The Palestine Chronology

U.S. special envoy Ross convinces Israel, PA to resume FAPS talks in Elat. Negotiators complain that reporters are getting in their way. (MM 5/3; NYT 5/4; al-Quds 5/4 in WNC 5/8; MEI 5/5) (see 5/2)

The FMs of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria open a 2-day mtg. in Palmayra, Syria, to coordinate their stands on the peace process, explore the possibility of holding an Arab summit. (MM, NYT 5/3; MENA 5/3 in WNC 5/4; MM 5/4; MENA 5/4 in WNC 5/5; MENA 5/6 in WNC 5/8; MM 5/8)

The Israeli DMin. says that around 10/00, Israel will deploy a $250-m. laser-based air defense system, developed jointly with the U.S., to protect against missiles fired into Israel following a withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. (MM 5/3; WP 5/4)

PA Dep. Education M Naim Abu al-Humus resigns in protest of the failure of the PA to respond to teachers' demands for pay increases. Teachers fr. Hebron hold a large sit-in strike outside the PA Education Min. offices to protest the PA's inaction regarding their salary increases. (MENL, PCHR 5/3; MENL 5/4; PR 5/10) (see 5/2)

The PA High Court suspends the 2/28 decree requiring all demonstrations, public mtgs. to receive prior authorization fr. the PA police. (PCHR 5/3)

In Iqlim al-Tuffah, outside Israel's self-declared security zone, an Israeli plane drops a 660-lb. bomb on the home of Amal regional cmdr. Abbas Hallal, injuring his mother, 14 civilians (including 6 children). Israel claims the shelling was a mistake. In 2 other IDF and SLA attacks in s. Lebanon, 3 Hizballah mbrs. and 2 civilians are killed. (NYT 5/4; MM, NYT, WP 5/5)

In the Netherlands, the trial of 2 Libyans charged in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am 103 opens. The Libyans plead not guilty, blame the crime on the PFLP-GC and the Palestinian Poplar Struggle Front. Both groups deny the charge. (MM, NYT, WP 5/4; MEI 5/5; CSM 5/9)

UNSCOM chief inspector Scott Ritter resigns in protest over recent revelations that the U.S. repeatedly urged UNSCOM to forgo "challenge inspections" at Iraqi sites thought to house weapons of mass destruction. (MM 9/3; MA 9/3 in WNC 9/11; MM 9/4; MM 9/9, 9/11; Babil 9/17 in WNC 9/25; NYT, WP 10/2; WP 10/11, 10/12) (see 8/7)

IDF soldiers enforcing the Hebron closure prevent Palestinian woman in labor fr. reaching hospital, causing her baby's death. (LAW, WP 8/27; JP 9/5, 9/12; WP 9/19)

Libya tentatively accepts proposal approved by Britain, U.S. to try 2 suspects in the 1988 Pan Am bombing in the Hague under Scottish law. (MM 8/26; NYT, WP, WT 8/27; WP, WT 8/28; MEI 9/4; WP 9/30) (see 7/30)

Five settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement abduct a Palestinian teenager, take him to the graves of 2 settlers killed 8/5, hold him there for 2 hrs., beat him. (PR 9/4)

Settlers in Hebron set fire to a Palestinian home nr. the Jewish sector of the city, injuring 1 man. IDF soldiers enforcing th curfew on the city prevent fire fighters fr. reaching the site. (PR 9/4)

Amal shells an SLA post in s. Lebanon, killing 1 SLA mbr., wounding another. (RL 8/26 in WNC 8/27)

PM Netanyahu says that he wants PA-Israeli negotiations to be expanded to include issues other than FRD. PA says that it entered the latest round of talks with the understanding that they would address 2 issues only: FRD, the PLO charter. No progress has been made in the talks thus far. (ITV 7/21 in WNC 7/23; WT 7/22)

Arafat, Israeli DM Mordechai separately consult Egypt's Pres. Mubarak regarding the latest round of negotiations. (MENA, RE 7/21 in WNC 7/23; WT 7/22; NYT 7/23)

EU special envoy Moratinos meets with Israeli FMin. officials. (WJW 7/23)

King Hussein announces that tests fr. his last visit to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, on 7/14 indicate that he has lymphatic cancer. (RJ 7/21, 7/22 in WNC 7/23, WT 7/22; RJ 7/22 in WNC 7/24; MM, WP 7/23; MEI 7/31)

At Rep. Gingrich's invitation, a PA delegation led by PC Speaker Qurai` arrives in Washington to meet with congressmen. This is the 1st time that Palestinian lawmakers have been invited to Capitol Hill since the PC was elected in 1/96. (WT 7/21; MM 7/23)

The Senate proposes same reductions in Egyptian, Israeli aid as the House did 7/15. Debates on the House and Senate versions will not be completed until 9/98 at the earliest. (WJW 7/23)

U.S. Principal Dep. Secy. of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch returns fr. leading delegation (including Turkish officials) on 5-day trip to n. Iraq to attempt to reconcile the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. The U.S. hopes to unite the 2 groups to increase pressure on Iraqi pres. Saddam Hussein. (GIU 7/17; MM 7/20, 7/30) (see 6/17)

Amal, Hizballah meet to discuss ways of coordinating their actions against the IDF, SLA in s. Lebanon. (RL 7/22 in WNC 7/23)

In s. Lebanon, an SLA convoy triggers a roadside bomb, killing 1 mbr., wounding 2. (VOL 7/21 in WNC 7/23) (see 5/10)

Islamic Jihad suicide bomber on bicycle kills 3 IDF reservists, wounds 11 at Netzarim checkpoint, Gaza, in revenge for Abed assassination 11/2. (MM 11/11; AFP, IDF Radio, QY, VOP 11/11 in FBIS 11/14; NYT, WP, WT 11/12; JP 11/19)

Arafat condemns Islamic Jihad attack, orders roundup of Jihad mbrs. 1000's of Palestinians demonstrate in support of Islamic Jihad. (NYT, WP, WT 11/12)

Israel agrees to reconsider ban on import of produce fr. Gaza due to cholera outbreak. (VOP 11/11 in FBIS 11/16) (see 11/8)

Fateh mbr. Sami Sharaf is killed by unknown men as he leaves his home in Sidon, Lebanon. (RL 11/11 in FBIS 11/14)

Amal shells SLA positions in southern Lebanon, killing 3 SLA soldiers. (RL 11/11 in FBIS 11/14)

Secy. of State Christopher holds "constructive" mtg. with Syrian FM al-Shara` in Washington on peace talks, improving Syrian-U.S. relations. Al-Shara` then holds mtgs. with U.S. Jewish leaders. (MM 10/6; SARR 10/6 in FBIS 10/7)

Israeli-PNA talks on elections are adjourned without much progress. Israel permits 6 Palestinian election offices to open immediately. (MM 10/5; WT 10/6; JP 10/15)

Dep. FM Beilin says Israel has established bilateral contacts with Algeria during multilateral talks on arms control in Canada, has discussed opening Algerian liaison office in Israel. (ITV 10/5 in FBIS 10/6)

Israeli FM Peres meets with Omani FM Yusuf Bin Alawi in New York to discuss possible low-level diplomatic exchanges. (WP 10/6)

18 settlers fr. Kiryat Arba are issued confinement orders by IDF, preventing them from going nr. the Cave of the Patriarchs for 3 mos. (QY 10/5 in FBIS 10/6)

Amal blows up SLA car in south of Lebanon, killing two SLA mbrs. IDF responds by shelling Litani river basin. (RL 10/5 in FBIS 10/6)

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)

Two IDF jeeps are ambushed separately in Gaza Strip and West Bank, killing 2 soldiers. IDF shoots 2 dead, wounds 20 Palestinians in Khan Yunis. IDF destroys up to 20 houses in Dayr al-Balah camp. (Qol Yisra'el 3/21 in FBIS 3/22; MM 3/22; MM, WT 3/23; MM 3/30)

Joint Amal-Hizballah unit attacks Israeli, SLA positions in "security zone." Israel shells targets north of zone. (VOM, VOL 3/20 in FBIS 3/22)

PLO Exec. Comm mbr. Mahmud 'Abbas outlines new PLO 4-point plan to solve the deportee issue and resume talks (see 2/24, 2/25): (1) Israeli commitment against expulsion; (2) increase in no. of immediate returnees (from the 101 offered 2/1) and timetable for rest; (3) return of many post-1967 deportees; (4) Israeli commitment on o.t. human rights. (MM 3/4)

Faisal Husseini sends memo to Secy. of State Christopher. (al-Quds 3/5 in FBIS 3/8)

IDF arrests some 200 Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza Strip, in wake of attacks in Israel. (MM 3/4)

Ramallah woman stabs, injures Ataret Cohanim yeshiva guard in Old City. (Qol Yisra'el 3/3 in FBIS 3/3)

SLA kills 1 Hizballah fighter in clash in "security zone." Amal has criticized Hizballah's firing of rockets into Israel and attacks on personnel lately, as they are unsuccessful in evicting the IDF from the "security zone." (Qol Yisra'el 3/3 in FBIS 3/4)

Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi, two other members of the Palestinian steering committee, fly to Morocco for consultations with Chmn. Arafat. (NYT 11/3)

Pro-peace marches continue in o.t., including one involving thousands of marchers in Jenin. Curfew imposed 10/27 on Nablus lifted, but is imposed on 400,000 Gaza residents. (MEM 11/4)

Thousands flee Kufr Rumman, S. Lebanon, after Israeli troops order them to evacuate the area, which has come under recent heavy Israeli artillery fire. South Lebanon Army radio broadcast also orders 100,000 residents of some 100 villages near the Israeli "security zone" to flee. Israel denies it officially ordered the evacuation, claims order came from a local Israeli commander or from SLA acting on its own authority. As Israel continues its bombardment of the area, Lebanese pres. Ilyas al-Hirawi calls Lebanon's defense council into emergency session, and Shi'ite Amal militia announces a general mobilization, vowing to stand with Lebanese army troops in repelling any Israel attacks. (NYT, WP 11/3)

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Beginning at 4 am, hundreds of Israeli soldiers and Shin Bet agents raid Palestinian homes in Nablus, arrest "scores" of youths. In Gaza, IDF troops shoot, wound at least 36 Palestinians. In both incidents, Israeli soldiers are reportedly dressed as Arabs, driving vehicles with O.T. license plates [NYT, WP 12/3; FBIS 12/7; JP 12/9; MET 12/12].

Members of Israeli group Yesh Gval demonstrate to show solidarity with Palestinian residents of Bayt Sahur, attempto distribute leaflets, but are restrained by IDF troops [FJ 12/18].

Arab World: 3 killed and 9 wounded in artillery exchange between SLA and Amal forces in S. Lebanon [WP 12/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: A general strike is observed in the occupied territories. Several demonstrations areheld on 40-day anniversary of the death of Abu Jihad. Several refugee camps are placed under curfews [NYT 5/26, FJ 5/29].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers injure 58 Palestinians during clashes in jabalya. The military uproots 150 trees in the village of Bayt Iba [FJ 5/29].

Arab World: Israeli air power and artillery aid the South Lebanon Army's attack on a Hizballah stronghold in S. Lebanon. Israeli helicopter gunships attack Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon. Amal announces it will join Hizballah in the fight against the Israelis. Amal also claims to have shot down an Israeli helicopter over Lebanon [NYT 5/26]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Israeli P. M. Yitzhak Shamir meets with 7 pro-Jordanian W. Bank Palestinians; the Palestinians later meet with Shmuel Goren, Israeli coordinator for W. Bank, to discuss economic problems of the territory [FJ 10/11; MET 10/17]. Al-Fajr reports former Hebron Mayor Mustafa Natshah and Gaza attorney Fayiz Abu Rahmah have been denied permission to attend conferences abroad [FJ 10/4]. Abu Dis College of Science employees launch strike to protest ban on establishment of union [FJ 10/11]. Woman charged with attempting to stab Israeli border guard 10/2 is ordered back into custody [FJ 10/11]. Hebron University reopens after 2-week military-ordered closure [FJ 10/11]. Gaza taxi drivers file suit against city police department for excessive ticketing near Eretz crossing [FJ 10/11]. Palestinian youth wounded by IDF bullet dies in hospital [FJ 10/11]. Davar reports Irael and Nigeria have agreed to restore low-level diplomatic relations severed in 1973 [CSM 10/5].

Arab World: PLO accuses Amal of shelling Shatila refugee camp in attempt to undermine Sidon cease-fire agreement [FBIS 10/6].

Military Action

Arab World: SLA patrol attacks UNIFIL position, killing 1 Nepalese soldier [MET 10/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli military authorities ban fishing off Gaza Strip indefinitely [FJ 8/12].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli fighter jets attack Biqa' Valley villa owned by Lebanese Information Minister Joseph Skaf; 13 are wounded; villa houses families of Syrian Social Nationalist party fighters [LAT 7/4]. SLA troops kill 2 frogmen allegedly trying to infiltrate Israel; 3d member of team is picked up by Amal militiamen near Tyre coast; Hebrew-language pamphlets carried by the frogmen identified them as members of al-Sa'iqah [BG 7/5; FJ 7/12]. Amal militias detain more than 100 Palestinians in raid near Tyre [FJ 7/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Settler violence in Dahayshah camp continues; Israeli soldiers disperse settlers and Palestinians with tear gas and live ammunition; 6 settlers are arrested; curfew is imposed on camp. Military breaks up protest at Askar refugee camp and imposes curfew. Estimated 1,500 students gather at Islamic University in Gaza to protest 20 years of occupation [BG 6/8]. Israeli cabinet approves nomination of Moshe Arad as new ambassador to U.S. [WP, CSM 6/8].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli and SLA forces clash with Amal and Hizballah fighters in Biqa' Valley; at least 3 Lebanese are killed. In separate incident, Israeli soldier is killed, 2 wounded by bomb in town of Taybah, 3 miles north of security zone [WP 6/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: P. M.-designate Shamir asks U.S. Sec. of State Shultz to close PLO offices in U.S. because PLO claimed responsibility for grenade attack in Jerusalem (WP 10/19).

Military Action

Arab World: Amal hints at willingness to exchange captured Israeli pilot for Lebanese and Palestinian captives held by Israel and SLA (WP, NYT 10/19).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: The Guardian reports 3 Israelis and 6 Palestinians have been detained in connection with land fraud investigation [MG 8/24]. Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin warns Amal that Israel will not allow it to carry out attacks across the northern border [MG 8/25]. The Washington Post reports Knesset Internal Affairs Committee voted 7-4 to block construction of the Mormon Center on Mount of Olives [WP 8/24]. A new memorial, called the Center for Special Studies in the Memory of the Fallen of Israel's Intelligence Community, opens in Tel Aviv [NYT 8/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Andre Alush, 40, is shot and killed by lone gunman in Tulkarm. Curfew is imposed [WP 8/25]. Avi Oved, of Tiberias, is shot three times in the marketplace of Jenin. His condition is serious. Curfew is immediately imposed [WP 8/25]. Katyusha rocket fired from Lebanon falls in northern Israel, causing no casualties [WP 8/25].

Arab World: IDF carry out large-scale search operations in 3 south Lebanese villages: Qabrikha, Majd al-Salim, and Shaqra. Search follows firing of a katyusha into the Galilee earlier in the week. Several arrests are made and a variety of weapons seized [MG 8/25]. The Arab Socialist Ba'th party claims suicide bomber killed or wounded 60 at a SLA checkpoint; Israel's army radio says one Lebanese Christian soldier was killed and 2 others wounded [MG 8/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Peres orders attorney general to investigate Kiryat Arba's plan to fire all Palestinian workers. [FT 7/21]. Al-Fajr journalist Musa Jaradat receives fourth consecutive town arrest order, confining him to his town of Sa'ir, in the Hebron district, for another 6 months [FJ 7/26].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli troops in helicopter gunships and armoured personnel carriers storm south Lebanese villages of Qabrikha and Sejoud, both inside the security zone, kill at least one, arrest several others, bum and loot property during house-to-house searches following bomb attack by guerrillas on SLA armored vehicle in a nearby village [WP, PI 7/22]. Israeli army announces it confiscated several katyusha rocket launchers during the raid [WP 7/22, JTA 7/23]. The Jerusalem Post reports 6 SLA soldiers disappeared from their posts last week and have apparently deserted to Amal [JP 7/21].

Military Action

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: Amal joins Palestinians, Muslim militiamen in battle against Lebanese Forces, SLA in Sidon area [BG 4/21]. Roadside bomb injures 2 IDF soldiers near Rashaya. SLA soldier wounded in central occupation sector. Roadside bomb explodes. near IDF patrol, Raihan; no injuries. RPGs fired at IDF patrol near Tyre; no injuries [JP 4/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF release 37 of more than 1,100 Lebanese and Palestinians transferred 4/2 from Ansar prison camp [BG 4/19]. Convicted Jewish underground defendants Uri Maier, Dan Be'eri, Yossi Edri sentenced to terms ranging from 25 mos. to 3 yrs. [JP 4/19]. High Court orders Defense Ministry to explain absence of appeals court system in occupied territories [FJ 4/26].

Arab World: In Baghdad, joint PLO-Fateh leadership meeting rejects proposals of US State Dept. official Murphy which call for public PLO recognition of Israel's right to exist, UN Sec. Council Resolutions 242, 338 [FT 4/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF soldier shot, wounded in Gaza; assailant killed by 2nd soldier [JP 4/19].

Arab World: Action in Lebanon: Lebanese Forces, SLA bombard Mieh Mieh, 'Ain al-Hilweh; 8 killed [BG 4/19]. Amal militiamen surround Burj al-Barajneh, Sabra, Shatila camps, search residents entering and leaving [WP 4/19].