The Palestine Chronology

PLO supporters, running as "Nationalist Muslim List," win 9 of 12 seats in elections for chamber of commerce and industry in Nablus. Hamas supporters win other 3 seats. Elections were the first for the chamber in 18 years. (MM 5/21)

Palestinian negotiator Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi condemns internecine killing of Palestinians in o.t. (Qol Yisra'el 5/21 in FBIS 5/21)

IDF planes bomb Islamic Resistance positions near Janta in E. Lebanon's Biqa' Valley, 5 km. from border with Syria; 6 Hizballah fighters and 1 Iranian Revolutionary Guard fighter are killed. jets also bomb 2 other villages in S. Lebanon while helicopters attack home of Hizballah commander in Jibshit. IDF, SLA artillery shell 5 villages as fierce fighting enters third day. (MM 5/21; WP, MM 5/22)

IDF declares state of alert in "security zone" and N. Israel as artillery and rocket attacks continue between Hizballah-led Islamic Resistance Movement and IDF, SLA forces in S. Lebanon. (MM 5/20)

International Committee of the Red Cross calls on Israel to halt mistreatment of detainees in o.t. (MM 5/21)

Jordan's acting PM notifies UNESCO that it has historical responsibility for maintaining Islamic shrines in East Jerusalem, states that all funds must be channeled through Jordan. Political battle deepens between Jordan and Saudi Arabia over which country will fund repairs to Islamic sites in Jerusalem (see 5/16, 5/18). Jordan also announces that Chmn. Arafat sent letter to King Hussein thanking him for pledging funds to restore the shrines. (AFP, Radio Jordan 5/20 in FBIS 5/21; MM 5/21)

Strike observed in o.t. to commemorate May 1990 killing of 7 Palestinians workers in Rishon le Zion by an Israeli soldier. (MM 5/20)

Gunbattle breaks out between Palestinians and IDF undercover troops posing as Hamas activists in Rafah refugee camp, Gaza. The troops, wearing captured Hamas uniforms, were challenged by suspicious residents who demanded that the group speak to them in Arabic. At least 1 IDF soldier was wounded. Clash breaks out between Israeli settlers and residents of Husan, W. Bank, after settlers rampage through village, smashing automobile windows and attacking villagers. (MM 5/20)

Hizballah-led Islamic Resistance fighters capture SLA position inside Israeli "security zone" in 'Alman-Shumariya region of S. Lebanon - first time SLA position has been overrun in 4 years. 2 SLA troops killed, 4 others captured; 2 attackers died. Islamic Resistance forces later withdraw. IDF, SLA shell Jabal al-Safi, several villages in Iqlim al-Tuffah and Nabatiyya region, S. Lebanon. Hizballah forces fire rockets into "security zone." (MM 5/20, 5/21)

State Dept. clarifies 5/12/92 statement regarding UNGA Res. 194 (asserting right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes) by noting that only UNSC Res. 242, 338 constitute framework for current peace talks. Earlier statement prompted angered rebuttals from Israel. (MM 5/19)

Saudi cabinet declares its offer to repair Islamic sites in East Jerusalem is a "basic part of its Islamic responsibilities" and not a political move (see 5/16). (MM 5/19)

Israeli civilian killed by gunmen in Bayt Lahiya, Gaza. (MM 5/18)

Chmn. Arafat sends letter to King Fahd thanking him for recent Saudi pledge to pay for renovation of Islamic shrines in East Jerusalem. Arafat also urged Fahd to use his influence to "close the ranks of our Arab nation." (Saudi offer has been met with hostility by Jordan, which has traditionally held responsibility for maintaining the shrines) (Sanaa VOP 5/17 in FBIS 5/21)

3,000 Palestinians in al-Shaja'iyya district of Gaza City demonstrate against internecine killings. (Qol Yisra'el 5/17 in FBIS 5/20)

In interview published in Israeli press, PM Shamir claims U.S. "wants to return us to the 1967 borders." While many Israeli officials have expressed this belief in the past, this represents first such public statement by Shamir. (NYT 5/16)

Multilateral talks on refugees end in Ottawa. (MM 5/18)

Multilateral talks on arms control end in Washington. (MM 5/15)

Court order allows Israeli press to publish information concerning an Egyptian citizen arrested by Israel for espionage in August 1991 and formally charged in March 1992. Press had been forbidden to publish stories on the man for fear of possible effect on case of 4 Israelis held by Egypt on charges of spying [see 5/51. (MM 5/14)

Multilateral talks on refugees open in Ottawa with Palestinians asserting that solution for Palestinian refugees should be made through implementation of UN Gen. Assembly Res. 194, which calls for repatriation of refugees or compensation. Israel boycotts talks. (MM 5/12)

Responding to 5/12 U.S. statement regarding right of Palestinian refugees to return, PM Shamir states "There is only a Jewish 'right of return' to the Land of Israel." State Dept. clarifies 5/12 statement, reaffirming U.S. support for Res. 194 and Sec. Council Res. 237 (adopted 14 June 1967) regarding return of Palestinian refugees but adding that this remains a matter to be negotiated between Palestinians and Israel. (NYT, MM 5/14)

Multilateral talks on water open in Vienna with more than 30 delegations attending. (WP 5/14)

Palestinian negotiators Zakariyal-Agha, 'Abd al-Rahman Hamad are refused entry into Gaza by Israeli authorities at Rafah border crossing point for a second time after they again refused to allow border guards to search documents they were carrying [see 5/12]. (MM 5/15)

Annual assembly of World Health Organization passes resolution criticizing Israel for health conditions in o.t. (MM 5/14)

In Jerusalem, Jordanian-controlled Higher Islamic Council warns against intervention by "foreign or international bodies" in repair work to Islamic holy sites in E. Jerusalem, an apparent reference to Saudi attempts to finance repairs of shrines in coordination with UNESCO [Jordan has traditionally been responsible for shrines' maintenance] [see 4/29, 5/5, 5/11, 5/12]. (MM 5/13; NYT 5/14)

Shaykh Ishaq Idris Sakhouta, head of Cairo-based and Saudi-financed World Islamic League, begins visit to Israel and o.t. After praying at al-Aqsa mosque in E. Jerusalem, Sakhouta praises Israel's handling of Islamic shrines in Jerusalem during meeting with Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek [Sakhouta's visit is being financed by an Israeli tourist company which seeks to increase Muslim tourism to Islamic holy sites in o.t.] (MM 5/14)

IDF kill "wanted" Palestinian in Immatin, near Tulkarm. Separate gun battle between IDF and 3 Palestinians leaves 1 Palestinian wounded. (Qol Yisra'el 5/14 in FBIS 5/14

State Dept. says U.S. supports UN Gen. Assembly Res. 194, passed 11 December 1948, which upholds right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes. Israel demands explanation. (NYT 5/13)

Multilateral talks on economic development end in Brussels. (MM 5/13)

Palestinian negotiators Zakariya al-Agha, 'Abd al-Rahman Hamad are denied entry at Rafah border crossing by Israeli authorities after they refuse to submit to a search of documents they were carrying as they returned from recent round of bilateral talks in Washington. (MM 5/15)

As Saudi-Jordanian tension mounts over which country's monarch will assume responsibility for paying for repairs to Islamic shrines in E. Jerusalem, Saudi television reasserts Saudi Arabia's intention [made 4/29] to finance repairs to sites such as al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock [Jordan has stated it will assume repair costs. See 5/5, 5/11]. (NYT 5/14)

Israeli jets, helicopters attack Islamic Resistance positions in Iqlim al-Tuffah region of S. Lebanon. Raids were first Israeli air attacks in S. Lebanon since 2/16. (Voice of the Mountain, Radio Free Lebanon 5/13 in FBIS 5/13

Multilateral talks on economic development open in Brussels. Only Palestinian and Jordanian delegations attend [Palestinians include representatives from diaspora]. Syria and Lebanon, which had earlier stated that they would boycott multilateral talks due to lack of progress in bilateral Arab-Israeli talks, fail to attend. Israel also follows through on its threats to boycott any talks which include Palestinians from outside o.t. by staying away from session. Talks on arms control open in Washington. Syria, Lebanon once again refuse to participate. Palestinians do not participate, even as part of Jordanian delegation, because only states with militaries were invited. 20 other nations send observers to talks. (NYT, WP 5/12)

Fateh candidates win all 9 contested seats in elections to staff union of al-Najah University, defeating pro-Hamas candidates. Pro-PLO figures also defeated Hamas supporters in elections for the workers' union at Muttali' Hospital (Augusta Victoria Hospital) in Jerusalem. (MM 5/12)

PLO Central Council concludes meeting in Tunis after heated discussions over whether Palestinians should continue participating in peace process. Council eventually issues resolution expressing support for continuing participation but linking participation in multilaterals with progress in bilateral negotiations. Council also decides that Palestinians will reevaluate participation in the peace process in October 1992. In wake of criticism of PLO leadership, Council also creates committee to study internal PLO structures. Nayif Hawatima, head of one faction of DFLP and who had been pushing for reevaluation of PLO policy toward peace talks and for reforms within PLO, expresses dissatisfaction with results of meeting [DFLP-Hawatima faction, PFLP, Arab Liberation Front voted against the resolution]. (Tunisian Republic Radio, Radio Monte Carlo 5/10 in FBIS 5/11; Voice of Palestine 5/11 in FBIS 5/13; MM 5/11)

Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa states no progress can be made in multilateral talks until bilateral talks lead to peace treaties. (MM 5/11)

King Hussein announces he will personally donate $8.25 million to restore al-Aqsa mosque in E. Jerusalem. Hussein intends to sell a country home in Britain to raise the funds [see 5/5]. (Radio Jordan 5/11 in FBIS 5/13; NYT 5/14; Radio Jordan 5/20 in FBIS 5/21)

State Dept. issues statement claiming U.S. has uncovered information implicating Iran in 3/17 bombing of Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, although it possesses "no conclusive evidence" to this effect. (NYT 5/9)

IDF kills Palestinian youth in Hebron. Clashes break out afterwards, and merchants close shops in mourning. IDF also ends blockade of o.t. imposed 5/6. (MM 5/8)

PLO Central Council begins meeting in Tunis. Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi secretly address meeting. (Jordan Times 5/10 in FBIS 5/11)

Emile Habibi receives prestigious Israel Prize for Literature from Pres. Herzog, PM Shamir [see 3/17]. Tehiya party leader Yuval Ne'em'an disrupts ceremony by rising from the audience and announcing he was returning the Israel Prize awarded to him 23 years ago to protest awarding of prize to Habibi, whom he described as anti-Israeli. [Habibi had been urged by many Palestinian writers in Israel, o.t., and abroad to refuse the award. He stated that he decided to accept it, however, to pay tribute to achievements made by Palestinian population of Israel]. (MM 5/8)

Undercover unit shoots, injures Palestinian youth in Sa'ir near Hebron. Second Palestinian tries to drive youth to a hospital but is chased by the troops, who open fire on his car, killing him. (MM 5/8)

Israel informed U.S. it will boycott those sessions of upcoming multilateral peace talks in which diaspora Palestinians participate [Israel has stated it will only negotiate with o.t. Palestinians; see 4/7, 4/28, 4/29]. (WP 5/7) 

IDF commander in W. Bank announces troops may fire without warning upon armed Palestinians [statement was public clarification of change in policy which took effect in February 19921. Officer also denies charges that undercover units were operating in a manner tantamount to that of death squads [e.g., see 4/211. (NYT 5/7)

IDF blockades o.t., forbidding residents to travel to Israel, in preparation for celebrations of Israel's memorial day, independence day celebrations. (Qol Yisra'el 5/5 in FBIS 5/6)

Chmn. Arafat, Fateh leaders meet with Nayif Hawatima, leader of one faction of DFLP, and other DFLP officials to discuss differences in advance of PLO Central Council meeting [see 5/4 for similar talks between Fateh, PFLP]. (al-Ray 5/6 in FBIS 5/6)

PFLP leader Riyad Malki and DFLP-Hawatima faction leader 'Ali Abu Hilal, hold joint press conference in Jerusalem at which they state their conditional support for municipal elections, which have been proposed in different form by Israel but rejected by Fateh and Palestinian delegation to peace talks [PFLP, DFLP-Hawatima and Hamas have now called for supporting municipal elections if held under international supervision, a condition which Israel has rejected. See 4/27, 4/28, 4/30]. PFLP, DFLP also issue joint statement in o.t. calling for unified Arab position regarding participation in multilateral talks [PFLP had formerly opposed the talks]. (al-Ray 5/6 in FBIS 5/6)

Following 4/29 Saudi disclosure that King Fahd will pay for repairs to Islamic sites in E. Jerusalem, Jordanian cabinet announces Jordan will pay for repairing Dome of the Rock [Jordan has traditionally assumed responsibility for shrine's maintenance]. (Jordan Television 5/5 in FBIS 5/6; MM 5/6)

Amnesty International issues report criticizing conditions in al-Khiyam prison camp run by SLA in Israel's "security zone." (MM 5/5)

4 Israeli citizens arrested by Egypt in February on charges of espionage are released, deported to Israel [see 3/10]. (Qol Yisra'el 5/6 in FBIS 5/6; MENA 5/6 in FBIS 5/7)

3 IDF troops injured by a Palestinian wielding a knife at a roadblock. The attacker is killed. (Qol Yisra'el 5/6 in FBIS 5/6)

Chmn. Arafat, Fateh leaders meet with PFLP Asst. Gen. Secy. Abu al-'Ali Mustafa and other PFLP leaders in Tunis to discuss differences in advance of upcoming PLO Central Council meeting. (al-Ray 5/6 in FBIS 5/6)

Israel, Nigeria restore diplomatic relations suspended by Nigeria in 1973. (MM 5/5)

Disturbances break out in Dayr al-Balah refugee camp in Gaza after IDF arrests 3 "wanted" suspects. At least 9 Palestinians were injured. (HaAretz 5/5 in FBIS 5/6)

Responding to attacks from Islamic resistance, IDF, SLA artillery barrages kill 5, wounds 4 in Mashghara, S.Lebanon, northeast of Israeli "security zone." Bombardment of 5 villages in Iqlim al-Tuffah region wounds additional 11. (NYT 5/5)

Gulf Cooperation Council Secy. Gen. Ya'qub Bishara denies there are any attempts to suspend "Damascus Declaration," but recognizes that security of Gulf region not only depends upon protection offered to Arab states in the Gulf by signatories tothe Declaration [notably Syriand Egypt] but also upon "understanding with Iran" [Egypt has opposed attempts to draw Iran into Gulf security arrangements]. (KUNA 5/3 in FBIS 5/8)

IDF soldier killed during attack on home of mukhtar [headman] of al-Fari'a refugee camp near Janin. IDF discharges 2 officers following incident after it was learned the troops did not know the house belonged to the mukhtar, who, thinking he was being attacked by camp residents, fired on the soldiers. (IDF Radio 5/4 in FBIS 5/4)

Border Guards kill Palestinian in Bayt Sahur whom they had arrested following a march. (MM 5/5)

'Abd aI-Fattah Hamayil, appointed member of Palestinian delegation to peace talks by Faisal Husseini while imprisoned [see 4/12], crosses into Jordan under terms of agreement by which he is forbidden to return to o.t. for 28 months. (Qol Yisra'el 5/1 in FBIS 5/1)

Israeli press reports U.S. officials have placed Israel on list of 20 nations carrying out espionage against U.S. companies. (MM 5/1)

Fifth round of peace talks ends in Washington. (WP 5/1)

In interview published in E. Jerusalem press, PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud Abbas sharply criticizes Nayif Hawatima, leader of one faction of the DFLP, for comments he made in support of municipal elections in o.t. [Fateh opposes the elections]. 'Abbas also scores Hawatima for the latter's call for Palestinian withdrawal from peace talks and for his criticisms of PLO leadership [see 4/28]. (MM 4/30)

Unified National Command of the Intifada issues proclamation no. 82, calling for unity of Palestinian ranks. (Voice of Palestine 4/30 in FBIS 5/1)

IDF wounds 17 Palestinians in Gaza City and Jabaliya, Shati', Nusayrat refugee camps in Gaza. (NYT 5/1)

Palestinian delegation presents counter proposal in response to 4/27 Israeli suggestion that municipal elections be resumed in o.t. calling for elections for a Palestinian legislative assembly. Delegation also demands abolition of military decrees No. 2 (which granted IDF power to issue laws in o.t.), No. 92 (concerning Israel's control over water in o.t.), and No. 291 (which prohibited registration of land in W. Bank). Delegation also demands Palestinians be given access to public records such as land and population records. Israeli delegation proposes plan which would allow Palestinians to run o.t. hospitals. (NYT, MM 4/30; al-Nahar 4/30 in FBIS 5/1; Qol Yisra'el 4/30 in FBIS 4/30)

Israeli ambassador to U.S. presents compromise proposal to Secy. of State Baker dealing with Israeli objections to participation of diaspora Palestinians in multilateral talks on refugees, economic development [see 4/28]. Under the Israeli proposal, diaspora Palestinians who have residency in other Arab countries would be allowed to participate as members of the delegations from those countries and not as members of the Palestinian delegation. (WP 4/30)

U.S. announces it will give $80 million to Jewish Agency for absorption of immigrants in Israel, nearly double the size of a similar grant extended last year. (MM 5/1)

Classes resume at Bir Zeit University for first time since IDF closed it in January 1988 [see 4/20]. (MM 4/29)

King Fahd pledges to pay costs, estimated at $70 million, of repairing al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock in E. Jerusalem after receiving reports from UNESCO concerning state of the shrines [team of Egyptian architects recently recommended spending $10 million to repair Islamic monuments in o.t. See 4/26]. Announcement comes in midst of continued poor relations between Saudi Arabia and Jordan, the latter of which has traditionally assumed responsibility for the shrines' maintenance. (Saudi Press Agency 4/29 in FBIS 4/30; MM 4/30; NYT 5/14)

Nazareth court sentences 4 Palestinian citizens of Israel to life imprisonment for 2/15/92 attack on IDF camp which killed 3 soldiers [see 2/26, 3/3, 3/6]. (NYT 4/30)

Undercover units kill 2 Palestinians in Janin area, one in Yamun and second in 'Arraba. IDF claimed both had threatened troops with guns. (MM 4/30

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

Fifth round of Arab-Israeli peace talks open in Washington. Israeli proposes agreement for municipal elections in selected o.t. localities. Israel insists such a plan is not a substitute for continued negotiations regarding Palestinian autonomy. Israeli-Jordanian talks center on water use. (MM 4/28; WP 4/29; NYT, MM 4/30; Jordan Television 4/28 in FBIS 4/29)

U.S., Russia issue invitations for upcoming third round, multilateral talks. Meetings dealing with five different topics are scheduled to be held in May in different world capitals: arms control, 5/11 in Washington; economic development, 5/11 in Brussels; water, 5/12 in Vienna; refugee problems, 5/13 in Ottawa; environmental issues, 5/18 in Tokyo. (NYT 4/29)

State Dept. announces Syria has informed U.S. it has lifted travel ban and restrictions on purchase and sale of property formerly applied to Syrian Jews [see 4/13]. (NYT, MM 4/28)

Israeli state comptroller issues report criticizing mismanagement, waste, and corruption in numerous government agencies. Report recommended criminal investigations in several instances of corruption within housing ministry, headed by Ariel Sharon [atty. gen. began investigating housing ministry 4/26 after comptroller informed him in advance of report's findings]. (NYT, MM 4/28)

Supporters of Hamas win all 10 seats in elections for student council of a teachers' academy in Ramallah. Hamas also calls on merchants in o.t. to observe strike in protest of resumption of peace talks. Strike observed in some localities in Gaza; in W. Bank, only shops in Hebron were closed. (MM 4/27, 4/29)

IDF states it has apologized for disturbing church services in Ramallah 4/24, but continues to dispute priests' account of what happened [see 4/24]. (MM 4/27)

Palestinian Popular Struggle Front's Central Committee ends meeting in Damascus [begun 4/25] in which it deposed Secy. Gen. Samir Ghawsha and replaced him with Khalid 'Abd al-Majid. (Radio Free Lebanon 4/28 in FBIS 4/29; al-Quds Palestinian Arab Radio 4/29 in FBIS 4/30; Sawt al-Kuwait 5/1, al-Hayat 5/2 in FBIS 5/8; INA 5/3 in FBIS 5/4)

Team of Egyptian architects returns to Cairo after week-long trip to o.t. where they inspected Islamic holy sites. Delegation states sites such as al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock are suffering from neglect and Israeli diggings near them. In report prepared for Egyptian ministries offoreign affairs and housing, architects state $10 million is required to repair shrines. (MM 4/27, 4/29)

Court in 'Akka sentences poet Shafiq Habib, Palestinian holding Israeli citizenship, to 8 months imprisonment, 3 years probation, and a fine of approximately $3,100 for poems he published which dealt with the intifada. Court claimed poems violated 1949 "Antiterror Act" by offering "praise for murderous violence behind the guise of poetry." (HaAretz 4/27 in FBIS 4/28)

IDF clears undercover unit of wrongdoing in 4/21 shooting of 2 W. Bank youths [see 4/21, 4/23]. (Qol Yisra'el 4/25 in FBIS 4/27)

Delegates from Palestinian People's Party join rest of Palestinian delegation in traveling from Amman to Washington [party had earlier suspended its participation in negotiations. See 4/14]. (Radio Jordan 4/25, al-Ray 4/25 in FBIS 4/27)

At least 20 are wounded as troops fire on large demonstration staged by Hamas in al-Shaykh Radwan, Gaza. (Qol Yisra'el 4/25 in FBIS 4/27)

During Good Friday services at Greek Orthodox church in Ramallah, Border Guards seize youth standing in crowd outside the church for allegedly wearing a badge in colors of the outlawed Palestinian flag. IDF claims the youth was immediately released when it was determined that the crowd was participating in religious services, but eight priests claim soldiers threatened worshippers with weapons after they tried to intervene. (MM 4/27)

Discussions begin between Palestinian, Jordanian officials in Amman in advance of upcoming peace talks. Among those participating are members of Jordanian and Palestinian delegations and PLO officials. (al-Ray 4/23, Radio Monte Carlo 4/23 in FBIS 4/24)

Israel prevents Muhammad 'Abd al-Fattah al-Hawrani, member of steering committee of Palestinian delegation, from crossing into Jordan from o.t. to join rest of Palestinian delegation [al-Hawrani had earlier been arrested and released by occupation authorities. See 2/17, 3/10]. (NYT 4/25)

IDF launches investigation into 4/21 shooting of 2 youths in Dura, W. Bank [2 Israelis who witnessed the event contradicted IDF's version of what occurred; see 4/21]. (MM 4/23)

Syrian television broadcasts report suggesting Syrian Jews will be able to emigrate to U.S. under aegis of family reunification, a move Pres. Asad already announced to a delegation of Syrian Jewish leaders [see 4/13]. Move is interpreted as possible Syrian concession on eve of Middle East peace talks. (MM 4/27; JP 5/2)

Press reports emerge detailing how Syria asked Israel, through a third party, to allow a helicopter to ferry supplies across Israeli lines in Golan to a Syrian military unit stranded on Mt. Hermon [Jabal al-Shaykh] by a snowstorm last winter. Israel agreed to the request, and allowed the helicopter to fly along a course designated by Israeli authorities. (MM 4/23, 4/27)

Syrian ship towed to Israel 4/17 after breaking down at sea departs Haifa for Beirut. (Qol Yisra'el 4/22 in FBIS 4/23; Jerusalem Post in MM 4/23)

Yedi'ot Aharonot reports secret talks have been underway in Paris between representatives of El Al and Royal Air Maroc, the national airlines, respectively, of Israel and Morocco, over cooperation in transporting tourists between the two countries. (MM 4/22)

State Dept. announces all parties to peace negotiations have agreed to hold future, sixth round of talks in Rome. No date has yet been set [upcoming fifth round will take place 4/27 in Washington]. (NYT 4/22)

First Israel-Gaza water pipe is opened in refugee camps in central Gaza. (Israel Television Network 4/21 in FBIS 4/22)

Undercover unit dressed as Arabs shoots and wounds 3 Palestinians painting slogans on a wall in Tura, near Hebron. Controversy erupts over what actually occurred. IDF claims soldiers called upon youths to halt and fired warning shots before shooting them. An Israeli couple who witnessed event, however, state soldiers fired without warning. In separate incident, undercover unit shoots, kills Palestinian in 'Illar, W. Bank. (MM 4/21, 4/22, 4/27; NYT 4/22)

IDF allows Bir Zeit University to reopen its science and engineering dept. beginning 4/29 and rest of university in time for upcoming summer session (university has been closed under IDF orders since January 1988]. (NYT 4/21; IDF Radio 4/20 in FBIS 4/21)

State Dept. confirms Saudi Arabia improperly transferred U.S. bombs, military vehicles to Iraq, Syria, Bangladesh. (NYT 4/21)

Syria releases 2 Jews imprisoned since late 1987 [see 4/13]. (MM 4/20, 4/27)

After receiving distress signals transmitted by a Syrian merchant ship some 60 km. northwest of Haifa, Israeli navy tows ship to Haifa for repairs. (Qol Yisra'el 4/17 in FBIS 4/17; MM 4/23)

German PM Helmut Kohl notifies FM Levy that Germany cannot provide the amount of additional aid to resettle Soviet Jews which Israel had requested [among other items, Israel had requested $10 billion in loan guarantees and an increase in amount of loans annually provided by Germany to Israel]. Germany is reportedly ready to provide compromise figure of $1 billion in loan guarantees, but Israel refuses. (Yedi'ot Aharonot 4/17 in FBIS 4/17; Ha'Aretz 4/19 in FBIS 4/21)

Israel, Angola establish diplomatic relations. (Qol Yisra'el 4/16 in FBIS 4/17)

Commemoration of Khalil Wazir's death continues as Palestinians throughout o.t. stage marches, rallies [see 4/15]. Numerous demonstrators are injured in confrontations with security forces in Shati', Jabaliya, Burayj, and Dayr al-Balah refugee camps in Gaza. (MM 4/16)

Seminar on negotiating strategies ends in Cairo [see 4/10]. After arriving in Cairo for medical treatment, Chmn. Arafat meets with members of Palestinian delegation, steering committee who had been attending seminar. (MENA 4/15 in FBIS 4/16; MM 4/16)

Israeli atty. gen. is instructed to investigate whether or not members of Palestinian delegation violated Israeli law forbidding contact with PLO when they met with Arafat. (MM 4/16; Qol Yisra'el 4/16 in FBIS 4/16)

Israeli high court of justice postpones ruling on a petition submitted by the Public Committee Against Torture which calls for prohibiting Israel's internal security service (Shin Bet) from torturing prisoners [in 1987, govt.-appointed Landau Commission approved use of "moderate physical pressure" against prisoners. Petition is seeking to overturn commission's recommendations]. (MM 4/16)

Palestinians march in Ramallah to commemorate fourth anniversary of assassination of Khalil Wazir (Abu Jihad). IDF kills Palestinian youth in Nasariyya, near Nablus. In separate incident, undercover forces kill "wanted" activist. (MM 4/15)

Pres. Mubarak receives Palestinian delegation to peace talks, which is in Cairo attending a conference [see 4/11]. (MENA 4/14 in FBIS 4/15)

Palestinian People's Party (formerly Palestine Communist Party) announces it will suspend participation in peace talks. Party also states it will withdraw completely if Palestinian leadership does not insist upon halt to settlement activity asa central element of negotiations strategy and does not make delegation's consultative committee more democratic. (al-Ray 4/25 in FBIS 4/27)