The Palestine Chronology

Morocco hosts a mtg. of the Jerusalem Comm. of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to discuss PA-Israeli final status talks on the city. (AYM 8/28 in WNC 8/29; MM, WP, WT 8/29; JT 8/29 in WNC 8/30; MM 8/31; JT 9/10 in WNC 9/12) (see Doc. A1)

In Paris, French FM Hubert Vedrine briefs Israel's Ben-Ami on Pres. Jacques Chirac's talks with Syrian FM Shara` on 8/27. Afterward, Ben-Ami says Israel cannot hold talks with Syria now. (AFP 8/28 in WNC 8/29; Globes 8/28 in WNC 8/30)

Pres. Clinton announces that Arafat, Barak will come to Camp David, MD, on 7/11 to hold 3-way summit on final status issues. Talks are expected to end before Clinton leaves for a G-8 mtg. in Japan on 7/19. U.S. officials say that the PLOCC's 7/3 "threat" to declare a state as of 9/13 influenced Clinton's decision to hold the summit now. (MM 7/5; MENA 7/5 in WNC 7/6; XIN 7/5, ITAR-TASS, al-Quds, XIN 7/6 in WNC 7/7; NYT, WP, WT 7/6; AYM, XIN 7/6, ITAR-TASS, Le Monde, al-Quds, SA 7/7, DUS 7/8, JT, SA 7/9 in WNC 7/10; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 7/7; MEI 7/14)

In London, PM Barak urges British PM Tony Blair to press Arafat not to declare unilaterally a Palestinian state. Barak then leaves for Paris to hold similar talks with French pres. Chirac. (CNN [Internet], MM 7/5; MM 7/6)

Arafat invites the Palestinian opposition parties to accompany the PA delegation to the Camp David summit, participate on the sidelines. Hamas, the PFLP decline. DFLP, Palestinian People's Party (PPP), Palestinian Popular Struggle Front (PPSF) accept. (AYM 7/8, 7/9, DUS 7/11 in WNC 7/17; SA 7/9 in WNC 7/11 al-Quds 7/14 in WNC 7/18)

The Knesset lifts the immunity of MK Yitzhak Mordechai so he may face sexually assault charges. (NYT 7/6) (see 5/25)

U.S. special envoy Ross makes 1-day trip to Cairo to consult with Egyptian FM `Amr Musa. (MENA 2/24 in WNC 2/28)

PM Barak defends FM Levy's speech to the Knesset on 2/23, saying he is a voice of moderation, "his words illustrate the weighty responsibility we feel for Israel's security in the face of dangers that lie in wait for us when we enter the decisive stage of the peace process." (MM, NYT 2/25; WP 2/26; AYM 2/26 in WNC 2/29; MEI 3/10)

The Arab League announces that its next regular FMs mtg. will be held 3/11+n12 in Beirut, instead of Cairo, as a gesture of solidarity in support for Lebanon's "steadfastness in the face of ongoing Israeli aggression." (MM 2/24; al-Musawwar 3/3, MENA 3/5 in WNC 3/6; MM 3/8)

Pope John Paul II arrives in Egypt for 3-day visit, meets with Pres. Mubarak, calls for unity and tolerance among all religious groups. Meanwhile in Israel, a group of senior rabbis asks the pope to cancel plans to hold a daytime Saturday mass when he visits Nazareth in 3/25, saying it would cause "massive desecration "of the Jewish sabbath. Far-right Jewish groups put up posters in Jerusalem calling the pope "the wicked one," saying prayer service would be an act of "mass idolatry in the heart of Jerusalem." (ANSA [Rome], MENA 2/24, MENA 2/25 in WNC 2/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/25; MENA 2/26 in WNC 2/29; WT 2/27, 2/29; JP 3/3)

After a mtg. with Barak in Jerusalem, French PM Lionel Jospin says that "France condemns Hizballah's [recent attacks on the IDF in s. Lebanon], and all types of terrorist attacks which may be carried out against soldiers or possibly Israel's civilian population." French pres. Jacques Chirac reprimands Jospin. (MM 2/25; WT 2/27; WP 2/28; Le Monde 2/28 in WNC 2/29; AYM 2/28 in WNC 3/1; al-Quds 2/29 in WNC 3/3; WJW 3/9; JP, MEI 3/10)

In Ramallah, PA, Israeli teams start talks on a framework agmt. on final status. Mtg. focuses on procedures for future talks, which will be held 2-3 times per wk., alternating btwn. Jerusalem, Ramallah. (MM 11/8; AFP 11/8 in WNC 11/9; al-Quds 11/8, 11/9 in WNC 11/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/9; ITAR-TASS 11/10 in WNC 11/12; MEI 11/12)

In Paris, Arafat holds separate mtgs. on the peace process with French pres. Chirac, Egyptian pres. Mubarak. PM Barak discusses Syrian track with French PM Jospin. Arafat, Barak are in France to attend the 21st congress of the Socialist International. (MM 11/8; AFP, MENA 11/8 in WNC 11/9)

Israel's Atomic Energy Commission, which rarely makes public statements, releases a announcement saying "an employee died in a 12-foot fall while preparing scaffolding for a welding job at the nuclear research center [Dimona] in the Negev." The agency may have been seeking to prevent speculation about the cause of death. (NYT 11/9)

Jordan arrests leading Hamas activist `Abd al-Aziz Umary (also known as Izzat Rushuq), the 22d Hamas mbr. to be detained since the government crackdown began in 8/99; 2 other individuals are arrested, released on $5,000 bail each for "harboring" Umary. Hamas considers the arrests an escalation of hostilities. (MM, WP, WT 11/10; JT 11/10 in WNC 11/12; NYT 11/11; DUS 11/12 in WNC 11/15)

In Paris, Arafat, French pres. Chirac discuss the peace process. Later in the day, Chirac meets with fmr. Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri. (AFP 9/25 in WNC 9/27)

In Paris, PM Barak discusses with Pres. Chirac the role of France, the EU in restarting the peace process. Chirac stresses that he has conveyed no messages btwn. Barak and Syrian pres. Asad, whose FM was in Paris on 9/18. (MM 9/22; AFP, France-Info Radio, LCI Television 9/22 in WNC 9/25; MM, NYT 9/23; MA 9/23 in WNC 9/26)

On the sidelines of the UNGA mtg. in New York, Secy. of State Albright holds a breakfast mtg. with Egyptian FM Musa to discuss the peace process, Iraq, bilateral ties; urges Egypt to take the lead in resuming multilateral talks now that Wye II has been signed and final status talks formally resumed. Egypt has not decided whether the time is right for multilateral working groups to restart mtgs. (MM 9/22; MENA 9/22 in WNC 9/25; MM, WT 9/23; MEI 10/1)

Later in the day, Albright meets with Syrian FM Shara` to discuss resuming Israeli-Syrian negotiations. (MM 9/22; MENA 9/22 in WNC 9/25; MM, WT 9/23; MM 9/24; RMC 9/25 in WNC 9/27; MEI 10/1)

This evening, Albright hosts a reception for Israeli FM Levy. 12 Arab, several EU reps. attend. Lebanese PM Huss, Syrian FM Shara` stay away. The U.S. and Russian cohosts urge attendees to resume multilateral talks regardless of the degree of progress in other negotiations. (MM 9/22; MENA 9/22 in WNC 9/25; MM, WT 9/23; MM 9/28; WJW 9/30; MEI 10/1, 10/29)

Jordan arrests 3 Hamas leaders (Abu Marzuq, Ghawshah, Mishal), 4 bodyguards on their return to Amman fr. Iran, charging them with membership in an illegal organization and possession of handguns. Abu Marzuq, a Yemeni-passport holder, is deported to the UAE, his point of departure for Jordan. (MM 9/22; AFP 9/22 in WNC 9/25; MM, NYT, WP 9/23; AFP, RMC 9/23 in WNC 9/26; CSM, MM 9/24; WT 9/26; MM 9/27; WJW 9/30; JP, MEI 10/1; NYT, WP 10/7; MEI 10/15) (see 9/13)

In s. Lebanon, a Lebanese soldier is killed, 6 are wounded by IDF shelling. (WP 9/23; RL 9/23 in WNC 9/26; WP 9/24)

In Paris, French pres. Jacques Chirac receives Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara` for talks on the peace process. (SA 9/18 in WNC 9/21; al-Nahar 9/20 in WNC 9/23; MM 9/21, 9/22)

Outgoing Israeli FM Sharon sends a letter of protest to French pres. Jacques Chirac, opposing France's "one-sided and unbalanced" reaction to Israeli strikes on Lebanon on 6/24. French envoy Aubin de la Messuziere arrives in Beirut for talks with Lebanese officials. (RMC 6/26, AFP 6/27 in WNC 6/28; al-Thawra 6/30 in WNC 7/6; JP 7/9)

PLO Executive Committee (PLOEC) meets in Ramallah to discuss resumption of the 4/27+n29 PLO Central Council (PCC) mtg., which will continue discussion on possible declaration of a Palestinian state. (al-Ra'i 6/2 in WNC 6/3; al-Quds 6/4 in WNC 6/11)

In Paris, King Abdallah of Jordan holds talks on the peace process, debt forgiveness with Pres. Jacques Chirac. (AFP, RJ 6/2 in WNC 6/3)

In talks with Syrian pres. Asad in Damascus, Crown Prince Abdallah of Saudi Arabia offers to mediate btwn. Asad, Arafat if it would help coordinate a unified Arab stand on the peace process. (al-Nahar 6/2 in WNC 6/3; MM 6/3, 6/4)

IDF suspends export licenses of the Israeli company Orlil based on reports that Orlil stole U.S. night-vision equipment purchased for the IDF, sold it to "Far Eastern" countries. (Globes [Internet] 6/2 in WNC 6/3)

In Paris, Arafat discusses statehood issue with French pres. Jacques Chirac. (AFP, LCI Television 3/22 in WNC 3/23; NYT 3/23)

Israel, Russia set up joint control body to supervise exports of sensitive Russian military technology to Iran. Russia hopes Israel, the PA will extend the interim period beyond 5/4. (MM 3/22; Interfax, ITAR-TASS 3/22 in WNC 3/23; Interfax 3/23 in WNC 3/24; WT 3/24; MM 3/25; Zerkalo Nedeli [Kiev] 3/27 in WNC 4/7)

Terry Anderson, the American journalist held hostage in Lebanon by Hizballah for more than 6 yrs., sues Iran for $100 m., claiming Tehran played a role in his imprisonment. Hizballah denies it kidnapped Anderson. (NYT, WP 3/23; WT 3/24; MM 4/9) (see 3/11/98, 8/27/98)

In Beirut, French pres. Jacques Chirac calls on Israel to leave s. Lebanon, Golan Heights, saying Israel must realize that it cannot have security without peace. (WP, WT 5/31; MM 6/1)

Hizballah, IDF clash n. of Israel's self-declared security zone in Lebanon, leaving 1 Hizballah mbr. dead, 2 wounded. In separate incidents IDF shoots, kills 2 Lebanese, possibly affiliated with Hizballah; Hizballah wounds 1 SLA mbr. (ITV 5/31 in WNC 6/30)

In London, Secy. Albright asks Arafat to consider Netanyahu's proposed "refinements" to the 13.1% FRD plan. Arafat rejects proposal for cancellation of 3d FRD (see 5/17). Speaking with reporters, Pres. Clinton refuses to characterize Netanyahu's position in talks with U.S. officials, saying that to do so "would almost certainly reduce the chances of our being able to get agreement which would move parties to final status." (MM 5/18; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 5/19; MM 5/20; PR 5/22)

Citing Albright's London mtg. with Arafat, a senior British official says that the UK is "suspicious" that the U.S. is letting its brinkmanship with Israel on the FRD issue fade. In Paris, French pres. Jacques Chirac, Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak call for a new international peace conference (opposed by the U.S.), creation of a Palestinian state. (MENA 5/18 in WNC 5/19; AFP, MENA 5/18, 5/19 in WNC 5/21; WP 5/19; WT 5/20; MENA, RE 5/21 in WNC 5/23; MM 5/22; RE 5/23 in WNC 5/27; MEI 7/31)

At the G-8 mtg. in London, Pres. Clinton agrees to ask Congress for greater authority to waive sanctions required under 2 U.S. laws that threaten to affect firms fr. France, Israel, Malaysia, Russia: Helms-Burton Act, which requires sanctions against foreign firms that make use of confiscated U.S. property in Cuba, and the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act, which punishes Iran, Libya for sponsoring "terrorism" by threatening sanctions against 3d countries who enter large economic agmts. with them (see 9/28/97). (NYT, WP, WT 5/19; MEI 6/5)

3 Amal mbrs. are wounded in clash with IDF in s. Lebanon. (RL 5/18 in WNC 5/21)

Israeli ministerial team on FRD meets again, without Levy. (MM 1/6) (see 1/4)

U.S. special envoy Dennis Ross arrives in the Middle East, meets separately with Arafat, Netanyahu to prepare for individual mtgs. each will have with Pres. Clinton in Washington later this mo. (MM 1/6; IDF Radio 1/6 in WNC 1/7; CSM, MM, WP, WT 1/7; ITV 1/8 in WNC 1/11; JP 1/17)

In Paris, Pres. Chirac, PM Lionel Jospin, FM Vedrine discuss the peace process with Syrian VP `Abd al-Halim Khaddam, FM Shara`. (SANA 1/6 in WNC 1/7; Iraq Television Network 1/8 in WNC 1/12; MM 1/16)

Smithsonian removes cosponsor of its upcoming lecture series on Israel's 50th anniversary under pressure fr. conservative American Jewish groups (such as the American Jewish Comm., the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, the Zionist Organization of America) and Congressman Michael Forbes (R-NY), who claim that the tentative schedule (including speeches by 2 Likud reps.) reflects only the "biased," anti-Likud views of the series cosponsor, the New Israel Fund, a liberal philanthropic organization that supports reconciliation btwn. Arabs, Jews. (NYT, WP, WT 1/7; WJW 1/8; MEI 1/16)

Albright meets with Arafat in Geneva, then flies back to Paris for 2d mtg. with Netanyahu. (NYT, WP, WT 12/7; IDF Radio, MA, MENA, YA 12/7, YA 12/8 in WNC 12/9; CSM 12/8; MM 12/9)

In Paris, French pres. Jacques Chirac meets with Netanyahu, blames Israel for the deteriorating peace process. (YA 12/12 in WNC 12/16)

Hizballah attacks IDF compound in s. Lebanon. 2 Hizballah mbrs. are killed, 1 IDF officer is wounded. Elsewhere in s. Lebanon, a civilian is injured by an IDF land mine. (RL, VOL 12/6, 12/7 in WNC 12/9; MEI 12/19)

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) convenes in Lisbon. 54 mbr.-states attend. PM Netanyahu says that Israel will expand settlement construction in the West Bank; refuses Arafat's request to meet on sidelines of conference (Arafat does not attend mtg.); does meet with U.S. VP Al Gore, French Pres. Jacques Chirac. (MM 12/2; ITV 12/2, IDF Radio 12/3 in WNC 12/4; MM 12/3, 12/5)

PA releases Hamas's Shaykh Ahmad Nimr after a 9-mo. detention in Gaza Central Prison. (MEI, PR 12/13) (see 3/5)

Iranian FM `Ali Akbar Velayati arrives in Syria for talks on bilateral relations. Israel says it is concerned by the visit. (IRNA 12/2 in WNC 12/3; SATN 12/2, VIRI 12/3 in WNC 12/4; MA 12/5 in WNC 12/6)

In the worst fighting since the peace process began, Palestinians, IDF clash in Ramallah. IDF shoots rubber bullets, stun grenades, live ammunition at protesters. IDF, PA security forces engage in firefight. 7 Palestinians are killed, 100s (incl. 2 EA mbrs., the mufti of Jerusalem) wounded; 8 IDF soldiers are injured by rocks, bottles; Ramallah is declared closed military zone; West Bank, Gaza are sealed. Clashes also occur in Bethlehem (wounding 12 Palestinians, 2 Israelis), East Jerusalem. In Ramallah, Bethlehem fighting dies down when officers fr. IDF, PA negotiate cease-fire, pullback. PM Netanyahu, Israel officials accuse PA of instigating violence. PA says outbursts were spontaneous reaction to 9/24 tunnel opening, months of closure. (MM 9/25; IDF Radio, IGPO, ITV, JTV, al-Quds al-Arabi, RMC 9/25 in WNC 9/27; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 9/26; MM 9/27; TJT 9/27 in WNC 10/1; MEI, PR 10/4)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak receives phone calls fr. Arafat, Netanyahu, appealing to Egypt to intervene to calm the situation in the territories; suggests holding Arafat-Netanyahu mtg. in Cairo. Mubarak adviser Baz holds urgent phone conversations with U.S. special envoy Ross. (RE 9/25, 9/26 in WNC 9/27; MBC 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

PM Netanyahu arrives in Paris, meets with Pres. Jacques Chirac, leaves for Bonn. (WP 9/26)

At the UN, Israeli FM Levy signs Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, briefs U.S. special envoy Ross on events in West Bank, Gaza. Ross says U.S. demands that Israel "make a gesture" concerning the tunnel. (ITV 9/25 in WNC 9/27; ITV 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak invites fmr. PM Peres to visit Cairo. Peres accepts but sets no date. (IDF Radio 9/25 in WNC 9/27)

Tel Aviv district court extends for 3 mos. the remand of Hizballah's Shaykh `Abd al-Karim Obeid (abducted fr. Lebanon in 7/89), fmr. Amal leader     Mustafa al-Dirani (abducted fr. Lebanon 5/21/94). (ITV 9/25 in WNC 9/27) (see 2/23)

ILMG opens 3d day of mtgs. to discuss issues raised 9/24 and new Lebanese complaints concerning Israel's expulsions 9/22, repeated Israeli attacks; releases statement stressing that firing fr. populated areas endangers civilians, Hizballah should refrain fr. carrying out attacks fr. or nr. villages. Lebanese FM Buwayz complains of U.S. bias toward Israel in ILMG. (RL 9/25, 9/26 in WNC 9/27; RL 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

In Damascus, Iranian, Syrian cultural attachés discuss expanding cultural ties. (IRNA 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

In Tel Aviv, talks btwn. PA, Israeli officials reportedly make headway on issue of redeployment in Hebron, implementation of Oslo agmts., raising hopes that an agmt. on resuming negotiations, Arafat-Netanyahu mtg. will be reached soon. Later in the evening, however, the day's progress is reversed when Molho arrives at the mtg. to tell PA delegation head Erakat that Gold, head of the Israeli team, is not authorized by Netanyahu to make agmts. (MM 9/2; WP, WP 9/3; IDF Radio 9/4 in WNC 9/5; WJW 9/5; MEI 9/6; JP 9/7) (see 8/30, 9/1)

Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara` begins 2-day official visit to Paris; meets with Pres. Jacques Chirac. (RMC 9/2 in WNC 9/4; SATN 9/3 in WNC 9/5; WT 9/4)

Iraqi troops begin pullout fr. Irbil. Pres. Clinton dismisses the withdrawal as insignificant, prepares for airstrike against Iraqi military targets. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 9/3) (see 9/1)

In Jerusalem, PA, Israel begin 4 days of talks on Rafah airport. (VOP 5/19 in FBIS 5/21; PR 5/24; NYT 8/15)

Syrian, Lebanese FMs brief Syrian Pres. Asad in Latakiyya, Lebanese Pres. Ilyas Hrawi in Beirut on cease-fire monitoring group draft. Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri discusses the draft with French Pres. Jacques Chirac in Paris. (RL, SARR, VOL 5/19 in FBIS 5/20) (see 5/16)

In Beirut, Iranian FM Dir. Gen. for Middle East and North Africa Sayyid Muhammad Kazim Khonsari meets with Lebanese Speaker Nabih Birri to discuss ways Iran could assist with Lebanon's reconstruction. (IRNA [Tehran] 5/20 in FBIS 5/21)

Hamas issues leaflet, threatening to continue attacks against Israelis. (ITV 5/19 in FBIS 5/20) (see 5/18)

Hizballah attacks IDF targets inside the Israeli self-declared security zone, killing 2 soldiers, wounding 1. In response, Israel shells civilian areas in s. Lebanon for the 1st time since the 4/26 cease-fire agmt. took effect, injuring 1 woman. Syria accuses Israel of violating the agmt. Israel says Hizballah is to blame for operating fr. a "built-up area," withdrawing to a village. (IDF Radio, MBC, QY, RL 5/19 in FBIS 5/20; SARR 5/19 in FBIS 5/22; MM, NYT, WP 5/20)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: French P. M. Jacques Chirac meets with Palestinian leaders in Jerusalem [FJ 11/8]. Curfews on 'Askar and Balatah refugee camps are lifted [Fl 11/8]. Bag containing 10 hand grenades is found near Knesset [Fl 11/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: French P. M. Jacques Chirac calls for Palestinian self-determination and international peace conference during official visit to Israel [LAT 11/2]. Numerous demonstrations in Gaza Strip are reported [FJ 11/8]. Israeli cabinet postpones discussion of Landau commission report on Shin Bet methods [NYT 11/2]. Shahir Sa'd, leader of W. Bank Federation of Labor Unions, is banned from crossing into Jordan [Fl 11/8]. Al-Fajr reports Palestinians have been denied work permits by the Saudi embassy in Amman because they are Palestinian graduates of Birzeit University [FJ 11/8]. Israeli military objections com. in Jenin approves Nasir Abu 'Aziz's expulsion order [FJ 11/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At Gaza Strip's jabaliya refugee camp, 1 woman is injured when soldiers fire on student demonstrators [FJ 11/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli magistrate's court in Haifa remands 10 Palestinians from inside the Green Line who are alleged to have been organized in the Palestinian resistance movement and to have killed an Israeli soldier in August 1984; some of the detainees have travelled to Cyprus and are alleged to have continued on to Syria for military training, as well as being members of the PFLP [FJ 4/25]. Yesh Gvul (There Is a Limit) organization holds press conference in West Jerusalem announcing their refusal to serve in the occupied territories [FJ 5/2]. Moshe Mendelbaum, governor of the Bank of Israel, states he will resign within 30 days; Giora Gazit, chairman of Bank Hapoalim, announces his resignation [WSJ, MG 4/22]. The number of West Bankers working inside the Green Line declined slightly last year to 47,000 each week, down from 50,000 weekly during the previous year; the number of Gazans working inside the Green Line increased from 41,000 to 42,000 weekly; the work force in the occupied territories reached 251,000 weekly last year, a 2% rise from 1984 [JP 4/21].

Arab World: PFLP announces 13 guerrilla organizations held a secret conference in Damascus last week and decided to escalate attacks against U.S. targets to avenge air strikes on Libya; the groups included the 6 Palestinian factions making up the Palestine National Salvation Front, as well as 7 unidentified "liberation movements," according to the source [JP 4/22]. Druze leader Walid Jumblatt denies meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin in Geneva in February, as was reported by Agence France Presse [JP 4/22].

Other Countries: P.M. Peres meets in Paris with French Pres. Francois Mitterrand and P.M. Jacques Chirac for talks on terrorism and Peres' proposal for a M. E. Marshall Plan [JP 4/22]. U.S. Justice Dept. notifies Congress it does not plan to seek prosecution of Yasir Arafat for the murders of 2 U.S. diplomats on 5/2/73 [WP, BG 4/22]. U.S. State Dept. has appealed ruling by U.S. district judge allowing PLO Permanent Observer to the UN Zuhdi Tarzi to travel to Cambridge, Mass. for a debate despite State's travel ban on Tarzi, on grounds it would lend legitimacy to the PLO [BG 4/22].