Tuesday, November 14, 2000

As Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, Israel tightens its blockade of Palestinian towns in the West Bank. During the day, 3 Palestinians are shot dead by the IDF. A 4th Palestinian is killed by a Jewish settler. A 5th dies of complications fr. inhaling tear gas when the IDF bars an ambulance fr. taking him to a hospital. A 6th dies of injuries received earlier. Nr. Ramallah, several Palestinians are wounded by Jewish settlers in a drive-by shooting. Beginning this evening and continuing overnight, IDF troops search, ransack at least 20 homes in area B nr. Nablus, Qalqilya, and Ramallah, arresting 15 Fatah mbrs. "suspected of carrying out terrorist attacks." Nr. Qalqilya, the IDF bulldozes several greenhouses. In a closed mtg., Arafat tells his security officials to prevent individuals fr. firing fr. areas A and Palestinian populated areas so as to reduce civilian casualties resulting fr. Israeli reprisals. (EU press release, LAW, MEZ 11/14; MENA 11/14 in WNC 11/16; LAW, MEZ, NYT, WP, WT 11/15; MA [Internet], MM, NYT 11/16; AYM 11/16 in WNC 11/17)

In Doha, the OIC issues a special nonbinding resolution on the clashes, urging mbrs. to cut ties with Israel; the U.S. to revise its "biased stance" in favor of Israel; the UN to send a peacekeeping force in the West Bank, Gaza. (MA [Internet], MM, OIC press release 11/14; AYM, IRNA 11/14 in WNC 11/15; MENA 11/14 in WNC 11/16; MM 11/15, 11/16; IRNA 11/16 in WNC 11/17; MM 11/17; JP, MEI 11/24)

Lebanon reports that IDF overflew Baalbek, Bint Jubayl, Iqlim al-Tuffah, Marja'uyun, Nabatiyya and reinforced troops in the Shaba` Farms area. UNIFIL adviser Timur Goksel says UNIFIL recorded 123 Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace btwn. 10/8 and 11/8, has protested to Israel to no avail. (AFP [Internet] 11/14; RL 11/14 in WNC 11/16)

The Clinton administration submits to Congress a request for a $750 m. supplemental aid package for Israel, Egypt, Jordan. (WP 11/15; HA [Internet], WJW 11/16)