The Palestine Chronology

Israeli govt. declares 1-week freeze on signing contracts for govt.-subsidized housing, including those affecting construction i the o.t. Freeze also is called on planning and early proceedings of new roads in o.t. About 3,000 units in early stages in o.t. are affected by the freeze, and govt. is still unsure about what to do with 4,000 completed units unattached to infrastructure, 12,000 in various stages of construction, and about 500 completed units that have been populated in the o.t. About 60% of these 16,500 scheduled units are in "political settlements." Financial incentives encouraging settlement will be ended. (Qol Yisra'el, HaAretz 7/16 in FBIS 7/16; MM, NYT, WP 7/17)

The Jerusalem Report states that 100 of the 142 settlements in the o.t. are "political settlements" according to PM Rabin, and can therefore expect significant cuts in govt. aid. These include all 16 settlements inthe Gaza Strip, as well as large W. Bank settlements of Qedumim, Elqana, and possibly Ariel. (Likud MK and Ariel mayor Ron Nahman claims freeze will have "opposite result" in his settlement, plans to increase its pop. from 11,000 to 20,000 in a year.) (Al Hamishmar 7/16 in FBIS 7/16; HaAretz 7/17 in MM 7/17)

Fateh gunman shoots, wounds 3 unarmed Hamas supporters in Rafah, Gaza. Hamas gunmen shoot, wound 1 unarmed Fateh supporter. Some 1,000 Fateh supporters then raid mosque in Yibna camp, Hamas gunmen inside open fire, wound 8. IDF troops impose curfew on Yibna. Two-week total for Fateh-Hamas violence is 1 dead, about 150 wounded. (MM, WP 7/17)

Palestinians throughout o.t. stage commercial strike called for by PLO-backed UNLU to protest seige at al-Najah University. Palestinian-Israeli leaders including all 6 MKs meet to discuss strategy, form delegation to meet with PM Rabin concerning al-Najah. Some 250 prominent Palestinians begin hunger strike in Nablus to protest siege. (MM 7/16, 17; Qol Yisra'el 7/16 in FBIS 7/17)

U.S. State Dept. calls for "restraint" from Israel in its handling of situation at al-Najah University, Nablus. IDF soldiers continue to surround campus, searching all students who leave; students refuse to leave until army withdraws. (WP 7/17)

Faisal Husseini announces Israeli defense establishment proposal to deport wanted men in al-Najah University for 3 years as step to lifting siege; Palestinians are drafting counter-proposal, and have sent a letter to PM Rabin to lift siege and curfew of Nablus. (Qol Yisra'el 7/16 in FBIS 7/17)

PLO representative calls on UN Secy. Gen. Butrus Ghali to provide int'l. protection for Palestinians in o.t., implementation of res. 681 to deal with siege at al-Najah University. (Radio Algiers Network 7/16 in FBIS 7/17)

PM Rabin agrees to meet with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo after U.S. Secy. of State Baker's upcoming visit; meeting would be first such visit since 1986. (WP 7/17)

Palestinian "rejectionist" groups - Hamas and the Palestine National Salvation Front (PFLP-GC, Fateh Uprising, Communist Revolutionary Party, and Sa'iqa) - meet in Damascus to discuss strategy of blocking the peace process and escalating the intifada. (MM 7/16)

King Hussein arrives in Damascus for visit with Pres. Asad. (Syrian Arab Republic Radio 7/16 in FBIS 7/16)

Islamic Resistance attacks Israeli, SLA roadblock in Kafr Huna, S. Lebanon. Israel overflies Arqub region, strengthens positions in al-Qantara, al-Tayyiba with armored vehicles. (Radio Lebanon 7/16 in FBIS 7/17)

Syrian VP 'Abd al-Halim Khaddam says Syria will not withdraw to eastern Lebanon in September, states that Taef accord requires withdrawal within 2 years of constitutional adoption of political reforms. (VOL 7/16 in FBIS 7/16)

Israeli Border Police capture suspected armed Palestinian activist near al-Najah University, Nablus. In pursuit of 20 "wanted" armed activists, IDF demands that everyone leaving university submit to body search; 200 students barricade themselves inside the university. Army says activists entered the university following campus elections (which favored Fateh over Hamas, 11 to 0). Leaders Faisal Husseini and Sa'ib 'Urayqat travel to Nablus to calm the situation. (Qol Yisra'el 7/15 in FBIS 7/15)

Outgoing PM Shamir meets privately with PM Rabin, formally hands over prime ministership. (Qol Yisra'el 7/14 in FBIS 7/14)

Qalqiliya (W. Bank) Chamber of Commerce holds elections, PLO-identified National List wins 8 of 9 seats, Islamic List (Hamas) wins 1. (Qol Yisra'el 7/14 in FBIS 7/14)

Israeli undercover unit shoots dead "wanted" Fateh Black Panther activist near Janin, W. Bank. (MM 7/14)

Arab and Palestinian leaders and delegates reject Rabin's invitation in 7/13 speech for meeting in Jerusalem before positive concrete steps are taken by new govt., express cautious optimism about peace process. (NYT, WP 7/14, 15)

IDF fires incendiary shells into Nabatiyya area, S. Lebanon. Islamic Resistance attacks Israeli patrol, IDF resumes shelling "security zone" border villages of Jaru, 'Ayn Bu Siwar. (Radio Lebanon 7/14 in FBIS 7/15; Voice of the Oppressed 7/15 in FBIS 7/15)

Pres. Mubarak sends cable of congratulations to PM Rabin. (MENA 7/14 in FBIS 7/14)

PM Rabin addresses new Knesset, offering to travel to Arab capitals, inviting Palestinian delegation and Arab country leaders to Jerusalem, and calling for Palestinian acceptance of autonomy. Yitzhak Shamir addresses Knesset, offers praise for old admin., warnings and criticism for the new. Knesset approves new cabinet by a vote of 67 to 53, 17 new cabinet mbrs. sworn in. Pres. Bush congratulates Rabin, invites him to Kennebunkport, Maine, announces Secy. of State. Baker will travel to the region to meet with Rabin, Arab leaders. (ITV 7/13 in FBIS 7/14; NYT, WP 7/14)

Faisal Husseini, not considered part of the Palestinian negotiating team by PM Rabin because he is from Jerusalem, and therefore not among Rabin's 7/13 "invitees," offers counter-invitation fr Rabin to call him at home in Jerusalem. Husseini's position is seen as direct challenge to Syria, which sees Rabin as "carbon copy" of Shamir. (MM 7/14)

Fateh and Hamas sign new, more elaborate agreement to end violence in Gaza Strip as a result of NRC mediation (see 7/8, 10). Eightteen committees have been set up to enforce the agreement. (Qol Yisra'el 7/14 in FBIS 7/14)

Israeli undercover unit disguised as Arabs infiltrate, join 20 Hamas marchers in Gaza city. Hamas activist attacks 1 soldier, IDF opens fire; in ensuing confusion, 1 Hamas activist dies (from IDF bullets) as Hamas reportedly believes undercover IDF are Fateh activists. (Qol Yisra'el 7/13 in FBIS 7/14; MM 7/22)

Pres. Asad meets with Lebanese Pres. Ilyas al-Hirawi, joined later by VP 'Abd al-Halim Khaddam and FM Faruk al-Shara' in Damascus. (Syrian Arab TV 7/13 in FBIS 7/14)

SLA commander Antun Lahd categorically rejects Lebanese elections given current circumstances. (MM 7/14)

Israel, SLA shells Hizballah target, UNIFIL village of Yatar killing 1 civilian, in response to Islamic Resistance mortaring of "security zone" village of Bayt Lif. (MM 7/13; Radio Lebanon 7/13 in FBIS 7/14; WP 7/14)

In Jericho, 17 Palestinian peace delegates are detained and questioned for 3 hours concerning their 6/18 public meeting in Amman with PLO Chmn. Arafat. Police say the 17 will be summoned for interrogation again; Faisal Husseini said the group will refuse to answer questions,tressing their immunity as delegates. (NYT 6/30)

Israeli fin. min. issues order preventing construction ad housing min. from signing new contracts until a new govt. is formed. Freeze applies to both Israel and the o.t. (HaAretz 6/29 in FBIS 6/29)

Benjamin Netanyahu announces intention to run for leadership of the Likud party. (NYT 6/30)

Alleged plot to assassinate Iraqi Pres. Saddam Hussein by 4 officers of the Republican Guard is reportedly defused, Hussein embarks on extensive purge of military officers. (NYT 7/9)

Pres. Asad endorses new 37-member cabinet; Ba'ath "heavyweights" retain over twothirds of seats. (MM 7/30)

Lebanese army units in south are put on alert, shell Israeli targets inside "security zone." Israel and SLA shell Jabal al-Safi, Arnun areas; Israeli air force stages mock raids over Iqlim al-Tuffah, Bint Jubayl, fires rockets at "Hizballah target" in UNIFIL village of Haris. Israel reportedly moves to incorporate Arnun into "security zone." (Radio Lebanon, Radio Free Lebanon, Qol Yisra'el 6/29 in FBIS 6/29)

Steering committee of multilateral peace talks begins meeting in Lisbon to discuss results of 5 sets of talks held during May. (Qol Yisra'el 5/27 in FBIS 5/28)

France announces it will provide $500 million in loan guarantees to Israel to assist in infrastructural development. (MM 5/28)

Police arrest 150 Jewish rioters in Bat Yam as anti-Arab riots continue. Rioters burn tires in the streets, attack police; 7 persons are injured. Faisal Husseini denounces 5/24 killing of Jewish girl which sparked the riots. (Qol Yisra'el 5/27, 5/28 in FBIS 5/28)

Gazan from Dayr al-Balah stabs and kills settler in Kfar Darom, Gaza. Settlers later rampage in Dayr al-Balah, damaging Palestinian crops and attacking residents. IDF evacuates schoolchildren after settlers besiege an elementary school. More than 100 settlers are arrested. IDF imposes curfew on Dayr al-Balah and extends travel ban imposed 5/24 for another 3days. (WP 5/28)

Bomb attack on IDF convoy near Arnun, S. Lebanon (near Beaufort Castle), kills 1 Israeli soldier. 3 guerrillas killed in subsequent gunbattle. Lebanese National Resistance Front claims associated fighters from PFLP, Syrian Social Nationalist Party-Higher Council (Da'ud Baz faction) carried out attack. IDF continue shelling S. Lebanese villages. (ITV 5/27, Radio Lebanon, AFP 5/27 in FBIS 5/28; WP 5/28)

Fateh, Hamas supporters clash in Qalqiliya, W. Bank. (Qol Yisra'el 5/28 in FBIS 5/28) Israel, Sierra Leone reestablish diplomatic relations. (Qol Yisra'el 5/27 in FBIS 5/27)

Palestinian spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi criticizes Israeli proposal to hold test municipal elections in o.t. but states Palestinian delegation has not rejected the proposal outright. Lebanese, Israeli delegations disagree on anti-Israeli resistance in S. Lebanon. (WP 4/29; Voice of Lebanon, Beirut Radio Lebanon 4/29 in FBIS 4/29; Israel Television 4/29 in FBIS 4/30)

FM Levy informs Secy. of State Baker Israel will not attend upcoming multilateral talks on refugees, economic development, if Palestinians from outside o.t. participate [see 4/7]. (Israel Television 4/28 in FBIS 4/29)

In interviews published in E. Jerusalem press, Nayif Hawatima, leader of one faction of the DFLP, expresses support for municipal elections if they are held under international supervision throughout o.t. and not in selected towns as Israel proposed. Hawatima also criticizes PLO leadership for allegedly exceeding bounds set by Palestine National Council, PLO Central Council resolutions, calls for reforms within PLO, and urgesuspending Palestinian participation in peace talks. (Sawt al-Sha'b 4/28 in FBIS 4/30; MM 4/28)

Faisal Husseini sends letter to 2 members of anti-Zionist Orthodox Jewish movement Neturei Karta appointing them to advisory committee of Palestinian delegation. (Yedi'ot Aharonot 4/29 in FBIS 4/30)

Syrian FM Faruq al-Shar' announces hindrances on travel abroad by Syrian Jews have been removed [see 4/13, 4/23], but stresses difference between "travel" and "emigration." Al-Shar' also states Syrian Jews have no desire to emigrate from Syria. (MM 4/29; Syrian Arab Republic Radio 4/29 in FBIS 4/29)

Israel Television announces work has begun on 12-km. road linking Jerusalem with settlements in Gush Tzion. Road will allow settlers to bypass Palestinian villages between Bethlehem and Hebron, and is described as largest road project ever carried out by Israel. (MM 4/29)

Israeli police announce arrests of 12 Palestinian citizens of Israel whom police accuse of membershipn Islamic Jihad. (MM 4/29

Palestinian negotiators Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi, Zakariya al-Agha, Sari Nusseibeh meet Secy. of State Baker in Washington to discuss Palestinian participation in proposed peace conference. (MEM, NYT 10/11)

For the first time, China admits that Israeli-Chinese meetings took place in Beijing between Chinese officials and representatives of Israel's foreign ministry. Latter had been invited to China by Israel's semi-official representative office, and spoke with their Chinese counterparts while in the country. Israel also confirms that the meetings were held. (MEM 10/10; Qol Yisra'el 10/10 in FBIS 10/11)

UN Secy. Gen. de Cuellar informs Lebanon that Lebanese army cannot deploy in areas in S. Lebanon controlled by UNIFIL forces. Lebanese officials claim de Cuellar had indicated the army would be allowed to operate in UNIFIL areas during talks between Lebanese, UN officials in September in New York. (Radio Lebanon 10/10, 10/11; Voice of Lebanon 10/11 in FBIS 10/11)