The Palestine Chronology

PA Planning M Nabil Shaath receives Jordanian FM Abdallah Khatib for talks on the peace process, briefs him on Arafat's recent visit to Washington. The 2 men also discuss holding a 3-way (Egypt, Jordan, PA) and 4-way (including Israel) ministerial mtgs. on displaced persons. (DUS 10/7 in WNC 10/11)

Orient House head Faisal Husseini hosts delegation of 20 Jordanian parliamentarians, urges Jordan to support the PA in its final status talks with Israel. (MM 10/7)

Israel's Education M Yossi Sarid urges Israeli teachers to mark the anniversary of the 1956 Kafr al-Qasim massacre in their classrooms for the 1st time this yr.; says Israel owes it to its Palestinian citizens to commemorate the incident in which the IDF shot dead 47 Israeli Arabs (including 15 women, 11 children) as they returned to the village of Kafr al-Qasim, unaware of a military curfew that barred movement after dark. (NYT, WT 10/7; MM 10/12; WJW 10/14)

Saying that the incident had nothing to do with Iran, Iranian pres. Khatami rejects a request fr. Pres. Clinton for help in investigating the 1996 Khobar barracks bombing in Saudi Arabia in which 19 U.S. soldiers were killed. Clinton secretly sent a letter to Khatami in late 8/99 asking for assistance. (WP 10/7; see also MM 9/10)

Jordan's State Security Court issues new charges against detained Hamas political chief Mishal, spokesman Ghawshah, 2 of which can carry the death penalty. (MM 10/7, 10/8; MEI 10/15)

In s. Lebanon, 2 civilians are wounded by IDF shelling. (RL 10/6 in WNC 10/8)

The most splintered Israeli parliament in history, including 15 parties, is sworn in. Prior to the ceremony, PM-elect Barak vows to stop Jewish settlers fr. establishing new settlement enclaves, to reevaluate settlement decisions taken by outgoing PM Netanyahu. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/8)

Israel agrees to allow 1,500 Palestinian refugees from Egypt to return to Gaza over the next 2 yrs. (NYT, WP 6/10; JP 6/18)

Ending a 30 yr. dispute, Qatar, Saudi Arabia sign agmt., maps defining their common border. (WT 6/9)

IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem. (LAW 6/9)

Israeli military court rules that a Palestinian fatally shot by an IDF soldier at a West Bank checkpoint on 6/3 did not try to run the soldier over as claimed, sentences the soldier 30 days in jail for wrongful death. (AFP [Internet] 6/7)

Iranian pres. Khatami begins 3 day visit to Syria on 1st leg of 10 day tour that will also take him to Saudi Arabia, Qatar; holds talks with Pres. Asad on bilateral relations and regional security; forming an Arab-Islamic axis (Iran, Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia) to counter the U.S.-Israel-Turkey alliance. (MM 5/13; Iran News, IRNA, VIRI 5/13 in WNC 5/14; MM, NYT, WT 5/14)

IDF shells areas in s. Lebanon, killing 2 Amal mbrs. In a separate incident in Jazzin, a roadside bomb explodes as a car passes, killing 4 civilians, 1 suspected SLA mbr. (VOL 5/13 in WNC 5/14; WP, WT 5/14)

Orient House, Israeli Internal Security Min. officials try to reach compromise on closure of offices. (SA 5/9 in WNC 5/10) (see 5/6)

Jordan's water minister says that Israel will provide the kingdom with its full share of water under the regular schedule agreed to under the 10/94 peace treaty. (JT 5/8 in WNC 5/10)

Arab League antiterrorism agmt. comes into force 1 mo. after being ratified by 8 of the League's 22 mbrs. (Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, the PA, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the UAE). (NYT 5/8)

PSF arrests 4 al-Najah University students on charges of being mbrs. of Islamic Jihad; raid al-Manar press offices, where 1 student worked as a corresponded for Islamic Jihad's al-Istiqlal newspaper, confiscating files, computer disks. (LAW 5/12)

Jordan, Syria begin 3 days of water talks in Damascus, focusing on water sharing given expected drought this summer, implementation of al-Wahda dam project. Syria agrees to provide Jordan with an additional 8 mcm of water to offset 10% projected shortage. (SANA 5/2, JT 5/3 in WNC 5/4; MM 5/4; JT 5/4 in WNC 5/5; MEI 5/7; SA 5/9, al-Ra'i 5/12 in WNC 5/13; al-Ra'i 5/17 in WNC 5/18)

The PA calls on Syria to convene a summit aimed at renewing bilateral relations. (AFP 5/2 in WNC 5/3; al-Quds 5/2 in WNC 5/4; AFP, RMC 5/5 in WNC 5/6)

In Tehran, Iran, Saudi Arabia open 4 days of talks on military cooperation, improving defense ties, but are vague on what form such coordination would take. Iran proposes forming an Arab-Islamic axis, comprising Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, to counter the U.S.-Israel-Turkey alliance. (NYT, WT 5/3; GIU 5/4; MM 5/6; al-Musawwar 5/14 in WNC 5/17)

In Amman, Arafat meets with King Abdallah. (RJ 4/4 in WNC 4/5; WT 4/5; al-Riyad 4/7 in WNC 4/15)

Jordan's King Abdallah begins a 3 day visit to Saudi Arabia today on 1st leg of regional tour aimed at restoring Arab solidarity, inter-Arab coordination; meets with King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdallah, who urge Jordan to limit ties with Iraq. (MM 4/6; JTV 4/6 in WNC 4/7; MM 4/7; `Ukaz 4/7, al-Ra'i 4/9 in WNC 4/14; al-Riyad 4/7 in WNC 4/15; MM 4/9; MEI 4/23)

Clashes erupt in Nazareth btwn. Christians and Muslims, who oppose planned construction of a plaza for millennium Christian pilgrims nr. a mosque. More than 70 Israeli police arrive but make no effort to stop the rioting, which leaves 7 Palestinians injured. There have been nonviolent protests over the project for more than a yr. (WP, WT 4/5; MM 4/8; MEI 4/23)

Egypt recalls its diplomatic mission fr. Belgrade to protest attacks against Albanians in Kosovo. (MENA 4/4 in WNC 4/5)

IDF shelling in s. Lebanon, injures 8 Lebanese civilians, including 5 children. (VOL 4/4 in WNC 4/5; WP 4/5; RL 4/5, 4/6 in WNC 4/7; WT 4/9; JP 4/16)

Israel releases 14 Palestinian prisoners as a good-faith gesture to mark Id al-Adha. (MM 3/30; YA 3/30 in WNC 3/31; PR 4/9)

U.S. intelligence officials say that in 2/99, when the U.S. 1st threatened airstrikes against Serbian forces, a Yugoslavian military delegation went to Iraq to discuss sharing information, equipment to target U.S. warplanes. Currently, NATO attacks on Milosevic's forces continue as 10,000s of Kosovar ethnic Albanians flee to Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro to escape Serbian attacks, which have intensified since strikes began 3/24. NATO has moved into the 2d stage of its attack, targeting Serb troops in Kosovo, but member states are debating whether ground troops will be needed to control the situation. The U.S. says it will not deploy ground troops except to monitor a peace agmt. (GIU, WT 3/31; WP 4/2; JP 4/9) (see 3/24)

To date, Middle Eastern states are divided on whether or not to support NATO actions in Yugoslavia. Some, like Jordan and Saudi Arabia, support the NATO intervention as an effort to protect Kosovo's Muslims. Others, like Iran and Iraq, denounce it as a dangerous exercise in Western hegemony. Egypt, UAE are providing aid refugees but saying little. Jordan has recalled its amb. to Belgrade. (WP 4/2)

Criticized for his government's muted response to the expulsion and killings of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, PM Netanyahu condemns mass murder by anyone in the Yugoslavian conflict; says Israel will send $100,000 worth of tents, medicine, clothing to the refugees, but rejects any comparison btwn. Kosovo, Israel. Netanyahu aides say that Israel--motivated by a historic debt to Yugoslavia, whose partisans helped Jews escape the Nazis during World War II, and by an interest in smoothing relations with Russia--does not want to take sides in the conflict. (NYT 3/31; Tishrin 3/31, al-Hayat al-Jadida 4/1, ATA [Tirana], YA 4/2, al-Akhbar al-Yawm 4/3 in WNC 4/5; MM, WP 4/1; MM 4/2; WT 4/3; Xinhua 4/3, MA 4/4 in WNC 4/5; AFP 4/5, AFP, IDF Radio, Xinhua 4/6 in WNC 4/7; al-Hayat al-Jadida 4/5, al-Ayyam 4/6 in WNC 4/8; CSM 4/8; MEI 4/9)

Israeli helicopters fire on Lebanese troops in s. Lebanon, wounding an officer, 3 soldiers. IDF says the troops were on a route usually used by Hizballah mbrs. (RL 3/30 in WNC 3/31; NYT 3/31)

In Vienna, Arafat meets Austrian chancellor Victor Klima. (Oesterreich Eins Radio Network 3/21 in WNC 3/22)

First lady Hillary Clinton, daughter Chelsea arrive in Egypt for 5 day visit on 1st leg of N. African tour. (MENA 3/21 in WNC 3/22)

PM Netanyahu arrives in Kiev for brief talks with Ukrainian pres. Leonid Kuchma on bilateral economic relations, preventing flow of nuclear know-how to Iran. He then heads to Moscow for 2 days of similar talks with Russian officials. (ITAR-TASS 3/21 in WNC 3/22; MM 3/22, 3/25; MEI 3/26; Zerkalo Nedeli [Kiev] 3/27 in WNC 4/7)

Israel's High Court rules that the more than 600 bedouin who entered Israel fr. Egypt and requested asylum face no danger fr. the Egyptian government, clearing the way for their deportation. (WP 3/22; CSM, NYT 3/23; PR 3/26) (see 3/15)

King Abdallah of Jordan issues royal decree naming his wife, Rania, queen. Queen Nur, wife of the late King Hussein, will be known as "queen mother." (NYT, WP 3/22)

Israeli judge quashes atty. gen.'s request to review the High Court's decision not to extradite Sheinbein to the U.S., allowing Sheinbein to be formally indicted on murder charges on 3/22. Even if convicted in Israel, Sheinbein would face prosecution if he returned to the U.S. (WP 3/22, 3/23; WJW 3/25; WP 3/28; JP 4/2)

Saudi Arabia acknowledges that it refuses to allow U.S. planes based in the kingdom to take part in raids on Iraq, that it objects to loosened rules of engagement. (NYT 3/22)

In London, Arafat meets with British PM Tony Blair. (SA 3/11 in WNC 3/12; VOA 3/18 in WNC 3/19; PR 3/19)

For 2d day in Gaza, PA police clash with 100s of Palestinians protesting PA police shooting of demonstrators 3/10. PA declares area a closed military zone, confiscates film fr. 6 photographers, detain 3 journalists. More than 50 Palestinians, including 17 policemen, are injured. (WT 3/12; RMC 3/12 in WNC 3/16; PR 3/19; MEI 3/26)

U.S. Senate approves (98-1) resolution urging Pres. Bill Clinton not to recognized a unilaterally declared Palestinian state. (RMC 3/12 in WNC 3/16; al-Jazira 3/13 in WNC 3/17; al-Quds 3/17 in WNC 3/22; WJW 3/18; PR 3/19) (see Doc. C3)

Iranian pres. Khatami meets with Pope John Paul II. (CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/12; MM 3/15)

On the last day of his regional tour, U.S. Defense Secy. Cohen stops in Egypt, pays courtesy call on PM Netanyahu in Israel. (MM 3/11; MENA 3/11 in WNC 3/12; NYT, WP, WT 3/12; WT 3/13; al-Quds 3/13 in WNC 3/17; MM 3/17; al-Watan al-Arabi 3/26 in WNC 4/5)

Saudi Arabia signs protocol with Afghanistan's Taliban under which only Taliban-certified Afghans may participate in the Hajj, lending credence to rumors that the Taliban broke with Saudi dissident Bin Laden a mo. or so ago, is no longer providing him safe haven. (GIU 3/16; see NYT 3/4)

In Amman, Turkey, Jordan hold talks in the context of their security cooperation agmt. on combatting terrorism, drug smuggling, organized crime. (ATL 3/12 in WNC 3/16)

Turkish lawyer Ahmet Zeki Okcuoglu agrees to take up Ocalan's defense again but says that he still does not feel secure. (NYT 3/12) (see 2/25)

Hizballah attacks a South Lebanon Army (SLA) post in s. Lebanon, wounding 1 SLA mbr. (VOL 3/11 in WNC 3/12)

U.S. Secy. of State Albright flies to Egypt, Saudi Arabia to asks their assistance in implementing the U.S.'s policy of "containment plus regime change" toward Iraq. U.S. says that Middle East leaders have been "sympathetic" the its ideas but have not endorsed the plan, offered to aid in the effort. (MENA 1/27 in WNC 1/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/28; WP, WT 1/29) (see 1/21)

Outside the PC mtg. in Ramallah, Palestinians demonstrate for the release of Palestinian political prisoners held in PA jails demonstrate. (LAW 1/29)

Egyptian FM Musa speaks with FMs of Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria regarding 1/24 Arab League mtg. on Iraq. (MENA 1/16 in WNC 1/20)

Italy allows PKK leader Ocalan to leave for an undisclosed location to seek asylum. Italy has been under diplomatic pressure fr. the U.S., economic pressure fr. Turkey to turn Ocalan over to Ankara. (NYT 1/17, 2/19) (see 11/25)

In Tel Aviv, U.S. special envoy Ross says that the U.S. plans to play a much less active role in final status negotiations, thinks "permanent status is not something that should be mediated." (USIS Washington File 1/12; NYT, WP 1/13; PR 1/15)

After 4 yrs., Lebanon lifts travel restrictions on Palestinians, dropping requirement for Palestinians to obtain visas to return to Lebanon. (RL 1/12 in WNC 1/13; NYT 1/13; RL 1/16 in WNC 1/20)

Netanyahu's office warns the PA that Israel would bar Arafat, PA officials fr. leaving he autonomous enclaves should the PA unilaterally declare statehood. (MEI 1/15)

PM Netanyahu meets with U.S. millionaire Irving Moskovitz, who is in town to decided which right-wing candidate for PM he will support financially in the 5/17 elections. Netanyahu gives assurances that he will not halt Moskovitz's construction of 132 units in the Palestinian neighborhood of Ras al-Amud in East Jerusalem. Congressman Michael Forbes (R-NY) is accompanying Moskovitz. (MM, WP 1/14; MM 1/21; JP 1/22; PR 1/29)

In what police, FBI term a sophisticated operation, burglars break into offices of prominent Washington polling firm, Greenberg Quinlan Research, that is advising Israeli PM-candidate Barak. Firm says that its international work was targeted, but it is uncertain whether files on Barak were among those stolen. (MM, WP 1/13; YA 1/13 in WNC 1/14; WJW 1/14; MM 1/20)

Israeli Religious Affairs M Eli Suissa cuts the size of local religious councils to keep them all Orthodox. A recent High Court ruling ordered the powerful councils (which run marriage bureaus and burial societies, maintain synagogues and ritual baths, supervise kosher inspections for both religious and secular Jews) be expanded to include Reform, Conservative Jews. (WT 1/13)

IDF lifts closure on Hebron imposed 1/4. (MM 1/14, MEI 1/15)

Unidentified assailant stabs, wounds Palestinian in West Jerusalem. (MM 1/12; PR 1/15, JP 1/22)

IDF uproots Palestinian orchard nr. Jewish settlement in the West Bank. (AFP [Internet] 1/12)

In Cairo, FMs of Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen hold 2d mtg. to prepare agenda for 1/24 Arab League mtg. on Iraq. Jordan does not condemn mtg. but is upset at not being included, blames Syria, warns that "forming axes" only deepens Arab divisions. (MM 1/12; MENA, RE 1/12 in WNC 1/13; MM 1/13; al-Dustur, MENA 1/13 in WNC 1/14; MM 1/14; JT, MENA, RE 1/14 in WNC 1/16; MM 1/15) (see 1/3)

The U.S. secretly sends letters to Arab states urging them to support its position on Iraq at the 1/24 Arab League mtg. (MM 1/22)

U.S. planes fire on Iraqi missile battery in n. no-fly zone. Defense Dept. says that Iraq has sent planes into the no-fly zones 66 times in the past 2 wks., targeted U.S. and British planes 12 times, increased its number of missile sites fr. 9 to 17. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 1/13)

FMs of Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen hold mtg. in Hurghada, Egypt, to coordinate their positions in advance of the 1/24 Arab League special session on Iraq. (MENA 1/3, 1/4 in WNC 1/5; MM 1/5; MENA 1/6 in WNC 1/7; SATN 1/8 in WNC 1/12)

An Egyptian court sentences Israeli David Mineu to life with hard labor for smuggling drugs into the country. (MENA 1/7 in WNC 1/8)

Israeli police detain for deportation 14 American mbrs. of a Denver-based apocalyptic cult who were allegedly planning to mark the millennium by committing suicide or provoking their own killings in the streets of Jerusalem. Israel fears more such incidents as 2000 approaches. (NYT, WP, WT 1/4; MA 1/5 in WNC 1/6; WT 1/5; PR 1/8; WJW 1/7; WJW 1/14; JP 1/15)

Long-time Netanyahu ally Avigdor Lieberman launches new party, Yisrael Beitainu, aimed at rallying support of Russian immigrants for the PM before 5/99 elections. (MM, WP 1/4; MA 1/4 in WNC 1/5; NYT, WP 1/5)

The Israeli Housing Min. says that 7 contractors have submitted plans to build at Jabal Abu Ghunaym/Har Homa settlement site in Jerusalem. (WP 1/4; JP, PR 1/15)

Israeli television reports that 1,100 housing units are being constructed in a new West Bank settlement, Tal Tziyon, n. of Jerusalem, nr. Ramallah. A total of 7,000 units are planned. (ITV 1/3 in WNC 1/5)

IDF attacks suspected Hizballah bases in s. Lebanon not far fr. Syrian-held positions, wounding 5 Lebanese civilians, 1 Syrian soldier. (MM, WP 1/4; RL, VOL 1/3, AFP, RL 1/4 in WNC 1/5; MM 1/5)

Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden tells Time Magazine that he "instigated" the 8/7 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya, Tanzania. (CSM 1/4)