The Palestine Chronology

PC closes weekly 2-day session in Ramallah. (VOP 7/11 in FBIS 7/12)

PM Netanyahu heads to New York to meet with 200 leaders of the U.S. financial community, mbrs. of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (CPMAJO), ambs. to the UN, presidential candidate Bob Dole. At CMPAJO mtg., Netanyahu recommends Jewish organizations finance 2 programs to fight assimilation of Jews: a "physical and spiritual airlift" of 100,000s of young Jews to Israel for summer tours, wedding gifts of 10 "basic Jewish books" to every Jewish couple who marries. (MM 7/11; MM, NYT, WP 7/12; QY 7/12 in FBIS 7/12; WP 7/13; WJW 7/18)

Fmr. Israeli PM Peres sharply criticizes PM Netanyahu, calls his statements fr. the U.S. "an unwise attempt to unite the Arab world against us." (IDF Radio 7/11 in FBIS 7/12; MM 7/12, 7/16)

PA announces plans to use 12 acres of state land in Nablus to build headquarters for Arafat. Villagers protest, say they own the land, accuse PA of confiscation. Nablus municipality says those protesting have no legal right to the plot. (PR 7/19)

Nr. Tulkarm, IDF uses teargas to disperse 10s of Palestinian workers protesting closure at IDF crossing point into Israel. (QY 7/11 in FBIS 7/11)

Housing M Ben-Eliezer says Israel will go ahead with confiscations of Arab-owned lands despite growing outcry; land will be expropriated as part of 5-yr. plan to build 30,000 new apartments in Jerusalem. FM Peres says confiscations are necessary to accommodate "natural growth" of Jerusalem's Jewish population. (MA 5/9 in FBIS 5/9; WT 5/10)

As way of solving current dispute over expropriations, FM Peres suggests confiscating land in Jerusalem for Arab housing. Palestinians across political spectrum denounce idea. (QY, VOP 5/9, QY, RE 5/10 in FBIS 5/10)

PA postpones 1st mtg. of new Palestinian-Israeli Jerusalem Comm. on land expropriations until 5/14 because Israel will not set agenda for discussions. Comm. is headed by Arafat advisor Husseini, Israeli Police M Shahal. (VOP 5/10 in FBIS 5/11; VOP 5/14 in FBIS 5/15) (see 5/8)

U.S. Amb. to the UN Albright criticizes Arab League call for UN to debate Israeli land confiscations, says it is not the proper forum, threatens to veto any resolution or statement on the issue. (MM 5/11; al-Hayat 5/12 in FBIS 5/15; JP 5/13; CSM 5/15)

Sen. Dole, Rep. Gingrich submit identical bills to Congress that would force Clinton to begin ground-breaking on new embassy site in Jerusalem before end of 1996, to open embassy by 5/31/99, under penalty of cutting in half total State Dept. construction funds for FY 1997, FY 1999. Secy. of State Christopher calls legislation "ill-advised and damaging" to peace process. Arafat, Arab League Secy. Gen. `Abd al-Majid urge against move. (MM 5/9; al-Hayat 5/9 in FBIS 5/10; NYT, WP, WT 5/10; NYT, WP, WT 5/11; NYT 5/18) (see Doc. D8)

American Jewish Congress issues letter to Congress in support of Dole initiative on U.S. embassy. Americans for Peace Now sends letter to Congress urging them to not support bill. (MM 5/10)

Arafat releases 2 Hamas mbrs., 21 other Palestinian prisoners arrested following bombings in April to mark Id al-Adha; promises more releases soon. (WT 5/10)

Baghdad tells U.S. gov't. that if coalition forces attack, Iraqi guerrillas would strike at vital U.S. interests around globe [LAT, WT, CSM 12/31].

Vice Pres. Quayle, on Gulf trip, asks Saudi rulers and Kuwaiti gov't.-in-exile to provide additional funds for U.S.-led coalition [NYT, LAT, WT 12/31].

Senate minority leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) says putting the Emir of Kuwait back on the throne is not "worth one American life"; says U.S. should make additional efforts to arrange meeting between Saddam and Sec. Baker [NYT, WP 12/31].

General strike is observed in o.t. in protest of 12/29 killing of 4 Palestinians [FJ 1/7].

HaAretz reports that Housing Ministry has decided to build 1,500 housing units for Jewish immigrants in the Golan Heights [HAA 12/31 in FBIS 12/31]. 

In Jerusalem, Senator Bob Dole urges Israel to move toward peace talks, says American support for Israel diminishes with every report of violence in O.T. [WT, LAT 4/16].

Israeli Peace Now group holds small demonstration in Jerusalem's Old City, protesting Jewish nationals' occupation of building owned by Greek Orthodox Church [NYT, LAT 4/16].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Reports indicate that F. M. Peres and Defense Minister Rabin met secretly with Jordan's King Hussein and reached agreement on framework for Middle East peace conference [PI, BS 4/29]. Two Israeli police officers are charged with falsifying evidence and extracting false confessions under torture in case of 4 Palestinians convicted of May 1983 murder of policeman [FJ 5/3].

Other Countries: Before National Jewish Coalition meeting in U.S., potential Republican presidential candidates Dole, Kemp, Haig, Bush, and Robertson emphasize ties with Israel, support even closer relations despite Pollard spy affair [NYT 4/30].