The Palestine Chronology

Palestinian policeman detonates bomb at bus station in Jerusalem, killing self, wounding 1 Palestinian, 1 American, 11 Israelis. Hamas claims act as retaliation for Israeli settlement activity in Jerusalem, car bombing in Lebanon 12/21. (WP 12/25; QPAR, QY 12/25, SARR, QY 12/26 in FBIS 12/27; NYT, WP, WT 12/26; WSJ 12/27; WJW 12/29; JP 12/31, 1/7)

PA Planning M Shaath, Israeli Police M Shahal meet in Haifa, agree to visit Palestinian detainees together. Shaath says he has also suggested to FM Peres that Israel form a dept. for Palestinian affairs in FMin., says Peres welcomed suggestion. (QY 12/24 in FBIS 12/29)

PA Social Affairs M Intisar al-Wazir estimates unemployment in Gaza to be 58%, in West Bank 32%. (PR 12/24)

PA demands UN call emergency session to discuss Israeli settlement expansion in wake of events in Efrat. (QY 12/24 in FBIS 12/28) (see 12/22)

In southern Lebanon, IDF mistakes 4 Lebanese bird hunters for Hizballah cadres, kills 1, wounds 3. (WP 12/25; VOL 12/24 in FBIS 12/27)

1st official Syrian-Israeli talks since suspension of negotiations 2/94 begin in Washington; are expanded to include military advisors fr. both sides in hopes of giving momentum to negotiations on the Golan. Israel sends military secy. Maj. Gen. Dani Yatom, IDF Chief of Staff Baraq; Syria sends Lt. Gen Hikmat al-Shishabi. (Ma'ariv 12/21, QY 12/22 in FBIS 12/22; QY 12/22, Ma'ariv 12/23 in FBIS 12/23; WP 12/23; NYT 12/24; WT 12/25; SARR 12/25 in FBIS 12/27; WT 12/26; NYT 12/31; MEI 1/6) (see 12/19)

Arafat cancels Fateh Central Comm. mtg. in Tunis at last minute, reportedly after learning he might be presented with a demand by the comm.'s majority to waive some of his powers, incorporate opposition into PA. (ITV 12/22 in FBIS 12/23; PR 12/24; MEI 1/20)

Arne Christianson, AIPAC legislative director and top Congressional lobbyist, announces he will leave AIPAC to become senior policy adviser to incoming House speaker Newt Gingrich. He will deal with budget, appropriations issues. Brad Gordon, current director of the House subcommittee on international operations, will replace Christianson at AIPAC. (WT 12/23: WJW 12/29)

2 IDF soldiers killed, 7 wounded when Hizballah attacks IDF post in southern Lebanon in retaliation for car bombing 12/21. (NYT, WP, WT 12/24; JP 12/31)

Palestinians, Israeli Peace Now activists begin sit-in to protest construction of 500 apartments in Efrat settlement in West Bank, nr. Jerusalem. (QY 12/22 in FBIS 12/22; PR 12/24; WT 12/31)

Hamas mbr. dies in West Bank, sparking Palestinian protests, clashes with IDF. IDF says man died when bomb he was making exploded; family says IDF killed him. (QY, VOP 12/22 in FBIS 12/22)

PM Rabin denies Israel is responsible for car bomb detonated in Beirut 12/21. (ITV 12/22 in FBIS 12/23)

UNRWA announces frmr. U.S. Amb. to Iraq April Glaspie will become agency's head of operations in o.t. (JP 12/23 in FBIS 12/23)