The Palestine Chronology

P.M. Shamir's right-wing gov't. defeats 6 no-confidence motions by 60-51 vote with 5 abstentions. Motions were brought over housing shortage and new Jewish settler guard units in O.T. [IDF 7/ 9 in FBIS 7/10; LAT 7/10].

Influx of Jewish immigrants is causing severe housing shortage in Israel, prompting vehement complaints from Israelis who are being evicted from apartments to make room for Soviet Jews [WP 7/10].

Results of CBS News/New York Times poll taken last month are released, showing U.S. support for Israel is not as solid as it was 2 years ago. Poll reveals majority of Americans who favor sustained military aid to Israel has been reduced, and growing minority now advocates more sympathy for Palestinians; 38% of respondents say U.S. should be more sympathetic to Palestinian concerns than it is now, versus 26% in 1988; 47% of respondents support a Palestinian homeland in O.T., compared to 10% in 1988 [NYT 7/ 9; MEM 7/10; FJ 8/6].

Israeli warplanes bomb Hizballah bases in Louaize and Melita, S.Lebanon, killing 4 militia members and 8 civilians, wounding 28. Israeli gunners also trade artillery fire with Hizballah positions north of "security zone" [BDS 7/9 in FBIS 7/10; NYT, WP, LAT, WT 7/10].

Israel's ambassador to Egypt, Shimon Shamir, resigns saying he could not reconcile his political views with those of P.M. Yitzhak Shamir and new Israeli gov't. [JDS 7/3 in FBIS 7/3; NYT, LAT 7/4].

3 W.Bank Palestinians are killed, 10 other injured when Arab throws grenade at procession; reasons for the attack, which took place in Idna, are unknown [WT 7/4].

Gov't. of Finland says it will allow transit flights of Soviet Jews heading for Israel or other destinations, says it trusted Israel not to settle immigrants in O.T. (cf. 7/22) [MEM 7/4; NYT 7/6].

Pres. Asad is quoted as saying a return to 1973 Geneva conference, which Syria did not attend, would provide "an adequate opportunity to achieve ajust peace in the Middle East" [MEM 7/2].

P.M. Shamir appeals to Pres. Mubarak to work with Israel towards Middle East peace, and calls for meeting of Israeli, Egyptian, and U.S. foreign ministers [WT 7/3].

8 Palestinians were killed during June, the lowest total since intifada began; Palestinian and Israeli sources attribute tally in part to new policy of army restraint under D.M. Moshe Arens [NYT 7/3].

UN envoy Jean-Claude Amrie leaves Jerusalem for New York after having extended his visit "a number of days" for additional meetings [JPD 7/3 in FBIS 7/3].

D.M. Moshe Arens authorizes use of new punitive measure that permits "conditional deportation" of intifada leaders from their homes to supervised locations elsewhere in O.T. [HAA 7/2 in FBIS 7/ 3].

Arab poet Shafiq Habib is released from house arrest, where he was confined 2 weeks ago for inciting violence in his writings [JDS 7/2 in FBIS 7/3].

Israeli Arab and Communist Party member Tewfik Toubi resigns from his Knesset seat; he was Israel's longest-serving MK [MET 7/10].

Pres. Bush receives "very long and detailed" letter on the peace process from P.M. Shamir, in reply to Bush's own letter; Shamir rejects inclusion of deportees and E. Jerusalem Palestinians in Israeli-Palestinian talks, reminds Bush that Israel will not talk to PLO [WT, WP, NYT, LAT, MEM 6/29; NYT 7/8 (for details of letter see MEM 7/9)].

Palestinians in O.T. hold strike in protest against Israel's annexation of E. Jerusalem 23 years ago [MEM 6/28].

UN envoy Jean-Claude Amie meets in E. Jerusalem with Palestinian notables from W.Bank, including former Hebron mayor Mustafa al-Natshah [JDS 6/29 in FBIS 6/29].

Sources claim EC will appoint permanent representative in E. Jerusalem in November 1990 to study first hand human rights situation and to ascertain whether Soviet Jews are being settled in O.T. [RAY 6/28, JDS 6/29 in FBIS 6/ 29].

Survey conducted by Ha'Aretz over 6/ 23-6/24 finds 88,000 Jews are settled in O.T. 1988 Israeli census claimed 70,000 settlers, and Ha'Aretz forecasts number to rise to 95,000 by September [MEM 6/28].

P.M. Shamir invites Syrian Pres. Asad "to come, to talk, to conduct negotiations and maybe to get to peace." Shamir also criticizes U.S. for delaying decision on whether to continue U.S.-PLO dialogue [WP, NYT, LAT 6/19; JTS 6/18 in FBIS 6/19].

White House spokesperson Marlin Fitzwater says Pres. Bush has written "lengthy" letter sent to Shamir over past few days offering congratulations on new gov't. and discussing U.S.-Israeli relations [WP, WT 6/19; MEM 6/22 (details of letter in MEM 7/27)].

Tel Aviv court charges Israeli Ami Popper, 21, with the 5/20 murders of 7 Palestinians. Five-man psychiatric panel rejects notion that Popper is "derranged," as Israeli authorities had first claimed [IDF 6/18 in FBIS 6/18; LAT 6/ 19].

Cairo declines Shamir's 6/15 call for Israeli-Egyptian summit, saying Egypt expects "concrete actions towards peace and establishment of dialogue in Cairo with Palestinians and not mere messages conveying good intentions" [MAP 6/18 in FBIS 6/19].

In letter to Israeli Pres. Chaim Herzog released today, Theo Klein, former head (1983-89) of France's 700,000-strong Jewish community, says Israel should meet PLO [MEM 6/19].

Speaking to Jerusalem Post in first interview since forming new gov't. Yitzhak Shamir blames U.S. criticism for stirring up Arab hostility; lays down restrictive condition for peace talks, saying Israel will not negotiate with any Palestinian who opposes limited autonomy for O.T.; new gov't.'s guidelines also stipulate no role for E. Jerusalem Palestinians in any part of peace process [MEM 6/ 13; WP, NYT, LAT 6/14; LAT 6/16].

New Israeli police minister Roni Milo says Sec. James Baker's formula for talks is "no longer relevant" to his gov't. [NYT 6/14]; while F.M. David Levy says Baker plan had "distorted" the Israeli peace initiative it was to implement; calls for U.S. to "get back to basics" with Israel. Agriculture minister Rafael Eitan calls for deportation of Palestinian intifada leaders [WP 6/14].

Speaking before House Foreign Affairs Committee, Sec. Baker expresses impatience at peace process and especially with Israel, implying that if positive moves are not forthcoming quickly, U.S. will disengage from Middle East peace process: "When you're serious about peace, call us," he says, giving out White House telephone number [NYT, WT, WP, LAT, MEM 6/14; MET 6/19].

Shamir, responding to Arab requests, authorizes UN fact-finding mission to O.T.; move prompts harsh rebuke from far right-wing supporters of Shamir's gov't. [JDS 6/13 in FBIS 6/13; NYT 6/ 14].

Immigration min. Yitzhak Peretz says that 50,000 Jews, over 90% from USSR, have immigrated to Israel in 1990; nearly 200 have settled in O.T. [MET 6/ 26].

New D.M. Moshe Arens spends day visiting 2 largest Jewish settlements in W.Bank; says he is making a statement about his priorities [NYT 6/14; MET 6/ 26].

Israeli army jails for 10 days soldier who threw tear gas grenade into UN maternity clinic in Gaza. 66 infants were treated for gas inhalation in 6/12 incident [WT 6/14; MET 6/26].

Beirut radio reports of skirmish in S.Lebanon between Israeli and SLA troops and Shiite militias; no injuries [BVL 6/13 in FBIS 6/13]. 

Israel's parliament votes 62-57 (1 abstention) to approve right-wing gov't. under P.M. Shamir. Likud's narrow coalition includes 10 other parties or factions representing ultra-Orthodox religious groups and the extreme right [JDS 6/11 in FBIS 6/12; NYT, WP, WT, LAT 6/12; FJ 6/18].

In Tunis, PLO issue statement opposing any military action that targets civilians. Bush admin. is reportedly "disappointed" that PLO did not specifically condemn 5/30 attempted seaborne raid by Abul Abbas's PLF faction [BVP 6/11 in FBIS 6/12; WP, NYT, WT, LAT 6/12]; Robert Pelletreau, U.S. ambassador to Tunisia, meets with PLO representatives for fourth time in recent days; Swedish gov't. sends emissary to Arafat, urging him to take action acceptable to Washington [KUNA 6/11 in FBIS 6/12; NYT, WP 6/12].

UNLU issues call no. 58, calling for increased isolation of Israel and U.S. [SVP 6/11, 6/14 in FBIS 6/13, 6/15].

U.S. Vice Pres. Dan. Quayle, Def. Sec. Richard Cheney, and Virginia govemor L. Douglas Wilder speak before AIPAC's annual conference in Washington [WP, WT 6/12].

Fateh political dir. Zayd Wahbah tells reporters Fateh "had not conducted an infiltration attempt into Israel," referring to 6/10 allegation that SLA had captured Fateh infiltrators in S.Lebanon "security zone" [AFP 6/11 in FBIS 6/12].

Likud leader Yitzhak Shamir wins his party's near-unanimous approval to form new gov't., which he will present for Knesset vote on 6/11 [JDS 6/10 in FBIS 6/11; WP, LAT, WT 6/11].

U.S. Jewish delegation, concerned about anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela's statements supporting PLO, meets him in Geneva for reassurances, reports Mandela says African National Congress "accepts unequivocally the existence of the State of Israel, not only de facto but also its legal right to exist. . .within secure borders." Satisfied, delegation gives approval for warm welcome for Mandela on his arrival to U.S. on 6/20, a welcome that had been in doubt until meeting [WP, LAT, WT 6/ 11].

Arafat receives message from Mikhail Gorbachev detailing outcome of U.S.- Soviet summit, reaffirming Soviet support for Palestinians [BVP 6/10 in FBIS 6/12].

Israeli police discover 80 desecrated graves in American section of Mount of Olives cemetery in Jerusalem; Mayor Teddy Kollek warns incident may further disrupt Arab-Jewish relations in the city [LAT 6/11].

SLA forces in S.Lebanon report capturing 3 Fateh soldiers inside "security zone" (cf. 6/11) [AFP 6/11 in FBIS 6/12]

Yitzhak Shamir says he has enough support to form right-wing gov't. in Israel; formally informs Pres. Herzog; Shamir is expected to win 62 votes of 120-member Knesset. He will present his gov't. to Likud party on 6/10 [JDS 6/8 in FBIS 6/8; NYT, LAT 6/9; MET 6/19].

Pres. Bush, Sec. Baker weigh ending U.S.-PLO dialogue, Bush describes 5/30 incident as "sheer terror" and that he'd like to see "Arafat speak out and denounce" PLF attempted raid. Baker says admin. is trying to do all it can to avoid breaking off dialogue [NYT, LAT 6/9].

Amal and Hizballah representatives meet in W.Beirut for first time in 16 months; negotiations are arranged by Syria in effort to end Shiite conflict [NYT 6/9].

Responding to Gorbachev's 6/3 statement, Yitzhak Shamir defends right of Soviet Jews to live in O.T., saying democracy cannot limit where people live [NYT, WP, LAT, WT 6/5]; Palestinians and other Arab officials welcome Gorbachev's statement [KUNA 6/4 in FBIS 6/6; NYT 6/5].

U.S. officials say they would like U.S.-PLO dialogue to remain open, but would suspend it if Arafat does not discipline Abul Abbas or condemn 5/30 attempted attack on Israel, U.S. also threatens to veto Arab calls to move UN Gen.Assembly to Geneva to hear Arafat speak; at the same time, U.S. decides to give Arafat more time to acquiesce [NYT, WP, WT 6/5]. Threat of loss of U.S.-PLO dialogue is causing little distress among Palestinian leaders [CSM 6/5].

Explaining recent PLO shift in diplomatic focus from Egypt to Iraq, PLO Exec. Committee member Abdullah Jourani says "maybe [then] the Americans will try to understand us better. Maybe they will try to understand we are not ready to surrender" [WP 6/5].

PLO receives from Iraq $25 million in urgent aid to support intifada over and above regular monthly aid from Iraq [WAKH 6/3 in FBIS 6/4].

April 1988 survey by Israeli sociologist Sammy Smooha, released today, finds that majority of Jews in Israel "regard the Israeli Arabs as a hostile minority...and their attitudes and behaviors not as a legitimate dissent but rather as subversion"; 57% of respondents favored denying Israeli Arabs right to vote in national elections [FJ 6/11].

Third Soviet-Arab dialogue conference opens in Moscow; discussions involve Soviet Jewish emigration [TASS 6/ 4]. 

In letter dated 5/29, Yitzhak Shamir appeals to Mikhail Gorbachev not to bow to Arab pressure and curtail Jewish emigration to Israel. Shamir adds that Israel does not have policy of "directing" immigrants to O.T. [WP 6/26].

Saana Voice of Palestine broadcasts text of letter written by UNLU to members of Arab League summit in Baghdad calling for League to fully support PLO [SVP 5/29 in FBIS 6/4].

Israeli troops in S.Lebanon "security zone" shoot, kill unidentified person [JDS 5/29 in FBIS 5/29].

Demonstrations in Jordan over the past week, particularly in Baaqa refugee camp, reflect growing frustration at stalled peace process and increasing popularity of return to military option [MET 5/29].

Yitzhak Shamir warns Israeli Arabs who yesterday protested 5/20 killings that they had "passed the limit of what is allowed" [NYT 5/23]; Pres. George Bush urges Israel to use maximum restraint in dealing with renewed Palestinian protests in wake of 5/20 killings [NYT, WP, MEM 5/23]; In departure from norm, Bush sends personal condolences to families of those Palestinians killed on 5/20, 5/21 [WP 5/23].

2 Gazans are killed, at least 14 wounded in continued clashes in Gaza set off by 5/20 killings; Palestinian wounded 5/21 by settler gunfire dies [JDS 5/22 in FBIS 5/23; NYT 5/23].

UN Sec. Council announces it will convene in Geneva to allow Yasir Arafat to address the body; U.S. agrees to the change [MEM 5/23].

U.S.-based Physicians for Human Rights releases report "Health Care in Detention: A Study of Israel's Treatment of Palestinians," which concludes Israeli health professionals are not "fulfilling their obligation to prevent physical abuse" and Palestinian detainees are subjected to "unacceptable" conditions [FJ 5/28].

In E. Jerusalem, police teargas procession of some 400 representatives of Palestinian organizations (and 3 Knesset members) as they seek to deliver to U.S. consulate petition calling for international protection for Palestinians [MEM 5/22].

Socialist Intemational conference opens in Cairo, Pres. Mubarak meets with various delegates, including Shimon Peres [MENA 5/22 in FBIS 5/23; WT 5/ 23; MEM 5/24].

Yasir Arafat telephones French Pres. Francois Mitterand to condemn 5/21 attack on French tourists in Amman, and to offer condolences to farnilies of victims [SVP 5/24 in FBIS 5/25].

New York Times reports a growing frustration among Israeli Arabs that they are being excluded from Israeli society. Awad Abdel Fatah, leader of Sons of the Village party, says "Palestinians in Israel are coming more and more to feel that we are not citizens of the state. And it's because the state itself does not act in a way to make us feel part of the state" [NYT 5/23]. 

Violent disturbances continue throughout O.T., spread into Israel [NYT, WP, WIT 5/22]; IDF sends reinforcements to Gaza to quell disturbances; at least 4 Gazans are killed in clashes [JDS 5/21, 5/22 in FBIS 5/22; NYT 5/22]; marches and clashes take place in Nazareth, Lod, Bayt Hanina [JDS, IDF 5/21 in FBIS 5/22]; Arab sources report 151 injuries in Gaza, 15 in W.Bank [HAA 5/22 in FBIS 5/22]; Israeli Arabs hold one-day strike to protest killings [FJ 5/ 28]. UNLU issues special pamphlet in response to 5/20 killings; calls for 3-day strike beginning today, one-week boycott of work in Israel UDS 5/21 in FBIS 5/ 21].

UN Sec. General Javier Perez de Cuellar issues statement condemning 5/20 killings, urges that "appropriate steps be taken to enable the Palestinians to feel secure" [MEM 5/22].

In Amman, 2 Arabs armed with revolver, knife, attack bus of French tourists; 10 wounded [PDS 5/21 in FBIS 5/ 21; MEM 5/21; WP, NYT 5/22; FJ 5/28]; one attacker is arrested [RMC, ADS 5/21 in FBIS 5/21]; thousands of demonstrators march through Amman condemning 5/20 killings [RMC 5/21 in FBIS 5/22].

Arafat announces his intention to speak before special UN Sec. Council session requested by PLO, denounces Amman attack [WAKH 5/21 in FBIS 5/ 22; AVP 5/22 in FBIS 5/23; NYT 5/22].

Greece and Israel sign agreement establishing diplomatic relations [WAKH, JDS 5/21 in FBIS 5/22; MEM 5/22]; Greece simultaneously upgrades relations with PLO, says it does not recognize Israeli annexation and occupation of Palestinian territory after 1967 war [NYT 5/ 22].

Knesset approves more than $17 million requested by Shamir for new roads and settlements in O.T. [NYT 5/22; MET 5/29].

Israeli Communist Party begins 21st Congress, strongly criticizes Israeli policies toward peace process and Soviet Jewish immigration to Israel [FJ 6/4].

Swedish Save the Children organization releases 1,000-page report accusing IDF of systematic violence against Palestinian children in O.T. JDS 5/17 in FBIS 5/17; NYT, WT, LAT, CSM, MEM 5/ 17; FJ 5/21].

Israeli Pres. Chaim Herzog grants Yitzhak Shamir addtional 21 days to try to form gov't. [JDS 5/17 in FBIS 5/18; WP, NYT, WT 5/18; MET 5/29].

U.S. and Arab nations break off talks designed to reach compromise of text of a UN Sec. Council resolution criticizing Israeli settlement in O.T. [NYT 5/18].

Despite objections from U.S. and Israel, WHO passes resolution increasing direct assistance to Palestinians in O.T. [NYT 5/18].

Arab League Sec.-Gen. Chedli Klibi is handed memorandum from Bush admin. offering advice to Arab states on occasion of upcoming Arab League summit [MEM 5/23; INA 5/23 in FBIS 5/24].

Washington Times reports American Jewish leaders have helped broker a deal between U.S., Israel, and Ethiopia that would allow some 3,000 Falashas to emigrate to Israel [WT 6/17].

Israel establishes new police unit, Gid'onim, to deal with security problems in Jerusalem; 30-man team, from IDF elite units, will "engage in intelligence missions, deal with hostile elements, thwart terrorist activities, and handle disturbances in Jerusalem" [JDS 5/17 in FBIS 5/18; MEM 5/18].

Jerusalem Magistrate Court will hear deliberations on Jewish settlement in St. John's Hospice; Judge Ya acov Betzalel reports that court sessions will begin in late October, status quo will remain in effect until then [JDS 5/17 in FBIS 5/18].

Abbie Nathan, arrested 5/16, is released on $5,000 bail after admitting he met Arafat in Tunis [MET 5/29].

Israeli police arrest Jewish man they describe as "mentally deranged" on suspicion of desecrating c.250 Jewish graves in Lod on 5/13 (cf. 5/27) [NYT, WT 5/17; WP 5/18]. 

Israeli officials, including Moshe Arens, accuse U.S. of creating "artificial storm" over Soviet Jewish emigration [WP, LAT 5/11].

Bowing to U.S. threats to withdraw funding, World Health Organization shelves indefinitely PLO application [NYT, WP, WT 5/11].

New York Times news analysis claims Israel "has emerged as the beneficiary of changing times in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, while the Arab world confronts the losses" [NYT 5/10].

In his column in Catholic New York, Cardinal John O'Connor denounces Israeli settlement inJerusalem's Christian quarter: "What happened in Jerusalem is obscene," and writes that Israelis are "speeding up . . . a design to make it virtually impossible for Christians to function anywhere in the land" [NYT 5/12; WT 5/14].

Shimon Peres announces his intent to go into opposition of any gov't. formed by Yitzhak Shamir [TET 5/10 in FBIS 5/11]. 

New York Times reports interim P.M. Shamir, 10 days into his attempto form new gov't., is facing same problems as did Peres, may not be able to gather majority of votes [NYT 5/6].

PLO Executive Committee opens meeting in Baghdad, chaired by Arafat, to discuss upcoming Arab summit [BVP 5/5 in FBIS 5/5].

IDF places 160,000 Palestinians of Nablus under curfew so 150 Jewish settlers and Knesset members can dedicate Torah for seminary in Nablus [WP, LAT, WT 5/ 4].

Former D.M. Yitzhak Rabin publicly challenges Shimon Peres's Labor party leadership, says he could better lead Israel to peace with Palestinians [WP 5/ 4].

Army-commissioned poll published in IDF Weekly reveals about 30% of Israelis surveyed lack full faith in army announcements and in ethical behavior of soldiers [WT 5/4].

On final day in Damascus, Pres. Mubarak says he believes Yitzhak Shamir does not wish to settle Palestine problem and this could lead to "much more destructive situation." Mubarak calls on U.S. to pressure Israel into negotiations [WP 5/4]; Washington Times reports Mubarak leaves Syria emptyhanded, failing to bring Syria out of its isolationist stance [WT 5/4].

Israel and Bulgaria restore diplomatic relations after 23-year break, sign agreement over air transportation, tourism, communications [NYT, WP, WT, LAT 5/ 4].

Visiting New York, Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek calls occupation of St. John's Hospice by Jewish settlers a"great stupidity" and "a major setback" to interreligious relations in Israel [NYT 5/6].

Legislator Yossi Sarid, of Citizens Rights Movement, says he has "details of 14 planned settlements" to be initiated by P.M. Shamir if he forms gov't. [WT 5/3].

Pres. Asad and Pres. Mubarak meet in Damascus for talks, seal diplomatic ties restored last December [WP 5/3].

Interim P.M. Shamir accuses foreign gov't.s of trying to force him into negotiations with PLO. Shamir does not name foreign gov'ts., says intifada is merely "the tip of the iceberg" of Arab-Israeli conflict [NYT, WT 4/20].

Organization of Islamic Dawn announces it will release U.S. hostage Frank Reed within 48 hours [NYT, WP, WT, LAT 4/30].

Pope John Paul II expresses "profound concern" over recent attempt to create Jewish settlement in Jerusalem's Christian quarter; seems to suggest Israel needs to be more sensitive, pointing out Jerusalem is sacred to 3 religions, and all rights must be respected [NYT 4/30].

Interim P.M. Shamir accepts Pres. Herzog's mandate to try to form new Israeli gov't., quickly dismisses Labor suggestion that short-term "national unity" gov't. be formed to revise Israel's electoral system [JDS 4/27 in FBIS 4/27; NYT, LAT 4/28].

Church of the Holy Sepulcher locks its doors for first time in 800 years, all other Christian shrines in Holy Land also close in protest over presence of Jewish settlers in St. John's Hospice [NYT, LAT 4/28].

General strike called for by UNLU is observed in W. Bank [JDS 4/27 in FBIS 4/27].

Syria's Pres. Asad arrives in Moscow for talks with Mikhail Gorbachev (cf. 4/ 28) [TASS 4/27; MET 5/8-14].

Several Katyusha rockets are fired into Israel's "security zone" in S. Lebanon; no injuries [MET 5/8-14].

Bulldozers, under IDF guard, begin clearing ground near Alon in the W. Bank for new Israeli settlement [WT 4/ 26; JDS 4/25 in FBIS 4/26].

Hussein Musawi, Hizballah leader, urges groups not to release any U.S. hostages because of ill will on part of U.S., says release of Robert Pohill was met by House vote recognizing united Jerusalem as Israel's capital [NYT, LAT, WT 4/26].

U.S. House 4/24 resolution evokes sharp criticism from PLO, most Arab gov'ts. [MENA, ADS, DDS 4/25 in FBIS 4/26].

Arab diplomats ask Cyprus's parliament to restrict Soviet Jewish emigrants from using Cypriot ports as they travel to Israel [WT 4/26].

As first Eastern European leader to visit Israel, Czech Pres. Vaclav Havel briefs interim P.M. Shamir on meeting Havel had with PLO Chrmn. Arafat, offers help in mediating between Israel and the Palestinians [WP 4/26].

According to Washington Times, new gov't. of Nicaragua has asked Mossad, Israeli intelligence service, to reorganize Sandinista intelligence apparatus [WT 4/ 25].

Pro-Israeli supporters question Thomas Dine's criticism of Israeli gov't., speculating Dine was trying to help AIPAC with its critics in U.S. [WT 4/26].

Israeli soldier throws stun grenade at Swiss Red Cross worker in W. Bank camp near Ramallah [MET 5/8-14].

Israeli "There Is A Limit" movement reports 108 IDF regulars and reservists have been jailed for refusing to serve in O.T. [HAM 4/25 in FBIS 4/26].

In Washington, Soviet F.M. Eduard Shevardnadze says USSR is prepared to operate direct flights from Moscow to Tel Aviv if Israel will "give us assurances that people will not settle in occupied territories." White House spokesperson Marlin Fitzwater agrees Israel should give such assurances, adding "We oppose settlements in the occupied territories" [LAT 4/7].

Responding to appeal by Libyan leader Qadhafi, spokesperson for Abu Nidal's Revolutionary Council says the group will release 3 European hostages in next few days (cf. 4/7, 4/10) [NYT, LAT 4/7].

After Vatican meeting with Pope John Paul II, Arafat tells reporters that D.M. Rabin and P.M. Shamir have sent emissaries with messages to Pope [NYT, LAT 4/7].

Caretaker P.M. Shamir has set in motion plans quickly to begin construction of 5 more settlements in O.T. Labor MK Avraham Burg says "part of [Shamir's] plan is to kill the peace process" [WT 4/ 2].

Responding to Shamir's plans, U.S. State Dep't. spokesperson says "It's disturbing that an Israeli leadership which was unable to move forward on peace seems ready to move forward on new settlements" [LAT, WT 4/3].

Washington-based National Conference on Soviet Jewry reports that 7,280 Soviet Jews emigrated to Israel during March. The figure is confirmed by Israeli immigration officials [NYT 4/3].

Rabbi Meir Kahane goes on trial on charges of sedition for calling Arabs at rally last year "cancer spreading in our midst" [WT 4/3].

Pres. Saddam Hussein says in speech to his armed forces Iraq would use its stockpile of nerve gases against any aggressor, especially Israel. Hussein says if West was trying to "give Israel a cover in order to strike at some [Iraqi] industrial metalworks, by God we will make fire eat up half of Israel if it tried [to strike] against Iraq" [NYT, WP, LAT, WT 4/3].

Asked 3/20 to form gov't. Labor leader Peres asks interim P.M. Shamir if Likud would be interested in joining Labor-led gov't.; Shamir's reply is unequivocal "no" [NYT 3/22].

Palestinian farmers in Gaza Strip say Israel has begun restricting sales of their vegetables to W. Bank [MET 4/3-9].

Hungarian commercial airline Malev suspends direct and charter flights of Soviet Jews to Israel due to threats from Islamic Jihad (cf. 3/23, 3/28, 4/1) [NYT, WP 3/22].

Namibia and the State of Palestine agree to formalize diplomatic relations, exchange ambassadors [MENA 3/21 in FBIS 3/22].

Prime Minister Shamir loses vote of confidence 60-55, ending his Likud-led coalition gov't. He remains interim P.M. until new gov't. is formed [JDS 3/15 in FBIS 3/16; NYT, WP, WT, LAT 3/16].

Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine group threatens to attack airports and airlines to stop emigration of Soviet Jews to Israel [WT 3/16].

By request of USSR, UN Security Council begins discussion of Israel's alleged settling of Soviet Jewish emigrants in O.T. [TASS 3/15].

Decision to move Arab League headquarters from Tunis to Cario is postponed due to opposition from Faruq Qaddumi, chrmn. of current Arab League session [WAT 3/15 in FBIS 3/19].

Fateh Revolutionary Council opens session under leadership of Arafat (cf. 3/ 18) [SVP 3/21 in FBIS 3/23].

Largely due to inability to agree on U.S. plan for Israeli-Palestinian talks, Israeli gov't. coalition collapses. P.M. Shamir fires deputy P.M. Peres; other Labor ministers resign. Vote of confidence is scheduled for 3/15 [IDF 3/13 in FBIS 3/13; NYT, WP, WT, LAT 3/14].

At press conference, Pres. Bush says "I don't regret" 3/3 statement calling into question Israeli settlements in E. Jerusalem; states speculations and commentary "having blown things way out of proportion" [WP 3/13].

U.S.-Israel settlement dispute appears to escalate as P.M. Shamir insists that new Jewish neighborhoods in E. Jerusalem would be expanded with "as many Soviet Jewish immigrants as possible" [WP 3/6].

UNLU issues leaflet no. 53, entitled "the women's call"; JDS reports leaflet does not break any new ground [JDS 3/6 in FBIS 3/6].

PLO delivers note to Washington, saying it rejects Israeli attempts to ignore issue of E. Jerusalem inany Palestinian-Israeli dialogue [NAH 3/5 in FBIS 3/7].

Pres. Bush meets with Seymour Reich, pres. of the Conference of Presidents of American Jewish Organizations; admin. officials say Bush "reiterated that U.S. policy toward Jerusalem is unchanged." Reich says Bush told him connection of E. Jerusalem to W. Bank may have been "unfortunate linkage" [WP, LAT 3/6].

In op-ed piece in New York Times, Ariel Sharon explains he resigned from Israeli gov't. because current peace efforts "reward the Palestinians for their terrorism and increase the risks of war" [NYT 3/5].

Responding to Pres. Bush's 3/3 comment, Shamir tells Jewish fund-raisers "There are no settlements in Jerusalem. It is part of Israel and it will never be divided again" [JDS 3/5 in FBIS 3/5; WP 3/6].

February is first month of intifada in which more Palestinians are killed by fellow Palestinians than by Israelis [WP 3/4].

Leading members of Likud, including David Levy and Moshe Katsav, speak out against modified U.S. proposal for peace talks between Israel and Palestinians; Levy threatens to resign if Cabinet agrees to offer [NYT 3/5].

Iranian envoy Mahmoud Hashemi meets in Damascus with Syrian for. min. Farouk Charaa to discuss effortso free Western hostages held in Lebanon [WP 3/5].

In California, Pres. Bush states "My position is that the foreign policy of the United Statesays we do not believe there should be new settlements in the West Bank or in East Jerusalem" [WP 3/6].

Shamir discusses Mideast peace process with Likud ministers amid reports he has decided to support U.S.-backed plan to convene Israeli-Palestinian talks in Cairo [WP 3/4].

Israel is requesting more than $1 billion in loans, gifts, and donations from American Jews and U.S. gov't. to help pay for resettling Soviet Jews [NYT 3/3].

Hamas has sent letter to Chrmn. Arafat and PLO leadership, stating Palestinian state is objective of intifada; Hamas also urged PLO to discontinue contacts with U.S. [BAY 3/3 in FBIS 3/5].

King Hussein spends day in Iraq holding talks with Pres. Saddam Hussein [ADS, ATS 3/3 in FBIS 3/5].

Polish officials will comply with F.M. Arens's request for Poland to serve as transit point for emigrating Soviet Jews [MAA 2/28 in FBIS 3/1].

February poll conducted by Modi'in Ezrahi Research Institute indicates 60% of surveyed Israelis are in favor of settling new immigrants in O.T. [HAD 2/28 in FBIS 3/1].

P.M. Shamir, speaking before Presidents of American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem, says if Israel were to leave O.T. "a Beirut-like situation" would develop [IGP 2/28 in FBIS 3/2].

Led by economics minister Yitzhak Modai, 5 Likud Knesset members announce the formation of opposition party, "The Party for the Promotion of the Zionist Idea" [NYT 3/1; JDS 2/28 in FBIS 3/1].

Yasir Arafat meets with Nelson Mandela in Lusaka; the two note they are fighting common struggle against imperialism and racism [SVP 3/1 in FBIS 3/ 2].

W. Bank Civil Admin. allows 3 religious colleges/seminaries toreopen [JDS 2/28 in FBIS 2/28].

Arabs in E. Jerusalem and Gaza Strip hold general strike to protest Israel's continued closure of Palestinian universities [MET 3/13-19].