aid to Hamas. (MM, NYT 10/25; WT 10/26)

King Hussein, angry at Arafat's criticism of agmt. with Israel, gives speech to army indirectly warning Arafat not to undermine Jordanian security, alludes to Black September. (MM 10/25)

By vote of 56 to 51, Israeli government defeats 3 no-confidence motions put before Knesset by Likud, Moledet, National Religious Party, Tsomet in reaction to bus bombing. (MM 10/25)

Israeli Dep. FM Beilin says that official talks with Hamas are possible, if Hamas is truly interested in reducing tensions. (MM 10/24, 10/25)

Israeli FM Peres says he asked Jordan to close Hamas offices in Amman but Jordan refused saying offices do political, not military, work. (QY 10/24 in FBIS 10/25; Al-Madj 10/31 in FBIS 11/2)

Israeli delegation arrives in Bahrain on 1st official visit ever to prepare for multilaterals on environment. (MM 10/24; WJW 10/27)

Hamas vows to disrupt signing of Israeli-Jordanian agmt. 10/26, Pres. Clinton's visit to Jerusalem 10/27. (WP 10/25)

Palestinian police report only 30 of the 200-300 Hamas mbrs. arrested following kidnapping of IDF soldier are still in custody. Hamas says 80. (WP 10/25) (see 10/12)

IDF seals off Jericho, settlers threaten to block roads to West Bank Palestinians preparatory to PLO Chmn. Arafat's visit to Jericho, set for 7/5.  (WT 7/5)

Arafat adviser Nabil Shaath says the PLO chmn. will return to o.t. "for good" after mtg. in Paris with Israeli PM Rabin.  (CSM 7/5)

Palestinian exiles in Jordan protest not being allowed to return.  PLO estimates there are 1,260 Palestinians exiled by Israel since 1967; only 110 have been allowed to return since Israel-PLO accord.  (WT 7/5)

2 IDF soldiers killed, 2 wounded in clash with Hizballah in southern Lebanon's "security zone."  (MM 7/4; WP 7/7; JP 7/16)

Knesset defeats no-confidence motions submitted by Likud, NRP, and Tsomet.  (MM 7/5)

Secy. of State Christopher presents Syrian counterproposals to Israeli PM Rabin. FM Peres says Syrian ideas received "with great interest." Christopher calls progress "significant," plans to return to region later in month. (CSM, MM, WP, WT 5/3)

Knesset defeats 3 motions of no confidence in Rabin govt. Rabin opens Labor party mtg. on negotiations to public. Opposition posters throughout Israel declare "The nation is with the Golan." Rabin, defending withdrawal proposals in Knesset, observes "Tanks, not settlements, provide security. If people want to rule over a foreign nation, they must know it is going to cost them blood." (MM, NYT, WT 5/3)

Israel and PLO sign formal agreement on TIPH at Danish FMin. TIPH force-90 Norwegians, 35 Danes, and 35 Italians-to deploy in Hebron 5/8. (MM 5/3; CSM 5/4)(see 3/31)

World Bank releases 3-yr., $1.2 b. Emergency Assistance Program for the Occupied Territories. Plan is to be undertaken by PECDAR in coordination with Israel, World Bank, and donor nations. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/3)

International Labor Organization releases report stating overall o.t. unemployment rate at least 25%, over 40% in Gaza. ILO seeks $135 m. for programs to help 12,000 frmr. political prisoners get work, provide 15,000 temporary jobs per month. (MM 5/3; CSM 5/4)

IDF Central Command issues orders restricting use of live ammunition against Palestinians, Maj. Gen. Ilan Biran saying "a new era and a new approach begins." (MM 5/3)

Hamas gunmen attack Ganei Tal in Gush Qatif settlement bloc, Gaza Strip, wounding 2 IDF soldiers. (MM 5/3)

IDF soldier shot dead at Gaza Strip base by fellow soldier who mistakes him for Palestinian assailant. (MM 5/3)

Israel sends 16 delegates, 12 journalists to multilateral Middle East peace talks on arms control in Doha, Qatar, via Cairo. Other delegations only 6 mbrs. (MM 5/3)

PLO Chmn. Arafat, in Brussels, accuses Syria of "giving a free hand to the [Palestinian] opposition . . . fanatical groups and all extremists." (MM 11/9)

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators meeting in Cairo release statement saying progress being made on Israeli withdrawal agreement, talks to resume next week. (WP 11/10)

Gaza Strip settlers block main road to Israel to prevent Palestinians fr. going to work, burn tires until dispersed by IDF. (WP 11/10)

Israeli Arab Sulayman al-Hawashla killed by presumed Muslin militants when his car rammed by hijacked garbage truck in Gaza City. (NYT, WP 11/10)

PLO official in Lebanon Zaid Wahba, personal envoy of Chmn. Arafat, shot and wounded by unknown assailant in Sidon. (CSM, WT 11/10)

Israeli PM Rabin meets with West Bank settlers, sets up joint settler-govt. comm. to address settlers' security concerns. Knesset defeats motions of no confidence in Rabin govt. by vote of 57-46, Shas party abstaining. (MM 11/9; NYT 11/10)

U.S. Trade Rep. Mickey Kantor announces International Trade Commission will investigate costs to U.S. business of Arab boycott of Israel. (MM 11/9)

Palestinian negotiator Haydar 'Abd alShafi denies knowledge of Israeli-PLO contacts (Jerusalem al-Nahar 7/14 in FBIS 7/15)

Test flight of Israeli-made Arrow missile fails, jeopardizing U.S. support for ABM weapon. (WT 7/16; IDF Radio 7/14 in FBIS 7/15)

Guerrillas attack SLA position near al- 'Ayshiyah in southern Lebanon with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. IDF and SLA return fire. IDF troop and artillery movements reported near Hula and al-Majidiyah, including reinforcement of 10 armored cars and 100 troops, with mechanized company at Hula. Hizballah claims katyusha attack on SLA positions at 'Ali al-Tahir, Sujud. IDF shells Kafr Tibnit and other villages in lqlim al-Tuffah. (Qol Yisra'el, Voice of the Mountain 7/15 in FBIS 7/15)

Lebanese govt. orders PFLP-GC head Ahmadjibril to leave Lebanon. Jibril's presence had become an embarrassment after 7/8 ambush of IDF in southern Lebanon and Jibril press conference afterward. (MM 7/15)

Israeli police stop attempt to establish new settlement in Golan Heights. (Qol Yisra'el 7/14 in FBIS 7/15; JP 7/15 in MM 7/15)

Opposition Knesset factions (Likud, NRP, Tsomet, and Molodet) enter no-confidence motions, citing civil-service strike, kosher laws, and alleged Israeli-PLO dialogue. (Qol Yisra'el 7/14 in FBIS 7/15)

CSM reports that 10 U.S. state govts. hold Israeli bonds, 8% of $650m annual U.S. market. Poll commissioned by Arab American Institute shows 71.9% oppose buying Israeli bonds with tax money. (CSM 7/14)

Likud Knesset delegation submits no-confidence motion against government. Likud motion and those submitted 7/6 by Tsomet and NRP to be debated 7/12. (Qol Yisra'el 7/7 in FBIS 7/7)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak meets with Syrian Pres. al-Asad in Latakia, Syria to discuss peace process. (SANA 7/7 in FBIS 7/8)

Arab info. mins. open 2-day meeting at Arab League H.Q. in Cairo. (MENA 7/6 in FBIS 7/9)

U.S. Middle East coordinator Dennis Ross meets in Moscow with Deputy FM Yossi Beilin prior to visiting Middle East to discuss U.S. proposals on peace process. (Ha Aretz 7/7 in FBIS 7/7)

FM Peres meets Egyptian Pres. Mubarak in Alexandria, discusses U.S. document and Jerusalem issue. (MENA 7/6 in FBIS 7/6)

Jerusalem deputy mayor Avraham Kahila claims Jewish population of East Jerusalem now at 160,000, 5,000 larger than Palestinian population. (Ha Aretz 7/6 in FBIS 7/7; WT 7/7)

Tsomet and National Religious Party submit no-confidence motions in Knesset against Labor government, citing stalemate in peace talks and situation in southern Lebanon. (Qol Yisra'el 7/6 in FBIS 7/7)

Lebanese parliament rejects 7/1 U.S. Senate resolution, characterizing it as "interference" in Lebanon's affairs, and "denounces the American Senate's perpetual silence" on Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon. Lebanese cabinet joins in denunciation the following day (see 7/1). (MM 7/7)

Knesset rejects no-confidence motions submitted by Tsomet, NRP, and Likud, 50- 41. All SHAS MKs voted against the motions, all HADASH MKs abstained. (IDF Radio 3/22 in FBIS 3/23)

Settlers and right-wingers stage demonstration against govt. in Jerusalem, setting tires on fire and throwing objects at policemen. (Qol Yisra'el 3/22 in FBIS 3/23)

IDF shoots 4 Palestinians dead, among them a 12-year-old retarded boy, in Gaza Strip. Palestinian stabs 5 students, principal in Jerusalem high school. IDF seals assailant's home. Students, other Israelis riot, damaging West Bank cars, wounding 2. (Qol Yisra'el 3/22, 3/23 in FBIS 3/23; NYT, WT 3/23)

Joint Amal-Hizballah unit attacks Israeli, SLA positions just north of "security zone," killing 2 Hizballah fighters. Israel shells targets north of zone. (VOL, VOO, VOS 3/22, 3/23 in FBIS 3/23)

Rabin govt. defeats 4 no-confidence motions in Knesset by vote of 59 to 51. The ultra-Orthodox SHAS party agreed to stay in coalition in exchange for an apology from outspoken secularist ed. min. Shulamit Aloni, more influence in public school curricula, and restrictions on import of non-kosher meat (see 10/28). (NYT 11/3)

Palestine National Salvation Front condemns 10/28 Israeli-Jordanian agenda for talks as a sellout of Palestinian rights and a legalization of Israeli aggression. (QPAR 11/3 in FBIS 11/3)

General strike in Gaza, early business closures in W. Bank, and widespread disturbances throughout o.t. mark 75th anniv. of Balfour Declaration. (al-Fajr 11/9)

Israel shells, machine-guns Litani River basin, Jabal Safi, western Biqa' regions in Lebanon. Lebanese army fires at Israeli planes overflying Tyre at low altitudes. (Radio Lebanon 11/2 in FBIS 11/3)

Seventh round of Arab-Israeli negotiations begins in Washington, D.C., to continue until 11/20, with a 1-week break around the U.S. elections. Israeli chief negotiator with the Palestinians Elyakim Rubinstein gives letter to Palestinian delegation head Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi focusing on recent wave of violence in o.t. 'Abd al-Shafi responds with comments about Israel's handling of the Palestinian prisoner hunger strike. U.S. tells Palestinian negotiators they should drop insistence on full Israeli withdrawal from the W. Bank and Gaza Strip. (MM 10/21, 10/22; Qol Yisra'el 10/22 in FBIS 10/22; NYT 10/22)

Israel presents Syria with "fresh paperwork" to frame discussions of Golan Heights that reflects not new proposals, but more forthcoming language-talk of "territorial dimension" is replaced by explicit use of the word "withdrawal." Syrian delegation head Muwaffaq al-'Allaf says the Israeli ideas are "old and unsatisfactory." (MM 10/21, 10/22; Qol Yisra'el 10/22 in FBIS 10/22; NYT 10/22)

PLO pol. dept. head Faruq al-Qaddumi meets with French FM Roland Dumas in Paris. Chmn. Arafat meets with Spanish FM in Tunis. (Algiers VOP 10/22 in FBIS 10/23)

Israel accepts Tunis' offer to host next round (beginning 1/93) of multilateral talks on refugees. Israel rejects a proposal to include the issue of family reunification at upcoming refugee talks in Ottawa, saying it is an attempt to introduce the Palestinian right of return through the back door. (Ha'Aretz 10/22 in FBIS 10/22)

Tsomet party joins Likud and National Religious Party in submitting motion of no-confidence to be debated when the Knesset winter session opens 11/2. (Qol Yisra'el 10/21 in FBIS 10/22)

Palestinian gunmen attack IDF vehicle, wounding 2 soldiers, in drive-by shooting near Hebron. (MM 10/22

Rabin survives first no-confidence vote by 59 to 48, jointly dismissing 5 separate motions submitted by parties opposed to settlement policy, peace moves. (see 7/22). (MM 7/28)

Israeli undercover unit corners, shoots dead unarmed 17-year-old Palestinian activist in Khan Yunis. Three Palestinians are wounded by plastic bullets in clashes with IDF in Shati' camp. (MM 7/28)

MK 'Abd al-Wahhab al-Darawsha sends letter to PM Rabin demanding that the office of Arab affairs advisor be disbanded, because of its negative effects on Jewish-Arab relations in Israel. (MM 8/6)

DFLP head Nayif Hawatima says he would reconsider his boycott of the peace process if the leadership insists on comprehensive Palestinian representation, linkage of any autonomy agreement to self-determination, right of return, and complete halt to settlement. (Al-Sharq al-Awsat 8/6 in FBIS 8/7)

Janin continues to protest Israeli burial of Black Panther leader Mahmud Abu Hasan al-Zarini in military cemetary in Jericho, demands return of body; commercial strike enters 5th day (see 7/23). (MM 7/27)

Greece "strongly protests" 7/23 demoltion of Orthodox church in East Jerusalem. (MM 7/27)

Israeli armored force advances north of "security zone" into western Biqa' valley, clashes with Hizballah. Israel shells Kafr Rumman, Litani river basin. (Radio Lebanon 7/27 in FBIS 7/27; Voice of the Oppressed 7/28 in FBIS 7/28)