U.S. special envoy Ross continues shuttling btwn. Netanyahu, Arafat; says that as the 1st step toward salvaging the peace talks, Israel, the PA must work together to determine the identity of the 2 men responsible for the 7/30 bombings; says some progress has been made toward this end. In the evening, U.S., PA, Israeli security officials meet. (MM 8/11; ITV 8/11 in WNC 8/12; CSM, NYT, WP 8/12; MA 8/12 in WNC 8/12; JP 8/16)
During a brief confrontation, Palestinian youths angry over the closure clash with IDF troops at a checkpoint in Ramallah. (NYT 8/12)
1 Israeli injured in the 7/30 bombing dies, bringing death toll to 16, including the 2 bombers. (WP 8/12)
In Jerusalem, 150 Conservative, Reform Jewish men, women attempt to pray together at the Western Wall. They are jeered by Orthodox Jews, who call them "terrorists," "Hamas," "Christians"; are forcibly removed fr. the wall by Israeli police. (NYT 8/12)
Israel encourages Germany to take action against Hamas supporters suspected of operating in Berlin, Aachen. Israel charges that some 70 Hamas supporters have been fundraising in Germany since 1994. (Der Spiegel 8/11 in WNC 8/12)
Fmr. Jordanian FMin. official Muhammad al-Khalili announces the founding of Voice of Peace, a new newspaper to be published in Arabic, English, Hebrew. Israeli authors will be among the contributors. (al-Quds 8/11 in WNC 8/14)
IDF prevents an Amnesty International team fr. visiting al-Khiyam prison in s. Lebanon. (RL, VOL 8/11 in WNC 8/12)
After 40 hrs. of talks, ILMG recesses without taking a decision, plans to resume discussions 8/12. (RL 8/12 in WNC 8/13)