The Palestine Chronology

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces bar 3 Palestinian journalists from entering Haram al-Sharif while right-wing Jewish activists tour the sanctuary. Meanwhile, Israeli police and Palestinian youths clash for the 3d day in a row, in Issawiyya, injuring a Palestinian child. In Gaza, a Palestinian youth is seriously injured when he accidentally detonates an unexploded Israeli munition in Shuja‘iya. Israeli forces level land during a limited incursion e. of Rafah. In the West Bank, Israeli forces raze Palestinian land nr. Bethlehem and block off an agricultural road in a nearby village. IDF troops conduct house searches and raids nr. Jenin, Tulkarm, and Hebron, arresting 5 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 1; patrol in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron and nr. Salfit. Israeli settlers assault 3 Palestinians outside a settlement nr. Nablus. In Israel, 3 Jewish Israelis assault a Palestinian in Dayr Yasin nr. Jerusalem. (MNA, WAFA 9/8; JP, MNA 9/9; PCHR 9/10; OCHA 9/18; WAFA 10/1)

Arafat phones Sharon, Peres to wish them a happy Passover, to call on Israel to resume talks soon. Sharon reiterates his demand that Palestinians 1st halt all violence. Meanwhile, Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, with a higher incidence of gunfire on both sides. (MENA 4/7, 4/7 in WNC 4/9; WT 4/8)

Despite the ban on public gatherings, 200 Jordanians stage a rally in Amman to mark the anniversary of the Dayr Yasin massacre, to reaffirm the Palestinians' right of return. Some 5,000 people attend a right of return rally in New York. Similar demonstrations are held in Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Sydney), Canada, Holland, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, the occupied territories, Spain, Syria. (AP 4/7; JT 4/8 in WNC 4/9; JP [Internet] 4/9)

Israeli historian Teddy Katz says that he has uncovered credible evidence that Israeli troops massacred 200 Palestinians in the village of Tantura on the day Israel came into being on 5/15/48, possibly making the Tantura incident larger than the infamous Dayr Yasin massacre of 4/9/48. (MEI 1/28)

Lebanese pres. Lahoud, PM Huss receive an EU delegation for talks on the peace process. Lebanon says Israel's recent actions on the Syrian track raise serious doubts about Israel's desire to reach peace. (RL 1/19 in WNC 1/21; RL 1/20 in WNC 1/24)

The 4 Jordanian Hamas leaders deported on 11/21 appeal to the High Court against their expulsion to Qatar. (JT 1/18 in WNC 1/19; NYT 1/19; JT 1/19 in WNC 1/21; JT 1/20 in WNC 1/24)

At the close of 2 days of talks in Ankara, Iran, Turkey sign a memorandum of understanding on enhancing bilateral cooperation in political, economic, security, cultural fields. (ATL, IRNA 1/18 in WNC 1/19)

14 House reps. send letter to British PM Blair, expressing "dismay" with FM Cook's visit to Israel 3/17, hoping Blair will "rectify this unfortunate incident." (Middle East Policy and Research Center 3-4/98)

In Paris, Lebanese FM Buwayz discusses Israel's s. Lebanon withdrawal proposal with French FM Hubert Vedrine. (RL, al-Safir 4/15 in WNC 4/16)

10s of Palestinians, Israeli Arabs escorted by Israeli police march fr. East Jerusalem to site of Dayr Yasin in West Jerusalem, where Jewish fighters massacred more than 100 Palestinians in 1948. (MM 4/14; WT 4/15; MM 4/17) (see 4/6)

Israeli Youth Movements Council announces launch of "My Brother Jonathan Pollard" campaign to encourage pressure on the U.S. to pardon the convicted spy. Campaign was initiated by the Knesset lobby for Pollard, headed by Cabinet Secy. Nave. (YA 4/14 in WNC 4/16) (see 3/19)

In s. Lebanon, 1 child is injured during shelling btwn. IDF, SLA and Hizballah. (VOL 4/15 in WNC 4/16)

After arriving in Israel, British FM Cook makes controversial visit to Har Homa. As a result, PM Netanyahu cuts mtg. with Cook short, cancels joint dinner in protest. Cook also meets with Arafat, visits site of Dayr Yasin, where Jewish fighters massacred more than 100 Palestinians in 1948. (CSM, MM 3/17; IDF Radio, ITV, SA, YA 3/17 in WNC 3/19; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/18; IDF Radio, MA, MENA, al-Quds al-Arabi, SA 3/18, Les Echos [Paris] 3/19 in WNC 3/20; MM 3/19; PR 3/20; JP 3/28; CSM 4/6; MEI 3/27)

In Washington, King Hussein begins 4 days of mtgs. by discussing bilateral economic, military issues with Congress; bilateral relations, peace process with State Dept. (JTV 3/17 in WNC 3/20; JTV 3/18, RJ 3/19 in WNC 3/20; JTV 3/19, RJ 3/20 in WNC 3/23; WT 3/20)

UNGA resumes emergency session (last held 11/13) on Israel's construction at Har Homa, issues new condemnation (by vote of 120-3, with 5 abstentions) of Israel's failure to stop building at the site. U.S., Israel, Micronesia vote against; Australia, Bulgaria, Romania, Marshall Islands, Swaziland abstain. (MM, NYT, WT 3/18; MEI 3/27)

Palestinian child shot by IDF during Hebron demonstration 4/11 dies. (LAW 3/17; MEI 3/27)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Several hundred students of the government-run Teachers Training Institute in Ramallah demonstrate on campus on anniversary of massacre of Dayr Yasin; Israeli troops use tear gas to quell the students, close the institute until 4/19 [FJ 4/18].