Military officials, acting on CIA warnings that Iraq has developed biological weapons, is planning to begin vaccinating American military personnel in Gulf [NYT 12/28; LAT, WP 12/29].
GCC ends 4-day summit in Doha with statement and communique warning Iraq that war is only alternative unless Saddam withdraws from Kuwait; drops usual reference to PLO as "sole legitimate...
At Helsinki summit, Pres. Bush and Pres. Gorbachev issue strongly-worded statement declaring unconditional support for economic and political sanctions against Iraq [LAT, NYT, WT, WP, CSM 9/10];...
Pres. Bush announces he is suspending 18-month U.S.-PLO dialogue because of PLO's failure to condemn 5/30 attempted raid on Israel. Bush says suspension was "not an easy call," and "though we are...
Jimmy Carter arrives in Jerusalem after visits to Syria and Jordan; says Pres. Asad is willing to enter into peace talks with Israel at international conference [NYT, WP 3/19].
Occupied Palestine/Israel: With Soviet Jewish immigrants arriving in Israel at rate of more than 1,000 per week, Israeli officials acknowledge they do not have...
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Military officials, acting on CIA warnings that Iraq has developed biological weapons, is planning to begin vaccinating American military personnel in Gulf [NYT 12/28; LAT, WP 12/29].
Saddam Hussein sends his ambassadors back to their posts in Western and foreign capitals with message that Iraq wants "serious and constructive" dialogue with U.S. [NYT, LAT, WT 12/28].
Israeli Supreme Court temporarily bars expulsion of 4 Palestinians suspected as leaders of Hamas until Court completes its deliberations [NYT, LAT, WP 12/28].
Palestinian doctor, his sister, and her child are shot and wounded by sniper south of Jerusalem. Unknown group named Zionist Avengers claims responsibility for attack (cf. 1/1) [JDS 12/28 in FBIS 12/28; NYT 12/29].
GCC ends 4-day summit in Doha with statement and communique warning Iraq that war is only alternative unless Saddam withdraws from Kuwait; drops usual reference to PLO as "sole legitimate representative of Palestinians" [NYT, LAT, WP 12/26; CSM 12/27].
In annual Christmas message, Pope John Paul II calls for negotiations to end Gulf crisis, but seems to hint Iraq should leave Kuwait, saying "the inalienable rights of people and nations" must be respected. John Paul also calls for solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one that acknowledges "the legitimate expectations" of each side [LAT 12/25, 12/26; NYT, WT, WP 12/26].
USSR's 1st consul in Israel since 1967 presents his credentials in Jerusalem while Israel's 1st consul does likewise in similar ceremony in Moscow [LAT, WP 12/26; JPI 1/5].
Military panel in Jerusalem rejects appeals of 4 Palestinians slated to be deported for membership in Hamas [LAT, WT 12/26; FJ 12/31].
Spokesman says DFLP is ready to launch attack at Israel in event of U.S. aggression against Iraq [INA 12/25 in FBIS 12/26].
Fateh's Central Committee opens meeting in Tunis under Chrmn. Arafat [DUS 12/25 in FBIS 12/27].
At Helsinki summit, Pres. Bush and Pres. Gorbachev issue strongly-worded statement declaring unconditional support for economic and political sanctions against Iraq [LAT, NYT, WT, WP, CSM 9/10]; Pres. Bush drops longstanding opposition to Soviet involvement in Middle East peace process [NYT, WT, WP 9/11].
Israeli gov't is reported to have won court order temporarily blocking Canadian publication of Victor Ostrosky and Claire Hoy's book By Way of Deception: A Devastating Insider's Portrait of the Mossad [NYT 9/10; JPD 9/10 in FBIS 9/10].
Israeli police investigators recommend placing 9 police officers on trial for torturing Palestinians at Jerusalem's main jail, but high-ranking officials request review of evidence before charges are filed [NYT 9/10].
Saudi officials say their country will continue to support the Palestinians until they achieved an independent state, despite Palestinian support for Iraq [WT 9/10; MET 9/18].
More than 300 American women and children evacuated from Kuwait leave Amman to U.S. [WP 9/10; ADS 9/9 in FBIS 9/10].
'Abd-al-'Aziz Rantisi, a founder of Hamas, calls on Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait, urging Saddam to act according to Muslim law rather than according to personal likes and dislikes; Rantisi also calls for removal of U.S. troops from region [HAA 9/10 in FBIS 9/11].
Palestinians in O.T. observe general strike to mark beginning of 34th month of intifada [FJ 9/17].
After 3 days of fierce gun battles in S. Lebanon, Fateh troops loyal to Arafat over-run last stronghold of forces loyal to Abu Nidal; 18 people are reported dead [BDS 9/9 in FBIS 9/10; NYT, WP 9/10; WT 9/11; MET 9/18].
Pres. Bush announces he is suspending 18-month U.S.-PLO dialogue because of PLO's failure to condemn 5/30 attempted raid on Israel. Bush says suspension was "not an easy call," and "though we are specific in calling for the condemnation of this particular terrorist attack, once that is done we can resume talks." [KUNA 6/20 in FBIS 6/21; NYT, WP, LAT, WT, MEM 6/21; ADS 6/21 in FBIS 6/21].
In Jerusalem, World Zionist Organization defeats resolution opposing settlement of Soviet Jews in O.T.; P.M. Shamir speaks to group before vote, warns that Arabs are trying to sabotage immigration with threats of war [LAT, WT 6/21]; Shamir also calls on USSR not to curtail immigration UDS 6/20 in FBIS 6/21].
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee meets with FBI officials to discuss unsolved 1985 assassination of Alex Odeh; ADC accuses Israel of sheltering the killers, urges U.S. pressure on Israel to solve case [WT 6/21].
Worsening economic conditions in Gaza have created new political extremism and rise in influence of Hamas, other Islamic groups [CSM 6/21].
Jimmy Carter arrives in Jerusalem after visits to Syria and Jordan; says Pres. Asad is willing to enter into peace talks with Israel at international conference [NYT, WP 3/19].
Iran's First Dep. For. Min., Moham med Ali Besharati, says chances for freedom for Western hostages in Lebanon have never been brighter, predicts they will be freed within 10 months [NYT 3/ 19].
General strike called for by Hamas is observed in W. Bank, E. Jerusalem; masked Palestinians wielding axes and knives enforce strike in Hebron [NYT 3/ 19].
Fateh Revolutionary Council closes extraordinary and ordinary sessions [SVP 3/21 in FBIS 3/23].
Israeli housing minister David Levy calls for building 2,000 new W. Bank apartments this year to house Jewish immigrants (cf. 3/12) [WT 3/9].
Ruth Kaminker of Jerusalem's City Planning Board says city gov't. has plans to build new Jewish neighborhood in Mount Homa area of E. Jerusalem, despite U.S. opposition [WT 3/9].
In interview with Le Figaro, King Hussein blames U.S. for helping facilitate Soviet Jewish emigration to Israel [ADS 3/8 in FBIS 3/9].
Pres. Asad denounces political changes in E. Europe as beneficial to Israel [NYT, WP 3/9]; says U.S. is encouraging Soviet Jewish emigration, pledges to continue war against Israel "for as long as time" (cf. 3/9) [LAT 3/10].
Attacking what he calls Arafat's "strategy of compromise," PFLP leader George Habash calls for "mobilizing all our energies" to foil proposed Israeli-Palestinian negotiations [NYT 3/9].
Hamas issues statement explaining it does not intend to join national leadership in O.T., nor any Palestinian-Israeli dialogue; says it is not part of PLO, therefore PNC resolutions are not binding on Hamas [JTS 3/8 in FBIS 3/12].
PLO advisor Nabil Sha'ath says it is important the U.S.-PLO dialogue continue, and that PLO keep all channels open [RAY 3/9 in FBIS 3/9].
Pentagon officials say U.S. will sell to Israel (at a cost of over $200 million) sophisticated new weapons system capable of shooting down tactical ballistic missiles [LAT 3/9].
Israeli forces outside self-imposed "security zone" in S. Lebanon shoot dead 5 Arabs, allegedly members of Hizballah [IDF 3/8 in FBIS 3/8; NYT, LAT 3/9].
Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: With Soviet Jewish immigrants arriving in Israel at rate of more than 1,000 per week, Israeli officials acknowledge they do not have plan to handie the immigration, and new housing construction is months away [NYT 1/18].
Israeli political and military leaders react with alarm to Senator Robert Dole's suggestion that some U.S. aid to Israel be reapportioned to E. Europe [WP, LAT 1/ 18].
Arab World: In 2 interviews, Arafat expresses frustration over slowness of peace process. Arafat says to Cairo weekly Al Mussawar if peace efforts stop he will "immediately announce [his] resignation." Speaking in Baghdad, Arafat accuses Arabs of "impotence" vis-a-vis Israel, decries Arabs more concerned with events in Lebanon than in O.T., and criticizes Shamir's plan to resettle Soviet Jews in W. Bank [NYT 1/18].
Military Action
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli police announce that it has removed police officer from his post for "committing brutalities" during the 12/30 Peace Now rally in Jerusalem [FJ 1/29].
General strike called for by UNLU is observed in O.T. Leaflet attributed to Hamas sharply attacks Arafat for his willingness to recognize Israel [FBIS 1/171.
At least 2 Palestinians are wounded in clashes with IDF troops in O.T. [FBIS 1/ 18].
