The Palestine Chronology

EU-Arab Parliamentary Dialogue holds executive mtg. in advance of its full session 11/30-12/1, which will be the 1st in 8 yrs. The 14 executive delegates decide to lobby for the postponement of ratification of the Euro-Mediterranean agmt. btwn. Europe and Israel to send a signal to Israel that they are unhappy with its current policies toward the peace process. (JT 12/1 in WNC 12/3)

Cameroon seconds Ethiopia's suggestion to find an alternative candidate for the UN secy. gen. position. (CSM, WT 12/3) (see 11/27)

25-mbr. unofficial Jordanian delegation travels to Iraq to discuss strengthening economic ties ahead of implementation of the UN oil-for-food deal. (JT 12/2 in WNC 12/3; RJ 12/5 in WNC 12/9) (see 11/25)

PC concludes weekly 2-day session in Ramallah. Talks focus on Jerusalem: PC mbrs. complain that numerous ministries deal with issues related to Jerusalem, but without coordination; ask Waqf's to account for its use of donations to the city fr. diaspora Palestinians; suggest a Jerusalem ministry be established. (PR 12/6)

In Jericho, Jordanian PM `Abd al-Karim Kabariti, Arafat discuss peace process, bilateral ties. (RJ 11/28 in WNC 12/2)

South Africa calls on Israel to withdraw fr. Hebron; to take action to show that it intends to comply with existing peace agmts.; to refrain fr. provocative actions, such as the 9/24 tunnel opening. (South African Press Association 11/28 in WNC 12/2) (see 9/10)

Jewish settlers confiscate 120 acres of Palestinian land around Urtas village nr. Bethlehem. (PR 12/6)

After Israeli jurists confirm that the existing Oslo agmts. give Israel overriding responsibility for security in the West Bank and Gaza that would permit the IDF to reenter any PA area, Israel drops its demand for written guarantees fr. the PA detailing IDF hot pursuit rights in Hebron, a key sticking point of the talks. (MM 11/27; IDF Radio 11/27 in WNC 11/29; MM 11/28; IDF Radio 11/28 in WNC 12/2; CSM, MM 11/29)

JT reports that the PLO is setting up a new "superministry" that will replace the Tunis-based Department of Returnees Affairs and will have headquarters in Gaza and offices in Amman, Gaza, West Bank to deal with issues concerning Palestinian refugees. The main objectives of the superministry, which will not be tied to any PA ministry, are political mobilization of the refugees; improvement of refugees' living conditions; establishment and further development of bilateral ties with Arab and non-Arab countries, the UNRWA, the Multilateral Working Group on Refugees. (JT 11/27 in WNC 12/2)

Netanyahu adviser Gold arrives in London for talks with the British FMin. on ways of advancing regional cooperation. (IDF Radio 11/27 in WNC 12/2; MM 11/29) (see 12/25)

Israeli Atty. Gen. Mikhael Ben-Ya'ir reports that border police routinely mistreat Palestinians, recommends that officers convicted of abuse be punished more harshly. (WT 11/28) (see 11/26)

Turkey announces that it has canceled its purchase of Cobra helicopters fr. the U.S., gives the U.S. no explanation. (ANATOLIA 11/27 in WNC 11/29)

Israel reinforces troops, equipment in s. Lebanon. Israeli naval vessels detain, search a German ship entering Tyre port. (RL 11/27 in WNC 11/29) (see 11/23)

The Lebanese government passes a law suspending the closure of all unlicensed media outlets, which was set for 11/30 (see 9/17). Under the law, unlicensed outlets may continue to broadcast apolitical news only until they are explicitly denied a license. (al-Nahar 11/28 in WNC 12/4)

PA, Israeli talks on Hebron resume. Last mtg. was 11/21. (ITV 11/26 in WNC 11/29; ITV 11/27 in WNC 12/2)

PA says it will boycott all multilateral talks, except those on refugees, in protest of Israel's lack of progress in bilateral negotiations, refusal to implement Oslo accords. (NYT 11/27)

YESHA settlers' council calls on Israeli Pres. Ezer Weizman to lobby for a national unity government. Weizman stresses that he is not involved in politics. (ITV 11/26 in WNC 11/29; MA 11/29 in WNC 12/3)

In Hebron, 2 IDF soldiers are lightly wounded by a molotov cocktail. (ITV 11/26 in WNC 11/29)

Israeli judge releases 2 border policemen caught on videotape beating Palestinians (see 11/19), puts them under house arrest. (WT 11/27)

Ethiopia breaks ranks with African states regarding support for UN Secy. Gen. Butros-Ghali's reelection, says Africans should select an alternative candidate to avoid losing the position to a non-African. (WT 11/27; WT 12/3)

Arafat sends PM Netanyahu a letter urging Israel to halt settlement expansion. Netanyahu says he will forge ahead with settlement plans. (IDF Radio 11/25 in WNC 11/26; NYT 11/26; PR 12/6)

Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara` arrives in London for 4-day official visit. (IDF Radio 11/27, SANA 11/28 in WNC 12/2; MM 11/29)

Iraq accepts conditions set by the UN for implementing the oil-for-food agmt. Secy. Gen. Butros-Ghali must still give the formal go ahead to implement the deal, which would allow Iraq to sell $2 b. worth of oil over 6 mos., with proceeds used to buy food, medicine. (MM 11/25; MM, WP, WT 11/26; WP 11/27; al-Ra'i 11/27 in WNC 11/29; INA 11/29 in WNC 12/2) (see 9/1)

Nr. Jazzin, s. Lebanon, Hizballah mbrs. open fire on car carrying SLA Brig. Gen. Toni Nahrah, killing him. (RL 11/26 in WNC 11/27; al-Nahar 12/27 in WNC 12/2)

The Multilateral Working Group on Refugees opens a 2-day mtg. in Petra. (RJ 11/24 in WNC 11/26; JT 11/27 in WNC 12/2)

In Amman, Jordan, PA hold meeting on economic relations, increasing trade btwn. Jordan, self-rule areas. (JT 11/25 in WNC 11/26)

Saudi Arabian sources say investigators are working on the possibility that the 6/25 Khobar barracks bombing nr. Dahran was carried out by a Hizballah faction, with the aid of Syrian military intelligence. (WT 11/25; WT 11/28; WP 12/1)

In s. Lebanon, 1 SLA mbr. is slightly injured in a clash with Hizballah. (RL 11/25 in WNC 11/27)

Israel reinforces troops, equipment in s. Lebanon. (RL 11/23 in WNC 11/26)

At the weekly PA Executive Authority (EA), PLO Exec. Comm. meeting, the executive urges Palestinians to reclaim confiscated land in the West Bank, Gaza; advocates "popular confrontation" every time "Israeli bulldozers appear on Palestinian land"; vows to support such Palestinian resistance politically and financially. (MEI 12/6) (see 11/18)

Israeli Infrastructure M Ariel Sharon draws up plans for construction of 900 housing units for settlers on the Golan Heights as the 1st stage in a program to add 2,500 new residences over the next 3 yrs. Under this "Golan 2000" plan (as yet unapproved by the government), the buildings would be considered extensions of existing settlements, though they would be at a distance fr. built-up areas. The settler population would increase fr. 16,000 to 25,000; currently, 18,000 Druze live on the Golan. (MM 11/22; YA 11/22 in WNC 11/25; NYT, WP 11/23; ITV 11/24 in WNC 11/26; MM 11/25; WJW 11/28; PR 11/29; JP 11/30; MEI 12/6)

PA says it will give out up to 15 video cameras to Palestinians living nr. Israeli checkpoints so they can record any abuses of Palestinians by Israeli border police. (WP 11/23) (see 11/19)

In Jerusalem, Israel, PA hold "expanded" round of talks on Hebron. The 2 sides discuss the possibility of another Arafat-Netanyahu mtg. A dispute arises over the Rafah airport: Israel demands that the PA tear down the terminal, which already has been completed, and build it elsewhere. (RJ 11/21 in WNC 11/22; ITV 11/21, MA 11/22 in WNC 11/25; WJW 11/28)

In a press interview, Egyptian Pres. Mubarak says that Egypt "will not stand idly by" if Israel attacks Syria. Israel denounces the statement as provocative; Syria welcomes it. (al-Nahar 11/21 in WNC 11/26)

2 Palestinian boys are killed, 3 are wounded when they uncover an 1967-era Israeli land mine nr. Jenin. PA-Israeli joint patrol searches the area, discovers 2 more mines. (PR 11/29)

Consultative Group meets in Paris. (MM 11/20; CSM, MM, WT 11/21; al-Quds 11/25 in WNC 11/29; WJW 11/28)

Speaker of the European Parliament, Klaus Hansach, addresses the PA Palestinian Council (PC) in Ramallah, calls for expediting the Israeli-PA negotiations. (PR 11/29)

Israel issues 14-page report alleging major violations of the Oslo accords by the PA, accusing PA leaders of deliberately stirring up the riots that followed the 9/24 tunnel opening. (WT 12/19)

U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) meets with PM Netanyahu in Israel; heads to Damascus to deliver message to Pres. Asad, discuss obstacles to the peace process; returns to Israel to brief PM Netanyahu. According to Specter's aides, no new basis for resuming negotiations was offered by Israel. This is Specter's 2d such trip recently; on 8/28 he transmitted a letter fr. Netanyahu to Asad in Damascus. (SATN 11/20 in WNC 11/22; MM 11/21, 11/22)

In Beirut, Hizballah Gen. Secy. Hasan Nasrallah, French Amb. Jean-Pierre La Fond hold their 1st mtg., discuss work of the Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Comm. (ILMG). (al-Safir 11/21 in WNC 11/25)

At the UN Security Council (UNSC) in New York, U.S. vetoes a 14-1 decision to reelect Secy. Gen. Butros Butros-Ghali to a 2d, 5-yr. term. This vote is expected to be the 1st in a series btwn. now and 1/97, when the final decision on the secy. gen. must be made. U.S. amb. to the UN Madeline Albright says the U.S. is prepared to use its veto indefinitely; if African nations want a secy. gen. fr. their continent, they should begin looking for another person. (MM 11/19; RE 11/19 in WNC 11/21; MM, WP, WT 11/20; RE 11/20, al-Dustur, al-Ra'i 11/21 in WNC 11/22; MM 11/21; al-Quds al-Arabi 11/21, al-Dustur 11/22 in WNC 11/25; NYT 11/22; RE 11/22 in WNC 11/26; WJW 12/5)

King Hussein says that the only way to break the logjam in current PA-Israeli talks is for Israel to fully implement its original agmts. with the Palestinians, says Jordan would support Palestinians in their quest for a an independent country. (WT 11/20)

Israel's mayor of Jerusalem Ehud Olmert presents Housing M Meir Porush with a plan to build 2,200 housing units btwn. Pisgat Ze'ev and al-Za'im junction in a bid to link French Hill in East Jerusalem with Ma'ale Adumim. (IDF Radio 11/19 in WNC 11/20; CSM 1/9)

Some Jewish settler leaders say that they have received death threats fr. extremist settlers for suggesting that the shrine-like grave of Baruch Goldstein, who massacred 29 Arabs in Hebron 2/25/94, be dismantled. Goldstein's grave has become a pilgrimage site, with gardens, a fountain, and benches, where visitors meditate, read religious texts. (WT 11/20)

2 Israeli border policemen are arrested after Israeli television airs amateur videotape showing them beating Palestinian workers who were caught in Jerusalem without permits. Justice Min. says it is investigating another incident in which 3 border guards are accused of beating 8 Palestinians caught trying to cross into Israel nr. Qalqilya. (MM 11/19; CSM, WP, WT 11/20; WJW 1128; JP 11/30)

Palestinian human rights activist Iyad Sarraj says that Israel has refused to issue him a visa to attend a conference in Norway, saying he must stay in Gaza for security reasons. (WT 11/20)

German court sentences Palestinian woman to 12 yr. in jail for participation in 1977 hijacking of a Lufthansa airliner in Mallorca, Spain. She was arrested in 1994 in Oslo and extradited to Germany. (WP 11/20)

In Jarju', s. Lebanon, an Israeli shell filled with nails hits a residential home, causing damage but no injuries. (RL 11/21 in WNC 11/22)

Fmr. Israeli PM Shimon Peres, Arafat, the Labor party deny rumors that Peres advised Arafat to hold up the signing of a Hebron protocol, blame the PM's office, Netanyahu for propagating the story. (IDF Radio, QY 11/18 in WNC 11/19; MM 11/19)

In Beirut, PLO's Qaddumi, PA's Faisal Husseini (in charge of the PA Jerusalem file) meet with Lebanese officials to discuss the political issues surrounding a solution Palestinian refugees issue (e.g., settling refugees in Lebanon, considered by both sides to be undesirable; easing restrictions on refugees' movement; continuing UNRWA operations). (al-Nahar, RMC 11/18 in WNC 11/20)

Israeli military court convicts 4 IDF soldiers of negligently shooting to death a Palestinian youth in the West Bank on 11/13/93, sentences them to 1 hr. in jail, fines them 1 agora (about 1/3 of a cent). (WP 11/19; WT 11/21; JP 11/30)

Israeli, PA negotiations on Hebron resume in Jericho. (RJ 11/18 in WNC 11/19)

IDF eases closure, allowing 7,000 Palestinians fr. Gaza, 8,000 fr. West Bank into Israel to work, raising the total number of Palestinians allowed into Israel to 50,000. (WT 11/17)

Israel accuses Syria of developing with Russia nerve gas, other chemical weapons. (MM, WT 11/18)

In Ramallah, PA releases 3 Hamas mbrs. fr. jail to mark the 8th anniversary of the Palestine National Council's declaration of independence. (MM 11/18)

Shin Bet announces that it has detained Hamas mbr. Khadar Mubarak, is interrogating him on suspicion that has information that could prevent an attack. The detention is revealed after Mubarak's lawyer files a petition with the High Court, claiming that Mubarak is being tortured. (ITV 11/17 in WNC 11/19) (see 11/14)

PLO delegation led by Political Dept. head Faruq Qaddumi arrives in Beirut for 2-day talks on regional political developments. (RL 11/17, 11/19 in WNC 11/19)

Turkey inaugurates 2d bridge on the Turkish-Iraqi border at the al-Khubar border post. (Iraqi Television Network 11/17 in WNC 11/19)

Dore Gold, adviser to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, meets with Arafat adviser Mahmud Abbas, PA Information M Yasir `Abid Rabbu to discuss a memorandum of understanding or pledges concerning aspects of Oslo II that have not been implemented that Netanyahu would extend to Arafat as part of a Hebron deal. (ITV 11/16 in WNC 11/29; JP 11/23)

Arafat adviser Abbas heads to Amman to brief King Hussein on talks with Israel. (JTV 11/16 in WNC 11/19)

Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz tells PM Rafiq Hariri that, after his mtg. with U.S. Amb. Richard Jones 11/15, he is pessimistic that Israeli negotiations with Syrian will resume soon. (RL 11/16 in WNC 11/19)

Hamas mbr. Muhammad Assaf is killed in an explosion in Qabatiyya, West Bank. Israel claims that a bomb that he was preparing for a suicide attack in Israel went off accidentally. Palestinian Security Forces (PSF) arrest 5 men with ties to Assaf. (NYT, WP, WT 11/17; ITV 11/17 in WNC 11/19, 1/29; JP 11/23)

Netanyahu backs away fr. his Puerto Rico analogy, saying it was "not especially successful," an off-the-cuff comment that was interpreted beyond what he intended. (MM 11/15) (see 11/8)

In Geneva, UN Comm. on Torture says it plans to ask Israel for an explanation for the 11/14 High Court ruling on use of physical force; says Israel may be violating international human rights treaty by effectively institutionalizing torture. (WP, WT 11/16)

Cairo Economic Summit closes. Participants issue final communiqué, agree to hold follow-up summit in Qatar next yr. (SANA 11/14 in WNC 11/15; MM 11/15, 11/18; MEI 11/22; WT 12/4)

Israel's High Court rules that Shin Bet may use physical force on a Palestinian detainee to believed to have information that could prevent a terrorist attack. The decision reverses a High Court ruling issued 11/13. (WP 11/15; WT 11/16, 11/21; CSM 11/26)

Israel breaks ground for expansion of Kiryat Sefer settlement in the West Bank. (NYT 11/15) (see 11/10)

PM Netanyahu cancels visit to the U.S. to personally take charge of Hebron negotiations; agrees to a PA demand that Israel include a written pledge to honor all agmts. with the PA with a Hebron agmt., if the PA upholds all of its agmts. (MM 11/13; IDF Radio, ITV 11/13, RJ, VOA 11/14 in WNC 11/15; MM, NYT, WP 11/14; MM 11/15; JP 11/23)

Israeli High Court rules that the Shin Bet may not use force while questioning Muhammad Hamdan, an Islamic Jihad mbr. arrested 10/24, to extract information about any planned anti-Israeli attacks. (WP 11/15; MM 11/18)

Hizballah attacks SLA post in s. Lebanon, killing 1 SLA mbr. (RL 11/13 in WNC 11/14)

Israel, PA agree to raise the level of Hebron talks in a bid to complete negotiations. Israeli chief of staff Shahak and Arafat adviser Abbas are chosen to lead discussions. (MM 11/12, 11/13)

3-day Cairo Economic Summit opens. (IGPO, MM 11/12; RE 11/12 in WNC 11/13; SATN 11/1, MA, RJ 11/13 in WNC 11/14; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 11/13; RJ 11/13 in WNC 11/15; WP, WT 11/14; CSM, MM 11/15; MA 11/15 in WNC 11/15; MM 11/18; MEI 11/22; JP 11/23; WT 12/4)

In Amman, Jordan's PM Kabariti, Turkey's FM Ciller discuss bilateral trade relations, ways of increasing Turkey's influence in the peace process, possibility of Turkey selling Jordan water. Ciller's 2-day trip began 11/11. (RJ 11/12 in WNC 11/13; JT, JTV, RJ 11/12 in WNC 11/14; MM 11/13)

King Hussein grants amnesty to those who took part in the 8/16+n18 bread riots. (RJ 11/12)

In New York, Egypt nominates Butros-Ghali for a 2d term as UN secy. gen., setting the stage for an expected veto by the U.S. (NYT 11/14; MEI 11/22)

In Ankara, PM Erbakan, Iraqi PM Tariq Aziz discuss bilateral relations. (INA 11/12 in WNC 11/13, 11/14)

Netanyahu phones Arafat, says that as part of a Hebron deal Israel is willing to provide an "oral statement" saying that Israel would act to implement remaining aspects of the Oslo II agmt. The PA had requested such assurances be in writing as part of the agmt. (MM 11/11)

In Ankara, Turkey, Iraq hold talks on increasing economic, trade, political ties. (INA 11/11 in WNC 11/13)

IDF eases general closure, allowing 20,000 Palestinian workers fr. West Bank, 15,000 fr. Gaza into their jobs in Israel. Qarni crossing point is opened to imports, exports without restriction. Merchandise may transferred fr. Gaza to Jordan. (NYT 11/11)

IDF clashes with Palestinians protesting expansion of Kiryat Sefer settlement nr. Ramallah, wounding 12 and killing Atallah Amira, who had papers proving his ownership of the disputed land and had been fighting a legal battle with the Israeli government to reclaim it. (MM, NYT 11/11; WJW, WP 11/14; NYT 11/15; MEI 11/22) (see 9/22)

Jordan, U.S. sign aviation agmt., giving American, Jordanian national carriers the freedom to travel to and fr. any location within the boundaries of both countries. It is the U.S.'s 1st "open skies" agmt. with a non-EU country. (JTV 11/10 in WNC 11/14)

In s. Lebanon, 2 IDF soldiers are wounded in clash with Hizballah. (RL 11/10 in WNC 11/13; MM 11/11; WJW 11/14; JP 11/16)

In Hebron, more than 8,000 Israelis march in support of Jewish settlers. IDF beats counterdemonstrators; bars Muslims fr. praying at al-Ibrahimi Mosque; arrests 8 Palestinian, 4 Israeli protesters. (RMC 11/9, ITV 11/10 in WNC 11/13; NYT, WP 11/10; MEI 11/22)

In Amman, Laith Shubailat, pres. of the Jordan Engineers association and a leading opponent of normalization with Israel, is granted amnesty, released fr. prison. Shubailat was arrested 12/9/95 on charges of sedition for his statements during a press conference and was given 3 yrs. in jail. (NYT 11/10; MM 11/12; MEI 11/22) (see 3/17)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah shell hits IDF tank, killing 1 soldier, wounding 3. (ITV, RL 11/9, RL 11/10 in WNC 11/13; MM 11/11; WJW 11/14)

PM Netanyahu says he would support establishment of a PA self-ruling entity limited to a Puerto Rican-style autonomy. PA, Egypt reject the idea. (MBC 11/8, RJ 11/9, VOA 11/10 in WNC 11/13; MM 11/118)

In s. Lebanon, SLA deports 9-mbr. Lebanese family fr. Israel's self-declared security zone, saying that one of its sons refused compulsory service in the SLA. (RL 11/8 in WNC 11/12, 11/15) (see 10/16, 11/6)

In Jerusalem, PM Netanyahu meets with settler leaders; says settlers will be "compensated" for any redeployment in Hebron; vows to personally oversee expansion of West Bank, Gaza settlements; promises 3,500 new housing units in West Bank areas around Jerusalem. (MM, WP 11/8; NYT 11/15; JP 11/16)

Israeli DM Mordechai meets with YESHA settlers' council, Hebron settler leaders. Settler leaders ask for more building permits, stepped-up security around settlements. (ITV 11/7 in WNC 11/12, 11/13)

In Washington, Secy. of State Christopher resigns his post. During his tenure as secy. of state, he has traveled to Israel 35 times, to Syria 24 times. He will stay on until a new secy. of state is appointed. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/8; WJW 11/14)

Lebanese Pres. Hrawi issues decree appointing the new Lebanese government. (RL 11/7 in WNC 11/12; MEI 11/22) (see 10/15)

Israeli Pres. Weizman meets with King Hussein in Amman. (RJ 11/6 in WNC 11/7; ITV, JTV 11/6, al-Dustur 11/7 in WNC 11/8)

In Naqura, ILMG concludes discussions begun 11/5, asks Israel to allow 2 families that were recently deported fr. s. Lebanon to return to their homes, deems Israel responsible for wounding Lebanese woman 11/3. (RL 11/6 in WNC 11/7; RL 11/7 in WNC 11/8) (see 11/5)

Pres. Clinton wins reelection. Republican majority grows in Senate (fr. 53 to 54). Democrats gain seats in House (fr. 197 to 205) but remain in minority (compared to 225 Republicans). (NYT, WP, WP 11/5; MM, WP 11/6; MM 11/7)

U.S. submits to Israel, PA a document proposing solutions to the remaining security-related disagreements on the Hebron arrangement. (ITV 11/5 in WNC 11/7)

In Naqura, ILMG discusses Lebanese complaint over IDF shelling 11/3 that wounded a Lebanese civilian. Syria, Lebanon demand that Israel allow 23 Lebanese civilians, who were recently deported fr. the self-declared security zone by the SLA, to return to their homes. Deportation issues are not technically under ILMG's mandate, but conferees agree that any issue of common interest may be discussed. (RL 11/5 in WNC 11/6; RL 11/7 in WNC 11/8) (see 10/18)

UK FM Rifkind proposes establishing an organization in the Middle East for regional security and cooperation modeled after the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe. Arab League protests that regional peace must be achieved before such a body could be established. (RE 11/6 in WNC 11/7; MM 11/8)

In Ankara, Turkey's Pres. Demirel, Iranian Oil M Gholam-Reza Aqazadeh discuss timetable for implementing 8/12 gas deal (expected to be completed in 1998), possibility of further expanding energy cooperation. (IRNA 11/4 in WNC 11/6; IRNA 11/6 in WNC 11/8)

In s. Iraq, U.S. jet fires on a 2d missile battery after the site's radar appeared to be targeting it. U.S. Defense Secy. Perry is uncertain if plane was really threatened. Iraq says it has not been aiming at U.S. aircraft. (WP, WT 11/5) (see 11/2)

Palestinian home in Hebron is fire bombed, injuring 5 Palestinians, 1 critically. PA police suspect settlers. (MEI 11/8)

Israeli Infrastructure M Sharon unveils plans to build 2 new settlements that would double the number of Jewish settlers in the West Bank. (ITV 11/3 in WNC 11/5; MM 11/4; CSM, MM, WP, WT 11/5; PR 11/8; WP 11/19)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates roadside bomb and SLA convoy passes, killing 1 SLA mbr. In response, IDF shells highlands n. of Israeli occupied zone, wounding 1 civilian. Israel admits responsibility for mistakenly firing at a village. (RL, al-Ra'i 11/3 in WNC 11/5; WP 11/4; JP 11/16)

Egyptian police arrest Israeli citizen Azzam Azzam, a Druze working with a joint venture project in Cairo, on suspicion of spying for Israel. An Egyptian, whom Azzam allegedly recruited for Mossad, is also detained. Israel calls the arrest a provocation. (MM 11/12; MEI 11/22)

U.S. jet enforcing Iraq's southern no-fly zone fires missile at Iraqi mobile surface-to-air missile battery after mistakenly believing the battery's radar system had locked onto his aircraft. (WP, WT 11/3; CSM, WP 11/4)

Russian FM Primakov meets with Arafat in Gaza, leaves for Jordan for 3-day official visit. (MM 11/1; JTV 11/1, ITAR-TASS [Moscow], JTV, RJ, VOA 11/2, RJ 11/3 in WNC 11/5; PR 11/8)

Israeli authorities charge Nahum Korman, security chief of Hadar Beitar settlement, with murdering Palestinian boy beaten to death 10/28. (MM 11/1; WP, WT 11/2; WT 11/3; NYT 11/4)

IDF extends general closure on West Bank, Gaza. (HA 11/1 in IL 11/1)