315 / 15472 Results
  • March 16, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian man near Tuba and brought their cattle to graze on wheat and barley crops in Qawawis in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and...

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  • December 31, 1994

    Arafat's cabinet threatens to suspend negotiations with Israel if settlement activity continues in the West Bank. (WT 12/31, MEI 1/6) (see 12/30)

    Jewish Agency reports that 75,221 new...

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  • November 24, 1992

    The Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls (COCOM), a 17-mbr. Western trade group established to monitor high-tech sales to communist countries, meets in Paris. Meeting is...

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  • June 15, 1992

    "Over 14,000" laborers from Gaza Strip arrive at jobs in Israel, according to ITV; figure is about half the normal number. (Qol Yisra'el 6/15 in FBIS 6/16)

    Former Soviet Pres. Gorbachev...

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  • June 14, 1992

    Former Soviet Pres. Gorbachev arrives in Israel, meets with PM Shamir, attends dinner at Pres. Herzog's residence. (Qol Yisra'el 6/14, 6/15 in FBIS 6/15)

    At Erez Crossing, Gaza, Israeli...

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  • January 29, 1992

    Multilateral talks end in Moscow. Participants establish five working groups to discuss various topics in April and May in several venues. Groups and venues are: economic development, in Belgium;...

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  • November 22, 1991

    U.S. extends invitations for second round, bilateral peace negotiations to convene 12/4 in Washington. Neither Israel nor Palestinians immediately accept, Israel because it favors holding talks in...

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  • October 30, 1991

    Middle East peace conference opens in the royal palace in Madrid with delegations from Israel, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and the joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation present. Conference begins with...

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  • October 29, 1991

    Soviet pres. Gorbachev holds talks with PM Shamir in Madrid, the first summit meeting ever held by leaders of Israel, USSR. (WP 10/30)

    Israel concedes to U.S. decision to allow 45 minutes...

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  • October 28, 1991

    U.S. announces that both Jordanian and Palestinian delegates will each be able to deliver a 45-minute opening speech at peace conference. Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria will also talk for 45...

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  • October 24, 1991

    In Damascus, Arab foreign ministers agree to coordinate stands during peace conference, not to strike separate deals with Israel. Syria failed to garner support for proposal that none of the...

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  • October 23, 1991

    Prime Min. Shamir indicates he will head Israeli delegation to the peace conference, not FM David Levy. Invitations sent to the parties by the U.S., USSR had called for talks at the "ministerial...

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  • October 18, 1991

    In Jerusalem, Secy. of State Baker and Soviet FM Boris Pankin jointly announce that their governments have extended invitations to attend a Middle East peace conference to be held 30 October in...

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  • October 17, 1991

    PLO Central Comm. approves formation of joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation. (Radio Monte Carlo, Tunisian Republic Radio 10/18 in FBIS 10/18)

    Soviet FM Boris Pankin arrives in Israel for...

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  • October 2, 1991

    U.S. Senate formally agrees to Pres. Bush's request for 120-day postponement in considering Israel's request for $10 billion in U.S. loan guarantees. (NYT 10/3; MEM 10/4)

    Leader of Israeli-...

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  • August 28, 1991

    Chmn. Arafat agrees to Palestinian participation in peace conference if four conditions are met: recognition of Palestinian right to self-determination; PLO must determine Palestinian...

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  • August 22, 1991

    Israeli foreign ministry accuses PLO of supporting anti-democratic forces around the world "time and again." Statement comes in wake of statements by some PLO officials in support of 8/19 coup in...

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  • August 19, 1991

    PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Yasir 'Abd Rabbuh states PLO hopes coup d'etat in USSR will help "solve" question of Soviet Jewish emigration to Israel. (AFP 8/19 in FBIS 8/19)

    Israel, Albania...

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  • July 31, 1991

    Pres. Bush and Soviet Pres. Gorbachev issue joint statement on Middle East peace conference in Moscow, indicating U.S. and USSR will sponsor conference in October. Invitations will be issued at...

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  • July 9, 1991

    Lebanese army units continue search for PLO weapons caches in Sidon, order civilians to turn in weapons. More than 500 militia members arrested. (NYT 7/10)

    U.S., Britain, France, USSR,...

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  • June 13, 1991

    Secy. of State Baker meets with Israeli For. Min. Levy in Washington, urges Israeli flexibility concerning U.S. proposals for peace talks. Levy states Baker pledged U.S. would not propose...

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  • May 29, 1991

    Pres. Bush unveils proposal for arms control in Middle East, his first concrete policy initiative dealing with region since end of Gulf war (see JPS 80, doc. D3). Proposal includes call...

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  • May 13, 1991

    U.S. military begins to transfer responsibility to the UN for major Kurdish relief effort as separate violent incidents involving allies, Iraqi troops, and Kurdish demonstrators occur [MEM 5/13;...

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  • May 10, 1991

    Saudi Arabia and other 5 member states of GCC agree to send observer to opening session of any Middle East peace conference that Sec. Baker is trying to organize (cf. 5/11) [WP 5/11; MEM 5/13;...

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  • May 9, 1991

    UN Sec.-Gen. Perez de Cuellar tells Pres. Bush that he has received from Iraq "a very clear rejection" of the allied plan for UN troops to protect Kurdish refugee camps once allies leave; Iraqi...

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  • May 8, 1991

    Soviet F.M. Bessmertnykh begins trip to Middle East, arriving in Damascus and assuring Syrian leadership that Moscow remains "a strong supporter of the Arab cause." Bessmertnykh is also to visit...

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  • April 28, 1991

    Israeli gov't. formally retracts agreement made last week between F.M. Levy and Sec. Baker on format for regional peace talks. P.M. Shamir says Levy went too far, Levy accuses Shamir of "getting...

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  • April 25, 1991

    Soviet Union announces that it is prepared to cosponsor Middle East peace conference with U.S., as F.M. Bessmertnykh meets with Sec. Baker in Kislovodsk, USSR [NYT, WP, LAT 4/26].

    While Sec...

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  • April 23, 1991

    Sec. Baker holds nearly 10 hours of talks with Pres. Asad, at press conference Baker declines to say whether progress was made [NYT, LAT, MEM 4/24; DDS 4/23 in FBIS 4/23; SANA 4/23 in FBIS 4/24...

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  • April 16, 1991

    Pres. Bush says that U.S., British, and French troops will set up secure camps in northern Iraq that could shelter more than 500,000 Kurds until they could be coaxed back to their homes [NYT, WP,...

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In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian man near Tuba and brought their cattle to graze on wheat and barley crops in Qawawis in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and killed 4 Palestinians, including a minor, and injured 23 others during a raid in Jenin refugee camp. A video of the incident showed Israeli soldiers in civilian clothes shooting a Palestinian man laying still on the ground in his head. The killings were described in the media as assassinations. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians while others suffered tear-gas related injuries during a late-night raid in Nablus in preparation for a settler tour of Joseph’s Tomb. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued 1 demolition notice for a commercial structure and 2 stop-work orders for agricultural structures in Deir Balut and demolished 1 house under construction in Deir ‘Ammar. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Jala, Jenin, Nil’in, and Beit Ula. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 children. (AA, AJ, AP, HA, HA, JP, MEE, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/16; GDN, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 3/17; MDW, UNOCHA 3/19; PCHR 3/23; UNOCHA 3/31)

A delegation of Hamas officials, led by the head of Hamas’ International Relations Office Musa Abu Marzouq, held meetings with Russians officials in Moscow, including with Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. (MEMO 3/18)

The UAE donated $3 million in aid to Palestinians in Huwwara affected by the Israeli settler raid on 2/26. (ALM, HA, NAT, TOI 3/16)

A Gallup poll for the first time registered more sympathy for Palestinians than Israelis among U.S. Democrats. The poll also showed that millennials have more sympathy toward Palestinians than toward Israelis. (Gallup 3/16; MDW, MEE, WAFA 3/17)

Arafat's cabinet threatens to suspend negotiations with Israel if settlement activity continues in the West Bank. (WT 12/31, MEI 1/6) (see 12/30)

Jewish Agency reports that 75,221 new immigrants have come to Israel since beginning of yr.--66,000 fr. frmr. Soviet Union. Expect numbers to reach 78,000 when final count is done. (JP 12/31)

1,000 Palestinians in West Bank plus 10,000 led by Arafat in Gaza march to celebrate Fateh's 30th anniversary. (WP 1/1)

The Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls (COCOM), a 17-mbr. Western trade group established to monitor high-tech sales to communist countries, meets in Paris. Meeting is attended by new ex-Soviet nations - Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Armenia among others - to bolster intl. resolve to counter sensitive sales to "destabilizing" countries-Iran, Iraq, Syria, and others. (NYT 11/25)

General strike is widely observed in o.t. (Qol Yisra'el 11/24 in FBIS 11/25)

Commander of undercover IF unit that shot Palestinian boy dead 11/23 is relieved of his post. (WT 11/25)

"Over 14,000" laborers from Gaza Strip arrive at jobs in Israel, according to ITV; figure is about half the normal number. (Qol Yisra'el 6/15 in FBIS 6/16)

Former Soviet Pres. Gorbachev criticizes PLO stance during Gulf war, does not plan to meet with Palestinian reps. (Palestinian delegation had not requested a meeting with Gorbachev, according to his spokesman.) (Qol Yisra'el 6/15 in FBIS 6/16)

Israeli aircraft launch mock raids over Sidon, Iqlim al-Tuffah region, S. Lebanon; helicopters fire tracer bullets over al-Rashidiyya camp. Palestinian and Lebanese forces respond with anti-aircraft fire. Security sources say 20 killed, 53 wounded in Israeli raids since 5/21. (AFP 6/15 in FBIS 6/15)

Former Soviet Pres. Gorbachev arrives in Israel, meets with PM Shamir, attends dinner at Pres. Herzog's residence. (Qol Yisra'el 6/14, 6/15 in FBIS 6/15)

At Erez Crossing, Gaza, Israeli troops fire warning shots and drop gravel from a helicopter to disperse crowd of Pal. workers who rioted after being blocked from entering Israel for work. (WP 6/15)

Israeli long-range artillery inside the "security zone" heavily bombard villages in Iqlim al-Tuffah region, S. Lebanon; Israeli aircraft stage mock raids over Sidon refugee camps. (Radio Lebanon 6/14 in FBIS 6/15)

Russia agrees to allow Jewish immigrants to fly to Israel aboard regular El Al and Aeroflot flights. (Qol Yisra'el 6/14 in FBIS 6/16)

Israeli air force chief Maj. Gen. Herzl Bodinger on ITV calls for "disruption" of Iranian nuclear effort;ells reporters this means "international political action, and aggressive action, if needed." (WP 6/15)

Multilateral talks end in Moscow. Participants establish five working groups to discuss various topics in April and May in several venues. Groups and venues are: economic development, in Belgium; environment, in Japan; arms control and security, in Washington; refugees, in Canada; water resources, in either Turkey or Austria. Palestinian delegates send request to U.S., Russia, to create additional working groups on Jerusalem and human rights. (MM 1/29)

Secy. of State Baker meets with Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi, tells them U.S. and Russia will support expanded Palestinian participation in working groups in which Palestinians have a clear and important interest. (WP 1/30)

India, Israel announce establishment of diplomatic relations. (NYT 1/30)

Amnesty International issues report documenting Israeli torture practices in o.t. to UN Commission of Human Rights in Geneva. (MM 1/30)

Labor, Likud negotiators agree to hold elections 6/23; decision is subject to final approval but appears certain. Decision comes after three parties recently resigned from government, depriving it of a parliamentary majority. (IDF Radio 1/29 in FBIS 1/30)

Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek suggests Jerusalem could be divided into boroughs to accommodate Palestinian desire for increased self-rule. However, Kollek stresses that such a plan would not provide for full autonomy. (MM 1/30)

German navy intercepts German ship transporting 16 Czech-made, Soviet-designed T-72 tanks to Syria near Strait of Gibraltar, forces it to return to Germany, where investigation will be launched to determine whether or not German laws governing shipment of military materiel were violated. Syria and Czechoslovakia finalized deal involving 320 tanks in September 1991; U.S. and Israel later pressured Czechoslovakia to cancel the deal, but it refused. (WP, MM 1/31)

New York judge sentences Egyptian-born al-Sayyid Nusayr to 7 1/2 to 22 years in prison. Nusayr was acquitted 12/21 of murdering Rabbi Meir Kahane in New York, but convicted of several lesser charges. (WP 1/30)

U.S. extends invitations for second round, bilateral peace negotiations to convene 12/4 in Washington. Neither Israel nor Palestinians immediately accept, Israel because it favors holding talks in the Middle East and is angered that U.S. has pressed ahead with holding them in Washington, Palestinians because certain persons associated with their delegation might not be granted U.S. visas. Syria and Lebanon did not respond; Jordan immediately accepts. Invitations include U.S. suggestions on overcoming differences, an indication that U.S. intends to continue playing an active role in the peace making process. (NYT 11/23, 11/26; LAT 11/25)

Chief Palestinian negotiator Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi joins Faisal Husseini and PLO exec. comm. mbrs. Yasir 'Abd Rabbuh and Mahmud Abbas in Moscow for talks with FM Shevardnadze. Palestinians will push USSR to insist on direct PLO participation in multilateral discussions. (MM 11/22)

Israeli attorney general announces Israel will not prosecute Hanan Ashrawi on charges she met with PLO officials. (MM 11/22)

Fighting in S. Lebanon continues as SLA artillery bombards villages in Iqlim al-Tuffah region. (MM 11/22

Middle East peace conference opens in the royal palace in Madrid with delegations from Israel, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and the joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation present. Conference begins with short speech by Spanish PM Felipe Gonzalez, followed by addresses by conference co-conveners Presidents Bush and Gorbachev, and Dutch FM Hans van den Broek, representating the European Community. Soviet FM Boris Pankin and Secy. of State Baker were also present at the negotiating table. Saudi ambassador to the U.S. Prince Bandar bin Sultan and 'Abdullah Bishara, secy. gen. of the Gulf Cooperation Council, also attend the conference, but are not seated at the table. Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa delivers the first address by one of the negotiating delegations. Secy. of State Baker confirms that it was not certain whether or not second phase bilateral talks between Israel and the Arab delegations would commence 11/2 as scheduled due to disagreement between Israel, Arab delegations over venue of such talks. Israel is pushing for holding the negotiations in the Middle East, while Arab delegations seek to continue to hold such talks in Madrid. (NYT 10/31)

Hamas calls for a general strike to protest the peace conference. But 2,000 Palestinian supporters of Fateh, some armed with clubs and knives and waving Palestinian flags, march in favor of the peace talks in Gaza as Israeli troops follow them but make no effort to disperse the gathering. The marchers clashed with supporters of Hamas, injuring four. Five thousand other PLO supporters march in Khan Yunis. Pro-peace conference activists in Qalqiliya, Jenin force shopkeepers to open their shops which had been closed following orders by Hamas to observe ageneral strike. Elsewhere, Israeli security forces kill one Palestinian in Hebron, wound at least 24 in Gaza and 11 in Nablus during clashes. (NYT, WP, MEM 10/31)

Iraqi National Assembly condemns peace conference, attacks Syria, Egypt for their participation. (MEM 10/31)

Some 10,000 Lebanese march in Beirut against peace conference. (WP 10/31)

Israeli, South Lebanon Army forces bombard villages near Nabatiyya, S. Lebanon, in retaliation for 10/29 attacks on Israeli troops. (NYT 10/31)

Soviet pres. Gorbachev holds talks with PM Shamir in Madrid, the first summit meeting ever held by leaders of Israel, USSR. (WP 10/30)

Israel concedes to U.S. decision to allow 45 minutes to both Palestinian, Jordanian sections of Palestinian-Jordanian delegation for opening remarks at peace conference. (MEM 10/29)

PFLP claims responsibility for 10/28 attack on bus carrying Israeli settlers. (AFP 10/29 in FBIS 10/29)

Some 1,000 supporters of Fateh stage propeace conference demonstration in Gaza city, shaking hands with Israeli soldiers and handing them olive branches. Another pro-peace conference march held in Jenin. (MEM 10/29)

Roadside bomb kills three Israeli soldiers, injures a fourth near 'Aramta, S. Lebanon; Islamic Resistance coalition (led by Hizbullah) claims responsibility. In a separate incident, guerrillas attempting to infiltrate into Israel near town of Biranit ambush Israeli patrol, wounding five; two are killed. Islamic Jihad Movement of Palestine [Fathi Shaqaqi] claims responsibility. Israeli helicopters attack area near Rashidiyya refugee camp, Hizbullah office in Nabatiyya. (Qol Yisra'el 10/29 in FBIS 10/30; MEM 10/29; WP, MEM 10/30; NYT 11/2)

Some 5,000 Islamists, leftists, Nasirists demonstrate against peace conference at Cairo University in wake of police crackdown on anti-conference activists. (MEM 10/30)

U.S. announces that both Jordanian and Palestinian delegates will each be able to deliver a 45-minute opening speech at peace conference. Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria will also talk for 45 minutes. Israel protests to Washington that this violates conditions for Israeli attendance by treating the Palestinians as a separate delegation. (NYT 10/29)

London-based Mideast Mirror publishes list of Syrian delegates (MEM 10/28)

Demonstrators for, against peace conference clash at anti-conference rally in Amman. (MEM 10/29)

West Bank gunmen open fire on a bus carrying Israeli settlers from Shilo to an anti-peace conference rally in Tel Aviv, killing two and injuring five, bringing total number of Israelis killed since beginning of intifada to 74. (NYT, WP 10/29)

German authorities state police in Hamburg discovered 14 Soviet T-72 tanks aboard an Israeli ship destined for Israel. The tanks, formerly belonging to the E. German army and subsequently handed over to the German secret service BND, were to be delivered to Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, which sought to learn more about the tanks' design. (NYT, WP 10/29)

Israeli, South Lebanon Army forces launch artillery barrages directed at area surrounding Nabatiyya, S. Lebanon. Attacks continue into early morning hours of 10/29. (MEM 10/30)

In Damascus, Arab foreign ministers agree to coordinate stands during peace conference, not to strike separate deals with Israel. Syria failed to garner support for proposal that none of the delegations would attend the third-stage talks on regional issues until Israel returned occupied Arab territories. (MEM 10/24; NYT 10/25)

In another move toward Saudi-PLO reconciliation, PLO Pol. Dept. Head Faruq al-Qaddumi meets with Saudi FM Prince Sa'ud al-Faysal while both attend Damascus foreign ministers meeting. The meeting, brokered by Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak, was their first since the Gulf war, and reportedly led to Sa'ud pledging to restore Saudi ties with PLO. (MEM 10/25)

Palestinian delegate Sa'ib 'Urayqat creates an uproar in Israel by declaring to the press that "we are the PLO delegation." Palestinian negotiator Faisal Husseini later states that 'Urayqat was speaking for himself. (NYT 10/2)

Faisal Husseini announces seven Palestinians will form an advisory committee to work with the steering committee attached to the Palestinian delegation to the peace conference. They are: Radwan Abu 'Ayyash, Ziyad Abu Zayyad, Ahmad al-Yazji, Jamil Tarifi, Radi Jara'i, Salih Abu Laban, 'Abd al-Hadi Abu Khawsh. (MEM 10/25; Voice of Palestine 10/26 in FBIS 10/28)

Some 300 Palestinian fighters opposed participation in the peace talks occupy the offices of Fateh in the 'Ayn al-Hilwa refugee camp near Sidon, S. Lebanon, and overrun much of the rest of the camp. Action was reportedly led by Maj. Munir Makda, commander of Force 17, Fateh's security force. (NYT 10/25)

Ten Palestinian groups which had been attending Tehran-based conference on Palestine sign 13-point statement denouncing Madrid peace conference, calling for escalation of intifada. Among signatories were PFLP, DFLP [Hawatma faction], Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, al-Sa'iqa. (Radio Monte Carlo 10/24 in FBIS 10/25)

Israel re-opens its embassy in Moscow, closed since the USSR broke diplomatic relations with Israel in 1967. (NYT 10/25)

Lebanese Pres. al-Hirawi states Ta'if accord calls for "redeployment-not a withdrawal-of Syrian forces," but suggests that if Israel withdrew from S. Lebanon, Syria would withdraw its forces from Lebanon. (MEM 10/24)

Prime Min. Shamir indicates he will head Israeli delegation to the peace conference, not FM David Levy. Invitations sent to the parties by the U.S., USSR had called for talks at the "ministerial level," a diplomatic phrase usually interpreted to mean participation by officials holding rank of foreign minister or below. (NYT 10/24)

Arab foreign ministers representing Syria, Egypt, Jordan, along with representative of Lebanon's foreign ministry and head of PLO political department meet in Damascus to discuss strategies for peace conference. They were later joined by foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, representing the Gulf states, and Morocco, representing North African states (except Libya). (MEM 10/23)

Strike called for 10/22 by three groups in o.t. partially observed in E. Jerusalem, elsewhere in West Bank, but not in Nablus, Jenin. Residents of Gaza city observe strike, but not those in the refugee camps. (MEM 10/25)

Members of the Jewish Ateret Cohanim seminary move into a house in the Muslim quarter of E. Jerusalem. Group claims the house was owned by Jews driven out by Palestinian rioting in 1929. Settlers occupying a building in Silwan seized 10/9 from Palestinian residents petition Israeli high court of justice to allow them to remain. Group also seeks permission to move into four other buildings from which they had been evicted by police. (MEM 10/24)

European Community official announces EC, Israel have reached agreement over long-standing dispute over status, place of residence of EC official who will be sent to monitor EC economic aid to Palestinians in the o.t. EC had sough to post the official in the territories; Israel objected, seeking to place the representativen Tel Aviv instead. The EC has set aside $100 million in aid for Palestinians in the o.t. (MEM 10/24)

Human rights organization Middle East Watch issues report on condition of 18,000-20,000 stateless Palestinians in Kuwait. The Palestinians, who were either born in Gaza during the British Mandate, during the period of Egyptian administration of Gaza (1948-67), or who are descendants of those born there, have lived in Kuwait for decades but do not hold citizenship in any country. They do not carry Israeli Gaza identity cards but merely hold Egyptian travel documents, and are thus unable to legally live anywhere. According to the report, Kuwait intends to expel these persons to Iraq 11/15. (MEM 20/24)

In Jerusalem, Secy. of State Baker and Soviet FM Boris Pankin jointly announce that their governments have extended invitations to attend a Middle East peace conference to be held 30 October in Madrid. Israel, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Palestinian negotiators will attend the meeting, scheduled to be opened by Pres. Bush and Pres. Gorbachev. First stage of process will be a three-day opening conference, followed by face-to-face negotiations among the parties. A third stage of talks, dealing with regional issues, would include other Middle Eastern countries. Announcement comes in wake of Baker's meetings with PM Shamir and with Palestinian negotiators, who provide Baker with a partialist of Palestinian delegates who will participate in a joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation after PLO Central Committee approved Palestinian participation in joint delegation. But Israeli officials delay giving Baker a final answeregarding Israel's participation because they were not shown the list of Palestinians. Earlier in the day, Pankin and Israeli FM Levy announced that Israel, USSR are restoring full diplomatic relations. The move culminates four years of improved relations, which began with the establishment of consulates in 1987 and the emigration of over 300,000 Soviet Jews to Israel. (MEM 10/18; WP 10/19)

PLO Central Comm. approves formation of joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation. (Radio Monte Carlo, Tunisian Republic Radio 10/18 in FBIS 10/18)

Soviet FM Boris Pankin arrives in Israel for talks with Israeli leadership, Palestinian negotiators, Secy. of State Baker. Visit is first visit by Soviet foreign ministry since USSR broke diplomatic relations with Israel in 1967. (WP 10/19)

Iranian Pres. Ayatollah 'Ali Khamane'i denounces peace conference, calls upon Muslims to participate in jihad to liberate Palestine. (MEM 10/23)

In Damascus, Presidents al-Asad, al-Hirawi co-chair first meeting of Syrian-Lebanese Supreme Council, set up by the May 1991 Syrian-Lebanese Treaty of Brotherhood, Cooperation and Coordination to coordinate affairs of the two countries. (Syrian Arab Republic Radio 10/17 in FBIS 10/21)

U.S. Senate formally agrees to Pres. Bush's request for 120-day postponement in considering Israel's request for $10 billion in U.S. loan guarantees. (NYT 10/3; MEM 10/4)

Leader of Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army Gen. Antoine Lahd declares he will not allow any more prisoners to be released from Khiyam prison in the Israeli "security zone" until he receives information on the fate of six missing SLA soldiers. (NYT 10/3)

First direct USSR-Israel flight arrives in Israel with eight passengers, none of them Jewish immigrants. Flights are carried out by Aerolicht, asubsidiary of the Soviet Aeroflot airlines co-owned by Aeroflot and an Israeli businessman. (MEM 10/2; Qol Yisra'el 10/2 in FBIS 10/3)

Lebanese Pres. al-Hirawi states 9/24 talks between him and other Lebanese government officials and Pres. Bush succeeded in convincing U.S. to amend its draft "letter of assurances" to Lebanon to include statementhat UN Security Council Resolution 425 (calling for Israeli withdrawal from S. Lebanon) is not linked with other resolutions calling for Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in 1967. (MEM 10/2)

Chmn. Arafat agrees to Palestinian participation in peace conference if four conditions are met: recognition of Palestinian right to self-determination; PLO must determine Palestinian participation in conference; Palestinians from E. Jerusalem must be allowed to participate and question of Jerusalem must not be deleted from conference agenda; Israeli settlement activity in occupied territories must be halted and international protection extended to Palestinians. Arafat also praises democratic reforms underway in USSR, amidst increasing criticism of Palestinian stance vis-a-vis the Soviet coup. (MEM 8/28)

Arafat meets Pres. Mubarak in Libya for first time since Gulf war. (MEM 8/29)

PFLP denounces U.S.-led peace plan, criticizes PL-0 for conditional agreement. (MEM 8/28)

Israeli press announces Israel recently requested aid from Germany to assist settlement of immigrants inIsrael. Finance ministry requested $5.74 billion in aid during secret negotiations held several weeks ago. (MEM 8/29)

Kuwait announces U.S. will build military base at Sabiyya, 40 km. from Kuwait-Iraq border. (MEM 8/28)

Israeli foreign ministry accuses PLO of supporting anti-democratic forces around the world "time and again." Statement comes in wake of statements by some PLO officials in support of 8/19 coup in USSR. (NYT 8/23)

PLO ambassador to USSR denies PLO supported anti-Gorbachev coup, as reported by Russian television 8/23, issues press statement noting PLO considered recent developments in USSR to be an internal Soviet matter. (MEM 8/23)

Israeli authorities order Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi to appear before police 8/26 to discuss their recent meetings with Palestinian leaders in London [see 8/16]. (NYT 8/23)

Hizbullah claims responsibility for bomb attack that left one South Lebanon Army soldier dead, four wounded. SLA artillery, tanks bombard several villages in retaliation. (Qol Yisra'el 8/23 in FBIS 8/23)

Foreign min. of Congo holds discussions with Israeli for. ministry on restoring diplomatic ties. Congo, the tenth African state to renew relations with Israel since 1973, will open an embassy in Jerusalem, making it the third country to do so. (MEM 8/23)

PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Yasir 'Abd Rabbuh states PLO hopes coup d'etat in USSR will help "solve" question of Soviet Jewish emigration to Israel. (AFP 8/19 in FBIS 8/19)

Israel, Albania establish diplomatic relations. (IDF Radio 8/19 in FBIS 8/19)

King Hussein, Pres. al-Asad meet in Syria on peace talks, Palestinian representation to conference. (AFP 8/19 in FBIS 8/20)

Israeli settlement leader sentenced to four month's community service in return for pleading guilty to a lesser charge in case involving death of a Palestinian youth [in Jan. 1988] whom the settler "accidentally" shot. (JP 8/20 in FBIS 8/20)

Pres. Bush and Soviet Pres. Gorbachev issue joint statement on Middle East peace conference in Moscow, indicating U.S. and USSR will sponsor conference in October. Invitations will be issued at least ten days prior to conference. (NYT, WP 8/1)

PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Yasir 'Abd Rabbo states PLO welcomes statement, but that Palestinian decision to attend is awaiting answer to request made of Gorbachev [see 7/25] to guarantee conference leads to Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories, including E. Jerusalem, and leads to Palestinian self-determination. (MEM 8/1)

73rd leaflet issued by Unified National Leadership of the Uprising attacks U.S.-led peace plan, condemns Egyptian Pres. Mubarak's plan for end to Arab League boycott of Israel in return for halt to Israeli settlement building. (MEM 7/31) 

Lebanese army units continue search for PLO weapons caches in Sidon, order civilians to turn in weapons. More than 500 militia members arrested. (NYT 7/10)

U.S., Britain, France, USSR, China agree to control flow of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons to Middle East, exercise "restraint" insales of conventional weapons to region. (WP 7/10; NYT 7/16)

Secy. of State Baker meets with Israeli For. Min. Levy in Washington, urges Israeli flexibility concerning U.S. proposals for peace talks. Levy states Baker pledged U.S. would not propose initiatives which were not cleared with Israel first. (NYT, LAT 6/14)

Soviet Aircraft Industry Min. Apollon Systsov tells Israeli Def. Min. Moshe Arens that USSR will sell Israel any defensive weapons Israel requires once full diplomatic relations have been established between the two nations, including the advanced MiG-31 fighter aircraft. Soviet officials later denied any offer was made. (LAT 6/21; WP 6/25)

Pres. Bush unveils proposal for arms control in Middle East, his first concrete policy initiative dealing with region since end of Gulf war (see JPS 80, doc. D3). Proposal includes call for: U.S., USSR, China, France, Britain to halt certain arms transfers; freeze on acquisition of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons-grade uranium & plutonium; regional acquiescence to global ban on poison gas weapons; commitments to abide by 1972 treaty on biological weapons and 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Proposals do not call for specific treaties but rather encourage self-restraint. Administration confirms that Israel, which has not signed Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, has objected to provisions on nuclear weapons. Israel reportedly possesses some 100 nuclear warheads. (NYT, WP, LAT 5/30)

Israeli government admits paying $35 million to government of former Pres. Mengistu Haile Mariam's government in Ethiopia for release of Ethiopian Jews flown to Israel 5/24 and 5/25, confirms that two senior officials of deposed government were given temporary asylum in Israel as part of deal. (NYT 5/30)

Following talks with Jordanian For. Min. Tahir al-Masri, PLO Pol. Dept. Head Faruq al-Qaddumi states that Jordan and Syria have responded positively to PLO proposal for coordinated stand among Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and PLO toward U.S. peace efforts in region. (MEM 5/29)

U.S. Def. Secy. Richard Cheney arrives in Israel for talks on arms sales. Israel has complained recently that U.S. is delaying delivery of $700 million in arms promised to Israel. Cheney states Washington remains committed to assuring Israel's military advantage over Arab states. (LAT 5/30) 

U.S. military begins to transfer responsibility to the UN for major Kurdish relief effort as separate violent incidents involving allies, Iraqi troops, and Kurdish demonstrators occur [MEM 5/13; WP, NYT, LAT 5/14].

Meeting in Cairo, Soviet F.M. Bessmertnykh tells Sec. Baker that Moscow would be reluctant to support larger UN security role to protect Kurdish refugees [WP, NYT, LAT, MEM 5/14; MENA 5/13 in FBIS 5/13]. Bessmertnykh then flies to Saudi Arabia for meeting with King Fahd [SPA 5/13 in FBIS 5/14].

Washington Post reports on West Bank village of Artas, the villagers of which, while under curfew during the Gulf war, had most of their agricultural lands confiscated by Israeli authorities [WP 5/14].

Bush admin. has prepared arms control plan that would ban Israel from producing nuclear material for weapons and would require Arab nations in Middle East to give up chemical weapons, according to admin. officials [NYT 5/14].

Saudi Arabia and other 5 member states of GCC agree to send observer to opening session of any Middle East peace conference that Sec. Baker is trying to organize (cf. 5/11) [WP 5/11; MEM 5/13; KUNA 5/11 in FBIS 5/13].

F.M. Bessmertnykh becomes highest ranking Soviet official ever to visit Israel; no progress reportedly made in talks on overcoming obstacles to Middle East peace conference. Israeli officials express concern over Bessmertnykh's 5/9 remarks in Jordan [WP, NYT, LAT 5/11; JDS, IDF 5/10 in FBIS 5/10; MEM 5/13].

U.S. calls on Iraq to reconsider its 5/9 rejection of proposal to allow UN troops to protect Kurds in northern Iraq, allowing early withdrawal of American and allied troops from the area [WP, NYT, LAT 5/11].

UN announces the formal withdrawal of all allied military forces from southern Iraq and the establishment of a demilitarized zone inside the 6-mile buffer space separating Iraq and Kuwait [WP 5/11].

In rare move, Israeli Army cancels order to demolish house of Palestinian who was dead at the time the military decided to punish him [NYT 5/11].

UN Sec.-Gen. Perez de Cuellar tells Pres. Bush that he has received from Iraq "a very clear rejection" of the allied plan for UN troops to protect Kurdish refugee camps once allies leave; Iraqi troops move into Dahuk in effort to prevent allies from expanding security zones further (cf. 5/10) [WP, NYT 5/10].

Soviet F.M. Bessmertnykh declares while visiting Jordan that new Middle East peace process could not begin unless Israel halt construction of Jewish settlements in o.t.; adds that Moscow will not rule out limiting emigration of Soviet Jews as way of halting settlements [WP, MEM 5/10; ADS 5/9 in FBIS 5/10].

Returning to U.S. after meeting with King Fahd, Sec. Cheney says he has made "significant progress" towards new U.S.-Arab military agreements in Gulf region [WP, MEM 5/10; RIDS 5/9 in FBIS 5/9]. Cheney reports he reached general understanding with Saudi and other Gulf gov'ts. about storing equipment and other steps to maintain American military presence in region [NYT 5/10]

Soviet F.M. Bessmertnykh begins trip to Middle East, arriving in Damascus and assuring Syrian leadership that Moscow remains "a strong supporter of the Arab cause." Bessmertnykh is also to visit Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt, where he is expected to meet with Sec. Baker [MEM 5/8; WP, NYT 5/9; DDS 5/8 in FBIS 5/8, 5/9].

Pres. Mubarak announces decision to pull the nearly 40,000 Egyptian troops out of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait; media debates whether announcement signals the end of Damascus agreement made on 3/5 that provided for postwar security arrangements built around Syrian and Egyptian troops [MEM 5/9; MENA 5/8 in FBIS 5/8; WP 5/11].

Sec. Cheney visits Muscat, Abu Dhabi, and Doha to discuss U.S.-Arab military agreements [WAKH 5/8 in FBIS 5/8].

Head of Israeli Civil Administration in West Bank grants 31 permits for establishment of businesses with policy of providing employment to hundreds of laborers [IGP 5/8 in FBIS 5/9].

Israeli gov't. formally retracts agreement made last week between F.M. Levy and Sec. Baker on format for regional peace talks. P.M. Shamir says Levy went too far, Levy accuses Shamir of "getting cold feet" [NYT 4/29; JDS 4/28 in FBIS 4/29; MET 5/7].

Saudi Prince Khalid bin Sultan, commander of allied Arab forces, says he does not think Saudi Arabia would need or want larger American military presence than it had before Gulf war [NYT 4/29].

Israeli authorities release Sari Nusseibeh from prison, 3 months after he was detained on charges of spying for Iraq [NYT, MEM 4/29; FJ 5/6].

Syria calls for increased Iranian role in postwar Gulf security arrangements as Pres. Asad and Pres. Rafsanjani hold 2d day of talks in Damascus [WP 4/29]. Rafsanjani also meets with PFLP-GC delegation [QUD 4/29 in FBIS 4/30].

Yasir Abd Rabbo, PLO information chief who headed PLO delegation to Moscow last week, tells media "the Soviet Union believes the peace process cannot take off without the participation of the PLO" [MEM 4/29].

Soviet Union announces that it is prepared to cosponsor Middle East peace conference with U.S., as F.M. Bessmertnykh meets with Sec. Baker in Kislovodsk, USSR [NYT, WP, LAT 4/26].

While Sec. Baker is en route to Israel from Soviet Union, Israelis move 7 additional mobile homes to new West Bank settlement of Talmon Bet [NYT 4/26]. Gush Emunim group brings 16 additional mobile homes to new settlement of Revava; IDF stops convoy from setting up homes, claiming move was not approved by gov't. [JDS 4/25, YA 4/26 in FBIS 4/26].

In 90-minute news conference with Iraqi and foreign journalists, Iraqi P.M. Saadun Hamadi says his country is moving toward democracy, wants better relations with West, and will abide by UN terms for lifting economic sanctions [NYT, WP 4/26; INA 4/25 in FBIS 4/26].

Palestinian notable Radwan Abu Ayyash, who met with Sec. Baker, is given green ID card, barring him from Israel without special permission from Israeli gov't. [MEM 4/25; JDS 4/25 in FBIS 4/25].

53 senators sign letter to King Fahd urging Saudi Arabia to participate in proposed Arab-Israeli peace talks; letter calls Saudi involvement "indispensable" [MEM 4/26].

Sec. Baker holds nearly 10 hours of talks with Pres. Asad, at press conference Baker declines to say whether progress was made [NYT, LAT, MEM 4/24; DDS 4/23 in FBIS 4/23; SANA 4/23 in FBIS 4/24].

Eight Israeli families complete move to new settlement of Talmon Bet several miles west of Ramallah hours before Sec. Baker is due to arrive in Israel. Gush Emunim says new houses are part of existing settlement. Baker later announces he is postponing his visit to Israel for trip to USSR [MEM 4/23; NYT, WP 4/24; JPI 5/4].

Clashes are reported between peace activists and settlers there [MEM 4/23].

Israeli officials say they do not interpret U.S. objection to settlements as call for definite freeze, but rather as Washington asking for temporary halt [LAT 4/24].

PLO Central Council ends 3 days of meetings in Tunis, calls for international peace conference that includes PLO [MEM 4/24; TDS 4/25, AVP, MAP 4/24 in FBIS 4/25; AVP 4/25 in FBIS 4/26]. 

Pres. Bush says that U.S., British, and French troops will set up secure camps in northern Iraq that could shelter more than 500,000 Kurds until they could be coaxed back to their homes [NYT, WP, LAT 4/17].

Inspectors from International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) negotiate with Baghdad for permission to visit rubble of Iraq's 2 nuclear research reactors to see if country's supply of weapons-grade uranium is still intact, and if it is, to destroy it or remove it [WP 4/17].

P.M. Shamir meets with Soviet P.M. in London; Shamir says that diplomatic relations between the 2 countries would have to be established before Moscow could have a role at Middle East peace conference [WP 4/17].

U.S. calls new Jewish settlement of Revava "an obstacle" and questions Israel's timing, with Sec. Baker due to arrive on 4/18 [NYT, WP, LAT, MEM 4/17; MET 4/30].

Israeli navy shells boat carrying 8 Palestinians, allegedly en route to Israel. All are killed [RFL 4/17 in FBIS 4/17].

Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics reports Israel's population has reached 4.9 million [IDS 4/16 in FBIS 4/19].