The Palestine Chronology

Israel, PA hold mtg. on Rafah airport. (QY, VOP 8/14 in FBIS 8/15; VOP 8/15 in FBIS 8/16)

Israeli DM Mordechai presents U.S. special envoy Ross with proposal to start parallel negotiations with Syria in Beirut (on s. Lebanon), the U.S. (all other issues). Ross is pessimistic Syria will agree to formula. (IDF Radio 8/15 in FBIS 8/16)

IDF presents to the DMin. for review plans to pave at least 300 mi. of roads in the West Bank, linking Jewish settlements. Palestinian lands will be confiscated to complete the project. (NYT 8/16)

PA military court sentences 5 Palestinians to jail for taking part in Tulkarm demonstration 8/2. 2 receive 12-yr. sentences; 1 gets 5 yrs.; 2 get 2 yrs. 50 others arrested during the protests have been released. (MM 8/15)

Israeli High Court votes 6-1 to keep Bar Ilan Street open during Sabbath until a comm. is formed to review the dispute, present findings. (NYT 8/16; HA 8/19 in IL 8/19; WJW 8/22; JP 8/24) (see 7/20)

ILMG meets in Naqura at Israel's request, following the death of a Lebanese civilian during a clash with Hizballah in s. Lebanon. (RL 8/15 in FBIS 8/15; QY 8/15 in FBIS 8/16; JP 8/17, 8/24)

Pollard's wife ends hunger strike after PM Netanyahu promises to lobby U.S. for Pollard's release. (WT 8/16; JP 8/24) (see 7/28)

PM Netanyahu speaks before joint session of Congress. Rep. Benjamin Gilman (R-NY), noted for holding up Middle East Peace Facilitation Act aid to the PLO, calls speech "an eloquent and visionary tour de force." Netanyahu then hold talks with congressional leaders, representatives fr. Arab embassies, CIA Dir. John Deutch. (ITV, QY, SARR 7/10, QY, YA 7/11 in FBIS 7/11; MM, NYT, WJW, WP, WT 7/11; CSM 7/12; QY 7/14 in FBIS 7/15; MM 7/16; WJW 7/18; MEI 7/19; JP 7/20)

In Hebron, Palestinians clash with Israeli police after PM Netanyahu fails to set a date for redeployment in the city; IDF seals area, imposes curfew. Palestinians had hoped Clinton would have pressured Netanyahu to set a timetable for redeployment, easing of closure. (QY 7/20 in FBIS 7/10; QY, RE, SARR 7/10, al-Hayat, QY, RE, SARR, VOP 7/11 in FBIS 7/11; CSM, MM, WP, WT 7/11; RMC 7/10, al-Hayat, QY 7/11, VOP 7/12 in FBIS 7/12; MM 7/15)

Bowing to pressure fr. ultraorthodox Jews, Israeli Transportation Min. agrees to close Bar Ilan Street, 1 of Jerusalem's main roads, for most of the Jewish Sabbath for a 4-mo. trial period. Israeli High Court overrides his order with a temporary injunction to keep the road open. Israeli police expect demonstrations, violent classes btwn. orthodox, secular Jews. (WT 7/11)

After Organization of African Unity gives near unanimous backing to UN Secy. Gen. Butros-Ghali in his bid for a 2d term. U.S. again says it will veto him if he runs. (WT 7/11) (see 6/23)

Hizballah releases 2 SLA prisoners, proposes to exchange 17 other SLA mbrs. in its custody for 200 Lebanese nationals held in al-Khiyam prison in s. Lebanon. (MENA, VOL 7/10 in FBIS 7/11; MM 7/17)