The Palestine Chronology

PA rejects Israel's 12-page list of preconditions (see 1/4) for FRD, says list of violations is full of "allegations, distortions, and half-truths." (NYT 1/16) (see 1/13)

U.S. officials--including Secy. of State Albright, special envoy Ross, National Security Adviser Samuel Berger--hold mtg. on upcoming visits by Arafat, Netanyahu; say that they do not expect a final agmt. to emerge fr. the visits, the 2 leaders to meet. (NYT 1/16)

A sign of growing tensions, IDF troops, PA police train assault rifles on each other in a 2-hr. standoff during antisettlement protest by 300 Palestinians outside Gush Qatif settlement in Gaza. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 1/16)

IDF troops shoot at Palestinian taxi, wounding passenger. (WT 1/16)

Egypt's Baz arrives in Jerusalem for talks with PM Netanyahu, Arafat on possibility of holding 3- or 4-way summit with Pres. Mubarak/King Hussein. (MM 6/12; QY, YA 6/13 in WNC 6/17) (see 6/8)

In Istanbul, the culture Ms representing the Group of Eight Developing Islamic Counties (D-8) hold preparatory mtg. in advance of the 1st D-8 summit on 6/15; issue declaration vowing to pursue cultural, tourism cooperation agmts. The D-8, which encourages cooperation on all levels btwn. member states, comprises Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey. (Anatolia [Ankara] 6/12 in WNC 6/17)

In Gaza, IDF soldiers, settlers clash with Palestinians protesting the confiscation of land belonging to Khan Yunis for Morag settlement. 2 Palestinians are wounded by live ammunition, 1 dies of a heart attack. In a separate incident nr. Gush Qatif settlement, Palestinians clash with settlers dedicating a monument to an Israel soldier killed during the 9/24-28 clashes; 1 settler shoots, wounds 2 Palestinians. IDF moves more tanks into Gaza. (MM, NYT 6/13; JP 6/21; MEI 6/27; MM 6/30)

2 Israeli soldiers killed at Erez checkpoint, Gaza Strip.  Attackers flee into Gaza Strip self-rule area without pursuit by Palestinian police.  Islamic Jihad, Hamas claim responsibility.  Gaza police cmndr. Maj. Gen. Nasr Yusuf promises "we will stop them in the coming stages." Israel closes main roads into Gaza, bars Palestinian worker fr. Israel until 5/29 in retaliation.  PLO official Nabil Shaath, Gaza security chief Muhammad Dahlan meet IDF Maj. Gen. Amnon Shahak over incident.  2 Israeli garbage collectors wounded nr. Morag in Gush Qatif settlement bloc in separate shooting incident.  (MM 5/20; Qol Yisra'el 5/20 in FBIS 5/20; NYT, WP, WT 5/21; JP 5/28)

PLO Chmn. Arafat signs decree voiding post-1967 laws in o.t.  (al-Quds 5/24 in FBIS 5/25; TJT 5/27)

Jordan's King Hussein, Syrian Pres. al-Asad hold talks on peace process in Damascus.  (RJ 5/20 in FBIS 5/20)

Secy. of State Christopher presents Syrian counterproposals to Israeli PM Rabin. FM Peres says Syrian ideas received "with great interest." Christopher calls progress "significant," plans to return to region later in month. (CSM, MM, WP, WT 5/3)

Knesset defeats 3 motions of no confidence in Rabin govt. Rabin opens Labor party mtg. on negotiations to public. Opposition posters throughout Israel declare "The nation is with the Golan." Rabin, defending withdrawal proposals in Knesset, observes "Tanks, not settlements, provide security. If people want to rule over a foreign nation, they must know it is going to cost them blood." (MM, NYT, WT 5/3)

Israel and PLO sign formal agreement on TIPH at Danish FMin. TIPH force-90 Norwegians, 35 Danes, and 35 Italians-to deploy in Hebron 5/8. (MM 5/3; CSM 5/4)(see 3/31)

World Bank releases 3-yr., $1.2 b. Emergency Assistance Program for the Occupied Territories. Plan is to be undertaken by PECDAR in coordination with Israel, World Bank, and donor nations. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/3)

International Labor Organization releases report stating overall o.t. unemployment rate at least 25%, over 40% in Gaza. ILO seeks $135 m. for programs to help 12,000 frmr. political prisoners get work, provide 15,000 temporary jobs per month. (MM 5/3; CSM 5/4)

IDF Central Command issues orders restricting use of live ammunition against Palestinians, Maj. Gen. Ilan Biran saying "a new era and a new approach begins." (MM 5/3)

Hamas gunmen attack Ganei Tal in Gush Qatif settlement bloc, Gaza Strip, wounding 2 IDF soldiers. (MM 5/3)

IDF soldier shot dead at Gaza Strip base by fellow soldier who mistakes him for Palestinian assailant. (MM 5/3)

Israel sends 16 delegates, 12 journalists to multilateral Middle East peace talks on arms control in Doha, Qatar, via Cairo. Other delegations only 6 mbrs. (MM 5/3)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed in most of the occupied territories [WP, NYT 2/17]. Occupied territories' civil administration lowers limit on amount of money that can be brought into W. Bank from Jordan [NYT 2/17]. Maj. Gen. Ehud Barak, Israel's deputy chief of staff and Def. Min. Rabin confirm soldiers buried 4 Palestinians alive 2/5 [WP 2/17]. Rabin announces his intention to establish military appeals court in occupied territories [CSM 2/17]. In Tel Aviv, 800 attend conference organized by Israeli intellectuals demanding Israeli government begin peace talks with Palestinians [NYT 2/18]. Israeli High Court upholds army order banning distribution of al-Quds newspaper in occupied territories [FJ 2/21]. Jewish settlers raid 'Azzah refugee camp near Bethlehem, shoot and wound 1 youth [FJ 2/21].

Arab World: UNRWA announces the suspension of all activities in Lebanon requiring intemational staff, and transfer of operations from Lebanon to Syria [FJ 2/21].

Other Countries: Israeli P.M. Shamir ends 2-day visit to Italy [WP 2/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli riot police halt bus carrying Palestinian high school students from Haifa to Umm al-Fahm; several students are beaten. At least 1 Palestinian is shot, wounded during clash with Israeli soldiers in Jenin. In Qabatiyyah, 2 Palestinians are shot, wounded when soldiers open fire on demonstrators [WP 2/17]. Army seizes 3 school buildings for military posts in Nablus [FJ 2/21]. Palestinian demonstrators bum tires and throw stones at entrance to Gush Qatif settlement in Gaza. In Rafah camp 4 are wounded in clash with soldiers [FJ 2/21]. In Sura and Majd villages, near Hebron, protesters bum Israeli buses. Soldiers use tear gas, rubber bullets to break up demonstration in Fawwar refugee camp, wounding 9. Protests are held in Jenin refugee camp, Duhayshah camp and Bani Na'im village [FJ 2/21].