The Palestine Chronology

In the Israeli-controlled section of Hebron, unidentified assailants shoot, wound 2 Jewish settlers. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/4; JP 8/13)

PA police release Hamas spokesman `Abd al-Aziz Rantisi, who has been detained without charge for 15 mos. (AFP 8/3 in WNC 8/5) (see 4/9/98)

Iraqi pres. Saddam Hussein gives his youngest son, Qusay, legal authority to act as pres. in an emergency. (NYT, WP 8/4; GIU 8/25)

In Rabat, Malcolm Hoenlein, exec. vice-chmn. of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (CPMAJO), meets with King Muhammad, who says that Morocco hopes to speed normalization with Israel now that the peace process is getting back on track. (JP 8/13)

PA Civil Service informs Palestinian chief justice and pres. of the High Court, Qusay al-Abadla, that he must retire. (LAW 1/23; PCHR 1/25)

Syrian FM Shara` warns that U.S. credibility could plummet across the Middle East if Pres. Clinton does not put the peace process back on track during his mtgs. this wk. with Arafat, Netanyahu. (NYT 1/18)

In Amman, unidentified assailants murder 8 persons, including top Iraqi diplomat Hikmat al-Hajou, his wife, several Iraqi businessmen. (NYT 1/19; JT 1/19, SA 1/20 in WNC 1/21; MM 1/20; MEI 1/30; JP 1/31) (see 1/3)

2 Hizballah mbrs. are killed in clash with IDF in s. Lebanon. (RL 1/23 in WNC 1/27)

Israeli PM Rabin, Jordan's King Hussein sign "Washington Declaration" ending state of belligerency at White House ceremony with U.S. Pres. Clinton as witness.  Declaration says sides "recognize their right and obligation to live in peace with each other."  Agreement mandates direct telephone connections, linking of electrical grids, and immediate opening of 2 border crossings.  Declaration also recognizes Hussein's "historic role" in safeguarding Muslim holy places in Jerusalem. Clinton calls Syrian Pres. al-Asad after ceremony, saying opportunity exists for progress in Israel-Syria talks.  Later, Rabin and Hussein attend state dinner in their honor. (MM 7/25; CSM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/26)

Israeli, Palestinian negotiators meet in Norway to discuss sharing of water resources.  (Qol Yisra'el 7/26 in FBIS 7/26; WT 7/26)

PLO Chmn. Arafat swears in Judge Qusay al-Abadlah as PNA chief justice and head of supreme court.  (Algiers VOP 7/26 in FBIS 7/27)

Kach movement holds paramilitary summer camp for youths at Qiryat Arba, including prayer at grave of Hebron killer Baruch Goldstein.  Organizers avoid direct connection to Kach, outlawed after 2/25 massacre.  (JP 7/25 in FBIS 7/27; WT 7/26)

Hizballah ambushes IDF patrol in southern Lebanon, killing 1 officer and wounding 13 soldiers.  IDF tank unit pursues guerrillas to Yuhmur village.  (RL 7/25, Qol Yisra'el 7/26 in FBIS 7/26; MM 7/26; WT 7/27)

UNSG Butrus Butrus-Ghali, in report to UNSC on renewal of UNIFIL mandate, orders study of how to reduce UNIFIL's 5,244-mbr. force.  (WT 7/27)

Argentine officials blame Iran for 7/18 bombing of Buenos Aires Jewish center as confirmed death toll reaches 80.  (NYT 7/26)

Israeli High Court of Justice accepts petition fr. Tsomet party to bar Yi'ud party fr. joining cabinet.  Yi'ud made up of frmr. Tsomet mbrs.  (MM 7/25)(see 7/12)