The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Beita, injuring 12 with rubber-coated bullets and some 50 others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated bullet to his head. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Rantis, Beit Fajjar, Husan, and Aqabah. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians were found dead in tunnels near Rafah. Hamas said it would investigate the incident and there were reports that the deaths were caused by toxic gas pumped into the tunnel from Egypt. (AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/3; MEMO 9/4; PCHR 9/9)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with a delegation of U.S. senators, including Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) in Ramallah. During the meeting, Prime Minister Shtayyeh called on the U.S. to reopen its consulate to Palestinians and remove the PLO from the U.S. terror list. The group also met with Israeli officials, including prime minister Naftali Bennett, and said they raised the issue of the consulate with him. (WAFA 9/3; HA, TOI 9/4)

Russia said Syria had intercepted 20 missiles fired at Damascus from Israeli F-15s flying over Lebanese air space. (AP 9/3; HA 9/4)

The Norwegian wealth fund divested from 3 Israeli companies—Elco, Electra, and Ashtrom—because of the companies’ links to Israeli settlements. (REU 9/3; WAFA 9/4)

In keeping with the 1/14 Hebron protocol, the IDF begins a phased reopening of al-Shuhada street in Hebron. Ambulances, taxis are allowed to use the road, but private vehicles are not. (CSM, NYT 2/4; MEI 2/7; JP 2/15)

In the Vatican, PM Netanyahu meets Pope John Paul II for the 1st time. (MM 2/3; Radio UNO [Rome] 2/3, 2/4 in WNC 2/5; NYT 2/4)

UN special envoy Moratinos meets with Israeli DM Mordechai, briefs him on talks with Syrian Pres. Asad 1/29. (ITV 2/3 in WNC 2/6)

IDF demolishes 4 Palestinian homes nr. Janin. (LAWE 2/13) (see 1/28)

PA Justice M Frayh Abu-Midayn says that the PA has opened an investigation into Baba's death in custody 2/1. (NYT 2/4; MM 2/5)

Israel asks the U.S. to give it F-22 advanced tactical stealth fighters by way of compensation, if the U.S. supplies Saudi Arabia with 100 F-16s to replace its F-15 fleet. Saudi Arabia has not requested the F-16s yet, but is expected to do so. (MA 2/3 in WNC 2/6; WT 2/14)

Israeli and Arab delegations agree to adjourn negotiations from 9/4 to 9/14, to reconvene then until 9/24. (MM 9/2; GPO 9/2 in FBIS 9/3)

Israeli delegation presents Palestinian delegation with 6-point discussion agenda, proposes establishment of 2 working groups on human rights, legal issues. (Qol Yisra'el 9/2 in FBIS 9/3)

Palestinian delegation tries to admit East Jerusalem lawyer Raja Shehadeh to the talks as legal advisor, says his inclusion would have no symbolic value vis-a-vis status of Jerusalem. Israel refuses, citing Madrid framework for delegation membership. (MM 9/3; IDF Radio 9/3 in FBIS 9/3)

Acting Secy. of State Eagleburger meets separately with heads of Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian delegations. (VOL 9/3 in FBIS 9/4)

Council of Jewish Settlements in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza dispute housing min.'s 6/1 figures, claim 296 units have been sold in the o.t. since 7/20. Official ministry reaction stands by original figure of 2 units sold. (Yedi'ot Aharonot 9/3 in FBIS 9/4)

Jerusalem policy planning unit issues report on potential building in Jerusalem: 39,880 units in Jewish neighborhoods, 15,260 in "non-Jewish" neighborhoods. (Ha'Aretz 9/2 in FBIS 9/3)

PM Rabin says Israel must find a solution to "the problem of the Gaza Strip," because it is not going to "sink into the sea," in remarks to Washington Institute for Near East Policy conference in Jerusalem. Palestinians "can forget about" Israel changing its policy. "We are in control of the territory, and we will not move an inch." (MM 9/3; Ha'Aretz, Davar 9/3 in FBIS 9/3)

Palestinian-Israeli council heads end 11- day protest outside PM Rabin's office, agree to open schools in response to grant of NIS 70 million for development budgets, NIS 10 million for schools. Ethiopian immigrants clash with police in Jerusalem. (MM 9/2; Qol Yisra'el 9/2 in FBIS 9/3)

PM Rabin announces Israel will not actively oppose U.S. sale of F-15s to Saudi Arabia. (WP 9/3)

Senior PLO officer Lieut. Col. Hani Zuhayr al-Dubayky is assassinated in Beirut. (VOL 9/2 in FBIS 9/3; NYT 9/4)

PM Rabin and Secy. of Defense Cheney meet, agree to transfer $700 million worth of surplus U.S. military hardware to Israel, including training aircraft, attack and transport helicopters. Rabin later meets with Democratic candidates Clinton and Gore. Rabin expresses his opposition to proposed U.S. sale of F-15s to Saudi Arabia. (MM, WP 8/13; MM 8/14)

Israeli housing min. halts all govt. purchase, renovation, and settlement of properties in East Jerusalem; private purchase is still allowed. (NYT 8/13; Qol Yisra'el 8/12 in FBIS 8/12)

Israeli fin. min. announces that loans raised with U.S. guarantees will be deposited in special bank account, will not be used to augment regular budgets. (Qol Yisra'el 8/13 in FBIS 8/13)

Settlements in occupied outskirts of Jerusalem-Ma'ale Adumim, Giv'at Ze'ev, Etzion Bloc, Efrat, Betar, Kfar Adumim, and Adamorganize "Greater Jerusalem" forum to safeguard their interests, encourage govt. to annex greater Jerusalem area to Israel. (Davar 8/13 in FBIS 8/13)

MK 'Abd al-Wahhab Darawsha leads delegation of Arab Democratic Party to Egypt to express FM Peres' desire to visit Egypt, negotiate lifting of Arab boycott. (MM 8/12)

Israel reports that Syria test fired 2 North Korean Scud-C missiles recently. (IDF Radio 8/12 in FBIS 8/13; WP 8/14)

Fateh mbr. Hamzah Mubarak is assassinated in 'Ayn al-Hilwa camp, Lebanon. (VOL 8/12 in FBIS 8/13)

IDF shells, overflies Iqlim al-Tuffah region, S. Lebanon. (VOL 8/13 in FBIS 8/13)

Four Israeli F-15 fighter planes fly on a reconnaissance mission over western Iraq. Iraqi officials claim the planes entered from Syrian airspace and left over Saudi airspace. U.S. strongly protested the action. One U.S. official claimed the planes traveled over Jordan, not Syria and Saudi Arabia. Israeli officials claim U.S. is not providing enough information on Iraqi missile sites in Iraq, that Israel must gather such information itself. (NYT, WP 10/9; WP 10/10)

Israeli newspaper Qol Ha'ir reports Sharon and the militant religious Ateret Cohanim movement have prepared a plan to establish 26 "settlement points" within Palestinian neighborhoods in the Jerusalem area, including 200 housing units in Silwan on eastern outskirts of East Jerusalem (HaAretz 10/4 in FBIS 10/4)

Settlers from Golan present PM Shamir a five-year plan for increased Israeli settlement on the Golan Heights. The plans call for expenditures of $200 million in roads, infrastructure, and for increasing number of settlers from present figure of 11,500 to 40,000 within four years. Shamir accepts plan by noting there was "no shadow of doubt" about Israel's future control of Golan. (MEM 10/4)

Israeli newspaper HaAretz reports that Israel, Germany have failed to reach an understanding over Israel's request for DM10 billion in credito assist settling Jewish immigrants. Among other reasons, Israel's request was based upon the fact that the former East Germany never paid reparations to Israel as did West Germany [see 8/28]. (HaAretz 10/4 in FBIS 10/8)

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat & Exec. Com. submit resignations at PNC mtg.

Other Countries: During UN debate on Middle East, EEC countries call Israel, Palestinians & Arab states to mutual recognition, renunciation of force & for end to Israeli settlements. MK Abd al-Wahab Darousha tries to attend PNC by entry from Greece, but his (Labor) party persuades him to return home.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops shoot & wound Nablus youth during stone-throwing incident.

Arab World: Israeli F15s & F16s attack DFLP base in Qubb Elias, Beqaa Valley; 7 killed, 9 wounded; Syrian anti-aircraft tire repels planes.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Arab World: General strike from Tyre to Sidon to protest Israeli-backed death-squad killing of Shi'ite leader Raghib Harb (2/16/84).

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: LAF officials say "at least 3,000 Palestinian fighters" in Bhamdoun; Israel F-15s bomb Bhamdoun, Mansuriya and Rweisat; Syrian gunners repell attackers. Ambush on Israeli patrol claims 1.