January 20, 1999

4 mos. before elections, PM Netanyahu appoints right-wing Likud lawmaker Shaul Amor to his cabinet as minister without portfolio to deal with social issues. (MM 1/20; NYT 1/21)

King Hussein's eldest son Prince Abdallah replaces Crown Prince Hassan in a mtg. with Gulf heirs, increasing speculation that King Hussein intends to remove Hassan as crown prince. (MM 1/20; AFP 1/20 in WNC 1/22; MM 1/21) (see 1/19)