The Palestine Chronology

IDF begins redeployment fr. Janin, 60 surrounding villages. 1st 10 Palestinian policemen arrive in Janin to crowds of Palestinian well-wishers. (MM 10/25; VOP 10/25 in FBIS 10/25; NYT, WP 10/26; MEI 11/3)

1st of 7 new West Bank district liaison and coordinating offices begins operating in Janin. (HA 10/27 in FBIS 11/1)

In Washington, PM Rabin  meets with Pres. Clinton, Defense Secy. Perry. Later in the day, Congress holds official reception on Capitol Hill to mark Israel's Jerusalem 3000 celebration, commemorating the establishment by King David of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. PM Rabin, Jerusalem Mayor Olmert, Senate Majority Leader Dole (R-KS), Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA), House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MS) attend. Knesset sends Congress telegram congratulating them on the U.S. embassy vote. (QY 9/5 in FBIS 9/5; MM, NYT 10/25; MM, WT 10/26; MM 10/27)

Jordan, Israel sign trade agmt. (QY 10/25 in FBIS 10/26)

Libya's Qaddafi temporarily halts expulsion of Palestinians for 3-6 mos to allow Arab states time to prepare for the eventual deportation of all Palestinians to the self-rule areas. (NYT, WT 10/26)

IAF begins using infrared night-vision security system on the border with Lebanon. (JP 10/25 in FBIS 10/27)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Atty. Gen. Yosef Harish opens police investigation against Faisal Husayni for suspected incitement [FBIS 1/17].

Arab World: Egyptian F.M. Ismat Abd-alMajid arrives in Washington, meets with Sec. Baker. Abd-al-Majid's trip coincides with Washington talks between Bush administration and Israeli D.M. Rabin [FBIS 1/16; NYT, WP 1/17].

Arab Cooperation Council opens meetings in Baghdad [FBIS 1/17].

Other Countries: New York Times op-ed piece by Senate minority leader Robert Dole suggests 5% of U.S. foreign aid to Israel, Egypt, and others be redirected to E. Europe and Panama [NYT 1/16, 1/17; WP 1/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military closes 6 Gaza Strip schools for rock throwing [FBIS 1/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: D. M. Rabin offers to trade Shayk 'Ubayd, other Shia prisoners for Western hostages and Israeli soldiers captured in Lebanon [WP 8/1].

Other Countries: Bush administration deplores killing of Col. Higgins, states that Israel is not responsible [NYT 8/1]. Senate Republican leader Robert Dole accuses Israel of endangering U.S. lives [WP 8/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Burayj camp soldiers shoot, kill 15-year-old Palestinian. Troops shoot, kill 12-year-old Palestinian in Balatah camp. At least 16 Palestinians are shot in Gaza Strip [FJ 8/7].

Arab World: Organization of the Oppressed of the World states that it has hanged U. S. Lt. Colonel William Higgins because Israel has refused to release Shaykh 'Ubayd; Another Lebanese group threatens to kill second American hostage [NYT 8/1, MET 8/8].

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].