The Palestine Chronology

Doha economic summit opens. Only 6 Arab countries (Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Tunisia, Yemen) are among the 66 countries attending. U.S. Secy. of State Madeleine Albright, who originally planned to stay for the whole 3-day conference, attends a few hrs. of the mtg., then leaves for Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia to discuss Iraq's failure to adhere to UN inspections requirements. (WT 11/16; al-Dustur, SATN 11/16, JT, Radio Qatar, SA 11/17 in WNC 11/19; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 11/17; WT 11/18, 11/19; JT 11/19 in WNC 11/21; MEI 11/21; WT 11/23; JP 11/29; Star 12/4 in WNC 12/9)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Indiana to attend mtg. of the General Assembly of Jewish Federations in Indianapolis, then heads to California for function honoring actor Kirk Douglas. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/17; MM 11/18)

In Cairo, PA leader Yasir Arafat briefs Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak on his talks with U.S. Secy. of State Albright 11/15. (RE 11/16 in WNC 11/19)

Egypt returns its amb. to Qatar. (MENA 11/16 in WNC 11/19) (see 11/7)

Iraq offers to allow American UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) inspectors expelled 11/13 to return, provided UN experts fr. other nations are given equal authority. (NYT, WP, WT 11/17)

150 Palestinians clash with Israel Defense Force (IDF) troops following funeral for boy who was severely injured by IDF 11/11 and died 11/15. (WP 11/17)

3 suicide bombers detonate explosive devices in Ben Yehuda market in Jerusalem, killing 4 Israelis, injuring 192. A faction of Hamas's military wing, the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, claims responsibility. PM Netanyahu cancels a security mtg. with PA, CIA  officials, saying "we're sick of talks"; reseals borders with the West Bank, Gaza; reimposes the internal closure on PA-controlled cities; gives PA a list of 10s of Palestinians it wants arrested. PA arrests 2 Hamas leaders, 8 Hamas mbrs.; shuts Hamas newspaper in Gaza. (MM 9/4; AFP, IDF Radio, ITV, JTV, MENA, VOL 9/4, VOA 9/5 in WNC 9/8; NYT, WP, WT 9/5; AFP, IDF Radio, YA 9/5 in WNC 9/9; WP, WT 9/6; NYT 9/7, 9/9; WJW 9/11; LAW, MEI, PR 9/12; JP, WP 9/13; CSM 9/24)

State Dept. says that Secy. of State Madeleine Albright will go ahead with her trip to the region next wk.; that while there has been increased security coordination, the U.S. has "not been satisfied with the degree of unilateral efforts to crack down on terrorist infrastruture." (MM 9/4; NYT, WP, WT 9/5; WT 9/7)

As part of the plan to "unify Jerusalem," Israel sets up 2 new police stations in East Jerusalem. Each station will have 130 officers. (YA 9/4 in WNC 9/9)

12 Sephardic Jews fr. Israel arrive in Jericho, ask the PA for political asylum, accuse Israeli authorities of trying to kill them. PA puts them up in a local hotel. (WT 9/10)

Arafat, Shin Bet head Ami Ayalon meet to discuss security coordination. (NYT 8/21) (see 7/10)

PA Planning M Nabil Shaath returns fr. offical visit to Egypt, says Egypt will lead an intensive effort to unify the Arab position on the peace process before Secy. of State Madeleine Albright arrives in the region. (al-Ittihad [Abu Dhabi] 8/20 in WNC 8/21)

Israel allows 130 West Bank Palestinians, who have been trapped in Gaza since the 7/30 suicide bombings, to return to their homes. 4 Palestinians are forbidden to return. (PCHR 9/22)

IDF forcibly removes 15 mbrs. of a Jahalin bedouin family fr. their home nr. Azariyya in Jeruslem to facilitate expansion of Ma'ale Adumim settlement. (PR 8/22) (see 2/11)

The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) informs Arafat that it must make cuts, reduce services to Palestinian refugees because of inadequate financing, $20 m. debt last quarter. (UNRWA press release 8/19; MEI, PR 8/29; PR 9/5; JT 9/5 in WNC 9/8)

Iraqi, Syrian industrial delegations meet in Allepo to discuss expanding trade relations. (SANA 8/19 in WNC 8/21)

Saudi Arabia announces that Iran Air will resume weekly passenger flights btwn. Jiddah, Tehran on 9/30. (MM 8/19)

In response to the SLA's 8/18 attack on Sidon, Hizballah fires  10s of katyusah rockets into n. Israel, slightly injuring 3 people. Netanyahu orders Syria to restrain Hizbullah, says that he is prepared to launch massive retaliatory strikes if shelling continues. (MM 8/19; AFP 8/19 in WNC 8/21; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 8/20; YA 8/20 in WNC 8/21: WP, WT 8/21; MEI 8/29; JP 8/30)

U.S. special envoy Ross meets with Arafat in Ramallah, Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Taking Secy. of State Albright's lead (8/6), Ross adopts the Israeli demand that the PA take the 1st steps to revive the peace process in return promising more aggressive U.S. mediation. In the evening, PA, Israeli security officials meet with Ross, Arafat, Netanyahu envoy Molho present. (NYT, WP, WT 8/10; MM 8/11; JP, MA 8/11 in WNC 8/12; JP 8/16)

1 IDF soldier is killed, 3 are wounded clash with Hizballah in s. Lebanon. In a separate incident, 8 katyusha rockets land in s. Lebanon, wounding 2 civilians, damaging an orphanage. Israel blames Hizballah, which denies the charge. (ITV, RL 8/10, AFP, SA 8/11 in WNC 8/12; MM, NYT 8/11)

ILMG convenes to discuss 5 Lebanese, 6 Israeli complaints regarding deaths, injury of civilians during attacks since 8/4. (RL 8/12 in WNC 8/12; RL 8/13 in WNC 8/15)

EU special envoy Moratinos meets separately with Arafat, Netanyahu. Arafat then heads to Jordan for talks with King Hussein. King Hussein telephones U.S. Secy. of State Albright, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, PM Netanyahu to discuss mediation btwn. the PA, Israel.  (MM 8/4; AFP 8/4 in WNC 8/5; RJ 8/4, 8/5 in WNC 8/6; MM, WT 8/5; MM 8/8)

Despite warnings fr. the U.S. that the decision could exacerbate the present situation, Israeli cabinet approves list of retributive measures against the PA drawn up by the inner cabinet 7/31, blocks transfer of $15 m. in tax payments owed the PA. Netanyahu says he will use a "sliding scale," relaxing some of the economic measures as the PA takes steps against Islamists. (MM, NYT 8/5; al-Ayyam [Ramallah], YA 8/5 in WNC 8/6; CSM 8/6; al-Hayat al-Jadida 8/10 in WNC 8/12; WP 8/14)

Israel arrest 29 Palestinians suspected of "terrorist activity," demolishes 5 Palestinian homes allegedly built without permits in East Jerusalem. Since the bombing, Israel has arrested 145 Palestinians. Arafat calls the actions collective punishment meant to humiliate the Palestinians. (IDF Radio, ITV 8/4 in WNC 8/5; LAW, NYT, WP, WT 8/5; MM 8/8)

Iran's Khatami is sworn in as pres. (CSM 8/5)

An elite Israeli Egoz unit is flown n. of Israel's self-declare security zone in s. Lebanon; plants explosives nr. the home of 2 Hizballah cmdrs.; later detonates them by remote control, killing 5 Hizballah mbrs., wounding 2 Hizballah mbrs. and 3 civilians. (MM 8/4; AFP, ITV, RL, RMC 8/4 in WNC 8/5; MM, NYT 8/5; NYT, WT 8/6; Independent [London] 8/6 in WNC 8/7; WJW 8/7; JP 8/16)

U.S. special envoy Dennis Ross extends his stay in the region an extra day to follow up on Palestinian Authority (PA) complaints regarding U.S. mediation (see 5/15); meets separately with PA head Yasir Arafat, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, PA Local Government M Saeb Erakat, Arafat chief dep. Mahmud Abbas. Israel, PA say that they are no closer to resuming negotiations. (AFP, al-Dustur 5/16 in WNC 5/19; NYT, WP, WT 5/17; MM 5/19; MM 5/20; ITV 5/17 in WNC 5/22)

EU special envoy Miguel Moratinos says that U.S. special envoy Ross's failed mission to the region highlights the need for a larger European role in the peace process. (AFP 5/16 in WNC 5/19)

At Secy. of State Madeleine Albright request, Israeli FM David Levy comes to Washington to discuss the peace process. (MM, NYT, WT 5/16; ITV 5/16 in WNC 5/19; MM 5/19)

Israeli amb. to the U.S. Eliahu Ben-Elissar accuses the U.S. of spying on the Israeli embassy; says that PM Netanyahu should "strenuously object" to U.S. wiretapping of embassy phones, which, he claims, is how the U.S. obtained information on Mega, an alleged Israeli spy. Officially, Israel says that Mega is Mossad's nickname for the CIA desk officer for Israel affairs--a legitimate intelligence contact. The U.S. says only that the case is still open. (MM 5/16; YA 5/16 in WNC 5/19; WP, WT 5/17) (see 5/6, 5/8)

Israeli DM Mordechai begins 2-day visit to Washington, meets with Secy. of State Albright, National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, Defense Secy. Cohen. (ITV, YA 4/3 in WNC 4/4; WT 4/4; WT 4/5; MA, SANA 4/6 in WNC 4/8; MM 4/7; JP 4/12; WP 4/14) (see 2/25; Peace Monitor for details)

Citing fears of reprisal attacks, Israel drops bid to extradite Hamas political leader Musa Abu Marzuq. If the U.S. does not deport Abu Marzuq within 60 days of the date he dropped his fight against the extradition order (the U.S. and Israel claim that date is 4/7; Abu Marzuq's lawyers say it was 3/28),it legally must free him. (ITV 4/3 in WNC 4/4; NYT, WP, WT 4/4; al-Ra'i 4/4 in WNC 4/8; NYT 4/6; JP 4/12; MEI 4/18) (see 1/28)

Islamic Jihad's military wing issues leaflet claiming responsibility for the 4/1 bombs, saying Shaykh Shami had been "hasty" in denying the groups responsibility. (NYT 4/4) (see 4/2)

Palestinians, IDF clash nr. Har Homa. (WT 4/4)

Iran says it has 1st-hand information that 4 of its diplomats long believed dead were kidnapped in 1982, are being held in Israel. (IRNA 4/4 in WNC 4/7; WT 4/9)

Lebanon indicts 5 alleged Japanese Red Army mbrs. with passport forgery, illegal entry into Lebanon, forgery of official stamps. The 5 could receive up to 10 yrs. in prison. Japan has been trying to extradite the 5 men to face charges for guerilla activity. (WP 4/4) (see 3/14)

Egypt, Lebanon, Syria link new underwater telephone cable system. (SANA 4/3 in WNC 4/4)

U.S. secy. of state Albright meets with King Hussein, speaks twice by phone with Arafat. Later, the king meets with Defense Secy. Cohen. (AFP, RJ 4/2 in WNC 4/4; WT 4/3)

At the UN, fmr. Secy. of State James Baker III criticizes the U.S. for vetoing recent UNSC resolutions on Israeli settlements, especially after having publicly criticized Israeli settlement decisions; says the vetoes send a mixed signal, Israel's Har Homa construction makes "a mockery of Resolutions 242 and 338." (WP, WT 4/3)

Israeli government acknowledges that DM Mordechai recently approved construction of 1,000s of housing units in West Bank settlements. (ITV 4/2 in WNC 4/3; NYT, WP, WT 4/3; JP 4/12)

Nr. Nablus, 2 settlers, who claim to have been attacked by Palestinian stone throwers, kidnap a disabled Palestinian youth, beat him, take him to their settlement. IDF soldiers at nearby checkpoint, informed by Palestinian witnesses, enter the settlement, free the youth, arrest the settlers. (PR 4/11)

Israel prevents 20 Hamas, Islamic Jihad mbrs. fr. leaving Gaza to preform the haj although they had already obtained Israeli permission to do so. (al-Ayyam 44 in WNC 4/7)

Nr. Jalazun r.c. in the West Bank, an unidentified assailant throws a firebomb at an IDF truck, injuring 13 soldiers; IDF puts a curfew on Jalazun. In a nearby village, Israeli motorists beat a Palestinian they accuse of stoning their car, dump him at an army camp. (NYT, WP, WT 4/3)

Islamic Jihad leader Shaykh `Abbullah al-Shami denies Islamic Jihad was responsible for the 4/1 bombings in Gaza. Meanwhile, PA police detain 30 suspected Islamic Jihad mbrs. in connection with the explosions. 13 are released after questioning. (ITV 4/2 in WNC 4/7; CSM, NYT, WP 4/3; NYT 4/4)

PM Netanyahu, DM Mordechai, FM Levy discuss 1st phase of further redeployment (FRD). (WT 3/23)

In Washington, Arafat meets with U.S. pres. Bill Clinton, Secy. of State Madeleine Albright. (MM, WT 3/3; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/4; MM 3/5; WJW 3/6; MEI 3/7; WJW 3/13)

Palestinians in East Jerusalem, Gaza, West Bank observe general strike to protest Israel's Har Homa and other construction plans. (MM 3/3; CSM, NYT, WT 3/4; MEI 3/7)

The 54-mbr. Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and Iran formally condemn Israel's plans to build at Har Homa. (VIRI 3/3 in WNC 3/7; MM 3/4)

Turkey dispatches a special envoy to Iran. Both countries blame the media for recent tensions. (VIRI 3/4 in WNC 3/10) (see 2/26)

Japanese envoy arrives in Damascus fr. Beirut to discuss with Syrian pres. Asad the extradition fr. Lebanon of 5 Red Army mbrs. Syria says it will not block the transfer. (MM 3/4; Kyodo [Tokyo] 3/4, 3/6 in WNC 3/7; AFP, Kyodo 3/4 in WNC 3/10; MM 3/5) (see 3/2)

A Syrian bus carrying 9 Japanese tourists comes under fire nr. Baalbeck, Lebanon, causing no injuries. (MM 3/5)