The Palestine Chronology

With all regular ballots in the Israeli elections counted, Netanyahu is ahead by 21,399 votes (0.7 percent); Likud, Labor are losing Knesset seats; religious parties are gaining seats. 150,000 absentee and military ballots, which in the past have gone overwhelmingly to Likud, have yet to be counted. The Israeli stock market drops 5 percent, value of the shekel falls. (MM, WP 5/30; IDF Radio, QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/30; MENA, QY, SARR 5/30, JP, QY 5/31 in FBIS 5/31; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 5/31; MEI, PR 6/7)

Netanyahu says that if he wins he will work to strengthen peace btwn. Israel, "Arab states with whom Israel already has peaceful relations." (QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; NYT 5/31)

Aides describe Pres. Clinton as "crestfallen" over Netanyahu's probable win, believing it to be a setback to his image as a peacemaker. Yet, Clinton says that, whatever the results, the U.S. will continue its support for Israel. (MM 5/30; NYT, WP, WT 5/31) (see 5/28)

PA says it will deal with any election outcome; if Likud wins, it must still continue the peace process. (JMCC, ITV 5/30 in FBIS 5/31)

Hamas says Netanyahu win would be a declaration of war against Palestinians, Arabs. (QY, RMC 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; AFP 6/2 in FBIS 6/3)

In Tel Aviv, Labor's M Ehud Barak, Finance M Avraham Shohat, Housing M Binyamin Ben-Eliezer meet to discuss party's future. Some see mtg. as an attempt to oust PM Peres from the party; others see it as an attempt to outflank Interior M Hayim Ramon's bid for party leadership, assuming Peres will resign. Peres is furious with Barak for holding the mtg. (IDF Radio, QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/30; IDF Radio, ITV 5/31, IDF Radio 6/1 in FBIS 6/3; NYT 6/4; IDF Radio 6/5 in FBIS 6/7)

Likud opens unofficial contacts with ultraorthodox parties regarding formation of a coalition government. PM Peres says he would not consider joining a Likud-led coalition; other Labor mbrs. say they would. (QY 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; WP 5/31)

Tsomet leader Rafael Eitan says Oslo agmts. must be reopened, because the winning camp's views differ from those of the previous government. PA denounces his statement. (IDF Radio 5/30 in FBIS 5/30) (see 3/12)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates 2 roadside bombs, killing 4 IDF soldiers, wounding 7 IDF soldiers, 2 journalists, 1 SLA mbr. (VOL 5/30 in FBIS 5/30; ITV, VOL 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; MM, NYT, WT 5/31; JP 6/8)

1-day Antiterrorism summit is held in Sharm al-Shaykh. (CSM, MM, WP 3/13; MENA, RE, RJ, SARR 3/13 in FBIS 3/13; ITV, MENA, PBC, SARR 3/13, HA 3/14 in FBIS 3/14; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/14; MEI, MM 3/15; MM 3/18; WJW 3/21; VOA 3/21 in FBIS 3/21; UNRWA News 3/27; MEI 3/29)

Israel opens some official channels with the PA; agrees to increase the number of trucks transporting foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals into the West Bank, Gaza to 75/day from 35/day; partially lifts wk.-long naval blockade on Gaza, allowing fishermen to operate within 4 mi. of the coast. (MM 3/13; CSM, NYT 3/15; WT 3/16)

In Beirut, Lebanon, an appeals court frees 2 fmr. PFLP mbrs. convicted of 1976 kidnapping, killing if U.S. Amb. Francis Meloy his economic counselor, and his driver. Judges rule that killings were covered under the 1990 amnesty for political crimes. U.S. denounces verdict. (NYT, WP 3/14; al-Nahar 3/14, MENA, VOL 3/18, RL 3/19 in FBIS 3/19; WP, WT 3/19; RL 3/19, 3/20 in FBIS 3/20; MM 3/20, 3/22)

U.S. offers $2-m. reward for the capture of escaped Abu-Abbas hijacker Molqi. (WT 3/14) (see 2/26)

To protest the antiterrorism summit in Sharm al-Shaykh, Hizballah attacks several IDF, SLA posts in s. Lebanon, loosing 2 cadres, inflicting no casualties. (MM 3/13; WT 3/15)

DFLP, Fatah, PFLP, PPSF, FIDA, PPP, Arab Liberation Front form permanent committee on Jerusalem to pressure Pres. Clinton to block embassy move. (VOP 11/1 in FBIS 11/2)

In Ramallah, settler rabbi is shot, seriously wounded when his car is ambushed. DFLP claims responsibility. IDF closes Jericho area. (AFP, QY, VOP 11/1 in FBIS 11/2; CSM 11/2)

In retaliation for Islamic Jihad leader Shiqaqi's assassination 10/26, Hizballah strikes IDF, SLA convoy in s. Lebanon, killing 2 SLA mbrs, wounding 3 SLA mbrs and 5 IDF soldiers. Meanwhile, 40,000 mourners attend Shiqaqi's funeral in Damascus; 1,000s more hold memorial rally in Tehran. (MM 11/1; QY 11/1 in FBIS 11/1; QPAR, RMC, SANA, SARR 11/1 in FBIS 11/2; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/2)

At the invitation of Secy. of State Christopher, Syrian FM Shara` arrives in Washington for 2-day working visit. (MM 10/5; RMC, SARR 10/5, SARR 10/6 in FBIS 10/6; MM 10/6; SARR 10/6 in FBIS 10/10; WJW 10/12)

In Jerusalem, 20,000-30,000 Israelis gather in Zion Square to urge MKs to vote against the Oslo II accord. (NYT 10/6; JP 10/6 in FBIS 10/6; JP 10/14)

PM Rabin opens the Knesset debate on the Oslo II agmt., for the 1st time outlining his vision of a final settlement. Labor coalition MKs vote unanimously for resolution calling the vote on the interim agmt. binding on all faction, coalition mbrs. (MM 10/5; QY 10/5 in FBIS 10/5)

Arab FMs meet at the UN to discuss Israeli memorandum circulated 10/3, issue their own memorandum calling on the UN committees dealing with Palestine, particularly the UNRWA, to continue their work until Palestinians regain their national rights, Israel completes its withdrawal fr. the o.t., the issue of settlements is solved. (VOP 10/5 in FBIS 10/6)

PA police arrest 20 Hamas mbrs in connection with 10/4 shooting of Israeli policeman. (JP 10/6 in FBIS 10/6)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah attacks 2 SLA convoys, killing or wounding 6. (VOL 10/5 in FBIS 10/6) 

PA, Jordan sign 1st comprehensive trade accord, defining terms for shipments across Jordan river, preferential tariff system, free trade btwn. autonomous areas, Jordan. (RJ 5/4 in FBIS 5/4; JP 5/13)

Israeli embassy in Amman holds independence day celebration but few invited Jordanian officials attend. (SARR 5/4 in FBIS 5/5; JP 5/13; WT 5/17)

Arafat approves creation of Palestine Telecommunications Co., plans to have 600,000 phone lines, 200,000 mobile phones in use within 10 yrs. (VOP 5/4 in FBIS 5/5)

PA military court sentences 4 Palestinians to 6 mos. in jail for burning Israeli fields nr. Erez. (QY 5/4 in FBIS 5/5)

3 Israeli policemen, 1 Palestinian are hurt when Jewish extremists try to force their way in to al-Aqsa compound to pray. (CSM 5/5)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah shells IDF tank wounding 1 soldier, fires mortars at SLA position. IDF returns fire, killing 2 Lebanese civilians. (QY, VOL 5/4 in FBIS 5/4; RL 5/4, 5/5 in FBIS 5/5; WT 5/6)

Arafat arrives in Amman for talks Palestinian-Jordanian relations with King Hussein. (JTV, RJ 1/25 in FBIS 1/26)

PM Rabin's new settlement construction review comm. approves plan to build more than 3,000 units, sell around 1,000 for 20,000 new settlers in 3 settlements surrounding Jerusalem. Housing M Ben-Eliezer says decision strengthens Israel's claim to Jerusalem. PA warns Rabin is jeopardizing talks. (QY 1/25 in FBIS 1/25; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 1/26; QY 1/26 in FBIS 1/26; JP 1/28; WP 1/31; MEI 2/3)

Settlers complain Rabin, his comm. did not approve construction of 2,700 of the units submitted for review. Finance M Avaraham Shohat, a comm. mbr., defends Rabin, saying current government has far outpaced the Likud's rate settlement expansion fr. 1979-92. (NYT, WP, WT 1/26)

Syrian VP Khaddam meets with delegation fr. 7 Jordanian opposition parties to discuss formation of united Arab front. (SARR 1/25, 1/26, SATV 1/26, SARR 1/27 in FBIS 1/31)

Arafat, PM Rabin each welcome Clinton's freeze on assets to prevent terrorism. (QY 1/25 in FBIS 1/25; IDF Radio 1/25 in FBIS 1/26)

Islamic Jihad, DFLP, PFLP, Hizballah each issue statement criticizing Clinton's freeze on U.S. assets, saying freeze is meaningless since they have no U.S. holdings. (MM 1/25; VOL 1/25 in FBIS 1/31; WP 1/26) (see 1/24)

UNRWA announces it has received $20 m. donation fr. Saudi Arabia for infrastructure, job creation in Gaza, plus $7.5 m. for Palestinian policemen's salaries (to be paid through UNRWA). (UNRWA News 1/25)

U.S. says it is unhappy with Egypt's threat to withdraw fr. NPT; says it will not pressure Israel to sign NPT; reprimands Egypt for signing "anti-Israeli" communiqué that followed fr. mtg. with King Fahd, Pres. al-Asad 12/29. (WP 1/26)

Palestinian police say they have arrested 20 mbrs. of Islamic Jihad, incl. the group's chief idealogue, Abdallah al-Shami; IDF says it has arrested over 100 Palestinians in West Bank on charges of inciting anti-Israel fervor since bombing 1/22. (NYT 1/26)

IDF, SLA air and ground forces attack Hizballah north of self-declared security zone. Hizballah unit ambushes IDF patrol, killing 1, wounding 1. IDF kills 3 attackers, strafes Hizballah positions. Hizballah shells IDF, SLA positions in return. IDF puts forces in northern Israel on high alert. (RL 1/25 in FBIS 1/25; VOL 1/25 in FBIS 1/27; MM, WP 1/26; MEI 2/17)

PLO Pol. Dept. head Faruq Qaddumi holds talks with Syrian FM al-Shar'a, other Syrian leaders in Damascus. (RMC, SARR 8/25 in FBIS 8/26)

Sources in Israeli PM Rabin's office quoted by JP say Rabin told Secy. of State Christopher Israel will withdraw fr. southern Lebanon 6 to 9 mos. after an agreement with Lebanon is signed and implemented. Rabin tells Knesset comm. Israeli conditions include integration of SLA into Lebanese army, security arrangements to be reached by bilateral comm., and disarming of Hizballah. Rabin also asserts that Israel will withdraw on, but not fr., the Golan to reach accord with Syria. Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz rejects Israeli conditions, saying Israel must withdraw fr. southern Lebanon as a precondition for any agreement. (MM 8/25; VOM, VOL 8/25 in FBIS 8/26; MM 8/26)

Israeli High Court rejects Peace Now petition challenging legality of Israeli settlements in o.t. (WT 8/26)

Settler leaders establish new settlement of 7 families, 20 individuals, Dor Golan, near Moshav Shaal in Golan. PM Rabin's office does not regard site as settlement, while FM Peres says it may be dismantled. Settlement leaders say 8,000 new settlers will come to Golan in coming year. (Qol Yisra'el 8/25, IDF Radio 8/26 in FBIS 8/26; MM 8/26)