The Palestine Chronology

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. In Khan Yunis, Jewish settlers continue to vandalize Palestinian property in retaliation for the killing of a settler discovered on 1/14. The IDF bulldozes the Palestinian orchards where the murdered settler was found, and settlers set up an encampment there as a "Zionist response" to the killing. The IDF also conducts arrest sweeps in Dahiyat Barid, al-Ram. Jewish settlers overturn Palestinian stalls in the Hebron market. (MM, YA 1/16; WP 1/17; al-Quds 1/17 in WNC 1/19; HP, LAW, WJW 1/18; MEI 1/26)

PA senior negotiator Qurai` meets with Israeli FM Ben-Ami to prepare for the resumption of Israeli-PA talks on 1/16. Arafat meets with Israeli negotiator Shahak to discuss the refugee issue. (AP 1/15; AYM 1/15 in WNC 1/18; IsRN 1/16; SA 1/17 in WNC 1/19; MENA 1/18 in WNC 1/20)

The PA offers amnesty to any Palestinian collaborators who turn themselves in within the next 45 days. (AP 1/15; YA 1/16; al-Quds 1/18 in WNC 1/20)

Jordanian PM Abu Raghib meets with reps. of political parties and professional associations for talks on impact of the al-Aqsa intifada on Jordan; urges them not to take actions "harmful to the kingdom's economy and national unity," such as fighting normalization with Israel. (JT 1/17 in WNC 1/19; JT 1/26, QA 1/27 in WNC 1/29) (see 11/19)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes abate significantly. Israel reopens the Gaza-Egypt, West Bank-Jordan crossings; reopens Gaza airport, the main north-south road in Gaza; lifts the blockade on Jinin, Qalqilya; reinstates travel privileges for some Palestinian VIPs. An Israeli civilian discovers, neutralizes a remote controlled bomb in Mea Sherim, West Jerusalem. The IDF shells residential areas of al-Gharbi. (MM, YA 1/11; MENL, MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/12; JT 1/12, MENA 1/14 in WNC 1/16; LAW, WJW 1/18)

Late this evening at Erez, Israel, the PA resume high-level final status talks. Each side sends 3 negotiators: Ben-Ami, Shahak, Sher for Israel; Dahlan, Erakat, Qurai` for the PA. (HP, MM 1/11; MA 1/11 in WNC 1/16; MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/12; NYT, WP 1/13; al-Quds 1/13, 1/14 in WNC 1/18)

In Rafah, PA State Security Court sentences Majdi Makawi, arrested 12/16, to death for treason and espionage for his role in the assassination of his nephew Jamal `Abd al-Razik by the IDF on 11/22. (LAW 1/12)

Israel, the PA reportedly hold the 1st mtg. in what they hope to be a series of "back channel" contacts to establish a "real" track to draw up solutions on major final status issues. Israel is supposedly represented by Tourism M Amnon Shahak, Internal Security M Shlomo Ben Ami, the PA by PC speaker Ahmad Qurai` and Oslo negotiator Mahmud Abbas. (MM 3/30; AYM 4/1 in WNC 4/6)

The pope conducts morning prayers and mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. He also meets with Greek Orthodox patriarchs and bishops, urges Christian communities to resolve their differences. (NYT, WP, WT 3/26)