The Palestine Chronology

The IDF raids a branch of the Arab Bank in Azariyya, East Jerusalem, confiscates documents related to bank accounts belonging to Jerusalem residents allegedly linked to Hamas. A roadside bomb explodes nr. a Jewish settler bus in the West Bank, causing no injuries. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 2/23. (HA, JTA 2/27; PCHR 3/6; LAW 3/13)

The Knesset approves (68–48) Israeli PM Ariel Sharon’s (reelected on 1/28/03) new coalition government. The 68-seat coalition includes the right-wing, pro-settler National Religious Party (6 seats), opposed to creation of a Palestinian state; the right-wing, secular nationalist Shinui (15 seats), which supports unilateral separation; and the ultraright-wing National Union Party (7 seats), which represents Jewish settlers, opposes talks with the Palestinians, and advocates expelling PA head Yasir Arafat and Palestinians from the occupied territories and annexing the land. Acting FM Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) becomes finance minister, acting Finance M Silvan Shalom (Likud) becomes FM; Likud’s Tshai Hanegbi (previously under criminal investigation by Israeli police) becomes internal security minister; Mofaz remains DM. Sharon says that the economy will be his 1st priority, the peace process his 2d; that the Palestinians would have to give up the right of return, agree to Jerusalem remaining the unified capital of Israel, and halt all violence if they want a comprehensive peace. (HA, MM, NYT, WP 2/27; NYT, WP, WT 2/28; MA 2/28 in WNC 3/3; WT 3/1; MEI 3/7)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem Domestic Service announces Israel and Jordan signed memorandum on joint responsibility for new Arab bank in Nablus. Agreement is reached after intervention by U.S. Sec. of State Shultz in secret talks in London (FBIS 10/2). Israeli Trade Minister Ariel Sharon is fined by Israeli High Court of Justice for illegally appointing two trade attaches to New York and Bonn (JP 10/3).

Other Countries: Washington Post reports Reagan administration launched secret and deliberate campaign of deception aimed at convincing Qadhdhafi he was about to be attacked by U.S. bombers and ousted in coup. Plan was proposed 8/14 in memo by National Security Adviser Admiral John Poindexter. Pres. Reagan and government spokesman later deny planting false reports; Shultz justifies using press to scare Qadhdhafi (NYT 10/3).

Military Action

Arab World: Palestinian sources report mortar battle at Rashidiyyah camp (population 20,000) between Amal and Palestinians (MEI 10/12).