FM Peres criticizes some settlements in Gaza Strip as "totally illogical," saying Netzarim "has no agricultural importance, no economic importance, no security importance." (MM 2/22)
Occupied Palestine/Israel: PM Shamir wins Likud nomination for premiership challenge by MK Sharon. 60 Muslim Labor Party members meet to nominate Knesset...
Occupied Palestine/Israel: WZO completes placement of 30 buildings on hilltop S.E. of Nablus to form Tel Haim settlement [adjacent to former Elon Moreh, ordered...
Lebanese President-elect Bashir Gemayel killed by bomb blast at Phalange Party office in East Beirut; Lebanese Army closes Green Line to traffic.
Political Responses...
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FM Peres criticizes some settlements in Gaza Strip as "totally illogical," saying Netzarim "has no agricultural importance, no economic importance, no security importance." (MM 2/22)
15 settler families, most fr. Ariel, sign petition for Knesset assistance to help them leave o.t. MKs Yossi Katz (Labor) and Avraham Poraz (Meretz) submit Knesset bills calling for comprehensive compensation plan for settlers leaving o.t., while Labor MKs Haggai Merom and Avraham Burg set up "hot line" for settlers who wish to leave. (MM 2/23)
Lebanese govt. officials, responding to U.S. concerns over violence in southern Lebanon, agree to restrain actions of guerrilla groups in south. Int. M Bishara Mirhaj says "We will not approve of any operation that undermines the responsibility of the state in south Lebanon." (NYT 2/25)
Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics puts Israeli population at end 1993 at 5.325 m., compared to 5.196 m. in 1992. CBS says settlements' population at 115,000 compared to 105,000 in 1992, Palestinian population in o.t. 1.9 m. (MM 2/23)
Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu meets in Washington with VP Al Gore, Senate Minority Leader Robert Dole. Gore expresses both personal and official Clinton admin. opposition to Palestinian state, according to Netanyahu, while Dole says Senate would oppose posting U.S. troops on Golan. (MM 2/23)
Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan expresses "respect and appreciation" for Saudi fund-raising drive for Islamic holy places in Jerusalem. (RJ 2/22 in FBIS 2/23)
Senate confirms Strobe Talbott as dep. secy. of state by 66-31 vote. Opponents had charged Talbott was overly critical of Israel while a journalist for Time magazine, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) calling Talbott's articles "insulting, immature and incorrect," Sen. Minority Leader Robert Dole (R-KS) accusing Talbott of "clear anti-Israel bias." (MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/23)
Social/Economic/Political:
Occupied Palestine/Israel: PM Shamir wins Likud nomination for premiership challenge by MK Sharon. 60 Muslim Labor Party members meet to nominate Knesset candidate.
Other Countries: In al-Anba' interview, former US Pres. Carter says under current Israeli policies Jerusalem has become city of "killing and hatred."
Military Action:
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers open fire on car failing to stop at roadblock near Hebron, 2 killed. Israeli military command claims 2 Palestinian men suspected as guerrillas shot dead near Idna, West Bank.
Arab World: IDF shoots and kills Lebanese civilian as he approaches checkpoint in southern Sidon
Social/Economic/Political:
Occupied Palestine/Israel: WZO completes placement of 30 buildings on hilltop S.E. of Nablus to form Tel Haim settlement [adjacent to former Elon Moreh, ordered dismantled in 1979]. Jerusalem mayor Kollek's spokesman confirms plan for 75-acre Jewish cemetery east of city, saying it "will increase our hold" on West Bank. Report issued by "West Bank Data Project" concludes US funds intended for economic projects in occupied territories diverted by Israeli gov't. for its own use. Labor Party unanimously nominates Shimon Peres as PM candidate for 7/23 elections.
Other Countries: Zehdi Terzi speaks before Canadian Senate Foreign Affairs Com. as final witness in 2-yr. review of Canadian policy toward Middle East. US Pres. Reagan tells Jewish Community Relations Council in private New York mtg. that if Israel expelled from UN, "We will walk out with her."
Military Action:
Arab World: IDF shoots and wounds 7 Lebanese civilians in Sidon after grenade thrown at Israeli patrol on main street.
Other Countries: Bomb explodes in Israel Aircraft Industries' Manhattan offices; "Red Guerrilla Resistance" claims responsibility.
Military Action:
Lebanese President-elect Bashir Gemayel killed by bomb blast at Phalange Party office in East Beirut; Lebanese Army closes Green Line to traffic.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli officials decline to comment on Gemayel death pending official notification; Sharon requests meeting with Begin, outlines "Operation Iron Brain" to "purge" Shatila and Sabra camps of estimated 2,000 PLO guerrillas he fears will exploit political vacuum following assassination; Labor Party leader Peres denies advance notice of US peace plan; Sharon announces review of West Bank Civil Administration (Col. Lunz, military commander and Civil Administrator of Gaza, may replace Milson after latter's contract expires in October); Jerusalem Press Services office closed for 6 months under 1945 emergency regulations; Palestinian charged with sending threatening letters to West Bank personalities with signature of Village Leagues and Meir Kehane.
Arab Governments: Jordan's King Hussein praises Reagan initiative as "constructive," offers to play "active part" in creating West Bank-Jordan confederation, but asserts he has no authority to negotiate on behalf of PLO.
US and Other Countries: White House condemns Gemayel assassination, promises support for Lebanon, fears renewed violence; Morris Draper arrives in Israel on way to Lebanon; Alexander Haig, at UJA dinner, attacks Reagan plan's call for freeze on West Bank settlements as a "serious mistake"; Brezhnev urges Arafat to reject Reagan initiative, affirms support for PLO.
