The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint east of Tulkarm; the man was allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at the Israeli forces. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians during a late-night raid in Jenin; 1 Palestinian was shot and injured in the stomach. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 1 bulldozer in Bayt Dajan. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during raids in Bayt Fajjar, Jenin, and Nablus, and 1 was arrested after he allegedly tried to stab 1 Israeli soldier at a checkpoint near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in Issawiyya. In Gaza, 1 rocket was fired at Israel, landing in an open area, and Israel fired 1 missile at Gaza, causing damage near Rafah. Israeli forces also opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of al-Sudaniyya refugee camp within the allowed fishing area; no injuries were reported. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/5; WAFA 10/6; PCHR 10/8)

In the 1st installment of a 3-part interview with al-Arabiya TV, Saudi prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, a former ambassador to the U.S., criticized the Palestinian leadership for its response to the UAE-Israel normalization deal which Prince Bandar called a “transgression” and “reprehensible.” He also said that “[t]he Palestinian cause is a just cause but its advocates are failures, and the Israeli cause is unjust but its advocates have proven to be successful. That sums up the events of the last 70 or 75 years . . . There is something that successive Palestinian leadership historically share in common: they always bet on the losing side, and that comes at a price.” (REU 10/5; HA 10/6)

Saudi Arabia donated $25 million to UNRWA projects. (WAFA 10/5)

Talks in Washington btwn. Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestinians resume in undisclosed locations, 1st since 9/93. Israeli official says Israeli-Syrian session, btwn. delegation heads Itamar Rabinovich and Muwafaq al-Allaf, held in "good and positive atmosphere." (CSM, WT 1/24; NYT, WP 1/25)

PLO-Israel negotiations in Taba, Egypt resume with mtg. of Civilian Affairs Comm. Security Affairs Comm. postpones session pending next Arafat-Peres mtg. (MENA 1/24 in FBIS 1/24, 1/25)

PLO Chmn. Arafat meets in Riyadh with Saudi King Fahd, DM Prince Sultan, and Gov. of Riyadh Prince Salman. Aide to Arafat characterizes mtg., 1st since Gulf war, as "friendly and warm." Saudis pledge assistance to Palestinian "institutions and infrastructure" according to PLO official Ahmad Qurai'. (CSM, WP, WT 1/25)

King Hussein of Jordan holds 1st public mtg. with 30 American Jewish leaders in Washington, expresses desire for "warm peace" with Israel. (NYT, WP, WT 1/25)

Reuter reports Israeli businessmen have invested $5 m. in experimental farm at al-Jadida, Morocco, and are supplying irrigation equipment to farms in Hawz area nr. Marrakesh. (MM 1/24)

UN Sec. Council unanimously votes to condemn Israel for its refusal to cooperate with UN investigation of Haram al-Sharif shootings. Vote had been delayed 24 hours at request of U.S. to give Israel time to reconsider its refusal [NYT, LAT, WP, WT 10/25; text in MEM 10/25].

Congressional leaders say they will reserve the right to reconvene in the event U.S. goes to war in Gulf while Congress is in recess; provision in adjournment resolution will allow Congress to reconvene [NYT, WP 10/25].

Soviet envoy Primakov arrives in Cairo on 1st part of trip that will include Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iraq [MEM 10/24; NYT 10/25].

Los Angeles Times reports increased handgun sales in Jerusalem because of tension and violence there since Haram al-Sharif shootings [LAT 10/25].

Faisal Husayni is released from detention on bail after signing commitment not to participate in disturbances; Husayni was arrested on 10/8 on suspicion of inciting Palestinians during Haram al-Sharif incident [JDS 10/24 in FBIS 10/25; MEM 10/25].

Sentencing of 4 Givati Brigade soldiers convicted of beating death of Palestinian is postponed until 10/31 at request of defense attorney after Chief of Staff Dan Shomron suggests soldiers accused of committing offenses at the beginning of intifada not be tried (cf. 10/31) [MEM 10/25].

King Fahd orders an end to further conciliatory-sounding remarks to Iraq, like those made on 10/21 by D.M. Prince Sultan [NYT 10/27].

Saudi Arabia says it will not resume oil sales to Jordan unless Jordan pays disputed 5-year-old debt of $40 million [MEM 10/25].