The Palestine Chronology

In 1st mtg. since the Vatican established ties with the PA, Arafat meets with Pope John Paul II at Castelgandolfo, Italy; also confirms secret negotiations were held in Italy before, after Oslo agmt. (VOP 9/2 in FBIS 9/5; WP 9/3; WJW 9/7; RAI Radio [Rome] 92 in FBIS 9/8)

In Damascus, PLO's Qaddumi meets with FM Shara` to discuss recent developments in the peace process. (SATN 9/2 in FBIS 9/5)

Sr. PLO official Hisham `Abd al-Raziq, head of PLO talks with Hamas, says he is close to an agmt. with Hamas that would end its violent attacks. (AFP 9/2 in FBIS 9/5; Al-Hayat 9/2 in FBIS 9/6; WT 9/4; CSM 9/5)

In apparent suicide, Israeli motorist speeds through Israeli, PA roadblocks at entrance to Gaza, is shot, killed by Palestinian police. (AFP, QY 9/2 in FBIS 9/6; NYT, WP, WT 9/3)

PLO Chmn. Arafat leaves for tour of China, Malaysia, and Indonesia after brief stopover in Cairo following talks with King Hussein in Amman. (MENA 9/21 in FBIS 9/22)

Fateh leader Muhammad Abu Sha'ban killed in Gaza. The treasurer of the Gaza Bar Association, head of Gaza Center for Human Rights, and former head of Fateh-affiliated Political Comms. is shot by unknown gunmen on his way home fr. a rally in support of PLO-Israel agreement. (NYT 9/22)

Knesset debates ratification of Israel-PLO accord. PM Rabin calls agreement "hope for an end to tears," says "we will no longer live by our swords alone." Rabin calls pact with PLO "the victory of Zionism, which has also won the recognition of its most sworn and bitter enemies." Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu, opposing accord, says "this agreement abandons security of Israeli citizens," argues "We want to give peace a chance, but first we want to give life a chance." (NYT, WP 9/22)

Rally in Jerusalem against PLO-Israel accord called by opposition parties, settler and religious groups, draws 20,000, mostly yeshiva students, according to Israel Radio. (NYT 9/22; WP 9/23)

Pope John Paul II meets Israeli Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau at Castel Gandolfo, Italy, 1st meeting ever be tween a Catholic pontiff and either of Israel's chief rabbis. Vatican stresses that meeting is purely religious, but speculation is rife that it represents progress toward Vatican diplomatic recognition of Israel. Rabbi Shlomo Goren, former Ashkenazi chief rabbi, denounces meeting as "blasphemy beyond expression," a "mockery," and "meaningless." (NYT 9/22)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military orders all government schools in W. Bank closed for 2 days [LAT 12/21; FJ 12/27]. Israeli cabinet discusses violence in the occupied territories, defends army's handling of disturbances [LAT 12/21]. Davar reports police investigation into death of 'Awad Hamdan, Palestinian who died while in police custody, had uncovered evidence suggesting 1of 3 Israeli interrogators was involved in Hamdan's death; other interrogators will be reprimanded for lying to Landau Commission [FJ 12/27]. Israel orders Hebron U., Abu Dis College, and al-'Asriyyah Community College closed for 1 month because of recent student protests [FJ 12/27]. Umm al-Fahm residents protest Israeli measures in occupied territories, call for end to occupation [FJ 12/27]. In meeting with Pres. Herzog, Italy's Pres. Cossiga expresses concern about events in occupied territories [FBIS 12/22].

Arab World: Egypt delivers formal protest of Israel's handling of occupied territory disturbances to Israeli ambassador, the 5th such protest in 12 days. Hani al-Hassan, aide to PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat, arrives in Egypt for talks [NYT 12/21]. In Sidon, 7,500 Palestinian and Lebanese Muslim protesters join in anti-Israel march [CSM, LAT 12/21].

Other Countries: Pope John Paul II appeals for peace in Holy Land, expresses support for Palestinian people [WP 12/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Violent disturbances continue in W. Bank and Gaza Strip; at least 6 are shot, wounded in clashes with Israeli troops, 4 of them during large demonstration in West Bank's Far'ah refugee camp [LAT 12/21]. Curfews are imposed on Far'ah and 'Askar refugee camps [NYT 12/21]. Soldiers clash with large demonstration in Ramallah, and Am'ari, Jalazun, and Qalandiya refugee camps [FJ 12/27]. Protesters burn, destroy Egged bus carrying workers from Rafah [FJ 12/27].

Military Action:

US Marines begin to leave Lebanon (Italian troops scheduled to depart tomorrow, French legionnaires by end of next week); Israeli reconnaissance flights over Beirut; Israeli tanks remain in port area in violation of Habib agreement; IDF jeep ambushed in Central Lebanon.

Casualties:

3 IDF soldiers killed, 1 wounded in jeep ambush.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli government rejects Fez 8-point peace plan as worse than Fahd plan put forward in 1981 (calls on Arab states to sign individual peace treaties with Israel); Yitzhak Shamir dismisses Fez plan as "renewed declaration of war on Israel"; anti-Israeli slogans painted on walls and PLO flags displayed in Kawkab in Galilee; land near Dura, west of Hebron, confiscated; Nablus Mayor Shakaa criticizes Fez summit as unimplementable.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Muslim leaders concerned about IDF failure to withdraw from Beirut prior to departure of multinational force, Wazzan's request for force to extend its stay is rejected by US.

Arab Governments: King Hassan of Morocco says goal of Fez peace plan is "state of non-belligerency" with Israel and, in distant future, normal relations.

US and Other Countries: Shultz, before Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says Fez summit proposal is positive opening move toward new negotiations, could be "breakthrough" if it implies Arab willingness to recognize Israel, also says US defines "autonomy" to include land and resources, supports participation by East Jerusalem residents in future elections in occupied territories; Vatican announces Arafat may have private audience with Pope John Paul II during Rome visit next week.