EA, PLO Exec. Comm. hold weekly session in Jericho. (VOP 8/2 in FBIS 8/2; VOP 8/3 in FBIS 8/5)
Israeli cabinet unanimously decides to lift building restrictions in Jewish settlements but is vague about how much building it will permit. PA protests. Abolishing the ban on new construction also does away with the special ministerial comm. (formed 1/22/95) that had reviewed building requests, leaving approval of new construction to the DM alone. (MM 8/2; QY 8/2 in FBIS 8/2; ITV 8/2 in FBIS 8/5; VOP 8/2, 8/3 in FBIS 8/6; NYT, WT 8/3; CSM 8/5; WJW 8/8; PR 8/9; JP 8/10)
Netanyahu adviser Gold makes emergency trip to Washington to brief Secy. of State Christopher, special envoy Ross on the new settlement policy. (WT 8/3; ITV 8/3 in FBIS 8/5; WJW 8/8)
Nr. Tulkarm, PSF opens fire on 100s of Palestinian protesters who try to storm a West Bank jail, killing 1, wounding 30. Several inmates escape in the melee but surrender hrs. later. PA police arrest 200, put curfew on Tulkarm, say Hamas mbrs. hiding in the crowd are responsible for the shooting (though jail officials deny this). IDF seals the town, allowing no one in or out. (MM 8/2; AFP, QY, VOP 8/2 in FBIS 8/5; WT 8/3; CSM, NYT 8/5; VOA 8/5 in FBIS 8/5; MM 8/15) (see 7/11)