PM Netanyahu, Arafat adviser Mahmud Abbas meet secretly at Netanyahu's home for brief talks on the peace process before Netanyahu leaves for China. (MM 6/12)
To mark Jerusalem Day, Israel...
PM Netanyahu, Arafat adviser Mahmud Abbas meet secretly at Netanyahu's home for brief talks on the peace process before Netanyahu leaves for China. (MM 6/12)
To mark Jerusalem Day, Israel...
In Ramallah, Arafat discusses peace process, 11/30 Israeli cabinet decision with Jordanian PM al-Majali. (al-Dustur, al-Quds, VOA 12/3 in WNC 12/9; MEI 12/5; al-Majd 12/8 in...
Secy. of State Albright ends her trip to the Middle East with an unscheduled stop in Beirut, where she calls on all foreign powers to get out of Lebanon. On her way home, she acknowledges that the...
PA team walks out of talks with Israel over issues of Hebron security arrangements. U.S. special envoy Ross's announcement that he is returning to Washington today as planned brings the sides back...
In Gaza, Arafat, EU delegation, World Bank VP Yenne Obolensky sign agmt. extending $300 m. in EU soft loans to the PA. Despite official Israeli protests, the delegation then meets U.S. Consul Gen...
After 2 postponements, FM Peres, Arafat meet in Taba to resolve deadlock over Hebron, electricity, water, prisoners; say they will meet without break until they come to an agmt. (MENA, VOP 9/15,...
Arafat endorses agmt. reached by Israeli Police M Shahal, PA Economics M Qurai` 8/30 on maintaining the status quo in Jerusalem. PA promises not to do anything to alter the status quo,...
At Orient House, German delegation reaffirms to Faisal Husseini Germany's position that East Jerusalem is part of the Palestinian territories. (VOP 8/23, 8/24 in FBIS 8/25)
In response to...
PA cabinet approves draft interim agmt. with Israel. (CSM 8/17; JP 8/26) (see 8/11)
In Gaza, Egypt-Israel-Jordan-PA technical comm. on refugees opens 2-day mtg. on 1967 displaced persons. (...
PA, Israel begin negotiations to flesh out details of 8/11 Oslo B agmt. (CSM 8/15)
Under political pressure, PM Rabin reverses 8/13 decision, calls MKs back fr. recess to debate Oslo B agmt...
10s of right-wing Israelis protesting outside Orient House stone Palestinian vehicles, homes, stores; attempt to storm Orient House when PLO's Faisal Husseini arrives. (VOP 7/30 in FBIS 7/31; JP 7...
Syria says it will not send military chief of staff Gen. Shihabi to upcoming talks with Israel in Washington unless Israel drops demands for early warning station on the Golan, use of IDF soldiers...
Syrian-Israeli talks end with sides agreeing on general needs but, to the U.S.'s chagrin, not discussing specifics. Pres. Clinton briefly meets with Syrian, Israeli generals at the White House. (...
Syrian VP Khaddam, Iranian FM Hassan Habibi convene 2-day Syrian-Iranian Joint Comm. mtg. to discuss Hizballah, Syrian-Israeli negotiations. Khaddam reportedly asks Iran to help Syria push talks...
8th round of multilateral talks open in Amman. Multilateral Working Group on the Environment meets. (IGPO 6/19)
Irish FM Spring meets with Faisal Husseini at Orient House in East Jerusalem...
Georgian Pres. Eduard Shevardnaze meet with Pres. Weizman, PM Rabin, says Georgia will open embassy in Jerusalem before end of the yr. (QY 6/18, 6/19 in FBIS 6/19)
Russian Dep. FM...
In talks on self-rule in Cairo, Israel accepts PA demand to transfer remaining 32 West Bank civil administration spheres at once. (MENA 6/6, 6/7 in FBIS 6/7; WP 6/8; JP 6/17; SA 6/18 in FBIS 6/20...
PA, Israeli teams arrive in Cairo for round of elections talks. Parties will try to come to an agmt. that would permit PA to conduct a "quasi-census" in o.t. to update population registry, prepare...
PM Rabin makes 1-day visit to Jordan, tours historical sites with King Hussein, Queen Nur, discusses development of joint economic projects in Rift Valley, Aqaba. At press conference, Rabin ...
Syrian, Israeli ambs. resume talks on security issues in Washington. Mtg. is attended by Secy. of State Christopher but does not include military advisers. (QY 4/26 in FBIS 4/26; MM 4/27; WT 4/28...
U.S. envoy Ross, Arafat meet in Gaza; discuss closure, economic aid, Israeli security and settlement construction; leaves for Damascus. (MM 4/7; VOP 4/7, 4/8 in FBIS 4/10)
Egypt's Pres....
PM Rabin tells cabinet he will not suspend talks with Syria despite Hizballah attacks 3/31, only a diplomatic solution to the conflict is possible, Israel will not attempt a military solution;...
Israeli-Palestinian talks on expanding self-rule resume in Cairo. Israeli delegation head Yo'el Singer says target date for Palestinian elections is 6/15, Israel will not object to any party's...
Arafat meets with representatives fr. the donor states and UNRWA in Gaza to discuss PA financial problems (VOP 3/6 in FBIS 3/7)
PA Local Government M Erakat gives Council of Ms draft law on...
Arafat asks U.S., Russia, Norway to intervene to salvage negotiations; pressure PM Rabin to ease closure, release prisoners. (NYT 2/11; WT 2/12)
Israeli defense officials release paper,...
Remaining lands occupied by Israel are returned to Jordan at mtg. of the joint Jordanian-Israeli comm. on treaty implementation, armies deploy along newly demarcated border. 300 Israeli farmers...
PM Rabin returns fr. Oman; says he discussed bilateral issues, possible agricultural assistance to Oman. Omani Information Min. says visit was meant to demonstrate Oman's support of peace process...
Israeli parliament passes law by vote of 56 to 6 (with 32 abstentions), banning official Palestinian activities in Jerusalem that could close Orient House in Jerusalem, PLO's de facto FMin. (IDF...
Arafat telephones King Hussein, briefs him on talks with PM Rabin 11/8, both agree to continue contacts on common issues. (MENA 11/9 in FBIS 11/10)
PNA Econ. M Qurai`, Israeli Finance M...
Turkish PM Tansu Ciller ends 3-day visit to Israel; meets with Arafat in Gaza City, pledges $50 m. to autonomous areas; causes conflict with Israelis by holding mtg. with PLO's Faisal Husseini at...
PM Netanyahu, Arafat adviser Mahmud Abbas meet secretly at Netanyahu's home for brief talks on the peace process before Netanyahu leaves for China. (MM 6/12)
To mark Jerusalem Day, Israel stages largest military parade (13,000 troops) through West Jerusalem since 1973, attended by U.S. congressional delegation. Groups of right-wing Israelis try to enter al-Aqsa Mosque, march on Orient House. IDF bans Palestinian entry into Jerusalem for the day, sparking clashes btwn. IDF, Palestinians in Bethlehem. (al-Dustur, RJ 5/24 in WNC 5/27; WT 5/25; PR 5/29; MEI 6/5)
In Amman, Israeli FMin. Dir. Gen. Eytan Bentzur, Jordanian FM Fayiz Tarawnah discuss Israeli proposal for conditional withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. Jordan stresses need for Israel to unconditionally implement UN Res. 425. (JT, al-Quds, al-Ra'i 5/25 in WNC 5/27)
In Cairo, Pres. Mubarak briefs Arafat on his trip to France. Arafat then heads to Saudi Arabia to discuss possible Arab summit. (MENA 5/24, RE 5/26 in WNC 5/27)
Syria asks Iran's help in constructing steel mills. Both countries agree to expand cultural, art exchanges to pave way for closer bilateral relations. (IRNA 5/24, 5/25 in WNC 5/27)
In Damascus, Hamas's Shaykh Yasin meets with Pres. Hafiz al-Asad. (AFP, al-Majd 5/25 in WNC 5/27) (see 5/23)
1st Lebanese municipal elections since 1963 begin. Elections are held on 4 consecutive Sundays. (RL 5/25, 5/26 in WNC 5/27; MM 5/26; al-Safir 5/27 in WNC 6/1; WP 6/1; MEI 6/5)
In Ramallah, Arafat discusses peace process, 11/30 Israeli cabinet decision with Jordanian PM al-Majali. (al-Dustur, al-Quds, VOA 12/3 in WNC 12/9; MEI 12/5; al-Majd 12/8 in WNC 12/17)
In Jerusalem, Orient House head Faisal Husseini meets with French FM Vedrine. (al-Safir 12/3 in WNC 12/9)
EU special envoy Moratinos holds talks Lebanon with PM Hariri, FM Buwayz, Chamber Speaker Nabih Birri. (RL 12/2 in WNC 12/9)
After talks with Syrian pres. Hafiz al-Asad in Damascus, Austrian chancellor Klima says that Israel must implement FRDs, halt settlement construction, resume talks on the Golan Heights; "delaying tactics" are no longer acceptable. (Oesterreich Eins Radio Network [Vienna], SATN 12/2 in WNC 12/9)
Israel announces plans to increase the number of Palestinian laborers allowed into Israel fr. 52,000 to 140,000 within 5 yrs. to replace foreign workers. (WT 12/3)
Hizballah detonates roadside bomb in s. Lebanon, wounding 2 SLA mbrs. (VOL 12/2 in WNC 12/9)
Secy. of State Albright ends her trip to the Middle East with an unscheduled stop in Beirut, where she calls on all foreign powers to get out of Lebanon. On her way home, she acknowledges that the situation in the region "is probably even worse than I thought"; says that if she can't make a difference, she will concentrate on other international issues--"I can't be occupied with this full time." (RL 9/15 in WNC 9/16; CSM, NYT, WP 9/16; SA 9/17 in WNC 9/19; PR 9/19)
Egyptian pres. Mubarak receives Arafat in Alexandria. (MENA, RE 9/15 in WNC 9/15)
EU FMs meet in Brussels, agree to give PA additional $4.6 m. to help cover administrative deficits incurred due to the closure, call on Israel to release tax money. The Jordan-EU association agmt. is not signed because of because of technical differences, however the EU agrees to give Jordan $11.4 m. in special finanical aid to help "meet the needs of the most disadvantaged sections" of Jordan's population. (RJ 9/24 in WNC 9/26)
Israel turns over $35 m. in tax money owed the PA, lifts the internal closure on PA-controlled cities. Palestinians are still barred fr. entering Israel. (WT 9/16) (see 9/14)
In Ras al-Amud, MKs representing Molodet, the National Religious Party, Tsomet, Gesher visit settlers to express their support. At the site, riot police break up protest by 40 Peace Now mbrs., MK Yael Dayan, Meretz leader Yossi Sarid, Orient House's Faisal Husseini. (MM 9/15; NYT, WP 9/16; RJ 9/16 in WNC 9/17; WJW 9/18; MEI 9/26) (see 9/13)
Iranian pres. Muhammad Khatami says he is ready for talks with the U.S. only if they are based on mututal respect, noninterference in Iranian affairs. (WT 9/17)
Jordanian cabinet approves government decision to joint the Chemical Weapons Ban Treaty, which took effect 4/97. (al-Ra'i 9/15 in WNC 9/16)
PA team walks out of talks with Israel over issues of Hebron security arrangements. U.S. special envoy Ross's announcement that he is returning to Washington today as planned brings the sides back to the table. After several hrs. of talks, Ross decides to stay on, saying the PA, Israel are "in the midst of the most promising discussions to date." (MM 10/21; ITV 10/21 in WNC 10/23; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/22; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/23; WJW 10/24; MEI, PR 10/25; JP 11/2)
French Pres. Chirac visits Israel; gives speech at Techion University; makes last-minute visit to the Knesset, but does not address it. Health Secy. Hervé Gaymard visits Orient House. (MM 10/21; LCI 10/21 in WNC 10/22; JP, YA 10/21 in WNC 10/23; NYT, WP, WT 10/22; MM, WP 10/23; MEI, PR 10/25; NYT, WT 10/27; JP 11/2)
Israeli High Council of Planning refuses building permits for 5 Palestinian families, clearing the way for the demolition of their West Bank homes. (LAWE 10/21)
In the Knesset, Netanyahu government loses (43-45) vote of confidence on its economic policy. (ITV 10/21 in WNC 10/23; WP 10/22)
Outside Ofra settlement nr. Ramallah, settlers kill Palestinian in drive by shooting. (LAWE 10/23)
In Gaza, Arafat, EU delegation, World Bank VP Yenne Obolensky sign agmt. extending $300 m. in EU soft loans to the PA. Despite official Israeli protests, the delegation then meets U.S. Consul Gen. Abington, Arafat adviser Faisal Husseini at Orient House. (VOP 10/27, JP 10/31 in FBIS 10/31)
In Jerusalem, FM Peres receives EU delegation, discusses peace process, aid to the PA, EU assistance with Palestinian elections, Syrian-Israeli talks. (QY 10/27 in FBIS 11/2)
Russian Dep. FM Posuvalyuk arrives in Damascus for 2-day visit, discusses peace process with FM Shara`, criticizes U.S. embassy legislation. (SANA 10/27, SATN 10/28 in FBIS 10/31)
Nr. Sidon, Lebanon, a bomb goes off in the car of UNRWA employee, causing material damage but no injury. (VOL 10/27 in FBIS 10/27)
After 2 postponements, FM Peres, Arafat meet in Taba to resolve deadlock over Hebron, electricity, water, prisoners; say they will meet without break until they come to an agmt. (MENA, VOP 9/15, MENA 9/16 in FBIS 9/18)
Despite FM Peres's protests, South African FM Nzo meets with Faisal Husseini at Orient House, discusses status of Jerusalem. (VOP 9/16 in FBIS 9/18)
In Damascus, Japanese PM Tomiichi Murayama, 60 Japanese officials meet with Pres. Asad. Delegation then leaves for 2-day official visit to Israel and the self-rule areas. (JP 9/16; KYODO [Tokyo], QY 9/17, JP 9/18 in FBIS 9/18; KYODO [Tokyo] 9/16 in FBIS 9/19)
Israeli police arrest 3 Palestinian in connection with Halhul attack 9/8; say motive was criminal, not political. They also detain Ayshah Ayyash in attempt to coerce her son, most wanted Hamas mbr. Yahya Ayyash, to surrender. (IDF Radio, QY 9/16 in FBIS 9/18; WP, NYT 9/17; CSM, MM 9/18; JP 9/23; QY 10/7 in FBIS 10/10)
Arafat endorses agmt. reached by Israeli Police M Shahal, PA Economics M Qurai` 8/30 on maintaining the status quo in Jerusalem. PA promises not to do anything to alter the status quo, particularly in its use of Orient House. Both sides agree to improve the economic lot of Arabs in the city, ease entry requirements for residents of the o.t. into the town to pray at holy sites. (QY 8/30 in FBIS 8/31; IDF Radio 9/1 in FBIS 9/1)
In Beirut, Arafat meets with Pres. Hrawi, FM Faris Buwayz. (VOP 8/31 in FBIS 9/1)
In s. Lebanon, IDF, SLA trade fire with Amal troops. No injuries reported. (RL 8/31 in FBIS 8/31)
At Orient House, German delegation reaffirms to Faisal Husseini Germany's position that East Jerusalem is part of the Palestinian territories. (VOP 8/23, 8/24 in FBIS 8/25)
In response to news reports 8/18 showing settlers' flowering gardens in Kiryat Arba and dried-up Palestinian fields in neighboring Hebron, Israeli Agriculture Min. orders Efrat settlement to temporarily divert 1,000 cu.m./day of water to Hebron to ease the severe water shortage. (MM 8/21; JP, QY 8/20, QY 8/23 in FBIS 8/24)
Israeli military court sentences Hamas's `Abd al-`Aziz Rantisi, arrested after his return fr. exile in Lebanon 12/15/93, to 42 mos in jail, plus 28 mos suspended for being a mbr. of an illegal organization. (MM 8/24)
IDF lifts closure on Gaza, extends closure on West Bank to 8/27. 6,000 Palestinian workers are allowed to enter Israel fr. Gaza. (QY, VOP 8/23 in FBIS 8/23; QY 8/23 in FBIS 8/24)
PA cabinet approves draft interim agmt. with Israel. (CSM 8/17; JP 8/26) (see 8/11)
In Gaza, Egypt-Israel-Jordan-PA technical comm. on refugees opens 2-day mtg. on 1967 displaced persons. (HA 8/16 in FBIS 8/16; QY 8/16 in FBIS 8/17)
In Damascus, PLO's Faruq al-Qaddumi begins 3 days of mtgs. with Syrian officials (incl. FM Faruq al-Shara`), Palestinian opposition leaders fr. DFLP (Nayif Hawatmeh), Fatah (Hani al-Hassan), Hamas (Abu-Muhammad Mustafa), PFLP (George Habash), PFLP-GC, Saiqa; briefs them on his blueprint for political change, discusses rejuvenating the PLO, rallying the PA's opposition in light of the 8/11 agmt. (SARR 8/16 in FBIS 8/17; MM 8/17; Al-Hayat 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; MM 8/18 Al-Hayat 8/18, 8/20 in FBIS 8/25; MM 8/22)
Swedish Dep. FM Mona Sahlin postpones return visit to Israel after Israel again refuses her request to meet with Palestinians in Orient House. (JP 8/26; WT 8/30) (see 5/15)
IDF solider is court-martialed, jailed for refusing to evict Jewish settlers fr. illegal West Bank camp. (QY 8/16 in FBIS 8/16)
Israeli Atty. Gen. Mikhael Ben-Ya'ir approves regulation giving responsibility for security inside settlements to Israeli police only, leaving IDF to handle security around settlements and intervene inside only in emergencies. (MA 8/16 in FBIS 8/16) (see 8/6)
Special Israeli ministerial comm. (led by PM Yitzhak Rabin, Police M Moshe Shahal) overrides the orders of Atty. Gen. Ben-Ya'ir, Justice M David Liba'i, extends Shin Bet's authority to use physical force on Palestinian suspects during interrogation for 2 mos. (HA 8/16 in FBIS 8/17; NYT 8/17; JP 8/19, 8/26)
2 Israeli historians announce findings that Israeli troops carried out several mass killings in the Sinai in 1967 in which about 1,000 Egyptian prisoners were killed. (WP, WT 8/18; WP, WT 8/19; NYT, WT 8/21; JP 8/26)
In Gaza, PA arrests 4 Hamas mbrs on charge of plotting an attack inside Israel. IDF extends closure of o.t. begun 8/9 to 8/18. (QY 8/16, IDF Radio 8/17 in FBIS 8/17; MA 8/18 in IL 8/18)
PA, Israel begin negotiations to flesh out details of 8/11 Oslo B agmt. (CSM 8/15)
Under political pressure, PM Rabin reverses 8/13 decision, calls MKs back fr. recess to debate Oslo B agmt. (MM 8/15)
PLO Exec. Comm. ratifies Oslo B agmt., closes 2-days of mtgs. (MBC 8/15, SA 8/16 in FBIS 8/16; MM 8/16)
In Tunis, Fatah Central Comm. meets to discuss peace process, internal Fatah matters; approves Oslo B agmt. by consensus, gives PA mandate to continue negotiations. (MM 8/15; MENA 8/15 in FBIS 8/16; MM 8/16)
FM Peres tells Ministerial Comm. on Jerusalem that Orient House visits by foreign dignitaries up to and incl. FMs are acceptable. PM Rabin gives Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert full approval to take immediate steps to halt illegal construction at Orient House. (QY 8/14, JP 8/15 in FBIS 8/15)
Settlers set up encampment nr. Green Line in West Bank. Israeli police, IDF try unsuccessfully to close off area. (JP 8/16 in FBIS 8/16)
IDF extends closure to 8/17. (ITV 8/15 in FBIS 8/16)
3,000 U.S. troops arrive in Jordan for 2-wk. military exercises meant as show of force to Saddam Hussein given recent Iraqi defections. (WP, WT 8/16) (see 8/10)
10s of right-wing Israelis protesting outside Orient House stone Palestinian vehicles, homes, stores; attempt to storm Orient House when PLO's Faisal Husseini arrives. (VOP 7/30 in FBIS 7/31; JP 7/31 in FBIS 8/2; MEI 8/4) (see 7/26)
Syria says it will not send military chief of staff Gen. Shihabi to upcoming talks with Israel in Washington unless Israel drops demands for early warning station on the Golan, use of IDF soldiers in a multilateral observer force. FM Peres says talks have reached a crisis point, fault lays entirely with Syrians. (MM 7/17; CSM 7/17, 7/18; WJW 7/20; JP 7/22)
In East Jerusalem, Austrian Secy. of State Benita-Maria Gerrero-Waldner attends opening of clinic build with Austrian funds, visits Orient House; says she supports PA demands for sovereignty over East Jerusalem, has no plans of mtg. with Israeli officials. (QY 7/15 in FBIS 7/20)
IMF Dep. Dir. Stanley Fischer says Israel no longer needs financial aid, would serve itself better by demonstrating economic independence; notes Israel has had greater export growth since 1948 than Japan. (JP 7/15)
Syrian-Israeli talks end with sides agreeing on general needs but, to the U.S.'s chagrin, not discussing specifics. Pres. Clinton briefly meets with Syrian, Israeli generals at the White House. (WT 6/28; QY 6/29 in FBIS 6/29; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/30; AFP, Davar 6/30, SARR 7/1 in FBIS 7/3; SATN 6/29, AFP 6/30 in FBIS 7/5; MEI 7/7; JP 7/8)
In Cairo, Israeli-PA talks on transfer of authority, elections, redeployment close. In transfer talks, sides agree on principle of giving PA control of all civilian spheres before elections, but talks stick on agriculture, electricity. Elections talks stick on size of council, Jerusalem. (MM 6/29; MENA 6/29 in FBIS 7/3)
A 2d briefing paper prepared by the IDF Planning Branch for the Israeli-Syrian talks is leaked to the press. (ITV 6/29, HA, IDF Radio, ITV 6/30 in FBIS 7/3; SARR 7/5 in FBIS 7/5; Davar 6/29 in FBIS 7/7)
Jerusalem City Council passes Mayor Ehud Olmert's decision to give PLO 2 wks. to request rezoning for Orient House or face legal action for violating the building code by running an office in a building zoned for a hotel. (JP 6/30 in FBIS 7/3)
In Hebron, Israeli border police kill wanted Hamas mbr. Taher Kapisha. IDF then orders neighboring Palestinian families to leave their homes, bulldozes their houses, destroys 100s of trees. (MM 6/29; QY 6/29 in FBIS 6/30; MEI 7/7; JP 7/8; PR 7/9)
Syrian VP Khaddam, Iranian FM Hassan Habibi convene 2-day Syrian-Iranian Joint Comm. mtg. to discuss Hizballah, Syrian-Israeli negotiations. Khaddam reportedly asks Iran to help Syria push talks with Israel to a "positive conclusion" by accepting Syrian plan to disarm Lebanese branch of Hizballah following peace agmt. (MM 6/20; Voice of Iran 6/24, SA 6/25 in FBIS 6/25; MM 6/29)
In Amman, King Hussein, Arab Democratic Party MK Darawshah discuss Palestinian-Israeli negotiations. (JTV 6/24 in FBIS 6/29)
1000s of Palestinians clash with IDF across the West Bank as widespread protests erupted in support of hunger-striking prisoners (see 6/17). Outside Orient House, 13 Palestinians are injured when Israeli police fire rubber bullets at demonstrators. In Nablus, IDF uses live ammunition to disperse 200 women, wounding 2. PM Rabin says cabinet will discuss prisoners issue at mtg. next wk. (WP, WT 6/25; MM 6/26; WJW 6/29)
Israeli border police kill 1 Palestinian, capture 2d, let 3d escape when trio attempts to cross border fr. Jordan into West Bank. (QY 6/26 in FBIS 6/27)
Lebanese Forces cmdr. Samir Ja`ja` is given death sentence, commuted to life with hard labor for murdering Dany Chamoun and his family in 10/90. (RL, VOL 6/24 in FBIS 6/27; WP, WT 6/25; MEI 7/7; MM, WT 7/26)
8th round of multilateral talks open in Amman. Multilateral Working Group on the Environment meets. (IGPO 6/19)
Irish FM Spring meets with Faisal Husseini at Orient House in East Jerusalem, discusses 7/1 deadline for agmt. on transfer of authority. Israeli Pres. Weizman cancels scheduled mtg. with Spring in protest; 100s of Israelis demonstrate. (QY 6/18 in FBIS 6/19; MM 6/19; VOP 6/19, QY 6/20 in FBIS 6/20)
Arafat arrives in Turkey for 2-days of talks with Pres. Sulayman Demirel, PM Tansu Ciller; encourages Turkey to give PA economic aid, put pressure on Israel. (VOP 6/19 in FBIS 6/19; VOP 6/20, MENA 6/21 in FBIS 6/21)
Jordanian Bar Association orders lawyer Ahmad al-Zu'bi to appear before disciplinary board for possible disbarment for leading Liberal party delegation on visit to Israel 6/12. (al-Majd 6/19 in FBIS 6/20)
After wks of negotiations btwn. Arafat and Imad al-Faluji, al-Faluji's pro-Hamas weekly al-Watan is permitted to reopen. Editor Sayyid Abu Musamih remains jailed. (HA 6/20 in FBIS 6/21; PR 7/25) (see 5/14)
Israeli lawmaker Avraham Burg is elected new chairman of Jewish Agency, calls assimilation the biggest threat facing the Jewish people. (WT 6/21; JP 7/15)
For 2d day, IDF moves reinforcements into Biqa` valley, raising tensions in s. Lebanon. (RL 6/19 in FBIS 6/20)
Georgian Pres. Eduard Shevardnaze meet with Pres. Weizman, PM Rabin, says Georgia will open embassy in Jerusalem before end of the yr. (QY 6/18, 6/19 in FBIS 6/19)
Russian Dep. FM Posuvalyuk meets with King Hussein in Amman, discusses peace process. (RJ 6/18 in FBIS 6/19)
FM Peres, DM Mordechi Gur brief Irish FM Spring on status of Jerusalem, Israeli relations with Lebanon, Syria; try to dissuade him fr. visiting Palestinian officials at Orient House. Spring then meets with Arafat in Gaza. (ITV, QY 6/18, HA 6/19 in FBIS 6/19; MM 6/19; IGPO 6/19 in FBIS 6/20)
David Levy, who quit Likud on 6/6, announces he will run for PM as head of his own party, tentatively called New Way. Party should have strong pull with pro-Likud North African, Arab Jews. (MM, NYT 6/19; QY 6/18, MA 6/19 in FBIS 6/19; MM 6/20; CSM 6/27)
IDF stops settlers fr. building road nr. Hashmona'im settlement. (IDF Radio 6/18 in FBIS 6/20)
Hizballah ambushes IDF patrol in s. Lebanon, killing 3 soldiers, wounding 7, losing 2 of their own. IDF shells Nabatiyya area in response, killing 1 Lebanese civilian. (QY 6/18, HA 6/19 in FBIS 6/19; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/19; BT 6/29; JP 6/24)
In talks on self-rule in Cairo, Israel accepts PA demand to transfer remaining 32 West Bank civil administration spheres at once. (MENA 6/6, 6/7 in FBIS 6/7; WP 6/8; JP 6/17; SA 6/18 in FBIS 6/20; JP 6/24) (see 5/29)
U.S. envoy Ross meets with Pres. Asad, military expert Lt. Gen. Hikmat Shihabi in Damascus. (SARR 6/6 in FBIS 6/7; WT 6/7)
Chancellor Kohl begins official tour of Israel. High-level delegation fr. German FMin. visits Orient House in East Jerusalem to discuss status of Jerusalem, reiterates German position that Jerusalem is occupied territory. (MM 6/5; al-Nahar 6/7 in FBIS 6/9)
PA, Israeli teams arrive in Cairo for round of elections talks. Parties will try to come to an agmt. that would permit PA to conduct a "quasi-census" in o.t. to update population registry, prepare voter registry. (IGPO 5/14; MENA, VOP 5/15 in FBIS 5/16; CSM 5/16)
At White House, Pres. Clinton, Secy. of State Christopher hold talks with Syrian FM Shara` on Golan, confidence-building measures, reportedly present Shara` with U.S. "bridging" proposal to spur talks btwn. Syria, Israel. Christopher says Syria, Israel have narrowed differences over security arrangement, discusses possible shuttle mission to Middle East at end of June. (SATN 5/15, SARR 5/16 in FBIS 5/16; NYT, WP, WT 5/16; YA 5/16 in FBIS 5/17; WT 5/17; WP 5/21)
PM Rabin tells Knesset that most of Syria's demands are unacceptable, talks are effectively deadlocked. (WT 5/16, 5/17)
UN begins debate on recent Israeli land confiscations. Arab states call for united front against Israel's seizures. (CSM 5/15; WT 5/17, 5/18)
Israel's Arab Democratic Party, HADASH each file no confidence motion over Jerusalem land seizures. (QY 5/15 in FBIS 5/15)
Israeli FMin. bars Swedish Dep. PM Mona Sahlin fr. mtg. with Arafat advisor Husseini at Orient House. In protest, Sahlin cancels all mtgs. with Israelis and PA, returns home. (JP, QY 5/15 in FBIS 5/15)
In s. Lebanon, 7 IDF soldiers are wounded in roadside bombing by Hizballah. (CSM 5/16)
PM Rabin makes 1-day visit to Jordan, tours historical sites with King Hussein, Queen Nur, discusses development of joint economic projects in Rift Valley, Aqaba. At press conference, Rabin encourages Syria to start "secret," "intimate" talks with Israel. (JTV, RJ, QY 5/1 in FBIS 5/2; CSM, MM 5/2; MM 5/4)
U.S. Amb. to the UN Madeline Albright arrives in Jerusalem on first leg of regional tour. (WT 5/2)
PA calls on UNSC to pass measure that would force Israel to rescind plans to confiscate land in Jerusalem for Jewish housing. (MM 5/1, 5/2)
EC consuls to Israel meet with PA representatives at Orient House in Jerusalem for briefing on Israeli land confiscation, say confiscations are obstacle to peace. (QY 5/1 in FBIS 5/2)
PA military court sentences Palestinian to 12 yrs for firing at policemen. (AFP 5/1 in FBIS 5/2)
Golan Residents Comm. begins 3-mo. public relations/multimedia campaign tour to encourage Israelis to lobby government to keep Golan. At opening, MK Kahalani says he will petition High Court to let him introduce controversial bill to Knesset that would require special majority on any Golan withdrawal referendum. (MM 5/1, 5/2) (see 9/7/94)
Syrian, Israeli ambs. resume talks on security issues in Washington. Mtg. is attended by Secy. of State Christopher but does not include military advisers. (QY 4/26 in FBIS 4/26; MM 4/27; WT 4/28)
PA, Israel resume talks on elections in Cairo, focus on allowing East Jerusalem Palestinians to vote, nature, structure, jurisdiction of projected legislative council. (MENA 4/25, MENA, VOP 4/26 in FBIS 4/26; WT 4/26; MENA, QY, VOP 4/26 in FBIS 4/27)
Preliminary donor mtg. opens in Paris. PA Planning M Shaath suggests donor states commit to timetable for meeting pledges for 1 yr., but several states (Shaath refuses to say which) oppose. (RMC 4/26 in FBIS 4/28)
In 1st such incident since signing of DOP, Palestinian arrested 4/22 on charges of being a sr. military leader in Hamas dies of injuries sustained during interrogation by Shin Bet. (MM 4/25; QY 4/25 in FBIS 4/25; CSM, NYT, WP 4/26; WP 5/4)
Jordan's amb. to Israel Muasher meets with Arafat advisor Husseini, frmr. PLO negotiator Hannan Ashrawi at Orient House in East Jerusalem, says Jordan, PA have resolved their differences over Jerusalem. (QY 4/25 in FBIS 4/25; QY 4/25 in FBIS 4/26; MM 4/26)
PA signs $65 m. contract with OPIC, Washington-based General Resources and Design Group to build Marriott hotel in Gaza. Hotel will have independent infrastructure (incl. water desalinization, communications, electricity). (MM 4/27)
Jordan's Dentists' Association bans mbrs. fr. treating Israelis, who have been coming to Jordan for cheaper medical attention since signing of peace treaty. Move seen as part of growing disenchantment with normalization with Israel. (MM 4/26, 5/2)
In retaliation for Yassin killing 3/31, Hizballah suicide bomber crashes explosive-rigged car into IDF, SLA convoy in s. Lebanon, wounding 9 IDF soldiers, 1 SLA mbr., 12 civilians. IDF reinforces troops in south, sweeps area, arrests 40 Lebanese. IAF overflies Beirut, is fired on by Lebanese Army again. (AFP, IDF Radio, QY, RL, VOL 4/25, RL 4/26 in FBIS 4/26; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/26; VOL 4/26 in FBIS 4/27; JP 5/6; MEI 5/12)
U.S. envoy Ross, Arafat meet in Gaza; discuss closure, economic aid, Israeli security and settlement construction; leaves for Damascus. (MM 4/7; VOP 4/7, 4/8 in FBIS 4/10)
Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, Syria's Pres. al-Asad should meet in Cairo to assess the situation in the region, progress on Syrian and Lebanese tracks, evaluate international environment, discuss enhancing joint Arab action, esp. in the Arab League. (MENA 4/7, 4/9 in FBIS 4/10)
PA police arrest Shaykh Ahmad Bahar after he gives anti-PA sermon at Friday prayer service. (MM 4/7)
Israeli police arrest sr. Orient House official Kamal Shwayka for operating Palestinian police force in Jerusalem. (JP 4/15)
IDF shells Hizballah positions in s. Lebanon in retaliation for Hizballah attack on IDF, SLA positions. 1 SLA mbr., 1 civilian killed. (WP 4/9)
PM Rabin tells cabinet he will not suspend talks with Syria despite Hizballah attacks 3/31, only a diplomatic solution to the conflict is possible, Israel will not attempt a military solution; says Syria has promised Secy. of State Christopher it will restrain Hizballah. (MM 4/3)
Jordanian FM al-Kabariti, Syrian Amb. Mu`allim meet in Washington to discuss Syria's stand in talks with Israel. Mu`allim leaves for Syria to prepare for Ross visit. (RJ 4/2 in FBIS 4/4)
Russian FM Kozyrev meets with PM Rabin, Pres. Weizman, FM Peres in Jerusalem, discusses Israeli-Lebanese border tensions, NPT, Iran, peace process. (QY 4/2, HA 4/3 in FBIS 4/3)
Arafat advisor Husseini meets with Russian Dep. FM Viktor Posuvalyuk at Orient House to discuss Israeli obstacles to implementing DOP. (VOP 4/2 in FBIS 4/3)
PM Rabin approves 2,000 more work permits for Palestinian workers to enter Israel, bringing total to 27,000. (ITV 4/1 in FBIS 4/4)
Kamal Kahil, sr. mbr. of Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades and no. 15 on Israel's most-wanted list, 7 others die, 30 are wounded in explosion in Gaza allegedly triggered when Kahil, 1 other Hamas mbr. accidently detonate bomb they are making. Hamas accuses Israel of assassinating Kahil, plotting to turn public opinion against Hamas. (QY, RMC, VOP 4/2 in FBIS 4/3; MM, WP, WT 4/3; AFP, ITV, QPAR, QY, VOP 4/3 in FBIS 4/4; MM, NYT 4/4; NYT 4/7; VOP 4/8 in FBIS 4/10; MEI, 4/14; JP 4/15)
PA says it is holding 3 Palestinian policemen after frmr. collaborator is found dead in Gaza. (AFP 4/2 in FBIS 4/4) (see 4/1)
Hizballah, Amal hold mtg. in s. Lebanon to coordinate efforts against Israel. (RL 4/2 in FBIS 4/3)
Israeli-Palestinian talks on expanding self-rule resume in Cairo. Israeli delegation head Yo'el Singer says target date for Palestinian elections is 6/15, Israel will not object to any party's participation. (MENA 3/13, MENA, VOP 3/14, VOP 3/15 in FBIS 3/15; CSM 3/15; AFP 3/14, MENA, QY 3/15, VOP 3/16 in FBIS 3/16)
Secy. of State Christopher stops in Damascus briefly on his return to Washington, meets with FM Faruq al-Shara`, announces talks btwn. Israel, Syria will resume in Washington soon. (WP 3/14; SARR 3/14 in FBIS 3/14; SARR, SATN 3/14 in FBIS 3/15; MM, NYT, WP 3/15; AN, CSM 3/16; MEI 3/17)
British PM Major meets with Arafat in Gaza, discusses developments in peace process, economic issues. Arafat expresses urgent need for aid. Major then meets with Arafat advisor Faisal Husseini at British consulate in Jerusalem, while Asst. British FM Andrew Green meets with a Palestinian delegation at Orient House. Major then meets with PM Rabin, discusses bilateral relations, leaves for mtg. with King Hussein. (IDF Radio, VOP 3/14 in FBIS 3/14; JTV, QY, VOP 3/14, RJ, VOP 3/15 in FBIS 3/15) (see 3/6)
Arab League issues statement at close of seminar on Jerusalem, says Jerusalem issue is key to peace process, calls on nations to uphold 1980 UNSC Res. 478 asking nations not to move diplomatic offices to the city. (MENA 3/14 in FBIS 3/17)
U.S., Israeli forces begin 3 wks of war games in Negev desert. (MM 3/14; WT 3/15; JP 4/1)
PA releases Shaykh al-Safadi, arrested 4/12. (QY 4/14 in FBIS 4/15)
Arafat meets with representatives fr. the donor states and UNRWA in Gaza to discuss PA financial problems (VOP 3/6 in FBIS 3/7)
PA Local Government M Erakat gives Council of Ms draft law on Palestinian local rule for review. (VOP 3/6 in FBIS 3/6)
UK rejects Israeli request not to hold high-level mtgs. at Orient House in East Jerusalem during PM John Major's visit next wk. (QY 3/6 in FBIS 3/7; Times of London 3/8 in FBIS 3/8; QY 3/9 in FBIS 3/9; MM 3/10)
U.S. Christian leaders send letter to Clinton, urging him to press Israel to stop annexing land in Jerusalem. Letter angers Israel leaders, U.S. Jewish groups. (MM 3/8, 3/14)
Labor MK Avigdor Kahalani arrives in U.S. to lobby congressmen against stationing U.S. troops in Golan in framework of Syrian-Israeli peace agmt. (MM 3/6)
Tourism Ms fr. Israel, Egypt, Jordan hold joint press conference at ITB conference, the largest annual tourism conference, announce plans to launch joint marketing campaign in Europe. (HA 3/7 in FBIS 3/9; JP 3/18)
2 Israeli tour buses are stoned as they pass through Karama, Jordan, injuring 1 Israeli. (al-Majd 3/6 in FBIS 3/10)
Arafat asks U.S., Russia, Norway to intervene to salvage negotiations; pressure PM Rabin to ease closure, release prisoners. (NYT 2/11; WT 2/12)
Israeli defense officials release paper, targeting 13 Palestinian institutions operating in East Jerusalem for closure. They include: Orient House; Islamic Awaqf; PECDAR; the Palestinian industrial, health, and housing councils; the Palestinian Statistics and Energy Centers; the Palestinian Land and Water Institute; the Palestinian Broadcasting Company; the Palestinian Commission for Citizens' Rights; al-Quds University; Open University. (HA 2/10 in FBIS 2/10; PR 2/20)
Remaining lands occupied by Israel are returned to Jordan at mtg. of the joint Jordanian-Israeli comm. on treaty implementation, armies deploy along newly demarcated border. 300 Israeli farmers are given entry permits so they can continue working farms. (JTV, QY, RJ 2/9 in FBIS 2/10; Al-Aswaq 2/11 in FBIS 2/14)
Rabin, Arafat meet at Erez to restart negotiations but talks break down when Rabin refuses to lift closure of o.t. Rabin demands PA crackdown on opposition, impose ban on carrying weapons without a license, create judicial system proposed 2/7 immediately, take legal and punitive steps against terrorism; approves additional 2,000 Palestinian policemen. Arafat says this will put him in conflict with opposition groups outside Hamas, Islamic Jihad. Both agree to meet again in 1 wk. Arafat suggests Israel redeploy fr. one West Bank town as first step in interim settlement. (MM 2/9; IDF Radio, MENA, QY, VOP 2/9, RMC, VOP 2/10 in FBIS 2/10; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/10; WT 2/12; MEI 2/17)
Russian envoy Viktor Posuvalyuk meets with Jordan's King Hussein, PM Shakir, FM al-Kabariti in Amman to discuss peace process, bilateral relations. (RJ 2/9 in FBIS 2/10)
Palestinian police raid Gaza headquarters of Islamic Jihad, also arrest 3 Hamas leaders. (WT 2/10)
Arafat meets with delegation fr. EU headed by French FM Juppé in Gaza. Delegation also meets with PA representatives at Orient House, says Israel's temporary closure is justified but peace process must move forward. (MM 2/9; AFP, QY, VOP 2/9 in FBIS 2/10; NYT 2/10; MEI 2/17)
Rep. Gingrich's wife says her job with the Israeli Export Development Co., attracting American companies to high tech business park in Israel, poses no conflict of interest with her husband's job as House speaker. She was offered the job after visiting Israeli on a tour run by AIPAC. (WT 2/10; CSM 2/15)
PM Rabin returns fr. Oman; says he discussed bilateral issues, possible agricultural assistance to Oman. Omani Information Min. says visit was meant to demonstrate Oman's support of peace process. Rabin phones King Hussein to brief him on the trip. (WP 12/27; QY 12/27 in FBIS 12/27; JT 12/28 in FBIS 12/28; NYT 12/28)
PA says of Israeli law 12/25 prohibiting official Palestinian activities in Jerusalem is violation of DOP, says Orient House will continue operating. (VOP 12/26, 12/27 in FBIS 12/27; QY, VOP 12/27 in FBIS 12/28)
Joint Jordanian-Israeli transportation comm. meets in Tiberias, agrees to reach accord by end of 1/95. Joint borders comm. meets in Tiberias to begin demarcation of border. (RJ 12/27 in FBIS 12/28)
200 Palestinians, led by PA Local Government M Saeb Erakat, mbrs. of Peace Now, stage protest at Efrat settlement. 10s soldiers surround, beat, detain 50 protesters, disperse rest. PM Rabin, FM Peres asks for review of expansion project, will consider halting it. (QY 12/27 in FBIS 12/27; ITV 12/27, Ma'ariv 12/28 in FBIS 12/28; NYT, WT 12/28) (see 12/26)
Israeli parliament passes law by vote of 56 to 6 (with 32 abstentions), banning official Palestinian activities in Jerusalem that could close Orient House in Jerusalem, PLO's de facto FMin. (IDF Radio 12/26 in FBIS 12/27; Al-Sharq Al-Awsat 12/27 in FBIS 12/29; WT 12/28; IGPO 1/4 in FBIS 1/6; MEI 1/6; JP 1/7)
PM Rabin secretly flies to Oman at invitation of Sultan Qabus, making 1st official visit by Israeli leader. (AFP, QY 12/26 in FBIS 12/27; NYT 12/28)
Israeli Amb. to the UN Gad Ya'aqobi says possibility of stationing military forces, observers in Golan within framework of peace agmt. btwn. Israel, Syria has been discussed in closed-door meetings at UN, informally btwn. UN representatives. (QY 12/26 in FBIS 12/27)
Arafat announces he will soon visit Jordan; King Hussein phones him to discuss visit. (VOP 12/26 in FBIS 12/28; Al-Quds 1/1 in FBIS 1/3)
Outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Baraq claims IDF is running successful secret operations against Hizballah "very far beyond" the self-declared security zone, in northern Lebanon, hence there is no need to expand zone. (IDF Radio 12/26 in FBIS 12/27)
Israeli West Bank Civil Administration declares disputed territory nr. Efrat state land, orders Arabs to evacuate. (IDF Radio 12/26 in FBIS 12/27) (see 12/24)
Arafat telephones King Hussein, briefs him on talks with PM Rabin 11/8, both agree to continue contacts on common issues. (MENA 11/9 in FBIS 11/10)
PNA Econ. M Qurai`, Israeli Finance M Shohat meet in Jerusalem to discuss implementation of economic agmt. signed in Paris 4/93. (QY, VOP 11/9 in FBIS 11/14)
Reports note frequent mtgs. btwn. Syrian, Israeli ambs. in Washington, with U.S. moderation. (ITV 11/9 in FBIS 11/10; MM 11/17)
Top Israeli police official admits Palestinians are setting up a police force in occupied West Bank to deal with traffic, intra-Palestinian disputes, says government will not oppose the units unless they interfere with Israeli police duties. (JP 11/9 in FBIS 11/9)
Morocco opens liaison office in Gaza. (AFP 11/9 in FBIS 11/10)
Knesset passes bill making anyone conducting unauthorized political activity in Jerusalem liable to 15 yrs. in jail. Bill targets PNA diplomatic activity at Orient House. (MM 11/10; WJW 11/17; JP 11/19)
Lebanese Judiciary reopens 1983 U.S. Marine barracks bombing case. Move seen as government attempt to show U.S. it is serious about security, nudge talks with Israel, gain leverage against Hizballah. (RL 11/9 in FBIS 11/9; MM 11/16)
Saudi FM Prince Sa'ud al-Faysal arrives in Damascus to deliver letter fr. King Fahd to Pres. al-Asad, confers with al-Asad regarding peace talks. (SARR 11/9 in FBIS 11/10)
IDF searching for wanted men clash with Palestinians in Tulkarm. Palestinians suffer 1 wounded, call general strike. (QY 11/9 in FBIS 11/10)
Turkish PM Tansu Ciller ends 3-day visit to Israel; meets with Arafat in Gaza City, pledges $50 m. to autonomous areas; causes conflict with Israelis by holding mtg. with PLO's Faisal Husseini at Orient House in East Jerusalem. (MM 11/4; WT 11/5, 11/6; QY, RMC, VOP 11/6 in FBIS 11/7; MM 11/7; MM 11/8; JP 11/12)
Syrian Pres. al-Asad, Lebanese Pres. Hrawi meet in Damascus to discuss Israeli PM Rabin's 11/1 remarks on southern Lebanon. (SARR 11/5 in FBIS 11/7; JP 11/12)
Israeli Dep. DM Gur says Israel will consider direct talks with Lebanon on phased pullout fr. southern Lebanon if Lebanese present viable plan ensuring total cessation of violence. (JP 11/12)
PNA announces Egypt will open representative office in Gaza, consulate in Jericho; Arafat names Zuhdi al-Qidrah as PNA representative to Cairo. (MENA 11/5 in FBIS 11/7)
Israeli study shows Fateh has not made any lethal attacks on Israelis since autonomy agmt. was signed in May. (QY 11/6 in FBIS 11/8; WT 11/8)