The Palestine Chronology

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue to escalate; 100s are reported injured, but none are killed. The closure on the West Bank, Gaza remains in place. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas in PA-controlled Hebron, Khan Yunis; opens fire on 2 primary schools in Hebron, wounding 3 students; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land nr. Dayr al-Balah Junction, destroying several green houses and water wells. (HP 2/7; LAW 2/8)

PM-elect Sharon visits the Wailing Wall, declares Barak's Camp David concessions null and void, vows he will never allow shared sovereignty over Jerusalem. (NYT, WP, WT 2/8)

Arafat sends a letter to Sharon congratulating him on his election, expressing hope that negotiations will resume soon from the point they left off at Taba on 1/27. Sharon's office reiterates that all Palestinian violence must cease before talks begin; that even when talks begin, Israel will not attempt to reach a comprehensive peace but rather a interim deal exchanging a small amount of land and economic benefits for a nonbelligerency pact. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/8; NYT 2/9)

Pres. Clinton returns fr. Japan in the afternoon and goes straight to Camp David, where he meets with the U.S. peace team and then talks separately with Arafat, Barak to decide how to proceed. He then goes into talks with PA, Israeli negotiators that continue overnight, focusing on Jerusalem. (XIN 7/23 in WNC 7/24; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/24; XIN 7/24 in WNC 7/26; MM 7/26)

Egyptian pres. Mubarak travels to Riyadh to discuss the final status talks on Jerusalem with Saudi Arabia's King Fahd, Crown Prince Abdallah. (NYT 7/23; MENA 7/23 in WNC 7/24; MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/24; al-Quds 7/24 in WNC 7/26; MM, NYT 7/27)

Pope John Paul calls for Jerusalem to be granted "international status" under a permanent arrangement. (MM, NYT, WT 7/24; al-Quds 7/24 in WNC 7/26; ANSA 8/2 in WNC 8/4)

In Okinawa, EU leaders say the G-8 states have agreed to Pres. Clinton's request share the cost of any Camp David peace agmt.; no figures were discussed. (WT 7/24)

Amid rumors that Arafat has conceded the refugees' right of return at talks in Camp David, PLOEC mbr. As`ad `Abd al-Rahman resigns his position as PLO refugee affairs coordinator. (HA [Internet], MENL 7/23; SA 7/25 in WNC 7/27)

In Gaza, Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin says he would declare a truce with Israel if Barak agreed to withdraw completely to the 1967 borders fr. Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem. (NYT 7/24; WJW 7/17)

In Hebron, Jewish settlers assault a delegation of Arab Americans who arrived in the town on a solidarity visit. (MEI 7/28)

Without prior notice, the IDF seals off and begins leveling 4,000 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Bethlehem. When the owner, Ali Mahameed, and his family attempt to stop them, IDF soldiers assault them. (LAW 8/10)

As PA-Israeli talks continue at Camp David, U.S. officials begin lowering expectations for an agmt. to be concluded, hinting that teams may take a break of a couple of wks., then resume mtgs. (MM, White House press briefing 9/17; MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/18; SA 7/23 in WNC 7/24; NYT 7/29)

Bashar al-Asad is sworn in as pres. of Syria at a special session of parliament. He gives an inaugural address in which he vows to continue to seek peace with Israel on the basis of Israel's full withdrawal fr. the Golan to the 6/4/67 lines and to implement economic and administrative reforms. (WT 7/17; ITAR-TASS, MENA 7/17, MENA 7/18 in WNC 7/19; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/18; NYT, WT 7/19; MM 7/20, 7/21; JP, MEI 7/28)

In Qalqilya, clashes btwn. West Bank, Gazan Palestinians continue for the 2d day. In total, 7 people have been injured, 40 arrested, and 7 buildings housing Gazan laborers have been burned. The PA rushes 400 policemen into Qalqilya fr. Nablus and surrounding towns to quell the riots, protect the city's 200 Gazan laborers. (WP 7/18)

Palestinians stone 4 Israeli busses that mistakenly enter Qalandiyya refugee camp en route to a nearby Jewish settlement to pick up settlers holding a demonstration against the Camp David talks. 3 drivers abandon their busses and flee in the 4th bus, suffering light injuries. Qalandiyya residents torch the 3 deserted busses. The IDF accuses the PA of incitement. (JP [Internet] 7/17)

PA-Israeli talks continue at Camp David. In his 1st comments since talks began, Pres. Clinton says there has been some progress toward an agmt., "but I can't say I know we will succeed." Today, Clinton meets with both delegations. In Emmitsburg, the PA, Israeli technical comms. on noncore issues meet; some sessions are held with U.S. reps. present. (White House press briefing 7/16; NYT, WP, WT 7/17; al-Quds, SA 7/17 in WNC 7/19)

 In Tel Aviv, some 100,000 Israelis, many of them Jewish settlers bussed in fr. the West Bank, protest against the Camp David talks. In Nablus, some 1,000 Palestinians hold a rally in support of the summit. Another 1,000 Palestinians in Jinin call on the PA to secure Palestinian sovereignty over East Jerusalem as part of an agmt. (JP [Internet], MA [Internet], NM, NYT, WP, WT, YA [Internet] 7/17; CSM 7/18; MA 7/21 in WNC 7/25)

For a 2d day in Hebron, Jewish settlers throw stones at Palestinians and attack Palestinian property. (al-Quds 7/22 in WNC 7/24; MEI 7/28) (see 7/15)

Jewish settlers confiscate 50 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Salfit. (LAW 8/10)

In Qalqilya, West Bank Palestinians clash with Palestinian migrant laborers fr. Gaza. Gazans have streamed into the West Bank looking for work since 10/99, when the safe-passage route linking the two PA-controlled areas was opened. (WP 7/18)

In Markaba, 2 Hizballah mbrs. are killed in a shootout with Amal mbrs.; up to 9 individuals fr. both sides are wounded. Both groups regret the incident, give no explanation of the cause. Reports suggest that Amal mbrs. picked a fight with Hizballah mbrs. hanging campaign posters for upcoming parliamentary elections, and the incident devolved into a shooting match. (MM 7/17; MEI 7/28)

Casualties:

UNRWA Field Director in Sidon says Palestinians in Akbieh village near Sidon being harassed by armed men demanding that they leave.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Knesset confirms Arens as Defense Minister by 61 to 51 vote; Meir Rosenne, Israel's ambassador to France, leading candidate to replace Arens as ambassador to US; Begin tells war veterans Israel will not deviate from Camp David formula, which does not provide for an independent state or for self-determination, which means the same thing; Defense Ministry exhibits Israeli-built Python 3 air-to-air missile, tested effectively in Lebanon air war, and said to be equal to US Sidewinder 9L; a West Bank civil administrator sentenced to 9 months in prison for accepting bribes to carry out residents' requests; 4 Druze residents of Golan Heights convicted of spying for Syria; Air Force Commander Lapidot says Israel needs Lavi fighter, US is witholding technological assistance.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Rashad al-Shawa, deposed mayor of Gaza, says PNC indirectly delegated Jordan to proceed with talks with Israel.

US and Other Countries: Reagan says that resolution of the Palestinian issue will require providing something in the nature of a homeland for the Palestinians, but not creating a nation, that the greatest security for Israel is to create new Egypts, more nations, more neighbors that are willing to sign peace treaties with them.

Military Action:

Syria permits US helicopters to enter Syrian-held territory to aid in rescue of blizzard victims, with deaths now numbering 47.

Political Response:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin tells visiting American Jews no Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon without adequate security arrangements, no halt to settlements, no deviation from Camp David, no independent Palestinian state; Foreign Minister Shamir says Reagan offer to guarantee security of northern border cannot replace a direct agreement between Israel and Lebanon, calls PNC meeting a deception and a fraud, repeats Israel's willingness to conduct negotiations with King Hussein only in framework of Camp David agreement, not in order to return Jerusalem to the PLO; one man remanded in custody by Jerusalem court in connectin with threats to life of Peace Now demonstrator; 500 Jews assemble near Dahariya village on West Bank to mourn death of woman hit by stones thrown at car, Rabbi Levinger of Kiryat Arba says there comes a moment for vengeance and the moment is now; Defense Minister Arens says Israel might resort to pre-emptive strike against Soviet SA-5 missiles based in Syria if build up continues and Israelis conclude they are faced with a mortal threat.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PNC re-elects Arafat as Chairman of PLO Executive Committee, approves Political Committee recommendations, modifying one on Reagan plan to state that PNC refuses to consider it as sound basis for a just and lasting soution to the Palestine problem, authorizes Executive Committee to pursue contacts with Jewish progressive and democratic forces; Abu Iyad tells press conference that PLO would step aside and let West Bank mayors negotiate with US or Israel if Reagan recognized Palestinian right to self-determination and creation of a state; 17th session of Lebanese-Israeli-US talks takes place at Netanya.

Arab Governments: Syria says it will withdraw all its 30,000 troops from Lebanon after all 30,000 Israeli troops have left.

US and Other Countries: Reagan says King Hussein should be supported in efforts to set up a joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation to negotiate future of West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem, and that US is prepared to take all necessary measures to guarantee the security of Israel's northern borders in the aftermath of the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army; Weinberger tells House Foreign Affairs Committee agreement near on transfer of Israeli military and intelligence data from Lebanon war to US, says delay in shipment of 75 F-16s to Israel due to examination of whether Israel had used US supplied weapons strictly in self-defense, says Israel does not need to develop the Lavi jet except to promote exports.

Military Action:

Gunmen in car open fire on IDF jeep in Sidon, "Armed Struggle Organization" claims credit for this attack, and for Tyre building blast.

Casualties:

Phalange sources report Lebanese authorities arrest, charge 12 Muslims and Christians from Haddad area in South Lebanon in connection with Beirut massacre; IDF soldier killed, 3 wounded in Sidon.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israel rejects Shultz statement criticizing anti-PLO "loyalty pledge," says it is an "internal" matter; West Bank Palestinians express encouragement at Shultz' statements; CIA sources report Israel selling PLO arms to Iran.

Arab Governments: Egyptian President Mubarak, on fifth anniversary of Sadat's trip to Jerusalem, blames Israel for worsening relations, but says Egypt committed to Camp David peace process; Egyptian Army completes live-ammunition war games in Sinai.

US and Other Countries: Shultz renews criticisms of anti-PLO "loyalty oaths" as abridging academic freedom and unnecessary for Israeli security; US officials expect to reschedule Begin-Reagan meeting early next year; Habib arrives in Lebanon to get stalled negotiations back on track.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Major Haddad, in testimony before Commission of Inquiry, denies his militiamen were involved in massacre, says three militiamen caught in fight involving IDF and Druze forces near Beirut at time were far from camps and in Beirut on private visit, says on Friday, September 17, he flew to Beirut on IDF aircraft to offer condolences to Gemayel family, visited Jounieh, then returned by car to Marjayoun, accuses Saeb Salam of covering up for Phalangists on orders from Saudi Arabia by blaming Haddad forces; Foreign Ministry official Hana Bar-On testifies he relayed US official's report on "irregularities" in Beirut camps to Begin's military secretary, Colonal Azriel Nevo, Friday evening, September 17; political storm rages over New York Times opinion piece that implies Labor Party leaders want US to reduce aid to Israel as means to pressure Begin but Peres denies Labor Party supports cut in US aid; two leaders of Gush Emunim settlement of Qiryat Arba charged with destroying possible clues to unsolved bombings that crippled two Palestinian Mayors in 1980, trial is set for December 9; 25,000 Israeli settlers now estimated living in occupied territories, is twice as many as in 1980, five times as many as in 1977; Knesset finance committee defers decision on funding 9 new settlements (Labor Party criticizes 8 planned for West Bank, and IDF outposts in territories being turned over to right-wing Kach).

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Walid Jumblatt, in interview, accuses Phalange of planning massacres of Druze and says talks are useless; Phalange spokesman Hayek denies charge, says Phalange militiamen only seeking to return to their former villages in Chouf.

Arab Governments: King Hussein, ending Arab League delegation visit to France, accuses Israel of holding up peace process through continued West Bank settlements, refusal to consider Reagan peace proposals, says question of Israel's eventual borders remains major obstacle to peace; Syrian President Assad tells visiting US Congressional delegation that Reagan plan is "incomplete" solution.

US and Other Countries: Habib leaves several days early for Mideast in wake of cancellation of Begin-Reagan meeting, as State Department expresses concern at lack of progress on troop withdrawals; Shultz meets with Habib, Veliotes, Fairbanks, M. Charles Hill and Samuel W. Lewis to review lack of progress on peace plan; Britain announces Arab League mission planned to arrive next week has been postponed to December, and it will continue to refuse inclusion of PLO representative in delegation; West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, in New York, tells US Jewish leaders he intends to strengthen West German relations with Israel, and supports Camp David process.